Category Archives: My Lists

Lata Mangeshkar – Birthday Songs

My Lists

Today is 28th September, and we are remembering Lata Mangeshkar on her birthday. But remembering would be a wrong word as I am sure there is hardly a day when we don’t hear her songs. It might be from the classic era – 50s and 60s or the 90s where she sang selectively but continued to deliver huge hits. It might be a film song or otherwise. As often repeated, there will be no one like Lataji again. Such is her influence.

Thinking about a theme is so difficult when it comes to such a great artist. I had written about 1 voice and 10 heroines earlier remembering the singer and some of the heroines she sang for. Today’s post is about birthday songs sang by Lataji. Birthdays are common situations in our movies and a perfect reason to place a song. While meant to be a cheerful occasion, we see the occasional twist, adding to the entertainment.

1) Song: Da Dir Daara…Meri Laadli
Film: Andaz (1949)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

Starting with one of the very early songs of Lataji. This was her first collaboration with Naushad, with whom she had a long association till the 1990s. In the song, Raj Kapoor and Nargis are celebrating their daughter’s first birthday. Everything is fine till Dilip Kumar’s arrival which adds drama to the scene. Nargis pauses when she sees him but gains control and continues the song. Lataji’s voice sounded young but it had the range and throw that were going to become legendary soon.

2) Song: Ek Bewafa Se Pyaar Kiya
Film: Awara (1951)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar

Similar to Naushad, Lataji had a long association with Shankar Jaikishan, who gave her some of the best songs of her career. Not to forget Raj Kapoor’s legendary banner R.K. Films under which this film was made. In this scene, it is Nargis’s birthday and meant to be a happy occasion. But there is a twist before the song which reveals the harsh reality of her lover (Raj Kapoor). Her friend sings the song but it is a reflection of her troubled state of mind. What to say about Lataji’s singing – effortless and amazing breath control.

3) Song: Pawan Diwani
Film: Dr Vidya (1962)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar

It is Vyjayanti Mala’s onscreen birthday party. And her dance performance is the return gift for the assembled guests! Her performance is impeccable but Lataji’s divine singing displays her classical singing prowess. Definitely one of those songs which are a treat to the eyes and the ears in equal measure.

4) Song: Tumhe Aur Kya Doon Main
Film: Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar

Shankar Jaikishan once again, with their favourite Raag Bhairavi. And Lataji’s voice blending with Saira Banu’s screen presence takes it to another level. A melodious song celebrating the birthday of the 2 heroes – Rajendra Kumar and Dharmendra. She is wishing both of them but her heart is set on one of them!

5) Song: Kya Rang-e-Mehfil
Film: Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

A messy and forgettable film with great music. A different composition from Naushad and presented so brilliantly by Lataji. It is Shyama’s birthday celebration. Waheeda Rehman is requested or rather forced to showcase her singing skills in the party. She obliges by singing this enchanting number.

6) Song: Dulhan Ban Ke Aayi Umango Ki Shaam
Film: Saaz Aur Awaaz (1966)
Credits: Khumar Barabankvi | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar

Another Naushad composition from another forgettable film from the 60s. But the songs were good like this number based on Raag Pilu. This time it is Saira Banu’s birthday. She arrives late and performs this song, thanking the guests and well wishers who have come to greet her. It has the Naushad stamp and Lataji delivers the intricate number convincingly.

7) Song: Aaj Hai 2 October Ka Din
Film: Parivaar (1967)
Credits: Gulshan Bawra | Kalyanji Anandji | Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

Jeetendra and Nanda are celebrating their son’s birthday. What is special is it is 2nd of October which is the birthday of 2 great leaders – Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. The lyrics describe both the personalities and wish the child to try and follow their paths.

8) Song: Badhai Ho Badhai
Film: Mere Munna (1967)
Credits: Qamar Jalalabadi | Kalyanji Anandji | Lata Mangeshkar

And finally a song sung by a child! Junior Mehmood sings the song with playback by Lataji. Seems it is Nutan and Rehman’s son’s birthday and Jr. Mehmood is wishing him by singing this delightful song. One of Lataji’s ability was to sound like the character she is singing for and does so here as well. Singing for a child and that too a boy with desirable results!

9) Song: Janam Din Aaya
Film: Baharon Ki Manzil (1968)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Lamikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

This was a film with a different story line. Meena Kumari plays the role of a woman who has lost her memory for many years. This song celebrates the birthday of her daughter (from a small child to a grown up girl (played by Farida Jalal)). Lataji sang the most number of songs for the Laxmikant Pyarelal duo over more than 3 decades of their luminous career.

10) Song: Choron Ko Saare Nazar Aate Hai Chor
Film: Naya Zamana (1971)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | S. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar

And the final song in today’s list – not a happy song by any means. This is a situational song as per the demand of the movie. It is Hema Malini’s niece’s birthday. She has invited her “poor” friend Aruna Irani for the party. Aruna gets wrongly accused of stealing by Hema’s sister in law (Indrani Mukherjee) because she is not wealthy like the other guests. She is hurt by this behaviour but she doesn’t leave as she has promised to sing a song on this joyous occasion. She stays and entertains the affluent guests by singing this song sarcasm filled composition. Lataji brings out the emotions effectively – part hurt and part angry.

Shammi Kapoor – “Transport Mode” Songs

My Lists

Shammi Kapoor – the name is enough! He is the star, the performer who created his own style and became a bankable hero in the late 50s and 60s. Of course, this was not easy. After initial failures, he tasted success with Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957) and followed up with more.

This was the era of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and (his own brother) Raj Kapoor. While it may have been difficult to match the fame of the trio, he managed to carve a special place for himself. His fans would vouch for that. His screen presence was entertainment guaranteed. Typical of his on screen persona, he would stalk the heroine, trouble her, revel in comedy and dance. His natural sense of rhythm was adequately reflected in the song picturization. And with Mohammed Rafi providing playback, the songs were bound to be a winner.

Shammi Kapoor passed away on 14th August 2011 and today’s post is dedicated to his memory. One noticeable thing about him was that it was difficult to see him sitting down and staying calm. He would always be on the move. In this context, today’s theme covers 10 songs where Shammi Kapoor is in transport mode. Land, water, air – he avails it all. Enjoy the post and which similar songs do you remember?

1) Song: Tumsa Nahi Dekha
Film: Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | O. P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

Tumsa Nahi Dekha was the turning point in Shammi Kapoor’s career. After a string of flops, he tasted success that led to emergence of the “Shammi Kapoor” phenomenon. He developed his own style. In this song, he “hijacks”a tonga before the heroine (Ameeta) can engage it. As both are travelling to the same destination, she reluctantly boards the tonga. After that, the hero is in his full element. He teases and flirts with her. She is of course, not impressed. He would go on to do many such songs throughout this career. While the song is picturised in a tonga, there are hardly any outdoor shots. Seems it was all shot in a studio!

2) Song: Dekho Ji Ek Bala Jogi Matwala
Film: Chinatown (1962)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Ravi | Mohammed Rafi and Meenu Purushottam

A train journey, a disguised Shammi Kapoor. And you know the rest. The heroine Shakila’s father is taking her back to Calcutta. He doesn’t approve of his daughter meeting the “good for nothing” hero. But Shammi Kapoor is not one to back off easily. He disguises himself as a sadhu and boards the train. What follows is a devotional song where he makes attempts to impress her father. She recognizes him and joins him in the singing. Shammi Kapoor played a double role in this film convincingly.

3) Song: Yahaan Ke Hum Hain Rajkumar
Film: Rajkumar (1964)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Shammi Kapoor plays the prince who is returning home after spending time abroad. This is his “welcome” home song involving a long procession. He is in truly transport mode here! The song starts in a car, then he rides an elephant, a horse and finally starts walking. He is making people aware that the prince is back. And he enjoys drawing attention to himself.

4) Song: Ye Chand Sa Roshan Chehra
Film: Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
Credits: S.H. Bihari | O.P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

It’s time to get in a water mode. Shammi Kapoor woos Sharmila Tagore in a shikara, a wooden boat used in Kashmir. The water and shaking of the boat has no effect on our hero. He is in full form – bending, dancing, jumping all over, and finally, falling in to the water!

5) Song: Subhan Allah Haseen Chehra
Film: Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
Credits: S.H. Bihari | O.P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

Another song from the same movie. Sharmila Tagore is travelling on a truck with her friends and the villain (Pran, who else!). Shammi Kapoor joins disguised as a pathan’s wife and performs this delightful song. The singing, the catchy rhythm and performance make it memorable.

6) Song: Jaane Mera Dil Kise
Film: Latt Saheb (1967)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

This is one of those “searching for love” songs. This is also an introduction of the hero song. The movie was forgettable but the songs were good. Shammi Kapoor enters the frame riding a horse. He sings, wondering when and where he will meet his beloved.

7) Song: Asmaan Se Aaya Farishta
Film: An Evening In Paris (1967)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi, Sharmila Tagore(?) and Chorus

This is truly one of the unique songs in Hindi cinema and probably first of its kind. Shammi Kapoor dangles from a helicopter as he sings to Sharmila Tagore (who is water skiing). Later he hops on a boat. The song stands out for its picturization because shooting in foreign locations was not so common then. Water skiing, as a sport was also probably new for the audience.

8) Song: Hoga Tumse Kal Bhi Saamna
Film: An Evening In Paris (1967)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Back on land on a two wheeler in a picnic situation. Shammi Kapoor disguises himself as an Arab called Hukku Pasha and follows Sharmila Tagore on a scooter (a Vespa?). The song may not be well known as other gems from the movie. But it does show Shammi Kapoor utilizing the scooter to perform his antics and get closer to the heroine. And she doesn’t seem to mind the attention.

9) Song: Chakke Mein Chakka
Film: Brahmachari (1968)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi and Chorus

Shammi Kapoor with a bunch of kids in Brahmachari. In the song it’s the kids’ day out. They all get in the vintage car and visit an amusement park which is filled with thrilling rides. Later they visit a garden and take a ride in the toy train. Shammi Kapoor was nominated and won the Filmfare award for Best Actor Filmfare award for this performance.

10) Song: Re Mamma Re Mamma
Film: Andaz (1971)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

And finally a song from Andaz, probably his last film as a leading man. Shammi Kapoor plays a widowed father. His daughter (played by Baby Gauree) is miffed at him. He follows her in a jeep and sings this song to calm her down and take her home.

Mohammed Rafi – Teasing the Heroine songs

My Lists

It has been a year already. Last year I had posted Describing the heroine songs remembering the great Mohammed Rafi, whose death anniversary falls on 31st July. Our heroes describe the beauty of the heroine in happier times but they also get into a naughty mood sometimes. This leads to some situations involving teasing or flirting with the heroine. While the heroine will be annoyed, the annoyance doesn’t stay that long. The hero is soon forgiven and romance walks in to take the story ahead.

The teasing / flirting can be expressed in different ways as evident from the songs in today’s post. Mohammed Rafi, being the versatile artist could mould his voice to fit any situation and leave his impact. So, here are 10 songs, all on different heroes. Which songs do you remember?

1) Song: Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai
Film: Kala Bazar (1960)
Credits: Shailendra | S. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi

This is an unusual song set in a train compartment. Waheeda Rehman is travelling to Ooty with her parents. She and her mother have occupied the top berths while her father is sitting in the lower berth. Dev Anand is the fourth passenger, a stranger. He suddenly starts singing this song. The lyrics portray as if he is singing a devotional song to the uparwala (the almighty!) but that is not so. He is actually addressing the song to the heroine whom he wants to impress. (Unknown to her, he has been following her and wants to get close, as in fall in love).

This is a soft song with an undertone of teasing. The heroine keeps wondering the meaning and intention of the lyrics. Mohammed Rafi impresses by singing with an extra soft tone.

Apni toh har aah ek toofan hain,
Kya kare woh jaan kar anjaan hain,
Uparwala jaan kar anjaan hain,
Apni toh har aah ek toofan hain

2) Song: Aji Qibla Mohtarma
Film: Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | O. P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

Joy Mukherjee was one of the those 60s heroes who was blessed to have Mohammed Rafi as his playback voice in majority of the songs. This is a playful song in Nasir Hussain’s movie. Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh are out in the countryside when the heroine’s friends arrive unexpectedly. She doesn’t know how to tackle the situation. And the hero embarrasses her further by singing this teasing number.

Aji qibla, mohtarma, kabhi shola, kabhi naghma,
Iss aap ke andaaz ka haaye kya kehna

3) Song: Hum Hi Se Mohabbat
Film: Leader (1964)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi

It is rare to see Dilip Kumar in a teasing and flirtatious mood and Mohammed Rafi adds an extra dimension with his singing. There is a long scene which culminates into the song. Dilip Kumar annoys Vyjanthimala to the fullest extent with his irritating antics. Her reactions are worth noticing too.

Hum hi se mohabbat hum hi se ladaai,
Are maar daalaa duhaai duhaai,
Abhi naasamajh ho uthaao na khhanjar,
Kahi mud na jaaye tumhaari kalaai

4) Song: April Fool Banaya
Film: April Fool (1964)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi and Saira Banu

Biswajeet was another hero who immensely benefited by Mohammed Rafi singing for him. There are many romantic songs of this combination. Based on the April Fool’s Day concept, this is a typical song where the hero tricks and “fools” the heroine (Saira Banu). She is angry with him and he doesn’t miss the chance to irritate her further.

April fool banaya toh unko gussa aaya,
To mera kya kasoor, zamane ka kasoor,
Jisne dastoor banaya

5) Song: Lal Chhadi Maidaan Khadi
Film: Janwar (1965)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

How can a Mohammed Rafi list be complete without a Shammi Kapoor song? He probably sang the most number of teasing numbers for Shammi Kapoor. What a perfectly matching voice! In this song he refers to the heroine (Rajshri) as a red stick and bothers her as only Shammi Kapoor can.

Laal chhadi maidaan khadi,
Kya khub ladi kya khub ladi,
Ham dil se gaye ham jaan se gaye,
Bas aankh mili aur baat badhi

6) Song: Ae Nargis-E-Mastaana
Film: Arzoo (1965)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

This is a bit different song but with a teasing tone. The heroine (Sadhana) has some misconceptions about the hero (Rajendra Kumar). But they have been almost resolved. The hero voices his feelings by taunting her and listing down his “complaints.” She readily accepts them and this is the beginning of romance between the two characters. This was a period when Rajendra Kumar could do no wrong. His consecutive films were turning hits. Not the forget the contribution of Mohammed Rafi in achieving this success.

Ae nargis-e-mastaana,
Bas itni shikayat hai,
Bas itni shikayat hai

Samjha humein begaana,
Bas itni shikayat hai,
Bas itni shikayat hai

7) Song: O Dilbar Janiye
Film: Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968)
Credits: Prakash Mehra | Kalyanj Anandji | Mohammed Rafi

Compared to his brother Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor had a mild personality and you would normally not imagine him in such flirting with the heroine songs. But here he attempts to do that (and succeeds). He goes all out in chasing Babita and being a nuisance. Once again, Mohammed Rafi complements the onscreen happenings with his impressive rendition.

O dilbar jaaniye tere hain hum tere,
Chhupa lenge in aankhon mein,
Sanam hum gham tere

8) Song: Rukh Se Zara Naqaab Hata Do
Film: Mere Huzoor (1968)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Like the first song, this has a soft and subtle tone. The film is set in Lucknow with all the tehzeeb and etiquette. So the flirting has to match, right? Mohammed Rafi sings for Jeetendra who flirts/ woos a burqa clad Mala Sinha. Jeetendra plays a poet (shaayar). There is no much moving around as the characters are travelling in a train. But the desired effect is achieved by the lyrics, composition and, of course the vocals.

Apne Rukh Per Nigaah Karane Do,
Khubsurat Gunaah Karane Do,
Rukh Se Pardaa Hataao Jaan-E-Hayaa,
Aaj Dil Ko Tabaah Karane Do,
Rukh Se Zaraa Naqaab Uthaa Do Mere Huzoor
Jalwaa Phir Ek Baar Dikhaa Do Mere Huzoor

9) Song: Chup Chup Chup Kyo Baithi Ho
Film: Hamrahi (1974)
Credits: Jan Nisar Akhtar | Kalyanji Anandji | Mohammed Rafi

And here is another train song with Mohammed Rafi in a mischievous mood. Actually Randhir Kapoor in a flirty mood with his co-passenger Tanuja. Travelling together on a long journey, will our hero miss the opportunity?

Chup chup chup kyu baithi ho,
Main bhi akela or tum bhi akeli ho,
Tumsa haseen dekha nahi mujhsa jawaan hoga kaha,
Khatre bade hai in raho mein, ho aaja aaja meri baho mein,
Chup chup chup kyu baithi ho…

10) Song: O Meri Mehbooba
Film: Dharam Veer (1977)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi

And to end the list, a Dharmendra – Zeenat Aman song. He, a blacksmith and she a princess. Actually things have got sorted between the two but our hero has fun troubling her and plays a prank one last time. She detests him as he sings the song but that is temporary. By the end of the song all is forgiven and the romance is on track.

O meri mehbooba mehbooba mehbooba,
Tujhey jaana hai toh jaa teri marzi mera kya,
Par dekh jo tu ruth kar chali jayegi,
Tere saath hi mere marne ki khabar aayegi,
O meri mehbooba