MUKESH - The Best Articulator of Melancholy.

 

 ‘Dil jalta hai to jalne de’. was the first major song from Mukesh from ” Pehli Nazar”(1945). It was Anil Biswas who composed this song and wanted him to sing in Saigal style The song became so popular that he was branded for the sad songs. He was next to Saigal for such types of songs.Initially, all the composers used Mukesh mainly for such songs.

After this film, however, Anil Biswas helped Mukesh to develop his own distinct style, away from the Saigal effect. Mukesh songs of Anokha Pyaar-48, Lajawab-50 and Aaram-51 are a testimony to this effort becoming a success. Just listen to ‘ Aye Jaan e Jigar’ song and you will agree.  The anguish of a failed lover, despondency of a purposeless life, the Heartache-all this is expressed by Mukesh like no other singer.

Naushad also recognized Mukesh's voice, he took him for the first time in the 1948 film 'Anokhi Ada'.Mukesh coming out a winner with his ‘ kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga’. Mela-48 put a stamp of approval on Mukesh from none other than Dilip Kumar. He sang many songs for him, in fact he was the voice of Dilip Kumar in Andaz(1949) and Rafi was the voice of Raj Kapoor in that film.

Mukesh became the voice of Raj Kapoor after the success of Barsat (1949), he sang almost all the songs for him except a few exceptions. on his death raj Kapoor said that he has lost his voice. In fact, after the demise of Mukesh, Talat, Hemant, and Kishore to a certain extent sang sad songs, but the sentiments of Gloom, sorrow, and despair disappeared from Hindi film songs. 

The last song that he recorded was Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal from “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” in June 1976. Soon after recording this song he left for a musical tour of the US. Mukesh had sung 930 songs in 533 films. he gave music to 2 films and acted in 7 films in his early years. Some of his films were, “Aadab Arz” (1943), “Aah” (1953), “Mashuqa” (1953), “Anurag” (1956).

Song of Pehli Nazar 1948

Song of Anokhi Ada 1948

Song of Mela 1948

Song of Andaz 1949

Song of Bawre Nain 1949

Song of Awara 1951

Song of Aah 1953

Song of Parvarish 1958

Song of Kanhaiya 1959

Song of Bombai Ka Babu 1960

Song of Chhalia 1960

Song of Baraat 1960

Song of Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi 1960

Song of Sanjog 1961

Song of Sasural 1961

Mein or Mera Songs- The songs used to establish one's character (Part 1)

 

                                                                      Part 1 

Thinking of theme songs, the idea clicked in my mind to have songs that have Mein or Mera in their lyrics or introducing his or her character in the song like Awara Hoon or Mein Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya.

On researching, I have found so many songs on this theme, all the songs are not possible to be included in one blog, So in this blog, I have taken 15 songs from 1949 to 1959. Rest I will post in Part 2

The first song I have selected 'Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hoon (Barsaat) 1949, sung by Mukesh, picturized on Raj Kapoor. In this film, we find three songs in this category. The other two are 'Chhod Gaye Balam Mujhe Akela Chhod Gaye' and 'Aa Ja Re Ab Mera Dil Pukara'

Song of Barsat 1949

The next song is one of my favorites 'Aye Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah' sung by Talat, picturized on Dilip Kumar for the 1950 film 'Arzoo'. There are two more songs in this category 'Kahan Tak Ham Uthaye Gham'  and 'Mera Naram Karejwaa Dol Gaya' 'by Lata Mangeshkar.

Song of Aarzoo 1950

The next song is from the 1950 film 'Sargam' 2 songs come in this category, 'Wo Hamse Chup Hain', and 'Mera Nam Hai Bhim Palasi' both sung by Chitalkar for Raj Kapoor

Song of Sargam1950

This is an immortal song from the 1951 film Awara sung by Mukesh

Song of Awara1951

Song of Awara1951

Song of Sanam 1951

Song of Deedar 1951

Song of Deedar 1951

Song of Madhosh 1951

Song of Anhonee 1952

Song of Nagin 1954

Song of Shree 420 1955

Song of Udan Khatola 1955

Song of Chandrakanta 1956

Song of Pyasa 1957

Hum Hein Rahi Pyaar Ke sung by Kishore Kumar, picturized on Dev Anand

Song of Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Mein Toh Kab Se Khadi Is Paar sung by Lata, picturized on Vyajantimala

Song of Madhumati 1958

Mein Bangali Chhokra sung by Kishore Kumar and picturized on him

Song of Raagini 1958

'MEIN DEEWANA MASTANA' sung by Mukesh picturized on Premnath

Song of Chalis Din 1959

Chhoti Behan (1959) had two very popular songs, 'Mein Rickshawala Mein Rickshawala' and 'Main Rangeela Pyar Ka Rahi' both picturized on Mehmood

Song of Chhoti Behan 1959

 

The Great Bollywood Songs on Promise

 

Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible. Promises are a vital part of building our relationships. Sometimes the poets or lyricists imagine a promise that is outside of our personal boundaries like 'Tere Liye Mein Chand Tare Tod Laonga' or 'Sau Baar Janam Lenge, Sau Baar Fana Honge'

There are hundreds of songs that explicitly use the words 'vada' or 'Kasam in the lyrics but In this blog, I have selected those songs with no words of promise in them but express a promise like Na Yeh Chand Hoga Na Tare Rahenge' or' Ek Ghar Banonga Tere Ghar Ke Samne.

The first song in my list is not a promise-giving song but asking for a promise. This song was written by D N Madhok and composed by Naushad for the 1944 film Rattan

Song of Rattan (1944)

Song of Jugnu (1949)

Song of Deedaar (1951) 

Song of Neelam Pari 1952

Song of Naukri 1954

Song of Shart 1954

Song of Baradari 1955

Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

Song of Asli Naqli 1962

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song of Ustadon Ke Ustad 1963

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Mamta 1966

Song of Milan 1967

Song of Jeevan Mrityu 1970

Song of Hawas 1974

Song of Zakhmi 1975

"Taqdeer ka Fasana Ja Kar Kise Sunayen"- A Gem by Ramlal

 

This song from the 1963 film Sehra was written by Hasrat Jaipuri, sung by Mohammad Rafi, and composed by an unsung music director Ramlal. He was a renowned Shehnai & Flute player. He came to Mumbai in 1944 and started working as an assistant with composer Ram Ganguly for Prithvi theatre. In 1948 he played Flute and Shahnai in many songs for composer Ram Ganguli in Raj Kapoor’s debut film as Director “Aag”.

This song is a twin song ( Dual Version Song) to be sung in male and female voices separately. Originally the male voice was sung by Mahendra Kapoor and was recorded but V Shantaram the producer and director was not satisfied with the song, Then Ramlal suggested that Mohammad Rafi could give justice to this song but the problem was that Rafi was always ignored by the great filmmaker, both of them never worked together. So Ramlal ji assured him that he will convince Rafi Saab to sing in the film.

Rafi Saab was able to inject tremendous pathos in this song and as usual, excels in the high notes. The prelude of the song a 28-second Shehnai piece was played by Ramlal Ji himself. In this song only. Ramlal JI in an interview told that Rafi Saab dubbed this song, the music track was kept as it is.

Taqdeer ka Fasana Md Rafi

Taqdeer ka Fasana Lata Mangeshkar

Kalyanji Bhai- The Musician behind the Immortal Been Tune of 'Nagin'

 

Kalyanji Bhai of the Kalyanji Anandji music duo started his career as a musician. He was very good at Harmonium, violin, guitar, and drums. He played these instruments under many music directors.

 Kalyanji, who introduced a new electronic instrument called the clavioline. With this instrument, he played the been for a snake sequence in the film Nag Panchami (1953), the music of which was scored by Chitragupt. People came to watch the film just to listen to this music . Hemant Kumar heard this tune and decided to use this in the song "Man Dole Mera Tan Dole" of Nagin(1954). The song and this tune became immortal. 

He was soon the most sought-after musician in Bollywood. Kalyanji then, with his brother Anandji, started an orchestral group called Kalyanji Virji and Party which organized musical shows in Mumbai and outside. This was the first attempt made for holding live musical shows in India.

In 1957 Subhash Desai, the elder brother of the great filmmaker Manmohan Desai signed him as an independent music director. He signed him not for one film but for 11 films in one stretch. The first film was 'Samrat Chandragupt' released in 1958. The film was a hit and the music was also a hit. Recall the most popular song 'Chahe Paas Ho, Chahe Door' by Lata Mangeshkar. 

This was followed by his composing music scores for more films like Post Box 999 before Anandji who was assisting him, joined him officially to form the Kalyanji Anandji duo in Satta Bazar and Madari (1959). Chalia (1961) was their earliest major hit. It was in 1965 his 2 films Himalaya Ki God Mei and Jab Jab Phool Khile made him a great music director.

 He not only mastered in many musical instruments but also be known for introducing Jaz in Hindi films. He used to do mimicry of many artists of his time. He also knew astrology and face reading.
It was the music of Saraswatichandra (1968) that endorsed the genius of the brothers, more so because the classical tunes came soon after their modern Rhapsody in Haseena Man Jayegi.The songs "Chandan sa badan, Phool tumhe bheja hai, Chod de sari duniya, Hamne apna sab kuch khoya... were instant hits.

Both Kalyanji and Anandji worked as music composers for over 250 films, 17 of which were golden jubilees and 39 silver."Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar" from Don (1978), "Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door The" from Aamne Saamne (1967), "Yeh Saman" from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), "Humare Siva  Tumhare Aur Kitne deewane" from Apradh (1978), "Main Pyaasa Tum saawan' from Faraar (1975), "Jeevan se bhari teri aankhe", "Zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa Safar", "Pal Pal dilke paas", "Neele Neele Ambar Par" are some of their notable songs. 

Song of Samrat Chandragupt 1958

Song of Chhalia (1960)

Song of Bluff Master, 1963

Song of Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965

Song of Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965

Song of Upkar 1966

Song of Saraswatichandra, 1968

Song of Purab Aur Paschim, 1970

Song of Sachaa Jhutha, 1970

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Johny Mera Naam, 1970

Song of Kora Kagaz 1974

Song of Dharmatma, 1975

The Tune that Mesmerized Raj Kapoor

 

It is the famous waltz 'Waves of the Danube' composed by the Romanian Josef (or Ion) Ivanovici in 1880. This tune has been used in many films over the years – Josef von Sternberg’s Dishonored, Akira Kurosawa’s Stray Dog, and Emir Kusturica’s When Father Was Away on Business, to name a few – but its most famous film incarnation is as The Anniversary Song from The Jazz Singer(1927)

 Raj Kapoor first heard this tune when he saw The Jolson Story (1946) rather than coming across a recording of the original waltz. He was so mesmerized by this tune, he decided to use this in his film Barsaat. When he used this tune in Barsaat, he was approached by the copyright people for breaching the copyright. He had to pay something like 35,000 rupees, a handsome amount in the 40s. 

Since he purchased the tune, he used this tune in RK films – Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Biwi O Biwi (1982) – either as background music or in song interludes.

This tune remained an integral part of the film. Raj Kapoor, who plays Pran in the film plays this tune on the violin throughout the film. Nargis (Reshma), who keeps referring to the instrument as a “sitar”, finds herself inextricably drawn to this haunting melody. In a crucial scene towards the end, when the lovers have been separated, Reshma again hears the tune and rushes off towards its source. She lands up in a posh club (with, apparently, not very sound-proof walls) and falls at the feet of the man playing the violin. But it is not Pran. The shocked violinist kicks out at her.  

Song of Barsaat 1949

                    Losif Ivanovici - Donauwellen Walzer (Waves of the Danube Waltz)

Great Bollywood Songs Shot in Kashmir

 

 Kashmir was an integral part of Hindi films through the sixties, seventies, and most of the eighties. Many hit songs were picturized at the beautiful locations in Kashmir. The first song that emerges in our mind is Shammi Kapoor's Yahoo dance in the snowy peaks of Kashmir. The other song Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra from the 1964 film 'Kashmir Ki Kali' that was picturized on Shikaras has been wildly popular ever since the release of the film.

The beauty of Kashmir is eternal and so is Love, barring one or two songs Most of the evergreen romantic numbers in the Bollywood albums of the golden era of Indian Cinema were picturized on the blissful moments of love in the snow-clad and lush green locales of Jammu & Kashmir,.  The earliest known arrival of a film unit in Kashmir dates back to 1944. That year, the Taj Mahal Film Company, Bombay to shoot scenes of its movie, Begum, featuring Ashok Kumar as a shepherd and Naseem alias Pari Chehra or the Fairy-Face, as a village damsel. So, let's take you through some popular Bollywood songs shot in Kashmir.

Song of Junglee 1961

Song of  Kashmir ki Kali 1964

Song of  Arzoo 1965

Song of  Jab Jab Phool Khile 1965

Song of  Mere Sanam, 1965

Song of   Jaanwar 1965

Song of Himalaya Ki God Mein 1965

Song of Kab? Kyon? Aur Kahaan?, 1970

Song of  Bobby (1973)

Song of  Aap ki Kasam 1974

Song of Aandhi 1975

Song of  Kabhie Kabhie 1976

Song of Kasme Vaade 1978

Song of Noorie1979

Song of Bemisal 1982

Song of Betaab (1983)

Song of Roja (1992)

Song of Mission Kashmir (2000)

Rockstar (2011)

Song of Jab Tak Hain Jaan (2012)

Song of Haider (2014)

Song of Bajrangi Bhaijan 2015