EXQUISITE FUSION, Raj Khosla and Laxmikant-Pyarelal
The combo of Raj Khosla and Laxmikant-Pyarelal have given many memorable musical hit films….The combo of Raj Khosla and Laxmikant-Pyarelal was SUPER HIT combo in support with Anand Bakshi.
Before the kicking off this long-lasting, fruitful, cahoot with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Raj Khosla had directed many memorable musical hit movies. Just to name few films with respective music directors :-
Milap, 1954 ( N Datta)
C I D, 1956 ( O P Nayyar)
Kala Pani, 1956 ( S D Burman)
Solva Saal, 1958 (S D Burman)
Bambai Ka Babu, 1960 (S D Burman)
Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, 1962 ( O P Nayyar)
Woh Kaun Thi, 1964 (Madanmohan)
Mera Saaya, 1966 (Madanmohan)
Do Badan, 1966 (Ravi)
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| Raj Khosla and Laxmikant-Pyarelal |
It was in the 1967 Raj Khosla decided to launch his own Production Unit to be named as RAJ KHOSLA FILMS.
At the end of the year 1963, Laxmikant-Pyarelal had made a thumping outset in Hindi Film Music. By the end of the year 1966, Laxmikant-Pyarelal became “top” favorite music directors for many of the film production units and big producers and directors. Famous producers/directors, J Omprakash (“Aaye Din Bahar Ke”), Shreedhar (“Pyar Kiye Jaa”), started signing Laxmikant-Pyarelal for their respective films followed by L V Prasad (“Milan”), A K Nadiadwala (“Patthar Ke Sanam”), Subodh Mukharjee (“Shagird”). Raj Khosla was not the exception.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal became the household name, by the virtue of their super-duper musical hits.
Such was the “charm / craze” of Laxmikant-Pyarelal, in the mid 60s that Raj Khosla took them in “ANITA”, despite the musical success of music director Madan Mohan with Raja Mehadi Aali Khan as the songwriter in his previous films (“Woh Kaun Thi” and “Mera Saya” ) and music director Ravi with the songwriter Shakeel Badayuni (“Do Badan”).
Thus the long lasting partnership of Raj Khosla and Laxmikant-Pyarelal has now started and have entertained us in the films like:-
Anita, 1967
Do Raaste, 1969
Mera Gaon Mera Desh, 1971
Kuchche Dhaage, 1973
Prem Kahani, 1975
Main Tulsli Tere Aangan Ki 1979
Do Premee, 1980
Dostana, 1980 (produced by Yash Johar)
Teri Mang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon, 1982
Mera Dost Mera Dushman, 1984 (produced by Johny Bakshi).
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| Laxmikant, Lata Mangeshkar, Pyarelal, Actress Sadhana and Raj Khosla . "ANITA" song recording in 1967. |
We are going to review few of the above listed movies and it’s music.
ANITA 1967.
Raj Khosla was a talented director. He made some excellent thriller films in past, such as “C I D”, “Mera Saaya” and “Woh Kaun Thi”. “Anita” is one of them, and it is indeed a highly enjoyable movie filled with mystery and suspense with an extremely melodious music. Actress Sadhana in lead opposite Manoj Kumar.
“तुम बीन जीवन कैसे बीता” (“Yaman Kalyan”) and “सामने मेरे सांवरिया” (“Bhairavi”)
1967 .The Marathon Begins as Laxmikant-Pyarelal ascend the top. 10 films with all songs hit. In the wave of Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s 1967 musical hits like “Milan”, “Shagird”, “Pathar Ke Sanam”, “Farz”, “Night In London”, “Jaal” and “Taqdeer”, Raj Khosla’s “ANITA” was also found a special place, with decent songs which are still popular.
1 Tum Bin Jeevan Kaise Beeta …. Mukesh
2 Samane Mere Sanwariya …. Lata
3 Na Baba Na Baba …. Lata
4 Gore Gore Chand Ke Mukh Par …. Mukesh (penned by Aarzoo Lucknawi)
5 Kareeb Aaye Nazar …. Lata
6 Hai Nazar Ka Ishara …. Lata-Usha (penned by Anand Bakshi)
Excellent lyrics by Raja Mehadi Ali Khan saab and Laxmikant-Pyarelal justify the selection of Raj Khosla as a replacement of Madanmohan saab. Actually, Raj Khosla wanted to build up the partnership of Laxmikant-Pyarelal with Raja Mehadi Ali Khan but Sudden death of Raja Mehadi Ali Khan gave the full stop to the RMAK & LP’s rising partnership and Anand Bakshi joins the group.
Tum Bin Jeevan Kaise Beeta …. Mukesh
Elegant melodious song composed in Raag “Yaman Kalyan”………effectively sung by Mukesh ji ……deep touching lyrics. Simple ‘TABLA’ rhythm for mukhada and antara. Another beauty of this songs is a mellifluous SYMPHONY style orchestra arrangements with soft VIOLINS (no rhythm) in all the “interludes”.
Extremely melodious song starts with Lataji’s mind-boggling “HUMMING” in ‘Bhairavi’ . Ear-Pleasing DHOLAK rhythm. First “Interlude” is orchestrated in SYMPHONY style VIOLINS intermixed with BIRD’s TWEETING. Second ‘Interlude’ is awesomely decorated with FLUTE. Third “interlude” starts with MRIDANG and ends with VIOLINS in ’SYMPHONY’ style. The magic number “Samne Mere Saawariya” beautifully shot with Sadhana walking the hills.
DO RAASTE 1969.
It was purely a family drama, showing aspiration and disappointments of a middle class family. The film revolves around Balaraj Sahani and his hopes & misfortunes. The romantic avocation of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz is worth to watch. Rajesh Khanna with his superlative emotional performance, steals the show. Brilliant script, powerful dialogues, meritorious direction by Raj Khosla and phenomenal music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal are the features of this super duper hit film. It was a huge hit film. Celebrated golden jubilee (50 week runs) in almost all the major cities of India. Rajesh Khanna became the STAR after this movie. (“Do Raaste” released just two weeks after the release of “Aradhana”). “Do Raaste” gave the new hit pair of Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz.
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| Laxmikant, Anand Bakshi and Pyarelal. |
As said earlier, the music was one of the big assets of the film. After this musical success of "Do Raaste", director Raj Khosla, for most of his coming films, always considered the record breaking 'trio' of Laxmikant-Pyarelal/Anand Bakshi. The fabulous songs from "Do Raaste", includes
1 Bindiya Chamake Gi …. Lata
2 Chhup Gaye Sare Nazare …. Lata-Rafi
3 Yeh Reshmi Jhulphe …. Rafi
4 Do Rang Duniya Ke …. Mukesh
5 Mere Naseeb Main Ai Dost …. Kishore
6 Apani Apani Biwi Pe …. Lata
Bindiya Chamake Gi …. Lata
This “Punjabi” folkish style, DHOLAK rhythm, sweet and melodious song, with euphonic DHOLAK ‘rhythm’ is completely decorated with the glimpses of SANTOOR and FLUTE. Lataji’s rendering the word ‘chamake gi’ is admirable. The song rock the nation and was top hit, number 1 song, in Binacageetmala Finals of the year 1970.
Lovely romantic duet awesomely and overwhelmingly orchestrated with SANTOOR and FLUTE with sweet DHOLAK 'rhythm'.
Mere Naseeb Main Ai Dost …. Kishore
The song is based on raag “Yaman Kalyan”. Kishore Kumar’s soft rendering and Laxmikant-Pyarelal's SYMPHONY style orchestra arrangements with overlapping sound effects of VIOLINS, VIOLA, FLUTE and SANTOOR are the significant aspects of this song. Another beauty of this song is that Kishore Kumar has brilliantly ‘synchronized’ the "pause" in the LP orchestra. The rhythm of the song is completely on BONGO DRUMS.
MERA GAON MERA DESH 1971.
“Mera Gaon Mera Desh” is a complete movie in itself including persuasive direction from Raj Khosla, honeyed music streaming with story, by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, powerful dialogues, story, superb performances by all. Dharmendra is excellent in his role and plays it superbly Asha Parekh is good too, Jayant is good as Fauji, Laxmi Chhaya is excellent in her role and the carrier best performance by Vinod Khanna who those days started as a villain is superb as Jabbar Singh. “Sholey” released in 1975 was inspired from “Mera Gaon Mera Desh”, in many ways. The songs were/are hit, even today. Once again the rocking combo of Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant-Pyarelal jiggles. Lata Mangeshkar have sung all five songs, including four solos.
1 Sona Layi Ja Re …. Lata
2 Mar Diya Jaaye Ke Chhod Diya Jaay …. Lata
3 Apani Prem Kahaniyan …. Lata
4 Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi …. Lata
5 Kuchh Kehata Hai Ye Sawan …. Lata-Rafi.
Director Raj Khosla have analogously filmed the songs with the situation of the film story.
Mar Diya Jaaye Ke Chhod Diya Jaay …. Lata
Raj Khosla explained to Anand Bakshi a situation where the hero is tied to a pillar and the girl wants to rescue him. Anand Bakshi was at once reminded of the dialogue between Alexander the Great and King Porus where the former asked the latter "Tumhare saath kya sulook kiya jaye?" And the song Maar diya jaye, ke chhod diya jaye... was born. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have mind-blowingly orchestrated this fabulous song, with 43 seconds of “prelude”, “interludes” and mesmerizing DHOLAK rhythm. Apani Prem Kahaniyan …. Lata
One of the best ""situational"" numbers you would get to see. It’s gestural song situation. Raj Khosla have done the best to film this songThe police get no help either, when they arrive in village "mela"/Fair.. . Nobody is willing to recognizing "Dacoit" Jabbar Singh (VINOD KHANNA) and his gang. Ajit ( DHARMENDRA ) seeks the help of dancing girl Munnibai (LAXMI CHHAYA), to identify Jabbar Singh in a village "mela". Through the dancing on song, Munnibai is giving many hints of Jabbar Singh's physic, dress and the location where he is standing…This popular dancing song has a perfect set of village fare. Costumes, Cinematography is excellent. ANAND BAXI, has worded this song according to the situation demand. LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL have decorated this song with mellifluent orchestra arrangements. "Prelude" and all the "Interludes" are justifying the village "mela"/fair music. The RHYTHM of the song is mesmerizing. LATA MANGESHKAR simply outstanding...
Few words about LAXMI CHHAYA... This film has the best performance from her. She had a regrettably short film career and is not even remembered today. But see her here and you will never forget her. What a natural she was.
PREM KAHANI 1975.
Great film. Prem Kahani is one of the best movies directed by Raj Khosla. Breathtaking direction, spelbound performances by Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Shashi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna, beautiful and melodious music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal as well as meaningful dialogue are the assets of the film. It has as many as six songs written by Anand Bakshi.
1 Phool Aahista Phenko …. Lata-Mukesh
2 Chal Dariya Main Doob Jaye …. Lata-Kishore
3 Prem Kahani Main …. Lata-Kishore
4 Kya Meri Prem Kahani …. Lata
5 Prem Hai Kya Ek Aansoo …. Rafi
6 Dosto Main Koi Baat …. Rafi
Phool Aahista Phenko …. Lata-Mukesh
Graceful romantic duet. “Interludes” are mellifluously orchestrated with SITAR and SARANGI. It has a mesmerizing DHOLAK rhythm.
Another canorous romantic duet beautifully orchestrated with the instruments like SANTOOR and SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, VIOLINS and FLUTE with diversified DHOLAK ‘rhythm’.
MAIN TULSI TERE AANGAN KI 1978.
Once again a wonderful film by Raj Khosla! It was a comeback film for Nutan and Asha Parekh No doubt Raj Khosla made Nutan and Asha Parekh perform so marvelously that both of them gave their best in the film. Nutan won the FilmFare Award for Best Actress and Asha Parekh was only nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza penned excellent dialogues. He also won Filmfare for Best Dialogue. Raj Khosla won Best Film Award too. Raj Khosla and Vinod Khanna were very good friends right from “Mera Gaon Mera Desh” days. RK repeated VK for the fourth successive time but this time in leading role. Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave euphonious music. The song "Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki Koi Nahin Mein Tere Saajan Ki" is the soul of the entire story. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics so carefully that each word and simile used compliment the story.
1 Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki …. Lata
2 Meri Dushman Hai Wo …. Rafi
3 Chhap Tilak Sab Chhine Re …. Lata-Asha
4 Nathaniya Jo Mari …. Hemlata-Anuradha
5 Saiyyan Ruth Gaye …. Shobha Gurtu
Chhap Tilak Sab Chhine Re …. Lata-Asha
Raj Khosla always used ‘folk’ songs in his films. This time he decides to use Ammer Khusroo's song beautifully sung by Mangeshkar sisters. Simple orchestra arrangements by using SARANGI, FLUTE and SANTOOR with melodious tune and wonderful folkish ‘DHOLAK’ rhythm.
Prototypal, classic ‘THUMARI” orchestrated with SARANGI and SANTOOR.
Ajay Poundarik
Atlanta (Georgia)
USA
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