Today’s post is dedicated to the late music director Naushad Ali (born 1919), his birthday falls this week on 25 December. He was a passionate advocate of Indian classical and folk music, which he used predominantly in his compositions.

Today’s list theme involves a competition or challenge situation occurring in the movie’s story line, which then results into a song. All 10 songs are based on this situation and composed by Naushad, which in a way showcase his range and versatility. Hope you enjoy and do leave your comments on this great composer.

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1) Song: Aaj Gawat Mann Mero Jhoomke
Film: Baiju Bawra (1952)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Ustad Amir Khan and Pt. D. V. Paluskar

The first song in the list is a direct face-off between Tansen (Surendra) and Baiju (Bharat Bhushan in Akbar’s court. Its a singing competition where the two accomplished singers will sing all through the night and try to melt a block of marble demonstrating their singing prowess. A classical number in raag Desi, brilliantly performed by stalwarts Ustad Amir Khan (singing for Tansen) and Pt. D. V. Paluskar. It makes for an exciting watch as the outcome will decide if Baiju will be able to avenge his father’s death and fulfill his life long objective of killing Tansen.

Prem ke karan premi gaawe,
Taanon se patthar pighlaawe,
Jagat mein rahe maan re
Aaj gawat mann mero jhoom ke

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2) Song: Chandan Ka Palna
Film: Shabab (1954)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Hemant Kumar

Another royal setting. Here the princess (played by Nutan) suffers from insomnia. However hard she tries, she is unable to have a peaceful sleep. She realises that music may be a remedy to her ailment. Soon musical exponents from all over are invited and challenged to cure the princess with a display of their talent. Many come and try but are unsuccessful. Finally, the hero (Bharat Bhushan) accepts the challenge. He presents this moving lullaby set in raag Pilu and emerges successful. Naushad makes use of very few instruments fitting the situation and Hemant Kumar sounds soothing.

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3) Song: Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat Azamaakar
Film: Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum and Chorus

It is entertainment hour for Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar). Anarkali (Madhubala) and Bahar (Nigar Sultana) compete against each other in bait baazi (a verbal game of Urdu poems). They are presenting the differing perceptions about the concept of love. Prince Salim will pick the winner.

Mohabbat Karne Waalon Ka Hai Bas Itna Hi Afsana,
Tadapnaa Chupke Chupke Aahe Bharnaa Ghut Ke Mar Jaana,
Kisi Din Ye Tamasha Muskuraa Kar Ham Bhi Dekhenge,
Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat Azamaakar Hum Bhi Dekhenge,
Aji Haa Ham Bhi Dekhenge

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4) Song: Madhuban Mein Radhika
Film: Kohinoor (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi and Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan

Rajlakshmi (Kumkum) is ready for her dance performance but the experienced musicians are not ready to play for a “fresher.” A young man Rajkumar Dhivendra Pratap (Dilip Kumar) steps in. He is ready to perform with her as a singer cum musician. They end up challenging each other. The dancing, singing, music are all top notch. Dilip Kumar plays the sitar convincingly in this raag Hameer composition.

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5) Song: Mere Mehboob Tujhe
Film: Mere Mehboob (1963)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi

This is an annual mushaira, where Urdu poets are competing by reciting their shayari compositions. One of the participants is the hero Anwar (Rajendra Kumar). He presents this romantic song. It is dedicated to the burkha clad girl he had collided with, resulting in a romantic encounter. Once again, the focus is on the poetry presentation and singing with minimal use of instrumentation.

Bhool sakti nahin aankhen woh suhana manzar,
Jab tera husn mere ishq se takraraya tha,
Aur phir raahon mein bikhare the hazaron naghmein,
Mein woh naghmein teri aawaz ko de aaya tha, Saaz-e-dil ko unhi geeton ka sahara de de,
Mere khoya hua rangeen nazaara de de,
Mere mehboob tujhe…

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6) Song: Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahin
Film: Mere Mehboob (1963)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle

From the same movie, we have another song between 2 friends Husna (Sadhana) and Naseemara (Ameeta). They are conversing about their respective beloved which soon progresses into a competitive song. Through the song they describe him and try to outdo each other. There is a lot of comparison, adjectives and superlatives used. Both are unaware they are describing the same person which is going to lead to complications!

Mera mehboob ek chaand hai husn apana nikhaare huey,
Asmaan ka farishta hai woh roop insaan ka dhaare huey,
Rashk-e-jannat hai woh mehejabin,
Mere mehboob mein kya nahin

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7) Song: Aaj Hai Pyaar Kaa Faisla
Film: Leader (1964)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar

Leader is a mess of a movie. This song is a dream/fantasy sequence which appears randomly in the plot. Dilip Kumar and Vyjanthimala are on the run. He is injured and they take refuge in a temple during a stormy night. He is resting. She lies down next to him and enters a dreamy world. Her lover has been converted to stone. She is challenged to bring him back through her love and dedication. And being a Hindi movie heroine, this is an opportunity to display her impactful singing and dancing skills! A random song but nevertheless beautiful composition by Naushad.

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8) Song: Saaz Ho Tum
Film: Saaz Aur Awaaz (1966)
Credits: Khumar Barabankvi | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi

A contrived situation resulting in a challenge. An uninvited Joy Mukherjee meets Saira Banu. She is angry with him and they insult each other. He challenges her she won’t be able to control herself and start dancing once he begins singing. And that is what happens. Naushad blends many raagas and instruments in this song. A melodious number with impressive singing by Rafi.

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9) Song: Teri Payal Mere Geet
Film: Teri Payal Mere Geet (1993)
Credits: Hasan Kamal | Naushad | S. P. Balasubrahmaniam

This is one of Naushad’s last movies. The song is between a dancer Laila (Meenakshi Sheshadri) and singer Premi (Govinda). Laila has been invited to perform at a wedding but refuses to perform due to personal reasons. She makes an excuse that she is unable to think of a song. Premi volunteers to sing a song and she can accompany him. Both challenge each other and end up performing together. While the song is forgettable, Meenakshi’s dancing is exquisite and a delight to watch.

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10) Song: Ishq Ki Dastaan
Film: Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005)
Credits: Naqsh Lyallpuri, Syed Gulrez | Naushad | Kavita Krishnamurthy and Preeti Uttam

This was the last movie in Naushad’s career. The song is a qawwali style competition between the 2 performers Arjuman Bano (Sonya Jahan) and Ladli Begum (Kim Sharma). While one talks about being open about love, the other counters stating that love is a feeling and doesn’t need to be made public.