Portraits - Legends of Bollywood

Sketch of Madan Mohan

My debut attempt at Portraits - Sketch of Lata Mangeshkar

Amitabh Bachchan

My sketch of Asha Bhosle published in "Eternal Asha" a coffee table book released on Sep 9 2017 on the occasion of Ashaji's 75th birthday. 

Smitha Patil

Sketch of Helen

Sketch of Suchitra Sen

Sketch of Jaya Bhaduri (of Guddi fame)

Sketch of Nutan

               Sketch of Kamal Haasan

More of my paintings can be viewed at "My Paintings"

My Sketch of Asha Bhosle

My sketch of Asha Bhosle published in Coffee Table Book titled "Eternal Asha" celebrating her 75 years of singing. This book was released  in the august presence of Asha Thai herself and Kabir Bediji on Sep 9th 2017 at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru

Deewana Hua Badal (Duet)

Image Link: https://mrandmrs55.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/sharmila-tagore-and-shammi-kapoor-kashmir-ki-kali-dal-lake.jpg

Song that sings a saga of love, shot in the cool locales of “Paradise on Earth” - Kashmir and wrapped beautifully by the melodies of M Rafi and Asha Bhosle. This romantic buoyant ballad is picturized on the flamboyant Shammi Kapoor and gorgeous Sharmila Tagore (who made a stunning debut ) sailing us to Dal Lake in Srinagar, taking us to Nehru Park where we watch Shammi waltzing and jiving to woo Sharmila even as they are sailing in separate boats in the lake.

The song begins with Sharmila climbing down the outside entrance stairs of a Village Inn followed by Shammi in his typical somersaultish style. Truly a treat to watch Shammi’s great balancing act during boating! Some cool moments ensue for a few minutes and the song ends with Shammi waving away to Sharmila from his own boat. Bubbly lively feel is a true takeaway from this timeless melody.

YouTube Link for Deewana Hua Badal

Movie Masala:

Since this was Sharmila’s debut film and also being a Bengali, she had no idea what to do with playback songs. It was Shammi Kapoor who told her what to do during a song, teaching her about music and rhythm (as told by Sharmila in “The Telegraph” Aug 15, 2011)

In Rafi’s voice lies the voice of Shammi so much so that on the musical maestro’s demise, Shammi himself said (somewhere I’ve read) “My voice has departed”

This movie – Kashmir ki Kali became a Box Office hit that year. The film incidentally has no title track.

O P Nayyar was selected to compose the music in place of Shanker-Jaikishen.

This is 1/9 songs from

Film: Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)

Director: Shakti Samanta

Music Composer:  O. P. Nayyar

Lyrics: S.H. Bihari

Picturised on: Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore

Singers: Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle

Few other songs reviewed in this blog can be reached via Bollywood Songs Review

Aao Huzoor Tum ko

Aao huzoor tum ko YouTube Link

1/5 songs from the 1968 film “Kismat”

Music Director: O.P. Nayyar        Singer: Asha Bhosle        Lyricist: Noor Devasi

Director: Manmohan Desai          Actors: Biswajeet, Babita, Helen, Kamal Mishra, Murad

Based on the film Kismat, a film with a flamboyant narrative and an unending storyline.

A sharaab song associating a drunkard, but with a difference! Difference that lies in the gender. I can guess the difference, can you? In sharp contrast to the practice during those times, when consuming the Devil’s nectar was the prerogative of masculine masses, Manmohan Desai takes a bold step to defy the norms and portray feminine intoxification to the public. Thanks to the lyrics of a lesser known lyricist Noor Devasi who takes us along with the stars of the song, to stars of the skies…

Good Heavens!...seven of them towards the end of the song ! when he refers to jotting down in the heart, memoirs that are unmatched by seven skies (Jis ki misaal de naa sake saatho aasmaan). Rave references to skies, stars and seven heavens…all of these…are they probably implying divinity? So what if the lyricist is lesser known, when the song is considered a memorable one (especially associating Babita), entertaining to us, viewers cum listeners and a claim to fame for Noor Dewasi.

Fabulous rendition by Asha…what an intoxicating mood she must have been in! Glory be to her, for her pauses, expressions and extensions, all so precise and perfectly in sync with the drunken dolly ….is it Karishma or Kareena? Ta…ta…taa it’s the mom of both, Babita.

This song , picturised on Babita and Biswajit was one of the songs selected for Shaan-e-Pakistan 2015 (a 3 day fashion and cultural fiesta that brings the 2 nations together through fashion, food and music)

Few other song reviews in this blog can be reached via "Bollywood Songs Review"

Image Link

https://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fs1.dmcdn.net%2FJnJ_V%2F1280x720-wcn.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymotion.com%2Fvideo%2Fx2kqqaq&docid=8BOguKGfR5a3oM&tbnid=z08GHlyL4vV2LM%3A&vet=1&w=1280&h=720&bih=698&biw=1422&ved=0ahUKEwj93oyH1c_QAhVGwI8KHTzlBN0QMwgnKAswCw&iact=mrc&uact=8

Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam

My sketch of Nutan - Charcoal on Paper
My portraits of Bollywood legends can be viewed @ "Portraits - Legends of Bollywood"

Dilli Ka Thug, is a 1958 comedy film that is remembered to this day for its enchanting music (by Composer Ravi) with melodious tunes complemented equally richly by Majrooh’s lyrics.

Kishore (Kishore Kumar), a journalist turned gambler, tricks people for his earning.  On landing in Mumbai with a job in hand, he meets Asha (Nutan). The firm employing Kishore is run by Asha’s uncle, murderer of Kishore’s father and his friend. This uncle of Asha, Professor Amarnath by day is also known by the name Anantram, leader of a gang that distributes fake medicines. Kishore, engaged to Asha during childhood, but never met each other in their later years, now tries to win her back.
You may listen to the song here

It takes two to Tango goes a saying. So it was, sort of, in this waltzish song that starts with two -

Kishore and Nutan, not in a ballroom but on the terrace . The hitherto angry outward air of Nutan that preluded this song melts in less than a minute when Kishore repeats his first line “Yeh raatein yeh mausam….with arms wide open. Is it to invoke the night breeze on to the terrace or evoke Nutan into his arms for an embrace?  Why not take it as both when the feelings are same – pristine pure akin to nature.

The magic unfolds when Nutan springs a surprise. Hmmm she takes over humming the tune and singing a melody wherein she states about their hearts having said “We shall never part”. While she sings her say, one can’t miss noticing her palms feel the gentle sway of the leaves of palms to the blows of breeze. What follows next is justifiably their chorus “Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam…..” praising the night and the clime, shine from the moon and breeze from the shore, all of these making them feel…well, at ease together, in love with each other. What a sea of emotions expressed in just a line! Woohoo, thanks to lyricist Majrooh.

They move on to sing rest of the song taking turns whilst they join back in chorus to sing the couplet

“Kaha do dilon ne, yeh milkar kabhi ham, na honge judaa

Yeh raatein, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinara, yeh chanchal hawa”

The emotions of both have been strongly captured in the song, thanks to brilliant picturisation.  Nutan’s mesmerising portrayal of emotions, in particular, is evident in this breezy musical. Is this why she is popular as the “Queen of Emotions” I wonder!

1/8 songs from the Film: Dilli ka Thug (1958)                        

Music Composer:  Ravi                 
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhonsle   

Director: S D Narang      
Cast: Kishore Kumar, Nutan, Madan Puri, Iftekhar

Lyricist: S H Bihari, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri

Movie Masala:

It is believed that there was a joke in film industry that if you want to draw Nutan, just sketch a straight line. But the joke was shortlived, for, at 17, she was sent by her mother to a finishing school in Switzerland after which she gained a few pounds more!

Few other song reviews in this blog can be reached via "Bollywood Songs Review"

Image Link: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fpka_b4Hlas/hqdefault.jpg

           

Jaaiye Aap Kahaan

1 of 9 songs from the film “Mere Sanam” which is believed to be an unofficial remake of “Come September” (especially the first part of the film where the caretaker converts the bungalow to a resort). Storyline is similar in many ways to “Thumsa nahin dekha”.  The story revolves around romantic rendezvous between college girl Neena (Asha Parekh) and Kumar (Biswajeet) another guest in the same lodge where Neena went on a holiday with her mother and a few other female friends.
You may listen to the song here

A mediocre film with a run of the mill story yet makes audience glued to their seats thanks to “Rok lengi koyi daali meri baahon ki tarah”

mesmerizing music by a colossus called O P Nayyar and brilliant photography by K. Vaikunth that portrays Kashmir in all its glory. Jaaiye Aap Kahan is one of those classic songs regarded as a milestone in Hindi film music. A typical trotting around the tree song (and not running around the tree, atleast in this case) picturized on Asha Parekh and Biswajeet with the tree triumphantly playing the supporting role of wingman. Even the twig tweaks out radiating towards the centre of circlish sky background lending itself for Asha P to hold on to…Observe this while Asha B sings

It’s grass n greens all through the song, of those trees, lawns n more of them, the sky and the earth, clouds and hills coming in between bringing viewers to perspective, pushing them towards a picturesque panorama . While the song starts with the humming of “aha” by Biswajeet (as if he is set to sing the rest of the song!) it is Asha (Parekh)  all the way playbacked brilliantly by Asha (Bhosle) ending with the dazzling pair getting lost in the woods, hand in hand, hmmming….even as the devious manager Shyam (played by Pran) who is plotting to create a wedge between the two, manages to catch sight of the duo’s dalliance!

Film: Mere Sanam (1965)             
Director: Amar Kumar   
Music Composer: O P Nayyar

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri          
Singer: Asha Bhosle       
Actors:  Asha Parekh, Biswajeet, Pran, Rajendranath, Mumtaz

 Image Link: https://s2-ssl.dmcdn.net/Eup6I/526x297-ABU.jpg

Aage Bhi Jaanena Tu

1/8 songs from the film Waqt (1965) that set the trend for an ensemble cast with Yash Chopra designing a template to be typified in films to come. Another lost and found mega sized family story with a typical fabulous 60s’ Hindi cinema ending: HAPPY. Women in the film, the inimitable mom Achala Sachdev and the leading ladies Sadhana and Sharmila Tagore are portrayed brilliantly in powerful characters, all of them oozing with confidence and looking stunningly beautiful.

You may listen to the song here

Song that starts on a grand note. Ha…you guessed it right…yes a party song…with Chinoy the host.

Dance floor, bright lights - red and white, star studded scene with fine wine, gorgeous costumes, black suits, svelte and stylish, silken saris, diamond necklaces, not a hair in the air. Phew..what an overview of opulence!!

Somewhere in the middle of the song, Vijay (played by Shashi Kapoor) hears that his mother Laxmi (played by Achala Sachdev) is seriously ill. Vijay, the baby of Kedarnath’s family of 3 sons, is a college graduate and his education was supported by Ma Laxmi’s sheer hard work and years of sacrifice. Every year, Ma cries for Vijay on his birthday, for Vijay (who was Munna when the family was separated) was still a toddler in Ma’s arms. Incidentally, all 3 sons shared the same birthday!

A classic example of “A lot can happen over a song” with plenty to watch, for there’s progress aplenty of the story, while you listen to this one of a clutch of super hit songs.  Soulful song with lyrics centered around philosophy. Not to worry. Sahir doesn’t drive us into depression. It’s all about ‘being in the dark’ about past and the future, hence best is to light up the present, i.e., This Moment. What a coincidence it is! ...for, matching with this meaning is a fleeting moment in the song when the shimmering lady behind the mic is glistening under bright lights while we, the viewers almost lose sight of the rest in the dark. Notice this during the singing of la…la…la….la just before the line “ is pal ki jalwo ne…

 Film: Waqt (1965)          
 Director: Yash Chopra  
 Producer: B R Chopra    
Music Composer: Ravi

Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi   
Singer: Asha Bhosle       
Actors: Ensemble Cast

Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Sadhana, Balraj Sahni, Madan Puri, Sharmila Tagore, Achala Sachdev, Rehman

Image Link: https://s2-ssl.dmcdn.net/Eup6I/526x297-ABU.jpg

Sambhal Ye Dil

A deeply touching duet with emphatic though contrasting expressions of feelings of two, Mohan (Sunil Dutt) and Rajni (Vyjayanthimala)

Mohan, a literature professor, who once hired Rajni, a Nautch girl to pose as his fiancée to console his ailing mother (who wished Mohan be married before she dies) is now pining for her to be with him forever. Rajni, in contrast, is withdrawing herself away, for the shear fear of social stigma linked to her “self”, a dilemma that stared on her face something she dreaded to face! Understable for a lady who frequently fleed unable to bear the mockery by customers (for whom she worked as prostitute).  A reason or two that made them mock: Be it when she dons a dance costume or regales herself royally with bridal sari n such other finery, lovingly gifted to her - considered as “Bahu-to-be” - by her wishfilled Ma -in-law-to-be (Leela Chitnis).

The heart of this song “Sambhal Ye Dil” lies in conversational lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi so sublimely centered on two selves, Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala who sing their hearts out. Dialogue delivered musically that appears to be happening as if between each other while together, though distanced remotely away from one other.

Vyjayanthimala is portrayed in a typical posture of a human in depressingly dilemmatic state at the start of the song. In stark contrast is Sunil Dutt, right at the door and treading towards the balcony, arms ready to open wide, for Vyj…mala. Ala…watch Sunil’s sincerely smiling face greeting her, all of grace! Diverse yet subtle ways of depicting Rajni’s depressed state are notable through the song….ambling around the room with clenched fists, moist eyes et al. Even as Mohan maintains his cheerful face and heartfelt state right through his last verse when he sings “jo dil ki aakhri hadd hai wahaan tak baat pahunchi hai” (my feelings are at the farthest edge of my heart) we too realise we are sitting at the edge of our seats wondering while watching….Unite, they must….yet our thoughts tossing between these two questions…Will they? Won’t they? …Will they? Won’t they?... Will they? Won’t they?

Sambhal Ye Dil YouTube Link

Movie Masaala:

Vyjayanthimala who exploited her dancing skills to the hilt alongside her acting duly won the Best Fimfare Actress Award. So did Mukhram Sharma for his Splendid Story. Vyjayanthimala in the same year was nominated for the biggest hit of her career Bimal Roy’s Madhumati

Sadhna was the fifth highest grossing film of 1958

Sunil Dutt in his role in this film as Professor of Poetry and Literature at a nearby college, during one of his lessons about a nobleman who has fallen for a prostitute, had this to say about dancing girls, “They love not the man, but his assets and money”

Sadhna was a conversational tale with no takers! Hold…. not till B R Chopra grabbed it and did not miss converting it to a big hit!

Vyjayanthimala overtly enamoured by the script her role had to enact on screen is believed to have gifted B R Chopra a plateful of coins! Ever smart at picking up potential roles - Chandramukhi in Devdas when Nargis and Suraiya refused; Rajni in this film when Nimmi (big star of that era) refused BRC’s offer.

Sambhal Ye Dil is 1/7 songs from

Film: Sadhna (1958)        

Director: B R Chopra       Music Director: Datta Naik

Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi    Singers: Asha, Rafi           Actors: Sunil Dutt, Vyjayanthimala

Few other songs reviewed in this blog:
Mang ke saath tumhaara
Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai

Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina

Churaliya Hum Tum Ne Jo Dil Ko
Aao Huzoor Tum Ko
Aayega Aane Waala
Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh

Songs sung by Team Nostalgia at Dignity Foundation on 20th Jan 2017:

Ae maalik tere bande hum - Vasant Desai

Tum aasha vishwas hamare  - Hridayanath

Saranga teri yaad mein - Sardar Malik

Dhalti jaaye raat - Lachiram

Jai jai he jagadambe mata - Chitragupt

Haye jiya roye  - Hansraj Bahl

Hasne ki chahne kitna mujhe rulaya hai  - Kanu Roy

Chanda re ja re ja re – Khemchand Prakash

Tere sur aur mere geet – Vasant Desai

Prabhu tero naam - Jaidev

Mujhko tum jo mile – Mukul Roy

Phir kahin koi phool khila – Kanu Roy

Mera dil jo mera hotha – Kanu Roy

Haal e dil ko sunana tha – Snehal Bhatkar

Main apne aap se ghabra gaya hun - Iqbal Quereshi

Phir woh bhooli si yaad aayi hai - Sapan Jagmohan

Tumhe dekhti hoon to lagta hai aise - Jaidev

Zindagi dene waale sun – Ghulam Mohammed

Sambhal ye dil – Datta Naik

Jo tum muskura do – Datta Naik

Main tumhi se pooch thi hoon mujhe tumse pyar kyun hai – Datta Naik

DATTA NAIK  – compiled

Local resident of Portuguese Colony Goa

Started his career as music assistant of S D Burman

Active in film music for about 25 years (active till 1975)

First Film Music: MILAAP (1955)

First Hit: Chandrakanta (1956) with nearly a dozen songs. Most popular song: Maine Chand Aur Sitaron Ke Thamanna Ki Thi  …. followed by …..

His music score for the famous Children’s film: Ham Panchi Ek Dal Ke (1957). In this film, child artist Daisy Irany won the hearts of millions. The title song “Tang, Tang, Dole….Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke” is rated as one of the best children’s songs to this day.

“Oh Dil Ki Tamanna Thi Masti  Me Manzil” from the film Gyarah Hazaar Ladakiyaan (Bharat Bhushan – Mala Sinha) is a nostalgic song of Binaca Geetmala – Radio Ceylon. A popular song of those times is not to be heard now.

1958 – established himself as a noted music director with 2 beautiful Asha Bhosle songs “Kis jaga jaayen kisko dikhayen” and “Nainon se naina laage” (Film: Light House  - Ashok Kumar/Nutan)

1958 – Film Sadhna – a variety of beautiful songs that included a popular quawwali “Aaj kyon hamse parda hai”

1959 – In “Bhai Bahen” – Daisy Irani’s film, Dutta’s “Sare Jahan Se Aacha” (Asha) and “Thandi hawa ke jhoke” (Shamshad Begum) were popular then

Credit of bringing Mahendra Kapoor to the forefront of playback singers (out of the shadow of Rafi)  goes to Dutta with Yash Chopra’s “Dharm Putra” (1960) and B R Chopra’s “Dhool ka Phool” (1959)

“Bhool sakta hai bhala kaun tumhaari aankhen” – film: Dharm Putra – Mahendra Kapoor succeeded in giving required feeling to the song where it was Rafi’s success earlier.

Best of Dutta - “Tere Pyar Ke Aasra Chaahta Hoon” is a duet by Mahendra Kapoor and Lata in “Dhool ka Phool”

A reminder about remaining songs:

Jo tum muskura do – Duet

Tu hindu banega na musalman banega – Integration song

Kaise kahoon man ki baat – Semi classical

Karle job hi karna hai – quawwali

Tum mujhe bhool bhi jao to yeh haq hai tumko – Duet from film Didi

Sitare Raah Takte Hai

Main tumhi se poochthi hoon

Aurat ne janam diya mardon ka

Sambhal ye Dil

Ashkon me jo paya hai

Kis jagah jaayen

Ab who karam Karen

Daaman me aag laga baithe

Tere pyar ka aasra chaahtha hoon

Aaj ki raat nahi shikwon

Laal Laal Gaal

Dutta’s catchy compositions in some unheard films:

Aaj ye aanchal muh kyun chupaye

Dhoonde nazar nazar mera chand hai kidhar

Pyar ka jahaan ho chota sa makhaan ho

Meri tasveer lekar kya karoge

N Dutta also gave music for the film “Datta Naik”

Long association with Sahir as lyricist till Chehre pe Chehra

Sensible music director with minimum orchestra

Made a comeback in 1980 - Chehre pe Chehra and Miss Toofan

Dec 1987 – left the world ….unsung unknown

This underrated composer belongs to the list of many others like him:

Vasant Desai

Jaidev

Mukul Roy

Kanu Roy

Hansraj Bahl

Sapan Jagmohan

Lachiram

Adi Narayan Rao P

Iqbal Qureshi

Prem Dhawan

S N Tripati

Duttaram

 Image links:

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