UNSURPASSABLE Amitabh Bachchan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal

UNSURPASSABLE  Amitabh Bachchan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal

The association of Amitabh Bachchan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal started with the film “Raste Ka Patthar”,  1972 and lasted till the film “Khuda Gawah” , 1992. In these 20 years we have enjoyed many memorable hit songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Amitabh Bachchan.

Unbiasedly, it is Laxmikant-Pyarelal have given maximum hit songs to Amitabh Bachchan. One can easily make out from the final “Binaca Geetmala Song List” of the songs of Amitabh Bachchan, 75 numbers, Laxmikant-Pyarelal have 26 songs, (from 1972 to 1992) the  highest numbers of the songs by any music directors.  (R D Burman 21 songs, Kalyanji-Anandji 13 songs). Not only that It is Music Directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal have scored for maximum numbers of the films for Amitabh Bachchan (nearing 30 films). Listing out  Major Musical Hit Films:-

“Raaste Ka Patthar” 1972,

“Ek Nazar” 1972,

“Gehri Chaal” 1973,

“Roti Kapada Aur Makan” 1974,

“Majboor” 1974,

“Amar Akbar Anthony” 1977,

“Paravarish” 1977,

“Imaan Dharam” 1977,

“Suhaag” 1979,

“Dostana” 1980,

“Ram Balram” 1980,

“Naseeb” 1981,

“Desh Premi” 1982,

“Andha Kanoon” 1983,

“Coolie” 1983.

“Inqualab” 1984

“Aakhri Rasta” 1986,

“Agnipath” 1990,

“Krodh” 1990

“Hum” 1991,

“Khuda Gawah” 1992

“Ajooba” 1992

Laxmikant-Pyarelal did utilize many male singers for Amitabh Bachchan,

-Mukesh

-Mohammad Rafi

-Kishore Kumar

-Mahendra Kapoor

-Shabbir Kumar

-Mohammad Aziz

-Sudesh Bhosle

-Amitabh Bachchan, himself.

-Anwar

-Prayag Raj

-Amit Kumar

-Laxmikant (as a singer)

Discussing few of the best/hit/popular songs of Amitabh Bachchan with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

It would be more proper to listen to the songs, listed below, after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each song, you will enjoy the songs, more.

1 Ek Nazar 1972

It was the first movie for Producer/Director B R Ishara, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri. It have some melodious songs containing Mujra and  Ghazal.

—Ai Gham-E-Yaar Bata  .. Mahendra Kapoor

—Pyar Ko Chahiye Kya Ek Nazar .. Kishore Kumar

—Pehle Sau Baar Idhar.. Lata Mangeshkar

–-Hamen Kare Koi Surat .. Lata Mangeshkar. and

–-Patta Patta Buta Buta …(Songwriter Majrooh Sultanpuri).

(Singers Lata Mangeshkar – Mohammad Rafi.)

This sweet and melodious duet/ghazal is mellifluously composed. “Prelude” as well as all the “interludes’ have a mind-boggling  orchestra arrangements. First Interlude is orchestrated with IRANI SANTOOR and FLUTE synchronized with GUITAR. Second Interlude have incredible use of SAXOPHONE as well as SYMPHONY style VIOLINS. Third Interlude is decorated with SAROD and VIOLINS. In fact the SYMPHONY style VIOLINS can be heard in surround sound effects in “Mukhada” and “Antara” as well with beautiful DHOLAK rhythm. The song is filmed on Amitabh Bachchan – Jaya Bhaduri.

2 Majboor 1974

It was a musical hit movie, directed by Ravi Tondon with popular music.

—Dekh Sakta Hoon Main …Lata Mangeshkar

—Nahin Main Nahi Dekh Sakata Tujhe Rote Hue...Kishore Kumar

—Roothe Rab Ko Manana Aasan Hai…Rafi-Asha

–-Daru Ki Botal Main (filmed on Pran)…Kishore Kumar and the top hit song

–Aadmi Jo Kehta Hai (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singer Kishore Kumar)

PRELUDE of 144 seconds. To decorate the song with the phenomenal “Long Prelude” was a normal practice for the Music Directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal. There are many songs, composed by the duo, with the long “prelude”. Today’s song have Mind-Boggling “Prelude” of 144 seconds. This prelude is mellifluously orchestrated in a SYMPHONY style with solo VIOLIN, CELLOs, FLUTE & VIOLINs. Brilliant take off by Kishore Kumar at 2.24. Apart from the long prelude in ‘symphony’ style, both the “interludes” are brilliantly composed, by using different tunes, with ACCORDION and VIOLINS. The song is filmed on Amitabh Bachchan.

3 Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

“Amar Akbar Anthony” is one of the biggest hit of Actor Amitabh Bachchan. All songs hit. This was the first movie of Manmohan Desai, as a Producer and Director.

—Humko Tumse Ho Gaya ..Lata, Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh

—Parda Hai Parda ..Mohammad Rafi

—Shirdiwale Sai Baba.. Mohammad Rafi

—Tayyab Ali Pyar Ka Dushman..Mohammad Rafi and the top hit

—My Name Is Anthony Gonsalvis (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Kishore Kumar – Amitabh Bachchan).

There is a story behind this song. Earlier, Anthony Fernandez was  name of Amitabh Bachchan in the film. Laxmikant-Pyarelal wanted to give the tribute to the ‘Violin” “GURU”, Mr Anthony Gonsalvis, (of Pyarelal). Laxmikant-Pyarelal requested director Manmohan Desai if the name of the character (Amitabh Bachchan),  “Anthony Fernandez” can be changed to Anthony Gonsalvis. Manmohan Desai agreed and not to forget it also gave name and fame to Mr. Anthony Gonsalvis, Pyarelal’s Violin Guru from Goa. The song has western beats. All the BRASS instruments are brilliantly used synchronizing with BONGO drum rhythm. Amitabh Bachchan’s rendering in the “interludes” just brilliant.

4 Suhag 1979

Manmohan Desai’s yet another top hit musical blockbuster with all songs hit.

—Teri Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi …Rafi, Shailendra Singh, Asha Bhosle

—O Sherowali Bigade Bana De Kaam… Rafi-Asha

—Ai Yaar Sun Yaari Teri…Rafi-Shailendra Singh

—Aaj Imtihan Hai…Lata and the huge hit

Atharah Baras Ki Tu Hone Ko Aayi (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Lata Mangeshkar – Mohammad Rafi.)

“Prelude” of 34 seconds sets the mood of this “Mujra” / duet song. GHUNGROO BELLS are awesomely synchronized with the DHOLAK/TABLA rhythm. Musical Instruments like SUNDARI / SHEHNAI / SUONA and SANTOOR with VIOLINS are mellifluously used in the “Prelude” and both the “interludes”. Both the ‘antaras’ have different tunes.

5 Dostana 1980

First picture of Yash Johar (rather of Karan Johar) directed by Raj Khosla was the super-duper musical hit film.

—Mere Dost Kissa Ye Kya Ho Gaya …Rafi

—Dillagi Ne Di Hawa ..Kishore-Asha

–Bahut Khoobsurat Jawan Ek Ladki ..Kishore

–Kitana Aasan Hai Bhool Jaana ..Lata and the very famous “friendship” song.

Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana  (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Kishore Kumar -Mohammad Rafi)

Beautiful melodious song on ‘friendship’. “Interludes” are wonderfully orchestrated in a SYMPHONY style VIOLINS and CELLOs. It has a  simple DHOLAK “rhythm”.  

6 Ram Balram 1980

Once again all songs hit for this film directed by Vijay Anand

—Hamse Bhool Ho Gayi Humka Mafi Dai Do …Kishore-Asha

—Ladki Pasand Ki ...Lata-Rafi

—Yaar Ki Khabar Mil Gayi...Kishore-Asha  and the top hit song

—Ek Rasta Aha Aha Do Raahi (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Kishore Kumar -Mohammad Rafi)

Rendering in a very unique style by both Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. Instruments like ACCORDION, PIANO, SAXOPHONE, SYNTHESISER are beautifully used with the BONGO Drum rhythm.    

7 Naseeb 1981

“Naseeb” was director Manmohan Desai’s mega hit movie with popular songs like

—Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hai Ke Nahin …Lata Mangeshkar

—Chal Chal Mere Bhai ...Mohammad Rafi, Amitabh Bachchan – Rishi Kapoor

—Zindagi Imtihan Leti hai …Dr. Kamlesh Awasthi, Anwar, Suman Kalyanpur

—Rang Jamake Jayenge …Rafi-Kishore-Asha-Usha

—Pakado Pakado ..Kishore-Usha the most popular song

––John Jaani Janardan (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singer Mohammad Rafi)

Wonderfully sung by Mohammad Rafi. The entire song is woven around the glimpses of ACCORDION. Western style orchestra arrangements and rhythm is just superb.

8 Aakhree Raasta 1986

The most popular is

—Gori Ka Sajan Sajan Ki Gori (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers S. Janaki – Mohammad Aziz)

A naughty song .

9 Hum  1991

“Hum” was a biggest musical blockbuster of early ninetites.

—Kagaz Kalam Dawat ..Mohammad Aziz – Shobha Joshi

—Ek Doosre Se Karte Hai ..Sudesh, Udit Narayan, M Aziz, Alka Yagnik, Sonali

—Sanam Mere Sanam ..Amit Kumar – Alka Yagnik

—Bum Chiki Bum ..Sudesh Bhonsle, Alka Yagnik, Vinay Mandke

Jumma Chumma De De  (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Sudesh Bhosle – Kavitha Krishnamurthy)

Spellbind, Huge and Enrich  orchestra arrangements in western style,  throughout the song.

“Prelude” of 75 seconds, with beautiful glimpses of GUITAR sets the mood of the song. All the BRASS musical instruments like TUBA and FLUGELHORN, SAXOPHONE and CLARINET along with GUITAR are wonderfully orchestrated as a ‘filler’ (after rendering ‘jumma chumma de de’). Despite Sudesh Bhosle’s  usual shouts and Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s boisterous orchestra, the melody part of the song is not lost. The song has become a youth anthem.

10 Khuda Gawah 1992

“Khuda Gawah” is the last musical hit of LP-Bachchan combo. It has a fabulous songs.

The beauty of all the song is  it’s orchestral arrangements. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have used traditional musical instruments from AFGHANISTAN.   

— Rub Ko Yaad Karoo ..Mohammad Aziz – Kavitiha Krishnmurthy

—Main Tuze Kubul ….Mohammad Aziz – Lata Mangeshkar

—Deewana Mujhe Kar Gaya .. Mohammad Aziz – Alka Yagnik

—Mere Watan Main.. Suresh Wadkar – Alka Yagnik and the TOP hit.

Tu Na Ja Mere Badashah (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

(Singers Alka Yagnik – Mohammad Aziz)

Extremely melodious romantic duet. “THALI” (Huge Metal Dishes) are used to generate the mellifluous rhythm for this song. Afghan musical instruments like RUBAB and HARMONIUM are excellently executed in the orchestra.

Amitabh Bachchan was very much keen about his  songs and used to be remain present during the song recording session.

Ajay Poundarik, Vadodara (Gujarat).