July 17, 2016 – The world is too small? or Is it?

Welcome to our July, 2016 episode of ‘Fading Memories. Unforgettable Songs’.

We will first take up a few of the songs of 1940s. These songs have been forwarded by Sumantbhai (Dadu) from his great treasure trove collection.

Daras Bina Dukhan Laage Nain – Meerabai (1932) – Bibbo – SP Rane

While searching for a YT link, I landed up on same bhajan, but it was for film Sneh Bandhan (a.k.a.Intezar) 1940, composed by Panna Lal Ghosh.

Ab Shaad Hai Dil Aabaad Hai Dil – Yahudi Ki Ladki (1933) – Ratanbai – Pankaj Mallik

Here too we find a version of this song, sung by Utpala Sen and released in 1948

We now take a Sardul Kwatra’ composition sent in by Samir Dholakia. As the coincidences happen, I am separately taking a micro-view of songs of 1949 and I had shortlisted this song under “Other Male Singers’ –

Chot Padi Dil Pe Aisi Ke Bas Yaad Karen – Ek Teri Nishani (1949) – Raja Gul- Sardul Kwatra – Sarshar Shalani

As it happens I had also identified 1949 – Sardul Kwatra song for my Micro Review, under Other Female Singer group.. And this is an Asha Bhosle song!.

Chupke Chupke Mast Nigahein –

There is another Asha Bhosle song from the same, but composed by Pandit Amarnath.

Teri Kafir Jawani Ko Jawani Kaun Kahata Hai

Do these songs sound bells for future specialization by Asha Bhosle……

And this was enough to kindle enough interest about Sardul Kwatra. Till now I have certainly heard a song here or a song there that were composed by Sardul Kwatra, but had really that name registered in my mind as a the music director who ought to be explored. So, I went on to search for Sardul Kwatra (1928-2005) on Google and YT.

Among some good references, here is one that should be of interest – Sardul Kwatra and his Soulful Music – Harjap Singh Aujla.His filmography records 20 films to his credit, of which Ek Thi Nishani is his debut film.

So, here we go over to taste some of the Sardul Kwatra’s compositions.

Dil De Ke Pachchata Gaye Hum – Ek Teri Nishani (1949) – Uma Devi

I have selected the songs at random, only taking care to pick up song of different singers.

Kyon Khel Preet Ka Kheli – Goonj (1952) – Suraiya – Lyricist : D N Madhok

None these songs I had heard previously, so I have no comment to make on any of these songs…..

Jaaun Main Kahan – Pipli Saheb (1954) – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyricist : Hasrat Jaipuri

Jhoom Le Gaa Le Khushiya Manaa Le – Son of Alibaba (1955) – Geeta Dutt , Shaminder: Lyricist: Prem Dhawan

O Jadugar Na Mujh Pe Kar Ye Jhoota Jadoo – Air Mail (1960 – Sudha Malhotra – Lyricis: Anand Baxi

Sun Meri Faryad – Air Mail (1960) – Suman Kalyanpur .

Sardul Kwatra, obviously, has composed several songs for Punjabi films. Here is one representative song from Heer Sayal (1960) rendered by Mohammad Rafi Asha Bhosle, Shaminder, Mubarak Begum, Sudha Malhotra