There are songs, some popular, some lesser heard, some rare, some very rare. Music lovers keep chasing for the lesser heard ones and the rare ones. The human mind’s thirst for the “unknown” is never ending. At times, we lose the importance of what we already have and keep running after what we do not. In some cases, the moment of happiness of getting that rare song is just that moment.One does not feel like listening to it over and over again, the joy is soon evaporated and the song becomes just a token of a victory!
And there are some songs which blow your mind, your senses and simply grow instantly on you. You listen to them over and over, at times in repeat mode and still you keep getting the same happiness which you got when you heard it for the very first time. Such songs are many a times once in a hundred or even thousand, but that is what makes them so special, so close to your heart. One keeps thinking about the filming of this song and dreaming how would it have been shown on the screen, on whom, and how he/she would have done justice to it…! And when you finally get to see it, there is a moment of truth.
Either you would like the presentation of the song, making it an extra special (Like the one which I will be talking about today) or you feel sorry for the singer/composer when the actor/actress has ruined such a great song. In my opinion, one such a song by Lata ji is “Phaili hui hai sapnon ki baahein” where Kalpana Kartik is practically doing PT exercise on such a melodious and out-of-the-world composition ! (Thanks to Ritu for this on one of her blogs.)
When you find that the special song which was haunting you for so much time has been equally beautifully filmed and the actor has lived the feelings of the song and the singing, you can only say “Wah wah”. This is the supreme stage of happiness, contentment and “Nirvana” like feeling! This is what I have been going through for last few days since I have seen the song
“Kiya yeh kya tune isharaa arre abhee abhee
Ke mera dil tujhe pukaara arre abhee abhee”
The song is from the film “Duniya Rang Rangeeli” (1957) which starred Rajendra “Jubilee” Kumar, Shyama, Johny Walker, Chaand Usmani, Jeevan and Helen. The lyrics were penned by Jaan Nisar Akhtar sahab and the music was composed by the rhythm king O P Nayyar sahab. With the success of Aar Paar (1954), Geeta Dutt was probably already the preferred singer for actress Shyama. It seems like in this film she was paired with Johny Walker and had a couple of songs filmed on her, both sung by Asha ji, who also sang for the leading lady Chaand Usmani.
The days of Aasmaan (1952), Baaz (1953), Aarpaar (1954) and Mr and Mrs 55 (1955) were over and Geeta Dutt was seen lesser and lesser in O P Nayyar sahab’s recording room. For this film (and incidentally for the film “Howrah Bridge” which got released the next year in 1958), Nayyar sahab chose to give just one song to Geeta Dutt. Both the songs were filmed on Helen and one of which became the song which took Helen to the apex of her popularity. That song is of course “Merra naam chin chin choo” from “Howrah Bridge” (1958).
Coming back to the song from the film “Duniya Rang Rangeeli” (1957) filmed on Helen..This particular song was probably released by HMV (now RPG) on a cassette called “Geeta Dutt sings for OP Nayyar” in the year 1992. For some reasons, this song was never included on any other compilations of either O P Nayyar sahab or Geeta Dutt. This song was really sought after by many fans of the composer and the singer. The cassette in question was never re-released in the CD format and it remained like an illusive dream for many many music lovers.
On our music community (http://www.hamaraforums.com) we kept on searching for this one song and we could never get it! Finally we got to hear it on the HF radio where our senior member and a great music lover Mahesh Sharma played it for us. Since then I have fallen in love with this song. Yesterday, the moment of truth arrived when the video of this exclusive and elusive song was shared on Youtube. This song was briefly mentioned in the other article “Helen and Geeta Dutt: A scintillating combo” here, but the song kept on making crazy rounds in my mind.
The song, its simply yet effective lyrics, the breeze like tune and the superb singing with that magical “Geeta Dutt special touch” has made it a truly exquisite beauty. Its truly an enchanting experience even to listen to this song and being able to see it is like a dream come true for a die-hard music lovers! The song is like a setup/trap for Johny Walker where he is seduced into drinking by Helen. He is obviously very smart and mentions that he will prefer to “drink from those beautiful eyes” instead. The drinks are still offered and Helen is at her best to tease and seduce him (though done in a very tasteful and decent manner!). She is wearing a nice dress and a garland. Her dance steps in this song are simple, reminding one of Geeta Bali and Bhagwan from Albela. Her eyes are so expressive and the song is tuned in a very romantic yet seductive manner.
Johny Lever is shown to be clever and aware about what is being done to him. He is thoroughly enjoying the song but is throwing the drink away very discretely, and acting as if he is getting drunk. The feelings of intoxication are right there in Helen’s eyes and Geeta’s alluring voice! The way she sings the word “ishaara” is an experience which can only be felt, not described! One does not need a peg or two for it. The song simply gets into the listener’s heart. The musical pieces between the stanzas bear the distinct OPN signature.
As a music lover and “Geeta-Bhakt”, I can feel that my heart has been calling for my beloved singer. Wishing that she was still around, hearty and healthy! This “Dil ki pukaar” is what one can cherish for ever and ever.
Update:
Youtube has removed the said video, hence the YT link above has been replaced with the audio of this song. Inconvenience is regretted.
Tags: Geeta Dutt, Geeta Roy, Helen
Hi there,
Everything dynamic and very positively! 🙂
Geeta ji was very much in O.P.’s recording rooms in those years (1957 and continuing to 1958). It all ended abruptly in 1958 though after an ultimatum to O.P. by someone “close” to him. This is a really special song definitely.
For the songs of Duniya Rang Rangeeli, another name which is missing is Shamshad Beghum ji. I personally find it a little strange that Shyama’s songs were also not given to Geeta ji in this film.
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Nice site. Thank you.
Great Article , I considered it exceptional
I look forward to more interesting postings like this one. Do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to for more information concerning this?
I am fond of listening Gita Dutt’s songs. I played her “MERA SUNDAR SAPNA TOOT GAYA” at least 5000 times. I couldn’t place anybody nearer to her. I wish she could have some more.