Remembering VYJAYANTIMALA on her 83rd Birthday

Vyjayanthimala Bali (born 13 August 1933)

Vyjayantimala in her childhood

Vyjayanthimala was one of the biggest Bollywood stars with a career lasting almost two decades Specially The Golden Era of Bollywood.She was the first South Indian actress to become a national star and "paved a way" for other south Indian actresses to foray into Bollywood.

Vyjayantimala in her teens

. She made her debut in the Tamil language film AVM's Vazhkai in 1949 and in the Telugu Version of the same  film Jeevitham in 1950. The Telgu version was a grear success.Then AVM people decided to make it in Bollywood. The hindi version was made in the name of BAHAAR which was released in 1951.Which was a commercial successful.The film's soundtrack was composed by S. D. Burman while the lyrics was penned by Rajendra Krishan.^] Almost all the songs was a chartbusters and the album proved to be successful for music director S. D. Burman who previously taste success through Shabnam. 

Saiyaa Dil Me Aana Re

Bahar also one of the rare soundtrack where Burman uses Shamshad Begum as his main singer. Her voice for the song "Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re" becomes a hit.The album also features Kishore Kumar's early hit song, "Qasoor Aapka" who later becomes as one of the leading male playback singer in Bollywood .

Man Dole Mera Tan Dole

In 1954 released Naagin which made her a Star.She was the Heroine of this film and the song Mera man Dole became a craze,She became one of the top Heroines of Bollywood.

Vyjayanthimala established herself as one of Bollywood's leading actresses while making in-roads in successful Tamil and Telugu films.After successfully establishing herself as a commercial actress, Vyjayanthimala appeared in Devdas playing Chandramukhi, the hooker with a heart of gold, in 1955. In her first dramatic role, she received her first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 4th Filmfare Awards where she refused to accept the award citing that hers was not a supporting role, being the first person to refuse a Filmfare Award. 

Maang Ke Saath from Naya Daur

Following that, Vyjayanthimala appeared in series of blockbuster films such as New Delhi, Naya Daur andAasha. She reached the pinnacle of her success in 1958, when two of her films — Sadhna and Madhumati — became huge critical and commercial hits. She was nominated for two Filmfare Award for Best Actress Award for Sadhna and Madhumati and won the award for the former.

Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko from Sadhna(1958)

 The plus point with Vyjayantimala was that she knew Hindi  because she studied hindi in Hindi Prachar Sabha Madras.She was an accomplished dancer and was one of those who introduced semi-classical dance toBollywood. Her subsequent dance numbers in her films had earned her the title of "twinkle toes". She was also referred to as one of the first female superstars of Hindi cinema and was known as "Numero Uno actress" for her "illustrious career in 1950s and 1960s

Dhoondo Dhoondo Re Saajna More Kaan ka Bala

. In 1961, the release of Dilip Kumar's Ganga Jumna saw her playing a rustic village belle Dhanno who speaks Bhojpuri dialect. Critics applauded her performance with some labeled it as her best till date. She won her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in Ganga Jumna. 

 In 1964, with the success of Sangam her career hits the peak again. She reinvented herself playing a modern Indian girl appearing in revealing costumes and one-piece swimsuit.She got the Filmfare Award for that film.The same year "Leader" with Dilip Kumar released but it didn't fared well in box office,Next release was Gemini Film's Zindagidirected by Ramanand Sagar. A female centric film, it features Vyjayanthimala alongside Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar..Zindagi became success at box office . Her last release in 1964 was Ishaara, in which she co-starred actor Joy Mukherjee for the first time which was average.

 Baharon Phool Barsao from Suraj

1965 was not a good year for her,Nya Knoon and Do Dilon Ki Daastan were released that year both were flop In 1966 her film with Rajendra Kumar Suraj released which was a huge box office success and was one of the popular costume drama in Bollywood.

 Amrapali a historical Hindi film, directed by Lekh Tandon, starring Vyjayanthimala and Sunil Dutt as leads.It was based on the life of Amrapali (Ambapali), the nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of Vaishali in present-day Bihar, Though the film wasn't a commercial success, in time it started being seen as classic and is remembered not just for its dramatic cinematography of war scenes by Dwarka Divecha Another highlight of the film was its music by the duo Shankar Jaikishan, then at the peak of their career, who gave a highly restrained yet fully Indian classical music-based score in the four songs.,After Amrapali which was the biggest flop in her career and some personal issues with co-stars, Vyjayanthimala lost interest in films

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1967 saw the release of Jewl Thief which was a hit. Vyjayanthimala's dance number in "Hothon Pe Aisi Baat Main" sung by Lata Mangeshkar becomes huge hit where it was considered as one of the best dance number in Indian cinema 

In 1968, Vyjayanthimala appeared in three big budget film with high profile actors such as Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Rajendra Kumar. The films were Duniya with Dev Anand,Saathi with Rajendra Kumar and Sangharsh with Dilip kumar.Out of these three films only Duniya did average business other two were flops.

In 1969 her two films Pyaar Hi Pyaar with Dharmendra and Prince with Shammi Kapoor were released both didn't fared well
In 1970 her last film Ganwaar with Rajendra Kumar released which was also an average film,

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Vyjayanthimala married Chamanlal Bali in 1968. After marriage, she gave up her acting career and moved to Chennai. They have a son, Suchindra Bali. In 2007, she published her autobiography, titled Bonding, with Jyoti Sabarwal co-writer.
Vyjayanthimala's political career was initiated in 1984 when she contested in 1984 Tamil Nadu general election for the South Chennai constituency as the nominee of the Indian National Congress opposite Era Sezhiyan, the leader of Janata Party and seasoned parliamentarian.She won that election became M P in Lok Sabha
In 1989, Vyjayanthimala again had to face the 1989 Tamil Nadu general election, this time she was opposed by Aladi Aruna of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.^[166] She again beat her opposition by nearly 12584  votes.Later in 1993, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India for a six-year term. In 1999, she has resigned from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress party. Later she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 6 September 1999.
RARE SONGS of VYJAYANTIMALA

Song from Piya Milan 1958

Song from Devdas 1955

Dance Compitition with Helen from Dr Vidya

Dance Compitition with Padmini from Raj Tilak 1958

Song from Bahar 1951

Do Hanson Ka Joda

Song from Pholo Ki Sej

Folk Dance Performance from Kathputli

40 Romantic Songs of 1950s

Love inspires the most beautiful gestures. Love makes us starry-eyed; it makes us swoon. It makes us want to write songs and dance until dawn. The word 'love', it’s just never enough. And more importantly, saying 'I love you' is the toughest thing ever. Fortunately, we have songs to help us express what we can’t put into words. And sometimes, all we need is that one song that connects with our heart.
On that note, take a look at the best love songs of the Hindi Films in 1950s.

Sun ja Dil Ki Dastan

Babuji Dheere chalna from Aar Paar

Song from Munimji

Sur Na Saje from Basant Bahaar

Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam from Dilli Ka Thug

Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya from Phagun

Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar from C I D

Hum Aap Ki Ankhon Me from Pyasa

Ankhon Me Kya Jee from Nau Do Gyaraha

Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi from Chori Chori

Aadha Hai Chandrama from Navrang

Mera Dil Yeh Pukare Aaja from Naagin

Maana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin from Paying Guest

Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka from Chalti ka Naam Gaadi

Chhod Do Aanchal Zamana Kya Kahega  from Paying Guest

Shola Jo Bhadke from Albela

Jadugar Saiyaa from Naagin

Maang Ke Saath from Naya Daur

Tere Pyaar Ka Aasra from Dhool Ka Phool

Jalte hain Jiske Liye from Sujata

Man Dole Mera Tan Dole from Naagin

Accha Ji Main Haari Chalo from Kala Pani

Aja Pancchi Akela Hai from Nau Do Gyaraha

Ye Raat Ye Chandani  from Jaal

Sarpar Topi Laal Haath Me from Tumsa Nahin Dekha

  Kitna Haseen Hai from Azad

Dekh Hamen Awaaz Na Dena from Amardeep

Dil Tadap Tadap from Madhumati

 Do Ghadi Vo Jo Pass from Gateway of India

Bade Armaan Se Rakkha from Malhar

Phir na kije meri gustakh nigahi ka gila from Phir Subah Hogi

 Nain So Nain Naahi from Navrang

 Jeevan Me Piya Tera Saath from Goonj Oothi Shehnai

 Laagi Choote na Ab To from Kaali Topi Laal Rumal

 Pyar Ki Kasam Hai from Dil Deke Dekho

Chahe Paas Ho from Samrat Chandragupta

Saawale Salone Aaye from Ek Hi Rasta

Ye Nayi Nayi Preet Hai from Pocket Maa

Rim Zim Ke Taraane Leke from Kala Bazar

Great Songs by Forgotten Composers

KHEMCHAND PRAKASH-The Composer that  gave us 2 Gems,LATA and KISHORE KUMAR

Khemchand Prakash was born in Jaipur 0n 12th Dec 1907 where his father Goverdhan Das was a Dhrupad singer & Kathak dancer in the royal court of Madho Singh II, and the boy, Khemchand got his first training in music & dance from his father. Soon he became a popular for his Kathak dancing talent and for his unmatched skills in drawing animal sketches with gulaal on the floor using his feet while dancing!

Khemchand prakash singing in Street Singer

In his teens, he joined Bikaner Royal court as a singer performer and later moved to the royal court ofNepal. But the destiny landed him in Kolkata and he joined the legendary New Theaters. He was assistant to composer Timir Baran in Devdas (1935 film), and he sang a comedy song 'lo kha lo madam khaanaa' in Street Singer (1938). 
His debut as music director in 1939 with Supreme Pictures' films Meri Aankhein and Gazi Salauddin, and was soon signed up by Ranjit Movietone Film Studio.

Song from Meri Aankhen 1939

In the movie Gazi Salauddin his assistant was Naushad.in an interview Naushad said that because of him he became the great Music Composer.Daan Singh another forgotten Music Composer was also his assistant.Balu C Rani was another Music composer who was given to this industry.Manna Dey was also his gift to industry.

Song from Pardesi 1941

His initial years had a few more significant films like Pardesi, Holi and Fariyaad. Khursheed was his leading singer and both of them gave a lot of hits of the early 40s. 1941’s Pardesi turned out to be a big hit and made Khursheed a big star.
In 1943 the film Tansen released the songs of that film sung by K L Sehgal became very popular,even now these songs are being listrned by the real music lovers.

Song from Tansen K L Sehgal

 Songs like "Diya jalaao jagmag jagmag", "Rumjhum rumjhum chal tihari", "More balpan ke saathi", "Sapt suran teen gram", "Hath sine pe jo rakh do to karara aa jaaye" were big hits.
1948 marked yet another significant film of his career, Bombay Talkies’s Ziddi. He gave first major break to Kishore Kumar as a singer for the song “Marne ki duaaen kyun maangu”.^[1] Ziddi featured a beautiful song of Lata Mangeshkar "Chanda re ja re ja re".

But what followed Ziddi was another hit film Mahal (1949 film). Mahal made Lata Mangeshkar a popular name. Prior to Mahal, the records used to feature only the character name on the record. Hence the first lot of records had “Aayega aane wala” credited to Kamini. The first time when the song was played on All India Radio many calls were received by AIR to know the singers name. AIR had to in turn ask the record company and announce Lata Mangeshkar's name on air.

Though Lata was singing before Mahal but the song Aayega Aane Wala made her LATA,the film Mahal was  a landmark for Rajkumari, too. Ghabra ke jo hum sar ko takraayein to achchha ho became one of her most recognisable songs that gave her a long lease of life on music reality shows on TV, many years after her singing-career had come to a halt.
Another famous singer of 30s and 40s Khursheed once said that Khemchand Prakash was the most important composer in her career with films like Pardesi, Shadi (1941) andTansen (1943). And Tansen, of course, is regarded as KL Saigal’s most importantmusical film, with his Diya jalaao in Deepak, and Sapt suran teen graam in Dhrupad ang.

Its very unfortunate for Hindi Film Industry that Khemchand Prakash died at a young age of 43 on 10th Aug 1950.He composed music for about 45 films in a career of 11 years. 

He shaped and defined Hindi film music when it was still in its nascent stages. In a short career spanning just about a decade, he left behind a legacy that exceeded his output as a music director.