Programmes

Best of Bollywood

Full programme

  • Arr. Moore, Naseeb, Mere Naseeb Mein Tuhe Kai Nahi  (6mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Sholay, Yeh Dosti  (5mins)
  • Arr. Durasamy, Mahal, Aayega Aane Wala  (5mins)
  • Arr. Dunkley, Dil Se, Chaiyya Chaiyya  (4mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Silsila, Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum  (5mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, 1942 A Love Story, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha  (4mins)
  • Arr. Calow, Aandhi, Tere Bina Zindagi  (7mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, DDLJ, Tujhe Dekha Toh  (5mins)
  • Arr. Seal, Dil Dhakadne Do, Gallan gudiya  (3mins)
  • Arr. Seal, Yaarana, Sara Zamana Haseeno Ka  (5mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, DDLJ, Mere Khwabon Mein  (4mins)
  • Arr. Shivakumar, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kal Ho Na Ho  (4mins)
  • Arr. Seal, KKKG, Kabhi Khushi Gham  (3mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Dil Ek Mandir, Yaad Na Jaye  (4mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Mughal-E-Azam, Pyar Kiya Toh Darna  (4mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Aap Aye Bahar Aaye, Mujhe Teri Mohabbat Ka  (7mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Mohabbatein, Humko Humise Chura Lo  (5mins)
  • Arr. Pottier, Hum, Jooma Chumma De De  (8mins)

Performers

  • Headshot: Michael Seal

    Michael Seal

    Conductor

  • Shin DCS

    Vocalist

  • Priti Kaur

    Vocalist

  • Navin Kundra

    Vocalist

  • Rekha Paunrana

    Vocalist

  • Dancers from Sampad Arts

  • Parv Bharat

    Percussion

  • Johnny Kalsi

    Percussion

Introduction

It has been a pleasure for me and my colleagues at the CBSO and Sampad Arts to put together the repertoire for today’s show. I have grown up listening to Bollywood songs and watching Bollywood films, along with over a billion South Asians around the world - the music has become the backdrops and anthems for the lives of millions.

Those memorable melodies remain as fresh today as the day they were first conceived by legendary music directors such as: Naushad, Madan Mohan, S. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, and R. D. Burman. These giants of the industry still influence music directors today and their songs are constantly being revamped and reused in today’s Bollywood films.

Bollywood tracks were originally recorded using up to 100-piece orchestras. They would rehearse for three to four days with the singers and then record the song live in one or two takes. I was lucky to see this for myself in the late 80s when I sat in on a Laxmikant Pyarelal recording session for the film Nagina 2 at the iconic Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. I watched the 10-hour recording session in utter and complete amazement and learned so much about music arrangement and the layering of instruments, watching for myself how the magic was made. I was amazed at how they could generate and record such a massive sound in an 8-track recording studio. We had been trying to produce that sound for years in the UK and despite our technology, we could never come close to what they were doing.

After seeing these maestros at work, it became a dream and passion of mine to one day perform with a symphony orchestra and reproduce those songs live on stage as they were originally recorded. So in 2006, when the opportunity first presented itself, I jumped on board in a flash and lived my dream. I am proud to say that this is my sixth concert with the CBSO and every time I perform with them, I am in seventh heaven: full of excitement and adrenaline flowing like a river that has burst its banks.

Today’s concert aims to recreate the magic of some those mesmerizing dance numbers, iconic love songs and memorable ballads that Bollywood is renowned for. So sit back, relax, enjoy and be prepared to go on a magical, nostalgic journey listening to some of your favourite songs from yesteryear and hopefully reliving some special moments along the way.

Shin DCS
Vocalist