When I grew up in the 90’S, It was the era of Fast Bowling. We had some spectacular fast bowlers like Walsh, Ambrose, Mcdermott, Mcgrath, Akram, Younis, Vaas, Shrinath, Kapil, Nash, Pollock, Donald, Klusner, etc. All these fast bowlers were quality fast bowlers. They used to bowl with Perfect line and length, the batsman would become furious to even face them. They would ball straight not giving any room for the batsman to hit freely as he wished with perfect yockers that sometimes even yorked the bat too.
I remember once Waqar bowled a beautiful yorker to Brian Lara around 1991, which Lara had no clue and not only that bowl took off all the 3 stumps and even Lara’s Bat too broke in that situation. After that he always panicked whenever he faced Waqar.
Here are few such glimpses.
Javagal Shrinath too was a superb bowler. He was a mind reader. Sometimes, even if you hit Shrinath for 2 boundries in 2 consecutive balls, the next bowl he had the ability to take your wicket. He had a very strong self belief and self confidence.
Curtley Ambrose from West Indies gave nightmares to Waugh brothers (Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh) everytime he bowled. He gave creeps and revulsion to them. First he made them sweat by bowling booming bouncers 3 to 4 times and when they started to lose their confidence he took the wickets. Because when you lose something, the other person gains. This is what exactly. happened with the Waugh brothers. Ambrose was one of the finest bowler of all time. If you cannot believe, just look at this video when Ambrose gave just 1 run and on the other hand took 7 wickets against a team that had one the strongest batting line up. Boom Boom Boom.
Others like Wasim Akram, Glenn Mcgrath, Chaminda Vass, Walsh, Donald, Shaun Pollock too created jitters in the mind of any batsman who played during that era. It was really cumbersome for them to play those bowlers. Donald applied white cream in his lips. That look was so scary and when he bowled, it was simply out of the world. He always made the batsman panic. Some of his deliveries were rather unplayable. Especially the beaming bouncers that he bowled.
Shaun Pollock on the other hand made the batsman play his deliveries. He bowled straight and either the batsman would nick the bowl to the keeper or the slip fielder or he would get knocked out. He was a medium pacer but a great thinker and read the batsman’s mind amazingly. Very few bowlers possessed this supreme quality.
This is a video of 1997 in which Pollock knocked Anwar, Sohail and Ijaz in the same over. He is simply awesome.
Talking about spinners, The best spinner of all time is Mutiah Muralitharan who is also the World’s leading wicket taker with more than 1300 victims. He used to lead from the front and whenever he bowled we could see a level of comfortability in other players. He was quick and had an high arm action with an amazing bowling average.
Just look at some of his finest deliveries. Each and Every batsman is clueless on how to play Murali.
THIS IS PART 1 OF THE SERIES. NEXT SERIES WE WILL HAVE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER BOWLERS FROM THIS ERA. TILL THEN KEEP SMILING.
2 Days Back, I saw the match between Federer and Nadal. The Australian Open Finals, in the last set Federer was 0-2. But still won the match because of 3 important key features. I.e Ability, Believing yourself and Patience. We cannot see patience, but we can follow patience. To follow patience we need to have it inside us.
There are many things that run in our mind. Sometimes we have tried something many times and we have failed to achieve it, automatically there is a belief in our mind that we WILL NEVER be able to achieve it or its rather impossible achieving it even before we try. It has happened because we have lost patience or we have stopped believing ourselves. But, to overcome this mindset, we need to keep our patience intact and have a positive thought in our mind and atleast try for it. Go for it. Even if we have failed 10 times, its not necessary that 11th time too we are going to fail. Rather in the 11th time, we may achieve something far better than what others achieved.
We should judge ourselves by our own mind. Not by what others think about us. If we start judging our mind by what others think, we cannot live. We are the best judge for ourselves by keeping patience and Self Belief.
Sometimes it happens that we have lost our mindset and believe that we cannot achieve it, but others believe in us and give us an opportunity and we should take that opportunity and make it a success with self-belief and patience.
Music Composer OP Nayyar when he came to Mumbai in 1949, he gave music in 3 movies Aasmaan, Cham Chamma Cham and Baaz. But, all 3 movies failed in box-office, though the music was great. OP Nayyar started packing his bags and was heading back to Lahore. Baaz was produced by Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt told OP Nayyar that he was going to produce another movie and OP just try to give music in that too. OP Nayyar believed in himself as he got another opportunity and this time The movie and the music were big hits and because of the music, the movie too became a huge blockbuster and that was Aar Paar. Here we can see Guru Dutt believed OP Nayyar and OP Nayyar kept the patience and believed in himself.
1) Is Ishq Ki Daman Mein (with Zohrabai) (Andhon Ki Duniya-1947)
2) Dekh Chand Ki Oar Musafir (with Shamshad Begum) (Aag-1948)
3) Rab Mere Arz Sun Meri (with Mukesh) (Aag-1948)
4) Jhoom Jhoom Lehraye Tiranga (with Uma Devi) (The Last Message-1949)
5) Chal Chal Chalke Ras Ki Gagariya (with Uma Devi) (The Last Message-1949)
6) Sadiyon Royega Sansar Nahi Aiso Janam Baar (The Last Message-1949)
7) Chupke Se Ho Gaya Pyaar (with Asha Bhosle) (Suhag Sindoor-1953)
8) Ek Hai Dil Aur Do Deewane (Suhag Sindoor-1953)
9) Mere Ladle Balam Tohe (with Geeta Dutt) (Suhag Sindoor-1953)
10) Dekha Dekha Duniya Tera Rang (Suhag Sindoor-1953)
11) Bahut Khel Khele Bahut Haare Jeete (Suhag Sindoor-1953)
12) Kai Din Se Sawan Barsasta Hai Rhimjhim (with Asha Bhosle) (Samaj-1954)
13) O Choonva Moonva_Deke Daam Lele (Naya Kadam-1958)
14) Gaon Gaon Mein Filmi Tarana (with Uma Devi) (Deepak-1951)
As a composer–
Suhag Sindoor (1953)-
1) O Gori Tori Dibiya Bhara Hai (Geeta Dutt) (Lyrics: SK Deepak)
2) Sakhi Saajan Ne Mujhko Bulaya Hai (Geeta Dutt) (Lyrics: Suresh Tripathi)
3) Ek Hai Dil Aur Do Deewane (Sailesh Mukherjee) (Lyrics: Suresh Tripathi)
4) Dekha Dekha Duniya Tera Rang (Sailesh Mukherjee) (Lyrics: Suresh Tripathi)
5) Bahut Khel Khele Bahut Haare Jeete (Sailesh Mukherjee) (Lyrics: Suresh
Tripathi)
6) Main Toh Chali Re Piya Ke Desh (Geeta Dutt) (Lyrics: Suresh Tripathi)
Parichay (1954)-
1) Muskaye Gagan Haiyo Lehraye Pavan (Lata) (Lyrics: Akhtar Yusuf)
2) Dil Ke Fafole Jal Uthe (Lata) (Lyrics: Keshav Trivedi)
3) Aansuon Ki Chaanv Mein Bhi Hans Le (Lata) (Lyrics: Akhtar Yusuf)
4) Shatranji Chaal Hai Chahat Ki Baazi (Lata) (Lyrics: Akhtar Yusuf)
5) Kismat Ke Aanchal Ne Kiska Ponchh Diya (Rafi) (Lyrics: Keshav Trivedi)
Savera (1958)–
1) Aankh Michuli Khel Rahi Hai (Lata) (Lyrics: Shailendra)
2) Nadiya Ke Paani O Re (Lata) (Lyrics: Shailendra)
3) Jeevan Ke Raaste Hazaar (Manna Dey) (Lyrics: Shailendra)
4) Chupa Chupi O Chupi (Manna, Lata) (Lyrics: Shailendra)
5) O Pardesi Chora Chaila Gora (Lata) (Lyrics: Shailendra)
6) Tere Bin Mora Jiya Na Maane (Geeta Dutt) (Lyrics: Prem Dhavan)
7) Tehro Zara Si Der Toh (Geeta Dutt) (Lyrics: Prem Dhavan)
Shailesh Mukherjee was a versatile artist who had a divine voice and as a
composer, he just excelled..Sailesh worked as an assistant to Vasant Desai
during the late 40’s. Vasant Desai gave him an opportunity to sing in the
movie Andhon ki Duniya in which he was himself the assistant composer. The
song was not that popular. In the very next year, Shailesh Mukherjee worked
with Ram Ganguly in Aag and the 2 songs which he rendered took him to great
heights. The 2 songs became very popular in the radio and even today it is
quite popular. The 2 songs were ‘Dekh Chand Ki Oar Musafir’ (with Shamshad
Begum) and ‘Rab Mere Arz Sun Meri’ (with Mukesh)..Shailesh Mukherjee again
worked with Ram Ganguly in Deepak and then in Suhani Raat, but the movie
released very late in 1974 and the songs were not released in a any record and
rather went unnoticed. Shailesh Mukherjee also sang songs under Arun Kumar,
Abid Hussain Khan, Sushant Banerjee and Pt. Shivram. The last song he sang was
in Naya Kadam(1958) under Pt. Shivram. ‘O Choova Moonva’, a peppy solo song
penned by Shailendra.
He was also an excellent composer and composed for 3 hindi movies. The first
movie was Suhag Sindoor. In Suhag Sindoor, Shailesh Mukerjee composed 7 songs,
and Suresh Kumar composed 4 songs. Suresh Kumar was also the assistant of the
movie..All the songs in this movie are gems. Shailesh Mukherjee’s strength was
he could compose any type of songs. After Suhag Sindoor, he composed music in
Parichay and Savera. In Parichay, the sentimental songs which Lata Mangeshkar
sang under him are gems..And the Same Sailesh Mukherjee composed bhajans as
well as peppy songs in Savera, which was his last movie as a music director.
‘Chupa Chupi O Chupi’ is still a favorite among children and ‘Nadiya Ke Paani
O Re’ is still very popular in the radio as it was around 55 years ago. He
worked with lyricsts like SK Deepak, Suresh Tripathi, Shailendra, Prem Dhavan,
Keshav Trivedi and Akhtar Yusuf.
Very few people know that Shailesh Mukherjee was also a talented actor and he acted in few movies under the pen name, ‘Srikant Gaurav’..
First movie was ‘Miya Biwi Raazi’ in which he played the lead role along with
Mehmood..And The Second movie was ‘Pyar Ki Pyaas’. Apart from this, he also
sang many Gujarati bhajans and some Bengali basic non-film songs. The popular
song, ‘Chodo Chodo Mori Baiyaan’ sung by Suman Kalyanpur from Miya Biwi Raazi
was picturized on Sailesh Mukherjee.
As an artist, he always excelled in all departments, be it singing, composing
or acting. A real versatile artist. Our humble salutes to this ever-talented
Meena Kumari, as the name comes, it leaves everyone speeechless with wonders in the mind. She is known for her versatile acting, her charming dance and her beautiful expressions. But, She had one more great quality i.e her voice…Her voice had something special in it, that is something spectacular and beyond the reach of anybody.She sang many great songs and earned her recognition in singing too.
She started her career playing the role of a child actress in few movies like Nai Roshni, Leatherface, Pooja and few others.There was another movie Bahen which released in 1941. In this movie, merely at the age of 8 yrs, she sang a beautiful song with Beena Kumari “Tora Kajra Lagoon Mori Rani”.In this song, Meena Kumari is looking very cute and this song was the initial break which she got for her bright life ahead.It creates a sheer nostalic moments for all the people to watch and listen her.This song is beyond the reach of imagination. It is composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics are written by Safdar Aah Sitapuri.. You can listen this song here:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plocUXlWRzI
After this movie, She worked in many more movies playing the role of a child actress in few other movies like Garib, Pratigya and Lal Haveli.
She achived a big break in Duniya Ek Sarai(1947).. She sang 3 songs in this movie..Music is composed by Hansraj Behl.
After this movie, Meena Kumari lent her voice in another movie Bichade Balam(1948). This movie had 6 songs which were sung by Meena Kumari. I am sharing the 3 songs rendered wonderfully by Meena Kumari. Music was conmposed by Bulo.C.Rani.
4) Mere Piya Na Aaye Tarsaaye Re 5) Bol Re Bol Mere Pyare Papihe(with AR Ojha) 6) Hai Piya Mujhe Lalchaye Jiya.
Meena Kumari also sang few words for a song in Pinjre Ki Panchi(1966) with Manna Dey. Music by Salil Choudhary and lyrics by Gulzar. Here is the song..
Meena Kumari worked with Khayyam Saheb for an album “I WRITE, I RECITE” in the year 1970. There were total 8 Ghazals in this album.When she recited these ghazals, She was not well.. But, She rendered all the ghazals beautifully with her divine voice.
‘Meraa maazii merii tanhaa’ii kaa ye andhaa shigaaf ye ke saaNsoN kii tarah mere saath chaltaa rahaa jo merii nabz kii maanind mere saath jiyaa jisko aate hu’e jaate hu’e be-shumaar lamhe apnii sanglaaKh ungliyoN se gehraa karte rahe, karte gaye kisii kii oak paa lene ko lahuu bahtaa rahaa kisii ko ham-nafas kahne kii justujuu meN rahaa ko’ii to ho jo be-saaKhtaa isko pahchaane taRap ke palte, achaanak ise pukaar uThThe ‘mere ham-shaaKh mere ham-shaaKh merii udaasiyoN ke hissedaar mere adhuurepan ke dost tamaam zakhm jo tere haiN mere dard tamaam terii karaah kaa rishtaa hai merii aahoN se tuu ek masjid-e-viiraaN hai, maiN terii azaaN azaaN jo apnii hii viiraangii se takraa kar dhakii chhupii hu’ii bevaa zamiiN ke daaman par paRhe namaaz Khudaa jaane kisko sijdaa kare’
‘Ye nuur kaisaa hai raaKh kaa saa rang pahne barf kii laash hai laave kaa saa badan pahne guuNgii chaahat hai rusvaa’ii kaa kafan pahne har ek qatraa muqaddas hai maile aaNsuu kaa ek hujuum-e-apaahij hai aab-e-kausar par ye kaisaa shor hai jo be-aavaaz phailaa hai rupahlii chaaNv meN – badnaamioN kaa Deraa hai ye kaisii jannat hai jo chaunk-chaunk jaatii hai ek intizaar-e-mujassam ka naam – Khamoshii aur ehsaas-e-bekaraaN pe ye sarhad kaisii? dar-o-diivaar kahaaN ruuh kii aavaargii ke nuur kii vaadii talak lams kaa ek safar-e-taviil har ek moR pe bas do hii naam milte haiN maut kah lo – jo muhabbat nahiiN kahne paa’o’
Wish she had rendered more such beauties…Meena Kumari concentrated more on acting and became one of the leading stars in the 50’s and 60’s…But, these songs shall always remain immortal. Hats off to the SINGING MAESTRO–MEENA KUMARI.
A composer par excellence was Lal Mohammed Saheb..
In his entire film career, he just scored music for mere 4 movies. But, some of his compositions establishes and truly deserves a remarkable place.
Lal Mohammed was the assistant of Pt Ghulam Haider and also played Tabla for many of his songs. He started his film career with Tadbeer released in 1945 which had songs rendered by KL Saigal, Suraiya and Naseem Akhtar..
The first song is this classic ‘Gareebo Ki Duniya Hai Tere Hawale’ rendered by Saigal and Suraiya. By hearing such brilliant compositions by Lal Mohammed, this shows how talented composer he was. He has used heavy orchestration with gentle use of violins. A trademark composition by Lal Mohammed. This song is penned by Swami Ramand…
Here is the link to this song…
Talking about the second song from Tadbeer(1945), the song is ‘Banke Nainon Se Karke Ishaare’ rendered by Naseem Akhtar. Here too Lal Mohammed has used his high influence on heavy orchestration and nicely used the violins to balance the song properly. This is a very rarely heard song which enters the soul immediatedly as soon as we hear the song. Hats off to Lal Mohammed….
Another gem from the same movie, this time rendered by the genius KL Saigal. ‘Divine’ and ‘Intoxicating’ are the only 2 words i can use here. How beautifully Lal Mohammed has composed this song, this time he has used light orchestration. Melody cannot be better than this. Enjoy this rare song…
The fourth song from the same movie is a Suraiya solo. Here too Lal Mohammed has used heavy orchestration and Suraiya has wonderfully rendered the song in high octaves in the antras. Apart from violins, the light dholaks played in the antras takes this song to a different level.
‘Jaag Ae Sonewale, Koi Jagane Aaya’.
Here is the link for this song.
This movie had some other beauties like Janam Janam Ke Dukhiya (KL Saigal), Rani Khol De Apne Dwar (KL Saigal, Suraiya), Mein Kismat Ka Maara (Kl Saigal) and Janam Janam Ka Dukhiya (KL Saigal)
The next year saw the release of ‘Omar Khayyam’ in 1946. This movie too had some of the best songs delivered by the genius combination of Lal Mohammed and Kl Saigal.
Lets talk about 2 songs from this movie..
The first song is ‘Allah Hoon Umar Khayyam Hoon’. A gem of a song rendered by Kl Saigal with chorus. These songs are rarely heard these days, but those days such songs were very popular and also frequently played in ‘Bhoole Bisre Geet’ in SLBC. We can just go on listening these songs endlessly.
Enjoy this rare gem.
Here is another gem from Omar Khayyam(1946) rendered by KL Saigal. The humming by the chorus and light violins played in the antras makes this song simply unforgettable and matchless. A great evergreen composition by Lal Mohammed Saheb…
‘Hare Bhare Bhaag Ke Gaanv’.
The next movie was ‘Sohni Mahiwal’ released in 1946. This movie had 11 songs.
Here are four songs from this movie. There is a Lal Mohammed ‘stamp’ in each of these songs. Only he could have composed these songs..This movie had songs rendered by Zohrabai, GM Durrani and Naseem Akhtar
The first song is ‘Chalo Pyari Sakhi’ rendered by GM Durrani and Zohrabai.
Here is another GM Durrani-Zohrabai duet from Sohni Mahiwal(1946). Both of them have done full justice to this brilliant composition by Lal Mohammed and rendered it fabulously. Penned by Munshi Dil. The ending part is really haunting.
‘O Tujh Pe Salam Ae Mere Nakaam-Ae-Mohabbat’.
The third song is ‘Mujhe Lut Liya Re’ rendered by Naseem Akhtar. The orchestration is simply out of the world. The first 55 seconds prelude is haunting. The violin pieces played accompanied by light piano. Excellent composition by Lal Mohammed and penned by Swami Ramanand.
The fourth and last movie for which Lal Mohammed composed music was ‘Mitti(1947)’ with Piganker. This movie had some fantastic songs rendered by Khursheed. Here is one such song from this movie by Khursheed.
Though he composed music for only 4 movies, but his songs will always be remembered and will stay in our heart for years to come. He deserved much more from our film industry. Hats off to this genius composer ‘LAL MOHAMMED’ who will always remain one of the GREATEST EVER.
Actor/ Singer Manmohan Krishna sang 2 non-filmy songs for OP Nayyar..
Manmohan Krishna was a great singer. He sang many songs in HFM. This actor had sung two non-filmy songs too for OP Nayyar in Lahore HMV in the late 40’s.Both these songs were written by Saroj Mohini Nayyar.
