The Hyderabad Playlist – A song story

So to channel my nostalgic moods I thought to start a series in my blog- The Hyderabad Playlist. I chose the word ‘playlist’ instead of ‘diaries’ because scenes from this city and dialogues from people I met there are still playing in my mind in loop.


It is human nature to dwell in the past, worry about the future and forget all about the present. I still miss the days spent in Hyderabad. I miss the study schedules, eating out, street shopping, and the city tours. I miss the roads, the townships and the metros. But I clearly remember that I just wanted the days to pass quickly so that I could return home, while I was there. And today I miss the view from the terrace of the ladies hostel we stayed in, the floral decorations with chalk, colors and flowers, the flower market, the abundance of curd during lunch hours, the constant ‘amma’ recitals by our wardens and so much more.


One of the highlights of the hostel life in Hyderabad at Sri Kamali was queuing up for tea, puri and dosa during breakfast time, and then hurrying to secure a chair the very next moment. And conversations and complaints flowed unhindered during these hours in many languages at once- the most prominent ones being Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and English. Quite a scintillating combination! So to channel my nostalgic moods I thought to start a series in my blog- The Hyderabad Playlist. I chose the word ‘playlist’ instead of ‘diaries’ because scenes from this city and dialogues from people I met there are still playing in my mind in loop.

One evening at Lumbini Park, Hyderabad

Song stories are many. The ‘trending’ tab in the Youtube app showed us the regional hits and we lapped it up with so much pleasure, food and song being our only way to de-stress ourselves. First of the many memorable ones was ‘Vachinde Vachinde’ – the peppy party number which has beautiful actress Sai Pallavi of Premam fame dance like a desi goddess. We couldn’t understand the language, lyrics were like tongue twisters, and yet we crooned it day in and day out, and tried to shake a leg to the tunes when no one was there in the room. Such was the craze! Our roommate’s Whatsapp status was this song, every Telugu music channel showed this and even caller tunes had this.


The movie was ‘Fidaa’ and slowly we came to love all its songs, especially ‘Oosupodu Urukodu’. ‘Choosa Choosa’ from the movie Dhruva, 'Malare' from Premam, 'Vaan Varuvan' from Kaatru Veliyidai, ‘ChoosiChudangane’ song from ‘Chalo’, and many more. There’s something special about these tunes- that language doesn’t become a barrier. I don't understand a single word in these songs!!


Kannada song ‘Neene Neena’ played in my veins. The dance number gave me goosebumps. It was like flying in the open sky. Eclectic beats.


From Gaana on loop were ‘Gurnazar Medley’ - I don't really listen to Punjabi songs, but just couldn't stop listening to this one. I remember playing it all the time, for days, on loop. Sanam Puri’s renditions of old evergreen songs were our weekend favorites. ‘Bewajah’ and ‘Tera Chehra’ from the underrated movie ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’, ‘Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar’ by Akriti Kakkar and ‘Faded’ Instrumental Version by Alan Walker are some more.


We celebrated Diwali in the hostel singing, dancing, playing musical chair and Tambola. We lit a few lamps, played the fireworks, and clicked lots of pics. We sang many folk songs and melodies. The traditional Malayalam marriage song was sung too. It was so rhythmic and soothing. I tried finding it over the internet but failed since I don't even know the title of the song. Diwali was really one of the most memorable days at Hyderabad. It helped us introduce ourselves to our hostel mates, connect and engage with them through the fun and frolic. Worked as an ice breaker.

The view of the horizon at Lumbini Park

I connect songs to memories and places. So whenever I listen to these songs again at present, I am reminded of those days of last year. Like when I hear songs from 'Dil Dhadakne Do' or 'Hamari Adhuri Kahani' or 'ABCD-2' I am reminded of the Mysore days, every single time.


Have any song story to share? Do you remember people or places when you listen to particular songs? What are your favorites among them? I'd like to know.


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Comments

  1. Such lovely memories to cherish!

    Oh and I loved the Vachinde song, and used to play it on loop, even though I did not understand a single word. :P

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    Replies
    1. :D It has become the most peppy number of the year I guess!!

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  2. Just loved the nostalgic mood in this post and the galore of songs you shared, Pratikshya. I am a Keralite and I'm wondering what is that traditional malayalam marriage song. :) Is it "Seetha kalyana"? That's all I can remember anything close to marriage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vinitha, I have a clip of the song. Can you identify it? Here

      Delete
  3. I too associate memories and songs. And your hostel tales reminded me of my own brief stay in a hostel as a student. Indeed while you are there you are longing to get out but once out, you miss them for for sure!

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  4. Aww... reminds me of my hostel days! :) Instead of Kannada it was all Tamil songs in my playlist.

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  5. Songs, memories and places, they all link up emotions so beautifully. And you would always remember your hostel days, wherever and whenever you listen to any one of the songs.

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  6. So come visit Hyderabad and me, soon! ♥

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    Replies
    1. :D :) Thank you so much Corinne.... I would sure do, whenever I visit next. <3

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  7. Wow! Such a lovely trip down memory lane, Pratikshya. Loved your Hyderabad memories. I could almost imagine you as I read the lovely post. Such nostalgia only songs can bring, no? I have many favourite songs that trigger all sorts of memories from childhood and hostel days in Kolkata.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) We miss the places we have lived in. Songs carry so many memories indeed....

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  8. Loved reading and reliving those golden days from my stay in Hyderabad. Especially recall Naturals ice cream parlour , cyber towers days, Chutneys, sharing autos and the extreme hot.

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    1. Oh yes! We would flock to the ice cream parlor in the winter evenings! Chutneys!! - We celebrated the new year with Onion Dosa there. :D :D

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  9. Such a sweet post Pratikshya! Memory lane and music, how nice :-)

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  10. A friend from Kerala told me about this song Seetha Kalyana. I couldn't understand a word of it but the music caught up with me.
    Isn't it a coincidence that both of us wrote our this week's posts on the same theme? I loved the idea of playlist instead of diaries. I have many such songs from the past years which take me down the memory lane and it feels so good.

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    Replies
    1. :D Ya, I have come to like that song too. Listened to it again on Vinitha's suggestions.

      I loved reading your nostalgic post on things you miss about India. Nostalgia is a recurring theme in our lives I guess. :)

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  11. I hope you got my comment which I posted before this.

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  12. The mention of Sanam puri brought a smile on my lips. His voice is so beautiful... Swooon. Loved going through your Hyderabad playlist. Such a nostalgic post. Reminds me of my college days... That was the time of Tanha Dil Tanha Safar 😀

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    Replies
    1. Tanha Dil Tanha Safar- that is a beautiful song. Speaks of a generation :) :) My school days were 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' and college was 'Tu Jaane Na' by Atif Aslam... :D

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  13. Reading your post is indeed nostalgic. It reminded me of my college days in Tamil Nadu. Regarding songs, when Raaz released, I was learning driving. There's a violin piece in the song 'Aapke Pyar Mein' and it was a coincidence that at every turn that piece played. It cemented there. Whenever I listen to this song, at those pieces, I relived the driving experience of turning the wheel. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a beautiful memory you have shared here. :)

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Queeristan by Parmesh Sahani

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  Queeristan (Amazon Link) Thanks to Audible Free Trial I listened to this amazing non-fiction on LGBTQ inclusion in Indian workplaces. Author Parmesh Sahani identifies as gay Indian, working closely with Godrej higher management and employees for years to create an inclusive workplace, both legally and in spirit. This book is a result of those years of experience, research, collaboration with individuals from difference spectrum of the society and organizations who has successfully transitioned into a queer friendly one.   Indian history is inclusive. From the Khajuraho temple architectures, to Konark to the Rig Veda, there is existing proofs even 2000 years ago of Indian inclusiveness of queer. It’s the draconian British law that criminalised it, which was scraped in 2009, came into effect once again following a sad judgement in 2013 and eventually was scraped off for good in 2018. I am in awe of the lawyers who fought this legal battle- colleagues and partners – Arundhati Katju

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