Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : January 2021

Jaidev: Brilliant, But Underrated, Composer :  1972-1973

Jaidev (Varma) – B: 3 August 1919 – D : 6 January 1987 – is remembered more as a music director who could mold classical or folk tune in his very unique style. However, seen from a little different perspective, it was this talent that probably provided him the key to survive against the twin onslaught of unfavorable luck and the protectionist hegemony of the protective competitive strategies that were (apparently) successfully put in the practice by ‘successful’ music-directors to protect their individual production banners turfs.

In terms of basic nature of films that Jaidev got during his active career

from 1955 to 1985,  we can see four distinct phases – initial struggle (1955-1959- films like, Joru Ka Gulam, Samudari Daku, Anjai, Raat ke Rahi),

1^st peak of success – 1961 to , films like Hum Dono, Kinare Kinare, Mujhe Jeene Do),

confinement to small budget films (1964 to 1971, films like Naihar Chhootal Jaye, Hamare Gam Se Mat Khelo, Jiyo Aur Jeene Do, Sapna, Ek Bulboola Paani Ka, Shaadi Kar Lo, Doo Boond Pani),

revival phase (1971 to 1973, films like Reshma Aur Shera on one end, with low-budget films like Ek Thi Reeta, Bhavna, Maan Jaaiye, Prem Parbat sandwiched and Prem Parbat on the other end) and then

1974 till the end –  a period of crowning glory with films like Gaman and Ankahee, the two national award winners for Jaidev and then the gradual tapering off.

Of these phases, we have covered, the years –

• In 2018, we listened to his songs from the most successful films phase of 1955 to 1963.
• In 2019, we listened to his more remembered songs from his less remembered films for 1964 to 1970, and
• in 2020, we listened to highly appreciated songs from the films that did not succeed in 1971

in the form of our commemorative annual series in the month of Jaidev’s death anniversary month.

Presently, we will cover Jaidev’s music in films Bhavna, Maan Jaaiye (both in 1972) and Prem Parbat (1973). Bhavana, Maan Jaaiye again belong to those low-budget films, produced primarily for a selected class of filmgoers. The films did not have too many songs, and since the films inevitably flopped, the music also sank along with them. So, we have chosen to present each song for which a YT clip is available. Prem Parbat is case which is patently different. Its songs had gained a fairly large following then, are membered even today, even as the film failed at the box office. But each of the song has its own charm, so book a place here on the strength of that charm of Jaidev’s music which seems to have been fading from memory.

Bhavna (1972)

The star cast of the film was Dev Kumar, Soniya Sahni, Padma Khanna, etc,

Phir Milegi Kahan Aisi Tanhaiyan – Mukesh, Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

Asha Bhosle joins Mukesh to render this loveable, slow paced exchange between two hearts in love , alone by themselves. He poses the question – “Kya Iraada Hai”. And one can expect a touch of mischief the way She throws up the same question. For a Jaidev song, it is a not complex tune, but inherently a joy to listen to.

Meri Ilttija Hai Saqui, Bas Ilttija Hai Saquiya Tu Bhi Aa – Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

Here is a tune that seems to be Jaidev’s signature style these days – light orchestration, but a complex tune, song based on folk or traditional style. In the present case also Jaidev has deftly handled a Tawaiif song in the non-traditional way, so much so that the mandatory harmonium come in a unique presentation in the first interlude and also in the second interlude.

Main Teri Daasi Tu Mera Daata – Suman Kalyanpur – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

As can be made out from the lyrics, this a bhajan genre song. However, Jaidev renders in a complex enough tune.

Ye Duniya Woh Duniya Hain JahaN Insan Ki Koi Kimat NahiN – Mohammad Rafi – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

In all the likelihood, this one may be a background song.

I have not been able to locate digital link to a FF duet, Hum Hai WahaN Tassavur Bhi Tera Jahan Na Pahuche – Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar.

Maan Jaaiye (1972)

This was a film directed by B R Ishara and had Rakesh Pandey, Rehana Sultan in the lead, with Jalal Agha too in the main cast.

O Mitwaa…Badara Chhaye Re Kaare Kajarare – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

The song opens with a soft prelude call to Mitwa, the beloved. The song moves on with complex to sing, but melodious to listen to tune.

Le Chalo, Le Chalo, Ab Kahin Le Chalo….Soch Lo, Soch Lo, Ek Tarah Soch Lo – Mukesh , Vani Jayram – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

Jaidev continues with experiments – this time teaming up Vani Jairam with Mukesh.

Ye Wohi Geet Hai Jisko Maine Dhadkano Mein Basaya Hai – Kishore Kumar – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri

The song is wonderful rendition of mono-act by Jalal Agha, which Jaidev has set o a waltz tune.

Prem Parbat (1973)

The film is directed by Ved Raahi, who has earlier directed films with experimental streak, like  Oonche Log and Paraya Dhan and also films like Sanyasi  and Beimman with a commercial angle. The storyline of the film is that of an orphan girl (Rehana Sultan), whose loyalties are divided between her aged husband (Nana Palsikar) and a young forest officer (Satish Kaul), she has fallen in love with. Being the wife of the old Choudhari, she is conflicted about her love for another man. The film had run into severe cash flow problems, resulting in the prints being seized by the financier. Jaidev too suffered by this unfortunate run of the luck, as he, otherwise, can be seen to have hit his melodious pulse well in the film.

Yeh Dil Aur Unki NaigahoN Ke Saaye.. Mujhe Gher Lete Hain BaahoN Ke Saaye – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Jan Nisaar Akhtar

Set to Raag Pahadi, the song had hit the popularity charts in those days on one hand was highly acclaimed by the critics on the other hand. Santoor and Flute in the song are played by Shiv Kumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasiyaa respectively, which goes on to show Jaidev’s meticulous adherence to the quality of the works.

Ye Neer Kahan Se Barse Hai,,, Ye Badri Kahan Se Aayi Hai – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Padma Sachdev

Padma Sachdev (1940) is the modern Dogri poetess. She also wrote the lyrics of two songs of the 1978 Hindi film “Aankhin Dekhi” (music: J.P. Kaushik) including the famous duet “Sona re, tujhe kaise miloo” (Mohd Rafi and Sulakshana Pandit). She also wrote the lyrics along with Yogesh, for the film Saahas (1979, music: by Ameen Sangeet)

The song is an excellent blend of a folk and classical styles that so successfully creates the nature described in the song come live in our mind as we listen to the song or soak our mind with feelings narrated.

Mera Chhota Sa Gharbar…Mere Anagana Mein, Mera Chhota Sa Gharbar – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Padma Sachdev

The lyrics recreate the dream of the household that protagonist envisions. Jaidev supports the imagination with seemingly nontraditional tune, which is nonetheless quite melodious.

Raat Piya Ke Sang Jaagi Re Sakhi…Chain Pada Jo Ang Laagi Re Sakhi – Minoo Purushottam – Lyrics: Jan Nisaar Akhtar

Minu Purushottam is a name not very well known to many today. Confined to play second fiddle in B ad C grade films, her easily remembered rendition remains ‘Huzure wala, Jo Ho Izazat..’ – with Asha Bhosle, ’Ye Raat Phir Na Aayegi, 1960; Music: O P Nayyar).

Jaidev has so effectively used her voice to render the folk style description of the protagonist’s encounter with her beloved after a long separation.

I am not able to resist the temptation of capturing the lyrics her:

SaiyaN Ji Ne Jadoo Phera
BaahoN Ka Daala Ghera
Anchara Jo Khincha Mera
God Piya Ki Tang Laagi Re Sakhi

SaiyaN Je Daaka Daalaa
Uljha Jo LatoN Mein Bala
Bikhari Gale Ki Maala
Bhadki Badan Ki Jwaala
Devdhanush Laagi Re Sakhi

Gajaraa Suhana Toota
Kajara NayoN Ka Chootaa
Sab Tan Bhaya Re Jhoothaa
Jitana Sataya Loota
Aur Bhi Baanke Ang Lagi Re Sakhi

We pause here in our journey of rekindling the memories of Jaidev’s unforgettable songs, receding from our memory, before we move on to the next phase of his active film music career.

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

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