Superlative Canticles for DHARMENDRA by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Superlative Canticles for  DHARMENDRA by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

It was in the year 1966, Laxmikant-Pyarelal signed by J Om Prakash for “Aaye Din Bahar Ke”, starring Dharmendra and Asha Parekh. This was the first film of Laxmikant-Pyarelal with ‘big’ budget and ‘big’ names.

The combination of Mohammad Rafi, Laxmikant Pyarelal and Dharmendra  stormed bollywood films of 1960s and 1970s. Laxmikant Pyarelal required an upcoming star with whom they could create partnership. Dharmender was one of those stars.

DHARMENDRA's Success is Directly Proportional to Laxmikant-Pyarelal music.

Director Dalal Guha, Dharmendra, Laxmikant, Lata Mangeshkar, Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi

Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed many Superlative Canticles for Dharmendra in as many as 63 films.  Choristers like  Mohammad Rafi (in most of the films), Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey (Hrishikesh Mukherjee “Chaitali”, 1975), Mukesh (Hrishikesh Mukherjee's “Satyakam”, 1970),  Mahendra Kapoor (J. Om Prakash’s “Aaye Din Bahar Ke” 1966), Shabbir Kumar, Suresh Wadkar Mohammad Aziz and Amit Kumar (superb song in “Gazab”, 1982).

Producer J Om Prakash, Raj Kapoor, Guest, Pyarelal, Laxmikant and Dharmendra (shaking hand with Pyarelal)

Maximum songs with maximum hits for Dharmendra is contributed to the music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal. I have selected few musical films and one GEM of the song, from each films, composed by the duo for Dharmendra.  Due to space constraints, many musical hits films of Dharmendra & Laxmikant-Pyarelal like “Baharon Ki Manzil”, “Sharafat”, “Satyakam”, “Man Ki Aankhen”, “Chaitali”, “Jwar Bhata”, “Keemat”, “Charas”, “Chacha Bhatija”, “Kartavya”, “Aass Pass”..etc could not be accomodated in this write-up.

Binaca Geetmala :-

Total 27 numbers of songs appeared in Binaca Geetmala Finals, for Dharmendra, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Listing out few songs which ranked higher, above 15 Numbers.

Number 13, 1967 —Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko   "Aaye Din Bahar Ke" 

Number 14 1968 - Chalo Sajna Jahan Tak     "Mere Hamdam Mere Dost" 

Number 09 - 1970 - Sharafat Chhod Di Maine    "Sharafat"

Number 12 1972 - ABCD Chhodo  "Raja Jani"

Number 04 1974 -Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai   "Dost"

Number 03 1977 - O Meri Mehbooba    "Dharm Veer"

Number 13 1981 - Ek Rasta Do Raahi   "Ram Balram"

The orchestra arrangements in “PRELUDES” and “INTERLUDES” used to be the assets of the songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It would be more proper to listen to the songs, listed below, after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs, you will enjoy it, more.

Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966).

A musical hit film from producer J Om Prakash. All the songs, listed below, are still popular.

-Ai Kash Kisi Deewane Ko…(Lata-Asha)

-Ye Kali Jab Talak…(Mahendra Kapoor - Lata)

-Suno Sajna Papihe Ne..(Lata)

-Phoolon Se  Mukhde Wali…(Rafi)

-Mera Mehaboob Hai Bemisal…(Lata)  AND

Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarse  

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Song Writer ANAND BAKSHI's painful wordings, MOHAMMAD RAFI's soulful rendering and LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL  'symphonic' orchestra arrangements are justifying the frustration in this song. It has simple but melodious BONGO drum rhythm. Also not to forget the expressions shown on screen by DHARMENDRA.

Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968).

A fabulous album and ultimate classic songs with melody and rhythm. It has 3 solos by Mohammad Rafi and 4 solos by Lata Mangeshkar and all the songs are still popular.

-Na Ja Kahin Ab Na Ja…(Rafi)

-Chalkaye Jaam Aaiye Aap Ke Hothon Pe Naam…(Rafi)

-Chalo Sajna Jahan Tak…(Lata)

-Allah Ye Ada Kaisi Hai In Haseeno Mein..(Lata)

-Hamen To Ho Gaya Hai Pyar…(Lata)

-Tum Jao Kahin…(Lata)      AND the beauty >>

Hui Sham Unka Khayal Aa Gaya

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Majrooh Sultanpuri )

"Prelude" is full of SAXOPHONE and PIANO with other western instruments, sets the mood of the song. A mesmerizing composition and mellifluous orchestra arrangements. Entire song is woven around the glimpses of SAXOPHONE, ACOUSTIC GUITAR & CLARINET. In all the “interludes”. Overlapping sound effect of SAXOPHONE/CLARINET with PIANO is just brilliant. VIOLA , GUITAR, CELLOS and VIOLINS are also brilliantly executed in entire song. Another beauty of the song is it’s “ rhythm” DHOLAK / TABLA are used only in “antara”…all the “interludes:” are without any rhythm but just ear-pleasing. An addict song for me. One of the finest composition from Laxmikant-Pyarelal …MOHAMMAD RAFI is simply outstanding.

Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969)

Another musical hit film from producer J Om Prakash. All songs are still popular.

-Badra Chhaye, (title song)...(Lata-Rafi)

-Ye Shama To Jali…(Rafi)

-Saathiya Nahi Jana…(Lata-Rafi)

-Bura Mat Suno…(Rafi)

-Rama Duhai…(Lata)

-Main Ek Haseena…(Asha).... AND superb composition

Majhi Chal O Majhi Chal

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

"Prelude" of 16 seconds with ACOUSTIC GUITAR. "Rhythm" on BONGO DRUMS, both the "interludes" are beautifully decorated with the VIOLINS, CELLOs in SYMPHONY style orchestra arrangements, in support with the glimpses of FLUTE (first 'interlude') and MANDOLIN & SANTOOR (second 'interlude').

Izzat (1968)

Musical hit film. Dharmendra with Tanuja and Mrs. Jayalalitha. Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi working first time with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

-Jagi Badan Mein Jwala…(Lata)..filmed on ex TN Chief Minister, late, Mrs Jayalalitha.  

-Ruk Ja Jara…(Lata)..filmed on ex TN Chief Minister, late, Mrs Jayalalitha.

-Kya Miliye Aise Logon Se…(Rafi)

-Sar Par Lamba Top Leke…(Rafi-Asha) AND the BEST of the lot

Ye Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin

(Singers Mohammad Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. Songwriter Sahir Ludhianvi)

Based on Indian Classical Raag 'pahadi' is yet another sweet melody.  “Prelude” and all the ‘interludes’ are mellifluously orchestrated with SYMPHONY style VIOLINS with resonant TABLA rhythm. The song is written by Sahir Ludhianvi. Picturization is done on Dharmendra and Tanuja.

Jeevan Mrityu(1970)

Rajshri Picture’s super musical hit film. Actress Rakhi made a debut through this film.

-Zamane Mein Aji Aise Nadan Hote Hai…(Lata)  

Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga

(Singers Mohammad Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Dulcet duet. The song is woven around the SYMPHONY style VIOLINS and FLUTE in the euphonic orchestra arrangements.

Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)

Is a complete movie in itself including persuasive direction from Raj Khosla and   honeyed music with powerful acting by Vinod Khanna and Dharmendra.

-Maar Diya Jaye Ke Chhod Diya Jaye..(Lata)

-Sona Lai Ja Re, Chandi Lai Ja Re…(Lata)

-Apni Prem Kahaniyan, Hi Sharmau Kis Kis Ko Batau…(Lata) AND sweet duet

Kuchh Kehta Hai Ye Sawan

(Singers Mohammad Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

An extremely melodious duet.  SITAR,, played by late Ustad Rais Khan,  is harmoniously orchestrated in “prelude”, “interlude” and “postlude” with sweet DHOLAK cadency.

Raja Jani (1972)

Superhit music, the blockbuster of the year, Dharmendra - Hema Malini endorsed as a crowd-pleasing pair. Most of the songs are sung by Lata Mangeshkar  but all have been filmed on Dharmendra.

-Aa Aa Ja Aaja Kuchh Keheja…(Lata)

-Duniya Ka Mela…(Lata)

-A B C D Chhodo…(Lata)

-Kitna Maza Aa Raha Hai…(Lata) &

Jaani O Jaani Jaani O Jaani

(Singer Kishore Kumar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

The title track song filmed in background. Distinctively intoning by Kishore Kumar on western notes. Entire song is orchestrated on ACOUSTIC GUITAR,  BASS GUITAR, WHISTLING, FLUTE and CHORUS on western notes. One of the best from Kishore Kumar and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Loafer (1973)

Another musical blockbuster film. One of the rare film album in which maximums songs are sung by Asha Bhosle

-Koi Shahari Babu…(Asha)

-Motiyon Ki Ladi Hoon..(Asha)

-Kahan Hai Deewana…(Asha)

-Mein Tere Ishq Me…(Lata)

-Duniya Mein Tera…(Mahendra Kapoor)   AND  

Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

“Prelude” of  SYMPHONY style VIOLINS, brilliantly synchronized with Rafi Sahab's HUMMING sets the mood of this sensational and romantic composition. The first “interlude” is remarkably decorated with SITAR (played by Ustad Rais Khan). Second and third “interludes” have mellifluous effect of  SYMPHONY style VIOLINS.  Rafi Sahab’s rendering is simply outstanding.

Dost (1974)

Superhit film with mega hit song

Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai City Baja Rahi Hai

(Singer Kishore Kumar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Inspirational song sweetly composed on BONGO DRUM rhythm synchronized with ‘STEAM ENGINE’ sound, Engine HORN and VIOLINS.  Interludes are also beautifully orchestrated with the glimpses of MOUTH-ORGAN, VIOLINS and SAXOPHONE.

Pratigya (1975)

It was Dharmendra's first home production film directed by Dalal Guha.

-Morni Re Morni Main Jungle Ki Morni…(Lata)

-Pardesi Aaya Desh Me…(Lata)

-Uth Neend Se…(Lata-Rafi) AND Huge Hit, everfresh and evergreen  Song

Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

“Prelude” of 45 seconds is full of intermixing of the VIOLINS, Indian WIND musical instruments and Rafi Sahab’s “shouts” in “folkish” flavor. Beautiful, fast-track, DHOLAK rhythm. “Interludes” are mellifluously orchestrated with VIOLINS, Rajasthani Violins (RAVANHATHTHA), Punjabi DHOLs and Rafi Sahab’s sweet “screaming”.

Dharm Veer (1977)

Manmohan Desai’s huge musical hit.

-Saat Ajube Is Duniya Mein…(Rafi-Mukesh)

-Band Ho Mutthi To Lakh Ki…(Lata-Asha)

-Hum Banjaron Ki Baat…(Lata-Kishore)

-Maine Tujhko Chaha…(Rafi)  AND a sensational HIT

O Meri Mehbooba Mehbooba Mehbooba.

(Singer Mohammad Rafi. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Enjoy the mesmerizing “Prelude” of 38 seconds and the orchestra arrangements in all the “interludes”. Also enjoy the ‘Stroke’ of an ACOUSTIC GUITAR in the second line of the ‘mukhada” ( after, “o meri mehbooba,  1.01 seconds onward). VIOLINS and WIND instruments are awesomely used in the orchestra.  Fasttrack DHOLAK drum is ear-pleasing.

Dream Girl (1977)

It was Hema Malini’s first home production film. It has very good music.

Songwriter Anand Bakshi have penned a ‘special’ song for the ‘dream girl’.

Dream Girl Dream Girl, Kisi Shayar Ki Gazal

(Singer Kishore Kumar. Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

The song is wonderfully composed on western style. Use of SAXOPHONE in all the interludes is mellifluous. The song is from Hema Malini's home production "DREAM GIRL" 1977. Awesomely rendered by Kishore Kumar and specially penned by Anand Bakshi, for the natural dream girl Hema Malini.

Gazab (1982)

Good film with melodious songs

-Ai Hawa Ye Bata…(Lata)

-Aage Se Dekho…(Lata-Kishore)

-Ghar Se Chali Thi…(Kishore-Lata) AND

Jaan-E-Man Jaan-E-Jigar Jaan-E-Tamanna

(Singer Amit Kumar Songwriter Anand Bakshi)

Full credit to singer Amit Kumar for delivering his best. The song is typical LP flavor song.

Ajay Poundarik

Vadodara (Gujarat).

INDIA.