Kishore Kumar - A Reluctant Actor

Kishore Kumar started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother Ashok Kumar worked. Kumar's first film appearance was in Shikari (1946), in which his brother, Ashok played the lead role.He played the role of a Police Inspector in his 2nd film Shehnai in 1947.
In 1949, he settled in Mumbai. Kishore,  Kumar played the lead in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), directed by Phani Majumdar. Although he got some acting assignments with the help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer.
Between 1946 and 1955, Kumar appeared in 22 films of which 16 were flops and since he was disinterested in taking up acting as a career, he would find ways to be in the bad books of the director or producer, so that they throw him from their films. It was only after the success of films such as Ladki, Naukari, Miss Malaysia, Char Paise and Baap Re Baap that Kumar developed interest in acting seriously, which resulted in him having successful films as the lead actor between 1955 and 1966.Some of his other successful films as an actor are Paisa Hi Paisa (1956), New Delhi (1956), Naya Andaz (1956), Bhagam Bhaag (1956), Bhai Bhai (1956), Aasha(1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Jaalsaaz (1959), Bombay Ka Chor (1962), Chacha Zindabad (1959), Man-Mauji(1962), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Shreeman Funtoosh (1965), Ek Raaz (1963), Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), Hum Sab Ustaad Hai (1965), Haal E Dil, Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) and Padosan (1968).
A devout fan of K.L.Saigal, Kishore Kumar deeply respected Rabindranath Tagore and was an ardent admirer of Hollywood actor-singer Danny Kaye. He hung the portraits of all these three personalities at his Gaurikunj residence and would bow respectfully before them everyday as a rule. Interestingly, the singer considered the trees in his garden his closest friends and even had names for them!
Kishore Kumar also produced 14 films, and wrote the story for these films. Six of these films were not completed. ^[1] He is also credited with writing the screenplays of five films, two of which remained incomplete. He also directed 12 films, four of which were abandoned.  Kishore Kumar acted in 88 Hindi films.
Here are some songs picturised on Kishore Kumar

Song of Andolan 1951

Song of Tamasha 1952

Song of Ladki 1953

Song of Naukri 1954

Song of Baap Re Baapi 1955

Song of Bhai Bhai 1956

Song of Mem Sahib 1956

Song of Asha 1957

Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gadi1958

Song of Dilli Ka Thug1958

Song of Bewaqoof 1960

Song of Manmauji 1962

Song of Half Ticket1962

Song of Half Ticket1962

Song of Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Main 1964

Song of Pyar Kiye Jaa 1966

Song of Padosan 1968

The wonderful creation of God - Mohammed Rafi

If the name Mohammed Rafi could be translated into many choice words it would look like this: Genius, Godly, Angel, Perfection, Humanity, decency, a way of life!
Rafi is great, Rafi is so wonderful, Rafi is the best there is, there is no one like him, Everyone must bow to Rafi & call him the greatest and say they are nothing without him etc etc"
Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 to a working-class family in rural Punjab near Amritsar. He began with singing for radio stations. During the formative years of his career in the 1940s, he lent his voices to All India Radio as well as to Hindi film industry in Bombay.
His journey to becoming an evergreen voice of Bollywood was not that smooth, rather rocky due to a fair amount of competition among the talents in the film industry. 
Shyam Sunder  provided the opportunity to Rafi to sing a duet with G. M. Durrani, "Aji dil ho kaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi...," for Gaon Ki Gori, which became Rafi's first recorded song in a Hindi film. 
He sang a number of songs for Naushad as part of the chorus, including "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, Roohi Roohi" with K. L. Saigal, from the film Shahjahan (1946). 
In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram-Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the song "Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani". He was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to sing at his house.
His association with Naushad helped to establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema. Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials.Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad. Before Rafi, Naushad's favourite singer was Talat Mahmood.
. Naushad, the doyen of Hindi classical music, who had the knack of drawing the purity of a raga with an aesthete's Midas' touch, used only Rafi's voice for his composition throughout his distinguished career. He combined classical and popular music and produced a new genre for which Rafi gave the soul through his mellifluous voice.
He became the voice of  Dilip Kumar,the combination of Naushad ,Shakeel Badayuni, Dilip Kumar and Rafi gave us many immortal songs. His silken voice made Rajendra Kumar a jubilee star and imparted to Shammi Kapoor, his sui generis style. He sang for Johnny Walker in his unique thin voice.
S.D. Burman used Rafi as a singing voice of Dev Anand and Guru Dutt. Rafi worked with Burman in 37 films, including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kala Bazar, Nau Do Gyaran, Kala Pani , Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969), and Abhimaan(1973).
His aability to depict every mood through his songs speaks volumes about the diversity of talent. Tasveer banata hoon teri khoon-e-jigar se from Diwana spelt class, while Phir wo bhuli si yaad aayi hai showcased Rafi’s vocal virtuosity. Over five decade have passed since these songs were recorded and yet none of his songs have lost their appeal.
In his songs like Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya, Rafi tried to inspire the dejected and give hope to those who had lost faith in life and God. On July 31, 1980, a massive heart attack silenced this peerless singer forever. But his songs keep him alive.

Song of Baiju Bawra 1952

Song of Aan 1952

Song of Amar 1954

Song of Kala Pani 1958

Song of Lal Quila 1961

Song of Sholay Aur Shabnam1962

Song of Haqeekat 1964

Song of Chitralekha1964

Manoj Kumar -He sold patriotism at the box office

He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname Bharat Kumar.
It was Manoj Kumar who stirred this nationalism in public consciousness. He sold patriotism at the box office in a poetic fashion.
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri after the 1965 war advised Manoj Kumar to make a film highlighting the ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ slogan. The idea of making Upkar initiated in that meeting with Shastri Ji. He produced and directed the film.
In it, he played both a soldier and a farmer. The film was also noted for the famous song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", written by Gulshan Bawra, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkaar was a hit and won Kumar his first Filmfare Best Director Award.
The success of the film encouraged him to make more films on this subject.
Manoj returned to patriotic themes in Purab Aur Paschim (1970), in which life in the East and West are juxtaposed.
He made Roti Kapda Aur Makan (1974) which was a social commentary, featuring an all-star cast including Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. He won his second Filmfare Award for Best Director for the film Roti Kapda Makan.
In 1981, Kumar reached the peak of his career when he got the opportunity to direct his idol, Dilip Kumar, as well as to star in Kranti, a story about the struggle for Indian independence in the 19th century. Kranti was the last notable successful Hindi film in his career. He also starred in the hit. 
After Kranti in 1981, Kumar's career began to decline, when the films he did with him in lead role like Kalyug Aur Ramayan in 1987 and later Clerk in 1989 failed at the box office. In 1989, he cast Pakistani actors Mohammad Aliand Zeba in his film Clerk. 
For him songs were always integral to the story and conveyed what dialogues could not. “Songs like ‘Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa’, ‘Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai’ or ‘Jab Koi Tumhara Hriday Tod De’ add depth to the narrative and this was possible because he himself was involved in the process. Kalyanji-Anandji always acknowledged his contribution. 
He was born on 24 July 1937 in Abbottabad, a town in the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan.His family had to migrate from Jandiala Sher Khan to Delhi due to the Partition.After graduating from Hindu College, University of Delhi, he decided to enter the film industry.He made his début in Fashion in 1957.
He is remembered for his versatile performances in films like Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi?, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Upkar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, Purab Aur Paschim, Beimaan, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Dus Numbri, Sanyasi and Kranti. 

Song of Upkar 1967

Song of Upkar 1967

Song of Purab Aur Paschim 1970

Song of Roti Kapda Aur Makan 1974

Song of Kranti 1981

Dara Singh Went to the Moon Before Neil Armstrong

On the successful launch of Chandrayan 2,reminded me of Dara Singh movie "Chand Par Chadhayee ( A Trip to Moon)" released in 1967.
You would be surprised to note that our own Dara Singh went to the moon two years before Neil Armstrong. There was one difference: Armstrong did this in real life, while Dara Singh on a 70-mm screen. In 1967,
Chand Par Chadayee (Trip to Moon) was a 1967  Hindi-language science fiction film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film stars Dara Singh, Anwar Hussain, Bhagwan, G. Ratna and Padma Khanna.This film is the first science fiction of Bollywood

. 
Trip to Moon begins on the moon, where India has set up a "camp". It's a mission to explore and learn, but the Moonlings are suspicious of these human scientists, who roam around the satellite puffing a pipe and brandishing a walking stick, unaffected by low gravity. So, as a warning, the Moonlings kidnap the scientist and send a crack team to sabotage the next Indian mission to the moon, which is Astronaut Anand's ticket off the planet.
Dara Singh, who played the role of Astronaut Anand, who with his sidekick Bhagu (Bhagwan), travels to different planets and beats up aliens, a galactic rhinoceros and becomes a heartthrob of the lovely ladies who live on the moon. Yes, there's life on the moon according to Trip to Moon, and not just that, two of them go so far as to fight for him in a contest that involves both dancing and sword fighting.

Another fantasy in the film was the aliens from other planets especially Mars. There's conspiracy shown in the film . A moonling aristocrat named Simi (Padma Khanna) is scheming with the king of Mars (Anwar Hussain), who wants the moon's princess Shimoga (G. Ratna) as his bride. Shimoga's heart, however, belongs to Anand and he loves her too. So the king of Mars doesn't really stand a chance, but he gives it his best shot by doing everything from unleashing missiles to giant robots and an alien rhinoceros at Anand.
This film is available in you tube, one can see this fantasy of the writer and director of the film.

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Action scene of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Comedy scene of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Mukesh Sang Maximum for Shankar-Jaikishan

Mukesh (22 July 1923- 27 Aug 1976 ) sang around 1300 songs in films out of these he sang around 134 songs for Shankar-Jaikishan followed by kalyanji Anandji ie 99 songs. Out of 4 Filmfare awards, Mukesh won 3 awards for Shankar Jaikishan songs.
 He got his break as a playback singer for actor Motilal in 1945 with the film Pehli Nazar with music composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics written by Aah Sitapuri. The first song that he sang for a Hindi film was "Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De".
In this Blog I have taken only those songs which he sang under the Music Direction of Shankar-Jaikishan. 
Mukesh created his own singing style with the help of music director Naushad Ali, who helped Mukesh to come out of his Saigal style and create his own style. Naushad gave him songs for the film Andaz. Initially Mukesh was the ghost voice of Dilip Kumar in this movie and Mohammed Rafi sang for Raj Kapoor. He delivered many Hits for Naushad in films like: Anokhi Ada (1948), Mela (1948), Andaz (1949).
Barsaat (1949) was the first film of Shankar-Jaikishan, Barsaat’s music was dominated by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh getting two duets with her. But their next venture, Awara (1951), had the title track which became a global sensation making Raj Kapoor-Nargis one of the most recognizable faces abroad, and India’s cultural ambassador.
In the same year, in a non-RK film Baadal, too, SJ created an outstanding solo, Main raahi mbhatakane wala hun, and an equally good duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Ae dil na mujhse chhupa.
SJ’s next film Aah (1953) didn’t fire up the box-office, but what great songs Mukesh sang! The two solos, Raat andheri door kinara, Chhoti si ye zindagani, and the two duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Jaane na jigar pahchaane nazar, Aa ja re ab mera dil pukara are among the most loved songs for Mukesh fans.
With Mukesh becoming identified as Raj Kapoor’s voice, in almost all the films of Raj Kapoor whether under RK banner or outside, if SJ were the music director Mukesh was almost invariably the voice for him. And every film had great songs remembered till today: Kanhaiya, Main Nashe Mein Hun (1959), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahti Hai (1960), Aashiq, Ek Dil Aur Sau Afsaane (1962), Sangam (1964), Teesri Kasam (1966), Around The World, Deewana (1967), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) and Mera Naam Joker (1970).
SJ also used Mukesh as the voice for many heroes, such as Manoj Kumar (Hariyali Aur Rasta, 1962), Sunil Dutt (Ek Phool Aur Chaar Kaante, 1960) and Rajendra Kumar (Aas Ka Panchhi, Sasural, 1961).
Mukesh received his first Filmfare Award for the song Sab Kuch Seekha Humne" in the movie Anari (1959), Shankar-Jaikishan also received Award for Best Music direction. After this Mukesh received Award for Sabse Bada Naadan Wahi Hai" in Pehchaan (1970), "Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki" in Beimaan (1972) under the Music Direction of Shankar-Jaikishan. 

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Awara 1951

Song of Shri 420  1955

Song of Anari  1959

Song of Jis  Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

Song of Sangam (1964)

Song of Teesri Kasam(1966)

Song of Mera  Naam Joker (1970)

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