{"id":3545,"date":"2017-04-04T00:38:44","date_gmt":"2017-04-03T19:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/?p=3545"},"modified":"2021-04-11T15:14:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-11T09:44:28","slug":"kl-saigal-pran-nevile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/kl-saigal-pran-nevile\/","title":{"rendered":"‘KL Saigal’s Songs Started the Sugam Sangeet Revolution’ – In Conversation with Author Pran Nevile"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pran

Pran Nevile – renowned author and scholar of Indian culture, art and history. Author of the book KL Saigal – Immortal Singer and Superstar<\/em> and K.L. Saigal The Definitive Biography<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Sundeep:<\/em><\/strong> It is believed, according to some musicians of yore in Calcutta, that KL Saigal’s greatest quality was that the musicians\u00a0 would tune their instruments on his alaap, unheard of in the history of singing in a recording studio. Typically, a taanpura would be first set to ‘Sa’ or\u00a0‘Ma’ by an ustad and then the singer would match his\/her tone or scale with it. But when it came to Saigal, the studio musicians would wait for him to arrive, they would ask him to give an alaap, and then all would tune their respective instruments with him. He was treated equal to \u2018Shiv Ka\u00a0Naad\u2019. This was\u00a0referred to in a TV talk in 70s by Kanan Devi, and later Anil Biswas confirmed it to be true, saying, unke gale mein woh Saraswati khud was karti thhi. ;;;;<\/em><\/p>\n

Pran Nevile:<\/strong> In my book I have quoted Ustad Faiyyaz Khan who said, \u201cTumhe kisi shiksha ki zaroorat hi nahin<\/em>.\u201d (You don\u2019t need any training.) Saigal used to compose himself. He has composed all the non-film ghazals he sang. God-gifted voice he had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sundeep:<\/strong> \u00a0Rai Chand Boral had given early break to KLS and then Timir Baran supported and later Pankaj Mullick joined. It was rumoured that PM had an ego issue with KLS, as he thought he himself was equal or better singer. Comment.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Buy<\/a>

KL Saigal Immortal Singer and Superstar by Pran Nevile<\/em><\/strong>
Buy from Amazon\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Pran Nevile:<\/strong> Pankaj Mullick groomed Saigal as a music director. But Pankaj Mullick himself was a leading Bengali singer. Some songs were sung both by Pankaj Mullick and Saigal like Ai qaatib-e-taqdeer, Chhupo na <\/em>and Sundar nari<\/em> \u2013 three four songs. But in the market Saigal records sold more. Those Pankaj songs which Saigal did not sing were great hits.<\/p>\n

In Doctor<\/em> (1941), Pankaj Mullick was cast as hero. Every song of the film was a super hit such as Guzar gaya woh zamana kaisa kaisa <\/em>and chale pawan ki chaal<\/em>. I am a great fan of Pankaj.<\/p>\n

Some ego is but natural as Saigal was born in 1904 and Pankaj in 1905.<\/p>\n

In 1941 Kundan Lal Saigal came to Bombay. BN Sircar, the chief of New Theatres and the honest person that he was said this place has no money now. You go to Bombay and earn some money. That is how he came on contract with Chandulal Shah for three films.<\/p>\n

Duniya Rang Rangili baba, duniya rang rangili\u00a0(<\/strong>Dhartimata,\u00a0<\/em>1938)\u00a0Pankaj Mullick\/ Pundit Sudarshan\/ Saigal with Pankaj Mullick and Uma Shashi\/ Disc.# H650. (The film version had K C Dey\u2019s vocals instead of Pankaj Mullick)<\/span><\/p>\n