Happy New Year 2024 with Geeta ji and Gajendra Khanna

December 31st, 2023

Welcome to this Special New Year 2024 programme made specially for all Geeta Dutt fans by Gajendra Khanna. Do tune in and Enjoy the programme.

Request all of you fans to contribute to the website with articles, photos and other materials including missing songs, various new lists etc.

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Geeta ji Sings More Western Style Songs

December 15th, 2023

Here is another programme of her western style songs for your listening pleasure:-

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Geeta ji Sings More Western Style Songs

December 8th, 2023

In this programme presented by Gajendra Khanna, enjoy more western style songs sung by Geeta ji :-

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Remembering Geeta ji’s Western Style Songs Part 3

December 1st, 2023

In Part 1 and Part 2 of the programmes we heard Geeta ji’s western style songs. Part 1 was with various composers and part 2 was an O P Nayyar special. Now, Gajendra Khanna presents, Part 3 with Geeta ji singing for 5 composers. Hope you will like the programme.

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Geeta ji in Madras

February 4th, 2024

Geeta Dutt and Lata Mangeshkar went to Madras in 1952 to sing the Man Mor Machave shor song for the film Ladki – 1953 .

Seen below are pics from that recording in those days.

Here in the 1st picture, lyricist Rajendra Krishan can be seen too.

Geeta ji with Lata Mangeshkar and Lyricist Rajendra Krishan in Madras
Geeta ji with Lata Mangeshkar and Lyricist Rajendra Krishan in Madras during the recording for Ladki (1953)

Film Director M V Raman is seen in the 2nd pic between Geeta and Lata

Geeta ji, Lata Mangeshkar and M V Raman

Composer Sudarsanam in seen standing in the 3rd pic.

Geeta ji, Lata Mangeshkar, Composer Sudarshan ji (standing) and Others

All these pictures are courtesy Lakshmipriya ji. Thanks a lot to her for sharing these pictures and information.

Geeta ji sings Western Style Songs for O P Nayyar

November 25th, 2023

As we continue our Birth Anniversary celebrations, Here is a programme presented by Gajendra Khanna features some of her Western Style Songs for O P Nayyar for your listening pleasure:-

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Rarest of Rare Geeta ji’s Non Film Song of 1958

November 24th, 2023

Zafar Shah ji, famous owner of Shah Music Centre and the Zaif Bro Youtube Channel is always very generous with his collection.

On Geeta ji’s 93rd Birthday, He has shared a rarest of rare song of Geeta ji recorded in 1958 titled ‘Baharon Ki Baaten’. Thanks a lot to him for sharing it from the bottom of our heart.

The full label is not seen but it appears to have been recorded for an All India Radio broadcast. Thanks a lot once again to Zafar Shah ji for sharing it for the listening pleasure of her fans. A real unknown gem!!

The Lovely Qawwalis of Geeta ji On Her Birth Anniversary

November 23rd, 2023

Geeta ji was one of a kind is clear to her fans. When one sees the sheer variety of songs She was able to do in her nearly 25 year old career, portions of which saw her getting songs quite sparsely, one cannot help rave about her versatility and of course, her ethereal voice.

Geeta ji had been born today (23rd November) in 1930 and would have turned 93 today. This is a special anniversary post of her songs on an extremely less discussed genre in which too Geeta ji has sung.

Many times, It is seen that many listeners are not even aware of the songs She may have done in a genre. Qawwalis have been recorded for literally decades now. Females singing Qawwalis had started in a significant way after the famous female only superhit Qawwali in Zeenat (1945). Later, many other female singers have sung songs.

Recently, a well known film historian had made a statement online that Geeta ji had not sung any qawwalis. This is of course far from the truth and we realised, if knowledgeable people are unaware, this must also be unknown to many others. Therefore Dr Mahesh Sagar and I, Gajendra Khanna of the Geeta Dutt website team decided to do a special Mythbuster post on her Birth Anniversary show casing her Qawwali songs. We hope you will enjoy this post and the lovely Qawwalis Geeta ji has sung in.

Qawwali #1- Lacchi (1949 ) – Sharab-e-Ishq Jaati Hai Pilayi , Pi Nahin Jaati ( with Lata ) … later reused in Dost (1954)

The very first time, Geeta ji sang a Qawwali was a very interesting case. Composer Hansraj Behl was working on the music of a Punjabi movie Lachhi being produced by Kuldeep Pictures Bombay. The producers were Lekhraj Bhakhri and Kuldip Sehgal.  It was being directed by Rajendra Sharma and starred Wasti, Manorma, Randhi, Majnu, Cukoo and Om Prakash. A qawwali ‘Sharaab-e-Ishq Jaati Hai Pilaayi’ sung by Geeta Roy and Lata Mangeshkar and chorus to be picturised in a theatre was then proposed for this movie which released on 8th April 1949. Its lyrics were written by Varma Malik. Interestingly, this song which was an Urdu Song in a Punjabi film was reused in the 1954 release Dost as well.  Both the movies are not available but thankfully the audio is available.

Here is the Song from our co-admin Parag Sankla’s YouTube Channel for your listening pleasure:-

Qawwali #2- Hamara Ghar (1950) – Lakdi Jal … Dekho Toh Dil Hi Dil Mein – ( With Shamshad Begum and Shanti Sharma)

The next composer to get Geeta ji to participate in a Qawwali was Chitragupt with whom Geeta ji has sung the maximum number of songs. This was made under the banner of Hindustan Chitra, Bombay directed by famous director Nanabhai Bhatt He was a prolific director since the early 40s though today He is more known as patriarch of the Bhatt family. His sons Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt and Robin Bhatt are well known in the industry. There are other members of the family also associated with the film industry like Mahesh’s daughters Pooja Bhatt and today’s top actress Alia Bhatt. This movie for which Geeta ji sang a qawwali was titled Hamara Ghar (1950) and It’s star cast comprised of Durga Khote, Umakant, Veera, Agha, MMeena Kumari, Geeta Bose, David, Jankidas, Ramesh Gupta and Yashodhra Katju. This Qawwali had been written by Anjum and featured a trio, of ace singer Shamshad Begum, Shanti Sharma joining Geeta ji in the singing. Interestingly, the initial line sung by Shamshad Begum is inspired by the Kabir Doha with Geeta ji then joining. Anjum wrote just one more song ‘Chandni Chhitki Hui Hai, Muskuraati Raat Hai’ for the film which is also a lovely Geeta-Rafi duet.

Here is the qawwali for your listening pleasure:-

Qawwali #3- Rajput (1951) – Chupne Ke Liye Hai … Do Roz Ka Jalwa Hai ( with Hamida Bano)

Geeta ji got the next opportunity to participate in a qawwali with another legendary singer of the 40s, Hamida Bano for the Suraiya, Jairaj, Kuldeep, Randheer and Sapru starrer Raajput (1951) made by Jubilee Pictures. The film had the Husanlal-Bhagatram jodi giving just one song while all the remaining were composed by Hansraj Behl including this qawwali being discussed. It had been written by Rajendra Krishan who had been brought in to write just this qawwali for this movie. Both the singers have done a lovely rendition which is quite enjoyable.

Here it is for your listening pleasure:-

Qawwali # 4- Laalach (1960) – Suno Mere Sarkar … Shanichar Se Itwaar Accha Rahega

The qawwalis we have explored till now are ones sung by Geeta ji before her marriage when She was known as Geeta Roy. She sang another qawwali, this time a solo, for the Social film named ‘Laalach’ which had been made by Sagar Film Company and released in 1960. It starred Kaamraan, Indira, Sheela Kashmiri, Majnu, Arvind Kumar, Wazeer Mohammad Khan, Heera Sawan, Shakeela Bano Bhopali among others. This qawwali Suno Mere Sarkar had been written by Khawar Zaman and composed by a lesser known composer S Kishan. It is a qawwali which also has a Punjabi rhythm to it too somewhere.  I find the lyrics quite interesting with lover longing for the Sunday to come so that time can be spent with the lover. Yakeenan, Shaniwar Se Itwaar Achcha Rahega!!

Here is the cute and rare qawwali for your listening pleasure:-  

Qawwali #5- Room No 17 (1961)- Nazar Nazar Se Nikli Girate  Aa Rahe Hain Woh ( With S Balbir)

During her career, Geeta ji has sung with almost all the playback singers active in the industry in the 1950s. S Balbir was one of the singers of the period with whom Geeta ji has sung quite a few songs. Both have sung an excellent qawwali together. They did such awesome singing in it and we would be glad to introduce this rare qawwali to you. This qawwali She has sung for was for J D Picture’s release Room No 17 which came out in 1961. The Geet Kosh does not mention details of singers other than Geeta ji but It is clear to us that S Balbir is singing with her for this qawwali. Bulo C Rani, another composer, who gave dozens of songs to Geeta ji was at the helm for this Qawwali. Geet Kosh does not mention the exact lyrics credits for the qawwali but this is written by Anwar Farrukhabadi. This song is a long song that had come out on both sides of a 78 rpm. We don’t mind, long songs of Geeta ji at all. The title is ‘Nazar Nazar Se Bijliyaan Giraate Aa Rahe Hain Woh, To Dil Ko Thaam Lo Ki Muskura Rahe Hain Woh’.

Enjoy this lovely, enjoyable Qawwali here:-

Qawwali # 6- Awara Abdulla (1963)- Hum Hain Awara Toh Kya Hai ( With Mohd Rafi)

N Datta is another composer who has given lovely songs to Geeta ji. In fact, his Punjabi film debut Baalo in 1951 and his Hindi Film Debut Milaap in 1955 had Geeta ji singing some lovely songs. His movie Awara Abdullah, made under the Hanna films banner in 1963 had Geeta ji singing a lovely Qawwali written by Asad Bhopali along with ace singer Mohammad Rafi with whom She has sung the maximum duets (150+). So, it is not a surprise that one of those is a Qawwali. It is a rare treat for us fans. While the 78 rpm record featured this adorable qawwali on both the sides, in the film this Qawwali was extended even more timing out to be nearly 9 minutes! Both ace singers have sung the qawwali very lovingly and will certainly be enjoyed by fans of both of them.

Enjoy it here:-

Qawwali #7- Haqdaar (1964)- agar hum tumhe… jinhe rukh se parda – (with Mohd Rafi , Manna Dey , Nirmala Devi)

The only other Qawwali we know of Geeta ji participating in was for Haqdaar (1964), once again singing for composer Bulo C Rani. In this Qawwali written by Prem Varbartani. Geeta ji was joined by three other legendary singers, Mohd Rafi Sahab, Manna Dey and Nirmala Devi with Chorus. Like the previous song, this qawwali also was double sided on the 78 rpm record and longer in the film, where it was over 9 minutes long! We are really thankful to fellow Geeta fan, Aditya Pant for sharing this extended version for your listening.

Here it is for your enjoyment:-

We hope you have enjoyed this post featuring Geeta ji’s Qawwalis. We hope some more will turn up later out of the blue, like some times Zafar Shah and other great collectors surprise us with unknown Geeta songs. We will be glad to update this post then. Do inform us if you find more. Also, do please share it with other fellow Geeta fans.

Thanks.

Admin and Maintainer Gajendra Khanna’s Note: If you too would like to share your articles and experiences for the blog, please get in touch with me at anmolfankaar [AT] gmail [DOT] [COM]. Thanks.

Remembering Geeta ji’s Western Style Songs Part 1

November 17th, 2023

Seeing the upcoming Birth Anniversary of Geeta ji, I, Gajendra Khanna am starting a series of programmes on Geeta ji’s Western Style songs. Here is the first programme for your listening pleasure:-

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Hope you like my presentation. Do share it with other fans of Geeta ji and western style songs.

Remembering Geeta ji on Her Death Anniversary

July 20th, 2023

Today 20th July 2023 is the 42nd Death Anniversary of our beloved Geeta ji.

On this occasion, here is a rare picture of Geeta ji shared by avid Geeta fan Priya Pakanati Gaaru.

A Rare Picture of Geeta ji shared by Priya Pakanati Gaaru

Today Radio Ceylon paid tribute to her by playing her songs for nearly one and a half hours. This programme was compered by Jyoti Parmar ji, veteran announcer of SLBC.

From 6:30 to 7 am, they played her solo songs. In this segment, they played eight lovely solos of hers. Each of them was for a different composer and lyricist!

Here are the details of this segment called Aaj Ke Kalakaar:-

  1. 12 O’Clock (1958) – Geeta Dutt – kaisa jaadoo balam tu ne Daara, kho gaya nanha sa dil hamaara – OP Nayyar (Majrooh Sultanpuri)   कैसा जादू बलम तूने डारा, खो गया नन्हा सा दिल हमारा
  2. Saahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (1962) – Geet Dutt – piya aiso jiyo me.n samaa gayo re – Hemant Kumar (Shakeel Badauyani)   पिया ऐसो जिया में समाय गयो रे, कि मैं तन मन की सुध बुध गवाँ बैठी
  3. Pyaasa (1957) – Geeta Dutt – jaanay kya tunay kahi jaanay kya maine suni – SD Burman (Sahir Ludhianvi)   जाने क्या तूने कही जाने क्या मैने सुनी
  4. Son of India (1962) – Geeta Dutt & chorus – mujhay hazoor tum se pyaar hai, tumhi pe zindagi nisaar hai – Naushad (Shakeel Badauyani)   मुझे हुज़ूर तुम से प्यार है, तुम्ही पे ज़िन्दगी निसार है
  5. Neelofar (1957) – Geeta Dutt – jal gaya bahaar me.n meray dil ka aashiyaa.n – Avinash Vyas (Pandit Madhur)   जल गया बहार में मेरे दिल का आशिआं
  6. Anubhav (1971) – Geeta Dutt – merii jaa.n mujhay jaa.n naa kaho meri jaa.n meri jaa.n meri jaa.n – Kanu Roy (Gulzar) मेरी जाँ, मुझे जाँ ना कहो, मेरी जाँ, मेरी जाँ, मेरी जाँ
  7. Malika (1956) – Geeta Dutt – idhar dil hai udhar duniya, kidhar jaaye.n, kahaa.n jaaye.n – Hans Raj Behal (Tanvir Naqvi)  इधर दिल है उधर दुनिया, किधर जायें, कहाँ जायें
  8. Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) – Geeta Dutt – waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam, tum rahay na tum – SD Burman (Kaifi Aazmi)   वक़्त ने किया क्या हसीं सितम, तुम रहे ना तुम हम रहे ना हम

This segment can be heard below thanks to D S Rathi ji:-

Aaj Ke Kalakaar : Tribute to Geeta ji with Her Solos

In the Next Segment of Film Sangeet, Duets of Geeta ji were played with various singers. Here are the details of this segment:-

  1. Johny Walker (1957) – Asha & Geeta Dutt – la la la … Thandi Thandi hawa poochhey un ka pataa – OP Nayyar (Hasrat Jaipuri)   ला ला ला … ठण्डी ठण्डी हवा पूछे उनका पता, लाज आए सखी कैसे दूँ मैं बता
  2. Mr & Mrs 55 (1955) – Rafi & Geeta Dutt – udhar tum hasee.n ho idhar dil jawaa.n hai – OP Nayyar (Majrooh Sultanpuri)   उधर तुम हसीं हो इधर दिल जवाँ है, ये रंगीन रातों की इक दास्ताँ है
  3. Chhoo Mantar (1956) – Rafi & Geeta Dutt – garib jaan ke (2), hum ko tum na miTaa denaa – OP Nayyar (Jan Nisar Akhtar)   ग़रीब जान के (2), हम को तुम ना मिटा देना, तुम्हीं ने दर्द दिया है तुम्हीं दवा देना
  4. Apna Ghar (1960) – Mukesh & Geeta Dutt – tum se hi meri zindagi meri bahaar tum – Ravi (Prem Dhawan)   तुम से ही मेरी ज़िन्दगी मेरी बहार तुम
  5. Duniya Jhukti Hai (1960) – Geeta Dutt & Hemant Kumar – gum sum sa ye jahaa.n – Hemant Kumar (Rajendar Krishan)   गुम सुम सा ये जहाँ, ये रात ये हवा, एक साथ आज दो दिल धड़केंगे दिलरुबा
  6. Ziddi (1964) – Manna Dey & Geeta Dutt – mai.n teray pyaar me.n kya kya na banaa (2), dilbar, jaanay ye mausam – SD Burman (Hasrat Jaipuri)   मैं तेरे प्यार में क्या क्या ना बना (2), दिलबर, जाने ये मौसम
  7. Bahu (1955) – Geeta Dutt & Talat – Thandi hawaayo.n me.n taaro.n ki chhaayo.n me.n – Hemant Kumar (SH Bihari)   ठण्डी हवाओं में तारों की छाँव में, आज बलम मेरा डोले जिया
  8. Shararat (1959) – Kishore & Geeta Dutt – dekh aasmaa.n me.n chaa.nd muskuraye – Shankar Jaikishan (Hasrat Jaipuri)   देख आस्मां में चाँद मुस्कुराऐ, देख वो सितारे गगन में झिल मिलाए

Here is the Film Sangeet programme once again courtesy D S Rathi ji:-

Film Sangeet programme: Tribute to Geeta ji with her solos

In their popular Purani Filmon Ka Sangeet programme from 7:30 am to 8 am, all the songs except the last mandatory K L Sehgal song, all were wonderful songs of Geeta ji being played. Interestingly, a majority of these were from her Geeta Roy phase and ended aptly with Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya. Here are the details of the programme:-

  1. Baazi (1951) – Geeta Roy & chorus – o la la la … suno gajar kya gaaye, samay guzarta jaaye – SD Burman (Sahir Ludhianvi)   ओ ल ल ला … सुनो गजर क्या गाए समय गुज़रता जाए
  2. Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Talat & Geeta Roy – armaan bharay dil ki lagan teray liye hai – Khemchand Parkash (Shakeel Badauyani)   अरमान भरे दिल की लगन तेरे लिए (2), नज़रें मेरे जीवन की सजन तेरे लिए है
  3. Aasmaan (1952) – Geeta Roy – dil hai, dil hai diwaana jawaa.n hai zamaanaa – OP Nayyar (Prem Dhawan)   दिल है, दिल है दीवाना जवां है ज़माना, बना दूँगी तुझ को नज़र का निशाना
  4. C.I.D. (1956) – Geeta Dutt – jaata kahaa.n hai n diwaanay, sub kuchh yahaa.n hai sanam – OP Nayyar (Majrooh Sultanpuri)   जाता कहाँ है दीवाने, सब कुछ यहाँ है सनम, बाकी के सारे फ़साने झूठे हैं तेरी क़सम
  5. Baawre Nain (1950) – Mukesh & Geeta Roy – khayalo.n me.n kisi ke iss tarah aaya nahi kartay – Roshan (Kidar Sharma)   ख़यालों में किसी के, इस तरह आया नहीं करते, किसी को बेवफ़ा आ आ के तड़पाया नहीं करते
  6. Baaz (1953) – Geeta Roy – ai dil ai deewaanay (3) aag lagaa lee kyo.n daaman me.n – OP Nayyar (Majrooh Sultanpuri)   ऐ दिल ऐ दीवाने (3) आग लगा ली क्यों दामन में, ओ ज़ालिम चाहत के बहाने
  7. Do Bhaai (1947) – Geeta Roy – mera sundar sapna beet gaya, mai.n prem me.n sub kuchh haar gayi – SD Burman (Raja Mehdi Ali Khan)   मेरा सुन्दर सपना बीत गया, मैं प्रेम में सब कुछ हार गई

Here is the programme audio (courtesy D S Rathi ji) for your listening pleasure:-

Purani Filmon Ka Sangeet : Tribute to Geeta ji with songs from her pre-marriage Years (except one from CID)

This programme was a great example of the kind of gems Geeta ji has left behind as her legacy.

There are many more aspects of her career which are yet to be elaborated on our website and blog. I would like to invite all her fans to write articles on her career and share other material with us for the website (write to us at anmolfankaar [AT] GMAIL [DOT] [COM].

It was a real pity that She passed away in July 1971, few months before Anubhav released in November. Had her health been good, we would have perhaps got so many more gems in the 1970s and later from her. Let us appreciate her legacy and spread her gems to the coming generations too. Such special singers and their memory need to be preserved for them to appreciate. Thank you.