SubscribeRemembering Michael Jackson through A.R. Rahman
When I think of Bollywood and Michael Jackson, I automatically think of this song.
It’s not an obvious copy of anything Jackson, which definitely were common in the 80’s.
The song “Urvashi” by A.R. Rahman was definitely before his Slumdog days, even before his Chaiya Chaiya days. The song, which was from Prabhu Deva’s film Humse Hai Muqabala, makes you feel nostalgic for the 1990s and for the late Michael Jackson.
The song made the now famous singer/ composer Shankar Mahadevan famous. Rahman, who joined Mahadevan for the vocals, made the song extremely popular and catchy.
Today, there are many noteworthy composers who take risks with their music, such as Pritam, Salim-Sulaiman, Vishal-Shekhar and Shankar Ehsaan Loy. In the 90’s, it was Rahman who left the typical Jatin-Lalit and Nadeem-Shravan melodies and made music that was distinctly original, whether it was Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Taal or Rangeela.
“Urvashi” in particular stands out to me. For one, it was one of his early hits, before his name was a household one in the north (he was already extremely popular in South India). And the other is definitely because of the lyrics of the song.
The chorus simply says, “Take it easy Urvashi,” and the whole point of the song is to just go with the flow, a modern version of Dev Anand’s “Mein zindagi ka saath nibhaata chala gaya.”
Some favorite verses from the song are sometimes comical, sometimes revolutionary. Some favorite verses translated:
Urvashi, Urvashi, take it easy, Urvashi
…..
The way to win is by having a take it easy policy
There are only four days of bliss,
Youth is a fantasy
The power went off during Chitrahaar (popular TV show)
take it easy policy
After studying, still failed
take it easy policy
Father said that you’re mother’s enemy
take it easy policy
Commit sins, and wash them away
take it easy policy
……
Cats aren’t vegitarians, not everyone is God
Women won’t have equal rights without a revolution
Times have changed, old thoughts won’t work
She didn’t come for the movie
take it easy policy
If there’s an old hag sitting next to you
take it easy policy
If you have to work on Sunday
take it easy policy
She loves but then asks for money
It’s an incredible song, made better with Prabhu Deva’s dance moves. Here’s the video:
Bharat ko bachale Vidhaata.
Ram Gopal Verma’s new trailer for his film Rann somehow already managed to get banned by the censor board and reached the Supreme Court, who ordered the Censor Board to reconsider its ruling.
If you watch the trailer, hopefully you will recognize the melody and the words. It’s India’s national anthem, with some added lyrics. The song by no means tainted the national anthem or voiced any anti-Indian sentiments, yet it was banned.
The lyrics addressed the growing divide between Indian states and its people. It addressed India’s apathetic nature towards politics and the government, as was seen earlier this year when, despite major efforts to increase voter turnout, it was still only 50 percent.
The Censor Board referred to a law which stated that the National Anthem could not be altered, thus banning the trailer of the movie. But isn’t that at odds with the basic concept of the freedom of speech? Even if the song was unpatriotic and anti-Indian, it would surely warrant controversy, but definitely not a ban. And this song is far from either– the words and the creativity in which the song was rendered does not deserve such treatment from a progressive democracy.
The song isn’t anywhere near a performance by The Roots in California, where they sang Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” but started the song by singing lyrics on the tune of the National Anthem. Some lyrics, directed at the leaders of the country at that time, were: “You play with my world like its your little toy… i just want you to know, i can see behind your masks. ” Very tame compared to Rann, yet no problem.
RGV has done many crazy things over the years, including some incredible films (Satya, Company) and some not so much (Daud, Gayab). But in this case, more power to him, and to the what should be progressive country of India. As said so wonderfully in the song, “Bharat ko bachale vidhaata.” God save India.
-
Follow me @bollyobserver