Mhaari gali maa aav jo
Posted on: July 27, 2013
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
This is a song from film NAMOONA-1949, sung by Lata Mangeshkar with music by C Ramchandra.
1949 was the begining of Lata-C Ramchandra friendship which lasted perhaps till she sang for him in Bahurani-1963. From Girls school 49 to Bahurani-63, the Lata-C Ramchandra partnership gave us a feast of lovely, memorable and very melodious songs.
Lata sang 295 songs for C Ramchandra, out of which 196 were solos and 41 were duets with Chitalkar. Initially, Lata sang only in chorus or with other singers for C Ramchandra. It was only in Namoona-49 that she sang her FIRST solo with C Ramchandra and we will listen to that song today-Mhaari gali ma aav jo. Just listen to Lata’s fresh, undiluted and pure voice and you will understand why Lata went to the TOP so fast.
In the journey to the Top, Lata needed many and later she ” used” many, but that is a different story altogether.
LATA MANGESHKAR is a Great Artist. I know I am not telling anything new and the whole world knows it. The more I read about Lata, the more I respect her. I strongly believe that Great people are for the public for their public reasons. What I mean is-Gandhi ji was great for his politics, Lata is great for her singing, Nehru was great for his foresight etc. What they are in private lives-good or bad things-does not lower their stature nor their greatness. It is Human to peep into the private lives of great people, but I feel it should not be allowed to overshadow their talents for which they are considered Great.
Lata Mangeshkar being a phenomena, so much has been written about her that one would think that nothing new will come out now. It is not true. Every time she gives an Interview or some new Biography comes out, many hidden anecdotes and bits of new information emerges. Plus, other musicians of her times, from time to time, go on revealing unheard stories-from their angles.
Lata was born on 28-9-1929 to Master Deenanath and Shudhamati(Shevanta). She was the oldest amongst her siblings and due to early demise of her father, had to start earning from the age of 5 year, by working in Marathi dramas.
Her original name was HEMA, but later it was changed to Lata, based on a character “Latika” in a Marathi drama-‘Bhavbandhan’. Their actual surname was HARDIKAR. So in effect she was HEMA HARDIKAR. However her father changed their surname to Mangeshkar to retain a link with their hometown MANGESHI in Goa.( on the site jointscene.com, she is always referred and credited as Hema Hardikar only, even now).
Lata won several awards and honours from Government and social bodies, the major being- Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Bharat Ratna, besides hundreds of others.
Lata has sung about 5250 songs till 1991. She sang in 36 Languages, Indian and foreign. This is yet another record for her.
Lata has sung for 165 Music Directors in 1825 films. There are 3341 solos, 1424 duets with Males, 244 duets with Females and 48 songs with multiple singers.
(All the above statistics are by Dr.Surjit Singh ji on RMIM-Thank you Sir ji.).
Very few people would know that this great Artist has never gone to any school !
When she was very young she went to a school. The teacher appreciated her song. Next day Lata carried younger sister Asha to the school. The teacher was very angry, scolded them and threw them out. Lata was very annoyed- daughters of Master Deenanath insulted like this ? She never ever attended any school after that. It is presumed her mother taught her reading and writing at home.
In one Interview she tells about an incident at Calcutta-
” This is a story of late 50s. There was an programme in Calcutta. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was also to sing there. once the programme started, the crowd started shouting- LATA-LATA-WE WANT LATA. I was embarrassed. To sing before Ustad ji was out of question. The crowd was restless and the organisers also started requesting me. Finally, Ustad bade Ghulam Ali Khan himself told me,” Jao beti Gaao tum pehle”. I sang few songs. Then Khan saab went on stage and was about to start when the Calcutta public again started shouting Lata-Lata. I went on the stage and sat in one corner and Khansab sang . After the function I took the organisers to task and fired them why they called Khan saab to face a cine-mad public and insulted him. ”
There are 3 types of artistes in Film Industry-
1. Those who struggle hard and still do not succeed in spite of having Talent like C Arjun, Mohd.Shafi, Daan Singh, Sardar Malik etc.
2. Those who do not have to struggle and yet are famous and successful-like Ashok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Dev Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Noor jehan etc. and
3. Those who have to struggle and become famous and successful-like Lata and Rafi etc.
Lata came from a small town. She had no God Father in film industry, but due to her Divine voice, far sighted composers like Ghulam Hyder gave her opportunities. To reach such composers also Lata needed help. In those circumstances, Mangeshkar’s family friend Master Vinayak helped them in general and Lata in particular to get her established in Hindi films. Datta Davjekar and D.C.Dutt also played their parts. Recently I read an article which gives details of efforts by Master Vinayak( Nanda’s father) to help Lata get entry into Hindi films. Lata never forget this help by master Vinayak in the initial struggling period. Here is the article-
” Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28 1929 in the Holkar city of Indore. Her father Dinanath initially tutored her in music. Lata’s childhood was less stable. After Master Dinanath’s death, she was adopted by Vinayak Damodar Karnataki, a close personal friend of the Mangeshkar family, godfather to the 5 siblings, and a rather famous moviemaker in his own right (better known as Master Vinayak, and also father of movie star Nanda). Master Vinayak would play a key role in helping Lata and Asha get started with their careers.
Lata was taught by a series of accomplished musicians. She was still a child oblivious to the machinations of the movie world and still unsure as to her real mission in life. She could be a singer or an actress. Indeed, as the tradition was at the time, Lata did act and sing for movies. Lata acted her last movie role in the early ’50s.
In 1942, Master Vinayak started his last Navyug Chitrapat movie Pahili Managalagaur, and ensured a bit part for 13-year old Lata. This, from all records, is Lata’s first stint with movies. Dada Chandekar created the music, but to the best of anyone’s knowledge, there was no Lata in any of the songs.
Master Vinayak started Pahili Managalagaur and wanted Lata to sing, but he could not finish it. However, he succeeded with Vasant Joglekar, a script-writer/assistant director at Navyug to get Lata sing for Kiti Hasaal. Finally, one day, music director Sadashivrao Nevrekar brought the shy 13-year old into the recording studio. The Marathi song “Naachu Ya Gade Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhari ” stands as Lata’s first recording. The movie was Kiti Hasaal, and the year was 1942. The song never saw the light of day. But Master Vinayak at least sensed that the foundation had been laid for a new standard in good female singing.
In the 1942-43 period, Master Vinayak launched Prafulla Pictures, his third and last motion picture studio. He would make 6 movies under this banner. Additionally, he would direct one movie under Shantaram’s Rajkamal Kalamandir, and he would also act in Shantaram’s Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani. Of the 7 total movies created by the Master in the remaining 4 years of his life (1943-47), the first 3 were Marathi productions, and the remaining Hindi. All 7 movies made during the 1943-48 period were to star Lata Mangeshkar, although not in particularly significant roles. Thus, before he departed, Master Vinayak made sure that Lata’s entry into Bombay’s Hindi medium, if not clear, was at least visible and within reach. The rest would be up to her. In his scheme of things, his beautiful goddaughter was destined to be a great movie star and a great singer. Right or wrong, that was his belief, and he tried everything within his power to lay that groundwork.
In 1945, the script-writer/director Vasant Joglekar was now directing the Hindi movie Aap Ki Sewa Mein. The movie took more than 2 years to get released, but its place in history was secured when Datta Davjekar announced the successful recording of Paa Lagoon Kar Jori Re, Shyam Mo Se Na Khelo Hori Re the first released Lata song for any Indian movie in any language. Master Vinayak set the stage for Badi Maa starring Noor Jehan with other big stars – and at the bottom of the list entered Lata and Asha Mangeshkar. Datta Koregaonkar did the music. Badi Maa has one of the best collection of Noor Jehan songs in a single movie. And hidden among these Noor Jehan gems, there is a beautiful devotional song sung by Lata, Maata Tere Charnon Mein. The piece almost went unnoticed, almost more because an almost unknown little girl called Lata Mangeshkar and an even lesser known 12-year old sang it called Asha Mangeshkar. Maata Tere Charnon Mein came close to making history. It was almost the first Lata recording to be released. Datta Davjekar just edged past it with his own Aap Ki Sewa Mein.
In 1946, Master Vinayak would direct his second Hindi movie. Subhadra that introduced Lata Mangeshkar to Vasant Desai, a mainstream Music Director of Shantaram’s Rajkamal Kalamandir. Singer-actress Shanta Apte sings a beautiful duet with Lata – Main Khili Khili Phulwaari. In 1946, Master Vinayak finished the last moviesof his life, Jeevan Yaatra, a Rajkamal production, set to music by Vasant Desai, and enacted by an ensemble of big names like Nayantara, Yakub, Pratima Devi and of course, one small name – Lata Mangeshkar with her solo Chidiya Bole Choo Choo. Her solo “Chidiya Bole Choo Choo” is now an antique – a rare gem that would make any collector proud. In 1946, Mandir was another Master Vinayak movie, completed after his death by Dinkar Dattajirao Patil, in which Lata would act and sing as well with music by Vasant Desai.
Lata’s Vasant Desai movies, her Datta Koregaonkar connection, and her exposure to Rajkamal Kalamandir had all collectively made an impact. She was known in some circles as the little girl with some promise, but none were willing to take a chance on her, except Ghulam Haider. It was in 1948 when Master Haider worked hard to get Lata her first few breaks. Three movies are notable in this range – Majboor, Padmini and Shaheed. The Majboor song “Dil Mere Todaa, Hai Mujhe Kisi Ka Na Chhoda ” is a classic. Also, the Padmini song “Bedard Tere Dard Ko Seene Se Lagaa Ke” became popular.
Now Anil Biswas and Khemchand Prakash were active who wanted a classic, well-modulated voice that would never stray into savage territory. Her song of the Bombay Talkies film Mahal (1949) – “Aaega Aaega Aane Waala”, was composed by the late Khemraaj Prakaash. This song had already swept over the whole of India and made her the voice of the time. She received her first proper named credit under her own name in actor/director Raj Kapoor’s film Barsaat (1949). At the same time, Naushad and C Ramchandra picked up on this voice. Lata needed no more help. Ghulam Haider’s job was done. He finished the job where Master Vinayak left. For Lata Mangeshkar, the rest of history is on record. With everything in the world going her way starting 1948, there was no stopping for Lata Mangeshkar. In 1950, she teamed up again with Dinkar Patil and actually scored the music for his movie Ram Ram Pahune. She joined Dinkar Patil to found Surel Productions in 1952 and produced Wadal(1953). Datta Koregaonkar, made Daaman, Gumashta and Rishta, all to be sung largely by Lata Mangeshkar. Lata did her last acting role in the Hindi-Marathi dual release, the C. Ramchandra-scored Chhatrapati Shivaji. She never acted again, or scored music under her original name. The reign of the Greatest Female Playback Singer to rule the Indian film playback singing for the next more than four decades had begun. ”
Let us now see Cuckoo’s dance and hear Lata’s voice in C Ramchandra’s music…..
Song-Mhaari gali ma aao jo (Namoona)(1949) Singer-Lata, Lyrics-PL Santoshi, MD-C Ramchandra
Lyrics
Mhaari gali maa aao jo
mhaari gali maa aao jo re
soorat waala sethiya
O aji soorat waala sethiya
O o poona waala sethiya
mhaari gali maa aao jo aao jo aao jo
barson se sun rahi teri kahaani
O teri kahaani
barson se sun rahi teri kahaani
O teri kahaani
tu hai akela nahin koi raani
nahin koi raani
manne ?? sunaao jo
manne ?? sunaao jo re
soorat waala sethiya
O aji soorat waala sethiya
O o poona waala sethiya
mhaari gali ma aao jo aao jo aao jo
kehte hain teri hazaaron dukaanen
hamen ek de de
ho o
hamen ek de de to ham bhi jaanen
kehte hain teri hazaaron dukaanen
hamen ek de de
ho o
hamen ek de de to ham bhi jaanen
moti nishaani apaao jo
manne moti nishaani apaao jo re
soorat wala sethiya
O aji soorat wala sethiya
O o poona wala sethiya
mhaari gali ma aao jo aao jo aao jo
Mumbai mein sair karaao jo
manne Mumbai mein sair karao jo re
Soorat waala sethiya
o aji soorat wala sethiya
o O poona waala sethiya
mhaari gali ma aao jo re
soorat wala sethiya
O aji soorat wala sethiya
O o poona wala sethiya
mhaari gali maa aao jo aao jo aao jo
9 Responses to "Mhaari gali maa aav jo"
July 27, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Arunji’
A duet by Lata and Snehaprabha Pradhan in Pahili Mangalagaur (1942) can be heard at http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com. Pl try.
D Samant
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July 28, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Arunji,
This song is NATALI CHAITRACHI NAVALAEE.
DS
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July 28, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Samant ji,
I already have bothe songs with me.
Thanks.
-AD
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July 28, 2013 at 11:05 am
Wonderful post and a good song rendered in the beautiful voice of Lata Mangeshkar in her 20’s. Thanks for the copious information and the wonderful song.
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July 28, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Arunji,
Thank you for taking us to pre-historic period of Lataji. I would never have known this detail otherwise.
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July 28, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Arunji, thank you very much for all the info. You amaze me every time, you are such storehouse of information!!
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July 29, 2013 at 11:46 am
Arunji,
Thanks for the post. Its sort of a mini-biography with so many details. 196 solos for CR. How I wish I could get all these songs in one folder.
We should consider ourselves fortunate to be sharing an epoch with the living legend.
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November 15, 2013 at 4:53 pm
OMG. Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh is an encyclopedia that walks!
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
July 27, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Arunji
Thanks for the superb post. Lots of info to mull over.
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