#69
        Song: Pyaar Huva Ikraar  Huva  Hai,  Pyaar  Se  Fir  Kyun
Darata Hai Dil
                Kehataa Hai Dil Rastaa Mushkil, Malum  Nahin  Hai
Kahan Manzil

        Film:   Shri 420 (1955)
        Music:  Shankar Jaikishan
        Lyrics: Shailendra
        Singer: Manna De, Lata Mangeshkar
        *ing:   Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Nadira, Jagirdaar

Yesterday I was thinking, trying to  decide  a  song  for  todays
post.  I  had  two  songs  in mind. One, a song of C. H. Atma and
other a song of Manna De (not the one appears, though). Then,  to
my disbelief I found out that though I have discussed some of his
songs as part of posts, non of his song had made as an  ATMJH  ##
as yet. Hence, todays song! I suppose, there couldn't have been a
better choice. For, this one is very popular and is well accepted
by  "purists"  as  well  as the rest. Touching any new heights of
musical standards, is no tough  task  for  Manna.  But,  what  is
really  commending  is  his  delivery  of  right expressions with
correct pronunciations at that higher musical grids (levels).   I
must  also  note  that  Lata  is not too behind in this song. Pay
attention to following line that she sings towards the end:
        'Tum  Na  Rahoge,  Main  Na  Rahungi,  Fir  Bhi   Rahengi
Nishaniya'

But, all in all, the credit should go to  Shankar  and  Jaikishan
for their brilliant music here. Just after this (above mentioned)
line, in normal case, a "mukhada' is repeated; they  have  placed
mukhada-by-instruments!  And  you  will  agree that it develops a
great effect. I just  can't  imagine  to  place  any  thing  else
(particularly  human  voice),  for  the mental state of actor and
actress (on screen) won't permit that. Indeed,  very  thoughtful.
I,  don't  know  if  it  was  influenced/inspired  by  the  great
director?

Anyway, my vote of best song from the film goes to another  Manna
song,  though.   Yes, 'Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke' . And after
that, my second favourite song happens to be - a Jaikishan  treat
through,  Mukesh,  Lata Mangeshkar, Nargis and Raj Kapoor, 'Ichak
Dana Bichak Dana'. (On the record, their voices are heard  too  ,
and hence those, two more names. Also, I would consider them part
of the song and necessary at that.)

This film, had surprisingly a low score of  Lata  for  the  first
time  (in fact it started a trend of low Lata scores in series of
R.K. Films, until Satyam Shivam Sundaram in 1978)  in  RK  films,
after  Barsat.  This  film  was an exception for Lata in one more
way: she for the first  time  rendered  that  not-for-all  hidden
aspect, of her sweet voice, seen in abundance in C. Ramchandra or
occasional Jaikishan compositions, for a RK Films film,  for  the
only  solo she sung, again for Jaikishan, in 'O Jaane Wale Mud Ke
Zara Dekhte Jana'. A very good song that didn't  get  its  proper
dues,  though.  It's  a  song,  that  grows over and over, over a
period of time.

While I am at it, let me talk about the  most  widely  known  and
hailed  song.  And  why  not.  It's graced by a great man, called
Mohammad Rafi. The only thing, apart from music of Shankar,  that
I  have  fallen  love with, in the song 'Ramaiya Wasta Vaiya' is,
his voice. For, you take him out and song falls flat!  Mukesh  is
there,  but  has  too little to sing to, to leave any impression.
Rafi is a clear leader.

Finally, film has good solos, one each by Mukesh  and  Manna  De.
Mukesh went over the frontiers with his unmatched, glorious voice
for his fantastic performance, of course coupled  by  some  great
music by Shankar Jaikishan, in 'Mera Juta Hai Japani'. Manna came
with his share, in 'Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala'; the song that  so
naturally fits into the play. I would say, any other singer would
have brought artificialness to it. It was only Manna-da who could
do it.

So, there! I started with him and concluded with  him,  as  well!
(Duniya Gol Hai!  :) )


 
Author: Snehal B. Oza