The Sangeet-Maartand ANIL BISWAS

On 103rd Birth Anniversary,here is my tribute to this great Composer of Bollywood.Anil Biswas is said to have influenced a number of singers of the day.  He had the biggest influence of Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, and Lata Mangeshkar.In fact he gave break to Talat and Mukesh.He made his debute as a music director with "Dharam ki Devi" (1935).  From 1934 until 1936, he was involved in 11 films. He reached the height of his career with the success of "Kismet" (1943).  This film broke all records and ran in the theatres longer than any film in history.  
In 1936 he moved to Sagar Movietone.  During this period he worked in several capacities.  Sometimes he was a composer, an assistant music director, a singer and occasionally music director.  During this period he worked on a number of films.  However it was the popularity of the Mehboob Khan film "Jagirdar" (1937), which proved that he could turn out hit songs.  He stayed with Sagar Movietone until 1939
From 1942 to 1947 he worked for Bombay Talkies.During this period he gave many hit fils few of them were Kismet(1943),Jwar Bhatta" (1944) and "Milan" (1946).During the 1950's, he served as the music director for a number of films.  Some notable films of his were "Abhimaan" (1957) and "Pardesi" (1957).The last film he did was "Chhoti Chhoti Baatein" (1965)
He was associated with All India Radio, and to a lesser extent Doordarshan (government run TV).  From 1963 to 1965 he was the director of AIR's National Orchestra.  In 1965 he became the Chief Producer of Sugam Sangeet.  With a two year break when he was the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, he served with AIR (Delhi) from 1963 to 1975.  He did the music for Door Darshan's "Hum Log" (1984), "Baisakhi" and "Phir Wohi Talaash".He has also worked on numerous documentaries with the Films Division.  He won the "Sangeet Natak Akademi Award" in 1986.
He died in Delhi on May 31, 2003.
Here is my Tribute to this Great Music Director
Seene Mein Sulagte Hai Armaan 

Song from Taraana 1951

Aye Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah Le Chal Jahan Koi Na Ho 

Song from Arzoo (1950)

Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De Aansoo Na Baha 

Song from Pehli Nazar (1945)

Shukriyaa, Shukriya Ai Pyaar Tera, Shukriya 

Song from Aaram (1951)

Jhil Mil Sitaaron Ke Tale Aa Meraa Daaman Thaam Le 

Song from Naaz (1954)

Zindagi Kaa Ajab Fasaanaa Hai

Song from Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965)

CHETAN ANAND-A Progressive Thinker

 Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar was the first Indian film that was selected in any International film festival.Neecha Nagar had to compete with many amazing films that year(1946) like Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City (Italy), David Lean’s Brief Encounter (UK), and Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend (USA). It won the hearts of critics and viewers alike and emerged as a winner for the category. Despite of Producing and Directing many great films like Taxi Driver,Haqeekat,Heer Ranjha,Akhri Khat,Hanste Zakhm he remained the most underrated Director
Chetan Anand was Born on 3 Jan, 1921 in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Chetan’s formative years were nourished by the teachings of the Vedanta in a Gurukul before he went to Government College, Lahore, and then onwards to Cambridge.In 1944, he shrugged off a motionless stability and plunged into the chaotic ecstasy of motion pictures.
In 1946, Chetan Anand became a big name with Neecha Nagar
He was a progressive thinker,he kept company with literary and political radicals such as Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Sahir, Kaifi Azmi Bhishm Sahni and Sardar Jaffri.He along with his younger brother Dev Anand started Navketan in 1949.
After the success of Taxi Driver (1955) , Chetan moved away from Navketan to establish his own banner Himalay Films and make his own kind of films.In 1957 he directed two movies Arpan and Anjali, in which he played lead roles too. He went on to act in Kala Bazar, Kinare-Kinare, Aman, Kanch Aur Heera and Hindustan Ki Kasam, which he directed too.
In 1964 he emerged as a great Director, it was to a standing ovation for, depicting the Chinese invasion of 1962, in one of the best war films ever made  – Haqeeqat (1964).
In 1966 he came out with another memorable film Aakhri Khat,This film was about a 15-month-old child without any star cast,though Rajesh Khanna was in it but that time he was a strugler.The film was very well apreciated by the critics,His another masterpiece was Heer Ranjha in 1970.first and onlly movie in verses with no dilogues,it was the poetic imagination of Kaifi Azmi and  Chetan Anand’s skill as a director 
After separating from his wife, Uma Anand, whom he married in 1943,he had a long-term relationship with the actress Priya Rajvansh.who was his heroine in almost all the films he directed after starting his own film company..He had a relationship with her till his death On 6th July 1997.
Today on his 20th death anniversary I present few of his films immortal songs.

Pt Ravi Shankar was introduced in films as Music Composer in Neecha Nagar,this song was picturised on Kamini Kaushal

Song from Neecha Nagar 1946

Song from Afsar 1950

Song from Taxi Driver (1954)

Song from Funtoosh (1956)

Song picturised on Chetan Anand

Song from Kinare Kinare (1963)

Song from Haqeeqat (1964)

Song from Heer Raanjha (1970)

Song from Hanste Zakhm (1973)

Song from Jaaneman (1976)

Song from Kudrat (1981)

Ghazal in Golden Era of Bollywood (Part-2)

Ghazal has been an integral part of Bollywood music,The filmi-ghazal is a genre of filmi based on ghazal poetry in Hindi or Urdu. It’s a unique combination of poetry, melody and singing.In the 1940s ,50s, and 60s Hindi film industry attracted many well known poets and writers of Hindi/Urdu. Initialy  Ghazals were very similar to other Hindustani light classical forms such as the dadra or, thumri.later on the ghazal usually had a form which is not too dissimilar to many film songs. Some of the high quality ghazals like Ujdi Hui Hai Ishq Ki Duniya Tere Bagair,zinda hoon iss tarah ki gham-e-zindagi nahin, tumhaare bulaane ko jee chaahta hai, rehne laga hai dil mein andhera tere baghair are still remembered today.

 I am starting the Part-2 with a rare song composed by Nisaar Bazmi for the film KHOJ (1953).The song is ‘aaye thhe thhodi der ko betaab kar gaye’, sung by Ashima Bannerji. The song is written by Hasrat Jaipuri.sung by Ashima Bannerji

Song from Khoj 1953 

There is this great song by talat mahmood Meri Yaad Mein na Tum Aansoo Bahana from the film Madhosh 1951

Song from Madhosh 1951

Talat Mahmood gave us some of the immortal Film Ghazal,one of such was Aye mere dil kahin aur chal  from Daag 1952,picturised on Dilip Kumar,another is Hum Dard Ke Maron Ka

Song from Daag 1952,

This is a rare ghazal picturised on Dev Anand in 1953 film Humsafar,This song is a duet which is sung by Talat Mehmood and Asha Bhonsle. Sahir Ludhianvi is the lyricist. Music is composed by Ali Akbar Khan.

Song from Hamsafar 1953

Laayi hayaat aaye qazaa,This song from “Shabaab” (1954) is sung by Rafi. Shakeel Badayuni is the lyricist. Music is composed by Naushad.

Song from“Shabaab” (1954)

 This song is sung by Talat Mehmood, Madhukar Rajasthani is the lyricist. Music is composed by Snehal Bhatkar. This song was picturised on Talat Mehmood himself.since the video is not available only audio is available.This song is from “Deewaali Ki Raat”(1956)

Song from Deewaali Ki Raat”(1956)

Tang aa chuke hain kashmakash-e-zindagi se hum is a recitation rather than a song, perfectly rendered by Rafi. in Pyaasa 1957

Song from Pyaasa 1957

Aurat Ne Janam Diyaa Mardon Ko, Maradon Ne Use Baazaar Diyaa  a beautiful Ghazal by Lata Mangeshkar from the film Sadhna written by Sahir Ludhiyanvi

Song from Sadhna 1958

Tujhe Kya Sunaun Mein Dilruba a beautiful ghazal sung by Md Rafi written by Mazrooh sultanpuri for the film Akhari Dao 1958

Song from Akhari Dao 1958

This song is from the film Mein nashe mein hoon 1959. It is presented as a Mujra song. sung by Usha Mangeshkar This is a gazal by Ghalib, which was undoubtedly one of the popular gazals for film makers. This gazal was featured in 3 films. First it was used in Deccan Queen-1936, then in Mirza Ghalib-54 and finally in Main nashe mein hoon-59. 

Song from Mein nashe mein hoon 1959. 

Here is one ghazal by Asha Bhonsle composed by Madan Mohan, Saba se yeh keh do ke kaliyaan bichhaye, from Bank Manager: One of the most beautiful love songs sung by a woman on stage.

Song from Bank Manager 1959

Jalte hain jiske liye,this is one of my favorite Film Ghazal by Talat Mahmood from Sujata 1959,picturised on Sunil Dutt 

Song from Sujata 1959

Ghazal in Golden Era of Bollywood (Part-1)

Ghazal has been an integral part of Bollywood music,The filmi-ghazal is a genre of filmi based on ghazal poetry in Hindi or Urdu. It’s a unique combination of poetry, melody and singing.In the 1940s ,50s, and 60s Hindi film industry attracted many well known poets and writers of Hindi/Urdu. Initialy  Ghazals were very similar to other Hindustani light classical forms such as the dadra or, thumri.later on the ghazal usually had a form which is not too dissimilar to many film songs. Some of the high quality ghazals like Ujdi Hui Hai Ishq Ki Duniya Tere Bagair,zinda hoon iss tarah ki gham-e-zindagi nahin, tumhaare bulaane ko jee chaahta hai, rehne laga hai dil mein andhera tere baghair are still remembered today.
I am starting with a ghazal Duniya e aarzoo ko mita kar chale gaye from the film Barsaat Ki Ek Raat
released in 1948 sung by Munawwar Sultana, Music was given by Ghulam Haider.It is said that Munawwar Sultana received musical training from Ghulam Haider in the 1930s when he was composing non-filmy songs for Jien-o-Phone record company. However, music director Pandit Amarnath gave her chance to sing in her first two Hindi/Urdu films – ‘Albeli’ (1945) and ‘Dhamki’ (1945).Readers should not confused with this singer Munnawar Sultana with the actress Munnawar sultana,both were different.The singer Munawwar Sultana (08/11/1924 – 20/05/1995) was a radio singer in Punjabi and Urdu songs on All India Radio, Lahore in the 40s.After the partition she remained in Pakistan,During her pre-independent filmy career, she sang about 20 songs.

Song from Barsaat Ki Ek Raat 1948  

The next Ghazal in my list is Ujdi Hui Hai Ishq Ki Duniya Tere Bagair from the film Refugee (1948) 

sung by Sulochana Kadam and written by Pt Faani, Music by – Ajit Merchant.This is a rare song

Song from Refugee 1948

Here I am presenting a rare Ghazal by Hemant Kumar under the Music Direction of Kamal Dasgupta in a film Manmaani(1947)

Song from Manmaani 1947

I am presenting here a ghazal ‘guroor-o-naaz se ghesu ka bal khaana nahin achchaa’ written by Aarzoo Lucknowi for the film PARAKH (1944).Only the audio clip is available but it is apparent that Kaushalya has sung this ghazal on herself.

Song from Parakh 1944

When we talk about Ghazal how can we not say about Ghalib.Over a period of years, many of his Ghazals became famous and were used in several films and were sung privately by many well known singers.Ghalib’s one particular Ghazal “Dil E Nadaan,tujhe hua kya hain ” is perhaps one of the most popular Ghazals used in films.This Ghazal was sung by many singers in different Hindi films so far,I am taking from the film Apna Desh(1949) Sung by Pushpa Hans music was given by Purushottam.Today's generation may be unknown of Pushpa hans but  old timer Punjabi readers will recall this name with Nostalgia.

Song from Apna Desh 1949

Here I am posting the same Ghazal in the voice of Talat Mahmood and Suraiya from the film Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song from  Mirza Ghalib(1954)

Momin Khan ‘Momin’ (1800-1851) was one of the prominent Urdu poets in the Mughal court during early 1800s. He  was the contemporary and a close friend of Mirza Ghalib.One of his most famous ghazals by which Momin Khan ‘Momin’ is known worldwide is ‘wo jo hum mein tum mein karaar thha tumhen yaad ho ke na yaad ho’. This ghazal has been rendered by many famous singers as well as upcoming singers.This ghazal was also sung in the film ‘Shikaayat’ (1948) by Kalyani, Manik Dadarkar ( aka Manik Varma) and Chorus. I have selected one sung  in a soulful voice by Begum Akhtar.

Tumhe yaad ho ke na yaad ho by Begum Akhtar

When we are discussing the !940s ghazals ,how can we forget this immortal Ghazal of Mukesh Ji from the film Aag 1948 zinda hoon iss tarah ki gham-e-zindagi nahin

Song from Aag 1948

Mazrooh Sultanpuri was a great Urdu poet who gave us many immemorable Ghazals in hindi films,one of which was Ae dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal (Aarzoo) (1950) sung by Talat

Song from Aarzoo 1950

 If ‘deewaana banaana hai to deewaana banaa de’ (1925) heralded the arrival of Begum Akhtar as a ghazal singer, ‘ae mohabbat tere anjaam pe ronaa aayaa’ (early 1950s) consolidated her position in ghazal singing paving the way for her to be bestowed upon the title of ‘mallika-e-ghazal’ This was written by shakeel Badayuni and composed by Begham akhtar is a Non Filmy Ghazal

Ae mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya

 It was Talat’s reign in Hindi film Ghazal. People were mesmerised with his quivering velvety voice and the ‘ dard ‘ with which Talat sang his numbers.

His voice belongs to an era when gentleness was a virtue. His songs fall on ears like soft petals on wet earth. His melody was ‘ felt ‘ rather than ‘ heard ‘. He was named the King Of Ghazals.Talat became Dilip kumar's voice initially His flawless Urdu Diction and the way he articulated the poetry in the song enhanced the song’s appeal. Dilip Kumar insisted for Talat. However a slight misunderstanding with Naushad gave way to Rafi in Deedar,He was Dilip’s voice in different composers’ films. ‘Mera jeevan saathi’ for Naushad(Babul-50), ‘seene mein sulagte’ for Anil Biswas(Tarana-51), ‘ye hawa ye raat’ for Sajjad(Sangdil-52), ‘Aye mere dil kahin’ for Shankar Jaikishan(Daag-52) and ‘Shaam e gham ki kasam’ for Khayyam(Footpath-53).Here is my one of his favorite

Song from Tarana 1951

 Lataji vocalized her first ghazal – the mind-blowing Dil-e-naashaad ko jeene ki hasrat ho gayee tumse under the baton of Hansraj Bahl in Chunariya (1948). Her superb rendition of this none-too-easy a number with expression, enunciation and mastery on its many murkis in all octaves is just breath-taking.

Song from Chunariya (1948)

A Majrooh Sultanpuri Ghazal Uthaaye jaa unke sitam aur jiye jaa  from Andaaz, (1949) consolidated Lata ji's Position as a leading Playback singer of bollywood

Song from Andaaz, 1949

After Lata Mangeshkar automatically the name of Asha Bhonsle appears in our mind,Asha ji’s career in Hindi films gets launched by the hands of Hans Raj Behl. in the year  1948. the film was ‘Chunariya’. In this film, Asha made her debut as part of a trio of singers (along with Geeta Roy and Zohrabai).A year latter she was given a solo by the same Music Director,one of this was a Ghazal.It is a rare song of Asha ji

Song from (Raat Ki Raani)(1949)

Here is one of the most popular ghazals of Mirza Ghalib ‘ hazaaron khwaahishein aisike har khwaahish pe dam nikley’ sung by G M Durrani from the film GHAYAL(1951)

Song from GHAYAL(1951)

Here is one of Sulochana Kadam’s little known song ‘wo aayen hai dil ko kararaa gaya hai’ from the film MALIKA SALOMI (1953).This may be the only ghazal she sang in her Hindi film playback singing career. 

Song from Malika Salomi 1953

 Aah ko chaahiye is probably is the  favourite Ghazal of most of the people, though, simply because everything – Ghulam Mohammad’s music, Suraiya’s superb rendition, and Ghalib’s poetry – fits together perfectly. 

Song from Mirza Ghalib, 1954

Humse aaya Na Gaya Tumse Bhulaya Na Gaya very famous Ghazal by Talat mehmood from the film Dekh Kabira Roya written by Rajendra Krishan and composed by Madan Mohan

Song from Dekh Kabira Roya 1957

RD Burman’s 78th birth anniversary is a perfect time to revisit the Brilliance of his classical Music

Although Pancham is noted for introducing Western and retro beats into his music but he will also be remembered for some of the great Songs in Indian Classical Music.Inspired by the raga Yaman, "Beeti Na Bitai Raina" is a testament to Burman’s mastery over the Hindustani classic music.In fact in his first film Chhote Nawab 1961 he gave us a beautiful classical song in Raga Malgunji sung by Lata Mangeshkar. In this Blog I have taken few of his great Songs based on various Raga.This is a fitting tribute to the genius that Pancham truly was:      
Ghar Aaja Ghir Aayi Badra 
This is from RD Burman’s first movie as a music director – Chhote Nawab (1961). 

 Chhote Nawab (1961). 

O Ganga Maiyya  - a composition based on the morning raga Jogiya for Lata and filmed on Meena Kumari in Chandan Ka Palna (1967). The song was a nominee for best classical composition of that year in the prestigious Sur Singar Samsad award! 

Song from Chandan Ka Palna (1967). 

Raina Beeti Jaaye-The exquisitely tuned ‘Raina Beeti Jaaye’ for Amar Prem (1972) is a case in point. RD fused two ragas – Todi and Khamaj 

Song from Amar Prem (1972) 

Beeti Na Bitayee Raina -this beautiful song from Parichay (1973) is one of my favorite songs of RD Burman.Set to the notes of evening raga Yaman Kalyan, the Lata-Bhupinder duet fetched them both a national award for best playback singer that year

Sonhg from Parichay (1973)

Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon-RD used this song twice in Mehbooba (1976). Kishore Kumar and Lata have both sung this RD Composition.After listening to Kishore version no one can believe that kishore had no training in Classical music

Song from Mehbooba (1976)

Naam Gum Jaayega -this song is from the movie Kinara released in 1977,a masterpiece of R D Burman,aduet by Lata and Bhuprndra

Song from Kinara 1977

Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade Hain- a great song by Lata Mangeshkar from Jurmana 1979 picturised on Rakhi

Song from Jurmana 1979

Piya Baawri - a beautiful song from 1980 Khubsoorat sung by Asha Bhonsle and  the tabla ‘bols’ by Ashok Kumar by .Rekha acted in this song

Song from Khubsoorat 1980

Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna-song Hamein Tumse Pyaar Kitna based on the morning Raga Bhairavi. Parween Sultana and Kishore Kumar did a solo version each of this song. Kishore Kumar was nominated for a Filmfare Award for his rendering of the song, while Parveen Sultana walked away with the Best Female Playback Award from Filmfare for her version of the song.

Song from Kudrat (1981)

 Hamein Aur Jeene Ki Chaahat Na Hoti - this is the title song of Agar tum Na Hote (1984) in the morning Raga Asaavari, which appears twice in the film in the voices of Kishore and Lata.

Song from Agar tum Na Hote (1984)

Kyon Naye Lag Rahe Hain -This song is a fitting tribute to the genius that Pancham truly was, This song in 1942 A Love Story set to Raga Khamaj very beautifully sung by  Kavita Krishnamurthy 

Song from 1942 A Love Story 1993