Forgotten Composers Unforgettable Melodies: Bipin-Babul/Babul

Who does not remember the songs Baithe hain rahguzar par dil ka diya jalaaye, Naseeb hoga mera meherbaan kabhi na kabhi, Zulfon ki ghata lekar saawan ki pari ayi, Ye phoolon ka gazra ye solah singaar ho, and Humein haal-e-dil tumse kahna hai kahiye? And do we know who composed the music of these songs. And if you know they are composed by Babul or Bipin-Babul duo, hats off to you, but do you know who they are, how they looked like, or anything about them. I don’t, but these songs have been my eternal favourites. These are not vintage songs, but of 1950s and 60s, the period about which the passionate lovers of the golden era of film music presume that they know everything.

There are hundreds of such immortal songs composed by music directors about whom not much was known except their names. The names got registered thanks to the announcement made by the radio which was the main source of listening to songs. The star music directors, their personal foibles, their rivalries, their affairs and break-ups evoked same interest of serious media and the paparazzi as the film stars did. Outside the select group a large number of music directors, some of whom gave everlasting songs, remained in the shadows of anonymity. I have covered a dozen such music directors in the series Forgotten Composers: Unforgettable Melodies. Babul/Bipin-Babul is/are even more unknown than most in this list and are perfect candidates for featuring in this series.

As per ‘Dhunon Ki Yatra’, a massive book on music directors written by Dr Pankaj Rag, Babul’s ambition was to become a singer. After training at Marris College of Music, Lucknow (now grown into Bhatkhande Music Institute) he also worked at Lucknow, Delhi and Lahore radio stations of the All India Radio before the Partition. But as he didn’t get much opportunity as a singer he forayed into music direction. Bipin and Babul started as assistants to Madan Mohan which led to their friendship. They started as a duo with the film Shahi Mehman (1955). Their most successful music as duo was in ’24 Ghante’. Subsequently they separated and gave music independently. Between the two Babul gave some great music in Chaalis Din, Reshmi Roomal, Sara Jahan Hamara and Naqli Nawab. Bipin Dutt too had his share of films, such as Kya Ye Bombay Hai? (1959), Alam Ara Ki Beti (1960), Diamond King (1961) and Baghi Shahzada (1964), but I cannot recall any song of his unless I refer to the Internet. The two got together again after a long hiatus in Daawat (1974), directed by BR Ishara, which had a passable Mukesh-Asha Bhosle duet Aise bhi na rootho tum ki jeena mushqil ho.

This article by Dr Amjad Parvez in The Daily Times, Pakistan mentions that there was aroma of Madan Mohan in their compositions. However, you would notice that Lata Mangeshkar is non-existent in their best songs, who was the mainstay of the music of Madan Mohan. That is a clear sign that they were consigned to ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade films. That their music could rise above their banner is a testimony to their talent. Dr Parvez also mentions that Bipin Dutt was born on 17 August, 1930 and Babul on 30 January 1930. That would make them ninety years old. Wherever they are I present a selection of their immortal songs as a tribute to them on the first-named partner Bipin’s 90th birth anniversary. (Note: If they were born in 1930, Babul would have completed his music education at Marris College, and worked at AIR Lahore before the Partition, all before the age of 17 as per ‘Dhunon Ki Yatra’. The two informations do not seem to be consistent, but that may be due to lack of information. I focus mainly on the songs.)

1. Humein haal-e-dil tumse kahna hai kahiye by Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosle from Chaubees Ghante (1958), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Bipin-Babul

This is one of the best duets of Talat Mahmood in a non-blue mood, and it has figured prominently on SoY earlier. It is appropriately picturised on a dashing Premnath and the impish Shakeela.

2. Main deewana mastana mushkil bhed mera pa jana by Mukesh from Chaalis Din (or, Forty Days, 1959), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Babul

The orchestration bears the stamp of Shankar-Jaikishan style. But the song is quite delightful. Premnath again looks very dashing. As hero he had many such roles and songs picturised on him, such as Main gareebon ka dil hun watan ki zuban or Main raahi bhatakanewala hun koi kya jaane matwala hun.

3. Kaho aa ke bahar kare mera singaar mujhe pyar mila by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle from Chaalis Din (1959), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Babul

But you cannot attribute any ‘inspiration’ for one of the best Mukesh-Asha Bhosle duets from the same film. The film had Premnath and Shakila in the lead. Since the lady dancing in joy in love with Premnath is not Shakeela, she must be the ‘other’ woman oblivious of Premnath’s two-timing(?).

4. Baithe hain rahguzar pe dil ka diya jalaaye by Asha Bhosle from Chaalis Din (1959), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Babul

Babul shows his mettle like a top-line music director by composing a number of outstanding songs in the same film. If you list the most soulful songs of Asha Bhosle this will figure alongside best of SD Burman, N Datta and Ravi.

5. Naseeb hoga mera meharbaan kabhi na kabhi by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle from Chaalis Din (1959), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Babul

Now we can put two and two together. Shakeela has joined a group of wandering street singers. In this song she expresses hope that someday her fate would turn around and she would be able to find the traces of ‘his’ footsteps. One hallmark of a great composer is ability to create great songs with a variety of singers. Now Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle sing an excellent soft, melodious duet.

6. Zulfon ki ghata lekar saawna ki pari ayi by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle from Reshmi Roomal (1961), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Babul

Now Babul composes a conventional romantic duet by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle for Reshmi Roomal, picturised on Manoj Kumar in one of his earliest roles, and Shakeela.

7. Gardish mein hon taare naa ghabrana pyare by Mukesh from Reshmi Roomal (1961), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Babul

Manoj Kumar seems to be a jobless youth looking for employment. Disappointment does not dishearten him, and here is a nice Mukesh song of hope in adversity.

8. Jab chhaye kabhi saawan ki ghata by Talat Mahmood from Reshmi Roomal (1961), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Babul

Babul again tries a variety of singers, and situations and moods to show his versatility. The virahotkanthita Shakeela consoles herself with the photo frame of her lover Manoj Kumar. As her dupatta gets stuck under the frame, she remembers snatches of the happy romantic duet when they were cavorting together – Chhodun na tera daaman. The scene shifts to a lonely Manoj Kumar wandering aimlessly, and singing to himself and also to his beloved long distance to hold together in this moment of sorrow.

जब छाये कभी सावन कई घटा
रो रो के न करना याद मुझे
ऐ जान-ए-तमन्ना ग़म तेरा
कर दे न कहीं बरबाद मुझे

9. Bhare hain aankh mein aansoo by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle from Sara Jahan Hamara (1961), lyrics Anjum Jaipuri, music Babul

Talat Mahmood, Asha Bhosle and Mukesh seem to be favourite singers of Babla. So far Mukesh solos or duets we have seen have all been chirpy and in a happy mood. Now he composes a sad duet for him, which was his favourite ground, with Asha Bhosle.

10. Ye phholon ka gazra ye solah singaar ho koi le ke aya hai sapne hazaar by Suman Kalyanpur from Sara Jahan Hamara (1961), lyrics Anjum Jaipuri, music Babul

But the song that really mesmerises me is this Suman Kalyanpur solo, one of her very best of all music directors. The tabla beats, and the flute in interludes is delightful. Variety of string instruments add to the overall charm of the composition.

11. Tum poochate ho ishq bala hai ki nahin hai by Rafi from Naqli Nawab (1962), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Babul

Babul completes the great male playback singers with this recital style ghazal by Rafi which was his special forte.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
The video links of the songs have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim copyright over them which rests with the respective owners such as Saregama India Private Limited, Eros, Shemaroo and others.