Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’. Back in the 90’s, when Baba had brought home the first Bose Dolby Digital 5.1 surround system, this used to be played at almost ‘Are you nuts’ volume, while I jumped on the sofas (obviously when Baba wasn’t home). Not to forget to mention ‘Thriller’ – cannot stop my shoulders from moving whenever I hear them play.
Do you remember the time when Indipop was the most happening music? I think it was the time that we had started receiving Indian channels in Oman, and I can remembering staying glued to MTV, waiting for my favourite song to be played. Euphoria was one of the top music groups and Palash Sen’s vocals gave depth to this beautiful number. Till date, Maeri remains a song close to heart.
This had to make the list, given the number of times I have mentioned it on this blog. I have the most beautiful of my rain memories tied to this song. Walking home in Calcutta through inundated streets, to playing it on full volume during every monsoon – A.R. Rahman has done such a great job with ‘Barso Re’ – even the percussion in the background sounds like thunder. Although Advaita’s Ghir Ghir resonates with the season as well, this one is pure magic.
Once in a while, there comes a movie with a music album that you just cannot enough of. Delhi 6 was one of those (except for the Kaala Bandar song) – and the songs played on loop for weeks, until I knew them all inside out. Dil Gira Dafatan by Ash King and Chinmayee is number one on my ‘Top Played’ list on the iPod. Quiet nights, starry skies, a cold breeze and this song. Sigh. Reminds me of all those times that I spent on the many open terraces of the girls hostel in Lavale.
And for the last one, ‘Ik Junoon’ from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – one of my favourites from among modern Bollywood flicks. I crack up every time I see this, this and this – to mention the least. This movie moved and inspired much in me – and this song reflects so much more than tomatoes being flung around. I cannot even begin to count how many times I listened to it, standing in my little balcony at house number 2683 – thinking of friendship, good times, and the fact that zindagi na milegi dobara.