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.

This song is from Master Bhagwan’s film ‘Damaad’ (1951).

This is the film which inspired Bhagwan to write a comedy social musical film story for his evergreen film Albela. In the decade of 1940’s, Bhagwan had specialised in low budget C grade action and stunt films. Usually his films would be completed in Rs. 60 to 70 thousand rupees only. He used to churn out films after films with the same set of actors with almost the same story in all his films. The audience of Master Bhagwan’s films came to the theatre to see his antics and comedy, coupled with action scenes of fighting and incredible stunts.

Usually Bhagwan never played the hero’s role in his own films. The hero in his films would necessarily be Baburao Pehelwan and Bhagwan used to be his side kick. Both had their love interests – usually the heroine for Baburao and her friend or maid for Bhagwan. Like Baburao and Bhagwan, even the lady actors were fixed. He had a set of such actresses like Shanta Patel, Chanchal, Leela Gupte, Vitha Lokare, Usha Shukla etc. They used to be in his films by turns. Actor Azim Bhai (who later became the famous Fight Master in Hindi films) was usually the good natured but timid employer of these two. Their job was to protect the Seth ji from goons, fight with them and finally win the girls in the end. Film after film the same story was used with slight changes here and there. The audience was least bothered about the story or the histrionics etc. They came for the dialogues, the fights and stunts.

Very few people know that both Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were his great fans. When Bhagwan fell on bad times and shifted to a 2-room tenement in a chawl in Dadar, Dilip Kumar, while going for his daily shootings, used to stop at the chawl, honk till Bhagwan appeared in the gallery and waved to him, and then he proceeded to his work.

It was Raj Kapoor, who used to see his shootings in Jagriti studio, very near to RK studio. He once suggested to him to try making a social film. Incidentally, his good friend C Ramchandra (Anna for Bhagwan) also pressed him to dare making a social film. CR even promised him to give music to his social film in his popular name C Ramchandra (he gave music to Bhagwan’s films in the name of ‘Annasaheb ‘ till then). Bhagwan started thinking seriously on this issue. At that very time he got an offer to work in a social comedy film, to be produced by Beema Films of MT Mudnani and directed by Brij Rani. Since this was a social film Bhagwan wanted to give it a try. He wanted to assess the feasibility of making his own social film.

The film was ‘Damaad’ (1951). The story was simple. A simpleton is made a ‘ghar jamai’ (resident son-in-law) and has a miserable life. Incidentally, he becomes a successful singer. The film was absolutely an ordinary one. Being a director himself, Bhagwan understood the potential of the story to become a hit film. In addition the offer of C Ramchandra’s music was also inviting him. The film ‘Damaad’ came and went without making any ripples. Neither the producer made any more films, nor the director got any other film. The cast and the 3 MDs employed were also C grade anyway.

Taking inspiration from film ‘Damaad’, Bhagwan started writing the story of ‘Albela’ . For this film, he needed a cast other than his usual C grade film cast. Other actors were booked but no reputed heroine was ready to work in his film. Those days, Bhagwan’s name was only associated with C grade action stunt films. Then one day he approached Geeta Bali. She agreed – a bit reluctantly – to listen to his story. After listening to the story, Geeta Bali realized the potential of a hit film and said yes.

The shooting of ‘Albela’ started but Bhagwan kept it a secret. After few weeks of shooting, he invited Anna (CR) to come to see the shooting, without telling him anything. Anna went to Jagriti studios to see the shooting. After some shots were taken, he asked, ‘Bhagwan, this is your film, but where are the fights?”. Bhagwan smiled and said,”Anna, there are no fights. This is a social film I am making which you wanted me to do. Now it is your turn to stand by what you had promised to give your best music”. Sure enough C Ramachandra gave immortal music to film ‘Albela’ and the rest is history as they say.

Bhagwan’s planning for ‘Albela’ was so perfect that he got the Censor Certificate on 13-12-1951 and the film was released on next day i.e. on 14-12-1951 at Imperial Talkies in Bombay. Within 3-4 days, the film became houseful in every show. It was so successful that it overshot the combined collection of first week opening of BR Chopra’s ‘Afsaana’, Raj Kapoor’s ‘Awaara’, Dev Anand’s ‘Baazi’, AVM’s ‘Bahaar’ and Nitin Bose’s ‘Deedaar’, all released in 1951 only!

The tremendous success of ‘Albela’ made the financiers, producers and directors to line up Bhagwan’s doorstep with project proposals. The success of ‘Albela’ had also gone to the head of Bhagwan dada. He did not realize or acknowledge the contribution of Geeta Bali and C Ramchandra’s music to its success. He thought that it was due to him and he went on signing film after films in that period. As his new films started failing, the incomplete films were abandoned and ‘Albela’ became his swan song. The downward slide of his career and popularity started right after this film, although some more films like ‘Bhagam Bhag’ (1956) etc were hits-again due to music and Kishore Kumar.

Anyway the producer NT Madnaney never ever tried to produce any more films after ‘Daamad’, which was not at all successful at the box office.
The screenplay and direction was by Brij Rani. There were 3 composers, Shamoo who had given music to ‘ Yeh hai zindagi-48’ and ‘Begunah’ (1949) with Haribhai. Indravadan Bhatt had given music to 10 films in the late 40s. Ram Panjwani had been an actor in Berozgaar-36 and Chhotisi duniya-39, a singer in Damad-51 and Maa ka pyar-49, an MD for Magroor-50 and Damad-51 and also a Lyricist for one song in film Teen Batti chaar Rasta-53

The story was more or less same as ‘Albela’ – a good for nothing fellow sings well and makes a fortune – that is the one line story of this film.

Chamak (Bhagwan) is too simple a person, who is a teacher in a school, where even his students make fun of him. He gets married to a rich man’s daughter-Geeta (Krishna Kumari). Chamak loses his job and his father-in-law takes him to his house in a bigger town. Chamak is impressed with all the wealthy living and eats like a hog and sleeps like a dog every day. Honored initially as the son-in-law of the house, slowly he is despised, insulted and treated shabbily by in laws for doing nothing.

One day when Chamak is singing alone, the manager of the local theatre hears him, gets impressed and offers him job of a singer. Chamak accepts it and in no time becomes a famous singer and tours all over India. Seeing that he is famous, his in laws start pampering him. Now Chamak has become clever. He teaches a lesson to his in laws and finally they realize their folly and all is well that ends well.

The cast of the film was Bhagwan, Krishna Kumari, Yashodhara Katju, Protima Devi, Cuckoo, Habib, Kathana, Ishu Jahagirdar etc. etc. The story and screenplay was by director Brijrani.

Brij Rani was born in 1921 at Shikarpur, Sindh province, in a well to do business family. She studied up to Matriculation and also qualified as a Middle School Teacher. However, she opted to join films as an actress. Her first film was Jeewan Jyoti-37, doing an un credited small role to get the feel, followed by Calcutta after Midnight-37, Aurat-40, Wayda-40, Ulti Ganga-42, Daughters of the Jungle-43, Bhagta Bhoot-43, Circus Girl-43 and Lal Haveli-44.

She was getting roles only in stunt films and C grade films. Being from a business community, she started her own company- Bharat productions and herself made stunt films.

Meanwhile she continued acting in films like Lal Haveli-44 and acted and directed film Circus King-46 and film Sajni-47. Then there was a gap. probably she looked after her family. In 1951, she directed film Daamaad-51.

As far as Yashodhara Katju is concerned, there is a bizarre story behind her entry into films. Earlier there was a Kashmiri girl working in Hindi films,in the late 30s. Her name was Shyama Zutshi. Actor Chandramohan too was a Kashmiri Bramhin and held the view that Kashmiri Bramhin girls should not work in films as it is below their dignity. He strongly opposed Shyama’s work in the films and put lot of pressure on her to quit films. Fed up of his pestering and also afraid of his anger, Shyama left films. Her last film was Khooni Jadugar-1939.

However, soon after this, yet another girl who too was a Kashmiri Bramhin came into films from 1941. 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 1974. She worked in 86 films and earned quite a name.

Her name was Yashodhara Katju ( 15-4-1928 to 1974 ). She was the niece of Pt. Nehru, but never ever used her highly placed relations to get work. Her father K L Katju was U.P.’s well known politician and also a senior bureaucrat. They were from Lahore, where Yashodhara had studied upto Senior Cambridge and also dancing. She was a leading comedienne in the early 50s and had formed a pair with Gope for some films. She married a Navy officer and spent her retired life as a housewife, away from filmdom.

Today’s song is actually in 2 parts, but it is combined in one video. The singers are Sulochana kadam(for Yashodhara katju), Ram Panjwani (for Bhagwan), Ishu Jahagirdar (for Dhobi), and Shrimati Vishnilal ( for elderly lady). VISHNI LAL was born in Hyderabad( Sindh) in 1926. She came to Bombay in 1943 to sing in films. Ram Daryani recommended her to Khemchand Prakash and he gave a break to her in film Chiragh-43. She sang in very few films like Qurbani-43,Anjuman-48 Mitti ke khilaune-48,Maghroor-50,Daamaad-51,Chhoti Duniya-53 etc.

Her family shifted to Bombay in 1947, after Partition. She was married to a businessman Mansukhani. She then settled in Dubai, with her family.

Let us now enjoy the song video.

Song – Dhobiya Re Dhobiya Re Tera Chhora (Daamaad) (1951) Singers – Sulochana Kadam, Ram Panjwani, Shrimati Vishnilal, Ishu Jahagirdar, Lyrics – Bahaar Ajmeri, MD – Indravadan Bhatt
Sulochana Kadam + Ram Panjwani
Chorus

Lyrics

oo oo oo
dhobia

dhohia re dhobia re tera chhora
ho tera chhora
beech bajaria chhed kare mosey
beech bajaria chhede
dhohia re dhobia re tera chhora
ho tera chhora

main na chhedoon
main na chhedoon is ko dada
jhooth kahe ye tosey
ram kasam. . .
ram kasam iljaam dhare hai
bair karey ye mosey
ram kasam iljaam dhare hai
bair karey ye mosey

hmmm mmmmm

tu chhori re chhori re chhori chhori re
bada sareef hai mera chhora
bada sareef hai mera chhora
oo oo chhori
chhori jhooth kyon boley
o chhori jhooth kyon boley
sundar dekh ke morey lallan ko
kyon tera manwa doley
ho chhori
kyon tera manwa doley

oo oo
oo oo oo oo oo
o dhobia
sunder hai tera chhora to
main bhi naar albeli
sunder hai tera chhora to
main bhi naar albeli
roop dekh sharmaaye jaaye re
dhobia
roop dekh sharmaaye jaaye re
bagia mein haaye chameli
bagia mein haaye chameli
bada theed hai
bada theed hai. . .
o tera chhora
bada theed hai
bada theed hai. . .
o tera chhora
beech bajariya ghere
beech bajariya ghere
dhobia re dhobia re tera chhora
ho tera chhora

kyon ri dhobaniya
lagaai bujhaai to kar ke chali
par main to ko samjhunga
lagaai bujhaai to kar ke chali
par main to ko samjhunga
bhari bajariya mein o chhori
bhari bajariya mein o chhori
teri khabar main loonga
ab teri khabar main loonga
oo oo oo dhobia
chal hatt
parey hatt

oo oo dhobia
samjhaaye lei e ka
nahin to main rapat likhaaye deungi
samjhaaye lei e ka
nahin to main rapat likhaaye deungi
oo oo thaanedar se
thaanedar se keh kar main to
lambardaar se keh kar main to
band karaye deungi
milat mein
milat mein
qaid karaaye deungi
main ghabraaye gai
tere chhore se
phirey hai peeche morey
phirey hai peeche morey
dhobia re dhobia re tera chhora
oo tera chhora

shiv ram
shiv ram
shiv ram
shiv ram
shiv ram

mukhiya ke chhore se chhori
mukhiya ke chhore se chhori
kaahe karey tu ladaai
maafi maang le 
o chhori
maafi maang le 
maine lallan se kar di teri sagaai

oo oo oo oo
teri meri bhool hui o baalam
kar le mosey mel
haan haan
kar le mosey mel
tu mera chaand hai
main teri chandni

oo oo oo oo
chhaila re chhaila re chhaila chhaila re
khelen chaand ka khel
aao khelen chaand ka khel
khel
aa ri dhobaniya
ho gaya tera mera mel
ho gaya tera mera mel
ho gaya tera mera mel
ho gaya tera mera mel. . .

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

ओ ओ ओ
धोबिया

बीच बज़रिआ छेड़ करे मोसे
बीच बज़रिआ छेड़े
धोबिया रे धोबिया रे तेरा छोरा
हो तेरा छोरा

मैं ना छेड़ूँ
मैं ना छेड़ूँ इसको दादा
झूठ कहे ये तोसे
राम कसम॰ ॰ ॰
राम कसम इल्जाम धरे है
बैर करे ये मोसे
राम कसम इल्जाम धरे है
बैर करे ये मोसे

हम्मम म्ममम

तू छोरी रे छोरी रे छोरी छोरी रे
बड़ा सरीफ है मेरा छोरा
बड़ा सरीफ है मेरा छोरा
ओ ओ छोरी
छोरी झूठ क्यों बोले
सुंदर देख के मोरे ललन को
क्यों तेरा मनवा डोले
हो छोरी
क्यों तेरा मनवा डोले

ओ ओ
ओ ओ ओ ओ ओ
ओ धोबिया
सुंदर है तेरा छोरा तो
मैं भी नार अलबेली
सुंदर है तेरा छोरा तो
मैं भी नार अलबेली
रूप देख शरमाये जाये रे
धोबिया
रूप देख शरमाये जाये रे
बगिया में हाए चमेली
बगिया में हाए चमेली
बड़ा ठीठ है
बड़ा ठीठ है॰ ॰ ॰
ओ तेरा छोरा
बड़ा ठीठ है
बड़ा ठीठ है॰ ॰ ॰
ओ तेरा छोरा
बीच बज़रिआ घेरे
बीच बज़रिआ घेरे
धोबिया रे धोबिया रे तेरा छोरा
हो तेरा छोरा

क्यों री धोबनिया
लगाई बुझाई तो कर के चली
पर मैं तो को समझूँगा
लगाई बुझाई तो कर के चली
पर मैं तो को समझूँगा
भरी बज़रिआ में ओ छोरी
भरी बज़रिआ में ओ छोरी
तेरी खबर मैं लूँगा
अब तेरी खबर मैं लूँगा
ओ ओ ओ धोबिया
चल हट
परे हट

ओ ओ धोबिया
समझाये लेई ए का
नहीं तो मैं रपट लिखाये देऊंगी
समझाये लेई ए का
नहीं तो मैं रपट लिखाये देऊंगी
ओ ओ थानेदार से
थानेदार से कह कर मैं तो
लंबरदार से कह कर मैं तो
बंद कराये देऊंगी
मिलत में
मिलत में
क़ैद कराये देऊंगी
मैं घबराए गई तेरे छोरे से
फिरे है पीछे मोरे
फिरे है पीछे मोरे
धोबिया रे धोबिया रे तेरा छोरा
हो तेरा छोरा

शिव राम
शिव राम
शिव राम
शिव राम
शिव राम

मुखिया के छोरे से छोरी
मुखिया के छोरे से छोरी
काहे करे तू लड़ाई
माफी मांग ले ओर छोरी
माफी मांग ले
मैंने ललन से कर दी तेरी सगाई

ओ ओ ओ ओ
तेरी मेरी भूल हुई ओ बालम
कर ले मोसे मेल
हाँ हाँ
कर ले मोसे मेल
तू मेरा चाँद है
मैं तेरी चाँदनी

ओ ओ ओ ओ
छैला रे छैला रे छैला छैला रे
खेलें चाँद का खेल
आओ खेलें चाँद का खेल
खेल
आ री धोबनिया
हो गया तेरा मेरा मेल
हो गया तेरा मेरा मेल
हो गया तेरा मेरा मेल
हो गया तेरा मेरा मेल॰ ॰ ॰