Remembering Salil Chowdhury on his Birth Anniversary

Salil Chowdhury(19 November 1923 – 5 September 1995) was an Indian music composer, who mainly composed for Bengali, Hindi and Malayalam films. He was an accomplished composer and arranger who was proficient in several musical instruments, including flute, the piano, and the esraj.
Popularly known as Salil Da made his debut in the Hindi Film Industry  in 1953 as the Music Director for Do Bigha Zamin.The story of that film was written by him,it became the first film to win the Filmfare Best Movie Award and won the international Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Song from Do Bigha Zameen 1958

Salil's music was a blending of Eastern and the Western music traditions. His compositions often used folk melodies or melodies based on Indian classical ragas but the orchestration was very much western in its construction. He developed a style which was immediately identifiable.He was given Filmfare Best Music Director Award for Madhumati in 1958.
He was one of the leading composers of Golden Era of Bollywood.He went on to compose for over 75 Hindi films, over 40 Bengali films, around 27 Malayalam films, and a few Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Oriya and Assamesefilms.
The flawless harmony with which Salil da used an array of musical instruments suggests a unique understanding of instruments. Raj Kapoor once described him as a genius who could play everything from tabla to sarod and piano to piccolo.He gave music in Raj Kapoor's Jagte Raho

Song from Jagte Raho 1956

His songs for "Biraj Bahu", "Naukri", "Amaanat", "Taangewaali", "Awaaz", "Parivaar", "Jaagte Raho", "Apradhi Kaun" and "Ek Gaon Ki Kahaani" are still popular. Then came "Madhumati" in 1958. Its 12 songs, including Ajaa re pardesi, Suhana safar and Dil tadap, continue to be wildly popular.

Song from Madhumati 1958

The songs of "Parakh", "Usne Kaha Tha", "Chhaya", "Maya", "Kabuliwala", "Anand", "Mere Apne", "Rajnigandha", "Choti si baat", "Jeevan jyothi", "Mrigaya", "Annadata", "Anand Mahal" followed but with an intolerable gap between each. "Swami Vivekananada" in 1994 was his last Hindi film.

Music lovers in Tamil Nadu too recognise Salil Chowdhury's music from Malayalam films like "Chemmeen". Kadalinakkare ponore is a song that held Tamil Nadu too in a spell for over 40 years. 

Though his contribution to Tamil films appears to be little it is not an exaggeration to say that Salil da was a trendsetter on the scene. Both Ilayaraja and A.R. Rahman followed the path charted by him. Ilayaraja was introduced to the film industry as guitarist and combo organ player in Salil da's recordings and his influence on Ilayaraja is evident. R.K. Sekhar, Rahman's father, worked with Salil da as an assistant. Rahman himself testifies that attending Salil da's recording sessions at a young age left an indelible impression on him.

Salil Chowdhury's contribution to modern Indian music is not as well known as it deserves. The composer's 94th birth anniversary fell on November 19. A tribute.with his Milestone Songs

Song from Madhumati 1958

Itna Na Mujh Se  Tu Pyaar Badaa from Chhaya 1961

Aha Rim Jhim Ke Ye Pyare Pyare from Usne Kaha Tha 1960

Song from Parakh 1960 

Song from Maya 1961

Song from Kaabuliwala 1961

Song from Anand 1971

Song from Rajnigandha 1974

Song from Choti Si Baat 1975

Remembering V SHANTARAM on his 115th Birth Anniversary

V. Shantaram, renowned Indian producer-director-actor, most known for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) and Navrang (1959), to the path breaking Duniya Na Mane (1937) and Pinjara (1973).
He was born on 18 th November 1901 in the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur.He started his film career doing odd jobs in Maharashtra Film Co. owned by Baburao Painter at Kolhapur.He went on to debut as an actor in the silent film, Surekha Haran in 1921.
He directed his first film, "Netaji Pulkar" in 1927, and in 1929, founded the Prabhat Film Company along with V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which he left in 1942 and to form "Rajkamal Kala Mandir" in Mumbai, in time 'Rajkamal' became one of most sophisticated studios of the country.
The highest accolade of the Indian film industry, for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was conferred on him in 1985. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award in 1992.
He married thrice; His first marriage was with Vimla, his second marriage was to the actress Jayashree and the third marriage was with Actress and Dancer Sandhya  who was his co-star in Do Aankhen Barah Haath as well the heroine of his films like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje and Navrang.
V.Shantaram was truly a "complete" filmmaker. In an illustrious career spanning well over seven decades, from silent films to talkies, from B&W to Technicolor, cinemascope and stereophonic sound, he produced 92 feature films, directed 55 films and acted in 25 films. Every film he made dealt with the social, economic and political problems of a society struggling under colonial rule
Apart from his own multi-faceted activities as a Producer, Director, Actor, Distributor, Exhibitor, and Studio Owner, he was closely associated with various film industry welfare and trade organisations and thus helped to lay a sound foundation for the systematic growth of the Indian Film Industry. He was also responsible for establishing in scientific, methodical and systematic manner the present Films Division of the Government of India after independence, which today has grown to large proportions.
Shantaram died on 30 October 1990 in Mumbai.A postage stamp, bearing his face, was released by India Post to honour him on 17 November 2001.

Songs From Shantaram's Films

Aadha Hai Chandrama from Navrang 1959

Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan from Navrang 1959

Nain Se Nain from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje

 Ae Maalik Tere Bande Hum from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje

Song from  GEET GAYA PATHARON NE 1964 

Pankh hote to udh aati re from Sehra

Relax & Enjoy your SUNDAY with These BOLLYWOOD SONGS

Sunday,A day to refuel your soul and be greatful for your blessings.Take a deep breath and relax.Enjoy your family,your friends,a cup of coffee with these 7 Bollywood Songs

Part -5    13-11-2016

Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji from MR.MRS. 55 (1955)
Song from old classic movie Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955) starring Madhubala, Guru Dutt, Kumkum, Johny Walker, Lalita Pawar, Cuckoo, Yasmin, Agha, Tun Tun.
Director: Guru Dutt, Music Director: O.P. Nayyar.
Singer: Mohammed Rafi, Geeta Dutt.

Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo from Howrah Bridge 1958
 The famous song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" from the bollywood movie Howrah Bridge (1958), starring Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, K.N Singh, Helen, Dhumal, Om Parkesh, Kammo, Madan P, Sunder, Mehmood, Minu Mumtaz, Chaman Puri. Directed & Produced by Shakti Samanta. Music composed by the legend O.P Nayyar. The song is sung by Geeta Dutt.and acted by Helen

Zarurat Hai from Manmauji 1962
,Kishore Kumar Sings and acts ,Sadhna is opposite him,a Super Hit song of 1962, Music Director: Madan Mohan

zarurat hai zarurat hai from Manmauji 1962

Ek Bechara Pyar Ka Mara - Waris 1969

This song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and acted by Jeetendra ,he is teasing Hema malini,Music is given by R D Burman

Ek Bechara Pyar Ka Mara

Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani from Jawani Diwani 1972

A super hit song from a Super Hit film of 1972,sung by Kishore Kumar,acted by Randhir Kapoor and  Jaya Bhaduri,Music by R D Burman

Badtameez Dil from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 2013

Enjoy "Badtameez Dil" full video song from Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone most anticipated movie of 2013 "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" directed by Ayan Mukherji. The music is composed by Pritam Chakraborty.

HIGH HEELS TE NACHCHE  from  KI & KA 2016

 Arjun Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor in leading roles sung by Meet Bros featuring Jaz Dhami & Aditi Singh Sharma, rapped by Yo Yo Honey Singh in the music composition of Meet bros and lyrics of Kumaar.

Remembering JOHNNY WALKER on his 96th Birth Anniversary

Johnny Walker (11 Nov 1920 – 29 July 2003)
He was born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore,the son of a mill worker. Looking after his 15-member family was tough; five of the family died young. Johnny Walker tried his hand at almost everything, including working in the Bombay Electric Supply Transport buses as a conductor. He was posted at the Dadar bus depot but worked on several routes.

Comedians like Noor Mohammad and Charlie were his idols. Johnnysaab had always wanted to be a comedian; he believed it was his God-given duty to make people laugh.
He did his first bit role in the early 1950s and had enacted similar snippets in about 20 films but the real break was given by Guru Dutt in Baazi(1951),his new screen name Johnny Walker was given by Guru Dutt.Thereafter he was doing all the films of Guru Dutt.Films like Taxi Driver(1954) CID,Pyaasa,Madhumati,Naya Daur and Mere Mehboob made him a star.He was sought by the best banners and the best directors and was equal to the task of acting with the best of the stars. 
He was offered many films(around 12) as a hero such as JOHNNY WALKER ,Mr Cartoon, These, of course, had comic themes but were embellished with wonderful music and did well at the box office. 

His Golden Period was 50s and 60s when he gave memorable and great performances.
He was a natural comedian, his comedy was never crude or vulgar. But, 1970 onwards, comedy began to change. Some of the comedians indulged in lewd gestures and relied on double-entendre.Johnny Walker never tried that type of comedy,In an interview he said that though he acted more than 300 films and the Censor Board never cut even one line of his character.

He was the comedian for whom famous music directors like S D Burman and O P Nayyar tuned some of their most memorable hits. Remember Tael maalish, champee or Yeh hain Bombay meri jaan? His drawing power at the box office was such that Distributors insisted the Producers and Directors to have atleast one song to be done with him.His song sequences in Doordarshan'sChitrahaar or cable television are highly appreciated. 

Popular Songs of JOHNY WALKER

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

Song from Mr & Mrs 55 1955

Song fromCID 1956

Song from Chori Chori 1956

Song from Pyaasa 1957

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Song from Chaudavin ka Chand 1960

Song from Chaudavin ka Chand 1960

Song from Ustadon Ke Ustaad 1963

Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi 1966

Remembering ANJAAN on his 86th Birth Anniversary

Remember the song Khaike Paan Banaraswala and Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab and many more such songs were written by Anjaan.His real name was Lalji Pandey .He was born on  October 28, 1930 and was a native of Varanasi. 

ANJAAN WITH O P NAYYAR.

He debuted in 1953 in the movie "Prisoner Of Golconda" with the songs "Lehar Yeh Dole Koyal Bole" and "Shaheedon Amar Hai Tumhari Kahani".He was first noticed for his work with the Raaj Kumar film Godaan, based on the Premchand classic, with music by Ravi Shankar. This film got him a few good assignments in the mid - 60’s with big composers like O. P. Nayyar ("Aap Ke Haseen Rukh") in Guru Dutt’s Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi and G. P. Sippy's Bandhan, which established him commercially with "Bina Badraa Ke Bijuriya Kaise Barse". This also saw the forging with fellow lyricist Indeevar and composers Kalyanji-Anandji.
In the 60’s, Anjaan also wrote several non - films albums composed by Shyam Sagar and sung by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur. Rafi’s song "Main Kab Gaata" was a big hit then. 

 He emerged as a very prolific writer who amalgamated a lot of his commercial songs with lyricism and poetry. He was at his best in the Amitabh Bachchan films of Kalyanji Anandji, beginning with Do Anjaane ("Luk Chhip Luk Chhip Jao Na") in 1976.

Followed Hera Pheri ("Barson Purana Yeh Yaarana"), Khoon Pasina ("Title Song" and "Bani Rahe Jodi Raja Rani Ki"), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar ("Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab", "O Saathi Re", "Pyar Zindagi Hai", "Dil To Hai Dil"), Don with his biggest hit of the career "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala", ("Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya", "Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar"), Lawaaris ("Jiska Koi Nahin", "Kab Ke Bichhde")
Being a native of varanasi he had great love and attachment to Ganga.There were lot of songs written by him on Ganga such as "Maano To Main Ganga Maa Hoon Maano To Behta Paani" and "Ganga Mein Dooba" fromApneRang Hazar.
His health suffered a major setback in the early 90’s, though he delivered hits with Zindagi Ek Juaa, Dalaal, Ghayal and the 1990 chartbuster "Gori Hain Kalaiyan" (Aaj Ka Arjun) and his last hit Shola Aur Shabnam (1992). His other films in the 90’s included Vishnu Devaa, Parakrami, Insaniyat, Police Aur Mujrim, First Love Letter, Aandhiyaan, Phool Bane Angaarey and others.A few months before his death on 13 September 1997, his only book of poems, Ganga Tath Ka Banjara (A Gypsy from the Shores of the Ganges) was released at the hands of Amitabh Bachchan. His son Sameer is also a very successful Lyricist.

Notable songs of Anjaan

Aap Ke Haseen Rukh from  Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi

Mat Poonch Mera Hai Mera Kaun Watan from Mr India 1961

Bina Badraa Ke Bijuriya Kaise Barse from Bandhan 1967

Aap Ki Inaayat Aap Ke Karam from Vandana 1975

Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1978

Khaike Paan Banaras Wala from Don 1978

Log Kehte Hain Maein Sharaabi Hoon from Sharaabi 1984

Chhookar Mere Man Ko Kiya Toone Kya Ishaara from Yaarana 1981

Gori Hain Kalaiyan from Aaj Ka Arjun 1990

Remembering PRADEEP KUMAR on his Death Anniversary

Born to orthodox brahmin parents on  4th January 1925 in West Bengal, Pradeep bided his time till he was 17 years old before he announced his decision to pursue an acting career. Despite his father's disapproval, Pradeep began acting on stage.He made his debut from  a Bengali film, Alaknanda (1947).
 Pradeep Kumr moved to Mumbai and found a job in the bustling Filmistan Studio. He brushed up on his Hindi and learnt Urdu in a bid to make an impression in his first Hindi film, Anand Math(1952). 

His career escalated to the top with two hugely successful musical hits -- the Bina Rai-starrer Anarkali (1953) and the Vyjayanthimala-starrer Nagin (1954).
Pradeep Kumar's regal demeanour won him legions of fans. He went on a signing spree (in 1956, he had 10 releases) and inked deals with V Shantaram (Subah Ka Tara) and Raj Kapoor (Jagte Raho).

He worked with all the heroines of that Era like  Nimmi (Jayshree), Nargis (Adalat), Nutan (Heer), Meena Kumari (Bandhan) but his pairing with Bina rai  seemed to have stilled the wings of time. This teaming salvaged Pradeep's career from the late-1950s dip, first with Ghunghat (1960) and more decisively with Taj Mahal (1963). Even a decade afterAnarkali, Pradeep could evoke a regal aura while playing love-struck Mughal royalty. Roshan's dulcet duet, Paon chhu lene do toh and Jo vaada kiya from Taj Mahal, like an unforgettable promise, continue to haunt radio listeners even today.
In 1962 his film Aarti with Meena Kumari was a super hit. Aarti's success ensured that Pradeep and Meena worked unceasingly in a series of films. Pradeep once said, "Meena and I made a fine pair and worked very well together, but her husband did not like our friendship."
Two of them worked together in some of the memorable films, Chitralekha (1964),Bheegi Raat(1965),Bahu Begum(1966) and Noorjehan(1967).
In 1969, Pradeep saw a glimpse of success once again withSambandh, albeit in a character role. 
He lived a life removed from the spotlight for the next 18 years and died a quiet death on October 27, 2001, at the age of 76.

Pradeep Kumar's famous songs

Zindagi pyar ki do char from Anarkali

Tere dwar khada ek jogi from Naagin 1954

Yeh vaada karo chaand from Raajhath

Zameen se hume aasman from Adaalat 1958

Yeh kissne geet chheda from Meri Surat Teri Aankhen

Ab kya misaal doon from Aarti 1965

Jo vaada kiya from Tajmahal 1963

Dil jo na keh saka from Bheegi Raat 1965

Jis dil mein basa tha from Saheli 1965

Hum intezaar karenge from Bahu Begum 1967

Remembering Sahir Ludhianvi on his 36th Death Anniversary

Sahir, like his name, was a "magician" of words. He painted fascinating images in songs and ghazals, Spellbinding his listeners and readers for decades. For about thirty years, he remained associated with the Hindi film industry. He composed hundreds of songs for Hindi/Urdu films. Most of his songs became hugely popular and are even today sung and hummed by people of all generations. 
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on March 8th, 1921 in Karimpura locality in Ludhiana, Punjab. His real name was Abdul Hayee (alternate spellings Haie or Hayi).  He was born in a wealthy family of zamindars. 
Sahir made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. The film had four songs written by him. His first song was "badal rahii hai zindagii". However, it was the year 1951 that would bring him fame and recognition. Two films, released in 1951, had songs that sky-rocketed in popularity and are hummed even today. First was "Thandi hawaayen lehraa ke aayen" from Naujawan. The second was a landmark film, marking the directorial debut of Guru Dutt - Baazi. Both films, coincidentally, had music by S. D. Burman.
 After Baazi Sahir was then considered part of Guru Dutt's team. 
S.D. Burman and Sahir Ludhianvi went on to compose music for 18 movies,Some of the well-known films are characteristic of Burman-Ludhianvi team: Devdas, Jeevan Jyoti, Jaal, Society, Armaan and Taxi Driver.
The last film Sahir made with Burman was Pyaasa. In Pyaasa, Guru Dutt played a poet named Vijay. After Pyaasa, Sahir and Burman went separate ways due to artistic and contractual differences.
Sahir did work with other composers including Ravi, Roshan, Khayyam and Datta Naik. Naik, a Goan, admired Sahir's poetry and their collaboration produced the score forMilaap (1955). Sahir also worked with music director Laxmikant-Pyarelal in the films like "Man Ki Aankhe", "Izzat", "Dustan" and Yash Chopra's "Daag" all have fabulous songs. From about 1950 until his death, Sahir collaborated with Baldev Raj Chopra (1914 - 2008), a film producer and director. Sahir's last work for Chopra was for Insaaf Ka Tarazu.Yash Chopra, an independent director and producer, also engaged Sahir.

Sahir ludhianvi has written about 700 songs for 30 music composers in his 32 years career as lyrics writer ( 1921 to 1980 )
Sahir won a Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for Taj Mahal (1963). He won a second Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for his work on Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971
.

Sahir was considered a *romantic*: personal romance and the resultant disillusionment, followed by universal romance and the resultant frustration with *the way it is*. He never minced the words, did not sublimate emotions. He expressed thoughts clearly and directly.

A bachelor to the end, Sahir Ludhianvi fell in love with writer Amrita Pritam and singer Sudha Malhotra, relationships that never fructified in the conventional sense and left him sad. Ironically, the two ladies' fathers wouldn't accept Sahir, an atheist, because of his perceived religion. 

During the last years of his life, Sahir suffered from alcoholism and underwent a radical personality alteration marked by moodiness and despair. Sahir Ludhianvi passed away at the age of 59 (25 October 1980) from heart attack. A bungalow named Parchaiyaan in Andheri, Mumbai became Sahir’s abode from 1970s till his last days.

A TRIBUTE TO SAHIR

Tum Na Jane Kis Jahan Mein Kho Gaye

Song from Sazaa 1951

Thandi hawaayen lehraa ke aayen

Song from Naujawan 1951

 Ye Raat, Ye Chaandani Phir Kahaan, Sun Jaa Dil Ki Dastan

Song from Jaal 1952

Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Takdeer

Song from Baazi 1951

 Jayen To Jayen Kahan, Samjhega Kaun Yaha 

Song from Taxi Driver1954

Jaane Vo Kaise Log The Jinake Pyaar Ko Pyaar Milaa

Song from Pyasa 1957

Aurat Ne Janam Diyaa Mardon Ko,

Song from Aurat 1958

Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi Who Barsaat Ki

Song from Barsaat Ki Raat1960

 Abhi Na Jaao Chhodkar, Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin

Song from Hum Dono1961

Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se, Ajnabi Ban Jaye Ham Dono

Song from Gumrah1963

Jo Wada Kiya Wo Nibhana Padega

Song from Tajmahal 1963

Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai

Main Pal Do Pal Kaa Shaayar Hun

Song from Kabhie Kabhie 1976