The King of melody. Review on Golden Collection: Madan Mohan

In the golden era of 50’s-60’s Hindi film music, there were many illustrious names and each had their own stamp. O.P.Nayyar with his trademark rhythmic Punjabi beats, Shankar Jaikishan with their superb fusion of Western and Indian music, Naushad with his classical numbers, Dada S.D.Burman, Salil Choudhury and then there was Madan Mohan who inspite of scoring some of the best songs in Hindi movies, never got the due. The problem was that unlike S.D.Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad , Madan Mohan gave his best compositions for absolutely mediocre movies. I mean who of us would watch movies like Ghazal, Sanjog, Jahan Ara even if we are hard core movie lovers, but it was in such movies that Madan bhai showcased his brilliance. Madan Mohan never indulged in any gimmicks or flourishes, his music was simple and straight to the heart. But every song of his brimmed with melody, and his songs just touch you straight in your heart.

This album doesn’t do full justice to Madan Bhai’s illustrious career but is still worth a hear for all lovers of old Hindi melodies like me.

Yun Hasraton Ke Daag , Adalat,1958- Wonderful solo by Lata who made up a great team with Madan Mohan, their songs are just too good and in a class by themselves. This was one of the earliest songs of Lata and counts among her favorite numbers.

Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dwaar, Dekh Kabira Roya,1957- A superb solo by Manna Dey again in what was one of Madan bhai’s best albums. Manna Dey is again one of the most underrated singers but one of the best classical singer.

Hum Pyaar Mein Jalnewalo Ko, Jailor,1958 Superb song by Lata again. The movie in fact is set against the oppressed wife of a jailor trying to find love, and this song speaks about the lovers passion.

Voh Bhooli Dastaan, Sanjog,1961 If in the previous song Lata explores the Shringara Rasa or the emotion of love, here she explores the Bhayanaka rasa, or the emotion of fear. How wonderfully does she convey the fear of the past revisiting her in this song. I rate it as one of Lata’s best songs. Sanjog also contains a great solo by Mukesh “Bhuli Hue Yaadon”.

Aap Ke Nazaron Ne Samjhe , Anpadh,1962- I remember whenever I would listen to this song as a teen,I was just struck by the emotion in Lata’s voice. Madan Mohan’s songs do that precisely, they just touch your soul and heart. Another great solo from Lata here. If you compare the above 3 songs Hum Pyaar Mein deals with the passion of love, Voh Bhooli Daastan deals with fear of past and this song deals with a woman’s longing for acceptance. Only some one like Lata and Madan could do justice to such varying emotions.

Naina Barse Rhim Jhim , Voh Kaun Thi, 1964 - And this makes it 4 in a row. This song is a classic from the word go. In fact the movie contains two other great songs by Lata also Lag Ja Gale and Aap Kyon roye. This song is a typical haunting song and Lata is at her best here.

Na Tum Bewafa Ho, Ek Kali Muskayee,1968- Forget about watching a movie called Ek Kali Muskayee, does any one know it even exists, certainly not me. But the song, ah, another outright winner from Lata-MM duo. That’s what I meant great songs like this were buried in absolutely vague movies like this.

Khelo Na Mere Dil Se, Haqeeqat, 1962- Lata’s solo from Haqeeqat a light romantic one, but any day I prefer Kar Chale Hum Fida. That’s one of the best ,nay, the best patriotic song I have ever heard in my life. I am not a very sentimental person, but Kar Chale is one of the few songs that touch me.

Kabhi Na Kabhi, Sharaabi,1962 - Nothing to do with the Amitabh movie, this was a very old movie starring Dev Anand and Madhubala. Great solo by Rafi here, in fact this album contains very few Rafi –MM songs which is surprising considering that Rafi had some great numbers with MM.

Mera Saaya Saath Hoga, Mera Saaya,1966- After the success of Voh Kaun Thi, the combination of Raj Khosla-Madan Mohan-Sadhana-Lata returned with this movie. This song is a great song by Lata, but personally I feel, that Lata’s Naino Mein Bhadra Chaye and Asha’s Jhumka Gira Re were much better songs. This song is more popular, but Naino Mein is just too good.

Hum Hain Matay e Kocha – Baazar Ki Tarah,Dastak,1970- Madan Mohan got his only major award, National Award for Best Music director, with this movie. Great songs and this solo by Lata speaks of a prostitute’s feeling at being exploited.

On the flip side, one doesn’t have too many solos by Rafi. And many really good songs from movies like Koshish,Mausam, Heer Ranjha are not there in this album. All the same worth the price