Kalyanji Anandji: Upkar (1967)

Even though I do not admire Manoj Kumar as an actor, I appreciate the films he has directed. Upkar as a film, is very evident in theme yet it’s experimental in its photo direction. And this is particularly evident in the song sequences with even make the music more notable (and sadly not the other way around).

The story is that of a young man played by Manoj Kumar, who is forced to sacrifice his education for his brother's played by Prem Chopra (looking quite handsome indeed!). Chopra’s character goes away to study and later returns as a young westernized and selfish man. Many of the themes in the film; East vs. West, Country vs. City and Rich vs. Poor are reflected in the brothers’ relationship.

On the side of the Indian simpleton with superior moral values is the patriotic song "Mere Desh Ki Dharati". It reminds me of the “we proudly work our land” type of patriotism found in Mother India (1957). The cover of the album also shows Manoj’s character admiring Nehru while holding a plow as in THE song of the album.

You don't need fancy lounges or glamorous city clubs, just check and see how much "Punjabi style" fun you can have with the village song "Aaye Jhoomke Basant". I dare you not to dance!

The next song "Gulabi Raat Gulabi" is associated with the "EVIL" West! (you know, Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the West type of West or the Pardes (Sharukh Khan version) type of West). But it's one of the best songs on the album, sung by the one and only Vamp Queen Asha Bhosle. The song is divided into two parts. Asha sings to the consumerist westernized party goers and the second part is sung by Mohd. Rafi as images of hungry and miserable street goers are shown as they try and survive in the slums.

No sharabi (alcohol) for you mister!

Also, lend an ear to "Kasme Wade Pyar Wafa" and "Diwano Se Mat Puchho".

It's a classic film and soundtrack, but not one of my personal favourites. I absolutely recommend watching the film, Kamini Kaushal and Pran are amazing!

Take that Slumdog Millionaire!

Tracks:


Side 1

1. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Mere Desh Ki Dharati

2. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Shamshad, Sunder & Chorus: Aaye Jhoomke Basant
3. Manna Dey: Kasme Wade Pyar Wafa

Side 2

4. Mukesh: Diwano Se Mat Puchho
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Har Khushi Ho Wahan
6. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Gulabi Raat Gulabi

7. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Mere Desh Ki Dharati

Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra, Prem Dhawan, Qamar Jalalabadi and Indiwar

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Kalyandi Anandji Upkar (link to Music From the Third Floor, because my computer is STILL broken.)

Kalyanji Anandji: Raja Saab (1969)

At first, I was a little scared of the album. The cover of Raja Saab reads "cheesy romantic comedy" with bollywood's "good girl" Nanda and the "good guy" Shashi Kapoor. But as much as I like Shashi Kapoor, I was hesitant because, Raj Kapoor (his brother) once said that Shashi would choose some of his roles for money and not quality. Plus the man, for some weird reason, can't dance, so my hopes weren't high on having great dance songs. The only good factors that attracted me to this album were of course, 1 : Mohd. Rafi and 2: the fact that it was composed by the duo Kalyanji Anandji. But once I listen to it, to my surprise the music eclipsed the movie and the people related to making the music on the album really came through, thanks guys.


The first song ''Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab'' and the last ''Jin Ki Kismat Men'' are basically the same song but the intros and the tempos are different. I prefer the last version.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Tu Jungle Ki Morni" and even if I don't understand that much hindi, I think it's the stupidest (meaning the lyrics don't mean much) song on the record, but it's the bounciest one

But honestly, I enjoy listening to all the songs on the album. They all have a little something special even is they are cheesy. The other one's I enjoy are the funny "Kal Raat Wali" and the slower more romantic "Sajna Tere Bin" and "Humne Aaj Se Tumhen".

For what it is, a light and fun soundtrack, it's great fun. It's good classic 60's bollywood. Tell me what you think?

Tracks

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab

2. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Humne Aaj Se Tumhen

3. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tu Jungle Ki Morni

Side 2

4. Mohd. Rafi: Kal Raat Wali

5. Lata Mangeshkar : Sajna Tere Bin

6. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Kisi Meherban Ki

7. Mohd. Rafi: Jin Ki Kismat Men

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Raja Saab

Kalyanji Anandji: Qurbani in English

To start off, Yeay! Qurbani in English! (these aren't easy to find) This is not the official film soundtrack for Qurbani. If you want to hear the Hindi version just click here to see Music from the Third Floor's post.

''Aap Jaise Koi'' is Qurbani's original hit, but ''What A Wonder It Will Be'' sung twice, once by Sharon (which I like better) and once by Bashir Sheikh isn't quite what I expected. Bashir also wrote the lyrics, which I find sometimes plain. But I can give his lack of poetry the benefit of the doubt because I didn't find any info on him. I don't know if he is a song writer or just a singer.

By the way, there are missing intros to the songs, ''Let Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' and ''Each Time I See Your Face''. Coincidentally they are my favorite on the album and outshine they're hindi counterparts.

The context of the song ''Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' is about love and nostalgia, but the hindi version ''Qurbani, Qurbani'' is about friendship, god and sacrifice. It's the least related to the film version but, from my point of view, it's better then the hindi version. And on the plus side I like they're English accents in the song when they say ''yesteryear'' and ''fear''.

''Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face'' is my favorite on this album. It has a nice melody an instrumental break including synthesizers. The hindi version is ''Hum Tuhme Chahte Hain'' but my favorite on the original Qurbani soundtrack is ''Laila O Laila''.

In all, the record is great but if it would have only come out in english I wouldn't have been so excited to listen to it.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Sharon Prabhakar: What A Wonder It Will Be*

2. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face

3. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It

Side 2

4. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: I You Were Prince Charming

5. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Don't Ever Leave Me

6. Bashir Sheikh: What A Wonder It Will Be*

*Track 1 & 6 composed by Biddu

Lyrics: Bashir Sheikh

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Qurbani in English