The Power of Melody

The world is filled with noise and chaos at the same time you can hear people talking, talking in different languages, some, you understand many you don’t. However, can I say there is an existence of a universal language that go through all the barriers and speak directly to the most of the people? The language, English 😂. Most of you agree with me I am sure. But, hold your thoughts here, I am talking about the the language which speaks directly to the soul no matter which geography you are in. It’s “Music”. Sometime it connects with you with its rhythm or the words, sometime with the memories and sometime the person related with the memories. Bottomline it makes relation with you somehow.

Songs That Shape Our Stories

Sometime its not the song that makes you emotional. it’s the people that come to your mind when you hear it.

Music holds a special place in our lives, it’s like a faithful companion that never lets us down. From the snap of vinyl to the nostalgia of cassettes, the convenience of CDs, the portability of MP3s, and now the endless library of Spotify, my journey through music has been a fascinating one. Each format has its charm and memories attached to it, marking different phases of my life.

I remember the excitement of carefully placing a vinyl record on the turntable, anticipating the rich sound that would fill the room. Then came the era of cassette tapes, with their mixtapes and handwritten labels, capturing the essence of teenage romance and friendship.

As technology advanced, so did my music collection. CDs brought crystal-clear sound and the joy of browsing through album artwork. MP3 players made music portable, accompanying me on long walks, road trips, and quiet moments of introspection.

And now, with Spotify, I have the world of music at my fingertips. Whether I need a play during traveling, or a playlist to match my mood, Spotify is always there, ready to cater to my musical needs.

Reflecting on this evolution of music in my life, I’m reminded of the power of music to recall emotions, create memories, and accompany us through life’s journey. It’s a tribute to the enduring magic of music and its ability to transcend time and technology.

Today, I want to control my conversation in a slightly different direction, still centered around music. While some songs reach to the top of the charts and others are considered evergreen classics, there exists a special category of songs that leave a lasting impact, either on individuals or society as a whole. These songs have a unique ability to resonate deeply with us, shaping our experiences and perceptions in heartfelt ways.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the influence of such songs firsthand, and I’ve also heard stories from others about how certain songs have touched their lives or made a significant impact on society. These songs often become more than just melodies; they become anthems, rallying cries, or sources of solace during difficult times. They have the power to bring memories, spark conversations, and even inspire change.

In my exploration of these impactful songs, I’ve come to appreciate the diverse ways in which music can shape our world and leave a lasting legacy. From songs that champion social causes to those that capture the essence of human emotions, each holds a unique place in our collective consciousness. So today, let’s dive into the stories behind some songs and know the profound impact they’ve had on my lives and society as a whole, completely based on my personal experience.

Tere Dar Par Sanam Chale Aaye from the movie Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi

If you’ve heard the song, you might remember the line “Isse Pehle Ki Humpe Hasti Raat.” Just like how “just chill chill” from Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya became “just chyaun chyaun,” we heard it as “Isse pehle ki humpe hastira, banke naagin jo humko dastira.”

Now, here’s what happened in my society. In my area, people started changing some words. “Khako” became “Khaidiraa,” “Gako” became “Gaidiraa,” “Haseko” became “Hasdiraa.” “K khaidiraa? K gardiraa? Kina Hasdiraa?” It altered a portion of our daily language for some time. Trust me, it took time for this language shift to fade away.

Sexy Sexy Sexy Mujhe Log Bole from the movie Khuddar

The song stirred up quite a disturbance in society. The word “Sexy” was considered taboo, and the song was labeled as vulgar, marking it as one of the most controversial songs of our time

The impact was significant, leading the makers to change the title of the song to “Baby Baby Baby Mujhe Log Bole” in response to public outcry. The pelvic thrust dance step was regard as too provocative, earning disapproving looks from people.

Made In India The Album with the same name by Alisha Chinai

Alisha Chinai was already a sensation thanks to the “Sexy Sexy Sexy” song, and the following year, she released the album “Made In India,” which became an instant hit.

During those days, music piracy was flourishing, with songs being copied onto blank cassettes. It was similar to creating a playlist on Spotify or a music app today. Here’s how it worked: You’d jot down the songs you liked on a piece of paper, head to the cassette store, and ask them to copy those selected songs onto a blank cassette. You’d typically pay around 3 Rs per song, so if you wanted 10 songs from different movies or albums (spanning both Side A and Side B), you’d pay 30 Rs. However, because “Made In India” was so popular, store owners started charging 5 Rs per song for its copies, making it a costly affair.

Wari Jamuna Pari Jamuna By Khemraj Gurung

That song was undoubtedly the most viral of its time, and if there were a way to measure it, I bet no other songs from Nepal could rival its popularity. It was so common that people would copy it onto a cassette and fill the entire tape with just that one song. Why?

Because you didn’t have to keep rewinding the cassette. Back then, without the luxury of next or previous buttons, we had to manually rewind or fast forward the reels(not insta reels), draining the battery in the process. This song was a most important on buses, where passengers would often request it to be replayed. To save time and energy, bus drivers would copy just that one song onto a cassette, ensuring it played on repeat without needing constant rewinding. And surprisingly, passengers never seemed to tire of hearing it over and over again.

Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera From the movie Anari

The movie enjoyed commercial success, but it was the inclusion of the song that truly drove its journey to the top. I remember coming across an interview (though I can’t confirm its authenticity) where it was mentioned that the song wasn’t originally part of the film. However, a few days into release, the makers had a change of heart and decided to include it into the storyline. From that point onward, the movie gained momentum and eventually became a commercial hit.

Interestingly, “Anari” is not just any movie; it’s a remake, drawing from a storyline that resonated with audiences across borders. Nepal even crafted its own version called “Chor,” based on the same captivating tale. What’s more, it featured a song titled “Phool Jastai Fuleki Yo Pari,” which carry a close resemblance to the beloved “Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera,” both in melody and sentiment. It’s fascinating how music can transcend boundaries, connecting people through shared emotions and experiences.

Think about it: music isn’t just background noise; it’s a companion, a mood booster, and a catalyst for memories. Look at how it changes the game for movies like “Anari” or becomes the heartbeat of communities in Nepal. It’s not just about catchy tunes; it’s about how those tunes shape our lives and conversations. Let me know if you have such stories.

Author

  • kshyattriya

    Rustam Khadka is a seasoned Project Manager in Nepal who finds creativity in chaos and stories in spreadsheets. From project timelines to childhood cinema trips, his blog blends professional insights with personal tales, all wrapped in humour, heart, and a dash of filmi flair. Want more? Meet Rustam

4 thoughts on “The Power of Melody

  1. I truly connect with your taste in music and its bliss to my ear and soul everytime I listen to it. Looking forward for more.

  2. Beautifully written, capturing the era and the vibe . Reading this article really took me back to the days. Amazing stuff brother.

  3. गाना हरु त मेरो पनि मन पर्ने विषय हो।
    धेरै पल्ट मूड अनुसार धेरै किसिम को
    गाना हरु सुनेको छु।

    धेरै गाना हरु को आफ्ना आफ्नै धेरै कथा हरु छन्
    हामी सँगै बस्दा को पनि याद हरु याद आउँछ।
    एउटा गाना डाउनलोड गर्दा २५ की ३० रुपियाँ कति को इन्टरनेट खर्च गरेका थियौं ।
    अनि (हिमेश) लाई कसरी बिर्सिन सक्छौ ।

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