50 Years of the film DUNIYA

Dev Anand and Vyjayantimala have acted together in 3 films. This was the last film they worked together. Before this they were seen in Jewel Thief released a year ago in 1967.  The 149-minute romantic thriller was amongst the year's big hits grossing Rs.18 crores 
The music of the film was hit, the songs: Dooriyan Nazdikiyan Ban Gayi (Kishore-Asha), Falsafa Pyar Ka Tum Kya Jano, Jaawan Tum Ho Jawan Hum Hain (Rafi) by Hasrat Jaipuri; are still in our heart. The film was released on 28th Dec 1968.

The film starred Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala in the lead with Balraj Sahni, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar, Prem Chopra, Sulochana Latkar, Madan Puri, Nana Palsikar, Achala Sachdev, Laxmi Chhaya,  written by K. A. Narayan and directed by T. Prakash Rao.
The film's soundtrack was composed by the Shankar Jaikishan duo, while the lyrics were provided by Hasrat Jaipuri, S. H. Bihari and Gopaldas Neeraj.

The film is about three friend Amarnath(Dev Anand), Gopal(Suresh) and his sister, Mala(Vyjayatimala). As Mala and Gopal's mom is a widow and is unable to care for both the children, she decides to let her Bombay-based cousin, Shobha R. Sharma, adopt Mala. Gopal is always in trouble with the villagers for petty theft, and when he learns that Mala has left, he too runs away from home. Years later, all three have grown up. Mala's mom is deceased, while she continues to live with her aunt and uncle, Public Prosecutor Ramnath Sharma( Balral Sahini); Amarnath is now an Advocate working with Senior Advocate Mehta, and is in love with Mala, not knowing that she is his childhood friend; while Gopal has been to prison in Poona, Madras, and the Police in Hyderabad want him for questioning. Soon Amarnath will be defending Gopal, alias Ram Singh, for the murder of one Mohanchand - and it will be an uphill task for Amarnath - for not only do the Police have airtight evidence against Gopal, Mohanchand was to be the future son-in-law of Ramnath - who has sworn to bring Gopal to justice by hook or by crook.

Performance-wise, Dev Anand displays flashes of histrionics, Vyjayantimala is her usual competent self, excelling in the customary dance sequence in her films Balraj Sahni is brilliant, Johnny Walker provides relief in his inimitable style.

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Collection of Bollywood Songs on Ghalib Shayari

Mirza Ghalib is the topmost poet whose poems are used as songs in Hindi films.His poems, his lifestyle, his behaviour everything is a great inspiration. He continues to be one of the best and oft-quoted writers in history. 
Bollywood has paid a tribute to this legendary poet through a film named Mirza Ghalib (1954) in which Bharat Bhushan plays Ghalib and Suraiya plays his courtesan lover, Chaudvin. The musical score of the film was composed by Ghulam Mohammed and his compositions of Ghalib's famous ghazals are likely to remain everlasting favourites
On the 221st Birth Anniversary, I have made a collection of Bollywood Songs on Ghalib Shayari.
In 1954 a film on Mirza Ghalib was made by Sohrab Modi. The film won (1) the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film and (2) the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi in the 2nd National Film Awards for 1954. Suraiya's singing (of Mirza Ghalib's ghazals) and her acting was specially applauded by the Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, who remarked to her " You have brought back Ghalib to life", in a special screening of the film in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib T V Serial by Gulzar

Song of Mirza Ghalib T V Serial by Gulzar

The Great Romantic Songs Associated with Moon

My blogs on the theme songs are very well appreciated by the readers. In this blog I am taking a few romantic songs associated with the moon.Moon has fascinated and charmed the poets and the lovers alike. Poets have turned into lovers and lovers have turned into poets because of its beauty. Perhaps the moon may be the coolest thing a man can perceive in his life, besides his lady love. From Shakespeare to our Bollywood lyricists — all do mention a lovely romantic moonlit night in their creations. 
The silence and the beauty of the moon have that flirtatious effect on everyone.
Here are few such songs from the  Golden Era Hindi films.

Song of Dillagi 1949

Song of Lav Kush (1951)

Song of House No 44 1955

Song of Shatranj 1956

Song of  Navrang 1958

Song of Anari 1959

Song of  Barkha 1959

Song of Chaudhavin Ka Chand 1960

Song of Asli Naqli (1962)

Song of Aashiq 1962

Song of  Phool Bane Angaare,1963,

Song of  Dil Ek Mandir,1963,

Song of Mahabharat 1965

Song of Lal Bangla 1966

Song of  Padosan 1968

Song of  Reshma Aur Shera 1971

Song of Pakeezah (1972) 

Mohammad Rafi - A God-gifted voice.

Mohammad Rafi was born on 24th Dec 1924 in Kotla Sultansingh village in Punjab,  near Amritsar. Although music was not a part of his family background, there is no doubt that he was born with a gift for music in his heart.
 Rafi Sahab had picked up the rudiments of music from a fakir while already possessing a God-gifted voice. At a tender age of about fifteen decided to become a singer, his elder brother encouraged him to become a singer. When he was barely seventeen years old and sang his first playback song for a Punjabi film,  'Gul Baloch' under the music direction of the late Shyam Sunder in 1941. The song became popular, he was invited by the same composer to sing in a Hindi film he was composing.
Rafi Sahab took the final big step in his life and ventured off to Bombay to realise his dreams of making singing his career. In 1942 he arrived in Bombay to sing,  again under the music direction of Shyam Sunder for the movie 'Gaon ki Gauri'.  
Following the success of his song, Rafi Sahab approached the renowned music director Naushad, confiding in him his admiration for the great Kundan Lal. Saigal,  and how his ambition was to sing with Saigal Sahab.  Naushad did not disappoint him,  giving him two lines (Ruhi Ruhi Mere Sapnon ki Rani) with K.L Saigal for a song in the movie 'Shahjehan'. 
Rafi saheb had a tough competition with singers like  Manna Dey,  Talat Mahmood,  Hemant Kumar and Mukesh. He moved ahead of all of them after the success of Baiju Bawra under the music direction of Naushad Sahab.  "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale" together with 'Man Tarpat Hari Darshan' left Rafi Sahab in a league all of his own. 

With Naushad, he gave many immortal songs. Their collaboration produced some of the best and most memorable music of the Golden Era. His talent could not remain confined to just the classicism of Naushad. Many talented composers such as OP Nayyar, SD Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Ravi and numerous others gave their the best with Rafi and presented him in myriad colours. 

He was notable for his voice, versatility and range; his songs were varied from fast peppy numbers to patriotic songs, sad numbers to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to classical songs. He was known for his ability to mould his voice to the persona and style of an actor, lip-syncing the song on screen in the movie.
He has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in various regional Indian languages as well as foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi-Urdu and Punjabi over which he had a strong command. He has recorded as many as 7405 songs in many languages.
He received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India.
Mohammed Rafi died at 10:25 pm on 31 July 1980, following a massive heart attack, aged 55. The last song sung by Rafi was for the movie Aas Paas. One source says it was "Shaam Phir Kyun Udaas Hai Dost / Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost", recorded just hours before his death.
Some of my Fav Songs of Rafi

                                                          Song of Dulari (1949)

Song of Deedar (1951)

Song of Pyasa (1957)

Song of Kohinoor (1960)

Song of Kala Bazar (1960)

Song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand 1960

Song of Sasural 1961

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song of Taj Mahal 1963

Song of Dosti 1964

Song of Guide 1965

Ameen Sayani` - The grand old man of radio

His style of addressing the crowd with "Bhaiyo aur Behno " (meaning "brothers and sisters") is still treated as an announcement with a melodious touch. He achieved fame and popularity all across South Asia when he presented his Binaca Geetmala, a countdown program of Hindi hit songs over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon on every Wednesday from1952 to 1988. He remains one of the most imitated announcers of India  
His mother Kulsum Sayani was a social activist, recipient of Padma Shri and a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. She edited, published and printed a fortnightly journal for neo-literates in simple language, on the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi. From his childhood, Ameen helped his mother in all the activities related to the journal, Rahber, which was published from 1940 to 1960. 
In the early 1950s, All India Radio (AIR) had stopped broadcasting Hindi film music. It was a mad decision, which hit AIR very badly and Radio Ceylon, which was still finding its ground in the radio industry, came up because of that. Ameen Sayani joined All India Radio, Bombay, on a reference from his brother Hamid Sayani. There, Ameen did English programs for ten years. It was sad that AIR never recognized Ameen's talent, and he had to use Radio Ceylon all the time. 
Between All India Radio (since 1951), AIR’s Commercial Service (since 1970) and various foreign stations (since 1976), Sayani has produced, compared (or spoken for) over 54,000 radio programmes and 19,000 spots/ jingles.

He was also a part of various movies throughout the years like Bhoot Bungla, Teen Devian, Boxer, and Qatl. He appeared in all of these movies in the role of an announcer in some event.

He has conferred the Padma Shri award in 2009.

In one of his interviews, the versatile presenter revealed that Amitabh Bachchan, who had wished to become a radio presenter before he tried his luck in Bollywood, visited the studios multiple times but failed to make the cut as Ameen Sayaani didn’t clear him.

Binaca Geet Mala

Binaca Geet Mala part 2

Binaca Geet Mala part 3

Binaca Geet Mala 1952-54

Binaca Geet Mala part 4

Om Prakash- Widely Remembered for his Versatile Roles

He acted in more than 350 films in a career spanning four decades. His style of delivering satirical dialogues was inimitable. His roles as Sharmila Tagore's 'brother' in the memorable Chupke Chupke and Amitabh Bachchan's 'Daddu' in Namak Halal.his God-fearing drink enjoying Catholic rail engine driver in Julie (1975)
His comic performances in Howrah Bridge, Dus Lakh (he won his first major award for this performance), Pyar Kiye Jaa, Gol Maal and Chameli Ki Shaadi.  His roles in Sharabi, Bharosa, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Loafer and Dil Tera Diwana were also appreciated. His performance as Dilip Kumar’s elder brother in Gopi gave his career new impetus.

Om Prakash (19 December 1919 – 21 February 1998) was born in Jammu, as Om Prakash Chibber.  Since his career began in 1942, he was a popular supporting actor from the 1950s until the 1980s. He also produced Jahanaara starring Bharat Bhushan, Shashikala, Prithviraj Kapoor and Mala Sinha in the title role of Jahanaara.

He got his first break as a villain in a film called Lakhpati. It won him acclaim and got him roles in films like Lahore, Char Din and Raat Ki Rani. It was during this phase in his career that he did Azaad with Dilip Kumar, Sargam with Raj Kapoor and Miss Mary, Bahar, Pehli Jhalak, Asha and Manmauji with Kishore Kumar followed by Howrah Bridge with Ashok Kumar and then Tere Ghar Ke Samne with Dev Anand.
In the movie Dus Lakh(1966) he played the role of a misery father of a large family who loses his bearings after he comes into a lottery of 10 lakhs. Om Prakash won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Another memorable role played by him was in Buddha Mil Gaya (1971). he played a character of a mysterious millionaire with a vendetta. 
Chupke Chupke came in 1975 and is one of the most iconic and incredible performances. He performed as Raghavendra Sharma in a suspicious way. He managed to outshine a peak Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan combination.

In Namak Halal (1982) he played as the grandfather who goes undercover to check up on his grandson. His role was small but still, his camaraderie with Bachchan remains incredible.
Om Prakash had a special rapport with Amitabh Bachchan and both worked in many successful films from Zanjeer to Sharaabi
Om Prakash suffered a massive heart attack in his home and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai where he suffered another heart attack and went into a coma from which he never recovered. He died on 21 February 1998
Some of the great songs of Om Prakash

Song from Miss Mary 1957

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Song from Budha Mil Gaya 1971

Song from Budha Mil Gaya 1971

Song from Annadata 1972

The Great Romantic Heroes of Bollywood

Starting from the black and white era to the present digital era, the romance has blossomed. As the generation changes the new actors take the throne of the king of romance. Shahrukh Khan is called as King of Romance but the original King was Dev Anand followed by Rajesh Khanna. Over the years, a number of Chocolate Heroes or Romantic heroes have emerged on the silver screen giving the cine-goers a feel of romance.
 Here are the great Romantic Heroes of Bollywood.
The first in my List is
Dev Anand.

Dev Anand gave us many romantic hits. Some of the great such films are Afsar(1950), Sanam(1951) both with Suraiya. Later Munimji 1955 was his a hit film. Another hit romantic movie was Paying Guest in 1957 with Nutan. Both of them have a great romantic film Tere Ghar Ke Samne in 1963.
With Waheeda Rehman Dev Anand gave Guide in 1965 and Prem Pujari 1970. Some of the great romantic films with other heroines are Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961,  Hum Dono 1961,Maya 1961,  Asli Naqli 1962. Love Marriage 1959, Teen Deviyan 1965.

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Rajesh Khanna

With romantic films like ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Daag’, ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’ and ‘Aap Ki Kasam’ to name a few, Rajesh Khanna was one of the most iconic romantic actors of his time. He pulled off his lover boy image with ease and that wasn’t restricted to reel life only. Khanna had women swooning over him and if stories are anything to go by, it is said that girls used to send him love letters written in their own blood!

Song of Aradhana 1969

Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor began his career in a lead role with his father’s ‘Bobby’, started out as a romantic hero. With less violence and much romance in his long list of films like ‘Saagar’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Prem Rog’, ‘Yeh Vaada Raha’, ‘Laila Majnu’ 'Kabhie Kabhie'etc, Rishi Kapoor, too, belonged to the new breed of young romantic actors from the late 80s.

Song of Bobby 1973

Shahrukh Khan

 He made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. Early in his career, Khan was recognised for portraying villainous roles in the films Darr (1993), Baazigar (1993) and Anjaam (1994). He then rose to prominence after starring in a series of romantic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001).

Song of DDLJ 1995

  Shashi Kapoor

 Raj Kapoor’s younger brother entered the film industry when his eldest brother had a successful stint in acting and had turned to direction. With movies like ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’, 'Haseena Maan Jayegi;‘Kabhi Kabhie’ and ‘Sharmeelee’, Shashi Kapoor, set an image of a romantic actor and the audiences loved him in such roles too.

Song of Jab Jab Phool Khile 1965

Aamir Khan

Mr Perfectionist entered into Bollywood as a chocolate-hero in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and had sustained likewise in several films to follow—from Love, Love, Love, Dil, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin,  Raja Hindustani, Ishq. Now, no matter how much of a social activist he becomes, tearing off the garb of a chocolate-hero is just impossible! 

Song of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak 1989

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor is steadily climbing the ladder to becoming the king of the romance of today’s times. His films like ‘Rockstar’, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, ‘Saawariya’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and the rest prove – like father, like son!

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor (1924-1988) perfected a screen image of a lovable, Chaplin-like tramp with roles that often saw him playing an innocent lad in an unjust society, His pairing with Nargis gave us some of the iconic films.

Song of Shree 420  (1955)

50 years of the release of SUNGHARSH

Five decades ago, another superstar took on the part of a thug in director Harnam Singh Rawail’s rather successful venture, Sunghursh (1968). That was Dilip Kumar, he gives a stirring performance, the real delight is when he breaks into a folk dance “Mere Pairon Mein Ghungroo Bandh De Aur Phir Meri Chaal Dekh Le”.   

The movie was released on 01 July 1968. The movie is directed by Harnam Singh Rawail and featured Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala and Balraj Sahni as lead characters. A most surprising find of the movie was Sanjeev Kumar. His performance of negative role shot to fame. He was commended for his role while a newcomer as compared with established actors like Dilip Kumar and Balraj Sahni 

Set in Varanasi, this fast-paced film talks of thugs, the expert killers who were a terror in Northern India in the 19th Century. They used to rob the pilgrims by hook or crook. Adapted from a Mahasweta Devi work, director H.S. Rawail addresses the loot that goes on at pilgrim centres in the name of faith. How the practice of sacrifice is misused for personal gains and how men compromise love for spiritual virtues – issues that are a relevant event today…issues that our films generally talk of only in hushed tones.
It is said H S Rawail the director of the film wanted Sadhna to be the heroine in this film but she was not available because of her illness. Eventually, Rawail signed Vyjayanthimala for the role. Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala who had worked together for Naya Daur (1957) and Ganga Jamuna were then said to have a romantic affair. The actors parted after Vyjayanthimala worked with Raj Kapoor in the 1964 Hindi film Sangam. Thus, most of the scenes between the two actors for Sungharsh were shot separately.Sungharsh was the last film where Kumar and Vyjayanthimala worked together.

The music for all the songs is composed by Naushad and the lyrics are written by Shakeel Badayuni. The film's soundtrack has seven songs sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar with one song sung by Asha Bhosle. All are solo songs where Naushad used the music from the regions of Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Song of Sungharsh 1968

Song of Sungharsh 1968

Song of Sungharsh 1968

Song of Sungharsh 1968