Costume Drama: Kyun Uda Jaata Hai Aanchal

Sometimes you come across some hidden beauties while searching for a song. Today's solo is one such. It is from a social drama "Shriman Satyawadi" (1960) starring Raj Kapoor and Shakeela.

The music for this film is composed by Dattaram Wadkar. He was a native of Goa. He came to Mumbai as a young man looking for work and met Shankar. Shankar saw some promise in him and made him a part of the Shankar Jaikishan team as an arranger and percussionist. He composed music for some films independently and was successful too, but continued assisting Shankar Jaikishan until much later.

Singer: Suman Kalyanpur
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Dattaram Wadkar

Saawan Songs: O Matwala Saawan Aaya

Greetings to all on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi!

Appropriately, a saawan song from "Shree Ganesh" (1962) today. It is a duet, but I could not find out who the second singer is. Indeevar and Madhur have been credited with some songs from this film, but not sure who wrote this particular number. It is a lovely dance sequence, though.

Singer: Suman Kalyanpur
Lyrics: Info not available
Music: Bulo C. Rani

Saawan Songs: Ajhun Na Aaye Balma

A delightful duet from "Sanjh Aur Savera" (1964) today. This composition is based on Hindustani classical music and is indeed very pleasing to the ear. The visuals are a complete misfit, though. Mehmood's antics look out of place!

Singers: Suman Kalyanpur, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Garden Of Five Senses: Sun Re Sun Albele

Presenting a dance number from "Tarzan Comes To Delhi" (1965). In today's times, this would be called an item song. Helen is the dancer, while Mumtaz sits at the table with Dara Singh. Bhagwan is there too. Interesting to see Bhagwan and Dara Singh trying to match steps with Helen. Could the albele be referring to Bhagwan's Albela?

Singer: Suman Kalyanpur
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Datta Naik

Rain Songs: Sharaabi Sharaabi Yeh Saawan Ka Mausam

A gentle solo today from "Noor Jehan" (1967). A nice take on the romance associated with the month of saawan. Helen's exquisite kathak steps followed by Meena Kumari's soft rendering present an interesting contrast.

Singer: Suman Kalyanpur
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Roshan

Rain Songs: Barkha Bairan/Barkha Rani

A song from "Sabak" (1973) today that has two versions, one in female voice and another in male voice. The former one sung by Suman Kalyanpur is much sweeter--with  different words--, while the latter in Mukesh's voice is quite ordinary. The leading lady with Shatrughan Sinha is his wife, Poonam. Coincidentally, the lyricist-music director were a husband-wife team too, though they separated later.

Singers: Suman Kalyanpur/Mukesh
Lyrics: Sawan Kumar
Music: Usha Khanna

Rain Songs: Garajat Barasat

It's the rainy season and possibly the best time to recall some lovely rain songs. The first one that comes to mind is a duet from "Barsaat Ki Raat" (1960). This film is one of Roshan's best works, having many excellent songs. Apparently, he had used the same composition for a melody from "Malhar" (1951). It is a treat! Check out both of them.

Singers: Suman Kalyanpur, Kamal Barot
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: Roshan

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Roshan

Her Story: Growing Up!

Our little girl is growing up. She is an apple of everyone's eye. When she laughs, her laughter is so infectious that the whole house laughs with her. She has that wonderful ability of bringing out the child in everybody around her. Her mother is enjoying the bliss of motherhood. Watch her showering her little darling with endearments in this sweet song from "Dil Ek Mandir" (1963).

Singer: Suman Kalyalpur
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan