Bharat Vyas – The world is too small? or Is it?

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – July 2019

Welcome to July 2019 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

This month we have multiple posts / articles celebrating 50 years of maiden human landing on the moon.

- Moon Songs, Part 1: Ten songs addressed to the moon is celebration of the 50 years of first human landing on the moon, with a stipulation that each song must be explicitly addressed to the moon, and that that ‘naming’ must happen in the first two lines of the song.
- Google Doogle in celebration

In the doodle video, Michael Collins, 88, describes the first sight of the Moon up close as “a magnificent spectacle.”

- Our own Hindi films can not be left behind – Dara Singh Went to the Moon Before Neil Armstrong in a Hindi Sci-fi film, Chand Par Chadhayee ( A Trip to Moon)” released in 1967.

- Chaudhvin ka Chaand, Dara Singh, werewolves – and other Moon motifs in cinema –– For thousands of years there was the dreamy moon of poets, lovers and fabulists; in more recent centuries there has been the moon of science, the cold, crater-ridden natural satellite. Can the twain meet?.. Films have given us the answer.
- Looney tunes: the moon in music – Uday Bhatia – Composers across time and genre have been inspired by it, but there’s no one kind of moon song in the Western music canon…The malleability of the moon as a symbol has allowed its use in a variety of genres and moods.

And now we pick up tributes and memories:

Anil Biswas – The Patriarch Of Hindi Film Music – Compared to fellow composer-singers like Pankaj Mullick, S.D.Burman and Hemant Kumar, Anil Biswas remains less celebrated in this category too. The present tribade to Anil Biswas on his birthday on 7^th July celebrates the singer of his composer-singer music persona.

[N.B. We recall a SoY article Remembering Anil Biswas, The Singer.]

Bharat Vyas: Lyricist Extraordinaire in Hindi comprehensively span the career of Bharat Vyas.

A Poet of the People: The Life of Legendary Lyricist Anand Bakshi – Khalid Mohamed remembers a man not quite acknowledged as legend in his life time.

When Music Connects – Tera Mujhse Hai – Aa Gale Lag Jaa is tribute to R D Burman on his birthday on 27^th June.

My Favourites: RD Burman is a post on a man whose talent far outstripped his due.

The German who changed Hindi cinema – Uday Bhatia – An exhibition held at Chennai from 19^th July pays tribute to Bombay Talkies cinematographer Josef Wirsching… His work on ‘Mahal’ and ‘Pakeezah’ influenced a generation of cinematographers.

(from left) Kamal Amrohi, Josef Wirsching, Meena Kumari and assistant cameramen while shooting in Kashmir for Kamal Pictures’ production ‘Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai’ (1959).

You can also see the photographs online, on the Wirsching Archive website, The Wirsching Archive – “The most extensive and well maintained private photographic collection depicting the birth of Indian Cinema”.

Devika Rani and others in a publicity still for the Bombay Talkies production ‘Jawani Ki Hawa’ (1935).

Here are a few more related articles:

Shailendra Sharma @ Golden Era of Bollywood has posted following memorial tribute posts:

Mehfil celebrates 2nd Anniversary! by selecting song son the theme of songs that celebrate family relations.

July, 2019 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1959 -1960. This in continuation to the series wherein we have covered 1^st Five-Year Period: (1944 -1948) , 2^nd Five-Year Period: 1949-1953 and 3^rd Five-Year period of 1954 – 1958.

And, now commence the posts on other subjects.

The cosmopolitism of Indian Cinema – Kalyani Sethuraman – Indian cinema represents India’s cosmopolitan and cultural mores. At the same time, it connects us to the wider world.

The ‘Intezar’ Songs, which must have word ‘intezar’ in the first 10 words of the song.

Ek bangala bane nyara is a post that recollects songs about a family’s eternal quest for THE home.

Part III concludes the series, The Classical Music Giants contribute to Hindi Cinema – with post-‘7os film songs rendered by classical singers.

Which is the Highest Grossing Indian Film of All Time? –Suparana Thombare –

Following the overview article, Best songs of 1946: And the winners are?. , we had taken up micro view of Female Solo Songs for 1946 with Suraiya and Shamshad Begum, Part 1. Last month. We have covered Part II of solo songs of Shamshad Begum and also those of Amirbai Karanataki, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Mohantara Talpade and Rahkumari.

To end the present post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, each one of which basically has a link with the topics discussed in the present post, we have picked up:.

Kab Tak Uthaye Ye Gam Intezar Ka– Naquab (1955) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Pt. Govindram – Prem Dhawan

Soyi Hamare Sapno Ki Rani – Aadhi Raat (1957) – with Geeta Dutt – Avinash Vyas – Bharat Vyas

Ham Pe Dil Aaya To Bolo Kya Karoge – Do Ustaad (1959) – with Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum – O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi

Thod Thodi Gori Hai Thodi Thodi Kaali Hai – Superman (1960) – with Geeta Dutt – Sardar Malik – Prem Dhawan

Bottle Se Ek Baat Chali Hai – Ghar (1978) – With Asha Bhosle – R D Burman – Gulzar

I earnestly solicit your inputs for further broad-basing our cache for the content for our carnival of blogs on the Golden Era of Hindi film music.

Disclaimer: This monthly series of posts is my best-effort-based compilation of posts on Hindi film songs that I normally visit regularly. As I record my sincere thanks to all the original creators of these posts, any other posts that I have nor covered herein shows my lack of awareness of existence of such posts and is by no means any disrespect to their work. The copyrights to the posts, images and video clips remain the properties of the original creators.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music, February, 2019

Welcome to February, 2019 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

A Google Doodle created by Bangalore-based artist Muhammed Sajid on Madhubala’s 86the birthday tribute

MADHU BALA: The Bewitching Beauty of Bollywood – DP Rangan pays a rich tribute.

‘6 Iconic fashion statements we owe to Madhubala!’ looks back to some of the fashion trends that she made popular.

We also have post to remember Valentine’s Day – Ten of my favourite romantic serenades. It’s a list of romantic serenades, of people singing in praise of the person they’re in love with (or, as in the case of a couple of fraudulent characters in this list, pretending to be in love with).

For the Love of a Goddess – The article first takes through the narrative journey of a music documentary, Music for Goddess (by Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy and Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy), which explores the sacred music, dance and rituals of devidasis and devidasas, women and men dedicated to the goddess Renuka/Yellamma. It then introduces the instrument, the chaundka—also called chaundke, which the followers of the Goddes use mainly in their dancing and singing. The chaundka sounds similar to the damru. Our cinema has used the chaundka in several songs. The article has listed some of these songs.

Suman Kalyanpur – Sweetness Personified – The name conjures memories of lilting sweet songs, solos and duets that have gained immortality and enriched our music heritage. Peeyush Sharma revisits some of her evergreen melodies, enjoyed and cherished by generations of music lovers. Of the two duets she could get to sing with Mohammad Rafi, Din ho ya raat hum rahein tere saath (Miss Bombay, 1957, Hans Raj Behl / Prem Dhawan) is perhaps more known than Duniya Ye Kehati Hai.. Meri Kismat Mein Likhi Wo Jo Mere Peechhe Baithi Hai

In a tribute to Bharat Vyas in his centenary birth year, last month we had touched Bharat Vyas – The Prolific Lyricist – I and Bharat Vyas – The Prolific Lyricist – II . In part III of the series, his songs from ‘70s has been covered.

Here’s to the Birth or Death Anniversaries of Three Classic Hindi Film Artists Who Certainly Should Not Have Died In Poverty – The article refers to Cuckoo, Meena Shorey and Rajkumari. [I have searched a song in which each one is associated in a duet with Mohammad Rafi. The songs are at the end of the present article.]

Shailendra Sharma @ Golden Era of Bollywood has posted following memorial tribute posts:

The flashback series has why you should watch Waqt (1965), because it’s a near-perfect summary of the “masala” film before the term was commonly used and why you should watch Mem Didi (1961) for the beautiful chemistry between three elderly character actors.

Waheeda Rehman 2.0 – The Grand Diva Of Hindi Cinema – Staying relevant is one of the most crucial elements of Hindi film industry and Waheeda Rehman is a living legend who has stayed relevant in every era since her debut in 1955 in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

Zameen Kha Gayi Aasman Kaise Kaise – Some Non-picturised Songs Of R D Burman – Part 1 and Part 2 – the songs that either recorded but not filmed at all or filmed, but subsequently removed.

February, 2019 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Talat Mahmood’s duets with Mubarak Begum and Madhubala Jhaveri, in continuation to the previous articles . Some of the Talat Mahmood Duets receding from the memory and Talat Mahmood’s Duet Combinations with Rare Co-singers.

And, now the posts on other subjects:

Romancing the Pardesi is a varied collection of beautiful Pardesi songs of separation, longing, betrayal and hope.

What Time It Is? is a theme-based list that has songs mentioning the actual time in the opening line.

With Claps As Percussion – Songs With A Difference, which has several over-riding conditions, one of which it is that it should not be an O P Nayyar composition. Here is one song that comes up as result:

Nacho Jhoom Jhoom Ke – Sarhad (1960) – Chitalkar – C Ramchandra – Majrooh Sultanpuri

By the Sea Shore remembers the songs from the films of 50s-60s and 70s, picturized on a seashore or a beach.

Reluctant Singer? Take a Boat Ride – Transformation happens to many people when they are on a boat that has left the shores some time ago. The songs listed herein are the ones that were sung by such “What, me sing?” folks when on the land. This is a celebration of people who themselves manage to move a sea vessel from one place to another.

Tujhe chaand ke ‘bahaane’ dekhun ki ‘chhat’ par aa ja goriye is a rich collection of songs in which an excuse to go to the terrace is linked up.

‘The Guide’ in English: The story of Dev Anand’s abortive attempt to storm Hollywood – Based on RK Narayan’s novel of the same name, the film was directed by Tad Danielewski. But reviewers thought it was ‘clumsy and artless’.

Mose Chhal Kiye Jaaye – Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya – Guide – The Twofold Stunner -The Writer / Director, Vijay Anand, wants his songs to take his story forward. He opts for two different songs…back to back and Burman da composes those two songs. Both songs have the same notes!!!! Whereas Lata Mangeshkar song is an accusation of the feeling of cheating, Mohammad Rafi’s song is a romantic plea for the sake of his love.

Songs of दास्तान- ए – हाल – ए -दिल weave anguish or agitation, and some time happiness, or sheer romance, when a person comes up to tell his / her heart-felt feelings.

We are bit late in documenting ‘Songs in the Snow: Ten of my favourites’. The songs should feature some amount of snow; it need not necessarily be all against a backdrop of snow. And the snow, even if it’s not real should at least not look patently fake.

In our tradition of ending our post with article on Mohammad Rafi or a topical song of his, I have picked up a few songs, each one of which basically has a link with the topics discussed in the present post.

Akhiyan Mail Ke Jara Baat Karo Ji – Pardes (1950) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Ghulam Mohammad – ShakeelBadayuni

Aao Chale Manwa More Door Chale Kahin Re – Amar Prem (1948) – with Rajkumari – Dutt Thakur – Mohan Mishra

Tumhein Chupke Se Dil Mein Liya – Ek Do teen (1953) – with Asha Bhosle – Vinod – Aziz Kashmiri

Chowpati Par Kal Jo Tujhse – Afsana (1951) – with Shmashad Begum – Husnlal Bhagatram – Chander Oberoi

Kehdo Kehdo Jahan Se Kehdo Ishq Par Jor Nahin – April Fool (1964) – with Suman Kalyanpur – Shanker Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri

Auraton Ke Dibbe Mein Mard Aa Gaya – Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1962) – With Suman Kalyanpur – Hansraj Behl – Prem Dhawan

Tere Peechhe Phirte Phirte Ho Gaya Pura Sal – Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1962) – With Suman Kalyanpur – Hansraj Behl – Prem Dhawan

I earnestly solicit your inputs for further broad-basing our cache for the content for our carnival of blogs on the Golden Era of Hindi film music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – January, 2019

Welcome to January, 2019 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Let us Swing into the New Year with Swing a song of sixpence on a swaying spree of ‘jhoola’ songs with Ashwin Bhandarkar.

Mrinal Sen: The Man Who Fought Through Cinema – Bhuvan Shiome, the sophisticated satire’s runaway success not only created cine-history, it created an entire generation of cine-maestros…showing a multifaceted India on the silver screen.

For the micro-level review of the film please read on Bhuvan Shome (1969).

Some more tributes to Mrinal Sen, on Scroll.in:

Mrinal Sen on his acclaimed film ‘Bhuvan Shome’: A ‘burlesque and inspired nonsense’ – The Bengali master’s first film in Hindi was a minor success and sparked off a war of words with Satyajit Ray.
Nandita Das on Mrinal Sen: ‘My friend, philosopher and guide, in a way few have been’ – The actress and filmmaker recounts her 20-year association with the legendary Bengali director who died on December 30.

This is also the birth centenary year of Kaifi Azmi. Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor Shabana Azmi and filmmaker Feroz Abbas Khan have come together for a ‘Raag Shayari’ to mark Kaifi Azmi’s centenary celebrations

We take a look at a retrospective by Rajya Sabha channel – Remembering Kaifi Azmi

On Kaifi Azmi’s centenary year, Garm Hava writer Shama Zaidi – Aaj ki Raat Bahut Garm Hawa Chalti Hai – Kaifi Azmi recites for Balraj Sahni

Shakeel-Naushad: Classy Confluence, Seamless Flow – 2 – After exploring the Shakeel – Naushad initial phase in the Part 1, Vijay Kumar now delves into their combined work from Mughl-e-Azam.

Bharat Vyas – The Prolific Lyricist – I and Bharat Vyas – The Prolific Lyricist – II is a series of tributes to the lyricist in his centenary birth year.

OP Nayyar, the Music Maestro Who Regretted Nothing, is republished to mark OP Nayyar’s birth anniversary. Listen to OP Nayyar jukebox here.

Remembering poet and lyricist Neeraj, who gave us some great lyrics and enduring ideas – On his 94th birth anniversary, flashbacks to the time Neeraj escaped death thrice and his views on Hindi film music.

Shailendra Sharma @ Golden Era of Bollywood has posted following memorial tribute posts:

The flashback series: why you should watch Kala Bazar with its celebrity cameos, vivid sound design, and an early glimpse of Vijay Anand as director and actor

Pancham And His Jalpari – Tale Of Choral Tail –The previous Jalpari article relates to the lovely buildup of the emotion / yearn of the beloved, as lovingly detailed as a mermaid’s cute face/ mukhada in RDB songs. The present sequel takes up the tale of the choral tail, the tail that follows as smoothly after the mukhada as the aqua-dynamic as the shape of the tail of the mermaid, an apt example is the improvised sad version of Saagar Kianre

‘Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche’ – Imtiaz Khan, elder son of actor Jayant, played played important roles in many hit films like ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’, ‘Dharmatma’, ‘Zakhmi’, ‘Zorro’, ‘Kala Sona’, ‘Kabeela’ and ‘Darwaza’., but his first love was film direction.

January, 2019 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs is second article in the series of annual article series on Jaidev: Brilliant, But Underrated Composer. The present article covers less remembered songs of unknown films from 1964 to 1970. For the records, we had covered his take-off years of 1955 to 1963 last year.

We also have another article, JAIDEV- A composer with the highest number of unreleased films, in which he had composed some gems

And, now the posts on other subjects:

Welcomed with Arrows – Arrows and bows are called teer and kamaan respectively in Hindustani language. They are also called baan and dhanush. Our poets have used teer and baan as metaphors in poetry, both to ignite love—in the Cupid way—as well as to injure it. The post checks out these songs from our films, which make an early reference to such ammunition:

Greatness in the shadow of the giants: Pandit Shyam Sundar – Shyam Sundar was not only central to the career of the three greatest singers, Noorjehan, Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi, he takes the sole credit for Sulochana Kadam’s fame. Shyam Sundar’s career was short, spanning about 14 years (1939-1953) in which he gave music for only 4 Punjabi and 20 Hindi films. He died prematurely in 1953.

The Irony of an Iron Building – One wonders how the word hotel became a substitute for an eatery in Hindustani parlance, with names like one finds names like Ram Bharose Hindu Hotel or Allah Bux Hotel being ubiquitously seen across towns in India. The post recalls the song engaging with this idea,

Aao Hamar Hotel Mein Chai Piyo Ji GaraM Garam, Biscuit Khalo Naram Naram – Kundan (1955) – S D Batish, Sudha Malhotra – Ghulam Mohammad – Shakeel Badayuni

Shehnai (1947) and a Sad Video About the River in the “Chhuk Chhuk Chhaiya Chhaiya” Scene – The clean, fragrant, and sweet waters that the song talked about have long since lost their spirit. Today, the Kandivli ‘nullah’ bears an ominous look.

More Than Meets the Eye – What is it about sunglasses that is so cool? Why is it that they are seen more as style accessories than as protection for the eyes? When did they transform from a thing of function to one of fashion? In any case, Hindi films have a known tradition of actors who were seen wearing sunglasses in a song. The post lists such songs.

We will take a quick look at these guest posts, before we move over to the curtain call for the present episode:

Chand Ki Sundar Nagri Mein Pariyon Ki Raani Raheti Thi – Dholak (1951) – with Uma Devi and Chorus – Shyam Sundar – Aziz Kashmirir

Koi Ek Ana Koi Do Ana Koi Ten Ana Koi Char Ana – Dhun (1953) – with Satish Batra, Madan Mohan, Babul – Madn Mohan – Bharat Vyas

Ishq Mein Mere Kya Kaya Junoon Ki – Khunus (Unreleased) – Jaidev – Bahadur Shah Zafar

Wo Teer Dil Pe Chala Jo Teri Kaman Main Hai.… – Aarti (1962) – with Asha Bhosle – Roshan – Majrooh Sultanspuri.

Nain Mila Ke Pyar Jata Ke Aaj Na Ja Tu – Mera Bhai Mera Dushman (1967) – With Jagjit Kaur – Khayyam – Kaifi Azmi

Jinke Pas Haathi Ghoda Inke Pas Dil Thoda – Dil Ka Raja (1970) – with Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey – R D Burman – Mahrooh Sultanpuri

I earnestly solicit your inputs for further broad-basing our cache for the content for our carnival of blogs on the Golden Era of Hindi film music.

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