Music In The Mountains: Phir Miloge Kabhi

"Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi" (1966) is a gripping suspense thriller with a good story and excellent music. It has been shot in black and white, and that adds to its appeal and mystery. Prithviraj Kapoor plays an eminent archaeologist whose team unearths something sensational at an excavation site. There is a skeleton in the closet (both, literally and metaphorically)! How it affects the lives of his near and dear ones forms the rest of the story.

Presenting a lovely duet from this film today. The scenic location and brilliant cinematography enhance the beauty of the song.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: S. H. Bihari
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Music In The Mountains: Saathi Haath Badhana

"Naya Daur" (1957)  is an important film of its time that brought entertainment and good music to viewers along with raising a relevant question about the human cost of progress. It was originally shot in black and white. A colourised version was released in 2007.

The story is set in a village. The protagonist is one of the tongawallahs who depend on the income they earn by transporting people on their tongas (horse carts). Their existence is threatened by the introduction of a bus service, and the evil intention of the bus owner to throw them out of the village. How they face this challenge forms the rest of the story.

Presenting a motivating song from this film today. It talks about hope, unity and hard work. The message it gives is as valuable today as it was 61 years ago. It has found its way in some Hindi textbooks as an inspirational poem for students.

Two songs Maang ke saath tumhara and Reshami salwaar kurta jaali ka from the same film have appeared in this space earlier under different themes.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Music In The Mountains: Meri Jaan Balle Balle

"Kashmir Ki Kali" (1964) is a romantic musical which marked Sharmila Tagore's debut in Hindi films. Before that she had appeared in Bengali films. Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore made a lovable pair. They danced and sang their way to viewers' hearts in this film which was shot extensively on location in Kashmir.

This fast-paced number is a delicious mix of Punjab and Kashmir. Scenic Kashmir forms the backdrop to the lively Bhangra that brings the aroma of Punjab with it. Shammi Kapoor's antics are entertaining as ever, and young Sharmila Tagore's beauty and charm complement her fresh face and graceful steps. Go balle balle with this song for its sheer energy and 'feel-good' fun!

Another song Deewana hua baadal from the same film has appeared in this space earlier in another theme.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi

Lyrics: S. H. Bihari

Music: O. P. Nayyar

Music In The Mountains: Aap Yun Hi Agar

There is so much to see and listen to in the duet being featured today that you wonder how much beauty the creators have packed in a sequence lasting just a few minutes. The number is from "Ek Musafir Ek Hasina" (1962). The film is a complete entertainer with good amount of romance, action and mystery in it.

Kashmir is an integral part of the story and Sadhana looks lovely in her Kashmiri outfit. The lyrics are simple, yet they hold your attention. The tune is catchy, with Asha Bhosle rendering the refrain ho jaayega in a different style every time. The vocal and instrumental interludes throughout the song exude much joy. Then there are the little nuances like Sadhana's interaction with the young boy using only her eyes, the sound of anklets accompanying her steps in every stanza, and the peacock dance. All these draw you into the song, and just when you wish there was more to it, it gets over!

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Music In The Mountains: Jaaiye Aap Kahaan Jaayenge

"Mere Sanam" (1965) is one of those films which were not exceptional in the story department, yet they were hits at the box office because of their superlative music and beautiful locations. The story is predictable, the characters are black and white without any shades of grey. They fit in the usual slots of hero, heroine, villain, vamp and comedian. But the film worked, as nothing in it was terribly wrong either. Also, it was in tune with the kind of films being made at that time.

Music is one of the main reasons why we talk about the film even after so many years. Enjoy this solo by Asha Bhosle in her inimitable style. The lovely landscape of Kashmir provides a fitting backdrop to her vibrant vocals.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Costume Drama: Mere Lehenge Mein Ghungaroo Laga De

A duet from "Basant" (1960) today. Nutan and Shammi Kapoor starred in this story of a rich spoilt heiress. Nutan looks lovely and the film offers several duets, none of them very well-known though. The opening words of Mere pairon mein ghungaroo bandha de from "Sunghursh" which released in 1968 are very similar to those of this song. A mere coincidence?

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Costume Drama: Sar Par Topi Laal

Presenting a lively and energetic duet from "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" (1957) today. It features Ameeta and Shammi Kapoor as the dancing duo.

Ameeta was born as Qamar Sultana. She appeared in some films before the makers of this film decided to promote her in a big way by casting her as the leading lady in this production. But, as luck would have it, the film catapulted the career of Shammi Kapoor who had been a struggling actor until then to newer heights.

Enjoy this O.P. Nayyar composition. It is full of verve and rhythm, a characteristic of the composer.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Costume Drama: Reshami Salwaar Kurta Jaali Ka

A peppy song from "Naya Daur" (1957) today. Originally shot in black and white, this film was re-released in colour in 2007. The film is set in a small town where the livelihood of horse cart operators (tongawallahs) is threatened when a bus service is introduced there.The film did very well in spite of being embroiled in controversies. According to wikipedia:

During filming, the Naya Daur production was involved in a highly controversial and widely publicized court case. Initially the actress Madhubala was cast as the female lead. An advance payment was given to her and shooting began and continued smoothly for 15 days. B.R. Chopra, the director, wanted the unit to travel to Bhopal for an extended outdoor shooting. Ataullah Khan, the father of Madhubala, objected to this and claimed that the entire Bhopal schedule was a ruse to give Dilip Kumar the opportunity to romance his daughter (Kumar and Madhubala were in a relationship at the time). Finally, Chopra sued Madhubala for the cash advance she received from him for a film she now had no intention of completing.
He replaced her with the South Indian actress Vyjayanthimala who acted with Kumar in Devdas. Madhubala obediently supported her father despite her commitment to Dilip Kumar. Kumar testified against Madhubala and Ataullah Khan in favor of the director B.R. Chopra in open court. The case was lost by Madhubala and her father amid much negative publicity. During the case, the film was released and declared a success. Chopra dropped the case and saved Madhubala from the humiliation of a possible prison sentence.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Saawan Songs: Deewana Hua Baadal

Some songs are evergreen. The duet that I present today is one such. Shot entirely on shikaras in Kashmir, it is as fresh as it was 50 years ago. Yes, it is from "Kashmir Ki Kali" (1964). Watch Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore glide gently on the lake in their boats singing this lovely song. Enjoy!

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: S. H. Bihari
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Adornments: Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Baadal Ki

A delightful duet today from the super hit musical "Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon" (1963). It is a lovely dance sequence shot on a grand scale. The composition is excellent too, making the song an audio-visual treat.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Adornments: Chhun Chhun Ghunghroo Bole

A solo from "Phagun"(1958) today. This film had many songs and several of them were very good. I had posted another number from this film Baraso Re in the previous series "Rain Songs". Other popular songs are Ik pardesi mera dil le gaya and Piya piya na lage mora jiya.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Adornments: Kajra Mohabbat Wala

We don't always need very expensive ornaments to adorn ourselves. Sometimes, just a touch of kaajal (kohl) is enough to enhance one's looks. A very entertaining duet today that starts with kajra and talks about some other trinkets as it progresses. It is from "Kismat"(1968).

It is quite common to see men dressed as women in films these days. But this song was one of the first instances when a male lead (Biswajeet) appeared as a woman. To add to the fun, the female lead (Babita) portrayed a man. The harmonium pieces that are spread generously all over the song are simply magical. A superb composition by O. P. Nayyar in Asha Bhosle and Shamshad Begum's voices, this charming number has brought cheer to generations of listeners.

Other popular songs from this film were Aao huzur tumko, Lakhon hain yahan dilwale and Aankhon mein qayamat. The last two are especially relevant as the playback for them was by Mahendra Kapoor and it is his death anniversary today.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum
Lyrics: S. H. Bihari
Music: O. P. Nayyar

Rain Songs: Baraso Re Hai Bairi Badarawa

We have listened to several songs in which the leading lady is happily frolicking in the rain. A somewhat different song today from "Phagun" (1958) where she seems to be in some trouble in the company of a couple of villains. She is praying hard for the rains. Will it rain?

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi
Music: O.P. Nayyar

Her Story: With You, Always! - 2

Another beautiful composition where our lady and her beloved are expressing contentment about their togetherness. This one is from "Naya Daur" (1957), a super-hit musical. Several songs in this film have a delicious Punjabi flavour.

Trivia: This was the second highest-grossing film in 1957, the top one being 'Mother India'. The protagonist here is a spunky tongawallah who takes on the challenge posed by the impending introduction of a bus service in the area where he operates his horse cart.

A colour version of the original black and white film was released in 2007.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: O. P. Nayyar