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.
