Muse & Music, Music of the Golden Age Options

[swarapriya]

(Waheeda) Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)

When it was released in 1959 “Kaagaz Ke Phool” was rejected by both critics and audience alike. With the success Guru Dutt enjoyed with his earlier classic “Pyaasa”, there were so many high expectations about this movie. It even had a grand premiere in New Delhi that was attended by then Vice-President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan. But many now think of this movie otherwise. It has reached a cult status and enjoys full houses whenever it is rereleased. There are several reasons for this. Let us explore some of them here …

The movie was released commercially in France in early 80’s. It received unexpected and unprecedented praise from the French movie critics. French audience flocked to see the movie. France, the home of new wave cinema and the domicile of many experimental movie makers, when their discerning film critics took notice of this movie, everyone else started paying attention to what this was all about. In 2002, in Sight & Sound magazine’s critics and director’s poll “Kaagaz Ke Phool” was selected as 160th best film ever made in the world. This is a British monthly film magazine published by the British Film Institute. The critics poll is taken every 10 years with the next one due in 2012. Of course, each time the poll is conducted, the list changes.

This movie made history because it was the first movie shot in cinemascope. V.K. Murty, who photographed most of Guru Dutt’s movies, was sent abroad to study advanced techniques in photography and learn how to use cinemascope (simply stated, two lenses in stead of one for broader coverage) lenses. But it was not the technology that was used, it was how the lights and shades were used to picturize most scenes in the movie that became talk of the town. Murty got a Filmfare award for his work. The most famous example in the movie is the lighting used for the song “Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam”. This scene itself, the photography, the music, the song in Geeta ji’s rich voice, the richness of lyrics, all are subjects of study by serious-minded filmmakers. One of the criticism of the movie was that the photography took the front seat to the rest of the movie … However, Guru was a master in using cinematography as one of the major narrative threads. There was an ample evidence of this in his earlier classic “Pyaasa”. The molding of lights and shadows the way Guru uses evokes as much emotion as dialogues or lack of them, as music or silence.

Even though Guru considered Khayyam to be the music director, he went along with SD. Burman and Guru worked in many films together. Their films always had great music. RD assisted his father in this movie. Apart from the classic “Waqt Ne Kiya”, the movie also had several other great songs. Rafi Saab’s song “Dekhi Zamaane Ki Yaar” is there throughout the movie. A beautiful piece that depicts not only the story of the movie accurately, but parallels that of Guru’s real life. Geetaji also has another winner in “Ek Do Teen”. “San San San Woh Chali Hawa” is also a noteworthy song.

Originally, Guru Dutt wanted Sahir to write lyrics for the movie. But Sahir and SD never worked together again after their pinnacle achievement “Pyaasa”. Guru approached Kaifi Azmi to write the lyrics. Azmi was underground because of his work with Communist Party in late 40’s as the party was banned for some time. He was still looking for the recognition that eluded him and jumped at the opportunity offered by Guru Dutt. Even though he wrote some great songs for the movie and they became highly popular, because of its commercial failure Azmi could find only occasional work. But later, Chetan Anand’s “Haqeeqt (1964)” changed all that.

The song “Waqt Ne Kiya” had interesting beginnings. Burman created a tune that Guru liked very much. He was looking to create a situation to use the music and approached Kaifi Azmi to write a song. He penned “Waqt NeKiya” in response to the request. Guru later created the sequence to use in the movie. As it happens, this is the song and the scene to remember for the ages.

By all accounts Guru Dutt’s mental state was not stable during the filming of “Kaagaz Ke Phool”. His home life was anything but peaceful. That effected a great deal his working style. He changed the script of the movie while it was in full progress many times. The movie almost was prophetic in the sense that it showed that death was a sort of release from all the suffering. The main character in the movie suffers that fate. A solitary end of a broken and abandoned man. This drama played out in Guru’s real life as well.

Heartbroken with the failure of the movie, Guru vowed never to direct again … What a pity …

I am uploading all the songs in back-to-back two posts. Here is the first set of songs ...


This post has been edited by swarapriya: Aug 25 2009, 12:06 PM

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)" Continued ...

Here I am including the song "Waqt Ne Kiya" from the "Legends: S.D. Burman (CD2)" album with an introduction by R.D. Burman. I am also including the same song sung by the ghazal singer Jagjit Singh from his "Close to My Heart" album. Here are the songs ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Aug 24 2009, 09:04 AM

[Faraaj73]

When you're talking about the recent "Devdas", Faraaj, I am pretty sure you're talking about the Shah Rukh Khan's version. I am a fan of SRK. He is a great actor, even though his most recent films have been a total disappointment. But the recent "Devdas" was not even close to any of the movies I have seen. It was all gloss and flashy. The real story was lost because of its decorative and ornamental look. All versions that came before used brilliant cinematographers (Barua's versions were photographed by the great Bimal da and early Telugu and Tamil versions were photogaphed with equal brilliance by B.S. Ranga) with light and shade effects to give that ambience, those pathos, that dispair ... I think all those elements are totally lacking from the latest version.

There it is. My two paise worth ...

Cheers,
Swarapriya

Your two paise worth confirm your good taste. I disliked the new Devdas the moment I saw SRK back from "foreign " wearing funny clothes etc. It was actually very annoying....

[madsur]

Dear SP,

I read about the DEVADAS's multilingual versios rather leisurely and hence the delay. It made a joyous read.
I wonder how the versions of the film made in the distant past continue to hold their grip on our collective consciousness. That, in itself, is a testimony to the art, skill & craftsmanship of those films.

As far as the Telugu & Tamil version is concerned, I think they are one and the same, as the Telugu version was dubbed into Tamil.

The Tamil version also had equally memorable songs. The voice of Ghantasala singing the Tamil version of 'Jagame mayam..' ( Ulage mayam, vazhve mayam..), is absolutely haunting.

If some kind soul can upload all the songs of Tamil version, it would complete the topic.

It was very nice of you to highlight BS Ranga's B/W photography as it added to the grandeur of the film.

In my view, to compare the SRK version with these masterpieces would be blasphemous.
It was all glam, glitter and an eventual sham. Less said the better.

Best regards,
Suresh

[swarapriya]

Your two paise worth confirm your good taste. I disliked the new Devdas the moment I saw SRK back from "foreign " wearing funny clothes etc. It was actually very annoying....

Well. There isn't much one can say about this movie except it made tons of money. These are the type of movies that make you confirm once again why actors like Dilip Kumar were so brilliant.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

Dear SP,

In my view, to compare the SRK version with these masterpieces would be blasphemous.
It was all glam, glitter and an eventual sham. Less said the better.

Best regards,
Suresh

Well, Suresh, you're echoing my sentiments as well. Cheers. -S

[swarapriya]

(Zeenat) Ajanabee (1974)

Songs from this album are still active in the "Rajesh Khanna" thread in the "Sangeet Ke Sitarey" section. You can access these songs from the folllowing location ...

http://www.hamaraforums.com/index.php?show...8328&st=183

[expressamit]

About Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) Songs Listed as missing songs ... I do not think you are missing any songs

a] Hum Tum Jise Kahta Hai Shaadi starts with "O Peter O Brother ..."

b] I think the 9min length of "Dekhi Jamane Ki Yaari ..." should include "Ud Ja Ud Ja ..." in last 3 minutes of the song.



This post has been edited by expressamit: Aug 25 2009, 07:13 AM

[swarapriya]

About Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) Songs Listed as missing songs ... I do not think you are missing any songs

a] Hum Tum Jise Kahta Hai Shaadi starts with "O Peter O Brother ..."

b] I think the 9min length of "Dekhi Jamane Ki Yaari ..." should include "Ud Ja Ud Ja ..." in last 3 minutes of the song.

Great. Got it. Many thanks for the explanation. Cheers. -S

[Faraaj73]

P.C. Barua's Classic "Devdas (1935)"

Isn't the KC Dey song Baba Man Ki Aankhen Khol from Dhoop Chaon (1934) and not Devdas (1935)?

[swarapriya]

Isn't the KC Dey song Baba Man Ki Aankhen Khol from Dhoop Chaon (1934) and not Devdas (1935)?

It's quite possible that I made a mistake. I may have filed the song at a wrong place. Would like to see this confirmed. Thanks. -S

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Aug 26 2009, 08:53 PM

[swarapriya]

(Asha) Hum Hindustani (1960)

Usha Khanna follows her stunning debut of "Dil Deke Dekho" with this beautiful album. If there were any doubts whether the success of "Dil" was just a flash in the pan, this movie completely erased them. Here Khanna shows that she can be versatile in handling different singers. Whereas "Dil" was all Asha and Rafi Saab, in this movie she also has Lata and Mukesh sing. She also joins the fray with a duet with Geetaji. The standout songs from this album are both solos by Mukhjesh ji, "Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein" and "Raat Nikhri Huyi".

I am uploading these songs in two back-to-back posts. Here is the first set of songs ...

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Hum Hindustani (1960)" Continued ...

Here are some more beautiful songs from this great album ...

[memsaab]

Oh thank you for these Swarapriya---I only have been able to find four songs from the film.

I love Usha's singing voice too---pity she didn't sing MORE :-) Thanks again!

[swarapriya]

Oh thank you for these Swarapriya---I only have been able to find four songs from the film.

I love Usha's singing voice too---pity she didn't sing MORE :-) Thanks again!

You're very welcome, Memsaab. -S