Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : April 2022

Hasrat Jaipuri – Beyond Shankar Jaikishan : 1960

Hasrat Jaipuri (born: Iqbal Hussain) – B: 15 April 1922 – D: 17 September 1999 – perhaps cannot be equated in the same bracket with Sahir Ludhianvi, because his poetry did not have that bite of revolt, or with either Kaifi Azmi, for his poetry was considered to lack that depth of feelings or even long-standing professional teammate Shailendra, for his poetry was considered to lack that earthy realism. The simplicity of his lyrics, use of catchy colloquial words, expressing the common man’s aspirations and feelings in his own style perhaps did not create any special aura in so far as the way his film songs are generally perceived.

However, if one looks beyond the obvious, it becomes abundantly clear that Hasrat Jaipuri had everything a poet needs to succeed as the lyricist in a highly competitive world of Hindi Film Songs, and that to on his own terms, and on his own, far higher than the run-of-the mill, average standard.

If the proof of Hasrat Jaipuri’s versatility lies in the variety of songs he has written for so many different situations for Shanker Jaikishan as well music directors other than Shaker Jaikishan, proof of his talent lies in coming across so many songs that one probably would not have imagined to have been written by Hasrat Jaipuri, at least if he does not know lyricists’ name

In 2017, we have commenced the annual series of Hasrat Jaipuri’s songs with Music Directors Other Than SJ. 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 from 1958 in 2020, and

 The songs from 1959 in 2021.

Presently, we will refresh the memories of Hasrat Jaipuri’s songs for with Music Directors other than Shanker Jaikishan for the year 1960. These music directors are with Khayyam, Dattaram, O P Nayyar and Sardar Mallik. While choosing a song, on one hand, I have tended to lean over the songs that I have heard rarely and, on the other hand, I have learned to choose as many different moods and situations as possible. In the process, I have sidestepped from selecting such evergreen songs as Likhoge Padoge To Aage Badhoge (Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Sheikh Mukhtar, Honey Irani),  Rang Rangila Sanwara Mohe Mil Gayo (Lata Mangeshkar, chorus) – both from Barood (1960), Music: Khayyam); Dil Dhoondhta Hai Sahare (Mukesh) – Kala Aadmi, 1960 – Music: Dattaram; Chanda Ke Des Mein Rehti Ek Rani (Mukesh) and Baharon Se Poocho Mere Pyar Ho Tum Tumahre Tarane Ham Gaaye Ja Rahein Hai (Mukesh, Suman Kalyanpur)- both from Mera Ghar Mere Bacche ,1960, Music: Sardar Malik—and Hal-e-dil Hamara Jaane Na (Mukesh) and  Ae Dil Dekhe Hai Bade Bade Sangdil (Mukesh, chorus) – both from Shreeman Satyawadi, 1960, Music: Dattaram.

An Interesting Trivia: Each of the film covered in the present episode has more than on film from the same title – except the two, Kala Aadmi and Shreeman Satyavaadi.

Music Director: Khayyam

Bambai Ki Billi

This was the 3rd film with this title. The first film was ‘The Wild Cat of Bombay a.k.a. Bambai ki Billi’ – a 1927 Silent film, which was followed in 1936 by one more. Even more interesting is the fact that bot these films had Sulochana (a.k.a. Ruby Meyers) as the heroine.

Interestingly, the film has three female playback singers, each one having two songs. Each of the two songs of for a given singer have almost similar genre. So little about the film is now known that why such a strategy would have been deployed remains unknown!

Dilbar Tu Hai Mera Pyar Tu Hai Ekraar Kar Lo Jee , Apana Hi Maano Apana Hi Jaano, Ab Pyaar Kar Lo Jee – Geeta Dutt

This is a club song. So is another Geeta Dutt song in the film, Dil Ke Paar Ho Gayi Teri Ek Najhar, composed on fast waltz tune.

Aside Trivia: Khayyam had used waltz rhythm to a very telling effect in AasmaaN Par Hai Khuda Aur JameeN Par Ham (Phir Subah Hogi, 1958)

Zalim Zulm Na Kar Abhi Zindagi Hai Kam – Asha Bhosle

This again a fast-paced club dance song, So is another Asha Bhosle song – Meri Adayein Bijli Girayein, Jisko Bhi Chaahe Uslko Maare.

Main Tiharey Nazar Bhar Dekh Lo – Lata Mangeshkar

This is more likely to a be mujra song. Another Lata Mangeshkar song – Main BaagoN Ki Morni Jab NaachooN Taa Thaiya – also seems to have been placed in a similar situation but molded on a Punjabi folk dance tune.

Baarood

Three more films have been made on the same titke, in 1976 (Music: S D Burman) , 1996 (which had small tail, bA Love Story, tagged to it and in 1998.

Musibat Ik Khilaunaa Hai Teri Maasum RaahoN Mein Guzar Jaa HaaN Guzar Jaa, Khelataa Dhaarati Ki Baanho Mein….  Chala Chal Ghar Hai Andhera Tera Bhagwaan Sahaara  – Mohammad Rafi

A classic, background, inspirational genre, song, duly decorated with Saakhi, the initial two-line couplet, which is signature style of Hasrat Jaipuri.

Aise Munh Na Chipao … Mar Jayenge Yunhi Hum… Tum Jaise Aadmi Ko Tadapayenge YuNhi Hum – Mohamad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

This is so much a Khayyam composition that by the time I reached the first interlude, Itne Qarib Aake Bhi Na Jaane Kis Liye (Shagoon ,1964) had started playing at the back of my mind.

Atakan Batkan Dahi Chatokan Raja Gaye Dilli, Saat Katori Laaye, Ek Katori Tut Gayi, Munna Ka Dil Lut Gayi – Honey Irani, Lata Mangeshkar

For a child -placating song, the composition seems to be a little difficult, but that is fairly compensated by very easy lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri.

Music Director: Dattaram

Dattaram may not have been evlove his own distinct style by now, but he did used to get good assignments and could create songs that caught attention of the common cine-goers.

Kala Aadmi

Aankh Mila Kar Vaar KaruNgi Roko, Dil Ko Bachana Bachana Dekho – Suman Kalyanpur

Dattaram has, rather unconventionally, used Suman Kalyanpur for aa club song.

Babu Insurance Kara Lo … Jitna Paisa Daloge yum Usse Doguna Paaoge  – Mohamamd Rafi

To write meaningful lyrics a for a full-length song, which fits to the so many different characters a comedian would play in a Hindi film ought to be formidable challenge for a lyricist.

If the song would have been made during the present times, this one would certainly have attracted multitude of commercial sponsor offers for the life insurance business companies.

Mera To Dil Dil Gabraye Meri To Jaan Jaan Jaan Chali Jaye, Jaye Re Jaye Re Jaye Re – Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

We have here a judicious mix of a ‘club’ song and a ‘Johnny Walker’ song.

Music Director: O P Nayyar

Kalpana

Internationally famed dancer Uday Shankar had made Kapana in 1948, for which Vishnudas Sirali had composed the music.

The present version has as many as 10 songs, Qamar Jalalabadi and Raja Mahendi  Ali Kahn penning four each and Jan Nissar Akhtar and Hasrat Jaipuri penning one each.

O Ji Savan Mein Hoon Bekarar More Ghunghat Pe Jhanke Bahaar Sajanwa Se Keh Dijo – Asha Bhosle

The song apparently is credit title song but watching the video clip hardly gives any clue how the song – its lyrics or picturization – can be so fitted into that slot, except that the viewer gets barely introduced to the character of Padmini, that too barely informing us that she is a Kashmiri native beauty and can perform dance!

Music Director: Sardar Malik

Incidentally, Sardar Malik’s wife Bilquis, was sister of Hasrat Jaipuri. However, Sardar Malik and Hasrat Jaipuri have teamed up for only four films. Interestingly, Hasrat Jaipuri had teamed up with Sardar Malik’s son, Anu Malik, for some six or seven films.

Mera Ghar Mere Bacche

There is one more film on the same title, in 1985, for which Laxmikant Pyarela had composed music.

The present film was produced by Sohrab Modi, who is generally associated with historical, period genre films, under his Minerva Movietone banner.

Zulm Bhi Karte Hain Aur Kahate Hai Ke Fariyad Na Kar, Ek Bulbul Par O Mere Saiyaad Sitam Na Kar – Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur

We have here a very special type of Rafi-Suman duet. As I got to listen to it for the first time now, I did like the song. Apparently, it lacks that something which could have made the song popular enough with other Rafi-Suman duets of that time.

Galiyan Hai Gulzar Yaar Aaya Karo. Aaya Karo Jaaya aKaro Dil Na Dukhaya Karo …. Tumse Hai Humein Pyaar Yaar Aaya Karo – Asha Bhosle

No wonder the film did so poorly on the box office if even what is supposed to be the most attention-catching feature – an ‘item’ dance song – is so poorly conceived.

Dil Mera Naache Tunak-Tunak …. Dil Ki Umangein Jumake Gaayein, Aaj Khushi Bhi Saath Kyaa Baat Hai …..  – Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur, Seeta Agarwal

Even though we have just an audio clip here, it does not require very special knowledge of the songs in Hindi films to make out that this a party song, celebrating some or other occasion for the children.

Peena Haram Hai Na Pilanaa Haraam Hai, Pine Ke Hosh Mein Aana Haraam Hai – Asha Bhosle

Here is another ‘rare (!)’ situation song – a ‘drunkard ‘genre mixed with ‘roothana- manana genre, with the one major variation that it is the heroine who is on the ‘placating’ side, and that too in a drunken- probably fake – state!

Wohi Udi Udi Ghatayein Ek Tum Nahin To Kuchh Nahin… Wohi Bheegi Bheegi Hawaein Hai, Ek Tum Nahin To Kuchh Nahin – Mukesh

We have a here a good-to-listen, but difficult-to-hum pathos mood composition.

As we rest here the present episode, the versatility of Hasrat Jaipuri as a lyricist remains undeniably validated. We will continue to explore more shades of his lyrical prowess in the next decade of 60s in the future episodes.

Sahir’s Songs of Romance – Seven-films Associations

Sahir Laudhianvi’s poems of romance differed with those of that weave the soft, caring feelings of love. Sahir’s basic core being that of a rebel and humanist, his romanticism naturally reflected the shades of his basic nature and concerns.

Somewhere, his love for individual would transcend to the whole humanity.

Zindagi sirf mohabbat nahin kuch aur bhi hai
Zulf rukhsar ki jannat nahin kuch aur bhi hai…
Maine tum se hi nahin sab se mohabbat ki hai

Somewhere else his love would be tinged with deep pathos or unconcernedness: This is best reflected in his ghazal, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai, published in his first anthology, TalkhiyaN.

The ghazal can be read Devanagari script here or heard here

Sahir easily transformed this poem of pathos to complteley romantic mood for the film Kabhi Kabhi. It was this range of his passions, as captured in his poetry as well as the lyrics of Hindi film songs that played critical role in Sahir Ludhianvi’s transition to the changing pattern of Hindi film music during ‘70s, which also happens to be the subject matter of the present episode.

Laxmikant Pyarelal and Khayyam (2.0) are the two music directors with whom Sahir Ludhianvi had long 7 Films Associations...

Laxmikant (Shantaram Khudalkar | 1937-1998) –Pyarelal (Ramprasad Sharma |1940) combination can be said to be a rare instance of excellent instrumentalists rising to become one of the most successful music directors of their time. They easily filled up the vacuum that Jaikishan’s death had created. However, their music had gradually shifted to  predominance of rhythm, may be in tune with the trend of the times. The 3,000-odd songs they composed in about 500 films sent several producers laughing to the bank.

Sahir and Laxmikant-Pyarelal teamed for the first time in Izzat (1968 – the only film which Jaylalitha has done in Hindi – then worked together for some big films like Dastan (1972) – a BR banner film and Daag (1973), the first ever film by Yash Chopra as independent director under his banner Yash Raj. Jaagriti (1977) does not have any song that can be classified as romantic.

Ye Dil Tum Bin KahiN Lagta NahiN Ham Kya Karein, Tassawur Mein Koi Basta NahiN Ham Kya Karein, Tum Hi Kah Do Ab Aaye Jan-e-Wafa Ham Kya Karein, Lute Dil Mein Diya Jalta Nahin Ham Kya Karein – Izzat (1968) – Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi

kisi ke dil mein bas ke dil ko tadpana nahiN achha
nigahoN ko jalak de de kar chhup jana nahiN achha
ummiNdoN ke khile gulshan ko jhulsana nahNi achha
hamein tum bin koi jachata nahiN, ham kya karein

mohabbat kar to leN lekin, mohabbat ras aaye bhi
diloN ko bojh lagte haNi kabhi julfoN ke saye bhi
hajaroN gam hai is dunia mein apne bhi paraye bhi
mohabbat hi ka gam tanha nahiN, ham kya karein

bujha do aag dil ki ya ise khulkar hawa de do
jo iss ka mol de paye, use apni wafa de do
tumhare dil mein kya hai bas hamein itna pata de do
ke ab tanaha safar katta nahNi, ham kya karein

Kya Tum Wahi Ho, Kya Tum Wahi Ho, Jo NindoN Mein Chori Se Aata Raha Hai,  Jo SansoN Mein Chhup Chhup Ke Gata Raha Hai, Mere Anchuae Jism Ko Jis Ka Saya Bade Pyar Se Chhu Ke Jata Raha Hai, Kya Tum Wahi Ho, Kya Tum Wahi Ho – Man Ki Aankhen (1970) – Suman Kalyanpur, Mohammad Rafi

main jiske liye phul chunti rahi huN
tammanaaoN ke har bunti rahi huN
dhadakte hue dil se shehnaiyoN mein
sada jis ke kadmoN ki sunti rahi huN
kya tum wahi ho……

vo surat jo dil mein machalti rahi hai
nigahoN mein karwat badalti rahi hai
vo tarasha hua jism parchhaiN jiski
sada mere humrah chalti rahi hai
kya tum wahi ho ….

Woh Koi Aaya Lachak Uthi Kaya Ki Dil Mera Bas Mine NahiN, SharamauN Lakh Bal KhauN, Ki Jaise Par Bina MaiN Udti JauN …….  Ki Dil Mera Bas Mein NahiN – Dastaan (1972) – Asha Bhosle

jiske liye jindgi phul chunti thi
jiske liye maiN sada khwab bunti thi
ratoN ko maiN dhadkanein jiski sunti thi
aaya woh murade liye jadu bhare wade liye
nachuN machal kar gauN ki dil mera bas me nahiN

moti bharuN aaj main apne balo mein
taroN ke lau jag uthe naram galo mein
aaya hai din aaj ka kitne saloN mein
sochuN to lahak uthuN phuloN si mahak uthuN
nachuN machal kar gauN ke dil mera bas me nahiN

Hum Aur Tum Tum Aur Hum, Khush Hai YuN Aaj Milke  Jaise Kisi Sangam Par Mil Jayein Do NadiyaN Tanha Bahte Bahte  – Daag (1973) – Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar

mudke kyun dekhein pichhe chahe kuchh bhi ho
chalte hi jayein nayi manziloN ko
raste aasan hai nahiN aaj hum do
tu meri baahoN mein main teri baahoN mein
lehraye raahoN mein chale jhumte
hum aur tum hum aur tum …..

zulfoN ko khilne do saansoN ko ghulne do
dil se dil tulne do
deewane ho jaye kohre mein kho jayein
milke yuN so jayein
jaise kisi parwat par mil gaye do baadal tanha udte udte
hum aur tum hum aur tum …..

Tumako Dekha Toh Samajh Mein Aaya, Log Kyun But Ko Khuda, Maanate HaiN – Deedar-e-Yaar (1982) – Lata Mangeshkar

but mein butgar ki jhalak hoti hai
isko chhukar use pehchaanate hai
pehale anjaan the ab jaanate hai
tumako dekha toh samajh mein aaya

taaj chhode gaye aur takht lute
aiso farhaad ke afsaane bane
pehale anjaan the ab jaanate hai

jinaki angadaayiyaN par tolati hai
jinake shaadaab badan bolate hai
pehale anjaan the abb jaanate hai

dil-e-ulfat mein yahi rasm chali aayi hai
log ise kufrr bhi kehate ho toh kya hota hai
pehale anjaan the abb jaanate hai

Hathapai Na Karo Umra Abhi Kacchi Hai, Jhuth Kahti NahiN Main Baat Meri Sacchi Hai, Sirf Dekho Humein ….. Chhune Ki ……..Tamanna Na Karo – Jiyo Aur Jeene Do (1982) – Asha Bhosle

phul ke rang se khushbu se taluk rakho
phul ki pattiyaN bikhra ke, bikhra ke tamasha na karo

husn ke naaz uthane ki bhi aadat daalo
sirf apni tamannaoN ka charcha na karo

ye badan aankhoN ki garmi se pighal jayega
isko baahoN mein jakadne ka, jakadne ka irada na karo

Mohammed Zayur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi (1927- 2019) was one of the rare music directors who never agreed to compromise his art at the alter of commerce. He was from that rare breed who was as much steeped in the literature as in his music. Khayyam’s leaning towards poetry connected him with many lyricists like Majrooh Sultanpuri, Prem Dhawan. He had read Sahir’s poetic works too and had had occasions to hear him personally in some of the special meets. The like-mindedness of both the persons had brought them s0 much near that when Ramesh Saigal offered Phir Subah Hogi (1958) to Sahir, Sahir suggested, almost to the level of insistence, to take Khayyam as music director. Critically acclaimed music of Phir Subah Hogi also put Khayyam into the then big league of music directors.

It is said that when Yash Chopra took up Kabhi Kabhi (1976), his second film under his own YashRaj banner, Sahir again suggested that music for a film based on life of poet be entrusted to none other than Khayyam. Khayyam had done a few, unsuccessful, films earlier in his second innings. Thus it must have been only Sahir’s word that must have tilted the Yash Chopra to take up Khayyam in place of Laxmikant Pyrelal who already had scored a successful score for Daag (1973).

That Kabhi Kabhi went on to become a big hit is matter of historical lore. It also gave Khayyam a new spark to score some of his most memorable work in the second innings.

We have remembered Sahir’s romantic songs composed by Khayyam in pre-1970 years in the earlier episode Two Films Association. We now take up five films they did together post 1970. Of the five, two films (Chetan Anand’s) Kaafir and Pyasi Dharti were not released.  

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Me Khayal Aata Hai Ke Jaise Tujhko Banaya Gaya Hai Mere Lliye, Tu Ab Se Pahle SitaroN Mein Bas Rahi Thi KahiN, Tujhe ZamiN Pe Bulaya Gaya Hai Mere Liye – Kabhi Kabhi (1976) – Mukesh

kabhi kabhi mere dil mein, khayal aata hai
ke ye badan ye nigahein meri amanat hai
……    ……  …..   ….   …..  …  .
ye gesuoN ki ghani chhaoN hai meri khatir
ye hoth aur ye bahein meri amanat hai

kabhi kabhi mere dil mein, khayal aata hai
ke jaise bajati hai shahnaiyaN si rahoN mein
……    ……  …..   ….   …..  …  .
suhag rat hai ghunghat utha raha hu main
……    ……  …..   ….   …..  …  .
simat rahi hai tu sharama ke apni bahoN mein

kabhi kabhi mere dil mein, khayal aata hai
ke jaise tu mujhe chahegi umar bhar yuN hi
uthegi meri taraf pyar ki nazar yuN hi
main janata huN ke tu gair hai magar yuhiN
……    ……  …..   ….   …..  …  .
kabhi kabhi mere dil mein, khayal aata hai

The song went on to beg Filmfare awards for Best Music Director, Best Lyricist and Best Male singer.

The (Mukesh) Lata Mangeshkar version has same lyrics that of Mukesh version.

The version which Amitabh Bachchan recites in the film is part of the original ghazal written by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Aside Trivia: The song was originally created by Khayyam for an unreleased film, Kaafir, made in 1950 by Chetan Anand. The song was recorded by Geeta Dutt and Sudha Malhotra. However, this song was never released. The tune was nearly the same as the one that was released later.[1]

Aapki Mehki Huyi Zulf Ko Kahtein Hai Ghata, Aapki Madbhari AaNkhoM Ko KaNval Kahtein Hai, Main To Kuchh Bhi NahiN Tumko HasiN Lagati HuN, Isko Chahat Bhari NajhroN Ka Amal Kahtein Hai ………– Trishul (1978) – Yesudas, Lata Mangeshkar

ek ham hi nahiN sab dekhanewale tumko
….  ……   …. ..
sang-e-marmar pe likhi sokh gajal kahte haiN
….  ……   …. ..   ….  ……   …. ..

aisi batein na karo jinka yakin muskil ho
….  ……   …. ..
aisi tarif ko niyat ka khalal kahte haiN

meri taqdir ke tumane mujhe apna samjha
….  ……   …. .. ….  ……   …. ..
….  ……   …. ..
isko sadiyo ki tamnaoN ka fal kahte hai

Simati Huyi Ye Ghadiyaan Phir Se Na Bikhar Jaayein …  …. Is Raat Mein Ji Le Ham Is Raat Mein Mar Jaayein – Chambal Ki Kasam (1980) – Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

ab subahaa na aa paaye
aao ye duaa maangein
is raat ke har pal se
raatein hi ubhar jaayein

duniyaa ki nigaahein ab
ham tak na pahunch paayein
…….   ……..   …..   .  …  …
taaroN mein base chalakar
dharati pe utar jaayein

haalaat ke tiroN se
chhalani hai badan apane
…….   ……..
…….   ……..   …..   .  …  …
paas aao ke sinoN ke
kuchh zakhm to bhar jaayein

aage bhi andheraa hai
pichhe bhi andheraa hai
apani hai wohi saansein
jo saath guzar jaayein

bichhadi huyi ruhoN kaa
ye mel suhaanaa hai
…….   ……..   …..   .  …  …
is mel kaa kuchh ahasaan
jisamoN pe bhi kar jaayein

tarase huye jazaboN ko
ab aur na tarasaao
…….   ……..   …..   .  …  …
tum shaane pe sar rakh do
ham baanhoN mein bhar jaayein

We will take up Sahir’s Romantic Songs composed by Roshan in their Eight Films Association in our next episode.

[1]Feel privileged to have sung his beautiful lyrics’

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

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

We commence our post with the two sides of the 15th August connection – the present one and the historic one.

Film and television actor Vidya Sinha passed away on 15th August. She was 71.

Ten Songs That Force Us to Think About the True Meaning of Azadi, to make Indians think hard about what freedom and independence really ought to mean—an end to  injustice and exploitation, communal divisions, the oppression of women, wars brought upon the people by corrupt or inept leaders—and which celebrate the ideals of solidarity.

We also very solemnly and sadly take note of Veteran music composer Khayyam passes away at 92 on 19th August.

Shri Harish Raguvanshi has forwarded this WikiBio of Khayyam along with this memorable photograph

From left Harish Raghuwanshi /Rajnikumar Pandya, Urvish Kothari, Chandrashekhar Vaidya, Khayyam, Salil Dalal (Hasmukh Thakkar)

Monica Kar, in her tribute @ Khayyam: The Gentle Giant rues an entire musical era passing into the ages,

 We pick up tributes and memories:

Happy birthday Kishore Kumar: Lose yourself with this playlist of his 10 best songs, one for every mood

Celebrities share special messages on Kishore Kumar’s 90th birth anniversary – Amitabh Bachchan, Baba Sehgal and Mamata Banerjee had something special to say.

Kishore Kumar The Actor: A Legend’s Journey Down the Years = In Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4,  Peeyush Sharma remembers journey of Kishore Kumar as an actor.

”Tum mujhe yun bhula na paoge…”: Melodious memories of Rafi  – Vikas Datta – Some voices can never fade from memories!

Rafi’s best songs by Ravi and Ravi’s best duets for Rafi is in memory of 39th death anniversary of Mohammad Rafi.

Before Karan Johar & Simi Garewal, Tabassum’s show brought celebrities into our living rooms   – Himani Chandna – Tabassum’s Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan ran for a staggering 21 years on Doordarshan.

KA Abbas, the filmmaker who said, ‘Whatever I own belongs to everyone else’Anwar Abbas, Sahapedia remembers his austere lifestyle.

The Mystical Mujra of Lekin: Joothe Naina Bole – Debasish Bhattacharya revisits this gem of a mujra as a special on Gulzar Sahab’s birthday.

Teesri Manzil will remain Shammi Kapoor’s, and Bollywood’s, shining glory – As a flashback to Shammi Kapoor’s death anniversary (14th August), Madhavi Pothukuchi recalls Shammi Kapoor’s most memorable musical thriller, Teesri Manzil, which reels one in with a mystery that’s built up well, and the love story between Shammi Kapoor & Asha Parekh keeps audience invested.

The audience as a piano: the strange case of Alfred HitchcockSandipan Deb In memory of the most famous director in cinema history on his 120th birth anniversary.

Gauhar Jaan – Great Singing Pioneer and Tragic Prototype – But there are many things that Gauhar Jaan could never have predicted, including the fact that her voice would be heard via technology that far surpassed the once seemingly miraculous sound recordings in which she had played the part of India’s greatest singing pioneer.

Sridevi – The Ever-shining Superstar – Aditi Thakur notes that Sridevi has performed exceptionally well in songs like Surmayee akhiyon mein from Sadma

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

August, 2019 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Shailendra with Hemant Kumar, Ravi and Kalyanji (Anandji). This is in continuation to the series, Shailendra’s songs with other music directors, wherein  we have previously covered  Shailendra and “Other” Music Directors and Shailendra and Roshan.

And, now commence the posts on other subjects.

The Songs of Optimism has purposefully uploaded audio files of the songs to help focus on the lyrics.

Why a typical Bollywood hero is Gandhian on the streets, but sings lustfully in the sheetsSanjay Suri – In every Bollywood film, songs express the desires that the heroes sacrifice or reject in the actual story. In a properly conservative society, ‘one doesn’t say these things’ that express desire. And so, they get said, and shown, in song. The hero is Gandhian when he speaks, flirtatious when he sings. Casting a romantic Gandhi would, of course, need extraordinary measures – an excerpt from ‘A Gandhian Affair: India’s curious portrayal of love in cinema’ by Sanjay Suri

Moon Songs, Part 1: Ten songs addressed to the moon is now followed up with Part 2: Adjectives for the Moon and  Part 3: Comparisons to the moon by the singer

Through the Lens of Bollywood: Kashmir as an Image, Kashmir as a PlaceDebashree Mukherjee – Dominant images of Kashmir in popular cinema present only one facet of the kaleidoscope of histories and memories, signs and signification, actions and emotions. Yet they can have a powerful effect on the way we relate to a land and its peoples, its views and its women.

Nothing but melody presents a playlist of songs from the 50s and 60s that do not have any percussion instrument at all

The Classical Music Giants contribute to Hindi Cinema – IV adds some more classical music artists in this series of the previous three articles – Part 1, Part2, Part 3.

Following the overview article, Best songs of 1946: And the winners are?, we had taken up micro view of Female Solo Songs for 1946  and have covered Suraiya , Shamshad Begum, Part 1 and  Part II, Amirbai Karanataki, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Mohantara Talpade and Rahkumari till now. For the present, we have covered solo songs of Hamida Banu, Zeenat Begum, Noor Jehan Khursheed and Kanan Devi, Naseem Akhtar and Paro Devi  .

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

Seedhe Saade Insaano Ka Is Duniya Mein Kaam Nahi – Tu Nahi Aur Sahi (1960) Ravi – Asad Bhopali

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai – Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963) – Husnlal Bhagatram –

Nain Mila Ke Pyar Jata Ke Aag Laga Di – Mera Bhai Mera Dushman (1967) – With Jagjit Kaur – Khayyam – Kaifi Azmi

Apni Aadat Hai Sab Ko Salaam Karana – Pyar Deewana (1972) – Lala Sattar – Asad Bhopali

Simti Hui Ye Ghadiyan, Phir Se Na Bikhar Jaaye – Chambal Ki Kasam (1979) –  with Lata Mangeshkar – Khayyam – Sahir Ludhyanvi

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

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

Fading Memories….Unforgettable Songs: June, 2016

Welcome to our June, 2016 episode of ‘Fading Memories. Unforgettable Songs’. I have cast my net to suggestions from the friends as well as my own random search for the present episode.

We will first take up a few of the songs of 1940s. These songs have been forwarded by Sumantbhai (Dadu) from his great treasure trove collection.

Sautan Ke Ghar Na JaiyoAabroo 1943 – Sitara Devi – Pt Govindram

A young, petite Sitara Devi performing so effortlessly what may be termed as ‘cabaret’ of those days!  With a typical Kothawali song mukhda, Sitara Devi’s known expertise in Kathak dance form, shall we call this song a fusion recipe!!

Pune Se Layi Paan Re – Aabroo(1943) – Sitara Devi and Nazir –  Pt. Govindram

This is one great find while searching for the YT link to the previous song. This stage show is our own home-cooked recipe…..

Ghunghat Pat Nahin KholuN, Mukh Se Koochch Na BoluN – Bharthari 1944 – Kajjan Bai – Khemchand Prakash

Kookat Koyaliya Kunjanme  – Bharathari  1944 – Kajjan Bai – Khemchand  Prakash

While searching for the YT links to the two unknown gems of Kajjanbai, I landed upon –

Chanda Des Piya Ke Jaa – Bharathari 1944 – Amirbai Karnataki – Khemchand Prakash

This is one of those songs that I always had the very back of the memory, but called a trigger by Sumantbhai to get this song to listen to.  This must rank as one of the great songs of Amirbai Karnataki.

Maana Ke Tum Hasin Ho – Moorti 1945 – Mukesh – Bulo C Rani – Pt. Indra

Here is one of those rare Mukesh ‘sweet’ melodies that missed the popularity band wagon. What else Bulo C Rani could have done to hit the jackpot?

Whilst on a YT link search for the previous songs, I landed upon –

Tailap Ki Nagri Mein Gana Nahin Bajana NahinPrithvi Vallabh 1943 – Menka Bai & Rafiq Ghaznavi – Saraswati Devi

Prithvi VallabhI recall that we had bought the cans of this film for screening in our open-air garden theatre of our colony in 1960s.  It was this film that had led me to read the novel, written so majestically by K M Munshi (a.k.a. Kanhaiyalal Munshi.) K M Munshi was a close associate of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the integration of the states in the post-independence period as well in the reconstruction of the Somnath temple. He has penned some of the classic Gujarati works. He is also equally well-remembered as the founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

The principal protégé in this song, Sohrab Modi, is one name that shall be remembered in the history of Indian Films for his stellar contribution in so far as the films on historical subjects are concerned. YT search also gives us an excellent Films Division documentary, directed by Yash Chaudhary : Sohrab Modi

We now go back to recall some unfinished agenda of our April, 2016 episode.

We had taken upon a very selective look at some of the songs @ Ode to the Great Indian Family that have been set to some of our basic family relationships.  Presently, we will take up one more song, which also would lead us to the songs of a related subject in our present episode –

Meri Chhoti Si Bahan Dekho Gahne Pahan Sasural Chali Hai Ban Than Ke – Toofan Aur Diya (1956) – Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt – Vasant Desai – Bharat Vyas

This song talks about the sister getting ready to leave her (father’s) home and take up a new life at her in-laws home. This particular event in a traditional Indian marriage ceremony is remembered by our friend Bhagwan Thavrani, too.

Remember that Lata gem  Doli Chad Ke Heer Ne Bain Kiye from HEER RANJHA ? It is such a heart- rending Farewell-to-Daugher Song where Heer takes leave of her parents, and her beloved Ranjhana too, before going to her sasuraal…

This genre of songs, is sung in the style of lamentation (Bain – बैन, a sort of silent weeping,विलाप). In traditional Punjabi folk music form, it is usually sung in Punjabi Bhairavi without any percussion of rhythm and itself is called HEER.

One of the foremost Punjabi “heer”’ singer is Asa Singh ‘Mastana’ whose famous Heer Lo Apana Jahan Duniyawalon, Ham Is Duniya Ko Chhod Chale from the film DOOJ KA CHAND (1964, Roshan, Sahir Ludhyanvi) we have heard and enjoyed immensely.

HEER RAANJHA is originally a Punjabi epic verse written by Sufi poet Waris Shah of 18th century and various portions of that long epic are sung as HEERS by many Punjabi folk singers including Asa singh. The story has been made into three pre-independance films of the same name and another in 1948 which had some good Lata and Geeta Dutt songs. The movie we all know was made in 1971 by Chetan Anand which was unique in the sense that it was in an opera form with all the dialogues in verse written by the great Kaifi Azmi. There are a couple of Pakistani films and a Punjabi movie also based on the epic love story. Punjab had incidentally, other love stories of Mirza Saahibaan and Sohni Mahiwal too. A few films have been made on these stories as well, but this one was the most famous and tragic.

In between, there was an Indian movie of 1956, named HEER, starring Nutan and Pradeep Kumar with music by Anil Biswas. This film did not have a Heer Song.

And we, the music maniacs can never forget the great HEER from MERA NAAM JOKER which, to me is the best of Heer’s (even better than Lata’s Heer, again to me!) – Sadke Heer Tujh Pe Faqeer Sadke. Mohammed Rafi is simply divine in this song. For this Heer, we all have to not only salute the great Rafi but also to Raj Kapoor who knew very well that this Heer is not Mukesh’s cup of tea and only and only Rafi can do full justice to it….

We have also pick up two of several classic Heer renderings:

Heer Waris Shah – Heer Ranja (Pakistani) 1970 – Noor Jehan, Ghulam Ali & Naseem Begum

Ghulam Ali

We will end our present episode with two very unique Mohammed Rafi Songs. I picked up the first one while searching for Pt. Govindram – Mohammed Rafi combination.

Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha Wo Deewana Ho Gaya – Laila Majnu (1945) – with S D Batish – Pt. Govind Ram – Tanvir Naqvi

To the veteran YT visitors this is quite a known clip for its fame on account of the song being one in which Mohammed Rafi has played a cameo role.

If Rafi saab is cannot be seen quite easily in this clip, then there is another one wherein we can clearly see Rafi @ 0.36.

Some of us cannot be faulted for recalling a more popular version of this mukhda,

Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha Woh Tera Ho Gaya, Main Ho Gayee Kisi Ki Who Mera Ho Gaya – Ujala (1959) – Lata Mangeshkar – Shanker Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri

 

Whilst I was searching for Khayyam – Manna Dey combination songs, I came up on –

Mohabbat Aisi Hoti Hai– Shola Aur Shabnam (1961)- with  Manna Dey, Jagjit Kaur –

As may be seen from the clip, the song must have been visualised to represent some very unique situation. However, for us what is perhaps more interesting is the very typical Rafi and Manna Dey gay abandon that can be felt in this song

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

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – February, 2015 edition

Welcome to February, 2015 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

As has become a set pattern, we begin with articles form or regular blogs, commemorating anniversaries:

Kavi Pradeep: The singer of Message Songs  – As tribute on the centenary of Kavi Pradeep (6 February 1915 – 11 December 1998) –  the article goes on to present some songs sung by him, because he is in the class of singers who could not sing anything which was less than captivating.

Happy Birthday, Waheeda ji, from where we have picked up these two songs:

Jaane kya tune kahi (Pyaasa, 1957, Geeta Dutt, S DBurman) so as to bring up its original Bengali version Mono Dilo Na Bandhu sung and composed by S D Burman

Haaye gazab kahin taara toota (Teesri Kasam, 1966. Asha Bhosle, Shankar-Jaikishen). We will add Mubarak Begum’s piece Hai Muhobbat Bahutto this list. Just as a bonus, here is her dance number (Yaeru pooti poovaye from Kaalam Maari Poochu (remade into Telugu as Rojulu Marayi). This tune was adapted to in Hindi for the film Bambai Ka Babu, as Dekhane Mein Bhola Hai, some years down the line.

My Favourite Geeta Bali songsJanuary 21, 2015  was the 50th anniversary. Our pick of the songs is : Yeh Din Hai Khushi KeJab Se Tumhen Dekha Hai (1963) – Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur

My favourite songs of Madhubala , from which we have picked up – Aye bhola bhala man (Jhumroo, 1961, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, Kishore Kumar)

The Masters: Khayyam spans the career that spanned more than six decades, with long stretches in between where Khayyam did not compose for films at all. In all, he composed for 54 films (and 17 other unreleased ones) and totalled up 626 songs (including those for TV serials and other non-film albums including those for Begum Akhtar and Mohammed Rafi).

And now onto some of the other – regular- offerings:

UttarMegh and Dekh Kabira Roya is also the inspired by the Meghadutam, which has been a source of inspiration of many an artist.  ‘While PurvaMegh describes the scenic beauty that the cloud messenger would pass by on his way to Alaka nagari, as narrated by a certain Yaksha who is separated from his wife on account of negligence of duty and hence cursed by Kubera to be exiled for a year, UttarMegh is full of virah-bhava. ..The great painter Nana Joshi has created nine visualisations of the verses of UttarMegh…. That UttarMegh was a possible inspiration for the great lyricist Rajinder Krishan when he penned the lyrics for Dekh Kabira Roya – Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye  and  Ashqon se teri hamne [It is also interesting to note that the two songs are back to back in the movie] as well as Bairan Ho Gyai Raina –  or even Amiya Chakraborty, the director of the movie, is what this post sets out to explore.

Some Favorite (Relatively) Contemporary Versions of Classic Hindi Film Songs is the result of the urge to throw together some of my favorite contemporary versions of old Hindi film songs. The songs included here – Hai Apna Dil To Awara, Chin Chin Choo, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja– also come from a slightly wider range than the area that the blog usually focuses on these days, stretching in one case all the way into the early 1970s. But all of these songs were composed by music directors who produced many classics during the Golden Age, and all of them were originally sung by artists who became prominent during the Golden Age or the Vintage Era.

Different versions of ‘Tum Bhulaye Na Gaye’ by  Feroza Begam… This is one of the loveliest songs that one cannot get tired of listening it again and again. There is something special about it. Firoza Begum in her unique and beautiful voice has infused agony and angst into this engrossing composition of Kamal Dasgupta…. original version , subsequent version   and the one when she was almost 70 .

A few random musings:

Salil Chaudhury – A narrative documentary movie on Salil Chowdhury directed by Jagadish Banerjee and produced by Films Division…..

Cinema Cinema – Director Shah Krishna compiled this compelling documentary of Indian cinema after spending two years searching through film archives from all over the world. Included are films from the turn of the 20th century through the 1970s to illustrate various schools of filmmaking and the historical progression of the art form.

Our friends Samir Dholakia and Bhgawan Thavrani have remembered

Naresh Mankad also chips in with

Whilst on Pankaj Mullik, we also recall that Samir Dholakia has sent

 Tu Dhundhata hai jisako – Yatrik by Anulekha Gupta Mullick, the daughter of Pankaj Mullik. Here is the original song.

And now over to exclusive articles on Mohammad Rafi…

Mohammad Rafi Timeline showcases his endless collections.

Mohammed Rafi: An Antique voice of showman Raj KapoorAn Accolade to Raj Kapoor and Mohammed Rafi on their 90th Birthday Raj Kapoor - Google DoodleBy Biman Baruah – Mohammad Rafi has sung second highest songs for Raj Kapoor, after Mukesh, in films like Barsaat (1949), Andaz (1949), Dastan (1950), Sargam (1950), Amber (1952), Paapi (1953), Do Ustad (1959), Chhalia (1960), Nazrana (1961), Ek Dil Sau Afsane (1963) and Mera Naam Joker (1970).

We continue our pursuit of the golden period of Hindi Film Music …….