#71
        Song: Kyun Yaad Aa Rahe Hain, Guzare Hue Zamaane
                Woh Dukh Bhare Fasaane, Rote Hue Taraane ...

        Film:   Anmol Ghadi (1945)
        Music:  Naushad
        Lyrics: Tanvir Naqvi
        Singer: Surendra
        *ing:   Surendra, Noorjehan, Suraiya

In 1937, Bombay Talkies brought a young, handsome  law  graduate,
to  counter  New Theatre sensation called Kundan Lal Sehgal! That
young man was not really as much  interested  in  singing  as  in
acting.  Started  with  Deccan  Queen  (1937),  he  gave  us some
memorable films as Manmohan (1940), Anmol  Ghadi  (1945),  Anokhi
Ada (1948). We know today, he couldn't quite put up any challenge
to K L Sehgal.  Nevertheless, he gave us some beautiful songs  in
Vishwas, Naagan, San 1857, Jagirdaar, Gavaiya etc. You know, I am
talking about this real handsome hero of 1940s -  Surendra  Nath.
All these films gave him either some good role or good songs, not
both. But one film, created a history, much like Devdas (1939) of
Sehgal. That film was Bhartruhari in 1944. The song 'Bhiksha Dede
Maiya Pingala' became an unprecedented hit. All  the  people  who
lived  that age and whom I have met, have always talked about the
film. His personality was the best fit  for  the  film,  much  as
Sehgal's to Devdas. Tomorrow is his death anniversary. I, through
this series ATMJH, am paying homage to this 'Maazi  Ke  Chiraag',
dedicating todays post to him.

Coming to the song - This song was arguably his best effort  that
allows you to place him with legendary Sehgal. The credit must go
to Naushad Ali for showing the true strength of the  singer.  The
pathos  are  quite effectively expressed.  Lyrics of Tanvir Naqvi
are too good. In fact, I don't know whether this  song  is  liked
for  his singing or it's lyrics. But the song took a back seat to
a duet, of Noorjehan and himself, that became an  all  time  heat
('Awaaz  De  Kahan  Hain').  In fact, the entire soundtrack is so
overwhelmingly overshadowed  by  this  "Mallika-E-Tarannum'  that
four  beautiful  solos,  two  each by Surendra and Suraiya , have
almost gone on a 'Bhule Bisre' list.



 
Author: Snehal B. Oza