Seven Pearls of Wisdom with Raj Kapoor songs

 

Raj Kapoor films have always had a strong core of philosophy. From the story to the dialogues to the lyrics, every aspect of his films tells us something about life, each film is an eye opener in some way. Here’s looking at some of his ‘pate ki baat’ from seven songs selected from his films.

1. Mud mud ke na dekh  (Shree 420)     1955

Singer: Manna Dey and Asha Bhosale

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

A village simpleton in the grasp of a conniving city. To his dismay, he realises that honesty is a burden that is holding him back. The metaphor of Vidya (Nargis) and Maya (Nadira) is played with finesse as we watch Raj’s struggle to choose a path. Mud mud ke na dekh gives voice to any temptation that we have faced in life. The urge to move on and achieve success is a powerful one and the lyrics play on every emotion that answers to that pull.

Duniyaa ke saath jo badaltaa jaaye
Jo iske dhaanche me hi dhaltaa jaaye
Duniyaa usiki hai jo chaltaa jaaye

Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke
Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke

 

2.  Dil ka haal sune dilwala  (Shree 420)    1955

Singer: Manna Dey

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

A quintessential Raj Kapoor song where he plays the common man, has a dafli in his hands and is singing life truths penned by his Kaviraj Shailendra. These are cinema magic moments, and they live on.

Sun lo magar yeh kisise na kehna,

Tinke ka leke sahara na behna

Bin mausam malhar na gaana

Aadhi raat ko matt chillana

Warna pakad lega policewala…..

 

3. Kisi ki muskaharoton pe      (Anari)       1959

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

If we are asked to think of a song that teaches us the best way to live life in a positive way, this song will probably be the first to come to mind for many of us. The straightforward and clear tone of the lyrics drives the point home clearly. This is the only song selected in this list which is not from a film made by Raj Kapoor but no list of philosophy of life by Raj Kapoor could be complete without this song. Mukesh lends a sincerity to this SJ tune and Raj Kapoor brings it alive on screen as only he can. A magical combination and a joy for us to hear and see for all time.

Mitte jo pyaar ke liye woh zindagi,
Jale bahaar ke liye woh zindagi
Kisi ko ho na ho hamein to aitbaar
Jeena isi ka naam hai…

 

4. Pyaar kar le nahin toh phaansi chadh jaayega (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai)   1960

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

 

Very hard hitting lyrics as Raju tells dacoit Raka (Pran) to choose nonviolence and peace, by surrendering to police and choosing to give up a violent way of life.

jeet har saikdo teer se talwar se
jeet har saikdo teer se talwar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
vichar kar le, vichar kar le nahi to piche pachtayega….

 

5. Sajan re jhooth matt bolo        1966

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

 

Every song of this film is deeply embedded with life lessons. It was difficult to select just one song from this film. Be it Duniya banana waale or be it Sajanwa bairi ho gaye hamaar, all songs from this film are a textbook lesson on life.

Ladakpan khel mein khoya,
Jawaani neend bhar soyaa,
Budhaapa dekh kar royaa
Wahi kissaa puraanaa hai…..
Sajan re jhooth mat bolo

 

6. Pate ki baat kahega (Diwana) 1967

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

Pate ki baat are the pearls of wisdom about the philosophy of life that the Diwana states to people in this song. Another gem from the team of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishan, Shailendra and Mukesh. A very uplifting song that makes one realise the true value of things around us.

Char ke aath tu kar le,

Aath se saath tu kar le

Rahega phir bhi ye khali,

Pet ko lakh tu bhar le

Seekh le mann ko manana,

Sabar se kaam chalana,

Meri surat pe na jaana,

Meri surat pe na jaana

Pate ki baat kahega,

Kahega jab bhi deewana….

Pate ki baat

7. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo  (Mera Naam Joker)   1970

Singer: Manna Dey

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Neeraj

 

This song is an eye opener for people who make the mistake of looking at life with rose tinted glasses and then wish they hadn’t done that. Raju, the joker, in Mera Naam Joker has seen life in its true colours, and he tells us that traversing the paths of life can be tricky at the best of times, and treacherous at the most. And yet, he tells us that such is life and we should live it with the courage needed to make a go of it.

A song deeply laden with philosophy, it tells us something new every time we hear it.

Girne se darta hai kyon,

Marne se darta hai kyon,

Thokar tu jab tak na khayega.

 Paas kisi gham ko na jab tak bulayega,

 Zindagi hai cheez kya nahin jaan paayegaa,

Rotaa huaa aaya hai, rotaa chalaa jaaegaa .

Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo

…

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!

Seven hairstyles rocked by Hindi film actresses

From the early years,  the hairstyles we see on the screen on our Hindi film actresses are mostly what women in real life would be comfortable with in their daily lives. And yet, there have been actresses who have stepped out of their comfort zone in order to make a mark.

1. The soft short waves of Madhubala, Nargis, Geeta Bali

The reigning queens on the screen of that time had these short haircuts with soft, wavy hair, ideally suited for those moonlit songs with the hair backlit in those scenes. Nargis’ Koi mere dil mein (Andaz), Madhubala’s Aaiye meherbaan (Howrah bridge) and Geeta Balis’s Chandni raatein pyaar ki baatein (Jaal) come to mind.

The beauty of these hairstyles was enhanced a hundred-fold by the fact that the films were in black and white.

 

2. The Sadhana Cut

Although the Sadhana Cut owed its origin to the Audrey Hepburn haircut, Sadhana made this hairstyle famous in India as she made a glorious debut as Sonia in Love in Simla.  Sadhana was the fashion icon of the screen in those days with her churidars and her Audrey fringe. The film shows the progression of this haircut with a studied assurance, where her grandmother (played with aplomb by Durga Khote) decides to cut her granddaughter’s fringe while urging her to embrace her beauty and not hide it from the world. Love in Simla is a delightful film because of these slice of life moments. 

3. The Bedazzling Bouffant

This was one hairstyle that rocked the screen in the 60s and it was one that was admittedly very difficult to recreate for the young ladies in that decade. Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz and Asha Parekh were the trail blazers for the bouffant, with hair piled on the head and (I imagine) held there with generous whiffs of hair spray.  This helped them add a delicate rose, a pretty buckle or a beautiful bow. It must have been a bit of a nightmare with the amount of backcombing it would have needed but then , beauty always comes with a price and our Bollywood damsels stepped up to the challenge in full glory.

4. The Beauteous Beehive

For the uninitiated, the beehive may seem similar to the bouffant and it very nearly is. The big difference is that it leaves no scope for long hair to touch your shoulders as all is piled on top with the fervent hope that it stays there. This hairstyle owed its origin to Audrey Hepburn as well when she made it famous with Breakfast at Tiffanys but our stars gave it a glamour all its own. From Sharmila Tagore to Helen to Rakhee Gulzar, we saw the beehive buzz on the screen all through the 70s.

5. Two khubsoorat plaits of Rekha

Rekha reigned on the silver screen and her two plaits of Sun sun sun didi tere liye in Khubsoorat suddenly made an ordinary home hairstyle feel acceptable in public.

Sharmila Tagore further enhanced it in Mausam with Chhadi re chhadi kaisi gale mein padi. This hairstyle made a short comeback with Bhagyashree sporting two plaits in Maine Pyar Kiya. Although, by then, the days were probably gone when one could actually venture out with hair tightly tied in two plaits.

 

6. The straight silky locks of Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman

This was a wave of its own with all waves banished from the hair. Backcombing was booted out of the studio doors as the straight hair look with side bangs seeped into the screen.

Zeenat Aman in Chura liya (Yaadon Ki baarat) and Parveen Babi in Main to beghar hoon (Suhaag) made curls and waves a thing of the past. This trend carried on right upto Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure who kept the natural straight hair with side bangs look blazing.

7. The layers of Madhuri Dixit

The straight-haired look was beginning to rankle to many women who did not have ramrod straight locks. The straightener wasn’t so common then and it had reached a stage where there were women who believed that they were not beautiful if they didn’t have straight hair. In breezed Madhuri Dixit hair with steps or layers blow-dried to within an inch of their lives. These brought back the soft waves of the 50s. In a way, we were coming full circle. Black and white photos softly backlit make Madhubala and Madhuri Dixit seem to be from a similar decade, although they were not.

The decades of trending haircuts really ended here unless we count the perm of Pooja Bhatt in Dil Hai ke manta Nahin and Preity Zinta in Dil Chahta Hai. We have now come to an interesting phase where every actress has her own style and the character they play dictates their hair. Maybe this is a better time for all of us as each woman is now free to find her own comfort zone for her tresses, and thus reduce the stresses!

Do write in with your favourite Bollywood hairstyles in the comments!

Seven Songs of Sapne

 

‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ This was said by Eleanor Roosevelt and our HFM has happily given life to this quote with its myriad songs on Sapne/ dreams. Be the dreams in any form, they fill our lives and provide some balance in good days and bad.

1. Mere sapne mein aana re

Film: Rajhat 1956

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

Madhubala lights up the screen with the honeysweet rendition by Lata Mangeshkar. As she asks her beloved to appear in her dream, she imagines everything she probably wouldn’t dare to suggest when she actually met him. The shy hesitant personality which takes on a different bravado for her dreams sets an interesting contrast in this song.

Mere sapne mein aana re, sajnaa,

Mere sapne mein aana re,

Woh baat zaraa mere kaanon mein,

phir se keh jaana re...

 

 

2. Sapne mein sajan se do baatein

Film: Gateway of India 1957

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Lyrics: Rajinder Kishan

Music: Madan Mohan

Somehow one of the first songs to come to mind for Sapne is this song. That is surprising as I have never seen this song on video as it isn’t available. However, that has never stopped me from visualising Madhubala in this sweet melody composed by Madan Mohan. Lata Mangeshkar has sung this song with such emotions that our mind can bridge the gap for the visual and its almost as if we have seen the video with Madhubala’s dulcet smile. This is true for most old hindi film songs that have missing videos, our mind’s eye directs the visuals.

Ik raat milan ki aayee thi,
aur uske baad judaayi thi,
gham aur khushi ki do raaten
ik yaad rahi ik bhool gaye…
Sapne mein sajan se do baaten…

 

 

3. Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai    1965

Film: Guide

Singer: Mohammed Rafi

Music director: S D Burman

Lyrics: Shailendra

A shattered Rosy slowly comes to life as Raju hands her the hope of shared dreams and a life together in this song. Each line is steeped in sincerity as the trio of Kaviraj Shailendra, S D Burman and Mohammed Rafi serve us magic on a platter. The pathos of the saxophone set against the early light of Udaipur with Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman is the ultimate magic that cinema has ever offered.

Lakh manaa le duniya,
Saath na yeh chhootega,
Aake mere haathon mein
Haath na yeh chhootega…
O mere jeevan saathi
Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain..

 

 4. Sapnon ka Saudagar    1968

Film: Sapnon ka Saudagar

Singer: Mukesh

Lyrics: Shailendra

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Life throws many curve balls and it can sometimes be difficult to keep our spirits up. At times like these, what helps is hope. No matter how difficult the circumstances, keeping hope and optimism alive helps one chart the troubled waters. With the words ‘Tumse kismet khel chuki, Tum kismet se khelo’, Shailendra has nailed the power of hope in his inimitable manner.

Ik chhaliya aas ke peechhe,
Daude to yahaan tak aaye,
Har shaam ko dhalta suraj
Jaate jaate keh jaaye…

Woh tay kar legaa manzil

Jo ik sapna apnaaye…’

 

 

 

 

5. Sapna mera toot gaya   1973

Film: Khel Khel Mein

Singer: Asha Bhosale and R D Burman

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

 

When one has shared one’s dreams with someone and that person is gone, those dreams feel hollow, shattered. This song is filmed on Aruna Irani where she reminisces about Rakesh Roshan. However, this song, for me, will always be about Asha Bhosale and Pancham. That tug at the heartstrings will always be there when I hear this song as I think of both of them. The song switches between memories in the antaras and back to reality with the mukhda. The slight pause before the mukhda as one is jerked back to the present works to emphasise the despair of broken dreams. The utter emptiness that takes their place.

 

6. Ek din sapne mein dekha sapna

Film: Golmaal      1979

Singer: Kishore Kumar and Sapan Chakraborty

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Gulzar

A dream within a dream! As only Gulzar can visualise! This is a song on farfetched dreams. Something that has practically zero chance of materialsing and yet gives immense joy to the mind. My sapne mein sapna was always a wish to meet Dev Anand. Never happened but then that’s why it qualified to be my sapne mein sapna! Life gets colours of joy with such dreams. The song has Ramprasad (Amol Palekar in one of his finest roles) imagining himself in Amitabh Bachchan’s shoes and signing autographs while Big B looks on in dismay. Rekha begging him to stay back and Lata’s singing  being accompanied on the tabla are further sapnas, each of which bring a smile to our lips.

The sweetest line of this song is

‘Ik din sapne mein dekhi sapni,

Woh jo hai na Lata apni..’

7. Dekho maine dekha hai yeh ek sapna   

Film: Love Story   1981

Singers: Amit Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

When dreams are ambitions as well as visions of life with one’s beloved, then this song fits the bill! The debut film of Kumar Gaurav who went on to be the heart throb of young girls at that time. This film also established Amit Kumar as the singing voice of Kumar Gaurav, a lot like Shailendra Singh’s voice getting associated with Rishi Kapoor at the beginning of his career. The song hints at the lead character Bunty’s inclination towards taking up the field of architecture, something that he had disagreed with his father for in the beginning of the film as he wanted to be a pilot. The lyrics follow each part of the house design blending in nicely with aspirations for different facets of his life.

 

I was limited by the number seven and could not list more of my favourite songs on sapne. Do write in with your favourite sapne songs in the comments!