Shair Aur Sargam

(Majrooh) Ardhangini (1959)

This movie was produced and directed by Ajit Chakrabarty for Mars & Movies, late Amiya Chakrabarty’s banner that was responsible for movies like “Daag (1952)”, “Patita (1953)”, “Seema (1956)” and other fine films. After Amiyaji passed away in 1957 Ajit took over the reins of Amiya’s production company. I am not sure how Ajit is related to Amiya Saab, don’t know whether he was his brother or son, but he made three films. This film “Ardhangini” is one of them. The other two films were “Apne Huye Paraye (1964)” and “Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)’.

All of Amiyaji’s films that he produced and directed except for the last one had music by Shankar & Jaikishan. The last film he made in 1957, the year of his death, was “Dekh Kabira Roya”. It had music by Madan Mohan Saab. Ajit however opted for Vasant Desai to compose music for “Ardhangini”. Desai who was so good in many films for which he composed music for, this time was a bit disappointing.

Here are the songs from this film…

(Rajinder Krishan) Mem Sahib (1956)

This movie was based on the story of culture clash between East (represented by saintly Kishoreda) and West (played roguishly by Shammi). By the time the movie was over as expected Eastern culture prevails.

Here is an early Madan Mohan Saab’s movie that has no songs by Lataji. Ashaji grabs the opportunity and smells like a million roses. I like her solos “Dil Dil Se” and “Ishq Ek”. The latter almost sounds like it was inspired by songs from “Anarkali (1953)”. The lyricist Rajinder Krishanji was a common factor for both the films. Incidentally if one pays close attention to the title music, Madan Saab borrows part of its music from Raj Kapoor’s “Awaara (1952)” song “Ab Raat Guzarne Waali Hai”.

Kishore’s version of “Dil Dil Se” was also a runaway popular hit. There are a couple of duets of Asha and Talat that are also pleasing. I am uploading these and others in two back-to-back posts. In the first post I am including all the songs from the film. In the second post I am uploading some music clips and instrumentals.

Here are the songs in the first post…

Concluding Songs from "Mem Sahib (1956)"...

Here are some music clips and instrumentals of the song "Dil Dil Se"...

(Shakeel) Kaise Kahoon (1964)

This movie was directed by Atma Ram, younger brother of the late Guru Dutt. Ram was involved in variety of activities in film making including stints as a producer, assistant director, second unit director, director, actor, controller of production and in other capacities. He was involved with movies, documentaries, and TV Series. He left for England in disgust when his brother Guru Dutt reneged on his promise to have him direct “C.I.D.” that Guru offered instead to Raj Khosla. He later came back to India after Guru’s death to keep his brother’s banner alive by making movies. His 1968 directorial effort “Shikar” was a huge hit.

“Kaise Kahoon” is a simple movie that did not make anyone to get noticed. However it will be remembered for its great songs and rich lyrics of those songs. After the mixed reaction they received for the work on “Benazir” they collaborated together for the first time, people were skeptical about how Burmanda and Badayuni Saab combination will work this time around. Well, this album quieted every critic. It is an absolute beauty. Almost all songs sparkle like gems. I am not going to single out which song is my favorite because there are so many of them I have in this album. Incidentally, RD Burman was the film’s assistant music director.

One note. The song snippet "Saaz-E-Dil" I am including here in the first post is in the DVD. I am not sure whether this song is from this film or not. In the film it was played briefly on a record player. I am including here because it is in the film. If anyone has more details on this, please kindly share with us. Thanks.

I am uploading all songs and some music clips in two back-to-back posts. Here is the first set of songs…

Some Music Clips from "Kaise Kahoon (1964)"...

Here are some music clips from this fine album...

(Shailendra) Madhumati (1958)

“Madhumati” is like a poem on the celluloid. It has that lyrical quality, that melancholic beauty, that haunting sweetness that stays with you forever. Bimalda who directed the movie was unquestionably a cinematic genius. But he was working here with an unusual type of subject. Yet the film clearly demonstrated why he was such a brilliant director. Every frame has his masterly touch. Every scene has his indelible imprint. Everything in the film seems to work together like a well-oiled machine. Its story and its unfolding, its acting, its music, its crisp editing, its photography, its unspoiled locales, its innocent and simple folks in the backdrop of the story, it is like a magnificent book that is engrossing from its cover page to the last that once you start reading it is difficult to put it down.

Bimalda, master of his craft, created an unforgettable ambience and set the movie into motion in a heartwarming romantic mood. He was brilliantly aided by the unforgettable camera work and inspiringly moody but melodious music. In Salilda’s hands the music becomes such an integral part of the movie that it casts a magic spell on you. Listen to the haunting melody of “Aa Jaa Re Pardesi” as Vyjayanti Mala glides through the mist. How about the echo ridden song in the amazing voice of Mukesh intersecting with not so far away horizons when he sings “Suhaana Safar”? What a lovely folksy and festive song it is, the song “O Daiyya Re Daiyya Re Chadh Gaya Paapi Bichchua” in the lovely voices of Lata and Mannada. You feel the aches of love and pangs of separation when you hear that beautiful song “Dil Tadap Tadap”. You feel distressed when Rafi Saab sings “Toote Hue Khwaabon Ne”. Salilda’s magnificent score was saturated with the divine beauty of the surroundings the movie was shot in. His music apparently showed the inspiration he clearly drew from the days he spent growing up in the hills of Assam.

Dilip gives a great performance. But these types of roles are just a routine for him. One expects this from Dilip Saab and he seldom disappoints you. He has done them before. He will do more of them in the years ahead. But the real show stealer was the performance by Vyjayanti Mala in the title role. Looking stunningly beautiful, she displayed hitherto unexplored histrionic talents that keep the viewer spellbound. As an innocent simple woman with no worldly experiences she shone brilliantly like an uncut diamond. As a woman falling in love she expressed her anxieties and vulnerabilities with graceful ease. As a lovely dancer she was full of glee and gay abandon. This was a total and complete film for her.

“Madhumati” was a biggest commercial success for Bimalda. The movie walked away with a whole bunch of Filmfare awards. It won awards for Best Picture (Bimal Roy), Best Director (Bimal Roy), Best Actress (Vyjayanti Mala), Best Music (Salil Chowdhury), Best Supporting Actor (Johnny Walker), Best Art Direction (Sudhendu Roy), Best Editing (Hrishikesh Mukherjee), Best Female Singer (Lata Mangeshkar for “Aa Jaa Re Pardesi”), Best Dialogue (Rajinder Singh Bedi), and Best Cinematography (Dilip Gupta). Its story and screenplay were written by Ritwik Ghatak, an eminent director himself, who was nominated but did not win. Dilip was nominated for Best Actor but lost out to Dev Anand for “Kala Pani”.

I am uploading all songs from this album, some music clips, several specials, and a whole bunch of instrumentals of these popular songs in six back-to-back posts. The first two posts contain songs from the movie. The third post contains several specials. The other three posts contain instrumentals.

The songs start beginning in the next post…

Madhumati (1958) - Post 1 (Songs)

Here are the songs in this post...

Madhumati (1958) - Post 2 (Songs)

Here are the rest of the songs and some music clips from this film...

Madhumati (1958) - Post 3 (Specials)

Here are some specials of some songs from the film...

Madhumati (1958) - Post 4 (Instrumentals)

Here are some instrumentals of the popular song "Aa Jaa Re Pardesi"...

Madhumati (1958) - Post 5 (Instrumentals)

Here are instrumentals of the songs "Dil Tadap Tadap Ke" and "Suhaana Safar"...

Madhumati (1958) - Post 6 (Instrumentals)

This final posting consists of more instrumentals of the popular songs from the film...

Yes. The song was picturized on Kishoreda when the character he was playing was offering prayers to the God. It is conceivable that someone else's voice was used for the snippet. But I think this is very unlikely.

Cheers,
S

(Anand Bakshi) Preet Na Jane Reet (1966)

This movie has a usual dose of Rafi Saab’s songs one can expect in a Shammi’s film. All of them were popular than the movie itself when the movie was released. Incidentally, even though they established for themselves credible track record as award winning independent music directors, Laxmikant & Pyarelal continue to be assistants to Kalyanji & Anandji. Here are the songs from this film…