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
Harmonium based songs formed the core of Hindi songs but you would be surprised to know that Harmonium was once banned in All India Radio for 40 years. Rabindra Nath Tagore once wrote a letter in 1940 to AIR for not playing the Harmonium songs because this was not an Indian Classical Instrument.
It is also true that this instrument is being used for decades in Indian Classical, semi classical, and Sugam Sangeet. All the composers and singers used to play the Harmonium while composing or singing songs. The first song of Hindi film in ALAM ARA was a song based on harmonium and Tabla underlining the symbiotic link these instruments have had in Hindi film music since the 1930s.Kindly recall K L Saigal in Street Singer(1938). In this blog, I have selected those songs where Harmonium is being played on screen.
Harmonium used to be called 'Peti' or 'Peti Baja' in Mumbai. As a matter of fact the music directors in the earlier times, in popular lexicon were known as 'Bajawalas', or 'Petiwalas', i.e. those who are adept at playing the 'Peti' or the harmonium
K L Saigal was very fond of playing the Harmonium, he had a harmonium which he used to bring and play himself whenever he is recording a song. The harmonium actually belonged to the company, but Saigal started playing it from the very first song he recorded. And after that it belonged to him. "He used to sing in a particular scale and didn't like it if anyone changed the harmonium's scale. So it was kept exclusively for him. Later, even when he had become India's first superstar, he never used another harmonium when he was in Kolkata.
When he shifted to Bombay, this harmonium was left behind. He was often heard lamenting the fact that his favourite instrument was not with him.He said his songs were incomplete without this harmonium. For your information, this harmonium is still preserved in Kolkata. Lata Mangeshkar wanted to keep this Harmonium for which she wanted to pay whatever price is asked but was denied.
The first song in my list is from the 1936 film Frontier Mail. In this song, the actor and singer is seen playing the Harmonium
Song of Frontier Mail 1936
In the 1938 film 'Street Singer', K L Saigal(Bhulwa) helps Kanan Devi(Manju )escape from a burning orphanage and from the care of the tyrannical manager of the orphanage. The two street urchins go from village to village, singing and making money. Bhulwa’s big dream is to someday sing in a theatre in Calcutta. K L Saigal teaches her music.
Song of Street Singer 1938
Song of Street Singer 1938
This song is sung by Shamshad Begam, Satish Batra and Rafi.Qamar Jalalabadi is the lyricist. Music is composed by Shyam Sundar. The song is picturised as a roadside tamasha song where a female dancer is dancing while Gope (carrying a harmonium) lip-syncs in Satish Batra’s voice
Song of Baazaar” (1949)
In this song of “Baabul” (1950), Dilip Kumar is asked to sing a song,while playing on a harmonium. This song is sung by Talat Mehmood.Shakeel Badayuni is the lyricist and music is composed by Naushad.
Song of Baabul (1950)
Here is a light-hearted Harmonium song from Albela 1951, picturized on Bhagwan Dada. This movie was a box office success and a musical extravaganza. All the songs in this film were hit, in this song, Bhagwan Dada is singing and a person with him is playing the harmonium.
Song of Albela 1951
Deedar (1951) film in which Dilip Kumar played blind young man makes a living singing and searching for his childhood sweetheart. In this immortal song, Dilip Kumar is singing and playing the harmonium.
Song of Deedar 1951
This is also a very popular harmonium song from CID where Dev Anand is following Shakeela and One Girl and her man singing and playing the harmonium
Song of CID 1956
This song is sung by Rafi and Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised on Dev Anand, Madhubala. In this song, Dev Anand is singing and playing the harmonium
Song of Kala Pani 1958
In this songthe hero, Pradeep Kumar is seen playing a humble harmonium and singing. This melodious song is sung by Talat Mahmood in 1958 film “Zindagi Yaa Toofaan”
Song of “Zindagi Yaa Toofaan” 1958
Song of Post Box 999 1958
This song is a street song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,1960, The song is picturised on Raj Kishor and Shiela Vaz who is playing the harmonium
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,1960,
Song of Barsaat Ki Raat 1960
Song of Dharamputra 1961
Song of Ek MMusafir Ek Hasina 1962
Song of MERE LAL1964
Song of Bahu Begum 1967
Song of Padosan 1968
Song of Kismat 1968
Song of Zanzeer 1973
Song of Apnapan 1977
Song of Swami 1977
Song of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1978
This song is from a small budget film Dada 1978 picturized on Vinod Mehra and the song sung by Yesudas. In the beginning, Vinod Mehra is playing the harmonium
Song of Dada 1978
Song of Manzil (1979)
This song of the 90s starts with the Harmonium being played
Ghulam Ali ( born on 5 December 1940),one of the best ghazal singers of his era also gave playback in Hindi films. He was introduced to Hindi cinema with a Hindi film song 'Chupke Chupke Raat Din' in B. R. Chopra's film, Nikaah (1982).
Though the music director of the film was Ravi, he composed this Ghazal with his approval. This Ghazal was written by Urdu poet Hasrat Mohani (1875-1951) and contained 17 couplets but in this film, only 3 couplets were taken. In the lyrics, the central character is recalling all the events that took place that made him fall in love. In the screenplay, he is sitting on a lounge chair, listening to this song on the record, and feeling sorry for himself...
He became a big name in India after this song. This Ghazal became a rage in the 80s. Asha Bhosle and Jagjeet Singh also rendered their voice later on. In fact, in 1983 an album 'Meraj-e-Ghazal' of Asha Bhonsle and Ghulam Ali was released.
Ghulam Ali's styles and variations in singing Ghazals has been noted as unique, as he blends Hindustani classical music with ghazals, unlike any other ghazal singer. Highly popular in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, as well as among South Asian diaspora in the US, the UK and the Middle Eastern countries
Today's generation may be unaware of Motilal but he was a superstar of the late 30s and 40s. He along with K L Saigal was the two big stars of that era. Saigal was a better singer while he was a better actor. He started as a 24-year-old hero with 'Shaher Ka Jadoo' (1934). In the following years, he reeled off a clutch of box-office winners, though, few remember anything about this phase of his career. Be it a swashbuckling sword-fighter (Silver King) or a millionaire (300 Days And After) – the actor romped through roles with an easy cool'.
Amitabh Bachchan wrote in the foreword of 'The Hundred Luminaries of Hindi Cinema', “Not much has been written in praise of a great and a very natural actor. He (Motilal) was greatly ahead of his times.
You would be surprised to know that he was picked up as a hero from a crowd of spectators collected to see a shooting of a film in a studio. It happened in 1933 when in Bombay, he went to see the shooting of a film being directed by K P Ghosh. He caught Ghosh's eye, he asked him to join films as an actor.Playing a drunken rich boy, the 24-year-old quickly racked on more film roles, becoming a star.
In 1935, two of his films Silver King and Dr Madhurika were successful. Those days actors used to sing their songs, he also sang for his films. He worked with Mehboob Khan in Jagirdar (1937) and Hum Tum Aur Woh (1938) under the Sagar Movietone banner in Taqdeer (1943) for Mehboob Productions, and Kidar Sharma's Armaan (1942) and Kaliyan (1944).
One of his film Achhut was the third highest-grossing Indian film of 1940. It was appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. Another film 'Holi' released same year, he played a villain-turned-hero. He was the first to put in place the flamboyant, happy-go-lucky, unpretentious and glamourized image of the Hindi film hero cast in the Hollywood mould of that era.
Ek Thi Larki (1949) was another hit film Motilal gave a superb comic performance. Similar comic performance became immortal in his 1952 film Mr Sampat. According to Motilal, he played the character "not as an extraordinary person, but precisely as an ordinary person" and that's what resonated through.
Another iconic performance was given by him as Chunni Babu in 1955 film Devdas. Motilal won the Best Supporting Actor for his seamless performance in Bimal Roy’s film Parakh (1960).
Dev Anand gave Bollywood some of its most memorable films. One of the highlights of Dev Anand's films was its songs. As per him, the songs were the soul of a film. He always made it sure that he gets a few songs on him. He even rejected the films in which there is no song for the hero. One such movie was 'Zanjeer' offered to him, which finally went to Amitabh Bachchan.
He was the Indian actor with the maximum number of hit songs and his numbers are the A to Z of film music. He appeared in more than 100 films and 500 plus songs were picturized on him. In this blog, I have collected songs picturized on him on every letter of the English alphabet. Surprisingly except for the letter 'X', his songs started from all the alphabets of English.
A The prominent songs starting from this letter are- Andhe Jajahan Ke Andhe Raaste from Patita(1953), Achha Ji Mei Haari from Kala Pani, Aankho Mein Kya Ji from Nau Do Gyarah, Aankhon Hi Ankhon Mei Ishara Ho Gaya from CID(1956), Apni to Har aah Ek toofan Hai Kala Bazar(1960), Aise to Na Dekho from Teen Deviyan 1966 and my fav Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar from Hum Dono 1961
Song of Hum Dono 1961
BBachna Zara Yeh Zamana Hai Bura from Milaap (1965), Bahut Door Mujhe Jana Hai from Heera Panna(1974),Boojh Tera Kahan Gaon Re from CID(1956), Bure Bhi Hum from Banarsi Babu 1973 and my fav is from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)
Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)
C Chupke Se Mile Pyase Pyase from Manzil (1960),Chali Yeh fauz Hamari from Ek ke Baad Ek(1960), Churi Nahin Mera Dil Hai from Gambler(1971), Chale Ja Rahen Hain Kinare Kinare from Kinare Kinare (1964),my fav is from Asli Naqli (1963)
Song of Asli Naqli (1963)
D Din Dhal Jaye from Guide (1965), Dukhi Man Mere from Funtoosh(1956), Dekh Hamen Aawaz Na Dena from Amardeep(1958),Desh Pardesh are from Des Pardes(1978), Duniya Kya Hai Dafa Karo from Sarhad(1960), De Bhi Chuke Hum Dil Nazrana Jaal(1952), Dooriyan Nazdeekyan Ban Gayi from Duniya 1969, Dheere Se Jaana Khatiyan Mein from Jaaneman(1973) and my fav from Tere Ghar Ke Samne
Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963
E Ek Roop Ke Naam from Swami Dada(1982), Ek Ladki Mili Khubsoorat from Gangster (1995,), and my fav is from Asli Nali (1963)
Song of Asli Naqli 1963
F I could trace only one song starting from this alphabet 'Falsafa Pyar Ka Tum Kya Jano' from Duniya 1968
Song of Duniya 1968
G Gustakh Nazar Chehre Se from Jaali Note(1960), Gori Chale Kar Ke Shringar from Sarhad(1960), Gori Zara Hans Le Tu from Asli Naqli(1960), and my fav from Guide (1965)
Song of Guide 1965
H Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke from Nau Do Gyarah(1957). Hay hay Yeh Nigahen from Paying Guest(1959), Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko from Kala Pani(1958), Hum Tujhe Dhoondh Lenge from Mahal(1969), Hans Tu Hardam from Lootmar(1960) and my fav is from Solva Saal(1958)
Song of Solva Saal 1958
I Is Mulaqat Ka Bus Maza Lijiye from Janeeman (1976), Ishq Mein Hai Giriftar from Sau Karor (1991), Ishq Ishq Ishq Zamane Mein Jo from Ishq Ishq Ishq(1974) and my fav is from Tere Ghar Ke Samne(1963)
Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne(1963)
J Jayen To Jayen Kahan from Taxi Driver(1954), Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkegi from Tere Mere Sapne(1971), Jiya Ho Jiya Kuchh Bol Do from Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), and my fav is from Munimji (1955)
Song of Munimji (1955)
K Kabhi Na Kabhi Kahin Na Kahin from Sharabi(1964 ), Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya from Guide(1965), Kahin Bekhyal Hokar from Teen Deviyan (1966), Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe from Hum Dono(1961), Khawab Ho tum Ya Koi Haqeekat from Teen Deviyan(1966) and my fav from Kala Bazar(1960)
Song of Kala Bazar(1960)
L Layi Khushi Ki Duniya from Vidya(1948), Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar from CID(1966), Logon Ka Dil from Manpasand (1980), Lene Se Inkar Nahin from Amardeep(1958),and my fav is from Teen Deviyan (1966)
Song of Teen Deviyan (1966)
M Marne Ki Duaen Kyo Mangu from Ziddi(1948), Mein Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata from Hum Dono (1961), Mein Tasveer Utaarta Hoon from Heera Panna(1974 ), Mera Man Tera Pyasa from Gambler(1971), Mein Aya Hun Le Ke Saaz from Amir Garib(1974), and my fav song from Solva Saal 1957
Song of Paying Guest 1957
N Nigahon Ne Pheka Hai from Jaali Note(1960), Nafrat Karne Walon Ke Sine from Johny Mera Naam (1970), Nazrana Bheja Kisi Ne Pyar Ka from Des Pardes(1978), Neend Chura Ke Raton Me from Shareef badmash(1973), and my fav is from Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)
Song of Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)
O O Nigahen Mastana from Paying Guest(1957 )O Ghar Ghar Ke Diye from Hum Bhi Insaan Hain(1948), O Lutnewale Duniya Ke from Dushman(1957), O Tu Kya Jaane Din Raat from Mahal(1969), and my fav from Johny Mera Naam(1970)
Song of Johny Mera Naam(1970)
P Pholon Ke Rang Se from Prem Pujati (1970), Pholon Ka Taron Ka from Hare Rama Hare Krishna(1971), Panna Ki Tamanna Hai from Heera Panna(1974), Peechhe Peechhe Aa Kar from House No 44 (1955),Pavan Chale To Uthe Nadi Me Lahar Si from Bombai Ka Babu (1960), and my fav from Johnny Mera Naam(1970)
Song of Johnny Mera Naam(1970)
Q Qarib Aao Na Tadapaao from Love Marriage 1959, Qyun Hamein Paida Kiya Hai from Sanam(1951), Qadamon Mein Sama Ke from Kinare Kinare(1964) and my fav is from Gambler(1972)
Song of Gambler 1971
R Raat Akeli Hai and Rula Ke Gaya Sapna from Hewel Thief (1967), ,Ruk Jaana O Jana from Warrant(1975 ),Raat Ko Aiyega from Dahib Bahadur (1980) and my fav is from Rim Jhim Ke Tarane Lekar from Kala Bazar (1960),
Song of Kala Bazar (1960
S Saathi Na Koi Manzil from Bombai Ka babu(1960), Sawan Ke Mahine Mein from Sharabi (1964), Sawan Ki Ghataon Dhire Dhire from Aage Bado(1947),
, and my fav from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai(1961)
Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961
T Teri Zulfon Se from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961, Tu Kahan Yeh Bataa from Tere Ghat Ke Samne(1963), Tum To Dil Ke Taar from Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961), Tasveer Teri Dil nein from Maya(1961),and my fav from House No 44 (1955)
Song of House No 44 (1955)
U Unche Sur Me Gaye Ja from House No 44 (1955)
Uff Kitanee Thandee Hai Yeh Rut - from Teen Deviyan(1965
and my fav from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961),
Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961),
V Vo Chand Nahin Dil Hai from Aandhiyan (1952),
Song of Aandhiyan (1952)
W Wallah Kya Nazara Hai from Isq Ishq Ishq (1974 ), Woh Ulfat Hai from Darling Darling(1977),Woh Dekhen Tu Unki from Tuntoosh (1956) and my fav from Guide 1965
Song of Guide 1965
Y Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara from Jewel Thief(1967), Yaad Aa Gayi Woh Nashili from Manzil(1960), yeh Nai Nai Preet Hai from Pockeymar(1960), Yeh Duniya Wale Poochhenge from Mahal (1969),and my fav Yeh Raat Yeh Chandani from Jaal(1952),
Song of Jaal(1952),
Z Zindagi Hai Kya Sun Meri Jaan from Maya(1961), Zor Laga Ke Haiya from Jaal(1952),
Udit Narayan (Born on 1 Dec 1955) was the voice of 90s, he was the voice of Aamir Khan too. He is now a legend, who has completed 40 years in Bollywood. He has sung 25,000 songs in over 36 languages. He has won three National Film Awardsand five Filmfare Awards. He is the only male singer in the history of the Filmfare Awards to have won over three decades (winning in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s).
In 1978, he moved to Mumbai on a music scholarship. Before that, he sang folk songs for Radio Nepal throughout the early 1970s. He got his first break in 1980 when noted music director Rajesh Roshan asked him to do a song for the Hindi film Unees Bees, in which he got the opportunity to sing with his inspiration, Mohammed Rafi.
After singing in Rajesh Roshan’s Unnees Bees and RD Burman’s Bade Dilwala(1983), where his work went unnoticed, In the same year, Narayan sang with Kishore Kumar in the film Kehdo Pyar Hai. Another singer he sang with was Suresh Wadkar with music composed by Bappi Lahiri. A significant milestone in his career occurred in 1988 when Anand-Milind gave him the opportunity to sing all the songs for the successful Bollywood movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. He also won his first Filmfare award for the song 'Papa Kehte Hain Bada Naam Karega'.
"Pehla Nasha", from Jo Jeeta Woh Sikander gave him superstardom. He became the voice of most of the leading heroes of that time. He and Alka Yagnik gave many super hit songs. In 1990 most of the songs of 'Dil' became very popular especially ;Mujhe Neend Na Aaye'.
In 1992 Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and Koyal Si Teri Boli from 'Beta' and in 1993 songs of 'Darr' are worth mentioning. In 1994 he was nominated for the song "Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera" from Anari and in 1995 he was nominated for "Tu Cheez Badi" from Mohra(1994). In 1995 the songs of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Raja were very popular. He won the 1996 Filmfare award for the song "Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" and in 1997 he got the award for "Pardesi Pardesi" from 'Raja Hindustani'.
In 1997 the songs of Dil To Pagal Hai and in 1998 all the songs of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai became the rage. He got another award for 'Chan Chhupa' from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 2000. This year all the songs of 'Kaho Na Pyar Hai' and 'Mohabbatein' were super hit. In 2001 released Lagaan, all the songs of Udit Narayan were hit and he got the award for the song"Mitwa" in 2002.
In 2001 the song "Ud jaa Kale Kawan" from Gadar Jane Kyon Log from Dil Chahta Hai were very popular and in 2003 songs of Koi... Mil Gaya and Tere Naam were very hit.In 2005 and 2006 songs of Veer Zara and Swadesh are worth mentioning.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009, and in 2016 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, an honour that has been awarded to only a handful of singers, in recognition of his achievements in various film industries across India,
