A song for a year!

The year is about to conclude. Time to choose your favourite song of the year! The song would go on become a part of the playlist of your favourite song per every year from your birth.
Briefly explaining, there are two important conditions.

Firstly, the song is supposed to be the song you loved in THAT year, (unless you really can't figure out which one was it). Understandably, it's almost impossible to remember a song for your first few years. In my case, till 1992, I can't remember the song I loved back then. So for those years, I have picked the respective song which I like today.

Secondly, the song should be only from the movies which were released in that particular year. (For example, in 2000, 'Tere mere sapne' from Guide was my favourite but I am supposed to choose a song I loved the most from the movies released in 2000 itself.)

If you can remember why you love it or any specific memories regarding those songs, even better!

It's not really difficult! To those who want to try this out, you can easily get the list on wiki by entering 'Hindi movies of ....'

Alright. Here we go-

1988- Sili hawa chhoo gayee (Libaas)
Don't remember a single tune as a child from this year! So simply selecting the one I love currently. Put it on your headphone lying in your bed just before sleeping. You'll know why!

1989- Tumse Milke (Parinda)
Same rationale as above, though not that much of a favourite really.

1990- Yara sili sili (Lekin)
Thankfully, I remember liking this one in those days too!

1991- Tumse milne ki tamanna (Saajan)
By elimination. Musically, a sad year.

1992- Roja Janeman (Roja)
Roja was a rage in those days. Liked the intensity of this song even then. The music gave me the feel that I was actually in a green jungle and yet enjoying a pleasant noon sunlight.

1993- Diwana Dil Diwana (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa)
Was a big SRK fan then. This song was a joy ride! Rhythm hooking you right away.
So Close All Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa songs.

1994- Main Khiladi Tu Anari (Main Khiladi Tu Anari)
To us, the cousins and friends ageing 5-6 years, this song was the height of coolness!

1995- Tujhe dekha to (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge)
DDLJ tide. Washed away. Was a delight to watch the two reunite in the yellow flowers! Oh, the relief unleashed!

1996- Tum gaye sab gaya (Maachis)
Pitch black night, except the reddish LED light of the music system. Mom-dad sleeping on the other side, but I was wide awake listening to Maachis songs. This one blended the best with the night.

1997- Ae jaate hue lamho (Border)
Used to bury my face in my t-shirt during its video. But used to listen to the tune with the keenest of ears. Lovely song!
So Close Dil To Pagal Hain, title track.

1998- Chhaiyya chhaiyya (Dil Se)
The best train journey I've ever had is with this song on headphones, irrespective of where I actually was.
So Close All 'Dil Se' songs.

1999- Zindagi maut na ban jaye (Sarfarosh)
One of the rare, quality patriotic songs. It began a movie which made not just my summer holidays, but also years to come!
So Close Ruth aa gayee re (1947 Earth)

2000- Bumbro (Mission Kashmir)
Innocuous, catchy, energetic and melodious. Remember listening to this one on a loop during our family trip in Karnataka. Sunidhi's fresh early voice, and Shankar Ehsaan Loy's big break through!
So Close Rind Posh Maal (Mission Kashmir), Aaja Mahiya (Fiza) and Ek pal ka jeena (Kaho Na Pyar Hain)- A rage within me and my cousins!

2001- Khamoshiyan gungunanein lagee (One 2 Ka 4)
This one made my summer cool, pleasant. Bought the entire cassette for just this one song. (Typical in those days!)
So Close Kambakht Ishq (Pyar Tune Kya Kiya). Tanhayee (Dil Chahta Hain) misses out since it grew on me in 2002.

2002- Mera Rang De Basanti Chola (The Legend of Bhagat)
The Bhagat Singh phase in Bollywood. This song made quite an impact, thanks to Sonu and Rahman.
So Close Bardaasht nahi kar saktaa (Humraaz). This song somehow used to remind me of my crush in those days. And people used to say that I resemble Akshay Khanna as well. So this song gave me blushes!


2003- Acchi lagti ho (Kuch Na Kaho)
Such a delightful tune that it takes your focus away from the below average lyrics! Besides, the music piece at the beginning resembled to one that was played during World Cup 2003 matches! With gorgeous South African locations. Awesomeness!

2004- Tumse milke dil ka (Main Hoon Na)
This one just blew me away! Stunning rhythm. Quality tune. Sonu's sheer class. And above all, it settled my crush over Amrita Rao.

2005- Kajra re (Bunty aur Babli)
Cheeky, yet classy! This one topped my playlist for most of my huge post-XIIth vacation.
So Close- Chup Chup Ke (Bunty aur Babli).


2006- Naino ki mat maaniyo re (Omkara)
A melody with venom. Words of which hit me hard as well. And this one coincided with the time I started reading Harry Potter series. That should seal it.
So Close- Beedi (Omkara). I still feel like choosing Beedi the winner sometimes! Such impact on me, that I avoid playing it while walking on roads by the fear of doing some jigs mid way.

2007- Bol na halke halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom)
Just melted away by the melody. Coincided with vacation time and a lovely June weather.
So Close- Chak de (Chak de India)

2008- Dil Hara (Tashan)
When my girl would say 'yes', this one is going to be my anthem. I connect this one with glory, evening sunshine, and a man walking with apparent calm, but ecstatic within.
So Close- 'Guzarish' (Ghajini), 'Tu Muskura' (Yuvvraaj) and 'Haule Haule se hawa' (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) were all crammed up in this year. TOUGHEST year for me to choose from.

2009- Dil Gira kahi par daf-a-tan (Delhi-6)
Cold night. She's snuggled in her blankets, but awake. He's on the street, singing under the yellowish light. That's what I imagine. The song delicately takes off mid way like a dream and gracefully unfolds. The piece of guitar is like realising you're falling in love. Which resonated with the phase I was in!
So Close- Rehna Tu from (Delhi-6) again.

2010- Dil to baccha hai ji (Ishqiya)
Tune represents classiness, rhythm shows nervousness of a shy man falling in love. Superb lyrics. Sang this in my tuition. Made me very popular!

2011- Tum Ho (Rockstar)
Usually Rahman songs take time to grow on me. But loved this one straight away. Darkness, melancholy and earnestness.
So Close- Saibo (Shor in the City), Bekaraan (Saat Khoon Maaf)

2012- Tore Bina (Kahaani)
I hardly play any song in a loop. But this was one of those rare ones. No correlation with the character in this song, and yet it left me tearful.
So Close- Bihar ke lala, Ik bagal (Gangs of Wasseypur)

2013- Manmarziyaan (Lootera)
Heard it for the first time during the movie. Downloaded while coming out of the theatre. Left me emotionally bleeding. Starts with tentative steps and grows bigger as it progresses.
So Close- Yaaram (Ek Thi Daayan), Gulaabi (Shudh Desi Romance)

2014- Khul Kabhi Toh (Haider)
In the agonising, laborious times, this tune was the soothing balm. Not just to Haider himself, but for me too.
So Close- 'Aao na' from Haider again, sung by Vishal Dadlani. It is death enticing you cunningly. Mind blown! And 'Gulon mein rang bhare' too.

2015- Behroopia (Bombay Velvet)
Not much to choose this year. But this one stirred me from within with its warmth, earnestness and elegance.
So Close- Agar Tum Saath Ho, Wat Wat (Tamasha)

2016- Pashmina (Fitoor)
A tune, warm and sensuous like a caress. Sung in voice, firm and assuring like an embrace. The saving grace of the year for me.
So Close- Hone do batiyaan (Fitoor itself)

2017- Yeh Ishq Hain (Rangoon)
Quite effortlessly, a Vishal Bhardwaj-Arijit combination wins the spot in this list again. Another instance when their tranquility quelled my turbulence.

Nailbiters 5: India vs Pakistan (2nd ODI Wills Challenge Series)

Karachi.
30 September 1997.

Indian team was visiting Pakistan after a gap of 8 years. With just 3 ODIs the tour wasn't a long one. India were sickeningly thrashed in the first game which was hopelessly one sided. This game however, was entirely different.

Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss. They were on their way to a bright start when Rajesh Chauhan caught Saeed Anwar (18 off 22) off his own bowling, diving to his left. (55-1) But Afridi continued in the same way he always does, taking the bowlers apart. He was helped by a ridiculous decision, that too from the 3rd umpire. First of all there was no need to refer to the 3rd umpire for that stumping when his bat was way above the ground when the bails dislodged. But even the 3rd umpire somehow failed to notice the thing usually obvious to human eye. (The fact that the 3rd umpire too was from Pakistan took the surprise out of it.)

Nilesh Kulkarni removed Afridi after he made 72 off 56 on the score of 126. He went on to remove Ijaz Ahmed a while later on a steady 31 off 54. (148-3) In spite of that, Pakistan had got the run rate under control. All they needed was to consolidate for a while. Inzamam Ul-Haq took the charge of the innings with his usual calm. Though Chauhan got his 2nd wicket by removing Saleem Elahi on 18, Pakistan were well on course.

However, shamefully, the match was repeatedly brought to halt by some notorious stone throwing by the local crowd. When Ganguly was hit, it was the fourth occasion the innings was interrupted. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar said enough is enough and took his men in the dressing room. As a result, Pakistani inning was halted at 265-4 after 47.2 overs. Inzamam (74 off 92) and Moin Khan (31 off 33) were looking ominous but they couldn't get a chance to have a go. Therefore India had to score 266 to win from 47 overs.

India were immediately off to a brave start in reply. Tendulkar started off well but Azhar Mahmood got him caught behind on 21 off 18. 71-1. Ganguly in his prime form, proving himself to be a fine prospect, made sure that India wouldn't collapse after Tendulkar's loss. Vinod Kambli gave him a solid support by 53 off 76. Things looked rosy for India at 169-1, but Waqar Younis struck. Ganguly was gone after making 89 off 96. The situation worsened after two quick run outs, as Kambli and Azharuddin departed. 185-4. Pakistan had a sniff. Another wicket, and they are right back in it. Sure they were, as Jadeja too, couldn't hold on to his wicket. 195-5.

The drooped shoulders, faded voices, silent crowd was now nowhere to be seen or heard. Pakistani attack was now more hostile, which included verbal volleys as well.

The momentum India had gathered was now slipping out. The required run rate was creeping up. But that man, Robin Singh was still there. With the wicket keeper Saba Karim, he kept stealing runs. India still needed boundaries but they were at least in the hunt.

The sun had started fading now. Target was closer. Chests heaving, eyes wide open, the duo kept running feverishly. Saba Karim hit a boundary off Waqar, Robin Singh hit a 6 off Saqlain Mushtaq, and India had regained the edge.

Waqar bowled the second last over. Saba snatched another boundary. India looked more comfortable now. Nerves got the better of Saba as he ran for a single with the ball straight into keeper's hand. But Moin missed it, and Saba was back in the crease safely. (Geoffrey Boycott at the commentary couldn't help but wolf whistle "OOOOWW!!! OOOOOW OOOOOWWW!!! Just Stomping Just Stomping!!!") Saba's luck however, ran out as Waqar produced a peach of a yorker to get rid of him. With Saba gone at at 26 off 32 India were 257-6. Rajesh Chauhan, the new man in, got a single off the last ball to face the last over.

8 needed off 6. The dangerous Saqlain had the ball in his hand. With a tail-ender on a strike up against Saqlain, any pessimist in the Indian camp had a right to be skeptic. But the next minute was going to prove him wrong.

Saqlain couldn't grip the newly changed ball as he slipped in a full toss. Chauhan, out of nowhere, hoicked it bravely over deep midwicket for a 6, turning the match completely upside down. He sensibly took a single next ball. With 1 needed from 4, Robin Singh swept it down to deep fine leg and completed the single with a broadest of grins.

The hooligans who threw stones at the Indian players looked at their fingers ruefully and wondered how a champion spinner couldn't keep his fingers on the ball when it mattered most.

Scorecard.


I REMEMBER: When my mom picked me up from the school, score was around 150-1. When I came home, it was around 200-5. After a nerve racking hour, me and my friend Pushkar were deeply into wild celebrations, which eventually inspired Karan Johar to produce 'Dostana'.

Nailbiters 4: Ind vs Zim (Standard Bank Cup Traingular, South Africa)

Paarl.
27th January 1997.

The match belongs to that good old era when Zimbabwe was a respected team, unlike today. It was a kind of team that has nothing to loose and has some very talented players. They did their very best to turn the tables in this game. It was in a way easy too, considering how weak the Indian team was in those days. The day-night game however, had a very strong finish to boast of.

Zimbabwe didn't make a good start in spite of winning the toss, slipping to 51-3, loosing Waller and Flower brothers. But Paul Strang, who showed some spark in the earlier game against South Africa, was promoted up the order. The decision proved fruitful as he made a useful 47(84) and gave his captain Alistair Campbell (61 off 70) a good support. Both were removed by Prasad and Srinath respectively in quick succession. Jadeja's catch to remove Campbell was a blinder. David Houghton (also the Zimbabwean coach) was also removed quickly by Kumble. 179-6 now. But Craig Evans, the happy-go-lucky hitter, or the Zimbabwean Chris Cairns in miniature counter-attacked by making 40 from 32. Thanks to him, Zimbabwe reached 236-8 at the end. It was considered to be a respected score in those days, more so for the Zimbabweans.

Indian reply was similar to Zimbabwe, as they too, lost three quick wickets. The mighty, beefy chicken farmer Eddo Brandes snatched the precious wickets of Tendulkar, Azharuddin and the promoted one-down Srinath. The promising new comers, Ganguly and Dravid steadied the things by a small partnership. But Dravid got run out unfortunately, getting his bat bizarrely stuck on the groung out of his crease.
Ganguly too, departed after a steady 38 off 79 to that man Craig Evans at the score of 110-5.

Things were looking dark, but the street smart Ajay Jadeja and Saba Karim, the newly included keeper took India 56 runs ahead when the harmless looking Paul Strang removed Karim (38 off 46). Campbell then, brought Brandes back. He obliged and removed Jadeja. The only known batsmen now, was Robin Singh. Until then, he wasn't much heard off. But the next hour proved that he has a mighty forearm and an even mightier spirit.

Brandes wasn't content as he bowled Kumble to take his 5th wicket, but that didn't stop Robin Singh. He hoicked some blows with brute power and stole quite a few runs with a surprisingly agile pair of feet. Saleel Ankola (9 off 7) gave him strike smartly but got run out when the score was 229-9.

It boiled down to the last ovre and the last pair of Robin Singh and the shaky Venkatesh Prasad. The menacing Brandes still had an over to spare, so Zimbabwe had the upper hand. But the duo stole some precious runs in the first 5 balls. What's more, that Prasad helped Robin to face the last ball when 2 were needed.

Brandes made the rare mistake by bowling one down the leg side. But the umpire was late in signaling the wide which forced the pair to scamper for a single as they thought they had no other option. The keeper missed the stumps but Brandes collected the ball. He hurled the ball at the stumps which found the target. Robin Singh was well short. Brandes had finished the game with this one last act to ascertain that it was really his night. At the dead of night, the India-Zimbabwe game finished in a tie.

Scorecard.

I REMEMBER: I was suffering from asthma during those days. I remember sitting in a chair in the dimly lit hall, a pungent smelling Ayurvedic oil applied on my body and the electric sauna bag tied around my chest. But with the game like this, the only thing that bothered me was the continuous fall of wickets in the Indian innings!

Nail Biters 3: Ind vs Aus, Titan Cup 1996

Mohali.
3 November 1996.

If the earlier game was a low scoring affair, the scores in this match were some robust figures. Both teams were relatively fearless since they did not have to face rampaging South Africans. For an Indian fan, both the results were delightful. For a neutral cricket fan too, both the results were fulfilling.

For the wicket which turned out to be the best batting wicket in the tournament, Australia chose to field first. This was perhaps due to the dew factor or the demons of the earlier game. Tendulkar started his routine (i.e. flogging the Australian bowlers), but Siddhu (11 off 25) and the promoted Srinath (3 off 8) couldn't hold their end. Tendulkar and Azharuddin started positively but Tendulkar took an ambitious risk off Mark Waugh to get caught in the deep mid wicket on 62 off 60. The score was 95-3. Dravid joined Azharuddin and the duo kept their head. The conditions allowed collecting runs without taking any risks and the pair made merry of it.

Dravid (56 off 67) then fell with the score 205-4. The newly selected all rounder Robin Singh couldn't make a good score and fell for 6. Azharuddin fell short of a century with 94 off 104 balls. The score was 253-6, but Jadeja (25 off 18) and Nayan Mongia (19 off 15) did some hitting and the score at the end was 289-6.

As expected, the Aussies started off well. Things were ominous for India at 84-0 but Robin Singh struck off consecutive deliveries to get rid of Mark Waugh (37) and Stuart Law (0). Steve Waugh (33) took the score to 151 with Taylor when Sunil Joshi struck. Taylor looked set for another hundred but he too, was quickly removed by Kumble on 78. 155-4. Game on now. But Bevan and Slater put up a fierce partnership of 86 in a quick time. Prasad broke the thread to remove Bevan (40 off 43) and Ian Healy was run out on 2. 248-6. Aussies were loosing wickets in pairs. Srinath scalped the threatening Slater (52 off 38) to a slightly dodgy lbw decision. Now the game was in India command. Kumble ran through another pair of wickets by cleaning Reiffel up, but they somehow had taken the score to 273-9. One would hope to remove McGrath easily but he scored an important boundary with Hogg at the other end looking determined.

It was the last over. 6 runs were needed. After a long conference the captain Tendulkar chose to bowl the last over. It was a gamble but the key bowlers had finished their overs. The crowd, the t.v. viewers were now totally into it.

The noise from the crowd grew louder and louder as Tendulkar took each step of his run up and then it nosedived into a silence as he released the ball. It struck Hogg on his pads. Loud appeal. Both the batsmen scampered through. Wicketkeeper Mongia got the ball and hurled at the strikers end. He missed it. But the ball trotted off and found the bowlers end stumps. Hogg... was short of his ground. India had got better of the Aussies by 5 runs.

Amidst the cheers, Taylor looking like a child who was denied a toy, came to the middle, accepting the inevitable. Hogg was looking skyward, but his eyes were closed. India were through.

Scorecard.

I Remember: The game reminds you of a similar encounter. Both games were a semi final for the two teams. Sachin scored a crucial half century but Azharuddin played a larger hand. And though Azharuddin was the man of the match, Sachin bowled the last over to stifle the opponent and to take India through to the finals. It was Hero Cup 1992, India vs South Africa.

Best Of: Sukhvinder Singh

('Best Of' is another series which will list out performances of an artist/author/player, which I am extremely fond of. Needless to say, additions are always welcome!)

- Chaiyya Chaiyya, Thaiyya thaiyya (What a way to announce oneself!)

- Dil Haara (My personal Sukhvinder favourite)

- Beedi (Check out the way he laughs at the beginning) and Omkara (A voice reaches to the scale of dizzy heights)

- Haule haule se hava lagti hain (See how delicately he pronounces 'sharmo sharmeele')

- Chak De India (One of the best patriotic songs ever. Again, see how powerfully he sings 'Tas hain na mas hai ji' and 'khul ke aaj bikhare)

- Raat ki daldal. (A chillingly dark song. Fitting to the situation, song starts like a train leaving a junction and ends like a train arriving a junction.)

- Ramta Jogi (Often, a drunkard is either ugly or amusing. But this time he is melodious.)

- Titlee daboch lee maine (Another Rehman- Sukhwinder special.)

- Aayo re sakhi from Water (Who says he can't be tender?)

- O saaki saaki (Makes Sanjay Dutt's swagger more prominent.)

(Almost there: Dhan te dan and Fatak, Jai Ho, Woh Kisna hai, Rut aa gayee re, Un ke nashe mein, lagan lagan from Tere Naam, Fashion ka hai yeh jalwa)

Nail Biters 2: Ind vs Aus, Titan cup '96.

Bangalore.
21 October 1996.

Titan Cup was brutally dominated by South Africa, leaving India and Australia to fight for the other berth in the final. Both of their encounters were terrific.

Winning the toss didn't prove to be too fruitful for Australia when V Prasad got Mark Waugh & Slater early. But Steve Waugh (41 off 61) joined the captain Mark Taylor and they took the score to 115 with a 92 run partnership. Then it was Bevan (36 off 49) to accompany Taylor. Signs were good for Australia when Taylor got to his 1st one day hundred, but Tendulkar struck and removed Taylor on 105 off 144. That triggered a collapse and Aussies finished on a weak 215/8 which was 197/4. Tendulkar's evening had just begun.





Tendulkar had to watch his partners leaving one by one on the other end; when Sujit Somsundar (7, 30-1), Dravid (6, 41-2), Azharuddin (1, 42-3) Ganguly (4, 47-4), all perished. (Azharuddin walked away furiously which made the crowd think that he was unhappy with the umpire. The notorious Banglore crowd disrupted the match for 20 minutes, which was eventually pacified by Azharuddin with a 'pacifying lap')



Jadeja showed some common sense (27 off 62), giving Tendulkar the most of the strike. But he was caught up in the unfortunate run out by colliding with a fielder. 127/5. Tendulkar kept scoring heavily, but Mongia (14, 157/6), Sunil Joshi (1, 164/7) left quickly. Worse for India, Tendulkar was out next over on 88 (111) and the score was 164/8. Usually, the Indian team collapsed when Tendulkar was out. But this time they had managed to collapse even without him getting out. So the game appeared hopelessly over, but what followed was a stunner.



After getting some runs, the Karnataka mates Kumble (16 off 19) and Srinath (30 off 23) unleashed. The moment of the match came when Srinath hoisted a six over the bowler's head. India was back in the game, but only just. But the duo kept stealing the runs, and the crowd went into frenzy. Both the ecstatic mothers were seen when their sons had took the score to 210/8 and one could believe that India cannot lose from here. Srinath then scored a knock out boundary followed by the winning two runs. The scenes were jubilant and Kumble-Srinath were the heroes of the hour.

Tendulkar got the man of the match award but it was that rare occasion when one could think that someone deserved an award more than Tendulkar.

Scorecard.

I Remember: We were going to move in to a new home that day, built in place of the terrace of the earlier home. It was Paadwa, but this win was what had made my day more auspicious.

Nail Biters 1: Aus vs WI. World Cup 1996 Semi final.

(This is a series of some neck-to-neck ODIs which I can remember since I started watching cricket. Indian matches will dominate the series of course, but there will be neutral games too. Like this opener. Hope you enjoy!)

14 March 1996.

This game was a dull one-sider for 91 overs but went haywire in the last 9. West Indies proved that they could bring the game back from dead, by killing their own chances in return.

On a Mohali pitch (one of those few in India who support pace to some extent) Australia were 15 for 4 with Waugh twins, Ponting and skipper Taylor gone. But the run-pirates Bevan (69 off 110) and Stuart Law (72 off 105) steadied the ship with a 138 run stand. Ian Healy scored a useful 31 off 28 to take the score 207 for 8 at the end.

WI were strolling in reply with Lara's run a ball 45 and Chanderpaul playing on 80. The score was 165 for 2 in 41 overs. Then the wheels came off.

Chanderpaul played a rash shot to get out. In a fatal move, Roger Harper and Ottis Gibson were promoted.















Shane Warne brushed past them easily which gave the Aussies the momentum to remove Adams and Arthurton. Suddenly the score was 187/7. It was now up to captain Richardson with only tailenders to accompany. But Australia hardly miss a chance like this, do they? Warne struck again, getting Ian Bishop. 194/8. Warne (man of the match) had bowled a spell of 9-0-36-4. 10 was needed off the last over. Richardson scored a boundary on the 1st ball Damien Fleming bowled. But he mistook a run resulting into Ambrose getting run out, that too at the striker's end. It was all too much for the king-of-the-ducks Walsh, who was bowled on his 1st ball. All over.

Richardson (fittingly a run short to his 50) stood his ground for a long time, watching the Aussies in a jubilant huddle. His last game lay demolished in front of him.

Watch the Scorecard.

I REMEMBER: A power cut denied us watching the WI chase. We were at the terrace when our neighbour Chetan and his friends heard it on the radio and confirmed that it was over for West Indies. "Harle...West Indies harle....".