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.)

Naushad: Mela (1948/1980)

Mela's soundtrack creates a great mood inspired by romanticism, a certain "attractive despair", as I could name it, that is characteristic of a time in Hindi cinema, (and as far as I know maybe to other Indian cinemas as well) called the 40's. But this being 1948, I could also blame this "depression" on a certain, um, let me think...Partition. I think it's a mix of both the melancholy of the country's separation mirrored in the lover's separation that set the tone of the film and it's music. Also, the film visually looks like a filmed play as the director uses theatre to show the insignificance of the backdrop and the importance on concentrating more on the emotions and the characters (which Naushad picked up on and developed in his music). Also, I think, in those days, theatre had more prestige then cinema and early in the development of the film industry the only reference for cinema was theatre. Bizarrely enough, this does not take away from the realism, not portrayed visually but musically (emotionally as well) of the two main heroes Manju (Nargis) and Mohan (Dilip Kumar).

The 40's was the heyday of the "sad song". Not the kind you feel like skipping or fast forwarding, but the kind that people actually liked, and still like even today. One brilliant song "Gham Ka Fasana" is one of the finest examples of a great "sad song", and it is also my favorite track on the record. Naushad could have picked the melody queen, Lata or, Geeta, the empress of tragedy, but he chose Shamshad. I think he was looking for something raw. Her voice expressed the voice of the people, like the persevering village girl that wants more than what is destined for her. Mela is a high point in her career, although Shamshad's luck did not last long, when the "classical trend" came in the early 50's, Shamshad did not have the training to stay at the top.

Besides the classic sad song, some of Mela's most memorable tracks are, one of Mohd. Rafi's first big breaks with the song ''Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele'', and another one of my favourites ''Aai Sawan Rut ''. For the track ''Phir Aah Dilse Nikli'' you can almost imagine that you are sitting in a zeenat during the very late reign of the Mungals. (Well, at least that is what I imagined the vocals would have sounded like.)

Some other tracks I enjoy are the playful ''Pardes Balam Tum Jaoge'' and the duet ''Mera Dil Todnewale''. In the second one I mentioned, you can really hear the Talat Mehmood influence for sure, who was the usual voice of Dilip Kumar. He's not singing for Raj Kapoor that's for sure.

Overall good soundtrack, resembles Babul (my post) but let's Shamshad really shine trough. Inspired by emotion and the northern sound this album can seem dull on the first try, but the more you listen the better it gets. Enjoy!

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Shamshad Begum: Dharti Ko Aakash Pukare

2. Shamshad Begum & Mukesh: Main Bhanwra Too Hai Phool

3. Shamshad Begum, Mukesh & Chorus: Aai Sawan Rut

4. Shamshad Begum: Gham Ka Fasana

5. Shamshad Begum: Taqdeer Bani Bankar Bigdi

6. Zohra Ambala: Phir Aah Dilse Nikli

Side 2

7. Shamshad Begum: Mohan Ki Muraliya

8. Shamshad Begum: Pardes Balam Tum Jaoge

9. Shamshad Begum & Mukesh: Mera Dil Todnewale

10. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele

11. Mukesh: Gae Ja Geet Milanke

12. Music

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Mela

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1970/1971)

This is a great soundtrack and, in my opinion, one of Laximikant and Pyarelal's best. Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli is a bit on the experimental side, but most of the songs are based on very simple melodies. The main character of the film is a young woman with a passion for the arts, more precisely song and dance. So this album suits the film well in the sense that the music must be very theatrical and grandiose (two defining features of later films by V. Shantaram) to be incorporated with dance. Most songs have long instrumental intros, breaks or outros that create strong emotional and atmospheric moods.

One of the most famous tracks is "Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se" inspired by this famous song (I would be surprised if you have never heard it before, but I posted the link anyway) from the classic spaghetti western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). Original music by the famous composer Ennio Morricone.

Also the title track "Jal Bin Machhli" is also well known. In the video the heroine dances and tries to imitate a gold fish out of water. There is also a new remix version (2005) by Akriti.

"Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men" brings back memories from an obscure Disney film from 1985, called Return to Oz. I don't know if it's the fact that in this film similar music, by David Shire, is used to create a very creepy setting or atmosphere. It is present in a scene when Dorthy, once in Oz, meets a princess who collects the heads of many young women to use as her own. Return to Oz Clip (You hear the music at around 2:40 into the clip and the section I am referring to in the Jal Bin Machhli song is an instrumental bit starting at 50 sec). I would also like to mention that this comparison is totally unimportant to this post and that it is only a personal connection that I made.

So continuing, the best example of theatrical music on this record is a song I enjoy, "O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai". The last instrumental part gets quite "groovy" for the time. The clip has such great interpretive dancing.

For the rest of the album, the other songs do not impress me as much, but are also good.

I posted the original cover of the Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli vinyl which I find amazingly bizarre and psychedelic. I love it!

Tracks

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jal Bin Machhli

2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men

3. Lata Mangeshkar: Karja Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke

4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi

Side 2

5. Mukesh: Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se

6. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai

7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Jhoomke Gaye Dil

Lyrics: Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Laxmikant Pyarelal Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli

Shankar Jaikishan: Aashiq (1962/1978)

The music of Aashiq is a lot better without the visual of the movie. It doesn't happen very often that a soundtrack over shadows a film that I haven't even seen, but I can't stand watching the clips. The problem is that the camera work is so bad. But I don't get it. Jaywant Pathare was the cinematographer for Aashiq. But he was the assistant camera man to Raj Kapoor for Aag, Barsaat and Awaara (Raj Kapoor's most beautiful films) so he has no excuse. He even won a Filmfare award 4 years later for Anupama for best cinematography. But Aashiq looks like it was shot by an amateur film maker with low angle and ugly compositions. Ok sorry, I am a cinema student so I have to complain a little and I know I am talking a lot about the cinematography, but it really takes away from the soundtrack.

So basically I am suggesting to listen to the songs before you watch the clips or just close your eyes, no really!

Ok, well the two main characters in the film are a singer (Raj Kapoor) and a dancer (Padmini) may I add the best baratanatyam dancer on the screen ever (close tie with Vijanthimala). Anyway, the music in the film isn't simply to entertain but must compliment the characters individual talents. Shankar Jaikishan did it pretty well. You have "Jhanan Jhanjhanake Apni Payal" for the dancer and "Tum Jo Hamare Meet Na Hote" for the singer. Lovely songs.


My personal favorites are, the sweet "Lo Aai Milan Ki Raat", the fun "Yeh To Kaho Kaun Ho Tum" and "Tum Aaj Mere Sang Hanslo".



I would also like to mention that Aashiq is from the same period as Ujala (1959) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960) and resembles both albums but is a little more drama and less folk.



Tracks:

Side 1
1. Mukesh: Main Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka
2. Lata mangeshkar: Lo Aai Milan Ki Raat
3. Mukesh & Chorus: Yeh To Kaho Kaun Ho Tum
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Mehtab Tera Chehra



Side 2
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: O Shama Mujhe Phoonk De
6. Mukesh: Tum Aaj Mere Sang Hanslo
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Jhanan Jhanjhanake Apni Payal
8. Mukesh: Tum Jo Hamare Meet Na Hote

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Aashiq

Roshan: Bawre Nain (1950/1980)

Roshan, who was a musician trough out the 40's, got his first break as a music director with Bawre Nain. Heavily inspired by the 40's sound, this record represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. But the overall sound of this album is melancholic and slightly romantic (as in the artistic current).  

The most popular song on the record is ''Khyalon Men Kisi Ke'', it's sneaky and seductive.

You can find some joyful songs on the album, but you still feel some pain in the music. Like the playful ''Mujhe Sach Sach Batado'' and ''Roothe Hue Chanda''. They still feel a little bit like when someone sad tries to be happy.

My favorite songs on the album are the lonely ''Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin'', the lovely duet ''Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka'' and ''Sun Bairi Balam''

It's not the greatest album, but still it is special. It has it's own original charm that makes it stand out. I enjoy it, what do you think? 

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Geeta Dutt & Mukesh: Khyalon Men Kisi Ke

2. Rajkumari & Mukesh: Mujhe Sach Sach Batado

3. Rajkumari: Roothe Hue Chanda

Side 2

4. Mukesh: Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin

5. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka

6. Rajkumari: Kyon Mere Dil Men

7. Rajkumari: Sun Bairi Balam

Lyrics: Kidar Sharma

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Roshan | Bawre Nain

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

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Humjoli (1970)

I picked this album next because I just watched Om Shanti Om (Main Hoon Na was better) . The "Dhoom Tana" sequence had a few references to Humjoli. Obviously when Sharukh Khan is playing badminton is refers to "Dhal Gaya Din". But there is also the costume that Deepika Padukone wears in the sequence that is inspired by Mumtaz in the "Tik Tik Tik Mera Dil" song. OK, enough about that, let's talk about the songs of Humjoli.

The music is very integrated into the movie. Like the first song uses the sounds that the girls shout, from each team, when they are playing a game. The song is even called "Hu Tu Tu Tu". Also in "Dhal Gaya Din" the sound of the bird (badminthon ball) hitting the racket is integrated in the song. In "Chai Shuru Hoja" the sound of the caracters hitting the other men is present in teh music.

If "Tik Tik Tik Mera Dil" is supposed to be the vamp song, this is the most innocent one I have ever heard. It's ok, it has like a 5 seconds wacky instrumental break. I can give it that.


"Yeh Kaisa Aya Zamana" is an annoying song at first because you have no idea what is going on, but once you know that there are 3 parts to the song you get it. The first is the older generation, the second music from the 50's and then last is the coolest and newest music.

My favorite on the album is "Haye Re Haye"

I liked the soundtrack, but from a light and fun point of view. It's not meant to be good music, it's simply music to entertain, basically it's bubble gum. Humjoli is Bollywood's version of 60's teen movies.




Tracks:

Side1
1. Asha Bhosle, Kamal Barot & Chorus: Hu Tu Tu Tu
2. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Haye Re Haye
3. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Dhal Gaya Din


Side 2
4. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Tik Tik Tik Mera Dil
5. Mukesh, Kishore Kumar & Mehmod: Ye Kaisa Aya Zamana
6. Mohd. Rafi & Kishore Kumar: Chai Shuru Hoja


Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Laxmikant Pyarelal Humjoli

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

Shankar Jaikishan: Barsaat (1949/1973)

Barsaat is Shankar's and Jaikishan's first movie score. Not only was this movie a hit, but it established Raj Kapoor and his team as one of the best movie makers of the 50's.

Many songs on this album. Not all great, but still good. The classic "Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya" is one of my favorites. As well as "Barsaat Men Ham Se Mile" which are the songs that stand out on the record.

"Palti Kamar Hai" is most appreciated, while watching the film. The longing village girl (played by Nimmi) sadly waits the return of her lover, but in a parallel montage, you see he is dancing with an other woman without any care in the world. Great use for a song in a flick.


Great duet, "Chhod Gaye Balam" Lata and Mukesh's vocals are great. Again, this is better while watching the film. This is not the case of the film being better that the soundtrack, it's just that the images and the songs really do complete each other.

I also enjoy "Ab Mera Kaun Sahara", even if it is a sad song. Well when you thing about it about 90% of the film, the characters are kind of depressed. It's melancholic (Not as much as Aag, but still) and a romantic view of despair and seeing no hope, but looking and singing really well as you do it.

I recommend this soundtrack , but I recommend the film (because you have both) more. Also because the imagery (especially the lighting) is brilliant.

Tracks

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jiya Baqarar hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Palti Kamar Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Bichhde Hue Pardesi
5. Mohd. Rafi: Zindagi Men Hardam

Side 2

6. Lata Mangeshkar: Hawa Men Udta Jae
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Mera Kaun Sahara
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh : Chhod Gaye Balam
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Meri Aankhon Men Bas Gaya
10. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Barsaat Men Ham Se Mile

Lyrics: Hastrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Jalal Malihabadi & Ramesh Shastri

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Barsaat

Shankar Jaikishan: Awaara (1951/1966) ep

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Dam Bhar Jo Munh Phere

Side 2
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya
4. Mukesh: Awara Hoon

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

For music and more, see Awaara

Naushad: Andaz (1949/1971)

I liked, Andaz, the movie (mostly because the cast comprises of the 3 greatest hindi actors of all time, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Nargis, all in one film) but the music not so much. Frankly, I was disappointed. Usually Naushad delivers, but sadly not this time.

The songs aren't worth mentioning one at a time. The album in it's entirety is boring and feels flat. The only two songs that are acceptable, are the first and the last. ''Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj'' is a classic, then the last one and my favorite is ''Dar Na Mohabbat Karle''. Is it just me or I can't hear any piano, yet in the film (young and skinny) Dilip Kumar is playing that instrument. Ah whatever, I don't care because this is a great Shamshad Begum and Lata duet. I love it when they sing together.





Tracks:


Side 1
1. Mukesh: Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj
2. Mukesh: Tu Kahe Agar
3. Mukesh: Toote Na Dil Toote Na
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tod Diya Dil Mera
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Koi Mere Dil Men



Side 2
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Uthaye Ja Umke Sitam
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Yun To Apas Men Bigadte
8. Mukesh: Hum Aaj Kahin Dil Kho Baithe
9. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Meri Ladli
10. Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum: Dar Na Mohabbat Karle



Lyrics: Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Naushad Andaz

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 ...

Shankar Jaikishan: Shree 420 (1955/1979)

Shree 420 is an other classic score by Shankar Jaikishan, to me it's almost like a sequel to Awaara (see post of Awaara). The hits and my favorite songs on Shree 420 are "Mera Joota Hai Japani" (it's a classic), a tune that critics indian society just after the independence in 1947, (here are some of the translated lyrics)

My shoes are Japanese

The pants are from England

The red hat on my head is Russian

But even then, my heart is Indian

and "Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua", a classic love song. It's playful, and at times you even feel a sadness when hearing it. Lata's and Manna Dey's vocals are great together.



Another thing I like about the soundtrack is the contrast, like for example, the rich "westernized" society is represented by the song "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh" and the poor street society is "Ramaiya Vastavaiya".





Overall , a great soundtrack, I am not a fan of "O Janewale", but I like the charming little song, "Ichak Dana Beechak Dana", (the clip has English subs.) Can you guess?



For more info on the movie and songs there is a cool blog called filmi geek that talks about Shree 420, have a look.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar: Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua
2. Manna Dey & Chorus: Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala
3. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey & Chorus: Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Ichak Dana Beechak Dana

Side 2
5. Mukesh & Chorus: Mera Joota Hai Japani
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Sham Gai Raat Aai
7. Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh & Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya
8. Lata Mangeshkar: O Janewale

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan | Shree 420

Salil Chowdhury: Madhumati (1958/1976)

Madhumati is the only Salil Chowdhury record I have . I do not know any of his other music. But I can really hear the western influences, and I especially noticed the use of some guitar here and there. The Madhumati soundtrack to me is very simple and alive. But I found it sounded sometimes too much the same from song to song. They are all good songs, but not great songs. The obvious popular tracks are "Dil Tadap Tadap Ke" and, a track I don't like, "Aaja Re Pardesi " . But my "coup de coeur" (french expression that means , the one that I instantly loved) is "Chadh Gayo Papi Bichchua inspired by folk music. A nice "village boy/village girl" song, it makes me dance and takes it's roots from the indian folk dance called dandiya garba. So, over all, this is a good soundtrack, but for me anyway, I feel there is nothing that is really super fantanstic. But it's worth a listen, so hear for yourselves.

I suggest, the last part the the second side, (I can listen to over and over again) it's 3 songs: "Tan Jale Man Jalta Rahe" ( don't let the deep voice scare you) , "Ham Hal-E-Dil Sunaenge" and "Toote Hue Khwabon Ne". They are very good .

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Mukesh: Suhana Safar
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadke
3. Asha Bhosle, Sabita Chowdhury, Gulam Mohd. & Chorus:
Kanchle Kanchi Lai Lajo
4. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Tadap Tadap Ke
5. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Chadh Gayo Papi Bichhua

Side 2
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Aaja Re Pardesi
7. Mohd. Rafi: Jangal Men Mor Nacha
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi
9. Dwijen Mukherjee & Chorus: Tan Jale Man Jalta Rahe
10. Mubarak Begum: Ham Hal-E-Dil Sunaenge
11.Mohd. Rafi: Toote Hue Khwabon Ne

Lyrics: Shailendra and Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Salil Chowdhury| Madhumati

Shankar Jaikishan: Awaara (1951/1975) aka The Vagabond

The first Bollywood Lp I ever got, Awaara is a classic. I can listen to the whole album; all the songs seem to have a little something special. The Shankar Jaikishan team certainly impressed me with my first taste of Hindustani (Indian) music. The hit songs from Awaara are “Ek Do Teen” sung by one of my favorite, but unusual voices, Shamshad Begum, and “Awaara Hoon” the title track. The songs that I really enjoy, well ….wait….I really do like all of them. Ok then, so the one I like the least is “Naiya Teri Manjhdhar” because it’s just not that pretty to listen too then the others. But the last track, which is actually two songs but intertwined, ”Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni” and “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi” is especially impressive. The song takes us on a 10 minute ride into the fantastic imaginary world of the protagonist, a dreamlike world that with the help of Lata’s voice is very haunting. Manna Dey then takes over with the drums for the nightmarish part, and then Lata comes back with the dark but hopeful “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi”. The screaming at the end is a forerunner to what will come in Bollywood music in the 60’s and 70’s.


*Extra*: Something I Noticed About the Movie

I put the videos for fun, but some have English subtitles, so you can understand (unless you already speak Hindi). It was interesting and I was surprised at the directness in the song "Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Munh Phere" about sex, and towards the fact that they say they want to make love to each other and probably do. You would have never seen that in a popular American musical in the 50's. There is some sexual tension, at the end of "Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai" and I also have a supplementary clip that I found on you tube that either proves that Nargis and Raj Kapoor (the principal actors) were very good actors or were fery good lovers. You decide, and tell me what you think about the music and the clips.

I won't always do this but since it is easy to find all the clip for Awaara, I put them beside the track listing.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Title Music videoclip
2. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Naiya Teri Manjhdhar
3. Shamshad Begum: Ek Do Teen videoclip
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jab Se Balam Ghar Aae videoclip
5. Mukesh: Hanste Bhi Rahe Rote Bhi Rahe videoclip

6. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai videoclip

Side 2
7. Mukesh: Awaara Hoon videoclip
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Munh Phere videoclip
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya videoclip
10. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni
11. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi videoclip (for song 10 and 11)

Lyrics: Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 4.5/5

Get the music now ! : Shankar Jaikishan Awaara