Shair Aur Sargam, Songs From Movies of 7 Great Lyricists Options

[swarapriya]

(Hasrat Jaipuri) Amrapali (1966)

This historic drama seemed like all the right things going for it, but it was a commercial failure. Vyjayanthi Mala was stunningly photographed and I don't think she ever looked this beautiful. She had a chance to display her dancing skills to the fullest, and she does this magnificently. She was simply dazzling. Her dances had so much grace. With her astonishing alluring looks while dancing she looked like an angel coming from heaven down to earth. She was like poetry in motion on her feet. Then there was the unforgettably melodious music of Shankar & Jaikishan. One superbly superlative score. Very rarely the music director duo strayed away from social dramas to score music for period dramas, Sohrab Modi's "Raj Hath (1956)" comes immediately to mind. “Basant Bahar” which also came the same year is another example. But working solely on social dramas did not change a thing for them. Their score was absolutely brilliant and to their credit it stood the test of time because even today listening experience gives goosebumps. Today its music is considered as one of their finest achievements.

Vyjayanthi Mala thought this movie was going to be a super hit. When it did not do well at the box office she was personally disappointed. Its failure encouraged her for an unexpected and hasty retirement. She completed all the movies she already signed for and when they were completed she took retirement from the films. In retirement, she seriously considered remaking the movie with Madhuri Dixit playing the lead role. I am not sure what happened but the plans were abandoned.

There are five songs in the film, four solos (all by Lata), and a chorus. All the solos were based on some classical ragas. I am not familiar with classical music but here is how these songs used the ragas per newspaper reports. The heart hugging song “Jaao Re Jogi” was based on Kamod raga. Bhopali raga was the basis for the uncannily beautiful “Neel Gagan”. For the touching “Tadap Yeh” Bhimpalasi raga was the basis. This and another lovely song “Tumhein Yaad” have made extensive use of sitar. Lataji’s brilliance is imprinted in each of these songs in her mellifluous voice. These songs are simply sweet treasures. S&J were ably assisted by their usual assistants, Dattaram & Sebastian.

Incidentally many felt that the song “Jaao Re” penned by Shailendraji was inspired by the song “Sansaar Se Bhaage” from the 1964 film “Chitralekha”. Its lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi and music was Roshan Saab. Lataji was the singer. This thinking based on the fact that both songs address the same philosophy.

I want to single out one song which is one of my all-time favorites. The song is "Neel Gagan Ki Chhaaon Mein". A superbly rendered song with Lataji's singing prowess in full display where she modulates her voice so magnificently. An unforgettable listening experience. I probably heard this over 100 times, but never get tired of it. It only increases my admiration for Lataji and rest of the folks associated with it.

I was told the theatrical release of this movie ran for nearly three hours. It was selected for Oscars under the “Best Foreign Film” category. Apparently producers decided to trim the movie to run under 2 hours to send it for Oscars. That is the only version currently available as a DVD. Unfortunately in reducing the length two of the songs became casualties. The song “Jaao Re” and “Naacho” are not available in any DVD. Also, key element of the story that happens in the very beginning is missing. In this sage Buddha visits the king of Vaishali to request him to stop wars. Buddha appears in the end also.

Even though when the movie was originally released was a flop, it is now considered a classic. The main reason is the message it gives that people should live in harmony instead of warring.

I am uploading these songs, several music clips of various dances from the film, and a few instrumentals in three back-to-back posts. The first post contains all of the songs from the film. The second post contains music clips. The third post contains a few instrumentals of the songs from the film.

Now here are the songs starting in the next post...

[swarapriya]

Songs from "Amrapali (1966)"...

Here are the songs, most enduring classics, from the film...

[swarapriya]

Music Clips from "Amrapali (1966)"...

Here are a few music clips from the film, mostly of some spectacular dances ever staged for a screen...

[swarapriya]

Few Instrumentals of the Songs from "Amrapali (1966)"...

Here are a few musicals of the songs from the film...

[swarapriya]

(Majrooh) Pyasi Sham (1969)

There is not much to write about this movie. It is a senseless tale of self-pity that leads to destruction. Even the award winning pair of the lyricist Majrooh Saab and the music director duo LP conjure up songs that are, may be, a slight cut above the film. But even they are forgotten as soon as you hear them.

Interestingly, Hrishida was the editor of the film.

Here are the songs…

[swarapriya]

(Rajinder Krishan) Ladka-Ladki (1966)

This is simply a very bad movie. Unfortunately it shows up in every facet of the movie. In the first half of the movie Kishoreda with his antics drives everyone in the movie and those who are watching it crazy. In the second half he himself goes crazy and put aside in a lunatic asylum. Only Mumtaz looks coy and pretty giving some relief but there is not much scope for her role. This is expected when Kishoreda has the lead role.

I am uploading all songs in the following post. Rafi Saab’s song, shown in red italics in the table below was never filmed and never got released. This is according to Mohan Saab’s official website.

Here are the songs…

[swarapriya]

(Shailendra) Rajkumar (1964)

Songs from this film were uploaded previously in this very thread. They are available starting at the following location...

http://www.hamaraforums.com/index.php?show...mp;#entry752387

[swarapriya]

(Anand Bakshi) Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971)

LP’s fine music is wasted on this senseless film. In a span of 15 minutes or so, the heroine loses her eye sight and the hero loses his memory. In quick succession she has her sight restored and he gains his memory back. Major problem with the movie is that nearly half of it comprises endless and senseless antics of Mahmood and Dhumal. This leaves so little time for the director to tell the real story which in itself is very weak to begin with.

I am uploading all songs and a few music clips from the film in two back-to-back posts. Here are the songs starting in the first post…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971)"...

Here are the rest of the songs from this film...

[swarapriya]

(Hasrat Jaipuri) Budtameez (1966)

This was Manmohan Desai’s third film as a director. Before he became a hit movie director he only enjoyed limited success in films like this. This was his second film with Shammi. Earlier Desai directed him in the 1963 film “Bluff Master”.

Most of these films in 50’s and 60’s followed a very simple formula. Have a couple of good leading stars. Hire a great music director. Sprinkle the whole movie with lots of catchy songs while the hero is trying to win over heroine’s heart. In the last few minutes or so of the movie add a twist or two to the story. Surprisingly this same template was used over and over again in many hit films and with excellent results. This film was no exception.

As with most of Shammi’s films, he always occupied most of the screen time. He gets to sing bulk of the songs. Here the music director duo S&J knew what worked with Shammi and vice versa. There are several good songs in this film. Almost all of them became very popular. S&J were assisted by Dattaram & Sebastian.

A note about the song “Dil Ko Na”. This song or an abbreviated version was released in various CD collections. In the movie itself, it appeared twice in succession. One antara is the same in both versions but the other antaras make them different. I am uploading the song, both versions, as it appeared in the film.

Here is this and rest of the songs from this film in two back-to-back posts…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Budtameez (1966)"...

Here are the rest of the songs and a few music clips from the film...

[swarapriya]

(Majrooh) Talash (1969)

Lots of things were wrong with this movie. Yet it became a blockbuster. I can single out only one reason. Its great music. Burmanda, ably assisted by his son RD, exudes effervescently exuberant youthfulness with his compositions of the songs that are as mellifluous today as they were created in the late 60’s. Almost all songs were super hits.

O.P. Ralhan produced and directed this film, at quite an expense. It was advertised as one crore colorful colossus. Up to that time, it apparently was the most expensive movie made. Ralhan also had a major role occupying almost half the screen time. His comedy was simply annoying. It was one of the big downfall for the movie. The film was nearly 3 hours long and fortunately this left time for others to play their part in the remaining time.

Sharmila and Helen both looked very pretty. However, the Jubilee Kumar was a major disappointment. This was the second major problem with the movie. He looked tired and detached from the proceedings as if he was not interested in the role he was playing. Besides he put on quite a bit of weight. His cheeks were all puffed up. His belly which he was trying to hide behind a suit was still found ways to protrude. It was difficult to watch him.

Thankfully Burmans took their job to their hearts and delivered a score that will be remembered for ages to come. It is very difficult to pick a favorite one when almost all of them are so good. But I do have one. It is Mannada’s magnificent “Tere Naina”. The music, verbiage, dance that goes along with it are simply riveting.

I am uploading all songs and various music clips from the film in three back-to-back posts. Here are the songs in the first post…

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Aug 26 2018, 11:59 AM

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Talash (1969)"...

Here are the rest of the fine songs from this film...

[swarapriya]

Music Clips from "Talash (1969)"...

Here are a few music clips from this film...

[swarapriya]

(Rajinder Krishan) Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966)

Nanda & Shashi Kapoor acted together in 9 or so films. Some of them, like 1965’s “Jab Jab Phool Khile” were super hits. Others made poor to moderate business. In this moderately successful film they make a charming couple, even though both Nanda and Shashi seem to be putting some weight.

As a lightweight comedy movie goes well for over first half. Then Shashi’s character turns serious and the movie loses its appeal.

One of the things that helped the film was its music by Madan Mohanji. Most of the songs became popular. Interestingly, Mohanji who gave Lata some of her best hits seem to have used on occasion singing talents of her younger sister Asha. Surprisingly I am finding a few films like this where Lata did not sing any songs for Madanji but Asha was the principal singer. My favorite song from this film is Rafi Saab’s beautiful solo “Yoon Rootho Naa”. I am uploading this and the rest of the songs and a few music clips from this film in two back-to-back posts. Here are the songs from the film…