This is my second post involving classical music in Hindi cinema after an attempt at raag Shivaranjani last year. You can see that post here. To reiterate(!) I have not learnt classical music or the shastra (science) involving it. But I do have an ear for it.
Today’s post is about raag Bhimpalasi. Like Shivaranjani, this is a popular raag used in many film songs across decades. Probably because it has a certain flexibility and is easy to set to tune. I noted that a number of music directors from the 1990s have made use of this raag many times. Given these are film songs, the structure of the raag may not be pure but that liberty is allowed in light music. A similar sounding raag is Dhaani. In Carnatic music, the raags are called Abheri and Suddha Dhanyasi respectively.
A bit about Bhimpalasi, courtesy Wikipedia. This raga originates from the Kaafi thaat. Re and Dha are not used in the ascending scale, and all the notes are used in the descending scale. Therefore, its Jati is considered to be Audava-Sampoorna. Ga and Ni are soft in it. The Vadi note is Ma and the Samvadi note is Sa.
The time for singing and playing is the third quarter of the day. It evokes feelings of romance, peace, compassion and devotion.
Aaroha-ni_ S, G_, M P Ni_ San.
Descending–Sam, Ni_, Dha Pa, Mag_ Re S.
Catch-ni_sam m, m g_, p m, g_ m g_ res.
So, here is a list of 10 songs which seem to be based on this enchanting raag. I would defer to the experts to share their opinion.
1) Song: Waada Raha Sanam
Film: Khiladi (1992)
Credits: Anwar Sagar | Jatin Lalit | Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik
This is a soft romantic song and I was surprised it has a hint of Bhimpalasi. The lead couple (Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Jhulka) are disturbed as their college friend has been murdered. The situation has a serious undercurrent but the song helps to soften it and bring things to normal. They sing this song to pacify each other and admit their commitment towards each other.
2) Song: Samay O Dheere Chalo
Film: Rudaali (1993)
Credits: Gulzar | Bhupen Hazarika | Asha Bhosle
Rudaali had all great songs. This particular song presents Bhimpalasi in a serious mode. It has a feel of longing and emptiness as the protagonist feels she is losing everything in life. The lyrics, singing and tune leave you spellbound. The film version is song by Asha Bhosle which appears twice in the movie. But the cassette (or album) had versions by Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika too.
3) Song: Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast
Film: Mohra (1994)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Viju Shah | Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Chorus
This song was very popular and featured for multiple weeks in the popular Top 10 programs of the time. It is “inspired” from a Sufi qawwali and works its magic on the big screen in its highly commercial avatar! Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon team up with many side dancers. It is well picturized and choreographed. The tune is catchy. It also demonstrates the flexibility or adaptability of the raag where the same tune can be used to create two songs with totally opposite moods.
4) Song: Tu Mile Dil Khile
Film: Criminal (1994)
Credits: Indeevar | M. M. Kreem | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik and Chitra
Some films are identified for that one memorable song which stays with you for years. Criminal was a forgettable film but this song became an iconic song of the 90s. The original song is in Telugu probably set in raag Abheri, the Carnatic equivalent of Bhimpalasi.
5) Song: Kismat Se Tum
Film: Pukar (2000)
Credits: Javed Akhtar | A. R. Rahman | Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Paudwal
This raag seems to be a favourite of A R Rahman. He has used it many times in films like Rangeela, Daud, Dil Se, Lagaan and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. This is a masterpiece of a song with the singing, composition and picturization blending beautifully. Its a visual delight. Shot in Alaska, the snowy landscape can be felt throughout the musical composition. The tune showcases the emotions of the lead pair who have been (finally) brought together in extremely trying circumstances. They vow to never separate from one another. Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit sizzle on screen.
6) Song: Mujhe Kehna Kehna Tujhse Hai Kehna
Film: Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
Credits: Sameer | Harris Jayaraj | Sonu Nigam and Kavita Krishnamurthy
I came to know about Harris Jayaraj due to this movie. He hasn’t composed much for Hindi films. RHTDM was a remake of a Tamil film Minnale for which Harris had won the Filmfare award. It is a melodious composition presenting Bhimpalasi in a romantic form and it sounds fresh. The southern influence is evident.
7) Song: Eli Re Eli Kya Hai Ye Paheli
Film: Yaadein (2001)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Anu Malik | Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Hema Sardesai and Chorus
Trust Anu Malik to come up with this marvellous tune. Not sure if it’s inspired but the song is effective with it’s singing and arrangement. Arguably, Kavita Krishnamurthy steals the show. The song is one of the saving graces in an otherwise boring film. It is mainly picturized on the 3 sisters’ characters in the film. The song begins with a mischievous tone and ends on a mood filled with sadness when one of the sisters gets married and leaves the house with a heavy heart.
8) Song: Bol Na Halke Halke
Film: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)
Credits: Gulzar | Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mahalaxmi Iyer
When it’s Shankar Ehsaan Loy, we can expect some semi classical touches in the compositions. This song presents the raag in it’s full splendour and can be easily one of their best compositions. The slow tempo matched by the slow motion picturization adds to the effect. The singing is top notch. Overall there is a retro feel. Such songs have indeed become a rarity.
9) Song: Pani Da Rang
Film: Vicky Donor (2012)
Credits: Ayushmann Khurrana | Rochak Kohli | Ayushmann Khurrana
Another song demonstrating how Bhimpalasi can pop up unexpectedly. The story goes that Ayushmann wrote the song during his college days. It was liked and adapted by director Shoojit Sircar in the film. Whether it was specifically based on the raag or it happened naturally is perhaps immaterial. The song is easy on the ears and leaves it’s impact.
10) Song: Aaj Se Teri
Film: Padman (2018)
Credits: Kausar Munir | Amit Trivedi | Arijit Singh
We started with Akshay Kumar and end with him! The last song is a romantic number but of a different sort. Akshay Kumar and Radhika Apte are a newly married couple. The husband describes how their lives are entwined going forward. He will make all efforts to make her feel blessed. Amit Trivedi makes ample use of the shehnai and other instruments create the feel of the marriage celebrations and the events in the daily life of the couple. Bhimpalasi shines.
Cine Gaurav 