Phool bagiyaa moree aanaa
Posted on: February 26, 2025
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 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.
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Today’s song is from the film Bhabhi-1938.
The film was made by Bombay Talkies,Bombay. It was directed by a German – Franz Osten. The music was composed by Saraswati Devi for the songs written by J.S.Casshyap. The cast included Renuka Devi (Begum Khursheed Mirza), P.Jairaj, Meera (Muriel Alexander), Maya Devi, Peethawala, V.H.Desai, Rama Shukul, Lalita Deulkar (later, wife of Sudhir phadke, MD) and many others.
Bombay Talkies was established on 22-6-1934, by the enterprising couple – Himanshu Rai and Devika Rani, as a Public Limited Company, with shares in the open market. Both of them had acting experience in England and Germany. While coming to India from the U.K., they decided to establish an uptodate film studio in Bombay, on the lines of British studios. They recruited many Germans in the various departments like Direction, Cinematography and technical side. They also invited a friend- Niranjan Pal, from England to work as a writer. Himanshu Rai died in 1940. Devika Rani sold her shares and left Bombay Talkies in 1945 and after making 40 films, the studio breathed its last on 13-11-1953, opening again for a while, for its last film Baadbaan-1954 as a last resort, by its ex-employees, to keep it alive, but in vain.
The director, Franz Osten, surprisingly, without having any knowledge of Hindi, directed 16 films. All the Germans in Bombay Talkies were arrested and interned at Igatpuri jail, when the II world war started in 1939. Bombay Talkies made simple films. They never tried some ‘out of the Box’ ideas in their film stories like the other studios like Prabhat, Ranjit, Sagar or Minerva. Many new stars were introduced by Bombay Talkies, like Ashok Kumar, Renuka Devi, Rama Shukul, Urmila, Ranjana, V.H.Desai, Peethawala, Mumtaz Ali, Shahzadi, Hansa Wadkar, Maya Devi, Mira Mishra etc. Bhabhi -1938 was Renuka devi’s second film. In her first film – Jeevan prabhat-1937, opposite another new entrant Kishore Sahu, Renuka did not sing any songs, but in her second film Bhabhi-1938, she sang 6 Solo songs comfortably.
1938 was an interesting year in the early life of the Talkie films. The film making studios had firm footing with a studio system and they tried a variety of subjects in their films. In the 88 Hindi films produced in 1938, one finds almost every Genre of film subjects, except perhaps the usual Folk stories and Historical themes. Comedy, Tragedy, Fiction, Jungle stories, Costume, Socials, Musicals, Mythologicals, you name it and you had it. Content and technical expertise had improved as films on famous novels were made.
Well known studios like Imperial, Sagar, New Theatres, Prabhat, Ranjit, Bombay Talkies, Praksh, Vishnu Cinetone, Huns Pictures, Wadia Movietone, Saroj Movietone etc. were very active bringing out 3 to 4 films each. Huns and Prabhat continued bilingual films in Hindi and Marathi, while New Theatres made Hindi and Bangla films. Many new actors debuted. Many new actors matured and the old scrap from silent films slowly disappeared giving way to new entrants. The Imperial film company, which had the honour of making India’s first Hindi Talkie film – Alam Ara in 1931, downed its shutters in 1938. The last of the Southern languages, Malayalam, produced its First Talkie film BALAN in 1938. Film Industry celebrated its Silver Jubilee -from 1913 to 1938 and several programmes were held all over India.
Let us take a look at some of the films of 1938….
ABHAGIN – Debut film of actor Chaman Puri (eldest brother of Madan puri and Amrish Puri)
ADHIKAR – Music Director Timir Baran Bhattacharya. After Independence, he was invited to West Pakistan and East Pakistan to give music to their films. Film Adhikar was on the importance of how bringing up makes a person.
BAGHBAN – Debut film of Ram Avtar
BAHADUR KISAN – First directorial venture of Master Bhagwan. During this film’s making he developed a lasting friendship with C.Ramchandra, who assisted Meer Sahab, the M.D.
BHABHI – Renuka Devi’s second film and first with Jairaj.
BILLI – Based on P.G.Wodehouse novel ” Damsel in Distress”
BRAHMACHARI – Debut film of Minakshi Shirodkar. She appeared in a swimming suit, first time in Hindi films. It created a sensation.
DHARATIMATA – Complete film was shot outdoors. Saigal and Pankaj Mullick created havoc with this musical film. The song ” Duniya rang rangeeli baba’ is still popular.
DIVORCE – Minerva’s film on Husband – Wife relations.
DUNIYA KYA HAI – Lalita Pawar’s production. Based on Tolstoy’s ” Resurrection”.
GRAMOPHONE SINGER – Sagar’s musical with Bibbo and Surendra. Zohrabai sings for the first time for Anil Biswas.
GOPAL KRISHNA – Hit film from Prabhat. Trick scenes were superb.Ram Marathe as Krishna,lifting Govardhan Parvat on a finger produced clapping from the audience for several minutes.
HIMALAY KI BETI – Bhavnani production with Enakshi Rama Rau-his wife.
JAILOR – Minerva’s film on a Psycho-Neurotic person. Remade in the 50’s again.
MERA LADKA – Story of an unwed mother. Marathi and Hindi versions from Prabhat.
MR. X – Stunt film with Rattanbai , from Prakash
NIRMALA – Bombay talkies. Devika rani- Ashok kumar. After this film, the Germans In Bombay talkies, including director Franz Osten were arrested by the British as Nazis and jailed in Igatpuri during the Second World War.
PROF. WAMAN, M.Sc. – Ranjit presents a Sci Fi fiction film about travels into the future.
SAATHI – Durga Khote and Mubarak produced in Hindi and Marathi (as Sawangadi).
STREET SINGER – Saigal’s musical feast from New Theatres.
VASANT BENGALI – Last film from Imperial film co., after 109 Silent films and 52 Talkie films in several languages. Just one year ago, i.e. in 1937 Madon Theatres of Calcutta- once a giant in film production, had closed down with their last film ‘ Zinda Laash’.
One of the actors in this film was Meera. She was an Anglo-Indian. When films started in India, it was difficult to get girls from good families and educated ones. In this situation, many Anglo-Indian, European and jew girls joined the Film Industry. Since the films were still ‘silent’, there was no need to know Hindi or urdu. Further these girls had no qualms for doing romantic scenes or giving kisses on screen. Some of these girls were Ruby Meyers (Sulochana), Iris Gasper (Sabita Devi), Susan Soloman (Phiroza), Esther Abraham (Pramila), Beryl Classen (Madhuri), Florence Ezekiel (Nadira), Muriel Alexander (Meera), Patience Cooper, Violet Cooper, pearl Cooper, Effie Hippolet(Indira Devi), Bonnie Bird (Lalita Devi), Renee Smith (Sita Devi), Winnie Stewert (Manorama) etc.etc.
After the Talkie films started, it was necessary to know how to speak Hindi/Urdu and also know singing. This requirement automatically deleted most Anglo Indian and Jew girls. A famous and popular Silent film actress Sulochana could not be taken for Alam Ara-1931, because she did not know Hindi. Some of the Anglo Indian and Jew girls like Sulochana, Madhuri, Meera and Sabita Devi spent a year learning Hindi and singing to restart their film career. Meera in this film was one such actress.
Meera’s real name was Muriel Alexander. She was born on 10-11-1919. She was from a respectable family. Her father was Superintendent-local Audit in AG’s office. Brother E. Alexander was an All India level cricketer. She passed her Interscience exam from Banaras Hindu University. It was through one Mr. Seal, who was a manager in Adarsh Chitra,she got her first break in the film Dhuandhar-1935. This was the Debut film of Leela Chitnis also. It is not known if she sang any song in that film, as no records are available. My guess is that, besides acting,she must have sung a few songs in that film.
Her name first appears as an actress and singer in the film Bhabhi-38, in which she sang 3 solo songs. from 1935 to 1938,she must have sung many songs, but singers names are not mentioned. Thus many singers’ credit must have been lost in those years.Same case was with Amirbai karnataki also. After Bhabhi,her name appears in Nirmala-38 and vachan-38 in which she sang 1 solo and 3 duets. She acted and sang songs in films of Ranjit, Prakash and Minerva Movietone films.
As per information available Meera acted in Dolti Naiya-34, Dhuandhar-35, Bhabhi-38, Vachan-38, Adhoori Kahani-39, Tatar ka chor-40, Paak Daman-40, Chingari-40, Armaan-42, Meri Duniya-42, Mauj-43, Krishna bhakta Bodana-44, Ji haan-45, Sham Savera-46, Ye hai Duniya-48 and Sansar-51. She only sang in Nirmala-38.
The story of the film Bhabhi-1938 was…..
Kishore Chand(Jairaj) is a good natured young businessman, having a big friend circle. His best friend is dying and Kishore gives him a promise that he will take care of Bimala (Maya Devi), his wife.
Basant dies and Kishore brings Bimala to his house. The society and his parents disapprove of their relationship as brother and sister and they are disowned and thrown out. They rent a house. After a few days, one Mr. Vinay Babu (V.H.Desai) comes as their neighbour with his daughter Renuka(Renuka Devi). Kishore and Renuka fall in love, much to the annoyance of Anupam Babu(Rama Shukul) who too is a suitor for Renuka.There is one more lover. Bela (Meera), a friend of Renuka, also loves Kishore. Anupam spreads foul stories about Bimala and Kishore creating misunderstandings between the lovers. Luckily, Deshbandhu Upadhyaya(Pithawala) , ex-teacher of Kishore helps to clear all misunderstandings and the film ends in Hero-Heroine’s marriage.
Let us now enjoy the 87 year old song from this film, sung by Meera…..
Song- Phool bagiya moree aana (Bhaabhi)(1938) Singer- Miss Meera, Lyricist- Jamuna Swarup Kashyap ‘Natwan’, MD- Saraswati Devi
Lyrics
phool bagiya moree aana
phool bagiya moree aana
haan aana bhanwra rain bhaye
haan aana bhanwra rain bhaye
phool bagiya moree aana
phool bagiya moree aana
paaloon chanda baatee
jaagoon jee bhar raatee
paaloon chanda baatee
jaagoon jee bhar raatee
bhool na jaana preet nibhaana
bhool na jaana preet nibhaana
aana bhanwra rain bhaye
haan aana bhanwra rain bhaye
jo bhanwara tum rain na aaye
praan mera murjhaaye ae
jo bhanwara tum rain na aaye
praan mera murjhaaye
nainan neer bahaana bhanwra
phir se mujhe khilaana
nainan neer bahana bhanwra
phir se mujhe khilaana
bhool na jaana preet nibhaana
bhool na jaana preet nibhaana
aana bhanwra rain bhaye
haan aana bhanwra rain bhaye
phool bagiya moree aana
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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