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 a film called “Sona”(1948). In 1946, there was a film titled “Sona Chandi”. In 1964 there was a film titled not just “Chandi”, but a whole “Chandi ki Diwar” and in 1977 there was a film called “Chandi Sona”. So much for the precious metals in Hindi film Titles !

We have often heard and read that in olden days, young film aspirants from far off cities and smaller towns, ran away from homes to the Maya Nagari-Bombay, to try their luck. Few of them succeeded. But mind you, not ALL stars came running away to Bombay. Many of them were actually invited by Bombay filmmakers, rolling out red carpets for them. This normally used to offer in case of promising stars from other film centres like Calcutta and Lahore. For example, Shamshad Begum was specially brought to Bombay from Lahore. Saigal was brought from Calcutta to Bombay, with an attractive offer.

That, precisely, was the reputation of Bombay, that careers are made in Bombay and opportunities are found in abundance for them who have Talent and Luck ! Munawar Sultana, Heroine of film Sona-48 was one such star, who was brought from Lahore with an offer of Rs. 4000 pm and rented furnished accomodation – by Mazhar Khan.

Munawar Sultana was born on 8 November 1924, in Lahore, into a strict Punjabi Muslim family. According to an interview with son Sarfaraz and daughter Shaheen, conducted by Shishir Krishna Sharma, Munawwar’s father was a radio announcer. Munawwar wanted to become a doctor, but was side-tracked by an offer in films. This was a small role in the film, Dalsukh Pancholi’s Khazanchi (1941), where she played a barmaid, and had a song, Peene ke din aaye piye jaa picturised on her. She went by the screen name Asha for this period.

In 1945, she was visited in Lahore by producer-actor-director Mazhar Khan, who contracted her on a monthly fee of Rs. 4000 plus an apartment, and brought her to Bombay. Munawwar’s first film with Mazhar was Pehli Nazar, where she was cast opposite actor Motilal. In the popular song Dil jalta hai to jalne de (Let the Aflame Heart Burn) playbacked by singer Mukesh for Motilal, Khan focused on Munawwar’s close-ups during the picturisation.

Following Pehli Nazar, she was kept busy through 1947 to 1949 working in several films. Baburao Patel wrote in the cine-mag Filmindia 1949, about her being one of the most over-worked actresses along with Suraiya and Nargis.

In 1947, Munawar acted in four films Dard, Elaan, Andhon Ki Duniya and Naiyya. Dard was directed by Kardar under Kardar Productions. In spite of no big stars being in the film, it turned out to be a surprise “musical hit” at the box office. The hero of the film was Kardar’s brother Nusrat (Kardar). The song Afsana likh rahi hoon became a big success. Elaan garnered positive reviews for Munawwar. A Muslim social, the film was praised for its “progressive attitude” towards the need of education.

A lot has already been written about Elaan-47,elsewhere, as well as on this blog too,earlier.

When Mehboob Khan heard the story initially, he spent few days thinking about it. He anticipated adverse reactions of the Fundamentalists on this film. His team for this film included many Muslims, almost in every department. Major contributors like Naushad, Zia Sarhadi, Amirbai Karnataki and most important , Munawar Sultana,the Heroine,were all Muslims.Others at least were connected indirectly,but Munawar was the Heroine.

Mehboob Khan had a sitting with her and explained to her the entire story and the likely repercussions to the film. He gave her an option to opt out of the film. Munawar played very brave and firmly told Mehboob Khan that she was 100% with him and was ready to work and face, whatever happens as an aftermath.

This act of courage was loved and appreciated by Mehboob Khan very much and he remained indebted to her ever after.

1948 saw Munawar in four more films. Parai Aag, Sona, Majboor and Meri Kahani.

1949 was Munawar’s busiest year with seven releases. Out of her four films released in 1950, Munawar’s most notable film was Babul (Father’s House). She acted opposite Dilip and Nargis in this love triangle. Directed by S. U. Sunny, the music was composed by Naushad. The film became a major success at the box office. She acted in a few more films till 1956, with Jallad being her last appearance.

From 1950, Munawar’s career slowed down, and she acted in fewer films. She met her husband Sharif Ali Bhagat, a businessman, on the sets of a movie for which he provided furniture. He produced two films with Munawar in the lead, Meri Kahani (1948) and Pyar Ki Manzil (1950). Following the sudden death of her husband in 1966, Munawar managed her family of four sons and three daughters. In the last eight years of her life, Munawar suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. She died on 15 September 2007, at her home in Ambedkar Road. Pali Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

The cast of film Sona-48 also consisted of the producer director Mazhar Khan as the Hero, Madhuri, Dikshit, Navin Yagnik, Madan Puri and others.

How many of us know anything about Navin Yagnik ? Navin was a well known stunt film actor who did social films also with the same ease. Navin was born in Calcutta in 1912. His father was from U.P. and mother from Bengal. During school days, he was more interested in sports, dramas and oratory. He did not complete his Matriculation, but ran away to Bombay, to become an actor-against the wishes of his family.

He joined Sagar Films in 1930, as an Extra, without salary. After few months he got Rs.35 pm, but no credited roles. After an year or so, he left Sagar and joined Mohan Bhavnani’s Ajanta Film company. He first worked in film ‘ The Mill ‘-34. Unfortunately, this film was banned for 2 years. The film was based on a story by Munshi Premchand and depicted the poor conditions of mill workers in Bombay. The Mill Owners’ Association brought pressure on Government and got the film banned. After 2 years, the film was released as ” Ghareeb Parivar”-36 aka ‘Daya ki Devi’. Two more films and Navin became Hero in film ” Pyar ki maar”-35.

He also worked in Minerva Movietone, Prakash pictures, Filmistan and other good banners. Some of his well known films were, Zambo-The ape Man-37, Meri Bhool-37, Divorce-38, Son of Zambo-39, Main Haari-40, Vasantsena-42, Raja Rani-42, School Master-43, prithvi Vallabh-43, Chal chal re Naujawan-44 etc. His last film was Bhagwat mahima-55. In all, he worked in 30 films.

The Music Director for film Sona-48 was Vasant Desai. Vasant Desai ( 9-6-1912 to 22-12-1975 ) was an incredibly talented man who never got his dues.

That greatness has no correlation with commercial success, is best personified in the life and works of Hindi film music director Vasant Desai. Well versed in every department of film making, Desai’s talent was a blessing to the music world. Though critics may credit Naushad as a composer steeped in classical traditions, Vasant Desai was equally, if not more, proficient in making tunes based on complex ragas. Sadly, despite his prowess, this simple man whose birth anniversary was in 2012, has not been given his due by the film industry befitting his stature and contribution to its music.

Veteran Marathi film music director and Desai’s creative mentor Keshavrao Bhosle in his memoirs “Mazhe Sangeet” applauds Desai for many such firsts as well as introduction of echo in sound recording in India with Zohra Bai’s song Jo dard banke zamaane pe chhaaye jaate hain from “Parbat Pe Apne Dera”. Hear Rafi’s immortal kah do koyi na kare yahaan pyaar(Goonj Uthi Shehnaai) and you realise how echo was not a tool for experimentation for Desai but a magnificent instrument of creative ability.

Though Lata Mangeshkar doesn’t acknowledge any of Desai’s creations in her top 20 personal favourites nor praises his vast repertoire, it is a fact that some of her finest renditions were under Desai. Allegedly, Lata had a grouse against him for promoting other singers, especially Vani Jairam, and hence ignored his contribution in her career even when most of her songs under Desai’s baton have been unsurpassed till this day. Go down the memory lane and you can’t ignore sublime creations like Jo tum todo piyaa (Jhanak Jhanak Paayal Baaje) , Tere sur aur mere geet(Goonj Uthi Shehnaai), Main gaaun tu chup ho jaa (Do Aankhen Baarah Haath) , Piyaa te kahaan gayo (Toofaan aur Diyaa) or Ek thhaa bachpan (Aasheerwaad) . Even though Desai made her Ae maalik tere bande ham (Do Aankhen Baarah Haath) into a memorable secular prayer, Lata hardly ever commends the composition. May be she is unhappy that Desai created an equally powerful bhajan Hamko man ki shakti dena(Guddi) into a nationwide school prayer through Vani’s vocals.

His proficiency was the reason why he was greatly admired by maestros like Bismillah Khan (who made the shehnai famous with his recitals in “Goonj Uthi Shehnai”, Amir Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, and M. S. Subbulakshmi. She even got a song composed from Desai for her recital at the UNO headquarters. It was Desai’s virtuosity that made Dada Muni (Ashok Kumar) render an all-time favourite children’s song rail gaadi rail gaadi (Aasheerwaad) (“Aashirwad”) with minimum instrumentals. Nowadays when Cannes Film Festival is a place of photo opportunity rather than exploration of artistry, it is overwhelming to know that decades ago Desai’s versatility made “Amar Bhoopali” the only Indian film to win a Grand Prix award for original musical score at Cannes ! Obviously, lyricist Gulzar isn’t wrong to hail Desai as a “music composer extraordinaire” especially when he catapulted his Bole re papeehara(Guddi) to Himalyan heights of popularity.

Born in a wealthy family in Sonwad village in Maharashtra, Desai joined the famous Prabhat Film Company at Kolhapur at its inception. Apart from performing several minor chores, he also acted, sang and sometimes composed songs in Prabhat’s films like “Dharmatma” and “Sant Dnyaneshwar” but once he had mastered the craft of music composition, he stuck to it. Devoted to V. Shantaram from his Prabhat days, Desai went along with the maestro when he broke away from Prabhat to form his own Rajkamal Studios. Scoring music for a majority of Shantaram’s films, Vasant’s career suffered a major blow when their relations soured in the late 1950s. Yet it is to his credit that even though they split after recording of “Aadha Hai Chandrama” (later re-done by C. Ramchandra), he never ever spoke ill about “Anna” till his dying day.

Film director Vikas Desai says, “even family members never came to know the reasons for leaving Shantaram though he went back to score the background music of ‘Geet Gaya Patharon Ne’ on Anna’s request”.

Going through his long and enviable list of songs would be difficult but suffice to say that his memorable songs are valuable gems of musical heritage. And though the patriotic Vasant Desai may have remained unsung for his cinematic as well as academic contribution to school music curriculum, his songs regale listeners with their inherent melodic fragrance.

In his initial stage of career, he had acted in films like, Dharmatma-35, Amar Jyoti-36, Wahan-37 and Sant Dnyaneshwar-40. He even sang songs in films like Amrit Manthan-34, Dharmatma-35, Amar Jyoti-36, Wahan-37, Sant Dnyaneshwar-40, Sant Sakhu-41, Shakuntala-43 and Parbat pe apna dera-44. In all, Vasant Desai gave music to 50 films. His first film was Shobha-42 and Last released film was Shaque-76.
(some information in the article adapted from Wiki and The Hindu).

Shantaram was planning a path breaking film Maanus(Marathi)-Aadmi in Hindi,in those days and was in the process of finalising the cast.Vasant Desai who was Shantaram’s chela in those days,was aspiring to become a Music Director. He started his career as an actor in small roles and he sang songs too.He had very high hopes that Shantaram will do something for him. One day Shantaram called him and said,” I am planning a new film. You will be the Hero and Shanta Apte will be the Heroine.” Vasant was very happy. His auditions were good.

Meanwhile Mera Ladka-38 became quite popular and its songs, particularly,Dekhoon kab tak baat( Paahu re kiti waat-Marathi)” by Shanta bai and composed by Keshavrao Bhole was a great Hit.Impressed with her effortless acting and natural singing style, Shantaram changed his mind and decided to cast Shanta Hublikar and Shahu Modak as the lead pair for Aadmi – 39.

Shantaram called Vasant Desai and told him,” Be ready for a shock. I have decided to make Shanta Hublikar and Shahu Modak as the Hero and Heroine of my new film. You will have to wait. But your time will come ” Vasant Desai was heart broken. With Shantaram’s permission he composed music for Shobha and Aaankh ki sharm in 1942 and Mauj in 1943. he had worked as assistant to Tembe, Krishnarao, Bhole and Mainkar. He had acted and sang in Amar Jyoti . His time came when Shantaram gave him SHAKUNTALA-1943 as a Music Director.

Today’s song from film Sona-1948 is sung by Zohrabai Ambalawali and Chorus, but there is also an unidentified male’s voice in the song. The song was procured and uploaded by our Sadanand ji Kamath on my request. Thanks. The song is very melodious and immediately reminds another popular song Mubaarak ho dulha dulhan ko ye shaadi from film Paak Daaman-1957-MD Ghulam Mohd. As per the prevailing custom of composers having a classical base and a stage music background, the prelude music of this song is also quite long, lasting for 54 seconds. Not all songs had such preludes, but majority had.

Song-Umangon ke din hain khushi ka zamaana (Sona) (1948) Singer-Zohrabai Ambalewaali, unknown male voice, Lyrics-Nakshab, MD-Vasant Desai
Both

Lyrics

aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa

aa haa ha
hahahaha

Umangon ke din hain khushi ka zamaana
Umangon ke din hain khushi ka zamaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana

nigaahon ko milne lagin hain nigaahen
nigaahon ko milne lagin hain nigaahen
wafa ke kadam hain mohabbat ki raahen
wafa ke kadam hain mohabbat ki raahen
machalti chali jaa rahi hai jawaani
aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa
machalti chali jaa rahi hai jawaani
thaharta chala ja raha hai zamaana
thaharta chala ja raha hai zamaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana
Umangon ke din hain khushi ka zamaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana

o ho ho ho
ho ho ho ho ho
chale daur par daur
saaghar uthhaao
chale daur par daur
saaghar uthhaao
zamaane ka har ek gham bhool jaao
zamaane ka har ek gham bhool jaao
hamesha jamegi ye ?? ki mehfil
zara tum bhi peena hamen bhi pilaana
zara tum bhi peena hamen bhi pilaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana
umangon ke din hain
khushi ka zamaana
ye mausam suhaana
yahin aana jaana