Showing posts with label shankar jaikishan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shankar jaikishan. Show all posts

Monday 17 September 2018

Hasrat Jaipuri - A Love Letter written in Real Life becomes Immortal in Reel


Do you know that the immortal song Yeh Meraa Prempatra Padh Kar sung by Mohammad Rafi in Sangam was actually written for the real girl living next door to Hasrat Jaipuri in Jaipur. In an interview, Hasrat Jaipuri informed this truth but It is not known for sure whether the love letter was actually delivered to her or not?
Hasrat Jaipuri was born on 15th April 1922 at Jaipur. He began writing verse when he was around twenty years old. Around the same time, he fell in love with a neighbourhood girl name Radha. His love was silent but his emotions were not, he thought of expressing them by writing a letter in poetic form. The words were Yeh Mera Prem Patra Padh Kar, ki tum Naaraaz Na Hona. Ki Tum Meri Zindagi Ho.
There was a situation in the film where Rajendra Kumar had to sing a song, for that situation Hasrat Jaipuri suggested the words to Raj Kapoor and informed him of the real incidence also the veteran film producer-director Raj Kapoor liked it enough to include it in his Sangam (1964 Hindi film) and the song ended up becoming a 'hit' song in India.
Hasrat Jaipuri the great Lyricist started his Film career with the immortal song Jiya Beqaraar Hai for the film Barsaat in 1949. It was also the first film of Shankar Jaikishan, That was the beginning of a lifelong association." Yet, there was an unstated agreement that Jaikishan would often prefer Jaipuri to pen lyrics for his tunes, while Shankar would turn to Shailendra. 
He wrote  a whole range of songs like "Sayonara sayonara" (Love In Tokyo)," Aao twist karen" (Bhoot Bungla)." Ajhoon na aaye baalma" (Sanjh AurSavera), "Duniya Bananewale"(Teesri Kasam) to Romantic songs like Yeh Mera Prem Patra (Sangam)."Zindagi ek safar hai suhana" (Andaz), "Teri pyari pyari soorat ko" (Sasural), "Pankh hote to ud aati re" (Sehra), "Tere khayalon meinhum" (Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne), " Tu kahan yeh bataa" (Tere Ghar KeSaamne), Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tum Se Pyaar Tha (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai) and Bahaaron Phool Barsao (Suraj )

He worked in  350 films and 2000 recorded songs, his last releases were Saazish with Jatin-Lalit and Sher Khan (with Bappi Lahiri), and at the time of his death, he was working on a few small films and a book of Shaayari.
He won innumerable awards, honours and mementoes. Among them were two Filmfare trophies (for `Baharon Phool Barsaoo’ from Suraj and `Zindagi ek safar hai suhana’ from Andaz) and two awards - the Doctorate from the World University Round-Table and the Josh Mahilabadi award from the Urdu Conference for his literary work as a poet. Also the Dr Ambedkar award for a film song, `Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya’ from Mere Huzoor, which was written with a blend of Hindi and Brij Bhasha. Apropos that, the poet once said, "Hindi and Urdu are like two great and inseparable sisters"
He died on 17th September 1999. He still remains the King Of Romance.

In this Blog I have selected some of my favourite Romantic Songs of Hasrat Jaipuri Ji.
Song of Barsaat 1949


Song of Patita (1953)


Song of Chori Chori (1956)


Song of Sasural 1961


Song of Junglee 1961


 
Song of Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai  1961


Song of Maya 1961


Song of Professor (1962)


Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)


Song of Asli Naqli (1963)



Song of Sangam (1964)


Song of Brahmchari (1968)


Song of Andaz 1971





Wednesday 12 September 2018

Jaiksihan ‘s forte was romantic and western tunes


The association of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishen, Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri which started with Barsaat continued till the end. The Shankar Jaikishan were among the top music directors of Golden Era of Bollywood. They created the music appealing both to the common man (rickshaw puller) as well as purists. The eight-minute Awaara song “ Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi” is a milestone in Hindi Film music. A lovely duet by Lata  Rafi and chorus.
Shankar was elder to Jaikishan but he always respected Jaikishan. Shankar was master of instruments. He would play at ease Harmonium, Sitar or Tabla and normally conducted orchestra irrespective of who composed the song. Shankar used to decide on the theme Raag for each movie well in advance. Most of the dance based and classical based tunes were by Shankar.  Jaikishan's forte was romantic and western tunes.SJ composed their best not only for Raj Kapoor home productions but also in all the movies in which Raj Kapoor had starred 
Jaikishan was one of the most stylishly dressed, handsome personalities. His wardrobe was the best in the world. His personal letter to his wife Pallavi Jaikishen became the lyrics of another romantic evergreen song sung by Rafi Saab in Sangam. This song also was responsible for the breakup of the duo, as Jaikishen told the media for the first time, that the song was his own creation.
Jaikishan introduced the music of all countries in their compositions. From the  Jazz to Arabian music, from Rock to Indian classical and romantic as well as Ghazals. They were good in every type of song. Till then Bollywood  music was classical for the purists 
70% of Shailendra songs were composed by Shankar. Similarly, most of the songs of Hasrat Jaipuri was composed by Jaikishen. Until the split, it is difficult to find out who composed what as they worked together as a team.
Jaikishan was also the best in giving Background Music. It was Jaikishan who used to work on background music of SJ movies as per their mutually agreed division of work, it may be an over-simplification to presume that therefore, whatever went in background scores was solely Jaikishan's creation. Since SJ had a common pool of tunes in their stock, made by either of them during their numerous music sessions/sittings (Riyaz), it was perfectly legitimate and natural for Jaikishan to have used tunes created by Shankar also wherever needed. This is also one of the reasons why he was able to finish this job in a few days' time. It is understood that in RK films, Shankar and Jaikishan both used to work on the background scores. On the other hand, both Shankar and Jaikishan were equally proficient in scoring western music based songs.
During their career, S-J won Filmfare Best Music Director Awards nine times. The last three awards were won in three successive years, thereby making S-J the first composers to score a hat-trick of these awards.
Jaikishan died in 1971 due to cirrhosis of liver, a disease caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. At the time of his death, the duo enjoyed an unparalleled popularity which was underlined by a massive turnout at his funeral procession.

Here are some of the great Romantic Songs of Shankar Jaikishan
Song of Barsat 1949


Song of Shri 420 (1955)



Song of Chori Chori (1956)


Song of Love Marriage (1959)



Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)



Song of Junglee(1961)



Song of Sasuraal (1961)



Song of Asli-Naqli (1962)



Song of Dil Tera Diwana (1962)


Song of Professor (1962)



Song of Dil Ek Mandir  (1963)



Song of Sangam (1964)



Song of Aarzoo (1965)



Song of An Evening In Paris (1967)



Song of Brahmachari  (1968)






Thursday 26 April 2018

Shankar Jaikishan-The Duo who molded the Musical Mood of Bollywood


Shankar Jaikishan the music synonym of Bollywood Music.They were the Super Star Music Director of golden Era of Bollywood.They molded the mood and musical mood of masses since the release of Barsat 1949.
Shankar,the more versatile of the two,was a prolific musician with mastery over many instruments,elder of the two was primarily responsible for making this great Jodi and also to build a  dedicated team of  Lyricist like Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri and musicians like Datta Ram and Sebastion.
Shankar was born on 5th Oct 1922.He started his career with a theater group run by Satyanarayan and Hemawati, before shifting to Prithvi Theatre where he played tabla and performed some minor roles in plays. It was at Prithvi theatre that he learnt to play and mastered several other instruments like Sitar, Accordion and Piano etc. Besides his work at Prithvi theatre, he also started working as an assistant to the leading composer duo of Husnlal Bhagatram and nurtured the ambition of becoming an independent music director.
He met Jaikishan at the office of a Gujrati director Chandravadan Bhatt who had promised Shankar a break as a Music Director when he produced a film.Both developed a liking for each other and it was he who then and there assured Jaikishan of the job of a Harmonium player at Prithvi theaters.While working in Prithvi Theaters, Shankar and Jaikishan used to compose tunes and were in touch with Raj Kapoor, who was working as an assistant to the famous director Kidar Sharma and was aspiring to be an actor/director. Thus, the three had met at Prithvi Theater.
Raj Kapoor made his debut as a director with the film Aag in 1948. Its music director Ram Ganguly was assisted by Shankar and Jaikishan. However, during the recording of a song for his new venture Barsaat, Raj Kapoor had some serious differences with Ram Ganguly and decided to assign its music to Shankar who insisted on taking Jaikishan as his partner. Thus came into existence the new pair of music directors named 'Shankar-Jaikishan' who composed the music for the film.
Their early works include BarsaatAwaaraBadalPoonamNaginaAuratParbatKaali GhataaAahPatitaShikastBadshahMayur PankhNaya GharSeemaShree 420Basant BaharHalakuRajhathNew DelhiKathputliAnariChori ChoriDaagBegunahYahudiMain Nashe main hoonKanaiahBoot PolishChhoti BehanSharaaratLove Marriage,Jab Pyaar Kisi se hota hai,Asli Naqli and Ujala.
Shankar-Jaikishan were the pioneers in establishing the role of the orchestra in song compositions as a medium to express and enhance the meanings and feelings of songs rather than using it just as a `filler' as per the prevalent practice before their advent on the scene. They made use of the orchestra and musical instruments (often dozens or hundreds of them) in their songs which consisted of the following format: 
Shankar Jaikishan made a major contribution towards the development of jazz music in India and the new genre Indo jazz. Their 1968 album Raaga-Jazz style is the earliest Indo-jazz recording in India
After Jaikishan's death, Shankar carried on with the banner of Shankar-Jaikishan alone,His most-successful musical hit was Sanyasi in 1975 for which he scored all songs and the entire background score based upon SJ's favorite Raag Bhairavi to prove the point that SJ's Bhairavi was as much Shankar's as that of Jaikishan.
Shankar died on 26th April 1987. His death received nominal media coverage and his funeral was attended only by his family and some friends.
Some of My Favourite Songs of Shankar Jaikishan
Song from Barsat 1949


Song from Awara 1951


Song from Daag 1952


Song from Aah 1953


Song from Patita 1953


Song from Seema 1955


Song from Shree 420  1955


Song from Chori Chori  1956


Song from Anari   1959


Song from Love Marriage 1959


Song from Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961


Song from Sasural 1961


Song from Junglee 1962


Song from Professor 1962


Song from Sangam 1964


Song from Aarzoo 1965


Song from Andaz 1971





Tuesday 12 September 2017

A Tribute To Jaikishan on his 46th Death anniversary


Jaikishan was the flamboyant, man-about-town who loved to dress in the best suits. He was the soul of the party and loved his scotch.On September 12, 1971, Jaikishan passed away due to cirrhosis of liver.He was only 42 years of age.In a short span of life he along with shankar was among the top Music Directors of Golden Era.The debonair musician actually wanted to be an actor, which was his prime motivation for moving to Mumbai. He started learning music under Vinayak Tambe and became a trained harmonium player.
Prithvi Theatre was searching for a harmonium player and Shankar took Jaikishan under his wings.Soon, both friends were providing music and even acting in plays produced by Prithvi. He along with Shankar started as Music Director with Raj Kapoor's Barsaat (1949)
Raj Kapoor may have introduced them but it’s wrong to credit him only for all their success. They shone even in non RK films like Daag, Basant Bahar,  Amrapali, Asli Naqli, Arzoo, Dil Ek Mandir, Junglee, Love in Tokyo, An Evening in Paris. 
They didn’t just stick to established singers but made sure they found the right voice for the mood. For instance, they used an unknown Subir Sen for Dil mera ek aas ka panchi from Aas Ka Panchi (1960), Suman Kalyanpur for Dil ek mandir hai from Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Manna Dey for Yeh raat bheegi bheegi,  Chori Chori (1956), Asha Bhosle for Mud mudke na dekh from Shri 420 (1955), Mukesh (for Dilip Kumar) in Yeh mera diwanapan hai, Yahudi (1958) and made many more such off kilter choices. 
Shankar-Jaikishan’s popular hits
Song from Awara 1951


Song from Daag -1952


Song from Patita - 1953


Song from Shri 420-1955


Song from Yahudi -1958


Song from Anari-1959


Song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi -1960


Song from Junglee 1961


Song from Dil Ek Mandir -1963


Song from Sangam 1964

Monday 11 September 2017

The MUSIC DRECTOR DUOS Of Bollywood


The trend of composer duos is not new. Earlier decades too boasted of talented music directors like Shankar-Jaikishan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Peareylal. The first to work as the music director duo.were Husnalal Bhagatram..Both were brothers.Most composers who work in teams feel that working as a duo helps in sharing thoughts and generating ideas.In this blog I have taken 10 such Composer Duos.

Husnalal Bhagatram..

They made their presence on the film music right on their entry in 1944 with the film “Chand” that came with a hit song “Do Dilon Ko Yeh Duniya” sung by Manju. Their compositions “Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazar Huye” (Pyar Ki Jeet) and “Suno Suno Ai Duniya Walo,Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani (Amar Kahani) sung with his characteristic soulful involvement became runaway hits.The rise of the talented music director duo Husnlal-Bhagatram virtually marked the beginning of Hindi film music’s golden era in the early 1940s. Who can forget the Husnlal-Bhagatram gems sung by Lata “Chale Jana Nahi Nain Mila Ke” (Badi Bahen-1949) and “Abhi To Mai Jawan Hun-Khushiyo Ke Din Manaye Ja” (Afsana-1951)?
Song from Pyar Ki Jeet 1948



Song from Afsana-1951


Shankar Jaikishan

Shankar-Jaikishan, along with other artists, composed "everlasting" and "immortal melodies" in the 1950s, and 1960s,They made their debut as Independent composer with Raj Kapoor's Barsaat in 1949.They formed a core team with lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri and with singers Mohammed Rafi Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.Shankar-Jaikishan made a significant contribution in promoting Indian classical music throughout their career. It was their established practice to have at least one song in a movie based on semi-classical style. These included songs like `Jhanak-jhanak tori baje payaliya' (Mere Huzoor), `Chham chham baje re payaliya' (Jane-anjane), `Radhike tune bansari churayi' (Beti Bete), `Manmohana bade jhoothe' (old `Seema'), `Koi matwala aya mere dware' (Love in Tokyo), `Ajahu na ayae baalma, sawan beeta jaye' (Sanjh aur Savera), `Lapak jhpak tu aa re badarwa' (Boot polish), `Ye barkha bahar sautaniya ke dwar' (Mayur pankh), `Re man sur mein ga' (Lal pathar)
While working as a team, Shankar and Jaikishan used to compose their songs separately. Generally, Shankar liked to work with Shailendra and Jaikishan with Hasrat Jaipuri.During their career, S-J won Filmfare Best Music Director Awards nine times. 
Song from Barsaat 1949



Song from Sangam 1964


Kalyanji-Anandji

Unlike Shankar jaikishan they were brothers. Kalyanji was elder to Anandji.Kalyanji started his career as a musician, with a new electronic instrument called the clavioline. which was used for the famous "Nagin Been," used in the film Nagin (1954) which had the music of Hemant Kumar.Samrat Chandragupta (1959) was his first film as Kalyanji Virji Shah,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. In 1965, two decisive scores, Himalay Ki God Mein and Jab Jab Phool Khile, established them as composers to reckon with.
Some of their best-known works are DonBairaagSaraswatichandraQurbaniTridev  Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Safar. They won the 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Kora Kagaz.
Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile 1965



Song from Kora Kagaz 1969


Laxmikant-Peareylal

They composed music for about 635 Hindi movies from 1963 to 1998, working for almost all notable filmmakers.Laxmikant and Pyarelal met at Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children, run by the Mangeshkar family. After Lata ji came to know about their financially poor backgrounds, Lata recommended their names to music directors like NaushadSachin Dev Burman and C. Ramchandra. Similar financial backgrounds and age made Laxmikant and Pyarelal very good friends. 
The first released movie which featured them as music directors was Babubhai Mistry's Parasmani (1963),Laxmikant–Pyarelal hit the big time with Rajshri Productions' 1964 film Dosti. The film had two newcomer heroes who never became popular, and the film was a success due to its music. Songs like "Chahoonga main tujhe shaam savere" and "Rahi manava" became very popular. At that time, many used to think that there was a single person by the name of Laxmikant Pyarelal. Laxmikant–Pyarelal won their first Filmfare Best Music Director Award for the movie.
LP dominated the Weekly Hindi Film songs Countdown programme Binaca Geet Mala,from 1964 to 1980s.They won 7 Filmfare Awards.The team of Laxmikant–Pyarelal and lyricist Anand Bakshi churned out some of the most popular songs in Hindi Cinemas history. The combo composed songs for more than 250 movies. 
Song from Dosti 1964



Song from Do Raaste 1969


Shiv Hari


As a composer for many Yash Chopra films, the Shiv-Hari team offered pleasant melodies in an era when the music scene is said to be truly awful. Ye kahaan aa gaye hum (Silsila), Mere haathon mein nau-nau choodiyaan hain (Chandni), Jaadu teri nazar and Tu mere saamne (Darr) are just some of their many euphonic tunes.They did 8 films together
The duo soon found that they couldn’t find a balance between their work in cinema and their music outside the film circuit, and they quit films after Darr, summarily refusing Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai, but that’s another story.
Song from Silsila 1981


Song from Chandani 1989


Nadeem Sharvan

Nadeem–Shravan were the most successful music directors of the 1990s until the early 2000s. They have the strong reliance of Hindustani music in their compositions and were the only composers during the 1990s and 2000s who relied heavily on three particular instruments: the bansuri, the sitar and the shehnai in almost all of their songs. Their first Hindi movie assignment was Maine Jeena Seekh Liya in 1981 sung by Amit kumar. In 1989, their three big movies were released: IlaakaHisaab Khoon Ka and Lashkar.
They composed soundtracks for many films, including Aashiqui (1990), Saajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Rang (1993), Dilwale (1994), Raja (1995), Barsaat (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996), Jeet (1996), Raja Hindustani (1996), Pardes (1997), Sirf Tum (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Kasoor (2001), Hum Ho Gaye Aapke (2001), Raaz (2002), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Dil Ka Rishta (2003), Andaaz (2003), Tumsa Nahi Dekha (2004), Bewafaa (2005) and many others.They won 4 Filmfare Awards,the first was for Aashiqui in 1991.Kumar Shanu,Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik were the main singers who sang for them.
Song from Aashiqui (1990)



Song from Pardes (1997)





Jatin Lalt

The brother jodi who made it big in the 1990s.They began their career in 1991, composing music for the Hindi movie Yaara Dildara. Although the film was a flop, its music was a big hit. The evergeen famous song of the movie was "Bin Tere Sanam", which topped the charts. They were first noticed for their work on the soundtrack of the movie Khiladi and for "Pehla Nasha", a romantic song from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, the film which earned then their first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
Jatin–Lalit's score for the cult classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was a massive success, and is remembered as one of the all-time best Bollywood soundtracks, earning them another nomination at the Filmfare,Some of their best known films are . Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) ,Yes boss 1997,  Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar To Hona Hi ThaMohabbatein, (2000),Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Hum Tum (2004), Chalte Chalte (2003) and Fanaa (2006), After working for almost 16 years together, they announced that they would be parting ways due to personal problems.
Song from Khamoshi 1996



Song from Hum Tum (2004)

Anand Milind

The music directors duo consisting of Anand Shrivastav and his younger brother Milind. They have composed music for over 200 Bollywood films and are the sons of 1960s music director, Chitragupta.
They debuted in Ab Aayega Mazaa (1984) and rose to fame after the success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).Anand–Milind and lyricist Sameer created more than 950 songs together. Almost every film had Sameer doing the lyrics.Their compositions bore some resemblance to the Laxmikant-Pyarelal school of music, in the early 1990s.
They collaborated with David Dhawan on several hit soundtracks such as SwargBol Radha BolRaja BabuEena Meena DeekaLoaferCoolie No.1Hero No. 1 and Chal Mere Bhai. They also composed hits for Govinda in Maha SangramSwargJaan Se PyaaraBaazRaja Babu (film)KismatCoolie No. 1Chhote SarkarHero No. 1Banarasi BabuDulhe RajaRajajiAunty No. 1Akhiyon Se Goli Maare and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen.
Song from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)



Song from Bol Radha Bol, 1992




Vishal Shekhar

The duo rose to prominence when they composed the songs for the film Jhankaar Beats which included the song "Tu Aashiqui Hai". They won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for Jhankaar Beats. In 2005 they composed the songs for three films: Salaam NamasteDus and Bluffmaster.
Some of their Known films are  Om Shanti Om (2007), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Dostana (2008), Anjaana Anjaani (2010), Ra.One (2011), Student of the Year(2012),Chennai Express (2013), Bang Bang! (2014), Happy New Year (2014),Sultan (2016) and Befikre (2016)
Song from Jhankaar Beats.2003



Song from Sultan (2016)


Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy

This is not a duo but a musical trio consisting of Shankar MahadevanEhsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. Composers who have composed music for over 50 soundtracks across five languages - Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and English. Among the most critically acclaimed Indian musicians. The trio have won numerous awards, including National Film Award (India)Filmfare AwardsIIFA Awards
Shankar Ehsaan and Loy came up from the ranks of the non-film music scene, performing rock, blues, jazz and pop before entering the film music industry.Their first Hindi film was Dus 1n 1997 but became famous from Dil Chahta Hai 2001.
Following Dil Chahta Hai, their next big venture was Dharma ProductionsKal Ho Naa Ho, directed by Nikhil Advani. The album broke all the previous records as a best-selling album. The music won many awards including the National Film Award for Best Music Direction.The year 2005 saw them collaborate with Shaad Ali for Bunty Aur Babli.The soundtrack, despite the initial mixed reaction from various critics, became immensely popular among the public, and went on to win several awards including Filmfare and IIFA awards. The song "Kajra Re" featuring Aishwarya RaiAbhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan became a rage among the listeners.
Some of their best known films are Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna,Don,Jhoom Barabar Jhoom,Taare Zameen Par ,Rock On,My Name Is Khan ,Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Song from Dil Chahta Hai 2001



Song from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna 2006

The other Music Director Duos are  Sonik Omi, Sapan Jagmohan, Dilip Sen Samir Sen, Salim Suleiman, Sajid Wazid, Sanjiv Darshan and Ajay Atul