Timeless Verses by Swanand Kirkire

If there was one word one could use to describe Swanand Kirkire, it is multi-faceted. In the last several years that he has been around in the entertainment industry, Swanand has worked as a lyricist, screenwriter, actor and a playback singer. He has also been an author. The National School of Drama graduate was assisting filmmaker Sudhir Mishra on ‘Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi’ when he got the opportunity to write songs for the film. That marked the beginning of Swanand’s eventful career as a lyricist. As this multi-faceted artist celebrates his 51^st birthday today, we list down 15 of the most interesting songs written by him.

Bavra Mann – Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi

Baavre se iss jahaan mein baavra ek saath ho

Iss sayaani bheed mein bas haathon mein tera haath ho

Baavri si dhun ho koi

Baavra ek raag ho

One of the first songs written by Swanand remains the most evocative song written by him. The song evokes several emotions when you watch and listen to it being played in the film. Even those who have not seen the film will be able to connect this song to some of the emotions they have gone through or are going through in their lives. Apart from showcasing Swanand’s talent as a lyricist, ‘Baawra Mann’ also serves as a testimony to the fact that he is an incredible vocalist. There is another version of the song in the film which has been sung by Shubha Mudgal.

Darmiyan – Inkaar

Kyon nigaahein nigaahon ko shiqwe sunayein

Murda afsurda lafzon ke mane jagaayein

Jo hai khud se shiqayat, kyon tujhko bataye

Kyon hum yaadon ke rangon se khwabon ko sajaye

‘Inkaar’ is an incredible put together by Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire which deserves a lot more love. For the film, which touched upon the issue of sexual harassment at workplace, Swanand had to write songs that were sensitive and gave one an idea about the emotional and power dynamics between the two primary characters. Boasting of some very fine poetry, ‘Darmiyan’ is an extremely intense song. The more you listen to it, the more you appreciate the beauty of Swanand’s lyrics. Swanand leaves a solid impression as a vocalist as well.

Raat Hamari Toh – Parineeta

Andhera pagal hai

Kitna ghanera hai

Chubhta Hai, dasta hai

Phir bhi woh mera hai

Both Swanand Kirkire and Shantanu Moitra benefitted from the commercial success of the ‘Parineeta’ soundtrack. While songs like ‘Piyu Bole’, ‘Kasto Mazza’ and ‘Kaisi Paheli Zindagani’ became massively popular, one song which deserved a lot more attention is ‘Raat Hamari Toh’. Steeped in melancholy, ‘Raat Hamari Toh’ features a highly evocative tune by Shantanu. Swanand’s lyrics play an important role in accentuating the sense of melancholy in the song. The song starts with Swanand rendering a few lines in his high-throated voice and then, K. S. Chithra takes over.

Hone Do Batiyaan – Fitoor

Main bhi hoon maati

Tu bhi hai maati

Tera mera kya hai

Kyon hain khade hum

Khud se itni door

If somebody asks me which is my most favourite Amit Trivedi album from the last decade, I would name ‘Fitoor’. Swanand Kirkire, as the lyricist, played an important role in making this album stand out. ‘Hone Do Batiyaan’, the most exquisitely crafted song on the album, is the kind of track that grows with you every hearing. The song was driven by the gorgeous vocals of Nandini Srikar and Zebunissa Bangash.

O Ri Chiraiya – Satyamev Jayate

Humne tujhpe hazaaron sitam hain kiye

Humne tujhpe jahaan bhar ke zulm kiye

Humne socha nahi, tu jo udh jaayegi

Ye zameen tere bin sooni reh jaayegi

For the TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’, Ram Sampath composed a plethora of songs which encapsulated the different issues host Aamir Khan discussed on the show. ‘O Ri Chiraiya’, written and sung by Swanand, was a song that symbolically spoke about the issue of female foeticide. When you listen to the song, you get the feeling that it has been designed as a lullaby. Swanand sung the song as sensitively as he wrote it.

Manwaa – October

Dheeme dheeme chale, kaho na koi raat se

Haule haule dhale, kaho na mere chaand se

Soyi ek kahaani roothi khwab se

Jaagi jaagi aas sayani, ladi saans se

‘Manwaa’ is one of those songs that can move you greatly and implore you to look back at some of those memories that remain entrenched in some part of your heart. ‘October’, as a film, had a sense of sadness running through it. Early in the film, we see Shiuli (Banita Sandhu) falling off a terrace and lapsing into a comatose-like situation. If there was one song in the film which managed to encapsulate and showcase the feel or mood of the narrative, it was ‘Manwaa’.

Manja – Kai Po Che

Barfili aankhon mein

Pighla sa dekhenge hum kal ka chehra

Pathrile seene mein

Ubla sa dekhenge hum laava gehra

Some might choose to look at ‘Kai Po Che’ as a social drama. Some might view it as a film about three young men and the bond they shared. ‘Manja’ was a song which offered one a glimpse into the kind of bond and friendship these three men shared. The song arrives at a juncture in the film when these three young men are on the verge of doing something important in their lives. Through his verses, Swanand touches upon these emotions as well.

Dil Dar-Ba-Dar – Yeh Saali Zindagi

Zindagi tedhi-medhi tedhi andhi si dagar

Zindagi tera mera tera tanha sa safar

Zindagi do hi pal ko ban ja humsafar

Zindagi dooji gali jaane kya ho kya khabar

Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ had songs composed by sitar maestro Nishat Khan. When you listen to the soundtrack, you get an idea about the kind of range Khan had as a film composer. It’s unfortunate he did not compose for a film again. ‘Dil Dar-Ba-Dar’ starts off as a song with jazz influences to it and soon, ventures into a slightly different sonic zone. The song has been sung wonderfully by Javed Ali and Shilpa Rao. The song has a narrative feel to it and Swanand’s lyrics play an important role in ensuring that this aspect comes to the fore adequately.

Behti Hawa – 3 Idiots

Hum ko kal ki fikr sataati

Woh bus aaj ka jashn manaata

Har lamhe ko khul ke jeeta tha woh

The song, which fetched a National Award, was about two individuals looking for a friend they lost touch with several years ago. When you listen to the song, you could end up thinking about somebody who brought a lot of sunshine into your life and then one fine day, just disappeared from your life. Through simple words, Swanand managed to weave in several emotions into the song. He also did an excellent job of describing the character Aamir Khan portrayed in the film.

Sandal Meraa Mann – Syeraa Narsimha Reddy

Chakor ki hi Tarah main gaaun sadaa

Tu hi mera chaand hai

Kali ki tarah khil ke main phool banun

Yoon hi tere pyaar mein

The only song from ‘Syeraa Narsimha Reddy’ which managed to get some traction was its title track. That’s a pity as Amit Trivedi had put together a bunch of interesting songs for the film. Swanand wrote the songs for the Hindi version of the film. ‘Sandal Meraa Mann’, which was the best song on the album, boasted of a rhythmic composition by Amit and some wonderful lyrics by Swanand. This is one of those underrated songs by the lyricist which deserve a lot more attention.

Rubaaiyaan – Qala

Kisi raagini mein ghazal ki shakal mein

Aaunga main tumse milne huzoor

Khwabon ki bandish ki lau bujha kar

Dunga dakhal ban yaadon ka noor

Music had to play a very important role in a film which was set in the film/music industry of the 1940s and where the primary character was a singer. The film had multiple songs written by different lyricists. The most lyrically strong song on the album was ‘Rubaiyaan’ written by Swanand Kirkire. The song had a philosophical bent to it and reminded one of the rich property lyricists of the yore used in their songs.

Dheeme Dheeme – Haathi Mere Saathi

Sandhya sindoori hai woh

Chanda vhakori hai woh

Bachpan ke takiye pe karwat badalti si

Amma ki lori hai woh

‘Dheeme Dheeme’ had the kind of sweetness which would compel you to listen to it repeatedly. The song derived this sweetness from Shantanu Moitra’s composition, Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics and Adriz Ghosh’s rendition. Through his words, Swanand brings to the fore the emotions of a young man who has fallen in love for the first time. These are the kind of melodies Hindi cinema has been missing for a while and it’s time one makes an effort to bring them back.

Nain Parindey – Lafangey Parindey

Nain parindey baadal baadal

Khwaabon ke sitaare chug lenge

Hoo nain parindey chaand chura kar

Palkon se apni dhak lenge

When you listen to the ‘Lafangey Parindey’ album, you can’t help but wonder why R. Anandh, one of the most prolific names in the advertising space, has not done more work in films. The album has songs of different flavours. ‘Nain Parindey’, the most soothing song on the album, had some really wonderful lyrics written by Swanand. Shilpa Rao sang the song in an understated manner and that worked very well for it.

Tu – Bobby Jasoos

Jaagi si aankhon ko

De do na palkon ki chaadar zara

Rookhe Se hothon ko

De do na saanson ki raahat zara

Together, Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire crafted a seven-minute long song that served as a musical and lyrical rendition of two individuals professing their love for each other. The song, steeped in Indian melody, had a ghazal-like structure to it and sounded extremely soothing. The rendition by Shreya Ghoshal and Papon took the song to another level. This song serves as yet another testimony to the fact that Shantanu and Swanand have been one of the most formidable composer – lyricist duo in Hindi cinema in the recent times.

Gustakh Dil – English Vinglish

Hai barf si saanson mein

Aankhon mein dhuaan dhuaan

Yeh har pal kyon khele hai

Gham ka khushi ka juaa juaa

In ‘Gustakh Dil’, Swanand uses his command over the written word to masterfully showcases the kind of predicament Shashi (Sridevi) is going through. Swanand’s words are beautifully complemented by Amit’s composition which has a meditative feel to it. Even if you listen to the song without having any idea about the film or the situation it has been used in, you will be able to relate to it.