Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

Hamara Forums _ Raja Mehdi Ali Khan _ A Tribute To Legendary Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

Posted by: sbiswas2005 Jul 28 2008, 12:12 PM

Attached Image


The poet, writer and lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in Karmabad in undivided India. This township got its name from his zamindar grandfather. Raja Mehdi's early tutoring was under his mother Hebay Saheba soon after he had lost his father. Dr. Allana Iqbal has acknowledged Hebay Saheba as a leading Urdu poet.

In the early forties while serving at all India Radio, Delhi, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan got a call from his friend Sadat Hsan Monto the noted Urdu writer who had joined Hindi films. Raja started as a dialogue writer and did a role in Ashok Kumar's 8 Day's but writing dialogues and acting was not for him.

S. Mukherji the partner in Filmistan Studios gave Raja Mehdi the poet a chance to write lyrics in his film 'Do Bhai' (1946). Songs like 'Mera Sunder Sapna' and 'Yaad Karoge' from this film became instant hits. In 1947, in spite of communal riots, Raja Mehdi and his wife Tahira took the decision of staying in India rather than migrating to the newly formed Pakistan. In 1948 his patriotism manifested in his songs 'Watan ki raah mein' and 'Todi todi bachay' from the Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal starrer 'Shaheed'.

Raja Mehdi never discriminated when it came to working with established or new music composers. 'Madhosh' (1950) was music composer, Madam Mohan's debut film with Raja Mehdi. He had been associated with music composers like Iqbal Qureshi, Babul, S. Mohinder, Chic Chocolate and Rono Mukerjhi to name some. He has given some wonderful songs with C. Ramchandra (Mere piya gaye Rangoon) and O.P. Nayyar (Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon). However, he formed an immortal team with Madan Mohan.

'Anpadh', 'Mera Saaya', 'Who Kaun Thi', Neela Akash', Dulhan Ek Raat Ki' and 'Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah' were some outstanding films where this duo worked together. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was the first lyricist to introduce 'Aap' in film songs. 'Aap ki nazronā€¦.' (Anpadh), 'Aap kyon roye' (Woh Kaun Thi), 'Aap ne apna banaya' (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki) are some examples. Incidentally, his song 'Lag ja gale' from the film 'Woh Kaun Thi' was one amongst the top ten all time favorites in film history to be 'retired' from Antakshri on Zee TV.

In the mid sixties Raja Mehdi Ali Khan paired with the next generation sensation. Laxmikant Pyarelal in films like 'Anita' and 'Jaal'. This was as far as Raja Mehdi's career was destined. He breathed his last on July 29 1996 leaving behind a treasure of songs that are still cherished by all lovers of poetry in film songs.

His surviving peers remember him for his great poetry, his criticism and love for food. In a TV interview, the late actor Mehmood recalled how he worked as Raja Mehdi's chauffeur during his youth. Raja Mehdi's poems and short stories regularly appear in Urdu magazines like 'Biswin Sadi', 'Shama Bano' and 'Khilona'. He is survived by a wealth of songs and Urdu 'Diwans' like 'Andaaz-E-Bayaan Aur' and 'Mizraab'.

He lived like the Raja of good poetry till the end. He brought good poetry to Hindi songs when they were facing times when they were just considered as a pastime. He refused to compromise when it came to poetry. He could have been known as one of the greatest lyricist of Hindi films but preferred to live as a Raja of his own world, his own kingdom which no 'enemy' could even try to plunder or take away from him. A Raja like this Raja rules once in many decades and his rule is remembered for all time.


Ek Haseen Sham Ko - Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
Duration: 3:45
Bitrate: 192 kbps
Music: Madan Mohan

[attachmentid=222380]

Main Nigahen Tere Chehre Se - Aap Ki Parchhaiyan
Duration: 3:15
Bitrate: 192 kbps
Music: Madan Mohan

[attachmentid=222378]

Subir



Posted by: sbiswas2005 Jul 28 2008, 12:40 PM

Video of the above song.. biggrin.gif

Attached Image

Attached Image

Attached Image

Main Nigahen Tere Chehre Se - Aap Ki Parchhaiyan
Duration: 3:18
Bitrate: 450 kbps
Music: Madan Mohan

Part 1

[attachmentid=222392]

Subir

Posted by: sbiswas2005 Jul 28 2008, 12:49 PM

Part 2

[attachmentid=222394]

Subir

Posted by: venkat Jul 28 2008, 07:13 PM

Nice to remember Raja Saab on his death anniversry. smile.gif

Subir Ji, is this inspiration from Bhoole Bisre Geet of today? biggrin.gif

Venkat

Posted by: r&d Jul 29 2008, 07:46 AM

and here are some often overlooked gems.

Desh Ka Pyaara - Asha Bhosle - Masoom (1960) - Robin Banerjee - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Jaane Waale O Jaane Waale - Mohammed Rafi - Hatimtai (1956) - S. N. Tripathi - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Mere Dil Se Aati Hai - Asha Bhosle - Paristaan (1957) - S. N. Tripathi - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Raat Abhi Baaki Hai - Geeta Dutt - Baghdad (1952) - Bulo C. Rani - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Phir Terii Yaad Naye Geet - Mohammed Rafi - Bekhabar (1965) - S. Mohinder - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Abhi Abhi Bahar Thi - Asha Bhosle - Paapi (1953) - S. Mohinder - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Aye Sabah Unse Keh Zara (Film version) - Mohammed Rafi & Asha Bhosle - Alibaba and 40 Thieves (1954) - S. N. Tripathi - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Sare Jahan Se Achha - Asha Bhosle - Bhai Bahen (1959) - N. Dutta - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Mere Watan Ka Hai Tu Woh Ratan - Asha Bhosle - Tu Hi Meri Zindagi (1965) - Rono Deb Mukherji - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Watan Se Pardes Jaane Waale - Mohammed Rafi - Paristaan (1957) - S. N. Tripathi - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Tumhari Yaad Mein .. Dil Mera Beqaraar Hai - Lata Mangeshkar - Bandish (1955) - Hemant Kumar - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Hai Badhke Farishton Se - Mohammed Rafi - Maa Ke Ansoo (1959) - Sardar Malik - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Bhagwan Tujhe Main Khat Likhata - Chitragupt - Manchala (1953) - Chitragupt - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Chanda Ka Dil Toot Gaya Roney Lage Hain Sitaare - Mohammed Rafi - Khoj (1953) - Nissar Baazmi - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Wafaon Ke Badley - Asha Bhosle - Jagir (1959) - Madan Mohan - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Barkha Ki Raaton Mein - Asha Bhosle - Shrimatiji (1952) - Jimmy - Raja Mejdi Ali Khan

Posted by: r&d Jul 29 2008, 07:49 AM

QUOTE(sbiswas2005 @ Jul 27 2008, 11:42 PM) *


He has given some wonderful songs with C. Ramchandra (Mere piya gaye Rangoon)



As far as I can tell the above song from Patanga (1949) is credited to Rajinder Krishan.

Posted by: hildebrand May 27 2009, 01:31 AM

Nice writeup Subir bhai. smile.gif
He was really a good lyricist.

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)