Duets(+) of Mukesh: With Male Singers

A tribute to Mukesh on his 99^th Birth Anniversary (b. July 22, 1923 – d.  August 27, 1976)

Films in India, by and large, revolve around different themes of love between a boy and a girl. As such, songs come in very handy as a very strong and direct, easy-to-comprehend, medium to express the different shades of feelings of love. Traditionally, the solo songs occupied the space of prime importance. During vintage era this was more a necessity because the singers were generally actors themselves. Moreover, the recording technology also was in the development stage, which made recording a duet song with two vastly different musical qualities of pitch and timbre of a male and female voice was quite difficult in comparison to the recording of a solo song.

With the playback singers taking over the onus of singing, and advances in the filmmaking and song-recording technologies, the duets started gaining more importance in the film production considerations. Music directors also started taking this genre seriously and started creating duets that stood, almost, at par with solo songs.

Essentially, the duets are categorised as male-female duets, male-male duets, and female-female duets. As can be expected, the bulk of the duets in the films remain male-female duets. Male-male and female-female duets normally remained as duet songs that friends would sing together. However, the traditions of patriotic songs, devotional songs, or dance songs in the greater arena of music also inspired similar male-male and /or female-female songs. The subjects used to vary from manifestation of friendly affection – either positive or negative (jealousy), celebrating the festivities together, sharing of mutual concerns or one teasing/advising/counselling the other. As such, once the choice of subjects and practices of narrating the story evolved over 40s, male-male duets genre also started getting prominence. In the 60s and onwards, with more films being produced with more than one hero, the male-male genre further got more weightage. However, essentially, the core subjects have not changed as materially as that of solos.

In so far as Hindi film songs are concerned, duets of Mukesh constitute roughly 20 % share of his total film songs. Mukesh Geet Kosh also includes duet songs that have some element of chorus in the song, while taking care that these are separately identified. The male-male duets of Mukesh, including those with chorus element, constitute again around 15% of the duets of Mukesh. The male-male duets of Mukesh offer fairly wide-spread range, in terms of subjects of the songs, co-singers, year of the song, and of course, the popularity, to lead me to zero in on this subject for the post to commemorate the 99^th birth anniversary of Mukesh.

Under the broader category of duets, Mukesh Geet Kosh also has separately identified songs that have some actor /actress chipping with Mukesh a line here or there in the song. I have not included such songs here. Mukesh has more than one duet with Mohammad Rafi or Kishore Kumar. I have chosen the one which I like more than other Rafi or Kishore duets. In some cases, I have included a few triads or quartets (with all male or male-female combination), where the context of the narration, or paucity of a right duet, or the need for variety of different subjects or styles or music directors so necessitated. In one particular instance of duet with Talat Mahmood, I have included, rather had to include, an NFS as well.

So here are Duets(+) of Mukesh with Male Singers, generally, in the chronological order of year of the release of the film.

With Shailesh (Mukharjee)

Rab Mere Araj Sun Meri Sharan Ab Teri – Aag (1948) – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Dipak – Music: Ram Ganguli

Ram Ganguli has certainly come up with a very different style of composition for a song that is essentially a devotional song.

If we would have strictly followed the chronological sequence of the release of the films, one of the two Mukesh – Mohammad Rafi duets from Chilman (1949) or Thes (1949) would have appeared here. But from the seven Mukesh-Mohammad Rafi duets, the song that liked most happens to be a duet from the film of the year 1958, So that will have to wait for a while.

With G M Durrani

Aise Mein Koi Chham Se Jo Aa Jaye To Kya Ho – Hanste Aansoo (1950) – Lyrics: Shewan Rizvi – Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Here is an exchange of arguments for pros and cons between two friends of locating the bed if a house is built on a given location – one wants to set up his bed at that very doorstep so that when some (a much awaited) beauty comes up suddenly he would not miss it. His friend warns of another extreme possibility of a high-heeled slipper to be awaiting a welcome instead.

Ghulam Mohammad has come up with so lovely enough orchestration for this composition to induce revisits to the song. If we would have seen the film, we may also have come to know what will have happened after the song is over.

I have picked up a triad next because that provides us with a new combination of singers.

With Khan Mastana

KyuN Shikwa Karein KyuN Aah Bharein – Pagle (1950) – with Talat Mahmood – Lyrics: Anjum Rehmani – Music: V G (Snehal) Bhatkar

The friends have gathered to vent their frustration of non-result bearing efforts of their pursuit to get someone to love them.

Pagle had one more triad, with G M Durrani as the third player –

Ye Aaj Kal Ke Laila Aur Majnu – Pagle (1950) – with G M Durrani – Lyrics: Anjum Rehmani – Music: V G (Snehal) Bhatkar

Another song of the youthful frustration when all efforts to woo the ‘fair sex’ fail, which leads to this deep sigh, in the form of

Ye aaj kal ke Laila or Majnu
.. … …
ik haath se dil ko thamate haiN
ik hath se tata kahate haiN

It would be interesting note that Mukesh Geet Kosh has clearly identified the singers for these songs, but HFGK mentions Jagirdar, Agha and Sheri as the singers, who in fact are the actors singing the songs on screen.

With S D Batish

Jaao Sidharo Hey Radha Ke Shyam – Aarzoo (1950) – with Shamshad Begum, chorus – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri / Jan Nissar Akhtar – Music: Anil Biswas

Mukesh and S D Batish do not actually get connected through a triad here. What is treated as triad in the credits on the record N 38386, is in fact a three-piece stage show story wherein the first (penned by Majrooh Sutmapuri) and third part (penned by Jan Nissar Akhtar) are S D Batish-Shamshad Begum duets with chorus and the second part (also penned by Jan Nissar Akhtar) is a Mukesh-Shamshad Begum duet with chorus.

With Kishore Kumar

The Kishore Kumar – Mukesh combination has an interesting aspect too. Except for one triad in 1953, they did not have a proper duet during the pre-Aradhana, what is generally called as, Kishore Kumar 1.0 career phase. Then they had a triad-chorus in Satyakam (1969) the transition year. They had first proper duet in 1971, in what can be considered as Kishore Kumar 2.0. Since then, Kishore Kumar has had one more duet with Mukesh, in 1976. The duo further had one triad each with Sushma Shreshtha (Dharam Karam, 1975) and Dilraj Raj Kaur (Chor Mandali, 1983) as well as a quartet with Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar (Amar Akbar Anthony, 1977)

Lo Mil Gayi Degree Pyar Ki – Maalkin (1953) – with Ram Kamlani – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna – Music: Roshan

This must rank as the only song where Roshan has used Mukesh in a comedy situation.

However, the real irony of the song being treated as a Mukesh triad comes up only when we listen the full song and find that Mukesh just gets two words – first time just ‘KahaaN Bhai?’ after the first line, Din mein sau sau chakkar kate, in the first interlude stanza and then just ‘Kis ki?’ after the first line, Baithe baithe kismet khul gayi’ of the third interlude stanza!

Haal Chaal Thhik Thhaak Hai – Mere Apne (1971) – with chorus – Lyrics: Gulzar – Music: Salil Chowdhury

I have a very sweet connection with this song.

In our BITS Pilani days, we would have one, just-released, film screened every weekend. Mere Apne was one such film. Since the story is about the restlessness of students (particularly because of paucity of jobs even after proper college education), the film had been obviously very well received in the campus. When you pass near any of hostel block, particularly after dinner time, you will invariably get to listen the whistling used in the song. Also, the cleverly split first line had tremendous popularly as an informal greetings exchange among friends – Question: ‘Haal chaal? Answer: ‘Thik Thaak Hai.’ – obviously, in the lyrical mimic of the song!

With Mohammad Rafi

Mukesh and Mohammad Rafi share the maximum number of songs together – 7 duets, 6 duets+chorus, 5 triads – one with Shamshad Begum (Hanste Aansoo, 1950), two with Lata Mangeshkar (Shree 420, 1955 and Ahuti, 1978), two with Suman Kalyanpur (Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, 1966 and Vishwas, 1969), and one with Hemlata (Jaaneman, 1976), and one quartet with Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar (Amar Akbar Anthony, 1977). More important. perhaps, is that the association spans almost the entire career of both of them, with first duet in 1949 (Chilman and Thes) and the last one in 1978 (Ahuti).

I have selected one duet, which I have always relished to listen to.  Just the memory of the song has helped to me ease out any tension coiled in, any time, in my mind.

Phirate The Jo Bade Hi Sikandar Bane Hue ….. Jo Bor Kare Yaar Ko Us Yaar Se Tauba… Jis Pyar Mein Ye Haal Ho Us Pyaar Se Tauba – Phir Subah Hogi (1958) – Lyrics: Sahir Ludhiyanvi – Music: Khayyam

Mohammad Rafi so lively pulls up his friend’s legs that even the Raj Kapoor’s lady love Mala Sinha cannot hide her smile. Moreover, if you close your eyes, the way Rafi goes with his part you can imagine how Rehman, otherwise an actor who plays serious roles, must be freely acting it out on screen, while lip-synching Mohammad Rafi. Every line Sahir has penned for Rafi’s part is just enough for any friend on the other side to break up the relationship!

With Mahendra Kapoor

For the records, Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor have three duets, however the third one, from Saathi (1968) – Jo chalaa gayaa use bhul jaa, Naushad has used Mahendra Kapoor  for just a higher-scale line being heard as echo Bhul Jaa… Bhul Jaa, as haunting memory from the past that has to be forgotten.

Of the other two, both composed by N Dutta, one is for Dilli Ka Dada (1962) and the other for Holiday in Bombay (1963). I have selected the latter one.

Ye Hasin Bambai Hamein Jam Gayi …. Holiday Holiday Holiday in Bombay – Holiday in Bombay (1963) – Lyrics: Anjaan – Music: N Dutta.

The reasons I have selected this song will sound quite trivial – one: Mukesh gets to playback for the hero (Shashi Kapoor), two: one gets a virtual tour of Mumbai in the video clip, the third: you get to see a glimpse of now totally forgotten, Lambretta scooter (@4.12) and fourth of course, it has a connection with a 2018 SoY post – Bharat Darshan Songs (2) – Metros.

It would not be out of place to record here that Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor share a triad with Rajendra Mehta, a famous ghazal singer of 60s/70s.

Mera Rang De Basanti Chola – Shaheed, 1965 – Lyrics and Music:  Prem Dhawan

This would rank as one of the best patriotic songs Hindi films have recorded.

With Manna Dey

The proper duet of Mukesh and Manna Dey, very surprisingly, has come up only in 1976 for the film Das Numbri. Even Mukesh, Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey triad also came up in only 1973, for Teen Chor. As such, I thought it would be patently safe to fall back upon a quartet and a quintet from the earlier years.

Sathi Re…. Kadam Kadam Se Dil Mila Rahein Hai Ham – Char Dil Char Rahein (1959) – with Mahendra Kapoor, Meena Kapoor, chorus – Lyrics: Sahir Ludhiyanvi – Music: Anil Biswas

The song is an inspirational song, wherein multiple singers join to playback for corresponding actor on the screen. It being an Anil Biswas composition, the composition and orchestration are ideal, so are the lyrics of Sahir. It is not surprising that the overall outcome is a song that you would like listen, again and again, for its sheer melody.

I am not able to resist the temptation of including a quintet chorus song, so well-known to me, and almost of all of us for that matter, that came up in different light when I listened to it from the point of view of the present article.

Hum Bhi Hai Tum Bhi Ho Dono Hai Amane Samane – Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1961) – with Mahendra Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt and chorus – Lyrics: Shailendra – Music: Shankar Jaikishan

I always admired this song for several stunning features – Shankar Jaikishan and the team for conceiving and executing the rich orchestrion (of particular notice is the violin ensemble piece @ 5.35 -5.52 that so vividly creates the feeling of speed), meticulous details of choreography of Hira Lal, and so creative camera work of Tara Dutt that captures every expression of every actor so lively and the overall direction of Radhu Karamakar – RK’s otherwise default director of photography. Essentially, the song was a chorus song representing dacoits on one side and the reformer (Raju) on the other side.

However, I could now easily see a parallel under-current of a duet too running in the song, beginning with two lines that follow the opening skirmish between Raka and Raju, when Kammo and her friend Bijli charmingly declare Hum bhi haiN (@2.30), to which Raju responds, unwittingly, Dekh lo kya asar kar diya pyar ne. The visuals @0.45 to 0.51, where Kammo longingly eyes Raju, which Raka too does not miss to notice or that fleeting exchange of mutual appreciations @ 1.52 to 2.00 between Kammo and Raju corroborate the implicit germination of soft feelings for each other. The song virtually turns into a duet after the second interlude when Kammo directly intervenes the song with itana sa ye dil tu de de agar sara jag tera ho jaye. (@5.03)

As the songs moves on, the mood of festivity of all so beautifully morphs into acquiescence of love of the two.

We come back to our main track again.

With Talat Mahmood

As we have seen @ #3 here before, Mukesh and Talat Mahmood did get just one triad as early as in 1950. These two may be the only male singers of that period who did not even have one Hindi film duet in their entire career.

Fortunately, three Mukesh – Talat Mahmood NFS duets, composed by Murli Manohar Swaroop, fill up this void. We had had heard one duet, Kisi ko deke dil koi nawa_sanj-e-fughan kyun ho, in the earlier post, Mukesh’s Non-film Hindi Geets and Ghazals.

I have picked up the other one here –

Woh Jo Ruthe To Manana Chahiye …. Zindagi Se Rooth Jaana Chahiye – NFS – lyrics: Jigar Murarabadi + Mirza Ghalib – Music: Murli Manohar Swaroop

To the opening line from Jigar Murarabadi ghazal sung by Mukesh, Talat Mahmood joins by a Mirza Ghalib ghazal line Chahiye achchhoN ko jitana chahiye, ye agar chaahein phir to kya chahiye…  and so forth.

However, we can take consolation that they did have one more song in the Hindi films – an all-male quintet in 1966.

Mujhko Muhabbat Ho Gayi Hai, Bas Muhabbat Ho Gayi Hai …. Anhoni Baat Thi Ho Gayi Hai – Biwi Aur Makaan (1966) – with Joginder, Manna Dey and Hemant Kumar – Lyrics: Gulzar – Music: Hemant Kumar

Normally Mukesh and Talat Mahmood are put at the slow paced, serious film-song-moods spectrum. Another singer, Hemant Kumar also is considered to be the singer of that part of the spectrum. However, Hemant Kumar, the music director, seems to have helped Talat Mahmood switch the role and join him (in the role of the playback singer) in the fast-paced jest-cum-scolding session with that love-infested friend among the ‘five pandav’ friends who have vowed to remain unmarried till everyone gets a job. Talat Mahmood plays back to Keshto Mukhrjee who impersonates a girl along with Biswjeet who lip syncs Hemant Kumar!

I conclude here my part of the choices of Duets(+) of Mukesh with Male singers so as to start pondering over what subject we should take up for the celebration of Mukesh’s 100^th birth anniversary post next year…….

Acknowledgement and disclaimer:

1. Mukesh Geet Kosh, 2020 edition – Harish Raghuvanshi: For the basic data and the information of the songs selected in the present article.
2. The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog claims no copyright over these songs which vests with the respective owners.

Reproduction of the article originally published on Songs of Yore on 22 July 2022

The Micro View of Best Songs of 1945 @ SoY :: Male Solo Songs – Vintage Era Singers [1]

We have grouped here male singers who can be considered to have had noteworthy presence in the vintage era period. I have been able to locate 20 songs on YT (G M Durrani -4; K C Dey and Khan Mastana – 3 each; and Umakant, Ashok Kumar, S D Batish, Charlie, Amar, Jagmohan, Surendra, Bulo C Rani, Asit Baran and Sundar 1 each. There a few more songs identified with names of male singers in HFGK, but for the the time being these are not yet posted on YT, nor do I have any access to their digital versions, if they are available with some one.

Yeh Chand Hamein Hans Kar Kuchch Yaad Dilta Hai – Aadhar – Umakant – S N Tripathi M A Razi

Aankhein To Hui Band, Magar Dard Jaga Re – Begum – Ashok Kumar -H P Das – G S Nepali

Aa Hosh Mein Deewane – Bahijan – S D Batish – Shyam Sundar – Padtau Lakhanavi

Zindagi Fareb Hai Fareb Se Nibhaye Ja – Chand Tara – Charlie – Gyan Dutt – Swami Ramanand

Mera Chana Masaledar, Kahata Hum Sabse Lalkar – Chhamia – G M Durrani and Chorus -Gyan Dutt

Hare Murare Madhukait Mere – Devdasi – K C Dey – Krishna Chandra Dey – Pt. Narottam Vyas

Hari Ke Nam Bina Re, Radha Naam Bina Re – Devdasi – K C Dey, Chorus – Krishna Chandra Dey – Pt. Narottam Vyas

Roye Ham Charano Pe Bhagwan – Devdasi – K C Dey – Krishna Chandra Dey – Pt. Narottam Vyas

Bansi Wale Shyam Pyare Krishna – Dhanna Bhagat – Khan Mastana – Khemchand Prakash – Pt. Indra

Panchhi Pinjara Hua Purana – Dhanna Bhagat – Khan Mastana – Khemchand Prakash – Khavar JamaN

For the purpose maintaining reasonable size of a post, we will take up next 10 songs next week.

S D Burman and “Other” Male Playback Singers :: [3]

We are now in the last leg of our series of S D Burman composed songs in the voices of ‘Other’ Male Singers. In the first part, we had covered S D Buman’s Other Male Songs for the initial years – 1946-1949 – of his career. In the second part, we had covered the years 1950 to 1960, when S D Burman had begun to rise to the peak of his career.

Presently, we will cover the years from 1960 till the end of S D Burman’s active career in Hindi Film Music world. From ‘Pyasa’ (1957) S D Burman had predominantly shifted to Mohammad Rafi as the lead singer till he started tiling towards Kishore Kumar, beginning with ‘Teen Deviyan’ (1965), barring a few exceptions. Therefore, one can easily expect that S D Burman would have used ‘Other’ Male Singers for the non-lead protagonists in the songs that we will get to listen in this third part. And, yet, the choice of a particular ‘Other’ Male Singer still presents an interesting insight into S D Burman’s process of selecting a singer for his tunes.

S D Burman – Mahendra Kapoor

Mahendra Kapoor had to remain under the shadow of Mohammad Rafi’s dazzling success. He had had quite close association with Mohammad Rafi and did execute Rafi’s advice of creating his own style of singing, which helped him to carve out his own respectable space within the Rafi-dominated era.

Piya…Piya Bin Nahin…Aavat Chain…Mil Gaye Milnewale ..Ab Ghar Mein Baithe Kazi, Keh Do Ji Keh Do, Hai Miya Bibi Razi….. – Miya Bibi Raazi (1960) – with Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Shailendra

The song is filmed on three pairs of actors on the screen – Mehmood and Seema Saraf (a.k.a Seema Deo);  Shrikant Guarav – who, according to Shri Arunkumar Deshmukh, is Shailesh Mukherjee, the music director of films like Suhag Sindoor (1953), Parichay (1954), Saavera(1958) and a singer (Dekha Chand Ki Aur –Aag [1949] – and Kamini Kadam and third not-known-names pair, who initiate the performance of the song in what is known as street performance style. S D Burman had used Rafi for Mehmood as well as Shailesh Mukherjee in this film, and yet, he has chosen Mahendra Kapoor for this song !

Mera Kya Sanam Meri Khushi Hai Tumhari,Are Haste Ho Jab Muskarati Hu Main – Talaash (1969) – with Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

We have jumped from 1960 to 1969 for a second of S D Burman – Mahendra Kapoor song. By this time Mahendra Kapoor had already established himself a successful lead male singer and had had sewed up strong tie-ups with B R Chopra- Ravi or with Manoj Kumar, and in fact was to replace Rafi when O P Nayyar had a tiff with Rafi. It is said that he was chosen here because of insistence of the producer, O P Ralhan, on whom this song is filmed on the screen.  Mahendra Kapoor has even been given enough space in the delivery of the song to freely practice his by-now—well-known playful style for such jazzy song.

S D Burman – S D Batish

S D (Shiv Dayal) Batish was a trained classical singer. He commenced his career in early Hindi Films as a music director, who would sing too.  He migrated to UK in 1964 where he regular recorded songs with BBC. S D Burman has used S D Batish, in two songs, in the role of the music teacher.

Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaayee – Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen (1963) – with Manna Dey and an unknown female singer – Lyrics: Shailendra

Perhaps more known version of this song is the solo version by Manna Dey, but in this version S D Batish has played his role of a teacher quite comfortably and effortlessly.

Man Mohan Man Mein Ho Tumhi….More Ang Mein Tumhi Samaye, Jaano Na Jaano Ho Yumhi – Kaise Kahoon  (1964) – with Mohammad Rafi and SumanKalyanpur – Lyrics:  Shakeel Badayuni

This triad also remains a very well-known classical raag- based song.

S D Burman and Bhupinder

As is well-known, Bhupinder Singh debuted with playback singing in Haqeequat (1964), but it may not be equally known that he was also an accomplished guitarist. As a guitarist, he was an integral part of R D Burman’s orchestra team. That connection seems to have made the opening up a space for Bhupinder to sing for a couple of S D Burman’s songs.

Hothon Pe Aisi Baat – Jewel Thief (1967) – (mainly) Lata Mangeshakr, and chorus – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Bhupinder’s maiden association with SD Burman is simply as a piece of orchestra, a la RDB style. Film director Vijay Anand has very deftly used Bhupinder’s piece filmed on Dev Anand and lent a very different meaning to the song picturizatiion.

Yaaron Nilam Karo Susti, Hamse Udhar Le Lo Masti – Prem Pujari (1970) – with Kishore Kumar – Lyrics : Neeraj

This is what can be classified as a Jeep-genre song. Bhupinder playback sings for Anup Kumar.

S D Burman and Danny Denzongpa

Again it may be well-known that Danny Denzongpa (born Tshering Phintso Denzongpa) was a highly talented actor. But that he was a good singer is not so known. He has even directed a film, and was a good painter, writer and sculptor too.

Mera Naam Yaao, Mere Paas Aao – Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

S D Burman has made a very surprising choice of Danny to playback for Jonny Walker. The song had shot to good popularity in those days, and had reached 14^th position in Binaca Geetmala in that year.

S D Burman and Manhar

Manhar Udhas, though qualified in mechanical engineering, was keen to make a career in music. He did succeed in the pursuit of his life goal.

Loote Koi Man Ka Nagar Ban Ke Mera Saathi – Abhimaan (1973) – with Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Probably, the choice of Manhar to playback for Amitabh Bachchan was to clearly demonstrate the quality of singing of the two protagonists in the film. Nonetheless, the song did stand its ground against all other songs of Abhimaan.

S D Burman – Sunil Kumar, R S Bedi

Of these two singers, I could not get any information about Sunil Kumar. R S Bedi should obviously be Rajinder Singh Bedi, a well-known writer and film director as well.

Laali Mere Laal Ki Jit Dekhoo Tit Laal, Phir Raat Hui Ek Baat Hui – Phagun (1973) – with Kishore Kumar, Pankaj Mitra – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The song is predominantly a typical Kishore Kumar tantrum-style songs.

S D Burman – Pankaj Mitra

Pankaj Mitra has had earlier recorded an triad song  and a duet for ‘Sautela Bhai”(1962, Music: Anil Biswas) . He later on, also, has few more films like ‘Grih Pravesh (1979) or ‘Ab Ayega Maza’(1984) to his credit. He obviously has a far better and respectable track-record in Bengali films.

Saala Main To Sahab Ban Gaya – Sagina (1974) – with Kishore Kumar – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Pankaj Mitra plays back for Om Prakash in the song. This is too loud a song, at least under S D Burman’s baton. Of course, Dilip Kumar had acted in a similar loud manner earlier in ‘Gopi’ (1970) too, for a song in a similar situation.

S D Burman – Dilip Kumar

Dilip Kumar had recorded only one song in his own voice till now – Laagi Nahi Chhoote Ram – Musafir, 1957, with Lata Mangeshkar; Music – Salil Chaudhary).

Uparwala Dukhiyon Ki Nahin Sunata Re – Sagina (1974) – With Kishore Kumar – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultnapuri.

S D Burman has used Dilip Kumar’s voice to recite a few lines in the song.

The records do show that S D Burman has used voice of Johnny Walker and R D Burman too for a song each. But these would not be more than either speaking a line or two or as orchestration filler, respectively.

That brings the end of S D Burman’s tryst with ‘Other’ Male Singers. One may conclude that he has mostly used these voices quite creatively, in a somewhat descending order in each of the three phases that we have reviewed in this series. With that it also needs to acknowledge that except in the first phase, most of these songs were at the fringe of the main body of his work in the respective film.

N.B.

All three episodes of S D Burman and “Other” Male Playback Singers can be read in one place by clicking on the hyperlinked title.

All said and done, we are not here to pass any judgement on the songs. Our sole aim was to bring these songs on the same page for the effective documentation.

P.S. For easy access and documentation, all the three episodes are available in one file on  S D Burman and “Other” Male Playback Singers

The Micro View of Best Songs of 1947 : Male Solo Songs – Other Male Singers

On the whole, this list does present quite a kaleidoscopic picture pf the range of male singers. It would be interesting to note the presence of lyricist like G S Nepali or Music Directors like, Bulo C rani or Sardar Malik or even actors like Raj Kapoor in this list. Would it mean that there were not many known names in the field?

G S Nepali – Azad Hai Ham Aaj Se, Jailo Ke Taale Tod Do – Ahinsa – C Ramchandra – G S Nepali

Rafiq Ahmad – Apna Ghar Pahechan Bande..- Amar Asha – Shanti Kumar –

S D Batish – Aashiyan Apna Luta Apni Nazar Ke Samane – Arsi – Lachchiram / Shyam Sundar- Sarshar Sailani

Raj Kapoor – O Duniya Ke Rahanewalo Kahan Gaya Chitchor Bolo Kahan Gaya Chitchor – Dil Ki Rani (1947) – S D Burman  – Y N Joshi

There is a duet version of the song in the film, in which Geeta Roy accompanies Raj Kapoor.

I have not been able to locate the soft link for this song:

Raj Kapoor – Piya Milane Naveli Jaaye Re – Jail Yatra – Ninu Mazumdar – Rammurty

Shyam Sundar –Loot Liya Dil Chitchor Ne – Dil Ki Rani (1947) – S D Burman –Y N Joshi

Shyam Sundar – Muhobbat Ki Na Khana Mithai Na Khana Muhobbat Ki Mithai – Dil Ki Rani (1947)  – Lyrics: (?)

Shyam Sundar – Sar Phod Phod Ke Mar Jaana Kisi Se Dil Na Lagana – Dil Ki Rani (1947) – S D Burman –Y N Joshi

Ninu Mazumdar – Duniya Saari Jail Re Jiski Oonchi Diwarein – Jail Yatra – Ninu Mazumdar – Sajjan

Krishan Chandra Goel – Vrindavan Ki Kunj Galin Mein Lathile Dhen Charae – Krishna Sudama – Shyam Babu Pathak –

Hemant Kumar- Ishare Ishare Mein Duniya Badal Li – Manamani – Kamal Dasgupta –

Bulo C Rani – Kal Chalate Chalate Unse Mulaqat Ho Hayi – Mulaqat – Khemchand Prakash – Qamar Jalalabadi

Amar – Bhool Ja ….Aye Wo Batein Bhool Jaa – Natak – Naushad Ali – Majrooh Sultanpuri

R P Sharma – Aye Bewafa Zamane Ham Se Daga Na Karana – Renuka – Sardar Malik – Qamar Jalalabadi

Malik Sardar – Sunati Nahi Duniya Kabhi Fariyad Kisi Ki – Renuka – Sardar Malik – Qamar Jalalabadi

Rati Kumar Vyas – He He He Mulak Kathiawad Dharti Par Dujo Nahi – Woh Zamana – Bulo C Rani – Pandit Indra

We will take up MY Top Male Solo Songs for 1947 in our next episode.

The Micro View of the Best Songs of 1949 @ SoY – Male Female Duets – Geeta Roy, Lata Mangeshkar, Suraiya with other male singers

For the year 1949, Male female duets with both the singers being equally prominent in the year has quite a comparative share with Male Female Duets in which one singer is dominant, but other does not have that comparable numerical prominence.  In this very unique category we have listened to the duets of Shamshad Begum with other male singers.

We now move over to some other sets of such Male-Female duets…

Geeta Roy + Other Male Singers

The pairing of Geeta Roy with other male singers undergoes as many shades as the respective music director of the film.

Kadam Hai Rah-e-Ulfat Mein Najhuk Dil Hai Dil Ki Basti– Dil Ki Basti – with G M Durrani – Ghulam Mohammad – Shakeel Badayuni

Kam Karo, Kam Karo Bhai Kam, Jag Mein Apna Naam Karo – Jeet – with Vinod – Shyam Babu Pathak – Prem Dhawan

Kahane Ko Hai Taiyar, Magar Kaise Kahe Hum – Kamal – with Surendra – S D Burman – G S Nepali

Main Angoor Ke Bell Piya More – Karwat – with S D Batish – Hans Raj Behl – Said-Ud-Din ‘Saif’

Jindagi Hai Dillagi Dillagi Hai Jindagi – Nanand Bhojai – with A R Ojha – Bulo C Rani – Pt. Indra

And Gujarati version, composed by Avinash Vyas, on a totally different style

Jandagi Chhe Dillagi

Mere Man Mein Dol Ankhon Mein Dol Matwari Sajanaiya – Nazare – with G M Durrani –  Bulo C Rani

Dhanya Hai Dhanya Hai Avadhpuri, Dhanya Wahan Ki Phulwari – Ram Vivah – with Manna Dey – Shankar Rao Vyas – Moti, B A

Pehan Chunariya Kali Jhilmil Jhilmil Deeyowali – Roshni – with Chitalkar – C Ramchandra – P L Santoshi

Lata Mangeshkar + Other Male Singers

Haye Chhore Ki Baat Badi Bewafa, Bewafa Se Koi Dil Lagaye Na – Chandani Raat – with G M Durrani – Naushad Ali – Shakeel Badayuni

Tum Soch Rahi Ho – Girls School – with Shankar Dasgupta – Anil Bishwas – Pradeep

Suno Saajan Meri Baat – Lahore – with Karan Diwan – Shyam Sundar – Aziz Kashmiri

Suraiya + Other Male Singers

Jalim Jamane Mujhko Tum Se Chhuda Raha Hai – Dillagi – with Shyam – Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni

Chahe Kitani Kathin Dagar Ho, Hum Kadam Badhayenge Jaayenge – Jeet – with Shankar Dasgupta – Anil Biswas – Prem Dhawan

We still have some more of Male Female Duets in the present category………

The Micro View of the Best Songs of 1949 @ SoY – Other Male-Female Duet Songs : Shamshad Begum + Other Male Singers

We have heard duets of Mohammad Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar, with Suraiya, Shamshad Begum, with Geeta Roy and others as well as Duets of Mukesh.

We will now take up other Male-Female Duets Songs, for which we will group the songs around the female singer. The first stage selection of such songs from HFGK has yielded a bountiful numbers that would stand up to the numbers of duets that have been rendered by both prominent partners.

Shamshad Begum + Other Male Singers

In the first cut, selecting the songs from HFGK, I had a fairly large number of Shamshad Begum’s duets with other male singers. However, I have not been able to link up all songs with the soft YT link.

Nainon Se Nain Mila Ke Nain Churana Na – Anmol Moti – with Shailesh – Ram Ganguli – Ramesh Gupta

Dard Besumar Hai, Kab Se Intzaar Hai – Bhool Bhulaiya – with S D Batish – Bulo C Rani – B R Sharma

Kyon Dil Ki Kali Muskarayee – Bhool Bhulaiya – with A R Ojha – Bulo C Rani – B R Sharma

Dil Diya Jaa (3) .. Chal Chal Chameli Baag Mein Guddiyan Udaayenge – Dada – with G M Durrani – Shaukat Dehlvi – Shevan Rizvi

O Sahar Ke Banke Babu Jara Dil Pe Rakhana Kabu – Girls School – with Chitalkar – C Ramchnadra – Pradeep

Babuji Jaldi Jaagiyo, Haumein Office Jaana Hai – Hamari Manzil – with S D Batish – Husnlal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi

Tum Kya Jaano Mere Mathe Ki Bindiya Ka Mol – Kaneez – with G M Durrani – Ghulam Haider– Shahir Ghazanavi

Mohe Lahenga Manga De Makhmal Ka – Maa Ka Pyaar – with Ram Kamlani – Pt. Govindram – Ishwar Chandra Kapoor

O Dilwalo Dil Ka Lagana Achcha Hai Par Kabhi Kabhi – Patanga – with Chitalkar – C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishna

Mohe La De Reshmi Lahenga – Rakhi – with Ram Kamlani – Husnlal Bhagatram – Sarshar Shailani

We will continue with Other Male Female Duets in our subsequent episodes.

The Micro View of the Best Songs of 1949 @ SoY – Male Solo Songs – Surendra + ‘Other’ Male Singers

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

Jhoom Jhoom Ke Naach Re Manwa – Kamal – S D Burman

Ab Raat Gai Hai Beet – Kamal – S D Burman

Kiyun Samjhe Hamein Parwana – Imtihaan – Shyam Babu Pathak – Hari Krishna ‘Premi’

Solo Songs of Other Male Singers

Even as the songs do remain isolated in numbers, the picture that emerges provides quite a varied and rich canvas.

Aankhen Kah Gayin Dil Ki Baat – Laadli – SD Batish – Anil Biswas – Dr Safdar Aah

Wohi Rota Hua Ek Dil – Lahore – Karan Dewan – Shyam Sunder – Rajendra Krishna

Duniya To Yeh Kahati Hai, Insaan Kahaan Hai – Lahore – Manna Dey – Shyam Sunder – Rajendra Krishna

Jagmag jagmag karta nikla chand poonam ka pyara – Rim Zim – Kishore Kumar – Khemchand Prakash – Bharat Vyas

Khushi Ki Aas Rahi Dil Ko Aur Khushi Na Mili – Sawan Aaya Re – Khan Mastana – Khemchand Prakash – Arzoo Lakhanavi

Chahte Ho Gar..Ankhen Ladana Chhod Do – Chitalkar – Sipahiya – C Ramchandra – Rammoorti Chaturvedi

We will take up 1949’s Solo Songs of Mukesh in our next episode.