Sohni Mahiwal, Come Back Home

It`s plain hypocracy to say that Pakistanis dont watch Hindi movies. It`s more like betting; happens everywhere but we refuse to regulate it by making it official, thus giving big scope for black money and black economy.

I dont see any difference between north Indian newspapers and Pakistani papers that cover Bollywood gossip. For a starter it opens up how our fellow brothers in Pakistan and elsewhere consume Bollywood. Without the pervasion of Bollywood, the coverage of gossip by mainstream media is impossible. The same is the case with Bangladeshi and Nepali brothers (covergae in their media, I am not sure). It`s sensible to allow Bollywood in Pakistan officially. Would Bollywood kill local cinema. Nope. Look at the regional cinema in India.

Somebody calling Madhubaala from the otherside of border is absurd. Many mainland Indians went to newly created Pakistan in 1947 as their homeland and many outerland Indians in NWFP came to mainland India thinking that they are Indians and want to live in proper India. No amount of Bharat Ratnas (Jewel of India) medals would be enough for the people of NWFP who came to mainland India and settled here in 1947 and after.

Re: # 20

well, u seem to know quite a bit about quite a few things ....

thanx for the info .... by the way

Re:kaami#17

[...... and hey, I never knew Madhubala was from our side of the border, she`s simply amazing!!! ...]

Madhubala was her screen name. Her real name was Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi. Her parents were Pathans from Peshawar who were settled in Delhi. Her dad`s name was Ataullah Khan!!

She was indeed totally amazing!! Probably the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Re: # 17

I cannot say a lot about it except that.... I agree to it.

In fact, even in the article I never said that I`m against the showing of Indian movies here. I was just trying to analyze the justifications given by authorities to uphold the ban; and i fail to justify.

and i appreciate your profound insight into classical music even though i don`t know a thing about it ;)

... and hey, I never knew Madhubala was from our side of the border, she`s simply amazing!!! ...

Re:ahmedmadani#13 and #14

I am glad to hear that there are some classical music lovers in Karachi. I feel that classical music is one of the most beautiful aspects of our heritage in the subcontinent. In India classical music gets official patronage. There is a lot of demand among the people. In major cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Pune, Madras, classical music has devoted followers. Classical music concerts get sold-out audiences. I truly hope people in Pakistan can keep it alive and make it flourish.

Ustad Abdul Karim Khan had one of the sweetest voices that one can imagine. What sur!! Even in old, scratchy 78rpm recordings, one can make out the absolute divine gift he had. I have listened to the recording you refer to. You should listen to his Jogia - ``Piya milan ki aas`` and his Pilu - ``Soch Samajh Nadaan``. His daughter Hirabai Barodekar is also very good.

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi is probably the greatest living vocalist today. I have met him several times when I used to volunteer with SpicMacay - a classical music promotion group, and arranged his concerts in Schools and College campuses to appeal to the next generation. You must listen to his recording in Raag Lalit-Bhatiyaar - ``O Kartar!!``. It is the combination of two of the toughest and most beautiful raags - Lalit and Bhatiyar. I still remember attending an all night classical music concert where Panditji came at 6:00am in the morning and started singing this raag. Although we had been up for the whole night, we sat up in 2 mins and listened spell bound. His bhajan - ``Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada`` is his signature piece that he sings at the end of every concert and is mindblowing.

I would urge you to listen to Gwalior Gharana. In my opinion, Gwalior Gharana is the nucleus of classical music in India. Started at the time of Emperor Akbar, Tansen belonged to this gharana. The modern form of Gwalior Gharana with Kheyal gayaki was started by Haddu and Hassu Khan. In particular, I recommed listening to Pt. D.V. Paluskar, the son of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. You may know that Paluskar opened a branch of his music school Gandharva Mahavidyala in Lahore, which was very popular till 1947. D.V. Paluskar has sung some memorable 2min pieces - starting with Raag Lalit, Vibhas, Vilaskhani Todi etc. His bhajan - ``Jab Janaki Nath Sahay`` is a gem. If you can, download some of his pieces from the internet and try it out. Incidentally, it was D.V. Paluskar who sang with Ustad Amir Khan in the famous duet in the movie - ``Baiju Bawra``. The song is ``Aaj Gavat Man More`` based on Raag Desi.

Of course, Patiala and Shamchaurasia Gharanas are also very prestigious. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is the BEST classical singer ever produced in the subcontinent. I cant imagine how Pakistan could let him go to India. He was the best!! Even today, if you have the mood, put on his Raag Darbari at night - ``Anokha Laadla, Khelan to Maange Chaand``. It is a majestic, divine experience. And talk about singing like a lion!! His taans in chaugun (4 times) are amazing. Interestingly, he was lured by Naushad to sing in Mugla-e-Azam movie. Ustadji was adamantly opposed to movies and demanded Rs. 10000/- to sing in the movie, thinking that it will make K. Asif go away. To his surprise, K. Asif gave him the money on the spot, leving him no choice. What a good fortune for us!! Even today, you can listen to his songs in Mugha-e-Azam like ``Prem Jogan Ban Ke``. It is one of the most sensual scenes in Hindi movies - showing the seduction of Anarkali by Salim.

Re:kaami#16

[...Indian movies are watched by a lot of Pakistani households (and when I say a lot of, I mean `a lot of` and certainly not all) but it still remains a sort of a taboo subject here...]

Kamran, as the song goes - ``Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kiya?`` :-). If Pakistanis love Indian movies so much, why treat it as a taboo subject? It is open competition that brings about the best in all of us. If there are popular hindi movies in Pakistan, it will spur the Pakistani movie industry to compete.

Also, I think it will benefit hindi movies as well. A lot of top hindi movie stars are from Pakistan area like Raj Kapur, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala. If the two sides get closer, Pakistanis can openly participate in the hindi film industry. I would love to see another Dilip Kumar or Madhubala show up on our screens.

Re: # 5

Mr. Ranjit,
I undoubtedly agree to the fact that Indian movies are watched by a lot of Pakistani households (and when I say a lot of, I mean `a lot of` and certainly not all) but it still remains a sort of a taboo subject here.
The only thing that the government is trying to do by banning Indian films is preserving or saving whatever is left of the Pakistani film industry. A reasonaby well set industry like Britian couldn`t survive against a juggernaut like Hollywood and they had no choice but to join them and work under their banners, but this doesn`t seem likely in the sub continent so all we can do is: evade the Indian movies as long as possible.
But, as I`ve said earlier, the Indian movies are not as big a fear as some people deem them to be because if something can populate the cinemas again, then the Pakistani film industry is only going to benefit from it.
It`s not as much a matter of national pride or anything. Because if we`ve got to take pride in something, we can take pride in the fact that a lot of Pakistani TV dramas are watched in India and that every Pakistani pop group that has gone to India has definitely created some big waves in the indian music scene.


and my name is Kamran, by the way ;)

We dont want our moveis to be watched in Pakistan.

Pakistan should pay royalty to Indians if they want ot watch Indian movies.

There is plenty of XXX movies from Singapore that can be imported in Pakistan.

Re: # 13
Mrs Gabgubai Hangal is one of my favourite Kirana singer. One of my favorite her in Madhya laya Jhaptal in puriya dhansre in Puriya. In this her daughter Krishna fills with saath and she is does so good and beautiful singing, other her is memorable in Durga raga ... hari.. (forgot bols)

Pt Joshi teacher Mr. Madhav (?) Kundolgar must be great singer and teacher himself. Unfortunately I have heard only small bandish on record in Nanda Rag `` Manme Mohan Viraj``. One does not get much from one singing. But he must be great teacher as his studetns Mrs Barodakar, Hangal and Pt. Joshi are so grateful to him and have great reverance for him. Joshi nealy same age as around Gangubai and Hirabai must have been picked up Gwalior things as Gangubai and Hirabai picked up by training under Gwalior master Ramkrishna Bowa .
This is too much let us go to Gandhi and jinnah.

Re: # 12

Sorry for late reacting I was not well for some time due to nervious break down. New medicine taking called lexapro 20 Mg let us hope for best.
Its good know about your cultured habits in music. In karachi there is group who are devotee of ``kirana `` singing and amatures do make Riyyaz with Ustad who is aging. They do for love only and these do after doing jobs. So should not expect the high level . There is no demand from people ( no govt conspiricy etc just no demand) There are some exponent of Drupad singing. But for practical purposes is dead and buried thing.
The classical music needs financial support and respect in society. Bujurg like Bade Ghulam A. Khan thought about and left for India. Just it has no demand. To have progress and achievement most important thing needed is listeners in huge numbers. There is critical number of listners needed to survive so that number is not there.

I love A.Karim Khan for his soulful rendering. He studied and brought some Raga`s like Abhogi in hindustani music from South India music tradition. I have few records (78 RPM)of him and some I listened from Internet and CDs.
We all enjoy his beautiful singinig as in ``Piya Bin Nahi Awat Chain`` or sweetest in Basant Raga `` Phagawa Breej dekhaneko``. Or his sweetest Thumari in ``Jamuna ke teer`` in Bhaivari. I got to get some beautiful rendering by khan sahib in rare recording in ``Khayal``, Tarana etc. This source was mentioned by Mr. Harimau ( south asia women forum and wonderful lessons on ragas by Rajan Pariker. I leant most from that source.

Pt Joshi is one of great singer and will be always cherished by all lovers. He sings like a lion roaring , no pretense. I find him unimaginable sweet in some singing beyond havenly joy. I have listened to his hour long rendering as well as short bandishes. His presentation of Ruriya Dhansree, Ramkali, Yaman or Bheempalasi and Maru Bihag are one of his best. Though his training under his teacher was in Kirana he has absorbed great traits from Jaypore Atruli singi and openly admits most affected by AllaDiyakhan and Ms. Kasarbai Keskar and his keeps note purity to letters and spirit. But he gets good singing from Jaypur or gwalior but always process in Kirana factory and produces such beautifully. I very much like his short Bandish `` Breej me dhundh Machaye kahna`` in Bheempalasi raga. I can say I think he is most vigiourous singer say power singer what strength of his tan or when goes for alap or taran he is unique. Many songs sung by his Teachers teacher/ Abdul Karim Khan he sings they are par or better. His rendering of ``jamuna ke teer`` is just beautiful or Piya bin Nayi awwat chain``. He is one of very few who are comfortable to sing in upper black patties ( higher octaves) in that sweet. He presents all what was supposed by Kirana singing, molodious and soulful little with pathos.
I have heard Pt. Joshi is not keeping health due to age. Some body here told me Pt. Joshi has some problem with drink. I told that man son has also some black spots that does not diminish Sun. Let us hope Pt Joshi gets as much life as he wants no more and no less.

With best wishes for 2006.

Re:ahmedmadani#9

Sirjee, you are a fan of classical music? Kya baat hai!! I am also a HUGE fan of classical music. My favorite gharanas are Gwalior, Kirana and Patiala/Shamchaurasia. In Kirana, my favorites are Abdul Karim Khan, Roshnara Begum and Bhimsen Joshi. In Gwalior, my favorites are D.V. Paluskar and Onkarnath Thakur. In Patiala gharana, the all time best is Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and of course, Salamat and Nazakat. I also like Rashid Khan and Amir Khan (the singer, not the move star :-)).

How is the music scene in Pakistan? Do people listen to classical music? In India, people are big fans and classical music gets a lot of patronage. I thought in Pakistan, it is considered unislamic so no one listens to it.

Re: # 9

Virender dude giot afraid of pindi express. Dravid and laxman open let us see what happens now express is raging like bull.

Re: # 8 I have only written one article in life and that on hindustani music for this news paper about two rising female singer from India which I liked. I do not know how to retrive.

Re: # 8 I have heard names but does not about their singing. No interest in Indian or any movies. But listen to hindustani music almost heard all major exponents. Partial to Kirana, Gwalior and jaypure for melody, flow and intricasies and notal purity in given order.
Match is going fine. Indians god lucky with 3 strikes but Express will be raging , Express has finished charm of Mr.10 it appears. It will be tough for Indians also. Let us see that happens next days. good afternoon and let us hope to have have good game.

Re:ahmedmadani#7

Sirjee, you have never listened to Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Lata Mangeshkar? Come on!! Why are you lying? That is just unbeleivable.

# Mr. Ranjit.... I noted comment about hipocracy. I am not like that. I have not seen movie in last 30 years or I am only person who has no TV in Pakistan or even in world. I am dead set against both but its my opinion and for me to believe is to act. It has created lots of tension in family but no movies and TV is still order of day. After thought as a compromise allowed radio but can be used only when I am not in house. I am not fanatic but I do not like addictive things. But I am flexible to some extent like I resented but aquisced to use of lipstick by my daughter as they threatened me to harm themselves.

Late Aytullah Khyomeni said once muslims are backward as they are are hypocrite and corroupt on earth so muslim Ummah is getting what they deserve that is misery. Like too much eating and lacing tea with white poison ( sugar) and not sacraficing has brought Ummah to knees even with all worlds balck liquid Gold and Natural gas in stomach of earth.