This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusaist 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 other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
Blog Day :
4299
Post No. :
15558
Today’s song is from film Bharat Milap-1942. It is sung by G M Durani and the music is by Shankar Rao Vyas, for lyrics written by Pt.Indra.
Few years back, I remember, Dr. Surjit Singh ji had published a list of 7000 names of actors, who had acted in films from the beginning till up to the year 2000. He had found this list on a site which was no more existing. I had meticulously copied that list on my Laptop, in the year 2010. Since then, I have changed my Laptop 3 times and now I do not find this list with me anymore. God knows when it got deleted or was left out uncopied, sometime.
Of course, that is not the point at all. I wonder how so many people joined an industry which did not provide any security, nor did it assure continuous earnings. Leave aside the stigma of working in” films” in olden times, but this industry neither had permanent jobs nor a fixed income. Take a look at any film-Silent or Talkie-only a handful people were credited. Later in the Talkie films, this list became larger. One can see this in any volume of HFGK of 30s or 40s. But then, if you exclude the names which got repeated in films, the total list of actors may not cross 2-3 thousand,perhaps.
Barring the main and known actors, most other actors are not even identifiable for the general public. Names without faces! Such actors constitute the bulk of numbers in the industry. If you take a look at the cast of a film, more than half of names are unknown or known by only repeat value in many films. These names have no faces. Information about them is not available in any books. They remain only names, replaced by other names after few years. The extras or junior artistes who are seen on screens in many scenes, throughout the film are also members of the industry.
There are some groups on Fb, who have experts among them. These people keep on identifying obscure faces on screen scenes and name them. One glaring crusader in these specialists is M N SARDANA ji, who writes short notes about almost unknown actors seen on the screen as judges,lawyers, police inspectors, beggars, villain cronies and people in such insignificant roles. Hats off to him and people like SANDEEP PAHAWA ji, whose comments are lapped up by readers. I may be one of the dedicated readers of their notes and comments on Fb.
Like any other language, there are writers and authors in Marathi too, who write on old films and old actors etc from the vintage Hindi films. One such author calls himself ” Babu Moshoi “. His articles are published regularly in newspapers, magazines etc. He has written several books. His real name is Hemant Desai. Another such writer in Hindi and Gujarati is Vithal Pandya. I have many such books in my library. Through these books I get to know old actors and their information, sometimes. I get surprised at many names as I read about some names about whom I had never known. For example, do you know who did King Dashrath’s role in films Bharat Milap-42 and Ramrajya-43, or the role of Kanva Muni in film Shakuntala-43 ? Who was the actress in Kaushalya’s role in Ramrajya-43 or Ram Vivah-49 ?
This actor was I.T.Nimbalkar and this actress was Shanta Kothari (nee Shanta Kumari). These were artistes from Silent film era, spilled over the Talkie films. They started as Hero and Heroine, but shifted to character roles, as the time went by. In our film industry, such cases are not new. In fact such type of actors who remained practically unknown to later generations of audiences, were highly respected by film people during shootings. Their seniority and work was respected.
This is a very good practice in the industry, by directors and other actors to give respect to old timers. Raj Kapoor used to send his car to fetch Bhudo Advani for shootings of film Boot Polish scenes. Hrishikesh Mukherjee kept special chair for Master Shiraz, during the shooting of film Guddi. He also ensured to feature Shiraz in the film credits. These are only samples to stress what I have said. Not every such matter is published but it is a special feature of the industry.
I try to gather information on such unknown and forgotten artistes and write on them. Not everytime I am successful, but I have written about many such actors, directors, MDs etc. Some of them are Omkar Devaskar, Zunzar rao pawar, Ganapat rao Bakare, Shankar rao Vazare, Naseem Junior, Shamim Jr, Altaf, Urmila, Ranjana, kusum Deshpande, Vasant rao Thengadi, Jamshed ji etc etc. Today, we will know more about one such old time actor who was prolific and worked in films of Bombay and Calcutta.
I.T.Nimbalkar aka Indurao T. Nimbalkar ( he was always credited as only ‘ Nimbalkar ‘ in all films) was born on 6-12-1893, in Kolhapur state. This was the time Kolhapur was slowly developing as Kalapur (hub of arts) and the seeds of film making were being planted there. Baburao Painter, one of the original film makers had started his ” Maharashtra Film Company” on 1-12 1917.
Baburao, Damle, Fattelal etc were taught painting By Anandrao painter, who was an extraordinary painter of those times. All these people, along with V Shantaram, Keshavrao Dhaiber and few more also joined Baburao painter’s Maharashtra Film company. True that, film making had started even earlier in Maharashtra, but Baburao painter is credited with making films a form of art and spreading it on a larger canvas of India.
Indurao Nimbalkar grew up in this atmosphere in Kolhapur. He passed his Matriculation exam and also did a diploma in Printing. Nimbalkar was six feet tall and had a good physique. He was expert in riding, swimming and wrestling. He did 1000 sit-ups every day. Shahu maharaj, the king of Kolhapur encouraged all arts as well as development of lower castes. Arya Samaj had a ‘ Gurukul’ in Kolhapur. Impressed with Nimbalkar’s education and body, Shahu ji appointed him as Editor of the weekly ‘ Arya’ and secretary of Gurukul.
One day Baburao Painter, along with assistant V Shantaram visited his press and offered Nimbalkar a role in his proposed film Sairandhri. Shahu maharaj also permitted and encouraged him ,so Nimbalkar joined the film line. He was already famous due to his fiery editorials and now people came to see his shootings too. However, due to money shortage, the film did not complete. ( It was later made in 1919, but with different cast. V Shantaram made coloured Sairandhri in 1933 with Nimbalkar again).
Nimbalkar acted in many silent films like Baji Deshpande, Khazanchi (directed by Moti gidwani- England returned), Lanka, Kismet (directed by Baburao Patel) etc etc. After the closure of Maharashtra F. Co., Nimbalkar was invited by V Shantaram to do Vishvamitra’s role in its first Talkie film ” Ayodhya ka Raja” -1932, in Hindi and Marathi. After this, he did Jalti Nishani-32, Sairandhri-33, Maya Machhindra, Sinhagadh etc.
After this, Nimbalkar went to Calcutta on invitation and worked in films made by Radha Films, Laxmi Studios, Devdatta films and New Theatres. From 1934 to 1938, he acted in 12 Hindi films. He was provided a Bungalow, car with driver, servants etc. His son studied in local school there. Returning to Bombay he worked as an assistant director to Keshavrao Dhaiber for film ‘Nandkumar’, made by his Jayashree Films. Next 2 years he shuttled between Calcutta and Bombay. He did King Dashrath’s role in Prakash films’ Bharat Milap-42 and Ramrajya-43 in this period.
He was invited by V Shantaram for acting in his first film under banner of Rajkamal- Shakuntala-43. Nimbalkar did the role of Kanva Muni in it. He later also acted in Jeevan yatra, Subah ka tara, Parchhain, Teen batti char rasta, Toofan aur Diya, Z Z Payal baje. Earlier he did Aapki sewa mein, prarthana,Nal Damayanti, Seedha Rasta, Gokul, Apna Ghar, Maharathi karna, Seeta Swayamvar. He worked in pyasa, Mera Naam Joker, Amar prem etc etc. From 1928 to 1970 he acted in over 250 films.
His wife Sushila was also educated and looked after his home and children. She never visited any sets in her life time. Nimbalkar died on 17-1-1973 at Kolhapur. (Thanks to an article in book Chandraat-चांदरात by Babu moshoi)
Film Bharat Milap-42 was directed by Vijay Bhatt (12-5-1907 to 17-10-1993). The film was made under their own banner Prakash Films. Prakash Studios was built in 1934 at Andheri. The first film to be made there was ‘Actress’ (Bambai ki Mohini), written and produced by Vijay Bhatt. The famed torch of Prakash Pictures continued to shine over decades and in all, 64 films were produced in various genres, in black and white as well as colour.
Vijay Bhatt played an important role in the careers of some major stars. He was the person who gave Mehzabeen (Meena Kumari),the name Baby Meena.
He also gave her the first major heroine’s role in Baiju Bawra-52.Till then she did roles in B and C grade films. O K Dar Kashmiri was given the name ” JEEWAN “, when he did Narad’s role in Bharat Milap. Later he did Narad’s role in over 100 films. Suraiyya got her big singing role in Station Master-42. Manoj Kumar was made hero in Himalaya ki God mein-65.
Today’s song is from film Bharat Milap-42. This was a Bilingual film in Hindi and Marathi(as Bharat-Bhet). Main characters were Prem Adeeb as Ram, Shobhana Samarth as Seeta and Shahu Modak as Bharat. Durga khote was Kaikeyi, Vimla Vashishta was Manthara and Nimbalkar as King Dashrath.
The story of Bharat Milap is too well known and it is to the credit of Bhatt brothers that they kept the story line true to original,supported by several books and curators as well as scholars. This was the first major mythological film of Prakash and they did not spare efforts or money to raise spectacular sets, costumes and war scenes ( when Bharat is attacked by Nishad raja’s army).
It was a delight to see this film. There were no scenes of Miracles. I saw this film in its second run, sometime in the end of 40s, but the memories are still fresh. In fact this film became a benchmark for all subsequent mythological films, in my mind. Shahu Modak, who was Bharat in this film, was popular as Krishna in such films.
Editor’s note:-This song is the 200th song of Pt Indra chandra as a lyricist in the blog.
Song-Raam chale Raam chale ban chale Raam Raghuveer (Bharat Milaap)(1942) Singer-G M Durrani, Lyrics-Pt Indra Chandra, MD-Shankar Rao Vyas
Lyrics
Ram Chale
Ram Chale ae ae ae ae ae
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
kahaan Janaki Janak dulaari
kahaan Janaki Janak dulaari
kahaan laadla Lakshman re
kahaan laadla Lakshman re
jhoole thhe jo phool hindole
jhoole thhe jo phool hindole
aaj chale kantak ban re
aaj chale kantak ban re
ho gayi sooni
aaj Ayodhya aa aa
soona Saryu teer
soona aa aa Saryu teer
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
ban chale Ram Raghuveer
roko o o
koi roko o
rathh roko hey purwaasi
jaate hai punya pravaasi
hote hain kyun banwaasi
hote hain kyun banwaasi
gayi khushi ee ee
aur rahi udaasi
Ram ka rathh kya chalta hai
sab ko ye chakr kuchalta hai
Shree Ram ka rathh kya chalta hai
sab ko ye chakr kuchalta hai
Raghukul ka bhaagya badalta hai
Raghukul ka bhaagya badalta hai
ugta sa suraj dhhalta hai
ugta sa suraj dhhalta hai ae ae
praan chale hain sang Raam ke ae
soona pada shareer
soona pada aa aa shareer
——————————————–
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————
राम चले
राम चले ए ए ए ए
बन चले राम रघुवीर
बन चले राम रघुवीर
बन चले राम रघुवीर
कहाँ जानकी जनक दुलारी
कहाँ जानकी जनक दुलारी
कहाँ लाडला लक्ष्मण रे
कहाँ लाडला लक्ष्मण रे
झूले थे जो फूल हिंडोले
झूले थे जो फूल हिंडोले
आज चले कंटक बन रे
आज चले कंटक बन रे
हो गई सूनी
आज अयोध्या॰॰आ॰॰आ
सूना सरयू तीर
सूना॰॰आ॰॰आ सरयू तीर
बन चले राम रघुवीर
बन चले राम रघुवीर
बन चले राम रघुवीर
रोको ओ ओ
कोई रोको ओ
रथ रोको हे पुरवासी
जाते हैं पुण्य प्रवासी
होते हैं क्यों बनवासी’
होते हैं क्यों बनवासी’
गई खुशी॰॰ई॰॰ई
और रही उदासी
राम का रथ क्या चलता है
सबको ये चक्र कुचलता है
श्री राम का रथ क्या चलता है
सबको ये चक्र कुचलता है
रघुकुल का भाग्य बदलता है
रघुकुल का भाग्य बदलता है
उगता सा सूरज ढलता है
प्राण चले हैं संग राम के
सूना पड़ा शरीर
सूना पड़ा॰॰आ॰॰आ शरीर
Guruji
नमस्कार करते हैं आपकी इस अद्भत ज्ञान का।
And all the research you put in for each and every post, hatsoff!!!!
Amazed! Is the one word for your efforts,
I am blessed to be in the same sphere as you
Another feather in your cap – so beautifully written, one wishes it never ended. But all good things have to end. We eagerly look forward to your next.
About Nimbalkar, I am wondering which role he played in TEEN BATTI CHAR RAASTA? Was it the role of KOKILA’s father?
With sincere best wishes for your well being in these trying times. Understand you are with your daughter these days. Good to know you are in safe hands.
Partha ji,
Thanks for liking this post.
True that I am presently in my daughter’s house, due to lockdown. That is why I am unable to write posts frequently as before,without my library etc.
I do not remember which role Nimbalkar did in Teen batti char rasta.
Thanks again.
-AD
Arun ji,
Every post of yours transports me to the bygone era, most of which I have not had an occasion feel and absorb, Thanks for your efforts to present .
This blog discusses Bollywood songs of yesteryears. Every song has a brief description, followed by a video link, and complete lyrics of the song. This is a labour of love, where “new” songs are added every day, and that has been the case for over SEVENTEEN years. This blog has more than 19700 song posts by now. This blog is active and online for over 6000 days since its beginning on 19 July 2008.
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
April 25, 2020 at 8:54 am
Excellent !
Enjoyed very much.
Thank you very much.
All the best.
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