FORGOTTEN & UNDERRATED PLAYBACK SINGERS OF BOLLYWOOD

We all remember K L Saigal, Noorjehan, Suraiya, Geeta Dutt,Lata Mangeshkar, Md Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha, Mukesh, Manna De, and their songs but there are some names who were competent enough to claim for fame but unfortunately couldn’t or with limited success. They shot to popularity at their time and gave many immortal songs but now are forgotten.
These very people were greatly sought for their talent and have won awards too. I guess that in the case of these singers the lady luck wasn't smiling. Mostly they are 1-2 songs wonder but in those 1-2 songs, they have etched an impression which can not be forgotten. I just wish to remember them and let others too know about them. There are many of the forgotten singers but I am writing here only about a few. 

Binapani Mukherjee  

She is known for her work on Jamuna Puliney (1933), Swami (1931) and Jaidev (1926). She sang with Mukesh, Rafi, and Chitalkar in many films. Here is a song from Durbaan 1946 film a duet with Mukesh

Song of Durbaan 1946

                                                                Uma Devi-                                                                     

 She is also known as Tun Tun , the comedienne par excellence. Her excellent timing made her one of the best in the field. She has sung many songs and before she became an actress she was a singer. She has sung many memorable songs. She is sadly no longer alive but one can still remember her with a certain fondness.

This is from the movie Dard

Afasana likh rahi hoon ,dil-e-beqarar ka

Song of Dard 1947

Subir Sen -

 He was originally a Bengali Singer recorded few songs in Hindi also but couldn’t soar that high and ended up as a minor singer. His strong resemblance to the mightiest like Talat Mehmood & Hemant Da itself became a losing factor ultimately. Though he played minor inning, all with cracking shots & deliveries ! He shone with few striking scores like “Main Rangeela Pyar Ka Raahi”, “Pyaar Mein Milna Sanam Hota Hai Taqdeer Se”, “Gar Tum Bura Na Maano”, “Dil Mera Ek Aas Ka Panchi”, “Humein Un Rahon Par Chalna Hai” & “Dil Leke Jaate Ho Kahan”. It was perhaps his limitation to sing a wide range of numbers with quintessential tonal modulation that stood against his musical odyssey with Bollywood. Subir Sen was scouted by Shankar-Jaikishan, the famous music composer-duo and was inducted to the Mumbai film industry. In Om Prakash's first production "Aas Ki Panchhi" (1956) starred by Rajendra Kumar, the title song was sung by Subir Sen in the lip of the hero riding on a bicycle leading a team of NCC cadets: "Dil mera ek aas ka panchhi, udta hai oonche gagan par". Subir Sen also lent his voice in various Hindi movies such as Chhoti Bahen (1959), Boy Friend (1961) and Passport (1961

Song of Kathputli 1957

Kamal Barot -

 She debuted in Bollywood in 1957 with the film Sharda. She later went on to sing 140 songs in 117 films. She usually sang duets with Asha Bhosle or Lata Mangeshkar. But she made a memorable collaboration with great Mukesh. They together have sung songs like "Chand Kaisa Hoga" from Rocket Girl (1961), "Hum Bhi Kaho Gaye" from Madam Zorro (1964). Other songs from her vocal include "Dhadka To Hoga Dil Huzoor" from C.I.D. 909 with legends Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor, composed by maestro O. P. Nayyar. She sang some very successful female-female duets with top singers. The most popular of them is "Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra", a dance song from Parasmani (1963).

Song of  Parasmani (1963)

Sudha Malhotra - 

 She also acted in some Bollywood films and as a playback singer, worked in popular Bollywood movies in the 1950s and 1960s, like Arzoo, Dhool Ka Phool, Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Girl Friend, Barsat Ki Raat, Didi, Kala Pani, Prem Rog, and Dekh Kabira Roya. She was last heard in Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (1982) in the song "Yeh Pyar tha ya kuch aur tha"The most memorable song is Salam e Mohabbat Kabool Kar Lo from 1960 film "Babar"

Song of Babar 1960 

Mubarak Begum - 

The singer who rendered unforgettable songs such as Kabhi tanhaiyon mein, Mujhko apne gale lagalo "Hum haal-e-dil sunayenghe, sunyay ke na sunyay" and Kuch ajnabi se aap hein, had not sung since 1968, after being sidelined. 

Song of  Hamari Yaad Aayegi, 1961

Jagjit Kaur -  

She sang fewer songs for films than her contemporaries like Lata and Asha, yet all of her songs have been described as memorable masterpieces. She married  Music Director Khayyam under his composition she gave an immortal song  "Tum apna ranj–o-gham apni pareshani mujhe de do" from Shagun 1964. Another immortal song "Dekh lo aaaj humko jee bhar ke" from Bazaar 1982 film

Song of Shagun 1964

Song of Bazaar 1982

Minoo Purshottam

Minoo Purushottam's career started in 1963 when she was 16. The composer Roshan offered her a singing role in the film Taj Mahal. The song eventually became a duet with Suman Kalyanpur. She mostly did in female-female duets over male-female on some occasions. “Na Na Na Re Na Na”, “Huzur-E-Wala”, “Unse Nazrein Mili Aur Hijaab Aa Gaya” &  “Mero Saiyan Gulabia Ke Phool” are the chartbusters of the golden era that comes out from Minoo’s duet. In 1973 her duet"Ni Main Yaar Manana Ni" with Lata Mangeshkar from the film Daag became very popular, this year she was nominated for the Best Playback Singer Female for the song " Raat Piya Ke Sang Jaagi Re Sakhi "for the film  Prem Parbat

Song of Prem Parbat (1973)

Sharda

She got her first big break in Bollywood with the song "Titli Udi" in Suraj (1966). She was promoted by Shankar of the Shankar Jaikishan duo. Few of her songs  “Chale Jaana Jara Thehro”, "Duniya Ki Sair Karlo", “Dekho Mera Dil Machal Raha”, “Wo Pari Kahan Se Laon”, &  “Kaisee Padi Maar” earned her the due fame. As a singer, she won Filmfare Awards as Best Female Playback Singer for “Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki” and as a music director, her song “Achcha Hi Hua Dil Toot Gaya” got Md Rafi nominated for the same (Best Male Playback Singer). Sharda’s backing vocal in “Jab Bhi Ye Dil Udaas Hota Hai” with Md Rafi is considered to be in the top list of many.

Song of Suraj 1966

Jaspal Singh

He lent his voice to various Bollywood actors of the 1970s and 1980s. Music Composer, Ravindra Jain gave him the big break for a song in the movie called 'Geet Gata Chal' of 1975. After this song, he became a household name. His voice was unique and was unlike any other and he sang for hit movies like 'Nadiya ke paar', Ankhiyon ke jharokhon se','Sawan ko aane do' amongst others. Jaspal Singh is also best remembered as a voice of Sachin (the Actor) as the majority of songs were exclusively done for him.

Song of Sawan Ko Aane Do 1979

Poornima

She started her career as a child singer in Ramesh Sippy's 1971 film Andaz. In that film, she sang under the music direction of Shankar Jaikishan the song "Hai Na Bolo Bolo" along with Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur and Pratibha. The song went on to become a hit. As a child singer, she was known as Sushma Shrestha,.She is mostly remembered for her songs like "Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle" from Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) and "Kya Hua Tera Vada" from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977); both earned her nominations for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award.

After her marriage, she changed her name to Poornima and became the voice of Juhi Chawla. Her song "Barsaat Mein Jab Aayega Saawan Ka Maheena" from Maa was a hit. Few things changed till David Dhawan's Bol Radha Bol. "Tu Tu Tu Tu Tara" was nothing short of an anthem and the remaining songs, which were a success also, gave Poornima the opportunity to savor success and adulation that had eluded for long.

Song of Bol Radha Bol 1992

Kabban Mirza

He is known for singing a couple of melodious songs in Hindi cinema.  His singing was featured in the film Razia Sultan, directed by Kamal Amrohi (1983). He also sang a song, entitled "Is Pyar Ki Basti Mein" for the movie, Sheeba, though he was not given credit for it.

Song of Razia Sultan 1983

Dilraj Kaur

Dilraj Kaur was a singer in Hindi films in the 80s. She has sung for music composers like Usha Khanna, O.P. Nayyar, Jaidev, R.D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and others. It was O P Nayyar who gave her all the songs of Heera Moti. She started playback singing from a Punjabi film in which she sang a duet with Mohammad Rafi

Song of Heera-Moti (1979)

Hema Malini- Became Star with Johny Mera Naam

She got her first Hindi film offer in 1968 opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapno Ka Saudagar, Her 2nd Hindi Film was Waris 1969 with Jeetendra as her Hero. In the next year, her 5 films released but she came into prominence only after Johny Mera Naam 1970. She established herself as No 1 only after Seeta Aur Geeta. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.for this film. In 1975 alone she was part of five successes --- Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Khushboo, Prattigya and most significantly, Sholay, where she was unforgettable as the chatterbox Basanti.
The entire country was now mesmerized by Hema Malini’s beauty so many producers thought of creating a film role as Dream Girl. It was in 1977, the film called Dream Girl was released. The highlight was how good Hema could look in various avatars like a princess, a street girl or a dancer.
Hema Malini paired with top heroes of Industry but she worked maximum with Dharmendra in 28 films, With Rajesh Khanna in 19 films, with Amitabh Bachchan 15 films, with Jeetendra 11 films and Dev Anand 9 films.
In 1980 Hema defied convention and became Dharmendra's second wife. Her spotless reputation and regal demeanor saw her facing little flack for this act of societal defiance.
After her marriage, Malini made films including Kranti, Naseeb (1981), Satte Pe Satta, Rajput, and Ek Nai Paheli (1984). Her works also included Aandhi Toofan, Durgaa (1985), Ramkali (1985), Sitapur Ki Geeta (1987), Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986), Rihaee and Jamai Raja (1990)
In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film Dil Aashna Hai, starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film Mohini (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films.
After taking a break from films for a number of years, Hema made a comeback with Baghban (2003), Baabul in 2006.Aarakshan in 2011. In 2017 she acted in the film Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi in the role of Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, with Vinod Khanna as her husband, unfortunately, it was Vinod Khanna's last film. 
Top 10 Songs of Hema Malini

Song of Razia Sultan 1983

Song of Kinara 1977

Song of Mehbooba 1976

Song of Kudrat (1981)

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1971

Song of Kranti (1981)

Song of Satte Pe Satta (1982)

Song of Andaz (1971)

Song of Sharafat (1970)

Song of Sholay (1975)

Missing The Rhythm of Castanets

Today's generation may not be familiar with the sound of Castanets but once this instrument was used extensively by almost all music directors in the golden era of Hindi film music.

Recall the song "Hai Apna Dil To Awara" from Solva Saal, the song starts with the sound of Castanets immediately after the humming sound of Hemant Kumar.

Though the song is famous for the Mouth organ played in between by Sunder but the sound of Castanets is heard throughout the song.
Aaiye Meherban from Howrah Bridge is another song in which Castanets play a lead role and can be identified clearly in the song.

Castanets are relatively tiny instruments that fit into the palms of the two hands and were originally used in European music. They can be played quickly in continuous notes to create a roll type of sound, or they can be played with each click on the castanet being a discrete note.

When were Castanets were used for the first time in Hindi Film music is not traced but Music Directors of the 50s Naushad, S D Burman had used them in their songs in the 50s. The earliest song I discovered was "Lara Loo Lara Loo" and "Lo Pyar ki ho Gayi jeet" from the 1951 film Jadoo starring Nalini Jaywant and Suresh, The music was given by Naushad.

We all know O P Nayyar was the King of Rhythm, he used this instrument beautifully in the song " Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan" from C I D in 1956 then "Aaiyee Meherban" from Howrah Bridge(1958)

Another song from Kashmir ki kali, once again O P Nayyar used this instrument wonderfully, the song is " Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra"
Castanets may be called ‘side percussion, but their rhythm in songs and creative use of Castanets by many composers of the Golden Era made many Bollywood songs a lively and delightful treat for the ears.R D Burman also used Castanets extensively in his debut movie Chote Nawab in the delightful Matwali Ankhon wale.

While there are a number of songs that use Castanets but in this blog, I am posting only those songs where the sound of Castanets is prominent.

Song of Jaado 1951

Song of Deedar 1951

Song of C I D 1956

Song of Solva Saal 1958

Song of Howrah Bridge 1958

Song of Goonj Uthi Shehnai 1959

Song of Akeli Mat Jaiyo 1960

Song of Chhote Nawab 1961

Song of Bandini 1963

Song of Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

Song of Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein 1964

Song of Pakeezah 1972

13 October - A Cruel Co incidence in Bollywood

13th Oct is the Birthdate of Dada Muni, Ashok Kumar and unfortunately, it became the last day of Kishore Kumar, who passed away on this day.  Dada Muni was born on 13 Oct 1911. He was an Iconic Actor of the 1940s and 50s. By 1947, he was the most bankable star of Hindi cinema and started producing films for Bombay Talkies. He was the eldest son of the Ganguli family. Kishore Kumar was the youngest among all.
Kishore Kumar who was 18 years younger than Ashok Kumar. He was a lively child who was passionate about singing. He was especially obsessed with legendary singer and composer KL Saigal and learned music by imitating his style.
Kishore had no formal training in music and Ashok Kumar, who was already a film star, discouraged him from taking up a playback career. He felt that Kishore’s voice lacked ‘modulation’, among other things. But Kishore was in no mood to hang up his boots.

It was in 1945 when Kishore Kumar was in Bombay living with Ashok Kumar, who that time shooting for Shikari gave him a small role in that film. However, Kishore disliked acting. His first few films flopped and then he decided to act so badly that nobody will cast him. Kishore’s decision to perform badly became his calling card and the audience’s started loving him for it. It was the 1951 release of Andolan, however, that propelled him to stardom as a singer-actor and ultimately freed him from the shadow of his brother Ashok.
He was given break for singing by Khemchand Prakash for the 1948 film Ziddi, the song was  “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu”  The song was a hit but he didn't get many offers for singing.It was S D Burman who advised him not to imitate KL Saigal, sing in your own style.
 It was music director SD Burman who gave Kishore opportunities to sing in one movie after another beginning with Dev Anand’s hit films -- Munimji and Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah and Paying Guest (1957) and many more. Not only these movies became big hits but their songs too soared in popularity charts. Dev Anand’s own popularity scaled higher peaks while Kishore Kumar began to be recognized as Dev Anand’s voice.
Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar acted together in many films.the first time they acted together in Bhai Bhai released in 1956. Ashok Kumar, who played the lead role and Kishore Kumar (real-life brothers) as the two brothers, with the film being referred to as one of Kishore Kumar's prominent films. In this film sang one song for himself "Mera Naam Abdul Rehman"

Both of them are considered to be one of India’s finest artists who have successfully entertained us. Talking about Ashok Kumar, he was an actor who ruled the silver screen whereas, Kishore Kumar’s melodious voice remains etched in our hearts to date, and maybe forever.

Both the brothers were going great when destiny played a cruel game and one’s happy occasion, unfortunately, turned sad and unhappy for the other one. Kishore Kumar died on the birthday of Ashok Kumar in 1987, which shattered Ashok Kumar, he decided that he will never celebrate his birthday now and onwards. Ashok Kumar died 14 years later in 2001.
Here are 5 Prominent films of both brothers working together
Bhai Bhai 1956

Song of Bhai Bhai 1956

The story is of two brothers, with the younger brother running away from home at an early age. The older brother gets entangled with another woman, leaving his wife and child at home. This situation leads to the meeting of the brothers, with the older one mending his errant ways.


Bandi (1957)

Song of Bandi (1957)

This is a 1957 film directed by Satyen Bose and had all three brothers Ashok, Kishore and Anoop coming together for the first time. Ashok Kumar as his educated elder brother has negative shades to his character. while Kishore played a simpleton. The confrontation scenes between Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar are superb especially in the end when they meet after 16 years.


Raagini  (1958)

Song of Ragini 1958

It is a 1958 Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, and Padmini. Kishore sings "Main Bangali Chhokra" The film was an average.at Box office


Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)-

Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

 The film featured the 3 brothers once again and Madhubala. The music was given by SD Burman and the Kishore sang most of the sings along with Asha Bhosle. The film was a huge success.

Door Ka Rahi (1971)

Song of Door Ka Rahi (1971)

 The film was directed by Kishore Kumar himself who also wrote the film and featured Tanuja, Ashok Kumar and himself in major roles. The film strives to deliver a very strong message of humanity using the simplest possible language.