A tribute to the great Master Hansraj Behl (19 November 1916 – 20 May 1984) on his 105th birth anniversary
A fellow-blogger and SOY regular, Anup (Mehfil Mein Meri), has written an exhaustive series on Lata Mangeshkar’s songs for relatively unknown composers. He did a very sincere job, but some of us were taken aback by inclusion of music directors like Khemchand Prakash, Ghulam Mohammad and Hansraj Behl in the list of ‘unknown’ composers. Khemchand Prakash is among the undisputed greats of the vintage era, and was instrumental in catapulting Lata Mangeshkar to great fame with his Chanda re ja re ja re and Ayega aanewala. Ghulam Mohammad has been well-recognised as an unlucky genius. I have written on both of them. Hansraj Behl has been an equally talented composer whose Chanda gaye pardes chakori aaj ro ro mare (Chakori, 1949) was among the songs that caused Lata Mangeshkar Tsunami in 1949. That was not a flash in the pan, he went on to compose several all-time great songs for her and other major playback singers throughout the Golden Era. Therefore, finding his name among ‘unknown’ composers struck me as odd and I have been intending to write on him since. Yet, I must make it clear that it is not to rebut Anup’s labelling because he explained that for many in the new generation, their awareness does not go beyond the most famous names.
We have seen in the review of the best songs of 1946, how in his very debut film Pujari, and the two more films in the year, Gawalan and Phulwari, he composed some mesmerizing songs like Bairan nindiya kyun nahi aye, Kis baat pe tule ho, roothe ho meharban, Lagat nazar tori chhalaiya more gore badan ko, Oonchi haveli banwa do munimji and Nainon ki nagri mein aa ke chale jana na kar ke bahana. In 1947, he went on to give music for Ranjit Studios films Chheen Le Azaadi, Duniya Ek Sarai, and Laakhon Mein Ek (along with Bulo C Rani). Songs from all the three films figure in the list of Memorable Songs in the review of the best songs of 1947 – Moti chunane gayi re hansi, Chanda ki chaandani na suhaye to kya karun and Agre se odhni mangwa de blama. In 1948, he gave some outstanding music in the film Chunariya in which Asha Bhosle sang one of her earliest songs. Besides, he composed a great Lata Mangeshkar song, Dil-e-nashad ko jeene ki hasrat ho gayi tumse and an equally memorable Rafi song Sab kuchh lutaya humne aakar teri gali mein. Rafi went on to become his favourite singer. These may be vintage songs, and by definition, relatively unknown. But to jog people’s memory, I will confine myself to his songs of the Golden Period which have been enormously popular, and it is ironical to list him under lesser known composers.
Born on 19 November 1916 in Shaikhpura (near Rawalpindi, now in Punjab, Pakistan) to Nihal Chand Behl, a Zamindar in the area, he received initial training in music from Pt. Chunnilal. Later, he formally learnt music from Achraya Chiranjiv Lal in Ambala. Then he opened his own music school in Lahore and had some non-film records issued by HMV. His music classes and stage shows achieved great popularity in Punjab. In 1944, he came to Bombay to try his luck in Hindi film industry, along with his younger brother Gulshan Behl and Verma Malik, who would go on to become a prominent lyricist. He debuted as an independent music director in 1946 with Ardeshir Irani’s Pujari and went on to give music for about 70 films up to Badshahon Ka Badshah (1979), composing some 530 songs. One film Insaf Ka Kanoon (1988) was released after his death. He died of cancer in Bombay on 20.5.1984.
Hansraj Behl’s career overlapped with the great doyens like Anil Biswas, Khemchand Prakash, Naushad and C Ramchandra in the Vintage Era. In the Golden Era, the competition only intensified with the entry of Shankar-Jaikishan, Roshan, Madan Mohan and the Punjabi School maestro OP Nayyar, while the earlier stalwarts were still going great guns. It was very difficult for any talented music composer to be counted among the top notch. But as I present his songs only from the Golden Era, which everyone must have heard, you would agree that he was among the most talented composers we had.
1. Haye chanda gaye pardes, chakori yahan ro ro mare by Lata Mangeshkar from Chakori (1949), lyrics Mulkraj Bhakhari, music Hansraj Behl
This was one of the most beautiful songs of 1949 which catapulted Lata Mangeshkar in an unassailable orbit. The uploader seems to be fascinated with Madhubala, this film had Nalini Jaywant in the lead role.
2. Jin raaton mein neend ud jaati hai, we kahar ki raatein hoti hain by Mohammad Rafi from Raat Ki Rani (1949), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi, music Hansraj Behl
Rafi flowered gradually after his debut in 1944. This song in the style of recital at a mushaira is one of his best ever.
3. Saajan ki oat le ke, haathon mein haath de ke by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Zevrat (1949), lyrics Habib Sarhadi, music Hansraj Behl
Two of the greatest playback singers now combine to produce this absolutely mellifluous duet.
4. Hans ke na teer chalana, dil khud hi banega nishana by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Beqasoor (1950), lyrics Ehsan Rizvi, music Hansraj Behl
I associated this film with Anil Biswas for two superb mujras: Phir chaae to na ana O aan baan wale..Chale jaiho bedarda main roye maroogi (Rajkumari) and Matwale nainonwalieke mein wari warii jaaun (Lata Mangeshkar). When I heard Hans ke na teer chalana for the first time on the radio, I was taken aback when the AIR announced the film’s name and composed by Hansraj Behl. A check with HFGK revealed that Hansraj Behl was also there with Anil Biswas, and undeterred by the Bhishm Pitamah, he created two superb Rafi-Lata duets, the other being Ankhiyan gulabi jaise mad ki hai pyaliyan. You can’t fail to notice the graceful male dancer in the song. Now I have started recognising him, he must be Krishna Kumar who was also the dancer in O jaanewale baalamwa. The uploader has wrongly mentioned the name of Anil Biswas.
5. Hum dil ki dhadkan ki lay par furkat ke gaane gaate hain by Rafi and Surinder Kaur from Khamosh Sipahi (1950), lyrics DN Madhok
Unknown film, beautiful Punjabi folk tune. Our friends from Punjab may confirm if it is Heer. Surinder Kaur was the most famous singer of Punjabi folk in those days. The few songs she has sung in Hindi films are all out of this world.
6. Raste pe hum khade hain dil-e-beqaraar lekar by Suraiya from Rajput (1951), lyrics Kaif Irfani, music Hansraj Behl
This song has Suraiya’s characteristic sweetness.
7. Kabhi na bigade kisi ki motor raste mein by Suraiya from Moti Mahal (1952), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
Suraiya changes tack completely and sings a fun song of motor breakdown on the road. For comic effect she pronounces motorrrrr, and rhyming words in the same manner.
8. Aye bi akela jaaye bi akela, do din ki zindagi hai do din ka mela by Talat Mahmood from Dost (1952), lyrics Varma Malik, music Hansraj Behl
Hansraj Behl captures the blue mood of Talat Mahmood’s voice.
9. Kah rahin hain dhadakane pukar kar, chupke chupke dheere dheere pyar kar by Talat Mahmood and Geeta Dutt from Laal Pari (1954), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Hansraj Behl
Talat Mahmood-Geeta Dutt sang some outstanding duets, This composition by Hansraj Behl would rank with their best.
10. Bhool ja sapne suhaane bhool ja, kaise tujhko bulaaun saajana by Talat Mahmood and Lata Mangeshkar from Rajdhani (1956), lyrics Qmar Jalalabadi, music Hansraj Behl
With Talat Mahmood-
11. Mohabbat zinda rahti hai, mohabbat mar nahin sakti by Rafi from Changez Khan (1957), lyrics Qamar Jalabadi, music Hansraj Behl
An immortal song by Rafi composed by Hansraj Behl.
12. Le chala jidhar ye dil nikal pade, hum chale jidhar zamana chal pade by Rafi from Miss Bombay (1957), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
Ajit was also hero in many films and what beautiful songs he got to sing!
13. Din ho ya raat, hum rahein tere saath, ye hamari marzi by Mohammad Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Miss Bombay (1957), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
Now Ajit sings a fast romantic duet with his heroine Nalini Jaywant. This Rafi-Suman Kalyanpur duet has given me great joy for several decades.
14. Haye jiya roye, roye, piya nahin aaye by Lata Mangeshkar from Milan (1958), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
This is a very difficult classical raga based composition which Lata Mangeshkar, naturally, does effortlessly, but equal credit goes to the Master Hnsraj Behl. Figures in my list of best ever songs of Lata Mangeshkar.
15. Nain dwar se man mein wo aa ke tan mein aag lagaye by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar from Saawan (9159), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
This intriguing composition with Mukesh singing at a very slow, languid pace, and Lata Mangeshkar joing suddenly at fast pace, has always charms the music lovers. The song has a solo version by Lata Mangeshkar, but the duet is more popular and well-known.
16. Kanha chhedo bansuri, Kanhaiya chhedo bansuri by Lata Mangeshkar from Saawan (1959), lyrics Hansraj Behl
Saawan had an excellent Lata solo of Radha-Krihna-flute lore.
17. Bheega bheega pyar ka samaan bata de tujhe jana hai kahan by Mohammad Rafi and Shamshad Begum from Saawan (1959), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Hansraj Behl
Even this is the third song from Saawan, I have can’t leave it out; this has been extremely popular in the radio era.
18. Ye kah do tumein humse kya chaahiye, humein dard-e-dil ki dawa chaahiye by Surendra Kohli and Asha Bhosle from Gul-e-Bakavali (1963), lyrics Naqsh Lyalpuri, music Hansraj Behl
Hansraj Behl composes a superb duet in a thorough B-grade movie between Asha Bhosle and Surendra Kohli (who?). I long thought that the male voice was Mahendra Kapoor.
19. Jahan daal par sone ki chidiya karti hain basera, wo Bharat desh hai mera by Rafi from Sikandar-e-Azam (1965), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Hansraj Behl
This song eulogising Incredible India has been and would always be an integral part of the patriotic songs on our National Days.
20. Is se pale ki haseen raat ka jaadu jaage..Apni zulfon ko sunhga kar mujhe behosh karo Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle from Teen Sardar (1965), lyrics Prem Warbartani, music Hansraj Behl
A wonderful zulf song, sung so beautifully by Mahendra Kapoor and composed by Hansraj Behl. The lyricist, the actor and the film’s name are also obscure. yet, that does not discourage Hansraj Behl from composing a masterly song, one of the best by Mahendra Kapoor.
21. Kitna haseen mera pya haye Allah, ek baar thaam lun to chhodun nahin palla by Mahendra Kapoor and Kamal Barot from Sunehra Jaal (1966), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Hansraj Behl
I end this post by another Mahendra Kapoor duet, now with Kamal Barot who was not among the mainstream singers, from another B-grade film. This song, too, was a regular feature in the radio era.
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.
This post first appeared on Songs Of Yore - Old Hindi Film Songs, please read the originial post: here
