#128
        Song: Raat Gayi Phir Din Aaya Hai
                Isi Tarah Aate Jaate Hi Ye Saara Jeevan Jaata Hai

        Film:   Boot Polish (1954)
        Music:  Shankar Jaikishan
        Lyrics: Saraswatikumar Deepak
        Singer: Manna De, Asha Bhonsle, Madhubala Zaveri, Chorus
        *ing:   David, Baby Naaz, Master Ratan, Shailendra, ?

Gone are the days of previous year and  we  are  starting  a  new
christian  year,  full of hope and cheerfulness. Same notion when
extended to day and night, I find, each dawn comes with new life,
new  light!  I  was  struggling  to find a song to start with new
year. Suddenly came this in mind -- my favourite  from  the  film
too. Effect of chorus, flute and violin, particularly in the end,
is stunning; when Manna in his soft, mellow voice  at  low  pitch
sings  'Ye  Raat  Gayi  Wo Subha Nayi !!'. Effect is so profound,
that you literally feel  oneness  with  nature  and  find  in  an
infinite  peace.  Great  work by Shankar Jaikishan, who should be
given full credits for success of this movie, made  after  Pandit
Jawaharlal  Nehru  called upon film producers to do something for
children. This was RK's way  to  contribute.  And  what  a  film!
Although,  he  didn't  direct  it  directly (credits show Prakash
Arora as director), his touch is visible. It was his vision which
brought  to  us so melodious songs, as film in it's original form
didn't have any!  It was Raj Kapoor, who  drive  the  point  that
children like good and hummable lyrics, without which even elders
won't watch this, forget about children!

Throughout on the soundtrack mandolin is put to it's one  of  the
best use in films ever. This song also has some sitar pieces. The
most popular song from the film was Talat-Asha duet  'Chali  Kaun
Se  Desh  Gujariya  Tu Saj Dhaj Ke' written by and filmed on poet
Shailendra. I also like, Rafi-Asha-chorus song "Tumhaare Hain Tum
Se  Daya Mangate Hain'. Let me add that, only first two antaraas.
Last one when Rafi suddenly starts singing  very  high  (one  can
even  say  shouting  :)), it drops from it's height. On the other
hand I love other Manna-Asha song, sung with excellent control

        Thahar Zara O Jaanewaale, Baabu Mister Gore Kale
        Kab Se Baithe Aas Lagaye, Hum Matwaale Palishwaale

Manna De never sounded this crisp.  Beautiful  singing.  He  also
sung  that  Malhar  (  don't know Megh, Sur, Miyan Ki, Gaud, Nat,
???) based 'Lapak Zapak Tu Aa Re Badarvaa'. I would like to  give
an  A+ to Shankar-Jaikishan. Wait, I will tell you the reason. If
you have seen children watching/hearing this song, you would have
noticed  how  they much do they enjoy it. To make things based on
classical, and still such simple that even children can enjoy it,
is no joke. Essentially, simplicity is hallmark of genuis.

Well, let me turn to yet another  Rafi-Asha  number  and  perhaps
second  most  popular  song  from  the film (then) - 'Nanhe Munhe
Bache Teri Mutthi Me Kya Hai' by Shankar. I strongly suspect this
tune has some connection with bands.

Finally, the lone female solo of the film by  Asha  Bhonsle.  She
sung  this nice song 'Main Baharon Ki Natkhat Raani, Saari Duniya
Hai Meri Diwaani'. I guess this song was supposed to be  sung  by
Lata   but  she  refused.  Am  not  sure  on  this,  someone  can
confirm/deny. Asha sounds Lata clone in this song.  It  has  come
out  as  an  enjoyable  song,  nevertheless. I like tabla in this
song. My guess about the architect  of  this  song  is  Jaikishan
Panchal.



 
Author: Snehal B. Oza