Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs

Posts Tagged ‘1940


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

The famous poet and film maker, Kidar Sharma tells the story behind the song, Dukh ke ab din beetat naahin from the film Devdaas (1935). The film shooting, editing etc. was completed and the film was being made ready for release. A screening was arranged for the distributor companies. After the screening, one of the distributors commented about the flow of the narrative through the film, and said the flow was somewhat bumpy and not well connected in one or two places. In the brief discussion that ensued, it was decided to insert another song in the film. Given the release schedule, there was almost no time to create and film another song and then integrate it into the movie. The two of them (Saigal Saab and Kidar Sharma) got together the same evening. Kidar Saab would write the words, and Saigal Saab did the composition then and there. By the morning, the song ‘Dukh Ke Ab Din Beetat Naahin’ was ready to be produced. It was recorded the same day, and also filmed the same day.
Read more on this topic…


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

In her memoirs, Kaanan Devi, the premier leading lady of the films in the 1930s, recounts her times and experiences of working with Saigal Saab. As a singer-actor team, this duo has worked together in many Hindi and Bangla films produced by New Theatres, Calcutta, and there is treasure of memorable music these two have created together. Kaanan Devi writes about his simplicity and a childlike disposition that endeared him to one and all. She tells about his unmindful and forgetful nature, especially when engrossed in music. There would be times when the shooting is to start, the preparations are all in place, the unit is ready, and people are waiting for Saigal Saab to come. Sometimes he would be very late, and there was no information where he is. Then someone would come and tell that Saigal Saab has been in the studio for a long time, but away from the hustle bustle of the shooting location, he is sitting in some lonely corner, or alone in a room, with a harmonium, and is simply singing away to his hearts fulfillment. Then someone or the director would find courage to go and remind him about the schedule, and then he would come running, profusely apologetic, and in good humor trying to get the schedule move forward.
Read more on this topic…


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

Saigal Saab, for whom the legendary classical singer of that time, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan Saaheb, has said, “We are born in music, and have generations of musical heritage to follow, and yet, we cannot even think of becoming like Kundan Lal Saigal, who so effortlessly continues to sing, on and on.” An appreciation and endorsement coming from a singer of Ustad Saab’s stature, is of a great consequence. It is said that Faiyaaz Saab himself proposed that KL Saigal should become his pupil, a proposal which Saigal Saab accepted wholeheartedly. A promise that was kept with a formal ceremony of initiation complete with getting the traditional taaveez from Faiyaaz Saab.
Read more on this topic…


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

In his life, and in his death, Saigal Saab remains a mystery. Not much is known about his years of wandering, and then the immediate success as a singer-actor in Calcutta, somehow defies the normal course of understanding life’s events. He was just as he was.
Read more on this topic…


As I discover more songs of ‘Bandhan” (1940), I cannot but help feel that this movie must have stolen the heart of the movie goers during its time and Leela Chitnis would have become a heart throb of public, in case she was not one already. What a lovely performance from her in this movie. In this movie, she plays a playful and cheerful girl who is forever prepared to play a prank or too.
Read more on this topic…


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

The non film songs of Saigal Saab almost entirely consist of ghazals by various poets. In this category, there is a handful of songs that are not ghazals. But what gems of semi classical creation these are. This particular song has a very unique distinction, making it an important and a rare song. This is probably the only song for which Saigal Saab is the lyricist, composer and singer, all together. Yes, the lyrics of this beautiful song are written by Saigal Saab himself.
Read more on this topic…


This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.

The mellifluous voice of Saigal Saab has an enrapturing power that always casts a spell over the listeners. The range of his voice has a span that goes from the very base notes – ‘Bina Pankh Panchhi Hoon Mein’ (Tansen) all way to the higher octaves as in ‘Prem Ka Hai Is Jag Mein Panth Niraala’ (President). Saigal Saab’s voice as the rare ability to effortlessly accord the right expressions to each word, and make it glow distinctly. All his renditions leave a lasting impression in the mind, whether it be a love song ‘Baalam Aaye Baso Morey Mann Mein’ (Devdas), or a lullaby ‘So Jaa Raajkumari So Jaa’ (Zindagi), or an inspirational song ‘Hat Gayee Lo Kaari Ghataa’ (Lagan), a bhajan ‘Suno Suno Hey Kishan Kaalaa’ (non-film), a children’s song ‘Ek Raja Ka Beta Le Kar’ (President), or a song full of melancholy and pathos ‘Bina Pankh Panchhi Hoon Mein’ (Tansen).
Read more on this topic…


Total visits so far

  • 18,165,218 hits

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,921 other subscribers
Support the blog

Bookmark

Bookmark and Share

Category of songs

Current Visitors

Historical dates

Blog Start date: 19 July 2008

Active for more than 6000 days.

Archives

Stumble

visitors whereabouts

blogadda

blogcatalog

Music Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory