Satinath Mukherjee was versatile classical singer.

Satinath Mukherjee was versatile classical singer.

Satinath Mukherjee was one of the versatile classical singers who did not get dues during the golden age. The 50s and 60s were categorized with notable classical and semi-classical singers in the Bengal arena where Manobendra Mukherjee, Manna Dey, Dhananjoy Bhattacharya, Akhil Bandhu Ghosh and other giants galvanized the world of modern songs.

Satinath Mukherjee, the guru of notable singer Shyamal Mitra, had a huge partnership with lyricist Shyamal Gupta and presented his flora of classical ragas in Bengali modern songs. His songs “pashaner buke likhona amar naam”, “bono patho majhe”, “jibone Jodi deep”, etc. were milestones of Bengali modern songs.

He sang separate private songs involving “raag pradhan” which described the movement of separate ragas like Imon, Baghesri, Darbari Kanada, Behag, Ashawari, etc. Some of his classical songs included “bojhona keno ami je koto eka”, “jedin jibone tumi”, “baluka belay kurai jhinuk”, to name a few. Very significantly most of the songs were composed by himself.

As a composer he used to be considered a giant of giants. His compositions for other legendary singers included “tomar pother prante moner monideep jele rekhechi” and “bhule gechi kobe” sung by Manobendra Mukherjee, “eto alo aar eto hasi gaan” sung by Shyamal Mitra, “ami cheyechi tomay” sung by Dhananjoy Bhattacharya, “tomar moto amiyoto koto soyechi” sung by Pannalal Bhattacharya, to name a few.

Besides his own student Dipak Maitra had sung few songs composed by Satinath Mukherjee included “koto kotha bola holona”. Satinath Mukherjee is associated with the compositions for the two maestros in Indian music namely Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.

Lata’s first record in Bengali namely “akash pradeep jale” and “koto tara” were the compositions of the genius Satinath Mukherjee. Satinath Mukherjee’s landmark compositions for Mohammad Rafi included “ekhono biday bolona”, “pakhitar buke jeno teer merona”, etc. It is very sad that Satinath Mukherjee’s immense musical talents were not used in Bengali films. He had sung rare songs like “majhe nodi bahe re” in Tapan Sinha’s film Atithi, songs in Uttam Kumar’s film Bon Palashir Padabali, etc.

Otherwise Satinath Mukherjee, the sincere student of Ustad Bare Ghulam Ali Khan was one of the revolutionary singers and composers who remained an institution by himself. His students included singer and composer Jotileshwar Mukherjee who carried on the legacy of Satinath Mukherjee. Renowned singer Utpala Sen was his wife. The songs and creations of Satinath should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Imran Khan.

Happy birthday to Imran Khan.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Imran Khan on 13th January, 2010. Being the relative of Amir Khan, he had to fulfill huge expectation of the viewers.

In 2008, he rocked bollywood films with his first film Jaane Tu Ya Jane Na. The film was produced by Amir Khan. Both Imran Khan and Genelia De Souza got very positive reviews from the audience. The music of the film was composed by Oscar Winning Composer AR Rehman. All the songs in the film became super hit, including “kabhi kabhi aditi”, “pappu cant dance”, “nazre milana”, etc. All the junior actors and actresses complimented Imran Khan in the film. In character roles Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah also did a great job.

After Jane Tu Ya Jane Na, Imran Khan switched off to action films. He played the role of a kidnapper in the film Kidnap. He kidnapped Sanjay Dutt’s daughter Minishha Lamba to teach Sanjay Dutt a lesson. The entire film was related to the struggle of Sanjay Dutt in rescuing his daughter. Imran Khan released Minnisha Lamba at the end of the film. The music of the film was also decent.

But after that none of Imran Khan’s film could create any attention. He acted in the film Luck along with Sanjay Dutt and others. The film did not do good business. Most of these films do not attract a large section of viewers who are not interested in action films. Except Salman Khan’s Wanted, none of the action films became hit in 2009.

There is no doubt that Imran Khan possesses a lot of talent. But if compared with the beginning that Ranbir Kapoor had got with 3 hits in two years, Imran Khan had started his innings in a slow pace. Some way or the other he requires to act in a hit film to be in the competition.

The viewers wish him all the luck to bounce back and show his acting skills in future.

Starscreen awards do not prove excellence.

Starscreen awards do not prove excellence.

Starscreen awards were given in 2010. Although some good awards were given for the performance of films in 2010, Some of the other categories surprised the viewers.

Raj Kumar Hirani received the best director award for his film The Three Idiots. The film did business of more than 100 crores and the best director award was justified. The Three Idiots was also adjudged the as best film.

But to everyone’s surprise AR Rehman received the award for the best composer for the music of the film Delhi 6. The film’s music was very ordinary compared to the music of the films Saathiya or Roza, etc. On the other hand Pritam having nominations in three films did not receive any award. In fact the film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani did great business due to the brilliant music of Pritam. It is very strange that Sonu Nigam did not receive a nomination for the best singer inspite of singing brilliantly the song “zubi zubi” in The Three Idiots. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan received the best singer award. Shantonu Moitra did not receive even a nomination for his music in the film The Three Idiots. Kavita Seth also won the best female singer award surpassing Shreya Ghoshal to everyone’s surprise.

Amitabh Bacchan and Vidya Balan won the best actor and actress award for the film Paa. These days Big B wins awards due to only his brand name. It is very sad. Ranbir Kapoor did not win best actor award inspite of giving versatile performances in the films Wake Up Sid and Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. Salman Khan was not there is the nomination also inspite of Wanted doing a business of more than 70 crores. Vidya Balan is a very natural actress. But in respect of her box-office, she is neither a competitor of Priyanka Chopra, nor Katrina Kaif, nor Kareena Kapoor. These days it has been a fashion that the moment an actress acts in a film with Big B or Abhishek Bacchan, she automatically wins an award.

Starscreen thinks that Shahrukh Khan requires an award even if he does not perform in any particular film. None of his films were released this year. Yet he won the award for the Jodi of the decade with Kajol. Similarly Big B and Abhishek Bacchan won the award for the best Jodi. These days it has been a fashion to give best awards to two male performers. Raj Kapoor Nargis, or Dilip Kumar Vaijayantimala would have fainted to see the best Jodi award. Boman Irani’s award for best villain for The Three Idiots is well justified. Also Omi Vaidya’s award for the best comedian is well justified.

Rishi Kapoor’s award for the best supporting actor in the film Luck By Chance is well justified. At the same time Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan should have an award in some category for their best performance in the film The Three Idiots. Neither the awards proven any level of excellence, nor the awards show popularity. Kareena Kapoor won the award the most popular actress for her performance in the film The Three Idiots. Katrina Kaif won the best entertainer award.

If filmfare also follows the same trend it will be a very sad precedent. The awards do not mean anything when stalwarts like Om Puri or Naseeruddin Shah are neither nominated nor receive anything, the hit films like Wake Up Sid, or Wanted, or Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani are left behind.