Another tribute to Lata Mangeshkar on her turning 90 (b. 28 September 1929)
Lata Mangeshkar turned ninety two months ago to this day. On this special day Shalan Lal wrote a comprehensive article on her, analysing the ‘conditions’ that made the Lata Mangeshkar-phenomenon possible, while acknowledging that there was something divine about her voice, something transcendental beyond any physical explanation. Many readers were also expecting a post on her songs by Ravi, who is being felicitated on SoY in the series on the leading music directors and, in fact, were somewhat disappointed that there may not be one on this combination.
Ravi is unique among the prominent music directors in that Lata Mangeshkar was firmly the ‘other’ singer for him, far behind Asha Bhosle, for no known reason. For all the other music directors, she was the undisputed ‘The Female Playback’ singer, the natural choice for the heroine-songs, songs with serious, soulful melody, and complex classical raga-based songs. Therefore, almost as a law of nature most of the immortal songs came her way. The sole exception who completely excised her was OP Nayyar, but there is a story behind it, widely discussed in the public domain. For most major music directors, if there was a temporary hiatus, or a final break-up, it was again due to some well-known spat, Lata Mangeshkar undisputedly being their favourite singer by miles.
From all accounts Ravi was not the kind who could give offence to anyone. Many years before the Internet Era, I was in a social circuit in Delhi where Ravi was a regular. Had it occurred to me then to seek a one-to-one with him, I would have asked him why, contrary to the general trend, he gave only about 75 songs to Lata Mangeshkar, and not only four times that to Asha Bhosle, but she also seemed to be his natural choice for his best compositions.
For most readers, describing Lata Mangeshkar as ‘The Female Playback Singer’ of the Golden Era is the most obvious thing in the world; but there are some, all dear friends by now, who perhaps find it annoying, and quite unfair to the ‘other’ singers. Hans Jakhar, who wrote a guest article on Ravi’s best songs for Asha Bhosle, is the leading flag-bearer of the AB-fan brigade, and would be quite happy to see the tables turned for once, and may consider it as some recompense for the ‘Sister Tax’ she had to suffer in her career 🙂 . Therefore, I finally decided to write on her songs by Ravi as the second tribute on her completing 90 years, even though it is coming two months later.
But Lata Mangeshkar was Lata Mangeshkar, even for Ravi. Ae mere dil-e-naadan is as good as any by the great doyens who became a byword for their songs for her. Ravi’s Filmfare Award for the best music director for Khandaan must have been also helped by Lata Mangeshkar’s own Filmfare Award for the best female playback singer for Tumhin mere mandir tumhin meri puja. In the radio era many Ravi-Lata songs were chartbusters and are still remembered with great respect, such as Wo dil kahan se laaun teri yaad jo bhula de, Milti hai zindagi mein muhabbat kabhi kabhi, Meri sun le araj Banwari and Bachche man ke sachche.
Therefore, let us again wish Lata Mangeshkar a very happy 90th birth anniversary, though belated, with her best songs for Ravi as a tribute to him as well, in the continuing series on him.
1. Ae mere dil-e-naadan tu gham se na ghabrana from Tower House (1962), lyrics Asad Bhopali
This songs comes first to my mind when I think of Ravi’s best songs for Lata Mangeshkar. This follows the style of melancholic, soft and melodious songs composed by the great music directors of the Golden Era for her.
2. Wo dil kahan se laaun teri yaad jo bhula de from Bharosa (1963), lyrics Rajendra Krishna
A crying Asha Parekh does not look nice, but Ravi comes up with another Ace. He also composed an outstanding duet for her with Mahendra Kapoor in the film – Aaj ki mulaqat bas itni, kar lena baatein kal chaahe jitni.
3. Lo aa gayi unki yaad wo nahi aaye from Do Badan (1966), lyrics Shakeel Badayunni
A weepy Asha Parekh again, but this was a weepy film through and through. It is surprising Raj Khosla, famous for suspense and crime thrillers should fancy such a project. But all the six songs in the film – the remaining being in the voice of his favourites Rafi and Asha Bhosle – were outstanding. Ravi maintains the conventional wisdom, the sad song by Lata Mangeshkar, and the chirpy Mat jaiyo naukariya chhod ke by Asha Bhosle.
4. Kisi ne aaj mohabbat ko aajmaya hai….. Chale bhi aao, chale bhi aao, tumhein qasam hai chale bhi aao from Ek Saal (1957), lyrics Prem Dhawan
Naushad, C Ramhandra and all the other great composers started many songs with a long recital before starting the antara. Ravi does the same thing with a long recital, before starting the main song with an inviting Chale bhi aao. Madhubala is at her gorgeous best to mollify a sullen Ashok Kumar.
किसी ने आज मोहब्बत को आजमाया है
वफ़ा को आज निभाने का वक़्त आया है
पुकार सुनके चले आओ दो घड़ी के लिए
बड़ी तमन्ना से हमने तुम्हें बुलाया है
5. Kal ke chaand aaj ke sapne, tumko pyar, bahut sa pyar from Nai Raahein (1959), lyrics Shailendra
Another melodious song, now a mother singing to her child. This also had a Hemant-Lata Mangeshkar duet version, and the film had another great Hemant-Lata Mangeshkar duet Ye jhoomate nazaare, tum paas ho hamaare.
6. Mori chham chham baaje paayaliya from Ghunghat (1960), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni
This film had a melancholic Laage na mora jiya and a devotional Meri pat raakho Giridhari, and you have this contrasting song picturised on Beena Rai who is excited at the prospect of meeting her Saanwariya. Ravi showed his great diversity by composing nice songs in the film for his other favourite singers like Rafi, Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle too.
7. Mele hain chiraagon ke rangeen Diwali hai, mahka hua gulhsna hai hansta hua mali hai from Nazrana (1961), lyrics Rajendra Krishna
This is the Diwali when everything is going on well and Vyjayanthimala is dancing with joy. But when everything was devastated Mukesh was there to sing a sad song for Raj Kapoor – Ek wo bi Diwali thi ek ye bhi Diwali hai, ujada hua gulshan hai rota hua mali hai, with just a turn of some words. Ravi showed his versatility in using different voices beyond his favourites.
8. Sapne hain sapne, kab huye apane, aankh khuli aur toot gaye from Nai Roshni (1967), lyrics Rajendra Krishna
Ashok Kumar’s friend’s daughter Mala Sinha who lives with him, sings this philosophical song to him to give solace to him, whose dreams are shattered because of his dysfunctional family.
9. Milti hai zindagi mein mohabbat kabhi kabhi from Aankhen (1968), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi
This spy thriller was the biggest grosser of the year with all the songs becoming superhit. Lata Mangeshkar happened to be the lead playback singer, with Ravi relegating his favourite Asha Bhosle to the ‘other’ position. He must have his methods, but all the three solos of Lata were extremely popular on the radio circuit, the other two being Gairon pe karam, apnon pe sitam, ae jaan-e-wafa ye zulm na kar and Mori sun le araj Banwari, tere dwar khadi dukhiyari. You could choose any, but in Milti hai zindagi mein mohabbat kabhi kabhi you see a coquettish Mala Sinha not bothered that she was supposed to assist Dharmendra in his mission to bust the international terrorists set to wreak havoc on the country. She is quite direct in professing her love to him who tries to avoid the distraction. Bollywood at its best!
10. Bachche man ke sachche saare jag ki aankh ke taare from Do Kaliyan (1968), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi
If it was an AVM film you knew it had a message how to be a happy family. And sure there was one – how the kids bring sense into the haughty grandma and unite the estranged parents. This song picturised on Baby Sonia, who grew up to be an adult star Neetu Singh, became very popular.
11. Tumhin mere mandir tumhin meri puja, tumhin devata ho, tumhin devata ho from Khandaan (1965), lyrics Rajendra Krishna
Let me end this post with one of the landmark songs of Ravi’s career, which got the Filmfare Award for the best female playback singer, and must have been instrumental in fetching Ravi’s second Filmfare Award for the best music director. I agree with those who find the song cringe-worthy, but I am sure the husbands today, who get anything closer to this only once a year on Karva Chauth, would be yearning in their hearts for an era when the wife would sing You are my temple, you are my worship, you are my God, you are my God.
Acknowledgements 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 on the songs. The copyright rests with the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited and others.
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
AK, you are doing a great service to music lovers by highlighting not only forgotten artists, but also well-known ones like Ravi whose contribution is normally not seen at par with the likes of SDB, Naushad, SJ etc. I fondly recalled most of the songs in your list but I wouldn’t have been able to remember the name of the composer. One wonders why it is so. The only other composer about whom I have similar recall issues is Chitragupta – another of your favourites.
Subodh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Ravi faces this handicap, the only reason we can say is he stood in the middle creating hit songs. The stalwarts somehow created a distinct style.
Good Afternoon AK ji,
This is indeed a Divine service by you.
I always recollect and enjoy, my student life and youthful days, listening to these melodious songs.
Thanks for sharing this treasure, the value can not be estimated.
Regards
Uma Maheswar
Uma Maheshwar Nakka,
Thanks a lot for your generous words. Pleasure is equally mine.
The selection of songs are excellent ! Congratulations. I look forward for Ravi’s compositions with Asha Bhosle with whom he did extremely well. There could be a post with Ravi’s songs with other male/female singers.
KB,
Thanks a lot. Ravi’s combination with Asha Bhosle has already been covered by Hans Jakhar who is an expert on both. I have also given its link in my post. His songs with other singers is a good idea and it completes the picture.
A great tribute to the legend Lata Mangeshkar . Ravi has composed very beautiful songs for Lata. A great collection of songs . The word ‘ other ‘ used in the title may give the impression that perhaps Ravi kept Lata 2nd to Asha but that is not the case .
Two more from the duo…
Film ..’ Chaudhavin ka Chand ‘ ,1960
Song …’ Badle badle mere sarkar..’
Link…. https://youtu.be/zBrl_HZ-FVA
2) Film… ‘ Ankhen ‘ , 1968
Song …’ Gairon pe karam …’
Link …https://youtu.be/f_SJ2MPDAZI
S Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. ‘Other’: I leave it to the readers to judge whether this term is appropriate or not.
AK Ji
Term ‘Other……’ is completely appropriate and justified in light of nice analysis put forth. My appreciations for one more post on Ravi- The Hummable Music Director. Selection of songs is nice covering quite many songs worth a mention. Although one Ghunghat song has been covered, I like this song more because of high modulations in the voice :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbGRwd3LyA
Of all the songs from movie Mehndi (1958), at least one deserved a mentionप्यार की दुनिया लुटेगी हमें मालूम न था
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4t45z18K0s
And I would request to add one more song from Ghatna (1974) which is very dear to me.
हज़ार बातें करे जमाना मेरी वफ़ा पे यकीन रखना
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jWCBWsYIHY
Regards
First song mukhda has been missed .Sorry.
Ii is
Lage na mora jiya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbGRwd3LyA
Rakeshji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Hazaar baatein kare zamana is a great song, even though it is past the golden era. It reminds of Khayyam style. In Menhdi my favourite is Apne kiye pe koi pashemaan ho gaya. But my overall favourite from this film is Rafi’s recital style song, Wo aaj apni mehfil mein aye huye hain which has been covered earlier.
A good post Akji.
Lata Mangeshkar did sing for him through out his career. His earlier films have Lata Mangeshkar as main singer, though the scenario changed in 1960s. Lata Mangeshkar sang under his baton in late 70s and 80s as well.
You have included solos in the post, a duet post following?
She has very less duets in general with Ravi.
AK ji
Nice write up about relatively less common combination.
As very rightly mentioned ae mere dil-e-nadan must be a part of any collection of Lataji’s outstanding songs .
When I was in 7th or 8 th standard this song from Gauri had become quite popular.
Mor bole chakor bole Aan Radha ke ….
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The conventional male-female duets I post with male singers – this is to avoid double counting.
AK,
I agree with Rakesh Srivastava @ 9 that Mehndi songs could not be overlooked, this movie got him Chaudivi Ka Chand that was the game changer for Ravi.
Along with Pyar ki duniya lootengi and your favorite Apne kiye pe koi pareshan ho gaya, it has one of her best recital yeh afsana nahin ai sunne wallon.
Yeh afsana nahin hai
https://youtu.be/l2gDSIBP1Fk
The other movie, I think, should have been mentioned is Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan,
She has a number of good songs in that one too.
Now to Khandaan, I personally believe Ravi’s Khandan Filmfare award is SJ’s Suraj and tumhi mere mandir tumhe meri pooja is Baharon phool barsaon.
Ravi himself had two better albums in that year Kaajal and Waqt and do not forget Haqeeqat was in that year too.
Mumbaikar8,
I must admit Lata Mangeshkar’s recital-style song was a discovery for me. Thanks a lot.
I agree with you on Khandan. But Ravi’s first Filmfare Award for Gharana mus have come as a surprise to everyone, him as well. I was just browsing through the films of 1961. There were ten films with superlative music. My top choice would be Shama (Ghulam Mohammad) – every song is a gem and he has used a number of singers. Keep counting: Ganga Jamuna (Naushad); Hum Dono (Jaidev); Maya, Chhaya (Salil Chowdhury); Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Junglee (Shankar-Jaikishan); Hamari Yaad Ayegi (Snehal Bhatkar).
As we realise now Filmfare Awards are no indication of the quality of music that year. The only thing going in favour of Ravi is that there is no suggestion that he manipulated. Therefore, it was a random thing and he was lucky.
AK,
I am glad you agree with me on Khandan awards.
“Therefore, it was a random thing and he was lucky.”
Some coincidence Gharana, Khandan and Suraj were all South Indian Productions
Perhaps it was not as random. Filmfare Awards had their favoritism.
I really enjoy reading the articles posted on SoY. A treat.
I wish to add one more song that might have been missed from the film “Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka”
Dil mein Kisi Ke Pyar Ka Jalta Hua Diya
https://youtu.be/A34LYcs_Pas
Just forgot to mention that the film “Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka” did not have any Asha song as far as I remember. It was Rafi, Kishore & Lata. Sahir as usual wrote beautiful lyrics for the songs.
AK ji
Another excellent tribute to Ravi. His music shone through its simplicity. As you said elsewhere, Ravi could compose tunes for given lyrics without taking too much time. While composing interlude orchestra pieces he did not present as much skills as,say, Shankar-Jaikishan or Madan Mohan. His quickness with the tunes for pre-written lyrics allowed him to take up 6 or more film projects per year and still maintain freshness and appeal.
2. Regarding ‘best music’ Filmfare awards,I would submit that the award was given to one film in a year. Therefore many films with top-quality music were left out year after year. It is not a matter for us to feel sad about. Films like Shabab, Navrang, Aarti, Mamta, Mere Mehboob, Haqeeqat, Teesri Kasam and so many others did not get the award for music. It is OK. Everyone loves the music of such films- it is the reward to those magnificent music directors.
Thanks
Jawahar,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. And thanks a lot for posting Dil mein kisi ke pyar ka jalta hua diya. This song is pure gold. I guess it must have been recorded many years earlier and used later. This shows by stopping at 1969 I miss some later gems which bear the stamp of early 1960s.
Tyagiji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. On Filmfare Awards, the problem arises if it is given to a mediocre score in the face of several strong contenders. If it is one among the top favourites no one would crib.
All said Ravi is seen as a Lucky composer whose music was integrated into successful movies whereas there are several others who gave excellent music to unsuccessful movies and the music sank without a trace. There are several composers who could not make it because the films did not do well and whose songs are remembered even now after several decades!
Like all other enquiries and appreciations posts of AK this is as good as the other and worth to read.
I fully agree with Subodh Agrwal at the comment number 1 when he says:
“AK, you are doing a great service to music lovers by highlighting not only forgotten artists, but also well-known ones like Ravi whose contribution is normally not seen at par with the likes of SDB, Naushad, SJ etc”
Shalan Lal
AKji,
Let me thank you for finally writing on Lata Mangeshkar’s songs by Ravi.
Lata Mangeshkar must have rendered roughly around 10% of songs composed by Ravi, out of which two-third are solos. She sang in only 25% of Ravi’s total films. Thus going by numbers alone, Lata Mangeshkar was definitely Ravi’s “other” singer.
A nice selection of songs. Strangely, like Subodhji I would confess that prior to YT days I too would not have been able to recollect the name of the composer.
KB,
Arunji always highlights the role of luck in the film world. Greats who were not so lucky are also many. Ghulam Mohammad I would easily place among the greatest. Roshan and Madan Mohan too got less than they deserved.
Shalan Lal,
Subodh and you are very kind. Some bloggers are indeed doing public service, but I never thought of myself in those terms.
Venkataramanji,
I am happy that you and some others found it revealing. That is a characteristic of Ravi in particular. Some of his famous songs we know are his. But many others come as a surprise. You must have felt it in most of the articles in the series. I am planning a concluding one which will make you exclaim even more, ‘Oh, this is also by him!’
Compared to Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar was indeed his ‘other’ singer. Since there was no ‘known’ reason, the only reason could be musical – he must have found AB a better fit for his style.
AK ji;
Your selection…..well ….an excellent dwell on the beauty of Lata’s melancholy songs by Ravi’s soulful compositions. Sentimental songs do sometime converge to inspirational ones …… yes , to hear more ….no matter tears becoming stars. Giggle and smiles were for Asha ji and Ravi gave plenty of beautiful melodies for her to sing . Truly if Asha’s songs were Sunrise ….Lata’s songs were beauty of Sunsets……listened best in the morning and at night respectively……bloom and glow tag for them.
Yes, Mehndi song is too good and whenever I hear Ravi’s this beautiful creation I listen to Mela song as well….Shaiyed wo ja rahe hain choop ke meri nazar se…… Such creation don’t require any quality scale for any Award . I think people receiving attention , experiencing and appreciating the songs is best award for the composer.
Songs from Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan were one of the best of Lata’s sad songs. Besides Sahir , Prem Dhawan was the other song writer who was favorite of Ravi.
KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks a lot for your beautiful poetry. On careful look we find Ravi composed many great songs for Lata Mangeshkar too.
Wish to add the names of unlucky and talented composers N Dutta , Chitragupta and also Jaidev.
Thank you for this enlightening piece AKji. I like Raviji’s songs as individual gems…two songs I had not heard before and one I had to hear before I realised Ihad heard it earlier. He did give some major hit songs and got some good films as well….
Just to point out here that the Legendary lyricist spelt his name as Rajinder Krishan and not Rajendra Krishna as very often mentioned.
Sangeetaji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
‘Rajinder Krishan’: I am aware this is the way his name is officially written. But transliteration of Hindi names to Roman is always problematic. I go by AIR which always pronounced it as राजेन्द्र कृष्ण.
Lata ji was no doubt the”other” singer for Ravi. But he has given her/us many melodious songs.
I wanted to draw attention to’Dil mein kisi ki’ from Ek Mahal ho sapnon ka, although it fell outside the golden era. But Jawahar ji has already mentioned it.
Giriji,
Dil mein kisi ke pyar ka jalta hua diya chronologically may have come in 1974 but it belongs to the Golden Era.
AKji
As you say
Dil me kisike pyar ka belongs to golden era
Can we discern some similarity between Dil me kisike & wo Dil kaha se laau.
Rahul ji @36 ;
Yes. I agree . The tune are same with slight deviation. Likewise there is one such song from Vandana ….aap ki inayeten aap ke karam….which is quite similar to famous Lata ji’s song from Khandan….tumhi meri mandir tumhi meri pooja .
Aapki Inayate Aapke Karam …Lata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7-EKmzjQA
AK ji @30;
I am happy you liked my short hand narration ; but i never intend to write poetry but listening so many songs do come up before me for their appreciations.
Now, a romantic song from Lata ji with beautiful interludes using harmonica. School and college days ….and doing songs over harmonica was a favorite past time . We at IIT had plenty of instruments with many good players mastering over piano , accordion , harmonium , guitars, bongos, drums, dholak, tabla and violins etc. We had a record of winning 11 trophy out of 12 in one of the inter college meets at delhi university some time in mid 60s.
Zara Dekh Sanam…Lata Mangeshkar | Grahasti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItuheQDlaT0
AK Ji
Your unending love and passion for digging out some very informative themes and subjects is just amazing.
I wasn’t aware of this contrast between the number of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle songs composed by Ravi, and thanks a lot for this comprehensive assessment.
Now when I came to know about this difference, my mind thought about one more music director, who’s Asha Bhonsle compositions are simply great, in my opinion a few notches above Ravi’s compositions for the singer, in my humble opinion.
The MD I’m referring to is Datta Naik or N Dutta, who has composed 158 songs for Asha Bhonsle, and 28 for Lata Mangeshkar. Dear Sudhir Kapur Ji gave me the Asha numbers and I checked with cineplot for the Lata numbers.
Now coming to the Lata songs composed by Ravi, the film Ek Saal 1957 had three beautiful compositions
Sab kuchh luta ke hosh mein is the first one, which has a great Talat Mahmood version as well
https://youtu.be/5hw44rzHmfk
Chale bhi aao, tumhe qasam hai
Chale bhi aao
https://youtu.be/0Kt59pheItw
Cham cham chali piya ki gali
Main sapne naye saja ke
https://youtu.be/dXqLhZJ86TY
And one from Albeli
Muskurati hui chandni
https://youtu.be/V2iU-7XfIAs
My faux pas in mentioning the Albeli song
It’s Ja ja re chanda ja re
Teri chandni bhi mera
Jiyara jalaye
Error regretted
AK ji;
Among your listings the top of the chart for me are songs from Ek saal and Tower House . Ravi excelled and so also Lata ji . There is one more song deserve to be added for record and listening quality songs.
Sab Kuch Luta Ke Hosh Mein Aaye – Ek Saal 1957
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWqKHCZz-qM
Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli,
Absolutely, very sharp observation! Now we realise why Dil mein kisi ke pyar ka sounded so Golden Era.
#36 Rahulji,
Good observation. Could it be that they are both based on the same raaga and hence sound familiar? It does happen to some songs.
KS Bhatiaji @38, 41,
Zara dekh sanam was new for me. An outstanding songs. Thanks a lot for adding it. Sab kuchh luta ke: I take it as a Talat Mahmood song, and Lata Mangeshkar also sang a version.
Arvinder Sharmaji @39,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. But you have been off SoY for sometime?
Your mention of N Datta reminds me of another close friend (a silent SoY follower) who said that N Datta gave soft, melodious and soulful ghazals to Asha Bhosle and cabaret numbers for Lata Mangeshkar. I was not aware of the contrast in Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle numbers. So he is Ravi magnified. Though not as successful, he was a great composer, and gave many iconic landmark songs. It is interesting that KB should also mention his name @31.
AK ji,
Ravi with Lata Mangeshkar, the working relationship continued inspite of Asha Bhonsle being his first choice in most of his films (in all the B R Chopra films and many among other banners).
Nice compilation as usual. Take a bow.
Bachhe man ke sachche can be counted among the top iconic children’s songs. Lata sounded very sweet. It was a rage during our childhood. Every schoolday singing competition would have at least one contestant singing it. The other song going on Baby Sonia, Murga murgi pyar se dekhe … was not a great song.
Ravi used Lata’s voice on Mala Sinha,too.
Of the two Rafi_ Lata duets, Tumhari nazar kyon kafa ho gayi was a hit. Ye sama ye rut…is average.
For the vamp Geetanjali,Ravi used Asha’s voice.
Chitnandan aage nachoongi is a pleasant dance number.
Sajna O Sajna is good on ears, too.
Incidentally, Geetanjali,the heroine of LP’s debut film PARASMANI , passed away a few days back.
Dr Shetty,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have mentioned some very nice songs. RIP Geetanjali. I was not aware of her, I only remember the hero Mahipal of Parasmani.
An apt and interesting theme, presented, AK, with your usual flair backed by diligent research. Thanks.
You said that Ravi was the only MD for whom Lata was the “other” female singer. I think Jaidev was in the same category too. The proportion of Asha to Lata songs may be significantly higher for Ravi as compared to Jaidev, but my impression (not counted like Hans) is that Jaidev’s go-to female singer was Asha, like Ravi, and Lata only for certain selected song. And yet, in both cases, in my opinion at least, Lata’s songs sound sweeter and more melodious than Asha’s. A stark example is Meera’s bhajan, Main Janoon Naahin, which Jaidev got Asha to sing for Andolan in 1977, and 20 years later by Lata, for Chaand Grahan.
Dinesh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Arvinder Sharmaji has also mentioned N Datta who gave more than five times songs to Asha Bhosle than he did to Lata Mangeshkar. Thus there are more whose go-to singer was Asha Bhosle. Whether Lata Mangeshkar still sounded sweeter is open to question. Now I remember N Datta gave many outstanding songs to Asha Bhosle.
Dinesh K Jain , AK, Arvinder Sharma , Dr. Shetty ji ;
I think Bollywood of the 50s and 60s was a great fertile land for Mds . With every type of movies being made right from ….romantic, fantasy, religious, sad…etc…and there was ample scope for each one to seed and show case their very best product……feeding your vision thru your ears.
Many MDs appeared to have passed on their baton to one to another that one can make an arithmetic progression series . ….like…..Ravi, N.Dutta, Jaidev, C Arjun , sardar malik, Chitragupt….and so on . They seems to have shared a common locker of a musical bank.
Every one gave songs from peppy pieces to melancholy sobers……and there was no divide among the elite and ordinary class. C grade movies some time overtaking the B class movies with many measures of melodies.
A few of Ravi’s songs …some less heard but beautiful for revisits.
Dekha Hai Tumne Jidhar Jidhar Lata Mangeshkar Film Nazrana (1961) Ravi / Rajinder Krishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjvxG86AQAI
Mor Bole Chakor Bole Aaj – Gauri Song – Lata Mangeshkar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VW3kigWBNc
Saari Duniya Mein Dekhe Hain….Lata Mangeshkar | Meharbaan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZOaZ-RQ8sI
KS Bhatiaji,
What a period 50s and 60s was! About 20 music directors gave great music. Many ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade movies gave ‘A’ grade music. I didn’t think in terms of Arithmetic Progression, but did think in terms of tandem. Roshan-Madan Mohan we have discussed in detail. Khayyam-Jaidev have been often mentioned. The obvious tandem I think is Ravi-N Datta.
Among the songs you have added, Dekha hai tumne was new for me. Nice song. Thanks a lot.
It was news to me that Lata had only 75 songs from Ravi, because, as far as I can recall, most of their songs are very well-known. The samle fare presented in the post is very strong testimony of that.
Whilst on Mehendi (1958) – mumbaikar # 15) here is another gem
Apne Kiye pe koi paseman Ho Gaya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID8qV4YlIWU
These should be one of those rare songs where Lata has been chosen for a mujra song.
That also makes it worth recalling other ‘less-known’ Ravi-Lata songs !
ksbhatia ji has mentioned Aap ki inaayaten from VANDANA, 1975 .
I think it was a film long in the making, looking at Baby Sarika. She graduated to heroine roles in the same year with KAAGAZ KI NAON and the super hit musical GEET GAATA CHAL.
The other Lata songs from the movie :
O jag ke palanhare
Hame bheekh daya ki dedo…
( With chorus; On Sadhna)….Asad Bhopali.
ManMohana tu jo bhi de
Khushi ho ya gham…
( On Sadhna and Sarika)…..
Lyrics by ? Ravi.
Rut hai jawan Sama hai bada pyara…
( On Jayashree T… surprising because another song on Bindu is in Asha Bhonsle’s voice.)
AURAT, 1967.
In the film, Asha Bhonsle sings for both Padmini and Nazima, solo and duets ( with Rafi and Mahinder Kapoor.)
‘Other’ singer Lata has two lories..
So jaa meri laadli…
….
Naari jeevan jhoole ki tarah
Is paar kabhi uss paar kabhi…
&
Nindiya ki nagri se…
( A ‘ naughty’ Pran is getting restless for Padmini’s company and is calling from the upstairs….Aati ho ki nahin? Padmini goes on to reply in the song itself_
Kaise aaoon jab tak so na jaaye
Meri nanhi gudiya!!!)
In SAMAJ KO BADAL DALO, 1970,
Lata had the famous ‘ beggar’ song with Usha Mangeshkar…
Amma ek roti de
Baba ek roti de…
Some begging children on the screen look like caricatures. But, the child artists here tug at your heart with their expressions. Add to it the effect of Sahir’s lyrics:
Tune aur tere bachon ne
Jo bhi joota choda hai
Paas bulakar dede hum ko
Bahut ho chahe thoda hai.
She has the lorie
Taron ki chain mein
Sapno ke gaon mein
Pariyon ke sang tujhe jaana hai…
in two versions:
Happy_ with Rafi.
Sad_ Solo.
Asha has 3 duets _ 2 with Rafi and 1 with Usha Mangeshkar.
RAKHI, 1962.
The movie has interesting background and trivia.
PASAMALAR ,1961, directed by A Bhim Singh, was based on a story by the Malayalam producer and writer K P Kottakara. Starring Shivaji Ganesan,Savitri,Gemini Ganesan and M Saroja, it was a critical and commercial hit.
It was remade in Telugu as RAKTHA SAMBHANDHAM ,1962.
NTR, Savitri,Kanta Rao were in the lead.
RAKHI, 1962, with Ashok Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Pradeep Kumar, Ameeta won the Filmfare awards for Best Actor (Ashok Kumar) and Best story ( KPK).
VAATHSALYA, 1965, was it’s Kannada remake with Rajkumar, Leelavati, Uday Kumar and Jayanti. Casting Rajkumar and Leelavati, a very successful pair on screen and rumoured to be in a serious relationship off screen,as siblings was a big surprise.
The movie had a Sinhalese remake, too, as SUHADA SOHOYORO, in 1963.
There was a second remake in Hindi in 1986 as AISA PYAR KAHAN with Jeetendra ,Padmini Kolhapure, Mithun Chakraborty,Jayaprada and Vinod Mehra. Produced by Tutu Sharma, directed by Vijay Sadanah and music by LP.
After the information overload…
Lata had two solos:
Kab tak bol Gori aise sharmaogi…
( On Waheeda Rehman.)
&
Babul choot chala tera angna
( Background song_ Waheeda Rehman)
and one duet
Sainya chod de bainyan
Mori patali kamariya
Mud jaayegi..
( Mukhesh_ On Waheeda Rehman and Pradeep Kumar.)
I think Asha’s score for the movie is one solo and one duet ( with Rafi.)
Ashokji,
We are now discovering many more Ravi-Lata gems. I had mentioned Apne kiye pe koi pasheman ho gaya.
It would be interesting to compare the longevity, quality and popularity of her songs for Ravi compared to Asha Bhosle’s who sang four times of hers.
Dr Shetty @53, 54, 55, 56,
This is awesome information. I wish you could also give the YT links. Still I would look for all the songs you have mentioned.
The 1958 film Mehndi was mentioned by Rakeshji, Mumbaikarji, Bhatiaji, Ashokji & AKji and few songs from this film were either mentioned or posted.
Mehndi was the first film on Umrao Jaan Ada. Jayshree played the role of Umrao Jaan. Everybody knows about the other two versions, the popular 1981 version where Rekha played the lead role and the 2006 version of Aishwarya Roy. There was also a Pakistani version, Umrao Jaan Ada, produced in 1972. There were different variations of her story (in films)
I agree with Mumbaikar’s comment that Mehndi songs cannot be overlooked, and this was the movie that got him Chaudivi Ka Chand which was the game changer for Ravi. The songs were really too good. There were 14 songs in Mehndi and 6 of them were solos by Lata and one duet by Lata with Hemant Kumar. Lata sang for Jayshree and Asha had four songs, two solos and two duets, out of which she sang only one song (duet) for Jayshree.
The three songs, Apne kiye pe koi pasheman ho gaya, Bhari Mahafil Hai Ye Afasana Nahin Hai & Pyar ki duniya lutengi hume maloom na tha have been posted by Ashokji, Mumbaikarji & Rakeshji respectively. Bhari Mahafil Hai Ye Afasana Nahi, the Mushaira by Lata was a back to back recital in reply to Md.Rafi’s Mushaira Wo Aaj Apni Mehfil Me Aaye Huye Hai, mentioned bt AKji.
I am posting one more song from this film.
Adaon mein Shokhi, lyrics S H Bihari
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=ioWt_Cq3SYw&feature=emb_title
AK @58 @ Dr. Shetty @53, 54, 55, 56,
Dr. Shetty deserves our all around thanks for very rare information about Lata’s songs.
In a short time when he first arrived in this blog his songs quotations were the waterfall of Ganga.
AK too deserves our praise for creating this blog which he said was for the “Swant Sukhay”. Now it has become a “Parant-Sukhay”.
It is also a treasure for the researchers and also for the other similar blog makers to look into see what is going on here!
One Mr Nerurkar has written Lata Geet Kosh about twenty years back.
He also has written many mor ebooks on the Music Directors as well.
I think he was a pioneer in this field.
Shalan Lal
Mehndi (1958) was produced by A A Nadiadwala under the banner Pushpa films and directed by S M Yusuf. Ravi had composed music for 5 more films under this banner but in none of the 5 films he used Lata Mangeshkar. Similarly Lata was never used in any of the 10 B R Chopra films (one was under Sunrise films banner) for which Ravi scored the music. The same goes for the 7 films under the Narangs and 3 films of Ram Maheshwari (Kalpanalok) for which Ravi was the MD.
Posting another song from Mehndi
Ke Bachpan Kisi Ka Jawani Kisi Ki, lyrics S H Bihari
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2roxfi
N Venkataraman ji,
You will not believe this!
I was about to post the details of MEHNDI in about a few minutes! Anyway, you have given more details, and,of course, with the YouTube links.
Could this be Ravi’s film with the maximum number of Lata songs? Looks likely.
Was there a ‘ title song’ _ _ Mehndi rang toh layi lekin… It is listed in some sites, but I couldn’t find it on YouTube.
Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty, N Venkataraman ji;
Ravi over his career spanning many years probably have to his credit many begging and wedding , doli/ beedai songs that remained popular with masses. First it was naushad with…..chhod babul ka ghar ….followed by SJ….gori tere sapno ke angna , raja ki ayegi barat….and then taken over by Ravi…..babul ki duwayein leti ja …and so many others .
Here are two songs which perhaps escapes popularity but are amazing in content and compositions…..both sung by Lata ji.
Kab Tak Bol Gori Aise Sharmayegi | Lata Mangeshkar | Rakhi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBynL5opHA
Babul Chhut Chala Tera Angna | Lata Mangeshkar | Rakhi 1962
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRXrqhTO_M4
Venkataramanji @59, 61,
This is awesome information. Umrao Jan has got etched in mind as Rekha in Muzaffar Ali’s film. I don’t remember it ever mentioned that it had a predecessor. You contrast this with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. An opulent film, but KL Saigal’s and Dilip Kumar’s never went out of memory. Perhaps makers of Menhdi did not have a grand vision of the character. Songs are good, but they didn’t acquire everlasting status. After you mention it, all the songs appear to be mujra songs.
It is puzzling that Lata Mangeshkar should be out from all the BR Chopra-Ravi films. Earlier BR Films had some very famous songs. In fact their first film Afsana (1951) had Abhi to main jawan hun, which has acquired a cult status. It became signature tune of Radio Ceylon’s weekly programme of old songs, anchored by Manohar Mahajan.
There is another exclusion as I see from your information. After Menhdi Lata Mangeshkar was out from the next five films of Nadiawala-Ravi. Since Ravi is a common factor, if I use Hansian logic, it must be a Ravi thing. It begs the question, why? As I have said in my post there is no ‘known’ reason.
Shalan Lal,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Shalan Lal ji,
Thank you for your appreciation. But, the blog has many contributors including yourself who are more knowledgeable.
N Venkataraman ji,
Another long standing association of Ravi was with Devendra Goel.
Ravi’s partnership with Goel started with his 4th film ALBELI ,1955 and continued till AADMI SADAK KA, 1977. During this period, he gave music to 12 of total 13 Goel films ( 11 as director or producer/ director and 1 as producer _ VACHAN). The only miss being RAZIA SULTANA , 1961 ( Lachchiram).
I am surprised Goel’s last Hindi movie, DO MUSAFIR, 1978, had Kalyanji Anandji on the credits, especially after the hit music in AADMI SADAK KA and , earlier, EK MAHAL HO SAPNO KA, 1975.Goel’s last film was in Marathi_ DOST ASAVA TAR ASA with music by Ashok Patki.
Now, coming to the main issue ( did someone say , ” at last!!”), Lata in these movies was KABHI HAAN KABHI NA. After ALBELI, 1955 ; EK SAAL, 1957 and CHIRAG KAHAN ROSHNI KAHAN, 1959 she was absent till DHADKAN, 1972.( In 4 movies in the 60s.) Then, EK MAHAL HO SAPNO KA. Full stop!
Asha, on the other hand, was a part of almost all of the Ravi_ Devendra Goel movies.
In DHADKAN, where Kishore’s Main toh chala jidhar chale rasta was the most popular song, Lata had two songs_
So jaa mere Laal ( on Achla Sachdev?)
&
Main aayee tere dwar
Bacha le Bhagwan…( on child artist Master Alankar).
Asha gave playback to the heroine Mumtaz and to Helen and Bindu _one solo, two duets ( Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey) and one multiple ( Kishore Kumar, Ravi _ the quirky song I had mentioned earlier in some post_ starts as a parody of Sainya le gaye jiya teri pehli nazar and then develops into a commercial for items as varied as furniture, saris…2 competing brands! Elpar sadiya being one.. Dabur Amla kesh tel, Modern Bread, Titli chap Chameli agarbatti and, hold your breath, Nirodh!
https:// www. hindigeetmala.net/song/ elpar_ sadiya_ elpar.htm
#62 Pradeep Kumar Shetty ji
There indeed was a title song as you mention: [i]Mehndi Rang To Layee Lekin Qismat Khel Yeh Kheli…” by Lata. It is mentioned in the HFGK Vol 3 Page 417.
Lata had 6 solos and 1 duet (with Hemant Kumar) of the total of 14 songs in the film.
Pradeepji @ 62
And I feel sorry for that. I could have added the additional information and the links to the songs after your posting. Better luck next time.
Yes, you are right. This was Ravi’s film with the maximum number of Lata songs., Nai Raahen (1959) & Do Kaliyan (1968) had 5 songs each of Lata Mangeshkar.
It seems the song Mehndi rang to layi lekin was dropped from the film.
Pradipji @ 56,
Thanks for the interesting information on Rakhee (1962)
Bhatiaji @63
Thanks for posting the links to the two solos from Rakhee.
AKji @ 64
Yes, Mehndi songs were good but did not have everlasting status. Only in the internet/YT era it came to our notice. I think, Mehndi did not do well in the box office too. I could not find it in the first twenty five revenue earners for the year 1958.
But Mumbaikarji was right in saying that Mehndi was the turning point in Ravi’s career. His music for Mehndi got him the Chaudvi Ka Chand assignment, which in turn helped him to get into B R Chopra’s camp.
Akji,
Somehow I was under the belief that you had written a article on this song “Abhi to main jawan hun” earlier. It seems I am wrong. May be it was discussed in one or more posts earlier. A wonderful song.
Afsana was among the first ten highest grosser of 1951. The music by Husnlal-Bhagatram was no less contributing factor. Besides some good Lata songs HB also composed a nice solo for Mukesh, “Qismat Bigadi Duniyaa Badali”.
More on BRC-Ravi-Lata later.
AKji,
You wrote @ 64,
“After Menhdi Lata Mangeshkar was out from the next five films of Nadiawala-Ravi. Since Ravi is a common factor, if I use Hansian logic, it must be a Ravi thing. It begs the question, why? As I have said in my post there is no ‘known’ reason.”
Not exactly. There were only two releases after Mehndi.
Most probably between 1956 and 1959 A A Nadiadwala, under Pushpa Pictures banner, produced eight films. Out of these eight films Ravi was the MD for six films; Ayodhyapati (1956), Dulhan (1958), Ghar Sansar (1958), Mehndi (1958), Pehli Raat (1959) and Nai Maa (1959). The MD for the other two films under this banner, Inspector (1956) and Hill Station (1957), was Hemant Kumar. Interestingly for both the films Lata Mangeshkar rendered three songs each. However Ravi was the Asst. MD for Inspector.
From this limited information/analysis can we conclude that “it must be a Ravi thing”. Further analysis is needed before we can come to a conclusion.
To be continued……..
AKji,
Before Ravi started working for B R Films, B R Chopra had nine films to his credit. His first directorial venture was Afsana (1951- MD Husnlal-Bhagatram), made under Shree Gopal Pictures banner. He was also the co-producer of this film. In the next two films, Shole (1953- MD Dhaniram-Naresh Bhattacharya) and Chandni Chowk, (1954-MD Roshan), he was the director. Lata Mangeshkar was there in Afasana (5 songs) and Chandni Chowk (6 songs).
Rest of the six films were under the B R Films banner. Out of the six films Salil Choudhury was the MD for the song-less film Kanoon (1960) and O P Nayyar was the MD for Naya Daur (1957). That leaves us with 4 films. EK hi Raasta (1956) was the first film under B R Films Banner and Hemant Kumar was the MD and Lata Mangeshkar rendered 4 songs for this film. For the remaining three films N Dutta was the MD. Lata rendered 3 songs for Sadhna (1958) and 2 songs for Dhool Ka Phool (1959). However she did not have any songs in Dharmputra (1961). Out of the nine films Lata sang for 5 films. But it is interesting to note that the Lata’s songs were gradually getting lesser and ultimately in 1961 she did not have any.
Between 1963 and 1973, 7 films were released under B R Films banner. And Ravi was the MD for five films; Gumrah (1963), Waqt (1965), Hamraaz (1967), Aadmi aur Insaan (1970) and Dhund (1973) and Lata Mangeshkar did not have any song in these five films. Ittefaq (1969) was another song-less film and once again Salil Choudhury was the MD. However in Dastaan (1972) too, for which Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave music, Lata Mangeshkar was absent. Was it an aberration? It doesn’t seem so!
Between 1975 and 1992, 17 more films were released under B R Films banner. B R Chopra was also the director for the 1985 film Tawaif produced under the Sunrise Productions (R C Kumar) Banner. And Ravi was the MD for only 5 films and Lata did not render any song in these five films; Nikaah (1982), Aaj ki Aawaz (1984), Tawaif (1985), Dahleez (1986) & Awam (1987).
In the remaining 13 films, Lata Mangeshkar had a very insignificant presence. She rendered 4 songs in 3 films; Choti si Baat (1976, Salil Choudhury)- 1 solo, Karm (1977, R D Burman)-1 duet and Agnipariksha (1981, Salil Choudhury)-2 solos.
In fact after 1960, Lata’s presence was insignificant. Summing-up Lata Mangeshkar rendered 24 songs in 8 films for B R Chopra. Out of the 23 films, where she did not have any song, Ravi was the MD for only 10 films. So was it really due to the “Ravi thing”?
N Venkataramanji @71,
I must say you have read SoY thoroughly and you have a sharp memory. You are referring to this article:
https://www.songsofyore.com/door-papiha-bola/
@72, 73,
It is clear the later exclusion of Lata Mangeshkar from BR Chopra-Ravi is too striking and conspicuous to be a chance event. If we agree to this there has to be a reason. I am not keen to prove one point or the other, but analyse the phenomenon. You have said @61 that after Menhdi Lata was out from next five films of Nadiawala of which Ravi was the MD. For other films of the banner composed by other MDs, if Lata Mangeshkar was present, that strengthens Ravi-Lata point. Ravi being Assistant to Hemant Kumar in some films does not affect the point, because he could not have influenced Hemant Kumar who had a strong affinity for Lata Mangeshkar.
Dr Shetty @66, though not referring to this discussion, gives some details which strongly links Ravi to Lata erosion.
@72,
You say that in other BR Chopra films with other MDs too Lata Mangeshkar’s presence was insignificant. That might mean that it could be BR Chopra thing too. I concede the point, but please note, while other MDs too might have been lukewarm, with Ravi combining with BR it was complete ‘ouster’. One of the most iconic songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Abhi to main jawan hun was from a BR film. Plus the fact that Asha Bhosle was Ravi’s principal female playback singer having sung four times more than Lata Mangeshkar, points to a strong Ravi reason.
I must thank you profusely for initiating this stimulating discussion. We have now a very good insight on BR Chopra-Ravi-Lata Mangeshkar question. Since this is a valid question, may we have the benefit of your conclusions?
Pradeepji @ 66,
Sorry for delayed response.
Believe it or not, after your comment on Mehndi (@62), I did expect a note from you on Devendra Goel films. In fact I had prepared one but held it back, with the intention that I do not repeat my folly. I am glad that you did not disappoint me. Thanks for the details.
You wrote,
“Ravi’s partnership with Goel started with his 4th film ALBELI ,1955 and continued till AADMI SADAK KA, 1977. During this period, he gave music to 12 of total 13 Goel films ( 11 as director or producer/ director and 1 as producer _ VACHAN). The only miss being RAZIA SULTANA , 1961 ( Lachchiram).”
Ravi gave music to 13 out of total 14 films for Devendra Goel. Probably you missed out Nai Raahen (1959), Other than Vachan (1955), Devendra Goel was only the producer of Nai Raahen too. Lata rendered 5 songs in Nai Raahen.
Thus in six films Lata rendered twenty songs for Goel-Ravi.
N Venkataraman ji,
You would have given more information than me.
Yes, I missed NAI RAHEN.
The Ravi_ Lata topic is becoming very interesting with valuable contributions from many learned and knowledgeable members.
This is a nice article, Lata Mangeshkar is a great person.
Rachana Das,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.