Lost melodies part 4

In the early days of Indian film industry, actors mostly recorded the songs they were shown singing on the screen. However in the 1940s playback singers began to be increasingly used. This was not immediately accepted. Part of the audience’s enjoyment of early sound films came from their knowledge that the actor on the screen was actually singing the songs they heard. When playback singing first became common, the sudden disjuncture between the voice of the singer and the body of the actor was a source of 'discomfort' for audiences. Particularly unnerving was the use of one singer's voice for many different actors. While playback singing was seen by some at the time as unauthentic, others sensed in it the possibility for greater creativity and entertainment.

Noor Jehan - Shala Jawaniyan Mane (Gulbakawali 1939) :  



Ashok Kumar & Devika Rani - Mere Jeevan Ke Path (Anjaan 1941) :  





Suraiya - Aise Mein Agar Tum Aa Jate (Balam 1949) :  



Lata Mangeshkar - Yad Rakhna Chand Taro (Anokha Pyar 1949) :  



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