Alka Yagnik

Indian music industry is blessed with several amazing musical talents. Different eras have given us numerous gems that have made public cry and laugh with them. The old generation still can’t think of any other singers than the likes of Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar or Mukesh etc. current generation has its own choices. But one singer who has continued to hold sway with her extremely melodious voice is Alka Yagnik. She is present in the industry for more than two decades and continues to enchant us with her wonderful voice.

Who can forget songs like Saanwariya Saanwariya, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Tumhi Dekho Na, Kuch to Hua Hai, Salaam, Pooch Rahe Hain, Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam, Ek Do Teen, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Tum, Laal Dupatta, Oodhni, Tauba, Kitni Bechain Hoke, Jaana Kyon, Badi Mushkil, Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se, Mehndi Hai Rachnewali, Chand Chupa and Taal Se etc.

Alka Yagnik belongs to a family of musicians. She showed her talents at an early age and even sang Bhajans for the Calcutta Radio at a tender age of six years. She got her first break in the movie Payal Ki Jhankaar in 1979. But her real moment of truth came with blockbuster song ‘Ek Do Teen’ from the film Tezaab 1988. Since then she never looked back and kept giving one hit after another. She has also sung in several other languages like Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Punjabi. Alka Yagnik has won several Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Star Screen Awards, International Indian Film Academy and MTV Asia Viewers Choice Award.

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

Born on April 14, 1922, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan is known as the one of the most accomplished Indian classical musicians. His fame was not restricted to India. He was a famous personality in western music world as well who helped in popularizing Indian classical music in the region. A Sarode wizard, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan had a knack of producing brilliant compositions. Many people termed him the "Indian Johann Sebastian Bach."

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan was bron in East Bengal, the modern day Bangladesh. He belonged to a family of great musicians. His father was a legend in North Indian music he learnt basics of music from his father and uncle. Usatd learned several instruments but finally decided to focus on sarode and vocal. At the age of thirteen, he gave his first public performance. Ustad also worked as a court musician to the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Ustad has several performances to his credit in USA and UK. He also started Ali Akbar College of Music In Marin County, California.

Not many people know but Ustad Ali Akbar Khan also produced music in several films like Aandhiyan, Devi, House Holder, Little Buddha and Khudita Pashan. These movies were acclaimed on international level and made by legends like Satyajit Ray and Bernardo Bertolucci. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan also won Asian Paints Shiromani Award. After a prolonged illness, Ustad finally left us on June 19, 2009, in San Francisco (USA). He is survived by his wife Mary and eleven children.

Reiki Music

Music decides our mood. We humans often love to be lost in the magic of music. Sometimes, we associate songs with different parts of our life and revel in nostalgia. Music is a source of memories, time and places. Even the worst of moods can be perked up with help of music. Reiki has become very popular in recent times. Many people have openly accepted the benefits of the art of Reiki. In that context, it is natural that Music is used in reiki. When you practice reiki, you are taught to concentrate on flowing energy. Music is used in reiki to bring your focus on healing therapy. One starts reflecting inward in reiki and music just sets the tone for inner reflection. It makes you feel relaxed and together they work magic.

While you practice reiki, try music that has natural sounds. It could be cascading of waters or chirping of birds. Other preferred source of music is flute music, quiet electronic music, or even chants of Sanskrit verses or sacred chants of Buddha. These chants and mantras help you in concentrating better. Reiki music is used for healing that also leads to calming down of your body and mind. The background music helps you in concentrating and enhances the meditation skill. Music is always optional in reiki; however music goes well the meditation. The music also helps in augmenting whole brain synchronization. Try it, it is sure to work wonders.

Indian Wedding Songs

Indians love to celebrate weddings. Go to nay part of India and you will find wedding function to be a major community occasion. So when wedding is such a huge occasion in our lives then how could be we leave behind beat of dhol, foot tapping songs, and string of the Tumba. These things are most essential in any wedding function. According to Hindu rituals and culture, music is a very important part in marriage ceremonies. The thing about music is it makes things lively and adds to the overall festive mood. However, types of music differ from region to region and place to place. Music could be added to all sort of wedding ceremonies like sangeet, mehndi, main day wedding and vidaai ceremony.

We will talk about some popular wedding songs that are regularly performed at all the marriage functions. Ek pardesi mera dil le gaya, Dulhan chali, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Bhootni Ke, Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye, Soni de nakhre, Desi Girl, Pyara Bhaiya Mera, Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai, Ghoonghat Mein Chaand, Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna, Babul Ki Duaayein Leti Jaa, Ek Kuwara, Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chobara, Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, Mujh Se Shaadi Karogi, Dulhan Bhi Lajawaab, Maa da ladla, Mujhse Shadi Karogi, Tujhe Dekh Ke Dil Mera, Main Joru Ka Ghulam, Chote Chote Bhayon, Cham se wo aajaye, Aaj hai sagai, Maahi ve, Banno ki saheli, and Kala sha kala etc.

Indian Pop Music

Pop music in india has ushered in big fashion. The entire Indian landscape seems smitten by pop euphoria. Over one billion Indian population has got a strong liking over the last 1-2 decades. Hindi pop music is on constant path of evolution. Pop music can be found in all the regions of India even in local languages. Talking about arrival of indi-pop, it was first witnessed in earl 1980s when Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan had whole india on its feet with ‘Aap jaisa koi meri zindagi mein aaye’. The music composer was Biddu who later gave us Alisha Chinai also known as indi-pop queen.

Indian was always inclined towards classical music but song by Nazia Hassan completely changed the Indian music spectrum. That song gave way to several pop-ish style songs in upcoming movies. Films like Disco Dancer, Dance Dance etc were gladly embraced by Indian youths. Since then every movie contains at least one pop song. 90s further accentuated the pop trend. Many new singers emerged on Indian pop scene including Baba Sehgal, Alisha Chinai, Colonial Cousins, Mehnaaz, Shweta Shetty, Lucky Ali, Sharon prabhakar etc.

Other singers and groups emerged later on. The likes of Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bombay Vikings, Indian Ocean, Strings, Juggy D, Sanober etc kept giving us one hit after another. Other Indians with foreign roots also incorporated Indian pop music with other forms of music. Names like Rishi Rich and Jay Z gave new voice to Indi-pop on world stage by collaborating with foreign singers. With the increasing popularity of Indi-pop, Indian pop industry seems to be on a high.

Historical Bollywood Songs

We don’t need to emphasize the role of music in popularizing Indian movies. Music is perhaps the soul of a movie. Its presence in films lends a divine charm to the overall feel. Since the inception of movie culture in India, all the movies strive to have soulful tunes in the film. Not only it ensures better opening of movie but also plays a great part in easing the narration of the plot. It helps in uninterrupted flow of emotions through wonderful lyrics. During earlier times, songs relied more on lyrics instead of instruments. Heavy usage of instruments robs music of its soul. That probably explains why old songs are still popular and music lovers of all generations still prefer them.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest hit songs of Hindi movies. Indian film industry is several decades old and compiling a list of chartbuster songs is no mean task. We have hundred and thousands of hit songs that we keep humming. Talking about some old songs, these songs have become immortal and have continued to stay in our minds.

Main Ban Ke Pancchi, Aayega, Aayega Aanewala, Jaane kyaa tuune kahii, Awara Hoon, Chandan saa badan, chanchal chitavan, Din dhal jaaye, hai raat na jaaye, Ai mere pyaare vatan, Man re, tu kaahe na dheer dhare, Pyar Kia Toh Darna Kya, Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain, Bol Radha Bol sangam hoga ki nahi, Dost dost na raha, Nain lad jaihein and many more. These songs are like few drops in the great ocean of Hindi songs. We will continue exploring such gems.

Sher-O-Shayari

Music exists in many forms. As has been said umpteen times, music knows no barriers, no boundaries and no distinction between humans. We all like music in the same way. Music heals one and all and there are very few exceptions to that. Though, we all love music, we tend to have different choices. Some may like classical and some may prefer to hum Ghazal. However there is one form of music that is based on rhyming poetry or better known as Shayari.

Many Hindi songs are based on shers and shayari. Sher is basically a couplet and a rhyming poetry is made of those couplets. Sher O Shayari is a beautiful form of poetry. If you are a fan of old Hindi songs, ghazals and Qawalis you will know what I mean to talk about. Urdu is the mother language of shayari. Infact most of the shers and shayari are in Urdu language only. Urdu is always believed to be a sophisticated language quite apt for romantic poetry. These shers manage to tug at your heartstrings. Such is the beauty of Sher O shayari. One can also found shers in other languages like Punjabi, Hindi etc.

Sher O shayari has always been an integral part of Hindustan. It is embedded in our culture. Not only is it the most prominent part of poetry but also beautifully depicted in Hindi songs. Such songs tend to be immortal. Usually very emotional in nature, Sher O shayari has definitely enriched the tradition of poetry and music.