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 sites like lyricstrans.com and ibollywoodsongs.com etc then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.

Today’s song is the 5^th song from the film Aahuti-50, to be discussed here. I have not seen this film, but from its second Title ” Anokhi Kurbani “, the movie seems to be about some kind of sacrifice. Whether it was for the country, family or just a Lover is not known. This was one of those films, made by a less known banner, directed by one whose name I read first time- Kulbhushan and the MD, who left no trace of him either of origin or the end- D.C.Dutt.

D C Dutt is its Music Director. His name is not known to many. All of us know that Lata Mangeshkar had to struggle very hard in her initial attempts of getting into Playback singing in Hindi films. In her early struggle, three Duttas helped her. The first was of course Datta Davjekar who gave her the first opportunity to sing a playback song for his film Aapki sewa mein-47. The second was K.Datta or Datta Korgaonkar, who, after his favourite singer Noorjehan left India, took Lata under his wings and gave her songs. The third Dutt was this-D C Dutt. No information is available about him whatsoever, except what is printed in HFGK and its duplication in Pankaj Raag’s book “Dhunon ki Yatra”. Thanks to this, we know that his debut was through film Sona Chandi-1946. Out of 12 songs of that film, only two were his and one of them was by Lata Mangeshkar. For rest, the composer was Tufail Faruqi.

This Lata song has a history. Film Sona Chandi was censored first on 19-7-46 and released. That time these 2 songs of D.C.Dutt were not there. In January 1948, when Gandhi ji’s death took place, many songs on Gandhi ji were recorded by many singers and composers. One of the most famous, popular and successful song was “Suno suno aye duniya walon, Bapuji ki amar kahani” sung by Mohd. Rafi in 4 parts and recorded by its composers Husnalal-Bhagatram. In this spate, D.C.Dutt also recorded a Gandhi ji song by Lata in 1948. Producers of film Sona Chandi got this and one more song ( by Saroj Borkar) included in the film and the film was re-censored on 9-4-48. Thus an early song of Lata was in a film, because of D.C.Dutt. Meanwhile the original Music Director of the film Sona Chandi-46 aka Bhai-Bhai, Tufail Faruqi ( brother in law of Ghulam Haider) had already migrated to Pakistan after the Partition.

D C Dutt later did some more films like, Sarai ke bahar-47, Dil ki Awaz-48, Anjana-48 ( he even acted in this film), Ram Darshan-50 ( he was one of the 6 Music Directors that the film had), Aahuti-50, Simba-51, Ranee-52 and lastly Sahil-59. Very surprisingly, after film Sona Chandi-46, Lata did not sing a single song in any of his films. After 48-49, Lata had become a very busy and ‘in demand’ singer and she would sing only for established composers ( we all know that she did not sing even in Madan Mohan’s debut film Aankhen-50, just because he was new).

The cast of the film, Aahuti-50 consists of Mumtaz Shanti, Ranjit Kumari ( who married actor Ramsingh and settled in UP), Sapru, Kesari, Bikram Kapoor, Struggling actress Shyama, Sudhir, Indubala and many others.

Mumtaz Shanti or Mumtaz Begum was born in 1922 at village Dinga in Punjab (now in Pakistan). She lost her parents early and she was brought up by her uncle who was a Police constable. After his transfer to Lahore, Mumtaz was able to continue her schooling. She learnt dancing and Music.She was also an expert in household chores. She was first rejected by Shorey Pictures,but then the famous writer/Lyricist Wali Saheb helped her and took her to Calcutta’s East India Film co. to work in a Punjabi film ‘Sohni Kumharan’-37. She also did another Punjabi film ‘Chambai ki Dali’-41 in Calcutta. Meanwhile,she was invited by Shorey pictures to Lahore to act in their Punjabi film ‘Mangti ‘-42. This film ran for 65 weeks giving her name and fame.

Barkat Nizami was the uncle of actress Mumtaz Shanti. It was through the efforts of Barkat Nizami that she was introduced to the Hindi film screen. This person had a knack for recruiting girls to cinema. First he brought in Mumtaz Shanti and then his own wife, Geeta Nizami. According to him this was a business, more than a marriage. He used to take 50% of earnings from Mumtaz Shanti, but after she married Wali Saheb, this stopped.

Rai Bahadur Chunilal Of Bombay Talkies offered her a role in their film Basant-42. She did Basant and Kismet-43. Both the films were hits and famous all over India. Mumtaz was good looking,tall and lithe,so looked attractive. After Kismet she became a freelancer and worked with many different studios, in Badalti Duniya and Sawal-43,Bharthari, Lady Doctor and Pagli Duniya-44,Chand chakori-45,Shravan Kumar, Dharati, Magadhraj and Pujari-46, Dekhojee and Doosri Shaadi-47,Padmini, Heer Ranjha and Ghar ki izzat-48,Putali, Biwi and Aahuti-50. Her last film in India was Zamane ki Hawa-52. In all she worked in 21 Hindi and 4 Punjabi films. She did 2 films in Calcutta, 4 in Lahore and the rest in Bombay.

She had married Lyricist/writer/Director Wali Saheb in 1947. He directed her in 3 films in India. He was very strict and forced her to come to studios only in Burqa. She was not allowed to talk to anyone. Manto has written some interesting incidents about her in his sketch of Ashok Kumar. According to him after marriage she used to come for shootings wearing ‘Burqa’. And Wali Saheb told the Producer/Director that no one should touch her. She was the second wife of Wali Saheb and she didn’t have any issue. Wali Saheb, however adopted a son for her ( who was a child of Wali Saheb’s brother, another famous lyricist, Nazim Panipati). This adopted son, Sikander Bin Wali lives in Washington D.C. Wali Saheb’s elder son from his first marriage, Zafar was Assistant Director of film Ghunghat-1962. They migrated to Pakistan after 1953. She retired from films and remained a housewife only. Walisaheb did 3-4 films,without much success. He died in 1977. Mumtaz Shanti also died in 93/94,unsung and unknown in Pakistan. ( information culled from articles provided by shri Harish Raghuwanshi ji, Filmdom-46, Khwaja Irfan Anwar and my notes).

Many actors, Directors and few actresses came from Kashmir, to join Hindi films. In olden times, some prominent names were Jeevan, Chandra Mohan and Sapru, besides many others. Actresses were Shyama Zutshi and Yashodhara Katju in early times. Here is some information about D.K.Sapru, based on an edited article from Chinar Shade.com, and from shri M.N.Sardana ji with thanks…

“ Where from have you come ? You look like an European . Please sit . I need to talk to you .”

This is what V Shantaram had told the young boy in 1944 who had come all the way from Jalandhar to Prabhat Studios Poona . Shantaram , Babu Rao Pai and S. Fatehlal were the partners of Prabhat Studios present at that point of time.

Looking at his face and after the usual introduction ,V Shantaram signed the blue eyed handsome Daya kishen Sapru for a role in his next movie RAM SHASTRI.. The character of a Peshwa played by him was well noticed and the movie turned out a big hit.. He was signed as lead hero by the Company on a monthly salary of Rs3000/= highest ever paid to any hero during those days . It was a hefty sum that enabled him to live a princely life during those days .It was somewhere around 1945-46.

Films started pouring in later .He acted in Romeo and Juliet ( opposite Nargis . Nargis’s Mother Jaddan Bai was all praise for Sapru. The film was produced by Nargis’s brother Akhtar Hussain . ) ,Jhansi Ki Rani ,Kalapaani , Hum Hindustaani , Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Mujhe Jeene Do , Leader and Shaheed . Who does not remember his role as Majhale Sarkar ( Chaudhary ) in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Again as Zamindaar in Mujhe Jeene Do , he became quite popular. We saw him in some wonderful roles in Naya Daur , Prem Pujari ,Jewel Thief , Krodhi , Kudrat ,Dharm Veer, Dream Girl, Zanjeer , Pakeezah and many more such films .It was a period when story writers would create a character for him in the story or script. He was seen either as a Zamindaar or a Police commissioner or a Judge in most of his later films .

In Total, he must have acted in more than 350 films and out of which he played lead role in more than 50 films. He also played lead roles in some Gujarati and Punjabi films.

Saprus are Sarswat Brahmins from Kashmir known as kashmiri Pandits who belong to DIPAT SAMAN AUPAMANYAVA Gotra or the lineage of an Aryan Rishi .This clan of kashmiri Pandits actually belongs to village SAPREIN in present day Kulgam district of kashmir and could be safely called as aboriginal kashmiris . some other prominent Saprus are Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru , Jagdish Narayan Sapru ( Prominent Businessman of the country ) Sahaj Ram Sapru Revenue collector during the rule of Afghan Governor Azim Khan ( 1809-1819 ) and Dr Allama Iqbal Urdu poet and Islamic scholar ( He too belonged to a Sapru family from kulgam that had converted to Islam )

Daya kishen Sapru belonged to a well off family from Kashmir and his father was employed in Maharaja’s Treasury . That made the family to move to Jammu and Lahore during winters. Daya Krishen was born at Jammu and had his early education at Jammu and Lahore .Fluent in Punjabi , he was also proficient in Hindi , Urdu and English .From his childhood days , he would love music and singing . He could easily play on his Harmonium.

Before moving to PUNE , D K as he was known amongst his numerous friends lived at Jalandhar cantt for some time where he took up the job of a contractor .He had four brothers and two sisters and D K happened to be the fourth child in this joint family.

D K Sapru met Marathi actress and IPTA activist Hemvati and they fell in love. They married in 1948 .Hemvati was a noted Marathi actress who also worked at PRITHVI Theatres. She acted in SANGRAM with Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jaywant in lead roles. She had also worked with Dev Anand in MOHAN ,Mubarak and Renuka in Ghar Ghar Ki Kahaani and Raj Kapoor in Jail Yatra . A play of Prithvi Theatres, named Deewar had Hemvati and Raj kapoor in lead roles and the play became quite popular on stage during those days.

After marriage , Hemvati played the role of a caring wife and an affectionate mother in her family. After marriage,She possibly acted only in one movie PATIT PAAVAN a home production of sapru family. Hemavati died on 10-4-2005.

Sapru children are also in films. To quote their elder daughter REEMA is a well known script writer while second daughter PREETI is a successful Punjabi actress while their son Tej is a noted film and TV actor. The brother and sisters are closely attached to each other. They too live by the family values that they inherited from their father .

D K Sapru also acquired good and working knowledge of Homeopathy and was seen reading Homeopathic books quite often during his spare time. He then started practicing this school of medicine and would treat everybody without any charge often Buying medicines and distributing them free.

Sapru also committed a folly of producing films . One can say that he was misguided by some selfish friends .Though he had learnt some lessons from his first home production Patit paavan , a movie that earned him a few thousands only yet he took up another production project ” Bahadur Shah Zaffar”’ and brought in a large star cast that included Sudesh Kumar , Chand Usmani ,Shyama , Rehman ,Jeevan, Ulhaas ( M N kaul ) and Nirupa Roy .He pooled in all his resources and raised loans for the project mortgaging his spacious new Bunglow .The movie did not sell on Box office. That landed the family in great trouble. The house had to be sold to repay debts .

Sapru turned diabetic during his later life. Inspite of his failing health he decided to make a last attempt to produce another film JEEVAN CHALNE KAA NAAM. By Now Reema was a trained screen play / script writer . She wrote the script and the family signed in Sanjeev Kumar , Rekha , Shashi Kapoor . DK fell ill suddenly and had to be hospitalized for about an year. The project was abandoned. D K was also operated upon for a malignant growth in his shoulder and finaly died of a heart attack at a young age of 63 years in 1979. His favourite child Reema was already married at that time . And by then he had also turned a grandfather.

It was big blow to the judiciary when Mr Daya Kishen Sapru departed for heavenly abode. There were other esteemed judges, who graced the self-righteous chair of the temple of justice but could not create a niche for them like Mr Sapru and Mr Murad, in Hindi films . It is to their credit ,that they both not only enhanced the prestige of judiciary ,but they were also apt in enacting all types of characters.

Mr D K Sapru,scion of an influential Pandit family of J & K and one of the most handsome actor of his time ,like other young men joined the film line to become hero. Fair complexioned with expressive light eyes like his senior actor & fellow Kashmiri Pandit Chandra Mohan ,soon he became a known actor. His cousin Mr Jeevan was already an established actor in Hindi Films .

In 1948, Jaddan Bai produced a movie which was based upon the tragic tale of Romeo And Juliet, written by William Shakespeare,in which the female leading role was played by her daughter Nargis, opposite Sapru Saab. In the same year he married Hemavati ,a Marathi actress ,who mostly had worked on stage of IPTA and Prithvi Theatres and also in few movies. Interestingly ,she was leading lady in 1947 movie Mohan ,in which the struggling actor Dev Anand was her hero. Hemvati & Sapru ,looked as if they were made for each other ,as both were good looking ,fair coloured and had similar light eyes.

There was a big advertisement in Film India and other papers ,when K Asif announced Mughal E Azam ,for which he took Sapru and Nargis as jilted lovers with Chandra Mohan in the title role of the Great Mughal. The movie could not progress , as firstly the financier migrated to Pakistan and in 49 , Chandra Mohan passed away . Mr Sapru became a full time character actor and his versatility came to the forefront , when he portrayed dissimilar character in different movies . Sapru Saab was man for all seasons ,and could portray saintly person/villain/cop/ foreigner/ villager / sophisticated person /King/ Sultan .all type of characters with ease.

He looked so charming person as rich Jeweller ,father of Tanuja in Jewel Thief and in Tere Mere Sapne, he was a humble villager. In Zanzeer ,he was a mafia lord and in Majboor (1964) ,he was prosecuting lawyer. He appeared in numerous mythological movies and in fact made Patit Pawan in 1955 ,which did average business.

As an actor, he was doing well, therefore one fails to appreciate the reasons as to why he thought of producing movies. He made Bahadur Shah Zafar ,in which he himself essayed the role of unfortunate last Mughal. He took Chand Usmani, Shyama, Jeevan, Sudesh Kumar , Ullhas etc in the movie. Unaware of the lack of honesty of his production team , Mr Sapru kept faith on them and could not monitor the expenses and the movie was over budgeted .He spend all his money and even mortgaged his unmoveable assets to make the movie spectacular and completed the movie. But sadly the movie could not be released and remained in cans . It was a big blow for him.

Today’s song is sung by Uma Devi and Shanti Varma, as per HFGK. However, as per one comment on You Tube by a known collector, she was Shanti Sharma, and not Varma.’Swaron ki Yatra’, by Anil Bhargav also credits this song to Shanti Sharma. I have not found any singer Shanti Varma, but Shanti Sharma’s name as a singer is found in films Raees-48, Kinara, Shaukeen, Dhoom Dham, Rimzim and Veer Ghatotkach-all of 49, and Azmaish-52 in HFGK.

With this song, the blog now has 3000 songs from the decade of 1940s (viz from years between 1941 to 1950).

Song-Ab to hand mein hand nahin(Aahuti)(1950) Singers- Uma Devi, Shanti Sharma, Lyrics- Indeevar, MD- D C Dutt

Lyrics

Ab to hand mein hand nahin
ab dil me bajta
ab dil mein bajta band nahin
oh my dear
o dear
o dear
tum badal gaye
tum pahle se husband nahin
aa ha
ab to hand mein
ab to hand mein hand nahin

ye meri India hai
ye tera to England nahin
ye tera to England nahin
ho ho
ab to hand mein
ab to hand mein hand nahin

o o
yahaan na hogi whisky brandi
aur club ke dance
yahaan na hogi whisky brandi
aur club ke dance
yahaan na hogi whisky brandi
aur club ke dance
yahaan na hogi gitpit gitpit
aur nahin romance
yahaan na hogi gitpit gitpit
aur nahi romance
maal judaane ka na milega
yahaan koi ab chance
maal judaane ka na milega
yahaan koi ab chance
daal diya aafat mein toone
daal diya aafat mein toone
aafat ka koi end nahin
aa haa
ab to hand mein
ab to hand mein hand nahin

ab laut chalo laut chalo
ghar o meri sister
hawa vatan ki lagte hi
badal gaye mister
badal gaye mister
tumhen banaaye rakhne ko main
tumhen banaaye rakhne ko main
kar sakta recommand nahin
aa haa
ab to hand mein
ab to hand mein hand nahin

o ho
tum mere man ke paati
main hoon charnon ki daasi
nyochhaawar ka charanon pe
mathura ho ya kaashi
haath chhodkar saath mera
ab jaana tum england nahin
ab jaana tum england nahin
ho ho
ab to hand mein
ab to hand mein hand nahin
ab dil mein bajta
ab dil mein bajta band nahin
oh my dear
o dear
o dear
tum badal gaye
tum pahle se husband nahin
aa haa