Wednesday, December 5, 2007

NALIN SHAH - SPREADING THE SAIGAL MAGIC







Nalin Shah – Spreading The Saigal Magic

- Rajesh Subramanian

Celebrated writer cum vintage music connosieur and historian Nalin Shah is spreading the mellifluous magic of K L Saigal amongst vintage music lovers.

The aura of Kundan Lal Saigal is perennial ”, says renowned writer Nalin Shah with a flourish. The immensely gifted singer whose resonant and evocative voice that bewitched generations of music lovers continue to cast its spell on the listener’s six decades after his demise. And one man who has devoted his entire life researching and unearthing fascinating facts about the genius vocalist is Mumbai’s Santacruz resident Nalin Shah. The renowned film music historian and vintage film expert has taken upon himself to spread the magic of K L Saigal. He elucidates the magic of K L Saigal, regarded as the king of playback singers, live on stage with an audio-visual presentation. Nalin Shah, who recently presented a string of programmes titled ‘ K L Saigal – The Immortal’ reveals that the impact is so strong that even youngsters are taking special interest in the songs rendered by Saigal. “ Through these shows I attempt to resurrect the spirited life and soulful lilts of the legendary singer. In the process I get to share a lot of rare facts and interesting anecdotes with the audience “, explains Nalin Shah, regarded as an expert on K L Saigal. “ He is extremely passionate about the subject and has dedicated his entire life studying the illustrious and intriguing life of K L Saigal. His presentation is an enlightening experience for music lovers “, opines Bala Subramanian, of Barclays Bank. Endowed with a sonorous and eloquent voice Saigal entranced music lovers with his inimitable style of singing in the 30’s and 40’s and attained a cult status after singing in films like Street Singer, Bhakt Surdas, Zindagi, Chandidas, Tansen, Devdas, President, Dhusman, Meri Bahen and Shahjehan. “Saigal was a simple man with average features. But the dark eroticism of his brooding looks and his resonant voice were his greatest hallmark. It was Nitin Bose’s Chandidas released in 1934 ( with music by R C Boral ) that set him on the road to superstardom. Thereafter there was no stopping him till his demise”, informs eighty five year old C M Chokshi, an ardent Saigal fan. While Nalin Shah, who is currently working on K L Saigal’s biography, elaborates that Saigal has been the most emulated but never equaled crooner who has been a great source of inspiration for all the other eminent singers who graced hindi films from Lata Mangeshkar to Kishore Kumar. “ He was a true phenomenon whose work has left an indelible mark in the minds of listeners and in the process he became an institution in himself. For music lovers like me, who are in constant search of gathering more and more information about Saigal, the experience is like a pilgrimage. And I relish every moment “, informs Nalin Shah.

Nalin Shah can be contacted on : 9820074811.

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