Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs

This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in sites like lyricstrans.com and ibollywoodsongs.com etc then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.

Today’s song is from film ‘Jawani Ki Pukaar’ aka ‘Call Of Youth’ (1942). The film makes its debut on our blog today. It is sung by Sarfaraz Deen, who too makes his debut with this song.

The song is a parody song. The dictionary meaning of ‘parody’ is ” humorous exaggerated imitation”. This was quite a popular genre of songs in Hindi films. The earliest parody song is found in film ‘Deccan Queen’ (1936), sung by Surendra in his debut film. The song – “Birha Ki Aag Lagi Mere Mann Mein“, which is a parody of the iconic KL Saigal song from the 1935 film ‘Devdas’ – “Baalam Aaye Baso Morey Mann Mein“. The producers at Sagar Movietone, (the banner under which ‘Deccan Queen’ was produced) wanted Surendra to become ‘Saigal’ of Bombay !

People have a misconception that making a parody song is very easy, but it is not so. First of all, there should be a suitable situation in the film. Secondly, the lyrics should not only be funny, but they should also fit into the metre of the original tune. Thirdly, the singer must sing more or less in the original singer’s style. Lastly, the composer must arrange the music appropriately. The basic condition for a parody song is that the original song or songs must be well known and popular. In a good parody song, tunes of at least 3 stanzas are used from 3 different songs. I know of longer songs where 6 to 7 famous songs have been used.

During the period 16-3-2013 to 2-4-2013, I had discussed 10 parody songs on this blog, for my series ‘Parody Songs’. On the blog, a total of 22 parody songs have been discussed so far. Even after the series was over, I have discussed 4 more parody songs. Many MDs, though not all, used to compose parody songs in their films.

When I was searching for parody songs for my series, I found that there is a list of more than 150 parody songs, between the years 1936 to 1980, available on the website ‘Hamara Forum’, which was once upon a time a very popular and active site for film songs and related topics. Sad that this site is no more active, but one can still find valuable information even on it. (I have been able to locate several lists on various topics, for example I found a list of double role movies. The list was so detailed that it gave details by and by year. Like in how many films Amitabh Bachchan has done double role, in which year etc.) I have seen many sites closing down after only few years on the internet. Some of them were very useful too. Alas !

Initially, when I got today’s song from one of my friends, I became excited, for 2 reasons. One, the film and the singer would make their debut and two, this song will give me an opportunity to write about a less known or rather unknown Music Director, Vasant Kumar Naidu. With my recent experience with the song “Hum Aage Badhte Jaayen” from film ‘Anban’ (1944), I first sent this song to our Sudhir ji to inquire if he had this song in his collection and if it was longer than the one I had sent. Sure enough, Sudhir ji replied yes for both points. This was a good news as the song would have its full length now. Very kindly, Sudhir ji has uploaded the song and here we are to enjoy it. Thank you Sudhir ji. The world is a better place with people like you !

This blog is read by millions of music lovers from all over the world. Considering the figure of visitors by the counter, a quick rough calculation tells me that on an average 3000 visitors come to the blog every day. Some of them are connected with the film industry too, in direct or indirect way. Sometimes, people who are close or distant relatives of alive or departed artists, leave their comments here. I have been able to establish contact with them and get valuable information about those cine artistes. Like this, I was able to write articles on actor/singer Parshuram, actress Indurani, Bhudo Advani, Latika, Mukri and Mirza Musharraf etc.

In case of music director Vasant Kumar Naidu, no information is available in any book or on the internet. Only Pankaj Raag writes about his films and songs in his book ‘Dhunon Ki Yatra’. This too is based on HFGK only. Luckily Ms. Sai Lakshmi and Mr. Krishna Kumar Naidu, niece and nephew of Vasant Kumar Naidu have visited our blog and left some comments when Sadanand ji had discussed a different song (not of Vasant Kumar Naidu) and had just mentioned his name in the write up. I picked up this slender lead and wrote to both of them. It is to their credit that both responded promptly . They tried to provide song and film information from different sites, which I already knew. After exchanging few mails, they sent me a newspaper cutting, announcing the passing away of Vasant Kumar Naidu, along with his photo and his a copy of his death certificate. Krishna Kumar ji also gave me some information about his family. I can understand their limitations. Naidu ji died in 1951. At that time these two were very young and now there may not be any other elder who may provide information about this artist.

Anyway, earlier I had zero information, now at least I have some information about him, plus his filmography as per the HFGK. I sincerely thank Ms. Sai Lakshmi ji and Shri Krishna Kumar Naidu ji for their help.

Vasant Kumar ji was born in 1915. His family had settled in Burma like thousands of other South Indian families. When Burma was struggling for independence, in the 1930s, most Indians left Burma and came to India. Many went to Calcutta and many went to South India. Many families walked for around 6 months from Burma to India. Mr.Vasant Kumar’s family was one amongst them. They walked from Rangoon to Madras. The family settled in Madras for some years.

Vasant Kumar ji had come alone to Bombay earlier in search of a career in music. He was an instrumentalist and could play any string instruments and also harmonium. He was also very much interested in reading different languages. There were many books that he read. He was also very keen in dressing up and had several suits in those days. He joined the industry and started growing as a Music Director. He then called his mother and other siblings to live with him in Mumbai along with his eldest brother’s widow and her son. He had 4 brothers. His eldest brother expired in Madras itself. Vasant Kumar ji was the second eldest. He had two younger brothers as well. They all lived on Peddar Road initially. Later, he left his Peddar Road flat and moved to Parel.

Vasant Kumar ji thereafter lived in Parel until his passing away on 16-10-1951.

Vasant Kumar ji got married in Madras. This marriage was arranged by his mother. Eventually his other brothers also got married. All three brothers and their wives stayed under the same roof in Parel in a joint family which was headed and supported monetarily by Vasant Kumar ji. His younger brother, the late Mr. Pandurang Naidu was also working towards a career in music. He became a musician (played banjo and mandolin). Vasant Kumar ji taught several string instruments to his brother, Pandurang ji. His youngest brother, the late Mr. Sreenivasn Naidu, became a composer at a later stage of his life for the Indian Railways Music Academy (Central Railway Cultural Academy).

Vasant Kumar ji is survived by his only daughter, Mrs. Pramila Naidu, who is now a widow. She lives in Pune with her grown up children. Pramila ji was around 5 years when her fatherpassed away. She has vague memories of her father. It is sad to see her struggling now financially. She continues to gives tuition at the age of 70 to make her living. She lawfully owns 3 flats in Parel, Mumbai but the 3rd generation of the family has occupied these flats and are not willing to vacate. This property is now worth in crores. The cousins of Pramila ji have gotten together and have filed a law suit against these 3rd generation greedy family members. The law suit is going on now for the past 3 years.

Vasant Kumar ji started his career in 1939 by giving music to films ‘Thunder’ and ‘Pakke Badmash’. Till 1947, he composed music for 22 films, as per the HFGK. He sang 1 song as a duet with Khan Mastana for film ‘Mere Sajan’ (1941). He has composed 160 songs in these 22 films. His filmography, as per the Geet Kosh, is ‘Thunder’ (1939), ‘Pakke Badmash’ (1939), ‘Rangeela Jawaan’ (1940), ‘Jung-e-Azadi’ (1940), ‘Desh Bhakt’ (1940), ‘Suhaana Geet’ (1941), ‘Meri Khwaish’ (1941), ‘Mere Saajan’ (1941), ‘Lehri Jawaan’ (1941), ‘Lala ji’ (1942), ‘Call Of Youth’ (1942), ‘Maata’ (1942), ‘Watan Ki Pukaar’ (1943), ‘Nai Zindagi’ (1943), ‘Mohabbat Ki Jeet (1943), ‘Daawat’ (1943), ‘Circus Girl’ (1943), ‘Bhaagta Bhoot’ (1943), ‘Beda Paar’ (1944), ‘Shaahi Khazaana’ (1946), ‘Chamkati Bijli’ (1946) and ‘Toote Dil’ (1947).

Unfortunately, Vasant Kumar ji got mostly B and C stunt and action films for composing the music. Big banners like National Studios gave him an opportunity with film ‘Lala ji’ (1942), in which he got many songs sung by Anil Biswas, Kusum Mantri, and Vatsala Kumthekar. However such films came to him only as an exception, therefore his exposure to audience was limited and his name did not gain any fame. Actually, many big, well known and popular singers have sung for him.

However, without a mentor, God Father or the support of a big banner, it became impossible for Vasant Kumar ji to grow further. During the transition period of 1947-48, when many composers migrated to Pakistan, the existing big composers made their positions solid. Thus smaller composers never got any opportunity to benefit from the void created by the exit of composers. This was the case of many small time composers like him.

The film ‘Jawani Ki Pukaar’ (1942) has 9 songs. Lyricists are AK Sindhi. He has written lyrics for another film – ‘Meri Khwahish’ (1941). The film was directed by D Bilimoria, who was also the hero of the film. I tried to find out more about this film in the 1942 issue of ‘Film India’, but nothing is mentioned anywhere- not even an advertisement. Other cast of the film includes Harish, Kalyani, WM Khan, Samson, Urmila, Alaknanda (elder sister of Sitara Devi), Gulab etc.

This song is sung by Sarfaraz Deen. I could not get any information about Deen as a singer. This song is a parody of 3 famous and popular songs, namely
1.  “Saawan Ke Nazaare Hain” from film ‘Khazaanchi’ (1941) ( Shamshad Begum, Ghulam Haider)
2.   “Chal Chal Re Naujawaan” from film “Kangan” (1941) ( Ashok Kumar, Leela Chitnis)
3.   “Main Kya Jaanu Kya Jaadu Hai” from film “Zindagi” (1940) (KL Saigal)

Now, let us enjoy this parody song….

Song – Saalan Mein Bataate Hain (Jawaani Ki Hawaa aka Call Of Youth) (1942) Singer – Master Deen, Lyrics – AK Sindhi, MD – Vasant Kumar Naidu
Chorus

Lyrics

saalan mein bataate hain
saalan mein bataate hain
haan chheelo chheelo
haan chheelo chheelo
saalan mein bataate hain
saalan mein bataate hain

chal chal ri chhuri chal
chal chal ri chhuri chal
cheelna tera kaam
khaana meri shaan
cheelna tera kaam
khaana meri shaan

jisne tujhe kha liya wo jag ko suna de
jisne tujhe kha liya wo jag ko suna de
haan sabko suna de
haan sabko suna de
duniya hai paani mujhe ik baar pila de
duniya hai paani mujhe ik baar pila de
aahe waar bataate
waar bataate
aahe waar bataate
waar bataate

tu hind ka rehbar
tu hind ka rehbar
zoorat ka tu parwar
zoorat ka tu parwar
jis ne
tujhko kabhi na khaaya
jis ne
tujhko kabhi na khaaya
un ne
mazaa kabhi na paaya
un ne
mazaa kabhi na paaya

tum kya jaano kyaa
tum kya jaano kyaa
aaloo hai
aaloo hai
aaloo hai

saalan mein bataate hain
haan saalan mein bataate hain
haan chheelo chheelo
haan chheelo chheelo
———————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————

सालन में बटाटे हैं
सालन में बटाटे हैं
हाँ छीलो छीलो
छीलो छीलो
सालन में बटाटे हैं
सालन में बटाटे हैं

चल चल री छुरी चल
चल चल री छुरी चल
छीलना तेरा काम
खाना मेरी शान
छीलना तेरा काम
खाना मेरी शान

जिसने तुझे खा लिया वो जग को सुना दे
जिसने तुझे खा लिया वो जग को सुना दे
हाँ सबको सुना दे
हाँ सबको सुना दे
दुनिया है पानी मुझे इक बार पिला दे
दुनिया है पानी मुझे इक बार पिला दे
आहे वार बटाटे
वार बटाटे
आहे वार बटाटे
वार बटाटे

तू हिन्द का रहबर
तू हिन्द का रहबर
ज़ूरत का तू परवर
ज़ूरत का तू परवर
जिस ने
तुझको कभी ना खाया
जिस ने
तुझको कभी ना खाया
उस ने
मज़ा कभी ना पाया
उस ने
मज़ा कभी ना पाया

तुम क्या जानो क्या
तुम क्या जानो क्या
आलू है
आलू है
आलू है

सालन में बटाटे हैं
हाँ सालन में बटाटे हैं
हाँ छीलो छीलो
हाँ छीलो छीलो