The silent giant-killer and the man of many-splendoured talents: Ravi

A tribute to the music director Ravi on his 7th death anniversary (3 March 1926-7 March 2012)

Ravi

How do you describe Ravi winning the Filmfare Award for the Best Music Director for the film Gharana (1961)? This was the year in which the giants of Hindi film music, Naushad (Ganga Jamuna) and Shankar-Jaikishan (Aas Ka Panchhi, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Junglee and Sasural) were at the peak of their career. The year also had superlative scores by C Ramchandra (Stree), Ghulam Mohammad (Shama), Jaidev (Hum Dono), Khayyam (Shola Aur Shabnam) and Salil Chowdhury (Chardiwari, Kabuliwala, Maya and Mem Didi). A silent giant-killer! Though I don’t consider this as a marker of Ravi’s talent. Nor even his second Filmfare Award for Khandan (1965), when compared with SD Burman’s Guide, Roshan’s Bedaagh, Bheegi Raat and Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal, Khayyam’s Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain, Kalyanji-Anandji’s Himalay Ki God Mein, Jauhar Mehmood in Goa, Purnima and Saheli, and OP Nayyar’s Mere Sanam. Not to mention Shankar-Jaikishan’s hit-factory with Arzoo, Gumnam and Jaanwar. His own Waqt (1965) had far superior music in the year. Ravi was a many-splendoured genius, not because of these two Filmfare Awards, but despite them, composing several iconic songs for different situations, singers, moods and genres. After my series on the greats like Anil Biswas, Naushad, SD Burman, C Ramchandra, Shankar-Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Roshan and Madan Mohan, if I had asked you who comes next, Ravi’s name would pop up at the top.

Ravi’s ancestors belonged to Haryana from where they moved to Delhi. His father was in service. Born on 3 March 1926, the music bug bit him early. He was not good at studies, therefore, he took up the job of an electrician in the postal department in Delhi, but he was obsessed with music. He aspired to become a singer. Once in 1947, his idol Rafi came to Delhi for a concert when Ravi met him. Rafi gave him some tips and advised him to try his luck in Bombay. Driven by his passion, Ravi came to Bombay without any support and contacts. He struggled like any other newcomer, doing the rounds of producers, music directors, and roughing it out in dharmshalas, on the streets and railway platforms. He finally landed up a job with Filmistan to play the tabla. Here he was noticed by Hemant Kumar who used him as one of the chorus singers in Vande Mataram (Anand Math, 1952). Hemant Kumar was sufficiently impressed with him to make him his assistant music director in films like Shart, Samrat, Champakali, Durgeshnandini, Nagin and Jagriti. Some of the famous songs in theses films are attributed to Ravi. Ravi is also supposed to have a role in composing the been tune of Man dole mera tan dole on the harmonium, which was played by Kalyanji on the clavioline. (I should mention here that we have already discussed this issue, and referring to this article, mentioned the possibility of the Goa-born pianist, Lucila Pacheco being the original creator of this tune.)

Hemant Kumar encouraged Ravi to start giving music independently. Ravi happened to meet the producer-director Devendra Goel during his Filmistan days, who must have been greatly impressed with him to entrust the music of Vachan (1955). Chanda Mama door ke puye pakaye gur ke (Asha Bhosle) from this film became staggeringly popular, and Ravi became a permanent fixture in Devendra Goel’s films, going on to compose successful music in films like Albeli (1955); Ek Saal, Narsi Bhagat (1957); Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan, Nai Raahein (1959); Pyar Ka Sagar (1961); Door Ki Aawaz (1964); Dus Lakh (1966); Ek Phool Do Mali (1969); Dhadkan (1972); and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975).

Guru Dutt’s Chaudahvin Ka Chaand (1960) was a major landmark in his career. It was not only Guru Dutt’s commercially most successful film, its music was everlasting. The title song Chaudahvin ka chaand ho ya aftab ho, sung by Rafi, is a landmark song for praising the beauty of a lady. This earned Rafi the Filmfare Award for the best playback singer.

Ravi’s next lucky break came when he got to score the music for BR Chopra’s Gumraah (1963). He created a superlative score for this film, with Mahendra Kapoor’s piano song, Chalo ek baar phir se ajanabi ban jayen hum dono (picturised on Sunil Dutt) acquiring an iconic status fetching him his first Filmfare Award for the best playback singer. He became a regular with BR Chopra camp, composing some everlasting music in Waqt (1965) and Hamraaz (1967). He was instrumental in Mahendra Kapoor getting his second Filmfare Award for Neele gagan ke tale (Hamraaz). He also gave good music in Aadmi Aur Insaan (1968) and Dhund (1973). Well after the end of the Golden Era of film music, BR Chopra got Ravi for Nikaah (1982), and he created sensational songs for the Pakistani actor-singer Salma Agha – her Dil ke armaan ansuon mein bah gaye became a roaring superhit, earning her the Filmfare Award for the best female singer.

Mid-80s onwards there was a lull in Ravi’s career in the Bombay film industry, which was dominated by the triad of RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji, with Bappi Lahiri making his own waves. During this period, director Hariharan introduced him to Malayalam cinema, entrusting him with the music of Panchgani (1986). Songs of this film and Nakhakshathangal became a rage. He got to compose for 16 Malayalam films of which 10-11 were superhits. He got National Award for the music of the films Sukrutham and Parinayam. In Malayalam cinema he earned fame as ‘Bombay Ravi’.

Ravi was born with a Midas touch. He was honoured with Padmashri in 1971. Besides his National Award for music in Malayalam films, and his own two Filmfare Awards, his music was instrumental in several playback singers getting Filmfare Award for the best playback singer. But with all the professional success, he faced unpleasantness at the family front. It reached a point when he had to file a police complaint against his son and daughter-in-law alleging mental torture and curb in his movements in his own house. He must not have been a happy man. Sad, but C’est la vie. He passed away on 7 March 2012.

In the series on greats, it is Ravi’s turn to be honoured now. With about 820 songs in Hindi from 110 films to his credit, we would have to look at his songs singer-wise as usual. For the inaugural post as a tribute to him on his 7th death anniversary, I choose his songs on various themes and for various occasions that have become iconic. I request the readers that while posting his songs, to emphasise on the genre or the theme they represent.

Beggar song

From his very first film Ravi made a mark with a beggar song, and continued his stamp with Aulad walo phoolo phalo (Ek Phool Do Mali, 1969), Bhala karnewale bhalai kiye ja (Ghar Sansar, 1958), Tujhko rakkhe Ram tujhko Alla rakkhe (Aankhein, 1968); Gareebon ki suno wo tumhari sunega (Dus Lakh, 1966), Amma ek roti de (Samaj ko badal daalo, 1970) etc. In one of the interviews Ravi said that he had a natural empathy for such songs because of his own penury during his struggling years. HFGK mentions Prem Dhavan as the sole lyricist of Vachan. But Ravi has stated on record that he wrote lyrics for two songs in the film: Chanda Mama door ke and O janewale babu ek paisa de de.

1. O janewale babu ek paisa de de by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Vachan (1955), lyrics Prem Dhavan (?)

Bhajan

2. Darshan do Ghanshyam Nath mori ankhiyan pyasi re by Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey and Sudha Malhotra from Narsi Bhagat (1957), lyrics Gopal Singh ‘Nepali’

Two years later, Ravi composed a superb bhajan, which made it to one of the quiz questions in the multiple Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire (2009). In an interesting trivia, the contestant erroneously attributed the bhajan to Surdas, which was surprisingly endorsed by the quiz master. Here is a report on the controversy regarding the wrong credit. Coming back to the bhajan, this was not one off, because Ravi composed Narsi Mehta’s famous Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye by Manna Dey and a couple of more bhajans in the film, and, later, went on to compose extremely popular Tora darpan kahlaye (Kajal, 1965), and Meri sun le araj Banwari (Aankhen, 1968).

Birthday song

3. Hum bhi agar bachche hote by Rafi, Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle from Door Ki Aawaz (1964), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni

The first classic ‘Happy Birthday’ song in Hindi films, until Baar baar din ye aye (Farz, 1967) overtook it.

Children song

4. Chal mere ghode tik tik by Lata Mangeshkar from Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959), lyrics Prem Dhavan

The most effective way to calm a cranky child is to give him a horse-ride on your back. Ravi composes a classic child song based on this traditional song of comforting a child. As with other genres, children songs, too, are aplenty in Ravi. In his very debut movie Vachan (1955), he had composed an iconic children’s song, Chanda Mama door ke puye pakaye gur ke. He later composed Daadi amma daadi amma maan jao (Gharana, 1961), and Bachche man ke sachche (Do Kaliyan, 1967).

Comic song

5. C. A. T. cat cat mane billi by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle from Dilli Ka Thug (1958), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri

You can’t beat a wild and crazy Kishore Kumar. Ravi also composed several comic songs picturised on Johnny Walker, such as Ye duniya gol hai, upar se khol hai from Chaudahvi Ka Chaand (1960).

Mujra song

6. Bedadrdi mere sainya by Asha Bhosle from Chaudahvin Ka Chaand (1960), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni

Excellent mujra song, picturised on Minoo Mumtaz.

Night Club song

7. Baar baar dekho hazaar baar dekho by Rafi from China Town (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri

Since Shammi Kapoor is a singer in a club, Ravi shows his talent in handling an ensemble of Western instruments and composes a superb Rock n’ Roll style song.

Qawwali

8. Sharma ke ye kyun sab pardanasheen aanchal ko sanwara karte hain by Asha Bholse and Shamshad Begum from Chaudahvin Ka Chaand (1960), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni

As the movie was a Muslim social, Ravi chose to compose an excellent qawwali for the Ladies Sangeet for the bride Waheeda Rahman. Later, he composed a classic qawwali muqabala, Milte hi nazar tumse hum ho gaye deewane (Ustadon Ke Ustad, 1963), which had Shakeela Bano Bhopali, the famous qawwala, playing herself in the challenge.

Rakhi song

9. Rakhi dhagon ka tyohar by Rafi from Rakhi (1962), lyrics Rajendra Krishna

You are likely to hear this song on the radio every Rakhi.

Wedding song

10. Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai by Rafi, Ravi and Deven Verma from Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977), lyrics Verma Malik

Ravi never did in one or two’s, in each genre he composed several iconic songs. For a long time, no wedding band could be imagined without Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai. Earlier he had composed a Banna-banni song, Mere banne ki baat na poochho mera banna hariyala hai (Gharana, 1961).

Vidaai song

11. Babul ki duayen leti ja, ja tujhko sukhi sansaar mile by Rafi from Neel Kamal (1968), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi

SoY readers are not a great fan of this song, but this has achieved the status of a landmark song. The folklore says that at the time of recording of the song Rafi was overwhelmed with emotion as he remembered the vidaai of his own daughter.

Uncle-Auntie romance song

12. Ae meri zohrajabeen tujhe maloom nahi by Manna Dey from Waqt (1965), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi

This became an anthem for elderly couple to indulge in some lovey-dovey nok-jhonk at a family function. Balraj Sahni in a playful mood teasing his wife, and Achala Sachdev being suitably bashful, is a scene reprised in many films. Manna Dey is absolutely great and Ravi creates an immortal song. Interestingly, in this longer video, you hear the opening tune of Tujhe chaand ke bahaane dekhun ki tu chhat par aa ja goriye. (Ravi paying tribute to the Punjab School genius?)

Acknowledgements:
1. Dhunon Ki Yatra by Pankaj Raag
2. Wikipedia
3. ‘The Melody Makers: Ravi’: A short film made by Sharad Dutt

Disclaimer:
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the readers. This blog does not claim any copyright, and acknowledges that the copyright over these songs rests with respective owners, such as recording companies like Saregama India Limited, and others.

216 comments…read them below or add one

  1. Hello AKji,
    I was expecting a post on Ravi from you! And you have come out with a great bag of songs, covering different genres.
    He really had a Midas touch, I agree.
    He has sung a few songs in films, some for his own films, some for Hemant Kumar also.
    He was a lyricist too,
    I’ve posted his career as lyricist in my post, on 3rd March. He has written some iconic songs.

    Thank you and congratulations for this post.

    Anup

  2. A good write-up of the upcoming series on Raviji. Please correct
    “C. A. T. cat cat mane billi by Rafi and …”.

    Shyam

  4. Anup,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. It is interesting that you, too, should have thought of doing Ravi at the same time. I have read both of your posts (the second one on his songs for Lata Mangeshkar) when I have been neck deep in some other work and travelling. I would visit your blog again on return.

  5. Shyam,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation and the error mentioned by you. I would correct it as soon as I am able to do it.

  6. Madhu,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Darshan do Ghanshyam – I, too, was not sure I knew its music director until it came under spotlight because of the Slumdog Millionaire controversy. Thanks a lot for adding two more theme/genre songs. It seems Ravi must have composed more types of theme songs than any other music director.

  7. Dear AKji

    Excellent write-up on Ravi. I wish there was at least one song in Malayalam here since he earned quite a name in the Malayalam film industry. (I know this blog is for songs from Hindi films but still . . . )

  8. Mr Seshadri,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You are right Ravi cannot be complete without his Malayalam songs. My constraint is I don’t know Malayalam and this post was focused on theme/genre songs. I am sure Ravi must have composed many Malayalam songs which have earned fame as a genre/theme. We would be all very happy if some reader posts an appropriate Malayalam song with its translation.

    And incidentaaly, this blog is quite eclectic, and the mega series, ‘Multiple Version Songs’, has discussed similar songs in Hindi and several regional languages courtey guest authors.

  9. Wonderful post AK on Ravi. Yes, he was a master of songs for specific situations. I like all the songs you posted. My personal favourites in themes/genres will be:

    Wedding – Dil karta yaara dildaara (Aadmi aur Insaan)
    Title/Theme song – Sansar Ki har Shai (Dhund)
    Moonlight romance – Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam (Dilli ka Thug)
    Romance – Tumhari Nazar (Do Kaliyan)
    Yearning? – Tujhko Pukare mera pyaar (Neelkamal)

    and of course so many more of his “easy on the ear” melodies.

    Ravi was also known for writing to lyrics so that he can retain the emotion. He could compose for any set of words – he even joked once that he can compose a tune for a newspaper headline!!!!!

    A timely article on a great composer.

  11. AK JI
    Like always, a wonderful post on a music director who happens to be my favourite one.
    Ravi has lent his voice beautifully in several movies viz.
    1.Vachan–Yun Hi Chupke Chupke-Asha Bhosle & Ravi (Debut as Singer also)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqnOrLnI38Y
    2.Ek Phool Do Mali–Kismet Ke Khel Nirale Mere Bhaiya-Ravi (As lyricist also)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is7Dr1XKXU
    3.Ummeed-Mera Dil Hai Pyar Ka Aashiyan-Ravi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1g0L8-ujk4
    4.Ustadon Ke Ustad-Raat Chup Hai Chandni Madhosh Hai-Asha & Ravi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfaIk7FB-UA
    5.Jogi-Ek Bhooli Yaad Ne Phir Dil Mera Tadpa Diya-Ravi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygfuv97oCLY

    Besides, As kindly mentioned by Mehfil Meri Meri(I have not seen his post), Ravi has been lyricist to many songs:
    1.Albeli-Muskurati Hui Chandani-Lata & Hemant Kumar
    2.Arab Ka Saudagar-Hai Ye Duniya Musafirkhana-Asha
    3.Arab Ka Saudagar-Ye Mehfil Sitaron Ki-Asha & Hemant Kumar
    4.Dus Lakh-Gareebon Ki Suno Wo Tumhari Sunega-Asha,Rafi & Chorus
    5.Chiragh Kahan Roshni Kahan-Tim Tim Karte Tare-Lata (movie covered in main article)
    6.Ek Phool Do Mali-Aulad Walo Phoolo Phalo-Asha & Rafi
    7.Ek Saal-Ulajh Gaye Do Naina Dekho Ulajh Gaye(Message)-Lata & Hemant Kumar
    8.Ghatna-Hazar Baten Kahe Zamana-Lata

    Once again my sincere compliments for a long awaited beautiful post !!

  12. Nice article on the great Ravi who did not get his full due in appreciation despite giving many hits. I have heard that Ravi was quite a stickler for the lyrics, and for this reason chose to compose for the lyrics , and not get the lyrics written to fit the tunes. ‘Chalo ek baar’ obviously bears this out. I wish someone would clarify this.
    As for his songs, I particularly like the following gems:
    Tim tim karte taare – lullaby
    Sab kuch lutake – philosophical?
    Aage bhi jaane na tu -philosophical.
    Sau baar janam lenge- I do not know how to classify this.
    Chaudhvin ka chand- pure romantic

  14. Ravi,
    Coming from you, I am gratified by your generous praise. ‘Easy on ear’ is a very nice way of describing his music. Among the songs you have posted, Ye raatein ye mausam is my eternal favourite. Since romantic is a very wide category, you have rightly qualified it with ‘Moonlight’. If I were to make a list of ‘Moonlight romance’, this song would figure very prominently. Another great favourite is Aa neele gagan taley pyar hum karein.

    Tujhko pukaare mera pyar: Spooky romance, too?

  16. Rakeshji,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Yun hi chupke chupke is my great favorite. I remember I made a special mention of this song as I thought it was sung by Hemant Kumar.

    I was aware of Ravi having written some lyrics too. There is some confusion about his debut film Vachan. HFGK mentions only one lyricist, Prem Dhavan, in the film. But many sources say that he wrote 2/4 songs in the film.

  17. Mr R Nanjappa,
    Thanks for your appreciation. Ravi was not counted among the greats, I would also refrain from including him in the pantheon of ‘greats’, but he got his fair share of popularity and commercial success.

    Among the songs you have included ‘Lullaby’ fills an important gap.Aage bhi jaane na tu Madhu has included it as ‘philosophical’, she has described Sau baar janam lenge as ‘Spooky’. Sub kuchh luta ke can fit in more than one category. Can we call it a song of ‘Despondency’ or ”Belated self-realisation’?

  19. For Vachan, myswar credits Prem Dhawan as the lone lyricist whereas hindigeetmala.net mentions Prem Dhawan for all songs but Chanda Mama Door ke which it credits to Ravi.

  20. In that case we can agree Ravi wrote Chanda Mama door ke. Thanks a lot for your additional input. I has abandoned myswar as a closed site.

  21. Yes I was waiting for this posting for quite some time. Ravi’s unkept name is melody for it never eludes his composition. I will return to my comments soon
    as for a token start I just want to mention one romantic song
    Film Amanaath song – door rah kar na baath karib avo – singer who else
    Rafi Sahib. Simple tune, less orchestra, fine poetry and top of it Trade makr called MELODY.

    Thanks AK

  22. Good to see a post on Ravi! He was indeed one composer who managed to stay on in spite of the presence of heavyweights. He also managed to grab awards when heavyweights were around! This was his achievement which had a generous stroke of luck !

  23. AK, the ceaseless wonder as I consider you, has managed to present a great music director in a novel way. You have opened a pandora’s box as most of the music directors can be viewed in this light. I am very happy you have also bitten the bug of introducing French/Latin phrases in the post. I hope you will increase such numbers in say geometric progression in future posts. You have now given me full liberty to shower my future posts in like manner.

  24. Moonlight song of yearning

    Itnee haseen itni jawan by Mohammad Rafi from Aaj aur Kal (1963), lyrics Sahir Ludyanvi
    Other songs from the same film

    https://youtu.be/wxPOBc-Gjbk?t=37
    Qawali
    Kehta hai jisko ishq by Shamshad Begum & Usha Mangeshkar
    https://youtu.be/euKEPjDS1xI?t=3

    Pathos laden song
    Maut kitni bhi sangdil by Asha Bhonsle
    https://youtu.be/BF9-2K9JvAQ?t=82
    Parody Song
    Baa adab baa mulahisa by Asha Bhonsle and Mahendra Kapur
    https://youtu.be/Uls_SH7gfq8?t=9

  27. Mr DP Rangan,
    Surely you are too generous. You are right that most music directors have composed theme/genre songs. The differentiation happens when some MD is specially associated with any specific theme. For example, beggar songs could be associated distinctly with Rafi. O meri zohrajabeen is a class by itself.

    Kahta hai jisko ishq is a delightful qawwali. Thanks for adding it.

    Is Na-adab ba-mulahija really a parody song? Which is the underlying original? Though you might remember Ravi composed an excellent parody medley, which was included in my post on parody songs.

    Foreign phrases: I use only the most common ones, and only if they are more apt than an English alternative. In my case no one needs to consult a dictionary. 🙂

  30. AK ji;

    A Cinemascopic presentation of Ravi….Gentleman of Music. His songs were like visiting places to get lost . Good music needs good thoughts and his songs writers complemented fully. Each composition suited every producer director wishes and he justified to every one demands….good mood good thoughts and no expiration date !

    Two of my favorite songs ….to open my account….

    Zindgi ke safar mein akele the hum….Rafi…Shakeel…Nartki…Ravi

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETGJalcNLU

    Above is one of the most romantic song written and composed . This I know is fav.of Hans ji and Arvinder Sharma ji .

    Kabiraa Nirbhay Raam (HD) – Kaajal …Rafi, Asha….Sahir

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIKK6FJWaTM

    ….more to follow…

  31. AK ji,

    A deserving tribute to Ravi saab on his death anniversary.
    The credit titles of his very first film ‘Vachan’ show that Music is by Ravi & Chandra, although it was by Ravi only. I don’t know who Chandra was and why his name featured jointly with Ravi.
    A couple of my favourites :
    Badle badle mere sarkar nazar aate hain – Chaudahvin ka Chand
    Bikhrake zulfen chaman mein na aana – Nazrana

    Anil Kane

  32. AK,
    Lately I have been away from SOY, I was trying to convince myself that I was too busy to interact but for me being away from SOY is like disinterest in music and that reflects my state of mind.
    I was on loop of Pyasa song Yeh duniya gar mil bhi jaye to kya hai……
    Your silent killer killed my despair too
    Thanks for helping me break the shackles.
    It was totally unexpected.( Anup expected it though) A pleasant surprise. Thanks once again.
    Don’t know how many of his songs would list in my favorites….
    The movie missing in your post is Mehndi I would rate that movie as one of his best, he had once said that Guru Dutt picked him for his Muslim social because he liked his Mehndi song.
    ye afsana nahi ae sunanewalon – mehndi (1958)
    https://youtu.be/iDLJ39BNpbM
    woh aaj apni mehfil mein aaye
    https://youtu.be/hChnvh-8hW8
    Bedard Zamana Tera Dushman Hai To Kya Hai – Hemant Kumar & Lata – Mehndi
    https://youtu.be/7Gh9WqDnrx0 (Heard a lot in my childhood was my mom’s favourite)
    Mehndi, year 1958 Song Allah Ki Rehmat Ka Ae dil by Rafi Sahab, Balbir and Chorus
    https://youtu.be/RrOLghh2Uw8
    Gao Gao Ri Sakhi
    https://youtu.be/OIAclG7JeBI

    Bhatiaji,
    You forgot to add my name for Zindagi ke safar me akele the hum..

  33. A grt post on a grt composer
    Thanks a lot AK ji
    As far as Chandra s concerned, he was a relative of Devendr goel
    Ravi was given a chance in Vachan on the condition that he had to include Chandra s name as music directer

  34. KS Bhatiaji,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Zindagi ke safar mein akele the hum is my top favourite song of Rafi composed by Ravi. I had avoided vanilla romantic category as there are countless songs of that type. I focused on more specific themes/genres.

  35. Anil Kane,
    In Sharad Dutt’s film on him, Ravi refers to Chandra’s addition. Chandra was his neighbour and offered to help him get assignment to compose the music for his uncle’s (Devendra Goel) film, but on one condition: Ravi had to put his name too as joint music director. Ravi demurred as Chandra didn’t know any music. After the success of Vachan, Goel offered him Albeli. Now Ravi insisted that as Chandra had nothing to do with music, only his (the former) name should go in the credit titles. Goel rebuked Chandra why he was insistent on getting his name added when he had no clue of music. Thus, from the next film onwards Ravi got the sole credit as the music director.

    Nice songs you have added, but I was looking for songs related to specific themes/genres.

  36. Mumbaikar8 ji,
    When I was planning a post on Ravi, I was confused what my topic should be? And who’s likely to have a post too. The obvious name was AKji, who publish a post every ten days approximately. As Ravi wasn’t yet covered here, it was most likely.

    And I agree with your completely about Mehendi songs. Fabulous solos by Lata. And I too have also come across the Guru Dutt incident. So the film was in a way significant for his career.

    🙂

  37. Mumbaikar8,
    I am happy that the silent giant killer killed your ennui and brought you back to your maika, i.e. Songs of Yore. Menhdi had indeed some all-time great songs. My favourite is Wo aaj apni mehfil mein aye huye hain. My focus in the opening post on Ravi was his songs of specific themes/genres/occasions which have become a landmark. And, please add my name too in the list of fans of Zindagi ke safar mein akele the hum.

  38. Harpreet,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. On Chandra’s addition I have added some details in my reply to Anil Kane.

  39. AKji,
    Looking back on the series on the great MDs covered by SoY, I am filled with deep sense of awe and gratitude. We have been enriched by the discussions, and the unforgettable melodies posted by you and other knowledgeable members of SoY. And your decision to dedicate this year for MD Ravi was well justified and, as you have stated, obvious.
    Ravi composed soft melodious tunes, which made his songs and music immortal and is hummed even today, decades after he composed. The irony is that many of his songs are remembered by HFS lovers but when it comes to identifying the composer many tend to forget his name.
    Thanks a lot AKji for the tribute and looking forward to a delightful series of post on him.

  40. Venkataramanji,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The series on great music directors has been enhanced by the readers’ comments. I don’t know if the term ‘great’ is appropriate for Ravi, but there is no doubt that after the ‘greats’ he was a dominant player. And you are right many everlasting songs were composed by him, in many cases we were not aware that he was the creator.

  41. I thank KS Bhatia ji for playing ‘ Zindagi ke safar mein akele thhe hum… ‘ A great composition . But I am surprised that this great song was not even included in the ‘ Binaca geet mala ‘ final list of the year 1963.

    In many of his compositions Ravi ji has used Mahendra Kapoor but Rafi has also been part of his team in many immortal songs. I present one more melodious composition…
    ‘ Ye waadiyan ye fizayen bula rahi… ‘ from Aaj aur kal(1963) , by Rafi

    https://youtu.be/M1l52x3wXYw

  42. AKji:

    ‘Der aayad, durust aayad’. A long overdue post, which amply rewards us for the wait with an excellent choice of themes and songs. Unlike the greats, Ravi failed to either create a distinctive style (Naushad, CR, OPN, Roshan, MM), or establish a school of followers (SJ, SDB). He owed his success to commercial acumen and a workman like approach to film music. Here I am not using the term ‘workmanlike’ in a pejorative sense. Rather, it reflects one’s realistic assessment of the contribution of music to a film’s success. Satyajit Ray, for instance, had decided that Ravishankar’s music was not critical to the success of his movies, and did away with that after the Apu trilogy. Ravi’s music, similarly, was never critical to the success of his films the way CR’s was to the success of Anarkali, or Hemant Kumar’s was to the success of Naagin.

    Ravi was reputed to be able to create tunes quickly given the lyrics. Raju Bhartan, in his ‘Down melody Lane’, says that he tested this claim in an interview with Ravi by bringing with him the lyrics of a song just recorded by CR for ‘Zindagi aur Maut’. Ravi produced a passable tune within minutes.

    Ravi also changed his business model and began charging for songs rather than for movies (that is, he would charge proportionately less for a movie with fewer songs). Perhaps that is the reason we do not find Ravi having scored for a musical. Producers who wanted fewer songs in their movies came to him.

    Here is Rafi singing a comic song in Meharbaan, ‘Mera gadhaa gadhon ka leader’:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_URMh0Qyqc

  43. Mumbaikar 8, Ak’ji ;

    Zindgi ke safar mein akele the hum…..is really such a sweet and soft melody that everyone wants to listen it for ever ……..after some break or pause. Sahir Ravi combo is a bond that never failed …….and so was Shakeel , Ravi ‘s songs. The lighter songs were well taken care by Rajinder Krishan , specially for movies from the south . Prem Dhawan was an initial Fort holder for Ravi. For this song the fan club is growing with S Joseph’s joining the brigade.

    Ms Mumbaikar is the one who introduced to me…..Kabiraa Nirbhay Raam….a beautiful song from Kaajal and I thank her again for that.

  44. Canasya,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. There is a time for everything. You have fairly summed up Ravi. He was an excellent professional, and got his well-deserved success. More respected music directors – I am thinking of Roshan and Madan Mohan – were not so lucky. That is why he came after them in my reckoning, and, therefore, in the series.

  45. AK ji;

    Ravi was really a marvel at melancholy / sad songs ….some direct , some philosophical . Pathos do make us cry….and tears do want to feel emotions…..and its a great feeling tasting the salty tear water on the tip of your tongue.

    A collection of such songs….

    Aye Mere Dil e Nadan – Tower House – Lata Mangeshkar

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkd3rEwkVL8

    Wafa Jinse Ki Bewafa-….. Mukesh…….Pyar Ka Sagar

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPdQ8H6DvVw&t=121s

    Ek Woh Bhi Diwali – Mukesh…..Nazrana…

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

    Ajab Hai Maalik Tera Jaha – Mohd. Rafi Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9te_-G2XYw

    Maine apni sama bhuja ke….Lata….Nazrana

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC2E8StqAI&t=42s

    …..to be contd.

  46. AK ji;

    A turn to Shakeel songs …very soft ….very romantic. Truly those were the days when melody was queen and lyrics were romantic.

    AAJ DUNIYA BARI SUHANI HAI -ASHA BHONSLE -SHAKEEL BADAYUNI -RAVI – NARTAKI ( 1963 )

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

    zara sun haseena e nazneen..Rafi -Shakeel Badayuni – Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya…. Ravi.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIXh9vxFQ-I

    jan-e-bahar husn tera..Mohammad Rafi_Shakeel Badayuni_Pyar kiya to darna kya …Ravi..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dVti1YVwM

    ….to be contd.

  47. KS Bhatiaji,
    Sad songs: Yes, Ravi was a Master. You have missed Do Badan. It was a cornucopia of melancholy songs.
    1. Raha gardishon mein hardam mere ishq ka sitara
    2. Bhari duniya mein aakhir dil ko samjhaane kahan jayen
    3. Naseeb mein jiske jo likha tha
    4. Lo aa gayi unki yaad wo nahin aaye

  48. Bhatiaji,
    Thanks for remembering and reminding I introduced Kabira Nirbhay I had forgotten all about it but I remember telling you that Zindagi ke safar me akele the hum is my all time favorite song.
    Ravi Rajinder Krishnan combo gave many good songs.
    One soft romantic turning to sad with anger.
    Zulf lehrai teri.
    https://youtu.be/H-eJSogZj2A

    AK,
    Just like beggar songs Ravi had mastered background songs too.
    To name a few
    Kahan teri manzil_ Mohd rafi jee_ Film_Nai Rahen(1959)
    https://youtu.be/9OKOuMve9SY

    Gaafil Tujhe Ghadiyaal Ye (Kiske Liye Rukaa Hai) El saal
    https://youtu.be/sOENN7pi1vM

    YE LUCKNOW KI SAR ZAMEEN Chaudwin Ka chand
    https://youtu.be/ZaJmpwJauNc

    Populat waqt song and the two of the sad songs by bhatiaji from Chirag kahan roshni kahan and Nazrana are background songs too.

    BTW I have a question for you do you seriously think Kalyandji Anandji’s Johar Mehmood in Goa could be a contender for Filmfare award?

  49. I still hear radio my chief source of hearing music rather than plugging in modern systems and my choice of songs of great MD Ravi are therefore listners farmaish.

    Here I go

    1 Jane bahar tera husnu – PYAR KIYA TO DHARNA KYA – Rafi
    2 Ye vaadhiya ye fizayee bhula rahi – AAJ AUR KAL – Rafi
    3 ye mere dil naadhan thu gham se – TOWER HOUSE – Lata
    4 sab kuch luta ke hosh mein – EK SAAL – Talat Mohammad
    5 ye zulf agar – KAAJAL – Rafi
    6 kis tarah jeethe hai yaro – NAI ROSHNI – Rafi
    7 ye mere dost ye mere humdhum – MEHRBHAN – Rafi
    8 aghey bi jana nahi, peeche bi – WAQT – Asha
    9 sasar ki har sheiyha ka – DHUND – Mahendra Kapoor
    10 tumhari nazar kyo kafan – a juicy duet from DO KALIYAN – Rafi/Lata

  50. A nice post,AK ji,as usual. Songs by genre is a good idea.

    Comedy songs:

    Manna Dey, Sahir Ludhianvi… picturised on Mehmood, 1968.
    1. NEEL KAMAL
    Khaali botal khaali dabba le le mere
    yaar
    Khaali se mat nafrat karna
    Khaali sab sansar.

    2. DO KALIYAN
    Arey sar ki kheti saaf kara lo
    Muslim ko Tasleem arz hai
    Hindu ko pranam….
    ..Main hoon ek hazzam.

    DILLI KA THUG,1958.
    Kishore Kumar, Shailendra.
    1. Hum toh Mohabbat karega
    Duniya se nahin darega….

    2. Hey chal ri Amiran,chal ri Fakire
    Lak dak lak pak…
    …..Jhibi chak, Jhibi chak….
    …..Bidi Bidi bidi bidi…..

    Children’s songs:
    GHARANA
    Asha Bhonsle,Kamal Barot; Shakeel Badayuni.
    Daadi Amma Daadi Amma maan jaao…

    DO KALIYAN
    Lata Mangeshkar, Sahir.
    1. Bachche man ke sachche( my childhood staple)
    2. Murga murgi pyar se…

    I am not receiving any emails about a new post or on responses since past few months. Some error?
    And every time I post a response,I am asked to fill the details. Please look into the matter.

  51. Comedy:
    KAAJAL,1965.
    Rafi, Asha; Sahir; Mehmood, Mumtaz.

    Zara si aur pila do bhang…

    You will all have noticed that Asha Bhonsle was the voice of Meena Kumari, Padmini and Mumtaz in KAAJAL.
    Helen,in the song Ye zulf agar khul ke bhikar jaaye toh achcha, does not song. If she were to,it would have been a record of a sort.

    Ye zulf agar….. and Choo lene do nazuk honton ko.. will be in the Sharaabi genre, right?

  52. Shaadi/ Chedkhana song:
    GHARANA
    Asha Bhonsle, Shamshad Begum.

    Mere Banne ki baat na poocho
    Mera Banna hariyala hai…

    Just now,I realised it is the title song of the movie with the lyrics…
    Oonchi Gharanewala hai!

  53. Birthday songs:
    EK SAAL,1957.
    Asha Bhonsle,Prem Dhawan.

    Tu jiye hazar saal Gori
    O Gori jiye hazar saal…
    Ye Shubh din aaye baar baar

    EK PHOOL DO MALI,1969
    Rafi,Prem Dhawan.

    O nanhe se farishte,
    Tujh se ye kaise naata…
    ….. Happy Birthday to you.
    ( Is there a gene of sad Birthday songs?!!… Just joking.)
    When will we have a full post on the neglected all rounder,Prem Dhawan?

  54. Mumbaikar8,
    Nice collection of background songs. I am happy some readers are enlarging the base of genres/themes. To your rhetorical question I have a very matter-of-fact reply. The entire reference was in the context of Gharana getting the Filmfare Award. If I were not influenced by any other information, I would place its music behind the other films I have mentioned. I consciously decided to do the yearwise review of the best songs for pre- and non-Filmfare Award years. Hypothetically, if I do a review of the best songs of 1965, Gharana songs would figure in the Master List, but probably not in any of the categories for the best ten.

  55. Mr Vasudevan,
    For old film music if you are not into the digital word, radio is the only source. Ravi has a large number of hit songs.

  56. Dr Shetty,
    Thanks a lot for adding so many additional songs in the themes I had included and several new themes.

  57. Hey chal ri Amiran chal ri Fakire….to be read as from BOMBAY KA CHOR,1962.
    Kishore Kumar, Rajinder Kishen.

    Also from the same film is the following Comic song:
    Kishore Kumar,Asha Bhonsle.

    Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello ji
    Kaho kya ji
    Pyar ki sikha do mujhe ABC….

  58. Songs that tell a story:
    GUMRAH,1963.
    Asha Bhonsle, Sahir.

    Ek thi ladki meri saheli
    Saath pali aur saath hi kheli….

    HAMRAZ,1967.
    Mahinder Kapoor, Asha Bhonsle; Sahir.

    Tu husn hai, Main ishq hoon
    Tu mujh mein hai
    Main tujh mein hoon.

  59. Ak ji ;

    As is known to everyone , Ravi had great fascination for writing , singing and composing songs for beggars. In one of the interview , available on Youtube , Ravi brought out that one of his composition of a serious song is based on a beggar song . The beggar used to pass thru his street , pausing in front of his house , singing a song that had a great pause effect enhancing his point of view.

    Ravi….so much impressed used this pause effect in …..Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan …Lata’s song ….Bada bedard jahan hai [pause] , Yahan insaaf Kahan hai[pause]….and the song is….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG9Efb-7XNo

  60. AK ji @47;

    Yes, Do Badan songs were in mind . I was looking for two three more serious songs and was going to post the one which had….Yaad or Yaadein….as a subjective words . Here are some of those songs ….

    Jab Chali Thandi Hawa Jab Uthi Kali Ghata | Asha Bhosle | Do Badan 1966

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFt2iiWS8YA

    wo dil kahan se laun..Lata – RainderKrishan- Ravi..Bharosa..1963

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc36_4LGdWI

    lo aagayi unki yaad woh nahi aaye ….Lata….Do Badan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNsItgvVun4

    Laage na mora jiya….Lata…..Ghunghat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbGRwd3LyA

    Ravi in his composition used at least one or more instrument as a highlighter in interludes and the effect was great . In three of above song one may note the flute as the one generating the emotions . In one more song from Ghunghat….mori cham cham baaje payaliya ….the flute prelude is a great starter for this beautiful emotional song….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAHvNRJ5rpc

    ….to be contd.

  62. Parody song:
    EK PHOOL DO MALI.
    Asha Bhonsle, Rafi; Prem Dhawan.

    Chal chal re naujawan…

    Lullaby:
    GHAR SANSAR,1958.
    Asha Bhonsle,S H Bihari.

    Sapnon ki dor bandhi palkon ka palna
    So jaa meri Rani mera kahna na talna…

    Inspirational song:
    HAMRAZ
    Mahinder Kapoor, Sahir.

    Na munh chupa ke jiyo
    Aur na sar zukha ke jiyo…

    Revolutionary songs:
    SAMAJ KO BADAL DALO,1970.
    Sahir.

    Rafi.
    SAMAJ KO badal dalo
    Jurm aur loot ki rivaz ko badal dalo…

    Rafi, Manna Dey.
    Dharti Maa ke maan hamara pyara laal nishan
    Navyug ki muskaan hamara pyara laal nishan…

  63. Dr Shetty,
    Yes, ‘Songs that tell a story’ was a specific theme I wrote a post on. So Ravi has two nice songs of this type, too.

  64. KS Bhatiaji,
    Yaad is such a common word that everyone has composed many songs of that theme. For my overview I chose more distinct categories. But you are right, Ravi has some outstanding yaad songs to his credit. Flute somehow I consider synonymous with Roshan. There was something special about his music, and flute has a major role in it.

  65. Venkataramanji,
    Terrific Comic qawwali. Thanks a lot for adding it. I have not seen the movie; OP Ralhan seems to be a runaway from his pursuers, and on the other side, too, I guess there are his accomplices in disguise.

    After spiritual beginning the qawwals generally switch to flirtatious songs in stage performances. If it is a male-female muqabala, both the sets become quite outrageous in concerts. I have seen several of the type during the 1980s; probably that tradition has gone down.

  69. ksbhatia ji,
    The title song of MEHERBAN,1967 fits your Yaadein theme like a glove.

    Rafi, Rajinder Kishen.

    Mujhe jab apni gujri zindagi yaad aati hai
    Toh bas ek Meherban ki Meherbani yaad aati hai…
    Aye mere dost,Aye mere humdum…

  70. Rhetorical
    AK @ 34
    I understand and agree with you reference.
    Making a correction first, we are on year 1965 and the album was Khandan and not Gharana considering your past choices in my guess would include Tumhi mere mandir in final female ten.
    I do not intend to say Khandan desereved award. My choice for Filfare award for 1965 would end with Guide period, SDB had another great album that year Teen Deviyan.
    KA for Johar Mahmood in Goa was amusing I think you forgot KA had Jab jab phool khilen that year.
    Effective background song from Khandan, kal chaman aaj ek sehra hua
    https://youtu.be/gsdYH3Kiz-o

  72. Comic Club song:
    USTHADON KE USTHAD,1963.
    Asha Bhonsle, Rafi; Asad Bhopali.

    Maine kaha tha Sunday Ko Sunday Ko
    Monday Ko chale aaye kyon?

  73. Picnic song:
    GHAR SANSAR
    Rafi, Majrooh Sultanpuri.

    Chedo dhun matwalon ki
    Behaki behaki chalon ki
    Shahar se door nashe mein choor
    Picnic hai dilwalon ki

  74. I recollect an evening with Ravi ji .Years back (around 1992) , at the request of one of his close friends , Ravi ji had agreed to spend an evening with us . We were around 20 of us . Ravi was a very simple hearted person and entertained us with so many stories / experiences . He had brought one tabla player along. He not only sings well but he was a good story teller. Did not know how almost 3 hours passed so quickly.

    One story I recollect is about the recording of the song .. ‘ Dil ke Arman aansuon mein beh Gaye … ‘ (Nikah).

    …The producer wanted this song in the voice of the new entrant who was the on screen actor. Ravi tried out her singing but rejected her . So he told sh BR Chopra ji about her nasal tone which is not acceptable .

    But BRC ji said that he had made a commitment to allow her to sing as her main interest is to enter the industry as a singer. If she left at this stage there would be a big loss as most of the shooting is over and all the costumes are ready. So Ravi ji composed 8 tunes and even adjusted the lyrics to try and reduce the nasal effect. Ravi ji sang all the 8 compositions for us and clearly explained how she sounded in each of these. Somehow he got the song recorded but said that she had not been picked up for any playback singing after that .

    Let us listen to the song from ‘Khandan’ (1965) by Lata Mangeshkar..

    https://youtu.be/IJEAh1shFV4

  75. Venkataramanji @66, 68, 71
    Nice theme songs.

    @67,
    Comedy yes. But not Uncle-Auntie romance song – it has to be set in familial surroundings with some blushing by the woman. Please enjoy a genuine uncle-auntie romance song based on classical raag.

    https://youtu.be/-eHyzXb94Fk

  77. Mumbaikar8 @70,
    Whether 1961 or 1965, my point remains valid and you have understood it perfectly. Whether Tumhi mere mandir would figure in my list of best ten female solo songs of 1965, I doubt very much it would. If you force me I would get down to making my shortlist of the best ten.

  78. S Joseph,
    Very interesting recollection of Ravi. In Delhi I was in a social circle where Ravi was often a guest and I have heard him sing on the harmonium some famous songs of Rafi he composed. That was many years before I started blogging, and today my regret is that I didn’t make any efforts to approach him for a closer interaction.

  79. AK Ji
    Once again a good post, as Ravi, though not a trendsetter composer, was one of the prominent mainstream composers, and successful because of the backing of BR camp, along with a few others, and his sticking to popular tunes in most of his compositions.
    A genre of his music, which is my very favourite, is a good number of songs he composed for Asha Bhonsle, fast paced dance songs and some Mujra songs as well
    Without mentioning these, I feel we would be leaving out a good part of his compositions.
    My favourite song list of the genre

    Asha Bhonsle is there in all the songs, so I will mention only the other singer’s name, if any

    Dil ki kahani rang layi hai
    Chaudavin Ka Chand

    https://youtu.be/G1n4sHpk83s

    Subah jab hogi to dekha jayega
    Nartaki

    https://youtu.be/-5y2ajPvGCM

    Tumne aankhon se pi ho to
    Nartaki

    https://youtu.be/1_qGh2oCfbw

    Ye duniya usi ki jo pyar maange
    Gharana

    https://youtu.be/Va5Ac-JvOYM

    Kya kya nazare dikhati hai duniya
    Ghunghat

    https://youtu.be/uStCzbYVNRg

    Dhadka o dil dhadka
    Lata Asha Usha from Bharosa

    https://youtu.be/7Z0NBovQ4p4

    Kaise jaun main piya
    Hemant Kumar and Asha Bhonsle from Dulhan

    https://youtu.be/hivuWMG84Vw

    Allah meharban to gadha pehalwan
    Sindbad Alibaba Aur Aladdin

    https://youtu.be/8BV-xMK75ZE

    Tum sang laagi balam
    Albeli

    https://youtu.be/n3mFHWIbu6w

    Kachhi dagar panghat ki
    Apna Bana Ke Dekho

    https://youtu.be/j0-E-Qv3MmU

    Ta na de re na
    Shamshad Begum and Asha Bhonsle from Pyar Ka Sagar

    https://youtu.be/a4gZ5_SKplY

    Sajan tori preet raat bhar ki
    Sagai

    https://youtu.be/lCcS9dhN6vs
    Sajna sajna o sajna
    Ek Phool Do Mali

    https://youtu.be/Fa1-ANJpZ-o

    Koi aankh mila ke dekhe
    Ye Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai

    https://youtu.be/VdTs—refg

    Mai teri hui re baalma
    Gehra Daag

    https://youtu.be/QAdLDt9YOYs
    Aaya bahar ka zamana
    Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya

    https://youtu.be/KzOnZ9a_jJc

    Bairi chorr de mera raasta
    Babul Ki Galiyaan

    https://youtu.be/eh1DLOoHMOc

    And my sincere thanks to dear Bhatia Ji for his fond remembrance and hoping to be back soon

  80. Arvinder sharma ji ;

    Welcome back to this wonder land …..we all were waiting for your contributions and you have entered with a ….chitty chitty bang bang ….songs , not two or three but three sixers in a row.

    Mujra or any other dance number….. do make people sway to its music . In calm breeze even trees toss and sway with the happy music generated thru leaves…..and we all birds add our humming to match their melody.

    In my childhood I have enjoyed the sound produced by fallen dry leaves while walking over them …..more the dryness more the pleasure . The gardener used to burn those leaves collecting it in a hump. Again the chirping sound of leaves as they were in process of burning produced beautiful sounds and smell also. Those days pollution was no issue and living simple way of life was a blessing .

    Continuing with some more songs….

    Dever Bahbhi song….

    Bhabhi kare apeel aur phir devar bane vakil-…..Asha….Ghar Sansar

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRuJdoNC-w4

    Parody /Comedy song…..

    MEYKE SE AAJA RI BIBI RI TERI YAAD MAI HO GAYI==MOHD.RAFI ….DEVER BHABHI….[ This song was filmed on Mirza Mussaraf….a comedian with a hari mirchi chatni throat….and how effortlessly Rafi sang this song].

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2pKSHhNhY

    …..more to follow…..

  81. A very nice starter for Ravi who is my favourite composer. Thanks for starting the series on him. I would write separately on his place in hfm. Here I must say that a lot of themes have been included. I would agree that Ravi had empathy for beggar songs. That is the reason he wrote lyrics for beggar songs in ‘dus lakh’ ‘gareebon ki suno’ and ‘ek phool do mali’ ‘aulad walo phoolo phalo’ which were both instant hits. As for lyrics writing is concerned he only contributed in Devendra Goel films upto 1970. After that he was a much regular lyrics writer. He wrote many type of songs particularly after 1970, perhaps because on music front he was less busy. Srivastavaji has mentioned ‘hazaar baten kahe zamana’ which was very popular when the film came though the film was a total flop. This is as good a ghazal as any. In 1977 film Premika he wrote and sang a ghazal
    ‘wasle yaar ka intezar tha, na main so saka na wo aa sake,
    meri hasraton ke mazar par, wo charag bhi na jala sake.’
    No separate link is available for this song but there is link to this film and the song starts at about 30.0.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWB42RjdpEo&t=1916s
    He also wrote a participative mujra ‘jubna se chunaria khisak gayi re’. This is a duet by Asha and Manna Dey in which Manna Dey modulates his voice to almost perfect fit on Deven Verma.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei7pX6Hd33Y

    Friends have already deluged the post with songs. But stats are missing. I have a summary of stats for Ravi ready, so I would give here some stats. I go by HFGK and I have only details upto 1980. From 1955 to 1980 Ravi composed music in 92 films with 662 songs. I do not have details of later period, but as per IMDB after 1980 he composed music for 12 films. If we take an average of 5 songs his total comes to about 720. In any case it is less than 730. I would give singer details only upto 1980. Out of the 662 songs 469 were solo (261 female and 208 male) and 193 duets. Out of female solos Asha accounted for 193 and Lata 51. The remaining 17 were distributed among 8 other singers. It is significant that Ravi never gave a solo to Shamshad, though he gave her 6 duets, one of them with Rafi and 5 with Asha. In the case of male solos he was more distributive. He gave Rafi 134 solos, MK 23, Manna 14, Hemant 12, Mukesh and KK 8 each, Talat 2 and Ajit 1. He himself sang 6 solos. Of the duets he composed 146 male-female, 25 female-female, 4 male-male and 17 triads and 1 with four singers. Of the 25 FF songs Asha figured in 22 songs. In all he used 31 singers of which 15 were male. So it is clear that Asha and Rafi were his main singers. Asha was part of more than 50 per cent of his total songs and if we exclude those songs in which only males participated (214) Asha’s participation is a staggering 76 per cent. Rafi was in more than 35 per cent of his songs and after excluding all female songs where he could not have been there his share in the remaining 372 songs comes to 63 per cent. Asha continued to sing for him after 1980 and MK was there in BR Chopra films. Of the male-female songs Asha-Rafi sang 76 together they were in 5 triads too. It is clear that Ravi’s male female solo ratio is not that tilted towards females as was the case with so many other composers.

  82. Revolutionary songs:
    AAJ AUR KAL,1963
    Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha; Sahir.

    Taqt na hoga,Taj na hoga
    Kal that, lekin aaj na hoga
    Jisme sab Adhikar na paaye
    Woh sachha Swaraj na hoga

  83. AK,
    Me force ? You should have known by now I do not approve force but if you have doubts and want to clear it be my guest

  84. Holi song:
    PHOOL AUR PATHAR.
    Asha Bhonsle, Shakeel Badayuni.

    Laayi hai Laayi hai hazaron rang Holi
    Koi tan ke liye
    Koi man ke liye..

  86. Festival songs:
    NAZRANA
    Rajinder Kishen.

    1.Lata

    Mele hain chiragon ke
    Rangeen Diwali hai
    Mehka hua Gulshan hai
    Hansta hua maali hai.

    2. Mukhesh

    Ek woh bhi Diwali thi
    Ek ye bhi Diwali hai
    Ujhda hua Gulshan hai
    Rota hua maali hai.

    BAHU BETI,1965
    Asha Bhonsle, Sahir

    Aaj hai Karva Chauth sakhi re
    Maang le sukh ka daan.

  87. Patriotic song:
    BAHU BETI
    Asha, Sahir.

    Bharat Maa ki aankh ka taaron
    Nanhe munhe Raj Dularon
    Jaise maine tumko sanwara
    Waise hi tum Desh sanwaro

  88. Patriotic song ( Stage performance song):
    BADI DIDI,1969.
    Asha Bhonsle, Rajinder Kishen.

    Waqt ke saath chalo
    Waqt ki awaaz suno..
    ….
    Ab jaagna aur jagaana hai
    Is desh ko swarg banana hai
    ( Women’s liberation, education, family planning, protecting our borders…. everything is included.)

    Parody song:
    GIRLS’ HOSTEL,1962
    Rafi, Gulshan Bhawra?/ S H Bihari.

    Hum yaar ki gali mein pukaare chale gaye…
    Bartan kalai karale…

  89. AK ji ,
    Nd one more speciality in Ravi’s songs
    The Piano songs

    सबकुछ लुटाके होश में आए तो क्या किया /
    एक साल

    चलो इक बार फिरसे / गुमराह

    किसी पथ्थर की मूरतसे / हमराज़

    आपकी इनायतें आपके करम / वंदना

    दिलको लाख सँभाला जी / टॉवर हाऊस

    भरी दुनिया में / दो बदन

    चेहरे पे खुशी छा जाती हैं / वक्त

    There may b many more of such kind .

    Btw , AK ji , I liked the title of this post which makes one aware of this somewhat underrated music director .
    I also liked the introductory paragraphs , the different genres / themes nd selection of songs .

    Nd as usual , I m enjoying the comments of all our रथी nd महारथी.

    AK ji , thnx a lot for this tribute to Ravi .

  90. A correction in my post above

    दिल को लाख सँभाला जी is nt composed by Ravi .
    It is by Chitragupt nd the movie was Guest House .

    Sorry to hav added it here .

  91. Hans ji,
    Your statistics satisfied my curiosity about the number of female singers Ravi worked with. Apart from Asha and Lata, you mention Shamshad Begum. The 7 remaining,to the best of my knowledge,are
    Geeta Dutt
    Sudha Malhotra
    Usha Mangeshkar
    Suman Kalyanpur
    Kamal Barot
    Krishna Kalle
    Usha Khanna….
    I always wondered about the singers he didn’t work with…. Rajkumari, Mubarak Begum,Meena Kapoor, Sulakshana Pandit…….

    Mumbaikar ji,
    When the topic is FF awards,I can’t help myself from adding my bit !!!
    GHARANA and KHANDAAN winning against JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BEHTI HAI,GANGA JAMUNA and GUIDE,HIMALAY KI GOD MEIN….
    SURAJ, JEENE KI RAAH(× ARADHANA), DIL APNA AUR PREET PARAYEE(× MUGHAL E AZAM, CHAUDHAVIN KA CHAND)…were all anomalies.
    In 1964, DOSTI’s win against SANGAM and the superlative WOH KAUN THI,was at least in a level playing field.
    But , बेईमानी की और नाइंसाफी की हद तो बेईमान शोर और पाकीजा को हराने में थी।१९७२.

  92. Mujra song:
    SAGAAI,1966
    Asha Bhonsle, Rajinder Kishen.

    Meri khataa huzoor ke kuch kuch hoon main haseen
    Aur aap ka khusoor ke ji bhar ho jawan.

  93. Arvinder Sharmaji,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have added a huge collection of fast-paced mujra songs. Except three songs, all were new for me. I have used another mujra song from Chadahvi Ka Chaand. This film had so many great songs fitting different themes.

  94. Hans,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The statistics you have given is awesome. It seems the total number of his Hindi film songs (about 800+) given at various sites is overstated. But Asha Bhosle figuring in more than 50% of his songs is quite interesting considering that he was not OP Nayyar. The ratio of female solos to male solos, too, is not as skewed as in other cases (the long term average for 1931-80 being about 4 to 1). Even with 23 songs for Mahendra Kapoor, Ravi gave a major boost to his career, as they were of superlative quality.

  95. Dr Shetty @82, 84, 86, 87, 88, 92,
    What a range of themes you have added. And Karva Chauth was totally unexpected. You have yet not been able to figure out how to copy/paste the URL link of songs from YT? That would make our enjoyment so much more, because many of the songs you have added are completely new.

  96. Pramod,
    Thanks a lot or your appreciation. Oh, you have added so many of my most favourite piano songs. Especially, I consider Chalo ek baar phir se granddaddy of all piano songs.

  97. I very much like the opening comment writing of “ksbhatiaji” “A Cinemascopic presentation of Ravi….Gentleman of Music. His songs were like visiting places to get lost. Good music needs good thoughts and his songs writers complemented fully……”

    What further one can say about Ravi?

    As the new style of writing arrived with this post it looks like a tailor-made for this exposé pointing the songs that dominated the Bollywood ever since the talkie arrived in India. The commentators also joined in to add further categories enriching the post.

    I wonder about the title of the post “The silent giant-killer Ravi and the man of many splendored talents: Ravi! Is the giant killer means killer of giants or just a huge killer? And further on “killer of whom or what”?

    Whatever it is the post is good!

    “C’est La Vie”!

    The phrase is though very French experience yet it has become very popular in the Western World. Is it equally popular in India or China or Japan is not known.

    But the writers should be allowed to ornate their articles and flamboyant mood if not marring the article by using too many foreign words when a culture that has richness within its own development and pride of its linguistic glory.

    He could have found something similar in Hindi/Urdu or Sanskrit or other Indian languages.

    “Zindagi Oosi Ka Naam Hai” or the Marathi phrase “Yaalaa Jivan Aise Naav” Roughly translated at the beginning of this sentence. This Marathi phrase comes from the Marathi classic film “Ramshastri” made by Prabhat film Company. This was also made in Hindi.

    Before the creation of the Nehru Centre in London, the Indian High Commission used their cultural activities done in the precious halls of the High Commission. Ravi was invited to give a programme of his singing of his film songs. The house was full. His favourite and peoples’ choices songs were sung by himself with a harmonium and a Tabala player popular at that time in London

    Shalan Lal

  98. Shalan Lal,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have quibbled over the title of this most. It is trivial to explain its meaning, it is so straightforward. But since you have mentioned it, he is a giant-killer, because the two Filmfare Awards he won were in the face of the giants of film music who were active and produced top quality score in the two years. ‘Silen’ because no one expected it, and he was never known as a flamboyant person. Unlike SJ or LP later, he was not known to be powerful enough to manipulate the awards.

    C’est la vie: It would be presumptuous on my part to think that I can impress the readers by using foreign phrases. I abhor using pompous words. I thought this French expression was very apt to the context. And I think it is widely known and used as an idiomatic expression.

  99. Ak ji
    Now i wd like to present a song that depicts uncoditional sisterly lovehttps://youtu.be/N9dfJcOWXcs

  100. Harpreet,
    Since your link does not work, I repeat the request please give the mukhada song. If you just take care to paste the link after a space, or in a new line, I think it should work. Let me make a guess: Is it Mere bhaiya mere chanda mere anmol ratan from Kaajal?

  101. DR. Shetty, AK,
    Filmfare award have been dubious. Pyarelal has confessed of abusing the system , which is unethical but some enthusiast are wiling to sacrifice that to achieve their goals, but the big question is, is it only confined to some abusers or the institution itself is compromised.
    As Venkataramanji seems to busy let me do what he has done in the past
    # 82
    Takht Na Hoga Taaj Na Hoga Sunil Dutt Tanuja Aaj Aur Kal
    https://youtu.be/nvmBre8fMLo
    # 84
    Layi hai hazarn rang holi
    https://youtu.be/TMQ2MTt5jgY
    # 86 (1)
    Mele hai chiragon
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2qp9J6-LGk
    (2)
    Ek woh bhi Diwali thi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia6uMy2tzok
    (3)
    Aaj hai karwa chauth sakhi
    https://youtu.be/aT7DeW8YN_8

    Got to go rest in next

  103. Harpreet Singh, AK
    Mr. Singh has posted the link. I think that the link is not working because there is no space between last word and the URL AK if you can add a space by editing the comment it MAY work

  105. Ms. Shalan Lal, Ms. Mumbaikar , Pramod Ji, AK ji;

    One makes a composition either to win Hearts or to win Awards. One can manipulate Award to win but can’t manipulate heart to win . Many toxic persons have played in the past but not RAVI . He deserved and he won . Yes , he too missed more deserving award for Chaudvin Ka Chand .

    AK ji, I wanted to cover some songs on Piano but refrained so thinking that this sub head could find place in subsequent article on Ravi’s specific composition . Now since my friend Pramod mentioned some Piano songs @89 , I wish to post one song which is fav. of mine.

    Right from my child hood I was fascinated by this beautiful instrument on shinning credenza . The person owning it was an Anglo Indian govt. servant residing next door . The beautiful melodies he used to play just filled our little leyuten house with music serving as background music to whatever we do in our house. On weekends he used to play Piano in YMCA club….. where a number of musicians accompanied for the supportive orchestra. The impressive players were very disciplined and all dressed up in black suits , white shirts and matching bow or ties . I always thought that good music has to be very decorative to the minutest details .

    Among the various rhythm music , Waltz was the one I used to like the most….and is still now too. If one is not swaying physically with the rhythm and beats ….I am sure his mind , soul and head do that wearing smile all the time. The Ball room dance itself is a treat to watch when partners takes steps matching each beat revolving in circle and take mini micro speed to the progressive melody .

    Every senior Music Directors like Naushad , Shankar Jaikishan , SDB …etc…have given superb waltz songs and even background music too. RAVI too used Piano in many of its compositions and this Instrument surely enhanced the overall effect. The following song of RAVI is very special to me . Its a long song with four or five stanza and the beauty is all the piano interludes are different….and so also its pre and postludes. Enjoy this song …..I wish to have some good audio video for this song but could not find one.

    Main khushnaseeb hoon mujhko kisika pyar mila ( Tower House )….Lata, Mukesh….

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

  106. Dr Shetty @91
    8 singers for 17 songs I was referring to female solos and he did not give any solo to Shamshad. These 8 singers are Geeta and Sudha 4 each, Suman 3, Meenu purushottam 2, Pamela Singh, Sulakhshana Pandit and Sharada 1each. So you see he used Sulakhshna. The last 4 singers he used only from 1971 to 80.
    In fact there are 3 distinct phases in his composition life from 1955 to 80. 1955 to 59, 1960 to 1969 and 1970 to 1980. In his most successful phase from 1960 to 1969 he used mostly Asha and Lata as female solo singers. In 1960 he gave Suman and Sudha one solo each in the non-descript movie Nai Maa and one solo to Geeta in Chaudhvin Ka Chand. After the success of Chaudhvin Ka Chand he gave only two solos to others – one to Geeta in Grihasthi and one to Usha Mangeshkar in Nartaki – both of the films came in 1963. From 1964 to 1969 he did not give a single solo to other female singers. For males he used a variety of singers throughout though Rafi was his main singer.

    In comment 50 you mentioned ‘khali dabba khali botal’ under comedy genre. This can be also used in another genre which was prevalent in hindi films when Johny Walker and Mehmood were comedians. That was the genre when the comedian was selling something. Ravi has composed a few songs under this genre.
    1 Le lo chudian in Ghar ki Laaj – Rafi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoG-r6JEpZI
    2. laila ki ungaliyan bechun in Ghar ki Laaj – Rafi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4uIC8EPGxI
    3. muslim ko tasleem arz hai in Do Kaliyaan – Manna Dey
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vixbyA_t7pk
    4. kanna manna kur meri phirki bole phurr in Trunk Call – Rafi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJf0qLUXljs

  107. ksbhatia ji ,

    I had only mentioned the piano songs composed by Ravi , but Ur childhood memories hav added
    ‘ चार चाँद ” to it .

  108. AK ,
    I hav found out some more piano songs composed by Ravi . It seems that , as ksbhatia ji has also mentioned , piano songs of Ravi is also a good theme .

    I hav got 4 piano songs by Ravi , of which , my friend ksbhatia ji has posted one from ‘ टॉवर हाऊस ‘
    ” मैं खुशनसीब हूँ ”

    Now here is one more Mukesh song on piano .
    It is the title song of
    ‘ तू नहीं और सहीं ‘
    picturized on Pradeep Kumar nd Nishi .

    ” तू हैं भरमाई तो अपना भी यहीं दौर सहीं
    तू नहीं और सहीं , तू नहीं और सहीं ”

    https://youtu.be/mShdjlcQHfk

    Nd Asha sings for Zeb Rehmaan in ‘ नर्तकी ‘
    ” आज दुनिया बडी सुहानी हैं ”

    https://youtu.be/pqsFkiKGHsA

    The last one is from ‘ धुंद ‘ sung by Asha for Zeenat Aman .

    ” उलझन सुलझे ना ”

    https://youtu.be/SI9oPHDbn38

  109. Hans ji,
    One more ‘ comedian selling something’:
    DULHAN,1958.
    Rafi( almost invariably,it was him… deservedly so), S H Bihari.

    MooliRam aur Bhendimal ka nikal gaya hai deewala..
    Bada hi sastha maal bhejne aaya hai bhaajiwala….
    This bhaajiwala’s wares are pretty exotic:
    Delhi ke tamatar
    Bambai ka batata
    Muradabad ki methi
    Meerath ka karela
    Calcutta ka baingan…. and, understandably so,his dukaan is Ahmedabad ki shaan!

  110. And, Johnny Walker again…. with his चलता फिरता फोटोग्राफी दुकान।
    PEHLI RAAT,1959.
    Rafi, Majrooh Sultanpuri.

    Dilbar pe ho na khabu
    Photo khincha le Babu…
    Mashooq ho phir jeb mein
    Aisa dikha doon jaadu…

    https:/ youtu.be/ FygFsWqlyrO

  111. AK ji,
    After all the stalwarts, series on Ravi was on expected lines.
    Thanks for writing on him.
    Ravi’s music was simple and melodious. I would say his music remained consistent between good and very good but not going to extraordinary levels as in case of other stalwarts.
    How about putting “Chalo ek baar phir se” in the category of “breakup” song ?
    My favourite from Gumraah is “aap aaye to khayal-e-dil-e-nashad aaya”. Could this be categorized as triggered flashback ?

    There were two categories of composers – one who made the tune first and other who made tunes based on lyrics. Is there any way to tell which yielded better results?

  112. This post was long overdue. I must confess my own recall of Ravi’s songs is poor – I wouldn’t have associated his name with many of the songs in the list and the comments. Now that I have seen the lists I am amazed at the number of ‘all time favourite’ songs that he has composed. So many of his songs have acquired iconic status.

    It is an irony that he won his two Filmfare awards for films that would not rank among his best. For those two awards he was indeed a giant killer. Otherwise he is very much a giant.

  113. Mumbaikarji
    Happy to find you back in the forum. Thank you for taking up the task of finding the missing links. You have rightly guessed that I was busy, was on hospital visit.

    Hansji,
    Hats off to you. What a stupendous task of providing the statistics. I could not have matched your thoroughness.
    I had a feeling that his male solos would be much higher than other MDs. Your statistics vindicated my thought.
    A s akji has pointed out Asha Bhosle figuring in more than 50% of his songs was a surprise.

    Comments and songs are pouring in at a brisk pace.

    Pradeepji has come out all guns blazing after a brief sit out.

    Arvinderji drenched us with delightful but brief pre-monsoon-like shower.

    Bhatiaji, gentle and sure, with his well thought out comments and selection of songs gets us into a reflective mood.

    Enjoying everybody’s company, the comments and the songs.

  114. AK@ 58

    Thanks for the explanation of the Title of the post. I would have never guessed so many meanings in it.

    My questioning was just a gentle nudging in the side, a kind of leg pulling or “Maskari”!

    The phrase “C’est La Vie” is the right one and goes very well. My pointing is “Is it very well known in India? If it is so. Then use it freely whenever one needs to do so.

    Shalan Lal

  115. Shalan Lal,
    Thanks a lot for being such a sport.

    The phrase occurred to me as the most apt in the context. I know I was not trying to impress anyone. If someone was not familiar with it she could google it. This is how we all enlarge our vocabulory.

  116. AKji

    MD Ravi was very popular in the South and many of his tunes were used in Telugu films too. Four to five years back, I made a comment in one of the posts, “Multiple Version Songs (18): Hindi-Telugu exchange”, that one can write a post on compositions of Ravi adopted in Telugu films. Unfortunately I lost the link(s), when my hard disk crashed. Now I cannot even remember most of those songs. I would like to post a song which is not exactly an adopted/ copied song. It is the Telugu version of the popular song “Ae meri zohrajabeen tujhe maloom nahi”.

    Here is the Telugu version rendered by P Susheela
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJOrSHUyu7U

    Ravi composed the music for the Telugu film Sarigamalu (1994), which was again a remake of the 1992 Malayalam film “Sargam”. (Bombay) Ravi bagged the Kerala State Best Music Director Award for that year. In the Malayalam original Ravi did not reprise the melody. However the tune was used in the 1999 film Megham (music Ouseppachan)

    Since the post is on various themes, I would like to categorize this under copied/ recycled songs of Ravi. Hope that would be a valid excuse.

  117. Two maidens selling ber and phool:
    Asha Bhonsle.

    PAISA YA PYAR,1969
    Sahir
    Ber le lo ber
    Mewa garibon ka….

    SONE KE HAATH,1973
    Rajinder Kishen
    Lei lo Champa Chameli
    Gulab lei lo

  118. Venkataramanji,
    Your absence was conspicuous, glad you are back.
    Hope your visits to hospital have ended.
    Enjoying Han’s stats I missed your views.
    I was not surprised by Asha at 50%, always had a feel that Rafi Asha were his main singers, Rafi lags a bit behind because he was shunned by Chopra camp for very long time and MK was beneficiary.

  119. Narsimh Mehta’s Vaishnav Jan toh teni kahiye ji was tuned by Ravi for NARSI BHAGAT,1957… Manna Dey.
    The YouTube search, though, keeps bringing up the Lata version.

    But ,one upload is there with the correct version.
    https:// youtu.be/ mtSEzeOEYLM.

    Similarly,APNA GHAR has the Allama Iqbal Patriotic song Saare Jahan se achcha….? Asha Bhonsle
    The search brings up the N Dutta,BHAI BAHEN one.

  120. Mumbaikar@118
    I was away for only two days. If the situation demands I will have to make few more visits. Nothing to worry about.
    After Hansji’s stupendous stats there was nothing more to say, just bow your head in appreciation, Wah Janab.
    Thanks for the additional inputs.

  121. Akji,

    The 1969 Telugu film Bhale Thammudu was a remake of Shammi Kapoor starrer China Town (1962). N T Rama Rao, K R Vijaya and Girija were in lead roles. Aruna Irani forayed into Telugu films with this movie in an item number. Most probably, this was Md.Rafi’s second Telugu film. In all Md.Rafi rendered 6 songs in this film. T V Raju, the MD of the Telugu version retained a few of the original melodies.

    It can come under both recycled song and comic songs
    Gopala Bala by Md.Rafi and P Susheela from Bhale Thammudu (1969), lyrics C Narayana Reddy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hygj0EOwhsc

    Dekho Jee Ik Bala Jogi by Md.Rafi and Minoo Purushottam, film China Town (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfC1CCOJHDI

  122. Akji ,
    In fact T V Raju, the MD of the Telugu version of China Town retained three of the original melodies of Ravi. I have already posted one. Here are the other two. This is a night club song. The Audio version of the Telugu version is available. The Hindi version was filmed on Helen & Shammi Kapoor.

    Gumma Gumma by Md.Rafi & P Susheela, Bhale Thammudu (1969), lyrics C Narayana Reddy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSE6QeaIHB4

    Yammaa Yammaa Yammaa Sau Paravaane Ik Shamaa by Asha Bhosle & Md.Rafi, lyric Majrooh Sultanpuri
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=48&v=-j279wljrRs

    You posted Baar baar dekho hazaar baar dekho as a night club song (#7). Here is the recycled Night club song, Telugu version.

    Enthavaru Gani Vedanthulaina by Md.Rafi and P Susheela,Bhale Thammudu (1969), lyrics C Narayana Reddy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZegpQ-f3Z98

  123. AK,
    You have brought up a nice post on one of my favorite MD’s. I really opened up to HFM in the 60’s when Ravi gave a string of hits like Choudhvin ka chand, Aaj aur kal , Gumrah, Gharana, Neel kamal Kaajal, Do Badan, Waqt, Humraaz etc.
    His forte was simple tunes which can be hummed by everybody. The fact that he worked with great lyricists like Sahir, Shakeel etc. enhanced the beauty of the songs.
    He really stood up to the competition from other masters. I am not surprised that he was a producers’ delight as he brought up hits with minimal orchestra in quick time.

    With all the stalwarts and experts joining with their observations and adding to the list of songs I just sit and enjoy. The’mehfil’ is surely set.
    Thank you all.

  124. Akji,
    I could recollect a few more of Ravi’s melodies used in Telugu films. They were not from remakes. Simply copied or inspired songs. The first one a MF duet, whose melody was used for a female solo

    Ninnu choodani by P Susheela, film Manushulu mamatalu (1965), lyrics Dasarathi, music T Chalapati Rao
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5sG95B_Ipo

    Yeh khamoshiyaan yeh tanhaaiyan by Md.Rafi and Asha Bhosle, film Yeh Raste hai pyar ke(1963), lyrics Rajender Krishna , music Ravi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op5_FgMM_sk

    “Tumhari nazar kyon kapha ho gayin” was mentioned by Raviji (Romance) and Vasudevanji (a juicy duet).
    The tune of the song was used in the 1969 Telugu film Mooga Nomu produced by AVM. I am posting the link to the song.

    Tumhari nazar kyon kapha ho gayin by Md.Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar, film Do Kaliyan (1968), lyrics Sahir Ludhyanvi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aMYlPkoXEE

    And the Telugu version
    Eevela naalo endhuko aasalu bu Ghantasala & P Susheela, film Mooga Nomu (1969), lyrics Narayana Reddy, music R Govardhanam
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Kmo85h4Xg

    Inspired by the film Nobody’s Chidren, AVM produced Kalathur Kannamma in Tamil in the year 1960. Kalathur Kannamma was Kamal Haasan’s first movie as a child artist. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Mavoori Ammayi and released in 1960. In 1969 AVM remade the film once again in Telugu under the title Mooga Nomu. In 1963 it was remade in Sinhalese as Mangalika. AVM remade the film in Hindi in 1969, Main Chup Rahoongi. Thus in all five versions

  125. Dr. Shetty ji @72;

    He who have enjoyed the life of the early 60s ,
    He who has tagged WHY to live,
    He who dares,
    He who hesitates,
    He who laughs last…….

    The song from Ustadon Ke Ustad ……maine to kaha tha aane ko sunday ko…..says it all.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOkp_gNCo4M

    This song takes me back to early 60s days when myself and a friend ….used to pass our evenings listening to crooner singing in Yorks Hotel cafe , CP, new delhi . Drinking Kona Coffee and some snacks and gulping the beautiful melodies generated by four band orchestra. Never on a sunday…..was our favorite request to crooner who besides being beautiful had a great voice to charm us all.

    This song was a global sensation and quite a few country made movies with this unique title . famous of all was the one produced by Greek producer by the same title….NEVER ON A SUNDAY….and won international awards too.

    Here is one version of the song …followed by song from the Greek movie …..

    Connie Francis : Never On A Sunday

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSL6YNCU4bc

    Melina Mercouri – Ta Paidia Tou Piraia (Never On Sunday)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28EAWlOXrYs

    …..and let the lilting music live and grow for ever…….

  126. Venkataramanji,
    Two days appear too long because otherwise you are very active and prompt.
    Felt Han’s stats were comprehensive, I was looking for expert opinion.
    Thanks of Telugu versions.
    In Hindi songs Ravi was known for composing tunes on lyrics perhaps that was not true for Telugu songs.

  127. How many films have Sulochana in a colourful silk saree singing a song?( How relieved she must be to be rid of her white saree and sewing machine!)
    Or, for that matter,how many times has Rekha appeared in a bhajan/ devotional song? The only one I can readily recall is the super hit SUHAAG number
    Hey naam re Sabse bada tera naam re….Maata Sheronwali….

    Here is a song you can find them both,in colour coordinated attires, singing in the voice of Meenu Purushotham.

    MEHMAAN,1974
    Sahir.

    Ram Raheem, Krishna Kareem
    Yaso Masi aur Ibrahim
    Sab ki hai ik hi taalim…

    Category: Devotional/ Religious Harmony

  129. Mela song:
    PHOOL AUR PATHAR
    Rafi,of course and another ( or two other?) voice/s.

    Tum Kaun? Maamool
    Main Kaun? Aamil ( have I got the word right? Meaning?)
    O P Ralhan doing a Hitchcock… was he the leading man in Hulchul? He had married Rajinder Jubilee Kumar’s sister, isn’t it?

  130. ksbhatia ji,
    Thank you for the interesting nostalgia and the link to Never on a Sunday.

  131. N Venkataramanji @116, 121, 122, 124,
    What a great flow of Telugu version of Ravi’s songs. As Gaddeswarupji once said, these copies sound poorer than the Hindi originals. But still it was delightful to know Ravi had the same respect in Telugu films as Naushad and C Ramchandra commanded in Tamil and other South Indian language films. ‘Copied/recycled songs of Ravi’ may not be a theme of the type covered in this post, but you have made a valuable addition. You are still not precluded from writing a post on this theme, enlarging it to include his original Malayalam songs. NTR in disguise as a ‘jogi’ singing the remake of Dekhji ek bala jogi looked exactly like Shammi Kapoor and perfectly got the spirit of the song. The information about different versions of Main Chup Rahungi is very impressive. Thanks a lot for these additions.

  132. Tanga song:
    PYAR KA BANDHAN,1963.

    Sahir, Rafi.

    Ghoda Pishori mera
    Tanga Lahori mera
    Baitho Miya ji , Baitho Laala
    Main hoon albela Tangewala

  133. Siddharth @111,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Chalo ek baar phir se – How about ‘resigned acceptance’? About your question, in general the music directors first created a tune and the lyricists were asked to come up with words to fit the tune. Since it was a pre-existing poetry of Sahir, this was set to tune, and what a wonderful tune he came up with. I believe for Pyasa, too, Sahir wrote the lyrics first which were set to tune by SD Burman. These examples would suggest that this yielded better results, but since this was not the norm how the songs were created, we don’t have sufficient data to prove either way.

  134. Subodh,
    “Otherwise he is very much a giant” – Well said. Since Ravi cretaed simple hummable tunes, we often don’t know that he was the composer of some of our very popular songs. Filmfare Award in many years to very average scores erodes theis credibility. Of course, great art is bigger than any award.

  135. Giri,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. We are all enjoying the ‘mehfil’. I have become more a person to set the stage.

  136. NEVER ON A SUNDAY was nominated in six categories at the 1960 Academy Awards and won the best original song Oscar for Manos Hadjidakis.
    Melina Mercouri won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film festival.

    The interlude has ‘ influenced’ the
    Peeley isse iss mein nasha
    portion of the Sunidhi Chauhan song from PARINEETA,2005….
    Nahin nayeen nahin ye baatein hai purani
    Kaisi paheli ye zindgani.

    Rekha makes an entry into the blog for the second time today! But,32 years after MEHMAAN, the transformation of the ugly duckling into a swan is complete. A Diva,no less!

  137. Mumbaikarji @126,
    “In Hindi songs Ravi was known for composing tunes on lyrics perhaps that was not true for Telugu songs.”
    Not exactly. Ravi’s Hindi melodies were very popular in the south. In his only Telugu film, he had to use the tune of the popular Hindi melody ““Ae meri zohrajabeen tujhe maloom nahi” at the insistence of the producers. Sarigamalu (1994) was a remake of the 1992 Malayalam film “Sargam”. Ravi composed music for both the versions. Most of the songs of the Telugu Version were repeats of the Malayalam original. He did not have much of a choice. The other films that I have mentioned are remakes of Hindi originals. The south Indian MDs simply retained some of the original tunes of Ravi.

  138. Akji @131
    Thank you for response and the offer to write a post on ‘Copied/recycled songs of Ravi’. I have already mentioned that I have lost the link to all those songs in Telugu and I remember very little. Most of the Telugu songs I remembered, I have already posted here and I think I am left with songs from one more remake. As far as Ravi’s Malayalam films are concerned I can recollect only one song where Ravi had used his original Hindi melody. Most probably it was mentioned or posted earlier. Moreover readers/ listeners participation is equally important.

  139. Bhatiaji (@125),
    Thank for sharing your nostalgic memories about “Maine to kaha tha aane ko sunday ko”. That brings us to Ustadon ka Ustad (1963). I have mentioned in my previous comments that I am left with one more remake film. And that was Ustadon Ka Ustad.

    Ustadon Ke Ustad, a 1963 Hindi film, was remade in Tamil as Vallavanukku Vallavan (1965), in Telugu as Monagallaku Monagadu (1966) and in Kannada as Bhale Bhaskar (1971). Vedha the music director for the Tamil and Telugu versions retained two of Ravi’s originals.

    The Hindi version Sau Baar Janam lenge was posted by Madhuji (spooky song) and mentioned by Nanjappaji. I am presenting the Telugu version here.

    Nenunnadi neelone by P B Srinivas, lyrics C Narayana Reddy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgtKLTGAxX4

    The other one a Qawwali song in Hindi & Telugu

    Milte Hi Nazar Tumse Ham Ho Gaye Diwane by Mohammed Rafi,Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey, lyrics Asad Bhopali
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq9ViYM7lTQ

    Vacchame Nee Kosam by P Susheela, PB Srinivos and Madhavapeddi Satyam, lyrics C Narayana Reddy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWYMYL4JdYc

  140. N Venkataraman ji,
    The music of BHALE BHASKAR was a tepid fare, nothing to write home about! The biggest letdown was the song equivalent of the eternal beauty,Sau Baar Janam lenge…

    Here is Illiruve Illiruve ( translates as Here I am, Here I am)
    SPB, Chi Udayshankar, Satyam.

    https:// youtu.be/ 5dKanCfhB8o

    There was an L R Ishwari cabaret song, perhaps in place of Sunday ko Sunday ko… whose lyrics used to amuse me in my primary school days.

    Don’t dial Wrong Number
    Note my Real Number….
    The dialling sounds were perfect, though.
    I think none of the songs used the original tunes.

  141. Dr Shetty @117, 119, 127, 129, 132,
    Mela, Tonga, Silk sarees, Belles selling ber and so on. You have an amazing recall. Thanks a lot for adding all these songs.

  142. Jhoola/ Palna song:
    AYODHYAPATHI,1956.
    Asha Bhonsle, Saraswati Kumar Deepak.

    Aao sajaao sakhi phoolon se palna
    Janam bhayo pyaare Laalna ka…
    ….
    Jhool rahe palne mein Asha ki moti
    Poori huyi hai Raja Dashrath ki kaamna…

    I think the song is not available anywhere else other than RCAPS( Radio Ceylon Aapka Purana Saathi)..
    https:// youtu.be/ OC3A1CnB3vY

  143. N Venkataramanji @138,
    Readers’ participation is a concern, but we did have several posts on Hindi-regional film songs exchange. If you can write on Ravi’s role in South Indian films, I can see the possibility of two posts: one, on his famous Hindi tunes recycled/copied; and the other, his original scores in Malayalam and other regional languages. One reader observed that there should have been at least one Malayalam song in the post.

  144. N Venkatraman ji, AK ji;

    Its really amazing…Ravi being punjabi almost ruled south indian films spreading integration thru music. At one moment of time he ruled Hindi films produced in the south . He along with Rajendra Krishan teamed up for many films with A grade stars of Bollywood ….specially those starring Sunil Dutt, Biswajeet, Joy Mukerjee , Nutan, Tanuja, Mala Sinha …etc.

    Here is one stage song with punjabi mukhda . …turning into Beatles ….and then to classical . A triple stage sog by Waheeda Rehman.

    Aao Ni Sakhiyon_Main To Tera Yaar Lagta:….Asha….. Neel Kamal(1968)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt0OYuhTGks

    In continuation some more stage/ club dance numbers…..

    Zindagi Mein Pyar Karna Seekh Le……. Asha Bhosle…..Phool aur Paathar

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foLvjosO5Vg

    Ding Dong Ding Dong -….. Geeta Dutt, …..Grahasti

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxmC4J1KPbU

    o babu o lala………Dilli ka thug 1958……….._Geeta Dutt

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

    Like ….Sunday song ….this one too is based on western song . …..Rum and Coca Cola . Here is that 1944 song by Andrew Sisters…

    The Andrews Sisters – Rum And Coca-Cola 1944

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

    ….and melodies set for continuing…..

  146. Ak ji;

    A Mix of songs …..

    Devotional / Classical….

    Hey Rom Rom Mein Basne Wale Ram…Neel Kamal (1968)…..Asha

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLPm8OJIAUw

    Jeevan Jyot Jale – Asha Bhosle, Grahasti Song

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UemDW8KonE8

    Payal Khul Khul Jaye Ram Mori | Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi | Grihasti

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtmC0dW-xFA

    Marriage / wedding preparation…..

    Khile Hai Sakhi Aaj Phoolwa – Lata, Usha Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Grahasti

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c577Peusbzs

    Teasing / Wooing…..

    Ab To Ankh Lad Chuki – Suman Kalyanpur ….Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygp0EJS7ZUo

    Ek Anadi Jungli Janwar (Female) – Asha Bhosle @ Man Ka Meet

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhWWO13Ujv8

    Romantic …..

    kya jawan raat hai (sindbad alibaba allauddin ) asha – rafi

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CvkzZoE8ko

    …..more to follow.

  147. Venkataramanji, @ 137
    “Probably my language did not convey what I wanted to say. And I am sorry for that
    I am borrowing your sentence because that’s exactly how I feel.
    I am thankful you addressed that.
    I intended to say that as his producers were insisting on using his Hindi tunes he could not give his Telugu lyrics writer the freedom, he was known to allow his Hindi shairs.

  148. The growing comments to this posting speaks volume of the greatness of Music Director RAVI. He did not compose songs but composed melody for music.

    Ravi used less instruments and heavy orchestra he employed rarely and that is the secret of his melodious score. Santoor he used extensively in his compositions than other music directors. Further flute and Piano were his mainstay instruments and he used violins not in great many numbers but sufficient enough to keep the music soothing to hear and not jarring. This is my reading of Ravi’s composition style.

  149. ksbhatia ji,
    Specially for you…. Punjabi stanza at the end of a song from DHADKAN,1972.
    Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey; Prem Dhawan.

    Oye oye lambe lambe baal banaya tune daal Amla tel
    Chahe mujhe phansi dila de
    Chahe bhejna jale( jail,Pa ji)
    Main tannu nai chaddna…
    Oye peechey pad gaye lakhon dekhe…
    ….
    Main tere haath nai chadna…

    Well, this isn’t all I have got to say about this mazedar song.
    Which Amla tel gave her the lambe lambe baal?……
    Dabur Amla tel,of course….jo baalon ko Ghana aur ghada banaye.
    Wait,I have some other items to promote:

    The song opens with the lines
    Elpar saadiyan
    Elpar suiting
    Laajawab,Shaandaar
    Elpar…..
    We then move onto:
    Hare Rama Hare Krishna
    Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
    Piyo Limca Piyo Limca Piyo Limca…
    Cherry Blossom polish
    Titli?/Bijli chap Chameli Agarbatti
    And, something no marketing genius can achieve… promotion of another brand of sarees in the same breath,I mean, same song…
    Roop( pari?)…. शादी हो या सुहागरात रूप परी साड़ियां….. Elpar probably for parties, dancing and other mundane things.
    Well, though not included in the lyrics, the song continues to promote
    Modern Bread and
    Nirodh….chote parivaar sukhi parivaar.
    Mumtaz: Ye Nirodh Nirodh kya kar raha hai?
    Nirodh ka virodh( rhymes well, right?)
    Sanjay Khan: Main kar raha hoon.
    There is more… just before the song begins… Elpar Elpar… there is a promotion of Furniture… Johnny something?
    So, category?
    Promotional song/ Advertisement song/ Commercial song?
    Do pardon me if the smileys/ emojis annoy anyone… couldn’t resist adding them.
    Please watch
    DHADKAN full movie on YouTube from 46.14

    Songs Of Yore
    Songs Of Yore
    Information se bharpoor
    Mazedar Shaandaar
    Songs Of Yore

  150. Each of the 7 songs of DHADKAN fits a specific genre.
    We have a Safar song:
    Main toh chala jidhar chale rastha… Kishore Kumar.

    A roothna manana song:
    Maine pehle hi baar dekha gussa haseeno ka…KK,AB.

    A Wedding song:
    Tamannaon ki duniya mere dost
    Tujhe teri meet Mubarak….Rafi.

    A Lullaby:
    So jaa mere Laal so jaa…. Lata.

    A devotional:
    Main aaya tere dwar
    Bacha le Bhagwan… Lata.

    A Sharabi song:
    Pee meri ankhon se
    Aa meri bahon mein…Asha.

    And,
    A club song:
    Jab tune kuch na kiya
    Kyon dara dara sa hai…. Manna Dey,Asha.

    I am not sure whether Ravi and Ali Jalili ( who?) contributed to some lyrics. Some sites say so.
    Please read Ravi as the singer with KK,AB for Elpar Elpar… and not MD.

  151. Two parody songs where just the opening lines are parody of earlier well known songs. If they don’t qualify for the genre,they surely fit into the Comic song genre.
    1. DEVAR BHABHI,1959.
    Rafi ( brilliantly matching the unusual voice of comedian Radhakrishna);Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.

    Tasveer teri dil mera behla na sakegi…
    …
    Maike se aajaa bibi
    Teri yaad mein ho gayi TB
    ( The Doctor inside of me is tempted to add a new genre…. Medical songs!!!)

    Of course,takes on Talat Mahmood’s path breaking non film song of 1944..
    Faiyaz Hashmi,Kamal Dasgupta.

    2. JAWANI KI HAWA,1959.
    Rafi, Rajinder Kishen
    Kaise aaoon nadiya ke teer
    Tere kutte ki khulee zanjeer…

  153. I am afraid most of you might have got ‘ pakaod’ by my non stop badgering by now. Have many more Ravi songs in quite a few genres. But, will rest for a while now and enjoy others’ inputs. But, before that,
    Ravi as a singer for other composers:
    PADOSI,1971.
    Asad Bhopali; Pravasi (who?..one site mentions Ravi himself as the composer.)
    Main hoon majboor
    Meri manzil hai door
    Kahin rasthe mein sham ho na jaaye
    Mera pyar badnaam ho na jaaye…

    Quite a pleasant song. In my opinion, the best for which Ravi has lent his voice.

    The film has a second Ravi song…a motivational one…
    Mehnat karle bandhe
    Mehnat ka phal milega

  154. AK @94
    Ravi gave Mahendra Kapoor 26 duets also during the same period. He also continued to sing in BR films after 1980. Significant thing is that Ravi gave 41 out of these 49 songs from 1963 to 69. He gave MK 3 duets with Asha in 1960 – one in Nai maa (holi aayi holi) and two in Ghunghat. In one of the ghunghat duet he sings just two lines, but the other one ‘do nain mile do phool khile’ was an instant hit, yet Ravi did not remember him before 1963. From 1970 to 80 he gave him just one solo (Dhund) and 4 duets four different films.

    Regarding his ratio of male female solos. Yes it is less skewed but the female solos were reducing gradually and in 1961 to 70 their ratio to male solos was only 1.43. Ravi’s ratio was just 1.02. From 1955-60 the general ratio was 2.55 and Ravi’s ratio was 1.85. For 1941-50 this ratio is 3.2 and for 1951-60 this is 2.87. I have not prepared the summary for 1931-40 and 1971-80, but the ratio of 4:1 is unlikely. In some individual years though – which also were discussed for SOY awards – this ratio was exceptionally high, which has given the wrong impression. These years were 1949 to 1953, four of which were discussed. The last two years of the decade 1941-50 had the ratio of 4.02 and the remaining 8 years ratio was just 2.93. Since there were a lot of songs in the last two years the ratio shot up to 3.2 for the decade. Similarly in the first 3 years of 1951-60 the ratio was 3.75 and in the remaining 7 years it was just 2.59.

    Ravi-OPN comparison I will make in my post on Asha-Ravi.

  155. Venkataramanji @113
    Thanks for your nice words. Coming from Sunil Gavaskar of statistics it means a lot to me. I am just Kapil Dev who hits occasional sixes. I enjoyed your other languages songs. This shows how valued you are to SOY. I knew a few Telugu songs with copied hindi tunes which I had discovered when I had a discussion with some guys on mohdrafi.com, but you are a real master.

    The way Bhatiaji and Dr. Shetty are outgunning each other it is feared that they would exhaust all Ravi songs which would perhaps force AK to rethink his norm of not including songs discussed earlier for his upcoming posts on Ravi. 😉

  156. AK @115

    Here is a song titled “C’est La Vie” by the Algerian songster called Khaled. Algeria was once ruled by France and most of epeople there talk and in French and Arabic and the pattern is in many African countries similar and French is loved by them:

    On va s’aimer (We shall love each other)
    On va danser (We shall dance)
    Oui c’est la vie (Yes, this is life)
    Lala, lalala

    The song is little longer and I give the English translation to get the feeling of it.

    We will love
    We will dance
    It’s life lalalalala
    (x4)
    I don’t regret the days
    no matter how far away you are from me
    I don’t regret the days
    they talked about us behind our backs.
    aha yeah aha yeah The wound must heal with the cure
    aha yeah aha yeah The evening will be beautiful my love.
    We will love
    We will dance
    It’s life lalalalala
    (x4)
    People came to me secretly
    and told me what’s the matter with me
    and told me “you’re gullible”
    she’s just a foreign
    aha yeah aha yeah The wound must heal with the cure
    aha yeah aha yeah The evening will be beautiful my love.
    We will love
    We will dance
    It’s life lalalalala
    (x4)
    This is One Thousand and One Nights, we will love for the whole life.
    This is One Thousand and One Nights, we will love for the whole life.
    We will love
    We will dance
    It’s life lalalalala

    As many songs in Telgu and other languages are coming pouring down so this will not matter much.

    Shalan

  157. Pradeepji @ 140,
    Yes, I was aware that none of the original tunes were used in Bhale Bhaskar (1971). ‘Don’t dial Wrong Number
    Note my Real Number’ was innovative and interesting.

  158. Akji@143
    I understand your keenness. Thanks. I will explore the possibility, but will not make any commitment. Even if I do a post it will be on his original scores in Malayalam and other regional languages. However readers’ participation will be a concern.

  161. Dr. Shetty ji @149, 150;

    Thanks for your bouquet of advertisement songs . In reality , when Sahir Ravi team were at their peaks they were most sought after by Advt.Industry as well . The duo wrote and composed two or three Advt ….and one of them was based on Gumraha song . The Advt. was on famous Telcum Powder …. Himalaya Bouquet ….sung by Asha …written by Sahir and composed by Ravi…..and the wordings are…..

    Phool ke saman hai …,

    apni apni sundarta….

    sundarta ki jaan hai Himalaya Bouquet ,

    Himalaya , Himalaya , Himalaya Bouquet .

    This Advt. was based on the song….

    Yeh hawa , yeh hawa , ye hawa

    Yeh fiza yeh fiza hey fiza ,

    aise udas hai jaise mera dil mera dil mera dil,

    aa bhi ja , aa bhi ja , aa bhi ja

    I have not been successful in tracing this advt. on google and YT . Lets see if some one can dig out this rare advt.

    Meanwhile a song under …..Reception / Wedding [ national integration as well] ….

    Dil na kahin lagana…..Asha…..Ghunghat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIM6bV251os

    …..to be contd.

  162. Dr Shetty @142, 150, 151, 153,
    Highly impressive recall. Please try to post links also.

    @149, I like the songs pitching in for some brand. And Songs of Yore commercial was too good.

  163. KS Bhatiaji @144, 145, 146,
    Both Dr Shetty and you are making awesome contributions. At this rate you will not leave any song for me to write on Ravi. 🙂

  165. Hans @154,
    Thanks a lot for the detailed statistics. Female to male solos ratio:: Anything above 2.5 is singnificant. If the average from 1931 to 1970 is above 2.5, that proves the point.

  167. Dr Shetty @153
    Padosi is a film in which Ravi was the MD. Pravasi was a lyricist for this film and wrote two songs, including the title song ‘jisko mile padosi achcha wo hai kismatwala’. He wrote only these two songs for Ravi.

  168. For high eyebrow critic elite of Hindi Film Music, Ravi has been underrated as a music director who composed TOO simple tunes.
    However, that never deterred him from his basic philosophy of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid!).
    Having been given his due place on the SoY domain, we can expect to have a more micro-detailed articles to follow in this year. The ice-breaker article deservedly presents his vast omni-genre repertoire of songs can set the ball rolling for his songs with different singers in different moods.
    His songs with Sahir and Shakeel Badayuni also offer a very interesting possibilities.
    For the present, i will remained aligned to the key theme of the post – Ravi’s songs across different genres.
    Here is a Background Song
    Ek Pyasa Tujhe Maikhana Diya Jaata Hai….. Baazi Kisi Ne Pyar Ki
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5ENm3MNvQU

  169. ksbhatia ji,
    Here is a portion of the Himalaya Bouquet advertisement. Hats off to your memory.
    https:// youtu.be/ RXTAxjg2RCA

    In case of the link not working, please type
    Himalaya Bouquet advertisement song on gramophone.

  170. The silent giant killer is becoming the giant killer in garnering responses,too. An easy double century in sight!

  171. Club song ( with a Pan Europe and Asia reach!!!)
    MERE SARTAJ,1975
    Asha Bhonsle, Mehboob Sarwar.

    Main hoon dukhar e angoor
    Mast banana ( till I watched the song,I thought ‘ banana’ as in केला…a fruit salad song, perhaps!!…a laughing emoji needed here!)
    Rang jamaana
    Hai mera dastoor….

    The International reach?
    Main huyi thi paida Englisthan mein
    Ud ke aa pahunchi Hindustan mein
    Mere Ashiq Cheen mein ,Jaapaan mein
    Mera shahra Roos mein Iran mein…!!!
    Trump will certainly feel let down for being overlooked!!!

    https:// youtu.be/ INM_fy863KM
    Or type
    Mere Sartaj_ 1975 movie_ Part 4

  172. Ashokji,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Baazi kisi ne pyar ki is a very nice song,and it is surely a distinct genre.

  173. Dr. Shetty ji;

    Yes…You did it , You did it { My Fair lady song}….All these years I was looking for this advt. song and you just found out in one day. Dr. I must tell you you are extremely good in surgical fineness !!

    In my comments on some Sahir Ravi songs earlier in some article ….or in open house discussion , I did mention about this advt. and no one vetoed or rather believed . I am happy that my failing memory is taking sharp u turn again and may locate one of the advt. of ….. de luxe tenor …..in which Mukesh sang the song and appeared along with Raj Kapoor , Nargis and other stars . The Music was probably by Khayyam ….and the lyrics probably like….

    Lage saal saal hawai jahaj ko banane mein
    saal saal [ some thing some thing]
    ……banaie hai yeh behter cigarette
    de luxe tenor behter cigarette .

    Dr. Shetty ‘s link points to you tube link as follows ….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXTAxjg2RCA

    Thanks Dr. Shetty once again .

  174. Here are some more stats for Ravi. I had talked about three phases. You can take the first phase as roughly the time before Chaudhvin ka Chand which was his first grand success. In 1960 some films were released before and some after CKC, so I have included the whole year in the second phase. Again the third phase started after 1969 – the year which had two grand hits Aadmi aur Insaan and Ek Phool Do Mali. In the third phase he had average success.

    Let me give the song break-up for these 3 phases. First phase 15 films, 130 songs, 96 solos (62 female, 34 male) and 34 duets. Second phase 59 films, 435 songs, 303 solos (160 female, 143 male) and 132 duets. Third phase 18 films, 97 songs, 70 solos (39 female, 31 male) and 27 duets. Making a total of 92 films, 662 songs, 469 solos (261 female, 208 male) and 193 duets. I had mentioned earlier he used 31 singers, but actually he used 32 singers (17 female, 15 male). He introduced 15 (8 F, 7 M) singers in the first phase, 10 (5 each) in the second and 7 (4 F, 3 M) in the third. Of these singers he gave just one song each to 11 and 2 songs each to 4. He gave 10 songs or more to just 10 singers and he was one of them.

    Now stats about his lyricists. He worked with a total of 26 lyricists of which he introduced 14 in the first phase, 7 in the second and 5 in the third. Oh his main lyricists Shakeel and Sahir were introduced in the second phase. Asad Bhopali also came in this phase who wrote 25 songs in 6 films for him. Rajendra Krishna (146 songs in 22 films), Sahir (129 in 19) and Shakeel Badayuni (115 in 15) were his main lyricists. Prem Dhawan wrote 58 songs for him in 10 films but he was mostly part of Devendra Goel films. Other notable lyricists were SH Bihari 34 songs in 7 films and Majrooh 31 in 7 films. In the most successful of his 3 phases the second 44 out of 59 films went to his 3 best lyricists while in 4 other films Prem Dhawan was the lyricist.

  175. ksbhatia ji,
    After reading your compliments…
    I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT
    Had I not inherited two left feet!
    Thanks are in order..You felt like giving
    CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE..
    JUST YOU WAIT…
    Search the cigarette thingummy ,too,in due course,I might!
    WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY
    Accomplish it,if I could…
    Before THE (onset) OF THE RAIN IN SPAIN!!!

    Worldly wise you sure,are
    YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT!
    Came from you ( TONIGHT OLD MAN) duely cut!

  176. Genre: Ravi, the lyricist for other composers.
    I think BANDI,1957 with the music by Hemant Kumar,is the only movie fitting this genre. The main lyricists were Rajinder Kishen ( 5, including the Kishore Kumar evergreen Ek din hamare bhi daal galegi and Chup ho jaa ye ameeron ka sone ke ghadi hai) and Prem Dhawan (2).

    Ravi was the lyricist for a wedding song.
    Asha Bhonsle

    Kahe sharmaye Gori din ye Suhana hai
    Aaj nahin toh kal Piya ghar jaana hai…

  177. N Venkataraman ji,
    MAN KA MEET,1968, the debut of Som Dutt and Vinod Khanna ( starring Dharwad Peda Leena Chandavarkar) was remade in Kannada as HUDUGATADA HUDUGI,1976. ( Shreenath, Manjula, Ambarish). The music is by the versatile M Ranga Rao, who retained the essence of one song
    Ek Anadi Junglee Janwar Budtameez Deewana, (Asha, Rajinder Kishen) in
    Isaviyu eno eppatharu
    Veshava nodu ippatharu ( roughly translates as….one with the 1926 looks in the year 1976) gustily sung by L R Ishwari.
    The Asha,MK duet from MKM….apni ankhon ke zarokhon mein bitalo mujh ko and the corresponding ( different tune) SPB,S Janaki, Belliya thereya modada mareya from HH are both pleasant on the ears. The later was a hit. The film,too, unlike MKM,did fairly well.
    The heroine Manjula, who was the Number One heroine then, having acted with every major hero including Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan ,went on to marry the already married director of this movie,Amritham.

  178. Pradeepji & Bhatiaji,
    Thanks for the wonderful spread of songs, and especially the Promo songs. I knew about the Elpar song (@148), I had kept it aside for a future post. Well Pradeepji, you beat me to it.

    Pradeepji @ 177
    I am not posting the link here. I am reserving it for the post on Ravi’s melodies in South Indian films, in case if I decide to do it.

    Short comic song at the end of the link
    Aaj Mili Ek Ladki Jise Dekh Tabiyat Fadaki by Md.Rafi, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOmaFS-idlU

  180. Genre: Street Sellers
    Sub genre: Toy Sellers selling their wares at do do aane per item!!( just joking)

    Adult first:
    TRUNK CALL,1960.
    Rafi, Qamar Jalalabadi.

    Kanna Manna Kurr
    Meri phirki bole Phurr
    …..
    Nayee nayee mai laaa khilone
    Har maal lagega do aane…

    Children next:
    ISSI KA NAAM DUNIYA HAI,1962.
    Asha Bhonsle,Sudha Malhotra; S H Bihari.

    Aane aane do do aane
    Lelo khilone sasthe
    Nikal pade hain do deewane bachhe rasthe rasthe….

  181. Dance Performance Songs:
    JAWANI KI HAWA,1959.

    Private Mehfil:
    Asha Bhonsle, Rajinder Kishen.

    Babu re Babu re Babu re…
    Garib ki hoon chokri
    Karoongi teri naukri….

    Stage:
    AB,RK.

    Bahaar leke aayee
    Karaar leke aayee
    Ye raat sitaronwali….

    Street:
    Rafi,Geeta Dutt,Asha Bhonsle; Shailendra.

    Kaun jaane re Babu
    Duniya mein peer parayi,
    Kiske aage rona,
    Roye har koi
    Khaaye tharas na.

  182. Jhoola song:

    AURAT,1967.
    Lata, Shakeel Badayuni.

    Naari jeevan jhoole ki tarah
    Iss paar kabhi us paar kabhi.

  183. Two outstanding dance songs I have heard from Ravi were Zindagi ittefaq hai from AADMI AUR INSAAN and Zindagi mein pyar karne seekh le from PHOOL AUR PATTHAR both rendered superbly by Asha Bhosle . What we can appreciate here is the amazing orchestra which can bring
    memories of RDB and OP and may be CR also !

  184. Dr.Shetty(@177)
    Man ka meet & Hudugattada hudugi both are remakes of Tamil film Kumarippen (1966). There is a song that goes like”Varushattha paaru arubatthi aaru” equivalent of the Kannada song you have mentioned.(music by MSV?)
    Link for this song is not available on YouTube.

  185. Girl ji,
    Yes! KUMARI PENN( The Girl) starring Ravichandran, Jayalalitha and S V Ranga Rao was the precursor of the other two.
    Lyrics: Kannadasan
    Music: M S Viswanathan.
    The said song( two versions) by L R Ishwari and T M SoundaraRajan.

  186. Dr Shetty @170,
    I don’t seek records, but it is gratifying that the music lovers are patronising SoY as their favourite adda.

    @171,
    You have made an interesting addition to my post on Around the world in songs.

    @180, 181, 182,
    The new genres you have explored are awesome. I hope some Master Statistician is compiling a list.

  187. Hans @174,
    Your stats are awesome. You have forced the so far Master to retreat in the background. The interesting aspect of this is that Ravi’s female solos are about 125% of the male solos, whereas the long-term average ratio of female to male solos, I guess, is over 250%. Ravi must be unique in this respect. Another interesting feature is relatively lesser importance he has given to the duets. It is significant that his two main lyricists, Shir Ludhiyanavi and Shakeel Badayuni, came on board for the first time in his second phase. Thanks a lot for giving us this insight.

  188. Dr Shetty and Bhatiaji,
    I entirely endorse what Venkataramanji has said @178 about the promo songs. I was completely ignorant about them.

  190. AK ji @188;

    Thanks for your complements .

    Retro gain is everyone’s pleasure . Now, we travel for romance to get lost . But some time U turns makes you more happy …… going down the hill is most enjoyable when you stop pedaling the cycle ….enjoying the beauty of the landscape…..specially when one has a company.

    A few songs…..romance on wheels…

    Ye Jindagi Ka Mausam – Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi ,Ghunghat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_7VF3a4aQY

    Kaise Bheege Bheege …Apna Ghar……Rafi, Suman….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5H0hkFgX6c

    Mere Peeche Ek Deewana – Mukesh&Asha – Nazrana

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmKc70rkbg

    …..to be contd.

  192. @27
    I have seen the picture Aaj aur Kal. It is about the last days of native rajas when British were to quit India. Ashok Kumar as a rigid disciplinarian brings up his children in traditions probably a century behind. Children are forced to call their father ‘Your Hiughness” and he also addresses children as Rajkumar and Rajkumari. The younger daughter played by Tanuja cocks a snook at her father. When he leaves for attending meeting of Council of Princes, the entire family feels free and she parodies her father by this song. On the whole it was an excellent film with top class music from Ravi. There was one more song in the film which can be classified under “Electioneering” category. It had also one distant song sung in the usual mood of pathos.

  193. D P Rangan ji,
    The electioneering song you have in mind is
    Taqt na hoga Taj na hoga
    Kal tha lekin aaj na hoga
    Jisme sab Adhikar na paaye
    Woh sachha Swaraj na hoga…
    Rafi, Manna Dey,
    Geeta Dutt.

    I had posted it as a Motivational song. But your classification is more apt.

    The pathos laden song..
    Mujhe gale se laga lo
    Bahut udhaas hoon main…
    Asha, Rafi.

    But, possibly, the most well remembered song from the movie is
    Ye waadiyan ye fizayen bula rahi hain tumhe..

    The Vasant Joglekar directed movie had Sunil Dutt,Nanda,Sudhesh Kumar,Agha, Dhumal,Deven Varma,Rajkumar ,too,in the cast.
    The movie was based on P L Deshpande’s Marathi play’ Sundar Mee Honaar.’

  194. Johnny Walker again selling two different items in the same movie.

    GHAR KI LAAJ,1960.
    Rafi,Rajinder Kishen.

    1. The faint hearted, please avoid reading….

    Laila ki ungliyan bechoon
    Majnu ki pasliyan bechoon…
    ( Butcher?Jallad? Cannibal???…
    No, one should not dive into conclusions. He actually seems to be one of the earliest Vegans! He is calling his ‘ kaakdiyan’ by those horrific names!)
    Aao dilwalon,Khao dilwalon
    Naram kaakdiyan bechoon….

    (Vegetarianism’s benefits?)
    Rog mitao aur Health banao..
    (So,why kill murga,bakri?)
    Khoon kisi ka kyon peena
    Pee le Sharbat ya Chai.

    (Why didn’t the Shirin Farhad Romance see a happy ending?
    Elementary,my dear Watson.)
    (Because…)
    Bhoole se becharon ne kaakdi nahin khaye.

    2. More traditional ware:
    Le lo choodiyan
    Main laaya nirali rangeela
    Neeli Neeli Kaali Kaali Peeli Peeli
    Gori Gori bahon ka singaar.

  195. At times, the very obvious get left out. I don’t think it has happened here. Still, wondering….
    Did ‘Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai.’.. make us forget
    Mera yaar bana hai dulha
    Aur phool khile hain dil ke
    Mere bhi shaadi ho jaye
    Dua karo sab milke….?

    While with CHAUDHAVIN KA CHAND, let me add another Johnny Walker Comic/ Philosophical song from the same movie:
    Ye duniya gol hai
    Oopar se khol hai
    Andar jo dekho pyaare
    Bilkul polam pol hai.

  196. Another song close to my heart of Ravi also sung by Asha bhosle from Raakhi Sitaro aaj to hum bhi tumhare saath jaagenge . I later understood that the same was not included in the film. How sad!

  198. There must be very few Ghazals in Ravi’s repertoire.

    MEHNDI,1958.
    Lata, Qamil Rashid.

    Ye Afsana nahin aye sunnewalon
    Dil ki baatein hain….

  199. Jhoola song:
    MEHNDI.
    Asha Bhonsle,Chandbala; Kumar Barabankvi.

    Jhoolo Lalna jhoolo
    Chandi ki dori sone ka palna…

  200. I feel Ravi must be having a very large number of Title songs as already observed in the post. If I may hazard a guess, proportionately,he must be having the maximum number of Title songs among all the composers.

  201. Dr Shetty @ 198
    I think if you go through the definition of ghazal provided by AK and test Ravi songs, you will find a lot of ghazals. 🙂

    BTW the Lata recital from Mehndi you mentioned is not a ghazal.

  203. Pradeepji,
    You have contributed to a great extent in taking the post past the 200 mark. I know you are a team man and do not care for personal landmarks. Yet I would like to congratulate you on posting more than 75 songs, but you are once short of half century on no. of comments.
    Hamne is Khushi mein ek Punjabi Bhangra sunane/ Dikhlane jaa raha tha.
    Then I thought let me wait for Akji’s future posts on Ravi. Man badal dala.
    Let me post this song, not a bad song for celebration. May consider under Parody genre.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pByvUPETtmU

  204. Venkataramanji @179
    You said I should spend more time with my first love and then you post a Sharabi song. What should we interpret from this. 😉

    I know you cant retire as a statistician. That runs in the blood like malaria fever which may resurface as seen from your post 203. I think Dr. Shetty will also not be able to cure this. 😉

  205. Dr Shetty @ 200
    It appears you are in bad form today. 🙂

    Ravi is not likely to be among the toppers for the most title songs because he was not the one to direct the lyricist to use title words in the lyrics as he prepared tune after he received the lyrics. At SOY there is a consensus that this title of the most title songs belongs to SJ. Both of their main lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri vied with each other for writing title songs.

    And I am in form to post smileys. 🙂

  206. Hans ji @205 ;

    I entirely agree to you sir . Right from day one SJ started this trend in their title song from Barsaat [ Barsaat mein hum se mile tum]. Likewise Awara, Yahudi , An evening in Paris, Singapore …. and many more followed and continued this trend . In Anari they wonderfully brought four songs in in their title music and sharp listener will note that this title music had a little glimpse of a song from Ujaala also thru whistling…. co ordinating with …..kisi ki muskorahton pe ho nisar . The Ujaala song is….aaj sapnoan ki roti banaiyenge hum. Listen to that and enjoy the beautiful titles of Anari.

  207. Venkatraman ji ;

    I have put myself on Pause as I see many of songs are being posted which could be the one awaiting their placement in sub head of the articles that are planned to be followed. So I am devoting some time in Open House enjoying the beautiful past we all had in many mini posts.

  208. AK @ 187
    As you know stats is such a wonderful thing that everyone would be able to bring to light something which the others might have missed. I am happy you enjoyed my view on them. The main reason for his better male ratio seems to be because he relied so heavily on Rafi solos for success. This can be compared when we see stats of another Rafi lover OPN. OPN gave just 55 solos out of a total of 193 songs he gave to Rafi. Ravi gave Rafi 134 solos out of 235.

    Another stat which I had prepared but forgot to add the last time was about the sub-set within the 2nd phase stats. For the first 4 years of this phase i.e. 1960 to 63 he composed 244 songs for 32 films. This is just amazing. in the 16 years – 5 years of the 1st phase and 11 of the second – he composed just 227 songs for 33 films. In 1963 alone there were 90 songs in 12 films. Of these about 70 were hits. This was the period when SJ were just ruling HFM and their praises were reverberating all over. But this silent killer was far ahead. During that period SJ composed 164 (always remember they were two) songs for 21 films out of which half were hits. Ravi gave around one and a half times more hits than SJ in the same period. But he never went doing propaganda for himself.

  209. This is with reference to Canasya’s comment at 42 about the quality of Ravi’s music raising a lot of points. AK also had earlier commented at 17 that Ravi is not counted among greats and he himself would refrain from including Ravi in greats.

    First of all I would refer to a write up under the heading of ‘a half-hearted salute to composer Ravi’. This would appear if you google search for Ravi composer. I dont know why these people go on against two of the most lovable composers Ravi and Chitragupta. I dont give much importance to them and I count it as some sort of victory for Ravi that these NRIs can not forget him or his music.

    First of all I would request Canasya not to take my comments personally, because on an earlier occasion when I replied to him it appeared to me he took it personally. Neither he nor AK has mentioned the criteria for greatness. I think on the pages of SOY there have been a consensus about greatness in music to be equivalent to quality + popularity + everlasting nature. Ravi certainly fulfils this criteria. Distinctive style, school of followers, commercial accumen, workmanlike approach etc. are words which can be argued endlessly for or against.

    I would take up two points. First his statement that Satyajit Ray found after 3 films that Ravi Shankar’s music was not critical to the success of his films. This point in itself is irrelevant to discussing music of a composer, because there are a lot of directors who never gave too much importance to music or songs and still made good films. It is a moot point whether they made successful films or not. In my opinion Satyajit Ray made a selfish use of Ravi Shankar and then said negative things about him. Ravi Shankar ignored all this. First of all, Ravi Shankar never looked to himself as a film composer. He gave music in films if he liked the story and somebody made a special request. Satyajit Ray had good links in India due to his having worked with AIR, but he wanted an international name with links for making a name and fame internationally. So he chose Ravi Shankar for this purpose because by choosing him the goodwill of his brother Uday Shankar – who was 20 years older than Ravi Shankar – came along with him (buy one get one). Ray used both brothers for getting international awards and nominations and when he got what he wanted he did the first thing such people do KICK THE LADDER. If he had the intention to get some good music director for his opening film, there was no dearth of them in Bengali cinema. After these films Satyajit Ray – self propagandist that he was – used his own name as composer.

    Ravi Shankar did not give music to many films but he was a creative musician. If you see the film Apur Sansar you will find the hero playing a tune on flute at about 48 minutes. That tune was used by SDB for the mukhda of ‘tere mere milan ki ye raina’. I would not go into other criticism about Ray.

    But giving this analogy and to say that Ravi’s music was not critical to the success of his films is just outrageous. Ravi was the most successful composer giving more than a silver jubilee of silver jubilee hits. Naushad was the only one who came near him, but he in the 50s and 60s mostly benefited by giving music in films of top stars like Dilip Kumar and Rajendra Kumar. Ravi on the other hand gave music to a lot fresh faces who were not much established. Look at his 1966 hits for a sample Do Badan, Dus Lakh and Phool aur Patthar. The first two films were the first big hits of Manoj and Sanjay and brought them directly the star status. Dharmendra had quite a good success earlier also but this film took him to unprecedented heights.

    Another argument that only producers who wanted fewer songs came to him is laughable and given without any research. From 1955-60 Ravi’s composing average per film was 8.45 while the overall average for that period was 7.74. For 1961-70 the general average was 6.47 while Ravi composed at the rate of 7.30.

    Somebody is not great or otherwise because some selected people think him so. But greatness comes when a lot of people think him great over a longer period of time. This post drew 100 comments on the 4th day and a number of people despite AK’s opinion continued to call him great. Not only that music stalwarts like Subodh and Madhu admitted that they did not associate many well known great songs with Ravi, which also means they were in their minds eye thinking that some declared great MD composed him. Ravi suffers only because he did not indulge in propagating himself. AK recently published two posts under the heading ‘greatness in the shadow of giants’ for Bulo C. Rani and Shyam Sundar. But, he is not ready to include Ravi in that list. I hope he as well as Canasya will change their opinion by the time the series on Ravi ends. 🙂

  210. Comments of Hans well written and I agree with him.
    In recent times which post has hit 200 plus comments but on Music Director Ravi it has surpassed a double century and some more may follow. This itself
    proves how Ravi is regarded.

    Ravi did not brought out his composition like a factory output but each of
    his creations had melody and soft music which we all require and got them.

    Ravi will find a place amont the ten top most composers of Golden era.

  211. Hans @208,
    I described Ravi as ‘Silent Giant Killer’ without the statistics, and just by perception. Your impressive statistics further confirms it.

    @209,
    If you ask me at gun point why I am reluctant to count Ravi among ‘great’ composers, I wouldn’t be able to answer that for the simple reason that I went by perception, popular literature and the music that has deeply impressed me. That Ravi was very popular and successful is a matter of fact. You have mentioned my series ‘Greatness in the shadow of giants’. I was thinking of the music directors whose work spanned both vintage and golden eras, and whose work overlapped with giants like Anil Biswas, Naushad and C Ramchandra. An ideal candidate for that expression would be Ghulam Mohammad, but I have already written two specific posts on him:
    1. The unlucky genius Ghulam Mohammad’s best songs for Talat Mahmood.

    2. On his songs for Shamshad Begum under the title Shamshad Begum with 3G.

    Incidentally, I am never half-hearted in praising Chitragupta. It is again how at a young age I was impressed by certain types of songs, and Chitragupta registered a special place much higher than some more fancied music directors,

  212. Vasudevanji
    Thanks for the kind words. I think number of posts is not the only indicator. I mentioned this to show the spontaneous nature of support by readers. Yes he is undoubtedly among the top ten.

  213. AK
    You have still not given your criteria for greatness. If we could find only 6,7 or 8 greats in the long history of hfm then it would be a shame. Normally when people talk of greatness they categorise a good number as greats then there is a category of ‘one of the greatest’ which is kept because there no likelihood of people agreeing on the greatest. In this second category those achievers are kept whom you think better than those categorised as greats. When you talk about unlucky genios Ghulam Mohammad, you admit him in greats and I agree with you. But if a genios like Ravi gets successful, it would be cruel to punish him for being successful. The half hearted article was for general consumption. It was not meant for you nor for Canasta who is also very crisp and clear in his comments.

    I can try to prove Ravi’s greatness by mentioning lots of his great songs, but I would not because that defeat the purpose of this series. That is why I had said that you and Canasya may change your opinion by the end of the series.

  214. Hans @213 and previous comments

    The comments made by Hans are very erudite and most useful for the study of songs seriously including his stats and phases of Ravi.

    Monumental writing!

    His comment about Satyajit Ray and Ravi Shankar is debatable but yet very welcome.

    In sixties there was an exhibition of Ray films in London and along with there was an exhibition of books and records of Art films.

    There was a long playing Album of music on the name of Saytjit Ray as the composer. I rushed to buy it but the price was not enough in my purse.

    So I went to the bank to get cash. When I returned the album was the only copy and was sold out. I asked the stall holder who bought it. I was told it was bought by one of the Bee Gees, the group of the creative voice in the sixties pop music.

    As the name of Ravi Shankar was mentioned in the comment of Hans at first I thought it was “Ravi Shankar Sharma” who is the subject of this post. In this post nobody has mentioned the full name of “Ravi”.

    In the Hindi film there are many “Sharmas”

    The grand Daddy of them all is “Kidar Sharma” who wrote scripts of many New Theatres films and also the lyrics of a number of films including his days in Bombay. Somebody like Venkatraman should write a post on this multi talented father of the Script writing and lyric writings.

    Shalan Lal

  215. I don’t think the song from GHATNA, 1974 is posted.
    A fast paced number, little unlike Ravi.

    Ajit Singh and chorus, Lyrics and music: Ravi.

    Zindagi hai jeene ki….

    https:// youtu.be/ VeDfztNtGOw.

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