Bhupi and Me - Reliving Life's Lost Moments with Nostalgia and Music

Bhupinder Singh passed on recently, leaving behind a stark void in the Indian music scene. Who else could evoke that kind of nostalgia, that kind of yearning? When that husky, slightly-warbled voice sang out, you were compelled to stop in your tracks. The routine business of living gave way to a world of memories and longing.

It was like a koel had called out in the still night. The sound of raindrops on parched earth. The laughter of a baby in a crowd of people. It came from another sphere, a dream-like world of love, affection, bonding, warmth and oneness. 

Can anyone remain unaffected when Bhupi's songs are played? You remember lost loves, childhood days, missed opportunities, the death of your parents, forgotten houses and cities, lost friends, and much more when you hear that rich, sad voice singing in perfect melody.   

Here are some of my soul-songs:

Zindagi, zindagi, mere ghar aana...aana zindagi

This is one of his happier songs. Bhupinder Singh's husky voice entreating life to come into his house awakens a strange longingness in me, a combination of nostalgia, loss, hope, and optimism. This Jaidev composition seems to mark the beginning of a new chapter in life.

Dil dhundta hai...phir wohi phursat ke raat din

The yearning for carefree days, days of sunshine and conversation, days of lazing around in the mellow sunshine, or just dreaming or doing nothing - can any voice evoke nostalgia better? Madan Mohan weaving magic with Gulzar's lyrics and Bhupi's voice.

Ek akela is shehr mein, Raat mein aur Dopahar mein

Aabodana dhundta hai, ashiana dhundta hai......

That haunting voice signifying endless vastiness, the never ending quest for home, for belonging, for acceptance. In sheer contrast with its happier version (Do deewane shehr mein), this soul-searing song delineates loneliness, emptiness and rejection like no other. 

Naam ghum jayega, chehra yeh badal jayega

Meri awaaz hi pehchan hai.......gar yaad rahe

And that voice was his pehchan all right - an unforgettable mixture of roughness, warmth and melody. Pancham brought out his voice in full pathos.

Beete na bitaye raina, birha ki jaai raina

Another one of RD's gems where Bhupi lent gravitas and pain to this soulful number. You can almost feel the rush of memories coming in.

Ehele dil yun bhi nibha lete hain

Dard seene mein chhupa lete hain

His voice was one that brought out pain and loss in full strength. Who could have voiced unsaid agony better than Bhupinder in this Khayyam gem?

I can go on and on with my fav playlist, but that dulcet voice has become silent now. Yet, there are some things that don't really end. Like longing, wistfulness, pain, hope, playfulness....Bhupi's voice signifies all this for me.

Alvida, gentle giant of Hindi music...

#BhupinderSingh #GoldenVoice #ImmortalHindiSinger #VoiceOfPathos