By Dr Amjad Parvez

Daily Times August 16, 2014

One of the main reasons of the success of ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ was its music, particularly Lata Mangeshkar’s gems, ‘Mohabbat Ki Jhooti Kahani Pe Roye, ‘Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya’, Hamein Kash Tum Sei Muhabbat Na Hoti’ in Raag Aimen Kalyan and ‘Aei Ishq Yeh Sab Duniya Waley’. Another challenge that Naushad Ali met was for composing songs in Purbi language for director Nitin Bose’s movie ‘Ganga Jamuna’ in 1961. This Dilip-Vyjantimala starrer movie was a colossal hit with Lata’s ‘Dhoondo Dhoondo Re Sajna’ in Raag Pillu and ‘Do Hanson Ka Jora Bicher Gayo Re’. Then Naushad composed for ‘Son of India’ in 1962, not a commercial success but I remember it for Lata-Rafi’s duet ‘Dil Toreney Waley Tujhey Dil Dhoond Raha Hei’. The 1963 H. S. Rawail’s movie ‘Mere Mehboob’ based on Muslim social with pretty Sadhna, Rajender Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Nimmi was a huge commercial success. There are nine songs in the movie with Lata crooning ‘Tere Pyar Main Dildar Jo Hei Mera Haal-e-Zaar/Koi Daikhe Ya Na Daikhe Allah Daikh Raha Hei’, a very catch and rhythmic song, ‘Mere Mehboob Main Kaya Nahin’ and ‘Jan-e-Myn Ik Nazar Daikh Lei’ – duets with Asha Bhonsle, ‘Allah Bachae Naujawano Sei’ and above all, a melodious number with Muhammad Rafi ‘Yaad Main Teri Jaag Jaag Kei Hum Raat Bhar Karwatein Badalte Hain’. The song ‘Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Muhabbat Ki Qasam’ sung both by Lata and Rafi separately became very much popular upon release. The song composed in Raag Jhinjhoti, was later slightly adapted into Malayalam by M. S. Baburaj, to give all time classic song, “Thamasamenthe Varuvaan” (from Bhargavi Nilayam).

In 1964, the movie ‘Leader’ became very popular. It was a political drama. Lata had only one solo song in it. It was ‘Aaj Hei Pyar Ka Faisla’, not very popular song but the best song was ‘Ik Shehenshah Nei Banwa Kei Haseen Taj Mahal/ Saari Duniya Ko Muhabbat Ki Nishani Di Hei’ based in Raag Lillat and crooned by Rafi with Lata. It was pictured on Dilip Kumar and Vyjantimala in Taj Mahal, Agra.

Director AR Kardar then went for the movie ‘Dil Diya Dard Liya’ adapted from ‘Wuthering Heights’ in 1965. Personally I was very sorry that this beautiful Dilip-Waheeda Rehman, Shyama and Pran starrer movie did not meet commercial success despite that it was a beautiful movie. Though Muhammad Rafi’s ‘Koi Saagar Dil Ko Behlata Nahin’ based in Raag Janasamohini/shubha Kalyan stands out as the best song of the movie but I like ‘Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aai’ by Lata better as it is a haunting melody. A lovely song with modern treatment ‘Kaya Rang-e-Mehfil Hei Dildaram’ by Lata needs mention. Next movie was ‘Saaz Aur Awaaz’ in 1966. It did not leave a mark despite Lata’s solo ‘Dulhan Bun Kei Aaai’. Another Muslim social appeared in 1967 namely ‘Palki’ starring Waheeda Rehman and Rejendir Kumar and Rehman. It had beautiful music. The movie was directed by SU Sunny. It had only one Lata solo ‘Jaaney Waaley Tera Khuda Haafiz’. This movie was followed by Naushad Ali’s ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ with Dilip’s double role. It was hit. Lata’s duet with Rafi ‘Main Hun Saqi Tu Hei Sharabi Sharabi’ excelled. Lata’s solo ‘Main Nei Kab Tum Sei Kaha Tha Keh Mujhe Pyar Karo/Pyar Jab Tum Nei Kiya Tha Tau Nibhaya Hota’ was a haunting number where the Ashthai started with higher pitch gradually getting lowered as far as use of musical notes is concerned.

I saw film ‘Saathi’ (1968) with Vyjantimala and Rajender Kumar in Imperial Cinema, Moseley Road, Birmingham, UK. Its mature theme was probably too much for the moviegoers. The movie was based on the life of a research scientist who could not give enough time to his wife who suffered silently. Lata’s songs ‘Main Tau Pyar Main Tere’, ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’ and ‘Yeh Kaun Aaya’ were melodious songs. Simi Garewal’s sober appearance was added feature of this movie.

In 1968, Dilip’s ‘Aadmi’ was released. Despite strong acting by Dilip, Manoj Kumar and Waheeda Rehman and melodious music, the movie was a commercial flop. It had two beautiful songs ‘Kaari Badariya’ and ‘Kal Kei Sapne Aaj Bhi Aana’ pictured on Waheeda Rehman and melodiously crooned by Lata. The same year another movie namely ‘Sunghursh’ directed by H. S. Ruwali was released. It had strong appearances of Vyjantimala, Balraj Sahni and Dilip Kumar. This movie was not very successful despite its strong plot and music. Lata contributed three songs for this move. These were ‘Chairo Na Dil Ki Baat’, ‘Mere Paas Aao Nazar Tau Milaao’ (Qawwali beat) and ‘Agar Yei Husn Mera’. According to Wikipedia, Director Rawail had considered Sadhana to play the lead actress of the film. He had waited for months to sign her in his ‘Mere Mehboob’ (1963) but now the actress had developed problems with thyroid and took break from acting for treatment in Boston.