Vintage film : Andaz (1949)

Andaz (Hindi: अन्दाज़) was a 1949 Hindi film, directed by Mehboob Khan and music by Naushad. The film starred Dilip Kumar, Nargis and Raj Kapoor in a love triangle. Andaz is the only movie that stars Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor together. Cukoo and Murad also appear in supporting roles. The films lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri. At the time of its release Andaz was the top grossing Hindi film ever, until its record was broken by Raj Kapoor's Barsaat that same year. Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh were the rising stars of playback singing at that point of time.



Mukesh - Hum Aaj Kahin Dil Kho Baithe :  



Mukesh - Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj :  



Mukesh - Tu Kahe Agar :  



Lata Mangeshkar - Uthaye Ja Unke Sitam :  



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Vintage film : Aage Badho (1947)

Aage Badho was a Hindi film released in 1947. It was directed by Yeshwant Pithkar and starred Dev Anand, Khursheed, Vasant Thengdi, Kusum Deshpande and Madhukar Apte. Music was directed by Sudhir Phadke. It was an important film in playback singer Khursheed's career. After independence of India Khursheed, and another important singer of that period, Noor Jehan, moved on to Pakistan. This film also features the only song ever she sang with Mohammad Rafi : Sawan Ki Ghata Dheere Aana.

Khursheed - Main Khoj Khoj Haari :  



Khursheed - Taqdeer Mein Likha Hai :  





Khursheed - Yeh Duniya Pyari Pyari Re :  



Khursheed & Mohd Rafi - Sawan Ki Ghata Dheere Aana :  



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Lost melodies part 3

During the 1940s, the two faces which dominated the Indian film world with their music and acting were Noor Jehan and Suraiya. In fact, Suraiya was ranked after Noor Jehan who had created a sensation with her lively acting, tuneful singing and glamorous personality. Both appeared in Mehboob's musical Anmol Ghadi (1946), and enraptured the audiences. Though overshadowed by Noor Jehan, it goes to Suraiya's credit that though in a supportive role, she was able to hold her own and make her presence felt with her evergreen melodies. Suraiya decided to stay back in India after partition, while Noor Jehan left for Pakistan.

Noor Jehan - Chandni Raaten (Dupatta 1955) :  



Noor Jehan - Hamen To Sham-E-Gham Mein (Jugnu 1947) :  





Suraiya - Raaton Ki Neend Chhin Li (Shokhiyan 1952) :  



Suraiya - Mere Mundere Na Bol (Parwana 1947) :  



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Vintage film : Chandralekha (1948)

Gemini Studio of Madras released Chandralekha in 1948. It was the first Tamil movie, in which more than 30 lakhs of rupees were spent and Gemini became the first Indian studio to attempt a nationwide distribution. S S Vasan did the direction, and the music was by S Rajeswara Rao. The production of this movie took a very long time. The film was released in 600 theatres worldwide. The movie is still remembered as a cultural extravaganza for its array of costumes and its famous drum–dance sequence and long sword–fight sequence.

The circus used extensively in the film's plot became famous as the Gemini Circus and is in existence till today. The movie was a huge success throughout India. This movie was released in Hindi too. It was released in foreign countries with English sub-titles. Presented here are songs from the Hindi version. At the time of the release of this film, Uma Devi (aka Tun Tun) was at the peak of her singing career.



Uma Devi - Maai Re Main To Madhuban Mein :  



Uma Devi - Man Bhavan Sawan Aaya :  



Uma Devi - O Chand Mere :  



Uma Devi - Sajana Re Aaja Re :  



Uma Devi & T A Moti - Sanjh Ki Bela :  



Zohrabai Ambalawali & T A Moti - Mera Husn Lootne Aaya :  



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Uma Devi aka Tun Tun

She gave us music and she gave us laughter. Her career, first as precocious crooner and then as Tun Tun, the comedienne is her undeniable legacy, one too short-lived, the other enduring but both immortal. Born Uma Devi Khatri in an obscure village in Uttar Pradesh, she lost both her parents at an early age. Raised by her uncle in a conservative Punjabi family, her one enduring passion remained singing. With no formal training, she like many little children, picked up film songs from the radio. In a place and time when educating girls was a luxury and ambition in them was unheard of, Uma Devi showed remarkable courage teaching herself to read and write Hindi along with a smattering of Urdu and English to help her singing career.

At the age of 13, Uma Devi ran away from home and boarded the train to Bombay to seek her future, to challenge the voices she had imitated for years. She wanted to sing for Naushad, with his distinctly refined brand of music. For she believed firmly that he was the greatest composer. After repeated requests to sing for the maestro, she was finally granted an audience. This intrepid 13 year old charmed the renowned composer with a rendition of one of Noor Jehan's classics. Uma Devi was on her way to success. Talk about impressive debuts, Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon from Dard (1947) became a runaway hit. But the success did not last too long.

Uma Devi - Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon (Dard 1947) :  



Uma Devi - Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom (Dard 1947) :  





Uma Devi - Dilwale Jal Jal Kar Hi Mar Jana (Natak 1947) :  



Uma Devi - Chandni Raat Hai (Chandni Raat 1949) :  



The partition of India threw the country into bloody chaos, and work was dwindling as the Mangeshkar sisters entered the fray. Uma Devi knew her inability to handle higher scales would compare unfavourably against the well-honed voices of these promising newcomers. Personally, she had put on an enormous amount of weight. Once again Naushad, her Rakhi brother saved the day. Knowing her gift of comic timing, he suggested she take up acting.

This was her second more popular avatar. Debuting in Babul, produced by Naushad himself, she was cast with Dilip Kumar and Nargis. In it she was christened Tun Tun, a name that has stayed with her to date. Her career as the first true comedienne of Indian cinema saw her entertain in films like Aar Paar, Pyaasa, Mr and Mrs 55 and Mom Ki Gudiya. Tun Tun is one of the few artists, who could make a shift of profession worth remembering in the Hindi film industry.

Lost melodies part 2

Among the male playback singers of very early films of the last century, K L Saigal, Pankaj Mullick and K C Dey have their names etched in gold. It may surprise many, but K L Saigal recorded only about 180 songs during his lifetime. Yet he became the most emulated male singer of all-time in the Hindi film industry.

K L Saigal - Radharani De (Puran Bhagat 1933) :  



K L Saigal - Jo Beet Chuki (Pujarin 1936) :  





Pankaj Mullick - Sundar Nari Pritam Pyari (Manzil 1936) :  



Pankaj Mullick - Aaj Apni Mehnaton Ka (Doctor 1941) :  



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