Though the magic of Shammi Kapoor was experienced by generations away from the one I grew up in. His songs, and the stylish, light-hearted portrayal of the romantic hero was quite popular during my growing up years too thanks to weekly movies and the chitrahaar sessions on DD.
In the later years, his warm grandfather image in ads like Pan Parag and a few movies was also quite endearing.
May you rest in peace!
Leaving you with some super awesome, unforgettable, evergreen melodies that have been synonymous with the epic that is Shammi Kapoor. And this is going to be one long play list - a good companion for your Sunday...
- Tumse achha kaun hai...
- Badan pe sitaare lapete hue...
- Yeh chaand sa roshan chehera...
- Deewana hua badal...
Baar baar dekho...
- Kahin na kahin...
- Akele akela kahan jaa rahe ho...
- O haseena zulfon waali...
- Deewana mujha sa nahin...
- Tumne mujhe dekha...
- Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche...
- Aaja aaja main hun pyaar tera
- Aasman se aaya farishta...
And I could go on and on...what are your favorite Shammi Kapoor numbers? Some big ones that I'm forgetting?
There is absolutely no way to really represent all that there is to love about S.P. Balasubramaniam. That booming, powerful, distinctive voice really speaks for itself. I've been to three SPB Concerts in my life, and loved every moment of each one. I would totally go to a million more. I remember the first time I was sitting in the auditorium for his concert ... I closed my eyes as he started singing and inexplicably, Salman Khan's face flashed before my eyes. Damn Raamlaxman! Their use of SPB as the 'voice' of Salman in films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Patthar Ke Phool, and Hum Aapke Hai Koun has permanently fixed a Salman=SPB equation in my mind, even though I don't think it actually suits him at all. You'll note that the end of my playlist below is heavy on Salman songs ... I couldn't help it!
So when Githa of Words from a Lotus mentioned that she was doing SPB Day, I immediately started trying to compile my favorite songs. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I am SUCH a fan of his that it was absolutely impossible for me to do so in a day. So many, many days later, here is my humble playlist of favorite SPB songs. This is by no means a comprehensive list, I'm sure there are many more that I've forgotten, but these were definitely the ones that came to mind first!
I've started with Telugu, Tamil and then Hindi - so it's not quite in a 'real' order, just by language. Enjoy the voice of this LEGEND!
My Favorite SPB Songs Playlist: - Shankara Nada Shareera - Shankarabharanam (1981) - Nada Vinodamu - Sagara Sangamam (1983) - Mannil Inda Kadhal - Keladi Kanmani (1990) - Ilaiyanila - Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982) - Pani Vizhum Malarvanum - Ninaivellam Nithya (1982) - Pothi Vecha Malligai- Mannvasanai (1983) - Punjai Undu Nenjai Undu - Unnal Mudiyam Thambi (1988) - Kala Kala Magam - Punnagai Mannan (1986) - Guruvayoorappa - Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989) - Rathiriyil Poothirikkum - Thanga Magan (1983) - Priya Priya O Priya- Kattabomman (1993) - Devi Sri Devi - Vaazhve Mayam (1982) - Rum Bum Bum - Michael Madana Kamarajan (1990) - Mettupodu - Duet (1994) - Madathile - Veera (1994) - En Veetu Thottathil - Gentleman (1993) - Oruvan Oruvan - Muthu (1995) - O Maria - Saagar (1985) - Dil Deewana - Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) - Aaja Shaam Hone Aayi - Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) - Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai - Saajan (1990) - Tumse Jo Dekhte Hi Pyar Hua - Patthar Ke Phool (1991) - Sun Beliya - 100 Days (1991) - Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya - Love (1991) - Aaja Aaja Give Me A Kiss - Love (1991) - Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai - Hum Aapke Hai Koun (1994) - Teri Hi Arzoo - Chandramukhi (1993)
Time to do an extended Kapoor Khazana post in honor of Karishma Kapoor!
I have to preface this by saying I'm not really a fan of Karishma. I really made fun of her like crazy over the years for overacting and being generally awkward. But in retrospect, I like Karishma (aka Lolo) FAR more than her sister Kareena (aka Bebo). Kareena is certainly beautiful, but there's just something so annoying about her personality (or whatever we can tell of her personality). And though I never really liked Karishma's acting, there was never a sense that she wasn't a nice person. She seems more down-to-earth and humble than her sister, which makes me like her a hundred times more than Bebo.
My mom always liked her, strangely. I guess because Karishma's acting style was in line with the actresses of the 50s and 60s, when my mom was growing up. She always said Karishma reminded her of Sadhana, who was a friend of my mom's back in Bombay (and is Karishma's aunt). And whenever I watch old Mala Sinha movies, I totally think of Lolo and Bebo. They must have grown up studying the actresses of that era, and that's what they emulate on-screen.
I will give Karishma credit for being a pretty good dancer. I don't think she as fantastic as a lot of other people thought she was -- there's a certain awkwardness to her posture which makes me critical of her dancing. But then again, I am extremely critical of dancers. So regardless of my nit-picking, she certainly deserves her very own Dance Like a Kapoor Playlist! *not in chronological order, just in order of how I thought of them* **no commentary either, because really I don't have much to say except she's amusing.
