Costume Drama: Ghoonghat Nahi Kholoongi

"Mother India" (1957) is a classic and one of the all-time box office hits. Starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar; this is the story of an ideal Indian woman. Sunil Dutt, who went on to marry Nargis in real life later, played the role of her son in this film. Here is a solo from this film featuring Rajendra Kumar and Kumkum.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Saawan Songs: Aayi Saawan Rut Aayi

A happy duet from a mostly sad film "Mela" (1948) today. Starring Dilip Kumar and Nargis, this is a weepy drama. Some other songs from this film are Gaye jaa geet milan ke, Ye Zindagi ke mele, Mohan ki muraliya baaje, Pardes balam tum jaaoge and Main bhanwra tu hai phool.

Singers: Shamshad Begum, Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Saawan Songs: Saawan Aaye Ya Na Aaye

Today, I present a duet that excels in all the departments. Lovely lyrics, wonderful composition, sublime voices of Asha Bhosle and Mohammad Rafi, and the ever beautiful Waheeda Rehman and handsome Dilip Kumar on screen. This song is from "Dil Diya Dard Liya" (1966). Here, saawan is not used in its traditional sense of rainy season, but more as a symbol of the leading couple's blissful state of mind.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Garden Of Five Senses: Humse Toh Achchhi Teri Paayal Gori

Hindi films have featured many songs showing that the lead actor is jealous of an adornment or an article of clothing that his lady love uses because of its proximity to her. Presenting one such duet today from "Ganwaar" (1970). This was Vyjayanthimala's last film as an actress.  Mujhse bhala yeh kaajal tera from "The Train" is a popular song belonging to the same category. This film got released in the same year as Ganwaar did--1970.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Naushad

Adornments: Dhoondho Dhoondho Re Sajana

"Gunga Jumna"(1961) is one of the most successful Hindi films in terms of box office collections and popularity. A dacoit drama, it was produced by Dilip Kumar. He played the lead role along with his real life brother Nasir Khan, portraying two brothers; one an upright police officer and another a criminal. Later, many films were made around this theme. A delightful solo from this film today. Naushad composed several memorable songs for this film. To name a few, Do hanson ka joda, Na manoon na manoon, Tora man bada paapi and Nain lad jainhe.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Rain Songs: Diyaa Na Bujhe Ri Aaj Hamara

A 50-year old song that has been shot on a grand scale. It is from "Son Of India"(1962). This was a Mehboob Khan production, starring Kumkum, Kamaljit Singh and Jayant. Kumkum is the lead dancer in this song sequence. A better-known song from this film is Nanha munna rahi hoon with playback by Shanti Mathur.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

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With this gorgeous song, I am concluding the theme of Rain Songs...at least for the time being. Maybe I will revive it at a later time. It has been a pleasure posting these lovely songs. I discovered some gems along the way. I am sure there are many great ones out there that haven't appeared in this space. But, I think it is now time to move on. So, planning a new theme. It is coming up soon.

Rain Songs: Kaari Badariya Maare Lehriya

A very pretty Waheeda Rehman. Scenic locales. A pleasant tune. These have come together to make today's lovely song. This number from "Aadmi" (1968) is an audio-visual delight. It would have been even better had it been shot in the rain.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Her Story: Dreamworld! - 2

He appeared in her dream last night. Watch this song from "Aadmi" (1968) in which she is hoping to see him again...in her dreams. The wondrously beautiful Waheeda Rehman is charming, shy and graceful at the same time, while Dilip Kumar, is debonair and dashing as ever, driving towards his beloved in an open car.

Trivia: This film is a remake of the Tamil film "Aalayamani" which starred Sivaji Ganesan.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Her Story: Happy Birthday!

Life becomes so full with a small baby at home that one never realises how time flies. Every day brings a fresh challenge. As the baby learns new things, parents learn with her too. They have to deal with anxieties, lack of sleep, feeding schedules, visits to the paediatrician, vaccinations and a whole lot of other things. But all this seems to be worth it when they see a radiant smile on their baby's face and a lovely twinkle in her eyes. And babies smile quite a lot, much more than we do!

When the little one completes the first year of her life, there is joy and celebration in the family. We celebrate our girl's birthday with this very old song from "Andaz" (1949).

Trivia: This song is from an era when the playback singers did not get any credit. So, Lata Mangeshkar and the playback singers who sang other songs in this film, were not mentioned in the film's credits.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Naushad