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

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)

Most of the following write up was used sometime back in my one of other threads...

This outstanding achievement in Hindi film history started when Guru Dutt bought the rights from Bimal Mitra whose novel was the basis of this movie. The movie was made in Bengali earlier in 1956 and was a success. It was directed by Kartik Chatopadhyay and starred Uttam Kumar as Bhootnath (Guru played it in Hindi) and Sumitra Devi as Chhoti Bahu (Meena Kumari in an unforgettable performance lived the role in Hindi).

Bimal Mitra was hired to work with Abrar Alvi, a lifelong friend and associate of Guru, who eventually also directed the movie. Mitra translated with the help of Alvi the Bengali novel into Hindi and Urdu. At Guru’s advice, Alvi taped the entire Urdu script in his own voice to get a sense of dramatic appeal the story offers.

Raj Khosla, who worked as an assistant to Guru and got his first break as a director with Guru’s “C.I.D. (1956)”, said that if “Pyaasa” was based on thoughts and deep rooted feelings of Guru’s youth, “Ghulam” showed the maturity of an artist that resulted in an immaculate film.

Guru Dutt originally considered Shashi Kapoor to play the role of Bhootnath. Then he changed his mind and considered Biswajeet for the role. As often is the case with Guru, he changed his mind again and settled himself to play the role. Guru gave a dignified performance by bringing a great deal of pathos and sincere sensitivity to the character. Rehman, his longtime friend from Prabhat Studios days and who has worked with him earlier in two of his very successful movies (“Pyaasa” in 1957 and “Chaudhvin ka Chand” in 1960), was brought in to play the role of Chhote Babu. Rehman was just marvelously natural and was very unforgettable in the character he played. For Manjhle Babu, Guru cast Sapru, again an old friend from Prabhat days. Interestingly, Saptu’s character spoke only once in the entire movie. This was done deliberately. It was felt that his silence should create a menacing and sinister presence the role called for. Indeed it was.

Guru originally wanted Nargis to play the role of Chhoti Bahu. Nargis excused herself saying that she was retired from acting. But most film people are of the opinion that Nargis rejected Guru’s offer because Guru dropped the movie “Raaz” he was making with Sunil Dutt, and didn’t even inform him. He also considered a London-based lady named Chhaya, who was a friend’s wife. Because she had no prior acting experience, he dropped that idea. Finally he turned to Meena Kumari. This was almost like a stroke of genius. Meenaji brought a unique perspective, silent dignity, solemn suffering, sincere subtlety, and unique depth to the character. Her stunning portrayal of the rebellious spirit of Chhote Bahu she forcibly put forth will be remembered for ages to come. Meenaji was only 32 at the time, and was going through some rough period in her life herself. In Vinod Mehta’s biography, “Meena Kumari”, the author quotes a paragraph from her diary that illustrates how she was obsessed with the character she was portraying. She wrote, “This woman is troubling me a great deal. All day long – and a good part of the night – it is nothing else but Chhoti Bahu’s helplessness, Chhoti Bahu’s sorrows, Chhoti Bahu’s smiles, Chhoti Bahu’s hopes, Chhoti Bahu’s tribulations, Chhoti Bahu’s endurance, Chhoti Bahu’s, Chhoti Bahu’s, Chhoti Bahu’s … Oh! I am sick of it.” For her performance of a lifetime, Meenaji won the Best Actress Filmfare ward. She was also nominated the very same year in the same category for her portrayals in “Aarti” and “Main Chhup Rahoongi”.

Guru initially wanted S.D. Burman to score the music for the film. But Burmanda was indisposed and wasn’t available. Guru also offered Sahir Ludhianvi to write the lyrics. But Sahir declined the offer. Then he turned to Hemant Kumar to compose the music and Shakeel, who worked with him in “Chaudhvin Ka Chand”, to write the lyrics. The score probably was one of the best score ever provided by Hemantda. The delicate, fine, and the haunting quality of the songs all have that Hemantda’s imprint on them. (The song “Na Jaao Saiyyaan” was itself based on Hemantda’s original Bengali song, “Oliro Katha Sune”.) One of the highlights of the score was that not just the songs were simply superb, but also the highly atmospheric background music. The aura of tragedy, the scars of loneliness, the frustrations raised out of neglect and rejection, these moods are all given expression in the background score with that deeply affecting melancholic touch. An eerie feeling, just like the one Hemantda gave music to one of his own films that very same year, “Bees Saal Baad”. For all his magnificent efforts Hemantda was not even nominated for any awards!

Originally it was Geetaji who was supposed to sing all the songs in the movie. But she and were Guru having serious marital problems during the shooting of this film. Guru tried to commit suicide during the filming of the movie. In a desperate situation, he decided not to have Geetaji sing any songs for the film. This was eventually resolved with Geetaji singing three songs, all for Meenaji. Interestingly these three are some of the magnificent songs ever sung by Geetaji. Her personal life at this stage was not much different from the songs for which she was singing for, that of the character of Chhoti Bahu. Sometime ago, our fellow member Aditya Pant wrote a nice article about how the lives of Meenaji and Geetaji mirrored each other. This can be seen at the following link:

http://www.geetadutt.com/blog/?p=559

Guru Dutt had the habit of sending his associates to theaters to observe audience reactions when his movies were released. When his associates informed him about the public uproar about two scenes in the movie, he decided to replace them. One of the scenes is where Chhoti Bahu rests her head in Bhootnath’s lap out of an affectionate affinity. The other scene was in which Chhoti Bahu tells her husband to allow her to take the last sip of liquor for the last time because she has decided to give it up completely. Based on audiences’ reaction, Guru decided to reshoot those scenes immediately. He asked Meenaji to be back for a reshoot from Lonavla where she was shooting for another movie. Rehman was also called back. Guru had all the film reels in Bombay replaced with the new prints. The last scene was replaced with a paralyzed Chhote Babu repenting his decadent ways. In the original release, the movie ends with a song by Hemantda himself, “Saahil Ki Taraf”, while Chhote Bahu was riding the carriage. The song was completely deleted from the movie. However, Hemantda reused the same tune for Hrishida’s classic “Anupama (1966)” for the song “Yaa Dil Ki Suno Duniyaawaalo”.

Guru originally considered both Nitin Bose and Satyen Bose to direct the film. He changed his mind and decided to give his friend Alvi a break as a director. It was Abrar Alvi’s first and only film as a director. Even though many people think it was Guru who ghost directed the movie, Alvi Saab in his own book “Ten Years with Guru Dutt – Abrar Alvi’s Journey”, written by Sathya Saran, says that it was his effort all the way. In an interview, Waheeda Rehman, who had a principal role in the film, claimed that “It wasn’t really directed by Guru Dutt. Of course, he did help Mr. Alvi throughout but this was because the two were close friends, and he wanted to give Mr. Alvi a chance to direct the film.” She continued that “I’m sure he helped quite a bit, but then any director, when giving a film to a colleague, does take interest and lend a hand of support.” Finally she concluded that “Guru Dutt did not direct the film”.

Abrar Alvi, who passed away two years ago in November 2009, did admit of help from Guru in the picturization of the songs. For those who are familiar with Guru’s work, can easily see his stamp all over the movie including picturization of the songs. But let us not take any credit away from Alvi Saab. He made a magnificent movie that generations will remember. Guru never got any award as a film director, but Alvi was recognized with the Best Film Director award for that year by the Filmfare magazine.

The movie was shot partly in a haveli forty miles from Kolkata in a place called Dhankuria. It was an old haveli with approximately 50 rooms in it. The mansion with huge pillars and a huge garden was a perfect setting for the movie. At Guru’s request, Alvi spent several months studying habits of zamindars by staying with some of them in and near Kolkata. Bhanumati, who was an illustrator and designer for the “Eve’s Weekly” magazine, was hired to design costumes.

The movie also won a Filmfare Award as the Best Picture of the year. V.K. Murty’s brilliant photography won him the Best Photography Filmfare Award. The movie also won the President’s Silver Award. It entered the Berlin Film Festival in 1963. India had another entry for that festival, the same year, Satyajit Ray’s “Jalsaghar”. Guru, Abrar, and Waheeda attended the festival. Meena Kumari was invited but could not attend because her husband, Kamal Amrohi, declined to go. Guru had much admiration for Ray that he expressed time and again. Interestingly both movies, his and Ray’s, showed the zamindari life in a specific period of time in Bengal. Ray’s film reflected dignified and cultured zamindari life whereas Guru’s film showed sinful and decadent way of the same set of people. Guru’s movie didn’t make any waves at Berlin. Later it was also entered Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category. But Oscar Awards Committee members also didn’t think much of the movie. It really doesn’t matter. It still is one of the best movies made in this country. India Times magazine rates it as the best top 25.

Here are the last few words about Meenaji’s unforgettable performance. A critic in Upperstall.com wrote this about Meenaji’s memorable performance. “ … Her portrayal of Chhoti Bahu is perhaps the greatest performance ever seen on the Indian Screen. The sequence where Chhoti Bahu dresses for her husband singing ‘Piya Aiso Jiya Mein’ is a poignant exploration of a woman's expectations and sexual desire. And later on when she has become a desperate alcoholic, you cannot help but cry with her in the sequence where she pleads with her husband to stay with her and then angrily turns on him to tell him how she has prostituted her basic values and morals to please him. However the common factors between the actress's life and Chhoti Bahu are too dramatic to be merely coincidental - The estranged marital relationship, the taking of alcohol, turning towards younger male company, the craving to be understood and loved - all elements evident in Meena Kumari's own life …”

I am uploading all the songs in two back-to-back posts. The first post contains all the songs from an original soundtrack album and a couple of musical clips from a DVD. The second post contains some specials.

Here are the songs in the first post…

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)"...

I am including in this post several specials. There are three version songs I am uploading here including Lataji's. The details are provided in the table. Also, there are a couple of brief commentaries I am including. One of these is by Shabana Azmi and the other is by Shashi Kapoor. Both are in English.

Here are these version songs and brief commentaries...

[Debopriyo]

Concluding Songs from "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)"...

I am including in this post several specials. There are three version songs I am uploading here including Lataji's. The details are provided in the table. Also, there are a couple of brief commentaries I am including. One of these is by Shabana Azmi and the other is by Shashi Kapoor. Both are in English.

Here are these version songs and brief commentaries...

Sahil Ki Taraf Le Chal - Sahib Biwi Gulam - CAN ANY ONE UPLOAD !

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963)

Songs from this fine album were recently uploaded in the "Saat Saath" thread in this directory. These are available starting at the following location...

http://www.hamaraforums.com/index.php?show...617&st=1493

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Dil Ek Mandir (1963)

Here is one of the fine movies of early 60's. Even though the story on occasion drifts into some preposterous postulations, overall it was a very satisfying movie. The main reason was fine performances by the principal actors and great music by ever so dependable Shankar & Jaikishan.

This film was written and directed by Sridhar based on his hit Tamil film, "Nenjil Ore Alayam", released in 1962. Sridhar also remade this into Telugu in 1966 as "Manase Mandiram”.

“Dil Ek Mandir” was made in a record 27 days. That is quite an accomplishment as the principal actors were all busy with their own respective schedules. What made this possible was the same crew that worked on the Tamil movie which had the just finished work still fresh in their minds. Also, an already proven tight script was a big contributing factor.

Raaj Kumar won for his performance the Best Supporting Actor Award from Filmfare. Rajendra Kumar, who also starred the same year in "Sangam", was given a Filmfare trophy as the Best Popular Actor, a new category created just for him. Meena Kumari lost the award for Best Actress to Nutan in "Bandini". Arjun Dev Rashk, who wrote some powerful dialogues for the movie, won the Filmfare Award in that category. S&J lost to Roshan for his unforgettable score in "Taj Mahal" in the Best Music Director category.
S&J utilize the talents of Suman Kalyanpur in many of the songs for this film. She came through in a great fashion. Her title song with Rafi Saab and her other two solos are beautiful to listen to. Lata also has a couple of lovely solos and so does Rafi Saab. Overall a rich and great musical experience...

I am uploading these songs in two back-to-back posts from an original soundtrack album. Now for a description of the songs in the first post and the songs themselves...

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Dil Ek Mandir (1963)"...

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

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Kinare Kinare (1963)

Here is another one in which that man with that disarming smile, Dev Anad, starred. He is no longer with us but his legacy remains with us forever. His movies, especially though 70's, have contributed so much to the popular music that some of those songs still give goosebumps when you listen to them. Take this film for example. It was directed by his brother Chetan Anand who also co-wrote its screenplay. He also had a major role in the film. I haven't seen the film but listening to these songs I wish I can get a copy of this film.

This album by Jaidevji is a classic. It has so many beautiful songs, I would dare say all of them. Just about every song is a standout. However, I do have one favorite among these. It is Rafi Saab's soul stirring rendition of the song "Teri Tasveer". These are the types of songs that make you weak, that make you feel helpless, that make you think, that make you lost in thoughts, and that make you cry. I just cherish it listening after listening to it...

I am uploading these beautiful songs in two back-to-back posts. Here are the songs in the first post...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Dec 5 2011, 08:07 AM

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Kinare Kinare (1963)"...

Here are the rest of the songs (except for the song shown in red italics in the table below - please share if you can - thanks) from this beautiful album including Rafi Saab's stirring standout solo "Teri Tasveer"...

[nandi]

Concluding Songs from "Kinare Kinare (1963)"...

Here are the rest of the songs (except for the song shown in red italics in the table below - please share if you can - thanks) from this beautiful album including Rafi Saab's stirring standout solo "Teri Tasveer"...

Thanks for this excellent album. How appropriate that you posted this close to Dev Anand's demise as if to honor him!
All of these songs are so expressive of the emotion they are portraying. Lata's songs are so beautiful and so are Manna and Talat's.Onc eagain thanks for this post.
nandi

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Kinare Kinare (1963)"...

Here are the rest of the songs (except for the song shown in red italics in the table below - please share if you can - thanks) from this beautiful album including Rafi Saab's stirring standout solo "Teri Tasveer"...

Thanks for this excellent album. How appropriate that you posted this close to Dev Anand's demise as if to honor him!
All of these songs are so expressive of the emotion they are portraying. Lata's songs are so beautiful and so are Manna and Talat's.Onc eagain thanks for this post.
nandi

Thanks Nandi.

This is one of my favorite albums of Jaidevji. For some reason or other he never got his proper due. Each song from this album is full of deep feelings. Nyaya Sharma, who also produced the movie, did such a splendid job of writing such pathos-ridden rich lyrics. This one is a real classic. A sparkling gem indeed.

Cheers,
S

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Dec 6 2011, 01:35 PM

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Benazir (1964)

Here is another fine album from the incomparable Burmanda. There are a whole bunch of songs in this film. Apparently some of them were not included in the released version of the film. I am uploading these songs in two back-to-back posts. Here is the first set...

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Benazir (1964)"...

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

[abhayp]

(Meena) Benazir (1964)

Great upload as usual, Swarapriya!

The song "ya gafoor" appears to be in the voice of Mubarak Begum, not Usha Mangeshkar.

Warm regards,
Abhay

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Benazir (1964)

Great upload as usual, Swarapriya!

The song "ya gafoor" appears to be in the voice of Mubarak Begum, not Usha Mangeshkar.

Warm regards,
Abhay

Thanks Abhay. I had a feeling that this was Mubarak Begum. But I wasn't sure. That is why I left a question mark. I will just wait and see if someone else can verify that this is indeed Mubarak Begum.

Cheers,
S

[swarapriya]

(Meena) Chitralekha (1964)

Songs from this Roshan & Sahir Saab's classic album were recently uploaded in the "Sahir & Shairi" thread in this section. These are available starting at the following location...

http://www.hamaraforums.com/index.php?show...mp;#entry688244