The Story of the 'Richly Evergreen'......(Part10)

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The Research Continues...


12

"Aao huzoor tumko..." - When someone writes the history of Hindi film music, there will definitely be a mention of this particular song from the film Kismat. The sheer brilliance of this song lies in the singing. This is one of the rarest of the rare songs that exploits Asha Bhonsle's voice to its limit. A great vocal prelude, soul-stirring music throughout the depth and breadth of the song is all rendered by Ashaji in her unique style. There is a fine piece in the song where the vocals try to follow or rather exactly follows the saxophone - that is purely divine. Any singer who wants to learn music will worship this song!
                                    

13

"Yehi woh jagah hai..." - Hindi film music has offered several haunting melodies over the years. We can mention films like Bees Saal Baad, Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnam or Mahal. But those were not O P's tracks; when O P did get a chance to compose one, he excelled. This is a song from the film Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi, starring Sharmila Tagore and Biswajeet. The best thing about this song is certainly the expressive, long pieces of tune and a very simple, almost missing orchestration. Look how the king of rhythm holds himself back by opting for less!


14

"Sach bata tu..." - A brilliant song from the film Sone Ki Chidiya sung by Asha Bhonsle and Talat Mehmood. I do not recollect when I first heard this song but I vividly remember that I fell in love with it immediately. This is a typical O P-styled number, perhaps with a slight exception. There is something strikingly different, and that is the fact that the legendary Talat Mahmood is singing a jovial, chirpy song which is not that common! There has never been a doubt that his voice was very romantic. But perhaps, not exploited and honored in a good way. Just listen to how he makes the lyrics by Sahir his own and delivers them gently, serenely. Very typical of his style. 


15 

"Nadi ka kinara ho..." - An amazing song from an almost forgotten movie called CID 909 starring Feroze Khan. This is a song penned by Verma Malik and sung by Asha Bhonsle. A lilting dance number, smart rendition, beautiful melody, nice rhythm make this rare song a rare masterpiece. But above all, this song contains a particularly brilliant guitar tune as prelude and in some interlude parts. These very pieces give the song a haunting touch.



16

"Jaiye aap kahan jayenge..." - From an unknown gem to a scintillating classic. This immortal, seminal composition used in film Mere Sanam is perhaps one of the best renditions of Asha Bhonsle. Again, this is a typical O P-style composition; this is also very rich in the usage of musical instruments. This is wonderfully sung by Ashaji! The lyrics by the maestro Majrooh are also fantastic. It is noteworthy that whenever O P collaborated with Majrooh, it produced extraordinary result. Two exhilarating points about this song are a) in the starting lines, the tune follows two different beats and therefore the singing style has to adapt and b) in the interlude there is a piece where the vocals follow the Sitar (a classic Indian instrument) - this is such a soothing and yet an emphatic experiment!


17

"Kajra mohabbatwala...." - There are some compositions in the Hindi films that are unique in their own style and it is this uniqueness that finally makes them classics. This song from the film Kismat is one of those, written by S H Bihari, sung by Asha and Shamshad, picturized on Biswajeet and Babita. The film was directed by Manmohan Desai and this song comes at an important juncture in the movie and the sequence is also quite strange. Biswajeet is dressed up and is made to act like a woman, while Babita acts like a Punjabi boy. A fantastic harmonium start (much like the "Leke pehla pehla pyar") accompanied by Dholak as the percussion and a flawless Qawwali tune is this song in a nutshell. Both Ashaji and Shamshadji pour their hearts out - just listen to the throw of words and the naughty laughter that they mix with their presentation. This song is being remixed and reused and used and abused in all kinds of ways but the original is still as fresh as it was fifty years ago.


[To Be Continued...]

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