Kachha Dhaaga Options

[unni]

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After singing-star Suraiyya's recent demise Lata-ji paid a lovely tribute to her, during which she recollected a song-recording with her and "another singer". Suraiyya-ji was then a bubbling spirit and started giggling, which got Lata-ji also into a 'giglacious" mood and it went on to become a giggling spree. Apparently the "other singer" was not amused and complained that she (Suraiyya-ji) was disturbing his singing.

I can imagine a conscientious Rafi-sahab at the recording-studio, seriously humming the lines and rehearsing for the recording, only to be interrupted time and again by high-pitched giggles from his two female co-singers.

My guess is it was at the recording of "Bheegi palkein ootha".

And I wouldn't blame him for thinking of them by the name of the film they were recording for: "DO GUNDE"!

[unni]

Earlier, I had posted a topic titled "RADIO DAYS"

In a sense, this is a continuation of that topic.

Shortly after Burman-dada passed away, a tribute to him was broadcast over Radio Ceylon. Lata-ji spoke about her association with Burman-dada, followed by the song "Thoom na jaaney kis jahaan mein kho gayey". Then a tribute by Rafi-sahab, as always a man of few words, and the song "Bichhdey sabhi, baari baari". Those song choices were so appropriate and poignant.

On Sunday afternoons, there used to be a program "Vishesh Jaymala". What was "vishesh" was that it was presented by a celebrity from the film/music industry. I used to wait week after week for the program to be presented by Rafi-sahab. To the best of my knowledge that never happened. But I do recollect hearing Manna Dey's presentation, ending on a note of humility, when he played "Soor na sajay, kya gaoon main".

At one time I possessed an audio-tape of my recording of the program broadcast on Vividh Bharati in tribute to Rafi-sahab a little after his demise. So many year later, I came across recordings from that broadcast on "Mohd. Rafi.com". A distinct memory is the sound of traffic in the background as Lata-ji spoke.

The least music-minded person I have come across is my father (he is 98 now and listens to sacred chants most of the time). He was not one bit interested when we used to listen to our beloved HFM. Nor was he interested in films. But my brothers and I persuaded our parents to join us to see "Dosti". It was a safe bet since it had a "noble" subject. Later that week, the radio was on at home and Rafi-sahab's classic "Chahoonga main tujhe" began to be heard. Just then my dad walked in, engaged in conversation with someone. Upon hearing the song, suddently he signalled silently to the other person, his hand stretched out and palm spread open: "Wait". And he remained there quietly, listening to that song till the very end, before resuming conversation. More amused than anything, we asked him something on the lines of "How come?". He sheepishly replied. "That's a nice song. I wanted to listen to it".

One other movie we took them to see was "Chitralekha". Apparently it went fine, till the part when the discipline and resolve of the "holy man" (played by Ashok Kumar) weakens and he succumbs to the attractions of the character played by Meena Kumari. My mother felt very let down. So innapropriate, yaar!