Taj Connection

Episode 8: Tribute to Benazir Bhutto (Click Below to Watch the Episode)

2008-05-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

Benazir Bhutto was an iconic figure in Pakistani politics. She was the youngest female prime minister elected in the Muslim world. Her life was tragically taken away in a political assassination on December 27, 2007. Bhutto's assassination followed a string of tragedies to befall the Bhutto family, which included a politically motivated hanging of her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and revenge killing of her brother Murtaza Ali Bhutto. In this episode we broadcast Benazir's speech at North Carolina State University where she was invited by Dr. Afroz Taj in 2002. We will also feature excerpts from the last speech of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, hours before her assassination. Hosts, Afroz Taj and John Caldwell, have selected memorable film songs that Benazir Bhutto particularly loved. We have also included Bhutto's favorite poem "Hum Daikhen Gay" (We Will Witness) which was penned by the legenadary progressive poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and sung by Iqbal Bano.

Episode 7: Hasya Kavita - Humorous Poetry (Click below to watch the episode)

2008-04-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Event

Habib Wali Mohammad
Nadeem Wali Mohammad

Legendary Ghazal Singers will perform
on: May 19th, 2008, 8:30pm
at: FedEx Global Education Center
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Purchase Tickets from:
Afroz Taj: 919-851-1119
Olive Green: 919-859-7978
Manzoor Cheema: 919-412-7008
Seema Faruqi: 919-596-4792
Sudha Dhingra: 919-678-9056
Sarfraz Qazi: 919-413-2001

Episode 6: The Sufi Way (Click Below to Watch the Episode on a Bigger Screen)

2008-03-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

Dr. Afroz Taj and John Caldwell Take Religions of India Field Trip
(click on the pictures to read Pakistan Chronicle News Story)

A scene from the Sikh Gurdwara in Durham

Dr. Afroz Taj, John Caldwell and students at the Sikh Gurdwara in Durham

A scene from the Hindu Bhavan in Morrisville

A group photo taken at the Islamic Center of Raleigh

Amy Klooz gave an introduction to Islam at the Islamic Center of Raleigh

Episode 5 - Click Below to Watch the Episode

2008-03-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Episode 5

Songs for a "Kunwara" (Bachelor)

Click Here to Read Pakistan Chronicle's Review of Taj Connection

Episode 4 - Click Below to Watch the Episode

2008-02-28T05:19:00.000-08:00

Episode 4 Contents

"Sardi Ka Mosam" (Winter Season)

This episode includes:

1) Song "Chahe Mujhe Koi Janglee Kahe" from "Janglee" (1961). Sung by Mohammad Rafi. Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri. Music by Jaikishan-Shankar.

2) "Mujh Ko Thand Lag Rahi Hai" from "Mein Sundar Hoon" (1971). Sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. Music by Jaikishan-Shankar.

3) "Tere Chehray Se Nazar Nahi Hat-tee" from "Kabhi Kabhi" (1976). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Music by Khayyam.

4) "Dilli Ki Sardi" from "Zameen" (2003). Sung by Kay Kay and Shweta Shetty. Lyrics by Samir. Music by Himesh Reshammiya.

5) Interview with Study Abroad Student, Jake Lunney.

6) "Jab Challi Thandi Hawa" from "Do Badan" (1966). Sung by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Music by Ravi.

7) "Thandi Thandi Hawa Mein Dil Lalchay" from "Prince" (1966). Sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammad Rafi. Music by Jaikishan-Shankar.

8) "Karvatein Badaltay Rahe Sari Raat Hum" from "Aap Ki Kasam" (1974). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Music by R. D. Burman.

9) "Beedi Jalai Lay" from "Omkara" (2006). Sung by Sunidhi Chohan and Sukhwinder Singh. Lyrics by Gulzar. Music by Vishal Bharadwaj.

Episode 3 (Click Below to Watch the Episode)

2008-02-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

Episode 3 Contents

"Barsaat" (Rainy Season)

This episode includes

1) Song "Badra Chhaye" from "Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke" (1969). Sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by Anand Bakhshi. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

2) "O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayee" from "Parakh" (1960). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by Shailendra. Music by Salil Choudhary.

3) Song "Aaj Rapat Jaiyyo" from "Namak Halal" (1982). Sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. Lyrics by Anjaan. Music by Bappi Lahiri.

4) Song "On the Roof, In the Rain" from "Masti" (2004). Sung by Sneha Pant and Shaan. Music by Anand Raj Anand.

5) Interview with Laura Boyes - film curator at the NC Museum of Art and Bollywood film reviewer for the Independent Weekly.

6) "Aaya Payar Bhara Mausam Deewana" from "Humjoli" (1970). Sung by Mohammad Raffi and Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

7) "Jhir Jhir Barsay Sawan" from "Aashirwad" (1968). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by Gulzar. Music by Vasant Desai.

8) "Barsay Badil, Dil Mein Halchal" from "Sargam" (1995). Sung by Adnan Sami Khan and Asha Bhosle. Lyrics by Riaz ur Rehman Sagar. Music by Adnan Sami Khan.

9) "Hai Hai Yeh Majboori" from "Rota, Kapra Aur Makan" (1974). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by Verma Malik. Music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

10) "Barso Re" from "Guru" (2007). Sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Keerthi. Music by A. R. Rahman.

Episode 2 (Click Below to Watch the Episode)

2008-02-18T06:29:00.001-08:00

Episode 2 Contents

2008-02-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

In the Memory of Qurratulain Hyder (1926-2007)

This episode includes:

1) Song "Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum" from "Chori Chori" (1956). Features Nargis and Raj Kapoor. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. Music by Shankar-Jaikishen.

2) Song "Shokhiyon Main Ghola Jaaye Phoolon Ka Shabab" from "Prem Pujari" (1970). Features Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. Sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics by renowned poet Neeraj. Music by S. D. Burman.

3) Song "Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke" from "Refugee" (2000). Features Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapur. Lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. Music by Anu Malik.

4) Song "Pal Pal Jhomoun" from "Zaher-e-Ishq" (1958). Features Mussarat Nazir and Habib. Sung by Zubaida Khanum. Music by Khurshid Anwar.

5) Interview with legendary South Asian novelist Qurratulain Hyder. This interview was conducted by Dr. Afroz Taj and John Caldwell at Ms. Hyder's home in India in 2006, one year prior to her death. Some notable books by Qurratulain Hyder include Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire), Pathjhar Ki Awaz (The Voice of Autumn), Raushni ki Raftar (The Speed of Light), Chaye Ke Bagh (Tea Plantations) and the family chronicle Kar e Jahan Daraz Hai (The Work of the World Goes On).

6) Song "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya" from "Hum Dono" (1961). Features Dev Anand. Sung by Mohammad Rafi. Lyrics by the famous poet Sahir Ludhianvi.

7) Song "Mehndi Sajay Na Payar Bina" from "Soldier". Features Saima and Shaan. Sung by Naseebo Lal.

8) Song "Ae Meri Zohrajabeen" from "Phir Hera Pheri" (2006). Features Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal. Music by Himesh Reshammiya. Lyrics by Sameer.

9) Song "Ae Meri Zohrajabeen" from "Waqt" (1965). Features Balraj Sahni. Sung by Manna Dey. Music by Ravi. Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

10) Song "Acha to Hum Chaltay Hain" from "Aan Milo Sajna" (1970). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

Episode 1 (Click Below to Watch the Episode)

2008-02-08T14:31:00.001-08:00

Episode 1 Contents

Welcome to Taj Connection

This episode includes:

1) Song "Ek Shahenshah Nay" from "Leader" (1964). Sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Music by Naushad. Lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni.

2) Song "Dukh Bhare Din" from "Mother India" (1957). Sung by Shamshad Begum, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi. Music by Naushad. Lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni.

3) Song "Kitna Pyara Vaada" from "Caravan" (1971). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi. Music by R. D. Burman. Lyrics by Sultan Majroohpuri.

4) Song "Gaaye Gi Dunya Geet Meray" from "Mosiqar" (1962). Sung by Noor Jahan. Music by Rashid Atre.

5) Interview with singer Shafqat Ali Khan.

6) Song "Tadbeer Se Bigdi" from "Baazi" (1951). Sung by Geet Dutt. Lyrcs by Sahir Ludhianvi.

7) Song "Suno Sajna" from "Aaye Din Bahar Ke" (1966). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Lyrics by Anad Bakshi.

8) Song "Bol Na Halkay Halkay" from "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" (2007). Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mahalaxmi Iyer. Music by Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. Lyrics by Gulzar.

9) Song "Rangon ki Barsat" from "Rangon ki Barsat". Sung by Saira Naseem and Waris Baig.