Ranbir Kapoor's Suburban Connection To Animal's 'Jamal Kudu'

IT is common knowledge in filmdom and fandom that Ranbir Kapoor currently stays in Vastu Building, Aerial View Co-Op Housing Society, Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Mumbai 400050 and his family bungalow is situated in the same pin code at 56, Krishna Raj, Pali Hill, Bandra West. So essentially, it makes Ranbir a Bandra boy. What connects his place of residence to the music his nemesis sways to in the film Animal?

In undertaking an exploration of this particular subject, our initial focus shall be directed towards an Iranian educational establishment for young women, specifically the Kharazemi Girls' High School. Esteemed for its substantial contributions to the Iranian musical landscape, this institution is particularly renowned for the Shirazi Choir. This musical collective has garnered acclaim, primarily in the 1950s, for their rendition of “Jamaal Jamaaloo”, a melody deeply ingrained in traditional Iranian music. This piece experienced a resurgence in popularity when it was reinterpreted and included in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, under the title “Jamal Kudu”, serving as the introductory piece for a character portrayed by Bobby Deol.

The linguistic and cultural nexus connecting Bandra, Apollo Bunder and Bandar Music can be traced to the term "Bandar." Originating from this genre of celebratory Persian port music, "Jamal Kudu" is a descendant of this musical style. The word "Bandar," in Persian, translates to "port" or "haven," and has significantly influenced place names and cultural aspects in areas frequented by Persian traders and mariners. This influence is evident in Mumbai's Bandra and Apollo Bunder, with "Bunder" signifying a port district. Bandar Music, a genre emerging from Iran's southern, Persian Gulf regions, is intrinsically linked to these coastal cities through its nomenclature, symbolising the pervasive impact of Persian maritime culture and language.

The widespread appeal of “Jamaal Jamaaloo”, especially during matrimonial and festive occasions, is noteworthy. The emotive lyrics, inspired by Iranian poet Bijan Smandar’s verses, contributed to the song’s revival in popularity following its adaptation by Harshvardhan Rameshwar for Animal, where it achieved significant recognition on social media and YouTube.

The Shirazi Choir, associated with Kharazemi Girls' High School and based in Shiraz, Iran, rose to prominence in the 1950s through its traditional Iranian musical performances. The choir's rendition of “Jamaal Jamaaloo” is especially notable, reflecting a deep connection with Iranian folk music. This song, and the choir itself, encapsulate a critical aspect of Iran's musical and cultural heritage, demonstrating traditional music and performance styles. The choir's work, particularly "Jamaal Jamaaloo," is characterised by emotional depth and authenticity, resonating with both domestic and international audiences.

Bandari music, originating from Iran's southern regions near the Persian Gulf, is a vibrant dance music genre known for its dynamic and rhythmic nature, featuring both rapid and slow tempos. This style, often a staple at celebratory events like weddings, includes vocal and instrumental elements. Prominent instruments in Bandari music include the nei anban (resembling a bagpipe), tombak, daf (akin to a tambourine), and darbuka. The term "bandari," meaning "of the port," links this music genre to Iran's coastal, port locales.

As mentioned earlier, the etymology of "Bandar" or "Bunder" is rooted in Persian, translating to "port" or "haven," and is a fusion of "band," meaning "enclosed," and "dar," signifying "gate" or "door." This suggests a space sheltered from the sea. "Bandar" has a rich linguistic history, deriving from the Sanskrit/Avestan words "Bandha" (to tie up) and "Dwara" (entrance). The widespread use of this term, especially in regions visited by Persian sailors, signifies its broad impact. Consequently, numerous coastal locations in Iran and beyond incorporate "Bandar" in their names, denoting their port nature. This term also appears in several Indian languages as "Bandargah" for "port," as well as in Indonesian Malay and Assamese-Bengali languages.

So there you have it! By the way Kishore Kumar called his wives "Bandariyas" because all of them were from, or stayed in, Bandra. Misogyny much? I agree.