Phiro Eso Anuradha..

The album released for Durga Pooja of 1967 is an absolute treasure trove for those seeking to find RD's inspirations for some of his very popular Hindi songs. Apart from Ekdin Pakhi Ure Jabe Je, and Mone Pore Rubi Ray, the album had another number - a cult song amongst Bangla music lovers - Phire Eso Anuradha!

Phire eso Anuradha, Bhenge diye shob badha,

Priyotoma Monalisa

Tumi amar bhalobasha|

The lyrics - again penned by Sachin Bhowmick who used the name Anuradha in this song because of his special affection to his own screenplay for the movie Anuradha, means (thanks to the translation by Dr. Saikat Chakraborty – available on facebook):

Come back Anuradha, Breaking all the shackles

My darling, My monalisa, You are the one I love.

You spoke to me in that song, In that song, you told me, 

Giving me a flower from your hair,

That you'll be my bride, And the desert will then become like the sea. 

Why did you go away, tell me, why did you go?

Forgot about all this love, And forgot about all the wishes 

All those wishes.. 

Anuradha

Here is the song, sung by RD, in his inimitable way & voice:

This composition was used by RD in the movie “Jaise ko Taisa”, released in 1973. However, much later, in 1981, this composition also became the backbone of another of RD’s very popular songs. I would like to showcase this song here – not only because of it being more popular or for its profound lyrics - penned by Gulzar, not even because of the way Lata Mangeshkar has made this composition soar, but only because of the actress who appears only at the fag end of the song – one of the most beautiful & talented actresses in India – whose birthday happens to be today – Happy Birthday to Rekha.

Mone Pore Rubi Ray.....Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si..

Navratri – Nine nights of celebrating the power of & of seeking blessings from Devi Durga! For us brought up in Mumbai, during our teenage and just-out-of-teenage years, this was the time to get a chance to dance with some of the prettiest girls in the neighbourhood – those who otherwise would not have even given us the time of the day – and thus breaking our heart regularly.

I had observed a curious phenomenon during those years. There was a house across the road from my home – shut almost throughout the year – but would come alive about a month before Navratri. I could not only see lights in the night, but also a lot of shouting – sometimes seething with anger, and often with a lot of laughter. Seeing me concerned with such going-ons, once my father explained – Oh, this is the group called Kallol – and they are preparing for Durga Pooja. This was the first time I heard about the Pooja festival. Of course I had not realized the passion with which Pooja was celebrated by Bengalis till we moved in Powai about 13 years ago.

Much before that however, unknowingly, I and so many fans of Pancham’s music like me, had celebrated Durga Pooja through his music. Like the Diwali special issues in Mahrashtra where all noted writes make a special effort to contribute, in Bengal existed a trend where almost all the celebrated composers with their roots in Bengal, would create special albums for Pooja festival. RD also composed some of his masterpieces specially for Pooja – which later found place in some of his most celebrated tunes in Hindi movies.

Over next few days, till Durga Pooja, I will bring to you two of his creations each day – one which was composed for the festival & then its Hindi version.

Since I was talking of 1972, let me begin with one of his most popular songs in Hindi movies from a movie released that year. First the Bangla version. This song was apparently inspired by the unrequited love of Sachin Bhowmik – noted writer who also wrote this song. Composed in 1967, this was RD’s first Bengali solo – as a singer - & one of the most popular ones too.

So here it goes: Mone Pore Ruby Ray..

And now the Hindi version

Recreated for Anamika, RD retained the same raga but rearranged the music, to suit the movie sequence. 

The result – a song that brings out the longingness, loss and a sense of betrayal – with the combined creativity of Majrooh & RD which only Kishore could have sung & perhaps only Sanjeev Kumar could emote. In such a manner, a classic was born that has retained its charm & flavour even after 4 decades.

Tujhe bin jaane, bin pahchaane

Maine hriday se lagaayaa

Par mere pyaar ke badle mein toone

Mujhko ye din dikhlaayaa

Jaise birhaa ki rut maine kaati

Tadapke aahen bhar-bhar ke

Jale man teraa bhi, kisi ke milan ko

Anaamikaa, tu bhi tarse