COLOSSAL AMALGAM ASHA BHOSLE and LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL

COLOSSAL AMALGAM  ASHA BHOSLE and LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL

Asha Bhosle and Laxmikant-Pyarelal ..How this combo can be of less importance when they have churned out almost 494 songs from “Harischandra Taramati” (1963) to “Aurat Aurat Aurat” (1996). There are many GEMs composed by this combo.

Asha Bhosle, Laxmikant, Pyarelal.

When you look at the ‘huge’ volume of 494 songs from this ‘colossal amalgam’ of Asha Bhosle and Laxmikant-Pyarelal  it is very difficult to select just 10 songs. I have to omit few GEMs of songs like…

Main Ek Haseena   (“Aaya Sawan Jhum Ke” 1968)

Bansuri Tihari Nandlal   (“Sajan” 1969)

Chori Se Saiyaan Ne Mujhe Pukara  (“Shart” 1969)  

Ho Koi Aaya Lachak Uthi Kaya (“Dastan” 1972)

Kukoodo Koo Kukoodo Koo  (“Gehri Chaal” 1973),

Motiyon Ki Ladi Hoon Main and Kahan Hai Woh Deewana (“Loafer” 1973)

Main Ja Rahi Thi  (“Bidai, 1974)

Zindagi Ek Natak Hai  (“Natak” 1976)

Aisi Waisi Na Samaz Sajana  (“Jaani Dushman” 1979)  

Daroga Ji Chori Ho Gayi  (“Gautam Govinda”) and many more

Ashaji has sung many memorable duets under Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Asha Bhosle - Kishore Kumar, close to 90 duets.  The highest numbers of duet songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for any singing pairs. KK-Asha with LP  have some fabulous songs. Major hits list is too long.  Listing few HITs below:-

Laxmikant, Asha Bhosle, Amit Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Pyarelal. 

Kya Teri Zulfen Hai   (“Hum Sab Ustad Hai”, 1965)

Jane Kaisa Hai Mera Deewana (“Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool”, 1969)

Jaipur Ki Choli Mangwa De Re  (“Gehri Chaal”, 1973)

Yaar Dildar Tujhe Kaisa Chahiye  (“Chhaila Babu”, 1977)

Dillagi Ne Di Hawa  (“Dostana”, 1980)

Mere Hosh Lelo Deewana Banado  (“Bandish”, 1980)

Mar Gayi Mujhe Teri Judaai   (“Judaai”, 1980)

Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana  (“Karz”, 1980)

Pyar Ka Wada Fifty Fifty  (“Fifty Fifty”, 1981)

Sara Din Satate Ho  (“Raaste Pyar Ke”, 1982)

Asha Bhosle - Mohammad Rafi nearing  50 duets. Listing out few hits of Asha-Rafi with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. 

Pyarelal, Asha Bhosle, Laxmikant and Mohammad Rafi (extreme right)

Ab Jeene Ka Mausam  (“Dillagi”, 1966)

Sar Par Lamba Top Le Ke Ayega (“Izzat”, 1969)

Maan Jaiye Maan Jaiye (“Himmat”, 1970)

Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Sham  (“Humjoli” 1970)

Chudiya Bazar Se Mangwa De (“Suhana Safar”, 1970)

Tere Ishq Ka Mujhpe Hua  (“Nagin”, 1976)

Tere Haathon Mein Pehna Ke Chudiyan  (“Jaani Dushman” 1979)

Mosam Suhane Aa Gaye (“Judaai”, 1980)

Saathiya Tu Mere Sapano Ka Meet Hai (“Insaan”, 1982)

Asha Bhosle - Lata Mangeshkar total 14 numbers of the duet with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Once again the highest numbers of Lata-Asha duet under any music directors.

Few of the Major HITS of Lata-Asha under Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Ai Kash Kisi Deewane Ko .. (”Aaye Din Bahar Ke”, 1966)

Tu Badi Kismatwali Hai..(”Haar-Jeet”, 1972)

Band Hai Muthi To Lakh Ki..(”Dharam-Veer”,  1977)

Chhap Tilak Sab Lini…(”Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki”, 1979)

Mehandi To Mehandi Hai Rang …(”Mehandi Rang Layegi”, 1979)

Deepak Mere Suhag Ka ..(“Maang Bharo Sajana”, 1980)

Man Kyun Behaka Ri Behaka ..(“Utsav”, 1985)

Apart from this listed above, Asha Bhosle have sung some fabulous and ‘hit’ duets, under Laxmikant-Pyarelal with Usha Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Suresh Wadkar, Shabbir Kumar, Mohammad Aziz, Manhar Udhas  and S P Balasubramaniam

Few of  the finest solo songs, carrying variety,  composed by  Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Asha Bhonsle,  are discussed here.

Asha Bhosle with Laxmikant

It would be more proper to listen to the songs, listed below, after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each song, you will enjoy the songs, more.

1 Mere Soone Jeevan Ka Aasara Hai Tu …. (Aasra 1966,  Lyricist Anand Bakshi )

This sweet and extremely melodious song is filmed on Nirupa Roy and Balaraj Sahani. The wordings of the song expresses the strong feeling and expectation by a mother from his son. The wordings are very meaningful. “Prelude” of 28 seconds is full of SITAR. Beautiful take off by Ashaji. All the “interludes” are excellently orchestrated with SITAR, ACCORDION, VIOLINS and MANDOLIN. It has a dulcet DHOLAK rhythm.

2 Khat Likh De Sanwariya …. (Aaye Din Bahar Ke 1966,  Lyricist Anand Bakshi)

Typical “folkish” type composition filmed on Asha Parekh. One of the biggest hit of Asha Bhosle. Long “Preludes” in the song is used to be the biggest assets of Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s orchestra. This song to is also mellifluent ‘prelude’ of 118 seconds, full of VIOLINS, DRUMS, DHOLAK, FLUTE and GHUNGROO BELLS. Brilliant take off by Ashaji with ‘zero’ orchestra and then “filler” of FLUTE. All the “interludes” have resonant orchestra. DHOLAK rhythm is just mind-boggling.

3 Ai Dushman-E-Jaan .… (Patthar Ke Sanam 1967,  Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri)

There's a story to that. While on a trip to Lebanon Laxmikant and Pyarelal met

Fairouz, the famous Arabic singer, and her husband and his brother who

composed her songs. Laxmikant-Pyarelal thought her guttural style was appealing, and

tried to get Ashaji to do it at the end of the word "Allah" - A-haaa. Superb rendering by Ashaji and only she can give justice to such songs. The song is composed on western beats.

4 Meharban Mehaboob …. (Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool 1969,  Lyricist Taj Bhopali)

Intoxicated melody and ‘rhythm’. One of the best song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Asha Bhonsle. The song is completely woven around the “aalap” and “humming” by Ashaji, supported by westernized orchestra with excellent use of SAXOPHONE, GUITAR and the SYMPHONY style VIOLINS. Beautiful and frolicsome Helen dancing effortlessly.

5 Bahut Der Tum Ne …..(Man Ki Aankhe 1970,  Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi)

Extremely melodious composition filmed on Waheeda Rehman and Dharmendra. This romantic song is wonderfully rendered by Asha ji. Ashaji’s ‘humming’ during take off and ‘aalap’ in the ‘interludes’ is just mind-boggling. Awesome DHOLAK rhythm. One of the sweetest songs of Ashaji with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

6 Angdaiyan Le Le kar ….(Sweekar 1973,  Lyricist Anand Bakshi)

Stunning Composition:: ASHA BHONSLE & Laxmikant-Pyarelal at their supreme best.

Use of GUITAR, as filler in the song and IRANI SANTOOR as well as SAXOPHONE and FLUTE in the entire orchestra, particularly in the "interludes", is just mesmerizing. Laxmikant-Pyarelal's western and 'rich' Orchestra with IRANI SANTOOR, GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, brilliantly synchronized with soft, delicate singing by Asha Bhosle.The song is gone to shelves as film did not do well at the box office.

7 Sham Bheegi Bheegi …….(Gehri Chaal 1973,  Lyricist Rajendra Krishna)

Melodious Cabaret Song: soft rhythm of BONGO Drums, use of SAXOPHONE, as a filler and in both the interlude is at it's best. BAMBOO FLUTE, RUBAB and GUITAR, synchronized with the SAXOPHONE, sounds ear-pleasing in entire song. TWEETING of birds make you thrilled during the song. ASHA BHONSLE sounds superb. The song is filmed on actress Bindu and she makes you intoxicated.

8 Koi Shahari Babu…..(Loafer 1973,  Lyricist Anand Bakshi)

Perhaps the most popular song of Asha Bhosle with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. “Prelude” over 30 seconds is full of HARMONIUM, GHUNGHROO BELLS, VIOLINS and SHEHNAI with mesmerizing DHOLAK rhythm. The same instruments are used in the orchestra arrangemnts for all the “interludes”. It is “folkish” songs filmed on Mumtaz.

9 Hungama Ho Gaya…..(Anhonee 1974,  Lyricist Verma Malik)

Today’s sensational HIT song. This song tells us that both Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Asha Bhonsle were “way ahead” of their time. Beautiful Cabaret song completely orchestrated on HAWAII  GUITAR and ACOUSTIC GUITAR. The song was hit then also and even more popular after 40 years too. It is filmed on actress BINDU who gives full justice by gamboling on the very fast rhythm created for this song.

10 Mera Dil Le Ke Le Ke Chal Diye …(Kartavya 1979, Lyricist Kafil Azar).

Outstanding composition. No wonder if this song will of Ashaji and Laxmikant-Pyarelal will ‘recreated’. No words to describe the orchestra arrangements, rhythm, long “prelude” and all the “interludes” are just mind-boggling. 

Ajay Poundarik

Vadodara (Gujarat)

India.