Achchhi Nahin Sanam Dillagi..

It was not by design, but a coincidence, that last two songs on this page had Asha Parekh as the heroine. Having done that, now by design, let me present another duet that starred Asha Parekh. Asha Parekh being the key protagonists of all Nasir Hussain movies from Dil Deke Dekho to Caravan and also one of the topmost actresses in 60s, it was quite natural that Pancham had some of his best compositions picturised on Asha Parekh. 

The duet presented here is from a movie - Rakhee Aur Hathkadi - another spin on the cliched formulae of "Lost & Found", so popular amongst the producers-directors of late 60s & early 70s. The movie had Asha Parekh in double roles - one as a courtesan and another as of her daughter. Apart from Ashok Kumar, Pran & Helen, all other key protagonists of the movies were rank new-comers at that time - including Danny for whom this was perhaps the first movie as a full fledged villain. Asha Parekh herself being past her prime by then, the movie had nothing interesting for the cine-goers and hence tanked. Fortunately, some of the songs survived, due to freshness that RD offered.

Getting back to the composition, it is a lilting duet - penned by Majrooh - that starts of with a Sax prelude and has very subtle score through out, including interludes. The harmony is created by relying more on the vocal chemistry of Asha & Kishore - who carry out their bit so well that song remains as sweet as it was 4 decades ago. 

Unfortunately, same can not be said true about the chemistry of the performers on-screen, the other Asha - looking a bit tired, and her co-star Vijay Arora - who tries his hardest to find a balance between his hangover of Shammi Kapoor & Rajesh Khanna.

See for yourself, and then close your eyes, and just enjoy the song:

Le Kar Hum, Deewana Dil..

There are a number of occasions where a song in the movie acts as a break for the movie - sometime on purpose & sometimes unintentionally. There are very few such moments, where the story moves on in rapid speed - while a song is going on.

Yaadon ki Barat had one such song where a lot more action was happening off the song-stage itself. A killing, a heist and amidst all this a stage performance by Tariq (who made his debut with this song) & Neetu Singh, in a guest appearance.

Keeping in mind all the paraphernalia around the song, the composition also had to be something special. RD manages precisely that..and how..

The killing of a henchmen, gets mixed into the song's initiation by RD's own typical hoot, followed by some amazing prelude comprising of percussion & guitar - a sudden lull - and then tempo starts building up again to a longish prelude, before the vocals by Asha & Kishore take over. Even the interludes - showing the main villain & his Mona darling as well as a heist by Dharmendra in progress - ensures that the pace does not falter a bit.

Add to this composition, the whole lot of instruments - specially the rapid beats on Conga drums, a variety of Guitars, Kishore's rendition, Asha's ending of each stanza with that throaty ha-aa.. and the very very sexily grooving Neetu Singh --- the song is an absolute magic in rhythm!

Just watch on..

Aap Ke Kamre Men Koi Rahta Hai..

Almost forty years ago to date, Nasir Hussain released, perhaps his most ambitious, and most successful movie – in its own right a cult movie (my wife and her three brothers still sing the theme song with the same fervor) – Yaadon ki Baraat. 

Working on his favourite formula of Lost & Found – this time about three brothers, the movie also had some of RD’s most amazing compositions – which ensured a recall & a repeat value for the movie, forever.

One of the songs was very unlike a normal movie song for those times. A friend had remarked once: Pancham’s music was the celebration of life itself. That being the case, this song is a perfect example of joie-de-vivre. 

The sequence had a fair share of drama to begin with. Tariq, one of the heroes – who being a singer in the hotel, is entertaining the patrons with some serious jamming, before in a very formulaic manner, misses out reuniting with one of the lost brothers - Vijay Arora. The actual song starts after this melodrama – with Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle grooving to some excellent guitar chords.

What makes the composition different is the whole treatment – conversational in style as well as lyrics – with the singer also inviting patrons to join him in chorus. 

However, before showcasing this song, today being the Dashmi – last day of Durga Pooja, sticking to my promise, let me first give you the original Bangla composition. 

Bandho Dared Andho Kare , from black & white movie of 1970 -Rajkumari - starring Uttam Kumar & Tanuja, and sung by Asha & Kishore..

And now the song from Yaadon ki Baraat.

An absolute turnaround in the treatment as the composition turns into a full-fledged rock sound. While Kishore pitches in for both the heroes, once the final jamming starts, RD grabs the opportunity to pitch in with his own voice too. Since the song had Zeenat Aman as one of the characters, Asha brings in Dum Maro Dum – thus increasing the heat & the glam quotient of the entire composition. 

Enjoy this amazing number..

Agar main kahun jo dekha, nahee tha woh koyee kwaab
Pada tha table pe chasma, woh kiska janaab

Gore gale me woh muffler, tha kis hasin kaa

Jara haath dil pe rakh ke, hame dijiye jawaab

Aapke kamare me koyee rehata hai