Zarin 0

An Inspiration etched in Melodies – Pta. Zarin Daruwala

Kunal Desai | desaikunald@gmail.com ‘That Parsi Girl’ as she was initially known due to her unfamiliarity with the usual all-male ensemble of musicians in Bombay film studios when she started playing for films at the age of 18. Eventually, Zarin Daruwala became a name to reckon with for any piece of Sarod playing in songs or...

Ranjit Gazmer 0

God’s Own Musician – Ranjit Gazmer (Kancha)

M..It ro It was located on the 'Jal Pahar' hill.It was located on the 'Jal Pahar' hill.Shankar Iyer | burmanfan@yahoo.com Over the years, Indian music has been broadly identified in two forms. Classical music, associated with a certain grammar and structure, was considered the music of the masters. Born in the kings' palaces, it required...

Lucila Pacheco

The Master On Keys – Lucila Pacheco

Kunal Desai | desaikunald@gmail.com “A girl should be two things: Who and what she wants.” Said, Coco Chanel. Perhaps the very basic need of any human is its identity and for a woman in a field dominated by men is nothing but her identity. Film Music is also one such domain wherein conventionally, most men...

Kashmir Ki Kali 0

I will charge more than the hero – O P Nayyar

"Shakti Samanta had come to me with a need for a film. I asked what is the story? So he started saying that you should make songs, we will build the story around them. OK, how many songs do you need? Said that at least make 10. I said ok but there are 2 conditions....

Sebastian

Sebastian D’Souza: The Man Behind Immortal Harmonies

One of the most significant contributions of the Portuguese in India was compulsory music learning in Church Schools. They would not have imagined that this policy will be immensely helpful to composers of Hindi Film Music. Here in Lahore, he became a friend of OP Nayyar. Post-independence he moved to Bombay and got his first...

DIRECTOR & MUSIC BR Chopra

Insaan Ki Aulaad Hai Insaan Banega – BR Chopra

"Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman banega, insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega..." The song is from the film Dhool ka Phool’ 1959 which was not directed by B R Chopra but by his equally illustrious brother Yash Chopra. B R Chopra (hereafter referred to as B R in this article) produced Dhool ka Phool and...

Jonita Gandhi

Spotify’s Asian Heritage Month – Jonita Gandhi

Jonita Gandhi, an Indo-Canadian singer amongst many Asian singers has been featured as a part of Spotify’s North American Campaign for empowering and enabling Asian artists. Their contribution and involvement in the global music landscape for May. The Canadian campaign tagline said, “We have so much to be proud of.” Now, this is apt for the...

Kishore Desai 0

Kishore Desai – A Maestro Who Strummed Million Hearts

Shankar Iyer | burmanfan@gmail.com Listening to the RD Burman’s iconic ‘Tum Bin Jaan Kahaan’ (Pyar Ka Mausam) without Kishore Desai's mandolin strings is much similar to being served Mumbai’s famed vada pav without vada and the dry garlic chutney! The ultimate freedom song 'Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna hai' (Guide) or Ai Meri Zohra zabeen...

pehla pyar pehla khumar

Pehla Pyaar Pehla Khumaar

Geet Utsav is an episodic series that focuses on historic events of Hindi Film Music. Ranging from different eras and teleporting you in the warmth of indelible bollywood lyrics. These episodes are to be aired on leading streaming platforms (YouTube and Facebook). The episode streamed on 14th February was aimed to celebrate love. Participation in this...