This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
Not many of us remember her today but once she was among the topmost singers of Bollywood. She sang for 100 films, till the early 1950s. She is best known for her songs, "Sun Bairi Baalam Sach Bol Re" in Bawre Nain (1950), "Ghabaraa Ke Jo Hum Sar Ko Takraayan" in Mahal (1949) and "Najariya Ki Maari" in Pakeezah (1972). She was just 10 years old when she recorded her first song for HMV in 1934 and she started her career as a stage artist. Vijay Bhatt and Shankar Bhatt of Prakash Pictures spotted her during one of her shows. Her first film with them was a Hindi-Gujarati bilingual called Sansar Leela Nayi Duniya. She got important roles in films like Aankh Ka Tara and Turki Sher (1933). She was the heroine in Bhakt Ke Bhagwan and Insaaf Ki Topi (1934). She also used to sing for popular music director Lallubhai. He gave music to films starring Rajkumari ji like Nai Duniya, alias Sacred Scandal (1934) (Sansaar Leela in Gujarati version), Laal Chitthi, alias Red Letter (1935), Bombay Mail (1935), Bambai Ki Sethaani (1935) and Shamsheer-e-Arab (1935). She sang many duets with G M Durrani. The 1942 film Nai Duniya had many duets of Rajkumari and G M Durrani. Nai Duniya was a 1942 Bollywood film directed by Abdul Rashid Kardar and starring P. Jairaj, Shobhana Samarth, and Mazhar Khan. Suraiya sang her first song; "Boot Karun Mai Polish, Babu" with Naushad as M.D. in this film. Rajkumari had a soft and very sweet voice with a small range. She sang quite a few songs with Mukesh. She did not get much opportunity to sing with Mohammed Rafi – mainly because Lata Mangeshkar was a fast upcoming singer at the time. She sang with Noor Jehan in Naukar (1943). She never sang with K. C. Dey, but she did sing songs composed by him, as well as his nephew, Manna Dey. Rajkumari was married very late in life. Her husband was V.K. Dubey who was from Varanasiwhere he spent a lot of his time (because he owned a shop there), while she settled in Bombay. He later joined her in Bombay. Rajkumari Dubey died in 2000. Her last song was with R D Burman for the 1977 film Kitab.
We all remember K L Saigal, Noorjehan, Suraiya, Geeta Dutt,Lata Mangeshkar, Md Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha, Mukesh, Manna De, and their songs but there are some names who were competent enough to claim for fame but unfortunately couldn’t or with limited success. Theyshot to popularity at their time and gave many immortal songs but now are forgotten. These very people were greatly sought for their talent and have won awards too. I guess that in the case of these singers the lady luck wasn't smiling. Mostly they are 1-2 songs wonder but in those 1-2 songs, they have etched an impression which can not be forgotten. I just wish to remember them and let others too know about them. There are many of the forgotten singers but I am writing here only about a few. Binapani Mukherjee
She is known for her work on Jamuna Puliney (1933), Swami (1931) and Jaidev (1926). She sang with Mukesh, Rafi, and Chitalkar in many films. Here is a song from Durbaan 1946 film a duet with Mukesh
Song of Durbaan 1946
Uma Devi-
She is also known as Tun Tun , the comedienne par excellence. Her excellent timing made her one of the best in the field. She has sung many songs and before she became an actress she was a singer. She has sung many memorable songs. She is sadly no longer alive but one can still remember her with a certain fondness.
This is from the movie Dard
Afasana likh rahi hoon ,dil-e-beqarar ka
Song of Dard 1947
Subir Sen -
He was originally a Bengali Singer recorded few songs in Hindi also but couldn’t soar that high and ended up as a minor singer. His strong resemblance to the mightiest like Talat Mehmood & Hemant Da itself became a losing factor ultimately. Though he played minor inning, all with cracking shots & deliveries ! He shone with few striking scores like “Main Rangeela Pyar Ka Raahi”, “Pyaar Mein Milna Sanam Hota Hai Taqdeer Se”, “Gar Tum Bura Na Maano”, “Dil Mera Ek Aas Ka Panchi”, “Humein Un Rahon Par Chalna Hai” & “Dil Leke Jaate Ho Kahan”. It was perhaps his limitation to sing a wide range of numbers with quintessential tonal modulation that stood against his musical odyssey with Bollywood. Subir Sen was scouted by Shankar-Jaikishan, the famous music composer-duo and was inducted to the Mumbai film industry. In Om Prakash's first production "Aas Ki Panchhi" (1956) starred by Rajendra Kumar, the title song was sung by Subir Sen in the lip of the hero riding on a bicycle leading a team of NCC cadets: "Dil mera ek aas ka panchhi, udta hai oonche gagan par". Subir Sen also lent his voice in various Hindi movies such as Chhoti Bahen (1959), Boy Friend (1961) and Passport (1961
Song of Kathputli 1957
Kamal Barot -
She debuted in Bollywood in 1957 with the film Sharda. She later went on to sing 140 songs in 117 films. She usually sang duets with Asha Bhosle or Lata Mangeshkar. But she made a memorable collaboration with great Mukesh. They together have sung songs like "Chand Kaisa Hoga" from Rocket Girl (1961), "Hum Bhi Kaho Gaye" from Madam Zorro (1964). Other songs from her vocal include "Dhadka To Hoga Dil Huzoor" from C.I.D. 909 with legends Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor, composed by maestro O. P. Nayyar. She sang some very successful female-female duets with top singers. The most popular of them is "Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra", a dance song from Parasmani (1963).
Song of Parasmani (1963)
Sudha Malhotra -
She also acted in some Bollywood films and as a playback singer, worked in popular Bollywood movies in the 1950s and 1960s, like Arzoo, Dhool Ka Phool, Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Girl Friend, Barsat Ki Raat, Didi, Kala Pani, Prem Rog, and Dekh Kabira Roya. She was last heard in Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (1982) in the song "Yeh Pyar tha ya kuch aur tha"The most memorable song is Salam e Mohabbat Kabool Kar Lo from 1960 film "Babar"
Song of Babar 1960
Mubarak Begum -
The singer who rendered unforgettable songs such as Kabhi tanhaiyon mein, Mujhko apne gale lagalo"Hum haal-e-dil sunayenghe, sunyay ke na sunyay" and Kuch ajnabi se aap hein, had not sung since 1968, after being sidelined.
Song of Hamari Yaad Aayegi, 1961
Jagjit Kaur -
She sang fewer songs for films than her contemporaries like Lata and Asha, yet all of her songs have been described as memorable masterpieces. She married Music Director Khayyam under his composition she gave an immortal song "Tum apna ranj–o-gham apni pareshani mujhe de do" from Shagun 1964. Another immortal song "Dekh lo aaaj humko jee bhar ke" from Bazaar 1982 film
Song of Shagun 1964
Song of Bazaar 1982
Minoo Purshottam
Minoo Purushottam's career started in 1963 when she was 16. The composer Roshan offered her a singing role in the film Taj Mahal. The song eventually became a duet with Suman Kalyanpur. She mostly did in female-female duets over male-female on some occasions. “Na Na Na Re Na Na”, “Huzur-E-Wala”, “Unse Nazrein Mili Aur Hijaab Aa Gaya” & “Mero Saiyan Gulabia Ke Phool” are the chartbusters of the golden era that comes out from Minoo’s duet. In 1973 her duet"Ni Main Yaar Manana Ni" with Lata Mangeshkar from the film Daag became very popular, this year she was nominated for the Best Playback Singer Female for the song "Raat Piya Ke Sang Jaagi Re Sakhi "for the film Prem Parbat
Song of Prem Parbat (1973)
Sharda
She got her first big break in Bollywood with the song "Titli Udi" in Suraj (1966). She was promoted by Shankar of the Shankar Jaikishan duo. Few of her songs “Chale Jaana Jara Thehro”, "Duniya Ki Sair Karlo", “Dekho Mera Dil Machal Raha”, “Wo Pari Kahan Se Laon”, & “Kaisee Padi Maar” earned her the due fame. As a singer, she won Filmfare Awards as Best Female Playback Singer for “Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki” and as a music director, her song “Achcha Hi Hua Dil Toot Gaya” got Md Rafi nominated for the same (Best Male Playback Singer). Sharda’s backing vocal in “Jab Bhi Ye Dil Udaas Hota Hai” with Md Rafi is considered to be in the top list of many.
Song of Suraj 1966
Jaspal Singh
He lent his voice to various Bollywood actors of the 1970s and 1980s. Music Composer, Ravindra Jain gave him the big break for a song in the movie called 'Geet Gata Chal' of 1975. After this song, he became a household name. His voice was unique and was unlike any other and he sang for hit movies like 'Nadiya ke paar', Ankhiyon ke jharokhon se','Sawan ko aane do' amongst others.Jaspal Singh is also best remembered as a voice of Sachin (the Actor) as the majority of songs were exclusively done for him.
Song of Sawan Ko Aane Do 1979
Poornima
She started her career as a child singer in Ramesh Sippy's 1971 film Andaz. In that film, she sang under the music direction of Shankar Jaikishan the song "Hai Na Bolo Bolo" along with Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur and Pratibha. The song went on to become a hit. As a child singer, she was known as Sushma Shrestha,.She is mostly remembered for her songs like "Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle" from Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) and "Kya Hua Tera Vada" from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977); both earned her nominations for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award.
After her marriage, she changed her name to Poornima and became the voice of Juhi Chawla. Her song "Barsaat Mein Jab Aayega Saawan Ka Maheena" from Maa was a hit. Few things changed till David Dhawan's Bol Radha Bol. "Tu Tu Tu Tu Tara" was nothing short of an anthem and the remaining songs, which were a success also, gave Poornima the opportunity to savor success and adulation that had eluded for long.
Song of Bol Radha Bol 1992
Kabban Mirza
He is known for singing a couple of melodious songs in Hindi cinema. His singing was featured in the film Razia Sultan, directed by Kamal Amrohi (1983). He also sang a song, entitled "Is Pyar Ki Basti Mein" for the movie, Sheeba, though he was not given credit for it.
Song of Razia Sultan 1983
Dilraj Kaur
Dilraj Kaur was a singer in Hindi films in the 80s. She has sung for music composers like Usha Khanna, O.P. Nayyar, Jaidev, R.D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and others. It was O P Nayyar who gave her all the songs of Heera Moti. She started playback singing from a Punjabi film in which she sang a duet with Mohammad Rafi
C. Arjun( Born on September 1, 1933, Died on 30th April 1992) is among one of the most talented film music composers in the Hindi film industry.He gave music to 17 Hindi films, besides films in Gujarati, Sindhi and Haryanvi languages. Some of his films were, Main Aur Mera Bhai, Punarmilan, Ek Saal Pehle, Jai Santoshi Maa, Ustad Pedro and Mangu Dada. His film Susheela-1966, which was incomplete, was completed and released as Subah Zaroor Aayegi in 1977 in which ‘Bemurawwat Bewafa’ song sung by Mubarak Begum and ‘Gham Ki Andheri Raat Mein sang by Talat and Rafi became very popular. One song of his – Paas baitho tabiyat bahal jayegi sung by Rafi is enough to give him immortality. He will always be remembered for the songs of Jai Santoshi Maa He inherited his musical talent from his father who was a singer. He became assistant to another Sindhi music director Bulo C Rani. He started his career with composing for a Sindhi film Abana. His first Hindi film was Road no 303 (1960). Off and on he got films under nondescript banners with B/C grade cast. That he created memorable music nevertheless did not do much to change his fortunes. His teaming with the lyricist Jaan Nisar Akhtar would rank at par with the best of Sahir Ludhiyanvi’s composed by SD Burman or Roshan. He also composed a number of non-film songs. He died at a relatively young age of 59 of a heart attack he suffered at a recording studio.
She was the heroine of 1957 hit film Tumsa Nahin Dekha which made Shammi Kapoor a Star but the luck did not favour Ameeta.In 1959 Goonj Uthi Shahnai, her another big hit film as heroine released. Rajendra Kumar was the hero. Here despite a mature and sensitive performance, Ameeta was overlooked and Kumar was given credit for the film's emphatic success. Although she fired up the careers of Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar with these hits, Ameeta could never capitalise on them and stardom never materialised. She later switched to character roles.
Her roles in multi-star films like Raakhi (1962) and the blockbuster Mere Mehboob (1963) did not help her career graph, even though she was nominated for a Filmfare award for the latter as Best Supporting Actress, and she now dropped to playing lead grade-B movies which though successful at the box office did not do much for her star status. However, her romance opposite Kishore Kumar in Hum Sab Ustad Hai in 1965 was appreciated by the audience. By 1965 she was playing negative and villainous characters in films like Rishte Naate (1965), and Aasra (1966). Worse still, she was seen in supporting roles to starlets Rajshree and Babita, in films like Around the World (1967) and Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968). After filming Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), a disillusioned Ameeta left the film industry as she was not getting leading roles and settled into matrimony.
A fan of Madhubala, Ameeta was enacting her idol's sword fight from the movie Baadal when she caught the eye of Lekhraj Bhakhri, who signed her for his movie Thokar. This was her debut film in a side role where she was credited as Jayjaywanti. Qamar's debut movie as the heroine was a 1953 release, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1954), directed by Vijay Bhatt. The screen name Ameeta made its appearance in this movie. The film failed, but Ameeta kept on working in films like Amar Kirtan, Badal Aur Bijli, Baaghi Sardar and Indrasabha. But her career took a positive turn when she worked with her idol Madhubala in Shirin Farhad (1956). She was then chosen for lead roles in Abhimaan and Zamana. She was born on 11 April 1940. Her real name was Qamar Sultana, She started her career with producer-director Lekhraj Bhakhri,s Thokar in 1953. The main lead hero was Shammi Kapoor, that time he was a flop actor. Her next film was Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhustarring with Bharat Bhushan. Her screen name was given by Vijay Bhatt the director of this film. This film flopped and her career was in jeopardy She had to accept heroines roles in B grade films until she got Tumsa Nahi Dekha. Ameeta was nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Mere Mehboob (1962) but lost out to Shashikala for Gumrah(1963)
Shri Nath Tripathi (14 December 1912 – 28 March 1988) was an Indian composer, whose active years were from the 1930s to the 1980s.Tripathi's multi-faceted work range included being a composer, writer, actor, and director of films. His first film as a composer was Chandan (1942).He continued to compose for films like Janam Janam Ke Phere (1957), where the song "Zara Saamne Toh Aao Chhaliye" became the top Binaca Geetmala song. The famous song "Na Kisi Ki Aankh Ka Noor Hoon" was also composed by him. Tripathi turned to direction in 1957 starting with Rani Roopmati. Two of his films with 7Nirupa Roy and Bharat Bhushan, Rani Roopmati (1959) and Kavi Kalidas (1959), are cited as having "cinematic merit" and "unforgettable music" Here are some of the great songs by this forgotten composer
