Category: Film Music Review

BOBBY 1973

Raj Kapoor is an undisputed legend in Bollywood cinema. An actor, producer, editor and director. He made a name for himself. After a disaster and failure of “Mera Naam Joker”..Raj Kapoor was looking to make a movie which would be blockbuster and will also bring back his “glory” as “SHOW-MAN”. He was desperate to make a “comeback”.

Although “BOBBY” was made under the big banner of RK films, but it was a non-starcast movie. It was the start of Rishi Kapoor as a ‘hero’. Dimple Kapadia was also new and very fresh looked. Not only that, during the “peak” era of the male singers like “Kishore Kumar”, “Mohammad Rafi” and “Mukesh” two new male singers, Shailendra Singh and Narendra Chanchal were introduced.

Even new song writers Rajkavi Indrajitsingh Tulsi (‘beshaq mandir masjid todo’) and  Shri Vitthalbhai Patel (‘na mangu sona chandi’ and jhooth bole kauwa kate‘) were introduced. 

INDDED A CHALLENGE for Laxmikant-Pyarelal to show their very best output. 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal working first-time with Raj Kapoor. Laxmikant-Pyarelal already maintaining number 1 music director position since 1967, they outdid themselves, further with the “massive” popularity of the “BOBBY’ songs. 

The music of “BOBBY” was like a storm in the year 1973 and 1974. The film’s success was solely carried away by it’s melodious and massively popular music.  All songs have been decorated with  RICH,  MELLIFLUOUS and POWERFUL orchestra arrangements.

Not only the songs but also it’s BACKGROUND MUSIC was extremely melodious and romantic. It flows with the theme of the film.

Raj Kapoor and HMV released the Long Play and EP records of the songs of “BOBBY” in July, 1973, five months before the release of the film. By the time of the films release in November, 1973 all the songs became immensely popular, wherever you go in India you hear only BOBBY songs. Thus all the songs became the “crowd puller” into a cinema hall. 

It was an unimaginable popularity of the songs of “BOBBY”..

Let us review all the songs.

Lata Mangeshkar has sung as many as five songs.

“BOBBY’ is an example of a ’SOUNDTRACK’ better than the “BOBBY” Film itself. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music really came to rescue Raj Kapoor and RK Films.

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.

1) MAIN SHAYAR TO NAHIN ..Shailendra Singh.. (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

“WALTZ” Style composition, The WALTZ style (rhythm) of composition is originated in 16th century. “WALTZ” is a ballroom folk dance from Vienna, AUSTRIA. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have mellifluously decorated the WALTZ style orchestra for this lovely song. Use of VIOLINS, IRANI SANTOOR, GUITAR, ACCORDION as well as VIOLA are brilliantly executed in the “prelude”, all the “interludes” and also in “postlude”…Rishi Kapoor and Aruna Irani can be seen dancing in waltz style, specially in the “interludes, in the song. Brilliantly filmed by Raj Kapoor as a director.

2) HUM TUM EK KAMARE MAIN..Lata Mangeshkar – Shailendra Singh.(Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Mesmerizing Orchestra arrangements with Toe Stepping Rhythm (Synchronized and intermixed with IRANI SANTOOR, ACCORDION and BONGO DRUMS). Very Simple Words”””Hum Tum Ek Kamare Main” with an enrich orchestra arrangement. SAXOPHONE, FRENCH HORN, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, VIOLA, VIOLINS, MOUTH ORGAN etc are mellifluously executed in all the interludes. The song start with “zero” prelude.  After …”Hum Tum”,,the “rhythm” starts….with Accordion, Irani Santoor and Bongo Drums…..all the three interludes have different tunes, all the three “mukhadas” are different from each other. You cannot enjoy this song without the “”ORIGINAL”” Orchestra. One of the finest composition, from Laxmikant-Pyarelal, in terms of orchestra arrangements.

3) MUZE KUCHH KEHANA HAI ..Lata Mangeshkar – Shailendra Singh (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

A chirpy duet song. An off-beat composition, excellent singing and amazing orchestra conduction. Use of VIOLA, CELLO, IRANI SANTOOR and VIOLINS are beautifully executed in all the “interludes”. How romantically sang by Lataji by changing style of voice. A different type of ‘rhythm”, in western style.

4) JHOOTH BOLE KAUWA KATE…Lata Mangeshkar – Shailendra Singh (Songwriter Vitthalbhai Patel)

A great “dance” number and also one of the most popular song, moulded in typical LP style ‘DHOLAK’ rhythm. Additional features of the song is “pauses” given in the song.

5) NA MANGU SONA CHANDI ..Manna Dey – Shailendra Singh. (Songwriter Vitthalbhai Patel)

Based on “Goa” folk tunes this song starts with an excellent “Prelude” of 54 seconds. All BRASS instruments, GUITAR, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, solo VIOLIN, are wonderfully played in the orchestra.

6) BESHAQ MANDIR ..Narendra Chancel. (Songwriter Rajkavi Indrajitsingh Tulsi)

Amazing word lyrics and voice, A killer combination. Punjabi traditional rendering by Narendra Chanchal.

7) AI PHASA ..Lata Mangeshkar (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Heart Touching Song excellently snug by Lataji. Typical Punjabi style “DHOLAK” rhythm. Different type of rhythm is used in the “interludes”.

8) AKHIYON KO REHANE DO…..Lata Mangeshkar. (Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Lata’s classic on “punjabi folk” tune. Wonderful rhythm.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Raj Kapoor’s “BOBBY” and it’s ‘Soul Of Bobby’, 1973.

It is rarest of rare occasion when the Long Playing Record has been released for any of the film’s background music. Likewise “Bobby” songs which took the nation like a ‘storm’, its background music was also extremely melodious and flows with the romantic sequences. Raj Kapoor insisted HMV to release the Long Playing record of the background music of “Bobby”.

PLEASE ! Don’t forget to listen to what Raj Kapoor says about This Long Playing record…(in the following link, at 01.39 onwards ).

SOUL OF BOBBY I

SOUL OF BOBBY II

I am deeply into Hindi Film Music since 1963, I have never-ever witnessed the GIANT popularity of all the songs of a particularly film which BOBBY music have obtained.  Till date music of BOBBY remains on TOP of the chart in terms of popularity. 

It rocked the Bianca Geetmala for two successive years.

It is unfortunate that “BOBBY” music did not get a award. Bobby won the filmfare awards for the actor Rishi Kapoor, actress Dimple Kapadia, Raj Kapoor for best direction, male singer, Narendra Chanchal and best sound.

Ajay Poundarik Vadodara (Gujarat)

As a Director Yash Chopra has given many musical hits under the banner of B.R Films, owned by his brother B.R.Chopra. In 1973 Yash Chopra opted to come out of B R Chopra banner and form ”YASH RAJ FILMS”. Yash Chopra wanted to get the Top Stars and Top Names for his maiden film ”DAAG”, as a Producer and the Director. 

To start with YASH RAJ Films first ever film, producer and director Yash Chopra wanted to utilize the ‘best’ artists available then. 

Rajesh Khanna was in supreme form in early seventies, he along with Sharmila Taigore and Rakhi were the stars of the film. 

LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL, in top gears, form 1967,  got the honor of the first music director for ”YASH RAJ FILMS”. Yash choose his favorite lyricist Sahir Ludhiyanvi to penned the songs.

An outstanding/evergreen/ever-fresh music of ”Daag” is still popular. 

Let us review the songs..

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.

Mere Dil Main Aaj Kya  Hai   Kishore Kumar

लाजवाब, सुमधुर, कर्णप्रिय एवं बेहद रोमांटिक गाना। Mesmerizing Orchestra arrangements..IRANI SANTOOR (played by Pt Shivkumar Sharma) & GUITAR (played by Gorakh Sharma)  are brilliantly executed in the entire orchestra of the song. 
The song starts with “zero” ‘Prelude”…First ‘Interlude’ starts with IRANI SANTOOR at 0.42…with brilliant overlapping sound effect and ends at 1,00. The second ‘Interlude’ starts at 1.46 and listen how mellifluously IRANI SANTOOR have been played till 1.58…The third ‘Interlude’ starts at 2.45 and how effectively GUITAR is played to give the perfection to the romance and great “pick up” through IRANI SANTOOR from 2.53 to 3.02..The song has beautiful DHOLAK as “rhythm” excepting in “Interludes”…SAHIR LUDHIYANVI’s elegiac lyrics and KISHORE KUMAR’s tender as well as romantic rendition and LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL’s wonderful composition with beautiful decoration of the orchestra has made this song as all time classics.

You just have to look at the way Rajesh Khanna croons, “Mera pyaar keh raha hai main tujhe khuda bana doon” and you will want to watch the song. Nobody could act out a love song better than Rajesh Khanna.

Also full credit to Kishore Kumar who was nominated by filmfare awards, the best male singer, for singing this romantic GEM. One of the finest song of KK under Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Hum Aur Tum Tum Aur Hum  Kishore Kumar – Lata Mangeshkar

This Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar romantic song is completely woven around the rhythm based ACOUSTIC GUITAR. Another beauty of this song is it’s ‘interludes’.  Both the ‘interludes’ have different tunes. First ‘interlude’ full of ‘aalaps’ by Kishore & Lata with glimpses of VIOLINS. In second ‘interlude’  the VIOLINS are decorated in ‘Waltz’ style with beautiful “pauses”. Even Lataji and Kishorji have also rendered the ‘pauses’ in the songs. 

Ni Main Yaar Mana Ni  Lata Mangeshkar – Kishore Kumar

Typically Punjabi flavored and very famous female duet excellently sung by Lata Mangeshkar – Minoo Purushottam. . Powerful rhythm of the song consists of “DHOL”, “DHOLAK”, “TABLA” and “CLAPPING” is just mind-blowing. All the “interludes” are orchestrated with SHEHNAI and other Indian traditional instruments. “Postlude” is worth to listen to. 

Ab Chahe Maa Ruthe Ya Baba Lata Mangeshkar – Kishore Kumar

This song is composed in “BHANGADA” style of dance. Stylishly rendered by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar to justify the voice of college students. It has a typical LP style rhythm. One more hit song from the film. Both Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Taigore look good. 

Jab Bhi Chahe Nayi Duniya Kishore Kumar – Lata Mangeshkar

Sad song with magical lyrics words by Sahir Ludhiyanvi. In this “gazal” style song ‘interludes’ are beautifully decorated by VIOLINS in “symphony” style orchestra with beautiful overlapping sound effect. 

Hawa Chale Kaise  Lata Mangeshkar

Song starts with zero prelude, Lata rendering then VIOLINS (big ‘pause’) and SANTOOR. Melodious Lata singing on different type “rhythm” by using BONGO DRUMS in this song. 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal were nominated for the best music directors for “DAAG” along with Raj Kapoor’s “BOBBY” In 1973.. Sadly, none of these films got the best music director award, in spite of an outstanding music for both the films. 

After the thumping success of musical hit film ”DAAG”,Yash Chopra wanted Laxmikant-Pyarelal to score the music for his next film ”KABHI KABHI”.  But Laxmikant-Pyarelal were very busy with some other projects. 

It is an UNFORTUNATE….that Yash Chopra’s First Musical Hit Film “DAAG” became the FIRST and LAST film for Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

If you compare all Yash Raj Films Musical score, DAAG remains the BEST and top sellers. As on Today, 46 Years Old Songs are still popular.

Ajay Poundarik 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music, preeminent part of film “DOSTI”  

Diwali of 1963 witnessed the emergence of the new music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal through the super hit music of “Parasmani”.  Laxmikant-Pyarelal fourth film “DOSTI”, released around the Diwali of 1964.  It was Rajshri Films Second Film. During those time (early sixties) RajshrI films were operating from Madrass, now Chennai. Relatively new in the film production Producer Tarachand Barjatya of Rajshri Films wanted to established in the film industry. The film was directed by well known Director Satyen Bose. 

Black and White movie. No media publicity. . No Star… No Major Star… No Hero ….No Heroin…, No Villain and …..No Big Name at all. Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the new name in Hindi Film Music.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal music was the “STAR” of the film “DOSTI”.

Most of the prominent music directors of that time refused to score the music for this film as there was no star cast (two teenage unknown actors) and also they feel there was nothing in the film to compose the songs for Blind and Physically Disabled Children. But Laxmikant-Pyarelal took up the challenge and the film music became a History.

Starring Sudhir Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Nana Palsikar, Baby Farida and Sanjay Khan (who made his debut).

Songs the film DOSTI became a rage throughout the nation and continue to be played till today. Laxmikant-Pyarelal also proved that the songs of their earlier films, “Parasmani”, “Harischandra Taramati”, “Aaya Toofan”, “Sant Gyanewshwar” and “Sati Savitri” was not a “fluke”.

Rajashri Film’s “DOSTI” became super hit film of the year. It has a persuasive direction, potent acting by all the performers and the powerful music. The real “STAR” of the film was only Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music. B Grade and Low Budget film but the entire success of the film was carried away by Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s “MAGICAL MUSIC”.

DOSTI music put Laxmikant-Pyarelal in top music directors rank and made them a “household name” in the Indian film industry.

DOSTI was nominated for 7 categories and went on to win 6 filmfare award trophies.

Best Picture – Tarachand Barjatya

Best Story – Ban Bhatt

Best Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal

Best Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri

Best Playback Singer Male – Mohammed Rafi

Best Dialogue – Govind Moonis

** This non-star film competed with the likes of Raj Kapoor’s ‘Sangam’ and won the Filmfare Award for the Best Film of the year.

** DOSTI music gave Laxmikant Pyarelal their first Filmfare Award, against the stiff competition from Raj Kapoor and Shankar-Jaikishan’s  “Sangam” Raj Khosla  and Madanmohan’s  “Woh Kaun Thi”

** Bengal Film Journalists Association Award for Best Hindi Film of the year.

** Dosti was recognized for its great humanism and its progressive theme at the 4th Moscow International Film Festival and other international film festivals.

“DOSTI” gave ‘name’ and ‘fame’ to both Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Rajshri Films (Tarachand Barjatya), as well.

The film was a great success and the credit goes to it’s immortal music. How to use “classical ragas” make it little simpler to create mass appealing and popular songs is a best example of “DOSTI” songs. Majarooh Sultanpuri have penned all the songs of the film.  Mohammad Rafi who sung as many as FIVE solo songs, was at its best. Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed majority of the songs in “Pahadi Raag”.

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   Chahunga Main Tuze …. (Mohammad Rafi)

The most famous song from the film. It starts with the sentimental “prelude”, full of FLUTE, in raag ‘pahadi’. BAMBOO FLUTE and VIOLINS are admirably executed in the all the ‘interludes’. SYMPHONY style VIOLINS are mellifluously used, as ‘filler’ at the end of each of ‘anara’ that is the ‘beauty’ of the composition. The song has excellent “DHOLAK” rhythm’.  Mohammad Rafi is simply outstanding in rendering. Initially this song was to be scrapped from the soundtrack. It was Rafi Saab who insisted Laxmikant-Pyarelal to retain the song and what a momentous decision that was from Dosti where there was no looking back. Rafi was so impressed with the compositions of Laxmikant Pyarelal that he had taken just one rupee for singing the song.

2   Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam Hai..Mohammad Rafi

Phenomenal crooning by Rafi Saab in Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s SYMPHONY style orchestra arrangements, full of CELLOs, VIOLINS and GUITAR, in ‘prelude’ and all the ‘interludes’. Don’t forget to listen to the ‘pause’ given at the end of each ‘antara’.

3 Koyi Jab Raah Na Paye.. Mohammad Rafi

Honeyed and melodious  composition, Rafi Saab is  singing from heart. The best part of the song is use of FLUTE with DHOLAK. In ‘interludes’ & ‘preludes’  ACCORDION, GUITAR and  MANDOLIN (prelude) are harmonically used simple but sweet orchestra arrangements with an awesome DHOLAK rhythm .

4 Janewalo Jara Mudake Dekho Muze.. Mohammad Rafi

Touching song with such message to all ……reminder for humanity & peace. Mind-Boggling take off by Rafi Saab, at end of ‘prelude’ (MOUTHORGAN), with ‘aalap’ synchronised with SYMPHONY VIOLINS.  MOUTHORGAN ( played by late R D Burman) is brilliantly orchestrated in all the first ‘interlude’ with VIOLINS. Second and third “interludes” brilliantly decorated with SYMPHONY style and GUITAR. It has a wonderful DHOLAK rhythm.

5 Rahi Manawa Dukhti chinta ….Mohammad Rafi

A Motivational Song. Once again High Quality composition. Astonishing use of SYMPHONY style orchestra arrangements in the song with MOUTHORGAN ( by R D Burman) and GUITAR.

6 Gudiya Hamse Ruthi Rahogi …. Lata Mangeshkar 

Very innocent song, pleasantly  sung and composed. It has been softly orchestrated with the excellent use of ACCORDION, FLUTE, GUITAR and MANDOLIN.

7 DOSTI Title track

 The MOUTHORGAN played by Mr. Milon Gupta who also played the Mouthorgan in Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s ‘Gandhi bula rahi hai’ from “DOST” 1974.

Ajay Poundarik

Atlanta (Georgia)

USA