MELODY and RHYTHM: Exquisite MUMTAZ and Canorous Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Exquisite MUMTAZ and Canorous Laxmikant-Pyarelal

There is a resemblance in the skyrocketing carrier of actress Mumtaz and music director Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Both of them started their film carrier in early sixties. Both the artists, initially worked in B grade films. Even in B grade films, around mid sixties, Mumtaz gave a splendid performances and gradually reach on top of the carrier. Alike, Laxmikant-Pyarelal also composed A grade music while working for B grade films in mid sixties.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed some fabulous music / songs for Mumtaz’s films, even when she was working in B grade films and also as a side actress during her struggling days.

The association of Mumtaz with Music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal lasted for as many as 21 films. Exquisite Mumtaz has got the maximum numbers of hit songs composed by Canorous Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with as many as 13 songs, the highest numbers by any music director, in Binaca Geetmala Finals.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal magical super hit song, ‘Bindiya Chamke Gi’ from “Do Raaste” in 1969 gave name and fame as well as ‘star’ status to Mumtaz. Likewise, Laxmikant-Pyarelal music did similar success for Sridevi ‘Hawa Hawai’ from “Mr India” in 1987 and also for Madhuri Dixit ‘Ek Do Teen’ from “Tezab” in 1988.

Mumtaz, while acting as a supporting role, got some glittering songs from Laxmikant-Pyarelal in “Pyar Kiye Jaa” 1966, a rock-n-roll duet ‘O Meri Maina’, intonned by Manna Dey - Usha Mangeshkar, in “Patthar Ke Sanam” 1967, a provocative ‘Ai Dushman-E-Jaan’ , appealingly rendered by Asha Bhosle and an immortal qawali ‘Allah Ye Ada Kaisi Hai’ , melodiously rendered by Lata Mangeshkar for “Mere Hamdam Mere Dost” 1968.

Crowd-Pulling as well as the popular pair of Mumtaz with Rajesh Khanna have maximum musical hit films with the music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. “Do Raaste” (1969), “Dushman” (1972), “Roti” (1974) and “Prem Kahani” (1975).

Mumtaz-Jeetendra, one of the most popular pair of late sixties and early seventies have the films like “Jigri Dost” 1969, “Himmat” 1970, “Maa Aur Mamta” 1970, “Chahat” 1971 and “Roop Tera Mastana” 1972. All have prominent superhit music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

L V Prasad and Laxmikant-Pyarelal musical hit “Khilona” 1970, powerfully acted by Mumtaz, considered to be the best film of her carrier. She received the best female actress award from filmfare. This film too have some extremely melodious songs including one of the best Mujra songs of hindi film music, ‘Sanam Tu Bewafa Ke Naam Se’, filmed on Mumtaz.

Not to forget the sensational hit song from Mumtaz starrer film ‘Loafer” 1973, Asha Bhosle’s stunner with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, ‘Koi Shahari Babu’ as well as Lata Mangeshkar’s soft melody, ‘Mein Tere Ishq Mein’.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal have used only four singers for Mumtaz.

Lata Mangeshkar with maximum songs, followed by Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur and Usha Mangeshkar.

Mumtaz with Laxmikant-Pyarelal Film List:-

Boxer 1965

Daku Mangal Singh 1966

Pyar Kiye Jaa 1966

Patthar Ke Sanam 1967

Mere Hamdam Mere Dost 1968

Shart 1969

Do Raaste 1969

Jigri Dost 1969

Mera Dost 1969

Khilona 1970

Himmat 1970

Humjoli 1970

Maa Aur Mamta 1970

Chahat 1971

Dushman 1972

Roop Tera Mastana 1972

Loafer 1973

Roti 1974

Prem Kahani 1975

Lafange 1976

Nagin 1976

Let us review few of the best of songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, for MUMTAZ. The songs which are filmed on Mumtaz are listed, below each films.

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.

BOXER 1965

-- Tune Jo Samaja Hai

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Asha Bhosle)

A Black and White, rare gem, in Rock-N-Roll style, from Asha Bhosle when Laxmikant-Pyarelal were relatively new. 39 seconds of “prelude” excellently orchestrated by ELECTRIC GUITAR intermixed with the rhythm of CLAPPING. The song has suitable BONGO DRUM rhythm suiting to rock-n-roll, twist song. “Interludes” are awesomely instrumented with BRASS instruments, mainly TRUMPET and GUITAR, VIOLINS and ACCORDION. Once again the CLAPPING is wonderfully used in the “interlude”.

DAKU MANGAL SINGH 1966

Musical film starring Dara Singh - Mumtaz.

--Ek To Ye Bahar Uspe Tera Mera Pyar

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

An extremely melodious song with 25 seconds of ‘prelude’, full of VIOLINS and SITAR, sets the mood of the song. FLUTE is awesomely used as ‘filler’ in the song. Delicately sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Mumtaz looks stunning.

PYAR KIYE JAA 1966

-- O Meri Maina Tu Manle Mera Kehna

(Lyricist Rajendra Krishan / Singer Manna Dey - Usha Mangeshkar - Mehmood)

One of the superhit song of Mumtaz from mix-sixties. Fast track, western style ‘Twist” and “Rock-N-Roll” rhythm. ELECTRIC GUITAR, ACOUSTIC GUITAR , BRASS INSTRUMENTS mainly TRUMPETS are distinctively used in the orchestra arrangements.

PATTHAR KE SANAM 1967

--Ai Dushman-E-Jaan

(Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri / Singer Asha Bhosle)

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 take off by Ashaji and only she can give justice to such songs. The song is composed on western beats. In the “interludes”, GUITAR, VIOLINS, ACCORDION and CELLOs are awesomely orchestrated, overlapped with CLAPPING in the rhythm. Mumtaz looks provocative.

MERE HAMDAM MERE DOST 1968

--Allah Ye Ada Kaisi Hai

Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri / Singer Lata Mangeshkar

This is ‘’QAWWALI” sung by Lataji. Amazing work on “rhythm” .. “DHOLAK”, “TABLA” and the “CLAP”. The song is full of variation in all aspects, second stanza is on fast track..Mumtaz has justified the song by dancing on the rhythm. Wonderful song.

JIGRI DOST 1969

Blockbuster with superhit songs

--Dil Mein Kya Hai ..Lata-Rafi

--Phool Hai Baharon Ka ..Lata-Rafi

and a ‘classic’ duet

--Raat Suhani Jaag Rahi Hai

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Suman Kalyanpur - Mohammad Rafi)

An extremely euphonious song. Mesmerizing orchestra arrangements in SYMPHONY style VIOLINS in support with ACOUSTIC GUITAR and wonderful BONGO DRUM rhythm.

DO RAASTE 1969

Who can forget the crowd-puller songs which made Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz a illustrious pair. Who can forget very melodious super hit songs.

--Chhup Gaye Sare Nazare …. Lata-Rafi

--Yeh Reshmi Julfe …. Rafi

--Mere Naseeb Mein Ae Dost …. Kishore

and the Top HIT

--Bindiya Chamake Gi

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

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 Binaca Geetmala Finals of the year 1970. The song made Mumtaz a ‘star’, overnight.

KHILONA 1970

Musical hit film, establishing Mumtaz as an A grade actress.

--Khilona Jaan Kar Tum To ….Rafi

--Mein Sharabi Nahin ….Asha-Rafi

--Ek Natak Kavi Likh Gaye ...Lata-Manna Dey

and the classic “Mujra”

--Sanam Tu Bewafa Ke Naam Se

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

Mellifluously orchestrated with prominent use of HARMONIUM, in ‘interludes’ as well as the ‘filler’, at the end of the “antara”. One of the finest Mujra songs of Hindi Cinema. Wonderful ‘prelude’ of 32 seconds, full of DHOLAK rhythm synchronised with VIOLINS nd SITAR. Spectacular take off by Lata ji, at the same time 20 seconds ‘pause’ in the orchestra gives additional flavor to this resonant composition. The rhythm of the song is from DHOLAK / TABLA, intermixed with the CLAPPING and GHUNGROO BELLS. All the ‘interlude’ are excellently orchestrated with traditional musical instruments NADASWARAM, RUBAB, SARANGI, MANDOLIN, SITAR, VIOLINS and HARMONIUM.

MAA AUR MAMTA 1970

--Rut Beqarar Hai

Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Lata Mangeshkar - Mohammad Rafi

Breezing Melody:: One of the finest and extremely melodious Lata-Rafi duet. Arrangements of orchestra is in SYMPHONY style VIOLINS in support with JAZZ FLUTE, WHISTLE, MANDOLIN and ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

ROOP TERA MASTANA 1972

With many hit songs this song stands out to be the best

--Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane

(Lyricist Asad Bhopali / Singer Lata Mangeshkar - Kishore Kumar)

Western style composition with unique BONGO Drums rhythm. The orchestra arrangements hypnotises the music lovers. ACOUSTIC GUITAR, VIOLINS, ACCORDION are melodiously instrumented in all the interludes. Top hit song.

DUSHMAN 1972

Mumtaz - Rajesh Khanna top musical hit.

--Balma Sipahiya ..Lata

--Meine Dekha Tune Dekha.. Lata - Kishore

and a top hit

-- Dekho Dekho Dekho

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Lata Mangeshkar)

27 seconds of “prelude” orchestrated with folkish traditional musical instruments, DAMRU, “BOLI” / “SHRUTTI” (This is a musical instrument made of two thin and small bamboo strips which have a reed in between and produces a sharp sound by blowing air in and out on it) RAVANHATTA ( a home made Violin from Rajasthan) and the VIOLINS. Entier song is woven around the glimpses of RAVANHATTA and the DHOLAK rhythm. Mumtaz looks pretty in village traditional dress.

LOAFER 1973

A musical bonanza from Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Asha Bhosle has sung as many as three solo songs, all filmed on Mumtaz.

--Motiyon Ki Ladi Hoon Mein ….Asha

--Kahan Hai Wo Deewana ….Asha

--Mein Tere Ishq Mein ….Lata

--Aaj Mausam Bada ….Rafi

and TOP hit

--Koi Shahari Babu

(Lyricist Anand Bakshi / Singer Asha Bhosle)

Perhaps the most popular song of Asha Bhosle with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Asha Bhosle has sung as many as three solo songs, all filmed on Mumtaz. It is “folkish” songs

with “prelude” over 30 seconds is full of HARMONIUM, GHUNGROO BELLS, VIOLINS and SHEHNAI with mesmerizing DHOLAK rhythm. The same instruments are used in the orchestra arrangements for all the “interludes”. Mumtaz looks beautiful.