25 December, 2006

Lata Mangeshkar v/s Asha Bhosale - is it fair to compare ?

At last I have mustered enough courage to post a topic close to my nheart albiet controversial. The topic is - Amongst the mangeshkar siblings, who's better, Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhosale ? I am more in favour of Asha Bhosale, although I will say that it is unfair to compare them thus. My twin criteria for arriving at the strange conclusion is VERSATILITY & RANGE OF VOICE. While Lata has a rather high pitched voice, very sweet and most difficult to attain of course, yet Asha scores over her elder sister because of her range and versatility. Asha has sung songs effortlessly in all the octaves, while Lata has restricted herself to the medium and high octaves. Can you imagine Lata singing "Dum maaro dum" or "Dil cheez kya hai" ? Same cannot be said about Asha. She has sung fair number of songs in the highest octave. Sample her "Yeh kya jagah hai doston", and "Sun le pukaar, aaee aansuon ki dhaar leke, aaj tere dwaar" just to name a few. I use the same criteria to rate Begum Parveen Sulatana much above Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. Coming to the topic, Asha has sung a greater varieties of songs including devotional, Ghazals, light classicals, Pop etc. Readers are invited to comment upon the topic ! The field is open to all. Any error of omission frommy side is regretted.

24 December, 2006

A tribut to Mohammed Rafi on his 82nd birthday

Yesterday 24th December was the legendary singer Md.Rafi's 82nd birthday. What else can I add more about this all time great singer than what has already been penned about him? To me he was THE most versatile singer of all times having sung in all the genres, be it Classical, Devotional, Light romantic, Soulful, Sad, chirpy yuppee, you name it he had it ! Only Kishore kumar to some extent came a distant second in versatility.

Rafisaab was the most humble and down to earth human being one could imagine in the otherwise big, bad world of Bollywood. He was such a simpleton that he NEVER took any royalty of any of his recorded songs. He only took an upfront payment and that was it ! Due to this, he had a tiff with Lata Mangeshkar and they did not sing together for a couple of years in the 1960's. Compare this with today's upstarts like Himesh Reshammiyas who claim that they are "Blessed" by Goddess Saraswathi and claim to "compose" in all genres !

Anyway, this post's about Rafisaab and his genius. He started his career with Shyam Sunder in the early 1940's and went on to sing under every leading Music Director like Ghulam Mohammed, Naushaad, Anil Biswas, Husnlal -Bhagatram, S-J, SD, Roshan, Madan Mohan, Chitragupta,C.Ramchandra, K-A, RD , L-P et al.

There's a marvellous post by Dr Narasinha Kamath posted in http://dr-narasinha-kamath.sulekha.com. All those interested in discussing about Old Film songs can visit his blog. He's also posted interesting tit bits about Rafisaab in http://dr-narasinha-kamath.sulekha.com/blog/post/2006/12/immortal-mohd-rafi.htm .

My personal Rafi Favourites include -
1. Koi saagr dil ko behlaata naheen - Dil diya dard liya.
2. Madhuban main raadhika - Kohenoor.
3. Naachey man mora - Meri saoorat teri aankhen.
4. Raadhike toone bansuri churaaee - Badi behen.
5. Nazar na lag jaaye - Night in london.
6. Na jaa kaheen ab na jaa -Mere humdum mere dost.
7. Teri aankhon ke siva - Chiraag.
8. Yeh chand sa roshan chehra - Kashmir ki kali.
9. Chahe koi mujhe jungalee kahe - Junglee.
10. Hum bekhudi main tumko pukaare - Hum Dono.
11. Pukaarta chalaa hoon main - Mere sanam.
12. Kar chale hum fida jaano tan saathiyon - Haqeeqat.
13. Man tarapat hari darasan ko aaj - Baiju baawra.
14. Maniey poochhaa chaand se ki dekha hai kaheen - Abdullah
15. Dard e dil - Karz.
The list is endless and I can fill pages but I got to stop here. In the end, Rafisaab was the last of the Moghuls who ruled the world of playback singing. After him we got to hear only clones !

20 November, 2006

Laaga chunari main daag..........

This evergreen song from the film "Dil hi to hai", composed by Late Roshan and sung by Manna Dey remains a truly "Classical" composition in the sense that it more or less retains the essence of the Raaga (Sindhu Bhairavi) like "Madhuban main raadhika naachey" (Raag Hameer). Of course we do have purer Classical compositions like "Aaja gaavata mana mero" in Desi from "Baiju baawra", but most of these were sung by acclaimed masters like Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Amir Khan or D V Paluskar etc. However in case of "Laaga chunari main daag" or "Madhuban main ...", they were sung by playback singers.
I don't know what it is that compels me to listen to this song innumerable times. I realized its timelessness when I started to practise singing this song for the annual cultural event of the college where I teach. In order to get into the song I must have listened to the song at least 500 times, but never did I feel bored ! In fact, each time I listened or sang with it, it revealed new facets to me. Here. I must add that I have not received any formal training in classical music. Yet it was my wish from the last 10 years to be able to sing this particular song on stage. This wish was fulfilled yesterday night when I finally sang it front of an audince of about 400 people ! I cannot say whether I sang it competently, but the applause was heartening, even from the younger section of the crowd, who had just had a heavy dose of modern music.

16 November, 2006

A list of Indian classical Raagas in Hindi film songs - 4

Downloaded a list of hindi film songs based on classical ragas, from www.asavari.org . Great work done there!
60. Maaru Bihaag - Tum toh pyaar ho, O sajanaa - SEHERA
- Bada dukh deena, tere lakhan ne - RAAM LAKHAN
- Matvaalee naar thumak thumak chalee jaaye - Film ?
61. Maarwaa - Paayaliya bavri - SAAZ AUR AWAAZ
62 Megh Malhaar - Dukh bharey din beetey re bhaiiya - MOTHER INDIA
- Ghanana ghanana ghan ghir aaye badiraa - LAGAAN
- Kaare kaare badira - MERA NAAM JOKER
63 Megh - Ghanana ghanana - BAIJU BAWRA
64 Miyaan ki Malhaar - Bole re papiharaa - GUDDI
- Bhay bhanjana - BASANT BAHAAR
- Lapak jhapak too aare badarawaa - BOOT POLISH
65. Multaani - Dayaa kar e giridhar gopal - SHABAAB
66. Nand - Tu jahaan jahaan chalegaa - MERA SAYAA
67. Pahaadi - Husn pahaadon ka, O sahibaa - RAAM TERI GANGA MAILEE HO GAYEE
- Karvatein badaltey rahein aadhee raat hum - AAP KI KASAM
- Dil pukarey aare aa re aa re - JEWEl THIEF
- Aaja re, aajare O mere dilbar aaja - NOORI
- Neela aasman so gaya - SILSILA
- Tere mere hothon pe meethey meethey geet mitwaa - CHANDNI
- Kaisey jeeyoonga main, agar too na banee meri saahiban - SAAHIBAAN
- Jo waada kiyaa woh nobhaana padega - TAJ MAHAL
- Rahein na rahein hum - MAMTAA
68. Palaasi - Kabhi tanhayeeyon main yun - HUMAARI YAAD AAYEGI
- Gori tera gaon badaa pyara - CHITCHOR
69. Patdeep - Megha chhaaye aadhee raat - SHARMEELEE
70. Piloo - Oh re taal miley nadee ke jal main - ANOKHI RAAT
- Maine shaayad tumhe, pehele bhee kaheen dekhaa hai -BARSAAT KI RAAT
- Kaalee ghataa chhaaye mora jiya trasaaye - SUJAATA
71. Pooriya Dhanashree - Hae raama yeh kyaa hua - RANGEELA
- Rut aagayee re - EARTH 1947
- Rang aur noor ki baarat kisey pesh karoon - GHAZAL
72. Raageshree - Mohabbat aisee dhadkan hai - ANAARKALEE
73. Shankaraa - Bole bole kaanhaa, challa chhaliyaa - CHHALIYAA
74. Shiva ranjini - Jaane kahaan gaye woh din - MERA NAAM JOKER
- Mere naina saawan bhaadon - MEHBOOBA
- kaheen deep jaley kaheen dil - BEES SAAL BAAD
- O mere sanam, O mere sanam - SANGAM
- tere mere beech mey - EK DOOJE KEY LIYE
75. Sohani - Kuhoo kuhoo boley re koyaliyaa - SWARNA SUNDAREE
- Prema jogana bana key - MUGHAL - E - AAZAM
76. Sindhu Bhairavi - Laaga chunari main daag - DIL HI TOH HAI
- Ajahuna aaye baalma, saawan beeta jaye - SAANJH AUR SAVERAA
- Phul geindava na maaro, lagat karejawa main chot - DOOJ KA CHAAND
77.Sur Malhaar - Dar laagey garaje badarawaa -RAAM RAAJYA
78. Tilang -Itnaa toh yaad hai mujhey - MEHEBOOB KI MEHANDI
- Chhup gaye sarey nazarey - DO RAASTE
79. Tilak Kaamod - Tumhaare bin jee naa lage ghar main - BHOOMIKA
80. Todi - Duniya naa bhaaye mohe ab toh uthaa le - BAIJU BAAWRA
81. Yaman - Aansoo bharee hai ye jeevan ki raahein - Parvarish
- Jab deep jae aanaa - CHITCHOR
- Chaand phir niklaa - PAYING GUEST
- Jiyaa le gayo ji mora saanwariya - ANPADH
- Re man sur main gaao - LAL PATTHAR
- Jaare badira bairi jaa - BAHAANA
- Chandan sa badan - SARASWATI CHANDRA
- Bhoolee huee yaadon, mujhey itna na sataao - SANJOG (old)
- Saarangaa teri yaad main - TITLE SONG
- Chhupaa lo yoon dil main pyaar meraa - MAMTA
- Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar - JUNGLE
- Ghar sey nikaltey hi - PAP KEHTE HAIN
- Aaye ho meri zindagi main tum bahaar ban kar - RAAJA HINDUSTAANI

11 November, 2006

A list of Indian classical Raagas in Hindi film songs - 3

In continuation with the list of hindi film songs which have been based on classical ragas :
46. Kalavati - Koi saagar dil ko behelaata naheen - DIL DIYA DARD LIYA.
- Sanam too bewafaa ke naam se mashahoor ho jaaye - KHILONA.
- Subah aur shaam, kaam hi kaam - ULJHAN
- Hae agar dushman jamaana - HUM KISSI SEY KUM NAHEEN
47. Kalyaan - Rasika balamaa - CHORI CHORI
48. Khamaaj - Aaya kahaan sey ghanashyaam - BUDHDHA MIL GAYAA
- Badaa natkhat hae re kishan kanhaiyya - AMAR PREM
- Nazar laagi raaja tore bangale pey -KAALA PAANI
49. Kaamod - Jao re jogi tum jao re - AAMRAPAALI
- Eree, jaane na doongee - CHITRALEKHA
50. Kedar - Humko man ki shakti dena - GUDDI
- Aap yoon hi agar humsey milte rahey - EK MUSAAFIR EK HASEENA
- Pal do pal kaa saath humaara - THE BURNING TRAIN
51. Kirwaani - Mera dil ye pukaare aajaa - NAAGIN (old)
- Main pyaar kaa raahee hoon - EK MUSAAFIR EK HASEENA
- Meri bheegi bheegi see - ANAMIKA
- Beqaraar dil too gaaye jaa - DOOR KAA RAAHEE
52. Kaushi Kaanada - Ab to maadhava mohey ubaar - Film ?
53. Lalit - Ek shehenshah ne banwaa ke haseen taj mahal - LEADER
- Preetam darasa dikhao - CHAACHA ZINDABAAD
- Too hai mera prem devataa - KALPANA
54. Madhuvanti - Rasme ulfat ko nibhaayen toh nibhaayen kaisey - DIL KI RAAHEN
55. Madhumaas Saarang - Kahaan sey aaye badira - CHASHME BADDOOR
- Aa laut ke aaja mere meet - RAANI ROOPMATI
56. Manj Khamaaj - Kaisey dina beetey - ANURAADHA
57. Malkauns - Mana tarapata hari darasan ko aaj - BAIJU BAAWRA
- Aadhha hai chandrama raat aadhee - NAVRANG
- Ankhiyana sang ankhiyaan laagi - BADA AADMI
58. Malgunji - Nain sey nain naheen milao - JHANAK JHANAK PAAYAL BAAJE
- Ghar aaja ghir aayee badira - CHHOTE NAWAAB
- Unko ye shikaayat hai ke hum kuchh naheen kehate - ADAALAT
- Naa laagena, tere bina mora kaheen jiya - AANAND
59. Maand - Too chanda, main chaandni - RESHMA AUR SHERA
- Morani, baagan main dole aadhi raat main - LAMHE
- Kesariya baalama - LEKIN

09 November, 2006

A list of Indian classical Raagas in Hindi film songs - 2

It isn't a researched material of my own, but found it in some site while surfing.Requesting interested persons to correct / update the existing information.
25. Darbaari - Yeh hawaa yeh raat yeh chaandni - SANGDIL
26. Darbaari Kaanada - Jhanak jhanak tori baaje paayaliya -MERE HUZOOR
- Raadhike toone bansuri churaayee - BETI BETE
- Hum tujhse mohabbat karkey sanam - AAWAARA
- Koi matwaala aayaa mere dwaare - LOVE IN TOKYO
- Yaad main teri jaag jaag ke hum - MERE MEHEBOOB
- O duniya ke rakhwaale sun dard bhare - BAIJU BAAWRA
- Too pyaar ka saagar hai - SEEMA
- Tora man darpan kehelaaye - KAAJAL
- Mujhe tumsey kuchhbhi na chaahiye - KANHAIYYA
- Rahaa gardishon main hurdum - DO BADAN
- Teri duniya main dil lagta naheen - BAAWRE NAIN
- Ke paga ghungaroo baandh, meera naachee thhee - NAMAK HALAAL
- Agar mujhsey mohabbat hai - AAP KI PARCHHAYEEYAAN
- Shaayaraana si hai zindagi - PHIR TERI KAHAANI YAAD AAYEE
- Main tere dar pe aayaa hoon - LAILA MAJNOO
27. Des - Aji roothkar ab kahaan jaayiyega - AARZOO
- Vande maataram - AANAND MATH
- Door koi gaaye, dhun ye sunaaye - BAIJU BAAWRA
- Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera - SWADES
28. Desi - Aaja gaawata man mero jhhoomake - BAIJU BAAWARA
29. Devgandhaar - Jab dil ko sataaye ghum - Film ?
30. Durga - Geet gaaya paththaroney - TITLE SONG
31. Dhaani - Prabhu tero naam,jo dhhaye fal paaye - HUM DONO
32. Gaara - Mohe panghat pe nandlal chhed gayo re - MUGHAL - E - AAZAM
- Thumaka chalata Ramchandra - TRADITIONAL BHAJAN
33. Gaud Malhaar - Garajata barasata sawana aayo re - BARSAAT KI RAAT (old)
34. Gaud Saarang - Allah tero naam - HUM DONO
35. Gujari Todi - Ek thha bachpan - AASHIRWAD
- Jaa Jaa re pathhikwaa - LEKIN
36. Hameer - Madhuban main raadhika naache re - KOHENOOR
37. Hamsadhwani - Jaa tosey naheen boloon kanhaiyya - PARIVAAR
38. Hemant - Tum bin jeevan kaise beeta - BAAWARCHI
39. Jaijaiwanti - Mana mohana bade jhhoothey - SEMA
- Bairana ho gayee re - DEKH KABEERA ROYA
40. Jhinjhoti - Tum mujhe yoon bhulaa na paaoge - PAGLAA KAHEEN KA
- Chhup gayaa koi re, door se pukarke - CHAMPAAKALI
- Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya main rakhaa kya hai - CHIRAAG
41. Jeevanguri - Pal pal hai bhaari ab aao raghurai - SWADES
42. Jogkauns - Baaje re paayela baaje - Film ?
43. Jogiya - Raat bhar ka hai mehmaa andhera - SONE KI CHIDIYA
- Dil ek mandir hai - TITLE SONG
- Keh do koi naa kare yahaan pyaar - GOONJ UTHEE SHEHANAI
44. Jaunpuri - Meri yaad main tum naa aansoo bahaana - MADHOSH
- Jaayen to jaayen kahaan - TAXI DRIVER
45. Kaafi - Biraj main holi khelata nandlaal - GODAAN

08 November, 2006

A list of Indian classical Raagas in Hindi film songs - 1

This is not my own researched material, but got the list from some obscure site while surfing. Requesting interested persons to make corrections or update the existing information.
1. Abhogi Kaanada - Jiya laage kya karoon sajana - Film ?
- Na jaiyo re suatan ghar sainya -Film ?
2. Adaana - Manmohan man main ho tumhee - KAISEY KAHOON
- Jhanak jhanak tori paayal baaje - TITLE SONG
3. Ahir Bhairav - Poochcho na kaisey manie rain bitayee - MERI SOORAT TERI AANKHEN
- Albela sajan aayo ree - HUM DIL DE CHUKEY SANAM
- Raam teri ganga mailee ho gayee - TITLE SONG
4. Alahiya Bilawal - Bhor aayee gayaa andhiyaara - BAAWARCHI
5. Aasaawari - Chale jaana naheen nain milaakey - BADI BEHEN
6. Bageshree - Raadha na bole, na bole, na bole re - AAZAD
7. Bahaar - Sakal ban gagan pawan chalat purvayee - MAMATA
- Chham chham baaje re paayiliy - TALAASH
8. Bairaagi - Main ek raaja hoon - UPAHAAR
9. Baarwaa - Khai hai re humne kasam sang rehene ki - TALAASH
10. Basant - Ketaki, gulaab, juhi, champak ban phooley - BASANT BAHAAR
11. Basant Bahaar - Sur na saje kya gaoon main - BASANT BAHAAR
12. Bibhhaash - Saanjh dhhaley gagan taley - UTSAV
13. Bhairav - Jaago mohan pyaare - JAAGTE RAHO
- Satyam Shivam Sundaram - TITLE SONG
- Mohe bhool gaye saanwariya - BAIJU BAAWRA
14. Bhairavi - Too ganga ki mauj main jamuna ki dhaara - BAIJU BAAWRA
- Tumhen aur doon kya main dil ke siwa - AYEE MILAN KI BELA
- Do hunson ka joda bichhad gayo re - GANGA JAMUNA
- Baabul mora, naihar chhootohi jaye - STREET SINGER
- Naachey man mora magan tikita tiki tiki - MERI SOORAT TERI AANKHEN
- Meethhey bol bole - KINAARA
- Suno chhoti si gudiya ki lumbee kahaani - SEEMA
- Kaa karoon sajani, aaye na baalam - SWAAMI
- Hunsataa hua noorani cheheraa - PAARAS MANI
- Humein tumsey pyaar kitna - KUDRAT
- Phul gaindava naa maaro - DOOJ KAA CHAAND
15. Bhatiyaar - Ek ritu aaye, ek ritu jaaye - Film ?
16. Bhimpalasi - Nainon main badira chhaaye - MERA SAAYA
17. Bhoopali - Jyoti kalash chhalake - BHAABHI KI CHOODIYAAN
- Hum tumsey naa kuchh keh paaye - ZIDDI (New)
- Punkh hoti toh ud aatee re - SEHRA
- Jiya dhhadak dhhadak - KALYUG (New)
19. Bihaag - Tere sur aur mere geet - GOONJ UTHHEE SHEHANAI
- Koi gaata main so jaata - AALAAP
- Beeti naa bitaayee raina - PARICHAY
20. Bilaaskhaani Todi - Jhhoothe naina boley - LEKIN
21. Basant Mukhadi - O basanti pawan paagal - JIS DESH MAIN GANGA BEHATI HAI
22. Chandrakauns - San sanana san, san sanana san - ASOKA
23. Chhaaya Nat - Hum bekhudi main tumko pukaare chaley gaye - KAALA PAANI
- Tere naina talaash karey jise - TALAASH
24. Chaarukeshi - Bainyaa naa dhharo , O balama - DASTak

06 November, 2006

Parveen Sultana - Begum who rules the hearts of indian classical lovers!

On the occassion of celeberations of 50 years of formation of the state of Madhya Pradesh, a concert was organized in which Pt Vishwajit Roychoudhary and Begum Parveen Sultana were invited to perform. The evening began with the sarod recital of Pt Roychoudhary. He gave a unique performance in the sense that for accompaniment, both tabla as well as Pakhawaj were used. This is unique for me at least, as Pakhawaj is used as an accompaniment primarily in the Dhrupad style of performance, while Tabla is used for the Hindustani or the Khayal style. The performance was blemishless and emhanced by the uniqueness of the accompaniment. This, the musician explained, was done to highlight the difference between the Dhrupad style of playing and the Hindustani style. The performance began with an Alaap and Jod set in Raga Nat Bihag and ended with a Mishra Bhairavi Dhun.
The piece de resistance was undoubtedly, Begum Sahiba. She commenced with a khayal in Raga Jog set in Jhap taal, then she sang a taraana in Hamsadhwani, a meera bhajan and ended with a Bhairavi Daadra. What strikes even a layman is her range. She flows effortlessely from the lowest octave to the highest. Being an exponent of the Kiraana Gharaana, her taans are as usual elaborate and intricate, yet soothing to the ears. She also is most down to earth and a humble human being. A few persons were standing inside the auditorium as all the seats were occupied. She invited them on to the stage to sit besides her so that they can enjoy the music better ! Then she asked one of the girls sitting besides her whether she was learning music. The girl replied in the negative. On which, Parveenji said "Acchha hai. Agar sab Taansen ban gaye to Kaansen kaun banega!!!" I wish Begum Parveen Sultaana good health so that she can regale us for many more years to come.

08 October, 2006

Music knows no barriers !

Attended a musical evening organized to commemorate "Sharad Poornima" day before yesterday. It wasn't anything "Heavy" (Classical), but the usual Film songs based on the theme of "Chaand". I too sang an everlasting Mukesh number "Chaand aahein bharega, phool dil, thhaam lengey". But this post is not about my singing ability or rather the lack of it ! The show was started by a singer of the orchestra which was invited to provide the support to our over enthusiastic efforts. And what a blemishless performnce it was ! He rendered an evergreen Jagjit Singh ghazal "Kal chaudahveen ki raat thhi". With the full moon rising above the upper lake (Badi Jheel) of Bhopal and a gentle breeze blowing across the lawns (show was organized in a housing society facing the lake), we felt transported to another world. There could'nt have been a better start to the evening.
At the end of the rendition however, all of us got the shock of our lives when the compare announced that the singer cum keyboard artiste was in fact blind ! During the entire period before the show commenced, all of us had interacted with the entire group of the orchestra in order to rehearse our songs, but never did we get even a clue that the lead keyboard artiste was blind. He in fact was guiding the auxillary keyboard artiste regarding the change of beats, sound frequencies etc ! We all felt subdued in front of this man who had conquered all odds to pursue his hobby.
This brings me to the point which I always knew but never realized - that music is felt or experienced and not "Learnt". That is why in Indian music there is so little emphasis on the visual aspect. Of course I'm not talking about the crass Item numbers or the remixed fare that we are subjected to these days. This is the reason why we instantly close our eyes the moment we hear a soul stirring peice of music. Music therefore transcends all barriers and unites us with our true self. I am indeed grateful to the blind artiste (Mr.Ravi.Rao) who showed to me the pathway of appreciation of music in the fullest sense.

06 May, 2006

Adieu Naushad

With the passing away of Naushad, Indian cinema has lost a music composer par excellance. He was a doyen of Indian film music, who was a perfectionist to the core. His compositions with few exceptions were simple and based on classical music. I have been a great fan of his, though I am relatively young to like his music! I can recall so many of his compositions now e.g Man tarapat hari darasan, O duniya ke rakhwale, Door koi gaaye (all from Baiju Baawra), Koi sagar dil ko behlata nahin (Dil diya dard diya), Madhuban main Radhika naache (Kohenoor), Prem jogan ban ke and Pyar kiya to darna kya (both from Magnum opus Mughale Azam). His zest for life was legendary. I had a great fortune to listen to him and interact with him in 1996 when he was a guest of honour in my Father's institution. I still recall his words regarding Indian classical music, "When we listen to western music, our body dances, while when we listen to Indian music, it is the soul which dances!" Even though he was rooted in clasical music, he was open to western orchestration also. In fact, Naushad was the first Indian music composer to use a 100 piece orchestra for the music of film "Aan". Salutations to you Naushadji! Your memory and your work shall remain forever in our hearts!

13 February, 2006

Return of classical melody in Hindi film music?

Refreshingly, now days we find quite a few compositions in contemporary music especially, reflecting shades of Indian classical music. Take for example, Albela sajan ayo from "Hum dil de chuke sanam",based on Raag Ahir BHairav or Rang Deeni sung by Kailesh Kher which is definately based on Raag Darbari Kanada, or Jiya Dhadak Dhadak, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in "Kalyug" which is based on Raag Bhoopali. Is this to suggest that we are finally going back to our roots? Hardly, I would say. But there definately an attempt to re-explore the golden raagas.
This brings us to the next question - Why are the old songs everlasting? Why do they affect us like no other melodies do? The reason is, almost all if not all were based on classical music, which from times immemorial, have been created to appeal to a particular emotion in our mind.When that happens, we become one with the music. For example, Raag Lalit, a morning Raag, explores the mood of uncertainity about the coming dawn while Raag Marwa too similarly appeals to our sense of apprahension of approaching dusk. Thus if you happen to catch a few bars of "Ek shahenshah ne banwa ke haseen Tajmahal" (Raag Lalit) at its appropriate time, there's every possibility that you will experience the oneness with the music!