Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December 2019

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1961

To commemorate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries, [Born: 24 December, 1924// Death: 31 July, 1980] we commenced a series of articles on Mohammad Rafi that essentially tried to bring the solo song of Mohammad Rafi from the first film with the music director.  Beginning 2016, we have taken up one five-year slot every year, in the chronological order, starting from 1944, the year in which Mohammad Rafi sang his maiden solo song in Hindi Films. Till now we have covered

• • 1^st Five-Year Period : 1944 -1948 ,
  • 2^nd Five-Year Period : 1949-1953, and
  • 3^rd Five-Year period : 1954 – 1958.

We have heard Mohammad Rafi’s maiden solo song with a music director for the first part of 1959-1960 of the 4^th Five Year period in July, 2017.

Presently, we will take up the second part – 1961  – for the 4^th Five Year period. The films appear herein in the alphabetical order of their names.

In our earlier articles we used to take due note of the popular, and not-popular-but-remarkable songs for the years under review for those music directors who have already appeared in the previous Five-Year periods. We have continued with that practice.

As may be expected, in the decade of 60s, we find more songs that went on to become popular, sometimes far more than the more meritorious songs from the same film. Relative longevity was seen to be shortening up. However, this possibly outcome of the changing taste of Hindi Films – as more films went color from B&W format, the element of art in the film was becoming more a special genre, filmmaking had better technical back-end support. Now, films, in general, were the commercial films – set to a few stereotypes and their variations. In so far as the Hindi film music was concerned, ‘60s saw the beginning of the ebb, from the high highs that were scaled till now.

1961

Mohammad Rafi has 71 solo song in 1961.

First, we will note the popular songs for the year for those music directors who have appeared in the previous years.

Shankar Jaikishan –  Aas Ka Panchhi (Char Dino Ki Chhuti Hai); Boy Friend (Dheere Chal .. Ay Bheegi Hawa, Mujhe Apna Yaar Bana Lo, Salam Aap Ki Meethi Nazar Ko); Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Teri Zulfon Se Zudai); Junglee (Chahe Koi Mujhe Jaunglee Kahe, Aiya Ya Karoon Main Kya Suku, Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujh Par); Sasural (Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko, Wallah Yar Lut Gaye Hum) |  Chitragupt – Bada Admi (Akhiyan Sang Akhiyan Lage, Agar Dil Kisi Se Lagay Na Hota)   |Salil Chowdhury – Chhaya (Yaa Kehde Ham Insaan Nahi); Kabuliwala (O Saba Kahena Mere Didar Ko); Maya (Koi Sone Ke Dilwala, Sanam Tu Chal Diya Rasta Mere Bina, Zindagi Hai Kya Meri Jaan) | Naushad – Ganga Jamuna (Nain Lad Jai Hai)  | Ravi – Gharana (Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahi); Nazarana (Baazi Kisine Pyar Ki) | Jaidev – Hum Dono (Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata, Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe) | Madan Mohan – Sanjog (Do Ghoont Maine Pee) | Ghulam Mohammad – Shama (Woh Sadagi Kahe Ise Diwangi Kahe) | Khayyam – Shola Aur Shabnam (Jane Ky Dhundhati Raheti Hai) |

We now take a closer look at Mohamad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director for the year 1961. This year, we have three very talented, but not commercially successful music directors, one who succeeded by defying the Hindi Film ‘normal’ of ‘assistants do not succeed’ and two music directors for the South remakes.

In order to err on the safer side, we have included all the solos of the film wherein Mohammad Rafi and a music director have their first solo song.

S Madan

Not accepted well in Hindi Films, S Madan earned big fame in Punjabi films. Many of his songs in Punjabi films have been plagiarized in Hindi films. He assisted Vinod in the early part of his career.

Ye Kaisi Deewaar Hai Duniya – Batwara – Lyrics: Majroojh Sultanpuri

The background song epitomizes the division between two brothers.

P Nageswara Rao

Nageshwara Rao was well-known name in Telugu films.

Narayan Ki Isi Murti Se Hoga Govinda – Bhagwan Balaji –Lyrics: Sarswati Kumar Deepak

It seems every remake – dubbed version- of South Indian religious films has at least one song by Mohammad Rafi.

Rahul Dev Burman

When Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) debuted as an independent music director, the Golden Era of Hindi Film music was at its high-sun point. The ecosystem was extremely competitive with high-quality-but-very-popular individual styles of the music directors who had entered the scene in the late second half of the ‘40s./ early first half of ‘50s.R D Burman easily transformed himself from the understudy of his father, S D Burman, into an independent music director, by developing his own distinct style of compositions. Along with Laxmikant Pyarelal, he very effectively carried the baton form the second generation of music directors to the third generation.

Aam Chum Taam Chum – Chhote Nawab – Lyrics: Shailendra

Produced by Mehmood, the film revolved around a mentally under-developed character of Memood. The song epitomizes physically fully-grown-up, but mentally childlike personality of the lead male character, Choote Nawab – The Child Ruler.

Ilaahi Tu Sun Le Hamaali Dua – Chhote Nawab – Lyrics: Shailendra

R D Burman creates a very mature tune in the very first film. Along with all other playful songs, the present song and Lata Mangeshkar’s Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye demonstrate the depth of versatility of R D Burman’s musical range.

C Arjun

C Arjun assisted Bulo C Rani in his early career. C Arjun’s first Hind film Road No. 303 (1960) had a couple of Mohammad Rafi duets. His Punar Milan (1964) Mohammad Rafi solo Paas Baitho Tabiyat Bahal Jayegi remains one of the best ever Rafi song. But of course C Arjun is more immortalized by his Usha Mangeshkar record-breaking prayer Jai Santoshi Ma (1975)

Ho Gori Zulm Kare Zulf Ka Bikhar Jaana – Main Aur Mera Bhai– Lyrics: Jaan Nisaar Akhtar

Mohammad Rafi is at his playful best in this lively song.

Insaan Kitne Yug Beete Yunhi Rahi Nadaan.. Moorakh Hai Insaan – Main Aur Mera Bhai – Lyrics: Jaan Nisaar Akhtar

This should be background song.

Arun Raghavan

Arun Raghavan is one of the 48 music directors who have composed only one Mohammad Rafi song. As he is a music director of South Indian films, this does not seem to be so stounding statement.

Chali Aaj Rajbhawan Se..Yug Yug Se Anyaya – Mera Suhag – Arun Raghavan – Vinod Sharma

Like other South Indian film remakes in Hindi, Mohammad Rafi gets to sing a background song.

SL Merchant, Shri Ram

SL Merchant, Shri Ram are perhaps more active in Tamil films.

Kaisa Hai Ye Shraap Haye Re..Haye Re Qismat – Sati Renuka – Bharat Vyas

As has been now a well-formed pattern, Mohammad Rafi gets to sing this background song.

Putraheen Ko Pita..Janani Janani Mahima Hai – Sati Renuka –Bharat Vyas

One more background song in a South Indian remake Hindi film.

D Dilip

Known more as assistant to S N Tripathi, then Chitragupt and lastly as arranger to Laxmikant Pyarelal, Dilip Dholakiya took up D Dilip as his pen name when composing independent music in Hindi films. He also was a very accomplished singer. He did sing a few Hindi songs under S N Tripathi and Chitragupt. The only Hindi song that he has rendered under his own baton is Khanke Kangana Khan Khan Re, Chhanake Ghungharu Chhan Chhan Re  – Saugandh (1961) – with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi in the lead.

Apne Liye Jiye To Zamane Mein Kya Jiye.. Kaun Raha Hai Kaun Rahega – Saugandh – D Dilip – Prem Dhawan

The song is a background song, filmed on Gemni Ganeshan on the screen.

As a special note on Dilip Dholakia – Mohammad Rafi, I succumb to the urge to record here a beautiful Gujarati solo song from this pair – Meethadi Nazrun Vaagi – Satyavan Savitri ,1963)

Since we have far too many song to listen to in the present post, we will take up the last two years – 1962 and 1963- of the 4^th Five Year period in our episode of 15^th December, 2019.

We will continue remembering 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.

N.B. : All episodes for the year 2019 can be seen / downloaded as one file by clicking on Fading Memories..Unforgettable Songs – 2019

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – January, 2017

Welcome to January, 2017 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

We will commence our current episode with the posts on the anniversaries or eulogies.

Which Was the True Voice of Pancham? – It will be 23 years since Pancham (R D Burman) on this day in 1994 left us music lovers with an awful feeling of loss just when we were about to celebrate his huge comeback. Peeyush Sharma recalls the many voices that he sang to us in, trying to really understand which his true voice was. All songs picked in this list had music by R D Burman himself. The voice had become known as a distinct and melodious one which had that ‘ras’ that was so typical of him. Mone poRe Ruby Roy (later reused as Meri bheegi bheegi si in Anamika) and Jete jete pathe holo deri (which had a Hindi reincarnation as the iconic Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa to nahin in Aandhi) became chart-toppers in the Bengali non-film songs category.

Om Puri certainly deserved profuse eulogies in the print and net media. I have picked up the three representative ones here –

• Om Puri – The Luminance of a Natural Actor  – Amitava Nag – Om Puri passed away on 6 January 2017 after four decades of acting. One of the pioneer faces of the Indian ‘parallel’ cinema movement of the 70s and 80s, Om Puri later on shifted to international cinema and remained a forceful actor till his last.
• The original choice for Ahuja’s role in ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ was… not Om Puri – Pankaj Kapoor was to play the builder Ahuja, but when he was cast in the larger role of Tarneja, Om Puri made his celebrated comic debut.
• Everyman, comedian, sutradhaar: a tribute to Om Puri – It is a bit sad to realise that much of Puri’s best work was done between 25 and 35 years ago, that few roles in the final years did him justice…Much like the man whose hesitant voice and flashing eyes helped make them so memorable, they belong to us all. Or as JBDY’s Ahuja might slur, “Yeh films aap akayle ke nahin hain. Hum sab shareholder hain.”

Urdu Poet, Lyricist Naqsh Lyallpuri Dies at 88  – He first got break in the 1952 film Jaggu with the song Agar Teri Aakhon Se Aakhein Mila Doon (Asha Bhosale, Hansraj Behl).

From Hindi film music to raga-based symphonies, the remarkable journey of Anthony Gonsalves – Naresh Fernandes pays rich tribute to the renowned musician, whose fifth death anniversary is on January 18, merged the Western classical music of his Goan heritage with Hindustani melodies.

Geeta Bali’s Personality Had the Energy of Shammi Kapoor’s Dance – Megha Mathur – This story is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on 21 January 2016. It is being republished to mark Geeta Bali’s death anniversary.

Kamal Amrohi made only four films. Fortunately for us, one of them was ‘Pakeezah’ – On the director’s birth anniversary, here is an excerpt from Vinod Mehta’s biography on Meena Kumari revisits the film’s troubled production.

The January 2017 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs was dedicated to Dilip Dholakia as singer. This was preceded by the guest article Forgotten Composers Unforgettable Melodies (11): Dilip Dholakia, which I then had reblogged on 10-1-2017. Here we have looked at back at Dilip Dholakia from the lens of a music director of Hindi films.

Here are posts on other subjects as well:

Noor Jehan with R.D. Burman & Asha Bhosle – Asha Bhosle said that “Badnaam mohabbat kaun kare [Dost, 1944, Sajjad Hussain] is her favorite song by Noor Jehan.

Bharat Bhushan, Meena Kumari at premiere of Baiju Bawra (1952)

From left to right: Bharat Bhushan, Meena Kumari, Meena Kumari’s sister Madhuri and Surendra, who played the role of the musician Tansen in the film.

When Cinema Matched Music Beat by Beat: Nadiya Kinare in Abhimaan  – The challenge of Nadiya kinare in Abhimaan was to create a supremely classical yet rustic song. SD Burman’s music, Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics, Lata Mangeshkar’s voice along with Jaya Bhaduri and Amitabh Bachchan’s performance and Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s direction were ably supported by the competent technical crew and musicians. Anand Desai and Antara Nanda Mondal explore how master craftsmen of cinema and music matched every frame to a note in this song which can well be called a textbook in song composition and picturisation!

A snowy winter is the perfect excuse to get cuddly in Hindi film songs – Manish Gaekwad pens this sub-genre of Hindi Film Songs.

Film Songs Based on Classical Ragas (10) – Bihag and its family – Subodh Agrawal continues from where he had left off his series, Songs based on classical ragas.

My Favourites: ‘Kaun Aaya?’ Songs – Hindi films are full of rhetorical questions to which everyone, including the people asking those questions, know the answer… One such question is ‘Kaun aaya?’ The answer is obvious, of course (and the characters on screen know who has stolen their heart, resided in their soul, made them laugh…), but they ask (sing) the questions anyway.  The post has some excellent, but not more often heard songs –

• Ye kaun mere zindagi mein aa gaya – Bombay Race Course (1965) – Asha Bhosle – Madan Mohan – Rajinder Krishan
• Kaun aaya mehfil mein – Bambai ka Chor (1962) – Asha – Ravi – Rajinder Krishan

‘Dhoondhta Hoon Jinko Raaton Ko Khayalon Main Mein’ – Shiv Kumar (Pathak) made his debut with Poonam KI Raat (1965). Here is the link to the song in the title of the post – Dhoondhta Hoon Jinko

Flashback 50 Years By Peeyush Sharma  – There is a marked shift in the style of compositions, change in the audience taste and acceptance of new music directors. Among the films that had their music release this year, Shankar Jaikishen, O P Nayyar and Usha Khanna each had 7 films while Madan Mohan and Ravi had five each and Hemant Kumar had three. Laxmikant Pyarelal had 10 releases to their credit – a defining year for their career. RD Burman gave his life’s first massive chart buster hit Teesri Manzil.  There were several others who scored memorable music scores in a single film or two.

• (Part I): Shankar Jaikishan Hits of 1966 – Teesari Kasam, Gaban and Amrapali were the notable films from the point of view of the quality of songs.
• (Part II): OP Nayyar Hits of 1966 – Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi, Sawan Ki Ghata, Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi were the notable films from the point of view of the quality of songs.
• (Part III): Madan Mohan Hits of 1966 – Mera Saaya, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki were the notable films from the point of view of the quality of songs.

Steam behemoth rides in Bollywood – D P Rangan takes on the nostalgic trip to the younger days of most of the readers who are in 40+ age group.

Ten of my favourite non-romantic male-female duets which do not mention romantic love in any form, not even as part of a bhajan (the Radha-Krishna trope is one that comes to mind). And that the actors should both be adults (because there are far too many songs which have a female playback singer singing for a child onscreen) as in Saanwle-salone aaye din bahaar ke (Ek Hi Raasta, 1956).

Do actors have what it takes to stop lip-synching and start singing their own film songs? – No actor took playback singing as seriously as Premnath when he sang an Indian classical bandish Dagar Chalat Dekho in the little-known film Raja Kaka (1973). It was an enviable accomplishment that went unnoticed.

Odd(itie)s and Ends, Joys of Fusion, and Blogging Restlessness is a post that is a little more scattered and eclectic than usual, which may signal a direction for other posts to come.

Cinema classical: When Parveen Sultana trumped Kishore Kumar in ‘Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna’ – Manish Gaekwad has kick started to showcase the voices of the stalwarts of Indian classical music in popular films with this song from Kudrat. Naushad introduced Parveen Sultana to Hindi moviegoers in Kaun Gali Gayo Shyam in Pakeezah (1972). The thumri was used in the background….Sultana returned to Hindi playback only in 1981 for Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna, composed by RD Burman for the movie Kudrat. The track, in raag bhairavi, was written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Parveen Sultana won the 1982 Filmfare trophy for her version of the song.

My Favourites: Songs of Promises – are all love songs, songs of promises between lovers. Not ‘aap ki kasam’ songs, or the breaking of promises but actual promises being asked for, or made. Promises of a future together, of hope that one will have someone with whom to share life’s struggles and happiness, of trust that one’s faith will not be betrayed. For example:

• Humne jab dil tha diya koi vaada tha kiya – Chhoomantar (1956) – Mohammed Rafi, Shamshad Begum – OP Nayyar – Jaan Nissar Akhtar
• Aji aao muhobbat ki kha le kasam – Shehnai (1947) – Chitalkar, Amirbai Karnataki – C Ramchandra – PL Santoshi

Picture the song: Guns and snogs in ‘Mile Mile Do Badan’ from ‘Black Mail’ – Nandini Ramnath narrates why we should trust Vijay Anand to insert a romantic song in the middle of a chase sequence and make it work…..

We end today’s episode with a INTERVIEW of Ahsan Qasim by Sanjeeb Updhyay about GREAT MOHD RAFI SAHAB – Part 1  ǁ Part 2 ǁ Part 3 ǁ Part 4

I trust you will always feel free to proffer your suggestions for making this series of posts more lively and informative….

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: January, 2017

Dilip Dholakia: A Singer

That Dilip Dholakia (Birth: 15^th October, 1921 \ Death: 2^nd January, 2011) was a multi-talented music personality has been universally accepted. He was a singer, a music director, a music arranger, a lyricist, all rolled into one persona.

We have looked at the music directorial side of his talent in our article on 10th January, 2017. For our present episode we will focus on the singing Dilip Dholakia.

Dilip Dholakia had his first exposure to singing in his early childhood when he would accompany his grandfather to Swaminarayan temple and join the singing of the temple prayers. His father used to play flute and his grandfather used to sing songs of God’s praise and hymns at the temple. Later he learnt classical singing from Pandurang Amberkar, a disciple of Khan Saheb Aman Ali Khan. He had shifted to Bombay in his. After he was selected as an artist on All India Radio, in Mumbai, he got the offer to sing a song for the film Kismatwala (1944). The composer Ratanlal, younger brother of composer Khemchand Prakash, had Dilip Dholakia sing ‘Gori Chalo Na Sina Ubharke’ and ‘Dekho Hamse Na Ankhe Ladaya Karo’. He also got chance to sing in chorus for a K L Saigal song Thukra Rahi Hai Duniya for Bhanvra (1944). In 1946, he got to sing ‘Dukh Ki Is Nagri Mein Baba Koi Na Puchhe Baat’ in ‘Laaj’ under Ramchandra Pal’s baton.

By this time Dilip Dholakia was introduced to Snehal Bhatkar at HMV studio, Bombay. Snehal Bhatkar helped him to cut his first record. Dilip Dholakia recorded two solos, penned by Gujarat’s well-known poet and lyricist, Venubahi Purohit. These songs were[i]:

Bhint Phadi Ne Piplo Re Ugyo, Jiran Eni Kaya Re, Kankari Chuno Roj Khare Ne Dhruje Vajar Kaya Re

Aadha Tel Aur Adha Paani, Em Gujarati Jaaye Javani, Em Gujarati Aa Jindagani

Another the then emerging Gujarati music director, Avinash Vyas gave him a couple of duets with the prominent playback singer Amirbai Karnataki in Gujarati film , Sati Sone (1948). One of these two, Shravani Vadaladi Tu Ja…Ja Sandesho Lai, is available on YT:

He got his first major break with Divadandi’s(1950). Ajit Merchant’s solo composition in his voice Taari Aankh No Afini Tara Bol No Bandhani was an instant hit. It has acquired a cult status among Gujarati songs and has had have covers and versions till now. Dilip Dholakia sings the first line of the song, without any accompanying instrument, to enjoy in his bare voice:

We will listen to another duet from this film. Dilip Dholakia sings his lines in lower scales –

Vagda Vachche Talavadi Ne Talavadi Ne Kor – with Rohini Roy – Lyricist: Balmukund Dave

Apparently, Dilip Dholakia could make out that he would not be able to carve out his space in the field of playback singing. So he switched over to playing the role of assistant to S N Tripathi, when Chitragupta took to his independent career and then to even Chitragupta as well. It was during this association that he could lay his hands onto some more of playback singing assignments.

Dur Gagan Pe Chamke Sitare.. Paas Hamare Chamke Chand Hamare – Ram Hanuman Yuddha, (1957) – with Geeta Dutt – S N Tripathi – Ramesh Chandra Pandey

SN Tripathi’s one of the signature melodious tunes. Dilip Dholakia has to play with his voice in sort of an undertone to match the tonal chords of Geeta Dutt.

Aaj Agar Meri Laaj Gayi, Samaz Le Teri Laaj Gayi – Ram Hanuman Yuddha (1957) – with Lata Mangeshkar – S N Tripathi – Ramesh Chandra Pandey

Dilip Dholakia sings for a playful  king on his boat tour on a river even his queen is prayerfully demanding protection of her dutiful rights … Both the singers depict two entirely different moods, in the setting of different scales on the same tune.

Run Jhun Baaje Penjaniya – Sakshi Gopal (1957) – Chitragupta – Bharat Vyas

The song is set to a slow rhythm of a traditional stray DUHA style of Charan poets of the Kathiawar (a part of Gujarat’s Suarshatra region), obviously Dilip Dholakia’s ancestral heritage instincts influencing the composition of the song. .

Khanke Kangana Khan Khan Re, Chhanake Ghungharu Chhan Chhan Re  – Saugandh (1961) – with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi in the lead.

This appears to be the only Hindi song that Dilip Dholakia has chosen to sing under his own music direction. But when he has chosen to do so, not lonely music director, (Dilip Dholakia), but the lyricist (Prem Dhawan) also joins Lata and Rafi @ 2.21 to 2.24 in an innovative experiment in this song.

After a long hiatus, Dilip Dholakia he came back to singing and recording non-filmy songs only at the very end of his active career. I have picked up two representative songs from this crop.

Ten Puchhyo Prem No Marm Ne Hun Dai Betho Alingan

Dilip Dholakia seems to be rekindling memories of his visits to Swaminarayan temple in this bhajan –

Lagi Re Mohe Nain Najariya…

We will continue with our tradition of ending our episode with Mohammad Rafi Songs.

I have selected two so-well-composed Dilip Dholakia songs that not only stand out as a few of Rafi’s best everm, but do present Dilip Dholakia’s range as a music director.

One is a Bhaskar Vora’s song for Satyavan Savitri (1963) –

Mithadi Nazaroon Vaagi

[Sweet glance has hit me..]

and the other on is a non-film song, written by Barakat Virani ‘Befam’

Milan Na Deepak Buzai Gaya Chhe

[Lamps of our meeting have now gone off..]

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.

[i]  I most sincerely thank Shri Biren Kothari for providing the soft copies of these songs.

Dilip Dholakia? D. Dilip? Diliprai? – A Singer or A Music Director or A Music Arranger?

[First published on Songs of Yore as ‘Forgotten Composers Unforgettable Melodies (11): Dilip Dholakia’ on January 10, 2017]

Those who are familiar with any of the aspect of Dilip Dholakia’s world of music probably may know of him by any one of these names that he used for his different music career roles. For the records of the Hindi Film’s mundane history Dilip Dholakia [Born: 15th October, 1921 / Death: 2nd January, 2011] was probably noticed more as an assistant to Chitragupta or S N Tripathi or to the music-duo Laxmikant Pyarelal. And yet, Dilip Dholakia remained all of singer, music director, music arranger and at times even lyricist and an actor, during his active career. Probably that is the excuse lady luck took refuge for not favoring him with the worldly success !

Dilip Dholakia’s music legacy was also multi-dimensional. His father used to play flute while his grandfather would sing hymns and prayers at Swaminarayan Temple at his birth town of Junagadh (Saurashtra, Gujarat. Dilip Dholakia would join them in singing or in playing pakhwaj when he was a toddler. He migrated to Bombay after his graduation and did some odd jobs. However his association with singing did continue. He trained under Pandurang Amberkar to hone his raw musical instincts into the systematic classical mold. His introduction to Snehal Bhatkar, who then worked for HMV studios, led him to cut his first ever music record, in  with two Gujarati songs – Bhint Phadi Ne Piplo Re Ugyo and Aadha Tel Aur Aadha Pani.

It was Khemchand Prakash who gave Dilip Dholakia first formal break to sing in the chorus  in Thukra Rahi Hai Duniya Hum Hai Ke So Rahe Hai – @2.24 with K L Saigal for film Bhanwara (1944).  In the same year, Dilip Dholaki could get to sing two songs – Gori Chalo Na Sina Ubharke and Dekho Humse Na Aankh Ladaya Karo – under the music direction of Khemchand Prakash’s younger brother, Ratanlal, for ‘Kismatwala’. He got one more song under the baton of Ramchandra Pal for ‘Laaj’ in 1946 – Dukh Ki Is Nagri Mein Baba Koi Na Puchche Baat.

It was another Gujarati music director Avinash Vyas, who paired him with the then a very well-popular singer, Amirbai Karnataki, in the Gujarati film, Sati Sone (1948) – for the duet

Shravani Ni Vadaladali Tu Ja..Ja Sandesho Lai

(O cloud of monsoon go.. go take my message..)

It was a stroke of luck that got him his first major successful break. Ajit Merchant had planned to use Mukesh for a solo song of Divadandi (1950), but it was Dilip Dholakia, who was destined to enshrine this song as one of the most iconic ever Gujarati song –

Taari Aankh No Afini Taara Bol No Bandhani, Taara Roop Ni Punam No Paagal Hun Eklo

(Addict of opium-intoxication of your eyes, and your spoken words, I am the only lunatic of your full-moon beauty).

Incidentally, this tune has been used by Chtragupta in Naya Sanasar (1959) for Lata Mangeshkar’s cradle song Chanda Loriyan Sumaye Hawa Jualan Julaye Mere Lal Ko.

Apparently, Dilip Dholakia was either intrinsically more inclined to music direction or could sense that he may not make space for himself in the then competitive world of Hindi film play-back singing. So he took up assignment of assisting S N Tripathi, and later on Chitragupta, who himself was S N Tripathi’s assistant before he charted his independent course.  His foray into music direction / music arrangement was under the name of D. Dilip.

Dilip Dholakia could get his first independent assignment of music direction for Bhakta Mahima (1960). Even as he composed no less than 16 songs for this film, none of the otherwise quite resourceful netizens have yet been able to lay hand on any the songs.

Dilip Dholakia’s next film was Teen Ustad in 1961. The six songs of the film, of which one Talat Mahmood- Suman Kalyanpur duet and one Mohammad Rafi- Suman Kalyanpur duet as well as one solo each of Lata Mangeshkar and Usha Mangeshkar, have been mentioned in several HFM-related documents, but two singers for the two songs remain unidentified. I have not been able to locate any digital version of the songs from this film.

In the same year Dilip Dholakia got to compose music for Saugandh. He composed 2 Talat Mahmood+Lata Mangeshkar duets, 1 Mohammad Rafi+Lata Mangeshkar duet in which Dilip Dholakia (music director) and Prem Dhawan (lyricist) join in an innovative chorus, 2 Lata Mangeshkar solos and 1 song for which singer is not identified.

Aaja Re Chand Mere Aaja Re, Chand Mere Chand Mere Dil Ye Tera Re – Saugandh (1961) – Talat Mahmood, Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan

Saugandh seems to be remake of a Telugu film. He has woven Talat Mahmood’s soft voice with a soft tune and equally soft orchestration. The song has been filmed on Jemini Ganeshan and Anjali Devi in the film.

Bagdad Ki Raatein followed in 1962. Dilip Dholakia composed 3 solos for Geeta Dutt, 3 solos for Lata Mangeshkar, 1 duet of Mohammad Rafi and Shamshad Begum and one more duet of Mohammad Rafi with Geeta Dutt. It seems that apart from the considerations of availability of the singers and the related economics, Dilip Dholakia was using the opportunity to present his music in as many variants as possible so as to hit the chords of success.

Julfowalo Se Na Bhul Ke Bhi Pyar Kijiye Ji – Baghdad Ki Raatein – Mohammad Rafi, Shamshad Begum and Chorus – Lyrics:  Prem Dhawan

Being a light-mood song, Dilip Dholakia has given enough space for Shamshad Begum and Mohammad Rafi’s harkatein for augmenting the mood of the song.

Kisi Se Pyar Ho To Dil Bekarar Ho To, Aao Jara Lete Jao Aji Dil Ki Dawa – Baghdad Ki Raatein – Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan

Orchestration has mid-eastern accent and Geeta Dutt is at her silken best in tune with the dance song.

Dilip Dholakia had one more film in 1962 – Private Secretary. The film had Ashok Kumar and Jayshree Gadkar in the lead. Dilip Dholakia also rose to the challenge. All 7 songs had perfect blend of melody, erudite composition, ease of singing for the spectators – all possible factors that can help the songs of the entire album to be commercially successful enough so as to provide the necessary escape velocity to the music director to move in to A-league films.

Ja Ja Re Chanda Ja Re Teri Chandani Bhi Mera Jiyara Jalaye – Private Secretary (1962) – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrucs: Prem Dhawan

Here we have as good as any Lata Mangeshkar solo of that time. Dilip Dholakia has been able to touch the melody chords that have been signature aspect of Chitragupta compositions. There are three more Lata solos in the film. All of these are available on YT.

Jaa Re Beimaan Tujhe Jaan Liya – Private Secretary (1962) – Manna Dey – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan

This one is semi-classical song for a light situation in the film. The composition ought to have gone into augmenting the trend of using Manna Dey for light situation-classical song genre that was evolving at that time.

How Dilip Dholakia had peaked can be gaged from the songs he composed next year for a Gujarati film – Satyavan Savitri. This was his maiden Gujarti film as a composer. All of Rafi and Lata songs had become quite popular among Gujarati listeners at that time.

Aawi Rasili Chandani, Van Vagado Lahervati – Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics ; Bhaskar Vora

(So enjoyable full-moon light has arrived, lighting up forest trees on the way)

The orchestration has very distinct Chitragupta effect.

And now was a sort of drought of music direction assignments in Hindi films. The next film – Veer Ghatotkatch  – to come up is again a mythological film, in 1970. Dilip Dholakia has composed one solo each for Mukesh and Manna Dey, two for Suman Kalyanpur and a female-female duet for Suman Kalyanpur and Reshma. Thus, he does keep trying to be as creative as possible even possibly within shoe string budgets.

Us Pratham Pratham Parichay Me Hi Maine Khoya Tha Apnapan – Veer Ghatotkach (1970) – Mukesh – Lyrics: B D Mishra

The song does present Mukesh at his usual romantic best.

1970 had one more C-grade film assignment, Dagabaaz, for Dilip Dholakia, in the name of Dilip Roy. He composed two solos for Mukesh, one for Mahendra Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar each and a duet for Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle for the film.

Aa Meri Bahon Mein Jhool Ja  – Dagabaaz (1970) – Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle –– Lyrics:  B D Mishra

The couple goes to play their romance wandering happily in the garden is a very typical duet for Hindi film situations. The song is filmed on Chandra Sekhar and Helen, who themselves have not been able to get the A-grade lead actor roles, in spite of enough talent and looks.

The eighth of Hindi films for which Dilip Dholakia could get to compose music was again a C-grade myhtlological film, Mata Vaishnodevi.

Man Ke Kore Kaagz Pe Tasveer Khinch Lo Raam Ki – Mata Vaishnodevi (1970) – Manna Dey – Lyrics: B D Mishra

The song has twin version in Asha Bhosle’s voice, filmed on Jayshree Gadkar, who was quite successful on Marathi screen, but destined to the roles of mythological Hindi films heroin !

Dilip Dholakia had had a similar run in Gujarati films, where he had 11 films in his bag. He did a couple of A-grade films like (a national award winner regional film) Kanku or Mena Gurjari there. He continued to experiment and innovate here as well.

Eklaj Avya Hata, Ekla Javana – Jalim Singh Jadeja – Bhupinder – Lyrics: Barkat Virani

(Had come alone will go alone too)

Even though his association did span for a longer duration, that was probably not enough to meet his basic needs for a satisfying decent living or providing for satisfying his creative streak. So he had to resort to the next best career option – work as music directorial assistant for some more successful music director. This he did so well for Laxmikant Pyarelal, from 1972 to 1988. He recorded his last song in 1988.

He also had worked with Hridaynath Mangeshkar to record his compositions like Meera Bhajan (Part-I), Bhagavad Geeta, Gyaneshwari Geeta, an album of Urdu gazals by Ghalib. He also composed for HMV records sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishori Amonkar. He composed music of Chausanthpadi written by Nishkulanand Swami.

The tradition of music runs into the fourth generation, the torch being kept alive by Dilip Dholakia’s son Rajat Dholakia.