Golden Era of Hindi Films – The world is too small? or Is it?

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XII – April 2024 Edition

Welcome to April 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Recent celebrations to celebrate birth centenary of Mohammad Rafi (B: Dec 24, 1924 | D: Jul 31, 1980).

In the fourth show, on 24^th April 2024, singers and musicians attempt to recreate Immortal Rafi … Immortal Duets

Here is one of the most elaborate April Fool pranks played by a film magazine in the 90s: Anupam Kher on a magazine cover as Sridevi’s sister.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

Rafi sings for Composers from Bengal – Anil Biswas, Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar were covered in Part 1, S D Burman in Part 2 and R D Burman in Part 3 and now Part 4 focuses on a few well known, a few lesser known or forgotten composers from the 40s and the 50s mainly..

An Actress Par Excellence – There was more to Meena Kumari than being ‘Tragedy Queen’. Anuradha Warrier revisits the incomparable actor’s films that showcase her incredible range and immeasurable talent

The Masters: Shakeel Badayuni is a tribute to one of the finest romantic poets who worked in Hindi cinema on his 54^th anniversary.

The Sculptors of Film Songs (14): Four Shades of the Dusk of the Series covers Bhanu Gupta, Homi Mullan, Kishor Sodha and Ranjit Gazmer in the concluding article of the series on SoY. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh, V Balsara, Ramlal , Dattaram, Van Shipley, Goody Seerwai ,“The Lords” and Ramprasad Sharma and Sons.

Wooden/Temple Block Songs – The wooden/Chinese temple blocks are percussion instruments without a membrane. According to music lover, musicologist, historian and archivist Kushal Gopalka, the earliest use of non-traditional percussion was made in Jawani Ki Reet (1939) by R.C.Boral, when he used wooden blocks for the song Chale pawan harsoo

Dilip Naik, the Hindi film industry musician you had heard even before you heard of him – Rudradeep Bhattacharjee – Dilip Naik made his debut as a session musician on the songs Chheda Mere Dil Ne and Gori Zara Hans De Tu from the Dev Anand-Sadhana starrer Asli Naqli (1962). In both these songs, Naik was part of a trio of acoustic guitarists in an orchestra consisting of more than 60 musicians. He had so far only played in front of a live audience; this was his introduction to the anonymous nature of a session musician’s work.

April 2024 episode of IX^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Hasrat Jaipuri – Beyond Shankar Jaikishan: 1961 – Part 2. Till now, we have covered –

The songs from 1950 to 1953 in 2017,

The songs from 1953 to 1955. In 2018

The songs from 1956 -1957 in 2019,

The songs for 1958 in 2020,

The songs for 1959 in 2021,

The songs for 1960 in 2022, and.

The songs for 1961 Part I in 2023

Celebrating cinema through pictures:

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

How Ameen Sayani’s Binaca Geetmala took film songs to listeners in Jhumri Talaiya and beyond – Isabel Huacuja Alonso – For decades, Anil Bhargava, a devoted listener and chronicler of the programme, meticulously recorded the song competition’s results as well as any changes that the programme underwent. Bhargava began in his early teens, continued the work of his father, who recorded Geetmala’s earliest rankings. Based on these handwritten diaries, he published, Binaca Geetmala ka surila safar (Binaca’s melodious journey). This book is one of the finest resources about Geetmala available.

Book Review: DIRECTOR’S CHAIR: Hindi Cinema’s Golden Age by Manek Premchand

Published by: Blue Pencil 2024
ISBN: 978-81-956660-8-9; Pages: 571
Price (Paperback on Amazon): ₹750

The Teller of Middle-Class Tales – Basu Chatterjee is the subject of National Award-winning author, Anirudha Bhattacharjee’s latest book, Basu Chatterjee and Middle-of-the-Road Cinema.

Subsequent to, Characters with Books: In English-language cinema, Hindi film characters with books, Part 2 is a sequel to a post about characters in Hindi cinema shown with book. The article narrates screenshots of Hindi film characters with books; and not just characters with books in the background.

In her latest book ‘Amitabh Bachchan as the Other’, film critic and author Shoma A Chatterji contends that beyond Amitabh Bachchan’s persistent ‘angry young man’ label, his cinematic prowess defies stereotypes, aligning him more closely with the intriguing concept of ‘The Other.’

The Hindi 𝘎𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘦 typically are not the songs that Vividh Bharati or ‘old’ time Radio Ceylon would play; these are the songs that has fast rhythm and random words thrown in, in the name of lyrics are Hindi gaane for the GenX.

Yeh Jeevan Hai: Songs on Life and Its Myriad Hues – NS Rajan explores how diversely our poets and lyricists have treated the subject of jeevan or life in all its moods and expressions in Hindi film songs.

Hindi film qawwalis – Part I presented the qawwalis from ’40s to ’50,Part II those from’60s. Now, Part III covers from the 70s and the 80s and now, the Part IV covers qawwalis from 90s and beyond.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, this year being the celebration of Mohammad Rafi birth centenary, we will take up what others have said about him:

- Thirty years on, Mohd Rafi remains a favorite – Shammi Kapoor and others

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on 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 – Volume XII – March 2024 Edition

Welcome to March 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Recent celebrations to celebrate birth centenary of Mohammad Rafi (B: Dec 24, 1924 | D: Jul 31, 1980).

In the third show, on 24^th March 2024, to celebrate Mohammed Rafi Birth Centenary Celebrations, playback singer Javed Ali attempts to recreate magic of Rafi Sahab with memorable solos, and duets supported by popular female singers – Sangeeta Melekar and Preethi Warrier.

Rafi’s Centenary Special: 35 songs from 35 years (1946-1980) – If one compares the voice between the first song in this selection Kah ke bhi na aaye tum (1946) to Maine poochha chand se ki (1980) there is hardly any change.

Mohammad Rafi Birth Centenary: Remembering Some Happy Solo Songs of ‘40s – There would be no doubt that recalling Mohammad Rafi’s happy, romantic, solo songs, for the years 1944 – 1950 should be a very unique experience.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

March is the month of Holi, festival of colours, across India. In RK Studio holi was played with a lot of grandeur.

SN Tripathi – His Music Still Lives On – Anuradha Warrier presents on his 111^th birth anniversary melodies composed by this maverick music director in no particular order.

Happy birthday to veteran actress Wahida Rehmanji on 3rd February, 2024.

My Favourites: Songs by Ravi on his 12^th death anniversary. Here is a selection of Ravi compositions in no particular order.

Hum Tere Bin Jee Na Sakenge Sanam – Remembering Ganesh on his 24^th death anniversary.

The romantic songs of Shashi Kapoorji is remembered for the lovely songs – Meri Nigah Ne Kya Kam Lajawaab Kiya – Mohabbat Isko Kahate Hai (1965) – Mohammad Rafi – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri – Music: Khayyam

The Elusive Nanda – Nanda’s sweet innocence made her the nation’s favourite. On her 10^th death anniversary, Anuradha Warrier revisits some of her best performances.

Also, to recall from the archives: Jeevan Ka Matlab To Aana Aur Jaana Hai: Remembering Nanda

Female bonding and their duets is a commemoration of the International Women’s Day with female duets.

The Sculptors of Film Songs (13) Ramprasad Sharma & Sons, the saga of contribution that the four generation of Sharma family. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh, V Balsara, Ramlal , Dattaram, Van Shipley, Goody Seerwai and “The Lords”

March 2024 episode of IX^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Ghulam Mohammad and His Singers: 1954. Till now we have covered Ghulam Mohammad’s songs for the year

1943 to 1949 in 2021, and

1950-1952 in 2022.

1953 in 2023

Celebrating cinema through pictures:

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Are We Accepting Ourselves Better Now Than Ever? – Audiences have begun embracing mindless entertainment, reflecting a cultural shift towards a slow and steady acceptance of our own true choices and ourselves. This acceptance extends to our past, as seen in the resurgence of 90s music and the acknowledgment of B and C grade cinema. Saumya Baijal critiques this emerging trend.

Characters with Books: In English-language cinema – Six years after a post about characters in Hindi cinema shown with book was published, Dusted Off presents post wherein it is with characters in English-language cinema.

The Qalandariyya (reflections on an excellent video by Filip Holm, which I saw just two weeks after the Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar) from Filip Holm’s show, Let’s Talk Religion, entitled “The Counter-Culture, Lawless Muslim Mystics Who Drank Wine? / The Qalandariyya.”

Latent Duets are not distant duets. Both singers have at least one antara each to register their presence. But the second singer enters the fray only after the first antara.

Hindi film qawwalis – Part I presented the qawwalis from ’40s to ’50 and Part II those from’60s. Now, Part III covers from the 70s and the 80s.

It’s what you wear: Ten songs about attire, songs that make a mention of a particular garment, beyond a list on dupattas/chunaris/odhnis.

Through the Lens, Brightly: Women in Cinema, Women at Work, authored by Shoma A Chatterji, unearths how the ‘working woman’ has been presented in films directed by women. The book is divided into three parts. Part I, which serves as a general introduction to the theme. Part II and Part III of the book analyses nine significant films made by women directors where the author combines scholarly research and critical acumen to contextualize individual directors and the complexity of separating the feminine from the professional.

Here are Bollywood Rewind articles of Samapda Sharma in Indian Express:

- Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a key figure in the making of India’s first talkie film Alam Ara. – Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the founder of Pakistan, but he was also the lawyer who actually made it possible for Alam Ara to become the first talkie film of India 93 years ago.

Pyarelal on Mohammad Rafi

Laxmikant on Mohammad Rafi

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XII – February 2024 Edition

Welcome to February 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Recent celebrations to celebrate birth centenary of Mohammad Rafi (B: Dec 24, 1924 | D: Jul 31, 1980).

Rafi Legacy Continues

The Story of Main Pyaar Ka Raahi Hoon – Anyone who listens to lyrics of songs intently, will surely find something amiss here. The lyrics of the two antaras sung by Asha have been interchanged while singing. As a result of this, in the antaras, there is no link between Rafi’s lines and those of Asha. How the lines got mixed up and who was responsible for the slipup is not clear. Moreover, no one noticed this gaffe till the song was to be picturized. But by then it was too late as the film had to be released. Thus, the song could not make it to the film.

We also pay our respects to Ameen Sayani (21 Dec, 1932 – 20 Feb, 2024). Ameen Sayani was not a native speaker of Hindi, Urdu, or Hindustani. He grew up in a Gujarati-speaking Muslim household and attended an English-language boarding school….The fact that Sayani was not a native speaker of Hindi, however, seems to have ultimately worked in his favour. On the air, Sayani consciously adopted a simple manner of speech that non-native speakers of Hindi, including his own family members, could easily understand.

Ameen Sayani, for a change, is being interviewed by Neeti Jain for Hello DD program:

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

Continuing the series, the year-wise review of Lata Mangeshkar’s career, on Lata Mangeshkar, Mehfil Mein Teri revisits 1961 – Lata Mangeshkar.

“Aa Ke Dard Jawan Hai, Sajna, Raat Ka Ishara Hai” – Ahmed Wasi – This song, composed by O P Nayyar for Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1973), is the point of entry for Ahmed Wasi as the lyricist. (YT version of the article: Ahmed Wasi – The Only Lyricist Introduced By O.P.Nayyar – Rare Bollywood Trivia – Rare Nostalgia

February 2024 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Talat Mahmood – Duets with Asha Bhosle – 1954| 1955. Till now, we have explored –

In 2017, an overview of Talat Mahmood’s duets receding from the memory.

In 2018, Talat Mahmood’s duets with rare co-singers,

In 2019, Talat Mahmood’s duets with Mubarak Begum and with Madhubala Jhaveri,

In 2020, Talat Mahmood’s duets with Geeta Dutt, essentially from 1950 to 1952,

In 2021, Talat Mahmood: Duets with Geeta Dutt, from 1954 to 1957, with one duet even in 1972

In 2022, Talat Mahmood: Duets with Shamshad Begum, and

In 2023, Talat Mahmood’s: Duets with Asha Bhosle: 1951 | 1952 | 1953

Celebrating cinema through pictures:

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Forgotten Artists of Early Cinema and The Same Name Confusion (2) contains 20 sets of same name artists. The first part of the book contains similar pen portraits of some 34 artists from the early era.

Author: Arunkumar Deshmukh (Copyright) | Publisher: Professor Toofanii Publishers, Lansing, MI USA (2023) | Editor: Professor Surjit Singh | Price: ₹450 plus postage (Paperback) at pothi.com.

Hindi film qawwalis – Part I presents the qawwalis from ’40s to ’50 and Part II those from’60s.

(Note: Cinema Qawwali Archive, curated by Yousuf Saeed, has so far archived over 800 songs dating from 1939 to 2022.

Street Dancers of Bollywood sing the songs that were key for taking the story forward. Often these songs became the high point of the film and achieved everlasting popularity

Songs with Homonyms – Homonym is a word that both sounds and is spelled the same as another word. One finds repetition of a single word to convey two different meanings in some songs. This play on words demonstrates the calibre and intelligence of the lyricist who can use homonyms to convey a multi-layered message succinctly. he homonym could be in any part of the song – prelude, mukhda or antara. E.g. Bhoole Se Kabhi Yaad Kar Ae Bhoolne Waale – Ek Roz (1947) – Naseem Akhtar – Lyrics: Sarshar Sailaani – Music: Shyam Sundar

Here are Bollywood Rewind articles of Samapda Sharma in Indian Express:

- DevD vs Devdas: Anurag Kashyap’s adaptation respected Paro and Chandramukhi in a way that Sanjay Leela Bhansali completely missed – 15 years of Dev.D: Anurag Kashyap’s adaptation of Devdas puts Dev in his place and celebrates the women who happen to fall in love with him despite his bad attitude.

Burjor Lord talks Rafi Sahab

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XII – January 2024 Edition

Welcome to January 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

This the year which has birth centenary of Mohammad Rafi (B: Dec 24, 1924 | D: Jul 31, 1980).

Woh Jab Yaad Aaye – Inaugural Programme for Mohammed Rafi Birth Centenary Celebrations

Rafi’s Birth Centenary Year begins with his Hindi film songs from the years 1944 and 1945.

SoY opens the celebrations with Mohammad Rafi from A to Z to which Hans has added his own curated list.

Md. Rafi – A Singer Who Seldom Spoke – Try looking for interviews where his voice can be heard in conversation with someone and you will not find more than two or three. Ameen Sayani, the great radio compere who has interviewed the who’s who of the film industry never succeeded in doing an interview with Rafi. When Rafi did finally accede to his request of doing an interview and that too on his own terms – of answering every question through a song of his – it was perhaps too late, for he left for his heavenly abode before this could happen. This was how reticent Rafi was.

Sanjeev Ramabhadran – Remembering the Rafi-Naushad Duo : Can we recollect the songs after listening to these alaaps:

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

Mahefil Mein Teri celebrated the installation of Eam idol (प्राण प्रतिष्ठापना) with a devotional song list dedicated to Lord Ram @ II Jai Shree Ram II.

Qamar Jalalabadi: The Unforgettable Lyricist – D P Rangan presents a thorough view of one of the most eminent lyricist, Qamar Jalabadi, who is remembered for wide range of timless songs he penned for Husnlal-Bhagatram, Kalyanji-Anandji, OP Nayyar and others.

Rafi sings for Composers from Bengal – After part I covered Mohammad Rafi’s songs with Anil Biswas, Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar, and Part II covered those of S D Burman, Part III recalls Rafi’s association with R D Burman marking the latter’s 30th death anniversary .

The Sculptors of Film Songs (11) Goody Seerwai: Goody Seerwai pioneered the popularity of piano accordion in Hindi film songs. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh, V Balsara, Ramlal , Dattaram and Van Shipley

January 2024 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Jaidev: Brilliant, But Underrated, Composer: 1978. Till now,

In 2018, we listened to his songs from the most successful films phase of 1955 to 1963.

In 2019, we listened to his more remembered songs from his less remembered films for 1964 to 1970,

in 2020, we listened to highly appreciated songs from the films that did not succeed in 1971,

In 2021, we recalled the songs that have faded out because the films flopped in 1972-1973,

In 2022, we listened to his melodies form relatively not so known films for the years 1974 and 1975, and

In 2023 listened to rejuvenating Jaidev in Laila Majnu, Aalap and Gharaonda for the years 1976 & 1977.

Celebrating cinema through pictures:

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

The Postlude Songs – The postlude thus is a piece of music that appears at the end of a song, after the singer has finished his job. The songs with a postlude are in a minority. In the context of Hindi film songs, one finds that several music directors have used the postlude.

Here are Bollywood Rewind articles of Samapda Sharma in Indian Express:

- This actress was the star of India’s first ever sequel made in 1940s, did her own action decades before Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn – On Fearless Nadia’s 116th birth anniversary, here’s looking back at the original franchise queen who starred in India’s first sequel. The first film to have a sequel was the 1935 film Hunterwali, starring the original stunt queen Fearless Nadia and the sequel, which came almost a decade later, revived her career.

Classic Legends Mohammad Rafi – Javed Akhtar

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – December 2023 Edition

Welcome to December 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

“Lapak Jhapak Tu Aa Re Badarwa, Sar Ki Kheti Sookh Rahi Hai” – Bhudo Advani – He entered world of Hindi Cinema through a small role in Afzal alias Hur-e-Harram, in 1933.His last film was Shataranj Ke Khiladi (1977)[1].

A Very Good “Remote Collaboration” Covering the Greatest Bharatanatyam-Based Film Dance-Off of All Time (with original versions added for comparison)., e.g. Aaja Tu Aaja – Raj Tilak (1958) – Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra – Lyrics: Pyarelal Shrivasta (P. L. Santoshi) – Music: Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar (C. Ramchandra) and its Tamil version “Kannum Kannum Kalandhu.”

The Perfect Duets of S.D.Burman – Perfect duets have two voices – both male or both female, without any chorus and both the voices are given an equal share, so much so that alternate lines are sung by the two singers in quick succession with the male and the female singers singing different lyrics. This pattern is followed throughout the song i.e. both in the mukhda and the antara. The perfect duets S D Burman created are almost like dialogues set to music. These duets do complete justice to the male and the female voices; there could not have been a more equitable distribution. The rotation of voices is perfect.

The Sculptors of Film Songs (10) Van Shipley : Van Shipley commenced his career in Hindi films by playing violin, he is perhaps better known as ‘The Man with Golden Guitar’. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh, V Balsara , Ramlal and Dattaram

November 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: Second Five-Year Period: 1949 -1953 – Year 1951. Having covered the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021. For the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949-1953, till now we have covered

Part I of the year 1949 in July 2022,

Part II of the year 1949 in December 2022, and

Year 1950 in July 2023.

Celebrating cinema through pictures :

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Ten of my favourite flower songs ads to the previous lists of nature songs; tree songs; and bird songs. Harvey, years ago, had done a superb post on flower songs

‘He’ sings and ‘She’ dances, wherein are the songs that the man sings and the lady dances to it.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee, N.C.Sippy & Sustainable Fashion – ‘Aaja Re Pardesi’ (Movie: GUDDI-1971) and Bawarchi – tum bin jeevan are the two songs can easily be called a shining example of sustainable fashion which was silently advocated as early as the 1970s by two visionary film makers, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and N.C.Sippy. For them, it was substance that mattered more than packaging. One must also praise the heroine Jaya Bhaduri whose consent would have also mattered. The make up is different but the saree is the same in both the songs.

Also interesting is the fact that in one of the posters of Bawarchi, Jaya Bhaduri is shown wearing the same saree but the look is of Kusum (of Guddi) and not Krishna (of Bawarchi)!

Naagin… No Longer Naagin? The Evolution of India’s Naagin Encapsulated – The mythological Naag/Naagin were once Bombay entertainment industry’s embodiments of separated lovers. Ashish Dwivedi encapsulates the Naagin’s journeys from graceful risings to a sudden fall from grace.

Here are From Bollywood Rewind articles of Samapda Sharma in Indian Express:

- Yaadon Ki Baaraat turns 50: Old isn’t always gold, and this Salim-Javed film is proof – Nasir Hussain’s Yaadon Ki Baarat released 50 years ago. Written by Salim-Javed, the musical hit was one of the most popular films of that era but does it deserve all the hype it gets?

SoY has adjudged Gyan Dutt and Anil Biswas as joint winners of Best Music Director award for 1942, in Best songs of 1942: Wrap UP 4

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year. We continue with Mohammad Rafi – Dilraj Kaur duets.

Hum Tum Par Mar Mitenge – Mandir Aur Masjid (1977) – with Jani Babu Qawwal and Anuradha Paudwal – Lyrics: Aish Kanwal – Music: Sharda

Hoth Hai Tere Do Lal Moti – Heera Moti (1979) – Lyrics: Ahmed Wasi – Music O P Nayyar

O Mere Beliya O Mere Saathiya – UR – Lyrics: Dev Kohli – Music: Sonic Omi

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

[1] Bhudo Advani – A Long Forgotten Star Of The Bygone Era – Rare Bollywood Trivia – Rare Nostalgia

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music wishes its readers a lyrically composed 2023 with happiness, health and progress in great harmony.

The episodes of January 2023 to December 2023 have been compiled as one file @ Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music, Volume XI – 2023 and can be read / downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – November Edition

Welcome to November 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Cricket Films of Bollywood takes a look at the top-of-the-mind cricket films of Bollywood and discuss their stories, star cast, and impact at the peak of ICC World Cup 2023.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

WORLD POST DAY- SOME STORIES, SOME SONGS that recall the glory of post cards/ telegram /postman era.

Dusted Off celebrates 15^th birthday on 4^th November by reviewing Woh Kaun Thi (1964).

Rafi sings for Composers from Bengal – After part I covered Mohammad Rafi’s songs with Anil Biswas, Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar, Part II now takes up S D Burman -Mohammad Rafi association on the 48^th death anniversary of S D Burman .

Look what I stumbled upon! – In the heart of New Delhi’s Connaught Place, though (sadly, but not surprisingly) it’s tucked away down one little-frequented alley, Madhulika Liddle stumbles upon three adjacent deep-blue-painted spaces are larger-than-life mural portraits of three of Hindi cinema’s foremost Jewish actresses: Nadira (aka Florence Ezekiel), Sulochana (aka Ruby Myers) and Pramila (née Esther Victoria Abraham).

Continuing the series, the year-wise review of Lata Mangeshkar’s career, on Lata Mangeshkar, Mehfil Mein Teri revisits 1960 – Lata Mangeshkar.

Ten of my favourite Helen songs as Helen turns 85 on 21 November.

A new Nutan treasure-trove of some 400 pictures of the actress,

a number of which do not come out in the English-based search engines, probably because the language used on the website is Cyrillic Russian (АКТРИСЫ БОЛЛИВУДА, meaning Bollywood actresses). Here’s the link: https://vk.com/album-48069144_271941053

The Sculptors of Film Songs (9): Dattaram : Lamenting over Dattaram’s nonrecognition as music director or as arranger also hides his outstanding contribution as an outstanding player of dholaki and other percussion instruments. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh, V Balsara and Ramlal

November 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory: Mem Didi (1961). We had remembered Salil Chowdhury’s Hindi Film Songs in Other Languages in 2017. We then commenced a series of Salil Chowdhury and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory, wherein we took up their films together in the chronological order of release for remembering the songs receding from the memory from these films. Till now we have covered the years

1953-1955 in 2018,

1956 in 2019

1957 in 2020

1958 to 1960 in 2021, and

1961 (Char Diwari) in 2022

Celebrating cinema through pictures :

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Book Review: “Reflections & Stray Thoughts” – HQ Chowdhury presents his wide ranging views on movies, music, sports and things around youin 40 different articles.

A brief encounter with classic films, on a big screen – A proper, big-screen viewing of an iconic film in a restored print can blow your circuits and cause you to rethink everything about your movie-watching history.

Hindi film songs with some English, (at least) phrase of English. Songs with a word or two of English, here and there have been excluded. There are also quite a few songs where there is a clash of cultures depicted with language becoming one of the bones of contention. In fact there is a very interesting song from Sanwaria(1949) – Chale Gaye Angez English Gaana Nahin Achha, which says that everything English must be denounced as we have broken the shackles of British rule. On the other hand, there is also a song, Mere Dil Pe Laga Le (Asha Bhosale, Mohammad Rafi – Basant (1960) – Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi – Music : O P Nayyar) where the lady says that the man is trying to impress her with his English git pit.

Aside: A related story: The postman who always delivers – A day in the life of Renuka Prasad, a rural postal worker in Karnataka, who is not entitled to a pension and other benefits regular government employees enjoy

Naagin… No Longer Naagin? The Evolution of India’s Naagin Encapsulated – he mythological Naag/Naagin were once Bombay entertainment industry’s embodiments of separated lovers. Ashish Dwivedi encapsulates the Naagin’s journeys from graceful risings to a sudden fall from grace.

Here are Bollywood Rewind articles of Samapda Sharma in Indian Express:

Yaadon Ki Baaraat turns 50: Old isn’t always gold, and this Salim-Javed film is proof – Nasir Hussain’s Yaadon Ki Baarat released 50 years ago. Written by Salim-Javed, the musical hit was one of the most popular films of that era but does it deserve all the hype it gets?

SoY has adjudged Jis jogi ka jog liya ho – Bhakt Surdas – by KL Saigal and Khursheed – Music: Gyan Dutt as Best Duet for the year 1942 in Best songs of 1942: Wrap Up 3.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year. We continue with Mohammad Rafi- Kamal Barot songs, to be followed by Mohammad Rafi – Dilraj Kaur duets for December 2023.

Dhum Tak Dham Tak Bhaiya Re Bhaiya Ho Nayyaiya Khwao Na – Bharat Milap (1965) – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: Vasant Desai

Andaaz Haseenon Ke Duniya Se Nirale Hain – Saat Samundar Par (1965) – Lyrics: Farooque Kaisar – Music: Chitragupta

Tera Chhup Chhupke Chale Aana Mera – Sangram (1965) – Lyrics; Madhukar Rajasthani- Music: Lala Asad Sattar

Ye Nazar Ka Ishaara Zindgi Ka Sahaara – Lahu Pukarega (1968) Lyrics; Saba Fazli – Music: S N Tripathi

Ghar Pyar Hamara Saccha Hai Har Taqat Ko Lalkaare -Tarzan in Fairyland (1968) -Lyrics: Shevan Rizvi – Music: Jimmy

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – October 2023 Edition

Welcome to October 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

SN Tripathi Part 5 (post-50s): His best songs by other female playback singers – Previously, Part 1 covered S N Tripathi as a singer, actor, music director and dialogue and story writer; Part 2 (post-50s) was about his best songs for Rafi; Part 3 (post-50s) was about his best songs for Mukesh and other male singers; and Part 4 (post-50s) was about his best songs for Lata Mangeshkar. Part 4 concludes SoY series son S N Tripathi with his songs of other playback singers (ost-50).

Hrishikesh Mukherjee and his ‘maharaj’ Amitabh Bachchan: ‘Gurupita’ who gave Big B his break, had him laughing in Anand’s climax – Sampada Sharma – On Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s birth anniversary, revisiting his relationship with Amitabh Bachchan. The director saved him from being just the ‘angry young man’. Amitabh Bachchan and Hrishikesh Mukherjee worked together in seven more films and all of those seven characters played by Bachchan were distinct from each other – Namak Haram (1973), Abhiman (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975), Jurmana (1979), Bemissal (1982)

The Magic That Is Rekha – Jitesh Pillaai – You could say the ingredients of her life had the makings of a classic Greek tragedy: The Rekha performances are from largely forgotten films like Dulal Guha’s Do Anjaane.

PL Raj, the ace choreographer who helped the stars to find their feet – Nandini Ramnath – Peter Lewis Devraj, professionally known as PL Raj, was responsible for making numerous movie stars dance to his commands. Raj died on July 9, 2002, from oral cancer. He was 66.

Ten of my favourite Prem Dhawan songs – Prem Dhawan is one of those rare individuals who didn’t merely excel in one realm of the film industry; he was rather more of a polymath than most.

Continuing the series, the year-wise review of Lata Mangeshkar’s career, on Lata Mangeshkar, Mehfil Mein Teri revisits Lata sings with lesser known / forgotten female playback singers

Abhimaan (1973) — Where Music Leads the Way – A detailed study by Antara Nanda Mondal with rhythm analysis of the songs by Joy Christie.

Choudhvin Ka Chand – Waheeda Rehman – celebrating her being awarded Dadasaheb Phalke award, a post featuring songs picturised on the gorgeous lady.

The Sculptors of Film Songs (8): Ramlal : For most of the fans of Hindi film songs, the name Ramlal should instantly remind them of the songs of ‘Sehra’ or ‘Geet Gaya Paththoron Ne’. If such is the case, would mention of Ramlal in this series on Musicians and Arrangers not be incongruous? The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, S Hazara Singh and V Balsara

October 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Shankar (Jaikishan) and Shailendra’s Songs Fading From the Memory: 1956 (Part III). Till now, we have covered the years,

1949 – 1953 in 2018

1953 (Continued) in 2019.

1954 in 2020

1955 and 1956 (Part I) in 2021, and

1956 (Part II) in 2022

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

The Family Songs – rather a rare category, these ar not party songs, but are the songs that are sung at home in the presence of one’s family and perhaps a few close friends.

At a Snap of a Finger! – a list of Hindi film songs incorporating the sounds of finger snapping.

Songs of Threats, songs where threats are used to get one’s way

Enjoying Rain on the Streets! – songs covering many decades right from the 50s to the 2000s.

The Tale of Two Title Songs – The one song that had been recorded by S.D.Burman was the title song of the movie, Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi, whose mukhda was Koi na tera saathi ho…he song begins with a whistle which has been adapted from the theme of The Bridge on the River Kwai march.The tune was finally salvaged by S D Burman and was used in Jewel Thief (1967) with new lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri and the song was Yeh dil na hota bechaara. When OP Nayyar took over music in the revidsed version of the film, the song was re-wrtten by Kaifi Azmi, perhaps the only song that Kaifi Azmi has written for O P Nayar.

SoY has adjudged Parul Ghosh, Khursheed and Kanan Devi as joint Best Female Singers for the year 1942 in Best songs of 1942: Wrap Up 2

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year. Since no more of Mohammad Rafi – Geeta Dutt first songs seem to be available anymore, we will take up Mohammad Rafi- Kamal Barot songs followed by Mohammad Rafi – Dilraj Kaur duets for the rest of the year.

Chhail Chhabila Rang Rangeela Kaun Nagar Se Aaya – Madan Manjri (1961) – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri – Music: Sardar Mallik

Bambai Purani Kalkatta Purana Jaisi Teri Naani – Umar Qaid (1961) – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri – Music: Iqbal Quereshi

Hum Dono Deewane Hum Dono Mastane – Madame Zorro (1962) – Lyrics: Shewan Rizvi – Music: Bulo C Rani

Sun Gori Khol Zara Ghunghat Ka Dor – Phool Bane Angare (1963) – Lyrics: Anand Bakshi – Music: Kalyanji Anandji

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – September 2023 Edition

Welcome to September 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Krishna and Flute is a Janmashtami special with best songs on Krishna and the flute.

Raksha Bandhan 2023: Men are saving the world in Hindi movies, but it’s their sisters who are saving them – Sampada Sharma – While our movies are still male-dominated, and the idea that men are the saviours is still largely perpetuated in Indian cinema, the representation of a brother-sister relationship has gotten an upgrade in the last few years.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

100th Birth Anniversary Special – Dev Anand, one of the most notable actors in Indian film, made a tremendous impact on music in addition to leaving an indelible mark with his charismatic performances.

Dev Anand and the Anand brothers: The other ‘first’ family of Bollywood that formed Navketan Films – Sampada Sharma – On Dev Anand’s 100th birth anniversary, looking back at the legacy of Navketan Films and how the Anand brothers were the ‘other first family’ of Bollywood that laid the foundation for Hindi cinema as we know it today.

Remembering the dark side to Dev Anand – Sriram Raghavan – On the legendary actor’s birth centenary, a celebration of the films in which he played compromised, complicated anti-heroes.

Dev Anand: Ten Songs, Ten Voices – All songs are songs in which Dev Anand has lip-synced to the song (which is why the beautiful Wahaan kaun hai tera, sung in SD Burman’s haunting voice, doesn’t count; it’s a background song

When Dev Anand was mistaken for a taxi driver – Dev Anand – In his memoir ‘Romancing with Life’, the renowned actor recalls the shoot of Chetan Anand’s ‘Taxi Driver’ in 1954.

Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukaar — A Sizzling Potpourri of Fun and Romance – On Dev Anand’s 100th Birth Anniversary, let’s revisit one of his iconic romantic songs Dil ka bhanwar kare pukaar. Shirish Waghmode explores this exquisite song, emoted and picturised to perfection.

‘Jewel Thief’, ‘Guide’ among films at Dev Anand birth centenary festival – The festival will be held on September 23 and 24 at PVR and Inox cinemas in 30 cities.

Happy 97th Birthday, Madam Noor Jehan! – Author is inspired to write at least a small one this time when he found this delightful clip of a live performance by her from 1971

Prayag Raaj – The Virtuoso Wordsmith – The voice behind Shammi Kapoor’s iconic ‘Yahoo!’ The man who wrote the maximum hits for Amitabh Bachchan. Writer-Director Prayag Raaj passed away in Mumbai on September 23, 2023 at the age of 88. Noted film-historian and cinema memorabilia archivist SMM Ausaja pens a heartfelt tribute.

Dil Mera Tera Deewana – Remembering Madhubala Jhaveri on her 10^th remembrance day on 10^th September.

Waheeda Rehman didn’t believe she has won Dadasaheb Phalke Award: ‘How can I say I am happy until…’ – Waheeda Rehman was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award on 26-9. But, she didn’t believe it until Anurag Thakur announced it on social media. Her first co-star was legendary actor, Dev Anand. Being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award on her first co-star’s centenary birth anniversary/

Lata Mangeshkar: Ten Composers, Ten Songs – Part 5 – solo songs sung by Lata for various composers in the series of song lists as a tribute to Lata Mangeshkar when she passed away in early 2022.

Asha Bhosle turns 90!, being celebrated with her musical collaboration with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

4 must-watch Filmfare Award-winning performances by Shabana Azmi – Swami (1977), Arth (1982), Bhavna (1984), Neerja (2016).

Zindagi Khwab Hai – Remembering Mukesh – songs by the actors who lip synced to Mukesh’s voice on screen.

Mukesh Solo Songs: Hidden Gems From the Collaboration of ≤ 5 Songs by a Lyricist , and one corresponding music director.

“Mother & Sister in Law on Silver Screen, Shabari on TV” – Sarita Devi in her long career of 45 years played character roles in more than 200 Hindi films

The Sculptors of Film Songs (7): V Balsara – V(istasp Ardeshir) Balsara (B: 22 June 1922 – D: 24 March 2005) was a musician of trinity of talents – as an instrumentalist, arranger and music director. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza, Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai Manohari Singh, and S Hazara Singh.

September 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up (Shankar) Jaikishan and Hasrat Jaipuri’s Songs Fading From the Memory: 1964 – Part 1. After the launch in 2017, we have covered the Hasrat – SJ work of the years

1949 -1954 in 2017

1955 – 1957 in 2018

1958 – 1959 in 2019,

1960 -1961 in 2020,

1962 in 2021, and

1963 in 2022.

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Songs of Music Teachers – The Guru Shishya Parampara – In some cases there is more than one disciple but never a group. There are also occasions where the lover doubles up as the music teacher to gain access to her beloved.

Tu Mere Pyar Ka Phool Hai — The Agony of an Unwed Mother – BR Chopra’s Dhool ka Phool, in a microcosm, reflects the plight, and the predicament of an unwed mother. The seminal composition in the film — Tu mere pyar ka phool hai encapsulates her anguish in the sensitive yet powerful words of Sahir Ludhianvi. Shirish Waghmode revisits this ode to the child born out of the wedlock.

The Anaphora Songs – Anaphora is the Greek word for ‘repetition’. It is a figure of speech where a unique effect is produced by repeating a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year, it is planned to recall the first duet Mohamad Rafi and Geeta Dutt had with a music director.

Sunlo Kehte Hain Kya Ye Nazaare Zara Paas To Aao – Baghdad Ki Raatein (1962) – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan – Music: D Dilip

YT link not traceable.

Hat Jaao Ji Sanam Na Chhedo Ji Balam – Tarzan and Captain Kishore (1964) – Lyrics: – ? -Music: Manohar and S Kishan

YT link not traceable.

Gori Milna Ho Milna Re Nadiya Ke Paar – Susheela (1966)- Lyrics: Jaan Nissar Akhtar – Music: C Arjun

Humein Pyar Karne Na Dega Zamana – Pyar Ki Baazi (1967) – Lyrics: Indeevar – Music: Jimmi

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – August 2023 Edition

Welcome to August 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

As India celebrated the Independence Day, Anshula Mondal picks a few of her favourite patriotic songs.

Independence Day 2023: Hollywood films shot in India – Samriddhi Patwa chronicles the top Hollywood films shot in the land of diversity.

We pay our tribute to Anand actor Seema Deo dies at 83 – A doyen of Marathi cinema, she has appeared in a number of Hindi films such as Koshish, Kora Kagaz and Anand.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

Vyjayanthimala, ‘first female superstar’ of Indian cinema who towered over 3 industries, quit films at height of fame – Arushi Jain – Today on Vyjayanthimala’s 87th birthday, we revisit her cinematic journey which began from Tamil cinema. She dominated the golden age of Hindi cinema when Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nargis, and Nutan were already ruling the hearts.

Bharat Vyas: Hindi Poetry Thrived in His Film Songs – The multi-faceted talent — poet, director, music director, singer and lyricist Bharat Vyas wrote some of the most loved and revered songs in Hindi cinema. NS Rajan explores the life and works of this poet-lyricist who did not get his due.

Continuing the series, the year-wise review of Lata Mangeshkar’s career, on Lata Mangeshkar, Mehfil Mein Teri revisits 1959 – Lata Mangeshkar

SN Tripathi Part 2 (post-1950s): His best songs for Mohammad Rafi – Part 1 introduced the multifaceted personality of S N Tripathi. Presently, the post overviews 90 of S N Tripathi’s songs with Mohammad Rafi.

Rafi sings for Composers from Bengal – The part I covers Mohammad Rafi’s songs with Anil Biswas, Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar.

This 1971 Bollywood Hit Film Was Lyricist Gulzar’s Directorial Debut – Mere Apne, a remake of Apan Jan (1968) was also a debut film of Vinod Khanna ad Danny Dengzoppa, and the last film of Meena Kumari.

Gulzar: Classic Lines from Songs | Aandhi | Masoom | Gharonda | Kinara – Anshula Creations.

Saira Banu, among the highest paid stars of the 60s, who gave it all up to singularly become Mrs Dilip Kumar – Arushi Jain – Saira Banu was among the top actresses of the ’60s era. She, in her own way, wooed and entertained the cine-goers in an era that revelled in colour, optimism and flamboyance, and then gave it all up to enjoy her marriage with Dilip Kumar.

Saira Banu recalls Dilip Kumar’s final meeting with best friend Raj Kapoor – “I have just come back from Peshawar’ and brought back the ‘Khushboo’ of Chapli Kebabs to tempt you. We will go together and walk through the bazaar as we used to and enjoy the Kebabs and Rotis. Raj, wake up and stop acting. I know you are a great actor, but you have to take me with you to the courtyard of the house in Peshawar”.

“From Cinema To TV” – Ramesh Gupta – Starting as assistant director, Ramesh Gupta went on to direct films like Tyagpatra(1978 ) and Mangal Dada (1986). However, his work with TV – some episodes of Gul Gulshan Gulfam, Kathasagar or Alag Alag etc. – earned him fame.

Memorable moments of India’s cinematic history are captured in ‘Barsaat & Bharat – Vintage Indian Film Memorabilia’ auction by deRivaz & Ives. Silhouette takes a sneak peek into the rare artwork and collectibles on offer in this “Independence amid monsoon colours”

Barsat Ki Rat 1960 (Half-sheet Poster Original First Release Artwork. Image credit: deRivaz & Ives)

‘Mahal’ revisited: A timeless classic about making up for lost time – Nandini Ramnath – Kamal Amrohi’s directorial debut is a leading example of the mesmeric power of cinema.

The Sculptors of Film Songs (6): S Hazara Singh – Even though he was proficient in playing all types of guitars, S Hazara Singh’s main body of work for the songs and the background scores is with lead guitar and Hawaiian guitars. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza and Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels, Kishore Desai and Manohari Singh.

August 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Shailendra’s Songs Composed by Basant Prakash and Shailesh Mukherjee. We had started taking a look at Shailendra’s songs with “other” music directors from the year 2017. Till now we have covered Shailendra’s Songs with

Roshan in 2018,

Hemant Kumar, Ravi and Kalyanji-Anandji in 2019

S N Tripathi, Anil Biswas and C Ramchandra in 2020,

Shardul Kwatra and Mukul Roy in 2021, and

Kishore Kumar in 2022.

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Book Review: “Behind the Curtain” – “Behind The Curtain: Making Music in Mumbai’s Film Studios” is an ethnomusicologist’s insight into a bygone era of music-making in Hindi films. It is an analytical book; it has a researcher’s academic rigour, though written in an accessible style.

How millennial women are setting the agenda for Bollywood – Maithili Rao – ‘After parallel cinema’s high watermark, portrayal of the millennial woman is testing the limits of departure from formulaic storytelling.’ – The Millennial Woman in Bollywood – A New Brand?, Maithili Rao, Oxford University Press.

Moods of Night! – The songs should describe a particular quality of night with the use of an appropriate adjective. The criterion for the present post is that the mukhada of the song should have an adjective describing a particular mood of night.

The Unhappy Bride / Groom Songs is the list of songs with heartbroken brides. Occasionally, there is a groom who is crestfallen at having to marry someone against his wishes.

Kamal Haasan on Sridevi: ‘A humble student, and a very obedient actor’ – Kamal Haasan – An excerpt from the foreword to a new book on Sridevi’s fruitful career in the southern film industries. – Sridevi – The South Years, Amborish Roychoudhury, Rupa Publications.

From Bollywood Rewind – Sampada Sharma – Indian Express’s weekly column:

- When Raj Kapoor made a film on widow remarriage but ended up mistreating his female characters – Raj Kapoor’s legacy is celebrated fondly by the lovers of Indian cinema but Prem Rog doesn’t deserve a place in that hall of fame.
- This 1982 film from Rajshri inspired Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun as he updated the family drama space – The 1982 film Nadiya Ke Paar was remade by Sooraj Barjatya in 1984 as Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and turned out to be a much bigger hit.
- Garm Hava was the antithesis of Gadar 2, where one’s nationality didn’t make them the villain – Garm Hava is set in the post-independence India where a Muslim family is struggling to find acceptance in a land they always called their own.
- Arth shattered the illusions of ‘Made in Heaven’ weddings 40 years ago; Shabana Azmi needed no self-love monologue to declare her independence – Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth truly understood that falling in love with yourself is perhaps the best kind of love story.
- What’s so funny about men dressing up as women? Homophobia, desire to see hypersexualised women or just plain insensitivity – Hindi film celebrities, mainly men, like to celebrate gender fluidity on their magazine covers, and their red carpet looks but when it comes to cross dressing on screen, it is often used as a comic schtick and not as a social statement.
- Rishi Kapoor’s Rafoo Chakkar has men in drag getting sexually harassed, as the film presents its villain as the comedian – Rishi Kapoor and Paintal starrer 1975 film Rafoo Chakkar has its male leads posing as women for almost the entire the film, and it turns crass as soon as it begins.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year, it is planned to recall the first duet Mohamad Rafi and Geeta Dutt had with a music director.

Ye Bheegi Bheegi Raat Gagan Par Taaron Ki – Dr Z (1959) – Lyrics: Akhtar Romani – Music: Manohar

Ghar Wale Ghar Nahin Humen Kisika Dar Nahin – Pyra Ki Raahein (1959) – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan – Music: Kaanu Ghosh

Chakai Ki Chakdam Aaya Deewana Dil Rakh – Pyar Ki Datsan (1961) – Mehboob Saravar – Music: Nashad

Koi Gori Gulabi Si Ladki Muskuraai To Bijli Si Kadki – Qismat Palat Ke Dekh (1961) – Lyrics: Akhtar Romani – Music: Gunjan

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – Volume XI – July 2023 Edition

Welcome to July 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Mehfil Celebrates 6th Anniversary! with songs that have Impossible double roles, Lyricist’s cameo, Singers Mentioning Their Own Name and Songs mentioning Hindi Film personalities.

Presently we move on to our section on tributes and celebrations for the month –

Dusted Off presents Mukesh in Ten Moods on his birth centenary on 22^nd July.

‘Feelings, Lyrics, Orchestra — Everything was Different in Salil Chowdhury’s Songs’: Jyoti Chowdhury – Transcript of an interview, by Ratnottama Sengupta, which was recorded by Joy Bimal Roy in 2011 for a book planned on Bimal Roy. Jyoti Chowdhury passed away on 7th January 2023.)

The Sculptors of Film Songs (5): Manohari Singh, also almost synonymous with saxophone in Hindi films music. The previous Arrangers and Musicians covered in the series are Sebastian D’ Souza and Anthony Gonsalves, Enoch Daniels and Kishore Desai.

Remembering Rajesh Khanna, The First Superstar of Bollywood – Samriddhi Patwa – With his captivating charm, distinctive style, and intense on-screen performances, he quickly gained unprecedented fame. Rajesh Khanna became a sensation never before seen in Indian cinema because of his distinct romantic acting style.

50 years of Abhimaan: When newly married Amitabh Bachchan-Jaya Bachchan shot for climax next day after returning from honeymoon on July 27. The film was, Abhimaan, directed by celebrated filmmaker, Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Rajinder Krishan — Hum Kuchh Nahi Kehte – Monica Kar explores Rajendra Krishan’s repertoire of his most productive 25 years from 1948 to 1973, in a three part series. Following (Part 1) and (Part 2), Monika Kar explores his work with the two composers he worked most with – C Ramchandra and Madan Mohan in (Part 3). I would pick up O Chand JahaN Woh Jaye, Tu Bhi Saath Chale Jaana (Sharda, 1957) and Mujhe Le Chalo Aaj Phir Us Gali Mein (Sharabi, 1964) for these music directors respectively.

Sanjeev Kumar forgot Thakur had no arms while shooting the final scene of Sholay: ‘What arms?’ – Sampada Sharma – Anupama Chopra’s book Sholay: The Making of a Classic details an anecdote from one of the last days of Sholay’s shoot where they were shooting the scene after Jai’s death when Radha (Jaya Bachchan) breaks down. Hari bhai was so involved in the emotional graph of the scene that for a minute he forgot that Thakur had no arms. Sanjeev reportedly told Ramesh, “I can see in Radha’s eyes that she is devastated… she was married to my son… and then I was marrying her off (to Jai) and then this tragedy happens… I feel so bad for her… Can I take her in my arms and comfort her?’” and to this, Ramesh asked, “What arms?”

“Courageous, Passionate & Combative” – Sunita Shirole, a well-known face of Hidil films and TV Shows.

Continuing the series, the year-wise review of Lata Mangeshkar’s career, on Lata Mangeshkar, Mehfil Mein Teri revisits with her duets with Actors, Lyricists and Others.

Golden era music directors in the 1970s very fondly recollects lesser-known songs of ten music directors of the golden era – music directors who started their career as independent music directors in the 1950s or earlier – who continued to compose in the 1970s.

RD Burman archival interview: ‘Only if you have a rapport with the director do tunes come to you’ – In a conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir from 1983, the renowned composer revisits his formative years.- Geeta had a very different type of voice. Latabai has a real female quality, Ashaji is very flexible, she can sing any type of music, very versatile. Geetaji used to sing soft types of songs, she was perfect really and had a very soothing voice. She sang cabaret songs too, and made them real cabaret, aggressive-romantic songs.

July 2023 episode of VIII^th volume of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 2^nd Five-Year Period: Year 1950. The journey began with the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021.For the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949-1953, has covered

Part I of the year 1949 in July 2022 and

Part II of the year 1949 in December 2022.

We now move on to posts on other subjects –

Aye Mere Pyaare Watan: The Yearn for the Motherland – Shirish Waghmode revisits this unforgettable song in Kabuliwala.

Love Counsellors in Bollywood sets out to list songs where advice is given in matters of the heart.

When the Hindi film industry went on strike in 1986 – Avijit Ghosh – As Hollywood actors join writers in their battle for better compensation and safeguards against AI, a reminder of an agitation closer home. – Excerpted with permission from When Ardh Satya Met Himmatwala: The Many Lives of 1980s’ Bombay Cinema, Avijit Ghosh, Speaking Tiger.

Sometime, Somewhere, Someone Songs are songs which express a sense of despondency/hope accentuated by the use of ‘if’ – equivalent of तो in Hindi – in conjunction with these words of great possibilities.

Richard S. (of Dances on the Footpath) ventures into the world of Excursions Into Sufi Poetry I: Introduction and The Conference of the Birds

From Bollywood Rewind – Sampada Sharma – Indian Express’s weekly column:

- Decades before Adipurush, Jai Santoshi Maa was the mythological blockbuster that gave Sholay a run for its money – In the year that saw classics like Sholay and Deewaar, it was a little know mythological film Jai Santoshi Maa that turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the year.
- Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaala Patthar had Salim-Javed caring more about the cast than the story, leading to film’s mediocre performance – Kaala Patthar had starred the biggest actors of its time and milked the rivalry of Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha to its advantage.
- Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Gol Maal was the director’s idea of escapism that snapped him out of depression – Gol Maal is the definition of what one can call ‘escapist cinema’ and it was this idea of escaping dark thoughts that led Hrishikesh Mukherjee to make this film in the first place.
- Amitabh Bachchan was the quintessential toxic hero in Kabhi Kabhie, but Yash Chopra presented him as a romantic poet – Yash Chopra’s 1976 film Kabhi Kabhie came at the height of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’ era and projected him as the brooding lover, even though he played a toxic man who refused to move on.
- Alarming similarities between Dharmendra’s Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Rishab Shetty’s Kantara are a sorry commentary on state of Indian cinema – Raj Khosla’s 1971 film Mera Gaon Mera Desh has Dharmendra playing the ‘hero’ who is celebrated even though his actions are extremely questionable.

The series Best songs of year, SoY very neatly works through the uncharted maze of 23 songs of male singers to adjudge to award of Best Male Singer to K L Saigal for Bhakt Surdas in Best songs of 1942: Wrap Up 1.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, for the year, it is planned to recall the first duet Mohamad Rafi and Geeta Dutt had with a music director.

Mera Dil Tujhpe Qurban Hai – Naya Paisa (1958) – Lyrics: Manohar Khanna – Music: S Mohinder

Thhumak-Thhumak- … Taam Tai Thaiya… – Panchayat (1958) – Lyrics: Sahkeel Numani – Music: Iqbal Qureshi

https://youtu.be/GmQGahe1De8

Koi Chand Koi Taara Dekha Tujhsa Na Pyara – Taxi 555 (1958) – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan – Music: Saradar Mailk

O Bachke..Unchi Edi Wale Ne Kate Kate Baalon Ne – Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane (1959) – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: Kalyanji Veerji Shah

I look forward to your inputs to enrich the contents of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to April 2024 edition of XIIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to March 2024 edition of XIIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to February 2024 edition of XIIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to January 2024 edition of XIIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to December 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to November 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to October 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to September 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to August 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to July 2023 edition of XIth Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to April 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to March 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to February 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to January 2024 edition of XII^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to December 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to November 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to October 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to September 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to August 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

Welcome to July 2023 edition of XI^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.