Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey were the other two mainstream Hindi playback singers for whom Hemant Kumar composed songs when it seemed to the THE choice that was available.
Kishore Kumar
The songs that Hemant Kumar has composed in Kishore Kumar’s voice have two have two essential variants – one is the songs for the films wherein Kishore Kumar was also acting, and the other is where Kishore Kumar has been playback singer to some other actor on the screen.
Here are a few representative songs, each representing a different mood, each one representing three different phases of Hemant Kumar’s career in Hindi films as music director.
The opening lines follow a parody form of popular folk lyrics, Kishore Kumar freely improvising his frustrating progress with cooking the food. The couplet ends with Kishore Kumar’s signature style of parodying of some of the classics, K L Saigal’s Panchhi Kahe Hot Udaas in the present case. The song then moves in, providing enough space to Kishore Kumar’s antics.
Aaj Rona Pada Toh Samjhe, Hasane Ka Mol Kya Hai – Girl Friend (1961) – Lyrics: Sahir Ludhyanvi
The song ranks as one the Kishore Kumar classics. Composed with minimal orchestration support, the composition fully brings into play the beauty of Kishore Kumar’s vocal cords.
Gaana Na Aaya Bajana Na Aaya, Dilbar Ko Ana Bana Na Aaya – Miss Mary (1957) – Lyrics: Rajinder Krishna
Here is a song that has all the trappings of Kishore Kumar’s natural mischievous mannerisms. The net effect is that he indeed sounds so out of tune.
Hawaaon Pe Likh Do Hawaaon Ke Naam – Do Dooni Chaar (1968) – Lyrics: Gulzar
The prelude to the song, mainly in the form of base-tone humming and slightly-higher-scale short alaaps by Kishore Kumar sets the pensive mood of the song.
Aside trivia: The child artist in the frame @0.57, subsequently shown strolling with goat cub, accompanying Kishor Kumar in the whole song is Baby Neetu Singh.
This is one song that is enshrined in the roll of honors in the Kishore Kumar’s filmography. In fact, it may not be exaggeration to say that the song helps to lift the mood of the situation – ruefully reminiscing those moments when the protagonist was with his beloved in the present.
Vaidh Ke Palle Pade , Kaise Vaid Ke Palle Pade, Marta Mar Jaaye Rog Se Rogi, Vaidh Se Kaun Lade– Raahgeer (1969) – Lyrics : Gulzar
Even as Hemant Kumar has used Manna Dey very sparingly, he has fully exploited the flexibility and range of Manna Dey’s singing prowess.
Ek Bade Baap Ki Beti Kal Ghar Ke Munsi Sang Dekha Gul Mil Batiya Karte – Bandi (1957) – Lyrics: Rajinder Krishna
The ‘common men’ are enjoying behind-the-back jibes at ‘bade log’ and their lifestyles. The song is filmed as a street nautanki performance, and Hemant Kumar too also has composed it as such and then let Manna Dey do the rest of the job.
Rehne Ko Ghar Do – Biwi Aur Makaan (1966) – Lyrics: Gulzar
The song seems to be tailor made for Mehmood’s signature theatrics on the screen.
Dost Kahan Koi Tumsa, Tumsa Nahi Koi Mister – Khamoshi (1969) – Lyrics: Gulzar
This is a typical mandatory song that must be assigned to a comedian in the film. In most the cases, music directors, lyricists and singers have turned such occasions into presenting a song that, at the minimum, ensures that the public in the cinema hall remains seated during the song.
In the third and concluding part, we will take up Hemant Kumar;s Male Songs in the voices of Other Singers.
Originally published on SoY as Hemant Kumar’s Male Playback Singers. This is the edited and improved-on-the-inputs-of-discussions-thereupon version.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 sheets– Sanjay 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
Through the Lens of Bollywood: Kashmir as an Image, Kashmir as a Place – Debashree 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
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.
Our search for Manna Dey’s songs for the lead actor has basically reached the period of second half the decade of ‘50s. From what we have seen till now, it appears that it is not incorrect to infer that his songs that have attained fame have rooted deeper his image of niche singer and his romantic songs for the lead player still hunt for a permanent association that can turn out to be game changer for his career.
With Kishore Kumar
There was a period in Kishore Kumar career where he was so active as working as the main lead actor for the films that he has accepted some of his songs on the screen played back by Mohammad Rafi, and as we shall presently see, by Manna Dey. In each of this case, the song would invariably be a one-off case in that film, all other songs being enacted and sung by Kishore Kumar himself. That would, normally, mean that the music director has some or other valid reason for opting for the other playback singer. However, presently, we have no intention to look out for such reasons. We will be content with listing such songs within the scope of our present series.
Din Albele Pyar Ka Mausam, Chanchal Man Mein Toofan – Begunah (1957) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Shanker Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Here we have an ideal romantic duet, once again Shanker Jaikishan choosing to use Manna Dey for such a lovely song. The song did become famous and is quite known even today. But, being filmed on Kishor Kumar, its fate as catalyst for Manna Dey being set as a lead actor’s principal voice does not help the cause. That Begunah was banned within just a few days of hitting the screen further aggravated the case.
Pahele Murgi Ke Pahele Anda Zara Soch Ke Batana – Krorepati (1961) – Shanker Jaikishan – Shailendra
Manna Dey matches Kishore Kumar’s comedy theatrics on the screen. The song is filmed as satirist comedy on the establishment. However, because of the presence of Kishore Kumar as the actor, the song does not fall into the cast of so called comedy genre that Jhonny Walker and Mahemood brought on the screen.
Ho Gayi Shaam Dil Badnam Leta Jaaye Tera Naam – Naughty Boy (1962) – With Asha Bhosle – S D Burman – Shailendra
Here too Manna Dey sounds so natural to Kishore Kumar’s acting. The song is a party song whereat Kishore Kumar resorts to his comedy acting while remaining very faithful to the romance in the lyrics of the song.
Alakh Niranajan – Haaye Mera Dil (1968) – Usha Khanna
One of those non-descript comedy songs that Manna Dey would get after getting type cast for comedy genre songs.
‘Haaye Mera Dil’ has one more Manna Dey song – a duet with Usha Khanna – Jaaneman Jaaneman Tum Din Raat Mere Saath Ho – which is filmed a club song.
With Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor’s acting career is normally divided into pre-Tumsa nahi Dekha and post-Tumsa Nahi Dekha films. If Talat Mahmood had a lion’s share for the playback songs for the former part, it was Mohammad Rafi who sang to Shammi Kapoor’s style in the latter part. We have two films which can be considered as twilight zone between these two phases.
Tangewaali (1955) has a duet with Geeta Dutt – Tina Tan Ta Tina Kisi Ne Dil Hai (Music: Salil Chaudhari; Lyrics- Prem Dhawan) – which Shammi Kapoor ought to have lip-synched on the screen, like a genuine tonga Rafi solo cast on a punjabi folk tune, and two duets – A Rafi-Lata duet and a Tonga-genre Hemant-Lata duet. Unfortunately, we do not have a digital link.for this Manna Dey- Geeta Dutt duet.
The second film Ujala (1959) was an idealistic socialist theme film. The two songs of the film probably would easily fit in for Manna Dey’s voice, particularly when Shankar Jaikishan have composed the music.
Ab Kahan Jaaye Dil Ye Bata Aye Zameen, Ab Kisi Ko Kise Pe Bharosa Nahi – Lyrics: Shailendra
This again a choir-Church tune and after the success of a similar song – Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai, Teri Ek Boond Ke Pyaase Ham (Seema 1955), choice of Manna Dey to playback for Shammi Kapoor is quite obvious. This song also went to get respect and fame.
Suraj Jara Aa Paas Aa, Aaj Sapnon Ki Roti Pakayenge Ham – Lyrics: Shailendra
The song is deeply stepped into a socialist moulid, and with Shankar Jaikishan having successfully executed O Raat Gayi (Boot Polish, 1954) and Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala (Shree 420, 1955) with Manna Dey it is again obvious that Shankar Jaikishna would repeat Manna Dey for this song, whoever would be the actor..
And it was not the sheer momentum that would have led Shankar Jaikishan to opt for two romantic, peppy duets with Manna Dey, when they had set one Mukesh – Lata duet and a Rafi-Mukeshi duet in Mukesh and Rafi’s voice respectively for Shammi Kapoor in this film.
Jumta Mausam Mast Mahina, Chand Si Gori Ek Hasina, Ya Allah Ya Allah Dil Le Gayi– – With Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
An excellent off-the-sets outdoor song, that is as much playful as is romantic. Manna Dey sings the song with a caressingly smooth ease.
Chham Chham Lo Suno Chham Chham, O Suno Chham Chham – With Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Shailendra
Here we have a typical Shankar Jaikishan folk-dance composition, based on a fast dholak-rhythm with a violin-ensemble orchestration. Manna Dey enters at the beginning of the 1st stanza on a very happy, positive note synching melody of the tune with the delivery of the song..
By the time Wallah Kya Baat Hai (1962) was released on the screen, Shammi Kappoor’s happy-go-lucky image formula had tasted great success @ Tumsa Nahi Dekha. Wallah Kya Baat Hai (1962) songs had naturally that Shammi-halo at the core of Shammi’s on-screen songs. Roshan suddenly opts to use Manna Dey for Shammi Kapoor in twin-version song – Katon Ke Saaye Men Phulo Ka Ghar Hai – Vallah Kya Baat Hai (1962) – Roshan – Prem Dhawan
The second version has a pinch of worry as Shammi Kapoor seems to be in search of his child. The song varies in low to high pitch, maintain a moderately fast rhythm.
Yeh Umar Hai Kaya Rangili – Professor (1962) – Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar – Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Young Shammi Kapoor is masquerading as an old professor, so Manna Dey(unfortunately) becomes a natural choice to playback for an old Shammi Kappor on the screen.
Tumhen Husn Deke Khuda Ne Sitamgar Banaya – Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963) – With Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle – Dattaram – Anand Baxi
Dattaram chooses Manna Dey to sing for Shammi Kapoor in this qawwali.
Chham Chham Baje Re Payaliya – Jaane Anjaane (1971) – Shankar Jaikishan – S H Bihari
Here, too, Shammi Kapoor is in a disguise of an old classical singer, so call of type-cast would befell on Manna Dey as the playback singer.
This is post-Jaikishan, post-Shailendra song, but Shankar has effortlessly maintained his hold on composing a Manna Dey song.
However, there is one more unusual exceptional song that Manna Dey has indirectly played back for Guru Dutt. The song is Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Woh Kahan Hai, which is recorded as a cover version for the officially filmed Mohammad Rafi classic in Pyaasa (1957)..
At present, we do not have any knowledge as to why this cover version will have been recorded. We have only the end result with us.
We draw curtains to our journey of Manna Dey’s songs for the lead actors, to await the opening bell for the next episode wherein we will continue with our search for Manna Dey’s songs with the second-generation lead actors like Raj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Manoj Kumar etc.
In continuing our journey of Micro View of Male Female Duets of Other than Mukesh and Mohammad Rafi, we will take up second set of the duet songs today.
Popular Duet Song
Kishore Kumar + Lata Mangeshkar – Ye Kaun Aaya Re Hai Kar Ke Solah Sigar – Ziddi – Khemchand Prakash – Prem Dhawan
The song has got fame as the first duet of Kishore Kumar and Latamangeshkar.
Other Duet Songs
G M Durrani + Lata Mangeshkar – Khamosh Fasana HaimDuniya Se Chhupake Chhupake – Heer Ranjha – Aziz Khan – Vali Sahab
G M Durrani, Rajkumari, Johrabai Ambalewali – Ek Dil Tera Ek Dil Mera – Pt. Hanuman Prasad
HFGK records this as two songs, one a duet by G M Durrani and Rajkumari and the other a parody song by Johrabai, G M Durrani and Chorus.
Shankar Dasgupta + Miss Parvez – Ay Dil Abhi Tu Sabar Kar Teri Bhi Baari Aayegi – Ham Bhi Insaan Hai – H P Das, Manna Dey – G S Nepali
Allaudin + Shamshad Begum – Sawan Ke Din Aaye Balama Sawan Ke Din Aaye Hai – Kaajal – Ghulam Mohammad, D N Madhok / Shakeel Badayuni (?)
Ram Kamlani + Joharabai – Mere Dil Ka Phate Nahi Kahi Atom Bomb – Lal Dupatta – Gyan Dutt – D N Madhok
Karan Diwan + Shamshad Begum – Mujhe Jaane Tum Se Pyar Kyon Hai – Mitti Ke Khilone – Bulo C Rani / Hans Raj Behl (?) – B R Sharama
Ram Kamlani + Surinder Kaur – Chori Chori Mori Atariya Aa Ja Re – Nao – Gyan Dutt – D N Madhok
Krishna Goyal + Meena Kapoor – Balam Mohe Man Se Na Apne Bhoolana – Raees – Manohar Arora _ Kaisar Sabai
Suresh+ Suraiya – Rootho Na Tum Bahar Mein, Mausam-e-Khushgawar Mein – Rang Mahal – K Datta+ V Balsara (?) – ShivKumar
Ram Kamlani + Shamshad Begum – Hamari Baat Ka Kyon Tum Ko Aitbar Nahi – Rangeen Zaman – Pt. Govind Ram – Pt. Fani
We will take up micro view of Female Female Duets of 1948 in our next episode.
Shankardas Kesarilal , born on 30 August 1923, popularly known to all of us Shailendra ,passed away by living a Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani, like a comet that lit the sky while it lasted, at (just) the age of 43 on 14 December 1966.
Most of the songs that Shailendra wrote under the batons of Shanker Jaikishan or Salil Chaudhary or S D Burman have already been immortal. In a career[i], spanning around 800 released songs for Hindi films, Shailendra had had opportunity to work with several ‘other’ (than these three) music directors as well. Most of these songs also have been equally live in our memory today.
We will dedicate our August, 2017 episode to Shailendra’s songs with the ‘other’ directors. For this episode, special care has been exercised to cover to select chronologically first film with that music director while casting the net wide enough to cover as broad spectrum of singers as is possible. Also, I have intentionally chosen songs that I have either not heard or those that need a refresher push.
The first set of these songs, coincidentally, have Geeta Dutt as (one of) the singer.Geeta Dutt had hardly any occasion to sing Shanker Jiakishan songs. By the time Shailendra teamed up with S D Burman, S D Burman had switched over to Lata Maageshkar. So is the case with Salil Chudhary’s songs too. Therefore, this has turned out to be good incidence where we can hear Shailendra’s songs in Geeta Dutt’s voice.
The song apparently is meant to divert the chasing British police, but has an apparent message for the inadvertent hurricane the freedom fight is likely unleash. Geeta Bali sings with gay abandon that may also mean the upsurge from the young hearts.
The song is an ideal fit with our image of silken smoothness of Geeta Dutt’s voice.
Teri Chahat Mein Balam, Teri Chahat Mein Sanam Meet Gaye Ham Teri Kasam – Shrimatiji 1952 – Geeta Dutt – Jimmy
This is a dance song that seeks to hoodwink the listeners so as to cover the acts of the partner in the deed. So the lyricist has to not only pack in a meaningful, mind-catching message for the lay listeners and but also has to convey an intended message to the target partner.
The film had 4 songs penned Majarooh Sultanpuri, 1 by Madhukar Rajashathani and 2 by Hasrat Jaipuri . All songs are in Geet Dutt’s voice, except one which had Laxmi Roy.
We now move on to songs that have other playback singers.
Mere Dil Ki Dhadkhan Kya Bole – Anhonee (1952) – Talat Mahmod, Lata Mangeshkar – Roshan
After SJ, SDB and Salil Chaudhary, Shailendra has written most number of songs for Roshan in films like Nau Bahar , Sanskaar (both in 1952), Aagosh and Mashuqua in 1953, Chandani Chowk (1954), one song each in Cofee House (1957 and Aji Bas Shukriya (1958), Deep Jalte Rahe, Heera Moti and Madhu in 1959, and Soorat Aur Seerat in 1962.
Desh Ki Dharti NeLalkara Gunja Aazadi Ka Naara – Chhatrapati Shivaji (1952):- Chitalker, chorus – C.Ramchandra
This song adds genre of patriotic songs in the Shailendra’s arsenal.
Down the career, Shailendra has given several meaningful twin songs. Here is the one early one.
Sapnon Ki Duniya Mein Naye Rang Laya O Man Bhaya Sawan Aaya – Pipili Saheb (1954) – Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar, Shaminder – Sardul Kwatra
Here is the song that has the basic flavor of a very rustic setting that is presented with in its natural simplest form.
Mehfil Mein Kaisi Chaam Chaam – Dilli Darbaar (1956) – Lata Mangeshkar – S N Tripathi
Shailendra has teamed up with S N Tripathi for more than one film – like mythological Ram Hanuman Yudh (1957) or Shiv Parvati (1962) to a period film Sangeet Samtrat Tansen (1962) to a social film Kunwari (1966).
Chal Ri Ameeren Bhai Chal Re Fakire – Dilli Ka Thug (1958):- Kishore, chorus – Ravi
This is one more example of Shailendra’s comfort in dealing with unusual situations. Here is the song that is a traditional dance song attributed to street-performances of a monkey trainer with his pet monkey. Compare this song with another song of the film, a Kishore- Asha duet – Ye Raatein Yeh Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara.
Chhupa Chhupi O Chhupi Agad bBagad Jai Re, Chuhe Mama O Mama Bhag Billi Ai Re – Savera (1958) – Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar – Shailesh Mukherjee
The lead protagonists become young children in the company of the children and so does Shailendra.
Ho Choonva Moonva…. Deke Daam Lele Maati Ka Khilauna Kaisa Khel Khele Ye Maati Kholauna – Naya Kadam (1958) – Shailesh Mukherjee – Shivram–Narayan
Shailendra deftly uses a traditional street performance to deliver a strong philosophical message. I am not sure that singer of the song, Shailesh Mukherjee, is the same person as music director Shailesh Mukherjee.
Nani Teri Morni Ko MorLe Gaye, Baaki Jo Bacha Tha Kaale Chor Le Gaye– Masoom (1960) – Ranu Mukherjee – Robin Banerjee
The film had 5 more songs – 4 by Raja Mahendi Ali Khan and one by Sahir Ludhyanvi. So, obviously Shailendra has been allotted this situation wherein the child artistes perform the song on the screen. The song had been quite popular.
Hai Re Woh Din Kyon Na Aaye, Ja Ja Ke Ritu Laut Aaye Re – Anuradha (1960) – Lata Mangeshkar – Pt Ravi Shankar
In an otherwise an experimental social film, the songs filmed on the heroine, Anuradha (lela Naidu) help strongly develop the characterization of the role. Here is a song that is coposed on a fairly difficult Carnataki Classical Raag – Jansammohini, also known as Shiv Kalyan or Madh Kalyan.
Asides:
The piece that is considered to have inspired the song is Ganpat Vighanharan :
Jhoomte Sharabhi Zara HoshMein Aa– Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961) – Asha Bhosle – Suhrid Kar
KaanchKi Gudiya invaribaly would conjure a Mukesh and Asha Bhosle duet – Saath Ho Tum Raat Jawan. However, the song that we have selected presents a very different Asha Bhosle to us.
Paisa Nahin Hota Jo Kuchch Nahin Hota – Sautela Bhai (1962) – Anil Biswas, Manna Dey – Anil Biswas
In an otherwise a very serious social subject, Anil Biswas teams with Shailendra to come up with a satirical song.
Their next association is 1965’s Chhoti Chhoti Batein.
Daaton Ka Zamana Pyare Dant Bachana – Begana (1963) – Mahendra Kapoor – Sapan Jagmohan
The obvious reason for picking this song for the present episode is it has Mahendra Kapoor. In the process, we also get the benefit of listening to a very light-hearted song from Shailendra.
Chand Tale Jhoom Jhoom Thirak Rahi Hain Ghoongherwaliyan, Mastiyon Ki Aaj Dhun Baja Rahi Hai Taaliyaan – Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963):- Subir Sen, Suman Kalyanpur – Dattaram
As we know well, Dattaram was one of the very important links on the Shankar Jaikishan team. The song has very prominent us of what was popularly known as Dattu Theka – a typical stroke that Dattaram would invariably conjure up in his the accompanying base instrumentation.
Rahi Tu Ruk Mat Jaana Toofan Se Mat Ghabharana, Kahin To Milegi Teri Manzil Kahi Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein – Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964):- Hemant Kumar (in three parts) – Kishore Kumar
One the most respected song- be it from the singer’s perspective or music director’s perspective, from the perspective of a song that includes the film title or from the perspective of the delivery of song writer’s message
I have lined up songs that have Mohammad Rafi in the end of the episode. Incidentally each one represents a very different point of a spectrum of Shailendra’s vast repertoire
Ja Ja Na Ched Maan Bhi Ja – Satta Bazar(1959) – Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur – Kalyanji-Anandji
This is the only song that Shailendra has penned for the film. Hasrat Jaipuri and Indeevar had two songs each, whereas Gulshan Bawra had 3 songs. This also gives us one more of a Johnny Walker song to accompany one of the most illustrious one – Jangal Mein Mor Nacha Kisi Ne Na Dekha
Gham Ki Badli Mein Chamakta Ek Sitara Hai Aaj Apan Ho Na Ho Kal Hamara Hai – Kal Hamara Hai (1959):- Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra – Chitragupt
As the name of the films suggests, the film essentially would be based on the Patriotism theme. Therefore, it is not quite surprising to see Shailendra being easily able to handle the songs that befit the theme.
Aam Chhum Taam Chhum Haar Ho Ki Jeet Ho Khel Mein Rahe Magana – Chhote Nawab (1961) Mohammad Rafi – R D Burman
Here is the song that depicts the mental state of a grown-up prince.
Illahi Tu Sun Le Hamali Duva, Hame Sirf Ek Asara Hai Tera. Teri Rahamate Rah Roshan Kare, Salamat Rahe Saya Man-bap Ka – Chhote Nawab (1961):- Mohammad Rafi – R D Burman The song was the game changer in the film. In his maiden venture, RDB, on one hand succeeds in providing just the right platform to Mohammad Rafi to fully express the emotions of the song and on the other hand has lived up to the challenge of the Shailendra’s very poignant lyrics.
When we look back now, we see one most glaring association missing at the core career path years of Shailendra – with Madan Mohan. Similarly, if we see the presence of R D Burman from the (so-called) next generation of music directors, one may note absence of Laxmikant Pyarelal.
We will continue our search for Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month……..
Disclaimer: All images are sourced from net. All copyrights of the respective image remain with the original owner of the image.
It has taken me some time to present this summing up as the mandatory step of the micro-view of the songs of 1948, the base being ‘Best songs of 1948: And the winners are? ‘ . Outwardly I would justify the procrastination on some other (so-called) pressing engagements. However, from the inner most recesses of my heart I know that my choices have already been made even before I ventured into the full scale micro-view of the Male Solo Songs.
I did listen to the songs of G M Durrani, Surendra and ‘other’ male singers a few times. However, the truth remains that I could not connect with those songs. And that is MY limitation – having been brought up listening to mostly the post-’50 songs on the radio in my formative years.
With that bias accepted, here is MY choice of the Male solo Songs for 1948:
Apart from the four male playback singers that we have covered till now, we can find fairly noticeable presence of other male singers like Ninu Mazumdar, Chitalkar, Manna Dey or Vidyanath Seth in the year 1948. In some cases, their work is more on the side of duets or in some case even when we list the songs from HFGK, these are not yet posted on net.
I have clubbed songs of any one singer here under the respective name. In all other cases, I have mentioned the name of the singer along with the song itself.
On the whole, in the retrospect, this list does present quite a kaleidoscopic picture.
Kare Badar Baras Barasa Kar Jao Bar Bar – Gopinath – Singer: Ninu Mazumdar – Ninu Mazumdar – Ram Murthy
The song seems to have a version in which Kaumudi Munshi joins in and lends a very different style to the song.
Manna Dey
Chal Tu Preet Nagariya, Preet Nagar Ke Koyal Kooke – Veena – Anil Biswas – Prem Dahelvi
Ham Tere Hai Ham Ko Na Thukarana – Hum Bhi Insaan Hai – Manna Dey, H P Das – G S Nepali
Koi Mujh Se Bhi Bole – Hum Bhi Insaan Hai – Manna Dey, H P Das – G S Nepali
Ghar Ghar Ke Diye Buzakar Bane Hai Dhanwan –Hum Bhi Insaan Hai – Manna Dey, H P Das – G S Nepali
Jay Shivshankar, Gaurishwar, Jay Rameshwar – Jay Hanuman – Bulo C Rani – Pt. Indra
Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhein – Gopinath – Singer Not Known – Ninu Majumdar
Do Ghadi Beet Gayi, Taine Surat Nahi Dkhayee – Hum Bhi Insaan Hai – Parvez Kapadia – Manna Dey, D C Dutt, G S Nepali
(Technically speaking, this may have to be placed in female solos category. However, the song is performed by a male (adolescent) actor on the screen, so I have placed it in this list.]
Koi Sham Rang Gori – Veena – Singer: Chitalkar – C Ramchandra – Narendra Sharma
Sansar Ke Adhaar Dayaa Hampe – Anjangarh –Singer: Pankaj Mallik– R C Boral –
Tu Dar Na Jara Bhi – Anjangarh –Singer: Pankaj Mallik– R C Boral –Pt. Bhushan
Ek Bholi Bholi Gori Ne Aay Hay Dil Pe Jadoo Liya – Andho Ka Sanasar – Singer: Dost Mohammad– Sridhar Parsekar – Kesarinath Vaidya
Shankar Das Gupta
Ab Kis Nagari Jaun Re Ab Jaane Se Jaa Na Shakunga – Anajaana – D C Dutt – Vishwamitra Adil
Kisi Ka Deepak Jalta Hai, Kisi Ka Deep Bujhata Hai – Didi – Mukund Maurekar – Saraswati Kumar Deepak
Sajan Ke Ghar Jana Pagle Sajan Ke Ghar Jana – Sajan Ke Ghar –– K S Sagar – Saraswati Kumar Deepak
Suhagan Kahe Ko Tu Ansoo Bahae Karam Lekha Na Tale – Bichhade Balam – Singer: Mohammad Farooqui – Bulo C Rani – Pt Indar
Bane Hai Ham To Ghar Jawai – Ghar Ki Izzat – Singer: Ram Kamlani – Pt. Govind Ram –
Vidyanath Seth
Aaj Geet Ke Bol Bol Mein Umada Hai Tufan – Roop Rekha –– Pt. Amarnath – Harikrishna Premi
O Gori Kahe Preet Kare – Roop Rekha –Pt. Amarnath – Harikrishna Premi
Marane Ki Dua Kyon Maangu, Jene Ki Tamanna Kaun Kare – Ziddi – Singer: Kishore Kumar – Khmechand Prakash – Prem Dhawan
We will sum up Male Solo Songs for 1948 in the next episode.
Welcome to August, 2016 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.
One of our regularly visited blogs Dances on the Footpath celebrated its ninth anniversary on 30th July, 2016. We join all the readers to congratulate the blog author Richard on this great milestone.
As we delve into the posts on Anniversaries,
We take a belated note of the 80th birth anniversary of Nutan @ The origin of my admiration for Nutan and join in sharing the author’s views : «Nutan shares with classic Indian cinema this quality that I find so important and that we in the West have lost, in a way: a fundamental honesty. She adds to this quality something personal and special which I choose to call vibrant grace”.
Happy birthday Kishore Kumar: Top 5 things to know about the legendary singer – Kishore Kumar started his career in the field of acting, with “Shikari” in 1946. – 1946 is when S D Buramn also made his debut with Hindi films – In 1948, music director Khemchand Prakash gave Kishore Kumar a chance to sing “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu” for the film “Ziddi”…During the making of ‘Mashaal’ way back in 1950, Burman visited Ashok Kumar’s house, where he heard latter’s younger brother, Kumar imitating KL Saigal. Kishore Kumar, along with R D Burman, also formed a formidable team which ensured a volley of chartbusters whenever they came together.
The Unforgotten and Unremembered Genius Jaidev – A tribute on his 98th birth anniversary (3 August 1918 – 6 January 1987) – Jaidev was neither a remembered composer nor a forgotten one. He is also possibly the only music director to have won the National Awards thrice for Reshma Aur Shera (1971), Gaman (1979) and Ankahee (1985). We have picked up a few songs here:
‘Unsung Genius’… – A tribute to Jaidev by the late Mohan Nadkarni, the well-known music critic and author, that appeared in the Illustrated Weekly of India in Jan 1987.
The ‘Biopic’ Teaser – Debamitra Mitra – “Biopic films have more often than not run into controversies and debates about the authenticity in depicting the life of a celebrated person. From the Hollywood myth-making trends to the Bollywood surge in making biopics on sports-persons, film-makers worldwide are perennially plagued with legal hurdles, insufficient data and at times difficulty in finding the proper actor for the role. However there is no doubt that biopics have an important significance in the contemporary film culture.”
Ten of my favourite songs of waiting – “Waiting, of course, can be of different types, and for different things. It can be a patient wait, for something one knows is coming one’s way. It can be restless, dominated by an urge to do something to alleviate one’s own suffering. Or the restlessness can be one of hopelessness, of knowing that one waits for something that can never come to be…One may wait for a much-longed for event to happen. One can wait for news. For friends, relatives. And, much more frequently in Hindi cinema, where romance is such an important element of most plots, for the beloved.”
“Kuchh to log kahenge” has presented songs wherein emphasis has to be on the issue of ‘saying’, e.g.
Patriotism and cinema are old companions – Sanjukta Sharma – Directors and producers of 1950s’ Hindi cinema best exploited the patriotic sentiment …. In Hollywood and other big film-making nations like India, patriotism is a commonly used, commercially lucrative storytelling trope. Even a romance has a few patriotic scenes.
Santoshi Maa: The celluloid goddess – Ruchika Sharma – How an unexpected hit in the 1970s catapulted a minor local goddess to national fame.. The mythological, being unique to Indian cinema, is also its founding genre. Starting with Dadasaheb Phalke’s 50-minute silent movie Raja Harishchandra (1913), mythologicals dominated the silver screen before Independence. Their numbers began to dwindle post-1947, and by the 1970s, they had been relegated to the B-circuit….This was until Jai Santoshi Maa, a low-budget movie featuring unknown actors, became one of the highest grossing films of 1975, alongside Sholay and Deewar.
Here, Have Some Chutney! – Chutney is a fusion of Indian and Caribbean music that was born in the mid-20th century. Wikipedia specifically mentions that the people who created chutney music had ancestors in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh…. [the post has presented several video clips that gives enough idea about the subject….]
As we could not cover articles form Scroll.in last month, we have a deluge of articles that have to be accommodated in our episodes. This month also our episode seems to be bordering on being too verbose. So, we will need to take them up in smaller groups in our forthcoming issues.
We have covered solo songs of two of the five principal male playback singers – G M Durrani + Talat Mahmood – for the year 1949.
Today we will listen to solo songs of Surendra as well those by ‘the other’ male playback singers, before we take two really significant players for the year – Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi.
Solo Songs of Surendra
Not so predominantly as Suraiya does on the female singer side, Surendra continues to hold the flag of singing star high enough on the male side for the current year.
Main To Hun Udaas – Kamal – S D Burman – Prem Dhawan
‘Best songs of 1950: And the winners are?’ very interestingly notes that the year is noteworthy for the number of voices that sang for Raj Kapoor. That in deed calls for a post exclusively dedicated to these songs. We have covered here solo as well as duet songs.
The world is too small? or Is it? 