SONGS WHICH MADE DEV ANAND

 

Dev Anand makes us sing . He makes us smile . He makes us recollect sweet memories . What made Dev what he was? He was so many things,  giving hope and energy to us all who came in contact with him through cinema. He was a star and acted in more than 100 movies in a career spanning more than 60 years , but when we think of him, his smiling charming demeanour appears before us nodding his head in his signature style – Singing!  Yes ;   he was an excellent actor  also who delivered memorable performances in’ Taxi Driver’ ,  ‘ Kala Pani’, ‘Hum Dono’ , ‘Guide’ and ‘ Johny Mera Naam ‘ and we also repeat and recollect the dialogues of these films but he was essentially a singing star! Dev Anand was songs! He was Music! Lyrical !

On 26th Sep this year , Dev Anand , the ever green star of Hindi cinema would have been 102 years . This year I shall discuss the ‘Songs’ which made Dev Anand!

The songs of Dev Anand could be placed in three broad categories- the sad and serious , joyful/happy / peppy and the Romantic duets ! Among these the most popular are duets he has sung with numerous heroines . However his solo renditions are also not far behind . Dev sang  about 400 songs . It is extremely difficult to select a few representative songs which make his personality and character on screen . However it is my personal selection and I stand by it . Another author and admirer may have a complete different song list as the range and depth of his collection was  such. 

 

 

 

Solo Sad Songs

 

                                              Dev in Guide and Taxi Driver

 

 I therefore explore the ‘songs’ which made the great legend and his story . Most of the serious and sad songs were sung by Dev during the initial period of his career . Maybe the subject of his films was such which required such songs . The new Nation had emerged from the shackles of slavery.  Poverty and unemployment was rampant.

I have pinned two songs of this genre . The first sombre song was from the film ‘Taxi driver’ ( 1954)sung by Talat  Mehmood penned by Sahir and composed by S D Burman- ‘ Jayen to jayen kahan ,  Samjhega Kaun Yahaaan Dard Bhare Dil Ki Zubaan-…mayusiyon  ka majma hai dil mein kya rehgaya  hai is Zindagi mein ,rooh mein gam dil mein dhuvaan  .. jayen to, …unka bhi gam hai apna bhi gam hai , ab dil ke bachne ki Umeed kam hai, ek Kashti sau toofaan .jaayen to  ’. The song is sung by Dev  when the heroine of the film Kalpana Karthik has separated from him and he is missing her. Sitting    on the beach of Bombay under a moonlit night the setting is perfect and reflects at that time the sentiments of so many busy souls finding a foot and some company in the city. The expressions on Derv’s face are so real ! Sachin Dev Burman received his first Filmfare Award for this film.  The jubilant joyous Dev was yet to arrive and we  could see the restrained journey.

The second song is from the 1965 film ‘Guide’ of ‘Navketan’ . It is   a classic  directed by Vijay Anand.  Shailendra is the song writer and music is of Sachin da . Dev  has come to Waheeda Rehman before  going to jail  on charges of forgery in which she was  a witness and has not held his hand . Their relationship was as such under strain on account of Dev’s  gambling, drinking and splurging with her money. His friend the police Inspector arrives at his residence to arrest him . He asks  for a favour to meet Rosy (Waheeda) once before going to jail which he accords . As she sees him she breaks  into the song ‘ Mo se chal    kiye   jaye hai re hai  saiyyan baimaan..’ On completion of her song Dev replies by this memorable and poignant song brilliantly juxtaposed and picturized by Vijay Anand:   

-Kya se kya Ho Gaya Bewafa Tere Pyar mein Chaha Kya Kya Mila Bewafa Tere Pyar mein’

Chalo  suhana bharam to  tuta  jana ke husn  kya hai , kehnte he  jisko pyar duniya , kya cheez kya bala hai , Dil ne kya na saha , bewafa tere pyar mein’   .

Following songs were as good to be included:

‘Teri duniya mein jine se to behtar hai ki mar jayen’- House No 44.

‘ Dukhi man mere sun mera kehna jahan Nahin chaina wahan Nahin rehna’ – ‘ Funtoosh’.

‘ Din Dhal Jaye , Hai raat na jaye’ –‘ Guide’

‘ Kiska rasta dekhe e dil e saudayi’- ‘ Joshila’.   

 

Solo Breezy / Happy Songs

 

                              Dev in Nau Do Gyareh, Kala Bazaar & Hum -Dono

  Opening a new chapter , Dev’s  Breezy, peppy and  landmark songs come to mind.  I have selected three songs from a beautiful bouquet of these songs . The first song is from the film ‘Nau Do Gyareh’ of 1957. Dev Anand is directed by his younger brother Vijay Anand who gives him a new image.  It is Vijay Anand’s debut film  who has written the script also. The subject is different from his earlier films, it was  a journey film with thrill and romance. Vijay Anand arrives with a bang as a director, storywriter ,  and dialogue writer. He proved soon that he had an immense flair in song picturization. In this film  Dev discovers himself. He disarms himself and his latent  energy which was there in abundance but  was  under check  was released . He was so relaxed in the film and as his younger brother was directing and he was in his company perhaps this was the reason for him to be completely free and be  himself. The song was in the beginning of the film and introduces him and introduces Dev’s   ideology in the film and perhaps his own way of life! Penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri and  sung by Kishore Kumar  the music  as always was by Sachin da – ‘ Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke Humse Kuchh Na Boliye, Jo Bhi Pyar se mila hum usi ke holiye, dard  bhi hamen  kubool chaine bhi hamen kubool , hum ne har tarah ke phool haar mein piro liye ‘.

With the success of ‘ Nao do Gyareh’  and testing of the new freedom and movement their journey on a new happy colourful route commenced.  1960 film ‘Kala Bazaar’ was a landmark film and my second song is from this film. It has  the three brothers together and was     directed by Goldie. it has music by their camp favourite Sachin Dev Burman and lyrics by Shailendra who presented rarity of songs to this successful film. Dev is a black marketeer here who has stolen the bag of Chetan Anand to start his business . He is  illiterate and comes in contact with Waheeda Rehman  who is Vijay Anand’s girl friend , who inspires Dev to change his life. This song was shot in Mahabaleshwar with its lake in the backdrop. In this song Dev was  a ‘free spirit’. A ‘balladeer’ who has descended from the fairy land ! During the song he walks, he prances , runs , sprees , swings  in the valley in a moonlit night with a lake by the side . At a distance and yet close is  Waheeda  Rehman who seems to be enjoying the attention. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and remains immortal . This song could be called  – ‘The Ballad of Dev Anand’ – ‘Khoya Khoya chand , khula aasmaan aankhon mein sari raat jayegi , tum ko bhi kaise neend aayegi , O ho khoya khoya chand…. Tare chale Nazare  chale sang sang mere vo saare chale , charon taraf ishare chale , kisi ke to ho jao . O ho ho, Khoya khoya chand…’

.

1961 was the year when Vijay Anand delivered a perfect script in ‘Hum Dono’ and my third happy song of Dev is from this film . Having  seen the film again on its release in colour I was convinced that this film had a ’flawless’ screenplay . We cannot identify a single scene in the film which was superfluous . It was set in a war-torn setting and Dev is in Double role . Sahir returns to ‘Navketan’ under baton of Jaidev . All the songs of this film are sung till date . However the song with which Dev identifies himself as stated by him in many interviews was  : ‘ Mein Zindagi ka saath nibha ta  chala gaya , har fikr ko dhuyen mein udata chala gaya’ – Gam aur Khushi mein fark na mehsus ho jahan mein dil ko us mukaam par lata chala gaya’ .

Dev is in jungle in Army setting , gets dressed in outdoors with the help of his  Buddy and sings this song . But before that he  pulls out a cigarette turns on the lighter which his girlfriend Sadhna had presented him . It is a musical one and as he lights and puffs he sees her image in the water which makes the situation highly novel and romantic  . It  sealed his persona in public imagination and this image is retained for ever.

 As in the case of sad solo songs so too in these songs it was extremely difficult to identify three best fast /happy / solo  songs .The ones in the list below are as good as those which were selected  :

‘ Jeevan ke safar mein  Rahi milte hein bichad jane ko’ – ‘ Munimji’

‘Hai apna dil to Awaara  na jane kis pe Aayega’ –‘ Solvaan saal’ .

‘Jiya ho  dil ka parda khol do , jab pyar kisi se hota hai ,,’- ‘ Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota hai’.

‘ Kwaab ho Tum Ya Koi Haquiqat Kaun ho tum batlao’ – ‘ Teen Deviyyan ‘

‘ Ye Dil na hota Bechhara , Kadam na hote Awaara ‘ – ‘Jewel Thief’.

‘ Phoolon Ke Rang se Dil Ki Kalam se , Tuzh ko likhi Roz pati ‘ – ‘ Prem Pujari’.

‘ Apni to har aah ek toofan hai , upar wala jaan kar anjaan hai’ ‘ Kala Bazaar’.

 

Romantic Duets

  Dev’s first big co-star  was Suraiya with whom he did seven films . Suraiya was a singing star and Dev was a new comer  . These were early days of Dev where he is hesitant and no where near the flexible and energetic star he turned out later . Fans of Dev and Suraiya only watch these songs on You Tube . Some cinema history students may also look at them . Therefore these duets were important to study the growth and development of Dev. There are a few nice songs of Dev and Suraiya:

‘ Layi Khushi ki duniya .. ‘ of Vidya . Also a peppy and breezy song in ‘Sanam’ ‘ Mein Keh dun tum ko chor bolo kya karoge aur abhi machadun shor bolo kya karoge’   sung by Suraiya and Mohammad Rafi . Suraiyya looks very sweet and smart with pants and top. Her open curly hair adds to the charm and song!  

 

                                                    Dev & Suraiya in 'Sanam' -1951

 

 I have selected five songs from a long list of lovable duets of Dev with his all charming heroines over the years . These are from the films- ‘ Jaal’, ‘ Kala Paani’ , ‘Hum Dono’ , ‘ Tere Ghar Ke Samne’ and ‘ Tere Mere Sapne’.

 

Top- Jaal&Kala Pani, Middle - Hum Dono, Botton - Tere Ghar ke Samne & Tere Mere Sapne

 

 

 In 1952 Guru Dutt directed Dev again  in ‘Jaal’ and gave another hit after ‘Baazi’ . This crime thriller shot by the sea has an outdoor location . Dev is wooing Geeta Bali who is in raptures on hearing the song . Dev sings and strums a guitar a perfect romantic song under the moonlit night and palm trees swaying . It is sung by Hemant Kumar in his typical soothing  voice penned by Sahir and music by Sachin Dev Burman. This song is very popular whenever it is played and is famous among the young generation :

‘Ye raat ye chandni phir kahan sunja dil ki dastaan ..

Pedon ki shakon mein soyi soyi  chandni

Tere khayalon mein  khoyi khoyi chnadni

Aur thodi der mein thak ke laut jayegi

Raat ye Bahar ki phir kabhi na ayegi

Do ek pal aur hai ye sama

Sun ja dil ki daastaan ….’

 

1956 film of Dev ‘Kala Pani’ was directed by Raj Khosla . It has   a sweet taunting  duet depicting love and its many shades . There is all time freshness and vivaciousness in this duet . The music makes it more endearing.  Here the hero is sulking and the heroine is seeking forgiveness . The lovely exchange of musical dialogues with handsome Dev and the most beautiful heroine of that time Madhubala in an evening setting being surreptitiously  watched by their group of friends adds to the situation a new dimension . Finally they make up to the smile and happiness of the audience :

‘Accha ji mein hari chalo maan jao na

Dekhi sab ki yaari mera dil jalao na..’

 

  ‘Hum Dono’ was the most accomplished film in all departments . All songs are remembered till date . The film is unforgettable on account of its landmark duet which begins the film sung by Rafi and Asha. Dev and Sadhna are lovers and after a long stay together in the garden when Sadhna asks to leave Dev insists that she stays !This is a conversational song between Dev and Sadhna and both look handsome and pretty . If one was to select just one duet of Dev , it would be this by a large number of his fans! This could be called   ‘The love song of Dev Anand’:

‘ Abhi na jao chod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahi

Abhi abhi to aayi ho bahar banke chayi ho

Hawa zara mahak to le , nazar zara bahak to le

Mein thodi der ji to loon nashe ke ghoont pi to loon

Abhi to kuch kaha nahin , abhi to kuch suna Nahin

Abhi na jao chod kar ke   dil   abhi  bhara nahin’

 

‘Tere Ghar Ke Samne’ in 1963 was yet another beautiful film starring Dev and Nutan which had melodious music by Sachin da and all songs were so lovingly written by Hasrat Jaipuri. It projected the idea of living in harmony with neighbours. The song which I am listing is when Dev is trying to make up with Nutan whom he had taken on a ride in his Lambretta scooter in hill station and they fall! Nutan is seemingly angry and Dev spreads his charm with this unforgettable song so deftly picturised by Vijay Anand which was his forte. There was some distant innocence in Nutan unseen now and the manner in which she feigns anger creates  flutter in hearts! :

‘ Dekho Rootha na karo

Baat nazron ki suno-

Hum na bolenge  kabhi

Yun sataya  nakaro

Dekho Rutha na karo’ 

 

1971 was  the year when Vijay Anand directed his favourite film under Navketan casting Dev , himself and Mumtaj . The theme was ‘ethics’ in medical profession .Despite great direction and screenplay  the film was not a big success . But remains as a great ‘Navketan’ film adding to its history and reputation. By now Neeraj was regular in ‘Navketan’ camp and he wrote some nice songs put to music by Sachin da. This duet between the Doctor Dev and his wife Mumtaj was in rural surrounding in cycle and was marvellously picturised among mustard fields and scenic  setting. This song is sung by many married couples who revive their ‘vows’ and love with its verses!  :

 

‘ Han  maine kasam li ,Han maine kasam li

Nahin honge juda Hum tum ,Maine kasam li’  

…Pa ke tujhe khoya tumhen , kho ke kabhi paya

Janam Janam tere liye badli hamne kaya’

 

It was extremely difficult to select among these songs . All are as bright and beautiful as the other:

‘Wo Dekhen to Unki Inayat , na Dekhen to Rona kya ‘ – ‘ Funtoosh’

‘ Aa Gup Chup Gup Chup Pyar karen’ –‘Sazaa’

‘Aankhon hi aankhon mein Ishara hogaya’ – ‘CID’

‘ Aankhon mein kya ji , Ruphela badal’ – ‘ Nau Do Gyareh’  

‘ Gaata Rahe mera dil , tu hi meri Manzil’ -’ Guide’.

‘ Kanchi Re Kanchi re Preet meri sanchi ‘ –‘ Hare Ram Hare Krishna’ .

‘ Bahut Door Mujhe chale jaane hai’ – ‘ Heera Panna’ . 

‘ Pal bhar ke liye koi hamen pyar karle’ –‘ Johny Mera Naam’ .

‘ Ankhon ankhon mein hum tum hogaye  deewane ‘-‘ Mahal’.

‘ Chod do Anchal Zamana kya kahega’ –‘ Paying Guest’.

‘ Dhire dhire chal chand gagan mein’-‘ Love Marriage’.

‘ Dil ka Bhanwar kare pukar ‘ -‘ Tere Ghar Ke Samne’.

‘ Tujhe jeevan ki dor se bandh liya hai’ –‘ Asli Naqli’.

‘ Yaad kiya dil ne kahan ho tum ‘ –‘ Patita’.

 

There was contribution of so many artists in making the image of Dev and the first person was Vijay Anand who gave an image makeover , confidence and success to continue! The second person was Sachin Dev Burman who gave his consistent great music to Dev and ‘Navketan’ . Lyricists such as Sahir , Shailendra, Majrooh , Hasrat Jaipuri and Neeraj gave variety to the verses. Dev had stated that Kishore Kumar was his voice but in my opinion Mohamad Rafi has sung the best songs for him.   And finally a ‘bevy of heroines’ completed his romantic image .

We shall sing  forever and Dev shall live forever !