Hundreds of articles, several books, probably thousands of webpages must have been written about Raj Kapoor, the first (and truly the last ?) “Showman” of Hindi films. The media has given so much exposure to his popular films that it seems like there existed nothing beyond Raj Kapoor, his hit films and of course “Superhit” music provided by his favorite composer duo Shanker and Jaikishen. The songs aired on Vividh Bharati for last few generations, the songs shown on Doordarshan and other private TV channels and the documentaries made on the legendary actor cum film-maker has proved it over and over again. We are forced to believe that nothing existed before or beyond this as far as Raj Kapoor is considered.
When one confines the so-called popular films of Raj Kapoor till the year 1970, we get a count of 10 films:
01) Aag (1948)
02) Barsaat (1949)
03) Aawara (1951)
04) Aah (1953)
05) Boot Polish (1954)
06) Shri 420 (1955)
07) Jaagte Raho (1956)
08) Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hain (1960)
09) Sangam (1964)
10) Mera Naam Joker (1970)
Except for the first (Ram Ganguly) and the seventh film (Salil Chaudhury), all the films have music by Shanker and Jaikishen. One can take an approximate number of 100 songs being composed for these 10 films. How many songs sung by my beloved singer Geeta Dutt I can count here for the above ten films? Just one song, in which she gets to sing precisely two lines lasting about 10 seconds in a 9:15 minute long song. That too her lines are filmed on the side actress Chanchal (sister of Madhubala) who is literally making faces on the screen.
Hum Bhi Hain Tum Bhi Ho : Film – Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai 1960, MD – Shankar Jaikishan, Lyricist – Shailendra, Singer(s) – Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus
Then what is this blog about Raj Kapoor and the music in his films is doing here? Are we talking about two artists whose work is as related to each other as the chalk and the cheese?
The obvious and the popular answer to this question is of course “yes”. When one takes a little extra efforts and tries to have a more realistic look at Raj Kapoor’s career, he/she can find a few interesting things. Firstly, Raj Kapoor did not get it all on the silver platter from his father, Prithiviraj Kapoor, an established star of those times. Raj did go through quite a bit of struggle in his initial years as an actor..Ok, now we are talking..!
Let us try to look at the initial portions of his filmography as an actor for a moment.
Inquilab (1935)
Hamari Baat (1943)
Gauri (1943)
Valmiki (1946)
Jail Yatra (1947)
Dil-Ki-Rani (1947)
Chittor Vijay (1947)
Neel Kamal (1947)
Gopinath (1948)
Amar Prem (1948)
Aag (1948)
Sunehre Din (1949)
Parivartan (1949)
Andaz (1949)
Barsaat (1949)
Sargam (1950)
Pyaar (1950)
Jan Pahchan (1950)
Dastan (1950)
Bawre Nain (1950)
Banwra (1950)
So apart from producing Aag and Barsaat, Raj did act in a bunch of films till 1950, almost 19 of them. Out of these 19 films, young Geeta Roy has sung for as many as 8 films. That is a much bigger and better proportion compared to what we saw earlier. Here are some details of those 8 films and the contribution of Geeta Roy as a playback singer for them:
Dil Ki Rani (1947) : Lead singer for actress Madhubala
Chittor Vijay (1947) : Lead singer for actress Madhubala
Neel Kamal (1947) : Lead singer along with co-singer Rajkumari
Sunhre Din (1949) : Sang two duets with other co-singers
Baawra (1950) : Lead singer for actress Nimmi
Pyaar (1950) : Lead singer for actress Nargis
Jaan Pehchaan (1950) : Lead singer for actress Nargis
Baware Nain (1950) : Sang the most popular song of the film with Mukesh
Unfortunately, no song from the film Chittor Vijay is available, hence our focus henceforth will be on the songs of the rest of the films.
Dil Ki Rani (1947)
This was a musical romantic film with a flimsy story line and a weak plot, only supported by its melodious music composed by S D Burman. His protegee, Geeta Roy, who had sang the chart busters for the film Do Bhaai released the same year, sings all the songs for this film too. One can not decide if he/she is smitten by the sweetness of Geeta’s voice or the charm in young Madhubala’s expressions?
1) Dil Ki Rani – Bigadi Hui Taqdeer – Geeta Dutt
MD – S.D.Burman, Lyricist – Yashodanandan Joshi
2) Dil Ki Rani – Kyon Baalam Humse Rooth Gaye – Geeta Dutt
MD – S.D.Burman, Lyricist – Yashodanandan Joshi
3) Dil Ki Rani – O Duniya Ke Rehne Waalo – Geeta Dutt & male voices
MD – S.D.Burman, Lyricist – Yashodanandan Joshi
4) Dil Ki Rani – Aha More Mohan Ne Mujhko Bulaaya – Geeta Dutt
MD – S.D.Burman, Lyricist – Yashodanandan Joshi
5)Dil Ki Rani – Aayenge aayenge aayenge re – Geeta Dutt
MD – S.D.Burman, Lyricist – Yashodanandan Joshi
Neel Kamal (1947)
This film was literally a one-man show by the producer, director, writer and lyricist Kedar Sharma. The film starred young Raj Kapoor, Begum Para and Madhubala among others. The music was composed by Snehal Bhatkar (original name : V. G. Bhatkar – Vasudev G Bhatkar). The music of the film goes with its mood and it has got some lovely female duet songs sung by Rajkumari Dubey and young Geeta Roy.
1) Neel Kamal (1947) – Brij Mein Dhoom Machaata – Geeta Dutt & Rajkumari
MD – B. Vasudev/Snehal Bhatkar, Lyricist – Kedar Sharma
2) Neel Kamal (1947) – Aankh Jo Dekhe Hai Dhokha Khaaye Hai – Geeta Dutt & Mukesh
MD – B. Vasudev/Snehal Bhatkar, Lyricist – Kedar Sharma
3) Neel Kamal (1947) – Ab Kya Teri Marzi Re – Geeta Dutt & Rajkumari
MD – B. Vasudev/Snehal Bhatkar, Lyricist – Kedar Sharma
4) Neel Kamal (1947) – Jawaani Agar Hai – Geeta Dutt & Rajkumari
MD – B. Vasudev/Snehal Bhatkar, Lyricist – Kedar Sharma
5) Neel Kamal (1947) – Maa Ne Bheja Dhor Charaane – Geeta Dutt & Rajkumari
MD – B. Vasudev/Snehal Bhatkar, Lyricist – Kedar Sharma
Sunhre Din (1949)
This film had Raj Kapoor acting opposite Rehana , Roopkamal and Nigar Sultana. The story was the usual love triangle and had as many 13 songs composed by veteran composer Gyan Dutt. Raj Kapoor was in the early days of his film career but yet acted very well. Rehana was a popular actress of those days although her acting and behavior was considered to be not so sober for those days,, a far cry from what is seen nowadays ! Young Geeta Roy sang a couple of duets with other singers for this film.
1) Sunehre Din – Jiya Ka Diya Piya Tim-Tim hove – Geeta Dutt & Shamshad Begum
MD – Gyan Dutt, Lyricist – ?
2) Sunehre Din – Umangon Ke Din Beete Jaayein – Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum & Sulochana Kadam
MD – Gyan Dutt, Lyricist – ?
Baawra (1950)
The film, starring Raj Kapoor and Nimmi had music by Krishna Dayal, B Sc., another name forgotten in the passage of time. It has a lovely duet of Geeta Roy and Mohammed Rafi possibly filmed on the lead pair. Geeta also sings a natkhat song “Is dil ka bangla khaali hain” and a melancholy ” Meri duniya ki shayad har khushi kam hoti jaati hain” for this film.
(1) Meri duniya ki shayad : Geeta Dutt : Film – Bawraa (1950)
MD : Krishna Dayal, Lyrics : Ghafil Harnalwi
(2) Is dil ka bangla khaali hain : Geeta Dutt and others : Film – Bawraa (1950)
MD : Krishna Dayal, Lyrics : Ghafil Harnalwi
(3) Shama jalti hain toh parwaane : Geeta Dutt, Mohd Rafi : Film – Bawraa (1950)
MD : Krishna Dayal, Lyrics : Ghafil Harnalwi
Jaan Pehchaan (1950)
This one is a truly the top of the line singing by Geeta Roy for any Raj Kapoor film. She sings as many as five solos and a duet with Talat Mahmood (all for the leading lady Nargis). The score is composed by the legendary Khemchand Prakash who passed away at a very young age. Manna Dey seems to have assisted in the recordings of the songs after the demise of Khemji (as he is fondly called by music lovers). All the songs are classic and melodious. Truly, an album to cherish!
1) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Armaan Bhare Dil Ki Lagan Tere Liye Hai – Geeta Roy/Dutt & Talat Mahmood
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
2) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Aaoge Na Saajan Aaoge Na – Geeta Roy/Dutt
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
3) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Pardesi Se Lag Gayi Preet Re – Geeta Roy/Dutt
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
4) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Bhoolne Waale Tujhe ..Dil Mein Ek Hasrat – Geeta Roy/Dutt
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
5) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Naina Mila Ke Dil Chheena Sajan – Geeta Roy/Dutt
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
6) Jaan Pehchaan (1950) – Duniya Mohabbat Karne Na Degi – Geeta Roy/Dutt
MD(s) – Khemchand Prakash & Manna Dey, Lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni
Baware Nain (1950)
Another all-in-one act by Kedar Sharma with Raj Kapoor and Geeta Bali (her only film with Raj) in the leading roles and Vijayalakshmi playing the third angle but bagging the most popular song of the film, sung by Mukesh and who else but Geeta Roy!
Rajkumari sang some of her most popular songs (all filmed on Geeta Bali) for this film. Yet, the song that gave composer Roshan his first genuine hit was the evergreen “Khayalon mein kisi ke issi tarhe aaya nahin karate” soulfully sung by Geeta and Mukesh.
Baawre Nain – Khyaalon Mein Kisi Ke – Geeta Dutt (Roy) & Mukesh
MD – Roshan, Lyricist – Kidar Sharma
Pyaar (1950)
This is truly the creme de la Creme album from the baton of S D Burman for a film starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis. It was S D Burman who had Kishore Kumar singing for Raj Kapoor , an opportunity which he never got again. Young Geeta was by far “the voice” of Nargis (with success of films like Darogaji, Jogan, Jaan Pehchaan etc) and sang three solos and two duets with Kishore Kumar for this film. All the songs are once again melodious and hummable!
1) Aa gayi re aa gayi : Geeta Dutt : Film – Pyaar (1950) MD : S D Burman, Lyrics : Rajinder Krishan
2) Do din hansaaya pyar ne : Geeta Dutt : Film – Pyaar (1950) MD : S D Burman, Lyrics : Rajinder Krishan
3) Woh sapnewaali raat : Geeta Dutt : Film – Pyaar (1950) MD : S D Burman, Lyrics : Rajinder Krishan
4) Oh bewafaa yeh to bataa : Geeta Dutt , Kishore Kumar : Film – Pyaar (1950) MD : S D Burman, Lyrics : Rajinder Krishan
5) Ek hum aur doosre tum : Geeta Dutt , Kishore Kumar : Film – Pyaar (1950) MD : S D Burman, Lyrics : Rajinder Krishan
Coming back to the beginning of the article, it is true that Raj Kapoor as a film maker and his favorite composer duo did not have any trust on Geeta Dutt as a singer, yet we are glad to listen to as many as 30 odd songs of hers in early Raj Kapoor films.
Note : Thanks to SHyd1967 for making the video of the song “Aayenge aayenge re” available to us to be embedded in this article.
