Monalisa Patsani
Bhubaneswar, July 31: Monsoon has been a perennial source of inspiration for writers, thinkers, poets, musicians and artists. As the fresh drops kiss our eyelashes causing a sudden quivering sensation much like the ripples we see on water, an aura of romance develops. Every heart grows the desire to sing and dance in the open with loved ones for company and to listen to beautiful melodies over a cup of tea.
Noted Oriya singer Prafulla Kar who has to his credit many superhit Oriya songs have also sung beautiful monsoon songs like Megha barsila tupur tupur and Nei ja re megha mate. The rainy season, he says, has always inspired him. “During my younger days I used to love the rain and was like an inspiration to me. When I used to stay in Puri, every season it seemed was invested with spiritual meaning. The cool breeze near the sea beach as it rained used to be a great source of inspiration. Sitting there with friends chit-chatting, I have come up with many beautiful tunes and songs,” says the Padma Shri.
“There was a time when dark clouds made me feel as if I belonged to a different world. Clouds and rain used to transform me into a mystical land. Those were days when the smell of the soil after the first shower used to be intoxicating. But now, in Bhubaneswar, I hardly enjoy monsoon, nor does it inspire me anymore. In cities, people hardly get an opportunity to understand the essence of the season.” he adds with a strong strain of nostalgia in his voice.
“But I still enjoy listening to some of my old songs like Megha barsila tupur tupur. The heart is still young and it still wants to enjoy the season with friends and to create beautiful melodies,” he says.
Eminent lyricist Srikant Gautam, too, believes monsoon has played an important role in inspiring poets and musicians. “Rain is a romantic affair and has always inspired poets to write beautiful things. But in the film industry rain only means to sizzling and sensuous tracks. Who can forget the great hit Pyaar hua ikrar hua with Raj Kapoor and Nargis in that immortal umbrella scene? Those were days when the lyrics of a song used to touch the heart of listeners; nowadays, songs based on monsoon or a rainy scene are merely filled with sensuous stuff to appease lewd tastes. Sadly, they don’t have that depth,” he says.
“Like many writers I have also been inspired by monsoon more than any other season. Right now Meetha Meetha my new film is on the floors and I have decided to start my next movie whose title will be Megha barsila tupur tupur. There will be a romantic song with the same title and I have planned to write one or two some romantic rain songs for the movie,” he adds.
Rain means many things to many people and the general lot of mankind prefers staying at home and listen to good music, read good books and engage in intense ‘khatti’ over coffee and snacks. “Monsoon is my favourite season. I love to listen to classic songs, and to read good books in a warm corner of my room while it’s pouring outside. Two of my favourite monsoon songs are Barso re megha megha and Rim jhim gire sawan – one is a peppy song, the other an out-and-out romantic number,” says Sagarika Das, postgraduate student at Utkal University.
