Song 78:
So if there were an 'Asha-Geeta' school or style or 'gharana' of singing, then over the years many singers tried adopting it and adding new, forbidden flavours to Hindi songs. I feel these were all the singers who challenged the status-quo, who did not conform to the high-pitch, sedate and classical expectations. These singers etched out characters that were vulnerable, fragile, quirky, faulting, flawed and therefore deliciously interesting. I don't think Lata or her many clones could do justice to these characters. The very first condition for these characters was non-conformity.
These singers and these songs talked of imperfections and disappointments, of hope and despair, of the shadows that lurk behind formality and convention. These songs opened a Pandora's box of images and impressions. They were not black and white. They delved into the inner recesses of human nature, the truths, the half truths, the lies, the make-believes, the self denials and the assurances. They were not so boring and mundane as to say 'I love yous' in so many words. They said the 'I don't love yous' and the 'I don't miss yous' and the 'I don't need yous' and the 'I am not god-awful crazy about yous'! While meaning exactly the opposite. Runa Laila is one such name that comes to mind. What a voice! As if made out of textured honey. Of the silver lining in a grey cloud, of candyfloss induced candour, of the longing for mangoes in mid February or the wait at a crowded pani puri/chaat stall, of the first high heels bought for prom night. This song takes me to a different zone and thought process. I just love it. But this song does not remind me of you. And of course I don't love you and I never never miss you! :)
So if there were an 'Asha-Geeta' school or style or 'gharana' of singing, then over the years many singers tried adopting it and adding new, forbidden flavours to Hindi songs. I feel these were all the singers who challenged the status-quo, who did not conform to the high-pitch, sedate and classical expectations. These singers etched out characters that were vulnerable, fragile, quirky, faulting, flawed and therefore deliciously interesting. I don't think Lata or her many clones could do justice to these characters. The very first condition for these characters was non-conformity.
These singers and these songs talked of imperfections and disappointments, of hope and despair, of the shadows that lurk behind formality and convention. These songs opened a Pandora's box of images and impressions. They were not black and white. They delved into the inner recesses of human nature, the truths, the half truths, the lies, the make-believes, the self denials and the assurances. They were not so boring and mundane as to say 'I love yous' in so many words. They said the 'I don't love yous' and the 'I don't miss yous' and the 'I don't need yous' and the 'I am not god-awful crazy about yous'! While meaning exactly the opposite. Runa Laila is one such name that comes to mind. What a voice! As if made out of textured honey. Of the silver lining in a grey cloud, of candyfloss induced candour, of the longing for mangoes in mid February or the wait at a crowded pani puri/chaat stall, of the first high heels bought for prom night. This song takes me to a different zone and thought process. I just love it. But this song does not remind me of you. And of course I don't love you and I never never miss you! :)
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