Remembering ASHOK KUMAR( Dada Muni) on his 105th Birth Anniversary

An actor who could capture all your attention in a single shot, a man who added glamour to Hindi film fraternity and promoted talents from all corners of the country, Ashok Kumar has ruled the silver screen and melted millions of hearts with his charismatic screen appearance and personality.He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor.
Ashok Kumar (13 October 1911 – 10 December 2001), born Kumudlal Ganguly and also fondly called Dadamoni, 

 His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, was a lawyer while his mother, Gouri Devi, was a home-maker. Kumudlal (as he was then known) was the eldest of four children. A couple of years younger to him was his only sister, Sati Devi, who was married at a very young age to Sashadhar Mukherjee and became the matriarch of a large "film family". More than fourteen years younger than Kumudlal was his next brother,Kalyan (b.1926), who later took the screen name Anoop Kumar, and youngest of all was Abhas (b.1929), whose screen name wasKishore Kumar and who became a phenomenally successful playback singer of Hindi films. 
It was the lure of cinema and the presence of his brother-in-law Sashadhar Mukherjee in a fairly senior position in Bombay Talkies which prompted Kumudlal Ganguly to move to Bombay (Mumbai) in the mid 1930s, where he started off as a laboratory assistant in Bombay Talkies, one of the biggest film studios of that era.

 His introduction to films was purely an accident. He got the lead role in Jeevan Naiya (1936), a Bombay Talkies production. The film's hero Najmul Hassan had eloped with heroine Devika Rani, who happened to be the wife of studio head Himanshu Rai. Rai dismissed Hassan and signed lab assistants Ashok Kumar for the role.

 His first big hit was Achhut Kanya (1936), where he again paired with Devika Rani. The film was about a Brahmin boy falling in love with a girl from the 'untouchable' class. 
He  was the first anti-hero of Indian cinema. Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet (1943) presented Ashok as a pickpocket who falls in love. This was the first film in Indian cinema that grossed at one crore rupees. So technically, Ashok Kumar was the one to set up the 'crore club'.

Post Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies like Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mahal (1949), Sangram (1950) and Samadhi (1950).
He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including Ziddi (1948), which established the careers of Dev Anand and Pran,

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

With the advent of the 1950s Ashok Kumar switched over to more mature roles, with the exception of the 1958 classic Howrah Bridge. Despite the arrival of a younger crop of stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the stars of the era with hits like Afsana (1951), Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955) and EK Hi Raasta (1956). His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played second fiddle to Dilip Kumar.

Song from bandini 1963

By the 1960s, Ashok Kumar switched over to character roles, variously playing the parent, uncle or grandparent, being careful never to be typecast. From a judge in Kanoon(1960), an aging freedom fighter in Bandini (1963), an aging priest in Chitralekha (1964), a vicious zamindar in Jawaab (1970) and a criminal in Victoria 203 (1971), he played a wide variety of roles.

Ashok Kumar played an important role in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Jewel Thief (1967), Aashirwad (1968) (for which he won a Filmfare Award as well as National Award in 1969), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1975) and Khoobsurat (1980).

Song from Aashirwad 1968

. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.He was honoured in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India and also received the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions toIndian cinema. 

Ashok Kumar became a familiar face on television screens in the 1980s when he started anchoring India's first soap opera Hum Log.

Ashok Kumar's last film role was in the 1997 movie Aankhon Mein Tum Ho. Besides acting, he was an avid painter and a practitioner of homeopathy. A qualified homoeopath, Ashok Kumar earned a reputation for conjuring up miracle cures.

Ashok Kumar died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors.

Songs from Ashok Kumar's Films

Song from Achhut Kanya 1936

Original Ek Chatur Naar from Jhula 1941

Original song Koi Hamdam Na Raha from Jeewan Naiya 1936

Song from Kismet 1943

Song from Chal Chal Re Naujawan 1944

Nazar kuchh aaj aisa aa raha hai (Najma)(1943) Singers-Mumtaz,Ashok Kumar, 

Mera man kho gaya hai from Naya Sansaar 1941 AUDIO only

A funny Song from (Aasheerwaad)(1968) Singers-Harindranath Chattopadhyay, Ashok Kumar, Lyrics-Harindranath Chattopadhyay, MD-Vasant Desai

Piya baawri ( Khoobsoorat)(1980) Singers-Asha Bhonsle, Ashok Kumar, Lyrics-Gulzar, MD-R D Burman

Song from Uttara Abhimanyu 1946 Audio only

Naani ki naao chali  from Aashirwad

Dol rahi hai naiyya meri  from Shikari 1946

Remembering S D BURMAN on his 110th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Sachin Dev Burman(1 October 1906 – 31 October 1975) was one of the greatest Bollywood music directors in the early days of India's film industry.  He was a much sought after composer from the 1940's up until his death in 1975.

S D Burman as a child 

SD Burman started working as a radio singer on Calcutta Radio Station in the late '20s, when his work as a singer composer was based on Bengali folk and light Hindustani classical music. Consequently, his compositions were mainly influenced by his huge repertoire of folk-tunes from present Bangladesh and later other parts of India and around the world. His first record was also released in 1932

As a music composer, he started with Bengali plays, Sati Tirtha and Janani, and eventually gave his first score in film, Rajgee in 1937, his second film Rajkumarer Nirbashan(1940) became a hit. He gave music in Bengali films like, Protishodh (1941), Abhoyer Biye (1942), and Chaddobeshi (1944) and only one Bengali film in 1969/70 after he permanently moved to Mumbai in 1946. He composed for over 20 Bengali films and 89 Hindi films in all.^[6]

He made his film debut singing in Yahudi ki Ladki (1933) but the songs were scrapped and re-sung by Pahari Sanyal. His first film as a singer was finally Sanjher Pidim(1935).It was during this period this his personal life was developing as well.  He constructed a residence in Calcutta.  Probably the most significant event of his personal life was when he started teaching a young music student by the name of Meera Dasgupta.  In the course of events they became romantically involved.  However there was the problem; although she was well educated and from a very respectable family, she did not represent nobility.  This created quite a stir in the family, and when S.D. Burman refused to leave her, he was forced to sever his ties with his family and forfeit his inheritance.  They married and from their union RD Burman was born in 1939.

In 1944, Burman moved to Mumbai, at the request of Sasadhar Mukherjee of Filmistan, who asked him to give score for two Ashok Kumar starrers, Shikari (1946) and Aath Din,^[13] but his first major breakthrough came the following year with the company's Do Bhai (1947). The song Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya sung by Geeta Dutt was his breakthrough song into the film industry. In 1949, came Shabnam, his biggest hit yet with Filmistan, especially noticeable for its multi-lingual hit song Yeh Duniya Roop ki Chor, by Shamshad Begum, which became a rage in those days

In 1950s, Burman teamed up with Dev Anand's Nav Ketan Productions to create musical hits like Taxi Driver, Nau do Gyarah (1957) and Kala Paani(1958). In addition, he gave music for Munimji (1955) and Paying Guest (1957). The songs sung by Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar became popular. Burman da composed the music for Dev Anand's production company Navketan's first film Afsar (1950). With the success of their second film, Baazi (1951) he made it to the top and a long association with Navketan and Dev Anand was on its way. "Baazi"'s jazzy musical score revealed a new facet of singer Geeta Dutt, who was mainly known for melancholy songs and bhajans. While every song in the film was a hit, one stood out for special appeal – "Tadbir se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer", a ghazal that was occidentalised into a seductive song.The 'jaal' song 'Yeh raat Yeh chandni' by Hemant Kumar is an all-time great classic

The Dev Anand-S. D. Burman partnership, under Navketan banner, continued to churn out musical hits like Bombai Ka Baboo (1960), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Teen Devian (1965), Guide (1965) , Jewel Thief (1967).and Prem Pujari(1970).

S D Burman was the backbone of Hindi Film Music of Golden Era.Some of the greatest hits were from the films Pyasa, Sujata, Kaagaj Ke Phool, Bandini, Meri Surat Teri Ankhen,Ziddi, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi,Talash and Sharmilee other than Dev Anand's films.

Aradhana (1969) is considered another landmark score in the Bollywood history. The music of the movie shaped the careers of singer Kishore Kumar, lyricist Anand Bakshiand filmmaker Shakti Samanta. For the song "Mere Sapno ki raani", Sachin Dev made R.D play the mouth organ.

Sachin Da was the only composer who had used both Kishore and Rafi in almost equal number of songs. He regarded Kishore as his second son. Kishore confessed that it was Sachin Da, who had given him the first chance. Even after the rehearsal of Badi Sooni Sooni from Milli, when Sachin Da had a stroke, Kishore went up to the hospital and said to him "Dada, Please don't worry, your recording is after three days, you just see how well it goes." The song is considered one of the best of Kishore Kumar. Sachin Da also used to telephone Kishore in the dead of night and on the telephone, he would start to sing the new tunes which he composed and ask Kishore to sing with him.

S D Burman was a very good singer,early on in his career, Burman refused to allow his voice be lip-synced on film by actors, as a result, even later on, in Hindi cinema, his thin yet powerful voice was often used as bardic commentary to haunting results, as in Ore Majhi Mere Sajan Hai Us Paar Bandini (1963), Wahaan Kaun hai Tera from "Guide" (1965) and finally Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana from Aradhana (1969),for which he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the year, 1970 and in 1974 he was given  National Film Award for Best Music Direction: Zindagi Zindagi

S D Burman went into a coma soon after rehearsing the song Badi sooni sooni (sung by Kishore Kumar) for the film Mili. Sadly, He died on 31 October 1975 in Mumbai. 

He brought in folk in film songs, and simplified classical to fit in films.  He changed with times so that his music didn’t become outdated. Dada’s music was so refreshing, if you have listened to it once, you have listened to it always.Here I am presenting some of his Immortal Songs 

First Hindi Song Of S D BURMAN from Aath Din 1946

Audio  from Aath Din

A RARE SONG by S D Burman in Classical

Jhan Jhan Manjira Baje

A Non Filmy Song by S D Burman of 40s

Kaun Aaya Sapnon Me

A Rare collection ONE TUNE with Two Voices

,Hindi Version by Mohammad Rafi and Bengali verion by Burman Da

Original Song by SD Burman .Dheere Se Jaana Bagiyan Me

  The First Super Hit Song from S D Burman

 Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya from DO Bhai 1947

Yeh Duniya Roop ki Chor from Shabnam 1949

Tum Na Jane Kis Jahan Me from Sazaa 1951

Song from Baazi 1951

Song from jaal 1952

Song from jaal 1952

Song from Munimji 1952

Song from Paying Guest 1957

Song from Pyasaa 1957

Song from Solva Saal 1958

Song from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi 1958

Song from Kala Pani 1958

Song from Sujata 1959

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Song from Baat Ek Raat Ki 1962

Song from Bandini1963

Song from Meri Surat Teri Ankhen1963

Song from Tere Ghar ke Samne1963

Song from Ziddi1964

Song from Teen Deviyan 1965

Song from Teen Deviyan 1965

Song from Jewl Thief 1967

Song from Aradhana 1969

Song from Prem Pujari 1970

Song from Sharmilee 1971

Song from Zindagi Zindagi 1973

Songs from Prem Nagar 1974

Song from Mili 1975

Remembering DEV ANAND on his 93rd Birthday

Part-1 Dev Anand , one of my hot favorites, had a phenomenal impact on Indian cinema and Indian audience was Born on 26 th September 1923 at Gurdaspur in undivided Punjab.He was third of four brother. His older brothers were Manmohan Anand (Advocate, Gurdaspur Dist. Court) and Chetan Anand and younger one was Vijay Anand.Dev Anand did his schooling till matriculation from Sacred Heart School, Dalhousie, (then in Punjab) and went to college Dharamsala before going to Lahore to study. Later Dev completed BA degree in English Literature from the Government College, Lahore in British India.

Scene from Hum Ek Hain

Video clipping of Dev Anand's First Film

Dev Anand  left his hometown to work in the Military Censor Office at Churchgate, Bombay. He was offered a role in the 1946 flick 'Hum Ek Hain by Prabhat Studio .Dev Anand was paid a handsome monthly salary of Rs 400 for the film. He bought a house with that money.During that time Guru Dutt was also working with Prabhat Studio This is where he stuck a friendship with Bollywood legend Guru Dutt.

In 1947 his 2 films Mohan and Aage Badho were released but hegot first real recognition  from 1948 film Ziddi. It was offered to him by his favorite actor, Ashok Kumar. Interestingly, Ashok Kumar's brother, Kishore Kumar, sung his first complete song (for Dev Anand) here, and the two would later become very close friends. Before Ziddi, Kishore sang a few lines in 'Aath Din' (1946) under music director SD Burman. After Ziddi's success, Anand decided that he would start producing films.

 In 1949, he launched his own company Navketan Films (which means "newness").The company, true to its name, produced a range of path breaking noir films dwelling on the darker side of urban life in the 1950s. Its principal characters were drunks, card-sharpers taxi drivers and bootleggers.The first film of this banner was Afsar released in 1950,the film was an average hit.Next fim of this banner was Baazi released in 1951.This film made Dev Anand the Super Star.After that he gave one or more hits every year upto 1978.The Last hit was Des Pardes.

Dev Anand and Suraiya who were in love have worked together in seven films --Vidya (1948), Jeet (1949), Shair (1949), Afsar (1950), Nili(1950), Do Sitare (1951) and Sanam (1951), all of which were successful at the box office. 
Do Sitare was the last film in which they appeared together. Dev-Suraiya romance began when shooting the filmVidya. They couldn't marry because Suraiya's maternal grandmother was strongly opposed to the inter-religious romance. they decided not to act together after 1951.

Dev Anand married Christian actress Mona Singh in 1954.She changed her name to Kalpana Karthik to work in films.The couple turned parents in 1956 when their son Suneil Anand was born.

Dev Anand was among the group of film personalities who stood up to the Internal emergency imposed by then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. In 1977, he actively campaigned against her with his supporters in the Lok Sabha.

Though Dev Anand’s demand as the lead hero had not decreased even in the 1980s, he decided that it was the right time to introduce his son Suneil Anand in films as the hero. He launched his son in the Kramer vs. Kramer inspired Anand Aur Anand (1984), which was produced and directed by Dev Anand himself and had music by R.D. Burman. He expected the film to do well but the film was a box office disaster and Suneil Anand decided not to act in films any more.

Most of Dev Anand's movies explored his viewpoint of the world and often highlighted many socially relevant topics. Another notable feature in Anand's movie was the soul stirring music. He was on very friendly terms with most of the Bollywood music composers like O. P. Nayyar, Sachin Dev Burman and his son, Rahul Dev Burman. Others known to Dev Anand were lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Neeraj, Shailendra, and playback singers Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar.

 One of the most handsome actors of his times, Dev Anand was asked not to wear black suit in public apparently because women would go crazy seeing him dressed in black and would jump from buildings.

.He introduced a multitude of talent to the Indian Film Industry by way of actors, directors, music composers and cinematographers. He had one of the finest Film Sound Post-Production facilities in India - Anand Recording Studios - that has to its credit more than 3,000 Indian feature films that have been mixed/ surround mixed for worldwide release. The 'Evergreen' Dev Anand went on to star in over 110 movies, spanning from 1946 through to 2005. In 1958 He has won two Filmfare Awards for his performance in the film Kala Paani (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in Navketan International Films' Guide.In 1979 his movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna turned out to be a blockbuster hit.In 2001, the President of India honoured him the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award on the Republic Day. and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

 His career spanned more than 65 years with acting in 114 Hindi films, of which 92 have him play the main solo lead hero, and he did two English films.

Two of his films Kahin Aur Chal (1968) and a multistarrer Ek Do Teen Chaar (1980) remained unreleased till date
.

Dev Anand was conferred upon the 'Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema' award by the current US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in July 2000.

In September 2007, Dev's own autobiography Romancing with Life was released at a birthday party with the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In February 2011, his 1961 black and white film Hum Dono was digitised and colourised and released.

Dev Anand died in his room at The Washington Mayfair Hotel in London at the age of 88 on 3 December 2011 (4 December 2011 by Indian Standard Time) of a cardiac arrest. His death came just months after the release of his last film, Chargesheet.

Dev Anand's funeral at London

An illustrious chapter may have closed but the life and works of the evergreen star will continue to inspire individuals.

Dev Anand'Songs

Rare SONGS

Song from  Hum Ek Hain 1946 Dev Anand's First Film

Song from 2nd Movie of Dev Mohan 1947 (Audio)

Sawan Ki Ghataon from Aage Badho 1947

Yeh kaun aaya re - Kishore and Lata first Duet from Ziddi 1948

Marne ki duayen kyon mangu_Kishore Kumar First film song Picturized on Dev Anand from Ziddi

Layee Khushiyan from Vidya 1948

Song from Jeet 1949

Song from Tarana 1950

Song from Afsar 1950

Song from Sazaa 1951

O Sanam Mein Tujhe from Sanam 1951

Song from Aaram 1951

Song from Zalzala 1952 (audio)

Khali Pili from Tamasha 1952

A rare song of Asha fom Armaan 1953 (audio)

song from Dev Anand's un released film

Dev Anand's Memorable songs in Part 2