Romantic Revolution with Melodious Music:: Raj Kapoor and Laxmikant-Pyarelal :: BOBBY

Romantic Revolution with Melodious Music::
Raj Kapoor and Laxmikant-Pyarelal::

BOBBY

Raj Kapoor is an undisputed legend in Bollywood cinema. An actor, producer, editor and director. He made a name for himself. After a disaster and failure of “Mera Naam Joker”..Raj Kapoor was 
looking to make a movie which would be blockbuster and will also bring back his “glory” as 
“SHOW-MAN”. He was desperate to make a “comeback”.

Although “BOBBY” was made under the big banner of RK films, but it was a non-starcast movie. It was the start of Rishi Kapoor as a ‘hero'. Dimple Kapadia was also new and very fresh looked. Not only that, during the “peak” era of the male singers like “Kishore Kumar”, “Mohammad Rafi” 
and “Mukesh”. Two new male singers, Shailendra Singh and Narendra Chanchal were introduced. Even new song writers Rajkavi Indrajitsingh Tulsi (‘beshaq mandir masjid todo’) and 
Shri Vitthalbhai Patel (‘na mangu sona chandi’ & ‘ jhooth bole kauwa kate') were introduced. 

IT WAS INDDED A CHALLENGE for Laxmikant-Pyarelal to show their very best output. 

                                               

Laxmikant-Pyarelal working first-time with Raj Kapoor.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal already maintaining number 1 music director position since 1967, 
they outdid themselves, further with the “massive” popularity of the “BOBBY’ songs. 
The music of "BOBBY" was like a storm in the year 1973 and 1974. The film’s success was solely carried away by it's melodious and massively popular music.  All songs have been decorated with 
RICH,  MELLIFLUOUS and POWERFUL orchestra arrangements.

Not only the songs but also it’s BACKGROUND MUSIC was extremely melodious and romantic. 
It flows with the theme of the film.

Raj Kapoor and HMV released the Long Play and EP records of the songs of “BOBBY” in July, 1973, five months before the release of the film. By the time of the films release in November, 1973 all the songs became immensely popular, wherever you go in India you hear only BOBBY songs. Thus all the songs became the “crowd puller” into a cinema hall. 
It was an unimaginable popularity of the songs of “BOBBY”..
Let us review all the songs.

Lata Mangeshkar has sung as many as five songs.

Pyarelal (second from left), Shailendra Singh, Dimple Kapadia, Raj  Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Laxmikaknt & Rishi Kapoor at the recording of "Bobby" song. 

“BOBBY’ is an example of a ’SOUNDTRACK’ better than the “BOBBY” Film itself. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music really came to rescue Raj Kapoor and RK Films.

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) MAIN SHAYAR TO NAHIN ..Shailendra Singh..

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

“WALTZ" Style composition, The WALTZ style (rhythm) of composition is originated in 16th 
century. "WALTZ" is a ballroom folk dance from Vienna, AUSTRIA. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have 
mellifluously decorated the WALTZ style orchestra for this lovely song. Use of VIOLINS, 
IRANI SANTOOR, GUITAR, ACCORDION as well as VIOLA are brilliantly executed in the 
"prelude", all the "interludes" and also in "postlude"…Rishi Kapoor and Aruna Irani can be 
seen dancing in waltz style, specially in the "interludes, in the song. Brilliantly filmed by 
Raj Kapoor as a director.

2) HUM TUM EK KAMARE MAIN..Lata Mangeshkar - Shailendra Singh.
(Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Mesmerizing Orchestra arrangements with Toe Stepping Rhythm (Synchronized and intermixed 
with IRANI SANTOOR, ACCORDION and BONGO DRUMS). Very Simple Words"""Hum Tum Ek Kamare Main" with an enrich orchestra arrangement. SAXOPHONE, FRENCH HORN, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, VIOLA, VIOLINS, MOUTH ORGAN etc are mellifluously executed in all the interludes. The song start with "zero" prelude.  After ..."Hum Tum",,the "rhythm" starts….with Accordion, Irani Santoor and Bongo Drums…..all the three interludes have different tunes, all the three "mukhadas" are different from each other. You cannot enjoy this song without the ""ORIGINAL"" 
Orchestra. One of the finest composition, from Laxmikant-Pyarelal, in terms of orchestra 
arrangements.

3) MUZE KUCHH KEHANA HAI ..Lata Mangeshkar - Shailendra Singh 

(Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

A chirpy duet song. An off-beat composition, excellent singing and amazing orchestra conduction. Use of VIOLA, CELLO, IRANI SANTOOR and VIOLINS are beautifully executed in all the 
“interludes”. How romantically sang by Lataji by changing style of voice. A different type of 
‘rhythm”, in western style.

4) JHOOTH BOLE KAUWA KATE…Lata Mangeshkar - Shailendra Singh 
(Songwriter Vitthalbhai Patel)

A great “dance” number and also one of the most popular song, moulded in typical LP style 
‘DHOLAK’ rhythm. Additional features of the song is “pauses” given in the song.

5) NA MANGU SONA CHANDI ..Manna Dey - Shailendra Singh.

Based on “Goa” folk tunes this song starts with an excellent “Prelude” of 54 seconds. All BRASS
instruments, GUITAR, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, solo VIOLIN, are wonderfully played in the orchestra.

6) BESHAQ MANDIR ..Narendra Chancel

Amazing word lyrics and voice, A killer combination. Punjabi traditional rendering by Narendra 
Chanchal.

7) AI PHASA ..Lata Mangeshkar

Heart Touching Song excellently snug by Lataji. Typical Punjabi style “DHOLAK” rhythm.
Different type of rhythm is used in the "interludes".

8) AKHIYON KO REHANE DO…..Lata Mangeshkar.

Lata's classic on "punjabi folk" tune. Wonderful rhythm.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Raj Kapoor’s “BOBBY” and it’s ‘Soul Of Bobby', 1973.

It is rarest of rare occasion when the Long Playing Record has been released for any of the film's 
background music. Likewise "Bobby" songs which took the nation like a 'storm', its background 
music was also extremely melodious and flows with the romantic sequences. Raj Kapoor insisted 
HMV to release the Long Playing record of the background music of “Bobby".

PLEASE ! Don’t forget to listen to what Raj Kapoor says about This Long Playing record…(in the following link, at 01.39 onwards ).

SOUL OF BOBBY I

SOUL OF BOBBY II

I am deeply into Hindi Film Music since 1963, I have never-ever witnessed the GIANT popularity 
of all the songs of a particularly film which BOBBY music have obtained.  Till date music of 
BOBBY remains on TOP of the chart in terms of popularity. 
It rocked the Bianca Geetmala for two successive years.

It is unfortunate that “BOBBY” music did not get a award. Bobby won the filmfare awards for the actor Rishi Kapoor, actress Dimple Kapadia, Raj Kapoor for best direction, male singer, Narendra Chanchal and best sound.

Ajay Poundarik
Vadodara (Gujarat)