V. SHANTARAM & Picturesquely and Rhythmically Dance-Musical with LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL and LATA MANGESHKAR

V. SHANTARAM’s Picturesquely and Rhythmically…Dance-Musical with LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL  and   LATA MANGESHKAR

“JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI“ 1971.

To work with veteran Actor, Producer – Director, Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner  V. SHANTARAM used to be pride. He was a great connoisseur of the talent. He had an exceptional sensitivity for the music of his films. The quality of the songs and music for V. Shantaram film’s used to be unique and special. Music used to be the asset for his films.

It was not an easy job to enter into V. Shantaram Camp. He has his own choice of music directors which was limited to 2 to 3. Many BIG names of Music Directors of Forties, Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, could not get an opportunity, baring C Ramchandra and Vasant Desai,  to work with V. Shantaram.

It was in 1970..LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL got an opportunity to work for the first and last time for V Shantaram’s “classic” film “JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI”. V Shantaram was having lean period after two flops “ Sehra” and “ Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti” and for  Laxmikant-Pyarelal  it was an opportunity to work with an critically acclaimed director – and to show their prowess in hitherto new field – a Dance Musical.  The outcome was fantastic.

Though  “JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI” was made under the big banner of V. SHANTARAM, but it has unknown/unpopular actor/actress. Performed by actress, terpsichorean Sandhya,  Abhijeet,  Vatsala Deshmukh, Iftekhar and Raja Paranjape. It was a non-starcast film. V Shantaram have made many memorable musical hit movies, in the past with no stars in the film.

Lavishly made film featured several superbly choreographed dances.

V. Shantaram used to have something new for his film. This time it was for the FIRST TIME FOR HINDI FILM MUSIC all the songs of this films were recorded in “”Stereophonic Sound System””.

Lata Mangeshkar has snug as many as FOUR solo songs in addition to TWO duets with Mukesh. Mukesh has sung one solo song, “taron ne saj ke” which became immensely hit.

If you look at this JBMNB Album, all the songs are composed in a different style. Each and every song have different compositions and ‘rhythm’ pattern, as well. The orchestra arrangements for all the songs is just mesmerizing. LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL, have synchronized as well overlapped  LATA MANGESHKAR’s voice in highly rich orchestra arrangements. In other words Laxmikant-Pyarelal opulently orchestrated Lata Mangeshkar‘s modulation. It is one of the finest musical album for the unique combo of Lata Mangeshkar and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

V Shantaram’s wife SANDHYA, leading actress and coryphee,  have given the full justice to all the songs through brilliant gambols in all the songs. SANDHYAji herself have chreographed all the songs and all of them are unique.  

All the songs of JBMNB are written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The orchestra arrangements in “PRELUDES” and “INTERLUDES” used to be the assets of the songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It would be more proper to listen to the songs, listed below, after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs, you will enjoy it, more.

1) MAN KI PYAS MERE MAN SE …Lata Mangeshkar

The “Prelude” of 28 seconds of santoor and flute is mind-blowing. Use of minimum musical instruments. Entire song is woven around the glimpses of FLUTE (played by Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia) and SANTOOR (played by Pt. Shivkumar Sharma). Excellent “DHOLAK”/“tabla’ rhythm.

2) KAJARA LAGA KE RE BINDIYA..Lata Mangeshkar

A song on “MAYUR DANCE”. One more gem of composition with different style.

HOW THIS SONG WAS COMPOSED >> A Story narrated by PYARELAL ji

When Actress SANDHYA ( wife of V SHANARAM )told Laxmikant-Pyarelal and MAJROOH to write the words, compose the song and the Rhythm by watching her dancing steps.

कजरा लगाके रे बिंदिया सजाके !! हो आई में तो आई रे आई लायी मोहे लायि मिलन धुन पिया की !!. .A long musical sitting was held between V. Shantaram, Actress Sandhya, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Majrooh Sultanpuri. Actress Sandhya first demonstrated the dance steps, performed the full dance and then told Laxmikant-Pyarelal to prepare the tune and rhythm by watching her steps. It was a different and unique style to compose the song. BUT Laxmikant-Pyarelal along with LATA MANGESHKAR and Majrooh came out with an outstanding composition.A song on MAYUR DANCE. One more gem of composition with different style. FLUTE is prominently used in western style. Perhaps the longest “prelude” 3 minutes and 27 seconds of beautiful dance sequence. This song is a GEM. FLUTE and SANTOOR, VIOLIN, VIOLA and GUITAR are prominently used and synchronized as well as overlapped, in western style orchestra arrangements with different style of rhythm with DHOLAK. Also don’t forget to listen to the “postlude” of the song and “Mayur Dance”.

3) O MITWA O MITWA ..Lata Mangeshkar

Superb orchestration. “”CHURCH BELL”is brilliantly synchronized with LATA MANGESHKAR’s voice. In the second second “interlude” overlapping sound effect of “Church Bell” with Violins is worth to listen to. Please do not forget actress SANDHYA has danced this beautiful DANCE number with one leg.

4) JO MAIN CHALI PHIR NA MILUNGI….Lata Mangeshkar.

What a composition and a melodious song. A completely different tune. What a voice control by Lata Mangeshkar and orchestra arrangements is just unparalleled!!!

5) BAAT HAI EK BOOND SI..Lata Mangeshkar & Mukes

Yet another variety of song a simple but melodious tune. The beauty of the song is it’s “Interlude”. It is full of SITAR, VEENA and GUITAR. Beautiful stereophonic effect.

6) TARONNE SAJA KE..Mukesh

Massive Orchestra. Once again brilliant orchestra arrangements, interlude, prelude and postlude is just mind-blowing. VIOLINS, VIOLA , GUITAR and FRENCH HORN are worth to listen to in the orchestra arrangements. BONGO DRUM “rhythm” is mesmerizes. Very very Melodious Song sung by Mukesh.An heavenly situation song echoed in universe. Song has beautiful filming and lovely dance by actress SANDHYA.

7) JHOOM KE GAYE AI DIL. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh

Folkish style composition with melody. “Prelude” / “Interludes” are full of sound of SITAR, GHOOGROO BELLS as well as CHORUS are Simply best.

On the top of everything…the chemistry of Lata –  LP worked miracle.

“JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI”` is an immortal album, with some of the outstanding songs, perhaps one of the best of “unique” combo of Lata Mangeshkar and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. And it is a “must’ for all LP fans.

Ajay Poundarik Vadodara (Gujarat)