Have a story to tell? A theme to work on? An emotion to express? A mood to paint? Easy. You can do all this and more with Hindi film songs. For musical stories or theme-based songs or lyrical expressions of moods or...whatever, this promises to be a fun-filled ride. Come, get on the bandwagon!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Costume Drama: Rimjhim Badarwa Barse

A lovely rain song to match the season! From "Tangewali" (1955). Lata Mangeshkar's voice sounds young and fresh. Hindi films of yesteryears are adorned with beautiful melodies many of which are forgotten. This solo is one of them.

The video clip is a 2-in-1. The Hindi song is followed by the original Bangla song from "Pasher Bari" (1952). Evergreen comedy "Padosan" (1968) was based on this film.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
Music: Salil Chowdhury


Sunday, August 28, 2016

Costume Drama: Aaj Na Chhodenge

Presenting a lively duet from "Kati Patang" (1971) that is out of season at this time of the year, but fits well in our theme. The film and all its songs were huge hits. The lead pair--Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh--was very popular too.

The story of a young woman pretending to be a widow appealed to viewers because of its differentness. Gulshan Nanda had written the story and screenplay based on a novel by Cornell Woolrich, I Married A Dead Man. Shakti Samanta was the director. His collaboration with Rajesh Khanna was very successful that resulted in nine films. "Aradhana" was the first and "Kati Patang" the second.

Enjoy this number from the happening '70s!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: R. D. Burman

Friday, August 26, 2016

Costume Drama: Jis Path Pe Chala

A soothing solo with very meaningful lyrics from "Yaadgaar"(1970) today. Manoj Kumar and Nutan play lead roles. Pran, Prem Chopra and Madan Puri are part of the cast. Another song from this film Boli saawan ki raat has appeared earlier in this space under a different theme.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Kalyanji Anandji

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Costume Drama: Na Bole Na Bole Na Bole Re

Greetings to all on the occasion of Shrikrishna Janmashtami. I am happy to present a beautiful solo suitable for this day. It is from "Azaad" (1955). This is a hit musical with many lovely melodies. Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Pran are the lead actors. Two other songs from this film have already appeared in this space under different themes. They are Jaa ri jaa ri o kaari badariyaa and Dekho ji bahaar aayi.

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

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Costume Drama: Mera Joota Hai Japani

An iconic song from "Shree 420" (1955) today. Full of patriotic fervour, this solo became a big hit in the newly independent India. It was very popular in the then Soviet Union too. Enjoy the full song and a shorter version in which Lata Mangeshkar joins Mukesh for playback.

Three other songs from this film have already appeared in this space under different themes. They are Ichak dana bichak dana, Pyaar hua iqraar hua and Mud mud ke na dekh.  

Singer: Mukesh
Lyrics: Shailend
Music: Shankar Jaikishan


Monday, August 22, 2016

Costume Drama: Ghoonghat Ke Pat Khol

Meerabai has written a great number of beautiful bhajans that are relevant even today. Many of them have been featured in several Hindi films. Presenting one such today. From "Jogan" (1950) starring Dilip Kumar and Nargis. Rajendra Kumar had made his debut with a small role in this film. Geeta Dutt's magical voice adds a soothing touch to this devotional number.

Singer: Geeta Dutt
Lyrics: Meerabai
Music: Bulo C. Rani

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Costume Drama: Gore Gore Haathon Mein Mehndi Racha Ke

Here is a sweet little song from "Parineeta" (1953), based on a Bengali novel of the same name written in 1914 by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari starred in this film. Several adaptations of the novel were made into films subsequently, but this version is thought of as the most faithful by many. Not surprising, given that Bimal Roy was the director.

I wish I could find a clearer video, but it does not seem to be available.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Arun Kumar Mukherjee

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Costume Drama: Tu Mere Saamne Hai

Presenting a romantic solo from "Suhagan" (1964) today. It is a family drama starring Guru Dutt and Mala Sinha. David, Feroz Khan, Nazir Hussain, Deven Verma, Om Prakash and Leela Chitnis are part of the cast. Mohammad Rafi excels in sounding slightly intoxicated, especially for this song. Very apt and meaningful lyrics too!

Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Madan Mohan

Friday, August 12, 2016

Costume Drama: Dulhan Chali Pahan Chali

It is an enjoyable challenge to find a song for a particular occasion that fits in an ongoing theme. I am delighted to present this lovely song on the occasion of our upcoming Independence Day.

Manoj Kumar is associated with several patriotic films. "Purab Aur Pachhim" (1970) is one of them. Here, he played a freedom fighter's son Bharat who goes abroad to study. While there, he works towards changing the mindset of people towards India. So, enjoy this song. Greetings and best wishes to all!

Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Kalyanji Anandji

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Costume Drama: Pyaare Babul Se Bichhad Ke

We have had several ghoonghat songs in this theme. Most of them were playful or romantic. Presenting a solo in a different mood today. A bride is leaving her parental place to go to her marital home. Very meaningful lyrics by Shailendra, and apt for the occasion too. The film is "Raj Hath" (1956) and the pretty bride, Madhubala. Pradeep Kumar and Sohrab Modi were the other lead actors.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Costume Drama: Mahi O Mahi O Dupatta Mera De De

Presenting a duet from "Meena Bazaar" (1950). Ravindra Dave was the director, while Nargis and Shyam Kumar played lead roles in this film. A forgotten song from a forgotten film, but a nice one!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi
Music: Husnlal Bhagatram

Monday, August 8, 2016

Costume Drama: Dupatta Mera Malmal Ka

"Adalat" (1958) starring Pradeep Kumar, Pran and Nargis is better known for solos like Jaana tha humse door, Unko yeh shikayat hai and Yun hasaraton ke daag mohabbat me dho liye. Presenting a playful duet from this film today. Though the composer is Madan Mohan, the song reminds you of O. P. Nayyar.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt
Lyrics: Ranjendra Krishan
Music: Madan Mohan

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Costume Drama: Tie Lagake Mana Ban Gaye Janaab Hero

Today, a new item makes an appearance in this theme. A tie! This playful solo is from a family drama "Bhabhi" (1957). Balraj Sahni, Pandari Bai and Nanda played lead roles in this film. In this song, Nanda is featured with Jagdeep.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Chitrgupt

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Costume Drama: Saara Pyaar Tumhara

"Anand Ashram" (1977) was written and directed by Shakti Samanta and made simultaneously in Hindi and Bangla. It was based on a story written by Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay. Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore played lead roles while Rakesh Roshan, Moushumi Chatterji, Asit Sen and Utpal Dutt were part of the supporting cast.

Enjoy a melodious duet from this film.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Shyamal Mitra

Friday, August 5, 2016

Costume Drama: O Ji O Ji Chhodo Bhi Dupatta Mera

A sweet duet from "Champakali" (1957) today. Bharat Bhushan and Suchitra Sen played the lead roles in this film. Hemant Kumar is the playback singer as well as composer here. He is often credited as Hemanta Mukherjee in the composer's role.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Hemant Kumar


Thursday, August 4, 2016

Costume Drama: Jaipur ki Choli

"Gehri Chaal" (1973) is an action thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Hema Malini, Bindu and Prem Chopra. The story revolves around a bank robbery. Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Hema Malini's brother in this film.

A light-hearted duet towards the end of which Hema Malini passes on some important message to Jeetendra from this film today with playback by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. It happens to be Kishore Kumar's birthday today.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Costume Drama: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

My parents (God, the creator) have sent me to my marital home (this world) with a clean chunari (self, soul), but I have soiled it by getting involved in worldly pleasures and sins. Now how do I hide it when I go back (leave this world)? How do I face them with a soiled chunari (tainted self)?

This is the essence of this classic from "Dil Hi To Hai" (1963). Raj Kapoor and Nutan played the lead roles in this film. A superb composition by Roshan, philosophical lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi based on a Kabir bhajan (produced below), and Manna Dey's soulful voice make this solo an unforgettable number. Raj Kapoor plays the singer and Padmini, the dancer in this song.

Meri Chunri Mein Parigayo Daag Piya 
 
Panch Tat Ki Bani Chunariya
Sorah So Baid Laag Kiya 
Yeh Chunri Mere Maike Te Aayee
Sasure Mein Manva Khoye Diya
Mal Mal Dhoye Daag Na Chhute 
Gyan Ka Sabun Laye Piya 
Kahat Kabir Daag Tab Chhuti Hai
Jab Sahib Apnaye Liya


Singer: Manna Dey
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: Roshan

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Costume Drama: Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa

A light-hearted fun solo from "Funtoosh" (1956) today. The film starred Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K. N. Singh. This song is modest with very few instruments playing in the background. And Sahir Ludhianvi who has penned some of the most profound and poetic lyrics in Hindi films shows his versatility by writing this breezy number. It is not always easy to create something simple!

Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: S. D. Burman

Monday, August 1, 2016

Costume Drama: Meri Duniya Hai Maa Tere Aanchal Mein

Here is a touching tribute to a mother from her son. This beautiful solo is from "Talash" (1969). Rajendra Kumar, Sharmila Tagore (in a double role), Balraj Sahni, Helen and Tun Tun are part of the cast in this romantic musical. S. D. Burman as the singer and composer has made this one of the best songs sung for a mother in Hindi films. All the other songs in this album are very good too.

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