Wednesday 10 January 2018

Basu Chatterjee-The creator of classics like Rajnigandha,Chitchor and Chhoti Si Baat


 Before he became a Director, Basu Chatterjee worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for the famous weekly Tabloid, Blitz.He assisted Basu Bhattacharya on his film, ‘Teesri Kasam’ (1966).Sara Akash’ in 1969 was his first film as Director.He proved his worth with sweet romantic movies such as ‘Rajnigandha’ (1974), ‘Chhoti Si Baat’ (1976) and ‘Chitchor’ (1976). These films were huge success at the box office since they were light hearted, fun, romantic and the audience instantly connected with the characters depicted in the film.

Born on 10th Jan 1930 at Ajmer started his career as an illustrator and cartoonist with the weekly tabloid Blitz published in Bombay.He worked there for 18 years.It was Basu Bhattacharya who brought him to film Industry.After assisting him in Teesri Kasam he assisted Govind Saraiya for 1968 film Saraswatichandra.After independently directing he directed Rajshri's Piya Ka Ghar in 1972.The film was an average at Box office.Us Paar in 1974 was his next directorial film starring Maushumi  Chatterjee and Vinod Mehra.
He became a successful Director after Rajnigandha in 1974.His films  Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Chitchor (1976), Khatta Meetha(1978) ,  Baton Baton Mein(1979) Man Pasand(1980), Shaukeen(1982) and Chameli Ki Shadi (1986) were successful. He has also directed many Bengali films such as Hothat BrishtiHochcheta Ki and Hothat Shei Din.He also directed the TV Series Byomkesh Bakshi and the popular Rajani (TV series) for Doordarshan.
Some of the Popular Songs from Basu Chatterjee
Song from Piya Ka Ghar 1972


Song from Rajnigandha 1974




Song from Chhoti Si Baat 1975





Song from Chitchor 1976




Song from Priyatama 1978





Song from Khatta Meetha 1978





Song from Baton Baton Mein 1979




Song from Manzil 1979




Song from Manpasand 1980







Tuesday 9 January 2018

MAHENDRA KAPOOR-The Voice of Manoj 'Bharat' Kumar


Like Mukesh was the soul of Raj Kapoor, Mahendra Kapoor was Manoj 'Bharat' Kumar's voice; he sang a host of hits for the actor from Mere desh ki dharti (Upkar ) to Aur nahin bas aur nahin from Roti Kapda Aur Makaan.
He was among the handful of singers dominating the golden age of Hindi film music.Among his popular songs are Tere pyaar ka aasra chaahta hoon (Dhool Ka Phool), Neele gagan ke tale (Hamraaz) and Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se(Gumrah).
Born on 9 January 1934 started learning classical music under classical singers like Pt. Hussanlal, Pt. Jagannath Bua, Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan, Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Pt.Tulsidaas Sharma. Got  his debut as a playback singer in V. Shantaram's Navrang in 1958, singing Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi, under the musical direction of C. Ramchandra.
It was the song Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabee ban jaaye from B R Chopra's Gumrah that set him on the path to fame. Subsequently, Kapoor sang his best songs for B R Films and the latter's favorite music director Ravi.
He remained as one of the most popular singer in the Bollywood who has given his voice to almost all of the popular heroes like Dilip Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shahsi Kapoor, Biswajeet, Raj Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bahchcan, Manoj Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughina Sinha and many more. For Punjabi movies he has given his voice to Varendra, Mehar Mittal, Prem Nath and many more.
Kapoor sung in a large number of Indian languages, and is the playback singer who has performed in the largest number of in GujaratiPunjabiBhojpuri and Marathi movies.[3] He also performed the title song for the TV series Mahabharat. In Marathi he was very popular for being the voice of Dada Kondke in all his movies.
Kapoor had a very large vocal range, and he is sometimes known as The Vibrant Voice of India.[citation needed] He was the first Indian playback singer to record music in English[citation needed]. He was asked by the group Boney M to sing their songs in Hindi with Musarat from Pakistan, which resulted in the Pop Album M-3. Some of the songs on the album are "Chori Chori Chalo!!"(Original, Hoorray! Hoorray! by Boney M), "O Meri Champe Ki Daali"
He died On 27 September 2008 due to cardiac arrest.He was awarded Dada Saheb Phalke Award the same year.
Song from Dhool Ka Phool 1959


Song from Gumrah 1963


Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi 1966


Song from Upkar 1967


Song from Hamraaz (1967)


Song from Kismat (1968)


Song from  AAYE DIN BAHAAR KE(1966)


Song from Yaadgar (1970)


Song from  Gopi (1970)


Song from  Fakira (1975)





Monday 8 January 2018

Nanda- One of the highest paid actresses of her time.


Nanda, who has done some unforgettable work in Bollywood and has given films like like Hum Dono, ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, ‘Dulhan’, ‘Bhabhi’, ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’, ‘Gumnaam’, ‘Shor’, ‘Parineeta’, and ‘Prem Rog’ was one of the highest paid actresses of her time. She was the second highest paid Hindi actress along-with Nutan from 1960-1965 and second highest paid Hindi actress in 1966-1969 along-with Nutan and Waheeda 
She was born on 8th Jan1939 at Kolhapur. Maharashtra.She was eight years old when her father died.She became a child actress, helping her family by working in films.She made her debut with Mandir in 1948.she was a child actor from 1948 to 1956. She was first recognized as "Baby Nanda". In the films like MandirJagguAngaarey, and Jagriti.

It was  the renowned film producer-director V. Shantaram who was her maternal uncle gave Nanda a big break by casting her in a successful brother-sister saga; Toofan Aur Diya (1956).She played supporting roles initially,  She received her first Filmfare Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Bhabhi(1957). She played second lead in Dhool Ka Phoo and was in Kala Bazar as Dev Anand'sister.

She became a lead heroine with the 1959 film Chhoti Behen,The movie was a big hit, making her a star.She then played lead roles, such as one of Dev Anand's heroines in Hum Dono (1961) and Teen Deviyan. Both films were acclaimed as hits. 

She was the heroine in B.R. Chopra's Kanoon (1960), She signed eight films with Shashi Kapoor at a time when he was yet to become successful in Hindi Cinema. Their earlier two films  Char Diwari (1961) and Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962) were flop but she continued to work with him till Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) released.The film was a hit,she played a westernised role for the first time and it helped her image.They became a successful screen pair.They gave many hit films like Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965),Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966), Raja Saab (1969) and Rootha Na Karo (1970).

The year 1965 was lucky year for her,she gave hit films like Gumnam and Teen Deviyan beside  Jab Jab Phool Khile.
She signed with new leading man Rajesh Khanna in the songless suspense thriller Ittefaq (1969), for which she received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress and which became successful at the box office. After Khanna became a super-star, he signed two more films with her; the thriller The Train (1970) and the comedy Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972) which became hits. Jeetendra, too, had some hit films with her such as Parivar and Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke, with Sanjay Khan, she had a hit in Beti and Abhilasha

She did a small role in Manoj Kumar's Shor (1972), Nanda did a few more critically acclaimed films such as Chhalia (1973) and Naya Nasha (1974), which flopped, and she then stopped acting. In 1982, she came back with three successful films, all coincidentally having her play Padmini Kolhapure's mother in Ahista AhistaMazdoor and Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog. Then she permanently retired.In 1992, a middle-aged Nanda became engaged to director Manmohan Desai at the urging of Rehman. But he died before they get married.
Nanda remained un married till she died.She died in Mumbai on 25 March 2014 at her Versova residence, aged 75, following a heart attack.


Song from Toofan Aur Diya 1956





Song from Bhabhi (1957)





Song from Chhoti Bahen (1959)




Song from Usne Kaha Tha (1960)



Song from Aanchal (1960)



Song from Nartakee 1963 



Song from Gumnaam (1965)



Song from Teen Devian (1965)



Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)



Song from Dharti Kahe Pukarke (1969)



Song from The Train 1970



Song from Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971)




Song from Shor (1972)




Saturday 6 January 2018

Top 30 Sharabi Songs of bollywood


There are innumerable Sharabi Songs in Bollywood.Those were acted and sung by many actors and singers but the songs sung by Mohammad Rafi are worth mentioning.
Rafi ji was a known teetotaler.Without drinking a pint, Rafiji could blabber and drag words like a real Sharabi. Some of the well-known such songs of Rafiji and other are listed below.

The first song in my List is from Kala Pani picturized on Dev Anand released in 1958
Song from Kala Paani 1958



Song from GOONJ UTHI SHAHANAYEE 1959



Song from Hum Dono (1961)


Song from Main Chup Rahungi 1962



Song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963


Song from Sharabi 1964



Song from LEADER 1964



Song from Guide 1965



Song from Kajal 1965



Song from MERE HUMDUM MERE DOST 1968

Manna De Sharabi Songs




Song from Mere Huzoor 1968



Song from Sita Aur Geeta 1972

MUKESH Sharabi Songs


Song from Jagte Raho 1956


Song from Main Nashe Mei Hoon 1958

Kishore Kumar Sharabi Songs

Song from Paying Guest 1957

Song from Kati Patang 1971

Song from Amar Prem 1972



Song from Haath Ki Safai 1974



Song from Prem Nagar 1974



Song from Namak Halal 1982



Song from Sharabi 1984

Lata, Asha & others

Song from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam 1962



Song from Inteqam 1969



Song from Ram Aur Shyam 1969



Song from 5 Rifles 1974



Song from Des Pardes 1978



Song from Naseeb 1981



Song from Naam 1986

Song from Devdas 2002


Song from Ugly aur Pagli 2014

















Friday 5 January 2018

Mukri-The Nathulal Of Sharabi


Remember the  iconic dialogue of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan, 'Mooche Ho Toh Nathulal Jaise, 'Warna Na Ho’from 1984 film Sharabi. That was his last film with Amitabh. Before that he acted with him in ‘Coolie’(Rati’s father), ‘ Amar Akbar Anthony’( Neetu Singh’s father),’ Bombay To Goa’(a South Indian),Lawaris etc.

What made Mukri 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 servant or a gardener or even a show organiser in many films.
Mukri’s 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 made his debut with film ‘Pratima’ along with Dilip Kumar and all his films with Dilip Kumar like "Aan" and "Amar" was extremely popular. He was born as Muhammad Umar Mukri in Maharashtra on January 5, 1922, and passed away on September 4, 2000, in Mumbai.
 Mukri was a classmate of legendary actor Dilip Kumar and both made their debut in the same year in Hindi cinema. It is said that Dilip Kumar helped Mukri a lot. Their friendship continued until Mukri expired.
Mukri also shared his screen with other great heroes of his times in almost 600-odd films, where he worked in during a career that extended for more than 50 years. Mukri worked with Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Amithabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Meena Kumari and Mudhubala.

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. 

Some of Famous Songs of Mukri
Song from Dak Ghar



Song from Asli Naqli.1962




Song from Anokhi Raat 1968




Song from Padosan 1968




Song from Upaasna 1971




Song from Amar Akbar Anthony 1977




Thursday 4 January 2018

R D Burman-The music composer always look out for new sound


A lot has been written about R D Burman creating sound from various sources, like a broom and a comb, a glass hit by spoon, blow wind into a bottle or beat the table or the human back. It is not important to create that sound, in my mind the genius is to apply that sound into music and make it part of the melody. 
Song from Sholay 1975
In  Mehbooba Mehbooba  song from Sholay (1975), the song begins with the sound he created by blowing from his mouth into half filled cold drink bottles. Nobody before or after him has had these ideas.
In an interview he said that even a motorcycle wheel could get him thinking of a tune. In the song Kal Kya Hoga from Kasme Vaade (1978), he used the recorded sound of a motorbike and also created it vocally himself.
Song from Warrant 1975


On stage display of the sound created from coke bottle

Botal se ik baat chali hai (Ghar, 1978) with real time bottle effect ,similarly the sound from bottle was used in the Warrant song "Ruk Jana O Jana", watch above video.
Song from Kitab 1977

Masterji ki aa gai chitthi (Kitab, 1977) with students beating the table, and which kid has not done this in his/her school days? Then the Chhoti si kahani se, barishon ke paani se (Ijaazat, 1987) with rainfall sound, these and many more are not contrived sound effects, they are natural fits – uniquely blended within the melody, something that is unprecedented and was not heard of before.


Song from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)

 In 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne', from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), the spoon-on-glass sound heard in the beginning is an actual recording of a glass being struck by a spoon.


Song from Darling Darling 1977

In the song 'Raat Gai Baat Gai', from the Dev Anand-Zeenat Aman starrer Darling Darling (1977), at one point (the 2:22 mark in the video above), a beat is heard which doesn't sound like a conventional percussion instrument. In the song's picturisation, it is Aman who is creating the beat by tapping various parts of her own body (as well as a few extras). In the studio, that beat was played by Burman, literally, on the back of one of his trusted percussionists, Amrutrao Katkar.



 In 'Dheere Dheere Zara Zara' from Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), the rhythm created by actress Rekha on screen, where she's shown tapping a piece of jewelry around her waist, was actually the sound of a bunch of keys that was used in lieu of the traditional hi-hat.


Song from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai 1981

In the song above "Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun" from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai he created a sound by rubbing two sand papers for creating the sound of a train.


Song from Mahan 1983

He created a different sound by a school bell dipping in a bucket full of water,Watch the above song "Yeh Din To aata Hai Ek Din Jawani Mein" from 1983 film Mahan.See how this sound was created in the video below.


Song from Ajnabee 1974

In the song"Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein" from Ajnabee 1974 film,he created the thunder sound by shaking a metal sheet
In Padosan song Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein the beginning sound was created by rubbing Comb with a grooved pipe.Same sound again  was used in "Chingari Koi Bhadke" from Amar Prem Song.
R D was very fond of new and different types of musical instruments.He introduced Thumba to Bollywood,Pancham and his group had gone for some shows in Africa. There they saw this African Instrument called Tumba. This triggered Pancham and thus he brought TUMBA to India. The legendary TUMBA played in “Aya Hoon Main Tujhko Le Jaunga” from Manoranjan is a classic example of his rhythmic playing.  
In the film Jawani Diwani in asong "Samne Yeh Kaun Aya" he invented an instrument called Pedal Matka to produce a different sound.watch this video below.

Pancham Da was always on a look out for novelty.In the following song"Bandar Salam" from Teen Murti 1982 in the beginning the sound we listen is not from any instrument but produced from the mouth 




. 
He would make music out of everything — from a bunch of keys to physically playing a beat on the back of a shirtless and bewildered session percussionist