The SOY Award for the Best Duet of 1956 goes to?
This year belongs to some everlasting duets with Manna Dey, such as: (with Lata Mangeshkar) Aa ja sanam madhur chandni mein hum; Ye raat bheegi bheegi; Panchhi banun udati phirun; Jahan main jaati hun wahin chale aate ho (Chori Chori); Nain mile nain kahan; (with Bhimsen Joshi) Ketaki gulab jhuhi champak ban phoole (Basant Bahar); and iconic duets composed by OP Nayyar in CID. You are again spoilt for choice.
Readers’ choice
Some readers added duets outside my list of MEMORABLE SONGS. Some were absolutely delightful making it to the Special Songs without an iota of doubt. Raunak Joy adds two duets: O saajna! chhoota hai jo daaman tera (Hemant Kuma & Geeta Dutt, Heer, Anil Biswas); Chaand raat hai (Asha Bhosle & Rafi, Kismet, Chitragupt); Rahul Raghavrao Muli adds Aanknon ko mila yaar se peene ka maza le (Rafi & SD Batish, Bhaagam Bhaag, OP Nayyar).
Mahesh Joshi chooses Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum as his best. Anup gives a list of duets as his top: Kar gaya re, kar gaya dl pe jadu sanwariya (Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle, Basant Bahar, SJ); Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar duets from Chori Chori, SJ (there were 4); Jhoomti hai nazar jhoomta hai pyar (Rafi & Asha Bhosle, Haatimtai, SN Tripathi); Do dil dhadak rahe hain aawaz ek hai (Talat Mahmood & Asha Bhosle, Insaaf, Chiragupt). Thus, Anup’s list has 7 – a sign of plenty to choose from equally good songs. Ashok Kumar Tyagi shows the problem of plenty in a more aggravated form. After a tie between two top duets: Ye raat bheegi bheegi & Le ke pahla pahla pyar, he gives a list of ten for number 2 to 10. Raunak Joy comes up now with his top ten in reverse order. His best is O saajna by Hemant Kumar & Geeta Dutt from Heer, Anil Biswas. This song was not there in my long list.
N Venkataraman shows the problem of plenty of a different type. After posting a qawwali by professional qawwali singers, Shankar-Shambhu, and some other songs with very useful analysis of some songs, and their original Telugu/Tamil versions, he gives a list of 8 duets as his best, topped by Ye raat bheegi bheegi and Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum; any two from the next 5.
I must admit, I am equally non-plussed by the problem of plenty. How do I proceed? The first priority goes to the absolutely eternal songs in the year; there would be some spill-over in that too which would go to Special Songs. Plus, some off-the-list songs would also deserve to be included in the Special Songs. Now, with this broad approach I am ready to post the Special Songs and the best ten duets.
Special Songs
1. Ketaki gulab jhuhi champak ban phooley by Bhimsen Josi & Manna Dey from Basant Bahar (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
I agree with Tyagi ji that this song should be kept out of any ranking. So I am keeping it at the top of Special Songs. Venkataraman ji also endorses this song. There are legends around this song. Manna Dey was frightened when he came to know he was going to sing this with Pandit ji and that he was going to outdo him in the film. He went to seek the blessings of Pandit ji who comforted him that he (Manna Dey) sang very well and outshining him (Pandit ji) was part of the script. Then Manna Dey agreed to sing this duet, and he has done a wonderful job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FseICrhx-W0&list=RDFseICrhx-W0&start_radio=1
2 Aankhon ko mila yaar se peene ka maza le by Rai and SD Batish from Bhaagam Bhaag (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music OP Nayyar
Now I come to a perfect Special Song – this was outside my long list; it has been added by Mr Muli. Rafi gives playback for Kishore Kumar in the beginning, then for the rest of the song he gives playback exclusively for Bhagwan Dada, and SD Batish gives playback for Kishore Kumar. Bhagwan Dada’s emoting to the vocals of Rafi is absolutely delightful. Thank you Mr Muli for introducing us to this charming song, sung by the duo in qawwali style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soaM9sJ5JZw&list=RDsoaM9sJ5JZw&start_radio=1
3. Aa jaao tumhein dil ka afsana sunana hai by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Heer (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Anil Biswas
It is said that Anil Biswas was not very fond of Rafi songs, But Rafi delivers a superb Pahadi in his voice. In this film Le ja unki duaayein ho is also on the same tune and the impact is absolutely mesmerising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9UtJgWt4V0
4. Bahut aasan hai chilman se lagkar muskurana by Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar from Rangeen Raatein (1956), lyrics Kidar Shrama, music Roshan
It is interesting to see this song picturized on a gawky Shammi Kapoor and Mala Sinha, a year before his reincarnation into a wild clean-faced Lothario with Tumsa Nahin Dekha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ThjuYosoU&list=RDe4ThjuYosoU&start_radio=1
5. Wo dekho udhar chaand nikla gagan mein, idhar aa gayi chaandni muskurati by Manna Dey & Geeta Dutt from Roop Kumari (1956), lyrics BD Mishra, music SN Tripathi
What is special about this song? It is a nice song all right. But once I wrote how SN Tripathi did self-plagiarising as if he was fitting another lyrics to the same karaoke track. First the original from a film in 1956.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMTaYftuQY8&list=RDlMTaYftuQY8&start_radio=1
5A. Nigaahon mein tum ho, khayalon mein tum ho, jidhar dekhti hun nazar aa rahe ho by Lata Mangeshkar from Jadunagri (1961), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music SN Tripathi
Five years later, SN Tripathi must have felt that the original tune can be polished and now gets Lata Mangeshkar to deliver it in Jadunagri (1961).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IahXSwxxiDo&list=RDIahXSwxxiDo&start_radio=1
6. Dekhi dekhi dekhi, dekhi panchhi ye phulwari by Snehal Bhatkar, two unidentified female voices & others from Jaldeep (1956), lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Snehal Bhatkar
I remembered the beautiful tune of the song, therefore, I didn’t have any reason to go beyond the name of Rajkumari & chorus, as identified in Hindi Film Geet Kosh. But our intrepid researcher for truth, N Venkataraman, referred me to Sudhir Kapur’s article on Atul Song A Day and mentioned that this film was made by the Children’s Film Society of India and was awarded the film was honoured as the best children’s film at the Venice International Film Festival, held in 1957. Further, in this song there is a clear male voice at the beginning and end of the song, who has been identified as Snehal Bhatkar. In the antara, there are two different female voices; therefore, Rajkumari is most probably wrong. Accordingly, I have made the correction in the Overview Post, and I am happy to post it as a Special Song in duets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGzWbOw8xLU&list=RDAGzWbOw8xLU&start_radio=1
7. O saajna chhoota hai jo daaman tera by Hemant Kumar and Geeta Dutt from Heer (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Anil Biswas
I think the songs of this film did not rule the radio waves. Therefore, many songs remained off the radar. On hearing, this song sounds quite pleasant. This was added by Raunak Joy as his best in the main list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwKFoPRSV6Q&list=RDEwKFoPRSV6Q&start_radio=1
8. Jhoomti hai nazar jhoomta hai pyar by Rafi & Asha Bhosle from Haatimtai (1956), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music SN Tripathi
That it is a very good is a given. SN Tripathi was known for composing great songs for mythological films. Haatimtai must have been a B-grade fantasy film, starring Jairaj and Shakila. SN Tripathi aced the music for this film by composing brilliant Arabic based music which was not his metier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnCM_IofGtw&list=RDWnCM_IofGtw&start_radio=1
9. Do dil dhadak rahe hain aur aawaz ek hai by Talat Mahmood & Asha Bhosle from Insaf (1956), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Chitragupt
One of the best duets of Talat Mahmood-Asha Bhosle, compose by the underrated Chitragupt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2buqqY5q9I&list=RDJ2buqqY5q9I&start_radio=1
10. O ji O humein aaj koi na chhediyo by Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle from Funtoosh (1956), lyrics Sahir Ludiyanavi, music SD Burman
I think this was the only film, composed by SD Burman in the year. But I like this fun song a lot. Sheila Ramani must be thanking her stars for being pushed by the drop-dead handsome guy Dev Anand on a wooden push-cart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWRXgo7taSE
11. Ain vain duniya deve duhai by Rafi, Balbir & chorus from Jaagte Raho (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Salil Chowdhury
I know I have overshot the line of ten Special Songs. But this is such a favourite that I must include it. This is the first bhangra in films in which the dancers are real bhangra dancers. In the frame you see the innocent intruder Raj Kapoor; for smoking him out this bhangra-vigil has been organized. He is confused and nods stupidly when in this song, the singer asks him:
अपने दिल ते पूछ के देखो कौन नहीं है चोर.
कि मैं झूठ बोलेयाँ
……
सच्चे फांसी चढ़दे देखे झूठा मौज उड़ाय
दुनिया कहदीं रब दी माया मैं कहता अन्याय
कि मैं झूठ बोलेयाँ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Skf5iA9DU&list=RDG2Skf5iA9DU&start_radio=1
A bhangra in films is rarely so realistic, and so hard-hitting in its satire.
Best Ten duets
1. Aa ja sanam madhur chaandni mein hum by Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey from Chori Chori (1956), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
There is no doubt about that one of the Manna Dey-Lata Mangeshkar duets would occupy a to slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arOaGZ839fs&list=RDarOaGZ839fs&start_radio=1
2. Ye raat bheegi bheegi ye mast fizaayein by Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar from Chori Chori (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
There is nothing to choose between the first and second song, except that the lyricist is now Shailendra, and Manna Dey starts the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DZxkiMjRo&list=RDf1DZxkiMjRo&start_radio=1
3. Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, zara bach ke zra hat ke ye hai Bombay meri jaan by Rafi & Geeta Dutt from CID (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music OP Nayyar
This is an iconic Johnny Walker song and iconic Bombay song. Thank God, Bombay was still Bombay, but you might wonder this song could very well have been a Rafi solo, and Geeta Dutt seems to be an intrusion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_JYoyWtLmk&list=RDR_JYoyWtLmk&start_radio=1
4. Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishara ho gaya, baithe baithe jeene ka sahara ho gaya by Rafi & Geeta Dutt from CID (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music OP Nayyar
A proper duet picturized on the lead pair, Dev Anand and Shakila. Now Geeta Dutt’s inclusion can be seen as a necessity. A very good song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQISRK8NOMs&list=RDkQISRK8NOMs&start_radio=1
5. Ye mehfl sitaaron ki raat ye baharon ki by Asha Bhosle & Hemant Kumar from Arab Ka Saudagar (1956), lyrics Ravi, music Hemant Kumar
Hemant Kumar’s voice was philosopher’s stone. I am yet to come across a song by him which was less than melodious. Please note its lyricist was Ravi, he had been an assistant to Hemant Kumar. If you refer to my book review, ‘Soulfully Yours: Ravi’, you would notice Ravi wrote lyrics for 69 songs. Hemant Kumar was very supportive of Ravi even after the latter started as an independent music composer. Ravi was also deferential to his mentor. He continued to assist him even after e started independently. This Asha Bhosle-Hemant Kumar song is one of their best duets. It does not matter if it was a big banner film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqubZJmD7Gc&list=RDKqubZJmD7Gc&start_radio=1
6. Nain miley nain kahan dil hai wahin tu hai jahan by Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey from Basant Bahar (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
After coquettish start by Nimmi, Bharat Bhushan starts the antara with an aalap, and change of beat with Chup chup rah ke lutaya dil tujh pe. A masterful composition by Shankar-Jaikishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbayBtigiC8&list=RDnbayBtigiC8&start_radio=1
7. Kar gaya re kar gaya mujpe jadu sanwariya by Asa Bhosle & Lata Mangeshkar from Basant Bahar (1956). Lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
This is a terrific dance song. Kumkum daces a kind of seducing dance lip-synching Asha Bhosle. Nimmi on the tanpura (I first thought it was a sitar) sings a sad Ye kya kiya re..seekhe koi wo se daaman bachana. I have not seen the film, but I won’t be surprised if she does not smile once, and ends up as usual as a weepy Nimmi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uitUpuqUrRg&list=RDuitUpuqUrRg&start_radio=1
8. Saanwle salone aaye din bahar ke by Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar from Ek Hi Rasta (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Hemant Kumar
A perfect song of family bliss: Sunil Dutt on the bike; A joyous Meena Kumari on the carrier seat with independent paddling, and the kid (Daisy Irani?) in the basket with mouth organ (harmonica), and a duet by Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar. You can’t ask for a more joyous sunny day when you are riding a bicycle with wife and kid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjsL0ocfMiU&list=RDWjsL0ocfMiU&start_radio=1
9. Are koi jaao ri, piya ko bulaao ri gori ki paayal baaje chhun chanaanan chhun by Lata Mangehskar, Usha Mangeshkar & Meena Mangeshkar from Patrani (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
SJ continue their great run in the year. Ater giving a superb duet with Asha Bhosle, SJ now compose a superb dace song with Lata Mangeshkar and two other Mangeshkar sisters. I don’t think there is a song by all the Mangeshkar sisters; it is also uncommon with the three Mangeshkar sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X9QTzm8Xak&list=RD1X9QTzm8Xak&start_radio=1
10. Ye wada karo chaand ke saame bhula to na doge mere pyar ko by Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar from Rajhath (1956), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
I didn’t mean to make the post so SJ-centric. They were just too good in the year. I had to leave out some of their superb songs with a heavy heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibuN4lFQt_Q&list=RDibuN4lFQt_Q&start_radio=1
11. Badli mein chhupe chaand ne kuchh mujhse kaha hai by Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar from Shatranj (1956), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music C Ramchandra
Let me add a bonus song at #11 as a balancing act. C Ramchandra did not compose too many songs for Hemant Kumar. But some he did, turned out to be everlasting. One such duet is by Lata Mangeshkar-Hemant Kumar, one of the best by C Ramchandra for him. I again see a pleasant Meena Kumari in a romantic mood. Something must have taken over her to turn to a weepy image.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydeqBs6C89U&list=RDydeqBs6C89U&start_radio=1
In conclusion, the SOY Award for the best duet of 1956 goes jointly to
Aa ja sanam madhur chaandni mein hum and Ye raat bheegi bheegi ye mast hawayein.
Acknowledgement & Disclaimer
The song links have been given from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog has no commercial interest, and it does not claim or suggest, directly or indirectly any copyright over these songs which vests wit the respective copyright holders