Vintage film : Khazanchi (1941)

Khazanchi (Hindi: खजांची) was a 1941 film produced by Pancholi Production, which was based in Lahore, and directed by Moti B Gidwani. The film starred M Ismail, Ramola Devi, S D Narang, Manorama, Durga Mota and Ajmal. Music was directed by Ghulam Haider, who left the profession of a dentist to become a musician. Ghulam Haider revolutionalized the face of the Hindi film songs and laid the foundation for the Hindi film as we know it today by combining popular ragas with the rich verve and rhythm of Punjabi music. A huge hit, Khazanchi was one of the films that helped to establish the musical style of the Hindi film industry in subsequent years. The film also shot Shamshad Begum into the big league.



Shadilal (M Ismail), the khazanchi (cashier) must take some jewellery to Bombay. His son Kanwal (S D Narang) wants to marry Madhuri (Ramola), the daughter of the rich Durgadas (Durga Mota), but the wicked Ramesh (Ajmal) is determined to marry her to get his hands on her wealth. The news comes from Bombay that Shadilal has murdered an actress and stolen her jewellery. A typical murder mystery, the rest of plot should be best left to your imagination.

Shamshad Begum - Diwali Phir Aa Gayi Sajni :  



Shamshad Begum - Ek Kali Nazon Ki Pali :  



Shamshad Begum - Laut Gayi Papan :  



Shamshad Begum - Man Dhire Dhire :  



Shamshad Begum - Mohe Bhabhi La Do :  



Shamshad Begum - Mori Churiyan :  



Umrao Zia Begum - Pine Ki Din Aaye :  



Shamshad Begum & Ghulam Haider - Nainon Ke Baan Ki :  



Shamshad Begum & Ghulam Haider - Sawan Ke Nazare Hain :  



Shamshad Begum & Ghulam Haider - Tori Ankhen Hain :  



The outstanding feature of this film is its music composed by Ghulam Haider, especially 'Sawan Ke Nazare Hain', 'Ek Kali Nazon Ki Pali' and 'Nainon Ke Baan Ki'. Some of tracks have Ghulam Haider himself singing alongside Shamshad Begum. 'Pine Ke Din Aaye' is sung by Ghulam Haider's wife Umrao Zia Begum. It is even said that the film introduced the then very young Baby Noor Jehan, as a playback singer in the song 'Sawan Ke Nazare Hain' as a chorus participant. It was the first film, which was without actress Baby Noor Jehan on screen and with her song picturized on other actress.

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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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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 : Anmol Ghadi (1946)

Anmol Ghadi was a 1946 Hindi film directed by the legendary Mehboob Khan, starring Surendra, Suraiya and Noor Jehan. The film, with 12 songs, was a musical hit and is still remembered for its music by Naushad. The film became the highest grossing film at the Indian box office in 1946. Today's younger generation of movie buffs may not know that Noor Jehan was a huge star as a singer-actress in pre-independence India, until she moved on and settled in Pakistan. She even starred with the then rising star Dilip Kumar in Jugnu (1947).

Noor Jehan - Aaja Meri Mohabbat Ke Sahare :  



Noor Jehan & Surendra - Awaj De Kahan Hai :  



Noor Jehan - Jawan Hai Mohabbat :  





Noor Jehan - Mere Bachpan Ke Saathi :  



Suraiya - Socha Tha Kya, Kya Ho Gaya :  



Shamshad Begum & Zohrabai Ambalawali - Uran Khatole Pe :  



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