Shair Aur Sargam

(Rajinder Krishan) Bhabhi (1957)

This family drama enjoyed unprecedented success. One of the main reasons was that the southern actress Pandari Bai who played the title role had a major impact. Her homely demeanor, wholesome appearance, and effortless warmth with which she portrayed her role were so natural and disarming that viewers took the movie to their heart. The great veteran actor Balraj Sahni also added much of the appeal to the film. The other significant reason was its music. Almost every song became immensely popular.

Watching the movie now I have different opinion about it. Over the years, for better or worse my views on many things have changed. As far as dated family dramas go this movie was definitely a better one. But if you think seriously about the portrayal of the people as depicted in this film one wonders how come these people are so one dimensional. You encounter people in this film who are either simply sweet or annoyingly atrocious. There is nobody in between.

Actor Jagdeep, who later found his niche as a comedian, had a starring role in this movie. When AVM's "Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke" released earlier the same year in 1957 became an artistic and commercial success in which Jagdeep had a major role, they signed him for a multi-movie contract. "Bhabhi" and a couple of other movies that were made by AVM had Jagdeep in some major roles.

As mentioned earlier, much of the success movie enjoyed owed in a significant part to its music. Rajinder Krishanji, who also wrote the dialogues for the film, wrote some beautiful lyrics for the songs. This movie has beautifully composed songs by Chitraguptji to the rich lyrics of Rajinder Krishanji. Rafi Saab had some great solos. Both the duets by Lataji and Rafi Saab are also melodious to listen to.

The movie starts with the song "Chal Udd Jaa Re" as the titles roll and ends with it. In between the song appears two more times. All of these except for the last one are different. I am uploading these three parts here. The fourth part that I am not uploading here is only 27 seconds duration and repeats the first line "Chal Udd Jaa Re".

I am also uploading a version song of "Chal Udd Jaa Re" sung by Talat Saab. Talatji's son claimed that this was originally recorded for the film and later was replaced by Rafi Saab's version. Apparently per the Hindi Film Geet Kosh this was a version song Talat Saab later recorded. A great singer Talat was, he could not match the range of the song that it demanded which Rafi Saab could. In Rafi Saab's voice this song elevated to greater heights.

I am uploading these and other songs from this film in two back-to-back posts. Here are the songs in the first post…

(Rajinder Krishan) Bhabhi (1957)

Dear Swarapriya

the song hai bohot dino ki baat --nautanki laila majnu is also having RAFI sahab's voice along mannadey & balbir ji.

just correction

thanks

My Dear Taiyab,

It was a mistake on my part to omit Rafi Saab's name in the song. But one of our learned members Exon shares that the third singer is S.D. Batish. Would you or anyone else can please check this in the Geet Kosh and clear it up? Thanks. Incidentally, the DVD does not list any singers names.

Cheers,
S

dear swarapriya I have heard the song it is definetly rafi sahib & also HFGK also claims it.

thanks

Thank you Taiyab. Actually I was referring to the third singer. Besides Mannada and Rafi Saab, is the third singer Balbirji or Batishji? All sources I have checked give Balbirji as the third singer but per Exon could it be Batishji?

Cheers,
S

Concluding Songs from "Bewaqoof (1960)"...

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