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.)

O. P. Nayyar: Kismat (1968)

At the first glance, you know that this record is certainly not like Phagun. Instead, Kismat incarnates the typical rebel O. P. Nayyar style. His music was rebellious for it's time, but now it's pretty clean, so let's just call his style non traditional. On this record he is inspired by some jazzy rock'n'roll of the 60's with a little folk as well.


In general the songs are very guitar based. You have the almost county "Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale" and the bouncy "Aankhon Men Qayamat Ke Kajal".You also get great instrumentals with "One Two three Baby" which is also available on Bombshell Baby of Bombay vol.2, that you can find on Bombay-Connection Records.

My favorites are the Punjabi inspired "Karja Mohhabat Wala" and the heroine's drunk song "Aao Huzoor Tumko".



I understand that O. P. Nayyar makes the music and melodies simple as to make it easy for the viewers to instantly connect with the songs. But from my personal perspective, I feel that the music is in need of multiple layers, but he doesn't provide that. I prefer O. P. Nayyar's earlier work such as Aar Par, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Paghun and Naya Daur. In the 60's he was popular because he did not follow trends, he made them. But I have a feeling that during this period when Kismat came out, he was just copying his own music, making this record unoriginal and a bit boring to listen to today.


But I still like to rock'n'roll from time to time. So Baby, tell me what you think!


Tracks:


Side 1
1. Mahendra Kapoor: Aankhon Men Qayamat Ke Kajal
2. Asha Bhosle & Shamshad Begum: Karja Mohhabat Wala
3. Title Music


Side 2
4. Asha Bhosle: Aao Huzoor Tumko
5. Mahendra Kapoor: Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale
6. Mahendra Kapoor: One Two Three Baby


Lyrics: Noor Dewasi & S. H. Bihari


Stella_1's score: 3 /5


Get the music now: O. P. Nayyar Kismat

Bappi Lahiri: Pyaas (1982)

Pyaas is a good record, but it was released in 1982 the same year that Disco Dancer and Namak Halaal came out. The music is ok but it could never beat those two soundtracks.



"Om Namah Shivae" (Male), I first heard on the "Disco CD" on Bollywood for beginner's vol.2. But there are two versions on the record. The first is sung by Kishore Kumar and his son Amit Kumar. This version, my favorite, is more disco-funk and longer than the second. Asha Bhosle (who is starting to get older and it shows in her voice as well) sings the softer version. Strangely, this one loosely resembles The Lipps 1980 release and mega hit "Funkytown".


For the rest of the songs Bappi Lahiri cools the disco down and moves towards a slower more traditional and mellow vibe. Aspecially, with "Dard Ki Ragini", Lata almost goes semi-classical, well maybe not, but for Bappi it's close.

Sorry the quality of second side of the album isn't very good. Too bad because I enjoy the soft "Sath Mera Chhodakar". So sorry for the clicks. And while I am apologising, I am sorry but I couldn't find one video of Pyaas, so sorry again.

Yes, this album has a qawwali too, "Hamari Yaad Ki" which is quite nice. (My next record post has a qawwali as well, that's even better. I guess that it's my current theme at the moment, 3 records in a row)

Anyway, listen and tell me what you think!




Tracks:

Side 1
1. Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar & Chorus: Om Namah Shivae
2. Asha Bhosle: Raat Sone Ko Hai
3. Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Phool Chahiye Na
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Dard Ki Ragini


Side 2
5. Asha Bhosle: Om Namah Shivae
6. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Sath Mera Chhodkar
7. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Hamari Yaad Ki (qawwali)
8. Kishore Kumar: Phool Chahiye Na (Sad)


Lyrics: Kulwant Jani, Naqsh Lyallpuri & Shiv Kumar Saroj

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Bappi Lahiri Pyaas

Naushad: Ram aur Shyam (1967)

I don't have lots to say about the Ram aur Shyam record except that the cover of the album is great but most of the songs are disappointing. It's as if Naushad is using an old formula that doesn't work anymore or maybe he was just tiered and didn't put much effort into it . In the 60's Ram aur Shyam is nothing compared to his classics like Leader(1964) or Ganga Jumna(1961).

There are two songs I like on the record. The first one is ''Dhire Dhire Bol Koyee Sun Lega'' mainly because it's the most danceable song on the record, but honestly it doesn't get me moving. Oh! By the way, if you watch the video, the main female dancer is the golden head bobber in Gumnaam's ''Jen Penchan Ho''.

The second song that I find acceptable is ''O Balam Tere Pyar Ki Thandi Aag Men''. It has a nice melody

There is no spark to this album. I couldn't even listen to the hole thing in one go. I hope that you enjoy this album more then I did, I know it's supposed to be a classic.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salami Lele

2. Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Dhire Dhire Bol Koyee Sun Lega

3. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: O Balam Tere Pyar Ki Thandi Aag Men

Side 2

4. Lata Mangeshkar: Maine Kab Tumse Kaha Tha

5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Main Hoon Saaqi Tu Hai Sharabi

6. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Aayee Hai Baharen Mite Zulmo Sitam

7. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Aaj Sakhi Ri More Piya Ghar Aaye Re

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Naushad Ram aur Shyam

Satish Bhatia: Boond-Jo-Ban-Gayi Moti (1967)

I am almost certain, unless I am misinformed, that this is the only music composed by Satish Bhatia for films. So if you like his work, well this is the only thing that you get. The core of his music is not the rhythms instead he focuses on the melodies and the vocals.

My favorite song on the album is "Ankhiyan Tarsan Lagi" because of the the mix of great music and the vocals. It sounds like something in between southern and northern indian regional music.

As I was saying the vocals are the core of the melodie. Aspecially in songs like ''Han Main Bhy Pyar Kiya'' where the femal vocals go over the male one's.

For a few songs on the record the vocals are by Suman Kalyanpur, she wasn't hired to sing for films because many thought that she sounded a lot like Lataji and was only imitating her. The first time I heard her voice I knew it wasn't Lata Mangeshkar because Kalyanpur's is softer and less powerful. Anyway, I guess it doesn't help your singing career if you sound like someone else.

Also, there is a little taste of some jazzy rock'n'roll in songs like ''Lovely Lovely Hai Sama'' and ''Meri Zindgi Ek Khwab Hai'' (the intro is great!) .

Overall, it has a few good songs, but nothing that makes me want to comeback and listen to it again.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey: Boond-Jo-Ban-Gayi Moti

2. Suman Kalyanpur: Ankhiyan Tarsan Lagi

3. Mukesh: Yeh Kaun Chitrakar Hai

4. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Lovely Lovely Hai Sama

Side 2

5. Asha Bhosle: Meri Zindgi Ek Khwab Hai

6. Mukesh & Suman Kalyanpur: Han Main Bhi Pyar Kiya

7. Suman Kalyanpur: Kya Maine Preet Me Paaya
8. Suman Kalyanpur: Dil Mera Gum Sum

Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Satish Bhatia Boond-Jo-Ban-Gayi Moti

C. Ramchandra: Navrang (1959)

C. Ramchandra made Navrang's soundtrack as colourful and grandiose as the movie. There is no Lata Mangeshkar (queen of the fifties as the usual female voice for C.Ramchandra) too be found. Instead C. Ramchandra chose her sister, Asha Bhosle. Her voice on this album is magnificent from beginning to end.

Especially with songs like "Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat", "Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat", "Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi" and my favorite "Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan".


This is one of my favorite C. Ramchandra albums, I only know the hindi one's (and I'm still looking for my favorite, Nirala). He started his career for Tamil and Marathi films, I would love to hear them. He is definitely on my top 5 composer list, because of his versatility, from classical to rock'n'roll or jazz, he is great to listen too. But if we come back to Navrang, it's a great album.



Tracks:

Side 1

1. Asha Bhosle & C. Ramchandra: Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat
2. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat
3. Asha Bhosle: Aa Dil Se Milale

Side 2
4. Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey: Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan
5. Mahendra Kapoor: Shyamal Shyamal Baran Komal Komal Charan
6. Asha Bhosle: Tum Mere Mai Teri
7. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi

Lyrics: Barat Vyas

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: C. Ramchandra Navrang

Shankar Jaikishan: Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

I got this one a while back and I didn't listen to it until about a few weeks ago. I was delightfully surprised that I liked it. But I prefer listening to the record without the videos that go with each song.

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai's main character, Raju, played by Raj Kapoor, makes his living by singing.

The first song ''Mera Naam Raju'', great up beat start, with a great melody and a funky intro that adds a slight Arab twist.

''Kya Hua'' is a nice Lata and Asha duet.

I had already heard ''Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai'' on a compilation album, so this was the only song I knew before listening to the entire record. I wasn't disappointed, all the songs seem to have a link that makes the album great as a hole. (Here is an extended beginning with good music that is not on the album.)

Next is the playful ''Ho Main Ne Pyar Kiya'' and then after is ''Pyar Kar Le'' which I find boring.

''Ham Bhi Hain Tum Bhi Ho'' (or as I like to call it, aka Hoy hoy!) is great fun.

I didn't like this ''Begani Shadi Men Abdulla Diwana'' at first, it grows on you.

We have the classic ''O Basanti'' which is the sad song on the album.

The record ends with ''Aa Ab Laut Chalen'', one word, wow. What makes this song special is the descending female vocals with the ascending chorus in the back. I think it sounds great in a kind of creepy good way.

Good album overall.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Mukesh: Mera Naam Raju
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Kya Hua
3. Mukesh: Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Ho Main Ne Pyar Kiya
5. Mukesh: Pyar Kar Le

Side 2

6. Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Ham Bhi Hain Tum Bhi Ho
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Begani Shadi Men Abdulla Diwana

8. Lata Mangeshkar: O Basanti Pavan

9. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Aa Ab Laut Chalen

Lyrics: Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan| Jis Desh Men ...