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: Hum Jab Honge Saath Saal Ke

A fun, light-hearted duet from "Kal Aaj Aur Kal" (1971) today. As the name suggests, it is a film about three generations and the difficulties arising out of ideological conflicts between them. Real life grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, father Raj Kapoor and grandson Randhir Kapoor played their own roles on the screen. The leading lady Babita was already an established actress then, while this was Randhir Kapoor's debut film as an actor and director. The two got married soon after it got released.

It is an average film which was moderately successful, but once in a while it is nice to visit such films and such songs for old times' sake, isn't it? Moreover, it is Kishore Kumar's birth anniversary today so listening to this duet that he sang in his inimitable style with Asha Bhosle is all the more special!

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Shaily Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Music In The Mountains: Hum Aur Tum

Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore have been paired in some very successful films. Today's song is from one such film "Daag" (1973). Both were at the peak of their careers and had already appeared in 'Aradhana', 'Amar Prem', 'Safar', 'Chhoti Bahu' and some other films before coming together for this film.

Produced and directed by Yash Chopra, this film was written by Gulshan Nanda, based on Thomas Hardy's novel 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'. Nanda was a popular writer of romantic novels in Hindi at that time with a huge fan following. This film was a super hit. Raakhee provided the third dimension to this romantic drama.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Music In The Mountains: O Meri O Meri O Meri Sharmilee

Gopaldas Saxena 'Neeraj' passed away yesterday at the age of 93. He was a prominent poet who was equally adept at writing in Hindi and Urdu. He served as a professor of Hindi literature at a college in Aligarh for many years. He has also written lyrics of some very popular songs in Hindi films. His monumental verse Karwan guzar gaya gubar dekhte rahe was used in the 1965 film 'Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal'. Its highly philosophical and deeply meaningful words have been interpreted in many different ways from being gently hurtful to introspective to inspirational.

Today's song is a tribute to him. I was looking for something which would fit into our ongoing theme, and settled on this light-hearted, frothy solo from "Sharmilee" (1971). It was a super-hit film at its time with a good story and wonderful music. Raakhee is the leading lady in a very memorable double role, and Shashi Kapoor is the male lead. While referring to Raakhee's beautiful eyes, Neeraj has inserted his name very aptly in one of the lines of the song. That makes this a little more special!

Another song Aaj madhosh hua jaye re from the same film has appeared in this space in an earlier theme.

Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Neeraj
Music: S. D. Burman

Music In The Mountains: Vaada Karo Jaanam

Enjoy a melodious duet today from "Sabse Bada Rupaiya" (1976). Mehmood produced this film, while S. Ramanathan is the director. Moushumi Chatterji and Vinod Mehra played the lead couple.

The duo Basu Manohari composed music for this film. Basudeb Chakraborty and Manohari Singh had both worked extensively with R. D. Burman as his assistants. They also worked independently as a team and composed musical scores for films. Both were very talented musicians in their own right, yet the effect of their association with R. D. Burman can be felt in this song.

Manohari Singh was a saxophonist, but he had also mastered several other western instruments. He was the main arranger for R. D. Burman and played saxophone in many memorable songs. Similarly Basudeb Chakraborty's contribution resulted in the creation of a large number of unforgettable songs. A big salute to the creativity of these geniuses!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Basu Manohari

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: 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!

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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: 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: 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: Saara Pyaar Tumhara

"Anand Ashram" (1977) was written and directed by Shakti Samanta and made simultaneously in Hindi and Bangla. It was based on a story written by Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay. Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore played lead roles while Rakesh Roshan, Moushumi Chatterji, Asit Sen and Utpal Dutt were part of the supporting cast.

Enjoy a melodious duet from this film.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Shyamal Mitra

Costume Drama: Jaipur ki Choli

"Gehri Chaal" (1973) is an action thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Hema Malini, Bindu and Prem Chopra. The story revolves around a bank robbery. Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Hema Malini's brother in this film.

A light-hearted duet towards the end of which Hema Malini passes on some important message to Jeetendra from this film today with playback by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. It happens to be Kishore Kumar's birthday today.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Costume Drama: Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa

A light-hearted fun solo from "Funtoosh" (1956) today. The film starred Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K. N. Singh. This song is modest with very few instruments playing in the background. And Sahir Ludhianvi who has penned some of the most profound and poetic lyrics in Hindi films shows his versatility by writing this breezy number. It is not always easy to create something simple!

Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: S. D. Burman

Costume Drama: Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Ghazab

A playful duet from "Teen Devian" (1965) today. Dev Anand, Simi Garewal, Nanda and Kalpana featured in this film. It is a story of a poet who falls in love with three women. The inspiration for this story came from D. H. Lawrence's works. The film has many good songs, one of which Kahin bekhayaal hokar has appeared in this space in an earlier theme.

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

Costume Drama: Sar Se Sarke Sarke Chunariya

"Silsila" (1981) is a romantic drama with great music. Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha, Sanjeev Kumar and Kulbhushan Kharbanda starred in it. Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and renowned flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia composed music for this film as Shiv Hari. Enjoy this lovely song today.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Hasan Kamal
Music: Shiv Hari

Costume Drama: Pallo Latake

A playful duet from "Nauker" (1979) today. This was a family entertainer with Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri playing the lead roles. This duet is based on a traditional Rajasthani folk song.

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

Costume Drama: Chhod Do Aanchal

A lovely romantic duet today from "Paying Guest" (1957). It starred Dev Anand and Nutan in lead roles. Some of the other very good songs from this film are Chand fir nikla, Mana janab ne pukara nahi, O nigahe mastana.

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

Saawan Songs: Aayi Ghir Ghir Saawan Ki Kali Kali Ghataen

A rare song from "Anokha Daan" (1972) today. Asit Sen was the director of this film. Kabir Bedi, Anil Dhawan, Zaheera and Archana played the main roles. It is a good song. Not much is known about the story, though.

Singers: Kishore Kumar, Sabita Chowdhury
Lyrics: Yogesh
Music: Salil Chowdhury

Saawan Songs: Saawan Ka Maheena Aa Gaya

A duet from another Sunil Dutt starrer today, "Nehle Pe Dehla" (1976). The leading lady is Saira Banu. Perhaps this is one of those songs that were good, but not very popular.

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