Chitragupt and Lata Mangeshkar – Magicians of Melodies (Part 2)

By Yogesh Kale | November 16, 2022

The songs that Lata Mangeshkar has rendered for Chitragupt are undoubtedly among her sweetest songs. The magical masterpieces created by the duo are certainly addictive. More you listen to them, more you yearn! In furtherance of Chitragupt and Lata Mangeshkar – Magicians of Melodies (Part 1), here are a few more sugar candies dipped in honey.

1. “Kahaan Ja Ke Ye Naina Lade” and “Kailashnath Prabhu Avinashi” (Shiva Bhakt – 1955)

Before getting an entry into AVM Productions camp through Shiva Bhakt, Chitragupt had been composing songs mainly for mythological and B-grade films with limited budget. With this film, he got to work for a good banner with decent budget for the first time (thanks to the recommendation by S.D. Burman), and he could therefore have the luxury of using Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. The film thus marked the onset of his association with Lata Mangeshkar, which went on to create numerous euphonious gems spoiling the music lovers for choice.

The film has quite a few evergreen songs, majority of which are sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi. The lyrics are written by Gopal Singh Nepali.

One of the Lata solos is the saccharine, foot tapping number “Kahaan ja ke ye naina lade”. Her jovial rendition perfectly fits the expression of falling in love by an adolescent girl.

Padmini’s emotive face and effortless dance add to the beauty of the song. This was her second Hindi film.

The film also has another Lata solo, “Kailashnath prabhu avinashi”, a classical number having only nom-tom and sargam and no lyrics (except the initial two lines). It is an audio-visual treat due to Lata Mangeshkar’s proficient classical rendition and Padmini’s adept classical dance. Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi has played tabla in this song.

The success of these songs paved Chitragupt’s way to his first big hit Bhabhi (1957).

2. “Maane Na Maane Na Manmohan” and “Jaadoobhari Ye Chaandani” (Madame XYZ – 1959)

“Maane na maane na manmohan” is a lovely semi-classical song from an obscure film Madame XYZ, starring Shammi (Aunty), Shashikala and Nalini Chonkar, amongst others. Lata Mangeshkar’s mind-blowing singing and the orchestration comprising sitar, violins, ghungroo and swaying beats of tabla keep you engrossed for 3 odd minutes. The lyrics are penned by Prem Dhawan.

There is another completely contrastive romantic Lata solo in this film – “Jaadoobhari ye chaandni”. It is orchestrated with guitar, mouth organ and violins with foot tapping jazz beats. Lata Mangeshkar sings it in such a way that one inevitably ends up visualising a young girl submerged in and intimately experiencing each moment of love, even without seeing the video. Lyricist is again Prem Dhawan.

3. Muskuraao, Ke Jee Nahin Lagta (Kangan – 1959)

The film is a murder mystery with Ashok Kumar and Nirupa Roy in the lead roles. This Lata solo is filmed on both of them, with Karuna (Nirupa Roy) lip synching and trying to pacify an upset Sharad (Ashok Kumar) through the song. The song is written by Rajinder Krishan. The soft orchestration is quite commensurate with the tender sensitivity of the song.

Lata Mangeshkar sounds as sweet as a loving wife trying to appease her upset husband could be. Look at her rendition of the word “tanhai” in the line “Paas ho tum, hai phir bhi tanhai” in the second stanza – that single word encompasses an ensemble of Karuna’s feelings – her love, the pain of being lonely in her husband’s company and a sigh. Hats off the Chitragupt, who thought of this and to Lata Mangeshkar, who more than proficiently brought it to life!

4. Chanda Loriyaan Sunaaye (Naya Sansar – 1959)

This is a sweet lullaby from the family drama film in which Nanda and Pradeep Kumar play the lead roles. Lyrics are penned by Rajinder Krishan. Lata Mangeshkar’s honeyed rendition and Chitragupt’s moderate orchestration in his typical beautiful style make this composition quite adorable.

5. Tadpaaoge, Tadpa Lo (Barkha – 1959)

The film has Nanda and Jagdeep in the lead roles. The Lata – Mukesh duet “Ek raat mein do do chaand khilen” from the soundtrack of the film is immensely popular. Besides, the soundtrack has four Lata solos, among which “Tadpaaoge, tadpa lo” is the sweetest. Through this song (filmed on a non-lead pair), Shubha Khote is trying to woo her man, Anant Kumar. With the foot-tapping rhythm, pleasant orchestration and Lata Mangeshkar’s appealing rendition, the song takes us on a playful ride for a few minutes. Rajinder Krishan is the lyricist.

6. Aajki Raat Naya Chaand Leke Aayi Hai (Shaadi – 1962)

The song is filmed on one of the lead pairs of this multi-starrer film, Gauri (Saira Banu) and Raja / Amrit (Manoj Kumar). Gauri realises that Amrit who has given her refuge in her difficult situation is her husband Raja, whom she had not seen even once and who was forced to walk away from the marriage venue by his greedy father due to dowry issue. She expresses her happiness and celebrates the pleasant revelation through this song, penned by Rajinder Krishan again.

Chitragupt’s tune and the frolicky orchestration completely support Gauri’s mood. Lata Mangeshkar always had her special voice for Saira Banu. And then a Chitragupt composition – no wonder she sounds sweeter than her sweetest!

7. Zulfen Uljhi Hain Mere Kangna Se (Burma Road – 1962)

This song is filmed on the lead pair of the film, Kumkum and Ashok Kumar. Kumkum is drunk and in a sensuous mood. Lata Mangeshkar has not sung many of such songs, but she does a complete justice to the mood through her rendition here. Chitragupt has used a superb blend of western and Indian music. The shift between soft western music and a little robust Indian percussion alternately in the refrain and the stanzas shows the tipsy Kumkum’s emotional swings. Lata Mangeshkar’s soft and inebriated rendition in the refrain and a little louder rendition in the stanzas expresses these swings effectively. The song is penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

8. Ae Chanda Mama, Aare Aawa, Paare Aawa (Bhouji – 1965)

Chitragupt was undisputed monarch in the Bhojpuri films. Most of the then leading playback singers of Hindi cinema including Lata Mangeshkar have sung under his baton in Bhojpuri films. This lullaby from the Bhojpuri film Bhouji, penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, certainly deserves mention in the top songs of Chitragupt and Lata Mangeshkar.

9. Kab Tak Huzoor Roothe Rahoge? (Aulad – 1968)

Though this beautiful song filmed on the lead pair, Babita is trying to lure her pouting lover, Jitendra. The lyricist is Majrooh Sultanpuri. Chitragupt’s lively orchestration, particularly the catchy rhythm, is quite engaging. Lata Mangeshkar’s playful singing makes this song enjoyable. Her synchronisation with the rhythm is astounding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL1ZC90wuJM

10. Lagi Na Chhootegi Pyaar Mein (Pardesi – 1970)

This fast-paced song is quite different from the soft songs that Chitragupt usually composed for Lata Mangeshkar. Through this song, Mumtaz is expressing her commitment to her love for Biswajeet in her daydream. The orchestration and Lata Mangeshkar’s poised rendition suitably express her determination and aplomb. The song is penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri again.

Two parts of the writeup are already done, and quite a few candies are still left! The two magicians of melodies have together created so much of mellisonant magic, that the discussion can go on and on. But as the doctors say, excess of sugar is not good. So, more about their joint repertoire some other time. Hope you enjoyed the two visits to the candy store.