But as I was playing around with making my Dance Like A Kapoor playlists, I did realize that he's not the only Kapoor with a flair for qawwali performance. So I threw together a quick list of my favorite Kapoor Qawwalis. I don't know of any qawaalis featuring Randhir or Rajeev Kapoor, or the younger set (Karishma, Kareena and Ranbir), so if you DO know of some please let me know! Here's my list of Kapoor-fabulous Qawwalis:
Daag Na Lag Jaye - Mera Naam Joker (1970) - featuring RAJ KAPOOR
I find this song very addictive, musically. It's fun to see the interplay between Padmini and Raj Kapoor in this too.
Chali Chali Kaisi Hawa - Bluffmaster (1963) - featuring SHAMMI KAPOOR
These Kapoor boys love dressing up in drag! Perhaps because they are all so Fair & Lovely. Shammi is impressively graceful and delicate in this.
Tumhe Husn Dekhe - Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963) - featuring SHAMMI and SHASHI KAPOOR
Seeing these two Kapoor brothers together on-screen is such a delight! 10+ minutes of pure entertainment, complete with Kapoor Brothers doing the twist together at the end.
Is Ishq Mein Har Aashiq - Mr. Romeo (1972) - featuring SHASHI KAPOOR
Lovely, lavish late 70s sets with chandeliers. Ranjeet tries his darndest to steal the show, but the show is definitely all Shashi's!
Mohabbat Gar Na Hoti - Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962) - featuring SHASHI KAPOOR
A beautiful, sweet and simple qawwali with a super young Shash!
Hum To Jhuk Kar - Fakira (1976) - featuring SHASHI KAPOOR
This time Shashi is joined by the young and dashing Danny Denzongpa and Asrani. They're all dressed up in their finest brocades and fake moustaches.
Tere Chehre Se - Muqaddar (1978) - featuring SHASHI KAPOOR
There's so much to love here ... a large red velvet ballroom, chandeliers, Kishore Kumar's voice, Amjad Khan and a very enthusiastic Shashi! Does anyone else think a bearded, moustached Shashi looks a bit like Mac Mohan?
Hai Agar Dushman - Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977) - featuring RISHI KAPOOR
What can I say about this song? Besides being an excellent song in itself, Rishi is SO SO amazing in it. His smiles, his energy, his intensity and fervor are just unbeatable. How do you NOT fall in love with him watching this? And a word about Zeenat Aman ... gorgeous. Just gorgeous, and sparkly and wonderful.
Parda Hai Parda - Amar Akbar Anthony (1979) - featuring RISHI KAPOOR
Again, such great energy! Right from the moment he LEAPS onto the stage. And Neetu Singh's adorable, coy looks make it even more fun to watch.
Eid Ka Din - Deedar E Yaar (1982) - featuring RISHI KAPOOR
It's nice to see Reena Roy here, but when it comes to Qawwali, Rishi steals the show! He's so dedicated and sincere. And wow, Tina Munim looks gorgeous too.
Pari Ho Aasmaani Tum - Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981) - featuring RISHI KAPOOR
This may be the definitive song that made me fall madly in love with Rishi. I just die for that part at 0:06 where they do the 3-frame close-up on his adorable smirk. SWOON. And the light-up floors and background and the sparkly vest are just icing. Seriously, if you aren't the tiniest bit charmed by Rishi's performance here, you have a bitter, dark soul. I love Shailendra Singh's voice for Rishi too, it just completely suits him. Boy, do I wish a guy would sing a qawwali for me in which light-up hearts make a beeline straight towards me in the middle. That's pyar.
If you find or know of any Kapoor Qawwali gems I've missed, please do share them in the comments! Particularly any Rishi ones!
I'm continuing to work on my Dance Like A Kapoor series (Karishma's up next!) and also have a few other thoughts to share for Kapoor Khazana, but things are certainly hectic in my world so here's hoping that I'll get to them.
In the meanwhile, be sure to check out all the Kapoor Khazana links at this link. Also, pay close attention to Katherine's Totally Filmi blog as there may be some highlights about the Raj Kapoor Retrospective event being held during IIFA weekend in Toronto up on her blog soon!
