Movie : Lekin.

Singer : Suresh Wadkar. 

Composer : Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

Lyricist : Gulzar.

At the extreme west corner of India, there is a spoon shaped district situated on the upper part of Gujarat region. Virtually it's an island that also resembles the shape of tortoise - Kachchh (in Sanskrit) mentioned at many a places of Hindu mythology. Now it is mostly spelled as - Kutch and majorly known for its serene, surreal vast expanses of white salt dessert. 

In spite of being the largest district of India, Kutch has quite a low population density. 

Before the devastating earthquake of 2001, the population of its headquarter Bhuj was  lesser than one lakh.

In my childhood days, when I used to come to Bhuj at my Nanaji's home during vacations, it felt like a pretty and peaceful village to me. When I was in college, my father decided to shift from Ahmedabad to here at Bhuj permanently. I was least happy with the idea but didn't say anything as always. 

We came here, got settled. Gradually the beauty and serenity of this humble place grew upon me. And you know, what got me rooted here was a vast, lushly green landscape, a huge farm quite next to my home which is west open. It helped me to develop a deep connection with all Akash (Sky), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire) and Prithvi (Earth). I would have written pages for ages on the moods and moments spent sitting on terrace or balcony and doing just nothing but staring at the crops, the threes, the tractors, the cows, bullocks and birds and the most loved sight - the sunset. 

The sun, hiding behind the big coconut and  saffron mango trees is the only guy I know, who blushes, goes red daily when he meets the awaiting earth far somewhere at horizons since eternity. The feel is so infectious that everything in front of you, beside you and inside you get filled with the hues of lush, blush and love. Nature has so magnificent and matchless treasure of colours that no evening is same as far as the sky is concerned. 

The evening alights on the landscape with myriad tints, quietly enters inside my mindscape and puts the pin on the vinyl placed there. The first cut remains same everytime.. yes! Ethereal.. otherworldly.. mellifluous and moving... I feel the melody passing through my veins all over and pampering my senses.

As soft and mellow as touch of a green grass leaf. As tranquil and mystic as twilight sky. 

सुरमई शाम इस तरह आए

साॅंस लेते हैं जिस तरह साए...

While producing a film based on a timeless classic story - 'Khudito Pashan' written by  Rurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Lata Mangeshkar knew that it would take sheer sensitivity and sensibility of a legend like Gulzar sahab to justify this subject as the director of this film named 'Lekin' which also had quite an enthralling soundtrack.

Why I pick this particular song always from this beautiful bucket having eight songs total? 

The song floats on your senses just as the gentle breeze touches the turf with utmost affection or warm and fragrant breaths of a beloved felt on face. 

Every evening when I get even a glimpse of the setting sun from my window, balcony or terrace, the same song, the same hauntingly beautiful melody emerges from deep inside at least once. 

सुरमई शाम इस तरह आये 

साँस लेते हैं जिस तरह साये 

कोई आहट नहीं बदन की कहीं

फिर भी लगता हैं तू यहीं है कहीं..

वक़्त जाता सुनाई देता है

तेरा साया दिखाई देता है

जैसे खुशबू नज़र से छू जाये

साँस लेते हैं जिस तरह साये..

दिन का जो भी पहर गुज़रता है

कोई अहसान सा उतरता है

वक़्त के पाँव देखता हूँ मैं

रोज़ ये छाँव देखता हूँ मैं

आये जैसे कोई खयाल आये

साँस लेते हैं जिस तरह साये...

Who else in the world except Gulzar sahab could have worded this feel in such a holistic way ! Who else than Hridaynath Mangeshkar would have composed the same with such miscellaneous and mind blowing notes! 

And Suresh Wadkar.. one of the finest and flawless voice with all tints of feel, philosophy and fragrance that has mastered the art of adoring and handling fragile feelings. Who else except him could have rendered this serene yet intoxicating lilt with sheer delicacy! 

Now adding one more thing without which this share wouldn't be completed. 

Many a times you feel that the song starts playing in your mind while reading about the same. But with this song, every time while listening, the words written by my dear friend Deepa walks all along with me! Sharing here the link of my most favourite article written by her. Do read at your convenience. 

The song link  :