drtutu's commentary: Old Bollywood

drtutu's commentary: Old Bollywood: I suddenly realized I have been using an excuse for not resuming my commentaries, the same excuse for which I have often taken my friends an...

Old Bollywood

I suddenly realized I have been using an excuse for not resuming my commentaries, the same excuse for which I have often taken my friends and relatives to task:  Too busy, don’t have enough time.  I used to say: Get your priorities right.  If it is really important to you, you will find time.  Well, you know how that bullying goes.  I better get off this topic before I get myself in too deep.

There are so many topics on which I want to say something (mostly to get things off my chest), and as always, I believe that people are entitled to my opinions. 

Over the years, right from my College days in Guntur, I have been addicted to old Hindi film songs from the 40s, 50s, and the 60s.  It is my personal belief that with rare exceptions, beautiful Hindi film music was pretty much dead starting with the 70s.  The greatest movie hits of pre-70s era enjoyed their success due to the songs; a perfect combination of the lyrics by poets, composed by fantastically talented music composers, and of course, perfectly delivered by golden-voiced singers.  Singers like Pankaj Mullick, Kundan Lal Saigal, Mohammed Rafi, Mukhesh, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, etc., each one with their immortal, spectacular, and unique voice.   Not to take anything away from the many wonderful female singers, I may be forgiven for dwelling only on male singers for a reason.  Ever since the availability of Karaoke music of old Hindi film songs about 15 years ago, I have enjoyed singing songs by these various male artists.  I do believe I have a unique gift by which I can remember the entire lyrics of the songs I like, after I listen to them two or three times.  I think my repertoire approaches more than 200 songs which I can sing without looking at notes.  And my favorite performance venues are my bathroom shower and my car.  Especially my car, on solo long drives.  I can sing with impunity, no body to object or complain.  That is how I survived all those years of commuting while working as a floating Pharmacy Manager for Wal-Mart.  Miles just melt away.

While all these good things are happening, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone.  There are so many wonderful songs I have known, but somehow I neither had the opportunity or the pleasure of seeing the movies to which some of those songs belong.  My regrettable bad habit is, despite getting burned repeatedly, wanting to see the “picturisation” of these songs, especially since the advent of VCDs and the YouTube.    Most of them are so disgustingly bad, I hated myself for wanting to see them and nearly destroying the wonderful memories of those songs. It is like going to a restaurant after reading a raving review, and end up eating food that tastes like garbage.  My earnest advice to you:  don’t ever do it. Just enjoy the songs.

While I am on the subject of old movies and songs, the latest is some sad news about the demise of that consummate entertainer, Yahoo Shammi Kapoor.  Now, there was an Original Junglee.  He was the only Star during that era that could act and dance (even though in his own inimitable ants-in-your-pants style).  I have thoroughly enjoyed most of his movies.  During my years as a graduate student in Bombay University, I used to be a member of the University Film Club.  Shammi Kapoor movies and Guru Dutt movies were the only ones that were accorded “Cult” status and a frequent retrospect of their movies. 

For sheer entertainment, Shammi Kapoor was peerless.  He was also blessed with perfect lip-synching ability which enabled him to exploit the voice and singing talents of the great Mohammed Rafi.  Of course, the result was movies like: Kashmir Ki Kali, Junglee, Professor, Brahmchari, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Janwar, and songs like Ye Chand ka roshan chehera, Diwaana Hua Baadal, Chahe koi mujhe Junglee kahe,   Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar, Aai Aai Aa Sukoo Sukoo , Hai Duniya Usiki , Lal Chhadi etc.  These songs always keep me great company on solo drives, and lift up my spirits when I am in need of a pick up.  As human beings, I believe, our true measure is what we leave behind.  Shammi Kapoor left behind a legacy of sheer entertainment.  He shall always be one my favorite entertainers.  May God Bless His Soul.