Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: March, 2018

S N Tripathi: Unremembered music director of remembered songs:: 1951 – 1956

Many of the 50s-60s generation fans of Hindi Film Music would agree with me that S N Tripathi (14 March, 1913 – 28 March, 1988) is not all that unremembered music director as the title suggests. The fact that, in his fairly eventful career, he composed songs for over 250 films, acted in around 200 films, wrote screenplays for 37 films and directed 39 films as well. His being remembered as music director of B/C grade mythological / historical films may also be statistically correct. What is perhaps not being remembered is that the quality of the music that he always presented never was governed by the (so-called) classification of the film. He did extract the best from the singers, whatever may the budget or the story of the film.  In fact many of his most remembered songs were from these class of films only.

It is also true that there are more songs that have slipped back into the memory of his fans then the ones that re universally remembered now. So, we try to bring up those unremembered songs on one page.

We had covered some songs from 1941 to1950 in our March, 2017 issue. Presently, we will cover his films from 1951 to 1956. We have aimed to cast our net as wide as possible in so far as the range of playback singers in selecting the songs from the films of this period.

Kyun Rooth Gaye Mujhse – Hanuman Paataal Vijay (1951) – Geeta Dutt, – Lyrics-Anjum Jaipuri (to the best available records)

The song easily establishes S N Tripathi’s handling of nuances of various playback singers so well.

BTW, this is the films which would take credit for S N Tripathi playing Hanuman for the first time.

Aaj Achanak Jaag Uthe Kyu In Hotho Par Geet,
Shayad Man Me Jaag Uthi Hai Chanachal Pankh Aur Preet,
Kaise Jaan Gayi Ye Akhiyan Sharmane Ki Reet,
Dheere Dheere Gori Tera Bachpan Raha Hai Beet – Laxmi Narayan  (1951) – Geeta Dutt, Sulochana Kadam, Chorus – Lyrics: B D Mishra

Observe the subtle difference between the singing styles of Geeta Dutt for Meena Kuamri and Sulochana Kadam for her friends. That is the S Ntrpathi’s knack of enlivening the spirit of lyrics of the song. The song has Meena Kumari truly on the threshold of adolescent-youth gateway..

Hai Mera Naam Ramzani – Alibaba Aur Jadui Chirag (1952) – Chitragupta, Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Shyam Hindi

S N Tripathi seems to have done a large number of ‘Alibaba’ genre films, as did his the then assistant in ‘Sindbad’ series of films.

Chhaai Birhaa Ki Raat Moraa Tadpe Jiyaa, Mose Ruthe Piyaa Koi Man Kaa Sahara Nahi – Nav Durga (1953) – Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: Anjum Jaipuri (To the best available records).

This one can be easily classified as well-remembered song, once you hear the song,

Dekhoji Chand Nikla Picche Khajoor Ke, Basare Ki Hoor Naache Aage Huzoor Ke – Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor (1954) – Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Raja Mahmedi Ali khan

The songs is all set to recreate the atmosphere of the mid-West Asia era.

Zara Thaharo Mai Haal-e-dil Suna Lun Phir Chale Jana – Inaam (1955) – Suraiya – Lyrics:  Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

The film has one song composed by Sarasvati Devi, with whom S N Tripathi commenced his career in Hindi Film Music world, in 1935.

1956 has as many as 5 films for which S N Tripathi composed music.

Mehfil Me Kaisi Chham Chham, Kiska Hain Ye Tarana, O Bekhabar Tere Siwa Sare Jahan Ne Jana – Dilli Darabar (1956) – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Shailendra

The songs of the film have been shared between Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. It would be interesting to find out how many times this would have happened if the music direction was other than that of Shanker- Jaikishan!

Nakhre Karti Darti Nakhre Karti Darti Gayi Thi Main Bazaar – Hatimtai (1956) – Mister Sheikh – Lyrics:  Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

The title of the film – “Hatimtai”- may not come to memory of many, but the songs Pavardiagr-e – Alam Tera Hi Hai Sahara and Jhoomati Hai Nazar Jhuumata Hai Pyar would be a matter of instant recall for most of us.

It is said that Nizam of Hyderabad was so taken in by the prayer Parwardigar-e-Alam that he got that reel re-run 14 times when the film was screened for the first time in Hyderabad.

The song that we have selected presents the locale of film’s story in lighter vein.

Dar Kya Hai Toofaan Ka, Leke Naam Bhagwaan Ka, Daanv Lagaa De Jaan Ka – Panna (1956 ) – Suman Kalyanpur, Mohammad Rafi – Lyrics: B D Mishra

The composition and the orchestration leave no doubt that this is a motivational marching song.

Tere Sang Preet Kiye Bada Dukh Hoye – Rajrani Meera (1956) – Lata Mangeshkar – B D Mishra

Set to same Raag Bhairavi, there is another Meera Bhajan: Jo Tum Choodo Piya which is set to different metre, scale and rhythm in Janak Janak Payal Baaje, Meera and Silsila

Vo Dekho Udhar Chand Nikla Gagan Me, Idhar Aa Gayi Chandni Muskurati, Baharo Ki Rangeen Ye Muskurahat, Dilo Mein Umango Ki Duniya Basati – Roop Kumari (1956) – Manna Dey, Geeta Dutt  –  Lyrics: B D Mishra

S N Tripathi seems to have adopted an altogether different approach for this romantic duet. Listen to the subtle use of waltz rhythm as a base to which the song is set.

To end our episode with a Muhammad Rafi song would not have been difficult because S N Tripathi has used Mohammad Rafi in varying situation in his films. Interestingly, we have a song that is quite unique:

Jab Rup Hi Pyasa Hokar Yu, Cchhup Chhup Ke Pani Peeyega, To Rup Ka Pyasa Jo Hoga Wo Phir Kya Peekar Phir Jeeyega – Ratnamanjari (1955) – Mohammad Rafi – Lyrics: B D MishraAn eve-teasing song that is presented in a serene style!

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

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