Best songs of 1953: And the winners are?

Best songs of 1953: And the winners are?

SoY regulars would recall that last year I wrote a string of posts on thebest songs of 1955. The idea came from the readers’ suggestion to do a yearwise review of the best songs of pre-Filmfare Award years. Even though Baiju Bawra (1952) became the first film to win the award for the  best music, it transpired that in later years, no film of 1953 or 1955 won the Filmfare award, whereas two films of 1954 – Taxi Driver andNagin - won the award in the years 1955 and 1956 respectively. Without getting into the reasons for this discrepancy, I decided to make the record straight and covered the year 1955. From this logic, this year I am reviewing the songs of 1953 (I am proceeding in the reverse order as suggested by the readers). Thereafter, it would be the turn of 1951, after which the sequence would become regular.

With this background, let me start with the musical landmarks of the year.

Musical landmarks

Anarkali: C Ramchandra

Once in a while a film comes which becomes an all time classic. And like all classics, several legends grow around it. Anarkali was one such film. The film is itself based on the legend of the Mughal prince Salim (Jehangir) falling deeply in love with an ordinary maid and dancer, Anarkali, much to the consternation of the emperor Akbar. This story of doubtful veracity has held enduring romance for the film makers since long. The most famous in the genre, Mughal-e-Azam, which came seven years later, had been in the making since the late 40s, undergoing several changes in the cast and technical team. Anil Biswas was supposed to give music for the movie, later to be replaced by Naushad. Sapru (Salim), Chandramohan (Akbar) and Nargis (Anarkali) were replaced by Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor and Nargis. Taking advantage of K Asif’s interminable pursuit of perfection (or confusion), Filmistan pre-empted him by making this movie from start to finish. Knowing the long gestation of the other team, C Ramchandra knew that he had to create a musical landmark. While Naushad had CR to beat, CR had to set his own benchmark. And what a masterpiece he created! Even after Lata Mangeshkar had a ruthless break-up with C Ramchandra, she could not do a concert without singing Ye zindagi usi ki hai on public demand.

Aah: Shankar Jaikishan

After Barsaat and Awara, Shankar Jaikishan again come with a masterpiece we associate with RK Films. Though the film bombed, the music is everlasting.

Dil-e-Nadan: Ghulam Mohammad

This one is my special favourite. Readers have mentioned about Ghulam Mohammad’s talent. This was one of the movies which had Talat Mahmood as the singing star. His ‘official site’ mentions that there was an all-India competition to select a new girl to act opposite him. This girl was Peace Kanwal. We do not know much what happened to her later. Probably the film also was not a great commercial success, in spite of the presence of Shyama. But the music is out of this world, and one of the best scores of Ghulam Mohammad.

Patita: Shankar Jaikishan

Outside RK films also SJ could create great music of different style. Besides, Lata Mangeshkar, the film had songs by Talat Mahmood and Hemant Kumar, which have become as all time classics.

Other important musical compositions

This was a very good year for Shankar Jaikishan. Aurat, Boot Polish, Shikast –each had a number of songs which were not only of musically high quality, but remembered very well after 60 years. Shagufa (Apna pata bata de ya mere paas aa ja) and Jhanjhar (Ae pyar teri duniya se hum) are worth mentioning for CR-Lata songs. Early 50s was the best period of their collaboration with a signature style which was emulated by several composers. Ghulam Mohammd (with Sardar Malik) created another excellent score in Laila Majnu. He also gave some outstanding songs in Rail Ka Dabba. Salil Chaudhary created a sensation with his debut movie Do Bigha Zameen with a unique orchestration and style. Anil Biswas gave a number of excellent songs in Fareb (Aa mohabbat ki bast basayenge hum), Hamdard (Ritu aye ritu jaye skhi ri) and Rahi (Ek pal ruk jana).  I have already done a post on Jamal Sen in my series on Forgotten Composers, Unforgttable Melodies.  His Dayera is also a landmark for Rafi-Mubarak Begum duet, Devta tum ho mera sahara, Mubarak Begum’s solo, Deep ke sang jalun main, and some Talat Mahmood solos.

Debuts

The most famous debut is undoubtedly of Salil Chaudhary in Do Bigha Zameenwith all time great songs including two Manna Dey – Lata Mangeshkar duets,Hariyala sawan dhol bajata aya and Mausam beeta jaye, and one of the greatest lullabies by Lata Mangeshkar, Aa ja ri aa nindiya tu aa. A member of left leaning association of artists and intellectuals, he also wrote the story of the film, which provided a natural fit for his sensibilities. It is said that Mausam beeta jaye is inspired by a marching song he had heard at the Red Square.

It has been mentioned by Jignesh in the discussion on Hindi-Gujarati songs earlier that Mahendra Kapoor debuted in Madmast, composed by V Balsara. His name indeed finds mention as one of the singers in the qawwali, Unhein dekhen to wo munh pher lete hain, and another duet in the movie. This also happened to be the debut for V Balsara. So far my understanding was that Mahendra Kapoor was given his first break as a playback singer in Sohni Mahiwal (1958) by Naushad, consequent upon his winning in an All India Competition in which Naushad was one of the judges.

There are several more debuts in this year – Pt Shivram Krishna as a composer in Teen Batti Chaar Rasta, Jagjit Kaur in Dil-e-Nadan (Khamosh zindagi ko afsana mil gaya), Meena Mangeshkar in a duet with Rafi in Farmaish (Aapne chheen liya dil ise kya kahte hain).

Another debut, which would not have created any ripples at the time, is of Shammi Kapoor in the film Jeevan Jyoti as per the information available at many sites and sources.  He would have to wait for four years to cause a sensation as a rebel star in Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957).  But interestingly, it seems he had the largest number of films in any single year in his debut year – six in all (Jeevan Jyoti, Rail Ka Dibba, Thokar, Laila Majnu, Gul Sanobar and Khoj).

As per cinepot.com, Helen debuted this year as independent dancer in Alif Laila,and Kumkum debuted in Aansoo.

We can put two more as ‘debuts’. Shaukat Ali Dehlvi used the more commonly known name Nashad for the first time this year in Naghma. Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh had mentioned the story behind it in one of his comments earlier. The producer Naqshab Jarachavi wanted to engage Naushad, but the latter was dismissive of such a lowly project not being worthy of his stature. Cut up by this, Naqshab resolved to create a Naushad like name, who would create equally great music. We are aware of Nashad’s great music in 1955 (Baradari).Naghma’s music makes you feel that the producer’s audacious challenge was fully vindicated.

Khayyam also used this name for the first time this year in the film Footpath.Before this he used to give music under various names such as Sharmaji, or a part of duo Sharmaji-Vermaji.  Every such incident has a story behind it.  I am leaving it to Arunji to enlighten us how he strarted using the name Khayyam from this movie.  Incidentally, Khayyam is a part of his longish real name – Mohammad Zahoorbakhsh Khayyam Hashmi.

Fact file and trivia

I have read somewhere that Lata Mangeshkar in a signed article mentioned that in the most legendary song of the year, Ye zindagi usi ki hai jo kisi ka ho gaya, C Ramchandra got stuck at one point, when his assistant Roshan helped him and composed the difficult portion. To be fair, I have also read that CR refuted this story. Incidentally, C Ramchandra also produced Jhanjhar this year, which had some of the most beautiful Lata Mangeshkar songs. One of the songs in this movie was Tum bin hamri kaun khabar le Govardhan Giridhari. Old timers would recall that a song with exactly these wordings was sung by Sheela in Sohrab Modi’s Pukar (1939).

This year also had some unusual screen appearances in songs, which are well known to the readers – Shailendra in the song Chali kaun se des gujariya (Boot Polish), and Mukesh in Chhoti si ye zindagani (Aah).

This year seems to have a fairly large number of twin songs and multiple version songs – Chali Radhe Rani (Parineeta), Ae gham-e-dil kya karun (Thokar), Ek pal ruik jana (Rahi), Apna pata bata de (Shagufa), Gore gore hathon mein mehdi racha ke (Parineeta) and so on. Readers may also recall I have mentioned earlier that Tere dar pe aya hun fariyad lekar by Talat Mahmood, composed forLaila Majnu, was removed from this film and used next year in Chor Bazar.

I also find it worth mentioning that that RC Boral composed music for Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Pankaj Mullick for Naya Safar. Till a decade back, they were the Gold Standard of film music, and arguably, the grandfather of Hindi film music.  But I do not recall any song from these movies – I often use the phrase Bombay taking over Calcutta. Incidentally, I understand Bharat Bhushan won the Filmfare Award for the best actor for Shri Chaitaya Mahaprabhu – his first and the last.

What was the most unusual thing in the year?  Taking off from Sherlock Holmes (Silver Blaze) – Naushad.  But he did not do anything.  Yes, that is the unusual thing – his absence from the scene between the great years of 1952 (Aan, Baiju Bawra, Deewana) and 1954 (Amar, Shabab).  I miss him for sure.

LIST OF MEMORABLE SONGS

I am presenting here a fairly long list of songs from the year, which I believe covers all the well-known songs. But as has been my experience last year, the readers are so knowledgeable that no matter how exhaustive the list, they do manage to mention some unheard or forgotten gems. The list is in the order of films alphabetically for convenience of the readers.

Aah: Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri/Shailendra; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
1.  Jane na nazar pahchane jigar – Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar
2.  Jo main janti unke liye – Lata Mangeshkar
3.  Raat andheri door savera – Mukesh
4.  Aja re ab mera dil pukara – Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar
5.  Ye sham ki tanhaiyan – Lata Mangeshkar
6.  Sunte the naam hum jinka bahaar se – Lata Mangeshkar
7.  Raja ki ayegi baraat – Lata Mangeshkar
8.  Chhoti si ye zindagani – Mukesh

Aansoo: Lyrics – Qamar Jalalabadi; Music – Husnlal Bhagatram
9.  Sun mere saajna re – Md Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
10.  Din pyar ke aye re – Md Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

Aas: Lyrics – Shailendra; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
11.  Chahe nain churao chahe daman bachao – Talat Mahmood and Lata Mangeshkar

Alif Laila: Lyrics – Sahir Ludhiyanvi; Music – Shyam Sundar
12.  Mere naghmon mein un mastana ankhon ki kahani hai – Talat Mahmood

Anarkali: Lyrics – Rajendra Krishna, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Jan Nisar     Akhtar; music – C Ramchandra
13.  Ae baad-e-saba aahista chal – Hemant Kumar
14.  Ye zindagi usi ki hai – Lata Mangeshkar
15.  Aa jane wafa – Geeta Dutt (composed by Basant Prakash)
16.  Meri kismet ke kharidaar – Lata Mangeshkar
17.  Mujhse mat pooch – Lata Mangeshkar
18.  Dua kar gham-e-dil – Lata Mangeshkar
19.  Jaag dard-e-ishq jag – Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
20.  Mohabbat aisi dhadkan hai – Lata Mangeshkar
21.  Mohabbat mein aise kadam dagmagaye – Lata Mangeshkar
22.  O aasmanwale shikwa hai zindagi ka – Lata Mangehskar
23.  Zindagi pyar ki do chaar ghadi hoti hai – Hemant Kumar

Armaan: Lyrics – Sahir Ludhiyanvi; Music – SD Burman
24.  Chahe kitna mujhe tum bulao ji – Talat Mahmood and Asha Bholse
25.  Bharam teri wafaon ka mita dete – Talat Mahmood

Aurat: Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri/Shailendra; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
26.  Nainon se naina hue chaar – Lata Mangehskar
27.  Ulfat ka saaz chhedo samman suhana hai – Lata Mangeshkar
28.  Dard-e-ulfat chhupaaun kahan – Lata Mangeshkar
29.  Dard-e-jigar thahar zara dum to muhe lene de – Lata Mangeshkar

Baabla: Lyrics – Sahir Ludhiyanvi; Music – SD Burman
30.  Raat ke rahi thak mat jana – Manna Dey/Lata Mangehskar (Twin songs)

Baghi: Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri; Music – Madan Mohan
31.  Hamare baad ab mahfil mein afsaane bayaan honge – Lata Mangehskar

Boot Polish: Lyrics – Shailendra, Hasrat, Swadesh Kumar ‘Deepak’; Muisc – SJ
32.  Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai – Md Rafi and Asha Bhosle
33. Thahar zara O janewale – Manna De, Asha Bhosle and Madhubala Jhaveri
34.  Lapak jhapak tu aa re badarwa – Manna De
35.  Chali kaun se des gujaria – Talat mahmood and Asha Bhosle
36.  Main baharon ki natkhat rani – Asha Bhosle

Chacha Chaudhary: Lyrics – Rajendra Krishna; Music – Madan Mohan
37.  Duniya pagalon ka bazaar – Mohammad Rafi and Shyam Kumar (two versions, and another sad version by Rafi)

Char Chaand: Lyrics – A Karim, Shevan Rizvi; Music – Nashad
38.  Hai ye wohi aasman – Talat Mahmood

Dayera: Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaif Bhopali; Music – Jamal Sen
39.  Deep ke sang jalun main – Mubarak Begum
40.  Aansoo to nahi hai pahlu mein – Talat Mahmood
41.  Ae chaand sitaro khamosh nazaaro – Talat Mahmood
42.  Devta tum ho mera sahara – Mohammad Rafi and Mubarak Begum

Dhun: Lyrics – Kaif Irfani, PL Santoshi, Bharat Vyas; Music – Madan Mohan
43.  Koi ek aana koi do aana – Mohammad Rafi, Batra/Madan Mohan, Babul (two versions)
44.  Hum pyar karenge ek baar karenge – Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
45.  Sitaron se poochho nazaron se poochho – Lata Mangeshkar

Dil-e-Nadan: Lyrics – Shakeel Badayuni; Music – Ghulam Mohammad
46.  Khamosh zindagi ko afsana mil gaya – Jagjit Kaur
47.  Chanda gaye ragini – Jagjit Kaur
48.  Mohabbat ki dhun bekaraaron se poochho – Talat Mahmood, Madhuba Jhaveri, Jagjit Kaur
49.  Na wo hamaare na dil hamara – Sudha Malhotra
50. Jo khushi se chot khaye – Talat Mahmood
51.  Zindagi denewale sun – Talat Mahmood

Do Bigha Zameen: Lyrics – Shailendra; Music – Salil Chaudhary
52. Hariyala sawan dhol bajata aya – Mana Dey and Lata Mangeshkar
53.  Mausam beeta jaye – Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar
54.  Aa ja ri aa nindiya tu aa – Lata Mangeshkar

Fareb: Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri; Music – Anil Biswas
55.  Aa mohabbat ki bast basaayenge hum – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangehskar

Farmaish: Lyrics – Qamar Jalalabadi, Khaabar Zama; Music – Husnalal Bhagatram
56.  Aapne chheen liya dil – Mohammad Rafi and Meena Mangeshkar

Footpath: Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sardar Zafri; Music – Khayyam
57.  Sham-e-gham ki kasam – Talat Mahmood

Humdard: Lyrics – Prem Dhavan, Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Anil Biswas
58.  Ritu aye ritu jaye sakhi ri – Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar

Jhanjhar: Lyrics – Rajendra Krishna; Music – C Ramchandra
59.  Ae pyar teri duniya se hum bas itni nishani le ke chale –  Lata Mangeshkar
60.  Chhed gaye mohe sapne mein Shyam – Lata Mangeshkar
61.  Tum bin hamri kaun khabar le – Lata Mangeshkar

Laila Majnu: Lyrics – Shakeel Badayuni; Music – Ghulam Mohammad, Sardar Malik
62.  Baharon ki duniya pukare tu aa ja – Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosle
63.  Tere dar pe ayah un fariyad lekar – Lata Mangeshkar
64.  Chal diya karwan – Talat Mahmood
65. Aasman wale bata teri duniya se ji ghabraa gaya – Talat and Lata Mangeshkar
66.  Ankhon mein hai tu – Mohammad Rafi and Khan Mastana

Ladki: Lyrics – Rajendra Krishna; Music – R Sudarshanam-Dhaniram
67.  Baat chalat nayi chunri rang daari – by Geeta Dutt

Mashooqa: Lyrics – Shailendra, Qamar Jalalabadi; Music – Roshan
68.  Dil na lagaana – Mukesh
69.  Jhilmil tare karen ishare – Mukesh and Suraiya

Mayurpankh: Lyrics – Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
70.  Khushiyon ke chaand muskaye re – Lata Mangeshkar

Naghma: Lyrics – J Nakhshab, Mirza Shaukh Lakhnavi; Music – Nashad
71. Teer chala teer chala – Talat Mahmood
72.  Badi mushqil se dil ki beqaraari qaraar aya – Shamshad Begum
73.  Kahe jadu kiya mujhko itna bata jadugar balma – Shamshad Begum

Naya Ghar: Lyrics – Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
74.  Chhum chhanan chum chum – Lata Mangeshkar
75. Laga kar dil pareshan hain – Lata Mangeshkar

Nav Durga: Lyrics – Ramesh Chandra Pandey, Anjum Jaipuri; Music – SN Tripathi
76.  Chhaayi birahaa ki raat mora tadape jiya – Geeta Dutt

Paapi: Music – S Mohinder
77.  Tera kaam hai jalnaa parawaane – Mohammad Rafi
78. Choodiyan le le gori pahan - Mohammad Rafi

Parineeta: Lyrics – Bharat Vyas; Music – Arun Kumar Mukherji
79. Chali Radhe Rani – Manna Dey (two versions)
80.  Gore gore hathon mein menhdi racha ke – Asha Bhosle

Patita: Lyrics – Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
81.  Kisi ne apna bana ke mujhko – Lata Mangeshkar
82.  Andhe jahan ke andhe raaste – Talat Mahmood
83.  Tujhe apne paas bulati hai – Talat Mahmood
84.  Yaad kiya dil ne kahan ho tum – Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
85.  Mitti se khelte ho baar bar kis liye – Lata Mangeshkar
86. Hain sabse madhur wo geet mere – Talat Mahmood

Rahi: Lyrics – Prem Dhavan; Music – Anil Biswas
86.  Ek pal ruk jana – Lata Mangeshkar

Rail Ka Dibba: Lyrics – Shakeel Badayuni; Music – Ghulam Mohammad
87.  La de mohe balma aasmani chudiyan – Md Rafi and Shamshad Begum
88.  Angan more aao ji sajan dheere dheere – Shamshad Begum

Shagufa: Lyrics – Rajendra Krishna; Music – C Ramchandra
89.  Apna pata bata de ya mere paas aa ja – Lata Mangeshkar

Shikast: Lyric – Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shankar Jaikishan
90. Kare badra tu na ja na ja – Lata Mangeshkar
91.  Sapnon ki suhani duniya ko – Talat Mahmood

Teen Batti Char Rasta: Lyrics – PL Santoshi; Music – Shivram Krishna
92.  Apni ada par main hun fida – Lata Mangeshkar

Thokar: Lyrics – Mazaz; Music – Sardar Malik
93. Ae gham-e-dil kya karun – Talat Mahmood/Asha Bhosle (twin songs)

Some ‘special’ songs

I present some ‘special’ songs of the year, which I have selected for some uniqueness or some special feature.  All these would be relatively unknown, because I became aware of them in the internet era. These may not figure in any category for awards, but some of them are extremely melodious, making you wonder why were these gems hidden, and how many more could be still hidden.

1.  Laga kar dil parishan hain by Lata Mangeshkar from Naya Ghar(1953), lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri, music – Shankar Jaikishan

This is my most recent discovery, courtesy Vividh Bharati’s 7.30AM programme.  I was struck by this beautiful, unknown-to-me, ‘C Ramchandra’ composition – I mentioned CR-Lata signature style in the early 50s which was emulated by many composers.  This turns out to be composed by Shankar Jaikishan.  Readers may judge for themselves.

2.  Baat chalat nayi chunri rang daari by Geeta Dutt from Ladki(1953), music R Sudarshanam-Dhaniram

The second ‘special’ song I am presenting would be a delight to Geeta Dutt fans.  This traditional Bhairvi thumri has been sung by many classical singers.  In films I have heard an outstanding rendition by Mohammad Rafi and Krishrao Chonkar in the film Rani Rupmati (1959).  This rendering by Geeta Dutt should also figure among the best.

3.  Aapne chheen liya dil ise kya kahte hain by Mohammad Rafi and Meena Mangeshkar from Farmaaish, lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Husnalal Bhagatram

What a beautiful duet by Mohammad Rafi and the debutant, Meena Mangeshkar.  I never tire of repeating how grateful we are to live in the internet era, otherwise these gems would have been lost forever.  The labels on the link are erroneous, but let us thank the uploader for this great song

4. Angan more aaoji sajan dheere dheere by Shamshad Begum from Rail Ka Dabba, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ghulam Mohammad

Shamshad Begum is my great favourite.  Unfortunately, we lost her this year on April 23, and I do not miss to include one of her songs if an opportunity arises.  This was a great year for her.  Rail Ka Dibba had a well known duet with Rafi, La de mohe balma aasmani chudiyan.  It also had three solos, this one which might be relatively unknown, is incredibly sweet and melodious.  Unfortunately, it seems to be an incomplete link, but nevertheless a gem.

5.  Aa jane wafa by Geeta Dutt from Anarkali, lyrics Geeta Dutt, music Basant Prakash (!)

A Geeta Dutt song in Anarkali may look odd.  More surprising is that its composer is Basant Prakash.  Atul mentions the story behind this oddity.  The producer wanted all the songs in the voice of Geeta Dutt, but C Ramchandra was adamant on Lata Mangeshkar, obviously.  Then he was replaced by Basant Prakash, who could do only one song, after which he could not continue because of illness.  CR was back with Lata Mangeshkar with a vengeance.  But this Geeta Dutt song stayed on.

6.  Multilingual song from Teen Batti Char Rasta, music Shivram Krishna

We have seen a multilingual song in Aadmi (1939) in the article by Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh in his post on Hindi-Marathi songs.  Later I have come across a great multilingual song by Shamshad Begum in the film Nishan(1949), picturised on P Bhanumati.  We should have occasion to discuss that song later.  This one composed by Shivram Krishna in his debut film is a musical as well as visual delight.  Such songs highlight the multi-ethnic and multilingual nature of our society, with an underlying unity.  A feature of these songs is that different segments highlight the special mannerisms, accent or dress of that linguistic group.  So watch this song again and again to identify the languages, and enjoy its picturisation.  HFGK gives details of different segments, composed by different composers – Kanu Ghosh (Bengali), Natraj (Tamil), Gulshan Sufi (Sindhi), Vasant Desai (Marathi), Avinash Vyas (Gujarati), Shivram Krishna (Hindi, Punjabi).  There are a number of singers also, my favourite is Zohra Ambalawali – you can’t miss her distinct voice.

7.  Classical song from by Dr Vasnatrao Deshpande (?) from Chacha Chaudhary, music Madan Mohan

We have heard of Madan Mohan’s love for classical music. Surprisingly this song is not listed in HFGK, but from the video clip it is surely from the film Chacha Chaudhary.  The YT link mentions Dr Vasantrao Deshpande as the singer and the Raga identified is Chandrakaus.  The actors identified in the clip are Raja Paranjpe (singer) Durga Khote (lady) Dhumal (music teacher) and Chittaranjan Kolhatkar (young lad).

8.  Duniya paglon ka bazaar by Mohammad Rafi and Shyam Kumar from Chacha Chaudhary, lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Madan Mohan

I have mentioned in one of my earlier posts that Madan Mohan could go from pure classical to a pure crazy song in the same film.  This one seems literally picturised on a bunch of  lunatics in an asylum.  The second singer, Shyam Kumar, I guess is the same person who was the male voice in O janewale balamwa (Rattan).  The song is a parody, it is a challenge to identify the original songs.   The ones I can clearly identify are Toofan Mail, duniya ye duniya(Jawab, 1942 by Kanan Devi) and Duniya ka maza le lo (Bahar, 1951 by Shamshad Begum).

9.  Lahron ke rele sang naiya mori khele by Hridaynath Mangeshkar from Baabla, lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi, music SD Burman

If you hear this song without knowing its detail, you would probably guess it is by Geeta Dutt.  Hridaynath Mangeshkar would have been 15/16 when he sang this song.  It is surprising that at this age, his voice should be so thin.

10.  Na main dil ki baat bataungi by Rajkumari from Gunah, lyrics Kedar Sharma, music Snehal Bhatkar

I have a great fascination for female singers of the vintage era, 1930s and 40s, who were swept away by the Lata Mangeshkar tornado in the 50s and 60s.  We lost a good deal of tonal and vocal diversity.  These singers got songs on the margins.  We have seen a small fragment of Zohra Ambalawali in the song no. 6 above.  Another great singer in the Vintage Era was Rajkumari.  Enjoy this ghazal in the style of 30s and 40s by a great composer, who also unfortunately remained on the margins in Hindi films.

I have come to the end of my presentation.  I believe that nothing of importance I have missed.  But any discussion on old songs is also about discussing that which is unknown, and discovering hidden gems to together.   Fortunately, we have among SoY regulars, great experts and explorers.  So I present it before the house for Open House now.  While discussing and commenting, you may also give your thoughts on

And the SoY winners are:

Best male playback singer

Best female playback singer

Best duet

Best music director

Based on the inputs and discussions, I propose to write separate wrap-ups on each of the above, as I did last year.

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