#151
        Song: Aan Milo Aan Milo Shyam Saanware

        Film:   Devdas (1955)
        Music:  S B Burman
        Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianwi
        Singer: Manna De, Geeta Roy
        *ing:   Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Vyjantimala, Motilal

Two films made  on  this  story,  with  identical  names,  became
famous.  First,  largely  because  of  Saigal  and his songs, and
second, for Dilip Kumar's acting.

This song of Devdas attained immense popularity.  It  employs  an
instrument,   belonging  to  class  of  Dholak/nAl/mRidang,  very
effectively. Sachin Dev also found a place  for  bansuri  in  the
song  at  places.  Overall  song is lovely. On top of this folksy
music, we have Geeta Roy  singing  it  in  her  inimitable  style
bringing  heaven  on this very earth! There also exists a Bengali
version of this song, sung by master  himself,  in  his  powerful
voice

        Rangila Rangila Rangila Re .... Koi Gayela Re Bandhu  Koi
Gayela Re ..

I suppose this must have formed basis for this Devdas song.

Devdas has interesting combination of singers. If we  have  Manna
and  Geeta in the song I discussed above, we also have Mohd. Rafi
and Lata Mangeshkar in some others  (of  course,  not  together).
Rafi sung only one song, with very good choral effect

        Raahi O  Raahi           (Rafi  singing,  soft,  in  mid-
second octave)
        Manzil Ki Chaah Me, Raahi Ke Waaste
        Sukh Ke  Bhi  Raaste,  Dukh  Ke  Bhi  Raaste  (Chorus  in
background, at low
                                                pitch)

Every time, Rafi  approaches  end  of  a  stanza,  chorus  starts
dominating Rafi -- who allows his voice to die down -- with above
two lines. Rafi actually singing these (apparently) opening lines
only  once  at  the  end, when chorus goes in background lowering
their decibel level gradually, to  disappear  eventually  and  we
have   only   Rafi  singing  'Manzil  Ki  Chaah  Me...'  .  Great
composition by a great master. I haven't seen the movie but would
guess  that  this one must be a background number and chorus must
be some troop enroute their destination  singing  on  screen.  Is
this  when,  Devdas  leaves  village, or is it when he starts his
journey back ? This one is my favourite, besides Geeta-Manna duet
and some more that I will talk about a little later.

Lata sings two songs, picturised on Vyjantimala. (I suppose Geeta
sung  for Suchitra Sen. A thoughtful selection of voice for Paro.
I won't buy Lata here.)  Both the songs are enjoyable  in  Lata's
sweet voice.

        Ab Aage Teri Marzi              (A typical mujra) and
        Jise Tu Kubul Kar Le, Wo Dua Kahan Se Laun

So far, all these are comparable with Sehgal classic but  can  we
even  try  comparing  'Dukh  Ke  Din Ab Bitat Naahi' and Sehgal's
laughter in it with that of Dilip Kumar classic ?  My  answer  is
NO.  With  all  credits  to  Talat  Mehmood  who  sung  these two
beautiful songs, I must say Talat is no Sehgal. Anyway  they  are
my  other  favourite  songs  from the film, and let me spell them
here to complete this post

        Mitawaa, Mitawaa Laagi Re Yeh Kaisi Unbuz Aag and
        Kis Ko Khabar Thi, Kos Ko Yaqeen Tha Aise Bhi Din Ayenge

Particularly, former is a rendition of it's own class.



 
Author: Snehal B. Oza