Laxmikant-Pyarelal at their ‘melodious’ best. UPHAAR 1971

 Laxmikant-Pyarelal at their ‘melodious’ best. UPHAAR 1971

Laxmikant-Pyarelal were in supreme form in early seventies and now most of the big/small producers & directors wanted to have music for their respective films, to be scored by none other than Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

It is also to be noted that looking back at the tremendous success of the earlier non-starcast, musical hit films, many of the BIG names also started making non-starcast films with the music by number one music director, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, then. “UPHAAR” is such a musical hit film. 

“UPHAAR”, released in December, 1971, was produced by Rajshri Productions (Tarachand Badjatya), now BIG name, directed by Sudhendu Roy. It was based on a story by Ravindranath Taigore. 

Uphaar is one wonderful film relating the story of a young village girl who is still a little kid by heart. It has many unknown actors and actresses. Jaya Bhaduri was not a star then, it was her second film after “Guddi” (October, 1971). Swaroop Dutt was a new /unknown hero. Laxmikant-Pyarelal music and the songs flow with the theme of the story of the film. 

In the early seventies, during the peak wave of Kishore Kumar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave some of the best songs for Mohammad Rafi to sing. “UPHAAR” song ( main ek raja houn) is one of them. 

One can imagine the output of Laxmikant-Pyarelal with Mohammad Rafi when out of 379 songs sung by Mohmmad Rafi under the LP, 254 songs were recorded during the peak wave of Kishore Kumar (post "Aradhana") that too without affecting the 'giant' popularity of Kishore Kumar. 

It has extremely sweet and melodious FOUR songs. Special mention has to be made for the melodious background music of Laxmikant-Pyarelal in the film. The film was a musical HIT. 

Anand Bakshi has written all the songs of ‘UPHAAR’.

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  after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs,  you will enjoy it more.

1) MAIN EK RAJA HOUN…Mohammad Rafi.

“Prelude” of 27 seconds comprises of VINA and SANTOOR and Mohammad Rafi’s beautiful take off (main ek raja houn) is just brilliant. Extremely Soft and Melodious ROMANTIC song composed in the “raag" ' BAIRAGI'. Use of the BONGO drum in “Toe Stepping Rhythm” intermixed with SANTOOR is ear-pleasing. Use of FLUTE , ACOUSTIC GUITAR, SANTOOR and SITAR and other string instruments are mellifluously executed in the song. In early seventies Mohammad Rafi was almost forgotten but it was only Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave some of the finest songs to Rafi. This is one of them. It was a “Binaca Geetmala Hit song”.

2) HATHON MEIN MEHNDI..Lata Mangeshkar.

The perfect wedding song, sweet and melodious, as well. Excellent “prelude”, starting from 0.41 to 1.14 This song is a ‘folk’ showing traditional Rajasthani “ KATHPUTLI”. HAND DRUMS and the “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) are beautifully decorated in the orchestra to give the traditional “FOLK” touch. Lata Mangeshkar has brilliantly synchronized her voice with Laxmikant-Pyarelal's orchestra arrangements.

3) MAAZI NAIYYA DHUNDHE KINARA …Mukesh

Another extremely melodious composition. Excellent “prelude”, mesmerizing “Interludes” comprises SITAR, VIOLA, VINA, FLUTE with wonderful “DHOLAK” rhythm and soulful singing. Singer Mukesh is at his melodious best. Very Good Song for Aspiration.

4) SUNI RE NAGARIYA SUNI RE SAJARIYA …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 Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This song proves that.

“UPHAAR” songs are extremely melodious, different types of composition and are still refreshing. A must Album for all Laxmikant-Pyarelal music lovers. 

Ajay Poundarik