Today's offering is Lootera, a
1965 soundtrack from Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics by Anand Bakshi (except for
Raat Se Kaho Ruke Zara' which is by Asad Bhopali). This is a request from
Gabrujat.
I have to admit I cannot remember
listening to any of these songs as a child and the only reason I have this record
is because it was on a list of freebies to choose from my record purchases. But
having said this, I really do not mind the songs and they do keep in the
tradition of the songs during the arly and mid 60s. I guess one has to hear
them a few times to truly appreciate the songs. I let you be the judge of it. I
give this soundtrack 3.5 stars.
Note: Notice that there are no
male songs in this soundtrack? Interesting.
Welcome to the first simultaneous posting of soundtrack and movie review by yours truly and my friend Bollywood Deewana for this year. And to kick off, it is Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (Winter Comes A-Waltzing) which stars the undisputed "Action King" of Hindi cinema Dharmendra, along with the beautiful Asha Parekh, Balraj Sahni, Nazima, Bindu, Aruna Irani, and Rajindernath. The music is by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and the lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Both film and music were box office hits in same year that saw other great movies such as Aradhana, Do Raaste, Khanyadaan, Jahan Pyar Mile and Aadmi aur Insaan to name a few. It made the seventh top grossing film at the Indian Box Office in 1969 (see list below).
Top Ten Indian Box Office Hits of 1969
1. Aradhana: Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore
2. Do Raaste: Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz
3. Ek Phool Do Mali: Sanjay, Sadhana and Balraj Sahni
4. Prince: Shammi Kapoor and Vyjayanthimala
5. Inteqaam: Sanjay and Sadhana
6. Jeene Ki Raah: Jeetendra and Tanuja
7. Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke: Dharmendra and Asha Parekh
8. Bandhan: Feroz Khan and Mumtaz
9. Jigri Dost: Jeetendra and Mumtaz
10. Sajan: Manoj Kumar and Asha Parekh
The film boast some memorable songs, still well know to this day. The title track is a zippy number and in my opinion one of Rafi-Lata best fun duets and Saathiya Nahin Jaana as one of their better love duet. I must say I really do like Main Ek Haseena (hey, who doesn’t like Asha in the cabaret type songs?) especially for its movie clip. Ah, gone are the days when a bit of meat was revered and considered sexy. I wonder how many Bollywood actresses would be caught dead doing that same clip these days? I can just imagine the bad press :O
Anyway, I enjoy all the songs in this OST, my favourites being Saathiya Nahin Jaana, Majhi Chal, Bura Mat Suno, Yeh Shama To Jali and the title track. I give this 4.5 only because I am comparing it to other music from that year.
Here’s a collection of 16 hot songs from the early to mid 1970’s compiled by Polydor Records. One thing I did notice about this compilation is that Kishore Kumar is the only male singer featured. I wonder why? Any ideas from you out there?
BTW, I love the picture of Shoma Anand (from the movie Barood) on the cover. This is also the picture featured on fellow blog mate’s site, Music From the Third Floor.
Another movie by the great Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, this time with the music from Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics by Majrooh. I have to admit that it was only a few years ago that I became familiarised with the songs from Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (Water without Fish, Dance without Sprite)…..what an unfulfilled life I must have led since then, LOL. I think this is one of Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s better albums, although there is some plagiarising happening here and I am pretty surprised Ennio Morricone has not sued the duo for the blatant copying! Maybe it is the case of copying is the best form of flattery. See (actually listen) if you can spot the music. Hint: It is the title music to one of the most famous 1960’s Spaghetti Westerns of all times, starring the (then) dashing Clint Eastwood.
The title song, sung by Lata Mangeshkar is truly breathtaking. I just love the synthesised ‘bird calls’ and ‘pigeon coos’ in that melody. Then there is the duo with Mukesh, Baat Hai Ek Boond Si. The string instruments in this score are just fabulous. Yes, I know I am using quite a few superlatives here and it is only song two. Karja Laga Ke also has quite a bit of ‘animal’ sounds thrown in it for good measure and I don’t know why Siamese court music comes to mind when I hear the song. Must be the use of the xylophones (ranat) and horizontal gong-chimes (kong wong) in the score. Makes me want to break out in traditional Siamese dance with those long fake gold fingernails!!!
I am not even going to attempt to talk about Side Two. Why? Cos’ the album just keeps getting better. And whatever you do, don’t miss Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se. On that note, I give this OST 5 stars!
For an excellent review of this movie, please visit BOLLYWOOD DEEWANA.
Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli 1971: The Original Soundtrack
Side One
1. Jal Bin Machhli - Lata Mangeshkar
2. Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men - Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh
3. Karja Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke - Lata Mangeshkar
4. Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi - Lata Mangeshkar
Side Two
1. Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se – Mukesh
2. O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai - Lata Mangeshkar
3. Jhoomke Gaye Dil - Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh
Trivia: Did you know that there is a Facebook following of Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli? Check it out HERE.
MUSIC #54: JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI 1971 (HINDI OST)
Unlike the other notable Hindi movies of 1967 such as Upkar, Ram Aur Shyam, An Evening In Paris, Farz and Hamraaz, Night In London seems to be buried in obscurity in the movie and music vaults. I really can’t understand why because I think it is one of the best soundtracks of that year.
I may not have seen this movie which stars Biswajeet, Mala Sinha, Helen and Anwar Hussain (to be honest, I can’t remember actually) but I definitely grew up listening to the songs! And what awesome songs they are. Especially Mera Naam Hai Jameela. I just love it – The opening music with the folk guitar and bass electric guitar, followed by the violins….the bongos during the verses….and the great use of trumpets, trombone and the electric guitar in between the verses….spectacular! And brought to life in the movie by the alluring Helen. Check it out in this YouTube clip.
Now, am I imagining it, or do I hear snippets of the music that will be used nearly 25 years later by the composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal in their hit song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” from the Subhash Ghai movie, Khalnayak? Do you hear it? Well, please correct me if I am wrong.
And then, there is the jazzy Nazar Na Lag Jaye and the beautiful love song Ba Hosh-O-Hawas, both by Mohd Rafi and another of my favourite, Sun Ai Bahar-E-Husn sung by my favourite singer, Mahendra Kapoor .
So, four years on, the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo just kept getting better and better, their popularity strengthened by their partnership with lyricist Anand Bakshi. My verdict? 5 star bliss.
Night In London 1967: The Original Soundtrack
Side One
1. Night In London – Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
2. Mera Naam Hai Jameela – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
3. Baagh Men Phool – Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi
Side Two
1. Nazar Na Lag Jaye – Mohd Rafi
2. Ba Hosh-O-Hawas – Mohd Rafi
3. Sun Ai Bahar-E-Husn – Lata Mangeshkar and Mahendra Kapoor
4. Mere Yaar Tomi – Mohd Rafi
Dedication: This posting and album is dedicated to my friend SE. Hope you enjoy the album friend. It is one I will definitely bring along to that deserted island ;-)
Satyam Shivam Sundaram (God is Truth and Beautiful) the movie was directed by Raj Kapoor and starred his brother Shashi Kapoor and the alluring Zeenat Aman. The film caused major controversies in India, particularly with the Indian Film Censor Board for its risqué scenes and sheerness of the lead actress’ attire. Director Raj Kapoor is known throughout Bollywood for ‘exploiting’ the female form in his movies.
As the story depicts the relationship between inner and outer beauty, most of the music from the movie is very spiritual in nature but mixed with aspects of traditional Bollywood music that appealed to the masses then and now. It was no wonder that music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal won the “Filmfare Best Music Director Award” for the OST. Also, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar took the title song “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” to the top 10 of the Indian “Geetmala” charts for 1977. The lyrics for the album are by Pandit Narendra Sharma (who was also nominated as Best Lyricist for the song “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”), Anand Bakshi and Vitthal Bhai Patel.
My favourite from this soundtrack include “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”, “Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal” and “Bhor Bhaye Panghat Pe”. My verdict: Four stars.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram – Love Sublime 1978: The Original Soundtrack
Side One
1. Satyam Shivam Sundaram I – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
2. Yashomati Maiya Se Bole Nandlala – Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey
3. Bhor Bhaye Panghat Pe – Lata Mangeshkar
4. Who Aurat Hai Too Mehbooba – Lata Mangeshkar and Nitin Mukesh
Side Two
1. Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal – Mukesh and Chorus
2. Suni Jo Unke Aane Ki Aahat – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
3. Yashomati Maiya Se Bole Nandlala – Lata Mangeshkar
4. Saiyan Nikas Gaye – Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupinder
5. Satyam Shivam Sundaram II – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
MUSIC #33: SATYAM SHIVAM SUNDARAM – LOVE SUBLIME 1978 (HINDI OST)
One of the few movies and soundtracks from the late 1980’s that I actually enjoy. The movie Mr India was directed by Shekhar Kapur, who also directed Bandit Queen (1994), Elizabeth (1998) and Four Feathers (2002). It stars the 80’s and 90’s heart-throb Anil Kapoor in the title role, with Sri Devi playing his love interest. It showcased Amrish Puri in one of the best villain roles in Bollywood cinema, as the international crime lord and terrorist, Mogambo.
The movie and songs were a hit in 1987 and remains a cult classic till this day with the line “Mugambo khush hua” (Mugambo is pleased) being one of the most frequently used quote from a Hindi movie. The music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics by Javed Akhtar was also a hit in that year. The album is still appreciated and remembered by the masses especially the song “Hava Havaii”, made famous by Sri Devi’s lip sync and kooky behaviour in that song and movie.
My favourites from the movie are “Kate Nahin” (another song that I memorised growing up) and “Hava Havaii” (see the YouTube clip below - Hilarious!).
My rating: 4 stars.
Mr India 1987: The Original Soundtrack
Side One
1. Zindagi Ki Yehi Reet Hai (Happy) – Kishore Kumar and Chorus
2. Karte Hai Hum Pyar Mr India Se – Kishore Kumar and Kavita Krishnamurthy
3. Na Mange Sona Chandi…Footbal Wapas De – Shabir Kumar, Anuradha Paudwal and Chorus
4. Zindagi Ki Yehi Reet Hai (Sad) – Kishore Kumar and Chorus
Side Two
1. Hava Havaii – Kavita Krishnamurthy and Chorus
2. Zindagi Ki Yehi Reet Hai – Kavita Krishnamurthy and Chorus
3. Karte Hai Hum Pyar Mr India Se – Kishore Kumar and Kavita Krishnamurthy
4. Kate Nahin Kat-te….I Love You…I Love You – Kishore Kumar and Alisha Chinoy
PS: The record cover and record itself (on Side One Song 3) lists a fourth version of the song “Zindagi Ki Yehi Reet Hai”, sung by Mohd. Aziz and Chorus. Unfortunately, it is not on the record. Not sure why. Weird.
Trivia:
1. The name Mugambo was the name of the horse in the movie “Karan Arjun”. Ironically, Amrish Puri also played the villan (Thakur Durjan Singh) in the movie.
2. A sequel is currently being made – Mr India 2 which will see Sri Devi returning to the big screen since she gave up acting in 1997. Anil Kapoor (Sri Devi’s B-I-L) will also reprise the role of Mr India with Salman Khan playing the character Mugambo; his first ever negative role in his acting career. The movie is scheduled for release next year.
The movie Dosti (Friendship) was a hit when it premiered in 1964, taking out four Filmfare awards (the Bollywood equivalent of the Oscars), one of which was for best movie of the year. The Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo won the best music director(s) title, along with songwriter Majrooh Sultanpuri for his lyrics of ‘Chahoonga Main Tumhe’. Singer Mohammad Rafi was awarded best male playback singer for the same song. The song has since been one of Mohd Rafi trade-marks. For a comprehensive review of the songs from this movie that led to the Dosti/Rafi mania of 1964, check out Mr Nasir’s post HERE.
As the movie is about the friendship of two young males with physical disabilities (one handicapped and the other blind) and the hardships they had to succumb to, the music of this soundtrack reflects the mood of the movie – sombre. Having said this, the music and songs of the movie does instill a sense of hope to the listeners, for the singers/characters, that there is a happy ending at the end of their perilous journey. Except for ‘Gudiya Kab Tak Na Hasogy’, Mohammad Rafi sang all the songs in the movie. And to quote Mr Nasir, “Rafi Sahaab’s magical rendition of the songs breathed life and spirit in the movie for without it, the movie would have just been a lifeless exercise in morality.” How true.
My verdict: 5 stars.
Trivia:
1. The only movie in Bollywood cinema that made box office record without a heroine role.
2. The movie was Sanjay Khan’s debut film.
3. Most music directors had rejected the assignment as the subject matter (the friendship between a blind and handicapped boy) did not make for pop music. The success of the album (and movie) took Laxmikant-Pyarelal from composers of “B” grade movies to the “A” list league.
One of my favourite movies of the 70’s as it stars my favourite actress Mumtaz (she is so beautiful) and the awesome actor Sanjeev Kumar (see LP cover above).
The music of Khilona (Toy or Play Thing) is by duo Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar and Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, collectively known as Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Between 1963 and 1998, they composed the music for about 500 Hindi movies – what a feat! The lyrics for Khilona are by another Bollywood (the terminology used to describe the Hindi movie industry in India) music legend, Anand Bakshi – he wrote the song lyrics for over 300 films.
The most popular (and known) song of the album would be ‘Khilona Jan Kar’, famous not only for its music and lyrics, but also for its singer, Mohd Rafi (and to some extend, the actor Sanjeev Kumar). It’s my favourite song from the album too. Check out the lyrics and translation of this song at this awesome site: Nasir’s Eclectic Blog. Then there is ‘Main Sharabi Nahin’ followed by ‘Khush Rahe Too Sada’ and ‘Sanam Too Bewafa’.
Most of the songs in this album are sentimental and mujra (Moghul-influenced Kathak music) in nature with only ‘Roz Roz Rozi’ and ‘Main Sharabi Nahin’ breaking the monotony, as in quicker in terms of the tempo.
My verdict: 4 star plus….as I love sentimental and mujra-style music - I can just imagine myself twirling around in an angarkha and chudidaar¹ when I listen to music of this style.
1. An angarkha and chudidaar is a two piece pant suit, with the top consisting of a tight fitting bodice and flared from beneath the bosom to the knees or below, worn with tight fitting trousers, scrunched at the ankles – see picture of Madhuri Dixit from the film Devdas wearing an angarkha below.
This is one of my favourite Hindi music album and movie too. I just love all the songs in this OST and can’t for the life of me pick one or two I consider the best from this album. “Hum Aur Tum” makes me want to break out with an air guitar and kick myself for not taking guitar lessons in my youth. I really love the intro folk guitar music. “Ni Main Yaar Manana Ni” makes me want to put on a flare skirt and just twirl and dance around the house. Not a good sight but nevertheless, that’s what it makes me feel like doing, LOL. And then there’s Kishore Kumar and his enchanting voice delivering “Mere Dil Main Aaj Kya Hai” .... such soulful music from composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal and beautiful lyrics from Sahir.
No wonder the album became a superhit and dominated the charts for 1973. The hits of the songs and movie popularity also entrenched Yash Chopra (this movie was his debut) in the history books as Bollywood’s finest directors. My verdict for this album: 5 star plus.
Daag – A Poem Of Love: The Original Soundtrack
Side 1
1. Ab Chahe Ma Roothe Ya Baba – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
2. Hum Aur Tum – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
3. Ni Main Yaar Manana Ni – Lata Mangeshkar and Minoo Purshottam
Side 2
1. Mere Dil Main Aaj Kya Hai – Kishore Kumar
2. Hawa Chale Kaise – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
3. Jab Bhi Ji Chahe – Lata Mangeshkar
4. Main To Kuchh Bhi Nahin (Dialogue) – Rajesh Khanna
