Ajay Mankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 11-minute read

50 years of The Beatles split: Why even the gods couldn't prevent it

This year marks the 50th year of The Beatles' break-up, which even the gods could not prevent.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 7-minute read

Bryan Adams: The mournful romantic

Bryan Adams — one of rock's most talented balladeers with a friendly, world-weathered rasp — turns 61 today.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 11-minute read

Remembering Manna Dey: The classical titan who deserved better

Manna Dey was too good for his own good. On his seventh death anniversary, here is a tribute to the immense talent and humility of the singing giant.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 16-minute read

Bollywood movies, Censor Board, and the curious case of deleted songs

Heard melodies are sweet, those unheard are sweeter. But those that are unseen are a matter of regret.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 9-minute read

Remembering Jagjit Singh: The singer who made ghazals accessible to everyone

There are singers and then there is Jagjit Singh, who remained a perfectionist till his untimely death on October 10, 2011.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 9-minute read

Happy birthday, Sting: Every song you make, we'll be listening to you

Today, October 2, 2020, Sting turns 69. To borrow from his own song, every song that he records, we’ll be listening to it; every move that he makes in music, films and causes, we’ll be following it.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 9-minute read

Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen: Hero of the working class

Bruce Springsteen's songs chronicle his working-class roots and cover social and political commentary. On September 23, 2020, he turns 71.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 15-minute read

How Western music covers have yielded to a fertile, original indie music scene in India

The indie music scene is buzzing with huge potential and the future looks promising.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 6-minute read

Roger Waters: The septuagenarian firebrand

Roger Waters is 77. He is still selling out concerts around the world. He is a loud voice on human rights issues — sometimes aggravating and occasionally troublemaking.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

ART & CULTURE

| 6-minute read

How Rafi, Asha and other playback singers of 50s and 60s sang jingles too

The nostalgic era of a fascinating slice of music and advertising history when many of our classic playback singers lent their voice to advertisement jingles.

Ajay Mankotia

@ajaymankotia

Open to Opinion

This year marks the 50th year of The Beatles' break-up, which even the gods could not prevent.

Bryan Adams — one of rock's most talented balladeers with a friendly, world-weathered rasp — turns 61 today.

Manna Dey was too good for his own good. On his seventh death anniversary, here is a tribute to the immense talent and humility of the singing giant.

Heard melodies are sweet, those unheard are sweeter. But those that are unseen are a matter of regret.

There are singers and then there is Jagjit Singh, who remained a perfectionist till his untimely death on October 10, 2011.

Today, October 2, 2020, Sting turns 69. To borrow from his own song, every song that he records, we’ll be listening to it; every move that he makes in music, films and causes, we’ll be following it.

Bruce Springsteen's songs chronicle his working-class roots and cover social and political commentary. On September 23, 2020, he turns 71.

The indie music scene is buzzing with huge potential and the future looks promising.

Roger Waters is 77. He is still selling out concerts around the world. He is a loud voice on human rights issues — sometimes aggravating and occasionally troublemaking.

The nostalgic era of a fascinating slice of music and advertising history when many of our classic playback singers lent their voice to advertisement jingles.