A tribute on his birthday May 10
I became seriously acquainted with Pankaj Mullick several years after I had thoroughly absorbed KL Saigal. This would probably be the normal sequence for any non-Bengalee what with Saigal having acquired an iconic status, and generations of listeners having grown on a Saigal song every morning at 7.57 AM which would be the last song on Radio Ceylon’s programme Bhoole Bisre Geet.
The trigger point was an evening dinner gathering of friends when Chakko (short for Chakravarty, that was his name) sang Ye raatein ye mausam ye hansnaa hansaanaa. The impact on me was mesmerizing. Chakko was by no means a professional singer, it was one of those gatherings where everyone sings, some being a little better than others. Soon after I came across an LP of his songs, which not surprisingly had this song at the top. Coming to the internet age I heard many more of his songs, both films and non-films, in Hindi and Bengalee, and became more aware of the vast world of beautiful gems of Pankaj Mullick beyond Piya milan ko jana (which seemed to be the only song played in the radio days).
He was already an established name as actor-singer-composer in Kolkata-New Theatres when a virtually unknown Saigal came to seek an avenue for himself. Pankaj Mullick unhesitatingly promoted him with RC Boral, at times at his own cost. Several of Saigal’s most famous songs are composed by Pankaj Mullick. If you consider his role in the making of Saigal, his contributions in popularising Rabindra Sangeet, his work as singer, actor, music director, his path breaking innovations in various aspects of music, he is one of the greatest figures of Indian culture scene, and one of the most well deserving Dadasaheb Phalke awardees (1973). That he was awarded a mere Padmashree (1970) is obviously one of the vagaries of these awards.
So far in this blog I have been generally hovering around 1950s and 60s barring some odd reference to the songs of earlier era. I have a special fascination for the songs of vintage era songs of 1930s and 40s and was looking for an opportune way to get into that era. It is a matter of special pleasure for me to start this with a compilation of my favourite Pankaj Mullick songs as my tribute on his birthday May 10.
1. Ye raatein ye mausam ye hansnaa hansaana, non-film song
There would be several hundred songs of at least two dozens of singers very close to me heart. From this vast ocean if I have to select a few most precious, most beautiful gems this song would figure at the very top. There is something immortal about it, its words, its tunes that mesmerizes you even if your buddy Chakko or Mukho sings it.
ये रातें ये मौसम ये हंसना हंसाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
ये बहकी निगाहें ये बहकी अदायें
ये आंखों के काजल में डूबी घटायें
फिज़ां के लबों पर ये चुप का फसाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
चमन में जो मिल के बनी थी कहानी
हमारी मोहब्बत तुम्हारी जवानी
ये दो गर्म सांसों का एक साथ आना
ये बदली का चलना ये बूंदों की रुमझुम
ये मस्ती का आलम ये खोये से हम तुम
तुम्हारा मेरे साथ ये गुनगुनाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
And here is my English translation:
These nights
These nights, these climes
These laughters and this merrymaking
And me
You may forget me but forget these not.
These playful glances, these drunken gestures
These clouds immersed in your dark kohl eyes
This ambience
And floating on the lips of air this melody of silence
And me
You may forget me but forget these not
In the meadows when we met
It became a story
My love and your passion
These two hot breaths coming together
These wandering clouds, these dancing raindrops
This state of euphoria and you and me lost in our reverie
This humming of yours with me
And me
You may forget me but forget these not
Pankaj Mullick sings Ye raatein ye mausam
2. Barkha ki raat aye manwaa har le mann ka bhaar from Adhikaar (1938), music Timir Baran
Timir Baran was another great composer in the New Theatres fold. His best known is Devdas (1935), for Saigal’s iconic songs Dukh ke ab din beetat naahi and Balam aye baso more mann mein. Adhikar is another movie which had several great songs. This one has all the ethereal quality of Pankaj Mullick and my no.2
3. Aayee bahar aaj from Doctor (1941), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanvi, music Pankaj Mullick
Doctor in which Pankaj Mullick was the singer, actor and music director had a number of songs which are of everlasting quality. Ayee bahaar is a peppy train song which captures many beautiful vignettes of rural landscape in its journey. You first see a boy on the tree playing the flute, when he is wonderstruck by the approaching train. As the song filters in, the train enters the frame, and you see Pankaj Mullick standing at the door of the compartment holding its handle and singing in gay abandon. On way you also see a bullock cart plying alongside the train. Then a group of ladies, who suddenly realise that they are being seen by the men in the train, turn away their faces with a shy smile pulling their veil a little longer. Finally as the train approaches the station you see a group of men waving excitedly while the song fades out. Cute!
4. Maine aaj piya, non-film song
The best songs of Pankaj Mullick, as of Saigal and KC Dey, and later of Talat Mahmood and Hemant Kumar include several non-film songs. If they lost on identification with a film, they had the advantage that they provided more creative freedom to the singer as he was not constrained by the situations of a story. Many of these songs were composed by the singer himself. Maine aaj piya is one of my Pankaj Mullick’s top favourites.
5. Main rota hun, non-film song
Another immortal private song of Pankaj Mullick.
6. Sharabi soch na kar matwale (with Kalyani), from Mukti (1937), music Pankaj Mullick
One of the best films of Pankaj Mullick as actor-singer and music director. The setting is a country liquor joint where people are having fun when Pankaj Mullick joins them with this song in his booming voice. Is this the earliest tavern song in Hindi films? Kalyani in contrasting tune enhances the beauty of the song.
7. Madbhri rut jawan hai from Nartaki (1940), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanvi, music Pankaj Mullick
The long video clipping shows animated conversation about the evening dance function and how to get the doors of the mutt opened for Roopkumari, whose presence would enhance the pleasure of the evening, the highlight of which was going to be the jawani ka gaana which the poet (Pankaj Mullick) had prepared after the day’s labour for the function. When Pankaj Mullick does enter the scene with this song in his heavy bass voice, the effect is magical.
8. Sundar nari preetam pyari from Manzil (1936), music RC Boral
This song has RC Boral’s signature style of long musical piece preceding the song and beautiful long interlude, which he had used (in conjunction with Pankaj Mullick) with stunning effect in Ek bangkla bane nyara (President) .
9. Mahak rahi phulwari from Doctor (1941)
Another great song from Doctor.
10. Piya Milan ko jana from Kapalkundala (1939), lyrics Arzoo, music Pankaj Mullick
And finally the defining song of Pankaj Mullick. This is the song that was most commonly heard and was everyone’s first introduction to him.
{ 105 comments… read them below or add one }
I must admit my knowledge of Hindi songs from the 30s and 40s is woefully inadequate – and the only one of these songs that I’d heard before was Piya milan ko jaana. But thank you for introducing me to these songs – I especially loved Aayi bahaar and Maine aaj piya, both so different from each other but so good in their own way.
What do you think of the twin songs of Saigal and Pankaj – like ‘Ae qatib-e taqdeer’ and ‘do naina matwale tihare’? I like the Saigal version of the first, and the Pankaj version of the second of these.
Can anyone figure out what the words following “payal ko baandh ke” in the second stanza of Piya milan ko jaana are, and what they mean?
@dustedoff:
May be I was a more obsessive radio-romantic than you. For me the songs stood out by themselves without any reference to the movie. I had a more structured introduction through a 4-part series on Doordarshan titled Gata jaye banjara, which was anchored by Poonam Dhillon. This was a survey of film music from 30s through 80s, this exposed me to several gems I had not heard before. The next thing I did was to rush to a music shop and buy HMV’s 3 volume (each volume containing 4 cassettes) pack of vintage melodies covering songs from 1931 to 52. It was a pleasant surprise for me to accidentally stumble upon a repeat telecast of Gata jaye banjara on DD last year coinciding with their Golden Jubilee celebrations (it is a tragedy that you do not see their programme listings in papers or DishTV) . DD are sitting over such a horde of precious heritage I sometimes feel they should digitise it and simply put it out in public domain, for downloading on payment, if revenue is a consideration. I have seen several movies of 1930s and 40s and short films on several personalities such as KL Saigal, Pankaj Mullick etc on DD. My next major introduction to the vintage era was courtesy my friend Subodh Agrawal (whose comment you see above) who referred me to http://www.indianscreen.com/. They have clearly the most amazing collection of rarest vintage era songs. However their display is like a museum where a small fraction of their collection in their vault is put out for viewing. So you have to keep on visiting them every two weeks or so, they do not allow access to their archives. 1930s and 40s songs have their own unique charm which grips you.
I am very happy that you came to know of more Pankaj Mullick songs. He is one singer in particular who simply overpowers you. If you listen to him more I am sure it would be difficult to get Ye raatein ye mausam or Mudbhari rut jawan hai or other songs in my list out of your system.
@Subodh Agrawal:
Should we call them twin songs? I always associated ‘twin songs’ with a male and a female version. Furthermore, the movie My Sister (1944) had only one version of these songs – KL Saigal’s. It was Saigal’s version that was known to all or available commercially on records. It was only during the internet era that I became aware that Pankaj Mullick (he was of course the music director of this movie) had got all the songs of My Sister also recorded in his voice. Was he curious to compare his version with Saigal’s? If so what happened to his versions?
I would hate to compare these two greats. One distinct difference I find is that Pankaj Mullick’s versions are full throated and have his distinct masculine style, Saigal’s are softer and perhaps a bit effeminate. My own favourite My Sister song is Chhupo na chhupo na chhupo na. You may compare the two versions.
KL Saigal sings Chhupo na chhupo na chhupo na
Pankaj Mullick sings Chhupo na chhupo na chhupo na
@Subodh Agrawal:
Further, Piya milan ko jana has some unclear words at two places. The one you have rightly pointed out. The audio I have embedded also gives the lyrics, but the words following Payal ko bandh ke, which sound like उठी चुभ नान के do not make any sense. The words thereafter धीरे धीरे दबे दबे पांव को बढ़ाना are quite clear.
I started building my vinyl LP collection as a student of IIT Kanpur in 1973. Pankaj Mullick’s collection of songs was one of the first I bought for the then princely sum of 40 rupees. I was moved to do this by ‘Yeh raatein..’ Once I got the LP, however, I enjoyed the other songs as well – most of which you have already posted. I would like to mention two more: ‘Tere mandir ka hoon deepak’
and ‘Yeh kaun aaj aaya savere savere’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zkKVMinPzc
@Subodh Agrawal:
Both are great songs and were there in the LP both of us are referring. I have left out some more songs from that LP such as Pran chahe nain na chahe, Jab chand mera nikla etc. I heard many more Pankaj Mallik songs later, and now these come after my favourite ten.
Some admirers of K L Saigal and Pankaj Mullick have wondered how the songs of ‘My Sister’ came to be sung by both singers. Pankaj Mullick was the music director of ‘My Sister’ and KL Saigal its hero. But perhaps very few people know that ‘My Sister’ was first started with Pankaj Mullick as its hero and also its music director. Shooting of the film was done for a few days and three songs of this film, ‘Ai katib-taqdeer…’, ‘Do naina matware tihare…’ and ‘Chhupo na chhupo o pyari sajaniya…’ were composed and recorded in voice of Pankaj Mullick.
But then, suddenly, the producer of this film B.N Sircar realised that Pankaj Mullick as the hero of ‘My Sister’ was not as attractive a proposition as K L Saigal. So, he requested K L Saigal, who was then in Bombay, to come back to Calcutta to do this film. Saigal, always a gentleman, had great respect for the owner of New Theatres and also his mentor Pankaj Mullick. So, he returned to Calcutta to do this film with Pankaj Mullick giving him a go-ahead signal.
The three songs of this film were then recorded in the voice of K L Saigal. One more song was added to the film, and that was ‘Hai kis but ki mohabat mein griftaar hue…’ The film, when completed (1944), was a box office hit. But since then many people out of ignorance have wondered how both K L Saigal and Pankaj Mullick came to sing the songs of this film. Of course, the songs that Saigal rendered in his voice became more popular. Pankaj Mullick was a great singer, no doubt, and his voice had perhaps a greater range than that of Saigal. But Saigal’s voice had a pathos which no other singer has ever matched, let along surpassed.
@a c tuli
Thanks for this information. Now I do remember having read that Saigal came back from Bombay to do this film for the New Theatres, which was his last film for them. But the background behind Pankaj Mullick versions is new and interesting.
In the last stanza of Piya Milan ko jaana there are two errors as follows:
Instead of Kaise kare kathin bath, it should be KAISE KATE KATHIN BAAT (how can I travel tracherous road?)
It is not just with Pankaj Mullick’s songs, if you listen to the Hindi film songs of Kanan Devi, you will find that her pronunciation of Hindi words was far from perfect. If you want to experience how two men – one who is well-versed in Urdu and the other who is somewhat ignorant of this language – you should listen to the song, ‘Ai kati-be-taqdeer mujhe itna bata de…’ sung by both Saigal and Pankaj Mullick. While Saigal’s pronounces each word of the song with the perfection of one who has a deep knowledge of Urdu, Pankaj’s pronunciation of Urdu words in this song shows that he is not familiar with the language.
well, pankaj mullick was a true legend.Compare his rendition of his own song ‘piya milan ko jaana’ to the cover version done by zubeen garg a few years back and one can realise that how great pankaj mullick was.By the way,there is another song sung and set to tune by pankaj mullick on Rabindranath tagore’s poem ‘shesh kheya’ and used in the movie mukti.It was Rabindranath tagore himself who gave permission to pankajda to compose a tune for one of his poems.The song’din shesher ghumer deshe’ is available on youtube and is truly brilliant.
@raunak
I could not agree with you more. If you ask me even Lata Mangeshkar’s cover version of Piaya milan ko jana is no match to the original.
which is that song in which KLSaigal,Pankaj Malik and Kanandevi sung togather? was it from film Andaz?
@tushar
They could have sung together only in a New Theatres’ film, and I do not think they made a film titled Andaaz. Off hand I do not remeber any KL Saigal/ Pankaj Mullick/ Kanan Devi song. But Saigal, Pankaj Mullick and Uma Shashi sang Duniya rang rangilee baba duniya rang rangilee in Dhartimata ( film version was sung by Saigal, KC Dey and Uma Shashi).
Subodh ji,
Ref your comment no.2 above dt 10th may….
The lines are Payal ko bandh ke
uthi chubh daab ke
dheere2 dabe2
paon ko badhanaa….
As I see,the meaning could be,Tie the payal(so that it does not make sound),tolerate the piercing caused by it(uthi chhubh daba ke as in chubhana),go slowly,without making a noise…etc.
-AD
@ KLS,PM,KananDevi singing together.
KLS was in contract with Hindusthan Records(a record co),KananDevi with Megafone Record Co.PM was free.It was difficult to accomodate such songs.Also PM composed Mukti,wherein KD was lead female but not shared common screen though he was also on cast of Mukti.That is the reason Dunia Rang Rangili record version is PM,KLS,Uma Shashi’s voice where as movie its KCDey,KLS,Uma.KCDey was also in contract for singing only for a particular record co.Some one says Sunder Naari(Manzil) and Aakhir Woh Din Aaya Aaj.movie track is in KCdey’s voice like Dunia Rang Rangili but record is in PM’s voice.Those who can CONFIRM these 2 songs now no more available/remember this so we are left with record version only!Also these movies not available.Dharati Mata only few reels available so we hear Duniya Rang Rangili movie track version,also in corporated in Amar Saigal.Zindagi’s Soja Raaj Kumari was inacted in Amar Sagal.Shri Krishkant-famous character actor says Soja was sung in two versions,slightly different.In last in movie was a sad version,record only for 1 version.In last KLS sings sad version,Princess goes ‘ASLEEP'(she was dead),KLS says Raajkumari,tum sachmuch so gayee,movie ends,people come out with tears from hall,KK says!
My father was a photographer and fan of NT movies.We have been travelling from Surat to places between Ahmedabad to Bombay wherever he was to perform live and to Baroda to see NT movies screened in morning show in Navrang Cinema on Sundays.
My father during a concert in Mumbai,presented him framed photograph of KLS to him.He placed it on stage and performed.He oftenused to sob while presenting Karu Kya Aas Nirash etc KLS’ songs remeberiring him and remark in Duniya Rang Rangili’s KLS portion it reminds me of great Kundan.I am eye witness to this!Though he gave his best compositions to KLS never envy him or considered himself a rival.Often during visits to our place he used to talk a lot @ KLS and his memories with him with very HIGH REGARDS for KLS.Photographs posted here in top,Piya Milan Ko Jaana and Ye Raaten Ye Mausam are taken by my father.Many of my fathers photographs used in DoorDarshan Doc on PM telecast on his birth cent(Remembering Pankaj Mullick).
Great to have someone here, who has been personally witness to these greats. Thanks a lot for all the interesting information and your father’s great photographs.
Another song sung probably by Pahari Sanyal in same rag is ” Suhag ki Rat aayi sajani, kahe bhare tore naina’ in the movie Adhikar.
You are right, it is sung by Pahari Sanyal. An absolute gem, I was planning to keep it for some theme. Another remrkable thing about this song is its similarity to Pankaj Mullik’s Barkha ki raat
I am 88 years old.in past I have enjoyed most of these songs . while studying in Poona agri. college. it was our routine to visite Lucky restaurent at Deccan Gymkhana. Lucky was most popular with students.I enjoy these song even today….probebly it takes us to our young days.your collection is wonder full Icongratulate you for your efforts with love and regards …..narendra
Trough mistake I have forgoten to mention that Lucky use to play most of the rcords mentoned by you… if you like please modify my earlyer message suitably … narendra
Narendra Patelji
Welcome to the Songs of Yore family. I guess you might be its seniormost member. Just imagining your experiece when Pankaj Mullick was a contemporary experience gives me goosebumps.
I believe Poona is the oldest Agri. college in the country? That makes you a part of a very great legacy.
Thanks for your visit here and your very kind words.
Dear Mr.Sunil Trivedi.Iam thankful of your prompt reply.Iam having the song with me on audio cassette but forget the names of the singers due to my old age. I got the names of the singers from Suman Chourasia of Indore,who gave the names as Ila Ghosh and Sunil Chakerrvarty. I was not sure now I think your information is more correct.Once again Thank You.Rajendra Kumar.
I wonder why no mention is made of great songYAD AYE KI NA AYE TUMHARI.Iremember in late forties and early fifties,we used to rank it very high, equal to ye rate—-, AY KATEBE TAQDEER for its lyric, DO NAYNA–
doctor is known for PANKAJ songs KAB TAK NIRASH KI was another great as the cimax song AJ APNI MEHNATOON –The dramatic irony was so powerful that Iremember no eye was not moist in the picture hall. of course people were also more sentinetal.
equally great wer songs of Bharti, AYE NIT NAI RITU KE BAHAR.
Thanks for nice comments and information
m.d.mathur
Thanks for introducing us to Yaad aye ki na aye tumhari. Here is the song:
I have already included two songs of Doctor which had some more outstanding songs which would figure sometime later. I had kept a limit of ten.
Thanks a lot again for visiting this site and sharing some valuable information.
Request for Jagmohan songs.
Noted. My big favourite. Should come at an appropriate time.
super blog, just came across this.
i would have also added–tere mandir ka deepak jal raha by PM, a real gem.
Thanks. Yes, Tere mandir ka hun deepak is a gem. It has been mentioned by Subodh Agrawal in his comment (#6)
Has anyone heard the song ‘ mujko hai tum se payaar kyon yeh na bata sakuga main….roop ki kuch kami nahin duniya main ek tumhi nahi..phir bhi hai tum se payaar kyon payaar kyon’ my nana used to sing this song and it has stayed in my memory.
I did find it online once but seem to have misplaced the link, maybe someone here has it in their collection..
This is a famous non-film song by Jagmohan sung by Jagmohan in 1940’s. Here is a link:
Dil ko hai tumse pyar kyun by Jagmohan
And here is his live recording in Dordarshan in 1983, when Jagmohan was obviously way past his prime.
Though born after Independence, I remain an admirer of New Theatre Films. I might let out a secret I cannot speak even Hindi not to speak of Bengali. However I have for long wondered who were the women singers in f NT films were, besides the legendary Kanan Devi. Were they Jarna, Panna Devi, Kalyani or Bharatidevi ? I had read many years ago that Jamuna Bharua was herself a good singer. But Youtube attributes her songs in her husband P.C.Barua films to Anima Sengupta. I am a Bangalore based journalist who had headed the newspaper The Hindu in Karnataka.
Thanks AK,
I am a great fan of Punkaj Mulikk.
I was searching for this song as i consider this as his best.
Thanks once again.
vishvajit
Gentlemen,, if anyone of u have the perfect lyrics of “suhaag ki raat aaj sajani, kahe bahe tore naina” (pahadi sanyal, adhikar_1938) than plz write down here….i hv this song but i cant understand the words in antaras.
Akji….there is a song of pankajda… ” Kaun des hai jana babu, kaun des hai jana… Khade khade kya soch raha hai, hua kahan se aana”. I exactly dont know the film (mukti ?) but the song is my favorite. I cudnt find it on YT. If anyone can find plz link it.
Pankajda stirred up the question ” Kaun des hai jana ? ” and ultimately answered himself ” Piya milan ko jana…hohohoho ” ! 🙂 🙂
In fact often in his live concerts used to combine these 2 songs in end!Some time with comment,and also Ye Kaun Aaj Aaya Sabere and then either of these 2 songs,Aane ke Baad jaana!
I got kaun des hai jaana video and MP3 audio,my problem is I dont know how to upload them on yt,though I am subscribed for that!If anyone can guide will surely be glad do it for JKji!
Sorry,I chkd after above msg,Kaun Des video cut not in my collection,though got VCD of movie.I have not cut so far.If audio is satifying to JKji,I will be glad giving him.
If you mail me the mp3 version I would upload it.
Dear sunilji…..if u have video cd of that film and song is there,, than 90% task is finished.
1. First step is to cut down that song from the main vcd thru the software ‘videoconverter’ (there may be many such softwares) on PC.
2. U need to open an account on YT.
3. Upload the video (only Video formats….YT doesnt accept only audio formats) thru PC (If possible, from hi speed cyber cafe it is very easy and quick to upload any video on yt)
4. If u have only audio format, you can make a video from various softwares on PC.
5. YT accepts all types of video formats and releases the accepted video in their own specific format on YT.
Oh..sorry Akji i didnt read ur easy suggestion comment.
AK ji,
I will certainly try cut video as its VERY MUCH THERE IN VCD OF MUKTI HINDI I GOT.I got Mukti Hindi and Bangla both as similar situations songs used to be different tunes.Same way Bangla Hindi DAKTAR,Jibon Moran/Dushman,Bidyapati/Vidyapati so on.
This is just.
I cut Bangla version but by the time got Hindi Mukti,there went something wrong with PC so lost software VCD Cutter I had and then never got it!So Hindi 1 was pending.
Regards,
Jignesh, Sunil
I discovered I also have mp3 of Kaun desh hai jana babu from Mukti (1937) – it is also composed by Pankaj Mullick. I have uploaded it here:
Pankaj Mullick: Kaun desh hai jana babu
Thank you Sunil anyway for sending me the mp3, which encouraged me to put it up here.
Jignesh
As for the lyrics of Suhaag ki raat, here are the lyrics, you should read it while hearing the song which takes you to a different world of bliss. As India modernises with free mixing between genders, this song belongs to an era and cultural context, which has gone by. A wonderful song:
सुहाग की रात आये सजनी काहे भरे तोरे नैना-2
सुहाग की रात
आंगन में तोरा चांद हंसत है-2, पवन रचत मधु बैन सजनी-2
काहे भरे तोरे नैना
सुहाग की रात……
फागुन में कित होत उदासी वाही के सुन बैन-2
सो ही कारण भई उदासी झर लागे मोरे नैना-2, सजनी झर लगे मोरे नैना
सुहाग की रात…..
साजन तोहे आन पुकारे काहे घूंघट काढ़े-2
अंखियन में सखि काजर फेरो-2, आन बसो मोरे नैन
सुहाग की रात…..
This song bears striking resemblance to Pankaj Mullick’s Barkha ki raat aye manwaa from the same film, which I have used at serial no. 2. Let us also have the song:
Suhaag ki raat aye sajni by Pahadi Sanyal from Adhikar (1938), music Timir Baran
Claps..Claps..Claps
U found it akji…i hv that song in mp3…but cudnt find it on YT.?!
‘suraj dooba chaand na nikla, beeta sama suhana
raat andheri baat na sujhe, sambhal ke paön uthana
Kaun des hai jana babu
Kaun des hai jana..’
Wah wah
Many many thanks Akji..for the song ‘suhaag ki raat’. I had listened this song in ‘bhule bisre’ be4 5-6 yrs. I had recorded in my mobile and than it became my fav. After many yrs. i listened pankajda’s ‘barkha ki raat’. But pahadi sanyal’s version remained my clear favorite.
Now, the problem of antaras is still on as i told in comment 36. I dont clearly understand the wordings ”phagun me kit hot udaasi, wahi ke sun baina….so hi kaaran bhai udaasi jhar lage more naina” now what does this mean akji ?
And what does the last antara mean ? Ankhiyan me sakhi kaajar phero or kaajar tero ??
and yes…AKji…”suhaag ki raat” is a completely blissful song. Perfectly written, tuned and sung. Bravo…Timir Baran.
Shri Arkere Jayaram,
Other female singers-Uma Shashi (NOT UMA DEVI_UMA DEVI IS TUNTUN),Utpala Sen,Ila Ghosh,Radharani,Harimati,Kalyani,Indrani Roy,Bela Mukherjee(wife of Hemantkumar),Rekha Mullick,Binota Bose,Binota Chakraborty,Sandhya Mukherjee,Gauri Mitra,Suparva Sarkar as strike right now.Male singers-KLSaigal,Pankaj Mullick,KCDe,Asit Baran,Pahari Sanyal,Pratap Mukherjee(not sure @ surname),Biren Pal,Dhanjay Bhattacharya,Vinay Goswami,Ali Husein strike now.
Jignesh,
Your comment #48.
The context is that on the first night of the union with her man, the lady’s eyes are moist with tears. We can very well appreciate the sentiment when in our tradition, marriages are joyous and at the same time poignant. Some of the most heart wrenching music anywhere in the world is our ‘Vidaai Geet’ in any language.
Now the meaning is clear:
Why are you sad in the spring O Maiden!
On hearing the song of the nightingale?
“This is the reason why I am sad
And why my eyes are shedding tears”
(In Reetikaaleen Hindi poetry of 16th century, there was a genre called ‘Vipralambh shringaar’, i.e. romantic poetry of sadness, when the soothing rays of moonlit night would be like hot furnace to the nayika, or the song of the nightingale would be a hasrh cacophony).
And the last stanza:
Your lover is beckoning you
Then why you are covering yourself under a veil?
“My friend, put kohl in my eyes
And let my lover reside in them”.
Akji… Thank u v much 4 d detailed xplanation…now i understood the 1st stanza with more clearity.
Timir Baran’s films r very few in my view but he gave me my 3 very close favorites. 1. Baalam aaye baso 2. Jo beet chuki so beet chuki.. and 3. Suhaag ki raat
As my personal opinion,i feel Timir Baran has touched unbelievable height of creation in these songs.
The grandeur of the voice of Pankaj Mallick was unmatched. He was even more impressive when he touched notes of lower octave. To some extent we find the glimpse of the grandeur in Manna Dey’s open voice singing in Bengali style. Ye raaten ye mausam ye hunsna hasana is my favourite. I like Pran chahe nain na chahe for the effective support the Calcutta band lends to the booming voice of Pankaj Mullick. It is so sprightly and vibrant that it can beat later day music directors known for giving such lively songs. Mere hathile shyam is also a good composition and I like it but yet another song that sounds superb in Pankaj Mullick’s voice is Ye kaun aaj aya savere savere. He had a strong resonant voice and his compositions had that ethereal quality and the combination made immortal songs.
This is a great collection.
I love all the songs of K.L.Saigal, Pankaj Mallick, Jagmohan, and private songs of Hemant Kumar. Ae qatib e taqdir is superb.
I have read xcellent comments on the “Greats” like Pankaj Mullick, Saigal and Kanan Devi. I am trying to get some information on a sing
” Bahar ke din AAye” It was sung by a lady singer with very rich orchestral prelude. Can any one of you help?
Ashwin
I had myself raised the question as to who the women singers of New Theatres were ,besides Kanan Devi. I have got the answer. They were Parul Ghosh, Suprabha Sarkar, Utpala Sen, Radharani Kalyani, Ila Ghosh , Harimathi and Rekha Mullick (who was the daughter of Pankaj Mullick). The first playback song in an Indian film (Dhoop Chhaon in Hindi and Bhagyachakra in Bengali) was rendered by Parul Ghosh, Harimathi and Suprabha Sarkar. That was in 1935.
Arakere Jayaram,
You have missed one of the greatest, Uma Shashi – Prem nagar mein banaungi ghar main, Duniya rang rangili baba, Prem ki naiya chali jal mein mori.
Arakere Jayaram,
I have received this mail from Sunin2:
“Rekh Mullick is not Pankajda’s daughter. No idea if any distant relationship. Pankajda’s only daughter is Ms Arunlekha Gupta. She never sang in movies. She is a GOOD singer. I have heard her. I tried many times send reply on blog but failed hence this mail to you. This I can say as personally know this family.”
Dear, whoever is reading it,
you people will not believe on 22-12-2013 I crossed my 60th year. In my youth hood ,we didn’t have the pleasure of affording radio. My father used to sing malik sahab. I remember everything of that time and admire how beautifully my father copied him. Some good day I will ask my children to post my version of malik sahab.
I really appreciate your efforts. Well done for spending time on researching Mullik Saheb legends. I am so fan of Punkaj Mullick, K.L Saigal, Uma Shashi, KC Dey, Renuka Devi and Ashok Kumar that I have memorized all the songs of Mullick and Saigal by heart. I am 45 years old but love the singers sange 30-46. I need Uma Shashi songs. Could you please suggest a cite.
Regards,
Hazar Mohammad,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and welcome to SoY. If you mention the song title in YouTube, you would find mot of the well-known songs of Uma Shashi.
Superb … I love this blog. I am 41 years old grew up listening to kl saigal n mullick sir. My grand mom still tells me stories of pre part I on when kl saigal was to perform at our house in Karachi. I have no words to thank u all for the information given I always wondered about my sister song’s sung by kl. My fav is there mandir ka hun deepak n yeh raatein yeh mausam.. Also music by mullick sir tu dhoondhta hai jisko mandir mein…thanks all of u .
Anita,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Dear Everyone,
I was so happy to have chanced upon this site. I have always been a great admirer of Saigal-Pankaj Mullick. I have always regarded Pankaj Mullick as the more versatile and more talented artist. Perhaps this is the right group of listeners to check with about my search for three songs which I am so far unable to find on the internet: two songs from the film Oonch-neech (New Theaters, early 1950s ?): phool kahe and pyar ko pehli ghadime,. Not sure of singer. Could be any of Sudha Mukherjee, Utpala Sen, Bharati Devi..The 3rd song, Sundara sapno, film: Manzoor, sung by Bharati Devi (?). I believe all 3 had music by Pankaj Mullick. Could any of you help me locate them? All three are lovely songs I heard over 50 years ago on All India Radio while I grew up in Mysore. Thanks.
HY Rajagopal,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. We hope you are able to spend more time with us.
All the three songs are now identified. Phool kahe dhanya hun main, is dharti par and Pyar ki pahli ghadi mein preetm ka mukhadaa murjhaya kyun are from Oonch Neech (1949), both sung by Sudha Mukherjee, lyrics by Ramesh Pandey, music by Pankaj Mullick.
The third song Sundar sapnon mein tumhare koi aakar tumhein pukaare is from Manzoor (1949)), sung by Upala Sen, lyrics by Pt Bhushan, music by Pankaj Mullick. Both are New Theatres films. Unfortunately their video links are not available yet on YT, though some other songs are available – for example, Band jeevan ki khidki mein phir main nahin deep jalaaungi from Oonch Neech and Matwale nainon se rasbheene nainon se from Manzoor. Hopefully, your songs too would turn up some day.
Thanks a lot for introducing us to these songs.
Manoj sharma’ji ; I really appreciate your sentiments #59 . I am also 68 + years and i am also a fan of Sehgal, Punkaj malik , Jagmohan and other singers of that era . I thank my parents for that .’ Yeh raaten yeh mousam ‘ is my fav too. And thanks are due to the creative genius of head of SOY family —-AK ji . We, all like minded people ,are here because of the master .
KS Bhatiaji,
You are too kind. When I started this blog I had no idea so many wonderful people would join me in this journey.
AKji ; Jo baat dil se nikalti hai woh dooor tak jaati hai . The journey will go on . ” aye gaye manzilon ke nishan …. , lahera ke jhooma jhuka aasman…. ,laken rukega na yeh kaarwan . ” [ mud mud ke na dekh ….from shree 420.]
Songs by Pankaj Mullick in film “Doctor” reminds me :
Distant past with “Guzar Gaya Woh Zamana” &
Rapidly changing today’s world with “Chale Pawan Ki Chaal”.
I enjoy both songs and have enjoyed both situations.
@AK65
Another gain of insomnia from which I am suffering since my teens. Here is the link for the song ‘sundar sapna.
https://youtu.be/80Xfcv-aCdk
As expected it is not live video but Rajagopalji can at least record it and enjoy at his leisure.
Dear DR Rangan and AKji,
It was like a sundara swapna come true, listening to the beautiful song! Can’t thank you enough. You made my day. This lovely long, sung so beautifully and delicately, is simple yet haunting. Pankaj Mullick’s songs generally are more complex, have a lot of variety and the stanzas are tuned differently. But not so in this song.
I would also like to mention that I am looking for a biography of the great master in English but haven’t been able to find one, except for brief notes on web sites. Maybe there are some in Bengali, but I can’t read Bengali and would like to know if there is one in English. Maybe one of the members of this erudite and discerning group could help me.
Thank you once again for the song, sundar sapno! Shall record it and keep it as a precious gift from the group.
Rajagopal
Dear Rajagopal
I have been suitably compensated by the realisation that I have brought joy to you by this lifting of song which must have been uploaded after labour spent in recording this from the full movie . What are we here for . It is entente cordial. I have a sneaking suspicion my writings are off tangent and probably looked with distaste. I am very thrilled to realise that for once I have been useful to someone. AK is really very magnanimous and indulgent to rejects like me. If he had applied scissors to my comments as most of them deserve to be , where would I be. I have lot of leisure and asinine patience to search blindly. That is how I got many gems for myself. I will try for other songs from your list.
Dear Rangan,
First off, let me apologize for not using your name correctly in my previous comment. I wrote DR instead of DP. Please excuse me.
Greatly appreciate your help. Hope you will find the other two songs too (from Oonch-neech).
I am sorry I haven’t read your other comments, so I can’t really comment on your suspicion that they are looked upon with distaste. I would say there’s no need to feel that way. You certainly have helped me. Of course, AKji has been wonderful in encouraging people to express themselves. As you say we are all in it. And what a pleasure it is!
Best wishes,
Rajagopal
Film: Oonch Neech (1948)
New Theater’s Hindi film
Two songs mentioned by Shri H. Y. Rajagopal are sung by Sudha Mukherjee. MD: Pankaj Mullick. Lyricist: Ramesh Pandey.
Not available. But a third song of the same film -“Band Jeevan ki khidki” (Utpala Sen) is available on YouTube .
Dear Shri Manoj/Shri H.Y.Rajgopal ,
I have already mailed AK ji,2 Sudha Mukhereei’s Oonchnich songs audio mostly you were looking for.I don’t know attach visuals to upload on YT so I regret could not upload on YT.I am sure AK ji will do it for me.
@75
You have to take a photo and embed the song for which you may need a suitable software. It becomes a video and thereafter can be uploaded to You Tube. It is an involved job. I will hunt for the software and post its details here, which I hope to do.
Rajagopal do not bother. I am used to such confusion about my initials. Very few people pick me up as Rangan. They think I am Ranjan. It is all in the game and I do enjoy it.
D P Rangan ji,
I too need the software and its operating information to upload songs on You Tube.
You have kindly volunteered to post its details here for the benefit of the readers,like me, who are very primitive in their knowledge of operating Computer.
Awaiting your gift…
-AD
D P Ranjan ji,
I made videoof both S.M.’s songs from Oonchnich with MS Video Maker. Tried upload.it says format different so change as per YT guidance but can’t do it. Since evening I am trying this! Failed!
Any hint?Is it because different MS Movie Maker and YT ids? Tried mail it to Shri AK ji. Failed in that too!
I think You Tubes are.avi format. You must look at a software which can inter convert videos from one format as .mkv to .avi to quote an example. Rajagopal is interested in audio format. I am sure the video you have created would not be a live one but still. You can upload the song to soundcloud and upload the link. By clicking on link, sound cloud music player will open and play. It can be recorded. You visit soundcloud.com and register. You will get 3 hours of free audio upload. That is all. I have a soundcloud account and use it to upload songs.
@77
Noted your point. Mere giving details of the software will not help. It is a videomaker software. Normally software belong to the category – …..exe files. These files cannot be sent over e mail. I can only burn it on a CD and mail it. I may be able to give site address. If it is a paid software, you have to buy it. Wait for some time. I have seen such a software about a year back. At that time I was not interested. Now I will look for it and then contact you through this page and see how I can send it to you so that you can install it in your computer. I too began as a novice and acquired some knowledge by sheer toil. My younger son is a wizard in software but refused to help me stating he is taking revenge on me for my act of constantly exhorting him to study in his school days. I am truly honoured a veteran like you think I am worth something. My observations tend to be on the flippant side as I try to see humour in all situations. Boss AK is a great example to follow in this regard.
@77 @78
You Tube accepts the following type of files:
.AVI (Audio Video Interleaved)
.3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project)
.MOV (QuickTime Movie)
.MP4 (Motion Picture Experts Group Part 14)
.MPEG or .MPG (Motion Picture Experts Group)
.FLV (Adobe Flash)
.M4V (h.264)
.WMV (Windows Media Video)
.WEBM (HTML5)
One should go to youtube.com and log on to the account, – google account and then only upload the video file. I will give the procedure after I upload a file, which I will attempt now.
Rangan D P
Dear AK ji, You have done a great service not only to this blog community but to the great Indian heritage. I consider Pankaj Mullick as one of the fathers of renaissance of Indian music. He introduced element of harmony, composed some 5000 pieces of music both in Bengali and Hindi. Many of the Robindro sangeet songs were translated by him in Hindi. He was much more experimental in Hindi than in Bengali. By the way those who want to listen to his Robindro sangeet songs but do not understand Bengali can go to geetabitan which has lyrics in Bengali, English and English translation.
I am hoping that blogs such as this and this blog community members will keep this invaluable heritage alive for the posterity.
I am 73 years old and have listen to all of ” The Greats” from my childhood. My only regret is that there is so much that seems to be either lost or unavailable
I enjoy this blog.
Dear Arakere ji,
Belated thanks for the names of the great female singers. I still have not found my song. By the way as AK ji had mentioned listen to the song by Umadevi and Saigal “Main Man ki Baat Bataoon”.
Ashwin Ghatalia,
Thanks a lot for your very generous words. I am grateful for the patronage of seniors like you. Fortunately, we have some youngsters too nearing 40s who regularly follow this blog. We need more of them to keep the legacy alive.
@77
Arunkumarji I have got the software. Free version allows only 5 minutes of video creation for upload. You should have a google account to access You Tube. From the application after compiling the video you have to enter name and password for You Tube access. I typed my google account. It was blocked because Google considers this application to be insecure. I also got a message that an attempt to gain access from an unknown application has been blocked. You are also likely to encounter similar problem. If you want more than 5 minute video you have to pay about 30 us dollars and get a key to remove the restriction. I would have paid the amount. If I am continually blocked by Google posting would not be possible. I will try to hunt around another software which can append an audio to the still photo and convert it into a video. We can then directly access You Tube and upload. Give me your views.
@77
I got a work around and made the software work. I toggled with security settings in google.com/settings and could compile the You Tube video but stopped short of uploading it. The restriction of 5 minute duration stays in the free version. If most of the songs y0u want to upload is less than 5 minutes, you can live with this restriction.
D P Rangan ji,
I made video clip attaching photographs of Pankaj Mullick, few days back, using device you have mentioned. But this software doesn’t take audio from computer! I had to stop! If one has to select audio from YT library, what is meaning undergo make video of song already exists on YT!
The main intention of all these exercise is to upload S.M.’s Oonchninch 2 songs, audio I already got.
Sunil Trivdeiji
I presume you used Microsoft Video Maker. Please see my post at 81 where I have listed the type of video files that can be uploaded in You Tube. The one you generated may not fall in any one of the types mentioned and that is why it cannot be posted in You Tube.
By Pankaj Mullick video do you mean a series of photos embedded in a short video with animation or a single still photo as many You Tube postings exhibit, particularly when posting songs of long ago as live video may not be available.
I have a software which can embed audio in the video and upload it to You Tube. It is a shareware and freeware version restricts it to a maximum of 5 minute clip. If that is adequate you can use this software. Many softwares are so tough they tend to be soft-wear. They test your patience and you give up in the end. This one is not like that. Upload speeds are very small anywhere in the world and in India it is still worse. A 4 minute video clip may take as much as 30 minute to upload. If you can send the photo and two songs to me I can try it from here and produce a mp4 version. It can be emailed to you for further action.
D P Ranganji
In my 1st effort I did use Microsoft Movie maker, video is ready, but YT don’t accept the format. Tried view/search many demo videos to do this. Then took help of YT’s program to attach series of Pankjda’s photos my father captured during his stay in Surat for live concerts (Few I uploaded on FB, Pankaj Mullick group) today itself. But was not possible for me to attach audio of both S.M.’s songs from MY COMPUTER as YT prog accepts only from YT uploads-I understood, so dropped idea at last.
If I have to send audio files to you, need your mail id. I will surely do this for benefit of genuine fans of Pankajda! If you can upload can take any photo available on net.
I also got Binota Chakraborty singing Meera Kahe live on stage and her photo. I also got Ila Ghosh’ 2 private songs, MD Pankajda, I wished I could upload them too. We don’t have Ila Ghosh or SM’s photos, so tried use series of Pankajda’s photos for Oonchninch songs upload. Bitotaji’s photo performing on stage at Pankaj Mullick birth centenary prog in Ahmedabad I got, so can be used.
Regards,
My e mail id is dprangan@outlook.com. Do send the photos and song. I will try to create videos with embedded audio. I am talking to someone who is using Window Movie Maker 2.6 version. I am myself downloading it and installing. I will get back to you again afterwards.
Further to my posting above, I tried and succeeded in uploading a song to You Tube site. Link is given below. See whether it works
https://youtu.be/z7vfiFYq-aU
You have to install Windows Movie Maker 2.6. Old but reliable version. Once you do it, please send an e mail to me. I will explain all the steps for you to upload.
My gut feeling the security settings in google site does not allow applications it considers as less secure against standards set by them. You have to check the option to upload less secure applications. Go to google.com/settings and look at security option. Let me know.
DP Rangan,
Your comment #91. You meant to post Nai raahein nai manzil (Hemant Kumar/ Lata Mangeshkar) from Hill Station? Meanwhile it seems Mr Sunil Trivedi has been successful in uploading the two songs, and he had mailed me its link. Here is its link for the benefit of all the readers with grateful thanks to him (the audio is somewhat weak).
Phool kahe; Pyar ki pahli ghadi hai by Sudha Mukherjee from Oonch Neech (1948), music Pankaj Mullick
Incidentally I may confess it was the first You Tube upload by me. I felt like a proud father on this achievement. I wanted to demonstrate it is possible to upload with existing facilities. He has obviously caught on and did it himself and my congratulations to Trivediji.
Hope Arunkumarji also succeeds. He has not responded after his initial posting at 77. I have consideraly improved audio. Out of two songs one was quite hopeless and my music software did some magic. I will offer it to him for reposting.
Dear AKji, DP Rangan and sunil Trivedi,
Thank you all so much for uploading the songs from Oonc Neech. I know DP and Sunil were working on it pretty hard. For the last one month or more I have been preoccupied with too many other things and couldn’t get to visit SOY. As I had said when I first mentioned these songs, the last time I had heard them was in 1960! Thank you so much for making it possible to listen to those beautiful songs again. As DP pointed out the audio is a bit distorted; it seems to me the speed is a tad too high.
I tried to look up biographical information on Sudha Mukherjee but couldn’t find any. I know she is a very talented, prolific singer. I have heard some of her her Rabindrasangeet records too. Could you gentlemen suggest some link?
Once again, my sincere thanks to you all for uploading the songs.
Best wishes for a happy New Year.
Rajagopal
HY Rajagopal,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Long live Saigal!
I have been trying to hear Pankaj Mullick’s Sanskrit song “ASTI UTTARASYAAM DISHIDEVATATMA HIMALAYO NAAMA NAGADHIRAJAH” from, New Theatres film YATRIK / MAHAPRASTHANER PATHEY,composed from Kalidas’Kumarasambhavam.
It was telecast in Doordarshan’sPankaj Centenary Programme on 10 May 2005.
Can any kind friend have it played here?
Mr Ramasamy,
Here is the link of both Hey Chandrachud and Astyuttaraasyam dishi devatatma from Yatrik (1952)
Recently I happened to hear Shaan”s Pran chae chokku na chhaye and suddenly remembered Pankaj Mullick’s Praan chaahe nain na chahe.Im understand that this is a non-filmi song .How did non-filmi songs become popular those days?
Grateful,if you can give an english translation of both Pran chaahe and pran chahe chokku
Rooney Mammen,
A rough translation of Pankaj Mullick’s Pran chaahe nain na chaahe is as follows:
The soul is willing, but the eyes are diffident
Then why are you abashed thus?
He almost comes but goes away
Then who do you adorn yourself for?
The words fail to come out of the mouth
But the heart is aflutter with desires
There is cold smile on the lips
But hot springs throb inside the chest
What garland of flowers?
You bed is decorated with thorns
Your lover is standing somewhere far away
Shedding silent tears in your memory
The soul is willing…
This link of Shan’s Bengali song also gives English subtitles. The words are slightly different. But this is what you are looking for:
https://youtu.be/dK1GPIdOA8Y
Pran chaye chhokhu na chhaye is sung by Pankaj Mullick too, available on YouTube
If mistake not even KananDevi’s sung too available along with many others on YT.
N.Ramaswamy and AK ji,
# 98 and 99
Astyutarasyam dishi devtatma
https://atulsongaday.me/2013/08/12/asty-uttarasyam-disi-devatama/
Hey Chandrachood madanantak
https://atulsongaday.me/2013/03/09/hey-chandchood-madanaantak-shoolpaaney/
I have discussed both these songs in my two articles. You can enjoy them on given links.
Excellent blog Sir
Thanks
Preeti,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.