Monday, May 31, 2010

Rattan (1944) : the remaining songs

Rattan (Hindi: रतन), released in 1944 was a landmark movie in more than one way. It brought in a new phase of film music where rhythmic beats of Indian folk percussion instruments like Dholak were introduced for the first time. Rattan also catapulted music director Naushad to dizzy heights of fame. In my earlier post on Rattan (1944), I could but just post four of its songs. Here are some of the remaining.



Manju - Angdai Teri Hai Bahana :  Download








Manju - Jhoothe Hain Sab Sapne Suhane :  Download








Amirbai Karnataki - Milke Bichhad Gai Ankhiyan :  Download








Zohrabai Ambalawali - Aai Diwali Aai Diwali :  Download








Zohrabai Ambalawali - Pardesi Balma :  Download








Zohrabai Ambalawali & Karan Dewan - Sawan Ke Badalo :  Download








.. more songs of Rattan (1944) »

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Vintage film : Pukar (1939)

Pukar (Hindi: पुकार) is a 1939 Hindi film produced and directed by Sohrab Modi under the production house, Minerva Movietone. The film is about Mughal emperor Jehangir's (Chandramohan) legendary justice and focuses how Jehangir offers himself to be killed when a washer-woman accuses the empress Noor Jehan (Naseem Banu) of killing her husband in a hunt. To those who have not heard of Naseem Banu, she is mother of actress Saira Banu, and mother-in-law of actor Dilip Kumar. Naseem Banu's mother was a courtesan, singer-dancer, Chhamiya Bai, also known as Shamshad Begum (not to be confused with the famous playback singer Shamshad Begum).



The only son of Sardar Sangram Singh (Sohrab Modi), Mangal, is provoked into a fight with two men, which he accepts and wins, killing the two challengers. The families of the deceased men approach emperor Jehangir for justice, and Sangram Singh, trusting the justice of his employer, entrusts his son to the justice of his majesty. Jehangir makes it clear that his law is clear and there are no exceptions, and he orders the execution of Mangal, ignoring the pleas of Sangram Singh. Then a woman, whose husband has been killed, rings the bell for justice. Jehangir hears the matter, and he is told that this woman's husband has been killed by an arrow. But the woman is hesitant to name the killer for fear of repercussion. Jehangir, however, assures her that there will be no repercussions, and she names the killer as the empress, Noor Jehan. This throws Jehangir into a quandary, as now he will have to apply the same law as he has been to others.

Khan Mastana & Sardar Akhtar - Dhoay Mahobe Ghat :  Download








Menka - Dil Mein Tu, Aankhon Mein Tu :  Download








Sheela - Geet Suno Wo Geet Saiyan :  Download








Sardar Akhtar - Kahe Ko Mohe Chhede Re Beimanwa :  Download








Sardar Akhtar & Naseem Banu - Sanwariya La Wohi Re :  Download








Sheela - Tum Bin Humri Kaun Khabar Le :  Download








Naseem Banu - Zindagi Ka Saaz Bhi Kya Saaz Hai :  Download








.. more vintage Films »

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Legends : K L Saigal

K L Saigal (1904–1947) is considered as the first superstar of the Hindi film industry. Kundan Lal Saigal was born on 11th April, 1904 at Nawa Shahar in Jammu State. His mother was a deeply religious lady who was very fond of music. She used to take young Kundan to various religious functions where Bhajan, Keertan and Shabad were sung in traditional styles. Kundan Lal often accompanied his father to the interior parts of the State where he would soak into the folk music of Punjab and Kashmir straight from the wandering shepherds.



His formal schooling was brief and uneventful. He started earning by working in the Railways as a timekeeper and later at the Remington Typewriters as a salesman, which allowed him to tour to several places in India. Meanwhile, his passion for singing continued and became more intense with the passage of time. Finally, he landed at Calcutta in early 1930s and met R C Boral, music director of New Theatres. R C Boral took instant liking to his talents and Saigal was employed on a contract basis.

K L Saigal - Ek Bangala Bane Nyara (President 1937) :  Download








K L Saigal - Babul Mora Naihar (Street Singer 1938) :  Download








K L Saigal - So Ja Rajkumari (Zindagi 1940) :  Download








K L Saigal - Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya (Shahjehan 1946) :  Download








It was in 1933 that his four Bhajans in the film Puran Bhagat created a sensation throughout India. Thereafter, Saigal never looked back. The real breakthrough came soon thereafter with the film Devdas in 1935, which established K L Saigal as the first superstar of the Indian cinema. It created history and the songs of this film were hummed in all corners of India. In 1941, K L Saigal shifted to Bombay where he acted and sang in a number of hit films.



K L Saigal - Hum Joliyon Ki Thi Toliyan (Non-Film) :  Download








K L Saigal - Jhulan Jhulao Ri (Non-Film) :  Download








K L Saigal acted in 36 feature films which include 28 Hindi, 7 Bangla and 1 Tamil. In all, K L Saigal rendered 185 songs which include 142 film songs and 43 non-film songs. In the film songs category, there are 110 Hindi, 30 Bangla and 2 Tamil songs. In the non-film category, there are 37 Hindi and 2 each in Bangla, Punjabi and Persian languages. By this time, alcohol had become a predominant factor in K L Saigal's life. His dependence on alcohol had begun affecting his work and his health. It was said that he could only record a song after being fortified with liquor. He died on 18th January, 1947, at the age of 42. In 1995, The Government of India released a commemorative stamp in K L Saigal's honour.

.. more Legends »

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Vintage film : Mukti (1937)

Mukti, directed by P C Barua was released in 1937. Kanan Devi, whom P C Barua wanted to play the lead in his earlier film Devdas (1935), but she couldn't, was the lead actress and singer. P C Barua himself was in the male lead. Music was directed by Pankaj Mullick. Mukti made Kanan Devi a star which led to her fruitful association with New Theatres, Calcutta. The storyline of the film was much ahead of it's time.



This classic adultery story is about an artist, Prasant (P C Barua) who is married to the rich Chitra (Kanan Devi). The couple are in love but neither partner is prepared to compromise their ideals. The marriage falls apart. Prasant concedes his wife's demand for a divorce and goes to the jungles of Assam, where for many years his closest associates are a wild elephant and Jharna, the wife of an innkeeper named Pahari (Pankaj Mullick). Chitra marries a millionaire, Bipul and they go on an elephant hunt. They kill Prasant's pet elephant. Since Chitra believes Prasant to be dead, he avoids meeting her, but rescues her from the villainous Bipul. Prasant succeeds but dies at Chitra's feet.

Kanan Devi - Sanwariya Man Bhaya :  Download








Kanan Devi - Na Jane Kya Hai Dil Ka Raaz :  Download








Pankaj Mullick - Kaun Desh Hai Jana Babu :  Download








Pankaj Mullick - Sharabi Soch Na Kar :  Download








.. more vintage Films »