Jaidev- He was Initially Signed for Guide

 

Jaidev was a disciple of  Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, who took Jaidev as his music assistant when he composed music for Navketan's “Aandhiyan” and “Hum Safar”. After that, he became the assistant of S D Burman, he assisted him in almost all the Navketan films till Guide. In fact, he worked as his assistant even becoming an independent composer with Chetan Anand's Joru Ka Bhai(1955) and  Chetan Anand's next Anjali(1957).

Hum Dono(1961) was the first film he worked for Navketan as an independent composer. After Hum Dono’s success, a promise was made by Dev Anand that every alternate film of Navketan will have music by SD Burman and Jaidev. Accordingly, SD Burman was entrusted the baton of “Kala Bazaar” and Jaidev ‘signed’ for the music of “Guide” for which he is believed to have composed a couple of tunes too (‘Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain’, and ‘Din dhal jaaye haye raat na jaaye); however, the film was made and released finally with music by S D Burman, his career-best. 

Probably, for the first time, Jaidev felt exploited and stifled at Navketan and “Guide” marked the end of his long and fruitful musical association with both Dev Anand and SD Burman. Navketan, too, never called him back, which was the unkindest cut of all. Though the hurt feeling lurked in his mind for long, his respect and reverence for SD Burman remained the same till his last. Besieged by a chain of misfortunes, Jaidev made “Jo kho gaya main usko bhulata chala gaya” the mantra of his life with his spiritual character to ‘guide’ him.

It is said that Dev Anand insisted Jaidev to work as S.D. Burman’s assistant in Guide but he didn't. Jaidev was never again invited by Navketan to compose songs. Dev Anand used both the Jaidev songs in his film Guide. It is said that those two songs were ‘Din Dhal Jaaye Haye Raat Na Jaye’ and ‘Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai’ sung by Mohammad Rafi. Being cast out of Guide was a very big setback in Jaidev’s film music career. He never really recovered from the shock. Jaidev used to frequently narrate such incidents to his friends, wracked by inconsolable grief.

Jaidev had a unique capability to mix traditional and folk music into Hindi film situations, giving him a unique advantage to other music directors of his times. He is also known for his non-film album of the couplets of Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan's classic work Madhushala set to music and sung by singer Manna Dey.

Jaidev never married. He remained close to his sister's family who later settled in the United Kingdom. He died on 6 January 1987 at the age of 68. His last work was for the television series Ramayan.

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Mukri - A Unique Comedian of Bollywood

 

What made Mukri(5 January 1922 – 4 September 2000)  different from other comedians was that he used to laugh in every scene that had comedy dialogues. He stole scenes regularly and he was hilarious in every film whether he is playing a servant or a gardener or even a show organiser in many films. Once his pairing with Sheikh Mukhtar was very popular, one was very tall and he a very short, they were called as Laurel and Hardy of Bollywood.

He made his debut in the 1945 film Pritam. The hero of this film was Dilip Kumar, He with his toothless smile, diminutive stature and perfect humour timing amused the audiences in more than 600 films, in over six decades in Bollywood.

After Pratima, Mukti acted in Dada(1949) along with Shaikh Mukhtar who was the rage of the day as far as stunt films were concerned. “Shyam and Munawar Sultana had played the lead in Dada.”

He appeared with Johny Walker and Mehmood in comic roles in many films. With Johny Walker, he appeared in 15 films. Shabnam(1964) was a film in which Mukri appeared with Mahmood along with Sheikh Mukhtar. His career went to new heights with Manmohan Desai’s Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). In this film, he played the role of Tyeb Ali, a strict father. The song “Tyeb Ali pyar ka dushman…” picturised on him and Rishi Kapoor became very popular, and Mukri a household name. 

There was hardly any side character Mukri did not play as the comic sidekick. He performed these roles with great élan. Nathulal is one such character imprinted in the minds of cine buffs. His character “Nathu Lal” in Sharaabi became so popular, that years later when Manmohan desai cast him in Jaadugar (1989), he named his character Nathu Lal to bank on its popularity. 

He was one of the more frequent faces appearing in hindi films in the late 50s and early 60s. Some of his notable roles were in films like Mother India (1957), Kalaapani (1958), Anari (1959), Kohinoor (1960) and Asli Naqli (1962)
 The other successful films Mukri include  Chori Chori, Aankhe, Mother India, Ram Aur Shyam, Aan and Ashique. 

Here are Rare Songs of Rafi for Mukri

Song of Pardes 1950

Song of Madmast 1953

Song of Shabnam 1964

Song of Madhavi 1969

Song from Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

 

Piya Tu Ab To Aja- One of the Gems of R D Burman

 

Music and Song sequences can make a film hit and memorable. This song from the 1971 film from Caravan is one such example. This song was written by Mazrooh Sultanpuri, composed by R D Burman and sung by Asha Bhonsle. The song was performed by Helen, who is known for doing item numbers in Bollywood .

 Music scholar Nilanjana Bhattacharjya identified "Piya Tu Ab To Aja" as one of the culturally important Hindi film songs. The song has also been called "the catalyst" that made "Asha  Bhonsle the queen of cabaret numbers". R D Burman was nominated for the Filmfare Best Music Director and Asha Bhonsle was awarded the Best Female Playback Singer for this song.

The picturisation of this song is typical of the item numbers of the era portraying a "vamp" character who dances seductively for a nightclub audience. The audience used to get crazy when this dance number starts. I was a teenager when this film was released was also mesmerized with this song and dance number. Almost 50 years have passed, this song still makes people dance.

In Aug 2020, A video of two elderly women dancing to the tunes of Asha Bhosle’s hit 1971 song Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja, from the film Caravan, has gone viral on social media. The saree-clad women launched a dance party in the middle of a street. Watch this viral video here.

Two elderly women dancing 

This song boosted the career of Asha Bhonsle, getting the maximum number of cabaret or item songs. This song also stamped the 'Jodi' of R D Burman and Asha Bhosle. They gave us many peppy and immortal songs after this.

Asha Bhosle recorded a new version in 2003 for the Kronos Quartet album You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood.  It also appears on the compilation album The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood. Composer Lesle Lewis released a remix of the song on his 2003 album Special Appointment Club Hits. This number is also referenced briefly during the song "Dhoom Tanaa" from Om Shanti Om when Deepika Padukone, dressed in a gold bikini ensemble, dances in a cage.

Song of Caravan 1971

Haqeeqat-

 

'Haqeeqat' is a 1964 war film set against the Indo-China conflict. It was the first Indian motion film to be shot in Ladakh. The film was not only a representation of war, but a dramatic retelling of the impact war has on the common soldier. Chetan Anand dedicated the film to Jawaharlal Nehru and the soldiers in Ladakh. 

The film was made with the government and army assistance. Even the main star Balraj Sahni worked for this film free of charge. The film was released in 1964 after the death of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru. The film received the National Award for Best Film and Art Direction. The film was the first realistic portrayal of war in Hindi cinema. 

The film offered the Indian perspective of feeling stabbed in the back by a seeming friend, China. He used documentary footage and demonstrated the way in which China's Premier Chou En-lai was welcomed with open arms during his visit to India. In a rousing speech to the troops, Brigadier Singh emphasizes that despite the respect bestowed upon China, Chinese troops have sneakily attacked a peace-loving nation like India. 

The film stars Dharmendra, Balraj Sahni, Priya Rajvansh, Sudhir, Sanjay Khan and Vijay Anand in significant roles. The acting of all major actors was outstanding. Another highlight of the film was its music. The music was composed by Madan Mohan and all of the songs are written by Kaifi Azmi. The music begins with lively romantic tunes and moves to more epic war, sad and celebratory tunes. The song "Ab Tumhare Hawaale Watan Saathiyon" sung by Mohammed Rafi has become synonymous with patriotism in India. Another song "Ho Ke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bhulaya Hoga" is a gem of a song.

There were classic war films made earlier like Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani or Hum Dono in 1961, many more war films made after this but this remains the best.

Song of Haqeeqat 1964

Song of Haqeeqat 1964

Song of Haqeeqat 1964

Song of Haqeeqat 1964

Bollywood songs that celebrate New Year!

 

2020 was the year to forget, we look forward to better days ahead. This reminds me of a Bollywood song from the 1960 film 'Hum Hindustani' Chhodo Kal Ki Batein, Kal Ki Baat Purani'.though this isn’t really a New Year song, but does a good job of nudging us to shed the baggage of the past and make ambitious plans for the future. 

Not many songs are written for the New Year in Hindi films but there are a few songs written in the 50s. The first song that comes to my mind is from the 1954 film 'Samrat' written by Rajendra Krishan, composed by Hemant Kumar. This song was very fast-paced and racy, that will definitely set your feet tapping on the floor. The singing voice is of Asha Bhonsle.

Song of Samrat 1954

The same year in 1954 another song on New Year from the film 'Toote Khilone' became popular. This was sung by Shamshad Begum and Trilok Kapoor. It was written by Anjum Jaipuri, a lesser-heard name, composed by Chitragupt.

Song of Toote Khilone 1954

This song was composed by Shankar – Jaikishan and written by Shailendra for Anari, this Manna Dey – Lata Mangeshkar duet welcoming the year 1959 The film was released in 1959.

Song of Anari 1959

Happy new year to you This song is sung by Shailendra Singh and chorus. Hasrat Jaipuri and Raveendra Jain The song is picturised on Shailendra Singh, Moolchand, Kamal Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar etc.The film is Do Jasoos released in 1975

Song of Do Jasoos 1975

Song of Nazrana Pyar Ka (1980)

Song from Raksha 1981

Song of Aap Ke Saath 1986

Song of Teri Talash Mein (1990)

Song of Happy New Year 2014

Conversational Songs of Bollywood

 

Songs are an integral part of Bollywood, In earlier films, songs used to carry forward the story but some songs are included not just to express feelings but also to have a conversation through it.  Recall the song from Mela(1948) 'Main Bhawra Tu Hain Phool' or ' Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka' from 'Chalti Ka Naam Gadi' have a conversation between two persons.

In this blog, I have selected such songs that have a conversation between two or more persons.

Song of Mela 1948

Song of Dulari 1949

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Azad 1955

Song of Chori Chori 1956

Song of NAU DO GYARAH 1957)

Song of Pyaasa 1957)

Song of Phalgun 1958

Song of Kala Pani 1958

Song of Mein Chup Rahungi 1962

Song of Dil Tera Deewana 1962

Song of Bharosa 1963

Song of Sangam 1964

Song of Beti Bete 1964

Song of Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain 1965 

Song of Teen Deviyan 1966

Song of Aan Milo Sajna 1970

Song of Kal Aaj Aur Kal 1971

Song of Rampur Ka  Lakshman 1972

Song of Raja Rani 1973

Song of Deewar 1975

Song of Qurbani 1980

Song of Ishq 1997

Song of Ghulam 1998

Song of Dil Chahta Hai 2001

N Dutta- From Prabhat Pheri to Bollywood

 

Dutta Naik (12 December 1927 – 30 December 1987), popularly known as N Dutta is a forgotten composer. It's true that he worked in less no of films but he gave quality music. Starting his career as devotional songs singer in Goa. later moved to Mumbai and assisted a Marathi Singer and composer. Later also joined Bollywood composer Ghulam Haider for some time.

He actively participated in Prabhat Pheris and other local festivals and it was during one of these festivals Bollywood composer SD Burman happened to hear Naik sing. When it turned out that the young man had also composed the tune, S D Burman asked Naik to come and meet him. He was one of the music assistants in Bahar(1951), Sazaa(1951), Bazi(1951) and Ek Nazar (1951), Jaal (1952), Jeevan Jyoti (1953) and Angarey (1954).

It was during the making of Guru Dutt’s Baazi (1951), Naik met Raj Khosla who was then assisting Dutt. When Khosla made his debut as a director, N Dutta was taken as an independent composer for Milaap brought on board as the music director. Naik’s break had actually come in 1951 with the Punjabi film Baalo (1951) but it was only with the release of Raj Khosla’s Milap (1955) starring Dev Anand.

The same year his other film Marine Drive as an independent composer got released. The music of both films was very well accepted by people especially Ab Who Karam Karen Ki Sitam (Marine Drive); Yeh Baharaon Ka Sama (Milap) , and 'Jaate Ho To Jao' (Milap). 

The next released film was Chandrakanta, its song Maine Chand Aur Sitaron Ki Tamanna Ki Thi (Chandrakanta, 1956) stand out. In 1957, three of his films were released, the songs of  Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke (1957) and Mr X were hit especially' ''laal laal gaal,jaan ke hain laagu' from Mr X.

. His close association with lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who was also his close friend ensured that his songs were always blessed by meaningful poetic lyrics. N. Datta also worked very closely with noted lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Jan Nisar Akhtar and others. 

B R Chopra, a big name took him for his film 'Sadhana'(1958) after the grand success of Naya Daur, whose music was given by O P Nayyar, instead of keeping him, he took N Dutta for this film. The songs of this film are still popular, Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko by Lata and the duet of Asha and Rafi ' Sambhal Ae Dil Tadapne Aur Tadpane Se Kya Hoga'.Songs of Dhool Ka Phool were very popular especially 'Tere Pyar Ka Asra Chahta Hoon'.

In B R Chopra's next Film Dhool Ka Phool's two songs—Daman mein daag laga baithe & Tu Hindu banega na musalman banega were the best songs penned by Sahir Ludhianvi and are far better composed than other songs of the film. Dharamputra(1961) was another B R Chopra film in which he composed music. Recall the Quwalli of this film.

He gave music for many films but most of his films were unsuccessful in the Box Office. some of his popular songs from later movies like 'Ponch kar ashk apni aankon se', 'Maine pee sharaab, tune kya piya', 'Jaan gayi mein toh jaan gayi' from the Movie Naya Raasta (1970) and 'Tere Is Pyar Ka Shukriya' from the Movie "Aag Aur Daag" are popular too. N. Datta also composed music for a number of Marathi movies. The song "Nimbonichya jhaadaamaage chandra jhopala ga baai" sung by Suman Kalyanpur from the Movie "Bala Gau Kashi Angai (1977)" is still very popular.

N. Datta’s later years were spent fighting ill health and commercial failure. The 1980 film Chehre Pe Chehra was his last Hindi film and on December 30, 1987 he breathed his last.

Song of Milap 1955

Song of Marine Drive 1955

Song of Chandrakanta 1956

Song of Mr X 1957

Song of Sadhana 1958

Song of Dhool Ka Phool (1959)

Song of Dharamputra 1961

Song of Dilli Ka Dada 1962

Song of Naya Rasta 1970