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 from the film Ghar Ki Izzat (1948). It is a lively duet of Shamshad Begum and Ram Kamlani. The film is produced and directed by Ram Daryani, under the banner of Murli Cinetone, Bombay. Music was given by Pt Gobind Ram and songs and dialogues were by Ishwar Chandra Kapoor. The cast of the film was Mumtaz Shanti, Dilip Kumar, Gope, Gulab, Dixit, Manorama, Jeevan, Suleiman etc etc.

In the early decades of talkie era, i.e. in the 1930s and 40s, many Muslim actors and actresses took on Hindu names, for obvious reasons. Here are some such examples – Mumtaz Shanti (real name – Mumtaz Begum), Renuka Devi (Begum Khurshid Mirza), Neena (Shahida), Meena Shorey (Khursheed Jehan), Geeta Nizami (Rasheeda Begum), Madhubala (Mumtaz Jehan), Indurani (Ishrat Jehan), Veena (Tajour Sultana), Shyama (Khurshid Akhtar), Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Khan), Jayant (Zakaria Khan), Kumar (Syed Ali Hasan Zaidi), Suresh (Naseem Ahmed), Sudhir (Shah Zamaan Khan) and many more.

However, not all did this. Those who did not change name were Mehboob Khan, Mazhar Khan, Ashraf Khan, Najmul Hasan, Zubeida, Noorjehan, Khursheed etc etc.

After Independence, this trend diminished, but a new trend started – that of taking on a screen name other than the real name. Some examples are Sunil Dutt, Balraj Sahni, Sanjeev kumar, Raaj Kumar, Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna, Akshay Kumar etc. A full article can be written on this subject, but this is enough for now.

Film ‘Ghar Ki Izzat’ was the only film Mumtaz Shanti did with Dilip kumar. Compared to young Dilip Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti was more successful and experienced with films like ‘Basant’ (1942) and ‘Kismet’ (1943). She had worked with top actors of that era, like Ashok Kumar. In this film, you can see an awkward Dilip Kumar and a vibrant and seasoned actress Mumtaz Shanti.

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. At the start of filmi career, she was at 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’ (1937). She also did another Punjabi film ‘Chambey Di Daali’ (1941) in Calcutta. Now the things were different and she was invited by Shorey Pictures to Lahore, to act in their Punjabi film ‘Mangti ‘ (1942). This film was immensely successful and ran for 65 weeks giving her name and fame.

Rai Bahadur Chunilal Of Bombay Talkies  offered her a role in their film ‘Basant’ (1942). She came to Bombay and did Basant and then ‘Kismet’ (1943). Both the films were hits all over India.  Mumtaz was good looking, tall and lithe, so looked attractive. After ‘Kismet’ she became a free lancer and worked with many different studios. Her notable films are ‘Badalti Duniya’ and ‘Sawaal’ (1943), ‘Bharthari’, ‘Lady Doctor’ and ‘Pagli Duniya’ (1944), ‘Chaand Chakori’ (1945), ‘Shravan Kumar’, ‘Dharti’, ‘Magadhraj’ and ‘Pujari’ (1946), ‘Dekhojee’ and ‘Doosri Shadi’ (1947), ‘Padmini’, ‘Heer Ranjha’ and ‘Ghar Ki Izzat’ (1948), ‘Putli’, ‘Biwi’ and ‘Aahuti’ (1950). Her last film in India was ‘Zamaane Ki Hawa’ (1952). 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 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. No one was allowed to touch her, even in any scene. They migrated to Pakistan after 1953. She retired from films and remained a housewife only. Wali Saheb did 3-4 films in Pakistan, without much success. He passed away in 1977. Mumtaz Shanti passed away in 1993/94, unsung and unknown in Pakistan.

After Independence films were being made on social values which the Indian people wanted to inculcate in their new life, like importance of joint families, need to do hard work, need to abolish bad customs like dowry, bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, importance of education, women’s emancipation, abolition of castes and untouchability, respecting elders and traditions etc. Thus it will be seen that every film had some or the other message for the society.

This was also one such film, in which the makers stressed the need to strengthen the joint family tradition and to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. The film had become quite popular, as it did not sound like a propaganda film but the message was conveyed in a very entertaining way. The songs were good and became popular. The music of this film is composed by Pt Gobind Ram.

Pt Gobind Ram was a highly respected composer in the industry for his originality. Stalwarts like C Ramchandra considered Sajjaad Husain and Pt Gobind Ram ji as the original composers. It is stated by Pankaj Raag in his book ‘Dhunon Ki Yatra’ that in the mid 1940s, “. . . when K Asif planned his magnum opus ‘Mughal e Azam’, he had initially engaged Gobindram ji as the music director”. It is another thing that the film was delayed, for other reasons, by almost 15 years. Almost all the main players in the film got changed during this period of delay, including the music director. During his career, Pt Gobind Ram gave music to 32 films from 1937 to 1955, composing 302 songs.

Just before writing this article, I saw this film on YouTube to refresh my memory. I had seen the film in the early 1950s in its second run in Hyderabad. The cast of the film includes the name Dixit.  Only a handful readers will recollect who he was, but there was a time in the early talkie era of 1930s and the 40s when he was a popular name. He and actor Ghory had formed a comic pair on the lines of the Laurel and Hardy team of the English cinema. In those days 4 comedians were popular – Dixit, Ghory, Kesari and Charlie.

Manohar Janardan Dikshit (this became Dixit in film line) was born on 12-11-1906 at Sinnar in Nashik district of Maharashtra. It seems, his arrival in this world was predicted by a sadhu. Somehow, in Dixit’s career, roles of sadhu played a vital role. He acted as a sadhu in as many as 31 films. His father was a district judge and was very strict at home. Due to frequent transfers, Dixit lost interest in studies. After two unsuccessful attempts in matriculation, he stopped going to school.

He started his film career as an assistant cameraman in Navjeevan Studio, with the help of Mama Varerkar, a noted Marathi writer who was associated with many studios of Hindi films. Of course Dixit did not learn anything of cinematography and did only manual works like carrying the camera etc. On the 14th November 1929, he faced the camera for his first role in the silent film ‘Sparkling Youth’ with P Jairaj and Madhav Kale. In Navjeevan Studios he did 3 more silent films and then joined the prospering, upcoming Ranjit Film company. Here he met his future partner Nazir Ahmed Ghory, who was born on 11-8-1901 at Bombay. Ghory was a graduate in those days. They paired in their first comedy film, ‘Char Chakram’ (1932), directed by Jayant Desai. The four ‘chakrams‘ in the film were Dixit, Ghory, Eddie Bilimoria and Madhuri. It was a hit film and the comedy pair became famous. They copied Laurel and Hardy. They even looked like them. Dixit was the Hardy part of the team.

They continued working together till 1947. I do not know exactly, but my guess is that they worked together in about 20 films. After partition, Ghory migrated to Pakistan and Dixit worked alone. Dixit was described by Baburao Patel as ‘our best comedian’. He was the darling of film critics too. Unfortunately, all the Ranjit Films where in they worked together were destroyed along with other negatives and except for few photos and stories about them, nothing remains now. Dixit worked in 4 silent and 66 Talkie films in 17 years’ time. For a person carrying 220 pounds weight, it was really creditable.

After the film ‘Ghar Ki Izzat’, Dixit suffered from a heart attack and he passed away on 29-6-1949 (adapted from Eena Meena Deeka and MuVyz, with thanks.)

The story of the film,

Seth Chunilal (Dixit) is a rich person. His daughter Radhika (Manorama) has married Chaman (Gope) who is their ‘ghar jamaai‘. He does not work anywhere. Radhika’s mother (Gulab) taunts him every now and then and one day, frustrated Radhika leaves the house along with Chaman. They start an insurance business and prosper in a village nearby. Chunilal’s son Chander (Dilip Kumar) becomes a lawyer. He visits his sister in the village. In same village, lives Roopa (Mumtaz Shanti) with her two brothers (Jeevan and Suleiman).

Chander gets introduced to this family, falls in love with Roopa and they get married. Upon coming to the city home, Chander’s mother starts taunting the new bahu on her poverty. Bahu, being adarsh bhartiya nari tolerates everything, but Chander gets frustrated and starts drinking. Sister Radhika and Chaman bring him to their house.

Chander’s mother and father start repenting and finally they go to Chander and Roopa, beg their pardon and bring them back with honour. They even call Chander and Radhika, but they refuse to come back, as they have prospered now.

So, all is well that ends well.

This film has 11 songs. According to the blog 6 songs are already discussed, but it transpires that one song ‘Ae Dard Zara Dum Le’ posted on 17-5-2011 and included as this film’s song, is actually a song from film ‘Zamana’ (1938). It was only used in this film as a radio song. So actually only 5 songs are covered. Today’s song is the 6th song from this film. In the video, Gope and Manorama singing this melodious song. The newer generation folks will remember the Chachi in the 1972 film ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’. Ah yes, this is the same Manorama.

Song – Aankhon Ko Aankhon Se Do Chaar Kiye Jaao (Ghar Ki Izzat) (1948) Singer – Ram Kamlani, Shamshad Begum, Lyrics – IC Kapoor, MD – Pt Gobind Ram
Shamshad Begum + Ram Kamlani

Lyrics 

aankhon se aankhon ko
aankhon se aankhon ko do chaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao
aankhon se aankhon ko
aankhon se aankhon ko do chaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

hai teer nigaahon mein
aur bijli adaaon mein
hai teer nigaahon mein
aur bijli adaaon mein
bas yun hi mere dil pe
tum vaar kiye jaao
bas yun hi mere dil pe
tum vaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

aankhon se aankhon ko
aankhon se aankhon ko do chaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

o mast nazar aaj tu
masti ko luta de
aur chaand se chehre se zara
zulfen hataa de
jo dil mein tere hai
jo dil mein tere hai
wo nigaahon se suna de
ulfat ke nibhaane ka iqraar kiye jaao
ulfat ke nibhaane ka iqraar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

aankhon se aankhon ko
aankhon se aankhon ko do chaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

pehlu mein mere chhota sa ik
sehma hua hai dil
har taar hai is dil ka
tere pyaar ke kaabil
aa dekh sajaa rakhi hai
kis thaath se mehfil
aa dekh sajaa rakhi hai
kis thaath se mehfil
ji jaan ka nazraana sarkaar liye jaao
ji jaan ka nazraana sarkaar liye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

aankhon se aankhon ko
aankhon se aankhon ko do chaar kiye jaao
pyaar kiye jaao ji
pyaar kiye jaao

———————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————

आँखों से आँखों को
आँखों से आँखों को दो चार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ
आँखों से आँखों को
आँखों से आँखों को दो चार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

है तीर निगाहों में
और बिजली अदाओं में
है तीर निगाहों में
और बिजली अदाओं में
बस यूं ही मेरे दिल पे
तुम वार किए जाओ
बस यूं ही मेरे दिल पे
तुम वार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

आँखों से आँखों को
आँखों से आँखों को दो चार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

ओ मस्त नज़र आज तू
मस्ती को लुटा दे
और चाँद से चेहरे से ज़रा
ज़ुल्फें हटा दे
जो दिल में तेरे है
जो दिल में तेरे है
वो निगाहों से सुना दे
उल्फ़त के निभाने का इक़रार किए जाओ
उल्फ़त के निभाने का इक़रार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

आँखों से आँखों को
आँखों से आँखों को दो चार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

पहलू में मेरे छोटा सा इक
सहमा हुआ है दिल
हर तार है इस दिल का
तेरे प्यार के क़ाबिल
आ देख सजा राखी है
किस ठाठ से महफिल
आ देख सजा राखी है
किस ठाठ से महफिल
जी जान का नज़राना सरकार लिए जाओ
जी जान का नज़राना सरकार लिए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ

आँखों से आँखों को
आँखों से आँखों को दो चार किए जाओ
प्यार किए जाओ जी
प्यार किए जाओ