Multiple Versions Songs (6) – Both versions by female playback singer(s) (1) – Abhi To Main Jawan Hun
(The series on multiple version songs, started by Mr Ashok Vaishnav, is now getting multidimensional. Besides three parts by Ashokji, we also had Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh writing on Hindi-Marathi, and Mr N Venkataraman on Hindi-Tamil version songs. Ashokji resumes where he left off – now with all-female versions. This he proposes to do in two parts, which he explains in his article – AK)
We continue our journey of the multiple versions songs through a mirror-image of all-male version songs sub-category – multiple version songs in Hindi films – all versions rendered by female playback singer(s).
The instances presented here have cases, mostly where (both the) versions are rendered by the same female playback singer. However, we also have instances where different versions are rendered by different singers. Here also reasons for such a different selection vary from commercial considerations to film’s situational demands to music director or director’s own high standards of perfection.
There cannot be a better song than Abhi to Main Jawan Hoon to begin this category. You Tube has a huge number of clips when you search for this song, of which I have selected these four versions:
Afsana (1951), lyrics Gafil Harnalvi, music Husnlal Bhagatram, singer Lata Mangeshkar
Those who have savoured the music of the Golden Era in the glorious days of radio would recall that this song was the signature tune of the weekly programme on old film songs every Thursday night on Radio Ceylon, hosted by Manohar Mahajan. Husnlal Bhagatram’s haunting tune would be an irresistible magnet to draw the listener to the radio.
Here is the well known ghazal by Malika Pukhraj with the same mukhadaa, written by Hafeez Jalandhari, who also wrote Pakistan’s national anthem.
Now we have Tahira Sayed, daughter of Mallika Pukhraj in live concert. She is obviously not deterred by legendary status this ghazal has acquired in her mother’s voice, and gives an outstanding rendering.
Noor Jehan in Pakistani film Abhi To Main Jawan Hun
a) One version seems to have been recorded, but another version finally gets the nod in the film.
1. Mere liye woh gham-e-intazaar chhod gaye by Meena Kapur from Anokha Pyaar (1948), lyrics Wahzad Lakhani, music Anil Biswas
The version by Lata Mangeshkar in this clip is an audio. It is understood that only Meena Kapur version was carried in the film, but the record was released in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar as Meena Kapur was unwell. However, perceptible changes in the scale and in the orchestration do not go unnoticed.
YT video clip on Lata Mangeshkar version has this comment:
“The singer is Meena Kapoor. Lata only sang the record version of this song. All the songs picturized on Nargis were sung by Meena Kapoor, while the ones on Nalini Jaywant were by Lata. For the record version, however, Lata sang even Meena Kapoor’s songs”.
2. Gore gore hathon mein mehdi racha ke by Asha Bhosle fromParineeta (1953), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Arun Kumar Mukherjee
The Asha Bhosle version figures at the top in Asha Bhosle ‘specials’ on an earlier post on SoY. The song has a beautiful version by Geeta Dutt too and discussed at length in comments of that article.
b) Each Version used in a very different context
3. Unko ye shikayat hai ki by Lata Mangeshkar from Adaalat(1958), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Madan Mohan
Here is the version that we have listened to innumerable number of times
To this so popular, Madan Mohan’s signature ghazal composition, we have an interesting mushaera-style rendition, too in the film.
We would take a look at “A Happy and A Sad Song” subcategory of All Female Multiple Version songs in the part (2) of this sub-category.
Indeed, this category of multiple versions is Evergreen one…..