Monday, August 20, 2018

Jamaica Farewell - नको वळून बघू माघारी


There are some songs that take ones mind away , overpowering and occupying ones mind and soul for many a days ; their catchy tune , their rhythms , their lyrics  all together stay with you forever in a corner of your heart !
The two songs , one in English and other in Marathi, have done so for me instantly , as soon as I heard them the first time. Curiously, the theme of these song tend to highlight the situation from two sides in a poignant way. There seems to be some relation between these two songs .. the simplicity of melody , rhythm and lyrics. These two songs , though in different language , some how bring the story to a full circle !



 नको वळुन बघू माघारी
जा रे खुशाल दर्यावरी

तुझ्या नि माझ्या प्रीतिची रे संगती
घेऊन शिदोरी आठवणींची

तुझी लाडकी उनाड होडी
बघुन समिंदर होइल वेडी
आणि तयाला कवळायाला सारखी घेइल उडी
त्या क्षणी याद तुला येऊन माझी जाशिल कळवळुनी

नाही सोबती तुझ्या संगती
एकटाच तू दर्यावरती
बघुन तुला रे येतिल वरती रत्‍नं सुंदर किती
त्यामधे नाही तुझी राणी, पाहुनी होशिल खिन्‍न मनी

कशी खुळी ती आभाळातुनी
नक्षत्रं ही तुला हेरूनी
डोळे मोडुनि नाचुनी चमकुनी
येतिल खाली जरी रे
आठवेल रे झोपडीतली मिणमिणती चांदणी
--------
गीत : मो. ग. रांगणेकर
संगीत : केशवराव भोळे
स्वर : ज्योत्स्ना भोळे
----------


Jamaica Fairwell
by Harry Belafonte

Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
'Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year

But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico

But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
--------------------------------------------------------------

I had been listening to both these songs since quite long. They are from old times ... 1950s-60s or so... but seem so fresh all the time. The link between these two songs occurred to me suddenly after watching a web series "Shatjanm Shodhatana" , where a part of Marathi song was rendered by young singers with a slight variation to original music.



These songs are classics ... beyond words to describe their beauty.  One can truly find joy , happiness and bliss in the simplicity of their melody , rhythm , lyrics and rendering !

Friday, August 17, 2018

When I am gone - The "Cup Song"




The simplicity of Rhythm and the lyrics of the song "When I am Gone" by Pitch Perfect performed by Anna Kendrick caught my attention and I became an instant fan. Though bit late to appreciate this 2013 hit , the catchy rhythm has overpowered me, to the extent that I try to fit in all my favorite songs into this rhythm !

I was lead to this "Cup Song" after watching one of the web series in Marathi called "BhaDiPa" where the  internet viral gal and "cutie marathi" Mithila Palkar did her version of marathi song "Hi Chal turu turu" based on the same "Cup Rhythm". I have been a fan of this rhythm since then , trying to watch every performance on youtube that is related to this "Cup Rhythm" ( and there are many thousand ! )

Here is some history :

The original song "When I'm Gone" was written and recorded in 1931 by the Carter Family folk music group.
In 2009, Lulu and the Lampshades were the first to perform the song using the cup game for percussion.
Then Anna Burden made her own version, from which Anna Kendrick learned the routine.
Anna Kendric video has been the most viral since 2013, and people around the globe have tried their own version of the song and other songs using the same "Cup Rhythm"

Here are the lyrics of the song "Cups (Pitch Perfect's "When I'm Gone")

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
Two bottle whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I'm leaving tomorrow. What'd you say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
The one with the prettiest of views
It's got mountains, it's got rivers
It's got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh
You're sure gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
 -------------------

Here are some of my favorite renditions of "Cup Song" from youtube.
"Marathi Anna Hendrick" Mithila Palkar's "Chaal Turu-Turu"


Other group performances that really bring out the joy and catchy rhythm of the "Cup Song"



One of best and easiest way to learn the "Cup Rhythm" of "Cup Song"

ENJOY and HAVE FUN