Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: August, 2017

Shailendra and “Other” Music Directors

Shankardas Kesarilal , born on 30 August 1923, popularly known to all of us Shailendra ,passed away by living a Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani, like a comet that lit the sky while it lasted, at (just) the age of 43 on 14 December 1966.

Most of the songs that Shailendra wrote under the batons of Shanker Jaikishan or Salil Chaudhary or S D Burman have already been immortal. In a career[i], spanning around 800 released songs for Hindi films, Shailendra had had opportunity to work with several ‘other’ (than these three) music directors as well. Most of these songs also have been equally live in our memory today.

We will dedicate our August, 2017 episode to Shailendra’s songs with the ‘other’ directors. For this episode, special care has been exercised to cover to select chronologically first film with that music director while casting the net wide enough to cover as broad spectrum of singers as is possible. Also, I have intentionally chosen songs that I have either not heard or those that need a refresher push.

The first set of these songs, coincidentally, have Geeta Dutt as (one of) the singer.Geeta Dutt had hardly any occasion to sing Shanker Jiakishan songs. By the time Shailendra teamed up with S D Burman, S D Burman had switched over to Lata Maageshkar. So is the case with Salil Chudhary’s songs too. Therefore, this has turned out to be good incidence where we can hear Shailendra’s songs in Geeta Dutt’s voice.

Kaise Rokoge Aise Toofan Ko – Anand Math(1952) – Talat Mahmood,Geeta Dutt – Hemant Kumar

The song apparently is meant to divert the chasing British police, but has an apparent message for the inadvertent hurricane the freedom fight is likely unleash. Geeta Bali sings with gay abandon that may also mean the upsurge from the young hearts.

Ghir Aayi Hey Ghor Ghata, Apni Majbooriyon Se Lipat Ke Pyar Rone Laga – Badnaam (1952) – Geeta Dutt – Basant Prakash

The song is an ideal fit with our image of silken smoothness of Geeta Dutt’s voice.

Teri Chahat Mein Balam, Teri Chahat Mein Sanam Meet Gaye Ham Teri Kasam – Shrimatiji 1952 – Geeta Dutt – Jimmy

This is a dance song that seeks to hoodwink the listeners so as to cover the acts of the partner in the deed. So the lyricist has to not only pack in a meaningful, mind-catching message for the lay listeners and but also has to convey an intended message to the target partner.

Yeh Rut Yeh Raat Jawaan – Sailaab (1956) – Geeta Dutt –Mukul Roy

The film had 4 songs penned Majarooh Sultanpuri, 1 by Madhukar Rajashathani and 2 by Hasrat Jaipuri . All songs are in Geet Dutt’s voice, except one which had Laxmi Roy.

We now move on to songs that have other playback singers.

Mere Dil Ki Dhadkhan Kya Bole – Anhonee (1952) – Talat Mahmod, Lata Mangeshkar – Roshan

After SJ, SDB and Salil Chaudhary, Shailendra has written most number of songs for Roshan in films like Nau Bahar , Sanskaar (both in 1952), Aagosh and Mashuqua in 1953, Chandani Chowk (1954), one song each in Cofee House (1957 and Aji Bas Shukriya (1958), Deep Jalte Rahe, Heera Moti and Madhu in 1959, and Soorat Aur Seerat in 1962.

Desh Ki Dharti NeLalkara Gunja Aazadi Ka Naara – Chhatrapati Shivaji (1952):- Chitalker, chorus – C.Ramchandra

This song adds genre of patriotic songs in the Shailendra’s arsenal.

The other film where Shailendra teamed up with C Ramchandra is Anrakali (1953), which has such immortal songs as Aaja Ab To Aaja Mer Kismat Ke  Kharidar and Dua Kar Gham E Dil Khuda Se Dua Kar.

Dil Ki Lagi Khel Nahin – Bhai Saheb (1954):- C H Atma, Kaumudi Munshi – Ninu Majumdar

Each is piece of the song – singers, music directors – except Shailendra is quite rare.

Badi Mushkil Hai (Lata Mangeshkar) /\ Jiyunga Jab Talak (Talat Mahmood) – Chingari(1955) – Manohar

Down the career, Shailendra has given several meaningful twin songs. Here is the one early one.

Sapnon Ki Duniya Mein Naye Rang Laya O Man Bhaya Sawan Aaya – Pipili Saheb (1954) – Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar, Shaminder – Sardul Kwatra

Here is the song that has the basic flavor of a very rustic setting that is presented with in its natural simplest form.

Mehfil Mein Kaisi Chaam Chaam – Dilli Darbaar (1956) – Lata Mangeshkar – S N Tripathi

Shailendra has teamed up with S N Tripathi for more than one film – like mythological Ram Hanuman Yudh (1957) or Shiv Parvati (1962) to a period film Sangeet Samtrat Tansen (1962) to a social film Kunwari (1966).

Chal Ri Ameeren Bhai Chal Re Fakire – Dilli Ka Thug (1958):- Kishore, chorus – Ravi

This is one more example of Shailendra’s comfort in dealing with unusual situations. Here is the song that is a traditional dance song attributed to street-performances of a monkey trainer with his pet monkey. Compare this song with another song of the film, a Kishore- Asha duet – Ye Raatein Yeh Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara.

Chhupa Chhupi O Chhupi Agad bBagad Jai Re, Chuhe Mama O Mama Bhag Billi Ai Re – Savera (1958) – Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar – Shailesh  Mukherjee

The lead protagonists become young children in the company of the children and so does Shailendra.

Ho Choonva Moonva…. Deke Daam Lele Maati Ka Khilauna Kaisa Khel Khele Ye Maati Kholauna – Naya Kadam (1958) – Shailesh Mukherjee – Shivram–Narayan

Shailendra deftly uses a traditional street performance to deliver a strong philosophical message. I am not sure that singer of the song, Shailesh Mukherjee, is the same person as music director Shailesh Mukherjee.

Nani Teri Morni Ko Mor Le Gaye, Baaki Jo Bacha Tha Kaale Chor Le Gaye–  Masoom (1960) – Ranu Mukherjee – Robin Banerjee

The film had 5 more songs – 4 by Raja Mahendi Ali Khan and one by Sahir Ludhyanvi. So, obviously Shailendra has been allotted this situation wherein the child artistes perform the song on the screen. The song had been quite popular.

Hai Re Woh Din Kyon Na Aaye, Ja Ja Ke Ritu Laut Aaye Re – Anuradha (1960) – Lata Mangeshkar – Pt Ravi Shankar

In an otherwise an experimental social film, the songs filmed on the heroine, Anuradha (lela Naidu) help strongly develop the characterization of the role. Here is a song that is coposed on a fairly difficult Carnataki Classical Raag – Jansammohini, also known as Shiv Kalyan or Madh Kalyan.

Asides:

The piece that is considered to have inspired the song is  Ganpat Vighanharan  :

शुक्लाम्बरधरं  विष्णुं  शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं । 
प्रसन्नवदनं  ध्यायेत्   सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तयेत्  ।
अभीप्सितार्थसिध्यर्थम्  पूजितो  यस्सुरासुरैः  । सर्वविघ्नहरस्तस्मै  गणाधिपतये  नमः ।।

गणपत  विघ्न  गण  गजानन ।  विराजती  चन्द्रमा  भाल ।  गणपत  विघ्न  गण  गजानन  ।।

by  Ashwini Bhide

Pandit Ravi Shankar also later on used this raag for the hymn of Asiad Games 1982 – Swaagatam

Here are two representative classical pieces of Raag  Janasammohini:

Pt. Mani Prasad of the Kirana Gharana:

Ustad Aamir Khan Saheb :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-jWtjlZNiw

Jhoomte Sharabhi Zara Hosh Mein Aa– Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961) – Asha Bhosle – Suhrid Kar

KaanchKi Gudiya invaribaly would conjure a Mukesh and Asha Bhosle duet – Saath Ho Tum Raat Jawan. However, the song that we have selected presents a very different Asha Bhosle to us.

Paisa Nahin Hota Jo Kuchch Nahin Hota – Sautela Bhai (1962) – Anil Biswas, Manna Dey – Anil Biswas
In an otherwise a very serious social subject, Anil Biswas teams with Shailendra to come up with a satirical song.

Their next association is 1965’s Chhoti Chhoti Batein.

Daaton Ka Zamana Pyare Dant Bachana – Begana (1963) – Mahendra Kapoor – Sapan Jagmohan

The obvious reason for picking this song for the present episode is it has Mahendra Kapoor. In the process, we also get the benefit of listening to a very light-hearted song from Shailendra.

Chand Tale Jhoom Jhoom Thirak Rahi Hain Ghoongherwaliyan, Mastiyon Ki Aaj Dhun Baja Rahi Hai Taaliyaan – Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963):- Subir Sen, Suman Kalyanpur – Dattaram

As we know well, Dattaram was one of the very important links on the Shankar Jaikishan team. The song has very prominent us of what was popularly known as Dattu Theka – a typical stroke that Dattaram would invariably conjure up in his the accompanying base instrumentation.

Rahi Tu Ruk Mat Jaana Toofan Se Mat Ghabharana, Kahin To Milegi Teri Manzil Kahi Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein – Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964):- Hemant Kumar (in three parts) – Kishore Kumar

One the most respected song- be it from the singer’s perspective or music director’s perspective, from the perspective of a song that includes the film title or from the perspective of the delivery of song writer’s message

I have lined up songs that have Mohammad Rafi in the end of the episode. Incidentally each one represents a very different point of a spectrum of Shailendra’s vast repertoire

Ja Ja Na Ched Maan Bhi Ja – Satta Bazar(1959) – Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur  – Kalyanji-Anandji

This is the only song that Shailendra has penned for the film. Hasrat Jaipuri and Indeevar had two songs each, whereas Gulshan Bawra had 3 songs. This also gives us one more of a Johnny Walker song to accompany one of the most illustrious one – Jangal Mein Mor Nacha Kisi Ne Na Dekha

Gham Ki Badli Mein Chamakta Ek Sitara Hai Aaj Apan Ho Na Ho Kal Hamara Hai – Kal Hamara Hai (1959):- Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra – Chitragupt

As the name of the films suggests, the film essentially would be based on the Patriotism theme. Therefore, it is not quite surprising to see Shailendra being easily able to handle the songs that befit the theme.

Aam Chhum Taam Chhum Haar Ho Ki Jeet Ho Khel Mein Rahe Magana – Chhote Nawab (1961) Mohammad Rafi – R D Burman

Here is the song that depicts the mental state of a grown-up prince.

Illahi Tu Sun Le Hamali Duva, Hame Sirf Ek Asara Hai Tera. Teri Rahamate Rah Roshan Kare, Salamat Rahe Saya Man-bap Ka – Chhote Nawab (1961):- Mohammad Rafi – R D Burman  The song was the game changer in the film. In his maiden venture, RDB, on one hand succeeds in  providing just the right platform to Mohammad Rafi to fully express the emotions of the song and on the other hand has lived up to the challenge of the Shailendra’s very poignant lyrics.

When we look back now, we see one most glaring association missing at the core career path years of Shailendra – with Madan Mohan. Similarly, if we see the presence of R D Burman from the (so-called) next generation of music directors, one may note absence of Laxmikant Pyarelal.

We will continue our search for Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month……..

Disclaimer: All images are sourced from net. All copyrights of the respective image remain with the original owner of the image.

[i]   Virasat – Lyricist ‘Shailendra’