Tasvir Teri Dil Mein- The song that sowed the seed of differences between Lata and Rafi

 

It is well-known fact that Rafi and Lata stopped singing together for three or four years. The reason for their tiff was for charging the royalty fee by the singers. Lata wanted Rafi to back her in demanding a half-share from the five percent song royalty that the film’s producer conceded to select composers. Rafi was not in favor of that.Lata stopped talking to Rafi and stopped singing duets with Rafi. 

The actual seeds of differences between them started while recording this romantic song from Maya(1961). The song was a hit and still a favorite of many. Lata rejected the original start of the song, She wanted to start with 5th scale while Rafi was not in agreement but Lata insisted, the composer Salil Chowdhary agreed. When the recording started Rafi made the last improvisation to his lines. Lata noticed it and got upset.  While rendering her lines Lata’s voice tended to sound shrill especially while rendering “…NAINON KA KAJRA…,” while Rafi Sahaab’s rendition of the ‘Antara’ was controlled. 

To make the matter worse, the music director, Salil Chowdhry sided with Lata. Rafi Sahab who had been gaining greater ascendency in the early Sixties felt aggrieved. What happened thereafter is the differences went down to the bottom of the hearts of the two great singers.After this recording they sang duets together in many films  but tried to avoid singing together.

Salida had already made the tune in Bengali, even got it recorded  prior to this Hindi version as a solo song in the voice of Lata It was released in 1960.Mukhada of the Benali song is ‘ Ogo aar kichhu to naai ‘ This Bengali song was written by Salil Da and composed by him.The Hindi version was written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. If you listen both the songs simultaniously you will see the difference Mohmmad Rafi's voice made this song to a different level. The song was picturized on the King of Romance Dev Anand and the elegant looking Mala Sinha. made this as one of the immortal romantic duets of Hindi films.

Lata Mangeshkar had a tiff with S D Burman also both stopped working together (1957-62), she had a tiff with  Shankar (of Shankar-Jaikishen duo),and Raj Kapoor too (for whom she did not sing for his Mera Naam Joker.

Bengali Version, Solo by Lata

 

Song of Maya 1961

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Na Toh Carvaan Ki Talaash Hai- The Immortal Qawwali by Roshan

 

When we think of the film Qawwali, this 12-minute long Qawwali comes to our mind. This Qawwali is from the super hit film Barsat Ki Raat (1960). The other song of the film, especially the romantic title track Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi, is another immortal song composed by Roshan. 

There is a story behind this song,  that it was music director Khayyam wa signed on to compose the music for Barsaat Ki Raat (1960). But when R Chandra, the film’s producer and elder brother of its leading man Bharat Bhushan, insisted that the composer use the tune of the qawwali Na Toh But-Kade Ki Talab Mujhe, sung by the famed Pakistani duo of Mubarak Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan, Khayam refused to use the same tune, so he was replaced by Roshan, he had no qualms about using the tune.   

 This Qawwali was written by Sahir Ludhianvi and sung by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhonsle, Sudha Malhotra and even SD Batish lending his voice for a line or two. As the legend goes, the qawwali took 24 hours to record and is till date a musical milestone.

This film had another Qawwali 'Yeh Ishq Hai Ishq Ishq' sung by the same singers. This is also a  long qawwali run for 7 minutes. Apart from this 2 qawwali, there is also an immortal song"Zindagi bhar nahi bhoolegi woh barsaat ki raat" 

.The 1960s proved to be the golden age for Roshan and his music. His ability to mold folk music with Hindustani classical music became his trademark and resulted in successful movie musicals. During this time, Roshan gave hits such as  "Ab kya misaal doon" and "Kabhi to milegi, kahi to milegi" (Aarti, 1962), "Jo vada kiya vo nibhana padega", "Paao chhoon lene do", "Jo baat tujhmein hai" and "Jurm-e-ulfat pe" (Taj Mahal, 1963), "Nigahen milane ko jee chahata hai" and "Laaga chunari mein daag" (Dil Hi To Hai, 1963), "Sansaar se bhaage phirte ho" and "Man re tu kaahe" (Chitralekha, 1964), "Rehte the kabhi jinke dil mein" and "Rahen Na Rahen Hum" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and her hit duet, "Chuppa Lo Yun Dil Mein Pyar Mera" with Hemant Kumar. Devar (1966): "Aaya hai mujhe phir yaad woh zalim, guzara zamana bachpan ka"; "Baharon ne mera chaman loot kar"; "Duniya mein aisa kahan sab ka naseeb hai"and "Oh re taal mile", "Khushi khushi kar do vida" (Anokhi Raat, 1968). 

Song of Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)

"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

'Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina'- The Song based on Rabindra Sangeet

 

This Classic song from the 1973 film Abhiman was written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed by S D Burman was influenced by the song 'Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki 'of Rabindra Tagore. Over the years, the original Song Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki has been performed by various artists – Kishore Kumar, Shaan, Anwesha, Shrabani Sen, Shreya Ghoshal, Hemant Kumar, and many more. While I was researching for this song, I found a very rare version sung by the great K L (Kundan Lal) Saigal.

This song appears when the movie reaches its climax when the couple Subir (Amitabh) and Uma (Jaya -Bhaduri) get separated, Uma has a miscarriage, and finally they, fortunately, reunite – what an emotional reunion celebrated with this beauty of a song “Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina” rendered in public by both.

Though this song was influenced by Rabindra Tagore, S D Burman gave his magical touch to the original tune made this song immortal. We must also appreciate Mazrooh Sultanpuri to give lyrics for the wonderful tune. He was awarded the Filmfare Award as Best Lyricist. S D Burman was awarded the Best Music Director.

If you listen to all the versions of 'Jodi Tare Nai' you will find how beautifully the Abhiman song was composed. The song starts with a hmmm. by Kishore Kumar, a divine hmmm unmatchable. The song is a duet of Kishore and Lata Mangeshkar, one of the immortal duets of both.

This tune was again used in the 1985 film Jhoothi's song set in Rupak Taal (that's the name for the beats on the Tabla). Bappi Lahiri has set his Chanda Dekhe Chanda from Jhoothi.

Song of Abhiman 1973

Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki by Kishore Kumar

Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki by Hemant Kumar

Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki by K L Saigal

Jodi Tare Nai Chini Go Sheki by Shaan

Song of Jhoothi 1985

The Story Behind the Song 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli'

 

This beautiful song from Anand was sung by Manna De, composed by Salil Da, and written by Yogesh is now 50 years old. This song was included in the film to compensate Yogesh, the lyricist for a song he wrote earlier for this film but not recorded. The Director Hrishikesh Mukharjee thought of obliging Yogesh to write a Title song. 

It being the title song so Salil Da recorded this song in the voice of Manna Dey. When Rajesh Khanna, the hero of the film heard the recorded version of this song, he said that such a lovely composition should not be wasted on the title. He insisted the song be shot on him. It became the first solo song of Manna Dey for Rajesh Khanna. Interestingly all the other songs in this film were sung by Mukesh for Rajesh Khanna.

The song was shot in three hours and only two antaras were kept in the film. As per Yogesh, he wrote 5 antaras, and three antara were recorded but only two were shot. Manna De used to sing the third antara on many stage shows in those days.

According to Bimal Roy's daughter Rinki Bhattacharya, this melody was originally written for a film Anand Mahal which was delayed so Sali Da used this melody here in this movie. Salil Da in an interview once said that arrangement is not a part of Indian music. It is a western concept but he felt it is also essential for a film song else there would be nothing to hold the edifice. For my compositions, I normally use an Indian melody and flavor it with something western.

In this song too Salil created a unique concoction of eastern and East Europian melody.

Song of Anand 1971

Phaili Hui Hai Sapnon Ki Bahen- The Song Takes You In Different World

 

This song from House No 44 is a gem polished by three genius music greats of the Golden Era of Bollywood.  The lyrics are one of the finest of Sahir Ludhiyanvi.The music composed by SD Burman and the song sung by Lata Mangeshkar.  Picturized on Kalpna Kartik 

If you close your eyes and listen to this song with concentration, you will find yourself in a different world. You go into a trance The song takes you for a quick look at the world over the rainbow. The lyrics of this song is marvellous. Every single line of the song is inspirational and stirring.

There is a story behind this song that all the three creators of this song wanted to be paid one rupee more than each other just to justify with their ego, however, they created a gem for us to relax and enjoy. We should also appreciate the director of the film Raj Khosla, how beautifully the song was picturized.

Kalpana Kartik – the heroine of the film stands in front of a mirror and start imagining. Swinging and dancing around tall and picturesque trees surrounded with mist …..The scene is breathtaking.

S D Burman composed this song in Raga Shuddha Kalyan, this raga is a combination of raga Bhopali and raga Yaman. This raga is used by very intelligent musicians as this raga is aesthetically challenging with melodic subtleties. Dada Burman used this raga again in the 1957 film Paying Guest in the song 'Chand Fir Nikala'

Song of House No 44

Story Behind the Song 'Jhooth Bole kauwa Kate'

 

This popular song of the 1973 film Bobby was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shailendra Singh. This was composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. The song was in fact based on Bundelkhand folk song ' Mein Mayke Chali Jaongi'. These lines were suggested by Vithal Bhai Patel, the great Hindi poet to Raj Kapoor.

Raj Kapoor added Mukhra( 'Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kate') to these lines which he heard from Rajendra Kumar 8 years back in 1962 during the shooting of Sangam.

There was an incident at the time of the shooting of Sangam in Paris. After the shooting of previous day Raj Kapoor told Raj Kapoor that in the next day they will start shooting early so he takes care that he wakes him up early. 

The next day Rajendra Kumar got up and was ready for shooting, finds Raj Kapoor still sleeping, he went to his room and knocked Raj Kapoor's door. Raj Kapoor was annoyed by being disturbed. Rajendra Kumar on this said that he himself had asked him to get up in the time which Raj Kapoor said you are lying. Rajendra Kumar at that instance saw 2 crows sitting on the balcony of the room and suddenly said Jhooth Bolun to Kauwa Kate, Raj Kapoor remembered those words and used these words as Mukhra of the song. 

Vithalbhai Patel was credited for this song in this film but Anand Baxi who completed the song was not happy that he did not get credit for the song. In the film immediately the song finishes another song starts. This song was also written by Vithalbhai Patel.'Na Chahon Sona Chandi'

Song of Bobby 1973

Piya Tu Ab To Aja- One of the Gems of R D Burman

 

Music and Song sequences can make a film hit and memorable. This song from the 1971 film from Caravan is one such example. This song was written by Mazrooh Sultanpuri, composed by R D Burman and sung by Asha Bhonsle. The song was performed by Helen, who is known for doing item numbers in Bollywood .

 Music scholar Nilanjana Bhattacharjya identified "Piya Tu Ab To Aja" as one of the culturally important Hindi film songs. The song has also been called "the catalyst" that made "Asha  Bhonsle the queen of cabaret numbers". R D Burman was nominated for the Filmfare Best Music Director and Asha Bhonsle was awarded the Best Female Playback Singer for this song.

The picturisation of this song is typical of the item numbers of the era portraying a "vamp" character who dances seductively for a nightclub audience. The audience used to get crazy when this dance number starts. I was a teenager when this film was released was also mesmerized with this song and dance number. Almost 50 years have passed, this song still makes people dance.

In Aug 2020, A video of two elderly women dancing to the tunes of Asha Bhosle’s hit 1971 song Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja, from the film Caravan, has gone viral on social media. The saree-clad women launched a dance party in the middle of a street. Watch this viral video here.

Two elderly women dancing 

This song boosted the career of Asha Bhonsle, getting the maximum number of cabaret or item songs. This song also stamped the 'Jodi' of R D Burman and Asha Bhosle. They gave us many peppy and immortal songs after this.

Asha Bhosle recorded a new version in 2003 for the Kronos Quartet album You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood.  It also appears on the compilation album The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood. Composer Lesle Lewis released a remix of the song on his 2003 album Special Appointment Club Hits. This number is also referenced briefly during the song "Dhoom Tanaa" from Om Shanti Om when Deepika Padukone, dressed in a gold bikini ensemble, dances in a cage.

Song of Caravan 1971

'Thandi Hawayein Lehra Ke Aayein'- The Tune Clicked in a Restaurant

 

This immortal song from 'Naujawan' film created waves in 1951 continued to mesmerize music lovers and creators for decades. Music Director Roshan used the same tune in the song Rahein Na Rahe Hum from Mamta (1966). R D Burman used the same tune in the song 'Saagar Kinare Dil Yeh Pukare' from Ramesh Sippy's Saagar (1985).

The birth of this song is quite interesting. Sachin Dev Burman, the composer of this film made one tune which was not liked by Director Mahesh Kaul, Sachin Da made one tune after another but none of the tunes clicked to the director. Dada got irritated and moved out of that place and went for a walk at Juhu Beach. He kept humming one tune after another but was not getting satisfaction.

After walking for a bit, he decided to have a break, he went to a restaurant for a cup of tea. When he was sipping the tea, he suddenly heard a tune on a Piano,' Sa-Re-Sa-Sa-Pa'. it clicked to him, he immediately went to the Piano to see who is playing. He saw a waiter at that Restaurant was playing the Piano and keeping on repeating the same keys. 

He immediately went to his home and improvised the tune. Next day he called the director of the film to his workplace and presented the new tune. Mahesh Kaul liked and approved the song. This is how an immortal tune was created. 

The song became a great hit and remains one of Lata’s and S D Burman's career bests. This song is picturized on Nalini Jaywant.

Song of Naujawan' 1951

Over the years, many composers used the first few notes and made minor changes to them to compose many more mellifluous songs each of which was popular in its own right.

 Roshan (father of Rajesh & Rakesh Roshan) who was so inspired by the music of the song that he formally requested S D Burman’s permission to recreate the tune and use it for the initial part of his composition Tera Dil Kahaan Hai which was sung by Asha Bhosle for the movie “Chandni Chowk” in 1954 with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Song of Chandni Chowk 1954

 Roshan used it again in 1966 for the movie “Mamta”. Picturised on the beautiful Suchitra Sen and penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, Rahe Na Rahe Hum had two versions. The more popular version was sung by Lata Mangeshkar

Song of Mamta 1966

Ten years later in 1964, legendary Madan Mohan used the same few notes for the initial lines of the composition Yehi Hai Tamanna Tere Dar Ke Saamne sung by Mohammed Rafi and penned by Raja Mehndi Ali Khan for the Dharmendra-starrer “Aap Ki Parchchaiyan”.

Song of Aap Ki Parchchaiyan 1964

 In 1983 R D Burman used this tune for Hame Aur Jeene Ki Chaahat with lyrics by Gulshan Bawra in the Rajesh Khanna, Raj Babbar and Rekha-starrer “Agar Tum Na Hote”. 

Song of Agar Tum Na Hote 1983

Two years later Pancham used the same tune for Saagar(1985) song

Song of Saagar  1985

Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche- The song created for Dev Anand.

 

This super hit song was originally written and composed by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar Jaikishan for Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai released in 1961to be picturized on Dev Anand and Asha Parekh. But Dev Anand rejected it because he felt it wouldn't go down well with his personality.

When an upset  Jaikishen mentioned Shammi Kapoor about this song, he asked him to play this song for him.he just freaked on it" I love this song"He immediately told Jaikishan to keep it reserved for him, he will use this song in one of his future films.

Shammi Kapoor gave this song to Manmohan Desai who was making 'Budtameez' at that time but he couldn't be picturized for that film. Shammi Kapoor then gave this song to G P Sippy for Brahmachari

This song was picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz.Bhappi Sonie, the director of the film, wanted Mumtaz to Wear a Sari in this song but Mumtaz declined saying that she would be uncomfortable dancing in a Sari. Bhappie Sonie then discussed this with the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya who tried something innovative which became a rage as the Mumtaz Sari after the release of the film. She devised the Sari with readymade pleats and a zipper on the side.

The song became hit before the film got released.  People rushed to the theatres to catch a glimpse of this song and its incredible star cast. Mumtaz draped in a  low-waist, unconventional pre-pleated saree, which featured gold gota borders and a frilled hemline form-fitting bright orange saree, paired with a short sleeveless blouse was the attraction. She paired it with gold chandelier earrings, a choker necklace, a hath Patti, and the iconic 60s puffy hairstyle.

The song was one of the Top Songs in Binaca Geetmala of that year competing with Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan. Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz made the Shake Dance popular in India. The signature tune of this song was its Prelude music. As soon as this music starts, everybody started to tap their feet and shake head.

This song has been recreated multiple times since but nobody has come close to repeating what Shammi achieved.

Song of Brahamchari 1968

Dil Dhoondta Hai- A Song Composed While Cooking

 

This song from Mausam(1976) was written by Gulzar, composed by Madan Mohan, and sung by Bhupinder. The song has two versions, one a solo by Bhupinder and a duet of Lata Mangeshkar with Bhupinder. The solo was used during the titles of the film and the duet was picturized on the young Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.

The solo version happens to be Gulzar's favorite, is by far the soberer and serene. The duet has a faster tempo. Both versions have three stanzas with different interludes. The Mukhada was taken from a Ghalib ghazal with a slight change. In the ghazal, it is 'Jee Dhoondta Hai', Madan Mohan changed it to Dil Dhoondta Hai., since it worked better for the metre.

This wasn’t the only time Gulzar was inspired by Ghalib. He went a step further in the song Satrangi Re, (Dil Se, 1998), in which he wove Ghalib’s couplet into his lyrics, crediting the source by its name.

This song is the pivot around which the film revolves. It connects the characters in time. the first time when the Doctor(Sanjeev Kumar) is traveling from Calcutta to Darjiling by road where he met Chanda decades ago.

Gulzar in a book told that while composing the interludes of the song Madan Mohan was strolling between his music room and his kitchen. He(Gulzar) had gone to his house for dinner. Madan Mohan was a good cook, he was cooking mutton at that time. During that duration, he composed the tune of this song.

Gulzar was one of the contenders for the National Award for that year. Unfortunately, no award was given to any lyricist that yeat. Similarly, he was nominated for Filmfare's Best lyricist award but lost out to lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi for Kabhie Kabhie.

Madan Mohan had a habit of making 5-6 tunes of one song, he then selects the best out of them. For this song too he made 6 tunes one of which was later used in Veer Zara (2004). Here a clipping is given below, you could see his versatility

Dil Dhoondhta Hai - Madan Mohan sings many tunes for one song

Song of Mausam 1975 Solo Version

Song of Mausam 1975  Duet Version

Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din- The Tune of this Song taken from the Background music of Aah(1953)

 

This song was recorded 4 years before the film released in 1970. In fact, Mukesh sang a few stanzas of this song in front of a crowd of 2500 at the Shanmukhananda Hall Mumbai during the Filmfare Award function in June 1967.

The tune of this song was taken from background music in a scene of Aah released in 1953. This piece of music has also been used as a prelude to the song and appears in bits and pieces throughout the movie. Shankar Jaikishan had many times used a tune played in the earlier film and recreate it a new song. 

The writer of this song was Hasrat Jaipuri who wrote 7 stanzas of this song. Shankar Ji. was the original composer of this tune. Jaikishan later composed the full song in Raga Shivaranjani and Bhairavi, Some modifications were incorporated for Mukesh to make it simple.

The background music of Aah(1953)

Song of Mera Naam Jokeer 1970

Sunn Mere Bandhu Re- The Take Was Completed Before the Song was Recorded

 

This immortal song from Sujata(1959) was written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed and sung by the great S D Burman. Both born on 1st Oct. This song was a background song.

 The director of the film Bimal Roy gave a rough outline to Sachin Da for a song situation to be sung by a commoner. He wanted a song to sound as if it was straying off-tune, in spite of being in tune. Many singers were tried but ultimately Sachin Da himself finally recorded in his own voice. This was his second song in Hindi films sung after a gap of 12 years.

The situation was that the hero wanted to express his love for the heroine and also wanted to know her feelings. She being shy couldn't express her feeling in words, so to express her feelings Dada suggested a song in the Background.

Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote beautiful lyrics for this situation. The Hero and Heroine are in love They are on a riverfront and a boatman singing in the background expressing their love for each other. Their emotions are caressed by the gentle breeze. The unclear, dispersed light of late evening gives this 'Bhatiyali' song a perfect background. The excellent picturization. Their lips seem to be moving but the sound is mooted, the lyrics in the background expressing their feelings.

Surprisingly the scenes were shot well before the song was ready, in fact, the lyrics were written at the time the scene was being shot. Song recording was done after a few days. It was S D Burman singing solo after 12 years, 

Song of Sujata 1959

This song was used in many films after Sujata. In the 1963 film Bandini , the first two lines were hummed by SD Burman himself. In the 1973 film Abhiman, a few lines were used in the background in a scene

A Scene from Abhiman 1973

It was again used in the background by Gulzar in his film Achanak(1973), one line in a female voice of Lily Chakravarti along with Dada's voice

A Scene from Achanak 1973

In the 1974 film Dil Diwana the opening lines of this song were sung by Asha Bhosle in the song ' Mein Ladki Tu Ladka' composed by RD Burman

In the 1983 film Pukar, R D Burman gave his tribute to this tune in his own voice by changing the lyric as Sun Mere Lamboo Re in a song sung by Amitabh Bachchan 'Tu Maike Mat Jaiyo'

Song of Pukar 1983