If 1944 was the year of Naushad’s Jewel in the Crown, Rattan, 1943 was the year of Kismet which became a cult film on the back of its music by Anil Biswas. The Master Khemchad Prakash was at the peak of his craft, and so were KL Saigal and Khursheed in the film Tansen which had many timeless songs. And who can forget Ram Rajya’s defining song in Bhimpalasi, ‘Beena madhur madhur kachhu bol’ and other beautiful songs composed by Shankar Rao Vyas? This was also the year of Neend hamari khwab tumhare from Nai Kahani, composed by Pt. Shyam Sundar.
Other musical landmarks
There were many more songs in the year which have become milestones. Naushad would take a year to become a sensation with Rattan, but he made a mark in 1943 too. He gave music for three films – Kanoon, Namaste and Sanjog – and all the three celebrated silver jubilees. Each of them had some songs remembered till today. With their stalwarts already having left for Bombay, the New Theatres, gasping its last breath, made Kashinath and Wapas with music by Pankaj Mullick and RC Boral respectively, which had some beautiful songs by Asit Baran. Asit Baran I discovered after I started blogging when I was curious as to who minded the stable after KL Saigal, KC Dey and Pankaj Mullick had left the New Theatres. Kanan Devi had some excellent songs in Hospital, composed by Kamal Dasgupta. There were many more, such as Hamari Baat, composed by Anil Biswas; Panghat with music by SN Tripathi, Poonji by Ghulam Haider and Naadan by K Datta etc.
Before I give a list of the MEMORABLE SONGS, let us have some big picture. Out of 105 films made in the year (the most in the war years 1939-45), nothing is known about songs of three films, not even song titles, nor the lyricists or music directors’ names. HFGK gives song titles of 959 songs from the remaining 102 films, but for 412 songs (43% of the total), nothing is known about their singers. For the remaining 547 songs whose particulars about singers, lyricists and music directors are known, the distribution between male solos, female solos and duets is as given in the Table below. You might recall I have reiterated this several times, this distribution follows the long-term general trend.
Macro snapshot
| No. of films in 1943 |
105 |
| Less, no. of films for which no details known | (-) 3 |
| Net number of films in which song titles known | 102 |
| No. of songs in which song titles known | 959 |
| Less, no. of songs of which singers not known | (-) 412 (43%) |
| Net no. of songs of which singers known | 547 |
| Male solos | 119 (21.76%) |
| Female solos | 256 (46.80%) |
| Duets | 172 (31.44%) |
| Male solos: Female solos: Duets ratio | 1: 2.18: 1.45 |
Note: The above chart is on the basis of HFGK. But now several uncredited songs are available on YT and other sites with details of singers. I have used some such songs in Special songs.
Debuts
V Shantaram broke out from Prabhat Films partners and set up his own production house Rajkamal Kalamandir. Its first film Shakuntala was made in the year with music by Vasant Desai. This film became a superhit and was the beginning of a long association of Vasant Desai with V Shantaram. Mehboob Khan set up his own production house and debuted with its first film Najma. Prior to this he had directed about a dozen films for other studios like Sagar Movietone and National Studios. These were leading studios of the time, and some of these films with music by Anil Biswas, such as Deccan Queen (1936), Jagirdar (1937), Aurat, Alibaba (1940), Bahen (1941), Roti (1942) acquired a legendary status. Mehboob Studios another film in the year, Taqdeer is significant because it marked the entry of ‘Baby Fatima’ for the first time as Nargis in a lead role.
Suraiya started her career in 1942 as a playback singer. She continued giving playback for other actors in 1943 too, such as for Mehtab in Sanjog. But she also debuted as an actor in Ishara, Hamari Baat in 1943. Thus, the year became the launch pad for Suraiya on way to becoming a great actor-singer.
Shyam Sundar debuted in Hindi films with Nai Kahani. Some other music directors too started their career as independent composers in the year, such as Avinash Vyas and AR Qureshi with Mahasati Anusuya, Khursheed Anwar with Ishara, Firoz Nizami with Vishwas and Ghulam Mohammad with Mera Khwab. Bela Mukherjee (later married to Hemant Kumar) sang her first song in Kashinath.
Tansen became KL Saigal’s first film in Bombay for Ranjit Studios.
Some lyricists also debuted in the year, such as Bharat Vyas with Duhai, Narendra Sharma with Hamari Baat and Saraswati Kumar ‘Deepak’ with Zabaan. Shyamkumar sang for the first time in the film Namaste, the song being Dil ka gudda uda.
Fact file; Trivia
Kismet became a sensation, running uninterrupted for three years and eight months at Roxy Theatre in Calcutta. This record was broken 32 years later with Sholay, and further down by Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Kismet spawned many tropes in Hindi films, such as a good-hearted crook working to get her girlfriend medical treatment; coincidence when in the end the anti-hero meets his long-lost family. This film had a thinly veiled song of defiance against the imperial power, Aaj Himalay ki choti se phir humne lalkara hai/ Door hato aye duniyawaalo Hindustan hamara hai. The lyricist, Kavi Pradeep was able to pull the wool over the eyes of the British Censors by the ruse of using the words, ‘German ho ya Japani’.
Bombay started attracting musical talents from all the regions. Amalgam of different cultural influences gave birth to a distinct style of Hindi film sangeet, which had a simple tune, gradually larger orchestra, and standard length of about three minutes constrained by the 78 rpm record.
Kashinath became the last film directed by Nitin Bose for the New Theatres after he developed differences with BN Sircar. Hamari Baat was the last film of the Bombay Talkies in which Devika Rani acted.
Ram Rajya is said to be the only film which Gandhiji ever saw. There is a song (#13) with the same mukhada of a song in Aawara, Ek bewafa se pyar kiya sung by an unknown singer, K Sudarama. She happened to be the wife of its composer, K Narayan Rao. Some songs in the film Aankh Ki Sharam are credited to Meenakshi. Some YT links credit these to Amirbai Karnataki which seems plausible. Therefore, I have written her name too in parenthesis.
In Panghat, the music director SN Tripathi also sang a few songs. The more famous Rajkumari (Dubey) was the lead singer of the film. But this film also had a song by the other Rajkumari (Shukla), which happens to be the only film song sung by her.
MEMORABLE SONGS
Aabroo: Music Govind Ram
1. Teekhi chitawan dikha ke loot liya – Vatsala Kumthekar
2. Inhin logon ne le leena dupatta mera – Yaqub
3. Piya milan ki rut ayi – Sitara Devi and GM Durrani
4. Gori baanke nayan se chalave jadua – Sitara Devi and GM Durrani
5. Soutan ke ghar na jaiyo – Sitara Devi
Aage Kadam: Lyrics Kailash Matwala; Music Master Madhav Lal
6. Wo roothe huye hain manana padega – Motilal
Aankh Ki Sharam: Lyrics Pt Indra; Music Vasant Desai
7. Bhai bhaj le Shi Bhagwan – Pandeji (Vasant Desai)
8. Bijli chamkan lagi, Rama Bijli chamkan lagi – Meenakshi (Aimirbai Karnataki)
9. Aankh milte hi muhabbat ho gayi – Meenakshi (Amirbai Karnataki)
Andhera: Lyric Pt. Indra; Music Gyan Dutt
10. Bande apna mol chukana, tujhe yaad karega zamana – KC Dey
Badalti Duniya: Lyrics Mohan Sinha; Music KC Dey
11. Haar na jana duniya ke is khel mein pyare – KC Dey
Bhakt Raj: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music C Ramchandra
12. Bahar ayi re, koel kook uthi – Amirbai Karnataki
Duniya Diwani: Lyrics Arshad Gujarati; Music K Narayan Rao
13. Ek bewafa se pyar kiya, haye kya kiya – K Sundarama
Hamari Baat: Lyrics Pt. Narendra Sharma; Music Anil Biswas
14. Baadal sa nikal chala yah dal matwala re – Anil Biswas and chorus
15. Main unki ban jaaun re – Parul Ghosh
16. Bistar bichha diya hai tere dar ke saamne – Arun Kumar and Suraiya
17. Sookhi bagiya haree hui, Ghanshyam badariya chhai re – Parul Ghosh and others
18. Ae baad-e-saba ithalati na aa, mera gunch-e-dil to sookh gaya – Parul Ghosh
Hospital: Lyrics Pt Bhushan, Pt Madhur; Music Kalmal Dasgupta
19. Prabhuji rakho laaj hamari – Kanan Devi
20. Meri majbooriyon ne mera daaman chaak kar dala – Kanan Devi
21. Zara nainon se naina milaye jaao re – Kanan Devi
Hunterwali Ki Beti: lyrics A Karim; Music Chhannalal Naik
22. Dil-e-nadan tujhe hua kya hai – Khan Mastana (Ghalib)
Ishara: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Khursheed Anwar
23. Baagon mein koel boli, mere dil ki duniya doli – Suraiya and Satish
24. Shabnam kyun neer bahaye – Gauhar Sultana
Kanoon: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Naushad
25. Aye jawani, jaaye jawani, ja ke phir na aye jawani – Shyamkumar and Suraiya
26. Ek tu hai ek main hun aur nadi ka kinara ho – Suraiya
Kashinath: Lyrics Pt Bhushan; Music Pankaj Mullick
27. Manmohan mukhada mod gaye aur base bides jaye – Radharani
28. Meri bagiya mein kooke koeiya – Asit Baran and Unkown female singer
29. Roti Vrishbhan kumari – Radharani and others
30. Hum chale watan ki ore – Asit Baran
Kismat: Lyrics Pradeep; Music Anil Biswas
31. Aaj Himalay ki choti se phir humne lalkara hai – Amirbai & others
32. Ab tere siwa kaun mera Krishna Kanhaiya – Amirbai
33. Dheere Dheere aa re baadal – Arun Kumar and Amirbai
34. Hum aisi kismet ko kya karen haye jo ek din hansaye en din rulaye – Arun Kumar, Amirbai & others
35. Papiha re, mere piya se kahiyo jaye – Parul Ghosh
36. Ae duniya bata humne bigada hai kya tera…Ghar ghar mein Diwali hai mere ghar mein andhera – Amirbai
Mahatma Vidur: Lyrics Pt. Narottam Vyas; Music Harishchandra Bali
37. Har kaam mein rahte prabhu hamaare – Vishnupant Pagnis
Muskrahat: Lyrics IC Kapoor; Music C Ramchandra
38. More raja ki oonchi atariya – Unknown male singer and unknown female singer
Nadan: Lyrics Ziya Sarhadi, Tanveer Naqvi; Music K Datta
39. Dil dun ki naa dun – Noorjehan
40. Roshni apni umangon ki mitakar chal diye – Noorjehan
Nai Kahani: Lyrics Wali Saheb; Music Shyam Sundar
41. Neend hamari khwab tumhare kitne meethe kitne pyare – GM Durrani & Balakram
42. Des beech pardesan karke chhod chale Girdhari – Leela Mehta
43. Man mandir mein aye baalam – Rajkumari and Paresh Banerjee
Najma: Lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti; Music Rafiq Ghazanavi
44. Eid milo Eid – Chorus
45. Fasl-e-bahar gaye ja – Sitara Devi
46. Mujhe wo khilaate hai paanon mein mirche – Ashok Kumar (lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi
47. Fasl-e-bahar gaaye ja, deed-e-gham rulaye ja – Parul Ghosh and Sitara
48. Saajan ke naina jaadu baan, main waari jaaun – Amirbai and Mumtaz
49. Aaja aaja dil ko nahin hai qaraar – Ashok Kumar and Sitara
Namaste: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Naushad
50. Aye bhi wo gaye bhi wo, khatm fasana ho gaya – Parul Ghosh
Nurse: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Gyan Dutt
51. Koeliya kaahe bole ri, mora nazuk nazuk jiyara – Khursheed
52. Aankhon ka khel khel ke aankhen koi churaaye kyon – Khurhseed
53. Wo gaye nahin humein mil ke – Rajkumari
Panghat: Lyrics Pt. Indra, Ramesh Gupta; Music SN Tripathi
54. Panghat ko chali panihaarin – Rajkumari and others
55. Panghat ke ghayalon ka panghat hi hai thikana – SN Tripathi
Poonji: Lyrics DN Madhok, Shaukat Thanavi, Behzad Lakhanavi; Music Ghulam Haider
56. Gaadiwale dupatta uda jaye re – Shamshad Begum, Zeenat Begum
57. Balamwa re, sajanawa re, jab se naina se naina laage – Shamshad Begum
58. Kaan mein baaliyan, jhoomarwaliyan – Ghulam Haider and Shamshad Begum
Prarthana: Lyricas Safdar ‘Aah’; Music Saraswati Devi
59. Kaahe neha lagaye sajaniya – Jahanara Kajjan
60. Tumhre darsan ka naina taras gaye ho – Jahanara Kajjan
Prem Sangeet: Lyrics Bharat Vyas; Music SK Pal
61. Main Agre se joota laya re – Bharat Vyas and Shanta Thakkar
Ram Rajya: Music Sankar Rao Vyas
62. Aao ri suhagan nari mangal gaao ri – Amirbai Karnataki, Saraswati Rane and others
63. Suryadev jagdeep tej jinka –
64. Ajab vidhi ka klekh kisi se padha nahin jaaye – Manna Dey
65. Beena madhur madhur kachu bol – Saraswati Rane
66. Bharat ki ek sannari ki hum katha sunaate hain – Yahswant Balkrishna Joshi and Yashwant Nikam
Rani: Lyrics Pt. Madhur; Music Kamal Dasgupta
67. Saawan ne boondan ki jhalar daali – Kamal Dasgupta and Anima Dasgupta
Sanjog: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Naushad
68. Mori gali more raja, mori kasam aa ja – Suraiya
69. Aa more saanwre sainya mora jiya lahraye – Suraiya
70. Papiha kaahe machave shor – Charlie
71. Kaun gali ka chhora pukare – Hamida, Shyamkumar
Sawaal: Lyrics Wali Saheb; Music Pannalal Ghosh
72. Aaj pahlu mein dard sa kya hai – Parul Ghosh
73. Paanwali khila de raseela sa paan – Unknown male singer and Amirbai Karnataki
Shakuntala: Music Vasant Desai
74. Chaand sa nanha aye, phoolon sa khil khil jaaye – Jayshree and Zohrabai Ambalewali (Ratan Piya)
75. Ek prem ki pyasi bani banvasi – Amirbai Karnataki (Ratan Piya)
76. Mere baba ne baat meri maan li – Jayshree
77. Jeevan ki naao na dole, haan ye hai tere hawale – Jayshree (Dewan Sharar)
Shankar Parvati: lyrics Pt. Indra; Music Gyan Dutt
78. Ganga kinare mohe bagiya laga do sainya – Amirbai Karnataki
Tansen: Lyrics DN Madjok, Pt. Indra; Music Khemchand Prakash
79. Ghata ghanghor ghor mor machve shor – Khursheed
80. Kaahe guman kare ri gori – KL Saigal
81. Rumjhum rumjhum chaal tihari – KL Saigal
82. Baag laga dun sajani – KL Saigal
83. More balapan ke sathi chhaila bhul jaiyo na – KL Saigal, Khursheed
84. Sapt suran teen gram – KL Saigal
85. Ho dukhiya jiyra rote naina – Khursheed
86. Ab raja bhaye more baalam wo din bhool gaye – Khursheed
87. Bina pankh ka panchhi hun main – KL Saigal
88. Din soona suraj bina, chanda bin rain – KL Saigal
89. Barso re barso kale baadarwa – Khursheed
Taqdeer: Lyrics Maahrool Qadri; Music Rafiq Ghazanvi
90. Zalim jawani kafir adayein – Rafiq Ghazanavi
91. O jaanewale aa ja, tadpaanewale aa ja – Motilal, Shamshad Begum
Vishwas: Music Firoz Nizami and Master Chhaila Lal
92. Bhojan ke nazaare hain – Baby Madhuri (lyrics Munshi Sham Jilani)
Wapas: Music RC Boral
93. Albela mastana ek hans ka joda – Suprova Sarkar (lyrics Pt. Bhushan)
94. Jeevan hai bekar bina tumhare – Binota Roy(?) and Asit Baran
95. Tumne mujhse prem jatakar, duniya se begana kiya – Asit Baran (Munshi Zakir Hussain)
96. Bhool na jana aaj ki baatein – Asit Baran and Indrani (lyrics Munshi Zakir Hussain)
97. Manwa kaahe phir tadapaye – Binota Roy (lyrics Akhtar Chugtai)
98. Hum kochawan pyare – Asit Baran (lyrics Pt. Bhushan)
Zabaan: Music C Ramchandra
99. Ayi ayi re rangili Holi ayi re – Ishwari Lal, Kaushalya, Kanti and others (Lyrics Ratan Piya)
Special songs
This is an important section in the review of the vintage era songs. There are songs which would not make it to any award category, but have certain unique characteristics. One obvious unique feature of the year is that there are several songs sung by music directors and lyricists who were not known to be singers at all. Some songs are truly outstanding and you wonder why they left singing. Let us enjoy some special songs of the year.
1. Bhai bhaj le shri bhagwan, tu do din ka mehman by Vasant Desai from Aankh Ki Sharam (1943), lyrics Pt. Indra, music Vasant Desai
2. Main aagre se joota laya re ho Ramji by Bharat Vyas and Shanta Thakkar from Prem Sangeet (1943), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music SK Pal
After hearing a song by a music director let us enjoy this fun duet by the lyricist Bharat Vyas and a female singer. This is a great parody song too, and challenges you to identify the root songs. Obviously these would be still older, but if these are parodied it is a measure of their fame. The mukhada is obviously a parody of Main to Dilli se dulhan laya re followed by Aaj mausam salona salona re (both from Jhoola, 1941). Other songs to have the honour of being parodied are Saawan ke nazaare hain (Khazanchi, 1941), Mere liye jahan mein chain naa qaraar hai (Khandan, 1942) and Hua kya qasoor jo humse ho door (Basant, 1942). You would have noticed the pairing of things with cities famous for these items: Agra for joota and Jaipur for chunri.
3. Bhojan ke nazaare hain, la laa la laa by Baby Madhuri from Vishwas (1943), lyrics Munshi Sham Jilani, music Firoz Nizami
Here is another medley parody. It starts with the parody of ‘Saawan ke nazaare hain’ (Kazanchi 1941, Shamshad Begum) and there are parodies of four more famous songs: Laut gayi papan andhiyari (also from Khazanchi, Shamshad Begum); Zindagi hai pyar se (Sikandar, 1941); and Mere liye Jahan mein; Tu kaun si badly mein hai chaand mere aa ja (Both Khandan, 1942, Noorjahan). Two songs are common in both, now we know which songs were superhits in these years. The video is absolutely enjoyable; the children in an ashram create a ruckus precisely at the time when the ashram’s main patron is visiting. You can see the warden is terribly embarrassed.
4. Aaja aaja dil ko nahin hai qaraar by Ashok Kumar and Sitara Devi from Najma (1943), lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti, music Rafiq Ghazanavi
This is the relic of the era when Ashok Kumar used to sing his own songs. He is pining for Veena whom he can’t marry for the sake of family’s honour in this ‘Muslim social’, probably the first in the genre. He is betrothed to Sitara who turns villainous upon knowing about Ashok Kumar-Veena’s relationship. However, everything turns all right in the end. Don’t think he could marry his beloved. Remember ‘Family honour’. The video is of very high quality and you can make out the story from the mannerisms of the two actor-singers.
5. Aayi aayi re rangili Holi ayi re by Ishwarilal, Kaushalya, Kanti and others from Zabaan (1943), lyrics Rata Piya, music C Ramchandra
One of the early successes of C Ramchandra with this outstanding Holi song.
6. Aayi aayi re maalan Singapur se by Pahadi Sanyal and Amirbai Karnataki from Sharafat (1943), music Ashok Ghosh
HFGK is silent about the singers of the songs of this film, but Sadanand Kamath identifies the singers as Pahadi Sanyal, Amirbai Karnataki and an unknown female voice. This is a great fun song with malan from Singapore and mali from Rangoon
7. Chachiji mori chooha kothe ke beech by Baby Tara and Rajkumari Shukla from Panghat (1943), lyrics Ramesh Gupta, music SN Tripathi
Rajkumari Shukla acted in some films as an elderly woman. As per Arunkumar Deshmukh this is her only song. The more famous Rajkumar Dubey (Banaraswali) was the lead singer in this film.
8. Eid milo Eid (chorus) from Najma (1943), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi, music Rafiq Ghazanavi
This Eid celebration in the zenana quarters is beautifully picturised.
There are several songs in the year which can qualify for this section. But let me present before the erudite readers for their comments and views on the:
Best male playback singer of 1943
Best female playback singer of 1943
Best duet of 1943
And,
Best music director of 1943
Acknowledgements:
1. Arunkumar Deshmukh for his generous sharing of his Notes
2. Surjit Singh’s site
3. HFGK
4. Atul Song A Day
5. YouTube
Disclaimer:
This blog does not claim any copyright over the images used in this post, which rests with the respective owners. The song videos have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. The copyright over the songs rests with Saregama India Limited and other owners.
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
In the last part, the year should be 1943, isn’t it?
I’ll be back after reading the post full. I’ve scanned it now.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for pointing out the error. Since corrected.
AK ji,
Thanks for an excellent brief about the film and music scenario for 1943.
My choices are ….
Best male PB Singer…. G.M.Durani for ” Neend hamari khwab tumhare” film Nai Kahani
Best Female PB Singer…. Saraswati Rane in ” Ao ri suhagan Naari, mangal gao ri” from film Ramrajya
Best Duet….Dheere dheere aa re Baadal….film Kismat- Arunkumar and Amirbai and
Best MD….Anil Biswas for film Kismat.
Thanks.
-AD
AKji,
Went through the post. काबिल ए तारीफ as usual. I particularly enjoyed the special songs #2, 3, 6, and 7.
I also liked the debutant section.
As far as the best category awards go,
Best female playback singer –
As usual
jointly to
Khursheed for Ghata ghanghor ghor from Tansen
And
Parul Ghosh for
1 songs of Hamari Baat
2 Aye Bhi Woh from Namaste
I’m s huge fan of these songs of Parul Ghosh.
Best male playback singer –
K L Saigal for Tansen
Best composer –
Khemchand Prakash for Tansen
Best duet –
Jointly to
1. More balapan ke saathi from Tansen
2. Papeeha Re from Kismet as technically it’s a duet, though asymmetric.
Anup
🙂
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for your prompt and precise response. Your choices would have general support. Thanks also for sharing your notes.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your generous words. It is interesting that there is no overlap between your and Arunji’s choices. I take that as a sign that the year had several outstanding songs in each category.
Akji,
Kudos for a nice summing up of the films and its songs for the year 1943.
You have listed 98 songs for our final selection, which is about 18% of the songs, for which details about singers, lyricists and music directors are known. I would go through them at my own pace. The selected songs are from 36 films, which is about one-third of the total films. Links to how many of the 547 songs are available in YT / Internet?
I think Filmistan was founded in 1943, although no films were released under their banner that year.
Will be back with my choices and observations soon.
Venkataramanji,
Thanks. Link for about 60% of songs would be available online. Thus I have taken less than one-third of that number. My criteria is the song should register with you and should be worth repeat listening. The worthy part is that many songs I became aware of were new, and some were absolutely marvellous. The selection is subjective, but 98 is a large number which includes all the songs that are generally known to the fans of the vintage songs.
Yes, Filmistan’s founding was another important trivia, though their first film came later. Waiting for your detailed comments.
AK ji / N Venkataraman ji,
The disgruntled group of people left Bombay Talkies in 1942 and decided to establish their own studio and film company Filmistan. It was immediately registered. However the deal for the land and studio of Sharda Studio did not materialise till 1943. Thus Filmistan got their studio in 1943 and started preparations for their first film ” Chal chal re naujawan” which came in 1944.
Dr. Surjit Singh’s site and The Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema mention the year 1942, while Wikipedia and few other sources indicate 1943.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks for the detailed information. In that case it is safer to highlight their debut film, that was in 1944.
Best male playback singer of 1943:Saigal for Tansen
Best female playback singer of 1943: Barso re barso kale baadarwa – Khursheed
Best duet of 1943: Dheere Dheere aa re baadal – Arun Kumar and Amirbai
Best music director of 1943: Khemchand Prakash for Tansen
Gaddeswarupji,
Thanks a lot for your choices.
AK ji,
Many Thanks for the continuation of this useful series wherein many facts and figures come out.
For example, I was under the impression that Mukesh who started his career in 1940-41 must have had some representation in 43. Alas, there is none. (I suppose, he did act in a few movies during 1941-1944 with no song representations as actor-singer)
His tally before Pheli Nazar 1945 reads as follows.
1941, 42, 43 , 44 ; 3, 2, 0, 1 respectively.
For the post on songs from 1943, I am heavily inclined towards Kismet, but will come back with my preferences later please.
Mahesh,
Thanks a lot. Interesting trivia, Mukesh scoring a duck in 1943. His real arrival was in 1945, though I like his first song, Dil hi bujha hua hai to (1941) a lot.
I shall not pretend to have heard enough songs of this year to submit an intelligent vote, but I certainly enjoyed perusing the list.
Barring K L Saigal songs and a few others that I have had occasion to come across because of my blogging pursuits, most of the songs that appear in the Memorable Songs list and Special songs list appear ‘not known’. May be some get transferred to ‘rarely heard’ once I listen to these songs as part of my Micro View effort.
On the face of it, searching and listening to the Songs of 1943 certainly looks quite interesting and challenging.
Shelomit,
I am sure you would have heard at least 30 songs of the year to make meaningful comments.
Ashokji,
We are all in the same boat. I find 1943 musically very rich.
AK ji,
My choices are as follows.
Male Singer: K L Saigal for Tansen.
Female Singer: Amirbai for Kismet.
Composer : Anil Biswas for Kismet
Best duet: Dheere Dheere aa re baadal – Arun Kumar and Amirbai in Kismet
and let me add
Best Lyricist : Kavi Pradeep for Kismet
AK,
So you are continuing backwards. You have again given summary of stats which provides an overall perspective. I agree that 1943 was a very good year for music with more than a dozen films having a very high standard of music. You have mentioned most of the important films except Prithvi Vallabh which was as per me the best film of the year with a very good music score too.
As for stats I have updated my record and there are more than 600 songs the details of which are available. There are more than 360 songs links of which are available on Youtube, which amounts to 60% which you mentioned in comment 8. So we have quite a handsome amount to listen. As for debuts of MDs, I can add the name of GM Durrani who gave music in Angoori for the first time. Both Avinas Vyas and AR Qureshi started as MDs in the same film Sati Anusuya. If this criteria is taken for starting as independant MD then Firoz Nizami also started as MD with film Vishwas. I think there is a correction. Ghulam Mohammad started as MD with Banke Sipahi – 1937, which fact was mentioned by you or Venkataramanji in some earlier post. The confusion arises because in the note below Mera Khawab HFGK mentions this one as his first film. But Volume I of HFGK was published 4 years after Volume II, so the note should stand corrected to that extent. We can also mention the 30s fame Ustad Jhande Khan who gave music in his last 2 films Pagli and Shahenshah Akbar in that year.
And as always, some good songs have been left out of the initial list of memorable songs. Some films, with good score, have not got even one song in the final selection. Besides Prithvi Vallabh and Ustad Jhande Khan films songs from Manchali and Bhaichara have also not come in the list.
I will mention songs from the above films later, but here I give a unique funny song from film Aage Kadam ‘mat piyo mere chhaila tambakudi’ written by the unknown Kailash Matwala.
This song is a duet in which the female (sung by Leela Pawar) asks male ( sung by Amrit Lal) to stop smoking otherwise she would leave him. For this she coins words like I will become this or that to evade him if he continues smoking a la ‘jhooth bole kauwa kate’ from Bobby. In the first antara she says she would become a ‘nagin’ to which he says he would become a ‘jogi’, in the 2nd antara she says she would become ‘maachhariya’ to which he says he would become ‘bagula’. But the climax comes in the third antara where she says ‘main jal jal kar mar jaungi, maati men mil jaungi’. Answer of the male is just great.
‘tu maati men mil jayegi to teri chilam banaunga,
tere dil men aag lagaunga, phir prem ka dhuan udaunga’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mDqjbN9vKo
Mahesh,
Thanks for your choices. Very obvious.
Hans,
Thanks a lot for your detailed comments and so much additional information. At some stage I watched Sohrab Modi’s three great historicals – Pukar, Sikandar and Prithvi Vallabh one after another. I found the last most difficult to place in known history. Other two one could easily relate and they also had some timeless songs. But please mention the songs you find outstanding.
On other music directors we are on the same page. Ghulam Mohammad’s case is interesting. This is what I had written in my post on him:
“In all, Ghulam Mohammad gave music independently for over 30 films. There is some uncertainty about his first film. Pankaj Raag’s Dhunon Ki Yatra mentions Mera Geet (1946, with some other MDs), Doli (1947) and Tiger Queen (1947) as his first films. However, several sources, including HFGK, mention Mera Khwab (1943) as his first film. HFGK also mentions one Ghulam Mohammad as the music director of a much earlier film, Baanke Sipahi (1937). Sudhir Kapur speculates on Atul’s site that this could be the same person, and HFGK might have missed to make the correction when the first volume (1931-40) was published later than the second volume (1941-50). This is completely in the realm of conjecture. One doubt arises because there is a long gap of six years between Baanke Sipahi and Mera Khwab. No song from the first film is available as of now. Even if we take 1943 as the beginning of Ghulam Mohammad’s independent career, he is among the earliest music directors, spanning both the Vintage and the Golden Era.”
The duet from Aage Kadam is absolutely fascinating. I have heard Amritlal in a number of vintage songs. He is a terrific singer.
AK ji ,
Namaste .
Before U declare the results , let me tell my choices .
But first , two words of appreciation for U .
AK , I liked the analysis . I liked the way U hv given the history , statistics etc . of the songs in 1943 .
I njoyed the parody in special songs no. 2 nd 3 .
If U allow me , I wud like to divide some of the awards between 2 persons in some catagories .
Best Male playback singer
K L Saigal
दिया जलाओ झगमग झगमग
तानसेन
Best female playback singer
Parul Ghosh
पपीहा रे मेरे पिया से कहियो जाए
किस्मत
Nd
Amirbai Karnataki
घरघरमें दिवाली हैं
किस्मत
Best duet
Saigal , Khurshid
मोरे बालापन के साथी
तानसेन
Best music director
Anil Biswas
किस्मत
Nd
Khemchand Prakash
तानसेन
Thnx for a very nice review of music in 1943 .
With regards ,
Pramod Godbole .
Pramodji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and detailed comments. I can see your dilemma between the two landmark films in the year. It is very natural.
AKji,
Listened to the 24 male solos of 1943 mentioned by you in the main list.
Certainly songs of K L Saigal from Tansen will have a prominent place in my list of best ten and yours too.
Before I post my best ten, I would like to add a few more male solos, which in my opinion are worth listening.
The film Bhaichara was mentioned by Hansji @ 20. Two songs of Jagmohan Sursagar from the film,
Music Himangshu Dutta, lyrics ?
Mujhko Khayal-E-Yaar Sataye gar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRTDRQHJLiY
Wada Na Mera Toote Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuJqL66Ckq8
Another nice song by K C Dey
Chandni Raat Hai, film Mohabbat , music Hariprasanna Das, lyrics ?
https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/Chandni-Raat-Hai-Chandni-Raat/FBgdAkAIBXI?autoplay=enabled
Can the song ‘Neend hamari khwab tumhare kitne meethe kitne pyare’ (GM Durrani & Balakram) be considered as a male solo ?
Will be back with few more and my choices.
One more song from Mohabbat (1943)
Tum Sham Badariya, Pahadi Sanyal, Mohabbat, Hariprasanna das
https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/Tum-Shyam-Badariya-Main-Hoon-Mor/Ig4jADJ9AkM?autoplay=enabled
Venkataramanji @25, 26,
It is interesting to note that Jagmohan’s film songs could not attain the popularity of his NFS. KC Dey and Pahadi Sanyal songs are quite good. KL Saigal was in a different league.
Neend hamari khwab tumhare: Balakram sings only the sargam as a part of interlude which is picked by the harmonium which plays the same sargam on the instrument. I would count it as a solo.
AKji,
Posting two classical based songs from Shahenshah Akbar.
Both are worth listening to.
Deepak Jo Gaaye Paaye Gyaan Dhyaan – Shahenshah Akbar (1943) Ustad Jhande Khan, Jhande Khan Khande Khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc_gcYtBsoI
Expecting Ashwinji to post his comments on listening to the songs.
Preet Ki Jyot Jalakar Chup Hai by Surendra, Vish kanya, Kedar Sharma, Khemchand Prakash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu-oG0wSuog
Akji,
Sorry I posted the song by Surendra from Vish Kanya instead of the song from Shahenshah Akbar.
Here is the correct second song.
Piya Bin Sawan Bhado Nain, Shahenshah Akbar 1943, Pandit Krishnarao Chonkar, Pt Indra, Jhande khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZVPhgBiScE&t=3s
Surendra’s song ‘Preet Ki Jyot Jalakar Chup Hai’ is also good song and worth inclusion in the main list
Akji,
I noticed songs by Surendra are missing.
Here are a couple of songs by Surendra which I liked.
All in Saigal’s style
Teri Puja Men Kitne Phool, Paigham 1943 Surendra, Gyan Dutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Oawh1a-rjI
Jo Dil Men Aaye The Dard Bankar, Paigham 1943, Surendra, Gyan Dutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjXU3My3V54
Venkataramanji @28,
Deepak jo gaaye paye gyan dhyan: The second song in Raag Deepak in the year? Interesting, very Saigalesque. Nice one.
Preet ki jyot jalakar chup chup hai: One can’t blame Surendra for singing in a very pronounced Saigal-style. That was the crown put on his head when he entered films as an actor-singer in Bombay. The song is fabulous and, I agree, should have been in the main list. Thanks a lot.
@29,
Piya bin saawan bhado nain: Pt. Krishnao Chonkaris later songs, such as his duet with Rafi in Rani Roopmati, Baat chalat nai chunri rang daari is well-known. ‘Piya bin saawan bhaado nain’ also deserves to be recognised. Thanks a lot for adding it.
@30,
I do realise some Surendra songs should have been added in the Main List. But I do not regret the omission of Pujari teri pooja mein kitne phool. It took me to Pujari more mandir mein aao, duet with Bibbo in Jagirdar (1937), composed by Anil Biswas. Surendra seems to be rehashing this song, but the magic is missing. The song is very good by itself, but I could not help the comparison.
Jo dil mein aaye the dard bankar: The song is very good. But the poor audio quality mars the pleasure. I suspect that the tempo is a little slower in uploading than the real song.
AKji @ 31,
Thank you for your detailed response.
I think ‘Deepak jo gaaye paye gyan dhyan’ seems to be only song which has Raag Deepak (partly). The song ‘Diya Jalao Diya Jalao’ (Tansen 1943) is not based on Raag Deepak; would wait for Ashwinji’s comment / opinion in this matter.
I have mentioned the singer as Ustad Jhande Khan. I am not sure. It could be Pandit Krishna Rao Chonkar.
I would post one more song before I place my list of male solo.
Sabro Karar Chhin Ke, G M Durrani, Sahara, Gobind Ram, Swami Ramanand Saraswati
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s40InYGlo08
AKji,
I wrote @25;
‘Listened to the 24 male solos of 1943 mentioned by you in the main list.’
It should be 23 songs and not 23, and here is the breakup.
K L Saigal 6
Asit Baran 3
K C Dey 2
G M Durrani 1
Khan Mastana 1
Ashok Kumar 1
Vishnupant Pagnis 1
Manna Dey 1
S N Tripathi 1
Rafiq Ghaznavi 1
Yaqub 1
Motilal 1
Pandeji 1
Anil Biswas 1
Charlie 1
In addition, I listened to another 14 male solos of 1943 and I have posted ten of them earlier, the first ten in my following list.
Surendra 3
Jagmohan Sursagar 2
Pahadi Sanyal 1
K C Dey 1
G M Durrani 1
Krishna Rao Chonkar 1
Jhande Khan/ Krishna Rao Chonkar 1
Kishor Sahu 2
Allah Raka 1
Khan Mastana 1
In all 37 male solo songs
Having placed by entire bench strength, right at the kick-off let me state that the best male singer for the year 1943 is on the expected lines,- K L Saigal. I would have liked to choose at least 4 , out of his ten songs. Out of compulsion I pruned it to 3, just to accommodate as many deserving male voices as possible in the list of best ten.
Before I place my list a word about K C Dey. All the 3 songs (2 from the main list and another one from my additional list) of K C Dey are good and I could have selected any one of them. But the song from Mohabbat was different from the songs we generally hear from K C Dey. So I decided go with it.
Yet I am left with 12 songs. May be I can drop the song number 11, from Shahenshah, from the list.
And reluctantly sacrifice a song of K L Saigal (#3), not for any justified reason, since it is a foregone conclusion that K L Saigal will be the BEST MALE SINGER for the year 1943.
Here my list
1. Kaahe guman kare ri gori by KL Saigal, film Tansen, lyrics Pt. Indra, music Khemchand Prakash
2. Baag laga dun sajani by KL Saigal, film Tansen, lyrics Pt. Indra, music Khemchand Prakash
3. Sapt suran teen gram by KL Saigal, film Tansen, lyrics Pt. Indra, music Khemchand Prakash
4. Neend hamari khwab tumhare by G M Durran, film Nai Kahani, lyrics Wali Saheb, music Shyam Sundar
5. Preet Ki Jyot Jalakar Chup Hai by Surendra,film Vish Kanya, lyrics Kedar Sharma, music Khemchand Prakash
6. Tum Sham Badariya by Pahadi Sanyal, film Mohabbat, lyrics ?, music Hariprasanna Das
7. Piya Bin Sawan Bhado Nain by Pandit Krishnarao Chonkar, film Shahenshah Akbar, lyrics Pt Indra,music Jhande khan
8. Dil-e-nadan tujhe hua kya hai by Khan Mastana, film Hunterwali Ki Beti, lyrics Ghalib, music Chhannalal Naik
9. Tumne mujhse prem jatakar, duniya se begana kiya by Asit Baran, film Wapas, lyrics Munshi Zakir Hussain, music R C Boral
10. Chandni Raat Hai by K C Dey, film Mohabbat, lyrics ?, music Hariprasanna Das
11. Deepak Jo Gaaye Paaye Gyaan Dhyaan by Jhande Khan/ Krishnarao Chonkar, film Shahenshah Akbar, lyrics Ustad Jhande Khan, music Jhande Khan
12. Mujhko Khayal-E-Yaar Sataye by Jagmohan Sursagar, film Bhaichara, lyrics ?, music Himagshu Dutta
I will be more than happy if you over rule my decision and include more K L Saigal’s songs your list of bests.
Venkataramanji,
GM Durrani’s ‘Sabr-o-qaraar chheen kar’ is another gem of the year. Fully deserves to be in the Main List.
Venkataramanji @ 28,
My apologies for the delay in responding to your comment.
Deepak is not a raag that I am familiar with. Luckily, a Google search that I did in connection with your request threw up this article by Aneesh Pradhan, renowned tabaliya and music scholar:
https://scroll.in/article/854736/listen-interpretations-of-the-rare-raag-deepak-that-was-closely-associated-with-the-magic-of-tansen
It contains recordings of renditions by masters of 3 types of Deepak! The song from ‘Shahenshah Akbar’ is closest to the 3rd variant in the article – the one from the Purvi thaaT rendered by Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
Ashwin, Venkataramanji,
I am enjoying your scholarly discussion. KL Pandeyji identifies Bhoop+Yaman in ‘Diya jalaao’.
Ashwinji @35,
Thank you for digging-up this article on Raag Deepak, and also for confirming that the song ‘Deepak jo gaaye paye gyan dhyan’ is on Raag Deepak of Purvi that.
AKji @ 36,
The scholar here is Ashwinji, and he is my/our reference point in this matter.
‘KL Pandeyji identifies Bhoop+Yaman in ‘Diya jalaao’
Could there be a fourth variant Deepak of Kalyan that. Just a thought.
AKji & Ashwinji,
Not related to the post; but while on the subject let me share some information.
Though not popular, a Raga called Deepaka is there in Carnatic music, and it belongs to the melakarta Kamavardhini, which corresponds to Poorvi that of Hindustani music and it has resemblance to the Raag Deepak.
Although no legend of lighting wicks by singing Raag Deepaka is remembered, such a miracle is associated sometimes with the another Carnatic Raag Jyotiswaroopini. An interesting sampoorna- sampoorna raag, besides having komal dha and komal ni and teevra ma, both Komal and suddha Ga are used in this Raag.
There is an anecdote that Saint Tyagaraja lighted a lamp by singing this Raag. This miracle is said to have been performed by him in the court of Raja of Pudukottai when he was still a boy of eighteen. The incident is mentioned in a book written by Prof. P Sambamorthy. Strangely no composition (in this Raag) of Saint Tyagaraja can be found, there is one composed by Dr. Balamurali Krishna in YT.
Venkataramanji @37 & @38 and AK @36,
Thanks to Venkataramanji for the golden nuggets of information on the Carnatic equivalents of Raga Deepak!
As for Venkataramanji’s conjecture on a Kalyan variant of Deepak, and his unstated allusion to such a variant being the raga on which ‘Diya jalao’ is based, who knows? Interestingly, Pt.Amarnath (Ustad Amir Khan’s shagird) in his book on terms used in HCM conjectures that the Deepak of Tansen’s time could be the Yaman of today! Unfortunately, the copy of the book that I have (it was gifted to my granduncle by the author himself; later my granduncle gave it to me) is temporarily inaccessible since I have wrapped all my books and boxed them away while my apartment undergoes a make-over), so am not in a position to reproduce the relevant extract here.
It’s been a long time, since ‘ My Difficult Times ‘ prevented me from commenting on your blog. Nonetheless it’s great to see that you haven’t lost any of your past steam – and are chugging along like that good old (and reliable) express train!!
1943 was an interesting year for Hindi cinema. Musically it was very rich, with almost all the old Titans like RC Boral, Pankaj Mullick, Saraswati Devi, Anil Biswas, Gyan Dutt, Khemchand Prakash among others in fine fettle. The future Titans like Naushad, C. Ramchandra & Bulo C Rani too were taking musical baby steps towards stardom, while some others like Vasant Desai & Shyam Sunder (the best debut of this year by far!) were taking giant leaps towards the same!!
That said, not all legends of that time had a great year- at least not by their exalted standards. While Ranjit Duo of Gyan Dutt and KP maintained their usual excellence (with both having nearly a dozen films among themselves!), same can’t be said about erstwhile Bombay Talkies duo of Saraswati Devi & Ramchandra Pal. Their work this year was definitely a letdown from their past greatness. Same can be said for Rafique Ghaznavi & Kamal Dasgupta, whose work this year surely wasn’t of Sikandar & Jawab standards, even though to give credit where it is due – Kamal Dasgupta did come up with a cracker of an album in Hospital. But his Ranee (with Jawab collaborator PC Barua) was a disappointment largely.
Even the flute maestro Pannalal Ghosh couldn’t quite reach his Anjaan- Basant- Snehbandhan heights this year, while his fellow surname-sake, the legendary Tabla Maestro Gyan Prakash Ghosh in his Hindi film debut as a composer in Nitin Bose’ s Paraya Dhan, just went a little too cerebral in his approach! That said, Paraya Dhan did had few songs worth appreciating even from the point of view of masses- something which we would come to later in the comment.
Two great names in Bengali modern music- Anupam Ghatak & Himangshu Dutta, too had Hindi releases this year. While Ghatak’s work in Debaki Bose’ s Shree Ramanuja was mostly average (more so by his Sagar Movietone & Shapmukti standards!), Dutta’s Bhaichara was as solid a soundtrack as one could get. It’s a pity that he died two years later at an unfortunately young age. Otherwise, who knows, he might have become as great a name in Hindi as he was in his native Bangla..
Film wise also, the winds of change blew fast. And all of it wasn’t necessarily for good. Of the 4 greatest filmmakers of this era, 3 in Debaki Bose, PC Barua and Nitin Bose, came out with disappointing (and flop) stuff in Shree Ramanuja, Ranee & Paraya Dhan respectively. This was all the more surprising as their previous releases in Apna Ghar, Jawab & Kashinath (this year itself) were all extremely fine and successful pictures too. But then, I guess, even greats have bad days- and this year happened to be one for them. To be honest, even the 4th member of this legendary quartet in V. Shantaram had an artistic washout of a film in Shakuntala, whose commercial success could only be explained away due to its soundtrack, star power and extreme commercial compromise!!
Fortunately, younger guys like Kishore Sahu & SF Hasnain stepped up by making two of the finest films in Raja & Fashion respectively, even though, unfortunately both of these films flopped big time! Thankfully, some other good films like JK Nanda’s Ishaara, Kidar Sharma’s Gauri, Nitin Bose’s Kashinath & Sohrab Modi’s Prithvi Vallabh were box- office successes, thus reinforcing one’s belief in the intelligence of the Indian cine- going audience.
Of course, this was also the year of the mother-&- daddy of all blockbusters in Kismet, which even from a critical standpoint, is a superbly crafted picture. This Gyan Mukherjee film was a trendsetter in the truest sense- and Ashok Kumar was simply sublime in it. Ashok Kumar carried forward his Kismet success with Mehboob’s Najma later in the year, though his other release in the year in Angoothi (with Bibhuti Mitra) couldn’t quite do the trick.
As far as Mehboob Khan is concerned, he had two box – office hits in the year in Najma & Taqdeer, both of whose success had more to do with the business acumen of Mehboob than his directorial ability! In fact, both were cleverly done rip- offs of SF Hasnain’s Qaidi and guess what – Gyan Mukherjee’s Kismet respectively!!!!!
Now for the song choices (if I am allowed to do so). As usual, I will be posting my list of ten best songs in each category of male, female and duets, but with a caveat of twenty songs for the female category. The rationale behind me doing so is simply because 1943 was a year musically dominated by female solos, which simply outnumbered both male solos and duets by a huge, huge margin!!
My choices for male songs, I have posted as a comment under your post of ” Best Male Songs of 1943 “. For the other two categories, the choices are as follows-
Duets: In order: 1.) Dheere Dheere Aare Badal – Kismet ( Arun Kumar/Ashok Kumar & Amirbai Karnataki) – The greatest duet lullaby par none!!
2.) Man Mandir Mein Aaye Balam – Nai Kahani ( Rajkumari & Paresh Banerjee) – Terrific and unusual orchestration to accompany a memorable tune.
3.) More Balapan Ke Saathi – Tansen ( Saigal & Khursheed) – Find a soul who won’t miss his/her beloved after listening to this song!
4.) Kanton Se Chubhta Hai – Aage Kadam ( Anjali Devi & Motilal) – A delectable tune full of amazing twists and turns!! Superb Music by Ramchandra Pal in an otherwise disappointing score.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7iSkA_1OU
5.) Bhool Na Jana – Wapas
6.) Jeevan Hai Bekar – Wapas
Both Asit Baran duets with Indrani(?) showcase the maestro RC Boral at his absolute best.
7.) Aaj Himalaya ki Choti Si – Kismet – When Rebel Anilda goes in patriotic mode, one can’t help but feel the fire of freedom burning fiercely within oneself!
8.) Karwaten Badal Raha Hai – Hamari Baat (Arun Kumar Mukherjee & Suraiya & Chorus) – Anilda in rebel mode again! But this time from the other BT movie – Hamari Baat.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TGlq0PPYzWY
9.) Ek Din Hansaye Ek Din Rulaye – Kismet – Anilda again!! But in pathos mood!!
10.) Puranmasi – Paraya Dhan ( Deena Singhvi, Balwant Singh & Chorus)- A highly energetic and joyous song, with melodious ups and downs throughout its entire duration. Music by Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D8yythfN-Ws
Special Mention- Bistar Bicha Diya Tere Dar Ke Samne – Hamari Baat – Anilda Zindabad!!!
Now for the female solos of the year. As I explained above, the list this time around will be expanded one for 1943 was an all out female solo year! So there goes my list of choices-
Top 10: In order: 1.) Manwa Kahe phir tadpaye- Binota Ray (Wapas) – Simply out of the world!!
2.) Papiha Re- Parul Ghosh (Kismet) – A song which can even make a heart of stone melt, feel and weep..
3.) Zara Nainon Se Naina- Kanan Devi ( Hospital) – Kamal Dasgupta’s vibrant, folksy tune smacks of UP/Bihar folkish influences much before the advent of Naushad’s Rattan!
4.) Ghata Ghan Ghor Ghor- Khursheed (Tansen)- Khursheed’s solo to match Saigal’s quartet in the same picture!
5.) Kyon Hansta Chand- Anima Ghosh – Himangshu Dutta’s unique blending of Western & Eastern musical techniques had an abiding influence on the musicians of the Indian subcontinent. This song, sung admirably well by the little known Anima Ghosh, is much ahead of its times – and can be seen as a precursor to the early 50’s pathos laden Lara melodies by the likes of Anil Biswas, C. Ramchandra, SJ, Naushad & co.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UWbAIBOE6pY
6.) Ab Tere Siva – Amirbai Karnataki ( Kismet)- Bhajan ala Anil Biswas style with a visible influence of Rabindra Sangeet!
7.) Prabhuji Prabhuji- Kanan Devi (Hospital)- Another Bhajan. But this time in the very different style of Kamal Dasgupta.
8.) Aaye Bhi Wo Gaye Bhi Wo – Parul Ghosh- Namaste – Signs of Naushad’s future greatness are all clearly apparent here.
9.) Koyaliya Kahe Boli Ri – Khursheed (Nurse) – Khursheed was Gyan Dutt’s favorite, and their association always delivered. The amazing fusion done by Gyan Dutt here speaks for itself. The first line has a very Punjabi touch to it, but surprise surprise- the next line feels very much like a Rabindra Sangeet from Bengal! And yet it all seems completely seamless. Brilliant song from the criminally- underrated Gyan Dutt, more songs from whom could have featured in this year’s annual lists, if not for the very questionable singing skills of some of his singers this year in Nalini Jaywant, Sadhana Bose and co.
10.) Albela Mastana – Suprova Sarkar ( Wapas) – Frothy delight from the maestro of maestros – RC Boral!
Next 10 ( In order again) : Next 10- 11.) Soja Soja Mere Kanhaiya – Kaushalya ( Chirag) – Kamal Amrohi once talked about the divinity in Khemchand Prakash’s music. I think this moving solo by Kaushalya is a perfect example of the same.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xbnhSI6xSWM
12.) Hawa Ne Bandha Hai Kya Rang- Amirbai Karnataki (Prithvi Vallabh) – Amirbai does full justice to this somewhat hoof-trotting Rafique Ghaznavi number. Sounds almost like a female solo version of RG’s own Zindagi Hai Pyaar Se from Sikandar.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E7zfPvlrKeo
13.) Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali – Amirbai Karnataki (Kismet) – Self – explanatory!!
14.) Main Unki Ban Jaun Re – Parul Ghosh (Hamari Baat) – Highly melodious as is expected from the great brother- sister duo of Anil Biswas- Parul Ghosh.
15.) Aao Ri Suhaagan – Amirbai Karnataki ( Ram Rajya) – Mellifluous from Amirbai! One of the two standout numbers from Shankerrao Vyas’ soundtrack for Ram Rajya, which otherwise- both as a film and as an album, had Debaki Bose and RC Boral written all over it, especially that of Vidyapati & Puran Bhagat!
16.) Tum Chhod Chale Hay Hamen – Anima Ghosh ( Bhaichara) – Himangshu Dutta hands over another fantastic solo to Anima Ghosh in the same film- this time based on a Nazrul Geeti!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=37GNXV3EXRc
17.) Jinhein Karna Tha- Nurjahan ( Naukar). Nurjahan delivered big hits this year in Naukar, Nadaan and Duhai. But apart from this solo by Rafique Ghaznavi with hardly any instrumental accompaniment to it, almost all of Nurjahan songs this year were a letdown, especially when compared with her previous (or later) work in films like Khandaan, Village Girl, Badi Maa or Anmol Ghadi.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kkInatWwH2c
18.) Beena Madhur – Saraswati Rane ( Ram Rajya) – Shankerrao Vyas’ masterpiece in Bhimpalasi.
19.) Jeevan Ki Nao Dole Re – Jayshree ( Shakuntala) – Vasant Desai’s early work. But highly appreciable, even though as a self – confessed NT fan, Desai’s music in many songs of Shakuntala show a great affinity for earlier New Theatres musical style.
20.) Barso Re- Khursheed ( Tansen) – Khemchand Prakash and Khursheed again come together to show that Tansen wasn’t just about ‘ Saigal-sen’ only!!
This still leaves out the next 5 five of my list (this time in no order) in the form of Baghon Mein Koyal Boli by Suraiya ( Khursheed Anwar made an impressive Hindi film debut as a composer in Ishaara), few more solos by Kanan Devi in Kamal Dasgupta’s Hospital, Anima Dasgupta’s frolicking Kabhi Chalti Hoon Main in same composer ‘s Ranee ( Link Below) and Bharati Bose’s melodious Main Toh Piya Milan Chali under the baton of Gyan Prakash Ghosh in Paraya Dhan (Link Below Again). That’s how rich, female solos were in 1943!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nCHBaKs26B8
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zIi_l6EpT7c
Raunak Joy @40,
My year-wise reviews of the vintage era songs is not complete without your comments. Thanks a lot for dropping in after a long gap. I hope your difficult times are over. My steam and the engine are the readers who impel me to chug along.
Some greats not matching up to their past exalted standards: I put this to a product’s life-cycle. It is a fundamental process. We are lucky if some stalwarts maintain their longevity. It did happen in the Golden Era of the post-50s.
Thanks a lot for your superb overview of the music scene in the year.
@41,
Your last para about Mehboob’s Najma and Taqdeer. Taqdeer came in the same years as Kismet. Even if one came later than the other, film making is a long process. Given the lead time required in film making, I doubt if one could be said a rip-off of the other. There are also some fundamental differences between the two. In Taqdeer there is a swapping of small kids, and they are brought up as different genders than their real gender. In the end, of course, everything turns right. In Kismet the main theme is a negative character who has a large heart, and works hard to get the heroine treated. Shades of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights
@42,
Thanks a lot for your choice for duets.
@43,
Thanks a lot for your long list of best female solos. This would be very helpful.
Ashwinji @ 39,
I thought you and AKji missed my comments @ 38. Glad to find your response.
Interesting indeed. Hope you will share the relevant extracts soon.
Thanks
AKji,
The song Papiha re, mere piya se kahiyo jaye has a male voice (most probably Arun Kumar) for the first 50 seconds. Then Parul Ghosh takes over for the next two and a half minutes. Will you take it as a female solo?
Vekataramanji,
This song has confused me since long. The male voice in the first about a minute is quite clear. It is difficult to ignore it. This link identifies the male singer as Kavi Pradeep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l1tRNmy5EE
If you compare the voice with Pradeep’s debut song from the film Bandhan (1940) – Piyu piyu bol piyu piyo bol, praan papihe piyu piyu bol – the male singer in Papoha re in could very well be Kavi Pradeep. But it is equally possible that it could be Arun Kumar.
Surprisingly, HFGK and most sources identify this song as a Parul Ghosh solo. I have also mentioned it in my Overview List as a solo by Parul Ghosh. The only remedy now is to exclude it from female solo competition and I mention it as a Special Song.
AKJI @ 47,
Papiha re, mere piya se kahiyo jaye is indeed a special songs, too good a song to be excluded from the competition. The male voice could be Kavi Pradeep, since he was the songwriter. The male singer (Kavi Pradeep or Arun Kumar) has given a decent support to Parul Ghosh’s super singing. Why not include it in the duets? Again it is your call.
Will come up with my list of female singers in a couple of days.
Venkataramanji,
I agree.
AK ji
For the female solo:
Special mention:
Ye Gham ka Fasana Hai (Sitara Devi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qA9BRB51nU
Aabroo / Rajjan/ Govind Ram
*
Best Female solo: Shamshad begum ji for Taqdeer
Tumse Duniya Mujhe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7zvZrFc0Yo
(Mahirul Qadri/ Rafiq Ghaznavi)
Raunak Joy @40, 41. 42, 43
Bowled over by your passionate engagement with the vintage era. Thanks for sharing your choices and information.
AKji,
The 1943 was a watershed year for the female singers, and offered variety as well as quality singing.
There were almost 70 solo female singers, details for approximately 300 songs could be found, out of which links for 85 songs are not available. You have done an admirable job picking 46 songs of 21 female singers. And the majority of them are top class, and calls for repeated hearing. As it is, it was difficult to cull out songs from your list and adding a few more songs outside of the list would have made my task all the more difficult. Yet, I added 3 more songs and I had 49 songs in my hand. After repeated hearing (which was an enjoyable experience), there were 20 to 25 songs which deserved to in the final 10.
I have to leave out solo songs of 13 female singers from your list of 21.
Vatsala Kumthekar, Sitara Devi, Meenakshi, K Sundaramma, Gauhar Sultana,Suraiya, Radharani, Noor Jehan, Rajkumari, Shashad Begum, Suprava Sarkar, Jayashree and Baby Madhuri.
I have added here, two more songs of Anima Ghosh, composed by Himangshu Dutta.
I had mentioned two songs sung by Jagmohan, composed by Himangshu Dutta in the male category.
That leaves me with 9 singers for the final female solo slot.
AkJi,
A few details about the 9 female singers that I have mentioned @ 52
Amirbai Karnataki
26 songs in 15 films, master list contains 6 songs from 4 films.
Parul Ghosh
15 songs 5 films, master list contains 6 songs from 4 films
Khurshid
9 songs in 2 films, master list contains 6 songs from 2 films
Jahanara Kajjan
5 songs in 1 film, master list contains 2 songs from 1 film
Kanan Devi
4 songs in 1 film, master list contains 3 songs from 1 film
Saraswati Rane/Mane
2 songs in 2 films, master list contain 1 song from 1 film
Anima Ghosh
2 songs in 1 film
Leela Mehta
2 songs in 1 film, master list contains 1 song from 1 film
Binota Roy
1 song in 1 film, master list has 1 song from 1 film
AKji,
Female solos – 1943 – not in order of preference
1. Prabhuji rakho laaj hamari – Kanan Devi, Hospital, lyrics Pt. Madhur. music Kamal Dasgupta
2. Zara nainon se naina milaye jaao re, Kanan Devi, Hospital, lyrics Pt. Bhushan, music Kamal Dasgupta
3. Ab tere siwa kaun mera Krishna Kanhaiya, Amirbai Karnataki, Kismat, lyrics Pradeep, music Anil Biswas
4. Ganga Kinare Mohe Bagiya laga de, Amirbai Karnataki, lyrics Pt.Indra, music Gyan Dutt
5. Aye bhi wo gaye bhi wo, khatm fasana ho gaya, Parul Ghosh, Namaste: lyrics D N Madhok, music Naushad
6. Aaj pahlu mein dard sa kya hai, Parul Ghosh, Sawaal, lyrics Wali Saheb, music Pannalal Ghosh
7. Kaahe neha lagaye sajaniya, Jahanara Kajjan, Prarthana, lyrics Safdar ‘Aah’, music Saraswati Devi
8. Tumhre darsan ka naina taras gaye ho, Jahanara Kajjan, Prarthana, lyrics Safdar ‘Aah’, music Saraswati Devi
9. Beena madhur madhur kachu bol, Saraswati Rane, Ram Rajya, lyrics Ramesh Gupta, mMusic Sankar Rao Vyas
10. Mai Jo Hindu Hu, Saraswatt Rane, Shahenshah Akbar, music Jhande Khan, lyrics Dewan Sharar
11. Ghata ghanghor ghor mor machve shor, Khursheed, Tansen, lyrics DN Madhok, music Khemchand Prakash
12. Ho dukhiya jiyra rote naina, Khursheed, Tansen, lyrics DN Madhok, music Khemchand Prakash
13. Kyu Hansta Hai Chand, Anima Ghosh, lyrics ?, music Himangshu Dutta
14. Tum Chod Chale hame Giridhari Giridhari, lyrics ?, music Himangshu Dutta
15. Manwa kaahe phir tadapaye, Binota Roy, lyrics Akhtar Chugtai, Wapas, music RC Boral
16. Des beech pardesan karke chhod chale Girdhari, Leela Mehta, Nai Kahani,lyrics Wali Saheb, music Shyam Sundar
I have placed my selection of 16 female solo songs for your consideration.
My choice for the best female solo singer for the year would be Amirbai Karnataki
All the 6 songs of Amirbai Karnataki in your master list were superb.
And few words about the last two songs.
Benota Roy’s superb rendition of the song Manwa kaahe phir tadapaye as a debutant calls for special mention.
Nai Kahani was Shyam Sundar’s debut film and Leela Mehta has done full justice to his wonderful composition Des beech pardesan karke chhod chale Girdhari .
Neeruahaf @50,
Heard both the songs. Nice. Aabroo had some superb songs which are remembered till today. That is impressive for a film of 1943. I have included five songs from this film in my list of MEMORABLE SONGS.
The second song from Taqdeer is also very nice. That should be the first song picturised on Nargis as a leading lady.
Venkataramanji,
First let me thank and congratulate you for such a thorough analysis of female solos of 1943.
@52
Your exclusion includes some famous names. I have to start to my shortlisting before I could make a meaningful comment. But one name I can straightaway respond. I would urge you to listen to Gauhar Sultana’s Shabnam kyun neer bahaye from the film Ishara:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7sF-Sfq6GY
@53, @54,
I will have to hear some artists again. Same request about Gauhar Sultana.
AKji,
I wrote @ 52 that there were 20 to 25 songs which deserved to be in the final 10. You might have noticed. Restricting to 10 best songs was really difficult. In fact it was not selection, actually it was elimination.
I changed my list thrice. In the process Gauhar Sultana was one of the casualties. A problem when you have plenty.
Yes, you have a point. The song ‘Shabanam Kyun Nir Bahaaye’ is certainly a good song, well rendered by Gauhar Sultana. There were three songs, in the film Ishara, by Gauhar Sultana and I had listened two, the link to the third was not available. If I am not mistaken, like Leela Sawant (Des beech pardesan karke chhod chale Girdhari) and Binota Roy (Manwa kaahe phir tadapaye), Gauhar Sultana too was debutant singer. I believe Khursheed Anwar, another debutant MD (like Shyam Sundar) had brought her from Lucknow for this film. May be this was her only film. So the debutants, who have done so well this year (1943), cannot be ignored.
There were good songs of Meenakshi, Suraiya, Rajkumari and even one by Vatsala Kumthekar, and few more songs of Amirbai Karnataki and Khursheed that I have to eliminate. You will definitely find a way to give them their due place.
BTW, could Meenakshi of Aankh Ki Sharam and Meenakshi Shirodkar be the same person?
Venkataramanji,
Everyone responds to a rare vintage song based on when and in which context he heard it. Had I heard Shabnam kyun neer bahaye for the first time while browsing 1943 songs for this post my reaction might have been different. I first heard it ages ago, firstly in the Doordarshan series in 4 parts “Gata Jaye Banjara” hosted by Poonam Dhillon. This was an overview of HFS from the 30s to the year of production. The unknown vintage songs floored me completely. Some vintage stars such as the MD Madhav Damodarlal Master, Zubeida (of Alam Ara), Firoz Dastoor were alive and they all came. Very old Zubeida also sang the opening line of Badla dilwayega yarab sitamgaron se. It had clippings of the launch of one of the volumes of HFGK at which Naushad and others were present. There was a clipping of Firoz Dastoor’s Jaao sudharo fatah paao tumpe saya rab ka from Laal-e-Yaman (1933), the first film song sung by him. You get the hang of it. This was a whole new world to me. Among unknown vintage songs was Gauhar Sultana’s this song. I went on a vintage spree. RPG (now Sa Re Ga Ma) brought out a 4-cassette pack of Vintage Years. HMV/EMI brought out a two-LP set of vintage years. Some songs like those of Gauhar Sultana, Surendra, Bibbo Jyoti Vishnupant Phagnis, Govindrao Tambe were common across these. Till then my familiarity with vintage was limited to what was broadcast by radio.
Sorry for this long interjection.
AK ji
For the best duet:
Kaanton se Chubhta jata hai – Anjali Devi, Motilal
AAGE KADAM a.k.a. FORWARD MARCH/ Madhavlal Damodar Master, Ramchandra Pal /Pandit Kailash Matwala
{Thanks to RaunakJoy @ 42 for mentioning this on his list}
*
Best Music Director
Khemchand Prakash ji for Tansen.
Sapt Suran Teen Gram is playing on a loop in my mind. Can’t get enough of it.
Neeruahaf,
I have noted your choices. Khemchand Prakash would be many persons’ choice. But Kaanto sa chubhta jata hai I am not sure.