Controversy in Bollywood Films

 Controversies and Bollywood Films go hand in hand.Some time its real and some time these are intentional.
In India, sex, politics,history, nudity, religious sentiments are the main ingredients for controversy. There have been a lot of movies in the past too that have stirred some serious controversies. The first controversy appeared way back in 1921 a silent film  Bhakta Vidur.In this film the Hindu mythological character Vidura was moulded on the personality of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This was the first Indian film to face a ban.
Recently the controversy of Padmavati by the Karni Sena has delayed the release of this film.Earlier also  Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ran its agitation against the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) and Shah Rukh Khan's Raees since they feature Pakistani actors.
I am discussing some of those Bollywood films which made contoversy at the time of their release.
Kissa Kursi Ka (1977)

The 70s film that sparked a controversy was Kissa Kursi Ka. With the film throwing subtle references at the political system and corruption in the country, it was banned by the censors immediately. Moreover, all the prints and posters too were confiscated by the authorities. 

Aandhi (1975)

A Gulzar's Film, its film posters showcasing a woman politician, the story was allegedly based on the life then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. The film was banned instantly. However, it was released on state-run television channel and was an instant hit!

Fire (1998)

Fire continues to remain as one of the most controversial films in India.The film created uproar on the first-day of its release and was resend to the censors.It was one of the first mainstream Bollywood films to explicitly show homosexual relations. After its 1998 release in India, certain groups staged several protests, setting off a flurry of public dialogue around issues such as homosexuality and freedom of speech.

Black Friday (2005)

The film was blocked by the censors, fearing pandemonium in the nation. Moreover, it had to undergo various screenings before it saw its release in 2007.Black Friday narrates one of the most horrific events in the history of Mumbai – The 1992-93 riots and bombings. 

Water (2005)

After several controversies surrounding the film in India, the Indian censor boards cleared the film with a "U" certificate. It was released in India on 9 March 2007.This movie showcases the difficult and simple lives of widows in ashrams. It hurt the feelings of Hindus which led to burning of posters of this movie on the ghats. Activist Arun Pathak also organised a suicide protest to stop the film production

My Name Is Khan (2010).

Directed by Karan Johar, produced by Hiroo Johar and Gauri Khan, and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles..Before its release, the film generated a great deal of publicity for itself due to three main reasons: first, the multiple political controversies surrounding the film and its lead actor.After Shahrukh Khan (who owns the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket team) criticised the fact that members of the Pakistani Cricket Team were not bought by the clubs competing in the 2010 Indian Premier League (IPL), he was condemned by Shiv Sena, a Hindu nationalist political party. There were consequent protests and demonstrations against him and demands that cinemas in India refuse to screen My Name Is Khan.

Parzania (2007)

The film is inspired by the true story of a ten-year-old Parsi boy, Azhar Mody, played in the film as Parzaan Pithawala in the film, who disappeared after the 28 February 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre during which 69 people were killed and which was one of many events in the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

Aakarshan (2011)

The film is a socio-political drama based on the controversial policy of caste based reservations in Indian government jobs and educational institutions.This film touched the sensitive nerves of some people when it portrayed the  caste based reservation system in India. As a result, the movie was banned in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh before its release. The ban from Uttar Pradesh was later lifted by the Supreme Court

The Story of Babul mora naihar chhooto hi jaye-The Queen of Thomris

We all have heard this famous song of K L Sehgal.After close to nearly 80 years of it being released (for the 1938 movie, Street Singer), this still remains a favorite of the discerning listener of vintage Indian film music. This is being one of my favorites of K l Sehgal songs.
A thought came in my mind why not write a blog on this Immortal song.Very few  would know that this Bhairavi thumri, was composed by Wajid Ali Shah,when he was expelled to Calcutta, he wrote the parting song Babul Mora,picturing the mind of a heart broken man. He expressed his pain of parting in the lyrics of ‘Babul mora naihar chhuto jaye’, It has been one of the favorite thumris of many a singers over generations—from Ustad Faiyaz Khan—the most well-known singer of Agra Gharana and arguably one of the best voices on record—to Alisha Chinoy. 
The most famous version of Wajid Ali Khan’s Babul Mora was sung by Kundan Lal Saigal in the movie Street Singer in 1938. The music was composed by Rai Chand Boral, who is considered as a father figure among  cine-music composers.  
The list of luminaries who sang ‘Babul Mora’ includes-  Bhim Sen Joshi, Kesarbai Kerkar, Siddheshwari Devi, Rasoolan Bai, Khadim  Hussain Khan, Mushatq Hussain Khan, Girija Devi, Kishori Amonkar, Jagmohan, Padma Talwalkar, Shanti Vaidyanathan Sharma, Mahender Chopra (son-in-law of K.L.Saigal) and none other than Ghazal queen Begum Akhtar.
Thumri arose in popularity during the 19th century in the Lucknow court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. At that time it used to be a sung by courtesans accompanied by dance. It is said that Thumri is a short piece of semi-classical rendition usually sung at the conclusion of a classical music concert. 
The Saigal version is set in Raag Bhairavi – Bhairavi had traditionally been performed in the early morning hours.  However, due to the fact that performances lasted all night, it has now become common to consider Bhairavi to be the finale.
To my readers I have taken the videos of various version of this immortal song sung by the great singers of their time In fact the latest version with modern instruments by Rajesh Panwar at New Jersey in 2015. 

K L Sehgal

Song from Street Singer 1938

Kanan Devi

Song from Street Singer 1938

Kesar Bai Kerkar

                                                 kesarbai kerkar sings 'babul mora' 

MALKA JAAN

Ustad Khadim Husain Khan

Begum Akhtar

                           Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaaye - Beghum Akhtar version

Girija Devi

                                  Jugalbandi babul mora shobha gurtu & girija devi 

Sidheshwari Devi

                                       Babul Mora - Thumri in Bhairavi - Girija Devi

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

                                 Pt Bhimsen Joshi -Babul Mora Raga Bhairavi, 1960s

Kishori Amonkar

                               Kishori Amonkar - Raag Bhairavi Thumri - Babul Mora Naihar Chhuto Hi Jai

Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh 

Song from Avishkar

Alisha Chinoy

Ruchira Kedar

                                      Ruchira Kedar Live "Babul Mora" Bhairavi Thumri

 Rajesh panwar 

                               Babul mora naihar by Rajesh panwar At New jersey 2015

Folk Dances in Bollywood

We are seeing a controversy in the latest film PADMAVATI,another controversy has emerged about the Ghoomar Dance by Deepika Padukone.In this context I think that Films are more of imagination than the reality,we should see films in that manner and appreciate its creativity.
Bollywood dance is a difficult topic to discuss.It is a mixture of numerous styles.No folk dance shown in films is exactly the same but it has many steps from other folks also.Films before 1960 tended to draw heavily on classical and folk dance.  Since neither "classical dance" nor "folk dance" are homogenous entities.In this blog I have selected some popular folk dances of Bollywood.
The common  folk dances are Bhangra, Rajasthani Folk, Garba, Dandiya, Bihu Lavani etc shown in our films.There are many hit songs and dances in bollywood are worth mentioning.

Song from Khajanchi 1941

Song from  Baadal 1951

Song from Pahli Jhalak (1954)

Song from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje [1955]

Song from Shree 420 (1957)

Song from Kathputli 1957

Song from Naya Daur 1957

Song from Madhumati 1958

Song from  Mughal E Azam 1960

Song from Ganga Jamuna 1961

Song from Saraswatichandra 1968

Song from Bandhan  (1969)

Song from Bobby 1973

Song from Inkaar 1978

Song from  Lamhe 1991

Song from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 1999

Song from Mission Kashmir 2000

Song from Zubeidaa 2001

The 11 Emotions of Mohammad Rafi

In Indian classical music, each raga is an inspired creation for a specific mood.In Hindi Film music Mohammad Rafi was a superb vocal artist and could bring a range of emotions into the limited time 3 to 4 minutes a song allowed him.As per Indian classical music there are 9 rasas or 9 major basic emotions/expressions.In music rasa is associated with the emotion of a Raga.There are now a total of 11 rasas and all of them go into the making of a good Bollywood masala flick! And guess what - Rafi Saab’s voice has given us a song for every emotion. So without much ado I give you the 11 emotions or Rasas of Rafi.
One element that is common among all performing arts is their ability to express the emotions which make up different slices of life. Rafi Saab’s voice has given us a song for every emotion. 

Bhakti Rasa-Bhajans, Ghazals, Nagmas, Shairi and Sufi Sangeet are part of Bhakti Rasa. Bollywood has properly used these in its music.Mohammad Rafi sang many songs in this Rasa. Some of the popular are

Man Tadpat Hari Darshan ko Aaj

Insaaf ka Mandir hai yeh 

Tere Dar pe aaya hoon kuchh kar ke jaaonga

Song from Baiju Bawra 1952

Vatsalya Rasa

vatsalya is linked to mother but in Bollywood Parental love  is emoted in many songs sung by male singers also.There are many songs sung by Rafi Saheb in this category
Babul ki duaayein leti ja (Neel Kamal)
O Nanhe se farishtey (Ek Phool Do Maali)
So ja baba mere so jaa” from Koshish

Song from Ek Phool Do Maali 1969

Shringara Rasa
This emotion can be used to paint love for any person, be it specifically sweetheart or anybody else. Rafi certainly was a master at expressing romance and the sheer number of his great romantic songs is a testament to that.Some of his popular shringar rasa songs are
Aaj ki raat yeh kaisi raat ke hum ko (Aman)
“Aise toh na dekho” from Teen Deviyaan
Chaudvin Ka Chaand Ho  
Mere Mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat (Mere Mehboob)

Song from Chaudhvin Ka Chaand 1960

 Karuna Rasa
The sympathy and fellow-feeling.The actual Karuna means the sadness,Karuṇarasa  refers to the “pathetic sentiment”There are many popular songs in this emotion
Kahan ja raha hai (Seema, 1955)
“Main gaaoon tum so jaao” (Brahmchaari)
Chahunga main tujhe (Dosti)
Na tu Zameen ke liye (Dastaan)

Song from Dosti 1964

Hasya Rasa
Teasing and laughing with a friend is one face of “Hasya rasa”. Much has been said about Rafi and Johnny Walker  and their superb comedic partnership. But Rafi did great comedy for others too  like Mehmood and Om Prakash
Sar jo tera chakraye ya dil ( Pyasa )
Chhuri ban kaanta ban (Jaali Note, 1960)
Hamein kale hain to kya hua (Gumnaam)
Chakke pe Chakka (Brahmchaari)

Song from Jaali Note, 1960

Roudra Rasa
Raudra Rasa is one of the important rasa in Natyashastra and the dominant emotion or the Sthayi Bhava in this rasa is Krodha or anger. Rafi was especially adept at expressing anger, his voice could slip into the high notes and quick enunciation of the angry man, with extraordinary control and with such great effect. The songs depicting anger where Rafi excelled in this emotion
O Duniya ke rakhwaale (Baiju Bawra)
Mere dushman tu meri dosti ko tarse (Aye din bahar ke)
Yeh mahalon yeh takthon yeh taajon ki duniya(Pyasa)
Yeh Duniya ye mehfil mere kaam ki nahin (Heer Ranjha)

Song from Aye din bahar ke 1966

Vibhatsya Rasa
The bhava it represents is Disgust or aversion.This emotion is evoked by anything that is a symbol of repugnance, nausea  Rafi at its best to render  this rasa more effective 
Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaye to kya hai(Pyasa)
Mere Dushman tu meri (Aaye din bahar ke).
Kya miliye aise logon se (Izzat)

Song from Pyaasa 1957

Bhayanak Rasa
The Sthayi Bhava of Bhayanaka rasa is Bhaya or fright. The outcome of Bhayanaka rasa is through the Vibhavas or determinants such as Vikrta Rava or terrific noise, Rafi Saab brings this rasa effortlessly in the following songs which shows sheer disgust and antipathy towards the atrocities of the society
Guzre hain aaj ishq main us maqam se (Dil Diya Dard liya)
Mili khaak main mohabbat (Chaudvin ka Chand)
Dono ne kiya tha pyar magar (Mahua)
Main apne aap se ghabra gaya hoon (Bindiya)

Song from Bindiya 1960

Veera Rasa
 it deals with the exhibition of energy and enthusiasm with persons of high rank. Most of the patriotic songs are in this Rasa.Rafi’s voice quickens with the strength of his emotions and how heroic and sad the high notes sound in veer rasa.
Kar chale hum fida jan-o-tan saathiyo(Haqeeqat)
Apni Azaadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin(Leader)
Zindabad aye Mohabbat zindabad (Mughal-E-Azam)
Mere desh premiyo aapas main prem karo (Desh Premi

Song from Leader 1964

Adbhuta Rasa
It is about the sentiment of wonderment surprise. The Sthayi bhava of the rasa is Vismaya or astonishment. Rafi has many songs in this Rasa.While most if us are lost in the wonder of his voice, Rafi could be vocally lost in the wonder of discovery in other ways – as this song highlights. "Tumne mujhe dekha hokar meherbaan" (you looked kindly on me) – you can hear the joy and the wonder of a man who, contrary to his expectations, finds himself loved by his beloved.Tumne mujhe dekha (Teesri Manzil, 1966
“Yeh duniya patang nit badley yeh rang koi jaane na udaane waala kaun hai”
Maine poocha chand se (Abdullah)
Wadiyan mera daaman, raaste meri bahaen(Abhilasha)

Song from Teesri Manzil, 1966

Shaanta Rasa
Beyond all these emotions lies the emotion of peace and serenity.“Shantha Rasa“ represents complete harmony among mind, body and the universe. This is a state where the mind is in rest, a state of tranquility.One of my all time favourite songs is “Tere Mere Sapne” from Guide. When Rafi Saab says “Tere dukh ab mere, mere sukh ab tere, tere yeh do naina chand aur suraj mere”, he sounds so utterly reassuring and comforting
.Basti basti parvat parvat (Railway Platform, 1955)
Main Zindagi ka saath Nibhata (Hum Dono)
Tere Mere Sapne (Guide)

Song from Guide, 1965