Do you remember when we last saw a piano song in Hindi movies? In my recollection, Parineeta (2005) was the last movie which had a piano song, Piyu bole, in the classic style. And there is a reason for that: the story is set in the early 20th century in which the hero was from an aristocratic family. But there was a time when piano songs were quite common in our films. The grand piano was the central feature of a large hall in a mansion. It was not merely a symbol of wealth, but of class and taste. Because of its conspicuous presence, and the way it was presented in songs, it was not only a musical instrument or a mise-en-scène, but a living personality, an important character in the film.
I doubt if there is any regular blogger who has not done a list of piano songs. Fellow bloggers and SoY regulars, Madhu (Dusted Off) and Anu (Conversations over chai), have written a number of posts on it – male and female songs separately. Therefore, I was not inclined to write another one on this theme. Another reason I felt inhibited was because my literacy in music is zero, and I thought the experts – there are at least four among us meeting this description – are better equipped to write on it, who can discuss the musical nuances and impact of piano notes, its place in the ensemble with other instruments, and the musicians ‘behind the curtain’. But sometime back, KS Bhatiaji triggered an intense discussion at Open House on piano songs (comment #1083 onwards), drawing in Shalan Lal, Mumbaikar 8 and Gaddeswarupji. He posted over 60 piano songs, and almost commanded me that I write on it. Knowing my limitations he also suggested that I take the help of the experts. DP Rangan, too, was separately raring to write on piano songs, but passed on his material to me when he realized that I have already been commanded by the readers to do it.
I have been nudging our music experts on this blog to write a series on the instruments in our film music. My open invitation still stands. In the meanwhile, here is a layman’s fascination with the piano, in deference to the request of the readers.
The piano has not only vanished from our films, it is dying a slow death in the West too, for economic reasons. From its invention in the early 18th century in Italy, it underwent several changes in response to the requirement of the musicians. Soon many Western classical musicians took to it and created their music on the piano; it became a fixture in churches for choir music; schools, clubs and classic hotels would also have a piano. From 1900 to 1930 was the was the golden age of piano making, when American factories churned out millions of them. With an average life span of about 80 years, piano was an inter-generational asset. Even after its useful life, it was repaired or gifted to churches or schools or to friends and relatives who wanted it. It became a must-have for middle class homes. But with thousands of moving parts, maintenance was becoming prohibitive, requiring long hours of labour by skilled technicians who were becoming scarce. With downturn in home market, and with the arrival of digital pianos and cheaper Chinese variants, sadly pianos are ending at landfill sites and brought under sledgehammer. This video shows how movers take pianos to debris sites and dispose them insensitively. From comments on the video you can make out how heart-wrenching it is for many, but there is a wide chasm between the emotional value of pianos and their worth in the market.
The piano came to India through the Europeans, and acquired a status of class and good taste. It became common in churches, convent schools, Army messes and European clubs. It gave an exposure to Indian musicians to the Western music system. Shalan Lal says that Tagore composed many of his songs on the piano. Naushad and several music directors composed their tunes on the piano. In old Parsi and Anglo-Indian homes piano was a common feature and many Christian ladies took to teaching music through the piano.
In our films, the piano was not only one of the instruments in an orchestra, it had a conspicuous presence in the scene. Can you imagine Dilip Kumar serenading his love to Nargis, Tu kahe agar main geet sunata jaaun, without sitting at the grand piano? And when later he realizes that there is a third angle too, the piano is witness to the pain of one and bewilderment of the other, as he sings Jhoom jhoom ke nacho aaj…Kisi ko dil ka dard mila hai kisi ko man ka meet. Or when in Ram Aur Shyam, Dilip Kumar is not able to clear the misunderstanding about his identity, he has to sing at the grand piano, Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami le le.. Maine chaaha ki bata dun main haqeeqat apni. Or when Sunil Dutt has to part from Mala Sinha with poignant words, Chalo ek baar phir se ajanabi ban jaayein hum dono, with the husband Ashok Kumar, lurking around the grand piano with a wily smile. The thespian was absolutely great in playing characters with gray shades.
The piano represented old times when life was not so fast. People had time to get together and enjoy a nice evening with someone fond of music taking to the keys to entertain the audience. In the films this role was usually played by the hero, and sometimes by the lady too. But the creative directors and music directors gave a multi-faceted personality to the piano. This was not only meant for the leading actor to show his or her musical prowess, but for resolving tension, for expressing deep emotions of love and heartbreak, and for taking the story forward. We are not going to see those grand piano songs again in the films. How can we when love is expressed as Khulam khulla pyar karenge hum dono, or even more brazenly by the new generation, Main tera boyfriend tu meri girlfriend O mainu kah di na na na na?
Let us go back to the lost world of the piano when it was more than a musical instrument, with some classic songs.
1. Sunte the naam hum jinka bahaar se by Lata Mangehskar from Aah (1953), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
The grand piano is the central feature of the scene though the lady does not play it, but she leans on it from time to time. The piano becomes an important element to mitigate the tension. Raj Kapoor takes the stool at the piano in the end.
2. Kahta hai dil tum ho mere liye by Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosle from Mem Sahib (1956), lyrics , music Madan Mohan
Piano’s utility as a musical instrument is incidental. Meena Kumari is reclining on it and looking at Shammi Kapoor in love.
3. Bachpan ki yaad dheere dheere pyar ban gayi by Lalita Deulkar from Shaheed (1948), lyrics Qmar Jalalabadi, music Ghulam Haider
4. Badli hai zamaane ki nazar dekhiye kya ho by Lata Mangeshkar from Majboor (1964), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
There are many songs in which one of the protagonists plays the piano, and the other sings. This song picturised on Biswajit (at the piano) and Waheeda Rahman, singing while standing, tells a good deal of the story. The piano is not an inanimate object, but a kirdaar which helps the lead players convey the tension between them without a direct interface which would have been very awkward. Look at the feverish keystrokes made by Biswajit – this is not a musician displaying his talent to the audience, but the bottled anger of a ‘betrayed’ lover. However, the lyrics of the song and Waheeda’s pathos-filled rendering make it amply clear that she is the wronged one and the hero has completely misunderstood her.
5. Humse na poochhe koi by Lata Mangeshkar from Kaali Ghata (1951), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
6. Teri meri ye kahani roz nayi hai roz purani by Shamshad Begum from Nishan (1949), lyrics Pt. Indra, music Rajeshwar Rao
This is a lovely song in which the piano becomes a venue for musical flirtation between the two lovers. It starts with a sawal-jawab, with Bhanumati playing a brief piece and looking at Ranjan if he could repeat it. And sure enough he replies confidently which seems to impress her. The two now speed up the tempo of jugalbandi, and Ranjan taking advantage of the situation holds Bhanumati’s hand, and plays by himself to show his competence. She lets him know with a smiling glance that she has understood his flirting, but obviously she does not mind it, and the two lovers look into each other’s eyes deeply. (This song was sent by Mr Rangan.)
7. Piyu bole piya bole by Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam from Parineeta (2005), lyricist Swanand Kirkire, music Shantanu Moitra
I mentioned Piyu bole in the introduction of the post. Here also the piano is a prop for love.
8. Aankhon aankhon mein wo dil se dil ki baat kah gaye by Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt from Actress (1948), lyrics Nakhshab, music Shyam Sundar
We have seen some happy-sad duets of Naushad earlier. Here you can make out that the two ladies, Rehana and Meena Shorey, must have been vying for the same man. At this point of the story Meena has been rewarded. I am qualifying with ‘At this point’, because we have seen how in a love triangle, such as Anmol Ghadi, this can swing from one to the other like a see-saw. The happy girl Meena is flirting with the piano, oblivious of the dejected one who sings her stanza in a pathos-filled voice.
9. Ae shamma tu bata tera parwana kaun hai by Suraiya from Daastan (1950), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Nuashad
Suraiya is at the piano and one of the lovers is looking at her fondly.
Piano in a new role: The central character in a black comic murder thriller Andhadhun (2018)
When I thought the piano was gone from our films it makes a quirky appearance in one of the best noir films ever made in Hindi, Andhadhun (2018). The pianist Ayushman Khurana, who practices to be ‘blind’ to draw his faculties inwards to enhance his music, is hired by a former film star, who is going to be ‘away’, to perform at his home for his wife as a surprise gift on their wedding anniversary. Since she has no reason to suspect his blindness she helps him to the piano. Ayushman starts playing calmly, but when he sees from under his dark glasses bloodstream on the floor his keystrokes now become feverish. He needs to be ‘taken’ to the loo, the lady guides him carefully, when he sees a lot more on the floor, as well as in the toilet and, thereafter, lands in one after another crazily dangerous situation. The piano permeates the film throughout, with the ‘blind’ musician ending up in Europe playing it for a living. You know whodunit, but the film made in the Hitchcockian mould remains gripping till the end. The filmmakers have left the ending deliberately ambiguous, leading to a big industry of ‘Andhadhun’s ending explained’, on the net.
10. Naina da kya kasoor by Amit Trivedi from Andhadhun (2018), lyrics Jaideep Saini, music Amit Trivedi
I could not get the exact video of the scene I am talking about. But this song is catchy and shows the piano in various situations. Yes, what is the fault of the eyes?
Andhadun, meaning the blind melody, is perhaps an intentional play on words by the film makers. It can be also see as a homophone of ‘andhadhundh‘, meaning indiscriminate. It is inspired from a highly acclaimed French short film (only of 14 minutes), L’accordeur. A must-see film – towards the end, the ‘blind’ musician sees a ghastly sight of a murdered man he had best not seen. He has to keep playing the piano, because ‘she can’t kill me while I am playing‘.
11. L’accordeur (The Piano Tuner), French film with English subtitles
The grand piano and love triangle
Before I end I must say why I have been so fascinated with the piano in our film songs. Have you thought that when the cover of a grand piano is opened, it creates a triangular space which leads to beautiful composition for picturisation of the three protagonists in a love triangle? One at the keyboard singing, the other two framed in a variety of ways around the piano, to show the varying emotions, the inner conflict and turmoil of the three persons. The two of the greatest songs of this type to my mind are Jhoom jhoom ke naacho aaj (Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Nargis) and Chalo ek baar phir se (Ashok Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Mala Sinha).
Andaaz’s (1949) four piano songs in Arithmetic Progression; Dilip Kumar’s powerful Method acting
The four piano songs in the voice of Mukesh in the film Andaaz, perhaps most in a film, lip-synced by Dilip Kumar, deserve special mention as a cinematic landmark. KS Bhatiaji once used a mathematical expression ‘Arithmetic Progression’ (AP), in one of his poetic wanderings, in some other context. And the four piano songs of Andaaz (1949) can be seen as an AP. The first one, Hum aaj kahin dil kho baithe, is a seemingly innocuous statement that he has lost his heart somewhere and he has fallen for someone, but the viewers are in no doubt who that someone is, as Nargis in the frame does nothing to dispel the misconception of Dilip Kumar, rather her riddled responses are more than ‘just friendly’. You can’t blame him if he is more direct in the second song, Tu kahe agar jeevan bhar main geet sunata jaaun. By the third song, Toote na dil toote na saath hamara chhote na, the third angle Raj Kapoor has entered the frame, but there is still some ambiguity and hope as Nargis in her idiotic innocence rests her elbows on the piano and cupping her chin looks at Dilip Kumar smilingly, and Raj Kapoor, too, not suspecting anything major, makes himself comfortable at the piano. Dilip Kumar, therefore, pleads his case: दिल को तेरे बहला सकता हूँ, चाँद सितारे ला सकता हूँ/ रो सकता हूँ गा सकता हूँ, मुझसे अगर तू रूठे ना दिल टूटे ना.
By the fourth and the last piano song, Jhoom jhoom ke naacho aaj naacho aaj gaao khushi ke geet, there is no doubt about Raj Kapoor-Nargis relationship, and Dilip Kumar in a heart-wrenching voice sings Kisi ko dil ka dard mila hai kisi ko man ka meet. Nargis has now realised the mess she has created, and you can see that her inner turmoil gnawing at her is keeping her glued to the sofa, away from the piano. Raj Kapoor by her side casts a meaningful glance at her. The tension becomes unbearable for her, and she leaves the scene midway. Dilip Kumar’s emoting in the four songs is also a testimony to the power of Method. Notwithstanding Method’s later criticisms, the Tragedy King internalises the situation in Arithmetic Progression corresponding to the AP in the four piano songs. He is not exuberant in romance, nor maudlin when everything is shattered. He just smiles and speaks in a soft voice to show love when everything is going well, and he sears your heart with his intense inner pain by just his sad face and liquid eyes.
12. Jhoom jhoom ke nacho aaj by Mukesh from Andaz (1949), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad
As Dilip Kumar has to sing before an audience, he has to be discreet about showing his inner pain and also to protect Nargis. I have been critical of Mehboob for the regressive ending of the film, but I admire this song’s picturisation. VH Desai’s comic gestures and Cuckoo’s dance help relieve the tension which remains confined to the protagonists.
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
1. Daniel J. Wakin. “For pianos, last note is thud in the dump”. The Asian Age, New Delhi, 31 July 2012.
2. Contributions by DP Rangan, KS Bhatia, Shalan Lal and Gaddeswarup.
3. The video links of songs have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog claims no copyright over these which rests with respective owners, such as Saregama India Pvt Limited, Shemaroo Films and others.
{ 290 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post AKji. I must say, you have presented it in a different angle.
I want to add a love triangle song from Yeh Dillagi.
Lagi Lagi Hai Yeh Dillagi Ki Lagi
The piano here also is a status symbol, but it also witnesses the love triangle. Kajol and Akshay are in love already. Saif has developed a soft corner for Kajol.
https://youtu.be/xUU-cub6E10
Anup
🙂
What an interesting post, AK, and such a refreshingly different way of looking at piano songs. Enjoyed it thoroughly – and thank you for mentioning the role of the piano in Andhadhun. I had watched the film last year (and loved it), but when I read in your introduction about Piyu bole, I was wondering if there were any more recent appearances of pianos in cinema, and I completely forgot about Andhadhun. What I did remember though was this song from the 2007 film Khoya Khoya Chand (also set in the 60s, as Parineeta was).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WZzuFhX4Z4
Here it’s basically just a musical instrument.
Anup,
Thanks a lot. Nice one Lagi lagi hai, love triangle and the grand piano. But the modern song is not soft but full of drum sounds, though the theme is the same.
We are all at home now – and have to be – and listening to music is one of my daily activity as I am sure many of us who regularly log into this blog.
There was a time when piano song was a must for following reasons:
1. to convey the hero is in love with the heroine
2. to vent the feelings of a jilted lover
3 to take a mild revenge on a person who is in love with some one else
4 birthday celebration
5 just to pictureise a song with the piano as the instrument is played
in the background score or part of the orchestra.
May be some other reason not listed above.
My pick are just two –
a) geeth gatha hoon mein gun gunatha hooh – KK (Lal Pathar)
Vinod Mehra did a good job as a key player keeping his finger
in right position – unlike in many films where the player pretends
to play.
b) dhire dhire machal – Latha at her best (Anupama) the camer work
in this song is amazing showing the piano player in various angles. .
Madhu,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. And thanks for adding the song from Khoya Khoya Chaand, just shows how bland the piano could be if it is ‘just’ a musical instrument. It also gets hidden under the swarm of party crowd. This is not how we remember piano songs.
Mr Vasudevan,
You have given a nice list of different situations for piano songs. The most unremarkable is if it is ‘just’ a musical instrument as Madhu’s example shows.
AKji and respected Motivators,
Thanks for the beautiful post. I strongly feel that Brian Silas, the famous pianist, deserves a mention in the article. His performances have enhanced the melodious flavour of many a songs. I recall the comment by Khushwant Singhji ‘ He makes the piano sing ‘.
AK ji,
You talk of Love triangles, you talk of Mehboob Khan and, still, you don’t talk of ANMOL GHADI.
ANMOL GHADI, 1946.
Jawan hai mohabbat
Haseen hai zamana…
Noor Jehan.
Main dil mein dard basa laayi..
Suraiya.
Both the ladies on piano.
Other than Chal akela chal akela, I like
Jo diya tha tumne mujhko
Woh pyar phir se de do…
from SAMBANDH.
Mahinder Kapoor, Hemant Kumar; Kavi Pradeep, O P N.
Deb Mukherjee on piano.
Shachindra Prasad,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Thanks also for mentioning Brian Silas, one of the most famous piano players.
Dr Shetty,
I have mentioned love triangles and Anmol Ghadi in song #8.
1)Brindavan ka…/Miss Mary/1957 /Hemant/ Rafi-Lata
https://youtu.be/yTvZuQ2-bYk
2) Tum jiyo hazaron …/Sujata/1957/SDB/Asha and chorus
https://youtu.be/b188oq5_Zcc
3)HAR DIL JO…/Sangam/1964/SJ/Mukesh-Mahendra Kapoor-Lata
https://youtu.be/RovyGxgml5Q
4)DIL SE MILAKE…/Taxi driver/1954/SDB/Lata
https://youtu.be/ERaiJI_c66A
Whiff of fresh air much needed under the circumstances .
Would like to add the following
Khwab ho tum ya
https://youtu.be/Jw4wLVnFJ-E
Like in song no 8 in your list ( aankho aankho mein) here also two ladies are vying for the same man but unlike aankho aankho mein both loose to the third who seems no where in contention till then
2 Main Dil hoon ek Armaan bhara
https://youtu.be/RqpECqkBVzE
In Andaaz Dilip Kumar had stolen Nargis ( at least initially ) & piano ( throughout the film )
I remember Raju Bhartan using for once using minimum of words aptly to say that Dilip sang his way to our hearts ( about tu kahe agar)
Here Raj Kapoor gets his chance
3 Bekarar Dil tu Gaye ja
https://youtu.be/bz4Wk5Ydgso
If Ashok Kumar is lurking around the piano in chalo ek Baar phir se , here is on the white piano ( for a change) in kk”s voice & kk listening to him
4 Hum pyar mein jalanewalon ko
Here she is almost telling her story to the Piano
https://youtu.be/IXQY5otyhJ8
I also feel that piano must have been used strategically in that song let
Pucho na hame hum unke liye ( Mitti me sona)
https://youtu.be/7tZe3hRfhtk
But I am unable to get the video of the song
Mein khush Naseeb…/Tower House/1962/Ravi/ Mukesh
https://youtu.be/1JGZ1Oj99So
Good Afternoon AK Ji,
Your articles are always the best as usual and I need not write anything extra except to say ‘An amazing article’.
Here I want to introduce with your permission (again) few very famous songs from Telugu movies. There are many but I can’t put them right now, but later.
Song Number One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wb4Z8rPxfM
Andame Anandam
https://youtu.be/QchMYtu3N4U
Bhale Manchi Roju Jarigina Katha Telugu Old Classics Ghantasala YouTube
https://youtu.be/Uspk9IWpiDI
pagale vennela jagame
There is one interesting story about the song number one.
Lyricist: Samudrala senior, approached Music Director and singer Ghantasala with his lyric for this movie Bratuku Teruvu (means Livelyhood or a way to live) on one fine morning.
After listening to the lyric, Ghantasala got very much satisfied and thrilled. To get more suitable rhythm, he changed just few words.
He then immediately composed the tune, gathered all his accompanying musicians at the recording studio and recorded the song on the same day.
Regards
Uma
1)Jab jab bahar …/Taqdeer/1967/LP/ Rafi
https://youtu.be/mrY6FIQcbYY
2) Saath samundar paar/Taqdeer/1967/ LP /Lata-Sulakshna P-Usha Khanna
https://youtu.be/nSE02xgZn5E
S Joseph,
Lovely additions. All are my great favourites. In Sangam, the piano songs that immediately comes to mind is Dost dost na raha.
‘Chehre pe khushi…’/Waqt/1965/Ravi/Asha
https://youtu.be/cX-SXxM_KGk
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli,
Thanks for the excellent additions. Raj Kapoor had some excellent piano songs in the film Bewafa too. Here is one as a triangle. Raj Kapoor, Nargis and poor Ashok Kumar. For once Ashok Kumar was right, but Nargis was blind in love.
Dil matwala lakh sambhala aakhir kis par aa hi gaya by Talat Mahmood from Bewafa (1952), lyrics Sarshar Sailani, music AR Qureshi
Nargis also sings a reciprocal song in Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, which according to me is very poor in comparison. In this song too there is piano, but Nargis uses it more to roll over.
Uma Maheshwar Nakka,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Please don’t hesitate to add song from any language as long as it is good. The song #1 is absolutely outstanding.
Kaun aaya ki…’/Waqt/1965/Ravi/Asha
https://youtu.be/UdmziUpKIYE
‘Aye husn Zara…’/Mere Mehboob/1963/ Naushad/Rafi
https://youtu.be/tXTsr80NGLQ
INSPECTOR, 1956.
Lata Mangeshkar, S H Bihari, Hemant Kumar.
Dil ched koi aisa naghma
Geeton mein zamana kho jaaye…
Geeta Bali on piano and Ashok Kumar looking on.
The Hemant Kumar version on AK has no piano,but is unique in that AK’s conscience is singing to him.
Dil ke zarokhe mein tujhko bita kar…
BRAHMACHARI.
Pyar diwana hota hai
Mastana hota hai…
KATI PATANG.
Shashi Kapoor has many piano songs..
Chale the saath milkar..
HASEENA MAAN JAAYEGI
Yahan main ajnabi hoon..
JAB JAB PHOOL KHILEN
( though he is not on piano here.)
Suhani chandni raten..
MUKTI
1)’ Allah kare tu…’/Mr X in Bombay/1964 /LP/Lata
https://youtu.be/WuUmMBB0hok
2)’ Bhari duniya mein…’/Do badan/1966/ Ravi/Rafi
https://youtu.be/OYf-YnlPwMQ
Dr Shetty,
Dil chhed koi ais nagma – Hemant Kumar version for Ashok Kumar. The piano is there in interludes and prelude, it is not clear why they chose not to have Ashok Kumar sing at the piano.
AKji,
The theme might have been oft-repeated one. But your different approach to the theme is commendable. I loved the inclusion of Andhadhun and the French short film L’accordeur (The Piano Tuner). Both the write-ups, ” The grand piano and love triangle” and “The Andaaz’s (1949) four piano songs in Arithmetic Progression; Dilip Kumar’s powerful Method acting”, made an interesting read.
I recollect a movie of the 70’s, nothing memorable about it ,since I saw the movie then and Piano had a important part in the film, it flashed back. In the 1977 film Mukti, Shashi Kapoor played the role of a Pianist.
Kailash Sharma (Shashi Kapoor) was found guilty of molesting a young girl and murdering the original molester, and was sentenced to death by hanging by the Jammu & Kashmir Sessions Court. After his appeals at both High and Supreme Courts fail, he asks his wife, Seema (Vidya Sinha), to take their daughter, Pinky, and re-locate elsewhere. Seema and Pinky re-locate to Bomba. She befriends their neighbour, Ratan (Sanjeev Kumar), and both get married. Fourteen years later his daughter Pinky is grown up (Bindiya Goswami). Meanwhile, Kailash is released after his sentence was changed to life imprisonment, arrives in Bombay to look for his family and gets employed as a Pianist in a club. He does find them but decides not to interfere in their lives as they appear to be happy. And a chain of events follow.
Posting two clippings from the film, Shashi Kapoor plays the Piano after joining the club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMZWcWeHSU
Suhani Chandni Raate, Hame Sone Nahi Deti by Mukesh, Mukti (1977), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music R D Burman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_crW5J5ACw
There are two more song sequence where the Piano makes an appearance. First in the song Lalla Lalla Lori Dudh Ki Katori, Shashi Kapoor lip-syncing to Mukesh’s rendition. And Bindiya Goswami plays the Piano in another song sequence.
SHAHEED, 1948.
A film where one would not, generally, expect to see a piano song!
Bachpan ki yaad dheere dheere pyar ban gayi
Aa dekh ik phulwari gulzar ban gayi…
Lalita Deulkar, Qamar Jalalabadi, Ghulam Haider.
A young Kamini Kaushal ( billed above Dilip Kumar) playing the piano.
One more bachpan ka pyar/ triangle/ piano…
Jeet hi lenge baaji hum tum…
SHOLA AUR SHABNAM, 1961.
Rafi,Lata; Kaifi Azmi, Khayyam.
TOWER HOUSE, 1961.
Main khushnaseeb hoon
Mujhko kisi ka pyar mila….
Mukesh/ Lata; Asad Bhopali,Ravi.
Ajith at the piano in both the versions.
In the post on Ravi I had mentioned some movies where Piano Song by Ravi was seen in the credits.
AK, this post ranks among your best – you have taken a theme that could be accused of being hackneyed and given us a refreshingly beautiful tour of these lovely songs. As for the disappearance of the piano from our films it is more about the disappearance of a lifestyle: palatial homes with large staircases (normally Y shaped) leading to the first floor, liveried domestic staff, Ashok Kumar in his silk dressing gown puffing at his pipe, huge chandeliers and all that. I guess air conditioning has made it impractical to have large rooms even in expensive homes where something as big as a piano can be comfortably accommodated. I guess all this ended when heroines playing college students stopped wearing saris!
‘Aapki inayate aapki…’/Vandana/1975/Ravi/Lata
https://youtu.be/Md0BbWAeFJc
The three versions of Zindagi har kadam ik nayi jung hai … from
MERI JUNG, 1985, are good piano songs.
Nitin Mukesh,Lata.
Shabbir Kumar, Lata.
Shabbir Kumar_ solo.
An younger Nutan went solo in
DULHAN EK RAAT KI, 1966.
Kai din se jee hai bekal…
Lata , Raja Mehdi Ali Khan,Madan Mohan.
Do we see Nutan at the piano at the beginning of Tera jaana dil ke armano ka lut jaana in ANARI?
Love Triangle.
SHAGOON, 1964.
Jagjit Kaur, Sahir, Khayyam.
Tum apna ranj o gham
Apni pareshani mujhe de do…
Isn’t it Nivedita at the piano? Kanwaljit , Waheeda Rehman looking on.
Husband and wife team of musicians and To be Husband and wife team of artistes.
‘ Aye pyase dil…’/Begunah/1957/SJ/Mukesh
https://youtu.be/0E_9YmHWcLk
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy you enjoyed the post, especially the sub-sections on Andhadhun and the film Andaz’s four piano songs. If you have watched the former film, you can’t but be intrigued by the role of the piano in it. I picked up the Arithmetic Progression from KS Bhatiaji, and the songs fitted so well as a mathematical series.
You have given an excellent narration of Mukti. It is interesting to note that the piano recurs in the theme of the film.
Subodh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Interesting observation: winding staircases, Ashok Kumar in dressing gown, and the heroines in sari. But they were also in churidars in some piano songs. Nargis is some songs in Andaaz was in a westernised dress – a symbolism that her lifestyle was the source of all the troubles?
Since the experts were not forthcoming – you know who I mean – I had to write it in my own way. But the invitation still stands.
‘ Baar baar din…’/Farz/1967/LP/Rafi and chorus
https://youtu.be/jyCmqsci68s
‘ Dil lagakar hum…’/Zindagi aur maut /1965/ CR/Asha
https://youtu.be/1yZeDdCUoH4
‘ Ye mard bade…’/Miss Mary/1957/Hemant /Lata-Rafi
https://youtu.be/Pj3En6RiI8I
Pathar ke sanam tumhe hum ne…
PATHAR KE SANAM.
Khwab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat…
TEEN DEVIYAN.
Geet gaata hoon main…
LAAL PATHAR.
Vintage, in the truest sense.
BHABHI, 1938.
Renuka Devi,J S Kashyap, Saraswati Devi.
Jhuki aayee re badariya sawan ki…
P Jairaj on the piano and Renuka Devi singing for herself.
Love Triangle.. Naushad… Piano.
DARD, 1947.
Ye afsana nahin zalim
Mere dil ki haqeeqat hai…
Shamshad Begum, Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad.
Munawwar Sultana ( named Suraiya in the movie!) on the piano. Nusrat Kardar and Suraiya (!) watching.
Shakeel’s first film?
Umadevi debuted with Afsana likh rahi hoon.
There is a third Afsana song, Hum dard ka afsana , Shamshad Begum.
Akji @ 33
Yes, I have seen the film and I even remember the date. It was Thursday, the 18th October. Many of my family members gathered in Kolkata during 2018 Durga Puja. In fact we occupied an entire row at the Menoka Cinema Hall (not a Multiplex), a ten minutes walk from my residence.
Posting another song from an obscure 1963 film- EK Raaz
However the lyrics and the music were pleasing.
Agar Sun Le To Ik Nagma Hujure Yar Laya Hu by Kishore Kumar, film EK Raaz, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Chitragupt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PIPin4VciY
Pradeepji @ 39
I loved the vintage Piano song. Thanks. Here is the link
BHABHI, 1938.
Renuka Devi,J S Kashyap, Saraswati Devi.
Jhuki aayee re badariya sawan ki…
P Jairaj on the piano and Renuka Devi singing for herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlUUWMviDKo&feature=emb_err_watch_on_yt
Akji,
Another good song on the theme from Shair-Ravi combo.
Kisi pathar ki moorat se muhabbat ka irada hai, Mahendra Kapoor, HumRaaz (1967), lyrics Sahir Ludhyanvi, music Ravi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmDc0IPZ25I
AKji,
Another love triangle, both the story and the picturisation around the Piano
Aap Ke Haseen Rukh Pe Aaj Naya Noor Hai by Md.Rafi, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), lyrics Anjaan, music O P Nayyar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMYAHw8e8u8&feature=emb_title
AK ji;
Thank you for being the reason I am wearing extra smile today. Piano itself is a great piece of Art and the music and songs that it holds is an art gallery in itself………A Grand Pa’s giant Clock to live by.
Today my heart beats are on Gratitude mode ……visiting OPEN house and going thru the songs of B &W era. I had made a list of Color era songs too but as my computer was shooting troubles ….the saved one got lost. Anyway with so many songs already poured in I will see if I can contribute among the left overs. OPEN house is no doing a great service for back references of songs and contents of related observations.
Yes ; with so many comments and contributions on a single day shows the love that this great …..polished Pianos…holds a place in every member’s Heart !!
Starting with Sangam love triangle song…..Har dil jo pyar karega….a rare one in which we have both piano and piano accordion. In a love triangle …..story or song ….one has to leave paving way to deserving lover. The lyrics are so sharp that its every stanza shows the Arthimatical Progression of the entire movie story . It even satisfies the …motion in a circle theory ….where the hero takes centripetal path and other centrifugal !!…….Villains anyway have to leave at the end after declairing Hero the match winner.
Sangam – Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega O – Mukesh – Lata Mangeshkar, MK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovyGxgml5Q
…..to be contd.
AK:
Can’t agree more with the comments of Dustedoff and Subodhji regarding the quality of this post! I am glad that it was you who wrote this – with all due respect to the experts, I am of the opinion that they would not have been able to churn out such an engaging piece had they taken a shot at it!
Thanks for covering Andhadhun – what a movie!
Here is a weepy ‘heppy birday’ song that features the piano prominently:
‘O nanhe se farishte’ by Mohd. Rafi, from ‘Ek Phool, Do Mali’ (1969) (MD – Ravi, Lyricist – Prem Dhawan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAm3xdHFNOA
Come to think of it, I think it will be a worthwhile exercise to categorize piano songs into some broad categories such as the ones suggested by Mr.Vasudevan, and do a statistical analysis of the data. I am sure that the jilted lover category will run away with the prize for the maximum number of songs.
Here is one of Lata’s greatest songs. Unfortunately, the video footage for the song does not exist – I suspect that the print of the film does not exist any more – but from the prominent part played by the piano in the song, I am sure the instrument would have featured in the song sequence as well.
‘Tumhaare bulaane ko’ by Lata, from Laadli (1949) (MD – Anil Biswas, Lyricist – Behzad Lakhnavi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08n11Rn1Hw
What would this song be without the piano?
‘Aayega aayega’ by Lata, from Mahal(1949) (MD – Khemchand Prakash, Lyrics – Naqshab)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e24S6d4e3QA
The last two well rounded scores of Naushad were for the remakes ( from Tamil) with music by Vishwanathan Ramamoorthi.
Simi was in both the remakes.
AADMI
Shakeel Badayuni.
Rafi, Mahinder Kapoor.
Kaisi haseen aaj baharon raat hai…
Dilip Kumar on piano. Waheeda Rehman and Manoj Kumar in the audience.
We have, earlier, discussed about the dropped Rafi Talat Mehmood version.
SAATHI
Lata, Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Ye kaun aaya Roshan ho gayi
Mehfil kiski naam se…
Simi on the piano and Rajendra Kumar in the audience.
1968 both the above mentioned movies.
No writing on the role of the piano in Indian Music (film or Hindustani Classical) will be complete without the mention of the versatile V.Balsara. In fact, I would request Venkataramanji to write an SoY post on this great musician given that Balsara contributed in a huge way to Bangla music and Rabindrasangeet, besides Hindi film music and Hindustani Classical Music.
In this video of a jamming session with Hemant Kumar, he plays a host of genres on a host of instruments, including the piano, on which he plays an alaap and a drut composition in Raga Yaman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7DqiuepiAk
In this recording, he has collaborated on the piano with Kalyani Roy, arguably the first woman sitariya:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh5CJhAL4k0
Naushad’s first piano song?
SANJOG, 1943.
Aa more Sanwre Sainya
Mora jiya lehraye…
Suraiya,D N Madhok.
Mehtab on the piano singing to Noor Mohammad Charlie… the first comedian turned hero of Hindi movies?
A R Kardar was the director and Ghulam Mohammad, Naushad’s assistant.
ANDAZ has two more piano songs!! Six, in all!
Darr na mohabbat kar le…
Lata, Shamshad Begum.
Dilip Kumar on the piano. Nargis and saheli (?) singing, leaning on the piano.
Meri ladli re meri ladli re bani hai
Taron ki tu Rani…
Lata Mangeshkar.
Happy Birthday for the daughter of Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Dilip Kumar, uninvited (?),enters at Kamla gaaye Vimla gaaye…, taking Nargis by surprise. At this moment she is standing near the piano being played by her saheli (?).
I have not seen KUDRAT, 1981.
I know there is some reincarnation theme in it and I love both the versions of Hame tumse pyar kitna. I know some people who like Tune O Rangeela kaise jaadoo kiya. I am yet to meet a single person who has said he/ she likes Priya Rajvansh!!
Sajti hai yoon hi mehfil
Rang yoon hi dhalne do….
Asha Bhosle, Majrooh Sultanpuri,
RDB.
Priya Rajvansh playing the piano and singing. Raj Kumar and Rajesh Khanna in the Mehfil. Hema Malini and Vinod Khanna enter towards the end of the song.
BETAAB, 1952.
Abhi kuch raat baaqi hai…
Lata Mangeshkar,Roopbani( who?), S D Batish.
Ashok Kumar playing the piano and Kamal ? singing.
MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR, 1978.
O Saathi re tere bina bhi kya jeena…
Anjaan, KA.
Asha Bhosle
Child artiste ( playing junior Rakhi) at the piano and singing. Father ShreeRam Lagoo and adolescent artiste ( junior AB) among others, listening.
Lata Mangeshkar.
Dil toh hai dil
Dil ka aitbaar kya keeje…
Rakhi playing/ singing. Audience:Vinod Khanna, the intended; AB, the unintended.
There is a glimpse of a man playing a piano/harpsichord at the beginning as well as towards the end of this waltz:
‘Dil ki giraha khol do’ by Lata & Manna Dey, from Raat aur Din (1967) (MD – Shankar-Jaikishan, Lyricist – Shailendra)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKBFf6tdTWs
Ashwinji @ 51
Thanks for posting those two links of V Balasara. A marvelous musician and a genuine gentleman.
Noted your suggestion. I think V Balasara was born in the year 1922 (June).If I can collect enough information by his centenary year, I would definitely do a post on him.
AKji,
It seems Mukesh rendered a few Piano songs.
Ai Jane Jigar Dil Me Samane Aaja by Mukesh, film Aaram (1951), lyrics Rajinder Krishan, music Anil Biswas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdn6_gaexPE&feature=emb_title
And another love triangle.
Akji,
Since you have granted permission to post songs from any language, here is song from a Bengali film. Hope it is good.
The Uttam Kumar-Aparna Sen starrer Jay Jayanti (1971) was based on Sound of Music. Aparna Sen on the Piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwq7TWU7mlU
In my posts I have restricted to only the songs where the piano is shown on screen.
The songs where the piano is being played in the background is numerous and could be a mega category . Also , in a song the piano to my knowledge as a layman , has been used in so many sections… preludes, interludes, postludes, counterpoint, accompaniment , obligato etc…. and some experts may enlighten on other ways it has been used.
V Balsara has been mentioned in the comments here . But neither in the main post nor in any of the comments is there a mention of who has played the piano piece in the songs . Even if you ask for the name , no one knows or cares about either the piano piece composer or the artiste . We enjoy the piano piece but somehow do not give credit where it is due .
In a song we give credit to the singer for the singing , music director for the tune and the lyricist for the lyrics but for the others like the pianist and the piece composer…no such credit .This is the case with all the instruments used in HFM songs and is well accepted.
S joseph @17,
What a perfect piano song Chehre pe khushi! The lady, her two lovers and the triangle of the piano.
@20,
Another nice one from Waqt
@21,
Ae husn zara. Piano seemed to be made for romantic songs. Naushad’s favourite instrument.
@23,
Allah kare tu bhi aa jaye – what a great composition by LP. An atypical piano song, but Kumkum’s invocation bears fruit as the invisible man does come.
Bhari duniya mein – even if one has not seen the video, one can picture the anguished hero sitting at the piano.
@29,
Aapki inaayatein is a nice song, but it seems Lata Mangeshkar was past her prime.
@32,
Ae pyase dil bezuban – we are lucky that even though Begunah was banned, it’s songs survive. How we wish it’s video was available.
@35,
Baar baar din ye aye – Jeetendra does not waste his time with the piano after a few strokes, as he had to do the Shammi Kapoor act. Shammi Kapoor did one better, in some songs he jumped on the musical instruments and fooled around with them.
@36,
Dil lagakar hum ye samjhe – a nice song. Perhaps Mahendra Kapoor version was not a piano song. They wanted to give a variation?
@37,
Ye mard bade dildard. Miss Mary reminds me of Vrindavan ka Krishna Kanhaiya, and a great piano song too.
Thanks a lot for posting these gems.
Dr Shetty @26, 27, 30, 31, 38, 39, 40, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,
I am impressed with your instant recall of songs with all the details. I wish you had also given the YT links which we could click.
@31, You made a very nice observation about two husband-wife teams associated with song.
@52, Aa more saanwre sainyamust be the first Naushad piano song, at least the first available song.
@53, Six piano songs in a film must be a record. Even four solos in one voice in Arithmetic Progression has to be an exceptional record.
@54, Count mein the majority, at the extreme edge.
KS Bhatiaji @45,
I am happy that I have given you pleasure. Take it as my payback as you have been one of the reasons for this post. Har dil jo pyar karega is such a nice song. Interestingly, the much smaller piano accordion is more conspicuous than the piano.
Give us more mathematical theories of songs. You can also write to me separately. This request is to all the mathematicians of SoY.
N Venkataramanji
@41,
It seems Chitragupta has not composed many piano songs, his style was perhaps not compatible with it. Agar sun le is a nice song, but this film has some other songs which are my great favourites: Uthegi tumhari nazar dheere dheere, Ajanabise ban ke karo na kinara and Payal wali dekhana.
@43,
Kisi patthar ki moorat se is my great favourite. Now we can see how the different style of melody makes a difference. Ravi’s is eminently suited for piano songs.
@44,
Aapke haseen rukh pe – Now you see my point about the love triangle and the triangle of the grand piano.
@59,
Mukesh’s voice was meant for piano songs, and Naushad must have boosted his record.
@60,
Bengali songs reminded me of Ami chini go chini. A beautiful song, starts on the piano, I don’t know why Satyajit Ray did not make it a full-fledged piano song.
Ashwin @46,
Thanks a lot for your generous words, I am sure you know you are one of the Gang of Four 🙂 . Since this blog is full of mathematicians, you being one of them too, I would urge you to do a series on mathematical theory of songs. I did once give some outline for the experts to take it further:
https://www.songsofyore.com/analysis-of-hindi-films-and-songs/
@47,
Tumhare bulaane ko is absolutely lovely, one of the best of Lata Mangeshkar. It could very well be a piano song, but in the absence of the video we can’t say it conclusively.
@51,
Lovely links of Bulsara. Thanks a lot.
@57,
Sure. One can see piano marginally.
AKji @ 65
Ami chini go chini tomare reminds me of another Rabindra Sangeet used in Piano sequence by Salil Choudhury in the Bengali version of the film Lal Pathar (1964).
Nirmal Kumar on the Piano
Alo Amar Alo by Shyamal Mitra, film Lal Pathar (1964)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8prSh7oxj9o
Ashwin Bhandarkar , Joseph ji[s] @51 , 61 ;
I entirely agree with both of you. The artistes and instrument players should be given their dues in the form of recognition of their contribution. In western world the Hollywood movies do carry such recognitions highlighting in titles of the movies. The world class Pianists and orchestra players like ….Richard Clyderman and Andre Rieu are the ones whom we come to know thru titles of Titanic and since then they are on my tracking radar .
V. Balsara is one of the most respected composer….known for his contribution to music directors like….SJ, Salil da, Hemant Kumar etc. A true follower of Rabindra sangeet ….and has to his credit a number of melodious NFS and Instrumental tunes. All India Radio used his such tunes as fillers in between radio programmes during 60s and 70s. One of such tunes with piano and flute dominating the orchestra is favorite of mine which I am sharing with you all. Yes. Venkatraman ji is right person for writing post on V. Balsara.
V. Balsara Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bf8ZMOqPlo
….to be contd
ANAND , 1971.
Mukesh, Gulzar,Salil Choudhary.
Maine tere liye hi saath rang ke
Sapne chune….
Kaka on the piano. Babu Moshai, Seema and Ramesh Deo listening. Household help ( the eternal Ramu Kaka type) appears for a moment!
Piano in a whodunit
In BR Chopra’S Dhund , piano may not be a central character but makes a fleeting appearance in the song with its triangle ( dark one )
Uljhan suljhe na
https://youtu.be/SI9oPHDbn38
Piano with no triangle
In the musical Abhimaan piano makes a very brief special appearance in this songlet . The traingle is missing perhaps the love angle between Amitabh & Bindu tends to zero
Tere mere Milan ki short version
https://youtu.be/cHvUeZ6VTNQ
KASME VAADE , 1978.
Aati rahenge baharen
Jaati rahenge baharen…
Kishore Kumar,Amit Kumar,Asha Bhosle; Gulshan Bawra,RDB.
Big B, the Birthday Boy, on the piano. Randhir Kapoor playing mouth organ. Raakhi wishing with a Red Rose.
SAAJAN BINA SUHAGAN, 1978.
Madhuban khushboo deta hai
Saagar saawan deta hai…
Jesudas, Anuradha Paudwal; Sawan Kumar Tak, Usha Khanna.
Rajendra Kumar, Padmini Kolhapure Nutan .
In the Jesudas solo version,PK is seen playing the piano at the beginning.
SHARARAT, 1959.
Ajab hai dastan teri ae zindagi
Kabhi hasa diya ,Rula diya kabhi…
Rafi, Shailendra,SJ.
Kishore Kumar on piano lipsyncing to Rafi’s voice. Meena Kumari listening.
The sad version is sans the piano.
AK ji, N Venkataraman ji,
Chitragupta again.
Lata Mangeshkar,Prem Dhawan.
GUEST HOUSE, 1959.
Dil ko lakh sambhala ji
Phir bhi dil matwala ji….
Shakila singing to Ajith playing the piano. Peeping Tom Pran literally peeps through the keyhole.
Chodo mere haath, Bura hai ye zamana
Kahin hame dekh na le koi begana…
Pradeepji @ 73,
I was about to post this song The song ‘Dil matwala lakh sambhala’ posted by Rahul Bhagwanji (@18) reminded me of this song. Thank for mentioning the song. Let me give the link.
Dil Ko Lakh Sambhala Jee, Lata Mangeshkar, Guest House (1959), Prem Dhawan, Chtragupt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=N_vBTSJUXsk&feature=emb_title
Akji, Pradeepji,
Posting one more Piano song of Chitragupt.
Intially Kamini Kadam is at the writing desk, but she can be seen playing the piano for a brief period (@2:58)
Jis Din Is Duniya Se Nafrat Aur Khudgarzi Mit Jayegi, Md. Rafi, film Maa Baap (1959), lyrics Rajinder Krishan, music Chitragupt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=88&v=Vqw1_ncC82k&feature=emb_title
Akji,
Kishore Kumar playbacks for Ashoke Kumar. Ashok Kumar at the Piano
Bekaraar Dil Tu Gaye Ja by Kishore Kumar & Sulakshna Pandit, film Door Ka Rahi (1971), lyrics Irshad, music Kishore Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz4Wk5Ydgso
Akji,
It seems Mukesh & Piano are integral part of a love triangle song.
Waqt Karta Jo Wafa Aap Hamare Hote by Mukesh, film Dil Ne Pukara (1967), lyrics Indeevar, music Kalyanji-Anandji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8_H7-igHQY
Akji,
Sorry I posted the wrong link (@ 77
That was Piano song from a Bengali film Raj Badhu (1982). MD Abhijit Bandopadhyay used a Rabindra sangeet ‘Baro Asha Kore Eshechi’ for this Piano song. Utpal Dutt at the Piano. Singers Hemanta Mukherjee & Arundhuti Holme Choudhury
Here is the correct link -Waqt Karta Jo Wafa Aap Hamare Hote by Mukesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKUJ56BR0DU
AK ji;
I am now over to posting of colour era songs with Piano as main factor. In between some B & W songs will appear which some how got missed in OPEN HOUSE and its numbering will be # 66 onwards. No numbering for colour era songs as quite a number of them already covered by members . Some will appear only when links are not provided.
Aayega Kaun Yahan…Sharda….Gumnaam…..SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKVCXEza2I
Kisi Ke Dil Ko Sanam…..Sharda….Kal aaj aur kal….SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Yc8JbvvCg
TUMKO SANAM PUKAR KE- SHARDA- FILM- DIWANA(1967) MD- SHANKAR JAIKISHAN LY- SHAILENDRA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5PFRuAimrA&t=187s
Hum To Jaate Apne Gaon (HD) – Diwana …mukesh…SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXd13TO6fZo
Taaro Se Pyaare Dil (HD) – Diwana ….mukesh…SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_iSCWxmIzk
…..to be contd.
AK ji;
In continuation some more songs…..
Eena Meena Deeka (Male) (HD) – Aasha Songs – Kishore Kumar …CR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se1EZCE_zLo
Hai Na Bolo Bolo (HD) | Andaz (1971) | Shammi Kapoor | Hema Malini | Master Alankar | Baby Gauri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2yQ0Gf6Cjs&t=133s
…..to be contd.
Has anyone already mentioned
Zindagi ittefaq hai?
ANHONEE, 1952.
The unusual triangle. Raj Kapoor with twins_ Nargis.
Main dil hoon ek armaan bhara….
Talat Mehmood,Shailendra, Roshan.
Raj Kapoor, the advocate, played the piano and sang so well that at the end Om Prakash says…
Wah ! Wah! Kya gala paaya hai!
Vakil Saab, Vakaalat chodiye. Dholak pakdiye. Phir, thak dhina dhin thak….
It was the first time an actress essayed double roles in an Indian movie. Her only double role?
Interestingly, the first double role in a silent film was in Dada Saheb Phalke’s LANKA DAHAN, 1917. Anna Salunke played both Ram and Seeta!!
The first talkie to have a double role was AWARA SHEHZADA, 1933. Shahu Modhak played a Prince and a Pauper in this movie directed by Master Vithal.
Rolf Leslie played 27 different roles in the 1913 silent film, SIXTY YEARS A QUEEN!!!
BEGUNAH had figured in the comments section here yesterday . I have some information which gives hopes to fans waiting for the videos of this movie . The interesting story of why this movie was lost has been posted on the YouTube . It also shows how some producers got ideas for their movie production .
But what is surprising is how the information of plagiarism reached the producer at the other end of the globe . Next question is why the producers in India could not go for an out of court settlement in this matter ? Jim Stewart perhaps spent money to settle the matter in Bombay High Court as the cost involved must have been negligible .
The link ….
https://youtu.be/U4ShXiV9h9w
Dr.Shetty @ 53,
The saheli’s role was played by Cuckoo, the famous dancer/item girl of the time. Here are the videos:
1. Dar na muhabbat kar le:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJLGHNgsC8Q
2. Meri laadli :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98kyvAr8J0A
A less heard song from SANGDIL ,1952.
Kahan ho kahan ho
Mere jeevan sahare…
Talat Mehmood, Rajinder Krishan, Sajjad Hussain.
Dilip Kumar.
KATHPUTLI, 1957.
Manzil wohi hai pyar ki
Raahi badal gaye….
Subir Sen, Shailendra,SJ.
Balraj Sahni with a dancing Vyjayanthi Mala.
AWARA, 1951.
Jab se balam ghar aaye…
Lata Mangeshkar,Hasrat Jaipuri,SJ.
Nargis.
JAILOR, 1958.
Hum pyar mein jalnewalon ko…
Lata Mangeshkar, Rajinder Krishan, Madan Mohan.
Geeta Bali.
Ashwin Bhandarkar ji,
Thank you.
Cuckoo played non dancing roles,too?
Has S N Tripathi appeared here so far? Going by the type of movies he normally did, I would not expect there will be many piano songs in his repercussions.
KUNWARI, 1966.
Pyar ke palchin Beete hue din
Hum to na bhoole
Tum bhool gaye…
Lata Mangeshkar, Shailendra,SNT.
Indrani Mukherjee.
NARTAKI, 1963.
Aaj duniya badi suhani hai
Kaisi rangeen zindgani hai…
Asha Bhosle, Shakeel Badayuni, Ravi.
Zeb Rehman looking pretty.
Pradeepji @ 88,
The song from Kunwari (1966) is good. Thank for the post. Let me give the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=cxufg9L20xY&feature=emb_title
Has anybody posted this song?
Tum bin jaoon kahan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZwoyWODUtE
Another Mukesh song
Tu Hai Harjai To Apna Bhi Yehi Taur Sahi, Mukesh, film Tu nahin aur Sahi (1960), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Ravi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=mShdjlcQHfk&feature=emb_title
2 more additions . In both there is only a notional presence of Piano
1 Yaha main Ajnabi hoon
Unusually restrained Rafi under the baton of KA ( la SD or Roshan)
Nanda is all set on piano hitting the opening notes but then sits still, fingures glued to the keys ( may be bewildered by finding Shashi Kapoor sans his mannerisms)
https://youtu.be/afmPZ83bmMQ
2 Falsafa pyar ka – Duniya
Dev Anand cannot sit beyond opening lines at the Piano
The song itself is shadow ( pale one ) of SJs own O mere shahe khuba from Love in Tokyo
https://youtu.be/g8t76WtSNIY
Piano used for innovative picturisation.
Paisa Ya Pyar (1969), Asha Bhosle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=44&v=_6URyD7J5M4&feature=emb_title
LOVE IN TOKYO, 1966.
Mujhe tum mil gaye humdum
Sahara ho toh aisa ho…
Lata, Hasrat Jaipuri?, SJ.
Joy Mukherjee…….( Asha Parekh).
MERA SAAYA, 1966.
Tu jahan jahan chalega
Mera saaya saath hoga…
Lata Mangeshkar,Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Madan Mohan.
Sunil Dutt……( Sadhna).
MAYA, 1961.
Koi sone ke dilwala
Koi chandi ke dilwala…
Rafi, Shailendra,Salil Choudhary.
Dev Anand.
N Venkataraman ji,
Hadn’t seen the PAISA YA PYAR song earlier. Nice addition.
Other than the songs I mentioned earlier ,MERI JUNG also has a Piano on the beach song.
Ae mere khwabon ke
Khayalon ke Shehzade…
Anuradha Paudwal,Anand Bakshi,LP.
Anil Kapoor…….( Meenakshi Sheshadri).
AGAR TUM NA HOTE, 1983.
Hame aur jeene ki chahat na hoti
Agar tum na hote…
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar,Lata Mangeshkar
Gulshan Bawra,RDB.
Rajesh Khanna on the piano in both versions.
The piano has been used by almost all music directors from the days
of Anil Biswas to Anand Milind but I have a query – Whether Sardar Malik has used piano in his composition.
The song woh there pyar ka gham from the film MY LOVE beautifully
rendered by Mukesh set to the tune of forgotten composer Daan Singh.
The song starts with electric guitar then the saxophone comes in
and then Piano takes over till the end – it is piano all over. A fine
composition. Just listen and I am you will all love it.
Bhatiaji @ 79 & 80,
You have posted some wonderful songs.
I could spot the Piano for a fleeting moment in the ‘Eena Meena Deeka’ song. Mr. Joseph wrote about the lack of details about musicians who played the Piano piece in the songs. Very true.
In the song ‘Eena Meena Deeka’, I think Saxophone had a prominent place. The two brothers who played the saxophone piece with this song were Johnny Gomes and Joe Gomes. They were adept at playing the Clarinet and Violin too. Johnny Gomes was music arranger to music directors like C. Ramchandra and Chitragupta. Bhatiaji (and others too) can chip in with the details they may know. By the way Sunny Castelino was the arranger to Shanker-Jaikishan for the fil Awara.
Here are three songs where you see a piano , but my observation is that…. in the first song not even once the piano key has been struck , in the other two songs atleast on the opening for around 2-3 seconds the piano keys have been struck. Clear cases where the piano has been used not for music but for some other effect .
1)’ Akhiyon ka noor…’ /Johar Mehmood in Goa/1965/Kalyanji-Anandji/Suman-Mukesh
https://youtu.be/iMLYskGX1tY
2) ‘ Koi aaya dhadkan…’/Lajwanti/1958/SDB/ Asha
https://youtu.be/JcoMkXZMjFo
3) ‘Aaj yeh meri…’/Yeh Raaste hain Pyar ke/1963/Asha
https://youtu.be/D6GnaEVjpGs
Raghavan Vasudevanji @96
Thanks for mentioning the song Woh tere pyar ka gham and identifying the instruments. Saxophone too plays a prominent part in the melody. Here is the link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0tJGbfU7CY
As Mr Joseph had pointed out earlier (@61), the songs where the piano is being played in the background is numerous and it has been used in so many sections… preludes, interludes, etc. could be a mega category.
I thought the visibility of the Piano is a must in this thematic post. we do enjoy listening to all the good songs posted.
Mr.Joseph @ 98
Good observation. Such inconsistency and lack of compatibility can be found in some songs posted earlier , including the songs posted by me too.
Posting the link to the song mentioned by Pradeepji @94
Here the Piano does come to the fore, Trumpet and Accordion have a secondary role.
Koi sone ke dilwala
Koi chandi ke dilwala…
Rafi, Shailendra,Salil Choudhary.
Dev Anand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jarX75g6Vvc&feature=emb_title
Mr Joseph,
You have posted two piano songs with the invisible man connection.
Posting a song where the Piano finds a prominent place in the prelude and the interludes. Kukkum and Madan Puri are also there but the man (Feroze Khan) is very much visible playing the Piano.
Bahut Haseen Ho Bahut Jawan Ho by Md.Rafi, film Main Wahi Hoon (1966), lyrics Asad Bhopali music Usha Khanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=1FHb_yyk_Rc&feature=emb_title
N Venkataramanji @67,
Alo amar alo – Now this is is a perfect Piano song with a triangle.
@76, Nice song, Beqaraar dil tu gaaye ja.
@77, 78,
Inadvertently you have posted a very nice Bengali piano song.
@93, Interesting picturisation of piano.
PATANGA, 1971.
Jhoom ke gaa yoon aaj mere dil
Raat toh gujre subah na aaye
Jaise koi bachpan ki kahani
Yaad bhi ho aur bhool bhi jaaye…
Rafi, Neeraj,SJ.
Shashi Kapoor…..( Vimi, the Porcelain Beauty of Kisi Pathar ke moorat se).
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli @70,
Uljhan suljhe na is a nice one with a dark triangle. You are making a very intelligent inference about piano sans triangle in Tere milan ki ye raina, if that was also in the mind of the director. But were they always so consistent?
@ 92,
Yahan main ajanabi hun – Or a la Ravi or Madan Mohan? Your observation reminded me of Hui shaam unka khayal aa gaya (not a piano song) – I always say LP has reached the heights of Roshan.
I fully agree with your observation as regards LP
In fact to borrow your classification ( I think wrt to mathematical classification)
Pre 70 large part of LP’s output belongs to high quality – high popularity grid
While post 70 is moderate quality high popularity grid
‘ Jeet hi lenge…’/Shola aur Shabnam /1962 / Khayyam/Rafi-Lata
https://youtu.be/olytz3NZns8
Dr Shetty @69, 71, 72, 73, 86, 88, 89, 94,
Nice songs.
@82, 83,
Superb information you have added.
Nobody remembers when the first piano came to Calcutta, but it is said that Calcutta was the first port of call in India. When Job Charnock established this city [in 1690], the piano was not born. I believe, it must have arrived in the late 18th century.
Anthony Braganza is the current owner of the Braganzas. Located at central Calcutta’s Mirza Ghalib Street, they sell, repair and maintain almost all musical instruments. The Braganzas have been in this business for nearly 80 years.
They have a collection of 130 pianos and many of these are rented out. Satyajit Ray rented one from the Braganzas at a monthly rent of Rs 45/- in 1962 and Ray’s family still have it on hire.
Most probably the oldest piano of Calcutta is at the Marble Palace, the 19th century mansion in north Calcutta. Pianos were such a vogue that as early on as 1886, the Trinity College examination for pianists was being conducted in Calcutta.
The other heritage piano is at the Victoria Memorial. According to Jayanta Sengupta, secretary and curator of Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH), the grand Piano was made to the order of King William IV in 1829 for the use of Queen Victoria when she was a girl. Its original home was the Windsor Castle. The VMH register reads: The queen received her tuition on this instrument from Mrs. Lucy Anderson. The instrument was locked up for nearly two decades. In 2012 the Royal Gallery at the museum was opened again after renovation.
Two other rare pianos are to be found at the All India Radio offices. The HMV studio in Dumdum has an upright piano that belonged to Rai Chand Boral. The Piano used by Pankaj Mallick is now at the Tollygunge’s New Theatre Studio.
But the oldest piano in the city to be in perfect playing condition now is possibly the one at The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel. Almost 200 years old, it was manufactured in Hamburg by M.F. Rachals & Co.
I believe Prince Dwarkanath Tagore (1794-1846), the poet’s grandfather, had a Piano at his residence. Jyotirndranath Tagore, elder brother of Rabindranath, was an expert in playing the Piano. Later, when Rabindranath crossed the threshold of childhood, the system they followed was that Jyotirindranath composed a tune on the piano. Akshay (Chandra Choudhury)and Rabindranath tried their best to incorporate the tunes into word-patterns. Twenty songs of Rabindranath’s dance drama Mayar Khela were based on tunes composed by Jyotirndranath.
Posting a Rabindrasangeet from Kuheli (1971)
Tumi Robe Nirobe, Hemanta Mukherjee & Lata Mangeshkar
Biswaji & Sandhya Roy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBtvi1ZjAEc
N Venkataraman ji,
Wow! So informative.
N Venkataramanj @108,
This is a great piece of history. Thanks a lot.
Venkataramanji,
Thanks for accepting my request to write a post on V.Balsara. Also, thanks a lot for the information on the history of the piano in Calcutta.
S Joseph @98,
In Ankhiyon ka noor hai tu Soniya Sahni is shown sitting at the piano and ‘playing’ it. If we don’t hear any piano notes, that is carelessness of the director/music director. KS Bhatiaji had once mentioned some examples of such mismatch.
I long for the day when some film-maker will make a film that has a song in which a ‘roothi hui’ heroine will say a firm ‘Piya, no’ to her lover who is trying to ‘manaao’ her by singing a song while accompanying himself on the piano. It could be a fun song as well along the lines of ‘Jaane kahaan mera jigar gaya ji’.
‘ Aaya hai mujhe…’/ Devar / 1966 / Roshan / Mukesh
https://youtu.be/BiCkqhmxtbQ
KS Bhatiaji @79,
You are quite a Sharda fan. I didn’t know she sang so many songs. Many of your links are only audio, I am sure you recall from these films.
@80, Nice songs.
N Venkataraman ji @108;
What a piece of history !!…. I take it as tribute to this amazing super giant of musical instrument that found favourite of the likes of Tagores , Satyajit Ray , Salil Da and many others.
I have a faint memory of the Braganzas who had branch in CP new delhi near the Regal Building ….or rather adjacent to Allahabad bank building . Those were the days of 50s and 60s when live band performances were in vogue in many restaurants and clubs . Billiard and snooker were the additional sports popular with juke box singer audience . Braganzas presence in new delhi , however , needs to be confirmed.
AK ji, Joseph ji @ 112 , 115;
Yes, the mismatch songs are there in OPEN HOUSE # 1083 onwards . Its really funny when Brainy people leave their work to untrained techno person making mockery of audience and musicians.
Yes, truly I am Sharda’s fan . It is unfortunate that most of her songs were left out or rather deleted after a run of one or two weeks of its release. The visuals are not there on YT…hence audio only. Sharda sang two or three songs for Mera Naam Joker too…..that probably were recorded for the sequel that never got started after the luke response at the box office.
AK ji;
It gave me a pain watching …..Piano Adoption . People who play music can not be enemy….at least one should wait for its adoption. There are institutions in America where they make a tax free contribution of 50 dollars…..make healthy the instrument and deliver to the user or adopter.
Any way….there is funny side too in a laural hardy comedy where they deliver the Music Box [Piano ] and watch the last clip as what happened.
Laurel & Hardy – The Musical Box – final scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0_9dA6KaSI&t=133s
And now a song to referesh what we have in decoration of a beautiful song with Piano.
Marilyn Monroe In “River Of No Return” – Song “River Of No Return
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLzeHkEQe9g&t=86s
…..to be contd
AK ji;
Continuing with my some golden era and some colour era songs…..
66. Aye Dil Mujhe Bata De – Geeta Dutt, Bhai Bhai …MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKcaNydkNMg
67.Sun Sun Sun Zalima -, Geeta Dutt, Mohd. Rafi, Aar Paar …OPN….No visual of piano but beautiful piano beats …..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws4_dxK3Q3A
68.Manzil Wohi Hai Pyar Ki – Subir sen — Kath Putli…SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zYpScbQ5Dw
69.Hai Hai Ye Nigahein – , Kishore Kumar, Paying Guest …SDB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EoQ0XqOp3s
……to be contd.
In continuation…..
70. Yeh Kaun Aaya Ki Mere Dil Ki – Kalpana Kartik – Baazi – Romantic Bollywood Songs – S.D.Burman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhzsbsLFK1o
71.Dil Se Milake Dil Pyar – – Taxi Driver — S.D.Burman – Lata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERaiJI_c66A
72. Ae Meri Zindagi Aaj Raat Jile – – Taxi Driver – Lata – S.D.Burman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1ITbSJ2ee0
73.Hum aapki aakhon mein – Pyaasa (1957…Rafi, Geeta dutt..SDB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rssErLVh22c
…..to be contd.
AKji:
‘Play it Sam,’ was what came to my mind upon seeing this wonderful post that has hit the century mark in two and half days! Is that a record?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vThuwa5RZU
Piano has been associated with so many memorable moments in the history of world cinema, that the obvious question is if there is another instrument that has figured more prominently on the screen in HFM? Tabla, harmonium, saarangi, flute, violin, trumpet, sax, guitar, accordion, harmonica, … any guesses?
Here is ‘Man me kisi ki,’ another Lata-Anil Biswas gem from Aaram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwYKZEnDvsw
ksbhatia ji,
Music Box reminded me two instances of the piano being transported in fairly recent ( by the blog’s standards) movies.
KHAMOSHI, THE MUSICAL, 1996,Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directorial debut, has a poignant scene complete with an entire song. The music loving Granny of the family ( Helen) sells her piano to tide over the hard times. She comforts her musically inclined grand daughter ( who grows up to be Manisha Koirala) that a thing dear to one’s heart will find it’s way back to oneself even if parted for a while. Later, Salman Khan gets it back to her,I think.
Gaate the pehle akele
Ab gaata hai sara jahan…
Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shradha,Khulsum and chorus; Majrooh Sultanpuri,Jatin _Lalit.
Hey mauj mein le chalo baaja
….
Baaja hamara bajega..
References to the piano.
Beautiful Goan village, seashore, riverside, quaint old houses, even a church where the nuns cover the piano with a white cloth to express their respect…..
The pretence of joie de vivre of the granny falters just before the treasured piece is loaded onto a ferry and she can’t resist playing it for a few, in all likelihood final, moments.
In another song from the movie
Mausam ke Sargam ko sun…
Helen plays it in the beginning.
Has Helen played a piano in any of her earlier movies?
Later in the movie,we see Manisha Koirala playing the piano on some occasions.
YES BOSS
Jatin Lalit again.
Abhijit, Javed Akhtar.
Chand taare thod laaoon…
SRK is seen playing the piano in the beginning and, then, it is all about transporting the piano, to, I don’t remember where! But, comical, I am sure.
Isn’t there a song in DDLJ where SRK is seen playing the piano?
Ashwin @113,
You have a great talent for this 🙂 . I can imagine the hero singing on the piano, मानो या ना मानो off tune, and the lady pleading with him to stop, piya-no piya-no. And you know the reason? When the hero was a child, he was a most reluctant learner when his stern mother dragged him to the piano, and he kept on wailing Ma-no, Ma-no.
Songs of Golden Era brings memories in a flash but I never had an idea sound of music of an instrument – Piano – would give a kick start to my child hood memory.
When my father was working in Jaduguda (near Tatanagar, WB) Mine Projectun we lived in a house as a tenant. The house owner had a piano kept in the hall. Being a business man he used to go out in the morning and would return. He lived in another portion of the house. One day I ( I was a student then) sat t before the piano and started playing. I was just pressing each key and it produced lovely sound. The owner taught me the basics. But the transfer of my father I could not continue the learning.
Two decades later my boss (now I had started working) asked me give tution to her daughter in english grammar lessons. My boss – a christian – had a piano and his wife played beautifully. By this time I had lost interest in learning but every evening I used request her to play Piano for me. She obliged.
The house owner, my boss have all gone to heaven but I am sure the Piano would be there still and I am recalling them through this post.
Shankar of the SJ duo is a master in playing the instrument.
Cheda mere dil ne tarana pyar ka from Asli Naqli. A great song
that brings out uniqueness in the sound of this music instrument.
Mr AK thanks for bringing out a post on Piano.
late evening. The hall was kept open.
Last line somehow got in at the end and not at the appropriate place.
Sorry for that.
KS Bhatiaji @118,
‘The Musical Box’ – But the piano’s violent death is not comic. ‘River of no return’ is a wonderful song.
@119, 120,
Nice songs, but is piano there in the scene in the songs #67, 69, 72 and 73?
Forgive me if someone has already mentioned it in the earlier comments, but any discussion of songs with piano is incomplete without the ‘Play it, Sam’ sequence from Casablanca:
https://youtu.be/7vThuwa5RZU
Canasya @121,
Thanks a lot. It is such a strange coincidence that you should remember ‘Play it, Sam’. Yesterday on a WhatsApp group I read this:
“We slept in one world and woke up in another.
Suddenly, Disney has no more magic, Paris is no longer romantic,
and in New York everyone sleeps and the Chinese Wall is not a fortress anymore.
……”
And can you guess what came to my mind instantly?
We’ll always have Paris from Casablanca (1942)
Pradeepji, @ 109,AKji @110, Ashwinji @111, Bhatiaji @116
Thanks for the response.
Adding a couple of trivia.
The Piano which played a major role in the music composed by Shankar (Shankar-Jaikishan) is now at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune. Santosh Kumar, grandson of Shankar donated it to the NFAI. The German-make piano is estimated to be 90- 100 years old.
According to Dr. Katherine Schofield, historian of music, there’s an amazing painting of the ghusal-khana in the Lal Qila, about 1840, with an upright piano and metronome.
Posting another Mukesh song
The Piano can be hardly heard nor is Rajendra Kumar at the Piano except for the first few seconds. Yet the Piano makes its visual presence twice in the end.
Kabhi Kisi Ki Khushiyan Koi Loote Na, Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961), lyrics Kavi Pradeep, music Dattaram Wadkar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=-uiRiy_WDro&feature=emb_title
Mr R Vasudevan @124,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am gratified that my post sent you down the memory lane. Lovely recollection.
Mr.Joseph @ 114,
It seems Mukesh must have rendered the maximum Piano songs, altleast among the male playback singers. 16 to 20 songs have been already posted or mentioned here. Adding one more.
Chandi Ki Divar Na Todi, Pyar Bhara Dil Tod Diya, Mukesh, Vishwas (1969), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Kalyanji-Anandji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbyuBE0tCPw
Thank you Venkatramanji for the wonderful information on Pianos . I cannot say if Mukesh had the highest number of piano songs .
Thank you Bhatiaji for giving me the open house reference #1083 regarding mismatches . I do all my work on my mobile phone where for some reasons the numbers are not shown. So the date reference would have been useful for me. But some day if I open my laptop I shall check.
‘ Play it , Sam ‘ brought back old memories.
…………..
‘ Bachpan ke din…’/Sujata/1959/SDB/Asha
https://youtu.be/nghOwQjWJOc
THE PIANIST, 2002, directed by Roman Polanski, the winner of three Academy awards ( Best Director, Actor _ Adrien Brody, Adapted screenplay) and Palm d’
Or at the Cannes Film Festival, was based on the memoir of Polish, Jewish Pianist Ladyslaw Szpilman.
AMADEUS, 1984, on the rivalry between Mozart and Antonio Salieri, won 8 Academy Awards.
Pradeepji
@133,
Thanks for the information on THE PIANIST, 2002, AMADEUS, 1984,
@ 122,
I haven’t watched the movie Khamoshi. The Musical (1996). Will watch it some time. The picturisation of the song “Gaate the pehle akele Ab gaata hai sara jahan’” remimds me of the story relating to the journey of Beethoven’s Piano from London to Vienna.
In December 1817, Broadwood & sons shipped the instrument from London. It arrived in Vienna seven months later slightly damaged after an arduous journey over sea to Trieste, a port in Italy. Then it was sent by cart into Vienna.
AKji, Pradeepji,
Phir Koyi Muskaraya, Apne Huye Paraaye(1964). Lyrics Shailendra. music Shankar-Jaikishan
The song is picturized on Manoj Kumar playing a British ‘Broadwood & Sons’ Piano. One finds Mukesh’s emotion-filled voice, so soothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=xWYw0Z_OKkQ&feature=emb_title
In the visuals you can notice the manufacturer name. Broadwood and Sons were one of the earliest companies to export Pianos to India. That gives me the opportunity some more information.
John Broadwood (1732-1812) was a Scotsman who as a young man, according to plausible legend, walked penniless all the way to London and found employment as a workman in the Schudi harpsichord factory.. The energetic Broadwood rose in the company to become a partner of Schudi, married Schudi’s daughter; and thus came eventually into possession of the company. It went through some complicated name changes, but became de facto the Broadwood company in 1783 and turned to piano manufacture. Their last harpsichord was made in 1784; by 1984 Broadwood had produced some 270,000 pianos.
In 1817 Beethoven needed a louder piano, due to advancing deafness.. Thomas Broadwood, who with his brother James had inherited their father’s piano manufacturing business in England, visited Vienna and met Beethoven about this time. On his return to London he had a Broadwood grand Piano made with special stringing, which Beethoven received in March 1818. On Beethoven’s death in 1827 the Broadwood was bought at auction by a dealer (some say it was bought by Anton Spina, a music publisher), who later presented it to Franz Liszt, and it is now in the National Museum in Budapest, Hungary.
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827), lived at a time when the Piano was at an interesting and dynamic phase in its development. Besides the one already mentioned there were two more Pianos that actually belonged to Beethoven. The French Erard which is in the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Austrian Graf is in the Bonn Beethovenhaus.
It is said that the first real Piano was made in 1720 by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1683-1731) of Padua, a city in Italy. This is believed to be the oldest piano still in existence, and it can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Another Cristofori piano, dated 1726, is in the Museum of Leipzig University, Germany.
Posting a couple of songs from Bengali films
Chorono Dhorite Diyogo Amare, Hemanta Mukherjee, Rabindranth Tagore
The only accompanying instrument is Piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8teED6n23k
Madhobi Modhupey Holo Mitali by Arati Mukherjee, film Deya Neya (1963), lyrics Gauriprasanna Mazumder, music Shyamal Mitra
Sumita Sanyal is on the Piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OqTWPgD8UE
AKji,
Posting a Piano song rendered by NoorJahan and picturised on Zeba from a Pakistani film. The Piano comes to play for a few seconds in the beginning and at the end of the song, the grand Piano is visible throughout.
Zindagi ke safar mein akeley they ham by NoorJahan, film Afsana Zindagi Ka ( 1972) lyrics ?, music M. Ashraf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Cc7FGehn4
The Mukhda of the song reminds me of another song from the film Nartaki (1963) .
waah….teri meri yeh kahaani roz nayi hai roz puraani …. what a sweet duet….excellent acting by the duo….great piano jugalbandi !!
excellent article Akji on piano songs with piano on screen.
Lots of songs are added later with my favt Anilda piano songs Man men kisi ke preet basa le And Aye jaan e jigar dil men samaane aaja.
Truly there are many Mukesh piano songs..I can remeber one from late 70’s from Saanjh ki bela – MD Ravi
Meri duniya ko bahaaron se sajaya tumne
https://youtu.be/91wn08BTz60
and another maybe posted in comments !
Jinhen hum bhulna chaahen woh aksar yaad aate hai
Aabroo
https://youtu.be/8KdMtAl40FQ
Madan Mohan has created a ultramelodious song with Piano in Dhun 1953
Taare gin gin beeti saari raat
we have no video of this song so we cant know whether it has piano on screen or not.
https://youtu.be/XE_5_7YaJlo
Milte hi aankhen dil hua posted by anyone !?
which is this instrument ?
https://youtu.be/zTX_TqxX44M
Mere dil men aaiye meri nazar men aaiye
AK ji @126;
I generally get carried away with the quality of the song and its melody factor. I can only double check if the piano is there on the screen as a prop or effectively enhancing the tune. For song #67 I mentioned ….no visual but excellent piano beats ….and this I hold for song #73 also. Piano one can find at the extreme left of the orchestra for song #72 . In totality all such songs do have Piano as lead instrument.
Carrying further on [ …and in between enjoying the cinematic inputs of various members specially Venkatraman ji and Dr, Shetty ji . Now with Jignesh joining the gang the listening pleasure is going to be of geometrical Progression .]….here are some more songs coming out of cat’s Kitty.
74. Jate Ho To Jao Par Jaoge Kahan – Geeta Dutt – MILAP …N Dutta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yBIDOsGhRY
75.Chhod Gaye Baalam – Raj Kapoor – Nargis – Barsaat — Shankar Jaikishen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxqVJau05As
76. chaman main rehkar veerana..Shamshad begum – deedar 1951
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5tEQfKcO-M
…..to be contd.
In continuation….
Some from colour era….
Falsafa Pyar Ka Tum Kya Jano | Mohammed Rafi | Duniya 1968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8t76WtSNIY
Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarse | Mohammed Rafi | Aaye Din Bahaar Ke (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClOyNlOzBRQ
Patthar Ke Sanam Tujhe Humne | Mohammed Rafi | Patthar Ke Sanam 1967
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij20-IEUTjg
Bhari Duniya Mein Aakhir Dil Ko Samjhane Kahan Jayen | Mohammad Rafi | Do Badan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYf-YnlPwMQ
to be contd….
Venkataramanji @129,
This is superb history. From where do you get all this?
@135,
Koi bulaye aur koi aye…Phir koi muskuraya is such a fabulous song. I don’t remember I have heard it earlier. Thanks for posting it. ‘Broadwood & Sons’ you will not notice if you don’t know about it. And again my compliments for posting this history of the company and its connection with Beethoven.
@136,
Nice Bengali songs.
@137,
The YT link gives the name of the lyricists, Shabab Keranvi and Tasleem Fazil.
Dr Shetty @133,
Thanks a lot for the detailed information on ‘The Pianist’ and ‘Amadeus’. I missed both the movies. But in a unique coincidence I recently watched another movie which references Roman Polanski – Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The story is about an out of work, yesteryear’s Western superhero whose neighbour happens to be Polanski (and Sharon Tate).
The piano used by Shankar of SJ duo is kept in a museum at Pune.
I had read about it.
Jignesh @138, 139,
Thanks a lot. Long time.
@140,
Milte hi aankhen dil hua deewana kisi ka is a superb piano song. Mere dil mein aiye. The instrument indeed belongs to piano class.
KS Bhatiaji @141, 142,
Nice songs.
Jignesh @ 138 & 139
Happy to see you back after two months of seclusion from SoY. So you have not really distanced yourselves from us.
The two Mukesh songs you have posted strengthens my hunch. None of them posted earlier. I know you too are a Mukesh admirer. Jinhen hum bhulna chaahen woh aksar yaad aate hai is a nice addition.
Mere dil men aaiye meri nazar men aaiye , a nice song with catchy piano interludes , is worth a hear .
1)’ Jab tumne Mohabbat … ‘/Amaanat /1955/ Salil /Asha
https://youtu.be/Y412-Wb7ALU
2)’ Banki adayen dekhna…’/Amaanat /1955/Salil / Geeta Dutt
https://youtu.be/qy1r6qrVkUs
Jignesh @140
Thanks for posting Milte hi aankhen dil hua from Dholak (1951), Shamshad Begum singing for Yashodhara Katju.
I think the instrument is a version of the Upright-Piano. From the look, I guess it may be an early version of the electric (Upright) piano with loudspeakers.
I have watched the movie after reading a write-up on this movie by Dusted-off. Dholak (1951) was a musical comedy produced by Roop Shorey. The Piano had a prominent place in the film. The Meena SHorey was paired with Ajit.
Posting a song where the Grand Piano literally occupies the center stage. A wonderful peppy number, most probably sung after the final college exams.
Shamshad Begum, Satish Batra & Md.Rafi, lyrics Aziz Kashmiri, music Shyam Sundar
Halla-gulla laila khullam-khulla gaila
aish kar lo dosto college ki divaro me
kal se likhe jaaoge sabke sab bekaro me
chhoti-moti naukri dhundhoge akhbaro me
aaj nahi to kal milegi dil ko ye samajhayila
Drums, Cello, Piano Accordion, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Mandolin/ Mandolin-Banjo, Violin and even the Dafli/ Tambourine makes a guest appearance. But the Dholak is nowhere to be seen.
Shamshad Begum sings for the “lara lappa” girl,
log kahenge babu ji hai B.A kar ke aaye hai
kayi sal kayi mahine pani bhar aaye hai
Palle phuti payi nahi hai
cycle par chadh aaye hai
phir sadko par avara phir kar LARA LAPPA gayila
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=236&v=RHpeAJ80IYc&feature=emb_title
Jigesh,
Two corrections
@148 read the last line as “Milte hi aankhen dil hua a nice song with catchy piano interludes, is worth a hear”
instead of
“Mere dil men aaiye meri nazar men aaiye , a nice song with catchy piano interludes , is worth a hear .”
And the song referred to in the first lie @150 should be
Mere dil men aaiye meri nazar men aaiye
and not Milte hi aankhen dil hua as mentioned.
Sorry for the inadvertent mix-up.
Posting another song from Dholak (1951). This was last song in the movie. The Piano makes a guest appearance, relegated near the wings; The Dholak(s) occupies the center-stage.
Mausam Aaya Hai Rangin, Sulochana Kadam by Satish Batra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSNOKdbH4J0&feature=emb_title
AKji, Jignesh
Most of the songs of Dholak make a good listening. Posting a few more songs.
Manohar (Ajit) hunting for a job, passes by a school and he hears a school choir singing. Not very impressed by the singing, Manohar jumps in through the window and takes over. Ultimately he gets appointed as the music teacher.
The Piano is in the background, waiting to be lovingly touched.
Chand Ki Sundar Nagri Mai by Uma Devi & Md. Rafi,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s734kX36Pc&feature=emb_title
Posting another wonderful song
Here we see another Upright-Piano, in the earlier songs posted from this movie, we have seen a Grand Piano an electric Piano and now an Upright-Piano.
Here the Piano is a mute spectator along with Professor Anand (Manmohan Krishna) and his associate Krishna (Rajni) .
Magar Ae Hasina-E-Bekabar, Sulochana Kadam & Md.Rafi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=PLxkPti7NlY&feature=emb_title
Now the turn of the Grand Piano to be a silent onlooker. Another nice song
Aise Rasiya Ka Aisa Balma Ka Kya Aitbaar, Md.Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=TeigKhnc8Ic&feature=emb_title
Chori chori aag si dil me laga kar chal diye is another favourite song of mine. Since it is not a Piano song, not posting it here.
Bhatiaji, @ 141 & 142,
These songs were waiting to be posted by you. Nice additions. Mr.Joseph had posted a a few LP Melodies earlier. You addition were also good.
Posting two links
In the first clip, Pyarelal on the Piano, directing how to sing Patta Patta Boota Boota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHGxTZKTUUA
In the second clip Pyarelal directing how to play some of his songs with help of Piano (Electronic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HydPnTcvhw
Akji @ 143,
‘This is superb history. From where do you get all this?’
By and large through extensive browsing- both database and hard literature. Also part of this process is serendipity.
‘The YT link gives the name of the lyricists, Shabab Keranvi and Tasleem Fazil.’
Yes, I noticed the names. I presume one of them penned the said song. I tried to find out, in vain.
Posting another Piano song again from a Pakistani movie. Here too the names of two song writers are mentioned.- Khawaja Parvez &, Ehsan Danishv
Fasana-e-dil Hai Mukhtasar Sa by Mala Begum, film Tumhi Ho Mehboob Meray (1969), ) lyrics ?, music M. Ashraf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMmCSI4GdKQ
Vasudevanji @145
You are right. It is kept in the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune. I have mentioned it @ 129.
Can you post some Piano songs from Tamil films?
N Venkataraman Ji, Jignesh ji, AK ji , Shetty ji;
Very interesting discussions and observations on historical emergence and types of Pianos that emerged …..vis a vis advancements of technology. The in depth study of venkat ji is amazing.
Piano…probably is most difficult to play in comparison to other instruments. The most difficult is getting it tuned rightly . It takes many years of learning …..setting of frequencies of each string…..so that there is no gap of pitch and nodes in adjacent strings. Tuning a piano is a lengthy and demanding process, as every string has to be tuned individually. Since notes in the middle and upper ranges are sounded by multiple strings, some pianos have up to 236 in total! By comparison, violin players only have four strings to tune, and guitarists, six.
The early date Piano were all mechanical in its working and since wood was extensively used it used to expand and contract with varying humidity. This required frequent fondling as strings too behaved that way as wood ….changing its delta length and consequent tension as well. This problem some how got tackled with improved metallurgical know how …..but still it was a difficult musical instrument to tame.
Research followed and there emerged some smaller piano versions …easy to handle and move about too. Later on emerged the electric and electronic versions ….where in no mechanical tuning was required .
Now , what makes us so sought after this beautiful , perfectly crafted instrument ? I just wish to have views of my fellow friends and members of SoY . For me ….I have often wrote about my passion …in OPEN HOUSE and elsewhere too. Listening to Piano started when I was three years and our next door neighbor were Anglo Indian. Probably Barsaat was the first movie that gladdened my heart when I saw Piano on big screen.
Before Barsaat AAG was the one which used Piano. Now we know that Ram Ganguly was its MD with SJ as their assistant MDs. I was anxious to know about SJ’s involment in Ram Ganguly’s movies…..and look what I have found. Hearing is believing !!!
Uma Devi – Hum Dard Liye Baithe – Bidhaata (1940s Unreleased
Singer: Uma Devi
Movie: Bidhaata (1940s, Unreleased)
Music: Ram Ganguly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvGd6tEdzEQ
Is in’t it …..chood gaye balam ….of Barsaat.
N Venkataraman Ji, Jignesh ji, AK ji , Shetty ji;
I simply loved the movie ….Dholak… for its light hearted comedy and Songs which were instant hit when released in 50s.
The Piano topic is following Dholak ways !!!
77. Yeh Afsana Nahin Zaalim Mere Dil Ki Haqeeqat – Shamshad Begum – DARD …Naushad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw836uhyDoI
…..to be contd.
When I see a post on piano, I can not stop myself from reading it through..
I was physically tied up with capital maintenance of our home last month, so I am still catching up with my regular schedules.
I should first place a disclaimer that I have not yet read all comments, and still proffering mine here –
Akji has so meticulously lined up songs with subtle romance, including the love triangles too. Many of the songs show piano as part of the grand peice of grand hall of a wealthy heroine’s home. So the love and wealth, as well music angles are well coverd in the main post.
There used to be one more resewn for using piano songs, particularly in a भरी मेहफिल proclaim the guilt of बेवफाई of the loved one. The complainant would generally be an aggrieved male and the बेवफा सनम would a lady.
Here are the two representative songs
Tahan Main Ajanabee Hun – Janb Jab Phool Khile (1965) – Kalyanji Anandji –
Poor Nanda is just not aware what she is going to face on the stroke of her piano pipece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afmPZ83bmMQ
The compliant here is quite mild compared to what is on glaring display here
Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tadape – AAye Din Bahar Ke (1966) – Laxmikant Pyarelal
The attack could not be more open and more brutal\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClOyNlOzBRQ
The irony is that all other participants of the party contnue to enjoy the song and party even under such display of emotions…..
Bhatiaji @ 156,
What a find? Great Bhatiaji, It was new to me. It seems Bidhata was produced around 1948. Then SJ were assistants to Ram Ganguly.
Did you mean Bichhade hue pardesi ek baar aana tu or Chod gaya balam ?
Thanks for the write-up on tuning and technical details of Piano.
Vasudevan ji,
I manged to find one with some difficulty.
Kan pona pokkile kaal pogalaamaa, T M Sounderarajan, film Panam Padaitthavan, lyrics Kavignar Vali, music Vishwanathan-Ramamurthy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_8KVZTuPcE
Hope you will manage find a few more.
Like the original piano going…… gone we are now witnessing similar fate of so many members of mankind.
Covid-19 an invisible threat.
Let us have some discipline during this turbulent period.
https://youtu.be/-XYXx3BB3cA
Ashok Vaishnavji @158,
Welcome to the party, and thanks a lot for your appreciation. I liked your last observation, the audience still enjoying the song despite display of such traumatic emotions. But there was a whole range of audience response – from enjoyment to indifference to understanding to sympathy. I am sure the readers can now post songs of various types..
Venkataramanji @154,
The Pakistani song is an excellent piano song for its picturisation. A song that tells a whole story. Rekindles some old memories which makes the heroine restless. We too have many movies of ये गाना तुमने कहाँ से सीखा type.
KS Bhatiaji @156,
Hum dard liye baithe hain by Ram Ganguly is a great find. Now we know from where SJ got their inspiration, but they deserve credit for embellishing the basic melody manifold. Venkataramanji is right, it is closer to Bichhade huye pardesi.
Manoj @161, 162,
You have made your point tellingly about the disappearance of the piano from our films with reference to the current disaster. We hope and wish we are able to contain it. Sadguru is always a pleasure to listen to. Thanks.
On this very first coverage on a Musical Instrument at SOY there are close to 200 comments and may be over a hundred songs .
Here we have both a forgotten composer as well as a forgotten melody .
I would not have easily recognised that it is Mukesh singing here .
‘ Na jaane kahan…’/BEGANA/1963/Sapan-Jagmohan/Mukesh
https://youtu.be/kJfE5fws9qU
In response to 145.
MS Viswanathan has composed many memorable piano songs and a few are as below:
1 Vannakili sonna mozhi from DEIVA THAI
2 naan nanri solven en kangalakku from VENNIRAI ADAI
3 dairyamaga sol nee manidhan dhana from OLIVILAKKU
4 ellorum nala vazha from ENGA MAMA
5 Onnai onru ketpein from PUDHIYA PARAVAI
6 paduvor …..from KANNAN EN KADHALAN
In the last mentioned song piano interlude has both drums and tabla rhythm beat – a rare combination which very few music directors have
used.
I think this has not been mentioned so far. A rarity in 90’s ( before 1942 & AR) ” A musical hit”
Rarity also because there is Sanjubaba with a limp & Sallubhai with shirt on throughout the movie
Perhaps only song where Madhuri is at the Piano
Bahut pyar karte hai
https://youtu.be/jr_zaN1HWn8
@162 & 165,
Yes, Sadguru is a pleasure to listen. Seeing him in this attire for the first time.
Josephji @ 167,
Another romantic triangle….past lover (Sailesh Kumar) enters the life of a happily married couple …. Supriya Devi & Dharmendra…. Mukesh & Piano again Thanks for the post.
Here is another Mukesh number.
Chahe Aaj Mujhe Naa Pasand Karo, Mukesh, Darinda (1977), lyrics Indeevar, music Kalyanji-Anandji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtxutowm1c4
Vasudevanji @ 168,
That is a fabulous list. I am providing the links to the last three songs where the Piano can be seen
This is from the 1970 film Enga Mama, a remake of the 1968 Hindi film Brahmachari
Ellorum nalam vaazha naan, T M Sounderarajan, lyrics Kavignar Kannadasan, music M. S. Viswanathan.- . Shivaji Ganeshan, Jayalalitha, Balaji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01rkUzyeFX0
Puthiya Paravai (1964) is a remake of the Bengali film Sesh Anka (1963), which is itself inspired by the British film, Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958).
M S Viswanathan played the piano off-screen for the song. It is set in Harikambhoji, similar to Khambaj in Hindustani Sangeet.
Unnai ondru Ketpenn Unmai cholla vendum, P Susheela, film Puthiya Paravai (1964), lyrics Kavignar Kannadasan, music Vishwanathan-Ramamurthy
– Saroja Devi, Shivaji Ganeshan, V K Ramaswamy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn6WOJ_XSy4
The Tamil heroes. it seems, love to play multiple music instruments Shivaji Ganeshan also plays the Trumpet and the Saxophone in this song. In the song posted by me earlier MGR plays the Violin and Accordion, besides the Piano
Two ex CMs of TN together. MGR-Jayalalitha. There is another version of this song.
Paaduvor Paadinaal, T M Sounderarajan, film Kannan en Kadalan (1968), lyrics Kavignar Vali, music MS Vishwanathan-Ramamurthy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jXad1bT4gg
Akji
Remember the The Cat Concerto of Tom and Jerry.
In a formal concert, Tom, in a tuxedo as the soloist, is performing a piano version of “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 of Franz Liszt ”
It is a 1947 American one-reel animated cartoon and is the 29th Tom and Jerry short animation film. Music supervision by Scott Bradley.
Presenting a clip where a 15 year child prodigy Yannie Tan plays along with the Cat concerto on the Piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1JKd1C7izQ
AKji,
One more
Presenting Yannie Tan playing the “Strauss Medley” along with the animation the film Johann Mouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtdf5XxIseE
Mr Joseph, Venkataramanji,
In the unending flow of Mukesh songs on the Piano, we seemed to have missed Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne sune from Anand (1971), music Salil Chaowdhury.
Venkataramanji and Mr Vasudevan,
Thanks for the Tamil songs. Ellorum nalam vaazha naan inspiration for Geet gata hun main gungunata hun main?
Venkataramanji @174, 175,
Thanks for the lovely links. When I first saw this episode of Tom and Jerry long ago, I took it as their usual stuff, Jerry disturbing Tom leaving him fuming. Didn’t know that all these antics were also the part of the music.
AK ji
I think I had posted Maine tere liye on 27th / 28th.
Dr Shetty,
Sorry I missed. But anyway enjoy the video.
AK @ 66,
Yes, I made my comment @46 knowing fully well that I am a member of the Gang of Four! Also, I am no mathematician/statistician, so I am not up to doing the post on the mathematical theory of songs.
AK@ 123,
Ha ha ha :). Good rejoinder!
Venkataramanji @129,
Great to know that Shankar’s piano is at the NFAI. Have attended a few movie screenings as well as a concert there but did not know about this. I must pay a visit to gape in awe at the instrument once this lockout is lifted.
Ashwinji @ 179,
Next time when I visit Pune, I too would like to visit NFAI. If everything goes well in December. For the past few years I used regularly attend the Sawai Gandharv Sangeet Sammelan with few of my friends. Last year I gave it a miss.
AKji, Josephji,
It seems there was a Mukesh clone in Pakistan.
Mohammad Saeed Khan Rangeela.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtVldT4WWnk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbB8I_RbXY
I thought somebody will contest my assumption that Mukesh sang the maximum number of Piano songs. I think Md.Rafi must have rendered more Piano numbers
@Venkataramanji, KSBhatiaji
thanks a lot for your big replies and the beautiful songs posted later.
Venkataramanji, I have never been away from SoY. SoY is my home ground. I have to come here from anywhere. Just wasnt able to find a proper time to make a comment. Corona has done it right now 🙂 🙂 . I am quite occupied in 2020(until 21th March) in comparision with 2012 when I entered SoY..so producing comments became tougher and tougher year by year after 2012..
Hope you all are safe, protected and healthier…we need you all legends for another 30 years at least..
I asked 30 years for those who are about and above 70 🙂
Continuing with the unending stream of Piano songs
like P C Sorcar’s “Water of India”
Amar Swapne Dekha Rajkanya by Shyamal Mitra, lyrics Gauriprasanna Mazumder, music Robin Chatterjee
Uttam Kumar on the Piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raBipyjkMCg
Ami path bhola ek pathik esechi, Hemanta Mukherjee & Asha Bhosle, film Mon Niye (1969), lyrics & music Rabindranath Tagore
Uttam Kumar on the Piano. Most probably V Balsara played the Piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6aatc0MgaI
Presenting a song (Rabindra Sangeet) Mamo Chitte Niti Nritye sung by Arundhati Holme Chowdhury, Hemanta Mukherjee, Pranab Ghosh & Chorus, film Bhalobasa Bhalobasa,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJ299OMl1k
Dear Jignesh @ 182, 183, 184
It is good to be professionally busy. In between your professional and family commitments, it is nice of you that you could find time for us (SoY) too. Let god bless you with everything best under the sky. Thank you for your concern and well wishes.
Posting two songs
Naina hai jadoo bhare o gori tore, Mukesh, Be Dard Jamana Kya Jane (1959), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Kalyanji Anandji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=Ku8-Iq3bknk&feature=emb_title
Wo Khushi Mili Hai Mujhko, Main Khushi Se Mar Na Jau, Md.Rafi, Mere Huzoor (1968), Hasrat Jaipuri, Shankar-Jaikishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=OYd8Oq0D_zQ&feature=emb_title
In the early colonial era the amateur pianists in India were predominantly women. In the settler’s communities, music education was gradually established for “the daughters of the well-to-do” and “wives-to-be” were provided with this “civilizing instrument before tying the knot”. Through music “the lady of the house” was supposed to provide solace, prestige and aesthetic refinement. There were the Piano-player-salons for private assemblage. If women took their music seriously, then the usual barriers to public space came into play. Professional concert pianists were almost exclusively men. The Piano offered itself as a vehicle for women’s personal expression and helped both spatially and symbolically to keep them in their place.
As the 19th century wore on, more women travelers from Great Britain sailed out with their husbands, but most came to find husbands, as Anne De Courcy writes in her book, Husband-Hunting in the Raj, the “fishing fleet”.
For the likes of solo courageous women travelers who journeyed on their own, Lillias Campbell Davidson offered some special advice in her Hints to Lady Travellers.
It made far more sense to buy pianos. The historian Alison Blunt cites the letters of Frances Wells, a British woman to her father in England. Pianos in India were made to suit local conditions. Frances Wells wrote that her piano was “bound completely in brass, so as to stand the climate, with a packing case lined with tin, and a red wadded cover which is necessary in India and four glass insulators to keep white ants off.”
In 1847 a book called Real Life in India by “An Old Resident” offered advice to British ladies going to live in India. The author ends his chapter devoted to information for “the weaker sex” with detailed advice about the care of pianos in India. He encouraged ladies to learn the art of tuning since piano tuners and instrument repairers were not found at every station in India.
In the late 19th Century women of Tagore’s household were admitted to school and taught English. They were into music too and many of them learnt Piano too. Like their “colonial cousins”, they too were allowed to play within the four walls of their mansions. Mrinalini Devi and Jnadanandini, wife and sister-in-law of Rabindranth respectively, were sent to Loreto School and given regular lessons in music, Piano and English.
That brings me to an interesting episode in the life of Monica Gupta. (Acknowledgement: Of Colonial Bungalows and Piano Lessons — An Indian Woman’s Memoirs; Monica Gupta (Chanda); Edited by Malavika Karlekar(daughter of Monica Gupta)
Before I narrate the episode, a few words about Monica Gupta. The only daughter of Jnanendranath Gupta, a member of the elite Indian Civil Service in British India, and Sarala Gupta. Sarala was the daughter of R C Dutta, who was among the early Indians to join the ICS in 1871. When Monica was to go to school, neither Jnanedranath nor Sarala was particularly supportive. She was to learn from home-tutors. When she was eight years old, when her father was posted in Rungpore (now in Bangladesh), she was introduced to the Piano. She was sent to the Civil Surgeon’s wife, an English woman, for classes. It was then that her love for the instrument grew. The young girl wanted to keep the piano in her bedroom so that she could practise whenever she wanted to, but her mother insisted on keeping the instrument in the drawing room. It was after all a status symbol; she wanted to advertise that her daughter could play the piano. However Monica’s father encouraged her love for Piano, Tennis and equestrian skills. Ironically, he was quite clear that she was not to sit for the school-leaving examination.
Here comes the interesting episode I was referring to earlier. In 1921 a 15 year old Monica Gupta almost realized her passion for playing the Piano.
Can one imagine, a boat ride from Chinsurah ghat (in Hooghly District), followed by a walk through a crowded Bazaar to Naihati railway station (in North 24 Parganas district), a train to Sealdah, and thereafter a ride in a horse-drawn carriage to her elder brother’s house, early lunch there and then another ride to Loreto House in central Calcutta. And then all of it again, in the reverse. It was 1921 and 15-year-old Monica Gupta made this journey every week — albeit chaperoned — all for piano lessons from Mother Germaine of Loreto House.
Mother Germaine had believed that Monica was a really talented pianist. And she must have been, for she was chosen to record a piece given that she was the best student of her school. In her words: “Mother Germaine, was very anxious that I should proceed to England and try to join the Royal Academy of Music for further tuition in playing the piano.” The nun invited a Monsieur Sandre — who founded the Calcutta School of Music — to hear Monica play. And Sandre too told her that if she was serious about her music, she should try to go abroad for further training. When Monica mentioned this to her father, he said he would consider it, but that was the end of the matter.
Monica Gupta could have been India’s first woman Pianist, but the world never heard her play.
S Joseph ji @167;
Na jaane kahan gaya wo zamana….is one of my favorite sad song of Mukesh. Mukesh and Piano produced many pathos songs and one needs a correct atmosphere to enjoy the sadness in silence. If any one wants to enjoy melody in silence….he just have to click ..Mukesh.
Piano …or in fact any leading instrument like Violin …the vocal chords has to be at same emotional level as instruments chords. Do rooz mein wo pyar ka aalam ….is a classic example of Violin chords that increase the emotional touches thru vocal ones.
Now a sweet song from sweet vocal chords of Surendra nath….my favorite of golden era….with piano as prop.
Jale Na Kyon Parwana (HD) – Anokhi Ada Songs – Surendra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSRTjcJdm_E
….to be contd.
N Venkataraman ji @188;
You at your very best. Thanks for the background information regarding invasion of this lovely musical instrument. One must notice that besides its beautifully finished musical key board …the overall body of the heavy wooden supporting structure is equally polished in high gloss finish. In today’s beautiful automobiles , the interiors of the dash boards are provided with Piano finish glossy looks. Yes some glamour item for cars to wear !!
If we carefully watch the film sets of the 40s thru 60s …..they all looks so perfect specially when Piano is there as a prop.
Some songs to show the sets……
78..Jale Na Kyon Parwana (HD) – Anokhi Ada Songs – Surendra – Naseem Banoo – Surendra Nath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSRTjcJdm_E
79.Aaj Kahan Jaa Ke Nazar (HD) – Anokhi Ada Songs – Surendra – Naseem Banoo – Shamshad Begum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ZUDcnj3is
80.dil ko mere gulzar karo ji koi pyar karo ji..Rafi_Lata _Shailendra_Shankar Jaikishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyuLnnlbawI
…..to be contd.
Mr Joseph @167,
Na jaane kahan tha – heard for the first time. Thanks for posting it.
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli @169,
Very nice song. We can’t expect Madhuri Dixit to have too many piano songs. The old order had given way to the new. This also makes me think, and I may be wrong, that piano songs were generally sung by hero. And you can compare with veena/sitar, I remember more females with the instrument. If my impression is proven by data, that would make a nice study in ethnomusicology. I invite our experts to throw light on this.
Venkataramanji @185,
Excellent Bengali songs.
@187,
Great songs.
@188,
Awesome research. The story of Monica Gupta is very interesting. Her father showed a strange contradiction in embracing modernity, yet at critical moments being trapped in traditional mindset. She not being allowed to realise her potential is sad, but she might have internalised it as given. Do we have any story exploring her inner feelings? In some arena our society still displays that contradiction – “wanted a convented (?), smart, homely (!) girl”.
KS Bhatiaji @189, 190,
My great favourites you have added. I saw the songs of Anokhi Ada in a new light. The piano seemed to be coming as a barrier between Surendra and Naseem Bano. Do you also see it this way?
Venkatraman ji has given the interesting story of Monica Gupta . Even today in our country music or such activities are not taught in schools . Today children have to divide their time between a school and coaching classes.
……….
After so many songs are posted, it would not be surprising if some songs get repeated . After 20 songs get posted , one can expect repetition .
This again is from a forgotten composer.
‘ Mere mehboob tu…’/BETI/1969/Sonik Omi /Rafi
https://youtu.be/fqzN0Qjq5Ps
Bhatiaji @190,
Like Naushad’s few other films, Anokhi Ada too had a prominent place for the Piano. There were two more Piano scenes, one a song by Surendra on the Piano.
Bade bhole bhale hai dil lene wale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEqHaQeCJUU&feature=emb_title
And this movie had some lovely Mukesh numbers, 4 solos and a duet. The solo kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga unhen mera khayal ata to hoga is a delighful song. Besides the Mukesh solo and the female version of the song by Shamshad Begum, there is an incomplete version in the climax scene, by Shamshad Begum and Mukesh. Here it seems the Piano comes in the way of Prem Abid . Here is the link which has all the three version, the duet version is from 02:11.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtCqvs9Kkd8
N Venkataraman ji, AK ji;
Anokhi Ada , I guess was a love triangle movie wherein Surendra and Naseem Banu had a common factorized love for music and piano played its symbolic presence. The Naushad’s composition were awesome and Surendra was riding peak of his career . ….But listen to …. kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga unhen mera khayal ata to hoga ….on audio only. The filming of the song is so bad that one hates to watch in its visual form. I think another member of S o Y also reacted this way….Jignesh Kotadia I guess ??.
Piano as a barrier ….I think I have to read synopsis or watch movie…this is going to be interesting.
A song to add on…
Aye husn jara jag tujhe ishq jagaaye…..RAFI….Mere Mehboob…Naushad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhGONVGXdKs
…..to be contd.
@Bhatiaji
hahaha….yes it was me who first put this reaction here. 🙂 Kabhi Dil Dil Se is perhaps one and only song of our cinema which is sung by the lipsyncer in very same position from start to finish..without blinking the eyes without moving a millimetre and throughout with a stony rigid face 🙂 🙂 we dont know what would be going in storyline or director’s mind…possibly the picturisation maybe justifiable while watching the movie….
but it maybe shocking at first view for those who are fond of this song and yet have not seen the picturisation !!
Josephji @ 195,
“After so many songs are posted, it would not be surprising if some songs get repeated. After 20 songs get posted, one can expect repetition.”
Yes, It can happen. However Mere Mehboob tu from Beti was not posted earlier.
Bhatiaji, Akji,
I believe, the first instrument that Naushad ever learnt to play in his life was the harmonium and later mastered the piano as well. These two musical instruments remained an inseparable part of his personality. I understand Naushad’s started his career as a pianist in the orchestra of music director Mushtaq Hussain for the film ‘Samunder’. For the initial few years he remained a pianist, and assisted a few well-known music directors of his time. He can be credited with composing some of the earliest piano songs of Hindi cinema. There are many songs composed by Naushad where we can see the Piano in the visuals. And most of the songs have been posted or got a mention here. One song from Daastan (1950) was posted by AKji. I think the other song is not yet posted.
Yeh Mausam Aur Yeh Tanhai, Suraiya,, Shakeel Badayuni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ4zlE4-IuQ&feature=emb_title
I gather that the Piano used by Naushad was a German-make Upright-Piano made by Schiedmayer & Soehne, Stuttgart. It is still there at Ashiana, Naushad residence in Mumbai.
Balthazar Schiedmayer started out in 1735 in Erlangen near Stuttgart, where he made his first pianos. In 1809, he moved his business to Schillerplatz, Stuttgart, and named it Schiedmayer & Soehne.. In 1853, the brothers moved to Stuttgart’s Neckerstrasse and made pianos under the name J&P Schiedmayer until the 1970s.
In my opinion or to my knowledge only three music directors knew playing Piano – Naushad, Shankar of SJ duo and M S Viswanathan.
In fact Shankar composed many tunes in Piano.
Just heard on Masti music channel ( Annu Kapoor show)
V Balsara was signed as the composer of a Movie ( produced by Sharma , I did not get the first name , may have been Kedar)
He wanted a song to be sung by Lataji . But the film was a low budget film & could not afford Lara’s fees.
But Balsara summoning all courage phoned Lataji & told her his desire. She readily agreed. But the recording was to be done in Kolkata & Lataji atv that time did not prefer recording outside Mumbai . Yet she agreed to come to Kolkata. As promised she came & recorded the song. However she did not charge any fees .
Annu Kapoor did not mention the film neither did he mention the song.
R Vasudevan ji @ 201;
Add V Balsara to your list. He was champion of a player right from Harmonium to piano….in fact every instrument with key boards. Perfection in musical notes….it was difficult for me to identify the instrument …between harmonium and piano accordion. In …mera joota hai japani… and other background music at various places in Shree 420….all the time I was of the opinion that he was playing accordion but it came out to be Harmonium !!
N Venkataraman ji @200;
Naushad in his early days used to work or assist repair shops of musical instruments specially harmonium . His interests in fine tuning of notes helped him what now we know of him as musical wizard . Besides harmonium and piano the other instruments of his liking were accordion and flutes. Heavey orchestra was his signature appearence….some time crossing 100 plus musicians. Songs of 1951 movie Jadoo is worth revisiting again and again.
Now two songs which I suppose have not been listed….
Mr X in Bombay 1964 ye rangeen mehfil….Lata…..LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoZp215JM8U
Kya Rang E Mehfil Hai | Lata Mangeshkar | Dil Diya Dard Liya |Naushad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltotYQepy0E
Jignesh Kotadia ji @198;
Papu paas ho gaya in my memory test. Further comments were interesting too that followed yours comments. The other song that got a lot of beats was….duniya mein aisa kahan sab ka naseeb hai….filmed on two kids for happy version song .
on 203
Thank you Bhatia saab. Noted about V Balsara.
I never knew that V Balsara was a music director but his name had appeared in the many film titles .
I thank Bhatia ji for the information on Naushad and Balsara.
…………
Here is another MD about whom I never heard…
‘Dil ne pyar …’/SHARARAT /1972/GANESH /Rafi
https://youtu.be/RNQOKFGbRg4
Vasudevanji @201,
I think C Ramchandra was also a good Pianist. You may add Salil Choudhury to you list. The Bengali music director Sudhin Dasgupta too was good Pianist. Lastly don’t forget A R Rehman. And I am sure there will be many more, and in the south too.
Josephji @ 207,
Good post- “Dil Ne Pyaar Kiya Hai Ek Bewafa Se”
Ganesh, full name was Ganesh Sharma, but he was known by his first name. And he was the younger brother of Pyarelal Sharma (of Laxmikant Pyarelal fame). Ganesh in fact was the asistant of Laxmikant Pyarelal for a few years before he got an opportunity to work as independent music director. His first film as an independent music director was “Thakur Jarnail Singh” (1966) starring Dara Singh, Helen and Mumtaz. He must have composed roughly over 75 songs in 17-18 films in the 60s and 70s. There are quite a few Piano songs by him. Adding two more.
Dil Ka Suna Saaz Tarana Dundega, Md,Rafi, Ek Nari Do Roop (1973), lyrics Asad Bhopali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=v62_-JTtVIU&feature=emb_title
Man Gaye Wo Tarana Jise Sun Ke Aa Jana, Suman Kalyanpur, Chalak (1973) lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-_S4GBf-Go
A R Rehman’s father R K Sekhar was also very good Harmonium player and Pianist. He composed music for almost 30 films (mainly Malayalam) and roughly around 100 songs. His music was quite good, but most of the films he worked for did not do well in box office and his good work went unnoticed. He became conductor/ arranger for several MDs, including Salil Choudhury. He was a workaholic and overstrain resulted in bad health and he died young, in his mid 40s. Posting a Piano song of R K Sekhar from A Malayalam film
Miss Mary , Jayachandran, Shusheela , R K Sekhar, Sreekumaran Thampi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSbTywz4-5o
Bhatiaji @ 204
Kya Rang E Mehfil Hai was not posted earlier.
But Ye rangeen mehfil was posted by Josephji @ 23. That happens even when you are scrapping the bottom of the Akshayapatra.
That reminds me of the story of Draupadi (from the Mahabharat), Krishna ate just one morsel of rice, and the whole universe including Durvasa Muni was satisfied.
Same here.We enjoy every post.
There was another song in Mr X in Bomay. The invisible man on the Piano.
Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi, Aaj Rushwa Teri Galiyo Me, Kishore Kumar, Anand Bakshi, Lp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd4116vZ18&feature=emb_title
AK Ji, Venkataraman Ji, Bhatia Ji and Dear SoY friends
As usual I’m late in posting, but even after more than two hundred songs posted by knowledgeable friends, I couldn’t resist the temptation of posting a few, and I believe they haven’t been posted yet, but apologies if I have reposted any
Excellent opening narratives again AK Ji, and I always wonder how you think so innovatively and differently.
You bring out the best for any musical topic, with lively discussions, which further enhance the quality of posts in SoY
Thanks a lot for this wonderful post
Here are a few songs selected by me for the post
https://youtu.be/d9xWzkhdchc
Jhuki aayi re badariya by Begum Khurshid from Bhabhi composed by Saraswati Devi
https://youtu.be/RvHkjkuBjxg
Chale sang chale hum by Ashok Kumar and Leela Chitnis from Bandhan composed by Saraswati Devi and written by Pradeep
https://youtu.be/CRNjlAA7aIo
Tum bin kal na aave by Kanan Devi from Lagan composed by RC Boral
https://youtu.be/MiYl2BYxAyI
Meri duniya basa le by Parul Ghosh and Aroon Kumar from Basant composed by Pannalal Ghosh and written by PL Santoshi
https://youtu.be/Jm1va3cuPrA
Mohabbat ki dhun by Talat Mahmood, Sudha Malhotra and Jagjit Kaur from Dil e Nadan composed by Ghulam Mohammad and written by Shakeel Badayuni
https://youtu.be/DRLAC27lWwc
Meri neendon me tum by Shamshad Begum and Kishore Kumar from Naya Andaaz composed by OP Nayyar and written by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
https://youtu.be/eHDuWfGuOj8
Ye raat ye raat suhani nahi by Talat Mahmood from Dil e Nadan composed by Ghulam Mohammad and written by Shakeel Badayuni
https://youtu.be/1LOwN7ndLQ4
Ruby o Ruby by Mukesh from Chahat composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and written by Anand Bakshi
(Incidentally, this is the only b/w film in which Jitendra acted)
https://youtu.be/YExA4SB0HPU
And lastly, the lure of piano was something that even the wrestler/hero Dara Singh tried his hand
Mukesh from Ilzaam composed by Usha Khanna and written by Indeevar
A question ( against the run of play)
Among those who composed at least 50 songs , is Jaidev the composer who had the least ( or none whatsoever) number of songs involving Piano on screen ?
Ak ,
I m 2 late for d party …
I liked Ur narration nd selection of songs .
Nd njoyed all d comments ..
Let me add a few songs
From marathi movie अपराध ,
a handsome Ramesh Deo singing in d voice of Mahendra Kapoor , just hv a look at the dance moves he is doing !!!
” सूर तेच छेडिता , गीत उमटले नवे
आज लाभले सखी , सौख्य जे मला हवे ”
https://youtu.be/__8eyXyXkOo
2) A song across the border , from movie सहेली sung by Naseem Begum.
” हम भूल गये रे हर बात
मगर तेरा प्यार नहीं भूले ”
https://youtu.be/LdCjLapxJ9Y
3) nd the title song of तू नहीं और सही in the voice of Mukesh .
” तू हैं भरमाई तो अपना भी यही दौर सही,
तू नहीं और सही , तू नहीं और सही”
https://youtu.be/mShdjlcQHfk
Ak , Thnx for a nice treat .
I wish all the SoY pple
Stay safe , stay blessed !!!
Pramod Godbole .
KS Bhatiaji @197,
Piano as a barrier – An M, F1, F2 love triangle will have two MF pairs – MF1 and MF2 – one of which will achieve fruition. Thus, you can guess the story of Anokhi Ada. But the connection has to be proved by more empirical data.
Arvinder Sharmaji @212,
You have more than made up for your absence. And what lovely songs you have posted! Songs from the vintage films Bhabhi, Lagan, Bandhan and Bhabhi are my great favourites. And Mohabbat ki dhun bekaraaron se poochho and Meri neendon mein tum are absolutely outstanding songs. Dara Singh on the piano is too good.
Pramod @214,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I reciprocate your good wishes for everyone in the current situation.
Ramesh Deo as a dancer looks cute. Thanks for posting the song. He must be a hero in Marathi films. Other songs are also very good. The song from Pakistani film seems to be a typical love-triangle around the triangle of the grand piano.
Arvinder Sharma ji thanks for the so many nice songs . Would have perhaps missed these if you had not come in.
One more from NAYA ANDAZ
1) Yeh Raat Ashiqana…/NAYA ANDAZ/1956/OPN/Asha-Rafi
https://youtu.be/8Ek8oNaLoF0
2 ) ‘ Khamosh Zindagi ko…’/ DIL E NADAN /1953/ Anil Biswas/ Jagjit Kaur
https://youtu.be/qHEz6myFtpw
It is not clear how another MD is shown for thesame movie ?
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli ‘Ji @202 ;
Perhaps you are refering to old movie ….Vidyapati 1964……whose music was given by V Balsara . The movie was directed by Prahlad Sharma who wrote the lyrics also. The famous song of the lot was…..Mere naina sawan bhadoan by Lata ji.
Mr Joseph,
Khamosh zindagi ko ek afsana mil gaya – the uploader has committed a mistake in captions. The music director is Ghulam Mohammad which is mentioned in many other links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i9FFJ3RC-M
A trigger by K.S.Bhatia ji in Open House has resulted in AK ji penning a wonderful piece on piano songs. Venkatraman ji has added bits of history to make it complete. The torrent of songs on this topic is not unexpected as HFM is full of such songs-one can wonder if Sets were built placing the piano first and the rest around it!
Hats off to all for making this very enjoyable post.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzkyc1_EI60
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzkyc1_EI60
I am posting a couple of Tamil songs. First one is from Vennira Aadai. Jayalalitha’s first Tamil film. Here actor Srikanth is on the piano.
The second is from Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum. Here piano plays in the background. Both. composed by M.S.Viswanathan. ( Vennira Aadai by Viswanathan-Ramamurthy)
Vasudevan ji had referred to them earlier.
Sorry. Second one should be:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0VYfAewIyis
Thanks so much Dear AK Ji and Mr S Joseph for liking my posted songs.
Apologies for posting the song, jhuki aayi re badariya sawan ki, which was already mentioned by Dr Pradeep and posted by Venkataraman Ji.
Ye raat aashiqana from Naya Andaaz is a lovely addition Mr Joseph.
In addition to the songs posted yesterday, I will post some more below
https://youtu.be/D1QDBdvQg1g
Kisi ko yoon tamannaon me
First of all, a great Anil Biswas waltz composition, written by Manmohan Sabir, and so beautifully sung by Meena Kapoor, with Jairaj and Sheila Ramani, our Dear Bhatia Ji’s favourite
https://youtu.be/4jncwdzEXps
Main tumhi se poochhti hoon
Secondly, the sad version of the famous Black Cat song by Lata, composed by N Dutta and written by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
https://youtu.be/rgzg1bZq8Fs
Ye kaun aaya ki mere dil ki duniya me
A great Geeta Dutt song from Baazi, composed by SD Burman and written by Sahir Ludhianavi
https://youtu.be/nWJb4Oft4nk
Yaad aa gayein wo nashili nigahen
A small version of the great Hemant Kumar song, filmed on Dev Anand from Manzil, composed by SD Burman and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri
https://youtu.be/P73YWHL6qiE
Thandi hawa ye chandni suhani
And lastly, the Asha Bhonsle version of the song, remembered as a Kishore Kumar number, filmed on Madhubala, composed by Kishore Kumar and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri
Will try to add more
Forget to add
The last one has Asha’s singing only upto 0.39
Thereafter it’s a Kishore Kumar song
Arvinderji,@212, 224, 225
At last you have made your appearance, after three months.
It seems I spoke too soon. I thought we were scraping for the last morsels; you have come up with full course meal. Thank you for the wonderful additions from Vintage and Golden era. Dejh sakte nahi (Mukesh) hearing for the first time.
Arvinder Sharmaji,
Asha Bhosle is not ‘singing’, she is only humming.
Mr Giri,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and addition of Tamil songs.
Pramod Godboleji,
Glad to see you back after two months.
After Arvinderji’s platter, comes your dessert.
Enjoyed your posts.. We had Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and now a Marathi Piano song. Sur Tech Chedita , a nice addition. The song from across the border was also good.
Giriji,
Enjoyed the song from Vennira Adai. Thanks for posting it .
Many of you are making a comeback after sometime. Good to see you back.
I hope Hansji, Mumbaikarji and Ranganji, will be back soon.
Arvinder Sharma ji;
Enjoying your dug out oldies of vintage flavor. I am expecting Hans Ji to jump on with vintage stuff. Venkatraman ji already have this passion and his historical and technical inputs are amazing. D. P Rangan ji too have this quality of finding rare and lovely old songs.
I was about to post Manzil song ……the longer version is really a treat.
Giri ji @221;
Thanks for your appreciation . Its AK ‘s master stroke to come out with a beautifull waltz of an article where everyone is wearing dancing shoes to go with melodies.
Its a great feeling watching fingers dancing over beautiful Ivory and black keys of sets. In one or two Hollywood musical movies of the 50s there are certain songs where hero and heroin used Piano as a prop dancing on and around Piano . In another movie swimming pool has a large piano like keys and as people dance over them it produce Piano sounds.
But soft keys require soft finger touches that produce soft melodies. If we have Brian Salas here they have ….Richard Clyderman. Must listen to this player who is entertaining us for the last five decades…… the best therapy for the release of tension in the house of freedom.
A pianist is a painter of music . Art takes over in thoughts as there is a small pause in between two notes . Here are two or three of my favorite Piano numbers…..
Will post half a dozen Kannada songs tomorrow.
Being the President of the local branch of IMA ( Indian Medical Association _ the largest professional body in the world) I am involved in policy making, agenda setting etc. Attending so many meetings almost on a daily basis for the first time in my life.
All of you do stay home, stay safe, stay healthy. Let us defeat the Corona menace together, maintaining Social Distancing.
After the opening slow piece, you can see the Pianistclearly behind Rehan. And again in the interlude again the Pianist comes to fore.
tasvir-e-yaar dil se mitaayi naa gayi…… koyi kisi kaa diwana naa bane
Lata Mangeshkar, Sargam(1950), lyrics Pyarelal Santoshi, music C Ramchandra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rbqDhIeg7g
N .Venkataraman ji ,
Namaskar .
Thnx a lot for the appreciation .
I hereby take the opportunity to thank U for giving reference of my posts in comments of Meena Kapoor songs .
Respected Sir ,
Take care
Nd
as I had mentioned in my comment above
Stay safe , stay blessed !!!
With regards ,
Pramod Godbole .
Thanks Arvinder ji for the further beautiful additions to the songs today and I hope to hear more.
Listening to the songs of DIL E NADAN , I find 1 more piano song bringing the total to 4 piano songs in this movie .
‘ Chanda Gaye Ragni…’/ DIL E NADAN /1953/ Ghulam Mohammed / Jagjit Kaur
https://youtu.be/5OwKup-1m_U
Pramod Godbole ji,
Thanks for the concern and wishes.
Posting song from 1982 Marathi film Chandane Shimpit Ja, Anuradha Paudwal, music Prabhakar Jog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n_G4l9tAQ0
Thanks AK Ji for pointing out Asha Bhonsle’s humming in the song, which she didn’t contribute as singing. My faux pas.
But the lure of piano prompted me to post the clip
Many thanks Dears Venkataraman Ji and Bhatia Ji for your appreciation.
I’m also waiting for Hans Ji and Mumbaikar8 to join us for commenting on the post, as they might bring us some more details and rare inputs to the post
Warm regards all
Bhatiaji @231
Nice short write-up.
“A pianist is a painter of music . Art takes over in thoughts as there is a small pause in between two notes .”
And beautiful expression.
By the way Piano was called the Pianoforte. I understand, Piano means soft and forte means loud.
It seems you forgot to post the Piano numbers.
Play it Sam was posted by Canasyaji and Subodhji. We had Ingrid Bergman & Dooley Wilson (on the Piano playing “As Time Goes By”) on the visuals.
Posting a song from Intermezzo (1939). Intermezzo was Ingrid Bergman’s first Hollywood movie. Holger Brandt, a famous virtuoso violinist, meets Anita Hoffman, his daughter’s piano instructor, during a trip home.
Nice sets & beautiful music
Here is the clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHZ_LWFaO0Q
Venkatraman ji @238 ;
My computer is on trouble mode. Its going very slow and sometime shut by itself to restart again. this way I have lost two write ups and so also is the case with YT.
Pause….yes . It conveys a deep meaning. If one listen to Andaz song….Zhoom zhoom ke nacho aaj…..watch the music and Cucoo’s dance and see the effect which goes with the screen play.
Play it sam ….is in fact known by the title….As times goes by ….and listening full song is a pleasure. There are few more songs on piano in Casablanca movie and ….knock on wood…is the most liked one for me.
Knock on Wood – Casablanca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d79cxNkcYSE
Song from Intermezzo is too good. Bergeman is real beauty to watch. Some of her sweedish movies are again a treat to watch. Thanks to Film societies of the 70s thru which I got the exposer to International Cinema and richness of famed directors of various countries . I could find directors of the caliber of Satyajit ray in every country . One cannot rank them as they all occupy large and most respected platform.
Now YT is working I will try to post music from western side of globe.
Giri ji @231, Venkatraman ji @238 ;
In continuation here are Piano numbers…..
Hungarian Dance N.5 – Richard Clayderman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-abhAlyqMY
The Skaters Waltz – André Rieu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isvt802U8BY
Now the music and visuals that compliment each other. Andre rieu is my favorite one and his orchestra recordings runs into thousands. Every show of his around the globe is full to the last seat. If you watch one you end up watching many.
Andre’ Rieu – Chiquitita ABBA – Toskana [ Italy]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmPJ-J-8F5s
NANNA THAMMA (ನನ್ನ ತಮ್ಮ), 1970, Kannada.
Ide hosa haadu
Hriday sakshi haadu…
P B Srinivas…….(Dr Rajkumar.)
Ghantasala, the composer retained the tune of the song from JARIGINA KATHA, Telugu,1969, of which, the Kannada movie was the remake. Ghantasala had himself sung the song there…
Idey minchi roju
Pasandaina roju..
( Krishna, father of Super Star Mahesh Babu on screen.)
1. https:// youtu. be/3GmMLKfS72U
2. https:// youtu.be/ QchMYtu3N4U
Venkatraman ji ; AK ji;
Song from Casablanca ….Knock on the wood ….you must have heard and enjoyed its simple tune , its simple lyrics and the casino club atmosphere.
When you’re feeling down on yourself, do you ever put on music to lift your spirits? If the answer is yes, you are certainly not alone. At present we all are in existence in silence zone . This is the right time to click the Refresh button and recall the old golden days when the music was played live and not kept in a box.
Music is an essential part of human existence. Listening to music leaves a major impact on each one of us. It can boost your mood, reduce stress and improve your health and overall well-being. So no depressed feelings.
Everyone wants a room with a view . To enhance its artistic value one drapes the windows with beautiful curtains to improve the view and get glances of appreciations as well. Still not satisfied he replaced it with floral curtains to bring in the outside landscape views into the room . Now he needs a very comfortable lounge type cushioned chair or sofa to relax and enjoy nature thru window. Still something is missing ….and that is music in the background. I on my part avoid heavy worded lyrics songs . Good old melodies I opt for…. but instrumental music is the one that connects me to nature and God. A number of relaxing music with fine visuals are there on YT to enjoy . Time is in plenty and enjoy every tick of the needle of watch….no matter if the watch is tiny or of Grand Pa’ clock.
I take this opportunity to thank Akji for this post but still contributions of the left over songs would be there from active members. To keep the momentum going I request AK ji to follow this with a sequel covering songs on Piano Accordion .
Here is a title music from my favorite film Sangam . This piece of music appeared at many appropriate scenes of the movie…..and after so many years got repeated in another RK Films….Aa ab laut chhalen . This movie was directed by Rishi Kapoor with music by Anu Mallik. So one can expect certain twist and turns of tuning this way or that way.
SANGAM(1964) I TITLE MUSIC VIDEO I RAJ KAPOOR I SHANKAR JAIKISHAN(ROCKSTARS SJ) I HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggrQHrfu9G4
Bhatiaji 220,
Thank you for posting some superb orchestral music.
It takes some time two move from one end of the spectrum to the other end.
Saigal songs with minimal orchestration at one end of the spectrum; André Rieu and Richard Clayderman at the other end.
The Skaters Waltz – André Rieu was simply outstanding.
I think it is symphony- A violin sonata for an orchestra. And the Piano too is there as an accompaniment. A cheerful orchestral team and they are having lots of fun too.
Hungarian Dance N.5 – Richard Clayderman – a good Piano sonata with Orchestra.
The last number – Andre’ Rieu – Chiquitita ABBA – Toskana [Italy] a nice symphony (again violin)…… it seem there is no Piano accompaniment.
A disclaimer: Pardon me; I have used some terms as per my understanding. I have used them freely just to get corrected if my understanding is not correct.
@242,
You have beautifully put words to your thoughts. Made a good read.
Posting a Piano Duet from a 1941 film
The Max Brothers, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo came into the Hollywood comedy films in 1929 with the film The Coconuts .
Here is the link to the duet by Max Brothers- Chico Marx & Harpo Marx from the film The Big Store (1941)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlvpb
Bhatia ji, @240
The western music pieces you have posted are pleasing to the ears and visuals are stunning. Thanks. Not being very knowledgeable on Western music I can’t say anything else except enjoying it.
You are always surrounded by music of all kinds. Be it Shabads, HFM, western music etc. It is good for the soul and body!
God bless you.
N Venkataraman ji, Giri ji;
Thanks for the nice words. Yes , music is nice surround system .
Venkat ji , I posted.. Andre’ Rieu – Chiquitita ABBA – Toskana [Italy]…simply to put my point how we can enjoy or rather enhance our listening good music vis a vis watching beautiful scenery….giving it cinematic effects . It is in this context I watch some clips to enjoy tecknical balance of beauty and joy thru music and cinematography. Yes roll of Editor is so important fur fine crafted overlaps as well….maintaining sequence alaso. Listen to opening scenes and watch visuals of Andaz . Its a great kick to start narration [ the scene when Dilip rescue Nargis falling from the horse.].
Now since both of you liked Andre Reiu music …here are short one with Piano in orchestra…
Andre’ Rieu – Chiquitita ABBA – Toskana [Italy]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlFnQxZ0Mak
Richard Clayderman – Belle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgedfpO9SNQ
To be contd….and move onto K L Saigal article soon.
In continuation…..
Please read ….Jingll bell…for Andre Rieu’ s wrongly got pasted title.
Arvinder Sharma , Venkatraman ji;
Three gems ….how could they escaped our popping eyes and collectors carry backs ?
83.Dupatta – Tum Zindagi Ko Gham Ka…..Noor jahan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTjXS7XWAmw&t=69s
84.Jawan Hai Mohabbat Haseen – Noor Jehan – Anmol Ghadi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VvErsLMURU
85.AANSOO SAMAJH KE KYU MUJHE”BY TALAT
MEHMOOD,M:SALIL CHOUDHARY-“CHHAYA-1961
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkP1V-HjTyo
My understanding is that ‘AANSOO SAMAJH KE …’ cannot be linked to the initial sequence where you have the Piano . The two are distinct pieces . This is only my view.
S Joseph ji @248;
I entirely agree with your view, but some time the narration of the story or demand of the screenplay essentially require projecting modern vs traditional life style . Deedar movie of the 50s is a perfect example . In chhaya song the Piano and announcer wearing suit represent modern life and Sunil Dutt in his typical indian dress represent the common man’s traditional life style.
In continuation some more songs still awaiting their turn standing in a one meter gap …till carona is present.
86. Kahaan Ja Raha Hai – Mohammed Rafi – Seema …SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKbrUY127lU
87.tu pyaar ka sagar hai.. manna dey,film seema
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2D-kjOMNF0
Ek Thi Nindiya Do Thay Naina : Seema 1971 : Suman Kalyanpur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf4GBj77F3k
Bhai Bhai – Aaj raat hai jawaan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7YY0IVNZmg
….to be contd.
I think Aap ki inayaten Aap ki karam from VANDANA, 1975,is already posted.
What about
Manmohana, Tu jo bhi dr
Khushi ho ya gham…?
We see Sadhna and Sarika on the piano.
In the song ‘TU PYAR KA SAGAR HAI…’ , the instrument that the lady to the left of Balraj Sahni is seen playing is not a piano. I had got this checked up a few days back with a musician who said that this is called ‘ paay peti ‘ where ‘paay’ means feet and peti means ‘Harmonium’. This is a Harmonium where the air is pumped with the feet due to which more sound is produced. Also , the musician is free to use both his hands on the keyboard. It was used more in the days when electric sound equipments were not available.
On this I have a YouTube link…
https://youtu.be/hgQ0NsDA8so
The Piano gives sound when wires are struck and the piano is classified as a percussion instrument.
S Joseph ji,
I have seen/ heard Paay Peti in the Company dramas in my childhood. They would be placed in a pit dug opposite the stage so that they would not block the view from the spectators.
The small town of Shirahatti ( Gadag district, now; Dharwad,then), where I grew up,Company ( professional) drama troupes would camp for a few weeks every year. Mythological, Historical, Social ( melodrama), Comedy…. every genre of plays would run to packed houses. Fading stars from the Silver Screen ( occasionally, shining stars,too) would be the added attraction on special days like festivals, local fairs/ jatras etc.
In 80s Sai Paranjape came with 2 delightful comedies (Chashme buddoor & Katha) & a sensitive film ( Sparsha)
In chashme buddoor there was a medley of number of hindi songs . In one of them Ravi Vaswani is seen singing on a piano ” हम छोड चले है महफिल को”
The original from jee chahata hai did not figure piano
Perhaps combination of Mukesh & sad song led Sai to believe that piano should have been used
https://youtu.be/louv-4iqSjU
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli,
Nice addition. Chashm-e-Baddoor was such a delightful comedy. This medley parody song was one of its highlights. I think Rakesh Bedi, too, in his imagination has a similar song.
S Joseph ji @251, Dr. Shetty ;
A nice recall of …Paay Peti …an instrument that is favorites of places of worships of the old gone eras. In our school days of the early 50s we were witness of Bio scopes for entertainment and Paay Peti for listening Bhajan near the entry of Birla Mandir . Another vintage recall is of getting yourself photographed by complete black box camera . The cameraman has to develop the prints in the box itself which is completely wrapped in black cloth with cameraman face still in the wrap around fixing the print in solution and coming out only with print ready to dry …….[ It seems my memories going Ravi Vaswani’s way of mendley songs.].
Anyway thanks for this new version of harmonium coming to daylight otherwise we would have passed on casually the one played by veteran actor Kanhialal in ….Satyam Shivam Sundaram . One question now…wheather Standing harmonium produce more melodic scales than the regular one ? Till we get information …here are more of Piano songs….
Qamar Patli Nazar Bijli – Kahin Din Kahi Raat ….MK…OPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e7pyGjgFJk
Mujhko Deewana Na Kar – Nasihat (1967)…..Asha….OPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ0-jhI08qE
…..to be contd.
Wow and oh !! how I missed Satyam Shivam Sundaram song . Here it is with Kanhailal playing on …Paay Peti … .
Yashomati Maiya Se Bole Nandlala – Satyam Shivam Sundaram – – Manna Dey….LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x0O-qR527U
Bhatiaji @ 245, 246
I got your point.
Andre Rieu and their jolly group can anytime lift the spirits
Richard Clayderman Piano-play has a soothing effect
Thanks for the posts.
A piano scene can make a strong point about the mental state of a character, or a situation, or it can just be plain fun too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ShowRENlPs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPRW1VQxmTs
SAAWAN AAYA RE, 1948.
Main toh gavan chali hoon
Kahe bole papiha…
Amirbai Karnataki, Ramamurthi Chaturvedi, Khemchand Prakash.
Kishore Sahu playing the piano and Mohana (?) dancing.
Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty @248;
Main toh gavan chali hoon
Kahe bole papiha…from SAAWAN AAYA RE, 1948. i am hearing for the first time. Mayur Pankh was another of Kishore sahu’s movie which I think had songs on Piano . I am not sure about Mohana the dancer. Here is the link….
मैं तो गवन चली हूँ,काहे बोले पपीहा..Amirbai Karnataki_Khemchand Prakash_Sawan Aaya Re1949..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiOKn9L7fcw
N Venkataraman Ji @257;
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly were favorite stars in musicals of the 40s and 50s. Recalling those movies is a wonder experience of watching them perform on wide screen and sets. The toe dance number on floors and Piano top too is a treat for us to watch……
Gene Kelly – Tra la la la – An American In Paris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJtXkorMZII
Now a sample of huge fan followers of Andre Rieu……
André Rieu – Waltzing Matilda, live in Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UFmwArST-I
I will search for his Piano lead songs too.
It was nice reading about instruments which add substantially to the tune and composition of a song. Three of my unforgettable Piano songs:
Poocho na hamen, hum unke liye. Asha Mitti mein sona. O P Nayyar.
Aye jaane jigar, dil mein samaane aaja. Mukesh. Aaraam Anil Biswas.
Dheere dheere machal, ae dile bequaraar. Lata. Anupama. Hemant Kumar.
Thanks.
Rajan.
Mr NS Rajan,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The lat two songs you have mentioned are also my great favourites.
S Joseph ji, ksbhatia ji,
From time to time I have this craving for some ‘ special’ songs and I view them on You Tube. Earlier this morning,I suddenly remembered the first ever song we,as newlyweds, had watched on Rangoli, probably the first ever episode…1989.
I was aware most of the songs from this movie since childhood ( liked the title song), but had never seen any of those, only heard.
I am talking about Taron mein sajke apne Sooraj se dekho dharti chali milne….JAL BIN MACHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI, 1971.
Though,on repeat views I find it is not among Sandhya’s better dance numbers,we were mightily impressed with the song ( specially for Mukesh’s singing, good orchestration…LP and a nice chorus), the sets etc.
Well, coming to the point, it was only today that I noticed Abhijit, the hero,is playing the Paay Peti throughout the song!!!
Think of V ShanthaRam and we remember Latha, Asha, Manna Dey Mahinder Kapoor, mainly… Hemant Kumar and Talat Mehmood , to a lesser extent.
Rafi ….SEHRA only?
Mukesh….JBMNBB…one solo, two duets with Lata.
…BOOND JO BAN GAYI MOTI…one solo , the beautiful Ye kaun chitrkar hai and one duet with Suman Kalyanpur.
Kishore Kumar…..?
VS must be the producer/ director with such long titles for so many of his films, right?
DKKAK, DABH ,TBCR ,JJPB ,BJBGM, JBMNBB… etc.
I will self accuse myself as a late latif. Compelling reason for such tardy response was the post normalisation process after being away from India for 9 months. Got internet link from MTNL only after 15th April.
AK has brought out a marvelous comprehensive post on this instrument. I had compiled information for a post but sent it to him when he told he will do the post. My efforts would have been very pathetic compared to what he has presented. I am of the opinion that if possible a proper introduction should be given to subject under scanner . In this case a brief history on the development would have been in order. Since it was absent I am making amends for it.
Piano is essentially a stringed instrument managed through a system of keyboards, 88 of them to be precise. It was not a sudden invention but a gradual development from its predecessors – clavicord and hapsicord.
Hydraulis was the first instrument to have a keyboard, a precursor of the Organ, built in Greece around 220 B.C. By 2nd century A.D. it was replaced by organ. Hapsicord was the next to follow as a stringed instrument. It was superseded by Clapsicord. Both of them look like a Piano but suffered from handicaps. In Hapsicord dynamics (loudness or softness) of individual notes could not be controlled by the player. Clavicord was an improvement by allowing strings to vibrate as long as the keys were depressed. Still the sound produced was too delicate and could not stand alone when part of an orchestra and was also not suited to cover big auditoriums.
Piano was the next to appear combining the qualities of its predecessors – loudness of the hapsicord with the control of clavicord. Piano is a shortened name derived from Pianoforte (Piano – soft and Forte – Loud), an Italian term. It was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Padua, Italy around 1700 A.D. He was a Keeper of Instruments in the court of Ferdinando de’ Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany. Only three pieces of his creation survive today in New York, Leipzeig and Rome.
Piano was the preferred instrument in Europe and then in American colonies thereafter. Composers as Chopin, Mozart wrote music pieces for the instrument. Steady developments of the instrument were in process and the modern version appeared in 1859 – Steinway concert grand piano. Digital Piano is the current rage.
This youtube video will explain the development of the instrument.
https://youtu.be/FGXY0ZXF44o?t=12
Bartholomeow’s earliest surviving instrument dates from 1720 and is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Three of his pianos remain extant today: one with four octaves, dated 1720, is in NewYork; one with four and a half octaves, from 1726, is in Leipzig, Germany; and there is one in Rome from 1722. There are approximately ten plucked instruments surviving today with the name Cristofori on them.
Came across another gem from Sajjad Hussain film Sangdil (1952) penned by Rajinder Krishan.
Dilip Kumar is crying his heart out sitting before a piano for his love by the crooner Talat Mahmood.
Kahon kahon mere jeevan sahare
https://youtu.be/i4ZP8jQ09i8?t=267
Mr Rangan,
Nice piano song of pathos.
AKji,
Last month, I had posted a Marathi song on the N Datta post, which was a piano song. It made me realize that I had yet to read the post on Piano songs.
I finally completed reading it over the last 2 days and Wow, what an outstanding post this is!! More than glad to catch up with it!!
Besides the nice selection of songs, the Arithmetic Progression and the highlighting of Andhadhun make this post stand out.
An excellent post made much more interesting with the inputs of the SoY experts providing an extensive knowledge base on the history of piano, pianists, related English movies and their piano tracks.
I was reminded of a very well-made and impactful English movie that I had seen in the 90s, where this royal musical instrument played the title role – The Piano (1993). Set in the 19th century, the film tells the story of a mute Scottish woman who is sold into a marriage in New Zealand. She arrives with her daughter and her luggage which includes a piano. She expresses herself playing the piano.
The film was very well received and even won an Oscar award for Holly Hunter who played the lead role.
Posting some songs, which, according to me, have not been covered.
I hope I have not overlooked them.
Two songs from Albela (1951), though the piano has a minor role.
Bholi surat dil ke khote – Lata & CR – CR – Rajinder Krishan
Bhagwan plays the piano for a few seconds at the very beginning and then starts dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb2ef3cUrKU
Dil dhadke nazar sharmaye – Lata
Here too, Geeta Bali plays the piano at the beginning and gets up but she sits and plays again midway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAWYfLAUVYo
Umeed 1971 – Ravi sings his own composition for Joy Mukherjee.
L- Shakeel
This B&W film was made in early 60s but certified in 1971.
Mera Dil hai pyar ka aashiyan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIvl-pazwwQ
Dr Deshpande,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy you caught up with the post enjoyed it. I have heard a lot about The Piano. It is now on my must-see list.
Exclusive post,read all comments above. I want to add few songs which I think missed
1. Aaine ke sau tukde from “Maa” Kumar Sanu Anu Malik, Jeetendra on piano
2. Dhadkano ke saaz par gaa rahi hai zindagi by Mukesh, Usha Khanna Movie “Kaun ho tum” ,Jagdeep on piano
3. Aap Aaye To Ujala Sa Hua Mehfil Me by Rafi from ‘Aadhi Raat ke Baad’ Dattaram Wadkar, Sujit Kumar on piano
4. Ae kaash kabhi aisa hota by Kumar Sanu from ‘Mohra’ Nasiruddin Shah on piano
5. Jeene ki tamanna ho tum meri zaroorat ho from ‘Balmaa’ by Nitin Mukesh Asha Bhosle Sameer Nadeem Shrawan -Avinash Wadhwan on piano
Prakah Kantheshwarkar,
Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. None of the songs is known to me, beyond my radar screen. But thanks for adding them. Will try to look up.
Like to add some more in women pianist category
1. Apne khayalo ko samjha dijiye /Marin Drive/N Datta/Bina Roy
2. Ek Baat kahu gar mano tum/Golmaal/RD Burman/Bindiya Goswami
3. Kuchh log yahan par aise hai/Vardaan/ Kalyanji Anandji / Reena Roy starts party with piano bits
4. Thandi hava ye chandani/Jhoomru/Madhubala
5. sada Sada ye zindagi …Birthday song/Lallu Ram/Lyrics tune Ravindra Jain /Nita Mehta is the pianist.
Prakash Kantheshwarkar,
My favourite in the above list is Thandhi hawa ye chaandni suhani. However, Madhubala plays the piano very briefly as the prelude, and Kishore Kumar sings outdoors with his mule.
Motivated by Prakashji’s additions, I am posting some more songs my side in continuation to my comment @268:
Sanam 1951
Husnlal Bhagatram – Qamar – Shamshad, ? SD Batish /? Ram Kamlani
Kyun hamein paida kiya bhagwan hindustan mein…chalo Honolulu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzPHRFz9Nl4
Pyar Mohabbat 1966
SJ – Hasrat – Lata
Humne tumko dil diya tumne use tadpa diya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuxGyMfcJ_k
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke 1969
LP – Majrooh – Lata
Diye jalaye pyar ke chalo isi khushi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-TbVDuoMKs
Mere Humsafar 1970
KA – AB – Lata
Tum humse milo hum tumse mile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-APKKtx9yg
Roop Tera Mastana 1972
LP – AB – Rafi
Bade bewafa hain ye husnwale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDR_sMSOiT4
Nadaan 1971
SJ – Hasrat – Mukesh
Jeevan bhar dhoondha jisko wo pyar mila
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN0Jd-pEMCs
Dr Deshpande,
Most of the songs have 2+1 in the scene – either MMF, or MFF. That was the main purpose of piano songs.
Dr Deshpande,ji;
Diye jalaye pyar ke chalo isi khushi….is a lovely song …. heard after a long time.
Black and White are keys to the success of Piano players . Shadows and visuals are the melodies that they make. There are eighty-eight keys on a piano ….all keys wants to give their very best.
Now some songs whic are left over from those posted in this beautiful post as well as from those that missed bus [ nay deluxe bus] in Open House ….
Dost Dost Na Raha…part 2…Sangam…Mukesh…SJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NJU9aPB7E4
Kahta Hai Dil Tum Ho Mere Liye | Asha Bhosle, Talat @ Mem Sahib….MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tkhwx81p-A
SANAM 1951 Chalo honululu…..singer Gope’s brother [?]….HB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzPHRFz9Nl4
Shagoon – Tum Apna Ranjo Gum-Apni Pareshani – Jagjit Kaur…Khayyam…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Yr1OOeOT8
to be contd….
AKji @276
Yes, you are right. Majority of the Piano songs are in the 2+1 category.
Here’s one more MFF piano song:
Naatak 1975
LP – AB – Asha
Zindagi ek naatak hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjYNoJTTo28
And, this one is 2+ many
Manchali 1974
LP – AB – Lata
Kali kali chume gali gali ghoome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsJ0rBK1ez8
Bhatiaji @277
Thanks for the Mem Sahib song – Kehta hai dil tum ho. AKji has also included it in his list.
It is an enjoyable song. I like the film too. It was a pleasure to watch the younger Meena Kumari in a light role along with a young Shammi Kapoor in a negative role.
I wonder if there is any other film apart from Mem Sahib and Brahmachari, in which Shammi played the piano during his hey days.
In the latter, besides Dil ke jharokhe mein, he also played the piano for a few seconds in the song Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche.
Nowhere close to his earlier songs, but he did play the piano in two songs in a film in the eighties.
Armaan 1981
Bappi – Indeevar – KK
Jeevan mitana hai deewanapan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OurSnbj3gtM
Bappi – Anjaan – Sharon Prabhakar, Bappi
Meri jaisi haseena ka dil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFC7YqKnoKE
Baap Re Baap 1955
OPN – Jan Nisar Akhtar – Asha
Main bhi jawan dil bhi jawan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ4vB_Tl-s8
Dr Deshpande ji @280;
Meri jaisi haseena ka dil….is purely copied by Bhappi Lehri from….
Dr Hook – “When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman”….
Out of curiosity I saw some rushes of the film Armaan 1981 as it was based on one of the ten best Hollywood movies…Casablanca ….my favorite till date . Till now I am repenting why I did watch this third rate remade movie at all. It failed in every department . All the stars looked wooden faced with hardly any skill applied to act or react…..and no one complaining why this movie is being made. It was really an insult to the great film makers of Casablanca . Oh ! what a waste of celluloid.!!
To set my mood right here are two songs from Casablanca to share ….
Play it, Sam….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vThuwa5RZU
Knock On Wood – Dooley Wilson (Casablanca – 1942)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_f8snT93Bc
Dr. Rajesh Deshpande ji;
Main bhi jawan dil bhi jawan….from Baap re Baap is a good recall . Sumriti Biswas was quite popular during movies of 50s . Here is one more such song from mid 40s when Moti Lal was hero in some films though Bald !!
O Jaanewale Aaja (HD) – Taqdeer (1943) Song – Nargis – Motilal – Chandra Mohan – Old Hindi Songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGNeC4gU9-4
AK ji;
An old song that starts with a few piao notes…but a beautiful composition from LP.
Mujhe bhool jana agar ho sake….Taqdeer…Rafi…LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMW1DkYkpcY
KS Bhatiaji,
I think the few notes of piano we see are reminiscing about Jab jab bahar ayi
These few numbers has female artist playing on piano
1. Log peete hai ladkhadate hai from Faraar 1965
https://youtu.be/lM6dtXvxHtE
2. Mere Naseeb me tu hai ke nahi from Naseeb 1981
https://youtu.be/qnYO6CL4JtQ
3. Ek bata do do bate chaarfrom Kalicharan 1976
https://youtu.be/DyogYP5PU-k
4. Aji rooth kar ab kaha jaiyega from Aarzoo
https://youtu.be/SJAx_2ZmiuM
5. Deewano se ye mat poochho from Upkaar 1967
https://youtu.be/Ha5rDi8YSaI
6. Dilli se aaya Bhai Tingoo from Ek thi ladki 1949
https://youtu.be/Sj2_67jhv5Y
7. Dekhte hi tujhe mere dil ne kaha from Parivaar 1968
https://youtu.be/oW0cG3Dh5pk
——————————–
some more with female pianists…
8. Aji O Sun To Nahi Tumne Hame Pehchana from 12’o clock
club dance song Shashikala on piano
https://youtu.be/SffYGvxD-KA
9. Pa ke najro ka ishara from Kaneez 1949
Kuldeep Kaur on piano
https://youtu.be/f_qQiF9KT7s
10. Tum samne baithe raho from Iqraar 1979
Rameshwari on piano addressing to Rakesh Roshan
https://youtu.be/JlSmpTjXHoQ
will post some more later with male pianists… Thanks
Prakash Kantheshwarkar,
Welcome to SOY again. Piano songs belong to an era, when the piano was the centrepiece, almost a kirdar by itself, and the main accompaniment. Mere naseeb mein it is anything but piano. You would need a telelens to sight a piano at the backstage. I have the same feeling about Dekhte hi tujhe. Rest are good piano songs.
AK ji;
Music is life that keeps me alive. Nice recall of piano songs by Prakash Kantheshwarkar . Here is one where piano is played by female [ comic female actor..Yashodhra Katju ].
Dholak – Mere Dil Mein Aaiye….Shyam Sunder..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQucmqOvEG4
Another duet song from the same film. This time Piano is prop only.
Dholak – Magar Ae Haseenaye Bekhabar…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLxkPti7NlY
KS Bhatiaji,
‘Music is the life that keeps me alive’ – this is a beautiful line. Music is also pain of longing in literature. Real life musicians like Pt. Bhimsen Joshi went through that pain for a number of years until he got a guru who could uplift him.
Dholak is a nice comedy of nok-jhonk. Magar ae Haseena-e-bekhabar is a great song, this song has a very mellifluous voice of early Rafi.
Very good journey down the memory lane. Thanks a lot sir.
May be the list could include following
1. Main dil hun ek arman bhara – Anhonee
2. Puchho na hame ham unke liye kya kya nazrane laye hain – Asha – Mitti me sona
3. Dhire dhire machal aye dil e bekraar – Lata – Anupama
4. Bachpan ke din bhi kya din the – Asha – Gita – Sujata
Regards and best wishes
Jitenda Desai,
Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. The songs you have mentioned are all very famous. As I scrolled through the comments I find some of these have been added by the readers. in the main post I don’t add too many songs.