Raag-matazz :I

Statutory warning: Only for classical music lovers!:-)

The inspiration behind this blog-post is the chat I had with my friend Prasad yesterday night regarding classical-based Hindi film songs. Our conversation took the form of an idea for the blog-post when while discussing some of the most beautiful Yaman Kalyan compositions in Hindi cinema (co-incidentally one of my most favourite raagas), Prasad asked me to share my compiled list of most popular Raagas used in flicks (the list had been compiled for my own personal use over a no. of yrs, not comprehensive though!). I know many of you would not be interested in the topic; but for those who are, would be grateful if you could add on/ point out any factual errors in this list compiled.

Contrary to the common belief that modern music is devoid of classical elements, the Mozart of Madras, A R Rehman can actually be counted as one of the best proponents of classical music in modern times, if not ever, as almost all of his masterly compositions have classical Raag strains in them (& tat too a variety of Raags). Take a look:

 

AR Rehman- Raaga to Riches collection

 Yeh Haseen Vadiyaan- Roja- Raag Kaanada

Roja Jaaneman- Roja- Raag Kaafi

Dil hai chotasa -Roja - Raag Gaud Sarang

Bombay-Theme- Raag Desh

Tu hi re- Bombay-Raag Khamaj

Kehna Hi Kya- Bombay- Raag Bhairav

Yaaron Sun lo Jaraa- Rangeela- Raag Todi (only ARR can do this; a tapori item song based on a raag, and that too one of the mildest raag!)

Hai rama yeh kya hua – Rangeela- Raag Puriya Dhanashree

Kehtaa hai mera ye dil piya- Jeans- Raag Bhimpalaas

Rut aa gayi re -1942 Earth- Raag Puriya Dhanashree

Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata hai- Meenaxi- Raag Vrindavani Sarang

Piya haji ali -Fiza- Raag Maand

Kariye naa –Taal- Raag Yaman-Kalyan

Taal se taal mila –Taal- Raag Bhairavi

Chaiyya Chaiyya- Dil Se- Raag Hamsadhwani (It is! I swear!)

Jiya jale - Dil Se-  Raag Bhairavi

Ae Ajnabi, Tu bhi Kabhi- Dil Se- Raag Bhimpalaas

Ghanan ghanana - Lagaan- Raag Megh Malhar

Radha kaise na jale –Lagaan- Raag Bhimpalaas

Dheeme dheeme gaun- Zubeidaa- Raag Jogiya

Chhodo mori baiyaan – Zubeidaa- Raag Patdeep

Boondon se baatein -Thakshak – Raag Kirwani

Saathiya (Title Song)- Raag Kaanada

Chupke Se- Saathiya- Raag Marwa

Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera – Swades- Raag Desh

Yeh taara, woh taara- Swades- Raag Kalawati

Aahista Aahista- Swades- Raag Charukesi

Barso Re Megha- Guru- Raag Bahaar

Tere bina - Guru- Raag Pahadi

Aye Hairathe Ashiqui -Guru- Raag Yaman Kalyan (What a song! Beautiful!)

Khwaja Mere Khwaja- Jodhaa Akbar- Raag Alaiya Bilawal & Kalingda

Man Mohana- Jodhaa Akbar-  Raag Bhairavi

Jashne-e-bahaara- Jodhaa Akbar- Raag Dhrupad

Bhor Bhaye- Delhi 6- Thumri in Raag Gurjari Todi

 

May he continue to regale us with such beautiful and soulful songs for years to come. Amen!