Shankar- (Jaikishan) and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory: 1954
Shankar (Singh Raghuvanshi) – B: 25 October 1922 | D: 26 April 1987 – is generally known to be less glamorous that his film music composition partner Jaikishan. However, barring some hiccups in the later part of their active association, their professional bond was so seamless that may knowledgeable musicologists of those days used find it difficult to recognize who has composed which song. It was said that Shankar would compose Shailendra’s songs and Jaikishan would compose Hasrat Jaipuri’s songs. The division of the songs was based on what would suit the situation. However, from the stage the song is being readied for recording, both would be seen working hands in gloves to ensure that the song is no less than their best.
Selection of only Shailendra’s songs in this series is, thus, the outcome of the then popular thumb rule of cross-paring of Shankar Jaikishan with Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. We have commenced the present series of Shankar- (Jaikishan) and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory from October 2018 and have been covering their less familiar songs from the films released in chronological order of year.
Till now, we have covered the years
1949 – 1953 in 2018
1953 (Continued) in 2019.
Presently, we would listen to Shankar- (Jaikishan) and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory for the year 1954..
We have three films in 1954 – Badshah, Mayurpankh and Pooja. A cursory look at the list of Shankar- (Jaikishan) and Shailendra’s Songs shows that even as SJ – along with Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri as lyricists – had some outstanding successes under their bet, by 1954, they were still in the process of setting a wide base of banners, film subjects, even the actor-actresses for which the songs on the screen will be filmed etc. As such the songs for the year 1954 show a definitive stamp of SJ – Shailendra-Hasrat combination, we have relative larger share of songs (per album) that remained less familiar than the later years creations.
Badshaah (1954)
The film had eight songs of which Shailendra has penned two songs. Of the two Rula Kar Chal Diye Ek Din HaseN Ban Kar Jo Aaye The is enshrined as one of the all-time Hemant Kumar song.
Gul Muskara Utha, Bul Bul Ye Ga Utha, Bago Mein Aayi Bahar – Lata Mangeshkar, chorus
We have here a very rarely heard song. The song composition has primarily mid-western culture influence. Prominence of male singers in the chorus also attracts listener’s attention.
Mayur Pankh (1954)
The story and screenplay of the film revolve round the infatuation of Ranjit (Kishore Sahu) for an English novelist Joan (Odette Fergusson) and the tragic aspect of the love affair from both their points of view and that of Shanti (Sumitra Devi), Ranjit’s wife. The story moves around from jungle scenes to village melas against the backdrops of historic places, providing thereby the avenues for situations for the songs as well. Shankar Jaikishan have also accepted the challenge for providing music for such songs quite successfully.
Ye Barkha Bahar Sautaniya Ke Dwar – Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle
A signature mujra song, opening with note of Sarangi and a enticing alaap by the singers.
Aside Trivia: The song is rendered on the screen by the then famous Wajifdar sisters.
Atul’s Song A Day post on this song has addressed the details of the song at great length.
Main Chalu Paschim, Purab Chale Duniya – Lata Mangeshkar
This is a fast-paced dance song, performed on stage by Cuckoo.
Tandana….Mushkil Hai Pyar Chhupana Tandana… Preet Nayi Dard Purana – Lata Mangeshkar, Chorus
Hindi films have the knack of third-party singers sing songs that exactly reflect the feelings or thoughts of relevant protagonists! Shailendra has smartly rhymed the local phrase Tandanna, used normally to lend punch to the rhythm, with Chhupana, Purana etc.
Pooja (1954)
The film had Bharat Bhushan, along with Poornima in the lead. But this should be pre-Bharat Bhushan golden hand-shake period film. My first exposure to the songs happened during Multiple version songs series on SoY with two songs – Jo Ek Baar Keh Do (happy and sad versions). Other than these , all other songs belong to not-so-known territory. The film had 10 songs, of which 8 are penned by Shailendra.
Mori Bipada Aan Haro, Prabhu Kahe Der Karo – Lata Mangeshkar
Shankar Jaikishan comes up with a minimal orchestration ‘bhajan’ genre song. Use of dholak as the rhythm instrument.
Holi Ayi Pyari Pyari, Bhar Pichkari Rang De Chunariya Hamari – Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
A holi genre song, with SJ improvising with the use of chorus as second interlude to change the song delivery in the second stanza, with song becoming a softly-higher-scale Rafi, chorus song.
Rang Khelo Rasiya Suratiya Pahechan – Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, chorus
This is the second part of the preceding song.
Main Muralidhar Ki Murali Lai, Murlidhar Ne Lai Meri Mala – Lata Mangeshkar
Shankar Jaikishan present this dance song with their trademark large sized orchestration support in the song composition.
Soch Na Manwa.. Teri Taqdeer Bananewala Sochega – Mohammad Rafi
The prelude opens with a stroke of violin ensemble, followed a solo violin piece supported piano expanse as Mohammad Rafi opens the first line with a higher note. Interlude pieces comprise of violin ensemble with flute support.
Room Jhoom Ke Bajao Bansuri Murari – Mohammad Rafi, Krishnarao Chonkar
We have a classical based MM duet. Shankar Jaikishan has roped in services of Krishnarao Chonkar to lend authenticity to the song.
Chal Chal Re Musafir Chal Tu Us Duniya Mein Chal – Mohammad Rafi
The orchestration id predominantly flute based, with a very subtle obbligato support. Short violin ensemble, more as counter melody support to the interlude music is perhaps the only tell-tale indicator of a Shankar Jaikishan composition, However, even this is presented in much different form than what we normally associate with SJ orchestration.
Shailendra is at his usual poetic mood when he thinks about the ‘the other’ world and links up his egalitarian view of ‘that’ world with these lyrics –
jaha pyaar kaa rasta koyi naa roke,
koyi naa kahe sambhal
… …. … .. .. …..
… …. … .. .. …..
jahan ujade naa singaar kisi kaa
phaile naa kaajal
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.
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