Chitragupt- A Forgotten Genius

 

Chitragupt (16 November 1917 – 14 January 1991) the forgotten music director of the Golden Era, gave us some of the most memorable songs. "Laagi Chhoote Na" sung by Mohammed Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar is one of these songs. He became a household name after the 1962 release of Main Chup Rahungi starring Meena Kumari and Sunil Dutt. 

Chitragupt composed music for 150 films spanning from 1946 to 1998. Lata Mangeshkar sang many hit songs under his direction.He made Kishore Kumar sing the classical song "Payalwaali dekh na" and the popular song "Agar sun le koi nagma 

He was a very learned man, was a postgraduate in two subjects,  a master’s degree in Economics, following it up with an MA in Journalism. He was a professor in Patna University for some time. He also had a love for music besides academics. He had a good grounding in classical music, he used to play the Tabla and had good singing skills. He had  a secret desire of becoming a professional singer which was known to his friend only.

One day his friend Madan Sinha (who later became a well-known cinematographer and also directed the Vinod Khanna-starrer Imtihaan in 1974) suggested they go to Bombay to try their luck in the films, Chitragupta agreed. 

When they arrived in Bombay, Chitragupt managed an introduction to the legendary Nitin Bose who gave him a chance to sing in the chorus. One thing led to another and Chitragupta soon found himself as the assistant of composer S NTripathi.

He got his break as an independent Music director with Fighting Hero (1946). After that he gave music in many B grade movies but his first hit song was a duet by Shamshad Begum and Mohammad Rafi in Sindbad The Sailor (1952).

His first big banner was AVM Shiv Bhakta (1955), AVM’s backing also meant the music director finally got Lata Mangeshkar to sing for him. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful association for both.

Lata Mangeshkar sang “240 songs (no fewer than 151 solos)” under Chitragupta’s baton. Recall the songs of Mein Chup Rahongi(1962) and Bhabhi (1957). In fact, it was AVM films that made him popular as a composer.

He also gave music in Bhojpuri films. In fact. he gave music in the first Bhojpuri film Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1963). The Lyrics of this film were written by Shailendra, who lived near him and was his good friend. 

The lyricist Prem Dhawan, a frequent collaborator, was also a dear friend. “They would often drive off to Aarey Colony where they would find a place to sit down and that’s where they would make the songs.”

Chitragupta died on January 14, 1991, The music director duo Anand-Milind are his 2 sons, who gave the music of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, 

Songs of Chitragupt

Song of Bhabhi (1957)

Song of Barkha (1959)

Song of Kali Topi Lal Rumal (1959)

Song of Main Chup Rahungi (1962)

Song of Ganga Ki Lahren (1964)

Song of Oonche Log (1965)

Song of Vaasna (1968)

Laxmikant- One Half of the Legendry Composer Duo LP

 

LP was the most sought after composer duo in the seventies and eighties. In two decades, they composed music for 250 films. They had 45 golden and silver jubilees to their credit. Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar was born on 3rd Nov 1937 in a modest family. At a very young age, he learned the mandolin. He spent two years in the company of the well-known mandolin player Hussain Ali. 

Laxmikant met Pyarelal at a recording and soon became friends. Laxmikant was older than Pyare by three years. When Laxmikant was about 10 years old, he once played mandolin in a Lata Mangeshkar concert in Radio Club, Colaba. Lata was so impressed that she talked to him after the concert. Later, when Lata came to know of their financial hardships, she recommended them to S D Burman, Naushad and C Ramchandra. Both of them worked as instrumentist.

In the early 1960s, they joined Kalyanji Anandji and began arranging music for their films Madari, Satta Bazar, Chhaliya, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and Himalaya ki God Mein. They got their first break as an independent composer in a Bhojpuri film but this film couldn't be completed/. After that, they were signed for a B grade Hindi film 'Parasmani' released in 1963. The music of this film became so popular that Rajshri Films offered them a film 'Dosti' which was released in 1964. The film and its music became superhit. They got their first Filmfare Award as Best Music Director for this film.

Then came Lootera (1965), a superhit musical non-star cast film, which is remembered only because of Lata Mangeshkar's superhit songs with Laxmikant–Pyarelal. The very next year the music of Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966) followed by Pyar Kiye Jaa. Even in films with lesser-known actors, L-P scored hit music: in Sati Savitri (Songs:"Tum Gagan Ke Chandram Ho", "Jeevan Dor Tumhi Sang Bandhi", "Kabhi To Miloge"); in Sant Gyaneshwar (Songs: "Jyot Se Jyot Jagate Chalo", "Khabar More Na Line"); in Hum Sab Ustaad Hai (Songs: "Pyar Batate Chalo", "Ajanabi Tum Jane Pehachane Se"); in Mr X in Bombay (Songs: "Mere Mehboob Quayamat Hogi", "Chali Re Chali Re Gori", "Khoobsurat Haseena"); and in Shriman Fantush..(Songs: "Sultana Sultana Tu Na Ghabarana", "Yeh Dard Bhara Afasana").consolidated their position.

1967 proved to be another lucky year for them. The Music of Milan, Farz, Shagird and Pathar Ke Sanam was very popular. They got their 2nd Filmfare Award for Milan. Laxmikant–Pyarelal has now become the most sought after Music Director Almost all the big banners were signing them They composed Indian classical music as well as Western music; they were most popular for their folk tunes and semi-classical music.

LP had divided their work, to avoid ego problems. Laxmikant used to compose tunes, rehearse singers and look after the commercial aspects – while Pyarelal used to arrange the music and package and record the songs. They both had a perfect wavelength. It is said if they are asked to make a tune for a song sitting separately they will make a similar tune.

In the mid-'90s Laxmikant's health started deteriorating; he finally succumbed to a kidney ailment on May 25, 1998. Pyarelal was left alone and stopped making films, despite many offers from producers.

Songs of their Early Days

Song of Parasmani 1963

Song of Parasmani 1963

Song of Harischandra Taramati 1963

Song of Mr X in Bombay 1964

Song of Dosti 1964

Song of Sant Gyaneshwar  1964

Song of Hum Sub Ustad Hain  1965

Song of Hum Sub Ustad Hain  1965

Song of Lootera 1965

Song of Shriman Funtoosh 1965

Song of Aaye Din Bahar Ke 1966

Song of Mere Lal 1966

Song of Pyar Kiye Ja 1966

Song of Milan 1967

Song of Farz 1967

Song of Shagird 1967

Song of Taqdeer  1967

Song of Taqdeer  1967

S D Burman- He believed in simple Tunes

 

Shikari(1946) was the first Hindi film of Dada Burman as a composer. The songs of the film were not very popular but they received good reviews from music critics. He wanted to create music that would be part of the common man's everyday life, his joy, and sorrow.

In his biography, he said "When I was composing the music of Shikari, everybody in the studio was praising its music but he was not satisfied because the common man present in the studio was not responding. Sometime after the release of his film, another film "Rattan" was released. The songs of that film became so popular that one day he was composing music for another film he heard his servant was singing the song of Rattan while preparing tea for him.

It made him think that day in day out he listens to my compositions but  I have never heard him humming my tunes. I made up in my mind that from now onwards I will make a simple tune for his songs so that a common man could sing and understand.

I was composing the songs for Do Bhai whose first line was 'Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gata'. Suddenly i heard my servant humming the same song. It made me realized that this song is going to click with the masses. My first Guru in the film music direction was that servant of mine.

He combined Indian classical music with folk music to create songs that had a lasting impact on the audience. He also started a trend of making a tune first and then ask lyricists to write on his tune.It provided space for a conversational style of music for songs like Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958). He didn't believe in a heavy orchestra, he emphasized more on its melodic content. He believed in the perfect coordination of the words and tunes. ‘Natural poetry would naturally create a worth-humming tune, He abandoned intricate twists and turns in his songs, preferring simplicity that touched the heart of the listeners..

Sachin da had the honesty and integrity of character to acknowledge the sources of his music and the genuine inspiration that he received and how he internalized it into his song/s. For example, once at the age of nineteen, he stumbled upon a rare tune sung by a group of village-women in Chittagong (now in Bangladesh). He liked the tune immensely and it stayed with him to bloom into Sahir Ludhianavi’s ‘Thandi hawaein lahra ke aayeen‘ (Naujawan, 1951). Some discerning connoisseurs of western classical and popular music feel that this was inspired by C’est la vie from the movie Algiers (1938).

Dada was a hard taskmaster but he also expressed his joy if a singer, lyricist, or instrumentalist performed exceptionally well and would reward the person in some form or the other.

SD Burman continued to work through the end of the 1960s and well into the 1970s.  "Abhiman" (1973), "Chupke Chupke" (1975), and "Mili" (1975), are a few compositions from this period which stands out.  However midway through his work on "Mili", he goes into a coma.  He died on October 31, 1975.

Song of Do Bhai (1947)

Song of Shabnam (1949)

Song of Mashaal (1950)

Song of Baazi (1951)

Song of Sazaa (1951)

Song of Naujawan (1951)

Song of Bahar ()1951)

Song of Jaal 1952

Song of Taxi Driver1954

Song of Munimji 1955

Song of Pyaasa 1957

Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958

Song of Sujata 1959

The First Ten Films Made Shankar Jaikishan, the Household Name

"Barsaat" was the first film of Shanker Jaikishan and "Patita" was the 10th film from 1949 to 1953. That was the period when Naushad and C Ramchandra were leading Bollywood Music. S D Burman was also emerging. 
Shankar-Jaikishan's compositions broke new ground in Hindi film music. Apart from relying upon their knowledge of Indian classical music, they also employed western beats and orchestration.  They made use of the orchestra and musical instruments (often dozens or hundreds of them) in their songs. 

Song of Barsaat 1949

The music of Barsaat brought freshness in film music, its songs, and background music created new records in the Film industry. Barsat had 12 songs, all the songs were hit. The songs like "Jiya Beqarar Hai", "Hawa Mein Udta Jaye", "Barsaat Mein Humse Mile", " Meri Aankhon Mein Bas Gaya Koi Re" Chhod Gaye Balam",  and " Patli Kamar Hai" became a rage. Each song was new and had vitality beyond the imagination of the music lovers. With this film, Shankar Jaikishan walked into the hearts of the masses. 

Song of Baadal 1951

Baadal*(1951) was the second film of Shankar Jaikishan, Premnath and Madhubala were the lead pair. The film had 8 songs, almost all songs were popular."Aaj Maane, Aaj Maane Na Moraa Jiya ThumakThumak Naache Sawan Ka Mausam Suhana", "Main Raahi Bhatakne Wala Hoon", and "Aye Dil Na Mujhse Chhupa Sach Bataa Kyaa Hua" were very hit.

Song of Aawara 1951

In December 1951, the third film of Shankar Jaikishan," Awara" released' the film was a hit, even more, hit was its soundtrack. The soundtrack was listed by Planet Bollywood as number 3 on their list of 100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks. The film has 10 songs and all the songs were hit. Awara Hoon immediately struck "a chord in audiences from various classes and backgrounds all over India and beyond: in China, in the Soviet Union, in the Middle East. The popularity of "Awaara Hoon" led to the creation of localized versions of the song in Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, China, and Romania. Awara has songs of all moods. Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Kar Ke", and Aajao Tadapte Hain Arman of helplessness. Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya" a melody by a heroine accepting her mistake and E Do Teen Aaja Mausam Hai Rangeen a joyful song is still in the heart of music lovers.

Song of Kaali Ghata 1951

Kaali Ghata (1951) was the fourth film of Shankar Jaikishan. starring Kishor Sahu and Bina Rai. The title song O Kali Ghata Ghir Aayi Re, O Bajne Lagi Shehnaai Re, Hamse Na Poocho Koi Pyar Kya Hai, became popular. "Ille belle aa re" became so popular due to its catchy tune.

Song of Poonam 1952 

 Poonam came after Kaali Ghata in 1952. The film had 8 songs, all except one song are solo of Lata Mangeshkar. The first song of the film "O bhole balma o more sajna, ghunghar baaje chhun chhun , Aayi Aayi Raat Suhani, and "Din Suhane Mausam" became successful

Song of Daag 1952.

In 1952 Shankar Jaikishan had 4 releases. Poonam, Parbat,Nagina and Daag. The music of all these films was super hit. The song of Daag " Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal" had 3 versions one fast and sad by Talat Mehmood. This song was as hit as "Awara Hoon" With this song Shankar Jaikishan, introduced a new trend. An exuberant song transformed into melancholy. This was the first experiment in Hindi Film music having the same lyrics but different versions.

Song of Parbat 1952

Parbat was another film of Shankar Jaikishan, it had 7 songs, all the songs were popular."Haye Mera Dil Le Gaya Koi Aake Ishaaron Se", and "Kya Bataoon Mohabbat Hai Kya," were romantic songs, appreciated by the masses. The other popular song " Beraham Maar Daale Na Mujhko Tera Gham, Ab To Aa Ja" sung by Lata with the chorus. This song has few words but the interludes and the voice of the chorus win the heart of listeners.I think this song laid the foundation of the future chorus songs of Shankar Jaikishan. 

Song of Aah 1953

Aah was the 9th film of Shankar Jaikishan, released after Parbat in 1953. It was an RK Film but directed by Raja Nawathe.. The film was rated "Below Average" at the box office but has various hit songs like "Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat", "Aaja Re Ab Mera Dil Pukara" and "Jaane Na Nazar". The song "Chhoti Si Yeh Zindagani" sung by Mukesh was also picturized on him. 

Song of Patita 1953

Patita produced and directed by Amiya Chakrabarty. The film stars Dev Anand, Usha Kiran, Agha was the 10th film of Shankar Jaikishan, by this time this duo was riding high on popularity, with this film they emerged the leading music director. Patita is especially well known for some very melodious and popular songs that include: "Andhe Jahaan Ke" by Talat Mahmood, "Hain Sab Se Madhur Woh Geet Jinhein Hum Dard Ke Sur Mein Gaate Hain" by Talat Mahmood, "Kisi Ne Apna Bana Ke" by Lata Mangeshkar, "Mitti se Khelte Ho" by Lata Mangeshkar and the duet "Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahaan Ho Tum" by Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar.

This Iconic Song was Picturised on Music Director Jaikishan

All the fans of Music Director Shankar Jaikishan and Indian film enthusiasts would be surprised to note that the haunting melody ‘Ae Pyase Dil Bezubaan’ from the film Begunah, sung by the great Mukesh was picturized on Jaikishan. In the song sequence, Jaikishan is playing the piano and also singing.
 This film was released on 8 March 1957 but The film was banned 10 days after its release because it was a plagiarized version of the American film Knock on Wood (1954, starring Danny Kaye, Mai Zetterling). The producers of the film filed a copyright lawsuit in India. They won the case and the judge ordered all prints of Begunah to be destroyed. However, the songs especially Mukesh number "Aye Pyase Dil Bezuban" became quite popular 
There is a story behind this song was that once Mukesh was in need of money and approached Shankar for a song That time Shankar was in the process of composing the tune for the film Gunah. The hero of the film was Kishore Kumar so there was no scope for Mukesh to sing in that film. Music Director Shankar assured Mukesh that he will give him a song in this film. Shankar got his collaborator and friend, the renowned lyricist Shailendra, to write the lyrics and called the film’s producer Mahipatray Shah to tell that the song, which would be sung by Mukesh, would be picturized on Jaikishan. The idea startled Shah, who feared that the song had no relation to the film. But in the late 1950s, Shanker-Jaikishan practically ruled the Indian film music world and Shanker’s word was final,” 
The song was the highlight of that film and Sheila Vaz’s dancing was another major highlight of the song.
Sheila Vaz was a popular dancer in Hindi films from 1953 – 1960. Some of her important films included Shree 420 (1955), where she danced memorably not just to Ramaiya Vastavaiya but also to Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala, CID (1956), Johnny Walker (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Mr X (1957), Solva Saal (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Bahana (1960).

Laxmikant Pyarelal- Dominance in Binaca Geetmala

 

Binaca Geetmala was the first and the most popular countdown show of Hindi Film songs from 1953 to 1993. The program played a plethora of popular songs, flooding the airwaves of our childhood and youth. We used to wait eagerly to every Wednesday at 8 PM, to tune in to what would be a nonstop one hour feast of music fiesta.

In an interview, Laxmikant told that it was their desire that their song is played in this program. It became their goal to achieve this feat. In the third quarter of 1963, Laxmikant-Pyarelal first ever songs Hasta Hua Noorani Chehra form “Parasmani”  hit the “Binaca Geetmala”.  It appeared on the Number 06 position in the finals. Number  15  also acquired by Woh Jab Yaad Aaye, from the same film.

Binaca Geetmala was a weekly program and in the last Wednesday of the year, Binaca Geetmala used to broadcast annual (Varshik) program giving the orders of the top ‘Final Songs”  songs of the year, at the end of every year. The success of a music director , lyricist or singer was judged on the performance of their song in the annual program.

If we look into the 40 years journey of this show, the total number of songs that appeared were 1259. Out of these, 245 songs were composed of them, highest of all music directors followed by Shankar Jaikishan (144 songs). 

The popularity of their songs was so high that on many occasions, more than half the numbers of the songs were of the duos.  There are certain weekly Binaca Geetmala programs in which more than 13 out of 16 songs of Laxmikant-Pyarelal were broadcast when the duo were on right on top of their carrier. 

After appearing for the first time in 1963 they dominated this program.. Not only that, on an average, there used to be at least more than 8 to 10  songs from the desk of the duos, that too covering about 50 % of the songs in between top to first ten positions.

In their 30 years journey in Binaca Geetmala, their composition topped for Eleven years including four times in a row in  1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970. In this blog, I am posting these Top Songs (11)

1967 — Sawan Ka Mahina .… Lata – Mukesh,  “Milan”          

Song of Milan 1967

1968 — Dil Vil Pyar Vyar …. Lata,   “Shagird”  

Song of Shagird 1968

1969 — Kaise Rahoon Chup …. Lata, “Intequam”        

               Song of Intequam 1969     

                 

1970 — Bindiya Chamkegi ….. Lata, “Do Raaste”     

Song of Do Raste 1970

1975 — Mehangai Mar Gayi ..Lata Jani .”Roti Kapada Aur Makan”

Song of Roti Kapda Aur Makan 1975

1980 — Dafliwale Dafli Baja … Lata-Rafi, “Sargam” 

Song of “Sargam” 1980

1984 — Tu Mera Janu Hai … Anuradha-Manhar  “Hero”

Song of Hero 1984

1986 — Yashoda Ka Nandlala …. Lata, “Sanjog”

Song of Sanjog 1986

1987 — Chitthi Aayi Hai ….Pankaj Udhas, “Naam”

Song of Naam 1986

1989 — My Name Is Lakhan …. M. Aziz, “Ram Lakhan”

Song of Ram Lakhan 1989

1993 — Choli Ke Peeche ….Alka Yagnik-Ila Arun “Khalnayak”

Song of Khalnayak 1993