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 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.

Today’s song is from the film Daaman-51. The film was produced by M.R. aka Madhukar Rajaram Navalkar, under the banner of his own Madhukar pictures. Surprisingly, the film was directed by Nanabhai aka Yashwant aka Batukbhai Bhatt, who mostly directed Stunt or Mythological films. He did few Social films also. He was the father of Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt.

Daaman was a Social film like any other film, but it became famous for its Music. Lata Manageshkar, who was favoured by the Music Director K.Datta, in his Marathi films, sang some of her memorable songs like ‘ Tirulilla, Tirulilla ‘ and ‘ Chakori ka Chanda se pyar ‘. film Daaman also became a Historical milestone as it featured the First ever duet of the sisters Lata and Asha ” ye ruki ruki hawaen ‘. Out of the 10 songs of the film Lata featured in 5 songs, with 3 solos and 2 duets.

Song ‘ Tirulilla Tirulilla ‘ became the First ever song in which the singer-Lata- takes her own name like ” Gaaye Lata Gaaye Lata “. Later, Kishore Kumar repeated this feat in his famous song ” Khush hai zamana, aaj Pahli taarikh hai ” from film ‘ Pahli Taarikh ‘-54, in which he took his own name. Still later Lata repeated her feat again in the song ” Ye tanhai haay re” from film ‘ Tere ghar ke saamne’-1963, in which she takes her own name. Besides these, I am not aware of any other song- other than these 3 songs, in which the singer takes his/her own name. If any reader has information, please let us know.

K. Datta was one Music Director who was completely besotted with Noorjehan’s voice. He was so much involved in her songs that after Noorjehan migrated to Pakistan, for some time Datta felt as if his inspiration was lost. Though he supported Lata in his music, he could never come out of the Noorjehan’s aura.

K. Datta or Datta Korgaonkar aka D.P.Korgaonkar alias Anna saheb, was born in Sawantwadi in Konkan area on 4-6-1908. He grew up learning to sing. His mother was a Bhajan singer. He started singing on stage during Ganesh utsav melas. He formed a Music school, ” Gayan Kala Mandir”, along with another singer Sadashiv Nevrekar. When Nevrekar became a Music Director, he also decided to become one and closed the school.

He was called to Kolhapur in 1937 to give music to a Marathi film, made by General Films of Siraj Ali Hakeem- Chandrarao Morey’-38. His first break in Hindi came in 1939 with Mera Haq (Hindi and Marathi),followed by Alakh Niranjan-40 (Hindi and Marathi), Geeta-40 ( in Hindi and Marathi) and Yaad-42.

He first came face to face with Noorjehan in Naadaan-43. He was simply mesmerised with her voice and singing style. He composed 7 songs for Noorjehan. After doing Zameen-43 and Maharathi Karna-44, he again composed 4 songs for Noorjehan in film Badi Maa-45. He also gave a break to Lata and Asha to sing in a chorus with Noorjehan. It is very sad that initially, K.Datta’s name was not mentioned on the 78 RPM records of Badi Maa. Only on the ‘re-issue’ records his name came up.

His other films were Yateem-45,Shaahkaar-47,Rangmahal-48,meri kahani-48,Daaman-51,Gumaasta-51,Rishta-54,Harihar Bhakti-56 and Ajanabi-66. In all K.Datta gave independently music to just 17 films,plus one film Badmash-44, with Khan Mastana. His Marathi films were 12 from 1938 to 1965. After retirement in 1965,he spent his time in Bhakti, Pooja and Astrology. He used to have a special Pooja every Thursday, when Bhajans were sung. Many composers and other film industry people used to be his visitors. Naushad, C.Ramchandra, Madan Mohan, Sajjad Hussain etc were the regular visitors to Annasaheb. ( Only 3 people in the Hindi film Industry were called Anna Saheb. By coincidence, all 3 were MDs. They were Annasaheb Mainkar, K.Datta and C Ramchandra). He died of heart attack in G.T.Hospital, Bombay, on 23-12-1978.

He was a Noorjehan believer to the core. To date K Datta remains the only top composer from Maharashtra to whom Noorjehan came first, Lata later. No one regretted Partition more than K Datta. Indeed, his creativity seemed to come to an end once Noorjehan left him high and dry by moving, with a song on her lips, to Pakistan. He once said, “Noor Jehan left for Pakistan and took my creativity with her”. The four Noorjehan numbers, as fashioned by K. Datta are historically most important. Because it was hearing and absorbing these four nuggets of Noorjehan, while acting with her in `Badi Maa’, that Lata Mangeshkar learnt to shape her vocal technique. If Lata came to sound a Noorjehan replica for so long, the tonal base for this was laid, just imagine, by a robustly tall Maharashtrian from the ghats called K Datta in `Badi Maa’.The last number of Noorjehan fetched him the ultimate tribute from no less a movie stalwart than Mehboob Khan, who said: “Bhai Datta, yeh gaana to aap ne Khuda ke darbar mein baithe hue banaya lag raha hai” (“It sounds as if you created this song sitting in Allah’s abode”).

K Datta used to play Ek anokha gham ek anokhi musibat ho gayi on a harmonium presented to him by O.P. Nayyar. How grimly significant that the one music director, O.P. Nayyar, who never in his life commissioned Lata, should have gifted that harmonium to the one Maharashtrian composer who believed only in Noorjehan!

The cast of the film included Nigar Sultana, Ajit, Pran, Heeralal, Agha, Yashodhara Katju, Achla Sachdev etc. The comic pair of Agha and Yashodhara was popular in those days. In their films, there certainly used to be a comedy song, filmed on them. In this film too, today’s song is that comedy song shot on these two artistes.

Yashodhara Katju (born 15 April 1928 – died – 1974), a forgotten actress of Indian Cinema, belonged to a reputed Kashmiri Pandit family from Lahore that had moved to Lucknow, where her father Jeevan Lal Katju, was a Zamindar and owned lands in Warburton in Khupra district, Punjab. He was appointed to a senior Administrative position by the British Government. J L Katju later resigned his Government job and joined the freedom struggle of the country. Her Mother’s name was Kailashwati (sister of well known Urdu poet & Judge of Allahabad High Court Late Anand Narain Mulla).

Yashodhra was fondly called as Chunnu by her parents. Other members of this Katju family were her brothers Moti Lal Katju , Pyare Lal Katju & her three sisters Chandra (Manno)-a Professor, Usha (Panno)-an M.A., and Manorama- a Doctor.

Yashodhara studied in English medium schools and was fluent in English, Hindi and Urdu. She did her Junior Cambridge. Apart from that, she was a highly talented girl who was equally well versed with singing and dancing. For some time she also joined Bhatkhande Music Institute, Lucknow to learn music but devoted more time to dancing and got herself trained as a professional dancer (Kathakali, Katahk and Manipuri) from some Masters of Lucknow. Later she took dancing lessons in Delhi as well.

All this apart , this talented girl nursed a desire from her childhood to join films. In 1941, Agha jani kashmiri , who was on a Talent Hunt, saw her in Lucknow and talked to her parents. Finally, much against the wishes of her family, she moved to Bombay in 1941. The family is reported to have sought intervention of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru also to dissuade her from joining films but she proved adamant. Katjus were closely related to Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru’s family. It is said that Chandra Mohan Wattal, another Kashmiri actor of that period too tried to dissuade her from acting in films but she remained adamant. Chandramohan tried all his pressure tactics and tried to force her out of the films, but this girl was different. She was tough and did not fear him or yield to his intimidations. She continued to work in films unabated. Chandramohan died in 1949, but this girl worked in films from 1941 to 1973. Her parents finally consented to her decision and ensured a boarding and lodging for her in Bombay .

Prior to Yashodhara, Shyama Zutshi was the kashmiri Girl who joined films. (She acted in Vishnu Bhakti produced in 1934 and Karvaan E Hayat-35). However, the first Kashmiri girl to work in films was Gulab (real name Saraswati Devi), who worked from 1924 to 1964, in 160 films.

In 1941, at a young age of 14 years, she was offered a role of ” Aarti” in a movie Titled “Lalaji” produced by National Studios. The movie was completed in 1942. Her co-actors in that movie were Yakub, A. R. Kabul, Wasker, Amar, Sunalini, Vatsala Kumtekar, Maya Devi and Krishnakant.

Yashodhara always wanted to be an actress and on 15th August 1941 she joined National Studios. She played heroine and side heroine parts in films like Mahatma Vidur (1943), Dulhan (1943), Vijay Laxmi (1943) etc. Later she was reduced to character roles and became a popular comedienne in the 1950s. Her short plump stature and mischievous eyes really aided her in transitioning from leading to comedy roles. In films like Naujawan (1951), Dholak (1951), Sindbad the Sailor (1952), Ek do Teen (1953), Baaz (1953) etc she was cast in happy-go-lucky roles and even paired with other popular comedians of her time e.g. Bhagwan in Sindbad the Sailor (1952) and Gope. Her last few films as character actress were released in early 1970s including Seema (1971), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972), Do Phool (1973) etc .

Between Lalaji (1942 Her first Movie) and Do Phool (1973 her last movie), she acted in about 85 films. Her co stars included most of the well known artistes and stars of her times. From the younger generation, her co-stars included Rakhee Gulzar, Rakesh Roshan, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, Kabir Bedi, Zeenat Aman, Vinod Mehra, Mumtaz and Mehmood Junior. She worked with almost all prominent directors in the Film industry including S. S. Vasan, Devendra Goel, Guru Dutt, Mohan Segal, P. L. Santoshi, M.Sadiq, D. N. Madhok, H.S.Rawail, B. R. Chopra, Rafiq Rizvi, Kishore Sahu, Dev Anand and Mahesh Kaul.

She started as a co-star, moved to lead roles, shifted to comedy (Mostly with another comedian of her time known as Bhagwan and Gope) and finally did some memorable performances as a character actress (Seema, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Do Phool etc.).

Her close friends included Nalini Jayawant, Laita Pawar and Nirupa Roy. Sometime in around 1958, she married a Naval officer (Commander Bhandari) and lived a happy married life. After 1973, she did not act in films and slipped into Oblivion. She died of a sudden heart attack, in 1974 (Autar Mota).
(Thanks to Suresh Sarvaiya, Blog Chinar, Film Directory-46 and my notes).

The story of the film Daaman was given by me earlier once, so I am not repeating it here. Today’s comedy song is sung by Shamshad Begum and Trilok Kapoor. This singer Trilok Kapoor is a case of ‘ Same name confusion’. There was another actor Trilok Kapoor ( famous for the role of Mahadev in Mythological films) operating at the same time in the industry. Since he was the more famous one, most sites, Blogs and enthusiastic new music lovers credit this singer’s songs to the actor.
Singer TRILOK KAPOOR too was from Multan, just like the actor Trilok kapoor, and was keen on singing in films. He and his wife have sung many Punjabi songs.

Singer Trilok Kapoor sang a song in film Birhan-48 (Tu chanda main teri chakori – a duet with Dilshad Begum- record No. GE 5232). The film was in production in 1946 at Lahore, but was released in 1948 due to Partition in 47.

The singer of this song can not be the actor Trilok kapoor, for the simple reason that he was busy in making 4 films in 1946 in Bombay and it is impossible that just to sing a song in a film, anybody would go to Lahore in those tumultuous days.

Anyway, after the Partition, the singer Trilok Kapoor became a displaced person. He came to Bombay and met MD Shyamsunder, who sympathised with him, being a Punjabi himself from the same region. Shyam Sunder gave him a song in Bhai Behan-1950, a duet with Shamshad Begum. He got a job in Radio and continued singing in films like Guru Dakshina-50, Kashmir-51, For Ladies only-51, Daaman-51, Saloni-52, Raag Rang-52, Goonj-52, Naya Raasta-53, Toote Khilone-54, Miss Mala-54, Laadla-54 and lastly Trolly Driver-58. Total 14 films and 17 songs.

So, the actor Trilok Kapoor and singer Trilok Kapoor are two different persons-

1) Actor Trilok Kapoor never sang after 1942.

2) Singer Trilok Kapoor never sang in any film featuring actor Trilok Kapoor.

3) If actor Trilok Kapoor was a singer himself, he would have sung his own songs in his films, instead of taking playback from other singers, e.g. G M Durrani in Mirza Sahibaan-47. Those who are singer actors rarely take playback from others.

4) The voice of Trilok Kapoor in songs and the dialogues in films is different.

5) It is likely that the song of Aaj ki Duniya-40 and the duets of Raja Rani also were sung by the singer Trilok kapoor, as he sang a song in Birhan in 1946, as mentioned above with a record number. the entry in HFGK may be just a case of ” Same name confusion” (like few other cases). Since the songs are not available, the benefit of doubt should go to singer Trilok Kapoor because he was a singer and NOT to actor Trilok Kapoor as he was NOT a singer.

6) The final verdict was – Shamshad Begum had confirmed that Trilok Kapoor with whom she sang was NOT the actor/brother of Prithviraj Kapoor, but was a different person.

So, please remember, actor Trilok Kapoor and singer Trilok Kapoor were two different persons.

Here is the song…..Enjoy.

Song-Dil pe kar control (Daaman)(1951) Singer-Trilok Kapoor, Shamshad Begam, Lyrics-Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, MD-K Datta
Both

Lyrics

hmm
martaa hoon tum pe jaise
kali pe bhanwra marta hai
kali pe bhanwra marta hai
jaise kali pe bhanwra marta hai

ghoonghat khol de ae
ae zaalim
dil dhhak dhhak dhhak karta hai
dil dhhak dhhak dhhak karta hai

dil dhhak dhhak dhhak karta hai
dil phhad phhad phhad karta hai
dil gud gud gud karta hai

dil pe kar control
?? mera dil hai
dil pe kar control
?? mera dil hai
ration hai
ration hai
ghoonghat pat pat khol
ghoonghat pat pat khol
ration hai
ration hai ration hai
dil pe kar control prem mera dil hai
ek jhalak dikhta do ration card bina ho gori
ek jhalak dikhta do ration card bina ho gori
husn ki sarkaar mein dekho
ho nahin sakti chori
ho nahin sakti chori
?? pe ration hai
dil pe kar contol ?? ke ration hai
ration hai
ration hai

?? hai
hum deputy collector hai
?? collector ??
tu deputy collector hai to ham ration inspector hain
inspector inspector
inspector inspector
ho yahaan se gol
abe ho yahaan se gol
prem pe ration hai
ration hai ration hai
ration hai

achcha to phir
prem lene jaate hain ham
?? baazaar mein
prem lene jaate hain ham
?? baazaar mein
muft mein maare jaaoge jaaoge
mat phansna aise pyaar mein
muft mein maare jaaoge jaaoge
mat phansna aise pyaar mein
kyaa karoon main bol ?
ama ghoonghat pat mat khol
abe dilpe kar control
apne dil jigar mein tu
??
karenge ham manzoor ise
hui hamaari marzi
abhi na hamse bol
dil hai daanwaadol
dil hai daanwaadol ke
ration hai
ration hai
ration hai
??
??
??
??
gore ??
????
bach ke bach ke
bach ke