MUSIC #52: NAVRANG 1959 (HINDI OST)

If you appreciate classical Indian music and dancing, this is a not to be missed album and movie. And to reinforce what a great masterpiece this is, both in cinematic and musical terms, here’s a simultaneous worldwide posting (from two corners of the world) of the movie review by my friend and fellow blogger, Bolly Deewana (Click HERE for the movie review) and the music by yours truly.

Like the movie, which is directed by the great Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, the music is by another bollywood heavyweight of that era, C. Ramchandra (CR). CR is also credited for other masterpieces such as Patanga (1949), Sargam (1950),Yasmin (1955), Devta (1956), Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) and Baarish (1957) to name a few.

As appropriately noted on the back cover of the LP, the highlights of the movie are its exquisite dance numbers and the rich variety of music numbers ranging from the popular to the classical, and sung by Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey and newcomer (and my favourite singer) Mahendra Kapoor (I am surprised he did not get a rap on the back cover though). Rumour has it that Lata Mangeshkar, who was usually the first choice of most music directors of that time, was not asked to sing any of the scores because CR and Lata, who had been having an affair, had a falling out because CR would not leave his wife for Lata! And it is interesting to note that sibling solidaritary and support is not evident in this instance, as Asha obviously had no qualms of taking over badi didi’s (elder sister’s) spot! Oh well, it could be the case of ‘papi pet ka sawaal’ (literally translated as “a matter of the sinful stomach” = survival).

I like and enjoy all of the songs in this album, and Side Two more so than Side One but if I have to choose, my favourite would be “Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi” sung by my favourite singer Mahendra Kapoor. This song is also his debut as a playback singer and came to be a chartbuster hit. The lyrics of this song are just phenomenal; translated the first and second verses would be the following:

Mahendra Kapoor:

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama

Half is the moon

Asha Bhosle:

Piya aadhi hai pyaar ki bhaashhaa

My dearest, half (unfulfilled) is the language of love

Aadhi rehne do man ki abhilaasha

Therefore, let your desires be halved (partly relinquished)

Aadhe chalke nayan aadhe chhalke nayan

The eyes are half closed (downcast), the eyes are half closed (downcast)

Aadhi palkon mein bhi hai barsaat aadhi

The lashes too are half closed (downcast) and this rain halved (a drizzle)

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama

Half is the moon

Note: “Aadha/Aadhi” literally translates to half or halved in English. The words in brackets would be a better/most appropriate English subsitute in this instance.

Apologies if I got some of this wrong - my mother tongue is actually Punjabi and even that, I admit, I don’t speak too well, being educated in English and Malay

I give this album 4 stars.

Navrang 1959: The Original Soundtrack

Side 1

1. Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat – Asha Bhosle and C. Ramchandra

2. Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat – Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor

3. Aa Dil Se Milale – Asha Bhosle

Side 2

1. Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan – Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey

2. Shyamal Shyamal Baran Komal Komal Charan – Mahendra Kapoor

3. Tum Mere Mai Teri – Asha Bhosle

4. Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi – Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor

Don’t forget to read the movie review HERE at Bollywood Dewana.