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Lata Mangeshkar — the living legend

Part XIX

Dr Amjad Parvez

    
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The film ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’ (1966) needs a special mention for its music. It was a Dharmendra, Asha Parekh, Balraj Sahni and Nazima film. Anand Bakshi was the lyricist for the songs of this film. All the songs became very popular especially “Suno sajna” by Lata Mangeshkar. During 1971 to 1980, Mangeshkar’s voice was again used for the films ‘Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli’ (1971), ‘Mehboob Ki Mehndi’ (1971), ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, ‘Pathar Ke Sanam’ (1971), ‘Piya Ka Ghar’ (1972), ‘Shor’ (1972), ‘Dushman’ (1972), ‘Gora Aur Kala’ (1972), ‘Mome Ki Gudiya’ (1972), ‘Bobby’ (1973), ‘Daagh: A Poem of Love’ (1973), ‘Loafer’ (1973), ‘Majboor’ (1974), ‘Roti’ (1974), ‘Roti Kapda Aur Makaan’ (1974), ‘Anurodh’ (1976), ‘Charas’ (1976), ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ (1977), ‘Chacha Bhatija’ (1977), ‘Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki’ (1978), ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1978), ‘Sargam’ (1979), ‘Suhaag’ (1979), ‘Aasha’ (1980) and ‘Hum Paanch’ (1980). Mangeshkar’s songs for Raja Nawathe’s film ‘Patthar Ke Sanam’ like “Koi nahin hai phir bhi hai mujh ko kya janey kis ka intizar”, “Bata dun kaya laana tum laut kei aa jana” and Lata-Mukesh’s ‘Mehboob merey’ need special mention. The film ‘Mehboob Ki Mehndi’ had lilting songs like Rafi-Lata’s “Itna tau yaad hei muhje” picturised on Leena Chanderwerker and Rajesh Khanna, “Jane kyun log muhabbat kiya karte hain” by Mangeshkar. It was director HS Ruwail’s film. My all time favourite is the song “Ik payar ka naghma hai” with a violin playing melodious interludes by Mangeshkar supplemented by Mukesh from the film ‘Shor’ picturised on Nanda and Manoj Kumar. The film “Main yulsi terey aangan ki” had a lovely melody of the same lyrics as that of the name of the film by Mangeshkar picturised on Parekh. Hazrat Amir Khusro’s “Chaap talak sab cheen li” by Mangeshkar and Bhosle in qawwali beat with sarangi interludes was included.

In the decade of 1970s, director Raj Kapoor gave break to LP for his Zeenat Aman-Shashi Kapoor starrer movie ‘Satyem Shevam Sundram’. This movie had strong direction by Raj Kapoor and excellent support of its music. Lata sang inviting melody ‘Bhor Bhaei Panghat Pei Mohe Nat Khat Shyaam Satei’ in an opulent sequence. Lata also sang ‘Sateyam Shevam Sundram’ in two parts, one a soft melody and the other a dramatic one when she complains to her God about her inner beauty being compromised with the outer one. Earlier Raj Kapoor had also used LP for his movie ‘Bobby’ to launch his younger son Rishi Kapoor with Dimple Kapadia. Songs of this movie were hit like ‘Hum Tum Ik Kamrey Mein Band Haun’ by Shelinder Singh and Lata, Lata’s ‘Jhoot Boley Kawwa Katey’, ‘Mujhey Kutch Kehna Hei’ (duet by Lata and Shelinder) and finally ‘Lata’s ‘Akhion Ko Rehney Dei’ based on Punjabi folk. For 1979 movie ‘Sargam’ three duets by Lata and Rafi stood out - “Dafli wale dafli baja”, “Parbat ke us paar”, ‘Hum to chale pardais” and “Koyel bole duniya Dili”. The film became a super hit and took the third top spot at the box office in 1979. It made Jaya Pradha a star in Bollywood and she also earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress.

I shall talk of the music for ‘Prem Rog’ and ‘Hero’ from among the movies of LP in the decade of 1980s. These movies were ‘Judai’ (1980), ‘Kali Ghata’ (1980), ‘Qarz’ (1980), ‘Ik Duuje Ke Liye’ (1981), ‘Pyaasa Sawan’ (1981), ‘Kranti’ (1981), ‘Naseeb’ (1981), ‘Prem Rog’ (1982), ‘Hero’ (1983), ‘Pyar Jhukta Nahin’ (1983), ‘Utsav’ (1984), ‘Sur Sangam’ (1985), ‘Nagina’ (1986), ‘Mr. India (1987), ‘Tezaab’ (1988), ‘Chaalbaaz’ (1989), ‘Ram Lakhan’ (1989), ‘Agneepath’ (1990), ‘Hum’ (1991), ‘Saudagar’ (1991), ‘Khuda Gawah’ (1992), ‘Khalnayak’ (1993), ‘Bhairavi’ (1995), ‘Trimurti’ (1995) and ‘Poonilamazha’ (1997) -   a Malayalam film. Lata’s vocals were abundantly used. 1982 film ‘Prem Rog’ had songs ‘Yeh Galian Yeh Chaubara’ by Lata, duets ‘Muhabat Kaya Hei Cheez’, ‘Bhanwarey Nei Khilaya Phool’ by Lata and Suresh Wadekar. Subhash Ghai’s 1983 film ‘Hero’, the debut film of Jackie Shroff had Lata’s songs ‘Nindya Sei Jaagi Bahaar’ and ‘Pyar Karne Wale Kabhi Darte Nahi’ by Lata Mangeshkar and Manhar Udhas. For times to come, my all time favourite song of LP however remains Lata-Rafi’s ‘Yeh Dil Tum Bin Kaheen Lagta Nahin Hum Kaya Karein’ from the movie ‘Izzat’ picturised on Tanuja and Dharmendra.

I have mentioned that apart from the basic tune, the instrumental support made LP’s compositions different and appealing like in Mangeshkar’s song “Urtey pawen ke sang chalungi” from ‘Merey Hamdam Merey Dost’ where the pleasant effect of the birds flying was enhanced through orchestral mode. Despite bagging seven Filmfare Awards for the films ‘Dosti’ (1964), ‘Milan’ (1967), ‘Jeene Ki Raah’ (1969), ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ (1977), ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1978), ‘Sargam’ (1979) and ‘Qarz’ (1980), LP narrowly missed the awards for musical hits like ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’, ‘Intiqaam’, ‘Do Raste’, ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, ‘Shor’, ‘Daag’, ‘Bobby’, ‘Ik Duje Ke Liye’, ‘Utsav’, ‘Sur Sangam’, ‘Farz’, ‘Shagird’, ‘Tezaab’, ‘Hero’ and ‘Mr. India’.

From :  Daily Times August 26, 2014


Lata Mangeshkar — the living legend

Part XX

Dr Amjad Parvez

   
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In all these victorious moments, Lata Mangeshkar’s songs had their contribution for sure! Before winding up this submission I must not forget Mangeshkar’s song “Tere mere beech main kesa hai ye bandhan anjana” from ‘Ik Dooje Ke Liye’.

KalyanJi AnandJi & Mangeshkar: In 1960 I heard a melodious number, a Lata-Mukesh song ‘Mujh Ko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein Awaz Na Do’ from the movie ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Terey’. The rich violins interludes augmented the impact of this sad song. All I remember is this song creating a lilting impact when played on Radio at night in its Request Programmes. Anandji was grateful that Hement Kumar rendered a few duet songs with Lata, like ‘O Neend Na Mujhko Aaye’ for the movie ‘Post Box 999’ and ‘Tumhein Yaad Hoga’ from the movie ‘Satta Bazaar’. The duo entered into Bollywood in 1959 with their movie ‘Samrath Chandergupt’ in 1959. This Bharat Bhushan-Nirupa Roy starrer movie had good quality music with Rafi-Lata’s ‘Chahe Paas Ho Chahe Door Ho’. This song became an instant hit. In 1965, two decisive scores for the movies ‘Himalay Ki God Mein’ and ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ established the duo as composers to reckon with. Songs by Lata ‘Aik Tu Na Mila Saari Duniya Mile Bhi To Kaya Hei’ and ‘Kankariya Maar Kei Jagaya’ are very lilting. The latter 1965 movie ‘Jab Jab Phool Khiley’ was Nanda-Shashi Kapoor starrer with its music as its highlight. From 1965 movie ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ the song ‘Pardesion Sei Na Akhian Milana’ by Lata-Rafi was the best and most popular song. Lata excelled in the song ‘Yeh Saman, Saman Hei Ya Pyar Ka’, a sensuous song with equally opulent acting by Nanda. From the Black & White days, the movie ‘Sarsawati Chander’ had lovely melody ‘Chandan Sa Badan’ by Mukesh and Lata sung separately in Raag Aimen. The song I like the best was ‘Chore Dein Saari Duniya Kisi Kei Liye Yei Munasib Nahin Adami Kei Liye’ sung by Lata. Nutun alo sings Lata’s number, a beautiful one, ‘Phool Tumhain Bhaija Hei Khat Mein, Phool Nahin Mera Dil Hei’. Another movie worth mentioning for its music was ‘Haseena Maan Jayegi’ released in 1968. It was directed by Prakash Mehra. The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Babita, Ameeta, Yunus Parvez and Johnny Walker. Its songs were quite memorable, with the melodious Lata-Rafi duet ‘Bekhudi Mein Sanam Ruk Gayey Jo Qadam’ being the most popular of them all. I watched a movie titled ‘Johny Mera Naam’. It was perhaps Hema Malini’s first movie. It had ‘Mose Mora Shyam Rootha’ and ‘O Babul Pyare’ by Lata Mangeshkar pictured on Hema Malini. The male lead was Dev Anand.

Mangeshkar’s other worth mentioning songs by KA are “Tera jaana dil ke armaanon ka lut jana”, “Teri raahon main khare hain dil thaam ke”, “Meri jan kuch bhi kijiye” (with Mukesh) and “Bajje payal chun chun ho” (picturised on Nutun) from ‘Chaliya’, “Mere dil ne jo manga” from ‘Rakhwala’, “Kankariya maar ke jagaya” and “Aik tu na mila saari duniya mile bhi” from ‘Himaliye Ki Goud Main’ (This film was a turning point for KA. All the songs were a hit. The two Mangeshkar songs deserve places of their own. Again a lilting touch emphasised by Mangeshkar’s great voice), “Bedardi daghabaaz” from ‘Bluff Master’ (a classical song), “Hum they jin kei sahare” from ‘Safar’, “Tu jahan bhi rahe” from ‘Upkar’, “Mere padnein main nahi” from ‘Kora Kaghaz’, “Jis path pe tu chala” from ‘Yaadgaar’ and the best of them all “Akele hain chale aao jahan ho” from ‘Raaz’ (the impact is haunting, Mangeshkar touches the high notes with ease. Muhammad Rafi also sang the same song), “Yun hi tum mujhse baat karti ho” from ‘Sacha Jhoota’, “Mile mile do badan khile” and “Naina mere rang bhare sapne” (picturised on actress Rakhi) and “Arre husn chala kuch aisa” from the film ‘Black Mail’, “Chotti si umar main lag gaya rog” and “Main bairagi naachun gi” from ‘Bairaag’, “Naino main nindiya hai” (picturised beautifully on Nanda and Rajesh Khanna) from ‘Joru Ka Ghulam’, “Main tujhe milne aai mandir” from ‘Heera’, “Do phool zindigi ke” (picturised on Rekha with Mangeskar taking her voice on upper notes at a climax of the song) from ‘Qabeela’, “Aankhon main surma” (with Kishore picturised on Sharmila Tegore and Nivin Nischol) from ‘Aik Sei Barh Kei Aik’, “Sone ka chabutra” (duet with Kishore; a dance sequence picturised on Moshmi Chatterjee and Vinod Khanna) from ‘Hathyara’, “Aya aya Abdullah” from ‘Juaari’, “Jab se tujhe jaan gai” (B&W film, picturised on Saira Bano and Shami Kapoor) from ‘Buff Master’, “Main tujhe milne aye”, “Are kaya karun” (Mangeshkar singing odd notes on a dance sequence by Zeenat Aman) from ‘Bambai 405 Miles’, “Mera pardesi na aya” (one of my favourites, a song that touches high notes and captures the yearning beautifully) from ‘Mere Hamsafar’, “Ja re ja o harjaai” from ‘Kalicharan’, “Dil beqarar sa hai” from ‘Ishara’, “Jis dil main basa tha” from ‘Saheli’, “Dil hi tau hai” from ‘Muqadar Ka Sikandar’, “Bana ke kyun bigaara” from ‘Zanjeer’ and “Aaj ki raat’ from ‘Vishwaas’. 


From :  Daily Times August 27, 2014


Lata Mangeshkar — the living legend

Part XXI

Dr Amjad Parvez

   
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Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Watching soft melodies “Kuch dil ne kaha” and “Dheere dheere machal ae dil-e-beqarar” (picturised on Sharmila Tegore with Dharmendra following her) from a lovely 1966 B&W film ‘Anupama’ makes one feels on the top of the world of serenity, especially when Mangeshkar brings the musical note down with a soft jump at the word “kaha” in the former melody. Such was the prowess of music composer Hemant Kumar whom we know more as a singer from Bengal. Same impact is produced when we listen to “Zindigi kitni khubsoorat hai” (Asha Parekh singing for Biswajeet seemingly in a drunken state of mind) from ‘Bin Badal Barsaat’. I used to confuse the song with that of Roshan’s style of composition as the soft rhythmic pattern seemed close to his style. Another song picturised on Parekh “Khushi bhi milli hum ko” with Nishi’s dance on the interludes is from this film. Then Rajshree running around like a deer on “Piyasi hirni ban ban gaaye” with Biswajeet running after her from ‘Do Dil’ creates a mesmerising impact. Another song “Aik baar zara phir” can be quoted from this film. Another dance song “Mun mora nache” creates a wonderful impact on Raj Shree’s dance. Sweetness came with Hemant Kumar from where he belonged; Bengal. He kicked off with his career in Bengali films and later stepped into Bollywood. After earning a good name in solo playback singing, he started his duet singing with Mangeshkar. Together, they have given Bollywood several hit songs.

The years 1950s and 1960s were golden decades for Hemant Kumar. Shyama mimes the female lead of Mangeshkar-Hemant Kumar duet “Daikho woh chand chup ke” from the 1954 film ‘Shart’. ‘Bees Saal Baad’ a 1962 film had hit songs like “Kahin deep jale kahin dil”, a haunting melody penned by Shakeel Bidayuni. Another song by Mangeshkar picturised in the mysterious jungles but in a happy mood for Biswajeet is “Sapne suhane larakpan ke”. Mangeshkar also sang “Aei muhabbat meri duniya main”, a sad ghazal in Dadra (six matra) beat with rich violin supporting the basic melody. The song sounded like a Naushad Ali style composition. The commercially successful film was supported by perfect ensemble including Sajjan, Asit Sen, Manmohan Krishen and Madan Puri while Biren Naug directed the film. Another mystery film ‘Kohra’ was directed by the same director. In this 1964 film Rajeshwari (Waheeda Rehman) is an orphan whose bereaved life changes when she marries a rich man named Amit Kumar Singh (Biswajeet). Amit brings Rajeshwari to his home, a huge palatial mansion located in a quiet and secluded locality. Soon Rajeshwari learns from the servants about Amit’s first wife Poonam who died mysteriously about a year ago. The housekeeper Dai Maa (Lalita Pawar) who was also the caretaker of Poonam is visibly disturbed by this and is cold towards Rajeshwari. She encounters supernatural presence in the mansion and is haunted by the memories and spirit of Poonam after Amit leaves on a business trip for few weeks. She feels her existence especially in her bedroom, where she finds the rocking chair move by itself, the bed is warm as though somebody had slept in it, the windows open up on there own, and she hears a strange voice singing. A shocked Rajeshwari decides to probe the matter but things take a fateful turn when the Police finds Poonam’s skeletal remains in a car at the bottom of a muddied lake. Mangeshkar’s song “Jhoom jhoom dhalti raat” is picturised on drunken Poonam at the beginning of the film. During the investigation phase, Rajeshawari, encounters a shadow singing this song again. Mangehskar also contributes a song “O! beqarar dil” picturised on Waheeda Rehman.

One of the 1954 hit films was ‘Nagin’ with a “been sapera” theme whose song “Man dole mera tun dole” became a street euphoria. The other hit songs were “Teri yaad main jal kar”, “Jadugar saiyyan chorro meri baiyaan”, “Sun rasiya mun basiya”, “Sun ri sakhi more sajna bulaye”, “Oonchi oonchi duniya”, “Mera dil yei pukare aaja”, “Mera badli main chup gaya chand re”. Those were the days of musicals. The film ‘Khamoshi’ in 1969 was directed by Asit Sen, written by Gulzar, starring Rajesh Khanna, Waheeda Rehman, Dharmendra, Nazir Hussain, Iftekhar, Lalita Pawar, Deven Verma and Anwar Hussain. This movie had lyrics by Gulzar and compositions of Hemant Kumar like “Humne daikhee hai un aankhon ki mehekti khushboo” by Mangeshkar.

From :  Daily Times August 28, 2014

 

Lata Mangeshkar — the living legend

Part XXIII

Dr Amjad Parvez

   
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Another catchy song from this film was “Zara mur ke to daikho saajna” by Talat and Lata Mangeshkar. Madhubala’s picturing Mangeshkar’s song “Mehfil mein jal uthi shama” from the film ‘Nirala’ in 1950 is a beautiful number. It had Dev Anand opposite Madhubala and lovely music by C Ramchander with lyrics by PL Santoshi. Actress Rehana’s film ‘Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo’ had a memorable Mangeshkar number “Tum kaya jano tumhari yaad main hum kitna roye”. Many other songs are available in Mangeshkar’s voice but the above submission suffices as far her qualitative repertoire with C Ramchander is concerned.

Ravi & Mangeshkar: I got impressed initially with the compositions of music composer Ravi for his music for the movie ‘Aik Saal’ – 1957 in, which Talat Mahmud and Mangeshkar separately sang a song ‘Sab Kutch Luta Kei Hosh Mein Aaei To Kaya Kiya’.  Another lovely number by Lata is ‘Chale Bhi Aao’. The melodies Ravi gave in another 1960 movie ‘Ghoonghat’ were amazing like Lata’s ‘Woh Daikho Jala Ghar Kisi Ka’, ‘Mori Cham Cham Bajje Paayaliys’ and ‘Lage Na Mora Jiya’! This movie had a big cast of that time that included Bina Roy, Pardeep Kumar and Bharat Bhushan. This 1960 Box Office Film was directed by Ramanand Sagar. Two songs, one by Mukesh and Lata ‘Mein Khushnaseeb Hun Mujh Ko Kisi Ka Pyar Mila’ and Lata’s ‘Aei Merey Dil-e-Nadan Tu Gham Sei Na Ghabrana’ were melodious songs from the movie ‘Tower House’. The movie ‘Do Badan’ had very melodious songs with Filmfare Nomination for Best Playback Singer - Lata Mangeshkar for the song ‘Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad Woh Nahin Aaei’. Lata’s songs ‘Tumhi Mere Mandir Tumhi Meri Puja’ from the movie ‘Khandaan’ and ‘Aei Mere Dil-e- Nadan’ from the movie ‘Tower house’ are timeless melodies. So is ‘Main Khush Naseeb Hun Mujh Ko Kisi Ka Pyar Mila’ pictured on swinging Shakeela with Ajit on Piano. A duet ‘Aaj Ki Mulaqat Bus Itni’ with Mahinder Kapoor and ‘Woh Dil Kahan Sei Laaun Teri Yaad Jo Bhula Dei’ by Lata from 1963 film ‘Bharosa’ became popular songs. Cast was Guru Dutt, Asha Parekh, Mehmood, Shubha Khote, Sudesh Kumar. Deepak Lal, Kanhaiyalal, Nana Palsikar, Shivraj, Om Prakash, Neena, Sulochana Chatterjee, Lalita Pawar, Sayee and Subbalaxmi. In this film first and last time Guru Dutt and Asha Parekh worked together.  Song ‘Tumhari Nazar Kyon Khafa Ho Gayi’ by Lata and Rafi pictured on Mala Sinha and Biswajeet was a super hit song from movie ‘Do Kaliyan’ (1968) starring, Bishwajeet, Mala Sinha, Lalita Pawar, Mehmood and Om Prakash. Song ‘Bachche Man Ke Sachche’ was children’s song from movie ‘Do Kaliyan’ (1968) also. My all time favourite song by Ravi-Lata team is ‘Badle Badle Mere Sarkar Nazar Aate Hain/Ghar Ki Barbadi Kei Aasaar Nazar Aate Hain’ from old classic movie ‘Chaudhavin Ka Chand’ (1960); a love story, starring Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Minu Mumtaz, Johny Walker, Rehman, Uma Devi, Tun Tun. The film was directed by M. Sadiq. Song ‘Tim Tim Karte Tarey’ is a lovely lullaby by Lata pictured on Meena Kumari for 1959 film ‘Charagh Kahan Roshini Kahan’ in both fast and slows versions. ‘Song ‘Hazar Batein Kahe Zamana Meri Wafa Pei Yaqeen Rakhna’ is rendered in Ghazal style for the 1974 movie ‘Ghatna’.

Chitergupt & Mangeshkar: The song ‘Dil Ka Diya Jala Kei Gaya Yei Kaun Meri Tanhai Mein’ composed by Chitergupt and crooned by Lata Mangeshkar was taken with open arms by music lovers when 1965 movie ‘Akash Deep’ was released. This song changed the fortunes of Chitergupt and his music started getting noticed despite success of his 1957 movie ‘Bhabi’. Lata’s song ‘Kaare Kaare Baadra Ja Re Ja Re Badra’ had became instant hit too. One does not hear of the Lata-Chitergupt hyphenation in the same sparkling terms yet some of the numbers by this duo became very popular like ‘Na To Dard Geya Na Dawa Hi Mili’ from the movie ‘Kali Topi Laal Rumaal’, ‘Rang Dil Ki Dharkan Bhi Laati To Ho Gi’ from 1960 movie ‘Patang’ followed by ‘Balma Maanei Na’ from 1961 movie ‘Opera House’, ‘Aaj Ki Raat Naya Chand Leikei Aai Hei’ from the 1962 movie ‘Shaadi’ and ‘Uthey Gi Tumhari Nazar Dheere Dheere’ from 1969 movie ‘Aik Nazar’. Hit movies like ‘Main Bhi Larki Hoon’, ‘Barkha’, ‘Main Chup Rahoongi’ and ‘Bhabi’ (as reiterated above) were his subsequent movies. The latter half of 1950s was a busy time for Chitergupt. He composed music for the movie ‘Maya Bazaar’ in 1958. In 1959, Chitergupt came out with nice music for the movies, ‘Barkha’, ‘Commander’ and ‘Guest House’ (with songs such as ‘Tera Jadu Na Chalega O! Sapairey, Kahei Daalei Meri Galiyon Kei Phairey’, ‘Dil Ko Lakh Sambhala Ji’. 
An important film of Lata-Chitergupt team is ‘Patang’ (1960) directed by Hargobind Duggal and Suraj Prakash, starring Rajendra Kumar, Mala Sinha, Om Prakash and Achala Sachdev.

From :  Daily Times August 30, 2014