Muse & Music, Music of the Golden Age Options

[swarapriya]

(Waheeda) Guide (1965)

"Guide" was undoubtedly a pinnacle of achievement for Anand Brothers, Dev and Vijay. It has a fascinating history behind how a best selling novel transformed into a fabulous movie. Dev Anand read R.K. Narayan's novel "The Guide" and decided to make it into a movie. Even though Narayan initially refused, Dev, a master of persuasion convinced the author to allow him make the novel into a movie.

Convinced that the novel has the universal appeal, Dev next set his eyes on making this in Hindi as well as English. He was able to find the Nobel laureate author Pearl S. Buck (for her work "Good Earth") to coproduce with him. Next he chose Waheeda Rehman to be his heroine. Initially Waheeda was hesitant to play the role. Mainly because the movie dealt with adultery and playing the role she thought would be committing a professional suicide. Again, Dev, used his charm and persuading power to win Waheeda over to accept the role.

Dev hired Ted Danielwski, a Hollywood man, to direct the English version. Dev wanted Vijay, his younger brother, to direct the Hindi version. But Vijay refused thinking that the movie if made would ruin the image of India abroad. Dev went back to Vijay after making more arrangements for the movie. Vijay refused again stating the same reasons. By this time English version went into production. Never to give up, convinced it should be Vijay who should be handling the Hindi version of the movie, Dev went back to Vijay and persuaded him to change his mind. Third time was charm for Dev and his perseverance finally paid off. Vijay consented to direct the movie independent of the English version.

For nobody’s surprise, Burman da was signed to compose music for the Hindi version. Shailendra was assigned to pen the lyrics. Vijay wrote the screenplay and dialogues for the Hindi version. While the preparations for Hindi version were going on, Dev spent considerable energy to finish the English version first. Which he did.

Dev had high hopes on the English version. But it was a resounding flop. Disappointed but undeterred Dev was determined even more so to continue with the Hindi version.

The novelist R.K. Narayan, on whose novel the movie was based, saw the script Vijay wrote and decided to disown the entire project. His main objection was that the screenplay was not completely true to his original work. Vijay's argument was that the changes were necessary to make some cinematic allowances and to make the story written sometime back to fit the existing atmosphere and maintain the continuity of the theme.

The movie itself was bold in its theme by even today's (after 45 years) Indian movie standards. In the end when the movie was completed, this labor of love and hard work, “Guide” was a huge hit. It was Dev's first color production. Burmanda's music was a rage. Every song was a marvel. Kishoreda had a duet with Lataji. But it was Lataji and Rafi Saab that took all the accolades. "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki", "Piya Tose Naina", and "Saiyya Beimaan" are melodious masterpieces with Burmanda's stamp all over them. Rafi Saab had three mesmerizing solos in "Din Dhal Jaaye", "Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya", and "Tere Mere Sapne." Burmanda had two great songs himself. "Wahan Kaun Hai Tera" by SD in particular perfectly accentuates the mood of the film. Mannaji also made a small contribution by singing one song.

"Guide" went on to win an unprecedented seven Filmfare awards for that year. The awards were for: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Story, Best Dialogues, and Best Cinematography. One of the grave omission and unforgivable mistake by the award committee was not to recognize Burmanda for such wonderfully everlasting music. He richly deserved the award! That award went to Shankar-Jaikishan duo for their efforts for the movie "Suraj", which was great with some beautiful songs. For all the great music he created, Burmanda probably was one least recognized with awards for his creations. (Madan Mohan was another one, but at least Burmanda's most movies were hits whereas most movies Madan Mohan provided music for lamented at the box office.)

The Hindi version of the movie “Guide” was an Oscar entry that year. I read somewhere that the 1964 “Guide” was invited to participate for a screening at Cannes Film Festival in the World Classic category. Even after this many years, what an honor! One final note. Dev, the indomitable spirit and the evergreen hero he is, who hasn’t made a good movie in last 30 or so years, and who continues to make a movie after a movie each year, is planning to re-release the English version …

I am uploading all songs, some specials, and few extended version songs of this film in three separate back-to-back posts. Here is the first set of songs from this beautiful album ...

[swarapriya]

Songs of "Guide (1965)" Continued ...

In this post I am including rest of the songs from this album. I am also including several specials. There is a special version of "Aaj Phir" with Waheeda Rehman's introduction. This is taken from the album "Legends: Lata Mangeshkar - The Melody Queen (CD2)". Lata in her "Shraddhanjali-1" album paid tribute to Rafi Saab by singing the song "Din Dhal Jaaye". I am including her version from that album here. Another version of the same song, with the music director team of Jatin & Lalit's introduction, is included here. This is from the album "Legends: S.D. Burman - The Ageless All Rounder (CD3)". I am including a version of "Gaata Rahe" with Lata's introduction. This is taken from the album "Legends: Kishore Kumar - The Versatile Genius (CD2)". Also included is part of "Mose Chhal Kiye Jaaye" with Jatin & Lalit's introduction. This is take from the album "Legends: S.D. Burman - The Ageless All Rounder (CD3)". Finally, I am uploading Abhijeet's version song of "Tere Mere Sapne" taken from his album "Salute to Legends". It also has a brief introduction by Abhijit.

Here are these songs ...

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Guide (1965)" ...

This final post consists of three extended versions of the songs from "Guide". These all are by the courtesy of the Forum members. Thank you ...

[Faraaj73]

(Waheeda) Guide (1965)

I am uploading all songs, some specials, and few extended version songs of this film in three separate back-to-back posts. Here is the first set of songs from this beautiful album ...

Thanks Swarapriya

The recent connectivity issues with HF have thrown a lot of regular members, myself included. Its great to see it hasn't slowed you down in the quantity and above all quality of your uploads, which are great as always!

I'm hearing the short song Allah Megh De after a long time. I'm more familiar with its Bappi Lahiri reincarnation for the Amitabh film Sharabi - De De Pyar De Pyar De Pyar De De.....did you know Sharabi was shot in only 11 days!

[swarapriya]

Thanks Swarapriya

The recent connectivity issues with HF have thrown a lot of regular members, myself included. Its great to see it hasn't slowed you down in the quantity and above all quality of your uploads, which are great as always!

I'm hearing the short song Allah Megh De after a long time. I'm more familiar with its Bappi Lahiri reincarnation for the Amitabh film Sharabi - De De Pyar De Pyar De Pyar De De.....did you know Sharabi was shot in only 11 days!

Hello Faraaj,

Thanks for your kind comments and encouraging support.

How could they make a movie in 11 days? That too a quality one, albeit it was copy of the hit English movie "Arthur" that starred Liza Minelli and the late Dudley Moore. 11 days is certainly amazing. It must be some kind of a world record.

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

(Zeenat) Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)

Here are the songs from this album ...

[HarshBhatt]

Swarapriya,

Thanks for all the information on Guide. I tried hard but couldn't get the English version.

Keep sharing
HB

[swarapriya]

Swarapriya,

Thanks for all the information on Guide. I tried hard but couldn't get the English version.

Keep sharing
HB

Harshji,

It is always such a pleasure to hear from you.

I have also tried to get the English version but had no luck. A good friend of mine has seen the movie in English when he was in US a while back. One of her comments was that there are some intimate scenes between Waheeda and Dev in the English version that may not be palapatable for Indian audience. However, this observation was made sometime back. It probably is no longer true the state of where Hindi movies is now. Do you know whether the English version was ever released in India?

Cheers,
Swarapriya

[swarapriya]

(Asha) Teesri Manzil (1966)

Here is one of my favorite movies. Everything comes together in this movie like a well organized and well executed musical concert. The story, songs, music, performances, they all add up to make this a thoroughly enjoyable entertainer.

Nasir Hussain, who produced the film, was busily getting ready with "Baharon Ke Sapne" and approached Vijay Anand to direct this movie. Originally Vijay’s older brother Dev Anand was to star in it. But Dev was enjoying his new found success and recognition from making "Guide" and was not immediately available. Instead the role went to Shammi.

Hussain was looking for someone to compose the music and Shammi recommended his old friends Shankar and Jaikishan. Majrooh Sultanpuri, who wrote lyrics for every Nasir Hussain movie and a good friend of Hussain, suggested R.D. Burman’s name. R.D. was new to the game and had only "Chhote Nawab" behind him. However, Hussain went along with the idea. Vijay Anand knew R.D. well (being son as well assistant of S.D. Burman), and liked the idea. But Shammi wouldn't budge. R.D. composed a couple of songs to convince Shammi that he will be able to do the justice and when Shammi heard them he had no problem.

R.D. became a regular with Nasir Hussain for many of his future films. Together the tandem of Hussain-Burman-Majrooh collaborated in churning out many memorable musical hits that are remembered even today even after many many years.

The music of “Teesri Manzil” was a standout. It had some breakaway music and sounds that were never heard on an Indian screen before. A good example of this is the duet Asha and Rafi Saab sang “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera”. It was a clever juxtaposition of Eastern and Western music that was at once appealing to ears as well as hearts. Asha Bhosle and Rafi Saab sang all of the songs in this movie. Apart from the song already mentioned, the other standout songs are that beautiful duet of Asha and Rafi Saab, “O Mera Sona Re Sona Re” and the romantic solo of Rafi Saab “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin”. It turns out that this was the last Nasir Hussain movie where Rafi Saab sang all of the male songs. He did return with a bang in Hussain's "Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977)" where he sang that memorable National Award winning song "Kya Hua Tera Vaada".

The picturization of the songs from this movie is still talked about. Vijay Anand uses some unusual camera angles to picturize the songs, like a dance seen from an eye or a guitar hole. Incidentally Salim, who would later become part of the famous Salim-Javed writing team, played a bit role in the movie. He plays drums to Helen's song and the dance number "Oh Haseena Zulfonwaali". Salim, father of actor Salman Khan, later married Helen.

During the filming of this movie Shammi lost his actress wife Geeta Bali. Vijay Anand helped Shammi overcome the grief.

I am uploading songs from this album in two back-to-back posts. In the first post, I am also including a special version of "Aaja Aaja" song with Asha's introduction. This is taken from the album "Legends: R.D. Burman - The Versatile Composer (CD 1)".

Now for the first set of songs ...

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Mar 25 2010, 10:13 AM

[swarapriya]

Concluding Songs from "Teesri Manzil (1966)" ...

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

[suhana_safar]

It takes sometimes a lifetime to sing 3 songs of this quality, Rafisaab has done this on innumerable ocassions in one film. SD Burman was so overwhelmed after the recording of Din Dhal Jaye that he said to Dev Ananad and others around him " Kaun ga sakta hai aisa". How true. I cant imagine anyone reaching an outcome that Rafisaab has but the same is true for just about all his songs.

All 3 epic renditions in one of my favorite films, a film that has has to of my favorite SD Burman renditions.

Kya se Kya Hogaya....still gives me goose bumbs but so does thousands of other songs of this unmatched giant of playback singing, the very best of the best.

This post has been edited by suhana_safar: Mar 25 2010, 03:23 AM

[suhana_safar]

(Asha) Teesri Manzil (1966)

Here is one of my favorite movies. Everything comes together in this movie like a well organized and well executed musical concert. The story, songs, music, performances, they all add up to make this a thoroughly enjoyable entertainer.

Nasir Hussain, who produced the film, was busily getting ready with "Baharon Ke Sapne" and approached Vijay Anand to direct this movie. Originally Vijay’s older brother Dev Anand was to star in it. But Dev was enjoying his new found success and recognition from making "Guide" and was not immediately available. Instead the role went to Shammi.

Hussain was looking for someone to compose the music and Shammi recommended his old friends Shankar and Jaikishan. Majrooh Sultanpuri, who wrote lyrics for every Nasir Hussain movie and a good friend of Hussain, suggested R.D. Burman’s name. R.D. was new to the game and had only "Chhote Nawab" behind him. However, Hussain went along with the idea. Vijay Anand knew R.D. well (being son as well assistant of S.D. Burman), and liked the idea. But Shammi wouldn't budge. R.D. composed a couple of songs to convince Shammi that he will be able to do the justice and when Shammi heard them he had no problem.

R.D. became a regular with Nasir Hussain for many of his future films. Together the tandem of Hussain-Burman-Majrooh collaborated in churning out many memorable musical hits that are remembered even today even after many many years.

The music of “Teesri Manzil” was a standout. It had some breakaway music and sounds that were never heard on an Indian screen before. A good example of this is the duet Asha and Rafi Saab sang “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera”. It was a clever juxtaposition of Eastern and Western music that was at once appealing to ears as well as hearts. Asha Bhosle and Rafi Saab sang all of the songs in this movie. Apart fro the song already mentioned, the other standout songs are that beautiful duet of Asha and Rafi Saab, “O Mera Sona Re Sona Re” and the romantic solo of Rafi Saab “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin”. It turns out that this was the last Nasir Hussain movie where Rafi Saab sang all of the male songs. He did return with a bang in Hussain's "Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977)" where he sang that memorable National Award winning song "Kya Hua Tera Vaada".

The picturization of the songs from this movie is still talked about. Vijay Anand uses some unusual camera angles to picturize the songs, like a dance seen from an eye or a guitar hole. Incidentally Salim, who would later become part of the famous Salim-Javed writing team, played a bit role in the movie. He plays drums to Helen's song and the dance number "Oh Haseena Zulfonwaali". Salim, father of actor Salman Khan, later married Helen.

During the filming of this movie Shammi lost his actress wife Geeta Bali. Vijay Anand helped Shammi overcome the grief.

I am uploading songs from this album in two back-to-back posts. In the first post, I am also including a special version of "Aaja Aaja" song with Asha's introduction. This is taken from the album "Legends: R.D. Burman - The Versatile Composer (CD 1)".

Now for the first set of songs ...

Rafisaab's songs have being one of the major factors in success of Nasir Hussain films, this is evident from the films where Rafisaab has sung and not sung for him. Caravan was another film where Rafisaab sang majority of the songs and even to date those songs are pure and fresh and loved.
Chura Liya from Yadon ki barat is a timeless song and as for comebacks, personally Rafisaab never left the pinancle, so for me a comeback is something of a myth. Dear Swarpriya I am in no way trying to criticise you, one are one of my favorite HF members someone whom i respect, i am just giving my opinion.
Cheers
SS

This post has been edited by suhana_safar: Mar 25 2010, 03:29 AM

[swarapriya]

It takes sometimes a lifetime to sing 3 songs of this quality, Rafisaab has done this on innumerable ocassions in one film. SD Burman was so overwhelmed after the recording of Din Dhal Jaye that he said to Dev Ananad and others around him " Kaun ga sakta hai aisa". How true. I cant imagine anyone reaching an outcome that Rafisaab has but the same is true for just about all his songs.

All 3 epic renditions in one of my favorite films, a film that has has to of my favorite SD Burman renditions.

Kya se Kya Hogaya....still gives me goose bumbs but so does thousands of other songs of this unmatched giant of playback singing, the very best of the best.

SS,

You put your thoughts about Rafi Saab's singing abilities so well. A gifted singer for many generations to come for sure. Aren't we fortunate to be around to listen to such treasure lodes of songs from Rafi Saab's magnificent voice? Thanks for sharing Burmanda's thoughts about the song "Din Dhal Jaaye".

Cheers,
S

[swarapriya]

Rafisaab's songs have being one of the major factors in success of Nasir Hussain films, this is evident from the films where Rafisaab has sung and not sung for him. Caravan was another film where Rafisaab sang majority of the songs and even to date those songs are pure and fresh and loved.
Chura Liya from Yadon ki barat is a timeless song and as for comebacks, personally Rafisaab never left the pinancle, so for me a comeback is something of a myth. Dear Swarpriya I am in no way trying to criticise you, one are one of my favorite HF members someone whom i respect, i am just giving my opinion.
Cheers
SS

SS,

I have no problem with your opinions are writeups. Each one of us have our own values and treasured feelings about the things we love and appreciate. I have immense respect for that. Needless to say, I do value and respect your opinions as well.

Cheers,
S

[suhana_safar]

Rafisaab's songs have being one of the major factors in success of Nasir Hussain films, this is evident from the films where Rafisaab has sung and not sung for him. Caravan was another film where Rafisaab sang majority of the songs and even to date those songs are pure and fresh and loved.
Chura Liya from Yadon ki barat is a timeless song and as for comebacks, personally Rafisaab never left the pinancle, so for me a comeback is something of a myth. Dear Swarpriya I am in no way trying to criticise you, one are one of my favorite HF members someone whom i respect, i am just giving my opinion.
Cheers
SS

SS,

I have no problem with your opinions are writeups. Each one of us have our own values and treasured feelings about the things we love and appreciate. I have immense respect for that. Needless to say, I do value and respect your opinions as well.

Cheers,
S

Thanks Swarpriya.....regards...ss