Continuing the tribute for Usha Khanna, her best songs for Mukesh and other male singers
The last post was on Usha Khanna’s best songs for Rafi on her 83rd birth anniversary (b. 7 October 1941). This was also a tribute to Rafi as a part of his centenary celebrations. How does she do with other playback singers? This is where she presents a big surprise. After her debut with Dil Deke Dekho (1959), her main male playback singer in Hum Hindustani (1960) was Mukesh! She gave many memorable songs for Mukesh subsequently, such as Teri nigahon pe mar mar gaye hum, Gori tere chalne se mera dil kurban, Chaand ko kya maloom chahta hai use koi chakor, Aaj tumse door hokar. Each a quintessential Mukesh-gem. It seems quite a misnomer to include Mukesh among ‘other’ singers. It is as if Usha Khanna was born to compose great songs for Mukesh. Similarly I remember an all-time great song by Manna Dey and one by Mahendra Kapoor composed by Usha Khanna. Her spread of singers for their memorable songs is not very wide, but enough to include her among important music directors of the Golden Era. In this post I present a sample of her versatile talent; I would also include duets of these male singers.
Mukesh
Mukesh has to figure at the top for Usha Khanna’s special felicity for his songs.
1. Neeli neeli ghata, bheegi bheegi hawa, hai nasha hi nasha by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle from Hum Hindustani (1960), lyrics K Manohar, music Usha Khanna
2. Chhodo kal ke baatein, kal ki baat purani, naye daur mein likhenge hum milkar nayi kahani by Muksesh from Hum Hindustani (1960), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Usha Khanna
3. Meri jaan na zulfein kholo kahin raat thahar na jaye by Mukesh from Awara Badal (1964), lyrics Jan Nisar Akhtar, music Usha Khanna
What gorgeous songs Ajit got to sing on the screen! Among his great songs was a fair share was sung by Mukesh.
4. Teri nigahon pe mar mar gaye hum, teri adaon pe mar mar gaye hum by Mukesh from Shabnam (1964), lyric Javed Anwar, music Usha Khanna
Talking of luck in lip-synching great songs Mehmood was not far behind. He also had a fair share of hero roles.
5. Gori tere chalne se mera dil qurban by Mukesh from Faisla (1965), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Usha Khanna
Usha Khanna scored great music regardless of the banner and unknown characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhM6Rpexyq0&list=RDEhM6Rpexyq0&start_radio=1
6. Bolo ji bolo, kuchh bolo ji bolo, parwana teri mehfil mein ayah ai by Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur from Nishan (1965), lyrics Javed Anwar, music Usha Khanna
In the last post we heard an outstanding Rafi song, Haye tabassum tera, from this film. Usha Khanna shows her versatility with a superb duet with Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur from this film.
7. Tera mera pyar koi, aajkal ki to baat nahin by Mukesh and Usha Khanna from Dada (1966), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Usha Khanna
In this Dara Singh-led film Usha Khanna now joins Mukesh to sing this superb duet. Though she was also a superb singer, he did not make any effort to promote her own voice.
8. Ye tu ne kya kaha, kaha hoga by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle from Insaaf (1966), lyrics Akhtar Romani, music Usha Khanna
Mukesh and Asha Bhosle have sung many excellent duets. This is one of the best, from another Dara Singh film.
9. Chaand ko kya maloom chahta hai use koi chakor by Mukesh from Lal Bangla (1966), lyrics Indivar, music Usha Khanna
This was an eternal radio era favourite. Among quintessential Mukesh songs.
10. Aaj tumse door hokar aise roya mera pyar by Mukesh from Ek Raat (1967), lyrics Anjan, music Usha Khanna
Thee were endless superb songs by Mukesh, composed by Usha Khanna.
11. Barkha rani zara jam ke barso by Mukesh from Sabak (1973), lyrics Sawan Kumar Tak, music Usha Khanna
This must be a unique song. The husband-wife pair of the lyricist and music director wrote and composed this song for he husband-wife team of lead actors on the screen – Shatrughna Sinha and Poonam Sinha.
Mahendra Kapoor
12. Aapne phir ki shararat dekhiye dekhiye by Mahendra Kapoor from Aag (1967), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Usha Khanna
The film’s hero Firoz Khan is in a naughty mood and Usha Khanna composes an absolutely befitting song sung by Mahendra Kapoor.
13. Meri pyari pyari surat ko kisi ki chhuri na lage by Mahendra Kapoor from Johar in Bombay (1967), music Usha Khanna
IS Johar had a great song of the comic. Mahendra Kapoor now sings a nice parody song of Teri pyari pyari surat ko kisi ki nazar na lage.
Manna Dey
14. Apne liye jiye to kya jiye, tu ji ae dil zamaane ke liye by Manna Dey from Baadal (1966), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Usha Khanna
Sanjeev Kumar, before he got acclaim as a great actor, acted in some fantasy films in swashbuckling roles. But Usha Khanna composed some great songs for him. Now a philosophical song, appropriately in the voice of Manna Dey.
Kishore Kumar
16. Ho..Bas qayamat ho gayi by Kishore Kumar from Haye Mera Dil (1968), lyrics SH Bihari, music Usha Khanna
This is a top class song, sung by Kishore Kumar for himself.
17. Zindagi pyar ka geet hai by Kishore Kumar/ Lata Mangeshkar from Sautan (1981), lyrics Sawan Kumar Tak, music Usha Khanna
Finally, Usha Khanna did have a superhit film made by her to score. But for many music lovers this was immaterial. She has been composing great songs throughout her career. Nevertheless she got to make a great conventional sad duet in the voices of the top singers of the time – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar.
Hemant Kumar
18. Ae nari isliye duniya mein ayi tu by Hemant Kumar from Aag (1967), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Usha Khanna
I would not include this song among Hemant Kumar’s great songs. But it gives an interesting picture of Usha Khanna’s variety.
Yasudas
19. Dil ke tukde tukde kar ke muskurake chal diye by Yasudas from Dada (1979), lyrics Kulwant Jani, music Usha Khanna
There was a period when Yasudas emerged as a great singer because of his unique baritone voice. Talk of mismatch between a song and its picturisation, and this song should figure prominently. Yasudas’s grave voice does not match the frivolous act by Vinod Mehra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Xw2Uo5qLI
20. Madhuban khushboo deta hai by Yasudas/ Yasudas and Anuradha Paudwal from Saajan Bin Sasural (1978), lyrics Indeevar, music Usha Khanna
I end this post with another superhit song by Yasudas. This song also has Yasudas-Anuradha Paudwal version, but you can savour Yasudas’s voice with this solo.
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
The songs links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog has no commercial interests, nor does it claim or suggest any copyright over these songs which vests with the rights owners.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
AKji,
This is an expected and excellent follow-up to Rafi-UK post. All nice songs here. After Rafi, one cannot ignore Mukesh singing for UK, he sang so many wonderful songs for her.
Glad to see the Sabak song, I had mentioned it in my comment to the previous post
Adding the remaining Mukesh song from Hum Hindustani
Raat nikhri huyi zulf bikhri huyi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVsDdvto7hU
And one from Fareb (1968). The only thing I remember from this film is this song
Naaz tha jis pe mere seene mein wo dil hi nahin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPxIR4m40cU
Souten remains her biggest commercial success, with KK singing for RK.
Shayad meri shaadi ka khayal took Usha Khanna to the top position of the 1983 Cibaca Geetmala Annual list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju3weD3rpQw
Other KK-UK songs that I like;
Saji nahin baraat to kya – Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqsILXXbYh4
Jeevan hai ek sapna – Honeymoon (1973) (with Asha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0QzJ8W9cwA
Chand ke paas jo sitara hai – Sweekar Kiya Maine (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11l0Obfga-M
Kaaran na jaane koi dil roya aankh na royi- Kaaran (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_2MucLRVjc
Adding Manhar Udhas to the list…
Posting my preferred version of Tu is tarah se meri zindagi mein shamil hai – Aap To Aise Na The (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC4T8ouNKAg
A melodious duet in a typical Ramsay film – Hotel (1981) (with Asha)
Pyar karte hain hum tumhe itna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd9rvEtzmgM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd9rvEtzmgM
I am sure it is an oversight that Manhar is missing.
Tu iss tarah se meri zindagi mein..
AAP TOH AISE NA THE.
UK was known to encourage/ introduce new talents. Suresh Wadkar,Anwar, Shabbir Kumar, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Sonu Nigam, have all sung for her.
Ramesh Talwar choosing UK for a big project ZAMANA, 1985 was surprising. The music was okay, but didn’t match the standard of RT’s earlier movies… DOOSRA ADMI, BASERA etc.
Probably the highest number of male singers in any UK movies . Kishore Kumar, Shailendra Singh, Md Aziz, Hariharan, Sayid Amir Ahmad.
Rishi sings in the voices of Kishore, Md Aziz and Shailendra Singh here.
We have 2 songs on the lines of
Ek chatur naar and
Saj rahe gali teri Maa.
In
Kis ko kahe hum apna..
Kishore, Md Aziz
the latter sounds eerily like Md Rafi.
FAREB , 1968, has an energetic
Mere Mehbooba aaj mere ghar aayee
A rare combination of Manna Dey, Bhupinder.
Bhupinder has sung a few soulful songs for Usha Khanna.
The lullaby from MAZDOOR ZINDABAD, 1976, by K J Jesudas is among the top male lullabies in my view. Have been often humming it since my teenage years.
Meri Munni Rani so jaa
Tujhko sulane raat aayee…
AK ji,
I would like to add Suresh Wadkar’s name to the list. Here is an adorable song from Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi featuring Askok Saraf. Suresh Wadkar sang it live for one of DD’s new year shows. Raam Dulaari Maike Gayi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57AQ4zOiIvM
Dr Deshpande @1,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Raat bikhari huyi is a very nice song. Helen in the second lead is a nice experiment.
Naaz tha jis pe seene mein: This is getting interesting. I find this song too has three versions – a Suman Kalyanpur solo and a Mukesh-Suman Kalyanpur duet too.
@2,
Sautan must have been a surprise hit. I have seen the movie because everyone was seeing it and for Mauritius. And another reason was TV has become colour only recently.
Other Kishore Kumar songs you have added were new for me. But all are quite melodious. That shows it was his heyday.
@3,
Very nice songs. Aap To Aise Na The should have been a superhit film for one song Tu is tarah se meri zindagi mein. Was it an inferior movie compared to Sautan?
Dr Shetty @4,
Manhar Udhas is a careless miss. After including Rafi version is the previous post, I should have realised Manhar Udhas version is better. I am very happy that you and Dr Deshpande have both added his version from Aap To Aise Na The.
@5, 6,7,
All are new songs for me. I would have to hear the songs at leisure. My compliments for your familiarity with 70s and 80s songs.
Anita @8,
Wonderful song. Suresh Wadkar looks very young. We are used to seeing him with receding hair.
AK Ji -Mukash & Usha Khanna -superb collection. Coming soon after her songs with Rafi, this completes the lacuna that SOY had in terms of not having any articles on her.
One humble remark if you and Dr Shetty do not mind. Manhar Udhas version of Tu Is tarah se meri could be a different version , on a slow and sombre note but cannot be said to be a ” better ” version. Comparisions between singers is generally a personal choice and for me and many other Rafi fans, anything ” better” than Rafi is very rare and that too in comparison with Rafi’s vast repertoire and variety , no comparion can ever be made !! More so not expected in a blogsite like SOY that celebrates all artists.
Sivanandamji,
Point well taken. Comparison between versions of a song is a matter of personal choice.
Shivanandam ji,
I think there is a little confusion here. I never compared the singing of Rafi and Manhar.
Dr Shetty,
Don’t worry. I am the guilty party. Sometimes I do express my preference. That is obviously my personal choice.
AK ji,
We all have some personal preferences and do express them.
On SOY , I had said Asha can sing every song that Lata has sung, but, vice versa isn’t the case. You didn’t agree. So, it is individual opinion.
I also feel Rafi would have taken
Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jaaye..
to another level.
Many of my friends agree.
AK Ji & Dr Shetty
Thanks for your comments. I feel it is a futile exercise to compare the legendary singers. The unique beauty of the golden era of Hindi film music ( for that matter any other languages also) is the sheer variety that we had in music composers, lyricists & singers. If we stretch the argument that xyz can sing better than abc , then any classical singer would be able to sing all the film songs,!-maybe technically. But each legendary singer of the golden era had a different way of emoting the song as per the mood , genre , situation and even the actor on whom it was picturised. That was the difference in playback singing , though purists may straightaway dismiss film music as nothing compared to classical music. Rafi’s versatility, Kishore’s powerful & peppy tones with a natural singing, Manna Da’s classicism, Talat’s velvety voice, Mukesh’s pathos, Mahindra Kapoor’s high octaves, Lata’s soulful & divine voice, Asha’s versatile singing, Geeta Dutt’s ability to render a cabaret song with equal fervor as that of a bhajan, Shamshad Begum’s ” temple bell-like voice”….list is endless. In my very humble opinion this variety ensured a rich collection of so many good songs in the golden era.
Let us enjoy the music from all!!
Sivanandamji,
I am coming back again as you are raising a new point. The recent debate centred around different versions of the same song, and it sounds to reason that people will have different choices. Let us agree that personal choices may differ, and it is a personal choice, and it does not amount to slight of a singer.
The new point is about a particular song becoming a superhit in the voice of a particular singer. No second version of that song was made. In such a situation I entirely agree with you that it is pointless to make a hypothetical statement that xyz singer would have sung it better. That would apply to Chalo ek baar phir se in Mahendra Kapoor’s voice, Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul in Asha Bhosle’s voice, Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam in Geeta Dutt’s voice. These songs have become identified with that singer’s voice and no amount of ‘what if’ is going to displace them.
AKji,
Thank you for a wonderful follow up post.
Enjoyed!
Let me add the title track of the Television series Chandrakanta sung by Sonu Nigam.
I hope you remember the song and the series. The song and the serial were quite popular.
https://youtu.be/QAJMtShQvj0?feature=shared
But I guess, this could be outside the scope of this post.
It’s from the 90s plus nonfilm.
Anup
🙂
Anup,
Thanks a lot for adding this information.
Sirs, It is a very good collection. Usha Khanna utilised all the male singers at the time but it appears by the songs that Rafi and Mukesh were her favorites. She gave several good songs to Mukesh as seen from the list here.
KB,
You are absolutely right.