75 cult songs
Pramod
creme of mega-hits that have crossed economic, cultural and
geographical barriers and thus defined and redefined tastes and trends
in Hindi film music".
But I would have loved to see other songs as well. And I don't
understand what is the cult status of parda hai parda. Why o mere
sona, instead of o haseena zulfo.nwaali?
I would have loved to see aawaz de kahan hai from Anmol Ghadi or chup
chup kha.De ho from Badi Bahen. My uncle used to allegedly go to the
shop nearby just to listen to these songs.
To be fair, Rajiv Vijayakar says it is an attempt. And naturally such
lists nevery satisfy everybody and Rajiv surely, himself would have
loved to put in more songs!
Brave attempt!
Pramod
http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=15273
As the film industry celebrates the Platinum Jubilee of the talkies,
Screen attempts to look at 75 cult songs the creme-de-la-creme of mega-
hits that have crossed economic, cultural and geographical barriers
and thus defined and redefined tastes and trends in Hindi film music.
Aan Milo Sajana - 'Accha to hum chalte hain'
Eons have been about how this song was 'accidentally' conceived by
Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi. And even when being filmed in
Kashmir, the 'conversational' song was already a chart-blaster.
Aar Paar - 'Babuji dheere chalna'
O.P.Nayyar wove a web of seduction through Geeta Dutt's vocals and
hooked music lovers, never letting go till the late '60s.
Aashiqui - 'Nazar ke saamne'
With just one musical, and this song leading the hit-fest, Nadeem-
Shravan moved from being non-entities to A-list melody makers.
Achhut Kanya - 'Main ban ki chidiya'
A rage in the '30s, this Ashok Kumar-Devika Rani duet catapulted this
pair to the top.
Aksar - 'Jhalak dikhla jaa'
You could love or hate the self-rendered Himesh Reshammiya creation,
but it started an entire movement - or two, if you included recharging
a slumberous sales scenario.
Albela - 'Shola jo bhadke'
Considered one of a trio of Hindi cinema's greatest-ever hits along
with Tezaab and Khal-Nayak, this C.Ramachandra creation is considered
the ultimate in vintage folk-Western fusion.
Amar Akbar Anthony - 'Parda hai parda'
Today, 'My name is Anthony Gonsalves' may be better-known, but way
back in 1977, this was the chartbuster from this all-hit score.
Amar Prem - 'Chingari koi bhadke'
Arguably this is the finest combination ever of Anand Bakshi (the L-P
favourite) with R.D.Burman (the Majrooh man). Kishore's rendition
completed the monumental edifice.
Anarkali - 'Yeh zindagi ussiki hai'
Few litanies of romance can match the sense of longing and the
yearning for belonging in this Lata masterpiece.
Andaz - 'Zindagi ek safar hai suhana'
Not just a chart-slammer but a philosophy by itself, thanks to Hasrat
Jaipuri and S-J.
Aradhana - 'Roop tera mastana'
It's actually a hard choice between all the toppers in this film, but
most would opine that this is the hands-down winner.
Awara - 'Awara hoon'
The prelude is as unmistakable as the refrain - this is a complete
song, so to speak, that also was the first Indian filmi gaana to
become overseas 'cult' as well.
Barsaat - 'Hawa mein udta jaaye'
Again a hit-fest, and the film that awakened people to film music as a
separate industry. And this Lata evergreen did have an edge over the
rest.
Barsaat Ki Raat - 'Zindagi bhar nahin'
The scintillating genius of Roshan as his best - this Rafi soliloquoy
still remains a benchmark in passion.
Bees Saal Baad - 'Kahin deep jale kahin dil'
Among Lata evergreens, this Hemant Kumar gem continues to 'haunt'
generations.
Bobby - 'Hum tum ek kamre mein band ho'
This was erotica that became, paradoxically, the epitome of innocent
romance in this all-time musical treasure.
Border - 'Sandesen aate hai'
Anu Malik's tour-de-force rested on the bulwark of Javed Akhtar's
poignant look at soldiers awaiting letters from their loved ones.
Bunty Aur Babli - 'Kajra re'
Epitomizing the millennium brand, the song did wonders for everyone
connected with it - Gulzar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Alisha Chinai - and
the Bachchans of course.
C.I.D. - 'Leke pehla pehla pyar'
The O.P.Nayyar leitmotif became like brand equity after this super-
hit.
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi - 'Haal kaisa hai janaab ka'
Many would call this the ultimate Kishore-Asha duet - and one of the
trendsetters in the sawaal-jawaab genre.
Chaudhvin Ka Chand - 'Chaudhvin ka chand ho'
Few parallels existed even till then for this ultimate eulogy of
beauty by a besotted lover. Fewer have come since.
Dhoom - 'Dhoom macha le'
The millennium's biggest chart-topper, whether in the Hindi Sunidhi
Chauhan version or the English Tata Young avatar. From the small towns
of India to the clubs from USA and the Far East, this created dhoom
everywhere.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - 'Tujhe dekha to'
Jatin-Lalit scored their career-biggest whammy in this rooted score,
and 'Tujhe dekha to' romped in as the leader of the brigade.
Do Raaste - 'Bindiya chamkegi'
Was it a song or an omnipresent romantic anthem? Seduction never was
so innocent - and so popular across all ages!
Don - 'Khaike paan'
If there is a single song that represents Amitabh Bachchan's persona,
this is it. To think that Kishore Kumar was actually unhappy about
recording this Kalyanji-Anandji-Anjaan creation!
Dosti - 'Chahoonga main tujhe'
The song was almost scrapped, but Mohammed Rafi cajoled L-P, Majrooh
and the film's makers into retaining it. The rest is musical history -
and hysteria.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye - 'Tere mere beech mein'
This song created a craze for Raag Shivranjani that lasted for almost
15 years. Still the biggest hit among songs dotted with non-Hindi
Indian words.
Guide - 'Gaata rahe mera dil'
The score was timeless. Other arguably better songs from the film rule
today, but in 1965 they all took a backseat to this Kishore-Lata duet.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna - 'Dum maro dum'
The one song that epitomized the Asha-RD combo more than any other, it
also was huge enough for Zeenat Aman to be identified as the 'Dum maro
dum' girl - till today!
Hero - 'Lambi judaai'
No song from the entire '80s probably equals this in sheer overall
calibre. And Pakistan's Reshma go to sing this masterpiece.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun!... - 'Didi tera devar deewana'
The Big, Fat, Indian Wedding Song. Need we say anything more?
Hum Kisise Kum Naheen - 'Kya hua tera vaada'
Ironically, Kishore 'addict' R.D.Burman gave one of his finest-ever
creations from the '70s to Mohammed Rafi, and ended up gifting the
National Award, so to speak, to the singer for his peerless rendition
on jilted love.
Jewel Thief - 'Honthon mein aisi baat'
The Lata-Bhupinder humdinger best represented how young-at-heart and
ahead-of-times Dada Burman and Majrooh always were.
Julie - 'Dil kya kare'
This Rajesh Roshan song established a musical grammar that was
followed over the next two decades by Nadeem-Shravan and Anu Malik!
Junglee - 'Chahe koi mujhe'
The Shammi-Rafi-SJ anthem made Indians aware of a word called 'Yahoo'
three decades before Internet stepped in. Even today, it is Shammi
Kapoor's signature tune.
Kabhi Kabhie - 'Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein'
Sublime poetry and placid composition blended to make an out-of-the-
box chartbuster.
Karz - 'Om shanti om'
On-screen, Rishi Kapoor serenaded on a giant gramophone record. Off-
screen, it helped the album break records in record sales!
Kashmir Ki Kali - 'Taarif karoon kya usski'
Nayyar's most popular gift for Shammi Kapoor - and what a gift!
Khal-Nayak - 'Choli ke peeche kya hai'
Amidst all the flak, the people lapped up the double-entendre. 14
years later, unlike all other such songs, it is considered a classic.
Madhumati - 'Aaja re pardesi'
Lata's ethereal rendition gave an added dimension to the Salil-
Shailendra musical coup.
Mahal - 'Aayega aanewala'
Probably the most popular song from the '40s, this Khemchand Prakash
song heralded the breakthrough of 'aanewali' Lata Mangeshkar.
Mera Naam Joker - 'Jeena yahaan'
The song was about a clown in a circus, but till today, it is taken
seriously as one of Mukesh-S-J-Raj Kapoor's finest creations.
Milan - 'Sawan ka mahina'
L-P's final and most decisive leap into the big league, this was the
perfect amalgam of popular appeal and musical substance.
Mohra - 'Tu cheez badi hai mast mast'
This Udit-Kavita chartbuster had its inspirational origins in a Ghulam
Haider song from Majboor, but Viju Shah's contemporary treatment made
all the difference.
Mughal-E-Azam - 'Pyar kiya to darna kya'
Caringly composed and burnished literally from sunset to sunrise, this
Naushad-Shakeel-Lata milestone that dazzles 47 years later can only be
described as 'musical perfection'.
Murder - 'Bheege honth tere'
Three years later, they still make poor Kunal Ganjawala sing clones of
this one. And that alone highlights its sheer magic.
Naam - 'Chitthi aayi hai'
This is not just a film song anymore - it is a complete musical
experience.
Nagin - 'Man dole mera tan dole'
If Hemant Kumar had composed just this one song in his lifetime, it
would have still made him immortal.
Namak Halaal - 'Pag ghunghroo'
If it was a rage then, it is loved even now. For Bappi Lahiri, it
remains one of his few meeting points between his mass work and his
creatively standout compositions.
1942 - A Love Story - 'Ek ladki ko dekha'
The R.D.Burman swan song that showed that popularity could also be
about class, not crass. The same could be said about Javed Akhtar's
scathing rejoinder to the then-prevalent sleaze-fest.
Padosan - 'Mere saamnewali khidki mein'
Kishore Kumar's antics gave rise to a classic. This RD-Rajendra
Krishan combo once again illustrated that comic songs need not lack
substance.
Pakeezah - 'Inhi logon ne'
Ghulam Mohammed's incomparable score had five other terrific towers.
But this easy-on-the-ears himdinger dwarfed the competition.
President - 'Ek bangla bane nyaara'
A clear leader from Kundan Lal Saigal's limited but potent repertoire,
this song from the '30s is a treasured nugget even today.
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak - 'Papa kehte hain'
The theme was close-to-life - about parental expectations, and
adolescent ambition and self-doubts, and Majrooh's fabulous lyrics
helped Anand-Milind and Udit Narayan zoom right to the forefront.
Qurbani - 'Laila o Laila'
'Aap jaisa koi' scored by being different, but after its hysteria
subsided fast, this close rival triumphed - and endured too.
Ram Teri Ganga Maili - 'Sun sahiba sun'
The magical quality of this song could not be pinpointed. It was just
there - to be experienced in this rare Lata-Ravindra Jain
collaboration.
Rangeela - 'Yai re'
You could not deny its endemic popularity in 1995, even if set the
dubious trend of songs that were not connected to the script and
looked like Indipop music videos.
Rattan - 'Ankhiyaan milaake'
Can songs make a film? In the case of this Naushad hit it did seem
that way.
Roti Kapada Aur Makaan - 'Main na boolunga'
Four outright winners - but this one led. Despite its 18-minute
length, its sheer overall beauty left us craving for more!
Saccha Jhutha - 'Mere pyari beheniya'
Still a must at wedding processions and raksha-bandhan functions, this
Kalyanji-Anandji-Indeevar creation was all about emotional bonds.
Sangam - 'Bol Radha bol'
How does one choose when we have a spread as lavish as this S-J
extravaganza? We pick this one on its sheer basic mass appeal.
Saraswatichandra - 'Chandan sa badan'
Mukesh sang more songs for K-A than for anyone else. And this would
probably be among the crème-de-la-crème.
Sargam - 'Dafli wale'
Coins thrown on the screen. Rave reviews. The topmost slot on the
annual countdown show of the time. And omnipresence on lips and radio
from cities to villages. If that's not monumental popularity, what is?
Satyam Shivam Sundaram - 'Satyam shivam sundaram'
Zeenat Aman enacted the song like a woman driven to break the 'Dum
maro dum' image. It's a moot point whether she succeeded. But if ever
a traditional devotional song 'rocked', it was this one.
Shehnai - 'Aana meri jaan meri jaan Sunday'
C.Ramachandra was a pioneer in using Western genres in Hindi films on
a regular basis. Eons before millennium trends, he gave us this
chartbusting blend of Hindi and English.
Shor - 'Ek pyar ka naghma hai'
The fact that this violin-driven stunner was composed in minutes on a
toy harmonium only underscores the fact that all-time masterpieces
need not take hours or days in creation.
Shree 420 - 'Mera joota hai Japani'
A 'Chartbuster' is a tepid term for the response this song got from
the masses and the classes.
Street Singer - 'Babul mora'
This was Saigal again in timeless mode with his unique blend of
charisma and sheer magnetism.
Suraj - 'Baharon phool barsao'
S-J's simple but beautiful composition spoke volumes about their
creative genius and their unmatched synergy with Rafi.
Teesri Manzil - 'O mere sona re'
RD outdid himself for S-J-crazy Shammi Kapoor and forged one of his
most creative alliances ever - with filmmaker Nasir Husain.
Tezaab - 'Ek do teen char'
This song set new parameters of popularity by raising the bar for
popular craze. And Alka Yagnik stormed into center-stage.
Upkar - 'Mere desh ki dharti'
Still the first song one thinks of at the mention of Manoj Kumar,
Mahendra Kapoor, lyricist Gulshan Bawra and deshbhakti - such was K-
A's monumental accomplishment.
Woh Kaun Thi? - 'Lag jaa gale'
Madan Mohan's bond with Lata was as personal as professional. On the
latter front, no song matched this one's sheer popularity.
Yaadon Ki Baaraat - 'Chura liya hai'
Can instant hits endure? Can remix fodder be quality material? Can
rhythm and melody co-exist in a wholesome amalgam? Here was the
answer.
Zanjeer - 'Yaari hai imaan mera'
Still the supreme representative among 'dosti' songs, that
incidentally flooded Hindi film music only after this trendsetter.
Vinay
> Screen has put, what it thinks are the "75 cult songs the creme-de-la-
> creme of mega-hits that have crossed economic, cultural and
> geographical barriers and thus defined and redefined tastes and trends
> in Hindi film music".
>
How else one could get away having 16 songs of L-P in an all-time 75
list. It had to be based on popularity than merit.
> But I would have loved to see other songs as well. And I don't
> understand what is the cult status of parda hai parda. Why o mere
> sona, instead of o haseena zulfo.nwaali?
> I would have loved to see aawaz de kahan hai from Anmol Ghadi or chup
> chup kha.De ho from Badi Bahen. My uncle used to allegedly go to the
> shop nearby just to listen to these songs.
>
> To be fair, Rajiv Vijayakar says it is an attempt. And naturally such
> lists nevery satisfy everybody and Rajiv surely, himself would have
> loved to put in more songs!
>
The list is made by Rajiv Vijaykar? Wait, I take my earlier comment
back. He will have at least 20% L-P in any list that he creates
anyway.
> Brave attempt!
>
> Pramod
>
> http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=15273
See the songs of L-P selected by him below.
> Aan Milo Sajana - 'Accha to hum chalte hain'
> Eons have been about how this song was 'accidentally' conceived by
> Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi. And even when being filmed in
> Kashmir, the 'conversational' song was already a chart-blaster.
>
>
> Amar Akbar Anthony - 'Parda hai parda'
> Today, 'My name is Anthony Gonsalves' may be better-known, but way
> back in 1977, this was the chartbuster from this all-hit score.
>
>
> Bobby - 'Hum tum ek kamre mein band ho'
> This was erotica that became, paradoxically, the epitome of innocent
> romance in this all-time musical treasure.
>
>
> Do Raaste - 'Bindiya chamkegi'
> Was it a song or an omnipresent romantic anthem? Seduction never was
> so innocent - and so popular across all ages!
>
>
> Dosti - 'Chahoonga main tujhe'
> The song was almost scrapped, but Mohammed Rafi cajoled L-P, Majrooh
> and the film's makers into retaining it. The rest is musical history -
> and hysteria.
>
> Ek Duuje Ke Liye - 'Tere mere beech mein'
> This song created a craze for Raag Shivranjani that lasted for almost
> 15 years. Still the biggest hit among songs dotted with non-Hindi
> Indian words.
>
> Hero - 'Lambi judaai'
> No song from the entire '80s probably equals this in sheer overall
> calibre. And Pakistan's Reshma go to sing this masterpiece.
>
>
> Karz - 'Om shanti om'
> On-screen, Rishi Kapoor serenaded on a giant gramophone record. Off-
> screen, it helped the album break records in record sales!
>
>
> Khal-Nayak - 'Choli ke peeche kya hai'
> Amidst all the flak, the people lapped up the double-entendre. 14
> years later, unlike all other such songs, it is considered a classic.
>
>
> Milan - 'Sawan ka mahina'
> L-P's final and most decisive leap into the big league, this was the
> perfect amalgam of popular appeal and musical substance.
>
> Naam - 'Chitthi aayi hai'
> This is not just a film song anymore - it is a complete musical
> experience.
>
>
> Roti Kapada Aur Makaan - 'Main na boolunga'
> Four outright winners - but this one led. Despite its 18-minute
> length, its sheer overall beauty left us craving for more!
>
>
> Sargam - 'Dafli wale'
> Coins thrown on the screen. Rave reviews. The topmost slot on the
> annual countdown show of the time. And omnipresence on lips and radio
> from cities to villages. If that's not monumental popularity, what is?
>
> Satyam Shivam Sundaram - 'Satyam shivam sundaram'
> Zeenat Aman enacted the song like a woman driven to break the 'Dum
> maro dum' image. It's a moot point whether she succeeded. But if ever
> a traditional devotional song 'rocked', it was this one.
>
>
> Shor - 'Ek pyar ka naghma hai'
> The fact that this violin-driven stunner was composed in minutes on a
> toy harmonium only underscores the fact that all-time masterpieces
> need not take hours or days in creation.
>
>
> Tezaab - 'Ek do teen char'
> This song set new parameters of popularity by raising the bar for
> popular craze. And Alka Yagnik stormed into center-stage.
>
Vinay
Pramod
Vinay schrieb:
Well, what can one do, if he likes L-P?
Anyway, except for pardaa hai pardaa, I can't differ with him, that
these songs were very big hits of their time. It is a different matter
if I like the songs or not! Most of them were a pain to the ears since
all the loudspeakers from every shop would be blairing them at any
given opportunity for e.g., dafli wale, tere mere beech me or ek do
teen char!
But songs like ek pyaar ka nagma hai were to be heard only on radio
and though I didn't like it then, I do prefer them now!
Pramod
Vinay
That's fine. Mine was just a tongue-in-cheek comment.
The list has other issues, however.
For starters, about 2/3rd of the songs in his list are post-70. Does
he really mean that from 1930-1970, in a period of 40 years, there
were significantly few "cult hits" (or whatever he wants to call them)
than in the period of 36 years after that?
If you divide the list per decade, you will see more ridiculousness.
70s, the decade, which seems to be the most familiar to Mr. Vijaykar,
has a disproportionate share. About 1/3rd of all "cult classics" are
from that single decade. Really?
> Anyway, except for pardaa hai pardaa, I can't differ with him, that
> these songs were very big hits of their time. It is a different matter
> if I like the songs or not! Most of them were a pain to the ears since
> all the loudspeakers from every shop would be blairing them at any
> given opportunity for e.g., dafli wale, tere mere beech me or ek do
> teen char!
>
To be fair to him, he is not saying that these songs are great, or
even good. He is merely suggesting that these songs in some way or the
other changed the dynamics of the popular music of their time. He may
be probably right in most cases.
But if you make a list that spans a specific period, then you need to
know about the whole period - not just some parts of it. If you don't
have enough data or information for some part of it, just exclude that
period from the consideration. Why pretend to be a know-it-all. Also,
if you have to choose only a limited number of songs (like 75 in this
case), your job is not done just by filling-in whatever comes in your
mind *first*. All songs in the list may deserve to be there, but the
point is, aren't there songs more deserving? Have you really looked
well? A quick analysis doesn't suggest he has.
Vinay
> But songs like ek pyaar ka nagma hai were to be heard only on radio
> and though I didn't like it then, I do prefer them now!
>
> Pramod- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
KKKing
1) I never thought Jeena Yehan Marna Yehan, Main Na bhoolonga, Dil Kya
Karen and Lambii Judaii were cult songs; in my humble opinion I would
suggest Ae Bhai Zara Dekhke Chalo, Hai Hai Yeh Majboori, Bhool Gaya
Sab Kuch and Tu Mera hero hai from the same movies.
2) For some strange reason the following songs never made the list:
Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz, Saj Rahi Gali and Jai Jai Shiv Shankar from
1974, Mehbooba Mehbooba from 1975, Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se and O
satthi re from 1978, Mere angne me and Tune O rangeele from 1981, Jab
Hum Jawan Honge and Nainon Mein Sapna from 1983, Tumse Milkar and
Yashoda Ka Nandlaala from 1985.
3) No history of cult song discussion could even start without
mentioning ALL among Dum Maro Dum, Khaike Paan Banaraswala and Mere
Angne Mein - to not mention the last one in the list is unforgiveable.
Afzal A. Khan
> That's fine. Mine was just a tongue-in-cheek comment.
>
> The list has other issues, however.
>
> For starters, about 2/3rd of the songs in his list are post-70. Does
> he really mean that from 1930-1970, in a period of 40 years, there
> were significantly few "cult hits" (or whatever he wants to call them)
> than in the period of 36 years after that?
>
> If you divide the list per decade, you will see more ridiculousness.
> 70s, the decade, which seems to be the most familiar to Mr. Vijaykar,
> has a disproportionate share. About 1/3rd of all "cult classics" are
> from that single decade. Really?
> To be fair to him, he is not saying that these songs are great, or
> even good. He is merely suggesting that these songs in some way or the
> other changed the dynamics of the popular music of their time. He may
> be probably right in most cases.
>
> But if you make a list that spans a specific period, then you need to
> know about the whole period - not just some parts of it. If you don't
> have enough data or information for some part of it, just exclude that
> period from the consideration. Why pretend to be a know-it-all. Also,
> if you have to choose only a limited number of songs (like 75 in this
> case), your job is not done just by filling-in whatever comes in your
> mind *first*. All songs in the list may deserve to be there, but the
> point is, aren't there songs more deserving? Have you really looked
> well? A quick analysis doesn't suggest he has.
>
> Vinay
Your points are well taken, except perhaps for the comment that
"these songs changed the dynamics of the popular music of their
time." That is stretching things a bit.
And Shri Vijaykar seems to have completely forgotten an entire
"cult" album, not just one solitary song. My reference is to
Naushad's "Rattan".
Afzal
Sukesh
"75 cult songs the creme-de-la-creme of mega-hits that have crossed
economic, cultural and
geographical barriers"
is far fetched, when you look at the list.
Why a round figure of 75? Based upon the above criteria it could be 74 or
76 or X.
This Rajiv Vijayakar, what are his credentials to undertake such an
assignment? Does his expertise on hindi film music spans from the 30s to
the present day? I am sure there would be songs from the 30s & 40s by
Pankaj Mullick , K C Dey and others, which would fit the criteria of this
list. Perhaps, some senior members of this forum, who were around at that
time, would provide us with such a list.
Given a chance by Screen or some other publication, each of us could come
up with our own list of X number of songs. Remember the fiasco of 20 best
songs ever by Outlook magazine last year? There were more brickbats than
bouquets.
To large extent, popularity of a song is relative to what the competition
(qualitative and quantitative) is at that point in time. So I do not buy
such lists. We might as well have a poll on this forum to select the best
100 or whatever best ever songs.
Regards
Sukesh
Asif
>
> > Vinay
>
> Your points are well taken, except perhaps for the comment that
> "these songs changed the dynamics of the popular music of their
> time." That is stretching things a bit.
>
> And Shri Vijaykar seems to have completely forgotten an entire
> "cult" album, not just one solitary song. My reference is to
> Naushad's "Rattan".
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
I have known Mr. Vijayakar (through reading and criticizing his
articles) since late 1980s. While his writing style is sickening and
lacks conviction, he basically also does know nothing about the music
of 1930s through 1960s and little about the music of 1970s. His
knowledge starts in 1980s when he fell in love with Laxmikant-
Pyarelal's ad-nauseating albums like Karz, Kranti, Karma, Naache
Mayuri, Eeshwar, Nagina, and Tezaab. That's why his shameless craze
for the duo shows in his writings. In 1990 he published in Filmfare
an article titled 'Top 25 Musicals of the Decade', and he included in
his list 14 films of LP! Enraged by that garbage of an article, I
published a letter criticizing him and listing films that he
overlooked: Kudrat, Sanam Teri Kasam, Bazaar, Souten, etc. He counter-
published a letter in his defense. I published another letter
accusing him of playing favorites. After that Filmfare did not
publish any letter or article by him - at least not be known to me.
To me, it is hard to define a cult hit per se. Yet, let me try: a
song that appeals to the listeners so much that they start
incorporating it in their everyday talk, behavior, culture, and
traditions. The song then also spawns copies and inspirations in a
variety of ways, including film titles and parodies, and, gradually,
finds it ways into folklore and legends. Here are my lists of cult
hits for 4 decades that I know best. Opinions and discussions are
welcome.
1950s
1. Aawaara hoon (Awaara, 1951)
2. Ye zindagi usi ki hai (Anaarkali, 1953)
3. Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin, 1954)
4. Mera joota hai Japani (Shri 420, 1955)
5. Ai dil hai mushkil (C.I.D., 1956)
6. Aaja re pardesi (Madhumati, 1958)
7. Haal kaisa hai janaab ka (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958)
8. Dam dam diga diga (Chhalia, 1960)
9. Zindagi bhar naheen bhoolegi (Barsaat Ki Raat, 1960)
10. Jab pyaar kiya to darna kya (Mughal-E-Azam, 1960)
1960s
1. Chaahe koi mujhe junglee kahe (Junglee, 1961)
2. Jo waada kiya wo (Taj Mahal, 1963)
3. Mere man ki ganga (Sangam, 1964)
4. Jhumka gira re (Mera Saaya, 1966)
5. O mera sona re (Teesri Manzil, 1966)
6. Saawan ka maheena (Milan, 1967)
7. Mere sapnon ki raani (Aradhana, 1969)
8. Kaise rahoon chup (Inteqaam, 1969)
9. Meri pyaari behaniya (Sachcha Jhootha, 1970)
10. Bindiya chamkegi (Do Raaste, 1970)
1970s
1. Ai bhaai zara dekhke (Mera Naam Joker, 1971)
2. Achchha to hum chalte hain (Aan Milo Sajna, 1971)
3. Dum maaro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972)
4. Hum tum ik kamre mein (Bobby, 1973)
5. Jai jai shiv shankar (Aap Ki Kasam, 1974)
6. Mehbooba mehbooba (Sholay, 1975)
7. Main to aarti utaaroon re (Jai Santoshi Maa, 1975)
8. Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein (Kabhi Kabhie, 1976)
9. Khaike paan Banaraswaala (Don, 1978)
10. Aap jaisa koi (Qurbaani, 1980)
1980s
1. Mere angne mein (Lawaaris, 1981)
2. Angrezi mein kahte hain (Khuddar, 1982)
3. Pag ghunghroo baandh (Namak Halal, 1982)
4. Shaayad meri shaadi ka khyaal (Souten, 1983)
5. Dil ke armaan (Nikaah, 1983)
6. De de pyaar de (Sharaabi, 1984)
7. Main teri dushman (Nagina, 1986)
8. Ek do teen (Tezaab, 1988)
9. Papa kahte hain (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, 1988)
10. Dil deewaana bin sajna ke (Maine Pyar Kiya, 1989)
Asif
Abhay Jain
"Pramod" <harv...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1174899552.0...@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
Brave attempt!
Pramod
Not making much comment on the list, but there is a serious omission
Piya Milan Ko Jana by Pankaj Mullick.
AJ
Satish Kalra
news:h6ZNh.288$4M7...@newsfe12.lga...
>
> Not making much comment on the list, but there is a serious omission
>
> Piya Milan Ko Jana by Pankaj Mullick.
>
> AJ
>
>
A better list would have been to list one song from each year, from 1931 to
2006, spanning the 75 years of Hindi cinema. Since the first few years do
not have any songs in the market, there would be room for an extra song or
two from later years.
But for that, Rajiv Vijayakar would have to have the Geet Koshes available
to him, and I doubt very much he would want to draw on that source. :)
--
Happy Listenings.
Satish Kalra
maild...@yahoo.com
to poular songs and films. But, then that is the problem with many
Indian journalists, who blindly pick-up a termenology from American
media and patch it to anything what crosses their path (exmaples of
such stupid following: Bollywood, Tracks (for the songs on CD) and
so on.
To give an example, search the internet and read the reviews for the
film:
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (late 50s)
It was a 'B' grade film, made on shoe-string budget and certainly not
worth
remembering two years after it's initial release. However, a small
group of college
students (of that era), had liked it immensly and kept spreading the
words as to
how great it was (i.e.: cult following). As a result, every film
fanatic knows
about it and if has not seen it, would like to watch it atleast
once. EASY RIDER
is another such movie, which has attained 'Cult Status'
Similarly, Teddy Bear (by Elvis) now lives with all adult Americans.
In short, a song which was extremely popular when it was released,
does not
get the 'Cult' label automatically.
In any case, since the list does not include: Miss CHIN CHIN CHOO
and Lungiwale
Bhaiya from Rangoon, INCLUDE ME OUT from vieweing this list and
making any
comments.
SUDHIR
-----------------------------------------
Rakesh Sharma
given how it is
a very subjective affair, i would still like to say, Uma Devi's 'Mere
piya gaye rangoon, kiya hain wahaa se telephone' deserves a place on
any list that dares to call itself 'cult'. On a soundtrack that is
absolutely choc-a-bloc with Lata classics (well, i certainly think so;
again highly subjective), the first song that comes to mind is this
one. And this coming from a self-confessed Latabhakt.
And for some reason, most listeners who are not even all that cued
into old Hindi film music know about this song.(And here i mean,
fellow yuppie 20 year old students. Yes, they knew the song even
before the remix made a himesh reshammiya interpretation of it)
Song sung not by the lead singer on the soundtrack. Picturised perhaps
not on the lead pair (i do not know about this; confirmation or
otherwise
would be appreciated). And still as popular.
Qualifies to be cult, from where i stand.
Cheers
Rakesh.
Afzal A. Khan
Picturised on Nigar Sultana (who was the leading lady) and
comedian Gope. The voices were those of Shamshad Begum and
Chitalkar (C. Ramchandra, who provided the music too).
Afzal
maild...@yahoo.com
Hello ......, Hindustan Ka Dehradun. .....
Kya Main Apni Biwi Renuka Devi Se Baat Kar Sakta Hoon
setting the listeners' mood to the right frequency.
The song might have been quite popular, when the film was released.
But then in
the intervening period until the LP of this film was released, it was
hardly played on
Radio Ceylon or All India Radio. I know hundreds of songs which were
played on
these stations (most of them re-released by HMV from 1983 onwards,
e.g.: BHAI
SAHEB - Nazar Ne Kah Diya Afsana Mere Pyar Ka on a CD / C H Atma and
some
which have not been, e.g.: JADOO NAGRI - Nighahon Mein Tum Ho), but
don't
recall hearing this 'Telephone from Rangoon' number. It seems
DOORDARSHAN -
the TV channel, broadcasted it many times and because of it's
enjoyable lyrics,
which even a third grader can understand and enjoy, it became a so-
called
'CULT SONG'. Shaadi ho ya Holi, School Function ho ya Singing
Around a
Camp-Fire, every one can join in the chorus and sing this song.
Sudhir
---------------------------------------