Many Dimensions of MEENA KUMARI

Legend Meena Kumari(Born on 1st August 1932),I look at various dimensions of Meena Kumari.She shot to fame with Vijay Bhatt’s Baiju Bawra (1952).  She was born as Mahjabeen Bano to Ali Baksh and Iqbal Begum.Starting her carrier as a child artist she became the superstar in the 1950s and 60s.Unlike today's stars, she had many dimensions - she read poetry, had literary friends,a great voice sang for films, aspired to the higher life and was an alcoholic.she had a volatile love life .
She married Kamal Amrohi 15 years older to her who was already married having children,their marriage was not happy marriage.She threw herself in love with a series of men, most famously with a young and upcoming Dharmendra.She was a modern and emancipated woman.she never got true love.
She has been a part of several cult movies like Baiju Bawra, Sahab, Biwi Aur gulam, Pakeezah, Parineeta, Yahudi, Aarti, Kaajal and Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi. Best remembered for her role as alcoholic Chhoti Bahu, in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).
 Meena Kumari was also a talented Urdu poetess under the pseudonym Naaz. According to Naushad Ali, Kumari's poetry clearly reflected her angst. Haunting, crystalline, and precisely observed, Kumari's poetry reveals a side of her personality that was rarely on display in her films. It proved that she was a much more sensitive and self-aware woman than her fans tend to realize.Shortly after Meena Kumari’s death in 1972, at the age of only 39, the lyricist and poet Gulzar arranged for Hind Pocket Books to publish the matinee idol’s poetry.
Meena Kumari is the most written Actress of Bollywood,lots of Biography and books are written are on her.Naushad Ali’s short biography, Actress Meena Kumari: From The Cradle To The Grave, summarizes her life—her beginnings as a child actor, her debut in the stunt movie called (of all things) Leatherface), her rise to fame as an adult actor with Baiju Bawra, her unrequited love for a leading man, her marriage with, and divorce from, a leading director, her slide into isolation and alcoholism.Meena Kumari The Poet: A Life Beyond Cinema by Noorul Hasan  a former professor of English with interests from Thomas Hardy to Firaq Gorakhpuri, has brought together several of Meena Kumari’s verses, published in English translation for the first time. Vetaran Journalist Late Vinod Mehta wrote a book on Meena Kumari-"Meena kumari the Classic Biography"
.She sang many great songs and earned her recognition in singing too. Merely at the age of 8 yrs, she sang a beautiful song with Beena Kumari "Tora Kajra Lagoon Mori Rani" from the film Bahen which released in 1941.She sang 3 songs in the movie Duniya Ek Sarai(1947)...Music was composed by Hansraj Behl.Then She sang around 7 songs in Piya Ghar Aaja(1947).Meena Kumari also sang few words for a song in Pinjre Ki Panchi(1966) with Manna Dey.
Music by Salil Choudhary and lyrics by Gulzar.

Meena Kumari worked with Khayyam Saheb for an album “I WRITE, I RECITE” in the year 1970.
There were total 8 Ghazals in this album.When she recited these ghazals, She was not well..
But, She rendered all the ghazals beautifully with her divine voice.

Here are my Favorite Songs of Meena Kumari

Song from Baiju Bawra 1952

Song from Do Bigha Zameen 1953

Song from Azad 1955

Song from Mem Sahib 1956

Song from Miss Marry 1957

Song from Yahudi 1958

Song from Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan 1959

Song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai 1960

Song from Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan  1961

Song from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam  1962

Song from Main Chup Rahungi  1962

Song from Aarti  1962

Song from Dil Ek Mandir  1963

Song from Chitralekha  1964

Song from Bheegi Raat 1965

Song from Bahu Begum  1967

Song from  Baharon Ki Manzil 1968

Song from Pakeezah  1972

 

Mohammad Rafi-The Effortless Singer

It’s been 37 years since Rafi passed away on July 31, 1980, he was only 55. His impact on Hindi cinema and his contributions to the Hindi film song cannot be outlined in a few hundred or thousand words.His effortless singing is almost impossible to match.He sang for Raj Kapoor , Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor,Rajendra Kumar, Dharmendra, Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan,he also sang for Kishore Kumar.In this Blog I have selected my favorite 15  Solo songs he sung for Dev Anand.
 It is an established truth that Rafi had a peerless skill to twist his voice according to the Hero, so he did perfectly for Dev Anand.If you carefully watch the videos of these songs, you will find that the lips movement and expressions given on face by Dev Anand, perfectly matches the Rafi’s throw of words. Rafi sang for Dev Anand  (One year before than Kishore ) “Sawan ki gahatao dheere dheere aana” Aage Badho in 1947.
There are number of Rafi song in the classic movies of Dev Anand like CID, Nau Do Gyarah, Kala Bazar, Kalapani, Hum Dono, Sharabi, Love Marriage, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Maya, Asli Naqli, Guide, Jewel Thief, Teen Devian, Gambler, etc.Here are my top 15 favorite songs.

Song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Song from Hum Dono 1961

Song from Kala Paani 1958

Song from Guide 1965

Song from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)

Song from Asli Naqli (1963)

Song from Maya (1961)

Song from Asli Naqli (1963)

Song from Sharabi (1964)

Song from Kala Bazar (1960)

Song from Guide (1965)

Song from Bombai Ka Babu (1960)

Song from Gambler (1971)

Song from Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)

A Tribute to JOHNY WALKER-The man who brought smiles to many faces in the Golden Era of Bollywood

Today on the 14th Death Anniversary of the Star comedian Johny Walker I pay my Tribute to him with the 15 Rare songs picturised on him.Johnny Walker was a man of many talents. He could play all kinds of roles but people wanted to watch him as a funny man always.His real name was Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi. He worked as an extra in films on Sundays and was spotted by the great Balraj Sahni entertaining the crowd actors Guru Dutt gave him a break with Baazi in 1950 and changed his name to Johny Walker,a popular brand of whiskey.It was Navketan and Guru Dutt who gave him roles, His Aye dil hain mushkil jeena yahan picturised on Johnny Walker became a rage and distributors insisted that a song be picturised on him in every film.

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

Song from Chandan (1958)

Song from Khota Paisa (1958)

Song from  Marine Drive 1955

Song from  Railway Platform 1955

Song from  Naya Andaz 1956

Song from Choo Mantar  1956

Song from Johnny Walker  1957

Song from  Mr. X 1957 Audio only

Song from Gateway of India 1957

Song from Amar Deep 1958

Song from Mr. Qartoon M.A. 1958

Song from Paigham. 1959

Song from Ek Phool Chaar Kaante. 1960

Song from Ghar Basake Dekho 1963

Songs Picturised on famous Vilains of Bollywood

Villains play an important part of any Bollywood movie.Villainous characters have generated fear, hatred and power amongst audiences through the iconic roles they have portrayed.But these villains of bollywood also have  played  other characters also.Many hit songs were picturised on them,In this blog I have taken such songs which were picturised on them.

K.N. Singh- one of the earliest and most memorable bad guys of Bollywood.Singh’s menacing tall frame and sharp eyes intimidated audiences. With his special suiting style and distinctive voice, he was known for portraying a ‘gentleman’ type of villain.Kishore Kumar presented him in a totally different avataar, in his mad mad comedy, Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974). Watch him Dancing on screen and notice, how superbly Kishore Kumar has tried to imitate KN Singh saab's voice and style in his singing.

Song from Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974)

 Jeevan- villain in many films of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He has played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films .Jeevan appeared in several of Dev Anand films from 1946–1978 and in Manmohan Desai movies like Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer as villain.In 1966 he played a comic character in Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya where a song was picturised on him

Song from  Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya 1966

Pran-his first film was in Punjabi called Yamla Jat (1940), where he played a villain. It was a huge hit.In one of his early films, Pran played hero to Noor Jehan in Khandaan (1942).Ziddi in 1948 was his first film of bollywood as villain After that he plyed Villain role in 100s of films,Pran brought many of his intense shady characters to life through various accents, hairstyles, facial looks and mannerisms.After doing negative roles for a long time, it was Manoj Kumar who gave him the positive role of a handicapped person in Upkaar (1967).As a character artist many hit songs were picturised on him.

Song from Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti Hai 1960

Song from Half Ticket 1962

Song from Upkar 1967

Song from Victoria No 203 (1972)

Song from Dharma 1973

Song from Zanjeer 1973

Song from Majboor 1974

Song from Kasauti 1974

Ajit - villain known for his supreme dialogues, including: “Mona darling,” from Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973) ,: “Lilly don’t be silly,” in Zanjeer (1973).and  “Sara shehar mujhe lion ke naam se jaanta hai.” from Kalicharan 1976.His stylish acting along with his golden wigs, cigars and nightgowns made him one of the most dashing villains of Bollywood.He started as a hero  and did quite a few creditable films as lead artiste in Nastik, Bada Bhai, Milan, Baradari, Dholak and later as a second lead in Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur.Ajit switched over to play the villain. His first movie as a villain was Suraj,1966 followed by films such as Zanjeer and Yaadon Ki Baaraat.and Kalicharan.

Songs from Anand Math (1952)

Song from Halaku 1956

Song from Naya Daur (1957)

Prem Chopra -popular for villain roles in Bollywood.His unique style of dialogues made him look more dangerous on-screen.He added a new dimension to his dirty-minded roles with the famous dialogue: “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra,” in Bobby (1973). His peak period as main villain in Hindi films was from 1967-1994.He played the main lead in 1970 box-office hit small budget comedy film Samaj Ko Badal Dalo as lead hero and was paired opposite Telugu actresses Kanchana and Sarada. The song sung by Rafi and picturised on Prem Chopra -Tum Apni Saheli Ko Itna Bata Do Ki Usse Koi Pyar Karne Laga Hai from this 1970 film 

Song from Samaj Ko Badal Dalo 1970

Song from Nafrat(1973)

Amjad Khan - ‘Gabbar Singh’ from Sholay (1975), Amjad Khan’s fantastic performance as the dacoit leader shot him to overnight fame.He worked in over 130 films in a career spanning nearly twenty years. He enjoyed popularity for his villainous roles in Hindi films,He is also acclaimed for playing many unconventional roles. In the critically acclaimed film Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) (based on the novel of the same title) by Munshi Premchand and directed by Satyajit Ray, Khan played the helpless and deluded monarch Wajid Ali Shah, He excelled at playing comical characters in films such as Qurbani (1980), Love Story, and Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986).

Song from Qurbani 1980

Song from Yaarana 1981

Song from Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon 1982

Danny Denzongpa-made his mark as a villain in movies such as Hum (1991) and Ghatak (1996).He has acted in around 190 Hindi films since 1971.With his slick back hair and cool sunglasses in Agneepath, Danny recited the stylish dialogue: “Bohat dino baad ek Hindustani machli hamare samundar mein dikhai diya.”His best known villainous roles are from Dhund, 36 Ghante, Bandish, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Agneepath and is remembered for his performances in positive roles like in Fakira, Chor Machaye Shor, Devata (1978 film), Kalicharan, Bulundi and Adhikar (1986 film).He also sings here I am posting a Rare song

Danny denzongpa and Asha Bhosle Very old Nepali song

Stage Performance

Another song from the 1972 film Yeh Gulistan Hamara  In this song Danny has given playback for Johny walker

Yeh Gulistan Hamara 1972

Song from Mere Apne 1971

Song from KALA SONA 1975, Danny sings for himself

Song from Lahu Ke Do Rang(1979)

Song from Bulandi 2000

Amrish Puri - He is remembered for playing iconic negative roles in Hindi cinema .His famous dialogue: “Mogambo Khush Hua,” in Mr India (1987) elevated his status to new heights. He was noticed in the 1980 super-hit movie Hum Paanch in which he played the main villain.In 1982, Puri played the main villain, Jagavar Choudhary in the Subhash Ghai super-hit film Vidhaata. That same year, he again played the main villain, JK in the movie Shakti starring two legends- Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Next, in 1983, Subhash Ghai again cast him as the main villain, Pasha in the superhit movie Hero.

Song from Pardes

Song from Tahalka 1992

Shakti Kapoor - Known for his villainous and comic roles in Hindi films, he has featured in more than 700 films throughout his career.Chaalbaz,Aankhen,Mai Khiladi Tu anari,Gunda are some of his memorable films as villain.

Song from Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri 1990

Song from Veeru Dada 1990

Song from Naachne wale Gaane Wale

Gulshan Grover -He is also known with the name "Bad Man" in Bollywood.He  has appeared in over 400 films. He has  played villainous roles in films such as Ram Lakhan (1989) and International Khiladi (1999).

Song from Yaariyan

Song from Dariyadil

Happy Birthday MANOJ KUMAR-Mr BHARAT

 Manoj Kumar, also known as “Bharat” Kumar for his nationalist and patriotic films like Purab Aur Paschim, Upkar and Kranti was born on 24th July 1937.He may not have Dev Anand's inborn flamboyance (or scarves collection) or Shammi Kapoor's maverick style but Manoj Kumar is a picture of sleek sophistication in his reliable stock of tweeds, bandhgalas and berets. 
The actor got his first big break in 1960 with Kaanch Ki Gudia, but it was Hariyali Aur Raasta that established him. He went on to star in romantic hits like Honeymoon, Apna Banake Dekho, Naqli Nawab, Do Badan, Paththar Ke Sanam, Sajan and Sawan Ki Ghata.Kumar's image as the patriotic hero started with the 1965 film Shaheed, based on the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, . After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan (hail the soldier, hail the farmer).The result was Kumar's magnum opus and his directorial debut, Upkaar (1967). In it, he played both a soldier and a farmer. The film was also noted for the famous song Mere Desh Ki Dharti, written by Gulshan Bawra, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkaar was a hit and won Kumar his first Filmfare Best Director Award.
Manoj Kumar is a multitalented person he not only acted but also produced,directed and edited many films.His obsession with inventive camera angles and unique compositions is most visible and much appreciated by his colleagues, collaborators and cinemagoers.He has Keen ears for the music also.He deserves an extra pat on his back for extracting many unforgettable melodies like Shor's Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma, Kranti's Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi, Purab Aur Paschim's Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De, Upkar's Mere Desh Ki Dharti or Roti Kapda Aur Makaan's Main Na Bhoolunga, from his music directors and lyricists.
After Kranti, Kumar's career began to decline in the 1980s as all of his subsequent films failed at the box office. In 1989, he cast Pakistani actors Mohammad Ali and Zeba in his film Clerk. He quit acting after his appearance in the 1995 film Maidan-E-Jung. He directed his son, Kunal Goswami, in the 1999 film Jai Hind which had a patriotic theme. The film was a flop and was the last film Kumar worked on.
In 1992, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. India's highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was bestowed him in 2016.
Song from Manoj Kumar's First Film Fashion 1957

Song from Fashion 1957

Song from Hariyali Aur Rasta 1962

Song from Ghar Basake Dekho 1963

A RARE SONG of MANOJ KUMAR

Song from Woh Kaun Thi 1964

Song from Shaheed 1965

Song from  Himalaya Ki God Mein 1965

Song from Do Badan 1966

Song from Patthar Ke Sanam 1967

Song from Pehchan 1970