Swarocean- Mori Araj Suno

If I wanted to beg for something from God, I would play this song. If I wanted to rebuke Him for not listening to my pleas, I will play this song. And if I wanted to understand Him and reconcile with my fate, I will still play this song.  And if perchance I was an atheist, surely this song would have convinced me to be otherwise.

This is the Coke Studio version of the song sung by Tina Sani and produced by Rohail Hyatt. Do listen to it once. 

What makes the song even more poignant is that it was written by Faiz Ahmad Faiz sometime around 1977-1984 when he was exiled by the fundamentalist military dictator General Zia-Ul-Haq. So, the words are still very much relevant and ring true. 

I have no musical education whatsoever and am thus deaf to ragas and when I first listened to it, there were no subtitles. So I was left with massive holes between my understandings of words. But the composition still seeped to my bones and has been there ever since. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


(Recently I have put some posts on Quora blog Swarocean  which I am going to henceforth cross-post here. The blog is about songs which are not very well known but are rare accomplishments in their own rights. Unheard tunes, in different languages, but each make a sound which kick up a familiar feeling somewhere. That the world emanates from you.  That feeling of अहं ब्रह्मास्मि. Music, indeed knows no boundaries.  But close your eyes and feel that the music makes you limitless as well.)

Swarocean- Kolnkini Radha

This folk song titled Kolonkini Radha (Sullied Radha) is from Bhawiayamusical form popular in Northern Bangladesh. The version presented here is sung by Abhijeet ‘Pota’ Burman. There are many other versions which can be found on YouTube but this is the one I like best.

I have always pictured this song as the perfect musical rendition of latter life of Radha. We have always had some beautiful songs about Radha during her times with Krishna like Radha Kaise Na Jale et al. But despite what the words might suggest, to me this song is about her life beyond that. I suppose it is to do with the noteworthy thehrav I find in the song which is my favorite element of it. The thehrav which I find synonymous with the vacuum Radha would have found in her life after Krishna left. Who knows, if around she might have sung this version during one of her schizophrenic delusions featuring Krishna. 

Maybe I am over-analyzing here, but of what use is a great song if it arouses no partisan feelings. 


(Recently I have put some posts on Quora blog Swarocean  which I am going to henceforth cross-post here. The blog is about songs which are not very well known but are rare accomplishments in their own rights. Unheard tunes, in different languages, but each make a sound which kick up a familiar feeling somewhere. That the world emanates from you.  That feeling of अहं ब्रह्मास्मि. Music, indeed knows no boundaries.  But close your eyes and feel that the music makes you limitless as well.) 

Swarocean- Půlnoční - Václav Neckář & Umakart

It is a Czech Christmas song which drew me in because of its pensive score and general arrangement. I honestly know little about it though Wiki tells me that Vaclav Neckar is a celebrated Czech actor and singer. I am not even sure if I know how the names here are pronounced but this apparent gulf to me is a true indication of how music really transgresses all kinds of fathomable boundaries. 

With the drum tempo it has, it is a good song to go tap-tap on your desk as it plays along with an occasional "Hallelujah" when it comes up in the song. And if you can, please pay some attention to the song video as well which tells a story or two in its own manner. 

(Recently I have put some posts on Quora blog Swarocean  which I am going to henceforth cross-post here. The blog is about songs which are not very well known but are rare accomplishments in their own rights. Unheard tunes, in different languages, but each make a sound which kick up a familiar feeling somewhere. That the world emanates from you.  That feeling of अहं ब्रह्मास्मि. Music, indeed knows no boundaries.  But close your eyes and feel that the music makes you limitless as well.) 

Swarocean- Man Mor Bani Tanghat

(Recently I have put some posts on Quora blog Swarocean  which I am going to henceforth cross-post here. The blog is about songs which are not very well known but are rare accomplishments in their own rights. Unheard tunes, in different languages, but each make a sound which kick up a familiar feeling somewhere. That the world emanates from you.  That feeling of अहं ब्रह्मास्मि. Music, indeed knows no boundaries.  But close your eyes and feel that the music makes you limitless as well.)

If you have seen the recent movie Ram-Leela (I hope I am not stoned by Hindu Right for this), then you must have heard a Gujrati folk song featured in it called Mor bane tanghat kare. While this version is nice in its own manner with the modern (read intrusive) arrangements, I came across the original, more authentic version of it via a friend which I am posting here.  

I don't know anything about it except that it is about a peacock in rain, so would love it if someone knowledgeable shares some more information about this song.