Occasions that left us wanting for more.....

In today’s edition I take great pleasure in opening a few rather unknown chapters of a book named “Indian Film Music”. The chapters are quite interesting. In these chapters, I will tell a little story, mention about a few incidents, and put forward a few views. The end is going to be abrupt because there is no need to draw any deep inference – they are just for reading and feeling good.


Chapter 1


In his entire career the seminal music composer Sachin Dev Burman used very little voice of singer Mukesh. Mukesh was S.D. Burman’s choice and voice in such films as Bambai Ka Babu (Chal ri sajni….), Bandini (O jaanewale ho sake to laut ke aana…). Clearly, as we can see, only these two come to my immediate recollection. There were a few others during the same time – in films like Dr Vidya. So far so good. But this chapter is not meant for the S.D-Mukesh combination, it is rather for the S.D-Mahendra Kapoor one. The ace playback singer Mahendra Kapoor got one substantial song under the music direction of S.D.Burman. Yes, it was only one song and the film was Miya Biwi Razi, released in 1960. It was not a solo; rather, it was a duet with singer Asha Bhonsle. It was a sweet, peppy, lilting tune set to contemporary beats and rhythm. The song was performed beautifully by Asha Bhonsle who had, by that time, worked a lot with the senior Burman. But Mahendra Kapoor did an equally sparkling job, his voice came through as youthful, energetic and engaging. The voice was always hitting the right chords and the right moods. What a pity that Kapoor did not work more with S.D.Burman!

                             The rare S.D.Burman & Mahendra Kapoor combination


Chapter 2
The eminent singer Kishore Kumar was a great fan of composer Madan Mohan. He considered Madan Mohan’s tunes to be marvelous and at the same time, challenging and difficult. But then, he liked composer Naushad’s tunes too. Any guess if these two legends, the great composer Naushad Ali and the great singer Kishore Kumar, had ever worked together? Yes, they did. But only once. It was a film called Sunehra Sansar (1975), starring Rajinder Kumar and Hema Malini. Like the last song, this one too is a duet. Ironically, this time too, the other singer is Asha Bhonsle. The song is “Hello hello kya haal hai” and it is a masterpiece tune. Not many might have heard the song. Thanks to the internet, many rare things are possible to be found out. The main reason for not many people knowing about this song is that it was never included in the final soundtrack of the movie. The reason for that omission is not known for sure! But again, what a loss! At least a few more from this extraordinary duo would have been ideal – especially, in the mid-seventies with Kishore Kumar at his creative best.

                            Rare Kishore Kumar gem

Chapter 3

The film Abhimaan (1973), with the success of its music, was a triumph for S.D.Burman. Firstly, he had to show the world that he is still relevant and that he can still produce great tunes. Secondly, his belief that songs based on Indian Classical Music and Indian Folk Music still find countless admirers was proved yet again. The music was splendid in the film – the entire soundtrack became very popular. It established further the popularity and cult of Kishore Kumar. The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar sounded a bit sweeter than ever before and a new singer by the name Manhar Udhas was introduced. But there was another singer who came in front of the recording microphone for the first time. It was a morning prayer composed for a particular situation in the movie. The tune was very soothing and there was a little girl singing it. The girl was Anuradha Paudwal, who later would become a renowned playback voice for generations to come. S.D.Burman spotted a rare talent and gave her a break. For those that have watched the film, the voice comes when we see the first glimpse of Uma, the female protagonist. S.D.Burman passed away within a few years and she never got a chance again to sing under his guidance.

Chapter 4


The entire soundtrack of movie 1942- A Love Story was phenomenal. It created ripples in the hearts of listeners. Today, it is part of nostalgia of the 90’s Indian movies. The theme of the movie, its treatment, its artistry, and its story projected an authentic picture of pre-independent India with all its hue and color. The legendary composer R.D.Burman needed to be a part of this nostalgia – through his compositions. He knew that compositions alone would not be enough. He needed a voice – a unique voice. He used the voice of Bengali singer Shivaji Chattopaddhyay. R.D.Burman working with newcomers had never been unusual; Arati Mukherjee, Usha Utthup, Abhijeet, Anup Ghosal – the list is quite long. However, I think getting Chattopaddhyay do this song was a masterstroke. What a hefty voice! A baritone flowing like waves of a sea! Great words were uttered with emotion. A prayer was turned into a song, but not in a preaching style – the song “Yeh Safar Bahut Hai Kathin Magar” would have made another legendary singer Hemant Kumar very proud! Since R.D.Burman left us forever shortly after the release of the film, there was no further collaboration with the singer possible.

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