My “now” song: Piku’s background score

Do you ever have a song, an idea, a storyline, or an image stuck in your head? And it just refuses to go away? For some time at least? I have this with music — it could be a song, an instrumental piece, a jingle, a background score, etc. That particular piece of music becomes my “now’” song, and the “nowness”  (pardon my English here) could be for any length of time.

I watched Piku the other day. Like most people who’ve seen the film, I loved it. However, unlike most people who’ve seen the film, I thought the real star of the movie was its background score. Composed by Anupam Roy and also played on the sarod by him, Piku’s background score is my “now” song.

The score is first heard in the film when the opening credits appear on the screen — white lettering on a black background with the tittle on the ‘i’ appearing in red. Simple and beautiful. (In retrospect, I thought it was the perfect way to listen to the score and not get distracted by any visuals or graphics on-screen.) The background score appears several times in the film sometimes as an interlude, sometimes to underscore a particular emotion, and sometimes as the background score it is meant to be.

Each time this music was played in the film, I would just get lost in the music. And each time a different set of emotions would be invoked, some nostalgic, some bittersweet.

Of summer vacations with my maternal grandparents.

Of friends old and new, and of friendships lost.

Of the last few months of Appa’s life.

Oh homesickness during my year in London, and then missing London when I returned !

Of places travelled to and places yet to travel to.

Of books read and to be read.

Of music… and much more.

For once, I did not get into the intricacies of identifying the raga (something that is instinctive for me) and just allowed the music to take over. I found this score to be timeless and limitless — sometimes a lament, sometimes a lullaby. I found it soft, warm, brassy even, healing, calming, reflective, brooding and therapeutic. In other words I loved Piku’s background score by Anupam Roy. More than I can say or describe.

I have been playing it almost on a loop at work or home and humming it at other times. I have even managed to get my mostly tone-deaf department colleagues hooked to this song. 🙂

Tell me, what did you think of Piku’s background score? And what is your “now” song these days?

13 thoughts on “My “now” song: Piku’s background score

  1. I am the fidgety type in theatres, but as I heard the background score as the credits were shown, I knew I was in for a treat. Sure enough, PIKU turned out to be one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Welcome here, Gurdish. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
      To be honest, I haven’t really listened to the songs properly. You see that I have been taken in by the background score and haven’t listened to anything else. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I loved the movie too, Bikram. Very refreshing and different and it was nice to see a movie without any obvious romantic angle. What did you think of the music?

      Like

  2. Arrey, you could have called me for the film at least 😛

    Never mind, I went for the movie with MS yesterday. Liked the movie, but I found the music little boring. I don’t like classical music as you know.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, sure. Me in my office and you in yours 30 km apart to fulfil an impulsive decision of mine. Unless you could have teleported, there is no way you could have come for the movie.

      You philistine you, how can you not like classical music? 😛

      Like

  3. You and I have a lot in common! I stumbled on to this site and now regularly check in! Thanks for the wonderful music that you share and help me revive my own memories.

    Like

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