Hindi Music Album Review - December 27

Anmol Ratan – Mukesh, Sentimental Songs

Sentimental songs of the golden era of Hindi film music went hand in hand with the sonorous voice of legendary singer Mukesh. Although he has sung romantic, happy, philosophical and even a few comic songs, he earned maximum praise for his sad numbers. The composers first choice was always Mukesh whenever they had sentimental songs in their movies.

Mukesh fans will find this compilation, coming under the Anmol Ratan series by RPG, a real gem of an offering. Included here are 14 top numbers sung by the late singer covering mostly the '60s and '70s as well as a couple of songs from the '50s. Every song on the album is lyrically rich and has a deep meaning. You spontaneously applaud each number.

Mukesh had lent his voice to superstars such as Raj Kapoor (Hanste Bhi Rahe in Awara) and Rajesh Khanna (Zuban Pe Dar Bhari, composed by Kalyanji Anandji, in Maryada) and had even sung under the baton of lesser-known composers like Daan Singh (Woh Tere Pyar Ka Gham for the film Haryali Aur Raasta), Dattaram (Aansoo Bhari Hai from Parvarish) and Sonik Omi (Jinhe Hum Bhoolna Chahein from Aabroo).

Teenaged music lovers will certainly find it intriguing that current Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan's grandfather was a composer. Included here is Roshan's song, Oh Re Taal Mile, from Anokhi Raat, an all-time Mukesh favourite. Then there is Sardar Malik's (father of Anu Malik) Saranga Teri Yaad Mein from the movie Saranga, a number that forces you to reach for the rewind button.

Other gems from the top composers of the time are Madan Mohan's Bhuli Hui Yaadon from Sanjog and Kalyanji Anandji's Jis Dil Mein Basa Tha from Saheli where you will find Mukesh at his sentimental best. Mukesh may not have sung too many songs in terms of numbers but 90 per cent of his songs were hits. An enviable record re-emphasised by this album.

Poochho Na Kaise – Manna Dey

Maybe his talent was overshadowed by his contemporaries during the golden era of film music, but Manna Dey got to sing several golden compositions. Thanks to his versatility, he could lend his voice to a showman like Raj Kapoor as well as to a comedian such as Mehmood. He did justice to all his assignments. His classical training was especially useful when rendering semi-classical songs, an area where he remains unparalleled in Hindi films.

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Phool Gendva Na Maro are classical-based numbers composed by Roshan for the movie Dil Hi To Hai and Dooj Ka Chand. These very powerful songs, both included in the album, are proof enough of Manna Dey's classical background. The Shanker-Jaikishen composed Cham Cham Baje Re is another semi-classical song and one of Mannada's most memorable numbers. Included in this collection are also some of his popular sentimental songs such as Poochho Na Kaise (Meri Surat Teri Aankhein); Sur Na Saje (Basant Bahar); and Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai (Seema).

Manna Dey's versatility is well displayed in Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware from Dekh Kabira Roya and Tere Naina Talash from the film Talash, composed by Madan Mohan and S.D. Burman, respectively. All the 12 songs in this album belong to the "best of Manna Dey" category and music lovers would find it tempting to add this Anmol Ratan to their collection of golden oldies
Cassettes courtesy: Vanilla Music