Archive for the ‘Playback Singers’ Category
Iqbal Bano
Coming from a family of rigid social customs, Iqbal Bano was an icon of the typical style of ghazal singing, making her style known not only throughout the country but across borders. She ranks among the few vocalists who will be remembered as a symbol of ghazal singing at a time when Pakistan had none. ...
Pradeep
Best remembered for his inspirational and patriotic songs, lyricist Kavi Pradeep, as he was commonly known, wrote over 1,500 songs for films. He was born Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi in Badnagar, Madhya Pradesh. A graduate from Lucknow University, Pradeep aimed to be a schoolteacher rather than a professional poet. However, he was discovered by Himansu Rai ...
Madhubala Zaveri
Madhubala Zaveri was introduced as a playback singer by music director Hansraj Behl probably around early 50s. Madhubala sang a beautiful duet with Talat Mahmood Dil mera tera diwaana in Apni Izzat that gave her some recognition as a playback singer. Madhubala had sharp, high pitched voice with distinctive enunciation that sounded sweet and pleasing ...
Manna Dey – Part 4
Manna Dey’s unique style and his sincere, humane personality won him admirers and devotees. The late Kavi Pradeep, whose ‘Upar gagan vishaal’ Manna Da sang, says ‘I’m a great fan of Manna Da’s style. He pronounces words with great care and sensitivity. He’s also the emperor of harmony’. Talented Kavitha Krishnamurthy, a star in her ...
Manna Dey – Part 3
It was the astute S.D. Burman, who discovered the comic side to Manna Da’s singing, enabling him to perhaps, atleast crack the limitations of the classical tag. In the 60′s, for Ziddi, Burman Da made Manna Dey sing the hugely popular and uproariously funny ‘Pyar ki aag mein, tan badan jal gaya’. Every Manna buff ...
Manna Dey – Part 2
Other equally talented and deserving artistes of his time, made successful collaborations with either directors, music composers, or matinee idols, which gave impetus to their careers. The Lata Mangeshkar – Madan Mohan combine, the Rafi – Naushad collaboration, the Mukesh – Raj Kapoor unity, the Kishore Kumar – R.D.Rurman merger. Manna Da was never tied ...
Manna Dey – Part 1
At one point in time in the Golden Age of film music, composers could only think of one name, to render complex, classical based tunes – Manna Dey. Only he stood for classical erudition, only his voice could manoeuvre complicated murkis and gamaks. Only he could be trusted to retain the classical essence of the ...
Mukesh – Part 4
Perhaps the only calculating thing Mukesh ever did was to engineer an elopement to marry his beloved Saral. That was the name of the Gujarati girl Mukesh fell in love with and wished to marry. Families on both sides disapproved. Friend and mentor, Motilal was called in to perform the Kanyadaan. Mukesh was in private ...
Mukesh – Part 3
There were other actors who benefited from the use of Mukesh’s vocals. Dilip Kumar who openly admitted his admiration for the singer. The pensive ‘Mr. Bharat’ Manoj Kumar who used Mukesh’s voice in most of his films. ‘Tum bin jeevan kaise beeta poocho mere dil se’sings the forlorn Manoj to the reluctant sanyasin Sadhana in ...
Mukesh – Part 2
Though Mukesh’s burning desire was to follow in the footsteps of Saigal Saab, veteran composers Naushad and Anil Biswas would have none of it. They took it upon themselves to wean Mukesh from his Saigalesque inclinations. Anil Biswas succeeded in doing this with the song ‘Jeevan sapna toot gaya’ in 1948. Naushad insisted on pulling ...
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Zeenat Begum:
Zeenat Begum (not to be confused with actress Zeenat) was a kothewali (courtesan). Her first rec...
Suraiya - Khurshid Anwar Collaboration: ____________________
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Suraiya sang approximatel...
K.L. Saigal - Naushad Collaboration:
Saigal sang 6 songs [1 duet, 5 solos] for Naushad. They came together for first and last time in...
Lata Mangeshkar's Song List - 1950: ____________________
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Song
Year...
Esraj (Israj):
It is a stringed instrument akin to the dilruba sounding like sarangi with a sharper but mellowe...