A Little Cocktail Music

It's always nice to have live music during the cocktail hour at weddings, whether it's tabla, sitar, violin, or piano. It sets a lovely tone for the guests as they walk in. But not everyone has the budget for it. So today we thought we'd have Crime Master GoGo (our resident DJ/little brother) do a round-up of some bollywood music options that can be used to create a similar ambiance.

image via Chennergy

The key is to have music with subtle undertones and vocals that aren't overpowering, so conversation can flow freely while it plays in the background. Bollywood music has come a long way, and there are so many styles you can choose from!

First we have a few love ballads:

"Jag Ja" from the film Omkara

"Tere Liye" from the film 7 Khoon Maaf

Then there's music with strong acoustic elements:

"Phir Dekhiye" from the film Rock On!!

"Shaam" from the film Aisha

And of course, there's always the option of a little jazz:

"Dev-Chanda Theme 1" from the film Dev D

"Tu Bole Main Boloon" from the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Dholkis

We've already discussed some disco songs, old-school romantic songs, and entrance songs, but we decided that today would be perfect for Crime Master Gogo to discuss dholki songs:

For those of you who celebrate them, dholkis are fun, carefree, and full of general silliness. Some like to play their favorite songs and let loose on the dance floor, some like to gather around a dholak and sing along to classic folk songs, and some like a little of both. The best part? Parents and grandparents are usually the ones who know ALL the lyrics (at least to the classics) and are ready to get things started, so there's a real sense of tradition being passed down. Especially the call and response aspect of it....


image via ign movies

Having said that, it can be really hard to get everyone to sing at dhokis! There will be a lot of people too shy to sing, and even more who just aren't in the mood. A potential fix would be to play some popular dholki-type songs that people can sing/clap along to without having to carry the tune on their own. Once people get into it, you can turn off the stereo and switch to a real dholak beat and your own voices. Here are a few songs that may help with just that. Some are old, some are new, some are a little complex but all of them are fun.

"Yeh Raat Aur Yeh Doori" from the film Andaz Apna Apna.

"Thoda Thoda Pyaar" from the film Love Aaj Kal.

"Genda Phool" from the film Delhi 6.

"Dhinak Dhinak Dha" from the film Parineeta.

"Mehndi / Madhorama Pencha" from the film Monsoon Wedding (the video exemplifies a dholki perfectly!).

Basically though, it's a free for all. I say go ahead and pick the songs you would dance to in your room as if nobody was watching. Oh, and see if you can find the lyrics online, make copies, and then hand them out so that it's easier for everyone to sing along.

Since all of these are relatively new songs, next time we'll see if we can do a round up of traditional dholki songs...

Lets End The Week With A Barat

Well, we're calling this week short and having ourselves a lazy weekend. We'll leave you with this music video of a barat from the movie Kaminey. We like it because it's spontaneous, on the cheap, in the streets, and basically everyone's having a good time. Perhaps a good song for your barat?

Have a great weekend everyone! And we'll be back next week with lots of stuff...



P.S. A bit of background - the couple is basically eloping and just decided to get married that day. The bride's knocked up, the groom is whipped, and hilarity ensues.

How To Make An Entrance

Once again, DJ Crime Master Gogo is back for some musical insight:

I believe the songs played during the various traditions of any South Asian wedding should really add to the moment. Whether you are trying to excite the crowd during a dholki, grab the guests’ attention for an entrance, or in the business of making people cry during the rukhsati/vidaai – the music matters.

image via vintage photographs at live journal

This week I will share some thoughts on entrances. It seems there are two go-to options when choosing a song for your arrival: classic or popular. You can’t go wrong with classic bollywood. And sometimes the most popular songs of the moment catch you in their grip, or a certain song just becomes an unbeatable staple. It’s easy to forget about the music but I think taking the time to find a song that means something to you can help you own the moment. Not that you need to, but if you are looking for something a little different from the classics or what you hear at every other wedding, I say go back to the films you love and find a song that will always make you think of your big day.

Here are some personal recommendations to get you started, both new and old, that I am surprised aren’t used more often. Some work better for specific events (Mehndi/Sangeet vs. Baraat vs. Valima), but it’s all about mixing and matching what you like to how you want to feel.

For the Bride:

“Ab Mujhe Koi” from the film Ishqiya (2010).

“Pehli Baar Mohabbat” from the film Kaminey (2009).

“Dil Gira Dafatan” from the film Delhi 6 (2009).

“Tu Bole, Main Boloon” from the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008).

“Tu Bin Bataye” from the film Rang De Basanti (2006).

“O Rey Chori” from the film Lagaan (2001).

“Dheeme Dheeme” from the film Zubeida (2001).

For the Groom (Sadly, there’s just not as much choice out there for the men):

“Wedding Qawwali” from the stage musical Bombay Dreams (2002).

“Dulhe Ka Sehra” from the film Dhadkan (2000).

Don’t abandon the classics and hits, just add to them. Also, I say edit the songs to whatever length you like, cutting out the parts you don’t need and maybe even looping certain parts you love. Go ahead, walk to your own personal soundtrack.

- CMG

Old School Bollywood

DJ Crime Master GoGo is at it again! Today he's sharing with us his favorite oldies for a romantic evening. Based on bollywood classics (some things just don't need to be updated), these songs would be great for entrances and/or first dances at your wedding.


image via india forums

We thought we'd let Amitabh and Rekha show you some dramatic love. Here are a few songs to compliment them as they do just that. And hey, we're allowed to get a little mushy, it's valentine's weekend after all!

“Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri” from the movie Naya Daur (1957).

“Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh” from the movie Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960).

“Main Shayar To Nahin” from the movie Bobby (1973).

“Aaj Mausam Bada Beimann Hai” from the movie Loafer (1973).

“Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein” from the movie Chandni (1989).

I am a Disco Dancer

You know how we mentioned we've been in a disco kind of mood? Well our resident DJ, Crime Master Gogo, suggested some songs that would fit in perfectly with that theme. For your reference, DJ Crime Master Gogo isn't an official DJ, he's our brother who spins for all the family weddings. He also has a penchant for Andaz Apna Apna characters.


image via flickr

Here are some songs that would be perfect for a disco wedding, and really, just about any party:

"I Am A Disco Dancer" from the Bollywood classic Disco Dancer. Composed by Disco King Bappi Lahiri.

"Jimmy" by M.I.A. from her second album Kala. This was a cover of the song "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja", also from Disco Dancer.*

"Aaj Ki Raat" from the Bollywood hit Don: The Chase Begins Again. Composed by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, but you may recognize it from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. A.R. Rahman has good taste.

"Blind" by Hercules and Love Affair from their self-titled debut.

*"Jimmy" is literally our family song. We play it all hours of the night and at most weddings with many a home video to prove it. Have you SEEN the original song it's based on? Kitsch bollywood at its best.

Red Baraat

For all of you who really really like the idea of having a live band at your wedding but always thought it wasn't possible (you want indian music, you want variety etc etc)...Red Baraat may be your answer.

Red Baraat is a dhol 'n' brass band that melds bhangra with brass funk for a one of a kind sound. The NYC-based group plays fresh originals, as well as traditional punjabi songs and bollywood numbers, and they even improvise!

Check out their website for more information about their debut album, videos of their performances (they performed during a runway show at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week) and much much more!


photos via Red Baraat