Christmas, Rahul Dev Burman and Padmini Kolhapure

Padmini Kolhapure, the go-to child voice in the late 70s and early 80s, had sung quite a few songs for Rahul Dev Burman. Two such famous songs are Masterji Ki Aa Gayi Chitthi of the film Kitaab (1977) and 

Teri Hai Zameen Tera Asmaan of 'The Burning Train' (1980).

Today, on Christmas, it is worth remembering the second one. It deserves a special mention because of its context. The Burning Train was made on a long-distance train that caught fire on its maiden trip from Delhi to Bombay (Mumbai). In that train, Simi Grewal (a Christian nun) had a troop of children accompanying her.

When it looked inevitable that the train without brakes and fire engulfing its coaches one after another would end up in a catastrophe, the nun gathered all the children and prayed to the almighty. Right then she sings the song. No doubt the words of Sahir Ludhianvi got the most serene touches of music. Sure, the tender voices of Sushma Shrestha and Padmini Kolhapure did justice to the purpose behind the making of such an elegant composition.