Remembering MAHENDRA KAPOOR on his 83rd Birth Anniversary

Mahendra Kapoor (9 January 1934 – 27 September 2008) was an Indian playback singer.Best known for the song MERE DESH KI DHARTI from Upkar.He started his career  as a playback singer in V. Shantaram's Navrang in 1958, singing Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi, under the musical direction of C. Ramchandra.
 At an early age he was inspired by singer Mohammed Rafi but he started learning classical music under classical singers like Pt. Hussanlal, Pt. Jagannath Bua, Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan, Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Pt.Tulsidaas Sharma.
 He is perhaps most notable for lending his voice to actor Manoj Kumar in most of his films, mainly in patriotic genre of music.He was a favourite singer for B R Chopra's films.Some of the films of BR Chopra camp were Dhool Ka Phool, Gumrah, Waqt, Hamraaz, Dhund and Nikaah
He sung in a large number of Indian languages, and was the playback singer who has performed in the largest number of in Gujarati, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Marathi movies.He also performed the title song for the TV series Mahabharat. In Marathi he was very popular for being the voice of Dada Kondke in all his movies. In spite of being associated with Dada Kondke's colloquial style his singing for Marathi movies was not limited to Dada Kondke's movies only.

Mahendra Kapoor with his son Rohan in a stage show

He was one of the pillars of Golden Era of Hindi Music,he had his own style of singing and was different from other singers of his time.He  remained a respected and popular figure across his five-decade cinema career.During his singing career he sang more than 2500 songs in various languages.In 1972, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
On 27 September 2008, Kapoor died following a cardiac failure. He was survived by his wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren.
Mahendra Kapoor had a very large vocal range, and he is sometimes known as The Vibrant Voice of India.He was the first Indian playback singer to record music in English. He was asked by the group Boney M to sing their songs in Hindi with Musarat from Pakistan, which resulted in the Pop Album M-3.

Song from Album M-3

Some of Hit Songs of Mahendra Kapoor

Aadha Hai Chandrama from Navrang 1958

Song from  Dhool Ka Phool (1959)

Song from Ghunghat 1960

Song from Gumrah (1963)

Song from Woh Kaun Thi 1963

Song from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1965)

Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966)

Song from AAYE DIN BAHAAR KE (1966)

Song from Bharosa 1966

Song from Upkar (1967)

Song from Hamraaz (1967)

Song from Kismat (1968)

Song from Sambandh 1969

Song from Gopi (1970)

Song from  Purab Aur Paschim (1970)

Song from Yaadgar (1970)

Song from GEET (1970)

Song from Fakira (1975)

Song from Kranti (1981)

Maat Ang Chola Saaje

Wishing SUDHA MALHOTRA on her 80th Birth Anniversary

The  niche singer of the Golden Era

Who can forget Tum mujhe bhool bhi jaao to ye haq hai tumko, which was also composed by her. This was a duet with Mukesh, 

Sudha Malhotra was born on November 30, 1936 in New Delhi. She spent her childhood in Lahore, Bhopal and Firozpur. She has been singing on the radio from the age of five. She was discovered by Ghulam Haider at a programme at Firozpur in the aid of Red Cross. She completed her graduation in music from Agra University. Her family moved to Bombay in 1948 where she was trained in classical music by Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Pandit Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale. Her first break in playback singing was in 1949 in the film The Last Message in which she sang Chal raha swaraj ka jhagda with Vinod and others. 

She was  discovered as a child artist by Ghulam Haider (a prominent music director of the 1940s). She debuted in the movie Arzoo. She retired from film industry in 1960, following her marriage with businessman Giridhar Motwani (whose family owned the Chicago Radio Mike Company). She recorded for a few albums in the following years, including for Jagjit Singh's In a Mood of Love. She also sang for Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog in 1982.

I present some of her songs, including some that are not so well known, as my felicitation on her 80^th birth anniversary today.

Mila gaye nain from Arzoo (1950), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Anil Biswas

Song from from Arzoo 1950

Awaz de raha hai koi from Gauhar (1953)

Song from from Gauhar 1953 (Audio only)

Na Woh Hamare Na Dil Hamara from Dill e Nadaan 1953

Song from Dil e Nadaan 1953

Maalik Tere Jahan mei from Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Aaj apna Ho Na Ho from Kal  Hamara Hai (1959)

Song from Kal  Hamara Hai (1959)

Tum mujhe bhool bhi jao from Didi (1959)

Song from from Didi (1959)

Hum tumhare ho chuke hain humko tumse pyar hai from Rangeela Raja (1960)

Song from Rangeela Raja (1960)

Na main dhan chaahun with Geeta Dutt from Kala Bazar (1960)

Song from Kala Bazar (1960)

Salame Hasrat Qubool Kar Lo from Babar 1960

Song from Babar 1960

Kashti ka khamosh safar hai with Kishore Kumar from Girl Friend(1960),

Song from Girl Friend(1960), Audio only

Dekho Ji Mera Haal Re from Solva Saal 

Song from Solva Saal  1958

Remembering GEETA DUTT-The Nigtingale of Bollywood on her 86th Birth Anniversary

Geeta Dutt a legendary singer was born on 22nd Nov 1930.Before her marriage with Guru Dutt she was known as Geeta Roy.She was  born in Faridpur before the Partition of India. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. She also sang many modern Bengali songs, both in film and non-film genre.
In 1942, her parents moved to an apartment in Bombay. Geeta was twelve and continued her schooling at the Bengali High School.K. Hanuman Prasad took Geeta under his patronage, trained and groomed her in singing and later launched her into singing for movies. In 1946, she got the first break with an opportunity to sing in the mythological film Bhakta Prahlad for which Prasad was the music director. She was given only two lines to sing for a few songs.
In the initial stages of her career, Geeta's voice seemed suitable for devotional songs. In fact in the Dilip Kumar-Nargis starrer, Jogan, many devotional songs, including ones written by Meera Bai were sung by Geeta, the most popular being Ghoonghat ke pat khol re, tohe piya milenge and Mai toh Girdhar ke Ghar Jaaungi.

In 1947, she got her break with Do Bhai. The music of Do Bhai became a hit with "Mera sundar sapna beet gaya" topping the charts. The song touched the pulse of thousands of music lovers. She was popularly nick-named "Bangal ka jadu" (the magic from Bengal). In the same film she sang the evocative "Yaad karoge, yaad karoge, ik din humko yaad karoge." It was remarkable for a teenager to sing with such maturity.

Mera sundar sapna beet gaya

In 1949 with the release of Mahal and the  runaway success of Aayega Aanewala made Lata Mangeshkar the Voice of India and she became an undisputed leader in Hindi Films.but during that period Geeta Dutt emerged as another female voice.The uncanny ability of Geeta Dutt that made her race past her contemporaries was her unique versatility to sing any kind of song with the authentic tone, feeling, passion and emotion

 Geeta Dutt's chart-busting "Tadbeer se bigdi hui taqdeer bana le" in Guru Dutt's directorial debut Baazi (1951) was the turning point S D Burman fully exploited Geeta's potential across the spectrum. "Aan milo shyam saanware" (Devdas, 1955), the duet with Manna Dey, has the unmistakable touch of the Baulfolk music of Bengal. "Nanhi kali sone chali" (Sujata, 1959) is one of the most popular and heart-touching lullaby ever where Geeta Dutt's voice rings maternal love in every note. The bubbly exuberance of "Aye dil mujhe bata de" (Bhai Bhai, 1956) is in sharp contrast to the pathos of "Waqt ne kiya" in (Kaagaz Ke Phool, 1959).

Babuji Dheere Chalna

Geeta Dutt also sang for other Music directors also gave many hit songs,In Aar Paar she sang for O P Nayyar gave memorable songssuch as Babuji Dheere Chalna and Yeh Lo Main Haari Piya.
During Geeta's recording of songs for the movie Baazi, she met its young and upcoming director, Guru Dutt. Their romance culminated in marriage on 26 May 1953

Geeta Dutt's singing career began to get affected. As her husband got involved with his new leading lady, Waheeda Rehman, the singer's career too took a dive. Ironically, she continued to be the playback singer for the actress.Geeta Dutt came up with one of her best renditions in the heart-rending "Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam," composed by S. D. Burman and penned by Kaifi Azmi where she poured out her pain, anguish and pathos in every word. 

With Guru Dutt's demise in 1964, Geeta suffered a nervous breakdown. It is said when she recovered, she realised her place was taken by other singers. However, the fighter that she was, she fought her way back, delivering a stunning performance in Anubhav, which also turned out to be her last performance. She ultimately succumbed to cirrhosis of liver and passed away on 20th July 1972.She was only 42 years old that time.

My tribute to Geeta Dutt 
You are the darling of the nation,you are not physically present but we know that your voice remains,your songs remain at the heart among the millions of your fans all over the globe for all the times to come.

Milestone Songs of Geeta Dutt

Aye Dil Mujhe Bataa De from Bhai Bhai 1956

Jaane Kya Tune Kahi from Pyasaa 1957

Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam from Kaagaz Ke Phool 1957

Ja Ja Ja Bewafa from Aar Paar 1954

Piya Aise Jiya Mein from Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam 1962

Na Jao Saiyan  from Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam 1962

Aankhon Hi Aankhon Me Ishaara from C I D 1956

Thandi Hawa Kaali Ghata from Mr & Mrs 55

Na Ye Chaand Hoga from Shart 1954

Chupke Se Mile from Manzil  1960

Nanhi Kali Sone Chali from Sujata 1959

Mujhe Jaan na Kaho Meri jaan from Anubhav 1972

Remembering HEMLATA on her Birthday

Hemlata was born on 16 August 1954 at Hyderabad, India. Though she was from an orthodox Marwari Brahmin family but she never lived in Rajasthan. Her childhood passed in Calcutta.She has been in the Bollywood Industry since the age of 13 years.

Her father late Pandit Jaichand Bhatt, who became an Internationally acclaimed singer, performer, musician and teacher in the field of classical & folk music. He learned music against the family tradition.
Hemlata loved singing since childhood but her father did not encourage her as he did not want to let Hemlata enter the field of music. He was steeped in orthodox culture and was totally against her learning music. Because of her father's opposition she did not express her feeling to learn singing. She sang in hiding in Pooja Pandals, but it was destined that she would become a singer.

She is classically trained and has a unique style of singing which makes her stand apart from other playback singers of her era.Her magnificent velvety voice rich in emotion and expression has reached to millions of music lovers, touching their souls as she has recorded more than 5000 songs and has sung in more than 38 Regional, National and International languages.

Naushad was the first Music director who signed a contract with her but advised her to wait till her voice matured, then Hemlata signed five-year contract with Naushad Ali. She began her formal training of playback singing under Naushad Ali. She got several offers during her contract period from other well known music directors. In consequence of contract limitation she declined them and, waited long for her career's first song.

 She recorded her first ever song "Tu Khamosh Main Purjosh" under composition of Usha Khanna for movie Roop Rupaiya but her first released song was Dus Paise Mein Raam Le Lo from the movie Ek Phool Ek Bhool (1968) again it was the composition of Usha Khanna.

The day she recorded her first song on the same day she also recorded Le Chal Mere Jeevan Saathi under composition of Kalyanji-Anandji for movie Vishwas, she sang this song along with her most favourite singer Mukesh. 

In 1969 she was offered a song by S D Burman  Pagh Mein Ghunghroo Chhanke  for movie Jyoti (1969)
Same year Laxmikant Pyarelal gave her  Chanda Ko Dhoodhne Sabhi Taare Nikal Pade along with Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar for movie Jeene Ki Raah (1969),
The same year  Dil Karne Laga Hai Pyar along with Mohammad Rafi composed by Usha Khanna for movie Nateeja(1969) became hit.

Laxmikant Pyarelal gave her many songs  Aaya Re Khilone Wala along with Mohammad Rafi composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for movie Bachpan (1970),  Soyi Ja Tara composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for movie Mastana (1970), Taare Kitne Neel Gagan Pe along with Mohammad Rafi composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for movie Aap Aaye Bahar Aayee (1971), Mehboob Ki Mehndi Hathon Mein along with Lata Mangeshkar composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for movieMehboob Ki Mehndi (1971).

She had a great association with Ravindra JainIn the early 1970s, when he came to Bombay to try his luck Before arrival of Ravindra Jain she already sang more than100 songs. Initially, Ravindra Jain used her voice for his debut movie "Kanch Aur Heera (1972)" then for "Rakh Aur Chingari (1974)", "Geet Gata Chal (1975)", "Salaakhen (1975)" and for "Tapasya (1975)", which not have blazed the charts.

 Hemlata gained recognisation when Ravindra Jain gave her a break for movie Fakira (1976) for song 'Sun Ke Teri Pukar'. Populality of this song proved to be a turning point in her career. Her career hit the big league while in the same year, Ravindra Jain used her voice for Rajshri Banner's movie 'Chitchor' which fetched her coveted Filmfare Award. Thereafter, Hemlata had established herself on her unique voice quality.

She had a great association with Rajshri people also to whom she sang many songs in various movies of Rajshri Productions in the 1980s and 1990s, including Paheli (1977), Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978), Sunayana (1979), Naiyya (1979), Gopal Krishna (1979), Raadha Aur Seeta (1979), Maan Abhiman (1980), Nadiya Ke Paar (1982), Abodh (1984), Babul (1986).

Another milestone happened in her life from the songs of Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se.The title song of that film  "Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se" became the number one song in the year 1978. She was even nominated for Filmfare for that song.

In collaboration with Ravindra Jain, she has widely sung for most movies based on Indian scriptures and many notable devotional albums such as Mastakabhishek (1982), as well as Jai Bahubali, Sahaja Dhara dedicated to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, and Aqeeda, and has also rendered the Ramayan Chaupaiyan, Kabir Doha, Sanskrit Bhaktamar Stotra,Sunder Kand and various devotional songs.

In addition to this, She has lent her voice for Ramanand Sagar's epics T.V. Serial Ramayan (She also appeared herself in one episode to perform traditional Meera Bhajan Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo),^[8] as well as Uttar Ramayan (Luv Kush) and Shri Krishna throughout the series. She also rendered the Italian song O Sole Mio in concert in Italy during Easter 1992

Apart from Ravindra Jain camps, she sang some awesome songs for various music composers includes  "Wafa Jo Na Ki To Jafa Bhi Na Kije" from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, "Bheega Bheega Mausam Aaya" from Bhayanak (1979) composed by Usha Khanna, "Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein Saamil Hai" from Aap To Aise Na The (1980) composed by Usha Khanna, "Bhari Barsat Mein Dil Jalaya", "Ab Wafa Ka Naam Na Le Koi" from Oh Bewafa (1980), composed by Vedpal Verma, "Chhodke Sharafat Bandh Liye Ghungroo" from Haqdaar (1981) composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, "Tujhako Furasat Se Vidhaata Ne Racha" from Aarohi (1982) along with Mukesh composed by Anand Sagar Kiran, "Ghungaru Bandhe Jab See Maine", "Man Vinha Ke Swar Jab Gunjhe" from Kaise Kaise Log (1983) composed by Padamshree, "Mere Shareek-E-Safar Ab Tera Khuda Hafiz" for movie 'Wali-E-Azam (1985) along with Talat Mehmood composed by Chitragupt, "Mujhko Raahon Pe Tum Chhodkar" from Besahaara (1986) composed by Usha Khanna, "Shor Hai Gali Gali Mein Jawan Ho Gayi" from Dozakh (1987) composed by Ganesh Sharma, "Main Ho Gayee Deewani" from Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989) composed byLaxmikant-Pyarelal, "Meri Khushi Ko Loota Nazar Se Ghira Diya" from Rajoo Dada (1992) composed by Usha Khanna.

She had been doing a lot of charity shows, in India and abroad. She had performed along with Ataullah Khan for a charity show in London in aid of Imran Khan's cancer hospital. This was the first effort from an Indian singer for Pakistan. On a trip to London, Hemlata recorded two albums with Ataullah Khan. The first one titled, Sarhadeinand the second one, Atta and Hemlata which has ghazals and geets.

  She married with actor Yogesh Bali who worked as a child artist, his performance was appreciated for award winning movie Jawab Aayega (1968). He died on 25 January 1988. Her mather-in-law Haridarshan Kaur (Biba Bali), actress Geeta Bali's (Shammi Kapoor's wife) elder sister who worked as a producer in partnership with Guru Dutt. Hemlata only has one son named Aditya Bali, like other star children whose passion is also acting and ready to face the cameras.

Song from Mukkaddar ka sikamdar

Song from Paheli 1977

Rare Song from Irada

Song from Kaanch Aur Hira 1972

Non Film Song

Unreleased Song from Parakh 1981