Manna Dey and Contemporary Lead Actors – 1

Hindi Film World celebrates centenary birth year of Manna Dey. In a series of articles that I have planned to run in 2019 and 2020, I have tried to present songs from different angles, wherein focus is not on what is considered Manna Dey’s core niche areas, like classical songs, comedy songs etc.

We would confine our horizon of discussions to end decade of 70’s.

Satyajit Ray had once mentioned that listeners would be “more shocked than surprised if they were made to hear a voice outside a coveted set of six singers”. Maybe six was just an empirical number he had in mind, but throughout his career, Manna Dey certainly was not one of the six when the requirement was singing for the lead actor. He was always the seventh, in the role of a specialist.^[1]

Manna Dey (a.k.a Prabodh Chandra Dey – B: 1^st May, 1919 /\ D: 24^th October, 2013) was groomed into the classical singing, with extra eye for perfection, experimentation and complete dedication. He was so much singer to the core, that he might probably never have explicitly thought of shaping his career path on the more worldly success matrix.

He has recorded songs of types and hues in around 16 languages. His classical songs are remembered fondly by critics as well as the common listeners. His comedy songs earned so high a respect that he got typecast for these songs. In fact, every type of song genre that he touched, led to typecast him for that genre. However, as the destiny may have chosen not to bestow Manna Dey with the coveted ‘commercial’ recognition of That Hero’s Voice even he had string of exceptionally successful songs for the leading male actor of the film. Many of his sings in this category for so called B category films earned fame, that turned out to be not enough to earn long term success to the heroes of these films, was also not that longer.

In our today’s article we will try to remember his songs for the lead male actors of different times. Our aim is not seeking any ‘whys’, but to collect Manna Dey’s representative songs from the perspective of the contemporary lead actors on one-page.

As is well-known Manna Dey commenced his Hindi film song career with a duet, Jaago Aayee Usha Panchhi Boley  with Suraiya for Tamanna in 1942. The song has been filmed on a beggar and his young assistant. Manna Dey played back for the beggar. His first song thus was a ‘beggar’ genre song. His second song was for film Ram Rajya (1943), a ‘bhajan’ genre song. However the wait for films which had strong social content and also had one of the three of Great Trinity of the lead male actors of Indian Cinema as the upcoming stars.

With Dilip Kumar

Manna Dey and Dilip Kumar have got together in Dilip Kumar’s debut film Jwar Bahata (1944). Manna Dey gets to sings Bhula Bhatka Path Hara Main Sharan Tumhari Aaya, Kah Do He Gopal, for which Anil Biswas composed music. The song is set to Bengal’s folk baul style, which the medicants used for their compositions. Dilip Kumar was the male lead, but the only song that he would have sang – Sham Ki Bela Panchhi Akela –  on the screen was played back by Arun Kumar Mukherjee. Manna Dey has never played back for Dilip Kumar. Closest these titans can have been said to come is in Insaan Ka Insaan Se Ho Bhaichara, Yahi Paigam Hamara (Paigam, 1956; Music: C Ramchandra) which rolls  around Dilip Kumar as the key protagonist and Manna Dey sings in the background.

With Dev Anand

It was as far as back as in 1947 that Manna Dey got to play back for Dev Anand, who was the lead actor for Aage Badho. HFGK credits the duet, Sawan Ki Ghatao Dheere Dheere Aana – (Music: Sudhir Phadake, Lyrics: Amar Varma) to Manna Dey and Khursheed, for Dev Anand and Khursheed respectively on the screen.

Asides:

Even at the cost of being repetitive, it should be noted that the opinions are sharply divided along the loyalty lines in so far as credit for the male singer goes. Several other net-resources and many of Rafi’s keen listeners credit the male part of the song to Mohammad Rafi.

Manna Dey played back for Dev Anand again next year in Hum Bhi Insaan Hai (Music: H P Das, Assistant – Manna Dey; Lyrics: G S Nepali) . Ham Tere Hai Hamko Na Thukarana O Bharat Ke Bhagwan Chale Aana– is in the form of a prayer that Dev Anand, possibly as a teacher in the school or a children home type of institution. sings to the children.

Part 1 and Part 2 of the song, O Ghar Ghar Ke Diye Bujhakar Bane Hue Dhanwan , has idealist tone.

Dev Ananad and Manna Dey have, then, combined in Amar Deep (1958; Muisc C Ramchandra; Lyrics: Rajinder Krishna) triad dance song Is JahaN Ka Pyar Jutha. The first stanza focuses on Johnny Walker for whom, naturally, Mohammad Rafi has provided the playback. Dev Ananad commences second stanza @ 3.47 with a hearty alaap of Manna Dey to dancingly sing Ab Kahan Wo Pahele Jaise Dilbari Ke Rang ….

Asides:

Amar Deep had a twin version duet Dekh Hamein Awaaz Na Dena, filmed on the lead pair Dev Anand and Vyjayantimala, which has Mohammad Rafi playback singing for Dev Anand. The film had one more obscure solo – Lene Ko Taiyar Nahi, Dene Ko Taiyar Nahi – which is also filmed on Dev Anand and played back by Mohammad Rafi

Hereafter, Manna Dey got to play back for Dev Anand only when S D Burman chose to offer some specific songs like Tak Dhum Tak Dhum Baje (Bombai Ka Babu,1960), Sanj Dhali Dil KI Lagi Thak Chali Pukar Ke (Kala Bazaar,1960; with Asha Bhosle); Chand Aur Mein Aur Tu, Aye Kash Chalate Milke – with Asha Bhosle-,  Hamdam Se Mile Ham Dam Se Gaye and Ab Kise Pata Kal Ho Na Ho (Manzeel, 1960) etc.

Manna Dey did sing genuinely romantic songs for the hero in these songs, even if he was that ‘seventh’ choice.

Dev Anand – Manna Dey were brought together, once again. for one of the all time classics Chale Jaa Rahein Hai Kinare Kinare (Kinare Kinare, 1964; Lyrics: Nyay Sharma) by Jaidev.

With Raj Kapoor

Manna Dey was called on to sing for Raj Kapoor in Aawara (1951) in the classic two-song part dream sequence Tere Bina Aag Ye Chandani ….. Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi. Since then, Shanker Jaikishan have so profusely used Manna Dey’s voice for Raj Kapoor in RK films as well as other films that Manna Dey-Raj Kapoor- Shankar Jaikishan relationship can be dealt only as set of full-fledged articles.

Manna Dey’s voice has also been used quite extensively  for Raj Kapoor by other music directors as well.

I have selected two songs to present the glimpse of the relationship –

Duniya Ne To Mujhko Chhod Diya, Khub Kiya Are Khub Kiya – Sharda (1957) – C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishna

Has Kar Hassa Masti Mein Ga, Kal Hoga Kya Hoga Ky Bhul Jaa – Bahurupiya (Shelved) (1964) – Shanker Jaikishan – Shailendra

Manna Dey’s playback singing relationship with the Trimurti of Indian Films – Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor – has so far followed the Manna Dey’s career in the chronological sequence. So, we will follow the similar pattern to explore his playback singing relationship with other mainstream male lead players.

With Ashok Kumar

Manna Dey’s first major association with Ashok Kumar was for the film Mashaal (1950) where he was assisting S D Burman. Upar Gagan Vishal for that film is considered to be the game changer for S D Burman as well as Manna Dey. However, it is not filmed on Ashok Kumar’s lips in the film.

During ‘50s, Ashok Kumar did maintain the status of a lead male actor, but generally not as the romantic hero. This probably created an ideal platform for Manna Dey’s playback singing relationship with Ashok Kumar. Manna Dey sings two songs for Ashok Kumar in Savera (1958, Music – Shailesh Mukherjee; Lyrics – Shailendra). The first one, a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Chuuppa Chuppi .. Aagad Baagad Jae Re, is light-mood duet, addressed mainly to the children in the film.

The other one, A solo filmed on Ashok Kumar, Jeevan Ke Raaste Hazar – is a background song.

It was in the same year that Ashok Kumar lip-synced Manna Dey in Baabu Samjo Ishare (Chalati Ka Naam Gaadi, with Kishore Kumar; Music – S D Burman; Lyrics;ajrooh Sultanpuri), wherein Manna Dey matched notes by notes Kishore Kumar’s theatrics.

Ashok Kumar – Manna Dey got together for Jaa Re Beiman Tujhe Jaan Liya (Private Secretary, 1962; Music Director – Dilip Dholakia; Lyrics – Prem Dhawan), a comic-situation oriented classical-based song.

in 1963, S D Burman used Manna Dey as playback singer for Ashok Kumar in Meri Surat Teri Aankein for an Ahir Bhairav benchmark Hindi film song, Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitayi (Lyrics – Shailendra). However parallel use of Mohammad Rafi for a playful semi-classical Naache Man Mora Tikra Dheegi Dheegi succinctly epitomizes the entire career of Manna Dey – respected on high pedestal, but not preferred normally, exceptions accepted.

Anurodh (1977) also has a twin Manna Dey – Ashok Kumar song Tum Besahaara Ho To (Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal; Lyrics: Anand Baxi). The first version is a happy version, where Ashok Kumar playfully sings the message to the children.

Second version is more in the form of a prayer, that also provides strong vibes to the main protagonist, Vinod Mehra as well.

We will continue our Manna Dey memoirs and take up Manna Dey’s songs for the ‘next-gen’ lead actors who entered Hindi Cinema in ‘50s.

^[1] On Manna Dey’s 100th Birth Anniversary, a Look Back at His Journey

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – September, 2018

Welcome to September, 2018 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Our focused topic for the month of September, 2018 is R K Studios, one of the last icons of the Golden Era of Film-making.RK Studios: The final curtain – Madhu Jain – With the Kapoors deciding to sell the iconic studio that was destroyed last year in a fire, a slice of film history has been lost forever – RK Films was in effect a Nargis-Raj Kapoor banner for a few years. Nargis played a much greater role in RK films than is widely known and acknowledged: supervising the lighting on occasion, going into the production details, recognizing the potential of the actress Nadira, giving generously when the money was needed, and much more. She was alongside him through much of their golden years together. They were in sixteen films together, beginning with Aag in 1948 and ending with Jaagte Raho in 1956.

And, now, we take up the tributes in September 2018:

Tere mandir ka hoon deepak jal raha, by Vijay Kumar – Pankaj Mullick’s voice had a clarity and a boom that, I am certain, would have reached the man in the last row of a listening audience, without the aid of a mike…He had the voice of a supreme bhakt!

Happy Birthday Lata Didi presents Lata Mangeshkar’s duets or trios with other Mangeshkar sisters.

Madan Mohan’s tuning with Lata Mangeshkar – For all the shared background and their lofty personal bonding, it has ever remained a mystery for many of music lovers as to why Madan Mohan did not use Lata Mangeshkar’s voice in his first film……

The title of the post – Lata Mangeshkar and S D Burman gave Bollywood many Immortal Songs – is a complete statement in itself.

Happy 92nd Birthday, Noor Jehan! has a recently updated playlist of Noor Jehan songs.

O Nigahen Mastana – the most romantic songs ever created by any music director, in which female singer simply hums her part.

The One and Lonely Kidar Sharma: An Anecdotal Autobiography and Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal’s ‘S D Burman: The Prince Musician’ are the book reviews.

70 Years ago Dev Anand got his first Hit FilmLata Mangeshkar and S D Burman gave Bollywood many Immortal Songs  as Ziddi, in 1948.

Hats off to Dev Anand – Dev Anand was known for very different hats /caps/headgears in different films, He was also very fond of these in his personal life as well.

Dev Anand’s dreams that couldn’t be Fulfilled  gives us a view of Dev Anand’s unfulfilled projects.

In Memory of Dev Anand’s birthday are the songs that Hemant Kumar played back the screen.-

Guide: A Spiritual Odyssey – Dev Anand’s creative effort reached its apogee in Navketan’s Guide, a film that accommodates more than one perspective. On the occasion of Dev Anand’s birth anniversary (he would have been 95 today), Vijay Kumar relives the finer points of one of the finest Hindi films ever made, exploring its streams and currents of thoughts and views.

G P Sippy- A carpet merchant to the maker of Sholay – G P Sippy had turned a construction magnate and then plunged into filmmaking in 1951 with the Dev Anand film Sazaa and rolling of as many 17 films in his career.

60 Years of Madhumati which was released on 12 September, 1958, swept off a big gate collection and a host of awards.

The Musical Journey Of Asha Bhosle is a tribute to her on her birthday (8^th September, 1933)

Asha sings for Madan Mohan – I and Asha sings for Madan Mohan – II, are the solos songs and duets/trios etc. respectively.

Roshan aur Madan Mohan ki Asha draws some parallels and some not so parallels in the patterns willingness of the use of Asha Bhosle by these music directors.

Messenger of Love and Peace – 7^th September, 2018 is the 40^th anniversary of P L Santoshi. The post lists just a few more of his wonderful songs, with the films and singers mentioned. Let us hear this one – Tum Se Hai Pyar Mujhe Tum Se Hai Pyar – Teen Batti Char Rasta (1953)

King of Ghazal Talat Mahmood with Ghazal Maestros Madan Mohan and Roshan and Best of Mukesh by Roshan and Madan Mohan are the two articles in Soy’s series on Roshan and Madan  Mohan that provide finer insight to the use of these two singers by these two music directors.

That Salil Chowdhry – A Creative Genius is evident from the fact that he was Composer, Music Arranger, Poet, Story writer and much more .

The Masters: Rajinder Krishan is a collection of his songs composed by Madan Mohan, and then a select compilation of his work with other directors.

The Guitar That Sang is the recollections of an elder brother of a nine-year older brother, David Vernon (Verni) Liddle, who was a guitarist who played for some of the greatest hits of Hindi cinema.

Sadhana – One photograph that changed her life!  was published in the famous film paper “Screen” publicizing the Sindhi Film “Abaana”.

Piya aiso jiya mein samaye, by Vijay Kumar – Meena Kumari never looked so beautiful, and so fully subsumed in her role, as in this song. An anticipation of a rendezvous in privacy is writ large on her persona. Shakeel too understood the नज़ाकत of the situation and penned words befitting his stature as the poet of romance. And Geeta sang it effortlessly as if giving voice to her own emotions.

September, 2018 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs is dedicated (Shankar-) Jaikishan and Hasrat Jaipuri’s Songs Fading From the Memory 1955 – 1957

We have two more articles nearer to this subject: Jaiksihan ‘s forte was romantic and western tunes and Hasrat Jaipuri – A Love Letter written in Real Life becomes Immortal in Reel in the form of Ye Mera Prempatra Padhkar……The post lists other Hasrat Jaipuri romantic songs in tribute to him.

And, now the posts on other subjects:

Some of the Great Background Songs of Bollywood – Songs being heard from the background has been a very important genre for Hindi Films. The post has listed many known songs, in alphabetical order.

Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche – Brahmachari – Talk Of The Town – Gossip, the communication spreading through the grape wineyard, is autothermic, and once initiated, by a topic like the one in the preceding article, then is almost unstoppable.

In praise of visible film craft is about the simplistic idea that the elements of filmmaking mustn’t draw attention to themselves.

Royal Singing – It is often observed in popular culture that royals do not sing anything; if they do, many people think they should not be doing so. That’s because the arts—especially the performing kind—are seen as trivial affairs. The post lists some songs that were lip-synched by Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses on Hindi film screen. Actors who portrayed the royals are mentioned too.

Shola Jo Bhadke – Albela – Sparks Of Love – The Cuban percussion at the beginning played by Chic Chocolate warns you of the fire that is about to spread. Geeta Bali herself looking like a luminous spark of that fire, with a Hawaiian lei around her neck, a floral top and a wraparound skirt.

Hindi songs featuring Umbrella, have included the songs where the prop, umbrella is seen throughout the song or at least for a significant portion of the song. Also someone has to handle the umbrella, if it’s just kept there, even if open won’t count for the list.

Badi Der Se Megha Barsa – Namkeen – Withering Woes – There are some who might flaunt that wait when it is over. The show off of that wait you have gone through to your partner might take the romance in your life several notches up. Of course the flaunt is merely a charade to spice up the romance. From here begins the roothna-manaanaa and all the banter. It will also be a treat if this charade of flaunt is in Asha Bhonsle’s voice.

‘Heroine teasing Hero’ songs – Hero ‘Chhed Chhading’ the heroine is a relatively common scenario in Hindi films, but the exact opposite is not that common. No seductive songs are included, as those songs are usually a part of a trap arranged for the hero. So even if it sounds like a teasing song, they don’t count. And, the target should be one single person and not men in general or a group of boys.

Two princes or two paupers? Parvarish, and an identity non-crisis – In view of the SC of India verdict on the Section 377 verdict, the fluidity of identity (sexual and other kinds) assumes a deeper meaning. Here is a reminder of an egalitarian 1950s Hindi film that simply sidesteps the identity question and even lampoons those who get all hot and bothered about it.

Of Trees And Hindi Film Songs – If ecologically, tress provide much needed oxygen, then they also provide a ready nourishment to human love, particularly between a male and a female.

The Ring Given to Suraiya by Dev Anand is still lying in the Arabian Sea – The real story revealed by Dev Anand in his autobiography” Romancing with Life” It was Suraiya herself who threw the ring far into the sea of Bombay only after the last meeting with Dev Anand….It was on the advice of his elder brother Chetan Anand that the actor decided to end his relationship with the actress and concentrate on his film career. While Dev eventually overcame the trauma of a broken relationship and moved on, Suraiya decided not to get married.

Can’t Play Sad Music – One of the world’s most charming musical instruments, the frame drum called tambourine has featured importantly in hundreds of our songs, but yet has unfortunately not been judged in the light it has deserved. This is true not just here, but abroad as well…In India it is called the daffli. Now the daffli also has a big brother called Daff, which is typically a similar frame drum, except much bigger,

The post lists The Songs shot in Shimla or nearby locations

Ventriloquism in Hindi Films is a well-researched post, on an interesting subject.

We continue Micro View of Best songs of 1947: And the winners are? with female solo songs, wherein after having covered solo songs of Suraiya and Geeta Roy,  Shamshad Begum. Rajkumari, Amirbai Karnataki (Part I and Part II) Zohrabai Ambalewali (Part I and Part II), we have now covered Khursheed, Noor Jehan & Kanan Devi, Meena Kumar, Naseem Akhtar and Zeenat Begum, Lalita Deulkar, Sharda Gangul and Mohantara, Paro Devi, Menakabai & Saroj Welingkar, Hamida Bano, Beenapani Mukherjee, Sitara Devi & Lata Mangeshkar in ‘other’ female singers. We have also presented a post that has presented Female Solos that I liked in 1947. We have also moved to Duets of 1947 with those of Mukesh with other female playback singers.

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

The story behind the song”Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanj Savere” that tells how the song got in from nowhere.

Rsavare Matvare Kajarare Nain Tihare – Holiday in Bombay (1963) – with Balbir – N Dutta – P L SAntoshi

Le Gaya Zalim Ghari Samaja Ke Mera Dhadakata Dil – Bombay Race Course (1965) – Madan Mohan – Rajinder Krishna

Kisi Se Hamne Ye Poochha Mohabbat Kisa Ko Kahate Hai – Garibi (1949) – Bulo C Rani – Rajinder Krishna

O Gawalan Ku Mera Man Teri Chitwan Le Gayi  – Champakali (1957) – Hemant Kumar – Rajinder Krishna

I earnestly seek your suggestions / inputs / criticisms so as to make our Film Blog Festival more interesting and live.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – September 2013

Welcome to September 2013 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

As usual, we commence our blog festival with posts on Anniversaries.

Asha Bhosle turns 80 this year. Dusted Off presented 10 different moods of Asha Bhosle in Asha in Ten Moods.

Songs of Yore continues with the series of S D Burman’s association with different playback singer in Asha Bhosle’s best songs by SD Burman.

And here are some of the other articles on Asha Bhosle, which I ‘searched’ while looking for some more of the celebration articles.

Zee News presents an interesting slideshow – Asha Bhosle`s songs through the decades,  taking you on a journey with her through her decades in Bollywood and more.

Madhu in her tripod.com bog posts has A Musical Journey With Madhu – Asha Bhonsle Songs – S. D. Burman music

Bollywoodlyrics.com articles gives an overview – Asha Bhosle: Working with great music directors

And HarveyPam’s Mohan Ki Asha, and very rich comments thereto, is a great post on Madan Mohan’s Asha Bhosle songs.

Songs of Yore has paid a very unique tribute to Mukesh, on his anniversary on 27^th August, through quite an impartial discussion on “why did SD Burman use him so sparingly” in Mukesh’s best songs by SD Burman . Shri Arunkumar Deshmuks reveals, in Comment #1, that Mukesh- S D Burman combination output was (just) 12 songs (only). Shri N Venkatraman, in Comment#19, fills up the two remaining songs.

Conversations Over Chai comes back to active role on the scene, through  My Favourites: Songs of Praise – “songs that did liken a woman to more than a poultry dish?”. It is also a celebration (though a bit belated) of the Second Anniversary of the blog

Vithalbhai Patel, who contributed several earthy songs in late 1970s, also passed away on 7^th September. Here is list of his Hindi Films songs, as a token of our tribute to the departed soul. Biren Kothari, Pallete,  has paid an objectively passionate tribute to Vithalbhai Patel in the article (in Gujarati) ગીતકાર વિઠ્ઠલભાઈ પટેલની વિદાય: પ્યાર મેં સૌદા નહીં.

We have an unfortunate situation, where we are to pay homage to Madhubala Zaveri, on her taking up that long, fateful journey on 11-09-2013. Biren Kothari has penned  મધુબાલા ઝવેરીનો સ્વરવિલય and placed video clips of some of her songs.

We will also bring some more sites / posts on Madhubala Zaveri on this page:

YT Channel – MADHUBALA ZAVERI/JHAVERI

Madhu’s Tripod.com page – Talat Mehmood & Madhubala Zaveri Duets

Cineplot.com’s Madhubala Zaveri

And of course one son that always bring memories of Madhubala Zaveri, even if shae ay have a small portion in it is Boot Polish’s Thaher Jara O Janne Wale

We now change our tack – to Mohammad Rafi.com

Vijay Bavdekar digs the equation of S D Burman and Mohammad Rafi deeper in  Maestro SDBurman, Evergreen Dev Anand & All Time Great Rafi Sahab & Hidden Truths. Here are the high points – the lips movement and expressions given on face by Dev Anand, perfectly matches the Rafi’s throw of words / look back to the Golden Era of Hindi film music, you will find that other music directors kept Kishore away & preferred Rafi for Dev Anand / One interesting thing is that Rafi was Burmanda’s first choice for other Heros  / Look at the ”Trend setter-Singer ” equations,”Dilip-Rafi, Dev-Kishore and Raj-Mukesh”. Rafi sang most of the songs for Dilip Kumar, Rafi has an almost equal share with Kishore for Dev Anand and off course Mukesh sang major number of songs for Raj Kapoor, but Rafi also gave playback to Raj Kapoor for 31 songs.

‘Dances on the Footpath’ has presented A Song Performed By Carmen Miranda and Vasunthara Devi aka Vyjayanthimala’s Mother. The two songs, one Vasunthara performs is “ayyayyo-vasuntharadevi-mangammasabatham 1941” and the one by from which the song is inspired is “That Night In Rio (1941) – Carmen Miranda – “I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)“.

“Dances On The  Footpath” also has designed a very rich YT channel  LifeIsaTrain‘s which has Classical Indian dancing feet / Noor Jehan / Kumari Kamala Lakshman and Recent uploads sub-chapters awaiting to be explored.

The discussions on S D Burman and Vyjayantimala , in this edition as well as in the last edition of Blog Festival spurred me to visit “100 Years Of Bollywood” – an excellent channel on YT an return with S.D Burman- The King Of Melody  and Vyjayanthimala – The First Female Superstar Of Bollywood  respectively.

I would also like to document the finds, Music Maestros Part-1 and Music Maestros Part-2.

My friend Samir Dholakia had forwarded a message form his friend about another YT channel: Portrait of Director –  This is a series directed by veteran film-maker Ramesh Sharma for Doordarshan and it captures the various aspects of film-making of master directors like Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Manmohan Desai, Shyam Benegal, Raj Kapoor and Bimal Roy.

We would, now onwards, share at least one of the clips from both these channels to bring them on same page here.

Now, we pay our first visit to Indian film posters from 1930[silent] to1970 [color]. We will take up DIL DE KAR DARD LIYA HAI MAINE SUNG BY JAGMOHAN… (Jagmohan Sursagar NFS)(1940)  and film “Fariyaad” (1942). The first one may be a repeat to many, but it is a treat worth repeating, every time. We take to full listening of Fariyaad (1942)’s these songs:

Aye Dil-e-Bequarar Bol – Shamim Kamal Pasha

Kahoji Ji Na Lage Bin Tere  – Ishwarlal , Shamim Kamal Pasha

I chose to pick up Fariyad (1942) here, because that immediately reminded me of Fariyad (1964) which had memorable Snehal Bhatkar songs:

Aap Ne Huzoor Mujse – Suman Kalyanpur , Mohammad Rafi –

Teri Nazar Ne To  Kafir Bana Diya – Mubarak Begum, Mohammad Rafi

Wo Dekho Dekh Raha Papiha –  Suman Kalyanpur, Mahendra Kapoor

Songs of Yore has presented Best songs of 1953: Wrap Up 2. Undoubtedly a very difficult job of doing a putting in ‘other’ female singers in the most relevant and respectful consideration in an otherwise Lata Mangeshkar dominated category. As we had decided last time, we will take a look at all the ‘wrap-up’s together, in more details – may be as a full-fledged separate post.

It is heartening to note that we are able to expand our catchment sources for information to be shared. However, there must be much more that remains to be explored and shared…….

I, indeed, await your valued suggestions and inputs.. …

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – March 2013

Welcome to March 2013 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

We have a quite a range of subjects, and equally wide range of songs this month, which also sets in motion remembrances of birthdays and a special day.

First let us take birthdays, and the posts that have given us some great songs in the bargain:

Talat Mahmood – 24^th February:

SoY presented an excellent variation, in the form of (some of) “his best duets with Asha Bhosle” @ Best duets of Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosle. “Another significant point about Talat’s duets with Asha Bhosle is that some of these came at a time when Talat was at the top of his career, but Asha Bhosle was still in the shadows of her big sister. If at all, she would be seen as a potential successor to Geeta Dutt tradition. With all this handicap, the fact that these are among some of the best duets ever is not only due to Talat, but also to a great deal due to the unique voice of Asha Bhosle.”

Shri Shrikant Gautam, in his regular weekly column ‘Raag Rang’ in Gujarati newspaper “JanmabhoomiPravasi” chose to present a rare combination of Talat Mahmood singing for Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand respectively. For the benefit of the readers here, I place here below the link to the video clip of the songs mentioned in these articles:

Raj-Talat Synchronization:

Anhonee (1952) – Roshan

Main Dil Hoon Armaan Bhara – http://youtu.be/RqpECqkBVzE [The clip has a wonderful piece (@4.14 onwards) in (unusually) high key rendition @ 4.26.]

Mere Dil Ki Dhadkan Kya Bole – with Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/8mORpshV3r0

Sama Ke Dil Se Hamare – with Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/2XMWtjMrJ5I

Ashiana (152) – Madan Mohan

Main Pagal Mera Manwa Pagal –  http://youtu.be/mjudXYpl2ow

Mera Quarar Le Ja – http://youtu.be/qNKZ0TtA5fo and its twin song by Lata  Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/yz4GMWS4rDs [This clip has an excellent alaap piece by Talat Mahmood, preceding the main song.]

Bewafa (1952) – A R Quereshi

Dil Matwaala Lakh Sambhala – http://youtu.be/EZE3cPKB8kU and its twin by Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/v7_JHPBUdKE

Tumko Furshat Ho To Meri Jaan Idhar Dekh Bhi Lo – http://youtu.be/RdshBKFkTAE

Tu Aaye Na Aaye Teri Khushi – http://youtu.be/WBOxHEYkRxU

Dil Mila Hai.. Kaam Hathon Kaa Hai – http://youtu.be/ES5gxqm0Jpw

The only RK film for which Talat Mahmood did sing a song – Chali Kaun Se  Desh, Gujariyan Tu Saj Dhaj Ke – a duet with Asha Bhosle – http://youtu.be/EPwQu3b7CkQ–  was Boot Pollish (Music Shanker Jaikishan). Incidentally, Raj Kapoor did not act in this film. Another trivia of this song is that male protagonist on the screen is Shailendra.

The original article, in Gujarati, is available as – રંગ રાગ અને સલામ બોમ્બે_20130303_Page_8.pdf.

Dev and Talat’s melodious company:

Patita (1953) – Shanker Jaikishan

Hai Sabse MAdhur Wo Geet, Jinhe Hum Dard Ke Sur Men Gaate Hain – http://youtu.be/vvVbNdZ7wwQ

Andhe Jahan Ke Andhe Raaste, Jaae To Jaae Kanhan –  http://youtu.be/ogtJBGqh43Y

Tujhe Apne Paas Bulati Hai Apni Duniya – http://youtu.be/Wo8CQHiaiZU

Pocketmaar (1956) Madan Mohan

Yeh Nai Nai Preet Hai – http://youtu.be/6jVdfGM6Kss

Taxi Driver (1954) – S  D Burman

Jaae To Jaae Kahan, Samajega Kaun Yahan – http://youtu.be/vYdRUjZK4KY; which also has a twin song by Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/_EFyBWNMmgo

Kinare Kinare (1963) – Jaidev

Dekh Li Teri Khudai – http://youtu.be/tnCsk63fr_I

The original article, in Gujarati, is available as રંગ રાગ અને સલામ બોમ્બે_20130310_Page_8.pdf.

‘Dusted Off’ pays fond remembrance to Shashi Kapoor on his 75^th birthday on 18^th March, by reviewing Sharmeelee (1971). The songs that get specific mention are:

Khilte hain gul yahaan – Kishore Kumer (which also has a twin Lata Mangeshkar song)

Megha chhaaye aadhi raat – Lata Mangeshkar

Kaise kahen hum pyaar ne humko, – Kishore Kumar,

“and a lesser known, but a good cabaret number, by Asha Bhosle” – Reshmi ujaala hai makhmali andhera.

‘Dances on the Footpath’ remembers birthday of Khwaja Khurshid Anwar, a music director who could bring out the best in many of the best singers from British India, India, and Pakistan @ Ten Of My Favorite Khawaja Khurshid Anwar Songs Sung By Noor Jehan (Happy 101st Birthday, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar!).

‘Dusted Off’ also had a special post lined up for International Woman Day (8^th March), by way of “Ten of my favourite female duets” –  “A post on saheli songs has already been done in the past. So, to differentiate this post from that one, I decided this list of duets will feature only songs where the women in question are not sahelis—they may be colleagues, relatives, and strangers to each other, whatever. But not sahelis (they may be friends, of course, but there must be another relationship too).”

The subject of female duets is also covered by ‘Harveypam’s Blog’, to commemorate this very day, last year, under the post – The Sister Act – presenting therein 10 of the favourite Lata Mangeshakr – Asha Bhosle duets. Harveypam Blog also had done an interesting post on Hindi Film songs by ‘blind heroines’.

We now turn to posts which have appeared on various sites/ blogs, in the ‘usual’ course of their respective journey into the Golden Years of Hindi Film Music.

We first look at the songs listed out for Gyarah Hazar Ladkiyan @ our maiden visit to Ashok Dave’s Blog [The reviews are in Gujarati]. Composed by N Dutta, the film had some catchy and a couple of evergreen scores by Mohammad Rafi:

1. Kaam Ki Dhun men Hain Ravaan – Mahendra Kapoor and Chorus http://youtu.be/MmqH8Q7fMg8
2. Sablok Idhar Jidhar Who Hai, Udhar Dekh Rahen Hai – Asha Bhosle http://youtu.be/Todtb7-LcfE
3. Pahechano Hum Wohi Hai, Dekho To Aamkhen Mal Ke – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus – http://youtu.be/_xvhuMdJGoM
4. Dil Ki Tamanaa Thi Masti Men, Manzil Se Bhi Door Nikalate – A Happy version – by Asha Bhosle & Mohammad Rafi – http://youtu.be/AYzrU8jrj2Q  – and a sad version by Mohammad Rafi – http://youtu.be/4IVCdVJ9rUk
5. Gam Gaya To Gam Na Kar, Gam Naya Jaga Le – Asha Bhosle – http://youtu.be/1QWTsAyJCTo
6. Mere Maheboob Mere Saath Hi Chalana Hai Tujhe – Mohammad Rafi – http://youtu.be/AnpAX9zQkns

Also enjoy a beautiful Mexican dance tune, as a bonus –  http://youtu.be/tSZRMu_W92o

Of course, once we visit this site, we find reviews of two other films and the lists of the songs thereto, during the period of review covered by this edition of the Carnival. Since both the films and their songs are equally interesting, we may as well list them out:

Ziddi (1948) – Khemchand Prakash

[The review has a startling revelation – the titles of the film, glaringly has carried Anil Biswas as music director, in place of the actual Khemchand Prakash.]

1. Ek Baat Kahun Tumse, Bura To Na Manoge – “Singer not known” – [I could not find any audio or video link of this song.]
2. Jadoo Kar Gaye Kisi Ke Naina Ki Man Mere Bas Men Nahin – Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/ctI8KiuswJs
3. Ye Kaun Aaya Ye Solah Singar – Kishore Kumar – Lata Mangeshkar- http://youtu.be/787GGmytWko
4. Rooth Gaye Mose Shyam Sakhi- The original article states that the other singer in this song ‘is not known’. However, as we listen and watch this clip, we may observe that at a point of time (@2.22) Dev Anand sees dancer’s face morphed into that of Kamini Kaushal. From that point of Lata Mangeshkar also takes over the playback from Raaj Kumari (or is it Shamshad Begum as mentioned by the uploader of the clip). –http://youtu.be/zd47dLfWdyM However here is another clip(an audio) where singers are mentioned as  Lata Mangeshkar and Rajkumari. [That should settle the issue of who the other singer is!]  – http://youtu.be/RfviokhEXM4
5. Chanda Re Jaa Re Jaa Re – Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/2DtN7fredKA
6. Tujhe O Bewafa Hum Zindagi Ka Asara Samaje – Lata Mangeshkar – http://youtu.be/smz-ZYso6MQ
7. Chali Pi Ko Milan – Shamshad Begum – http://youtu.be/s52moCvqs3Y
8. Ab Kaun Sahara Hai, Jab Tera Sahar Choot Gaya Hai –  Lata Mangeshkar- http://youtu.be/sDvZn8x74OY
9. Marane Ki Duaen Kyun Maangun – Kishore Kumar – http://youtu.be/8InU035J6WM

Shriman Satyawadi (1960) – Datta Ram – Known as the solid backbone of Shanker Jaikishan’s orchestration, but highly underrated as an independent music director – has Mukesh’s some of the most lilting songs in this film:

1. Rut Albeli Mast Sama, Saath Hasin Aur Raat Jawan – Mukesh – http://youtu.be/sN-2Fm3UlEQ
2. Ek Baat Kahun Vallah, Yeh Husn Subhanallah – Mahendra Kapoor, Suman Kalyanpur, Mukesh – http://youtu.be/Pabyhom52as
3. Ae Dil Dekhe Hain Hamane Bade Bade Sang Dil – Mukesh – http://youtu.be/VmI35mls9jM
4. Bhigi Hawaon Men, Teri Adaon Men – Suman Kalyanpur, Manna Dey http://youtu.be/xjV0fuf1Df0
5. Rang Rangeeli Bottle Ka Dekh Lo Jaadu – Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/_Rh3Z7y2bd0
6. Kyon Udaa Jaata Hai Aanchal, Kun Nazar Sharma Rahi Hai – Suman Kalyanpur – http://youtu.be/9Gi8f9uMT8g
7. Haal-e-Dil Hamara, Jaane Na Bewafa, Ye Jaman – Mukesh – http://youtu.be/ITG7Y6eJY4A

We have two posts this month, similar in subject, but very different in content, on songs that have more than one versions. SoY has yours truly’s guest post, Multiple Versions Songs (6) – Both versions by female playback singer(s) (1) – Abhi To Main Jawan Hun, continuing the series on the subject, whereas ‘Harveypam Blog’ has Shri Arunkumar Deshmukh’s guest post  Inspire!. This post very vividly presents Ek Tune Do Gaane – two songs, one being inspired from another song, generally of another music director.

‘Harveypam Blog’ has two more posts for the current edition of the carnival:

Look, who’s here! presents songs that melodiously describe the emotions when one observes yeh kaun aayaa – someone comes in – either expectedly or unexpectedly- but certainly creating a wave of melodious elation by that coming in.  

SoY also presents 6^th guest article by Shri Subodh Agrawal, “after some gap, with an outstanding article”, Film Songs Based on Classical Ragas (6) – Desh and Tilak Kamod, in the series Songs based on classical ragas. Shri Subodh Agrawal “also includes the concluding portion of Tagore’s dance drama ‘Shyama’, which is one of the most poignant and beautiful compositions in Desh you can find anywhere. The classical pieces he has included are recognized landmarks in these Ragas. He combines his great taste in music with a precision in writing he has acquired from his training in Physics and Mathematics in IIT.”

And each of the articles has very lively, informative, and engaging discussions, which also bring in a wealth of songs on the respective subject. Please do not miss them!

Do let me know whether you enjoyed this journey to the Hindi Film Music’s Golden Period?

Do you have any more sites on this insatiable subject which can be included in this blog?