Manna Dey – Chale Ja Rahein Hai…. : 1957 (1)
Manna Dey, a.k.a. Prabodh Chandra Dey, (1 May 1919 – 24 October 2013)’s classical training and ‘too clear, open’ voice seemed to not only over-qualify him to be a popular singer, but even type cast him for religious or patriotic or songs that were meant to present the joy of nature. However, use of the versatility of his voice was successfully utilized by Shankar Jaikishan in songs of different moods, like Dil Ka Haal Sune Bhai Dilwala or Pyar Hua Ikarar Hua or Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh in Shree 420 (1955). Then came the roaring success of songs of pure romance – Aa Ja Sanam Madhur Chandani Mein Hum, Ye Raat Bhigi Bhigi and JahaN Main Jaati HuN WahiN Chale Aate Ho (Chori Chori, 1956). This led to a surge in the demand for his voice as the number of songs went up to a peak of 95 in 1957 from the 56 songs in 1956. But these numbers still seemed to be not adequate to place him in the league of THE male playback for lead actor.
Our present series Chale Ja Rahen Hai is our tribute to Manna Dey to refresh the universal appeal of his voice by specifically choosing the so-called less popular, less-heard songs. Till now, we have covered Manna Dey’s less popular, less-heard songs for the years –
1942 – 1946 in the year 2018.
1947 – 1950 in the year 2019.
1951 – 1953 in the year 2020
1954-1955 in the year 2021, and
1956 in the year 2022
Even if we do not focus on evergreen songs like Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware (Dekh Kabira Roya – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna – Music: Madan Mohan), we will certainly need several episodes to cover the rest of the songs for the year 1957.
We commence our journey on that note….
O Mister O Mister Suno Ek Baat Badi Bewafa Hai Ye MardoN Ki Jaat, Badalte Hai Rang Pal Mein Hazar Kare Inke VadoN Pe Kya Eitbar, Ye Karne Ko To Karle Ha Bhi Swikar Par Ek Hi Nazar Mein Hai Kiska Eitbar – Agra Road – with Geeta Dutt and chorus – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan – Music: Roshan
Even as Roshan chose Mohammad Rafi as male voice for the maiden appearance of Vijay Anand in lead role, choice of Manna Dey for this waltz-based dance song is also a noteworthy enough experiment.
Tum Ko Pukarti Hai Pratap Ki Kahaniya ….. Kya Unchai Insaan Ki – Amar Singh Rathod – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: Sanmukh Babu
The song indeed is a background song with patriotic appeal but has a subtle blend of pathos as well.
Phir Wahi Dard Hai Phir Wahi Jigar, Phir Wahi Raat Hai Phir Wahi Hai Dar – Apradhi Kaun – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri – Music: Salil Chowdhury
The comedy genre song has been blended with the mood of drunkenness.
Hai Pyar Ke Do Matwale …. Ek Hum Aur Ek Tum – – Apradhi Kaun – with Geet Dutt – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri – Music: Salil Chowdhury
The comedians too did get to sing a romantic song in the films in those days. The way Manna Dey plays differently every time with Ek Hum Aur Tum amply validates the natural flexibility of his singing prowess.
Ek Bade Baap Ki Beti Ko Kal Ghar Ke Munshi Sang, Arre, Dekha Ghul Mil Batiya Karte Aur Jamate Rang – Bandi – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna – Music: Hemant Kumar
Manna Dey comes into his elements as he renders the tongue-in-cheek town gossip in a folk styled street theater mood style song.
Ma Teri Mamta Kitni Pyari Kitna Pyar Jatati Hai – Bansari Baala – Pandit Phani – Kamal Mitra
Manna Dey adds softness that mother’s love evokes in the child as he sings the devotional mood song for the Mother.
Hai Bahut Dino Ki Baat Tha Ek Majnu Aur Ek Laila – Bhaabhi – with S Balbir and Mohammad Rafi – Rajendra Krishna – Chitragupta
The “classically trained”, “Bengali” Manna Dey so easily teams up with thorough Punjabi voice of Balbir and ‘versatile’ Mohammad Rafi to render a Punjabi folk tale .
Duniya Teri Tu Duniya Ka Yun Daali Mein Paat, Tera Mera Janam Janam Ka Saath – Bhakta Dhruv – with Geeta Dutt – Pandit Madhur – Avinash Vyas
In a purely mythological environment, Manna Dey creates soft mood romance with Geeta Dutt.
Din Albele Pyar Ka Mausam Chanchal Man Mein Toofan, Aise Mein Kar Lo Pyar – Begunah – with Lata Mangeshkar – Hasrat Jaipuri – Shankar Jaikishan
Riding on the thriving success of Chori Chori songs, Shankar Jaikishan have easily chosen Manna Dey for the present romantic duet. However, such were the ways of Hindi Film Music world that when Mukesh wanted to comeback form his disastrous detour of the acting route, friendship with likes of Shankar Jaikishan did create special songs for him. As such, the wheel of Fortune has also placed Mukesh in direct competition in the form of Ae Pyaase Dil BejubaaN.
Tum Mere Swami Antaryami Maat Pita Tum Mere – Chhote Baabu – With Usha Mangeshkar – P L Santoshi – Madan Mohan
Even with phenomenal success of Dekh Kabira experiment with Manna Dey, Madan Mohan has chosen the then popular Talat Mahmood for songs like Do Din KI Mohabbat Mein Hamne or Teri Chamakti Annkon Ke Aage Ye Sitaare Kuchch Bhi NahiN
Aa Jao Rasiya Sawan Ke Din Aaye – Champakali – with Lata Mangeshkar – Rajendra Krishna – Hemant Kumar
The song is essentially a monsoon festival celebration song but has a fair dose of expression of romantic mood alongside too.
As we mull the different moods of Manna Dey, we take a break in our journey of reminiscing Manna Dey’s songs for the year 1957.
We will continue remembering Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month ……..
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