The incredible brother-sister in music: Anil Biswas’s songs for Parul Ghosh
I can’t think of a weightier brother sister-duo in Hindi film music. Obviously, Mangeshkars’ dominance is unparalleled, but they are primarily ‘sisters’; Hridaynath’s footprint is very negligible on film music, whereas Anil Biswas is a Titan. Parul Ghosh was born in 1916 to a music-loving mother, two years after her brother Anil Biswas, who would dominate the film music as one of the all time greats in the years to come. Thus, music was in her DNA. She was married to the renowned flautist, Pannalal Ghosh. With such pedigree, it is not surprising that she got a break with the New Theatres. Her name is associated with a landmark event in film music – the first playback song, Main khush hona chaahun, in Dhoop Chhaon (1935), composed by RC Boral. She was one of the three singers to have this achievement, the other two being Suprova Srakar and Harimati Dua. In spite of an impressive start, her early career progressed in fits and starts, until her brother, Anil Biswas, took her as his major singer.
I had assumed that pre-Lata, Amirbai Karnataki would be the main female singer for Anil Biswas. This was obviously Kismat effect. But a careful observation of Anil Biswas filmography shows, she is outnumbered by several other singers, with Parul Ghosh outnumbering all of them by a big margin. She was his lead singer in Basant (1942), Hamari Baat (1943), Jwaar Bhata (1944) and Milan(1946). This song list (not exhaustive) at Cineplot shows that she sang for most of the top composers of the time, but her most famous songs are by his brother. (Note: The list shows ‘Basant’ as composed by Pannalal Ghosh, but it has been explained earlier that because of contractual reasons, Anil Biswas could not be credited, though he was the composer.)
Her swan song in films was in Aandolan (1951) – Vande Mataram – with Manna Dey and Sudha Malhotra, composed by Pannalal Ghosh. She sang about 100 songs in all in 25 films. She died on August 13, 1977 after prolonged illness in Bombay. Continuing the Year of Anil Biswas celebration, I pay my tribute to Parul Ghosh , with her best songs composed by her illustrious brother.
1. Ummeed unse kyat hi aur kar wo kya rahe hain from Basant(1942), lyrics PL Santoshi
The most famous song from this movie is Tumko Mubarak ho oonche mahal ye, which was included in the inaugural post by Shikha Biswas Vohra. But this ghazal has been beautifully composed by Anil Biswas, and sung equally well by Parul Ghosh. The lyrics are beautiful: आये थे इश्क़ बनकर अब अश्क़ बन चले वो.
2. Papiha re mere piya se kahiyo jaye from Kismat (1943), lyrics Pradeep
Kismat was out and out Amirbai Karnataki affair. This solitary song by Parul Ghosh in the film holds its own against all the iconic songs of Amirbai.
3. Main unki ban jaaun re from Hamari Baat (1943), lyrics Pt Narendra Sharma
Parul Ghosh shared the singing honours with Suraiya in this film, who also had a role in it. While Suraiya’s songs must have been picturised on her, I presume Parul Ghosh would have sung for Devika Rani. (We have seen Suraiya’s songs from this film in the post on her songs by Anil Biswas.)
4. Ae baad-e-saba ithlati to na aa from Hamari Baat (1943), lyrics Pt. Narendra Sharma
Pt. Narendra Sharma was known more for pure Hindi songs. But his comfort with Urdu is remarkable. Again my discovery in the Internet era, but it is a very charming.
5. Humse kya poochhate ho dard kahan hota hai from Lady Doctor (1944), lyrics Wali Saheb
The YT link identifies Parul Ghosh as the singer. I am hearing this song for the first time, but it draws you immediately, in spite of a slight accent in her voice.
6. More aangan mein chhitki chaandni ghar aa ja sajan fromJwaar Bhata (1944), lyrics Pt Narendra Sharma
Once we delve into the vintage era we are going to come across one gem after the other. This song is notable for its elegant lyric by Pt. Narendra Sharma – छेड़ी कोयल ने प्रीत की मीठी रागिनी घर आ जा सजन.
7. Bhool jana chaahti hun bhool paati nahi from Jwaar Bhata(1944)
Pt. Narendra Sharma now gives a very simple lyric. Parul Ghosh gives expression to the pining heroine, who is not able to forget her lover.
8. Jisne banai bansuri geet usi keg aye ja from Milan (1946), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi
The reason why Anil Biswas is special is demonstrated by this incredibly sweet song from Milan.
9. Main kiski laaj nibhaaun from Milan (1946), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi
Anil Biswas does not compose a song, he carves a piece of art. I am hearing the songs of Milan for the first time. But they surely should rank among his best; these are definitely a high point of the great brother-sister combination.
A classical based composition, Anil Biswas is at his best. Now we are lucky to have a very good quality video clip, picturised on Ranjana, as identified in the comments. You get a brief glimpse of a very young Dilip Kumar in the end, from one of his earliest films. Mumabaikaar8 lays great emphasis on the lyrics. This one is again remarkable for its elegant lyrics. Literary songs are now lost forever.
सुहानी बेरिया बीती जाये
अकेले बैठे जिया घबराये, सुहानी बेरिया बीती जाये
अकेले बैठे जिया घबराये, सुहानी बेरिया बीती जाये
कोई संदेस ना कोई पाती फिर जलाई पवन मदमाती
कैसे धीर धरत पी की छाती हंसी में रोना आये
सुहानी बेरिया बीती जाये
कैसे धीर धरत पी की छाती हंसी में रोना आये
सुहानी बेरिया बीती जाये
Acknowledgement: Swaron Ki Yatra by Anil Bhargav