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
Do you know that the Shammi Kapoor we know today became Shammi Kapoor after giving 19 flop films in a row.tThe first of Shammi Kapoor was Jeevan Jyoti but Rail Ka Dibba (1953) was released first.He reinvented himself in Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), losing his seducer’s pencil moustache and fashioning his hair in typical ducktail style of the 1950sThis new Shammi did what no other hero had done earlier. He swayed, sashayed and sizzled while singing songs on screen. He became the first dancing star of Bollywood. His dance songs were never Choreographed.Today (14th Aug 2017) on his 6th Death Anniversary I look for his dancing style.. Before Tumsa Nahin Dekha, the Hindi film hero seldom danced. How could he, for the weight of the entire world was on his shoulders. On the rare occasion that he did, like Raj Kapoor in ‘Mud mud ke na dekh’ or in ‘Dil ka haal suney dilwaala’ in Shree 420, his actions were characterized by a kind of rhythmic one-two, one-two movement that responded to the beat of the song. The final song in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, ‘Sar par topi laal’, made a dramatic departure. Early in the song, after Shankar has sung his half of the mukhda, ‘Gorey gorey gaal, gaal pe uljhey uljhey baal, ho tera kya kehna’, he claps along with the junior male artistes for a few seconds, showing a joviality that matches the beat of the song.He is shown dancing on one leg, going back and forth with the male artistes, matching them step for step all the while. He shouts out ‘oh sad ke, oh beliyaa’ and flits across the frame. In Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Shammi dances his way through most of the film. Shammi’s entire frame features prominently in the songs ‘Megha re bole’, ‘Do ekum do’, ‘Pyaar ho toh keh do yes’ and ‘Yaar chulbula hai’, differentiating him from other mainstream heroes. Shammi Kapoor in an interview claimed not knowing how to dance but his energy, verve and rhythm in those songs were unmatched and very different from the norm. He found stardom with his first colour film, Junglee, released in 1961, which proved a blockbusting hit.After Junglee began a series of box-office hits like Dil Tera Deewana (1962) and the thriller Teesri Manzil (1966) with hit songs and his style of dancing mannerism.The way he smiled, the way he pouted and the way he looked into heroine’s eyes, everything was infectious; simply because it was fresh, fun and flamboyant. Even his famed dances were never choreographed; on the dance-floor, he just needed a catchy melody and a zingy beat and then he rock ’n’ rolled. Shammi Kapoor-songs have become a genre by itself. Racy, robust, rhythmic and romantic numbers composed by the master composers like O.P. Nayyar, Shankar- Jaikishan, Ravi, Usha Khanna and R.D. Burman added their own magic to this rebel star’s screen persona.
The Parody songs are liked in every generation starting from 40s till now.The way these songs have been sung with spunk, the hilarious lyrics and the comic timing of the characters who have sung these on the screen combined with the liveliness of the supporting cast makes these classics in their own right. There’s always some truth to parodies. These Bollywood songs are honest and funny at the same time. The earliest parody song is found in film ‘Deccan Queen’ (1936), sung by Surendra in his debut film. The song – “Birha Ki Aag Lagi Mere Mann Mein“, which is a parody of the iconic KL Saigal song from the 1935 film ‘Devdas’ – “Baalam Aaye Baso Morey Mann Mein“. ..I have selected 25 such songs in this Blog. The oldest Parody song available in youtube is from the 1942 film Call of youth (Jawaani Ki Pukaar) .This song is a parody of 3 famous and popular songs, namely 1. “Saawan Ke Nazaare Hain” from film ‘Khazaanchi’ (1941) ( Shamshad Begum, Ghulam Haider) 2. “Chal Chal Re Naujawaan” from film “Kangan” (1941) ( Ashok Kumar, Leela Chitnis) 3. “Main Kya Jaanu Kya Jaadu Hai” from film “Zindagi” (1940) (KL Saigal)
Today on the 14th Death Anniversary of the Star comedian Johny Walker I pay my Tribute to him with the 15 Rare songs picturised on him.Johnny Walker was a man of many talents. He could play all kinds of roles but people wanted to watch him as a funny man always.His real name was Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi. He worked as an extra in films on Sundays and was spotted by the great Balraj Sahni entertaining the crowd actors Guru Dutt gave him a break with Baazi in 1950 and changed his name to Johny Walker,a popular brand of whiskey.It was Navketan and Guru Dutt who gave him roles, His Aye dil hain mushkil jeena yahan picturised on Johnny Walker became a rage and distributors insisted that a song be picturised on him in every film.
Remembering Mukesh on his 94th Birth Anniversary,his unique singing style would make his songs popular soon after their release.His forte were both sad and jolly songs such as “Yeh mera diwana pan hai” (Yahudi), “Suhani chandni raaten” (Mukti), “Aa laut ke aaja mere meet” (Rani Roopmati), “Awara hoon” (Awara) and “Dum dum diga diga” (Chalia)”. He sang romantic songs with equal ease: “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein” (Kabhi Kabhi) and “Naina hain jadoo bhare” (Bedard Zamana). In this blog I have selected his Jolly and Happy songs only. Mukesh was born on 22nd July 1923.At the age of 18 he was offered a role as an actor-singer in a Hindi film, Nirdosh (1941). The real break as a playback singer came for him in 1945 when he sang for Motilal for the film Pehli Nazar.It was the song "Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De". composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics written by Aah Sitapuri.made him popular.Though the song was in the style of K L Sehgal but it became instant hit.Mukesh created his own singing style with the help of music director Naushad Ali, who helped Mukesh to come out of his Saigal style and create his own style. Naushad gave him songs for the film Andaz.All the songs became hit. Mukesh became the voice of Raj Kapoor with Barsaat.He gave many immortal songs for Raj Kapoor.Mukesh is best known for the songs that he sung for actor Raj Kapoor in Bollywood. The two decades spanning the 1950s to 1970s saw the rise and shine of the man who was to be immortalized in the pages of Bollywood playback singing. On Mukesh’s demise, he said ‘I have lost my voice.’ It wasn’t exaggeration. You try to remember Raj Kapoor, and you’ll end up humming Mukesh. Mukesh recieved 4 Filmfare Awards for Best Playback Singer for films 'Anari', 'Pehchan', 'Beimaan' and 'Kabhie Kabhie'.In 1974 he was bestowed with the National Film Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for his song 'Kain Baar Yoon Bhi Dekhaa Hai' from the film 'Rajnigandha'. Mukesh died on August 27, 1976 at the age of 53. The singer succumbed to a heart attack while on a concert tour to the United States. Here is my tribute to him on his 94th Birth Anniversary today with a compilation of my few of the favourite ‘Happy’ and Romantic songs of Mukesh.
Song from Shree 420 (1955)
Song from Madhumati 1958
Song from Kanhaiya (1959)
Song from Ujala 1959
Song from Chalia 1960
Song from Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti Hai 1960
Song from Hum Hindustani 1960
Dekho mausam kya bahar hai Song from Opera House 1961
Bollywood has carried on the tradition of discovering and rediscovering the comedians from the Golden Era till today.The way these songs have been sung with sparkling comic timing by some of the ace comedians , is what makes them classics in their own right and rage of their time. In this blog I have selected few of such songs which were picturised on these comedians other than Mehmood and Johny Walker. Gope -
Starting his career with a small role in Insaan Ya Shaitaan (1933), directed by Moti Gidwani and produced by Eastern Arts Production, Gope went on to act in over a hundred and forty films in a career spanning twenty-four years from 1933–1957.Best known for his comedy roles, he is stated to be one of Hindi cinema's "most popular comedians". His acting in comic roles won him "critical and popular acclaim" and soon became "the leading comedian of his time". His popularity assured him being mentioned in the credit roll of films along with the main cast.He became famous lip-syncing the popular number from Patanga on screen "Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon" (My Beloved Has Gone To Rangoon), playbacked by C. Ramchandra for Gope and by Shamshad Begum for Nigar Sultana
Song from patanga 1949
Yakub-
He is best known for his comedic villainous roles. He commenced his career as an extra but soon did roles as a hero and later as a villain. He became one of the most renowned screen villains, while achieving equal success in comedy and character roles. Yakub appeared in over 300 films.His comic pairing with Gope and Agha was well-liked by the audiences and this had the film makers use their combination in several films.
Song from Sagai (1951),
Bhagwan Dada-
He is best known for his social film Albela (1951) and the song "Shola Jo Bhadke".He will always be remembered as Hindi cinema’s first dancing and action star.He was Full of life, multi-talented and an entertainer.
Song from Albela 1951
Song from Albela 1951
Agha-
He was known for comic roles and modeled himself on Bob Hope's style of acting. He appeared in over 300 Hindi films in his career between 1935 and 1986.His most active years were from 1930s to 1960s.
Mini Mini Chichi from Kathputli 1957
Song from Akeli Mat Jaiyo 1960
Om Prakash -
Starting his career in 1942, he was a popular supporting actor from the 1950s until the 1980s.He is known for his roles in comedy films. One of his best performances in his later years were Naukar Biwi Ka, Sharaabi (1984) and Chameli Ki Shaadi, where he played a role that was pivotal for the movie.
Song from Miss Marry 1957
Song from Patang
Jagdeep-
Today's generation know him as Soorma Bhopali of Sholay.Jagdeep started his film career as a child artist extra in B. R. Chopra's Afsana, then became a child artist in Ab Dilli Door Nahin, and many more films.Then came Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin with which he started playing comic roles. Many hit songs are picturised on him like Paas baitho tabiyat bahal jayegi from Punarmilan, In pyar ki rahon mein from the same film, Chal ud ja re Panchhi and Chali Chali re Patang from superhit movie Bhabhi where he is paired opposite Nanda, Aa Gaye Yaaro Jeene Ke from Phir wohi Raat.
Song from Punarmilan 1964
Song from Bhabhi 1957
Rajendra Nath-
He was one of the most famous comedians. His best role as comedian was in Mere Sanam and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. He along with Asha Parekh were a regular feature in many of Nasir Hussain films like Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Teesri Manzil, Baharon Ke Sapne and Pyar Ka Mausam.He also played the role of Hero/Second Lead in "Vachan" and "Teen Bahuraniyan".He also played a villain's role in Hamrahi opposite Shashikala whose character he kills
Song from Holi Ayee re 1970
Song from Vachan 1974
Song from Johar In Bombay
I. S. Johar,
He was an Indian actor, writer, producer and director.He wrote and directed many films, some of which included Johar Mehmood in Goa and Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong in which he co-starred with comedian Mehmood.He also starred in films with his own surname in the title such as Mera Naam Johar,Johar in Kashmir and Johar in Bombay.His comic roles were appreciated in Shagird and Tripple Role in Jhony Mera Naam
Song from Five Rifles 1974
Song from Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong
Song from Shagird 1967
Song from Johar Mehmood In Goa 1965
Mukri-
With his toothless smile, diminutive stature and perfect humour timing amused the audiences in more than 600 films, over six decades in Bollywood.His notable films are Mother India (1957), Sharabi (1984), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Lawaris (1981), Bombay to Goa (1972), Gopi(1972), Kohinoor (1960),Sharaabi 1984 and many more.
Song from Amar Akbar Anthony
Song from Upasna 1971
Asrani,
He played comedians role from the 1966 to 2013 and played supporting actor's role as the close friend of the lead hero in many films between 1972 and 1994. In a few Hindi films like Chala Murari Hero Banne and Salaam Memsaab.Today's generation will recall him for Angrejo Ke Zamane Ke Jailor of Sholay
Song from Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan 1978.
Song from Hamare Tumhare 1979
Junior Mehmood
He was a popular child star of his time, having acted in 264 films.Came into limelight with the release of 'Brahmachari".Remember the hilarious dance act on 'Hum kaale hain toh kya hua dilwale hain...' from that movie.One of the busiest child stars of his times and probably among the highest paid too,
Song from Brahmchari 1968
Song from Do Raste 1969
Song from Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani 1970
Paintal-
Started off as an Indian comic actor and moved on to teaching the art of acting.Some of Paintal's notable roles included Rattan in Jawani Diwani (1972), Salma in Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Guruji in Bawarchi (1972), Arun in Piya Ka Ghar (1972).One of his most notable roles was as Champak Boomia in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973). The film became very successful for the character 'Champak Bhumia' played by him.
Song from Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar 1973
Song from Satte Pe Satta 1982
Song from Rafoo chakkar 1975
Johnny Lever -
One of the most noted comedians in Hindi cinema, acted in more than three hundred Bollywood films.His first major success came with Baazigar, and after that he was seen in movies as a supporting actor/comedian. He is also remembered for some of his other famous characters, like "Chotta Chattri", "Aslam Bhai", etc. His performance in the film, Judaai and his dialogue in the movie, Abba Dabba Jabba are also notable.
