To celebrate Janmashtami, Subhash K Jha shares some brilliant Krishna Bhajans that you might not know but must experience in this fascinating musical feature.
1. ‘Kanhaiya Kanhaiya Koi Murli Ki Taan Suna De’ (Raja Aur Runk):
At 10 minutes and 27 seconds this is the longest Hindi film song ever, and worth every second of our attention, ‘Kanhaiya kanhaiya’ is an audio ballet where Satyabhama and Rukmini vie for Lord Krishna’s attentions. Lataji sings for both the ladies. The intricate difference in the voice quality that she brings for the two women is a masterclass in aural performance. Manna Dey pitches rather playfully and yet soberly as Narad Muni. This Krishna bhajan composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal is an epic creation.
2. ‘Binti karoon Ghanshyam’ (Pati Patni):
This was one of Rahul Dev Burman’s earliest soundtracks, memorable mostly for the melodious Krishna bhajan based on Raga Jogiya filmed on Nanda. RD relentlessly rued the fact that many of his early classical songs were either forgotten or credited wrongly to his father Sachin Dev Burman. ‘Binti karoon ghanshyam’ is a marvel of a melody, defeated by its intrinsic complexity. No layperson can hum this song. And unless a Bhajan is simple, it is not done its deed. For a more simple yet equally heartrending Krishna Bhajan composed by R D Burman, turn to ‘Badaa natkhat hai re krishna Kanhaiya’ in Amar Prem.
3. ‘Kanha bole na puchoo baar baar kanha bole na’ (Sangat):
In her illustrious career Lata Mangeshkar has sung numerous Krishna bhajans of impeccable quality. This one remains the most underrated, the most neglected and the most unworthy candidate for anonymity among all the Krishna bhajans that have ever been composed for Hindi cinema . The composer was the great Salil Chowdhury and the film was an unreleased Sangat featuring a lifeless newcomer who lip-synced Lataji’s luminous voice as if humming in the bathroom. ‘Kanha bole na’ is one of Salil Chowdhury greatest compositions with Lataji soaring to heights of expressiveness as she describes Radha’s stolen moments with her precious Kanha. The inimitable Manna Dey accompanies Lataji. He clearly know this is Radha’s day out. This criminally neglected masterpiece deserved a better place.
4. ‘Kanha re kanha tu ne laakhon raas rachaye’ (Truck Driver):
How on earth could a Krishna bhajan as beautiful as this be a part of a film titled Truck Driver?! During those days (the 1970s) of musical harvesting even the sleaziest of film would reap the benefits of immortal melodies. And this one is a beauty, a jewel in the croon for Lataji’s Krishna bhajans which I place much higher than her far more popular ‘Yashomati maiyaa se bole nandlala’ (Satyam Shivum Sunderam) and ‘Bada natkhat hai re Krishna kanhaiya’ (Amar Prem). Composers Sonik-Omi never got their due. Listen into this peerless Bhajana and you will wonder why they were so neglected.
5. ‘Mujhko bhi radha banale nandlal’ (Ankahee):
Asha Bhosle touches sublime chords in this exquisite Krishna Bhajan composed by the great Jaidev. There is an aching longing for completeness as the woman in the song pines to be the Radha in her Krishna’s life. The articulate erotic words by the legendary poet Balkavi Bairagi amply punctuate the sense of longing. Ms Bhosle’s voice has seldom been in a better form. She had another extraordinary Krishna Bhajan ‘Kauno thagva nagariya lutal ho’ in Ankahee. Choosing between the two is like choosing between Radha and Meera. Let the sound of the flute float.
