From: avachat@sun3.mch.sni.de (Abhay Avachat) Anarkali - The Magic of C.Ramchandra What is the magic in the music of C.Ramchandra ? The answer to this question can be given in just one word. - Sweetness. C.Ramchandra is undoubtedly the king of Melody in Hindi Film Music. His Music is rather typical. He has definitely not produced as much as variety as any of the other Greats. But when it comes to sweet and simple tunes, nobody can beat him. And if you, like me, expect and enjoy pure sweetness from Music, then C.Ramchandra will never fail you. Those beautiful tunes, sung mostly in Lata's voice will be "The Thing" for you. His lack of variety, should NOT be taken as lack of imagination, and if somebody dares to do so, then I will not hesitate in saying that he/she does not understand what Music is. Here, in this article, I will try to follow his biggest achievement, as far as the complete soundtrack goes. The movie called - Anarkali. With this movie, C.Ramchandra, changed the graph of his Musical Career, and established himself firmly in the ranks of leading Music Directors. The story is that, he got the opportunity by sheer luck. But what music he gave ! Anarkali will always be mentioned in the best musical movies ! Follow, dear music lover, the wonder called, Anarkali. 1. The movie begins with Hemantkumar singing the outline of the story. Throughout the titles, Hemantda's voice holds you captive. In the very begining, the credit goes more to Hemantda. We are also told that, Anarkali was in love with a "sipaiyya" meaning "soldier", and she is ont aware that this "sipaiyya" is none other than Salim, the future Jehangir. 2. But soon the titles end. And within seconds you are about to get mesmerized with perhaps the best Lata-C.Ramchandra combination. First comes the maddeningly sweet Aalap and the signature tune - An unbelievably touching use of Sitar. So comes the song - you guessed it right ! yeh zindagi usiki hai, jo kisika ho gayaa, pyaar hi me kho gayaa [I am not too sure about the lyrics, pl. correct.] yeh samaa, yeh fizaa, keh rahaa hai pyar kar, kisi ki aarazoo me apane dil ko bekarar kar aa rahi hai ye sadaa, mastiyon me jhoom ja ... dhadak rahaa hai dil to kya, dil ki dhadakane na gin, fir kahaN yeh fursate, fir kahaN yeh raat-din yeh zindagi hai bewafaa, loot pyar ka mazaa A real masterpiece !!! I will never forget the Sitar tune in my life. Ultimate ! Something which really touched my heart. 3. The song ends, when Akabar Badshah intrudes, and Salim runs away. Akabar asks her to prove her love and challenges her to call back the "sipaiyya". And Anarkali sings, aa jaane wafaa aa ... Not a very famous song. And not really a match to other songs. 4. The story moves at a lightening speed. Salim goes to Afgaan front. Anarkali is captured, and is being sold as a slave. A good situation to have a song. Comes another sweetie ... aa jaaaa, ab to aa ja, mere kismat ke kharidar ab to aa ja Lata's voice sounds so pure in "aa jaaaa, ab to aa jaaa". I have heard people saying that, C.Ramchandra's Music was dependent on Lata's pure sweet voice. Maybe. But such sweet tunes do need equally sweet voice. 5. Like a true Hindi movie, the hero comes and saves her. He takes her to his tent. But since he is in a different costume, Anarkali cannot recognize him. Salim asks her to explain her love, and she sings another nice song muzse mat pooch mere ishq me kya rakhkha hai Madanmohan is often called as King of Ghazals. C.Ramchandra has matched him, in atleast this Ghazal. 6. Salim has to go again to the front. He gets seriously injured, and is brought back to Delhi. The doctors give up the hope. But then again the song comes back, sung by Anarkali outside the palace. A few lines from "yeh zindagi usiki hai". Salim shows some signs of life. Akabar sends out his people to bring the owner of the voice. Anarkali is told to sing a song and comes yet another nice song dua kar gam-e-dil khuda se dua kar Again the chemistry of Lata-C.Ramchandra, takes you. Anarkali is awarded, but now she knows, her sipaiyya is Salim, and she is certain that Salim has just used her. But Akabar has ordered her to stay in the palace, so she can't leave. 7. There is going to be celebration, for Salim has recovered. Anarkali is forced to dance and sing. And comes an extraordinary song, perhaps the best Hemant-Lata duet, another C.Ramchandra masterpiece ... jaag dard-e-ishq jaag, dilko bekarar kar chhedake aasuon ka raag, jaag dard-e-ishq jaag Do I need to say anything about this song ? Just great. That's all. We have reached the middle of the movie, and at the best point in the movie surrounded by great songs. 8. Salim somehow makes Anarkali believe in his love. They start meeting at nights. During the first night, Anarkali is waiting painfully and sings another Lata-C.Ramchandra masterpiece muhabbat aisi dhadkan hai, jo samajhaayi nahin jaati What a song ! Now this is called a sweet tune. And it needs a voice like Lata's. No other voice will do. The King of Melody is not yet finished, he has one more Ace up his sleeve ... 9. Salim comes, and in background sings Hemantda, the following gem. Zindagi pyaar ki do chaar ghadi hoti hai, chaahe thodi si ho ye umr badi hoti hai .. An extrordinary tune ! Plain wonder ! And what is the secret ? Yes. Sweet and simple. The Magic of C.Ramchandra. [Can some kind soul post the lyrics of this and prev. song ?] 10. Well, we are almost done with the good songs. Now the Music Director plays a little role and the other director, the real one, takes over. There is a song "zamaana yeh samazaa ke ham peeke aaye", which I don't like much. Then a lot of stupid acting, direction follow till the end of the movie, where the last wonder is waiting for us. 11. Another version of "yeh zindagi usiki hai". Here C.Ramchandra shows his mastery again. There is clear relationship between the tunes of the two versions, but one is full of joy and other is full of sorrow. I don't know what the trick is, but I find it amazing. Just a few changes, the soul of the tune is unchanged, but the heart is different ! The last wonder in the movie ... yeh zindagi usiki hai, jo kisika ho gayaa, pyaar hi me kho gayaa [I remember only one stanza. Because it's great.] sunaa rahi hai dasataaN, shamma mere mazaar ki khizaaN me bhi khili rahi yeh kali Anar ki, ise mazaar mat kaho, yeh mehal hain pyaar ka !!!! Lata pours everything in this song. She goes to the tip of her frequency and at the end she just goes high and high and high and high ... alwidaa, alwidaa, alwidaa .... alwidaa .... alwidaa ... The violins and Lata do a terrific "jugalbandi", and who wins ? Well, I guess C.Ramchandra ! 12. And the movie ends again with Hemantda singing the same as in the begining. Anarkali is not the only movie where C.Ramchandra shines. Albela and Azad are also immortal. But his main assets, as I have repeated ad infinitum in this article, "Sweet and simple", come out best in this movie. That's what I really want from Music. That's what I got plenty in Anarkali. C.Ramchandra's Music is very easily recognizable and can be put in the "old" category. But as they say, "Old is Gold" ! - Abhay. A tribute to my King of Melody ! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------