Mughals Engulf Bollywood

7 November 2020

Guest article by DP Rangan as a tribute to the Last Mughal Emporer Bahadur Shah Zafar II on his 158th Remembrance Day (24 October 1775 – 7 November 1862)

(Mughal period has fascinated our film makers from the very early days – not to make ‘historical’ films as we understand by the term, but to weave tales of romance and legend, mostly apocryphal, in the backdrop of grandeur, opulent sets, colourful costumes, songs and dance, and flowery Urdu language. Even over 260 years of the de facto demise and 160 years of official end of the Mughal Empire has not dimmed the romance for the period.

When did the Mughal empire actually end? The real answer is it was a painful slow death for over a century, shrinking from a large swathe of Indian territory extending up to Afghanistan, to just Delhi, and finally the Lal Quila, at the time of the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, who lived on the pension paid by the British. So we can say the empire ended with the arrest of the last emperor on 20 September 1857, after which he was exiled to Rangoon where he died on 7 November 1862. India was the crown jewel for the British, and too valuable to be left to the rule by the East India Company. If you want to be legalistic, the Queen’s Proclamation dated 1 November 1858 brought India under the direct Rule by the British Crown.

DP Rangan’s range of interest is amazing. From objects of nature, to variety of themes like cycle, tonga, horses, to film stars, now he writes on the films and songs around Mughal rulers. You may scoff at the authenticity of their history, but the songs the music directors created were everlasting. Mr Rangan selects some of the best songs for the post.

Bahdaur Shah Zafar was ‘technically’ the Last Mughal. Though only a nominal emperor, he fostered a multi-cultural and multi-religious society around him, and presided over a court having great Urdu poets like Zauq, Ghalib, Momin and Dagh. At a time fraught with inter-faith tension and mistrust, it is befitting to pay a tribute to him with this article on his 158th Remembrances Day. Thanks a lot Mr Rangan. – AK)

Bahdurshah ZafarIndian subcontinent since time immemorial has had her belly exposed to all sorts of invaders through Khyber and Bolan pass. The petty kingdoms nestled around this vulnerable locality were too busy fighting each other, and failure to present a united front against aggressors from further North eventually cost them dear. This was checkmated during periods of great empires like Kanishka, Gupta and Harshvardhan. The power vacuum thereafter led to a resurgence of such invasions. Repeated invasion and retreats with booty led to colonization subsequently. Delhi sultanates were first such settlements ruling over a big territory in the North. With the proselytizing Islam as their creed they sought to swell their numbers from among the conquered people. A delicate balance prevailed between Islam and the native faith.

Babar a descendent of Timur, deprived of his principality in Afghanistan invaded Hindustan to found a new dynasty. He was the first of the Mughals and their rule extended for the next three hundred years or so. Aurangzeb was the last of the Mughal emperors and after him subsequent Mughal kings lost the prime position becoming petty rulers themselves. Britain ventured as a trader through East India Company and became supreme rulers. The last of the titular Mughal king Bahadurshah Zafar had the mortification of seeing his sons executed by the British after the failure of the 1857 uprising and himself exiled to Burma where he breathed his last. Our blog master had visited his grave in Burma and had written about it in this blog. I just generalized the history of India, because delving into details would tantamount to carrying coal to Newcastle.

Film makers in Bollywood had a great fascination with history and produced many pictures covering the Mughals from Babar onwards. It extended even backwards like ‘Razia Sultana’

I will now present some songs from movies relating to Mughal period in the order in which they ruled (and not in the chronological order of movies). The period mentioned in the brackets is the period of their reign.

Babar (1526-1530)

Shahenshah Babar (1944) had Sheikh Mukhtar and Khursheed in lead roles. Pandit Indra, Munshi Aziz and Shams Lakhanavi wrote the songs and Khemchand Prakash composed music. The songs would not appear impressive at this point of time. One has to travel back in time and view them as if they were present then and review them.

1. Humein bhool mat jaiyo by Zohrabai Ambalewali and Munshi Aziz, lyrics Pt. Indra

A duet sung by Babar and his consort. Begum cautions her husband about to start on a campaign and he in turn comforts her.

2. Tujhko karun main salaam by Kusum Mantri and Bulo C Rani, lyrics Pandit Indra

A sepoy of Babar army is having a pleasant tete-a-tete through this song with his wife.

Humayun (1530-1540/1555-1556, in two stints broken by Suri empire)

Humayun took up the reigns on the demise of Babar and he had two stints of ruling. During the hiatus he was a wanderer and Akbar was born during the exile. Stanley Lane-Poole, eminent historian states, ‘he tumbled into life and tumbled out’. Humayun fell down stairs and expired in the ‘Purana Quila’, at present a protected monument.

Humayun (1945) was a Mehboob Khan Production. The main actors were Ashok Kumar, Chandramohan and Nargis along with others like KN Singh and Veena. Five lyricists wrote the songs and music was by Ghulam Haider. All songs were rendered by two female singers – Shamshad Begum and Rajkumari.

3. Ho chaand chamka by Shamshad Begum, lyrics Pandit Madhur

The song portrays the happiness of the Begum at the birth of Akbar while on exile. Lucky to present a live video.

4. Rasm-e-ulfat kisi surat se nibhaaye na bane by Rajkumari, lyrics Shams Lakhanavi & Anjum Pilibhiti

Nargis is expressing her sense of insecurity?

Akbar (1556-1605)

Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, the third in line was the greatest Mughal emperor. He consolidated the empire with more conquests, pursued a policy of religious tolerance and made peace with the warlike Rajputs. Many films were made about his era. I can recollect a few as – Anarkali, Mughal-e-Azam, Tansen, Baiju Bawara. In most of these films he was not the central figure.

I would pick on ‘Tansen’ portraying the great camaraderie between Tansen, the legendary court musician and Akbar. KL Saigal acted as Tansen and Khursheed as his love. DN Madhok and Pandit Indra Chandra wrote the songs and Khemchand Prakash was the music director. A musical extravaganza with thirteen songs, each one of them a peach.

5. Sapt swaran teen graam gavo sub gunijan by KL Saigal, lyrics DN Madhok

During a musical ensemble in Akbar’s durbar Tansen finds fault with the singing and accepts the challenge to render it perfectly and the result is this song.

6. Din soona suraj bina by KL Saigal, lyrics DN Madhok

Saigal sings this song with full intent in the raag Deepak and lights up the durbar by his song alone and in the process he enables princess long under coma to come to full consciousness. He himself collapses due to the intensity of the singing.

7. Barso re barso re kaale badarva by Khursheed, lyrics Pandit Indra Chandra

Tansen in a near death condition is brought to his village and his love Khursheed is praying for rain in this song. Rain lashes Tansen and he is revived.

Another film Sangeet Samrat Tansen was released in 1962 with Bharat Bhushan and Anita Guha in leading roles and SN Tripathi composed the music. I have not seen the movie and hence did not choose any songs.

Jahangir (1605-1627)

Jahangir accepted the sceptre after his father’s demise. He was a pleasure-seeking monarch and left the onus of running the empire to his ministers. Empress Noorjehan, his consort, wielded the power on his behalf. Pukar (1939) was probably the first film on Jahangir and Noorjehan. I will upload a few songs from the film Adal-e-Jehangir and Noorjehan.

Adal-e-Jahangir (1955) is a GP Sippy movie starring Pradeep Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sapru and Durga Khote. There were eight songs penned by Qamar Jalalabadi and set to music by Husanlal-Bhagatram. Two songs by Talat Mahmood are a standout.

8. Chaand sitare karte ishare by Talat Mahmood and Lata Mangeshkar

Technically a duet, Lata Mangeshkar only hums in the background. A love duet of Jahangir and his love Noorjehan.

9. Nazar laagi pyari sanwariya tumhari by Lata Mangeshkar

Meena Kumari is teasing Pradeep Kumar ignoring his calls.

Noorjehan is a 1967 movie. Pradeep Kumar, Meena Kumari, Rahman, Lalita Pawar, Sheikh Mukhtar act in the movie. The songs were written by Shakeel Badayuni and Roshan composed the music. The film is practically a biography of Noorjehan who accuses Jehangir of complicity in her husband’s death. Jahangir known for his creed of justice for all proves his innocence and weds her.

10. Aap jabse karib aaye hain by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle, music Roshan

A love duet between Jahangir and Noorjehan. The music is in typical Roshan style.

Shahjahan (1628-1657)

Shahjahan was the next emperor. His ascent to the throne was marred by intrigues and inter family quarrels. He was a builder and raised many monuments, including Taj Mahal in the memory of his Begum Mumtaz Mahal. Three films, Mumtaz Mahal (1944), Shahjahan (1946) and Taj Mahal (1963), deal with his reign.

11. Jo hum pe guzarati hai sitaaron se poochhiye by Khursheed Bano from Mumtaz Mahal (1944), lyrics Wali Saheb, music Khemchand Prakash

A song of longing rendered by Khursheed and good to hear. Jala patang to ismein kusoor kiska hai is another good song rendered by Khursheed.

12. Jab dil hi toot gaya by KL Saigal from Shahjahan (1946), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Naushad

A great picture directed by AR Kardar. Saigal played the role of Shahjahan. Heartbroken at the loss of Mumtaz Mehal, he is singing in anguish. He is trying to make a model of Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for her.

Taj Mahal was an excellent film with Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai in leading roles, all the songs by Roshan/Sahir Ludhiyanavi combination will endure for long time. Roshan got a Filmfare award for best music direction. I will present two songs from the film.

13. Paaon choo lene do phoolon ko inayat hogi by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

Shahjahan and Mumtaz Mahal are enjoying each other’s company in this lovely duet.

14. Jo baat tujhmein hai teri tasveer mein nahi by Mohammad Rafi

Shahjahan is singing the praise of his love Mumtaz Mahal while staring at her picture before him.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

When Shahjahan fell sick, his four sons were at loggerheads with each other in their quest for succession. Aurangazeb was guilty of fratricide in killing all his brothers and ascended the throne. Shahjahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort for the rest of his life. He was a devout Muslim and reversed the tolerance policy and treated his Hindu subjects harshly imposing jaziya. He was heading an empire covering the entire Hindustan except for the southern part. His policy ensured enmity of Rajputs, Sikhs and Marathas. He spent his last twenty years waging a relentless war with the Marathas. He sowed the seed of dismemberment of Mughal rule. He was followed by a succession of weak rulers. I could not come across any film covering his reign. I have not seen the film Jahan Ara and am unable to confirm whether it covered the earlier years of his rule.

Bahadurshah Zafar II (1837-1857)

The last ruler of this illustrious line was Bahadur Shah ‘Zafar’. He was a titular emperor with nothing to rule over except Delhi. By then Britishers had taken over most of India including Delhi and did not bother with him. The great uprising against British rule erupted in 1857. There was a doggerel circulating around at that time in 1857.

The kingdom of Shah Alam
Reigns from Delhi to Palam

Mutineers occupied Delhi and a reluctant Bahadur Shah was made their head. The mutiny was crushed within a few months. Re-entering Delhi, Britishers detained him and all his sons were shot dead. He was deported to Rangoon and ended his life there. Mirza Ghalib (1954) film presents a part of his reign. There is a mushaira session at the palace in the presence of Bahadur Shah, who was himself a great poet. A video link is given below :

Bharat Bhushan (as Mirza Ghalib) and Suraiya, his admirer were principal actors. There were 11 songs, 8 of Mirza Ghalib and 3 of Shakeel Badayuni. Ghulam Mohammad’s music was splendid to say the least. Suraiya, an admirer of Mirza Ghalib sang several songs in her dulcet voice. I will present two Mirza Ghalib songs from the film.

15. Phir mujhe deed-e-tar yaad aya by Talat Mahmood

The crooner was the right choice to sing this song and how effortlessly he has conveyed the mood of Mirza Ghalib.

16. Ye na thi hamari kismet by Suraiya

Suraiya renders this ghazal of Ghalib in her own way and subsequent renderings of the same pale in comparison.

Lal Quila (1960) is also associated with Bahadur Shah. There are two songs of his own rendered in the golden voice of Mohammad Rafi set to music by SN Tripathi. Being ignorant of Urdu, I am unable to interpret his lyrics. I can just conclude it is sung by Bahadur himself when loaded with grief.

17. Na kisi ke aankh ka noor hoon

The last emperor is singing in anguish at the death of his children murdered by the vengeful British. (A controversy has arisen about the authorship of this ghazal with Javed Akhtar claiming that it was written by his grandfather, i.e. father of Jan Nisar Akhtar, Muztar Khairabadi. Many Urdu scholars too have endorsed this claim. We discussed this in detail in my post on my Burma visit.)

18. Lagta nahi hai dil mera ujade dayar mein

Another song of pathos by the last emperor.

I now leave it to the experts to rectify my errors and bring to light more gems.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
The video links of the songs have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim copyright over them which rests with the respective owners such as Saregama India Private Limited, Eros, Shemaroo and others.

{ 95 comments… read them below or add one }

1 S Joseph November 7, 2020 at 10:59 am

A great post . The songs selection is great . This can come only from a scholar of both History as well as Hindi films of the golden era .

I am of the view that there never was an India before 1947 when we had one ruler and an army in say every present day district of what we call India today. But the common perception is that this India existed from the beginning of time. Also I am of the view that most of the social habits / culture of ancient as well as Britush rule times , that we had before 1947 still continues which is unfortunately not in line with the Indian Constitution.

One song …

‘ Jo waada kiya…’/ 1963 / TAJ MAHAL / Sahir / Roshan / Rafi , Lata

https://youtu.be/u-ioONenaAQ

2 Dustedoff November 7, 2020 at 11:48 am

A very interesting article, and a fine collection of songs. May I add two more movies (and two more songs) to the list?

First, Ek Din ka Sultan, 1945, which was based on the episode where Humayun was saved by a bhishti from drowning in a river following a battle; by way of gratitude, Humayun granted the man’s wish, which was to be Emperor for a day. The film had some good songs; here is one, Falak ke chaand ka humne jawaab dekh liya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eiLwGd-TTY

Then, a film about one of the later Mughals, a man generally regarded as nothing much more than a pleasure-loving debauch, Mohammad Shah ‘Rangila’. This song is actually addressed to Rangila himself, one of the rare instances of a song actually addressed to a historic figure. From Nadir Shah (1958), Mohammad Shahh hain rangeele re:

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

3 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 7, 2020 at 1:33 pm

AK ji, Rangan ji,

An interesting post. Mughal period is fascinating for many reasons. The related tales give ample scope for cinematic grandeur.

Sohrab Modi’s PUKAR, 1939, starring himself, Chandramohan _ Naseem Banu ( as Jahangir and Noor Jehan ) , Sardar Akhtar ( as Rami dhoban ) was probably one of the earliest movies based on a Mughal theme.

Jahangir’s instant, impartial justice, his tenet of ‘ A life for a life ‘ form the movie’s backdrop. Naseem Banu’s most successful role ; Sardar Akhtar’s transition from a Stunt actress to a mainstream actress.

Kamal ( Amrohi ) handled the writing department including the lyrics. Music was by Mir Saheb ( With S Fernandez _ with his orchestra. ) The movie has a wide range of songs .. A washerwoman’s song, a Hindu devotional song and a folk style song included.

Zindagi ka saaz bhi kya saaz hai…
Naseem Banu.

He ho dhoye mahobe ghat…
Sardar Akhtar, chorus.

Saanwarwaala vahi re saanwar jiya re..

Beautiful songs , all.

4 ASHOK MVAISHNAV November 7, 2020 at 1:41 pm

Thanks D P Ranganji for a fresh subject, well supported by a fine selection of songs.
Anarkali (1953) , a predecessor of Mughl-e-Azam is also film that can be connected up with this post.

5 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 7, 2020 at 1:59 pm

It is obvious that ANARKALI and MUGHAL E AZAM have found no mention because they are not truly historical.

A recent movie is JODHA AKBAR with good musical score by A R Rehman.

JAHAN ARA does have reference to Aurangzeb’s ( Sidhu ) killing of his brothers ( Chandrashekhar as Dara ), dethronement and the imprisonment of his father, Shah Jahan ( Prathviraj Kapoor , 4 years after playing Emperor Akbar in MUGHAL E AZAM !) . Even Mohammad, the teenaged son of Aurangzeb is shown meeting his grandfather Shah Jahan with the Farmaan passed by his father for Shah Jahan’s arrest and imprisonment !

Later, Aurangzeb is shown to be repentant for his deeds towards his father and his elder sister, Jahan Ara ! Could be far from the truth !

What a musical treat from Rajinder Krishan and Madan Mohan !

Special mention .. Talat Mehmood’s 3 solos:

Phir wohi sham, wohi gham…

Tere aankh ka aansoo pee jaaye..

Main teri nazar ka suroor hoon..

6 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 7, 2020 at 3:31 pm

A nice well-written post on an unusual but interesting topic with a fine selection of songs.

I would like mention here one more film on Akbar from vintage times
Shahenshah Akbar 1943
MD – Ustad Jhande Khan

1. Deepak Jo Gaaye Paaye Gyaan Dhyaan
Lyricist & Singer – Ustad Jhande Khan

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

2. Piya Bin Sawan Bhado Nain
Lyrics – Pandit Indra, sung by Pandit Krishnarao Chonkar)

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

7 AK November 7, 2020 at 3:33 pm

Mr Joseph @1,
Your observations about the socio-political history of India and ‘ancient’ India is a vast subject beyond the scope of this blog. You have added a nice song.

8 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 7, 2020 at 3:45 pm

BABAR, 1960.

Sahir, Roshan.

One of the most popular songs of Sudha Malhotra :

Salaam e hasrat qabool karlo
Meri mohabbat qabool karlo…

An almost mandatory qawwali :

Haseeno ke jalwe pareshan hote
Agar hum na hote, agar hum na hote..

Manna Dey, Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra, Chorus.

9 AK November 7, 2020 at 3:53 pm

Madhu @2,
Thanks a lot for this interesting story about Ek Din Ka Sultan. It is a coincidence that I recently heard its songs with some attention as I was writing a review of the best songs of 1945. An interesting feature was it has three music directors, and as was the norm those days they composed songs separately.

Mohammad Shah Rangeela is a name one hears frequently in connection with music and dance. But beyond that it is difficult to place these post-Aurangzeb rulers in a historical context (except, of course, Bahadurshah Zafar II, for reasons which do not add to the glory of the Mughals). I am not aware if there is any historical view that the Mughal Empire ended with Aurangzeb.

10 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 7, 2020 at 3:53 pm

One on Babar…

Babar 1960
Melodious songs by Roshan and Sahir

1. Salaam-e-hasrat qabool kar lo
meri mohabbat qabool kar lo – Sudha Malhotra

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

2. Tum ek baar mohabbat ka imtihan to lo – Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSmeq0fqA50

3. Hasinon ke jalwe pareshan rehte
agar hum na hote agar hum na hote – Rafi, Manna, Asha , Sudha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoQmG5LdDHE

11 AK November 7, 2020 at 4:08 pm

Dr Shetty @3,
Pukarbis mentioned with awe. It still looks gorgeous, and the great songs you have mentioned.

@5,
I don’t think Mr Rangan was guided by the authenticity of the story. He did have in mind that the songs posted should not be too unwieldy. I am to told Jahan Ara did not survivve a week at the Box Office. What a tragedy! Great songs languishing in this film. Fortunately the songs have a life of their own.

@8,
Sudha Malhotra’s ghazal might be among her best songs. The qawwali is a masterpiece from the Qawwali King of film music.

@Ashokji @4,
I agree with you both Anarkali and Mughal-e-Azam fit eminently in this theme. They were ‘historical’ films for the purposes of this blog.

12 AK November 7, 2020 at 5:09 pm

Dr Deshpande @6,
Thanks a lot for posting the songs of Shahenshah Akbar (1943). I had formed a very high image for him as a music director, but as a singer I am underwhelmed. Krishnarao Chonkar’s Piya bin Saawan Bhaado nain is superb.

@10,
It is interesting that you too should add the songs of Baabar. Dr Shetty had just done it, great songs so characteristic of Roshan.

13 S Joseph November 7, 2020 at 5:44 pm

‘ Diya jalao jagmag…’/ 1943 / TANSEN / ? / Khemchand Prakash / K L Saigal

https://youtu.be/-sWo9fkWdRY

14 S Joseph November 7, 2020 at 6:27 pm

Raag darbari Sargam / 1952 / BAIJU BAWRA / Shakeel B / Naushad / Ustad Amir Khan

https://youtu.be/lPE-bypfdiU

15 Giri November 7, 2020 at 7:56 pm

Rangan ji,
An interesting post on an interesting topic. These films give ample scope for good music as well as good Urdu lyrics.
I would like to add two songs tuned by Roshan, which are my favorites:
From Taj Mahal. Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics:Sahir.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r8JEYU2VjZY

From Noorjehan. Suman Kalyanpur. Lyrics: Shakeel.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgh2hCRn4WI

16 Arunkumar Deshmukh November 7, 2020 at 9:13 pm

D P Rangan ji / AK ji,

A totally novel subject theme.
I appreciate the idea generator and its promoter, both.
There should not be a dearth of good songs for this post.
Congratulations.
-AD

17 S Joseph November 7, 2020 at 9:28 pm

The two songs here refer to the signature monument to love of the Mughal period – ‘ Taj Mahal ‘ and though these songs are not in movies on Mughals . My feeling is that these songs would remind anyone , who has fallen or would fall in love , of the Mughals . Both these songs were in movies released in 1964 .

‘ 1) ‘ Taj tere liye…’/ 1964 / GHAZAL / Sahir / MM / Rafi

https://youtu.be/U9jScNxW9QU

2) ‘ Ek Shahenshah ne …’/ 1964 / LEADER / Shakeel B / Naushad / Rafi , Lata

https://youtu.be/IamkXhPuFPY

18 Canasya November 7, 2020 at 9:31 pm

Rangan ji:

An exquisitely conceived post with authentic write up and very appropriate songs. While excluding songs representing the Aurangzeb era, you had said that you could not find any films except Jahan Ara. So, let me add a song from ‘Veer Durgadas’ who was instrumental in crowning Aurangzeb’s son, Akbar Shah, as ‘Bharateshwar’ while Aurangzeb was camping in Ajmer. Here are Lata & Mukesh singing ‘Thane kajuliyo banalyun’ (MD: SNT):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV9JFZ13rmY&ab_channel=mastkalandr

19 AK November 7, 2020 at 10:29 pm

Mr Joseph @13,
Diya jalaao is a beautiful song. I think its lyricist is Pt. Indra.

@14,
Darbari Sargam is a Masterpiece by Ustad Amir Khan. Hats off to Naushad for making such great Masters sing for films in their own idiom.

@17,
Taj Mahal is one of the landmark architecture of Mughals. On one hand we have the legend of it being the symbol of love of a monarch for his consort, on the other it can evoke the image of toiling artisans, labours. As per a legend their hands were chopped off so that they don’t make another monument like this. Too gory to believe.

@17,

20 AK November 7, 2020 at 10:32 pm

Arunji @16,
Mr Rangan is a wonderful man having wide-ranging interests. Despite difficulties with the language, he is ever willing to write on different themes. I hope he takes the bows soon.

21 AK November 7, 2020 at 10:39 pm

Mr Giri @15,
I hope Mr Rangan responds soon. I came to make some observations. I heard julm, instead of the correct word jurm. I noticed this for the first time. I am curious to know if I am mishearing it.

Sharabi sharabi ye saawan ka mausam is my great favourite. This is the first song that comes to my mind for Lata Mangeshkar Suman Kalyanpur.

22 AK November 7, 2020 at 10:41 pm

Canasya @18,
I am entering to convey I am impressed by your knowledge. This Rajasthani song has been ever my favourite, but could have never guessed that it has Mughal connection.

23 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 7, 2020 at 11:42 pm

Taj Mahal, An Eternal Story, 2005.

This was the last film for which Naushad gave music, his last work before his death in 2006 at the age of 86.
Some nice tunes, but the songs were hardly heard as the film failed .badly.

1. Apni zulfein mere shaano pe bikhar jaane do – Hariharan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIUvWr-81nM

2. Mumtaz tujhe dekha jab taj mahal dekha – Hariharan, Preeti Uttam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1K7ytLYKgg

24 ksbhatia November 7, 2020 at 11:44 pm

Rangan ji , AK ji ;

Rangan ji , we oldies are still not old…we can sing and rock…. but may not roll . But surely after reading and listening to your historical trenched songs I am rocking and swaying to this new subject . Like AK said your vast knowledge on different subjects is a treat for all of us to wish for more .

Will come back for some hidden songs.

25 ksbhatia November 7, 2020 at 11:54 pm

Rangan ji , AK ji ;

The song that is closest to my heart . Sahir and Roshan at their best. A classic like this stays masterpiece for ever.

Khuda E Bartar Teri Zameen | Lata Mangeshkar | Taj Mahal

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

26 ksbhatia November 7, 2020 at 11:59 pm

AK ji ;

I am bowled by your excellent introduction to this beautiful article. The happiest and most fulfilled people are those who devote themselves to something bigger for the benefits of all. Accept my salute .

27 ksbhatia November 8, 2020 at 12:21 am

Rangan ji;

During 60s lots of historical and mythological movies were made specially after the super success of Mughal E Azam , Taj Mahal etc. S N Tripathi too made a movie ….Sangeet Samrat Tansen….in which he gave music , directed and acted as Akbar as well. The film had as many as 17 songs but could not click with the audience ….specially after watching Prithvi Raj SNT looked a very weak in costumes and appearance. Other reason was that some of the songs looked to be very filmy….but more the less they at best were listenable on radios.

From its classical range here is one by Rafi Sahib….

Deepak Jalaao Jyoti Jagaao – Sangeet Samrat Tansen 1962 | Mohd Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey1Szu5nqas

28 ksbhatia November 8, 2020 at 12:31 am

In continuation ,

One of Rafi, Mannadey classical song from Sangeet Samrat Tansen…

Manna Dey & Mohd Rafi – Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962) – ‘sudh bisar gayi aaj’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUHwcKI-tM

29 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli November 8, 2020 at 9:09 am

Ranganji
This is article on a unique theme , most elegantly presented and the choice of songs is icing on the cake.
History of Mughal era is incomplete without the history of Rajput valour (which mostly met with tragic end) as well as the monumental fight given by the great maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and after him by his son Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
One cannot recall a hindi movie made on Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj. But there are a few on Rajput legends. Canasya ji has mentioned Veer Durgadas .
The others that come to mind are Amarsingh Rathore 1956 , Jai Chitod 1961, Veer Amarsing Rathore & Meera 1979 .
Here is a song from Jai Chitod which was very popular in 60s
Pawanweg se udanewale – Lata – Bharat Vyas – S N Tripathi
https://youtu.be/AKoVPX8ICQs

30 Dustedoff November 8, 2020 at 11:45 am

Yes, of course, Mohammad Shah Rangeela is known to connoisseurs of music. He does have an important place in history (again, like Bahadur Shah II, not a happy one) – he was the ruler when Nadir Shah attacked and devastated Delhi.

BTW, I also remembered another film about the Mughals: Jahanara, which had absolutely superb music. One great song after another, including a couple of my favourite Talat ghazals.

31 S Joseph November 8, 2020 at 12:40 pm

‘ Raat ki mehfil…’/ 1967 / NOOR JEHAN / Shakeel B / Roshan / Lata

https://youtu.be/QBL16lSsXpI

32 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 8, 2020 at 1:35 pm

Came across these movies :

SHEHENSHAH BABAR, 1944.

Sheikh Mukhtar, Khursheed, Yakub.
Director _ Wajahat Mirza.
Music _ Khemchand Prakash.

MUMTAZ MAHAL, 1944.

Khursheed, ChandraMohan, Agha, Yakub, Sajjan, Baby Mumtaz ( Madhubala, in her second film. )
Kidar Sharma.
Khemchand Prakash.

MUMTAZ MAHAL, 1957.

Sheila Ramani, Jairaj, Veena, Agha.
Ram Daryani.
Vinod.

33 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 1:42 pm

AKji
As expected your preface is very grand and the way you have described about moghuls in general, I feel if my introduction were effaced and substituted by yours, the post would read better. Thanks for entertaining my idea and allowing the post. You have actively interacted with the commentators and I feel slightly embarrassed. Never realised the post would also coincide with the death anniversary of the pitiable last moghul who was dragged reluctantly into the 1857 revolt and paid a heavy price in its aftermath.

34 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 1:48 pm

Josephji
Thanks very much for your appreciation and the songs you have posted are sweet to hear. The two songs @17 are associated with Taj Mahal, but not in conformity with what I had in mind, i.e., the story of the movie should also reflect the years when a Moghul was in the throne. They are otherwise great and you have also qualified as such. Please persist with your efforts for more songs.

35 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Ms. Madhu
Your rare appearance in SOY and particularly in this post is greatly appreciated by me. Your two songs are a treasure. I had heard the song about Rangeela and did not associate it with Mohammad Shah. I also knew about the incident in Humayun’s life, but was not aware of the film.
After Aurangazeb, there was no Moghul emperor worth the name and was a string of nincompoops and the last Moghul is remembered because he is the last and associated with 1857 revolt. In the Mohammad Shah song I was surprised to observe the moghul badshah himself singing as the male counterpart.

36 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Dr. Shetty,
Am very glad to read your comments and thanks for the remarks. The songs suggested by you are worth listening. I will try to get you tube link and post them.
Vaishnavji
Thanks for the note of appreciation. In “Anarkali”, the main character was Bina Roy herself and others were twirling with her. Akbar had a greater role compared to Saleem and hence did not choose any song from a spectacular music composition by C Ramchandra.

37 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 2:22 pm

Giriji
Do agree it is an unusual theme. Blogmaster was kind enough to encourage me to complete it despite my misgivings as how it would be received. I am glad I went ahead and am being rewarded with very many good songs. The two pieces posted by you are Roshan’s great songs based on classical ragas. Very grateful for your appreciation.
Arunkumarji
Your brief but appreciative comments are like manna from heaven for me especially from an authority on hindi music. Expect some very obscure song from you.
Canasyaji
Appreciation from you is very sweet for me. The song is well known and a piece of delight with that great combination Tripathi/Vyas. A song from Aurangazeb jamana.
Muliji
You have been quite extravagant in praise of the post and I accept it with grace. I have seen all those movies. This song is on the eve of Rana departing for Haldighat in Akbar reign.

38 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 2:40 pm

Bhatiaji
Your unique literary style is mind boggling for me and thanks for appreciation of the post. Songs posted are good thanks to SN Tripathi who is a master in these type of films. Please see whether you can sail into 40s and bring out some hidden gems.

Dr. Deshpande
I very much appreciate your liking for the post and the songs you have posted. AKji had described these songs very well. I will listen to Naushad swan songs and I am sure our blogmaster, a loyal Naushad follower will also appreciate it.

39 D P Rangan November 8, 2020 at 2:49 pm

Credit for suggesting this topic should go to my son in USA. While discussing with me on Hindi songs and my posts which he looked with disdain, he came up with this idea. Thereafter it was not difficult for me to plan and execute this. This is a highly restrictive post with no liberty to wander from the subject and probably calls for a concerted effort to locate songs.
There is an excellent series of books on each of the first six Moghuls from Babar to Aurangazeb written by Alex Rutherford. I have the ebook version of all of them as per details below:
01. Raiders from the North
02. Brothers at War (Kingdom divided)
03. Ruler of the World
04. The Tainted Throne
05. The Serpents’ Tooth
06. Traitors in the Shadows

40 S Joseph November 8, 2020 at 5:06 pm

‘ Pyar kiya toh…’/ 1960 / MUGHL E AZAM / Shakeel B / Naushad / Lata

https://youtu.be/3zGlIEFqhx0

41 S Joseph November 8, 2020 at 5:08 pm

‘ Ajaa ab toh…’/ 1953 / ANARKALI / Shailendra / CR /Lata

https://youtu.be/szKLqGmt-gY8

42 Giri November 8, 2020 at 7:32 pm

AK ji @21,
“Sharabi sharabi” is sung by Suman Kalyanpur. I think it is a typo that the name of Lata Mangeshkar has appeared there.

43 AK November 8, 2020 at 11:41 pm

K S Bhatiaji @26,
I can only say I am lucky. I am overwhelmed by your generous praise.

Mr Rangan @33,
Thanks a lot for your graciousness. If a Guest Author writes something with so much sincerity, the least I can do is to write a befitting Introduction.,

44 ksbhatia November 9, 2020 at 12:56 am

D P Rangan @38;

Thanks for your appreciation . Its yours locomotives that are running the wheels of history .The closest word to history is memory …..but failing memory can never fade away history. Whenever I want to click the delete button I always think twice. History always prepares us for the future.

Historical movies were great to watch in 60s. The main cast that were popular during those days were….Jairaj , Nirupa roy , Anita Guha , Manhar , Sapru , …and so on. Those were the days when we as young would imitate their warrior dresses and fighting styles. The visual treats were itself gave a little sense of history as we enjoyed fighting scenes. One of the little known movie…..Hammer Hath…..we saw in our open air projection park and were amazed by its production values.

Lately as I know now the film was historically based on Rana Hameer and Alaudin khilji encounters . Not going into history , here is one of its song that I liked the best.

Baaje Re Payal Baaje- Manna Dey (Hameer Hath)

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

45 AK November 9, 2020 at 7:21 am

Mr Giri @42,
Thanks for correcting my slip. My sentence cannot make sense with LM, it could be relevant only for Suman Kalyanpur. Thanks a lot.

46 dustedoff November 9, 2020 at 11:52 am

@DP Rangan:

“In the Mohammad Shah song I was surprised to observe the moghul badshah himself singing as the male counterpart.”

Yes, that was what I found even more intriguing! But I suppose it fits, given that Rangeela was such a connoisseur of music, one would expect him to sing. In the film, he keeps preferring the ‘darbar-e-mehtab’ to the ‘darbar-e-aam’ and ‘darbar-e-khaas’.

47 Canasya November 9, 2020 at 12:02 pm

AKji @ 21, 45; Giri ji @ 15, 42:

I was also intrigued as I heard ‘Julm’ in the beginning. Upon playing the song at .25x I could hear ‘Jurm’. The quality of HMV records were bad to begin with and digital compression has made it worse.

48 AK November 9, 2020 at 2:18 pm

Canasya,
Thanks for the clarification.

49 D P Rangan November 9, 2020 at 3:19 pm

Dr. Shetty @ 3, 5, & 8

You tube links for songs are as follows:

Pukar (1939) – (Mir Saheb MD/ Kamal Amrohi Lyrist)

zindagi ka saas ( Naseem Banu) – https://youtu.be/-sM2WXO43Sc?t=31
He ho Dhoye mahabe ghat (Sardar Akhtar & chorus)
https://youtu.be/iEH9_4h3xoA?t=8
Saanwarwala Vahi Re (Sardar Akhtar & chorus)
https://youtu.be/1MBGgcXmBok?t=5

50 D P Rangan November 9, 2020 at 3:40 pm

Jahan Ara-1964 (Madan Mohan – Rajinder Krishan) Two songs by Talat Mahmood and last one by Lata Mangeshkar
Phir Wohi Shyam – https://youtu.be/aYHxWmLTtpg?t=4
Tere Aankh ka – https://youtu.be/FtrDucnN9VE?t=11
Mein tere nazar – https://youtu.be/1q61Uh1od5Y?t=3

Babar (1960) – (Roshan – Sahir Ludyanvi)
Salaam e-hasrat (Sudha Malhotra)
https://youtu.be/rAtTf-cGzJY?t=42
Haseeno ke Jalwe (Manna Dey, Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhonsle &
Mohammad Rafi & chorus) – Qawali style
https://youtu.be/1sW7SGgnSkw?t=63

51 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 9, 2020 at 4:29 pm

ADIL E JEHANGIR, 1955.

Director / Producer _ G P Sippy.
Lyrics _ Qamar Jalalabadi.
Music _ Husnlal Bhagatram.

Sapru, Durga Khote, Pradeep Kumar, Meena Kumari, Darpan, Master Vinod Mehra ( uncredited ).

Another tale of Jehangir’s justice. Here, Pr
ince Khurram ( Shah Jahan ) and two lovers are in the focus.

Ae meri zindagi tujhe doondoon Khan..

2 versions _ Talat and Lata.

Chand Sitare karte ishare..
Talat, Lata.
( Lata does only humming in the entire song. )

Nazar laagi pyari saanwariya…
Lata.

Apne hi ghar lootne deewana jaa raha hair…
Rafi.

Bhool na jaana ulfat karke..
Ashamed.

52 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 9, 2020 at 5:32 pm

ANARKALI was remade in

1.Telugu _ 1955.
Anjali Devi, ANR, S V Ranga Rao.
( Was dubbed in Tamil. )
Director _ Vedantam Raghaviah.
Producer / Composer . .. Adi Narayana Rao ( Of SWARNA SUNDARI fame ; Anjali Devi’s husband. )

All the songs except two were set to original tunes.
Jeevithame Saphalamu borrowed from Ye zindagi usi ki hai and Raavoyi from Vasant Prakash / Geeta Dutt’s only song in the original, Kehte hain jisko pyar.

2. Malayalam, 1966.

K R Vijaya, Prem Nazir, Satyan.
Producer / Director _ Kunjacko.
Music _ Baburaj.

Interestingly, K J Jesudas , essaying the role of Tansen, lipsynced to the singing of P B Srinivas in the jugalbandi with M BalamuraliKrishna…
Saptha swara sudha saagarame
Swargeeya sangeethame…

53 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 9, 2020 at 5:32 pm

ANARKALI was remade in

1.Telugu _ 1955.
Anjali Devi, ANR, S V Ranga Rao.
( Was dubbed in Tamil. )
Director _ Vedantam Raghaviah.
Producer / Composer . .. Adi Narayana Rao ( Of SWARNA SUNDARI fame ; Anjali Devi’s husband. )

All the songs except two were set to original tunes.
Jeevithame Saphalamu borrowed from Ye zindagi usi ki hai and Raavoyi from Vasant Prakash / Geeta Dutt’s only song in the original, Kehte hain jisko pyar.

2. Malayalam, 1966.

K R Vijaya, Prem Nazir, Satyan.
Producer / Director _ Kunjacko.
Music _ Baburaj.

Interestingly, K J Jesudas , essaying the role of Tansen, lipsynced to the singing of P B Srinivas in the jugalbandi with M BalamuraliKrishna…
Saptha swara sudha saagarame
Swargeeya sangeethame…

54 S Joseph November 9, 2020 at 7:37 pm

Till the complete list of Hindi films on Mughal era is not known we would not be able to say how many songs remain to be covered .

On the net I located a Hindi movie ‘ Taj Mahal ‘ from the year 1941 . This movie has 17 songs written by 3 lyricists. This movie is said to be the first movie of Suraiya in the role of younger Mumtaz . Nothing could be found either on the story or on the characters. I guess this movie pertains to the Mughal era.

One SD Burman song from this movie…

‘ Prem ki pyari… ‘/ 1941 / TAJ MAHAL / Pandit Anuj / Madhavlalal Damodar Master / SDB

https://youtu.be/TM5yZVS9y7Y

55 Mehfil Mein Meri November 9, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Wow!
Ranganji,
An innovative idea and what a great presentation. I’ve joined late and to confess, have lost touch with Mughal history completely.
So the post and the comments were a treasure of information for me. And not to forget, a great collection of songs. Will have to listen to all the songs later.
Thank you so much for the wonderful and interesting post.
And congratulations.

Anup
🙂

56 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 10, 2020 at 10:21 am

MIRZA GHALIB, 1954.

Ghulam Mohammad.

Ifthikar plays the role of Bahadur Shah.

2 songs in succession in the Royal court.

Ganga ki reti pe bungla chavai de
Sainya teri khair ho jee…
Sudha Malhotra, Shakeel Badayuni.

Aah ko chahiye ek umr asar hone tak…
Suraiya , Ghalib.

57 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 10, 2020 at 11:42 am

MEERA, 1979.

Tansen ( Bharat Bhooshan ) takes Emperor Akbar ( Amjad Khan ) to listen to Meera.
Meera is singing and mesmerized, Tansen joins her .

Mere toh Giridhar Gopal
Doosro na koi…

( How accurate or inaccurate historically, I don’t know. Cinematic liberty ? )

Vani Jairam, Dinkar Kaikini ; Pandit Ravishankar ( Assistant _ VijayRaghav To. )

Vani Jairam won the Filmfare award for the solo version that comes earlier in the movie.

58 Hans November 10, 2020 at 1:53 pm

We can rely on Ranganji to bring up unique subjects. But, after his clarification, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the habit has infected the next generation too, which is good for SOY. We can look forward to more unique topics. Ranganji has given his views on a bit of history. The song selection and their description is an improvement on his already great past.

AK has in the first sentence of the introduction itself aptly described what the films made on Mughal emperors generally stood for. On historical part, I would comment later, but, I see that one of the very important films made relating to Akbar era has not yet been mentioned. The film is Rani Rupmati. Rani Rupmati’s relation with Baz Bahadur are well documented in historical sources and the Mandu fort is the existing proof of that story. This film had more of history, though modified, than the famous mughal films. A few songs from the film. Music by SN Tripathi and lyrics by Bharat Vyas, the ideal combination for such films.

Phul bagiya men bulbul bole – Lata Rafi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrZ19q0kpRQ

Raat suhani jhoome jawani – Lata. This is one of the Lata gems which got left behind in the wake of other greatly popular songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9za5NUvoKk

Jhana jhana jhan baje payaliya – Rafi, Lata. This song I can listen again and again. See the difference in the use of ghunghroo by SNT when Rafi sings ‘jhana jhana jhan’ and then ‘piya se milan chali’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBm40YebuO8

Jeevan ki beena ka taar bole – Lata. Another Lata song which got less fame than it deserved. I think Lata’s singing was exceptional in this film, as also Nirupa Roy’s portrayal of Rani Rupmati.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbB5PFm5fg

59 D P Rangan November 10, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Dr. Shetty
You are keeping me very busy in hunting for the songs. I will do so but confine only to Hindi version in Anarkali from your comments. I know you are capable of digging deep for more obscure films on this topic.

Anupji @55
Thank you very much for the note of appreciation. Coming from a blogger it is all the more precious to me.

HANSJI
You are truly unique in your writings. Very glad to see and appreciate your support of the post. My aim was to see for songs in which the Moghul king concerned himself formed part of the video. Such videos would be few and far between. Rani Roopmathi is indeed a peach of film worth seeing more than once. The songs has Tripathi’s touch and are immortal. It is unfortunate that the moghul general caused death of Baz Bahadur and Roopmathi and was punished by Akbar. I do find that Akbar regime has been thoroughly explored by Bollywood with very many pictures. Aurangazeb had nothing to do with music and no pictures could be made. Jahan Ara deals with his elder sister. Due praise should also go to the blogmaster who encouraged me to proceed with this topic.

60 D P Rangan November 10, 2020 at 6:58 pm

Meera (1979) – Music Pt. Ravi Shanker & Vijay Gopal Rao
There is no dearth of songs in the film. 13 solos all sung by Vani Jayram and one so called duet which is also a solo if the video is seen. The gallery of actors is like reading from Whos Who list – Hema Malini, Bharat Bhusan, Vinod Khanna, Amjad Khan, Shammi Kapoor, Om Shiv Puri, Vidya Sinha and others. 13 songs are available for viewing. Vani Jayram was known as a single song celebrity – Bolre papi. I am amazed to see she had a come back much later.

Mere to Giridhar Gopal – Vani Jayaram & Dinkar Kaikini
https://youtu.be/fMdvoMJG6h4?t=98
Listened to the song and looks like a solo only.
Dr. Shetty I would be obliged if you can pinpoint for which solo out of 13, she got Filmfare Award.

61 D P Rangan November 10, 2020 at 7:07 pm

Josephji @54
The film did have 17 songs and 3 lyrists -Behzad Lakhnavi, S Kalil and Pandit Anuj. Music by Madhulal Damodar Master. There were 5 singers – S D Burman, Fakir Mohammed, Miss Sarojini, Baby Indira and Indurani. It is a pity only 2 songs are available today. I am posting the other one

Unpe dil ho gaya kurban – Singer Rajkumari (not listed)
https://youtu.be/vJKjrVGA4Es?t=4

62 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 11, 2020 at 12:29 am

Ranganji,

What an ingenious theme and how well written the post is! Hats off!

Further to Dustedoff’s comments on @ 2, 30 and 46, I would like to point out that Mohammad Shah ‘Rangila’ was the patron of Sadarang (Niamat Khan) and Adarang (Feroze Khan), the prolific composers who have been credited with giving legitimacy to the khayal in an era when the dhrupad reigned supreme. In fact, their bandishes, which number in scores, if not hundreds, are still sung today. The texts of many of these compositions have a mention of their patron (besides the composer’s mudra) and some are even addressed to him. The song from ‘Nadir Shah’ cited by Dustedoff is actually based on a khayal bandish in Raga Miyan Malhar. Here is an excellent documentary* made by a Canadian film-maker under the auspices of the New York State Education Department in which Bhimsen Joshi performs Miyan Malhar in a chamber concert. It begins with an excerpt of his rendition of the afore-mentioned bandish. The entire performance is featured later and starts with the bada khayal, ‘Kareem naam tero’ by Adarang. It is followed by what can only be called a thunderous and explosive rendition of ‘Mohammada Shah rangeela re’ by Sadarang (also the uncle and father-in-law of Adarang).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6F2cdRrlqU

I would also like to point out that ‘Bol re papihara’ from ‘Guddi’ is based on another of Sadarang’s compositions in Miyan Malhar. Here is Kumar Gandharva’s rendition of the original bandish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJBBWuf9k94

Finally, here is a recording of another concert performance of Bhimsen Joshi. This time he renders a Sadarang bandish in Suha Kanada. The text of the bandish is in praise of Hazrat Nizamuddin though its mukhda is ‘Tu hai Mohammad Shah darbaar’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVApnDHyh70

63 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 11, 2020 at 12:58 am

A point that I would like to mention about Khemchand Prakash’s music for ‘Tansen’ was that it was authentic in that he cast ‘Sapta suran teen gram’ as a dhrupad, the form extant during Tansen’s time, and not as a ‘khayal’, a form that came into its own only during the reign of Mohd.Shah ‘Rangeela’ in the 18th century. This has been mentioned by Anil Biswas (starting at 5:54) in this interview:

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

S.N.Tripathi also used the same dhrupad but in Yaman Kalyan in ‘Sangeet Samrat Tansen’ (1962). In fact, the dhrupad is a traditional one as far as I know and I have a vague memory of listening to a recording of a rendition by KG Ginde and SCR Bhat in Yaman Kalyan but I have not been able to locate it – perhaps it’s just my imagination working overtime.

The film version has a 2nd voice but only Manna Dey has been credited. It will be nice if the Herule Poirots, Jane Marples and Sherlock Holmeses of SoY could identify who the 2nd singer is. The song is followed by a beautiful raga medley, which is also in the dhrupad form.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yo-KS1DgZ4

64 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 11, 2020 at 1:12 am

Something which we should not forget in the context of this article is the term ‘movie mogul’, first used to refer to the Hollywood studio owners of old, and still used to refer to wealthy and powerful producers in the Western and Indian film industries.

65 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 11, 2020 at 11:12 am

Rangan ji,

Vani Jairam’s FF award was for her solo version of Mere toh Giridhar Gopal.

In the movie, we have the sequence at 1.45 .The duet version.

Dr ShreeRam Lagoo, A K Hangal, Shahu Modak and Dina Pathak were the other known names in the cast.

Vani J had a highly successful career in the South. She has sung in all the South Indian languages including Tulu. Three National awards…
APOORVA RAAGANGAL, 1975. Tamil.
SANKARABHARANAM, 1980. Telugu.
SWATHI KIRANAM, 1981. Telugu.

66 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 11, 2020 at 11:28 am

Ashwin ji,

Der aaye, durast aaye.
Happy to have you back. After a dream run of your post you vanished ! I was highly anxious about your well-being and tried in vain to get in touch with you. I ,now realize I should have mailed you.

For Bole re papihara, Vani Jairam got the prestigious
( Miya ) Tansen award… Poetic justice ?

It is curious you should mention Bal Gandharva. To my knowledge, the first recording of Vani J was a duet with Bal Gandharva …
Runanubandhachya jithun padlya gaathe..
For the Marathi Sangeet Natak
DEV DINAGHARI DHAVLA, 1970.
Music : Vasant Desai

67 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 11, 2020 at 12:50 pm

If I say C Ramachandra scored music for a remake of MUGHAL E AZAM , Rafi being the principal male voice, the expectations will be sky high … Naturally !

But, Alas !, the songs of AKBAR SALIM ANARKALI, 1979, Telugu movie are so lackluster, it is hard to believe they could come from such a combination.
Of course, the quarter century gap between ANARKALI, 1953 and A S A is a significant factor.
It must be the last but one score of C Ramch
andra.

The movie had the real life father and son NTR and Balakrishna as Akbar and Salim. Deepa must be the worst Anarkali across languages and across time periods.

68 Hans November 11, 2020 at 10:28 pm

Ranganji, @ 59

Thanks for the nice words. I have just said what I felt and the deserving should be praised. I mentioned AK’s introduction too, which is just superb. He has a deep knowledge of literature and history. He has aptly used the word apocryphal for these films. The stories of such films came with a motive. In most of the films there was a undue stress laid on presenting the mughals in a very positive manner. The same thing is there in Rani Rupmati. As per historical sources it was Akbar who sent his forces to capture Malwa for Rani Rupmati. Even logically it is true, because there were many territories which were between Agra and Malwa which were not touched by him till that time. When his general Adham Khan, appropriated all the loot and females and sent Akbar only a few elephants, Akbar went himself and brought scores of beauties from Malwa. When Adham Khan stole two of the special beauties, when Akbar was camping during his return to Agra, Akbar ordered a pursuit and brought them back. All this is in Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama and other sources. Rani Rupmati took poison but Baz Bahadur was not killed but escaped to Khandesh. When Akbar sent another general after him, Baz Bahadur in alliance with Rulers of Khandesh and Berar, defeated him and then regained Malwa, temporarily, but lost it later in 1562. He loitered here and there in various courts as a fugitive and in 1570 surrendered to Akbar and joined his service. So the historic stories are always subject to suspicion.

Now look at the most famous of mughal stories Salim-Anarkali. We are made to believe that Salim was ready to forgo the Taaj for her. Reality is that he was perhaps the most married of the mughals. He had at least half a dozen marriages before he turned 18. Nur Jahan was perhaps his 20th wife.

69 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty November 12, 2020 at 12:24 pm

Mangala Mangala Mangala Mangala
Mangala Mangala ho…

Kailash Kher, chorus ; Javed Akhtar, A R Rehman.

MANGAL PANDEY _ THE RISING, 2005.

Theatre Guru Habib Tanvir is cast as Bahadur Shah Zafar…A 2 minutes screen presence !

70 AK November 12, 2020 at 1:27 pm

Ashwin @62,
Your comments are always highly educative for me. I heard Sadarang frequently in Khayal bandishes- I immediately recall ‘Ja ja re apne mandirva ja’ in Bhimpalasi, in which I heard Sadarang, now I know it is his bandish.

The documentary on Bhimsen Joshi is too good. He is a very lovable person in the documentaries on him, which shows his personal side with his family. In a long one, he narrates his encounters with Railways TTEs, when he was always travelling without ticket in search of a guru. Some TTEs had an ear for music, Bhimsen Joshi would sing for him to escape penalty. His Miya ki Malhar is great. But I am enamoured of his Sur Malhar, DD have its live recording which they regularly telecast.

@63,
I am somewhat confused by Anil Biswas’s interview. He says Rajkumari’s Ghabra ke jo hum sar ko takrayein to achcha ho is from Khemchand Prakash’s last film ‘Bhairav’. Did I mishear him, or was it a slip for Mahal? Probably Mahal was not his last film because he gave music for Jaan Pahchan (1950). Secondly, he attributes Khayal’s origin to Mansingh Tomar. I checked up the dates on Internet. He predated Akbar/Tansen by about a century. ‘Rangeela’ 18th century makes sense, that will make the progression logical. Which means that Naushad erred in having Tansen sing Khayal in Baiju Bawra and Mughal-e-Azam, even though a compromise for public taste, what he did was great.

Sangeet Samrat Tansen: Just a guess, could the second voice be Pt. Krishnarao Chonkar? He was there in SNT’s Rani Roopmati too.

@64,
Nice connection. Their ‘mogul’ is derived from the Mughals?

71 AK November 12, 2020 at 2:05 pm

Hans @58, 68,
Thanks a lot for your nice words and some details in history. With your description it was a pleasure to hear the songs of Rani Roopmati carefully. Jhanan jhan jhanan jhan has gone up a few notches up in my esteem.

72 D P Rangan November 12, 2020 at 9:08 pm

Ashwinji @62, 63 and 64
Thanks for your appreciation. The way you have expressed has catapulted me to the height of ecstasy . After reading the comment from Ms. Madhu @2, I read a lot about Mohammad Shah and the singers and composers of ghazal you had referred to. Bhimsen Joshi is truly great and more than his singing , the way he throws about his body in the process is amazing. Such a spectacle is not to be seen in carnatic music concerts.
Checked on Tansen (1962).
There are 17 songs and Manna Dey has cornered quite a lot. The singers were Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Kamal Barot, Poorna Seth, Pandarniath Kolhapure. You can now try to identify the second voice.

Jhoomti Chali Hawa, Mukesh – https://youtu.be/aXX-84r5Eg4?t=4
Sudh Bisar Gayi AAj, Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey
https://youtu.be/L3CN5lYdtdg?t=54
Please identify the raag they sing.

73 S Joseph November 13, 2020 at 11:23 am

Movie ‘ 1857 ‘ of 1946 apparently had 8 songs . Could get only links to 7 of these . Movies on the rebellion mark the formal end of Mughal era.

Notice the flags shown in the song .

‘ Dilli tere kile… ‘/ 1946 / 1857 / Shevan Rizvi / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya & chorus

https://youtu.be/Nb-lZzhr5IA

dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
jab tak teri jami pe jab tak
jab tak teri jami pe hai naujawan hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
bhagwan teri daya se mola tere karam se
bhagwan teri daya se mola tere karam se
lekar rahenge waapas vikram ke raz ko ham
lekar rahenge waapas vikram ke raz ko ham
gairo se chin lenge akbar ke taj ko ham
gairo se chin lenge akbar ke taj ko ham
hai ye jami hamari hai ye makan hamare
hai ye jami hamari hai ye makan hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare

azad rah ke jina gopal ne sikhaya
azad rah ke jina gopal ne sikhaya
apne watan pe marna is naam ne bataya
apne watan pe marna is naam ne bataya
ha bhim or arjun ka khun hai in rago me
ha bhim or arjun ka khun hai in rago me
babar ka josh lekar firte hai ham dilo me
babar ka josh lekar firte hai ham dilo me
darte nahi marne se hai naujawan hamare
darte nahi marne se hai nojawa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare

abhimanyu or tumhi tum nojawan naya ho
tum nojawan naya ho
chan mul or humayu ki tum ek nisa ho
tum nojawan naya ho
marte raho watan pe mitate raho watan pe
marte raho watan pe mitate raho watan pe
dariya hai hum chaman ke tufaa hai hamare
dariya hai hum chaman ke tufaa hai hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
jab tak teri jami pe jab tak
jab tak teri jami pe hai naujawan hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli tere kile par honge nisa hamare
dilli

74 S Joseph November 13, 2020 at 11:29 am

‘ Jhamak Jhamak liye … ‘/ 1946 / 1857 / Y N Joshi / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya & chorus

https://youtu.be/3vPofJrdYSw

75 S Joseph November 13, 2020 at 11:32 am

1)’ Ho gayi unse …’/ 1946 / 1857 / Pandit Ankur / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya

https://youtu.be/emqxuwCsnTg

2) ‘ Umeedon ka tara…’/ 1946 / 1857 / Anjum Philibhiti / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya

https://youtu.be/Mbu80YmU4AY

76 S Joseph November 13, 2020 at 11:36 am

1) ‘ Teri nazar mein…/ 1946 / 1857 / Mohan Singh / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya ,

https://youtu.be/Erd6cfJXW_Y

2) ‘ Gham e Aashiyana satayega…’/1946 / 1857 / Mohan Singh / Sajjad Husain / Suraiya

https://youtu.be/66nhhOBnDgY

77 S Joseph November 13, 2020 at 11:36 am

‘ Woh pahali mulaqat …’/ 1946 / 1857 / Pandit Ankur / Sajjad Husain / Surendra

https://youtu.be/NoDBj5u-u8Y

78 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 15, 2020 at 3:36 pm

Dr.Shetty @ 66,

My sincere apologies for the concern that I caused you by my absence from SoY, and as contradictory as it may sounds, my sincere thanks for your concern as well. Save for a couple of weeks when I was suffering from a muscle-pull, I was hale and hearty all through this absence, and I am so even now.

As for your comment, you have confused Kumar Gandharva (Shivaputra Kokalimath) with Bal Gandharva (Narayanrao Rajhans)… Yes ‘Runaanubandhachya’ by Kumar Gandarva and Vani Jairam is popular to this day.

79 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 15, 2020 at 4:13 pm

AK,

Am happy that you find my comments educative. I find your comments and blogs very educative as well, especially when they are about Sanskrit literature and history including film history.

I listened to the Anil Biswas interview once again – to my ears, what he said sounds like ‘Meher’, not ‘Bhairav’. As for your observation about Anilda’s attribution of the origin of the khayal, it is a good catch – I have heard/read about the creation of the dhrupad form being attributed to Man Singh Tomar/his court but have not heard/read anything similar vis a vis the khayal. In fact, theories abound about the origin of the khayal; that said, there is consensus that it was certainly not the form sung in Akbar’s court, so yes, Naushad was wrong from the point of view of music history, but he can be excused for the figure of ‘Baiju Bawra’ himself is shrouded in legend! SN Tripathi, to his credit, did make Tansen sing dhrupad in ‘Sangeet Samrat Tansen’, as I have already pointed out.

As for the 2nd voice in the Sangeet Samrat Tansen song, you may be right about it belonging to Krishnarao Chonkar, but I have no way of confirming this.

80 Ashwin Bhandarkar November 15, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Ranganji @ 72,

I am delighted that you liked the clips that you shared. Yes, the kind of physical movements and facial contortions that Bhimsenji employed during his performances were one of a kind and frowned upon by several but viewed very indulgently by most as the eccentric mannerisms of a genius music-maker. My mother has memories of accompanying her mother to one of his concerts as a little girl – this was in the late 40s/early 50s – and being reprimanded for giggling at his mannerisms :).

For the record, I have not mentioned any ghazal composers in my comments. Adarang and Sadarang were composers of khayal, not ghazal. The two are entirely different forms.

Thanks for the research into the credits for ‘Sangeet Samrat Tansen’. Since the 2nd voice is not that of Rafi, Mukesh or Mahendra Kapoor, then it has to be Pandharinath Kolhapure’s, since his is the only other male name (other than Manna Dey’s, of course) in the list of singers that you have provided. Pandharinath was a Hindustani vocalist who happened to be Lata’s cousin and actress Padmini Kolhapure’s father.

81 Hans November 15, 2020 at 8:43 pm

AK, @ 71

Thanks a lot for the nice response. This song is special and a composer’s delight. Listening to the song you get a feel that there was perfect coordination between lyricist and composer. Three minutes of constant song without any interludes. First the great alaap, which is perhaps the best ever praise of the eyes.
अमिय हलाहल मदभरे श्वेत श्याम रतनार
जियत मरत झुकि-झुकि परत जेहि चितवत इक बार
Then starts the demonstration of the perfect combination of not only the composer-writer but also the two great singers. I think both of them just cared for perfection rather than fame, which was the reason the singers put special efforts when singing their songs.

Bharat Vyas-Tripathi combo was a special one, which created music for films like Janam Janam Ke Phere, Kavi Kalidas, Rani Rupmati, Chandramukhi, Lal Qila, Jai Chittod and Piya Milan Ki Aas.

82 Hans November 15, 2020 at 9:26 pm

Josephji in 2nd para of comment no 1 has made two points.
1) India was not India before 1947. and
2) Indian customs, culture and social habits are not in accordance with the Indian Constitution.

I think he has written it after due thought. So instead of judging him, I would like to place here some points to ponder. To travel which district the travellers like Fa Hian, Huen Tsang, Ibn Batuta etc. came if there was no concept of India. And for what purpose all the invaders came and for visiting which district, first Colombus and then Vasco De Gama were looking for the sea-route. I would like to advise Josephji to study conditions in England or the Europe of medieval times or even early modern times. There also were small pricipalities and every Parish had its own force. Military ranks and even Parliamentary seats were purchased with money in England till very late times. There was no dedicated army and if there was any war, volunteers were called and casually trained. Most of the battles were won on the tactics and strategies deployed by the general.

As regards the constitution, the point to ponder is whether the Constitution should be in accordance with our customs, culture and social habits or vice versa. Constitution experts here very proudly proclaim that our Constitution is based on British and American Constitutions. Have the British or Americans modelled their constitution on our customs and culture or to the needs of their society.

83 AK November 16, 2020 at 10:09 am

Hans @82,
In my initial response @7 to Mr Joseph’s comment @1, I had avoided going into socio-political history of India. But after your comment I can’t help making a couple of broad observations. Mr Joseph’s comment is in the sense of having a unified judicial, administrative system, within a defined boundary, with one currency, one external policy, one defence forces. Many modern notions of a nation-state, sovereignty within one’s boundaries have evolved post-1945. When he differentiated India between post-1947 and pre-1947, he was not comparing it with any other country in history. Therefore, juxtaposing his statement against say, Britain of Tudors or Stuarts, or France pre-Revolution is not tenable.

His second point is more straightforward. We must thank our National leaders who realised that along with independence from the British we have to work hard to get rid of our social evils and many regressive customs and practices. The Constitution has to be progressive, egalitarian and just. The social reform would always lag and Mr Joseph made a simple and valid point that in our social practices we still continue to be far behind what we should be.

84 Manoj November 18, 2020 at 7:17 am

There are innumerable short cartoon films , specially for children, featuring AKBAR and BIRBAL. Mostly without songs.

85 Hans November 19, 2020 at 8:26 pm

AK,

I never opposed his view. He clearly talked about a perception that India existed before, which means he was talking about it in the same manner which I had interpreted. You are at liberty to interpret it differently, but I dont agree to that. He was not talking about it as you suggest. If he had the same view in mind, let him say that. I have known people with that kind of thinking process. Due to that I immediately recognised what he was talking. There is a school of thought which says British created India and they have the same views about constitution which I have mentioned. I have no problem with him holding his view. Similarly, I also have liberty to hold my view. As I did not juxtapose his view as you suggest, there is no question whether it is tenable or not. He was talking about the conditions when there was army in almost every district, so I just reminded of the history of other countries and that I dont think is irrelevant here.

I am not going into the development of various notions you say evolved after 1945, because that is a wide subject, but in India these have been there in old Indian scriptures including Arthashashtra.

So far as the matter of Constitution is concerned, I did not advocate that there should be regressive, discriminative and unjust Constitution. I just said Indian Constitution should be as per Indian requirements. I think Indian social practices are as bad or good as the other countries.

There is hardly any glory in the way the duly elected governments in various countries all over the world, based on the most serene Constitutions, acted in complicity in destroying the life and liberty of people as well as the economy, in the present so-called pandemic. The true consequences of what they are doing are yet to unfold.

It is a moot point how that so called unethical India of army in each district which Mr Joseph talks about, was so prosperous that invaders came here from land and sea routes to have a share of the loot. I dont think there is need of any proof that India of those times was much more prosperous than the well established countries from where the invaders came. And it is a well settled principle that prosperity cannot come without stability and just conditions for industry and commerce.

86 ksbhatia November 20, 2020 at 12:07 am

JosephJi @14;

When I am listening to classical music of the most talented musicians ….their genius comes forefront in a most respective ways. I bow my head to them for creating everlasting pleasure in my mind body and soul. Whenever I think of Mughal period films , Mughal E Azam and Baiju Bawra ‘s songs beats them all. Its just like rolling of sea waves repeatedly ……never diminishing their sounds hitting the foot of the cliffs or the shores. Morning music and morning Tea is always at tender mode …humming while taking sipps is itself a great bliss.

Here are some of classic numbers from these two masterly made movies…….

Mughal E Azam …..Prem Jogan Ban Ke Sundari …..Bade Ghulam Ali Khan….Naushad….

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

Sacho Tero Naam (HD) – Baiju Bawara…Music Director: Naushad
Singer : Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Mohd.Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35bR4-1Rpik

Pihu Pihu Karat

Movie: Baiju Bawara (1952)
Music Director: Naushad
Singer: Mohd.Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkI5dYCZPpE

O De Na Dhentani – Baiju Bawra (1952)….A reminder of Roshan’s song…aalap of ….Laga chhonri mein daag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D7WyiXDb2I

….to be contd.

87 ksbhatia November 20, 2020 at 12:12 am

JosephJi ;

Here is my all time favorite …..the classical song to soothen my nerves and soul . Its an everlasting song never fading away from my memory.

TORI JAI JAI KARTAAR -WITH LYRICS -USTAD AMIR KHAN -NAUSHAD (BAIJU BAAWRA 1952)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYpCJ8yE7z0

88 ksbhatia November 20, 2020 at 12:53 am

Rangan ji;

Not going too far into history ; but as a passing note……the rulers of the Mughal Empire shared certain genealogical relations with the Mongol royals as their descendants .Babur, born Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad, was the founder of the Mughal Empire and first Emperor of the Mughal dynasty (r. 1526–1530) in the Indian subcontinent. He was a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan through his father and mother respectively.

Hulagu [ also known as Halaku] was born to Tolui, one of Genghis Khan’s sons, and Sorghaghtani Beki, an influential Keraite princess and a niece of Toghrul in 1215 . Little is known about its history but Bollywood made a great movie on him ….Halaku…the film that Pran himself declared it as its best one. The songs of the films were great . Here are two of my favorite ones….

Dil Ka Na Karna Aitbar Koi – Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi – HALAKU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAYRXzDt6tQ

O Sunta Ja – Lata Mangeshkar – HALAKU ….SJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dipn_xgq0iI

89 ksbhatia November 20, 2020 at 9:04 pm

Rangan ji ;

A song that briefly tells history…..

Mohabbat Ki Daastan Aaj Suno – Lata Mangeshkar – MAYUR PANKH -SJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP0hcdGEiCg

90 ksbhatia November 20, 2020 at 10:17 pm

AK ji ;

After listening to Taj mahal songs I am fine tuning my thoughts and here are two private song and ghazal I used to listen in late 70s….

meri bhi ek mumtaz thi …..manna dey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNwQvtAs0Yk

NINA & RAJINDER MEHTA …….TAJ MAHEL MEIN AA JANA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyX2UXSSVJo

91 neeruahaf November 21, 2020 at 10:27 pm

What a wonderful post, Rangan saab. I think historical films are hardly made nowadays and perhaps TV is a better medium for a historical saga. Just wanted to share an anecdote regarding the last Mughal, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as illustrated by Veer Savarkar in his book on the 1857 revolt. After the rebellion was on the verge of being crushed, a friend told Zafar:

Dumdamein Mein Dum Nahin Khair Maango Jaan Ki
Aey Zafar Thandi Hui Shamsheer Hindustan Ki

(Your fort is crumbling down, pray for your life.
The Indian sword, O Zafar, has lost its sheen and might)

To which Zafar replied with spirit:

Ghaziyon Bein Boo Rahegi Jab Tak Imaan Ki
Tab To London Tak Chalegi Teg Hindustan Ki

(So long as the soldiers retain their faith and pride
The Indian sword will not relent till it humbles (London’s might).
*

It hurts me to think how totally without courtesy the British treated him in his exile with he being forced to get up and salaam all the Whites who came to ‘see’ him as though he was an exhibit and the children going so far as to pull his beard.

92 D P Rangan November 24, 2020 at 11:09 am

Neeruahafji

Thanks for the appreciation. I read the anecdote. I do have e book version of Veer Savarkar on Indian Uprising 1857, a translated one into English. For all his bravado, poor misguided Bahadur Shah Zafar suffered in the end. He was transported to Calcutta first in a bullock cart from Delhi and then shipped to Burma. British tried to suppress his burial site. Now it is a regularly visited place by Indian tourists.

93 neeruahaf November 24, 2020 at 10:36 pm

D P Rangan ji

The British also treated the last Burmese King pretty badly. Amitav Ghosh’s The Glass Palace has a memorable section on him. I had no idea he was exiled to Ratnagiri. And that too has a Savarkar connect!

94 neeruahaf November 24, 2020 at 10:38 pm

D P Rangan ji

A bullock cart! Perhaps one has to be thankful that they didn’t yoke him to the cart, considering how savagely they treated the rebels.

95 AK November 25, 2020 at 8:07 am

Neeruahaf @93,
I don’t know whether you have read my post about my visit to Burma, Bahadur Shah Zafar’s tomb etc. You will find it interesting as it covers these aspects.
https://www.songsofyore.com/mere-piya-gaye-rangoon-and-some-more-indo-burmese-links/

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: