Second and final part of tribute to Dattaram (1929 – 8 June 2007)
We saw in Dattaram Part 1 dealing with his songs for Mukesh and Manna Dey, how his association with the Big Banyan tree, Shankar-Jaikishan, made it difficult to get out of the comfort zone of SJ. The readers Mahesh and Hans Jakhar opined that Dattaram was himself part of the Banyan Tree. We need not presume that it was a millstone around his neck. The association gave him steady work and a sense of importance. Not everyone is entrepreneurial, he was contented with his station in life.
As a music lover, my observation was based on my perception. It was very conspicuous for his songs for Mukesh and Manna Dey, most of which became immensely popular. With just 14/15 songs for Mukesh and 16 songs for Manna Dey, Dattaram achieved everlasting fame. However, these songs reminded you of famous SJ compositions.
But Dattaram composed over 80 songs for other singers. In fact, it is important to note that the first independent film of Dattaram, Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957), had no songs by Mukesh and Manna Dey. Its most famous songs are Chun chun karti aayi chidiya/ Daal ka dana laayi chidiya/ More bhi aya kaua bhi aya/ Chooha bhi aya, bandar bhi aya; Ye chaman hamara apna hai and Maalik tere jahan mein koi nahin humara. Subsequently, he regularly composed many melodious songs for different singers. For example, who does not remember Meethi meethi baton se bachna zara by Lata Mangeshkar from Qaidi No. 911 (1959). These songs do not have a significant shadow of SJ. Though Dattaram is identified with Mukesh and Manna Dey prominently, since his other songs are two and a half times more, any tribute to him is not complete without discussing his songs for other singers like Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Sumna Kalyanpur ec.
But before that, a quick look at his filmography. For this exhaustive information I have to thank our readers N Venkataraman, Arunkumar Deshmukh, Mahesh and Dr Rajesh Deshpande.
Dattaram’s Filmography:
Hindi
1. Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957)
2. Parvaish (1958)
3. Qaidi No. 911 (1959)
4. Santaan (1959)
5. Hum Sab Ek Hain (Unreleased 1960s)
6. Kaala Aadmi (1960)
7. Shreeman Satyawadi (1960)
8. Dark Street (1961)
9. First Love (1961)
10. Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961)
11. Neeli Aankhen (1962)
12. Jab Se Tumhein Dekha Hai (1963)
13. Raaka (1965)
14. Tarzan Comes To Delhi (1965)
15. Farishta (1968)
16. Baalak (1969)
17. Beqasoor (1969)
18. Choron Ka Chor (1970)
19. Ek Din Aadhi Raat (1971)
Magahi
20. Morey Man Mitwa (1965)
Marathi
21. Savli Premachi (1980)
Bhojpuri
22. Vidhana Naach Nachave (1968)
In the above list, except a few, none had big banners or big starts. Many films would not ring a bell. However, Dattaram had an interesting distinction. His Marathi film’s hero was the cricket Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar, his first and last venture into acting. Dattaram composed some songs lip-synched by Gavaskar.
Dattaram’s active career as an independent music director had a very short span. After Jaikishan’s early death in 1971, though Shankar carried on with the name SJ, the magic was missing. As per Arunji, “when there was no work with Shankar, Dattaram assisted Laxmikant-Pyarelal and RD Burman, but he had lost interest. After the death of Shankar in 1987, he left Bombay and lived in a village Mavlinge, near Dicholim in Goa.” Offers for work had completely dried up. In his native place he developed some medical complications, but he lacked funds for proper treatment. He passed away unsung on 8 June 2007.
Let us pay our tribute to Dattaram with some of his beautiful songs he composed for ‘other’ singers.
Rafi
1. Chun chun chun chun karti ayi chidiya by Rafi from Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
When you are with a sulking child and want to make him smile, you sing nonsensical verses, and make faces, bring out strange noises. Yaqub does all that with the child Romi. The accompanying music is beautiful. One of the most-remembered songs for children. Rafi is master of this genre.
2. Teri meherbani hogi badi meherbani by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Raaka (1965), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Dattaram
Here is a very nice qawwali from a C-grade movie, starring Dara Singh and Mumtaz.
Hemant Kumar
3. Kahta hai pyar mera O mere ladle by Hemant Kumar/ Lata Mangeshkar from Santan (1959), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
This is a poignant lullaby in twin version of Hamant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. In this combined video, Lata Mangeshkar’s version comes first.
Lata Mangeshkar
4. Tune mera maine tera dil le liya by Lata Mangehskar from Qaidi No. 911 (1959), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
Sea beach is a place for people to go out and for different types of sellers and vendors to earn a living. Mukri has his bioscope, but first the audience has to be attracted. And you have a perfect dance-song on the sea beach with harmonium and dholak visible prominently. Talk of Dattu Theka, he was a master of a variety of percussion instruments.
5. Meethi meethi baton se bachna zara by Lata Mangesghakr from Qaidi No. 911 (1959), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
All the six songs in the film had Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. In the last post we heard her duet with Manna Dey, Pyar bhari ye ghataayein. Her best known solo from this film is Meethi meethi baton se bachna zara, which had a happy and a sad versions. Here is the happy version of the song.
Asha Bhosle
6. Ye chaman hamara apna hai, is desh pe apna raaz hai by Asha Bhosle and others from Ab Dilli Door Nahin (1957), lyrics Shailendra, music Dattaram
We still needed to celebrate our independence. A famous patriotic son.
7. Jhoome re jhoome re meri gode mein tare jhoome re by Asha Bhosle from Parvarish (1958), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
In the midst of great songs of Mukesh and Manna Dey, we often forget that Parvarish had some marvellous songs by ‘other’ singers, too. Here is a sweet lullaby, lip-synched by Lalita Pawar!
8. Is qadar tera tasavvur.. Jaane kaisa jaadu kiya re by Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra from Parvarish (1958), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Dattaram
It is raining songs from his Dattaram’s first two movies, but this mujra duet by Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra is just too good to be left out. The dancer on the right, as we all know, is Sheila Vaz of Le ke pahla pahla pyar fame. Raj Kapoor was a trained tabla player, so his actions are very real. He takes to the kotha with full gusto, to prove that he is not a good character.
Sudha Malhotra
9. Maalik tere jahan mein, itne bade jahan mein by Sudha Malhotra from Ab Dilli Mein Door Nahin (1957), lyrics Shailendra, music Dattaram
Dattaram displays his full range in his debut film. Here is a song of entirely different mood, now in a still different voice, of Sudha Malhotra.
Suman Kalyanpur
10. Itne bade jahan mein apna bhi koi hota by Suman Kalyanpur from Dark Street (1961), lyrics Indivar, music Dattaram
Does Dattaram rehash his own tune he first used in his debut film in the voice of Sudha Malhotra? Not surprising, because we saw in the first part how he composed three/four Manna Dey-Lata Mangeshkar duets on the same basic tune. Dattaram had every right to use his own tune in any manner he wanted. But the questionable part is Indivar freely borrowing from Shailendra. This song has two versions, happy and sad. This combined video has both. I have to mention the orchestration in this song does remind you of SJ compositions. That might have been Dattaram’s arrangement.
11. Beete huye din bhi kuchh aise hi hain by Suman Kalyanpur from First Love (1961), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Dattaram
Now comes a real gem of Suman Kalyanpur which is entirely Dattarm’s. A truly everlasting song. In the first part I had included the Mukesh-Suman Kalyanpur duet, Maano ya na maano meri zindagi ki bahaar ho, another incredibly beautiful song.
Mubarak Begum
12. Mere aansuon pe na muskura kai khwab the jo machal gaye by Mubarak Begum from Morey Man Mitwa (1965), lyrics ?, music Dattaram
I was surprised to see Morey Man Mitwa listed as a Magahi film. This song by Mubarak Begum in Hindi/Urdu is quite well-known. Another singer added to the list of ‘other’ singers with a very significant song.
Several Singers
13. Tumhein husn de ke Khuda ne sitamgar banaya by Rafi, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle from Jab Se Tumhein Dekha Hai (1963), lyrics Shailendra, music Dattaram
There couldn’t be a better song to end the tribute with. With the Kapoor brothers, Shammi and Shashi Kapoor, and the ladies Shyama and Kumkum, and the comedians Om Prakash and Bhagwan, and many others rhythmically clapping, and soon reaching a crescendo, it is one of the best filmy qawwalis, and a visual and aural delight. There is no SJ, but you can’t but think of Roshan, which is high compliment for Dattaram. And just to remind, that in the first part we had prominently discussed Manna Dey-Suman Kalyanpur duet Ye din, din hain Khushi ke, and Manna Dey solo Mohammad Shah Rangeele from this film. We are more familiar with Rafi-Suman Kalyanpur version from Nadir Shah (1958), music SN Tripathi. But we have to thank Canasya for introducing us to Manna Dey’s version from this film. And you now have this great qawwali.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x45j9eb
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
The song videos have been embedded from the YouTube (last song from Dailymotion) only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these songs which vests in the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited and others.
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
AK ji,
Its very easy for us all to sit and request things. I was just wondering if singer names could be added to the respective film names. Apologies for being too demanding. But it will give some sort of a trend.
No 10 is an eternal favourite of mine. It simply flows like honey.
Is it a nil score for Talat Mahmood and Kishore Kumar. ?
Mahesh,
Not at all. The readers must give suggestions without hesitation. Most films have several singers. Mentioning their names would make the list look clumsy. In 60s, 70s, we know they would be from usual suspects.
PS: I did find a Talat Mahmood song. He is always melodious, but it was not one of his best. Kishore Kumar I didn’t notice. Similarly, I have not included Geeta Dutt. Many songs are left for the readers.
A beautiful write up (in 2 Parts) paying tribute to the life of a great HFM musician along with a good selection from his great compositions. I can only say that in a competitive world everyone cannot win. Despite his humble background , he did remarkably well . Being incharge of the rhythm section of MD SJ means he was connected with all the compositions of the great SJ duo for many years.
The pivotal role of Jaikishan in MD SJ combo is not well understood but his death also affected Dattaram Wadkar badly. By 1987 the golden era was over .
Despite having so much income , it is unfortunate that the Bollywood greats had not put in place any mechanism to take care of their members . Do not know if this need has been addressed now.
Song no.11 video needs to be corrected
AKji:
An expected sequel to the earlier post that exceeds expectations!
Poor Dattaram. He remained under the shadow of the SJ banyan tree, and the SoY posts on him are probably destined to be dwarfed by the temporal proximity of the runaway hit ‘Kya bhoolun kya yaad karun’.
Lata sang relatively fewer songs for Dattaram. But when he got his first independent commission as MD for ‘Ab Dilli door nahin’ (1957), RK asked him who would sing his first song, and he promptly replied: ‘Lata Bai. Aur kaun?’ See @ 21:00 onwards of the following exhaustive interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khnjcKjw7UE
The song was—‘Jiyo mere laal tum lakhon baras’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrfEemvhBFM
You will notice that the opening notes were probably recycled in SJ’s Aashiq (1962) for Lata’s song ‘Lo aayi milan ki raat suhaani raat’.
Mr Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. About Jaikishan’s early demise, this coincided with the beginning of a new era. The trinity which ruled was RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and Kalyanji-Anandji. RDB was the harbinger of the new era, LP were very savvy, and they could adapt to any situation, while carrying on with their characteristic melody for Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar. The most remarkable transformation was of KA, who made a big leap to Khaike paan Banaraswala from their Mukesh-pathos filled style. Other stalwarts faded into the background. Khayyam is an exception who remained top class in his niche. My point is SJ were getting stale anyway. The Golden Era was over by 1970.
To my knowledge Bollywood has not created any safety net. They are not an organised industrial house.
Thanks for pointing out the error in #11 video. Since corrected.
Canasya,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I didn’t intend that Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karun should overshadow the succeeding posts. I have the satisfaction that the two parts give a good overview of Dattaram’s music.
With all his respect for ‘Lata Bai’, she does not occupy an important place in his music. He has created more famous songs for other female singers.
Very smart connection to Lo ayi Milan ki raat suhaani raat’. Absolutely.
AKji,
Dattaram may not be considered among the well-known music directors. He was definitely a gifted composer, arranger, and percussionist. Through your tribute in two parts you have presented a collection of songs he left for us. Some of the songs from the movies mentioned in the two posts are quite good and are here to stay. All music lovers should be happy to listen to compositions of such unsung musicians.
This must be last post of SoY’s 11th year. And 8th June is the death anniversary of Dattaram.
Indeed an perfect tribute from SoY.
Thank You.
Let me post a song he composed for the Bhojpuri film Vidhata Nach Nachave (1968)
Md.Rafi
Gori Tore Naina chain churawle
Sudh Budh matgat sab bisarawle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU1D2npr9_I
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I was looking for a song from the Bhojpuri film. Thanks for the addition. Now we have the complete data.
AKji,
There were five songs in the film. It seems the name is Vidhana Naach Nachave.
All the songs were penned by Shailendra.
Here is a song by Lata Mangeshkar.
Dekh dekh hansela
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcXOCqAy8IE
Venkataramanji,
Vidhana Nach Nachave seems to be correct. I have corrected it. Thanks for posting another song from the film. ‘More Man Mitwa had more famous songs.
An apt sequel to the first part. Itne bade jahan mein and tumhe husna deke khuda ne are my all time favourites.
I would add,
Husna ikraar kare, a good melody.
https://youtu.be/5noQCIWef8A
And,
Sun re sun albele
https://youtu.be/hPfWHSrzb7g
Bith from Tarzan comes to delhi 1965.
I like both the songs a lot. Rare to heat Suman Kalyanpur singing a club song. But she is effortless.
Anup
🙂
Anup,
Thanks a lot. Nice songs. I was thinking of how Mumtaz moved from Grade ‘C’ to a Grade ‘A’ movies.
AK
Dattaram like most of the MD’s of golden period had predominantly female numbers compared to male His main singers Mukesh and Manna Dey had 15,16 songs each?
While Lata who was not his main singer has (estimated) eighteen or nineteen, Asha and Suman Kalyanpur both have 20 + songs.
“With all his respect for ‘Lata Bai’, she does not occupy an important place in his music. He has created more famous songs for other female singers.”
Was “ Lata Bai” hesitant to sing for him? That is why he had to settle for Suman Kalyanpur?
Suman was by far his preferred singer for solos.
She has sung some of her best and popular solos under his baton.
You have mentioned two I will add some more.
She had two in Zindagi aur khwab
Kehti Hai Jhuki Jhuki Nazar | Suman Kalyanpur | Zindagi Aur Khwab
https://youtu.be/XBDj_qjA34o
Katile katile nasheele nasheele Suman Kalyanpur | Zindagi Aur Khwab
https://youtu.be/pYC6NuNf7Hw
Nazar Ka Milke Jhuk Jana | Suman Kalyanpur | Neeli Aankhen
https://youtu.be/vTxP4_10kzc
Sun le bapu yeh paigham Balak
https://youtu.be/0XKgLbpO1Cs
Pyar Se Dekhe Jo Koi Suman Kalyanpur Dark Street
https://youtu.be/1sITVPwPUM0
Mumbaikar8,
Yes with just 15, 16 songs, Mukesh and Manna Dey have to be recognised as his main singers. One, relative to their total songs, and relative to Dattaram’s total Hindi film songs which were not more than 110. Two, the songs quality. For both singers, he gave songs which would figure among their best. On this score, Lata Mangeshkar’s songs do not stand out. Hence, my observation that his favourite female singers were others, namely Suman Kalyanpur and Asha Bhosle.
Hans has related it to independent temperament of Dattaram. He did not hesitate to defy Lata Bai at her peak. But you are right, it is quite likely she may not have been very enthusiastic to sing for an ‘Assistant’, when everyone was eating out of her palm.
Nice songs you have added. Sun le Bapu ye paigham was the most famous. The other two are also quite melodious. With so many years with SOY friends, my mind has got used to seeing patterns – someone might say, even when none exists. In Kahti hai jhuki jhuki nazar I see traces of Chitragupta; Kateele kateele nasheele nasheele reminds me of Panchhi banun udati phirun mast gagan mein.
AKji@12,
Yes, it’s quite fascinating how Mumtaz shifted from an extra in films like, Stree, sehra, to the main lead of B or C grade films and supporting roles in other films, finally making it to A grade movies in the 70s. It must have been an inspiring journey. And she is favourite with a lot of film lovers of both the genders.
Anup
AKji,
In fact there were 6 songs in the film Vidhana Naach Nachave (1968) and not 5 as mentioned by me in my earlier comment @ 9. Links to four songs are available. I have posted two solos, one by Md.Rafi (@7) and the other by Lata Mangeshkar (29).
Here are the links to the other two songs;
Adding one more ‘other’ singer.
Kehoo na jaane, Krishna Kalle, Vidhana Naach Nachave (1968), Shailendra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx0JOyNQVqw
And a solo by Asha Bhosle
Tore kaaran, a nice lively number.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxN2gI6Rl1g
The links to the remaining two songs,
Dere uljhe re naina, a duet by Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur &
Resham ki doriya by Lata Mangeshkar
are not yet available.
AKji,
Out of the eight songs composed by Dattaram for the Magahi film More Man Mitwa,
Links to only two songs are available. A duet by Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur was posted by Canasyaji in the first part.
Adding one more singer to the list.
Mere Aanso O Pe Na Muskura
Kaee Khwab The Jo Machal Gaye
Mubarak Begum, lyrics Harischandra Priyadarshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84kojv2SZYE
AKji,
The song Tu Mazhya Swapananchi in the film Savli Premachi (1980) by Manna Dey and Usha Mangeshkar was picturized on Vikram Gokhale.
There were two more songs;
Here is the link to the song picturized on Sunil Gavaskar and Madhumati (I guess), rendered by Deedar Sing & Usha Mangeshkar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyIwt7yTHN4
It seems, the link to the unused songs, sung by Gavaskar for this film, are not available.
There are two other songs available in his voice. Nothing exciting. Not missing anything.
AKji,
An aside, not related to the post.
Your question in the previous post:
‘What did he want to achieve that cricket could not give?’
May be at the request of Piloo Reporter he agreed to do the role. Initially I thought so. But here is an interesting clip. Milind Rege shares some interesting information about Gavaskar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W59y7A_X1qY
Watch this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHdsZkw9IA
And the third song from the film Saavli Premachi
Aai Majhi Maajhi by Krishna Kalle
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhbtc4
Venkataramanji @16,
Nice discovery. Four out of six is not bad for a film which not many have heard of.
@17,
Mere aansuo pe na muskura figures at #12 in my post.
@18, 19, 20
Deedar Singh-Usha Mangeshkar duet is a nice song. Sunil Gavaskar, I would say, is like a copybook Bollywood hero. But since everyone was copybook, what different did he offer? Perhaps that may have been reason for the end of his filmy career.
Milind Rege’s clip is too good, interesting information. Gavaskar was a hugely talented person.
Aai majhi majhi? The child Sunil Gavaskar singing for his mother?
Geeta Dutt sang in Dattaram ‘s debut
AB DILLI DOOR NAHIN
with Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra.
Lo har cheez le lo
Duniya ke logon…
Like the rest of the songs from ADDN, a nice song. Has a Qawwali feel to it. Good lyrics, good singing and lovely performances by the children/ teenagers.
The young hawkers sell anything from gudiya to choodiya and kaliya ; kangi, honton ke rang, rubber ball, you name it and they have it! In the end our Hero boy promotes his shoe polishing skills, too. When he shines your shoes, you can see your face on the shoes !
DARK STREET, 1961.
A fairly good solo…
Ajab hai is duniya ke raaz
Jo bhi mile woh Maskebaz lagaa ke jaaye Maska
Khaate jaaye Maska
Maska Maska…O Maska..
Dr Shetty,
Geeta Dutt needed to be added. Thanks a lot.
FARISHTA, 1969.
Ek khoobsoorat ladki
Meri nayee mulaqatee..
A breezy duet by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle.
Reminds me of them with RDB for Rishi, Neetu.
I didn’t know Mulaqat has a noun, too!
QAIDI NUMBER 911.
Ye khile khile taare
Hamare hain ishare…
In this club dance song by Lata bai, Mahmood is seen in the audience…a silent, Smuggler type observer. He is also credited for the nonsensical Rusta Rusta haa… periodically heard in the song, picturised on an orchestra member.
A rare case of a unique ‘ Double Acting ‘ ,or, more aptly ‘ Double Performance ‘ !
JABSE TUMHE DEKHA HAI.
Chand taare tale zoom zoom tirak rahi hai…
Subir Sen, Suman Kalyanpur and chorus.
SK ,uncannily, resembles LM here!
Found a third Geeta Dutt song, 3 Usha Mangeshkar songs and one Kamal Barot song.
AKji @ 21,
‘Mere aansuo pe na muskura figures at #12 in my post.’
When first read your post and glanced over the songs, it appeared that there were five songs which I I haven’t heard before. I decided to listen to them later….. and forgot about it, which usually doesn’t happen with me. Hence the oversight. Sorry for that.
You have posted three songs from Ab Dilli Door Nahin and with one each by Canasyaji and Pradeepji five from the film.
First posing the link to the song posted by Pradeepji @ 22.
Geeta Dutt sang in Dattaram ‘s debut
AB DILLI DOOR NAHIN
with Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra.
Lo har cheez le lo
Duniya ke logon…
Like the rest of the songs from ADDN, a nice song. Has a Qawwali feel to it. Good lyrics, good singing and lovely performances by the children/ teenagers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8UoSkN_Ok8
The child with the white cap, I gather, was Amjad Khan (Gabbar). Mohan Choti is easily identifiable.
Posting a duet by Md.Rafi & Balbir
Postinfg a duet by Rafi & Balbir.
Picturized on Yakub and Jagdeep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mr3v6UfPfI
एके जी,
आपका यह इंटरनेट मेगेज़ीन हमेशा पढ़ता रहेता हूँ।
आपने हिन्दी फिल्लमोके कई संगीत निर्देशक और पार्श्वगायक के बारेमें लेख दिए|
यह सब खूब माहितगार और मनोरंजन भरे भी होतें है |
इस ब्लॉगके आपके वांचक भी हिन्दी फिल्मों और उसके संगीत के जानकार भी होतें है|
में जो इधर यह बात कहेना चाहता हूँ ये यह है के निम्न दिए हुए हिन्दी फ़िल्म के संगीतकारों जिसने भी लोकप्रिय धुनें बनाई है उसमें से आपने कभी जिक्र नहीं किया है !
१. आर सी बोराल २। पंकज मल्लिक ३. वसंत देसाई ४. रोशन ५. रविद्र जैन
६. हूशनलाल भगतराम ७. एस एन त्रिपाठी
यह सभी संगीत निर्देशकोने भी खूब मीठे गीतों की रचना की है|
Pradeepji @22, 24,
Posting the links to the other three songs.
DARK STREET, 1961. Geeta Dutt
A fairly good solo…
Ajab hai is duniya ke raaz
Jo bhi mile woh Maskebaz lagaa ke jaaye Maska
Khaate jaaye Maska
Maska Maska…O Maska..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UylKL992XU
FARISHTA, 1969.
Ek khoobsoorat ladki
Meri nayee mulaqatee..
A breezy duet by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhj9ixWrxwY
QAIDI NUMBER 911.
Ye khile khile taare
Hamare hain ishare…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euAkpUKTss0
AKji,
Posting two more songs from AB Dilli Door Nahi (1957)
A sad solo, Mata O Mata Jo Tu Aaj Hoti by Sudha Malhotra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSBb-Bm2yA
A Ramlila song by Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt and who is the third singer Shamshad Begum ?
Amjad playing Lakshman!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irgm-8ajs6c
AKji, as always, I arrive late. But there is still a song to add – sung by Asha Bhosle and Usha Timothy. This was perhaps the only song Usha Timothy sang for Dattaram. Asha, of course gets the lion’s (lioness’s??) share in the duet.
Chhodo Na Saiyyan Ki Baatein Sakhi from the movie Ek Din Aadhi Raat (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOX53w5Cb8
Anita,
We all arrive somewhere late. Don’t worry. A theme for your blog. You have added a very nice song. You are right Asha Bhosle gets the lion’s share. (I believe we should not let political correctness go haywire.)
Venkataramanji @25, 28,
Nice songs. You have recognised right, the child is Amjad Khan, must have been his first screen appearance. I couldn’t notice Shamshad Begum’s voice.
Mr PH Bharadia @26,
Welcome to the Songs of Yore and thanks a lot for your appreciation. It is very gratifying to know that you are a regular reader of the blog. You are right, the readers of the blog are very knowledgeable and very passionate followers of the blog. You have not carefully seen the detailed listing under “CATEGORIES” on the right side. At least four of the music directors you have mentioned have been covered a good deal.
RC Boral: https://www.songsofyore.com/category/music-directors/rc-boral/
Pankaj Mullick: https://www.songsofyore.com/category/music-directors/pankaj-mullick-music-directors/
Roshan: https://www.songsofyore.com/category/music-directors/roshan/
HUsnlal-Bhagatram: https://www.songsofyore.com/category/music-directors/husnlal-bhagatram/
Thanks a lot for visiting again.
Am I imagining it ,or have we really missed
Ek baat kahoon Walla..
SRIMAAN SATYAVADI ?
Mahendra Kapoor with Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh.
So, Mama O Mama trend continues.
One of the very few instances of MK singing for Mahmood.
Kamal Barot
With Suman Kalyanpur.
Kisi ko aayee hai tu mil ke…
FIRST LOVE.
With Rafi, Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle
Hum bhi naye
Tum bhi naye…
RAAKA.
AK,
Thanks for this nice write up, under which most of the other singers have been covered. His films and songs are just a few as compared to many composers of that era and he could have even been covered in one article. But you have given him two articles which is gracious.
You talked about Mukesh and Manna Dey being his main singers. Of the first 6 films in 4 years upto 1960, in 3 Raj Kapoor is involved, so there is no surprise that these singers had so many songs. Ab Dilli Door Nahin was produced by Raj Kapoor, but he did not act in the film, so there were no Mukesh and Manna Dey. Statistics are not deemed important by some but they reveal many things. Of the 43 songs where male singers were involved, Rafi was there in 25 of them. So I dont know why he is not even one of his main singers. He was there from the start till end.
You said in reply to Mumbaikar8 that Dattaram gave Mukesh and Manna Dey songs which would be among their best. I have no quarrel with that, because I have a high regard for these singers. But, only because Rafi sang so many songs in his career that the good songs for Dattaram he sang are just a drop in the ocean, should not be a deterrent in recognising the great songs their association produced.
Besides, ‘chhun chhun karti aayi chidiya’ there are other great songs like ‘hum aapki mehfil men bhoole se chale aaye’, which should have been included only to show fruits of their association.
Here are a few besides ‘hum aapki mehfil men’ which has been posted a number of times on SOY.
Hum aapki mehfil men – Jabse Tumhen Dekha Hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwfptyR9Gv0
Aap aaye to ujala sa hua mehfil men – Ek Din Aadhi Raat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO-IESCnaFI
Meri aabroo tere hath hai – Raaka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5sAFXd3Rhc
Baabu insurance karalo – Kala Aadmi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtHIOeuZADY
Rang rangeeli botal ka dekh lo jadoo – Shriman Satyawadi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rh3Z7y2bd0
These are only solos which in quality are no less than Mukesh songs. Manna Dey had hardly any solos which were remembered. Rafi had duets which were of good quality.
Besides this aspect, there is one more thing which I would like to highlight and that is the desertion of the regular lyricists of SJ, Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri like Lata Mangeshkar. After 1960 only Shailendra gave lyrics in just one film Jabse Tumhen Dekha Hai. The quality of songs in that film would testify how Dattaram’s potential suffered on that account in other films of the 60s. Even in Shriman Satyawadi Hasrat Jaipuri wrote just 2 songs for him.
Whose dictat was being followed here is a point to ponder.
Hans ji,
Der aaye, magar durusth aaye !
Absolutely nayee, par valid, soch laaye !
AK ji,
We have to agree with Hans ji.
Rafi Is the major singer for Dattaram followed by Mukesh, Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur.
AK
Thanks for two exceedingly good and critical appreciation posts on Dattaram.
I think Dattaram carried on the songs of the styles coming after the great giants like Shankar Jaikishan got embroiled in their personal relationship with each other and others too like O.P. slowed down.
In this respect his work is very much important.
He certainly gave good music and occasionally raised his standard very high.
About the remark of Hans that RK did not appear in children’s films he produced is important. But I think he did not want those films to be success on his popularity.
He was going to appear in the film “Ab Dilli Door Nahin”
The idea was he was going to see the Nehru along with filmy children who accepted the idea but then later on refused.
Shalan Lal
Hans @35, Dr Shetty @36,
Whether we consider Rafi as the main singer of Dattaram, preceding Mukesh and Manna Dey, becomes a matter of definition and personal choice. Yes, in number he sang more songs for him than the other two. If your criteria is that, that makes him take precedence over the other two, there could not be a quarrel. I made myself very clear that I was thinking in relative terms, Rafi sang about 4-5 times more than Mukesh, and 3-4 times more songs than Manna Dey. Secondly, Mukesh, Manna Dey’s best songs would include some by Dattaram, Rafi’s not, because he simply sang some out of the world songs – not only in numbers, but quality – for Rpshan, Naushad, SD Burman, OP Nayyar and so on. Thanks for adding Rafi’s songs.
Shalan Lal, @37,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Whatever the background of Raj Kapoor not being in the film, Ab Dilli Door Nahin‘s music is superb.
Dr Shetty, @ 36
Thanks for the nice words. I think I am not late, because the first part was about Dattaram and Mukesh and Manna Dey. There was no occasion there to talk about Rafi. But, now I can talk about Rafi as the post is about other singers.
As to numbers, Asha Bhosle had 28 songs, Suman Kalyanpur 24 and Lata 19. In sheer numbers all these singers are above Mukesh and Manna Dey.
AK,
You have only repeated what you said earlier, which I have already replied. I think this post being about Dattaram, the perspective from singers’ point of view would not do any justice to him. We have to show the best of his compositions to show the quality of his composition. What Rafi did for other composers is irrelevant, because if that is considered then he would always stand tall above Mukesh and Manna Dey, because he sang all time gems for 250+ composers. He sang 4-5 times more songs because of the quality and talent which he had and not for any grace of any one. I may remind you that when the comparison for Asha songs for Ravi and N Datta was made, you did not follow this criteria. Your definitions and personal choice keep changing from case to case.
If we look at Dattaram’s output for the three male singers Mukesh had 11 solos, one MF duet and one triad. 4 solos and the one triad were given to him because they were to go on Raj Kapoor. This means independently he had 7 solos and one duet. Can you imagine a composer not trusting his main singer for duets. Of his solos ‘aansoo bhari hain’ will find a place among his best and to a lesser extent ‘dil dhoondta hai sahare sahare’. Other solos cannot be included in his top songs for other composers.
Manna Dey had a total of 14 songs out of which as per HFGK he has two solos in Jabse Tumhen Dekha Hai. One is ‘muhammad shah rangeele’ and the other is solo version of the qawwali ‘tumhen husn deke khuda ne’, which I have never heard and am not sure if it was in the film or not. Manna Dey was given some good duets, but his most successful duets were on the same tune and these cannot be said to be duets from the top drawer. So we have a case here in which the main singer is not trusted for solos. Manna Dey sang about 500 solos and every one would agree that solos are the first requirement for a top singer. We do not see any of his solos finding place among the top solos.
On the other hand Rafi had 11 solos and 14 duets and sang regularly for Dattaram from his first film to the last one. His solos posted by me show a variety which only Rafi could provide. He was getting just C grade movies and most of them without a top quality lyricist. So he relied on Rafi, because he was the only singer who could take ordinary songs to heights. I think Rafi’s ‘chhun chhun karti aayi chidiya’ will always find a place among his best and his ‘hum aapki mehfil men’ is right from the top drawer, a sublime song akin to those composed by Roshan. His ‘babu insurance karalo’ has always been remembered when Johny Walker-Rafi combo is mentioned.
I would never ask you to change your views about who are his main singers, but the above comparison would put things in perspective for those who want to reconsider their views.
Now I present some of Rafi’s duets for Dattaram.
First the only duet with Lata Mangeshkar in film Kala Aadmi, ‘mera to dil dil dil ghabraye re’ sung with gusto by Lata. Composers have very rarely used the same word thrice consecutively like here ‘dil dil dil’ and ‘jaan jaan jaan’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD3IrbWDSPs
Mujhe jag di bana de malika, phir maalik ban mere dil ka with Suman in Dark Street. A good peppy song, the female putting impossible condition for exchange of her dil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL3lRZfzPF0
Mera bandar chala hai sasural with Kamal Barot in Zindagi aur Khwab. A good madari song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAIqzn6s6Io&t=70s
Are re re re dil kho gaya, dhoondhun kahan – with Asha in Jabse Tumhen Dekha Hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSrayVauw-c
Samne aa parda hata with Asha in Ek Din Adhi Raat. Unique picturisation of a qawwali type song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNrLwo3IejQ
So, SoY has so rightly given Dattaram due that he so naturally deserved, by giving two consecutive posts.
Giving due respect to AKji’s personal choice, one can appreciate his giving special space to Mukesh and Manna Dey in the posts for Dattaram.
The present post, along with the highly enriching discussions, does complete the records, in so far as Mohammad Rafi, is concerned.
Mohammad Rafi was always known for helping the less-privileged of HFM industry by charging far less, giving dates etc. So, it was natural that Dattaram, and the producers of those ’60s and later co called C grade films would gravitate more towards Rafi.
Dattaram’s apparent not so noteworthy commercial success after a good start could have been partly due to his non-entrepreneurial skills . But, in a market where the stakes were high, the top of the pyramid of the big-banner films was far more crowded . in so far as the music directors are concerned. Some other greats like Madan Mohan had also suffered a raw deal.
However, one may not agree, one can not wish away the luck as an important factor in the game.
Ashokji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The period of his association with Dattaram was when he was at the top of his profession, giving immortal songs for many composers.
Dear AK,
What an amazing reminder of Dattaram Songs worth their weight in Gold! Especially the last 1 “Tumhe Husna Deke Khudaane…” It was great to see Shammi & Shashi sin the act; it was also great to see Raj Kapoor playing Tabla. In short… you brought back great memories from the past. Keep doing it for the years to come. Regards -KRV
KRV,
Welcome back to the SOY family. Thanks a lot for you appreciation.