Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : December 2022

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 2^nd Five-Year Period: Year 1949 – Part II

To commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of Mohamad Rafi [B: 24-12-1924 – D: 31-71980], we have commenced a series on Mohammad Rafi’s first duet with a music director.  We take up the Male-Male or Triad as well as a regular Male-Female duet in the present series because our main purpose to revisit maximum possible duets of Mohammad Rafi.

Our journey began with the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021. We then commenced the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949-1953 with Part I of the year 1949 in July 2022.

Presently we will take up Part II of the year 1949.

1949 had as many as 16 music directors who had Mohammad Rafi for the first time for a duet. We have covered six music directors – Naushad, Husnlal Bhagatram, Shyam Sundar, Hanuman Prasad, and Snehal Bhatkar – in Part I. Vasant Desai is one of the highly respected music directors who has given innumerable songs to remember forever. However, the two Mohammad Rafi- Lata Mangeshkar duets that seem to have been composed by him for the film Narsimha Avatar are not traceable on internet. Similarly, I could not find the song – Na Thehar Sake, Na Tadap Sake (with Zohrabai Ambalewali; Film – Aakhari Paigam) composed by Abid Hussain Khan)

Presently, we will take up the rest of the eight music directors.

Vinod (a.k.a. Eric Roberts) was known for his catchy tunes one end and melodious compositions on the end had had a very wide creative range. For the year 1949, for Ek Thi Ladki, he has used Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar in three duets and two triads(+). Of the triads, Lara Lappa-… Laai Rakhada, Aadi Tappa …. (Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, G M Durrani; Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri) was an instant raze and continues to remain so even now. The other triad(+) was Hum Chale Door …  Dil Hua Choor (Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Satish Batra; Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri)

Ab Hal-e-Dil Ya Hal-e-Jigar Na Puchhiye – Ek Thi Ladki – with Lata Mageshkar – Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri

Rafi and Lata are so at ease in the conversational tone of this romantic duet. Introduction of catchy yodeling in the first interlude is typical of Vinod’s style of mixing catchy part in a serious composition or vice versa

The other two Rafi- Lata duets were:

• Ab Shokh Sitare Ik Shokh Nazar Ki Tarah – a very pleasing tune composed in waltz style
• Lambi Joru Badi Musibat – A comedy stage show composition

Mohammad Shafi was a highly talented and musically trained music director. Two noteworthy records that stand on his name are – Suman Kalyanpur (Hemadi, then) sang her maiden Hindi film song, Koi Pukaare Dheere Se Tujhe (Mangu, 1954) and Hemlata debuted either with Main Jaan Ke Badale Mein or  SadiyoN Ki Nishani Main Ankahi Kahani in Iraada (1971) under his baton.

Fariyaad Na Karna Haye Kahin Fariyaad Na Karna – Gharana – with Shyama Bai – Lyrics: Alam Syahaposh

The song so effectively epitomizes Mohammad Shafi’s musical prowess – soothing opening notes, Shyama’s opening in slightly higher scale and then to settle to pathos, rounding up by Mohammad Rafi in soulful climbing up the scale and reverting to the normal scale, and ending the song with Shyama joining Rafi.

Mohammad Shafi goes onto pair Paro Devi with Mohammad Rafi in the second duet – Tu Kahan Hai Baalam Mere Aaja (Lyrics: Bahzad Lakhnavi).

S Mohinder (a.k.a. Bakshi Mohinder Singh Sarna) composed music for some 50 films, but many of his compositions have achieved the status of evergreen classics. Even though he came from a very strong classical background, he was at ease while composing easy songs that the films demanded.

Chanda Ki God Mein TaaroN Ki Chaanv Mein Ruthe Hue Hum Manaye Re – Jeevan Sathi – with Chand Wirk – Lyrics: Hamid Khumar

S Mohinder has presented with such a lilting melody, even when he has used an almost unknown Chand Wirk to pair Mohammad Rafi in this duet.

The film had one more duet with Amirbai Karanataki – Main Kaise Keh Doon (Lyrics: Surjeet Sethi) and two with Shamshad Begum – Mil Kar Jaayen Hum Preet Ke Deewane and Muhabbat Rog Bankar Dil Ki Har Dhadkan Mein Rehti Hai (Lyrics: Hamid Khumar)

Krishna Dayal is not a well-known name, but he had composed music for five films. Many keen followers of old films songs may well remember Mukesh and Suraiya duet – Badra Ki Chhaon Tale Nanhi Nanhi BundiyaN (Lekh, 1949) – that was composed by Krishna Dayal.

Kar Le Kisi Se Pyar Jawani Do Din Ki – Lekh – with Asha Bhosle – Qamar Jalalabadi

I have heard this song for the first time. The duet is set to lower scale and is difficult to sing.

We have had a triad – Chhoti Si Ek Banaayenge Naiyya… Khud Hi Banenge Us Ke Khewaiya (with Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai) – composed by Pt. Govindram for the film Hamara Sansar (1945) earlier. For the year 1949, he gives a duet of Mohammad Rafi with Shamshad Begum

Taaron Ka Ye Khazana Ye Chaandani Suhani – Nisbat – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Here is one more song that I got to listen first time. Govindram has presented both singers in quite different than the normal style we are familiar with.

Khemchand Prakash can be attributed to giving a big push to the opening up the space for the Golden Era to get into the center stage, replacing the vintage era, through Lata Mangeshkar’ Ayega Aanewala (Mahal, 1949). We have seen Khemchand Praksh using Mohammad Rafi first time, in a triad, Aji Maat Poochhco Baat Ki College Albeli, Indrapuri Sakshat Colege Albeli, for Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1947).

Hawa Tu Unse Jaakar Keh De Ek Deewana Aaya Hai – Rim Jhim – with Ramola – Lyrics: Moti B A

Khemchand Prakash composing such a light-toned song should stand up as more noteworthy part of the song.

1949 had one more Mohammad Rafi duet- with Shamshad Begum- under the baton of Khemchand Prakash – Ae Dil Na Mujhe Yaad Dila Baaten Purani (Sawan Aaya Re; Lyrics: Bharat Vyas) – which was heard often on radio at least till ‘60s, when I had  taken up listening to Hindi Film Songs as a conscious hobby.

Khan Mastana was another highly respected music director as well as playback singer of the 40s period.

Tum Ho Jaao Hamare Hum Ho Jaaye Tumhaare – Roop Lekha – with Surinder Kaur – Lyrics: Khumar Barabanqvi

We have here a path breaking composition from Khan Mastana whom we know as a music director steeped in vintage era style music compositions.

Sudhir Phadke brought in Marathi folk composition styles to Hindi Film Music,

Hari Hari Mere To Shri Hari Naahi Dooja – Sant Janabai – with Lalita Deulkar – Lyrics: Narendra Sharma

Mohammad Rafi is all persona dignified as a committed devotee in the duet.

https://youtu.be/Yma4vmzDVzM

Azeez (Khan) Hindvi has had a few films in ‘40s.

Mehaman Banke Aaye The .. Armaan Ban Gaye – Shoharat – with Hamida Banu – Lyrics: Gulshan Zama / Madhup Sharma

The duet also seems to follow the composition style of the solo version. Both versions can be heard in the clip here.

We will continue with listening to Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director for the year 1950 of the 2^nd Five-Year Time Period of 1949-1953 in the next episode of the series.

We will continue remembering Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month next year too……..

Disclaimer: All images are sourced from net. All copyrights of the respective image remain with the original owner of the image.

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All episodes of the series Fading Memories …  Unforgettable Songs – Volume VII – 2022 can be read /downloaded by clicking on the hype link.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December 2021

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 1947-1948

1947-1948

The Google Doodle by Mumbai-based illustrator Sajid Shaikh, on Mohammad Rafi’s 93^rd birthday [B: 24-12-1924 | D: 31-7-1980] depicted Mohammad Rafi as the king of playback singing in Bollywood. It shows the journeys of famous Rafi songs as they progressed from the studio, onto the silver screen and into the hearts of fans forever.

The second part of the First Five-Year Period of Mohammad Rafi’s career, covering the years 1947 and1948, that we presently take up for our series Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song with Music Director can be said to be period when he was still in the music recording rooms. As we have seen in the first part covering years 1944 to 1946, Mohammad Rafi was at the initial phase of ‘being under test’. More and more music directors were giving him a solo here or a duet there.

As we shall presently see, the definite trend of Mohammad Rafi trying to create his own space by discovering his own style to the confident delivery of his lines against more experienced female singers of vintage era under the batons of wider range of music directors has started emerging by the end of First- Five Year Period.

1947

Six more music directors have offered Mohammad Rafi diets with as many as eight different singers – three of which are the male singers – in the year 1947.

In so far as Mohammad Rafi’s career is concerned, the year 1947 had opened the door – in the form of the solo, Duniya Mein Meri Aaj Andhera Hi Andhera (Do Bhai- Music: S D Burman – Lyrics: Raja Mahendi Ali Khan) – that led to a strong association with S D Burman.. 1947 had also Mohammad Rafi singing his first, and the only duet with Noor Jehan – YahaN Badala Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siwa Kya Hai (Jugnu – Music Firoz Nizami – Lyrics: Azhar Sarhadi). This also was Mohammad Rafi’s first ever playback for Dilip Kumar.

Datta Davjekar, (15-11-1917 | 19-9-2007) a fairly known name in the then Marathi films, debuts with Aap Ki Sewan Mein in Hindi Films. He composed music for 5 Hindi films, 51 Marathi and around 500 documentary films. The film, Aap Ki Sewa Mein, has other record, in the form of. Lata Mangeshkar’s maiden songs as a playback singer with the song Paa Laagoon Kar Joree Re, to its account.

Desh Mein Sankat Aaya Hai, Ab Kuchh Kar Ke Dikhalana Hai – Aap Ki Sewa Mein – with G M Sajan – Lyrics: Mahipal

The song reflects the mood of pre-independance era, as it ends with “Chheen lo , chheen lo ……..” hinting  ‘Azaadi chheen lo”. Otherwise, the lyrics are mainly about food shortages, or maybe it is talking about famine, in Bihar or Bengal, that rampaged India in that period..

There is a male-female duet son too.

Main Teri Tu Mera Dono Ka Sang Sang Basera – Aap Ki Sewa Mein – with Mohantara – Lyrics: Mahipal

Mohammad Rafi has handled the eagerness of a longing lover on his way to meet his beloved in a controlled high-octave scale rendition. The beauty of the composition is in its vibrant freshness after so many years.

Aside Trivia:

Datta Dawjekar worked as an assistant to C Ramchandra from 1952 to 1961. As such, the source of inspiration for C Ramchandra’s popular song Eenaa Meena Deekaa. . . (Aasha, 1957) is originally created for the Marathi song “Ina Mina Mona Baass” from a children’s play for Marathi stage, by Datta Dawjekar, who also wrote the lyrics for the Marathi song.

Source Credit: Shishir Krishna Shrama’s post on Datta Dawjekar

Prakash Nath Sharma does not seem to be a known name as a music director. The only film for which he seems to have composed music, Ek Kadam, does have one Mohammad Rafi – Shamshad Begum duet. Tu Bhi Rah Main Bhi (Lyrics: Avtar Visharad), that does not seem to have a digital presence on net.

C(hitalkar Narhar) Ramchandra (12 January 1918 – 5 January 1982), is another music director who went on to have a strong presence in the subsequent period of Golden Era.

Kisko SunauN Hal-e-Dil. Ham ko Tumhara Hi Aasra Tum Hamare Ho Na Ho – Saajan – with Lalita Deulkar – Lyrics: Moti B A

The duet, and Mohammad Rafi’s solo version, were immensely popular and the both has the future imprint of Mohammad Rafi’s singing style that was later identified as his unique style during his post vintage-era career of ‘50s..

The film has one more duet Main HuN Jaipur Ki Banajaran, Chanchal Mera Naam, with Lalita Deulkar (Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi) and two triads, Hum Banjare Sang Hamare Dhoom Macha Le Duniya (Lyrics: Moti B A) and Sambhal Sambhal Ke Jaiyo Banjare, Dilli Door Hai (Lyrics: Ram Murti Chaturvedi) with Lalita Deulkar and Geeta Dutt (Roy).

Khemchand Prakash, a doyen of ‘40s, made two most significant contributions for which the Golden Era remains indebted. One was introduction of Kishore Kumar in Ziddi (1948) – Jeene Ki Tamanna Kaun Karein …….  Marne Ki Duaein KyoN Maangein  . and gave Lata Mangeshkar a defining identity in Aayega Anewala (Mahal, 1949).

Aji Maat Poochhco Baat Ki College Albeli, Indrapuri Sakshat Colege Albeli – Samaj Ko Badal Dalo – with Arunkumar and Manna Dey – Lyrics: ?

We have only audio clips here, but the knowledgeable bloggers note that Mohammad Rafi has sung his own lines on the screen.

Part 1:

Part 2

Pt. Ramakant Paingankar-Karnad, one more of those unknown names., except that Ramakant Paigankar was known to be a part of C Ramchandra orchestra team.

Chalo Ho Gayi Taiyyar.. Thehro Jee…. – Shaadi Se Pehle – with Lata Mangeshakar – Lyrics: Pt. Mukhram Sharma

This is a simple fun song that shows the lady making a big shopping list that her beloved readily agrees to buy for her with all the strapping. The song has the distinction of being the first ever Rafi Lata duet.

K(oregaonkar) Datta is said to have given Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle a chance to sing with the then reigning queen Noor Jehan. He scored music for 17 Hindi films

Nainon Se Naina Milaake Sota Prem Jagaate – Shahkar – with Rajkumari – Lyrics: Arzoo Lakhanavi

HFGK does not mention singers for the song. The song seems to be composed as a tong-song. The singing by both the singers rhymes exactly with rhythm of the song.

Ye Duniya Sab Prem Ki Tu Prem Kiye Jaa – Shahkar – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Arzoo Lakhanavi

HFGK mentions the song as Parody song (record no. GE 3729 /31), though I must confess that I could not make it why it was so. However, the song has experimented with one singer overlapping the main singer on a different scale  in the mukhada, which must have called for some very innovative recording skills on the part of the sound recordist as well the music arranger.

1948

In 1948, on the first anniversary of Indian Independence, he was awarded a Silver Medal by Jawaharlal Nehru for his, a marathon 4-part, song on Mahatma Gandhi, Suno Suno Ae Duniyawaalon Bapu Ki Amar Kahani (Music: Husnlal Bhagatram – Lyrics: Rajinder Krishna)

1948 has once again a very rich crop in so far as our present subject goes, with eight music directors and as many as ten co-singers, Except for Shamshad Begum and Ameerbai Karnataki, in the female singer section, GM Durrani in the male singer section, and Geeta Dutt and Beenapani Mukherjee one triad earlier, all other singers have partnered Mohammad Rafi first time.

Ram Ganguly (1928-1983) was part of Prithvi Theatre team. His choice of music director for Raj Kapoor’s maiden film Aag was thus a natural choice. However, because of some misunderstanding during the days when Barsaat was being planned, Aag remained the only film RK and Ram Ganguly di together,

Solah Baras Ki Bhayee Umariya – Aag – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Mohammad Rafi gets his chance in the maiden Raj Kapoor film Aag,. Since then, even if he has not been a main singer for RK films, he has always got a song or two in almost every film, some of which have become most notable songs of Rafi’s entire career.

The visuals of the song can be seen with a typical Raj Kapoor touch.

Hans Raj Behl has used Mohmmad Rafi for duets in two films in 1948 – Chunariya and Satyanarayan.

Phool Ko Bhul Le Ke Baitha Khar, Tera Kaanto Se Hai Pyar – Chunariya – with Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: Mulk Raj Bhakhari

The song seems to be some type of beggar or a fakir song.

Dilliwale Sahab Gajhab Kar Daala Re – Satyanarayana – with Beenapani Mukherjee – Lyrics: Pt. Indra

This is a thoroughly enjoyable fun song.

The film had two more duets of Mohammad Rafi and Beenpani Mukherjee – Kya Yaad Hai Tumko Wo Din Ji (Lyrics: Sewak) and Mera Dil Ghayal Karke Bairi Jag Se Dar Ke (Lyrics: Surjeet Sethi).

Ghulam Mohammad has paired Mohammad Rafi to sing with Suraiya, one of the top actress-singing star of that time. The pair then went on to sing 24 duets, some of which remain the most memorable duets, which can be a subject for a separate article in the future.

TaaroN Bhari Raat Hai Par Tu Nahi – Kajal – with Suraiya – Lyrics: D N Madhok

On the face of it the lyrics seem to express pain of the two being away from each other. However, the song runs on a fast pace, normally used for happy songs. In the absence of this dichotomy remains unresolved. However, listening to Mohammad Rafi as if he were singing a song almost after half a decade later in the time in the style of ‘40s and matching Suraiya’s exhortations for clearly expressing the love is such a pleasant surprise.

Gyan Dutt is also a very respected ‘40s name in music direction arena. We have two duets here. Of the two, Chalo Jamuna Ke Paar  … Dil Ki Dukanein Lagi JahaN Par NainoN Ke Bajar (Lal Dupatta – with Shamshad Begum, Sulochana Kadam, Chorus- Lyrics: Shewan Rzvi (?))being a very sweet-to-listen-to triad with chorus, Rafi does no get much exposure. So, I have opted for the other one for the present article.

Ari O Albeli Naar Kyon Chhupakar Kare Vaar – Lal Dupatta – with Shamshad Begum, Chorus – Manohar Khanna

This is a chhed-chhad-cum-appeasement light mood duet, the first line of the mukhada and each interlude representing chhed chhad. Mohammad Rafi seems to enjoy seriously matching Shamshad begum’s mischievous tone

Dhumi Khan, is one more of an unknown music director, even though he is shown as ‘supporting actor, music director’. YT has an interesting video clip on Dhumi Khan, that gives some more vital pieces of information. The famous duet song Ambuwa Ki Daali Daali Jhoom Rahi Hai Ali (Vidyapati, 1937- Music: R C Boral) has Dhaumi Khan as co-singer with Kanan Devi. Hopefully, the Dhumi Khan is same person.

Ek Abr-e-Siyah Chhaya Aaja Mere Saathi – Rahnuma – with Shamashad Begum- Lyrics: Dhumi Khan

The song is a simple love song, Mohammad Rafi expressing the sincere intent of the lover for his loved one.

Ek Aisa MahaL Banayenge (with Rekharani- – Lyrics: Habib Sarhadi) from the same film is not traceable on net.

Ameerbai Karnataki, a renowned playback singer, has composed songs for ‘Shahnaz’,  wherein Mohammad Rafi had two solos and three duets in the film.

Mujhe Tumse Mohabbat Hai, Ye Meri Chak Damani – Lyrics: Fiza Kausari Banaglori

Mohammad Rafi very deftly handles a medium spaced composition.

Nazaaron Se Kheloon Bahaaron Se KhelooN, Mera Bas Chale To Chand TaaroN Se KhelooN, Yahi Chahta Hai BaharoN Se KhelooN Machalatae Hue AabsaaroN Se KhelooN – Lyrics: Akhtar Pilibhiti

In response to Amirbai’s high scale singing, Mohammad Rafi comes up with a lower scale singing.in this very small clip that is available.

Tere Nazdeek Jaate Hein Na Tujhse Door Hote Hain, Mohabbat Karanewale.. Is Tarah Mazboor Hote HaiN – with Ameerbai Karnataki – Lyrics: Akhtar Pilibhiti

Mohammad Rafi gets to sing a qawwali composition early in his career.

Rasheed Attre was one of the music directors who went on to hit immense popularity even after migrating Pakistan. His composition of Faiz Mohamamd Faiz’s ghazal Mujh Se Pahale Si Muhabbat Mere Maheboob Na Mang remains the hallmark of Noor Jehan’s career.

Koltaar Mein Rang De Piya Mori Chundariya – Shikayat – Khan Mastana, G M Durrani, Aslam, Chorus – Lyrics: Ibrahim Khan ‘Momin’

Mohammad Rafi is a minor partner in this MM triad.

Statically speaking, the first Five-year-period of 1944-48 has seen Mohammad Rafi working with 26 music directors for first time for a duet song.  Each of the song has given Mohammad Rafi a different experience of singing. That perspective apart, the fact remains that the journey had taken off well and was gaining the required velocity.

We will end 1944-48 five-year-period with what I consider as Mohammad Rafi’s most iconic song, which also happens to be my most favorite among Mohammad Rafi’s songs…

Vatan Ki Raah Mein Vatan Ke Naujawan Shaheed Ho – Shaheed – with Khan Mastana, chorus – Music: Ghulam Haider – Lyrics: Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

Mohammad Rafi’s finely controlled delivery of so high passion would be hallmark of his sing style in the future.

Our journey of Mohammad Rafi’s first duet with a music director continues……

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Both episodes of the 1^st Five-Year Period of Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet with a Music director – 1944-1948 can be downloaded as one file by clicking on the link.

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All 12 episodes from January to December 2021 of the series Fading Memories, Unfading Songs-2021 can be read /downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink.

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We will continue remembering Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month next year too……..

Disclaimer: All images are sourced from net. All copyrights of the respective image remain with the original owner of the image.

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

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

Our focused topic for the month of August, 2018 is Mena Kumari’s 85^th birthday on 1^st August, 2018.

Google Doodle celebrates tragedienne Meena Kumari’s 85th birthday – The formidable actress in Indian cinema appeared in more than 90 movies during her career that spanned over three decades.

The Life And Death of Meena Kumari | Tabassum Talkies

The Films of Meena Kumari and Dev Anand did together are: Sanam (1951), Tamasha (1952), Baad Baan (1954) and Kinare Kinare (1963). I have selected on song from each of these films

Bedard Shikari Are Bedard Shikari – Sanam – Suraiya, Lata Mangeshkar – Husnlal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi

Thi Jinse Pal Bhar Ki Pehchan – Tamasha – Asha Bhosle – Khemchand Prakash / Manna Dey – Bharat Vyas

Dekho Chanchal Hai Mora Jiyara – Baadbaan – Asha Bhosle – Timir Baran, S K Pal – Indeevar

Har Ash Ashqbar Hai Har Saans Beqarar Hai – Kinare Kinare – Lata Mangeshkar – Jiadev – Nyay Sharma

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

The Great Sawan Songs of Bollywood – The month of Savan, 5^th month in Hindu calendar, normally coincides with August. Hindi films have relished Savan in the songs.

Remembering Poet & Lyricist ‘Jan Nisar Akhtar’, whose maiden Hindi film song was Aa Jaane Wafa ( Anarkali, 1953, Geeta Dutt, Basant Prakash), but had first major commercial success was Yasmin (1955, C Ramchandra).

KHEM CHAND PRAKASH – The creator of musical gems, and the mentor of stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Naushad, Manna Dey and Bulo C Rani

Neel gagan ki chhaon mein – Deepa Buty relives the song from Amrapali on Vyjayanthimala’s birthday on 13 August 2018

[N.B. Deepa Buty is the founder of the site SongPedia, which has a tagline “For Music Lovers, By Muisc Lovers’. The site spots tags like Legends , Song Sketch, Collections, Startups, People, Songs, We will commence our detailed visit to this site from our next issue.]

Most Memorable Films of Vyjayantimala – Born on August 13, 1933, she was a natural performer who danced for the pope at the age of four. She started in films under MV Raman’s direction at AVM with Vazhkai/Jeevitham (1949), a bilingual film in Tamil and Telugu. The immensely popular film was later adapted as Bahar (1951).

My Favourites by Shakeel Badayuni  – the only lyricist to have scored a hat trick of Filmfare awards:

1961 – Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho – Chaudhvin Ka Chand
1962 – Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin – Gharana
1963 – Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil – Bees Saal Baad

Two faces of Haribhai, a.k.a. Sanjeev Kumar is an effort to say some vaguely nice things about SK, by the author who is generally skeptical about the histrionics abilities of Sanjeev Kumar.

Interestingly, but certainly not having any link to the previous article, Dusted Off has chosen Nishan (1965), one of the early, B-grade Sanjeev Kumar films, for a full-fledged review this month.

The Songs of Gulzar shadow over his other roles as (originally assistant director) director and film script and dialogue writer.

in Part II, Monica Kar follows up, Musically Yours, 1963 (Part I) to pay a personal tribute to 12 music directors who created note-worthy compositions in 1963.

The Unforgettable Tunes of JAIDEV – unfortunately many of his best compositions are lost in unfinished films and albums.

The Master of Qawwali Roshan and some hidden qawwalis of Madan Mohan – In a career which had many parallels, as Roshan carved a niche in qawwaalis, Madan Mohan was known to specialize in composing the ghazals. The present post, lists the well-known Roshan qawwalis and some not so-known Madan Mohan qawwaalis.

The Great Yodeling Songs of Kishore kumar on his 89^th birthday on 3^rd August.

The world’s first South Indian Pathan? Why Sridevi’s accent in her Hindi films has never mattered – Edited excerpts from an upcoming biography of the actress, who would have been 55 on 13^th August this year, by Lalita Iyer.  Shridevi had turned her language handicap into a quirk. Throughout her Hindi film career, she spoke Hindi with a thick, sing-song Tamil accent, and depending on whether one is a Shridevi fan or not, this could be grating or cute.

Shammi Kapoor – Who Sang his Songs from his Heart, whether they were serious pre-Tumsa Nahn Dekha songs or peppy post-Tumsa Nahin Dekha songs.

August, 2018 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs is dedicated to Shailendra’s songs composed by Roshan.

And, now the posts on other subjects:

The Great Bollywood Songs based on Folk Music – The leading composers of Bollywood films had used the folk songs in successful films and popularized them.

Musical Rhythms of the Running Train – Trains have been integral to the lives of people ever since the first train ran in 1853 in India. In Indian cinema, there are lots of songs which are picturized either on the running train or in the backdrop of the moving locomotive, snaking through the hills and the fields. Kunal Desai observes how composers have created the basic rhythm for songs which were picturized on a train or with the train as the subject. It is the story and the scene sequences, which influence the sound arrangement of any song.

Hindi Songs with ‘Anokhe Bol’ is akin to the songs that Radio Ceylonbroadcasted in it’s the tehn popular program Anokhe Bol

On the World Photography Day, The Hindi Films where Hero plays a photographer.

Ten Songs from ‘One-Song-Wonder’ Films is a list of songs that were the one major hit song in a film otherwise characterized by forgettable songs. E.g. Tum jo aao toh pyaar aa jaaye from Sakhi Robin,

Seen But Not Observed  the instrument Double Bass like Michael Caine, who got his fame “as being seen, but not being observed”. Check out Mera naam Chin Chin Choo from Howrah Bridge, 1958, and also Teen canastar peet-peet kar gala phaad kar chillaana from Love Marriage, 1959). The interesting thing is that while most significant instruments have been played by at least one major Hindi film actor on the screen, the Double Bass has the dubious distinction of never having been played by a significant actor, except for a few seconds by Kishore Kumar in Gaana na aaya.

The Great FRIENDSHIP Songs of Bollywood – Friendships have remained a popular genre in Hindi Film songs.

Live Music While You Eat – Many restaurants offer music to add to the dining experience; ghazals, popular film songs or pop, jazz, country western, etc. A book by Charles Spence of Oxford University, Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating, announces that music can make our food taste better. The posts lists songs where a person was seen singing in a restaurant. Not dancing and singing, because that becomes a story of song and dance. If the patrons themselves dance, that’s ok J

‘Forgotten Artists of Early Cinema and The Same Name Confusion’ – While introducing the maiden book – Forgotten Artists of Early Cinema and The Same Name Confusion’  –  published by Shri Arunkumar Deshmukh , co-authored by Surjeet Singh, the post has listed a few songs that link up with the subject of the book. Here is one such song:

Hath Chakra Trishul Sadashiv Alakh Jagaate Nagari Mein – Abhram Bhagat (NFS bhajan, 1940)

Book Review: Anil Zankar’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam: Legend as Epic’ (Harper Collins Publishers India, 2013; 200 pages; Rs 250) – The author,among a good many other interesting details,  mentions that of the fifteen songs originally written for the film, only twelve were finally used, he doesn’t mention that one song—Husn ki baaraat chali—was actually shot, though eventually not used in the film.

Behind the Human Curtain – As for our poetry, we put all cloaks under the simplistic umbrellas of ghunghat, parda and naqaab. While by parda we also mean a curtain separating the women from the men, the result being the same. And in this collective simplification can be found several songs from Hindi cinema.

We continue Micro View of Best songs of 1947: And the winners are? with female solo songs, wherein after having covered solo songs of Suraiya and Geeta Roy,  Shamshad Begum. Rajkumari, Amirbai Karnataki (Part I and Part II) Zohrabai Ambalewali (Part I and Part II), we have now covered Khursheed, Noor Jehan & Kanan Devi, Meena Kumar, Naseem Akhtar and Zeenat Begum in ‘other’ female singers.

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

Rafi’s best songs by Madan Mohan – Madan Mohan has composed nearly 168 Mohammad Rafi songs, of which quite a few have everlasting fame. I have also picked up a very rarely heard, but famously enjoyable, song from the list:

Duniya Ke Saare Ghamon Se Begana, Ho Main Hun Mastana – Mastana (1954) – Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishna

Yeh To Kaho Kaun Ho Tum – Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Madan Mohan – Majrooh Sultanpuri

Yahan Koi Nahi Tera Mere Siwa – Dil Ek Mandir (1963 – Shanker Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri

Sanjeev Kumar Speaks on Mohammed Rafi

Haye Tabassum Tera – Nishan (1965) – Usha Khanna – Javed Anwar

Chalte Chale Chalo Chalta Hua Saahil Hai Zindagi – Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970) – Usha Khanna – Asad Bhopali

Teen Taal Par Naach Budhape Bachpan Aur Jawani Ka – Ek Bul Bula Paani Ka (1970 – Jaidev – Kaifi Azmi

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

“The Micro View of the Songs of 1948 @ SoY – MY Top Music Director(s)

Having gone through the exercise of micro-reviewing the songs  for the six years – in this case from 1955 backwards to the present 1948 – I have observed that the task of choosing MY TOP of Music director every year has become more tough as year goes down. That is mainly because older I go into the timeline, less I was found conversant with either the film itself or the context in which the song was played (situational context vs.song composition relevance) or even the popularity /approval of the film’s song as a whole from listeners  / critics respectively.

So, I kept on devising some or other tests to come up with rational judgement to moderate my inherent biases.

The first of such test is the logo picture posted by SoY at the very opening of the overview post, which invariably places six films in the frame. For the present case, ‘Best songs of 1948: And the winners are?’, Naushad has two films – Mela and Anokhi Ada whereas Anil Biswas (Anokha Pyar), C Ramchandra (Nadiya Ke Paar), Ram Ganguli (Aag) and Ghulam Hiader (Shaheed) have one film each.

I then run through posts relating to Male Solos, Female Solos and Duets to make amental note of music directors whose songs continues to strike chord even now. I observe that Naushad’s songs in Anokhi Ada and Mela or Anil Biswas’s songs in Anokha Pyar, Gajre and Veena, those of C Ramchandra in Nadiya Ke Paar and Khidk’ or those of Husnlal-Bhagatram in Pyar Ki Jeet or certainly Ghulam Haider in Shaheed, to a great extent Ram Ganguly in Aag or Khemchand Prakash in Ziddi standout for the everlasting songs. For the year, Ghulam Mohammad in Grihasthi and Pugree, or Shyam Sundar in Actress have also pitched in well.

Then I have out the songs that appeared in the respective category of MY Top listings. The number of songs composed by differenet music directors appears as given herebelow:

Music Director	Male Solos	Female solos	Duets	Total	SoY Total
Hansraj Behl	1			1
Husnlal Bhagatram	1	2		3	3
Naushad	1	1	2	4	10
Ram Ganguly	1	1	1	3	2
Anil Biswas	1	3	1	5	1
S D Burman	1	1	1	3	1
Khemchand Prakash	1	1	1	3	2
Ghulam Haider		1	1	2	3
Avinash Vyas		1		1
C Ramchandra		1	1	2	3
Snehal Bhatkar		1		1	1

If we place the results of the Total in the descending order, then Anil Biswas comes at the top, followed by Naushad and then Husnlal Bhagatram, S D Burman, Khemchand Prakasha and Ram Ganguly share the next spot, followed by Ghulam Haider and C Ramchandra.

Apart from the simple quantitative perspective, one of the most noteworthy feature of Ghulam Haider’s songs in Shaheed and those of C Ramchandra in Nadiya Ke Paar is that they have used relatively not very popular singers like Surinder Kaur or Lalita Deulkar for a very popular heroin Kamini Kaushal. And yet the songs did attain very high acceptance- both the by the critics as well as by the listing public in general.

SoY, @ Best songs of 1948: Final Wrap Up 4, also adopted a smilar matric for quantifying the process of evaluating the share of different music directors in the Top lsting of songs under different categories. The last column in the foregoing table reflects the Total score. Based on this evaluation The Songs of Yore Award for the Best Music Director of 1948 has been conferred on Naushad.

How would have you analyzed the Songs of 1948?

I am sure you will certainly join me to take up a similar detailed Micro View when SoY takes up 1947 next in this Best songs of year series.

P.S.

All the posts that have appeared on this subject can now be accessed form one file @ The Songs of 1948 @SoY

The Micro View of the Songs of 1948 @ SoY : Setting The Stage

Wait for the curtains to go up for a review of songs for the particular year @ Songs of Yore is more than an eager wait. It is preganat with more unknown songs now.  Having covered songs of 1955, 1953, 1951, 1950 and 1949 in the previous years, SoY has now crossed the threshold well into the Vintage Era as it now ventures into ‘Best songs of 1948: And the winners are?’

As noted in the overview turnkey article, we now enter the period which has two quite distinct characteristics:

One, Lata Mangeshkar did sing over 40 songs of which you can count about ten memorable and a couple of all-time great songs, yet she was not the sole pole star, as she became from 1949 onwards. Therefore, dividing the female playback singers as Lata Mangehkar and ‘others’ as (has been) done for 1949, 1950 and 1951 would not be a true reflection of reality.

Secondly, the Vintage Era also means entering a period of more unknown than known, therefore, the year-wise review would now be more a discovery trip.

The post under consideration – Best songs of 1948: And the winners are?  – has presented quite an  encompassing overview in an established template: –

Musical landmarks: Like a golden Jubilee (Mela) and a silver Jubileen (Anokhi Ada) under the belt Naushad hasestablished his morchical position. His nearest rival C ramchandra has Nadiya Ke Paar and Kidkiin the year under review. Ghulam Hiader has presened his swan song on now the Indian soil – Shaheed. Raj Kapoor directs his maiden film Aag with Ram Ganguly as music director. Lata Mangeshkar has hardly any presence in these films.

Other important musical compositions are no less noteworthy nor have lost their charm. We will enlist them here –

Anil Biswas:

Gajre

Door papia bola – Suraiya
Baras baras badly bhi bikhar gayi – Lata Mangeshkar

Veena

Wo teekhi nazron se mere dil par – Mukes

Husnlal Bhagatram

Tere Naino Ne Chori Kiya – Suraiya

O Door Jaanewale – Suraiya

Khemchand Prakash

Marne Ki Duaen Kyon ManguN– Kisore Kumar’s maiden solo song – Ziddi

Chanda Re..Ja Re Ja Re – Lata Mangeshkar – Ziddi

Ghulam Haider

Grihasthi

Tere naaz uthane ko ji chahta hai – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum

Pugree

Ek teer chalanewale ne dil loot liya – Mukesh & Sitara (Kanpuri)

S D Burman

Vidya

Laayi khushi ki duniya – Mukesh & Suraiya

Bahe na kabhi nain se neer – Mukesh

Debut

Asha Bhosle – Only a line Bahana Khush Ho Ke Sangam Manaye – in a chorus in the song Sawaan Aya Re – Chunariya

Kishore Kumar’s first duet with Lata Mangeshkar – Ye Kaun Aya Re – Ziddi

Prem Dhawan – Chanda Re..Ja Re Ja Re – Ziddi

RK Films – Aag

Geeta Dutt – Lata Mangeshkar’s maiden duet – Har Shai Pe Jawani Hai – Majboor

Mukesh – Lata Mangeshkar duet – Ab Darne Ki Koi Baat Nahin – Majboor

Ab Yaad Na Kar – Ankoha Pyar

Khayyam (as Sharmaji & (Rehman) Vermaji with Aziz Khan) – Dil Dil Yun YuN Karata Hai – Geeta Dutt, Aziz Hindi – Heer Ranja

Lata Mangeshkar first song with Shamshad Begum and Mohantara – Khushiyan Manayen Na Kyun Ham.. Kismat Hamare Saath Hai.. Jalanewale Jala Karen – Khidki

Surinder Kaur – Itne Door Hain Huzoor Kaise – Pyar Ki Jeet

Padmini as dancer-actor in Uday Shankar’s Kalpana

S Mohinder – as music director in film Sehra and as a singer Ae dil Uda Ke – Sehra

Jaan Nissar Akhtar – as lyricist in Shikayat

Sahir Ludyanavi – as a lyricist for Badal Rahi Hai Zindagi – Azadi Ki Rah Par

Snehal Bhatkar – as a music director in Suhaag Raat

Bharat Bhushna and Geeta Bali – as actors in Suhag Raat

Fact file and Trivia notes that five songs of Meena Kapoor for Anokha Pyar were recorded on Lata Mangeshkar; Leela Chitnis played mother for first time in Shaheed; Mohammad Rafi holds a falg pole in Watan Ki Rah Mein Watan Naujawan Shaheed Ho; Ameerbai Karnataki composed music for Shahnaz, once only in her career; Vidya Nath Seth sang firve songs for Rooplelka of which he composed one song too.

List Of Memorable Songs is a fairly representative list of films, music directors and known as well as less-known songs that were released in the year. I have re-compiled this list, under the title Memorable Songs of 1948, by adding the relevant link to YT file.

For the year under review, Special songs also cover the songs which open a path of discovery on their own well as they have thir own personality. In this case too, I have brought these songs on the same page with List of Memorable Songs of 1948.

The stage is now set to commence our journey into the Micro View of the Songs of 1948. As the List of Memorable Songs and Special Songs have covered most of the well-known songs for the year, we will restrict our micro-view to in-depth listening of not-so-well-known songs. We will then combine our impressions of these songs with that we already have for the well-known ones to present our point of view in so far as

Best male playback singer
Best ‘other’ female playback singer
Best songs of Lata Mangeshkar
Best duets
Best music director

are concerned for the year 1948.

All the posts that will appear on this subject here have been tagged as Songs of 1948 @ SoY.

The Micro View of the Best Songs of 1949 @ SoY – MY Top Music Director(s)

The theme poster of ‘Best songs of 1949: And the winners are?’ has six films, but five music directors. Naushad has two films there (Andaz and Dillagi), whereas four others Shanker Jaikishan, C Ramchandra, Khemchand Prakash and Husnlal Bhagatram have one each (Barsat, Patanga, Mahal and Bari Bahen respectively).

Naushad had huge contribution in the huge success of Andaz at the box office, mainly through the solos of Mukesh, with Lata Mangeshakar solos playing a fair measure of the support. This was the last monumental work that Naushad had had with Mukesh, till they worked again in Saathi, a good 19 years later.

Hum Aaj Kahi Dil Kho Baithe Yun Samajo Kisi Ke Ho Baithe

Shanker Jaikishan also had a lion’s share in box office success of Barsat, that went on to create a great Lata Mangeshkar wave. They also created the RK-SJ signature style of ending the films with a very unique style of the theme song of the film –

Barsat Mein, Ham Se Mile Tum Sajan Tumse Mile Ham

Here is the such first maiden final scene

Khemchand Praksh needed to have created only Ayega Aanewala, to find a very honorable emeritus mention in the annals of Hindi Film Music history.

Ek Teer Chala Dil Pe Laga

Husnlal Bhagatram, who too appear quite prominently in  Male Solos, Female Solos or even Duets  lists for 1949, certainly have to their credit some all-time outstanding solos of Suraiya (in Bari Bahen) this year.

Tum Mujhko Bhul Jao Ab Hum Na Mil Sakenge

Mere Piya Gaye Hai Rangoon is one of those non-traditional song among such other all-time chartbusters from the stable of C Ramchandra that one would hardly ever imagine that it is same CR would later on go on to give some of Lata’s or Talat’s all time greats.

Balam Tujhe Mera Salam

However if we go a step beyond the measure of box office success of both the film and the songs, we have at least a couple of more music directors who had excellent scores for 1949.

Gyan Dutt has Maine Dekhi Jag Ki Reet, Meet Sab Jhuthe Pad Gaye or Baharon Ne Jise Chheda Woh Saaz-e-Jawani Hai like evergreens for Sunhare Din.

Javani Ke Din Hai Yeh

S D Burman too had Quismat Mein Bichhadan Tha or Tu Mahalon Mein Rahanewali or Tumhare Liye Hue Badnam for Shabnam.

Hum Kisko Sunaye Haal Ke Duniya Paise Ki

Shyam Sundar had had his own share in Lahore (Nazar Se Dur Jaanewale, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi Magar Hum Tum Juda Honge) and Bazaar (Apni Nazar Se Dur Woh Unki Nazar Se Dur Hum) or Char Din (Anjaam-e-Mohabbat Kuchh Bhi Nahin).

In fact the towering commercial success of Andaz had paled some other very good scores of Naushad. Dillagi songs like Leke Dil Chupke Se or Duniya Kya Jaane Mera Afsana or Char Din Ki Chandani Phir Se Andheri Raat Hai had quite an undeniable charm. So were Do Din Ke Bahar Pyare or Na Bol Pee Pee More Anagana Panchhi Ja Re Ja or Muhabbat Hamaree Jamana Hamara Tu Gaaye Aye Dil Tarana Hamara form the album of Dulari. Even relatively little less known Chandani Raat had gems like Chhaya Meri Ummeed Ki Duniya Mein Andhera or Aankh MilI Dil Chala Gaya or Do Din Ki Khushi Haye Do Din Ki Kushi Raaaz Na Aayi Kisiko.

1949 had so many other than Lata Mangeshkar – Mohammad Rafi great songs from such a wide cross section of Music Directors that no one may have ever imagined then that just by the turn of the decade this duo will overwhelmingly rule the Hindi Film Song world.

In the ultimate analysis that will remain the sole importance of the year 1949 in the history of Hind Film Music – a threshold that provided the escape velocity to Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi even when many other singers were so strong on their spheres.

SoY has presented a very comprehensive summary of all the discussions @ Best songs of 1949: Final Wrap Up 5. The detailed analysis leads to the conclusion that the Best Music director of 1949 goes to Naushad.

P.S.

I have compiled a meta write-up of my micro-view of the songs of 1949, in pdf form. Here is the link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_GJ0xhT0LUuamJWTlRoQUJiVUE