Vijay Malla, the favorite son of
Kashmir, and a legendary Kashmiri singer, breathed his last on
Wednesday, May 9, 2012. He will be missed by his fans all
over the world. Please send your tributes by submitting your comments at the
bottom of this page.
VIDEO
COVERED BY MR. SAMEER OF ETV URDU CHANNEL (click here)
Vijay
Malla (Feb 7, 1956 - May 9, 2012)
The
Legend with extraordinary talent and a humble background
For my dear brother Lalit, Vijay Malla 'was the first love in
Koshur music', talented singer and musician Arti Tiku Koul
called him a 'Mast Malang oblivious of his own great talent',
Majid Maqbool and Muhammed Tahir believe 'his legend will
live on through his songs', Arun Singh is sure 'His music
will comfort souls forever' and Altaf Khan knows him as 'a
song called Vijay'. How True. Vijay's bewitching smile with
those half-closed eyes, his ability to play any tune in any
language - Urdu Ghazal, Hindi Bhajan, Kashur Baeth, Punjabi
Rhythm and a Hindi song - with so many known talented artistes.
How often do you come across such a rare gem? I, however, simply
knew him as Jawaal Googo Mashaal Googo and while most of
you like me have no idea what it means, I finally asked him five
weeks ago and about forty years later. At the time I was playing
his song 'Hamse Matt Poochiye Ham Kidar Jayenge, Apne Ghar
Jayenge' from a website and just like that I dialed him up.
He initially said I had to meet him to find out. Then after a
pause he replied 'it means being free and being wild'. I
never would have imagined it would be the last time I would
speak with him. I am so humbled and feel privileged that I did
dial that call.
I know Vijay since I was born. He is from my 'Badaa Matamaal'
so I had the luxury of watching him grow as a young man full of
promise. He used to affectionately pull my cheeks all the time
at least till I was 15-16 years old but I was still 5’-2’’
and officially he was my 'mama' although only a few years
older than me, so I had to accept. My sister Saroj who learned
music with him when they were both teenagers, used to poke fun
of him all the time for not shaving, for his pockets showing and
lovingly called him 'Vija'. He didn't care because he
loved the Rajmah and Paratha she would make and
we'd make him earn it by singing songs of every kind to get that
meal. I must admit I have never ever heard anyone sing 'Laaga
Chunri Mein Daag....' the way he made that song dance around
him.He was just learning music then and our
neighbor and brother Irshaad would ask him to sing Mohd Rafi
songs and my cousin brother Ganji would ask him to sing Mehdi
Hassan and of course we made him sing Yuva Vaani songs.
Those were the days when 'Gaada Ha Chu Ho', 'Ala Haaba
Laar Habaa' and my most favorite song that I loved to sing
with him was 'Chus bu Matrik Pass Hasseh'. Those were the
days. We didn't know what would become of us and his talent was
flying and flowing freely. His versatility at being able to
perform at any type of music was unparalleled and his range of
voice far exceeds anyone in his generation of artistes. I have
this unofficial recording of his with a Punjabi song 'Hath
Dil De Na Son Deven Raat Nu, Roka Anjua Di Kinwen Barsaat Nu, Tu
Avey Jadhun Yaad Soniya ...', that I still cry every time I
hear Vijay sing it. His music didn't just please, it connected
souls and touched you deep to the core of your heart.
We never gave Vijay full credit and would kid him that his
talent was borrowed - from his mom who had a superb melodious
voice that would mesmerize you, from his dad and uncle who were
scholars and philosophers, his brother Ashok ji who is equally
talented and sensible and played national level Table Tennis,
his brother Daleep ji who was always an athlete, an avid
cricketer, an intellectual and a very handsome fellow. His other
big brother Desh Ji used to practice Tabla and Classical music
for hours and would close the windows so no one would bother
him. My brother loved music and would often take me to listen to
Desh Ji's 'Riyaaz' in their Chandpora, Habbakadal home
and we would hold our ears to the side of the wall of the room
to listen. His sister Karni Tathi and his dad loved him so much,
they called him 'baby ji'.
During my dear sister Gugi's menhdiraat music program, a
popular Kashmiri artiste was doing a fantastic job of
enthralling our family and guests and our family kept requesting
Vijay to sing one for his sister. He finally obliged, and many
thanks to the artiste for graciously inviting Vijay to play a
tune. I was not present at that occasion but my entire family
and cousins tell me that once Vijay's started the tune, it
appeared it was piercing the walls of all nearby homes in Nawa
Kadal and folks already in bed starting coming out, blankets and
quilts wrapped around them, and stood right in the temple hall
mesmerized listening to Vijay's melodious singing. I really
wished I was there.
During his sister’s wedding, I was on a two-week vacation to
Kashmir and heard that Vijay was planning to have a family
singing function every night with his buddies. So I parked
myself right in that house for about eight days, eating sleeping
with Vijay and his family and even got to do some unofficial
recording of the songs he played. It is a remarkable
representation of his talent, versatility and I feel absolutely
privileged to have watched and listened to him so closely and so
uninhibited.
As I mentioned before, I have known Vijay since I was born. I
plan to keep knowing him till my time has come, through his
music and hope it continues to inspire our next generation.
Vijay Malla is a rare asset, an icon, and a true gift to our
Kashmiri community, our culture, our motherland and our
generation and yes I too believe his legend will continue to
live though his songs and music. May his soul rest in peace
ever.
Muhabbat Karne Wale Kum Na Honge Kum Na Honge, Teri Mehfil
Mein Lekin Hum Na Honge
Arti Tiku Kaul's
Tribute to Vijay Malla
My tribute to a great singer!
Today
was a tough day for me as it was for thousands of his fans, when
I heard the sad news of Vijay Malla's demise. The harsh reality
did not seem real and a profound sense of grief and immense
desperation at the loss of not just a human being but a very
precious one took over me. As I tried to take in the reality, a
quick flashback of memories went by, of a golden e...ra
when I had the privilege of working with him on numerous
occasions at recordings, concerts, and rehearsals. Like everyone
else in the musical field, I too was mesmerized by his deep,
luscious, expressive voice. The ease with which he sang the
toughest of compositions, made other artists envious of him and
wondered about the depth of his talent. Even though sometimes he
came across as a non serious co artist, he shined at the actual
performance and enthralled his audiences to great heights.
One such event comes to my mind when, at a prestigious concert
for the great poet “Rasool Mir” in Tagore Hall Kashmir,
Vijay and I were supposed to sing a duet “ Yaari loguth sang
dil, chaini Januk chum kasam”. Just before our item Vijay took
off somewhere and could not be found anywhere. The item was
delayed a few times but there was no sign of Vijay. While
everyone including me was frantic and trying to find him, he
walked on to the stage, with a smile on his face and signaled
the musicians to start the music and gestured me to come to the
stage as if nothing had happened. As he
started singing and I joined in, he left everyone spellbound
with the brilliance of his singing and the crowd went mad with
enjoyment and happiness!
A “mast malang” artist, who was oblivious of his great
talent, produced some outstanding work during the 70s and 80s
and went on to show his versatility in singing Ghazal, geet,
folk, bhajan etc. He created a name for himself not only in
Kashmir but outside too. He was signed as an artiste of Music
India Ltd (MIL) - a Polydoor Gramaphone Company, and has
participated in Khazana 87 and 88. MIL has also launched his
cassette titled Justaju (Search) which has received good
commendation.
Vijay you will always live in our hearts. Rest in peace!
Today
was a tough day for me as it was for thousands of his fans, when
I heard the sad news of Vijay Malla's demise. The harsh reality
did not seem real and a profound sense of grief and immense
desperation at the loss of not just a human being but a very
precious one took over me. As I tried to take in the reality, a
quick flashback of memories went by, of a golden e
e
started singing and I joined in, he left everyone spellbound
with the brilliance of his singing and the crowd went mad with
enjoyment and happiness!
