With this post, ATMJH completes 200 posts, and  hence  200  songs
down  memory  lane!   When  I started the series more than a year
ago, I never thought it will make to thus far.  This  just  shows
that the ocean of great songs is too big, and every dive down the
bottom will fetch new pearl. It's been a long time I talked about
Mukesh  --  my  first choice. As ATMJH #200, I present one of his
best work.

#200
        Song: O Dil Na Lagaana (2), Jine Na Dega Ye Zamaana

        Film:   Mashuka (1953)
        Music:  Roshan
        Lyrics: Shailendra?
        Singer: Mukesh
        *ing:   Mukesh, Suraiya

In eraly 1950s Mukesh' old passion -- acting saw new life. He was
riding  high  with numerous hit songs after 'Dil Jalataa Hai'. He
announced Malhaar (1951) under (his) banner of  'Darling  Films'.
Film  bombed  on  box-office.  But  music  was  runaway hit. As V
Gangadhar (whose article on Talat  Mehmood  was  posted  by  Neha
Desai  recently) notes, around that time "singing hero" was still
alive, and Mukesh jumped into this project -- Mashuka.  The  film
was  disaster. So much so, that even music of Roshan didn't sell.
Today, I wonder why ? This film is one  of  my  favourite  Roshan
films. It has a dream pairing (in terms of singers) of Mukesh and
Suraiya -- one of the most sweet voices that ever graced  cinema.
Well,   mathematics   and  logic  of  success  is  not  known  or
understandable. This song was the only hit song  from  the  film.
Song  has  pleasing  music, and Mukesh' low pitched voice adds to
the melody.

But this is not the song, I would like to run for. The song  that
I place in my list of Mukesh top-10 was

        Maasum Dil Ki Haan? Pe, Naache Jiya Khushi Me
                Aur Bas Isi Bahaa~~ne, Gam De Diyaa Kisi Ne

Pathos in this song doesn't find any parallels. Great singing and
a  superb tune.  Song starts with following opening couplet, that
reminds opening of 'Tara Tute Duniya Dekhe' of Malhaar.

        Zameen Bhi Chup Hai, Aasmaa Bhi Chup Hai
                Bataa Ai Maalik, Meri Qismat,
                        Ban Ban Ke Kyun Bigad Rahi Hai

is similar to 'Basaa Li Dil Me Teri Yaad' in tune. But that's it.
The  songs  themselves  are  very different and I would say 'Tara
Tute' is no comparison to this gem. The only  other  Mukesh  solo
(under  Roshan)  that  IMO,  can  stand with this song was for an
earlier Roshan film (again lesser known) Bedardi (1951);  I  will
talk about that sometime in future.

Obviously,  Roshan  didn't  waste  this  opportunity  to  compose
memorable  songs  with  Surauya.  Following  number comes to mind
immediately as soon as name Mashuka flashes:

        Mere Man Me Uthi? Umang, Ban Ke Main
        Ban Ke Main Tarang Samaa Jaaun, Samaa Jaun, Tere  Dil  Me
....

A beautiful song. Really entertaining music. She also  sung  'Hae
Judaai  Ki  Chot  Buri'  (Am  I wrong here ? May be it's not from
Mashuka). Sounds great in her pristine voice.

Most interestingly, the only other song attained some  popularity
(other than "O Dil Na Lagana') was not sung by Mukesh or Suraiya.
It was a duet sung by Kishor Kumar and Meena Kapoor! And  what  a
song!!

        Ye Samaa, Hum Tum Jawaan, Pehalu Se Dil Sarak Jaae
                Pyaar Ki, Ye Gali, Hum Se Chhodi Na Jaae

will be remembered, for ever as one the best Kishor  song.  Meena
Kapoor  --  to  put simply -- is just great here. Fabulous number
indeed.

Suraiya also sung a gem of song with chorus: 'Ek Raat? Ek Aas ???
Tere Shyaam consisting of bells, tabla, jaltarang? and occasional
string instrument notes.  Then chorus starts  'Ek  Raat?  Ek  Aas
...' followed by Suraiya. Initial part reminds me 'Devataa Tum Ho
Mera Sahaara'. Great composition by Roshan.

Mashuka, surely is one of the best Roshan film after  Raag  Rang,
Naubahar   and   Malhaar.  This  above  Suraiya+chorus  song  and
following number -- these two --  alone  make  it  desert  island
effort.

Finally, the song that's most dear to me and am  unsuccessful  in
getting  a  copy  so  far. It is one of the best lori I have ever
heard. Well, 'Soja Raaj Kuamri' , "Dhire Se Aaja Ri' and 'Aaja Ri
Aa'  (Lata  in  Do  Bigha  Zameen)  are  right up there, for it's
customary to do so, I will vote for  this  absolute  beauty  from
Mukesh and Suraiya:

        Zilmil Taare Kare Ishaare So Ja~~~, So Ja Ra~aj Dulaare

I know, I am going to cry the day I will get copy of  this  song.
And  there  is  no  exaggeration  here.  It's  just  out of world
creation ; out of world  rendition.   The  change  of  rhythm  --
delivered  so  effortlessly  and  so  beautifully  by Suraiya and
Mukesh -- near 'Mere Aangan Ek ....' is incredibly good.  If  you
like  "Devataa  Tum  Ho Mera Sahaara' (Rafi-Mubarak) or 'Mohan Ki
Muraliya Baaj Rahi' (Saigal-Raj Kumari)  or  'Jaake  Bain  Pyaare
Pyaare  Hain'  (Atma-Suaiya)  you would like this as it's in that
supreme league. I can't describe glory of this  song  anymore.  I
stop typing.


 
Author: Snehal B. Oza