Music In The Mountains: Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan

"Roja" (1992) is a celebrated Tamil film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. It is a romantic thriller with patriotism woven in the story. Beautifully shot by acclaimed cinematographer Santosh Sivan, it tells the story of a young couple whose marital bliss is shattered by a heinous act of terrorism. The film was dubbed in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, and Telugu. It won several awards in different departments including best film and best music. This was A. R. Rahman's first film as a composer. Arvind Swamy and Madhoo play the lead couple.

Presenting a lovely duet from this film today. Enjoy the tuneful music and the breathtaking visuals!

Singers: Chithra K. S. , S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Lyrics: P. K. Mishra
Music: A. R. Rahman

Music In The Mountains: Ae Ri Pawan

" Bemisal" (1982) is a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, and Vinod Mehra. It is a remake of an Uttam Kumar film Ami Se O Shakha (1975), which in turn was based on a Bengali story by Ashutosh Mukherjee. The plot is all about friendship and sacrifice, an idea used in several other films.

Enjoy this beautiful solo from this film today.

Music In The Mountains: Is Mod Se Jaate Hain

It has been a long time since I updated this blog. Now starting with a fresh theme: Music In The Mountains. The idea is to enjoy melodious songs that have been shot in mountainous locations. Along with mountains, we will also get views of gurgling streams, luxurious valleys, flocks of sheep, towering conifers, snow-clad peaks, spectacular gardens, and colourful flowers. So, get ready for some wonderful audio-visual treats in the days to come!

---

The first song to appear in this series is a superb duet from "Aandhi" (1975). This is an important film of its time. It is a political drama showcasing the trials and tribulations of a married couple where the wife is a career politician and the husband is a hotel manager. Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar play the lead couple. This was Suchitra Sen's last Hindi film. Vyjayanthimala was offered this role in the beginning, but she turned it down. 

Gulzar is the director, screenplay writer (with Bhushan Banmali) and lyricist, which makes this a sensitively handled, beautiful and meaningful film. The duet being featured today is supposed to have been shot in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar

Lyrics: Gulzar

Music: R. D. Burman

Costume Drama: Dhaani Chunar Mori Haay Re

"Madhu" (1959) is one of many films that are forgotten with the passage of time. Karan Dewan and Meena Kumari played the lead pair and Roshan composed some nice songs for this film. Here is a very pleasant and mellow melody. It is a pity that the video is not available.

Does the opening sound like that of Mana janaab ne pukara nahi from "Paying Guest" which was released in 1957, just a couple of years earlier than this film?

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri
Music: Roshan

Costume Drama: Ghoonghat Hata Na Dena Goriye

"Sapan Suhane" (1961) features Balraj Sahni and Geeta Bali as the lead pair. Master Bhagwan, Chandrashekhar, Kamini Kadam, K. N. Singh, Helen, Leela Mishra and Tun Tun are part of the supporting cast. Balraj Sahni plays a truck driver while Geeta Bali portrays the daughter of a mechanic.

Presenting an energetic song from this film today. Geeta Bali dances with abandon on what appears to be the wedding eve for a blushing bride played by Kamini Kadam. Salil Chowdhury has adorned the composition with a spirited Punjabi touch.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Salil Chowdhury

Costume Drama: Aankhon Mein Kya Jee

A lilting duet today from "Nau Do Gyarah" (1957). This is one of the few films in which Dev Anand starred with his wife Kalpana Kartik. Another solo Dhalki Jaaye Chundariya from this film has appeared in this space in the ongoing theme.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

Costume Drama: Ek Raat Mein Do Do Chaand Khile

Presenting a lovely romantic duet from "Barkha" (1959) today. Nanda is the leading lady while the male lead is Anant Kumar who is not much known. Another song Barkha bahaar aayi has appeared earlier in this space under a different theme.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Chitragupt