Best songs of 1946: And the winners are?

11 April 2019

Anmol Ghadi-Shahjehan-Safar-Eight DaysAs I started traversing back from the 1950s to the 40s in the year-wise review of film songs, I mentioned that we are entering the era of more unknown than the known. This is best exemplified by the year 1946: Out of 153 films in the year, nothing is known about five films, whether its actors, song titles, what to speak if its singers etc. It is a huge number of films in a year, overtaken only in a few years in the entire history of talkie films starting from 1931. Of the over 1270 known song-titles, nothing is known about singers of about 740 songs, i.e. about 58% of all the songs. My list of MEMORABLE SONGS in any year has been generally well over 100, but in the year 1946, I could not stretch it beyond 78/81 (one song has a male solo and female solo versions, and two songs have a male solo and a male-female duet versions). Even in this list many songs would appear to be unfamiliar and unheard. That makes the exercise of the year-wise review more challenging as well as interesting.

Musical landmarks

In this year of the unknown, some films stand out as milestones in many respects, including their music. Looking at the list below, Anmol Ghadi happens to figure at the top, but it is also the top film of the year with its stellar star cast of Surendra, Noorjehan and Suraiya, three great actor-singers of our films. Naushad had another priceless moment with Shahjehan, which happened to have the greatest icon among the actor-singers, KL Saigal. Thanks to Naushad’s own stature, and his penchant for savvy marketing, many legends grew around Saigal’s songs in the film, such as the story, most probably apocryphal, that Jab dil hi toot gaya hum je eke karenge was played during his funeral procession, or that in a blind testing Naushad demonstrated to Saigal that he could sing better without being under the influence of alcohol, upon which Saigal rued, “How I wish you had met me earlier, but now it is too late, I have so long believed that I could not sing unless intoxicated by heavy drinking.” There was another film of KL Saigal in the year – Omar Khaiyam, whose music was composed by Lal Mohammad.

C Ramchandra was now emerging as the main rival of Naushad, and his songs in Safar, such as Kabhi yaad kar ke gali paar kar ke became roaringly popular. The senior stalwart, Anil Biswas, gave some nice songs in Milan in the voice of his sister, Parul Ghosh. Shama had some great songs composed by the doyen of the Punjab School, Ghulam Haider (not to confuse with Ghulam Mohammad-composed ‘Shama’ (1961), which, too, had a number of absolutely outstanding songs.)

As I said, this can be viewed as the year of the Unknown; yet, if you go down the list below you will find many songs we have known for ages, such Mukesh-Hameeda Bano duet Ja parwane ja from Rajputani (music Bulo C Rani), Surendra-Suraiya duet Teri nazar mein main rahun, meri nazar mein tu from 1857 (music Sajjad Husaain) etc.

Debut

The year was significant for many debuts. SD Burman started his career as a music director in Hindi films with Shikari and Eight Days. These films happened to be the first for at least two more artistes. Kishore Kumar had a bit role in Shikari and he was one the voices in the chorus song Rangeela re, jawani mein sata ke kahan gaya ye, whose principal singer was Parul Ghosh (with Arun Kumar Mukherjee). Meena Kapoor had her first singing assignment in Eight Days with the song Kisi se meri preet lagi ab main kya karun.

Other singers to have their first song in the year were Geeta Roy (Bhakt Prahlad) and Shankar Dasgupta (Milan). With Milan, Abhi Bhattacharya began his acting career.

Other music directors to make their debut in the year were Sudhir Phadke with the film Gokul, Ram Ganguly with Maharana Pratap, Chitragupta with Lady Robinhood; and Mohammad Shafi with Haqdaar. Hansraj Bahal had his first independent assignment as music director with the film Pujari. My list of MEMRABLE SONGS includes a song from this film as well as a couple of songs from another movie Gwalan. Not a mean achievement on debut.

The lyricists to debut in the year were Indivar in Double Face, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Khumar Barabanqavi in Shahjehan, and Prem Dhavan and Ali Sardar Jafri in Dharti Ke Lal.

Many actors, too, started their career in the year. Among the debutants the most famous is Dev Anand with the film Hum Ek Hain. This film became the launchpad for many new talents. It had Dev Anand’s first heroine, Kamla Kotnis. Besides, Rehman and Rehana, too, stared their acting career with this film. PL Santoshi was already a lyricist, he began his career as a director with Hum Ek Hain. Other films with multiple new entrants were Neecha Nagar which was the vehicle for the entry of Chetan Anand (as director), and Uma Anand and Kamini Kaushal (as actors); and Dharti Ke Lal, for Ravi Shankar (as music director), KA Abbas (as director), and Balraj Sahni and Damyanti Sahni (as actors).

Nirupa Roy (with Amar Raj) and Geeta Bali (with Badnaami) began their acting career in the year and went on to win laurels later.

Fact file and Trivia

Chaah barbaad karegi humein maaloom na tha (Shahjahan; KL Saigal) – lyricist mentioned on records is Majrooh Sultanpuri, but Khumar Barabanqavi claimed he wrote it. Lata Mangeshkar had bit roles in Jeevan Yatra and Subhadra (both composed by Vasant Desai), in which she sang three songs, which went unnoticed. Those who were around those days would have scarcely believed that in three years this girl would come as a Tsunami demolishing the established singers and emerge as the standard voice for the heroine.

Among the ocean of debut this year, one was quite intriguing. So far we knew that Uma Devi’s first song was in Dard (1947), Afsana likh rahi hun dil-e-beqaraar ka, composed by Naushad. Some sources mention that she debuted as a singer in the film Wamiq Azra in 1946, with the song Haye do dil milte milte rah gaye. If this is confirmed by experts, our conventional knowledge and HFGK information would have to be revised.

Ashok Kumar sang some songs in the film Uttara Abhimanyu, in which he was not there. He apparently gave playback for Shahu Modak.

Mehboob Khan ‘borrowed’ Naushad from AR Kardar for Anmol Ghadi. This term may sound odd, but those days artistes were contracted with the studios on fixed monthly salary. The contract also forbade working elsewhere.

MEMORABLE SONGS

Anmol Ghadi: Lyrics Tanvir Naqvi; Music Naushad
1. Udankhatole pe ud jaaun – Zohrabai & Shamshad Begum
2. Tera khilona toota baalak – Rafi
3. Kyon yaad aa rahe hain guzare huye zamaane – Surendra
4. Aa ja meri barbaad mohabbat ke sahare – Noorjehan
5. Aawaz de kahan hai – Surendra & Noorjehan
6. Main dil mein dard basa laayi – Suraiya
7. Mere bachpan ke sathi muhe bhool na jana – Noorjehan
8. Man leta hai angadayi jeevan mein jawani chhayi – Suraiya
9. Jawan hai mohabbat haseen hai zamana – Norjehan
10. Socha tha kya kya ho gaya – Suraiya
11. Kya mil gaya Bhagwan tumhein dil ko dukkha ke – Noorjehan
12. Ab kaun hai mera kaho ab kaun hai mera – Surendra
Chehra: Lyrics IC Kapoor; Music MA Mukhtar
13. Kya jadu hai tere paas piya – Mukesh & Shamshad Begum
14. O prani kya soche kya hoye – Mukesh
Dev Kanya: Lyrics Rammmorti, Deepak, RC Pande; Music Shyam Sundar
15. Piya milan ko janewali samhal samhal ke chal – Amirbai Karnataki
Dhanwan: Music Shanti Kumar
16. Tere gham se mil raha hai mujhe har tarah ishara – Paro Devi (lyrics Behzad Lakhanavi)
Dharti: Lyrics Pt. Indra; Music Bulo C rani
17. Phool kali kyun maari sajan mori oonchi atari – Hamida Bano
Dil: Music Zafar Khursheed
18. Likhi naseeb mein thokarein hain zamaane ki – Moti
19. Shor na karna gulshan mein – Moti & Noorjehan
Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahanai: Lyrics Diwan Sharar; Music Vasant Desai
20. Zindagi zindagi zindagi koi sapna nahin zindagi – Khan Mastana
21. Chit dole nit dole subah-sham Prabhuji – Jayshree
Eight Days: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi; Music SD Burman
22. Babu babu re, dil ko bachana – SD Burman, SL Puri
23. Ummeed bhara panchhi tha khoj raha sajani – SD Burman
24. Pahle na samjha pyar tha, samjha to tumhin chal diye – Amirbai Karnataki
25. Ek nayi kali sasural chali dubli si dulhan ban ke – Chitalkar & Meena Kapoor
1857: Lyrics – Mohan Singh, Shevan Rizvi, Pt Ankur, Anjum Pilibhiti; Music Sajjad Hissain
26. Gham-e-ashiyana satayega kab tak – Suraiya
27. Teri nazar mein main rahun meri nazar mein tu – Surendra & Suraiya
28. Dilli tere kile par honge Nishan hamare – chorus
Gwalan: Lyrics – Pt. Indra; Music Hansraj Behl
29. Kis baat pe roothe ho, roothe ho meharban – Zohrabai Ambalewali
30. Lagat nazar tori chhalaiya more gore badan ko – Mukesh & Sushila Rani
Hum Ek Hain: Lyrics PL Santoshi; Music Husnlal-Bhagatram
31. Charkhiwale, O zara dheel de – Chorus
32. Ho nadiya kinaare mora gaaon re – Manik Verma
33. Meri ayin hain teen bhabhiyan – Amirbai, Zohrabai & others
Humjoli: Lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti; Music Hafeez Khan
34. Phoolon mein nazar ye kaun aya – Noorjehan
Insaaf: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music HP das
35. Rookhi sookhi main kha lungi..Saawna mein garwa laga lungi, paas bula lo more Raja – Rafi & Hamida Bano
Keemat: Lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri; Music Naushad
36. Saagar mein uthi do mauzein – Amar & Amirbai Karnataki
37. Man pagle swapna dikhaye – Naseem Akhtar
38. Phoonk do aa ke Bhagwan apna jahan phoonk do –  Amirbai Karnataki
Krishna Leela: Lyrics Faiyyaz Hashmi; Music Kamal Dasgupta
39. Chanda door gagan mein bulaye – Kanan Devi
40. Man mein basa le Manmohan ko – Jagmohan
41. Tera ghar man mera sanwariya – Kanan Devi
Magadh Raj: Lyrics Pt. Indra; Music Bolo C Rani
42. Laakh karo chaturai, balam main haath na aaungi – Amirbai Karnataki
Maharana Pratap: Lyrics Swami Ramanand; Music Ram Ganguly
43. Hamari gali ana humse aankh milana – Khursheed
44. Ayi Diwali deeponwali gaaye sakhiyan – Khursheed
Mera Geet: Lyrics Ramesh Gupta; Music Shankar Rao Vyas
45. Priye ek baar man mandir mein rumjhum rumjhum karti ana – Manna Dey
Milan: Lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi; Music Anil Biswas
46. Sunahi beriya beeti jaye – Parul Ghosh
47. Jisne bana di bansuri geet usi keg aye ja – Parul Ghosh
Nargis: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi; Music Husnlal-Bhagatram
48. Roti ankhon mein teri yaad liye jati hun – Amirbai Karnataki
49. Yah to bata mere khuda lut gaya mera pyar kyon – GM Durrani
Omar Khayyam: Lyrics Dr. Safdar ‘Aah’; Music Lal Mohammad
50. Allah-hu Khayyam hai Allah wala matwala – KL Saigal/Suraiya
51. Hare bhare bagh ke phoolon pe reejha Khayyam – KL Saigal
Panditji: Music Khan Aziz
52. O sajni saawan ki kaali ghatayein dil ko tadpayein to kya karun – Unknown male singer & Shamshad Begum
Panihari: Music SN Tripathi
53. Solah singar sajaaungi – Shanta Apte
Phulwari: Lyrics Pt Indra; Music Hansraj Bahal
54. Oonchi haveli banwa do muneemji – Mohantara Talpade and Hameeda Bano
55. Chanda Mama ne amrood churaya re – Baby Anu
Pujari: Lyrics Wali Saheb; Music Hansraj Bahal
56. Nainon ki nagari mein aa ke chale jana na karke bahan – Feroz dastur & Amirbai Karnataki
Rajputani: Lyrics Pt. Indra; Music Bulo C Rani
57. Ja parwane ja kahin shama jal rahi hai – Mukesh & Hamida Bano
58. Aa parwane aa, yahan shama jal rahi hai – Hamida Bano
Safar: Lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali; Music C Ramchandra
59. Kabhi chupke se ratiya mein ayiho Rajaji – Chitalkar & Shamshad Begum
60. Ab wo hamare ho gaye iqarar karein ya na karein – Rafi
61. Kabhi yaad kar ke gali paar kar ke – Chitalkar & Binapani Mukherjee
62. Kah ke bhi na aye tum ab chhupne lage tare – Rafi
Shahar Se Door: Lyrics DN Madhok; Music Pt. Amarnath
63. Lo phir yaad kisi ki ayi – Zeenat Begum
Shahjahan: Lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, Khumar Barabanqavi; Music Naushad
64. Mere sapnon ki Rani, Ruhi Ruhi – KL Saigal, Rafi & others
65. Jab usne gesu bikharaye baadal aya jhoom ke – Shamshad Begum
66. Gham diye mustakil kitna naazuk hai dil – KL Saigal
67. Jawani ke daaman ko rangeen bana le – Shamshad Begum
68. Kar lijiye chalkar meri jannat ke nazare – KL Saigal
69. Jab dil hi toot gaya hum ji ke kya kareinge – KL Saigal
70. Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom – KL Saigal
71. Chaah barbaad karegi humein maloom na tha – KL Saigal
Shama: Lyrics Shevan Rizvi, Shams Lakhanavi, Ehsan Rizvi, Shamim; Music Ghulam Haider
72. Dil thandhi hawa mein uda jaye re – Shamshad Begum & Hamida Bano
73. Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi – GM Durrani & Shamshad Begum/GM Durrani
74. Ek tera sahara, ik tera sahara – Shamshad Begum
Shikari: Lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali; Music SD Burman
75. Rangeela re, jawani mein sata ke kahan kahan gaya re – Paro Devi, Arunkumar Mukherjee, Kishore Kumar & chorus
76. Dol rahi naiya – Ashok Kumar & Paro/ Ashok Kumar
77. Har din hai naya har raat nirali hai – Ashok Kumar & Amirbai Karnataki
Uttara Abhimanyu: Lyrics Roopdas, Deepak; music SN Tripathi
78. Laaj bhare in nainon mein adhik sudha bharo na – Ashok Kumar

Special songs

Here are some ‘Special songs’, not likely to feature in the awards, but have something unique about them.

1. Chidiya bole chu chu chu by Lata Mangeshkar from Jeevan Yatra (1946), music Vasant Desai

She debuted as a playback singer in 1947 in Aap Ki Sewa Mein. But we are aware she has been singing in bit acting roles prior to that. Here is one of her songs in the year which must have disappeared unnoticed.

2. Ansoo na gire naale na kiye by unknown singers from Alibaba (1946), lyrics unknown, music Damodar Sharma

This song is a copy of the iconic all-women qawwali Aahein na bhari shikawe na kiye from Zeenat (1945). This was posted by our encyclopedia Arunkumar Deshmukh on Atul Song A Day.

https://vimeo.com/259270549

3. Charkhiwale O zara dheel de (Chorus) from Hum Ek Hain, lyrics PL Santoshi, music Husnlal-Bhagatram

In this nice patang song the singers are uncredited, though there is one prominent female voice. Since this does not seem to be Zohrabai Ambalewali or Amirbai Karnataki, my guess is she could be Manik Verma who has sung some songs in the film. There have been some outstanding vintage kite songs; Nauhsad’s Meri pyari patang chali baadal ke sang (Dillagi, 1949) is a class by itself.

4. Rangeela re, jawani mein sata ke kahan kahan gaya re by Paro Devi, Arunkumar Mukherje, Kishore Kumar & chorus from Shikari, lyrics Gopal Singh Nepali, music SD Burman

Kishore Kumar’s first playback solo was Marne ki duayein kyun maangun from Ziddi (1948), composed by Khemchand Prakash. However, his actual debut on the screen in a small role was in Shikari in which he was also one of the voices in this song.

And the SoY Awards for various categories go to?

Some of the songs in the list of MEMORABLE SONGS would be instantly recalled, but as I mentioned in the beginning we are in the era of more unknown than unknown. It may require an effort on the part of the readers to hear unknown songs from the year, but this effort will be worthwhile. I place it before the knowledgeable readers for their comments and choices for the:

Best male solo

Best female solo

Best duet

And the

Best music director

Acknowledgements:
1. Surjit Sing’s site gives a very nice overview of the songs of 1946 in a two-part article.
2. Atul Song A Day
3. Hindi Film Geet Kosh
4. Hindi Film Sangeet: 75 Varshon Ka Safar by Anil Bhargav

Disclaimer:
The song videos have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog acknowledges that the copyright over these songs vests in the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited and others.

{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Mehfil Mein Meri April 11, 2019 at 10:49 am

I haven’t read yet completely. It is so interesting and deeply analysed. So insightful.
I just wanted to point at a correction

Gham e ashiana has been mentioned with eight days by mistake.
It’s from 1857

Just a minor correction.
I’ll be back after reading it completely.

Anup

2 Naghma April 11, 2019 at 12:04 pm

BEST MALE SOLO
“Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya” from Shahjahan by K.L Saigal

BEST DUET
” Awaz De Kahan Hai” from Anmol Ghadi by Noorjehan and Surendra

BEST FEMALE SOLO
“Afsana Rahi Hoon” from Dard by Uma Devi
though “Jawan Hai Mohabbat” from Anmol Ghadi is a very close competitor.

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Naushad without any doubt.

3 Mehfil Mein Meri April 11, 2019 at 3:41 pm

A, tie between
Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi
And
Awaz de Kahan hai
For best duet, at least for me both the songs are very good. The latter is more popular of course!

Gham diye mustakil – male solo

Jawan hai mohobbat – female solo

Best composer based on popular songs is Naushad.

4 AK April 11, 2019 at 4:39 pm

Anup,
Thanks a lot for the correction. Your choices on the face of it are unexceptionable. Let us see what others say and what we get in the detailed category-wise analysis.

5 AK April 11, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Naghma,
Best male solo: Anup mentioned another KL saigal song from Shahjehan. But both songs stand out.
Best duet: This was one of the choices of Anup too.
Best music director: Naushad does appear head and shouldres above the others. Let us wait for others’ comments and the micro analysis.

6 mumbaikar8 April 12, 2019 at 5:30 am

“Here are some ‘Special songs’, not likely to feature in the awards, but have something unique about them.”
AK,
I do not think song # 64 is likely to feature in the awards, but you did not find it special enough to feature in “special songs”.
Is it just coincidence or your bias against you know whom?
Found someone else on the web who shared my view 🙂
https://atulsongaday.me/2009/03/05/mere-sapno-ki-raani-k-l-saigal/

7 AK April 12, 2019 at 7:19 am

Mumbaikar8,
You are again on your favourite trip. 🙂
There can’t be a precise definition or list of a ‘special’ songs. Mere sapno ki rani is indeed a special song for its history. But how do you know it would not be mentioned in the wrap up of duets?

8 mummbaikar8 April 12, 2019 at 7:46 am

AK,
Because it is not a duet.

9 mumbaikar8 April 12, 2019 at 7:57 am

AK,
Because it is not a duet.

10 AK April 12, 2019 at 10:40 am

Since Rafi’s name is mentioned as a singer, I include it in duet (chorus, too, with more than one recognisable voice I include in duet). Arguments aside, it would fall in some category.

I have no further defence against the charge. I am in a बद अच्छा बदनाम बुरा situation. 🙂

11 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty April 12, 2019 at 5:42 pm

The blog seems to have blocked me.. for all the blah blah I do!
This is to be taken as a joke. But, the fact is that I am not getting any mails. Please do rectify whatever the problem is.

I collect many songs for each post and a large number of those remain unposted.

The jhoola theme had made me discover PHULWARI,1946.
Pandit Indra,Hansraj Behl.

Two songs: I find them both fairly good.

Baby Anu and chorus.( Cute)

Chandu Mama Chandu Mama Amrud churaya re
Chori chori akele hi khaya re…
…..
( Chand Mama Chand Mama
Baagon mein aana..

Munni ko kirno ka jhoola jhulana
Jhulan ka Mausam aaya re…)

Mohantara Talpade, Hamida Banu.

Oonchi haweli bana do Munim ji
Haweli mein sheesha laga do Munim ji..
…..
(Jab Saawan ras barsaye
Aur Koyal kook sunaye..
….
Aangan mein jhoola jhula do Munim ji..)

12 D P Rangan April 12, 2019 at 5:44 pm

I am a non entity for this post as I do not know how to go about for search of songs. Here are a few songs of 1946 which I stumbled on thanks to my camaraderie with serendipity.

https://youtu.be/XzSTqX9q9xE?list=PLyuQTQ9nn981BqXkTZ5bXdczd0TLUMS_2&t=42
4 films are not in the list compiled above. Blogmaster can consider whether any of the songs are worth inclusion.

13 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty April 12, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Disclaimer to my post:
Songs definitely not in the ‘ best of’ league, but still worth a listen.

14 D P Rangan April 12, 2019 at 5:51 pm

I am a misfit for this post as I do not know how to grope in darkness and locate this year songs. Here is one I stumbled on.

Man ki soni agariya, Rafi and Ameerbai Karnataki, Lyrics Khwar Jama, music Tufail Faruqui
https://youtu.be/Sjz7KJTY5oU?t=9

15 D P Rangan April 12, 2019 at 5:55 pm
16 N Venkataraman April 12, 2019 at 8:42 pm

AKji,
We have entered the pre Independence period. The previous edition (Best songs of 1947) was partially pre Independence period.

You have presented a crisp summing up of the films of 1946 and presented a list of 78 songs for our consideration. Thank you for the effort.

The selection of the Best Music Director and the Best Male Playback singer seems to be a pre-drawn conclusion. Only the other two categories will require some pondering.

I am sure our analytical minded and musically oriented members of SoY would come up with erudite comments and vibrant discussions and dig out few more enjoyable songs outside the master list.
Ashoka Kumar playback singing IMG for someone else was new to me.
Zohra Sehgal, Sambhua Mitra and Tripti Mitra too made their debut in films as actors in 1946. All of them are towering theater personalities.
Would come out with my choicein each category after going through your list. Will be back in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon.
Thank once again AKji.

17 AK April 12, 2019 at 9:59 pm

Dr Shetty @11,
Incidentally, I find that I have included both the songs of Phulwari in the list of MEMORABLE SONGS. These songs have very catchy tunes.

18 AK April 12, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Mr Rangan @12,
All the songs are quite unknown and apparently unremarkable. The last one by Naseem Akhtar from Shahjahan is interesting. This is the least heard song from the film.

@14,
Interesting song. While Amirbai Karnataki is bold and full-throated, Rafi seems to be very tentative. See how Rafi matures in this duet with Amirbai in 1951.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IuE_evrLEog&feature=youtu.be

@15,
It is a nice article. I have acknowledged this article in my post.

19 AK April 12, 2019 at 10:11 pm

N Venkataramanji @16,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. And for adding some more debuts. The list of debuts is quite long. Ashok Kumar giving playback is a discovery for me too.

20 mumbaikar8 April 13, 2019 at 11:08 am

Mr. Rangan, @14 &AK,
Thanks for Chandi Sona song. It made me dig further into Rafi’s songs, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of songs he sang so early in his career.
One comedy from Chandi Sona with Shamshad Begum
https://youtu.be/IrXcBq0HQ6Q?list=RDIrXcBq0HQ6Q
One more from Chandi Sona a bhajan
https://youtu.be/mnbWWm_k_kQ
Hamd from Arab Ka Sitara
https://youtu.be/9FASU0HSdhg
Semi Classical with Mohan Tara Talpade in Amar Raj
https://youtu.be/Nf1o650cmI0
In1946 C. Ramchandra had more confidence in him than Naushad.

We are aware of Safar’s two popular solos in Bachchon Ka Khel he had this one, Rafi with chorus.
https://youtu.be/PYBDzOEjPeA

21 Canasya April 13, 2019 at 7:28 pm

AKji:

Wonderful beginning to the coverage of the pre-independence era! I loved the sense of discovery in listening to each of the songs and then the related ones from the era (courtesy YouTube’s Autoplay). For instance, I do not recall having listened to the following songs from Milan (MD: AB) earlier:

Gun gun gun gun bole bhanwarawa (Parul Ghosh)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8P36pFI7ZA

Upar hai badariya kari (Shankar Dasgupta)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddJJXbki66w

My votes go for:

Male solo: Saigal (‘Ae dil-e-beqarar’ in Shahjahan; MD: Naushad)
Female solo: Suraiya (Gham-e-ashiqana’ in 1857; MD: Sajjad Hussain)
Duet: Noorjehan-Surendra (‘Awaaz de’ in Anmol Ghadi; MD: Naushad)
MD: Naushad (Shahjahan)

22 AK April 13, 2019 at 9:25 pm

Canasya,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Both the songs of Milan bear Anil Biswas’s signature. The year also saw the rise of C Ramchandra and Naushad with different style of music, who started overtaking Dada in the pecking order.

23 Shachindra Prasad April 13, 2019 at 9:34 pm

AKji,
I feel the mukhda of special song #2, an all women kawwali, is closely similar to the very popular all women kawwali ‘Sharma me ye kyun Sab pardanashin’ of Chaudvin kaa Chaand, 1960. It would be interesting to know whether Ravi acknowledged the inspiration. And, also whether Damodar Sharma took Clarence of Meer Sahab and Hafiz Khan who were music directors of Zeenat, 1945.

24 ksbhatia April 14, 2019 at 1:10 am

AK ji;

I am celebrating as I have some discoveries of special songs to add. I wonder how the listing missed Geeta Roy songs as she made her debut in 1946 [ film : – Bhakta Pralhaad ].

Here are some songs which could fit in the main or special songs listings…

Kalyani , Geeta Dutt : Ab jaani re – Film – Bhakta Pralhaad (1946)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAcmUDSgk8M

Geeta Dutt Roy – Rut albeli aayi: Film – Flying Prince (1946)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxS5d0Y69Sc

Neh laga mukh mod gaya—Rasili(1946)–Sharma, Geeta Dutt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H-yU8yY-uw

……to be contd….

25 AK April 14, 2019 at 7:40 am

Shachindra Prasad,
Aansoo na bhare naale na kiye is a carbon copy of Aahein na bharin shikwe na kiye, which came a year earlier. That shows the popularity of the earlier song. Parody is generally a recognition of the fame of the original. I don’t think it is customary or there is any legal/moral requirement to take permission from the owner of the original for parodying. If so, all the stand-up comedians would go out of business.

Ravi has tweaked the tune slightly. The impression of similarity arises because the two qawwalis have the same meter. It is possible to sing Sharma ke ye kyun sab pardanasheen exactly like Aahein na bharin. Ravi was a master tune maker.

26 Shalan Lal April 14, 2019 at 5:15 pm

AK
This post is extremely well written and well balanced in presentation.
The year 1946 was politically was tumultuous and the world was blacked by the WWII effect. I think the year 1946 was the watershed in the area of filmy music.
Personally I was very small and did not understand the films in general and did not like the darkness in the theatre except when the songs came.
Our whole household saw “Anmol Ghadi many times and the brothers went and bought all the records of the songs of “Anmol Ghadi”. Every Sunday afternoon there was the songs’ playing session from this film after the meal. So I was brain washed by the memories of the songs of the films.
So here are my preferences
Best male solo: Surender “Kyon Yaad Aa Rehe Hai Gujare Huwe Zamane?”
Best female solo: Noorjehan “Jawan Hai Muhabat”….. or any other from the same film
Best duet: Noorjeahn & Surender, “Aawaz Dey Kahan Hai?”
And the
Best music director: “Naushaad”

Shalan Lal

27 Arunkumar Deshmukh April 14, 2019 at 9:27 pm

My choices……

Male solo
K L Saigal- Gham diye mushtaqil in Shahajehan
Female Solo
Jawan hai Muhabbat- Noorjehan in Anmol Ghadi
Duet
Awaz de kahan hai tu- Surendra and Noorjehan in Anmol Ghadi
Music Director
Naushad- Shahajehan

28 AK April 14, 2019 at 10:40 pm

KS Bhatiaji,
Thanks for adding the songs of Geeta Roy. I included only those songs which were either familiar, or if unknown, registered with me instantly and I would like to hear those songs again and again. I was not trying any balancing act.

29 AK April 14, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Shalan Lal,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. We can imagine what sway Naushad had on people’s imagination. The songs you have chosen are exceptionally good.

30 AK April 14, 2019 at 10:45 pm

Arunji,
As usual your choices are unambiguous. Thanks a lot.

31 neeruahaf April 15, 2019 at 8:43 pm

Namaste AK sahab

So glad to have discovered your blog. A real pleasure to go thru the songs and information featured here. My heart-felt thanks for this labour of love. My only regret is that I didn’t discover it sooner, it’d have been real fun to participate and contribute in this year-wise appraisal. Just one question, why not include A Best Lyricist category too? Lyricists are so often overlooked that it’d be nice to see their contribution acknowledged.

Of late, I have started enjoying the raw, nasal voices of the 40s than the refined ones of the 50s, so this list is really wonderful. Thru your list have discovered a new voice: G.M. Durrani, so thank you so much.

32 Shalan Lal April 15, 2019 at 9:12 pm

AK @ 29

Thanks for your comment.

In my comment I mentioned that I was brainwashed in my childhood by the songs of “Anmol Ghadi” being played almost every sunday for nearly a year.

Hence during that time there was no other songs that mattered much for me or our family.

Although Saighal’s songs in Shahajahan were very good they did not create that much effect though the song “Jab dil hi toot gaya hum ji ke kya kareinge – KL Saigal” became as famous as the songs of Anmol Ghadi.” Anmol Ghadi was where our family’s heart was.
Compare to Shehajehan the Anmol Ghadi was far better story, acting and all other things in it were far superior.

I liked Naushad but with the arrival of SJ, SD Burman O.P. Naiyyar etc my later preference s were with them.

By the time of Anmol Ghadi, Naushad was a by word with the producers. He knew very well all kinds music and how touse them in the film.

Shalan

33 AK April 15, 2019 at 11:08 pm

Neeruahaf,
It is my loss that you have discovered the blog so late, it has been around for about nine years. I hope you are able to browse through earlier posts if you have the time. Songs of Yore focuses on songs from 1930s to 60s. As you are developing a taste for vintage music you will find a lot of material here.

As for the Award for the Best Lyricist, this question arises from time to time, and I don’t have a satisfactory answer except that we generally identify a song with the singer, music director and the film in which it is located. The lyricist is just an additional information which requires memorising, except very few songs known for the lyricist. Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri worked in tandem for RK films composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. We know the singers, films and the MD, but can you distinguish which songs are written by Hasrat, and which by Shailendra?

34 neeruahaf April 16, 2019 at 8:15 am

Thanks for the warm welcome AKji.

No, it is very difficult to guess most of the time who has written which song (though Sahir’s angst makes him a little ‘recognizable’). But that’s my whole point that had there been a category of ‘Best Lyricist, we would have become aware of the genius behind the words. However, it is entirely your choice and I respect that.

35 neeruahaf April 16, 2019 at 8:57 am

And here are some of my favourites from the year 1946, which I didn’t see either in the Main-List or the Comments. ( Apologies in advance in case these have already been mentioned).

So, for great listening pleasure:

FEMALE SOLO:

1. NASEEM AKHTAR: AAG LAGI DIL MEIN WO PYARI (Shahjehan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKgQAtbiN3I

[An absolutely haunting song and to me the best song of the movie]

2. AMIRBAI: MAIN KAISE KAHOON TUMSE (Nargis)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv17UcoQXac

3. ZOHRABAI: NAHIN CHARAGH-E-MOHABBAT (Sohni Mahiwal)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ith0olMmUI

4. IQBAL BEGUM: UMMEDON PAR BAHAR AAYI (Rehana)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7UOga-CXsg

5. AMIRBAI: BAIRON NINDIYA KYON NAHI AAYE (Pujari)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkT9TtWSI_s

6. SHAMSHAD BEGUM: AANKHON MEIN AANSOOUN KO (Chehra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINFKykcNuc

7. MOHANTARA TALPADE: ROOTH GAYE MOSE MANMOHAN (Dharti)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqsyhps3Uxw

8. ZEENAT BEGUM: UNKI YAAD BHULA DOON (Jhumke)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef7q2oDOPi4

9.KANAN DEVI: AAJ HUI HAI BHOR SUHANI (Arabian Nights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBmr5m1iyCo

10. NASEEM AHTAR: AB AA KE TERI YAAD MEIN (WamiqAzra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofpj20gmOq4

*
Just making this list and listening to these songs has reiterated to me that Lata’s stranglehold over the female playback arena was nothing short of a disaster.

36 Mehfil Mein Meri April 16, 2019 at 10:14 am

AKji,
In my opinion too, lyricist should also be honoured on your blog.
If you think, it’s necessary, please do add best lyricist category as well.
I agree that we do not generally relate a song to a lyricist, but that’s not the lyricist’s fault. It’s our problem!
Of course, you are the one to decide final verdict. But we should glamorise their work too.

Anup
🙂

37 AK April 16, 2019 at 12:34 pm

Neeruahaf,
Anup has also added his voice in favour of the lyricists. Let me see how I can recompense for this omission.

Thanks a lot for adding a substantial list of songs. I especially liked Amirbai Karnataki’s Bairan nindiya kyon nahi aye (Pujari) and Shamshad Begum’s Ankhon mein ansuon ka (Chehra). Your list also led me to an excellent Mukesh Shamshad Begum duet from ChehraKya jadu hai tere paas piya. Thanks a lot.

About Lata disaster, the way you have put it dismisses Lata Mangeshakr completely. That is not fair to her. She sang hundreds of songs of incredible beauty, which are immortal. But I am with you on my fascination for vintage female voices. I feel a loss that these voices (or, to put it more correctly, ‘the type’) have disappeared (but without condemning Lata Mangeshkar or holding her responsible for the crime 🙂 ).

38 N venkataraman April 16, 2019 at 5:49 pm

AKji,
Out of the 81 songs in your master list, 34 were female solos, 22 were male solos and the rest 25 were duets and Chorus. Again in the female solo category, you have presented 5 songs each of Noorjehan, Amirbai Karnataki & Suraiya, 3 songs of Shamshad Begum, 2 songs each of Parul Ghosh, Kanan Devi, Hamida Banu & Khursheed and one song each of Zohrabai Ambalewali, Shanta Apte, Naseem Akhtar, Zeenat Begum, Paro Devi, Jayashree, Manik Verma & Baby Anu.

I could not find the link to the Hamida Banu song, Aa parwanr aa, yahan shama jal rahi hai, from the film Rajputani. After listening to the 33 songs, here is my list of best ten female solos for the year 1946 (not in any particular order)

1. Jawan hai mohabbat haseen hai zamana by Noorjehan, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
2. Kya mil gaya Bhagwan by Noorjehan, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
3. Main dil mein dard basa laayi by Suraiya, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
4. Phoolon mein nazar ye kaun aya by Noorjehan, film Humjoli, lyrics Anjum Pilibhiti, music Hafeez Khan
5. Piya milan ko janewali samhal samhal ke chal by Amirbai Karnataki, lyrics (?), music Shyam Sundar
6. Pahle na samjha pyar tha by Amirbai Karnataki, film Eigty Days, lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music S D Burman
7. Kis baat pe roothe ho by Zohrabai Ambalewali, film Gwalan, lyrics Pt.Indra, music Hansraj Behl
8. Phool kali kyun maari sajan mori oonchi atari by Hamida Bano, film Dharti, lyrics Pt. Indra, music Bulo C Rani
9. Sunahi beriya beeti jaye by Parul Ghosh, film Milan, lyrics Arzoo Lakhnavi, music Anil Biswas
10. Man pagle swapna dikhaye by Naseem Akhtar, film Keemat, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad

And my choice for the best female playback singer for the year 1946 is Noorjehan (Jawan hai mohabbat haseen hai zamana)

39 AK April 16, 2019 at 6:20 pm

Venkartaramanji,
You have really dredged deep to select two relatively unknown songs over more famous songs – Phoolon mein ye nazar kaun aya (Noorjehan, Humjoli) and Kis baat pe tuley ho, roothe ho meharbaan (Zohrabai Ambalewali, Gwalan). Of these two, Zohrabai song is more striking and stays with you longer. So I give you my thumbs up at least for this song. The best, of course, is a popular choice.

I am surprised that the female solos to male solos ratio is only 1.54 to 1 in my selection of MEMORABLE SONGS. I had made a count of total songs in 1946, and the ratio was 4 to 1 as we generally know by now. I don’t think it is selection bias because I am quite fond of vintage female voices; it means that the male singers’ strike rate was better than female singers’. Have you given any thought to this aspect?

40 Shalan Lal April 17, 2019 at 2:25 pm

AK

This is my second reading of the post. And I found that in the list of Memorable songs from the year 1946 you presented, under the name of the film Eight Days you have written:
25. Ek nayi kali sasural chali dubli si dulhan ban ke – Chitalkar & Suraiya.

It should have been “Chitalkar and Meena Kapoor.”

I think I have mentioned it in my post on “Mena Kapoor”.

I am not sure if Suraiya sang along with Chitalkar in any song.

In one of the conversations I had with Suraiya whne she was alive she expressed her sadness that she did not have any opportunity to sing for Vasant Desai.

This means she might have sung for C.Ramcahndra. Presently I have not much time to dig in all the films of Suraiya.

Perhaps a commentator like Venkatraman or Rangan could help in this matter as just curiosity.

Shalan

41 AK April 17, 2019 at 2:40 pm

Shalan Lal,
Thanks a lot for the correction. Since carried.

42 mumbaikar8 April 17, 2019 at 5:46 pm

AK, @33
“Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri worked in tandem for RK films composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. We know the singers, films and the MD, but can you distinguish which songs are written by Hasrat, and which by Shailendra?”
I do not want to belittle Hasrat but by no means is Hasrat on par with Shailendra, discussing and debating the songs on lyrical value might help us understand the difference between their craft . Best lyricist category can help us do that.

43 neeruahaf April 17, 2019 at 7:26 pm

AK ji

So glad that you are considering something for the lyricists too. My thanks to Anupji also. And as we have entered the era when Saigal sahab bestrode the Hindi film world like a colossus, I was wondering whether there would be a bifurcation of the Male Solo category: KL Saigal/ Other Singers.

As regards the Lata remark, let me add that I too admire a lot of songs sung by her. However, I would have preferred her to be one of the voices rather than becoming THE VOICE for more than one generation. I maintain (and others are free to disagree) that her near total domination did not enrich the Hindi music scene but rather left us bereft of a lot of haunting voices (and as you said) a particular style of singing. And heartbreaking stories of hunger, humiliation, and harrowing poverty do cast a shadow on a gilded story.

I am so happy that you liked two songs from the list but what is even better that through them you discovered another song. Love it when we come across a wonderful song, unexpectedly. As I am making my way thru your list, I came across these two gems which were entirely new to me:

1. O PRANI KYA SOCHE KYA HOYE – MUKESH (Chehra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtE5ac0OAZA

2. TERE GHAM SE MIL RAHA HAI – PARO DEVI (Dhanwan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rGp9gedkTM

This is the first time I even heard of this singer, Paro Devi. Who is she? Have you done any post on her?

*

And now for the million-dollar question, janab AK sahab, how does one make a choice when there are so many gems:) ?

44 neeruahaf April 17, 2019 at 7:43 pm

And I had to share this. While trawling thru You Tube for songs of 1946, I came across this song, which in a way is one of the most tragic songs, I have ever heard: “BAANTE NA BATEGA KISI KE DESH HAMARA, HAI HINDU MUSSALMAN KA YAHAN EK HI GHAR-BAR”. The movie is ironically titled, BACHCHON KE KHEL.

What added to the pathos was that just a few hours before discovering this song, I had read a harsh and despairing partition narrative of Diwali 1947 in an Amritsar Refugee camp.

Here’s the link for those interested in listening to a wretched and ruined hope:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpexPID7O2k

45 AK April 17, 2019 at 7:44 pm

Mumbaikar8,
The year-wise series is about to end (committed up to 1945), but Hasrat-Shailendra in tandem can be a good comparison. I would look at them in this light. My limited point was that we are not conditioned to distinguish songs by Hasrat or Shailendra, whereas we know the other three parameters.

46 N venkataraman April 18, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Akji @39,
Both the songs, Phoolon mein ye nazar kaun aya (Noorjehan, Humjoli) & Kis baat pe tuley ho, roothe ho meharbaan (Zohrabai Ambalewali, Gwalan) have an uniqueness in them. I was impressed on my first hearing. Definitely both the songs demand attention. It is immaterial whether they find a place in the final list of bests, but this exercise provides us the opportunity to listen to such wonderful songs which otherwise would not have come to our notice. For this you deserve a big kudos.

Next to the second part,
“I am surprised that the female solos to male solos ratio is only 1.54 to 1 in my selection of MEMORABLE SONGS. I had made a count of total songs in 1946, and the ratio was 4 to 1 as we generally know by now. I don’t think it is selection bias because I am quite fond of vintage female voices; it means that the male singers’ strike rate was better than female singers’. Have you given any thought to this aspect?”

If you go by your master lists for the year 1955 & and 1953, the female solos to male solos ratio then too was 1.58 : 1 and 1.57 : 1 respectively. Neeruahafji has indirectly addressed this point. It is somewhat due to the Lata Mangeshkar factor. Lata Mangeshkar domination had practically eclipsed the other female singers by 1953 and the “other singers” had insignificant presence in your list of MEMORABLE SONGS for the said two years. The decrease in the songs of “other singers” was not adequately compensated by more Lata Mangeshkar songs in your list, since the selection of Lata Mangeshkar’s songs in your list was more than enough to propel her to the top position.

That was not the case in the previous three years (1951, 1950 & 1949), where you declared a separate award for the female solos of “other singers”. Obviously your selection of female solos was much higher for those three years. The female solos to male solos ratio for these three years almost matches the general trend of 4 : 1. The exact ratio as per your list was 3.96 : 1 for 1951, 3 :54: 1 for 1950 and 3.59 : 1 for 1949. These were the years when Lata Mangeshkar had established herself as the leading female playback singer, the minnows had not yet been gobbled up by the big fish.

If you move onto 1948, where you had done away with the separate award for the female solos of “other singers”, Lata Mageshkar has just emerged from her “small-fry” state. Yet she had just about enough songs in your master list to compete with the then “big-frys” in the field. Thus the shrink in Lata Mangeshkar songs resulted in a reduction in Male female ratio – 2.25 : 1.

In 1947 Lata Mangeshkar was in the “larva stage”, not yet a free-swimming hungry baby. She had only two representative songs. You were generous enough to accommodate large number of solos of the female singers who had not yet become the “other singers”. Thus the ratio stood at 3.63: 1. Good enough.

Come 1946, the number of female solos have come down drastically, the lowest till now for any year in your list, less than half the number from the previous year. And the ratio has plummeted to 1.54 : 1. It may not be due to any selection bias as such, but the fact remains that the “other singers”, even in the absence of Lata phenomenon, were “short-shrifted”. You may have enough justification in choosing lesser number of songs.

All along the number of male solos in your list was consistently between 20 & 28.

47 AK April 18, 2019 at 3:46 pm

Venkataramanji,
I liked your masterly combination of statistical with psycho-analysis. If I understood you correctly, even though I had dispensed with the two categories in female singers, in my deep subconscious Lata Mangeshkar and ‘others’ was still working, and disappearance of the former led to the lower ratio of Female to Male Solos.

48 ksbhatia April 18, 2019 at 4:19 pm

neeruahaf @43,44;

The Year 1946 was really a year of Diamond , Gems and Pebbles songs…..they all had to be good, better and best. Less heard Singers / Songs do command respect . Digging out Gems among the Pebbles bring fourth many such songs that that still wants to run second innings.

You have really posted some good songs by less known singers and music directors. Going in line , here are some such songs…..

MUKESH & HAMIDA BANO:Film:RAJPUTANI-1946-Ja Parwane Ja’Kahin Shama Jal Rahi Hai-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7UTAmYo4B4

REHANA (1946) – Adaa adaa teri mast-e-sharaab ho – Dilshad Begum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q9PjA7zT6Q

ROYAL MAIL (1946) – Ae ishq tujhe gham kaun kahe – Yashwant Bhatt & Husn Banu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkL7BQP4IEM

49 neeruahaf April 18, 2019 at 7:47 pm

KS Bhatia saab

Thank you so much for the links. Hamida Bano, I had heard earlier but Dilshad Begum, Yashwant Bhatt, and Husn Banu are absolutely new voices. Loved the intoxicating Adaa Adaa, which brought with it a whiff of Omar Khayyam, Saqi, Sharaab, and Pyala. Does anybody know whether such songs are still being made?

Also thanks for liking the songs that I had posted. Most of them were new to me also and I am amazed at the sheer variety of voices in this year. Most of the songs I have heard are (as you put it) gems and diamonds, only a few are pebbles. It is making it very tough to select the ‘Best’:)

50 neeruahaf April 18, 2019 at 7:58 pm

N Venkataraman # 46

Sir, kindly do not address me with a ‘ji’. Much too embarrassing. At your recommendation, I heard Zohra’s song and yes, it definitely needs to be heard more often.

Here’s the link for all those interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJz5FmljZH8

51 Chetan Joshi April 19, 2019 at 11:17 am

A very nice blog.
Regards

52 AK April 19, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Joshiji,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

53 ksbhatia April 19, 2019 at 4:24 pm

neeruahaf @49;

Vintage songs were really those which were hammered to turn into Mint Coins….more aged more valued. Truly I am also surprised how these beautiful voices vanished within two three years as the modern transitions were taking place.

It is a great feeling listening to the unheard singers songs who to me seems to be derivatives of K C Dey, Sehgal , Kanan …and so on. It is high time we should respect them for their efforts and also do some honour by awarding Best of the songs of rare qualities of that year.

AK has listed song of Mukesh and Hamida Banu from Rajputani in his main list . I thought of providing link as it was a good song . Here are a few more of such qualities . Hope every one likes.

1946 sham savera ….rafiq ghazanavi….. meri mitti ki duniya niraali jahaan bhagwan ……pandit amarnath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxtoLNnDCoo

ZAMEEN AASMAAN (1946) – Rone ka rog lag gaya tadpen hansi hansi mein hum – Kalyani Das

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDzynvs0B2U

WAMIQ AZRA (1946) – Do hi lafzon ka thhaa ye fasaana – A R Qureshi & Naseem Akhtar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWieYllpecU

54 neeruahaf April 19, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Oh! I am so happy KS Bhatia saab that you too like ‘Do hi lafzon ka” from Wamiq Azra. I just can’t have enough of this song since I heard it a couple of days ago and right now it is leading the pack for the songs in duet category.

You are right these songs are so beautiful, the voices so enchanting that they ought to be given more recognition.Thanks for providing the links to Rafiq Ghazanavi’s and Kalyani Das’s songs. Off to listen to them.

55 neeruahaf April 19, 2019 at 5:46 pm

AK ji

After listening to some absolutely wonderful songs and a lot of Matha-Patchi, I have finally decided to have a three-tier system for all the categories. At the first level, are the songs that I became mesmerized with because they are featured on your Master-List. It was your painstakingly created list that led me to these songs. The second tier has old favourites which might or might not be on your Master-List. The third level has those songs which are neither on your Master-List nor had I heard them before but which I discovered while listening to other songs.

And now without further ado, here are the songs:

MALE SOLO:

1 MUKESH: O PRANI KYA SOCHE KYA HOYE (Chehra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtE5ac0OAZA

2. K.L. SAIGAL : CHAAH BARBAAD KAREGI (Shahjehan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhHFzU8EwsM

3a. SURENDRA: CHAIN TUMSE, PYAAR TUMSE (Panihari)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC6hRaGYF-8

3b. G.M. DURRANI: AE CHAAND SITARON (Kuldeep)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxRRxG2oKR0

FEMALE SOLO:

1. PARO DEVI: TERE GHAM SE MIL RAHA HAI (Dhanwaan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rGp9gedkTM

2. NASEEM AKHTAR: AAG LAGI DIL MEIN WO PYARI (Shahjehan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKgQAtbiN3I

3a. AMIRBAI KARNATAKI: NYAY YAHI HAI TUMHARA (Dulha)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI4Au-bc6oM

3b. SURAIYA: BIGDI HUI TAQDEER BANAYI NAHIN JATI (JagbIti)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyRS0R5yU8k

DUETS:

1. G.M. DURRANI & SHAMSHAD: EK YAAD KISI KI YAAD RAHI (Shama)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YqTPWcZuT0

2. SURENDRA & NOORJEHAN: AWAAZ DE KAHAN HAI (Anmol Ghadi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuVqjXWiHWc

3a. A.R. QURESHI & NASEEM AKHTAR: DO HI LAFZON KA THE YEH AFASANA (Wamiq Azra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWieYllpecU

3b. MOHD. RAFI & MOHAN TARA: MEIN JAB CHHEDOON PREM TARANA (Amar Raj)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf1o650cmI0

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

1. M.A. MUKHTAR for CHEHRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINFKykcNuc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtE5ac0OAZA

2. KAMAL DAS GUPTA for ARABIAN NIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBmr5m1iyCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh-nqufu7eg

3a. A. R. QURESHI for WAMIQ AZRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofpj20gmOq4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWieYllpecU

3b. Pt. GYAN DUTT for DULHA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI4Au-bc6oM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMdQJJXRnqQ

*

But now how to make the final choice(s)???

56 AK April 19, 2019 at 6:36 pm

Neeruahaf,
Thanks a lot for your painstaking effort. I am impressed that you were familiar with some songs which are not in my Master List. I make the list after casting the net really wide. You are quite a Vintage Era jock.

Even with the three tiers combined it shouldn’t be too difficult to make a list of the best ten in each category. It will be quite OK to give joint ranking if it is impossible to pick one over the other. Thanks a lot again for your valuable contribution.

57 N venkataraman April 19, 2019 at 11:34 pm

Bhatiaji @ 24, 48 & 53

Thanks for posting Geeta Roy’s songs. I liked the song ‘Rut albeli aayi’. Ja Parwane Ja, Kahin Shama Jal Rahi Hai(Hamid Bano-Mukesh) is a wonderful duet. Could have found a place in the main list. You have added a few new voices like Dishad Begum, Rafiq Gazanavi & Kalyani Das. Enjoyed listening to the songs.

58 N venkataraman April 19, 2019 at 11:35 pm

Neeruahafji @35, 44, 50

You have joined SoY a few days back and you have contributed a lot like a seasoned campaigner. Glad to have another enthusiast of vintage songs among us. Songs posted by you made good listening. Thanks for posting Baante na batega kisi ke Desh hamara, Hai Hindu Mussalman ka yahan ek hi Ghar- Bar. Hearing for the first time. Glad that you like the song ‘Kis Baat Pe Tuley Ho’ by Zohrabai Ambalewali.

I am in the habit of addressing everybody with the suffix ‘Ji’. Habits die hard. May be in the long run I will try to shed the suffix. Till then let it remain.

59 Shalan Lal April 20, 2019 at 2:53 pm

AK

With reference to my second reading of the present post I have further point to make about ” your mention of “With Milan, Abhi Bhattacharya began his acting career.” in the second paragraph under the title “Debut”.

Abhi Bhattacharya acted in the Bengali version of Milan called “Naukadubi”. But that came in later years probably 1947-48.

He acted in the Hindi films after his acting in the Tamil film “Ratnadeepam” became very famous. There was a Hindi version of this film that became very famous as well. The novel and the atmosphere in the film was very “Bengali”.

To me his acting in the Hindi films was not as good as the acting of Dilip Kumar. But he had far better qualities of acting than Dilip Kumar. I have a feeling that his Hindi was a bit worked up Hindi and that put him in less demand.

But his acting in the Ratndeep was very memorable. I only remember a few scenes from this film. I wonder in this film Molina Devi acted or not. Superb story and superb direction.

There is another point about my second reading which I have forgotten. When I remember I may come back.

Shalan Lal

60 D P Rangan April 20, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Bhatiaji @53
The song – rone ka log lag gaya appears to be set in raag Bhageerathi and sounds very similar to Hemant Kumar -Jag dard ishq jaag from Anarkali.

61 N venkataraman April 20, 2019 at 7:18 pm

Mumbaikarji @ 20
Enjoyed listening to those nice additions of Md.Rafi’s songs. The best was the duet with Mohantara Talpade. Recently Sudhir Kapoorji had mentioned about his site, where he had posted this song. He also mentioned about a solo version of the same song by Rafi. Both the versions, in my opinion, deserve a place atleast in the main list. Here is the link to the solo version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU95UkXAG0E

Rafi’s rendition in the duet version made better listening. Mohantara Talpade was also good.

Thanks

62 Ashok M Vaishnav April 20, 2019 at 10:05 pm

Even with quite a few known knowns, the list of known unknowns (the unknown ones for which YT links are available) calls for a very determined effort to listen to these songs at least once.

My experience with the songs of 1949, and then those of 1948 and 1947 , for such songs is that I am not able to correlate with thsese songs by listening to them a couple of times. And it is also true that a few, very few, I did enjoy listening to.

The bigger issue is the unknown uknown ones ( the the songs that I would not have heard of, for which even YT links are also not available. In th eprevious years, while rummaging through these songs in HFGK, i felt satisfied that I have put in very sincere efforts.
For 1946, I am in the process of gathering that much of courage.

This series of Best Songs of XXX Year has been a great learning experience. So, I would indeed make as exhaustive as I can possibly make an exercise of Micro Analysis, even if no where near to the scale of the previous years, and see if that does make any difference to my conclusion in comparison to what I would conclude at this stage.

63 mumbaikar8 April 20, 2019 at 10:27 pm

Venkataramanji,
I am glad you liked my additions I thought it went unnoticed☹
Thanks for uploading the solo version. I didn’t know about Sudhirji’s site.
I felt Milta hai kya namaz mein from Arab Ka Sitara good listen too.
We can place our opinions to be vetoed
.

64 N Venkataraman April 21, 2019 at 12:23 am

Akji,
Although K L Saigal’s voice shows some sign of weariness (compared to the previous years), especially in the Omar Khayyam songs, yet he towers above all the male singers. The three songs selected is more than enough to declare him the best male singer for the year 1946. Here is my list of best 10 male solos (not in any particular order).

1. Ae dil-e-beqaraar jhoom by K L Saigal, film Shahjahan, lyrics (?), music Naushad
2. Jab dil hi toot gaya hum ji ke kya kareinge by K L Saigal, film Shahjahan, lyrics (?), music Naushad
3. Chaah barbaad karegi humein maloom na tha by K L Saigal, film Shahjahan, lyrics (?), music Naushad
4. Ummeed bhara panchhi tha khoj raha sajani by S D Burman, film Eight Days, lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music S D
Burman
5. Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi by G M Durrani, film Shama, lyrics (?), music Ghulam Haider
6. Yah to bata mere khuda lut gaya mera pyar kyon by G M Durrani, film Nargis, lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music
Husnlal-Bhagatram
7. O prani kya soche kya hoye by Mukesh, film Chehra, lyrics I C Kapoor, music M A Mukhtar
8. Kyon yaad aa rahe hain guzare huye zamaane by Surendra, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
9. Zindagi zindagi zindagi koi sapna nahin zindagi by Khan Mastana, film Dr. Kotnis ki Amar Kahani, lyrics Dewan
Sharma, music Vasant Desai
10. Tera khilona toota baalak by Md.Rafi, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad

65 neeruahaf April 21, 2019 at 7:14 am

AK ji #56

Thank you so much but the credit goes to you. It is because of this series of yearly appraisal that I was able to find so many beautiful songs of 1946. Sad to know that you plan to do it only till 1945.

66 neeruahaf April 21, 2019 at 7:18 am

N Venkataraman # 58

Thank you, Sir, for your very kind words. Glad you enjoyed the songs I had listed.

67 N venkataraman April 21, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Akji,

K C Dey composed music for only one movie in 1946. The film was Door Chalein. He did not render any solos for this film. However he sang a solo for Bulo C Rani. Here is the link to the song.

Yeh Kaisa Anyay Hai Bhagwan by K C Dey, film Shrawan Kumar, lyrics Wali Sahib, music Bulo C Rani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=184&v=mCDBr7s-ml8

68 N venkataraman April 21, 2019 at 4:32 pm

Akji
For the film Door Chalein, (music K C Dey) rendered two duets with Meena Kapoor. Here is the link to one of the duets.
Na Rona Na Rona Meri Rani by K C Dey & Meena Kapoor, film Door Chalein, lyrics Sajjan, music K C Dey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgefXogYG0
But there is another solo song which is credited by the uploader of the link to K C Dey. Shaliniji (Bhatt) wrote in her comment that the singer was Manna Dey. The HFGK mentions the singer as P Dey. Since Manna Dey’s actual name was Prabodh Chandra Dey, Shaliniji thought it was Manna Dey. Actually the singer is Prabhas Chandra Dey, younger brother of Manna Dey. Intially I too could recollect his nick name only, Bhelu. Later I remembered that his good name was Prabhas Chandra Dey.

Prabhas was tall, handsome and good looking. He was an accomplished singer too. He aspired to become an actor.
But his uncle’s diktat came in the way. He was compelled to join an engineering college. Later he started assisting his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey in composing music for films (Bengali), Rakhee, Kankantala Library etc. He independently composed a few songs and did a few playback singing. K C Dey along with Manna Dey shifted to Bombay in 1942. It was then Prabhas Chandra Dey got to sing for Aga in the film Door Chalein. Here is the link to the song.

Dil Churane Ke Liye koi Aaya by Prabhas (Bhelu) Dey, film Door Chalein, lyrics Sajjan, music K C Dey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYoNomUgnMY

69 AK April 21, 2019 at 10:12 pm

Venkataramanji @67, 68,
Thanks a lot for the in-depth information about KC Dey’s work in 1946, and Manna Dey’s other brother.

@64,
Your list of ten best solos includes 7 or 8 obvious choices. It seems for making the list of ten one has to delve into the unknown territory. Thanks for your effort.

70 N Venkataraman April 25, 2019 at 3:03 pm

AK ji,
Here are my best ten duets for the year 1946.

1. Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi by G M Durrani & Shamshad Begum, film
Shama, lyrics (?), music Ghulam Haider
2. Ja parwane ja kahin shama jal rahi hai by Mukesh & Hamida Banu,
lyrics Pt.Indra, music Bulo C Rani
3. Aawaz de kahan hai by Surendra & Noorjejan, film Anmol Ghadi,
lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
4. Mein Jab Chhedoon Prem Taraanaa. by Mohantara Talpade &
Md.Rafi, lyrics Pt.Phani, music Firoze Nizami
5. Kya jadu hai tere paas piya by Mukesh & Shamshad Begum, film
Chehra, lyrics I C Kapoor, music M A Mukhtar
6. O sajni saawan ki kaali ghatayein by Khan Mastana(?) & Shamshad
Begum, film Pandit Ji, lyrics (?), music Khan Aziz
7. Udankhatole pe ud jaaun by Zohrabai Ambalewali & Shamshad
Begum, film Anmol Ghadi, lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music Naushad
8. Oonchi haveli banwa do muneemji by Mohantara Talpade &
Hamida Banu, lyrics Pt.Indra, music Hansraj Behl
9. Dol rahi naiya by Ashok Kumar & Paro, film Shikari, lyrics Gopal
Singh Nepali, music S D Burman
10. Babu babu re, dil ko bachana by S D Burman & S L Puri, film Eighty
Days, lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music S D Burman

71 N Venkataraman April 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

And my choice for the best duet for the year 1946 would be either of the two songs.
Ja parwane ja kahin shama jal rahi hai or
Ek yaad kisi ki yaad rahi

72 Shachindra Prasad April 25, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Venkatramanji,
The caption on the u tube for the song Dil churane k liye mentions the singer’s name as K C Dey. But, the voice is different than K C Dey. Thanks for this rare Prabhas Dey number. I don’t know how to say – his voice seems romantic. It would be interesting to hear his hit songs in Bangla and Hindi.

73 N Venkataraman April 25, 2019 at 6:23 pm

Shalanji @40,
As far as I know, C Ramchandra and Suraiya worked only once, in the film Duniya(1949). Suraiya snag seven solos and two duets, but none with C Ramchandra.

74 N Venkataraman April 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Sachindra Prasad ji @ 72,
Glad that you liked Prabhas Chandra Dey’s song. Unfortunately other than the song that I posted none of his other songs are available till date. However some of his compositions (Bengali) in the voice of Manna Dey are available.

75 AK April 25, 2019 at 6:51 pm

Venkataramanji,
Your list of best duets makes a nice reading. It seems for completing ten we have to dredge in the unknown category.

76 neeruahaf April 25, 2019 at 11:29 pm

AK ji

After a lot of heartburn, have finally made up my mind to go for voices discovered rather than old established names. So selecting the best from my short- list :

1. Male Solo: (With apologies to Sehgal Sahab whose Chaah Barbaad Karegi is a classic)

G.M. DURRANI: AE CHAAND SITARON (Kuldeep)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxRRxG2oKR0

*

Female Solo (Joint-Winners here)

PARO DEVI: TERE GHAM SE MIL RAHA HAI (Dhanwaan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rGp9gedkTM

AMIRBAI KARNATAKI: NYAY YAHI HAI TUMHARA (Dulha)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI4Au-bc6oM

*

Duet

A.R. QURESHI & NASEEM AKHTAR: DO HI LAFZON KA THE YEH AFASANA (Wamiq Azra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWieYllpecU

*

Music Director

Pt. GYAN DUTT for DULHA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI4Au-bc6oM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMdQJJXRnqQ

*
Lyricist: I don’t know whether you will have this category or not but here is Buta Ram Sharma ji for Nyay Yahi Hai Tumhara (Dulha):

“Pyar ka mara patanga ye…
Man ke meet pe bali-bali jaye
Uske jeevan jyot bujha ke
Deepak le ujiyara

Nyay yahi hai tumhara…..”

77 AK April 26, 2019 at 11:33 am

Neeruahaf,
You have beaten all of us in your fascination for the vintage songs, and that too for the unknown. But I am feeling a little uncomfortable in discarding all the known iconic songs.

78 neeruahaf April 27, 2019 at 4:17 pm

Sorry AKji but I simply can’t understand why my choices are making you uncomfortable.

79 AK April 27, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Neeruahaf,
May be I am not able to think of the right expression. None of the iconic songs making to your list of best ten (thirty in the three categories combined) seems very exceptional.

80 N Venkataraman May 8, 2019 at 3:54 pm

Akji,
I realized I am yet to post my choice of best music director for the year 1946. And that would require minimum effort. Naushad with his compositions for Anmol Ghadi & Shahjahan (also Keemat) is unquestionably far ahead than the others composers.

Two other names that deserve to be mentioned in this context.
First, Ghulam Haider, for his music for the film Shama. He had two more films in 1946- Bairam Khan & Jag Biti.
The other person who deserves a special mention is Hansraj Bahl. He did a commendable work in the three films Gvalan, Phulwari and Pujari. You have rightly said ‘Not a mean achievement on debut’.

81 AK May 8, 2019 at 6:11 pm

Venkataramanji,
Naushad seems to be unquestionably ahead of the pack. Thanks a lot for your comments. Now you have given a complete response.

82 S Joseph May 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm

A beautiful write up with a lot of information of the music in an year of ‘ unknowns ‘. I have heard only a few of these songs and almost all the information given here I am learning now. Also , a selection of around 80 songs is there to listen to.
Many of the learned members have actively participated and added to my knowledge with their comments and songs and even given their list of bests.

While preparing one’s best lists is an iinteresting exercise , I would not try to give my selection of the best songs because I cannot listen to all the 1270 songs of year 1946 .

Any ‘ best awards ‘ in Hindi film music I feel are organised more for commercial/social reasons and the awards are always subjective as no one states any criteria/reason for awarding a song / music as the best. That is why after the awards the questions like – why not ‘Mughal e Azam ‘ or why not ‘Guide’ etc. always keep cropping up.

A Hindi film song popularity could be due to any of the so many components/factors of the song that are never spelt out and analysed nor scored. May be with artificial intelligence and computers such decisions could be possible in the future.

Some of my favourite songs I have picked up mainly for a ‘single factor ‘. For instance ‘Chal ri Sajni ab kya ..’ from Bambai ka Babu (1960) I like mainly for the prelude/postlude. 9 out of 10 times I have played this song was only to listen to the 1 minute prelude. More on this later.

So I feel the proper way to decide the best in music/songs for now is to go by the data on sales or the number of times it is played by the radio stations and to trust the wisdom of the public in its judgement . Comparing such a list with one’s own selection could be of interest.

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