I have listened to this song many a times, and I liked this song very much. Not only I knew that this song was sung by Mukesh, I was also aware that the movie was called “Raaste ka pathar”.

But what about the video of this song ? All these days, I was drawing a blank. Now I have managed to find the video, and frankly I was surprised. I never knew that Amitabh Bachchan was the hero of this movie and it is he who sings this song in the movie. It just goes on to show what a big flop this movie must have been.

The picturisation shows Amitabh Bachchan singing this song in a party ( much like in “Majboor” a few years later), and in this song, we also notice Prem Chopra in a mustache.

Movie may have flopped, but the song went on to become not just a popular song, but one of the evergreen Mukesh songs. It is a nice philosophical song, sung very beautifully by Mukesh. It just boggles the mind how just about every Mukesh song managed to win over the hearts of its listeners almost without fail. This is a fantastic song sung by Mukesh.

Song- raasste ka patthar kismat ne mujhe bana diya (Raaste ka patthar 1972) Singer-Mukesh, Lyrics-Anand Bakshi, MD- Laxmikant Pyarelal

Lyrics

raaste kaa patthar kismat ne mujhe banaa diyaa
jo raaste se guzraa ek thokar lagaa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar …

kitne ghaav lage hain ye mat poochho mere dil pe
kitne ghaav lage hain ye mat poochho mere dil pe
kitni thokar khaayin naa pahunchaa phir bhi manzil pe
koyi aage phenk gayaa to koyi peechhe hataa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar kismat ne mujhe banaa diyaa
jo raaste se guzraa ek thokar lagaa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar …

pahle kyaa kar paayaa kyaa iske baad karoongaa main
pahle kyaa kar paayaa kyaa iske baad karoongaa main
jaa ri jaa ai duniyaa kyaa tujhko yaad karoongaa main
do din teri mahfil mein kyaa aayaa kyaa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar kismat ne mujhe banaa diyaa
jo raaste se guzraa ek thokar lagaa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar …

heera banke chamka har ek musafir kodo ka
heera banke chamka har ek musafir kodo ka
ye umeed bhi tooti logon ne na khaaya dhoka
har ek uthakar mujhko phir yaheen gira gaya
raaste kaa patthar kismat ne mujhe banaa diyaa
jo raaste se guzraa ek thokar lagaa gayaa
raaste kaa patthar kismat ne mujhe banaa diyaa
jo raaste se guzraa ek thokar lagaa gayaa
raaste ka patthar

Bollywood movies of the past were often well structured. there was a hero and he used to sing a song in case he needed to tell something important. There would be a song to convey his love, one song to convey his sadness, one holi song, one rakhi song, one disguise song etc.

All that is all right, but how would the public get to now about the hero ? Members in an internet forum introduce themselves when they first join. What about the hero introducing himself to the audience in the beginning of the movie? Yes, even that was thought of by movie makers. In movies, there used to be “introduction” songs as well. “Main hoon Don” from “Don” is one well known example of an “introduction” song.

“Rampur ka Laxman” was a movie released in early 1970s, and it had a wonderful introduction song in it sung by Kishore Kumar. This song lays down the scope of activities of the hero that he proposes to carry out in the said movie. What he would do, what he would not. What does he stand for, what are his opinions on various world affairs, every thing is clearly laid out in this song for all to take note. This introduction fully complies with ISO 9001-2000 documentation requirements, that too in 1972 itself !

Picturisation takes you back more than three decades. Look at the gawky looking Rekha, and watch the stylish villain Shatrughan Sinha drawing smoke rings while smoking. Do you think Shatrughan Sinha is copying Rajneekanth ? Rajnikant did not appear on the scene for another 5-6 years, and those were the days of Shatrughan Sinha mannerisms. Too bad that Shatrughan Sinha, instead of building up on them, decided to turn hero. Rajnikant, who was clearly influenced by Shatrughan Sinha mannerisms, built upon them to become a legend of Tamil movies.

The hero of “Rampur ka Laxman” who sings this introduction song in the movie, is Randhir Kapoor. Despite getting so many opportunities on a platter, he failed to become anything more than a flop actor. This movie, though, was one of his rare successful movies.

And as far as I am concerned, when I recall this movie, I recall this lovely song. So here is this song, which stood 15th in the Binaca geetmala final of 1972.

PS- I used to read a lot in those days that Rekha needed to watch her career else she would go the way of Faryal. I wondered who was Faryal. Now I seem to have got my answer by Sherlock Holmes like logical deductions. The skimpily clad cabaret dancer in this song has to be Fariyal. She tended to play the roles of cabaret dancers with names like Julie(Jewel Thief),Ruby (Sachcha Jhootha),Dolly (Nafrat), Lolita (Manoranjan) etc. So it is proved that this female dancer in the song has to be Fariyal, since it cannot be Padma Khanna, who was also in the movie and no other names credited in the cast fit the bill. Phew, what logical deductions I am capable of.

Song- Rampur ka waasi hoon main Laxman mera naam (Rampur Ka Laxman 1972)  Singer-Kishore, Lyrics- Majrooh, MD- R D Burman

Lyrics

Raampur kaa waasi hoon main Laxman meraa naam
seedhi-saadi boli meri seedhaa-saadaa kaam
o par hoon bada albelaa
ho sau ke baraabar akelaa
ho Raampur kaa waasi hoon main Laxman meraa naam
seedhi-saadi boli meri seedhaa-saadaa kaam

ruknaa-jhuknaa main kyaa jaanoon ai bhaai
ho yaar ki yaari mujhko yahaan talaq laai
are khel tamaashaa mujhko mat samjho pyaaron
ho abhi to pardaa uthne mein der hai yaaron
tum dekhoge ho tum dekhoge us roz mujhe
main apni jaan pe jis din khelaa
Raampur kaa waasi hoon main Laxman meraa naam
seedhi-saadi boli meri seedhaa-saadaa kaam

pyaar-mohabbat mein waise to dheelaa hoon
ho lekin dil kaa main bhi badaa rangeelaa hoon
are aankhon-aankhon hi mein jin pe laharaaun
ho un honthon ki laali utaar le jaaun
kar doon paagal hai kar doon paagal
ho chhahe gaanv ki gori yaa koi shahri lailaa
Raampur kaa waasi hoon main Laxman meraa naam
seedhi-saadi boli meri seedhaa-saadaa kaam

suit pahan ke tum dekho naqli sapnaa
ho meri dhoti-kurte pe sochkar hansnaa
are khaddar ki chhaayaa mein Bhaarat jaagaa hai
ho is laathi se angrez dar ke bhaagaa hai
ye angrezi ye angrezi fashion-waishan kyaa jaanun
main hoon Bhaarat kaa chhailaa
Raampur ka are Raamapur kaa waasi hoon main Laxman meraa naam
seedhi-saadi boli meri seedhaa-saadaa kaam

Mehrbildkarte Dunaújváros | Képzömüvészeti Alap Kiadóvállata, Budapest | No. JT.-2137/22

Die oben gezeigte Ansichtskarte ist am 16. Oktober 1982 von Dunaújváros nach Budapest gelaufen. Frankiert mit zwei Briefmarken zu je 1 Forint die Neubauten aus der Stadt Salgótarján und vermutlich das Stadtwappen, welches auf den dort lange Zeit betriebenen und mittlerweile eingestellten Kohlebergbau verweist, zeigen. Ausgegeben wurde die Marke von der Magyar Posta in einer Reihe mit anderen ungarischen Stadtansichten am 27. November 1972. Der Entwurf stammt von József Vertel.

Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz made a very popular pair on Bollywood screen, and the duets picturised on them were an important highlights of such movies.

Quite a few of these duets used to be rain songs. Unlike present day rain songs, the pair would be shown wearing the same set of clothes throughout the song despite the rain coming hard on them. They would not be shown changing clothes after every sentence in the song, which became the norm later.

And I must say that the rain songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz are perhaps the best songs of this genre. And this rain song, one of the “lesser” known rain songs picturised on this duo, bears me out.

Song- Kajra lagaake gajra sajaake ( Apna Desh 1972) Singers- Kishore, Lata, Lyrics- Anand Bakshi, MD- R D Burman

Lyrics

kajraa lagaa ke gajraa sajaa ke
kajraa lagaa ke gajraa sajaa ke bijuri giraa ke jaiyo naa
nain milaa ke chain churaa ke nindiyaa udaa ke jaiyo naa
kajraa lagaa ke gajraa sajaa ke bijuri giraa ke jaiyo naa
nain milaa ke chain churaa ke nindiyaa udaa ke jaiyo naa
kaja
ho
gajra
ho

mukhdaa na dekho darpan mein jhaanko zaraa mere man mein
mukhdaa na dekho
na dekho
mukhdaa na dekho darpan mein jhaanko zaraa mere man mein
aise jiyaa pe chhaayi ho jaise ghataayen saawan mein
raat aur din tumhre bin man mein aur kaun hai
ab zid chhodo na aage-aage daudo dil naa meraa todo
ghunghtaa giraa ke
ghunghtaa giraa ke mukhdaa chhupaa ke bijuri giraa ke jaiyo naa
nain milaa ke chain churaa ke nindiyaa udaa ke jaiyo naa
kajra
ho
gajra
ho

chhodo meri kalaai ko sun lo meri duhaai ko
chhodo meri
ho o zulmi
chhodo meri kalaai ko sun lo meri duhaai ko
kyun chhedte ho raste mein ladki kisi paraai ko
meraa naam ho badnaam ye jo koyi dekh le
chalo hato jaao jiyaa na dhadkaao dekho baaj aao
apnaa banaa ke
apnaa banaa ke sapnaa dikhaa ke bijuri gira ke jaiyo na
nain milaa ke chain churaa ke nindiyaa udaa ke jaiyo naa
kajraa lagaa ke gajraa sajaa ke bijuri giraa ke jaiyo naa
nain milaa ke chain churaa ke nindiyaa udaa ke jaiyo naa
kajra
ho
gajra
ho

1972 was the year when many Bollywood movie makers decided to hitch the bandwagon turned Juggernaut of Kishore Kumar- RD Burman combination. And the result were some movies that had music by R D Burman and songs by Kishore, but the movies themselves were no great shakes.

Take this movie called “Do Chor”. To this date I have no idea what was the story line of this movie and who all acted in it. I only vaguely recall that Tanuja ( fresh from the success of “haathi mere saathi” ) was there in this movie. I guessed that it was a lighthearted movie. There were many such light hearted movies coming along those days, mostly with Dharmendra- Hema Malini or Rajesh Khanna- Mumtaz in the lread roles.

But despite my vague recollections I recall that the music of this movie was nice to listen to. May be my impressionable age was responsible for it, but even today, 36 years later, I find the songs from this movie nice to listen to. Just listen to this song ” chahe raho door chahe raho pass” and decide whether I am right in liking this song.

Song- Chahe raho door chahe raho paas ( Do Chor 1972) Singers-Kishore, Lata, Lyrics- Majrooh, MD- R D Burman

Lyrics

chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas
sun lo magar ek baat
ek dor se bandhogi sanam kisi din hamaare saath
chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas
sun lo magar ek baat
tum is gali to main us gali ke aaun kabhi na haath
chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas

mere peechhe-peechhe chale to ho baabu
par zaraa tirchhi hai chaal
aashiq bananaa jaao kahin seekho tum abhi do-chaar saal
chaahat ke qaabil ban jaao phir main karungi
phir main karungi baat

chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas
sun lo magar ek baat
tum is gali to main us gali ke aaun kabhi na haath
chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas

o meri chanchal pawan basanti karo nahin yoon beqaraar
in baanhon mein aanaa hai tumko aakhir jaan-e-bahaar
dil thaame aaogi phir main poochhungaa tumse
poochhungaa tumse baat

chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas
sun lo magar ek baat
ek dor se bandhogi sanam kisi din hamaare saath
chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas
sun lo magar ek baat
tum is gali to main us gali ke aaun kabhi na haath
chaahe raho door chaahe raho paas

Come molti, anch’io ho fatto tardi ieri sera e mi sono alzato presto stamattina per vedere se Barack Obama ce l’avesse fatta. Ho seguito i risultati e i commenti su giornali online, blog, siti di informazione, e anche su siti che non trattano espressamente di politica. Proprio su uno di questi, Daring Fireball, di John Gruber, ho trovato il commento forse più bello alla vittoria di Obama. Lo riporto di seguito, tradotto da me. Non c’è altro da aggiungere, credo.

Hunter S. Thompson, settembre 1972:

I pronostici indicano anche che Nixon avrà una maggioranza comoda tra i giovani. E che potrebbe aggiudicarsi tutti i cinquanta Stati.

Beh… forse. Questo potrebbe essere l’anno nel quale ci troveremo finalmente faccia a faccia con noi stessi: finalmente ci metteremo comodi e lo diremo — che siamo davvero solo una nazione di 220 milioni di venditori di auto usate con tutti i soldi di cui abbiamo bisogno per comprare fucili e nessuno scrupolo nell’ammazzare chiunque altro al mondo cerchi di farci sentire a disagio.

La tragedia in tutto questo è che George McGovern, con tutti i suoi errori e i suoi discorsi imprecisi sulla “nuova politica” e “l’onestà nel governo”, è uno dei pochi uomini a essersi candidati alla presidenza degli Stati Uniti in questo secolo che capisce davvero quale fantastico monumento a tutti i migliori istinti della razza umana questo paese sarebbe potuto essere, se fossimo riusciti a tenerlo lontano dalle mani di piccoli truffatori ingordi come Richard Nixon.

McGovern ha commesso alcuni errori stupidi, ma nel contesto sembrano quasi frivoli paragonati alle cose che Richard Nixon fa ogni giorno della sua vita, di proposito, nelle questioni politiche e come perfetta espressione di tutto ciò che rappresenta.

Gesù! Dove finirà tutto questo?

Finisce qui, oggi.

Amo questo paese.

Early years of 1970s saw a trend ( short lived though) where we had some songs where the the lyrics were quite direct. I call such songs as “straight talk” songs, where there is no beating about the bush. I have already posted a few such “straight talk” songs, for example “dil machal raha hai” from “Khalifa”.

Look at this song under discussion viz “ek cheez maangte hain hum tumse pahli baar”. Here we do not find the indirect and round about ways of wooing the girl. Here the boy adopts direct approach and asks for “ik cheez”. There is no double entendre involved in this song. He asks that the girl should keep the window of her bedroom open at night, viz “raat ko khidki khol ke rakhna” and the girl, instead of getting scandalised in true traditions of earlier heroines, innocently enquires- “hai Ram, tum aaoge?”

I wonder whether windows of bedrooms those days used to be without grills. Who knows, 1970s was “satyug” compared to present days, so that may well have been the case. But such “direct action” songs became reasonably common and popular in Bollywood movies those days before this fad died away. The movie “kal aaj aur kal” too had a similar song viz “aap yahan aaye kisliye, aapne bulaaya isliye”. One of these days, I will post this song too in this blog.

For now, here is this song, that was indeed the most direct among such “straight talk” songs. It was picturised on Sanjay Khan and Hema Malini. It is one of the rare occasions to see Hema Malini in a different hairstyle than “joodaa” that was the normal hairstyle for leading ladies those days.

Song- Ek cheez maangte hain (Babul ki galiyan 1972) Singer- Kishore, Asha, Lyrics- Rajinder Krishan, MD- Ravi

Lyrics
ik cheez maangte hain
kya
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
pahle cheez kaa naam bataao
dekho ham par shaq na laao
ulti-seedhi cheez kabhi na maange sachchaa pyaar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
ik cheez maangte hain

achchhi si faramaaish karnaa
sunne se pahle kyaa darnaa
maango baabaa kuchh bhi maango
maangun
haan haan
dil par rakh kar haath karo pahle hamse ikraar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
ik cheez maangte hain.

ae ae
bolo
maangun chhotaa saa nazraanaa
haay itnaa lambaa afsaanaa
o maangun chhotaa saa nazraanaa
haay itnaa lambaa afsaanaa
jaldi se kah do
kah to rahaa hoon
are jaldi se kah do
are kah to rahaa hoon
raat ko khidki khol ke rakhnaa
haay Raam tum aaoge
haan haan haan raat ko khidki khol ke rakhnaa
do naynon se bol ke rakhnaaa
aage bolo
yahi
aayen mere sapne to ye kar naa den inkaar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
ik cheez maangte hain

haan haan khuli-khuli is zulf ka saayaa maangoon to kyaa dogi
bas
rang-roop kaa ye sarmaayaa maangoon to kyaa dogi
naa naa
kaho tumhaari baanhon mein main rah saktaa hoon
abhi nahin
kyaa in honthon ko main apnaa kah saktaa hoon
uunhoon abhi nahin
abhi nahin
abhi nahin
abhi nahin
abhi nahin ki jaane kis din tootegi deewaar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
ik cheez maangte hain ham tumse pahli baar
pahle cheez ka naam bataao
dekho ham par shaq na laao
ab jo milnaa
achchhaa ji
ab jo milnaa
baandh ke sehraa hi milnaa sarkaar
to agle itwaar
jee sarkaar
achchhaa hai tyohaar
hahaha

.

1) O Parmera:

Em 1947, era dado como certo o primeiro tricampeonato da triste história leonoresca. Seria o terceiro título paulista em três anos, mas o Verdão entrou em campo para rasgar as vestes da meretriz, aplicando-lhe um 4 x 3 e desmanchando seus sonhos.

Campeã paulista de 48 e 49, Madame chegava ao ano santo de 1950 novamente embalada e favorita ao título; mas teria de enfrentar e bater os Homens de Verde para conquistar a glória inédita do tricampeonato, e aí não deu… Em uma partida no Pacaembu que entrou para a História como “o Jogo da Lama” (devido à emoção da peleja e à forte chuva que esmerdeou o gramado, não graças a mais uma falcatrua do emo-clube), o Alviverde conquistaria seu segundo título do ano (conquistaria mais três, fechando as Cinco Coroas do ano santo).

Já na década de 70, Madame fez tudo direitinho: tinha um ditador de presidente, árbitros que eram coniventes com o poder público, por bem ou por mal, e ainda conseguiu transferir todos seus jogos importantes para o Privadão, que fica ali na chácara da esposa de Adhemar de Barros. E assim sagrou-se bicampeã paulista, nos anos de 70 e 71. E, em 1972, o clube bem-amado fazia uma campanha impecável, e chegou ao final do certame invicto: agora vinha o tri?

Bom, acontece que participava daquela disputa uma certa Academia, que estava tinindo, e que havia anotado uma campanha ainda mais irretocável. Na hora do “vamo vê”, sobraram os dois, invictos, e os Homens de Verde jogavam pelo empate. E foi com um clássico 0 x 0 que o Palestra novamente frearia os anseios da grande cortesã, sagrando-se campeão paulista.

Pulamos para a década de 90 quando, sob a liderança de um bonequinho de marquetíngue que vendia Danete, Madame obteve êxito em 91 e 92, abocanhando mais um bi Paulista. 1993 chegava com a promessa de levar para o Jd. Leonor a primeira honra de um tricampeonato. Nesse ano, porém, as meninas sucumbiriam diante do nosso rival nas semi-finais. Mas, por um capricho histórico, no ano onde novamente o tri não viria, o Palmeiras se sagraria campeão.

Quatro vezes. No cu dela.

Aí vieram as obsessões que a nossa geração já conhece: Madame bate o pé e afirma ser tricampeã mundial, mesmo a Fifa desautorizando, mesmo que ela compute nessa soma dois jogos na neve do Japão, às 9:00 da manhã, contra times mistos da Europa em pré-temporada. Em um deles, ganhou contra o Milan, que nem campeão europeu havia sido - estava lá somente para tapar o buraco do Olympique, pois o time francês acabara de ser banido de competições internacionais justamente por se comportar nos bastidores de uma maneira à la SPFW.

Ganharam, sim, três Leonores de América. Mas não foi na sequência e foi daquele jeitinho que já nos cansamos de mostrar, eliminando à fórceps seus concorrentes indesejáveis, como o Palestra, mais recentemente, por exemplo. Um torneio que nunca mereceu destaque algum na grande mídia, até que o mais querido conquistasse o primeiro triunfo.

Porque aqui, entre os nossos, onde o futebol é escrito com F maiúsculo e onde todos desprezam essa corja imunda, não conseguiram nenhum tri, não: sempre apareceu o Palestra Itália para restabelecer a ordem das coisas, sempre que foi necessário.

Por isso fiquei feliz domingo à noite, quando olhei a tabela. Agora sei que seremos campeões.

.

2) A Putana:

*Se você passou hoje pelo blogue no Palhaço Juquinha, já deve ter visto essa: o chupa-ovo deixou um post maldoso ali, tirando sarro da condição etílica de Rubens Barrichello na festa que sucedeu aquela veadagem de F1. Sim, o P.J., o mesmo garoto de recados que teve de ligar para o resgate e precaver os paramédicos para que comparecessem com litros de glicose à sede da ESPN, após entrevista com J.J. Scotch Whiskey. Mas, sobre isso, você não vai ler uma linha lá.

*Palavras de José Roberto Wright, que, não por acaso, faz um biquinho nas páginas do Boletim de Madame: “Não acho que haja dolo ou complô por parte da Comissão Nacional de Arbitragem ou dos mesmos. A maior besteira que escuto seguidamente é que os apitadores querem ajudar os clubes de São Paulo. Quanta bobagem!“

Também acho, Wright. Afinal, o único time de sampa na disputa é o Verdão, que tem sido seguidamente prejudicado. Santos e Lusa estão se afogando, o rivale nem está entre nós e aquele time genérico (por todo canto do mundo há um time de elite, que joga sujo e que todos rejeitam) poderia ter surgido em qualquer lugar onde as liberdades individuais de um povo fossem suprimidas.

.

3) O cabeçudinho:

É tanta falta de cultura que nem sei se vale a pena responder a esse parasita sem talento. Diria que o comentário da leitora Mi é mais que suficiente para reduzir à insignificância o caráter do filho do camelô midiático. Mas vou deixar aqui pequenas considerações; assim, da próxima vez que ele for tentar ser mal-educado com um torcedor que lhe apresenta argumentos, pelo menos não vai passar o vexame de se mostrar um ignorante que só está onde está porque o papai tem dinheiro.

* Em primeiro lugar, se fosse realmente preciso, pegaríamos em armas, sim. Nossos antepassados fizeram isso para defender os constitucionalistas de 32, pelo simples fato de que queriam ser vistos como brasileiros, queriam ser aceitos pelo próprio povo… Entre outras coisas, não queriam ver um verme sem cultura e sem história como você vir vomitar esse tipo de merda 80 anos depois.

* Outra coisa, orlandinho: a Academia foi prejudicada, e muito. O time da ditadura militar, aquele para o qual papai te ensinou a torcer porque “é uma grande moleza”, garfou o título de 71 quando o sr. Armando Marques anulou gol legítimo de Leivinha, com medo do governador biônico que estava sentado no banco de reservas e era presidente da Boutique. Nem isso você sabe, marginal…

Vai estudar, vagabundo!

.

Some late breaking election news.  Very late.

via Classic Television Showbiz

quiero vivir, quiero dar
he sido un minero del corazón de oro
son estas expresiones que nunca digo
lo que me mantiene buscando el corazón de oro
y me hago viejo
mantenme buscando el corazon de oro
y me hago viejo

he estado en Hollywood, he estado en Redwood
he cruzado el oceano por el corazón de oro
he estado en mi mente, es una línea tan delgada
que me mantiene buscando el corazón de oro
y me hago viejo
…
..
.

Wow ! This was a song that I liked very much those days, before I forgot all about it since the song stopped playing on radio and loudspeakers. And now I have listened to this song once again after some 35 years.

What a song. I knew nothing about this song other than the fact that it was sung by Kishore Kumar. In those days, that detail was enough. I had guessed, based on the racy tune that the music must be R D Burman’s. Now that I have details of the song ( thanks to Raja’s farmaish), and I know that the movie was Dhadkan featuring Sanjay Khan.

The music director was not at all R D Burman but it was Ravi. Those days, music directors needed to act as R D Burman clone to survive. And I must say that this tune sounds so much like R D Burman. And the lyrics were written not by Anand Bakshi or Majrooh, but by Prem Dhawan.

It is a very racy number, one that should make people feel like dancing. The picturisation shows a few people dancing ( twisting) clumsily. But those days, this kind of dance was the in thing with the happening crowd. Our hero is holding a wooden badminton racket and going somewhere ( to a badminton court, perhaps ?) and singing this song en route.

It is a real feel good song that is sure to cheer up the listeners. And I am so pleased that I got reacquainted with a long forgotten song that should never have been forgotten by me in the first place. It was one of the most loved song for me those days. And I heartily thank Raja for reminding me of this song.

Song- Main to chala jidhar chale rasta ( Dhadkan 1972) Singer-Kishore, Lyrics- Prem Dhawan, MD- Ravi

Lyrics

main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
mujhe kyaa khabar hai kahaan merii manzil
hogaa koyi meraa bhi saathi
hogaa koyi meraa bhi saathi
hogi kahin to meri bhi mahfil
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa

ye husn-o-ishq kaa jahaan
ye shokiyaan ye mastiyaan
ye parvaton ke qaafile
ye baadalon ki toliyaan
poochhti hain mujhse
tu chalaa hai kidhar
kidhar
kidhar
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
mujhe kyaa khabar hai kahaan meri manzil
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa

mujhko ishq bahaaron se
in rangeen nazaaron se
maine chalnaa seekhaa hai
dariyaa ke bahte dhaaron se
ye gungunaati waadiyaan
ye phoolon bhari daaliyaan
taaj pahne barf kaa ye jagmagaati chotiyaan
poochhtin hain mujhse
tu chalaa hai kidhar
kidhar
kidhar
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
mujhe kyaa khabar hai kahaan meri manzil
hoga koi mera bhi sathi
hoga koi mera bhi sathi
hogi kahin to meri bhi mahfil
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
main to chalaa jidhar chale rastaa
lalalala lalla
he he he he ha ha ha ha

24 hrs of LeMons, originally uploaded by EHop.

Well, for starters, the trunk makes an awesome bar.
The bar is open! We used this setup at MSR after a day of teching at the 24 hours of LeMons.

I don’t mean philosophically. I just mean, whatever happened to all that hand-wringing in the ’90s about declining voter turnout?

Since the low-point for voter turnout in 1996, turnout increased in 2000, again in ‘04, and is likely to break  records on Tuesday. So, what changed? There are plenty of theories:

1. Early voting.

This is the technical argument. In 1992, 7% of votes were cast before election day. Now, the total nears 1/3. Um… give people more time to vote, and you likely increase the number of people who vote. We’ll call that the Captain Obvious argument.

2. Close/Exciting elections.

1996 was dull. Clinton wasn’t new, Dole wasn’t fresh, they talked about nothing, and the outcome was never in doubt. 2000 had the benefit of suspense, ‘04 suspense + an unpopular war/hated President, and this year (assuming it breaks ’04s turnout) has history + collapsing economy.

3. Media.

A two-fer. First of all, cable networks (from MSNBC to Fox News and even Comedy Central) have certainly raised the profile of elections in a way that wasn’t around in the ’90s. Add to that online media, political/news blogs, YouTube, etc… and politics has a chance to break through in ways it couldn’t before. Here’s the second part of that two-fer: That saturation (particularly online) leads to a fundraising boom, which in turn leads to more TV and radio ads, better ground games to increase turnout, etc…

4. Education levels.

It’s always been true that people with higher levels of education are more likely to turnout and vote. Each generation has sent more people to college than the previous generation. Of course, I kinda dismiss this argument since it doesn’t account for diminishing turnout between ‘72 and ‘96.*

5. Coincidence.

Two cycles do not make a trend. We have no idea what turnout will be on Tuesday. I don’t buy this argument at all. Two cycles DO make a trend out of only nine cycles in consideration (see the * below). I think we’re about to have a 3rd cycle to add to the evidence - 3 out of 10 cycles, it’s pretty clear something has changed.

Overall, I don’t know. My best guess is that it’s some combination of the first three: early vote, media, and exciting elections. Still, as someone who values “little d” democracy, it’s a pretty cool trend.

*1972 was the first year of the 18-21 year old vote. Since that is the least likely demographic to turn out, it stands to reason that overall turnout percentages dipped from that point on. So, it really isn’t useful to compare any post-’72 race with a pre-’72 race.

Soul Love

De: blestemp

Let the children boogie…

“Ye Gulistaan hamara” was a Dev Anand movie that few people remember today. The movie itself sank without a trace.

Ironically, this movie had a better storyline than some of the rubbish Dev Anand movies that met with better fate at the box office. May be the movie deserved it because Dev Anand i any case would not bother much about authenticity of picturisation in his movies.

Like most Dev Anand movies, this movie had music by S D Burman, and Burman da could be counted upon to come up with memorable music, irrespective of the commercial success ( or lack of it) of the movie.

The most popular song of this movie was a song sung by Danny ( who was a newcomer then and was a source of great curiosity for the audience. This song “mera naam Yaao, mere paas aao” was very popular. Unfortunately I have been unable to find its video, otherwise I would have loved to post this song in my blog.

The one song from this movie that I could locate was this reasonably popular song of that time that went ” gori gori gaaon ki chhori re” which was sung by Kishore and Lata. Song itself is quite hummable, as long as you are not bothered with authenticity. Just imagine a notheastern tribal ( played by Sharmila Tagore) using words like “sainya”, “bainya”, “bansuriya” etc in this song and you know what I mean.

Song- Gori gori gaaon ki gori re ( Ye gulistaan hamara 1972) Singers-Kishore, Lata,Lyrics- Anand Bakshi, MD-S D Burman

gori gori gaanv ki gori re
kis liye bun rahi dori re
o piyaa, Dorii se baandh le gorii re
bhaage jo karike tuu chori re
ai jiyaa
gori gori gaanv ki gori re

kachche hain tere ye resham ke dhaage
toot jaaye jo koi todke bhaage
jab se sainyyaa, tose nehaa laage
peechhe peechhe main hoon, tuu aage aage
khinche chale aaoge, jaaoge jahaan
jaake dekho to barjori re
o piyaa
gori gori gaanv ki gori re

main to ud jaauungaa ik panchhi jaise
mujhe tu bandii banaa legi kaise
tujhe main bandi banaa loongi kaise
sainyyan, bainyaa mein bainyaa daal ke aise
tore honthon se lag jaaungi main
banke baansuriyaa tori re
o piyaa
gori gori gaanv ki gori re

main hoon pardesi
main hoon pardesi, sunle phir naa kahnaa
chalaa jaanaa hai, yahaan nahin rahnaa
teraa rastaa dekhenge mere nainaa
yoon hi din beetegaa, beetegi rainaa
chahe chhup jaa tuu ghataaon mein chandaa
dhoond hi legi ye chakori re
o piyaa
gori gori gaanv ki gori re
kis liye bun rahi dori re
o piyaa, dori se baandh le gori re
bhaage jo karike tuu chori re
ai jiyaa
hmmm

Please spread the word the new Jefferson Starship book:

“HAVE YOU SEEN THE STARS TONITE” has landed.

http://www.takemetoacircustent.net

http://www.amazon.com (The books are proudly featured here)

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE- JEFFERSON STARSHIP- Great Society- Take Me To A Circus Tent

Have You Seen The Stars Tonite

Have You Seen The Circus Tent Tonite

Quality Rock & Roll

Airplane style.

Welcome Rockers of Airplane Land:

Although cold in the past 24 hours the snow did melt.  Did I mention it snowed Tuesday in Airplane land and we are only in October.  If I didn’t, it snowed Tuesday.

The final 1972 Jefferson Airplane tour included a song “Blind John” that featured David Freiberg.  In the year 2008 David has done some solo gigs and includes it during the set.

Let’s revisit David Freiberg on stage during April of 2008:

Blind John

Cool sounds from the Rock Tent Vaults for the ears.  Enjoy.  Got to go rock and roll.

Please spread the

word:

The new Jefferson Starship book “Have You Seen The Stars Tonite” has arrived!

Thanks as always!

Relax and have fun!

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE-

JEFFERSON STARSHIP- Great Society-

Take Me To A Circus Tent

I look forward to hearing you later!

The book is Take Me To A Circus Tent (The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual) W/93 photos, 32 interviews, 543 pages, and a myriad of 5 star reviews!

Please remember at any moment on an Aircast it can be a rare memory from the Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, KBC, Wooden Ships, Marty Balin, Paul Kantner to name several.  Maybe another picture previously unseen from the Rock Tent Vault sees daylight from Herb Greene or Don Aters.

Please board the flight this way for david Freiberg rock and roll:

http://www.takemetoacircustent.net/media/JeffersonAirplaneTakeMeToACircusTentAircast64heyjohnitsdavidrememberme.mp3

Wishing you a great day,

craig

1972: The year of little round reporting pods.

e il comitato ‘Palestina nel cuore’

vi segnalano la proiezione del film-documento

Numero uno in lista
di Giacomo Durzi

dedicato a Wael Zuaiter, l’intellettuale palestinese, simbolo della resistenza del suo popolo, assassinato a Roma dal Mossad nel 1972.

Giacomo Durzi è una voce dissonante nel generale silenzio dell’informazione sulla questione palestinese; ricordiamo che, oltre a Wael Zuaiter, altri tre dirigenti palestinesi sono stati assassinati a Roma tra il 1972 e il 1982 da parte dei servizi segreti israeliani, e su questi delitti il depistaggio e l’insabbiamento degli inquirenti e dei mass media italiani sono stati totali. Il documentario di Durzi affronta una vicenda su cui ancora non è stata fatta piena luce: ve ne raccomandiamo la visione.

Il film è in programmazione al Nuovo Cinema Aquila (via L’Aquila  n. 68, zona Prenestina, Roma)
giovedì 30 ottobre alle 20.15.

Regia: Giacomo Durzi
Anno di produzioe: 2008
Durata: 52′
Tipologia: documentario
Genere: politico/sociale
Paese: Italia
Produzione: Pupkin Production
Formato di ripresa: DV
Formato di proiezione: DV Beta Digitale, colore
Altri titoli: Number One on the List

LIbano, Campo profughi palestinese di Rashidiyye_Photo di Valentina Perniciaro

La storia di Wael Zuaiter, un intellettuale palestinese,rappresentante del movimento di resistenza, ucciso da agenti del Mossad a Roma nel 1972 in risposta alla strage degli atleti israeliani alle olimpiadi di Monaco da parte di un commando di Settembre Nero; considerato uno dei responsabili organizzatori dell’attentato di Monaco, Zuaiter fu il primo della celebre lista compilata personalmente da Golda Meir, ad essere ucciso in un paese europeo. Nel film, attraverso testimonianze , animazioni e il racconto di un viaggio in Palestina, si pongono una serie di riflessioni sulle congetture che hanno portato Israele alla sua uccisione, ripercorrendo soprattutto l’ esperienza di vita di Zuaiter in Italia, decisiva per l’acquisizione di una consapevolezza del problema palestinese, essendo stato il primo rappresentante del movimento di resistenza a sensibilizzare l’opinione pubblica alla questione palestinese, attraverso un importante e febbrile attività di contatti con giornalisti, scrittori e quanti altri potessero essere utili alla diffusione sull’informazione della causa palestinese.

Portraits From North American Indian Life. by Edward S Curtis

A very nice book published in 1972. ” Here are the heroic and the grand; all aspects of Indian Life are portrayed from the crafts, the dress, the customs, and rituals. Like no other photographer before him, Curtis has penetrated the very spirit of a people”.

A hardcover book - $35

Jesus Christ saves sinners;

Sinners only does He save.

He can heal the broken hearted,

Raise the dead up from the grave,

The great Messiah of the skies

Restores sight to blinded eyes.

But He only touches them,

That realize that they need Him.  –eab, 3/’72

Written in/near Akron, Ohio

If you’ve not seen the fab documentary Chisholm ‘72: Unbought & Unbossed and you’re in London this Wednesday (29 October, 4pm), get thee to King’s College London. The American Studies Department is screening the film about Shirley Chisholm’s 1972 presidential campaign.

The film is followed by  a discussion on race, gender and the presidential race. On hand will be Diane Abbott who is the first black woman member of the House of Commons. Who better to comment on the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress?

While Shirley wasn’t the first black woman to run for President (Charlene Mitchell ran for the Communist Party in ‘64), she’s so sassum-frassum-awesome that we really should start a Shirley Chisholm Day!

Sospan fach yn berwi ar y tân
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr
A’r gath wedi scrapo Johnny bach.