Well,
not really. The blog actually began in 2008 on a whim. I had nothing
else to do,
and blogging became an escape. However, all I did was upload previously
written articles,
some of them really old; then, I lost interest. I continued to post
desultorily in the following years, just to keep the blog going. In four
and a half years, I posted a grand total of 49 articles.
Until the summer of 2011. Truth to tell, it was in August last year that I began blogging in earnest. I have to thank fellow blogger bollyviewer for pushing me into blogging (more) about films. (She's been AWOL for more than half a year, giving me no chance to laugh at her pithy captions and hilarious reviews.) I consider this to be the true 'birth' day of my blog.
This past year has also been an alarmingly sad one, what with one death following another in quick succession. With each demise, another link snapped in the chains that anchor us to our past years. Besides that, this past week has been a sad one for me personally, and I desperately needed to find something to remind me that Life is not all bad. It struck me that there was something I could celebrate without forgetting those whom we have lost.
I look with some happiness at where my blog is today, at the traffic it generates; I have to thank my readers, some of whom come by regularly, some who drop in occasionally, to add their voices and their choices to my posts, agreeing or disagreeing with what I write, as the case may be. You give me the impetus to keep posting.
I know that this blog would not have survived without you, my readers. So, on the occasion of what I consider the first anniversary of my blog: Thank you very much. I couldn’t have done it without you.
What
better way to celebrate this day than to publish a post that was originally a reader’s
request? When I published my post on my favourite ghostly melodies, a reader,
Nra, posted his contributions, one of which was Mere naina saawan bhadon from Mehbooba.
I like the song, but mentioned that I
thought that Kishoreda had sung that song better than Lata Mangeshkar. In his
response, Nra suggested that I do a post on songs that are sung by two
different singers.
I must
confess that this particular theme had never crossed my mind. Since I do make different lists, and try to find
different themes for them, this suggestion fit in perfectly, and so, Nra,
this one’s for you.
1. Lata Mangeshkar/Mohammed Rafi
The two
legends have both been prolific singers, totalling up hundreds of thousands of
songs, together and alone. I have chosen two songs here, from two different epochs (though the decade remains the same).
a) Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar (Junglee/1961)
One is a romantic song, where the hero begs forgiveness from the heroine. The other is a clumsily contrived dream sequence. There is a quiet passion in the former, a sweetness that is missing in the female version, though that is also sung beautifully.
b) Akele
hai chale aao (Raaz/1967)
I cannot quite lay a finger on why I prefer the male version of this song to Lata Mangeshkar's version; both the songs themselves, and the picturisation of both versions are as good as the other. Perhaps it is because I have heard Rafisaab's version more frequently? I do not know.
The one song sung where I do prefer Lata Mangeshkar's version is Aji roothkar ab kahaan jaaiyega from Aarzoo. I must confess that I liked that better than I did Rafisaab's Aji humse bachkar. Whereas in Mere Mehboob's title song, it is Rafi's version that gives me goosepimples.
I cannot quite lay a finger on why I prefer the male version of this song to Lata Mangeshkar's version; both the songs themselves, and the picturisation of both versions are as good as the other. Perhaps it is because I have heard Rafisaab's version more frequently? I do not know.
The one song sung where I do prefer Lata Mangeshkar's version is Aji roothkar ab kahaan jaaiyega from Aarzoo. I must confess that I liked that better than I did Rafisaab's Aji humse bachkar. Whereas in Mere Mehboob's title song, it is Rafi's version that gives me goosepimples.
2. Lata Mangeshkar/Kishore Kumar
There
are many, many Kishore Kumar songs that I absolutely love. Yet,
objectively, I would say Lata Mangeshkar is a far better singer than
Kishoreda. Yet, there are quite a few songs where I have preferred Kishoreda's rendition to that of the female singer, including (but not limited to) Lata Mangeshkar.
Rhim jhim gire saawan (Manzil/1979)
Rhim jhim gire saawan (Manzil/1979)
Other
than Mere naina sawan bhadon which is one of the examples where I thought Kishoreda had sung the song better, this song from Manzil is another one where I preferred Kishoreda's version. Lata's version was picturised better, however.
The other song where I preferred Kishoreda's rendition (to Asha Bhonsle's) was in Dil dil se milakar dekho from Mem Sahib. There is an element of mischief in the song that he captured so well, never mind that it is a dream sequence.
The other song where I preferred Kishoreda's rendition (to Asha Bhonsle's) was in Dil dil se milakar dekho from Mem Sahib. There is an element of mischief in the song that he captured so well, never mind that it is a dream sequence.
3. Lata Mangeshkar/Mukesh
Let’s stipulate
that I think Mukesh is an extremely
limited singer, in terms of his range and versatility. However, he has a
certain ‘something’ in his voice that calls to your emtions, which
makes
me like very many of his songs.
Humne tujhko pyar kiya hai kitna (Dulha Dulhan/1964)
I would certainly not have pitted him against Lata Mangeshkar, yet, in this song, I think he beat her hollow. She is technically perfect, as she always is, but Mukesh had the emotions.
Humne tujhko pyar kiya hai kitna (Dulha Dulhan/1964)
I would certainly not have pitted him against Lata Mangeshkar, yet, in this song, I think he beat her hollow. She is technically perfect, as she always is, but Mukesh had the emotions.
4. Lata Mangeshkar/Talat Mahmood
Constrained
by his acting ventures, and the force that was Mohammed Rafi, Talat
Mahmood was one singer who could have achieved far greater success than
he did. He had a fantastic voice, his many 'hit' songs testimony to his
popularity. He did not have the range that Lata Mangeshkar (and Mohammed
Rafi) could traverse with such ease, yet he not only held his own
against the Nightingale, but in some cases, surpassed her. (Here seen with Madan Mohan (in the centre); Talat Mahmood to the far right.)
Jaaye to jaaye kahan (Taxi Driver/1954)
This is a curious one for me – why is it that I prefer Talat’s rendition to Lata’s in this song? This definitely had nothing to do with the picturisation, though Dev Anand is a house favourite. I liked the male version long before I saw the film.
Jaaye to jaaye kahan (Taxi Driver/1954)
This is a curious one for me – why is it that I prefer Talat’s rendition to Lata’s in this song? This definitely had nothing to do with the picturisation, though Dev Anand is a house favourite. I liked the male version long before I saw the film.
5. Lata Mangeshkar/Chitalkar
C
Ramachandra was a Shamshad Begum afficionado before he switched
allegiance to Lata Mangeshkar. Once he did so, he could think of no
other female singer to sing his compositions. As Chitalkar, he also gave
playback to many a hero, though I do not think he ever claimed to be a
great singer.
Dheere se aaja re akhiyan mein nindiya (Albela/1951)
Perhaps that is the reason why this is one of the few songs where I preferred Lata’s rendition. Or is it because it is a lori and traditionally. we tend to identify lullabies with women? Whatever the reason may be, Lata has sung this song with such sweetness that it has remained a perennial favourite. The Chitalkar version is a double-sider (not a duet) with Lata Mangeshkar, but even so, I prefer the female voice.
6. Lata Mangeshkar/Dwijen Mukherjee
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| © salilda.com |
Lata sounds as sweetly perfect as she usually did in those years. So why is it that I find myself preferring the not-as-flawless rendition of Dwijen Mukherjee? Is it because the rawness of his voice depicted more of the pain than the perfection that was evident in Lata's flute-like rendition? (Dwijen Mukherjee came into the prominence as a Hemant Kumar- replica, but he soon made a name for himself as a singer of Rabindra Sangeet.)
7. Talat Mahmood/Suraiya
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| ©talatmahmood.net |
Mohabbat mein kashish hogi (Khubsurat/1952)
I liked both versions. If you truly push me to make a choice, I will admit to a slight preference for Suraiya’s version here. I can't find either a video or an audio version of Suraiya's solo version here, so if anyone can help source one for me, I will be eternally grateful.
I liked both versions. If you truly push me to make a choice, I will admit to a slight preference for Suraiya’s version here. I can't find either a video or an audio version of Suraiya's solo version here, so if anyone can help source one for me, I will be eternally grateful.
8. Talat Mahmood / Asha Bhonsle
Ae gham-e-dil kya karoon (Thokar/1954)
Talat Mahmood had already made a name for himself as the go-to voice for ghazals. Asha Bhonsle, in those years, was known more for her seductive numbers than anything else. Yet, there were music directors who cast against type; this song, certainly had Asha singing a genre that was completely different from what we had heard from her before.
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| © talatmahmood.net |
Talat Mahmood had already made a name for himself as the go-to voice for ghazals. Asha Bhonsle, in those years, was known more for her seductive numbers than anything else. Yet, there were music directors who cast against type; this song, certainly had Asha singing a genre that was completely different from what we had heard from her before.
Talat’s version of this song was, in my opinion, so much better than Asha Bhonsle’s; it certainly was not because I was prejudiced against Asha singing such songs - I loved her renditions in Umrao Jaan, for instance.
9. Mahendra Kapoor / Asha Bhonsle
Two songs from the Mahendra Kapoor-Asha Bhonsle combination, and in both, I like Mahendra Kapoor, despite my soft corner for Asha’s husky voice.
Two songs from the Mahendra Kapoor-Asha Bhonsle combination, and in both, I like Mahendra Kapoor, despite my soft corner for Asha’s husky voice.
a) Dil lagaakar hum ye samjhe (Zindagi aur Maut/1965)
Asha Bhosle is a very versatile singer, and she sounds absolutely wonderful here. Yet, it is the male version of this song that I prefer. Mahendra Kapoor, singing for Pradeep Kumar, sounds absolutely mellow and it seems more like a 'male' song to me. Both versions are wonderful. I suppose it is hearing the Mahendra Kapoor version more often that made it the 'preferred' version. I'm not very sure I can give reasons why I prefer one version to the other.
b) Mere jaan tumpe sadke (Saavan ki Ghata/1966)
If there is any one hero whose 'voice' Mahendra Kapoor can claim to be, it is probably Manoj Kumar, who gave the singer some of his most popular songs. This romantic number is characteristically Mahendra Kapoor - soft and mellow. The Asha Bhosle version, at least to me, has a seductiveness that is at odds with the lyrics and the picturisation.
10. Hemant Kumar / Geeta Dutt
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| © hemantkumar-shashank.blogspot.com |
I have a
confession here – I am a diehard fan of Geeta Dutt and while I like Hemant Kumar’s voice, there are only a few of his songs
that I truly like. Under the circumstances, I surprised myself when I found
myself liking Hemantda’s version over
Geetaji’s in both these songs.
a) Kaise koi jeeye (Baadban/1951)
I cannot find the videos for this song, and honest confession, I haven't seen the film. The song has been a long-time favourite, and I heard the Geeta Dutt version first. Perhaps, Hemant Kumar's voice suits pathos better? I'm not sure, but I did prefer his rendition to hers.
b) Na yeh chaand hoga (Shart/1954)
This song found life in three versions in the film, two solos (male and female), and one duet. While the duet is wonderful, I preferred Hemant Kumar's pathos-filled solo to Geeta Dutt's version; they are both full of sadness, so it is just a subjective preference for the male voice.
11. Hemant Kumar / Suman Kalyanpur
Na tum humein jaano (Baat Ek Raat Ki/1962)
It was not just Geeta Dutt; I also found that I preferred Hemant Kumar’s rendition of this Dev Anand song to the female version, though Suman Kalyanpur did a wonderful job. Yet I found the Suman Kalyanpur's version incredibly sad, though the picturisation does not bear it out at all.
It was not just Geeta Dutt; I also found that I preferred Hemant Kumar’s rendition of this Dev Anand song to the female version, though Suman Kalyanpur did a wonderful job. Yet I found the Suman Kalyanpur's version incredibly sad, though the picturisation does not bear it out at all.
12. Shamshad Begum/Suraiya
Dil thandi hawa mein (Shama/1946)
Two female singers, both of whom I really, really like. It is strange that I do not have a preference here. I like both singers; I like both versions. If I do have to choose, I think I prefer Shamshad Begum's version slightly.
Two female singers, both of whom I really, really like. It is strange that I do not have a preference here. I like both singers; I like both versions. If I do have to choose, I think I prefer Shamshad Begum's version slightly.
13. Mohammed Rafi / Kishore Kumar
Tum bin jaoon kahaan (Pyar ka Mausam/1969)
This is even stranger. Here I have two male singers singing the same song, and I cannot make up my mind which I prefer, or even if I prefer one over the other. I truly liked both. Which brings up the question, is it only when it is male vs. female that I have a clear preference?
This is even stranger. Here I have two male singers singing the same song, and I cannot make up my mind which I prefer, or even if I prefer one over the other. I truly liked both. Which brings up the question, is it only when it is male vs. female that I have a clear preference?
14. Mohammed Rafi / Talat Mahmood
Chal ud jaa re panchhi (Bhabhi /1957)
Once again, two male singers singing the same song. The only difference is that Mohammed Rafi sang it in the film; Talat Mahmood sang it as a cover version for HMV. I found both fascinating; pushed to choose, I think I would still go with Rafisaab’s version.
Once again, two male singers singing the same song. The only difference is that Mohammed Rafi sang it in the film; Talat Mahmood sang it as a cover version for HMV. I found both fascinating; pushed to choose, I think I would still go with Rafisaab’s version.
Obviously,
I am not arguing that any one version of a song is better than the
other. It is more a matter of preference, and I refuse to get into the
'Rafi is a greater singer' or 'There's no one to beat Lata Mangeshkar'
or 'Kishore is much better than Rafi' arguments that have become so
endemic. I have liked different singers at different times, different
songs by the same singer according to my mood, and since I cannot sing a
note to save my life, my admiration for those who can, and so well, is
immense.
As far as these legends are concerned, I do not think it mattered one whit to them whether they were considered better than the others. Most of them enjoyed their friendship with each other, and the camaraderie they shared was evident in their songs together. If Mahendra Kapoor humbly proclaimed Mohammed Rafi the greatest singer in his opinion, Rafisaab insisted that while the world may listen to his songs, he listened to Manna Dey's. Kishore Kumar's equation with Mohammed Rafi was one of friendship and mutual admiration.
I think they are all great. I'm glad they were all there to fill my ears (and years) with music.
In the songs that I have listed above, which version do you prefer? There are also many more songs that have two versions sung by different singers. What are your choices, and whose version do you prefer? Feel free to begin a discussion.
As far as these legends are concerned, I do not think it mattered one whit to them whether they were considered better than the others. Most of them enjoyed their friendship with each other, and the camaraderie they shared was evident in their songs together. If Mahendra Kapoor humbly proclaimed Mohammed Rafi the greatest singer in his opinion, Rafisaab insisted that while the world may listen to his songs, he listened to Manna Dey's. Kishore Kumar's equation with Mohammed Rafi was one of friendship and mutual admiration.
I think they are all great. I'm glad they were all there to fill my ears (and years) with music.
In the songs that I have listed above, which version do you prefer? There are also many more songs that have two versions sung by different singers. What are your choices, and whose version do you prefer? Feel free to begin a discussion.
Happy birthday to your blog. And THANK YOU :) Haven`t read the entire post yet but had to express my heartfelt thanks before anything else. Now back to reading.
ReplyDeleteP.S: There would be comments :).
Happy birthday to your blog, Anu! And, my, what a lovely way to celebrate this milestone. I loved this post (and - before I forget - I absolutely adored those photos you've posted of the singers and MDs - very, very nice). There were a few songs here that I hadn't heard before, and among those I was familiar with, I realise that I tend to agree with you - for example, when it comes to Dwijen Mukherjee and Ae dil kahaan teri manzil, or Humne tujhko pyaar kiya hai, or the two versions of Tum bin jaaoon kahaan. Though, as far as Aji roothkar/bachkar kahaan jaaiyega is concerned, I don't like Lata's version much - I find her too shrill.
ReplyDeleteMay I add a couple of other songs? One is Jeevan ke safar mein raahi, in Kishore's voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESul6Uh48S4&feature=fvst
and in Lata's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt_sZNMUJs0&feature=fvst
(I prefer Lata's - different mood, yes, but more difficult to sing, I think - and she's done a wonderful job of it).
And then there's Zindagi ek safar hai suhaana, sung by Kishore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBUEXlOsGPY
By Rafi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgCXVSixPok
...and Asha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3EBteHlxE
I'm not sure here whom I like best, but I'm leaning towards either Rafi or Kishore.
I remember requesting you to write on songs sung by two singers or in different moods. But no complaints as long as you contribute such beautiful articles. But i missed at least three great songs here..1. Zindgi Bhar nahi bhulegi ye barsaat ki raat 2. Jo waada kiya wo nibhana parega and 3. Wadiyan mera daaman..
ReplyDeleteEach rendered perfectly...and very difficult to choose which one is better..There are some other songs also in this category..e.g. Rang aur noor ki Baraat/Ishq ki garmiye zazbaat from Ghazal, Dil jo na keh saka...
You're welcome, Nra. Where would I be without my readers? It behooves me to keep them happy. :)) Looking forward to your comments.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madhu. The credit for the theme goes to Nra. I will bask in reflected glory, though. :)
ReplyDeleteThose photographs are really adorable, aren't they? I decided that having the usual screenshots from the songs was not a very good idea, and I absolutely loved the camaraderie that most of these snaps reflected.
I love the songs you added - as I said, it is more a matter of preference rather than that any one singer sang better than the other. As far as Aji humse bachkar, I was rather dismayed to find that I did not like Rafi's version at all! Shrill though she was, I much preferred Lata's version in the film.
Jeevan ke safar mein raahi - I hadn't heard Lata's version recently, so thank you for that video clip. It is a much slower version, and I tend to agree with you that it is a hard song to sing, and her control is amazing.
I agree with you about Zindagi ek safar - in fact, that is one song where I prefer Kishore's version to the other two - with all due respect to Rafi.
:( Sorry. Did you really? I truly didn't recall that. Nra had recently suggested this theme, and since I was looking for something unusual, this came in handy. I will make another list just for you - promise!
ReplyDeleteLata and Rafi have sung so many, many songs, both in tandem and as duets that it is so difficult to choose just one. In the case of Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi, I prefer Rafi's version. Not because she hasn't sung it well; she has sung it beautifully. I think it is the way the songs 'sound' to my ears.
I'm not talking musically - the way I listen to songs is more a question of preference (at that particular moment) rather than going deep into the music - I do not know enough about music for that.
Dil jo na keh saka, on the other hand, I preferred Lata's version.
You have listed so many beautiful songs. As far as blaming Lata's pitch on her music directors goes, she had once said in an interview that she had asked Shankar-Jaikishen why they were so insistent on punishing her by making her sing the high octaves. She was so pitch perfect then that they couldn't resist, I suppose!
ReplyDeleteThere was one beautiful song by Salil Choudhary where she almost sounds like a flute - woh ik nigaah kya mili from Half Ticket - just listen to her at the 1.05 mark.
Happy Birthday to your blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
This is a long, long post, thus it'll tak etime to go through It.
Have a nice stay in India!
Happy Birthday, Anu! And thanks for a endlessly disscuasable (yeah, it's a made up the word) blog post. Before I comment on the substance of the post, I have to address one point.
ReplyDelete"Since Lata Mangeshkar has been the most prolific of female singers,"
You do know that that is factually incorrect, right?:-) Lata is *not* the most prolific female singer...not by a long shot.
On the Lata vs. Male singer tandem song issue, I started with a blanket preference for the male version but over the years, and countless songs later, that has eroded to complete ambivalence.:-) The only thing I can say with reasonable certainity is that I don't like shirll Lata (or Asha or Rafi or anyone else). But even there it gets complicated, especially when it's Lata vs. Rafi. So although her version of "tum mujhe yun bhula na paoge" is shriller than Rafi's, I think she brings out the nuancesof the melody better in her rendition.
I prefer Lata's versions above Hemant's in every single instance but would rather listen to glass breaking than her squeak out "sab kuch luta ke hosh mein aayen."
I'm clearer on the Lata vs. Kishore front - prefer his to hers, but again not always. "Chanda o chanda" from Lakhon mein ek for example.
As for Asha, 60s and beyond I prefer her version to anyone else's (be it hum intezaar karenge or the two songs you posted) but it's almost the opposite in the 50s. As a matter of fact, I can think of only two cases where I prefer her version in the 50s:
Pyas Kuch aur bhi bhadka di from Lala Rukh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lWMXd1HHmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqz83Y4pMDE&feature=relmfu
And So ja re mere aakhiyon ke taare from Jeevan Jyoti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy87wMCUQHU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y4zvw28lj4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI5Qqlh96AM
An interesting post, Anu!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, it is nearly an encyclopaedic work!
Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar (Junglee/1961) prefer Rafi version
Akele hai chale aao (Raaz/1967) prefer Lata version, RAfi's version had for my taste too much of his mannerisms.
Aji roothkar ab kahaan jaaiyega from Aarzoo: prefer again Lata here.
Mere Mehboob, Rafi, Rafi, Rafi, Rafi!!!!!!!
Rhim jhim gire saawan (Manzil/1979), can't say, both are lovely and I'll take them both! It is like choosing between the two tum bin jaao kahan versions. Both win hands down! When I listen to one then I think Wow, the other can't just reach the heights of this one and the same happens to me with the other.
Humne tujhko pyar kiya hai kitna (Dulha Dulhan/1964) don't like the song at all.
Jaaye to jaaye kahan (Taxi Driver/1954) Talat, Talat, Talat, Talat!!!
Dheere se aaja re akhiyan mein nindiya (Albela/1951) Lata of course!
Ae dil kahan teri manzil (Manzil/1960) Dwijen, Lata's version just doesn't have the desperation! too sweet!
Mohabbat mein kashish hogi (Khubsurat/1952) heard this song for the first time
Ae gham-e-dil kya karoon (Thokar/1954) I find Asha's rendition more eerie and haunting! Talat's version sounds somehow inappropriately cheerful.
Mere jaan tumpe sadke (Saavan ki Ghata/1966) and Dil lagaakar hum ye samjhe (Zindagi aur Maut/1965) Asha, Asha, Asha, Asha!!!!
Na yeh chaand hoga (Shart/1954) Geeta or Hemant? ask me an easier question!
Kaise koi jeeye (Baadban/1951) Hemant of course!
Na tum humein jaano (Baat Ek Raat Ki/1962) Hemant just by a slight margin.
Dil thandi hawa mein (Shama/1946), I didn't know that there were two versions of it. I knew only the Suraiya one, thus biased towards it, but I found the shamshad version good as well.
Chal ud jaa re panchhi (Bhabhi /1957) Didn't know the Talat version till now and loved it. I think I prefer Talat version.
Then there is the tum to dil ke tar chhed kar by Talat and Lata, both are so sweet!
I laughed at the Pooh bear! Hahahahahaha, I got a birthday card like that for my first birthday! I still have the card! But happy blogthday! :3 -hug-
ReplyDeleteThank you, Harvey. :)
ReplyDeleteShalini, who was the most prolific of female singers in Hindi, if not Lata? I would have wagered my last groat that it was she, unless Asha overtook her in the later decades. Let me know?
ReplyDeleteAs far as shrillness goes, I am with you. I would also say that even my preference for the male version in most songs is not written in stone. Like you, that has changed over the years, and sometimes, I like both versions. Again, it has nothing to do with which version is 'better' because I did not judge any of these numbers musically.
I agree completely with you about Hemant Kumar! (Laughed at 'listen to glass breaking'... I feel the same way.)
I didn't even know there was an Asha version of So jaa re akhiyan! Thanks for that version. I liked all three, though my preference is for Geeta's rendition.
Thank you, Bombaynoir. I like Winnie-the-Pooh. :)
ReplyDeleteI laughed at Talat's version sounds somehow inappropriately cheerful. :) Thanks for listing your preferences, Harvey, and since you had the time to listen to all these songs, I'm guessing you are out of the work trough you have been immersing yourself in all these weeks. So, when is your next post?
ReplyDeleteThis post has two versions - an occasion to celebrate and a topic to ponder over.
ReplyDeleteI would choose to react first to an easier alternative - join the celebrations.
It is matter of great pleasure to congratulate on the first 'birthday ' of a such lively discussion era.
As for the second version of the post, I would need time to recollect my thoughts and memories before joining the fray!
Thank you, Ashokji. Awaiting your remarks.
ReplyDeleteSince I used up all my free time to respond to your post, I am getting delayed. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is Asha - she overtook Lata sometime in the early 50s. I believe the total song count is 13,000+ for Asha and close to 6,000 for Lata. Yes, Asha has twice as many songs as her Didi! A large part of the reason is that Lata has been selective about accepting singing assignments throughout her career while Asha had it beat [literally :-(] into her to accept every song that came her way.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blog's anniversary, I have learnt a lot from it. I may make flippant/funny comments often, but I almost always read blogs that have a lot to offer, and enrich my understanding.
ReplyDeleteThis category is one that I had an inkling about, but looking at this comprehensive presentation is a treat. The added comments also enhance the experience, and I have started to look for suitable wine pairings :)
The songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
ReplyDeleteLet me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
I figured it must be her; but isn't it funny that Asha is recognised as the most recorded artist with over 12000 songs, while Lata is supposed to have sung over 25,000 songs (a claim that Rafi refuted earlier)?
ReplyDeleteAchha, ab meri galti hai??
ReplyDeleteThank you, Samir. I like your funny / flippant comments, so keep commenting away! I'm always looking for a suitable wines, so bring on the recommendations. :)
ReplyDeleteA girl in my class was called Winnie, and we all used to call her Pooh bear! (I call it Pooh Bear for some reason. When I was 3 I used to sleep in the afternoons on my Pooh Bear rug! Hahahaha!
ReplyDeleteBut where's Bollyviewer? The last post of hers was that darned funny interview with Dev (I was ROFLing at it!), and that was six months ago!
Wonderful post and you automatically doubled my pleasure by giving me two versions (and sometimes, three) to listen to - my only problem is finding the time to go through all of them. I am listening to a few at a time and should be finished before I take off for the West coast.
ReplyDeleteYes, in most cases, I agree with your choice of the male voice, and it could be that I don't care for the shrillness in Lata's voice, especially in the later 60's. Even the song from Aarzoo, Aji roothkar ab ..., I prefer the Rafi version, because the Lata version is so shrill, and even the music in that is painful to the ears.
So you are in India? Enjoy the heat. Btw, it is equally hot here.
By the way, Anu - I remember there's a song in Jhumroo which is sung both by Kishore Kumar and a female singer (possibly Lata?) singing playback for Lalita Pawar, who plays Kishore's mother in the film. I've tried looking for it on Youtube, but with no success - the Kishore version is there, but not the female one. Any idea which song it was? I think Thandi hawa yeh chaandni suhaani, but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteBollyviewer is living it up on vacation. If she's reading this (and we're lucky) she will post soon and not neglect us all so badly.
ReplyDeleteMadhu, you are right about the song, though the singer is Asha, not Lata.
ReplyDeleteHere is the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxbnGQd4H5E
Thank you, Lalitha. :) In the case of Aji roothkar ab, I think my preference for the Lata version is because of my familiarity with that as opposed to the Rafi rendition.
ReplyDeleteIndia is not very hot at this point - it's raining in Bombay, and the temperatures are bearable. Besides, heat and dust and crowds notwithstanding, I'm finally home!
West Coast, huh? Have fun. :)
It seems my first [or second, really!] detailed comment is lost.
ReplyDeleteSo I would repeat he same:
The songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
Let me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
An by now I have an update to add,too:
ReplyDeleteIn the first version Dev Anand woos stunning Sadhana by ‘Abhi na jao chhod ke’ and Sadhana soothes the frayed impatience in the duet - http://youtu.be/cbK8KW-1D34 - whereas the second version is based on the same tune, but has altogether a different mood. Sadhana calmly goes on restore the sagging confidence of Dev Ananad. In Jahan Men Aisa Kaun Hai. Theis clip http://youtu.be/4JH5860oVDs shows the connection between two versions by triggering Sadhana’s response with ‘Adhuri Pyas Chhod ke’ moment of the previous occasion.
In Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena - http://youtu.be/eMKto9rLq_M - the version with which we are so familiar is the one rendered by Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar, a jovial ride by two friends, their childlike innocence does not recognise the distance between their social class. The clip has a piece by Shamshad and Rafi which then goes to the time when times have separated the friends @ 3.17 and then @4.44 has Rafi extolling his love to his beloved child friend and the anguish that flows out at the end, @6.17, evident to all the protagonists.
Film Gumrah had a couple of interesting use of version songs. The first version of Tujhko Mera Pyar Pukare- http://youtu.be/0zY2fR4L8zU - is the statement of romance by the two person’s love for each other, whereas the second version - http://youtu.be/o-IVg8Zedng - truly reflects the physical separation but not the severance of emotional bond [Asha’s part is from the background].
In "EK THI LADKI MERI SAHELI-FIRST VERSION" BY ASHA BHONSLE - http://youtu.be/Lsr1_AxoSuU the mausi turned-mother aims to win the two children by an [autobiographical] story, whereas in the SAD VERSION - http://youtu.be/NsRi0w7lMZ4 - [now accepted as[ mummy is not able to prevent her dilemma of her past and future – but does remorsefully hopes that whatever shall happen will be for the good.
Aa Laut Ke Mere Meet from Rani Rupamati is probably more standard form of version songs Here is one by Mukesh - http://youtu.be/hyIVG9SM46Y and the one by Lata Mangeshkar - http://youtu.be/F59fdJEQynU. It is the filming of the second version that grings out the difference between two versions.
It seems whenever I truied to post my "reply' to a chain of comments, my 'relplies' seem to have the track.
ReplyDeleteSo here is my (repeat of) first [ and second in chronological sequence] detailed comment:
The songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
Let me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
P.S. If the previous reply suddenly re-apprear on this blog, do read only one version!
I don't know if anybody else has mentioned aaja mere pyar aaja from Heeralal Pannalal. I like both the versions.
ReplyDeleteHemant Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKXELfMeyU&feature=BFa&list=PL4D0B5E97487E705C
Asha Bhoslehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKXELfMeyU&feature=BFa&list=PL4D0B5E97487E705C
Love Pooh!
ReplyDeleteShould read The Tao of Pooh!
nahin ji, galti to hamari hai ki hame tumhare post padhne ki lat lagi hain ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhy funny? Asha is recognized for what is true. Fantastical claims shouldn't be propogated. The *reality* is that Lata hasn't sung 25,000 songs. Lata has received enough accolades (deservedly), let's not bestow imaginary achievements on her as well!
ReplyDeleteOh, no, what I meant was that the '25000' songs' claim was already refuted; but I would certainly have thought that Lata had sung more than 6000 in her career.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Asha has overtaken her, now that I sit back and think about it, because the latter's certainly been more prolific since the late 60s. I just cannot wrap my head around Lata having sung only 6000-odd songs. (Not saying it isn't true, just trying to accept that.)
Arre baba, mere posts padhiye! Aap nahi padhenge to mera kya hoga?
ReplyDeleteAshokji, I love both versions of Abhi na jao chhodkar; the mood is different in both, and Asha Bhosle certainly captured the love and support in the second version, while Rafi captured the impatience in the first.
ReplyDeleteBachpan ke din bhula na dena - I preferred the grownup version. I preferred the male version of Tujhko mera pyar pukare. Ek Ladki meri Saheli - I love the song. In the first version, she is still only Mausi; it is in the second version that she has become the unwilling maa. And Aa laut ke aaja mere meet is one song where I prefer the female version.
Thank you for adding these songs to the list.
No one did, Harvey, so you are the first. It is a very un-Hemant Kumar -like song, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt seems my earlier comment is lost in the labyrinth of wordpress system. Hence I have re-posted it here. If the original version surfaces from somewhere, That may please be ignored:
ReplyDeleteThe songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
Let me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
Something 'mysterious' seems to hapening to my comment which was supposed to have preceded the present comment in terms of chronology of my posting sequence. This is probably 4th attempt, hence if previous attempts suddenly re-surface, I may be excused for having unknowingly spammed the blog:
ReplyDeleteThe songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
Let me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
Anuji,
ReplyDeleteSomething very strange seems to be happening to my comment which I had posted prior to the present comment. I have posted in 5 times on the blog, and every time the post does not re-appear when I re-visit the blog. I have not repeated it here, one more time:
The songs by two different singers has been an interesting and intriguing subject for discussion, at all the times, since one is likely to find as many different choices – someone for the inherent preference of the singer or someone for the musical aspect or someone for the impact created by the mood and situation in the film. BTW, Shri AKji has treated the subject of preference quite objectively in his post at Songs of Yore - http://www.songsofyore.com/twin-songs/ .
Let me first add to the list of versions songs presented in the post and by eminent add-on comments by Shalini and Nra.
KHILTE HAIN GUL YAHAN - SHARMILEE 1971 :- Lata http://youtu.be/YnUR0ZIzd88 and Kishor http://youtu.be/6u65Kwlc40Y
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat [1981] :- Kishore Kumar and Parveen Sultana http://youtu.be/nzz02S4YeEM
LAHRON PE LAHER ULFAT HAI JAWAN-CHHABILI -1960 Snehal Bhatkar:- HEMANT Kumar & NUTAN http://youtu.be/C5jtp6gXONY and Hemant Kumar [Solo] http://youtu.be/o-KoEc1pJoI
Dil Chhed Koi Aisa Nagma - Inspector-1956:- Hemant Kumar http://youtu.be/ncKCqngNClA Lata Mangeshkar
Aye malik tere bande ham.. do aankhen barah haath :- Lata Mangeshkar http://youtu.be/YmYFRNXrPdk (Male) [Full Version] http://youtu.be/GLUmNUavgCE
Similarly, it would be an interesting study to document some of the hindi film songs, recorded either originally by another singer [or may be the same singer] in a different language. I would present just one such song here to drive the point of essential difference when two singers present the same tune - Rafi - Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye – Kala Pani :- http://youtu.be/JRruoMTkliI and here is its original version in Bangla by S D Burman [himself] Ghoom Bhulechi (Hum Bekhudi Mein in Hindi) - http://youtu.be/yL4_xJzDMqQ or http://youtu.be/8lDc4cqeluA .
We can see a very different being enacted in - Ye Mera Prem Patra Padhkar Ke Tum – Sangam – primarily a Mohd Rafi solo but you can trust Raj Kapoor to always come with very special. Here Lata’s pitching in later in the film sequence adds another dimension to the subject of the post. http://youtu.be/PuaFmVz3dr8
Let me add one more variety to the subject.- there are several ghazals rendered by a large number of different singers, bringing in their own subtle variations in the style, structure and all that
Here are some of the samples:
Dil Hi To Hai By CH Atma and Talat Mahmood - http://youtu.be/pBQcJ3DgY_c ǁ Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/ut01ZKukaXc ǁ Jagjit Singh http://youtu.be/49XOMo2hak0 ǁ Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/E-xGpv8qV8I ǁ Begum Akhtar - http://youtu.be/3NJLhALv1WQ
DIL-E-NADAN TUJHAY HUA KYA HAI – Noor Jahan http://youtu.be/zl02nDTDmVo ǁ -Talat-Suraiya- http://youtu.be/rQfQlSaUMt4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/9RnAeQzqhDM ǁ Jagjit & Chitra Singh http://youtu.be/Ys7t9Tsf9s8 ǁ Suman Kalyanpur- http://youtu.be/_HDXRirvLBc
Yeh na thee Hamari qismat - Ustad Amanat Ali Khan http://youtu.be/Lb-sx2oTEIc ǁ Begum Akhtar http://youtu.be/Oh2KBWWcI1s ǁ Abida Parveen http://youtu.be/0pSDZLcXE84 ǁ Farida Khanum, Ustad Sabri Khan, http://youtu.be/UUQ253pSObs
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa:- ..Runa Laila http://youtu.be/lUtUqD-9Yf4 ǁ Mehdi Hassan http://youtu.be/dxv5U0F0nzw ǁ Iqbal Bano http://youtu.be/SfjFzNk7QPQ
Lagtaa Nahi Hai Dil Mera - Habib Wali Muhammad Sahab http://youtu.be/dX05yZNT2hk ǁ Mohammad Rafi http://youtu.be/Sg4EQcmeBl0
If anyone has reasonably good command of classical music, the subject can be extended to same Raag rendered by different singers, particularly male and female vocal artists to identify the differences in the singing and possible reasons.
Yes, and unfortunately, while I do like some of his songs, Hemant Kumar has never been a favourite of mine. :(
ReplyDeleteThat's cute! My mother and I went to the 80th anniversary of Pooh Bear celebrations. They staged a play and stuff like that. And sold a lot of Pooh Bear stuff.
ReplyDeleteWow, so long? o.o You said that you could invite her to our meet-up, right? :D Get your earplugs. XDDD
WAITWAITWAIT.
ReplyDeleteThat song from Manzil (1960), HEY, HOW COME I HAVEN'T HEARD IT BEFORE? G;OKOG;PIJHY;/G -SLAPS SELF- -SLAPS YOUTUBE- -SLAPS UPLOADER- WHY DID YOU UPLOAD AN INCOMPLETE MOVIE.
-runs off to video crying-
Because half the movies on YouTube are cut somewhere or the other. :(
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first/fourth anniversary. Yours is one of the blogs I am greatly fond of for your elegant writing and selection of songs.
ReplyDeleteThe subject of twin songs has long intrigued me. Especially why the most complete singer Lata Mangeshkar came out a poor second in most of the twin songs against almost all male singers including Mukesh and Talat Mahmood, who were known for their limited range compared to her. So much so that she was scared at the prospect of singing a twin song against Talat. About two years back I did a comprehensive post on this theme Twin songs, which you may find interesting.
AK
Congrats to you and you have made quite a wonderful list here. I would like to add Jab Pyar kisi se hota hai (from Pyar kisi se hota hai) sung by Lata and Rafi. Both are amazing... similarly, there is an Asha Bhonsle solo version of Abhi na jao chod kar as well.. which is not available on audio easily. You can catch the song only in the movie Hum Dono. I loved both Rafi and Asha's renditions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arjun. I love both renditions of Abhi na jao chhodkar - for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary Anu! Here's toasting a year of wonderfully filmi posts and more to come!!! I am so glad I could convince you to blog more about films - its given me hours of entertainment, and introduced me to so many "new" oldies.
ReplyDeleteLove the theme of your post and the songs you've included. As a kid I was often confused by the same song sung by different singers - just when I decided that it was sung by Lata, I'd hear a Rafi version and decide that I must've remembered it wrong! Took me a while to figure out that the same song could be sung by several singers. Then, I would always like the version sung by my favorite singer, so it was always Rafi-better-than-Lata (or anybody else), Talat/Hemant-better-than-Lata, Lata-better-than-Mukesh, and so on... And then I heard Tum bin jaaon kahan and realised that I don't always prefer my favorites over others - I actually liked the Kishore version way better than the Rafi one. And now, like everybody else, I must admit that I cannot always be sure which one I'd prefer based on how much I like a singer. So here are some of my favorites:
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein - I much prefer the Lata version over the Mukesh one.
Mai ri main ka se kahoon peer - the Madan Mohan version has more raw emotion, but I prefer the Lata version for it's sweetness and how smooth her voice sounds after Madan Mohan's.
Unhen kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe - Asha does a great job with the song, but I like Rafi's recitation way better.
Pyaas kuch aur bhi bhadka di - I love both, the happy romantic duet sung by Talat-Asha and the sad version sung mostly by Asha.
Nukta cheen hain gham-e-dil - so many singers have sung this Ghalib ghazal, but nobody, in my opinion, with the sweetness that Suraiya brings to it. Here's a Saigal version, just for comparison.
Bollyviewer! You are back! So nice to hear from you. (Vacation is over now, woman, now get back to blogging!) So, while I did thank you on the post (or blamed you, depending on what my readers think :)) here's my heartfelt thank you to you personally for encouraging me to blog, and for the compliment.
ReplyDeleteComing to your choices:
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein - I prefer Mukesh's version, perhaps because Amitabh looked so delicious on screen. :)
Mai ri main ka se kahoon peer - Definitely Lata's version; with all due respect, Madan Mohan was no singer.
Unhe kissa-e-gham jo likhne baithe - Rafi over Asha any day!
Pyaas kuch aur bhi bhadka di - I prefer the happy version to the sad one, though I think I would have felt the same even if the sad version was male. :)
Nukta cheen hain gham-e-dil - I agree with you; Suraiya's version is the seminal version (for me!).
Congratulations on your first/fourth anniversary. Yours is one of the
ReplyDeleteblogs I am greatly fond of for your elegant writing and selection of
songs.
The subject of twin songs has long intrigued me. Especially why the
most complete singer Lata Mangeshkar came out a poor second in most of
the twin songs against almost all male singers including Mukesh and
Talat Mahmood, who were known for their limited range compared to her.
So much so that she was scared at the prospect of singing a twin song
against Talat. About two years back I did a comprehensive post on this
theme Twin songs, which you may find interesting.
Thank you, AK. I do not know if Lata came out second, much less a poor second, in her twin songs; I know I prefer the male version most times, but I will not agree that she was inferior. Let me take a look at your post - we may have to politely agree to disagree. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, a couple more (told you I could discuss this topic endlessly :-) tandem songs.
ReplyDelete*Jab se hum tum baharon mein (a tandem duet!)
Version 1 Suman & Rafi : www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwXibEo2EXU
Version 2: Mukesh & Kamal Barot: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEOpUkcpn-U
I like the Mukesh/Kamal Barot version better – they sound adorable together.
*Chand Apna Safar khatam karta raha by Usha & Lata Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAFynP4SNmU
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I like Usha’s better!
*Kabhi Kissiko ko Mukamal jahan
Asha version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc30N-_rUoA&feature=related
Bhupendra version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOmlXlXWIOc&feature=related
Both are wonderful, but I prefer Asha’s – probably because I heard it first.
I am glad! Especially because all three are songs that are new to me!! I listened to all the versions, and while there is a kneejerk reaction to preferring one over the other, I want to listen some more and ruminate over which one I truly prefer. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks once again!
Happy anniversary, Anu! Do keep the contributions pouring in regularly - you have enough readers to gorge through all the prose as and when it comes. Found a friend here and am sure a few others have also discovered pals out here. With the kid around now, you will see me only intermittently but an occasional read will go on.
ReplyDeleteGeez, talk about pressure! Can't I even spend time mourning the end of my vacation before getting back into work? O well, now that I have posted something, I know the pressure will ease off for a bit! ;-)
ReplyDeletePS: Suraiya is the seminal Ghalib singer for me, too. Childhood conditioning by DD, you think?
You have had six months to mourn everything you want to - so no sympathy for you at all! Besides, I have been suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I need my fix. Good to know you have posted at long last. Going off to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pradeep. By the way, is that a hint to stop being so longwinded? :)
ReplyDeleteAe angane onnum illa...Veruthe thoniyathaa...Nammalokke kochu aaradhakkammaralle...Please continue writing in your own friendly style...
ReplyDeleteOh no!! I seem to have overlooked this post. Was away around that time (summer holidays and all that), and came back to read your Kishore Kumar post.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, congratulations Anu.
Love your blog and what you offer here. Intelligent, and well written posts. May you see many anniversaries. :-)
Actually I haven't even read the post yet. Was so shocked at having missed the opportunity of congratulating you that I came here straight away.
Will go now and read it.
And for some reason, this comment didn't show up on the sidebar (or I overlooked it!) - thank you so much for the compliment, pacifist. Need I say it is readers like you that make the effort worthwhile?
ReplyDeleteLOL at your being so shocked at overlooking the post, that you overlooked the post! :))
This is an interesting topic for discussion. Generally I find that I prefer the happier version (generally like happier version of everything, I am not much of a tragedy person), but in the case of "ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar..", I do prefer the male version which is a little sadder.
ReplyDeleteI tend to lean towards the male version of most such songs, haven't figured out why yet. Is it so because most music directors composed these melodies with the male singer in mind and then extended it to the female voice too? One will never know. I see that most of your conclusions are in favor of the male singer and that is a truth, unfair maybe yes. But truth, yes.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting observation, Nalini. Now I need to sit back and think whether I like a particular song not because of the male or female version but the underlying emotions. I know I don't go in determined to like the song because of who is singing, and mostly, I have preferred the male versions, but now you have made me pause.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that the music directors composed them keeping in mind the male singers; mostly, they have been the requirements of the director/script - at least in those days. In any case, this is a very personal preference, and I'm sure someone who likes the female versions of songs better will use my argument against me. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is because the song is from Maya (1961)
ReplyDeleteExcellent post and great follow up discussion. There are many more such songs. One really beautiful song sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mahmood is Tum to Dil ke tar chhed kar from Roop Ki Rani Choron ka Raja (1961). This is one of those rare songs where you find it difficult to decide which version sounds better. If we go a little backward in time, there is Rahi Matwale from Waris. One version is sung by Talat Mahmood and Suraiya and another is Suraiya solo.
ReplyDeleteAnd how in heavens' name did I make that mistake? *Going off to rectify it* Thanks for the correction.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neeraj. Of course there are many more songs. :) Can't list them all here. Which is what the comments' section is for, so my readers can post their selections. In both the songs you listed, I'm at a loss to decide which version I prefer - perhaps both, at different times, depending on my mood. They are both lovely, lovely songs.
ReplyDelete