Meena Kumari (real name Mahjabeen Bano), popularly known as the “tragedy queen” of Hindi cinema was undoubtedly one of our finest actresses. Right from Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, to all the way Pakeezah, she will always be remembered for her effortless acting and screen presence.
31st March is the remembrance day of this great actress.
In my first blog post, presenting Meena Kumari in a cheerful mood in 10 songs!
Hope you enjoy and do let me know your thoughts.
1) Song: Meri jaan meri jaan
Film: Yahudi (1958)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar
Meena Kumari in a romantic mood. Admitting she is in love with Marcus (Dilip Kumar), she croons –
Inki nigaaho ne ghaayal kiya, lenge unhin se dil ki dawaa,
Na hum muskurate na woh paas aate,
Usiki mili hai sazaa, kya karen,
Meri jaan meri jaan…
2) Song: Dil mein baji pyar ki shehanaiyaan
Film: Kohinoor (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar
Overall, a light hearted film, Kohinoor reunited the pair of Meena Kumari and Dilip Kumar. The Senapati (Jeevan) is holding Meena Kumari (Chandramukhi) captive. Her lover has come to meet her in disguise. She recognizes him and breaks into song.
Door hua gham ka nasha, mujhko khushi mil gayi
Jhum uthi duniya meri, dil ki kali khil gayi
Dil mera lene laga angadaiyaan, angadaiyaan,
Aa gaye woh, aa gaye woh mit gayi tanhaiyaan
Dil me baje pyar ki shehanaiyaan
3) Song: Lau lagaati geet gaati
Film: Bhabhi Ki Chudiyaan (1960)
Credits: Pt Narendra Sharma | Sudhir Phadke | Lata Mangeshkar
Remake of a Marathi movie, it had Meena Kumari playing the bhabhi’s role. This song shows the contentment of her character. She is happy with her family and thanking the lord, what else can she wish for! Of course, being a Hindi film, a twist (read hardships and lots of tears) may be around the corner.
Nayano ki kamana, prano ki bhavna,
Puja ki jyoti bankar charno me muskurati,
Lau lagaati, geet gaati
4)Song: Piya aiso jeeya mein
Film: Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Hemant Kumar | Geeta Dutt
This song is perhaps one of the rare happy moments in an otherwise dark movie and wretched life of the chhoti bahu character. She is eagerly getting ready to welcome her husband. She is hoping her mohini sindoor will work its perceived wonders and bring joy into her wretched married life.
Meena Kumari won her third FilmFare award for this performance. (Trivia shot: Interestingly she was the only actress in the best actress nominees for the FilmFare awards that year. She was also nominated for Aarti and Main Chup Rahungi, and emerged as winner for Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam.)
Piya aiso jiya men samaay gayo re,
Ki main tan man ki sudh-budh gawaan baithhi,
Har ahat pe samajhi wo ay gayo re,
Jhat ghunghat men mukhada chhupa baithhi
5) Song: Nagma-O-Sher ki saugat kise pesh karu
Film: Gazal (1964)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Madan Mohan | Lata Mangeshkar
A Muslim social film. Meena Kumari is presenting a gazal in the company of friends. A passerby (Sunil Dutt) happens to hear her signing and needless to say, is mesmerized. This song has another version in the second half of the movie. Sung by Mohammed Rafi (Rang aur noor ki baraat kise pesh karu), the lyrics, tune and background are contrasting and arguably more effective (!).
Koi humraaz to paaun, koi humdum to mile,
Dil ki dhadkan ke ishaaraat kise pesh karu
6) Song: Ae Ri Jaane Na Doongi
Film: Chitralekha (1964)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Roshan | Lata Mangeshkar
Chitralekha was the story of the protagonist raaj nartaki played by Meena Kumari. She is spending time with her beloved Samant Beejgupta (Pradeep Kumar), singing for him and enjoying the blissful moments.
Ae ri jaane na doongi,
Main to apane rasik ko nainon mein rakh lungi palaken mund mund,
Ae ri jaane na doongi
7) Song: Dil jo na keh saka
Film: Bheegi Raat (1965)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Roshan | Lata Mangeshkar
Same pairing as the previous song. Bheegi Raat had a typical story of the 2 leads separating due to differences and misunderstanding. While the Mohammed Rafi version of this song is more popular, the female version has a softer and romantic tone.
We have that often repeated filmy plot here – hero and heroine get caught in a rainstorm, take shelter in a cave. Needless to say, a fire of passion ignites and we are treated to a beautiful melody.
Nagma sa koi jaag uthha badan mein,
Jhanakaar ki si tharathari hai tan mein,
Pyaar ki inhin dhadakati fizaaon mein,
Rahane ki raat aayi…
8) Song: Mere bhaiya mere chanda
Film: Kaajal (1965)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Ravi | Asha Bhosle
Meena Kumari won the last of her 4 Filmfare Awards for Kaajal. This song showcases the lovely bond between the heroine and her brother. Its Raksha Bandhan and she is waiting for her brother to return victorious from the boat race he is participating in. Happier times before a tragedy is waiting to overtake their lives!
9) Song: Allah Allah kitne pyaare din aa gaye
Film: Noorjehan (1967)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Roshan | Suman Kalyanpur
Noorjehan was a period film with Meena Kumari starring as Empress Noorjehan (formerly Mehrunnisa). The song portrays the arrival of youth in Mehrunnisa’s life – painful yet soothing!
Aayi baad-e-bahaare leke dard-e-jawaani,
Allah allah kitane pyaare din aa gaye
10) Song: Mausam hai aashiqana
Film: Paakezah (1972)
Credits: Kamal Amrohi | Ghulam Mohammed | Lata Mangeshkar
The swansong of an illustrious career. In an otherwise sorrowful movie, the film’s protaganist Sahibjaan is waiting for her “first love”, her “saviour” to return soon. Poetically, she is pleading her lonely heart to ensure he comes back safe & sound.
Kehna ke rut jawaan hai, aur ham taras rahe hain,
Kaali ghata ke saaye, birahan ko das rahe hain,
Dar hai na maar daale, saawan ka kya thhikaana
Cine Gaurav 