Sahir Ludhianvi- A Journey as lyricist through the golden era of Hindi film music

Sahir(born on March 8th, 1921) made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. The film had four songs written by him. His first song was "badal rahii hai zindagii". However, it was the year 1951 that would bring him fame and recognition. Two films, released in 1951, had songs that sky-rocketed in popularity and are hummed even today. First was "Thandi Hawaayen Lehraa Ke Aayi" from Naujawan. The second was a landmark film, marking the directorial debut of Guru Dutt - Baazi. Both films, coincidentally, had music by S. D. Burman.
This was followed by the chartbuster Yeh raat yeh chandni phir kahan for Jaal. Sahir took film lyrics to the heights of genuine poetry. The songs of Dharamputra rewrote history as the genius of B.R. Chopra and the enthusiasm of Sahir coalesced to yield timeless numbers like Main jab bhee akeli hoti hoon, Bhool sakta hai bhala kaun yeh pyari aankhein, Mere dilbar mujhse khaffa na ho.
The popularity of songs of Naujawan, Baazi, Jaal and Dharamputra fine-tuned Sahir’s working relationship with Dev Anand, S.D. Burman, Guru Dutt and B.R. Chopra to form formidable combinations that dominated the film scene for several decades. Sahir’s mastery over the Urdu language, immaculate diction, intensity of feelings and emotions and enchanting style of expression made him a lyricist of a different kind — a class apart. In Guru Dutt’s Pyasa, his songs Yeh duniya agar mil bhee jaye to kya hai, Jinhen naaz hai Hind par woh kahan hain, Jane woh kaise log thhey jinke pyar ko pyar mila won him acclaim.

But so long as Sahir and Burman were together, theirs was a matchless combination. For both of them we call out in their joint contribution from film ‘Saza’ : ‘Tum na jaane kis jahan mein kho gae’.While 1957 saw the end of Sahir’s partnership with SD, it saw the beginning of his partnership with OP Nayyar in Naya Daur and Tumsa Nahi Dekha. 

Sahir did work with other composers including Ravi, Roshan, Khayyam and Datta Naik. Datta Naik also credited as N. Datta, a Goan, admired Sahir's poetry and their collaboration produced the score for Milaap (1955), Chandrakanta (1956), Saadhna (1958), Dhool Ka Phool (1959). 
In 1958, Sahir wrote the lyrics for Ramesh Saigal's film Phir Subah Hogi, its music was given by Khayyam. The song Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegiwith its minimal background music remains popular. Khayyam collaborated with Sahir in many films including Kabhie Kabhie and Trishul.
From about 1950 until his death( 25 October 1980), Sahir collaborated with Baldev Raj Chopra (1914 - 2008), a film producer and director. Sahir's last work for Chopra was for Insaaf Ka Tarazu. Yash Chopra, an independent director and producer, also engaged Sahir for his film Daag.

 In Yash Chopra’s Daag, he came down heavily on the feudalistic and chauvinistic attitudes of society in the song Jab bhee jee chahe nayee duniya basa lete hain log/ Ek chehre pe kayee chehrey laga lete hain log. In Zara Hind ke rehbron ko bulao yeh koochey ye galiyaan yeh manzar dikhao, he highlighted the condition of the downtrodden. In Rehne ko ghar nahin hai sara jahan hamara, he expressioned his disillusionment with Nehru’s socialism. To those who fanned the fires of hatred and communalism during Partition, he counselled sanity, saying Malik ne to insaan ko insaan banaya/ Hum ne use Hindu ya musalmaan banaya. Even his light-hearted numbers like Insaan ka nahin kahin naam-o-nishan.. Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan, were satirical.

Be it a patriotic number like Yeh desh hai veer jawano ka... or a bhajan like Alla tero naam Eshwar tero naamor a captivating qawwali like Na to karvaan ki talash hai na to hamsafar ki talash hai or a lullaby like Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon aur dua de ke parishaan si ho jati hoon — his songs were always suffused with a rare passion. 

For Kabhi Kabhie, Sahir wrote Kal aur aayengey naghmon ki khilti kaliyaan chunnewale/ Mujh se behtar kehnewale tum se behtar sunnewale.. Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon.. he did not foresee that his lyrics would win for him a place in the immortals of Indian cinema.

Sahir won a Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for Taj Mahal (1963). He won a second Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for his work on Kabhie Kabhie (1976). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971. On 8 March 2013, the ninety-second anniversary of Sahir's birth, a commemorative stamp was issued in his honour.

Song of Naujawaan 1951

Song of Sazaa 1951

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of Jaal 1951

Song of Devdas 1955

Song of Munimji  1955

Song of Pyaasa 1957

Song of Naya Daur 1957

Song of Sone Ki Chidiya 1958

Song of Sadhanaa 1958

Song of Dhool Ka Phool 1959

Song of Barsaat Ki Raat 1960

Song of Hum Dono1961

Song of Taj Mahal 1963

Song of Gumraah 1963

Song of Kabhi Kabhi 1976

Funny Bollywood Songs wtth the Names of Films and Actors.

The Parody songs are liked in every generation starting from the 30s till now. The way these songs have been sung with spunk, the hilarious lyrics and the comic timing of the characters who have sung these on the screen combined with the liveliness of the supporting cast makes these classics in their own right. There’s always some truth to parodies. These Bollywood songs are honest and funny at the same time.
The earliest parody song is found in film ‘Deccan Queen’ (1936), sung by Surendra in his debut film. In this Blog I have selected those songs in which name of the Bollywood Actors or the name of earlier films is embedded in the lyrics.
The first song in my list is from the film  Gharib Ke Laal (1939), lyrics Rafi Kashmiri and Kaabil, music Sageer Asif, the song is sung by Mirza Musharraf and Kamla The song starts to the name of heroines of that era,"Tujhe Bibbo kahun ya Sulochana. The lyrics of this song almost entirely consists of film stars’ names. There are over two dozen of them giving us a Who’s Who of the era: Bibbo, Sulochana, Uma Shashi, Jamuna, Motilal, Bilimoria, KL Saigal, Jahanara Kajjan, Shanta Kumari, Ratan Bai, Mehtab, Kanan Devi, Jaddan Bai, Gauhar, Sabita, Devika Rani, Durga Khote, Zubeida, Ghouri, Dixit, Charlie, Surendra, Wasti, Kumar and Rafiq Ghazanavi.

Song of Gharib Ke Laal (1939)

Ek dil tera ek dil mera by Rajkumari, Zohrabai & GM Durrani from Hip Hip Hurray (1948), lyrics Moti BA, music Hanuman Prasad. In this song, you will find embedded parodies of at least twenty everlasting songs of earlier films. Some of these lines or tunes of "Afsana likh rahi hun –(Dard),Angdai teri hai bahana – (Ratan), Aawaz de kahan hain – (Anmol Ghadi), Door hato ae dunayawalo – (Kismet),Dheere dheere aa re baadal –(Kismet) and many more.

Song of Hip Hip Hurray (1948)

In this song, Raj Kapoor is selling Bangles who charms the girls that his choodis will make them look like Nargis, Meena Kumari and Geeta Bali The song is sung by Mohammad Rafi for the film Paapi released in 1953

                                                        Song of PAAPI 1953 

This iconic song, played on Vividh Bharati on the first day of every month without fail, refers to the names of Agha, Bhagwan, Kishore Kumar, Nimmi, Geeta Bali, Ashok Kumar, Nargis, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Khush Hai Zamana Aaj Pehli Tareekh Hai by Kishore Kumar

Song of Pahli Taarikh (1954)

In this song from the film, Aji Bus Shukriya 1958, the actors ask God for a nice bungalow which would make Meena Kumari, Geeta Bali and Dev Anand die of envy.

Song of Aji Bus Shukriya 1958

In this song Dev Anand sings a rare didactic song, he slams the cacophony which goes for music and eulogises Tansen, Baiju Bawra and Saigal.

Song of Love Marriage (1959)

In this song Johnny Walker who has come back after travelling to Russia, China and England, to give joy to Indians. Raj Kapoor had played dhol in his band; Rafi and Asha Bhosle loved his band; and he mentored (SD) Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, OP Nayyar and Naushad.

Song of Basant (1960)

In this song of Bewqoof 1960 the names of Jamuna,Suchitra Sen,Kanan Devi,Uttam Kumar,Padmini,Ragini,Shivaji Ganesan,Gemini,Vasan,Chettiar.are embedded in the lyrics.

Song of Bewqoof 1960 

In this song, the blue eyes of Raj Kapoor and the walk of Dev Anand are talked. Jeetendra and Mumtaz are sitting with their gaggle of friends and exchanging what they desire in their life partner. The girl wants in her man Raj Kapoor’s blue eyes, Dev Anand’s gait, Dharmendra’s macho and Dilip Kumar’s hair. She also wants the man to be dandy like Sanjay and shy like Shashi Kapoor. 

Song of Ma Aur Mamta (1970)

This was a very hit song of 1970, in this song Kishore Kumar sings a funny song taking the names of many film stars and films. At the end of the song he also mentions several stars’ names (including his own in cutely narcissistic manner) and says Income Tax is after all of them. Nice way to have gentle fun on them. 

Song of Aansoo Aur Muskan (1970)

 Here is one such “Movie Names” song from “Gopi”(1970). This song is picturised on Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano, and the song mentions the names of old movies of both these actors. This song is sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Lata. Rajinder Krishan has written this funny song. Kalyanji Anandji composed the music.

Song of Gopi”(1970)

Here’s a song from ‘Golmaal’, with references to Amitabh, Hema Malini, Rekha and Zeenat Aman and Lata, all of whom, except the last-mentioned, make appearances in the song.

Song of Golmal 1979

This song is from the film Ek Duje Ke Liye, in this song names of many films are filled in the lyrics.

Song of Ek Duje Ke Liye 1981

This song is picturised on Salman Khan and Raveena Tandon, in this song names of many films are taken.

Song of Patthar Ke Phool 1991

This is a song where Akshay Kumar says that he is not a star son but he is a self-made hero.

Song of Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi 1996

 A song of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi where Shahrukh Khan takes the names of the films of Raj Kapoor,Dev Anand,Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna

Song of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi 2008

And finally the song of Tevar which says Salman ka fan

Song of Tevar

Dev Anand lent his voice to one song, from the film 'Pyar Mohabbat' (1966), sung by Rafi.

Dev possibly was the most handsome of leading actors ever seen on the screen. He possibly had the distinction of being the actor on whom some of the most tuneful, lilting songs were composed. Think of Dev Anand's movies, especially the earlier Navketan ones from the black and white era and you immediately think of the songs.
Devsaab had an ear for music, and SD Burman was almost an in-house music director; most Navketan's movies' music was scored by Burman da.
Mohammad Rafi has sung many a hit song for Dev Anand's films but a little known fact is that he lent his voice to one number from the 1966 movie 'Pyar Mohabbat' (1966) rendered by the legendary playback singer.
Dev Anand once informed about this song."I never attempted to sing but Rafi sang 'Pyar Mohabbat Ke Siwa ye Zindagi Kya Zindagi', in this song 'Hurray Hurray' is recorded in my voice," he said.
Rafi sang for Dev Anand in many films. The trio of S D Burman, Rafi and Dev Anand gave many unforgettable songs. If you carefully watch the videos of these songs, you will find that the lips movement and expressions are given on face by Dev Anand, perfectly matches the Rafi’s throw of words. 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 also emerging Dev’s image more romantic. Burmanda once agreed that he tried Talat, Manna Dey and Hemant Kumar for Dev Anand, but Rafi was a perfect match for Dev Anand. 
Some of these songs are “Thummak thummak chali kahan“(Ek ke Baad Ek), and more songs form this film,”Hum bekhudime Pukare Chale Gaye” & “Achhaji mai haari chalo maan jaao na“-with Asha-(Kala Pani) “Khoya Khoya chaand“,”Apni to har aah ek toofan hai” & “Rimzim ke Tarane leke aayi Barsaat“-with Asha (All from Kala Bazaar), “Diwana mastana hua dil“-with Asha, & “Saathi na koi manzil” (Both from Bambai ka babu),”O aaja panchhi akela hai“, “Kalike roopme chali ho dhoopme” – (Both from Nau do gyarah),”Dilka bhanwar kare pukar“,”tu kahan ye bata“,”sunle tu dilki sada” & “Dekho rootha na karo” (All from Tere gharke saamne),”Aise to na dekho” & “kahin bekhayaal ho kar” (both from Teen Deviyan),”Kyaa se kyaa ho gaya“,”tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai” & “Din dhal jaye haye“All from Guide), “Chupkese mile pyaase pyaase “-with Geeta Dutt and “mera man tera pyaasa” from gambler(last song of Rafi for Dev and SD).

Song of Pyaar Mohabbat 1966

Ravi - His music became a part of our life

One of the most talented but underrated music directors of the Indian film industry was Ravi Shankar Sharma, popularly known as Ravi, who has an immortal, unique and amazing relationship with the personal life of every Indian or lover of Hindi cinema living all over the world.
No Indian wedding is completed without playing these three cult songs.'Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai' from the film 'Aadmi Sadak Ka' (1977), 'Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja' from the film 'Neel Kamal' (1968) and .'Aye Meri Zohrazabin, Tujhe Maloom Nahin' from the film 'Waqt' (1965), A song that is played or sung at every Sangeet ceremony.
In addition, there are many more creations which nine out of ten times come to our mind whenever we try to express the following human emotions through a film song such as 'Chaudhvin Ka Chaand Ho' from the film 'Chaudhvin Ka Chaand' (1961), 'Garibon Ki Suno, Woh Tumhari Sunega' from the movie 'Dus Lakh' (1966) and  'Chanda Mama Door Ke' from film 'Vachan' (1955), the most famous and widely sung Lori (Lullaby) by mothers.
Ravi Shankar Sharma (3 March 1926 – 7 March 2012), often referred to synonymously as Ravi was discovered by Hemant Kumar who hired him to sing backing vocals in Vande Mataram from the film Anand Math. He became his assistant for a few years and became independent composer with the 1955 film Albeli. He became popular with the song " C A T Cat Cat Mane Billi" from Dilli Ka Thug.in 1958.
He gave several hit songs and received Filmfare nominations for these films: Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Do Badan (1966), Hamraaz (1967),Do Kaliyan,  Bharosa,  Ankhen (1968), and Nikaah (1982). He won Filmfare awards for Gharana(1961) and Khandan (1965). His other successful films include Waqt, Neel Kamal and Gumraah.
 After a successful career in Hindi films during the 1950s and 1960s, he took a long break after 1970 till 1982. In 1982, he gave music for the Hindi film Nikaah, and one of the film's songs Dil ke armaan aansooyon main beh gaye sung by Salma Agha won her the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award.
He died on 7 March 2012 in Mumbai at the age of 86.

Song of Dilli Ka Thug (1958)

Song of Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959)

Song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960)

Song of Ghunghat (1960)

Song of Gharana (1961)

Song of China Town (1962)

Song of Gumrah (1963)

Song of Bharosa (1963)

Song of Khandan (1965)

Song of Waqt (1965)

Song of Dus Lakh (1966)

Song of Hamraaz (1967)

Song of Neel Kamal' (1968)

Song of Aadmi Sadak Ka' (1977)

Song of Nikaah (1982)

Kalyanji Anandji- From the Folk Music to Funky Music

Anandji the younger brother of Kalyanji grew up in an atmosphere rich in culture, stalwarts like V Shantaram and Durga Khote being their neighbours. His introduction to the world of music happened when an 11-year-old Anandji and his classmates were taken to be part of the chorus in Devika Rani’s Meghdoot (1944). 
He along with his elder brother Kalyanji started an orchestral group called Kalyanji Virji and Party and held musical shows. They participated in the Sarvajanik Utsav, Navratri and Ganpati celebrations. he’d play the tabla. Kalyanji, who introduced a new electronic instrument called the clavioline. With this instrument, they played the been (the music to entice snakes) for a snake sequence in Nag Panchami (1953), the music of which was scored by Chitragupt. People came to watch the film just to listen to this music,” they earmark their debut in film music.
Hemant Kumar heard their tune and decided to use this in the most popular song "Man Dole Mera Tan Dole" Soon their Nagin tune was being played in Mandirs, Navratri and even Shaadis.
 Samrat Chandragupta (1959) was their first film as Kalyanji Virji Shah. Songs like "Chahe Paas Ho" (Lata–Rafi) that are remembered to this day were what made the movie a commercial success. This was followed by his composing music scores for more films like Post Box 999 before Anandji who was assisting him, joined him officially to form the Kalyanji Anandji duo in Satta Bazar and Madari (1959). Chalia (1961) was their earliest major hit. In 1965, two decisive scores, Himalaya Ki God Mein and Jab Jab Phool Khile, established them as composers to reckon with.
Anandji is a multitalented personality. He not only mastered in many musical instruments but also be known for introducing Jaz in Hindi films. He used to do mimicry of many artists of his time. He also knows astrology and face reading.
It was the music of Saraswatichandra (1968) that endorsed the genius of the brothers, more so because the classical tunes came soon after their modern Rhapsody in Haseena Man Jayegi.The songs "Chandan sa badan, Phool tumhe bheja hai, Chod de sari duniya, Hamne apna sab kuch khoya... were instant hits.
Kalyanji-Anandji were dubbed ‘lucky’ for first-timers. They worked with debutant directors including Manmohan Desai (Chalia), Prakash Mehra (Hasina Maan Jayegi), Manoj Kumar (Upkar), Sultan Ahmed (Heera,), Feroz Khan (Apradh), Subhash Ghai (Kalicharan) and Chandra Barot (Don, 1978). They also played mentors to singers like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sadhna Sargam, Sapna Mukherjee and Sunidhi Chauhan. “They gave the name Kumar Sanu to Kedranath Bhattachraya and Sadhana Sargam to Sadhna Ganekar. 
Both Kalyanji and Anandji worked as music composers for over 250 films, 17 of which were golden jubilees and 39 silver. They organised many charitable concerts for NGOs and several charitable institutions in India and abroad with some of the biggest names in Bollywood, like Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Rekha and Sridevi.
From composing desi beats for Manoj Kumar the duo hit a contrasting octave when they composed for the ‘Texas cowboy’ Feroz Khan in films right from Apradh, Dharmatma, Qurbani and Jaanbaz till the ’80s. “Ferozji liked a Western and Arabian touch in his songs. 
The composers composed some popular songs rendered by Kishore Kumar such as "Jeevan se bhari teri aankhe", "Zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa Safar", "Pal Pal dilke paas", "Neele Neele Ambar Par" "Zindagi ka safar" from Safar (1970), "O Saathi Re" from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), "mera jeevan kora kagaz" from Kora Kagaz (1974), Jeevan se bhari teri aankhe " from Safar (1970), "pal pal dil ke paas" from Blackmail (1974), "neele neele ambar par " from Kalakaar(1985), "samzauta gamon se kar lo" from Samjhauta (1973), "apne jeevan ki ulzan ko" from Ulzan (1975).. Their composition called "Pal bharke liye" was used in an episode of The Simpsons. Remixed version of the song "Apni Toh Jaise Taise," originally from the 1981 film Laawaris was used in 2010 Bollywood film Housefull. 
They got the following Awards 

• Cine Music Directors Award – 1965 – Himalay Ki God Mein
• First National Award – 1968 – Saraswatichandra
• Filmfare Award – 1974 – Kora Kagaz
• First Platinum Disc by HMV – Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
• 1st Platinum Disc by Polydor – Qurbani (1980)
• IMPPA Award – 1992 – For Contribution to Films
• Padmashree by the Government of India – For Outstanding Contribution
• IIFA Award (South Africa) – 2003 – Lifetime Achievement Award.

Song of Samrat Chandragupta, 1959

Song of Chhalia, 1960

Song of Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, 1960

Song of Bluff Master, 1963

Song of Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965

Song of Johar Mahmood in Goa, 1965

Song of Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965

Song of Upkar, 1967

Song of Saraswatichandra, 1968

Song of Mahal, 1969

Song of Viswas, 1969

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Song of Kora Kagaz, 1973

Song of Black Mail, 1973

Song of  Haath Ki Safai, 1974

Song of  Muqaddar Ka Sikander 1978

Song of Don, 1978 

Song of Qurbani, 1980

Song of Tridev, 1989

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Manmohan Desai - The Film Maker that Ruled the Box Office

Manmohan Desai, the Ace Director could achieve the impossible with confidence. The man who firmly believed in the “Lost and Found” formula left behind an indelible mark in Bollywood film history, with films that spun magic with great music, top order performances and thoroughly enjoyable storylines that worked even with a touch of incredulity.
He started his career with a love story Chhalia but he is known for the action-packed multi-starrers such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb, Suhaag, Parvarish, Coolie, Mard, Desh Premee and Dharam Veer. 
His association with Amitabh Bachchan became legendary. the duo delivered a string of hits – Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Suhaag, Naseeb, Desh Premee, Coolie and Mard, with only their last film together Ganga Jamuna Saraswati failing at the box-office.
 Out of the 20 films that Desai directed in his career span of 29 years (1960–1989), as many as 13 films were stupendous hits, a remarkable success ratio for an industry where box-office disasters abound despite huge budgets and star casts.
Apart from Bachchan, Manmohan Desai worked with other leading male stars such as Raj Kapoor in the 1960 film Chhalia, Shammi Kapoor in "Bluffmaster" (1963), Rajesh Khanna in Sachaa Jhutha (1970) and Roti (1974), Randhir Kapoor in Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Shashi Kapoor in Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Dharmendra in Dharam Veer (1977). 1977 was an exceptional year for him. All four of his films released that year were huge hits: Parvarish, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chacha Bhatija and Dharam Veer. 
As an acknowledgement of Desai's goodwill and his box-office supremacy, stars from Raj Kapoor to Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra made a special appearance in the Desai-directed Naseeb.
Manmohan Desai met his tragic end on March 1st 1994. The man behind megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s career in Bollywood fell to his death from the balcony of his flat when it collapsed. It remains unclear if this was an accident or suicide. Many say he took his life as he could not cope up with failing health and declining career( His last 2 films with Amitabh Bachchan flopped badly).
Beside Hit films he also gave great songs in his films.

Song of Chhalia 1960

Song of Bluff Master 1963

Song of Kismat 1968

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Raampur Ka Lakshman 1972

Song of Roti 1974

Song of Parvarish 1977

Song of Dharam Veer 1977

Song of  Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of  Naseeb 1981