Goodbye, Allah Rakhi

Re: #74

``You only belong to the sweet feminists` club and that`s it!! Don`t you dare to change your affiliations. Aa`chaa`!! ``

Aye, Aye o` capitano!mio Capitano! :)

Asim

Asim:

You only belong to the sweet feminists` club and that`s it!! Don`t you dare to change your affiliations. Aa`chaa`!!

Take Care

Re: Zahra #72

``Don`t take every comment so personally! OK! Since when have you joined the male chauvinists` club?``

I must admit that i was tempted to reply,...``Ever since you took on the crusade on behalf of the chosen few``, just for the sake of joking... Just as well, i did not say it, and mean it. Phew!!:)

Kidding aside, I do fall victim to such ``generalisations``, not that i am in any way insecure about myself(most modern young men from Pakistan say that too often, which is most embarrasing, so i thought i will try it out once). :) But for the simple reason, thats such open ended verdicts dont serve any purpose save for promoting weak arguments, that`s all!

Take care, and have a fine winter...Ours is becoming rainier by the hour.

Sincerely,

Asim

Asim:

Don`t take every comment so personally! OK! Since when have you joined the male chauvinists` club?

While browsing through an Uzbek singer, Yulduz Usmanova`s[A beautiful singer] selections on Amazon, I was amazed to find nonsense written about her just because she was a liberal woman. Amazon had a short bio on her and kind of highlighted her liberal outlook towards life. It was amazing to read the reviewers reviewing her life and personal choices, in addition to the music, they were supposed to look into. Everyone loved the music, but her lifestyle was condemned.
Somehow reading the interacts on this article reminded me of that nonsense. That was also initiated by ``few`` men and this was as well. It`s the derangement[fine thinking process]. That`s it! I do not need anyone to come and challenge me on that!OK!

On the other hand, this piece is written by a guy as well. So it balances out! Khush?

A musician or a singer has to be appreciated for their talent and not for their religious affiliations and/or practices. If that is the thought process you entertain, then you are in a wrong circle. My view!

Take it easy,

``This mental derangement exists in the heads of many.[men, in particular]``

I could not help noticing the implicit generalisation within the above statement.

Was that intentional, Zahraji :), or am i becoming delusional in my old age?. Okay, you dont have to answer that. Rhetorical, right!

I trust you are sticking to your new year resolutions. I have already compromised one of mine, the ones about being nice to people on Chowk, specially Pakistanis.:)

Asim

Samina:

Very Well Said! This mental derangement exists in the heads of many.[men, in particular]. An artist or musician should be recognized and appreciated for his/her talent. I am sure no one ever heard Nur Jehan as a religious leader or an imam of some lushkar!

Sorry, I was never a fan.
May God rest her soul in peace (Amin)!

Take Care,

``One of these days I will write an article in praise of Benazir Bhutto just for you on CHOWK. She is still head and shoulders above many a political figure in Pakistan.

She is still head and shoulders above many a political figure in Pakistan.``

Ras Bhai,

main to muzaaq kar raha tha. :) Chalein aap likhay gey to mein zaroor parhoun ga. Promise! I do so want to be ``educated`` about great people!

Thank you for sharing an exceptionally well written/touching article about the immortal Madam Noorjehan. She does indeed need to be remembered

Sincerely,

Asim

P.S Aur hanh KGS ka koeey zikr nahin hoga yahan :)

Has anyone heard Madam`s song ``Chandnee Raatein ``[from the film Koel]?It had not been mentioned so far, and i count it amongst her golden hits !

Regards,

Shirin

Reply #: 66 FARANGI_KUSH

Reply # 63 MQ_RAHAT

Reply #: 65 mohajir

``India institutes special award to remember NoorJehan``

Reply #: 64 SameerJB

Reply #: 62 RoohiAD

I want to thank all of these people above for doing justice to Noor Jahan`s Legacy. Especially MQ_Rahatand RoohiAD for combining both literary presentation and emotive feelings in their writing here which I may not have succeeded in getting across in my article.
I also wanted to thank Shirin and others who were
able to fill in many blanks here.


On another topic:
RE: Reply # 61 Asim Hayat:
``OOps! I started off thinking that it was going to be an ode to the deposed Islamic, first Woman PM of Pakistan. :)``

One of these days I will write an article in praise of Benazir Bhutto just for you on CHOWK. She is still head and shoulders above many a political figure in Pakistan.

And finally # 58 Adnan_420:

???? and ?

Ras

MQ_RAHAT:#63

Thank you for an informative & pithy post.Could you also elucidate the music of Sajjad especially with `Badnaam...` in mind.Also please comment on the maighdoot by Kh.Khurshid Anwar.

I am looking for the recordings of Jalaal Chaandio....another luminary who left us this month.

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wassalaam

India institutes special award to remember NoorJehan

http://www.expressindia.com/news/daily/20010120/02005401.htm

Mumbai, January 20: In a star-studded evening, Hrithik Roshan, Tabu and Rakesh Roshan won recognition for their performances in the year 2000 at the prestigious Screen Awards ceremony earlier on Saturday. This year`s awards coincided with 50 years of Screen in print.

The function, held at Mumbai`s Andheri sports complex, was graced by performances by superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapur, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Urmila Matondkar, Akshay Kumar, Akshaye Khanna, Sonali Bendre and Rani Mukherji among others.

Saturday`s awards function was attended by the biggest and best stars in the film industry of this country, including Hrithik Roshan, Rekha, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Shah Rukh Khan, Sridevi, Shabana Azmi and several others.

A special award to commemorate renowned playback singer Noor Jehan, who died recently in Pakistan, was also instituted. Lata Mangeshkar, the first person to the get this award, paid an emotional tribute to the Mallika-e-Tarranum. The Lifetime Achievement award went to Pran.

RoohiAD and MQ_Rahat: Welcome back after a long absence. It would be nice to have you two, Zeemax and Gnostic back recreating the good old days of ``He Had No Choice``. The hard hitting political debate about Pakistan`s fleeting dejavu with now extinct species called democracy was the liveliest.

For me, two songs, Awaz de kahaN hay and Mujh se pehli si mohabbat......`` are more then enough to cherish the memories of Noor Jahan. There is another great singer languishing in obscurity right now and once she leaved this abode, people will be writing praises in her memory. Here is an excerpt from an article by Saeed Malik.

Vocalist Shamshad Begum, whose sparkling melodies used to cast hypnotic spells on music buffs and movie-goers some 35 years ago, in now languishing in the murk of obscurity in a Bombay suburb. Forgotten by the movie moghuls, composers and cine-goers, the septuagenarian crooner is spending the evening of her life almost unnoticed.

Shamshad Begum ruled the roost, first at Lahore and later at Bombay, when Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle were not even introduced in the filmworld. She was the first female singer who assumed the status of a legend during her lifetime. With the help of her highly individualistic and charisma sonic personality, glow and a certain vivacity in her voice, she became the most sought-after female playback singer in the late 30s, 40s and 50s.

It was on Dec 16, 1937, when radio made its debut from Lahore and so did Shamshad Begum. Singing solos and duets with Umrazia Begum (who later became Mrs. Ghulam Haider),the Amritsar-born Shamshad Begum captivated the hearts of listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice which then had no parallel.

A few words - in tribute to the greatest of all singers, Melody Queen Noor Jehan`s. I take this opportunity to present some of her exceptional professional qualities as a singer reflected in her works.

Noor Jahan had a strong voice representing the openness, strength and extroversion of the Punjab. Noor Jahan mostly sang in ``Ragi`` meaning that she strains her vocal cords, thus rendering her voice an artist artificiality. But here is the difference which makes Noor Jahan more varied, more novel and more versatile. And this shortcoming of ``Ragi`` , if it is, in any way a shortcoming, has turned into a real ``something`` in her throat. She is able to change, vary, strain, snap, twist and swing her vocal cords according to the demand of the song. Noor Jahan`s God-gifted capability to strain her vocal cords wherever and whenever she desired, had really made her a unique artist. Even in Alaps (prelude modulation), Taans (a stretched key note), Pulteys (Turned-over modulation) and Murkis (sudden metrical zigzag), she was able to produce variety. All the great master musicians like: queen of music Roshan Ara Begum, Amanat Ali Khan, Fateh Ali Khan, Nazakat Ali Khan, Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan and Nazar Hussain Shami paid rich tributes to Noor Jahan`s versatility. When Noor Jahan rendered ``Murkis`` even the great Ustads like Bundoo Khan Sarangi player, Abdul Aziz Khan flute player, Fateh Ali Khan Sitar player etc had to be extra careful in following the rise and fall of her voice.Noor Jahan was also able to produce the effects of deep sorrow. In her song: Jo Bacha Tha Woh Lutaney Key Liyay Aai Hain/Akhri Geet Sonaney Key Liyay Aai Hain -- while she alaps a couplet in alto as prelude to the song, she is able to produce the heart-rending effects of a last-cry of a dying beloved. In a non-filmi song, Aey Putar Hataein tey nahin wikday, she alaps as she starts the song and commmunicates the heart felt sorrowness of a mother, wife and a sister who lost their loved ones in a war, and then renders the lyrics with deep sorrow and yet an expression of strong will, scarifice and condolence; this song is a miracle inworld of music. Similar is the song: Jeo Dhola, Jeo Dhola/Tut Gai Aj Hunjwan Di Mala/Ghar Aya Naeen Karmanwala/ Kher Howay Shala/Jeo Dhola. Her songs in the film Anarkali bear out Noor Jahan`s novelty, diversity, versatility and maturity of the heighest rank. In the song: Banvari Chakori Karay Dunya Sey Chori Chori/Chanda Sey Peyar, the artistic Murkis in the song will always be alive for all future singers as model. Noor Jahan seems to be capable of giving effect of lurking sadness in the song: Aa Bhi Ja/Aa Bhi Ja/Dekh Aa Kar Zara/Mujh Pey Guzri Hae Keya/Teray Peyar Main -- and Sayyoo Ni Meray Dil Da Jani/La Key Neon Tor Gaya Jay/Sayyo Ni Merey Dil Da Jani.Noor Jahan is capable of producing atmospheric effects with the help of her ``Ragi``. In the song: Rim Jhim, Rim Jhim Parey Phowar/Tera Mera Nit Ka Peyar/--, it seems that it is drizling, outside when she is singing In the song: Sikhre Dopahri Piplee Dey Thaley/Mein Chankayan Wangaa -- Noor Jahan`s voice also contributes to the situation. The hearer himself feels the scorch of the mid-summer long blazing noon. Even the chink of the bangles can be felt in the throat of Noor Jahan. Her song: Sadey Ghar Aai Barjhai/Lakhan Khushian Naal Leai -- denotes general and collective happiness in bride-groom`s house full of near relatives. Here she pronounces the word ``Bharjai`` instead of ``Parjhai`` making one of the multi-faceted differences. In the song: Aj Qaidi Kar Liya Mahi Nooh/Main Chaj Patashay Wandan -- she communicates full-blooded happiness. When she gives alaps and skrill-shouts in between the Asthai (first verse) and the Antra (the following verses), she is able to produce the heightened happy effects in the song. Noor Jahan while in the songs: Sanoo Nehar Waley Pul Tey Bula Key/Khawray Mahi Kithey Rah Geya/-- and Lat Uljhi Suljha Ja Rey Balam/Main Na Lagaoon Gi Hath Rey -- she is pert and coquettish, but she is equally able to communicate the contrary feelings of dire hopelessness and total disappointment in the songs: Ja Apni Hasratoon Pey/Ansoo Baha Key So Ja -- Zinda Hain Kitney Loag Muhabbat Keyay Baghair/Hum Sey Badal Geya Woh Nigahain Tu Keya Howa -- . In the songs: Yar Sadqey, Dildar Sadqey-- and Tum Jug Jug Jeo Maharaj Rey/Hum Teri Nagarya Mein Aaey -- she seems to be in the state of trance. She takes the audience to the height where they feels dissolved into her song. Lata, herself, a number of times, has recognised and acclaimed this novel quality of Noor Jahan`s voice. It may seem to be a settled fact that, doubtless, Late is greater than any of her contemporaries yet Noor Jahan is the greatest.

Mortality is part of the package that brings us into this world and all of us have to taste it sooner or later. But there are some of us who make such distinguished legacies of their lives and leave behind indelible footprints that it becomes difficult to accept their death. The Great Melody Queen was one such person. To all of us she was an image, an epitome and embodiment of many a spirit put together; from an enchantress of ghazals and geets, to highly skilled classical recitalist; from patriotic Milli Naghmas soloist, who could put spirit back into a dying soldier, to a nightingale whose trills in the joyous notes of her songs made the young and the old sway alike.Her clock stopped ticking; the sun has shone its last over her; her world has come to an end, but she leaves behind a saga unmatched, written on the hearts and souls of the people universally. May God give her a place in the highest realms of heaven for she was adorable to those who knew her; fragrance to those who passed by her; and a teardrop to those who heard her poignant melodies when sad! I wish to conclude my sentiments for her with one of the scores of her songs I have adored all my life: Meri zindagi hae naghma, meri zindagi tarana Mae sada-e-zindagi hoon, mujhay dhoond lay zamana Noor Jahan and Lata Mangeshkar

Re: Goodbye Allah Rakhi.

OOps! I started off thinking that it was going to be an ode to the deposed Islamic, first Woman PM of Pakistan. :)

Sameena:#59

Thank you.

If you care then please read the homage I paid to her on December 24,on the Mandir Mirage board,reply # 476.(All others welcome too).

Click previous 10 on the top right hand corner of this page & pull down the mandir mirage board.see replies.

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wassalaam