When we talk of Shabana Azmi, we usually refer to her acting prowess which has, of course, been brilliant over the years. She has nailed every role she has acted in. However, here we are going to talk about her songs that have made a mark in our minds and remain etched forever with the roles she played, each song thus has a distinct identity because she has always immersed herself completely in the roles she has portrayed. Shabana Azmi began her career in 1974 with films like Ankur and Parinay. I start my list with Kadambari. The list follows a chronological order (as all my lists on this blog do)!
1.
Ambar ki ik paak suraahi Kadambari
1975
The song Ambar ki ik paak surahi from her film Kadambari is
written by Amrita Pritam, the film is based on her novel as well. Chetna (her
role in Kadambari) talks of the purity of her love for Amit (played by Vijay
Arora) in the film. The lyrics compare what others may call sin to the
chasteness of moonlight. Asha Bhosale sings this beautiful song, composed by
Ustad Vilayat Khan, the eminent sitarist. This song is a precious gem with
maestros like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia playing the flute, Pandit Shivkumar
Sharma playing the santoor (don’t miss the beautiful strains of the santoor at
the beginning of this song), Shujat Singh with the composer himself playing the
sitar and Bhupinder Singh with the guitar. This is a rare, rare song, to be
savoured in peace.
2.
Pal bhar mein yeh kya ho gaya Swami 1977
If I had to select one song that embodied the feeling
of falling in love, it would be this. Swami was the first Basu Chatterjee film
for which Rajesh Roshan held the baton of music director. (Read more on this
here HERE )
Amit Khanna penned this beautiful rain drenched solo of Lata Mangeshkar. The whirl of emotions of Saudamini (played by Shabana Azmi with such passion) as she blissfully gets drenched in the rain while welcoming the joy of being in love with Narendra (played by Vikram) makes this song magic on celluloid.
3.
Main toh kaare badarwa se haari Devta 1978
A beautiful Lata solo composed by R D Burman and
written by Gulzar, this again is a lesser-known song of Shabana Azmi and
deserves much greater recognition. A very lilting tune. Shabana Ami costarred
with Sanjeev Kumar in this film, although this song is picturised on Benjamin
Gilani.
4.
O shaam aayi rangon mein Jeena Yahan 1979
This is a lesser heard song and I absolutely had to place it in this list. This is one of the sweetest Lata Mangeshkar solos of the 70s composed by Salil Chowdhury and penned by Yogesh. Very few know about it as this film slipped by the radar for many of us. Even though this song is lip synched by Kiran Vairale in the film, the focus is entirely on Shabana Azmi. An everyday song situation where Shabana Azmi is visiting her husband’s family and they have gone for boating as a day out, this song blends into the mood perfectly. Shabana Azmi plays these natural scenes with such normalcy that we forget we are watching a film; it becomes as if we are watching a scene from someone’s personal life.
5.
Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho Arth 1982
If I had to select one Shabana Azmi song that is my
favourite, it would be this one. I don’t think any actress in the world could
have portrayed the emotions the way she has in this song. The vulnerability,
extreme sadness, and helplessness of Pooja when she is handed her divorce papers
on her birthday, and yet having to try and smile as her friend Raj wishes her a
happy birthday are magical cinema moments on screen. Sung and composed by
Jagjit Singh and written by her father Kaifi azmi, this song is definitely
among the most touching songs of Shabana Azmi.
6.
Phir se aaiyo badraa bidesi Namkeen 1982
Written by Gulzar, sung by Asha Bhosale and composed
by R D Burman, Phir se aaiyo is filmed with a lot of nostalgia and pathos in
the valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Mitthu, who is an intelligent girl, is held
back in life by difficult circumstances of her family which are further deepened
by her inability to talk. The notes of the song ring with haunting intensity
and Shabana Azmi enhances the poignancy by her understated and brilliant
portrayal of Mitthu.
Tere
jaane ki rut main jaanti hoon ,
Mud ki
aane ki reet hai ke nahin?
7.
Do naina aur ek kahaani Masoom 1983
The dilemma that Indu faces after being confronted
with the reality by her husband and the conflict in being unable to reach out
to innocent Rahul as, every time she sees him, the anguish of her husband’s
betrayal becomes fresh for her all over again. Shabana Azmi’s eyes speak
volumes in this song. This is more than just the lullaby she sings to her two daughters;
it is her exhausted mind that is wondering if things will ever be the same
again. Sometimes sorrow knocks on the door and stays back as a more-or-less constant
factor in life. The way we handle it is what decides the quality of the rest of
our life. Gulzar and R D Burman once again, the song is sung by Aarti
Mukherjee.
Hope you enjoyed being on this musical journey of
Shabana Azmi songs. As I limit my listicles to seven, I am sure I have missed
out mentioning many melodious songs here. Do write in with more of your
favourite songs of this incredible actress!
