And the Award for the Greatest Male Singer goes to?
1940 was a 12 months of churning within the movie world. It got here on the transition of the primary decade of spoken movies, Thirties, and the start of the Forties. It was a churning of musical kinds when one form of music making was coming to an finish, and one other was exhibiting its sprouts. There was additionally a churning in established studios just like the Bombay Talkies – due to the demise of its proprietor Himanshu Rai; and the New Theatres of Kolkata, which was struck by a hearth destroying most of their prints. Nonetheless, these tragedies didn’t deter them from creating some nice movies and excellent music. I’ve written concerning the common situation in my Overview Publish of the most effective songs in 1940.
Coming to the most effective male singer, KL Sigal (Zindagi) and Pankaj Mullick (Nartaki) had been going nice weapons. One other male singer of word was Surendra who had aspirations to be often called Bombay’s Saigal. He had some nice songs within the movie Alibaba and Aurat (precursor of Mom India 1957). These movies had excellent music by the Bhishm Pitamah Anil Biswas.
That offers fairly a great variety of songs. However Atul Tune A Day additionally provides a bonus in that they’ve listed many non-film songs within the 12 months. A few of these comprise my best favourites. I’ve talked about that there was an period of non-film songs, often known as ‘non-public’ songs, and you can’t talk about the most effective of KL Saigal and Pankaj Mullick with out their ‘non-public’ songs. Later, Talat Mahmood earned renown for each his movie and ‘non-public’ songs. Some like Jagmohan and Juthika Roy had been predominantly energetic within the ‘non-public’ area. I’ve to say right here that some students make perceptive feedback that there was nothing ‘non-public’ about these songs. They had been additionally consumed by means of the identical channels as radio and business information.
All this dialogue signifies that NFS occupy a vital place within the 12 months. After the 48/49 finest movie songs within the 12 months, I’ve given an inventory of twenty-two NFS within the 12 months which have lengthy been my high favourites. In my category-wise dialogue I’d additionally embody NFS.
With the above background I counted 19 male solos within the 48 movie songs, distributed among the many following 10 singers:
Sl No. Identify of the singer No. of songs
1. KL Saigal 4
2. Pankaj Mullick 3
3. Arun Kumar 3
4. KC Dey 2
5. Anil Biswas 2
6. Ashok Kumar 1
7. Kavi Pradeep 1
8. Khan Mastana 1
9. Vasant Desai 1
10. Ramesh Desai 1
TOTAL 19 songs
We get an fascinating image once we come to NFS. Out of the 22 NFS we discover 21 male solos and one feminine solo. These 21 male solos are distributed amongst 7 singers as follows:
Sl No. Identify of the singer No. of songs
1. KL Saigal 13
2. Pankaj Mullick 3
3. SD Burman 1
4. KC Dey 1
5. Grasp Madan 1
6. Mukesh 1
7. Jagmohan 1
TOTAL 21 songs
A couple of observations are self-evident. Whereas the feminine movie songs outnumbered male songs by a large margin, in non-film songs, the state of affairs was reversed. The second essential level is that KL Saigal was very keen on singing bhajans, geets and Ghalib’s ghazals. Not sure by the calls for of a movie he gave free rein to his creativeness within the NFS. A few of these had been additionally written and composed by him. Similar with different well-known singers of the period, who had been energetic within the movie in addition to non-film songs. And as I’ve talked about some acquired fame predominantly as a non-film singer.
A few of these NFS have acquired an iconic standing. For the reason that weblog is now in its 16th 12 months, many of those NFS have figured earlier. Nonetheless, a few of these would determine within the Most important Checklist. And as typical I’ve to have a piece for Particular Songs.
Particular Songs
1. Deewana hun deewana hun, raahat se important begana hun by KL Saigal from Zindagi (1940), lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Pankaj Mullick
As I’m accommodating some non-film songs in the primary listing, I’ve to maintain this fabulous track within the Particular Songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugUAWic1FE&list=RDZugUAWic1FE&start_radio=1
2. Most important kya jaanun kya jaadu hai by KL Saigal from Zindagi (1940), lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Pankaj Mullick
This was the height interval of KL Saigal, and such songs enhanced his aura.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6M4VXzHXM&list=RDA_6M4VXzHXM&start_radio=1
3. Har ek baat pe kahte ho ki tu kya hai by KL Saigal (NFS), ghazal by Ghalib
This ghazal exhibits KL Saigal’s love for Ghalib’s poetry and Saigal’s distinctive fashion of singing his ghazals. Its final couplet has an fascinating story behind it:
Hua hai shah ka musahib, phire hai itrata
Vagarna shahar mein ‘Ghalib’ ki aabroo kya hai
Ghalib was a up to date of Bahadur Shah ‘Zafar’ who was himself a poet and connoisseur of Urdu shayari. He regarded Ghalib’s poetry extremely, however Ghalib was then not universally admired. His pet peeve was ‘Zauq’ whom he rated a lot beneath him, however in some way the King has made Zauq the poet laureate. Zauq was offended on the first line of the above couplet and thought it was a taunt targetting him: He has turn out to be a courtier to the Emperor, and now he walks with a swagger. When Zauq’s criticism reached the Emperor, Ghalib was summoned who instantly recited the second line which suggests, In any other case what’s the value of Ghalib within the metropolis. A intelligent clarification subtle the state of affairs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ0poMB0as&list=RDNkQ0poMB0as&start_radio=1
4. Wo aa ke khwab mein taskeen-e-iztiraab to de by KL Saigal (NFS), ghazal by Ghalib
KL Saigal once more singing Ghalib. Varied singers have sung it, however Saigal developed a mode which entranced individuals, and have become the Gold Commonplace of ghazal singing these days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV2rBj_ihZc&list=RDAV2rBj_ihZc&start_radio=1
5. Dheere se jana bagiyan mein re bhanwra dhhere se jana bagiyan mein NFS by SD Burman
This should be the most effective recognized Hindi non-film track of SD Burman. I perceive it is usually written and composed by him. Its reputation will need to have additionally been enhanced by the irrepressible Kishore Kumar in not less than two parodies: One, within the interlude of the track Paanch rupaiya baarah aana from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, and the opposite, Dheere se jana khatiyan mein khatmal dheere se jana khtiyan mein within the movie Chhupa Rustom. Right here is the unique within the voice of the maestro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbnhyvOVKjI&list=RDPbnhyvOVKjI&start_radio=1
6. Ye kaun aaj aya savere savere by Pankaj Mullick from Nartaki (1940), lyrics Munshi Arzoo, music Pankaj Mullick
This track is a good favorite of Pankaj Mullick followers, however I like his different songs of the 12 months extra for his or her voice modulation and Pankaj Babu traversing the peaks and troughs. Acknowledging its reputation I’m together with it in Particular Songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgVl5ZtOi4c&list=RDAgVl5ZtOi4c&start_radio=1
7. Holi khelein Kanhaiya baro ragri NFS by KC Dey
All of the three nice stalwarts of the New Theatres are current within the 12 months with their finest in each movie and non-film songs. KC Dey right here sings a standard Holi composition in his divine voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO-5RJxzq3I&list=RDVO-5RJxzq3I&start_radio=1
8. Gokul nagri jana by Mukesh (NFS), lyrics Naazish Rizvi
I’ve to thank the Mukesh-expert Mahesh Mamadapur who posted this earliest of songs of Mukesh earlier than he debuted as actor-singer in movies in 1941. It appears he was singing songs on the tune of the legends, this one relies on the tune of Pankaj Mullick’s Piya milan ko jana from Kapalkundala (1939).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9INuGP6OAU&list=RD-9INuGP6OAU&start_radio=1
9. Saanwariya raag se aag lagi NFS by Mukesh
I’ve to thank Mahesh Mamadapur once more for posting this Mukesh NFS, which relies on the tune of KL Saigal’s Karun kya aas nirash bhayi from the movie Dushman (1939). We will now admire the voice and psychology of an adolescent Mukesh (he was 17 in 1940) who wished to make a mark as a singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YcvXi0VZhE&t=32s
10. Chane jor garam babu important laya majedar chane jor garam by Arun Kumar from Bandhan (1940), lyrics Pradeep, music Saraswati Devi and Ramchandra Pal
It is a well-liked vendor track you come throughout on streets, trains and buses, and in movies too it has made its look a number of occasions. This track could also be one in all it earliest appearances within the movie Bandhan (1940).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aELFbvgNtw&list=RD-aELFbvgNtw&start_radio=1
BEST SONGS
1. Ye raatein ye mausam ye hansna hansana by Pankaj Mullick (NFS), lyrics Faiyyaz Hashmi, music Pankaj Mullick
If this track is there it needs to be on the high of any listing. My favorite for ages once I first heard it. A few years later Lata Mangeshkar paid her tributes to him and different singers by singing their songs and introduced an LP. Some individuals like her Shradhdhanjali. I admire her sentiments, however iconic songs retain their stature within the unique voice. YT has a mixed hyperlink too, I’ve chosen one with solely Pankaj Mullick’s voice.
Right here is the good poetry which makes the track nice.
ये रातें ये मौसम ये हंसना हंसाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
ये बहकी निगाहें ये बहकी अदायें
ये आंखों के काजल में डूबी घटायें
फिज़ां के लबों पर ये चुप का फसाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
चमन में जो मिल के बनी थी कहानी
हमारी मोहब्बत तुम्हारी जवानी
ये दो गर्म सांसों का एक साथ आना
ये बदली का चलना ये बूंदों की रुमझुम
ये मस्ती का आलम ये खोये से हम तुम
तुम्हारा मेरे साथ ये गुनगुनाना
मुझे भूल जाना इन्हें ना भुलाना
And right here is my English translation (with some inputs from a pal):
These nights
These nights, these climes
These laughters and this merrymaking
And me
It’s possible you’ll overlook me however overlook these not.
These playful glances, these drunken gestures
These clouds immersed in your darkish kohl eyes
This atmosphere
And floating on the lips of air this melody of silence
And me
It’s possible you’ll overlook me however overlook these not
Within the meadows once we met
It turned a narrative
My love and your ardour
These two scorching breaths coming collectively
These wandering clouds, these dancing raindrops
This state of euphoria and also you and me misplaced in our reverie
This buzzing of yours with me
And me
It’s possible you’ll overlook me however overlook these not
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9_KvAMUnjI&list=RDw9_KvAMUnjI&start_radio=1
2. So ja rajkumari so ja by KL Saigal from Zindagi (1940), lyrics Kidar Sharma, music Pankaj Mullick
Pankaj Mullick’s function in making KL Saigal a legend within the New Theatres and India is immense. An excellent singer himself, as a music director Pankaj Mullick unhesitatingly promoted the actor-singer Saigal. These had been the times of decency and generosity. This lorie is among the better of Hindi movies. YT additionally has a mixed hyperlink of KL Saigal’s model and Lata Mangeshkar’s tribute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNM6T0_VtK4&list=RDcNM6T0_VtK4&start_radio=1
3. Madbhari rut jawan hai by Pankaj Mullick from the movie Nartaki (1940), lyrics Munshi Arzoo, music Pankaj Mullick
In Nartaki, Pankaj Mullick exhibits his multifarious abilities – actor-singer and music director. One among his finest, this track presents you a roller-coaster trip with peaks and troughs, flats and prose fashion recitals. Each line consists in a distinct tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DudicDxdaB0&list=RDDudicDxdaB0&start_radio=1
4. Hairat se tak raha hai jahan-e-wafa mujhe by Grasp Madan (NFS ghazal, 1940) lyrics Sagar Nizami. Music Pt. Amarnath
In SOY’s 7th Anniversary put up, I paid a tribute to Grasp Madan. A toddler prodigy, he sadly handed away very early on the age of 14. It Is to his credit score that this track is remembered even after 85 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdAmsTDjauw&list=RDxdAmsTDjauw&start_radio=1
5. Maan na kar ab sajni kaahe ko mukh mode by KC Dey from Aandhi (1940), lyrics Arzoo Lakhnavi, music KC Dey
1940 is a vital 12 months music-wise which has the third stalwart from New Theatres giving nice songs. KC Dey has given music too for Aandhi which had this fabulous track sung by him. One other good track by him within the movie was Chala gaya toofan, aa kar chala gaya toofan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCt14Xwff7I&list=RDYCt14Xwff7I&start_radio=1
6. Duniya mein hun duniya ka talabgar nahin hun by KL Saigal, NFS ghazal by Akbar Allahabadi (Seemab Akbarabadi)
Some websites point out Akbar Allahabadi because the poet. To this point I believed Seemab Akbarabadi was the poet after checking with many genuine sources. With this new data I checked with Rekhta.org which I regard because the supply of final resort for Urdu poetry. That web site too mentions Akbar Allahabadi. To be doubly certain I checked up with Sudhir Kapur, a grasp researcher and one of many mainstays of Atul Tune A Day. He says, “The ebook compiled by Sonthalia and Beriwal provides the poet’s identify as Akbar Allahabadi. However the ebook compiled by Hamraaz ji and Raghuvanshi ji mentions the identify as Seemab Akbarabadi. So there’s a particular motive for confusion. I’ll test some extra and reply once more shortly.” Subsequently, he confirmed from Akbar Allahabadi’s compilation and a few knowledgable buddies that the shair is Akbar Allahabadi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF3jo21QHck&t=2s
7. Ruk na sako to jaao, tum jaao by Arun Kumar from Bandhan (1940), lyrics Pradeep, music Saraswati Devi and Ramchandra Pal
Arun Kumar’s asset was his melodious, pathos-filled voice. A brother-in-law of Ashon Kumar, his voice had an uncanny resemblance to Ashok Kumar’s voice. In a number of movies of Bombay Talkies which had Ashok Kumar within the lead function, Arun Kumar was a daily presence usually giving playback to him. Typically, the movie’s video had the voice of Ashok Kumar, however the business report was made in Arun Kumar’s voice. On this track, it’s neither; it’s picturised on a avenue vendor beseeching a leaving Ashok Kumar to rethink. A really poignant track. There are two music administrators however HFGK credit the songs to at least one or the opposite. This one is credited to Saraswati Devi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YnIimMCIeY&list=RD4YnIimMCIeY&start_radio=1
8. Piu piu bol piu piu bol pran papeehe piu piu bol by Pradeep from Bandhan (1940), lyrics Pradeep, music Saraswati Devi and Ramchandra Pal
Kavi Pradeep established himself as no imply singer from his debut with Bombay Talikes a 12 months earlier. This track could be very nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B3Zegk3jHY&list=RD-B3Zegk3jHY&start_radio=1
9. Panghat pe ek chhabili pani bharan ko aayi by H Khan Mastana from Most important Hari (1940), lyrics Kamal Amrohi, music Mir Saheb
Earlier than Rafi arrived on the scene, Khan Mastana was an essential singer. He belonged to the well-known Etawa (or Imdadkhani) Gharana of Sitar/ Surbahar gamers. This gharana has produced legendary sitar gamers like Ustad Vilayat Khan and Imrat Khan, and later Ustad Shujat Khan and Shahid Parvez. However Khan Mastana was fascinated by movie music. His father would deal with him as gone astray, due to this fact, he camouflaged his identify by including Mastana in is identify. Sadly, his final days had been spent in penury and he died unsung and nameless. That is one in all his finest songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZwEYyFT_vo&list=RD5ZwEYyFT_vo&start_radio=1
10. Nacho nacho pyare man ke mor by Arun Kumar from Punarmilan (1940), lyrics Kavi Pradeep, music Ramchandra Pal
Now there is no such thing as a doubt concerning the caliber of Ramchandra Pal. He’s the only real music director of the movie. And what a melodious voice Arun Kumar is endowed with! Although video shouldn’t be obtainable, the track was picturised on Kishore Sahu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyshk11zIhg&list=RDTyshk11zIhg&start_radio=1
In conclusion, the SOY Award for the Greatest Male Playback Singer goes collectively to KL Saigal and Pankaj Mullick
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
Tune hyperlinks have been given just for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This weblog has no business curiosity, and doesn’t declare or counsel any copyright over these songs which vests with the respective copyright holders.
