It is Monsoons The streets look washed. There skies look silver and grey. The trees are swaying. The air smells fresh. There is a cool breeze that refreshes. The world looks great.

The monsoons have always been my favourite season. Traffic jams, water logging not withstanding — the moment i see a rain cloud my heart sings. The smell of fresh earth at this time of the year drives away any irritation at being stuck indoors. I am known to do silly things like walk in the rain to get wet …. it is almost like the rain is renewing me along with renewing the earth.

And of course, there is hot masala chai, pakodas - grandma used to make these great rava pakodas - and hindi film music. There is not much else you need in life :).

My favourite rain songs from Hindi films — in no particular order of preference

Aaj Rapat Jaaye to Hame Na Uthayo - Amitabh Bachchan and Smita Patil sizzle in this rain song from Namak Halal. Making out on a hand cart never seemed more appealing :). Brilliant music by Bappi Lahri and great lyrics by Anjaan.

Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan - A very young Lata Mangeshkar singing for a even younger Nargis. The film is the classic Barsaat. Music by Shankar Jaikishen, lyrics by Shailendra.

Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam - Thunder, Lightening and Rain seem to be a good combination for hormones to start acting up. In this song Shammi Kapoor declares undying love for Mala Sinha. The film is Dil Tera Deewana. Music is by Shankar Jaikishen, Lyrics are by Shailendra

Dum Dum Diga Diga - from the movie Chaliya. The director was Manmohan Desai - who gave blockbuster hits like Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb, Dharam Veer etal. It was loosely based on Dostovesky’s White Nights but set in the post Partition refugee space. Nutan and Raj Kapoor Star. Rehman has a wonderful cameo as Nutan’s husband. Music is by Kalyanji Anandji, and lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi.

Ek Ladki Bhigi Bhagi Si - Kishore Kumar and Madhubala and a broken down car. The chemistry between the actors is sweet and playful. An indicator of a much more innocent era. Music by SD Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Ghanana Ghanana Ghir - The fabulously energetic rain song from Lagaan. A.R.Rehman as his best. The song is relief, joy, yearning, all melded together with great melody, rythmn and a folksy quality that translates to the people’s link to rain. Lyrics are by Javed Akhtar

Koi Ladka Hai - from the film Dil to Pagal hai. The song has a great sense of innocence and reflects a great sense of the joy of life that has been rejuvenated by rains. The singers are Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan. Music is by Uttam Singh and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. SRK and Madhuri and a gaggle of kids feature in this feel good song on the rains.

Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan - a lovely romantic song by Geeta Dutt. Music is by Kanu Roy and Lyrics are by Gulzar. There is something about a rain drenched Mumbai and romance. The film features Sanjeev Kumar and Tanuja and their post marital ups and downs. The film is Anubhav and the director is Basu Bhattacharya who has the recurrent thread of marital discord running through his films.

O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi - Lata Mangeshkar at her sweetest best for this song from the Bimal Roy film Parakh. Music by Salil Choudhary.

Rhim Jhim Gire Sawan - there are two variations of this song, one by Lata Mangeshkar - featured on Amitabh Bachchan - who looked so yummy in this song - & Moushmi Chaterjee and Mumbai in the rains. and the other by Kishore Kumar. The film is Manzil, the music is by R.D.Burman, and lyrics by Yogesh ( not Majrooh Sultanpuri as posted earlier. Thankyou Vinay)

.

The Kishore Kumar variant.
and the Lata Mangeshkar variant

Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhooli woh Barsaat ki Raat - Bharat Bhushan serenading a woman he met in the rain. And, a very wet Madhubala is the object of his music. The music is by Roshan Sahaab, and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The movie is Barsaat ki Raat.

Tags: A.R.Rehman, Aaj Rapat Jaaye, Amitabh Bachchan, Bappi Lahri, Barsaat ki Raat, Bimal Roy, Chaliya, Hindi Film Music, Hindi Films, Javed Akhtar, Kalyanji Anandji, Kishore Kumar, Lagaan, Lata Mangeshkar, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Manzil, Moushmi Chaterjee, Nutan, Parakh, Qamar Jalalabadi, R.D.Burman, Raj Kapoor, Rehman, Roshan, Smita Patil, Sujata

The 1950's and 1960's possibly had the best in terms of musical talent in the Hindi Film Industry. The kind of music that was created was superlative by any standards. And, there was choice - there was classical, rock, jazz, folk, fun, … the lot. Amongst the greats of this era was Manna Dey. Not as prolific as either Mohammed Rafi or Kishore Kumar, he managed however to sing some of the best songs in Hindi films. May 1st was his birthday. Here are some of my favourite songs from his repertoire.

a) Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi - a lovely romantic duet from the film Chori Chori, starring Raj Kapoor & Nargis. sung by Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar, the music is by Shankar Jaikishen & lyrics by Shailendra. Although Mukesh was considered the definitive voice of Raj Kapoor, the duets by Manna Dey were all superaltive. There are two other songs from this film - Jahan Mein Jaati hoon vahi Chale aate ho, and Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandini Mein hum, and two from Shree 420 - Pyaar Huva Ikraar Huva and Mud Mud Ke na Dekh … which are in my list of top songs of all times.

b) Na to Karvan Ki Talaash Hai - My favourte Qawalli from Hindi Films. Manna Dey, Asha Bhonsle, Mohd. Rafi and others. The song runs for almost 10 minutes. Manna De opens the classic piece and Rafi ends it… both are at their best in this song. Roshan Sahab (the father of Rakesh & grand father of Hrithik) composes a masterpiece, lyrics are by Shailendra -

c) Zindagi Kaise Hai Paheli - Manna De in the film Anand, singing for Rajesh Khanna. the muisc director is Salil Choudhary and lyrics are by Yogesh. The film is about a cancer patient, who has no hope of survival and the joy that he brings to people in his life. Possibly Rajesh Khanna’s best performance. The soundtrack is full of gems - Na Jiya Lage Na, Meine Tere Liye Hi saath rang ke sapne chune, Kahi Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye

d) Kaun Aaya Mere Dil Ke Dwaare - Manna Dey sings for Anoop Kumar (trivia - Anoop Kumar is the brother of Ashok Kumar & Kishore Kumar) for the film Dekh Kabira Roya. The film, despite its name, is a comedy. A story of three struggling men and their quest for their muses. Music in the film is by Madan Mohan and lyrics by Rajendra Kishen

e) Pucho Na Kaise Man Rain Bitaye - the film is Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen, the song is picturised on Ashok Kumar. The music is by S.D.Burman and lyrics by Shailendra. The story is about an disfigured abandoned child, who grows up to be a disfigured singer (Ashok Kumar). And, then he falls in love with Asha Parekh !

f) Ketaki Gulab Juhi - a duet with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The song is a competition between the two singers, and in typical Hindi Film ishtyle … Pandit Bhimsen Joshi loses. If your mind can overcome this fact… listen to the song…

The other great Manna Dey number from this film is Sur Na Saje, Kya Gaoon Mein.

g) Tu Pyaar Ka Saagar Hai - I always had a crush on Balraj Sahani - and in a way I still do. Everytime I see him on screen, my heart flutters, it truly does. And, it flutters a lot more in this song than in his other on screen appearances. Although, this song is sung as a Bhajan, for me it was a love song … which Balraj Sahni is singing to Nutan. Music by Shankar Jaikishen, Lyrics, Shailendra.

h) Laga Chunri Mein Daag - the film is Dil Hi to Hai. Music by Roshan & Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The song is picturised on a very bearded Raj Kapoor. The film is about mistaken identity, honour, love and misunderstandings … in short it could be any Hindi film except that Roshan’s music lifts it above its own mediocrity.

i) O Meri Zohra Zabeen - the Film is Waqt - the first of the last and found sagas …. The song is picturised on Balraj Sahni (be still my fluttering heart),the music is by Ravi and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

j) Phir Kahi Koi Phul Khila - the film is Anubhav - a complicated tangle of marital relationships. It has a wonderful sound track. Other classics in this film include the brilliant number by Geeta Dutt - Mujhe jaan na Kahon, meri Jaan. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar and Tanuja as the newly married couple with more than than their share of problems.

k) Mud Mud ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke - Asha and Manna De in this fabulous number from Shree 420. Picturised on Nadira & Raj Kapoor. The music is by Shankar Jaikishen and lyrics by Shailendra. The film is about a young idealist Raj Kapoor, who is seduced by wealth, fame and fortune - represented by Maya (nadira) … and brought back to the straight and narrow (not to mention poverty) by Vidya. The song marks the turning point in the film when Raj Kapoor goes over to the evil side….

And, here is Raj Kapoor with Vidya (Nargis) in one of the most famous songs of Hindi Films

Technorati Tags: Hindi Film Industry, Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Salil Choudhary, Madan Mohan, Balraj Sahani

Tags: Anand, Anubhav, Barsaat ki Raat, Basant Bahar, Chori Chori, Dekh Kabira Roya, Dil Hi to Hai, Hindi Film Music, Hindi Films, India, Indian, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna De, Manna Dey, Meri Surat Teri Aankhen, Mohd. Rafi, S.D.Burman, Salil Choudhary, Seema, Shankar Jaikishen, Shree 420, Waqt

On her birthday, my favourite Lata Mangeshkar duets. She has sung with practically everyone and his cousin in her eons that she has ruled the roost of Hindi Film Music

• Chod Gaye Balam - Lata and Mukesh voicing for a very young Nargis and Raj Kapoor. Film - Barsaat. The pangs of separation done beautifully well. Music Shankar Jaikishen, lyrics Shailendra

• Itna na Mujhse Pyaar Bada - Film Chhayawith Talat Mahmood. Music by Salil Choudhary and Lyrics by Rajinder Kishen.Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh on screen. One of the sweetest love songs ….

• Yeh Raat Bhighi Bhigi - film Chori Chori - possibly my favourite Raj Kapoor & Nargis duet. Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipurand Music by Shankar Jaikishen. An adaptation of ‘It Happened one Night , the film has an incredible set of songs - including the other Lata / Manna De duet - Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandini Mein Hum…

• Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aayi Bahar - a very young Bharat Bhushan and an even younger Meena Kumari in this classic from Baiju Bawra. Music Naushad, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni

• Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi woh Barsaat ki Raat - Mohd. Rafi, Lata and sheer magic. Music by Roshan, Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. Madhubala, Bharat Bhushan and one of the best music in films. the whole album is a trip.

• Chupa Lo yo Dil Mein Pyaar Mera - film Mamta - music Roshan, lyrics Majrooh. I honestly cannot remember if it was filmed on Ashok Kumar&Suchitra Sen or Dharmendra & Suchitra Sen

• Mein Chali, Mein Chali - with Mohd. Rafi - A great, flirty, young song picturised on Shammi Kapoor& Kalpana . A great fun film with a fabulous sound track. It contains the other Lata Rafi classic - Awaaz Dekhe Hume Tum Bulao .

• Tasveer Tere Dil Mein, Jis Din se Utara Hai - with Mohd. Rafi - for Mala Sinha & Dev Anand. A very tender, sweet song. Salil Choudhry & Majrooh Sultanpuri get together to create magic.

• Aaja Re, Ab Mera Dil Pukare - with Mukesh for the film Aah. Nargis & Raj Kapoor Star. Shankar Jaikishen & Hasrat Jaipuri compose the music and lyrics. Soulful, melodious and terribly sad

• Ajee Chale Aoo - Film Halaku, with sister Asha Bhonsale. Music Shankar Jaikishen, lyrics Shailendra. Lata did a fair few number of duets with both her sisters in songs as diverse as Aplam Chaplam (Azad) and Sare Shehar mein ek hasin hai (Alibaba aur 40 chor).

• Loote Koi Man ka Nagar - with Manhar. The film is Abhimaan. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bahduri star in this fabulous film about a man who becomes jealous of his wife’s success. Other great Lata duets in this film are Teri Bindiya Re (with Rafi) and Tere Mere Milan ki yeh Raina (with Kishore Kumar0. Music by the great S.D.Burman and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri

• Dil Ki Girah Khol Do - with Manna De. The film Raat aur Din. Nargis’ last role. Music Shankar Jaikishen & Lyrics Shailendra. The song is picturised on Nargis and a very young Feroze Khan. The film is a classic.

• Aaj Madhosh Huva Jali Re -with Kishore Kumar in the film Sharmilee. Rakhee plays twins, one good and one bad - and Shashi Kapoor plays the man who is in love with one of them. But which one ? Music - S.D.Burman, lyrics by Neeraj

• Is Mod Se Jate Hain - with Kishore Kumar. for the film Andhi -with Sanjeev Kumar & Suchitra Sen - lyrics by Gulzar and music by R.D.Burman. One of the best ‘relationship films ever made. And there is something about this song that puts it above the other two classics - Tere Bina Zindagi, and Tum Aa Gaye Ho.

• Aapke Aankhon Mein Kuch - with Kishore Kumar. The golden team of R.D.Burman and Gulzar team up for Ghar. This is a duet between Vinod Mehra and Rekha. The movie looked at how rape impacts the relationship of a happily married couple.

• Kya Yahi Pyar Hai - with Kishore Kumar. Film Rocky. A gangly Sanjay Dutt and a gaucheTina Munim wondering about love. Music - R.D.Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi

• Gir Gaya Jhumka - with Kishore Kumar - Film Jugnu. Music S.D.Burman, lyrics Anand Bakshi . A radiant Hema Malini and a rugged Dharmendra, flirt (like crazy) in this song.

• Aur Chabi Kho Jaaye - with Shailendra Singh - Film Bobby. The debut film of both Rishi Kapoor & Dimple Kapadia. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, check out their other great duets including one in this movie - Jhoot Bhole Kaava Kate,

• Beeti Na Bitaye Raina - with Bhupinder. Film Parichay. R.D. & Gulzar. this combination got together again for Kinara - for the brilliant Meethe Bole Bol and Naam Gum Jayega; and Mausam - the fabulous Dil Doondtha Phir Wahi

• Zihale Masti Makum Barnajish- Film Ghulami - a great folk number with a whole host of stars and Rajasthan looking incredible. With Shabbir Kumar. Music Laxmikant Pyarelal

Technorati Tags: Lata Mangeshkar, Hindi Film Music, Talat Mahmood, ‘It Happened one Night, Baiju Bawra, Naushad, Shakeel Badayuni, Mohd. Rafi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Mamta, Roshan, Majrooh, Dharmendra, Salil Choudhry, Halaku, Asha Bhonsale, Manhar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bahduri, S.D.Burman, Raat aur Din, Neeraj, Kishore Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar & Suchitra Sen, R.D.Burman, Vinod Mehra, Rekha, Sanjay Dutt, Tina Munim, Anand Bakshi, S.D.Burman, Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Ghulami, Rajasthan, Shabbir Kumar, Laxmikant Pyarelal

Tags: Films, Hindi Film Music, India, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna De, Mohd. Rafi, Music

September 28th - The birthday of Lata Mangeshkar …. the woman with the golden voice.The first lady of Hindi film Music. For me, the last of the All India Radio generation , the lady and her music was a constant companion when I was growing up. Although in later years - i would think post the late 1980’s- her voice has lost much of the sweetness and melody, her body of work prior to that stands as testimony of her talent. On her birthday, I am going to take on a difficult task - the task of compiling my personal favourites sung by her. This is in no particular order of prefernce - just stuff that i enjoy listening to … the list will be divided into my favourite solo numbers & duets. Today is the list of the favourite solo numbers.

• Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan - the all time classic. Lata and a chorus sing probably my favourite ‘falling in love’ song. Shailendra’s lyrics are mind blowing ‘aaj mein tumhari huvi, tum mere sajan… tum mere sajan" and Shankar Jaikishen’s music a herald of forthcoming greatness

• Jago Mohan Pyare - from Jagte Raho - the sweetness and compassion in Lata’s voice, perfect with the melody by Salil Choudhary and lyrics by Prem Dhawan

• Vande Mataram - from the film Ananda Math - Music by Hemant Kumar, Lyrics by Bankim Chandra Chaterjee. The ultimate call to battle song. Fight for this country, it is yours and so beautiful….And Lata’s rendition of this song makes it my favourite. It nudges out other ‘patriotic’ numbers like Ay Mere Vatan ke Logon…..

• Jadugar Saaiya - from the film Nagin - a sweet love song, where the woman implores her lover to let her go as it is getting late. Hemant Kumar, Shailendra and Lata once again create magic.Saaware Saaware - from the film Anuradha. Music by Ravi Shankar and a breathless pace that transverses scale. Lata’s complete mastery of Raga’s and melodies comes to the forefront in this song.

• Dua Kar Ghame Dil, Khuda se Duva Kar - from Anarkali. In a film full of great songs, including the popular ‘yeh zindagi usi ki hai’ - this song is my personal favourite. You can hear the duva in the voice.Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh - the film Dil Apna aur Preet Paraya - music by Shankar Jai Kishen, and the song filmed on Meena Kumari - with appropriate close ups of Raj Kumar and Nadira.

• Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tamana Hai - the film Guide. A celebration of life. Picturised on Waheeda Rehman - a truly feminist song before the term feminist became popular in India

• Kahi Deep Jale Kahi Dil - Music Director Madan Mohan, lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and a truly eerie number. For me, it works better as a ‘haunted’ song than Ayega Aanewal from Mahal and Aajare Pardesi from Madhumati.

• Mora Gora Ang Laile - in my list of the most erotic songs in Hindi films ever. Lyrics by a very young Gulzar and music by Sachin Dev Burman

• Nainon Mein Badra Chaaye - Film : Mera SayaLata & Madan Mohan - and an incredible semi classical composition. A superb rain song….

• Choti, Choti si Baat — Film Choti Si Baat - music Salil Choudhary, lyrics Yogesh. A wistful song …Najane Kyon… hota hai yeh zindagi ke saath … achanak yeh dil .. .kissi ke jaane ke baad … kare phir uski yaad… choti choti si baat….na jane kyon…

• Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare — Film Rajnigandha, Salil Chodhary, Yogesh and Lata Mangeshkar get together to create magic.

• Mausam hai Ashiqana - superb wistfulness and longing in this song from Pakeezah. I personally prefer this song to the more popular ‘chalte chalte’ or ‘inhi logone’

• Na Jiya Lage Na - Film Anand - Salil Choudhary, Gulzar and Lata Mangeshkar. A great combination of melody, lyrics and voice.

• Doondho Re Doondho - Film Ganga Jamuna - music Naushad lyrics, Shakeel Badauni. The song picturised an ethereal looking Vyjanti Mala singing about the joys of ’suhaag raat’ with Dilip Kumar

• Raaton Ke Saaye Ghane- Film Annadata - music Salil Choudhary. I haven’t seen the film but it has a powerhouse of a sound track.

• Ja Ja Re Jaa, Balamva - Film Basant Bahar. I can’t remember too much about the film except that it stars Bharat Bhushan and everyone dies . But the sound track on this is amazing, so is this song.

• Bada Natkhat Hai Yeh - Film Amar Prem - filmed on Sharmila Tagore. the film also starred Rajesh Khanna. Music R.D.Burman, lyrics Anand Bakshi. The film also had the other wonderful Lata solo - Raina Beeth Jaaye….

Which are yours.?

Technorati Tags: Lata Mangeshkar, Hindi film Music, All India Radio, Shailendra, Shankar Jaikishen, Jagte Raho, Salil Choudhary, Prem Dhawan, Ananda Math, Nagin, Anuradha, Ravi Shankar, Anarkali, Dil Apna aur Preet Paraya, Guide, Waheeda Rehman, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Mahal, Madhumati, Gulzar, Sachin Dev Burman, Mera Saya, Madan Mohan, Rajnigandha, Naushad, Shakeel Badauni, Vyjanti Mala, Dilip Kumar

Tags: , Films, Hindi Film Music, India, Lata Mangeshkar, Music