1. Barsaat by Shankar-Jaikishan

Directed by Raj Kapoor, Barsaat is a Bollywood film released in 1949, starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis.
The Music of Barsaat is, as usual for Shankar-Jaikishan, Top-Notch. Barsaat saw the debut of Shailendra as Lyricist and Shankar-Jaikishan as Music Directors. The music of Barsaat became famous upon the release of the film and played no small part in making the film a Blockbuster. it was a complete package with 7 solos sung by Lata Mangeshkar, two Lata Mangeshkar, and Mukesh duet and a solo sung by Mohd. Rafi.
You can purchase this record here



2. Mughal -E- Azam by Naushad

In 1960 K. Asif presented to the world his most ambitious project - Mughal-E-Azam. The rest, as they say, is history. It took a possessed K. Asif a decade and many million rupees to make Mughal-E-Azam.
music composed by Naushad, who was one of India's greatest soundtrack composer and spanned the history of Indian films from the silent era to the modern movies of Dilip Kumar. They say that music is the soul of the film and it is no surprise that K. Asif and Naushad made sure that the songs were unforgettable and luxuriously romantic.
You can purchase this record here



3. Aaradhna by S.D Burman

Starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna, Aradhana is 1969 Indian romantic drama film directed by Shakti Samata, This movie had music by S.D Burman, lyrics by Anand Bakshi and the voices of Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle, all in one Album.
Every one of the songs of the movie is engraved in the hearts of lovers of Hindi music. Songs like "Roop Tera Mastana", "Kora Kaagaz", and "Mere Sapno Ki Rani" are one the most famous Bollywood songs, Even after 40 years since they were released.
You can purchase this record here



4. Aashiqui by Nadeem-Shravan

The Most sold Soundtrack album in Indian film industry, Aashiqui is a 1990 musical romance film directed by Mahesh Bhatt. It sold more than 20 Million units.
This was the maiden venture of the director duo Nadeem-Shravan.
Any Bollywood music lover has probably heard the beautiful, "Bas Ek Sanam" once, and would have definitely hit the repeat button afterward. Aashiqui is one of the best romantic soundtracks that Bollywood has seen in the nineties.
You can purchase this record here



5. Awaara by Shankar-Jai Kishan

Raj Kapoor offered his fans with the movie "Awara" When India was only its fourth year of independence. This was a landmark movie for the way it treated the subject and its storytelling.
The music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jai Kishan, while the songs were written by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. one of the songs, "Awaara Hoon" is an internationally popular song and voted the second greatest Bollywood songs of all time in a 2013 BBC poll.
You can purchase this record here



6. Sangam by Shankar Jaikishan

Sangam Marked the entry of Raj Kapoor's cinema into the color era in 1964. The film's songs are a classic, The popular "Bol Radha Bol", "Budha Mil Gaya", and the gentle romantic "Prem Patra" are evergreen. Sangam brought out differences between Shankar and Jaikishan, Rafi's songs were the creation of Jaikishan-Hasrat team, Whereas Mukesh was conceived the Shankar-Shailendra combination.
You can purchase this record here



7. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayengay by Jatin - Lalit
 
Aditya Chopra's "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayengay" is one of India's favorite films. Released in 1995, the romantic melodrama is still in its original theatrical run.
Anyone who grew up with Bollywood music in the 90's knows that this era is characterized by the evergreen melodies of Jatin and Lalit is one such popular album. This the first film that Jatin-Lalit has done for Yash Raj films, the songs have a creative combination of different type of music. The soundtrack starts with Lata Mangeshkar's "Mere Khaabo Mein" Then 65, Presenting a convincingly spirited rendition of a teenage girl's fantasies. However, Kumar Sanu's duet "Tujhe Dekha" happens to be one of the top songs of the soundtrack.



8. Pakeezah by Naushad

1972 Indian Cult classic film, Pakeezah was written and directed by the perfectionist Kamal Amrohi Starring Meena kumari and Raaj Kumar. It took 13 years to make but every song is worth hitting the rewind button. Every song on this Album starting from "Chalte Chalte" to "Thade Rahiyo" is awesomely rendered by Ghulam Mohammad and Naushad. if you don't have this album - find out what you have been missing!
You can purchase this record here



9. Kabhi Kabhi by Khayyam  

Kabhi Kabhi has all the right things, Starcast Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhee, director Yash Chopra and music by Khayyam. Again a perfectly carved out piece of music by Khayyam is one of the most complete albums of Hindi cinema which won the Filmfare for best music, while lyricist Sudhir Ludhiyanvi won the best lyricist award for "Kabhi Kabhi" the song which also got singer Mukesh award for the best playback singer male.
You can purchase this record here



10. Bombay by A.R. Rahman 

Mani Ratnam's 1995 Blockbuster movie "Bombay" is centered around the events that led to the Bombay riots. Music by A.R. Rahman has been influential both nationally and internationally. THE GUARDIAN included it in the list of 1000 albums to hear before you die in 2007 and in 2009 the song "Kehna He Kya" was included in their 1000 songs everyone must hear list.

 Talented musicians across the border are slowly building a scene, which if nurtured well will outshine ours. After all, the kind of material they are producing by drawing on multiple influences from all over the world is surprisingly indigenous.

Here are 5 relatively less acknowledged Pakistani musicians that we believe are really enjoying the labour intensive job of making good art.

NAWKSH

Nawksh’s music is not just sharp, but also deep, which puts him in a musical realm dominated by Warp Records’ Chris Clark. Currently he is signed to an independent Tokyo label Guruguru Brain.

Danial Hyatt (Nawksh’s real name) debuted with album Mythic Tales of Tomorrow II - a labour of his love for developing video games and making music on the side. And just as a video game is any gamer’s escape, Ceratyl is his. It’s the world where most of Danial’s music comes to life. Give this one a listen to know why Nawksh must make regular appearances in South Asian electronic music festivals.    

Listen to Nawksh on Soundcloud
 

TAIMOOR SALAHUDDIN

You know him by his stage name Mooroo. An established composer, director, actor, vlogger, Taimoor has made quite a name for himself. His collaboration with rapper Faris Shafi, who’s also made it to our list, was one of the most popular South Asian rap videos in 2012.

Mooroo debuted with his album Pehli in 2017. It’s peppered with Sufi mysticism, several instruments, and witty and honest lyrics. However, we would like you to first listen to one of his singles Mariam and then move on to Pehli.

FARIS SHAFI

On the surface, Faris Shafi seems like a mischief-maker. But dive deep into his explicit lyrics and you will find the subdued ethos of his generation. His songs are a reminder that no matter how lucky you are to be born in a well-to-do family in a war ravaged country, you can’t ignore the atrocities inflicted upon your brethren for long.

Faris Shafi, unlike others on this list, doesn’t have an album to his name. However, he has released three singles in the past of which Awaam deserves a listen. Like the other two tracks, this one lands repeated punches on the face of politics in Pakistan. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that he cuts a record someday soon.

SAMEEN QASIM

Whatever be the reason, it’s unjustifiable that very little is spoken about the current crop of Pakistani female musicians in popular media. Take Sameen Qasim as an exemplar from that collective – she first came in the spotlight for her excellent cover of Boom Boom in one of the Nescafe Basement sessions. Few more covers followed, which subsequently led to her first  album with her band, Hawai Jahaz.

Sameen’s collaboration with Gentle Robot, another musician based out of Lahore, resulted in Feel. Few seconds into the song and you will also agree that her voice is worthy of attention.   

Listen to Sameen on Soundcloud

THE TAMAASHBEENS

We saved the best for last. The Tamaashbeens are a quartet from Lahore that chooses to sing in Urdu. Perhaps that makes them the real torchbearers of the indie scene in Pakistan.

The Tamaashbeens sound tells of the quartet’s innocence in making honest, hummable music. Think mellow strings coupled with vocals that are unmistakably unpretentious. Tordh Phordh from the Patari compilation album, Patari Aslis Vol.1, is a lovable track that you wish was played on our local radio stations.

Listen to The Tamaashbeens on Soundcloud

For an extensive catalogue of similar music spanning genres, log on to Patari – Pakistan’s largest Pakistani music streaming platform.

Soundtracks more often than not are our gateway to a realm of unheard tracks and undiscovered artists. But mind well, directors have a tough time putting them together. Think copyrights and frustrating nights of convincing musicians to feature their eponymous works.

We have put together a list of OSTs that we think do a darn good job of taking the story of the movie/show they were made for, forward. Let the drum roll begin.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY AWESOME MIX VOL.1 & 2

Music plays a vital role in the GoTG franchise. The 70’s songs in the first movie are part of a compilation tape, Awesome Mix Vol. 1, which Quill gets from his deceased mother. Awesome Mix Vol. 2 is a natural follow-up to Vol. 1 (you must watch GoTG 1 till the end to know why).

So put on your space gear, because these two mixes will thrust you into outer space – Redbone’s Come and Get Your Love, David Bowie’s Moonage Daydream, Jackson 5’s I Want You Back, ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky, Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, Silver’s Wham Bam Shang-A Lang and more.

JAWS

It was this collaboration between John Williams and Steven Spielberg that earned the composer his first Oscar. He did a marvelous job of manipulating the viewer’s emotions with his mix of idyllic, and menacing tunes that are replete with brass-heavy concertos.

The ominous title theme that plays before every impending shark attack in the movie is now a sonic archetype for unimaginable horrors depicted in popular culture. There’s no chance that you haven’t heard it.

DRIVE

There isn’t much driving in Drive. Rather, it’s a movie about the choices that drive people. No wonder its music also qualifies as a befitting soundtrack for our ever-changing lives.

The majority of the electronic-pop soundtrack was composed by Cliff Martinez, whose work on Sex, Lies, and Videotape prompted Nicolas Refn to appoint him as the chief composer. However, Desire’s Under Your Spell and Kavinsky’s Nightcall are earworms that stand out.

BABY DRIVER

6-time Grammy winning producer Danger Mouse’s medley of 29 tracks is the perfect companion to Edgar Wright’s newest genre-defining film. In fact, the album is an instant aural fix for speed junkies.

The 30^th track on the OST – Chase Me – is DM’s collaboration with Run The Jewel and Big Boi and absolutely loop-worthy. The rest are equally deserving of your attention – Queen’s Brighton Rock, Blur’s Intermission, Focus’ Hocus Pocus, Kid Koala’s Was He Slow?, David McCallum’s The Edge (a revelation) amongst others.

DIRTY DANCING

A soundtrack such as this is a rarity. It was a musical companion to a movie almost no one believed in, but became a multi-platinum #1 selling album of 1987. What’s more? It has sold 32 million copies worldwide to date.

A potpourri of 60’s oldies, Latin instrumentals and new material by veteran acts who hadn’t had hits in years, the soundtrack includes the iconic  (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, Patrick Swayze’s She’s Like The Wind, Bruce Channel’s Hey Baby and more.

KILL BILL VOL. 1

Every other Quentin Tarantino movie is replete with curse words, mayhem, torture, and killing.  But when you take all of that and multiple by 10, you get Kill Bill Vol.1. It’s a feat for any average viewer to sit through Tarantino’s iconic reel of exaggerated violence, only made possible by an equally amplified soundtrack.

Wu Tang Clan’s RZA organised, produced and orchestrated most of the soundtrack. Al Hirt’s Green Hornet, 5.6.7.8’s Woo Hoo, Nancy Sinatra’s Bang Bang, Isaac Hayes’ Run Fay Run, Quincy Jones’ Ironside are some of the gems thrown into this loot of a soundtrack.

RESERVOIR DOGS

Quentin Tarantino has good taste in music. It’s little wonder that the soundtrack to his rousing crime film, now a classic, made it to our list.

Only five songs feature in the soundtrack – George Baker’s Little Green Bag, Blue Swede’s Hooked On A Feeling, Joe Tex’s I Gotcha, Steelers Wheel’s Stuck In The Middle With You, and Harry Nilsson’s Coconut. The rest of the material includes Tarantino’s signature dialogues.

RUSHMORE

Way before The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited and everything else came Rushmore – Wes Anderson’s story about an overenthusiastic student who’s put on academic probation.

Wes originally intended for the soundtrack to be almost entirely composed of songs by The Kinks. However, by the end of filming, only one Kinks song made it to the album. But that’s no reason for dismay. John Lennon’s Oh Yoko!, Faces’ Ooh La La, The Who’s A Quick One, While He’s Away, Until 4 + 2’s Concrete and Clay are some of the tracks that made it to the album.

STRANGER THINGS

Stranger Things is replete with influences from the 80’s. So it’s no surprise that the soundtrack to one of Netflix’s immensely popular shows takes its viewers on a roller-coaster ride through the 80’s soundscape.

An analog soiree or an hour of moving, transcending and invigorating music, Stranger Things Vol.1 is a must have soundtrack. It includes Joy Division’s Atmosphere, Jefferson Airplane’s She Has Funny Cars, Modern English’s I Melt With You, Toto’s Africa. However, we’ll leave you with Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein’s title theme.

What electronica is to Indian music listeners today, rock was to their predecessors yesterday. Starting 90’s, India witnessed the emergence of several indie bands that showed lots of promise. 

We have listed some of their tracks to leave you with this thought - what if they all came back to the ‘scene’ from wherever they are right now?

PENTAGRAM - DRIVE

A list like this is incomplete without Pentagram. After all, who wouldn’t
acknowledge their contribution in shaping India’s independent music movement.
Since its inception in 1994, the band has played several prominent venues in
India and around the world including the 2005 Glastonbury Festival.

Drive from the album Up is reminiscent of The Prodigy sound from the
90’s. Feel free to exercise your right to break stuff while it’s blaring on your
speakers. 

ZERO – PSP12

Zero is a band with a fan following few others in the scene today can rival.  Any current rock band worth its salt will vouch for that.

Legend has it that PSP 12 from Hook was laid down in 3 minutes. While waiting for Warren and Garreth D’Mello (of Split, Dischoridan) to show up for practice, Bobby started slapping his guitar on top of which Sidd wrote the song. That’s how the ‘Teri Maa’ song was born.

BLACKSTRATBLUES – ANUVA’S SKY

A big shout to Warren Mendonsa for making it again on our list. A solo-project of the ex-Zero guitarist, Blackstratblues is Warren’s attempt at presenting himself as the instrument’s true devotee.

Anuva’s Sky from the album, Nights In Shining Karma, was home-recorded. It is rich with lush layers of guitars, and devoid of unnecessary shredding. A blessing for the musician and the listener.

SUPERFUZZ – 4 TIMES AND ONCE AFTER

Superfuzz, the Delhi based rock-n-roll outfit with a garage-punk soul is now Indigo Children. While they are yet to revive their original mojo from the days of Superfuzziness, the country still remembers them for their sound from early 2000’s.

4 Times And Once After is a 2-minute punk soiree set against the backdrop of sounds similar to Artic Monkeys’. Having said that, it’s replete with 95% original lyrical wit.

SCRIBE – ANALYSE THIS

Scribe still holds the title of the most technically proficient hardcore/experimental/post-hardcore/metal outfit in the country. It’s little surprise that their Confect earned fifth spot on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of Top Ten Indian Albums in 2008.

Analyze This from the album starts with a homage to The Matrix and ends with a reminder that we are only onlookers until we act. And Akshay’s underlying textures tell you instantly what makes this track killer. 

THE SUPERSONICS – YEAH WHATEVER

The Supersonics are from Kolkata and they like to get tighter with every tour. That pretty much sums up why they have a loyal and steadily increasing fan base. 

Yeah Whatever from Maby Baking is the stuff that gets a band its place in the line-ups of UK’s Great Escape Music Festival, NH7 Weekenders, Puma Loves Vinyl, the Roadkill Tour, the Indiecision Tour and the debut run of the Red Bull Tour Bus. Do us a favour, listen to the track.

JUNKYARD GROOVE – IT’S OK

Part alternative, part funk, part rock – that pretty much sums up Junkyard Groove’s repertoire of sounds. They have opened for Iron Maiden, Incubus, Prodigy and Robert Plant in the past.

It’s OK from their first album 11:11 was popular on most English radio stations in 2009. Give it a listen to know why.

SHAA’IR + FUNC – TOGETHER AGAIN

Before Monica Dogra made her acting debut in Aamir Khan’s Dhobi Ghat, she had already established herself as Randolph Correia’s able collaborator. The Shaa’ir and Func sound stands out, giving a sense of what makes this duo a favourite at gigs.

Their Together Again is an example of how synths can be used to create a unique Indian club anthem. If you haven’t heard it yet, thank god for YouTube, you still can.

SPLIT – HOLY GHOST MACHINE GUN

Split keeps losing band members but never cries over spilt milk. It’s always a quintet of blokes that knows how to infuse conflict and resolution with its music.

Holy Ghost Machine Gun from the album P Is For Pig is a post-grunge phenomenon that questions the use of violence in the name of religion or god. A cliché topic, only dealt differently.

THEM CLONES – MY LIFE

Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes confessional, Them Clones never fails you with its grooves and melodies. It’s remarkable how they transformed from a band that was too noisy for its neighbourhood to being hosts of their own festival ‘Clonefest’ in New Delhi.

 The band’s My Life is a head-bang-worthy anthem and an experience in itself. It still continues to win over new listeners.

HELGA’S FUN CASTLE – SMOKE SOME GANJA

Helga’s Fun Castle broke into the scene as a jam band that took their set very seriously by not rehearsing at all before gigs. This collective of gentlemen with previous experience in rocking the country sometimes even made up songs right on the stage. 

Their Smoke Some Ganja can mislead the uninitiated into believing that it samples vocals of Bob Marley. Well, trust your ears a little to tell you that it’s Sidd Coutto’s.