Gore hon Ya Kale, Apne hon Sare,...

Bombay to Goa was not the first time when Usha Uthup sang in Hindi movies or under RD's baton.

It was in 1969 when Dev Anand asked Usha Uthup to sing for his forthcoming movie - Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Based on the movie script's requirement, RD planned a song with Lata Mangeshkar & Usha Uthup, but the song ultimately ended up using Asha Bhosle's voice. This was "Dum Maro Dum".

RD however used another situation in the same movie to introduce Usha Uthup to the Hindi film audience through possibly what was the first bilingual song in Hindi movies. Of course, her co-singer now was Asha. Quite possibly the way this other song was structured, Lata & Usha Uthup woiuld have been a total mismatch for each other. On the other hand Asha & Usha Uthup are able to complement each other perfectly - with RD allowing the music to suddenly extend and pace up, giving Usha Uthup a free reign to do her vocals.

The phenomenal popularity of Dum Maro Dum to some extent overshadowed this song. While in the clubs, DJ's regularly play Dum Maro Dum, this song is rarely heard, for no fault of its music or vocals. Quite possibly it is just waiting - to be re-discovered:

Listen to the Pouring Rain...

And now let us continue back on the road from Bombay to Goa. This being the weekend evening, here is a medley of club classics - performed live in the movie by Usha Uthup (at that time Usha Iyer). The medley include some of the chart busters like "Listen to the pouring rain", "Temptation", "Fever", "I married a female wrestler" and "It's all right with me". 

Of course while the songs were chosen by Usha Iyer essentially, RD remodelled them in his own style. So if you hear has bossa nova rhythm in one, there is a well structured bongo element in another one (the one with Goan tune) to balance the same.

As the sequence starts with Amitabh walking in to the club, one can see a different avatar of Amitabh - much more confident then his earlier roles. Though at the time of shooting no one would have been knowing the importance of this sequence in his career, yet perhaps the destiny was getting him ready, because this club sequence ultimately leads into a fight between Amitabh & Shatrughan - and apparently it is this fight sequence that got the attention of those looking for the hero for Zanjeer.

However, it is time for us to start grooving with Usha Iyer & R D Burman: