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
Shammi Kapoor (21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) became a star with the release of Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957. After Junglee was released in 1961, he was giving one hit after another, he became the most sought-after hero along with Dev Anand. There was a tough competition with Dev Anand's films. Dev Anand once said that the Sixties was the decade when I faced the true competition from Shammi Kapoor. My Jab Pyar Kissi Se Hota Hai had a silver jubilee run, while his Junglee completed its golden jubilee. Similarly, my Hum Dono and his Professor ran to silver jubilees within a span of a few months. The releases of our films were eagerly awaited and seen many times by our fans throughout the nation. There was a time when Shammi Kapoor was not accepted as a hero. He had about 18 failures against his illustrious surname before writer-director Nasir Husain’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) catapulted him into fame and stardom. Shammi Kapoor. Shammi Kapoor in a program on TV once said that he owes his stardom to Dev Anand, had he accepted the do the film Tumsa Nahin Dekha which, Nasir Hussain wanted to make him the hero, he would not be here where he is today. Same way Junglee was offered to Dev Anand which again Dev Saab refused to do so the film came to him. Subodh Mukerji’s tentatively titled film Mr. Hitler, the name later changed to Junglee. Similarly, in the case of Teesri Manzil, Dev Anand was the first choice of Nasir Hussain but there cropped up some controversy between Dev Saab and Nasir Hussain, the film went to Shammi Kapoor again. Dev Anand once admitted to Rauf Ahmed in an interview, 'I created my biggest rival. With every film I let go, he [Shammi Kapoor] shot to fame but Dev Anand never had any animosity with Shammi Kapoor. In fact after the demise of Shammi Kapoor in an interview, Dev Saab said that we shared a warm rapport, and I must confess that he was the right choice for Teesri Manzil, far better than me. Both had some similarities, both played the urban hero. both banked upon their songs, both had a flair for music and had a unique style. On working together Dev Anand said that both of us were to have starred in Shakti Samanta's One Night To Murder which never went on the floors. Shammi was kind enough to appear in a cameo as a judge in my film Censor.
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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. Theyshot 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
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
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.
