Emotional outburst

Manpriya Singh

A query on the first brush with songwriting evokes a nostalgic response. Of the past that is intertwined with struggles, incidents and everything else that life had to offer.

A mother, a dear friend, whom he refers to as his soul mate, the death of the father; emotions and ups and downs have been an inextricable part of the life. It was only a matter of relocating to Mumbai from Lucknow and before songwriter Yogesh Gaur knew it, thoughts turned to poetry and poetry to lyrics.

“Almost all my songs somewhere have been an outcome of strong emotions. Somewhere they resonated personally at the point of time in my life,” he recalls the golden era of melodies, while in Chandigarh for a concert by Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society.

Full of feelings

He wrote and the audience crooned along; the lyrics that still rate high on recall value. I’m sure even practicality comes out of emotion. Emotions anywhere are a result of the incidents that one has been through and play a significant role in shaping the person and what they do.” He adds, “Some of the songs I penned on loneliness came about after my domestic tiffs etc. That’s when I wrote Suni Suni Zindagi.”

Looking ahead

In the pipeline is an upcoming film Aisi Diwangi, in which he has penned five songs. “It is a Bollywood film but not with a big star cast. At least two of the songs deal with universal emotions. It’s a complete album, which has a love song and even a hip hop number.”

Then and now

There’s no escaping the inevitable comparison, between the Hindi film industry that was and the B-town that’s become today. Taking stock of today’s music industry, the songs, the lyrics and everything else that accompanies, he says, “If I say critical things, people might think I’m doing so out of frustration. These days, there are little ones dancing on Lungi Dance, then alongside they are also dancing on meaningful songs.” He adds, “It doesn’t matter what the trends are, Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi and true talents are here to stay.” Music, howsoever different, plays an integral part nevertheless. Five decades into the industry, he looks at the rosier side, both in the past and in the future.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Classic words

There is something he promises with most if not all of his songs, “The fact that you will be able to listen to them and connect even 40 years later.” A fact that he’s already proved with the list of some of the existing classics.

• Door Kahin Jab Din Dhal Jaaye (Anand)

• Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli Haye (Anand)

• Jayiye Hamse Khafa Ho Jayiye (Chaalbaaz)

• Na Bole Tum Naa Maine Kuchh Kaha (Baaton Baaton Mein)

• Naa Jane Kyun Hote Hai Yeh Jindagee Key Sath (Chhoti Si Baat)

• Phul Hai Bahar Ke (Honeymoon)

• Rimjhim Gire Saawan (Manzil)