Biography On The Life Of Geeta Ji, Book is available in Pune Options

[parag_sankla]

Our dear friend Alybaba ji had posted a very important message about an upcoming book written in English on the life of Geeta ji. Here is the link to the original post

http://www.hamaraforums.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=189568

I am creating a new topic so that it is easy to find this topic and any update on this can be posted here



Coming soon, the life story of the chin, chin choo lady

Geeta Dutt, who would have turned 75 today, will now be immortalised in a first-ever biography

Sunanda Mehta

Pune, November 22: Her’s was a voice you could see, feel and experience. For it was a voice that danced, cried and allured with a versatility rarely seen in Hindi film music. And it is this extraordinary magic of the legendary singer that Pune-based film maker and author Haimanti Banerjee is striving to capture in the first ever biography being written on Geeta Dutt, who would have turned 75 on November 23.

Painstakingly gathering tidbits of information since the past two-and-a-half-years to piece together her life story, Banerjee says the book is a tribute to the genius of Dutt, who never really got her due in life.
‘‘I want to establish that contrary to popular conception, Geeta Dutt’s career neither started nor ended with Guru Dutt. She was a much established singer when he was a struggling director in the late 40s and early 50s. No one director or composer made her — she was in a class of her own,’’ says Banerjee.

To this end Banerjee has spent considerable time studying and analysing Dutt’s singing career to make for a ‘‘compendium’’ that will have the complete lyrics of Dutt’s most important songs accompanied by their English translations. For instance, there are some five pages devoted to Tabdeer se bigri hui taqdeer bana de which marked Dutt’s transition from lachrymose numbers to peppy ones.

There is also an exploration of the kind of music directors, lyricists and actresses Dutt sang for and their relation with her, with some rare pictures obtained from her family members, especially son Arun Dutt. And though comments on her subject’s personal life have been studiously avoided, an analysis of the Guru Dutt-Geeta Dutt relationship finds a place in the book.

According to Banerjee, the greatest difficulty in doing research on Dutt has been the non-availability of the singer’s body of work. ‘‘Can you believe there was this one journal with a series of four volumes on Hindi film music and Geeta Dutt’s name came up only twice in it?’’ exclaims the writer who calls Harminder’s Geet Kosh her bible for Dutt’s bibliography.

Banerjee, who has won national awards for her documentaries on Shantiniketan and Balgandharva and has been widely acclaimed for her first book on Ritwik Ghatak, hopes to complete the book in six months.

Music box
Geeta Roy was born on November 23, 1930 in Faridpur in East Bengal and came to Mumbai when she was 12
Her first big hit was Mera sundar sapna beet gaya in 1947, after which she ruled the film world till 1957
Her best songs include Na jao sayeeyan, Aaj sanam mohe ang laga le, Mera naam chin chin choo, Meri jaan mujhe jaan na kaho
She died in 1972, eight years after Guru Dutt’s death in 1964

Main Link Of the news is:
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=158353

This post has been edited by parag_sankla: Dec 19 2008, 06:09 AM

[simplefable]

I just cant stop wondering at the mileage the present singers get, when compared to legends like Geeta. It is unfortunate that they were born in such age, when media is in nascent stage. What ever, am sure that this book will bring in lots of untold anecdotes from one of the finest singers of HFM.
Personally i believe that getting married to Guru Dutt is the one single factor which curtailed her career...not the other way.

[parag_sankla]

Venkat, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. This news item came way back in year 2005 and still there is no update on this. I did check in some book shops in Bangalore if this book was ever released. No one knows a thing about this.

I have requested Mahesh Sharma ji (maheshks) to check on this. Let us hope to hear something on this soon.

Cheers
Parag

[simplefable]

Now..this is NEWS ! I was thinking that it is latest and yet to come. On my recent visit to Higginbothams, Chennai, I didnt see this one at all ! Will be on the lookout parag..

[parag_sankla]

Painstakingly gathering tidbits of information since the past two-and-a-half-years to piece together her life story, Banerjee says the book is a tribute to the genius of Dutt, who never really got her due in life.
‘‘I want to establish that contrary to popular conception, Geeta Dutt’s career neither started nor ended with Guru Dutt. She was a much established singer when he was a struggling director in the late 40s and early 50s. No one director or composer made her — she was in a class of her own,’’ says Banerjee.

Most of the listeners of old HFM (including yours truly, when I began to listen to her songs) have this misconception. Well, I did know that 'Mera sundar sapna beet gaya' came way back in 1947 where as the first Guru Dutt-Geeta Dutt association started in Baazi in 1951. What I (and many music lovers too) did not know that she was an established singer, a close second to Lata ji, when she met Guru Dutt and they both fell in love.

This forum has been a great platform to showcase that Geeta ji's career is much longer and wider compared to approx 50 odd songs she sang for films of Guru Dutt (as a producer, director or even just actor).

[parag_sankla]

Its a sad news update. Mahesh has responded that he has not seen any positive update on this book. Not really sure if this was ever published or not. Based on the earlier information it was supposed to be released in November 2006.

[smahesh]

here is more news from indian express' website.
but it is not clear whether the book has yet been released.
here is the link-
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fo...f-Geeta/341322/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the love of Geeta
Font Size - -A +A
Shashi Priya
Posted online: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58
Updated: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58 Print Email To Editor Post CommentsRelated Articles



Twice the winner of national award for documentary making, Haimanti Banerjee now comes up with first ever book written on Geeta Dutt that establishes the inimitable singer as her own person
It troubled her to the core why a singer of Geeta Dutt’s caliber had such a short stint with success. In fact the popularity of being recognised as the singer for Guru Dutt’s films which given to Geeta Dutt’s singing capabilities finally became detrimental to her identity, was something that bothered her the most.

Haimanti Banerjee, specialist in film appreciation and twice the winner of national award for documentary making could not abide by the popular notions masquerading Geeta Dutt’s rightful identity and thus she started her quest to re explore the legend five years back. After five years of extensive research that included rigmarole of activities entailing hunting video and audio libraries, old magazines, photo albums, looking for people who knew Geeta Dutt closely, Banrjee has come up with first book ever written on Geeta Dutt in any language in India.’’

The blithe spirit of a skylark’s croon is what Banerjee associates Geeta Dutt’s voice with. Thus titling the book as Geeta Dutt – The Skylark, Banerjee unsheathes the real Geeta whose ability to cover the range from the sensual to the soothing gave her an edge over other singers of her time. The book especially focuses on those songs sung by Geeta that do not have the tag of Guru Dutt overshadowing her name. Says Banerjee, “ I wanted the Geeta in my book to define her own presence. And that she very well does with her independent share of songs she sung for various other films apart from Guru Dutt’s. Very few people know that Geeta lent her voice to Nargis in the Film Jogan and that she has given her voice to all the twelve songs of the film.”

The reason the documentary maker did not come up with a documentary on Geeta she states is “there is so much about her that could not be summed up in a half an hour documentary. Also when you feel for something you very tenderly and carefully arrange it layer by layer and then gradually indulge in every bit of the experience.”

Churning out these intricate details was a tough nut to crack. Shares Banerjee, “If Kusum Gokarne would not have been there then perhaps it would have taken another couple of years for me to come out with the book.” A distant relative of the Dutts, Gokarne introduced Banerjee to Geeta’s son Arun Dutt. “After Arun came in the picture things just started falling into place. He took me to Nashik to meet Geeta Dutt’s elder brother Mukul Roy and also provided me with around two hundred rare photos of Geeta Dutt. He became the fulcrum for my research.”

Apart from meeting people, rummaging through the National Archives library and flipping through the pages of Geet Kosh a book that literally has in store listings of all the songs since the advent of sound in the year 1931 were the other efforts put in by Banerjee to detail her research. “ A book on Geeta Dutt was like a chimera for me that never took off. But then one day I decided that this legend has to be resurrected, if not for the sake of her own identity, then for the sake of good music because hers is a name long lost in the clutches of a transitional phase. I felt a voice like hers should be revived so that more and more people listen to it.”

In the book visually reviving the memory of the inimitable Geeta Dutt would be 120 rare photographs of hers spanning her life. The book also contains some excerpts from Guru Dutt’s love letters, which he wrote to Geeta Dutt during their courtship along with around 100 songs of Geeta Dutt translated in English.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




regards,
mahesh

[parag_sankla]

Mahesh, like a true fan of Geeta ji as you always have been, you have shared this great link. I don't know how can I thank you for reviving my hopes of getting this book. It seems that the book work has been completed and it should be published soon (or may be it is already published).

Let us hope some one comes with the information as to when this book is (or is going to be) published.

Thanks Mahesh once again !

Warmest Regards
Parag

[parag_sankla]

A very polite and kind request to all

Any one having any information on the publisher of this book, if this book is already published, book shop where it is available...please share it.

The name of the book (as per the article) is Geeta Dutt- The Skylark


Thanks in advance

Best Regards
Parag

[Exon]

A very polite and kind request to all

Any one having any information on the publisher of this book, if this book is already published, book shop where it is available...please share it.

The name of the book (as per the article) is Geeta Dutt- The Skylark


Thanks in advance

Best Regards
Parag

Parag,

I don't know about this book or it's author. However, if I gather any information by reading the above links and some more web searches, I will sure send you a PM.

Exon

[parag_sankla]

Exon, I did not get any response from the email id you gave. It seems that this is a different person than the one who is writing the book.

Looking forward to any update on this topic. Has any one seen this book ? Has it been published ?

TIA

Regards
Parag

[simplefable]

I asked a friend of mine to enquire at Landmark, Chennai..and the reply was negative...they have no information what so ever of this book.. !!! Will keep looking else where..

[parag_sankla]

here is more news from indian express' website.
but it is not clear whether the book has yet been released.
here is the link-
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fo...f-Geeta/341322/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the love of Geeta
Font Size - -A +A
Shashi Priya
Posted online: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58
Updated: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58 Print Email To Editor Post CommentsRelated Articles



Twice the winner of national award for documentary making, Haimanti Banerjee now comes up with first ever book written on Geeta Dutt that establishes the inimitable singer as her own person
It troubled her to the core why a singer of Geeta Dutt’s caliber had such a short stint with success. In fact the popularity of being recognised as the singer for Guru Dutt’s films which given to Geeta Dutt’s singing capabilities finally became detrimental to her identity, was something that bothered her the most.

Haimanti Banerjee, specialist in film appreciation and twice the winner of national award for documentary making could not abide by the popular notions masquerading Geeta Dutt’s rightful identity and thus she started her quest to re explore the legend five years back. After five years of extensive research that included rigmarole of activities entailing hunting video and audio libraries, old magazines, photo albums, looking for people who knew Geeta Dutt closely, Banrjee has come up with first book ever written on Geeta Dutt in any language in India.’’

The blithe spirit of a skylark’s croon is what Banerjee associates Geeta Dutt’s voice with. Thus titling the book as Geeta Dutt – The Skylark, Banerjee unsheathes the real Geeta whose ability to cover the range from the sensual to the soothing gave her an edge over other singers of her time. The book especially focuses on those songs sung by Geeta that do not have the tag of Guru Dutt overshadowing her name. Says Banerjee, “ I wanted the Geeta in my book to define her own presence. And that she very well does with her independent share of songs she sung for various other films apart from Guru Dutt’s. Very few people know that Geeta lent her voice to Nargis in the Film Jogan and that she has given her voice to all the twelve songs of the film.”

The reason the documentary maker did not come up with a documentary on Geeta she states is “there is so much about her that could not be summed up in a half an hour documentary. Also when you feel for something you very tenderly and carefully arrange it layer by layer and then gradually indulge in every bit of the experience.”

Churning out these intricate details was a tough nut to crack. Shares Banerjee, “If Kusum Gokarne would not have been there then perhaps it would have taken another couple of years for me to come out with the book.” A distant relative of the Dutts, Gokarne introduced Banerjee to Geeta’s son Arun Dutt. “After Arun came in the picture things just started falling into place. He took me to Nashik to meet Geeta Dutt’s elder brother Mukul Roy and also provided me with around two hundred rare photos of Geeta Dutt. He became the fulcrum for my research.”

Apart from meeting people, rummaging through the National Archives library and flipping through the pages of Geet Kosh a book that literally has in store listings of all the songs since the advent of sound in the year 1931 were the other efforts put in by Banerjee to detail her research. “ A book on Geeta Dutt was like a chimera for me that never took off. But then one day I decided that this legend has to be resurrected, if not for the sake of her own identity, then for the sake of good music because hers is a name long lost in the clutches of a transitional phase. I felt a voice like hers should be revived so that more and more people listen to it.”

In the book visually reviving the memory of the inimitable Geeta Dutt would be 120 rare photographs of hers spanning her life. The book also contains some excerpts from Guru Dutt’s love letters, which he wrote to Geeta Dutt during their courtship along with around 100 songs of Geeta Dutt translated in English.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




regards,
mahesh

Mahesh, any more updates on this? I am so eagerly waiting to see this book. Don't know if it is gonna get published ever?



Parag

[surhall]

here is more news from indian express' website.
but it is not clear whether the book has yet been released.
here is the link-
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fo...f-Geeta/341322/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the love of Geeta
Font Size - -A +A
Shashi Priya
Posted online: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58
Updated: Monday , July 28, 2008 at 02:41:58 Print Email To Editor Post CommentsRelated Articles



Twice the winner of national award for documentary making, Haimanti Banerjee now comes up with first ever book written on Geeta Dutt that establishes the inimitable singer as her own person
It troubled her to the core why a singer of Geeta Dutt’s caliber had such a short stint with success. In fact the popularity of being recognised as the singer for Guru Dutt’s films which given to Geeta Dutt’s singing capabilities finally became detrimental to her identity, was something that bothered her the most.

Haimanti Banerjee, specialist in film appreciation and twice the winner of national award for documentary making could not abide by the popular notions masquerading Geeta Dutt’s rightful identity and thus she started her quest to re explore the legend five years back. After five years of extensive research that included rigmarole of activities entailing hunting video and audio libraries, old magazines, photo albums, looking for people who knew Geeta Dutt closely, Banrjee has come up with first book ever written on Geeta Dutt in any language in India.’’

The blithe spirit of a skylark’s croon is what Banerjee associates Geeta Dutt’s voice with. Thus titling the book as Geeta Dutt – The Skylark, Banerjee unsheathes the real Geeta whose ability to cover the range from the sensual to the soothing gave her an edge over other singers of her time. The book especially focuses on those songs sung by Geeta that do not have the tag of Guru Dutt overshadowing her name. Says Banerjee, “ I wanted the Geeta in my book to define her own presence. And that she very well does with her independent share of songs she sung for various other films apart from Guru Dutt’s. Very few people know that Geeta lent her voice to Nargis in the Film Jogan and that she has given her voice to all the twelve songs of the film.”

The reason the documentary maker did not come up with a documentary on Geeta she states is “there is so much about her that could not be summed up in a half an hour documentary. Also when you feel for something you very tenderly and carefully arrange it layer by layer and then gradually indulge in every bit of the experience.”

Churning out these intricate details was a tough nut to crack. Shares Banerjee, “If Kusum Gokarne would not have been there then perhaps it would have taken another couple of years for me to come out with the book.” A distant relative of the Dutts, Gokarne introduced Banerjee to Geeta’s son Arun Dutt. “After Arun came in the picture things just started falling into place. He took me to Nashik to meet Geeta Dutt’s elder brother Mukul Roy and also provided me with around two hundred rare photos of Geeta Dutt. He became the fulcrum for my research.”

Apart from meeting people, rummaging through the National Archives library and flipping through the pages of Geet Kosh a book that literally has in store listings of all the songs since the advent of sound in the year 1931 were the other efforts put in by Banerjee to detail her research. “ A book on Geeta Dutt was like a chimera for me that never took off. But then one day I decided that this legend has to be resurrected, if not for the sake of her own identity, then for the sake of good music because hers is a name long lost in the clutches of a transitional phase. I felt a voice like hers should be revived so that more and more people listen to it.”

In the book visually reviving the memory of the inimitable Geeta Dutt would be 120 rare photographs of hers spanning her life. The book also contains some excerpts from Guru Dutt’s love letters, which he wrote to Geeta Dutt during their courtship along with around 100 songs of Geeta Dutt translated in English.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




regards,
mahesh

Mahesh, any more updates on this? I am so eagerly waiting to see this book. Don't know if it is gonna get published ever?



Parag

hi, But this have total songs list ????????( my side have story some songs list)

dhall

[parag_sankla]

Dhall ji,

Mere khayal se is book mein Geeta ji ke saare gaanon ki list nahin hogi. Main aisi ek list banane ki koshish kar raha hoon jiske liye hamare ek bahut hi achche dost mujhe help kar rahe hain.

Best Regards
Parag