It was (Bhos)l(ad)en with emotion

There is no doubt about the fact that Mera Kuchh Saamaan was as poignant as it was pregnant with meaning.

The song from Ijaazat was penned by Gulzar, composed by R D Burman and sung by Asha Bhosle.

It wasn’t as much about saamaan as it was about sammaan (honour), as evidenced by the fact that Bhosle bagged the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1988.

Moreover, it didn’t just fetch Gulzar the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1988, but also the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist the following year.  

   

Asha’s (Ka)track was a treat

“Katra katra milti hai, katra katra jeene do. Zindagi hai, zindagi hai, behne do, behne do. Pyaasi hoon main, pyaasi rehne do. Rehne do na.”

It wasn’t just (K)atrack from Ijaazat, but it wouldn’t be incorrect to assume that it must have also been Asha Bhosle’s philosophy.

The verse means, “Drops meet. Let me live, drop by drop. This is life, let it flow. I am thirsty, let my thirst remain unquenched.”

And appropriately, it was penned and composed by a couple of venerated gents who knew her intimately – Gulzar and R D Burman, respectively. 

This track (As)has (chho)timeless appeal

Even if it belonged to what is referred to by Indian cineastes as the parallel cinema movement (or the art-house genre), it would be unfair to pigeonhole Ijaazat (1987), whose soundtrack continues to be popular.

A Gulzar verse – rendered by Asha Bhosle – went, “Chhoti si kahaani se, baarishon ke paani se, saari waadi bhar gayi” (A short story, and rain water, have filled the whole valley).

The film released during composer R D Burman’s lean phase. So while music aficionados appreciated the song, it did precious little to salvage his career, which was in freefall.