Adornments: Gori Tori Paijaniya

One is impressed with Hema Malini's dancing prowess when one watches this beautifully presented sequence from "Mehbooba" (1976) incorporating three dance forms. Having the familiar theme of reincarnation at its core, this film was shot on a grand scale with lavish sets. The story was based on Gulshan Nanda's novel "Sisakte Saaz" and he wrote the screenplay for the film too. Rajesh Khanna is the court singer lip-syncing to an excellent R. D. Burman composition in Manna Dey's voice.

Singer: Manna Dey
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: R. D. Burman

Adornments: Mila Hai Kisika Jhumka

Enjoy this sweet solo from "Parakh"(1960) on Lata Mangeshkar's birthday today. She has lent her voice to generations of leading ladies. Here, she sings for a very young Sadhana who must have been just about 20 then. I had posted another lovely song from this film some time ago in the Rain Songs series, O Sajana Barkha Bahaar Aayi.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Salil Chowdhury

Adornments: Kajra Mohabbat Wala

We don't always need very expensive ornaments to adorn ourselves. Sometimes, just a touch of kaajal (kohl) is enough to enhance one's looks. A very entertaining duet today that starts with kajra and talks about some other trinkets as it progresses. It is from "Kismat"(1968).

It is quite common to see men dressed as women in films these days. But this song was one of the first instances when a male lead (Biswajeet) appeared as a woman. To add to the fun, the female lead (Babita) portrayed a man. The harmonium pieces that are spread generously all over the song are simply magical. A superb composition by O. P. Nayyar in Asha Bhosle and Shamshad Begum's voices, this charming number has brought cheer to generations of listeners.

Other popular songs from this film were Aao huzur tumko, Lakhon hain yahan dilwale and Aankhon mein qayamat. The last two are especially relevant as the playback for them was by Mahendra Kapoor and it is his death anniversary today.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum
Lyrics: S. H. Bihari
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Adornments: O Re Ghungroo Ka Bole

It is Dev Anand's birth anniversary today. So, here is a song from one of his hit films "Hare Rama Hare Krishna"(1971). This film provided a window for the Hindi film audiences to see the hippie community from close quarters. It told the story of a brother's search for his estranged sister. All the songs from this film were hugely popular, but I have of course picked the one that fits into our theme. Interestingly, I had posted another Dev Anand song, Choodi nahin ye mera dil hai just a few days ago.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: R. D. Burman, Shibu Pintu

Adornments: Baajuband Khul Khul Jaaye

A classical delight in Bhairavi today. It is a thumri that has been rendered by several prominent vocalists beautifully. Listen to this version in Lata Mangeshkar's voice from "Bazooband"(1954). The on-screen lead pair is Balraj Sahni and Roopmala.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
Music: Mohammed Shafi

Adornments: Dhoondho Dhoondho Re Sajana

"Gunga Jumna"(1961) is one of the most successful Hindi films in terms of box office collections and popularity. A dacoit drama, it was produced by Dilip Kumar. He played the lead role along with his real life brother Nasir Khan, portraying two brothers; one an upright police officer and another a criminal. Later, many films were made around this theme. A delightful solo from this film today. Naushad composed several memorable songs for this film. To name a few, Do hanson ka joda, Na manoon na manoon, Tora man bada paapi and Nain lad jainhe.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Adornments: Choodi Nahin Ye Mera Dil Hai

Glass bangles are one of the loveliest trinkets that a woman adorns herself with. Equally beautiful are the lyrics of this duet about bangles from "Gambler"(1971) penned by Neeraj. Presenting this lovely composition for your listening pleasure today.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Neeraj
Music: S. D. Burman

Adornments: Jhumka Gira Re

"Mera Saaya" (1966) was a perfect entertainer and a huge box office hit. Shot in the beautiful city of Udaipur, this film belonged to the suspense/mystery genre; complete with engrossing courtroom scenes. The story was based on a Marathi film named "Pathlaag". Enjoy an energetic dance number from this film today. Madan Mohan had composed memorable music for this film that included songs like Nainon mein badara chhaye and Tu jahaan jahaan chalega.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Music: Madan Mohan

Adornments: Khanke Kangana Bindiya Hanse

Starting a new theme today. The title is enough to explain the theme. So, I need not say anything about it. Just go along with it and enjoy the songs that will follow. They are as beautiful as the adornments themselves are.

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Opening the theme with a very sweet song that talks about several adornments lovingly. The lady is all decked up in anticipation of a meeting with her beloved. It is hard not to notice the happiness in her voice. This solo is from "Dr. Vidya"(1962), a social entertainer with a message about women's education.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

Rain Songs: Diyaa Na Bujhe Ri Aaj Hamara

A 50-year old song that has been shot on a grand scale. It is from "Son Of India"(1962). This was a Mehboob Khan production, starring Kumkum, Kamaljit Singh and Jayant. Kumkum is the lead dancer in this song sequence. A better-known song from this film is Nanha munna rahi hoon with playback by Shanti Mathur.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

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With this gorgeous song, I am concluding the theme of Rain Songs...at least for the time being. Maybe I will revive it at a later time. It has been a pleasure posting these lovely songs. I discovered some gems along the way. I am sure there are many great ones out there that haven't appeared in this space. But, I think it is now time to move on. So, planning a new theme. It is coming up soon.

Rain Songs: Ho Umad Ghumad Kar Aayi Re Ghata

An experimental concept of "open prison" was once tried in the princely state of Satara. V. Shantaram made a film based on that idea. It turned out to be a classic in Hindi cinema. It tells the story of an idealistic warden who takes it upon himself to reform six hardened criminals and turn them into normal, law-abiding citizens. Today's song is from that film-- "Do Aankhen Barah Haath" (1957).

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai

Rain Songs: Ghir Ghir Aayi Badariya Kaari

Listen to a very beautiful song based on classical music today. It is from Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed film "Sardari Begum"(1996) that won National Awards in several categories. Noted classical vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar has lent her sonorous voice to this lovely composition. Posting the full song without the video from the film. The clip from the film shows only a part of the number.

Singer: Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Vanraj Bhatia

Rain Songs: Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua

Raj Kapoor and Nargis walking in pouring rain under an umbrella, three kids walking in raincoats, and the familiar strains of pyaar hua iqraar hua...most of us are very familiar with these images and sounds. They have appeared on the telly over and over again. Enjoy this very popular song from "Shree 420" (1955) today. Raj Kapoor was heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp" while making this film that told the story of an orphan. Both, he and his film were very popular in the then Soviet Union.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Rain Songs: Barkha Ka Mausam Jee Ko Jalaake Chalaa Jaaye

Sometimes it is good to remember songs that were moderately popular. Today's song is one such. It is from "Salaakhen"(1975). This film belonged to action/thriller genre and starred Shashi Kapoor with Sulakshana Pandit. Playback is by Asha Bhosle. Her usual touches are very much there.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Ravindra Jain
Music: Ravindra Jain

Rain Songs: Na Na Na Baraso Baadal

"Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan"(1959) was a historical film based on the life of the ruler with the same name. He was the last independent Hindu king to have ruled Delhi. His kingdom spread over much of what is Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi today, with Delhi and Ajmer as his twin capitals. A lovely solo from this film today.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai

Rain Songs: Baadal Ghumad Badh Aaye

Sai Paranjpye's "Saaz"(1998) was perhaps inspired by the lives of sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. It told the tale of two sisters who inherit nothing but immense musical talent from their father. How much the rest of the film had in common with the real life story of the legendary sisters is not known. Being all about singers, it had 10 wonderful songs and the music was composed by Yashwant Deo, Bhupen Hazarika, Zakir Hussain and Raj Kamal. A lovely track from this film today. There are two versions, one in male voice and another in female voice. The clip for the female version is not available. I could not find out who amongst the four named above has composed this particular number.

Singer: Suresh Wadkar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Rain Songs: Meri Jaan Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho

A very gentle song today. It is from "Anubhav" (1971). This was a significant film by Basu Bhattacharya highlighting marital discord in an urban couple. Later, he made two more films on the same theme "Avishkaar" and "Griha Pravesh" completing the trilogy.

Coming back to today's solo, it is one of the last songs Geeta Dutt recorded before she passed away in 1972. It is composed by her brother Kanu Roy.

Rain Songs: Jaa Ri Jaa Ri O Kaari Badariyaa

Music has always played a big role in making a film click with the audiences. It must have been one of the ingredients that made "Azaad"(1955) the top grossing film in the year of its release. The film was embellished with such unforgettable melodies as Na bole na bole na bole re, Aplam chaplam, Kitna haseen hai mausam and several others. Of course, the music was complemented by the presence of Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari as the lead players. Enjoy a gem from this film today.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: C. Ramchandra

Rain Songs: Jaa Re Badaraa Bairi

Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar have teamed up to create several wonderful melodies. This is one of them. The name of the film is "Bahaana" (1960) that starred Meena Kumari and Mehmood. It is a pity that the video for this song is not available.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Madan Mohan

Rain Songs: Chhoti Si Kahaani Se

Asha Bhosle turns 79 today. Her energy, zest for life and enthusiasm will put many youngsters to shame. She can still shake a leg with elan in her TV appearances and on stage. She dresses immaculately and looks fabulous. Here's wishing a long life to her youthful looks and charm.

To celebrate her birthday, a lovely song from "Ijaazat" (1987). She was the sole playback singer for this film. All the songs have a magical appeal as they are some of the best creations of the Asha-Gulzar-R. D. team. Unfortunately, I could not find a video of the full song from the film. What I found is a shortened version which was used as a background score for the credits. So, posting the full song without a video and the shorter version showing the credits.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: R. D. Burman

Rain Songs: O Ghata Sanwari

"Abhinetri" (1970) was a family drama focusing on the marital discord between a couple. Sa re ga ma pa pa pa was the most popular song from that film. Presenting another solo from the same film today because it happens to be a pleasant song that fits in our theme too. Some interesting shots of Hema Malini performing exercises seemingly effortlessly with a dancer's grace and agility.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Rain Songs: Sona Kare Jhilmil Jhilmil

It is interesting how we interpret the sound of rain and express it in various different ways. Of course, it does sound different depending upon whether it is a mere drizzle, a sharp shower or sheets of torrential rain. We have heard it go jhir jhir, rim jhim, rum jhum and tip tip many times. Now listen to it go taapur tupur in this song from "Paheli" (1977). This film marked the debut of Suresh Wadkar as a playback singer. The lead players are Satyajeet and Nameeta Chandra. They faded into oblivion quite soon.

Singers: Hemlata, Suresh Wadkar
Lyrics: Ravindra Jain
Music: Ravindra Jain

Rain Songs: Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye Badara Saawariya

The song I am posting today is very similar in essence to yesterday's song, Jhir jhir barase saawani ankhiyaan. In both of them, the woman is beckoning her beloved to come home. Rain, of course forms the backdrop of both the songs.

Another interesting tidbit is that this is from R. D. Burman's first film as an independent composer. Before this he had assisted his father, and had made a foray in the world of composing for Guru Dutt's "Raaz" in 1959. But that film never saw the light of the day. That makes "Chhote Nawab" (1961) his first released work. Today's song is from this film.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: R. D. Burman

Rain Songs: Jhir Jhir Barase Saawani Ankhiyaan

"Aashirwaad" (1968) was an emotional story of a father and his daughter. A Hrishikesh Mukherjee offering, it appealed greatly to family audiences. A unique feature of this film were the two songs for children sung by Ashok Kumar in his inimitable style. Railgaadi railgaadi and Naav chali have appeared in this space in the previous series, Her Story. Today, another memorable number from the same film. Love the word saawani. A sweet derivative of saawan that probably did not exist before Gulzar coined it.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: Vasant Desai

Rain Songs: Kaari Badariya Maare Lehriya

A very pretty Waheeda Rehman. Scenic locales. A pleasant tune. These have come together to make today's lovely song. This number from "Aadmi" (1968) is an audio-visual delight. It would have been even better had it been shot in the rain.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad