Costume Drama: O Kali Topi Vaale Zara Naam To Bataa

Presenting a duet from "Kali Topi Lal Rumal" (1959) today. It is not much known. Other better known songs from this film are Laagi chhute na ab to sanam and Dagaa dagaa vai vai. Shakila, Chandrashekhar, Agha, Mukri and K. N. Singh are part of the cast.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Chitragupt

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

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

Costume Drama: Sar Par Topi Laal

Presenting a lively and energetic duet from "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" (1957) today. It features Ameeta and Shammi Kapoor as the dancing duo.

Ameeta was born as Qamar Sultana. She appeared in some films before the makers of this film decided to promote her in a big way by casting her as the leading lady in this production. But, as luck would have it, the film catapulted the career of Shammi Kapoor who had been a struggling actor until then to newer heights.

Enjoy this O.P. Nayyar composition. It is full of verve and rhythm, a characteristic of the composer.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Costume Drama: Tirchhi Topi Wale

We have had songs featuring dupatta, salwar kurta, chunari, aanchal and ghagra over the last few days. Here is a song featuring men's headwear, topi from an action thriller "Tridev" (1989). This was a successful film starring Sunny Deol, Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, Sonam, Sangeeta Bijlani, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri and Raza Murad as part of the huge cast. Naseeruddin Shah and Sonam perform in this flashy dance sequence with ease. Look how comfortably Naseer, the Badshah of serious acting shakes a leg in this seemingly insane fare. Truly the mark of a great actor!

Singers: Sapna Mukherjee, Amit Kumar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Kalyanji Anandji