Guest article by DP Rangan as a tribute to Talat Mahmood on his 20th death anniversary (24 February 1924 – 9 May 1989)

(We know all the famous songs of Talat Mahmood. Most of them are already covered on SoY. But that is not a deterrent to a real Talat-fan like our indefatigable DP Rangan, who is well-up even on his obscure songs. This post covering mostly his ‘unknown’ songs would be a delight to the lovers of Talat’s velvet voice. Thank you Mr Rangan. – AK)

My fascination or rather drug addiction for old Hindi film songs started when I was around ten years of age. My schoolmate’s father had a great magical instrument, as it seemed to me, i.e. a spool tape recorder and a Philips radio to go with it. He had recorded old Hindi film songs from Radio Ceylon, and, as a reward for giving tuition in mathematics to his children, allowed me to listen to them. I was an avid listener, but whenever Talat Mahmood songs rolled by, I felt like a humming bee sucking nectar from a flower. At the end, I used to come to my senses with a start. That fascination had continued all along my life.

Radio was the sole source for songs then. However, many of my favourites were broadcast after ages which added to my frustration. After qualifying in an examination conducted by the UPSC, I joined government service in Delhi. With my modest salary from the government job, I could not to afford the luxury of a turntable, but I was mad enough to purchase 78 rpm records of his film songs, thanks to extra money earned from mathematics tuitions, and I used to listen to them during weekends at a neighbour’s place on his device. Technological advancement led to tape recorders in eighties and I acquired a Sony tape recorder sold by a dealer in smuggled goods at Nagapatnam, which was a hub for such goods, as I had by then advanced in my career to earn four figure salary much envied by my neighbours. Now with better finances at my disposal, I acquired many cassettes of 60/90 minutes’ duration and I could listen to my favourite singer at my will. To my horror, I found that frequent playing of the tapes resulted in tapering off my urge to listen and frequency dropped off alarmingly. I now started looking for his less heard songs but to no avail. Down the years, certain set of songs of his were available and nothing more. CDs replaced tapes and yet there was scarce any improvement in new song addition. CDs were available in plenty in market at throwaway prices with various permutations and combinations, but it was only a case of old wine in a new bottle.

Then came the great revolution in communication technology, i.e., establishment of “World Wide Web” or ’www’ as is dubbed, an invention by a group of scientists to exchange information, and introduction of YouTube by Google, which made it easier for people to post videos of short duration. Wide vistas were thrown open and all who wished could post videos of their liking. Now songs and Music of every genre is available and search facilities had rendered the job of locating any item easier. I began the job in earnest and was astounded at the abundance of Talat songs, considered to be rare at one time. We should be eternally grateful to those industrious pioneers who had gathered the songs, codified them and added them to the YouTube ocean for all to surf. To start with, I landed with more than 50 songs of his, which I have not heard at all or scarcely once.

I have nothing new to add to the biography of Talat Mahmood. Many posts on his songs have already appeared in this blog composed by the blogmaster. The legendary crooner had his long innings from 1945 to the early sixties and gracefully retired when he found he was a misfit thereafter. While the current crop of ‘noise’ which goes by the name ‘songs’ in day to day films are a seven days’ wonder, Talat’s will outlast time. As current generations mature over a period of time, they are certain to visit the golden age songs and listen to them. Fortunately, they are well preserved now for all time to come. It is unfortunate that copyright claims lead songs being withdrawn from YouTube site without notice and you are presented with a grinning skeleton in red, a dreaded sight for music lovers.

Talat Mahmood was gathered to his forefathers on 9^th May 1998. Today on the 20^th anniversary of his passing away, I would like to present a few of the songs, generally not heard over the radio or available as CD, as my fond tribute to him. I apologize in advance for any inadvertent errors. I look forward to comments and additions by the veterans of Songs of Yore.

1. Jaago musafir jaago from Raj Lakshmi (1945), lyrics Suresh Chowdhury, music by Dhiren Mitra and Robin Chatterjee

Probably the first Hindi film in which Talat Mahmood acted as a singing star, though the main actors were Jahar and Kanan Devi. It is a good introduction by the music director with a lush tune and the young voice is quite prominent. It was a part of the collection brought out by HMV in their cassettes in the 1980s eighties and I still possess it as a precious jewel. The song is simple and straightforward in line with those sombre days.

2. Haye ye maine kya kiya from Samapti (1949), lyrics Pandit Bhushan, music Timir Baran

Talat Mahmood was only a play back singer in this movie, which had actors as Hiralal, Sunder, Bharti Devi, Kanak Kumari. The song proceeds like a slow flowing river in the plains. There was another good song Man ki maina bol rahi hai, but too well known.

3. Jo beet gaya so beet gaya from Swayam Siddha (1949), lyrics Bhavani Prasad Misra, music Prafull Chowdhury

Samar Roy and Shanta Apte were the principal actors. Talat Mahmood was only a playback singer. Another of those standard tunes of the period. The other solo Din beet chale is also in similar vein. It was just a toss between the two.

4. Ja jaanewale bhala ho tera from Wafa (1950), lyrics D N Madhok, music Vinod

A Karan Diwan-Nimmi starrer, this song must have been picturized on the hero. I can only state it is just good to hear. There is one more solo Ram ji duhai hai, but no videos are available.

5. Chandni raat mein from Naazneen (1951), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ghulam Mohammad

Nasir Khan and Madubala are the main actors. This is the only one solo from the film sung by Talat Mahmood. Just a good tune from the music director sung in the usual style.

5. Tadap jaate hain ab wo bhi from Zamane Ki Hawa (1952), lyrics Kaif Irfani Bhopali, music Gulshan Sufi

Suresh, Mumtaz Shanti and Pran have acted in this film. Five lyricists have written the songs. Out of 12 songs, data is available only for four. This song is part of HMV tape and I chose it for the soothing effect it has when one listens to it.

6. Mohabbat mein kashish hogi from Khoobsurat (1952), lyrics Shaukat Jaunpuri, music Madan Mohan

I could not resist my urge to present this song, because of its sweetness and the good tune by the maestro Madan Mohan. Nasir Khan and Suraiya play main role. Madan Mohan was also a childhood neighbour of Suraiya and had known her well.

7. Kah rahi hai raat andheri from Hyerabad Ki Naazneen (1952), lyrics Noor Lakhanavi, music Vasant Desai

What a strange title! I am sure this will be a surprise for many of the viewers. Manohar Desai and Nigar Sultana play main roles. A rare combination of this music director and Talat Mahmood. Another solo from the film is titled Duniyan mein jeena hi padega. The only other song for this combination is a duet Tim tim tim taaron ke deep jale in the film Mausi.

8. Khada hun der se from Alif Laila (1953), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi, music Shyam Sundar

I had to make extensive search in this year. Most of the songs of Talat Mahmood appear to be in wide circulation and I could not come across any rarely heard song of his. I zeroed on this as perhaps less heard in comparison to many others. Main actors were Vijay Kummar and Nimmi. Shyam Sundar has composed a song suited to Talat Mahmood singing style.

9. Teri yaad ka deepak jalta hai from Gawaiya (1954), lyrics SH Bihari, music Ram Ganguly

There are two versions of the song, one by Talat Mahmood and another by Surendra, the hero. There is no easy answer to the query which version is better. It is for the readers to judge in their individual preference.

10. Khamosh hain sitaare from Haar Jeet (1954), lyrics Saraswati Kumar Deepak, music SD Batish

A lovely tune composed by this music director and Talat Mahmood is fully in his element.

11. O jaanewale tum na maane from Rishta (1954), lyrics Pandit Phani, music K Dutta

Suresh/Nigar Sultana were the lead stars in this movie. This song is a little fast-paced for Talat Mahmood.

12. Mohabbat bane hain from Aaj Ki Baat (1955), lyrics Hasrai Jaipuri, music Snehal Bhatkar

The hero Ajit seems to be crooning in bliss having fallen in love with the heroine Chitra and is exhibiting it through the silken voice of Talat Mahmood.

13. Sahara koi mil jata from Raftaar (1955), lyrics Nakhshab, music Shivram

Talat donned the role of hero and his heart throb was Nadira. A very sweet song which can be heard again and again. This was also part of HMV tape release.

14. Dil jawan hai aarzoo jawan from Samudri Daku (1956), lyrics Vishwamitra Adil, music Jaidev

This seems to be a thriller involving pirates. Nasir Khan must have sung this song in youthful abandon probably strumming a guitar, a familiar instrument with such seafaring men. The song goes on in even meter without a hitch. I do not know whether Nadira, the heroine was present in the scene as the link contains only the audio. Another version of the song is a duet with Asha Bhosle.

15. Salam tujh ko from Mera Salaam (1957), lyrics Shewan Rizvi, music Hafeez Khan

The main actors are Bharat Bhushan, Bina Roy, K N Singh and Durga Khote. The song is certainly worth listening as one relaxes in bed after a day of toil.

I can keep on adding more such kind of songs less known at the risk of introducing an element of boredom in the post. I now call it quits and leave it to the judgement of blog followers as to the quality of the post.

A look at the above songs reveals that many of the music directors belong to the forgotten category and were probably not prominent even in their heydays. They fell by the wayside as the years advanced. On the contrary most of the lyrists seem to have escaped the hatchet and survived far into the future. Talat Mahmood’s golden era was coming to a close and he must have sung fewer of the songs thereafter as the trend of film music had undergone a paradigm shift and he would have no further part to play. Still he managed more than 60 songs, solo and duet in sixties. Most of them would be familiar to serious film music followers.

I request the followers of this blog to post more such songs of yesteryears of this genius, unknown, rare or infrequently heard.

I was encouraged in this crazy venture by great-hearted AK himself. All brickbats to me and pat on the back to AK.