MUSIC #31: HEER RAANJHA 1970 (HINDI OST)

Heer Raanjha is a tragic romance originating from Punjab (part of this state is in India and in Pakistan). There are several versions of the story, the most famous being the poem by Waris Shah written in 1766. It tells the story of beautiful Heer (from the village of Jhang, in modern day Punjab, Pakistan) who falls in love with Raanjha but the liaison is cut short by Heer’s jealous and crippled uncle, Kaido. Heer is forced to marry another man but the wedding is annulled when she tells her ‘husband’ that the marriage was against her wishes (the kadi, or priest was bribed by her uncle) and that she loves another. To cut a long story short, both Heer and Raanjha were to marry with the blessing of both families, except Kaido, who was not willing to accept his ‘lost of face’ due to Heer’s first marriage fiasco. Kaido poisons Heer on her wedding day and Raanjha, not being able to save her, also takes the poison (which was in an Indian dessert called a laddu) and the lovers die side by side. Heer and Raanjha are buried in Heer's hometown of Jhang and till today, it is said that lovers often pay respect at their mausoleum.

Not only have there been several versions of the Heer Raanjha story, there have also been several versions of film adaptation too. This version, filmed in 1970, is by director Chetan Anand (brother of actor Dev Anand) and stars legendary actor Raaj Kumar as Raanjha and Priya Rajvansh as Heer. Actor Pran plays the villan Kaido. This film is unique than the other adaptations that its dialogue is all in verse. Chetan also used the Waris Shah version as the basis of his adaptation.

The music for Heer Raanjha is by Madan Mohan and lyrics (also some of the verse-dialogue) is by Kaifi Azmi, who also wrote some of the lyrics for the movie Pakeezah (see my review HERE). The film also showcases some of the best dialogues from the actor Raaj Kumar and in my opinion, one of Mohammad Rafi’s best songs ever, “Yeh Duniya, Yeh Mahifil”. I am surprised that this song did not win any awards. I have inserted some of the more notable dialogues (which I have copied from the movie) as bonus tracks to the album. Hope you enjoy them.

My rating: Four star plus….one of my favourite ‘tragedy’ movies and song albums although Priya’s acting in this movie is quite abominable! She makes up for it with her beauty though...

Heer Raanjha 1970: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Meri Duniya Men – Mohd Rafi , Lata Mangeshkar, Raaj Kumar and Priya Raajvansh

2. Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil – Mohd Rafi

3. Doli Chadhte Heer Ne Bain Kiye – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

4. Jo Mama Mera Aa Jaega – Hemlata, Krishna Kalle, Usha Timothy, Balbir and Chorus

Side Two

1. Milo Na Tum To – Lata Mangeshkar

2. Tere Kooche Men Tera Diwana – Mohd Rafi

3. Do Dil Toote Do Dil Hare – Lata Mangeshkar

4. Naache Ang Ve – Shamshad Begum, Jagjit Kaur, Noor Jehan and Chorus;

Bonus Tracks

1. Dialogue: Heer Raanjha Opening Dialogue and Title Song – Chetan Anand and Instrumental

2. Dialogue: To Have You Is Life (M) – Raaj Kumar

3. Dialogue: We Will Die Together – Raaj Kumar and Priya Rajvansh

4. Dialogue: To Have You Is Life (F) and Fair (Mela) Music – Priya Rajvansh and Instrumental

5. Dialogue: Heer Denounces Her Marriage – Priya Rajvansh

6. Dialogue: Closing – Chetan Anand

MUSIC #31: HEER RAANJHA 1970 (HINDI OST)

MUSIC #16: PAKEEZAH 1972 (HINDI OST)

This album was requested by fellow blogger Bollywood Dewana. Here you go mate, as promised, the OST to Pakeezah (Pure of Heart).

The music for the movie Pakeezah is by Ghulam Mohammad and Naushad and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Kaif Bhopali and Kamal Amrohi (who is also the director of the movie). The making of this movie was plagued with one controversy after another and it took 14 years to complete, during which more tragedy occurred. The reason for the two music directors is that the first music director, Ghulam Mohammad died before the movie and soundtrack was completed. Naushad was asked to step in to compose more songs for the movie, namely the film's background music and title music.

The main reason for the 14 year delay was the marriage break-down of director Kamal Amrohi and his wife, the leading star of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari (pictured below). Not only did music director Ghulam Mohammad pass away during this time, so did the movie’s cinematographer Josef Wirsching. It’s been said that over a dozen of Bombay's top cinematographers helped in finalising the movie.

By the time both Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari were convinced to resume shooting of the film, Meena Kumari was quite ill with cirrhosis. When filming continued, she was lying down in most of her scenes and for the dance sequences, actress Padma Khanna was used as a body double and can be seen in the long-shots. Meena Kumari died a few weeks after the film was released.

During the 1972 Film Awards, actor Pran refused to accept his award for Be-Imaan because he felt that Ghulam Mohammed deserved a posthumous Filmfare award for his music in Pakeezah.

Most of the music of Pakeezah is in the form of Moghul-influenced Kathak style music. The use of traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar¹ and tabla² and the chimes of the ghunghroo (thick anklets made from between 50 to 200 bells) are prevalent in the music. It’s the type of music one sits back to, with their favourite drink in hand, be it a cup of garam, garam chai (very hot tea) or a nice port or sherry, and savour the music. It’s like classical European music - You either like it or hate it! My favourites from Pakeezah are ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Inhi Logon Ne’, ‘Chalo Dildar Chalo’ and ‘Thare Rahiyo’.

My verdict: 5 stars.

Pakeezah 1972: The Original Soundtrack


Side One

1. Title Music – Alap³ by Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Naushad

2. Inhi Logon Ne – Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

3. Nazariya Ki Mari – Raj Kumari

Music: Naushad

4. Chalo Dildar Chalo – Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali

5. Kaun Gali – Parveen Sultana

Music: Naushad

6. Teer-E-Nazar – Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali

Side Two

1. Thare Rahiyo – Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

2. Mausam Hai Ashiqana – Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Kamal Amrohi

3. Mora Sajan – Vani Jairam

Music: Naushad

4. Chalte Chalte – Lata Mangeshkar

Music: Ghulam Mohammad

Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi

Get the album HERE.

Footnotes:

1. The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument used in Hindustani classical music since the middle ages. It derives its resonance from sympathetic strings, a long hollow neck and a gourd shaped resonating chamber.

2. The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical, popular and devotional music. The instrument consists of a pair of drums of contrasting sizes and the music is created by either tapping the drums with the fingers or by using the base of the hand. The word tabla is derived from the Arabic word, tabl, which simply means "drum."

3. An alap is the opening section of a North Indian classical performance. It is unmetered, improvised (within the raga or music scale) and unaccompanied (except for the tanpura, a type of Indian lute) and starts at a slow tempo. In instrumental performance and singing, this part receives heavy emphasis and can last for more than an hour.

Look out for my next posting: Khilona 1970

MUSIC #16: PAKEEZAH 1972 (HINDI OST)