Happy Birthday - Manna De

India 6 Responses »
May 022009

Manna De turned 90 yesterday – the 1st of May. Compared to Mohd. Rafi or Kishore Kumar – he didn’t sing as much for Hindi films, but the songs that he sang left a mark.

It’s been a long time since i put together a compilation of songs, in a way my music hearing has been predominantly Hindustani Classical Music. Manna De, more than any other Hindi singer – was completely at ease with the classical form.

Here in no order of preference, are some of my favourite songs sung by Manna De. if you have your favourites, please post them

1) Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi - Mukesh is said to be the voice of Raj Kapoor, but i personally preferred the duets that Manna De sang for him with Lata. Be it this, or Pyaar huva or Aaja Sanam …. Shankar Jaikishen composed the music, and the film is Chori Chori . The guitar as the prelude is possibly one of the most distinctive pieces of Hindi film music. i need to hear two chords to identify the song. Enjoy Raj Kapoor & Nargis in this brilliant composition.

2) Tu Pyaar ka Saagar Hai – I used to have this huge crush on Balraj Sahani when i was a kid. in those glorious days of watching Chitrahaar and Hindi films on Doordarshan. I could never understand his films in those days – but i simply thought he looked yummmm :) i still do. and of all his songs, this one was played the most frequently. Soul stirring stuff. Balraj Sahani & Nutan in the film Seema. Music by Shankar Jaikishen.

3) Kaun Aaya mere Dil ke Dwaare – I cannot remember watching this film, though i must i have. i devoured everything on Doordarshan whether it was Krishi Darshan or Santakukdi or Kilbil … Anoop Kumar (Kishore Kumar’s brother) and Anita Guha in Dekh Kabira Roya. Music by Madan Mohan

4) Dil Ki Girah Khol Do – the film “Raat aur Din”. The subject multiple personality disorder. The year 1967. And a commercial success. Nargis in her last leading role. Fabulous film. Fabulous music. Watch it also for a very young Feroze Khan. Music Shankar Jaikishen

5) Ja Tose Nahin Bolu Kanhaya – Raga Hamsadhwani. Lata Mangeshkar & Manna De. The movie is Parivaar and the music director is Salil Choudhary .

6) Hoke Majboor Mujhe - The film Haqeeqat. Possibly the finest war film ever made in India. From the point of view of the men who serve. Directed by Chetan Anand it starred Balraj Sahni (him again), Dharmendra and a host of others it is set around the 1962 war – which no one talks about. The song ‘kar chale ham fida jaan aur tan saathiyo’ by Rafi is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. But, this song, more philosophical is equally good. Check out Manna De in this

7) Mausam Beeta Jaye – The film “Do Bhiga Zamin”, the director Bimal Roy. Music Salil Choudhary. Actor Balraj Sahni and the voice Manna De. I cry everytime is see this film – nothing has changed for the farmer. When we decided to make our film “Jhing Chik Jhing” i went and rewatched this film — the famers’ lot is the same. there is a line in Jhing Chik Jhing where Bharat Jadhav says ‘we are farmers, we grow food but our children go hungry; we grow cotton and our kids wear torn clothes’. This is not the post to call for agricultral reform or greater support to farmers, but consider it said :( .

By the way, despite the subject this was not an art film. it was a commercially viable film .

8) Zindagi kaisi yeh Paheli - Manna De sings for Rajesh Khanna – a man with a medical death sentance. the music by Salil Da. The film Anand. Lyrics by Yogesh.

9) Laga Chunri Mein Daag – Music by Roshan (grandfather to Hrithik ). The film is Dil Hi to Hai starring Raj Kapoor and Nutan

10) Pucho na Kaise Man - The film was hackneyed but the music was great. Staring Ashok Kumar in a triple role , the film is Meri Surat Teri Aankhen. Music by S.D.Burman

11) Sur Na Saje Kya Gaaon Mein - the film Basant Bahar. music by Shankar Jaikishen – who hitherto had been considered to be ‘pop’ music composers without a handle on classical – and how they proved the world wrong. Starring Bharat Bhushan who possibly had some of the best classical songs featured on him. The other great song in this film is Ketki Gulab Juhi sung by Manna De and Bhimsen Joshi !

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Monsoon Melodies

Films, India, Music 19 Responses »
Jun 122008

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.

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Salil Choudhary - the Melody Maker

Films, India, Music 16 Responses »
Apr 142008

Last week marked the 50th anniversary of one my favourite films of all times Madhumati. Directed by Bimal Roy and starring Dilip Kumar, Vyjantimala and Pran, Madhumati was the story of eternal love that cant' be separated by death. One of the key ingredients that has made this movie an all time favourite is the sound track composed by Salil Choudhary.

Salil Choudhary had composed, what for me, is the finest songs in any film. Starting with the peppy Suhana Safar aur yeh Mausam Hasi, to the haunting Mein to Kab se Khadi is Paar, to the earthy Daya re Daya Jangal Chad Gayo Papi Bichua (tnx Kuffir), to the soulful Toothe huve Khawbon ne, to the flirtatious Dil Tadap Ke Keh Raha Hai Abhi Ja, to the drunken Jungal mein More Nache to the lovely mujra Hum Haal-e-Dil Sunaaye ge – the film is full of songs that have endured the test of time…..

But, in a way that was Salil Choudhary's expertise. The music that he composed transcends time…. Here are my favourites from his repertoire. in no particular order of preference

  • Suhana Safar aur Yeh Mausam Hasi - sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra. Picturised on a very young Dilip Kumar – full of hope and a joy for life as he takes on a new assignment working for the villanous Pran. Film Madhumati. The film is full of ever green songs, a fabulous background track and an atmosphere that can very rarely be replicated.
  • Aa Jaa Ri Aaa, Nindiya Tu Aa - sung by Lata Mangeshkar, with very basic accompaniment . The song is a mellifluous lullaby. Lyrics by Shailendra. The film is Do Bigha Zameen, and the dierctor Bimal Roy. The film had other wonderful songs like Dharti Kare Pukar Ke, Ajab Tore Duniya O Rama. The story is of a farmer who tries to redeem his Do Bigha Zameen (two measures of land) from the landlord (debt). The movie still resonates with poignancy today, especially in the light of farmer suicides over debt. And, no corporatisation is not the answer.
  • Kahi Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye – Sung By Mukesh, Picturised on Rajesh Khanna for the film Anand. Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. (Trivia: Hrishikesh Mukherjee was mentored by Bimal Roy). The movie is an absolute tear jerker. I remember sobbing my way through the film. Other gems in this movie are Meine Tere Liye Hi Saat Rang Ke Sapne Chune (mukesh), Zindagi Kaise Hi Paheli (Manna De), Naa Jiya Lage Na (Lata)
  • Jaago Mohan Pyare Jaago - sung by Lata Mangeshkar, picturised on Nargis, lyrics by Shailender. Directed by Amit Mitra. Prouced by Raj Kapoor – one of the few commercial disasters that he produced. The film is Jaagte Raho and the story is a of a man in search of drinking water in the city. I don't think that Lata's voice has been sweeter in any other song. I get gooseberries everytime I hear this song. The other masterpiece from this film is Zindagi Khwaab Hai (Mukesh)
  • Tasveer Tee Dil Mein, Jis Din Se Utari Hai - a lovely romantic duet sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi for the film Maya. The song is picturised on Dev Anand and Mala Sinha. Lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The other song from this film that is an all time favourite is Ja Re Ud Jaa Re Panchi (sung by Lata)
  • Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyaar Bada – sung by Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mehmood for Asha Parekh and Sunil Dutt. Lyrics by Rajender Kishen. The film is Chhaya. Other great songs in this film are Aanknon mein Masti Sharaab Ki, Aansoon Samajh Ke Kyon Mujhe (both by Talat Mehmood)
  • O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi - sung by Lata Mangeshkar and picturised on Sadhna. The film is Parakh and the lyrics are by Shailendra
  • Koi Hota Jisko Apna - sung by Kishore Kumar, the film is Mere Apne. Lyrics by Gulzar
  • Jane Man Jane Man - sung by Yesudas and Asha Bhonsle for Amol Palekar & Vidya Sinha. The film is Choti si Baat directed by Basu Chaterjee. The story is of two shy people who come together.  The film had other lovely numbers including Na Jaane Kyon, Hota hai Yeh Zindagi ke Saath (Lata), Yeh Din Kya Aaye, lage phul hase (Mukesh)
  • Rajngandha Phool Tumhare - Sung by Lata , picturised on Vidya Sinha. the film is Rajnigandha. Like many Basu Chaterjee movies this too focused on the complexities of a man woman relationship and the feeling that the grass in greener elsewhere. Check out the Mukesh number in this film – Kahi baar yuhi dekha hai…yahi man ki seema rekha hai….
  • Nain Hamare Saanj Saakare .. a whimsical number sung by Mukesh. The film is Annadata starring Jaya Bhaduri and Anil Dhawan. I found the movie terribly dragging — but its soundtrack is superlative. Other lovely numbers in the film are Raton ke Saaye (Lata), Guzar Jaye Din Din (Kishore)

There are other great numbers from movies that I haven't seen…. Ai Mere Pyaare Watan (sung by Manna De for kabuli wala), Baag Mein Kali Khili (sung by Asha for Chand aur Suraj), Kanha Bole Na (sung by Lata for Sangat); Ni Sa, Ga Ma Pa Ni, Sa Re Ga, Aa Aa Re Mitavaa (sung by Yesudas). The list is quite large. 

These are some of my favourites…. But, the trouble with Salilda's music is that every song that you hear of his you think to yourself ….. but that is my favourite….

Also check out The World of Salil Choudhary for his entire collection of his compositions  in all languages. 

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