Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: February 2021

Talat Mahmood: Duets with Geeta Dutt:

A Rare Blend of Velvety Voice with Mellifluous Tone

Talat Mahmood (B: 24 February 1924 | D: 8 May 1998), known for his velvety voice was more comfortable in lower scales. His voice required most of the music directors to adapt their styles to his singing. Geeta Dutt (born Geeta Ghosh Roy Chowdhuri; B: 23 November 1930 | D: 20 July 1972) was a gifted singer who could enliven any song with her mellifluous voice. The contrasting styles of the two contemporaries should have resulted in a larger number of duets. However, the destiny seemed to have scripted a different script for the duets of these two singers.

Statistically, the number of Talat Mahmood – Geeta Dutt duets trail those of Talat Mahmood-and Lata Mangeshkar as well as Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosle. However, as in the case of both artists’ other songs, the numbers alone do not make the full picture. How the velvety voice of Talat Mahmood so magically blended with the mellifluous tone of Geeta Dutt can be experienced only by listening their duets.

To commemorate the memory of Talat Mahmood in the month of his birth, we have taken up the theme of his rare duets. Till now, we have explored –

In 2017, an overview of Talat Mahmood’s duets receding from the memory.

In 2018, Talat Mahmood’s duets with rare co-singers,

In 2019, Talat Mahmood’s duets with Mubarak Begum and with Madhubala Jhaveri, and

In 2020, Talat Mahmood’s duets with Geeta Dutt, essentially from 1950 to 1952.

Presently, we carry forward our journey into the memory lanes of Talat Mahmood- Geeta Dutt duets.

Kah Rahi Hain Dhadakane Pukar Kar, Chupake Chupake Dhire Dhire Pyar Kar – Laal Pari (1954) – Hansraj Behl – Asad Bhopali

To a good many of Geeta Dutt or Talat Mahmood fans, the song will ring special bells of memory. Geeta Dutt slides over changing scales across the song.

Muhabbat Ki Duniya Mein Barbad Rahena Magar Kuchh Na Kahena – Lakeeren – Hafeez Khan – Shewan Rizvi

Songs runs in a lower scale in consonance with the mood of poignancy.

Wah Re Wah Bhagwan…Hazar Haathwale Mandir Ke Dwar Khule Aur Tere Moonh Pe Taale – Maha Pooja (1954) – Avinash Vyas – Ramesh Gupta

Talat Mahmood opens on a high scale as he renders ‘sakhi’. The song then essentially plays in lower scale.

Avinash Vyas has used Geeta Dutt so effectively for Gujarati films. Here Geeta Dutt comes up very sharp variant of her tone, probably in line with a tone of complaint of the song..

Aaye To Kaise Aaye, Majbur Kar Diya Hai…Mil Jaye Koi Tumse Aake Sahar Nahi Koi – Sangam (1954) – Ram Ganguli – Hasrat Jaipuri

Geeta Dutt opens ‘sakhi’ on a higher scale which is supported by a crescendo of violins ensemble. Geeta Dutt continues in higher scale supported by Talat Mahmood in lower scale, thereby creating depth of mood of exasperation.

Raat Hai Aramaan Bhari….Aur Kya Suhani Raat Hai, Aaj Bichhade Dil Mile Hai, Tera Mera Saath Hai – Sangam (1954) – Ram Ganguli – Hasrat Jaipuri

The song opens with high scale singing by the chorus, probably the crew of the boat singing the tune in rhythm with pedaling the boat. But this itself is sufficient to set the mood of the song – a serene trip on calmly flowing river, in open moonlight and the two beloved ones together after a long time…

This was one of the hugely liked song then, which remains well remembered even today.

Dekho Dekho Ji Balam Deke Birha Ka Gam Mera Naha Sa Jiya Tadapana Na – Bahu (1955) – Hemant Kumar – S H Bihari

We have a very playful song which Geeta Dutt seems to be equally enjoying as she keeps climbing up and down the scales. We get to hear here a fast paced song that is so sweet all the way through vocal s and orchestration.

Thandi Thandi HawaoN Mein, TaroN Ki ChaaoN Mein, Aaj Balam Dole Mora Jiya – Bahu (1955) – Hemant Kumar – S H Bihari

The song is set to an easy flow pace, in consonance with the mood and the possible situation – the couple riding on some vehicle- mostly a horse cart, or even cycles as was very popular style in those years – in the open moon night.

Kya Paya Duniya Ne…Do Pyar Bhare Dil Tod Kyun Kya Paya Duniya Ne – Darbar (1956)  – Hansrah Behl – Asad Bhaopali / Prem Dhawan

We have a poignant song wherein the couple questions the way the world treats the innocent love of the couple. Geeta Dutt switches over to a lower scale in a melancholy tone with a questioning tone in a higher scale.

Dono Jahan Ke Maalik, Tera Hi Aasara Hai, … Raazi Hai Hum Usi Mein Jis Mein Teri Razaa Hai – Khul Ja Sim Sim (1956) – Hansraj Behl – Asad Bhopali

Incidentally, we have a totally inverse song from the same team – seeking a reprieve from the troubles of this world in the form of  a prayer in the resigned tone this time. It is Talat who scales higher scale at the beginning of each stanza.

O Arabpati Ki Chhori..Gori Gori…Dili Door Nahin  – Makhichoos (1956) – Vinod – Pt. Indra

This a song of Chhed Chaad genre, very popularly used in Hindi films, this time both the parties enjoying the mutual teasing- a way of expressing the enjoyment of stealing a few moments of togetherness. It is not only rare for Talat Mahmood to playback so light song, it is equally rare for Mahipal to sing such a song on the screen, that is in fully modern suit-tie formal attire.

Saare Jag Se Nain Chura Ke Ho Gayi Main Teri – Naag Padmini (1957) – Sanmukh Babu Upadhyay – Prem Dhwan

A lovely playful romantic song, wherein if Geeta Dutt is in her elements, Talat Mahmood comfortably matches the mood.

Dil Ko Laga Ke Bhul Se Dil Ka NishaaN Mita Diye – Doctor Z – Manohar – Akhtar Romani

Here is a song that is from an unknown film, by a hardly heard named music director that showcases strong vocals of Geeta Dutt as she effortlessly. Renders alaap to support and synthesize Talat Mahood to a improvised waltz tune. The composition is quite complex to sing, but the magic blending of the two voices makes it a gem that would like to listen again and again.

Tum Sa Meet Mila Dil Ka Phool Khila, Chalta Rahe YuN Hi Sanam, KhushiyoN Ka Kaafila – Midnight (91972) – Subir Sen – ?

A low-scale vocals high scale orchestration composition, that can be considered as the last duet of Talat Mahmood and Geeta Dutt. The film was never released. So it is really very lucky to get the song on the YT.

There is a reference to a duet – Tumhari Mohabbat Ka Badla – by Daan Singh (film – Bahadur Shah Zafar), but the song does not seem to be traceable. So is a NFS duet Chanda Hanse Hans Rahi Chandani (Music: Jimmy) not traceable on YT.

A look back at Talat Mahmood – Geeta Dutt duets reveals a pattern wherein we do not find songs by the then mainstream music directors. This can be possibly because when either singer was picked up as lead singer for major banner, the other singer would be someone like Lata Mangeshkar, or even Asha Bhosle, as female playback or Mohammad Rafi as male playback. A such what we lose in terms of numbers is well compensated by a very wide range of highly talented music directors and Talat – Geeta duets of all hues and shades, leaving us with a feeling of being fully satisfied with a high-quality fare to enjoy forever.

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.

P.S.:  Talat Mahmood: Duets with Geeta Dutt and its Gujarati version તલત મહેમૂદનાં યુગલ ગીતો – ગીતા (રોય) દત્ત સાથે can be read / downloaded by clicking on તલત મહેમૂદનાં ગીતા (રોય) દત્ત સાથે યુગલ ગીતો । Talat Mahmood: Duets with Geeta Dutt.