GURU DUTT-A Creative Genius

Remembering Guru Dutt on his 91st Birth Anniversary

Today, July 9th happens to be his Birth Anniversary. And we wish him a very Happy Anniversary, because a creative genius never dies. He lives on in his works. Some of us will always – Hum aap ki aankhon mein, is dil ko basa de toh for him as he continues to live through his cinema.
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone (9 July 1925 – 10 October 1964), better known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian filmdirector, producer and actor.He is most famous for making lyrical and artistic films within the context of popular Hindi cinema of the 1950s, and expanding its commercial conventions, starting with his 1957 film, Pyaasa. Several of his later works have a cult following. 
Guru Dutt was the eldest of five children born to Vasanti and Shivkumar Padukone, a Burma Shell employee. The Padukones ' Kannadiga Saraswats from Karwar, a beautiful coastal town in Karnataka ' spent more than a decade in Bhawanipore in Calcutta, where Guru Dutt finished his schooling. Not surprisingly, Guru Dutt spoke fluent Bengali and carried a distinct stamp of Bengali culture in his work.
As a child, Guru Dutt was fond of two things: dance and animals.This love remained till he died.But it was his love for dance that laid the foundation of a career in cinema.At the age of 16  Guru Dutt joined Shankar's dance academy in Almora on a scholarship of Rs 75.The dance troupe was disbanded during the Second World War because of financial problems, and Guru Dutt finally joined V. Shantaram's Prabhat Film Company, then a formidable film production house, in 1945. It was here that he met three of his close friends, actors Dev Anand and Rehman and director Raj Khosla, all on Prabhat rolls then.When Guru Dutt joined the Prabhat Studio, he was taken as a choreographer but soon a small role as an actor was given to him as Shri Krishna in a movie"CHAND"(1944).
In 1945, he acted as well as assisted director Vishram Bedekar in Lakhrani, and in 1946 he worked as an assistant director and choreographed dances for P. L. Santoshi’s film, Hum Ek Hain here he met Dev Anand,both of them became close friends.

In 1947, Dutt moved to Mumbai, where he worked with two leading directors of the time, with Amiya Chakravarty in Girl's School, and with Gyan Mukherjee in the Bombay Talkies film Sangram. Then, Dev Anand offered him a job as a director in his new company, Navketan,Thus, Guru Dutt's first film, Navketan's Baazi, was released in 1951.Baazi was an immediate success. Guru Dutt followed it with Jaal and Baaz. Neither film did well at the box office, but they bring together the Guru Dutt team that performed so brilliantly in subsequent films. He discovered, and mentored, Johnny Walker (comedian), V.K. Murthy (cinematography), and Abrar Alvi (writing and directing), among others.It was BAAZI during its making he met Geeta Roy who later became GEETA DUTT  

 He is also credited for introducing Waheeda Rehman to the Hindi cinema. Baaz was notable in that Guru Dutt both directed and starred, not having found a suitable actor for the principal character

In 1955 his own film AAR PAAR was released,it was a hit.This was followed by the 1955 hit, Mr. & Mrs. '55, then C.I.D., Sailaab, and in 1957, Pyaasa - the story of a poet, rejected by an uncaring world, who achieves success only after his apparent death. Guru Dutt played the lead role in three of these five films.

In 1959  Kaagaz Ke Phool failed at the box office and Dutt was devastated. All subsequent films from his studio were, thereafter, officially helmed by other directors since Guru Dutt felt that his name was anathema to box office.

Though he gave many hit films as a producer but he didn't try direction.Chaudhwin Ka Chaand(1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Gulaam(1962) were commercially Hit,as an Actor his films Bharosa,Bahurani and Saanjh Aur Savera were hit.His last movie as a Producer was Baharein Phir Bhi Ayengi (1966) which was released after his death.

Guru Dutt had an unhappy marital life. According to his brother Atmaram, Guru Dutt was "a strict disciplinarian as far as work was concerned, but totally undisciplined in his personal life".At the time of his death(10th Oct 1964), he had separated from Geeta and was living alone. Geeta Dutt herself died in 1972 at age 41, after excessive drinking which resulted in liver damage.. 

A Song From Un Released Movie Of  Guru Dutt with Sadhna in PICNIC 1964

Happy Birthday Neetu Singh

Neetu Singh(8th July 1958) originally born as Harmeet Kaur,Neetu Singh was born in Delhi in a Punjabi Sikh family. Her parents name are Rajee Kaur and Darshan Singh. began her filmy career as a child artist as Baby Sonia when Vyjayanthimala suggested her for the film" Suraaj" (1966). After which followed a  film " Dus Lakh", She lent lip sync to the famous beggar song Gareebon ki suno, in Dus Lakh (1967).

 It was Do Kaliyaan(1968)that braught her in limelight where she played a double role singing the super hit song of those days " Bachhe Man Ke Sachhe" after that Waris(1969), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970),  Pavitra Paapi(1972) where she appeared in prominent roles.  But the 1972 film, Rikshawala,where she co starred with randhir Kapoor proved a failure at the box office costing Neetu some important films. Soon after, she returned with a bang in Yaadon Ki Barrat in 1973. Even with a minor role, she managed to steal the limelight with the famous song "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil".

She was paired with Rishi Kapoor in many films after the the release of Bobby though she was not in that movie.Their first film "Zehrila Insaan" released in 1974.But after the success of Khel Khel Main(1975) they became a successful pair.

She acted opposite Rishi Kapoor, her future husband, in 11 films. The most successful were Rafoo Chakkar (1974), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Doosra Aadmi (1978). She was nominated for Best Actress for the Star Screen Awards for her performance in the movie. Neetu was 21 when she married Kapoor. She was at the top of her career, having just been nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Kaala Patthar (1979)

In 1980 she married Rishi Kapoor and stopped acting in films.Neetu Singh was only 21 when she retired. The couple has two children: Riddhima (born 15 September 1980) and Ranbir (born 28 September 1982)

A successful actress of her times, Neetu was nominated as Best Supporting Actress by Filmfare. She has numerous movies to her credit. She dominated the 70’s – early 80’s era.Some of her successful films are Adalat, Parvarish, The Great Gambler, Yaarana with Amitabh Bachhan,Kasme vaade with Randhir Kapur,Dharamveer and Priyatama with Jeetendra.

She made a comeback after 26 years appearing opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Besharam (2013).

ANIL BISWAS-A Composer With A Difference

Remembering today on his Birth Anniversary

Born on 7th July 1914 at Barisal( Bangladesh).He was an Indian film music composer from 1935 to 1965, who apart from being one of pioneers of playback singing, is also credited for the first Indian orchestra of twelve pieces and introducing orchestral music and full-blooded choral effects, into Indian cinema.Anil Biswas first made name in Kolkata in the early 1930s, composing music for plays, later he joined 'Rangmahal Theatre', Kolkata, as an actor, singer, and assistant music director, 1932–34, during this period he sang and acted in several commercial stage productions.

He was associated in composing music for 'Baal Hatya' and 'Bharat ki Beti', before making his debut as a film composer, with Dharam ki Devi (1935) for which he composed the background music, and also acted and sang the song, Kuch Bhi Nahin Bharosa.. In 1936 he joined 'Sagar Movietones' as a composer, first starting with assisting composers, Ashok Ghosh in films Manmohan andDeccan Queen and also Pransukh Nayak, and continued with Sagar Movietones, even after it merged with the Yusuf Fazalbhoy of RCA’s newly established National Studios in 1939.

 Mehboob Khan's Jagirdar (1937), a commercially hit, established him as a musical force in the film industry. He gave to the Hindi Film Industry Two Jewls.He gave break to famed playback singer, Mukesh in Pehli Nazar (1945), singing 'Dil Jalta Hai to Jalne De', and to Talat Mahmood in Arzoo (1949), singing 'Aye Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah Ley Chal' his first song in Bombay.

In 1942, he joined Bombay Talkies at an offer from Devika Rani, where he got his biggest hit, Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet (1943), starring Ashok Kumar and Mumtaz Shanti,most remembered for the song, 'Papihaare', sung by his sister Parul Ghosh (wife of the renowned flautist, Pannalal Ghosh), the patriotic hit, 'Door hato ai duniyaa waalo', and 'Dheere dheere aare badal, mera bulbul so raha hai, shorgul na macha' sung by the actor, Ashok Kumar.

He married Asha Lata, an actress with Sagar Movietones under her maiden name Mehrunnisa who continued to act under the name Ashalata Biswas, and had three sons and a daughter,He was associated with Bombay Talkies for a long time and gave many musical hits like Jwar Bhata (1944),Dilip Kumar's debute film and another film Milan (1946) again Dilip Kumar as hero.In 1948 his movie Anokha Pyar released it Was a Musical Hit in which Mukesh and Meena kapur gave some good songs.

Anil Da married the same Meena Kapur after the divorce of first wife Asha Lata.The decade of 1950s witness the great music of Anil Da,during this decade he gave the music in more than 30 movies,the music of Chaar Dil Chaar Rahen was very popular.In early 1960s,

 He retired from the cinema, while still at the peak of his game, he shifted base to New Delhi, though he did one or two films in between like Mahesh Kaul's, Sautela Bhai (1962), his final film as a composer was, actor Motilal's directorial venture, Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965), starring Nadira and with Mukesh's 'Zindagi Khwab Hai Tha Hamein Bhi' After that he moved to Delhi 

In Delhi he became director of the National Orchestra at the All India Radio (AIR) in March 1963,^[5] and remained Chief Producer -Sugam Sangeet (light Hindustani classical music) at AIR, Delhi till 1975.^[15] Though later, he composed music for Doordarshan's pioneering TV series Hum Log (1984) and a number of documentaries for the Films Division^[9] as late as 1991,^[10] and remained the vice chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University for 2 years. He won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986.Anil Biswas died in New Delhi on 31st May 2003.Upon his death, the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee called him, “a doyen of film music who struck the rare balance between classical purity of music and popular pulse”, and credited him for leaving, “an enduring legacy as he introduced many talented singers and innovations to the Indian film music.

Here I am Giving a rare sonf from Anil da;s first movie “Piya Ki Jogan”(1936) , also known as “Puchased Bride” was directed by Hiren Bose for Golden Eagle Movietone, Sindh. The movie had Sardar Akhtar, Pramod Chandra, Krishna Kumari, Merwan Irani, D Manik, Ashalat, Vasu H K, Sheila, Agha Jaan, Bannerji, Niranjan Singh, Meharbaan, Anil Biswas etc in it.This song is sung by Sardar Akhtar. It was picturised on Sardar Akhtar herself.Thismovie had two lyricists cum dialogue writers, viz Munshi Zahiruddin and Niranjan Singh, but the lyricist of the songs of the movie are not specifically identified.

Great Songs by Forgotten Composers

DAAN SINGH-Part-3

Remember the song "Woh Tere Pyar Ka Gham,Ek Bahana hai Sanam" and "Zikra Hota Hai Jab Qyamat ka Tere Jalwo Ki Baat Hoti Hai" both songs sung by Mukesh from the film MY LOVE released in 1970 starring Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore.The music of this film was given by Daan Singh.

In 1963,when J.P.Sharma produced BHOOL NA JAANAA,based on China attack,Daan Singh became the Music Director.After recording
7 songs of the film,the Govt.stopped its production and it was never released. 

 Gham-e-dil kisse kahoon by Mukesh from Bhool Na Jana (1965), lyrics Dr Hari Ram Acharya

Meanwhile he got 3 more films,Ret ki ganga,Matlabi and Bahadur shah jafar,but after few recordings,all the 3 films were shelved.
His first released film was TOOFAN-1969 and in 1970 My love was released

Laga Mohe Ab Ki Baar sung by Asha Bhonsle

His compositions for the unreleased Bhul Na Jana (1973) too were much appreciated. Two of its tracks, Pukaro mera naam lekar pukaro and Gham-e-dil kis se kahoon, both sung by his favourite singer Mukesh

Pukaro mujhe naam lekar pukaro by Mukesh from Bhool Na Jana,(Un Released Film)  lyrics Gulzaar

The music director spent most of his professional career working for All India Radio, Jaipur. 
Few know that as a teenager he had spent several weeks with renowned composer Khemchand Prakash (of Aayega aane wala fame, film: Mahal) in Bombay. In an Interview to DD he mentioned khemchand Prakash his Guru he assisted him in Mahal
Despite crafting such gems, Singh was never swamped with offers. Perhaps it was a combination of bad luck and his inability to market himself that proved to be the composer's undoing.
At the age of 78 (18 june 2011)he died in Jaipur,he was suffering from Liver problem.

Great Songs by Forgotten Composers

S K PAL- PART-2
SK Pal was a music director of 40s and 50s his first film as an independent composer came in 1942 'Ek Hi Raat"it was produced under the banner of Shalimar Pictures and was directed by W Z Ahmed. Prithviraj Kapoor and Neena were in lead roles supported by Mubarak, K N Singh, Feroza, Gulab, Prakash, Rajkumari Shukla, Bibi etc. The film had 8 songs, 7 of which were penned by Pandit Indra and the remaining one was Ghalib’s ghazal. Here I am posting the audio of the song "Man Ko Le Gaya"sung by Neena who was the heroine of the film.

In 1943 another movie " PREM SANGEET "under the same  banner was released this time the lyricist was Bharat Vyas,not much of information is available about the movie I am posting a song from this movie sung by Amirbai Karnatki

In 1944 Man Ki Jeet released the songs of this film became very popular,the song"Ae Chaand N a Itraana" was hit,it was sung by Sitara Kanpuri and written by Bharat Vyas. Only the audio is available

In 1951 a movie SAGAR starring Nargis and Bharat Bhushan had lilting music a song sung by Geeta Dutt "Ro RO Kar Teri Man Ki Manzil" was popular

In 1952 Maa was released,it was directed by Bimal Roy for Bombay Talkies,the star cast was Bharat Bhushan, Shyama, Bhupen Kapoor, Kusum Deshpande, N. Hussain, Paul Mahendra, Achla Sachdev, B. M. Vyas, Kumud, Bharat Vyas, Bikram Kapoor, Asit Sen, Leela Chitnis, Manju etc . The song"Har Din Tu Rota Hai Baadal"sung by Geeta Dutt was very popular but I have taken a light hearted song:Jiyo Jiyo Mere Lal Teri Tedhi Tedhi Chaal"The song is sung by Manna Dey, Arun Kumar Mukherji and Kishore Kumar. Bharat Vyas is the lyricist.

In 1952  another movie"TAMAASHA"from Bombay Talkies"starring Ashok Kumar Dev Anand and Meena kumari released whose music was to be given by Khemchand Prakash who unfortunately died during the making of this movie. This movie had 8 songs ,one was composed by Hemchand Prakash 5 were composed by Manna De and 2 were composed by S K Pal.The song below was sung by Rajkumari acted by kaushalya in the movie.

Remembering CHETAN ANAND on his Death Anniversary

Maker of innovative, meaningful movies

Born on 3rd January 1921 and died on the night of 6th July1997,Chetan Anand was the eldest of three Anand Brothers.

He was from a well to do family,his father Pishori lal Anand was an established Advocate.He was English Graduate from Government college Lahore.

In the early 1940s, while he was teaching History, he wrote a film script on king Ashoka, which he went on to show to director Phani Majumdar in Mumbai. Anand failed to qualify for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams in London. As luck would have it, Phani Majumdar cast him as a lead in his Hindi film, Rajkumar, released in 1944,Nargis being the co star. He also became associated with Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) in Mumbai  

His first venture as a director was a milestone for the industry. Neecha Nagar, shorn of songs and dances, was a realis tic take on the freedom move ment which won the prestigious Palme d'Or (best film) at Cannes in 1946. His success and en couragement drew his younger brother Dev into the world of cinema. After the latter established himself with a few hits, the duo set up Navketan.This film gave the break to Kamini Kaushal and also to Pt Ravi Shankar as Music Composer.His wife UMA ANAND was also in this movie.

By the early 1950s, he and his younger brother Dev Anand had set up Navketan Productions in Mumbai. Afsar, starring Dev Anand and Suraiya, was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success. It was followed by Andhiyan and Taxi Driver both of which he directed for the Navketan banner.

Funtoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the 9th highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared "above average"

In 1963 Chetan Anand Directed the movie Kinare Kinare for Producer Nyaya Sharma who co scripted,he acted in this movie while the lead pair were Dev Anand and Meena Kumari.Jaidev gave the Music.

In 1964 he started his own Banner"Himalaya Films and the first movie was" HAQEEKAT"which  was based on the India-China Border Conflict of 1962. Shot on actual locations, Chetan told the tale of patriotism and bravery with grit and realism. It had Balraj Sahni and Dharmendra supported by Priya Rajvansh, Vijay Anand . Chetan dedicated this movie to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and produced it under the banner of the Himalayan Films

.

Next film under this banner was Aakhri Khat which was written and directed by Chetan Anand.The music of the film was byKhayyam and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi; it includes the song "Baharon Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro", sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The film was given 5 stars in Bollywood Guide Collections.Super Star Rajesh Khanna was given a break in this movie. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 40th Academy Awards in 1967, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Chetan Anand’s "Heer Ranjha" remains the quintessential interpretation of Waris Shah’s Heer. Screenplay written by Kaifi Azmi, the film is delivered in poetical verse, making it one of the most unique and original pieces of work to come out of Hindi cinema.

His wife Uma was his collaborator working on his scripts and productions but regretfully they parted company. He developed a life-long relationship with attractive actor Priya Rajvansh, the heroine of ‘Haqeeqat,’ ‘Heer Ranjha,’ ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’ and ‘Hanste Zakham.’

After a distinguished career in Hindi cinema, to which he gave a different direction, Chetan Anand passed away in 1997 during his 82nd year.

BHARAT VYAS-the champion of spiritual and thought provoking lyrics.

A Tribute To BHARAT VYAS on His Death Anniversary
'AE MALIK TERE BANDE HUM' Remember this song which is even today rendered as a prayer in many schools, colleges and on special occasions or patriotic functions.This song was written by BHARAT VYAS, Lata's evocative rendition, awesome composition by Vasant Desai and spellbinding lyrics penned by Bharat Vyas, have made this song immortal. The male version of this song was sung by V.Shanataram.
Born on 18th December 1918, in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, Bharat Vyas completed his higher school studies and later completed his B.Comdegree. Bharat Vyas came to Bombay in the early 40's. During that time, Bharat Vyas had the dream to become a director and that was the main goal of his life. But, destiny took him to become a lyricist. He did direct movies, but that was much later in his life.

His first movie as a lyricist was Duhai, which released in 1943.In the same year another film PREM SANGEET released The Music Director of this movie was S K Pal with whom he worked for many films.In1944, Bharat Vyas penned 2 songs, for the movie Man Ki Jeet, which was composed by S.K Pal. The songs became popular in the radio. The 2 songs were 'Chip Chip Kar Mat Dekho' (which was rendered by Bharat Vyas himself with Shanta Thakkar) and the other song was 'Ae Chand Na Itraana'

.Bharat Vyas's association continued with SK Pal in 1946 for the movie 'Prithviraj Samyuktha' and in Meerabai(1947), in which Bharat Vyas rephrased the lyrics of Meerabai in a song form.
Bharat Vyas, the champion of spiritual and thought provoking lyrics. Most of his songs came straight from his heart. Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhee… (NAVRANG); Saranga Teri Yaad Me Nain Hue Bechain … (SARANGA); Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet… (RANI ROOPMATI); Nirbal Se Ladai Balvan Ki, Ye Kahani Hai Diye Ki Aur Tufaan Ki… (TOOFAN AUR DEEYA) etc are immortal lyrics of him.

Under Prithiviraj Kapoor and filmmakers like V Shantaram, Bharat Vyas excelled as a poet of versatility. In a era where Urdu poets like Sahir Ludhianvi, Shakeel Badayuni, Kaifi Azmi etc ruled the roost Bharat Vyas, despite being a Hindi poet made a name for himself. Though he had tough competition from Hindi stalwart poets like Kavi Pradeep, Shailendra, Prem Dhawan, Pandit Vyas made his own identify.

He died on 4th July 1983 in Mumbai.

Great Songs by Forgotten Composers

RAMLAL-  Part 1

There are many songs which were hit and remembered even today but we do not remember the composer of those songs.There were many composers of the Golden Era who coldn't become big name due to many circumstances or we can say that the luck didn't favour them. They may not be associated with big banners, they may have done lesser number of films,some times they left the industry for various reasons.
With this blog let us remember those Composers and their songs.It will be appreciated if you also add those composers  and their songs which are not included in this series of GREAT SONGS BY FORGOTTEN COMPOSERS.
First in the list comes the name of Ramlal who gave the music of V SHANTARAM's "SEHRA"

Ramlal came to mumbai in 1944 and started working as 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”.

Song:kaahe koyal shor machaaye re (Aag)

In 1952 he again got a chance and composed music for film “Husnbano”.

I am not sure how music of “Husnbano” did at that time, but after that what he did for two films of master director “V Shantaram” made him immortal among the musicians. Those two films were “Sehra” and “Geet Gaya Patthron Ne”.

Listen to this classic duet of Lata  from film “Sehra”. One of my favorite.

Song: Pankh Hote To Ud Aati Re (Sehra)

Another song from Sehra is a duet by Lata and Rafi"Tum To Pyar Ho O Sajni

V Shantaram had a great sence of Music.All of his films had memorable music.In his next movie "Geet Gaya Patharon Ne" he once again took Ramlal as composer.Jeetendra and his daughter Rajshree debute with this film. Ramlal used the voice of the veteran  Singer the great C H ATMA in 2 songs in that film This song "Mandve Tale Garib Ke" gave C H Atma the Award of best singer in that year

another song of  "Geet Gaya Patharon Ne" is a delght to listen, this song was sung by Asha Bhonsle

This song was written by Hasrat Jaipuri and acted by Jeetendra and Rajshree."Tere khayalon Mein Hum"

Ramlal used the voice of the great classical singer Kishori Amonkar in this film in two songs." Sanso Ki Taar Per" had two versions one was sung by Kishori Amonkar and other by Asha Bhonsle and Mahendra Kapoor , we are posting here Kishori Amonkar Version

Happy Birthday AMIT KUMAR ...

Happy Birthday AMIT KUMAR

Born on 3rd July 1952 He is the son of the Indian singer and actor Kishore Kumar and the Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta. Like his father, Amit loved singing and from childhood used to sing during Durga Pooja functions in Kolkata. Once when he was performing on stage in a Durga Pooja function arranged by Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, people kept requesting more songs and this information reached his mother. She complained to Kishore Kumar that his son was singing "filmy" songs. Hearing that, Kishore Kumar decided to bring him to Bombay.
Kishore Kumar gave his son Amit Kumar a break as child artist in his film Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein with The song "Aa chalke tujhe, mein leke chaloon" was filmed with Kishore Kumar singing to his eleven-year-old son Amit Kumar
.
He has sung many Bollywood and regional film songs since the 1970s and was more actively singing in Indian films from 1970 to 1994 as after death of R. D. Burman in 1994, citing lack of good quality music being composed he withdrew from playback singing.
He came to prominance after the song Bade Ache Lagte Ho from the film Balika Badhu(1976).Later on he sang songs for many movies.1981 film Love Story, won him a Filmfare Award for the duet "Yaad aa rahi hai" with Lata Mangeshkar.