Muse & Music, Music of the Golden Age Options

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Laila Majnu (1976)" Continued ...

Here are the rest of the songs from this album. The extended version of the song "Likh Kar" may have been contributed by the Forum members. Thank you. Now for the songs ...

[swarapriya]

Laila Majnu (1949) - A Classic Telugu Film

Bhanumati and her husband Rama Krishna decided to make the story of “Laila Majnu” into a movie. Their first movie, “Ratnamala” in Telugu was a great success. Riding high on this they decided to make this movie on a grand scale. Akkineni Nageshwara Rao (ANR), who also appeared with Bhanumati in a smaller role in “Ratnamala”, was cast as the hero. When ANR entered into the movies at the age of 15, Bhanumati was already an established star. The very first movie ANR acted in “Dharmapatni (1941)”, Bhanumati also had a significant role. Incidentally, Bhanumati and ANR are of the same age. They were born in the same year and the same month, with only a few days apart. Apart from “Laila Majnu”, the pairing of Bhanumati & ANR produced several great movies. Two of the greatest ones are “Vipra Narayana” and “Baatasaari”, both made by Bharani, Bhanumati’s home production.

While “Laila Majnu” was in full production in both Tamil and Telugu, another producer entered into the fray to make “Laila Majnu” in Tamil. Undeterred Bhanumati went onto make the movie and release it almost simultaneously with the other movie. Bhanumati’s movie proved to be a huge hit in both the languages whereas the other movie flopped. That other Tamil movie starred M.V. Rajamma and T.R. Mahalingam in the leads.

Much of the success of Bhanumati’s “Laila Majnu” was attributed to two factors; fine acting by the leading pair and great songs. Almost all songs were super hits. C.R. Subbaraman, who will eventually provide music for “Devadasu” in 1953, was the composer at the helm. He was brought in to compose music for Bhanumati’s first own production, “Ratnamala”. Encouraged with the success of its songs, Subbaraman was rehired to do the songs for “Laila Majnu”. After the movie was released and the songs became phenomenal hits, Subbaraman became a household name.

The movie also gave a shot in the arm to the singing career of Ghantasala. Ghantasala sang his first song, a duet, with Bhanumati in B.N. Reddy’s famous “Swarga Seema” movie. But after the success of “Laila Majnu”, Ghantasala never looked back. By the way, Ghantasala also worked as an assistant music director to C.R. Subbaraman.

Incidentally, Samudrala reworked on the “Laila Majnu” story and gave it a happy ending. This is the only “Laila Majnu” movie that had this type of ending because all others were tragedies. The movie was directed by Bhanumati’s husband, Rama Krishna. He also edited the movie. It was photographed by B.S. Ranga. In later years, Ranga, started his own production company and made some fine movies such as “Tenali Rama Krishna” and “Amara Shilpi Jakkanna”.

The movie had a dance sequence by Lalita and Padmini, two of the three famous Travancore sisters (the youngest one was Ragini). This was the first movie appearance for Padmini. I am not certain about Lalita. Both went onto make several good movies on their own right. Lalita is fondly remembered even today for her role of “Chandramukhi” in Telugu “Devadasu (1953)”. Padmini was the more successful one of the sisters as she appeared in several popular Hindi movies.

I am uploading 17 songs from this film. In spite of the age, their sound quality is not bad. Because of the large number, I will upload them in back-to-back posts.

Here is the first set of songs …

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Laila Majnu (1949) - A Classic Telugu Film" Continued ...

Here are rest of the songs from this beautiful album ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jul 26 2009, 02:56 AM

[Aditya Pant]

Laila Majnu (1976)

Here is one of the most popular movies made on this epic love story. It has some of the most beautiful songs written by Sahir Ludhianvi. Music of Madan Mohan ji is simply superb. During its filming, Madan Mohan ji passed away. Jaidev ji was able to fill in and did a great job finishing composing whatever was left for him to do.

Because of the number of songs, I will upload them in two back-to-back posts. Per EarthMusic, I am still missing one song. This is shown in red italics in the table below. If anyone of the members has it, please share.

Now for the first set of songs ...

SP,

Mere Qaasid Tu Jab Pahunche is the same song as Likh Kar Tera Naam Zameen Par. In the film the first line is part of the dialogue preceding the song and then Rafi takes over with "kehna ik deewana...likh kar tera". The long version you have posted includes the initial bit

Majority of the songs were composed and recorded by Madan Mohan. Jaidev composed the following songs:
- Likh Kar Tera Naam Zameen Par
- Laila Majnu Do Badan
- Qaza Zaalim Sahi ... Ye Dawa Aaj

Aditya

This post has been edited by Aditya Pant: Jul 24 2009, 07:48 AM

[swarapriya]

SP,

Mere Qaasid Tu Jab Pahunche is the same song as Likh Kar Tera Naam Zameen Par. In the film the first line is part of the dialogue preceding the song and then Rafi takes over with "kehna ik deewana...likh kar tera". The long version you have posted includes the initial bit

Majority of the songs were composed and recorded by Madan Mohan. Jaidev composed the following songs:
- Likh Kar Tera Naam Zameen Par
- Laila Majnu Do Badan
- Qaza Zaalim Sahi ... Ye Dawa Aaj

Aditya

Thanks Aditya. I am so happy to be part of this Forum where people like yourself who have such in-depth knowledge of the songs and movies also are members. I made the changes per your suggestions. Thank you again.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

(Rekha) Elaan (1971)

Here is a movie for which Shankar & Jaikishan provided the music. I am not much of the singer Sharda fan, but for those, there are two solos and a duet in this movie. Here are the songs ...

[madsur]

(Rekha) Elaan (1971)

Here is a movie for which Shankar & Jaikishan provided the music. I am not much of the singer Sharda fan, but for those, there are two solos and a duet in this movie. Here are the songs ...

SP,
As opposed to the trade mark flair & polish that is seen in your write-ups (which I like very much & read with great deal of interest), this seemed as if you wanted to finish off with a chore, as quickly as possible. The language gives it away. In my opinion, this must rate among the 10 most pedestrian scores of SJ combo. Seems more likely Shankar's compositions considering the Sharda element. (tittle-tattle!!)

The only noteworthy feature of this album, if it can be called that, is the most uncharacteristically steamy & breathless song of Lata - a la Asha. I am not able to figure how Hasratji could write such inane lyrics.

Less said the better. Seems to have been your philosophy as well, for this post.

Best regards,
Suresh

[suhana_safar]

Rafisaabs voice rules this beautiful album (laila majnu), the song 'yeh dawa aaj duniya bhar se" is a impossible rendition to be delivered at that range and pitch, only Rafisaab could achieve this outcome.

This post has been edited by suhana_safar: Jul 25 2009, 11:11 AM

[suhana_safar]

(Rekha) Elaan (1971)

Here is a movie for which Shankar & Jaikishan provided the music. I am not much of the singer Sharda fan, but for those, there are two solos and a duet in this movie. Here are the songs ...

The duet is catchy .

[pradeepasrani]

(Nutan) Laila Majnu (1953)

Here is another classic love story that has been told countless times through books, poems, and movies. The story was first published as a book of series of verses by Nizami Ganjavi in 12th century and was apparently based on a 7th century true story. Mian Mohammad Bakhsh interpreted these verses in a story text form and this is considered as one of the most acclaimed treatises ever published on this fable. Since then some version or other of this story of ill-fated lovers has been passed on through centuries. Countless generations have seen many versions of this fabled story in countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria.

There were two silent movie versions were made here in India in 1922 and 1927. The first talkie version was made in 1945 and it was a huge hit thanks to its music composed by Rafiq Ghajnavi and Gobindaram. This movie for which I will be uploading songs was made in 1953. It was remade as “Dastaan-E-Laila Majnu” in 1974. It was also remade in 1976 with Ranjeeta and Rishi Kapoor that had a magnificent musical score by Madan Mohan and Jaidev.

In 1949, that great Telugu and Tamil movie star Bhanumati made this story in both languages. That movie boasted nearly 20 songs and became for its producer Bhanumati one of the biggest hits.

I will upload songs from three Hindi versions (1953, 1974, and 1976), and also the Telugu version (1949) all in this section, one after the other.

Here are the details of the Nutan-Shammi Kapoor starrer. There are apparently 16 songs in this movie. I am uploading 13 of them in back-to-back posts. I am still missing three songs. These are shown in red italics in the table below. If you have them, please kindly share them with us.

Here is the first set of songs …

Main Teri Shamma Hoon is the starting verse of Yaad Ter Zindagi Ka Sahara Bun Gayi which is already uploaded. Tere Dar Pe Aaya Hoon Fariyaad Lekar, while recorded for Laila Majnu under the music direction of Sardar Mallik, was eventually included in the movie Chor Baazar (1954), also a Shammi Kapoor starrer for which Sardar Mallik composed music, and is commonly available. If required, I can upload it. The only missing song is Milne Ki Hasrat Mein Betabi Ke Saath, for which the 78 RPM record was not issued. It can only be digitalised from the VCD of the movie if the song was included there.

Pradeep

This post has been edited by pradeepasrani: Jul 25 2009, 01:58 PM

[swarapriya]

SP,
As opposed to the trade mark flair & polish that is seen in your write-ups (which I like very much & read with great deal of interest), this seemed as if you wanted to finish off with a chore, as quickly as possible. The language gives it away. In my opinion, this must rate among the 10 most pedestrian scores of SJ combo. Seems more likely Shankar's compositions considering the Sharda element. (tittle-tattle!!)

The only noteworthy feature of this album, if it can be called that, is the most uncharacteristically steamy & breathless song of Lata - a la Asha. I am not able to figure how Hasratji could write such inane lyrics.

Less said the better. Seems to have been your philosophy as well, for this post.

Best regards,
Suresh

My Dear Suresh,

You write what you feel. Faking or pretending never helps. If you do, it shows it away. You have just about reflected as well as articulated my sentiments in your observations about the music for this movie so well. Thank you.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

Main Teri Shamma Hoon is the starting verse of Yaad Ter Zindagi Ka Sahara Bun Gayi which is already uploaded. Tere Dar Pe Aaya Hoon Fariyaad Lekar, while recorded for Laila Majnu under the music direction of Sardar Mallik, was eventually included in the movie Chor Baazar (1954), also a Shammi Kapoor starrer for which Sardar Mallik composed music, and is commonly available. If required, I can upload it. The only missing song is Milne Ki Hasrat Mein Betabi Ke Saath, for which the 78 RPM record was not issued. It can only be digitalised from the VCD of the movie if the song was included there.

Pradeep

Pradeep ji,

Thank you very much for going through this with a fine-tooth comb. I have made adjustments to my write up and updated the table to reflect your suggestions. Incidentally, I do have the number from "Chor Baazar".

Again, with many thanks and lots of cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

Rafisaabs voice rules this beautiful album (laila majnu), the song 'yeh dawa aaj duniya bhar se" is a impossible rendition to be delivered at that range and pitch, only Rafisaab could achieve this outcome.

Rafi Saab was definitely magnificent singing all these songs in this movie.

[swarapriya]

(Sadhana) Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)

Here is one of my favorite OP albums. I never get tired of listening to these songs. With so much youthful exuberance these songs have been put together heart flutters with joy and makes you feel so much younger. Every song sparkles like a just opened vintage champagne bottle.

Both Asha and Rafi always gave their best to OP. In later years after her split with OP, Asha never acknowledged about what OP has done for her career saying that when you have talent it has to surface up sooner or later. Probably true. But thanks to OP, it gave her a momentum, and a name to reckon with, for many many generations to come. Asha would probably have been struggling for many more years without this kind of help. And what one can say about Rafi Saab. OP quotes in the write up for "Legends" albums of Rafiji that if there was no Rafi then there would have been no OP either. A great tribute from a great maestro.

Because of the number of songs in this album, I will upload them in two back-to-back posts. Taste the first glass of champagne ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jul 26 2009, 02:52 AM

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)" Continued ...

Here is another galss of more bubbly champagne songs from the great maestro OP ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jul 26 2009, 02:52 AM