Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory – 1956
Salil Chowdhury (B: 19 -11-1925 / D: 5-9-1995) and Shailendra (B: 30-8-1923/ D: 14-12-1966), both very creative in their own fields had their own originality. Moreover Shailendra was easily able maintain his own style even he was given a tune first, for a given situation. Shailendra had an additional advantage of good knowledge of Bangla language. Resultantly, Shailendra could add life to the beautiful, melodious content that Salil Chowdhury conceived. It is perhaps no coincidence that Shailendra first shot to fame with Utha hai toofan zamana badal raha (set to music by Salil Chowdhury) for IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association), the cultural arm of the Communist Party of India.[1]
We have commenced an annual series on Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory w.e.f. November, 2018. We listened to their songs for the years 1953 to 1955 and those of film Awaz last year.. For the present episode we will cover their two more films for the year 1956. Both these films have Bengali background.
Parivaar (1956):-
The two duets from the film – Ja Tose Nahin Bolun Kanhaiya (Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar) and Jhir Jhir Badarwa Barse Ho Kare Kare (Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar) – are two of the most memorable duets of the Hindi Films. The other songs from the film also present a much needed variety to the Salil Chowdhury – Shailendra combination.
Baawali Bana Ke Chhoda – Asha Bhosle
This is one of the rarest gem of an Asha Bhosle songs.
Ek Do Teen Chaar Paanch – Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhosle, chorus)
As noted on World of Salil Chowdhury, Salil Chowdhury shows his love and respect to one of his mentors, Beethoven in this song. Here one can hear how he used a small part from Beethoven’s “Pastoral” 6th Symphony.
Kuven Mein Dub Ke Mar Jaana Yaar Tum Shaadi Mat Karna – Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar has used at least five different voices and that too flawlessly. On the whole, the song has been a classic vintage Kishore Kumar gem.
Jaagte Raho (1956):-
Jaagte Raho was brilliantly transformed into a Bengali version Ek Din Ratre. Most of the songs have been used in the same situation.
Zindagi Khwab Hai (Mukesh) has been filmed as Ei Duniyay Bhai Shob Hi Hoy in Ek Din Ratre – Manna Dey – (Lyrics: Salil Chowdhury)
The song is filmed on Chhabi Biswas. The perfect synchronization of lyricisists in both version provides us ample testimony of the bonding of Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra.
Manna Dey has as well recorded a cover version of the Hindi version of the song, in line with very popular practice of those days.
Thandi Thandi Sawan Ki Phuhar – Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is so natural in this song that the pathos of the song roots deeply in our mind. Sandhya Mukherjee’s portrayal of the song in the Bengali version is as melancholic too, even as both compositions are totally different.
Lo She Vai Vai Maine Jo Li Angadai – Sandhya Mukherjee, chorus
The song has been used as it is in Ek Din Ratre.
Jago Mohan Pyaare Jago (Lata Mangeshkar, chorus) remains the centerpiece in both versions, and the Bengali version of the song remains equally well-crafted piece.
We do not have any directly related song of Mohammad Rafi for our present episode. So I have veered slightly away, and have picked up –
Teki Mein Jhooth BoliyaN – Jagte Raho (1956) – Lyrics Prem Dhawan – Mohammad Rafi with S Balbir
Bengali version – Ek Din Ratre- has retained the song as it is..
In one of the interviews Salil Chowdhury gave all credit to Prem Dhawan for this song.
This song also helps in the beginning of the end of our episode, in continuing with our tradition of listening to Mohammad Rafi song(s) relevant to the subject.
As we do not have any more directly related song of Mohammad Rafi, I have gone back in to the previous years of Salil Chowdhury’s filmography and have found two songs written by Prem Dhawan.:
Suno Ki Seeta Ki Kahani – Biraj Bahu (1954) – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan .
This a classic background song.
Tere Naino Ne Jadoo Daala – Taangewali (1955) – With Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
We have a quintessential Punjabi folk tune-based song.
We will continue our journey of Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra’s Songs in our next episode of November, 2020.
We will continue remembering 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.
[1] The Most Popular Lyricist – Partha Chatterjee
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