Songs, Stories, Books and more…

8th December, 2014 marks the 70th birthday of the lovely Sharmila Tagore and the 79th birthday of the hunky Dharmendra: both artistes I am fond of (especially in their earlier roles).

So here is wishing them both many happy returns of the day – with a song list.

Instead of making two separate posts, this is a combined post with one list – 4 songs (that I like) featuring both of them, besides and 3 4 songs (each) songs of the two artistes.

Songs Featuring Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore:

Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore were paired together in some 8-9 movies in total, out of which, 5 of them are from the sixties (Yakeen, Devar, Anupama, Satyakam, Mere Humdum Mere Dost) and 2 are from the seventies (Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka and Chupke Chupke). Some of these movies directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee are classics even today – Satyakam, Anupama and that laugh-riot Chupke Chupke (which ranks among the finest comic movies in Hindi Cinema.)

1) Ya Dil Ki Suno (Anupama, 1966, Hemant Kumar, Hemant Kumar): Anupama is a one of those rare, sensitive movies that one would never associate with Dharmendra, (if one is just exposed to his Kuttay, Main Tera Khoon Pee Jaaonga type roles). But this is precisely why Dharamendra, as an actor, was so much better in his earlier movies. The roles that he selected were sensitive, empathetic and realistic. This beautiful Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie, one of my favourites, explores the thorny relationship between a father and his daughter. The father, Sharma (Tarun Bose) is madly in love with his wife. When she dies in childbirth, unable to get over the grief, he holds his little girl, Uma (Sharmila) responsible and neglects her. She grows up, lacking in self-esteem, quiet, shy and very unsure of herself. She then meets a writer, Ashok (Dharmendra) who helps her shed her inhibitions. Tarun Bose is outstanding in this movie. He is Sharma – yes, I felt like punching him when he was being a jerk to his daughter, but you can also see his pain, his grief, that makes him incapable of moving on. The final scene, as Uma leaves in the train, finally ready to take off, and Sharma looks on – what a lovely scene and what faultless acting by Tarun Bose! This film is definitely worth a watch. The music by Hemant Kumar is perfect – There are the two breezy Asha Bhosle solos picturised on Shashikala, Bheegi Bheegi Fiza and Kyun Mujhe Itni Khushi De Di. Lata Mangeshkar sings two songs, Dheere Dheere Machal ( picturised on Uma’s mum, played by Surekha Pandit, as her father looks on) and then this melodious, philosophical song Kuch Dil Ne Kaha, Aisi Bhi Baatein Hoti Hain – Uma alone, with her thoughts, and in harmony with nature, as Ashok looks on.

And then there is the gem Ya Dil Ki Suno, sung by Hemant Kumar, very reminiscent of Jaane Woh Kaise Log thhe (Pyaasa) in its picturisation. There is a story that the tune of this song had been composed for Saheb Bibi aur Ghulam but did not get used there. Hemant da used it for this movie. The lyrics, by Kaifi Azmi are touching and Hemant da sings it well.-” Ye Phool Chaman Mein Kaisaa Khilaa, Maali Ki Nazar Mein Pyaar Nahi?” sums up the story. Simply lovely!

2) Na Jaa Kahin Ab Na Ja (Mere Humdum Mere Dost, 1968, Mohd Rafi, Laxmikant Pyarelal): This sublime song by Mohd Rafi is from a fairly insipid movie, Mere Humdum Mere Dost (or so I remember thinking when I watched it many years back). The highlight of the movie was the music – it has some superb songs, especially the qawwali Allah Yeh Ada (picturised on the perky, gorgeous Mumtaz, as she teases them on their engagement) and that sad lonely Hui Shaam Unka Khayal aaya sung extremely well by Rafi saab (who else?). I was not sure which of the two Rafi songs to pick, but I settled on this romantic number that has Sharmila (with her trademark bouffant hairdo) and Dharmendra prancing around in the pretty locales of Kashmir. Yes, the lyrics are a bit weird – he wants to colour her lips, but Rafi saab’s voice and singing – totally enchanting.

3) Gar Tum Bhula Na Doge (Yakeen, 1969, Mohd Rafi/ Lata Mangeshkar, Shankar-Jaikishen): This movie was some sort of thriller and had Dharmendra in a double role – one of a police officer and the second of his impersonator, who is a foreign crook. While the movie is not that great, this tandem song is quite nice. The Mohd Rafi number has the ‘real’ Dharmendra singing to his lady-love in happier times. The Lata Mangeshkar version is when the heroine sings to the imposter (not knowing that he is one) and is reminding him of their pyaar.

4) Baagon Mein Kaise Yeh Phool (Chupke Chupke, 1975, Mukesh -Lata, S.D. Burman): This 1975 movie is one of the funniest movies made in Hindi cinema. A laugh riot, it had the inimitable Om Prakash, Amitabh Bachchan and of course Dharmendra in unforgettable roles. Asrani, Jaya Bhaduri, Usha Kirron and Sharmila Tagore supported the cast impeccably. Not going to reprise the plot here, but Dharmendra plays a driver who speaks perfect Hindi to teach his brother-in-law a lesson. While ‘being’ the driver, he romances his employer’s niece (who is his newly-wed wife). Here Dharmendra and Sharmila (the driver and the niece) romance in front of the employer’s daughter so that they can get caught. This song plays towards the end of the movie.

Songs picturised on Sharmila:

Sharmila Tagore featured in many lovely songs in her illustrious career – so this self-imposed choice of 3 songs is a tough one. To add to it, I want to impose yet another restriction.  You see, one of my all time fave songs, Aage Bhi Jaane Na tu has a surreptitious way of finding its place in each of my lists. And since it has Sharmila in it, I am afraid it will land up here as well! …. So I want to try to steer clear of such songs which have been mentioned before. (So unfortunately, the beautiful songs of Kashmir ki Kali, especially Deewana Hua Badal and Yeh Chand sa Roshan Chehra and the lovely Asha solo from the godawful Charitraheen, Teri Meri Yaari Badi Purani are out.)

1) Yehi Woh Jagah Hai Yehi Woh Fizaayen (Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, 1966, Asha Bhosle, O.P.Nayyar): This beautiful song was from one of those supernatural movies – Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi. Biswajeet was her co-star and the cutie pie Mumtaz played an important role in the movie. The movie had fabulous songs. Asha Bhosle rendered some gems like Main Shayad Tumhare Liya Ajnabi Hoon, Har Tukda Mere Dil Ka, and two awesome duets with Rafi – Phir Miloge Kabhi and Aap Se Maine Meri Jaan. And then there is that brilliant cabaret number (with Minoo Katrak), Huzure wala Jo ho Ijaazat. 

My favourite song is Yehi Woh Jagah hai  – Melodious, well sung and beautiful….Sharmila looks beautiful! (and err… Biswajeet looks pretty too!)

2) Raat Ke Humsafar (An Evening in Paris, 1967, Asha -Rafi, Shankar-Jaikishen) : An Evening in Paris paired Sharmila with Shammi Kapoor – the hero with whom she made her debut in that beautiful 1964 movie, Kashmir Ki Kali. Like KKK, this was also directed and produced by Shakti Samanta and had excellent music. Sharmila had a double role in this one – with one of the roles being that of a cabaret dancer (check out her cabaret numbers – Zuby Zuby and Le ja Mera Dil). The movie had some of Rafi’s finest numbers for Shammi – Akele Akele Kahan Jaa Rahe, Deewane Ka Naam to poocho and Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta, to name a few.

This lovely Asha-Rafi duet has Sharmila in her stylish best along with the very charming Shammi Kapoor and it is about an evening in Paris! Shankar-Jaikishen were considered experts when it came to the use of orchestra in their music – and this is one example! Brilliant!

3) Zara Haule Haule Sajna (Saawan ki Ghata, 1968, Asha Bhosle, O.P.Nayyar): I am partial to Asha Bhosle and O.P.Nayyar is one of my fave music directors. So I had to include this one!  As a movie, this was not that great… I watched this movie for two songs – this one and the sweet Aaj Koi pyaar Se Dil Ki Baatein Keh Gaya, picturised on the pretty, vivacious Mumtaz (one of my fave actresses, as you possibly can make out). I did not like the movie – but for the two gorgeous girls!

I picked this over more popular songs from Aradhana or Amar Prem (the bigger hits in Sharmila’s career) – for the fond memories.

4) Kitni Akeli Kitni Tanha (Talaash, 1969, Lata Mangeshkar, SDB): This was the first big budget movie in Hindi cinema and starred Rajendra Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and Balraj Sahni. It is in part a suspense film and a love story. Sharmila Tagore has a double role here – playing both Rajendra Kumar’s village sweetheart and boss’s Europe returned daughter. SDB’s music is remarkable with some musical gems be it the romantic and very melodious Lata-Rafi duet Palkon Ke Peeche Se or the two superb Asha cabarets for Helen, Mera Kya Sanam and Karle Karle Pyar. And then there is the Manna Dey semi-classical piece, Tere Naina Talash Kare Jise. This romantic Lata number is one of my favourites from this movie.

Songs picturised on Dharmendra:

One of the biggest stars of Hindi cinema, Dharmendra won more acclaim for his He-man and action roles ( Mera Gaon Mera Dost, Phool Aur Paththar, Raja Jani to name a few! Of course who can forget Sholay?) However, in his earlier days as an actor, he portrayed sensitive, romantic and comic characters (Satyakam, Anupama, Bandini, Anpadh, Chupke Chupke, Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi and Khamoshi) with great aplomb. That is the Dharmendra I like – the Dharmendra of the sixties.These roles show off his acting talent and yes, he looked good!

Again, quite a task to pick just three four songs… But here goes –

1) Badal Jaaye Agar Mali (Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi, 1966, Mahendra Kapoor, O.P.Nayyar): Dharmendra stepped in this movie after Guru Dutt’s untimely demise in 1964. This movie starred Mala Sinha and Tanuja, and the Guru Dutt regulars, Rehman and Johnny Walker. Set in Calcutta of 1962, it has two conflicting plots (one dealing with corruption and a young idealistic journalist’s principles) and a love triangle/ quadrangle (two sisters falling for the same man and unrequited love – Rehman loves Mala Sinha). I watched this movie with much expectation (because of Dharmendra, Rehman and Tanuja, OPN’s music and that it was to have been a Guru Dutt movie) but remember not liking it much. The first half was good but the second half was unbearable. The two themes were not brought together in a cohesive way. The love triangle became a competition between the two sisters, as to who would be the bigger martyr and give up their love – that too without asking the poor guy as to whom he wanted to marry! Oh, I hated the ending – Why did Mala Sinha die? Rehman loved her, she knew it, couldn’t she just have moved on and been with him?

Tanuja is at her vivacious and charming best; Dharmendra is very affable and the music still remains a highlight! There are the beautiful Asha solos, Koi Keh De Keh De and the heartbreaking Woh Hanske Mile Humse Hum Pyar Samajh Baithe. Then there is that melodious and very romantic Rafi solo, Aapke Haseen Rukh Pe Aaj Naya Noor hai. (I was torn between this number and the title track and decided on the title track, lest this become a Rafi list!). And yes, also two wonderful Asha -Rafi duets, Dil toh Pehle Se and Suno Suno Miss Chatterjee, a Johnny Walker number. But here is the lilting title track, in Mahendra Kapoor’s voice.

2) Ek Haseen Shaam Ko (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, 1967, Rafi, Madan Mohan): Based on the Thomas Hardy novel, Tess D’Ubervilles, this movie starred three actors that I am very fond of: Nutan, Dharmendra and Rehman. But I disliked the movie when I watched it.  It did have some nice songs, especially this one and the beautiful Lata solo, Sapnon Mein Agar.

Rafi’s voice is amazing – just listen to the range of emotions he manages to capture – romantic, teasing and so soft! Lovely song!

3) Main Nigahein Tere Chehre Se Hataaon Kaise (Aap Ki Parchhaiyan, 1964, Rafi, Madan Mohan): Another excellent romantic number sung by Rafi (who else ?? Sigh – his voice…) for Madan Mohan. The movie starred Dharmendra and the Bengali actress Supriya Devi. If I remember right, it was a family drama about two brothers, Om Prakash being the older one and about how the younger one’s wife breaks up the house… Whatever the story was, I remember the movie for two amazing songs – this one and the playful Yehi Hai Tamanna Tere Dar Ke Saamne (Could the success of the 1963 Tere Ghar Ke Saamne have something to do with the use of Tere Dar Ke Saamne in this song?)

4) Tum Pukar Lo Tumhara Intezaar Hai (Khamoshi, 1969, Hemant Kumar, Hemant Kumar): Yes, I know this is cheating as I had planned to include only 3 songs each! But I just had to include this one and did not have the heart to drop any of the above! That this amazing Hemant da number (one of my favourites) is actually picturised on Dharmendra had completely slipped my mind till it popped up in my playlist, after I had made this post … and I had to include it!

Khamoshi is an out and out Waheeda Rehman movie. Rajesh Khanna was the main lead, in a manner of speaking, but Dharmendra in a guest appearance dominates the story and the mindspace of Waheeda’s character entirely. I watched this movie, along with my grandmother (who did not speak a word of Hindi), when it aired on Doordarshan many years back. By the end of the movie, both of us were in tears, much to the amusement of my then seven year old brother! The songs are equally memorable  – the lyrics by Gulzar and the music by Hemant Kumar are touching!

This song, sung inimitably by Hemant da, conveys the longing, the loneliness and the bechaini associated with unrequited love perfectly! You don’t get to see Dharmendra’s face; the camera is focussed on his back as he paces about and Waheeda Rehman’s face as she enters the room…He hopes that his beloved is also pining for him, maybe she will come! She is not pining for him, but Waheeda who is in the room definitely is!

“Mukhtasar Si Baat Hai, Tumse Pyar Hai…Tum Pukar Lo” –

“Dil Behal Toh Jayega is khayal se, Haal mil Gaya Tumhara apne haal se”..

Splendid!

It feels good for once not to be making list remembering a great artiste on his/ her birth anniversary! Happy Birthday to Sharmila Tagore and Dharmendra and wishing them many more happy years to come…!