It was the best of years, it was the worst of years. The euphoria of independence was marred by the trauma of partition, the communal frenzy sweeping large swathes of the country, the bloodshed, and the largest mass migration in history from one side of the border to the other. The film world too could not remain untouched by these events. Many Muslim music directors and actors chose to go to the other side or would move shortly – Ghulam Haider, Rafiq Ghazanavi, Firoz Nizami, Khursheed Anwar, Noorjehan etc. It was a sad year for another final departure – the greatest actor-singer ever KL Saigal passed away on 18 January 1947 at a young age of 43. But the year also saw the debut of Lata Mangeshkar as a ‘playback’ singer in Aap Ki Sewa Mein.
Musical landmarks
This was the year of Ana meri jaan meri jaan Saunday ke Sunday, a staggeringly popular song by C Ramchandra (Shehnai), which set him as a pathbreaker. Along with Saajan and Leela, he emerged as the principal challenger to the monarch Naushad, who continued his success run he had started with Ratan (1944) and Anmol Ghadi (1946), with Dard, Elaan and Natak. I have referred to the famed Naushad-CR rivalry in my series on them. Meera, starring MS Subbulaxmi who also sang her songs, gave her a Meera-incarnate aura in real life. This film became a one-of-its kind musical landmark, with music directors SV Venkataraman, Ramnath & Naresh Bhattacharya. N Venkataraman has written an excellent post on MS Subbulaxmi: A journey from Kunjamma and Meera. Khursheed Anwar’s music for the last film of KL Saigal, Parwana, opposite another great actor-singer, Suraiya, had some of their career best songs.
Other important musical compositions
The three brothers Pt. Amarnath & Husnlal-Bhagatram came together the only time in Mirza Sahiban which had some everlasting songs by Noorjehan and Zohrabai Ambalewali. Khemchand Prakash gave some memorable songs for Amirbati Karnataki in Sindoor. Jugnu by Firoz Nizami is remembered even today for Rafi-Noorjehan duet – their only duet ever – Yahan badla wafa ka bewafai ke siwa kya hai, which was one of his earliest hits. Geeta Roy (Dutt) became for ever identified with Mera sundar sapna beet gaya, composed by SD Burman (Do Bhai).
Debut, fact-file and trivia
Lata Mangeshkar debuted as a playback singer with Paaon laagun kar jori and two more songs in Aap Ki Sewa Mein, composed by Datta Davjekar, the only songs she sang for him.
Besides MS Subbulaxmi’s Meera, there was another film Meerabi composed by SK Pal, which had 13 songs, all sung by Sitara Kanpuri, not to be confused with the Kathak dancer Sitara Devi.
Shakeel Badayuni teamed up with Naushad for the first time in Dard. This was the film which had Uma Devi (Tuntun)’s debut song Afsana likh rahi hun, which also became her most remembered song. Rajendra Krishna debuted as a lyricist with Gori ghunghat ke pat khol do in Janata, composed by Harishchandra Bali.
Ghulam Mohammad debuted as an independent music director with Tiger Queen and Doli in the year. A year earlier, he was a part of several composers who gave music for Mera Geet (1946). Ram Prasad Sharma debuted as a music director with Nayi Baat. The name may be familiar to us, but he was a very respected musician of the time. He was the father of Pyarelal (of L-P duo) and Ganesh.
Snehal Bhatkar debuted under the name B Vasudev with Neel Kamal. His real name was Vasudev Gangaram Bhatkar. He was employed with HMV. To avoid contractual problems, he gave music under different names. After his daughter was born he adopted the name Snehal Bhatkar after her. Sulochana Kadam and Krishna Goyal debuted as singer with Krishna Sudama, composed by Shyam Babu Pathak.
Rafi appeared on screen in Jugnu in the song O apni yaad bhulane ko, and also in Samaj ko badal dalo in the song Ae ji mat poochho kuchh baat (sung with Manna De and Arunkumar Mukherjee). Kishore Kumar had his second screen appearance in Shehnai, though he did not sing any song.
Rafi-Lata’s first duet, Chalo ho gayi taiyyar, was in Shaadi composed by Paingankar & Karnad (Please also see Arunkumar Deshmukh’s comments in thhe comments section below).
Meea Kumari sang 6 solos, and two duets with the hero Karan Dewan composed by Bulo C Rani in Piya Ghar Aa Ja.
In Andhon Ki Duniya, Manmohan Krishna was the hero who also sang Tujhe aap bitana hai apnaa Jeevan, composed by Vasant Desai
Raj Kapoor sang his own song O duniya ke rahnewalo bata in Dil Ki Rani composed by SD Burman. He sang again in Jail Yatra, composed by Neenu Majumdar – Piya milne naveli jaye re.
Anil Biswas used the voice of Shamshad Begum sparingly, for the first time in Bhookh.
MEMORABLE SONGS
Aage Badho: Lyrics Amar Verma; Music Sudhir Phadke
1. Haay mori daiya jiya ghabraye – Manik Verma
Aap Ki Sewa Mein: Lyrics Mahipal; Music Datta Davjekar
2. Paon laagun kar jori re – Lata Mangeshkar
3. Ek naye rang mein dooje umang mein aye maharaj more aye – Lata Mangeshkar
Aisa Kyun: Music Aupam Ghatak
4. Hamri galan mein aiyo balamji – Gauri Mitra & Nanji Dulal
Amar Asha: Lyrics Kabil Amritsari; Music Shanti Kumar Desai
5. Mohabbat jatane ko jee chahta hai – Paro Devi
Beete Din: Lyrics Pt. Phani & H Tanveer; Music MA Rauf & A Dinkar Rao
6. Agar tum na milte agar tum na aate – Amirbai Karnataki
7. Tumhari yaad ko dil se bhulakar laayi hun– Amirbai Karnataki
8. Arshon pe sitara hai wo – Mukesh
Bela: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Bulo C Rani
9. Mohe baanke balam laage pyara – Zohrabai Ambalewali
10. Sukh le ke dukh de gaya – Zohrabai Ambalewali
11. Pardesi piya re haye ab mose guzare na rain – Zohrabai Ambalewali
Chheen Le Azadi: Lyrics Pt Indra; Music Hansraj Behl
12. Moti chunne gayi re hansi – Mukesh and Shamshad Begum
Dak Bangla: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Naresh Bhattacharya
13. Jab baadal ghir ghir ayenge – Mukesh & Suraiya
Dard: Lyrics Shakeel Badayuni; Music Nauhsad
14. Hum dard ka afsana duniya ko suna denge – Shamshad Begum & Chorus
15. Betab hai dil dard-e-mohabbat ke asar se – Uma Devi & Suraiya
16. Dil dhadake aankh mori phadake, chale jana na dekhoji bichhad ke – Suraiya
17. Afsana likh rahi hun dil-e-beqaraar ka – Uma Devi
18. Bahar khatm huyi….Chale dil ki duiya jo barbaad kar ke – Suraiya
19. Hum the tumhare tum the hamare, haye wo bhi zamana yaad karo – Suraiya
20. Ye afsana nahi zaalim mere dil ki haqeeqat hai – Shamshad Begum
21. Beech bhanwar mein aan phansa hai – Suraiya
Dekhoji: Lyrics Wali Saheb; Music Tufail Farooqi & Saabir Husasain
22. Jhumka gira re – Shamshad Begum
23. Baalam mohe la de saajan mohe la de chunariya hari – Shamshad Begum
Dil Ki Rani: Lyrics Yashodanandan Joshi; Music SD Burman
24. O duniya ke rahnewale bata kahan gaya chitchor – Raj Kapoor
25. Aha more baalam ne mujhko bulaya – Geeta Dutt (lyrics Harikrishna Premi)
26. Loot liya dil chitchor ne – Shyam Sundar
27. Mohabbat ki khana na kabhi bhi mithai – Shyam Sundar
Diwani: Lyrics Shams Azimabadi; Music Gyan Dutt
28.Kat rahi hai har ghadi bebasi mein tere bagair – Amirbai Karnataki
Do Bhai: Lyrics Raja Menhadi Ali Khan; Music SD Burman
29. Mera sundar sapna beet gaya – Geeta Roy
30. Kabhi bhoole se na poochhi man ki baat sakhiya – Paro Devi
31. Yaad karoge yaad karoge, ik din humko yaad karoge – Geeta Roy
32. Humein chhod piya kis des gaye, piya laut ke ana bhool gaye – Geeta Roy
Do Dil: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Govind Ram
33. Phi nain baaware bhar bhar aaaye – Suraiya
Doli: Lyrics Nazim Panipati; Music Ghulam Mohammad
34. Dilli ki galiyon mein jiya nahi laage – GM Durrani & Zohrabai Ambalewali
35. Nainwa ke teer koi dil pe chalaye gaya – Amar & Shamshad Begum
Doosri Shaadi: Lyrics IC Kapoor; Music Govind Ram
36. Man bhooli kathayein yaad na kar – Shamshad Begum
Duniya Ek Sarai: Music Hansraj Bahal
37. Chanda ki chaandni na suhaye to kya karun – Shamshad Begum
Elaan: Lyrics Zia Sarhadi; Music Naushad
38. Ek baar phir se aa ja – Surendra
39. Aaine mein ek chaand si surat nazar aayi – Surendra & Amirbai Karnataki
40. Tera jahan aabad hai mera jahan barbaad hai – Surendra
41. Kuchh aur sitam honge..Rote huye aaye hain rote huye aajyenge – Amirbai Karnataki
42. Aayi azal ae zindagi gham ka zamana chal (or tal?) gaya – Amirbai Karnataki
43. Mere pahlu main hai zindagani – Zohrabai Ambalewali
Gaaon: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Khemchand Prakash
44. Watan ki maati ki haath mein lekar maathe tilak laga lo – Mukesh and Geeta Dutt (Roy)
Geet Govind: Lyrics Pt Indra, Baalam; Msic Gyan Dutt
45. Jhan jhan jhan jhan payaliya baaje – Manna Dey
46. Shyam mori nindiya bikhar na jaaye – Manna Dey and Rajkumari
Heera: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi; Music Husnlal-Bhagatram
47. Chale aana more raja wada yaad kar ke – GM Durrani & Paro Devi
Jugnu: Music Firoz Nizami
48. Wo apni yaad dilane ko – Rafi & chorus
49. Umangein dil ki machalin muskurayi zindagi apni – Noorjehan
50. Desh ki purqaif rangin si fizaon mein kahin – Roshanara Begum
51. Aaj ki raat saaz-e-dil-e-purdard na chhed – Noorjehan
52. Yahan badla wafa ka bewafai ke siwa kya hai – Rafi & Noorjehan
53. Humein to sham-e-gham mein kaatni hai zindagi apni – Noorjehan
54. Loot jawani phir nahin ani – Shamshad Begum
Krishna Sudama: Lyrics Kamalnayan; Music Shyam Babu Pathak
55. Man prem ki gaanthon mein baandh liyo – Balakram
Lakhon Mein Ek: Lyrics Pt Indra; Music Hansraj Behal
56. Agre se odhani manga de balma – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
Leela: Lyrics Gopal Singh ‘Nepali’; Music C Ramchandra
57. O preetam pyare chhod chale gharbaar – Amirbai Karnataki
58. Maine lakhon ke bol sahe – Binapani Mukherjee
Manjhdhar: Lyrics Shams Lakhanavi; Music Anil Biswas
59. Mera chaand aa gaya mere dwaare – Khursheed and Surendra
Meera: Lyrics Meerabai/Pt Narendra Sharma; Music SV Venkataraman, Ramnath & Naresh Bhattacharya
60. Nandlala mora pyara
61. Hari aawan ki aawaz suni maine
62. Baso more nainan mein Nandlal
63. Chakar rakhoji
64. Pag ghunghroo baandh Meera nachi re
65. Mere to Giridhar Gopal doosro na koi
66. Daras bina dukhan laage nain
67. Yaad aave yaad aave
68. Kunjan ban chhadi Madhav kahan jaaun gundham
Mirza Sahiban: Pt Amarnath & Husnlal-Bhagatram
69. Suno meri sarkar jawani kya kahti hai – Zohrabai Ambalewali & Shamshad Begum
70. Haye re ud ud jaye mora reshmi dupatawa – Zohra, Noorjehan & Shamshad
71. Haath seene pe jo rakh do to qaraar aa jaye – GM Durrani & Noorjehan
72. Tum aankhon se door ho – Noorjehan
73. Kya yahi tera pyar tha – Noorjehan
74. Aa ja tujhe afsana judai ka sunaayein – Noorjehan
75. Saamne gali mei mera ghar hai – Zohrabai Ambalewali
Mulaqat: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi; Music Khemchand Prakash
76. O chaand Eid ke mera payam kah dena – Naseem Bano
Naiya: Lyrics Aslam Noori; Music Anil Biswas
77. Aayi milan ki bahar re – Zorabai Ambalewali
Natak: Lyrics Khumar Barabanqvi; Music Naushad
78. Dilwale dilwale, jal jal kar hi mar jana – Uma Devi
79. Jab se chale gaye hain wo zindagi zindagi nahin – Suraiya
80. Kaale kaale aye badarawa – Suraiya
81. Dil leke chale to nahi jaaoge Rajaji – Suraiya
82. Kya batayein kitni hasrat dil ke veerane mein hai…Subah gulshan mein hai aur shaam veerane mein hai – Zohrabai Ambalewali
Nateeja: Lyrics Naqshab Jarachavi; Music Rashid Atre
83. Unhein bhi raaz-e-ulfat ki na hone di kahbar maine – Zohrabai Ambalewali
Neelkamal: Lyrics Kidar Sharma; Music B Vasudev
84. Jaiyo na bides mora jiya bhar ayega – Bhatkar & Rajkumari
85. Bhool jaate hain, bhool jaaya karein – Rajkumari
86. Shri netrakamal kati pitambar – Mukesh
87. Pyar se humko kaleje se jaano – Mukesh and Zohrabai Ambalewali
Pagdandi: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Khursheed Anwar
88. Jhoolna dala de mora sainya ko bula de – ?
89. O more Rajaji mori gali aa ja – Zeenat Begum
Parinde: Rammurti; music Pt Govind Ram
90. Upar ho chaand tara neeche jahan sara – Surendra and Parul Ghosh
Parwana: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Khursheed Anwar
91. Toot gaye sab sapne mere – KL Saigal
92. Baalam to pe sabr pade tora maika chhoday dino Ram – KL Saigal
93. Paapi papiha re pi pi na bol – Suraiya
94. Ae phool hans ke bag mein kaliiyan khilaye ja – KL saigal
95. Us mast nazar par padi jo nazar..Kahin ulajh na jana – KL Saigal
96. Mohabbat mein kabhi aisi bhi haalat payi jaati hai – KL Saigal
97. Aa ja balma re nagari dar laage – Suraiya
98. Jab tum hi nahin apne – Suraiya
99. Mere mundere na bol – Suraiya
100. Sainya ne ungali marori re Ram kasam sharma gayi main – Rajkumari
Romeo & Juliet: Music Husnlal-Bhagatram
101. Tumhein sitaaron ne beakhtiar dekha hai – GM Durrani (lyrics Akhtar Shirani)
102. Dono jahan teri mohabbat mein haar ke – Khayyam & Zohrabai Ambalewali (lyrics Faiz Ahmad ‘Faiz’)
Saajan: Music C Ramchandra
103. Humko tumhara hi aasra tum hamare ho na ho – Rafi/Rafi & Lalita Deulkar (lyrics Moti B.A.)
Samaj Ko Badal Daalo: Lyrics Roopshah, Music Khemchand Prakash
104. Naina ro ro kar rah jaaye – Amirbai Karnataki
Shaadi Se Pahle: Paingankar and Karnad
105. Chalo ho gayi tayyar – Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
Shehnai: Lyrics PL Santoshi; Music C Ramchandra
106. Ana meri jaan meri jaan Sunday ke Sunday –Chitalkar & Shamshad Begum/Chitalkar & Meena Kapoor
107. Pehli hi mulaqaat mein…Bach ke rahna ji – Chitalkar & Shamshad Begum
108. Jawani ki rail chali jaaye re – Chitalkar, Geeta Roy & Lata Mangeshkar
109. Humein kya pata tha…Maar katari mat jana – Amirbai Karnataki
110. Hamare angana ho hamare angana aaj baaje, baaje shehnai – Amirbai Karnataki & Shamshad Begum
Shikarpuri: Lyrics A Shah Aziz; Music Mohammad Shafi
111. Balam harjai maanoji – Mohammad Shafi and Razia Begum
Sindoor: Music Khemchand Prakash
112. Kisi ke madhur pyar mein man mera kho gaya – Kishore Sahu & Naseem Akhtar (Neelkanth Tiwari)
113. Koi roke use aur ye kah de – Amirbai Karnataki (lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi)
114. O roothe huye bhagwan tumko kaise manaaun – Amirbai Karnataki (lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi)
Tohfa: Music MA Rauf
115. Kahan tak jafa husnwalon ki sahate – Mukesh (lyrics Sakib Lakhanavi)
116. Kisne chheda man ka taar – Mukesh (lyrics Shant Aora)
117. Humne tumne jo kiya tha aabaad..O chaman aaj ho gaya barbaad – Parul Ghosh
Special songs:
In my earlier year-wise reviews I have been posting some ‘Special songs’, which may not make it to any conventional ‘Best’ category, but are worthy of special mention for some unique features. Here are some songs of 1947 which I found special.
1. Jhan jhan pyaliya baaje by Manna Dey from Geet Govind, lyrics Indra Chandra, music Gyan Dutt
We have heard many versions of the traditional classical bandish Jhan jhan jhan payaliya baaje. The best-known film song is one by Lata Mangehskar in Buzdil (1951) composed by SD Burman, who had himself sung it earlier as a Bengali non-film song. Here is a relatively unknown version by Manna Dey in Geet Govind.
2. Saawan beet gayo by Meena Kumari in Duniya Ek Sarai, lyrics Kidar Sharma, Hansraj Bahal
In DP Rangan’s post on Meena Kumari we got glimpses of Meena Kumari’s singing talent. It is surprising that as she became a superstar in the 1950s and 60s the film world forgot that she could sing too, and quite competently at that. Here is a very nice song by her.
3. Jaiyo na bides mora jiya bhar ayega by Rajkumari and Snehal Bhatkar from Neelkamal, lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Snehal Bhatkar
Rajkumari was among the top singers of the era. She is extremely sweet for Madhubala. Giving her able company is the music director Snehal Bhatkar as the voice of Raj Kapoor.
4. Aankh ke pani aankh mein rah by Asha Posle from Pagdandi, lyrics DN Madhok, music Khursheed Anwar
You have to be careful. The singer is Asha Posle, and not Bhosle. Courtesy information on Atul Song A Day, she was a well-known actor-singer of 1940s. Her real name was Sabira Begam. She appeared in Champa (1945) with Manorama and Hari Shivdasani. After partition, she went to Pakistan and she had the distinction of being the heroine of the first Pakistani film, Teri Yaad (1948). Later on, Pakistan TV had a well-known TV show based on her name called “Asha Tamasha”.
5. Wo apni yaad dilane ko ek ishq ki duniya chhod gaye by Rafi and others from Jugnu, lyrics Asghar Sarhadi, music Firoz Nizami
I mentioned Rafi’s cameo in Jugnu. This fun song is interesting for his appearance you can’t miss.
6. Dono jahan teri mohabbat mein haar ke by Khayyam and Zohrabai Ambalewali from Romeo and Juliet, lyrics Faiz Ahmad ‘Faiz’, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
Khayam sings (with Zohrabal Ambalewali) Faiz’s famous ghazal. The YT link suggest that it is the very first rendition of Faiz’s famous ghazal. This ghazal has since sung by countless singers. My top favourite is Menhdi Hasan’s rendering, mainly for the raag he chooses to sing it in. But this one is also quite charming.
7. Tumhein sitaaron ne beakhtiar dekha hai by GM Durrani from Romeo and Juliet (1947), lyrics Akhtar Shirani, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
From the same film, GM Durrani sings this ghazal of Akhtar Shirani in his most melodious voice.
8. Kabhi bhoole se na poochhi man ki baat rasiya by Paro Devi from Do Bhai (1947), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music SD Burman
This is not Bengal folk. It sounds like UP folk, and inspired by Naushad style in Ratan (1944).
9. Loot liya dil chitchor ne by Shyam Sundar from Dil Ki Rani, lyrics Harikrishna Premi, music SD Burman
This wonderful fun song is sung by the actor-singer Shyam Sundar, who is different from the music director Shyam Sundar
10. Chalo ho gayi taiyyar by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Shaadi Se Pahle (1947), lyrics Mukhram Sharma, music Paingankar & Karnad
This first duet of Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar has appeared earlier on SoY in the series on city songs. But it sounds always fresh for the humorous sawal-jawab. The lady asks for some ordinary things, the man sidetracks by promising her the moon.
And the SoY Awards in various categories goes to?
With 1947 we enter the era of more unknown than known. In female singing, the Lata Mangeshkar and ‘Others’ distinction is no longer relevant, because she is the ‘other’, in fact an unknown name then. Thus, the most familiar marker is not there, and the female singing is now by vintage singers. In male playback too, we have KL Saigal (in one film), and others, with not too many familiar songs. Many songs in my list of 117 memorable songs would be unfamiliar. But these are such that if you make the effort to listen to, these would linger in your memory.
I place it before the knowledgeable readers for their comments and choice for the:
Best male solo,
Best female solo,
Best duet,
And the
Best music director.
Acknowledgements:
The following two-part article on Surjit Singh’s site gives a nice overview of the songs of 1947.
http://hindi-films-songs.com/articles/1947-2.html
http://hindi-films-songs.com/articles/1947-1.html
{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
Though the video is not great, I rather like this 1947 duet of Rafi-Khursheed from Aage Badho https://youtu.be/qU1p-iE3g5E
AKji:
You fooled us!. I read the post once, read it twice, looked at the calendar, and reread it a third time minutely looking for land mines. Could not find any. This is the straightest Apr 1 post I have seen on SoY.
The best song in 1947, in my view, was neither a male solo nor a female solo, but a duet from Mirza Sahiban (Haath seene pe jo rakh do; Durrani and Noorjehan). Musically, Mirza Sahiban and Parwana appear to be ahead of others, the latter largely due to Saigal, although these are not Saigal’s best. My choices:
Best male voice: Saigal (Parwana)
Best female voice: Noorjehan (Mirza Saheban)
Best Music: Pt Amarnath & Husnlal-Bhagatram (Mirza Saheban).
Canasya,
I was myself conscious of the day that I would be disappointing some readers. I wish I were a natural humourist.
Saigal is a class apart. It is difficult to compare a Saigal solo with a duet by different singers.
The songs you have nominated are outstanding in their types. Let us see how it progresses.
Best male voice -K.LSaigal
Best female voice -Meena kumari
Best music director -Firoz nizami
AKji,
Like Canasyaji, I too was expecting a post on a unique/ innovative theme. I know every year you do not come up with such articles on 1st April. Only on two earlier occasions you came up with such articles, namely “Some thoughts on Taxonomic Mathematical Analysis on Hindi film Songs (2015) and “Some unique good good songs’ (2017). Actually the response to your last year’s post was huge (almost 300). May be that might have raised our expectations. More over you had come up with articles on Zara-Hatke subjects like “Jhumka Gira re”, “Maha Moorkhonke gaane”,” A serous review of Sangam” etc on earlier occasions. The curtain-raiser article on “Best songs of…..the winners are?” appeared as the first post in the month of April on earlier years too- 2012, 2014 and 2016. Yet, this year it was a surprise.
The year 1947 witnessed the highest number of Hindi films (roughly 180+) released since the inception of talkies, and this was surpassed only in the 80s. I believe 40% of these films are obscure and are not available. As per the average number of songs per film suggested by you, there must be at least 1000 songs rendered in remaining films. Going by our past experience at least 30%-40% of the songs are not available for hearing. Out of the available songs you have given us a list of 117 songs from 45 films to listen. I think that is fair enough. To dig out a few more exceptional or good songs from the rest of the pile would be a challenging task. I have just gone through your introductory write-up. Thank you for the interesting information, details and for the painstaking fine-combed selection of songs.
Since last October, I was not in a position to do the legwork required for the statistics I used to do earlier. Again for the past one week the residual problems are nagging me. I would listen to the special songs and the master list provided by you and come back at the earliest. Thank you once again.
KM Ashraf,
Meena Kumari: Best female voice? Which song? Others’ identity is obvious.
Venkataramanji,
To the first part, my response is the same I gave to Canasya. Waiting for your detailed analysis.
Loved the background information to the year, AK. Interesting little nuggets. I will just listen to the songs you listed, and forbear to list any ‘best’. 🙂
AK ji,
The music for film Shaadi se pehle-47 is credited officially to Paingankar and Karnad. This Paingankar was from Goa and an excellent Flute player. He was assistant to C Ramchandra from 1947 onwards, as his work increased.
The Producer/Director of film Shaadi se pehle was Raja Nene, who was a good friend of CR. When Raja started work on his film, he naturally gave the work of composing music to CR-his friend.
CR started work and composed 2 songs,namely Teri yaad aaye, tu aa ja sajanva…. and Chali sajan ke ghar jaay, aaj dulhaniya kes sanware…
Then he realised that he was under contract with Filmistan and could not officially give music to a film of other producers. He, cleverly pushed the name of his Asstt. Paingankar and Karnad as the composer. The rest of the songs were composed by this pair.
However, for films Bhedi Bungla and Bhule Bhale of 1949 and Babuji and Bakshish of 1950 CR composed the music under his assistant’s name of P.Ramakant ( Ramakant Paingankar). All this information is recorded in Marathi Chitrapat Sangeetkar kosh by Madhu Potdar.
So, in short, the song, ‘chalo ho gayi taiyyar, jara thehro jee’is composed by the pair Paingankar and Karnad and NOT by CR.
Even HFGK mentions only 2 songs-as mentioned here- as composed by CR,under its addenda.
Anu,
You are welcome.
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for the detailed information. I had given the correct music directors for Chalo ho gayi tayyar, though there was a typo in the name Paingankar. I am waiting for your comments on the songs, singers and music directors of the year.
AK ji,
The song ‘Chalo ho gayee taiyyar’still shows the name of CR.
-AD
AK ji,
I strongly believe that the Golden age of Hindi film music started from 1947.
So many evergreen songs to choose from. It is an अत्याचार on music lovers to ask them to choose only one in each category.
Anyway, here is my choice.
Male singer- Mohd. Rafi for song “Hum ko tumhara hi aasara” from film ‘Saajan’-47
Female singer- Uma Devi for song ‘Afsana likh rahi hoon’ from film Dard-47
Music Director- C Ramchandra for film Shehnai-47
additional… Best Duet- Mohd. Rafi and Noorjehan ” Yahan badla wafaa ka’ from film Jugnu-47.
Thanks.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for persisting. The error was in the write-up. I have since corrected it.
Your choices reflect the popularity of those songs.
Akji,
Listened to the special songs of 1947 posted by you. At least four songs seem to be new to me. Jaiyo na bides mora jiya bhar ayega (#3), Aankh ke pani aankh mein rah(#4) Dono jahan teri mohabbat mein haar ke by Khayyam and Zohrabai Ambalewali (#6) Tumhein sitaaron ne beakhtiar dekha hai (#7). All nice selections.
I think Lata Mangeshkar rendered the song Jhan jhan pyaliya baaje for the film Buzdil (1951) and not for the film Naujawan as mentioned by you. S D Burman sung it as non-film (Bengali) song, Jhan Jhan Manjira Baje way back in 1937. The lyric was penned by Ajoy Bhattacharya. Kazi Nazrul Islam penned the song Rum Jhum Nupur baje (Bengali) based on Jhan Jhan jhan payal baje and the recorded version in the voice of Deepali Talukdar (Nag) was released in the year 1938. Incidentaly Deepali Nag took talim under the tutelage of Ustad Faiyaz Khan. Here is the link to the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGR13jIf7xM
Interestingly there was a song, Jhan Jhan Jhan payal baje, piya bin pal bhar aankh na lage in the film Alif Laila (1933)
Venkataramanji,
Thanks for the correction. This was mental laziness. SD Burman’s Bengali non-film song Jhan jhan jhan jhan payal baaje has been discussed earlier on SoY. Deepali Nag’s rendering is too good.
AK
Such dedication to film music and film encyclopaedia and your affairs de coeur is truly great.. Your own analysis is a massive exercise by itself. The year seems to be vast in terms of film songs to be done at one ago. You may have to pen part 2 with more songs and then integrate them for final analysis. Cui bono fuerit. The blog following community by this post. I am no where in the picture and will be a silent spectator. I have a sneaking suspicion that Naushad will be the favourite music director at the close.
AK,
For Venkataramanji 40% is unknown, for me its 50% or more, went through special songs will try to go through all the memorable songs by you and more.
I have a question for you { I have noticed that many people tend to be very apologetic when they question. I cannot understand why? ( again a question:)) } If I do not question how do I clear my doubts?
You have stated that Lata debuted as playback singer in 1947 but Badi Maa 1945 MD Datta Korgaonkar had two Lata songs and the IMDB does not show her name in cast.
Do you think she sang her own songs on screen?
Back to 1947, I think Saajan MD C Ramchandra had more than just
Humko tumhara hi aasra
https://youtu.be/-eYmbvT2VH8
hum banjare sang hamare rafi-zohra-chorus SAAJAN(1947)
Bhatiaji, Venkataramanji does the chorus of this song remind of ti aaaja of tere bina aag yeh chandni?
https://youtu.be/57PLIjyxuHs
O babu aji babu gali mein teri ch by Mohd Rafi film Saajan 1947
https://youtu.be/1Fxbiy5Y-Q0
RAFI SAHAB ,GEETA ROY & LALITA-Film~SAJAN~{1947}~Sambhal Sambhal Ke Jaiyo O Banjare’Dilli Door Hai
https://youtu.be/ij-tNbD_S2w
Main hoon Jaipur Ki Banjaran . . . Film Sajan (1947)
mumbaikar8 ji,
This question (about LM and Badi Maa) is asked by many, who refer to IMDB-which, according to me, is the most untrustworthy and unreliable site about Hindi films. Their info is invariably wrong.
Anyway Lata Mangeshkar’s name did appear in the credits of the film. Her name also appears in HFGK details as well as Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen. one can check the Film booklet also for this.
Obviously, LM sang her songs herself on the screen.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for clearing my doubt and for the information about IMDB. Lata’s name is given as playback singer, hence I got confused.
Thanks once again.
mumbaikar8,
Sure Lata was one of the singers of the film, but NOT a playback singer ! This is what I call misleading information.
-AD
There was another movie of the same name in 1974, in which LM was a playback singer-even in its credits.
IMDB got mixed up in these two, possibly.
-AD
DP Rangan,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Mumbaikar8,
Arunji has already clarified your doubts. That is why I wrote debuted as a ‘playback’ singer in quotes. She had been singing earlier to that as an actor-singer. She completely detested acting, and 1947 was the end of her ‘acting’ career, and the beginning of her ‘playback’ career.
Mumbaikarji @16
Yes to my ears they seem to be very similar.
Thanks for posting the other songs of Sajan.
If you remember, the song Main hoon Jaipur Ki Banjaran was posted by Akji in his article on Bharat Darshan in Songs (1): Small towns (#9). I do not think the other song Sambhal Sambhal Ke Jaiyo O Banjare’Dilli Door Hai was posted by anybody in either of the posts on Bharat Darshan Songs. This is an ideal Bharat Darshan song and not only mentions Dilli, but takes us through Marwar, Kashi, Mathura, Brij, Avadh, Malava, Jhansi, Gujarat and Bangal. BTW, you had posted just a comment each in both the Bharat Darshan Songs’ articles. You could have contributed more.
It appears that the year 1947 had a few songs of this genre, Chalo ho gayi taiyyar by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar posted by AKJI in this article (#105) and Agre se odhani manga de balma (#56).
That reminds me of another duet (no. 34 in the master list), Dilli ki galiyon mein jiya nahi laage form the film Doli. I am trying in vain to locate the link to this song. You have a reputation of being St. Anthony of SoY. Can you find it?
AK ji, ref no. 22
I am sorry, but 1947 was not the end of Lata’s acting career.
She acted in film Mandir-48 and also did a small role in Chhatrapati Shivaji-52. In both these films, she had sung songs also.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for this information. I was obviously not aware of Lata Mangeshkar acting in any post-film.
Venkataramanji,
Thanks for appreciating Saajan songs, yes Dilli door hai is ideal Bharat Darshan song, You have rightly noticed, I have been very lethargic last few posts. AK talked about his mental laziness I have been lazy mentally as well as physically.
Thanks for your encouragement. I could not find Dilli ki galiyon me jiya nahin lage but a ray of hope is there. This song was posted by ASAD, but right now the video is unavailable I believe that some of the ASAD members have, the songs they post, on their hard drive, if you are in contact with them you can request or AK , Arvinder Sharma can do the needful.
https://atulsongaday.me/2014/09/07/dilli-ki-galiyon-mein-jiya-naahin-laage/
I am missing Hans ji and Arvinder Sharma ji ……our bench strength going weak? We senior citizen do require some rest to maintain our physical activeness .
I find those , not having any hobbies , asking many times how do you spend your day ? My reply to them is…..I am living 36 hours a day . At the age of 72 , even dusting your house is a great exercise for your body . Three outings a week is another essential activity for maintaining your sugar levels as also for regulation of your heart . A good music always gives me company . Listening to classical western instrumentals takes me to different places around the world . Besides these some add ones are video and still photography . My elder colleague , D P Rangan ji is hard hit follower of such essential do little activities.
I do appreciate the energy AK has in store , both physical and mental too . I wanted to know more about Pathak ji but I know….. that will be a deviation from his busy schedule . Beside songs …..carrying on with attached memories thereto is a good exercise to control fading ones .
Venkataramanji, AK,
One more Bharat Darshan song
Lakhon Mein Ek 1947 agare se odani mangva de balma
https://youtu.be/0BQpAnYw53A
Venkataramanji, Mumbaikar8,
Dilli ki galiyon mein jiya nahi lage will some day turn up on YT. Its removal is without any logic. It seems there have been quite a few city songs in the year. If one searches with a tooth-comb probably every year would have a couple of city songs.
KS Bhatiaji,
Yes, our two stalwarts Hans and Arvinder Sharmaji have been missing for some time. Sometimes they have connectivity problems, at other times some pressing family or business matters keep them away. I would try to check up with them.
You are an example of how to live a full life at 70plus. Mr Rangan’s energy is quite admirable. Thanks for your nice words about me. It is God’s grace. SoY has been a major positive development. You mean the Pathakji I wrote about in my post ‘Tennis, Pathakji and Tere sadke balam?’ You can make his exact picture in your mind from that post. When I knew him he would have bern 65+. Despite bypass, he was full of life and the life of any party, provided liquor was served. Stroke took him away from action. Now I have no information about him.
AK ji,
I do not know how old Rangan ji is, but I am certainly one of the most senior members of SOY with 78 years of age. I am busy all 24 hours. I lead a very disciplined life. I stay alone. With so much work of old films on hand I am also on the boards of two Pharma companies. My hands are always full, but I enjoy visiting atulsongaday and SOY very much.
-AD
Arunji,
That would surely make you among the three or four seniormost members of SoY. I remember Gaddeswarupji might be octogenarian. Every senior person who leads a regular life and engages himself in a number of activities is an inspiration. Knowing you, I might add you have a richer post-retirement life than when you were at the peak of your career.
AK Ji,
I am 76 and will be 77 on June 21. I cannot say that I lead a regular life though gardening, mathematics and film music have been constants. I still do mathematics, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. My main collaborator since 1986, Peter Scott of Michigan has prostrate cancer which is acting up. So my workload has increased. That is why I comment less though I read most of the posts and some of the comments. Since I know very little Hindi, it takes some effort to make comments and even then I goof often. Now there is not enough time to focus on other things.
AK ji; Venkatraman ji, Deshmukh ji, Gaddeswarup ji, D P Rangan ji , Ms. Mumbaikar 8, Ms. Shalan Lal ….and all other regulars senior citizen;
Your …..Tennis, Pathak’ji and Tere Sadke Balam…..was a master piece which I enjoyed to my heart content . Yes ; My reference to Pathak ji was in that context .
It is heartening to note that all the senior citizens are enjoying life living it to the fullest by recalling and enjoying their fav. subjects. I do passionately follow mathematics and Physics of my school and college days and off and on I am approached by young boys to solve their maths and physics problems . I owe to my father whatever I know a little about these subjects .
We all are enjoying motion in a circle closely bounded by the centripetal force …..attracting to the center of the circle called SOY .
Ksbhatiaji, This may please you. This winter I spent three months in India trying to what I can do to help in school mathematics and visited several government schools. Finally, I felt that what I can easily do woithout much disruption is to help school students from grades 6 to 10 with their mathematics home work and did a bit of it towards the end of my stay. This is the plan for the next few winters. To stay near some of the hostels in Ongole town and help students with their homework. Once in a while I will also a visit a school for orphans near Vijayawada.
The review of the songs in films of 1947 is good and comprehensive. I like the Dickensian begging that set the “happy and sad” period of the beginning of the Indian Independence.
Shalan’s choice:
Best male solo, Raj Kapoor in Dil Ki Rani
Best female solo, Lata Mangeshkar Pao Lago, Kar Jori…. in Aap Ki Sevamein
And the
Best music director. C.Ramchandra for Shehani
Special Mention: Amirbai Karnataki in Shehani: Hame Kya Pata Thaa
Suraiyaa in Parwana for “Paapi Papiha……..”. and for “Mere Mundere Naa Bol”
MD Rashid Atre for the film Paaro and song “Jivan Panchhi Bole…..
M.S. Subbolaxmi for all the songs in Meera and Sitara Kanpur for Meerabai
Shalan Lal
Gaddeswarupji,
It is heartening to see the seniors proudly acknowledge their age, it is customary to hide it. It is gtatifying that SoY has made a place for itself in the hearts of so many senior persons.
KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks again for your appreciation.
Shalan,
I remember earlier, too, I had commented your choices were unconventional. I would not have thought of Raj Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar for the best male and female solos. CR for Shenai would be supported by many.
Sorry about coming back.
Some corrections of the words:
should be Dickensian “beginning” and the word “Shehanai” should be read.
Shalan
When working for micro-view of songs of 1949 and 1948, I thought that these were probably the extended limits of knowledge of HFM.
In fact these types of structured listening of pre-1950 songs now seems to offer many of 1947 songs as ‘fairly’ known ones.
Good enough motivation to pick up HFGK and then trying to search YT for more of 1947 songs……….
AK@37
There is a reason for making my choice. The year 1947 for both Raj K and Lata M was uncertain curiosity.
None did know their future. Later in his life RK said many times if he would not have been Actor, Director, Producer, Studio owner etc., he would have been a Music Director and Singer. The huge success of Barasaat catapulted him to become “Actor, Director, Producer, Studio owner etc. and less of a singer. But on his Russian and later on in Iran he did sing his Awara and other songs to the huge crowds. At the reception of Honorary Doctorate at the Teheran University he again sang his songs to the demand’s of the students and University officers.
To sing for the huge crowds and be loved is not an easy matter that could be just ignored
As far Lata, it was the stroke of luck that her singing in both Andaz and Barasaat was phenomenal. So these two great stars were going to be famous with the help of music.
Just think of the music future for those who were involved in the film music of 1947.
I am not much interested in seeing that RK & Lata getting or not getting the awards.
I want to make people to think and try to go beyond the popular songs of 1947 when judgements are passed.
Shalan
Shalan,
Let me say at the outset that I am not passing any judgment on anyone’s choices. However, your explanation raises more questions. Are you judging on the basis of what he would have become (in case of RK), or what she became a couple of years down the line (in case of Lata Mangeshkar)? Or are you judging on the basis of the songs of 1947 as they stood?
Bhatiaji, Arunji, Ranganji, Gaddeswarupji,
I think D P Raganji and Arunji must be the senior most members of SoY. Somewhere Ranganji had mentioned that he retired from service of the Govt. of India in October 1998.
The concept of Buzurg has a great relevance in our tradition. Elders are revered as rich reservoir of wisdom and experience, family love and caring. As long as the three essentials to happiness-”something to do”, “something to love” and “something to hope for’ are there, life remains exciting and rewarding. The infinite energy that you exhibit makes us firmly believe in these. Old age is not winter in one’s life but it is the harvest time. We are fortunate to have you among us and pray to god to give all of you a long, healthy and energetic life so that we can enjoy your shared wisdom and company longer. Thank to Akji for providing us this platform.
My salutation to all of you,
AK @ 41
Yes all the three. But more so on the songs and looking at others who already made their gold standard like “Saigal” I am excluding as they should not be there as their reputation would never be downgraded.
I am judging that RK & Lata showed good promise in the songs they sang in 1947.
I am ignoring their future razzmatazz and I am ignoring the past masters.
Just the presentations of the songs in 1947.
Shalan La
AK ji
Thanks for a wonderful post.
In post no. 42, Venkataraman ji has brought out excellent positives of ‘old age’. As brought out by worthy persons above, ‘old age’ as public perceives, does not exist. Only there are some changes in lifestyle and some necessary adjustments.
A cricket/football team needs about 18 players out of which 11 take the field. So consider including me also. Age 67 years. Honours in Physics, Masters in Maths. Delhi University. Govt service in AFHQ, Min of Defence. Deputation to Deptt of Pers & Trg as Secy in charge of Sports & Cultural Board.
Have not seriously listened to so many of 1947 songs. Will try to comment about the songs in due course.
Tyagiji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. All the seniors at SoY have one thing in common: their zest for life.
Tyagiji,
Thank you for your affirmative endorsement and your views. I agree with AKji on his observation about Sr. citizens here.
Recently I have reduced my workload (economically productive activities). I used to travel a lot earlier. That too, I have reduced drastically. These days, visits to libraries are out of vogue. Online availability and access to all materials is a popular myth. In literature, for example, only five percent of all material ever printed has been digitized. This figure is expected to and will grow in near future, but even so, it will remain very small. I visit two libraries (National Library and Ramkrishna Mission Library) at least twice a week. There is no dearth of activities and SoY is one of them I simply love the company here. I remember a quote ‘I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.’
Coming to 1947 songs, I have listened to roughly 80% of the songs mentioned by Akji in his master-list. After listening to the rest of the songs, I will post my views and choice.
AK ji, I am thrilled to see such a wealth of detail on songs of 1947 vintage. There are so many favourite singers listed here that it would be difficult to choose one, for me at least.
I have noticed that under picture MEERA, lyrics are credited Mirabai and Pt. Narendra Sharma. However the lyric “yaad aave yaad aave…” to my knowledge, was penned by Rehana Tyabji whose name is not listed. I had an audio tape of bhajans of the picture sung by MS Subbhalakshmi wherein I found Rehana’s name. I love that song and played it very often; unfortunately the tape get spoiled due to frequent playing and I couldn’t get another one. I wonder if some one else can confirm this. Rehana Tyabji had been a close associate of Gandhiji.
Charanjit Singhji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. All sources on the net mention Meerabai as the lyricist for Yaad ave
AK ji;
1947 saw a large span of singers singing the varied theme , mostly sad / melancholy , happy and romantic a few and therefore a mindful excercise to look for the best . In such a case the best route to adopt is to go for popular ones that ruled the radio days. Generally a thick book or a table is always there to give me a helping hand to match the beats and I must confess there were only few songs that adds to such pleasure .
Among the female singers …… Suraiya , Shamshad , Zorabai, Uma Devi , Geeta Roy ruled the scenerio . The male singer domination was with Mukesh and Durrani with assistance from Manna Dey and Surendra nath .
Finding best in each catag.requires massive hunt ; but as said the popularity chart is the rule I am applying . I will revert back to best of male singer , duets and music directors again ; but first I am listing my choice for best of female singers as follows….
A. Best Female Singer ….
[ not in order of merit ]
1. Suraiya…..Chale dil ki duniya ko barbad karke……Dard
2. Geeta Roy……Mera sunder sapna beet gaya….Do Bhai
3. Shamshad…….Yeh Afsana nahi zalim……..Dard
4. Uma Devi…..Dilwale o dilwale , Jal Jal ke marjaana…..Natak
5. Zohrabai…..Kya batayein kitni hasrat……Natak
KS Bhatiaji,
Uma Devi: Afsana likh rahi hun, no?
AK ji;
Afsana likh rahi hun…..is no doubt a very good song and a milestone too. ; but a straight redention . [again , fav.as Bhatia , when young ]
…dilwale , jal jal ke marjaana , on the other side ,….is a difficult song and composition , which required good flow and voice variations to go by the emotions and here Uma Devi gave full justice to Naushad’s tune .[fav. as Bhatia ,now senior citizen.]
Well , this again is my personal selection ; opinions can always differ from person to person.
Bhatiaji,
Amirbai Karnataki and Rajkumari have few very good songs this year….
AK,
You have excluded Amirbai Karnatakis’s Mai janti hoon tum na aoenge kabhi from Leela, is it not worthy enough (for you) or did you miss it?
For me it is one of her best.
Mumbaikar8,
Your charge again denied 🙂 . I didn’t ‘exclude’ Main jaanati hun tum na aaoge kabhi piya because it was not ‘worthy enough for me’. The song had slipped from my memory. It is an excellent song and should figure with the other songs of Leela in the list. Thanks a lot for mentioning it.
Main jaanati hun tum na aaoge kabhi piya by Amirbai Karnataki from Leela (1947), lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music C Ramchandra
AK,
What charge? Such responses by you add fuel to the fire to मेरी बदनामी (correct to some extent 🙁 ) of being brutally blunt.
This time I had placed two simple question…..
Thanks for the upload
Venkatraman ji @42 ;
Old is Gold , but suggest some age for those who love Vintage stuff . I think we all should paste our foto in the frame located at the right side to verify and to know the status of baldness one has achieved over the years. In one of the History channel , an expert is known and addressed as Beard of Knowledge .[ written to carry on fun side too ]
ksbhatia ji,
You can see my photo on my Fb page.
Are you also on Fb ?
-Arunkumar Deshmukh
AK,
What about this song?
https://youtu.be/b3RHHglLxj8
SAJNI (1947) – Zaalim tera khayaal sataaye to kya karoon – Rajkumari
Venkataramanji,
1947 winners need your तव्वज्जो please grace it with your presence .
Mumbaikar8,
Zaalim tera khayal sataye to kya karun is a nice addition. Totally unknown MD(s). Superb song. Thanks a lot.
Mumbaikarji @ 57,
True, My attention got diverted to other articles/ postings. Many of the songs in this year are not very familiar and demands repeat hearing (at least to me) and there are quite a lot of singers. By and large I would restrict myself to Akji’s master list of 118 songs. Would try to present my choice sooner.
Akji, Mubaikarji
How about this song from Bhai Dooj, you will find this at 14:15. The broadcaster wrongly mentions the name of the music director as Shankaracharaya.
wo am sukh me.n jhoolate hai.n … ham dukh ko bhoolate hai.n… by Sumitra, film Bhai Dooj (1947), lyrics Pankaj, music Kshirode Chandra Bhattacharya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNT-GjdzSms
This is also nice song.
Kaun Sune Fariyad Meri by zeenat Begum, film Farz (1947), lyrics & music K S Sagar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=119&v=VGl_Ds5QaVw
AKji,
I think Kanan Devi acted in only one Hindi film in the year 1947. The film was Faisla. Kanan Devi rendered 4 solos for this film. Two of them are available on YT. Surprisingly, I did not find any of the solos in your master list for 1947. I would post one of the songs here and the other one, ‘Yu Kisne Sikhaya Tumhe Himmat Na Harna’, in the post ‘Tasveer exhibits of Bollywood’.
Panghat Pe Madhu Barsaye Gayo Ri by Kanan Devi, Faisla 1947, lyrics Pran, music Kamal Dasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5NXMj7brls
Akji, Bhatiaji,
This is a song from a 1947 Kanan Devi’s film Faisla. I should have posted the song there. While listening to the song I noticed that this song has both the words Tasveer as well as Chhavi. Hence I chose to post it her.
The first antara…..
pahchan ke khud apne takdeer badal le
takdeer badal le
bikhare huye armaano ki tasweer badal lo
tasweer badal lo
and the next antara
te kisne kaha tujhse ki tu adhana hai insaan
pahchan khud hi apni chhavi ho na pareshan
Yu Kisne Sikhaya Tumhe Himmat Na Harna by Kanan Devi, film Faisla 1947, lyrics Pran, music Anupam Ghatak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNVct26XX0M
Maine Pehchan Liya Tumne Pukara Hai Mujhe by Hemat Kumar & Kalyani Das, film Faisla 1947, lyrics Pran, music Anupam Ghatak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrYxKXPo7XU
Sorry I goofed up. well it was meant to be here. So be it.
Venkatraman ji ;
Yes, this is amazing both words …Tasveer and Chhavi…in a singe song !
Kanan Devi was one of the most respected singer and actor of vintage and golden period. She had a good span of 33 years to do more than 50 movies besides singing many many songs both solos and duets.
Yesterday was her birth anniv. , its a great feeling she is mentioned and remembered thru her this song posted by your goodself.
Venkataramanji,
Among your additions at #59, 60, 61 and 62 Kanan Devi’s –Panghat pe madhu barsaye gayo re is a great find. This sgould have figured in the Master List. Thanks a lot.
….in continuation from #49, here are my choice of best playback male singers for 1947 movies.
[B] Best Playback Singer , Male…
1. Surendranath…..Tera jahan aabad hai….Ellan
2. Manna Dey……Jan jan Jan payaliya baaje….Geet Govind
3. Rafi……Hum ko tumahara hai aasra….Saajan
4.Mukesh…..Kahan tak jafa husn…..Tohfa
My choice for best duets and best music director will follow shortly.
KS Bhatiaji,
All the 4 male solos you have mentioned are my great favourites.
AK ji ;
Good that you liked my choice . Let us wait for others choice too. Meanwhile my selection of best duets are….
[C] Best duets…
1. Hamare angana baje shehnayi…Amirbai, Shamshad…Shehnai
2. Aana meri jaan sunday ke sunday….Chitalkar, Shamshad…Shehnai
3. Mera chand aagaya mere dwaare…Khursheed, Surendra..Manjhdhar
4. Shyam mori bindiya na…..Manna Dey, Rajkumari…Geet Govind
As stated earlier , these songs are not in merit . The summary after the best Music Directors listing will state my choice of the bests.
KS Bhatiaji,
In duets too you hit the bull’s eye.
Akji,
Your master list of 117 songs for 1947 contains 69 female solos rendered by 17 singers. I would like to keep out the songs of the film Meera. M S Subbalakshmi had distinctive singing style, which in my humble opinion, should not be compared with that of the other regular singers of HFS. I place her beyond any competition. That leaves me with 61 songs.
Here are my selection of 10 female solos for the year 1947. The first three songs are in order of my preference, the rest are indicative, but not in any particular order.
1. Paon laagun kar jori re by Lata Mangeshkar, film Aap Ki Sewa Mein, lyrics Mahipal, music Datta Davjekar
2. Umangein dil ki machalin muskurayi zindagi apni by Noorjehan, film Jugnu, lyrics (?), music Firoze Nizami
3. Beech bhanwar mein aan phansa hai by Suraiya, film Dard, lyrics Shaqeel Badayuni, music Naushad
4. Mai Janti Hu Tum Na Aaoge Kabhi Piya by Amirbai Karnataki, film Leela, lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music C Ramchandra
5. Aayi azal ae zindagi gham ka zamana chal (or tal?) gaya by Amirbai Karnataki, film Elan, lyrics Zia Sarhadi, music Naushad
6. Mera sundar sapna beet gaya by Geeta Roy, film Do Bhai, lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music S D Burman
7. Afsana likh rahi hun dil-e-beqaraar ka by Uma Devi, film Dard, lyrics Shaqeel Badayuni, music Naushad
8. Ye afsana nahi zaalim mere dil ki haqeeqat hai by Shamshad Begum, film Dard, lyrics Shaqeel Badayuni, music Naushad
9. Maine lakhon ke bol sahe by Binapani Mukherjee, film Leela, lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music C Ramchandra
10. Sukh le ke dukh de gaya by Zohrabai Ambalewali, film Bela, lyrics D N Madhok, music Bulo C Rani
Venkataramanji,
You are the second person after Shalan Lal to put Paon laagun kar jori re at the top. This has come into limelight only during the internet era. I don’t remember to have heard it on the radio.
On MS Subbulakshmi, I am entirely with you. I was planning to take the same view myself. I had a mind to similarly keep KL Saigal beyond comparison, but the field in male solos is very narrow.
Yes Akji, I too heard this Lata solo recently. This song deserves to be on the top of the list. Just travel 70 years back and place yourself among a panel, listening to the songs of 1947. As soon as you listen to the song, you would sit up and at once ask the question, who is this singer. A fresh voice, different from the established female singers ruling the roost then and very accomplished too. A slow vilambit style start in Raag Kaafi, she negotiates every ornamentation or alankars with the munshiana of an experienced singer. She again displays expert rendition skills when there is tempo shift at 02:10 and rounds off her singing deftly.
Even the other solo Ek Naye Rang Me Duje Umang Me was also beautifully rendered. A nice song.
I listened to third solo Ab Kaun Sunega Mere Man Ki Baat. But voice in the available link does not seem to be that of Lata Mangeshkar. I think it is Mohantara Talpade. There may be another version!
AKji, what about other choices?
Venkataramanji,
For some strange reason Paon laagun kar jori re became a part of history and film music trivia. Does it remain Kafi, or becomes predominantly Pilu? If you mean other choices for female solos, there is no dearth of choices. You have yourself given a list of ten songs. #3, 6 and 7 have been radio era eternal favourites. Other songs too, especially Amirbai Karnataki’s are my big favourites. My other favourites are: Zohra Ambalewali’s Pardesi piya re ab mose guzare na rain (Bela), Unhein bhi raaz-e-ulfat ki na hone di khabar maine (Nateeja); Suraiya’s Chale dil ki duniya jo barbaad kar ke, Hum the tumhare tum the hamare (Dard), Jab se chale gaye hain wo (Naiya); Shamshad Begum’s Jhumka gira re (Dekhoji), Man bhoolo kathayein yaad na kar (Doosri Shaadi); Amirbai Karnataki’s Preetam pyare (Leela); Noorjehan’s Humein to shaam-e-gham mein kaatni hai (Jugnu), Aa ja tujhe afsana judaai ka sunayein (Mirza Sahiban). My list is getting too big, the year was obviously a goldmine of vintage female songs. It is not surprising that our best ten would have only a few overlaps.
I am sure your choices for other categories would soon follow.
Akji @ 73
Thanks for correcting me. Yes it is Piloo.
The more the choice, you get to hear more good songs. It may not be the same with male solos. I would try to post my choice for other categories at the earliest.
I am in agreement with you about Saigal’s song. I am putting forward my best five male solos.
1. Tera jahan aabad hai mera jahan barbaad hai by Surendra, film Elan, lyrics Zia Sarhadi, music Naushad
2. Jhan jhan jhan jhan payaliya baaje by Manna Dey, film Geet Govind, lyrics Indra Chandra, music Gyan Dutt
3. Humko Tumhara Hi Aasra by Md.Rafi, film Saajan, lyrics Moti B A, music C Ramchandra
4. Kahan tak jafa husnwalon ki sahate by Mukesh, film Tohfa, lyrics Sajhib Lucknavi, music M A Rauf
5. Kisne chheda man ka taar by Mukesh, film Tohfa, lyrics Shant Aurora, music M A Rauf