Shankar Jaikishan: Shree 420 (1955/1979)

Shree 420 is an other classic score by Shankar Jaikishan, to me it's almost like a sequel to Awaara (see post of Awaara). The hits and my favorite songs on Shree 420 are "Mera Joota Hai Japani" (it's a classic), a tune that critics indian society just after the independence in 1947, (here are some of the translated lyrics)

My shoes are Japanese

The pants are from England

The red hat on my head is Russian

But even then, my heart is Indian

and "Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua", a classic love song. It's playful, and at times you even feel a sadness when hearing it. Lata's and Manna Dey's vocals are great together.



Another thing I like about the soundtrack is the contrast, like for example, the rich "westernized" society is represented by the song "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh" and the poor street society is "Ramaiya Vastavaiya".





Overall , a great soundtrack, I am not a fan of "O Janewale", but I like the charming little song, "Ichak Dana Beechak Dana", (the clip has English subs.) Can you guess?



For more info on the movie and songs there is a cool blog called filmi geek that talks about Shree 420, have a look.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar: Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua
2. Manna Dey & Chorus: Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala
3. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey & Chorus: Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Ichak Dana Beechak Dana

Side 2
5. Mukesh & Chorus: Mera Joota Hai Japani
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Sham Gai Raat Aai
7. Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh & Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya
8. Lata Mangeshkar: O Janewale

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan | Shree 420