A tribute to Mukesh on his 40th death anniversary (22 July 1923 to 27 August 1976)
Mukesh debuted well into the vintage era with Dil hi bujha hua hai to in Nirdosh (1941). His first few years as actor-singer did not do him much good. He discovered his calling as a playback singer when his relation Motilal, then a leading actor in the industry, introduced him to Anil Biswas for singing in Pahli Nazar (1945). Dil jalta hai to jalne de created a sensation and made Mukesh, Mukesh. Thereafter, he was a very visible singer until another boost came when he became part of the legendary team of Raj Kapoor with Shankar-Jaikishan, Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra with Barsaat (1949). Thus, a long stint pre-1949 gave him an opportunity to sing with most of the famous vintage era female playback singers.
One associates Mukesh’s duets primarily with Lata Mangeshkar. But there was no Lata Mangehkar before Lata Mangeshkar. Before she stormed as a tidal wave in 1949, female playback singing was a rainbow of many colours and shades, with each singer having her unique voice, tonal quality and singing style, ranging from a melodious Suraiya to a full-throated Shamshad Begum. There were courtesan style singers like Zohrabai Ambalewali and Kursheed. Rajkumari and Amirbai Karnataki were somewhere in between in style, but were leading singers of their time. Mukesh paired with all of them, and also with some less-known singers, creating amazing variety of songs. (Note: I couldn’t find his any duet with Amirbai Karnataki. Mahesh also asked once whether they have any song together. Probably, there is none.)
His vintage duets have always fascinated me, because they represented in a way contrasts – he of the mellowed, soft voice at middle range, they of the full voice and exuberant style at high notes. Their negotiation created a magic.
Here is my tribute to Mukesh with his duets with vintage era singers as my tribute to him on his 40th death anniversary.
1. Badra ki chhaon tale nanhi nanhi bundiya (with Suraiya) from Lekh (1949), lyrics Raghupat Roy, music Krishna Dayal
The sweet and mellifluous Suraiya combines beautifully to create this superb romantic duet. Another well-known Mukesh-Suraiya duet is Layi khushi ki duniya from Vidya (1948), which has been discussed earlier on SoY in the series on SD Burman.
2. Ek teer chalanewale ne (with Sitara Kanpuri) from Pugree (1948), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ghulam Mohammad
Sitara Kanpuri is different from the legendary Kathak dancer-cum-actor-singer, Sitara Devi, who had sung more than 150 songs. Sitara Kanpuri on the other had is virtually unknown and had a limited career span as a singer. The other film in which she had worthwhile songs was Man Ki Jeet (1944). Kamini Kaushal was the top heroine of the period. A lovely romantic duet picturised on her and Wasti.
3. Ja parwane ja (with Hamida Bano) from Rajputani (1946), lyrics Pandit Indra, music Bulo C Rani
Born in Lahore in 1928, Hamida Bano came to Bombay with her family in 1942-43. Her brother who was working in a theatre gave her training in music and encouraged her to sing in films. With Bhagwan Dada’s recommendation she got a break with C Ramchandra who gave her songs in about five films. But Naushad’s Sanjog (1943) was released earlier in which she had a very good duet with Shyam, Kaun gali ka chhora pukaare. This song has already figured on SoY in Naushad’s gems before Rattan (1944). The courtesan-style voice of Hamida Bano creates an interesting contrast with the sweet, melodious voice of Mukesh.
4. Badariya baras gayi us paar (with Khursheed and Hameeda Bano) from Moorti (1945), lyrics Pandit Indra, music Bulo C Rani
If you thought Hamida Bano was a contrast to Mukesh, no singer could have been more different in singing style than Khursheed. Now she joins in to make an interesting triad. The combination of Pandit Indra and Bulo C Rani remain the same. They had created this absolutely charming duet (triad) song a year earlier. Listen carefully how Khursheed pronounces ‘badariya’ in courtesan style, with Mukesh showing a very distinct imprint of Saigal.
5. Tera kisi se pyar tha tu wo zamana bhool ja (with Surinder Kaur) from Dada (1949), lyrics DN Madhok, music Shaukat Dehalvi (Nashad)
Surinder Kaur’s natural singing is in higher notes, Mukesh remains at his natural low and middle range, except occasionally moving to higher notes. This contrast is the main charm of Mukesh’s duets with the vintage singers. Surinder Kaur was a famous figure in Punjabi films and folk music. Her debut as playback singer in Hindi films had happened only a year earlier which also turned out to be the best year for her for her famous songs in Pyar Ki Jeet, Shaheed, Naav and Nadiya Ke Paar. We have seen in the review of the best songs of 1949, currently underway, that she also figues prominently in the songs of Sunehere Din. In her short-lived career of a few years in Hindi films she sang over 50 songs. Her pairing with Mukesh produced some memorable songs. Tera kisi se pyar tha is my great favourite.
6. Ayi sawan ritu ayi magan mora dole hai man (with Shamshad Begum) from Mela (1948), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
There was some special tuning between Mukesh and Shamshad Begum; you can have an independent post on their duets. In 1950 you had Humse nain milana BA pass kar ke (Aankhen, Madan Mohan). In 1949, currently being reviewed in detail, we have Maine dekhi jag ki reet (Sunehere Din, Gyan Dutt). The year 1948 had a cornucopia of their duets – they were the lead singers in Mela; Anokhi Ada had two absolutely mesmerizing songs – Bhool gaye kyun de ke sahara and Kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga; and there was another charming song which was less known – Tere naaz uthane ko jee chahta hai (Grihasthi, 1948). I would have preferred to post the last song, but all the available links on YT are of poor audio quality. Therefore, let me post a familiar song – a very delightful duet from an otherwise depressing movie. You see joy on the faces of women, singing while harvesting and threshing. This is only nominally a duet, because Mukesh comes in briefly. But his contrast, Naushad’s orchestration, and using the chorus as the interlude make it a memorable song.
7. Raja mohe le chal tu Dilli ki sair ko (with Geeta Roy) from Toote Tare (1948), lyrics (?), music Nashad
The best known duet with Geeta Roy/Dutt is, of course, Khayalon mein kisi ke is tarah aya nahi karte from Bawre Nain (1950), which figured prominently in my wrap up of the best duets of 1950. This folk-style conversational duet is a very joyful and lighthearted song.
8. Is patange ki haqeqat..Rooge pachhtaaoge (with Rajkumari) from Thes (1949), lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Snehal Bhatkar
I have listed another Mukesh-Rajkumari duet from this film – Bolo bolo sajan – in the review of 1949 songs. But Snehal Bhatkar always infused his compositions with incredible sweetness. Therefore, I was curious to explore this duet from the film, and I was not disappointed. The best Mukesh-Rajkumari duet is again from Bawre Nain –Mujhe sach sach bata – composed by the highly talented Roshan only in his second film.
9. Lagat nazara tori chhalaiya more tohre badan se (with Sushilarani Patel) from Gwalan (1946), music Hansraj Bahal
Sushilarani Patel was the wife of Baburao Patel, the legendary editor of filminida. He was famous more for his vitriolic pen than for bringing out the first film magazine in the history of film journalism. The film was produced by him, and the issues of that period would make someone think Sushilarani Patel was about the most beautiful woman, and one of the best actor-singers of the era. In Kumar Prasad Mukherji’s The Lost World of Hindustani Music, there is mention of her having received training (among “also-rans”) from the great Ustad Alladiya Khan, the founder of Jaipur Gharana. But this is what I call vintage style of female singing. A thoroughly enjoyable song.
10. Tum hum pe hanso na piya by Mukesh and Lalita Deulkar from Mera Munna (1948), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music C Ramchandra
From the radio era, Lalita Deulkar was a familiar name to me because of her songs like Bachpan ki yaad dheere dheere and two great duets with Rafi – More raja ho le chal nadiya ke paar and Humko tumhara hi aasra. Even before the Lata tsunami swept everyone, she chose domesticity after marriage with Sudhir Phadke in 1949, choosing to sing only under his baton. This duet is obviously unknown, but quite enjoyable.
11. Pardesi dhola kahe jagaye aadhi raat re (with Mohntara Talpade) from Prabhu Ka Ghar (1945), lyrics Pandit Indra, music Bulo C Rani
Bulo C Rani is mainly famous for his Meera bhajans for Dilip Kumar-Nargis starrer Jogan (1950). A complete contrast is the iconic qawwali Humein to loot liya mil ke husnwalon ne. In between, he gave some of the best film songs for CH Atma in Bilwamangal. And who can forget Mukesh-Lata duet Arman bhara dil toot gaya from Wafa (1950)? Bulo C Rani has the third aspect of a vintage era composer in the prevalent style of that period. A true genius spanning over two eras.
12. Laga pahli nazar ka teer (with Naseem Akhtar) from Pahli Nazar (1945), lyrics Safdar ‘Aah’, music Anil Biswas
Pahli Nazar was the film in which Anil Biswas-composed Dil jalta hai to jalne de launched Mukesh’s career in a separate orbit of his own. He soon got over his Saigal-hangover. This song gave him an early lead over the great playback singers of the Golden Era until he was overtaken by the enormous range of Rafi. Mukesh, however, retained his niche as the soulful singer with a natural pathos and sweetness in his voice.
13. Manwa mein pyar dole sara sansar dole (with Zohrabai Ambalewali) from Sartaj (1950), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
I am making a slight compromise here from my own cut-off year (1949) for vintage. But Zohrabai is as vintage as they come, being the extreme opposite of Lata-style of singing. Therefore, her contrast with Mukesh, too, could not have been sharper. Yet they jell so beautifully to create an eternal duet. Kudos to the music director Husnlal-Bhagatram, the first duo of Hindi film music, and mentors of SJ, for this wonderful song. It figured at #5 of the best duets in the Wrap Up 4 of the best songs of 1950.
Acknowledgement:
For #7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 I have to thank Atul Song A Day, where I came across these songs for the first time, courtesy Sudhir Kapur’s great work in searching and posting early songs of Mukesh.
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
AKji,
Nice to see a post on Mukesh again, a second article on Mukesh this year, 9th in SoY. Let me too pay my tributes to Mukesh on his 40th death anniversary.
I am sure it will be a pleasure to listen to the vintage magic duets of Mukesh. Thanks for the breakfast spread.
Probably we have discussed Mukesh’s association with Amirbai Karnataki in one of your earlier posts. Amirbai Karnataki and Mukesh have worked together as playback singers in two films, but they did not render any duet song.
Preet Ka Reet (1950) – Amirbai Karnataki had solo, Mukesh had two solos. Besides, he had three songs with Zohrabai Ambalewali, another vintage singer, a duet and two triads with Zohrabai and Geeta Dutt.
Here is the duet
Mai Hu Piya Nadiya with Zohrabai Ambalewali , film Preet Ka Geet (1950), lyrics Premi, music Shyam Babu Pathak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq_AhPpf4ck
Much later in 1961, Amirbai karnataki rendered a duet with Talat Mahmood for the fill Matlabi Duniya, mukesh had a couple of solos.
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for refreshing our memory about Mukesh and Amirbai Karnataki. His duet with Zohrabai is very nice.
Dear AK, finally, and inevitably, I have been found out with my HFG world starting out only since 1950. (You will of course remember when we first spoke about SoY I had told you that pre-1950 was not my cup of tea – or of any other beverage). I have to admit that in this list, characteristically compiled by you so painstakingly, I had not heard any song ever before! Nonetheless, I enjoyed some of them, and more than that, was interested to learn and expand my HFG horizons. Another minor saving grace was that even you discovered at least five of these songs only now first time!
Dinesh,
I can’t give you any comfort on this score as I and many on SoY have some fascination for vintage era songs . Whenever I get an opportunity I would be posting such songs. It is gratifying that I know more songs than someone else. The five I have acknowledged to ASAD is because I heard them there for the first time. But that is quite a while now. In that sense I have been familiar with all the songs.
@ AK
No, no! I am seeking no comfort, nor do I need any. Do not misunderstand me. I am quite happy with SoY as it is, and enjoying it every bit. And learning and discovering. Keep it up, exactly as you are doing.
AK ji,
You never fail to surprise. Many Thanks.
One of my favourite topics.
I found Nalini Jaywant and Madhubala Javeri missing on the first scan.
Will come back later with a few additions and more queries please.
Thanks.
Mahesh,
Mukesh on August 27 can hardly be a surprise for you. It would be great if you could add Nalini Jaywant and Madhubala Jhaveri, especially if they are pre-50.
Akji,
It was pure pleasure listening to these vintage duets. A good selection of songs. I am with you when it comes to the Vintage songs, yet some of the duets were new to me- e.g Lagat nazara tori chhalaiya more tohre badan se with Sushilarani Patel, Tum hum pe hanso na piya with Lalita Deulkar. Enjoyed listening to the songs especially Tera kisi se pyar tha tu wo zamana bhool ja with Surinder Kaur, Laga pahli nazar ka teer with Naseem Akhtar and Manwa mein pyar dole sara sansar dole with Zohrabai Ambalewali. Thanks a lot.
As you have said, if we take 1950 as the cut-off for this post, Mukesh sang duets with at least 17 female singers during this period. You have covered 13 of them in your post. The other four singers were Nalini Jaywant, Kusum, Binapani Mukherjee and Premlata.
Zaraa Bolo Kyaa Logi Is Dil Kaa Kiraayaa with Kusum, film Us Paar (1944), lyrics Pt.Madhur, music Feroze Nizami
Arunji mentions that the female singer’s full name is Kusum Mantri. He may add some more details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9krXaeYgWI
Uss paar (1944) was another film in which both Mukesh and Amirbai Karnataki had singing assignments, but did not render any duet.
Mukesh rendered two duets for the film Durban (1946) with Binapani Mukherjee.
Mai Nagan Hu with Binapani Mukherjee, lyrics Tanweer Naqvi, music Gulshan Sufi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYgqvllIIqc
The other duet was Mera Wafao Ka Sila .
A duet with Premlata, Kisi ko kya Khabar, film Bhai bahen (1950), lyrics Iswar Chandra kapoor, music Shyamsundar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDYCFQv0gw
Maheshji,
Since Mukesh’s first duet was with Nalini Jaywant, it could have been included here. In Nirdosh (1941) he and Nalini Jaywant rendered two duets. I am not sure whether it was discussed earlier in some other post. I could not find the link to the song Tumhi Ne Mujhko Prem Sikhaya – lyrics Zia Sarhadi, music Ashok Ghosh. The other one is
Mai Hu Pari Banke Pari- lyrics Neelkanth Tiwari, music Ashok Ghosh
I cannot recollect any duet with Madhubala Zaveri prior to 1954. They had two duets in the film Khaiber.
Sab Shikve Mite Dil Ke Aapas Me Gale Milke and Mai Teree Tamanna Karata Hun – lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Hansraj Behl. Both the songs are available in the youtube.
N Vekataraman ji ,
comment No 8….about Kusum Mantri.
I do not have much information about this singer.
About kusum Mantri.
She was also one of the many new and upcoming singers that Ranjit had kept on its payroll.She sang under all the MDs of Ranjit and also under Firoze Nizami.Her songs featured in Badi Baat,Safed Daku,Safed Chehera,Vishwas,Umang,Us paar,Piya Milan,Nek Parveen etc.her career span was 1943 to 1949.After that,no trace.
-AD
Mukesh with Nalini Jaywant
Film- Nirdosh-1941
Main hun pari
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuKEkFUW55I
-AD
AK Ji
Great favorite songs on a very appropriate day and I will have to congratulate you on your inexhaustible supply of posts.
I will be quick now to post some of my favourite Mukesh vintage duets, before Venkataram Ji fills up the cupboard with his belongings
A lovely song from Laakhon Me Ek composed by Hansraj Behi, with Shamshad Begum
Share se odhni manga de balma
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=bjaC2BfAlZE
Kya jaadu hai tere paas piya from Chehra composed by MA Mukhtaar with Shamshad Begum
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=0tFKP8w-_WU
Kagaz ki meri naav aur door kinara hai from Do Dil composed by Pandit Govindram with Suraiyya
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=tNDdVsQG6Ts
Hamare sainya daru pi ke aaye from Do Dil composed by Pandit Govindram with Rajkumari
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=TosChIG8dHQ
A song with similar lyrics sung with two female singers, Suraiyya and Asha from Lekh composed by Krishna Dayal
Ye Kaafila hai pyar ka Chalta hi jayega
Asha version
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=RXU0NVH_gGM
Suraiyya version
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=7bWMhLultO4
Hoping to find more
Venkataramanji,
I knew you would enjoy these songs. Each song stays with you for long. It is nice to know that pre-1950 only 4 vintage singers were left. Three you have added, and thanks to Arunji for Nalini Jaywant. Thus we have now the complete list. We may still acknowledge Madhubala Jhaveri, because she is non-Lata Mangeshkar.
I was familiar with the duet with Nalini Jaywant, Main hun pari, but I was looking for Tumhi ne mujhko prem sikhaya to see how it compares with the landmark Surendra-Bibbo duet from Manmohan (1936). That would be real discovery, if found.
Arvinder Sharmaji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Aagre se odhani mangawa de baalma and Hamaare sainya daru pi kar aye are perfect vintage duets. The voice, the lyrics and the tune are all vintage, and the songs stick with you. Thanks for posting these songs. The other two songs are also nice. I liked Mukesh-Asha Bhosle version of Ye kafila hai pyar ka more than M with Suraiya’s (you are surprised! ) which is slower and does not have an instant appeal.
The race has again become intense.
Selection is very good but one great duet from Shair (1949) Yeh duniya hai filmed on Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal tuned by Ghulam Mohd should have been included.
Arunji
Thanks for the information on Kusum Mantri and posting the Nalini Jaywant’s available song.
Akji,
I was also fishing for the song Tumhi ne mujhko prem sikhaya. It would be great if somebody obliges. Thanks
Arvinderji,
Don’t worry. There are enough songs to be posted. Within the stipulated period mentioned by Akji, there are approximately 70 duets of Mukesh with 18 female singer (not 17 as mentioned earlier, I missed the duet with Sulochan Kadam of 1950) and only 25/26 are posted till now. The number mentioned does not include the duets with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
Thanks for the lovely additions. I would just ditto what AKji has commented about the songs. Perfect vintage stuff. Highly intoxicating.
KB ji,
I think you are referring to the duet Ye duniya hai ye duniya hai, but it was with Lata Mangeshkar. And as far as I understand duets with Lata Mangeshkar is not part of this post. Or is there any other duet of Mukesh from this film?
There is a finite limit to songs that can be added as AK has confined it to pre 1950. Hope it would not be diluted again. Here I am posting the first duet of Mukesh and Geeta Roy from the film Gaon (1947) Music: Khemchand Prakash, Lyrics D N Madhok.
https://youtu.be/zFdcvBZbHHs
AK,
My tribute to Mukesh on his 40th death anniversary
I do not have much palate for vintage songs. I consider 45 to 49 as cusp to golden era and enjoy those songs.
Variety of female singers in that era is remarkable and you have surely picked some very good ones.
Race is on for female duets.
I will go for male duet.
Mukesh with Rafi in Thes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBD0QZmTra8
Baat to kooch bhi nahin
Another song
Mukesh and Surinder Kaur, Dada (1949) Music: Shaukat Hussain (Nashad), Lyrics Shewan Rizvi
Tera Kisi se Pyar Tha https://youtu.be/dpgf3DFGwcc
There are a few vintage duets with male singers too. Leaving aside Md.Rafi, there are at least 3 duets with male singers.
Here is one of the duets
Aaghaaz Chalaa, Anjaam Chalaa with Narayan from the film Rasili (1946), lyric and music Hanuman Prasad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F339Bhq85oY
Arunji can you give some information about this little known singer Narayan and the MD of the film Chehra M A Mukhtar mentioned by Arvinderji.
Arvinder Sharmaji, AK,
I have a doubt about Lekh songs and I would like to have some expert opinion on it. I think both the songs are sung by Asha one is fast paced version and other is a solw.
I had discussed this song with Hans when talking about how Asha used to sing like other singers.
Here in fast version she is singing like Lata and slow version like Suraiya.
Here the fast version is uploaded as Mukesh Lata, no wonder AK likes it more:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHMhnNei7Ok
Nice selections AK , some are musically quite pedantic ,but the first song with Suraiya is interessting. It must be taken from an old Punjabi folk tune, the mukhda is identical to mukhda in the Waqt duet “Din hai bahaar ke” and if you listen carefully the single antara in the older song is almost the same as the antara in Waqt, the difference being the older duet changes to a 3/4 rhythm in the antara while the newer one continues as a 4/4.
KB,
Ye duniya hai is one of the greatest duets. But my vintage definition excluded Lata Mangeshkar, too.
DP Rangan,
Watan ki maati haath mein lekar maathe tilak laga lo is a very nice duet. It being the first Mukesh-Geeta Roy (Dutt) makes it historically significant. Thanks for addition. The duet from Dada is quite well known and figures prominently in the review of 1949 songs.
@24
Does this mean this song will not fit the bill here in this post.
Mumbaikar8,
Baat to kuchh bhi nahi is a great duet, but I am excluding male singers. The whole point of vintage duets is the vintage female voices.
Now that you say it, in Ye kafila hai pyar ka the female voice clearly seems to be Lata Mangeshkar. I didn’t give much thought to it because in many early songs Asha Bhosle sounded as Lata Mangeshkar. However, I do not accept your smiley, because I liked it even treating it as Asha Bhosle. Now you should regard me as unbiased :).
Venkataramanji,
Please note male-male duets are not allowed. You may add these songs, but these would not win you medals :).
SSW,
The main charm about vintage songs was the very distinct style of female singing which disppeared with Lata Mangeshkar-style becoming the standard. I guess Main ban ki chidiya ban ke ban ban bolun re too would be considered pedantic. But many of these songs became hugely popular and everlasting.
You have a very sharp observation to notice how Badra ki chhaon tale can be transposed to Din hain bahar ke.
Akji,
OK Accepted. Anyway our scramble for medals will be after four years.
DP Rangan,
Tera kisi se pyar tha is already included at #5 in the main post.
Venkataramanji,
You might remember the last post on “Kuchh to log kahenge” in which I allowed myself to relax the basic criteria and Jignesh assumed the role of Judge. I understand he should be announcing the medals soon.
AK, while I am always, always in thrall with Lata’s prowess I actually prefer female voices with more weight so I like the old singers, and I have no issue with the nuances that define the singing of a particular era. Different times, different mores.
My use of the word pedantic is not meant to be pejorative and not all great hits are necessarily musically amazing. Neither is one age necessarily better than the other. “Dard-e-disco” is not necessarily musically worse than “Main ban ki chidiya” no matter what people might think. Of course this is only my opinion fuelled by a nice glass of stout. 🙂
AK,
I thought medals were only for one post.
What is your response to the idea that both versions are sung by Asha?
I will not say anything on this subject here lest I get a red card.
AK ji;
These vintage duet songs of Mukesh with other female singers is really like a drive thru vinery of old orchards . Each song is to be enjoyed in dim lit room with complete silence .
Progresive listening to Mukesh songs shows how his voice slowly opened up for fearless freedom from his nasal singing label . The entry of Mukesh in Mela song is amazing . The rendering beautifully matches the beats and rhythm . This was a happy song. He was equally at ease in the sad duet song from the same film Mela [with Shamshad] . ….Mera dil todne wale ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIeQ0yFq7-I
Such sad songs slowly built mukesh ‘s confidence which later he excelled in his solo’s redentions like …..Aansoo bhari hai…..,…Do roz mein woh pyar ka alam… .
Overall this one is going to be a very enjoyable post with vintage flavours .
Mumbaikar8,
Yes, there is no intention to convert every post to a medal competition. That comment was a reminder to the readers of a very narrow definition of Mukesh’s duets with vintage era singers. We have a Holy Grail of Tumhi ne mujhko prem sikhaya. Anyone discovering it would achieve immortality.
On the two-version song, I didn’t care much for the slower version. But I did mention that the faster version appeared to be LM rather than AB.
KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks for your appreciation. Looking forward to your additions.
@29 AK
Sorry for my lapse in not checking the main post. Here are a few songs which I am posting. The late PM (first) on the midnight of 14th August 1947 seems to have said – while the rest of the world sleeps, India is celebrating independence today or some such statement. It is 3.30 PM in USA and midnight in India. While the SoY experts are sleeping, I stole a march over them and am posting a few songs as below :
Anjuman (1948) Mukesh & Shamshad Begum, Bulo C. Rani, Majrooh Dultanpuri – Kaise bataun unese
https://youtu.be/chdbF2h2E48
Vidya (1948) – Mukesh &Suraiya, S D Burman, Anjum Pilibhati
– Laayee Kushi ke Duniyaan
https://youtu.be/6PqbIZ51TqE
Grahasti (1948) – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum, Ghulam Mohammad,
Shakeel Badauni – Tere naz uthane ko
https://youtu.be/_jY783LSZRc
Do Dhil (1947) – Mukesh & Suraiya, Govind Ram, D N Madhok
– Maati ka Bhut ba
https://youtu.be/0KY5EIsYu08
Hamare saiyan daru peeke aya (Do Dhil), Muk.& Raajkumari
https://youtu.be/68X374I6mUQ
Sunhere Din (1949) – Muk. & Surinder Kaur, Gyan Dutt, D N Madhok
– Dil do nainon me
https://youtu.be/iuBN1e6LYzc
Sunhere Din, Mukesh & Shamshad Begum –
Meine dekhi jag ki
https://youtu.be/skFaUSP6agY
Sunhare Din, Mukesh & Surinder Kaur, Gyan Dutt, Shewan Rizwi
– Lo ji sun lo
https://youtu.be/OUIswsv0X9w
Dak Bungla (1947), Mukesh & Suraiya, Naresh Bhattacharya, D N Madhok – Jab badal gir gir aayenge
https://youtu.be/9P8_A6rw1ew
Here is the second instalment of duets:
Bawre Nain (1950), Mukesh & Rajkumari, Roshan, Kedar Sharma
– Mujhe sach sach bata do
https://youtu.be/YkeDRAuq0oo
Bawre Nain, Mukesh & Geeta Dutt, Roshan, Kedar Sharma
– Kayalon me kisi ke is tarah
https://youtu.be/3cAhn5vetZo
Anokhi Ada (1948) – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum, Naushad, Shakeel Badauni, – Bhool gaye kyo dekhe sahara
https://youtu.be/R1hCDG42EJk
O Janewale (1948) – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum, Ali Husain Moradabadi, Lyrist unknown – Sajanvaa prem kahani
https://youtu.be/rA_KEO_2Cik
O Janewale – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum,
– Oh Janewale hum ko bhool na jana
https://youtu.be/crIp0XNmsLc
Information on Lyrist from the main post of the author:
No. 7 – Toote Tare – Rafeeq Ajmeri, Anjum Pilibhati (your choice AK)
No. 9 – Gwalan – Pandit Indra
@12
I have repeated a song from Do Dhil already posted by Arvinderji and an avoidable lapse. I did some check but it was not thorough.
I slept at 4:30 pm and woke up at 4 am, only to find that the SOY world had moved on quite a lot while I was sleeping.
Well, let me mix up my comments replies n queries now.
1. Madhubala Javeri and Mukesh seem to have only 2 duets which Venkataraman ji has referred. She has some very good duets with Talat and Rafi saab.
2. Most of the songs are known to me through ASAD wherein Sudhirji has done some outstanding work of digging early songs of Mukesh. The element of surprise that I referred was to the topics and subjects that AK ji brings up every-time. The number of comments show that readers are just game to it.
3. The Mukesh-Asha first duet is too good to listen.
4. I suppose Mukesh has no duet with singers like Uma Devi, Parul Ghosh, Jagit Kaur, Noor Jahan, and off course Amir Bhai.
This gains significance as he started his career in 1940 and could have had songs with all these singers.
5. I am not very sure about the second duet from Durban which Venkataraman has referred. Probably its not Mukesh in it.
6. Since I have no option, let me present this duet with Meena Kapoor from Anokha Pyar which has been discussed upteem number of times in the past.
https://youtu.be/9t-zv7pSckk
Some of the songs you posted are new to me. Have to listen carefully to them.
Thanks, AK.
Here is a live version of the song posted by Maheshji at 41.
Ab Yaad na kar – Mukesh & Meena Kapur
https://youtu.be/2fkByDKzFBA
AK, you have dug deep this time and unearthed some real gems. The only song I already knew is ‘Badariya baras gayi…’ The other songs are welcome additions to my list of rediscovered gems.
Interesting point made by SSW about old vs new songs. I wouldn’t ever have thought of ‘Dard-e disco’ as a viable contender for comparison with songs of the vintage era. As my preferences go, the most barren period of HFM was from 1970 to 2000. I used to like some of the songs of Laxmi-Pyare and Kalyanji-Anandji, but they have all faded away. The only composer who gave us some songs worth remembering during this phase was RDB; and there were occasional good songs from composers of the golden era like Khayyam and Jaidev. Things have looked up again since 2000 with AR Rahman coming into his own, and the popularity of Sufi music. There is a lot of noise too, but one does come across a memorable song every two to three months.
Maheshji
@41-5
You have a point. Siince I could not find a link to this song, I am not sure. Since you are an ardent Mukesh fan, you may be right. HFGK says it is a solo by Binapani Mukherjee. One of the sites had mentioned this song as a duet by Mukesh and Binapani Mukherjee. I would like to know Harish Raghuvanshiji’s view on this.
Maheshji,
@41-6
Thank you for mentioning the duet with Meena Kapoor. If memory serves me right, Meena Kapoor rendered the film version and the record version was done by Lata Mangeshkar. I believe Meena Kapoor could not do the recording, since she was not well. That brings the figure to 19.
Only Mukesh’s duet with Sulochana Kadam is yet to be posted here.. At least one duet with other female singers have been posted.
Tim Timatim Tim Timate Taare with Sulochana Kadam, film Har Har Mahadev (1950), lyrics Ramesh Shastri, music Avinash Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqg2-UkswBM
Subodh,
SSW does make statements off and on to shock :). However, the title song Om Shanti Om is quite nice from that film, especially the instrumental interludes. Some item numbers, too, are quite good. There would always be scope for using classical-based songs. But our films are discovering new themes and new ways of telling a story. If they have lessened the importance of songs it is not such a bad thing. It would be impossible to create the music of the Golden Era, because the whole eco-system of real instruments, musicians, singers rehearsing with MDs in music rooms, recording with the orchestra has disappeared.
I hope you enjoyed the songs.
AK, I don’t often make statements to shock. Dard-e-disco is very nicely sampled and arranged. The usage of the instruments like the duduk, the background vocals singing very banal lines set in English to an arabic type makham are quite interesting if you take time to listen to the different pieces.
I disagree about re-creating the music of the Golden era, of course it can be re-created if people were less tight-fisted with the money and apportioned the right amount to the music instead of ham-fisted stunts.
Hindi film songs were always limited in scope in most cases because of the subject material. In fact the sometimes the cabaret songs gave more scope for flights of imagination, so it is quite possible that somewhere “the clear stream lost its way in the dreary desert sand of dead habit”. “-) I would shape Subodh’s take slightly on the really barren period of good music in HFM. To me they lasted from the late 70’s to the late 90s.
SSW,
My “shocking” comment was in lighter vein. That aside, we seem to be agreeing that the central position the songs occupied in the films has been done away with, we may differ why it has happened. Eight to ten songs, song situations, picturisation, MDs getting a prominent billing in promos belongs to a different era. Today everyone is aiming for one great item number or a massed bhangra number. Some outstanding music may still emerge from this, but when I said it is not possible to “recreate”, I was referring to the disappearance of that ecosystem. You rightly said there is a time for everything.
Ah, the massed bhangra number. We went to see “Budhia Singh — Born to run” when we were in India in a theatre. A very well made movie, but we were subjected to a horrible song from another film, almost in its entirety, during the trailers. It featured the words “kala chashma” prominently and I was reminded of two praying mantids doing a jig.
AK and other Mukesh lovers
Right at the beginning I would like to say this post on the singer Mukeshchand Mathur is well written well researched and well presented and a good addition on the posts on this delectable singer who was one of the stalwarts of the Playback Singers who shaped the Indian film music from forties onwards.
The change in the Hindi filmy beginning occurred with the film Khajanchi and showed that the forties decade was going to be far different than the thirties decade.
There was a post written on Noor Jehan by AK long back which said that if Noor Jehan would have stayed in India what would have happened; or to that effect. And he answered that she would have found her survival very difficult to face Lata Tsunami, or something like that.
I would say something similar about Saighal. If he would have lived longer he would have found very hard to keep himself above the waves.
It is the forties decade with new musicians, new producers, new singers and new themes and younger actors who came half way through the forties mainly three handsome actors Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kappor and the rise of playback singing technique.
Many new singing voices came in and Mukesh was on the top of the list of the forties film Nirdosh.
From Khajanchi the music was going to change and it changed and the composers looked for the new singers. Mukesh though made his impact in the Pahali Nazar with the song “Dil Jalata Hai” though in the “imprint” of Saighal’s voice nevertheless it was the voice of Mukesh.
I would like to use the words “Saighal Style”. Sighal’s singing was very heady and enthralling when he started with the New Theatres and dominated the whole thirties decade and half way through the forties. His voice was alluring, magical and sweet as well and it gripped the Indian audience who had never heard something like that before and the Indian music or any kind of music was not open to common people. Saighal created that in-road. And later generations benefitted from this. Sadly Indian talkies started when Saighal was already getting old.
So if new singers would have sung in the style of Saighal it should not be sniggered at but celebrated because Saighal did not just sang sweetly but he created a “Gharana”. I always listened to the songs of Atma, Kishore and Mukesh as their tributes to Saighal and plus their own voices. It is damn demeaning to say Chandru Atma sang Saighal. No he sang in his own voice with his own skills and emotions. Each of his song has thrilled me each time I hear it. It is same with Mukesh and Kishore and Rafi as well.
It is the great gasp in the wealth-gap of Indian filmy songs that the singers like C.H.Atma did not get opportunity to develop his voice to full of his abilities. Same thing I would like to say about Mukesh, Kishore, Rafi each did not had opportunities to develop “Saighal Gharana”.
Shalan Lal
This was one very vital gap that had seemed waiting to happen.
All credit to SoY and AKji to fill this gap at so opportune occasion.
Shalan,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Some of the points you are making are not clear to me. “Sadly Indian talkies started when Saigal was already getting old” – sadly, Saigal never got to becoming old. Fortythree was a very young age to die. Moreover, the Indian talkies started in 1931 when Saigal was 27.
Perhaps you are stating that Saigal would have become irrelevent had he lived beyond 1947. I would not like to speculate on this. Every great artiste’s time has to come to an end some time. But we would have been richer by a few hundred more of his gems.
You are making some point about CH Atma, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Rafi. The last three evolved into great playback singers and had a long successful career. CH Atma could not break out of geet-ghazal slot where Jagmohan reigned supreme. Are you suggesting that the world was unfair to him? Possibly it was his own limitations. I also like him a lot, but it was only so much he could travel.
Ashokji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Mukesh vintage duets had been in my mind for quite some time. I am happy I was able to do it now.
AK @ 54
You say “Indian talkies started in 1931 when Saigal was 27.” I think 27 was not a good age for the romantic hero of the Indian love stories that Indian film companies started to churn out. Besides his body started becoming hefty and youthfulness needed to create the impression of a lover was slow and lethargic. His strong forte was his sweet singing voice that immediately became a star quality in him and the film companies wanted to cash on it. So other qualities an actor needed to be on the stage/ screen were blinded by the miracle of the Talkie Film that created a forceful magnet for the ordinary and intelligent people to become a film fanatic.
However I made my points about CH Atma and other to show a rich style that Saigal created limited to him only and people somehow thought that singing in the Saigal style is staining Saigal and also limiting once ability to expand that style. A singer can develop only with the Music Director outside him or her.
The classic example is of Lata M did a record of some of the great Saigal songs in her voice towards the end of her career. The songs did not create Saigal’s memories or expanded the abilities of Lata. They are just there for curious people to say how a good successful singer becomes lack-luster.
One does not have to agree with me and I do not seek for any further augmentation of these points as they will be argumentative and will lose their shine.
I have a studious view about happenings in the Film world because I studied the subject at the University level in America. This does not mean that I am right all the time. Other people have their views and I honour them as the part of growth in the social thinking.
Shalan La
AK
Nobody can beat you in selecting a topic. Mukesh and Rafi were the two singers of the golden era who left a big impact on the vintage era which consumed a large part of the 40s. Mukesh’s association with vintage era is a subject for study and you have nicely produced the results in a serial order. This has been followed by Arunji providing a link to perhaps his first duet and Venkatramanji giving links to songs with some other singers. It was concluded that all singers have been covered until Mahesh provided info and link to the Meena Kapoor’s duet.
But, is it enough and have all singers been covered. My answer is no. Mukesh sang two duets with Sitara Devi in Dukh Sukh and one duet with Husn Bano in Pardeshi Mehman (1948). Irony is that Venkatramanji mentioned these two singers in a discussion on Open House (comment no. 47) and he mentioned all except Lalita Deolkar there. I think either he has forgotten or has got tired after the exhausting kehnathon. I am giving the links here
Ab der na kar saajan – with Sitara – MD Khemchand Prakash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnLN89Wteps
Mori ataria pe aaja ho -with Sitara – MD KCP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es1u4WimSUI
Pawane o parwane tu kya jalna jane – with Husn Bano – MD Hansraj Behl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIdRFKP3uNo
Since Venkataramanji seems to be tired or busy, I would temporarily play the statistician. I had compiled a list of his songs 2-3 years back and have been updating that from time to time. Upto 1950 Mukesh had 99 duets including the one with Shamshad in which both sing the two lines of the mukhda ‘kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga’. Once I got to read somewhere that there is a song in Dil Ki Rani which Mukesh had sung with Geeta, but when I listened to that I did not find Mukesh in it, though there are 3 unknown male voices in that song. If that had been a duet, then it would have completed his century. The song is ‘o duniya ke rehnewale’, but I am not giving the link because I am convinced that there is no Mukesh in it. These 99 duets include 85 Male-Female duets with 22 female singers. He was associated with 23 female singers but Khursheed only had one triad. Of the remaining 14 duets, 5 are all-male duets and 9 triads in 3 of which there is no female. The remaining 6 triads have female singers, of which 4 have two females with Mukesh and 2 have one male and one female).
I have only one point of disagreement to make about your definition of vintage singers. Of the female singers mentioned Surinder Kaur, Geeta Dutt, Meena Kapoor, Sulochana Kadam and Asha Bhonsle started their careers after Lata. So how are they vintage and Lata not. If anything, Lata is vintage with reference to them because she started singing in 1945.
In comment 21 Mumbaikar8 raised a point about the two versions of the song from Lekh posted by Sharmaji. I listened to both of them and both songs contain pure Asha in them and there is neither Suraiyya nor Lata in any of them. I remember a discussion with her about Asha copying other singers, but dont remember that it was this song. Suraiyya is ruled out simply because she has been the female singer with the best hindi/urdu diction. Asha had very faulty diction in the early years, which continued for quite some time because there was no MD who had time to correct her faults and she was always short of time due to her tumultuous family life and the kids. Lata, I can always identify because of her special pronunciation of ‘ra’ especially when it came at the end of a word. This style of pronunciation was very pronounced in the earlier part of her career, but she kept pronouncing the ‘ra’ in a different way till about the last part of the sixties in particular situations and occasionally even throughout her career.
I remember that a song which Mubarak had sung like Lata was discussed earlier. There also I had identified that it was not Lata.
Hans,
I was quite positive, that Asha has sung both the versions.
Thanks for confirming it.
I agree with you though, she sings very much like Suraiya, her Urdu has Marathi flavor.
I had few songs in mind when I was discussing Asha with you. This was one of them.
Perhaps it remained in my mind.
Hans,
You have made a tremendous contribution in filling the gaps. Thus he has sung with both Sitaras. I was very familiar with Mori atariya pe aa ja ho and I like it a lot. I missed to include it. Thanks a lot for including the two remaining singers.
I think Venkataramanji would not mind passing the title of the Master Statistician to you.
My vintage definition is period plus non-Lata. Therefore, I regard Surinder Kaur the perfect vintage era female voice. I don’t count Asha Bhosle in this.
As for Lekh two songs Mumbaikar8 also says it is Asha Bhosle (singing like Lata Mangeshkar). I had misread her as if saying LM which led to some exchanges of email between us. But I should say these exchanges were very cordial. 🙂
@58
Hans ji, please give a couple of pronounced examples of Lata singing with that peculiar ra pronunciation of hers as you have mentioned.
One more song from Bijli (1950)
– Badi dhol mein pol ha – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum & chorus
– Khemchand Prakash, Bharat Vyas
https://youtu.be/gy7ybfo79vc
Shabnam (1949) – Tumhare liye hua badnam – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum – Music : S D Batish, Qamar Jalalabadi
https://youtu.be/90i7a8G02V8
Kismet mein bichadnaa tha – Mukesh & Geeta Roy
https://youtu.be/7mDk_OwHX8o
Pyar mein tumne dhonka seeka – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/r7XhOT326vM
Tu Mahal meinrahnawale – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/90i7a8G02V8
Hansji,
I forgot about my comments in the “open house’ discussion. I referred back to my comments and my notes, which I have not updated since then. You are right. Thanks for the update and corrections.
Akji,
I have relinquished the post of master statistician sometime back, when I failed to compile and come out with the statistics for the year 1949. As regards passing the title to Hansji, I have already conceded that he is my GURU.
Ranganji, thanks for the additions. It seems you have taken over the role of Bhatiaji.
@64
Sir I am nowhere near the phenomenon called Bhatiaji, whose silence now is strangely perplexing. Delighted with the active presence of Hansji. I stumbled upon these songs and some I had in my collections of Mukesh, courtesy a CD I purchased in the market three years ago. You are also a fountain of interesting information on music and a linguist to boot.
There were three duets of Mukesh and Shamshad Begum in Shabnam (1949) and at least one u Mehalonmein rehnewali was quite famous.
Dear friends ;
Thanks for the concern shown by all of you . I am enjoying going thru the comments and the songs contributed by each one of you , but having some medical problem my pysio doctor has advised me to take some break…..avoiding sitting for the long hours for my cervical and back ache etc .etc .
I am very happy as Hans ji is back with a bang and is as active as before . My respect goes to D P Rangan ji and Venkatraman ji . Both of them are seniors to me and I salute their contributions made on the diff. subjects from time to time . Yes I am missing my co -bencher Arvinder Sharma .
Neel Kamal (1947) – Music B Vasudev, Lyrics Kedar Sharma
Aanjkh jo dekhe hai – Mukesh & unknown female singers (to be identified)
https://youtu.be/DbVBrexEoO4
Pathat se tum dudh bahao – Mukesh & Zohrabai Ambalewali
https://youtu.be/uthPF0-b7hA
Pyar se humko kaleji – Mukesh & Zoharbai Ambalewali
https://youtu.be/C9YKFLN86t0
I missed another song from Neel Kamal (1947)
Sochata kya hai sudarshan ke – Mukesh & Hameeda Bano
https://youtu.be/FXCYrq3d4AM
A feature noted was both are singing together throughout the song. Have not noticed this before.
Chhin Le Azadi (1947) – Hansraj Bahl, Pandit Indra
Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
Moti chugne gayi re hansi
https://youtu.be/UaIxi7pkbs4
Lut gayi ho – https://youtu.be/9sjwhpCRV0Y
Door kahi is jag se – Mukesh & Hameeda Banu – But Taarash (1947)
– Ghulam Haider, Ameen Gilani
https://youtu.be/uuSI62UlGdE
D P Ranganji,
#68
Sudhir Kapoorji wrote in Atul Song a day that the voices are of Geeta Roy and Rajkumari.
Here is the link- Please read the comment.
https://atulsongaday.me/2013/04/08/aankh-jo-dekhe-hai-dhokha-khaaye-hai/
Bhatiaji,
Praying for your speedy recovery. Get well soon.
Thanks for such a prompt reply. I find that I had given a wrong link of the famous song – B A pass karke of Aankhen (1950), the first venture of Madan Mohan. I now give the correct link of the song from Neel Kamal
https://youtu.be/YHZGIL8loJE
Regret the wrong posting of the link.
Hans ji @57
I jumped the gun, when I said I had no other option in my comment. You have rightly added the two singers. I had made a note of the same, but some negligence from my part resulted in the faux pas.
99 duets/traids in the forties decade was a very good revelation. I had never thought in that direction.
Many Thanks to you.
D P Rangan ji,
You have added quite a lot of relatively unknown and less heard songs. I am sure you are not yet done. Thank you.
Here is one duet from Bebus (1950) with Geeta Dutt.
Mukesh had 3 solos in this film. One solo “do dil ho do dilo ko ulfat ka” is untraceable in his voice so far.
https://youtu.be/8JmsNfDruR4
Some more additions to the Mukesh vintage duets:
Apni Chaya (1950) – Music: Hanuman Prasad & Husanlal Bhagatram
Ho kale kale badal – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/rakLpCPl7u4
Hamari Beti (1950) – Snehal Bhatkar, Lyrics – Randheer
Kis ne kis ne yeh cheeda – Mukesh & Geeta Roy
https://youtu.be/yKBI_yZY9Zo
Preet ka Geet (1950) – Music – Shyam Babu Phatak, L-Premi
Ek taraf jal raha deepak – Mukesh, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Geeta Roy
https://youtu.be/1JSl8WCJ_Jc
Another song by above : Jiski vani me bijli (no link available)
Toote Tare (1948) – Nashad, L – Rafeeq Ajmeri, Anjum Pilibhati
Rehte ho ab to har ghadi – Mukesh & Geeta Roy
https://youtu.be/Wa05WcYtgtk
Tohfa (1947) – MD – M A Rauf Osmania, L- 6 in no.
Jeene ki Surat Ho Gai – Mukesh & Hameeda Bano
https://youtu.be/LPBgp-Fwe1M
Mohabbat kar jawani hai – Same pair – No link (L- Naseer Hyderabadi)
Another song from Preet ka Geet (1950)
Mukesh & Zohra bai
Mein hun piya nadiya
https://youtu.be/ZTwKx_iW3hI
@76
Missing link for the song – Mohabbat kar – Mukesh & Hamida Bano
https://youtu.be/gevVknX83oE
@8
Venkataraman ji,
Mera Wafao Ka Sila from Durban (1946) is a solo by Binapani Mukherjee.
Apparently, Mai Naagan Hoon appears to be Mukesh’s only duet with Binapani Mukherjee.