LIFE LESSONS WITH MANNA DEY

Whenever a voice was needed to show sincerity, pathos, emotions and intensity, Prabodh Chandra Dey, who we all know as Manna Dey, was the one most music directors would turn to. Having to leave a career as wrestler because of weak eyesight, Manna Dey became the wrestling world’s loss and the musical world’s tremendous gain. A career that began in pre-independence India and spanned the years to the start of the 21^st century, Manna Dey is a precious jewel of Hindi film music.

Although Manna Dey is mostly referred to for his brilliant classical songs, here is a look at his songs which teach us about life. Here we go with Life lessons with Manna Dey.

1.    Nirbal se ladaai balwan ki                Toofan aur diya    1956

Fighting for survival against all odds can be exhausting, particularly if one has to do it without hope. This song relates an arduous struggle of a young boy against the most harrowing circumstances, and yet manages to be one of the most redeeming examples of hope. It uses the metaphor of an earthen clay lamp struggling to stay alight in the face of a relentless storm. I remember writing down these lines as a child and thinking that these could well fit into a treasured book of poetry. Sung by Manna Dey and chorus, and composed by Vasant Desai, this song defines everything that is special about Bharat Vyas, an exceptionally talented poet. To read more about Kavi Bharat Vyas on this blog, click HERE . 

Kahin door thaa toofan

Diye se thaa balavaan

Saare jag ko masalane machal rahaa

Jhaad ho yaa pahaad, de vo pal me ukhaad

Soch-soch ke zameen pe thaa uchhal rahaa

Ek nanhaa-saa diyaa, usane hamalaa kiyaa …

Ab dekho leelaa vidhi ke vidhaan ki

Ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofan ki

2.    Kasme wade pyar wafa                     Upkaar          1967

A cynical look at life which expresses a lot of hard-hitting life truths. Composed by Kalyanji Anandji and written by Indeevar, Manna Dey infuses the deepest of emotions into this song, a song which is believed to have reduced Lata Mangeshkar to tears the first time she heard it.

Sukh mein tere saath chalenge
Dukh mein sab mukh modenge
Duniyaa wale tere bankar
Tera hi dil todenge
Dete hain bhagwaan ko dhokha
Insaan ko kyaa chhodenge

3.    Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo               Mera Naam Joker 1970

Some of the most painful life truths are woven into this song from Mera Naam Joker by Kavi Neeraj. Manna Dey’s voice gives this song the sincerity it needs to drive the truth home even stronger. The occasional alt voice for Raj Kapoor, Manna Dey songs in RK films are usually the strong light of learning and life lessons. Dil ka haal sune dilwala from Shree 420 is another song that comes to mind. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo is seemingly sung for a circus artiste who bumps into Raj Kapoor at the start of the song. The song uses that metaphor all through to tell us to tread carefully in life as it is a precarious place which can be cruel and unsympathetic to people who are struggling. There is a pause after the first two lines when the same circus artiste shoots out of a cannon onto the trapeze net and the line ‘Tu jahan aaya hai’ continues the song. This song is one of Manna Dey’s most wonderful renditions.

Girne se darta hai kyon
Marne se darta hai kyon
Thokar tu jab na khayega
Paas kisi gham ko na jab tak bulayega
Zindagi hai cheez kya nahin jaan paayegaa
Rotaa huaa aaya hai
Rotaa chalaa jaaegaa
Aye bhai ….

4.    Phir kahin koi phool khila     Anubhav       1971

Sometimes we come across songs that do not have a clear-cut single meaning, they are open to interpretation. Phir kahin koi phool khila is among those songs which have many layers. Every time I hear it, depending on where I am in life, it offers me answers. The picturisation of this song is my favourite among all Sanjeev Kumar songs as this goes closest to what one would imagine him to be like in real life. In fact, the entire film shows Sanjeev Kumar as someone we would know in real life. The song shows slice of life shots on a day where Sanjeev has stayed home from work because of a mild fever. The day-to-day routine in a household when the husband is home and the wife’s housework has a certain happy spark of his unexpected company at home. Tanuja chopping vegetables in the room, Sanjeev removing specs and falling asleep, a certain closeness and indulgence of an unexpected break from routine… all of these are beautifully shown on screen by Basu Bhattacharya. Composed by Kanu Roy and written by Kapil Kumar, Manna Dey renders this song in a very calming and introspective manner.  

Mann kaa samundar pyasa hua
Kyun kisi se mange duva
Leharon kaa laga jo mela
Toofaan naa kaho usko
Phir kahi koi phool khila
Chaahat naa kaho usko
Phir kahi….

5.    Dekhiye to kya ajeeb haal hai                     Kal Aaj Aur Kal        1971

To my great surprise, I have seen that this song is relatively unknown to many Manna Dey fans. That’s grave injustice. This song is an ignored masterpiece and deserves to be right in front whenever any discussion on Manna Dey songs comes up. Filmed in the background on Raj Kapoor, this is one of the only two songs on Raj Kapoor in the film, the other song being Tik tik tik tik which is sung by Mukesh.

Dekhiye to kya ajeeb haal hai
sochiye to kya ajeeb baat hai
ek paav chal raha alag alag dusra kisi ke sath sath hai

Neeraj uses interesting analogies to describe Raj Kapoor’s state of mind as he is torn between his father and his son, as he tries to keep peace between them. Such an unusual pace for the tune. Perfectly reflects the turmoil in RK's mind as he is exhausted balancing the demands of his father and his son. Sometimes, life brings up situations where we realise that trying to agree with everyone just to keep peace does not bring the desired results and we end up being the target of their anger instead.

ek hawa chali ke khil utha chaman
ek hawa chali ke sab ujad gaya
ek kadam uthake raah mil gayi
ek kadam uthake path bichad gaya…

Shankar Jaikishan wielded the musical baton for the last time for RK banner in this film. A swan song for what turned out to be the end of a long partnership, with the sad demise of Jaikishan.

6.    Zindagi kaisi hai paheli                      Anand           1971

The starting notes of the song as Rajesh Khanna releases the balloons and watches them as they rise in the air creates an iconic moment in cinema. Written by Yogesh and composed by Salil Choudhary, the magic of Manna Dey’s voice further transcends this song to sheer magic. The balloons sway upwards into near oblivion and the camera shifts to Rajesh Khanna whose eyes express wonder, curiosity, sadness and awe at the thought of his impending end and what lies beyond. We do not know why a person leaves this world abruptly nor do we know where he goes after that. Deep questions treated with a classic light sensitive touch by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Jinhone sajaaye yahaan mele
sukh-dukh sang-sang jhele
wahi chunkar khaamoshi
yoon chale jaaye akele kahaan…

7.    Tum besahara ho to               Anurodh        1977

This song has two versions, labelled happy and sad in the album but I find both of them equally inspiring. Ashok Kumar sings this to school children as an anthem. The sad version begins with Vinod Mehra thinking of ending his life and halting as he hears the beginning refrain of this song. He turns out to be the poet of these lyrics and his own creation pulls him back from the brink of giving up on life.

Jeevan toh ek jaisa hotaa hai

Koi hasta koi rotaa hai

Sabr se jeena aasan hotaa hai

Fikr se jeena mushkil hotaa hai.

Simple truth of life stated in a very clear manner.

Having limited myself to listing only seven songs, I have not managed to include my favourite Raat gayee phir din aata hai from Boot Polish (You can read about it on my blog post Musical Journey with Boot Polish )

Hope you enjoyed reading about life lessons with Manna Dey. Do comment with any additions that you can think of to this list!

Seven songs showcasing Bombay meri jaan

A topic that touches two of my favourites: Hindi film songs and the beautiful city of Mumbai. Although the essence of the city has remained the same over the years, it feels so nice to revisit the Bombay of old that is captured in Hindi films where certain years and decades of this city are available, frozen in time, for us to revisit whenever we want.

1.Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan                      1956

Film: CID

Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan,

Zara hatt ke, zara bach ke,

Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan…

Seeing Bombay of the 50s in black and white films lends a whole new aura and glamour of the past to those days. From Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to the tanga breezing through Marine Drive, this song shows us many glimpses of Bombay of the 50s. The lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri have captured both the angst as well as the joy of this city. His words Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan are now the tagline of so many things written about this city. Sung by Mohd Rafi and Geeta Dutt, and music composed by O P Nayyar, this song tops most lists of Bombay songs. Interesting side note that this is probably the only song that mentions the trams of Mumbai.

Kahin building kahin traame,
Kahin motor, kahin mill,
Milta hai yahan sab kuchh,
Ik milta nahin dil…

Insaan ka nahin kahin naam o nishaan
Zara hatt ke, zara bach ke
Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan….

2. Babu samjho ishaare                           1958

Film: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi

This song has five stars within it. The three brothers Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar, and Kishore Kumar, their vintage car Ford Model A and the city of Bombay. As the brothers ride on the streets of Mumbai ,from the start of the song, we can see the classic landmarks of Churchgate, Western Railway headquarters and Eros cinema.

Yahan chalti ko gaadi, kehta hain pyaare

Composed by S D Burman and penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, this song is magic on celluloid.

On a side note, a part of the road of Bandra Sea face is seen in this song as well as in Kiski muskarahaton pe in Anari.  Both films released within a year of each other CKNG 1958 and Anari 1959.

3. Jaaneman jaaneman               1976

Film: Chhoti si baat 

This song covers the office goers’ Bombay. From local bus travel to queueing for the lift at Express Towers at Nariman Point, this song is an enticing look at the city with all its opportunities. This film covers many other landmark locations in Bombay like Samovar restaurant at Jehangir Art Gallery, landmarks which have long gone now but live on in Basu Chatterjee films. It was a tough call to select just one song from this film as the other two (Yeh din kya aaye and Na jaane kyun) also cover many other delightful scenes of Bombay. Sung by Yesudas and Asha Bhosale, music by Salil Choudhary and written by Yogesh, this song captures mid 70s Mumbai in all its glory.

 

 

4. Tumhe ho na ho mujhko to               1977

Film: Gharonda

This is Bombay as it was in the late 70s. A beautiful solo by Runa Laila, music by Jaidev and penned oh so mesmerisingly by Naqsh Lyallpuri, this song starts off from the restaurant Naaz at Hanging Gardens and goes on to film nariyal paani and bhel puri at Juhu Beach and culminates fittingly at Nariman Point for this stanza.

Koi khwaab oonche makaanon se jhaanke

Koi khwab baitha rahe sarr jhukaaye

Kabhi dil ki raahon mein phaile andhera

Kabhi door tak Roshni muskuraye….

 

5. Seene mein jalan aankhon mein                 1978

Film: Gaman

However beloved a city, it also forms the background for the stress we live with. Seene mein jalan is the view of Mumbai through a stressed Farooque Shaikh driving the classic Kaali Peeli. The words underline the anxiety and work worries that overwhelm us. As the taxi rides through the streets of Bombay, we catch glimpses of the traffic, the shops and hawkers and then the sudden aerial view of the Queen’s Necklace at Marine Drive with the Brabourne stadium in clear view. Written by Shahryar ( Akhlaq Mohammad Khan) and composed by Jaidev, this is one of the finest solos of Suresh Wadkar. The song is a series of questions and we still don’t have answers to any of them.

 Kya koi nayi baat nazar aati hai hum mein

Aaina humein dekh ke hairan sa kyun hai

Seene mein jalan, Aankhon mein toofaan sa kyun hai

Is shehar mein har shaks pareshan sa kyun hai…

 

6. Suniye kahiye                 1979  

Film: Baton Baton mein

A distinctive joy of Basu Chatterjee films is that most of them showcase normal Bombay life with the normal by lanes, buses and trams. His films made Bombay the hero of the film as much as the main actors. Baton Baton Mein is shot entirely in Bombay, and primarily in its western suburb of Bandra. Watching Amol Palekar and Tina Munim traipsing through the streets of Bandra, travelling to work in the Mumbai local train and walking near Bandra sea face is a very nostalgic experience for those who remember the Bandra of the late 70s and early 80s. Even the opening credits in the film cover charming Bandra scenes from St Andrews church to Elco arcade on Hill Road.

7.Rhimjhim gire sawan                            1979

Film: Manzil

A song that is one of the foremost to hum in our minds at the beginning of monsoon in India, bringing visions of a rain drenched Marine Drive and a very much in love couple enacted by Amitabh Bachchan and Moushami Chatterjee skipping along the promenade, in a suit and a saree, with the waves splashing onto them. The scenes go on to capture them splashing through the rain at at Oval Maidan with Rajabai tower as well as the High Court in the background. Written by Yogesh and composed by R D Burman, this song could well be called the monsoon anthem of rain loving Bombay.

Is baar sawan mehka hua hai

Is baar mausam behka hua hai.. 

Jaane pee ke chali kya pawan 

Sulag sulag jaaye mann

Bheege aaj is mausam mein

Lagi kaisi yeh agan

Rhimjhim gire sawan…

Monsoon plus Mumbai is a very potent combination, and this song has bottled the romance that fills the air within its visuals. There, within our reach, whenever we want to feel it again.

The years will move on, and Bombay will continue to entice and exhilarate. Do write in the comments below to tell me about any film or song that showcased this city to your liking!

SEVEN RESONANT MELODIES OF RAJESH ROSHAN

 When we talk of music directors who have their own distinctive style, the name of Rajesh Roshan springs instantly to mind. Rajesh Roshan has made an indelible mark in hindi film music with his compositons, giving us over 50 years of melodious music. Let’s take a look at some of his beautiful numbers. An attempt has been made to include some not so often mentioned songs which are gems from his repertoire. 

1. Aa ri aa ja nindiya tu le chal kahin   (Kunwara Baap) 1974  

 This song never fails to tug at the heartstrings. The situation in the film is heart-breaking enough and Rajesh Roshan’s music and Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics give the emotional goose bump inducing emphasis to it. Actor-filmmaker Mehmood had given an eighteen-year-old Rajesh Roshan his first break as a composer with this film. 

 

2. Yeh raatein nayi purani    (Julie )    1975

Although best known for Preeti Sagar’s lilting My heart is beating and Kishore Kumar’s soulful Dil kya kare, this dulcet solo of Lata Mangeshkar written by Anand Bakshi sounds fresh and fragrant whenever we hear this album. Julie was Rajesh Roshan’s second film for which he won his first Filmfare Award.

3. Johnny ko maine toh jaana hai aaj (Ginny aur Johnny )        1976

A lilting song from this ace composer for Mehmood again. A sweet song that touches a chord every time we hear it. Sung by Kishore Kumar and a very young Vijeyta Pandit, this song is a gem that has gone unnoticed by many Rajesh Roshan fans.

4. Pal bhar mein yeh kya ho gaya  (Swami )        1977

Swami was the first Basu Chatterjee film for which Rajesh Roshan held the baton of music director. This went on to be a long and beautiful association, creating mellifluous music for all of us to treasure in six more films that came later which were Priyatama, Khatta Meetha, Dillagi, Baton Baton Mein, Man Pasand and Humari Bahu Alka.

Swami has very soulful songs, from Yesudas’ Ka karun sajni to Kishore Kumar’s Yaadon mein woh. However, I chose this Lata solo because of the complete blend of her voice into the feeling of falling in love, drenched with the monsoon as a backdrop. Amit Khanna’s lyrics spark the magic further. The taar shehnai and the santoor seal the deal.Sheer magic.

5. Tumse mila tha pyaar  (Khatta Meetha)  1978          

 

Woh khwahishein ajeeb thi

Sapne ajeeb the…

A beautiful duet sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, penned by Gulzar. One more from the Basu Chatterjee- Rajesh Roshan team. This was filmed on Rakesh Roshan and Bindiya Goswami, one of many songs that Rajesh Roshan has composed for his brother to enact on screen. A delightful film which is remembered as much for the dialogues, acting and direction, as it is for the music. A song filled with nostalgia which makes us take a look at what we were years back and what we dreamt of.

 

6. Main kaun sa geet sunaaoon  (Dillagi)       978

One more gem from the Basu Chatterjee- Rajesh Roshan duo, penned by Yogesh. Lata Mangeshkar makes magic in this melodious solo, the calmness is further heightened by the use of the flute. This song has been filmed on the steps of a ghat (I am unsure of the exact location, but I believe this was near Mysore) and one can feel the cooling down of the day in the late evening with a refreshing breeze from the water in the tune of the song. The unlikely romance between Dharmendra as SwarnKamal - a newly appointed Sanskrit professor in a Girls college- and Hema Malini as Renu -a strict Chemistry lecturer further enhances the charm of this Rajesh Roshan masterpiece.  

          

7. Main akela apni dhun mein magan    (Man Pasand)   1980

I feel that the music of Man Pasand never got its rightful due because people were quick to shrug it off as the remake of My Fair Lady. What needed to be noticed was that Rajesh Roshan and Amit Khanna worked under a stringent framework of the original and yet they managed to give Man Pasand a unique Indianness in the composition as well as the lyrics. Main akela apni dhun mein magan is meant to replace ‘I’ve grown accustomed to her face’ of the original. It goes beyond that by being a song that is immortal in its magic now. Listen to this song and you will realise the magic that Amit Khanna’s words have created:

Mere sapno ka sach ho jana, sach ho jana
Meri manpasand ban jana,

Inse mujhe kya hai haasil phir bhi
Ye hai meri aadat mein shamil ….

And the magic of Rajesh Roshan with Kishore Kumar serenading you as the words and tune gently define how musicologist Pratap (Dev Anand) has begun to fall in love with the flower girl Kamli (Tina Munim). This is one of the most exquisite solos of Kishore Kumar for Rajesh Roshan.

These were just seven of my selected gems from Rajesh Roshan. Would love to hear from you in the comments below about your favourite Rajesh Roshan songs!