Friday, March 28, 2008

Shankar Jaikishan: Ujala (1959/1990)


Even if Shankar Jaikishan knew Shammi Kapoor because of there association with his brother, Raj Kapoor, it wasn't until Shammi did Ujala that they first collaborated together. Ujala has some gret tunes.

I first heard a glips of Ujala with the song "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" (my favorite) that was on a compilation Lp called Best of the 50's that came out in the 60's. This record came out in 1990, so does that mean that you couldn't listen to the rest of the songs until then.Well, I guess if you wanted the soundtrack to Ujala, you either had a cassette copy (I don't even know if it exists) or a 78 record or you had to wait until 1990 to get this Lp. It's just weird that they waited that long, because it's a decent soundtrack.



Anyway, like I said "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" is great, as well as "Duniyawalo Se Door" which is a cute playful love song that I really like. I also enjoy the typically 50's melody of the first song "Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa".



You also have a rare Mukesh and Mohd. Rafi duet with the song "Yaro Surat Hamari Pe".



Next you have two songs that resemble each other "Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha" and "O Mora Nadan Balma".They are the "cabaret" numbers, but I think Shankar Jaikishan could have simply chosen one of them for the movie.
Ujala reminds me of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (to see the post click here) , especially when you hear the songs "Aa Ab Laut Chalen" from JDMGBH and "Ab Kayan Jahen Hum" from Ujala. Both soundtracks where made during the same periode and Shankar Jaikishan seem to like using a chorus in the late 50's and beginning 60's.


I enjoyed this album very much, what do you think?

Oh and don't pay attention to the creepy Shammi Kapoor picture, because he is so cute in film.



Tracks:


Side 1
1. Manna Dey & Chorus: Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa
2. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mora Nadan Balma
3. Mohd. Rafi & Mukesh: Yaro Surat Hamari Pe
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha



Side 2
5. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshar: Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina
6. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Duniyawalon Se Door
7. Manna Dey & Chorus: Ab Kahan Jayen Hum
8. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Chham Chham Chhumak Chhumak


Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri


Stella_1's score: 3.5/5


Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Ujala

4 comments:

litlgrey said...

Why, everyone in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was hooked up with MP3 players, silly!

The streets of India were packed end to end with Scions and hybrid vehicles that played MP3s, had monitors for YouTube clips and DVDs, and of course they all had satellite radio long before anyone else even dreamed of such a thing.

Kind of like the Ancient Egyptians with their batteries.

Hot times! Huzzah, Stella! :-)

Anonymous said...

I love the song "Ab Kahan Jaye Hum" particularly, it's really moving. And I worship the ground that Shammi walks on! I've only watched this film once, should probably give it another viewing :-) Thanks!

Bollyviewer said...

Hey thanks for the great soundtrack - I love all songs from this movie!

Anonymous said...

This blog is amazing, great work, thanks for sharing all these rarities. I had real trouble finding much Shankar Jaikishan anywhere.