Archive for the ‘Usha Mangeshkar-Minu Purushottam duet’ Category
Dekha dekha balmaa pyaaraa
Posted on: April 11, 2024
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 Sci-Fi film Gogola-1966. This is the last and final song of the film here.
According to the Internet information available on http://www.geeksforgeeks.org, as on 6-3-2024, the First 10 biggest Cinema industries in the World are….
| Country | Speciality/ strong point |
|---|---|
| Hollywood In USA | Blockbusters, Technology, Cultural Influence |
| Bollywood IN India | Colourful Musical Dramas, Global Appeal |
| Nollywood IN Nigeria | Prolific, Cost Effective, Family and Love Films |
| China | Box Office Revenue, Infrastructure, Production Volume |
| United Kingdom | Historical Epics, Strong Storytelling, Global Presence |
| South Korea | High production Value, Innovative Storytelling, Thrillers |
| France | Artistic Films, New Wave, Film Festivals |
| Japan | Variety of Genres, Aesthetic Innovation, Samurai Epics |
| Italy | Art Cinema, Compelling Storytelling, Visual Flair |
| Russia | Epic Narratives, Historicals, Animation |
From the above data, one can conclude that it is only the Indian industry which provides only entertainment. It was never famous for Innovative stories, Technical advances or Sci Fi films. The entire focus has been and is even today on giving entertainment. However, as I noticed from the last few years, there have been some subtle changes and a lot of films on National issues, National personalities and films highlighting people who mattered in the development of the country have been made and these have received massive support from the viewers, encouraging more such adventures. In due course it surely will reflect on the Indian film industry in the world’s eyes.
The point I wished to make was that the Indian Film Industry (including the regional ones) had never promoted scientific or fictional “hat ke” films. Long back, in the first decade of the talkie films, the first offbeat film I found was WAHAN-1937 by Prabhat Film company. It was a story about a different new planet. Odd looking sets, queer costumes and trick scenes did make the film different from other films. In 1938, there was PROF. WAMAN M.Sc., where a scientist makes a vaccine which sends people into the future. It was made by Ranjit Cinetone. Film KHWAAB KI DUNIYA-1937 was a better Sci Fi film, based on ” The Invisible Man” by H.G.Wells. Prakash Pictures had taken efforts to make it look almost real. Babubhai Mistri’s trick scenes had earned him the title of “Kala Dhaga” in the industry. Then there was a film in 1947 AAJ AUR KAL, based on a story of a future city. The 1957 film MR. X was one of the best Sci Fi films.
Film GOGOLA-1966 was one film which was a reluctant Sci Fi film. It was a story of a giant Sea monster, a-la KING KONG style. I had seen this film, but I had felt that it was a very poor effort. In those days, I had seen the best Sci Fi films of Hollywood and Japan, so I was disappointed.
In the month of August 2017, I received an email from someone called Kelly Robinson, who was a researcher in Hollywood on Horror films and allied subjects. The writer wanted to know the information from me on the film Gogola-1966. I am yet to know how this person knew my name. Perhaps someone told him about me or he must have visited this Blog. Anyway, I wrote back to him giving the film story and all other details which I had. After an year or so, I was informed that my information on Gogola-1966 was used and published with my name in the book “Gods, Monsters and Lucky Peach”. I tried hard but could never get a copy of that book. So much about the International trip of this film !
This film was directed by Balwant Dave and the cast included Azaad, Tabassum (in one of the few C grade films where she was the Heroine),Polson, Nayampalli, Habib etc. Balkavi Bairagi wrote the songs and a pair of Roy-Frank gave the music. While this was the first film of Balkavi as a Lyricist and the last film of Balwant Dave as a Director, for the MD pair of Roy-Frank this was the First and the last film together ! Frank had been working as an assistant to Kalyanji-Anandji before and after Gogola, Roy (real name Mukund Rai Trivedi) had no connection with the film industry. He was the producer of this film and due to his interest in music, he got hold of Frank and made up a pair. Mukund Rai was the son of a rich businessman in M.P. The family was into Mining business. After this film Mukund Rai also joined his family business and became very rich. Later on he also became a Congress M.P. from M.P.
The story of the film Gogola-1966 was….
Asha(Tabassum),Kumar(Azad) and friends are terrified seeing a gigantic Sea Monster coming out of the sea,known as GOGOLA,while picnicking on a Bombay beach.They run away to police who do not believe them.
Asha’s father (Nayampally) is a scientist who is indebted to Lachhoo(Habib),due to loans taken to discover medicine for Heart attack.Asha is a club dancer and Lachhoo is after her,hence Kumar and Lachhoo become enemies.
Gogola comes to town,kills people and breaks buildings and other structures in Bombay,thereby flooding it.Asha’s father develops a poison for Gogola and Kumar goes to the bottom of sea to inject it to Gogola.Lachhoo tries to kill him in the sea,but Kumar injects Gogola.Before dying, Gogola obliges Kumar by killing Lachhoo.
Kumar gets reward from the Police and Asha from her father…marriage with Kumar !
Today’s song is sung by Usha Mangeshkar and Minu Purushottam.
How does it feel like, losing one’s identity and getting known as a sister of ,not One but Two Celebrities ? For Usha Mangeshkar this is no more a tag problem because after more than 400 films and over 600 songs in a span of 60+ years, she has earned her own place amongst the female singers of Repute !
Born on 15th December 1935, at Sangli, Usha is the fdourth and the youngest sister of Mangeshkars. The line up is very regular-exactly 2 year’s difference in the ages of the siblings-
| Name of Mangeshkar sibling | Year of birth |
|---|---|
| Lata | 1929 |
| Meena | 1931 |
| Asha | 1933 |
| Usha | 1935 |
| Hridaynath | 1937 |
When master Deenanath died in 1942, Lata, all of 13 years, had to act and sing in films to earn money for the family. Meena, not so keen on singing, chose to stay at home and look after the Mother and young Usha and Hridaynath. Asha joined her sister in acting, singing and earning money for the family. Usha was just 7 year old, so she too remained at home. Besides singing, she was interested in Painting, so she took lessons from the famous painter of those days, M.R.Achrekar. In addition, she also continued learning Music from Pt.Tulsidas Sharma,K. Mahavir and Sushant maharaj.
When Asha left suddenly and went away-in 1948- with Ganpatrao Bhosle, double her age, the family got a terrible jolt. The financial responsibility now fell only on Lata Mangeshkar. At the age of 19 years, Usha decided to start earning herself by singing in films and C. Ramchandra gave her a break with a song “Bhaabhi aayi ” from ‘Subah ka Tara’-1954. Her very first song became so popular that she was flooded with children’s song offers. Her next popular song was “Aplam chaplam chap laayi re ” from Azaad, also by C.Ramchandra.
Thus started her journey of film singing. It is to the credit of her sisters, Lata and Asha that they sang duets with her in plenty. In fact for Usha Mangeshkar, her solo songs are not even half of her duets in her career. By 1970, Usha was well known as a singer through her efforts.
In 1975, came the biggest hit song of her career. It was “Main to aarti utaaroon re Santoshi maata ki ” from the film JAI SANTOSHI MAA-1975. Written by Kavi Pradeep and set to tune by MD C.Arjun. This and other songs of this film sung by Usha, became a rage and till today they are the most popular songs sung by her.
“Jai Santoshi Maa” was produced by Shri Satram Rohera, a producer/Director, who was in trouble after his maiden venture ” Rocky mera naam”-73 bombed miserably. Bringing together a team of not so popular actors, director and MD, he produced this low budget film ” JAI SANTOSHI MAA”-in 1975. With this film making history of success his luck changed so much that, I am sure, he must have done the Santoshi Mata Vrat all through his life !
The success of this film also brought accolades to its MD, C. Arjun and Usha Mangeshkar. Usha Mangeshkar not only got ‘The best Playback singer’s award from Bengal Film Journalists Association, but got a nomination for Film fare award also .
After this film, there was no looking back for her. She was always the choice for Item songs like “Mungdaa Mungdaa main gud ki dalli ” etc. Another achievement for her was her foray into Marathi film singing. She was the most favourite singer of Dada Kondke for all his Jubilee films and all her songs became popular too. She must have sung at least 200 songs in Marathi.
By 1957, Meena got married. Asha was also away again, first with O P Nayyar and then with R D Burman. Usha had to look after Mai, their old mother and her younger brother Hridaynath, managing the entire Mangeshkar family and household. In all this there was no time to get married. Like her eldest sister, Usha also remained Unmarried.
Despite singing so many songs in so many films, Usha NEVER got any Filmfare award for her Hindi songs. For her Marathi songs, of course she got many honours and awards.
The voice of Usha is totally different from Lata or Asha. It is tilting towards shrillness, a sharp, a high pitch voice which has a strange attraction power.
From 1954 onward, she carried two heavy burdens- one that of looking after their old mother and the entire family and Two, a permanent stamp of “sister of Lata /Asha”. But she is not complaining. She says-‘It is an honour for me to be recognised as Lata and Asha’s sister. They are icons in the Hindi film industry. Comparatively my contribution is nothing. Further I prefer remaining in the background only.’
With Usha looking after their homes, the Mangeshkar family members had no worry about the home and they could concentrate on their work freely. Usha could not do justice to her Painting. However, some of her Paintings were showcased in some Art galleries a few times.
Usha is nearing 90 years now. She is not very active, but we will always remember her famous songs from films like, Rajhath, Main nashe mein hoon, Guest House, Grihasthi, Mera qasoor kya hai, Chitralekha, Dus lakh, Pyar kiye jaa(O meri Maina), Pyar Muhabbat, Taqdeer, Beti, Jeene ki raah, Khatta Meetha, Shaan, Shama etc. Usha Mangeshkar produced 2 Marathi films and gave music to one of them. She has sung songs in Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Gujrati, Assamese, Odia, Bangla, Telugu,Tamil etc.
My Salute to Usha Mangeshkar, who epitomises the true Indian woman- sacrificing for the family, looking after Home and when needed,earning for family.
With today’s song being the last and the final song of this film, the film becomes YIPPEED, with all its songs covered.
Song- Dekha dekha balma pyaara(Gogola)(1966) Singers-Usha Mangeshkar, Minu Purushottam, Lyricist- Balkavi Bairagi, MD – Roy-Frank
Both
Lyrics
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
balma pyaara sajna pyaara
chhaliya pyaara rasiya pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
chaand sa gora bematwaala(?)
chaand sa gora bematwaala(?)
ras ka lobhi man ka kaala
chal hat toone kya keh daala
chal hat toone kya keh daala
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
balma pyaara sajna pyaara
chhaliya pyaara rasiya pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
main kya uska roop bakhaanoon
main kya uska roop bakhaanoon
jaanoon ree jaanoon
sab kuchch jaanoon
batiyaan tori main na maanoon
batiyaan tori main na maanoon
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
balma pyaara sajna pyaara
chhaliya pyaara rasiya pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
dekha dekha balma pyaara
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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