I've always been a huge fan of Hindi film music - the good kind. By that I'm usually referring to most things pre-1980. That's not to say the past 3 decades have been absolute crap, but I'd rather not listen to something that Jumping Jack Jeetu was testing the limits of the human pelvis with. I'm also not a fan of the Atif Aslam led "renaissance", which obviously means naming the Capped One will be an insult to this post, nay blog.
My first memories of old, Hindi film music go back to Aajoba's gramophone - and to a very old collection of songs he had. One of them - Shraddhanjali - I think - which was Lata Mangeshkar's tribute to the first singing "superstars". I remember being very amused at how everybody was so nasal that time - especially Pankaj Mullick singing "Piya Milan ko jaana" or Saigal singing " So Jaa Raajkumari". I don't think I was a "fan" then, after all I was barely 6. The gramophone was an endless source of amazement to me, especially the story he told me about the dog who remembered "his master's voice" which led to the iconic picture.
Growing up, music was a very integral part of the family. Dad has this massive collection of film music - mostly old recordings from the radio. We always had the old cassette player on, or the radio; and the most important task to finish while leaving on a vacation, was picking out the cassettes to listen to on the way there. None of us are musicians in any sense of the word, but music was one thing common, and I cherished that bond. I loved to, and still do, ask my parents and grandparents endless ( and mostly, repetitive) questions about music from the older times. Who sang what; how the movies were then; the theatres then; and of course their source of music. I'm sure, to anyone above 40, Binaca Geet Mala must've been a very important part of their childhood.
Since we were strictly forbidden to ride our cycles to school ( all the way to 10th, I must embarrassingly admit) Aai-Baba used to drop us there. School was at 7.30, and we had the radio on a s usual. Aakashwani (I don't think we had Radio Mirchi then) used to air a program called "Bhoole, bisare geet) at 7 am. Now this played really really old songs; mostly from the 40s and 50s. The songs were great - but the movie titles were really absurd . So whether we had Uma Devi singing "Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon" or "Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re" by Shamshad Begum, or "Aana Meri jaan Sunday ke Sunday" ; or another of Shamshad Begum's classics with the Rangoon-Telephoon, times were great, and so was the music.
The thing I find most remarkable, and this is probably the most done-to-death discussion you'll ever have, is the longevity of these songs. It's not just that they were brilliantly written, composed and sung. There have been a lot that followed. A lot in the past decade, even. But, hardly any gets elevated to the heights these songs have. Or is even spoken of having a chance to do so. So when "Jawan hai Mohabbat" from Anmol Ghadi is still played on the radio - an astounding 65 years after it's release, you can only stand and applaud.
The list of songs that follows, isn't really full of "Bhoole, bisare geet" to a lot of people. But, to my "generation" they well might be. So, presenting a few blasts from the past that I love. Hope you find one for you.
1.) Kuch Dil Ne Kaha -Anupama (1966) Singer : Lata Mangeshkar
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUhvq8jk5mA
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUhvq8jk5mA
What better way to start off a list than with this eternal classic from Anupama. A song that emphasizes the importance of the melody, and the fact that you don't really need a heavy instrumental arrangement to make a great song. Another fact which amuses me to no end is that, for all his ham-faced action heroism later, Dharmendra was in some brilliant movies in his black-and-white days. And some great songs.
2.) Pukarta Chala Hoon Mein - Mere Sanam (1965). Singer : Mohd. Rafi
2.) Pukarta Chala Hoon Mein - Mere Sanam (1965). Singer : Mohd. Rafi
I suppose Mere Sanam was a great example of the Hindi movies of the time. Nothing path-breaking about the storyline, nor particularly shining performances from what Aai tells me, but a movie whose popularity had a lot to do with the catalogue of songs it had. Asha Bhosale's "Yeh Hai reshmi zulfon kia andhera" is better heard than seen, and "Jaaiyen aap kaha" is another phenomenal song. My favourite though is this Rafi classic - with a particularly memorable guitar riff.
3.) Jaane Kya Tune Kahi - Pyaasa (1957). Singer : Geeta Dutt.
I've recently started collecting movies by the legendary Guru Dutt, and I must say that the movies, themselves landmarks in Indian cinema, boasted some of the best soundtracks you'll ever find in the movies. One of S.D.Burman's best - to choose a single tune from Pyaasa would be difficult. From the ever-pleasant "Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein" to Mohd.Rafi's "Sar Jo tera Chakraye" to two brilliant, heart-rendering melodies - "Jaane woh Kaise" by Hemant Kumar and the climatic "Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaaye" by Rafi Saab. But, I guess I'll go with Geeta Dutt's playful, seductive tune, not jut for the voice but for the lingering memory of Waheeda Rehman - breathtaking as she entices Guru Dutt on.
4.) Aaha Rimjhim ke ye pyaare pyaare - Usne Kaha Tha (1960).
Singers : Talat Mehmood and Lata Mangeshkar.
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIgVdDFXv-U
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIgVdDFXv-U
I first remember hearing this song in an old cassette Dad had - with a collection of rain songs. This stayed with me, along with "O Sajana Barkha Bahar". It always conjures up great memories of the rains. Going on long drives in the old car, or going up to Sinhagad, or just sitting at home and lazing out, while the clouds go crazy outside - knowing that you're a lot happier, not having to wade through the certain traffic jams and what not outside.
5.) Yeh Nayan Dare Dare - Kohra ( 1964 ) Singer - Hemant Kumar.
Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVq6wCkZ9_o
I said it once, and I don't mind saying it again; with the "faces" that were running around those days - I would've been a lock to star in a few movies. Biswajeet was no expression - sorry, exception. Yet, he managed to star in some of the biggest movies of the day; along with the most beautiful faces - be it Waheeda Rehman, or Asha Parekh.
But this song is solely for the genius of Hemant Kumar. A brilliant singer and composer, and responsible for some of the best melodies in Hindi cinema. I first heard him sing "Tum Pukaar Lo" which remains one of my favourites till date.
On another note, this song was covered by Jagjit Singh for one of his albums. Do check that one out too.
But this song is solely for the genius of Hemant Kumar. A brilliant singer and composer, and responsible for some of the best melodies in Hindi cinema. I first heard him sing "Tum Pukaar Lo" which remains one of my favourites till date.
On another note, this song was covered by Jagjit Singh for one of his albums. Do check that one out too.
6.) Baiyan Na Dharo - Dastak ( 1970) . Singer - Lata Mangeshkar.
Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgtOQAedJ6s
I admit I don't listen to classical music. Or understand any of it. But when there are songs this good I really don't mind. Aai tells me this was from a "bold" movie for those days - which probably means it dared to explore a topic that had the slightest hint of S-E-X.
Seriously, though, this is Lata Mangeshkar at her best - smooth, silky and effortless. Personally, it pains me that she still continued singing post the late '80s. I'd rather listen to her in this than even, say, DDLJ.
I admit I don't listen to classical music. Or understand any of it. But when there are songs this good I really don't mind. Aai tells me this was from a "bold" movie for those days - which probably means it dared to explore a topic that had the slightest hint of S-E-X.
Seriously, though, this is Lata Mangeshkar at her best - smooth, silky and effortless. Personally, it pains me that she still continued singing post the late '80s. I'd rather listen to her in this than even, say, DDLJ.
7.) Jalte Hain Jiske Liye - Sujata (1959). Singer - Talat Mehmood.
Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X-zFcDGcZM
I absolutely love this song by Talat Mehmood. I got this movie as a birthday present for Aai, but haven't had the time to go see it. Still, what ranks as one of Nutan's best performances is a definite must-see.
This song, particularly stands out. I used to call it the "phone song", but all trivial comments aside, the image of Nutan weeping into her receiver as Sunil Dutt serenades her will, to me atleast, be an enduring one.
This song, particularly stands out. I used to call it the "phone song", but all trivial comments aside, the image of Nutan weeping into her receiver as Sunil Dutt serenades her will, to me atleast, be an enduring one.
8.) Chain Se Humko Kabhi - Pran Jaaye Par vachan Na jaaye (1975). Singer - Asha Bhosale
The thing about Asha Bhosale that strikes me the most is that she has probably the most expressive voice I've heard. The range of emotions on display are truly awe-inspiring. You don't need to see the song picturised to get the full experience. Especially in cases like "Yeh Hai Reshmai Zulfon ka Andhera" where a pre-diva Mumtaz wasn't exactly "seductive material" so as to say.
Which works out to be great as a segue considering the fact that this song was never filmed. The director of what looks like a typical Hindi potboiler with the usual share of gangsters and damsels in distress, never found a situation to fit the song in. Therefore, one of Asha Bhosale's most memorable songs is never on screen.
Trivia-wise, I wonder if it's the only Hindi song to have won the Best Song at the Filmfare Awards despite never being on film.
As it is, this melody, the last she sang for O.P.Nayyar before their much publicized fallout, remains an eternal classic.
9.)Jawaaniyaan Ye Mast Mast - Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957). Singer - Mohd.Rafi
Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR6jo2ZdIW4
Much has been said in the wake of Shammi Kapoor's passing. Two lines will be a certain dis-service to the man. I never "followed" his career so as to say, or have seen a lot of his movies. And, therefore, the songs remain my only connection.
To me, he might not have been the most good looking, or the most talented as an actor, but is its one thing that he did well was he could bring a smile to your face. If the movies are meant to be viewed as a means of escape, then surely Shammi Kapoor was one of, if not the, in making that happen.greatest
10.) Ye raatein yeh mausam - Dilli Ka Thug (1958).
Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR6jo2ZdIW4
Much has been said in the wake of Shammi Kapoor's passing. Two lines will be a certain dis-service to the man. I never "followed" his career so as to say, or have seen a lot of his movies. And, therefore, the songs remain my only connection.
To me, he might not have been the most good looking, or the most talented as an actor, but is its one thing that he did well was he could bring a smile to your face. If the movies are meant to be viewed as a means of escape, then surely Shammi Kapoor was one of, if not the, in making that happen.greatest
10.) Ye raatein yeh mausam - Dilli Ka Thug (1958).
Singers - Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosale.
Coming to the last song, I just realised that I went through an entire list without mentioning Kishore Kumar. Since that would be quite a travesty of sorts, I suppose I'll have to do with just one by the legend.
This is an song from the Kishore-Nutan starrer Dilli ka Thug, which featured one of Kishore da's typical madcap songs in "C-A-T Cat, Cat mane Billi", which used to be a favourite when I was a kid. But, this is just truly enchanting! Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosale complimented each other so very well, be it a soft love song or a crazy ballad.
