Foot Tapping & Heart Stopping Op, The King of Rhythm Options

[Pratul]

Swarapriya ji, Sorry but can not resist to suggest a correction for the name of a gem.
It is 'Main Soya Akhiyan Meeche' rather than Neeche.
Sorry to suggest a correction again.

[maverick]

SwaraPriya ,

You are a class apart

Wonderful effort

Awesome Passion for music

Thanks from the bottoms of my heart

Maverick

[parag_sankla]

Howrah Bridge (1958)

Here is one of the early classics of Shakti Samanta before he became a household name much later with Rajesh Khanna's "Aradhana". There is enchanting Madhubala singing in Asha's breathtaking voice "Aaiye Meherbaan". And there is Ashok Kumar, more than ever Bogart looking. Also, there is Helen in one sizzling dance number to the music of OP and the voice of Geetaji crooning "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu". To top all this there are some beautiful duets by Ashaji and Rafi Saab. It is a small wonder these songs are still fresh in minds of people and still popular even after 50 years. The ageless wonders!

The movie was shot in rustic Calcutta. It has a Hitchcock style climax, pulsating and heart pounding action drama, right on the Howrah Bridge span.

By the way, they are making this movie in color. But not the original movie. Instead it is going to be an animated movie with the same story and same music and songs of O.P. but instead of real actors you will see caricatures of them. Novel idea. We have to wait and see if it will fly.

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

The superhit song "Mera naam chin chin choo" happened to be the swan song of Geeta ji under the baton of OP. Then onwards it was Asha ji all the way with the exception a few songs for Shamshad Beghum ji. I am sure this has been discussed on the forum before, but just wanted to post it in the context of the songs of Howrah Bridge.

Thanks Swarapriya for these excellent CDQ uploads. My personal favorite from Howrah Bridge is "Dekh ke teri nazar bekaraar ho gaye". Love that one stanza by Rafi sahab !

Cheers
Parag

[parag_sankla]

Phagun (1958)

Here is an outstanding album from OP Saab. This has 13 songs and each one of them is a gem. Ashaji and Rafi Saab sang four duets. All are beautiful with the most popular being "Ek Pardesi". Ashaji has eight solos, one sweeter than the other. There is some magic and some inexplicable sweetness in these songs and Ashaji is right on the mark. Too bad this movie was a commercial failure. Sometimes music alone doesn't salvage the end product.

I am including here four extended versions of the songs. These are all from DVD. Rest of the songs are from CD. Now for details of the songs and songs themselves ...

OPN who called himself as a composer without any formal training in classical music, composed all the 12 songs of this film in one single raag (Peelu ? not sure). This must be a sort of records !


Parag

[swarapriya]

Swarapriya ji, Sorry but can not resist to suggest a correction for the name of a gem.
It is 'Main Soya Akhiyan Meeche' rather than Neeche.
Sorry to suggest a correction again.

My dear Pratul ji,

I am really grateful that you keep me honest. Since several people have already downloaded the regular and extended versions, I thought to leave the songs alone. Also, no harm comes because of this "error" to anyone. However, I went back and changed the description giving particulars of songs.

Please don't be sorry to send in your suggestions. I think this type of scrutiny is necessary because we upload so many songs. Giving correct information should be everyone's priority. Please accept my whole hearted thanks for your keen observation and taking time to tell when problems exist.

Many many cheers to you,
Swrapriya

[swarapriya]

The superhit song "Mera naam chin chin choo" happened to be the swan song of Geeta ji under the baton of OP. Then onwards it was Asha ji all the way with the exception a few songs for Shamshad Beghum ji. I am sure this has been discussed on the forum before, but just wanted to post it in the context of the songs of Howrah Bridge.

Thanks Swarapriya for these excellent CDQ uploads. My personal favorite from Howrah Bridge is "Dekh ke teri nazar bekaraar ho gaye". Love that one stanza by Rafi sahab !

Cheers
Parag

Thanks for the note Parag. I read in some OP's interview that he told the interviewer that as a hindsight it was a judgemental error on his part to discard Geetaji after this. His contention was that Ashaji threatened not to sing for him if he still was going to utilize Geetaji's talents, even if occasionally. He admitted that it was his emotional involvement that clouded this judgement.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[parag_sankla]

The superhit song "Mera naam chin chin choo" happened to be the swan song of Geeta ji under the baton of OP. Then onwards it was Asha ji all the way with the exception a few songs for Shamshad Beghum ji. I am sure this has been discussed on the forum before, but just wanted to post it in the context of the songs of Howrah Bridge.

Thanks Swarapriya for these excellent CDQ uploads. My personal favorite from Howrah Bridge is "Dekh ke teri nazar bekaraar ho gaye". Love that one stanza by Rafi sahab !

Cheers
Parag

Thanks for the note Parag. I read in some OP's interview that he told the interviewer that as a hindsight it was a judgemental error on his part to discard Geetaji after this. His contention was that Ashaji threatened not to sing for him if he still was going to utilize Geetaji's talents, even if occasionally. He admitted that it was his emotional involvement that clouded this judgement.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

That is so very true Swarapriya. I have read several interviews of OP which echoed the same sentiments. And some time later (not sure exactly which year) this singer, who persuaded her husband Guru Dutt to give assignment of Aarpaar to OPN when he needed a break, made a call to OPN asking what she has done that he has stopped calling her for singing. OP said "No Geeta, I have not forgotten you. I will surely call you". That day never came ! Geeta passed away with this grief and OP regrets this one thing forever !



Chain se humko kabhi
aapne jeene na diya
Jeher bhi chaha agar
peena toh peene na diya

(And thats Asha ji's swan song for OPN, by the way !)

[swarapriya]

Raagini (1958)

Anyway you look at it, 1958 was a banner year for OP. He had Howrah Bridge, Phagun, Raagini, Sone Ki Chidiya, and 12 O'Clock all released that year. Each of the movies had some of the finest creations of OP Saab. It was an awsome display of talent and creativity at its finest peak. At this juncture in his career, only Shankar-Jaikishan could compete closely with OP. But they were a duo. OP was a one man show.

This movie was produced by Ashok Kumar himself. It also starred Kishore, his younger brother, and that great dancer from Travancore in Kerala, Padmini, who passed away not too long ago after a long stay in US. Padmini was part of an act of three sisters, all talented, and all dancers; Lalita, Padmini, and Raagini.

Now for details of songs of "Raagini (1958)" and the songs themselves ...

[swarapriya]

Songs of Raagini (1958) Continued ...

Here are the rest of the songs of "Raagini (1958)" ...

[HarshBhatt]

Thanks for uploading Ragini songs

[swarapriya]

Thanks for uploading Ragini songs

Thak you Harsh ji. -S

[swarapriya]

Sone Ki Chidiya (1958)

Here is another perennial winner from the genius of OP. Some fabulously melodious songs in this album. Talatji gets to sing a couple of delightfully beautiful duets with Ashaji. The contrast in their voices wants you to hear these songs over and over again.

All songs in this movie are from a CD, except the extended versions. They are ripped from a DVD. The extended version of the duet "Raat Bhar Ka Hai" has a jump 1 minute and 20 seconds into the song. I tried to clean it up, but wasn't successful in removing the jump. Probably I could have clipped part of the audio. This song is so beautiful with Rafi Saab reminding you of some of the songs of "Baiju Bawra" all over again.

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

[swarapriya]

Songs of Sone Ki Chidiya (1958) Continued ...

Now for the last two songs of "Sone Ki Chidiya (1958)" ...

[swarapriya]

12 O'Clock (1958)

The hit parade that OP put on display in 1958 continued on with this delectable offering of "12 O'Clock" album. Geetaji was in real top form here with several beautiful numbers to her credit. But the one that is a standout for me is the song "Kaisa Jadoo Balam". This is one of those jewels that one can cherish forever.

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

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jul 16 2008, 02:49 AM

[parag_sankla]

Swarapriya, special thanks for all these excellent uploads in CDQ.

Best Regards
Parag