Wolverhampton theatre celebrates memory cafe opening
It provides a range of entertainment between the two cafes including playing the best of soul, reggae and Bollywood music.
Memory cafes will be held at The Institute once a month throughout the summer with performances from Darcie Edwards and Miss Beth Belle. Places can be booked by contacting Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
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Time Out
5 hours ago
- Time Out
The 11 best Bollywood songs
1. 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' Film: ' Dil Se.. ' (1998) A mesmerising, passionate Urdu love song performed on the roof of a train as it trundles through a jaw-dropping mountain forest backdrop. Item dancer Malaika Arora rivals Shakira in the hip-swivelling stakes and Shah Rukh Khan dances (and head bangs) effortlessly as he always does, in this composition by AR Rahman, sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi. This is one song that wasn't an excuse for a toilet break. 2. 'Naacho Naacho' ('Naatu Naatu') Film: RRR (2022) The Telugu composer of this banger, M M Keeravani, is a legend in pan-Indian cinema and created this song originally in Telugu and dubbed into various languages. Rhythm is at the centre, with Indian skin drums adding texture. The Telugu version went on to win the Best song Oscar and a Golden Globe, while the Hindi version, which you can watch below, is even more popular. The video, which was shot at Ukraine's Mariinsky Palace to mirror India under the British Raj, has the film's leads, NT Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan, showing off their moves in a dance battle against the British rulers. 3. 'Surmayee Ankhiyon Mein' Film: Sadma (1983) The scoring career of Tamil stalwart Ilayaraja spans more than 1000 pan-Indian film soundtracks in various languages, and this is one of his most haunting compositions. In a poignant story that features one of India's most beloved on-screen pairings, Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, this delicate and melodic lullaby is soothingly sung by playback legend KJ Yesudas. 4. 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' Film: 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001) Despite opening to mixed reviews at the time, 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' went on to become one of the highest grossing Bollywood films internationally. The title track is an example of how a song can weave its way through a film, Lata Mangeshkar's distinctive and emotive voice whisks you away on a journey into the complex world of the family. Through her vocals she imitates the film's title (which translates to 'in times of happiness, in times of sadness'), hurt and celebration coalescing in one stunning performance. 5. 'Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jana Sanam' Film: ' Dilwalhe Dulhania Le Jayenge ' (1995) The song from the most romantic film in a generation 'TDTYJS' nods to Bollywood's wholesome days of yore with playback singers Kumar Sanu and Lata Mangeshkar as star-crossed lovers Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) are reunited in Punjab's glorious fields. They declare they'll die in each other's arms amid costume changes, location switches (to the Alps), and dream-sequence montages. The combo of glorious melodies, soaring strings and the innocent purity of Lata's voice has been a Bollywood staple for decades. After all, if it ain't broke… 6. 'Badtameez Dil' Film: ' Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani ' (2013) A song dedicated to mischief and being a player, with superstar-in-waiting Ranbir Kapoor – featured in our list of the ten best Bollywood actors – popping, locking and hip-thrusting through a salsa and reggaeton-flavoured party track. It sports a catchy chorus, as well as a jaunty sing-along melody and the immortal lyrics, 'Bollywood, Bollywood, very, very jolly good'. This is huge, as 50 Cent might say, 'in da club'. 7. 'Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein' Film: ' Kabhie Kabhie ' (1976) Songs are often key to the plot of Bollywood movies and repeated throughout the film, as is the case with this achingly beautiful song from the spectacularly successful 'Kabhie Kabhie'. Poet Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) falls in love with student Pooja (Rakhee Gulzar), and the smooth operator recites a poem to her: the lyrics to this song, sung by all-time great playback duo Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. 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'Aap Jaisa Koi' Flm: 'Qurbani' (1980) Considering mainstream 1970s disco has a certain OTT, kitsch appeal, Bollywood disco seems a match made in mirror-ball heaven – and here's the evidence. 'Aap Jaiso Koi' has roots in Britain with Bangalore-born, London-based producer Biddu (Kung Fu Fighting) behind the languid groove and glossy disco vibe of this Bollywood disco classic. Remarkably, its ethereal, fuzzy voice belonged to 15-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl Nazia Hassan, living in London, who went on to record a hugely successful album 'Disco Deewane' (produced by Biddu) with her brother, Zoheb. Tragically, Nazia passed away in 2000 aged 35. 10. 'Dum Maro Dum' Film: 'Hare Raama Hare Krishna' (1971) What do you do when you're Ashaji and your older sister is Lata Mangeshkar, the most in-demand, perfect playback singer in Bollywood? You develop a persona opposite to Lata's goody-two-shoes image, singing for racy, carefree and sensuous actresses (in this instance, 1970s vamp Zeenat Aman). 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The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Shah Rukh Khan wins India's top state award for cinema after 33 years
Shah Rukh Khan has won the National Film Award for best actor, marking the first time the Bollywood star has received the honour in a career spanning over three decades. The actor received the award on Friday for his performance in the 2023 Hindi action drama Jawan. He plays a dual role as Captain Vikram Rathore, an army commando, and his son Azad, a jailer who recruits women prisoners for a vigilante team unmasking corruption in India. The film was directed by Tamil director Atlee in his Hindi debut and also featured Deepika Padukone in a special appearance. Khan shared the honour, India's top state award for cinema, with Vikrant Massey, who received it for 12th Fail, a Hindi biographical drama following police officer Manoj Kumar's journey. Rani Mukherjee, one of Khan's frequent collaborators, also won her first National Film Award for her role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. She plays Debika, an Indian immigrant fighting against the Norwegian foster care system to win back custody of her children. The jury described Khan's turn in Jawan as a 'powerhouse performance'. 'Awarded to the actor for delivering a powerhouse performance, balancing raw intensity and acting depth and bringing to life a hero who fights not just enemies, but society, creating two unforgettable cinema personas.' The jury was chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker, a coincidence many considered poetic since he had directed Khan in 2004's Swades, a role widely viewed as deserving of recognition at the time. The National Film Award for Khan comes after decades of commercial and critical success for the actor. Khan started out in the 1988 television series Fauji and made his feature film debut in Deewana in 1992. He had previously received 14 Filmfare awards, the Indian civilian award Padma Shri in 2005, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Legion of Honour from France, along with several other international and national awards. Khan released a video message thanking the jury for the latest award, his family, the directors he worked with, his team, and his fans. 'A National Award is not just about achievement,' he said. 'It's a reminder that what I do, matters. It tells me to keep going, keep working hard, keep creating and keep serving cinema.' Khan's win was celebrated not just by his fans but many in the Indian film industry, including frequent co-star Juhi Chawla, who shared a throwback picture of themselves on social media to congratulate him. Fans on social media were also happy that Khan had finally won the award, with many suggesting SRK 'deserved it long ago', especially for performances in Swades, Chak De! India (2007), and My Name Is Khan (2010), which some critics too believe merited consideration in their respective years.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Himesh Reshammiya: Indian singer loved for his nasal twang makes a comeback
At the beginning of his first show in years, Indian musician Himesh Reshammiya - known for his distinct nasal voice - poses a question: "Should I sing from my mouth or through my nose?""Through the nose!" the crowd responds, their euphoric chants drowning in a blast of orchestral music.A splash of synth and drums follows, as red lights strobe over the fans gathered at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Arena stadium. And then comes the unmistakable crooning: "Aashiq banaya aap ne (You have turned me into a lover)," Reshammiya whispers, his signature twang ringing from every corner. The crowd erupts into screams the end of the night, legions of fans hailed it as the best concert of their one of Bollywood's leading composers and singers, has long been a polarising figure in Indian pop culture - mocked for his nasal vocals yet loved for that very uniqueness. Even at the peak of his career, when his songs blared from every city, street and gathering of the country, his singing would get associated with poor taste and "cringe" sensibilities. But it's this contradiction - along with his ever-evolving persona, unabashed personality, and unapologetic approach to music - that has cemented his cult status. A few years ago, he was written off after shifting focus from music to acting - but those career obituaries proved he is back, singing the same songs in the same style - and yet managing to attract tens of thousands of fans, both old and new. In Delhi, during two back-to-back shows, his nasal voice stayed sharp, hitting every note flawlessly without missing a beat. Everything was intended to evoke nostalgia - the set list was drawn from the late 2000s, during which he released some of his most memorable songs. Fans received replicas of his iconic red cap - glittering with HR initials - worn by Reshammiya along with his signature black leather robes that inspired a fashion him, the production took care of everything else: the energetic dance troupes, sophisticated light and sound backdrops and a full-fledged backing orchestra. "Are you ready to turn this stadium into a nightclub?" he seemed to be on a whole other level of euphoria, jumping out of their seats and breaking into little dances. Some came dressed like him - black cap, black jacket and a cropped beard - and carried banners: "Love you, Lord Himesh"."This feels like time travel - these songs were the sound of my teenage life," a woman screamed in between the sonic booms of the bass. With each song, even Himesh seemed more unrestrained. At one point he indulged the audience a little: "They want me to end the show at 10. But don't you want me to sing for you the entire night?"The impact was disarming. With the success of his concert, Reshammiya had once again taken the tag of "cringe" and managed to make it subersively cool. He became not just a man, "but a lowercase god of post-ironic worship: Lord Himesh. In fact, the whole idea of calling someone 'Lord' is just ironic surrender," writes journalist Anurag Minus how did he do it? Born in Mumbai into a musical family - his father was a well-known composer and producer - Reshammiya started his career as a TV producer at the age of his free time, he would compose his own songs. "I would keep a repository of tunes ready with me, waiting for the right moment to unleash them on the world," he said in an interview earlier this moment arrived in 1998, when he made the music for Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, starring Bollywood star Salman Khan. The film was a roaring success and earned Reshammiya mainstream his stature as a composer grew, Reshammaiya famously featured as one of the judges in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, a hugely popular reality TV singing show. It was here that he coined the famous line, "Jai Mata Di Let's Rock" - an eclectic war cry that mashed devotion (by invoking a revered Hindu goddess) with rockstar energy, and has become emotional memorabilia for his seemed to be going a certain direction until 2005, when Reshammiya completely flipped the script with the film Ashiq Banaya Aapne.. Enter: the nasal era. Largely a composer until then, Reshammiya sang several songs on the album in a style that was unheard of in Bollywood, although he claimed he sounded nasal because he has a high-pitched voice. Whatever it was, the twangy sound flew with the masses. "Often the songs were lousily produced but the words were so emotional and the melodies so catchy that no one cared," says Uzair Iqbal, a Bengaluru-based even looked younger, swapping his clean-shaven exuberance for a moodier vibe, crooning ballads beneath a cap and shades that hid his face. Jokes followed him, along with scathing critics who dismissed him as a fleeting trend and his music as corny and with every hit - he had at least 30 in one year - he got closer to challenging these notions. His iconic partnership with actor Emran Hashmi, earned him the moniker "hit machine". In 2006, he became the first Indian to perform at London's Wembley Stadium."Seeing this man own his corniness, his 'nasal' critique felt freeing in a time where perfection is curated to obnoxious levels," says Mabel Ghosh, a Delhi-based at the peak of his stardom, Reshammiya opted for another grandiose reinvention - and turned to his own admission, it was a bold move, one that turned him into one of the most famously memed figure in India. His stoic stares on screen lent themselves to so many jokes that newspapers wrote articles about it. But he flipped that around too. Between extreme fandom and pouring scorn, Reshammiya took the best from both and turned it into something unique and inordinately when people made fun of him, he joined in. The most endearing moment happened during the pandemic when videos of him working out - poker-faced and staring right into your soul - sparked waves of jokes online. Instead of getting discouraged, he began to post more."People wondered what the hell was I doing? I was just vibing with my fans. Enjoy life man, don't take it so seriously," he famously films, most of them self-produced, have enjoyed limited success but he stays on course. "With the right film, I can do wonders. I know people would mock me for saying this, but I know what I am doing."It was this same unapologetic attitude that made his show a roaring success the ridicule, Reshammiya is not interested in chipping away bits of his personality - instead he embraces his quirks, turning them into a commercially successful signature."Reshammiya is one for the masses, one of the great cultural equalisers in India," Mr Ghosh says. "He's been proudly owning his style for years - now his fans are too, even the reluctant and ironic ones."Back at the concert, two friends were having a conversation. "Why do you think I like his songs this much? Is it nostalgia?" one of them asks."Bro, his songs still slap," the other responds. "What else do you need?"
