‘Deewana Mastana Hua Dil’ – Mesmerizing Music of SD Burman-Majrooh (Oct 1 Anniversary Special)

Across Germany, and in many other parts of the world, the October Fest is celebrated with beer or lager and free willing music. It has its roots in the setting in of fall weather with farmers going in for fall and winter crops that would not need them to toil as hard in field as they did all summer through.

For me, a person who survives on music, my October Fest is celebrating the season of the partnership of Majrooh Sultanpuri with SD Burman through a pick of 20 + 1 songs. Together they gave us so many superb reasons to celebrate.

Majrooh was a poet of all seasons, he could write on the demands of the screenplay and situation and on the pre-set tunes of the music directors with deft. He could get as deep in human emotions as there can be or get as frivolous as we shall see in our first selection. He was introduced to Dada Burman (S D Burman) when Sahir Ludhianvi’s exit created a gap in Dada’s music room. Paying Guest (1957) was the first film they came together and registered an instant hit, paving way to a trend for many more to follow.

Chhod do aanchal zamaana kya kahega (Paying Guest, 1957) Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar

Carrying on with the masti, Majrooh got a full exposure to exploit the unique chhed-chhad mood poetry in Vijay Anand’s debut venture Nau Do Gyarah, also in 1957. Enough to alarm the puritans, how can one ask anchal mein kya ji and have a reply as gazab ki hulchal! It was as much a bomb shell in its time as was Choli ke peechhe kya hai, many years later. But the difference was in the class of the lyrics, the usage of the song, its picturisation and the music. Majrooh was confidence personified about the success of the song as much as his ‘partner in crime’ Dada Burman was. And when the two got together in their pure masti, the outcome was excellent songs that are relished to date providing endless joy.

* Hum hain raahi pyar ke, humse kuchh na boliye / Kishore
* So jaa nindiya ke bela hai, ho, aaja panchhi akela hai/ Asha-Rafi
* Kali ke roop mein chali ho dhoop mein kahan/ Asha-Rafi

And this one by Asha and Kishore, already mentioned above.

Aankhon mein kya ji, rupehla baadal (Nau Do Gyarah, 1957) Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar

Majrooh Sultanpuri and Dada Burman were both born 1^st October, 13 years apart. Dada was born in 1906 and Majrooh in 1919. Destined to come together and create magic for music lovers in Hindi cinema, they partnered in 20 films from 1957 to 1976, from Subodh Mukherji’s Paying Guest to Hrishikesh Mukherji’s Arjun Pandit (released after Dada Burman’s death).

It was sheer masti and magic again when they created another duet with Asha and Rafi to go on Madhubala and Dev Anand in Raj Khosla’s Kala Pani (1958). The entire chemistry worked wonders and on screen it was just an unparalleled masterpiece. So poignantly said, Hum na rahe to yaad karoge, samjhe! None of the contributors are alive anymore, yet the magic lives on.

Achha ji main haari chalo maan jaao na (Kalapani, 1958) Asha Bhosle and Mohd Rafi

On Madhubala, the magic of Majrooh with Dada Burman was most effective in Kishore Kumar’s Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).

Can we ever forget…

Kabhi kuchh kehti hai kabhi kabhi kuchh kehti hai,
zarra nazar ko sambhalna,
Haal haisa hai janab ka?
Kya khayal hai aapka?

Listen to ‘Baajoo…. Babu, samjho ishaare’ and you can picturise the three harum-scarum brothers in the madly driven jalopy. The fun lyrics are loaded with meaning!

Bandhi mutthi laakh ki,
aur khuli to pyare khaak ki,
Bajoooo… Babu samjho ishare..

The cutest of romantic dates you can think of in Haal kaisa hai janab ka and the three harum-scarum brothers in their fun drive in Babu samjho ishaare

There is no parallel in the history of Hindi films to Ek ladki bheegi bhagi si. In its conception, its delivery, unique lyrics, situation and the acting, not to mention the superlative music, the magic of Kishore and the ever-so-beautiful Madhubala is unique.  An auto mechanic is singing and using his tools as musical instruments. His lyrics reflect his world of tools and nuts but the naughty chhed-chhad is spot on!

Who other than Kishore can quip about a customer Uska koi pench bhi dheela hai and yet end up amusing her and us equally. The fun and frolic from the team of Dada and Majrooh with their highly enjoyable creation has entertained us for the past six decades. Enjoy this drenched in rain and thermos full of hot tea song:

Ek ladki bheegi bhagi si, soti raaton mein jaagi si (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958) Kishore Kumar

Dada Burman was known to be one who composed all his tunes first and then asked the lyricist to accommodate his concepts, words, emotions into the song as the situation demanded. Majrooh was a poet first, yet he learnt the art to play with words and mood quickly and come out brilliantly.

As Majrooh Sahab had explained to me in an exclusive conversation, “I had a great understanding with Burman Sahab and his son. You can say, it was all a matter of home (ghar ka sa mamla thha). Dada had a good knowledge of shayari too. He may not perhaps get the correct meaning of a particular jumla, but he would very well understand the entire ghazal or nazmor geet. He used to be almost in a trance when making a tune, sitting comfortably, never in a hurry.

He would even say, ‘Muzroo (he called me Muzroo), this line is not fitting into the tune, please change it.’ We used to sit for hours together working and on one song he would end up trying out scores of tunes, sitting right there. Coffee, tea and paan would be in steady supply. He never smoked but his son Pancham indulged in it.

He would reject his own tune. He would say, ‘Chhodo, this is not sounding good.’ Then he would catch another tune and start. Producers and directors would also come and sit with him. He would keep singing in full flow and creating tunes. Whichever tune for selected, he would get Pancham to write the notations right there and then.”

RD Burman, Majrooh Sultanpuri and SD Burman

If the music lovers from early fifties vouched for the Sahir-S D Burman team, their counterparts from sixties vouched for Majrooh-S D Burman team. Sure, Dada was well matched with others as well such as Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shakeel Badayuni, Anand Bakshi, Neeraj, Yogesh and many more. So was Majrooh too, equally adept with other music directors such as Roshan, Madan Mohan, Chitragupt, O P Nayyar, Lakshmikant Pyarelal and R D Burman. But the Majrooh-SD Burman team had a unique edge of its own.

Making the finest music: (L to R) Madan Mohan, writer-actor Dewan Sharar, SD Burman, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Hridaynath Mangeshkar (Pic courtesy: madanmohan.in)

One more from 1958 before we move forward. The quintessential Hemant Kumar/Dev Anand number from Solva Saal, another Raj Khosla film. Indirect chhed-chhad this time. A topper of popularity charts that remains as popular even today. This one Dada created as a special gift to showcase son, RD’s excellence at harmonica.

It’s not a love song being sung to a beloved yet it oozes romance in every word. The romance is about life, about celebrating its freedom, about indulging the carefree heart. Who can express love, life and poetry this way but Majrooh Sultanpuri Sahab! And Hemant da’s deep voice releases a rare resonance, a unique sweetness.

Hai apna dil to awara (Solva Saal, 1958) Hemant Kumar

The exquisite Na tum humein jaano in Baat Ek Raat Ki was one of the biggest hits of Hemant Kumar on Dev Anand. The softness of the composition and the rendition made it top song of the year. Being a tandem, there was a Suman Kalyanpur version, equally sweet, though not as popular. Let’s hear this sugary sweet number.

Khamoshi sunaane lagi hai dastan,
Nazar ban gai hai dil ki zuban,
Na tum haemin jaano, na hum tumhen jaaane,
Magar lagta hai kuchh aisa, mera humdum, mil gaya.

Na tum humein jaano, na hum tumhe jaane (Baat Ek Raat Ki, 1962) Suman Kalyanpur

The iconic phone song

Manna Dey, in one of his chats with me, had confirmed that S D Burman would call a singer to listen to his or her voice and determine if it matched his new composition. Many a times he would also ask the singer to sing back the tune to him over the phone. Through this test, he decided that Talat Mahmood was the most suitable voice for the Sujata song that was to be rendered on phone even in the film. That he convinced the director, Bimal Roy to include the scene and the song, is a story in itself.

Nutan can’t hold back her tears as she listens to Jalte hain jiske liye on the phone

The song became a landmark, and just as Talat Mahmood had had a winner in Sahir’s Taxi Driver in 1954, as Jayen to jayen kahan, this Sujata number in 1959, has remained ever popular and loved one among music fraternity.

Dil mein rakh lena isse haathon se ye chhoote na kahin,
Geet nazuk hai mera sheeshe se bhi, toote na kabhi

Talk about the softness and fragility of love, these lines remain immortal…

Jab talak na ye tere ras ke bhare hothon se mile,
Yun hi awara phirega ye teri zulfon ke tale.

What imagery Majrooh had! Remember this was before poets like Gulzar came on horizon, the mood was already being set by the Majrooh.

Jalte hain jiske liye teri ankhon ke diye (Sujata, 1959) Talat Mahmood

An unforgettable album Bombai Ka Babu

The third outing that Raj Khosla had with Majrooh and Dada Burman turned gold again. A classic film, much ahead of its time had an outstanding performance from Suchitra Sen. It was originally planned with Madhubala, but for various reasons, Dev convinced Suchitra to do it when Madhubala became unavailable.

The album is packed with unforgettable numbers:

* Saathi na koi manzil, diya hai na koi mehfil (Rafi)

* Dekhne mein bhola hai dil ka salona (Asha and chorus)

* Chal ri sajni ab kya soche (Mukesh)

The excellent performances of Suchitra Sen and Dev Anand made Bombai Ka Babu a unique love story. The duo emoted each song with alacrity and deep pathos as the song required, lending it an extra edge.

And then this timeless duet by Asha and Rafi… Enjoy!

Deewana mastaana huya dil jaane kahan ho ke bahaar aai (Bombai Ka Babu, 1960) Asha Bhosle and Mohd Rafi

In the years in between, Dada Burman collaborated with Majrooh in some more films, such as Bewakoof (1960), Sitaron Se Aage (1958), Lajwanti (1958), Manzil (1960) and Dr. Vidya (1962). Each of these films had memorable songs. Let us recollect a few:

From Bewakoof, my favourites are the two Asha-Kishore duets:
Tumi piya chikara ho ho ho garsiya
and
Michael hai to cycle hai.

Lata rehearsing for Dada Burman (Pic courtesy: Sachin Dev Burman Fan Club Facebook Group)

Sitaron Se Aage had sparked the Lata-Burman rift. It was this song, Pag thumak chalat balkhaye, haye, Sainyan kaise dharun dheer that Dada was reportedly not happy with the final version and Lata Mangeshkar did not show up for a re-do, for whatever reason. It created a rift that lasted 5 whole years until Bandini’s Mora gora rang leile. Later, Dada Burman in better days with Lata by his side again, re-used the Pag thumak chalat balkhaye composition in Guide (1965) in one of his class creations in Saiyan beimaan, mose chhal kiye jaaye.

But the film had other beautiful songs as well. Recall Chanda ki chaandani ka jaadu  and Roye jiya, aan milo more piyaa (both by Asha Bhosle), Dil le gaya, gham de gaya, ik tujh sa sanam, tere sar ki kasam, zaalim bilkul teri tarah (by Geeta Dutt) and Johnny Walker song (by Rafi) Sambhal ke ye duniya hai.

In 1958 Majrooh had pre-warned us about the changing social fabric in Sambhal ke ye duniya hai nagar hoshiyaaron ka, idhar aankh jhapkayi aur, udhar maal yaaron ka.

Let us visit the original Pag thumak chalat balkahaye and enjoy it in its raw flavour.

Pag thumak chalat balkhaye, haye, Sainyan kaise dhaarun dheer (Sitaron Se Aage, 1958) Lata Mangeshkar

Lajwanti had Asha now giving playback for Nargis, as Lata was out of Dada’s recording room. But the result was fantastic and super hit. Koi aaya dhadkan kehti hai, and, Gaa mere man gaa tu gaa mere man gaa and Kuchh din pehle ek taal mein kamal kunj ke andar are all hits remembered even today as some of Asha’s best songs. These were the times when Asha received some of her career’s best training and guidance that stood solid with her all her life.

Nargis singing ‘Koi aaya dhadkan kehti hai’ to a preoccupied Balraj Sahni

Majrooh wrote dheere se palkon ki ye girti uthti chilam kehti hai, koi aaya dhadkan kehti hai. He was to let the Palkon ke peechhe expression resurface a few years later again.

Dr. Vidya had that ever popular Lata semi-classical Pawan diwani that Lata had pleaded Dada to compose on his Bangla Alo chhaya dola as she had fallen in love with it. Lata also had the sweet Khanke kangana bindiya hanse. Mukesh registered a hit, Ae dil-e-awara chal, phir wahin dobara chal, yaar ne deedar ka waada kiya hai.

Legends All – At the S. D. Burman nite in 1967, with Mukesh, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Talat Mahmood, S.D Burman, Lata Mangeshkar, Nargis, Mohd Rafi and Manna Dey
(Pic courtesy: Madanmohan.in)

The reverse route

Jaani, tum to dole, dagaa daike by Lata in Dr Vidya, is a rare instance of reverse route being taken by Dada Burman.

Jani tum to dole, dagaa daike – Vyjayanthimala and Manoj Kumar in Dr Vidya

Going against the practice of replicating his own Bengali originals in Hindi, Dada Burman used Geeta Dutt’s honey and sugar voice to record it first in 1957 in Bengali (Jaani, bhromora kaino magan hoy na ) for the shelved film Gauri and followed it up with his own non-film Bengali version in 1961, finally turning it into Hindi in this Lata number. Majrooh’s lyrics retained the delectable ‘Jaani’ as the first word in the Hindi song – although the meaning is different in the two languages. In Bengali ‘jaani’ means ‘I know’ and in Urdu it means ‘my beloved’.  A masterstroke!

Manzil was based on a singer’s success story and Dada in full mood used three singers – Rafi, Manna De and Hemant Kumar, successfully on singing star hero Dev Anand. Remember, he used the voice that best justified the delivery. Evergreen were Yaad aa gaeen wo nashilee nigahein (by Hemant), Dil to hai diwana na, mane na bahana na (by Asha-Rafi) and a rare experiment in recitation-singing done so uniquely by Geeta and Rafi, that it never fails to mesmerize listeners with its sweetness.

Chupke se mile pyaase pyaase kuchh hum, kuchh tum (Manzil, 1960) Geeta Dutt and Mohd Rafi. Read a detailed analysis of the song here

Innovations in Jewel Thief‘s music

After the super success of Guide, the Anand Brothers had signed Shailendra again to write for Jewel Thief (1967), but destiny had other designs. Shailendra’s untimely death meant Majrooh had to step in. Not surprisingly, Majrooh came up with exceptional lyrics to make the project a hit, like always. Each song is memorable and a delight even after half a century has gone by.

Ye dil na hota bechara (Kishore Kumar), Aasman ke neeche hum aaj apne peechhe (Lata-Kishore), Dil pukare, aare aare aare (Lata-Rafi), Raat akeli hai, bujh gaye diye (Asha Bhosle sings those outstanding pitch variations with elan), Baithein hain kya unke paas, aaina mujhsa nahin (Asha-Kamal Barot), and this ever impressive, Lata (with Bhupinder) wonder in creative composition with awesome orchestration. Just notice the instrument Dev Anand plays – sheer originality!

Hothon mein aisi baat main dabaa ke chali aai (Jewel Thief, 1967) Lata Mangeshkar, Bhupinder Singh and Chorus

Teen Deviyan brought back Kishore Kumar

S D Burman, V. Balsara, Bhupinder Singh and Kishore Kumar (Pic: SD Burman Fan Club Facebook Group)

In quick succession to Guide came Amarjeet’s Teen Deviyan in 1965. One of the first of its’ kind to have one hero with three heroines, it was a joint effort behind the camera by Amarjeet and Dev Anand. After a gap of some four years Kishore was back in the recording room of his mentor Dada Burman and  gave one of his career’s best song in Khwaab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat, reminding listeners that he was still a force to reckon with and was ready to strike big. And went on to give a hit duet with each, Lata and Asha, Likha hai teri ankhon mein, and Arre yaar meri tum bhi ho gazab.

Music collector, dance guru, journalist and writer, V A K Ranga Rao narrated to me an incident. A success event was being held for Aradhana in Madras and VAK had the opportunity to talk to S D Burman. Among other things, he asked, how could Dada, who had done an Aradhana, compose a ‘flat and unimpressive score’ like Teen Deviyan. Burman was a bit surprised, but replied, that he never knew which of his scores would be a hit and which would not. He composed all his tunes with equal dedication and care, and then placed them before the producer (or director) to pick and choose from. It was their choice. For Dada they were all equal efforts done with complete love and creativity. That people liked some and did not like others was always there as part of business. Final decision was always with the producer or director.

VAK personally may not have liked the score of Teen Deviyan. But the audience loved it, making the album an ever memorable one.

Khwaab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat, kaun ho tum batlao (Teen Deviyan, 1965) Kishore Kumar

The Wizadry of SDB- Majrooh

Here’s another look at Teen Deviyan music through the master touches in the song ‘Likha hai teri aankhon mein’ – by Anand Desai:

Majrooh Sultanpuri with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi (Pic: Mohdrafi.com)

“A completely “Joie de vivre” feeling both in the words and the orchestration… SDB again leaves his unique Phantom Skull Mark in this one. The Group Violins frenzy for 0.6 seconds after which the Bongos, Chakolas and Castanets create the effervescence for the next 12 seconds with sharp violin staccatos till three Guitar strums shut them up.

Now here is SD’s Phantom mark… at Likha hai teri aankhon mein one hears 7 single intermittent off cue strokes of the Dholak [actually they almost sound syncopated] …between 0.13 to 0.17…. and then an ecastatic Dholak roll. SD Burman has cleverly  used the Violin obligados in the rhythm [notice the pattern changes at 0.27 to a faster beat]

Now see how he ends the antara with three different sounds – one castanet shot, one dholak thapi and one bongo stroke.  All in 2 seconds from 0.32 to 0.34! This is wizardry!

At the next interlude he has used 4 strokes of the stick on the Snare drum…and then again at the end of this one dholak stroke and a Guitar rub. He also introduced the Clarinet . Each Interlude is completely unique in terms of the instruments and pattern

Majrooh excels in the tease and tell …

jo kuch nahi toh yeh ishaare kyun,
thehar gaye mere sahare kyun .. [2]…
thoda sa haseeno ka sahara leke chalna hai meri aadat rozanaa

Now the last interlude begins with a short Piano followed by an aggressive Acoustic Guitar and somewhere at 3.11 he brings in his favorite Flute.
The end is short and abrupt.”

Likha hai teri aankhon mein (Teen Deviyan, 1965) Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

The historical hits, Aradhana and Talaash, both released in 1969, placed Majrooh and S D Burman on top of the popularity charts. O P Ralhan had a jubilee hit in Phool Aur Patthar earlier, but was in for a pleasant surprise when not only did his Talaash become a huge hit, it brought him a higher share of profit from the music/records sale of this film. It was rumoured that his brother-in-law, Rajendra Kumar had suggested to sign in S D Burman for the project, and that in all sittings to finalize the songs, Kumar was always present. Son, R D Burman was assisting his father in this project, and it was here that Kumar decided that when his son, Kumar Gaurav would be ready to be launched, he would sign RD Burman for the venture.

Once again Lata, bought out an earlier Bangla hit of S D Burman, Shonogo dakhino hawa prem korechi aami, requesting Dada for a Hindi version in Khayi re humne kasam sang rehne ki. I remember hearing Lata Mangeshkar reveal this on a TV show by host Tabassum that she would listen to S D Burman’s Bangla songs and in an effort to imitate them and request Dada to compose the song in Hindi for her.

With superb Majrooh imagery and Dada composition, here’s Palkon ke peechhe se duet from Talaash.

Nainon ne sapnon ki mehfil sajaayi hai tum bhi zaroor aana,
Hmmmm, Palkon ke peeche se kya tumne keh dala phir se to farmaana.

Palkon ke peechhe se kya (Talaash, 1969) Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi

The crowning glory for both Dada Burman and Majrooh was Abhimaan. With Ishq Par Zor Nahin (released in 1970, though started some 7 years earlier) Anand Bakshi found favour in Burman camp. Also in 1970 with Prem Pujari poet, Neeraj came into Dada’s music life. Both were to partner with SD on a number of hit projects.

Piya bina baansiya baaje na – a Lata Mangeshkar gem, shot beautifully with Jaya Bhaduri giving one of her career best performances.

But when in 1973, Abhimaan was offered to SD Burman by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Dada summoned Majrooh knowing well that only Majrooh could do justice to his dream project. Each song, one better than the other, bore the creative stamp of S D Burman like never before and Majrooh came up equally matching lyrics to move our emotions so very effectively.  Relish some Majrooh’s mastery in his truly being a lyricist of all seasons;

Tumhari sadaa bin nahin ek sooni mori nagariya,
Ke chup hai papiha, mayur bol bhoole, ban mein sanwariya,
Din hai soona, sooni ratiyan, Piya bina piya bina lage bansiya, baje na.

And in the Rafi-Lata duet, of chhed-chhad again;

Mera gehna balam tum, tose saj ke dolun,
Bhatakte hain tere hi naina, main to kuchh na bolun.
Sajan, nindiya le legi, le legi, meri bindiya.

From my favourite among Lata numbers:

Tere pyar mein badnaam door door ho gaye,
Tere saath hum bhi sanam, mashhoor ho gaye,
Dekho kahan le jaaye, bekhudi apni, Ho, Ab to hai tumse har khushi apni.

The story of Abhimaan moves ahead several steps through Ab to hai tumse har khushi apni, portraying the rising glory of Uma and falling fortunes of Subir and the widening gap between the couple

When the star singer is searching for a life partner, Majrooh expresses;

Der se man mera aas liye dole, preet bhari paani saaz mera bole,
Koi sajni ek khidaki bhi na khole, laakh tarane raha main sunaye,
Meet na mila re man ka.

Did he really match Dada’s composition in each creative step? Sure he did, moving the story forward through the lyrics. Take away a song from Abhimaan and you lose a critical link. These songs are not fillers, they are the story itself. You won’t find this too often in Hindi films.

Read a detailed analysis of the song Nadiya kinare heraaye aayi kangana here.

Tere mere milan ki ye raina (Abhimaan, 1973) Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

Rajinder Singh Bedi’s ambitious project and a disappointing flop in 1973 was Waheeda Rehman and Dharmendra starrer Phagun. The Asha-Kishore number had its share of the chhed-chhaad  with “kya karte ho, kya karta hoon?” incorporated in kab mane arre dil ke mastaane, samjhane ko aayen chahe Allah miyan bhi, kab mane.

But the composition that was unique was the Dada Burman creation of the phaag. So true to its concept in original the way a phaag is sung, it was an effort that got lost as the film washed away. Lata at her best, Dada at his creative best and Majrooh capturing the true essence of the festival in his words.

Piya sang kheloon holi, phagun aayo re (Phagun, 1973) Lata Mangeshkar

A colourful album – Sagina

It was SD Burman who could have matched a Kishore to sit pat on Dilip Kumar. Some sort of history in the making for Hindi film music. But that Burman did.

In Upar wala dukhiyon ki naahi sunta re by Kishore, Dilip butts in with Soya hai, bahut jaaga hai na. Just notice the way Burman could gel the voices so effectively.

This was for Tapan Sinha’s Sagina in 1974. Again, SD had summoned Majrooh to write the lyrics to match the mood of his songs and screenplay. There was the above mentioned song and then the riotous Saala main to Saheb ban gaya. Majrooh took the liberty of penning Soorat hai bandar ki phir bhi lagti hai albeli, kaisa Raja Bhoj bana hai mera Gangu  teli.

One does not remember many Dilip Kumar – Majrooh outings, but Burman being in charge here, no one could make him change what he wanted.

The tune for the bold duet Tumhare sang to rain bitayi, kahan bitaoon din was restructured from SD Burman’s Jeevan Jyoti (1953) Shamshad beauty Saari khushiyan saath aayin aap jab aaye. It was rare of Burman to repeat his tune from films but it seems this tune was a somewhat favourite of his, as he also used it as title music piece in 1957, Miss India.

Tumhare sang to rain bitayi kahan bitaun din (Sagina, 1974) Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

Their final partnership was in Sanjeev Kumar’s Arjun Pandit. One Lata song, Bolo preetam kya boli thhi main, aage re was a sweet one that emerges as a pleasant memory. The film got delayed in the making and released after Burman had bid his final adieu to this world.

In music history of our Hindi film world, some combinations have gained immortality and certainly the Majrooh-SD Burman duo have now become part of film folklore.

Basti ke diyon ko bujh jaane de, lehra kena ruk ruk jaana,
Chaahat ka labhon pe jaam aane de, yahi pyar ka hai zamaana.

In salutation to the genius of Majrooh and the master tune smith Sachin Dev Burman, let us go back to their first association together, Subodh Mukherji’s Paying Guest, where Dada in full swing uses Asha to just hum and ho through the Kishore melody that immortalized Nutan and Dev on screen, romantically:

O nigahen mastana, dekh sama hai suhana  (Paying Guest, 1957) Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar

Listen to these melodies again and again. They don’t make such gems and such men any more in this world.

(All pictures used in this article are courtesy the Internet and YouTube)

Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman by HQ Chowdhury
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The Genius of SD Burman: Silhouette Exclusive October Special Features

Pioneering Experiments that Became Trends: SD Burman and His Experiments (Part-I) – By Moti Lalwani

Pioneering Experiments Which Became Trends: S D Burman and His Music (Part-II) – By Moti Lalwani

Evergreen Hits of Dev Anand-Hemant Kumar – By Peeyush Sharma and Antara

‘Deewana Mastana Hua Dil’ – Mesmerizing Music of SD Burman-Majrooh (Oct 1 Anniversary Special) – By Peeyush Sharma

The Tender Musical Tête-à-tête in Chupke Se Mile (Genius of SD Burman) – By Anand Desai and Antara

When Kishore Protested and SD Burman Persisted: The Making of Dukhi Man Mere – By Peeyush Sharma

From the Archives

Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain – Eternal Melodies of SD Burman-Rafi – By Peeyush Sharma

The Incomparable Music Of S D Burman Transcends Generations – By Antara

‘Gata Rahe Mera Dil was Patchwork’: In Conversation With Vijay Anand – By Peeyush Sharma

‘In Aradhana, Sachin Karta Gave Me My Life’s Biggest Hit’: In Conversation with Shakti Samanta – By Peeyush Sharma

‘The Music Director Knows which Voice would do Full Justice to his Composition’ – In Conversation with Hemant Kumar – By Peeyush Sharma

‘Bade Achchhe Din Thhe, Bade Pyare Saathi, Aur Guni Bhi’ – In Conversation with Majrooh Sultanpuri – By Peeyush Sharma