MM Kreem - A diamond we still need to relish

M M Kreem : I clearly remember the first time I actually heard about this name was when music of 'Zakhm' was released. Well, I had definitely heard the name but nothing special about this composer had stuck me. But with this film things changed. The oh so melodious "Hum yahan tum yahan",the naughty "Raat Saari bekarari mein guzari", the very sensitive "maa ne kaha".. they were all musical gems among all the beautiful songs of this film. I remember those were my engineering days and my room mates were music fans like me (may be not as crazy as me) but all of us used to love Zakhm songs. And this was when I had to find out more about the composer.

How many of us remember songs from the film RGV's 'Drohi'. Out of the 2 songs I remember, I cannot forget 'Dhadkati Mere Dil Ko Aayi Tu'. Like most of us even I used to think that it was a RD Burman composition as were the other songs of the film but it turned out that this one was Kreem's. I remember as teenage i actually used to dance on this song (yeah.. believe it or not). Kreem's so called break actually came with "Tum Mile Dil Khile" from the film 'Criminal'. This song was lapped up by everyone but did not get as popular since the film bombed. Frankly saying, I used to like the song but never thought of it as anything out of the way special or something. And I guess thats the reason the name MM Kreem never stuck me even then.

'Chup Tum Raho' from 'Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin' was one song which was neglected by everyone including by the promotores of the film. Showing his singing skills, Kreem proved that given a chance e could do something amazing with the music. 'Mere tere Naame Naye Hain' is a beautiful song. You might take some time to like the song but believe me once you give this one a patient hearing, you get hooked to it. 'Pehli Nazar Mein' was a non-film album released by T-Series. Its tile song by Kreem himself alongwith Anuradha Paudwal is still one of may favourites. Beautifully sung, the song would have a different history if it was a part of some movie.

Pooja Bhatt gave another chance to MM Kreem after Zakhm with Sur. The film was musical brilliance. 'Aa Bhi Jaa' gives you goose pimples when u hear it even today. 'Kabhi Sham Dhale' sung by Mahalaxmi according to me was the best composition of the film and was so appropriate with the film. With 'Jism', he was on an all time high. Each and every single song was something special. Lyricially or musically they were all great. I wont even bother to go into details of these songs. They were and are pure gems. He composed just one song for 'Saaya' but "O Saathiya" was the best thing to happen to the movie. This was foolowed by 'Rog'. The music according to me was a little deviation from the usual Kreem music and was pretty good. "Maine Dil Se kaha" and "Khoobsurat Hai woh itna" are my favourites.

2005 saw a poor film 'Kasak'. Frankly by now expectations are MM Kreem are so high for me that i found this just about OK. 'Saansein Madham Hain' is only worth mentioning sng though after a few hearings I started to like Jagjit Singh's version of "Jaana Hai Jaana Hai". Still not much can be said about the music.

After giving music for Bhatt's movies and an odd Kasak, his commercial big break came with Shahrukh Khan starrer 'Paheli'. "Dheere Jalna" is an awesome song brilliantly sung by Sonu Nigam. Other songs gelled with the Rajasthani theme of the movie and he incorporated it very well for the film. "Laaga re Jal Laaga" is my another favourite.

Film-makers.. its high time that you start recognizing the real talent and give the audience and listeners a chance to listen to some real music rather than some odd pop beats here n there with remix versions. MM Kreem deserves much much more than what Bollywood has offered him till now.

My top 10 Favourites of MM Kreem in no particular order:
1. Chup Tum Raho (Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin)
2. Pehli Nazar Mein (Pehli Nazar Mein)
3. Hum Yahan Tum Yahan (Zakhm)
4. Raat Saari (Zakhm)
5. Kabhi Shaam Dhale (Sur)
6. Aa BHi Ja (Sur)
7. Awaarapan Banjarapan (Jism) and all others
8. O Saathiya (Saaya)
9. Dheere Jalna (Paheli)
10. Maine Dil Se Kaha (Rog)

And you thought only Gulzar could write poetry

No one would ever argue that Gulzar is an excellent lyrics writer with all the mastery he has on the hindi and urdu language. Everytime he writes something, he makes amazing comparisons of beauty with nature. If you thought that he is the only person who could do this brilliantly, then what would you think of these lyrics

jheel ek aadat hai, tujhme hi to rehti hai
(Lake is a habit, it lives within you)

aur nadi shararat hai, tere sang behti hai
(and the river is naughty, it flows with you)

utaar ghum ke moze, zameen ko gungugane de
(remove the socks of sadness, let the earth hum a song)

kankaron ko talwon me, gudgudee machane de
(let the pebbles tickle your feet)

These beautiful lyrics are written by Prasoon Joshi. His claim to fame started with Kunal Kohli's Hum Tum. I am not saying that I am particularly very fond of Prasoon but having heard this song many a times made me write this. I really love the lines above , specially 'kankaron ko talwon me, gudgudee machane de'. It proves that the guy has talent. He has already proven this with his other projects like Rang De Basanti and Fanaa. It wuld be harakari not to mention SEL for theor efforts in composing this beautiful number sung brilliantly by Bombay Jaysree. After 'Zara Zara' from RHTDM, this is another song that showcases her incredible talent.

“Khul ke muskuraale tu, dard ko sharmaane de. Boondon ko dharti par, saaz ek bajaane de. Hawaaein keh rahi hain…aaja jhule zara. Gagan ke gaal ko chal… jaa ke chule zara.” This is definitely a gem in the album "Phir Milenge"

UTSAB - Rituparno Ghosh's classic

My fascination of movies isin't news for anyone. I have started watching movies in other languages as well these days. Recently I had the opportunity of watching 'Utsab', a Bengali movie by Rituparno Ghosh. A family movie set in the background of Durga Puja, it lets the viewers inside a family re-union for the puja. The director tries to express the complexities of various relationships and the importance of communication within family members through various metaphors.

Bhagbati's 4 children come back to their mother's ancestral house for the puja celebrations as they do every year. The eldest son Asit is trying to solve all the problems and his wife is mostly devoted toall household chores. They have a daughter Shompa who is aamazing singer. The second son Nishit, is having problems at work. He tells about it only to his borther but not keeps it a secret with his wife because he doesn't want her to take unnecessary tensions specially because she belonged to a very well to do family before marriage. Eldest daughter Parul, is married to a rich family against her wishes. Her husband still taunts her about her affair with one of her cousins Shishir even though they now have a 21 year old son Joy. Shishir previously a poor man is now a very rich builder. Younger daughter Keya married against family wishes to a passionate politician Arun who after having failed in the political games has succummed to drinking and now theyhave problems in their marriage. Arun is visiting his in laws first time after 3 years of their marriage.

The movie slowly unfolds and you first come to know about the various characters, then there fears, there dreams, there past there future and what is there position in the current scenario. Like real life we misjudge certain characters at start and understand them better later.Shishir wants to buy this ancestral home now and hence starts the play of emotions of each of these family members. Parul's past keeps haunting her because of Shishir. Keya doesn't knnw how to tll her family about the problems she is having because she married against their wishes. Nishit wishes to start business soon so that he doesn't have to be ashamed in front of his wife.

The family members strike an instant chord with the audience as the story starts unfolding about each of the characters. Suppressed emotions hide in shadows and happy ones play with bursts of light. Even though you may feel that the movie is slow and mundane but the amotions are beautifully constructed to build the whole theme. When the movie end you can'thelp thinking about these problems and stories and enjoy it. Mostly because they are so real that you or someone from your family could have been easily as one of the characters.


Its again shown how communication is important within the family. The characters first try to hide there problems, but later they open up and confide things to there siblings/son. The way Parul cries and tells her son why even after 21 years is she still being taunted about Shishir. Keya tells Parul of her problems with Arun. Nishit tells Asit about his work problems.

Finally, the director shows how history repeats itself depicting the construction deconstruction process. Joys uncle Asit wanted to study literature but bcause of his mother, he ends up learning economics. And in present Joy wants to learn film-making but his father wants him todo MBA and now he is going to US soon. The way Shishir-Parul's relationship was there in past is repeating itself with the way Parul's son Joy is shown to have a liking for his cousing Shompa.

Handling so many characters, showing there individuality and at the same time narrating the story in an interesting way is not an easy task to do. Rituparno ghosh has done it beautifully. No wonder that he was awarded the Best Director's National Award for the film. The story progresses mostly on words rather than on any visual action. Even the past incidents are narrated in terms of dialogues and not as flashbacks. But he does not waste any of the dialouges. Every single dialouge in the movie adds to the overall structure and is an essential piece of the story.

Everyone has acted very very good. Specially the roles of Keya and Parul played by Rituparno Sengupta and Mamta Shankar. Avoiding all complexities the film ends at a postive note. All the family problems are now just beautiful memories.

MUST WATCH for the fans of thinking cinema (or what you may call parallel cinema) and classy products.

Namak Issk Ka

Ocassionally comes songs when you hear them the first time, it sound just yet another average song. But when you repeatedly hear it, you can't help getting hooked to it. 'Namak' from the film OMKARA is one such song. On first hearing you never think anything special about it but if you are someone like me from Utaar Pradesh (A north Indian state), you can't help it when the song brings a smile on your face. Ever wondered why that happens??

Well the song and the music has that rock salt countryside music earthiness that one is used to hearing in village festivals (mela). If you have ever attended any of the melas, you will know exactly what I mean.
Picture these words

bheeter bheeter aag jale, baat karoon to sek lage
(its like a fire inside but when i talk it gives me a warmth)

main chand nikal gayi sainyan re, ang pe aise chhale pade
(i ended up swallowing moon because there were so many blisters on my body)

tez tha jhonka kya karoon, see see karti main maroon
(the wind was so hard that i died making the sound 'see see')

jabaan pe laaga re laaga re
(its now on my tongue)

namak issk ka.. haiiiii tere issk ka
(love of salt..... of your love)

Notice how singer Rekha says Jabaan instead of Zabaan and Issk instead of Ishq. And they way she says 'haaaiiiiii'....... Oh man!! that just kills me.
Its small things like this that make you notice this song. This song is actually a mujra number (a form of dance performed for entertainments of nawabs and wealthy landlords). Mixed with qawalli like feeling, you can easily imagine a village lady sitting on a stage making naughty expressions on her face, with thousands of lights all over her face with a quirky smile and battling of eyes just to excite the locals and add seasoning to the spicy fare. And if you thought the song is vulgar, then re-think... Its naughty but not vulgar. The raw countryside music feeling is what gives this song the extra edge.

Wonder why these lyrics always touch me whenver I listen to them

There are lyrics in bollywood songs which makes u feel ashamed but then there are times when certain lyrics just catch u unaware. These 3 short phrases (definitely nothing great by any means) are not from any popular songs or anything but still whenever I hear these verses, I just can't help but think about these sentences. How would it be like to live these sentences?? Or wait a minute... Am I living these sentences?

par tum meri koi nahi,shayad mujhe hai yakeen
ho jab meri koi nahi
kyun lagti ho mujhko parayi nahi
(but you are nothing for me, i think i believe this
and since you are nothing for me why don't u feel like a stranger)
[socha na tha - mera tumhara]


door hokar bhi door tum nahi
paas ho lekin paas tum nahi
(Being far also , u r not far from me
U r close to me but still not close)
[jhankaar beats - suno na]

meri pehchan ka ek shaks isi shehar mein hai
main bhi zinda hoon, zara usko batade koi
(A friend of mine is in this city
I am also alive, can someone tell him)
[jism - mere khwabon ka]

Bollywood Songs of 2005 - These never got the credit they deserved

Back after almost a gap of 8 months. I know its kinda weird to write a blog and not be regular about it. Let's see if I can maintain it this time. To start with I have compiled a list of some songs from 2005 which according to me never got the due crcediit they deserved. As an avid Bollywood music listener, it hurts when some of the beautifully and soulfully made music numbers don't get the credit they deserved just because they weren't publicized properly. People actually don't even know that there is a good song like that. In cases they know, the channels or the produers didn't promote the songs as well as they should have OR may be the film didn't work and hence the song dies.

1. Rog - Maine Dil Se Kaha
The most under-rated music directors MM Kreem once again showed he is no less than anyone else. KK's magical voice is treat to ears. You may not like the song in the starting but wait till the antara starts and you get hooked.

2. Socha Na Tha - Mera Tumhara Kya Rishta Hai
Though it was 'Yara Rub' and 'Abhi Abhi' that became popular, it was this song composed and even sung by Sandesh Sandilya that touches you. The song is more like a dialogues but if you are a hard core romantic person, you will love it.

3. Karam - Tinka Tinka Zara Zara
Of course people have heard of this song but how many remember? Alisha Chinai was way way better as a singer in this song than Kajra Re. Sadly, bollywood gives awards to popularity rather than the quality. Alisha's sensual vocals, soft music and poetry of words makes me wonder why does the song have only 1 antara. Classic example of a film flopping and taking the song down with it.

4. My Brother Nikhil - Le Chale
Hear it to believe it. There is no way that the lyrics and the composition will not touch your heart even if you can't relate to them. KK, Shaan and Sunidhi all 3 of them sung it solo and its really hard to say who has outdone whom. And then once you hear it from films perspective, you can't help if tears come in your eyes.

5. Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi - Bavra Mann , Mann Yeh Bavra
I had to mention both these songs. Everyone know Shubha Mudgal is a great singer. But hear the versions sung by Swananad Kirkire and the outcome is fantastic. If you have that inclination towards the classical touch based songs, this is the one for you. Wish this singer gets more opportunities.

6. Sehar - Palkein Jhukao Na
This is one romantic ballad which was never publicized. Had this been in one of the Johar/Chopra movies, this would have been one of the most famous romantic numbers to come in ages. The way Alka Yagnik and Adnan Sami sing in superb. I am still so mad at whoever is responsible for not promoting the song.

7. Fun - Jal Raha Hai Badan
ok..ok.. I know some of you must be laughing. But believe it or not this film and the one after this had one song each which would have been popular had they not been in a sleazy movie. Shreya Ghosal sings this sensual number and the subtle orchestra takes the song to greater heights. Not a great number but definitely worth to keep in your records as one of the good songs.

8. Men Not Allowed - Yeh Jo Saundhe Saundhe
Now this is the ghazal based number which is more like the Vishal Bhardwaj's music style. Shashwati sings this number with grace and elan. I am gonna say something really big here now. Don't be surprised if while listening to the song you are reminded of 'Mera Kuch Saaman' from Ijazat.

9. Dil Jo Bhi Kahe - Kitni Narmi Se
One of the usual romantic numbers but the way Sonu Nigam renders it, takes it to a different level. SEL compose the song and was definitely one of the beter tracke to come out last year.

10. Main Meri Patni Aur Woh - Doob Jaana Re, Guncha
And under rated film and an equally under rated music. These 2 songs are pure gem, literally. Doob Jana Re reminds of those 70s films romantic numbers like janeman janeman. Sung by Sonu and Shreya this definely deserved much much more. 'Guncha' sung by Mohit Chauhan (I have no idea who he is) relies solely on vocals. Music is almost not there but the way the singer sings the ghazal is amazing. Like i said the album deserved much better.

11. U Bomsi And Me - Whole album
I just cannot tell you how great this album is except for one pop/bhangra song which I dont like. Its hard to pick up any one song from the album. No one knows that such an album came, forget hearing the songs. The album is a soulful experience and if you are a music lover, believe me you woul want to have it in your collection. You can thank me later .. hahahaha.. On my part, i have been listening to the song 'Kahan Ho Tum' at least twice every single day till today.