A tribute on his death anniversary on November 16
I have expressed great admiration for Roshan at several places in my blog. Among the greatest and most melodious songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Roshan compositions occupy a very high place. He did not achieve big commercial success as some of his peers, but for music lovers he was among the greatest, especially as regards his songs for the two titans Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. His compositions were unmistakably identifiable with incredibly beautiful use of the flute and sarangi.
As per Wikipedia he was born on July 14, 1917 in Gujrewala in Punjab (now in Pakistan). He had keen interest in music from early childhood. He had formal training at Morris College (Bhatkhande College of Music) under SN Ratanjankar, was hired as staff artist by All India Radio for playing dilruba, went to Bombay in 1948 and became assistant to Khursheed Anwar. He struggled until he met Kidar Sharma who gave him a break in Neki Aur Badi (1949). The film flopped, but Kidar Sharma must have been impressed by him enough to continue him for Bawre Nain next year, which became a musical landmark.
Interestingly his early films did not have Lata Mangeshkar, but from the very next year he composed songs for Lata Mangeshkar which have become immortal. In this sense Roshan – Lata association mirrors that of Madan Mohan with Lata. This was further consolidated when Amarnath Productions of Mehbooba (1954) sought to replace its music director Roshan midway with OP Nayyar who had become a roaring hit with Aar Paar. Lata Mangeshkar took cudgels on his behalf which led to her complete break with OP Nayyar, but a very enriching association with Roshan.
Lyricists Anand Baxi and Indivar had their first break with Roshan.
Roshan died at a young age of a sudden heart attack on November 16, 1967. The song Mehlon ka raja mila from Anokhi Raat, which was composed by him, was recorded posthumously. Here are my ten favourite Roshan-Lata songs as my tribute to him on his death anniversary.
1. Ae ri main to prem diwani from Naubahar (1952), lyrics Satyendra Athaiya
Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jaywant were the lead actors in the movie. The first two lines are a traditional Meera bhajan, rest of the lyrics are different by the lyricist Satyendra Athiya. If Beena madhur madhur kachhu bol was not there, Ae ri main to prem diwani would have been the definitive Bhimpalasi. I regard this as the undisputed No. 1 Roshan-Lata song.
2. Garjat barsat bheejat ayee lo from Malhar (1951), lyrics Indeevar
Nirupa Roy and Trilok Kapur were the lead actors in this film. Roshan’s first major hit film Bawre Nain a year earlier had no Lata Mangeshkar song. Malhar marks his teaming up with Lata Mangeshkar, and what a partnership they started giving some of the most melodious music of the golden era. This was also debut of Indeevar and a very productive partnership with Roshan. Roshan also used the same tune in Barsaat Ki raat as a duet between Suman Kalyanpur and Kamal Barot (used elsewhere in this blog).
3. Bahe ankhiyon se dhaar from Humlog (1951), lyrics Udhav Kumar
This Nutan, Shyama, Balraj Sahni starrer had several outstanding songs. Another famous song is Chhum chum chum baje payal mori. I find Lata Mangeshkar of the early 1950s absolutely magical, and you have the brilliant Roshan with his signature melodious style.
4. Dheere se gagari utaar re from Zindagi Aur Hum (1962), lyrics Shivkumar
This song picturised on Chand Usmani is a discovery in the internet era. I have shared this with several knowledgeable friends, and they were all mesmerized by it and surprised how this song remained hidden for so long.
5. Mujhe mil gaya bahana teri deed ka from Barsat Ki Raat (1960), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Barsaat Ki Raat was not only a major Roshan landmark, but also a musical landmark of the golden era. It established Roshan’s reputation as the master composer for qawwalis with Na to karwan ki talash hai merging into Ye ishq ishhq hai ishq ishq. This also had several Rafi gems as well as other singers’ all of which are extremely popular. Here is my one of the top Lata favourites.
6. Kabhi to milegi kahi to milegi from Aarti (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
Aarti was another Roshan musical masterpiece, with several iconic songs, all of which had beautiful picturisation. Kabhi to milegi kahi to milegi is not only a Roshan gem but one of the timeless Lata Mangeshkar songs.
7. Rahte the kabhi jinke dil mein hum jaan se bhi pyaron ki tarah from Mamta (1966), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
With Mamta you run out of superlatives. All its songs are all time great classics. I had a tough time choosing between this song and Rahe na rahe hum. I opted for Rahte the kabhi jinke dil mein as it has beautiful poetry depicting the pathos of a courtesan, sung so beautifully by Lata, and enacted with great empathy by Suchitra Sen.
8. Duniya kare sawal to from Bahu Begum (1967), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi
When Shankar Jaikishan had started sliding and Naushad too was past his best, Roshan created this masterpiece in the Muslim social, for which Roshan seemed to have a special expertise.
9. Raat ki mehfil sooni sooni from Norjehan (1967), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni
Roshan magic in a movie in Muslim milieu continued with several great songs including Suman Kalyanpur’s Sharabi sharabi ye sawan ka mausam.
10. Saari sari raaton teri yaad sataye from Aji Bas Shukriya (1958), lyrics Farooq Qaiser
This song is beautifully picturised on the vivacious Geeta Bali who is singing before an audience (Suresh was the hero in the film). This film also had an excellent mujra Nazarein mila ke kah de kya hai teri marzi picturised on Minoo mumtaz.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Roshan!!! hmmmm…
Great composer!
Love his qawwalis, for which he was as it is very famous. But all the same like his other songs as well.
His songs for Banwre Nain, for example! No Lata Mangeshkar in that film, but the songs… sublime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cAhn5vetZo
Lata-Roshan combo, which I adore other than the songs, which you have already mentioned, but miss the sarcasm in her rendition, which is surely there in the lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueoTXV6FLY
Thanks for this post with its beautiful songs and introduction to Bahe ankhiyon se dhaar from Humlog
I meant the mocking tone rather than sarcasm, which I miss in Lata’s rendition of sansar se bhage phirte ho from Chitralekha.
@harvey
I thought the sarcasm was in Sahir Ludhiyanvi’s lyrics. Roshan – Lata Mangeshkar and Roshan -Rafi I always associated with deeply soulful, romantic melodies – at least those ones which leave everlasting impact.
AK ji,
Lata always respected Roshan,more than any other composer.She also loved his songs.
In 1954,when K.Amarnath’s Mehbooba was being made,the composer was Roshan and Lata had recorded 3 solos and 1 duet with Talat for this film,when suddenly Roshan was removed from the film and O.P.Nayyar was appointed the Music Director.
Lata was furious,for she respected Roshan(and also because the film went to OPN) and she declared that she will not do the remaining songs for Mehbooba.To this OPNayyar retorted,’ but I have never asked her to sing these songs !’
Lata approached Naushad,and Anil vishwas and this issue was taken up in the ‘Cine Music Directors’ Assn’.Consequently,no singer was ready to sing for OPN and a ban was announced on OPN’s recordings for snatching a film from fellow musician.
In this difficult situation,only Shamshad Begum stood by OPNayyar and she recorded the remaining songs in Mehbooba(solos and duets with Rafi).
Roshan was very obliged to Lata forever for her efforts in this case.Her relations with Roshan and his family were very warm.
-AD
Wonder what happened to the songs, which were recorded by Roshan for Mehbooba.
Harvey ji
The 4 songs of Lata remained in the Film and even thir records are available.
The Lata songs of Roshan in Mehbooba-1954 are as follows-
1) mukhtar si hai meri kahani… Lata solo
2) Aji humko hai tumse pyar….Lata with Talat
3) Aa ki ab aata nahi dilko karaar…..Lata solo and
4) Jo dil ke Maalik hai…Lata solo.
Mehbooba credits showed both names,Roshan and OPNayyar as Music Directors.
-Arunkumar Deshmukh
@Arunkumar Deshmukh
Thanks for the detailed inormation on Mehbooba songs. I had briefly mentioned about the episode in my write-up. YouTube has some songs of the film. Here is one:
Aa ki ab aata nahi dil ko qaraar by Talat and Lata Mangeshkar from Mehbooba
Two of my favourite Roshan-Lata Mangeshkar gems are:
1. Mohabbat eek shola hai bacha daman zamane (AAGOSH)
2. Ye kaisi adaayen hai unki adaayen (RAAG RANG)
What a wonderful post! Roshan has been among the most consistent composers. I don’t think it is possible to find a movie by him that does not have at least one classic song.
For some reason that I can’t explain, Roshan forms part of a trio of musicians in my mind with something that connects all three of them – Roshan, Madan Mohan and Jaidev. None of the three ever became as popular as SJ, SDB or Naushad, but all three had their definite niche as composers of very high quality.
Roshan deserves on more post by you, this time with singers other than Lata. You have already mentioned one of my all time favourites: Sharabi Sharabi Yeh Sawan Ka Mausam. Look forward to more as you have a genius for unearthing hidden gems.
Subodh sir, is right…some of his better songs have been sung by other singers. I could locate the following from the Internet.
In the 60’s, Roshan gave hits like,Barsaat Ki Raat, which featured hits like ‘Na To Karavan Ki Talaash Hai..’ and ‘Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq..’, Aarti (‘Ab Kya Misaal Doon..’), Devar (‘Baharon Ne Mera Chaman Lootkar..’), Bheegi Raat (‘Kahin To Milegi..’, ‘Dil Jo Na Kehsaka..’), Chitralekha (‘Sansaar Se Bhaagte Phirte Ho..’, ‘Man Re Tu Kahe Na..’), Taj Mahal (‘Jo Wada Kiya Who Nibhana Padega.’, ‘Paon Choo Lene Do..’), Bahu Begum (‘Hum Intezaar Karenge..’ and ‘Pad Gaye Jhoole..’), Dooj Ka Chand (‘Mehfil Se Uth Jaanewalon..’), Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal (‘Carvan Guzar Gaya..’ and ‘Dekhti Hi Raho Aaj Tum..’ ), Dil Hi To Hai (‘Nigahen Milane Ko Ji Chahata Hai..’ and ‘Laaga Chunri Me Daag..’ ) and finally his swan song from Anokhi Raat (‘Oh Re Taal Mile..’ and ‘Mere Beri Ke Ber..’).
Roshan, Madan Mohan and Jaidev.
Subodh sir, did these three great music directors have either Punjabi roots, or lived in the undivided Punjab? There is distinct element of Punjabi folk music in some of their songs.
KBS, you are spot on. Roshan Lal Nagrath and Madan Mohan Kohli need no further elaboration. Jaidev Verma was born in Nairobi and brought up in Ludhiana. Source: Wikipedia.
@Subodh Agrawal
I could not agree with you more. Roshan was one of the greatest regardless of lack of huge commercial success. In fact when I think of Rafi or Lata Mangeshkar songs, Roshan comes to my mind more often and more strongly than Shankar Jaikishan. Since there is so much of Roshan around surely there should be more posts.
No dispute about Roshan+Lata combination.
But Rosahn + Rafi was as strong combination.
Mukesh, Mannadey, Asha also have some their best with Roshan.
All these are separate topics for this illustrious blog.
So would be the topic of Roshan with his not oft-used singers like Mahendra Kapoor, Suman Kalyanpur, Talat.
@Ashok Vaishnav
You have said just what I feel about Roshan. Roshan-Rafi I rank among the best three or four along with Naushad, SD Burman and OP Nayyar. You are also right about other singers for whom he composed everlasting songs. I would also add Hemant Kumar in this list – Chhupa lo yun dil mein pyar mera.
@Harvey and the reply comment by AK on lack of the sarcasm of the lyrics in the rendition of the song.
In my own mumble opinion, very few singers had that knack of reflecting the mood of the song.
In fact, in those days, such songs would be so good to listen that seeing them in the movie turned out to be great disappointment. e.g. Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki – Rafi – Baradari.
[My own strictly personal point of view, no intention to reflect on the creative merit by any stretch!]
Vaishnav ji,
I am sorry,but “Suhani raat dhal chuki” is from film DULARI-1949 and NOT Baradari.
-AD
My apologies for factual error.
However, I would like, nonetheless, to stand on my contention.
@Ashok Vaishnav
You are making an interesting point. But I would put it in a different way. Picturisation of several classic songs are way off the lyrics or the quality of singing. In this category fall most of Manna Dey’s songs based on classical ragas. Even the sombre Bhairavi Laga chunari mein daag has been picturised as a comedy scene. Incidentally it happens to be a Roshan composition. No fault of his though, he has done a great job, so has Manna Dey. Same goes for Hato kahe ko jhooti banaao batiyaan or Phool gendwa na maro.
@ AK,
I agree.
But some situations in the movie certainly do not deserve the kind of songs they get. Well, that is more for the music director and the director to take the call. We , the listeners are certainly the beneficiary.
My lament is for these situations where each element of the song has done great justice for the situation, and then the way it is filmed and its attendant elements appears to be great let down.
@Kani Shah
Somehow I missed your comments. The two songs you have mentioned were new to me. They are indeed beautiful and deserve to be noticed. They grow on you gradually. Here are the songs:
Ye kaisi adayen hain unki adayen from Raag Rang
Mohabbat ek shola hai bacha daman zamane from Agosh
I my earlier comment I had mentioned the Trinity of Roshan, Madan Mohan and Jaidev. Let me make it a foursome by adding Khayyam.
Yes, KBS, Khayyam also has roots in Punjab.
My favourite Roshan song is the one from Rang Rang ( 1952 ) ” Dile Beqara soja” by Lata and Talat. So very beautiful . I cannot stop gushing about it.
Roshan was unmistakably one of the greatest composers of the Hindi film industry. He never got his due, though. His masterpieces – nighahen milaneko, na toh car van ki talash,
chhupalon yun dil mein, niklethe Kahan janekeliye, dil jona kehsaka, laga chunari, baharone mera and pav chhune do etc will continue to delight listeners forever.
What is most impressive is the diversity he showed, creating masterpieces with all the great singers of the Golden Era – Rafi, Mukesh, Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur…. If you think about it, the only othe composer who showed such talent was SD Burman, other greats like Naushad, SJ and OP Nayyar were very good with some selected singers, but nothing worthwhile with the rest.
My favourite Roshan Lata combination includes following Gems:
1) Tum Hum KO Dekh-Film Zindgi Aur Hum(1961)
2)Aa ke Ab Aata Nahi Dilko Qaraar-Film Mehbooba (1954)
3)Akhiyon ko Asnan Karakar mai darshan ko aayee-film Rangeen Raaten(1956)
4)Chha Gaye Badal-film Chhaya(1959)
5)Chin Leeya Re Beimaan Mera Dil-Film Zindgi Aur Hum(1961)
6)Dil Bhi Tera Hum bhi Tere-Film Taaksal (1956)
7)Kisi Ke Aankh Ke Aasoon-Film Agosh (1953)
8) Pade Barkha Puhar-Film Dooj KA Chand
7)Samake Dilmen-Film Anhoni(1952)
You have listed some great gems, it is sad I had to take only ten. Let me include some of the songs from your list which could figure in a longer list.
Kisi ki ankh ke ansoo from Aagosh
Tu humko dekh au hamari nazar se dekh from Zindagi Aur Hum
Chheen liya re beimaan mera dil from Zindagi Aur Hum
This song has uncanny similarity to Sari sari raton teri yaad sataye.
Pade barkha phuhaar from Dooj Ka Chand
Sama ke dil mein hamare is a Talat-Lata duet. I do not know which Chhaa gaye badal you mean. The one that everyone knows is Rafi-Asha Bhosle duet from Chitralekha.
Thanks for the upload of above precious gems of roshan !! Thinking of Roshan-Lata Combination, who can forget the beautiful duet Tumse Lagan Lagi from Film Madhu(1959)?
Also the lata’s lilting lori Tim Tim Karte Taare in film Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan(1959) has sublime beauty. Yet another song Tera Dil Kahan Hai from film Chandni Chowk (1954) is rare Gem although it has distinct traces of tune” Rahe na Rahe” Hum from film Mamta.
Can you upload these songs?
I am sorry !! By mistake I mentioned The Rafi-Asha duet Chha Gaye Badal !! It is factual error.
Thanks for correction.
You have again added some terrific songs. So I am delighted to upload them.
Tumse lagan lagi by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi from Madhu (1959)
Tim tim karte taare from Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959)
As for Tera dil kahan hai from Chandni Chowk, it is an Asha Bhosle song. But I do not mind uploading it for you, who have done a good deed by introducing us to so many forgotten gems. This song is also important, not only for traces of Rahe na rahe hum, but also for Asha Bhosle singing in a very obvious Lata style.
Tera dil kahan hain by Asha Bhosle from Chandni Chowk (1954)
But this gave me a chance to come across several unheard Roshan-Lata songs from Chandni Chowk. I am uploading these.
Jadu bura na Bangal ka
Here is a top class mujra with beautiful picturisation. The accompanists on harmonium, tabla and sarangi are very clearly etched, making it a very authentic mujra scene.
Bahak chale nainwa haye
We have seen Meena Kumari generally in weepy roles. Here she is dancing with abandon.
Dil ki shikayat nazar ke shikwe
The happy mood continues as she dances, looks at herself in the mirror, puts on jewellery before getting down to writing a love letter, while singing this lilting song.
Aa jayen janewale
Meena Kumari must have remembered that she is a tragedy queen. So back to sad stuff.
A million Thanks for the uploads. you are doing good service for the revival of forgotten Gems. Keep it up !! I appreciate your valuable comments /observations for each upload which brings out the essence of each song very effectively.
Thanks again
I have following songs in my collection. I think the songs have distinct signature of Roshan. I am not sure. Please confirm !!
1) Dekhoji Mera Jeeya Churaye Liye Jaye-Film Naubahar(1955)-A beautiful classical song
2) Dard E Dil Tuhi Bata-Film Jashan(1955)
3) Do naiyanon ne Jall bichhaaya-film sanskar (1955)
Spot on all the three, except that Sanskaar is a 1952 film. Here are the links:
Dekhoji mora jiya churaye liyo jaye from Naubahar
A fantastic song. Could easily figure in any top Roshan-Lata list. This film had the perennial favourite Ae ri main to prem diwani, which has figured earlier on this blog.
Dard-e-dil tu hi bata from Jashan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9IsYDsuyvA
Do naino ne jaal bichhaya from Sanskaar
Meanwhile thanks to your comments, I just had a bonus. You had mentioned Taksaal song. I came across another absolutely beautiful song:
Brij ke Nandlala Radha ke sanwariya from Taksaal
Thanks for your compliments. But, getting to know these songs and uploading them has been a real pleasure. In fact, your comments has made Roshan-Lata journey richer.
“…..kaun gali gaye sham….”
a roshan lata melody from MADHU(1959).
Thanks a lot Arvind for refresing our memory about such a fantastic song. Incidentally, this also has a twin version inManna Dey’s voice. To think that when I did my post on twin songs I had completely forgotten about it.
Bata do koi kaun gali gaye Shyam by Manna Dey from Madhu (1959)
I feel great to be part of this ROSHAN CLUB, as I grew up listening to his songs. There are many musicians but Roshan left my soul drenched in a manner that his music has been giving me solace. There is quite interesting information here on Roshan that I thought was confined with Wikipedia only. I think Bharat Bhushan paired with Roshan and Sahir as were Raj Kappoor with SJJ-Shailendra, Dilip Kumar with Naushad-Shakeel Badayuni and Dev Anand with SDB-Hasrat Jaipuri. Roshan’s family is highly successful today but other than acquiring his name they don’t seem to do any thing special in the memory of their talented ancestor.
So well said. The Roshan we are talking about is the greatest of Roshans. I agree with you that the ‘successful’ Roshans should do something about their great ancestor. But don’t worry. We the lovers of Songs of Yore are there.