Tere Bina Jiya jaaye Na..

Looking at the clip of Rampur Ka Laxaman, I felt like playing a simple quiz - What's the Good Word?

One word - in English language - that describes a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something?

Easy to answer - Metamorphosis!

Now, the only word from Hindi film industry that is a perfect synonym of Metamorphosis?

Much more easy to answer - Rekha!

When Rekha emerged on the Hindi film screen in 1970, she was considered an average dusky pretty heroine - with not much credit given for her acting prowess. Her movies over next 7 years - barring Aalap & Do Anjane, also somehow never even hinted at what she was capable of. 

Then, in 1978, came a movie - directed by Manick Chatterjee with story & dialogues by Dinesh Thakur & lyrics by Gulzar. Here, in a very challenging & sensitive role, Rekha finally emerged out of her cocoon and took off as one of the most talented performer of Hindi film screen. Her persona, after that movie, changed and from just another pretty face, she went on to be an actress who was beautiful, enigmatic, sensitive & very very sensuous.

The movie was Ghar - which was also one of the milestones of Pancham's career. Each of the song was meticulously composed and crafted to suit the mood of the story and the verse of Gulzar - underlining the superb creative chemistry they both shared. 

While Phir Wohi Raat Hai, is a song that I love the most from this movie, for now, I would love to play Lata's Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na - for a few reasons. 

The obvious reason - the onscreen presence of Rekha & her chemistry with Vinod Mehra.

More importantly, for the way the song was structured: a beginning that has a touch of bossa nova, with suddenly the prelude mixing it to essentially the sound of only two instruments - which then remain the backbone of the entire song. The instruments were Maadal & Guitar. For this song, RD used a number of Maadals, each providing a different note, and each played by only one person - Ranjit Gezmer. 

Another reason - for a song known to be only of Lata, a surprise appearance by Kishore's vocals to end the song, in turn, making the song so much more special.

So here it is - a song to romance with - Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na..