Movies To Remember - 1

 At least, I remember them, for various reasons. No. 1 on the list is Padosan.

An innocuous storyline. A simpleton (aptly named Bhola) has a neighbour- a hoity toity girl who loves music- whom he wants to impress. He tries learning how to sing, fails, and at the suggestion of his music guru, fakes the singing. She's impressed, till she discovers the faking. He wins the girl anyway, thanks to more shenanigans.

On the way, there is a rival. HER music teacher, whom he outwits in a competitive singing session, across the window-thanks to his guru singing while he lip-synchs.

May not seem much, but the acting, direction (by Jyoti Swaroop) and music elevate this bare story to heights of comedy rarely achieved in Hindi films. In today's lingo, it's ROFL.. makes you roll on the floor laughing, much of its length.

Brilliantly conceived and directed. Mehmood and Kishore Kumar, the supporting actors, steal the show, while the hero and heroine are more like props. A laugh riot, with great music by RD Burman, lyrics by Rajendra Krishan. 1968.

Cause and Effect

 Usually, an effect is the result of many causes, acting independently. But we simplify matters by attributing a single cause to an effect. The world is generally multivariate, or has multiple forces acting simultaneously.

Sometimes, two or more things have to happen simultaneously to produce an effect that we notice. As an example from films, Hindi films, the fact that Rajesh Khanna acted out songs sung by Kishore Kumar in a film called Aradhana (composer SD Burman) benefited both immensely, and each became a superstar in his domain. Both had some success individually, more so Kishore Kumar when he sang for Dev Anand earlier in the sixties, but the success multiplied manifold when he teamed up with Rajesh Khanna in a string of superhit songs. Dev Anand had equal success with songs sung by Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar over his lifetime in films. Sometimes, like in Guide, both sang for him.

Rishi Kapoor initially had Shailendra Singh singing for him in his debut and a few subsequent films, but the songs he performed in films where Kishore Kumar sang for him (Khel Khel Mein, Hum Kisise Kam Nahi, Karz, were some) took him to dizzying heights of popularity. The music in this case was by RD Burman for the first two and Laxmikant Pyarelal for the third-they also played a role.

Just a couple of examples to show that many variables -acting together (interaction effect) or independently-may result in a particular effect.

Music and Me

 I have grown up with film music-Hindi. And still love the older songs. Added some ghazal and non-film music due to various influences, but film songs continue to be my first love, due to the longer association. I am a regular radio listener, and as I write this, am listening to Amit Khanna, lyricist, present a special Jaimala on Vividh Bharathi.

He is most known for songs like Chalte Chalte, mere ye geet yaad rakhna (Bappi Lahiri tuned it), and I like many of his songs from Des Pardes or other Dev Anand films. Dev Anand persuaded him to come into Mumbai, and films.

Songs that made an impact on me were mostly Kishore Kumar in my younger days. It may be a coincidence, but I am only 3 hours from where he grew up-Khandwa.

Kishore Kumar Birth Anniversary

 It's actually tomorrow (Aug. 4th), but.. 

One cannot really say anything that has not been said before, but one can give it a shot.

Born in Khandwa, he found fame in Mumbai (where else?) after a longish struggle. His brother Ashok Kumar was already established in one of the studios there, and got Kishore some roles in films, and maybe, gave him hope. Eventually, Khemchand Prakash gave him a break, and Kishore sang in Saigal style. Dukhi man mere, sun mera kehna was a song from Ziddi in that style. Later, SD Burman mentored him and got him to find his voice. The rest is history.

He sang mainly for SD Burman, as Dev Anand's voice, or in his own films where he was on screen. But not many music composers opted for him, while Rafi was going strong. That changed after Aradhana, his major hit with Rajesh Khanna lip-synching. They both took off. 

He produced countless hits, for many music directors like Kalyanji Anandji (Safar, Johny Mera Naam, Mahal are some), Rajesh Roshan (Julie, Des Pardes etc.), Laxmikant Pyarelal, and RD Burman, his favourite (Parichay, Golmaal, Aandhi, Kati Patang and so on), Chitragupt (Ganga ki Lehren), apart from SD Burman (Prem Pujari, Gambler, Mili, Jewel Thief). 

Heroes he gelled with included Amitabh, Dharmendra, Randhir Kapoor apart from Rajesh Khanna and Dev Anand.  He also sang for Deven Verma, and Pran. And many others. 

A salute on his birth anniversary, 2023.

Biography of Kishore Kumar

 I am about to finish reading a biography of Kishore Kumar by two authors, published recently. Surprisingly, found it at an airport bookstore - which are not known for the best collections. 

Having visited Khandwa, his birthplace which also houses a Memorial to him, I have heard a few stories from the people there too. His birth anniversary is August 4th, and so I thought I would review this book.

It's quite exhaustive, and talks of most things that one would want to know, if interested in the person behind the voice- I primarily like him for his voice and some great songs, though he acted in quite a few films..most are forgettable. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi was one I liked, and I haven't seen the serious ones. Though he had a headstart because Ashok Kumar, his older brother was a star and was with a well known studio, Kishore did not have it easy. Typical of any film industry, he was criticised for his voice (including by his brother!), but after his wild success in Aradhana, everyone had to eat their words. Pre-Aradhana, he either sang for Dev Anand or himself. Rafi also sang for him in a couple of films, ironically.

A lot of nuggets about his life in Khandwa, his friends, his student days at Indore Christian College (yes, he actually lived and studied here), are less known. The life in Mumbai, the multiple shifts after he got success as a comic hero who could also improvise, the heartbreaks of flops and sucesses, are all covered well. His trysts with Ruma Devi (first wife) and Madhubala (second wife) are also interesting, and give an insight into his personality. His run-ins with the Income Tax people are also covered sympathetically. He was known as an eccentric, and often played truant on the sets of his films.. sometimes with good reason-like not being paid.

Many were close to him.. Iftekhar, Pran and Bhola Shreshtha, father of Sushma Shreshtha. One less known fact is his relationship with Satyajit Ray and his son, Sandip. Both admired each other. The role Khemchand Prakash played in his early life as singer, and later, SD Burman's mentoring and partnership with RD Burman also are documented well. Some of his classy songs like those from Amar Prem and Aandhi, along with the early hits from Kati Patang and Aradhana find a detailed mention. Mehmood contributed to his success through Padosan and his songs for Mehmood's films, including Naach meri jaan fatafat,. and Kunwara Baap, among others.

He was a reluctant stage performer! He had to be cajoled into doing some of those stage shows. 

A multi-faceted artist who tried his hand at lyrics, direction, music, acting, production and direction, and did most pretty well, he was unique. An untrained singer who just happened to be great at it, and worked hard to do every kind of song.. qawwalis included.

Rare genius. Read the book for more!

Learning From People

 I stick to my story that you can learn the most from kids. But if I had to learn from celebs (not sure why) I would try and learn how to 

1. Spread my arms wide from Shah Rukh Khan

2. How to smile from Madhubala

3. How to sing from Kishore Kumar

4. How to remain unflappable from Dev Anand

5. How to wiggle from Shammi Kapoor

6. How to be bindhaast, from Tanuja

7. How to look handsome from Rajesh Khanna

Ok, that's a handful.. now I will come back on what I intend learning from mere mortals.. soon.

Radio Heroes

 Kishore Kumar was definitely number one for me, among singers I heard on radio. Then came all others, maybe Asha Bhosle was second, if I had to choose. Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Lata, and so on. Among the older generation before these, I liked Shamshad Begum and Mubarak Begum, and Geeta Dutt.

Much later, I came to appreciate KL Saigal and Pankaj Mullick. And ghazal singers- Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hasan (I have seen live concerts of the later three)

The announcers of Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka were favourites, but Ameen Sayani was an all-out winner with many sponsored programs like Binaca Geet Mala, S. Kumar's ka Filmi Muqaddama, and so on. 

The Chhaaya Geet on Vividh Bharati was a favourite (it's on right now- what a coincidence!). Otherwise, Aap hi ke Geet on Radio Ceylon which had the latest hits from current movies.

Why am I recounting all this? Because Feb. 13th is World Radio Day. That's why!

Childhood Favourites

 They say old age is like a second childhood. But childhood is quite different, I feel. You are discovering many things for the first time. In old age, you may have made most of your discoveries, but you revert to being a child in some ways, like being dependent on someone. Like a child on its parents.

So coming back to childhood, my favourites were books, mainly, and s couple of good friends who we had in school or back home in the holidays. Learnt to read in the school library, and at home during vacations. Somehow, both places had a stock of books or magazines that I could spend hours on. Also, music took some time, to nurture a taste. Kishore Kumar Khandwawala was an early favourite- I was a teen in the 70s- and listening to the radio was a favourite pastime- it still is.

Comics, of all kinds- Goofy, Little Lotta, Dot, Phantom, Richie Rich, and so on were other favourites, among books. Later, Asterix comics grew on me. Movies- mainly Hindi but some English-were also a favourite pastime when I was in my twenties. I still like the theatre experience, though the frequency has reduced somewhat. 

Another favourite was card games, rummy, various others including Bezique which my grandmom introduced us to, and Bridge, which my parents introduced us - my brother and I- to. Lost touch with this brilliant game now.

Kishore Kumar Nite by Jayaram and GD

 If you are wondering what retired people do, (and you are not), here is an answer. They indulge in their passions, or hobbies. So it was that Jayaram (a friend from IIMB days) and his friend GD came up with a vocals and Hawaiian Guitar evening of songs dedicated to Kishore Kumar. They picked a few gems, and alternately played and sang them, with some commentary by Hemanth and Ramesh Srinivasan (we call him Hassled, but he wasn't- this time). It was a lovely evening. Pics.

The performers _GD above, who sang, and Jayaram or J.K., who played (below)

Madhya Pradesh

 Next to Karnataka, I may have stayed the longest in this state, if I discount Andhra Pradesh where I was born and brought up. Except for a visit to Jabalpur and Indore when in my teens, I did not know much about M.P. But it grew on me. I made a lot of friends who I found were very nice.. students, academic associates, faculty and staff who I had a chance to work with, all thanks to IIM Indore, my employer. I also discovered that many of my students from elsewhere belonged to M.P., and my respect for the state grew. Another reason

-my favourite singer, Kishore Kumar, grew up in Khandwa, not far from Indore.

Among faculty, Harsh Halve from IMT Nagpur was also in Indore (Jaipuria) for part of my stay, and Aditya Billore and Ashish were both my colleagues and in my area. Aditya and I also co-taught a course for the EPGP. IIM Indore has a beautiful campus, and some beautiful people living on it. Of course, they came from all over India, but I made many friends among FPM students, and PGPs (Mumbai too), PGP MX, and even IPMs, though I never formally taught them. Also, my fourth edition of Marketing Research got published there, and so did a book (edited) titled Digital Marketing Cases From India, with Romi Sainy as co-editor.

My Favourites From Bollywood

 There are probably more, but this is a short list.

Dev Anand. I am fond of all his films up to Des Pardes. After that, his films were not great, though he continued making them regularly. But his films are only one part of why I like him. He had a charm that transcended the world of films, and spilled out into his life. His work ethic was great, and his zest for life, memorable. He also regularly introduced new talent in his films, particularly heroines like Zeenat Aman and Tina Munim. Many of his films from the 70s or earlier were romantic, and had great music. Except Guide, which was also serious and had great music. Some of the songs are eternal favourites, like Wahan kaun hai tera, musafir, jayega kahaan, or Yeh dil na hota bechara, Dil aaj shaayar hai and Phoolon ke rang se..

Kishore Kumar. My second favourite is Kishore Kumar, born in Khandwa. M.P. (not in Bengal), and a great all-rounder, to use cricketing terminology. (Incidentally, Salim who co-wrote Sholay, is also from Indore, and so is Johnny Walker). He was so talented that he could sing, compose music, direct films and perform almost any kind of role. The movies he produced were sometimes extremely serious ones. His first innings was known more for acting, but he skyrocketed to his zenith in his second as a singer. Aradhana under S.D. Buman's baton as music director proved to be the rocket-launcher. He never looked back, and produced gems for many music directors including R.D. Burman and Laxmikant Pyarelal. My favourites include most songs of his, in many moods. This blog gets its anme from one of his songs in Kati Patang.

Mehmood. Another immensely talented actor, producer and director. Made many significant films, like Kunwara Baap, Sabse Bada Rupiah, and Ginny aur Johnny, besides rollicking comedies like Bhoot Bangla, Padosan and Bombay to Goa. Acted against all the top heroes and sometimes overshadowed them. His Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain role in Gumnaam was imitated by Amitabh Bachhan in a later film song. He was good at emotional roles too, which he proved in many of his films.

Pati Patni Aur Woh- Film Review

I had watched the classic comedy original that starred Sanjeev Kumar, Vidya Sinha and Ranjeeta. That was classy, and the story that the husband makes up was more believable, while having an eye for his secretary. This one's not bad, though it may not reach the level of the original, if only for Sanjeev Kumar's acting in it. And the songs- Na aaj tha, na kal tha by Kishore Kumar listen to it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hqrImIZQmE, and Thande thande pani se nahaana chahiye.

Nevertheless, what impressed me most about this one was the two new actors- the hero's friend, played by Aparshakti Khurana, and the Woh, played by Ananya Panday. The comic situations are mostly funny, and though the end looks a bit contrived, it is an OK way to bring the philanderer's story to a close.

Not a bad way to spend an evening, or afternoon. Bhumi Pednekar seems in form.

OP Nayyar

This was a music director who always made tunes that were peppy, and had a great sense of rhythm. I am going to list out a few of his compositions, which may prove the point. He was also known for using Asha Bhosle a lot more than other female singers, and some of her great songs of the pre-RD Burman era were the ones she sang for him as music director. Ok, enough of the lecture. Now the demo.

1. Piya piya piya mora jiya pukare ..this is a delightful duet (Kishore Kumar at his yodeling best, and Asha Bhosle). The typical hoofbeat rhythm which you find in many of Nayyar's songs appears in this too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmdtYWFMtFo

2.  Pukarta chala hoon main. This is another of his songs that is still a favourite of many. Mohammad Rafi is the singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKBwutnPwA

3. Woh haseen dard dedo jise main gale laga loon. (Asha Bhosle).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3uKcarywDI

4. Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera na ghabraiye. Asha Bhosle again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbJnQan-qQQ

5. Lakhon hain yahan dilwale aur pyar nahin milta.. (Mahendra Kapoor sings this one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrqMT9rbyUI

6. Khoobsurat sathi itni baat bataa kitna pyar hai dil mein tere.. (Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6SlN6--Jc

Khandwa Memorial Kishore Kumar

 The house where he lived- decked up for the 90th birth anniversary- 2019, August 4th.

 The house is not in good shape, though, as these pics reveal.

 Bhakts at the memorial, where his ashes lie...and,  A portrait with him (below)

 The M.P. Govt. organises some festivities each year, on his anniversary.

 Ge ge geli zara Timbuktoo, Kathmandu Kathmandu geli hu.. a fun song he sang in Jhumroo.

 His bust at the memorial..a memorable visit for us.