Music In The Mountains: Ban Ke Panchhi Gaye Pyaar Ka Tarana

Today's song will surely bring a smile to viewers' lips. It is from "Anari" (1959). Raj Kapoor and Nutan starred in this film that tells the story of an innocent young man.

This number is a celebration of youth. The leading lady and her friends are on an outing on their bicycles. Nutan is amazing in personifying the happiness, hopes and dreams of a young lady. Her beautiful face, twinkling eyes and the swinging of her pony-tail as she moves her head left and right are all very delightful. Shubha Khote as one of the young cyclists is very charming too. Raj Kapoor makes a brief appearance riding a bicycle. All in all, a very refreshing and enjoyable song!

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Music In The Mountains: Ja Ja Ja Mere Bachpan

Saira Banu debuted in Hindi films with "Junglee" (1961). It was one of the early films in colour. Also, it was shot extensively on location in Kashmir. Presenting a sweet solo from this film today. It is a 'coming of age' song. The leading lady is on the threshold of adulthood, eager to say goodbye to her childhood/adolescence. Lata Mangeshkar croons for this young lady very delicately in a soft, almost hushed tone.

Two other songs from the same film have appeared in this space. They are Din saara guzara tore angana under a different theme and Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe in the ongoing theme.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Music In The Mountains: Ho Koi Aayega Aayega Aayega

A charming duet by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle from "Professor" (1962). When the two sisters sing together, they create something special. Here it is an energetic song and dance with folkish steps performed by a group of women in picturesque surroundings.

Another song Main chali main chali peechhe peechhe jahaan from the same film has appeared earlier in this space under the ongoing theme.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Music In The Mountains: Yeh Hariyali Aur Yeh Rasta

It is amazing how alluring the hills and the surrounding landscape look in shades of black and white. We can think of different tones of green and blue and can visualise several versions of a given frame in our imagination. Today's song is a good example to try this! It is from "Hariyali Aur Rasta" (1962). It was a successful film in its time. It featured Manoj Kumar, Mala Sinha and Shashikala in lead roles. The director was Vijay Bhatt.

The film was shot extensively in Darjeeling. The cinematography is beautiful. And the happiness in Lata Mangeshkar's voice adds to the appeal of this solo, making the package an absolute delight for viewers and listeners!

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Costume Drama: Tu Mere Saamne Hai

Presenting a romantic solo from "Suhagan" (1964) today. It is a family drama starring Guru Dutt and Mala Sinha. David, Feroz Khan, Nazir Hussain, Deven Verma, Om Prakash and Leela Chitnis are part of the cast. Mohammad Rafi excels in sounding slightly intoxicated, especially for this song. Very apt and meaningful lyrics too!

Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Madan Mohan

Costume Drama: Kyun Uda Jaata Hai Aanchal

Sometimes you come across some hidden beauties while searching for a song. Today's solo is one such. It is from a social drama "Shriman Satyawadi" (1960) starring Raj Kapoor and Shakeela.

The music for this film is composed by Dattaram Wadkar. He was a native of Goa. He came to Mumbai as a young man looking for work and met Shankar. Shankar saw some promise in him and made him a part of the Shankar Jaikishan team as an arranger and percussionist. He composed music for some films independently and was successful too, but continued assisting Shankar Jaikishan until much later.

Singer: Suman Kalyanpur
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Dattaram Wadkar

Saawan Songs: Ajhun Na Aaye Balma

A delightful duet from "Sanjh Aur Savera" (1964) today. This composition is based on Hindustani classical music and is indeed very pleasing to the ear. The visuals are a complete misfit, though. Mehmood's antics look out of place!

Singers: Suman Kalyanpur, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Garden Of Five Senses: Suno Chhoti Si Gudiya Ki Lambi Kahani

Presenting two versions of a solo from "Seema" (1955). This was a social drama that told the story of a young orphan girl and her quest for love. It featured Nutan and Balraj Sahni in lead roles. It is one of those productions from the black and white era that always came with good story and great music. Notable songs from the film are Tu pyaar ka sagar hai, Man mohana bade jhoothe and Baat baat mein rootho na.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Garden Of Five Senses: Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha

Today's song features a dance sequence performed by Kumkum in "Ujala" (1959). Normally, such songs went to Asha Bhosle, but the playback for this one was given by Lata Mangeshkar. This is a characteristic Shankar Jaikishan composition. Another popular number from this film is Jhoomta mausam mast mahina.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Adornments: Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje

This is one of the loveliest title songs ever made. The opening credits appear in beautiful rangoli designs while Ustad Amir Khan's powerful voice gives you a taste of what to expect as "Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje"(1955) is about to begin. V. Shantaram's films were almost always aesthetically appealing, and this is no exception. Set against the backdrop of dance, this film is a memorable musical that won several awards. It is a pleasure to present this audio-visual treat!

Singer: Ustad Amir Khan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Vasant Desai
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While there are hundreds of songs that are just right for this theme but have not yet been featured here, it is now time to take a break; at least for the time being. Will return with a new theme after a while. May add some more songs to the ongoing one too. Hope you enjoyed listening to these songs as much I as did posting (and listening to) them.

Adornments: Ghungharva Mora Chhamm Chhamm Baje

Watch two very talented dancers from the Hindi film world, Helen and Mehmood,  dance to an energetic tune composed by Shankar Jaikishan. This breezy duet is from "Zindagi"(1964). I had posted another song from this film, Ek naye mehman ke aane ki khabar hai in a previous theme, Her Story.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Adornments: Khanak Gayo Hai Bairi Kangana

Enjoy a melodious composition by Madan Mohan today. It is a solo from "Rishte Naate"(1965). Nutan is flawless in portraying a happy, bubbly, lively woman.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Madan Mohan

Her Story: Contentment! - 2

Days turn into months and months into years. When our leading lady and her husband reflect on their past, they find that they have been blessed with what they had desired when they started their life together. Watch their contentment in this song from "Sanjh Aur Savera" (1964).

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Her Story: Celebrations!

Friends and family celebrate as they look forward to the baby's arrival. The expectant mother is all aglow with anticipation of motherhood. Watch her in this song from "Zindagi" (1964). A surprise element: Helen sporting a very different look in a role that must have been a big departure from her image.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Her Story: Bye-Bye! - 3

A hit song from "Love In Tokyo" (1966) that fits in the "Bye-Bye" situation. This was a very successful film at its time. It was almost entirely shot on location in Japan...a rarity in those days.

Trivia: In this film, Asha Parekh's hair was tied with a fastener that had two large beads on a rubber band. After the film's release, this little thingy became a rage amongst girls and young women. When they shopped for hair accessories, they would simply ask for a Love-in-Tokyo!

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Postscript: The most obvious song which could have been featured in this situation is 'Achchha to hum chalte hain' from 'Aan Milo Sajna' (1970). There are many. 'Jaati hoon main, jaldi hai kya' from 'Karan Arjun' (1995), 'Dhal gaya din ho gayi sham' from 'Humjoli' (1970), 'Saathiya nahin jaana' from 'Aaya Saawan Jhoom Ke' (1969) and 'Jaane do na, jaane jaane do na' from 'Cheeni Kum' (2007). But we can only have so many. We do have to move on with the story!

Her Story: Bye-Bye! - 1

After the singing and dancing around the trees, it is time for her to go home. But watch what he tells her when she says goodbye. Presenting a lively song from "Junglee" (1961). What fun to see Shammi Kapoor in action!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Her Story: Off To School! - 1

A child's first few days in school. Her first exposure to the outside world. For her, it is just an extension of her home. At times, she tries to find her mother in her teacher. That is why, it helps to have persons who are sensitive to a child's needs as teachers at the nursery level. Our girl is learning her first lessons at school now. I have two beautiful songs that show a loving and caring mother figure showering affection on her little wards. First, a super-hit duet from "Shree 420" (1955). The other one coming up in the next post.

Trivia: Watch Raj Kapoor at his Charlie Chaplinesque antics while Nargis asks riddles to the kids in her class in what looks like a makeshift school under a tree. This film was a big hit in the then Soviet Union. As a result, Raj Kapoor was very popular there. This particular song struck a chord with Iranians and they used to say "Ichak Dana" if they wanted to refer to someone from India. Antakshari players will surely remember this song, for it is often a favourite option when they are challenged to come up with a number that begins with an "ee".

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan