Apr 04, 2007 07:48 PM
5717 Views
What connects the Hrishida classic Anand, India’s first songless movie Kanoon, the Mallu classic Chemeen, the communist movement in West Bengal and the tea gardens of Assam?*Just one word- Salil Choudhury or Salil Da.
Salil Choudhury spent his childhood in the tea gardens of Assam, where his father was a doctor. He grew up listening to Western classic masters like Mozart, Hayden, Beethoven. His father was a staunch nationalist and he also observed first hand, the miserable conditions of the tea estate workers. In the 1940’s, he experienced the Bengalfamine, the War and the political churning. He joined the IPTA( Indian People Theater Arists) and was a member of the Communist Party. He toured the countryside and articulated the feelings of the masses through his songs which he called “Songs of awakening”.
Salil Da, entered the Hindi movie industry, along with his mentor, Bimal Roy. He started his career with Do Bigha Zameen and since then he has composed for 75 Hindi movies. He also composed for movies in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi and Oriya. Combining Western classical melodies with Indian folk songs, he created a musical style which was unparalleled. He refused to confirm to existing norms and was totally independent in his approach. That could be the reason, why he was less prolific compared to his counterparts. But again if we look at some of the movies he scored for they are the classics of Indian cinema- Anand, Do Bigha Zameen, Madhumati, Kanoon, Jagte Raho, Mere Apne. And that could also be the reason, he worked with directors having a high degree of artistic sensibility likeBimal Roy, Hrishida, Basu Chaterjee, Raj Kapoor, B.R.Chopra and Gulzar.
Somehow a top 20 songs list, will in no way do any justice to this genius. Because genius can never be measured. The songs I have choosen are not Salil Da’s 20 Best, I mean, come on, I am just an ordinary guy, with a passion for music, not even a musical expert. No way I can even decide what are his 20 Best, all I can do is come up with my favorite numbers of Salil Da. Again if there are any errors in my compilation, I do apologize for it.
Haunting is the only word I can use to describe, Aaja Re Pardesi, one of Lata’s best solos from movieMadhumati. The way Lata starts off with a deliberately slow echo, and the folksy tune in background coupled with the eerie bits, just gives one the goose bumps. One of the best songs about unrealized love.
And from a haunting ghost number to one of the sweetest lullabies is Aaaja Ri Aaje Re Nindiya from Do Bigha Zameen. Again an excellent solo by Lata here, with a laid back, very soothing tune.
Feeling home sick in a foreign land, away from your native country. What better song to capture this in Ae Mere Pyaare Vatan. Manna Dey, brings to life, the wonderful feeling of longing for own’s land from the movie Kabuliwala. If you are listening to this song, one is bound to be moved to tears. I would rate this as one of the best patriotic songs along with Kar Chale Hum Fida( Haqeeqat) and **Lata’s Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logo.
From patriotism to romance, again in Madhumati, is the Lata-Mukesh duet, Dil Tadap Tadap Ke. Wonderfully romantic, with excellent singing by both Lata and Mukesh, this is a song to be savored.
A wonderfully satiric commentary on the unemployment of youth, and their frustration, is in Haal Chaal Teek Taak Hai, from Gulzar’s master piece Mere Apne. Sung by both Kishore and Manna Dey, the song is a tongue in cheek, satiric look at the state of the youth in that time.
Salil Da** was a die hard follower of Mozart, and it can be seen in the song Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyaar from the movie Chaya, which is based on Mozart’s 40th Symphony. One of Mozart’s most famous tunes, Salilda uses the voices of Talat Mehmood and Lata to come up with this romantic duet.
Lata again comes up with one of her best solos, in Jaa Re, Jaa Re Je Ud Re Panchi, from the movie Maya. This song has very high modulation, and a very slow beat.
From the slow, soulful Jaa Re, Salil Da, comes up with the absolutely brisk and fast paced Jaaneman Jaaneman from the 1970’s comedy classic Choti Si Baat. Pretty fast beat, and shows Salil Da’s wonderful range, with some exemplary singing by Yesudas and Hemlatha.
Mukesh** is in top form with the background song from Rajnigandha, Kai Baar Yuhin Dekha Hai, and one of his best solos. The song plays in the background, as the heroine travels around in a cab, and wonderfully captures her dilemma of choosing between her present and past lover.
And this song is a sublime masterpiece, I don’t have any other words to describe it. It would make it my list of favorite songs. Kahin Door Jab Din Dal Jaaye, is a masterpiece of a composition. From the movie Anand, this soulful song, shows the hero in a rare introspective mood, as he ponders over the short life he has. Though having tragic overtone, the song, never gets slow or morbid, and just captivates the listener.
One of Kishore Da’s best sad numbers, Koi Hota Jisko Apna, from the movie Mere Apne. Actually the tune for this song was used in the climax scene of Anand. One of the best tragic songs, watch out for the superb modulation of Kishore Da, and his depiction of loneliness.
If Anand had a somber Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye, then it also has an equally feel good, Maine Tere Liye. If you are feeling down, and want to get over your blues, listen to this song. Gulzar’s lyrics wonderfully exhibit the hero’s philosophy of living and spreading happiness. And note the piano interludes.
Lata has sung some wonderful romantic solos, but to me nothing to beat Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare. I am sure every female listening to that song, would have known how it is to be separated from the person they love. Just watch the way Lata, expresses the heroine’s longing, with pauses at the right time.
If Lata was all romanticism personified in that song, here she shows the child like enthusiasm, for the monsoon in O Sajna Barka Bahaar Aaye. Salilda again combines with Lata to create an ambience so natural, that you actually feel the cool breeze of the monsoon blowing across.
Having spent his time in the tea gardens of Assam, Salil Da, was a keen observer of natural sounds. And this wonderful on the road song showcases it. Starting off with the cry of a farmer, the rubbing of twigs, Mukesh immediately juts into with Suhana Safar from Madhumati. Just watch out for the wonderful echo imitation in the song. And you find yourself on a road trip right in the hills.
