The Great Sivamani

Soooo...about last last week....I ran into a thunderstorm called Sivamani. The amazing percussionist graced us with his presence and spent one on one time with all the band members. I had the good fortune to eat food cooked by his own hand and also feed him some humble food of my own. Kind man, kind heart, humble celebrity and luminous inspiration; Sivamani has changed all our lives. God bless him and keep his star forever shining.

Speechless,
Me

Siva's boon....

The father the mother and the grandparent of most amazing things, happened this past weekend....Still feels like a dream which I hope no one pinches me out of....

Don't want to say anymore.....just want to give you a hint with the following photo:

....Lautaaye hue saamaan ki baatein....

The music practices are going wonderfully. The musicians are amazing; it's been years since I have performed with such a solid group and it humbles me. Makes one want to do better and better. There are dances, poetry recitations and the live band (us). The song selection is amazing. Something for the Palo Alto pseudo-cool Bhangra loving crew as well as for the die-hard Gulzar worshippers. The latter know the songs from Aandhi, Golmaal, Ijaazat, Bandini, to name a few, like the back of their hand. I have never been part of the formerly mentioned "cool" crew, so my delight over the newer songs is lesser; just give me my Gulzar poems like water droplets on a tender green shoot in the monsoons....I seep it up.

Chhotisi kahaani se....

The only thing missing in this show is the amazing Gulzar himself....That would be sone pe suhaga in terms of this show.

Have some changes happening in my personal life and those have been keeping me busy. I will announce the necessary information, when things start crystallizing. The changes don't have anything to do with music, so I refrain from posting on this blog as yet.

Thank you for your continued support......

~Anandagandha

The latest.....

You know that old adage; that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I loved this saying and frankly I used to live by it. Then you realize that it's just a sham and what it should be is: that which doesn't kill you makes you think you're not dead and reborn over and over and over again. Knowing my weird penchant for privacy, I may not even post this post until I'm out of it. All I know is, everything is currently a whirlwind. I'm getting more offers to perform now than I have ever received in the past and regrettably I just have no time to even attend rehearsals.

A show recently came up though; luckily AFTER August (Jupiter Retrograde, you kill me) and is allowing me to finally explore the works of one of the loves of my life: GULZAR. I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to take part in this wonder venture. Please stay tuned as I post updates about rehearsals. No more time for audio posts.

Bye,
Mohana

The show was..................

Simply put......................................................







MAGNIFICENT !!!!!! I can't say more, at least not now since I'm still on a cloud. Check out: http://www.jigary.com

Humbled Me

Been busy with singing...

Amazing how life has completely turned around. I am now completely embedded in singing. A few months back this was a dream which has now become a flesh and blood reality. I have a show coming up with the new band I now sing with. I am humbled and happy that this lovely band has accepted my singing so kindly and are giving me plenty opportunity to try varied singing styles.

Show is on June 17th. Stay tuned for post-show talk.

Drenched in Moonlight

A humble note....

My blog is my creative expression; I realize others would simply have me sing on it, but my artistic nature does not allow me to be a robot and simply add songs on here without explaining my link to the song. I do not choose songs randomly; I have a relationship with every song I sing and I enjoy sharing that with my listeners.

I like to write and this blog is very much a part of my creative expression. The photos, the songs, the tale behind the songs and the personal anecdotes are all my artistic expression. I appreciate your sentiments about how I should sing more and post more but please realize that life is busy for me as well (as it is for my listeners) and that I like to write/sing/create that which gives me pleasure at my own pace.....

Thank you and please do continue to visit as I post more songs and stories :-)

Kaumudee

In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke - Umrao Jaan

Can anyone looking into Umrao Jaan Ada's limpid eyes be able to look away at anywhere else....? Certainly not her paramours who are moths to the bright flame of Umrao's beauty, talent and charisma. The excellent Asha Bhosle sings the poetry of Shahryar set to the melody of Khaiyyam, thus giving voice to Rekha's exquisite persona in Muzaffar Ali's 1982 artpiece, Umrao Jaan. The winsome tawaif, Umrao Jaan, coquettishly welcomes Nawab Sultan, one of her many admirers, who, as the film progresses, becomes the love of her life.

This is one of my favorite films and to this date no one has been able to recreate the delicate nuances of Rekha's acting and Ali's direction. Add to it a perfectly created set, genuine Urdu dialogue and costumes that would make the begums of Lucknow swoon, Umrao Jaan, the film captured many hearts and audiences. The music is exquisitely timeless; though attempts have been made to copy it's essence, to those that are true worshippers of ghazal gayaki and Urdu shaayri, Ali's Umrao Jaan will forever be a masterpiece to be untouched by any other.

Nearly 13 years ago, a song from this film launched my humble musical career; years later I revisit it as an homage to my roots. I offer at your feet my simple song.

~ Rasika

The overwhelmed heart....

So thanks to a new friend I made via the Internet, I got the chance to feel the first bit of bliss that I have not felt in nearly 10 years. I had the chance to jam with a group of equally passionate musical minds who worship music and who are open and understanding to flaws of vocal chords that have the remnants of cobwebs on them.

My new friend, a talented musician in his own right, invited me to a jam session which went into the wee hours of the morning. I was exhausted and running on very little sleep from the previous night but the continual proverbial "musical drip" coursing through my veins, did not allow sleep to steal my eyes. My ears absorbed in melodies that I had not heard for years, bringing out memories and thoughts of the best times of my life. My friend is a dedicated, talented keyboardist and also a hidden singer that is now attempting to sing as well. Suffice it to say, I give him two thumb's up for starters and a "wooooohooooooooo" for good measure.

All that singin' sure inspired me. I have been using music as a healer lately; yes I know it is cliched since that's the obvious medicine for tough times, but it's something I'm actively practicing now. Music has healed so much and it promises so much more.......

I'm choosing the floral arrangements of notes as we speak to get some more recordings done...............

Mohana

Mera Kuch Saamaan - Ijaazat

This song is too dear to my heart - I fell in love with all the songs from Ijaazat, growing up as a teenager in Toronto. I had newly discovered the genius of Gulzar and I was obssessed with learning about every song he had ever written. For me this was post-discovery of the phenomenon called R.D. Burman, and I drank in the film with my eyes, to absorb every element of it. The combination of R.D. Burman and Gulzar remains as my absolute favorites, and this film's soundtrack is the perfect harmony of both their talents.

The seriousness of the film's theme escaped me at the time, but the impact of the lyrics and the beautiful composition remained etched on my soul....This song is a request for a return of the mementos and memories that went along with a very emotional relationship. Sung by none other than Asha Bhosle, Anuradha Patel emotes this tender reminder to Naseeruddin Shah's character. One of Gulzar's finest songs, I have forever wanted to sing this. I offer my humble presentation to you......

Maya

O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi - Parakh

Based on Raga Khamaj, Salil Chaudhary's musical genius is perfectly showcased in Lata Mangeshkar's rendering of this song from the Hindi film Parakh. The lovely Sadhana sweetly sings as the rain pours down outside her home...Smiling shyly she lets us view the pouring rain through her soft eyes and we too start swaying to thoughts of love and the romance of the monsoon....

Lata Mangeshkar has also sung this lovely song in Bengali, which is titled "Na jeo na" and became a huge Bengali film song hit. Salil Da has retained the same romantic soft mood in both songs. The mixing on this recording is my own attempt, as was the song before, so please give me your genuine feedback so that I may improve my work - both in singing and mixing. Thank you.....

Indrani....

I will update this song here once I've re-recorded it. I am not satisfied with it. Thank you.

Tauba Tauba - Mr. Natwarlal

When I was growing up, there were three things I loved dearly: playing, my Mother and of course...like all kids at that time, Amitabh Bachchan. During exams, I was banished to the nearby room and while my family watched Chitrahaar and Chhayageet, I was expected to stick my nose in a book and actually *gasp* LEARN ! My mind and eyes were always however on the crack in the door through which I could keep tabs on what song was playing. The only time my jailors pitied and released me for a breath of fresh air, was when Amitabh came on screen.......

Mr. Natwarlal was one of my all time favorite movies, but I didn't appreciate this particular song until I was much older. Featuring one of my favorite actresses, Rekha, this song was another silky rendition by Asha Bhosle. Rajesh Roshan created, I think, one of his best soundtracks for this film. I present this one to your kind ears....

Chhappan Chhuriwali........

On a roll...........

I recorded like 3-4 songs today...having them mixed soon and then going to post them here. This is a huge deal for me because I tend to take ten years to post any songs (as Murali will attest to) and I really need to get the ball rolling.

Anyways, stay tuned....

The Dark One

Dark One, hear me, I am mad with visions.
Eaten up by separation, I wander from place to place covered in ash and clothed in skins.
My body is wasting all because of you.
Distraught and desperate, I go from forest to forest.
Immortal and Unborn One, visit your beggar.
Extinguish her pain with your pleasurable touch.
Mira says: "End this coming and going. Let me forever embrace your sweet feet."

-Mirabai

OMG...new job started today !

Thank you God for giving me this. Thank you. I needed this. The music is coming back........!

Bhaage Re Mann - Chameli

When I first heard this floral song, I too wanted to run away somewhere, like Chameli's heart...Sunidhi Chauhan has expanded her repertoire and sung this delightfully ethereal song that gives one visions of running barefoot through a rain-drenched green forest...without a care in the world. She silkily glides through the lush greenery, pulling us with her and makes us hum without our own knowledge....

Suffice it to say, this is one of my absolute favorite Sunidhi songs. She gives a lovely voice to Kareena Kapoor's "flower amidst the dirt" aka "dhool ka phool" persona in Chameli. Again Shubho's wonderful mixing is at work here. I offer this geetanjali humbly to you....

Pundarika.....

My entertainment quota is getting filled....

Ok so wow...these weekends are delightful, here in Sunnyvale.

Last weekend I went to the RMIM meeting in Cupertino where music minded individuals celebrated their knowledge of music and trivia by chillin together.

The day after I attended Anu Kapoor's NRI Antakshari (I hate how they call it that and make it a point to keep repeating NRI before Antakshari. Ugh). This thing was awesome. Annoyingly loud, ostentatious and irritating, I enjoyed myself thoroughly...I was surprised that I was able to get like 85% of the answers. Rohit and I were like two teenyboppers at a Cheetah Girls or NSync concert (um I don't know any latest boy bands...sorry). Naaz was loving it too, but Rohit and I just about were turning crazy. Loved this show.

Anu Kapoor ain't too shabby a singer. He brought along two goodie singers; Niladri Debnath and Archana Parulekar (Bengali and Maharashtrian respectively) and they were just amazing. The other chick, Falguni Brahmabhatt is average, with her looks being the bigger lure than her voice. Archana's voice had me enraptured and Niladri was excellent...bong that he is...! The songs were fabulous and the teams were ok. I wish there was more MUSICAL talent on stage as well as lyrical knowledgeable pundits.

SO.........yesterday...I'm on my way to my god awful job (you know, the kinda place that makes you want to get a gun and shoot your brains out each and every single day you walk in) and I get a text message from Lisa Tsering, Entertainment and Awesome Reporter Extraordinaire, saying, "Sonu tmo. nite - want to come?" --------- um YEAH...my exact words to her. This guy has just ripened perfectly as a singer. I hate his ham-like ways, but his talent is unbeatable. Can't mock that. His Jesus haircut? Deserves a mock. His amazing talent? Deserves a "waah" ! I was happy for all of the afternoon until I got sick sick sick. Am still sick and have to get better by tonight. Can you believe I have to work on Monday when everyone else is not ?? It's a holiday and I'm going to work. Life sucks but then you get to go to a Sonu Nigam concert and doll up and all's right with the world again.

PS I am seriously thinking of giving Lisa the title of "Kaumudee's Personal Entertainment Planner" for all the fun shows and events she sends me to.

I will post my review tomorrow. Let me sleep for an hour or so. Toodles !!!

Chiaro di Luna

Miss Torsekar goes to the opera...

Wow what an experience....definitely something I want to do again. It was a compilation of music from different operas. I felt like Cher from Moonstruck...I even had a new hairdo and gorgeous gown. However I have no grey hair, so didn't have to color anything. The opera was called Merola Grand Finale and featured music from The Barber of Seville and Béatrice et Bénédict to name a few. My personal favorite was Street Scene by Kurt Weill speaking of the delights of icecream in America...That was too good, as was the new Italian American immigrant styling that was done on the piece. Fun stuff !

Didn't stay for the whole thing but would have loved to. I think I want to go again....Thank you Lisa.

What do little geeks dream of.....? COMPUTERS of course !!!

Time to record again....my new computer comes home tomorrow. I will record then. Thank you for the constructive criticism, good wishes and encouragement that you all have sent my way....I have been working on one song, which I just can't wait to record. With the new computer the sound is going to really be much better. Stay tuned....

Aao Na Gale Laga Lo Na - Mere Jeevan Saathi

Classic rendition by RD Burman and picturized on who else, but the Mallika of Sensuality, Helen. It is strange to begin my audio posts with a seduction song but somehow the composition got to me years ago and now again when I was scoping out tracks to do.

RD's orchestration is remarkable and the full band is of course unbeatable. Sung originally by her royal highness, Asha Bhosle, I have merely attempted to mimic her by skimming the surface of her rendition.