Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : June 2022

Dattaram – Dekhi Teri Duniyaa Arre Dekhe Tere Kaam

Dattaram (a.k.a. Dattaram Lakshman Wadkar) – B: 1929 | D: 8 June 2007) is that notable name that remains etched in the history of Hindi Film Music as ‘an unsung composer’. Whether Dattaram’s continuing as SJ’s assistant was a tactical error, or whether he could not create his own ‘musical identity’ or was so modest that he would unhesitatingly respond to the calls by other music directors to play dholak and such theories that postulate the reason(s) for such a fate remain inconclusive. However, as we listen to his compositions of the years when the work came to him in bits and pieces, Dattaram’s music comes out as fresh as it was when he stepped out as independent music director.

We have commenced a series on Dattaram that focuses on the songs from the films where he is independent music director, to commemorate the month of death anniversary.

Till now we have covered, Dattaram’s compositions from the films during

1957 to 1959 in 2018,

1960 and 1961 in 2019, and

1962 and 1963 in 2020

1965 in 2021

Dattaram did not seem to have any film in 1966 and 1967. He had one film Farishta in 1968 and two films, Baalak and Beqasoor in 1969.We will listen to the songs from these three films in the present episode.

Farishta (1968)

Dattaram teams up with Asad Bhopali, a highly respected lyricist, for the film.

Duniya Ek Jhamela Hai …. …. … , O Diwane Humse Mil Aa Mila Le Dil Se Dil – Asha Bhosle

In line with the thriller film formula, whenever something exciting is going to happen, a club song pops in. Dattaram takes up the cue and sets the tone with guitar-based dance tune.

Dekhi Teri Duniyaa Arre Dekhe Tere Kaam – Mukesh

The song situation is framed as a street song, where the song being rendered by the performer fits the state of mind of the lead actor. The song is meant to convey sorrowful pensive mood and that seems to have led Dattaram to choose Mukesh as the playback singer.

Ek Khoobsurat Ladki Meri Nayi Mulaqati – Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle

Dattaram seems to finally awake to the reality of using Kishore Kumar for a mischievous song.

Does it not sound very prophetic, just a year before Kishore Kumar was to sweep the market with his Aaradhana numbers!

Bhaiyya Mere Pyaare Raakhi Bandhaao Bhaiyya – Asha Bhosle

Dattaram comes with a very original, fresh, dance tune for a traditional ‘rakhi’ situation

Rut Badli More Rasiya Mile, Rasiya Mile Ji Man Basiya Mile – Asha Bhosle

Dattaram creates a very playful tune for song that reflects the happy mood of the protagonist.

Baalak (1969)

Baalak was film based on an idealist story, but hardly made any impact on the box office. The songs for the film are penned by Bharat Vyas.

Sun Le Bapu Yeh Paigam, Meree Chitthi Tere Naam – Suman Kalyanpur

As I listen to the song, I recall that this child song was heard quite often on radio those days. That in turn goes on to show that Dattaram had not lost his touch after a good decade of his stupendous entery with the Ab Dilli Door Nahi numbers.

Bhagwan Ki Dekho Bhul Bichad Gaya Dali Se Ek Phul – Mohammad Rafi

As generally is the case with the background songs, this song also encapsulates the essence of the story of the film. Dattaram easily turns back to Mohammad Rafi for the playback.

Chandaniya….. Chandaniya Hai Raat Sajan Rahiyo Ke Jayiyo – Asha Bhosle

Dattaram seems to have fallen back on Shankar’s style of orchestration for this mujra song

Mera Naam Hai Mehmud Rahta Har Jagah Maujud – Shanti Mathur

Dattaram’s adroitness in selecting the playback singers is reflected in the selection of Nanha Munna Rahi Hun (Son of India, 1962) fame Shanti Mathur as playback for the song.

Beqasoor (1969)

The film, which appears to a Hindi-film-formula, B grade, stunt film, had four songs, all written by Farooq Kaiser.

O Sanam Mera Saath Dena Pyar Ki Raah Mein – Suman Kalyanpur, Mohammad Rafi

Dattaram composes a playful romantic mood duet.

Rukhsana…… Haye Rukhsana .. Dekhoji Mere Pichhe Mat Aana – Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi

Here is another very playful song with Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle at their best ‘harakatein’ moods.

Naam Gulabi Hai Mera – Asha Bhosle

Dattaram creates a catchy ‘club’ song that comes up as a very appealing, overall, construction,.

Mohabbat Se Keh Do (Asha Bhosle) is the song for which I could not trace digital link on the net.

On that note, we reach the last leg of Dattaram’s career as independent director, with two of his last films, in the next, the last in the present series, episode.

Author: ASHOK M VAISHNAV

In July 2011, I opted to retire from my active career as a practicing management professional. In the 38 years that I pursued this career, I had opportunity to work in diverse capacities, in small-to-medium-to-large engineering companies. Whether I was setting up Greenfield projects or Brownfield projects, nurturing the new start-ups or accelerating the stabilized unit to a next phase growth, I had many more occasions to take the paths uncharted. The life then was so challenging! One of the biggest casualty in that phase was my disregards towards my hobbies - Be with The Family, Enjoy Music form Films of 1940s to mid-1970s period, write on whatever I liked to read, pursue amateur photography and indulge in solving the chess problems. So I commenced my Second Innings to focus on this area of my life as the primary occupation. At the end of four years, I am now quite a regular blogger. I have been able to build a few very strong pen-relationships. I maintain contact with 38-years of my First Innings as freelance trainer and process facilitator. And yet, The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. View all posts by ASHOK M VAISHNAV