Music In The Mountains: Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam

Meena Kumari would have been 85 today. So, today's post is in her honour and memory. Along with being a fine actress, she was also a singer and a poetess who used 'Naaz' as her pseudonym. Her diction was perfect and she delivered her dialogues with finesse. Born Mahjabeen Bano, she earned the epithet of 'Tragedy Queen' because of the large number of sad roles she essayed in Hindi films.

But she did get to play other roles too, and sang some happy songs on the screen. Presenting one such song from "Azaad" (1955) today. It is a lovely duet. Interestingly, her co-star is Dilip Kumar who was often referred to as 'Tragedy King'. Playback for him is by composer C. Ramchandra who sang occasionally using his last name Chitalkar.

Three songs from this film have appeared in this space earlier in three different themes. They are Jaa ri jaa ri o kaari badariya, Dekho ji bahaar aayi, and Na bole na bole na bole re. It is the first film to be featured here four times. What a great musical!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, C. Ramchandra
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: C. Ramchandra

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

Garden Of Five Senses: Dekho Ji Bahaar Aayi

"Azaad" (1955) was a great musical. It has been featured earlier on this blog in the "Rain Songs" series with Jaa Ri Jaa Ri O Kaari Badariya. Presenting another lovely solo from the same film today. Lata Mangeshkar's voice is as fresh as a daisy in this melody that takes us back to an era when songs oozed sweetness and innocence.

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

Rain Songs: Jaa Ri Jaa Ri O Kaari Badariyaa

Music has always played a big role in making a film click with the audiences. It must have been one of the ingredients that made "Azaad"(1955) the top grossing film in the year of its release. The film was embellished with such unforgettable melodies as Na bole na bole na bole re, Aplam chaplam, Kitna haseen hai mausam and several others. Of course, the music was complemented by the presence of Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari as the lead players. Enjoy a gem from this film today.

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

Rain Songs: Kaise Bhaaye Sakhi Rut Saawan Ki

It is a pleasure to discover rare gems. Today's song is one such. Many may have never heard it before. It is from "Pehli Jhalak" (1955), a film starring Kishore Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.

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

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: Calling Up!

He is away, but he needs to talk to her. Now, that is not a problem at all. Especially in this age when so many options are available for instant communication. But things were not so simple just a few decades ago. Listen to this quaint little song from "Patanga" (1949) and enjoy. It will surely bring a smile to your lips.

Singers: Shamshad Begum, C. Ramchandra (Chitalkar)
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: C. Ramchandra