Guest article by Ashok M Vaishnav as a tribute to Ajit Merchant on his 95th birth anniversary (b. 15 August 1925 – d. 28 March 2011)
(Talents from various regional languages have enriched Hindi film music. Music directors and singers from Bengal have occupied a central place in Hindi film music. From the recent generation AR Rahman has been incredibly successful in both Tamil and Hindi. Due to some quirk of fate similar success has eluded those from Gujarat, though they gave some immortal songs in Hindi, and occupy an iconic place for their contribution in Gujarati film music and Theatre. Ajit Merchant is one such talent whom Ashok M Vaishnav pays a tribute on his 95th birth anniversary.
Ashokji is an engineer by profession, and after retirement he is engaged in management training. He has a deep interest in music. SoY regulars know him as the creator of the mega series, Multiple Version Songs, and his deep analytical interest in exploring various facets of songs. He has been also introducing us to Gujarati music. Thank you Ashokji for highlighting the contribution of Ajit Merchant to Hindi and Gujarati film music. – AK)
Ajit Merchant (15-8-1925 | 28-3-2011) belongs to that Hindi cinema club which includes some incredibly talented but commercially not successful music directors as members. These music directors have their names in the roll of honours, on account of just a song or two from the few that they could get to compose in their career.
Ajit Merchant was born in (then) Bombay to a business community known as Kutchhi Bhatia. His father, a criminal lawyer by profession, was a keen follower of classical music. An adolescent Ajit too would accompany his father to the classical music concerts. However, in the initial phase of his career, young Ajit Merchant worked as a drama artist. Many of the stage personalities of those days were also associated with radio feature programmes. One such person was Chandravadan Chimanlal (C C) Mehta, who was an already established and respected name in the Gujarati stage circuit as a playwright and the director.
It was around 1945 that CC Mehta was finally rehearsing for his radio feature about south Gujarat based sailor community. Avinash Vyas was the music director for that radio feature. As required by the AIR rules of those days, the music director of the feature also had to remain present at the rehearsal. Unfortunately, Avinash Vyas was not available on that day. Since the programme was already notified in the next schedule, it was sacrosanct that it had to be aired at the appointed time. One thing followed another, and the dice of fate rolled in favour of Ajit Merchant for that job. The two songs that he composed for that feature were liked by all and were well received. Later, when he produced a Gujarati film on that very subject – Divadandi (1950) / The Lighthouse – he recorded one of the two songs in the voice of Meena Kapoor: Pandadi si hodi dejo (Give me a leaf like boat).
Ajit Merchant soon started working as assistant to Ashok Ghosh, who was composing music for a film for Ranjit Movietone in those days. He got his first independent assignment as music director for Refugee (1948). The film, however, did not succeed. He also got an opportunity to compose music for a Gujarati film, Kariyawar (1948) – Dowry – which also was not a major success. Ultimately, his career as music director of films remained confined to eight B grade Hindi films and nine Gujarati social films – of which one did not reach censor certification. Ajit Merchant could still carve a place for himself in roll of honours on the strength of these three songs:
1. Taari aankh no afini taara bol no bandhani, Taara roop ni oonam no pagal hu ekalo (Indolent by your eyes, addicted by your speech, I am the only one madly in love of your full-moon-like beauty) – Divadandi (1950) – Lyrics: Venibhai Purohit
Ajit Merchant who had undertaken production of this film under Neelam Films (named after his wife) was thrust upon one more song at the very late stage of the film production. It was not yet decided whether the song would be filmed on the hero or not – ultimately it was filmed on the villain – and whether it would pass through the editor’s scissors too. Engrossed in these pressures, his music mind was toying with two tunes at that time for the song – drum beats of Rock round clock – which too has inspired a legion of dance tunes later on; and the tune of Vasant ritu ali ali (Chandidas, 1934 – Uma Shashi – Music: R C Boral – Lyrics: Agha Hashra Kashmiri). The song was ultimately recorded in the voice of Dilip Dholakia. Raj Kapoor, who happened to be present at the recording, congratulated Ajit Merchant for the song and is believed to had said that this song will be an immortal one. That prophecy has come so true. Sixty years after the release, the song is still remembered by each passing generation. Raj Kapoor is even said to have used the base notes of the tune for the initial lines of his song Mera joota hai Japani (Shree 420, 1955).
The song has inspired many mod songs: Chanda loriya sunaye (Naya Sansar, 1955 – Music: Chitragupta), Raat ne ghesu bikharaye (Sapera, 1961 – Music – Ajit Merchant); Haayi hayiga jabili (Velugu Needadu, 1961- Music – P Nageshwar Rao); Mera naam hai chameli (Raja Aur Rank, 1968 – Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal).
2. Laagi ram bhajan ni lagani laagi (getting absorbed in the adoration of Ram) – Bahuroopi (1969) – Jagjit Singh – Lyrics: Venibhai Purohit
When Ajit Merchant presented a young turbaned Sikh to Minoo Katrak, the sound recordist who was highly respected for his sense of music, Minoo Katrak was not ready to try one more voice that he had brought up. He was somehow convinced to listen to the young man’s voice on the microphone without any music support. The test did not last more than a few words. So pleased was Minoo Katrak with that voice that the song was immediately recorded with full orchestra and okayed at the first take.
That was maiden film song by Jagjit Singh. He made it a point to pay tribute to Ajit Merchant for this window that he had opened up. The song is also included in Jagjit Singh’s 2004 album, Muntazar.
It so happens that the second song that Jagjit Singh recorded for films is also composed by Ajit Merchant.
2A Ghanshyam gupchup gupchup bhatake bhatake, e man ne vaat achanak malati (Dark clouds keep wandering silently in the eyes, when the heart suddenly lands up on track) – Dharati Na Chhoru (1970) – Jagjit Singh, Suman Kalyanpur – Lyrics: Venubhai Purohit.
Ajit Merchant has very skilfully pitched Jagjit Singh on a high scale at the beginning of each stanza.
3. Roop tumhara aankhon se pi lun, kahe do agar tum mar ke bhi jee lun – Sapera (1961) – Manna Dey – Lyrics: Indeevar
This is one song that has put Ajit Merchant’s name in roll of honours of Hindi film music. The song opens with a prelude of soft violins on the base rhythm support of guitar and then a few soft strings of violins keep company across the song, in the form of countermelody. The interlude music erupts with an ensemble of flutes in the lead. Manna Dey also goes into high scale in the first line to come down to the normal base tone in the second line. Overall, the song leaves you in the trance when it ends.
It was not only the Hindi film music world that dealt unfair treatment to Ajit Merchant. He had worked as music director at AIR for around 10 years. Fed up with petty politics, when he gave up that job, all his work was wiped out from the AIR library archives by his opponents. Gone with that was an invaluable treasure of some rare NFS that he had recorded with a wide range of singers.
Theatre continued to give him work and acceptance. He has composed music for around 200-250 Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi plays. However, there is no established set up to record the soundtracks of the plays. So, his work at the theatre again is lost with the passage of time.
Ajit Merchant also composed music for a few ad film jingles and a few documentaries. His work here also does not seem to have been documented.
If it were not for the internet, and the enterprising spirit of some ardent YT uploaders, all the songs composed by Ajit Merchant would have been consigned to the pages of historical archives like HFGK, or to the private treasures of some music lovers. Of some 50+ songs that he got to compose for his eight Hindi films, about a third of the songs are still available for us to listen on YT. I have brought them up here.
4. Ujadi hui ishq ki duniya tere bagair – Refugee (1948) – Sulochana Kadam – Lyrics: Pandit Fani
The song is set to typical vintage era style composition.
After, the first film, Ajit Merchant got his next call only in 1956.
5. Panchhi gaane lage prabhati, aaya sharad savera, jaag sundari – Indra Leela (1956) – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Deepak
Ajit Merchant moved with the times in his composition style. Here we get Mohammad Rafi in his basic elements, right from base scale beginning to the higher scale ending of the prelude couplet to the judicious variations to match the lyrics.
6. Sun lo jiya ki baat… ho piya kar lo jiya ki baat – Indra Leela (1956) – Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Deepak
When the surrounding environment is conducive to tender feelings, it is time to exchange sweet talks with each other. Asha Bhosle is quite playful in this gay mood song.
7. Koi lakh kare chaturai, karam ka lekh mite na re bhai – Chandi Pooja (1957) – Singer and Lyrics: Kavi Pradeep
Almost all the songs that Pradeep rendered were resoundingly popular.
8. Ek dharti ka rajkumar, dekho ji chala hai hawa pe sawar – Chandi Pooja (1957) – Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Kavi Pradeep
I recall that in our pre-teen years in late 50s/ early 60s, I looked forward to listening this song on Radio Ceylon, along with the iconic children-story song of K L Saigal, Ek raje ka beta le kar udanewala ghoda (President, 1938 – Music : R C Boral- Lyrics: Kidar Sharma). Listening to this song today is still so pleasant to the ears. Ajit Merchant has presented Shamshad Begum in her full flow, at this relatively fag end of her career.
9. Ae ji, o ji kaho, badi aaj ki daravani hai raat, zara jagate rahena – Chandi Pooja (1957) Mohammad Rafi, Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Kavi Pradeep
The song has been presented as a playful repartee of small talk dialogues between the two love birds, while seemingly on a horse cart ride.
10. Ritu raja ne teer chalaya, jiya lalachaya….sajaniya aa – Ram Bhakt Vibishan (1958) – Sudha Malhotra – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Deepak
The season of Vasant is when the nature is at her full beauty. Wasps hum their love with eye to eye contact with flowers, fairies merrily roam the skies. Under such compelling environment, our heroine enjoins her friends to lay a swing of flowers underneath the moon and weave the braid of her hair with flowers.
11. Raat ne gesu bikharaye, mera dil mujhko tadpaye, kisne chheena hai bolo mere chand ko – Sapera (1961) – Manna Dey, Suman Kalyanpur – Lyrics: Indeevar
In the second half of 50s, when Mohammad Rafi was expanding his reign as the first choice playback singer for the mainstream heroes, Manna Dey was frequently used as voice for upcoming talents, particularly for the duets, by the not-from-the-first-row music directors. Most of these duets remain etched in the memories of the Hindi film lover generation of those times.
Ajit Merchant has used a variation of his famous ‘Tari aankh no afini’ tune here.
12. Bairi chhed na aise raag dil mein jaag uthe aag – Sapera (1961) – Suman Kalyanpur – Lyrics: Indeevar
Ajit Merchant has based snake charmer tune for this song. He has created that musical effect by innovative use of flutes and other instruments.
13. Main bhi hun majboor sajan dil bhi hai majboor – Challenge (1964) – Mukesh, Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
Set to Mukesh’s natural range for such pensively romantic songs, Ajit Merchant whets his appetite for creativity by higher-scale violin ensemble play in the interludes.
14 Badle re badle re badle re, rang badle zamana kai, hai mohabbat wahi ki wahi – Challenge (1964) – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
Ajit Merchant’s touch can be seen the way Badle Re repeats thrice before the initial lyrics come into play. He then uses these very Badle Re melodiously in chorus form in higher scales, supported by brief pieces of flutes in the counter melody. One song has so much of variety so creatively weaved in!
15. Mohabbat mein kiya mujh ko badnam yun zamane ne…. Main ho gai badnam tere liye – Challenge (1964) – Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
The opening notes of harmonium foretell that the song is mujra dance, which is further validated as Asha Bhosle sets the tone in the prelude couplet. But Ajit Merchant cannot be easily confined to a given template. The main song comes up as a soft complaint in Asha Bhosle’s voice. However, the intensity of the feelings is reflected in a higher scale rendition of interlude orchestration pieces and the opening of stanza by her.
16. Qatil hai teri har ada, har dil hai tujh pe fida, raahi bhale apni manzil bhule dekh ke chehra tera – Lady Killer (1968) – Mukesh – Lyrics: Indeevar
Hindi crime thriller movies mandatorily have villains and his cohorts operating their search operation on the dance floor, the dancer or her camouflaged lead male actor accomplice – who is easily identified by the audience – throw in a catchy song, lyrics of which have very clear message that everyone except villains get easily. Music directors and lyricists have invariably come up with songs that have kept the audience glued to the seats. Ajit Merchant’s adaptability to the film situation is evidenced at every stage of the song.
17. Chacha ne chachi ko chandi ki chamchi se chutney chatai – Lady Killer (1968) – Manna Dey, Krishan Kalle – Lyrics: Indeevar
Indeevar has very craftily woven repeated rhyming of alphabet ‘Ch’ in each word of the opening line. Ajit Merchant has set the throw of each word in a similar mischievous style. By weaving in the song in western dance style, he has given enough elbow room to the director to create smokescreen to build the environment for showing a back-stage sinister plot being played. At the end, the director gives a Hitchcock-style jolt by depicting a murder being executed when the audience is engrossed in the mood of the song.
18. Auron ka chahera paon tera…. diwana hai sara gaon tera – Lady Killer (1968) – Mahendra Kapoor – Lyrics: Indeevar
Ajit Merchant has skilfully roped in Mahendra Kapoor for a standard sulking-pacifying play-acting song.
Even with just a third of the songs available, we get a reasonable glance at the wide range of singers, song styles, song compositions and orchestrations that Ajit Merchant has been able to commandeer. If it were not either because of the insidious tweak of the destiny or perhaps his own lesser love for film music in comparison to that for the theatre, we would have had more songs under Ajit Merchant’s baton, from the films that might have succeeded at the box office.
Sources credit acknowledgement:
1. Sketch – Young Ajit Merchant – Urvish Kothari’s post: અજિત મર્ચંટની વિદાયઃ ભીની આંખે છેલ્લી સલામ (Thumbnail picture, left)
2. The background of process of composition of Taari aankh no afini – Biren Kothari’s post તારી આંખનો અફીણી’: સર્જનની સફર.
3. Background story of recording of Laagi Ram bhajan ni lagani laagi – Biren Kothari’s article, ‘દીવાદાંડી સમા સંગીતકાર અજિત મર્ચંટ in the Gujarati Magazine ‘Aha Zindagi’.
Disclaimer:
Song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these songs which belongs to the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited.
{ 92 comments… read them below or add one }
Ashok ji,
Ajit Merchant is one of those composers who didn’t get the recognition they truly deserved.
Good selection of songs .
INDRALEELA.
Sun lo jiya ki baat ho Piya
Kar lo jiya se baat…
Asha.
CHALLENGE.
Kuchh tum kaha
Kuchh hum sune
Aur ek afsana ban hi gaya…
Asha.
Ashok ji, AKji:
Thanks for this wonderful Independence Day gift. In a way, the post also celebrates the diversity within the country. While ‘winner takes all’ perhaps limits the number of successful MDs within HFM at any point of time, the existence of vibrant industries in Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, and other Indian languages allows us to benefit from a much broader set of extraordinary talent. The ‘tour the force’ in this post, of course, is ‘Tari ankh no afini’. Here is Ajit Merchant singing the song live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mklIDoEZXvk
Thanks Dr. Shetty (#1). More the Ajit Merchant songs are available on digital platform,even as mp3 files, merrier it would be.
Canasya (#2) – very kind of you for the generous appreciation.
Taari Ankh No Afini has been so roaring all time remembered song that Dilip Dholakia has stated in one the interviews that he must have sung this song thousands of time in all sorts of public performances.
It was so unfortunate that the success of the song /record could not rub off the film on the box office. Had that been the case, history may have taken some different turn in so far as Ajit Merchant’s career with Hindi Films.
Ashok ji
Many Thanks for this post. Let me write something which you already know.
Mukesh n Ajit Merchant were neighbours and were close. And Mukesh’s wife also hailed from Gujarat.
His second film is Rajkumari 1955 ?
Mukesh seems to have a duet with Asha in this film whose songs are hard to trace.
Thanks.
Mahesh
Thanks Maheshji(#4)
Yu are right about Raajkumari (1955). Unfortunately, the songs are not available on net, unless some avid curator has it on records and can make it available in digital form.
Thanks a lot Ashok ji for the post.
Though his name is known to most of us, very few songs are actually available on the net.
The songs from Sapera are my personal favourites. Lata Mangeshkar has only one song under his baton, the one mentioned by you.
I liked his other songs as well.
Thanks for the treat Ashokji.
Anup
🙂
Dear Anupji *#6)
This is cost that we the fans pay for the success that these artists could not get.
In fact, it is the great work by these YT uploaders that we still have so many almost unknown, totally forgotten, songs available at a few clicks of keypad.
Else, these songs would have remained consigned to someone’s personal collections,
Ashokji @7
Yes, I totally agree. It’s because of the YT uploaders that we can at least hear some of the songs at least. The uploaders deserve applause for their great work.
Anup
🙂
Ashokji
You have penned an excellent narrative on a comparatively less known and always hovering on the fringe of recognition music director. Looks like he was quite well known in his native Gujarati movies. I had not heard any one of the 18 songs posted by you. You have toiled hard to bring out this much of history of the MD. My limited abilities are a hurdle to my posting any song of this md unless I stumble upon any one while I am trawling youtube site now and then.
I checked on Raajkumari (1955). There are 8 songs, two duets and six solos. Three lyrists – Saraswati Kumar Deepak (6), Anjum Pilibhati (1) and Y N Joshi (1) wrote these 8 songs. Singers were Asha Bhonsle, Mukesh, Sulochana Kadam, Mohantara Ajinkya, and Snehlata Nare. Not a single song is available as an upload. I can think of Dr. Shetty and Venkataramanji to unearth any of the songs from this film.
Once again my kudos on this excellent venture.
Ashokji,
Although I have heard his name, I knew very little about Ajit Merchant.
I remember there were few occasions when his name came up for discussion in SoY.
You are right in saying that he belonged to the Hindi cinema club which includes some incredibly talented but commercially not successful music directors as members.
Thanks for the timely article, on his 95th Birth Anniversary, on his life and career.
I would like to echo Cansyaji observation that the post also celebrates the diversity within the country.
I was shocked to know from your article that all his work were wiped out from the AIR library archives by his opponents. How vindictive people can be. What a loss for the music lovers, especially when some of the composers have known for their NFSs since it gave them more room for creative expression.
The first song that I could recall was Lata Mangeshkar’s song. I remember Arunji had mentioned it a few years back in the post on Lachhiram. And the other one was the Mahendra Kapoor song from ‘Lady Killer’. Probably the song was mentioned in the post on Mahendra Kapoor.
I remember Rakesh Srivastavji had made a request in 2014 for an article on Ajit Merchant.
About a year back I came across two NFSs in Gujarati composed by Ajit Merchant and rendered by Geeta Dutt.
Providing the links.
‘Dolto jaaye’ (1949),
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGSPZN6k6ck
‘Koi ranglyo’ (1949)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2flGjnjYIk
Joining you in paying my tributes to Ajit Merchant.
D P Ranganji (#9)
Thanks for your appreciation.
The background information is because of help from other resourceful friends and songs are because of YT uploaders.
I hardly deserve any credit for the compilation.
N. Venkatramanji (#10)
Ajit Mrechant is even known to a very selected few in Gujarat, even in our generation.
The Geeta Dutt NFS you have posted are classic examples of this phenomenon.
BTW, while reading an article on Avinash Vyas, I recollect reading that Geeta Dutt has sung second highest number of songs, in Gujarati. He songs were being given to her in Bengali.
In fact because Avinash Vyas and Ninu Mjaumdar, two Gujaratis, who ventured into HFM in 40s, many of the Hindi playback singers have songs in Gujarati, including those for Gujarati films of 50s and 60s.
Most of the Gujarati singers, of those times, somehow, remained limited radio.
The first song is also adopted in Tamil https://youtu.be/usgUR94gVko
Gaddeswarupji @ 13,
That was a nice find.
Glad to see you in SoY after a long time.
Gaddeswarupji,
You are back with a bang. The discovery of Tamil version of Tari aankh no afini would please Ashokji a great deal.
Ashokji,
An excellent and timely tribute to Ajit Merchant.
Thanks for highlighting the achievements of a creative yet lesser known composer
Coincidently, just last week, I was doing a google search for another composer Ajit Varman and the search threw up the name of Ajit Merchant also.
Incidentally, both the Ajits have scored the music for only a handful of Hindi films. Ajit Merchant has 8 hindi films to his credit while Ajit Varman around 12-13
I had managed to read up the information available on Wikipedia about Ajit Merchant and it was nice to know more from you.
Its indeed unfortunate and shocking to know that very few of his songs are available today and a major part of his work was destroyed,
I had checked on YT for the ghazal – Raat Khamosh Hai composed by him and sung by Jagjit Singh.
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lDtXxHF848
In one of his concerts, Jagjit Singh had acknowledged Ajit Merchant for giving him his first break and had invited him on stage.
Its on this link here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNjaUsdhANY
Venkataramanji and AKJi, I have been busy with mathematics for the last three years. Finally I completed a problem that I have been thinking for 42 years. Also I found that I had a student in 2002 whose master’s thesis was not published. It still looks very interesting. I am trying to get him to write it up. The poor guy lost his way with family problems and is a contract lecturer now teaching four courses a semester.
WOW 1 A Tamil version of Taari AAnkh No Afini too.
Great.
Thanks Gaddeswarupji, for finding time with your preoccupation with a serious matter of solving a long-time unresolved problem.
Gaddeswarupji @17,
Even at this age your deep involvement in academics is an inspiration for us. You are also very active with gardening and social services. And that his heart-warming.
Thank you .
Pradeepji @ 1,
First, posting the link to the song from Challenge (1964)
Challenge., Prem Dhawan
Kuchh tum kaha
Kuchh hum sune
Aur ek afsana ban hi gaya…
Asha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNlK7TZONcM&feature=emb_title
Challenge (1964) had six songs. With this, four songs from Challenge has been posted. Hope somebody would find the other two songs rendered by Md.Rafi and Asha Bhosle.
Chandi Pooja (1957) had eight songs. Three songs have been posted in the main article.
Posting the fourth song from Chandi Pooja (1957)
A pleasant song,
Bachpan Hua Khatam Haye Lagne Lagi, Asha Bhosle, Kavi Pradeep
https://gaana.com/song/bachpan-hua-khatam-hay
Ashokji, Maheshji & Ranganji,
I understand from Arunji’s write-up in Atul Song a day that ‘Raajkumari’ (1955) was a remake of the 1951 Tamil film ‘Vanasundari’ directed by T R Raghunath. Arunji may be able to provide more details on the film and its songs.
Arunji in his article wrote that AJit Merchant composed music for 32 Gujarati Films and 8 Hindi films. I would be grateful if Arunji can give us more details on AJit Merchant’s Gujarati films.
Posting one more song from Chandi Pooja (1957)
Suno Sunau Tumhe Ek Kahani by Kavi Pradeep
https://gaana.com/song/suno-sunaoon-tumhen-ek-kahani
N Venkataramanji (20 & 21)
Thanks for posting more songs here.
I remember having heard Kuchh Tumne Suna earlier but never knew that it would be a AM composition.
Shri Harish Raghuvanshi has published a complete Gujarati Film Geet Kosh. So I had sought good deal help on my basic work for V Balsra, Ajit Merchant and Ninu Mazumdar articles.
In spite of problems with his eyesight at present, he had been very kind to provide me huge data and leads.
Since I was focusing on AM’s Hindi films here, I did not put him to further trouble for details of Gujarati films for the present.
Vaishnavji
Thanks for the write up which gives us so much information on a composer who was so forgotten by the film industry that he could not even fall under the forgotten composer category. But, AK has brought us such surprises on this platform. Eight films in 20 years, that is too much injustice. This means he neither had clout nor he did the ‘galiyon ke phere’ of those who mattered. Certainly he was a person who gave more importance to self-respect than others.
I saw the film Lady Killer when in college in a touring cinema, which would show 3-4 films in a week at very cheap rates. I remember this song ‘auron ka chehra paon tera’ by the initial call of Mahendra Kapoor ‘Suji darwaja khol’. At that time I had not known the name of the MD, but later I came to know his name and always remembered his name because it combines two cricket greats of India, Ajit Wadekar and Vijay Merchant.
I agree with you that the Manna Dey song from Sapera is a special song. In fact this song shows that he could always sing the romantic songs well as against the argument of some MDs who made excuses for not using him more. The Muhammad Rafi song has a uniquely composed aalap or prelude which only he could have sung. I also agree with the special effect Lata provides when pronouncing ‘re’ in ‘badle re’. In fact once I mentioned this quality of her in one of my comments. Only 3-4 songs were known to me besides the Manna Dey song which I knew from radio days. Rafi and Lata songs I had not heard. So double thanks to you and also AK.
Now I add some songs from Ram Bhakta Vibhishan, lyrics of which were penned by Saraswati Kumar Deepak.
Hansti hui gati hui aayi hawayen – Asha Bhosle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnPeUp5ysog
Main ban ke bahaar aaj aayi – Asha Bhosle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2rHWDPf00
Bhagat ke rakhwale bhagwan – Suman Kalyanpur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-YveFzBSPo
Ye katha bhakta bhagwan ki – Pradeep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Eg2v5HvbhE
All the above songs are eminently listenable.
I compiled the stats of his 8 films and the results were quite interesting. As per HFGK in the 8 films he gave music for 60 songs out of which details are available for 53 songs. Of these 53, 45 are solos out of which 32 are female solos and 13 male solos. There are only 8 duets out of which 7 are male-female and one female-female duet. In his last film Lady Killer he had 6 songs of which 3 were duets, which is by far the highest number of duets for his films. If we leave this film out, we would find that out of 47 songs he composed for only 5 duets, which is very low count of duets for any composer. In 3 films he did not compose a single duet.
If we look further at the stats, out of the 32 female solos Asha Bhosle with 15 and Suman Kalyanpur with 6 were his main stays. He gave 3 solos to Sulochana Kadam and 2 to Mohantara Ajinkya in his first 2 films. Lata Mangeshkar has only 1 solo, Sudha Malhotra has 2 and one each went to Shanta Apte, Shamshad Begum and Krishna Kalle. In males Pradeep and Manna Dey had 3 each and Mohammad Rafi got 2. Of the other mainstream singers Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor got one each and the rest went to Ram Kamlani, Hamid Majnu, and Prabhakar Rege with one each.
Of the duets Manna Dey/Krishna Kalle had 3, Manna Dey/Suman had 1, Asha/Mukesh had 2 and one went to Rafi/Shamshad. The all female song was sung by Mohantara Ajinkya and Snehlata Nare.
I am giving here three more songs. The first is from Chandi Pooja sung by Sudha Malhotra. A very sweet song indeed.
Purab disha ki chanchal badariya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtnqaWyTAJw
Three songs from Sapera have been posted, Here are two more. In Sapera it was Suman all the way and both songs have ‘piya’ and ‘jiya’ in them.
Bolo bolo piys kyun liya mora jiya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IsmdNfjlaU
O re piya, mora tadpe jiya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htr9o9DvDbI
After 3 by Venkataramanji and these 7 by me we have a total of 26 songs posted which is almost the half way stage. The speed by which saregama is providing songs to youtube, we may soon find some more.
Hans ji,
Beautiful analysis. Thanks.
Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood missing. Other singer missing is Geeta Roy, considering that she sang Gujarati songs.
There is no doubt that it was listeners loss of such a talent.
Not at a fair comparision, but I feel even Daan Singh is more known than Ajit Merchant. ??
All Thanks to AK ji and his contributors for putting the whole career of such unfortunate composers on his blog.
Wish we get at least a few songs from Rajkumari 1955 on the net.
Hans,
Excellent analysis. I had two thoughts:
1. Bollywood thought copying his tune of Taari aankh no afini was adequate honour to him.
2. Everybody is not OP Nayyar or SD Burman. If a music director failed to get the blessings of Lata Mangeshkar, for any reason, he had a difficult time.
And, I am also being included in compliments to Ashokji. Thanks a lot, and thanks to Mahesh too.
Hansji (#23 & #24)
Wonderful enrichment to the subject.
Million thanks.
From various articles written about Ajit Merchant, it seems his real passion was theatre. He did compose music for around 200 odd plays !
He also got a very raw deal at AIR.
But, that is life !
The greatness of his self was that he never complained of these things.
Hansji @ 23 & 24,
Excellent analysis and compilation of statistics.
And thanks for the songs from ‘Ram Bhakt Vibhishan’ and you have rightly stated they are highly listenable.
That covers five songs in all, out of the 9 songs from ‘Ram Bhakt Vibhishan’.
Out of the seven songs from ‘Sapera’, five songs have been posted, including the pair posted by you.
‘Purab disha ki chanchal badariya’ is a wonderful song.
Posting one more from Chandi Pooja, another nice song
Dig Daiya Chali Meri Naiya by Asha Bhosle, lyrics Kavi Pradeep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdZClc-LXp8&feature=emb_title
That makes it 7 songs from ‘Chandi Pooja’ . One more to go.
Canasyaji @ 2,
Thank you for posting Ajit Merchant singing the song ‘Tari ankh no afini’.
From the visuals it is clear that he had a modest life style.
Posting a duet from the 1948 Gujarati film ‘Kariyavar’ rendered by Ajit merchant and Meena Kapoor.
https://gaana.com/song/vanzarare?autoplay=true
Rajeshji @16,
Thank you for the clip where Jagjit Singh acknowledges Ajit Merchant for giving him his first break.
And also for posting the link to the song ‘Raat Khamosh Hai’. A nice addition.
I presume Jagjit Singh sang three songs for AJit Mrchant, two solos and one duet with Suman Kalyanpur.
Posting a song by Shanta Apte, from her last film
Bolo Hai Chandimata, Shanta Apte, Kavi Pradeep, Chandi Pooja (1957)
https://gaana.com/song/bolo-he-chandimata?autoplay=true
That covers all the eight songs from ‘Chandi Pooja’
Maheshji @4 & 25
It seems Geeta Dutt did not sing for Ajit Merchant in any of the Hindi films, unless she had songs in Rajkumari (1955).
Some of the songs she rendered in Gujarati films for Ajit Merchant are available.
Posting a duet from the film Kariyavar (1948)
Gori jhanjha na rahiye gumnama, Geeta Dutt & Mukesh, lyrics C N Pathak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxy5uGdmggk
Mahesh
Thanks for the nice words and good questions raised. I gave these figures due to this unique thing of very low count of duets I found. Regarding other singers, he did not have enough songs or continuity to accommodate each singer. Yes he did not have even the luck of becoming a Daan Singh, who could come under the category of forgotten composers because of those two Mukesh gems. I dont know whose luck it was, Daan Singh, Mukesh or Anand Bakshi, because the film My Love, itself was immediately forgotten. About Raj Kumari, HFGK mentions in the foot note that Ajit Merchant did not even remember whether records were issued or not. If records were not issued, then it is highly unlikely that we would get any songs from the film.
AK
You will always be co-opted for the praise in the case of such personalities as Ajit Merchant and Naseem Bano, because of the policy here at SOY. But I dont give out your name for each guest article. When some one copies his tune, the respect given is by that individual, and person like him suffer due to the bollywood system of looking for profits.
Regarding Lata Mangeshkar, I would say in such cases it is hard to blame her, because not singing for such composers was not an act of commission by her. She had also physical limitations and could sing only a certain number of songs in a year. So she has a right to choose which she did wisely.
Vaishnavji
Thanks for the nice words. The fact of his love for theatre has been brought out in your article too. He was one of those for whom inner satisfaction was more important.
Regarding AIR, I would relate a story. There was a close friend of mine who had shared interests like Cricket and History. Though he had not played cricket, he was mad about stats and all other things about cricket. We were so close we could crack personal jokes on each other. He had a clout in AIR and used to broadcast talks on his favourite subjects. As we daily went to office in the same chartered bus, he one day asked me if I had some material with me regarding Football World Cups, which I provided. He knew I had divergent interests in the sports field. When I asked him the reason, he told he has to deliver a talk on AIR. As he was short and fat, I said your only relation with football is that you look like a football, so why dont you let anybody else knowing about football to deliver the talk. He as well as other friends had a hearty laugh. In those times, I had a bad impression about AIR and DD. But after the allowing of private channels, I am of the opinion that we Indians have something in our DNA which makes us behave like this. The private channels are even worse than the govt. ones.
Venkataramanji
Thanks for the nice words and the lots of information in your comments in reply to others. Sometimes I think how can we do without you, you have such a variety. I was specially looking for the Shanta Apte song, which I could not find then. The song is perhaps in some temple like setting and AM has used a unique initial orchestration. The song is also great and Shanta Apte has effected beautifully the tremolo needed at some places. This shows her singing faculties were still great. The other song you posted from this film is also very good.
From the 28 songs posted, the talent of Ajit Merchant is clearly visible.
Out of the six songs from Lady Killer (1964), three songs, two solos and one duet, were posted by Ashokji.
Posting the remaining three, one sole and two duets. All highly enjoyable and listenable.
Dil Kartaa Hai Dekhun Tujhko Hi Bar Bar ,Manna Dey & Krishna Kalle, Lady Killer (1969), lyrics Indeevar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne9OhOAbIeE
Saath Humare Na Chale….. Kachha Pappad Pakka Pappad, Manna Dey & Krishna Kalle, Lady killer (1964)
https://gaana.com/song/kachcha-papad-pakka-papad-1?autoplay=true
Tu Mujhse Dil Kaa Raz Keh De, Krishna Kalle Lady Killer 1969
https://gaana.com/song/tu-mujhko-dil-ka-raaz-kah-de
One more nice song from Indra Leela 1956, sung by Asha Bhosle
Lyrics – S K Deepak
Yamuna ke teere sakhi bajte manjire sakhi
kanha rachaaye hai raas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcstwJu90fo
Being new to SoY, I have a question.
I have seen HFGK being quoted as a reference in many comments and posts.
So, I guess, HFGK stands for Hindi Film Geet Kosh. Is that right?
The ones compiled by Har Mandir Singh Hamraaz?
Rajeshji @ 37 & 38,
Thanks for posting the song ‘Yamuna ke teere sakhi bajte manjire sakhi’ , a nice song.
That was the third song from Indra Leela and the 32nd Hindi film song of Ajit Merchant to be posted here.
Yes, you are right; HFGK indeed stands for Hindi Film Geet Kosh by Harminder Singh ‘Hamraaz’
N.Ventkataramanji (#28,#29, #30, #31)
Immensely thankful for enriching the Ajit Merchant collection profusely.
Chand Mori Naiya prelude piono stokes are wonderful. AM has used Chanda Badal Ne Ghera tune in flute in the first interlude.
Kachcha Papad Pakka Ppad was the most popular rhyming game that we use to play in our childhood. The song is a great find from the internet treasure.
Dr. Deshpande,
You have done a wonderful by unearthing one more song..
Yamina Ke Teer is an excellent improvisation of Gujarati folk Raas tunes.. In fact, Raas was a popular social medium platform in Vrindavan in the times of Krishna.
Hansji (#34)
AIR, and for that matter Doordarshan (Now Prasar Bharati) have one of the vast treasure of most invaluable recordings in their Archives. The subjects cover a mind boggling variety.
If they choose to bring out all that in the public domain, it would not only be a great service, but a great revenue earning source and a model for all other such platforms dealing with mass communication, like newspapers.
Of course, there are good many of old serials on YT on what is tagged as Doordarshan National Archives or Prasar Bharati channels.. I have no idea whether this is an official initiative, but, if this can be done, I am sure bringing out all other archives should possible., with due revenue sharing or copyright sharing mechanisms.
N Venkataramanji (#30)
I agree with Hansji (#35), in totality, in words and in spirit.
This well written post alongwith the comments /statistics has enlightened me about MD Ajit Merchant(AM) . A big ‘thank you’ to AMV ji .I had never heard of this MD … AM . I also can recollect having heard only 1 of the 18 songs in the main post . A person who is able to compose music for so many stage plays and movies certainly has the potential. But AM could not produce popular music unlike say…the SJ team who produced popular music right from day one.
It has been mentioned that AM devoted more time to the stage shows .His composing music only for 8 Hindi movies in his lifetime must have happened as all the producers / directors go by their commercial sense and give work to only the most successful MDs . It again confirms that there was tough competition among HFM MDs and also that the public response decides any MD’s fate .In fact in any field it always happens that some succeed and the others may not . In the film industry even today as always , only market forces decide the fate of any MD .
S. Josephi (#44)
So good to know that you liked the post on Ajit Merchant. Thanks a lot for your encouraging response.
Er. Ashok M Vaishnav ji ;
I entirely endorse Joseph ji’s comments @ 44 . I get little emotional when I read such Mds who gave good songs and music but are left coping and struggling to maintain their identity. Some Md’s are there who gave good music just in one or two movies….made a remark…and then lost their vinyl and horse race in bollywood. Take the case of Dulal Sen….he gave music to only two or three movies….but is remembered for his one beautiful song….nigahen na phero chhale jaainge hum…by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur….from Black Prince [1959] . This song was repeatedly played during Radio Days .
Similarly one other music director….Jamal Sen… who started in big producers films ended up giving music to only ten or twelve movies inspite of good numbers of good songs. His music in Daaera is worth mentioning…and its song…devta tumhi ho sahara…by Rafi and Mumbarak Begam is a beautiful one.
All such MDs I place them along with likes of V Balsara…less movies big music !!
Browsing the net fetched one more song from Sapera (1961), from the link to audio site Wynk.in.
The song is 5th in the list.
Main Hoon Saperan Re Jadu Ke Desh Ke.….Kunja Peshi Peshi Niyoka, Sapera (1961), Suman Kalyanpur, Indeevar
https://wynk.in/music/song/main-hoon-saperan/sa_INH100414039
Kunj Peshi Peshi Niyoka ?
Is it Gujarati?
Thus we have posted 6 songs from Sapera. And one more left.
One more from Wynk. The song is 4th in the list.
Savdhan Savdhan Savdhan Hey Surya, Asha Bhosle, Ram Bhakt Vibhishan (1958), Saraswati Kumar Deepak
https://wynk.in/music/song/sabdhan-he-surya-sabdhan/sa_INH100509537
6th from Ram Bhakt Vibhishan. 3 more left
Refugee (1948) – 1
Rajkumari (1955) – 0
Indra Leela (1956)- 3
Chandi Pooja (1957) -8
Ram Bhakt Vibhishan (1958) -6
Sapera (1961) – 6
Challenge (1964) 4
Lady Killer (1968) – 6
All the songs of Chandi Pooja and Lady Killer have been posted.
Total songs from Hindi films posted – 34
N Venkataramanji,
Thanks for so richly filling up the coffers.
I may never have been able to unearth all these songs.
ksbhatiaji (#46)
Just a couple of all-time remembered song, a handful of total numbers ! HFM graveyard is littered with tombstones of such music directors.
This is a subject that can run for years together on any blog!
SoY is doing great service to help these artists back to our present cache memorizes.
N Venkataramanji (#47)
Main Hoon Saperan Re Jadu Ke Desh Ke is based on Gukarati folk dance tune of Garba but the words Kunj Peshi Peshi Niyoka are not Gujarati.
Venkataramanji @ 39
Thanks for the confirmation.
I appreciate your response and feedback always!
I have interacted with Hamraazji and also contributed to some of his recent projects (Hindi Filmography and HFGK Vol 6).
Posting a song rendered by Geeta Dutt
Mare Sapana Ne Mandvade, Kariyavar (1948), lyrics Chimanlal Desai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4xy-HOt9UI
Geeta Dutt song @#54 is a poem of a young maiden, on the threshold of youth, waiting for his beloved to meet her at the canopied pendal of dreams.
What is very interesting is that Geeta Dutt poses with a tap so naturally at the every stoke of that step this maiden would be taking as she dreamily wanders in her gait.
Thanks Venkataramanji for posting the song.
Ashok Vaishnavji @ 55,
Thanks for explaining the lyrics. It enhances the listening pleasure.
I came across the song while looking for songs with the word ‘Sapna’.
Songs of Ajit Merchant rendered by Sulochana Kadam, Asha Bhosle , Shamshad Begum, Sudha Malhotra, Suman Kalyanpur, Lata Mangeshkar, Shanta Apte, Meena Kapoor & Geeta Dutt have been posted.
Like wise songs of Manna Dey, Md. Rafi, Kavi Pradeep, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Dilip Dholakia, Jagjit Singh and Ajit Merchant too have been posted.
Adding two more voices
A duet by Sushma Sreshtha & Ashit Desai. Ashit Desai sounds like Mukesh. I liked his singing.
Mara Dilma Kaika Sawalo, Lakheni Laaj (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5hywxAy0I8
Ashok Vaishnav ji,
Compliments on beautiful post on AM.
SoY has been doing wonderful job in bringing to the forefront composers who were talented but not fortunate enough as regards box office success of their initial films. Filmmakers apparently choose such composers sparingly for their films.
Since 2018 I got to visit Ahmedabad frequently and stay with the joint family of in-laws of my daughter, the family of Lakhia’s. They are all professional musicians and often they talked about Avinash Vyas and Ajit Merchant with great respect.
Gujaratis are devotees of Lord Krishna. The raas and dandia are important part of religious celebrations. Various variations of Ajit Merchant’s famous creation ‘Taari ankh no afiini’ are heard in performances of music bands.
Having been reminded by you of song ‘Chanda loriyan sunaye’ I must say that it is very nice to have back-to-back posts on Chitragupta and Ajit Merchant.
Thanks
Tyagiji (# 57)
Great to know that you have had a closer association with name and music of Ajit Merchant , through the Lakhia family.
Lakhia family is well-known in Gujarat’s cultural circle for their active contribution to different forms of performing art.
Your response has gone a long way to provide me personally the incentive to pursue my leisure time activity of writing on film music more seriously. Thanks a lot.
N Venkataramanji (#56)
Thanks so much for posting a song that can be considered from the very late part of AM’s career.
Lakheni Laaj (A Millon Dollar Reputation) was released in 1977.
The song is roantic dialogue between two young love birds. The girl has questions popping up in her m heart and the boy tries to explain.
Shushma Shreshta’s Gujarati diction is not so clear, particularly when compared with the previous generation Hindi playback singers like Amirbai Karnataki, Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Siuman Kalyanpur or Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood, Manna Dey, Mukesh or Mahendra Kapoor.
Ashit Desai is one the very leading Gujarati Light Music singers of the post-Avinash Vyas, Purushottam Upadhyay era.
Ajit Merchant’s penchant for experimentation is so live even at the fag end of his career, as seen form the use of the two singers from totally different backgrounds.
Vaishnavji @ 42
Yes some programs are available on you-tube and there are a lot of old programs of classical nature are also broadcast on other DD channels like DD Bharati, for those who are interested. But, maintenance of these records is not upto the mark and there may also be likelihood of some sudden decision to discard all old records, which has happened in case of files of historical importance. The digitisation schemes of the govt are just in the cradle.
@ 59
The difference between old singers and new singers is the scale of training and rehearsals they did. Old timers put in extra effort when they sang for languages which they were not doing regularly.
Venkataramanji,
I was busy elsewhere. In the meantime you have put in some good songs. Thanks for that. Dr Deshpande has also joined the bandwagon and the song he posted is really good.We would be lucky if we could find 2-3 more.
Hansji @ 61,
Yes, I too hope somebody can unearth another couple of songs from his Hindi films.
And for now, adding one more voice, Vani Jayram.
Pee to Jane re, Vani Jayram, Khapro Zaveri (1976),lyrics Khalil Dhantejvi
https://gaana.com/song/pee-to-jane-re-1
Ashok Vaishnavji,
I liked the song and the rendition. You can say about Vani Jayram’s Gujarati diction.
Ashok Vaishnavji @ 59,
Write-ups like this provides an opportunity to explore and know more about regional films, its music and the singers too. Enjoying reading the information shared by you. Thanks a lot.
What is Bhawai song? I guess it must be a folk variety.
While searching I found the record details of the film Lakheni Raaj (1977).
The side one has six songs and all of them are Bhawai songs rendered by Badri Prasad and Usha Mangeshkar. I could not find any link to the songs. I hope you can provide more details.
https://www.123sold.in/lakheni-laaj-2392-123-lp-record-14435.html#
In this part of the country, especially in the sub-Himalayan belt of northern West Bengal, western Assam and parts of Bangladesh, Bhawaiya is a major genre of folk song. The lyrics of these songs express pangs of separation and loneliness of their womenfolk.
Posting another song from Lakheni Laaj (1977)
Sonanu wahunoov, Suman Kalyanpur, Venibhai Purohit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn4xIn_2Tto
I forgot to mention the name of Krishna Kalle in my earlier list.
NV ji,
Agree with you totally.
Discussions here widen our knowledge and introduce us to many new things.
Bhavai, indeed, is a folk theatre form of Gujarat. I am certain the experts in the Group will provide essential details. Before that two penny worth from me.
I got interested in Bhavai after watching Ketan Mehta’s brilliant debut film BHAVNI BHAVAI, 1980. ( Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Om Puri, Mohan Gokhale, Benjamin Gilani… Music: Gaurang Vyas. ). Critically acclaimed and a commercial success.
Bhavai… From Bhava, expressions/ emotions.
Also,
Bhav… Universe.
Aai….. Mother.
Mother of the Universe… Amba.
Hence, art dedicated to Amba.
Also called Vesha or Swang ( = Costume/ get up.)
Asaita Thakar, 14th Century, considered the pioneer. Initially performed in the courtyard of Amba temple, Mount Abu.. during Navaratri.
NV ji,
Ranglo aave Raja…
BHAVNI BHAVAI, 1980, can be viewed as a representative song…Has bhav, vesh, humour, dialogues, music _ everything a Bhavai should have.
We see Smita Patil lyipsync to a male voice in the last part.
Praful Dave, Nimesh Desai, Preeti Sagar.
Hansji (#60)
These efforts by DD are just a tip of the iceberg. Even Radio Ceylon also had a massive, and very rich, archive of Hindi songs.
N Venkataramnji (#62)
Even at a high scale, Vani Jayram’s diction and throw of Gujarati is quite remarkable.
N Venkataramanji (# 63)
Tyagiji n@#64 has so kindly very well covered the basics of Bhavai.
YT search (Gujarati Bhavai) shows several good clips, including a few full fledged plays.
Search for Bhavai only shows possible links to Kannad or Rajasthan too. However, I am no one to comment on this.
It seems every region had evolved its won form of story telling, mainly the stories from mythology. I think Bengal had Jatra as one of those forms or North India has Ram Leela.
Bhhavai , as street play, is more a form of satire and was evolved for social reforms movement.
While checking for more Hindi film songs of Ajit Merchant, I came across this YT link for this song from Refugee 1948
The song in question is Humein ghar sanam ke to jana mana hai – Ram Kamlani – Pandit Fani.
The song on the YT link begins with a different recorded dialogue and then we hear the song.
It also incorrectly mentions Mukesh as the singer
As per me, the song seems to be from Refugee as the lyrics look right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDIJT0lgsew
Look forward to the SoY experts opinion.
Rajeshji @ 67,
It seems to me that the voice is that of Ram Kamlani.
A great find indeed . Congratulations.
That is the second song from Refugee and 35th song from AM’s Hindi films.
Ashok ji,
There are different opinions and numbers of Gujarati films, for which Ajit Merchant provided his music. The book ” Film sangeetkar- Suvarn Yugwale ” by Prof. Yogesh yadav says 32 films. I read a figure of 45 ,on the Net.
However, Har Mandir Singh Hamraz, in his Obituary on Ajit merchant, in the Listener’s Bulletin No. 149 of August 2011, clearly says that AM gave music to 8 Hindi films and 8 Gujarati films.
I think this figure can be taken as authentic.
-AD
Pradeepji @ 64 & 65
Ashok Vaishnavji @ 66,
Thank you for yourf response on Bhawai songs.
Though the ‘Bhawaiya’ of Bengal was also derived from Bhao/ Bhav, it has rather a different connotation.
While the lighter and more socially oriented sub-category of ‘Chatka’ is an integral part of the ‘Bhawaiya’ idiom, the popular image that the term ‘Bhawaiya’ conjures up is a form of mournful ballad narrating the stories of mortal love and loss, mostly written from the perspective of the woman, expressing deep feeling of love / melancholy feeling / pangs of separation and loneliness of the womenfolk in general. The male protagonist is typically a traveling minstrel or Baudiya—cart-drivers, buffalo-keepers or elephant-minders whose professions mandated they keep travelling most of the time. It is generally believed to have originated in the 16th century.
Pradeepji providing the link to the song mentioned by you
‘Ranglo aave Raja…
BHAVNI BHAVAI, 1980, can be viewed as a representative song…Has bhav, vesh, humour, dialogues, music _ everything a Bhavai should have.
We see Smita Patil lipsynce to a male voice in the last part.
Praful Dave, Nimesh Desai, Preeti Sagar.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTiwhCV-pZQ
Ashok Vaishnavji,
From the above song it is quite evident that Bhhavai , as (street) play, is more a form of satire and was evolved for social reforms movement. You are right Bengal has Jatra as one of the forms.
So much to know; what a diverse culture and art form our country has?It is really mind boggling.
Arunji @ 69,
That settles the matter. Thank you for your confirmation.
Ashokji,
Out of the eight Gujarati films for which Ajit Merchant scored music, songs from six films have been posted here.
Kariyavar (1948), Diva Dandi (1950), Bahuroopi (1969), Dharti Na Chhoru (1970), Khapro Zaveri (1976) & Lakheni Laaj (1977).
Posting a song from the film Doctor Rekha (1977). That covers seven of his Gujarati films.
Dhanvano Betha Chhe Nirante by Ambar Kumar, Mohan Kumar & Chorus, Doctor Rekha (1977), lyrics Khalil Dhantej
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiHuF4OGP3w
Posting one more Gujarati song,
Aabhno Kido Rudo Mandvo, Dharti Na Chhoru (1970), Suman Kalyanpur & Krishna Kalle, Chandrakant Desai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCgI52HB9GY
Thus in all a dozen songs from Aji Merchant’s seven Gujarati films have been posted here.
Kariyavar (1948) – 3
Diva Dandi (1950)- 2
Bahuroopi (1969) – 1
Dharti Na Chhoru (1970) – 2
Khapro Zaveri (1976) -1
Lakheni Laaj (1977)-2
Dr.Rekha (1977) -1
Thanks Venkataramanji (#72) for posting Abh No Kidho Rudo Mandavo (Convrted sky into a beautiful canopy ) is song based on a folk tune of songs sung during marriage functions in Gujarat. Use of shenai, with Nagada ( a n instrument used at temple prayers, Raas and Ganesh Sthapan functions during marriages or as rhythm instrument during the army marching for a war) as rhythm instrument is very typical, traditional, set up in marriages in Gujarat.
Let me add one Gujarati film song of Ajit Merchant
Vagda Vachche Talavadi (A pond amidst a jungle, which has a a wild frgrant-flowered tree at its bank) – Divadandi – Dilip Dholakia, Rohini Roy
https://youtu.be/xMYIc-QapnU
Dr. Rajesh Deshpande (#67)
Thanks for unearthing such a rare song.
Ashok Vaishnavji @ 73,
Thanks for the details on ‘Abh No Kidho Rudo Mandavo ‘.
‘Vagda Vachche Talavadi’too is a higly listenable song. Thanks
That was the third song from ‘Divadandi’ .
Posting a song that seems to me, somewhat similar to ‘Yashomati Maiyya se’, not exactly similar.
The third song in the list.
Gokuliyun Gaam Nanun, Suman Banavalkar & Geeta Dutt, Kariyavar (1977), Chaitanaya /Nandkumar Pathak (?)
https://wynk.in/music/song/home/sa_INH101500744?autoplay=true
And the fourth from Kariyavar.
Venkataramanji (#75)
An exceelent song we het from Kariyavar.
These songs are all improvisations of different styles of Gujarati folks ‘Graba’
“Graba’ has been a from of expressions of feelings through the folk style singing,, though it originated as a type of prayer singing for the Maa Shakti.
Garba singing has evolved over every passing generation w.r.t. changing social and cultural contexts. Every region of Gujarat has its own style of Garba rendition,.
So, that provides a very rich catchment source for the Gujarati Light music directors, and music directors like Avinash Vyas, Ajit Merchant, Ninu Mazumdar of the early generation or Purushottam Upadhyay of slightly later generation have exploited this form to the creative hilt.
Ashok Vaishnavji @ 76,
It is really a pleasure posting the songs and in return I get the details that you share, which I truly enjoy reading.
Thanks a lot.
Let me add some information for the record sake.
Earlier the Tamil version of the song ‘Tari ankh no afini’ was posted by Gaddeswarupji.
The Tamil song ‘Inba loga jothi roopam pole’ was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela in the film ‘Thooya Ullam’ (1961), lyrics Udumalai Narayana Kavi.
And there is also a Telugu version of the song ‘Tari ankh no afini’, ‘Haayi Haayigaa Jaabilli’.
The Telugu film ‘Velugu Needalu’ was simultaneously produced with ‘Thooya Ullam’ in 1961 by D Madhusudana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and P Nageswara Rao scored the music for both the versions. I am not posting the link, since the picturisation is the same as the Tamil film.
Ashokji,
Only Gujarati film from which a song was yet to be posted was Lagan Mandap (1950). With some effort I could locate a song from this film. With the finding of this song, we have posted atleast a song from each of the eight Gujarati films for which AM scored music.
Thus this is the 15th Gujarati film song and 50th Film song of Ajit Merchant.
Besides, 2 NFSs rendered by Geeta Dutt have been posted and Cansyaji had posted Ajit Merchant singing the song Tari ankh no afini. In all 53 songs.
Ali Tu To Dhalakti Dhel, Geeta Roy, Lagna Mandap (1950), Prahlad Parekh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRyAGQezhGY
Venkataramanji (# 77)
Thanks for sharing this interesting information.
(#78)
This is again a variation of Garaba singing. The friend complements the bride that she is now lucky that she has got a ‘peacock’ to keep her happy. That happiness is also visible in your eyes.
Ashok Vaishnavji,
Do you have any idea about Suman Banavalkar who rendered the song ‘Gokuliyun Gaam Nanun’ with Geeta Dutt (@75). Thus two more singers have been added. Rhini Roy and Suman Banavalkar.
Posting two songs of Meena Kapoor.
Aave na Jaye is a nice son; Kariyavar (1948)
https://gaana.com/song/aave-ne-jaye
Kajal Kali Raatladi, Diva Dandi (1950)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZQWXYqXrpg
Came to know that the noted stage actress Dina Sanghvi,better known as Dina Pathak made her screen debut in the film, ‘ Kariyavar’(1948), a ruralistic mythological love story.
Posting the remaining three songs from ‘Kariyavar’ (1948)
Nice listenable songs
Bholi Ne Bharamavi, Geeta Dutt
https://gaana.com/song/bholi-ne-bharamavi?autoplay=true
Kesudani Kaliye, Meena Kapoor & Ajit Merchant
https://gaana.com/song/kesudani-kaliye
A typical vintage number
He Man Bhooleli, Meena Kapoor
https://gaana.com/song/he-man-bhooleli?autoplay=true
All the eight songs from ‘Kariyavar’ (1948) posted.
Total 57 songs posted.
N Venkataraman ji, Askok Vaishnav ji, and AK ji,
Deena Sanghvi sang 2 songs in Hindi film Paraya Dhan-1943.
Deena Sanghavi and Deena Pathak are same persons. Please read my article on this song for further details…
https://atulsongaday.me/2019/09/26/pooranmaasi-aayi-hansaati/
Shri Harish Raghuwanshi ji sent me a Gujarati article on this issue and also confirmed personally that she is same person.
This is a little known fact.
-AD
Arunji @ 82,
Thank you for the information and for the link to your article in ASAD.
Did she act in Paraya Dhan?
HFGK doe mention her name as the singer of two songs , but her name is not there in the list of actors.
Was Kariyavar (1948) her screen Debut as actor?
N Venkataraman ji,
I wrote in my post,she did not act but only sang.
I do not know about her Debut in Gujarati films.
-AD
N Venkataramanji, Arun Kumar Deshumkhji, AKji ( #81, #82, #83, #84)
Dina Sanghavi’s maiden name was Dina Gandhi. She has performed in the then Gujarati theater in that name. Her stage play Main Gurjari was a chart buster in 50s.
One of her two sisters, Tarala Mehta has also had acted in Shola Aur Shabnam (1962) against Dharmendra..
Her another sister Shanta Gandhi also was a very respeted name on the thetaer world.
N Venkataramanji (#80)
I have no knowledge about Suman Banavalkar
Ashok Vaishnav ji, AK ji and N Venkataraman ji,
If you read my post on atulsongaday (link given by me above) you can read…
“Her first marriage was with Ramesh Sanghvi, but they separated soon. It was at this stage , she sang two songs in her first Hindi film Paraya Dhan-43, as Dina Sanghvi. Later she married Baldev Pathak and had two daughters, actresses Supriya Pathak (b. 1961) and Ratna Pathak (b. 1957 ). She completed her last film, Pinjar (2003), but died before its release, of heart attack, following a prolonged illness, on 11 October 2002 in Bandra, Bombay.”
I think the matter amply clarifies that Dina Gandhi-Dina Sanghavi- Dina Pathak are same person. The photo which you sent me also clearly shows Dina Pathak, albeit in her younger days
-AD
As child I used to enjoy this Shamshad Begum beauty ek dharatika raj kumar….It has taken so many decades for me to learn the story of this and so many other songs by this Gujarati composer.Btw was he related to late Vijay Merchant ?
Jitendra Desai ( #88)
First of all, my regrets for belated response to your response.
Ek Dharati Ka Rajaumar, like you and me, should rekindle memories of many of our generation.
Ajit Merchant was not related Vijay Merchant.
Sir,
I am the late music composer Shri Ajit Merchant’s son Paresh.
Your views on my father and his compositions made me text you.
Thank you for having remembered my father.
Regards,
Paresh
Mr Paresh Merchant,
Great pleasure in welcoming you to SOY.
Paresh Merchant #90
What a pleasure and honour to be recipient of so warm appreciation of a small drop of the work that I have been able to capture from the vast treasure of the work of Shri Ajit Merchant.