Tumhe Yaad Hoga, an evening of songs by music composer-singer Hemant Kumar by Music Lovers Chennai, was an encompassing tribute, as it revisited the body of work by an artiste whose remarkable contribution to film music extends beyond language and genre.
An ode to Hemant Kumar is no easy ball game. After all, he was not just a singer. Though unlike many of his contemporaries, as a composer, he never had distinctive collaborations with any one filmmaker, his songs and music are a separate and exhaustive chapter in film music.
Hemant Kumar’s voice conjured up images of a sadhu (as put by playback singer Lata Mangeshkar) and like music composer Salil Chowdhury, who once said, “If god could sing, he would have a voice like Hemant Da”, there was an element of divinity and tranquility.
Bringing together the vast repertoire of his works, the show that had renowned Chennai-based singer Surojit Guha and Mumbai-based Sangeeta Melekar, presented some of the popular melodies at the concert on Sunday at the Museum Theatre.
Beginning with Anand Math, the composer-singer’s first film, the show revisited some of his finest duets, solos both male and female numbers, composed and sung by the legendary artiste.
Who can forget the magical Woh Sham Kuchh Ajeeb Thi (Khamoshi), or the flirtatious Hai Apna Dil Toh Awaara (Solva Saal)? Or, the melodious Kucch Dil Ne Kahaa (Anupama) and Tum Pukaar Lo (Khamoshi) that tugged at your heart strings? Or even the romantic duet Umar Hui Tumse (Bahurani) and Chhupa Lo Yun Dil (Mamta composed by Roshan) that illustrate the range of his works? And the surprise that unfolded in the form of Juliaana (a Konkani number)...
Possibly the best part was the fact that Hemant Da was never tied down to a genre and despite being a composer himself, he was known for songs that were composed by other stalwart music directors like SD Burman.
Guha adeptly juggled with all the challenges of attempting to recreate the magic that was Hemant Da — the boyish exuberance his voice could easily slip into and the soul stirring effect he would have on a music lover.
Melekar effectively lent support to duets and delivered with aplomb some of the most memorable solos Dheere Dheere Machal (Anupama), Jhoom Jhoom Dhalti Raat (Kohraa) , while Usha Raj, the guest singer of the day stepped in with a flawless rendition of Piya Aiso Jiya (Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam) originally sung by Geeta Dutt
Probably, the crowd’s favourite Hemant Da song was Jaane Woh Kaise ( Pyaasa) that resonated with the pain and disillusionment of the youth brigade, considering the time it was made — just 10 years after Independence. With powerful lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and a melodious score by SD Burman, Hemant Da’s voice added to the pathos. Guha yet again rose up to the challenge with vocals grasping its essence and capturing the sorrow and angst in its potency.
Transporting the audience to the era when melody was the queen, Music Lovers Chennai sure left many serenading in Hemant Da’s trademark style Beqaraar karke humen yun na jaiye aapko hamaari kasam laut aayiye.
The proceeds of the show went to SCARF, an organisation that is working in the area of treatment and research of schizophrenia.