This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
Remembering SHAILENDRA(30th Aug 1923) the Lyricist on his 94th Birth Anniversary. Poetry was his first love but family situation forced him to take up a job of a railway mechanic.His job in Indian Railways brought him to the city of Bombay.Here in a Kavi Sammelan Raj Kapoor heard him reciting his poems,Raj Kapoor got impressed with his poetry and offered him to write songs for him.Which he initially refused but due tosome domestic reasons and responsibilities, need of money he aproached Raj Kapoor after 6 months and agreed to his terms. His first project was 'Barsaat'. Shailendra wrote his first song 'Barsat Mein Tum Se Mile Hum Sajan..' for Raj Kapoor.His poetic genius was in his ability to convey deepest of thoughts in simplest of words. Eventually, Barsat was also the first film for the emerging music director duo Shankar-Jaikishan. The film proved very successful and after the success of Barsaat Raj Kapoor, Shankar-Jaikishan and Shailendra always worked together. No doubt, Shailendra gave his best with Shankar-Jaikishan, but he shared equally pleasant rapport with musical giants of those days, like Salil Chowdhary, S. N. Tripathi and S.D. Burman. Here are my favorite songs of Shailendra
Few months back I posted a blog on the songs in which Piano being played by the hero or heroine in the song.In this blog I have selected those songs where Hero or Heroine playing String Instrument like Guitar, Sitar or Mandolin.There was a song in Uran Khatola (1955) "Hamare Dil Se Na Jana"here Nimmi is playing a string instrument HARP which was new to Indian public.Before that Acoustic Guitar was introduced in 1952 hitfilm Baazi in the famous song"Tadbeer se bidgi hui taqdeer bana le ".I would also like to mention another Indian String Instrument of Rajasthan the Ravanhattha,This was first seen in a hindi filmDo Aankhen Baarah Haath, 1957 in the song Saiyyaan jhoothon ka bada sartaaj niklaa.. Here are few songs on unusual and exotic string instruments. Guitar- The curious thing about guitar in the Hindi movies is that the guitar is a fashion statement; the hero or the heroine swings it any which way – across the shoulder, left and right like a man gone berserk with his carbine, or even to rotate it around on the floor.One Music Director who really mastered the acoustic guitar in his songs was Sachin Dev Burman. As soon as you think of the acoustic guitar on the Indian scene, you think of Goa and that’s where Guru Dutt’s 1952 movie Jaal
Song from Jaal 1952
Song from Baazi 1952
After the success of 1952 movie Jaal’s guitar based song Ye raat ye chandini phir kahan, Sahir Ludhianvi, SD Burman and Hemant Kumar did it again, in another Dev Anand movie, the 1955 film Munimji in which Dev Anand acted with Nalini Jaywant and Pran.
Song from Munimji 1955
Dev Anand in 50s had popularized Guitar in films He appeared in many songs playing Guitar,in this song from Manzil 1960 he sings along with Guitar
Song from Manzil 1960
The next song on guitar was a peppy classic black and white bollywood song "Baar Baar Dekho" from the superhit bollywood blockbuster China Town. Starring Shammi Kapoor , Shakila , Helen . Film directed and produced by Shakti Samanta. Music composed by Ravi.
Song from China Town 1962
The Guitar also has a strong role in sad songs. Shanker-Jaikishen’s Ajeeb dastan hai yeh (Dil apna aur preet parai) appears lively but also has a hidden sadness.
Song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai 1960
This is a rare song from the film Aakhri Khat 1966 in which Rajesh Khanna made his debut and also singer Bhupendra also made his debut as a singer Interestringly this song is picturised on him he is playing guitar
Song from Aakhri Khat 1966
Song from Kismat 1968
Guitar became popular among common people after the release of Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971 the song Dum Maro Dum became the craze
Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971
Another film that popularized Guitar songs was Yaadon Ki Baarat. One song that was extremely popular among teens was the song where the boy invites a girl to come to the stage. A dream situation for desi teens those days.
Song from Yaadon Ki Baarat 1973
Song from Yaadon Ki Baarat 1973
Song from Zameer 1975
Song from Khel Khel Mein 1975
By the late 70s the Guitar changed to Electric Guitar,in 1977 film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin in the Song Kya Hua Tera Vaada electric guitar being played by the hero Tariq
Song from Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin 1977
This beautiful Guitar song is picturised on Rakesh Roshan in PRIYATMA 1978. He and friends have thrown a party for Jeetendra and Neetu Singh, who have recently got married.
Song from PRIYATAMA 1978
Song from Karz 1980
Song from Qyamat Se Qyamat Tak 1988
Mandolin -The mandolin originated in Italy, and is a typically hollow-bodied instrument made of wood, with either a round, a flat, or a carved top. For a string instrument that hails from lands far removed from India, the mandolin makes surprisingly frequent appearances in Hindi cinema. First time it was seen in Hindi song Suhani Raat Dhal huki from Dulari 1949 then in Tera dil kahaan hai (Chandni Chowk, 1954)
In the 1960 film Kohinoor Dilip Kumar is shown playing Sitar the most popular song Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re
Song from Kohinoor 1960
Song from Meri Soorat Teri Aankhein 1963
Song from Dil Ek Mandir 1963
Song from Hamrahi 1963
Tanpura: A 4-string instrument to accompany a Hindustani classical vocalist that does not play a melody, but rather provides a harmonic drone throughout the piece.
Song from Basant Bahar 1956
Ektara-As the name suggest it is one string instrument held in one hand and with the string plucked with the index finger.The Baul singers of Bengal use this instrument.The popular song from Devdas 1955 Aan milo aan milo Shyaam saanwre, this instrument is being played.Another famous song Ek Tara Bole Tun Tun where this instrument shown from Yaadgaar
Song from Devdas 1955
Song from Johny Mera Naam 1970
Veena.In Dekh Kabira Roya, Ameeta plays a girl who is devoted to her music.she plays veena in this lovely song Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye.A masterpiece composed by Madan Mohan and sang by the great sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle
Song from Dekh Kabira Roya, 1957
Sarangi:A bowed short-neck stringed instrument famed in Hindustani classical music for its close imitation of the human voice.this instrument can be seen in ths song Aansu Bhari Hain Yeh Jeevan Ki Rahe from Parvarish 1958
Banjo:A plucked 4-5 string instrument with origins in Africa that traveled to America around the 18th century with African-American traditional music and became a staple of country and folk genres.In hindi film Azad 1955 in the song Kitna Haseen hai Mausam this instrument is seen.
Song from Azaad 1955
Recently released movie an Electric Benzo is shown in this song being played by Ritesh Deshmukh in the film Benzo
Song from Benzo 2017
VIOLIN -
A highly popular bowed 4-string instrument with roots in 16th century Italy that has had global impact, including in orchestral performances of Hindi film music.It was first shown in hindi film Barsat 1949 in the song "Muje Kisi se Pyar Ho Gaya Hai"sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Raj Kapoor is seen here playing violin.
Song from Barsaat 1949
Another famous song is from 1972 film Shor,Manoj Kumar is playing violin in this song
Songs are integral part of a Bollywood film.Generally a song is ready before a film being shot.It is the Director who has seen the film in his imagination.The Music director and Lyricist fully depend on the Director to tell them about the film and the situation of the song.what kind of music and lyrics he wants for the situation.This process has a lot of discussion with the Director,Composer and lyricist to prepare a song.This planning is called in film term"sitting".There may be many sittings between the director and composer,some Producers also take part in these sittings. These sittings may continue for as long a year.It depends on the Director.Director Yash Chopra took one year to finalize the songs of Dil To Pagal Hai.For Mohabattein (2000) Aditya Chopra took 6 to 8 months for the songs composed by Jatin Lalit.In an interview somewhere the Producer Director Prakash Jha said for him it usually take 5 to 6 sittings for a song. For the composer to create a song he and his Lyricist need Complete information from the Director about the situation and the character.The amount of details vary from Composer to composer.The great Music composer S D Burman used to get minor to minor details from the director of the film,once he understood the situation and prepared the song he will not allow the director for any change.It is said that his knowledge of the cinema was such that he used to advise the Producer and Director about the filming of the song. As per Jatin Lalit the present day Directors Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar give immense detail for their song situation.After viewing the situation as per their director they start working on the song.There are many Directors who do not give sufficient information even they do not imagine about the song,director just relies on the composer and choreographers.As per Shravan of Nadeem Sharvan composer duo,being music composer,they have some visuals in their mind,so according the situation they create the music,.the director and producer shoot the song with slight modification.This is evident from Producer Director Anil Sharma,the Gadar film fame said that he tells the story to his Music Composer tells about the situation,what he wants in the song.give him the example of certain songs,similar to that song you make for me. I think the film music depends on the Director's attitude towards the music.There were many great Directors who along with his Music composers gave us great music,many immortal songs.Many music directors admit that they were able to give better work working with the particular director.Take the case of RK Banner,Navketan or Guru Dutt,they gave us many immortal songs.As far as picurisation of a song no one can beat Dev Anand or Raj Kapoor.Both of them had a knack of good music. On the one hand the director inspires the music composer for great music,on the other hand many composers did not like interference by their Director.The great composers Naushad and S D Burman didn't want any interference once they heard the story and understood the situation.There used to be a rapport with the Director or a banner with the composer resulted to hit music one after another.Most of the big Directors or banners had a fixed team of Music Directors and Singer. In the end I would say that everything depends on the Director.That's the how good directors have extracted a good music even out of the less talented music composers. Here is my list of Best Picturised Songs of Golden Era
On the 41st Death Anniversary of Mukesh I look back at the Magical Combination of this legendary singer with SJ and Raj Kapoor. Mukesh debuted as (actor-)singer in 1941 with Nirdosh,his association with Raj Kapoor took place in 1949 when he sang for RK in Aag,the song was “Zinda Huwe, Is Tarah Ke Hamen” composed by Ram Ganguli.Raj Kapoor realized that now he found his soul in the voice of Mukesh. In the very next film Barsaat 1950,Shankar Jaikishan made their debut as music director,from this film the trio of Mukesh,SJ and Raj Kapoor formed.After that they gave many immortal songs to Bollywood . Barsaat’s musicwas dominated by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh getting two duets with her. But their next venture, Awara (1951), had the title track which became a global sensation making Raj Kapoor-Nargis one of the most recognizable faces abroad, and India’s cultural ambassador. In the same year, in a non-RK film Baadal, too, SJ created an outstanding solo, Main raahi bhatakane wala hun, and an equally good duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Ae dil na mujhse chhupa. RK-SJ’s next film Aah (1953) didn’t fire up the box-office, but what great songs Mukesh sang! The two solos, Raat andheri door kinara, Chhoti si ye zindagani, and the two duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Jaane na jigar pahchaane nazar, Aa ja re ab mera dil pukara are among the most loved songs for Mukesh fans. With Mukesh becoming identified as Raj Kapoor’s voice, in almost all the films of Raj Kapoor whether under RK banner or outside, if SJ were the music director Mukesh was almost invariably the voice for him. And every film had great songs remembered till today:Here are some of the immortal songs of this Trio.
It is said that music brings heart together ,Bollywood is one place where you can get major inspiration in almost everything.Seducing the Hero by the heroine or a vamp is always been there in hindi films start from 1940s till now.There are many songs for such situation.Here are 20 such Bollywood Songs
Hamen ho gaya tumse pyaar bedardi baalmaa
Usha Kiran is seen here singing a seductive song for Manhar. This song was sung by Lata. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote the lyrics,music composer is Madan Mohan.for the film Madhosh 1951
Song from Madhosh 1951
Taare chaandni afsaane
This song is a seduction song which is sung by Geeta Dutt.Majrooh Sultanpuri is the lyricist. Music is composed by O P Nayyarfor the film Baaz 1953
Song from Baaz 1953
Kisi ke thukraakar armaan
This song sung by Lata which is picturised on Nadira and Dev Anand. In this song, Nadira seeks to seduce Dev Anand from Pocketmar 1956
Song from Pocketmar 1956
Kahin pe nigaahen kahin pe nishaana
The song is from “C I D” and picturised on Waheeda Rehman. Shamshad Begum is the singer who sings this seductive song in 1950s style. Music is given by O P Nayyar
Song from C I D 1956
Aiye Meharbaan
This song from Howrah Bridge 1958 is a great hit,sung by Asha Bhosle picturised on Madhubala
Song from Howrah Bridge 1958
Qareeb aao na tadpaao
This song is sung by Geeta Dutt. It is picturised on Helen who is seen lip syncing this song in a bid to seduce Dev Anand.The film was Love marriage 1959,Shailendra is the lyricist. Music is composed by Shankar Jaikishan.
Song from Love marriage 1959
Yeh Hai Reshmi Julfon Ka andhera
This song is from Mere Sanam 1965,picturised on Mumtaz seducing Viswajeet,sung by Asha Bhosle
Song from Mere Sanam 1965
Aa baahon mein aa jaa
This song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised as a seduction song.Gulshan Bawra is the lyricist. Music is composed by Usha Khanna for the film “Laal Bangla” (1966)
Song from “Laal Bangla” (1966)
Raat Akeli Hai ,Bujh Gaye Diye
This song was picturised on Tanuja who is seducing Dev anand for Jewel Thief 1967,sung by Asha Bhosle
Song from Jewel Thief 1967
Ae dushman e jaan chal diya kahaan
This song is performed on screen by Mumtaz. Manoj Kumar is the recipient of Mumtaz’s attentions.sung by Asha Bhosle for Patthar Ke Sanam” (1967)
Song from Patthar Ke Sanam” (1967)
Sajna o sajna
This seduction song from “Do Kaliyan”1968 sung by Asha Bhonsle, Lyrics-Sahir Ludhianvi, MD-Ravi
This song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised as a suduction song on Farida Jalal and Dev Anand for Mahal 1969,Lyrics-Anand Bakshi, MD-Kalyanji Anandji
Song from Mahal 1969,
Husn Ke Lakhon Rang
This song is picturised on Padma Khanna for Johny Mera Naam 1970 sung by Asha Bhosle music was given by Kalyan ji Anand ji
Song from Johny Mera Naam 1970
Aao na gale lagaa lo naa
The song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised on Helen trying to seduce a visually impaired Rajesh Khanna. The film is Mere Jiwan Sathi 1972.Asha Bhonsle is at her seductive best in this song
Song from Mere Jiwan Sathi 1972
Suniye zara dekhiye na
In this song Sadhna is seducing Feroz Khan in the film Geeta Mera Naam 1974,Singer is Lata, Lyrics-Rajinder Krishan, MD-Laxmikant Pyarelal
