A few days ago I was humming an old song 'saiyan dil me aana re' when my grand daughter looked astonished and asked me, "Dadi,how do you know this song?'I was puzzled.Why she wanted to know about the song.I told her that this is a very old song. Ramita, said ,"No Dadi this a new song ,which has come to the market recently" I realised that she was talking about the re mix version of the song.This set me thinking how the present generation is unaware of the songs of olden days.Those were in fact the golden days of music. This particular song has been rendered by Shamshad Begum for the film Bahar.Shamshad was a very popular singer in the good old days.
Talking of music of the bygone era old memories are coming alive. In the late 1940s,1950s and 60s film songs were so melodious, captivating and vibrant that they touched the very core of the heart.The euphoria spread by the songs of that era sounded like musical notes of a Nightingale which last for ever. Remember Noorjahan. Her songs from the film Anmol Ghadi "awaj de kahan hai" and "badnam mohhabat kaun kare" are still so refreshing. The movie was a great hit because of the titillating songs. Her ever green songs of Jugnu "hamen to sham-e-gham me katni hai zindagi apni" and "yahan badla wafa ka be wafai ke siva kya hai" are so touching that they actually bring tears in our eyes.
Who can forget the soulful songs of Amirbai Karnatki? The movie Rattan was a landmark due to its scintillating songs "milke bichar gayi ankhian" and "o jane wale balamwa laut ke aa"and many others made Rattan unforgettable!Her song sung in a lighter vein "gore gore o banke chore"(Samadhi was an all time hit.
Who can forget Surraiya,who was not only a melodious singer but a also a talented actress.Her songs from Badi Bahen and Mirza Ghalib will always be nectar for the ears.
The entry of Lata Mangeshkar in the realm of background music was no less than a revolution. Her early songs "aayega aaega aaega aane wala " (Mahal)'kahin deep jale kahin dil"(Bees saal baad)"ye zindagi usi ki hai jo kisi ka ho gaya"(Anarkali) and "yeh raat yeh chandni phir kahan, sun ja dil mi daastan"(Jaal) and many many more are ever lasting .Her patriotic song "Ae mere watan ke logon" was emotionally surcharged and full of pathos which stirred the conscience of the nation! Now in her 80s she can compete with any newcomer.Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle were also notable play back singers .Their songs made great impact on the mind of the listeners.
The male singers of those golden days are equally unforgettable. Starting with K.L. Saigal (Ae katibe taqdir mujhe itna bata de) and Pankaj Mullick (Ye kaun aaj aaya savere savere) who were the pioneers of the world of music, made film music immortal.Mohd Rafi was the emperor of music. He could sing any song ,whether romantic, sad or comic all with equal finesse.His song "chudhvin ka chand ho","Din dhal jae hai raat na jae"(guide) are full of emotions.I remember his hilarious songs "jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji? and "tel maalissh" and devotional song "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj." which are ample depiction of his verstality.
Talat Mahmood with his soft and silken voice is an all time favourite with music lovers. He acted in a couple of films but did not make his mark. As a singer, especially ghazals, he could not be surpassed.His songs "jhoome re mera dil bhi jhoome" and "Dil-e-naadaan tujhe hua kya "and many more are are simply superb.
Another great singer who was my favourite was Hemant Kumar..Soft, romantic songs with a Bangla flavour were soulful and mesmerising. His songs 'na yeh chand hoga na tare rahenge, magar hum hamesha tumhare rehenge"from the film Shart and "na tum hame jano na hum tumehe jane magar lagta hai kuch aisa mera humdum mil gaya" from the movie Baat Ek Raat Ki are unique.
KishoreKumar was an all rounder.He was a singer, actor, director, producer and a story writer.He started singing in late 1950 movies and continued to sing till his death in 1987.There are several songs which brought him awards,but since I am referring to songs upto 60s I will mention his hits in the 50s and 60s.The song from the film Nau Do Gyarah "ankhon me kya ji, sunehra badal" and "Koi lauta de mere beete huye din"(Door gagan ki chaun me) were great hits.
Manna Dey was also a singer who made a place in the hearts of music lovers,His song "kaun aya mere dil ke dware' from Dekh Kabira roya and "pucho na kaise main ne rain bitayi" from Meri Surat Teri Ankhain were very popular .
The music of those days had simple lyrics, few accompaniments like Tabla, Harmonium and Sitar and not many notes .But they had the rhythm and simplicity which touched the hearts of music lovers then and even now. These precious gems should not be spoiled by copying them and adding obscene videos.They must be preserved and retained in their original form for ever and ever.
Talking of music of the bygone era old memories are coming alive. In the late 1940s,1950s and 60s film songs were so melodious, captivating and vibrant that they touched the very core of the heart.The euphoria spread by the songs of that era sounded like musical notes of a Nightingale which last for ever. Remember Noorjahan. Her songs from the film Anmol Ghadi "awaj de kahan hai" and "badnam mohhabat kaun kare" are still so refreshing. The movie was a great hit because of the titillating songs. Her ever green songs of Jugnu "hamen to sham-e-gham me katni hai zindagi apni" and "yahan badla wafa ka be wafai ke siva kya hai" are so touching that they actually bring tears in our eyes.
Who can forget the soulful songs of Amirbai Karnatki? The movie Rattan was a landmark due to its scintillating songs "milke bichar gayi ankhian" and "o jane wale balamwa laut ke aa"and many others made Rattan unforgettable!Her song sung in a lighter vein "gore gore o banke chore"(Samadhi was an all time hit.
Who can forget Surraiya,who was not only a melodious singer but a also a talented actress.Her songs from Badi Bahen and Mirza Ghalib will always be nectar for the ears.
The entry of Lata Mangeshkar in the realm of background music was no less than a revolution. Her early songs "aayega aaega aaega aane wala " (Mahal)'kahin deep jale kahin dil"(Bees saal baad)"ye zindagi usi ki hai jo kisi ka ho gaya"(Anarkali) and "yeh raat yeh chandni phir kahan, sun ja dil mi daastan"(Jaal) and many many more are ever lasting .Her patriotic song "Ae mere watan ke logon" was emotionally surcharged and full of pathos which stirred the conscience of the nation! Now in her 80s she can compete with any newcomer.Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle were also notable play back singers .Their songs made great impact on the mind of the listeners.
The male singers of those golden days are equally unforgettable. Starting with K.L. Saigal (Ae katibe taqdir mujhe itna bata de) and Pankaj Mullick (Ye kaun aaj aaya savere savere) who were the pioneers of the world of music, made film music immortal.Mohd Rafi was the emperor of music. He could sing any song ,whether romantic, sad or comic all with equal finesse.His song "chudhvin ka chand ho","Din dhal jae hai raat na jae"(guide) are full of emotions.I remember his hilarious songs "jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji? and "tel maalissh" and devotional song "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj." which are ample depiction of his verstality.
Talat Mahmood with his soft and silken voice is an all time favourite with music lovers. He acted in a couple of films but did not make his mark. As a singer, especially ghazals, he could not be surpassed.His songs "jhoome re mera dil bhi jhoome" and "Dil-e-naadaan tujhe hua kya "and many more are are simply superb.
Another great singer who was my favourite was Hemant Kumar..Soft, romantic songs with a Bangla flavour were soulful and mesmerising. His songs 'na yeh chand hoga na tare rahenge, magar hum hamesha tumhare rehenge"from the film Shart and "na tum hame jano na hum tumehe jane magar lagta hai kuch aisa mera humdum mil gaya" from the movie Baat Ek Raat Ki are unique.
KishoreKumar was an all rounder.He was a singer, actor, director, producer and a story writer.He started singing in late 1950 movies and continued to sing till his death in 1987.There are several songs which brought him awards,but since I am referring to songs upto 60s I will mention his hits in the 50s and 60s.The song from the film Nau Do Gyarah "ankhon me kya ji, sunehra badal" and "Koi lauta de mere beete huye din"(Door gagan ki chaun me) were great hits.
Manna Dey was also a singer who made a place in the hearts of music lovers,His song "kaun aya mere dil ke dware' from Dekh Kabira roya and "pucho na kaise main ne rain bitayi" from Meri Surat Teri Ankhain were very popular .
The music of those days had simple lyrics, few accompaniments like Tabla, Harmonium and Sitar and not many notes .But they had the rhythm and simplicity which touched the hearts of music lovers then and even now. These precious gems should not be spoiled by copying them and adding obscene videos.They must be preserved and retained in their original form for ever and ever.
