Naushadji & Dilip Kumar, Simple & Sweet Options

[swarapriya]

Naushad Ali-Dilip Kumar Filmography

If simiplicity is charm, then we can describe Naushadji’s music as very charming. It seems like he has done so much with so few instruments. An exponent of Hindustani music, his compositions always tapped the huge reservoir of the traditional music resources. From his struggling days in Bombay to a major music maestro he maintained that simiplicity in approach to music all his life. He never deviated from this path.

In a span of 65 or so years in the film industry, he composed roughly 70 films. By any yardstick this is not a huge number. But each one of those films were a work of art and charm. In an interview circa 1982, Naushadji said, "In my 62 years in the film industry, I composed music for 66 films. These days, you come across people who have done the music 200 films in two years. What I'm saying is that, we used to agonise over every tune and phrase in music, spend sleepless nights over a song, and work on it until it was perfected. And I am still looking for perfection." That commitment to perfection, that devotion to creating a lasting melodious tune were Naushadji’s drivers in his professional career.

Naushadji was recognized with several awards during his lifetime. These include Padma Bhushan, Filmfare award for Baiju Bawra (1952), Dadasaheb Phalke award, and Sangeet Natya Academy award.

Naushadji had a special relationship with Dilip Kumar saab. Professionally he composed for 15 films in which Dilip Kumar starred. Most of them were blockbusters. All of them had that charming music that was hallmark of Naushadji.

I happen to have the CD collection of all these films with Naushadji as composer and Dilip Saab as the actor. As time permits, in the coming weeks, I will try to share this music with the Forum membership.

The filmography of Naushadji and Dilip Kumar Saab is given in the following table. I will try to upload albums in the chronological order as they appear in the table below.

[swarapriya]

Aan (1952)

Here is another winner from early 50's. "Aan" was made on a grand scale by Mehboob Khan Saab. It was one of those first full length color movies. Dilip Saab, who played one tragic role after another until this movie, in a refreshingly welcome departure plays a lighter role. A great actor he is, this transformation from tragedy to comedy he does so effortlessly. He was absolutely entertaining as a swashbuckling hero.

In a book on Mehboob Saab, its author tells the fierce competition Mehboob Saab felt from young Raj Kapoor, the filmmaker. Remember that another great 1952 movie,"Awara"? The dream sequence picturized in that movie is still used as a yardstick even today for similar sequences in movies. For Mehboob Saab also, in a sense bigger was better. This time around it was "Aan".

Nargis was originally cast to play the leading lady in "Aan." But with Nargis firmly entrenched in Raj Kapoor's camp, was not easily available. So instead of waiting for her becoming free to act in his movie, Mehboob Saab went lookig for a new leading lady instead. He didn't need to go too far. He elected Nadira, his friend's daughter to be the leading lady.

"Aan" was a runaway hit. Nadira however, in her subsequent outings as an actress, never enjoyed the same sucess as she did for "Aan." She did make an occasional good movie, one notable being "Julie" that fetched her a best support actress award from Filmfare. Incidentally, Nadira was the first Bombay film personality to own a Rolls Royce.

All songs I am uploading are from a CD except the extended version of the song "Khelo Rang Hamare Sang." It is a contribution of the Forum members.

Now for details of songs and songs themselves ...

[Pratul]

Aan (1952)

It was one of those first full length color movies.

Swarpriya ji, had a question, was Aan a colour movie and still from 1952?

But, Wonderful uploads once again. Thanks

[swarapriya]

Aan (1952)

It was one of those first full length color movies.

Swarpriya ji, had a question, was Aan a colour movie and still from 1952?

But, Wonderful uploads once again. Thanks

Yes Pratulji. Mehboob Khan Saab did everything in a grand style. This indeed was a full length color movie and it was made in 1952.

Swarapriya