#120
        Song: Nain Mile Chain Kahan, Dil Hai Wahin Tu Hai Jahan
                Ye Kyaa Kiya Sainya Saanware, Ho Tune Ye Kya Kiya
...
              Hans Ke Muze Lunt Liya, Kuchh Kaha To Ruth Gaye
                Do Naina Tere  Baaware  Ho  Gori  Do  Naina  Tere
Baaware

        Film:   Basant Bahar (1956)
        Music:  Shankar Jaikishan
        Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri?
        Singer: Manna De, Lata Mangeshkar
        *ing:   Bharat Bhushan, ?

Shankar Jaikishan is  often  subjected  to  criticism  for  heavy
orchestration  and  resultant noise. Well, here in 1956 came this
film with entire soundtrack carrying soothing  melancholy,  based
on  Hindustani instruments and not only did they stop there, they
also became the only music directors in history to have  composed
for maestro Pt. Bhimsen Joshi in the process.

In  fact,  they  composed  some  great   numbers   without   much
orchestration  before  as  well as after (Aamrapali (1966)). Also
remember Seema (1955) and Patrani (1956)?  Their usage  of  sarod
in  them  can be matched by only one person, the player himself -
Ustad Ali Akbar -- who used the instrument in a classic  way  for
1953  movie Aandhiyan. Only other close instance of such a lovely
sarod pieces can be found in Naata (1955) composed by S Mohindar.

Let's come back to this song. Sweetness of this song is unmatched
among  all  Manna-Lata duets. Divinity it brings about reminds me
of some Hemant-Lata duet.  Sitar pieces are delighting.

All  songs  are  favourite  of  mine  and  to  those  whom  I  am
remembering  this month.  Film has two lovely Rafi solos. In fact
on the soundtrack, there exists more than one  small  songs/alaap
of Rafi. Unfortunately they haven't made their way on any HMV/EMI
albums. Anyway, my all time favourite Rafi song is

        Duniya Na Bhaaye Mohe, Ab To Bulaale
        Charano Me, Charano Me, Tere Charano Me, Charano Me

My only complain here  is  some  higher  notes  could  have  been
avoided.  Particlularly at, 'Koi Na Mera Sansaar Me ..'  and 'Dil
Ke Ye Tukade ...'

Other Rafi number is also nice.

        Badi Der Bhai (2), Kab Loge Khabar Mori Ram?

And then Shankar came with a tune for Lata's following  classical
mujra(?) song.

        Ja Ja Re Ja~~~ Saajanva, Suatan Ke Sang Raat Bitayi
        Kahe Karat Ab, Zuti Batiyaan ....

I like small alaap she recites in this song. But a fitting answer
came from Jaikishan too, through following Hasrat Jaipuri lyrics

        Main Piya Teri Tu Maane Ya Na Maane
        Duniyaa Jaane, Tu Jaane Ya Na Jaane

Lata is very sweet here. Flute notes spreads sheer magic.

Then, we have most popular song from the film -  Manna  De's  all
time great

        Sur Na Saje, Kya Gaaun Main, Sur Ke Bina, Jeevan Suna Sur
Ke Bina

But my favourite is other Manna song

        Bhay Bhanjanaa Sun Hamaari (2), Daras Tere Maange Ye Tera
Pujaari

I believe alaaps in this song are more difficult than in 'Sur  Na
Saje'  and  he does it effortlessly. I am also attracted here, by
lyrics:

        Geeton Ke Phulon Ki Maala Bana Kar
        Laya Hun Dil Aarati Me Saja Kar
        Ye Saanso Ki Sargam Karun Tose Arpan,
        Tuze Aur Kya Dun Main Thehra Bhikari

Beautiful.

Finally the song, I mentioned in passing at the beginning.

        Ketki Gulaab Juhi Champak Ban Phule

Competition song, featuring Manna and  Pt.  Bhimsen  Joshi.  It's
little  amusing  that despite some mind blowing taans by panditji
end winner is Manna! But hold.  I suppose, he too,  did  quite  a
good job. Of course, Manna is no panditji, I must acknowledge. :)
I enjoy this Basant Bahaar based composition  as  much  as  other
numbers from this truly great soundtrack.




 
Author: Snehal B. Oza