Hemant Kumar as a composer was one of the notable list of MDs who consistently composed melodious songs for Geeta. Though the volume of her work with Hemantda (in Hindi and Bengali) is not so huge, the variety of songs she sang for Hemantda speaks volumes. Right from his debut film as a composer (Anand Math in the year 1952) till the early sixties, he continued to give lovely songs to Geeta.
For reasons unknown to many, the singing sensation Kishore Kumar was not as prolific in the late forties and the fifties. He continued to act, sing for himself and sing for other actors during these times. Perhaps he was not focused on his career as a playback singer in the forties and the fifties. In spite of common composer like S D Burman being a mentor for Geeta and Kishore, they sang very few songs together. The precise number is 13 for Hindi films and just two for Bengali films. One each from Hindi and Bengali is composed by the talented Hemant Kumar.
Both the songs are almost diametrically opposite to each other. The common factor between them is that Kishore Kumar has sung both of them for himself on the screen. Both the songs were released back to back with the Hindi song coming up in the year 1957 and the Bengali beauty in the year 1958.
Bandi (1957) – Ghar Ki Raunak Hai Gharwaali – Geeta Dutt & Kishore Kumar
This film starred all the three Ganguly brothers (Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar and Anoop Kumar) along with Beena Rai, Nanda and Shyama. The film was directed by the veteran Satyen Bose. The music was provided by Hemant Kumar and the songs were penned by Rajendra Krishan. The film’s music has a memorable song “Chup ho jaa” in the voice of Kishore Kumar and the solo song “Gora badan mora” by Geeta. Kishore and Geeta sang this comical song “Ghar Ki Raunak Hai Gharwaali” for this film. The song was filmed on Kishore Kumar himself and Kammo dancing on the streets advocating the benefits of a marriage.
The second song is an absolutely sweet romantic song for the film Looko Churi (1958). In this song, Geeta sings for Mala Sinha and Kishore Kumar sings for himself. The songs of the film were penned by Gauri Prasanna Majumdar, a favorite of Hemantda when it comes to Bengali films. The film was a big hit in those times. Filmed in a park and the lake within, the song flows smoothly in the heart of the listener. Mala Sinha’s expressive eyes convey the right mood of the song matching the vocals of Geeta.
Looko Churi – Shudhu Ektukhani Chaoa – Geeta Dutt & Kishore Kumar
