S. D. Burman: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958/1989)

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is not my favourite soundtrack nor is S. D. Burman my favourite composer. None the less, this hindi comedy does have it's own charm. Kishore Kumar's "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si" is the best song on the record, and is today considered a classic.

For a comedy, which usually tends to lack in the song department, this record tries its best to cater and reach out to the common city folk with it's modern upbeat music. I like it because its, in a way, unsophisticated and humble which makes it easy to relate to and accessible to everyone.

One of my favorite songs on the record is "Tum Tumare Hain". It's performed by the lovely Helen with her dance mentor Cukoo.

But the most important figure on this album and the "soul" behind the songs comes from Kishore Kumar's voice. He acts through his singing, this very strong asset of his makes listening to the record worthwhile. Enjoy.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Title Music

2. Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Babu Samjho Ishare

3. Kishore Kumar: Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si
4. Kishore Kumar: Hum The Who Thi

5. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: In Hathon Se Sabki Gaadi

Side 2

6. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Haal Kaisa Hai Jabab Ka (with dialogue)

7. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Main Sitaron Ka Tarana

8. Asha Bhosle: Ruk Jao Na Jee

9. Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra: Hum Tumhare Hain

Lyrics: Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: S. D. Burman Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi

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

O. P. Nayyar: Phagun (1958/1989)

Now this is one I like. I love this entire album (It has 12 songs). I don't think everyone will, because it's really for the 50's fans. It can be dull if you like the wacky and weird, but give this one a listen, you might be delightfully surprised.

Even tough it's not as musically detailed or refined as some more classical inspired soundtracks, I am attracted to it's simplicity.

The title music at the beginning is a dramatic intro. (that should be required for all hindi films).

The classic, "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya" comes next. It is also the theme of the soundtrack, and can be heard in the "Title Music","Piya Piya Piya" and "Teer Yeh Chup Ke". It's the fist time I have heard a theme in old hindi cinema. They have it all the time now, but it is especially used in western classical scores.

The dramatic start and mainly the chorus at the end of "Barso Re" make it stand out a bit. Also enjoyable are"Chhun Chhun Ghungroo Bole" and "Teer Yeh Chup Ke".

The song I least like is "Shokh Shokh Aankhen". I don't know why, but I noticed it was the most western inspired, with it's guitar and accordion.

The end of the 50's was a peek for Asha Bhosle's voice. It's great on this album.


Here is a modern remake of "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya". Oh, god! I think I will stick with the 1958 version.

Enjoy the album and leave me your comments!

Track

Side 1
1. Title Music
2. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya
3. Asha Bhosle: Sun Ja Pukar
4. Asha Bhosle: Chhun Chhun Ghungroo Bole
5. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Ja Meri Chhod De Kalahi
6. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Shokh Shokh Aankhen


Side 2
7. Asha Bhosle: Piya Piya Piya
8. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Tum Rooth Ke Mat Jana
9. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Main Soya Aankhiyan Meeche
10. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Barso Re
11. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Bana De Bana De Prabhuji
12. Asha Bhosle: Teer Yeh Chup Ke


Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi


Stella_1's score: 4/5


Get the music now: O. P. Nayyar | Phagun

Naushad: Amar (1954/1977)

I know, an other one from Naushad, Amar is a pretty good soundtrack. There are few of the songs that I really got addicted too. The first is ''Tere Sadqe Balam'' it sounds great and also means something. In short, in means, take advantage of every happy moment because you never know if you will have an other like it. The second I am addicted too is ''Na Shikwa Hai Koi'' , I just love to listen to it. I wish I knew what it meant? (probably something sad)



All the songs have female vocals except for one. "Insaf Ka Mandir Yeh" is not even sung by Dilip Kumar's character, yet it describes his emotional struggle. It's a good song, but I find it more meaningful when I watch the clip.


No sitars for poor Nimmi's songs. "Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata" is playful."Umangon Ko Sakhi" is nice, and the village song "Ek Baat Kahoon Mere Piya" is boring.

For "The sad songs" like "Na Milta Gham To" and "Janewale Se Mulaqat", I like "Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai" the best.

Basically this album is for people who like sweet soft melodies. Tell me what you think.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata
2. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Insaf Ka Mandir Hai Yeh
3. Asha Bhosle: Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Umangon Ko Sakhi
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Janewale Se Mulaqat
6. Dance Music

Side 2
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Tere Sadqe Balam
8. Asha Bhosle: Ek Baat Kahoon Mere Piya
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Khamosh Hai Khewanhar Mera
10. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Shikwa Hai Koi
11. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Milta Gham To

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Amar

Naushad : Mughal-E-Azam (1960)

Even if this is a Bollywood Classic, it took me some time to get into this record, it was my first classical inspired soundtrack. It goes up and down, slow and fast, I was a little confused for what my western ear was used to hearing. But once you get it, you really get it. Evidently, "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" is the movie anthem. Naushad is a genius.

Mughal-E-Azam took 10 years to finish (1950 to 1960), so the soundtrack has nothing really from the 60's. Clearly based on northern Indian classical music, you can hear the tabla, sitars and Kathak Ghungroos (Classical Dance Bells). The two last tracks sung by Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan, are pure classical, but I'm not sure if I really like them. I don't know if I still need to get used to them or If it's just plain annoying. I don't know ?!

"Teri Mehfil Men Qismet Azmakar", is great, it's a singing battle, woh, and I honestly prefer Shamshad Begum's voice to Lata Mangeshkar's, in the song anyway.

My favorites songs have to be: "Mohabbat Ki Jhooti Kahani", because it just beautiful. "Mohe Panghat Pe" , I just love the sounds of sitars, bells, great vocals (and strangely a piano note just before the singing starts ?!) "Yeh Dil Ki Lagi Kam Kya Hogi" , there is nothing that special about this track, but I just like it. I also like "Aae Mohabbat Zindabad", because it's the only male vocal song I like on the album.

Plus for more info on Mughal-E-Azam, there is a website, because the movie just got rereleased in 2004: Mughal-E-Azam colorized, there is some info on the music too.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Mohabbat Ki Jhooti Kahani
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Bekas Pe Karam Kijiye
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Khuda Nigheban Ho
5. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Aae Mohabbat Zindabad

Side 2
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Mohe Panghat Pe
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Yeh Dil Ki Lagi Kam Kya Hogi
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum: Teri Mehfil Men Qismet Azmakar
9. Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan: Prem Jogan Ban Ke
10. Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan: Shubh Din Ayo

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni & Naushad

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the Music Now : Naushad Mughal-E-Azam