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]

Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966)

Here is another movie based on a famous English novel named "Wuthering Heights" by Emile Bronte. It was published in 1847 under a penname. The story tells passionate but thwarted tale of two ill-fated lovers. In 1939, famous Hollywood director William Wyler (of Ben-Hur among others) made this into an award winning popular movie with Merle Oberon and Sir Laurence Olivier. It was remade in 1992 with Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes, but this time around the adoptation was tame.

When producer and director Kardar approached Dilipji with the story for this movie, he at once was fascinated with the subject. It was a complex character demanding many abilities as a performer. As a silent lover he has to give the performance with much restraint. When it demands to be a villainous has to bring in grey shades effortlessly. Finally when he has to show the pathos of a broken lover, he has to do this with elan. Dilip Saab pulls off all these magnificently.

It was rumored that Dilip Saab spent much time with Kardar Saab in developing his and the character played by Pran. As a result, this is one of those roles where Pran also gives an unforgettable performances.

Waheeda, the object of everyone's love interest in the story, is stunningly beautiful. As usually is the case with her, she exudes not only charm but pulls off her role matching scene for scene with Dilip Saab.

There are some beautiful songs Naushadji created to the lyrics penned by Shakeel Saab. Listen closely to the solos by Rafi Saab. Especially "Guzre Hain Aaj Ishq Mein" and "Koi Sagar Dil Ko". Only Rafi Saab can deliver such masterpieces. But my favorite happens to be the duet of Ashaji and Rafi Saab, "Sawan Aaye Ya Na Aaye". This is an absolutely sweet duet with Naushadji's imprint all over it.

Now for details of the songs and songs themselves ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jul 5 2008, 07:53 PM