Jul 15, 2009 09:56 AM
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My interest in Madan Mohan started and grew after I heard the songs of Veer-Zaara. The film had songs made from his unused tunes and recreated by his son Sanjeev Kohli to suit the modern times. Later, I got a chance to hear some of his compositions from his films like Madhosh, Ashiana, Haqeeqat etc.
So, when I heard that Yash Raj Films will be releasing an album of his unused songs, I was obviously interested. This album, ‘Tere Bagair-Madan Mohan’ was released on the 85th birth anniversary of the music maestro on June 25 this year. The uniqueness of this album is naturally the fact that it features 15 ‘rare treasures’ of Madan Mohan. These songs after getting composed and recorded, failed to reach the people since the films in which they were being incorporated got shelved.
Out of 15 songs, 14 of them are solo numbers. Since the songs were quite old and were found in Madanji’s master tapes, they had to be digitally mastered. And this helped since the songs at many points sound as if they are straight out of some latest movie! One feels as if Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Talat Mahmood have become alive and started singing or Latajiand Ashaji have become young once again! This is the magic of these ‘new’ old songs! Here’s what I felt about the songs in the album:
Kaise Kategi Zindagi Tere Bagair-Mohd Rafi: The first song of the album sets the mood wonderfully! The song starts with a 65 second soulful instrumental which slowly gives way to Rafi Saab’s playback. A slow and soulful number with touching lyrics, you’ll instantly find yourself humming this number for a long time after hearing it only once!
Mere Ashqon Ka Gham-Lata Mangeshkar: Lataji fills all the grief and the end product is a stunning song. A wonderful song with a fine tune, hearing it makes you feel and persuade the nightangle to resume singing again! To hear the song, watch the video clip uploaded above!
Tum Juda Ho Kar-Talat Mahmood: What catches you are the first lines of the song, “Tum juda ho kar hame aur pyaare ho gaye!”. The beginning is only so intriguing that you can’t help but listen to the entire song attentively. Talat Mahmood’s soft voice adds the emotion needed in this sad song, similarly the way he did in Aye Mere Dil Kahin in Daag (1952).
Aye Dil Aye Naadaan-Asha Bhosle: Ashaji finally takes an entry with this sad touching number. The way this track begins, it is impossible to believe that this is a song of 60s/70s! But as soon as Ashaji go about singing the song, the old feel engulfs. Had this song managed to release in that era, it would have surely been a big hit.
Mein Ek Baalak Besahara-Lata Mangeshkar: The song it seems was planned to picturise on a boy who sings about his hardships that he had to suffer after he is separated from his mother. As was the norm at that time, females had to lend the voice to boys; the scenario here is also the same. The lyrics of the song (Prem Dhawan) are powerful. Had it been used in any film at that time having similar situation, without a doubt, it would have created a huge impact.
Phir Wohi Shaam-Asha Bhosle: This turns out as one of the finest songs of the album (and also the longest as its 7 ½ mins long!). The song is unique-the mukhda is slow but during the antara, the song uses a different beat and turns into a peppy number. Kudos to Ashaji for doing total justice to this song. It’s so sad that such a fabulous song saw the light of the day so late.
Mehbooba Meri Mehbooba-Mohd Rafi: This track brings a change from all the sad songs that were in the album till now. Similar to Rafi’s ‘Teri Pyaar Pyaari Surat Ko’, the song impresses a lot thanks to Rafi saab’s golden voice and wonderful https://lyrics. One of the fantastic phases in the song: “Husn ka Zinda Taj Mahal!”
Khile Kamal Si Kaya-Lata Mangeshkar: A serene and a soft number, it has Lataji in top form. This coupled with fine lyrics (Indeevar) and an equally good music makes it a pleasant song.
Kadamon Mein Tere-Mohd Rafi: This one is another outstanding song of the album. Rafi creates magic with his fine voice. The mukhda is very highly impressive but the antara doesn’t live up to the magic created by the former. Still, it manages to put a smile on one’s face. Also interesting is the way the song ends with Rafi humming ‘La la la…’!
Aaj Mujhe Jal Jaane Bhi Do-Kishore Kumar: Finally comes a number sung by Kishore Da (and the only one in the album)! The film begins with a modern feel-again making it impossible to believe that the song was composed some 30/40 years back! Kishore Da uses the same sort of mischief in this song which he used for ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ and the result is a cool saucy number! Highly recommended for all Kishore Kumar fans!
Ye Duniya Ek Maikhana Hai-Asha Bhosle: This song starts with some fast James Bond-kind music followed by Ashaji’s voice which seductively says, “Main Singapore se aayi hoon!” and then begins singing this fast-paced peppy number! The lyrics (Rajendra Krishnan) of the song are highly praiseworthy. One of the sure-shot masterpieces of Madan Mohan!
Dhadkan Hai Tu Har Dil Ki-Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Balbir and Brij Bhushan: The film stands out from the rest as it’s the only non-solo song in the album. Although Rafi saab is the singer here, the other three and chorus lend able support in between. The number sounds grand and its picturisation would have also been grand.
Besides, the rest of the songs in the album are Rafi’s Mera Paighaam, Yeh Tera Husn Jahaan Mile Dharti Aakash and Madan Mohan’s recording when he was composing the song ‘Mere Ashqon Ka Gham’.
CONCLUSION: As expected, ‘Tere Bagair’ meets up all the high expectations. Each song is brilliant and bears the stamp of the musical genius, Madan Mohan. It’s difficult to pick up a song and declare it as the best song of the album. It’s undoubtedly a treat for all the retro song lovers. Go to your nearest music store and grab your copy-this won’t disappoint you for sure!
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