One of the important things I have learned about song, dance, and art forms is that the expression allowed is completely different from any other form of formal oral or written communication that we know of. Songs perhaps thrive on a fundamental binding human principle that builds a connection between people. It’s almost like a call coming from the depths of the singer, which reaches out and connects and binds with so many others in so many conscious and unconscious ways. Songs also have the potential to hold a mirror to the times and a mirror to the soul and to the conscience of individuals and societies of the times. I have learned enormously from the songs introduced to me by Tanya Seshadri, who prefers to enjoy them in quiet solitude. My style is much more to write and reflect aloud, and so here goes. Almost all the songs below are from sitting by her and the notes are largely informed by her. A dream I have is to be able to sing each of these songs with the same emotion that they were written and sung in…reliving the life and times that evoked these songs
- Tu Jhoom - There is this amazing Coke Studio version of htis song that communicates beautifully the futility of high ambition and the anxiety or desire of “results”. Speaks wonderuflly to the productivity boom all around!
- Bagavat - Song sung & popularised by Dr. Haider Saif based on poem by Molana Amir Usmani (not able to find biographical information on him save for the article on the Usmani family of Deoband - i wonder if Amir Usmani is not the one from this family given the Lenin-Hitler refs in the last stanza of the song - or perhaps these are added by Saif?)
- Woh subah kabhi to aayegi A beautiful song of hope. Originally by Mukesh. Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and perhps the music cokmposed by Khaiyyam and sung by Mukesh and Asha Bhonsle. Apparently the movie does not have the full song whic is on the LP (uploaded at link by the Atul Shah)
- Jinhe naaz hai hind par woh kahan hai - hard-hitting
- Jaane woh kaise log the jinke pyaar ko pyaar mila - From Pyaasa with Guru Dutt
- Tu pyaar ka sagar hai - Manna Dey singing Shailendra’s lyrics. Durga Khote “pretending” to play the piano on Balraj Sahani’s left singing to Krishna as Nootan playing Seema in consternation at home
Last updated: 2026-06-20 13:32