The Three Reigning Queens, Albums of Madhubala, Meena Kumari & Nargis Options

[swarapriya]

(Nargis) Ashiana (1952)

Here is another Nargis-Raj starrer. An early album of Madan Mohan Saab, probably fourth or fifth, consisting of some great music. When Madanji is around, one can expect a generous dose of Lata. Well, this album is no exception. She dominates the album with six solos, some are really beautiful. My favorite Lata song from this album is "Samaa Hai Bahaar Ka". Talat Saab has a couple of great solos too. My favorite is "Main Paagal Mera Manva Paagal".

Now for the details and the actual songs from this original sound track album ...

[swarapriya]

(Madhubala) Dhake Ki Malmal (1956)

The combination of Madhubala and O.P. Nayyar produced some beautiful songs. Just a year before this film, it was Guru Dutt's "Mr. & Mrs. '55" that made sensational news for its songs. Of course it was Geetaji who just swept the audience off their feet with her beautiful singing in that film. There is no Geetaji in this album. It is Asha singing seven out of eight songs, with three solos, two duets , and a triplet. Asha delivers with some outstanding tracks in "Ab To", "Jaadugar", and "More Mann". But to me the track of the album is the solo by the great C.H. Atma. He puts so much passion and depth into the song "Duniya Toh Jala" that in his melancholic voice it stays with you forever. The resonating voice of great Atmaji with a touch of tremble leaves a deep and lasting impression. The experience leaves you helplessly feeble from which it will take some time for you to come back to normal senses. The great song was penned by OP's wife, Sarojini Mohini Nayyar. It is a beauty alright.

It seems like I may be missing a song from this album that is shown in red italics in the table below. If indeed this is the case and if you happen to have the song, please kindly share.

Now for the details of the songs and the songs themselves ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jun 3 2010, 01:07 PM

[Aditya Pant]

(Madhubala) Dhake Ki Malmal (1956)

The combination of Madhubala and O.P. Nayyar produced some beautiful songs. Just year before this film, it was Guru Dutt's "Mr. & Mrs. '55" that made sensational news for its songs. Of course it was Geetaji who just swept the audience off their feet with her beautiful singing in that film. There is no Geetaji in this album. It is Asha singing seven out of eight songs, with three solos, two duets , and a triplet. Asha delivers with some outstanding tracks in "Ab To", "Jaadugar", and "More Mann". But to me the track of the album is the solo by the great C.H. Atma. He puts so much passion and depth into the song "Duniya Toh Jala" that in his melancholic voice it stays with you forever. The resonating voice of great Atmaji with a touch of tremble leaves a deep and lasting impression. The experience leaves you helplessly feeble for you to come back to normal senses. The great song was penned by OP's wife, Sarojini Mohini Nayyar. It is a beauty alright.

It seems like I may be missing a song from this album that is shown in red italics in the table below. If indeed this is the case and if you happen to have the song, please kindly share.

Now for the details of the songs and the songs themselves ...

The Asha-Kishore-Manna song was composed by Robin Chatterji

Aditya

[Debopriyo]

(Nargis) Saagar (1951)

Actor Jairaj (his photo attached), who directed this movie, was a veteran of nearly 170 films starting in silent movies. A Telugu speaking Jairaj was born in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh. He gave up his college studies in pursuit of acting career in movies and moved to Bombay. He soon found work in a silent movie in 1929. He acted in 11 silent movies. When talkies came into vogue, he was in demand. For nearly 20 years he was a popular hero acting opposite most of the top heroines of the day. Because of his build he became popular playing mostly historic roles. He produced and directed several movies including this one. Ironically, even though Jairaj hailed from a Telugu family and his mother tongue was Telugu, he never acted in a Telugu movie.

In 1980 Jairaj was awarded the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his services to the movie industry.

I am uploading four songs from this movie. I am pretty sure there must be more. If so, please kindly share. These songs were all contributed by the Forum members. Thank you. The ones I downloaded had a lot of noise and I tried to clean them. It appears that now their quality is fair.

Four songs I am uploading here are very sweet songs, rich in lyrics, all sung by a different singer. Here are they …

From Saagar can any one upload......
Kaun sunega tere man ki pukaar - Asha

[swarapriya]

(Madhubala) Dhake Ki Malmal (1956)

The Asha-Kishore-Manna song was composed by Robin Chatterji

Aditya

Thanks Aditya. I made the changes per your suggestion. Cheers. -S

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Ek Hi Raasta (1956)

B.R. Chopra directed this movie that dealt with the plight of a seemingly hapless young widow trying to raise a child. For the period the movie was made, it was topical if not bold. Thanks to some great acting by all the principals and some very fine music by Hemantda, the movie was a huge hit.

I am uploading all songs from this film in the first post. In the second post, I am including a couple of extended version songs. Here are the details of the songs from the first post and the songs themselves ...

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Ek Hi Raasta (1956)" ...

The following two extended version songs from this album are by the courtesy of the Forum members. Thank you ...

[yogihit]

Awesome SP !!!

Thanks a lot

[nandi]

Thanks for Dhaake Ki Malmal.
Tha C H Atma song was probably his most memorable to me. Another Kishore-Madhubala movie but this time there was a serious theme involved.

[swarapriya]

Awesome SP !!!

Thanks a lot

You're very much welcome Yogi. Cheers. -S

[swarapriya]

Thanks for Dhaake Ki Malmal.
Tha C H Atma song was probably his most memorable to me. Another Kishore-Madhubala movie but this time there was a serious theme involved.

I have no argument with it Nandi. It is definitely one of my favorites of Atma. The voice has so much melancholy filled with deep feelings that it echoes deep in the chambers of your heart for some time. Very very deeply impressionable singing style. Just love it . Cheers. -S

[swarapriya]

(Nargis) Bewafa (1952)

Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi, fondly known as Allah Rakha throughout the music world, ran away from home when he was 12 to learn playing tabla. As a kid he was fascinated by the beat and rhythm of tabla and some day wanted to be good at it. To accomplish his goals, he worked with some of the great masters of his time.

A strict disciplinarian, his regimen for practice and dedication to his work became legendary. Early in his career he composed music for several Hindi and Punjabi films. But it was his association with Pandit Ravi Shankar that brought him worldwide recognition and the celebrity status. For scores of years he travelled with Shankar all over the world giving concerts. He was the chief tabla player to Shankar’s magic with the sitar. He was not only a noted accompanist but was also a magical soloist. Please see his picture in the attachment below.

Rakha’s percussive wizardry was a popular item in these concerts. He was a prolific composer, a master of improvisation, an electrifying showman, a flawless soloist, and a task master teacher. He elevated the stature of tabla in the eyes of the music world to that of a chief musical instrument.

Ustad Allah Rakha trained countless people in tabla through a school he founded in Bombay, the Institute of Music. His son, Ustad Zakir Hussain, is now recognized as one of the world renowned tabla players was one of the notable beneficiaries of his teaching.

I had the good fortune of attending several concerts of Ravi Shankar where I watched the display of tabla wizardry by the Ustad. It is a happening that stays with you. Until one experiences it one has no idea what a tabla can do as a medium of music. I also attended several father and son concerts of Allah Rakha and his son Zakir Hussain. Hussain is a chip of the old block. He is a magician with his fingers and already has a carved a name for himself. When those fingers start dancing on the percussion instruments it leaves you drenched with experience of a lifetime that is mesmerizingly spellbinding. By the way Hussain also toured with Shankar after the senior Ustad passed away. I am attaching a picture below that shows Shankar on the left, Rakha in the center, and Hussain to the right.

Qureshiji was recognized with several honors throughout his career both in India as well as abroad. He was honored with Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, and the Indo-American Achievement Award.

I am uploading here a couple of musical pieces associated with Rakha Saab. The first one is with Ravi Shankar. This is a live recording from the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival with Shankar on the Sitar and Rakha on the tabla. The other piece is with his son Zakir Hussain. This is taken from the 1989 album called “Together”.

Here are the details of these two musical pieces and the actual instrumental wizardry itself …

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Bewafa (1952)"

This is another movie starring Nargis and Raj Kapoor. Incidentally, Talat Mahmood was the voice of Raj in this movie also. This is the third movie released in 1952 that had Talat lending his voice to Raj (other two being “Anhonee” and “Ashiana”).

Now for the details of the songs and the songs themselves …

[nandi]

Thanks for Bandhan & Ek Hi Raasta
nandi

[swarapriya]

Thanks for Bandhan & Ek Hi Raasta
nandi

You're welcome, Nandi. Cheers. -S