Friday, March 28, 2008

Khemchand Prakash: Mahal (1949/1978)

Mahal was one of the first ''horror'' hindi movies. The film, which made Madhubala a star, was produced by the famous studio, Bombay Talkies.


This all female soundtrack is normal for the 1940's when heroines were more popular than the heroes.

Everyone who knows Mahal associates ''Aayega Aanewala'' as the hit of the movie and also as one of Lata Mangeshkar's best. But I prefer the next one on the album ''Ek Teer Chala'' because the beginning sounds so creepy. Well when I think about it the hole album has a creepy feel to it, in part because of the notes chosen by the composer, Khemchand Prakash.


My favorite is ''Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya''. Give it a chance, it gets good from the middle of the song .


The dance music is good, but I find it more atmospheric then for dancing.


The album has great dramatic and sad music, but it fails to impress me. I don't have much to say about it because I can't connect with this album. If I do in the future I will post an update on this post, but for now I just not into this one.

Tell me what do you think of Mahal.


Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Aayega Aanewala
2. Rajkumari: Ek Teer Chala
3. Rajkumari & Zohra Ambala: Chhun Chhun Ghungharwa
4. Dance Music


Side 2
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mushkil Hai Bahot
6. Rajkumari: Ghabra Ke Jo Ham
7. Rajkumari: Main Hoon Hansee Hoon
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya
9. Music


Lyrics: J. Nakshab


Stella_1's score: 3/5


Get the music now: Khemchand Prakash Mahal

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Aayega Aanewale---and it made Lata a star too (she was pretty unknown until this). It's a good movie too, although not my favorite genre...

Anonymous said...

Hats off to you for doing such a nice job of reviving the lost treasures. 'Mahal' is musically unparalleled in Hindi Film Music history. It established Lata Mangeshkar as a singing queen. Music Director Khemchand Prakash, hailing from a desert town of rajasthan, however, could not see the success of his music as he passed away before its release.

Sujayita said...

I love 'aayegaa aanewalaa' and 'dil ne phir yaad kiyaa'... this is a treasure. Thanks. :)

bawa said...

Apart from Aayega anewala, I love Rajkumari's Ghabra Ke Jab Hum Sar Ko, loveƱy lyrics & I am fan of 40s type renditions.
Lata's other gem from this is Mushkil hai...I find it emotes the lyrics and the situation in the film beautifully.

Anonymous said...

Just discovering this, I think the music and the clips are great! One of my favorites here...