Lilting Confederation :: RAJSHRI Productions with LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL
By scoring a fascinating music for their very first film “Parasmani” (1963), Laxmikant-Pyarelal made a astounding debut in Hindi Film Music.
35 years of uninterrupted, shimmering, successful tenure in Hindi Film Music, Laxmikant-Pyarelal have witnessed many long-lasting as well as fruitful partnerships with many filmmakers. The duo’s first such partnership was with Tarachand Barjatya, the owner of Rajshri Productions.
The association of Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Rajshri Productions started in 1964 and lasted till 1972. Most of the film were made in low budget with no-starcast. BUT all of them have extremely melodious music.
Dosti (1964)
Taqdeer (1967)
Jeevan Mrityu (1969)
Uphaar (1970)
Piya Ka Ghar (1972)
Laxmikant-Pyarelal never disappointed Rajshri Films. The songs of the above films are still popular. It is to be noted that the music of Dosti gave a name and fame to both Rajshri Films and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
DOSTI (1964)
“DOSTI”, released around the Diwali of 1964. It was Rajshri Films Second Film. During those time (early sixties) Rajshri Films were operating from Madras, now Chennai. Relatively new in the film production, Producer Tarachand Barjatya of Rajshri Films wanted to established in the film industry.
This non-starcast, black and white film was directed by well known Director Satyen Bose.
Most of the prominent music directors of that time refused to score the music for this film as there was no star cast (two teenage unknown actors) and also they feel there was nothing in the film to compose the songs for Blind and Physically Disabled Children. But Laxmikant-Pyarelal took up the challenge and the film music became a History.
Songs the film Dosti became a rage throughout the nation and continue to be played till today. Laxmikant-Pyarelal also proved that the songs of their earlier films, "Parasmani", "Harishchandra Taramati", “Aaya Toofan”, "Sant Gyaneshwar" and "Sati Savitri" was not a fluke.
DOSTI music put Laxmikant-Pyarelal in top music directors rank and made them a household name in the Indian film industry.
DOSTI was nominated for 7 categories and went on to win 6 filmfare award trophies.
Best Picture - Tarachand Barjatya
Best Story - Ban Bhatt
Best Music - Laxmikant Pyarelal (winning their First Filmfare Trophy)
Best Lyrics - Majrooh Sultanpuri (winning his First Filmfare Trophy)
Best Playback Singer Male - Mohammed Rafi
Best Dialogue - Govind Moonis
-- Chahunga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam Hai .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Koyi Jab Raah Na Paye .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Gudiya Humse Roothi Rahogi .. Lata Mangeshkar and
-- Janewalo Jara Mudke Dekho Mujhe.. Mohammad Rafi
Touching song with such message to all ……reminder for humanity & peace. Mind-Boggling take off by Rafi Saab, at end of ‘prelude’ (MOUTH ORGAN), with ‘aalap’ synchronised with SYMPHONY VIOLINS. MOUTH ORGAN ( played by late
R D Burman) is brilliantly orchestrated in all the first ‘interlude’ with VIOLINS. Second and third “interludes” brilliantly decorated with SYMPHONY style and GUITAR. It has a wonderful DHOLAK rhythm.
All the songs of “Dosti” are written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
TAQDEER (1967)
"TAQDEER", The story is about the music teacher so Music has to be the best. It was directed by A. Salam. A clean film that highlights the bonding among the family members. This non-starcast, black and white film was supported with Bharat Bhushan, Shalini, Farida Jalal, Kamal Kapoor, Dilip Dutt and Subhash Ghai (making debut, as an actor).
Glorious era of good acting, singing and music. Movie making then was an art and social responsibility and not just commerce. There was nothing like promotion or launch of a movie. It was done through the advance music on the Radio. The melodious songs became popular. Many songs of Taqdeer are still can be heard.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal utilized as many as eight singers, introducing Sulakshna Pandit, Ila Desai, Meena Patki and Usha Timothy. It adds value, when PYARELALji himself playing solo VIOLIN in all the versions of the famous song ‘Jab Jab Jab Bahar Aayee’.
-- O Dilwalo Matwalo .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Saat Samundar Paar Ke .. Lata Mangeshkar-Sulakshana Pandit-Ila Desai-Meena Patki
-- Mujhe Bhool Jaana .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Jab Jab Bahar Aayee .. Usha Mangeshkar, Usha Timothy, Mahendra Kapoor
-- Aaiye Bahar Ko Hum Baat Le .. Lata Mangeshkar (Subhash Ghai dancing )
-- Jab Jab Bahar Aayee .. Lata Mangeshkar
-- Kaise Koi Jane Bhala .. Mohammad Rafi
-- O Dilwalo Matwalo .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Jab Jab Bahar Aayee .. Mohammad Rafi
An extremely melodious song, one of the most lovable song from the combo of Rafi-LP. Entire song is orchestrated by using PIANO and solo VIOLIN (played by Pyarelalji himself). It has mellifluous DHOLAK/TABLA rhythm.
All the songs of ‘Taqdeer” are written by Anand Bakshi.
JEEVAN MRITYU (1970)
“JEEVAN MRITYU” was made from famous English novel “ The Count of Monte Cristo”. The Whole movie relies on Dharmendra's performance. The direction by Satyen Bose is excellent. However the central characters played by dharmendra is not the usual dharmendra playing action hero in other films.
Actress Rakhee made her debut in this film. Jeevan Mrityu, a huge hit movie of it’s time, will always be remembered as one of the finest offerings from the house of Tarachand Barjatya, known to give quality films that could be viewed by the entire family.
The film has three songs, including one ‘thumri’ and all are euphonious as well as memorable.
-- Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga .. Lata Mangeshkar
-- Zamane Mein Aji Aise Nadan Hote Hai .. Lata Mangeshkar (Thumri)
-- Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga .. Mohammad Rafi - Lata Mangeshkar
‘Prelude’ of 26 seconds is awesomely orchestrated with FLUTE and Rafi Sahab's HUMMING, synchronised with Symphony style VIOLINS and than SANTOOR. All the ‘interludes’ are mellifluously instrumented, with different tunes, by using FLUTE, VIOLINS in Symphony style, SANTOOR as well as Lataji;s AALAPS. An immortal Lata-Rafi duet.
UPHAAR (1971)
“UPHAAR” released in December, 1971, was produced by Rajshri Productions, Tarachand Barjatya, now BIG name, directed by Sudhendu Roy. It was based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore.
Uphaar is one wonderful film relating the story of a young village girl who is still a little kid by heart. It has too unknown actors and actress. Jaya Bhaduri was not star then, it was her second film after “Guddi” (October,, 1971). Swaroop Dutt was new /unknown hero.
Music and the songs flows with the theme of the story of the film.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal were in transcendent form in early seventies. All of the Uphaar songs are written by Anand Bakshi and are extremely melodious, different type of compositions, still refreshing. A must Album for all music lovers.
-- Majhi Naiyya Dhoondhe Kinara .. Mukesh
-- Main Ek Raja Hoon .. Mohammad Rafi
-- Haathon Mein Mehndi .. Lata Mangeshkar
-- Suni Re Nagariya Suni Re Sejariya .. Lata Mangeshkar
All the traditional Indian Classical Instruments, SITAR, VINA, SHEHANI, SARANGI, SAROD,etc are wonderfully used in this very sweet song. “DHOLAK” rhythm is awesome. Lata Mangeshkar always sounds extremely melodious under the LP..This song proves that.
PIYA KA GHAR (1972)
“PIYA KA GHAR”, inspired from famous Marathi film “Mumbaicha Jawai”, was directed by Basu Chatterjee who made his debut as a director through this film.. It was it’s music that pulls the crowd into the cinema hall. It has also Jaya Bhaduri, fresh from the films like “Guide” & “Uphaar”, in lead roll with Anil Dhawan who was still struggling.
Piya Ka Ghar have four excellently composed sweet and melodious songs. Three of the songs are filmed in the background. The “theme” song ‘yeh jeevan hai, is jeevan ka’ flows with the story of the film and it is the song of everybody’s choice. One of the best from the combo, Kishore Kumar and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, which has 402 songs.
-- Bambai Shahar Ki Tujhko .. Kishore Kumar
-- Yeh Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka .. Kishore Kumar
-- Yeh Zulf Kaisi Hai .. Lata Mangeshkar - Mohammad Rafi
-- Mere Piya Ka Ghar Hai .. Lata Mangeshkar
Powerful and touching words. Beautifully orchestrated with mellifluous DHOLAK rhythm. FLUTE, SAXOPHONE, VIOLINS are also wonderfully decorated in all the interludes. Lata sounds extremely sweet.
It is unfortunate that Piya Ka Ghar ends the musical association of Rajshri Films (Tarachand Barjatya) and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It lasted for eight and half years and have given some of the best musical hit films.
Ajay Poundarik
Vadodara (Gujarat)
