And the SoY Award for the Best Male Playback Singer goes to?
Now we come to category-wise discussion of the best songs, following from my overview post on the Best songs of 1946. Understandably, the total number of MEMORABLE SONGS mentioned in the post (81) was the lowest so far in the series on year-wise reviews. Since we are going back year to year, this is a function of entering into less and less familiar territory. The male solos in the list were 22 in number, divided among the following singers:
KL Saigal 7
Rafi 3
GM Durrani 2
Surendra 2
Ashok Kumar 2
Mukesh 1
Moti 1
Khan Mastana 1
SD Burman 1
Jagmohan 1
Manna Dey 1
Total 22 (11 singers)
KL Saigal happens to dominate in the number of songs. Remember I am talking about number of his songs in my list of MEMORABLE SONGS. It is quite likely, in fact almost certain, that some other singer(s) would have sung more songs in the year, but during that era KL Saigal was a class apart; he was every aspiring singer’s idol, and he retains his iconic status to this day. To deal with this situation a new reader Neeruahaf suggested that we create two categories: KL Saigal and the rest. Our regular and a Master of classification, Ashok M Vaishnav has also adopted a similar approach on his blog. As the readers are aware, Ashokji has been, for the last few years, taking off from my overview post, and diving deeper into different categories. He has already completed the exercise for the Best playback singer, by subdividing it into three categories: (i) KL Saigal who is a class by himself, (ii) Other Vintage Era singers, such as GM Durrani, Surendra, Khan Mastana etc., (iii) Golden Era singers, such as Mukesh, Rafi and Manna Dey etc. who were essentially associated with the Golden Era, though they debuted in the Vintage Era, and had also sang songs in 1946.
Neeruahaf has made a significant contribution during the discussion, though this was her first appearance on SoY. She made an interesting three-tier classification of her own: (i) Songs in the list of MEMORABLE SONGS, (ii) Her old favourites, but not included in the MEMOARABLE SONGS, and (iii) Not in either, but discovered for the first time which have impressed her. As a result of this approach her choice for the Best male solo is somewhat unusual, Ae chaand sitaaro, raaton ke sahaaro by GM Durrani from the film Kuldeep (lyrics Naba Naqvi, music Sushant Banerjee). Ashokji has also chosen to go on unknown territory and his best ten he has posted on his blog are very divergent from general choice. (I hope I am using the right pronoun for Neeruahaf.)
Other readers have chosen the expected songs from the Master List. Naghma’s choice for the best male solo is KL Saigals’s Jab dil hi toot gaya to; Anup’s Gham diye mustaqil; Canasya’s Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom; and Arunkumar Deshmukh’s Gham diye mustaqil (all KL Saigal’s from the film Shahjehan, composed by Naushad). N Venkataraman has given a list of his choice for the ten best, not in order, but it is topped by three songs of KL Saigal – Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom, Jab dil hi toot gaya and Chaah barbaad karegi – all from Shahjehan. Shalan Lal’s choice is Surendra’s Kyun yaad aa rahe hain guzare huye zamaane, another standout song from the year, from the film Anmol Ghadi (Naushad again).
Since 22 is not too large a number, let us not segregate the exercise into KL Saigal and ‘Others’, though it is clear that the others are competing for No. 2 or lower positions. But before we select the best ten, let me post some Special Songs.
Special songs
1. Ae chaand sitaaro, raaton ke sahaaro by GM Durrani from Kuldeep (1946), lyrics Naba Naqvi, music Sushant Banerjee
Since Neeruahaf has chosen this song as the best male solo of the year, let me start the list of special songs with Ae chaand sitaaro.
2. Asha ki jyoti jalaye ja by Khan Mastana from Dev Kanya, lyrics (?), music Shyam Sundar
I have included only Amirbai Karnataki’s ‘Piya milan ko jaanewali sambhal sambhal ke chal’ in the Master List in the overview post. But this song has come up in more detailed discussion and on Ashokji’s blog. A nice song from one of the leading singers of the Vintage Era.
3. Ab mujhe aapki tasveer se kuchh kahna hai by Vinod from Khamosh Nigaahein, Lyrics Aziz Kashmiri, music Vinod
How many of us knew that Vinod was also a good singer? Nice to come across this song during further search.
4. Kar lijiye chalkar meri jannat ke nazare by KL Saigal from Shahjahan, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad
This song is not heard much. ‘Discovering’ Saigal is always an exciting experience.
5. Likhi naseeb mein hain thokarein zamaane ki by Moti from Dil, music Zafar Khursheed
We all know about a lyricist credited as Moti B.A. Who is this singer Moti? The three lyricists in this film are all different. This is an absolutely melodious song. Discovery of such songs makes the exercise of year-wise reviews worthwhile.
6. Priye ek baar man mandir mein rumjhum rumjhum karti ana by Manna Dey from Mera Geet, lyrics Ramesh Gupta, music Shankar Rao Vyas
Manna Dey became famous with Upar gagan vishal from Mashaal (1950). His early songs are relatively unknown. This one is an excellent song with shudh Hindi words. A lady is only humming.
7. Laaj bhare in nainon mein by Ashok Kumar from Uttara Abhimanyu, music SN Tripathi
Since Ashok Kumar was not in the cast of the film, he must have given playback for some other actor. There are some more songs sung by him in the film. By 1946 he was being phased out as a singer, though remaining as one of the greatest actors of all time. Rafi and other singers were singing for him. This must be the only film of its kind in which he has given playback for another actor. (Please see comment #12 below. Arunji says that Ashok Kumar acted in the film and sang his own songs. HFGK omits his name by mistake.)
Best songs
Of the seven songs by KL saigal, at least three from Shahjahan – Gham diye mustaqil, Jab dil hi toot gaya and Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom – make straight entry at the top three positions, in any inter-se order. If we look for iconic songs next in line, GM Durrani’s Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi (Shama), and Surendra’s Kyon yaad aa rahe hain guzare huye zamaane and Ab kaun hai mera kaho ab kaun hai mera, stand out. Rafi had three songs in the Master List. Anmol Ghadi’s fame rubbed off on Tera khilona toota baalk, but Safar’s Ab wo hamare ho gaye iqaraar karein ya na karein and Kah ke bhi na aaye tum ab chhupne lage taare are both great songs and probably bigger favourites of the connoisseurs. Let us take two of Rafi’s songs. We have two slots remaining. SD Burman was endowed with a voice which was out of this world. Therefore, let us take his Ummeed bhara panchhi (Eight Days). For the last slot, Mukesh’s O praani, kya soche kya hoye is a worthy choice. Early Mukesh was incredibly sweet. Some songs are known, but any undiscovered song even on the first hearing mesmerises you.
As I mentioned, I am making the selection from well-known iconic songs. Most readers too gave their choices from among them. So here are the best ten male solos of 1946.
1. Gham diye mustaqi kitna naazuk hai dil ye na jana by KL Saigal from Shahjahan, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad
2. Jab dil hi toot gaya hum ji ke kya karenge by KL Saigal from Shahjahan, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad
A legend has grown around this song, though strongly disputed by some experts, that it was played during KL Saigal’s funeral procession.
3. Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom by KL Saigal from Shahjahan, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad
4. Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi by GM Durrani from Shama, lyrics Ehsan Rizvi, music Ghulam Haider
No wonder GM Durrani was Rafi’s idol. You can hear this soft, melodious song endlessly. Rafi overtook him, because of his versatility, but Durrani was unbeatable in his comfort zone. This song also has a duet version by Durrani and Shamshad Begum.
5. Kyon yaad aa rahe hain guzare huye zamaane by Surendra from Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
6. Ab kaun hai mera kaho ab kaun hai mera by Surendra from Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
7. Kah ke bhi na aye tum ab chhupne lage taare by Rafi from Safar, lyric Gopal Singh Nepali, music C Ramchandra
This is quite a landmark song. C Ramchandra gave some of the best songs for Rafi in his early part of career, Naushad took to him in a big way later. This is possibly Rafi’s first Heer in films, and this tune was followed at least twice later: by Anil Biswas in Heer (1956) for the song Le ja uski duaayein ho jo tera ho na saka, and by OP Nayyar in Naya Daur (1957) for the song Dil de ke daga denge.
8. Tera khilona toota baalak by Rafi from Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
9. Ummeed bhara panchhi tha khoj raha sajani by SD Burman from Eight Days, lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music SD Burman
10. O praani kya soche kya hoye by Mukesh from Chehara, lyrics IC Kapoor, music MA Mukhtar
In conclusion,
The Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for 1946 goes to KL Saigal, and the Best song is Gham diye mustaqil/ Jab dil hi toot gaya/ Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom.
Disclaimer and Acknowledgement: The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these songs, which rests with original owners, such as Saregama India Limited or others.
{ 93 comments… read them below or add one }
Akji,
A painstaking effort this must have been!
I of course agree with the conclusion. I haven’t been through all the special songs. Will hear them soon, and be back with comments.
Anup
🙂
Compliments, AK.
Many years ago, I had read somewhere about a poll according to which Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya was voted as the single best song of all times! I can say nothing about the authenticity and credibility of the so-called poll, but I would at least rate this as the single best of 1946, and not in conjunction with two others, however outstanding they too may be.
Dinesh K Jain ji,
I was about to write about the poll I had read as a student, one of the very first of the sort.
The second best song ( I think it was for a period of 50 years of Talkie movies) was Chalte chalte yun hi koi mil gaya tha from PAKEEZAH.
And, Yes, my favourite,too,is Jab dil hi toot gaya..
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your compliments. Would like to know your views about Special Songs.
Dinesh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. This must be one of the several stories about Jab dil hi toot gaya. Some people are sceptical even about yearwise selection of ‘Best’, there is no way any song can be anointed all-time best song. Even of KL Saigal, many of us have several other greater favourites. I don’t disagree with treating this as the year’s best, but do try to listen Gham diye mustaqil carefully.
Dr Shetty,
Who did the poll?
@Dinesh K Jain, your must have read this poll before, “Baharon Phool Barsao”.
Akji,
Heard the special songs. Out of it, G M durrani song was absolutely marvelous. It’s not a well known song, but deserves to be popular.
The Manna Dey song was wonderful too.
Ashok Kumar as a playback singer was a surprise! He wasn’t that bad as a singer.
The other songs are good too, but the poor audio quality didn’t allow me to hear them in full and enjoy. So can’t comment on them.
Anup
🙂
Anup,
Thanks. I greatly liked the song by Moti. Poor audio quality of some songs does mar them.
Akji,
No big surprises. The selection of the Best Music Director and the Best Male Playback singer were quite obvious. While presenting my best ten in this category I mentioned that the three songs selected is more than enough to declare Saigal the best male singer for the year 1946.
The special songs were really special. I need not elaborate much after Anupji’s comment on these songs. G M Durrani, Surendra & Hafiz Khan belonged to a different era. As you have rightly said Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh & others were yet come of age although they rendered good number of songs. The Golden era was yet to dawn.
First I thought Moti,, whose melodious song you presented in the Special songs category, was T A Moti. Actually this Moti’s voice is lighter. So I assume that both are different persons.
Manna Dey rendered at least a dozen songs in 1946 and Ashok Kumar rendered atleast five songs in 1946. Details of 1946 are not that readily available.
Thank for the effort.
Readers may find some male solos worth posting. Should we post them?
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for your compliments. Posting male solos of 1946 which have not been hitherto posted would be welcome. We may discover some ‘new’ gems.
AK ji,
Please note that Ashok kumar did act in film Uttara Abhimanyu-1946.
HFGK does not mention his name by mistake only.
Ashok kumar sang his own songs. He never gave any playback, to my knowledge.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for the correction.
Arunji,
Thanks for the information about ashok kumar.
Akji,
I forgot to mention about the saigal’s song from Shahjahan – kar lijiye chalkar was a surprise. I never heard it before. But I liked it a lot.
About the Moti’s song, it’s a good song, the audio quality is also good.
His expressions are excellent, but his voice is not a conventional one. It’s different, too nasal. I’m not an expert, it’s just my observation as a common man.
Anup
🙂
AK ‘ji;
Enjoying the race. For Naushad….no jockey ever won a race past the finish line with three horses !!!.Reaching the finish line……even walking!!!. Not to forget ….behind every finish line, there is a start one…..which is very close one. Surprisingly …. Naushad is jockey again.
Behind every success of K L Saigal’s songs, there is another challenge……that of Surendra’s marvelous songs. .The race for quality and excellence has no finish line for these songs , but still the finish line is a surprise…..and I will rate ……. Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom by KL Saigal from Shahjahan…….for its softness of melody sailing on gentle waves. Behind these three songs is a close second ….Kyun yyad aa rahe hain ….by Surendra in Anmol Ghadi .
Well , all these nice songs have crossed finish line by many miles and smiles and would be remembered till the distance gets measured by Light Years .
KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have made this mundane exercise too, a poetry.
Arunji @12,
Thank you very much for the correction.
Akji,
G M Durrani’s song Ye To Bata Mere Khudafrom Nargis was one of my favourites. It was their in my best 10. But there were no takers. Here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=86&v=JAyCF0c30BU
About T.A.Moti (Mothi) mentioned in 5 above. He seems to have appeared in South Indian films of several languages as well as some dubbed and other Hindi films. He was trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani music and never made it to the top. Here is one from a dubbed film https://youtu.be/l-tJTab9480
And another from Nishan 1949 https://youtu.be/99ILsCxfsXw
Venkataramanji,
Ye to bata mere khuda is an excellent song. I ought to have mentioned that. But thanks for mentioning it again.
Gaddeswarupji,
Thanks a lot for information on Moti (TA Moti). It is clear he is different from Moti, the lyricist.
T A Moti was active in Kannada movies from the 50s to 1980 as a singer and occasional composer.
Gaddeswarup ji has posted the dubbed song from VAANA RATHAM( UDAN KHATOLA).
O door ke musafir’ s dubbed version is also sung by TAM.
He has sung in
SHIKARPURI,1947.
CHANDRALEKHA,1948.
RANI,1952,
MANOHAR,1954( A duet with Lata Mangeshkar)
There may be a few more.
Bhatiaji @ 15
You have a unique way of tuning your comments. Hat’s off to you
Surendra was wonderful singer. Saigal was more a singer than an actor. Ashok Kumar was more an actor than singer. Surendra was comfortable in both the roles.
I believe he entered the Bombay scene as an alternative to Saigal in 1936. In fact Mehboob Khan made the film Manmohan (1936), referred to as poor man’s Devdas, with Surendra in mind. And Surendra was in the lead role and it was big hit. Surendra worked with Mehboob Khan in eight films.
Anmol Ghadi was unique in the sense Surendra, Noor Jehan & Suraiya- all actor-singers came together with Naushad under Mehboob Khan’s banner. And it was the highest-grossing film for that year. Akji has included both the solos of Surendra from this film in his best ten. In the same year he rendered three solos in the film Panihari and one solo in the film 1857.
Here is the link to one of the solos
Chain Tumse Karaar Tumse Hai by Surendra, Panihari (1946)
https://gaana.com/song/chain-tumse-qarar-tumse-hai-1
Gaddeswarupji @ 18
Yes, you are right. Now I remember I had posted his songs from VanaRatham in my Dubbed version songs- Hindi to Tamil. Thanks.
AK ji,
@ 10,18,20,21 and 23
This is what I had written, about 4 years back, about T.A.Mothi…..
” I knew about Moti,B.A. but not about Moti T.A.. There was also the singer actor Moti Sagar. I tried very hard to gather information about this singer. I contacted my Tamil and Telugu friends and checked all known south Indian film channels,but to no avail. This is a great problem which I usually encounter in case of Southern and Bangla artistes. Information about these artistes is very difficult to come by. At times South artiste information may be available but Bangla artistes are obscure by their information.
Coming back T.A.Mothi, all that I was able to know that he was from Madras. He was a rare person who learnt Carnatic and Hindustani Classical music under experts.His Hindi pronunciation was very clear,without the typical southern style. He flourished in the later part of the 40s.In almost all dubbed and remade films in Hindi,during the 40s to 60s he sang songs in such films. He was also a very popular singer in Tamil,Telugu,Kannada and Malayalam languages. In South Indian versions of Barsat,Aan,Udan khatola etc etc he sang all the Tamil and Telugu songs. It was a hilarious scene to watch Dilip kumar singing in Tamil !.
From film Chandralekha-48,he started singing in Hindi films too. There may be many,but I heard his songs in Chandralekha,Nishan,mangala,Dil-46,Intezar ke baad-47,meri behan-62 Ram and Rahim-68. I read somewhere that in addition to Hindi, Tamil,Telugu,Knnada and Malayalam,T A Mothi also sang in Marathi.”
The Dil-46 song is his song.
-AD
I liked T A Moti’s Kannada songs very much. He has sung in Dr Rajkumar’s debut film BEDARA KANNAPPA,1954…Maayege siluki marulade manuja. He also sang in DUDDE DODDAPPA,1966 & BANGARADA MANUSHYA,1972, the first Kannada movie to run for over 2 years. But,he didn’t playback for Rajkumar in these. A fine example of his singing is his duet from KALAVATHI,1964.
Gaana Natya Rasadhare…a semi classical duet with S Janaki.
Music: G K Venkatesh ( arguably, the greatest among Kannada composers; Ilayaraja worked under him) & Lakshman Berlekar( the Marathi composer who gave music for KRANTIVEERA SANGOLLI RAAYANNA,1967 , the Kannada movie ,where he had the three Mangeshkar sisters and Manna Dey as his singers.)
https:// youtu.be/ 3pX8Vzrbpsg.
As late as 1980, T A Moti gave music for a Kannada movie, MAAYEYA MUSUKU.
N Venkataraman ji,
The internet, surprisingly,and,as observed by Deshmukh ji,has next to nothing about T A Moti.
One book which is supposed to have an article about him is:
THIRAI ISAI ALAIGAL Part V
P B Rangachari Mudhal SPB Varai.
By Vamanan.
Published by
Manivachagar Puthippagan
044 25361039
The ball is in your court now!
Arunji @ 25
Thanks for sharing.
Pradeepji @ 28,
Thanks for the information. I will be in Chennai during July. Let me see if I can get a copy.
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for so much information on Moti.
Posting another song by G M Durrani
Wo Nazro Me Samate by G M Durrani, film Saathi (1946), lyrics Wali Saheb, music Gulshan Sufi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=117&v=zLRC1owBoKg
Venkatraman ji @22 onwards ;
Thanks for your nice words of appreciation . 1946 is very important for me as I was born just before independence. My musical journey started in just two three years ….just copying what my elders used to sing . Everyone having their own pitch….the overall effect was like a funny opera scene.KL Saigal’s songs were special and my father used to sing many over harmonium. Elder visitors used to request my father to sing some of Saigal’s songs….mostly requesting …Babul mora and other songs. Pankaj Malik songs were also in line to sing in western styles.
Like fragrance …. Music have no gravity . Music can be heard and played anywhere . Still we say….light and soft music….and…heavy metallic music. I think some engineer / scientist needs to come up with research thesis finding the horizontal and vertical components of the gravitational push or pull of music. And if found….that will be a final search.
Thanks for the nice and rare postings of songs….and here are a few of my liking of 1946 songs.
Woh Pehli Mulaqat Hi Bus Pyar Ban Gayi SURENDRA IN EIGHTEEN FIFTY SEVEN [1946]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSoXrkih4aw
BLACK AND WHITE (1946) -Joru pe aitbaar kiya – Mir Ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxWgD6iEknU
Babu babure-S.D.Burman & S.L.Puri-Aath Din [1946]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozzvpjZENmU
Hans ji, Venkatraman ji, AK ji ;
Again thinking of gravity. For light music …sky is the limit ….only wordings are acting force to enter pleasure thru ears. Still the song is so light and here is such beautiful songs to enjoy for ever I suppose.
Door Chalein 1946 …..Dil Churane Ke Liye Koi Aa Raha….K C Dey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYoNomUgnMY
Bhatiaji @ 30,
The search to find the reason for the pull or push of good music will be eternal. Once the answer is found we would have transcended the realm of what we call ‘blissful’ music now and truly reached a state of bliss.
Woh Pehli Mulaqat Hi Bus Pyar Ban Gayi….nice rendition by Surendra.
Joru pe aitbaar kiya by Mir Ali….. both the singer and the song were new to me. Thanks for sharing. The lyricist’s name should also find a mention.
Babu babure by S D Burman & S L Puri is still in contention. With some luck it may find a place in the best ten duets.
Here is another song by Surendra from Panihari. But the voice seems to be different. Is it due to distortion.
Zamane Se Nirale Hai by Surendra, film Panihari (1946), lyrics Rammurti Chaturvedi, music Ali Hussain
https://gaana.com/song/zamane-se-nirale-hai?autoplay=true
Bhatiaji @ 31,
Dil Churane Ke Liye Koi Aa Raha form Door Chalein is indeed a beautiful song. But the singer is not K C Dey.
I wrote about it in the Best songs of 1946-curtain raiser post. I am reposting it for those who might have missed it.
For the film Door Chalein, (music K C Dey) rendered two duets with Meena Kapoor.
But there is another solo song which is credited by the uploader of the link to K C Dey. Shaliniji (Bhatt) wrote in her comment that the singer was Manna Dey. The HFGK mentions the singer as P Dey. Since Manna Dey’s actual name was Prabodh Chandra Dey, Shaliniji must have thought it was Manna Dey. Actually the singer is Prabhas Chandra Dey, younger brother of Manna Dey. Intially I too could recollect his nick name only, Bhelu. Later I remembered that his good name was Prabhas Chandra Dey.
Prabhas was tall, handsome and good looking. He was an accomplished singer too. He aspired to become an actor.
But his uncle’s diktat came in the way. He was compelled to join an engineering college. Later he started assisting his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey in composing music for films (Bengali), Rakhee, Kankantala Library etc. He independently composed a few songs and did a few playback singing. K C Dey along with Manna Dey shifted to Bombay in 1942. It was then Prabhas Chandra Dey got to sing for Aga in the film Door Chalein.
Posting two songs by Md.Rafi
Pran Tyag Kar Tune Diwani by Md.Rafi, Amar Raj (1946), lyrics I C Kapoor, music Feroze Nizami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=RrdppqWnxDY
Todo Dil Ke Taar by Md.Rafi, Amar Raj (1946), lyrics I C Kapoor, music Feroze Nizami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVT8SfeXtNU
A very equitable, inclusive and really a comprehensive overview of the male solo songs scenario for the year 1946..
As we go deeper into the past, there will be more and more of fewer songs that we continue to get to listen during Radio Ceylon days and then later during post_radio Ceylon days on cassettes, audio CD / VCD / DVD days. The present times of (free)internet have made available many more songs that people like me had never occasion to listen even during very active radio or cassettes listening days.
This year-wise series has provided tremendous opportunity to visit such unheard songs.
For me, from 1948 backwards, the number of such songs has been increasing in geometric progression. Listening to The Special Songs if further validation of my own position/
If I would have subscribed to remain within the confines of what I have had been more frequently listening to, my selection would have been quite identical. I would have put Ummeed Bhar Pankhi (S D Burman) as no. 2 and Kah Ke Bhi Na Aye Tum (M. Rafi) as no. 3.
Ashokji,
Very well said. Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
AK
This review of the 1946 Hindi film songs is very good. I fully agree with Ashok M Vaishnavji’s comment @ 35 and AK’s @ 36 saying ” Ashokji,
Very well said. Thanks a lot for your appreciation.”
But I would like to say that the rarity of the lovers of songs of yore finding it difficult to go further backward journey is just an academic interest and as many of the fans are going to become second hand impressionist of the songs from @46 backward.
However if one really, really loves the songs of yore then they must make some efforts to listen the old songs and try to find about the old songs.
I once got some rare songs in a garage sale of East Indian African third generation, here in England. And I enjoy them listening now and then and the new ideas and evaluation about the past comes in my mind.
So I think the efforts of AK’s of going backward is very praiseworthy though it will be very upward struggle.
I would like to point of small correction about the song “Ummid Bhara Panchhi” from the film ” Eight Days” mentioned as composer Naushad.
It was S.D.Burman as a composer and also a singer of the song. I have mentioned in my Tribute to Meena Kappoor ” post about the film.
As in the same film has a song in the voice of C.Ramchandra if C.Ramcahndra had asked Sachindaa to do singing in one of of his films?
Also the previous post being on Hemant Kumar and he sang for C.Ramcahndra then I wonder similar question if HK had asked C.Ramchandra to sing in his musical films?
All these talented male singers seemed to have very good co-operation with each other.
One also wonders why there were not many successful (?) female composers as a very good number of male composers dominate thirties to the good old Golden Era of fifties and beyond. We only had Bombay talkies’ famous composer “Saraswati Devi”.
Shalan
Shalan Lal ji,
The answer to both your questions seem to be a No!
Sachin da has sung for Pandit Amarnath,Lachchiram Tomar/Shyam Sunder , and,of course Pancham ( Doli mein bithaii ke kahaar,AMAR PREM,1972), but not for Hemant Kumar.
C Ramchandra has sung for Hanuman Prasad/ Husnlal Bhagatram, Anil Biswas, Roshan, Pandit Ramakant,Usha Khanna and a few more composers,but not Hemant Kumar.
I do want to add a disclaimer that this information is from what I could gather from the internet and this may not be the final word on the subject!
Shalan Lal,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and detailed comments. Also for the correction.
“What if C Ramchandra had asked Sachin Da to sing in his films?” SD Burman sang his own songs. I know of only two instances when he sang for other composers: His very first song in Hindi films, Prem ki pyari nishani from Taj Mahal (1941), composed by Madhulal Damodar Master; and thirty years later in Amar Prem, composed by RD Burman, Doli mein bithaayi ke kahaar. Therefore, CR would have not asked him. Hemant Kumar’s case is different. He was as much a playback singer as a music director, and he freely sang for other music directors.
Shalan Lal ji,
After reading AK ji’s reaction I feel the sites might have credited S D Batish songs to SDB.
AKji @ 39,
“I know of only two instances when he sang for other composers: His very first song in Hindi films, Prem ki pyari nishani from Taj Mahal (1941), composed by Madhulal Damodar Master; and thirty years later in Amar Prem, composed by RD Burman, Doli mein bithaayi ke kahaar. “
You are right.
Besides, S D Burman rendered 3 Bengali film songs for other composers.
1. Premer Samadhi teere, Taj Mahal (1940), lyrics Sailen Ray, music Himangshu Dutta
2. Chokh gelo Chokh gelo, Nandini (1941), lyrics & music Kazi Nazrul Islam
3. Ke Jeno Kandiche, Nari (1942), lyrics Pranab Ray, music Rai Chand Boral
He also sang a few NFS too, 4 for Himangshu Dutta, and one each for Kazi Nazrul Islam, Shailen Dasgupta & Subal Dasgupta.
I must thank AK and others who have added more songs for introducing me to the world of HFM of 1946. I was not familiar with these songs earlier.
Dr. Shetty has already shed much light on T.A.Mothi. I remember one duet he sang with P.Susheela in the Tamil movie Sabhash Meena (1957-58)… It was produced by B.R.Panthulu and had music by T.G.Lingappa, both from Karnataka.(It was remade in Hindi as Dil tera deewana)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t3MG_bYZo
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for completing the information on SD Burman’s songs for other music directors.
Giriji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and for adding the duet by TA Mothi and P Susheela. Traces of Nain so nain naahi milaao? And the next song it automatically played was the copy of Ye wada karo chaand ke saamne, bhula to na doge tum is raat ko.
Ullangal ondargi
Venkatraman ji @33;
Yes , now I remember. We all had long discussions on K C Dey/ Manna Dey ….and good you have once again come up with clarifications . Some how whenever I listen to such songs ….I do get carried away by shear soft melodies. For me K C Dey and Jagmohan stands equally on same platform.
Similarly cropped up songs of Chhar Paise [1955] whose MD was….B D Burman . His music was so different from SDB and RDB . Of all the songs his composition…….Majhi meri nayi ko jee chhahe jahan le chhal….by Lata ji….stands out as one of her best umong unknown songs . Permit me to post this song for melody lovers……
Majhi Mere Naiya Ko Ji Chahe – Lata Mangeshkar – CHAR PAISE …B D Burman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3x7ZhWU2uA
Venkatraman ji ;
In continuation , here are two songs of vintage flavour by Jagmohan from 1946 movie….Krishna Leela …Music by Kamal Das Gupta.
Vintage …this word ….fascinates me to core of my heart …..be it vintage cars from Baby Morris to Desoto to Cadillac to Buick to Studebaker to Baby Fiat , Baby Hindustan ….and so on ….they all have silent sounds to drive on the red coarse sand roads . Passing views of dew on green grass adds to the pleasure of the trip down the lanes. The other side of the fence is even more beautiful when you occasionally find wild animals dancing when viewing these rare cars ….forgetting their own driven carriages !!
So enjoy this vintage flavor……
Man Mein Basa Le Manmohan Ko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSjed_LGnsg
PRABHU TERI MAYA Jaganmoy Mitra Lyricist Fayyaz Hasmi Music Kamal Dasgupta Film Krishna Lila(1946)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGxziZq3GDQ&t=99s
Giri ji,
Yes, B R Pantulu, the star filmmaker in Kannada,Tamil ,Telugu ( 18,19 and 7 movies respectively, as Producer, Director and actor; & 2 each in Kannada and Tamil as Producer, Actor, half a dozen more as actor only) and Hindi( School Master,Amar Shaheed,Dil Tera Deewana) was a Kannadiga.
But,T G Lingappa was born in a Telugu family settled in Tamilnadu.
For EVERY movie produced and directed by BRP ( barring the three in Hindi) TGL was the music director. This must be a unique record among all Indian languages looking at the huge number of movies…48. The music of almost all of these movies is evergreen, and most of the movies did well commercially.
Dr.Shetty@47
Thank you for the information on T.G.Lingappa. But there are many movies produced by BRP in Tamil which had other MD’s. e.g., Kappalottiya Thamizhan had G.Ramanathan, Karnan and Aayirathil oruvan had Viswanathan-Ramamurthy as MD’s
AK@44,
Yes. The song from Punarjanmam is a copy of the song from Rajhat.
But the funny thing is that this film is a remake of Hindi film Daag, starring Dilip Kumar. They could have simply copied all the songs of Daag, which would have saved a lot of trouble!
AK
Like last year your first wrap up has arrived in June itself. I think everyone has agreed on KL Saigal and he deserves the respect.
You know my protests in these yearly reviews are mostly about Rafi. You say you select songs for the list which are either well known or those which register with you and which you would want to listen again and again. For Rafi you have included in the list just 3 well known songs and no other. Is your registry closed for Rafi. 🙂 In 1946 as to my knowledge there were 106 male solos sung by 42 singers which gives the average of about 2.5 songs per singer. In such a situation Rafi sang 17 solos, which was by far the most number of songs. No other singer reached double figures. You mean to say no song from the remaining 14 of Rafi songs registered with you.
I submit here a couple of Rafi’s songs for your as well as other friends perusal.
Karte hain wo ab humse mohabbat ka bahana – Ghunghat – Shankar Rao Vyas – Ramesh Gupta – as good as any of his songs included in this year’s list
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYTx6sCxQtI
Rahe to kaise rahe dil pe ikhtiar mujhe – Room No 9 – Rashid Atre – Nakhsahb Jarchavi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtOPohC_c-U
Some of his other songs are, to my ear, better than those included. A few of them have already been posted by Venkataramanji. But you have every right to include songs of other singer as they seem great to your ear, but Rafi’s songs should also be included to put the matters in perspective. I am not demanding any rewards for Rafi because he is beyond any rewards. Saigal was a legend in his own right, but Rafi was singing at 20 songs which Saigal would have been hard pressed to sing even at the mature stage he had reached then. I am sorry if sentiments of some Saigal fans are hurt, but I always give my frank opinion.
As to your list of best ten songs, Mukesh song does not deserve inclusion. Mukesh is my favourite singer but I could not listen to ‘o prani kya soche’ even once. I think SDB’s song was included just because it was his first solo rather than because of its quality. Rest of the 8 songs were great.
Giriji,
I find it amusingly quirky that South Indian filmmakers and music directors should remake one Hindi film into the regional language and copy songs from an entirely different film.
Hans,
About statistics, I counted 75 male solos in 1946 among the total songs for which singers have been identified in HFGK. Since the songs in which singers are identified constitute only 42% of total songs in the year, the total number of male solos by simple extrapolation should be about 180. But I think both of us are talking about songs with identified singers.
Coming to Rafi, I am not able to defend myself before the two Rafi-vigilantes on SoY, the other being Mumbaikar8, who are out with their weapons to look for any slight to him 🙂 . Having said that, the first song you have posted is truly superb. It starts with a slow recital, Bahut mayus hokar hum koocha-e-qaatil se nikale, and switches to the slow ghazal. Having heard his later songs, one can clearly see the seeds of greatness which blossomed later. Perhaps it might have gone unnoticed then as the prevalent style of singing was different. It deserved inclusion in the Master List, and also possibly in the best ten (in place of Tera khilona toota baalak?).
I respect your veneration for Rafi, but you don’t have to bring down KL Saigal. 🙂
Thanks for the several comments on my recalling (#2) Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya as once having been polled the best song of all times.
#3 Dr Shetty,
Thanks for your endorsement. You have a remarkable memory, to also remember the number 2.
#5 AK,
This was not a story, but an opinion poll conducted across various age groups by some agency, and carried by the national media. Of course I agree that no song can be anointed as the best, but ‘best’ in an opinion poll would rather imply most popular and that is unexceptionable. As for Sahgal, let me first declare, once again, even at the risk of being labelled blasphemous, that he (like Noorjahan) never was and still is not among my favourite singers. I do find his singing style unusual and rather odd. Only I appreciate some of his songs, largely coinciding with his most popular songs. Even for his times, I much more like and enjoy songs of Pankaj Mullick and C H Atma. I know Gham Diye Mustaqil as well as any other popular song of KLS, but like Dr Shetty I find Jab Dil Hi more sonorous.
#6, “Who did the poll?” I think, after all these years, is of little consequence.
#7 Naghma
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and likes, but please tell me yours is not a serious question. No, the poll was much later, I think some time in the Seventies or Eighties.
AK
I think I cannot even think about bringing down Saigal. I do not have such outrageous views about Saigal as Dinesh has. He was my father’s favourite, who had given standing orders to call him to radio, from where ever he was, when the last song of the 7.30 program of Radio Ceylon came up at 7.57. But he also put Rafi above him as singer.
Regarding difference in your and my stats, I counted 79 male solos whose names have been originally printed by HFGK. All others, I have updated from various sources, principally youtube. At present, I have details of about 51 per cent songs of 1946.
Regarding the Rafi matter Mumbaikar8 and I are just the culprits of reacting to your actions. 🙂 In last year’s Wrap up 1, you commented (@14) – “Rafi towered above all in the 50s and 60s. In the 40s, KL Saigal, Mukesh, GM Durrani, Khan Mastana, Mukesh and Surendra and some assorted singers dominated the scene.”
I had read it late but had done some exercise to collect figures for the assorted singers who dominated the scene in the 40s. Rafi came in 1944, so he cannot be compared upto 1944. From 1945 to 1950 which account for the forties decade, Durrani – 112, Khan Mastana – 43, SD Batish – 40, Chitalkar – 74, AR Ojha – 27, and Shankar Dasgupta – 22, all of them accounted for a total of 318 songs. Rafi alone sang more than 350 songs during this period. Mukesh sang just about 160 songs during the same period. Saigal and Surendra I have kept out of this because they were singer actors and got very few films after Rafi came, so they could not have competed with Rafi in numbers.
You had said last year that Rafi towered above all in the 1950s, but at SOY he did not tower above anybody in three years reviews of 1951, 53 and 55. 🙂
Bhatiaji @ 46
Thanks for the vintage vibes of Jagmohan Sursagar.
Presenting an likeable song of Sundar (Singh)
Zindagi Kya Ek Gadbad Hai by Sundar (Singh), film Arabian Nights (1946), lyrics Faiyyaz Hashmi, music Kamal Dasgupta
https://gaana.com/song/zindagi-kya-ek-gadbad-hai
Hansji, Akji,
As the friendly bout continues on Rafi, let me add one more song.
Data Ji Tera Bhed Na Paya by Md. Rafi, film Sona Chandi (1946), lyrics Shamim, music Tufail Farooqi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnbWWm_k_kQ
Dinesh
I am with you on ‘jab dil hi toot gaya’. Saigal’s voice is much softer and quite what was required for the song. It was work of the genius of Naushad that Saigal sang 5 good songs in one film.
I have a question to ask you. Do you really believe in these polls. You seem to be in some anger at others who had a question to ask. Naghma only referred to another poll done by BBC Asia Network, which declared ‘baharo phool barsao’ as the no. 1 song. The process of this song was that a list of 100 songs was given put to vote to the listeners. You can see the results by searching google. A list of top 20 is given. Some of the selections I am giving. ‘Baharo phool barsao’ was no 1, ‘awara hoon’ was no. 2. ‘Tujhe dekha to ye jana sanam’ (3) was better than ‘ajeeb dastan hai ye’ (4). ‘Tere liye’ (veer jara) (6) and ‘ye dosti’ (sholay) (7) were better than ‘pyar kiya to darna kya’. ‘Chhaiyyan chhaiyan’ (9) was better than ‘chalte chalte yunhi koi’ (10). ‘Kal ho na ho’ was better than ‘aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai’. ‘Kuchh kuchh hota hai’ ‘maujan hi maujan’ and ‘ae mere humsafar’ were all better than ‘chaudhvin ka chand ho’. I think I should stop here. I think I have amused you enough to lessen your anger against AK and others. Another notable feature of this poll was that no solo song of Kishore made the cut. We were being told that the younger generation is loving the voice of KK like anything. The list tells us thatb majority of respondents of this poll was certainly the younger generation.
There was another poll by the Outlook magazine done in 2006 perhaps. In that 30 bollywood celebrities linked with music world were asked to make a list of 10 songs each. So there were in all 300 entries and the song with the most number of likes was to win. And the winner was ‘man re tu kahe na dheer dhare’. Rafi had 5 solos and two duets. Lata had 5 solos and one duet. KK had two songs, Asha had one solo and one duet. Significant feature of the poll was that Mukesh, Talat and Shamshad were missing and Sonu Nigam got one song in the top 20. We also came to know with the help of this poll that the two best duets were ‘jo wada kiya’ and ‘chura liya hai tumne’.
Hans @54,
I refer to your last part. I went over my Wrap Up 1 of 1951, 1953, 1955 again. 1953 for some reason appears to be a shadow year for Rafi. It was the year of Talat Mahmood quite clearly, and ‘other’ singers. I am sure even you would not want to include a Rafi song by displacing one of the songs I have selected in the best ten.
1951 had Deedaar, but Talat, Mukesh had some of the iconic songs of their career. 1955 had Udankhatola, but again ‘other’ singers were going great guns. In general, in the early 50s the niche singers were creating sensation. When I said 50s and 60s, I was talking of a span of 20 years, and later-50s onwards Rafi was becoming everyone’s favourite. The three early years I have done are not good examples for proving bias. 🙂
Venkatraman ji @55,56;
Thanks for the rare lovely songs. Yes , actor Sunder Singh was not only a fine comedian but a good singer too. Off and on he would sing a line or two in comic songs but in his life he has sung more than a dozen independent songs. But in his life his contribution as a comedian was more than his singing. A must for a punjabi movie ….where he worked as hero too.
#57 Hans
Anger?! At Naghma or at AK? Hans, what are you sayimg? This is a fun forum, and I enjoy being here. It is a mood-lightener, not to feel angry or morose. You have got it completely wrong. Just to express one’s opinion freely, even if not mainstream, is no reason for anyone to be angry about anything at all here.
Now that I hope I have helped you get this notion out of the way, let me address your question about opinion polls. My answer is yes and no. They do indicate certain trends, but they are surely not sacrosanct or gospel truth. One takes then with a pinch of salt, but nonetheless it is fun to go through them. It is eveident from your own post that you too share this mindset.
But for anyone to believe that Baharon Phool Barsao could be a number one song in any poll or survey was a little too much for me. Even though your mentioning this vaguely recalled to me from the dark recesses of the past this poll results too.
Dinesh,
Sorry for joing in. I am sure Hans also meant it in a lighter way. Since I am the blogger, people can be at times angry with me 🙂 . I might have opinion on songs and singers, but I think I am not offensive. Yes, I can be irreverent in a lighter way.
Coming back to the issue, my simple point was that it is impossible to anoint any song as the all-time best. Therefore, we have to resort to sub-classifications to deal with large numbers.
I appreciate the post and am in addition able to learn so many things from the honourable members’ detailed discussions .
It is natural that everyone has his own different best list . But no objective method of assessing a Hindi film song has evolved yet. Even the annual best song awards raise so many controversies . It is great that we respect each others list.
I know of many who cannot tolerate some of these singers whom many of us may call as favourites .
My view is that liking for a song may depend on several factors . For instance ‘ baharon phool barsao…’ and ‘ Aawaz de ke hamein tum bulao… ‘ are songs I feel with the same melody , the MDs are the same though one is a duet of Rafi . Yet these songs may not be ranked equally as there are several components of a Hindi film song that can influence the listener ‘s liking . In this case the preludes , interludes , instruments used , lyrics , setting etc. are all different .
While on the subject of the best lists , it would have been interesting if we had figures of how many times each of these songs were played say over radio Ceylon in the first five years or the number of copies sold say in the first 5 years .These figures would fairly reflect the public preferences for comparison with our lists .
Dinesh
AK understands me well. My comment was in lighter vein. I followed up with the funny list of songs in the polls also for the same reason. I have met you in AK’s meetings, so I know first hand that you cannot be angry and are very frank in your comments.
About the polls it is true that it is fun to see the lists, but believe me I had not seen these lists before yesterday, despite the fact that both polls put my favourite singer at the top spot. I had known about these but I have such a disliking for such polls that I just ignored them. But, now I think I should have seen the lists earlier. They could have been used at various places at least to make the atmosphere humorous. I agree with AK and Joseph that it is impossible to say which song is the best. If I am asked to make a top ten (or even top 100) list of my favourite singer Rafi, I would blacken out a whole ream of paper for a month and at the end would be obliged to tear it away.
I know about your, AK and Subodh’s love affair with ‘baharo phool barsao’, but I like this song very much, because I am not one of those who gets bored by listening repeatedly a good song and then as a reaction starts hating that song. 🙂
Bhatiaji, AKji,Hansji,
This song is a recent find (for me). Except for a female-voice interlude from 1:58-2:07, this is song should be considered as a Rafi solo.
Hotho ki hansi kya hai, Kya ashq bahana hai by Md.Rafi, Hawai Khatola (1946), lyrics Qaisar Sabai, music Basheer Dehlvi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=XVuyX7FsR9g
There were 24 singers who had only one song in the year 1946. This song from Mansarovar composed by SN Tripathi was sung by Pandya. Lyrics were by Saraswati Kumar Deepak. ‘Kyon ghunghat men atkheli’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSDjN9B6WJs
‘Ab mujhe aapki tasveer se kuchh kahna hai’ is a song from Khamosh Nigahen. This was composed by Vinod, and is credited to have been sung by him. Lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkzs5nFssho
Jag ki sewa karle bande sung by one Mehboob in film Humjoli. MD Hafeez Khan, Lyricist Anjum Pilibhiti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9DC41AXnDk
Hansji @ 65 & 66
Kyon ghunghat men akheli by Pandya & Jag ki sewa karle bande by Mehboob. Both the songs and the singers were new to me. Thanks for posting them.
The third song Ab mujhe aapki tasveer se kuchh kahna hai was posted by Akji in the special songs in this post.
Similarly the Rafi song Data Ji Tera Bhed Na Paya posted by me @56 was posted earlier by Mumbaikarji (@20) in the earlier post- ‘Best songs of 1946: And the winners are?’.
Posting a solo of Shankar Dasgupta. I think this was his debut song. The Dilip Kumar starer Milan (1946) was based on a story by Rabindranath Thakur and directed by Nitin Bose.
Upar Hai Badriya Kaari by Shankar Dasgupta, film Milan (1946), lyrics Pyarelal Santoshi, music Anil Biswas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=53&v=ddJJXbki66w
Venkataramanji
Thanks. I normally check up before posting, but this time I forgot that there is a special section too. Pandya’s name I have seen in some songs, but who is this Mehboob. Did the MDs in those days got songs recorded with singers from the street. May be Arunji can throw some light.
N Venkataramanji @56,
I must acknowledge O Dataji, tera bhed na paya is a fabulous song. Raga Desh?
S Joseph @62,
Entirely agree with your views. Counting frequency on Radio Ceylon would be a very cumbersome exercise, and it may not be a true indication of a song’s worth. From Hans’s comments immediately after yours you get some idea what many of us feel about Bahaaro phool barsaao, though I understand it is one of the greatest songs of all time?
Hans ji, Venkatraman ji , AK ji ;
The songs posted are full of surprises …in fact there are many in 1946 domain. Singers , lyricists , music directors….all unheard ….and yet coming up after using long oars ….in deep river beds full of hidden jewels . For Rafi too ….many unheard songs crop up to add to the river breeze.
A few assorted songs from known and unknown singers….
Sassi Punnu 1946: Zabt kar bahr-e-khuda shikwa-e-bedaad na kar (G. M. Durrani)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pG3sLYNU5k
BOHAT MAYUS HOKAR – RAFI-FILM-GHUNGHAT(1946)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8iJSjOltPs&t=54s
Main jab gaoon geet 1946…..Amar Raj….Rafi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRdFtw0QLrg
Ab woh hamare ho gaye . 1946…..film Safar – Rafi…… music C Ramchandra – lyric: Gopal Sing Nepali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XrYQ3v1Lo8
Aapas ke jhagdon ne dekho Bharat ko barbad kiya – 1946…..Rafi….Mera Geet. music by shankar rao viyas. lyrics by Ramesh Gupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbXWAUlquVk&t=76s
Dataji tera bhed na paya – 1946…..Rafi….Sona Chandi. music by Tufail Farooqi. lyrics by Shamim Jaipuri 1946
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdXbBkmMlhA&t=61s
…..to be contd.
KS Bhatiaji,
We are discovering many good songs of Rafi and other songs. Among your list Bahut maayus hokar and Dataji, tera bhed na paya have already been posted. In the former song I found the use of word ‘makkar (zamana) quite odd. This word sound OK in dialogues in appropriate situations, but in lyrics we are conditioned to expect more dignified words.
AK ji;
Bahut maayus hokar…..was really a song that could have been due to the periodic effects [ 1946/47] when country was in a state of turmoil. Everyone coming up with their own ideas leading to …disturbance, disorders and chaos . I think there are some more songs like this one where protests comes up even after independent India.
Venkataramanji @64
New songs of films are coming up on youtube. For songs of Hawai Khatola are there on youtube. I had also marked this as a Rafi solo. Some of the songs are being posted without names of the singers. There are 4 songs of the film Her Hithness, all in female voice, which do not show singer’s name. I could not make out who is singing. Can you, AK or any other suggest who is the singer.
AK @72
I think such words were frequently used in comic songs and it appears to be a comic song. But, you would have made a good censor board chief. Here is a song ‘besharmi se sharm na kar, hera pheri se na dar’ from 1973 film Teen Chor. What would you have said to this as censor board chief. ‘I ban this because it instigates people to be immoral’. 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w05ErixtFyM
Hans ji,AK ji,
TEEN CHOR, for me,has always been about Man ki khajane mein Maya hi Maya, Jab bhi tu chahe isse loot le…I consider this one of Sonik Omi’s best songs. Curious to know who the uncredited female voice belongs to!
Besharmi se sharm na kar,in my opinion, isn’t all that Besharam Gaana requiring AK ji’s stern intervention! It , however,is unique for having Rafi, Manna Dey and Mukhesh in the same song. Which other songs have this combination?
Later day songs asking
Teri naani mari toh main kya karoon?/ Tujhko mirchi lage toh main kya karoon?
will need a strict sensor board chief!
Just read about Punjab Women’s Commission complaining about vulgar lyrics in Yo Yo Honey Singh’s latest video Makhna ..Main hoon womanizer! … Siliconwale ladkiyon ko main pakadtha nahin!!!
Disgusting fellow!
Hans and Dr Shetty,
Censor Board chiefs take upon themselves the responsibility for protecting the nation’s morality. I am not fit for that role. I used the word ‘odd’ for makkar, because this was how Dilip Kumar would call Pran in the last scene – Main tujh makkar ko chhorunga nahin, and punch him with some very soft fist-blows. Those were different days. With villains becoming like Mogambo, out to cause mayhem in the country, blow its cities with missiles etc, that word went out of vogue. Because of its association with old-era villains, I found it in the lyrics quite ‘odd’. The lyricist could have thought of another word.
Dr Shetty
I had appointed AK censor chief just for fun. We need him here and would not allow him to go there – even if he is appointed – and seeks our concurrence. I understand AK was talking about the self censorship of the lyricists, in an era when lyricists believed themselves to be poets. The era you are referring to ‘mirchi lagi to’ era, was an era when there were just tukbandi masters and no lyricists, except a few. But, even is this, you have been able to raise a right concern about the deteriorating lyrics, especially in local language songs, which are more popular nowadays than film songs, in the class which is capable of raising more ruckus. I am in Haryana, where there is a lot of labour from UP, Bihar and MP. We hear a lot of Haryanvi, Panjabi and Bhojpuri remixes and there lyrics are really alarming. I think AK will also agree about Bhojpuri lyrics as he comes from that area.
AK
You are right. The lyricist was also using ‘khudgarj’ and ‘makkar’ alternately in that song. ‘Khudgarj’ was a better word and fitted into the rhyme scheme also.
Hansji @74
I checked up about Her Highness (1946). There are 7 songs and singer details are absent. Music Director is shown as Harishchandra Bali. Details of actors are available from imdb.com. Here too singers name are not mentioned. If you check up on actors name, could place the singer on the assumption that singing actors were still in the field.
AK,
“Discovery of such songs makes the exercise of year-wise reviews worthwhile.
Absolutely! Thanks for all the effort you make for that.
Most of them were new to me. Enjoyed them all, Manna Dey’s in particular.
Why have left the selection for the best song open ended? Usually you come up one only.
AK ji,
Expectedly, Saigal is ahead of others in the list of top songs(male) for 1946. Wrap up 1 has been done very well. Congrats.
The song from film Safar by Mohd Rafi was heard for the first time by me and family members. Whereas the imprint of Saigal’s style could be seen on most of the singers, this song has been sung by Rafi without any influence of Saigal whatsoever. Credit should go to C.. Ramchandra for giving an independent stature to Mohd Rafi.
Thanks.
Mumbaikar8,
I am happy you liked the songs. The three KL Saigal songs of Shahjahan are equally great. So there was no ambiguity, KL Saigal was the Best Male Playback Singer, and the three songs joint best.
AK,
Hans wrote
“Saigal was a legend in his own right, but Rafi was singing at 20 songs which Saigal would have been hard pressed to sing even at the mature stage he had reached then”
Your response
“I respect your veneration for Rafi, but you don’t have to bring down KL Saigal”
You wrote
“Rafi overtook him, because of his versatility, but Durrani was unbeatable in his comfort zone”
This is not the first time you have said this; you have written this for Rafi with Hemant Kumar Talat Mahmood Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, aren’t you suggesting that Rafi was jack of all and master of none again and again and again and for your respect for all the male singers bringing down Rafi?
Mumbaikar8,
If a top-notch prosecution lawyer also assumes the role of a pre-determined judge, no person can expect to have a fair trial. 🙂 Let me nevertheless present my defence which I have submitted several times earlier.
I have said very unambiguously that Rafi was the most versatile male playback singer ever, and he was the only singer who could sing all types of songs. Your Honour, this means exactly what I have said, and no other hidden meaning should be read into it. Further, I have also said that Rafi had no match in singing slow recital type of ghazals/nazms. This is also an unambiguous statement. I rest my case and submit myself to Your Honour’s sense of justice and fairness. 🙂
AK,
I am not accusing; it is just an opinion.
I agree you always say that Rafi is the most versatile singer but whenever you use it in reference of other singers there is always that feeling of “काश” , which incidentally is missing when you are talking about Kishore’s tsunami☹ you can check it in your posts, its there.
#86 AK
Manna Dey is on record having stated that he regarded Kishore Kumar as the most “versatile” singer. Versatile is not to be confused with best or some other superlatives. Given the range of singing styles of KK, especially without any formal training, I fully agree with Manna Dey. Like AK, many others may find Rafi as the best or the most melodious, etc., but surely he cannot be called the most versatile. In fact his downfall started when in mid and late sixties he tried to transcend his range and be more versatile than he was or capable of.
Dinesh,
This is the first time I am seeing someone question Rafi’s versatility. But let it pass. I am happy you clubbed me among those who regard Rafi as the best or the most melodious. Hope Mumbaikar8 is reading it.
Did I? It was only in comparison with KK.
Dinesh
I will relate here two BA(e)D TIME stories.
1. Once upon a time there was a music lover. He used to listen to the songs of only one singer. Then came a bad time. The music lover started hating the same singer whom he loved. The reason was OES (over exposure syndrome). 😉
2. Once upon a time there lived a versatile singer and a non-versatile singer. Then came a bad time. The versatile singer was so distraught due to his versatile singing that the non-versatile singer was asked to give play back to the voice of the versatile singer.
AK, @ 89
Yes ….. I read it…… It should have been unlike AK Yes again there are many of us who think Rafi is best and most melodious. But we are not lonely we have company of likes of K C Dey, S D Burman and Manna Dey, rest of them I do not have on record but Manna Dey I do have on record. In this recording he is questioned by Shekhar Gupta what he thinks about the three greats Kishore, Mukesh and Rafi to which his response starts at 11.00 and at the end at 20.30 he asks him to compare the contemporary singers to the three greats (again in the same order) there he distinctly describes KK’s SINGING.
https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/walk-the-talk/walk-the-talk-with-manna-dey-aired-october-2004-302478
#88 Dinesh K Jain
At 10:39 Manna Dey talks about all of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFPpPdeXVw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY7xahd9lP8