Dey had a Mast time

Only Shammi Kapoor could be associated with Jhoomta Mausam (which could be translated to, “a dancing season”). The track was from Ujala (1959).

Hasrat Jaipuri penned the Shankar Jaikishan composition, which was rendered by Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar.

The ebullient actor S(in)hared screen space with Mala.

[Note: The Mast Mahina is none other than October. In fact, the 21^st of that month should be observed as Mast Din, because on that day in 1931, Kapoor was born in Mumbai. Not only was his astrological sign represented by the scales, but he was also Lib(e)rated.]

   

‘Twas A(s)happy and B(hos)lessed birthday

On September 8, Ms Bhosle, who rendered Tum Jiyo Hazaaron Saal from Sujata, turned a year older. She is now a sprightly 84, and (As)has been proving that age is just a number.

The track takes the cake, the baker and the bakery as far as birthday wishes are concerned, because it could be translated to, “May you live a thousand years, and may each year have 50,000 days.”

For those wondering who literally stretched his imagination to pen such a line, it was none other than Majrooh Sultanpuri.

S D Burman composed the song.

    

The right call was (Tala)taken

Many moons ago, I watched a television show featuring songs from the Golden Era. One of them was picturised on Sunil Dutt singing on the telephone. The song was Jalte Hain Jiske Liye.

Of course, it was much later that I discovered that it was from Sujata, which released in 1959, and it was rendered by Talat Mahmood.

Penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, it was composed by S D Burman.

(Note: An impressionable Hindi film music buff at that point, I recall quipping that Dutt’s character will run up a hefty bill when he hangs up.)

The Pa(rad)ig(ha)m has De(finitel)y shifted

Manna rendered the title track of Paigham, which released in 1959 and was the first of two films starring the two Kumars (Dilip and Raaj).

The song, that went, “Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichaara, yehi paigham hamara”, was penned by Kavi Pradeep.

It could be translated to, “There should be a spirit of brotherhood among people. This is my message.”

Although it would be unfair to say that those who don’t think the C Ramchandra composition is relevant toDey are insa(a)ne, it does seem that the message is lost on people over the years.

This De(finitel)y wAs(h)a tough track

It was a fact that Manna relished opportunities to sing songs that (As)had a high level of difficulty.

Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan, from Navrang, was an example.

He De(finitel)y didn’t let C Ramchandra, who composed it, down. Ms Bhosle was his co-singer.

The remainder of the verse was (Vy)as follows – “Main tadapta yahan. Tere bin pheeka pheeka hai dil ka jahan.”

So the first two lines of the track, which was penned by Bharat, could be translated to, “Where art thou hiding? I am yearning here. Without you, my heart is in a prosaic condition.” 

Mr Kapoor’s Holi track wAshard

To say that Hindi filmmakers love Holi would be an understatement. So it was no surprise that the soundtrack of Navrang, whose title could be translated to new colours, comprised a song about the festival.

By no means was Arre Ja Re Hat Natkhat – which was rendered by Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle – easy to sing, so Hindi film music aficionados must say hats off to the duo for rising to the Ch(it)al(kar)lenge posed by Ramchandra, the ComposeR of the track, which could be translated to, “Go away, naughty one”, and V(y)as penned by Bharat.

Thankfully, Mahendra’s rendition wasn’t (As)half-hearted

In my previous post about a Mahendra Kapoor song, I pointed out that his break came by way of a contest.

The panel of judges comprised five composers, including C Ramchandra, who composed the music of Navrang (1959).

It included two duets rendered by the singer and Asha Bhosle. One of them was Aadha Hai Chandrama (which could be translated to, “It is a half-moon night and it’s midnight. But our meeting and conversation shouldn’t remain unfinished.”)

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the track, which V(y)as penned by Bharat, provided Kapoor a breakthrough.