NASEEM BANU: The Maiden Venus of Bollywood

Ranganji,

Yours was the first comment on my latest post and unless someone else gets his/her comment in before I finish typing this out, mine will be the first comment on this post! I have had time to only skim through the post but I must say that it was high time someone wrote about Naseem Banu as an artiste in her own right, as against writing about her as somebody’s mother or mother-in-law, and I am very happy that you have done so. I remember watching her enact the role of Noorjehan in Sohrab Modi’s ‘Pukaar’ when it was telecast on DD some 35-odd years ago – what a regal personality she had, so fit for the role that she played!

A question that I have always had – is Naseem Akhtar, who sang the following song, the same as Naseem Akhtar? Most probably not, going by the difference in the texture/timbre of the voice in the song below and one of the songs that you have posted but I would request you/AK/other experts to let me know.

‘Kisike madhur pyaar mein’ by Sushil Sahu & Naseem Akhtar (MD – Khemchand Prakash, Lyricist – Nilkanth Tiwari), from ‘Sindoor’ (1947)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eS_JUZaxEs

I will come back to this post and listen to the songs after a few days.

Thanks Ranganji for so beautifully presenting Naseem Banu.

THe article will require a good quality attention to absorb all details.
Selections of the songs is also highly representative.

Ashwinji

Congrats on hogging the place of first comment. Thanks for your appreciation of the post. I checked on Naseem Akhtar. She was a singer born in Peshawar in 1920. The song you had posted has been given credit in her favour. You can refer to https://cineplot.com/naseem-akhtar/ for further details.

Vaishnavji
A nod of appreciation from you, I consider as a pat in the back. Data available is sparse as she had acted only in a few films in her illustrious career. I just felt she deserves a place in SOY and blog master was good enough to sacrifice a placehold for my post.

Maheshji
So good of you to mark your appreciation of the post. Thanks also for posting the double song from Anoki Ada.

Ranganji,
Naseem Banu possessed natural beauty. She did not need to wear silks, satins and jewels galore to attract attention away from her face. She possessed the rare quality of serenity.
And your article on her can be compared to the character you have chosen to project. With minimum inputs and limited songs available, you have brought out an excellent write-up on her. Thanks for the tribute on the original beauty queen of the vintage era.

Enjoyed listening to Zindagi ka saaz bhi kya saaz hai, Dil yaad mein kisi ke rone laga re, Bade bhole bhaale hain.

Saiyan se bichad gayi ho more Ram has a bewitching lilt and is another beauty. Hai ye mausam-e-bahaar deserve special mention.

Zindagi ka saaz bhi kya saaz hai (#1) and Taqdeer banane wale ne kaisi taqdeer banayi hai (#9) seems to be based on SHivaranjani and Bhimpalasi respectively. Subodhji and Ashwinji may confirm.
And a good selection songs.

I think the song Taqdeer banane wale ne kaisi taqdeer banayi hai is picturised on Nigar Sultana.

Thanks once again Ranganji.

I forgot about the last song ‘Aaj mile man ke meet’ by Manna Dey a beautiful composition by Madan Mohan; and beautiful use of Sitar in the prelude and interludes. But the interesting part is the Taal Pherta, the Taal variation employed in the interludes. I think Ashwinji can explain it better.

Thanks Ranganji for the song.

I suppose it will be quite naive of us to refer to IMDb for our old hindi films n music.

Many old Hindi movies have been added just for the sake of representation and are devoid of any details.

Indian blogs managed by sincere and knowledgeable hosts are far more accurate and reliable. And, of course info provided by Arunkumar ji and others.

IMDb, however is an excellent source for info on
Hollywood, British movies, TV series etc. For these its too good and matchless for details.

Mahesh

I think the photograph, purportedly of Bulo C. Rani with song number 6 (kal chalte chalte..), is actually of Khemchand Prakash.

Tyagiji – Thanks for your appreciation. I am glad to note you got a chance to listen to some really vintahe songs.
DK – To me it does not look like a cut out of Khemchand Prakash in song No. 6.
Maheshji – IMDB also misled me earlier and after counter checking with other sources I ignored it. I agree with your views as to how the site covers Indian films in an inadequate manner. You had posted a nice song well known from Sindbad the Sailor. Naseem Bano did not act in that film. The film she acted is named Sindbad Jahazi. Despite my diligent search including google I could not get any data on the film.

Venkataramanji
You have really bowled me over with the way you have gone about the review. Many thanks for your appreciation. I fully concur with your comments on the few songs posted in the post. It was really tough to mine data from scant resources and attempt this write up. I know there is not much scope for fellow commentators when the total song she had sung is only 39 in her own voice. Your observation about Song No. 6 is correct. Instances of Bulo C Rani singing are rare and hence I chose this song. I find another good song sung by Naseem Bano herself in the same film. I will give its link. As anticipated it is not a live video.

Dil kisliye rote hain – https://youtu.be/uyb9aTvGLy4?t=44
I agree with your deduction about the raag on which songs No. 1 and 9 are based . Subodhji or Ashwinji can have the final say.

Song No. 14 I posted on the erroneous assumption that Naseem Bano had acted in that film. Arunkumarji had clarified that she did not act in that film (part of 4 as alleged by IMDB). It is still a good song with the distinct stamp of Madan Mohan. It is based on the raag Ahir Bhairav.

Rangan ji,
For your information, Sindbad the sailor and Sindbad jahaji are same and one film only. Check with HFGK, which gives both names. Naseem of course acted in it.
There are very good books in English also about vintage films and actors. Similarly some genuine trustworthy sites also help in such matters. IMDB and Wiki are not that reliable. Wiki information can be corrected/added by anyone and IMDB simply presents information, without bothering about its correctness. Particularly in Same Name actors, these two are never to be consulted.
I am also available to anyone who feels that I can be of some use in their writings.
-AD

Sorry,

I was not aware of Arunkumar ji’s clarification while I posted my comment.

Mahesh

Rangan ji,
I hereby confirm again that Sindbad the Sailor and Sindbad Jahaji are the same and only one film. The cast as per HFGK is Naseem, Ranjan, Nirupa Roy, Pran,Bhagwan,Yashodhara Katju, Jayant, Samson, Azeem,Doglous, Ghulam Rasool, Shapur, Lalita Rao, Urmila,Shakila,Kamoo and others. MD was Chitragupta.
I do not know what type of site you had referred to. Information on sites is invariably incomplete. It is best to refer to standard documents, books or see the Credits yourself in the film on You Tube.
-AD

Hadji
I am in total agreement with you. Checked a few more sites through Google and found incontrovertible proof of Naseem Banu as the leading lady. Apologies for another slip up. Read the highly informative article by you. No doubt you are the Bheesmapitha of anything on Bollywood. Your study room must look like that of a High Court barrister with books galore adorning the wall cabinets.

Ranganji,
Thank you for an informative post. I didn’t know much about Naseem banu and the article and the comments added to my knowledge.

Anup
🙂

N Venkataraman ji,

Modi was an actor in his brother Rustom Modi’s drama company-Arya Subodh Natak Mandali. After the advent of Talkie films, they decided to start a Talkie film company and Stage film company was started by both brothers. The first film was an actual filming of the stage drama Hamlet aka Khoon ka Khoon-35. This was a very popular drama of their company. Since most people had already seen the drama, the film failed miserably. They shot another drama Saeed E Havas-36 aka King John. This too failed.
Having realised that such shooting of dramas will not work, they established Minerva Movietone in 36 and made first film Atma Tarang-37 . This was also a flop. Not losing courage the second film-also second film of Naseem Bano- Khan Bahadur was made in 1937. This ran satisfactorily.
Those interested can read my article on Khan Bahadur-37 here…
https://atulsongaday.me/2019/10/29/pyaari-pyaari-aaj-ulfat-ki-duniya-nazar-aawe/
-AD

Arunji @ 31,
Thanks a lot for the fact-check and endorsing the details that I have added.
Thank also for the link to your article on Khan Bahadur (1937).
I would only reiterate that your articles are the ultimate reference points.

D p Rangan ji ,

I off my computer because of its I’ll health….needs replacement.

In my young age I have seen Pukar the movie that was shown in open grounds circulating to various squares of the community specially around General post office near Irwin road of those times. Usually they were 16mm prints and were easy on projectors . Needless to say the crowd were full house when such movies were shown on Sunday evenings.

Pukar was a lavish production of those times . The sets and photography was excellent even when the techniques were not much in its availability. With the arrivals of Mistrial brothers the scene changed and heroines looked to be more charming , beautiful and glamourus.

Yes Naseem Bhanu was beautiful and glamourus as we look at her in various movie clips and songs . Of all the movies I personally liked her in Anmol Ghandi ….a movie that excelled in every department . Surendra Nath gave excellent solos and duets. My personally bet is duet….Kuantan’s unheard dil Diya. Camera Car and Cart moving in slow motion beautifully captured in camera…a song to enjoy where prelude of beautiful flute acts as a fuel !

Can’t load this song on my mobile….still rearming…hope some one paste it.

Bhatiaji@ 35,
Here is the link to the song Kyun Unhe Dil Diya,
Anokhi Ada, Surendra,Shamshad Begum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKWNkL4guR4

Ranganji
Thanks for continuing with the old film personalities. As always you have tried to present the best and the result is obviously good. Arunji’s additions are as usual very valuable. Venkataramanji has also added his bit. I am coming late. I was thinking of adding something, so I was perusing data and songs of Naseem Bano.

I think there has been talk of her beauty only and not much about her acting skills. I have seen 3 of her films Pukar, Anokhi Ada and Sheesh Mahal. In all three, she had totally different roles and she performed them with efficiency. She presented herself as per the roles and I was impressed by her acting. In Pukar she played Noor Jehan, but her role was not like that of Veena as an authoritative Noor Jehan in Taj Mahal. As the focus was on the justice of Jehangir in Pukar, she was given a simple role of empress. My father mentioned about the incident of two pigeons mentioned about Mumbaikar8 and he too was impressed by the innocence shown by her in the scene. By the time of Anokhi Ada and Sheesh Mahal she had advanced in age, got married and had children. So it reflected on her looks but she showed maturity in playing the roles assigned to her.

As regards her singing, I have listened partly to her songs available on youtube and to me it looked quite ordinary in the start. Later she had a few good songs, but I cant say she was a very good singer. In the field of singing actresses, her singing was a weak link as compared to her contemporaries. But, she made up that deficiency by her acting and looks. Her career was greatly influenced by her marriage. First when she was riding the wave of success, her marriage proved a dampener and she lagged behind in the field. Then again after a time when her career was looking up in the late 40s and early 50s, the break-up of her marriage halted her progress. But, in my view she managed her resources with efficiency and lead a good life.

I will present songs in my next post.

Hansji
Thanks for your expert comments and appreciation. You have rightly brought out her acting skill which I missed to mention in enough detail. I had touched upon it in Song No. 9 – Sheesh Mahal in brief. I also agree her singing was quite ordinary and was accepted in her days as actors had to sing their own songs. I expect Anilkumarji to come up with some more unknown facts from her life.
Her reluctance to relocate to Pakistan probably cost her marriage. She overcame it easily and concentrated on her children welfare. Her erstwhile husband decamped with 5 films including negatives. It led to an unintended benefit of making her popular in Pakistan. How I wish we can access songs from those films. Please post as many songs as possible. I know you have the necessary skill to locate them in the internet world. Your comments are always comprehensive. Born in an affluent family and an easy entry into the film world because of her ethereal beauty, she led a calm and contented life untrammelled by trials and tribulations as was the lot of other contemporary film actor.s

Oh missed posting links.

https://youtu.be/AN3eWinzwKA

Can anyone inform as to whose is second male voice in Shabistan’s song Hey ye mausam e bahar

Nawazji
I also listened to the song very carefully. As AKji had averred, there is only one Male voice and that too of Talat Mahmood. His tone is so distinctive, it would have been so easy to detect another Male voice. This is a love duet and not chorus and hence no ground to assume it is a triad.

Venkataramanji @ 9
I think you did not watch the video of ‘taqdeer bananewale ne kaisi taqdeer banayi hai’. Otherwise how could you not recognise that the person lip-syncing is not Nigar Sultana. This actress on whom the song was picturised is Pushpa Hans who made her name in Panjabi films. In this film she sang four solos and two duets while Shamshad had two solos and one duet. Incidentally she acted in only two Hindi films, both by big names. Apna Desh – 1949, produced by V. Shantaram and Sheesh Mahal produced by Sohrab Modi. She made her debut at the ripe age of 32. This feels strange. I hope Arunji may solve the riddle. My guess is that she married a high ranked Army Officer, who might have links in the industry, and gained roles for her.

Bhatiaji has already posted a duet from Sheesh Mahal, picturised on Pran and Nigar Sultana. Here is a song in which Naseem is telling the dangers of muhabbat to Nigar Sultana who is datiing Pran who had ditched Naseem after she became poor. Song is ‘husnwalon ki galiyon men jaana nahin’ by Shamshad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ot1611GoUQ

Hansji @48
I fully concur with you about the second voice at the fourth antara. It could be Chitalkar himself as he usually monopolises male songs . Mumbaikar8 feels it could be Madan Mohan. I doubt whether Chitalkar would have yielded place to another. I think AKji will also second me.
This shows the peril of not being closely attentive to listen to a song. I also offer my apologies to Nawazji and congratulate him on his sharp observation.
The song ‘husnwalon se’ is sung very well in a nice tone by Shamshad giving a grave suggestion – zhar khanaji.

Ranganji @ 51, Mumbaikarji @ 50, Hansji @ 48, Akji,
Now it is clear that there is a third voice. Hansji’s with his sharp years and clinical analysis of the lyrics has proven that there is indeed a third voice, which I could never detect all these days. Mumbaikarji concurs with Hansji and Ranganji too has accepted the presence of a third voice.

Hansji thinks that the voice is that of C Ramachandra. Mumbaikaji’s guess is that it could Madan Mohan’s voice. Ranganji doubts that whether Chitalkar would have yielded place to another and asks Akji to second him.

I feel Mumbaikarji could be right.
I gather Madan Mohan completed the remaining music of the film “Shabistan”, when the Music Director of this film C. Ramchandra quit after some dispute with the producer (Filmistan/Shashadhar Mukherjee). Which implies C Ramachandra composed music for four songs and left and Madan Mohan composed music for four more songs. And the song Hai ye mausam-e-bahaar is one of them. If CR had left after a dispute, then the question of CR lending his voice is out of question. So the voice could be that of Madan Mohan. Over to AKji.

Mumbaikar8, Ranganji and Venkataramanji,

The whole credit for discovery should go to Nawazji, because I have listened to most of Shabistan songs many times, but never noticed it. Only after his comment when I listened to the song very intently for voice identification, the contrast in the lyrics in the 4th antara came to my notice on the second listening and I wrote down the lyrics on the 3rd listening.

Mumbaikar8 and Venkataramanji’s premise is perhaps based on the same fact mentioned by Venkataramanji that CR quit after a dispute. But, this is not true as CR continued to work with Filmistan in Anarkali and Nastik. Also Madan Mohan has connection with Filmistan when he assisted SDB. So they perhaps looking at his great score in Ankhen, coopted him with CR. I checked up on Atul Songs A Day and there was an article by Arunji about the song ‘chinchpokli’ sung by Shamshad and Madan Mohan, mentioned by Mumbaikar8. If there had been a story about CR, he would have mentioned it. On the other hand he mentions positively that both worked as MDs for the film. He also mentions that Madan Mohan sang only four songs, one each in Ankhen, Shabistan, Dhun and Fifty Fifty. I checked up also with the Madan Mohan website. There also it is mentioned that he sang only four songs one each in the above mentioned films. I am sure if he had sung any other song uncredited, then it would have been mentioned on the website. On the other hand, CR had the reputation of lending his voice to songs uncredited and also without being particularly selected as a singer. He had the habit of attending recordings of friendly MDs and offering his voice for even one word or two. He was really a mast type man.

Hans, NV, Mr Rangan,
I knew nothing about the dispute, my guess was, as I have explained earlier, that both the MDs sang for their own songs.
Have not heard Madan Mohan enough to be sure about him, but I am positive that the singer does not sound like Chitalkar, he had strong Marathi accent which is missing here.
Sangeetaji is here, hope she can share some information about it.

Hansji @ 54,
Thank you for further information on Pushpa Hans.

Hansji @ 55,
Yes the initial credit for identifying a third voice certainly should go to Asmat Nawazji.
AKji and Ranganji listened to the song, but could not hear the second male voice.
I did not even bother to give it a second listening till you and Mumbaikarji confirmed the presence of the third voice.
Your painstaking efforts must be appreciated. Hats off Hansji.

Turning my attention to the next point; whether the second male voice is that of CR or MM?
You have presented your points of view in favour of CR.

CR had quit working from Anarkali too after a dispute with Shashadhar Mukherjee. Hemant Kumar did mention about the incident in his biography and I had referred to the incident in my write-up, ‘Hemantayan’.

More over Madan Mohan’s website does mention about the incident. You will find it in the ‘Trivia’ section.
‘Madan Mohan completed the remaining music of the film “Shabistan” in the year 1951 when the Music Director of this film C. Ramchandra quit after some dispute with the producers’

It proves that CR had the habit or reasons, justifiably or otherwise, to leave a film before completion.

As far as I can recollect, before Shabistan , Filmistan never employed two MDs for the same film. Even after Shabistaan there are only two instances; Shrimatiji (1952) and Anarkali (1953). And Basant Prakash was the original composer for both the films. Basant Prakash’s inability to continue as MD in both films resulted in his replacement. I am not going into the details. If need arises it can be discussed later.

So, I would rule out the possibility of CR being the third voice in the song under discussion. However I cannot say with surety that it was MM’s voice.

Both of us have place our views and it is for the SoY readers and AKji to decide either way.

7. Main Haari (1940), Minerva Movietone- Gajanan Jagirdar
Total Songs 6, music Mir Saheb, lyrics Kamal Amrohi
Songs rendered by Naseem Banu-2
Two songs available- one posted by Ranganji And posting the other song,

Ganga Ke Us Paar Preetam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vKO3uqashc

Correction:
The film Pukaar (1939) had 3 songs rendered by Naseem Banu and not two as mentioned by me @ 60.

AKji

I tender profuse apologies for committing another faux pas. 5 films produced by the ex husband of Naseem Baanu were spirited away by him when he migrated to Pakistan including negatives. I did not bother to check about the availability of songs from these films on the wrong assumption, they were lost to us. When I did a thorough recheck, I found songs were available of all the 5 films. I want make amends for my peccadilloes. I am giving link for songs from these films as below:

Ujala 1942
Actors (Principal) : Prithviraj Kapoor, Naseem Banu
Lyrist/M.D. : N. A. / Bashir Dehlavi
Songs (Total/Available) – 6 / 1
Mein Dekh Rahi hoon duniyaan Nazare – Singer Rattan Bai
https://youtu.be/UfbpTH8WtKE?t=19
One of the six songs has a title – Bhor suhani Aayi
If I am not mistaken there is a song with similar title and music by Anil Biswas.

Continued
Non reckoning of the film Chandni Raat is all the more galling as I had listened to most of the songs more than 20 years ago.

Chandni Raat, 1949
Shyam / Naseem Banu
Shakeel Badauni /Naushad
Songs : 10 all available
Nigaan ruk gaye – Mohammad Rafi/Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/KrnABEZW6w4?t=63
Kabar Kya tee – Mohammad Rafi/Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/ewalGx89Lok?t=33
Haye chore ki jaat – Lata Mangeshkar / Salim Durrani
https://youtu.be/lUGUwFs7fQM?t=64
Chandni raat hai – Uma Devi & chorus
https://youtu.be/flhga8vOpqI?t=34
Saiyan se bichad gai – Ameerbai Karnataki / Sadat Khan
https://youtu.be/kZ-symP7FhA?t=29
https://youtu.be/0N8AqSxYuRo?t=24

Ranganji @ 64,

Take it easy. Mistakes are committed by everybody, and are corrected by each other. And in the process wrong notions held earlier and our mistakes are corrected. Typographical errors and mistakes due to absentmindedness too occur. And it’s a continuous learning process for all of us.

Thank you for the further additions.
I will try to add the missing of Naseem Banu songs, if any.

8. Ujala (1942), Tajmahal Picture – Mian Ehsan-ul-Haq/ K M Multaani
Total Songs 6, music Bashir Dehlvi, lyrics
Songs rendered by Naseem Banu-3
None of the songs rendered by Naseem Banu are available

10. Begum (1945), Tajmahal Picture – Sushil Majumdar
Total Songs 9, music Hariprasanna Das, lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali
Songs rendered by Naseem Banu-6
Five songs of Naseem Banu are available- Two posted by Ranganji
(Main Post #1, @66);
And posting the other three songs (MP3 audio version)

Bujh Rahi Hai Aansuo Ki Aag, Begum (1945)
The first song in the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2dj2OMBP24

Aai Jawani Pugli Aai Re
https://gaana.com/song/aai-jawani-pugli-aai

Koyaliyo Me Kali Hu Anarkali
https://gaana.com/song/kaliyon-mein-kali-hoon-anarkali

Total songs rendered by Naseem Banu 37. This figure tallies with Hans ji’s figures.
In all, we could find 24 songs and all the songs have been posted.
Thanks Hans ji and Ranganji

Venkataramanji @ 60
Thanks for posting the link which I forgot.
Also thanks for the details at 61 to 63.

Hansji @ 75,
You are welcome.

Dear AK there are definitely two male voices in Shabistan’s song Hey ye mausame bahar.
Kindly listen closely the last antras

The third song by Naseem in Pukar ‘Sanwar wala vahi re’ is also available. This song appears to be a triad, though HFGK mentions two voices of Naseem Bano and Sardar Akhtar (of Aurat – 1940 fame ). There is a third voice, which appears to be of Sheela who has sung a few songs in Pukar. The unique thing about this song is that Naseem Bano has given play back for a minor character in the film. Sheela is also giving playback to another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Fc2bywuyU

The audio version of Eid song posted by Venkataramanji, is also a triad. This song is not there in the film version available on youtube. If this song was picturised then it seems Naseem Bano may have given playback for some other character in this song too, because we cannot visualize that Noorjehan will be shown singing a triad with common folk. There seems to be no video available of this song. Another audio version mentions Khan Mastana as the male voice. I post it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q19N9Kw4gmk

Though this song from Pukar is not lip-synced by Naseem, she is in the background. Her beautiful daasi or sakhi, whatever you like to call her, is singing the song. The song has so beautiful lyrics that I noted them down after multiple hearings, because deciphering some of the words was so difficult. The song is credited to some Menaka and perhaps she is lip-syncing it herself, because most of the songsin this film were lip-synced by the persons singing. And she has sung it very well too. I am putting down here the lyrics so that other friends do not have to do ‘sar phodi’ deciphering them.

दिल में तू आँखों में तू सांसों में तू
लब पे तू ख्यालों में तू खाबों में तू
सुबह की अंगड़ाइयां लेते हुए जलवों में तू
दोपहर के जगमगाते आतिशी शोलों में तू
भीनी भीनी शाम के रंगीन अफसानों में तू
रात की मोती भरी घनघोर सी जुल्फों में तू
आँधियों की रौ में बह आते हुए झोंकों में तू
बारिशों की जगमगाती अनगिनत लड़ियों में तू
नूर से धोये हुए महताब के चेहरे में तू
आग से दहके हुए सूरज के रुखसारों में तू

Lyrics in roman letters
dil men tu ankhon men tu sanson men tu
lab pe tu khyalon men tu khwabon men tu
subah ju angdaiyan lete huye jalwon men tu
dopahar ke jagmagate aatishi sholon men tu
bheeni bheeni sham ke rangeen afsanon men tu
raat ki moti bhari ghanghor si zulfon men tu
aandhiyon ki rau men bah aate huye jhonkon men tu
baarishon ki jagmagati anginat ladiyon men tu
noor se dhoye huye mahtab ke chehre men tu
aag se dahke huye sooraj ke rukhsaron men tu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZi9pV7qqUc

Hansji @ 83, 84
Till now we were posting songs rendered by Naseem Banu, lip-syncing for self. You have opened a couple of fresh avenues. Thanks for the effort and posting the songs.
Will be looking forward to other songs.

This is coming very late but I thought I would offer my 2 cents to the discussion on the ‘Shabistan’ song. After listening to the links posted by Ranganji as well as by Hansji, I am also of the opinion that there is a 2nd male voice in the song because there seems to be a slight difference – though ever so slight – in the voice. @ 48, Hansji has used the lyrics to put forward the argument for the 4th antara having been sung by a 2nd character on screen. I would like to reinforce this argument by pointing out that the interlude just preceding the 4th antara is very different from those preceding the previous antaras and that it is also very dramatic. In all probability, the song-situation is that of a comic performance on stage involving a love-triangle with the 2nd suitor making an entry in time to sing the 4th antara.

As for the identity of the 2nd male singer, the arguments for and against CR/MM both seem to hold merit, so it is difficult for me to make a choice.

Hansji has made the comment that CR was a ‘mast’ character. That is very evident from this interview, which I am sure all SoY stalwarts must have watched already:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbM9kwpsme4

AK
That was just a joke. We know you are busy. Your dedication is life line for this blog. I try to contribute when I have time, but just vanish when I am busy. That is perhaps true for Venkataramanji too, but he bunks much less than me. But you are always there. About Ranganji also I know he is has the technology beneficial for the blog. We only try to help in the field he himself says he is lacking, hindi songs.

Hansji @ 82 & 92,
Anokhi Ada & Shesh Mahal covered;
Enjoying your narration and postings.
Looking forward to the rest.
Thanks

AK @ 87
I remember having discussed Hum hai tere diwana from Shabistan in which CR begins the song with a hum and few words, then Talat Mahmood takes over the song
In these few words the heavy accent is noticeable but is missing in the antara we are discussing.
SHABISTAN – HUM HAI TERE DEEWANE GAR TU BURA NA MANE
https://youtu.be/GpxLZT05kdQ

Now Shabistan -1951.

This film had 8 songs. out of these videos of only 5 are available. The song ‘dekho pyala mera chhalke chhal chhal chhal’ sung by Shamshad and lip-synced by Cukkoo is a beautiful song composed by Madan Mohan, but has no presence of Naseem. Similarly, the song ‘hum pyar karna sakta ke nahin sakta’ is picturised on Cukkoo and an unidentified actor. My guess is he is Bhujbal Singh who appeared in just a few films in minor roles. The song is composed by CR and sung by him and Lata. Since this has no Naseem presence I am not posting it.

Of the remaining three ‘hum hain tere diwane’ picturised on Shyam and Naseem has already been posted and the other song, the video of which is not available ‘hai ye mausam e bahar’ has also been discussed in detail regarding its third voice and has been posted. My guess is that it was picturised on the lead actors.

The song ‘kaho ek baar mujhe tum se pyar’ is a duet sung by Talat and Geeta and picturised on the lead pair. This song has two versions in the film and I am posting both. In my view these should be counted as two songs as they are picturised separately and in the second Shyam takes the lead and asks the line ‘kaho ek baar mujhe tumse pyar’ which was started in the first version by Naseem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWNsIWpieOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lRZjqi5K6o

The third song being posted here ‘kabhi haar kabhi jeet ye hai zindagi ki reet’ was picturised on Cuckoo but Naseem is also present.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX8JuDaaAt0

About the remaining two songs ‘chinchpokli’ and ‘o ladke dil dhadke’ were not picturised on Naseem. I am basing this view on the basis of the story of the film posted by Arunji when he posted the song ‘chinchpokli’ on Atul Song A Day.

Sindbad The Sailor – 1952

This film has 8 songs. Videos of 7 are available. For song no 6 only audio is available. Of the 8, three songs do not have Naseem Bano, either singing or present. They are song no 1 – dharti azad hai aasman azad, no 2 – jis roj se humne tera deedar kiya hai and no 5 – tera mera mera tera ho gaya pyar.

Of the remaining 5, three fall in the first category. The duet ‘ada se jhumte hue, dilon ko chumte hue’ by Rafi and Shamshad has been posted by Mahesh at 14. The duet ‘zindagi sanwar gayi’ seems to be picturised on the lead pair of Naseem and Ranjan. This is sung by Rafi and Shamshad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKpYD2i4k_E

The third song in this category is a solo ‘dil ka afsana kahege’ picturised
on Naseem. Nirupa Roy is shown in the backdrop as having some remorse. Ranganji posted a song ‘husn majedar ji’ picturised on Nirupa Roy at 24. In that song Nirupa is shown as a dancing girl trying to lure the hero Ranjan who is sitting with Naseem (with a mask or naqab). Arunji has in his write-up on this film said that Nirupa played a vamp in the film. So here she is showing some remorse when Naseem sings a sad song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_nKREA_jLI

Of the two songs in the second category, one has already been posted by Ranganji at 24. The other is ‘sathi utha baadbaan’ by Rafi and chorus. Here Naseem is shown side by side with Ranjan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwKg7-rqsAI

Hansji @ 97 to 100,
Thanks for giving the detail account/ film by film account of Nasseem Banu’s songs, covering her entire career. Thanks for effort.
That is an complete and apt tribute to the singer-actor of the yore.

Hansji & Venkataramanji
I am deeply indebted to you both for your stupendous efforts in unearthing songs sung by Nassem as solo or as part of duet filmwise, locating their utube links and posting them for others to listen. Both of your comments are too numerous for me to link individually. My efforts for this post are miniscule compared to what you two have contributed.
Hans @ 86, 91 – My special thanks to you for your opinion about my efforts.
Hans @ 97 – What a sharp observation about the subtle difference between the two versions of the song – kaho ek baar. It bears the full stamp of C Ramchandra’s output.
I came across a biography of Naseem. Link is given below. Nothing new and yet it is worth a look.
https://youtu.be/FssAlz2pvBA

Ranganji
Thanks for the appreciation. I think your part was complete when you posted the write up. You are not supposed to post songs in the comments. It is for readers to do. I paid special attention to this because others were not contributing much. They were busy with other posts. I did not even make the customary appearance in your Madan Mohan post for which I know you will pardon me. Anyway that post has been taken care of well by others. He is a composer close to my heart and whenever I write I would like to produce something useful. Regarding my comment at 91, I have not even told one tenth of what AK tells us about your capabilities. Thanks for the link to the biography.