Music In The Mountains: Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat

The stories of many Hindi films have been woven around pairs of twins. "Sharmilee" (1971) is one of them. Raakhee excels in her portrayal of two twin sisters: one shy and gentle, while the other bold and outgoing. She was paired with Shashi Kapoor, and the two of them delivered a hit film. Music of course played a big role in the film's success.

Listen to this song! Poet Neeraj's craft shines in his eloquent Hindi. Keeping the nature of the two sisters in mind, S. D. Burman composed a unique track by juxtaposing Western and Indian pieces to create this melody. Interestingly, the lyrics and the music accompanying them evoke melancholy, and the instrumental interludes convey exuberance. Yet, the two together gel wonderfully well to make this beautiful solo.

Two other songs from the same film have appeared in this space earlier. They are Aaj madhosh hua jaaye re in another theme and O meri o meri o meri sharmilee in the ongoing theme.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Neeraj
Music: S. D. Burman

Music In The Mountains: Dil Pukare

After digressing a bit in the last few posts, we are back to the genre of romantic duets today. "Jewel Thief" (1967) is a super-hit spy thriller which is remembered for its intriguing story and melodious music even today. A significant part of the film was shot in picturesque Sikkim, adding a lot of colour and visual delight to the production. Dev Anand and Vyjayanthimala sparkled under the able direction of Vijay Anand. They were supported by an ensemble cast of Ashok Kumar, Tanuja, Helen, Anju Mahendru and Faryal. Perhaps Dev Anand was shown having dalliances with these pretty ladies in an effort to project him as an Indian James Bond.

Enjoy this syrupy sweet song from this film which appeals to listeners across generations and hasn't lost its magic one bit. On the contrary, it has matured well like old wine!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

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: 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

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: Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna

"Guide" (1965) is a hugely successful film. Based on R. K. Narayan's Sahitya Akademi winning novel "The Guide", it featured Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in lead roles. The novel was published in 1958. Waheeda Rehman plays a married woman who is passionate about dance. She dreams of pursuing dance while Dev Anand as Raju Guide is instrumental in helping her fulfil her dream.

S. D. Burman adorned the film with wonderful compositions. Presenting a superb solo where the vivacious Waheeda is oozing with infectious effervescence and joy. Shot on location at the majestic Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan, this song is an audio-visual delight.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: S. D. Burman

Costume Drama: Jaise Radha Ne Mala Japi

"Tere Mere Sapne" (1971) is a Navketan film, produced by Dev Anand, and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand. Both brothers starred in it too, along with Mumtaz and Hema Malini. The story is based on a novel by A. J. Cronin, "The Citadel". Dev Anand plays a doctor working in a coal-mining village. Most of the film is shot on location in Chhindwara, an area in Madhya Pradesh known for coal mines .

S. D. Burman adorned the film with melodious compositions two of which have appeared in this space earlier under another theme. They are Hai maine kasam lee and Jeevan ki bagiya mahkegi. This is the third one, a sweet solo by Lata Mangeshkar. Enjoy!

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Neeraj
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: 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: Meri Duniya Hai Maa Tere Aanchal Mein

Here is a touching tribute to a mother from her son. This beautiful solo is from "Talash" (1969). Rajendra Kumar, Sharmila Tagore (in a double role), Balraj Sahni, Helen and Tun Tun are part of the cast in this romantic musical. S. D. Burman as the singer and composer has made this one of the best songs sung for a mother in Hindi films. All the other songs in this album are very good too.

Singer: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
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: Dhalki Jaaye Chundariya

"Nau Do Gyarah" (1957) is an engaging thriller. Produced by Dev Anand, this was his brother Vijay Anand's first directorial venture. It starred Dev Anand, his wife Kalpana Kartik, Madan Puri, Shashikala and Jeevan. Listen to a sweet solo from this film today. Some of the other lovely melodies from the same are Aankhon mein kya jee, Aajaa panchhi akela hai and Hum hain raahi pyaar ke.

Kalpana Kartik's maiden name was Mona Singha. She featured in only six films in the 1950s, co-starring with Dev Anand in all of them.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

Costume Drama: Doongi Tainu Reshami Rumaal

Rumaal, the small piece of cloth that is used by adults and children, men and women, the rich and the poor alike appears as today's subject in our ongoing theme. Primarily used as a handy wipe, its larger variety is sometimes used as a neckwear or a headscarf. Trays of gifts exchanged on ceremonious occasions and offerings to deities in temples are often covered with decorative rumaals. Chamba rumaal from Himachal Pradesh is well-known for its beautiful embroidery depicting mythical stories.

Enjoy a song from "Prem Pujari" (1970) today in which the rumaal appears as a part of the colourful costume sported by a group of women dancers. This was the first film directed by Dev Anand. He was the writer, producer and the male lead too. The film is remembered for some evergreen songs like Rangeela re, Shokhiyon mein ghola jaye and Phoolon ke rang se. Watch the beauteous Waheeda Rehman perform the spirited gidda with her friends in this lovely composition.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Neeraj
Music: S. 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: Ab Ke Sajan Saawan Mein

"Chupke Chupke" (1975) is one of those films that provided clean entertainment to family audiences. Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, it is a remake of a Bengali film, Chhadmabeshi. Starring Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bachchan, it is a wholesome comedy. Dharmendra's shudhha Hindi and Amitabh's impeccable English along with other comic situations make this film a delightful watch.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: S. D. Burman

Saawan Songs: Ab Ke Baras Bhejo

"Bandini" (1963) was the last directorial venture of noted director, Bimal Roy. Starring Nutan, Dharmendra and Ashok Kumar, it tells the story of a woman prisoner serving life imprisonment for murder. It did well at the box office and was critically acclaimed too, winning several Filmfare Awards. It features memorable songs composed by S. D. Burman. O re maajhi, O jaanewale ho sake to laut ke aana, Mora gora ang lai le, Jogi jabse tu aaya mere dwaare are some of them.

Today's song is from this film too. It conveys the emotions of a woman who is reminiscing about the month of saawan in her native place and wishing that her brother came to take her to her parental home. Today we celebrate Rakshabandhan, a festival highlighting the bond between brother and sister; so this solo is quite apt for the day.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: S. D. Burman

Garden Of Five Senses: Kahin Bekhayaal Hokar

"Teen Devian" (1965) is a romantic musical with many wonderful songs such as Aise toh na dekho, Khwab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat, Are yaar meri, Likha hai teree aankhon mein, Uff kitni thandi hai and Kahin bekhayaal hokar. Presenting one of these today. Sorry about the audio. It jumps at a couple of places.

Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

Adornments: Nadiya Kinaare

A lovely solo from "Abhimaan"(1973) to mark S. D. Burman's death anniversary today. I had posted Teri bindiya re from the same film a few days ago.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman

Adornments: Gir Gaya Jhumka

Hema Malini turns 64 today. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, actor, politician, director, mother and wife; she has lived a full life and has aged gracefully. Storming the Hindi film world with her entry in "Sapnon Ka Saudagar" in 1968, she became everybody's favourite dream girl.

Enjoy this duet from "Jugnu"(1973) today. A complete entertainer, this film was the second highest-grossing film in that year, the first being "Bobby". This is the third song featuring Hema Malini, to appear in this space in quick succession. The previous two being Gori tori paijaniya and Meethe bol bole.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore kumar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: S. D. Burman

Adornments: Teri Bindiya Re

A very talented couple. Both are accomplished singers. He is a victim of commercial compulsions. Her music is pure, she sings for herself. "Abhimaan"(1973) was a story of a couple torn apart because of ego, jealousy and pride. Starring real-life couple Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan, this is one of the memorable films in the world of Hindi cinema. Being a story of two singers, it was only natural for it to have great music. Indeed, all the songs from this film are gems.

Presenting one of them on Amitabh Bachchan's birthday today.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: S. D. Burman