Shaan Calls ‘Bahon Mein Chale Aao’ One of Bollywood’s Most Modern Songs

MUMBAI — Playback singer Shaan has called Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan’s classic “Bahon Mein Chale Aao” one of the most modern songs ever made in Bollywood.

Shaan made the remarks while appearing as a special guest on the singing reality show “Indian Idol.” He said the picturized version of the song shows how deeply the composition is tied to the scene, with Sanjeev Kumar’s character asking Jaya Bachchan to lower her voice, prompting a change in the pitch and tone of the music.

The singer said many older Hindi film songs were more modern in structure and treatment than much of what is being made today.

“Log kehte hai purana gaana, naya gaana etc lekin inn gaano se zyada modern gaana aaj nahi ban raha hain yeh jo changes hain gaano mein, kaha milega yeh sab? Kaha se shuru hota hain kaha se khatam hota hain. This is more modern than anything else, he (Pancham) was the most modern composer. Period,” Shaan said.

“People talk about old songs and new songs, but even today, songs more modern than these are not being made. These changes and variations in the music where else will you find all of this? You can’t even tell where it begins and where it ends. This is more modern than anything else. He (Pancham) was the most modern composer. Period,” he said.

Judge Vishal Dadlani agreed with Shaan’s praise for R.D. Burman, who was popularly known as Pancham.

“Pancham, Pancham, that guy the one only,” Dadlani said.

The discussion followed contestant Jyotirmayee’s performance of “Bahon Mein Chale Aao,” after which Shaan shared his feedback.

Shaan also urged the contestants to watch how classic songs were picturized and to understand the story and screenplay behind them. He said that approach helps singers better understand the situation and emotion of a song. (Source: IANS)