Music In The Mountains: Jai Jai Shiv Shankar

Enjoy this super-hit number from "Aap Ki Kasam" (1974) today. This is supposed to have been sung by a group of devotees under the influence of bhang, which is associated with Lord Shiva. It is commonly consumed in the form of a delicious drink on festivals such as Shivaratri and Holi, and often has hallucinogenic effects on people. That explains the erratic steps of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz! It is a fun-filled, no holds barred performance by both of them.

This song has an interesting story attached to it. R.D. Burman had to use extra musicians and chorus for recording it in order to give it the special effect that its picturisation demanded. As a result, the budget for this song went up from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. Obviously producer director J. Om Prakash was not happy and started lamenting about it by saying pachas hazar kharch kar diye. When Kishore Kumar came to know this, he decided to have fun by singing that phrase towards the end of the song. And surprisingly, something which was meant to be a prank was retained in the final recording. You can listen to it as bajao re bajao imandari se bajao pachas hazar kharch kar diye after 5.05.

Two songs from the same film have appeared in this space earlier. They are Suno kaho kaha suna under another theme and Karvaten badalte rahe in the ongoing theme.

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

Music In The Mountains: Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai

So far we have had romance, love for Nature, pining for a lover, patriotism, folk dance and folk music, inspiration, student-teacher sequence, and light-hearted fun as the primary ingredients in the songs that have appeared under this theme. Introducing yet another emotion today: devotion and faith. People have been scaling mountains due to their immense faith in the Supreme. The journey often involves adventure, uncertainty and physical hardship, but the sense of fulfilment after the completion of such a trip is immensely rewarding.

Here is a song from "Avtaar" (1983). Rajesh Khanna and Shabana Azmi starred in this social drama that focused on relationship issues between ageing parents and grown-up children. The story touched a chord in the viewers' hearts and was a commercial success.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor, Narendra Chanchal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Music In The Mountains: Tere Mere Hothon Pe

Sridevi would have been 55 today. She started her career as a child actress and went on to become one of the most successful stars in Indian cinema. She has left behind a large body of work spanning several languages.

Here is a duet from one of her memorable films "Chandni" (1989). It is a romantic musical, and her first with producer director Yash Chopra. Sridevi got an opportunity to put her glamour as well as her acting prowess to good use in her role which required her to portray a lively woman in the first half and a quiet, subdued person in the second half. She shone in both just like a chandni, which incidentally was her character's name too.

Two other songs Mere haathon mein and Lagi aaj saawan ki phir wo jhadi  from the same film have appeared in this space earlier in different themes.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Babla Mehta
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Shiv Hari

Music In The Mountains: Oonche Himalay Ke Neeche

If you are compiling Hindi film songs shot in the mountains, you cannot miss the ones from "Himalay Ki God Mein" (1965). The title of the film says it all! Not only are the songs great, but the story is very good also; and with a social message. No wonder it won the award for Best Film, and was nominated in several other categories.

Manoj Kumar plays the role of a conscientious doctor who chooses to live in a Himalayan village and take care of local people who do not have proper medical facilities. Mala Sinha is a sweet young woman from the village, while Shashikala is Manoj Kumar's fiancee from the city who is a doctor too. Predictable story, but beautiful location, excellent music, able direction and competent cast ensured that the film would be a super-hit.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Kalyanji Anandji

Music In The Mountains: Kora Kaagaz Tha Yeh Mann Mera

The song being featured today is from one of the BIG films in the Hindi film industry. "Aradhana" (1969) had everything going for it. It excelled in every department, not only winning many awards; but also conquering people's hearts. All those who came together to create this classic seem to be at their best while making this film. And the result was spectacular!

Enjoy this phenomenal duet in which Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore light up the screen with their charm while the snowy peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop to them.

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

Music In The Mountains: Karvaten Badalte Rahe

This popular duet from "Aapki Kasam" (1974) has been shot entirely in the snow-clad peaks of Kashmir, making it very worthy of inclusion in the current theme. Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz both sport winter clothes, not flimsy chiffons and summer casuals, as has been the trend in some later films. A sweet song with a cool backdrop!

Another song Suno kaho kaha suna from the same film has been posted in this space in an earlier theme.

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

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.

Costume Drama: Bholi Si Soorat Aankhon Mein Masti

A peppy duet from a very successful musical "Dil To Pagal Hai" (1997) today. Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor starred in this super hit romance while Akshay Kumar appeared in a cameo. Two other songs from this  film, Dil to pagal hai and Koi ladki hai have appeared in this space under different themes.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Uttam Singh

Costume Drama: Ek Jhonka Pawan Ka Aaya

A pleasant solo from "Tamanna" (1969) today. Biswajit and Mala Sinha starred in this family drama. Here they play a couple anticipating the arrival of their new baby. Nice lyrics depicting their happiness. Enjoy this almost forgotten song.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Kalyanji Anandji

Costume Drama: Thandi Hawao Ne Gori Ka Ghoonghat Utha Diya

Several Hindi film songs have featured the lead pair dancing with a group of tribal or village folk during some festival or celebration. Today's song is one such from "Prem Nagar" (1974). This film starred Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. The story of an alcoholic rich man and his secretary who becomes his love interest later, this film was based on a Telugu film of the same name. It was made in Tamil too.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: S. D. Burman

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

Costume Drama: Choli Ke Peechhe Kya Hai

It was sensuous, suggestive and sizzling. Yes, the cult song from "Khalnayak" (1993) that I am presenting today. The song created quite a stir and controversy. At first listeners were taken aback by its opening words, but soon the song itself came up with an innocent answer to the bold query and then there was nothing to stop them from enjoying this number. If you were not just listening, but watching it too; then Madhuri Dixit's stunning steps mesmerized you. Adding pizzazz to the proceedings was the rebellious Neena Gupta and her band of charming dancers who turned this piece into a visual extravaganza.

Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun won the Filmfare Award in the Best Female Playback Singer category while Saroj Khan won the same for Best Choreography.

Singers: Alka Yagnik, Ila Arun
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

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

Saawan Songs: Saawan Ka Mahina Pawan Kare Sor

Think of saawan songs in Hindi films and one of the first songs that comes to mind is the one being posted today. This has indeed been a very popular duet across generations. It appears here as the 50th song in the current theme of Saawan Songs, and as the 250th entry on this blog.

"Milan" (1967) is a remake of a Telugu film, Mooga Manasulu. Starring Sunil Dutt and Nutan, it is one of the early films based on the idea of reincarnation. The film is remembered not only for its star lead pair, but also for its evergreen music. Enjoy this super hit number!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Saawan Songs: Saawan Ke Baadalon Ki

After a sequence of several solos in this space, here is a duet from "Paappi Devataa" (1995) today. Yes, that is how the title of the film is spelt in its posters! It starred Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Madhuri Dixit and Jayaprada.

Singers: Mohammed Aziz, Alka Yagnik
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Saawan Songs: Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga

A very popular song from a very successful film "Jeevan Mrityu" (1970) today. This film marked Raakhee's entry in Hindi films. It is a remake of a Bengali film with the same name starring Uttam Kumar and Supriya Devi in lead roles. This song has two versions, a solo and a duet. The only other song in the film is Zamaane mein aji aise kai naadaan hote hain.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Saawan Songs: Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki Phir Wo Jhadi

Saawan is not always about song and dance. It is about melancholy too. As in today's song. It is from "Chandni" (1989). This is the second song to appear in this space from this film. The first one was Mere haathon mein posted in the Adornments theme.

Singers: Suresh Wadkar, Anupama Deshpande
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Shiv Hari

Saawan Songs: Ae Hawa Ye Bataa

"Ghazab" (1982) is a drama starring Dharmendra in double role and Rekha. It is a remake of Tamil film Kalyanaraman. Dharmendra portrayed a naive, semi-senile wealthy man in one of his roles in this family entertainer.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Saawan Songs: Aashaon Ke Saawan Mein

A duet from a super hit film "Aasha" (1980) today. The film won several Filmfare Awards. It is a drama starring Jeetendra, Reena Roy, Rameshwari and Girish Karnad. It featured several good songs including the very popular Sheesha ho ya dil ho.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Saawan Songs: Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade, Tum Chale Aao

A lovely song with two versions from "Jurmana" (1979) today. Both the versions are in the same clip. I have given a longer title to this post to distinguish it from Saawan ke jhoole pade posted earlier.

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