I am breaking the rain-song series today. When I was  looking  at
my  notes,  I  saw  that  tomorrow,  the  10th  August,  is death
anniversary of great master Khemchand Prakash:

#55
        Song: Na Tum Aaye, Na Neend Aayi Tumhari Yaad Hi Aayi

        Film:   Rimzim (1949)
        Music:  Khemchand Prakash
        Lyrics: Pt. Bharat Vyas
        Singer: Shamshad Begum
        *ing:   Ramola, Kishor Sahu

On that day in 1950, this great music director bid adieu to  this
world.  His filmography was presented by Kalyan recently. Just to
mention here his earlier work, let me take a flying reference  to
his songs of lovely-early 40s.

His Holi and Diwali were the eraly hits. One song  that  come  to
mind from Diwali:

        'Kahe Panchhi Bawariya, Kyon Na Raag Sunaaye,  Zamela  Do
Din Ka'

by Kantilal and Basanti was a big hit.  Holi  had  this  song  by
Kantilal  and  Sitara  (this  Sitara  is  different  from  Sitara
Kanpuri) : 'Dhanwanon Ki Duniya Hai'; which got  some  ground  as
well.

In 1941's Pardesi he came with 'Pehale Jo Muhobat Se Inkaar  Kiya
Hota'.  A  very good song. Shadi (and Chandni) had some memorable
songs by Khurshid.

There exists one nice duet by Ishwarlal and Snehprabha  (Pradhan)
in Pyaas:
        'Bhulaana Na Yaad Karo Na Karo'

His Tansen requires no introduction, and is already inscribed  on
the golden pages of hindi cinema history.

Although, Kalyan has included  Bhartruhari  (1944)  as  Khemchand
Prakash  film,  my notes says the MD was Khemraj! I don't know if
he gave music with that name or this is all together a  different
person  ?  Anyway,  today  the  film is almost forgotten. But can
bring glow in the eyes of any gentleman, who lived that  time  by
the sheer utterance of this name, even today! One particular song
'Chanda Desh Piya Ke Ja', is a class of its own.  And  those  who
have heard 'Bhiksha Dede Maiya Pingala' of Surendra and ? (in two
parts) will never forget it.

Come 1947, again Khemchand Prakash's name brings the memories  of
Mulakat  and  Sindur.  The  song  'Koi Roke Use Aur Yeh Kehde' by
Amirbai remains evergreen.  Mulakat has one fabulous duet of Arun
Kumar  and  Binapani  Mukherjee  'Kale Kale Badara Chha Gaye' and
host of Naseem Banu (I suppose Naseem Akhtar and  Naseem  Banu(o)
are  same  person.  For  those  who  don't know about her, she is
mother of Ummm... forgot the name (Saira Banu  ?)  of  those  two
heroines  :-(. Was/Is considered the most beautiful woman ever in
Hindi cinema. Yes ahead of Madhubala :)) songs.  I  will  mention
just  one  today:  'Dil Kis Liye Rota Hai'. Her most widely known
song is a Raichand Boral composition for Mukti  (1939)  'Na  Jane
Kya Hai Dil Ka Raaz'; an excellent number.

I talked about Sawan Aya Re (1949) in one  previous  ATMJH  while
talking  about Rafi and Khemchand Prakash connection. I forgot to
mention some of the best songs from the film, then.  It  has  one
great  song  by  Amirbai Karnataki 'Main To Gawan Chali Hun, Bole
Papiha'. But the most popular song was by Shamshad Begum:
        'Nahi Fariyaad Karate Hum,  Tumhe  Bas  Yaad  Karate  Hum
Sanam Teri Kasam'

It has one very good Khan Mastana song too, that I don't remember
now.

His later creations from Ziddi, Mukddar,  Jan  Pehchan  etc.  are
known anyway, and hence won't talk about.

Coming to this Rimzim song, I would say like Geeta Roy,  Shamshad
Begum  was  no  lesser queen at pathos evoking songs. And at this
time around, in 1949, she was going quite strong, and was in  her
prime. Has sung it very well.

The other known Rimzim song  is  of  course  the  Kishor  Kumar's
'Zagmag Zagmag Karta Nikala Chaand Punam Ka Pyaara'; easily among
the the best of Kishor songs. This song is on the other  side  of
the 78 rpm record, on which this Shamshad song was released. Film
has one Kishor-Shamshad duet too: Mere Ghar Aayi Hai Do Joganiya.
An OK song. But there is one Shamshad song, which is really nice:
        Reh Na Sakoge Ham Bin Sajan Pachhataoge
                Ik Na Ik Din Ham Ko Manaane Avoge


Well, that's all about Khemchand Prakash, for  today.  Some  more
information about him, sometime later.

PS: Kalyan, has marked Tamasha (1952), as Khemchand Prakash film.
But  according  to  my information (and what ever I have heard of
from the film) the MD was Manna De. Can someone clarify ?



 
Author: Snehal B. Oza