A tribute to Hemant Kumar on his 99th birth anniversary (16 June 1920 – 26 September 1989)
I had written on the best duets of Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar in my first year of blogging. Then I had said: “Hemant Kumar in his voice brought the beauty of Bengal and melody of Rabindra Sangeet. When he joined with Lata Mangeshkar the effect was magical. Easily the best duets of Hindi films are of Hemant-Lata”. I further described these duets as the ultimate in melody. Now Songs of Yore has entered the tenth year, and Hemant Kumar would have entered his centenary year today. All this while I have been struck by the beauty of his fascinating duets with ‘other’ singers like Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle, and was looking for some opportunity to write a post on them. While Lata Mangeshkar personified melody and sweetness with Hemant Kumar, the ‘other’ singers brought their own unique verve and joy, and combining with his deep melodious voice created a different kind of charming effect.
Some of his most famous duets with the ‘other’ singers have been discussed earlier in year-wise reviews or some other contexts, such as Aa gupchup gupchup pyar karein (with Sandhya Mukherjee; Sazaa, 1951), Dil ki umangein hain jawaan (with Geeta Dutt; Munimji, 1955), Tumhi mere meet ho (with Suman Kalyanpur; Pyaase Panchhi, 1961), Na tum humein jaano (with Suman Kalyanpur; Baat Ek Raat Ki, 1962). This itself is an impressive list. But there are many more which are absolutely mesmerising.
Hemant Kumar is everyone’s favourite. At least one reader, N Venkataraman, who must be possessed of some psychic powers, in his comment yesterday, invoked Hemant ritu for today – I had indeed planned one. Weather Gods are unusually harsh on Delhi this year, the Grishm ritu shows no signs of relenting. But let us soak ourselves in the showers of bliss with Hemant Kumar’s duets with the ‘other’ singers, as a tribute on his 99th birth anniversary.
Geeta Dutt
1. Hare Muraare… Jai Jagdeesh hare (with Geeta Dutt) from Anand Math (1952), lyrics Jayadev, music Hemant Kumar
Hemant Kumar had special affinity with Geeta Dutt. In Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam, for which he gave music, the songs in the voice of Geeta Dutt for Meena Kumari created a deeply tragic personality. In his debut film in Hindi as a music director, Anand Math, Geeta Dutt comes in a big way. In this unique composition, Hemant Kumar recites the 12th century Sanskrit poet Jayadev’s verse, and Geeta Dutt joins in with the refrain in an anguished voice. I remember Subodh once said that none can surpass Hemant Kumar in reciting Sanskrit shlokas.
2. Wo jabse mili ankhiyan tab se jiyraa dole re (with Geeta Dutt) from Amanat (1955), lyrics Shailendra, music Salil Chaudhary
An interesting fisherman and woman song. We just had a long series on chorus songs written by Shalan Lal. Salil Chowdhury is recognized as one of the Masters of chorus, drawing from his days in Calcutta when he wrote songs of mass awakening for the left movement. He uses chorus innovatively in this song, not as singers but dancers in the prelude and interludes. There are many songs in Hindi films, picturised on minor actors, watched by the quiet couple who are too shy to express themselves with abandon. The shy lead couple, Bharat Bhushan and Chaand Usmani, watch with vicarious pleasure the minor actors sing and dance, as if they are their surrogates. This song would remind the readers of some other songs, especially a non-film song of Hemant Kumar.
3. Ye mast nazar shokh ada kiske liye hai (with Geeta Dutt) from Bandi (1957), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hemant Kumar
Now you have the real shokh Geeta Dutt, and Hemant Kumar, too, changes tack to go along with her. They alternately ask each other, Ye mast nazar shokh ada kiske liye hai, and similar questions, and each replies coquettishly, Tum hi kaho, but the other persists Na na tum hi kaho. One of the best question-answer duets.
4. Tum aur hum bhool ke gham (with Geeta Dutt) from Fashion (1957), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Hemant Kumar
It seems Hemant Kumar was quite enthusiastic about using ‘other’ singers for duets with him. In Fashion, he also created a soulful, melodious duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Bahaaron se poochho, nazaaron se poochho, dil kyun deewana mera ho haya, laakh sambhala magar kho gaya. And with Geeta Dutt he comes up with a lively duet, Tum aur hum, bhool ke gham, gaayein pyar bhari sargam. There is not much difference in Bharat Vyas’s lyrics. Either could have been set to a faster or slower beat. It is Hemant Kumar’s special care that he creates singer-specific prelude and rhythm, which evoke different moods.
5. Aa ja zara dil ke sahaare dilruba (with Geeta Dutt) from Ek Jhalak (1957), lyrics SH Bihari, music Hemant Kumar
This film had a Lata Mangeshkar solo, but it was a cornucopia of songs by ‘other’ singers, both solos, and duets with Hemant Kumar. Ye hansta hua kaarwan zindagi ka with Asha Bhosle is one of the immortal soft and soulful duets, though it falls in the category of duets that were really solos, as Asha Bhosle only interjects with a few words. Hemant Kumar creates a completely playful mood with the other prominent ‘other’ singer, Geeta Dutt. The video is from another film on which the creative uploader has superimposed this song. The song also had a solo version in Geeta Dutt’s voice. Here is a link containing both the versions.
6. Mujhko tum jo mile sara jahaan mil gaya (with Geeta Dutt), from Detective (1958), lyrics Shailendra, music Mukul Roy
Now Geeta Dutt changes tack to match Hemant Kumar’s style to sing a deeply soulful, romantic song under the baton of her brother Mukul Roy.
7. Gumsum sa ye jahaan ye raat ye hawa (with Geeta Dutt) from Duniya Jhukti Hai (1960), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Hemant Kumar
If Shyama lip-synchs Geeta Dutt, with Hemant Kumar singing for Sunil Dutt, the romantic duet would be joyous. In the moonlit night with clouds hovering around, Rajendra Krishna comes up with beautiful imagery: Dekho wo chaand badli ki oat mein chhupne laga/ Ye neel gagan bhi pyar ke aage jhukne laga.
With Asha Bhosle
Hemant Kumar had obviously great tuning with Asha Bhosle in duets. These range from some of the most soulful, melodious and soft songs to joyous with exuberance. Some of my great favourites I present next would make you question me why I keep on using the tag ‘other’ for her. I have to admit she was not ‘other’ as far as her duets with Hemant Kumar are concerned.
8. Ye mehfil sitaron ki raat ye bahaaron ki (with Asha Bhosle) from Arab Ka Saudagar (1956), lyrics Ravi, music Hemant Kumar
The lyricist Ravi is the famous music director Ravi, who is being celebrated in the current year with a series of articles on him. He was assistant to his mentor, Hemant Kumar, in this film. Hemant Kumar proves that for melody he did not have to depend entirely on Lata Mangeshkar. A fascinating romantic song.
9. Ye pyar bhara dil hai mohabbat ka khazana (with Asha Bhosle) from Yahudi Ki Beti (1956), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Kamal Mitra
If you start listening to Hemant Kumar’s duets with Asha Bhosle, you would think she must have been his favourite singer. Now a slightly faster tempo and a very joyous song. An unknown film with unimportant actors, and an unknown music director, but Hemant Kumar-Asha Bhosle create magic.
10. Ye shokh sitare karte hain ishare, aa baith ke do chaar ghadi pyar karein (with Asha Bhosle) from Hamara Watan (1956), lyrics Ravi, music Hemant Kumar
Ravi again as the lyricist and assistant music director to Hemant Kumar, and they produce an outstanding song. The lyrics and the mood are uncannily similar to Aa neele gagan tale pyar hum karein (Hemant-Lata; Baadshah, 1954).
11. Chal baadalon se aage kuchh aur bi samaan hai (with Asha Bhosle) from Ek Jhalak (1957), lyrics SH Bihari, music Hemant Kumar
I mentioned that Ek Jhalak had many outstanding songs by ‘other’ singers, especially duets with Hemant Kumar. Here is another supremely romantic song which takes you to an ethereal plane. Hemant Kumar creates a contrasting fast prelude music, and suddenly changes to a slow tempo.
12. Bahaarein bhi dekhi nazaare bhi dekhe (with Asha Bhosle) from Ek Jhalak (1957), lyrics SH Bihari, music Hemant Kumar
Complete change of tack, and a very fast-paced song. You can visualize that after the romantic build up like a slow aalap, the lovers are finally together in a drut. You get traces of the music of Ghar aya mera pardesi and Chali gori pee ke milan ko chali.
13. Tumhari mohabbat hai ek cheez aisi (with Asha Bhosle) from Saahil (1959), lyrics Kulbhushan, music Suresh-Talwar
Who had heard of the lyricist Kulbhushan? And Suresh-Talwar were not among the well-known duos, but what a song they create. After Hemant Kumar finishes his line, Asha Bhosle does a long humming before coming up with a longer Peechhe padega jo koi hamaare, bulayega humko karega ishaare, jo maangega koi mohabbat hamaari, tumhari kasam hum kisi ko na denge, in one breath. In every stanza Asha Bhosle’s humming adds to the melody; remember she only hummed in Ye hansta hua kaarwan zindagi ka, but that was nevertheless an integral part of the song.
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog claims no copyright over theses songs, which vests with respective owners such as Saregama India Limited and others.
{ 105 comments… read them below or add one }
A good collection of songs AKji.
I had also requested you to compile a asha-hemant list.
A add a few songs,
From hamara watan
One song is there already on your list,
It’s the second
Tum jo mile
Then,
Dil beqarar mera from Yahudi ki Ladki
https://youtu.be/6cOQLi8Yy2k
And
Ae dilruba jane wafa from shirin farhad
https://youtu.be/B4wm72K7DH0
A song chakradhari
Badal ki Palki pe hoke sawar.
I like the song very much. It’s too sweet
https://youtu.be/QZgzHAFH39w
And to end,
A Marathi song
गोमू संगतीनं माझ्या तू येशील का
https://youtu.be/Ohi2N2vOmlg
I hope you like it.
Anup
🙂
Oops,
The link for tum jo mile is missing in above comment
Sorry for that!
Here’s it
https://youtu.be/qdAEVCIg9WI
Hamara watan
🙂
Nice collection.
Aaja Zaraa is, I am sorry to say, is a copy of Pat Boone’s “it’s Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White”.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I had not heard of the movie Hamara Watan before I wrote this post, and it has such good songs. I liked Tum jo mile. Ae dilruba and Baadal ki paalki pe hoke sawaar have been my favourites. Thanks for mentioning these songs.
Mr Seshadri,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. It is nice that you mentioned Pat Boone’s It’s cherry pink and apple blossom white. But to my mind, it does not lessen the song. You might recall we have discussed Thandi hawaayein’s roots in the theme song C’est la vie crooned by Charles Bayer in the film Algiers (1938). But Thandi hawaaayein‘s greatness is not doubted. This song itself spawned at least half a dozen inspirations: Yahi hai tamanna, Tera dil kahan hai, Rahein ha rahein hum, Humein raaston ki zaroorat nahi hai, Humein aur jeene ki chaahat nahi nai, Saagar kinaare etc. Some of these ‘inspired’ songs have acquired an iconic status in their own right.
AKji:
Thanks for this wonderful gift to Hemant Kumar’s fans on his 99th birth anniversary. In HK’s we had God’s own voice. While singing with Lata, at least to my ears, he seemed to surrender the lead to her. But he is very much the dominant partner in duets with other singers. Listen to ‘Tumhi mere meet ho’ with Suman in ‘Pyaase Panchhi’ (MD: KA) and compare it with the Lata duets in Jaal, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, or Baadshah:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmiZlIvPbd8
This post does justice to his versatile collaborations with other singers. Here is ‘O saajna’ [with Geeta in Heer (1956); MD: Anil Biswas]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwKFoPRSV6Q
And now a peppy number, ‘O, O, O baby’ (with Geeta in Police; MD: HK):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIzIB5CvHpw
Police had four Geeta-HK duets, but the quality of the versions available on YouTube is not good.
Then, of course, there is ‘Laharon pe lahar’ (with Nutan in Chhabili; MD: Snehal Bhatkar):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzCVjtjPzCI
Canasya,
Thanks a lot for for your generous words and very perceptive comments. But can you generalise who dominates in a duet? When I think of Ye mehfil sitaaron ki, the voice of Asha Bhosle comes to mind. Think of Yaad kiya dil ne kahaan ho tum and Ek baar zara phir kah do mujhe sharamaa ke yun deewana, and Hemant Kumar come to mind. We have discussed this phenomenon in some posts. One important factor is who starts, the First Mover Advantage? Your hypothesis may be right in duets with Shamshad Begum or Zohrabai Ambalewali, because their open-throated metallic voice dominated even if they came second.
O saajna is a very nice song. Thanks for posting it. Lahron pe lahar had slipped from my mind. It would have been a nice addition for its rare female voice. I think Nutan had trained in music, but she must have realised the era of actor-singers had ended. And I am sure everyone one knows where it is ‘inspired’ from:
Dean Martin’s The man who plays the mandalino
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGHGhw1ATs
AK,
Thanks for the tribute.
( as per Comment # 6 by Canasya) Is this a self-gift for father’s day?
BTW happy Father’s Day.
Anup has two of my favorites with Asha from Shirin Farhad and Chakradhari.
I can remember one more from Aandhiyan
Woh Chaand Nahin Hai Dil Hai…Aandhiyan…1952…Singers…Asha Bhosle,Hemant Kumar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AieC6G2vhKA&list=RDAieC6G2vhKA&start_radio=1
Geeta and him seemed very comfortable and compatible.
Adding few of my liking.
TUJHE DOON MAIN KYA- HEMANT KUMAR- GEETA DUTT-FILM- INSAAF KAHAN HAI(1958)UNRELEASED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQt9ynJei04
SAU BARAS PER PRITAM AAYE HO. RAMI DHOBAN(1953).HEMANT KUMAR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDmZZDnrYnE
MAINE TUJHE PUKARA- HEMANT- GEETA DUTT- FILM- LAALTEN(1956) A TRIBUTE TO HEMANT KUMAR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeI5w82nsnY
Lata in her Shraddhanjali had said Hemant Kumar sounds is like a sadhu in a Mandir, OPN had described Shamshad Begum’s voice as Temple bells.
This song has that effect.
AE DIL TU KAHIN LE CHAL. SHOLE (1953). HEMANT KUMAR..SHAMSHAD BEGHUM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlzgIDgky7g
But not this one Albela style song by C Ramchandra in Mumbai it is known as Dandiya song.
Shamshad Begum & Hemant Kumar – Mere Raja Ke Nainon Mein – Lehren (1953)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTj0xc1kguM
One with Sandhya Mukherjee
Rut hai Suhani raat jawan hai Manohar 1954
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM5wlOQrC6k
AK,
Browsed through the post very quickly – will come back to it at leisure. In the meantime, thought I would point out that Asha has said many times that she named her first-born Hemant after Hemantda.
Thanks, AK, for another absorbing post by you, on a popular yet rare theme. Enjoyed the songs, many known, some unknown.
The song that however I found most enthralling is one posted by Mumbaikar8 (thanks!), Ae dil Tu kahin le chal, especially for Shamshad’s singing.
Here are some Hemant songs with others…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTZIhTpTtLk
Anokha Jaadugar Bhagwan, Film- Sholey-53
Hemant, Amirbai, Premlata and Meena Kapoor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBJAwwHOXtM
Janmabhoomi Maa, Film- Subhash Chandra Bose-66
Hemant and Sabita Chatterjee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=0UYtyMXwEuo
Darshan do Ghanshyam, Film- Narsi Mehta-57
Hemanta, Sudha Malhotra and Manna Dey.
I hope these are not yet posted here.
Akji,
Thanks for this tribute to Hemant Kumar on 99th birth anniversary. Nice selection of songs.
It was a logical conclusion. I was aware of your love for Hemant Kumar’s songs and since it was his 99th anniversary, I anticipated a post on him.
I understand that with deficient pre-monsoon rains, Delhi is reeling under sweltering heat, eagerly awaiting the Southwest Monsoon to bring some cool relief. In Kolkata we are experiencing pre-monsoon rains and the monsoon is around the corner. Delhi will have to wait for another 7 to 10 days for monsoons to arrive. Till the Varsha ritu arrives, let us enjoy the premature ‘Hemant ritu’ presented here.
Listening to the songs posted by you, I realized that most of the songs were less listened to. I cannot recollect when I heard them last. My wife is a great fan of Hemanta Mukherjee and I was always a “captivated” listener right after my marriage. But most of them were Bengali film songs, Rabindrasangeet and few of his popular Hindi film songs. So it was a pleasure listening to the songs posted by you. I have noticed that often your posts carry 13 songs. Any specific reason like your birth date or lucky number?
Mumbaikarji posted a song from Rami Dhoban. Here is another duet from the film.
Sun Sun Manush Bhai Sab Mein Ek with Geeta Dutt,, film Raami Dhoban (1953), lyrics Ram Murti Chaturvedi, music Hiren Bose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=89&v=vHMlMeUttls
Read the first line of the song that I posted @ 12 as Piya in charanan bali jaaon.
Akji,
I was in two minds whether to post duets with other singers, other than Asha Bhosle & Geeta Dutt. Then I found Mumbaikarji & Arunji have posted such duets. Duets with male singers too should qualify, although they may be very few. What about Hemant Kumar with two or more singers?
I am posting a duet , which must be one of the earliest songs of Hemant Kumar in Hindi films.
Dheere Dheere Aa Tu Is Nadi Me with Kalyani Das, film Manmaani (1947), lyrics (?), music Kamal Dasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3KfKVD-_VI
Dear AK, I merely stated that “Aaja Zara” was, shall we say, inspired by the Pat Boone’s number? All the songs you have mentioned are classics, though bases on some pop numbers. No complaints. Thanks
Mumbaikar8, @8,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. All the songs you have posted are new to me. I will have to listen to them again to absorb them.
Ashwin @9,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Do come back after you have listened to the songs. I am not surprised Asha Bhosle was so enamoured of Hemant Kumar. He gave some of her best songs.
Dinesh @10,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I thought the songs I had selected were quite well-known.
Arunji @11,
Thanks a lot for the songs you have added. Darshan do Ghanshyam is a great song, having the best of Hemant Kumar in it.
N Venkataramanji @12, 14,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You are so lucky to have married a singer who is a fan of Hemant Kumar. I thought all the songs in my selection, baring one or two would be very well known. As I went along, Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle songs filled up the entire post. But all ‘other’ singers, which means female singers excluding Lata Mangeshkar, are allowed. Dheere dheere tu is nadi mein from Manmaani (1947) is a great song. Thanks for posting it. Duets with male singers would also be most welcome.
There is no special significance of the number 13. I used to have 10 songs in my posts. One or two spill-over I allowed. Thirteen became Baker’s Dozen. Above that, I generally avoid as the post becomes bulky. Since my guest writers do deep research, I relax these numbers.
AKji,
Giribala was 1947 film produced & directed by Madhu Bose. Here is another vintage treat from this film.
Nazar Nichi Kiye Hum Aa Rahe Hai with Kalyani Das, film Giribala (1947), lyrics Pt.Madur, music KamalDasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=106&v=uBTZWAFTgj8
AK ji;
For soft melodies I always tune myself to Talat and Hemant’s songs . If Talat’s voice is Silky….Hemant’s voice is Heavenly .
Right now I am spending time listening in quite mode ….and feeling super nostalgic ! Some songs I haven’t listened to and others revisiting again and loosening myself in those memories of days and years of the past. Listening also to songs posted by every member . Feeling heaven in my ears right now.
Rediscovering a favorite song and listening to it ….. you feel super nostalgic about your past……as if you’ve taken a time machine back to the exact moment when that particular song had significance in your life. Songs that I loved long enough back ……and now I am enjoying again with fresh ears.
Having a song attached to every era of your life is a great moment, because that’s how important music is to you. Your life can be bookmarked into chapters by what music you were obsessed with.
Walking down the street with some songs now……
TUMHARI MOHABBAT HAI ,HEMANT KUMAR AND ASHA BHOSLE ,FILM-SAHIL(1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSPe6rXMmps
aye dilruba,tere siwa kon hai mera..Hemant Kumar_Asha Bhosle_Tanvir Naqvi_S Mohinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaaouSeuLOk
yeh hansta hua carvan zindagi ka-….Ek Jhalak…Hemant, Asha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K3yhNy0Grs
Ek Jhalak…… Baharein Bhi Dekhi …. Hemant&Asha Bhosle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cwktmb0bgg
…….to be contd.
AK
What a nice tribute and a great selection of songs.
Hemant is everybody’s favourite and a Hindi music lover cannot do without his songs and his case is strongest when everyone would have liked more songs. Songs are all well chosen and are really gems. I had not heard no.2 that is strange because I am on a lookout for his songs.
Canasya said his voice dominated duets with females. That is true in a sense and is also natural because he had a unique voice box. But, here is a song where you would be asking where is Hemant. ‘Ek do teen’ from Parivar (main singer Asha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X55NhTZ-gKs
And in this song you would ask where is Hemant Kumar. Kabuliwala dream scene song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr_ST5jDZuc
But when you go to ‘har dukhda sahnewali’ from Sahara it Hemant Kumar all the way, with Bela Mukherjee just making appearance at some places. This song sums up the story of the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QRNTUN-vQE
Talking of male duets. Hemant appeared in very few. But there was a film ‘Biwi aur Makan’ where he composed some of them. I give here one which fits the theme of the film where two of the friends act as wives of two friends for the sake of getting a house on rent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAwM_p9ffbo
AK ji;
Some of my favorite songs have been posted by SoY members . Still, some more duets are here…..
Starting with a beautiful duet . Police [1958] had a number of songs which were styled and based on Cuban / Havana melodies ….perhaps after the super success of Albela where C Ramchandra had a full grip on such songs . Singing such songs….you have to put on dancing shoes .
Geeta Dutt, Hemant Kumar : Sun le piyaa : Film – Police (1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGs1oNw48XA
Do Naina Tumhare Pyare – Hemant Kumar, Geeta Dutt, Shrimatiji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fodB0E7HlQs
Geeta Dutt, Hemant Kumar : Aa ja zara mere dil ke sahaare : Film – Ek Jhalak (1957)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGB-HOLsWQ
Geeta Dutt, Hemant Kumar : insaaf kahaan hai (1957) Tujhe doon main kya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMOdteNlhGU
tum aur ham bhul ke gam..fashion1957- geeta dutt -hemant da
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz9A7pmCjGY
Ashwin @9
Is the claim about naming her son by Asha true on facts. It is said that she eloped with her husband at the age of 16 so she must have gone with him between 8 Sept 1949 and 8 Sept 1950. I have also heard that she got her first child soon after and Hemant was her first child. So was Hemant so important then that Asha should name her son after him. Hemant is a very popular name in Maharashtra.
Bhatiaji
It appears your and AK’s likes of songs match very much because out of the 8 songs you posted 4 have been posted by AK.
Bhatiaji
It is 5 instead of 4.
Venkataramanji @21,
Thanks a lot for another vintage song. Just makes me think, Hemant Kumar was Hemant Kumar even before Anand Math, but it is surprising most of his vintage songs from Hindi films are unfamiliar.
KS Bhatiaji @22, 24,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and addition of so many songs. Even if some are repetition, there are a couple of my absolute favourites, such as Do naina tumhare pyare pyare and Ae dilruba.
Dinesh K Jain,
I am glad you liked “ay dil ti kahni le chal”
Thanks for appreciating.
Indeed Shamshad has sung it very well.
Hans @23,
Thanks a lot for your generous appreciation. You are confirming my response @7 that who dominates in a duet can’t be generalised. In the Parivar duet is Hemant Kumar really there?
Biwi Aur Makaan song is interesting. Biswajit seems to have done quite a few songs in drag.
Hemant Ritu aayee teen chaar mahine jaldi!
HUMRSHI,1945.
Hemant Kumar,Binota Bose; Rabindranath Tagore,R C Boral.
Madhu gandhe bhara…
https:// youtu.be/ H5VFhdz2Kwg
( Bimal Roy’s first Hindi film, it had Jana Gana Mana in it’s soundtrack).
SAZAA,1951.
Hemant Kumar, Sandhya Mukherjee; Rajinder Krishen,SDB.
Aa gupchup gupchup pyar Karen.
AAGOSH,1953.
Hemant Kumar, Indira Manchanda; Shailendra, Roshan.
Mil jhul banto re garib ke fande
Mil jhul banto re logo
..Sukh dukh banto re…
MUNIMJI,1955.
Hemant Kumar,Geeta Dutt,? Pran; Shailendra,SDB.
Dil ki umange hain jawan…
SAMBANDH,1969.
Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhonsle; Kavi Pradeep,OPN.
Hey Jagat pita Parmatma
Karo Nirmal meri Atma.
Please read as HUMRAHI
PHIR BHI,1972.
Hemant Kumar,Rani Mukherjee; Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Raghunath Seth.
Saanjh khile bhor jhare..
FASHION,1959.
Hemant Kumar,Bela Mukherjee; Bharat Vyas, Hemant Kumar.
Bade bade toofanon ke aage
Kabhi nahin jo hara hai
Naari ki taqat par ab tak zinda Desh tumhara hai..
Maati ko le jaana na
Iss maati ko le jaana na…
RAHGEER,1969.
Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, Sulakshana Pandit & chorus; Gulzar, Hemant Kumar.
Panchi re ud Gagan Gagan masth Magan
Kiske sang laagi lagan
Kaisi lagan laagi re…
MERA KARAM MERA DHARAM,1987.
Hemant Kumar, Anuradha ShreeRam; Anand Bakshi,LP.
Janani Jagat ki Shakthi O Maata
Bhakthon ke Jeevan ki Bhakthi O Maata..
BAAT EK RAAT KI,1962.
Hemant Kumar, Suman Kalyanpur; Majrooh Sultanpuri,SDB.
Na tum hume jaano
Na hum tumhe jaane
Magar lagta hai kuch aisa
Mera humdum mil gaya…
Anupji@ 1 & 2
Thanks for posting the duets of Hemant Kumar- Asha Bhosle duets. All of them are from the 50s except the Marathi song. It seems there is another duet with Ravi in the film Yahudi ki Ladki (1957), Ae Khuda Tere Bando Ke Dil , but I could not find any link to this song.
Nother Hemant Kumar- Asha Bhosle duet from Chakradhari (1954), Chal Re Mere Sath Chal Re. Is it the voice of Hemant Kumar or is it due to distortion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEY5G9rPDiI
Another HK-AB duet from Shirin Farhad (1956), lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music S Mohinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=webLlsuV8IQ
Interesting discussion about Asha Bhonsle’s son’s name!
JAADU TONA,1977
( Desi EXORCIST)
Hemant Kumar,Brij Bhushan,Asha Bhonsle; Bal Kavi Bairagi, Hemant Bhonsle.
Hey sevak ShreeRam ke…
…
Jai Jai Jai Bhajrangi…
Comes at 1.50 in the movie, towards the climax.
Another excellent post on Hemant kumar! Perhaps the songs tuned by C Ramachandra like those from BAHURANI and SHATRANJ could also be added. One lovely duet was from PAYAL and so also the one from CHHABILI with Nutan.
Cansyaji @ 6
Interesting observation. Nice postings. Thanks for posting the song ‘Laharon pe lahar’. If I am not mistaken Police (1958) had 6 duets of Hemant Kumar with Geeta Dutt. Two of the duets, O, O, O baby & v Sun le piyaa were posted by you and Bhatiaji @ 24.
I am posting one more duet, Dil Par Ye Tune Kesa Khanjar Mara Re
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=VQTRTiGL4i4
Wow Mumbaikarji @ 8. That is unlike you. I have never seen you posting so many songs at a go. Anyhow, good to see you back. Thanks for posting some nice and rare songs. Ae Dil Tu kahin le Chal is a pleasant duet. In the duets of Laalten (1956) & Lehren (1953), Hemant Kumar comes at the fag end of the song. Here is a similar duet with Kitnaa badal Gayaa Insaan (1957). Hemant Kumar joins at 2:13.
Gori Chali Piya Ke Saath Mila Ke Haath WITH Asha Bhosle, lyrics S H Bihari, music Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPIAiCNb8oQ
There is one more duet with Ghulam Mohammad( not the music director), Paav Badata Chal, Shor Machata Chal. The link to the duet is not available.
Arunji @ 11,
Three fabulous songs and you have added some more “other’ singers. Thanks Arunji
I just repeat what Akji has commented about the song Darshan do Ghanshyam. A great song indeed.
Janamabhoomi Maa is lesser known but fantastic compositions of Salil Choudhury. Salil Choudhury has employed Sabita Banerjee’s voice very effectively in the background score.
I am posting a link to the due, Milte hi aankhen dil hua deewaana kisi ka, by Hemant Kumar with Uma Devi (?). The original song was rendered by Talat Mahmood and Shamshad Begum for Babul (1950), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad. Arunji had provided the reason behind this version at ‘Atul song a day’. Let us listen to the Hemant Kumar-Uma Devi version. I found it quite good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ViJAGpUXIY
Here is what Arunji said about this version at ‘Atul Song a day’
“This is a song recorded earlier by Naushad,in the voices of Hemant Kumar and Uma Devi,as Talat Mahmood and Shamshad’s dates were not matching and the shooting had to be proceeded. Afterwards,Naushad recorded the same song in Talat’s voice (by choice of Dilip Kumar,who never preferred Hemant kumar) and Shamshad Begum.”
Arunji may have something more to add.
N Venkataramanji @39,
Thanks for adding the other duets from both the films.
I wasn’t aware of any of these.
The chakradhari song sounds different, I agree. I think its speed and pitch have been altered, so the male voice sounds different. Because, Asha’s voice also sounds artificially sweet, can’t be real in my opinion.
Anup
KB,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Shatranj, Paayal and Bahurani, perhaps didn’t have a Hemant Kumar duet with an ‘other’ singer. Of course, Shatranj had a great Hemant Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar duet, Badli mein chhupe chaand ne kuchh mujhse kaha hai, covered prominently in my post on their best duets. Chhabili did have a duet with Nutan, Lahron pe lahar, mentioned by Canasya earlier.
Bhatiaji @ 22 &24
‘For soft melodies I always tune myself to Talat and Hemant’s songs. If Talat’s voice is Silky….Hemant’s voice is Heavenly .”
May be that is why Naushad asked Hemant Kumar to sing the duet of Babul (1950) (see @44) when Talat Mahmood was not available initially.
The songs ‘Aye dilruba,tere siwa kon hai mera’ (Shirin Farhad -1956) & ‘Yeh hansta hua carvan zindagi ka’(Ek Jhalak -1957) are worth repeat listening. ‘Sun le piyaa’ & ‘Do naina Tumhare pyare’ made good listening. Thanks for posting them.
Three duets of Police (1958) were posted earlier. Here is another lively number.
Dil me aa ke chup ja koi dekhne na paye with Geeta Dutt, film Police (1958), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMbZsa-A4Hw
MARATHA TITUKA MELVAVA,1963…
Marathi.
Hemant Kumar:Lata,Usha & Hridaynath Mangeshkar; Shanta Shelke; Anandaghana( Lata Mangeshkar).
Marathi Pavool padate pudhe….
One from Hemant da’s first Hindi movie,IRAADA,1944.
Hemant Kumar, Radha Rani; Aziz Kashmiri, Pandit Amarnath.
Nith nith ke roothnewale Saajan
Tum deep bano ,Main patang banoo…
Radio Ceylon Aapka Purana Saathi ( RCAPS),28/10/2018, Purane Film Ka Sangeet.
https:// youtu.be/ 1hKJ_eXHGjW.
The second song to play. Pretty nice.
N Venkataraman ji.
@ 44
During the making of Babul-50, Naushad was still not sure whom he can fix as Dilip’s voice. In earlier film Andaz, he had tried Mukesh and in Babul he was trying Talat. One song of Talat was already recorded and Naushad was preparing for Talat’s second song. At this juncture, Talat’s Cigarette smoking episode took place. Additionally, by now, Talat was dreaming to become India’s most popular singing actor and was planning for films to act in. His film Aaram-51 was also in the making that time.
All this took up Talat’s time and he was unable to do rehearsals as per timings. Naushad took the opportunity and recorded song in Hemant’s voice. However, when Dilip came to know this, he made a great scene and Naushad, at that stage, was forced to go for Talat again.
A point to note is that after Babul, Naushad did not use Talat for next almost 17-18 years ( till Paigham, I suppose) and that after Babul, for Dilip’s next film Deedar, he decided on Rafi as Dilip’s voice, successfully ignoring Dilip’s displeasure about not taking Talat.
-AD
I relished the post. Gratitude to our erudite commentators for unveiling so many rare songs. Many many songs, I heard for the first time. Hemant Kumar’s voice is immortal. Thank you for the nostalgic theme on his 99th birth anniversary. I fervently look forward to the 100th anniversary of the melodious singer. I guess AKji, you shall come up with further illumination about him and his great musical journey.
Shachindraji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy you liked the songs. When 99 is here, how can we forget 100? Let us hope it will be something befitting.
NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE,1966.
Hemant Kumar,Rafi; Kavi Pradeep, Salil Chowdhury.
Dushmano saavdhaan
Shatruon saavdhaan
Chal pade hain aaj Hind ke jawaan
Sar pe bandh Kafan Seena taan
Chod do chod do chod do paapiyon Hindustan….
SAMBANDH,1969
Hemant Kumar, Mahinder Kapoor; Kavi Pradeep,OPN.
Jo diya tha tum ne ek din
Mujhe phir woh pyar de do
Ek karz maangta hoon
Bachpan udaar de do.
Are these the only instances where Kavi Pradeep has worked with these composers?
Hans ji has posted one song from BIWI AUR MAKAAN,1966.
Some more:
Gulzar, Hemant Kumar.
Khul sim sim khullum khulla
Khil khil gaye gulla…
HK, Manna Dey.
Mujhe Mohabbat ho gayi hai bas..
HK, Talat Mahmood, Mukhesh, Manna Dey, Joginder Singh.
Jab dosthi hoti hai toh dosthi hoti hai
Aur dosthi mein koi ehsaan nahin hoti hai…
HK, Manna Dey, Balbir Singh, Ghulam Muhammad.
According to some of the comments, this may be one of the first duets of Hemanta Kumar in Hindi films from Meenkshi 1942, though on the cover it is attributed to Kamaldas and Radharani https://youtu.be/UJRu6jhdo_M
Gaddeswarupji,
HFGK does not mention the singers’ names. The link has been posted by Sudhir Kapur who does a proper research. Both the singers are unknown to me. The male voice seems me to be a combination of Jagmohan and Pankaj Mullick. The song has a strong imprint of Pankaj Mullick’s singing style, which is obviously because he was the MD. As per record, Hemant Kumar first sang in Hindi films in Irada (1944).
AKji, Namaste, Coming back after a gap and listening to the beautiful duets of Hemant Kumarji with “other ” singers….I had heard most of them with Geeta Dutt and hardly any with Asha Bhosle. What a treat this was.
I have always said that Hemant Kumar was generous enough to have given his beautiful and baritone voice to the songs of so many other composers as well as his own. What a gentleman Composer he was.
AKJi, As you know I am very ignorant of these matters. I see “His first song in Hindi films was in Meenakshi (1942) – Ankhon ki ote jo rahtaa tha, composed by Pankaj Mullick.” from https://www.songsofyore.com/hemant-kumars-songs-by-sd-burman/
Gaddeswarupji @ 54 & AKji @55
“The male voice seems me to be a combination of Jagmohan and Pankaj Mullick. The song has a strong imprint of Pankaj Mullick’s singing style”
In his early life Hemant Kumar used to follow Pankaj Mullick. And he was known as “Chhoto Pankaj” or “Chhota Pankaj”. It could be Hemant Kumar. I asked my wife, who is a huge fan of Hemant Kumar; she is also of the opinion that it could be Hemant Kumar.
Pradeepi posted a duet with Radha Rani from Iraada (1944), officially the first Hindi film of Hemant Kumar (mentioned by Akji). Here is the link. It is the second song starting at 4:31. Just for comparison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKJ_eXHGjw
Hansji @ 23
Thanks for posting two different flavours of Hemant Kumar’s duets, “Har dukhda sahnewale” & “Aa Tha Jab Janam Liya Tha”.
Another duet, a predominantly a Hemant Kumar’s song, Bela Mukherjee is just about there.
Mati Ko Le Jana Na Is Mati Ko by Hemant Kumar with Bela Mukherjee, film Fashion (1959), film Bharat Vyas, music Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=5vU6RmH3hAQ
AK ji,
My Two Cents for Hemant Kumar’s First song….
1. The Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen says that Hemant kumar’s first Bangla Playback song was from film Nimai Sanyasi-40 and First Hindi film playback song was in Irada-44. (pp 152)
2. David Courtney in his Biography of Hemant Kumar, in http://www.chandrakanta.com also says that it was Irada-44.
It should be found out if there was any Kamal Das as a singer in Bangla language , who seems to have sung the song in dispute, from film- Meenakshi-42
Arunji @50,
First of let me thank you for the information on ‘Hermant Kumar-Uma Devi duet’ from Babul (1950). I also understand that Hemant Kumar rendered ‘cover version’ of two solo songs of Aan (1952) rendered by Md.Rafi.
@60
As far as I know there was no singer by that name (Kamal Das). Then, could it be Kamal Dasgupta? Kamal Dasgupta rendered many songs in Hindi, Urdu and Bangla, all NFS. I think he did not lend his voice for any film song (Hindi or Bengali).
Let me post two more duets
Papeeha Papeeha Tu Peeyu Ko Puk with Kalyani Das. film Zameen Aasman (1946), lyrics Faiyaz Hashmi, music Kamal Dasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GUcqQfIV_M
Here, Hemant Kumar plays second fiddle to Kalyani Das, he is on his own from 2:42.
Suno Suno Ki Bahut Dukh Bhara Fasana Hai with Kalyani Das, film Zameen Aasman (1946), lyrics Faiyaz Hashmi, music Kamal Dasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=85&v=YsC-h4Gq5vM
Sangeetaji,
Welcome back to SoY. Hope you are doing well. And also, when he gave the music, he didn’t insist on singing all the male songs himself. Pankaj Mullick’s generosity is remarkable. He was himself a great singer, but did no hesitate to promote KL Saigal.
Gaddeswarupji,
Thanks for mentioning my earlier post on Hemant Kumar. I again checked up the sources. Anil Bhargava’s Sawron Ki Yatra does mention Meenakshi (1942) as his debut as a singer in Hindi films, but Pankaj Raag’s Dhunon Ki Yatra mentions Irada‘s (1944) Mohabbat ke payaam aane lage as his first. I should have been more exact.
Does that prove anything? Nothing, because knowledge of our early films is sketchy. But since most sources mention Irada (1944), we may accept this to be correct until proved otherwise.
Arunji, Venkataramanji,
Thanks for throwing more light on this.
Pradeepji,
Chorus or duets, you score at a brisk rate. Difficult to keep pace with you. But now it is an era of One-dayers and T20s. Playing with a runner is not advisable. Singles and twos are important to keep the rotation. You should improve your running between the wickets. Else you may get run out. I think I will have to squeeze in a day at Mangalore during my July tour. Till then let me run for you for some more time. Will expect a South Indian lunch in return.
@32
SAZAA, 1951
This was first time S D Burman used Hemant Kumar. This song came for discussion in earlier pos s of
SoY.
Hemant Kumar, Sandhya Mukherjee; Rajinder Krishen,SDB.
Aa gupchup gupchup pyar Karen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaHDIEDrjTQ
AAGOSH, 1953
This was also Hemant Kumar’s first film with Roshan
Hemant Kumar, Indira Manchanda; Shailendra, Roshan.
Mil jhul banto re garib ke fande
Mil jhul banto re logo
..Sukh dukh banto re…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiSpxGkA-IE
After Sazaa (1951), S D Burman used Hemant Kumar in Jaal (1952). Then in 1955 he used Hemant Kumar in House No.44 & Munimji. This song too ahd come up for discussion on several occasions.
MUNIMJI,1955.
Hemant Kumar,Geeta Dutt,? Pran; Shailendra,SDB.
Dil ki umange hain jawan…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5rRt2jt5Aw
Probably this is the only film Hemant Kumar sang for O P Nayyar (2 Duets, one solo)
SAMBANDH, 1969.
Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhonsle; Kavi Pradeep,OPN.
Hey Jagat pita Parmatma
Karo Nirmal meri Atma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJIerDeWWk
Pradeepji,
@34
Harivansh Rai Bachchan wrote lyrics for hardly 4 to 5 films. This is one of them. The duet starts at 2:40.
Saanjh Khile Bhor Jharey by Hemant Kumar & Ranu Mukherjee, fil Phir Bhi (1972), lyrics Harivansh Rai Bachchan, music Raghunath Seth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vffToq77MGU
@35
Hemant Kumar,Bela Mukherjee; Bharat Vyas, Hemant Kumar.
Maati ko le jaana na
Iss maati ko le jaana na…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vU6RmH3hAQ
@36
Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, Sulakshana Pandit & chorus; Gulzar, Hemant Kumar.
Panchi re ud Gagan Gagan masth Magan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigJkIQik4Y
N Venkataraman ji,
How can a lazy batsman, always feigning injury,thank his ever energetic runner? I know the chance of getting run out is a real one. But,at least during your July tour ,I will get a grip on the procedure of posting a proper link to the songs.
I think you are the right person to address my query to about the Hemant Da song from KOHRA …O beqarar Dil ..
I knew it was recycled from a Bengali Hemant original, O nodi re ekthi kotha …bolo kothae Tomar Desh… from NEEL AKASHER NEECHEY,his first production. What I discovered today is , it was again used in SIDDARTHA , 1972…
I , also saw the second song in SIDDARTHA … Recycling of a song from MORU THIRTHA HINGLAJ.
My question: We know multiple versions of Salil Da’s songs across languages. Did Hemant Da do it frequently?
AK ji,
I appreciate your post on the 99th birth anniversary of Hemant Kumar . The selection of songs is great . Add to this the studied comments and beautiful songs from the honourable followers of this group and I feel we have honoured the great singer wonderfully . Hemant Kumar is counted among the original 6 great male singers of the HF Golden era.
The melody of song ‘ Aaja Zara mere Dil ke … ‘ has certainly been taken from ‘ Cherry pink and Apple blossom white ‘ – Perez Prado (1955) ; This had gone to #1 on April 30 ,1955 on the Billboard top 100 and stayed on top for 10 weeks.
the link …
https://youtu.be/ggSDeyPu_e4
S Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Surely ‘Aa ja zara’ was inspired from ‘Cherry pink and apple blossom white’, but there many such inspirations which are still considered great songs.
Pradeepji @ 66
“We know multiple versions of Salil Da’s songs across languages. Did Hemant Da do it frequently?”
Yes many of Hemant Kumar’s Bengali tunes were repeated in Hindi songs too. I cannot recollect instance of repetition of the same song in another movie by Hemant Kumar. There are version songs, I mean tunes used from Bengali films in Hindi movies. In fact there is one more song in Kohra which was from a Bengali film.
BTW, all the three movies referred by you are great movies.
Neel Akasher Neechey (1958) was the first film produced by Hemanta Mukherjee under the banner Hemanta-Bela productions. Directed by Mrinal Sen,the film is about a immigrant Chinese Hawker, and his relationship with a Bengali housewife Basanti. Initially the film was banned because of its overt political connotations.
Later in the 60s, his production house was renamed as Geetanjali productions. Kohraa (1964) was produced under this banner. The story of Kohraa was roughly based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca.
Morutirtha Hinglaj (1959) was based on a travelogue of Kalikananda Avadhuta. The plot revolves around a religious but a long & dangerous journey through the desert to reach the holy shrine at Hinglaj. Hinglaj is situated in Baluchistan (Pakistan), and it enshrines one of the 51 Shakti Peeth(s).
This is the right juncture to post the link to the song mentioned by you @ 37
MERA KARAM MERA DHARAM,1987.
Hemant Kumar, Anuradha ShreeRam; Anand Bakshi,LP.
Janani Jagat ki Shakthi O Maata
Bhakthon ke Jeevan ki Bhakthi O Maata..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ-LoncjaNk
A great tribute to Hemant Kumar – both as a singer and as music director, by taking up his own as well other music directors’ compositions.
I think SoY can take up his sngs with other music directors for his centenary celebration post.
Ashokji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Let us see how I plan his centenary celebration.
AKji Your tireless output in a regular interval on diverse subjects is truly
a matter of great appreciation for me. Had you become a novel writer you would have excelled Edgar Wallace/ Dumas in output. It is not given to everyone to be that dedicated over eons. It is a very appropriate post on his birth anniversary and the flood of comments are outstanding. Sitting in a place where maximum temperature is 12 degree centigrade with howling winds and steady rain, reading this post is a great past time. AKji I am your fidus achates for ever.
Mr Rangan,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I know you mean it sincerely, but for me your superlatives become embarrassing.
‘Fidus achates’: I don’t want to google, meaning please.
It is a Latin phrase meaning – a faithful friend or devoted follower.
Sorry if you feel embarrassed. I will be more careful in future. However I fully reiterate whatever I have stated above.
Pradeepji,
@38
This is a popular duet of Hemant Kumar with Suman Kalyanpur.
BAAT EK RAAT KI,1962.
Hemant Kumar, Suman Kalyanpur; Majrooh Sultanpuri,SDB.
Na tum hume jaano
Na hum tumhe jaane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngqHy7PV2YM
@40
Jaadu Tona1977
In this lengthy (8:26) song, you will find Hemant Kumar for 30 second at 1:15 and again at 5:11 for more than minute.
Hemant Kumar,Brij Bhushan,Asha Bhonsle; Bal Kavi Bairagi, Hemant Bhonsle.
Hey sevak ShreeRam ke…
Jai Jai Jai Bhajrangi…
https://gaana.com/song/hay-sewak-shri-ram-ke
@48
Music by Lata Mangeshkar as Anandaghana
In this 6+minutes song Hemant Kumar is there during the first 26 seconds only. Nevertheless it is a nice song. Hearing for the first time.
MARATHA TITUKA MELVAVA, 1963…
Marathi.
Hemant Kumar:Lata,Usha & Hridaynath Mangeshkar; Shanta Shelke;
Marathi Pavool padate pudhe….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D0nJOwWOCA
@53
The song from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (Md.Rafi) & Sambandh (Mahendra Kapoor) appears to be solos. Yes, these are the only instances Kavi Pradeep penned lyrics for O P Nayyar & Salil Choudhury
N Venkataraman ji,
Thanks again…as always.
Hemant Kumar comes on at 5.29 for Pradeep Kumar. The lengthy Mahinder Kapoor portion must have exhausted you! Other than the ever so beautiful Chal akela…I like this song and the MK solo,Andhere mein jo baithe hain.
I will listen to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose song again. I did listen before posting and was convinced HK is there. Let us see.
Just struck me…Kavi Pradeep, Pradeep Kumar and Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty!!!( Need a smiley here).
When I read the comments of Sangeetji (56) and AK (62), I thought I had the same feeling. I had some stats and after brushing them up I am giving them here.
Hemant Kumar sang in all for 42 other composers. As per HFGK figures Hemant sang 286 songs out of which 145 were solo and 141 duets. In his own composition he sang 110 songs 52 solo and 58 duets. Under other composers he sang the remaining 176 songs, 93 solo and 83 duets. Another stat which confirms his unselfish nature is that out of 401 songs he composed he participated in just 110 songs. One other striking figure is that out of the total of 58 duets he composed Lata got 18 i.e. about 31 percent. Other MDs gave more songs to Lata then Hemant Kumar. Out of the total of 141 duets he sang 15 came from 1944 to 47 when Lata was not available. In the later data Lata got 34 out of 68 duets when the composer was other than HK, which means 50 per cent. This means they wanted to reap the harvest of the Lata-Hemant combo’s reputation. But HK was not affected by such consideration.
AK ji, Venkatraman ji , Hans ji;
Melody is in good ears when I hear Hemant’s songs. The stacked cassettes gives alarming rings waiting to be heard of more of his songs . So happy is the music system ……that need not require head cleaning. The stereos have made music a pleasure listening .Simple lyrics reminds me of joyful time and sounds of emotions. For Hemant….One can imagine a melody as a distant echo of something more of heavenly primal sound .
Music that expresses joy and use expansive melodic leaps…..Some songs that recall my youthful time…..and songs that my daughters used to sing perfecting for their exams in Gandharva Maha Vidyale courses.
Ho Jab Se Mili Tose Akhiya – Amaanat (1955)… Hemant Kumar – Geeta Dutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DabaNeH5I7g
Chal Re Chal Mere saath –Chakradhari(1954)–Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhosle–Kavi Pradeep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEY5G9rPDiI
Ei Poth Jodi Na Ses Hoy [ version song of …. o jaane man ….Kohra ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htgPprZCzFo
Hemant Kumar & Suman Kalyanpur – Tumhi Mere Meet Ho – Pyaase Panchhi [1961]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXkDIy8ZnIc
Venkataramanji @58
I agree with your wife I think it is HK voice, his way of pronouncing ek was unique. Anup would agree with me on that.
Listen here
https://youtu.be/UJRu6jhdo_M?t=80
Hans@ 78
Great stats. Thanks.
Can you please add the break up of HK Geeta Dutt duets as well. Thanks
@Mumbaikar8
I heard the song and the pronunciation of ‘ek’ is in typical HK style. So in my opinion too, it’s HK.
Anup
🙂
Pradeepji @ 76 & 77
You are right and I stand corrected. Here is the link
SAMBANDH, 1969
Hemant Kumar, Mahinder Kapoor; Kavi Pradeep,OPN.
Jo diya tha tum ne ek din
Mujhe phir woh pyar de do
Ek karz maangta hoon
Bachpan udaar de do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3qUfXvKM_8
In the song from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (1966), you may be right. Even Salil Choudhury’s blog mentions this song as duet by Md.rafi & Hemant Kumar (with Chorus). But Hemant Kumar’s voice is not discernible to my ears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddmXyb0501Q
Sambandh had so many wonderful songs including Chal akela & Andhere mein jo baithe hain.
🙂
I thank Hans ji for the much needed statistics . I think everyone would want such statistics from him with every post on SOY.
A rough check shows the number of Hemant duet songs covered so far in this post at 75 (including the lead article) which means that only around 14 more duets remain in this category .
There is a reference to ‘Man who plays the Mandolino ‘ , ‘ Its Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom white ‘ and ‘ C’est la vie ‘ which actually may call for a discussion on ‘ HF Songs based on foreign melodies ‘ .
Some songs have been referred to as ‘ Great Song ‘ but I feel that great/good/top 10 songs etc. is always subjective in absence of a method of scoring songs on some scale or else the CD/DVD sales figures or the number of times played on ‘ Radio Ceylon ‘ in last twenty five years etc. should decide the ranking/greatness of a song .
N Venkataraman ji,
Thanks again and again and again ( to the power of infinity) for the links.
I strained my ears and am, now, doubtful about Hemant Kumar’s presence in Dushmano Saavdhaan ! If he, indeed,is there,he must have sung in a high pitch, which is not normal for him.
However, let me mention a second Hemant Kumar, Sabita Bannerjee & chorus from NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE:
Jhankaro jhankaro jhananana jhan jhanjhankaro Agni Veena.
Azad hoke bandhuvo jiyo
Ye jeena kya jeena…
A nice song.
KS Bhatiaji @79,
Hemant Kumar’s Bengali duet: Ei path Jodi na ses hoy. You mentioning it as version song of Kohra‘s ‘O jaaneman’. Perhaps you mean Bin Baadal Barsaat‘s ‘Ek baae zara phir kah do mujhe sharma ke yun diwana’.
Mumbaikar8 @80, Anup @81, Venkataramanji, Arunji @60, Gaddeswarupji @57, Venkataramanji @58, and my own earlier comments on Hemant Kumar’s first Hindi film song,
I gave respect to Sudhir Kapur’s upload and several Internet sites, but I am quite confident now that the male voice in Ab preet ki reet manaayein saajan is Hemant Kumar’s. Haath kangan ko aarasi kya. I think we should now revise our records that Hemant Kumar’s debut Hindi film song was not in Irada (1944), but in Meenakshi (1942). We have to reckon one possibility that the YT upload may not be the original song, but version song recorded much later in HK’s voice. (In any case the label in the upload needs correction.)
AK ji;@85;
Yes . Just a case of my slippery mind during monsoon ! Thanks for the correction .
Pradeepji,
Biwi aur Makan produced under the banner Geetanjali Productions was Hemant Kumar’s third film as a producer. In all the three films Bees Saal Baad (1962), Kohra (1964) and Biwi aur Makan (1966) Biswajit was in the lead role. The film did not do well in the box office.
Here are the links to three songs mentioned by you @53. Earlier another duet was posted by Hansji.
Khul sim sim khullum khulla
Khil khil gaye gulla…
HK, Manna Dey.
In this title song, it seems Hemant Kumar had just two lines.
duble ne pahni pagdi
………………………………….
…………………………………
panghat pe aag jali hai
Here too the Hemant’s voice sounds different. And Biswajit also sings in female voice and Bula Gupta was the singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy-mB8GBfAc
Mujhko Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Bas Mujhko Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai
Gulzar, Hemant Kumar.
HK, Talat Mahmood, Mukhesh, Manna Dey, Joginder Singh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrFrPrkX5po
Jab dosthi hoti hai toh dosthi hoti hai
Aur dosthi mein koi ehsaan nahin hoti hai…
HK, Manna Dey, Balbir Singh, Ghulam Muhammad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzwT7T9nCSA
Finally the duet you mentioned @84
Hemant Kumar, Sabita Bannerjee & chorus from NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE:
Jhankaro jhankaro jhananana jhan jhanjhankaro Agni Veena.
Azad hoke bandhuvo jiyo
Ye jeena kya jeena…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dp8NUu4mYE
Hansji @78
Thanks for the statistics and analysis.
Mumbaikarji @ 80, Anupji @81, Akji @ 80
Thanks for the confirmation
S Joseph @ 83
You stated that 75 duets with ‘other’ singers have been covered. Probably you did not account for the repetitions. There were at least 9 repeat posts. Akji posted 13. In the comments section 55 songs have been posted till now(excluding the repeats). Of the 55, two are Marathi songs, one Bengali and a version song from Babul. Besides I have mentioned two songs, one each from Yahudi ki Ladki & Kitna Badal gaya Insaan, for which I could not find any link.
Another point which was discussed between Arunji and Venkataramanji at 44 and 50 was about the duet ‘milte hi ankhen’ from Babul. I am always sceptical about such stories. What I could not digest was that Naushad would even think of fixing Hemant as Dilip’s voice. But let me first mention a fact that Aaram was not Talat Mehmood’s film. The hero was Dev Anand with Prem Nath as supporting actor. Talat Mehmood was just in one scene where he sang one song ‘shukriya ae pyar tera shukriya’ in which he himself appeared as Talat Mehmood invited to sing in a party in that film. The songs of Babul were recorded in 1949 when Talat Mehmood was anything but busy. Acting bug had already bitten him and he had appeared in small roles in Raj Laxmi (1945), Tum aur Main (1947) and Sampatti (1949), but his first film as hero was Dil-e-Nadan (1953).
Now to Hemant. After singing a few songs from 1944 to 1947, Hemant did not sing any song in the next three years of 1948, 1949 and 1950. Perhaps he went to Calcutta. Even in his busiest days when he was composing and singing, he regularly went to Calcutta. His pronunciation was always suspect till the last. Naushad had a very healthy respect for Rafi ever since he met him and his pronunciation was also very good but Naushad was trying to remove the slight Panjabi tinge in Rafi’s singing, so he used him sparingly in early days. The case of Lata is also known. Naushad insisted on her perfecting her vocabulary and pronunciation. Geeta had immense talent but Naushad did not use her due to the same problem. In such situation how could Naushad think of fixing Hemant on any body leave alone Dilip. Naushad’s interviews are aplenty and it is clear that he was intending to use Rafi as the male voice and preparing him for it. In 1948 and 49 he used Rafi in every film except Anokhi Ada. In his interviews he had said that it was pre-decided to use Rafi in Deedar. Talat came and invoked his Lucknow connection and since Talat had proved himself to be an accomplished singer he gave him chance in Babul. It should also be remembered that Babul was Naushad’s own production. Later on, Talat was not given songs because Rafi was doing well for his heroes and Talat was not ready to sing for minor characters. Such ego did not fit in Naushad’s scheme of things. But, he did not ignore Talat, he made him hero in his home production Maalik, the songs of which were composed by Ghulam Mohammad.
Now coming to the song. If Talat was not available why was Uma Devi chosen to partner Hemant and not Shamshad. Was Naushad going to replace Shamshad also with Uma Devi. The circulated story does not give answer to this question. If for Talat, Dilip created a scene then who created the scene for Shamshad to be brought back. Actually, if you listen to the song carefully, neither the music nor the tune has got the final touches of Naushad. I am not sure if Naushad himself recorded the song. The music and tune of Hemant-Uma song seems to be raw as compared to the Talat-Shamshad song. In the first antara listen to ‘poochho na muhabbat ka asar haye na poochho’ for both Hemant and Uma Devi, they both are singing ‘ka asar’ as ‘ka yasar’. Even if Naushad wanted to use them finally for the film he would have got it corrected. It appears Naushad did not even rehearse Hemant and Uma Devi.
AK@86
Since you know Sudhir Kapur well why not ask him on email about the source of the upload. He also knows many knowledgeable people, so he may confirm with them also.
I have my doubts about the Meenakhshi song. First similarity of voice alone is no proof because Subir Sen and Dwijen Mukherjee also had similar voice. Hemant himself has sung a couple of songs in a voice very close to Kishore Kumar’s. A number of singers have sung in a voice similar to KK. May be in Bengal region there are a lot of similar voices. A few of his songs from 1944-47 era have been posted here. There is the same pronunciation problem in them, but in the Meenakhshi song, the pronunciation is quite good.
So I would request you to contact Sudhir Kapur.
Hans @90,
Hats off, had you entered bar you would have given tough competition to Ram Jethmalani. I agree, we have to accept the version songs as simply novelties, either at the behest of the recording studios or at the singers’ initiative.
@91,
I have already contacted him, as also Arunji. Arunji has promptly responded and made the same point which you are making. Additionally, he says that Anil Bhargava’s ‘Suron Ki Yatra’ is more error prone. So, at this stage we can say, there is a strong perception from listening to the songs that Hemant Kumar sang in Meenakshi (1942), though most sources treat Iraada (1944) as his debut movie as a playback singer in Hindi films.
I was away on vacation and am only now catching up on the posts I missed. I’m really late to a fabulous party here. 🙂 Thank you, AK – a great collection of songs, including some I really love .
Madhu,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy that you liked the songs.
Hansji @ 90
You have wrested the case by your strong argument, unless we find a solid evidence or eye witness like Raju Bharatan 🙂 to reopen the case.
Hansji & AKji,
A few related queries.
HFGK-2 (Appendix III), mentions a ‘version record’ of this song rendered by Hemant Kumar & Geeta Ray (8-O). Well that may be a mistake. But, that is not the point. The original Talat-Shamshad song was recorded by HMV, where as the version song was by Colombia.
I don’t know what the deal for the version records were like.
Whether they were just used as test cases or
temporary voice-overs for filming / picturisation of the song before the actual singer had finalized his/her song.
Can they be commercially released?
If so, was it not necessary to get the permission of the Music director and/or the producer?
It seems this is a duet from an unreleased film of the early sixties.
In baharon ki kasam with Krishna Kalle, film Raat Ki Uljhan, lyrics Gulzar, music Salil Choudhury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL3dbdcrlLk
Ak
Thanks for the nice words. I have a very poor opinion of Ram Jethmalani as a person. He duped one of my bosses after taking advance fees. Otherwise too, there are hundreds of better advocates than him. He has this habit of remaining in the news. I am always very sceptical about the reputations of these famous advocates, which are mostly built due to their proximity to the party in power. There was a long list of such advocates when Congress was in power and now new lists are coming up when BJP is in power. Once I had occasion to hear in detail arguments of the famed P. N. Lekhi in a case related to our department. It was a Human Rights matter from J&K before NHRC. Mr. Lekhi went on his oratory which none of the people present including the Justices understood, because for about 2 hours he went on to tell the history of J&K from some history book. Not a single word was said about the case and after his breath or energy was depleted he said he had to go somewhere and the court was adjourned as if nobody else mattered. Around 20 people from our Deptt and Govt of J&K had come after thorough preparations and some other counsels were also there from the complainant’s side. All of them went muttering.
I think India is a factory of bollywood stories and there may be at least 100 stories for every incident. If a film was hit or otherwise became famous we would find claims that the role was first offered to this or that. But for flop films nobody came forward to make such claims.
Venkataramanji
Thanks. Also thanks for the choosing the right person for eye witness the great Raju Bharatan whom AK has already branded as bollywood’s Narad Muni. He normally relates the same story in each of his books differently from the point of view of the person who pays him to write the TRUE stories.
On your query the right person is Arunji. In my view these were generally issued on already hit songs.The records were issued commercially, with slight changes in music as was later done with profit by T-series company. Legally only the producer has rights over the song. As you tell Hemant-Uma Devi record was issued by a different company Colombia, then certainly music was changed deliberately. Mostly no producer sued such companies because ultimately the singers would be harmed.
There are two more duets with Geeta Dutt from the film Laalten. Mumbaikarji had posted a duet from Laalten.
Dil Ka Tattu Ad Jata Hai with Geeta Dutt, film Laalten (1956), lyrics Indeevar, music Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDqGrancje8
Kabhi akad kar baat na karna humse are mawali, with Geeta Dutt, film Laalten (1956), lyrics Kaifi Irani, music Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4nLX2Ncfts
Mumbaikar8 @80
Sorry I read your comment but forgot to answer your query. The number of Geeta Dutt songs with Hemant is 27. Out of these 17 are from films composed by Hemant and 10 are by others. In these 17, one is a triad with Lata so you can count it in Lata’s numbers too. Of the 10 by others 4 were in Rami Dhoban whose MD is named as Hiren Bose. Six other composers gave one song each to Geeta.
The previous two duets were when Hemant Kumar was at his peak.
The following two were during the end of his career. R D Burman used Hemant Kumar for Pran and Premnath in 1978.
Masti Me Baith Ke Lagao with Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar, Chor Ho To Aisa (1978),lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music R D Burman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjumF-revIs
Aaja Mere Pyar Aaja with Jayshree Shivram, Heeralal Pannalal (1978),lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music R D Burman
Part1 (1:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS0YvXQudng
Part 2 (1:04)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMlOJ6hIdI
Venkataramanji @39
The song from Chakradhari ‘chal re chaak mere chal re’ is by Hemant. In the link the audio is distorted. If you watch the film it would be clear that it is Hemant.
The songs from Laalten I was hoping to post as residues. Both of them are very good songs. In fact Hemant composed a few funny songs in that film. Since you have posted them, I am left with only one song which is well known and would be certainly favourite of all and which has not been posted or mentioned here. This is ‘yaad rakhna pyar ki nishani gori yaad rakhna’ from Nagin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh8yNPpNtU0
RAAHI,1953.
Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar,Meena Kapoor; Prem Dhawan,Anil Biswas.
Ek kali aur do patiya
Jaane hum sab batiya…
LOVE IN CANADA,1979.
Hemant Kumar, Rafi,Arati Mukherjee; Yogesh, Hemant Kumar.
Hum ko dena hey Dharti Maa
Bas ye vardaan tum
Tere aanchal ki chaya mein
Le hum sada janam…
Hansji @102
Thanks for the clarification. Yaad rakhna pyar ki nishani gori yaad rakhna is not an unknown song, but not often heard. Thanks for posting this song.
There are few more duets with other singers to be posted.
I posted a song from Giribala (1947) earlier. Here one more duet with Kalyani Das.
Tum Chor Ho Chor Ji with Kalyani Das, film Giribala (1947), lyrics Pt.Madur, music KamalDasgupta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VvjcA8HYc
There are two songs to be posted from an obscure film Maaldar (1947).
First a triad with Roshan & Usha Bhatia. This Roshan is not the music director Roshan. I came to know about this film and its songs from Arunji’s post in Atul Song A Day. For more details on Satish Bhatia, Usha Bhatia & Roshan here is the link
https://atulsongaday.me/2014/09/05/aji-hamaari-pehli-mulaaqaat/
Here is the link to the song
Dekho Dekho Kaise Sajdhaj Ke with, Usha Bhatia & Roshan, film Maaldaar (1951), lyrics Pran, music Satish Bhatia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUVmXQ4AXp8
A duet with Bela Mukherjee, De De Pet Ko Roti Tan Ko Kapda
https://muvyz.com/song/ev990404/
Pradeepji @ 103,
Did Hemant Kumar sing for Vinod Mehra?
The links
RAAHI,1953.
Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar,Meena Kapoor; Prem Dhawan,Anil Biswas.
Ek kali aur do patiya
Jaane hum sab batiya…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1nhgnSwI8w
LOVE IN CANADA,1979.
Hemant Kumar, Rafi,Arati Mukherjee; Yogesh, Hemant Kumar.
Hum ko dena hey Dharti Maa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifGBtPQCY9s