Old Hindi songs take me back to my childhood days in Pakistan... mom would always play songs by Kishore Kumar, Rafi Sahab etc, says Somy Ali wistfully

author-image
By Team Bollyy
New Update
There is still a need to create awareness in society about gender equality, asserts Somy Ali

Somy Ali feels life without music is like trying to breathe without oxygen. Music takes us to places - Jyothi Venkatesh

publive-image

There are songs that bring back good or bad memories too.“My favourite will always be Kishore Kumar, who sang the majority of songs for films featuring Rajesh Khanna.

Given he was also an actor, I think he had the power to bring such immense magic to every song, be it romantic or sad, that no one else could compete with.

And, then there is of course Lata Mangeshkar. I mean no one can even come close to Lata ji’s talent.

She is a legend and I love the harmony between Kishore Da and Lata ji. I love Sam Smith’s music and my ultimate favourite of late has been Adele,” says the actor-turned-humanitarian, who runs the NGO, No More Tears that empowers survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Listing her favourite songs, she continues, “Kahin door Jab Din Dhal Jaye has been sung so beautifully by Mukesh ji that you can feel the pain of the character, played by Rajesh Khanna.

publive-image

Jennifer Lopez’s “My Love Don’t Cost a Thing”, is one song I am obsessed with. In fact I love all her songs and listen to them while working out. I also think Taylor Swift is extremely talented.”

There was a time when music was only available on gramophone records, audio cassettes and CDs, now with technological advancement everything is just a click away.

“It’s wonderful to have that access and you can pretty much pick what you want to hear based on how you are feeling in that specific moment.

I love it. Progression is always great as long as we don’t engage in piracy as artists work very hard and we should respect their talent,” she says.

publive-image

Talking more about how music has the ability to change our mood, Somi adds, “It can make you happy, sad and also make you feel like dancing… I can’t exercise without music.

I get sad with certain songs like “Shallow” by Lady Gaga, another unbelievable talent. I go through a literal time travel when I listen to old Hindi songs as it takes me back to my childhood days in Pakistan.

My mom would always play songs sung by Kishore Kumar, Rafi Sahab and so many others from that era.

So, anytime I hear those songs, it reminds me of my childhood. There is no life without music.”

Latest Stories