Music In The Mountains: Ye Kaun Chitrakar Hai

On the occasion of Guru Poornima, today's song is dedicated to our teachers. It talks of the bounties of Nature and their Creator in a rich yet simple language. Why, it is one of the most beautiful and profound verses said in the praise of the Almighty. It is from "Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti" (1967). Produced and directed by V. Shantaram, the film starred Jeetendra and Mumtaz.

What makes this song an apt selection for today is the fact that in this film, Jeetendra plays the role of an upright schoolteacher who is falsely charged in a murder case. Shantaram was a master filmmaker who made meaningful films with a social message. This film underlines the importance of honesty and integrity in one's life.

Singer: Mukesh
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Satish Bhatia

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

Costume Drama: Baat Chalat Nayi Chunari

Presenting a lovely song from "Rani Roopmati" (1957) as a tribute to Mohammad Rafi on his death anniversary today. Here Rafi has lent his voice to Bharat Bhushan who is taking lessons in singing from his teacher. Well-known singer Krishnarao Chonkar has provided playback for the teacher. Enjoy this beautiful composition based on Hindustani classical music.

Another song Jhananananan jhananananan had appeared in this space in an earlier theme.

According to some sources this film was released in 1957 while some others say that the release date was in 1959.

Singers: Mohammad Rafi, Krishnarao Chonkar
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: S. N. Tripathi

Costume Drama: Haule Haule Ghoonghat Pat Khole

"Goonj Uthi Shehnai" (1959) was adorned with lovely songs like Tere sur aur mere geet, Akhiyan bhool gayi hain sona and Dil ka khilona hai toot gaya. Presenting a beautiful number from this film today. One more song, Jeevan mein piya tera saath rahe from the same film had appeared earlier in this space in a different theme.

Shehnai pieces played by Ustad Bismillah Khan regale the audiences throughout the film. A jugalbandi between him and Sitar player Abdul Halim Jaffar Khan is a treat too.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai

Saawan Songs: Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade

A very sweet duet from "Pyaar Ki Pyaas" (1961) today. This was a drama about a couple and their adopted daughter. It featured Shreekant and Nishi in lead roles. The daughter was played by Honey Irani. It would have been nice to see the video, but I could not find it.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mahmood
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai

Adornments: Jhananananan Jhananananan

"Rani Roopmati"(1959) was one of the prominent films of its times. Based on the legendary love story between the beautiful singer Roopmati and poet-prince Baaz Bahadur of Mandu, it had some memorable songs like Aa laut ke aaja mere meet, Udja bhanwar, Aaja bhanwar and Baat chalat nai chundari rang daari. Presenting a duet from this film today. One would expect to see the performers dance, but both Bharat Bhushan and Nirupa Roy have gotten away without dancing.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: S. N. Tripathi

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: 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: Dar Laage Garaje Badariya

A wonderful rain song from "Ram Rajya" (1967) with the sound of thunder in the background when the singer is longing for her beloved. I could not find a video from the film, so posting this song without the original video. The second video has Shreya Ghoshal performing this melody in one of the shows on the TV.

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

Rain Songs: Jhilmil Jhilmil Leharon Ka Aanchal

A rare song from "Stree" (1961) today. This was a fantasy directed by V. Shantaram. He had an unusual eye for beauty, especially when shooting song sequences in his films. His touches are evident in this lovely solo.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: C. Ramchandra

Her Story: With You, Always! - 1

The two are now sure that they want to spend the rest of their lives with each other. They are expressing this emotion very beautifully in a duet from "Goonj Uthi Shehnai" (1959). With the strong bond and chemistry between them, their wedding (to each other!) is now somewhere on the horizon.

Trivia: This film tells the story of a shehnai player. The shehnai pieces featured in the film are played by none other than Ustad Bismillah Khan. It has the distinction of being the only Hindi film that was adorned with the maestro's divine music. It also features a jugalbandi between him and sitar player Abdul Halim Jaffar Khan, and some renderings in the voice of Ustad Amir Khan.

This was the first big hit starring Rajendra Kumar. He became very popular later. There were times when many of his films were running in their silver jubilee week at the same time. He earned the moniker of "Jubilee Kumar" because of this.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai