Fascinating Hema Malini and Symphonious Laxmikant-Pyarelal

The association of actress Hema Malini with Laxmikant-Pyarelal started in 1969/1970 through the film Sharafat . It was Hema Malini’s fifth Hindi Film. In-Form duo, music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Sharafat was their 70th film. In the span of 22 years, the duo has scored the music for 34 films of Hema Malini.

The film was produced by Madan Mohla and directed by Asit Sen. The very first film of this Fascinating Hema Malini and Symphonious Laxmikant-Pyarelal went on to become a super hit.

It was also First film of Dharmendra – Hema Malini, the most successful and popular, pair of Hindi cinema. Dharmendra-Hema Malini pair was lucky to have as many as 17 numbers (out of total 26 films of Dharmendra and Hema Malini) of the films in which Laxmikant-Pyarelal have scored the music.

In 1977 Hema Malini produced the film “Dream Girl“, starring the popular pair of Dharmendra – Hema Malini, with music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal .

The final Binaca Geetmala Songs:-  Hema Malini and  Laxmikant-Pyarelal have 28 numbers of the final songs, the  highest numbers of the songs by any music directors for Hema Malini. Zindagi Ki Na Tute Ladi from Kranti, second spot in 1981.  

Undoubtedly, Laxmikant-Pyarelal has utilized Lata Mangeshkar’s voice for most of  Hema Malini’s songs and few to Asha Bhosle. This is to note that Hema Malini has also sung the songs under Laxmikant-Pyarelal in the films Dream Girl and Aap Beati (with Shashi Kapoor).

List of the Films:- HEMA MALINI & LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 

1970:- 1 Sharafat, 

1971:- 2 Abhinetri,  3 Raja Jani, 

1972:- 4 Gora Aur Kala,  

1973: 5 Gehri Chaal, 6 Dost, 7 Amir Garib, 8   Dulhan, 

1975:- 9 Pratigya,  

1976:- 10 Naach Uthe Sansar, 11 Charas, 12 Maa, 13 Aap Beati, 14 Dus Numbari,  15 Jaaneman, 

1977:- 16 Dream Girl, 17 Chacha Bhatija, 18 Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein.     

1979 :- 19 Dil Ka Heera. 

1980:- 20 Bandish 

1981:- 21 Krodhi, 22 Kranti, 23 Naseeb,  24 Meri Aawaz Suno. 

1982:- 25 Samrat, 26 Farz Aur Kanoon, 27 Do Dishayen,  28 Rajput, 29 Bagawat, 30 Desh Premee,  

1983:- 31 Andha Kanoon, 

1984:- 32 Sharara, 

1989:- 33 Santosh. 

1991:- 34 Jamai Raja

Few Songs Of Hema Malini Composed By Laxmikant-Pyarelal Are Being Reviewed.

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

Sharafat  1970                                                                                                                                 The first film with the legendary jodi of Hema Malini-Dharmendra and the chemistry is visible from the get-go. If you’re a fan of Hema Malini and her graceful dancing in any movie, you’ll love the songs of Sharafat, which exploit her talent excellently. Lata Mangeshkar has sung as many as five solo songs and all are great.               

— Jeevan Data Jagat Pita Tum.…Lata

— Sharafat Chhod Di Maine ..Lata (The most popular song of the film)

— Pehale Na Dekha Aise Kisi Ne …..Lata (amazing work on Sitar)

— Mera Rasta Rok Rahe Hai …Lata

— Ek Din Aapne Yaad Kiye.…Asha

and the melodious Mujra

— Duniya Ne Sunali Hai Chhupke

( Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Lata Mangeshkar)     

 An extremely melodious ‘mujra’. The song is awesomely woven around the glimpses of HARMONIUM, as a filler, in surround sound and also in ‘interludes’. Interludes are orchestrated with HARMONIUM, VIOLINS, SAROD, SITAR and FLUTE. The rhythm of DHOLAK / TABLA synchronised with GHUNGROO BELLS. 

Abhinetri  1971

It was Subodh Mukharjee’s musical hit movie. Once again Album is dominated by Lata Mangeshkar who has sung as many as 6 songs, including 4 solos. All songs are melodious and wonderfully composed. 

— O Ghata Sawari ….Lata (Fabulous melody and composition)

— Dhadkan Har Dil Ki …. Lata

— Khinche Humse Sanware ….Lata (Beautiful DHOLAK rhythm)

— Sa Re Ga Ma Pa….Lata-Kishore (The most popular song of the film)

— Milte Hi Rahenge Hum …. Lata-Mahendra – K.

— Bane Bade Raja ….Asha Bhosle. 

and the most melodious 

—Sajna More Sajna ….Lata

(Songwriter Majrooh Sultanpuri. Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

Entire song is woven around the glimpses of SANTOOR (by Pt. Shivkumar Sharma) and FLUTE (by Pt. Hariprasasd Chaurasia). The “prelude’ of 34 seconds is full of SANTOOR as well as Lataji’s HUMMING. It also has a beautiful “Paus” of 5 to 6 secoonds. One can listen to the “rhythm” DHOLAK / TABLA.  Awesome take off   >> सजना ओ सजना<< by Lataji and the wonderful ‘stroke’ of SANTOOR, before “antara” starts. The first “interlude” has a wonderful overlapping sound effect of SANTOOR & FLUTE. Mesmerizing second ‘interlude’ starts with VIOLINS, in ‘symphony’ style. Lataji’s HUMMING brilliantly synchronized with SANTOOR and FLUTE and this is the best melodious composition of the song. 

Raja Jaani  1972

Again it is Lata Mangeshkar dominated album. Musically, super-hit. All songs hit.

— Aa Aaja Aaja Kuchh  Kehja… Lata

— Duniya Ka Mela Mele Mein Ladaki ….Lata

— Mubarak Ho Tuze Ae Dil…Lata 

— ABCD Chhodo …Lata

— Jaani O Jaani….Kishore Kumar 

and very sweet song

— Kitna Maja Aa Raha Hai….Lata

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

16 seconds of ‘prelude’ contains VIOLINS as well as melodious HUMMING by Lataji.

Another beauty of this song is the mellifluous use of surround sound of VIOLINS in ‘symphony’ style, in ‘Mukhada’ as well as in “Antara”. SANTOOR is beautifully used in the ‘Interludes”.This song has different tunes in the first & second “antara”. An ‘ear-pleasing’ DHOLAK rhythm. Hema Malini looks beautiful and charming. It is the rarest of rare song, filmed on Prem Chopra.  

Gora Aur Kala   1972

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Mohammad Rafi)

Rajendra Kumar in double role. Rajkumar Kohli’s musical block-blaster. (considering only those songs filmed on Hema Malini).

— Dheere Dheerre Bol Koi …Lata – Mukesh (top hit song of the film)

— Tere Nain Nashele ….Mohammad Rafi

and Laxmikant-Pyarelal & Mohammad Rafi “classic”.

— Ek Na Ek Din Ye Kahani….M. Rafi. 

Wonderfully orchestrated in western style. WALTZ rhythm. Use of GUITAR and ACCORDION is worth listening to. 

Dulhan  1974

Hema Malini with Jeetendra. Excellent music,

— Aayegi Jaroor Chitthi Mere Naam Ki ….Lata

— Main Dulhan Teri….Lata 

and a ‘classic’ song rendered by Kishore Kumar

— Jane Chaman Jane Bahar …. Kishore Kumar.

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Kishore Kumar)

Mesmerizing, Breezing Melody. 41 seconds of ‘prelude’ with symphony style VIOLINS, Kishore Kumar’s HUMMING and AALAPS set the mood of this romantic song. Interludes are orchestrated with VIOLINS, FLUTE and SAXOPHONE. Song. 

Pratigya  1976

It was Dharmendra’s first home production film directed by Dalal Guha.

-Morni Re Morni Main Jungle Ki Morni…Lata

-Pardesi Aaya Desh Me…Lata

-Uth Neend Se…(Lata-Rafi) 

AND Huge Hit, everfresh and evergreen  Song

Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Mohammad Rafi)

“Prelude” of 45 seconds is full of intermixing of the VIOLINS, Indian WIND musical instruments and Rafi Sahab’s “shouts” in “folkish” flavor. Beautiful, fast-track, DHOLAK rhythm. “Interludes” are mellifluously orchestrated with VIOLINS, Rajasthani Violins (RAVANHATTA), Punjabi DHOLs and Rafi Sahab’s sweet “screaming”. 

Charas  1976

It was Ramanand Sagar’s musical film starring Dharmendra-Hema Malini. 

It has two fabulous duets.

— Aaja Teri Yaad Aayee….Lata-Rafi-Anand Bakshi 

and ‘good night’ song.

— KalKi Haseen Mulaqat Ki Liye…

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Kishore Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar)

Use of Brass Instruments at it’s best.

Dream Girl   1977

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Kishore Kumar)

It was Hema Malini’s first home production film. It has very good music.

Songwriter Anand Bakshi have penned a ‘special’ song for the ‘dream girl’.

Dream Girl Dream Girl, Kisi Shayar Ki Gazal

(Singer Kishore Kumar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

The song is wonderfully composed on western style. Use of CLARINET in all the interludes is mellifluous. Awesomely rendered by Kishore Kumar and specially penned by Anand Bakshi, for the natural dream girl Hema Malini.

Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein  1977

Gulzar is working first time with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

— Dakiya Daak Laya …Kishore Kumar. 

and a GEM of a song.

— Koi Mere Mathe Ki Bindiya

(Songwriter Gulzar   Singer Lata Mangeshkar

Excellent example of an off beat song in hindi film music. “Prelude” of 40 seconds, tunefully orchestrated with SHEHNAI and “pause” with concordant DHOLAK rhythm.A superbly composed song with a unique DHOLAK / TABLA ‘rhythm’. The first interlude is short and instrumented with ACOUSTIC GUITAR.  Second interlude full of soft VIOLINS played in ‘symphony’ style. This song was recorded in just one take.

Kranti   1981

(Songwriter Santosh Anand. Singer Lata Mangeshkar-Nitin Mukesh)

This was Manoj Kumar’s patriotic, super-hit film with very good music.  

— Chana Jor Garam ….Rafi-Kishore-Lata-Nitin Mukesh

— Looie Shama Sha Looie…. Lata – N. Mukesh

— Abke Baras Tujhe …. Mahendra Kapoor

— Kranti Kranti….M. Kapoor, Lata, Manna Dey, N. Mukesh, Shailendra Singh

—Dilwale Tera Naam Kya Hai ….M. Kapoor – Minoo Puroshattam

–Mara Thumka ….Lata Mangeshkar and 

–Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi ….

(Songwriter Santosh Anand. Singer Lata Mangeshkar-Nitin Mukesh)

“PRELUDE” of the song is just mesmerizing. Use of FRENCH HORN, FLUTE and Solo VIOLIN are brilliantly used in  ́ ‘PRELUDE”. Apart from this all the “INTERLUDES ” have different tunes purely in western style orchestra with BONGO Drums in the Rhythm. Once again very simple tune mellifluously orchestrated to please the musical ears of True Music Lovers. That is why LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL are considered to be Champions of all. 

Naseeb  1981

Manmohan Desai’s super musical. 

— Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hai Ki Nahi ..

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

The song starts with Lataji “aalaps” clapping and then ACCORDION. Euphonic western “rhythm”, “interludes” orchestration with BASS GUITAR, ACCORDION and VIOLINS are worth listening to. Hema Malini rocks.

Desh Premi  1982

Manmohan Desai film. 

— Gore Nahin Hum Kale Sahi...Laxmikant and Asha Bhosle

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Laxmikant – Asha Bhosle)

Beautiful club dance song. BONGA DRUM rhythm sounds ‘African’ style.Filmed on Hema Malini – Amitabh Bachchan

Sharara   1984

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi. Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

Beautiful WALTZ a sheer Magic from Lata Mangeshkar and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. ‘Prelude’ of 98 seconds, full of solo VIOLIN and awesome AALAP and HUMMING rendered by LATAji, hypnotizes. ‘Interludes’ are mellifluously orchestrated with Symphony VIOLINS, FLUTE and Lataji’s AALAP and Humming. In particular third ‘interlude’ is full of solo VIOLIN and Lataji’s AALAPs and CHORUS overlapped with Symphony VIOLINS. The song is filmed on Hema Malini and Raj Kumar.

Ajay Poundarik, Atlanta (Georgia), USA. 11th February, 2020.