Anarkali was a Musical Milestone for C Ramchandra

 

 C. Ramchandra's biggest success as a music composer was the 1953 movie Anarkali, though he had already tasted success with  Shehnai (1947), Sargam(1950), Samadhi(1950) and Albela(1951). The film was a Musical Hit and went on to celebrate Golden Jubilee. It was the highest-grossing film of 1953 and again ranks 2nd in the top 25 Best Musical Films of all times according to IMDb.

The Music direction of this film was given to the composer Vasant Prakash, who was the younger brother of famous composer Khemchan Prakash. He even composed a song “Aa jaane wafa aa” penned by Jan Nisar Akhtar and sung by Geeta Dutt. Basant Prakash had major health problems after having recorded this one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as the composer. The film had a total of 11 songs, with 10 composed by C Ramchandra and 1 by Basant Prakash.

This film was a musical hit. The first-ever 'Binaca Geetmala' Annual Program of 1953 - saw  "Ye Zindagi usiki hai" catapulted to  the No. 1 position. This song came in parts in the film. The first two stanzas were when the lovers happy in each others company. The 3 rd stanza - jo dil yahan na mil sake signalled their despair and separation, while the last 2 were of unrequited love when Anarkali was being cemented into a wall on all sides. Lata Mangeshkar gave her soul in singing this song.

Out of 11 songs, only one song was a duet "Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Hemant Kumar.  Hemant Da had 2 solos in this film , recall the song "Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi Hoti Hai'.There were other beautiful songs too other than the above . 1. Aaja ab to aaja [Lata Mangeshkar- lyricist  Shaillendra]; 2. Mohabbat aisi dhadkan hai [Lata Mangeshkar] 3. Muzse mat puch mere ishq mein kya rakkha hai [Lata Mangeshkar] ; 4. Muhabbat mein aise kadam dagmagaye [Lata Mangeshkar] ; 5. Dua kar ghame dil khuda se dua kar [Lata Mangeshkar].

Track #	Song	Singer(s)	Lyricist	Music Composer
1	"Aa Jaan e Wafaa"[3]	Geeta Dutt	Jan Nissar Akhtar	Vasant Prakash
2	"Aaja Ab To Aaja"[3]	Lata Mangeshkar	Shailendra	C. Ramchandra
3	"Mujhse Mat Poochh"	Lata Mangeshkar	Rajendra Krishan	C. Ramchandra
4	"Dua Kar Gham-E-Dil"	Lata Mangeshkar	Shailendra	C. Ramchandra
5	"Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag"[3]	Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar	Rajendra Krishan	C. Ramchandra
6	"Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan Hai"[3]	Lata Mangeshkar	Hasrat Jaipuri	C. Ramchandra
7	"Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi"[3]	Hemant Kumar	Rajendra Krishan	C. Ramchandra
8	"O Aasman Wale Shikwa Hai Zindagi Ka"	Lata Mangeshkar	Hasrat Jaipuri	C. Ramchandra
9	"Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai"[3]	Lata Mangeshkar	Rajendra Krishan	C. Ramchandra
10	"Ae Baad E Saba Zara Ahista Chal"	Hemant Kumar
11	"Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagamagae"	Lata Mangeshkar	Rajendra Krishan

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Anarkali 1953

Patita (1953) - A Heroine Orined Film

Released on 1st January 1953, Patta was a musical hit film of Dev Anand. After the success of Jaal and Rahi, it was Dev Anand's rare film being heroine oriented. Usha Kiran was the heroine of this film.

  The film is especially well known for some very melodious and popular songs  Shankar Jaikishan has used Talat Mahmood for Dev Anand’s playback voice in this film. He sang three songs in this film – Andhe Jahan Ke Andhe Raaste, Tujhe Apne Paas Bulati Hai Teri Duniya and  Hai Sabse Madhur Woh Geet – all these three got etched into the All-Time Best of Talat Mahmood songs. The lyrics were written by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote the only song, a Hemant Kumar- Lata Mangeshkar duet – Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kaha Ho Tum – for the film, which also has been an all-time hit. The other two Lata Mangeshkar songs were thus destined to remain in the shadow of the brightly shining glory of these four songs, even though each of them remains a very special  Lata Mangeshkar songs.

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Patita 1953

Footpath 1953 Film Review

This film was released in 1953. The film was a flop but the film earned critical acclaims for Dilip Kumar's Performance. Dilip Kumar in an interview said "My scene of breaking down after my elder brother Bani passes away remains my all type favourite scenes"

The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam. The highlight of the film is One of the finest Ghazals "Sham e Gham Ki Kasam by Talat Mahmood.

Tired of being poor, Noshu(Dilip Kumar), a newspaperman, abandons his scruples and starts to make money as a black marketeer. He gains his fortune but ruins his brother's life causing him to lose his job, his home and his wife whilst simultaneously losing his own self-respect and that of his former neighbours and his girl. Tormented by his conscience, he writes an expose′ of the illegal trade, but cannot prevent his own brother becoming a victim when an epidemic rages unchecked because criminals have stockpiled all the medicine.

Meena Kumari performs very convincingly matching Dilip Kumar’s intensity in every scene. She never appears vulgar during her bathing scene. Romesh Thapar is restrained and Achla Sachdev tries hard to appear heartless. Anwar Hussain does not impress too much. The other actors are just adequate.

A taut screenplay and meaningful dialogues penned by Zia Sarhadi make “Footpath” a truly memorable film. Sarhadi showed a lot of promise and eye for detail. The sequences shot indoors as well as in the black-marketing den shot in natural light sans cinematic jugglery by N. Raiaram is really convincing. 
Songs of Footpath

Hindi Cinema in 1953,10 Top Films and 10Top Songs

Indian Cinema in 1953
 -The Cinematograph Act is amended extending the power of various authorities      to suspend exhibition of certified films. 
-Aan becomes the first Technicolor Indian film It was directed by Mehboob Khan. 
-The Film Federation of India accepts an Advertising Code. 
-The Trade Weekly Trade Guide is started. 
-Maiden Filmfare Awards are inaugurated.
-Binaca Geetmala Started.
 -Prabhat Studio ceases production. 

The ten highest-grossing films of 1953

Anarkali

 Directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal and based on the historical legend of the Mughal emperor Jahangir It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade.Pradeep Kumar was the Hero and Bina Rai was the Heroine.C Ramchandra was its Music Director,infact initially Vasant Prakash began work as music director, but died having recorded just one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as composer and insisted not only that all songs be sung by Lata Mangeshkar but that the Geeta number be removed from the film. Although the Filmistan people agreed, the Geeta song stayed in the movie and was the famous "Aa Jaane Wafaa"............

Ladki

is a 1953 Hindi romantic comedy film written by V.S.Venkatasalam and directed by M. V. Raman. The film starred Vyjayanthimala, Kishore Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and Anjali Devi in the lead while Chittor V. Nagaiah, Leela Mishra, Om Prakash, Raj Mehra and Master Chhotu as the ensemble cast. The film was produced by A. V. Chettiar of AVM Productions. The film's score was composed by R. Sudarsanam and Dhaniram, edited by K. Shankar and M. V. Raman and was filmed by Yusuf Mulji and T. Muthu Sami. The song Baat Chalat Nai Chunari Rang Dari and Shaadi Shaadi sung by Geeta Dutt and Kishore Kumar respectively becomes the successful song of the film.At the end of its theatrical run, the film grossed around ₹1,50,00,000, and became the second highest grossing film of 1953 with verdict hit.

Do Bigha Zameen

 Hindi film, directed by Bengali film director Bimal Roy and starring Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy in lead roles. The film is known for its socialist theme, and is an important film in the early parallel cinema of India and is considered a trend setter.A bigha is a measure of land area but is not same as an acre, though translating the title as such serves the purpose. it was awarded the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film, it became the first film to win the Filmfare Best Movie Award and the first Indian film to win the International Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, after Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Palme d'Or 

Parineeta

Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari, based upon the 1914 Bengali novel of the same name by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, which was earlier filmed in Bengali. The film was directed by Bimal Roy. This version of the film is considered by many to be the most faithful adaptation of the novella, particularly due to Meena Kumari's interpretation of the role of Lalita.Ashok Kumar was the Hero of this film.

Footpath

Written and directed by Zia Sarhadi. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam.Footpath is one of the films featured in Avijit Ghosh's book, 40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed.Dilip Kumar played the role of Noshu, a newspaperman abandons his scruples and starts to make money as a black marketeer. He gains his fortune but ruins his brother's life causing him to lose his job, his home and his wife whilst simultaneously losing his own self-respect and that of his former neighbours and his girl. Tormented by his conscience, he writes an expose of the illegal trade but cannot prevent his own brother becoming a victim when an epidemic rages unchecked because criminals have stock-piled all the medicine.

Jhamela

Its a comedy thriller film produced and directed by Bhagwan, for his Bhagwan Art Productions.The film was a repeat formula Bhagwan had earlier used in his commercially successful film Albela (1951). With music again composed by C. Ramachandra, and casting actress Geeta Bali, Bhagwan tried to recreate the magic of Albela with little success.It starred Geeta Bali, Bhagwan, Shakuntala, Sunder, Anwar Hussain and Badri Prasad.One of the popular song was "Dekho Ji Dekho Mera Dil Le Ke" sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Rajendra Krishan wrote the lyrics for the film. The playback singers were Lata Mangeshkar, C Ramchandra (Chitalkar), Meena Kapoor and Francis Vaz.

Shikast

 Produced and Directed by Ramesh Sehgal. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nalini Jaywant, Durga Khote, Om Prakash and K. N. Singh. The films music is by Shankar Jaikishan. Wajahat Mirza wrote the story and Dialogues for this Film.

Humsafar

Its a Dev Anand movie with kalpna Kartik as Heroine,Chetan Anand also appeared in this movie.This was Directed by A. N Banerjee,Music: Ali Akbar Khan Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi.Not much detail of this movie is available.

Aah

It is a 1953 black and white Bollywood romantic drama film starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis in lead roles. The film was produced by Raj Kapoor and directed by Raja Nawathe. This was Nawathe's first independent directorial venture. He had previously worked as assistant director to Kapoor in Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949) and Awaara (1951).The film was rated "Below Average" at the box office^[ but has various hit songs like "Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat", "Aaja Re Ab Mera Dil Pukara" and "Jaane Na Nazar". The song "Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani" sung by Mukesh was also picturised on him. 

Rahi

 The film starred Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant with Balraj Sahni, David, Achla Sachdev and Manmohan Krishan. The film was based on Mulk Raj Anand's novel "Two Leaves and a Bud" (1937), which was scripted by K A.Abbas,who also Directed it.

The story revolved around an ex-army man played by Dev Anand, who takes up a job in a tea estate, only to get disillusioned with the management, and his situation. Nalini Jaywant played his love interest as a tea leave picker. Her acting was appreciated in the film getting "great critical acclaim"
TOP  SONGS of 1953

Ye Zindagi Usi Ki Hai, Jo Kisi Ka Ho Gaya, Pyar Hi Me Kho Gaya from Anarkali (1953)

Song from Anarkali 1953

Shaam-E-Gham Ki Kasam from Footpath 1953

Song from Footpath 1953

 Aye Gham-E-Dil Kya Karu (By Talat Mahmood) from Thokar 1953

Song from Thokar 1953

Yaad Kiyaa Dil Ne Kahaan Ho Tum 

  from  Patita 1953

Song from Patita 1953

 Zindagi Denewale Sun, Teri Duniya Se Dil Bhar Gaya

from Dil - E - Nadan(1953)

Song from  Dil - E - Nadan 1953

Aaja Re, Ab Mera Dil Pukara

from Aah 1953

Song from  Aah 1953

 Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke, Bij Bichha Le Pyar Ke, Mausam Bita Jaay

from Do Bigha Zameen 1953

Song from  Do Bigha Zameen 1953

 Kaare Badaraa Tu Na Jaa Na Jaa Bairi Tu Bides Na Jaa

 from Shikast 1953

Song from Shikast 1953

                                      Muhaabbat Ki Daastaan Aaj Suno

                                       from Mayurpankh 1953

Song from Mayurpankh 1953

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Raaja Ki Aayegi Baraat from Aah 1953

Song from Aah 1953

Interesting To Note 

This year 88 hindi films were released.

A movie called Shole was released that year Directed by B R Chopra,Ashok Kumar  and Bina Rai were the main lead.I am posting a song from this film

Song from Shole 1953

A movie called Chacha Chaudhary ,Directed and acted by Raja Pranjpe,This title later on was picked up by a famous Hindi Comic,here I am posting one song from this film

Shammi Kapoor made his debut with JEEVAN JYOTI ,Chand Usmani was his heroine,Directed by Mahesh Kaul

Music Director Salil Chaudhary made his debut with Do Bigha Zameen with all time great Duets by Manna De and Lata Hariyala sawan dhol bajata aya and Mausam beeta jaye, and one of the greatest lullabies by Lata Mangeshkar, Aa ja ri aa nindiya tu aa.

As per Cineplot.com Helen made her debut as an independant Dancer in this year from the film Alif Laila

Song from Alif Laila 1953

 This year also had some unusual screen appearances in songs, which are well known to the readers – Shailendra in the song Chali kaun se des gujariya (Boot Polish), and Mukesh in Chhoti si ye zindagani (Aah).

Lyricist Shailendra Acting in this song

Singer Mukesh acting in this song

 Hridaynath Mangeshkar t he younger brother of Lata ji made his debut in a hindi movie Baabla, lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi, music SD Burman.If you hear this song without knowing its detail, you would probably guess it is by Geeta Dutt.but its not so this is the voice of Hridyanth Mangeshkar who was probably 15 0r 16 year kid. It is surprising that at this age, his voice should be so thin resembles a female voice.For your interest I am posting this song here.