Music In The Mountains: Pyaasi Hirni Ban Ban Dhaye

Rajshree is the daughter of legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram and his actress wife Jayshree. She quit her successful career in films after marrying an American gentleman decades ago. Presenting a haunting solo from "Do Dil" (1965) in which she starred with Biswajeet. Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed this beautiful film. The story revolves around the theme of palace intrigue in royal families.

The song has been shot artistically with the lovely Rajshree sprinting across hills and valleys.The camera follows her, giving us breathtaking views of the landscape. Biswajeet is drawn to her mesmerising voice, and he follows her too. In the midst of all this running, we are treated to a superb melody. Kaifi Azmi as the lyricist is a surprise. Someone like Bharat Vyas would have been my guess!

Another song Saara mora kajara from the same film has appeared in this space earlier under a different theme.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Hemant Kumar

Music In The Mountains: Bheegi Bheegi Fazaa

It is for the first time that I am bringing two songs from the same film back to back. But the one posted yesterday and the one being posted today present such a contrast that I am tempted to feature them one after the other. Kuchh dil ne kaha is restrained, while this is effervescent. That one had a shy Sharmila Tagore humming softly while this one has a bubbly Shashikala at her chirpiest. Sharmila Tagore was strolling gently in the woods, while Shashikala is all over the place, running joyously. That one was in Lata Mangeshkar's voice, and this one is in Asha Bhosle's.

The film "Anupama" (1966), the hills, Kaifi Azmi and Hemant Kumar are the same!

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Hemant Kumar

Music In The Mountains: Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha

Several stalwarts came together to create the classic "Anupama" (1966). Its sensitive story blossomed in the able direction of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Dharmendra plays the role of a scholarly writer while Sharmila Tagore portrays a subdued young woman who is in a difficult relationship with her father.

Kaifi Azmi penned sublime lyrics for the songs and Hemant Kumar composed wonderful music for them. Enjoy a hauntingly beautiful solo from this film today. Lata Mangeshkar's soft voice sounds almost like a whisper. And the words feel like a shower of petals! The hilly landscape adds to the allure of the song.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Hemant Kumar

Adornments: Saara Mora Kajara

A duet from "Do Dil"(1965) today. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and starred Biswajeet, Mumtaz and Rajshree. The story is set in a princely kingdom. The picturesque locations in Rajasthan provide a beautiful backdrop to the film.

Singers: Aarti Mukherjee, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Hemant Kumar

Her Story: Leaving! - 2

"Kaheko byahi bides" is one of the finest vidaai songs that we have. I was wondering if I should dare to post any more from the same genre after that. But succumbed to the temptation of posting this melody from "Anokhi Raat" (1968).

Trivia: This was Roshan's last film as a composer. This particular song was recorded after his death, based on the tune set by him.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi, Indeevar
Music: Roshan