Naushad: Baiju Bawra (1952/1975)

Baiju Bawra is another soundtrack by Naushad. If you liked Mughal-E-Azam there is a very strong chance that you will like this album as well. The first song, "Tori Jai Jai Kartar" gave me a bad first impression of the record, but don't worry it's the worst song of the album. It's a raga sung by Ustad Amir Khan, and yes I still find his singing annoying. It's a good thing it's a short song. The second song is my favourite. I know I said that I prefered Shamshad Begum's voice to Lata's in the song "Teri Mehfil Men Qismet Azmakar" (Mughal-e-Azam) but at the end of "Doi Koi Gae" Lata's voice really over shadows Shamshad's.

"Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya" is a little less classical but focuses on the melodies and emotion. Lata'a voice is great, in a weird haunting way.

I usually like upbeat tracks, but "Too Ganga Ki Mauj" is an example of a good slow song. My favourite parts are when there is some "snake charmer flute", and I especially like the end when Lata and the chorus sing, even if it's just for a little moment.

In "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale", the background vocals, in the beginning part, really give a kick to the song. Mohd. Rafi's voice is the essence of the tune. Naushad should have put a song like this for Dilip Kumar's caracter in Mughal-e-Azam.

"Insaan Bano" and "Bachpan Ki Mohabbat" don't reach out and get me, there is nothing that special about them."Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj" is good when the drums and party start, it's good.

"Jhoole Men Pawan Ke Aai Bahar" is a good song, very playful. If you watch the clip, at the end of the video they are standing together and you can see the sky. It makes me think of this song (at the end of the clip, as well, you can see the silhouettes and the sky) in Mother india (1957)

If you're like me, and you don't really like Ustad Amir Khan's singing, I find that both "Sargam" and "Aaj Gawat Man Mero" are acceptable. He's not that bad.

For the score I would have given it 4/5, but I gave it 3.5/5 because I am not attracted to listen to this record over and over again. I listen to a few songs from time to time. I know the music is very good, I guess it's just not as good as Mughal-e-Azam, for me anyway. But it's deffinitely worth a listen.

*Update (January 08) Ok, now that I have gotten used to more classical soundktracks, I absolutly love this album. It just took me some time. 4/5!

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Ustad Amir Khan: Tori Jai Jai Kartar
2. Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum, Mohd. Rafi & Chotus: Door Koi Gae
3. Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Too Ganga Ki Mauj
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Jhoole Men Pawan Ke Aai Bahar
6. Ustad Amir Khan: Sargam

Side 2
7. Mohd. Rafi: Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Bachpan Ki Mohabbat
9. Mohd. Rafi: O Duniya Ke Rakhwale
10. Mohd. Rafi: Insaan Bano
11. Ustad Amir Khan & pt.d.v. Paluskar: Aaj Gawat Man Mero

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Naushad Baiju Bawra