Remembering MOTILAL on his 106th Birth Anniversary

Motilal was Born in Shimla on 4 December 1910. He is credited with being among Hindi cinema’s first natural actors.He came from a distinguished family from Delhi.He  came to Bombay to join the Navy, but he fell ill and could not appear for the test. Fate had other choices charted out for him. One day, he went to see a film shoot at Sagar Studios, where director K. P. Ghosh was shooting. Motilal, even then, was quite the man about the town and he caught Ghosh’s eye. In 1934 (aged 24), he was offered the hero's role in Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934) by the Sagar Film Company. 

By early 1940s, though, Motilal was opting for bolder plots too. He played the untouchable in Achhut (1940), a progressive film that also won praise from Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel.

In Aage Kadam (1943), directed by N R Acharya, he returned to comedy. Forever experimenting, he then played a serious man in Dost (1944) and Gajre (1948). His portrayal of pathos brought tears to the eyes of audiences in cinema halls all over India. He was equally at home in Mehboob’s Taqdeer (1943) and Mazhar Khan’s Paheli Nazar (1945). Hamari Beti (1950), produced and directed by Shobhana Samarth, revealed his mastery over various branches of film-production. Besides a scintillating performance, he wrote the scenario as well, and the pointed dialogues had the stamp of a seasoned writer. He took the filmworld by storm once again with his comic role in Roop K Shorey’s Ek Thi Ladki (1949) with Meena Shorey, the larralappa girl of Indian screen. The Moti-Meena pair provided more laughs in Ek Do Teen (1953), another Shorey comedy.

He starred in over 60 films, with at least 30 in the lead. But his smaller parts prompt maximum recall. In the hands of a lesser actor, the glib Chuni babu, who leads Devdas to alcohol, dancing girl and doom, could have easily become a negative character. Motilal dripped him in charm, made him value-free and earned his first Filmfare award for the best supporting actor. Even his villainy was relaxed and refined (Anadi, 1959, Paigham, 1959).
He was  the winner of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Devdas (1955) and Parakh (1960).

 Motilal was a calmer man. He was happily married to a doctor and the Motilal establishment at Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, was notable for its serenity. Motilal had a passion for horse-racing. He used to have a horse called Traitor, because the animal had the nasty habit of looking back at Motilal exactly at the time of reaching the winning post and losing the race in the effort! He gave up racing when his dearest friend Chandramohan, a character actor, died. In 1965, Motilal breathed his last.
He also directed a film Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965) but died before its release. At the 13th National Film Awards, it won the award for Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film and he posthumously won Certificate of Merit for the Best Story Writer.
Govt Of India released a stamp on his honour in 2013.

Great Songs of Motilal

Dil Jalta Hai from Pehli Nazar 1945

Lara lappa from Ek Thi Ladki 1949

Zindagi Khwab Hai Khwab Mein from Jagte Raho 1956

Zindagi Kaa Ajab Fasaanaa Hai from Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965)

Insan Ka Insan Se Ho Bhaichara from Paigham (1959)

O Jaane Wale Aa ja from Taqdeer 1943

Singer Shamshad Beghum and Motilal 

Remembering DEV ANAND on his 5th Death Anniversary

Lesser Known Facts About Dev Anand
Born Dharam Dev Anand, the actor was fondly addressed as DD, an abbreviated version of his first name by his peers in school
Dev Anand's first role model was his elder brother Chetan Anand
Chetan had studied in London and was a man of intellect and refined tastes. While Dev Anand eventually grew out of his shadow, his early acting efforts were inspired by his elder brother's mannerisms.
Dev Anand's first trip was to Venice when he accompanied elder brother Chetan Anand for the screening of their film Aandhiyan
The late star played tennis for his college and participated in inter-college tournaments but was, by his own admission, awful at it.

Apart from Chetan and Vijay Anand, Dev Anand had an elder brother Manmohan Anand, who was an advocate at the Gurdaspur District Court.
The first girl he was ever attracted to was Usha Chopra, an Anglo-Indian girl who was an undergraduate student in the same Lahore college Dev Anand was studying in.

He worked in the postal department of armed forces for a while.The actor was paid Rs 165 a month. His work was to read the letters that came for soldiers and censor any unwarranted information.

Dev Anand’s first acting job was at the Prabhat Film Company, where he was paid 400 rupees per month

Guru Dutt, first met at the Prabhat Film Company in 1946. After they exchanged polite hellos, Dev Anand noticed that Guru Dutt was staring at his shirt. It turned out that the washerman had mixed up their shirts and Dev Anand was wearing Guru Dutt’s shirt. Dev Anand said: “we had a hearty laugh and embraced each other. We were to be friends for all times.

The first time Dev Anand played a leading man was in Ziddi, opposite Kamini Kaushal. The actor got his big break as a hero when introduced thus by Ashok Kumar, already a major star. 
He may have drawn comparisons with Gregory Peck but it is Ashok Kumar he truly admired.Dev Anand aspired to become a performer in Dadamoni's class, awed by his work in films like Achhut Kanya and Kismat. 

When the love story between Dev Anand and the actress widely known as Suraiya was at its peak, Suraiya’s grandmother started monitoring their movements to ensure that the Hindu hero didn’t get too close to her Muslim granddaughter. A scene in “Afsar” (1950) required him to kiss her on the eyes but grandmother, who was on the set, wouldn’t allow it. she stood on the spot where the scene was to be enacted and wouldn’t budge. Ultimately a member of the crew whisked away the grandmother on a pretext and they quickly shot the scene.
The late actor was known for his flambouyant personality that reflected in his outfits.
He owned 800 jackets and his favourite colours were yellow, brown and black. He wore red once in a while.

Dev Anand, who is best remembered for his romantic roles and style statements left an impressive impact on the generations to come. The legendary actor’s iconic, checkered print cap worn in the film Jewel Thief was reportedly purchased from a shop in Copenhagen, Denmark. 
 One of the most handsome actors of his times, Dev Anand was asked not to wear black suit in public apparently because women would go crazy seeing him dressed in black and would jump from buildings.

Dev Anand never wanted to die in films, he did just one death scene in his entire film career,it was in Guide
It is said that Dev Anand had refused to star in Zanjeer,because there was no song situations for him, which turned out to be Amitabh Bachchan's big break. Earlier also he refused Tumsa Nahi Dekha and Teesri Manzil both the films went to Shammi Kapoor.

Dev Anand took keen interest in politics. He formed a party called National Party of India which he later disbanded.He stood up to the Internal emergency imposed by then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. In 1977, he actively campaigned against her with his supporters in the Lok Sabha.
Great Hits Of Dev Anand's Songs

Song from Hum Dono

Song from Teen Deviyan

Song from Hum Dono

Song from Kaala Baazar

Song from Jaal

Song from Solva Saal

Song from Patita

Song from Asli Naqli

Song from Guide

Song from House No 44

Song from Kala Paani

Song from Munim Ji

Song from Bombai Ka Babu

Song from Jab Pyaar kisi Se Hota Hai

Song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne

Hit Songs of KAIFI AZMI

 Kaifi Azmi (January 1919 – 10 May 2002) was an Indian Urdu poet. He will always be remembered who brought Urdu literature to Indian motion pictures.At the age eleven, Azmi wrote his first ghazal Itna To Zindagi Mein Kisi Ki Khalal Pade.Most of the people, including his father, thought he recited his elder brother's ghazal. When his elder brother denied it, his father and his clerk decided to test his poetic talent. They gave him one of the lines of a couplet and asked him to write a ghazal in the same meter and rhyme. Azmi accepted the challenge and completed a ghazal. This particular ghazal was to become a rage in undivided India and it was immortalised as it was sung by legendary ghazal singer, Begum Akhtar. 
Kaifi Azmi wrote his first lyrics for the film Buzdil, directed by Shaheed Latif and music by SD Burman, released in 1951.As a lyricist and songwriter, though he wrote for numerous films, he will always be remembered for Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat (1964), India's greatest war film. Some notables films for which he wrote lyrics include Kohra(1964), Anupama (1966), Uski Kahani (1966), Saat Hindustani (1969), Shola Aur Shabnam, Parwana (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Pakeezah (1972), Hanste Zakhm (1973), Arth (1982) and Razia Sultan (1983). For Naunihal (1967), he wrote the song "Meri Aawaz Suno Pyar ka Raaz Suno" (Hear my voice, hear the secret of love) sung by Mohammad Rafi. The song is picturised over the funeral procession of Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru. 

Meri Awaz Suno  from Naunihal 1967

Here I am Presenting some of my favourite songs of Kaifi Azmi
In 1961, 2 films SHAMA and Shola Aur Shabnam released with his songs

Dil Ghum Se Jal Raha Hai from Shama sung by Suman Kalyanpur

Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi  from Shola Aur Shabnam 1961

Jaane Kya Dhoondti Rehti Hai  from Shola Aur Shabnam 1961

His association with Chetan Anand from 1964 film Haqekat and later on his all films produced some great songs. His greatest feat as a writer was Chetan Anand's Heer Raanjha (1970) wherein the entire dialogue of the film was in verse. It was a tremendous achievement and one of the greatest feats of Hindi film writing.

Kar Chale Hum Fida  from Haqekat 1964

Zara Si Aahat Hoti Hai  from Haqekat 1964

Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil from Heer Ranjha 1970

Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho  from Hanste Zakham 1973

Betab Dil Ki Tamanna  from Hanste Zakham 1973

His association with Music Director Khayyam gave some of the immortal songs of Bollywood.earlier songs from Shola Aur Shabnam 1961,later Shagun 1964,Kabhie Kabhie 1976,Noorie 1979 are few of them

 Parbaton Ke pedon par from Shagun 1964

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein  from Kabhi Kabhi1976

 from Noorie1979

His association with Hemant Kumar also gave us many Immortal songs.Remember the Songs of Kohra 1964 and  Anupama 1966

Yeh Nayan Dare Dare  from Kohra 1964

Dheere Dheere Machal  from Anupama 1966

In 1972 Released Pakeezah and Bawarchi and later Hanste Zakham,Arth and Razia Sultan gave beautiful songs

Chalte Chalte  from Pakezah 1972

Tum Bin Jeevan Kaisa from Bawarchi 1972

Ae Dile E Naadan  from Razia Sultan (1983)

Wishing SUDHA MALHOTRA on her 80th Birth Anniversary

The  niche singer of the Golden Era

Who can forget Tum mujhe bhool bhi jaao to ye haq hai tumko, which was also composed by her. This was a duet with Mukesh, 

Sudha Malhotra was born on November 30, 1936 in New Delhi. She spent her childhood in Lahore, Bhopal and Firozpur. She has been singing on the radio from the age of five. She was discovered by Ghulam Haider at a programme at Firozpur in the aid of Red Cross. She completed her graduation in music from Agra University. Her family moved to Bombay in 1948 where she was trained in classical music by Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Pandit Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale. Her first break in playback singing was in 1949 in the film The Last Message in which she sang Chal raha swaraj ka jhagda with Vinod and others. 

She was  discovered as a child artist by Ghulam Haider (a prominent music director of the 1940s). She debuted in the movie Arzoo. She retired from film industry in 1960, following her marriage with businessman Giridhar Motwani (whose family owned the Chicago Radio Mike Company). She recorded for a few albums in the following years, including for Jagjit Singh's In a Mood of Love. She also sang for Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog in 1982.

I present some of her songs, including some that are not so well known, as my felicitation on her 80^th birth anniversary today.

Mila gaye nain from Arzoo (1950), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Anil Biswas

Song from from Arzoo 1950

Awaz de raha hai koi from Gauhar (1953)

Song from from Gauhar 1953 (Audio only)

Na Woh Hamare Na Dil Hamara from Dill e Nadaan 1953

Song from Dil e Nadaan 1953

Maalik Tere Jahan mei from Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Aaj apna Ho Na Ho from Kal  Hamara Hai (1959)

Song from Kal  Hamara Hai (1959)

Tum mujhe bhool bhi jao from Didi (1959)

Song from from Didi (1959)

Hum tumhare ho chuke hain humko tumse pyar hai from Rangeela Raja (1960)

Song from Rangeela Raja (1960)

Na main dhan chaahun with Geeta Dutt from Kala Bazar (1960)

Song from Kala Bazar (1960)

Salame Hasrat Qubool Kar Lo from Babar 1960

Song from Babar 1960

Kashti ka khamosh safar hai with Kishore Kumar from Girl Friend(1960),

Song from Girl Friend(1960), Audio only

Dekho Ji Mera Haal Re from Solva Saal 

Song from Solva Saal  1958

Relax & Enjoy your SUNDAY with These BOLLYWOOD FUN 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 Fun Songs
Part 6    27th Nov 2016

Meri jaan ghair ko tum paan khilaayaa na karo

This song is from the 1955 Minerva Movietone production Kundan.The lyrics are by Shakeel Badayuni, and the singing voices are of Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt.In this song  paan seller played by Kum Kum, and one of her customers, played by Om Prakash. As the song starts, and progresses, one is led to believe that Om Prakash is wooing Kum Kum 

Song from Kundan 1955

O soniye o soniye jab jeet huyee hai hamaari

 Here is a song from “Ten O Clock” (1958) for Sunday Mood.The song is picturised on Suresh, Geeta Bali and others.This song is sung by Rafi, Geeta Dutt, male and female chorus. The song is picturised as a bicycle song cum picnic song and also a song where the two groups are teasing each other.

 Song from “Ten O Clock” (1958)

Suno re bhaiyya ham laaye hain ek khabar mastaani

This song is a nice forgotten gem from Paigham 1959,song is sung by Rafi. Pradeep is the lyricist.Music is composed by C Ramchandra. In this song, people ,led by Johny Walker, are riding bicycles and going in a procession singing this song.

Song  from Paigham 1959

Ham manmauji raahi mastaane

This is a Mukesh song from the 1970 film ‘Daghaabaaz’. The song appears at two places in the film, and in both the clips we see that the main performer on screen is Chandra Shekhar.The songs of this film are written by BD Mishra and the music is by Dilip Roy.

Song from  ‘Daghaabaaz’.

Arre zindagi hai khel koi pass koi fail

 This song is sung by Manna Dey and Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised as a roadside tamasha song on Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Master Ripple.This song is from Sita Aur Geeta 1972

song from Sita Aur Geeta 1972

Main Tera Tota Tu meri Maina

This song is from the film Paap ki Duniyaa 1988,Sung with much enthusiasm and gusto by Kishore Kumar and S Janaki, this song was a superhit in the 80s.Picturised on Chunky Pandey and Neelam 

Song from Paap ki Duniyaa 1988

Nashe Si Chad Gayi 

This song isfrom Befikre yet to be released film

Remembering Uma Devi(TUN TUN) on he13th Death Anniversary

Tun Tun. The name conjures up the image of a roly-poly, funny woman. She was christened thus by none other than Dilip Kumar. She was working with the thespian in her first film Babul which had Nargis in the romantic lead.Though today's generation know her as a commedian but I am giving her Tribute as a singer
Tun Tun (11 July 1923 – 24 November 2003) was the screen name of Indian playback singer and actress-comedian, Uma Devi Khatri, who was called "Hindi cinema's first-ever Female comedian"She  was born in a conservative North Indian family in a small village in Uttar Pradesh. After the untimely death of her parents while she was in her teens, she was raised by her brother and later by her uncle.
 At the age of 23 she came to Bombay to try her luck in singing.
 She made her debut as a solo playback singer, in Nazir's Wamiq Azra (1946).Soon she signed a contract with the producer-director A.R. Kardar, who used Naushad as music director, and went on make a place for herself amidst music stalwarts like Noor Jehan, Rajkumari, Khursheed and Zohrabai Ambalewali.
She is known for her song  "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon Dil-e-beqarar ka" but she sang many immortal Songs like "Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Kar", and "Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Se Jhoom", which she sang for actress Munawar Sultana in A.R. Kardar's Dard (1947), again under the music direction of Naushad; she also sang a duet, "Betaab Hai Dil Dard-e-Mohabat Ke Asar Se", with Suraiya.
Success of Dard meant that she next received Mehboob Khan's Anokhi Ada (1948), which again had two hit numbers, "Kahe jiya dole" and "Dil ko lagake humne kuch bhi na paya". This brought her into the league of highly rated playback singers. She reached her peak as a vocalist in director S.S. Vasan's "Chandralekha" (1948) made by Gemini Studios, Chennai. Her seven songs, which include hits like, "Saanjh ki bela", remain her most accomplished work in her singing career.

IMMORTAL SONGS SUNG BY UMA DEVI

Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon from Dard 1947

Betab Hai Dil from Dard 1947

Yeh Kaun Chala  from Dard 1947

Dilwale Jal Jal kar

O Chaand Mere from Chandralekha 1948

Meri pyari Patang from Dillagi 1949

Sajna aa Ja re  from Chandralekha 1948

A Duet with ohammad Rafi from Dholak 1950