#359

        Song:   Saajna din bahure hamaare (2)
                Pyaase aa pahunche nadiyaa kinaare

        Film:   Khel (1950)
        Singer: Geeta Roy
        Music:  Sajjad Hussain
        Lyrics: Arzu Lucknawi
        *ing:   Dev Anand, ?

Being in the middle of a Geeta Dutt  tribute,  today  seemed  the
perfect  day to post this enchanting but lesser known melody from
Sajjad, the "Eccentric  Genius"  whose  death  anniversary  falls
today (July 21). It is said that Sajjad did not have much respect
for the musical talents of Geeta Roy (or anyone else's, for  that
matter-  except  Lata's,  Noor  Jehan's  and  of course his own).
Listening to Geeta's lush renditions of  some  of  his  creations
such as this one (and of course, the two classics from 'Sangdil'-
'dharti se door gore'  and  'darshan  pyaasi  aayi  daasi'),  one
wonders why. But I guess the eccentricity justifies that...

Anyway, so be it. This tune, given the intricacies his music  was
generally fraught with, is fairly unconvoluted. But it does carry
hints  of  his  inescapable  trademarks,  one  of  which   is   a
fascinating  violin ensemble, especially in the opening bars- the
way the brisk pace of the  violins  complements  the  reluctantly
offbeat  rhythm (his other trademark) is truly amazing. The other
charm  in  this  song,  IMO,   is  Geeta's  playfully   beckoning
'Saajnaa-aa' in the mukhdaa :-)

The soundtrack is probably remembered more for two  unforgettable
solos  by Lata- "Jaate ho to jaao" and "Bhool jaa ae dil", each a
veritable masterpiece.



Guest Author: Hrishi Dixit