2026

In Memoriam: Suman Kalyanpur, an epitome of talent, grace and dignity

Thumbnail image for In Memoriam: Suman Kalyanpur, an epitome of talent, grace and dignity June 18, 2026

Guest article by Dr Rajesh Deshpande as a tribute to one of the last of doyens of playback singing of the Golden Era (When Suman Kalyanpur passed away recently, I suddenly felt that with her one of the last links with the Golden Era of playback singing is gone. She was a tragic figure, the […]

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Songs of Yore completes 16 years

Thumbnail image for Songs of Yore completes 16 years June 7, 2026

It is customary to add ‘sweet’ before 16. That is how the hosts of the social game Tambola/Housie describe this number in their sing-song style. How sweet was SOY’s 16th year, or did it simply clock another year? The judgement rests with the readers, for me it was a pleasant experience. As the readers are […]

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Best songs 1956: Wrap Up 2

Thumbnail image for Best songs 1956: Wrap Up 2 May 27, 2026

The SOY Award for 1956 for the Best Solo of Lata Mangeshkar goes to? SOY regulars are aware of the reasons why I am doing year-wise reviews of the best songs of a Vintage Era year going backwards, and a Golden Era year going forwards simultaneously. Vintage Years backwards, because of the joy of discovering […]

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Best songs of 1939: Wrap Up 2

Thumbnail image for Best songs of 1939: Wrap Up 2 May 16, 2026

And the SOY Award for the Best Female Solo of 1939 goes to? One can make a general observation about the female solos of 1939. Following the long-term ratio, the female solos outnumber the male solos by a good margin in this year too. But in the era of dominance of KL Saigal and Pankaj […]

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‘Afsana’, ‘Dastan’, ‘Kahani’ and ‘Fasana’  in songs

Thumbnail image for ‘Afsana’, ‘Dastan’, ‘Kahani’ and ‘Fasana’  in songs May 5, 2026

Old Bollywood was our nursery for Urdu. Where else could you get Tamaam gawaahon ke bayanat and memberaan-e-jury ki sifaarish ke maddenazar? There were always fasadat, khayalat in our films. In between there were some exceptions like Khayalon mein kisi ke is tarah aaya nahin karte. But soon it was back to Ye meri khwahish […]

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Best songs of 1956: Wrap Up 1

Thumbnail image for Best songs of 1956: Wrap Up 1 April 24, 2026

And the SOY Award for the best male solo of 1956 goes to ? The 1950s are an era of plenty. This was the period when all the greats of the Golden Era were going great guns, creating their best music. Having said that, Naushad, one of the greatest, was absent in the year, but […]

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Best male solos of 1939: Wrap Up 1

Thumbnail image for Best male solos of 1939: Wrap Up 1 April 12, 2026

In the Vintage Era review of songs, we have reached the end of the 30s. In a stark reminder of our poor record of preserving our legacy, our Resident Scholar, N Venkataraman, gives a stark figure that only 4 Hindi films – Pukar, Aadmi, Dushman, Durga – are available in public domain for viewing. These […]

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Songs of a petulant, confused child

Thumbnail image for Songs of a petulant, confused child March 30, 2026

What happens if a parent has a petulant, confused child, who is given to throwing tantrums before guests. The parents would be embarrassed, but the guests may comfort them: what a lovely child! But if the child displays aggressive behaviour – unless you give him his chocolate or allow him to watch YouTube videos, he […]

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Aaiye/Chale aaiye and Jaaiye/Chale jaaiye in songs: Are they the same or is there a difference?

Thumbnail image for Aaiye/Chale aaiye and Jaaiye/Chale jaaiye in songs: Are they the same or is there a difference? March 18, 2026

I have been forced into temporary inactivity. During such periods I can do nothing but contemplate on some issues. I find thinking about Iran-US-Israel War, the Middle East crisis quite mind boggling, so I reflect on simple things like the Hindi film songs. Of late, my mind has been reflecting on the pairs, Aaiye & […]

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Romance for the Faraway Land

Thumbnail image for Romance for the Faraway Land March 6, 2026

Wishing all the readers and their families a very Happy Holi, and the greetings for the ongoing month of the Ramdan. May the Almighty shower all His blessings on everyone DP Rangan has set romance in the air with his “Love is Bliss”. This is the season when the dullest person starts feeling desirous. I […]

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