Magical songs of Shammi Kapoor with Shankar Jaikishan

Some associations are blessed by God, and they create magic when they come together. Shammi Kapoor and Shankar Jaikishan were one of these combinations that were blessed by a power greater than all of us, and they went on to bless our lives with incredible music that continues to enrich our lives today. This team gave us about 60 songs out of which almost 50 were super hits. Here’s a look at their magic. As they say, let’s start at the very beginning…

 

1.    Suraj zara aa paas aa      Ujaala              1959

Ujaala was the first film where Shankar Jaikishan scored the music for Shammi Kapoor. The voices used in this film for Shammi Kapoor are Manna dey and Mukesh. Later on, of course, Mohammed Rafi became the norm for him. Their second film Singapore, in fact, had Mohammed Rafi as the playback for Shammi Kapoor and that combination went on to create history.

Here, Shailendra writes about the fire of hunger, the words are all the more profound as they are sung for hungry children.

 Aaloo tamaatar ka saag,

imli ki chutnee baney,

roti karaari sikey,

ghee usspey asli lagey... 

These words bring up the image of a delectable meal in our eyes and yet this image tugs at the heart strings as we think of the plight the children are facing. Only Kaviraj could have wrought this magic.

2.    Ehsaan tera hogaa mujh par            Junglee         1961

The first major hit of Shammi Kapoor- SJ combo which catapulted the actor into the big league. In Shammi kapoor’s words, they ‘struck gold’ with this film. LINK  Hasrat Jaipuri penned this romantic solo which was used as a tandem song with Lata Mangeshkar singing the female solo in her melodious best. Rafi’s rendition of this song personifies yearning and earnestness in love. 

Chaahe banaa do chaahe mitaa do

Marr bhi gaye to denge duvaayen

Udd udd ke kahegi khaak sanam

Yeh dard-e-mohabbat sehne do…

Mujhe tumse mohabbat ho gayi hai

Mujhe palko ki chaanv mein rehne do

Ehsaan tera hoga mujh par …

 

3.    Khuli palak mein jhootha gussa      Professor      1962

 

A delightful romantic solo in classic Shammi Kapoor mode. Shailendra here wields his romantic pen and gives us magic.

Jis din se dekhaa tumko,

tum lagey mujhe apne se,

Aur aakey rahey aankhon mein,

ek mann chaahey sapney se,

Samajh na aaye, kya jeeta main,

aur gaya kya haar,

Jeena bhi mushkil,

marnaa bhi mushkil...

Ever since I knew that this song is apparently shot in Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai, I plan to go there again to just imagine the team shooting there with this song being played in the background. If only places could speak, they would have so much to tell us of the magic moments witnessed!

 

 

4.    Meri muhobbat jawan rahegi          Jaanwar       1965

 

If there were one solo that had to be selected as quintessential Shammi Kapoor song, it would be this. With beautiful Kashmir in the background, the scene of the hero wooing the heroine with grand declarations, and Rafi providing the vocals, this song ticks all the boxes in the most heart-warming manner. Shankar Jaikishan and Hasrat Jaipuri create cinema magic.

 

Na Tumsa Koyi Zamaane Bhar Mein
Ho Ho
Na Tumsa Koyi Zamaane Bhar Mein
Tumhi Ko Chaha, Meri Nazar Ne
Tumhi Ko Chaha, Meri Nazar Ne
Tumhe Chuna Hai, Tumhe Chunegi
Sada Rahi Hai, Sada Rahegi
Meri Mohabbat Jawaan Rahegi
Sada Rahi Hai, Sada Rahegi

 

5.    Main gaaon tum so jaao        Brahmachari           1968

Shammi Kapoor plays the title role of Brahamachari who has a heart of gold and looks after orphans, trying to bring cheer and laughter in their lives. He won the Filmfare award for best actor for this film. This lullaby emphasises his earnest and sincere wish to see a better world for his wards. The encouraging words by Kaviraj laden with positivity share an interesting contrast with the subdued and sober Rafi’s voice to the gentle tune of Shankar Jaikishan. It’s like Brahmachari is feeling the pathos and despair for the children while keeping up a joyful front for them. Hope treads a thin line beside sadness in this song and that, perhaps, is the beauty of it. Kaviraj, SJ and Rafi pull off this feat with such elan!

Maana aaj ki raat hai lambi,

maana din tha bhaari,

Par jag badlaa, badlegi,

ek din taqdeer hamari,

Uss din ke khwab sajaao...

Main gaaoon tum so jaao...

 

6.    Tum mujhe yun bhula na paaoge    Pagla Kahin ka         1970

Pagla Kahin ka came at the fag end of Shammi Kapoor’s career. The film dealt with loss and the trauma that the human mind suffers in order to overcome a huge setback in life. I would rate this as one of Shammi Kapoor’s and Asha Parekh’s finest performances in a convoluted plot. The film has a lot of finer moments in the scenes between Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. Hasrat Jaipuri pens the most famous song of this film. Again a tandem where Lata Mangeshkar has also sung this song, albeit with a different anatara.

Mujhko dekhe binaa qaraar na thaa
ek aisaa bhi daur guzraa hai
Jhooth maano to pooch lo dil se
Main kahoongaa to rooth jaaoge
Haan tum mujhe yoon bhulaa naa paaoge

 

7.     Dil use do jo jaan de de        Andaz           1971

 

This could really be termed as the swan song of Shammi Kapoor’s career as a hero or leading man. The music was scored by Shankar Jaikishan and penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. The songs of this film gave the mega star a fitting finale, so to speak. Although there was a late release film Chhote Sarkar in 1974 with Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana in the lead roles, Andaz was by far the right closing act as a hero for the star who gave us so much through his films and music. Rafi and Asha Bhosale gave this party song a peppy feel.

Dil use do jo jaan de de

Jaan use do jo dil de de…

The song, as many Shammi Kapoor songs, is rife with philosophy. Although the lines seem carefree about falling in love, they actually hint that one should think carefully before giving away our affection.  

The antaras go on to welcome new beginnings.

Ye pyaar ke nazaare hain
dekh lo jidhar,
Ab naachti hai duniyaa
khushi ka hai asar…

Lo khatam huaa hai
ye aaj ka safar,
Ab hogi suhaani
Wo kal ki Sahar…..

Shammi Kapoor moved on from this phase to do memorable character roles. However, he will always be the magical hero for us with his romantic films. His lilting songs will always bring a slight breeze to flutter the curtains in our room as we are dreamily carted off to the pristine valleys of Kashmir and his cine magic land.

Do write in the comments with your feedback and tell us your favourite Shammi Kapoor songs!