Remembering Anil Biswas, The Singer
Songs of Yore heralded 2014 as the Year of Anil Biswas with Inaugural post by his daughter, Shikha Biswas Vohra – Anil Biswas: The Maestro and My Father. We have since had three more posts dedicated to him with his songs for Suraiya, Talat Mahmood, and his sister, Parul Ghosh The year is only half gone, and many more on Anil Biswas are yet to come to do full justice to him. So what is the best way to remember him today which is his Birth Centenary?
In my post on Talat Mahmood’s songs by Anil Biswas, there was an interesting discussion as to which male singer sang the most songs for him. Mahesh suggested that it could be Mukesh with his 24 songs. My response, based on my general impression, was that we should check up about Surendra, and Anil Biswas’s own songs. Venkataramanji suggested Manna Dey from the Golden Era must have sung the maximum number of songs, and added that Surendra would have done a few more than him, and Anil Biswas should also be close to 50. His filmography and detailed song list at Surjit Singh’s site makes it possible to compile a list singer-wise; and subject to marginal errors, it turns out Anil Biswas himself (with about 47 songs, including solos and with other singers) sang the maximum number of songs under his baton, Surendra coming almost in photo-finish. Therefore, in our tribute to the Bhishm Pitamah in his Centenary Year, it is important to remember him as a singer too.
I must, at this stage, mention that all the data or filmography we find at any source are derived from the same mother source, Hindi Film Geet Kosh, compiled by Harmandir Singh ‘Hamraz’. With five volumes, brought out decade-wise (for the period 1931-80), running into about 4000 pages, and containing details of about 5700 films and 44000 songs, this is a monumental work of dedication and love for old Hindi film music by an individual. Knowledge about film songs can be clearly divided into before and after Harmandirji. Whenever I mention HFGK, in my heart I remember the awesome work of the man, even though I may not be expressly acknowledging him.
Coming back to Anil Biswas’s filmography, though derived from the same mother source, the one I have linked here mentions 86 films; Venkataramanji had mentioned 87; and Anil Biswas’s ‘official’ website, I had mentioned in my earlier post, listed 93. The difference arises due to interpretation of some films, which are officially credited to other music directors, but, anecdotally, one or a few songs in these films are said to be composed by Anil Biswas. One inconsistency in the purist approach is with regard to a very famous film with outstanding songs, Basant (1942). This film is available in full on YT. Its music is credited to Pannalal Ghosh, and in the credits you would not find the name of Anil Biswas. Yet, anecdotally, it is said that Anil Biswas was its music director, who could not be credited because of contractual problems, and Pannalal Ghosh did the orchestration and background music. This is now widely accepted, and even the ‘pure’ shorter lists include Basant in Anil Biswas filmography. Therefore, it would be prudent to take the same approach in the case of Bharat Ki Beti (Ustad Jhande Khan) and Manmohan (Ashok Ghosh), in which some songs (which happen to be the most well-known in these films) are recognized as composed by Anil Biswas.
It is interesting that the music directors, who earned great fame as singers as well, all happen to be Bengalis – Pankaj Mullick, SD Burman and Hemant Kumar. You expand it and you get Kishore Kumar. Manna Dey also gave music in some films. Outside, C Ramchandra (Chitalkar) comes to mind. Ravi’s ambition was to become a singer, but he is now known only as a music director. If you go further, probably you would hit Himesh Reshamiya, but I should not shock my readers.
Anil Biswas may not have earned the same fame as a singer as his fellow Bengalis I have mentioned. But born in a music loving family, music was in his genes. He was a trained and competent singer. At a very young age while he was in school, he got into revolutionary movement, and pursued by the police, he left studies and fled to Calcutta at the age of 15. There he joined the theatre, and soon earned fame as a musician and singer of bhajans, keertans and Shyama Sangeet.
Anil Biswas surely loved his voice. Some of his songs are truly outstanding and deserve to be known better. Since he is the most prolific singer under his music direction, I present some of his songs, as a tribute on his Birth Centenary.
1. Bhai hum pardesi log humein kaun jaane from Ek Hi Rasta(1939), lyrics Pandit Indra
The earliest song of Anil Biswas I could locate is a wonderful mystical song, This seems to be the precursor of Pradeep style.
2. Jamuna tat Shyam khele Holi Jamuma tat from Aurat (1940), lyrics Safdar ‘Aah’
His most well known song Kaahe karta der baraati from Aurat has been included in the Inaugural post. Fortunately, most of the songs of the film are now available on the YT, some with good quality video too. It is clear Mehboob Khan’s original ‘Mother India’ was equally solid in music, and I can quite agree with those who say this was a notch better than his more celebrated later magnum opus. Both the films had a Holi song. Aurat had a two-part song. I am including here the second part which is more lively and follows the traditional folk/light classical tune.
3. More angana mein laga abmua ka ped from Aurat (1940), lyrics Sfadar ‘Aah’
As per his filmography, Anil Biswas sang More ghar ke dwar laaga jamuniya ka ped re in Kokila (1937). I was very disappointed when I could not find it on the YT. But, lo and behold, he sings a similar sounding song in Aurat. His mastery over folk is unparalleled.
4. Kiye ja sabka bhala from Bahen (1941), lyrics Safdar Aah
This extremely melodious song has an uncanny resemblance to Mukesh. Since Mukesh was not a known quantity then, it is clear he modelled his singing on his Mentor’s style.
5. Gori kaahe khadi angana atariya mein aao (with Maya Banerjee) from Apana Paraya (1942), lyrics Pandit Indra
This song was mentioned by Canasya in my post on Songs of Atariya. You see his mastery of folk again, with right amount of naughtiness as demanded by the lyrics and the situation.
6. Tara ra ra gaao Kabir from Jwaar Bhata (1944), lyrics Pt Narendra Sharma
‘Kabir’ songs refer to a class of Holi songs sung by unruly group of male revelers. The style and the words often border on ribald. Anil Biswas perfectly captures the folk style of North Indian villages in this debut film of Dilip Kumar.
Anil Biswas joined the freedom movement at a very young age, went to jail several times and remained underground. This marching song must be coming from that background.
8. Saare jag mein pet ka dhandha from Bhookh (1947), lyrics Dr Safdar ‘Aah’
Anil Biswas now sings in the style of a wandering minstrel in a somewhat humorous style. Obviously it is coming from his theatre/keertan singing days.
9. Humein maar chala ye khayal ye gham na idhar ke rahe na udhar ke rahe from Aarzoo (1950), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
This is the film that catapulted Talat Mahmood’s career with Ae dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal jahan koi na ho. Himself a no mean singer, Anil Biswas sings this beautiful ghazal.
10. Paas balam chori chori aa (duet with Lata Mangeshkar) fromLaajwab (1950), lyrics Shekhar
This is a wonderful folk based duet with his most favourite singer, Lata Mangeshkar. While she sings the basic melody, Anil Biswas provides contrast with his chorus-backed rhythmic prelude and interludes.
11. Paisa nahin hota jo ye paisa nahi hota (duet Manna Dey) fromSautela Bhai (1962), lyrics Shailendra
Anil Biswas joins his most favourite male singer in the 50s and 60s to sing this comedy song. He has composed different antaraas in different styles. He shows his prowess in folk, qawwali and bhajan in one song.