SHAKEEL BADAYUNI- Lo Aa Gai Unki Yaad

 

He was a great lyricist of the Golden Era of Bollywood. That was the time when most of the poets were writing about the downtrodden sections of society, their upliftment, the betterment of society, and depressive songs. But Shakeel had an altogether different taste – his poetry was romantic and close to the heart.

in his first film, he wrote the song Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon. sung by Uma Devi(TunTun), became immortal, In the 1949 film Dulari, he wrote 'Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki'.He was the lyricist of many immortal songs 'Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya' , 'Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho Ya Aftab Ho', Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin' (Gharana), 'Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil' (Bees Saal Baad), or 'Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat Ki Kasam' 

Shakeel shared a close friendship with Naushad, he and Naushad became one of the most sought-after composer/lyricist duos in the industry. Among the scores they churned out together, are those of Deedar (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952), Mother India (1957), and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), that stand out. Other films they scored together include Dulari (1949), Shabab (1954), Ganga Jamuna (1961), and Mere Mehboob (1963)He also collaborated with Hemant Kumar and Ravi to give us many memorable songs.

Below is a List of Shakeel's Memorable songs with a link

1 Afsana likh rahi hoon/Uma Devi/Naushad/Dard

https://youtu.be/D7XJy4bSNRY

2 Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki Na - Dulari Song - Naushad - Mohd Rafi

https://youtu.be/RPNMFQDISIY

3 Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj - Naushad-Rafi (Baiju Bawra) 

https://youtu.be/4c9yzRB5pPc

4 Madhuban Me Radhika Naache Re (Kohinoor)

https://youtu.be/krDhXUtL7Zg

5 Ghunghat nahin kholu saiyya tore aage/Lata Mangeshkar/Naushad/Mother India

https://youtu.be/HgxzXkuHfu0

6  Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya? (Mughal- E- Azam)

https://youtu.be/FzVG01dDTCA

7  Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho (Chaudvin Ka Chand)

https://youtu.be/wRbBORKhGYg

8  Nain ladh gayi hain hain toh /Mohammed Rafi/Naushad/Ganga Jamuna

https://youtu.be/xVp4ziT5ufI

9 Kahin deep jale, kahin dil/Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar/Bees Saal Baad

https://youtu.be/kKnyg_ZkFlY

10  Na Jao Saiyaan (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulaam)- Geeta Dutt

https://youtu.be/TCDbIT13MRY

11 Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri (Mere Mehboob) (1963)

https://youtu.be/BJNRyWh30jE

12  Tumhe Paa Ke Hum Ne (Gehra Daag)

https://youtu.be/CrDyRTrMDvU

13 Dil Laga Kar Hum Ye Samjhe (Zindagi Aur Maut)

https://youtu.be/0MQlso1ww9Y

14  Lo Aa Gai Unki Yaad (Do Badan)

https://youtu.be/HNsItgvVun4

15 Koi Saagar Dil Ko (Dil Diya Dard Liya)

https://youtu.be/XisFzdMbGGY

AVM- The Oldest and Longest Film Production Company.

 

Today's generation may not be familiar with this name but one or two generations before it was a big name in the Hindi film audience. It was founded by  AV. Meiyappan (28 July 1907- 12 August 1979), set up the first studio in 1946, with a vision of transforming the world of cinema with top-class storytelling styles. Over the decades, each member of the AVM family has kept up with that legacy, adapting it to changing times.

 It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema. The first film  'Alli Arjuna' a Hindu mythology was released in 1935, produced under 'Saraswathi Sound Productions' and then under 'Pragathi Studios'. The first Hindi film was 'Bahar' released in 1951.

AVM has introduced numerous actors in Southern industries, some of the prominent actors are Sivaji Ganesan, Rajkumar, S. S. Rajendran, Vyjayanthimala, Kamal Haasan, and many more.In 2007, AVM produced Sivaji which at ₹ 95 crores, was said to be the most expensive film ever made in the history of the Indian film industry at that time. 

AVM made 21 films in Hindi, a few of these are Bahar(1951), Ladki(1953), Bhai Bhai91956), Chori Chori(1956), Miss Mary, Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke, and Bhabhi all released in 1957, Chhaya(1961), Mein Chup Rahungi(1962), Manmauji(1962), and Meharban(1967).

In 2014, the studio entered into the OTT platform with Tamil film Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum

Song of Bahar 1951

Song of Bhai Bhai 1956

Song of Chori Chori 1956

Song of Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke 1957

Song of Chhaya 1961

Song of Main Chup Rahungi 1962

Song of Manmauji 1962

Missing the Villain's Den and a Song there in the Climax

 

Among the many things that have vanished from Hindi films are the villain's Den, heroines, and sacrificing mothers tied to pillars waiting to be rescued by the hero. Filmmakers never missed an opportunity to keep a dance song in that situation. This trend started in the 50s and continued till the early 90s.

Among the early villain’s den songs is from Baazi (1951). Tadbeer Se Bigadi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le, The desperate, out-of-luck hero Dev Anand is about to leave the gambler’s den in Star Hotel until the seductive Geeta Bali appears with her guitar and sings, “Apne pe bharosa hai to dav laga le” Another popular song of this situation was Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana  from the 1956 film C I D

In this blog I have selected a few such songs performed in a super villain's hideout when the leading hero or heroine is under captivity. Sometimes lead leading actors are also disguised while performing choreographed dances in the villain's presence to deceive him or extract important information.

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of C I D 1956

This is a very popular song 'Aaiye Meharbaan' picturized on Madhubala in Howrah Bridge(1958) Ashok Kumar tries to get cosy with the bad guys who may be involved in his brother’s death. The hotel’s biggest draw, the beautiful Edna (Madhubala), is fond of Kumar and charms him with Aaiye Meharbaan, while the villain Pyarelal (KN Singh) looks on.

Song of Howrah Bridge 1958

In another Dev Anand starrer, Jaali Note (1960), Anand is an undercover police inspector hobnobbing with criminals in their underground den beneath the Paris Hotel, where they are entertained by a then-unknown Helen dancing to Nigahon Ne Pheka Hain Panje Ka Chakka.

Song of Jaali Note (1960)

In the 1960 film Jis desh mein ganga behti hai Raj Kapoor goes to dacoit place and sing a song 

Song of Vazir e Azam (1961)

Song of Jewel Thief 1967

Song of Ek Phool Ek Bhool(1968)

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Song of Elan 1971

Song of Mera Gaon Mera Desh 1971

Song of Zanjeer 1973

Song of Ameer Gareeb 1974

Song of Pathhar aur Paayal (1974)

Song of Sholay 1975

Song of Shalimar 1978

How Harikishan Giri Goswami became Manoj Kumar?

 

He was eleven years old when he saw his first film 'Shabnam'(1949) starring Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal. This film and its hero Dilip Kumar created magic on the young Harikishan Giri Goswami that he decided to adopt the name of Dilip Kumar's character from the 1949 film as his screen name.

The story of the film was of the refugees of the 1942 Rangoon war, Shanti (Kamini Kaushal) and Dilip Kumar( Manoj)who fall in love while on the way to Bengal. He too was a refugee from Pakistan, the film made a long-lasting impact on the young Harikishan. In an interview, Manoj Kumar said "It is because of him that I became a fan of cinema. I fell in love with his character in the film whose name was Manoj. I must be 11-year-old then but I instantly decided that if and whenever I become an actor I will keep my name as Manoj Kumar," 

Manoj Kumar (born on 24 July 1937) his family had to migrate from Jandiala Sher Khan Pakistan to Delhi due to the Partition His family lived as refugees in Vijay Nagar, Kingsway Camp, and later moved to Old Rajendra Nagar area of New Delhi. His fascination for films brought him to Bombay. He took part in the first Filmfare Talent Hunt competition hed in Bombay. Dharmendra was also one of the contestants.

Manoj Kumar got his first role in the film 'Fashion' released in 1957, the hero was Pradeep Kumar. Manoj Kumar played the role of an 80-year-old beggar in the film. This was a very small role. After this he got another small role in the 1958 film 'Sahara' starring Meena Kumari.

Manoj Kumar got his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudia (1961) opposite Saida Khan.Its song 'Saath Ho Tum Aur Raat Jawan; was a hit but not the film.Before this another film 'Honeymoon'(1960) with the same lead was released first 

Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962) was the first hit film of Manoj Kumar, but subsequent films were flop In 1964 he got a major hit 'Woh Kaun Thi' After this film he never looked back. In 1965 his film Shaheed got him branded as a patriotic image. His directorial debut Upkaar (1967). In this award-winning film, he played both a soldier and a farmer. The film was also noted for the famous song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", written by Gulshan Bawra, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkaar was declared a blockbuster and won him his first Filmfare Best Director Award. 

He appeared with his idol Dilip Kumar in the 1967 film Aadmi, he was nominated  Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. Again in 1981 he directed him in the film 'Kranti'

After Kranti in 1981, Kumar's career began to decline, when the films he did with him in lead role like Kalyug Aur Ramayan in 1987 and later Clerk in 1989 failed at the box office. In 1989, he cast Pakistani actors Mohammad Ali and Zeba in his film Clerk. He quit acting after his appearance in the 1995 film Maidan-E-Jung. He directed his son, Kunal Goswami, in the 1999 film Jai Hind which had a patriotic theme. The film was a flop and was the last film Kumar worked on.

Here are some forgotten and rare songs of Manoj Kumar

Song of Honeymoon 1960

Song of Kaanch Ki Gudiya 1961

Song of Hariyali Aur Rasta 1962

Song of Dr Vidya 1962

Song of Shaadi 1962

Song of Apna Bana Ke Dekho 1963

Song of Ghar Basake Dekho  1963

Song of Apne Huye Paraye 1964

Song of Phoolon Ki Sej 1964

Song of Picnic1964

MUKESH - The Best Articulator of Melancholy.

 

 ‘Dil jalta hai to jalne de’. was the first major song from Mukesh from ” Pehli Nazar”(1945). It was Anil Biswas who composed this song and wanted him to sing in Saigal style The song became so popular that he was branded for the sad songs. He was next to Saigal for such types of songs.Initially, all the composers used Mukesh mainly for such songs.

After this film, however, Anil Biswas helped Mukesh to develop his own distinct style, away from the Saigal effect. Mukesh songs of Anokha Pyaar-48, Lajawab-50 and Aaram-51 are a testimony to this effort becoming a success. Just listen to ‘ Aye Jaan e Jigar’ song and you will agree.  The anguish of a failed lover, despondency of a purposeless life, the Heartache-all this is expressed by Mukesh like no other singer.

Naushad also recognized Mukesh's voice, he took him for the first time in the 1948 film 'Anokhi Ada'.Mukesh coming out a winner with his ‘ kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga’. Mela-48 put a stamp of approval on Mukesh from none other than Dilip Kumar. He sang many songs for him, in fact he was the voice of Dilip Kumar in Andaz(1949) and Rafi was the voice of Raj Kapoor in that film.

Mukesh became the voice of Raj Kapoor after the success of Barsat (1949), he sang almost all the songs for him except a few exceptions. on his death raj Kapoor said that he has lost his voice. In fact, after the demise of Mukesh, Talat, Hemant, and Kishore to a certain extent sang sad songs, but the sentiments of Gloom, sorrow, and despair disappeared from Hindi film songs. 

The last song that he recorded was Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal from “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” in June 1976. Soon after recording this song he left for a musical tour of the US. Mukesh had sung 930 songs in 533 films. he gave music to 2 films and acted in 7 films in his early years. Some of his films were, “Aadab Arz” (1943), “Aah” (1953), “Mashuqa” (1953), “Anurag” (1956).

Song of Pehli Nazar 1948

Song of Anokhi Ada 1948

Song of Mela 1948

Song of Andaz 1949

Song of Bawre Nain 1949

Song of Awara 1951

Song of Aah 1953

Song of Parvarish 1958

Song of Kanhaiya 1959

Song of Bombai Ka Babu 1960

Song of Chhalia 1960

Song of Baraat 1960

Song of Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi 1960

Song of Sanjog 1961

Song of Sasural 1961