Muse & Music, Music of the Golden Age Options

[swarapriya]

Here are some of the other songs from "Hamaari beTi".

Thank you very very much for these "other" songs, SB. Cheers.

[sangeetbhakt]

I added another song to the ones that I had already uploaded.

[swarapriya]

Rangula Raatnam (1966) - A Telugu Movie

Rekha made her debut in this Telugu movie. This was directed by one of the greatest directors of the Telugu cinema, B.N. Reddy.

B.N. Reddy (Narasimha) was a Telugu film pioneer. When he first joined the film industry, B.N. worked under H.M. Reddy. H.M. is considered by many as the father of Telugu films. One of the famous directors who was with H.M. was L.V. Prasad who made many hit movies (“Hamrahi”, “Sasural”, “Milan”, and others).

After working for a while under H.M., B.N. soon decided to become independent and founded his own studio, Vauhini. His first movie was “Vandemataram (1939)” based on a book he wrote that was never published. The movie dealt with unemployment and ill treatment of women and became a huge hit. His next movie “Sumangali (1940)” dealt with child widows. In spite of protests and threats to his life he completed and released the movie where the child widow grows up and remarries. Revolutionary concept for those days. Audience entrenched in age old believes rejected the movie outright. His third movie “Devata (1941)” dealt with premarital pregnancy. The making and the release of this movie also caused much uproar. But this time the audience were kinder to B.N. The movie became a hit wherever it was released and gave him a new lease of much needed financial life.

He produced several other movies after the success of "Devata" but did not direct another film for a while. Most of these films he produced were directed by his assistant K.V. Reddy who made later several hit movies for B.N.’s younger brother, B. Nagi Reddy (of "Ram Aur Shyam" fame). B.N.’s next directorial venture was “Swarga Seema (1945)” that was based on Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion”. Several English movies were made based on this story, the most notable being the musical “Sound of Music”. The movie also has shades of another English movie that starred Rita Hayworth, “Blood and Sand (1941)”. In “Swarga Seema”, a new lease of life was given to Bhanumati who came into the movies earlier but was struggling to find her niche. Great crooner Ghantasala was also introduced in this movie.

In 1951, B.N.-directed “Malleeshwari” starring Bhanumati and NTR was released. By many, this movie is considered to be the greatest Telugu movie ever made. It has great performances by its leading stars, beautiful music and some unforgettable lyrics written by Devulapalli Krishna Shastry. Devulapalli, a great Telugu poet, was writing for movies for the first time.

Come 1954, B.N. made yet another great movie called “Bangaaru Paapa”. The story was based on an English (Eliot’s “Silas Mamer”) novel and its star was Telugu cine field’s one of the greatest actors, S.V. Ranga Rao. Rao gave astonishingly stunning portrayal of his life where he is transformed from an uncouth ruffian to a gentle giant all because of his love and affection for an abandoned girl he helped raise. This movie won international acclaim for B.N. Charlie Chaplin saw this movie and heaped high praise on B.N. for such deft handling of the subject.

“Rangula Ratnam (1965)” was the last movie B.N. directed. It introduced actor Chandra Mohan in the lead role. It also gave opportunities for up and coming stars Vanisri and Vijaya Nirmala. Interestingly it also had a small role for Rekha (her first film as well). Rekha’s mother, Pushpavalli, played a pivotal role in the movie. This movie has some memorable songs and was a modest success.

B.N. was the first person from south to receive Dadasaheb Phalke award. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

All the songs of "Rangula Raatnam" I am uploading came from either LPs or tapes. If you hear intensely, you can detect background “hiss” in some of the songs. I will upload these songs in two separate posts. Here is the first set. The song "Nadi Reyi" by Janaki & Ghantasala is a smash.

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Rangula Raatnam (1966) - A Telugu Movie" Continued ...

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

[swarapriya]

Love in Simla (1960)

This was the second movie of Sadhana but first one as an adult. Also, Joy Mukherjee was introduced in this movie. With her innocent looks and infectious smile, Sadhana made a great impression on the cinegoers.

This movie has so many beautiful songs. It was a huge hit. I am uploading all of the songs in three separae back-to-back posts. The third post consists of extended version songs.

Here is the first set of songs ...

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Love in Simla (1960)" Continued ...

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

[swarapriya]

"Love in Simla (1960)" Extended Version Songs

Here are some extended version songs from this film. These are all by the courtesy of the Forum members.

[swarapriya]

Junglee (1961)

Saira Banu made her debut in this movie. With beautiful songs and shot in the backdrop of Kashmir Valley, the movie was a runaway hit. I am posting all songs of this movie in two parts. The first posting contains all regular versions. The second post consists of extended versions, all courtesy of the members of this Forum.

Here is the first set of songs ...

[swarapriya]

Extended Version Songs of "Junglee (1961)"

Here are some of the extended version songs of this album. They are all by the courtesy of the Forum members ...

[swarapriya]

Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)

This was the first Hindi movie in which Sharmila appeared. It seemed like Shammi was starring opposite newcomers and making hit movies one after another. This was no exception. It was shot in its entirety in Kashmir. It has some melodious tunes by O.P. Almost all of the songs are still popular today.

It seems that in an interview O.P. opined that if there is no Mohd. Rafi, then there is no O.P. Nayyar. This is an amazing admission. O.P. was not talking about Asha, but Rafi Saab. When you hear some of the songs Rafi sang in this movie, you can see why O.P. felt that way. Such a great tribute to such an exceptionally gifted singer ... Of course, as usual, singing for O.P. Asha is in her element as well.

There are quite a few songs in this movie. I am uploading them in two back-to-back posts. The "Humming" of Asha was contributed by the Forum members. The extended version of the song "Meri Jaan Balle Balle" is a DVD rip.

Here is the first set of songs ...

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)" Continued ...

Here are the rest of the songs from this album. One of my favorite duet of Asha & Rafi in in this album, "Isharon Isharon Mein". This pleasingly beautiful song just sticks in your mind and heart and won't go away giving constant pleasure.

Here is the second set of songs ...

[swarapriya]

Bahaar (1951)

"Bahaar" originally was made in Tamil and starred a 15-year old Vyjayanti Mala for the first time. The movie was a super hit. AVM remade it in Telugu as "Jeevitam". The movie in Telugu was also a great hit. It was inevitable that they make it in Hindi as well. And they did it. Hindi movie also did well. Vyjayanti Mala became an overnight sensation and became a much sought after actress in all three langauages. The movie was directed in all three languages by M.V. Raman (later became famous for Kishore's "Aasha").

I am uploading all of the songs from this movie. Sources for these are from CD collections, tape, and contributions of the Forum members. Please be warned that the quality of these songs is just passable.

Here are the songs ...

[swarapriya]

Rojulu Maaraayi (1955) - A Telugu Movie

This was the first movie of Waheeda Rehman. She appeared only in one song in the movie as a dancer. The song “Eruvaakaa” by Jikki and the film became runaway hits.

“Rojulu Maaraayi” was shot mostly in and around Dandu Mitta village in Andhra Pradesh and was one of the first Telugu films to realistically depict life and problems of village farmers. Janaki and Nageshwara Rao were paired for the first time on the screen. The editor of the film was K.B. Tilak, who later established his own banner called Anupama Pictures and produced and directed several socially conscious movies in Telugu (“M.L.A.” and “Mundadugu”) and Hindi (“Kangan” and “Chhoti Bahu”).

The song “Eruvaakaa” was originally written in 1953 by Kosaraju for a film called “Paaleru” in Telugu that was never made. The song was recorded by Master Venu, the music director. Kamala Laxman, the famous Bharata Natyam artist was originally contracted for the dance sequence. But the producer ran into financial problems and making of the movie was completely abandoned. But when plans were getting ready to make “Rojulu Maaraayi” producers signed Master Venu to provide music. He informed producers about the song he recorded couple of years back that was never used. Producers readily grabbed the song and had some changes made to it.

The “Eruvaakaa” song as part of its music used a kind of “daffli” that is quite popular in the villages of Andhra Pradesh and may be even unique to that region. This is a round instrument that is about two feet in diameter. The frame is usually from bamboo. The medium is cured animal skin, generally that of a cow. This “daffli” is held under your arm and a stick in each hand is used to produce sounds by beating the leather surface tightly secured in the wooden frame with the sticks. A simiply devised musical device such as this, produces amazing beats of sound and as evidenced from this song can reproduce beautiful rhythms.

Now the song was ready to be used in the movie, but this time around Kamala Laxman was not available to picturize it on. Someone suggested dancing sisters from Vijayawada named Waheeda and Shaheeda who never acted in films. Waheeda was signed for the dance. The song, the movie, and the dance, and its star became overnight sensations. Becaue of the sensation the song caused, Waheeda was even called as the “Eruvaaka” girl. N.T. Rama Rao who was making “Jayasimha” at that time immediately signed her for a major role in that movie.

The song made such an impact that producers released the movie with just that song colorized. Every place the movie played it was a huge hit. In Hyderabad, it was the first Telugu movie to celebrate a silver jubilee.

One of the singers of the song “Chiru Navvulu” was M. Krishna Kumari. A close acquaintance of the music director Master Venu, this is the only song she sang in the movies. She has a fairly decent voice yet sadly it went unrecognized.

During the jubilee celebrations of the movie, Guru Dutt who was in Hyderabad on a business trip was in attendance at the function. He was introduced to Waheeda during the break. Impressed with her good looks, Guru persuaded her to sign a contract with him. Apprehensive and reluctant in the beginning, Waheeda agreed. She appeared in Guru Dutt’s next film directed by Raj Khosla, “C.I.D.” with Dev Anand that went on to become a huge hit.

Years later, the tune of the song “Eruvaakaa” was copied by that great melody maker S.D. Burman. The song is “Dekhne Mein Bhola Hai” sung by Asha in “Bombai Ka Babu (1960)” which was also a huge hit.

Because of the number of songs in this movie, I will upload them in two back to back posts. Here is the first set of songs …

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Jun 9 2009, 01:24 PM

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Rojulu Maaraayi (1955) - A Telugu Movie" Continued ...

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

[ayyagari]

Bahaar (1951)

AVM remade it in Telugu as "Jeevitam".

Swarapriyaji, can you upload the songs of 'Jeevitam'?


Madhu