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