Hemant Kumar was very versatile artist. Besides a good singer he was a very good Music Director too. I would rate him as a one of the most versatile Music Directors of his time, for Hindi Film Music.
Who can forget his composition of ’Nagin’, ’Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’, ’Anupama’, ’Kohara’ etc. Hindi Film Music has so many good Music Directors from Bengal but I feel Hemant Kumar was the best. His compositions are having real Bengal touch.
It will be unfair if I do not discuss his melodious compositions. I have divided this topic in to three parts. First part I will highlight some his best 10 musical score. In second part I will highlight him as a singer, 10 best songs, with other music directors. In third part Hemant Kumar’s evergreen duets with Lata Mangeshkar.
BEST OF HEMANT KUMAR AS A MUSIC DIRECTOR. Hemant Kumar has given the music for about 50 films. But I have selected my own choice based on the liking of the songs.
1 ANANDMATH (1952)
This was the first film of Hemant Kuamr as a Music Director.
1.1 Vande Mataram Vande Mataram…. By Lata and Hemant.
We have so many songs on Vande Mararam but according
to me this version of Vande Mataram… is the best. Excellently
composed and perfectly sung by Lata. An evergreen melody.
2 JAGRUTI (1954)
This film has some patriotic songs, and still can be herd on radio.
2.1 Hum Laye Hain Toofan Se …. By M. Rafi
2.2 Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhaye…By Pradeep.
3 NAGIN (1955)
All the songs are excellent. The music of this film is still popular.
Hemant Kumar got the Filmfare Award for the music of this film.
3.1 Man dole Mera Tan Dole …… By Lata
The ‘Bin’ has been used excellently.
3.2 Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi…… By Hemant
3.3 Yaad Rakhana Pyar Ki Nishani By Hemant-Asha
Excellent folk song.
3.4 Zindagi Ke Dene Wale.. By Hemant Kumar
4 SHART (1956)
4.1 Na Ye Chand Hoga ………….By Geeta Dutt
4.2 Dekho Wo Chand Chhupke By Hemant-Lata
5 MISS MARRY (1957)
5.1 Sakheeri Sun Bole Papiha Us Par… By Lata-Asha
One of the best Classical Based song in the hindi film music.
5.2 O Raat Ke Musafir….. By Lata-Rafi
6 SAHIB BIBI AUR GHULAM (1963)
This film has all the songs hit as well as melodious.
This film cannot be talked without mentioning Hemant Kumar’s
powerful music, which flows with the story.
Each and every song is different, composition wise, from each other.
6.1 Piya Aiso Jiya Mein. …. By Geeta Dutt
6.2 Sakiya Aaj Muze Nind .. By Asha Bhonsle
This song is one of the best “Mujara” of the hindi film music.
6.3 Na Jao Sainyya ….. By Geeta Dutt
6.4 Bhanwara Bada Naadan.. By Asha Bhonsle
7 BEES SAAL BAAD (1966)
One of the best and evergreen musical score of Hemant Kumar.
7.1 Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil… By Lata
7.2 Zara Nazaron Se Kehado Ji By Hemant Kumar
7.3 Bequrar Kar Ke Hame Youn By Hemant Kumar
8 KOHARA (1966)
This film’s music is my all time favorite. This film music has a real “
“Bengali” flavor.
8.1 O Bequrar-E-Dil … By Lata
8.2 Ye Nayan Dare Dare … By Hemant Kumar.
I feel this is the best song of Hemant Kumar as a singer.
8.3 Raah Bani Khud Manzeel… By Hemant Kumar
9 ANUPAMA (1967)
An outstanding music, Hemant Kumar was at his best.
9.1 Dheere Dheere Machal…. By Lata
The Piano has been used beautifully.
9.2 Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha…. By Lata.
9.3 Bhigi Bhigi Fiza… By Asha
9.4 Ya Dil Ki Suno ………….By Hemant Kumar
10 DO DUNI CHAAR (1968)
10.1 Hawaon Pe Likhado Hawaon Ke Naam … By Kishor Kumar
11 KHAMOSHI (1969)
11.1 Hamane Dekhi Hai …. By Lata
11.2 Tumhara Intzar Hai…. By Hemant Kumar
11.3 Wo Sham Kuchh Ajeeb Thi … By Kishor Kumar
BEST OF HEMANT KUMAR AS SINGER (with other Music Directors)1. Yeh Raat Ye Chandani Phir Kahan. “Jaal” (1952)
S. D. Burman.
This love song is a all time favorite for me.
2. Jane Wo Kase Log The. “Pyasa” (1955)
S.D. Burman.
3. Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Chaar Ghadi. “Anarkali” (1955)
C.Ramchandra.
4. Chup Hai Dharatee Chup Hai Chand “ House No. 44” (1956)
S.D. Burman.
5. Ganga Aaye Kahan Se. “Kabuliwala” (1956)
Salil Chaudhari.
6. Na Tum Hame Jane… “Baat Ek Raat Ki” (1958)
S.D. Burman.
7. Hai Apana Dil To Aawara. “Solwa Sal” (1958)
S.D. Burman.
This was the super hit song of 1958. It topped the Binaca Geet Mala.
Excellent use of Mouthorgan.
Mouthorgan in this song was played by R.D. Burman.
8. Main Garibon Ka Dil. “Ab-E-Hayat” (1959)
Sardar Malik.
9. Insaf Ki Dagar Pe . “Ganga Jamana” (1960)
Naushad.
10. Suraj Re Jalate Rehana. “Harishchandra Taramati” (1964)
Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
FEW SELECTED DUETS OF HEMANT KUMAR WITH LATA.. Chandan Ka Palana… “Shabab” (Nushad)
. Jhir Jhir Barase… “Pariwar” (SalilChaudhari)
. Jaag Darde Ishq Jaag.. “Anarkali” (C.Ramchandra)
. Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan “Patita” (Shankar-Jaikishan)
. Nind Na Muzako Aaye “Post Box 999 (Kalyanji-Anajdaji)
. Aa Neel Gagan Tale Pyar “Badshah” (Shankar-Jaikishan)
. Nain So Nain Nahi Milaon “Zanak Zanak Payal Baje” (Vasant Desai)
. Chhupa Lo Youn Dil Mein “Mamata” (Roshan)
. Sanwale Salone Aaye Din ’’ Ek Hi Raasta” (Hemant Kumar)
. Me Dolaka Ra Dolaka Ra.. Marathi Folk Song (H. Mangeshkar)
Though Hemant Kumar has left the mortal world yet he remains alive to all his admirers through his countless songs - immortal melodies in the history of Indian Film Music.