Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: July, 2017

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song From The FIRST Film With The Music Director: 1949

To commemorate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries, we commenced a series of articles on Mohammad Rafi that essentially tried to bring the solo song of Mohammad Rafi with the music director.  We had planned to take up one five-year slot in a chronological order to bring all the first films in which Mohammad Rafi had had a solo song with a music director. The first slot of 1944 to 1948 was covered in Part I and Part II in December, 2016. We will take up next five-year-slot of 1949 to 1954 this year.

 [For the sake for structured documentation, I will be following the alphabetical sequence of Film names in the post.]

1949 appears to the year of bounty in so far as Mohammad Rafi is concerned. He has several re-associations, with music directors like Husnlal Bhagatram,  Hansraj Behl, Naushad, C Ramchandra, Shyam Shundar.  Many of these songs did become evergreen hits as well. He also has plenty of maiden associations with music director who offered solo song(s) to him for the first time. Many of such associations bloomed into quite fruitfully rich associations in the future.

As we will fathom though the maiden solo songs with a music director for the year 1949, we will see that there are more unknown songs than the songs known well. The journey of Mohammad Rafi maiden solo songs, thus, continues to open more and more dimensions of the range of Mohammad Rafi solo songs as we have come to know in the period of post-1950 years – the Golden Years of Hindi Film Music – when he was to ascend to Number # 1 status, among male playback singers.

The maiden solo songs with different music director for the year 1949 are enough in numbers to justify a full length post.

Lo Rukh Badal Raha Hai Zindagi Ka, Dhara Le Kar Chali Hain Duaa, Allah Ka Sahara Khudard Ye Nazara – Banoo – Pt. Ram Prasad

The song is cast in Heer (Punjabi Folk Tune) style.

Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hun – Barsat- Shanker Jaikishan – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

Barsat was the maiden film for Shanker Jaikishan as well. As per the demands of the story, the overwhelming number of songs has gone Lata Mangeshkar. Mukesh also had exceptionally noteworthy songs in the film. That almost became the pattern for most of the RK – SJ films down the line. Remarkably, each of RK-SJ film always had at least one Mohammad Rafi song, (‘Aah, 1955 and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, 1961 are equally remarkable exceptions. The Rafi song in the RK-SJ film always had a very remarkable place. Most of the songs are well-remembered today.

Jab Yaad Kiya Ham Aane Lage, Haan Aane Lage……Tum Jhidkiyan Ham Ko Dene Lage, Ha Dene Lage – Chilman – Hanuman Prasad (Sharma)

‘Chilman’ had one more solo of Mohammad Rafi – Zahe Kismat Teri Mehfil Se. Hanuman  Prasad – Rafi had one more film in the year Daulat, which also has one Rafi solo on records  – Mohabbat Ki Sabha Mein Ham Collector Ban Ke – which is not yet available on net. HFGK notes that the songs of the fil hasve also appeared in ‘Jannat’ in the same year.

Ek Din Ek Armaan Bhara Dil Ulfat Se Do Char Hua – Garibi – Bulo C rani – B R Sharma

Bulo C Rani has used Rafi’s voice for the first time. The film had one duet with Shamshad Begum and two solos. The other solo song is: Kisi Se Hamne Poochha Mohabbat Kisko Kahate Hai

Taalim Ka Taraana Unche Suro Mein Gaa – Nai Taalim – Vasant Desai – S R Chopda ‘Saaz’

HFGK lists only two songs in the name of this film. YT’s knowledgable uploader Yashwant Vyas credits Narayan Jaago, Jaago Karunanidhan Jaago (Narsinh Avtar) to Mohammad Rafi, even as HFGK has not identified any playback singer.

Ek Dil Ne Suna Ek Dil Ne Kaha, Ek Dard Bhara Afsana, Haye Dard Bhara Afsana – Parda – Shramaji – Swami Ramanand

As is well-known to most of the Hindi Film Songs fans of the golden Perion, Sharmaji is the pseudonym of Khayyam. The film had one more solos of Rafi – Sitamgar Se Leta Hai Tu Intqam

Samay Ka Chakkar So Bal Khaye – Raaz – Malik Saradar – Meeraji

We have one more song in signature style of Mohammad Rafi. HFGK has mentioned music director as Malik Saradar, whereas most of the references on net show the name as Saradar Malik. However I am not sure whether both are the same person.

Teer Pe Teer Khaye Jaa, Zulmo Sitam Uthaaye Jaa – Rooplekha – Sajjad Hussain – Khumar Barabankvi

Mohammad Rafi opens the solo account with Sajjad Hussain. The present song can easily claim the most popular and known-till-day song in our present list.

Bhaj Man Kamal Nayan Kamlesh– Sant Janabai – Sudhir Phadke – Pt. Narendra Sharma

HFGK lists 22 songs in the film, of which playback singers have been identified in two songs. Source on net identify several songs to Mohammad Rafi. That gets us the opportunity to see Rafi in his now well-known Bhajan singing elements.

Mehmaan Banke Aaye The Armaan Ban Gaye – Shoharat – Aziz (Hindvi) – Gulshan Jharma

The song also has a duet version of this song, in which Rafi teams with Hamida Bano. The clip here has both the versions.

For the year 1949, the number of music directors who opened account of Mohammad Rafi solo songs is 10, same as in 1948. The overall tally of Mohammad Rafi’s songs for the year 1949 is 121 songs, with 21 music directors, spread over 49 films, which was 52, 25 and 21 respectively in 1948. Comparable numbers for the period 1944 to 1949 is 248 songs over 113 films. That should make 1949 as the undisputed hinge over which the floodgates of Mohammad Rafi opened in the decade of 1950.

 

We will continue our search for 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.

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song From The FIRST Film With The Music Director : 1944-1948 ǁ 2 ǁ

We have covered 1944, 1945 and 1946 as the three of the first five-year period of Mohammad Rafi’s FIRST film with the music director. Presently, we will cover 1947 and 1948 as the last two years of this period.

1947

Datta Davjekar, a fairly known name in the then Marathi films, debuts with Aap Ki Sewan Mein in Hindi Films. The film has several other records to its account as well. Lata Mangeshkar also made her debut as a playback singer with the song Paa Laagoon Kar Joree Re. The songs are written by Mahipal, who later on made his name as hero, especially in the mythological films and the poet-hero of V Shantaram’s 1959 film ‘Navrang’.. Mohammad Rafi has handled the eagerness of a longing lover on his way to meet his beloved in a controlled high-octave scale rendition. The beauty of the composition is in its vibrant freshness after so many years.

Datta Davjekar had two solos of Mohammad Rafi in the next film, Adalat (1948), too.

Incidentally, November (15^th) also is Datta Davjekar’s month of birth.

Meri Aankho  Ke Taare Yeh Phool Suhaye

Naresh Bhattacharya had all other songs of Dak Bangla in Suraiya’s voice (one being a duet with Mukesh too), except this Mohammad Rafi solo. The song, written by D N Madhok, is such a pleasant tune to listen to, though slightly difficult to hum with.

Jab Jab Baithe Baithe Dil Bhar Aye Aur Lab Se Nikale Haye, Socho Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya

S D Burman also opens account with Mohammad Rafi solo in Do Bhai. Raja Mahendi Ali Khan’s lyrics have been done a very fair justice by Mohammad Rafi in the way the song has been rendered. The song may not have created many ripples, but does contain Rafi as we came to know his songs in the later years. Do Bhai is remembered for Geeta Dutt’s path breaking song – Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya

Duniya Mein Meri Aaj Andhera Hi Andhera

A R Qureshi (a.k.a. an ace table player Alla Rakha) was known name as music director of Hindi films by now. He has chosen to use Mohammad Rafi for Malika. The song Meri Dulruba Mere Paas Aa does have varying accounts of the playback singer. As such we will take note of the song, but will go along to record the Tanvir Naqvi’s present song as the only Mohammad Rafi’s solo.

Das Na Jayen Tujhko Zulfien Kaaliyan

Khemchand Prakash has used Mohammad Rafi in a triad with Arunkumar and Manna Dey in Samaj Ko Badal Dalo’s song Aaji Maat Poochhco Baat College Albeli. This is one more song where in Mohammad Rafi has played a cameo role on the screen.

Pt. Ramakant Paingankar-Karnad, one more of those unknown names, has composed the present solo, a bidai song, written by Pt. Mukhram Sharma. The song takes the credit for a first ever bidai song by Mohammad Rafi. The film also has another credit- the first ever duet of Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshakar – Chalo Ho Gayi Tayyar

Chali Sajan Ghar Chali

B S Thakur has used Mohammad Rafi’s voice for this philosophical solo song of Shanti. The song is written by Shakeel Badayuni. YT also has another song To He Jaana Hansate Hanste, which does not find mention on other documentary listings except on Hindi Geetmala.

Jeevan Hai Anmol Musafir, Jeevan Hai Anmol

Azeez Khan has come up with the only Mohammad Rafi solo for Utho Jago.

Prem Ki Nayya Dol Rahi Hai

1948

1948 has once again a very rich crop in so far as our present subject goes.

Ram Ganguly had used Mohammad Rafi in the maiden Raj Kapoor film Aag, but that is a duet with Shamshad Begum – Solah Baras Ki Bhayee Umariya. The visuals of the song can be seen with a typical Raj Kapoor touch.

Shyam Sundar has two Moahmmad Rafi solo songs for Actress, after having introduced Rafi with a duet in 1944 film Gaon Ki Gori. I find it difficult to drop any one of them. Ajay Yuvaraj must also have faced such a dilemma; hence he put up a combined video clip. Both songs have attained a fair amount of popularity.

Ae Dil Meri Aahon Mein Itna To Asar Aaye

Hum Apne Dil Ka Fasana Unhe Suna Na Sake

Hans Raj Behl has used Mohmmad Rafi for one solo and one duet (with Geeta Dutt) for Chunariya. This can be taken as first of the signature HRB-Rafi song, which seems to pave for fairly qualitative combined work in the years to come.

Sab Kuchch Lutaya Hamane Mar Kar Teri Gali Mein

Shaukat Hussain Dehlvi (a.k.a. Nashad) has set the distinctive course of ‘broken-heart’ genre of songs, in which Mohammad Rafi was to carve out a niche for himself. This song from Jeene Do is written by Shewan Rizvi.

Doobi Naiyya Aake Kinare

We have one more Mahipal song, this time composed by Purushottam for Mere Lal.

Bujh Gaya Deep Ghir Gaya Andhera Jyot Kahan Se Laun

Ghulam Mohammad has this playful Mohammad Rafi solo, written by Tanveer Naqvi, for Parai Aag. This mukhda perhaps remids us more of Dil Hi To Hai (1963) version, composed by Roshan, which was written by Sahir Ludhyanvi.

Nigahen Milane Ko Ji Chata Hai

Husnlal Bhagatram scored a great winner in Mohammad Rafi’s solo, written by Qamar Jalalabadi, for Pyar Ki Jeet, even as the films had several hit songs of Suraiya as well.

Ik Dil Ke Tukde Hazar Hue Koi Yahan Gira Koi Wahan Gira

Dhumi Khan, one more of an unknown music director has composed two solos for Mohammad Rafi. One is a prayer song – Sultan-e-Madina. The other one is a pathos-laden song, penned by Habib Sarhadi.

Kismat Se Koi Kya Bole

Ameerbai Karnataki, otherwise a renowned playback singer, has composed songs for Shahnaz. Mohammad Rafi had two solos and three duets with Ameerbai Karnataki in the film. Both the solos present Rafi’s voice in different shades.

Mohabbat Mein Khudaya Aise Guzare Jindagi Apni   (Lyricist: Amir Usmani)

Ae Dil Tujhe Neend Na Aayi Tamam Raat (Lyricist: Akhtar Pilbhiti)

Statically speaking, the first Five-year-period of 1944-48 has seen Mohammad Rafi working with 29 music directors for first time for a solo song. The number for 1948 was 10 music directors, 8 each for 1947 and 1946 whereas 3 for 1945. Both the music directors, who were associated with him in the maiden 1844 year, had no solo song with him in that year. Shyam Sundar appears in this list in 1948 with two solos; however Naushad has yet to create a solo song for Mohammad Rafi.  That perspective apart, the fact remains that the journey had taken off well and was gaining the required velocity.

We will end 1944-48 five-year-period with what I consider as Mohammad Rafi’s most iconic song from Shaheed (1948), written by Raja Mahendi Ali Khan and composed by Ghulam Haider. We have picked up only the sad version, which is essentially a solo song.

Vatan Ki Raah Mein Vatan Ke Naujawan Shaheed Ho

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December, 2016

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song from the FIRST Film with the Music Director: 1944 – 1948: Part 1

This is month of Mohammad Rafi’s birth anniversary. [Born: December 24, 1924, Kotla Sultan Singh | Died: July 31, 1980, Mumbai]. And hence this month’s episode is dedicated to Mohammad Rafi.

All sorts of analyses have written about Mohammad Rafi. The subject that I have chosen is very simple at its core. I plan to divide Rafi’s very long career in five-year slots, look for a film that has his first association with the music director, and then pick up one solo song that seems to slip from our memories.

I do not have any pretense of evaluating influence of different music director on his singing (in the initial years of his career) or his contribution to the furtherance of a music director’s career (once he had acquired such level).  Our goal is very simple: bring some of his fading-from-the-memory-songs on one page and enjoy them on the call.

We begin our journey with the 1944-1948 five-year-period – the first five-years of Mohammad Rafi’s career, a career that was to span next three decades plus period of Hindi Film Music. As can be expected the first five-year period has a very large number of music directors who deployed Mohammad Rafi first time. One can presume that there could be n-number of reasons for Rafi being selected for the first time. It was certainly not a choice by default. As we will listen to the songs, one interesting fact that will stand out is that Mohammad Rafi sounds as comfortable as he sounded once he had settled down as a very successful singer. The period does have a few music directors who already have set a repeat relationship. The period also has a few songs that had become popular then and have remained popular since then as well.

1944

There are as many knowledgeable treatises as there are points of views on how Mohammad Rafi got to sing for the first time in a public function, how he came to down to Bombay, who all he met and how he went to record his first ever film song for a Punjabi film Gul Baloch [Sooniye Nee Heeriye Nee Yaad Ne Bahut Sataya –  duet with Zeenat Begum – Music director: Shyam Sundar ] and his FIRST Hindi film song Jab Dil Ho Kaabu Mein to Dildar Ki Aisi Taisi – a duet with G M Durrani – under the baton of Shyam Sundar for Gaon Ki Gori. The first that was recorded by Naushad in Rafi’s voice, a chorus, was from Pehle Aap.  The song was penned by Nazim Panipati. The song will also go in the records as Mohammad Rafi’s first patriotic song: Shri Arunkumar Deshmukh, while providing a good deal of other interesting information about this song has noted that Shyamkumar, Allauddin Naved and B. M. Vyas also have contributed in the song.

Hindustan Ke Hai Hum, Hai Hindustan Hamara

1945

Pandit Govindram, one of the then leading music director, teamed up with lyricist Ramesh Gupta for Hamara Sansar with what may be termed as a full-fledged 1^st solo song. The experts may see that youthful rawness in Rafi’s voice but not in his singing prowess.:

Ae Dil-e-Nakaam Ab Jeene Ki Tamanna Chhod De

Firoz Nizami had three solos for Mohammad Rafi in Sharabati Ankhen. Each one was set to difficult tune and rising/dropping scales.  Tanvir Naqvi’s songs that I have selected is set to fast clip in the mukhada, but antara opens on a lower note before reverting to the fast clip.

Bahut Mukhtasar Hai Hamari Kahani… Jawani Muhabbat 

A year later Firoz Nizami will present Woh Apni Yaad Dilane Ko, in which Rafi will appear in a cameo performance on the screen. An icing on the cake will be duet with the then reigning queen Noor Jehan – Yaahan Badla Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siwa Kya Hai – were Rafi will match note-to-notes with Noor Jehan and thus score a first all-time hit – one of the many to come in not too distant future.

Hafeez Khan has composed a full of pathos song penned by Nakshab Jarachvi in Zeenat. Mohammad Rafi seems to bring out the feeling without being theatrical.

Haye Re Duniya …Kitni Dil Azar Hai Duniya, Jhuton Ka Darbar Hai Duniya

1946

S Quereshi has composed a slightly fast paced tune which is essentially in the nature of a traditional prayer. Shevan Rizvi has made required changes in the lyrics to suit the song to probably a 78-RPM record singing length duration. In the years to come, Mohammad Rafi will have developed a special forte for this genre.

Milta Hai Kya Namaaz Mein Sajde Mein Ja Ke Dekh Le

Shankar  Rao Vyas is quite an unknown name as far as my knowledge of Hindi Film Music goes.  In this Ghoonghat solo song written by Ramesh Gupta, we get to listen to Mohammad Rafi in his elements.

Bahoot Mayush Ho Kar Koocha-e-Qatil Se Hum Nikale

We have one more film in this year in which Shankar Rao Vyas – Mohammad Rafi combination is present. Not knowing which one would have come earlier, I have as well picked up a song written by Ramesh Gupta from Mera Geet.

Apas Ke Jhagadon Ne Dekho Bharat Barbad Kiya, Jinka Tha Mohtaj Jamana Aaj Inhe Mohtaj Kiya

Basheer Dehlvi has experimented with Mohammad Rafi’s ability to switch form very high octaves to very low octaves in the very beginning as well as in the very end of this solo song from Hawaii Khatola.

Meri Bighadi Huee Qismat Ka Naksha Dekhanewalo…. Hoton Ki Hasi Kya Hai, Kya Ashq Bahana Hai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVuyX7FsR9g

S N Tripathi has composed a Rafi solo for Mansarovar: Badhe Chalo Badhe Chalo Bahaduron . Unfortunately the soft copy of the song is still not available on net.

Rangbhoomi’s this composition by Prem Nath has been documented as a Mohammad Rafi Solo, But it has quite a distinct chorus as an accompanying component. @2.22 onwards, there is a female component also, purportedly led by Shamshad Begum.  Interesting in every antara, the beginning few words by Rafi sound quite different, till of course the line goes into what has now become Rafi’s signature style of rising to sudden high octave. The song is penned by Pt. Phani.

Kadam Suye  Manzil Badhaye Chala Jaa, Koi Saath Aaye Na AAye Tu Chala Chal  

Hanuman Prasad also opens account with Mohammad Rafi in Rasilii, but both the songs are duets with Shamshad Begum. So we will have to wait for the next opportunity to get a maiden solo as Hanuman Prasad – Mohammad combination

Rashid Atre has used Mohammad Rafi in quawwali style solo song, penned by Nakhshab Jarchvi for Room No 9

Rahe To Rahe Kaise Dil Ke Ikhtyar Mujhe,….Tum Is Nigah Se Dekho Na Baar Mujhe

Even as Bulo C Rani too has opened account with Mohammad Rafi n Salgirah, we will have t wait for their maiden solo combination since the films has a Rafi pairing with Kaumidini Dikshit.

C Ramachandra has scored a double solo in Safar. Kehke Bhi Na Aaye Tum can be treated as one of the popular among Mohammad Rafi’s early songs. So I have picked up another one, which is set to a very distinct style… These songs have been written by G S Nepali. As SoY has noted, CR went onto compose 22 more songs of Mohammad Rafi by 1949.

Ab Woh Hamare Ho Gaye….Ikrar Kare Ya Na Kare

Taufail Farookhi introduces Mohammad Rafi in a very different sur in this song, written by Shamim Jaipuri for Sona Chandi. As the mukhda progresses we get to Rafi’s voice as so well-known to us. The song is set to quite difficult rhythm-scale combination.

 Data Ji Tera Bhed Na Paya 

As was expected, the first five-year-period of 1944-48 of Mohammad Rafi’s career has many more songs then we can reasonably accommodate in one post. Thanks to Raza Abidi who has meticulously collected Mohammad Rafi’s songs on YT when he was “unknown”, we will end the first half of 1944-48 five-year-period with a song, composed by Prakash for Bikhare Phool, a film that was never released. The song does require mention because Rafi has so poignantly brought in emotions in the song with his ‘natural theatrical flair’.

Hamen Bhool Jana… Dil Na Dukhana

We will conclude this part of our journey in one more episode, on 22^nd December (2016), nearer to  Mohammad Rafi’s anniversary day.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: November, 2016

While listening to the Songs of 1949, I had opportunity to listen to the solo songs of Surinder Kaur in great detail. I did get to listen to her duets with Mukesh, but as it appears, had missed the duet with Mohammad Rafi. The surreal appeal of her voice simply lingered on in my mind..  Hence, I sought more details. Cineplot.com and Wikipedia provide us fairly comprehensive details about her background. We come to know that this is the month of her birth (25^th November, 1929).

And that made the choice for the content of our November, 2016 episode very simple – Solo Songs of Surinder Kaur from Hindi Films.

The list of songs that I could lay hands on span the period of 1948 to 1952 only. I have no idea how much these songs had become popular those days and why did she had to retreat to singing Punjabi songs only. Losing on more songs must surely mean a big enough loss to the wealth of Hindi Film music, but the songs that we already have are more than enough to make up the quantitative value.

I have chosen only one solo song per film here, and that choice is what my ears have liked. All other songs are available on YT, so those who wish to go beyond the ones here simply have to search for the film and the songs will appear easily enough.

So here we go….

Akhiyan Mila Ke Akhiyan, Roye Din Ratiyan – Nadiya Ke Paar (1948) – C Ramchandra – Moti B.A.

This is the only solo song in the film and that has gone to Surinder Kaur. What a break that should be! And she has certainly lived up to the demands as well.

Ek Nazar Woh Yaad Hai Unki, Jisne Dil Par Vaar Kiya – Nao (1948) – Gyan Dutt – D N Madhok

I have no idea whether Nao came first or it passed Nadiya Ke Paar first, but the as we cross Nadiya Ke Paar with the Nao, we get the bounty of three solos and a duet of Surinder Kaur.

The song is composed to the inherent Punjabi fair, but Surinder Kaur’s chords have certain appeal beyond the composition.

Kitne Door Hai Huzoor, Kaise Mulaquat Ho – Pyar Ki Jeet (1948) – Husnlal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi

A dholak-based rhythm again, but Surinder Kaur comes in different colours in the delivery of the songs…

Badnam Na Ho Jaaye Mohabatt Ka Afsana – Shaheed (1948) – Ghulam Haider – Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

This can be called as perhaps her most ever-known song. Shaheed was certainly a film that by its very nature of the story was heavily tilted towards the character of the hero. Therefore, it was no small achievement that Kamini Kaushal had underplayed to the hilt her role of the beloved one who remains in the shadow, but comes out with equal theatrical score at the end. That makes the responsibility if the lead female playback singer quite daunting. That Surinder Kaur was chosen for all the three solos means that the music director had invested great trust in her voice. She has risen to the best of the vintage era playback standards.

Aye Chand Tere Saath To Rehate Hai Sitare – Dada (1949) – Shaukat Hussain Dehalvi (a.k.a. Nashad) – Rafiq Ajmeri

The films had two other duets with Mukesh and one with Shamshad Begum. Surinder Kaur continues her standard that she had set in Shaheed.

Ummeedo Par Udasi Chhaa Gayi, Kya Tum Na Aaoge – Kaneez- Ghulam Haider – Harishchandra ‘Akhtar’

Ghulam Haider reposes the faith and Surinder Kaur rises so well to the challenge in a song that exudes pathos.

Dil Ke Maalik Sun, Mera Dil Toot Gaya Hai – Rooplekha (1949) – Sajjad Hussain – Khumar Barabankvi

For the purposes of records, HFGK mentions Khan Masatana as the music director for all songs of the film but one. For us it is to relish the sheer melody of Surinder Kaur’s voice in so lower octaves at a very slow spaced rhythm.

Ye Lakhon Hasaratein…Ab Jiyen Batao Kiske Liye – Sanwaria  (1949) – C Ramchandra – P L Santoshi

C Ramchandra also has chosen to allot one solo song to Surinder Kaur – Shamshad Begum has two other solos whereas Lalita Deulkar has one. Surinder Kaur so easily sounds like Shamshad Begum, with a heavier tone. Well, that is what it sounds to me. Whatever that may be, the song stands so well on its own merits too.

Chanda Re Main Teri Gawahi Lene Aayi – Singaar (1949) – Khursheed Anwar – D N Madhok

There are two more solos and a duet with Suraiya also to Surinder Kaur’s account in this film. She has played back for Madhubala in the film. In the present case, the song is set to a very soft style, befitting the mood of the scene in the film. Singing with the minimal support of the rhythm, Surinder Kaur succeeds in enacting the mood.

Tum Sang Akhiyan Mila Ke… Neha Laga Ke, Main Haar Gayi…- Sunehare Din (1949) – Gyan Dutt – D N Madhok

Gyan Dutt has not only given once again a lion’s share in the film’s songs, he seems to have gone to further experiment as well.  If this song is playful, listen to

Thandi Thandi Hawa Jo Aaye – a song so full of pathos and Surinder Kaur enlivening every possible nuance of the emotion.

Daga Baaz Kaun Bharosa Tera – Khamosh Sipahi (1950) – Hansraj Behl – D N Modhok

This time it is Hansraj Behl who takes the Surinder Kaur to very low octaves and creates the deep pathos from the emotionally-charged heaviness of her voice…

The film has one more solo to Surinder Kaur’s account and a duet each with Mohammad Rafi and Geeta Roy respectively.

More Nain Baware, Chham Chham Neer Bahaye – Sabak (1950) – A R Qureshi – D N Modhok

Heroine is physically so far away from her beloved that the she has no one to share the tears rolling down from eyes.…

For the records, Sabak has highest number of songs to Surinder Kaur in any one film – three solos, three duets with Mohammad Rafi and a chorus in duet with Asha Bhosle.

‘Shaadi Ki Raat’ (1950 has one duet with Talat Mahmood, which is so light in mood.

Duniya Se Nyaari Teri Sasural Hai, Ghar Mein Na Aata Hai Na Ghee Hai Na Dal Hai – Badi Bahu (1951) – Anil Biswas – ??

Here is a typical pre-marriage ceremony song where bride’s friends get together and tease her while playing satirical songs about her in-laws-to-be. Most of India has similar tradition, but Hindi films have standardized it to the traditional Punjabi culture. That is perhaps reason why Anil Biswas has chosen Surinder Kaur for the song.

Majhdhar Mein Kashti Doob Gayi – Buzdil (1951) – S D Burman – Kaifi Azmi

S D Burman creates Shamshad Begum-like effect with Surinder Kaur…

Main Mubarakbaad Dene Aayi Hun – Aandhiyan (1952) – Ustad Ali Akbar Khan – Pandit Narendra Sharma

For an essentially high-pitched-voice female singer, one obvious song form is a Mujhara. Surinder Kaur’s repertoire is, too, now complete.

To end, there is a very peculiar piece in Aandhiyan. Surinder Kaur’s voice has also been used for a male musician who has a feminine voice who is in the process of setting up the scale for the performance.

In order to end our episode with a Mohammad Rafi song, I have chosen the first film in which Mohammad Rafi and Surinder Kaur had a duet. The composition is set to quite lilting rhythm:

Tum Jo Ho Jao Hamre Hum Ho Jae Tumhare.. Kabhi Chandani Raton Mein – Rooplekha (1949) – Khan Mastana – Khumar Barabankvi

Surinder Kaur has had left behind a very rich legacy of her Punjabi songs also.

We pay our humble tribute to Surinder Kaur on her ensuing birth day by promising that we will come back to her duets at appropriate occasions.

If you have more songs to share, you are most heartily welcome…..