And the Songs of Yore award for the best male solo goes to?
Some general observations are in order. The year 1948 did not have a great diversity of male playback singers, unlike the female singers. KL Saigal had passed away a year earlier; Talat Mahmood would appear a couple of years later; Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey who had been around for some time, did not yet have their big breaks. Among the great playback singers of the Golden Era, Mukesh was the only one who had a significant presence with great songs in at least four films; Rafi was playing a catch-up game. From the Vintage Era, GM Durrani had some nice songs. The actor-singer Surendra was virtually on his last lap, though with some outstanding songs. His singing career would decline sharply, and he would graduate to ‘character’ roles in the later years.
That results in 26 songs in the list of 114 ‘Memorable Songs’ in my Overview post, i.e. about 23% of the total songs I had selected. This is about the same as the historical average, with the female solos and duets outnumbering the male solos by a factor of about 4 to 1. These songs are divided as follows:
Mukesh – 12
Rafi – 7
GM Durrani – 2
Surendra – 2
Others – 3
Even with such a narrow spread, it would be wrong to conclude that it was a poor year for male solos. There were some great songs even outside my list, which were added by the readers. Let me start with the ‘Special songs’ some of which were not part of the main list and not likely to figure among the winners, but which need to be heard and savoured.
Special songs
1. Hey khag mrig hey Madhukar shreni…Tum bin soona Jeevan mera by Mukesh from Shri Rambhakta Hanuman, lyrics BD Mishra, music SN Tripathi
I had included Beet chali barkha ritu seete from this film, but Hey khag mrig, which was added by our Mukesh-expert, Mahesh, is equally melodious. Shri Ram in virah asking the plants, birds and other animals if they had seen Sita is perfectly captured by Mukesh and SN Tripathi.
2. Beet chali barkha ritu Seete sudhi na mili tumhari by Mukesh from Shri Rambhakta Hanuman, lyrics BD Mishra, music SN Tripathi
While at this, let us hear the other Mukesh song from this film which figured in my list. This also has the same poignant mood.
3. Kaali ghataayein mast hawayein by Mukesh from Chaand Sitaare, lyrics IC Kapoor, music Premnath
Mukesh was big in this year. Another hidden gem, posted by Sudhir Kapur on Atul Song A Day. The music director Premnath is different from the famous actor by the same name, though it turns out that the latter, too, was trained in music and could sing very well.
4. Kyun pheri nazar by Mukesh from Anokhi Ada, lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti (?), music Naushad (excluded from the movie)
Readers may recall from the review of the songs of 1949, that in Andaaz too, a couple of great songs were excluded, including a Mukesh solo, Sunaun kya main gham apna. Kyun pheri nazar is likewise as good a song as any. It shows the domination of Mukesh in the year.
5. Do vida do pran mujhko by Rafi from Adalat, lyrics Mahipal, music Datta Davjekar
Let me add a ‘special’ Rafi song, too. There are two special points: Mahipal is the lyricist, who became famous as an actor in mythological and fantasy films. Lyrics is in geet style, made famous by lyricists, such as Faiyaz Hashmi and Madhukar Rajasthani, which were usually sung by Jagmohan.
6. Pyar ki shamma ko taqdeer bujhati kyun hai by GM Durrani from Aaj Ki Raat, lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
A very nice song, but it is more of the same.
For coming to the main competition section, I go down the list and choose the ones I can’t do without. I end up with just one more than ten songs, which spares me the difficult task of pruning. In the earlier reviews, I had to do a two-stage process – a First Cut of about 15-20 songs, to be brought down to ten by a process of elimination.
BEST SONGS
Mukesh
1. Zinda hun is tarah ki gham-e-zindagi nahi (Aag, Bahzad Lakhanavi, Ram Ganguly)
2. Kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga (Anokhi Ada, Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad)
3. Bhoolnewale yaad na aa (Anokhi Ada, Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad)
4. Gaaye ja geet milan ke tu apni lagan ke (Mela, Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad)
5. Lakhi babul more, kaahe ko dini bides (Suhagraat, Amir Khusro, Snehal Bhatkar)
6. Bahe na kabhi nain se neer (Vidya, YN Joshi, SD Burman)
Rafi
7. Hum apne dil ka fasana unhein suna na sake (Actress, Nakhshab, Shyam Sundar)
8. Ye zindagi ke mele (Mela, Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad)
9. Ek dil ke tukde hazar huye koi yahan gira koi wahan gira (Pyar Ki Jeet, Qamar Jalalabadi, Husnlal-Bhagatram
Surendra
10. Jale na kyun parwana (Anokhi Ada, Anjum Pilibhiti, Naushad)
Other singers
11. Marne ki duaayein kyun maangun ( Ziddi, Prof Jazbi, Khemchand Prakash)
I leave the unwelcome task of excluding one song to the readers.
Let me now come to the readers’ choice. Arunji is as usual quite definite. He selects two songs for the honour: Ye zindagi ke mele and Zinda hun is tarah. That is Rafi and Mukesh. KS Bhatiaji has an interesting take. He gives two answers from two different perspectives – one, when you were young and did not know much about the quality of very old songs, the choice would be Kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga and Ye zindagi ke mele. Two, when you are grown up, knowledgeable and looking at in retrospect, the choice would be Bhoolanewale yaad na aa, Gaaye ja geet milan ke, Ek dil ke tukde hazaar huye and Jale na kyun parwana. That is two Mukesh, a Rafi and a Surendra song. Three are Naushad compositions, and the fourth is Husnlal-Bhagatram’s.
Shalan Lal’s choice is Marane ki duaayein kyun maangun. I would not attribute it to her ‘unique’ way of looking at things. Kishore Kumar’s debut song is indeed an outstanding song. Kishore Kumar does deserve a ‘special’ award for this great song.
For the last couple of years, Ashok Vaishnavji has been taking my overview post as the base, and doing a micro-analysis category-wise in great detail. He has done separate posts on songs by Mukesh, Rafi and other singers. Generally, there used to be great overlap between my final ten and his. This year I find some difference. His choice for the best song is Bahe na kabhi nain se neer.
Since the field is narrow, the choice is generally between Rafi and Mukesh, with slight tilt towards Mukesh. For Mukesh, his songs by Naushad from Anokhi Ada and Mela are everlasting. The solo from Aag by Ram Ganguly, too, has achieved permanence, though the RK Films debut movie flopped. Lakhi babul more is an outstanding song, not mentioned by the readers. For Rafi, it is either Ye zindagi ke mele or Ek dil ke tukade hazaar huye.
Let me now put the best ten songs in order.
1. Kabhi dil dil dil se takrata to hoga by Mukesh from Anokhi Ada, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
2. Gaaye ja geet milan ke tu apni lagan ke by Mukesh from Mela, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
3. Bhoolnewale yaad na aa by Mukesh from Anokhi Ada, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
4. Ye zindagi ke mele by Rafi from Mela, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
5. Ek dil ke tukade hazaar huye by Rafi from Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi
6. Lakhi babul more kaahe ko dini bides by Mukesh from Suhagraat, lyrics Amir Khusro, nusic Snehal Bhatkar
7. Zinda hun is tarah ki by Mukesh from Aag, lyrics Bahzad Lakhanavi, music Ram Ganguly
8. Marne ki duaayein kyun maangun by Kishore Kumar from Ziddi, lyrics Prof Jazbi, music Khemchand Prakash
9. Jale na kyun parwana by Surendra from Anokhi Ada, lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti
10. Hum apne dil ka fasana unhein suna na sake by Rafi from Actress, lyrics Nakhshab, music Shyam Sundar
In conclusion,
The SoY Award for the Best Male Playback Singer of 1948 goes to Mukesh. And the best song is Gaaye ja geet milan ke or Kabhi dil dil se takarata to hoga.
Kishore Kumar gets Special SoY Award for a great debut song, Marne ki duaayein kyun maangun
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
AK ji,
Many Thanks for the conclusions pertaining to Best Male Playback Singer of 1948.
https://youtu.be/hvT3r4zEsF4
I am again posting a less heard patriotic song of Mukesh and chorus from 1948, under Ram Ganguly.
Mahesh,
You are welcome. The audio quality of the link is poor. But more jarring is the image of Manoj Kumar. The uploader could have used the picture of Dilip Kumar who starred in Shaheed that year.
AK,
Mukesh is undoubtedly the singer of the year 1948.
My favorite Mukesh song would be “zinda hu is tarah”
Rafi song is Aye Dil Mere Aahon Mein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=EA5b5neguB4
The surprise is the “Special SoY Award for a great debut song”
Earlier when I had rallied to include Asha in top 10 list you responded saying she was just a copy of Lata or Geeta
Isn’t Kishore a copy of Saigal in this song?
In my opinion the song that deserves special award would e
Bapu ki Amar kahani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfx4leB4NWA
Mumbaikar8,
We can think of at least two songs which are conscious ‘inspiration’ from KL Saigal – Mukesh’s Dil jalta hai to jalne de and Kishore Kumar’s Marne ki duayein kyun maangun – yet they have acquired an iconic status of their own. I am sure you don’t mind ‘Special’ recognition of KK’s debut solo.
I don’t remember which AB song you are referring to. But when I hear her early songs, I get the feeling she was vascillating between whether to follow her elder sister’s style or Geeta Dutt’s. Therefore, many of her very early songs, though quite good, failed to create a long lasting impact. Waiting for views of AB experts, and brickbats from AB fans. 🙂
AK,
Mukesh’s and Kishore’s songs became iconic because KLS was not alive!
Asha was vacillating because she was not following her sister, that was her DNA, like Usha and Meena y Geeta, she tried to emulate to survive until she attained her identity with OPN
Akji,
Many thanks for the first Wrap-up. In spite of the lukewarm response, you have done a good review. This year you have delayed the follow-up articles, perhaps on request. I had made a request in June, expecting that there may be a delayed response. But that was not to be. I too am guilty of this act. I did post my choice for the female solos. After that I did not follow-up with my choices for other categories. I am sorry for that.
Bhatiaji, Arunji, Gaddeswarupji, and Shalanji had posted their choice of best male solo(s). You missed out mentioning Gaddeswarupji’s name. His choice was, Gaaye ja geet milan keby Mukesh.
Loved listening to the ‘Special songs’. Both the ‘Special songs’ of Mukesh from Shri Rambhakta Hanuman are indeed special. Kyun pheri nazar also made good listening.
I would tend to agree with you and Mubaikar8 in your choice of Mukesh as the singer of the year 1948.
I would once again listen to the songs.
Thanks a lot
Venkataramani,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and also mentioning Gaddeswarupji’s name. We are entering a period of more unknowns, and posts based on themes get more traction. This may explain lukewarm response. But I have undertaken to do yearwise reviews upto 1945, which I hope to complete in the same manner.
AKji
I heard all the 6 special songs first time and I liked 1st Tum bin suna jeevan mera AND the 6th Pyar ki shamma ko taqdeer bujhati kyun hai Very much.
It is hard to exclude 1 song from your 11 bcz each song is iconic…but I can add 3 more classics of Mukesh.
1. Jeevan sapna toot gaya (Mukesh, Anokha Pyar)
https://youtu.be/FpmNvdWu3VQ
2. Woh teer kaleje par ek shokh ne mara hai (Anjuman)
https://youtu.be/g72E-mBtSqw
3. Woh teekhi nazron se mere dil par kuchh aise bijli gira rahe hai (Mukesh, Veena, Anilda)
https://youtu.be/44R-E5HUvoY
The last two are songs to sing..even harder for vocal masters..but comes out with ease from Mukesh’s throat.
I think you should extend this task for one more year 1944..from where the golden era’s initiation took place..the year which was remarkable by the melodies of Ratan..and full of many more melodies..also debut year of Sajjad, HBhagatram and BCRani.
Hi Akji,
Let me first congratulate you for the article.
It’s very well written and well researched too.
Hats off to u!
It’s really not easy to do.
All the mentioned songs are gems, though songs from Anokhi Ada were familiar to me.
A special mention about Mahipal, who worked as lyricist for a few movies only. He is the one to write the lyrics of Lata’s first playback song ‘Paa Lagu Kar Jori re’ from aap ki seva mein.
Of course it’s a well known fact.
Mukesh is undoubtedly a well deserved best male playback for 1948.
I also agree to the influence of Geeta on Asha’s style of singing in early days.
Of course, she had a have a role model to follow.
Bue later, the things changed so much that, Geeta’s songs appear to have Asha’s influence in some songs. It all depends on personal perception, and should not be a matter of debate.
One example, i can think of is ‘Karib Aao Naa sharmao’ from love maariage. I used to think of it as Asha’s song when i first heard it.Of course it’s my opinion.
But, i think, even if asha had such influence, why should it be a matter of debate.
It’s not always copy, to follow a role model.
🙂
AK ji ;
Perfect selection of the best songs . I feel happy as my chosen songs got listed in your best songs. Mukesh wins the race perfectly well. Mukesh’s song ….gaye ja geet milan ke….connects me to god whenever i am in passive mood [ Such feelings happen when one goes for deep meanings . The other such song is ….chali kaun se desh gujariya tu saaj dhaj ke…. . in fact there are many ].
Jignesh,
I am surprised that all the 6 ‘Special songs’ were new to you. I am happy that you enjoyed them all. The three Mukesh songs you have added are all outstanding, and figured in my long list.
About 1944, we will think of crossing the bridge when we come near it.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I also hold the same view that a song ‘inspired’ from another does not become lesser for this reason. The example of AB was given to make the point that the ‘inspired’ song has to make its own presence felt.
KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
VIDYA was also released in 1948.Could a song like Layee khushi ki duniya be included in the best of 1948?
KB,
Layi khushi ki duniya is a duet for which there would be a separate write up.
Shalan comments:
The statement of the articles is as secular as possible even though the songs by their nature are involving personal feelings and this a very skilful act like walking on the wire.
So I feel AK has used his judge’s scrutiny as judiciously as possible and more “Nuktachini” is stretching the reader’s privilege and will be non-productive.
About copying the style etc.: First Saighal’s domineering rule of nearly two decades of singing naturally would have affected all aspiring singers in the forties. Even female singers like Lata who later in her non-singing period had produced a Saighal songs collection in her voice which I think was a total failure because she did not ask a music director to direct her.
In this matter I have a view that the quality of the songs and the singing of the singers should be considered before using the words “Copy, samee, influence, imitation etc.”
Also the songs and lyric compositions are not the realms of the singers but they are of the composers and the music directors. A singer would sing what the composer director would ask him to do. Within the singing he or she has plenty of scope to show the skills.
As for the song of “Marane Ki Dua Qun Mangu” was composed by Khemchand Prakash and he was a veteran composer successful in forties and loved by the audiences and still loved.
Here one should see if KK has done well as he has told or not. Accusing him as a “Copy” cat is very unfair. Similarly and sadly many dismiss or under-rate C.H.Atma when his singing of “Preetam Aan Milo” opened the heavenly door of Bollywood for “O.P.Naiyyar who abandoned C.H Atma as an old shirt.
I understand and appreciate, Mukesh, Rafi, KK, C.H. of their singing quality to reach the hearts of the audience and would never use the words like “Copy, influence , imitation, etc. blindly to undermine their unique qualities. They had done very well in their tribute to lat Saighal and songs on their own became gems in the Hindi filmy songs genre.
On this account AK has done right to give the award to KK.
What I seek in the readers that they should be judicious and critical in their expressions about the songs we all loved and not to become either “Yes man or No man!”
Shalan Lal
Shalan Lal ji,
I like the way you have logically and also factually brought the real points to light. Thanks, I totally agree to your view on this issue.
-AD
Shalan,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
AK ji,,
Fully agree with the final list of best male solos.
Regarding @ 16 & 17.
Agree with what is stated by Arun ji regarding very solid view expressed by Shalan Lal. In the year 2001, Virender Sehwag hit a century on Test debut. The commentator said his back-foot flicks were copied from Tendulkar as if it was not a good thing. In my view, if a player/composer/singer gets ‘inspiration’ from a great person or from a top class performance that is not to be looked down upon. This person will soon enough present his own skills.
Mukesh very soon presented his own singing skills. In addition to his formidable qualities, he rendered his notes in songs very correctly. “Adhiktar Mukesh apni gayaki mein swar ki pakad bilkul theek rakhte the.”
Thanks.
AK,
Yes I mind “Special recognition of KK’s debut solo
I may have used a wrong word “copy” I should have said “sounds like”, I have no problem with a fan singer following an idol, my favorite contemporary singer Sonu Nigam not only sang like his idol but started his career rerecording his songs.
As I said in my earlier comment whenever I questioned Asha’s absence is the list you counter question was “does she not sound like Lata or at times Geeta or is she original?
My opinion is what is good for goose should be good for gander.
In 1949 Asha Debut was completely neglected, her song did not find place in “final ten for other singers too” Ashok Vaishnavji had her solo from Raat Ki Rani Debut film and Siddharth from Parda from your list, and KK award special award!
“Song making its presence felt or the song becoming iconic”.
I agree with Shalan Lal when she says this” In this matter I have a view that the quality of the songs and the singing of the singers should be considered” please to listen to Asha debut movie song. Isn’t her singing equally good and equally tentative too. Though not iconic.
When Asha sang her debut song a tsunami was brewing blowing away almost all established singers. Where was room for Asha?
When Kishore sang his debut song as Saigal had passed away there was vacuum.
Kishore Kumar gets an opportunity of the life time, singing under the great Khemchand Prakash for fifth highest grosser of the year. No doubt Kishore’s has worked hard; it is obvious in his pronunciation.
By the theory of special award going to iconic song the most special debut solo song ever sould go to TITLI UDI?
Tyagi ji, AK ji ;
I think “singing skills ” are required for comedy , romantic , tragedy songs . Arousing feelings of pity and sorrow ; injecting pathos into a melanecholy / sad song ; are the real challenge for a singer to be of top quality . Year 1948 and around , singers were judged by the standards / datums set by pre -golden period singers . Lately what followed was the passionately following by each singer , satisfying the struggling MDs of those times [–pitched against the giant ones ] as well .
Within ten years Mukesh, Rafi , KK and others made a permanent mark in setting standards ….and this made a fan following trend . The earlier singers were left in a forgotten past shelf .
Whenever reference is made about sad/ melancholy songs my mind goes to two songs , one by Mukesh……Do roz mein wo pyar ka aalam guzar gaya……and other by Rafi……Aaye bahar banke lubhha kar chale
gaye…….. These songs are perfect examples of arousing sorrow and sadness .
Shalan Lal @ 16
You have not responded to two of my comments, in two different blogs.
It is your prerogative to respond or not I am fine with it.
But you do not miss any opportunity to hit me indirectly, I am amazed at that.
I want to respond to two sentences that is directed to me though covertly
1 “So I feel AK has used his judge’s scrutiny as judiciously as possible and more “Nuktachini” is stretching the reader’s privilege and will be non-productive.”
1 In response to your statement I would like to tell you that AK deserves the honor of deciding reader’s privilege and whether it will be productive or not should be left to the nitpicker.
2 “What I seek in the readers that they should be judicious and critical in their expressions about the songs we all loved and not to become either “Yes man or No man!””
I see that you have this habit of guiding or directing people (readers) I do not speak for others but I take no direction from anyone ( other than GPS) so I will be a “Yes man or a No man “ when I wish so.
As I do not direct people I will not tell you that do not do that again, all I can tell you is that you are wasting your time and me too by responding to you.
Tyagiji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. On the question of ‘inspiration/imitation’ I hold the same view, with the proviso that the ‘imitation’ should leave its own mark.
Mumbaikar8,
We have stated our positions clearly, and it would not be useful to restate my views. I would only say that I understand you perfectly, and appreciate your expressing your differences without mincing words. That enhances the quality of the discussion and the blog. Thanks a lot. And if I am permitted to use a cliche, let us agree to disagree on this.
Hi,
I am following this blog for more than a year now and I’ve fallen completely in love with it. This post was fantastic and as usual I got to hear a selection of songs that I would never have heard otherwise. I was particularly floored by Rafi’s ‘do vida do pran’. But what struck me as extraordinary was that the top ranking four songs in the final compilation of 11 songs were penned by Shakeel Bhadayuni. I think its a testament to his great skill and the infinite soul his words possessed. While there may be some debate as to whether Rafi or Mukesh is the best singer of 1948, I think that the best lyricist of 1948 will most definitely be Shakeel.
Thank you for the wonderful post
Anuja
AKji,
There are more or less 141 male solos for which details are available. Mukesh and Md.Rafi share 32% of the available male solos (141), with 22 and 23 songs respectively. And the solos of Mukesh and Md.Rafi are available in YT. Here is the break-up for the 141 male solos
Mukesh – 23 songs – 16% – songs inyour main list 13
Md.Rafi -22 songs – 16% – songs inyour main list 6
G M Durrani – 4 songs – 3% – songs inyour main list 1
Surendra – 7 songs – 5% – songs inyour main list 2
Other singer –85 songs – 60% – songs inyour main list 4
It is interesting to note that the rest of 85 available solos (60%) were shared by 41 ‘other male singers’. Ths includes 9 songs (6%) of Manna Dey.
Of the total 141 solos for which details are available, no link could be found for 50 songs, thus leaving us with only 91 male solos. And you have 26 of them in your main list, which is 29% of the songs for which link is available. Thus your main list and the spread of the best 10 male solos is well justified. And you have adequately summed up the Male solo scenario for the year 1948.
As I have mentioned earlier, Manna dey had rendered 9 songs in 1948. Here is a nice number.
Humne Tumhare Ishq Me by Manna Dey, fil Gajre (1948), lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music Anil Biswas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUXugBvWZB4
Venkataramanji,
Your stats inspire me start search.
Thanks
Special thanks for beautiful Manna dey song . You introduced us to Humdard Manna dey classic too.
I came across one more AB Manna dey song
CHAL TU PREET NAGARIYA RAAHI- MANNA DEY- FILM -VEENA(1948)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIL5rDA4HfA
One more under his own music direction
Hum Bhi Insaan Hai(1948)- Hum Tere Hain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGA0N_or8M
Anuja,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot your appreciation. Shakeel’s dominance is directly linked to Naushad.
Venkataramanji,
Your perseverance in compiling statistics is amazing. My general impression was that not more than 20% of the total songs are worth second listening. That my list includes 29% of total male solos is quite impressive.
Mumbaikar8 @28 & 29
Thank you for the additions. I think that covers all the available link for the songs of Manna Dey for the year 1948 (or may be one more).
Akji@31
Yes, it is certainly impressive. Thanks a lot
AK ji ;
Here are few songs for appendix listing .
1. Aye dil meri ahoan mein…..Rafi….Actress….Shyam Sundar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA5b5neguB4
2. Ae Dil tujhi ko need na ayi ….Rafi…Sahanaz…Amirbai Karnatki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeuMzDJRjRA
3, Hoshiyaar naujawaan…..Mukesh….Pardesi Mehmaan….HRB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqSDc-1pyAQ
4. Jalne wale tujhko kya……Mukesh….Gunjan…..Ashok Ghosh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HTmR2KwNKM
Akji,
There are a good number of listenable songs rendered by the other singers. Among them Shankar Dasgupta is a prominent name. He has rendered some wonderful solos. I could not find the post on him, which I thought, you had written earlier. If not, I would suggest a post on him which will be worthwhile. Here are two highly listenable songs.
Ab kis nagari jayen re by Shankar Dasgupta, film Anjana, lyrics Bharat Vyas, music D C Dutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJyFTvQyu9o
Kisi ka deep jalta hai kisi ka deep bujhta hai by Shankar Dasgupta, film Didi, lyrics Saraswati Kumar Deepak music Mukund Masurekar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9QyBTaGUw
Venkataramanji,
Kisi ka deep jalta hai is a nice song.
Shankar Dasgupta had a sweet duet in Hum Bhi Insaan Hai
Ae dil abhi tu sabar kar,rotti huai yea zindgi hans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fXhH54tTT8
bhatiaji @33
I have mentioned Ae dil meri aahon meinn as my Rafi song of the year @ # 3
KS Bhatiaji,
I agree with Mumbaikar8 Ae dil teri aahon mein is one of the best Rafi songs of the year.
Venkataramanji,
Thanks for adding these songs. Kisi ka deep jalta hai is a fabulous song. Shankar Dasgupta’s voice is a combination of Jagmohan and CH Atma.
Bhatiaji @33
Jalnewale Tujhko Kya Unko Khabar Ho Ya Na Ho by Mukesh is a nice addition. It seems Ashok Ghosh was inspired by a traditional Bengali devotional song in composing this song. There is a similarity between the two songs especially, in the mukhda and the interludes. BTW, I believe Anil Biswas was the arranger cum assistant of Ashok Ghosh during his initial days in Bombay.
Ae dil meri aahon mein itna to asar aye is another good addition and popular too.
I suppose the song Hoshiyaar Naujawaan was one of those several songs with patriotic fervour composed soon after Independence in 1948. Thanks for the additions.
Another less heard song of Mukesh
Balle Balle Jawani Leharaye by Mukesh, film Phool aur kante, lyrics Vishwamitra Adil, music Dada Chandekar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i8FAoA3J80
Keeping with trend Shankar Dasgupta also rendered a patriotic song.
Hindustan Azad by Shankar Dasgupta, film Hua Savera, lyrics Bhagawati Prasad Vajpayee, music Gyan Dutt
https://www.saavn.com/s/song/hindi/Hua-Savera/Hindustan-Azad/RAwPfAB9AmA
Akji & Mumbaikar8,
Shankar Dasgupta has rendered some wonderful songs and Kisi ka deep jalta hai is one of my favourites. He started his career as an assistant to Anil Biswas. I have read that he met with a fatal train accident in 1992. Not much is known about him. Arunji can provide more information on Shankar Dasgupta.
I would like to post one more song of SD before I turn to some of the other singers.
Utth lakhan lal priya bhai by Shankar Dasgupta,lyrics Moti B A, music Shankar Rao Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i97GpZaoVBQ
Venkatraman ji ,
Thanks for your appreciation . The Shankar Dasgupta ‘s song is beautiful that carries the flavour of early 40’s songs .
I think the most successful patriotic song of the year 1948 was….watan ki rah mein watan ki naujawan shaheed ho …..from the movie Shaheed . This song is in two parts , the first with Rafi , Khan Mastana & chorus and the second part , which is serious and hence a slow version , was by Rafi & chorus . The second part I think should find its place in the appendix listing .
Here is the two part song…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OmuJq2oK14&index=7&list=PLXCoHsJ9oLed_lmgk5skP6ODxG5gDcYEs
N Venkataraman ji # 40
Here is a short note on Shankar Dasgupta….
Shankar Dasgupta. Many times his name is misspelt as Shankerdas Gupta, making him a man from U.P., rather than his roots in Begal. Shankar Dasgupta was born in Bengal in 1927. He started learning classical music. His mother encouraged hi. He also learnt playing Violin.
Seeing his interest and expertise in singing, Anil Biswas gave him a break in Film ‘ Milan’-46. It was a Bilingual of Bangla film ‘ Nauka Doobi’., also made by Bombay Talkies. Dilip Kumar did the Hero’s role in Hindi and Pahaqdi Sanyal did it in Bangla version.Shankar Dasgupta’s first ever film song- Upar hai badariya kaari- itself became a Hit and popular . He continued singing 63 songs from 39 films. Some of his films were, Anjan-4,Didi-48, Girls school and Jeet-49, Aahuti and Jaan pehchan-50, Do raha and Ijjat-52 etc etc. A song with Suraiya in film Jeet-49- Chaahe kitni kathin dagar ho- was also a memorable song. His last song came up in film-Chalti ka naam Zindagi-82. He also gave music to 3 films, namely Sheeshe ki deewar-54, Sadma-54, and Hotel-56.
After retirement in 1968, he went abroad, but visited India on and off. In one such visit, while he was coming from Delhi to Bombay on 23-1-1992,he tried to alight when the train became slow on Matunga Railway Station, he fell and was crushed under the wheels. This was the second case of an MD crushing to his death- the first being Vasant Desai in a Lift in 1975.
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AK Ji
Coming late to the post as was very busy in my work
Just wanted to share Bhatia Ji’s post of Mohammad Rafi from Shahnaz, which is also my very favourite song.
Ae dil tujhe neend should be getting a space somewhere, as it’s perhaps the only film, who’s songs are composed by Amir Bai Karnataki, and it’s a great melodious song as well
Arvinder Sharma ji ;
I was just carried away with this beautiful song from Shahnaz . As suggested by you , I ditto your point of recommendation of inclusion in the listings.
Ms. Mumbaikar 8 ;
Aye dil teri ahoan mein ….is really a good song . My apology for the mix up as you already had listed it.
Bhatiaji,
Please do not apologize, शर्मिंदा न करे Sometimes comments get skipped.
I wanted to make sure you knew how I felt about this song.
Just like I skipped your upload of Ai dil tuje neend na aayi.
Thanks you for uploading Shaheed song.
“Ai dil tuje neend na aayi” led me to another Rafi song from Shanaz.
Listen attentively , Venkataramanji and Arvinder Sharmaji आप भी ग़ौर करें
How Rafi sings अपनी differently.
I leave adjective open
MOHABBAT MEIN KHUDAYA- RAFI FILM- SHAHNAZ(1948)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPhzNZsWpb0
N Venkataramanji @26, 40
Shankar Dasgupta’s Uth Lakhanlal priya bhai is a wonderful song. It seems those days Ramayan was a popular theme for films.
Your statistics leads me to another interesting statistics. The percentage of songs included in my main list with respect to the total song of different singers is as follows:
Mukesh 13/23 = 56.52%
Rafi 6/22 = 27.27%
GM Durrani 1/4 = 25%
Surendra 2/7 = 28.57%
Others 4/85 = 4.7%
If I include some outstanding songs mentioned by the readers that I had missed, the above percentages would go up marginally, but the relative ratios would remain the same. The Others’ songs are invisible. Is it because the Others’ songs were really that insignificant? Or the common phenomenon in the entertainment and sports world of the top players cornering proportionately a far larger share of the pie? Levitt and Dubnor in their celebrated Freakonomics devote a chapter to this, and make an interesting observation that the difference between the top players and the next best may be marginal but the difference in their earnings is huge. That may not be necessarily true for film songs, but there is food for thought.
Arunji # 42
Thanks for the info about Shankar Dasgupta. I was completely unaware of it.
I have also seen people seen spelling it as shankardas gupta.
I’s correct. today i got it!
It’s so unfortunate that two genius from the music industry were crushed to death.
I knew about Vasant desai, and now about Shankar Dasgupta.
Arvinder Sharmaji @43
There are two outstanding Rafi songs in 1948 which I missed to include in the shortlist – Ae dil teri aankhon mein and Ae dil tujhe neend na ayi tamam raat. But I have included both in my main list in the Overview post. If you ask me, I find either of the two songs superior to Ek dil ke tukade hazaar huye. Popularity is a big trap.
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for the prompt response and information on Shankar Dasgupta.
Watan ki rah mein watan ki naujawan shaheed ho is undeniably one of the most popular patriotic song. Bhatiaji, Thank you for posting this iconic song.
Both the songs, Ae dil teri aankhon mein and Ae dil tujhe neend na ayi tamam raat, are excellent. Mohabbat Me Khudaya Aise Guzre Zindagi is worth listening to, Thanks Mumbaikar8 for the post.
Arvinderji you were not really away, your last comment was on 8th of this month. The festival season looks bright with most of the SoY old timers and regulars back. Jignesh is back after a long hiatus. only Hansji is missing for a long time. Hope everything is fine with him.
Arunkumar Deshmukh @ 17
Arun Kumar Deshmukh it is heart warming to read the comment of a fellow traveller in logic and sensibility. I hope your tribe will grow at the “SoY”.
Perhaps it is your time now to present a post or two on the theme of one of those “forgotten musicians” like in this post two MDs are mentioned “Snehal Bhatakar and Datta Dawjekar.” Both have made good impact on the Hindi film songoloy.
Shalan Lal
Ashok Kumar Tyagi @ 19
Ashok Kumar Tyagi I cherish your comment in this post and one in the previous post as well. I see you also like logical thinking in persons. It makes a person free from fear of pressures of the world.
Shalan Lal
Mumbaikar 8 @ 20 & 22
Mumbaikar 8
Shalan says
Mumbaikar 8, I am very sorry that you felt that I I have deliberately chosen you to target to do a punch up in my comment and for holding a demeaning view about the art of the singers who have been labeled as “Saigalian”.
I assure you it is not so.
My statement about the “Saigalian issue is addressed to all who hold the view that the singers who sang in the style of “Saigal” and hence their singing quality is inferior.
If I had you in my mind then I would have addressed it to you alone.
As you see from my statement that I wanted to see the appreciation of the singing qualities of those singers who allegedly and apparently dismissed because of the use of the “Saigalian” style music.
It is my contention that Saigal created within the filmy genre of music a “ Saigal Gharana” not deliberately but it happened due to his particular and distinct sweetness in the notes and the singers who sang in this style are needed to be appreciated like that and not to be demeaned!
If you do not like this view you are free and have a right to express about it but moderately (am I directing you ?, then ignore it. “Kaheka Zagadaa Karti, Baat Baatmein Bigadi Hoti Rahati?)
Once more I assure you that I have no personal feud against you and you must not take everything personally.
The two statements in the comments of the two separate past posts you have mentioned that I had not answered.
Yes it was because in the comment columns of those posts already had too much hot steam blowing in. I did not want to aggravate the situation any further as there was going to be adamant positions and the columns were already bloated to their full capacity.
If opportunity comes and the ambiance is right I may re-invoke your statements and response them. For the time being you have to forget about them.
In your present statement your view that “Tiatali Udi” should get an award. If there is no sarcasm then I like it very much .When it will come in the competition I shall support your view with my explanation that the music is not just sweetness in voice and so called musical ideology existing in the present time with respect to the Indian music in India.
Best wishes and some of your comments I enjoy very much.
Shalan
Shalan Lal
Apology accepted if it is genuine.
I am very direct and hard hitting in my talk, I have told AK several times too, if I have to give quinine it will be bitter not sugar coated.
I had a doubt that you had this habit of कहीं पे निगाहें कहीं पे निशाना in your very eloquent writing and your statement
#72 on blog Meena Kumari: An enigma
SSW @57
You see everything so straight. My art of hiding something is useless before you. Have you got those quartz or Tiger eyes?
Shalan La
After this statement there was no doubt I was sure you did that all the time.
Finally yes my statement on Titli Udi was sarcastic.
Akji @46
While compiling the statistics I listened to almost all the songs (male Solos) and felt that at the most another 5 or 6 songs could have been included in the main list. Out of this a couple of songs of Mukesh and Md.Rafi have been mentioned by fellow commenters. True the inclusion of few more songs would increase the representation of the individual singers in the main list. But the relative ratios would have remained the same.
As mentioned earlier, your main list and the selection of the best 10 male solos is well justified. The choice mentioned by the readers too has found a place in your best 10. And you have adequately summed up the Male solo scenario for the year 1948. Thank you for sparing us from the task of excluding one song from your short list of 11 songs presented at beginning of this post. Bahe na kabhi nain se neer was posted by you in your article ‘Mukesh’s best songs by S D Burman’. I take the liberty of posting the song again.
Bahe Na Kabhi Nain Se Nir by Mukesh, film Vidya, lyrics Yashodanandan Joshi, music S D Burman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o0nAlEvhSc
But a few songs of the other singers are also worth listening, like the songs of Shankar Dasgupta. I would not call their contribution insignificant. Pankaj Mullick also comes under the ‘other singers’ category.
Ae Zulm Ki Zanjeer by Pankaj Mullick, film Anjangarh, lyrics Pt.Bhushan, music Rai Chand Boral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM0kJP-CQjY
Two films under the New Theatres’ banner were released in 1948, Anjangarh and Oonch Neech. I am not sure if there were any male solos in Oonch Neech.
Finally, can anybody tell me the singer of the following song? I thought it was Chitragupt.
Ye Chand Tare Hame Beqarar Karte Hai By Chitrgupt(?), film Tigress, lyrics C M Hunar, music Chitragupt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksQamgrkFqc
Venkataramani,
Thanks a lot for adding the PM song. HFGK does not give the names of the singer’s of three songs of Oonch Neech. One of this could be a male solo.
Ye chaand taare humein beqaraar karte hain – HFGK does not give the singers’ names. But Chitragupta is an intelligent guess.
Ms. Shalan Lal @ 51 ;
To your list of forgotten MDs I will add…..Shinning songs of Fantasy Movies …..like the one produced by Homi Wadia etc. These movies do entertain you and bring back the glory of production values with limited technical support . This also bring back the memory of the old classic B & W German movie….. Blue Angel…..1936 movie that had a great impact even to viewers who saw it in 1980 . V. Shantram ‘s Pinjara was a good follow up as a reminder of this old German classic .
Venkataramanji,
Thanks for Pankaj Mullick song, his songs are mesmerizing.
Hoping along with you that all’s well with Hans and he will be back soon.
When I started collecting the data from HFGK, to supplement was was already presented in the over view article of the series here, I started realizing that my choices for the final round are going to be heavily influenced by my conditioning of the early exposure to the Hindi Film Songs – limited to a very sparse exposure to the then radio programs.
During 70s, when I started collection of the vinyl records, my choice was indeed manifested that influence.
Opening up the world of film songs by the internet era has certainly helped me to widen my limited field of vision. As result, my awareness has also expanded to many more songs. But my core influences seem to hold fast.
With this clear bias, I did sincerely listened to the songs of G M Durrani, Surendra and ‘other’ male singers a few times. However, the truth remains that I could not connect with those songs. And that is MY limitation of having been brought up listening to mostly the post-’50 songs on the radio in my formative years.
I thank AKji for acknowledging my efforts that are mainly directed to supplement my rudimentary knowledge.
I place here with my those efforts:
The Micro View of Best Songs of 1948 @ SoY : Male Solo Songs
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_GJ0xhT0LUuQ2wwVnJBNmlxMzA
Ashokji,
Thanks a lot for sharing your compilation of the best male solos of 1948 in pdf format. It would be very useful for the lovers of Songs of Yore.
Venkatraman ji, Jignesh , Ms. Mumbaikar8;
Carrying on with the patriotic theme and here are two songs . The second one however is a satire of the scenerio of not being satisfied after a year of independence .
1. Dil fida karte hain …. Durrani……Azadi ki rah par…..G D Kapoor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_twCGeTqGnI
2.Azab hindustan ghazab hindustan….Farooqui…Pardesi mehman..HRB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Vr7KFJuVU
And now a funny side of 1948 film songs…….
3.. Bae hain hum to ghar jawai….Ram Kamlani….Ghar Ki Izzat…Pt. Gobindram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4groloDRSzc
4.Koi Shaam Rang Gori….Chitalkar…Veena…..CR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yDB0qyPGH0
Now a classic of Rafi’s magic touch …..
5. Wah re zamane kya rang …..Ghar Ki Izzat….Pt. Gobindram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytVqLylA7x8
KSBhatia @ 57
It was good of you to point out to count, to include those films and the music directors made by Wadia and others which were called Stunt and fighting films.
One film Leela is included which was a “Bhagwan Film” and C.Ramchandra often appeared in those films of Bhagwan.
KSBji it is time that you should create an Index of the songs you presented on SoY and for the SoY participants.
It has become a huge Amritsar lake of your songs. The index will help at one finger touch to bring out the song which so often readers like me to use for the references. The index can sit well in the right hand panel if AK agrees.
Shalan
ksbhatiaji, @ 57
I will have to watch Blue Angle, you have said that Pinjra was follow up of that. I had liked Pinjara a lot. I have seen it long time back but it is one those movies that leaves its impact for a very long time. I think i should see Pinjara again too especially the Marathi version. Thanks.
AK ji,
Had the good fortune to hear the Pankaj Mullik song – Anjanghar, ae zulm ki janzeer mein – it is an excellent song by the famous singer. Interlude music is typical of those times particularly the New Theatre films. The last antara has quite high notes, handled very well by Pankaj saheb.
Thanks
Tyagiji,
So true. But the era had changed, NT was virtually over by then.
ksbhatiaji,
Rafi’s ghazal from Adalat,lyricist once again Mahipal, seems he was a better writer!
ADALAT = 1948 = KISMAT TO DEKHO HUMSAFAR CHAR KADAM CHALE NAHI = MOHD RAFI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtUXGkkZCk0
in Legendary Vintage Singer’s List C.H. ATMA is missing
Rupesh,
Welcome to SoY. Yes, there has been no post dedicated to CH Atma, but his songs have been discussed on several occasions.