Vasant Desai-The Talented Music Director who never got his due

 Bollywood film music composer, most remembered for his score in V. Shantaram films like Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1953), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955).He launched the play back singer, Vani Jairam with the song, Bole re papihara in Guddi (1971).Desai created an equally powerful bhajan “Humko Man Ki Shakti Dena” into a nationwide school prayer through Vani’s vocals.
Born on 9th June 1912into a wealthy family in Sonawade village,Maharashtra,started his career with the famous Prabhat Film Company since it started making talkies. He acted, sang, and sometimes composed songs in Prabhat's films like Dharmatma and Sant Dnyaneshwar. 
 He scored music for a majority of V. Shantaram's films when the latter broke away from Prabhat to form his own film studio.He was one of the leading Music Director of Marathi films.Veteran Marathi film music director and Desai’s creative mentor Keshavrao Bhosle in his memoirs “Maazzhe Sangeet” applauds Desai for many such firsts as well as introduction of echo in sound recording in India
Going through his long and enviable list of songs would be difficult but suffice to say that his memorable songs are valuable gems of musical heritage.Here are some of my favorite.

Song from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955)

Song from Toofan Aur Deeya (1956)

Song from Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1957)

Song from Goonj Uthi Shahnai (1959)

Song from Goonj Uthi Shahnai (1959)

Song from Guddi (1971)

Song from Guddi (1971)

Remembering DATTARAM -The soul Behind Shankar Jaikishan Music

Many of you may not have heard of Dattaram  (his death anniversary is on June 8) but you would surely have heard songs he either composed, arranged or played the dholak, tabla or dafli.He managed  Shankar – Jaikishan’s rhythm section.Dattaram is credited with hit Bollywood film songs like "Aansoo bhari hain yeh jeevan ki raahein" (from the film "Parvarish"), "Chun chun karti aayee chidiya" (from "Ab Dilli Door Nahi") or "Masti bhara hai sama" (also from "Parvarish"). His friendship with Shankar – Jaikishan led to opportunities to compose music for films independently. He was one of the few composers who made a successful move from being an assistant to a full-fledged music director. Despite initial successes as a music director, he continued assisting Shankar – Jaikishan, and never really broke out on his own.
Somewhere in the early 1940s, young Dattaram made his way to Mumbai and was working in the docks as a labourer. Obviously, he was poor and not exactly educated. He had learned the tabla for a few years mainly encouraged by his mother who was a local singer
Dattaram became an important member of the RK Group and worked closely with the likes of Raj Kapoor, Shankara-Jaikishan, Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. 
He was assistant music director to Shankar Jaikishen from 1948 to 1974.This was the time when SJ were in their Peak , gave us Hit and Immortal songs.
He was the person who invented a unique Theka,Ask a pro from the Hindi film music fraternity in Mumbai and anyone will tell you about 'Dattu Ka Theka' (Dattu's beat),He worked on many films as a 'theka' player for rehearsals and finally did his first recording for the film "Nagina".
Raj Kapoor gave him the chance as an independent Music Director in his film Ab Dilli Door Nahi which he produced.Later on He recommended him for Parvarish.He did about 19 films as independent music director.
He did work with other music directors like Laxmikant-Pyarelal and was Raj Kapoor's trusted man when he worked on the music for "Bobby" with the duo. Later, he chose to retire and return to Goa.
Towards his end, he underwent two massive heart attacks.He died on 8th June 2007.

Song from Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Song from Ab Dilli Door Nahin 1957

Song from Parvarish 1958

Song from Parvarish 1958

Song from Kala Aadmi 1960

Song from Shriman Satyawadi 1960

Zindagi Aur Khwab(1961)

Song from Qaidi No.911 (1959)

Bollywood songs having English/ foreign language lyrics

English and many foreign language words are used in Bollywood Songs,There are many hindi films in which full English/foreign language song is picturised.One of such old song comes in my mind is from the film Ek Phool Char Kante released in 1960,"The beautiful baby of broadway".similarly there was one song in rajkapoors SANGAM[1964]which had many languages like english,german,russian,etc.In this post I have taken many of such songs.

Ek Phool Char Kante 1960

Song from Sangam 1964

Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Song from Bombay Talkie 1970

Song  from Bombay To Goa 1972

Song  from Julie 1975

Song  from Karthik Calling Karthik 2010

Song  from Bewaqoof 1960

Song  from Great Gambler 1979

Song  from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2011

Song  from Befikre 2016

Remembering NUTAN on her 81st Birth Anniversary

 Nutan an Indian actress.was born on 4th June 1936 to the film actress Shobhna Samarth and filmmaker Kumarsen Samarth,She started her career as actress as a fourteen-year-old in Hamari Beti (1950). This film was produced by her mother, Shobhana.Her first big break was Seema, for which she won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award.

She formed a popular screen couple with co-star Dev Anand and the two acted in four films together – Paying Guest (1957), Baarish (1957), Manzil (1960) and Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963).She was lucky to have been noticed by Bimal Roy, and he did two of his masterpieces with her. Bandini and Sujata are her tragic masterpieces.In Bandini and Sujata, a heavenly Nutan demonstrates the value of sacrifice and its poignant drama.Sophia Loren, who greatly admired her after watching her performance in Sujata at the Venice International Film Festival.
When heroines were nothing more than mere glamorous props meant for providing titillation, Nutan accepted only those roles in which she either played the main part or at least shared equal footing with the male counterpart.
She appeared in more than 70 Hindi films in a career spanning over four decades. Regarded as one of the finest female actors in the history of Hindi cinema,She held the record of five wins of the Best Actress award at Filmfare, which was held only by her for over 30 years until it was matched by her niece Kajol in 2011.
In 1974, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. In the 1980s, Nutan started playing character roles and continued working until shortly before her death. She portrayed mostly motherly roles in such films as Saajan Ki Saheli (1981), Meri Jung (1985) and Naam (1986). Her performance in Meri Jung earned her a sixth and last Filmfare Award, this time in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Nutan was married to Rajnish Bahl from 1959 till her death of cancer in 1991. Their son, Mohnish Bahl is a well-known character actor in Hindi films and television.
She worked all the top actors of her time,she was the heroine of Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor also signed one film with Dilip Kumar but unfortunately that movie never released.ultimately she did one film with him "Karma" in 80s. With Kishore Kumar, she appeared in a romantic comedy film that had some elements of a crime thriller — Dilli Ka Thug — and was first seen in a swimming costume.She worked with Shammi Kapoor,Sunil Dutt,Dharmendra and Sanjiv Kumar.She also did one film with Amitabh Bachchan "Saudagar".
Some of Nutan's Popular Songs

Song from Humlog 1951

Song from Laila Majnu 1953

Song from Seema 1955

Song from Paying Guest 1957

Song from Paying Guest 1957

Song from Dilli Ka Thug 1958

Song from Anari 1959

Song from Sujata 1959

Song from Chhalia 1960

Song from Bandini 1963

Song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song from Milan 1967

Song from Saraswatichandra 1968

Song from Saudagar 1973

Song from Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki 1978

Song from Karma 1986

Raj Kapoor and his love for leading ladies

It is the 29th death anniversary of Raj Kapoor,who was one of the greatest and most successful director who started at a young age of 24 and also one of the best actor in the history of Indian cinema. He was a pioneer in making Hindi cinema bolder, by making his heroine show off their beauty on the silver screen.He had a fascination of seeing his heroines wearing a white saree in at least one scene in his films.
The first love comes in our mind is Nargis.The duo worked on 16 films together, including Awaara and Shree 420. Their films ‘Barsaat’ became the first hit from his studio. Remember the scene where Raj holds Nargis in a violin – that iconic scene became a logo of RK films studios.But when Nargis met Raj Kapoor, he was a married man,they parted away in 1956,Nargis then married Sunil Dutt in 1958.

Next love of RK was with Vyjantimala,both featured in two films, named Nazrana and Sangam.It as said that Raj Kapoor planted this story for the publicity of Sangam.Vyajanthimala,  denied having an affair with the actor.Both ofthem never worked again after Sangam.

Next crush of RK was for Zeenat Aman,though she was not his heroine but she worked with him in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. During filming, Raj and Zeenat got close together. It was also rumoured that Nargis left Raj Kapoor due to his alleged womanising habit but later on Raj Kapoor realised that he is doing wrong.

Song from Barsaat 1949

Song from Awaara 1951

Song from Shree 420

Song from Sangam

Song from Satyam Shivam Sundaram

NARGIS DUTT-the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema.

 

Remembering NARGIS(1 June 1929 – 3 May 1981), on her 88th Birth Anniversary as  one of the greatest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema.She starred in many popular Hindi films of the late 1940s and 1950s such as Barsaat (1949), Andaz (1949), Awaara (1951), Deedar (1951), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956). She appeared in Mehboob Khan's Oscar-nominated rural drama Mother India in 1957 for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performance. 
Between 1940-1960, she made a superhit pair with Raj Kapoor in films like Barsaat, Awara and Aag and has been immortalised in the RK emblem.
Nargis married Sunil Dutt after mother India released,Post her marriage to Sunil Dutt, Nargis gave up films for good. While she was at the peak of her career, even receiving the Filmfare Award for her performance in Mother India

Nargis was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment for the disease at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Upon her return to India, her condition deteriorated, and she was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. She went into a coma on May 2, 1981 and died the next day.one day before the premier of her son Sanjay Dutts debute film Rocky.

Along with her husband, Nargis formed the Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe, which roped in several leading actors and singers of the time and held stage shows at border areas. In early 1970s, she became the first patron of Spastics Society of India, and her subsequent work with the organisation brought her recognition as a social worker, and later a Rajya Sabha nomination in 1980.
She got the inaugural National Film Award for Best Actress for Raat Aur Din in 1967 beside getting many national and international awards for Mother India.
Govt. of India started one Award on her name  called the Nargis Dutt Award in her honour  for best feature film on national integration in the annual National Film Awards 
Here are some of her Best Known Songs

Song from Barsaat 1949

Song from Andaz (1949)

Song from Babul 1950

Song from Awaara 1951

Song from Bewafa 1952

Song from Aah 1953

Song from Aah 1953

Song from Shree 420 1955

Song from Shree 420 1955

Song from Chori Chori 1956

Song from Chori Chori 1956

Song from Mother India 1957

Song from Laajwanti 1958

Song from Raat Aur Din (1967)

Remembering RAJ KHOSLA on his 92nd Birth Anniversary

Raj Khosla was born on 31 May 1925,he was one of the top directors in Hindi films of the Golden Era.He was known for his excellent song picturizations, probably stemming from his musical background.He was spotted by Dev anand  and advised him to take up direction. On his advice he became Guru Dutt's assistant. His directorial debut Milap (starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali) in 1954 didn't click at the box office. But his second film, C.I.D., released in 1956 set the ball rolling and the young director never looked back.
In 1958 his 2 films  Kala Pani and Solva Saal were released both were hits and were critically acclaimed.In 1960 his next film as director was  Bambai Ka Babu another hit.
Raj Khosla explored a variety of styles be it crime thrillers (C.I.D., Kala Pani (1958)), musicals (Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) – whose starting point was seven songs composed by O. P. Nayyar), suspense thrillers (Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Mera Saaya (1966), Anita (1967) – his mystery trilogy with actress Sadhana), melodramas (Do Badan (1966), Do Raaste (1969)) or dacoit dramas (Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) 
After  Mera Gaon Mera Desh and had hits like Prem Kahani (1975) starring the then hottest pair of the day Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, Nehle Pe Dehla (1976) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978),the last hit he gave was  Dostana (1980) with Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Shatrughan Sinha.
Beside Director he produced 7 films only 2 films Do Raaste 1969 and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978) were Super hits,his last film Naqab (1989) with Rishi kapoor was a flop.He  died in Mumbai on 9 June 1991, totally disillusioned with the film industry.

Song from Milap 1954

Song from C I D 1956

Song from Kala Pani 1958

Song from Solva Saal 1958

Song from Bombai Ka Baboo (1960)

Song from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)

Song from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)

Song from Mera Saaya (1966)

Song from Do Badan (1966)

Song from Do Raaste (1969)

Song from Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)

Song from Prem Kahani (1975)

Song from Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)

Bollywood Songs having Dialogues In between

There have been many songs in Bollywood which are not mere songs but they are also decorated either with a dialogue or a monologue.Remember the song from Silsila "Ye kahan aa gaye hum" in which Amitabh Bachchan  in his own voice renders  Main aur meri tanhaai……This trend is not new,since 50s there have been many songs where voice of Film Actors were used to enhance the beauty of the song.Here are some of my favorite such songs.
Dil ki umangein hai jawan – A fun song picturised on Nalini Jaywant, Dev Anand and Pran.in the 1955 film Munimji. It becomes hilarious when Pran is urged to sing – Gaaiye na kya mushkil hai said by Nalini Jaywant

Song from Munimji 1955

Zara nazron se kehdo ji- This song from Bees Saal Baad has Biswajeet following his ladylove Waheeda Rehman.He becomes poetic in between the song.

Song from Bees Saal Baad 1962

Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga  Ki Nahi-This super hit song of Sangam has the voice of Vyaijayantimala in between the song sung by Mukesh

Song from Sangam 1964

Duniya bananewaale kya tere -This song from Teesri Kasam has Raj Kapoor narrating the love story of Mahua – a beautiful girl. Raj Kapoor mesmerises you with his narration

Song from Teesri Kasam 1965

Naino waali ne haaye mera dil- This song from Mera Saaya has the voice of Sunil Dutt in between the song.

Song from  Mera Saaya 1966

Aaj ki raat ye kaisi raat-This is a sensuous song from Aman (1967) rendered so effectively by Mohammed Rafi, while Saira Banu is whispering the sweet nothings in Rajendra Kumar’s ears.

Aaiye Aapka Tha Humen Intezar-Remember this hit song of 1969 Mahal sung by Asha Bhonsle and Shayari in between by Dev anand

Song from Mahal 1969

Nafrat karnewaalon ke seene mein- Another song from a Dev Anand film Johny Mera Naam. Its a monologue/ shayari by Kishore Kumar himself.

Song from Johny Mera Naam 1970

Are rafta rafta dekho aankh meri ladi hai-This song by Kishore kumar brilliantly composed by Kalyanji Anandji and picturesed on Dhermendra and Rekha is one of the high lights of the song.

Song from Kahani Kismat ki 1973

Tere bina zindagi se koi-This song is a background song but your heart just melts when you hear this famous dialogue between Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar. Along with the music, these lines form the soul of the song, taking the song to some another level.

Song from Aandhi 1975

Ye kahan aa gaye hum-This beautifully picturized song has Amitabh Bachchan's monologue in this song in his rich baritone is as famous or even more as the song itself. Main aur meri tanhaai……

Song from Silsila 1981