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

[swarapriya]

(Anand Bakshi) Pati Patni (1966)

This was the second association of Anand Bkashi Saab with R.D. Burman. Their first association was in 1965 for the film “Teesra Kaun”. It did not set anything on fire. But that changed with this film. Several songs from this album, sublime to zany, became very popular. This foundation paved the way to the hit parade this pair was collaborated with, in nearly 100 films.

My favorites from the album are the solos by Lataji. Lataji had three solos, even though the song “Saare Jagat” is the continuation of “Naa Mujh Mein”. But the song of the album is Lataji’s stirring and mellifluous rendition of “Kajre Badarwa”. If you did not know that the music was composed by RD, a listening to this song can easily convinces that it has to be Senior Burman’s music. The musical arrangement was that impeccably close to SD’s trademark imprint.

I am uploading this and other songs from this album in two back-to-back posts. Here is the first set…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Pati Patni (1966)"...

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

[swarapriya]

(Hasrat Jaipuri) Howrah Bridge (1958)

Even though watching this movie now feels very dated yet it has several admirable things going for it. One of the major problems is that some of the important characters in the film look and behave like cartoons. Madan Puri’s Chinese role is a prime example of this. But here are some of the things that one feels good about the overall film…

“Howrah Bridge” made by the producer and director Shakti Samanta (later of “Aradhana (1959)” fame) borrowed heavily from the movies of Humphrey Bogart in which his costars were either Lauren Bacall or Ava Gardner. The whole atmosphere of the movie that was a murder mystery gives that feeling. It was helped by the brilliant cinematography that showed the grimy streets, seedy people, shifting landscape, and shady nightclubs. Yet Kolkata (Calcutta that time) is shown in all its glory with several exotic locales, especially during the song “Eent ki Dukki” sung beautifully by Rafi Saab. The magnificent Howrah Bridge served as an appropriate backdrop for the song.

Ashok Kumar in some scenes impeccably looked like Humphrey Bogart, mainly because he was suited up that way. But Dadamoni was his own actor and he displays that ease and smile with his role that leaves an impression that he was enjoying every minute of it all. By the way, Bogey never smiled in his movies. Incidentally Ashok’s Saab’s lighting up a cigarette in most of the scenes at least dates back to this film, again a habit Bogey had in his films.

Madhubala playing an Anglo-Indian looked absolutely gorgeous and was dressed up very much like Bogey’s costars Lauren Bacall and Ava Gardner. She looked very lush in full skirts and was stunningly radiant throughout the movie. Her infectious smile torches the screen with the sensuality and sexiness seldom seen on the screen. This is further exemplified by the song done beautifully by Asha, “Aaiye Meherbaan”. Incidentally Madhubala’s song from the film “Mahal (1949)”, “Aayega Aanewaala”, with Ashok Kumar made Lata a singing sensation. The song “Aaiye” almost did the same favor for Asha. Even though she was an established singer at this time, the song proved Asha to be one of our great singers, no less talented than her famous sister.

Helen who is an Anglo-Burmese by birth appears briefly in a dance number in the movie, cutely made up like a Chinese doll. She was still new into the movies, only 19 when this film was made. Her song in the night club, “Merra Naam Chin Chin Chu” had sparks flying all over thanks to the singing of Geetaji. This song not only became a perennial favorite among film-goers but is still popular all over the world. For Geetaji, who was instrumental in kick starting the career of music director O.P. Nayyar with several assignments for her husband’s (Guru Dutt) films during OP’s struggling days, this was the last song she sang for him. It is such a pity because together these two who were brilliant in their respective fields and gave us so many winning songs as a team could not come to grips to work together again. OP later acknowledged that it was a mistake on his part not to utilize Geetaji’s talents any further after the “Chin Chin” song. He cited that he was forced to make the decision as Asha apparently threatened to no longer sing for him.

Talking about the music, here OP delivered some of his best work. Every song is such a delight. His music always has that tilt towards lilt, sensibility of sensuality, and caressing carefree feeling. If nothing else the songs mentioned earlier have stood the test of time proving once again what kind of a musical genius he was. G.S. Kohli was the assistant music director of the film.

I am uploading these songs in three back-to-back posts. The first two posts contain songs from an original soundtrack album. The third post has three several instrumentals of the song “Aaiye”.

The songs and the instrumentals start beginning in the next post …

[swarapriya]

Songs from "Howrah Bridge (1958)"...

Here is the first set of highly entertaining and very popular songs from this film...

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Howrah Bridge (1958)"...

Here are the rest of the songs from this highly entertaining album...

[swarapriya]

Instrumentals of "Aaiye Meharbaan" from "Howrah Bridge (1958)"...

Here are several instrumentals of Asha's breezy rendition of "Aaiye Meherbaan" song from the film...

[swarapriya]

(Javed Akhtar) Bada Din (1998)

This album is a mixed bag. Some songs, including lyrics, are passable. Then there are others that are excellent. These include Sanu’s “Kehta Hai”, the duet by Alka & Udit, “Oonche Neeche”, and the super duet of Alka & Sanu, “Suno Zara”. I am uploading these and other songs from an original soundtrack album in two back-to-back posts.

Here is the first set…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Bada Din (1998)"...

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

[swarapriya]

(Majrooh) Ardhangini (1959)

This movie was produced and directed by Ajit Chakrabarty for Mars & Movies, late Amiya Chakrabarty’s banner that was responsible for movies like “Daag (1952)”, “Patita (1953)”, “Seema (1956)” and other fine films. After Amiyaji passed away in 1957 Ajit took over the reins of Amiya’s production company. I am not sure how Ajit is related to Amiya Saab, don’t know whether he was his brother or son, but he made three films. This film “Ardhangini” is one of them. The other two films were “Apne Huye Paraye (1964)” and “Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)’.

All of Amiyaji’s films that he produced and directed except for the last one had music by Shankar & Jaikishan. The last film he made in 1957, the year of his death, was “Dekh Kabira Roya”. It had music by Madan Mohan Saab. Ajit however opted for Vasant Desai to compose music for “Ardhangini”. Desai who was so good in many films for which he composed music for, this time was a bit disappointing.

Here are the songs from this film…

[swarapriya]

(Rajinder Krishan) Mem Sahib (1956)

This movie was based on the story of culture clash between East (represented by saintly Kishoreda) and West (played roguishly by Shammi). By the time the movie was over as expected Eastern culture prevails.

Here is an early Madan Mohan Saab’s movie that has no songs by Lataji. Ashaji grabs the opportunity and smells like a million roses. I like her solos “Dil Dil Se” and “Ishq Ek”. The latter almost sounds like it was inspired by songs from “Anarkali (1953)”. The lyricist Rajinder Krishanji was a common factor for both the films. Incidentally if one pays close attention to the title music, Madan Saab borrows part of its music from Raj Kapoor’s “Awaara (1952)” song “Ab Raat Guzarne Waali Hai”.

Kishore’s version of “Dil Dil Se” was also a runaway popular hit. There are a couple of duets of Asha and Talat that are also pleasing. I am uploading these and others in two back-to-back posts. In the first post I am including all the songs from the film. In the second post I am uploading some music clips and instrumentals.

Here are the songs in the first post…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Mem Sahib (1956)"...

Here are some music clips and instrumentals of the song "Dil Dil Se"...

[swarapriya]

(Shakeel) Kaise Kahoon (1964)

This movie was directed by Atma Ram, younger brother of the late Guru Dutt. Ram was involved in variety of activities in film making including stints as a producer, assistant director, second unit director, director, actor, controller of production and in other capacities. He was involved with movies, documentaries, and TV Series. He left for England in disgust when his brother Guru Dutt reneged on his promise to have him direct “C.I.D.” that Guru offered instead to Raj Khosla. He later came back to India after Guru’s death to keep his brother’s banner alive by making movies. His 1968 directorial effort “Shikar” was a huge hit.

“Kaise Kahoon” is a simple movie that did not make anyone to get noticed. However it will be remembered for its great songs and rich lyrics of those songs. After the mixed reaction they received for the work on “Benazir” they collaborated together for the first time, people were skeptical about how Burmanda and Badayuni Saab combination will work this time around. Well, this album quieted every critic. It is an absolute beauty. Almost all songs sparkle like gems. I am not going to single out which song is my favorite because there are so many of them I have in this album. Incidentally, RD Burman was the film’s assistant music director.

One note. The song snippet "Saaz-E-Dil" I am including here in the first post is in the DVD. I am not sure whether this song is from this film or not. In the film it was played briefly on a record player. I am including here because it is in the film. If anyone has more details on this, please kindly share with us. Thanks.

I am uploading all songs and some music clips in two back-to-back posts. Here is the first set of songs…

[swarapriya]

Some Music Clips from "Kaise Kahoon (1964)"...

Here are some music clips from this fine album...

[swarapriya]

(Shailendra) Madhumati (1958)

“Madhumati” is like a poem on the celluloid. It has that lyrical quality, that melancholic beauty, that haunting sweetness that stays with you forever. Bimalda who directed the movie was unquestionably a cinematic genius. But he was working here with an unusual type of subject. Yet the film clearly demonstrated why he was such a brilliant director. Every frame has his masterly touch. Every scene has his indelible imprint. Everything in the film seems to work together like a well-oiled machine. Its story and its unfolding, its acting, its music, its crisp editing, its photography, its unspoiled locales, its innocent and simple folks in the backdrop of the story, it is like a magnificent book that is engrossing from its cover page to the last that once you start reading it is difficult to put it down.

Bimalda, master of his craft, created an unforgettable ambience and set the movie into motion in a heartwarming romantic mood. He was brilliantly aided by the unforgettable camera work and inspiringly moody but melodious music. In Salilda’s hands the music becomes such an integral part of the movie that it casts a magic spell on you. Listen to the haunting melody of “Aa Jaa Re Pardesi” as Vyjayanti Mala glides through the mist. How about the echo ridden song in the amazing voice of Mukesh intersecting with not so far away horizons when he sings “Suhaana Safar”? What a lovely folksy and festive song it is, the song “O Daiyya Re Daiyya Re Chadh Gaya Paapi Bichchua” in the lovely voices of Lata and Mannada. You feel the aches of love and pangs of separation when you hear that beautiful song “Dil Tadap Tadap”. You feel distressed when Rafi Saab sings “Toote Hue Khwaabon Ne”. Salilda’s magnificent score was saturated with the divine beauty of the surroundings the movie was shot in. His music apparently showed the inspiration he clearly drew from the days he spent growing up in the hills of Assam.

Dilip gives a great performance. But these types of roles are just a routine for him. One expects this from Dilip Saab and he seldom disappoints you. He has done them before. He will do more of them in the years ahead. But the real show stealer was the performance by Vyjayanti Mala in the title role. Looking stunningly beautiful, she displayed hitherto unexplored histrionic talents that keep the viewer spellbound. As an innocent simple woman with no worldly experiences she shone brilliantly like an uncut diamond. As a woman falling in love she expressed her anxieties and vulnerabilities with graceful ease. As a lovely dancer she was full of glee and gay abandon. This was a total and complete film for her.

“Madhumati” was a biggest commercial success for Bimalda. The movie walked away with a whole bunch of Filmfare awards. It won awards for Best Picture (Bimal Roy), Best Director (Bimal Roy), Best Actress (Vyjayanti Mala), Best Music (Salil Chowdhury), Best Supporting Actor (Johnny Walker), Best Art Direction (Sudhendu Roy), Best Editing (Hrishikesh Mukherjee), Best Female Singer (Lata Mangeshkar for “Aa Jaa Re Pardesi”), Best Dialogue (Rajinder Singh Bedi), and Best Cinematography (Dilip Gupta). Its story and screenplay were written by Ritwik Ghatak, an eminent director himself, who was nominated but did not win. Dilip was nominated for Best Actor but lost out to Dev Anand for “Kala Pani”.

I am uploading all songs from this album, some music clips, several specials, and a whole bunch of instrumentals of these popular songs in six back-to-back posts. The first two posts contain songs from the movie. The third post contains several specials. The other three posts contain instrumentals.

The songs start beginning in the next post…

[swarapriya]

Madhumati (1958) - Post 1 (Songs)

Here are the songs in this post...