From Sufi to pop, Mirchi night had it all

Sufi sounds and lyrical refrains are steering the course of Hindi films, a fact that was borne out at the industry's leading music awards.The 7th Royal Stag Mirchi Music Awards, powered by Idea, was held at a star-studded ceremony at YashRaj Studios in Andheri on Thursday evening.
Screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar received the lifetime achievement award for a career that began well over 40 years ago with his first hit `Zanjeer' with co-writer Salim Khan.Veteran percussionist Burjor Lord of `Mehbooba mehbooba' fame received a special award for oustanding contribution to film music. He is the brother of legen dary musician Kersi Lord and son of Da dasaheb Phalke Award winner, percussionist Ca was Lord. Choreographer Shiamak Davar presented the award. In a hearty sign, another self-effacing team of musicians Raam Laxman of `Didi tera devar deewana' fame was presented a special jury award. The team drew enormous praise from its peers in the industry, including Pankaj Udhas, who gave away the honour.
The pleasantly hummable song `Zahe Naseeb' from the film `Hasee Toh Phasee' was crowned song of the year. `2 States' won album of the year and earned Shankar-Ehsaan Loy best composer for `Mast Magan'. Male vocalist of the year went to Arijit Singh for `Samjhawan' (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania) and the Nooran Sisters together won best fe male vocalist for `Pata kha Guddi' (Highway).
Irshad Kamil won the prize for best lyricist with `Manwa Laage' (Happy New Year).
Listen to 7th Mirchi Music Awards winners on Gaana.com
Actress Madhuri Dixit was felicitated by her mentor Subhash Ghai who recalled how a stinging barb about her dance moves during `Uttar Dakshin' had prompted her to rehearse and practise until she achieved perfection with `Ram Lakhan'.“I am associated with this industry the way melody is linked with rhythm. It is an honour,“ she said, recalling how choreographer Saroj Khan may have forgotten a few steps she directed but the actress remembered.

Madhuri Dixit was felicitated by her mentor Subhash Ghai.
The audience had a hearty laugh as Usha Uthup and Anup Jalota broke into an unlikely jugalbandi. Ushaji, who was wearing a sari with mirchi patterns, sang `Dum maro dum' when suddenly Jalota interjected in the same Aisi laagi lagan'. The metune ` tre matched perfectly.
The Nooran Sisters who together won best female vocalist for `Patakha Guddi' evoked a warm response for their robust yet tuneful voices.
A young artiste, Sugandha Mishra, presented a very impressive impersonation of Lata Mangeshkar, not only urning `Chikni chameli' into Sajna barkha bahar aayi' but lso adapting the singer's tart ense of humour to rib Usha Uthup. “Aur log gaate hain toh agta hai body ko sahih voice mil gaya. Ushaji ko dekhke agta hai voice ko sahih body mil gayi,“ she said.
The eminent jury members omprised Kavita Krishnamurthy (chairperson), Pra oon Joshi, Sameer Anjaan, rshad Kamil, Ramesh Sippy, Subhash Ghai, Sudhir Mishra, Madhur Bhandarkar, Anu Ma ik, Shankar Mahadevan, Lalit Pandit, Louiz Banks, Suresh Wadkar, Shailendra Singh, Talat Aziz, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, Saapna Muker i, Ila Arun, Pritam, Hariha an, Milind Srivastava, Pankaj Udhas, Anuradha Paudwal, Himesh Reshammiya, Sulaim n Merchant, Udit Narayan, Raju Singh, Bappi Lahiri, Roop Kumar Rathod & Aadesh Srivastava.
The 7th Mirchi Music Awards will be telecast on Zee TV at 8.30pm on March 22
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