Naushad – The world is too small? or Is it?

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : July 2022

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director

Second Five-Year Period: 1949 -1953

Many historians of Hindi Film Music consider the year 1949 as the transition year when HFM can be positively seen to be entering era of Golden Period, with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi, the two major singers of Golden Era, occupying the undisputed center stage. One indicator which perhaps validates this hypothesis is presence of more and more music directors who remained active during the Golden period in so far as the duets of Mohammad Rafi during the presently under consideration 5-year period of 1949 to 1953.

To commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of Mohamad Rafi, we have commenced a series on Mohammad Rafi’s first duet with a music director. Our journey began with the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021. 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.

Presently we will take up the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949 to 1953.

1949

The year has Mohammad Rafi’s duets, almost, in the proportion of 2: 1 as compared the solos. Even with the Mohammad Rafi duets with two music directors for the year 1949 not available for these two music directors, we have been able to cover 14 music directors in 1949!

As such, we will cover the year 1949 in two parts, to be able to relish the songs thoroughly.

[1]

Naushad had composed first two duets for Mohammad Rafi in 1944 for the film Pahele Aap. Both were Male-Male duets. Naushad has since then deployed Mohaamad Rafi for the male-female duet only during 1949. Even then, in the year 1949, for Andaz, Mohammad Rafi still was not the playback voice for major lead, Dilip Kumar, of the triangle Raj Kapoor and Nargis. However, the film did have two duets wherein Rafi plays back for Raj Kapoor. Of the two Yun To Apas Mein Bigadate Hain Khafa Hote Hain is a light composition, and is retained in the film

Sun To Dil Ka Afsana – Andaz – with Lata Mangeshkar – Naushad – Majarooh Sultanpuri

This song was finally not included in the film

Naushad had two more films in 1949 Chadani Raat and Dulari. Chandani Raat had three Rafi-Shamshad Begum duets – Chhin Ke Dil KyuN Pher Li Aankhein, Kaise Baje Dil Ki Sitar and Khabar Kya Thi Ki Gham Khana Padega whereas Dulari has two Rafi -Lata duets Mil Mil Ke Gayenge Do Dil Yahaan and Raat Rangili Mast Nazare Geet Sunaye Chand Sitare. The first two duets of Chandani Rat and both the Dulari duets had become quite popular.

Husnlal Bhagatram had as many as five duets and five triads for Rafi 1949 over. Of these we have picked up one duet with Suraiya, and one triad with Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt, so that we get as many duets / duets+ songs different the co-singers.

Aataa Hai Zindgi Mein Bhala Pyar Kis Tarha – Baalam – with Suraiya – Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi

I had not heard this song before, but once I did, I liked it even though it has many strapping of vintage era. Of course, Rafi sounds his normal – what we get to hear in the 50s and Suraiya is, as always, so sweet to listen to.

Husnlal Bhagatram have two more duets with Suraiya, for the film Naach – Ae Ishq Hamein Barbad Na Kar (Lyrics: Sharshar Sailani) and Chhaya Sama Suhana (Lyrics: Kaif Irfani).

‘Jaltarang’ had one duet with Lata Mangeshkar – Zara Tumne Dekha To Pyar Ho Gaya (Lyrics: Kaif Irfani) and one with Shamshad Begum – Musafir Sada Geet Gaye Chala Chal (Lyrics: Sudarshan Faakir)

And now triads:

Lab Pe Fariyad Hai Dil Barbad Hai – Naach – with Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: Mulk Raj Bhakri

It may not be inaccurate to assume that the dancing singers may be performing a street dance, because in (only) Hindi films these people can so accurately read the thought of the protagonist’s mind and put them in words on his /her behalf. The hero sems to perform the soliloquy of spelling out his mind, perhaps on the push by the force of the line these dancers sing. Even as hero is in pensive mood and the two female actresses sing in a very energetic mood, the song was well received in those days. Rafi goes in hyper-drive tone at the end!

It would be interesting to see the way the song would have been filmed.

Two other triads in the film were Kyun Karata Maan Jawani Ka (with Lata and Geeta Dutt; Lyrics: Mulk Raj Bhakri) and Namaste Ji Namaste Ji Hamara Tumhara Jeevan Beete Hansate (with Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali; Lyrics: Nazim Panipati).

For the songs of Hamari Manzil, HFGK mentions Geeta Dutt and Mohammad Rafi and chorus as singers for Badla Hua Duniya Mein Ulfat Ka Zamana Hai, Woh Aur Zamana Tha Ye Aur Zamana Hai and Geeta Dutt, Mohammad Rafi and other voice for Andhere Se Na Dar Kaante Banegi KaliyaN, but both these songs have S D Batish as third singer.

Shyam Sundar is widely credited with offering Mohammad Rafi his first ever song, a triad, in the Hindi films, that for Gaon Ki Gori (1945). Presently we have Shyam Sundar composing two duets for Rafi, both with Lata Mangeshkar, a triad – Chhalla De Ja Nishani Teri Meharbani (with Shamshad Begum and Satish Batra: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi) for Bazaar.

Ae Mohabbat Unse Milne Ka Bahana Ban Gaya – Bazar – Lyrics: Qamar Jalabadi

This as well as the other duet Apni Nazar Se Door Woh should rank among the finest duets by Rafi and Lata.

Haaye Yeh Bholi Suratwale – Chaar Din – with S D Batish, Iqbal, Rajkumari, Lata Mangeskar, Johrabai Ambalewali – Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

This hexad is essentially composed in qawwali style.

Hanuman Prasad is also well-known music director vintage era.

Jale Jalaane Wale Humko Jaise Mombatti – Chilman – with Mukesh – Lyrics: P L Santoshi

Two friends merrily laugh away the world’s critical view of their carefree way of living.

What a coincidence! 1949 has one more Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh duet

Snehal Bhatkar is the music director who has composed that Mohammad Rafi – Mukesh duet.

Baat To Kuchh Bhi Nahin Dil Hai Ki Bhar Aaya Hai – Thes – with Mukesh – Lyrics: Kedar Sharma

Mukesh is assigned the pathos part of the song and Rafi with the role of counseling him!

We will take up the rest of 1949’s Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song with eight other Music Directors in our December 2022 episode.

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.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: July 2021

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 1944-1946

To commemorate the memory of Mohammad Rafi on his birth anniversary, December 24, 1924, @ Kotla Sultan, Sindh and death anniversary, July 31, 1980 @ Mumba, we have had taken up Mohammad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director, from December 2016 till 2020. The present series of Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song with the Music Director is the natural follow-on series.

The series is quite simple at its core. Mohammad Rafi’s exceptionally long career is divided in five-year periods, pick up the first ever association with music director(s) in the chronological order in that five-year slot and then pick up the first film which has the first duet song of the music-director – Rafi combination. If the film has more than one duets, then we take up the least heard one for a closer look and take note of the others. The primary focus would be male-female duet, but we will take due note of first male-male duet or even triads from that combination if and as and when they come up in later years. We will limit the scope of the present series till the year 1969.

I do not have any pretense of evaluating influence of different music director on Mohammad Rafi’s singing style or the contribution of each other to the furtherance of each other’s careers Our goal is quite simple: refresh our memories of Mohammad Rafi’s fading-from-the-memory-duet-songs and bring them on one page and enjoy them on the call.

1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948

That Mohammad Rafi’s talent was first taken note of in 1937 in public function whereat he sang for K L Saigal, his initial introduction with music director Shyam Sundar are now a matter of folklore. Shyam Sundar recorded the first ever film song of Mohammad Rafi in Punjabi film Gul Baloch (which was released in 1944) in 1942. As is well-known now, that was a duet, with Zeenat Begum – Pardesi…Sohneys Oye Heeriye Oye. The song had become an instant hit, well before the film was released. The records also show that that film had one more duet, composed by Dhani Ram, with Munnavar Sultana – Achhanve – too.

1944

Once Mohammad Rafi reached Bombay (as it was then known) from Lahore, after Shyam Sundar gave him an introduction letter, the way Mohammad Rafi could meet Naushad are the events very vividly covered in Mohammad Rafi’s biographies. For the purpose of our present series, the story begins after Mohammad Rafi got his first break in Hindi films under Naushad, which happened to be a chorus song – Hindustan Ke Hai Hum, Hai Hindustan Hamara; record # GE3416 – in the company of Shyamkumar, Allauddin Naved and B. M. Vyas in the film Pahele Aap.

The year 1944 has one more landmark in Mohammad Rafi’s personal life- his marriage with Bilquis Bano.

Naushad’s association with Mohammad Rafi took some time before it turned into a Fevicol bond. Naushad–Mohammad Rafi combination has yielded around 149 songs to the Hindi film industry.

Tum Dilli Main Agre, Mere Dil Se Nikale Haye Fasla Sau Kos Ka, Humane Sawan Bito Jaaye – Pahle Aap– with Shyam Kumar – Lyrics: D N Madhok – Music: Naushad Ali [Record # GE3419]

A close listening to the lyrics indicates that Mohammad Rafi seems to be singing for an actor who plays a female role in this nautanki song.

We will make an exception here and listen to another duet from this film –

Ek Bar Unhein Mila De, Phir Meri Tauba Maula… Ab To Lagi Booja De, Phir Meri Tauba Maula – Pahele Aap– with Shyam Kumar – Lyrics: D N Madhok – Music: Naushad Ali [Record # GE3417/19]

Mohammad Rafi seems to have been given a second fiddle in comparison to more experience Shyam Kumar, but that has not deterred the budding singer a bit.

1945

We have four music directors opening their relationships of duets with Mohammad Rafi in the year 1945.

Shyam Sundar is always remembered for his meticulous choices of instruments (Kis Tarah Bhoolega Dil; Gaon Ki Gori, 1945), wonderful composition (Mausam Aaya Hai Rangeen; Dholak, 1951) and choice of singers (Saajan Ki GaliyaN Chhod Chale; Bazar, 1949).

Jab Dil Ho Kaabu Mein to Dildar Ki Aisi Taisi… Tauba Tauba Husn Ke Sarkar Ki Aisi Taisi.. – Gaon Ki Gori, a.k.a. Village Girl – with G M Durrani, an unknown male singer – Lyrics: – Wali Sahab – Music: Shyam Sundar

This song is on record number GE3596, i.e. later in then the Pahle Aap songs here above, but is widely considered as Mohammad Rafi’s first Hindi film song.

Incidentally, during his very initial years, G M Durrani was Mohammad Rafi’s role model for singing. As fate would have it, it was Mohammad Rafi who played back to GM Durrani in Unke Khayal Aaye To Aate Chale Gaye (Lal Paththar, 1971; Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shanker Jaikishan)!

H P Das (1905 – 1989) was one of the leading Bangla music directors who was successful in Hindi films as well.

Dil Diye Chalein… Hum Jiye Chalein Aise – Begum – with Mohantara Ajinkya – Lyrics: G S Nepali – Music – H P Das

We have a very pleasant, fast-paced song. Mohammad Rafi sounds so young.

Gobind Ram was a versatile music director of 40s. He is considered to have great influence in shaping the Hindi film music of 40s.

Chhoti Si Ek Banaayenge Naiyya… Khud Hi Banenge Us Ke Khewaiya – Hamara Sansar – with Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai – Lyrics: Ramesh Gupta – Music: Govind Ram

Mohammad Rafi sings in lower scale to begin with then raises the scale to higher octave.

Asides: Mohammad Rafi acted in a cameo role in Laila Majnu song Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha (with S D Batish and chorus; Lyrics: Tanvir Naqvi- Music: Gobind Ram)

Alla Rakha (a.k.a. A R Qureshi) would need any introduction to those who have even rudimentary exposure to the classical music. He was basically the famous tabla player, who composed music for around 30 films between 1943 and 1958.

Topi Wale Babu Ne Dil Chheena Re Mora Man – Kul Kalank – with Amirbai Karnataki – Lyrics: Roopbani – Music: A R Qureshi

For relatively new entrant, Mohammad Rafi exudes fair amount of confidence.

1946

Mohammad Rafi’s career wagon seems to be picking up the momentum, wih 8 muisc directors using his voice for the duets.

Firoz Nizami was the first music director who gave Rafi popularity in Lahore by offering him a chance to sing for AIR at its Lahore radio station.

Main Jab Chhedun Prem Tarana Naache Mere Saath Jhamana– Amar Raj – with Mohantara Ajinkya – Lyrics: Pandit Fani – Music : Firoz Nizami

Interestingly HFGK mentions ‘other singer’ to accompany Mohantara Ajinkya. Shri Sudhir Kapur explored the matter in details and what comes out is truly unbelievable. The details can be read@ Main jab gaaun geet suhaanaa

Asides: It would be opportune to enlist the song on the side 2 of that fateful record GE3795 – a solo by Mohammad Rafi

S Quereshi is not a familiar name among the music directors.

Macha Di Dhoom Duniya Mein Islaam Ke Deewanon Ne – Arab Ka Sitara – with Ameerbai Karanataki – Lyrics: Shewan Rizvi – Music: S Quereshi

HFGK does not have names of the singers identified for the songs of the film. I have selected the song from one of the highly authentic-considered spreadsheet compilations of Mohammad Rafi’s filmography by Mauveen. However, when we listen to the song, female voice is accompanying in mukhada and then is part of the chorus, only. So, for all practical purposes, the song is a Mohammad Rafi solo only.

Shankar Rao Vyas was a classically trained vocalist and musician. He had 35 Hindi, 5 Marathi and 3 Gujarati films to his credit in the career spanning 1937 to 1955.

Naino Se Mad Madira Pilaakar Tumne Humein Deewana – Ghunghat – with Nirmala – Lyrics: Ramesh Gupta – Music: Shankar Rao Vyas

We have here a romantic song that begins in form of exchange of dialogue that is acceptance of mutual love.

S N Tripathi[1] who worked under the baton of legendary Saraswati Devi was a versatile artist a music director, director, and actor.

Jai Hind…Ye Hind Ki Kahaniyan… Sansar Ke Itihas Ki Ye Hai Amar Kahaniya – Mansarovar – with Geeta Dutt, Binapani Mukhrjee – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Dipak – Music: SA N Tripathi

HFGK lists the singers as ‘Chorus’ only. However, Geetadutt.com and other reliable sites mention Geeta Dutt and Beenapani Mukherjee as co-singers along with chorus.

Premnath has had formal training of music in his formative years. Rangbhoomi is his maiden film as an independent music director. He has given four songs to Mohammad Rafi, one with chorus and three duets with Shamshad Begum.

Khud Samajh Lo Iletajha Kya Hai, Hum Hi Keh De To Phir Maza Kya Hai – Rangbhoomi – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Arzoo Lakhanavi – Music Premnath

Mohammad Rafi sings in a typical vintage era style here.

Other duets are: Aag Lagi Tan Man Dhan Sab Mein Narak Bhayo Sansaar (with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Arzoo Lakhanvi) does not seem to be available on YT and Jo Aage Badhe Use Peechhe Hata Do with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Pandit Fani) – a second part of the Rafi and Chorus song Sue Manzil Badhaye Chala Chal. – is available together in one clip@ https://youtu.be/KHAk87nu8w8

Hanuman Prasad is known mostly for the discovery of Geeta Roy, when she was 16, and gave her few lines in foiur songs of film Bhakta Prahlad (1946). He is also director of the present film, Raseeli.

Dil Mujhko Jalaata Hai Main Dil Ko Jalaati Hun – Raseeli – with Shamshad Begum- Lyrics: Hanuman Prasad – Music: Hanuman Prasad

Here is the song that is inherently poignant, as Rafi and Shamashad render it in low octaves. It must have been quite an experience to the budding Rafi!

The film has another Shamshad – Rafi duet, Yah Nayan Kyun Sharma Gaye (Lyrics: Gaafil Harnaalvi) where Rafi can be heard in early raw tone.

Bulo C Rani is a leading vintage era music director.

Jaao Jaao Na Bolungi Main Accha Ji Hato Hato – Saalgirah – with Kaumudini Deekshit , an unknow female singer – Lyrics: Wali Sahab – Music: Bulo C Rani

This a mischievous mood romantic song, where Mohammad Rafi indulges in music-director guided ‘harkats’ of interrupting with Aisa Kya and all. In the later years, Mohammad Rafi was known to do so spontaneously to make the songs lively.

Taufil Farooqi (1916-1988) is fondly recalled as creator of the original Zumka Gira Re (Dekhoji, 1947 – Shamsahd Begum).

Baithe Hain Tere Dar Par Kuchh Karke Uthenge – Sona Chandi – with Shamshad Begum – Wali Sahab – Music: Taufil Farooqui

This can be considered maiden Chhed Chaad song for Mohammad Rafi.

We will make an exception to include another duet –

Man Ki Suni Nagariya Suhani Bani – Sona Chandi – with Amirbai Karnataki – Lyrics: Khawar JamaN – Music: Taufil Farooqui

Here we have a totally romantic duet. Mohammad Rafi quite easily matches sur-by-sur with experienced Amirbai.

We will take up Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet with a Music Director for the years 1947 and 1948, of the First Five-Year Period: 1944-1948, in our December 2021 episode.

[1] S N Tripathi’s Unremembered Songs from 1941 to 1968

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – May 2021

Welcome to May 2021 edition of IX^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

We pay our tribute to Vanraj Bhatia who left for heavenly abode on 07.05.2021.

Vanraj Bhatia dies at 93, He was best known for the music of films such as Ankur, 36 Chowringhee Lane and TV show Tamas, has passed away at the age of 93. The veteran music composer was battling poor health and financial constraints.

‘An Indian film without songs is meaningless’ – Jyoti Punwani draws memories from her interviews with the legendary composer – Vanraj Bhatia himself explained what made his music so unique…. “The first duty of music is to express the film’s texture, and the second is to be able to stand on its own feet. It must be absolutely perfect,” he said…. “When I compose, I make the music matter in the film, even if the director pushes it into the background. Like my teacher would say, you must speak the same language as everybody else, but infinitely better.”

When Vanraj Bhatia asked me to mail his opera DVD and resume to the world’s major opera houses – Luis Dias – In an interview in early 2013, the great music composer professed to me his love affair with opera and shared his earnest hopes.

Night Music for Solo Flute (Rachel Woolf) by Vanraj Bhatia

Legacy Of The Enigmatic Vanraj Bhatia – Sunil Sampat – On the occasion of a felicitation of Bhatia at the NCPA in March 2017, Zakir Hussain said, “Vanraj Bhatia is India’s greatest ever composer. Period.”

Vanraj Bhatia’s extraordinary, multi-faceted oeuvre – Ranjit Hoskote – The composer’s transcultural experiments were always intense and persuasive.

I have always liked Vanraj Bhatia’s interview with Irfan, of Rajya Sabha TV – Guftagoo with Vanraj Bhatia for his candid views. The song that Vanraj Bhatia refers to @22.48 is Barse Ghan Saari Raat – Tarang (1984) – Lata Mangeshkar – Vanraj Bhatia – Raghuvir Sahay

It’s a long narrative number describing a deserted wife’s desolation. About the song, Lataji recalls, “It was one of the most difficult and complex songs of my career. [Ref: Vanraj Bhatia’s CHALLENGE for Lata Mangeshkar – SUBHASH K JHA]. The story that is connected with the song is also narrated by Harish Bhimani in In Search of Lata Mangeshkar’ (1955, Harper-Collins, ISBN 81-7223-183-0) – excerpted as hereunder, as a footnote on page 102 – “Composer Vanraj Bhatia rushed in excitedly….exclaiming, “(Lata) Bai stayed back yesterday to listen to my recording !”……”….The intent of this passage is that Lata Mangeshkar, who never waited to check back on her recording, was keen to know how the song was recorded.

We now move on to other tributes and memories:

The Masters: Majrooh Sultanpuri – Majrooh’s simple turns of phrase expressed the most profound emotions. With more than 6,000 songs in over 300 films to his credit, Majrooh’s poetry traversed the gamut from the soulfully romantic to philosophical, cynical and devotional.

Remembering Bulo C Rani who debuted as independent music director in Pagli Duniya (1944).

Remembering Naushad: The music director beyond compare – Ajay Mankotia – Naushad passed away on May 5, 2006 – 15 years ago. But old masters never die. The music lovers and connoisseurs still adore him.

India’s DeMille: Remembering Mehboob Khan on his 57th death anniversary – Shaikh Ayaz – We know him as the ambitious maker behind Bollywood’s greatest ode to Indian womanhood (1957’s Mother India) and perhaps as the founder of Mumbai’s iconic Mehboob Studio. But Mehboob Khan was more than that.

‘Teesri Kasam’ was the perfect meeting of minds between Phanishwarnath Renu and Shailendra – Phaniswarnath Renu had named his youngest daughter Waheeda Rehman, after the actor who played the lead in Teesri Kasam.

Dattaram Part 1: Under the shadow of big banyan tree with songs of Mukesh and Manna Dey – Even as several of Dattaram;s songs with Mukesh and Manna Dey have had large following, Dattaram was not limited Mukesh And Manna Dey.

Kaif Irfani – A Forgotten name – Here is his very popular, romantic song Dil Tujhe Diya Tha Rakhane Ko – Malhar (1951) Mukesh / Music – Roshan

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

Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s story is as much about friendship as it is about their tunes – Ganesh Vancheeswaran – The 1963 B grade film, Parasmani set the tone for an unprecedented 35-year-long run for Laxmikant-Pyarelal, in which they offered 3,000-odd songs they composed in about 500 films.

Pyarelal (left) and Laxmikant. Courtesy Rajeshwari Laxmikant.

Ban Mein Bahar Aa Gayee, Man Mein Umang Chaa Gayi – Balwant Singh was born in 1918.He got his break aas a singer, for Bomaby Talkies’ film Jeevan Prabhat (1937).. Here is his duet with Devika Rani from the film – Tum Meri Tum Mere Saajan (Music – Saraswati Devi = Lyrics: J S Kashyap).

Digging (Into) the ’60s and early ’70s Songs of Usha Uthup/Iyer – Usha Uthup has a very special voice as far as Indian film singers go, a bit lower and thicker even than many western female singers’, and it often has a certain unusually appealing hoarseness too. before she sang in Hare Rama Hare Krishna for R.D. Burman, she got a role singing as part of a Shankar-Jaikishan soundtracks in Bombay Talkie (1971) – Hari Om Tat Sat and Good Times and Bad Times..

May 2021 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Manna Dey – Chale Ja Rahein Hai…. 1954 – 1955. Till now we have covered his songs for the year(s)

1942 – 1946 in our 2018 issue,

1947-1950 in the 2019 episode, and

1951 – 1953 in the 2020 episode.

When Rafi sang for Hanuman, Manna for Ravan… – On the legendary Manna Dey’s 102nd birth anniversary, Subhash K Jha traced an interview he had done with Mannada way back in 1997.

We now move on to songs on other subjects –

Romantic Songs with a Third Person – These are songs where apart from the couple in love, there is someone else in the frame – either obtrusively or unobtrusively

Here’s A Vintage Pic Of Raj Kapoor And Wife Krishna –

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

Sharada: Of love that is beyond labels – Starring Meena Kumari and Raj Kapoor, LV Prasad’s Sharada is the kind of romance that makes you question your understanding of love, and how meaningful relationships can exist, even with the strangest labels.
Awara: Of nature vs nurture – Starring Raj Kapoor, Nargis and Prithviraj, Awara is set in an era where climbing out of the vicious cycle of poverty was near impossible, and strangely enough, times haven’t changed much in the last 70 years.

The Catch-22 Songs which juxtapose options and thus, present dilemmas. Some are frivolous whereas the others are weighty.

Composers sing for themselves: Ten songs are the songs where a composer actually recorded—and it was included in the film in question—a song in his/her own voice

Anand Bakshi on his legacy as a film lyricist: ‘My songs will beat just as our heart beats’ – An excerpt from a biography, Nagme, Kisse, Baatein, Yaadein – The Life & Lyrics of Anand Bakshi, Rakesh Anand Bakshi, Penguin Random House India, of the songwriter whose career in Hindi cinema spanned six decades.

Rabindra Sangeet in Films: 10 Songs – Sankhayan Ghosh presents a range of songs, from the obvious to the not-so-obvious to the innovative.

Regional Star, Hindi Also-Ran: Ten Actors, Ten Songs –who, for some reason or the other, never could make it big in Hindi cinema.

‘क्या भूलूँ क्या याद करूँ’ – a journey into what one wants to forget and what to remember.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, each one of which basically has a link with the topics discussed in the present post.

Tum Hase To Gam Sharmaya – Dana Pani (1953) – with Shamshad Begum – Mohan Junior – Kaif Irfani

Aate Jaate Aankh Bachana ..Haye Re Tera Jawaab Nahin – Mehbooba (1954) – with Shamshad Begum – OP Nayyar – Majrooh Sultanpuri

Mujhe Jag Ki Bana De Malika, Phir Malik Ban Mere Man Ka – Dark Street (1961) – with Suman Kalyanpur – Dattaram – Gulshan Bawra

Shokhiyan Nazar Mein Hain – Aasra (1966) – Laxmikant Pyarelal – Annad Bakshi

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

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

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – January 2021

Welcome to January 2021 edition of IX^th Volume of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

The year 2021 opened on a very unusual note for Blog World of Hindi Film Music with a post Hans Akela: A song that stood tall amid the ruins on SoY. Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli presents the songs that are only the surviving link to the memory of the film. The song is then “Hans Akela“ which is still floating freely, liberated from the mortal debris of the film.

And of course, a post on 26^th January – Republic Day: Reading between the lyrics of five patriotic Hindi film songs – The better and more enduring ones of this gnre, however, make room for other sentiments – celebration with caution, pride tinged with anxiety, a love for the country that is firm but not blind.

We now move on to other tributes and memories:

Boss of Bombay Talkies: How Devika Rani fought innuendo and personal tragedy to get back on her feet – Kishwar Desai presents Edited excerpts from a biography – The Longest Kiss: The Life and Times of Devika Rani, Westland Books – of the movie star and pioneering studio owner.

Mahendra Kapoor: The playback singer who did not need a sound system – Ajay Mankotia – January 9, 2021 was the 86th birth anniversary of the singer who owned the bastion of patriotic and religious songs in Bollywood

Sajjad Husain, the ‘Unsung’ Maestro – Rajan NS – Sajjad Husain was a priceless asset to Hindi film music but could not get the recognition that was his due, despite his prodigious talent.

The Masters: Naushad Ali – After a few forays into working as an instrumentalist in films, Naushad got his first big break when music director Khemchand Prakash took him on as an assistant. It was 1940 before he got his first film as an independent composer – Prem Nagar, for which, Naushad says, he did a lot of research on the folk music of Kutch. Soon, other films followed, but it was with Rattan (1944) that Naushad first tasted success.

The Unlucky Genius N Datta: His songs for ‘other’ singers is a rounding-off article after Hans Jakhar ‘s articles on N Datta’s principal singers, Asha Bhosle and Rafi

The Masters: C Ramchandra – Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was born on January 12^th 1918 and died on January 5^th 1982. His debut in Hindi films, as an independent music director was in Jeevan (1942), on the strength of his bond with Master Bhagwan. While the film only did average business, the music was appreciated, and Ramchandra had his foot in the door in the Hindi film industry as well. Bhagwan and he would collaborate professionally on a further 15 films.

Rafi sings for Chitragupt – Part 1 is the solo songs whereas part II is his duets.

How Guru Dutt became the reluctant hero of his masterpiece ‘Pyaasa’ – Excerpted with permission from Guru Dutt – An Unfinished Story, Yasser Usman, Simon & Schuster India.

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

Ae Nargis e Mastana – Remembering Sadhana on her 5^th anniversary on 25^th December.

My favourite ‘Rafi-Suman Kalyanpur’ duets is a tribute to Suman Kalyanpur on her 84^th birthday. Here is one duet that I have picked up as my choice, and the other one is at then end of this episode –

Zara Thehro Ji Abdul Gafaar – Satta Bazaar (1959) – Kalyanji Anandji – Hasrat Jaipuri

January 2021 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs takes up Jaidev: Brilliant, But Underrated, Composer: 1972-1973 that covers Jaidev’s music in films Bhavna, Maan Jaaiye (both in 1972) and Prem Parbat (1973). We have covered, the years –

In 2018, we listened to his songs from the most successful films phase of 1955 to 1963.
In 2019, we listened to his more remembered songs from his less remembered films for 1964 to 1970, and
in 2020, we listened to highly appreciated songs from the films that did not succeed in 1971

in the form of our commemorative annual series in the month of Jaidev’s death anniversary month.

We will now take up the articles on other subjects:

Film Songs Based on Classical Ragas (14) – The Melodious Trio: Bageshri, Rageshri and Malgunji – Subodh Agrawal – All three ragas are very sweet and pleasant – ideal for shringar rasa. Malgunji is perhaps the sweetest, while Rageshri has a touch of gravity.

Songs of Music (!) explores different facets of music or where music plays a very important role in the song and / or the movie. For example – Manbhaavan Sangeet Suhavan (Chandramukhi, 1960 – Manna Dey – S.N.Tripathi – Bharat Vyas) , a song based on Raag Basant Bahar, is a perfect tribute to music. It refers to the various gods and goddesses who espouse the cause of music,

Heroine introduces herself! follows up on Hero introduces himself!

In the Micro View of Songs of 1945 we have carried forward the micro view of solo songs of Female singers – now in the form of Naseem (Banu) | Naseem Akhtar | Munnavar Sultana, Other female singers – Part I and Part II and the Summing up post on Female Solo songs – My TOP female solo songs. We, then, commenced the Micro View of the Duets for the year 1945 with Duets (+) of Golden Era (Male +) Singers.

In continuation to our tradition of ending the post with a few songs of Mohammad Rafi, each one of which basically has a link with the topics discussed in the present post.

Sambhal Sambhal Kar Jaiyo O Banjare.. Dilhi Door Hai – Saajan (1947) – with Lalita Deulkar, Gereta Roy – C Ramchandra – Ram Murti Chaturvedi

Tum Ho Jaao Hamare, Hum Ho Jaaye Tumhare – Roop Lekha (1949) – with Surinder Kaur – Sajjad Hussain – Khumar Barabankvi

Chhin Ke Pher Li Aankhein Jaan Gaye Ham Jaan Gaye – Chandani Raat (1949) – with Shamsahd Begum – Naushad Ali – Shakel Badayuni

Ghata Mein Chhup Kar….Jo Dil Ki Baat Hai..Nazar Tak AAyee Jaati Hai – Baaz (1953) – with Geeta dutt – O P Nayyar – Majrooh Sultanpuri

Sambahl Ke Baitho Jhara, ChhaoN Mein BaharoN Ki,,,,Chand Hai Taare Bhi Aur Ye Tanhai Bhi – Roop Lekha (1962) – with Suman Kalyanpur – Nashad – Farooq Qaiser

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

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – December 2019

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

First, the major events in December 2019:

Shriram Lagoo (1927-2019): Acting legend and rationalist leaves behind a rich and complex legacy – Damini Kulkarni – The legend of the stage and the screen died in Pune at the age of 92 on 17-12-2019

We also take an opportunity to revisit – The Legend of Dr Shriram Lagoo | Tabassum Talkies

A boy called Yusuf – What would Dilip Kumar, who turned 97 on 11-12-2019, say on the identity debate today?

Ten of my favourite Naushad Songs is a tribute to the memory of Naushad who was born on 25 December 1919.

Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore: Exploring the silver screen journey of two beautiful stars – The two share their birthdays besides having shared a wonderful on-screen chemistry.

Happy Birthday Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore! – Here are films featuring the pair – Subhash K Jha recounts, Anupama (1966), Devar (1966), Satyakam (1969), Yakeen (1969), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Chupke Chupke (1975), Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975), Sunny (1984) as the 8 films the duo have done together.

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music, December, 2018

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

We will take up posts dedicated to commemorate 112^th birthdate of Prthviraj Kapoor.as THE topic for December, 2018.

इस एक्टर को कहा जाता है बॉलीवुड का भीष्म पितामह, एक ही फिल्म में दिखा दी थी 3 पीढ़ी – He acted in a supporting role in India’s first talkie-film Alam Ara in 1931

In an video interview, Sanjana Kapoor on Prithviraj Kapoor and his Theatre Legacy

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Remembering Prithviraj Kapoor on his 111th birth anniversary – was an excellent photo memor by Indian Express

We now move on to other birthday/ death anniversary posts for the month:

It is but expected that Mohammad Rafi is remembered so fondly in the month of his birthday.-

Mohammad Rafi – A God-gifted voice.

Rafi’s best duets by Madan Mohan

Shakeel-Naushad: Classy Confluence, Seamless Flow – 1 – Shakeel Badayuni is considered to be one of the finest romantic poets of the previous century. And Naushad among the monarchs of Hindi film music. When they teamed up, the result was classic! Vijay Kumar pays a tribute to this inimitable confluence with an exploration of the music and poetry they created together.

Remembering my father and the legend Madan Mohan – In response to SoY invitation, Sangeeta Gupta, the eldest daughter of Madan Mohan, joins in contributing a guest article on Madan Mohan’s songs ‘with other singers’ as a touching finale to the tandem series on Roshan and Madan Mohan on SoY.

Happy Birthd Usha Mangeshkar! And Usha Mangeshkar – II are the posts in tribute to her 83^rd birthday. The former lists her Hindi and Marathi solo songs whereas the latter lists her duets.

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

Singer Mohammed Aziz No More , born 2^nd July, 1954, Mohammad Aziz’s maiden Hindi Film song was Mard Tangewaala main hoon

Songs ‘sung’ by people with disabilities: my favourites, lists some superb songs ‘sung’ by people with disabilities to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

December, 2018 episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs is dedicated to Mohammad Rafi’s First Song with a Music Director’s 3^rd Five Year period’s year 1956.. The corresponding post for years 1954 and 1955 was published on 8 July, 2018, and for the solo songs of tears 1957 and 1958 is published on 24 December, 2018. All the three separately posted posts of Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1954 -1958 can be accessed at / downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink.

And, now the posts on other subjects:

The ‘Radio Songs’ from Hindi films are the songs that have radio to a major extent. The song can be the one which is being played on radio and is also seen being recorded too.

Chariots of Verse – The older generations rues the Axial Age of our cinema, mainly the middle 1940s to the late 1960s, when cinema and music reached heights of excellence that seem unachievable today. That age was exemplified not just by a wide range of words used, but by the high use of imagery too…Sometimes, songwriters of that time used different words or sentence structures to express essentially the same idea, like he lyrics-writer Anjaan said Teri aankh mein wo kamaal hai (Rafi/Mr India, 1961).. There are many thoughts—more or less of the same kind—that have been offered differently in 3 or more songs, even if it’s sometimes the same poet in two songs. The post engages with such poetic chariots of 3 poems with similar attributes:

The Great Horse Beat Songs of Bollywood resonates in our memories even today thanks to some of the great songs composed on that rhythm.

Musically Yours, 1963: Part 3 – This is Part 3, following up Part 1 and Part 2 in a 4-part series of essays, exploring the Hindi film music of 1963, the year of birth of the writer Monica Kar. In a personal tribute to composers who gave music that makes its presence felt even after 55 years, Monica Kar explores the enduring magic of three composer-duos – Shankar Jaikishan, Kalyanji-Anandji and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Ten of my favourite Bharat Vyas songs lists the songs of Bharat Vyas to pay tribute in the centenary year of his birth.

If it’s a Harp, This Could be a Woman – there is a musical instrument that is mostly associated with women, and it’s an ancient instrument too, so for observation’s sake, its history can be studied in some detail. The instrument is called the harp, whose early shape was inspired by the curve of the hunting bow. It now comes in many shapes, but in all of them, it has a charming appearance. The post lists songs featured on women with harp.

Mann Kyun Behka – Utsav – Midnight Musings Aditi and Vasantsena in Utsav (1985) bonding over their love for Charudutta share their feelings in this duet..

Two of a kind lists humkhayaal thoughts from different minds, which make a subject for a fascinating study, for example:

Jab bhi jee chaahe nayi duniya basa lete hain log
Ek chehre pe kayi chehre laga lete hain log – Lata Mangeshkar – Daag, 1973) – Laxmikant Pyarelal

And, across the border in Pakistan, the wonderfully-voiced Mehdi Hassan had rendered something similar in Saza (1969), to the poetry of Qateel Shifai:

Jab bhi chaahen ik nayi surat bana lete hain log
Ek chehre pe kayi chehre saja lete hain log

Jogi Jab Se Tu Aaya – Bandini – Under The Spell is the song that Love makes its presence felt and before you know it, you are under the spell.

SoY concluded Best songs of 1947: And the winners are? With the concluding piece Best songs of 1947: Final Wrap Up 4 adjudging Naushad and C Ramchandra as joint winners.

Micro View of Best songs of 1947: And the winners are? with the Duets of 1947, All the episodes of The Micro View of Best Songs of 1947 can be read / downloaded from one file, by clicking on the hyper link.

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

Woh Hum Na The Woh Tum Na The – Cha Cha Cha (1964) – Iqbal Qureshi – Neeraj

Maya Ka Aanchal Jale – Kinare Kinare (1964)– With Usha Mangeshkar, – Jaidev – Nyay Sharma

Baman Ho Ya Jaat – Karigar (1958) – C Ramchandra -Bharat Vyas

Pihu Pihu Karat Papiha – Baiju Bawra 1952) – Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni

Ankhon Pe Bharosa Mat Kar Duniya Jadoo Ka Khel Hai – Detective (1958) – With Sudha Malhotra – Mukul Roy – Shailendra

I wish that 2019 remains resonant with chimes of success and happiness for you and your family.

P.S. : All episodes of our blog carnival of articles and posts on Hindi film Songs for the year 2018 can be accessed at / downloaded from in single file by clicking Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – 2018.

“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

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

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

December, 2017 in any case has several anniversary / birth dates of people connected with HFM.

This month, Shashi Kapoor bade farewell to this mundane world. That would have led to Muhammad Rafi’s birthday, in the presence of Shashi Kapoor in the heaven. The first time it happened in Yeh Dil Kisko Doon (music : Iqbal Qureshi, Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi) in 1963, a black and white film by K Mishra, that had over half a dozen songs from Mohammad Rafi. Here are the duets:

Phir Aane Laga Wo Pyar Ka Alaam – with Usha Khanna
Kitni Haseen Ho Tum – with Asha Bhosle
Jab Tak Duniya Rahi, Tera Naam Mera Naam – with Asha Bhosle
Kya Hua Agar Maine Ishq Ka Izahaar Kiya – with Asha Bhosle

I have recalled the solos at the end of the present post.

Here are some other tributes to Shashi Kapoor:

Meet the Shashi Kapoor no one knows!
Traversing the Two Worlds of Mainstream and Art: Shashi Kapoor’s Unexampled Journey – Antara Nanda Mondal – Shashi Kapoor carved out a one-of-a-kind path in Indian cinema, traversing the worlds of mainstream cinema as well as parallel films and international ventures with determination and dexterity.
7 Films That Prove Shashi Kapoor Was Way Ahead of His Time –Khalid Mohammed looks back at a collection of the actor’s and producer’s way-ahead-of-the-times films, when it was still possible to fly over the cuckoo’s nest: Dharmnputra (1961) | Sidhdharta (1972) | Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1977) | Kalyug (1980) | New Delhi Times (1984) | Utsav (1984) | Sammie and Rsie Get Laid (1994)
Not just a matinee idol: Shashi Kapoor diversified his career so much that no one type could take hold – Beth Watkins –
Handsome he was, but there was much more to Shashi Kapoor – Nimish Dubey – Shashi Kapoor was a romantic hero (and occasionally an action-oriented one), but he also did not shy away from playing other roles
How Shashi Kapoor helped Sagar Sarhadi make his acclaimed movie ‘Bazaar’ – Sagar Sarhadi
Shashi Kapoor on Hindi movie songs and their films versus our films – Nasreen Munni Kabir – Excerpts from an archival interview with Shashi Kapoor for the British television series ‘Movie Mahal’.
Shashi Kapoor loses and finds himself in ‘Tum Bin’ from ‘Pyar Ka Mausam’ – Archana Nathan – The RD Burman composition was the theme song of Nasir Hussain’s 1969 family drama, used at every crucial juncture.
The Final Curtain – The author writes: “Five years ago, I wrote an article on Shashi Kapoor saying I didn’t want to ‘remember’ him after he died; I would much rather commemorate his life. And I did. But now, another era has ended with the demise of yet another much-loved actor of the golden age. Perhaps I will review one of his films later, but for now, a quick but sincerely meant tribute.”
Shashi Kapoor: The Cinematic Journey of a Phalke Award Winner by Karan Bali – Shashi Kapoor also was one of the early Indian actor who broke through internationally through his association with several Merchant-Ivory Productions (The Householder (1963), Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Bombay Talkie (1970) and Heat and Dust (1983) among others), besides other films like Siddhartha (1972), Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987), Jinnah (1998) and Side Streets (1998).
A Matter of Innocence (1967) and Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain (1965) are the reviews by Madhulika Liddle in memory of Shashi Kapoor.

Some other December tributes:

Diip Kumar:

The Many Moods of Dilip Kumar – He was a fantastic actor, a man who was equally good at comedy and romance (if you don’t believe me, just watch Beimaan tore nainwa from Tarana) as he excelled at the intense, angst-ridden characters he so often played.

Naushad:

Always Aashiqana With Naushad Ali’s Music presents some of the gems on the maestro’s birth anniversary (25 December)
Aawaz De Kahaan Hai: The Golden Music of Naushad – Naushad’s destiny was written in music, by music to be dedicated to music. Peeyush Sharma, in ‘Silhouette’ pays tribute with a glimpse of his musical journey.
NAUSHAD-Once All of India was crazy about his Melodies. – This master composer first made both Mukesh (Andaz) and Talat Mahmood (Babul) sound surpassingly individualistic on Dilip Kumar He was, near clandestinely, getting Mohammed Rafi ready for the big leap. From his first Anmol Ghadi solo, Tera khilauna toota baalak (1946), to O door ke musafir on Dilip Kumar in Uran Khatola (1955), Rafi came a long, long way, once the Baiju Bawra (above) miracle happened in 1952..

Noor Jehan:

Noor Jehan, the Original ‘Chandni Raatein’ Singer On her 17th death anniversary (23 December), here’s celebrating the incomparable Noor Jehan’s music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIz5cMIXw1Q
The journey of singing great Noor Jehan in Bollywood – Noor Jehan’s last film in India was Mirza Sahiban (1947) which starred Prithviraj Kapoor’s brother Trilok Kapoor.

My Favourites by Shailendra (30 Aug 1927 – 14 Dec 1966), who worked with nearly all music directors ( exceptions being Naushad & O P Nayyar).

Remembering Meena Kapoor, who passed away on 23rd of November 2017. Meena’s last playback singing was for the movie ‘Chhoti Chhoti Baatein’ that was released in 1965 and was also Anil da’s last film as a music director.

Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna: Bappi Lahiri’s Melodious Hits – On 27th November this year Bappi da turns 65. Also, with his first film, Nanha Shikari, released in 1973, he has completed 45 years in this industry as a music director. Peeyush Sharma takes us on a trip down his memorable songs.

Google remembered Mirza Ghalib on 27^th December.

Who is Mirza Ghalib, featured on today’s Google Doodle?

Mirza Ghalib’s 220th birth anniversary: Google Doodle pays tribute to legendary poet

Here are some more posts on this occasion:

Remembering Mirza Ghalib as he turns 220: ‘The world is the body, Delhi its soul’
Famous Mirza Ghalib Lines That Leave Deep Imprints On Heart And Mind
5 heart-warming couplets by the real king of romance, Mirza Ghalib
The debt owed by Gulzar’s lyrics to Mirza Ghalib – Manish Gaekwad – The song ‘Dil Dhoondta Hai’ from the film ‘Mausam’ was inspired from Ghalib’s couplet. In this audio clip, Gulzar and singer Asha Bhonsle decode the song.

Mohammad Rafi has a special place in December on this blog:

We have two parts episode of Fading Memories, Unforgettable Songs for December, 2017 in the memory of Mohammad Rafi. In the series of articles featuring Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song from FIRST film with the Music Director, we have covered years 1952-1953, after having covered years 1950-1951 earlier this month and year 1949 earlier this year of the 2^nd five-year-slot of 1949 to 1953.

And then, we have –

Mohammad Rafi Jukebox: Striking the Right Chord Since 1944
‘Main Zindagi Ka Saath’ from ‘Hum Dono’ is a tune from 1961 about 2017 – Nandini Ramnath – An ode to optimism or a recommendation to embrace apathy and compromise?
Ten Songs of Mohd. Rafi We Could Not Include in ‘Gaata Rahe Mera Dil’– Balaji Vittal lists 10 songs of Rafi Sahib that they would have loved to include in their book Gaata Rahe Mera Dil. as his tribute to the iconic singer, exclusively for Silhouette Magazine. Gaata Rahe Mera Dil – 50 Classic Hindi films Songs co-authored by Balaji Vittal and Anirudha Bhattacharjee (published by Harper Collins) had been at the top slot of the Bestseller List and received very positive reviews by the media and readers alike.
Mohammad Rafi-The Voice That Swayed Millions – Rafi was truly a singer for the masses and not for any particular class. His voice appealed to all, the old, young, rich, poor, men and women.

And, now the posts on other subjects:

My Favourite Lullaby Songs – one of the first popular lullby songs from a Hindi movie is ‘So Ja Rajkumari So Ja‘ sung by K L Saigal from Zindagi-1940 (Music by Pankaj Malik). The song is still considered to be an ultimate lori

Ravindra Kelkar has presented three more posts on O P Nayyar @ SoY:

Raj Kapoor: ‘I dream cinema, I breathe cinema and I live cinema’ – Ritu Nanda – An excerpt from a compilation of writings by and about the legendary actor and filmmaker.

Beauties bond over baubles in ‘Mann Kyun Behka’ from ‘Utsav’ – Nandini Ramnath – Rekha and Anuradha Patel are visions to behold in the Laxmikant-Pyarelal song from Girish Karnad’s movie.

Ten of my favourite ‘Unusual Singer’ songs, which means:

(a) That it’s the person who’s lip-syncing to the song (and not the playback singer) who’s unusual…

(b) and unusual because the actor in question is a well-known face, but doesn’t usually lip-sync to songs.

“Nazar Lagi Tore Bangle Par” and Zarina Begum, who was a protégé of Begum Akhtar. Both famously sung a version of “Nazar Lagi Tore Bangle Par” that predated the one in Kala Pani.

In our series Micro View of Best Songs 1948 @SoY of Best songs of 1948: And the winners are? , we completed the third part of Lata Mangeshkar solo songs, and then summed the Female Solo Songs for 1948 with My Top Female Solo Songs and then went on to take up Male- female Duets in the Duets section. We covered the male female duets of Mukesh as well as those of Mohammad Rafi. SoY has concluded the series with Best songs of 1948: Wrap Up 3 and Best songs of 1948: Final Wrap Up 4.

We have placed the articles paying tributes to Mohammad Rafi in the space for the tributes here before in the present article. So we will take up two songs of Mohammad Rafi, form the first film he played back solo for Shashi Kapoor to begin the end of the article:

Ye Dil Kiso Dun – Ye Dil Kisko Dun (1963) – Iqbal Quereshi – Qamar Jalalabadi

Mera Dil Tum Pe Aa Gaya., Mere Pahlu Se Dil Gaya – Ye Dil Kisko Dun (1963) – Iqbal Quereshi – Qamar Jalalabadi

‘The Christmas Celebration in Hindi Films’ picks up the rare, ddelightful Christian characters, which always brought a smile on our lips.

On that note of festive smile, I wish you all a very HAPPY & PRPOSPEROUS 2018 that keeps providing rich music to your Life.

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

Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music – September, 2016

Welcome to September, 2016 edition of Carnival of Blogs on Golden Era of Hindi Film Music.

As always, we first take up posts that focus on memories –

The Many Moods of Meena Kumari – with the exception of sadness – and indeed the listing in the post and in the discussion thereon present Meena Kuamri in so different moods that it now appears she was known more as ‘tragedy queen’.

SoY has already presented OP Nayyar’s songs for Rafi, Mahendra Kapoor and Shamshad Begum. Best songs of Asha Bhosle by OP Nayyar – on her 83^rd birth anniversary (b. 8 September 1933) – now, does succeed in bridging the obvious gap while deftly handling the difficult task of presenting a representative set of songs from 300+ to choose from.

For Noor Jehan’s 90th Birthday, Here’s a Lovely Performance by Her from 40 Years Ago listing of songs (and other things), along with the times in the video when they appear:

0:00                 Awaaz De Kahan Hai
2. 5:06             Talk and Interview
3. 9:17             Sanu Nehar Waley Pul Te Bulake
4. 13:59           Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat
5. 20:04           Chithi Zara Saiyaanji
6. 24:30           Bhoolnewale Se Koi Keh De

Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye – Mukesh’s Hit Songs for Heroes – Peeyush Sharma takes up on a journey through some of Mukesh’s hit songs, which he sang for the reigning heroes or stars of his time, presented in the alphabetical order in the article, in a tribute to the Golden Voice Mukesh. V. Balsara, the music director settled in Calcutta, had (once) commented that one Mukesh song in the film assured that at least one song would be a hit. The article has a special mention of Saath Ho Tum Aur Raat Jawan (Kanch Ki Gudiya, 1961, Suhrid Kar / Shailendra / Asha Bhosle and Mukesh, picturized on Manoj Kumar and Sayeeda Khan) on Public Demand.

rekha-_the-untold-story

For Rekha, the show won’t end– Sanjukta Sharma – ‘Rekha: The Untold Story’ taps into that irresistible fantasy of knowing a who has been mythologized all her life.

Lucknow’s Great Son: Naushad Ali recollects the LP record (Odeon ‎– 3AEX 5015) ’The Genius of Naushad” that has a collection of some of his greatest hits sung by voices as diverse as Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Suraiya and Shamshad Begum.

Music by Naushad, lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni: The great partnership in Hindi film music history is an excerpt of Ganesh Anantharaman’s book Bollywood Melodies A History of the Hindi Film Song, published by Penguin Random House India.

We now take a look at posts on other subjects –

My Favourites: Picnic Songs – Picnics in Hindi films today seem to have gone the way of the dodo, but they were a staple, indeed, integral part of the narrative in the 60s and 70s. Picnics were the perfect occasion to include a song; mostly, it was there so the hero and heroine could a) tease each other b) make fun of the other c) fall in love with each other.

Dekho Dosto Chhed Ka Maza! – Guest article by Shalan Lal – The Chhed chhad songs or the sketches are sub-division of a general term called Comedy. The post and as is always the case, the discussion thereon , are quite scholarly penned presentations of songs and views thereon.

My Favourites: Zulfein – History, mythology and fairy tales are replete with hairy tales……But. Hindi films knew how to celebrate hair. Especially women’s hair, because ‘zulfein’ seemed to refer only to women’s hair. So here are some …‘zulf’ songs, songs that are romantic, sensuous, playful… and extremely lovely plus a bonus song. This has nothing to do with romance, or passion –

Zulf ke phande phans gayi jaan – Mujrim (1958) – Mohammed Rafi – OP Nayyar – Majrooh Sultanpuri

Ten of my favourite Aankhen songs is again a very meticulously curated list that includes

Aankh khulte hi tum chhup gaye ho kahaan (Munimji, 1955): For a change, a song that isn’t about praising the eyes of the beloved. Instead, our distressed heroine sings about her own eyes.
Do pal jo teri aankhon se peene ko mile (Bahaaron ke Sapne, 1967) – Eyes so intoxicating that one who is fortunate enough to ‘sip’, even if only momentarily, from them—to partake of the love those eyes offer—will have lived a hundred years in those moments.

‘Mother India’ at the Oscars: ‘The audience laughed with the characters and cried with them’ – Bunny Reuben – Here’s what Sylvia Norris wrote (“Filmfare:” June 6, 1958): The day Mehboob Khan met Cecil B. DeMille in Hollywood; he was referred to as ‘The DeMille of India’. This is a title he richly deserves; not only for his latest spectacle, Mother India, but for the thirty years of devotion he has given the Indian film industry.

Here is one batch of articles from the recent past editions of Scroll.in last month-

The debt owed by Gulzar’s lyrics to Mirza Ghalib – Manish Gaekwad recounts how the lyricist isn’t shy to admit, in the series of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir’s book ‘In the Company of a Poet’, that the song ‘Dil Dhoondta Hai’ from the film ‘Mausam’ was inspired from Ghalib’s couplet.

In Missing silent film ‘Bilwamangal’ finally returns to India, Scroll Staff narrates the story of a digital version of 20-minute duration that arrived at the National Film Archive of India from Cinematheque Francaise in Paris.

Akshay Manwani in a Film flashback: To understand Hindi cinema of the 1960s, start with 1957 hat-tips a great year in which apart from ‘Pyasa’ and ‘Mother India’, several other films also shaped the future of Hindi cinema on various fronts, showing early signs of the frothy ’60s.

The ‘Prabhat touch’: How the legendary studio became a respectable workplace for actresses – Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri presents the essay, titled Teen Deviyan: The Prabhat Star Triad and the Discourse of ‘Respectability’ – available on the free online encyclopedia Sahapedia, – in which film historian Sarah Niazi reflects on the circumstances at the film production company that boosted the presence of women in various capacities.

In Micro View of the Best Songs of 1949 @SoY, having covered Male Solo Songs, Other Than Lata Mangeshkar Female Solo Songs, we continued the journey now with Solo songs of Lata Mangeshkar. After part 1 and 2 we covered of part 3 and the review – Summing Up: MY Top Lata Mangeshkar Solo Songs and have moved on to Male-Female Duets category. We have covered duets of Mohammad Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar, Suriya and Shamshad Begum and Geeta Roy and other female playback singers..

We end today’s episode with a post on Mohammad Rafi’:

Bringing Generations Together – Rafi Sahab’s Magic – Achal Rangaswamy discusses with son whether Mohammad Rafi would have been able to sing the songs being “dished out” and how.

I look forward to receive your inputs for further enriching the contents of the posts…..

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director

Second Five-Year Period: 1949 -1953

1949

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Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 1944-1946

1st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948

1944

1945

1946

1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948