An era in Indian classical music came to a close today as veteran Hindustani vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi passed away in Pune earlier today. A Bharat Ratna awardee belonging the Kirana gharana of classical music, Bhimsen Joshi is perhaps best remembered by Indian populace for his opening of the iconic national integration song Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. Apart from the numerous classical compositions that he has immortalized with his inimitable rendition style, Bhimsen Joshi also did playback for a few movies including the classic duel with Manna Dey from Basant Bahaar, Ketki Gulaab Juhi. We leave you with a video of that, and a few other memorable renditions of his. RIP Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, you shall be sorely missed.

Ronnie James Dio, one of the most popular singers of heavy metal music, passed away on the 16^th of May after struggling a long battle against stomach cancer. He had performed with “Elf “, “Rainbow”, “Black Sabbath”, “Heaven & Hell”, and his own band “Dio”. He is hailed by his fans as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistent powerful voice and for his “devil’s horns” hand gesture in metal culture. He took over as the lead singer of Black Sabbath in 1979 after Ozzy Osbourne left the group.

He was born as Ronald James Padavona to Italian Parents. He made his first mark in the field of music as the frontman  in the band “Rainbow”, who released their first album in 1975. After he broke away from “Rainbow”, he was asked to replace the mighty Ozzy Osbourne in “Black Sabbath”. He recorded two highly popular and acclaimed studio albums with “Black Sabbath”, known as “Heaven and Hell” and “The Mob Rules”. In the 1980’s he left “Black Sabbath” and formed his own self titled band which earned a cult status in metal culture. On January 17, 2007, he was inducted into the Rock Walk of Fame at Guitar Center on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard.

We pray that his soul rests in peace.

Today is legendary lyricist Kaifi Azmi’s eighth death anniversary. On this day we dedicate to him one of his most memorable songs, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho from the 1982 film Arth. While the movie itself made news for the Mahesh Bhatt-Parveen Babi affair-based storyline, the one other greatest contributions of the movie was its soundtrack, penned by Kaifi Azmi and tuned by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. Tum Itna.. was the best song of the soundtrack and is still considered to be one of the best works of Jagjit Singh, both as a composer and as a vocalist. Therefore on his death anniversary we couldn’t find a better tribute for Kaifi Azmi than this song! Below is a stage version of the song, followed by the lyrics.

Tum Itna Jo.. Muskura Rahe Ho (2)
Kya Gham Hai Jisko.. Chhupa Rahe Ho (2)
Tum Itna Jo.. Muskura Rahe Ho

Aankhon Mein Nami.. Haseen Labon Par (2)
Kya Haal Hai.. Kya Dikha Rahe Ho (2)
Kya Gham Hai Jisko.. Chhupa Rahe Ho
Tum Itna Jo.. Muskura Rahe Ho

Ban Jayenge.. Zehar Peete Peete (2)
Yeh Ashq Jo.. Peete Jaa Rahe Ho (2)

Jin Zakhmon Ko.. Waqt Bhar Chala Hai (2)
Tum Kyon Unhe.. Chhede Jaa Rahe Ho (2)
Kya Gham Hai Jisko.. Chhupa Rahe Ho
Tum Itna Jo.. Muskura Rahe Ho

Rekhaon Ka.. Khel Hai Muqaddar (2)
Rekhaon Se.. Maat Khaa Rahe Ho (2)
Kya Gham Hai Jisko.. Chhupa Rahe Ho (3)