Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films had lyrical quality about it. His songs had a lot of thehraav and were used by him as narration devices. He set forth the tone of his film through the songs. The lighting, camerawork, as well as music, lyrics and singing complemented the mood to a T. Here’s a sample of some of his best…
Itna na mujhse tu pyar badha
Film: Chhaya (1961)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mahmood
Music: Salil Chowdhury
The hopes and ambitions of young lovers Asha Parekh and Sunil Dutt come alive in the frothy song, which also had a sad version. Hrishida imaginatively used shadow play to emphasise the feelings, thus adding another layer to the lovely song.
Tera mera pyar amar
Film: Asli Naqli (1962)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Moon is often said to represent the beloved and the director used moon as the motif about a young girl dealing with the uncertainty of love. Sadhana never looked as lovely as she did in this song.
Kuchh dil ne kaha kuchh bhi nahin
Film: Anupama (1966)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Hemant Kumar
A young girl flush with first love, trying to convey what she’s feeling through words, as the person she admires gazes at her fondly. She’s an introvert and this is perhaps the first time she’s giving vent to her true feelings. Her feelings are captured poignantly through the song.
Zindagi kaisi hai paheli hai
Film: Anand (1971)
Singer: Manna Dey
Music: Salil Chowdhury
Anand was Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s superlative film about leading life to the fullest. The protagonist Anand (Rajesh Khanna) is terminally ill but that doesn’t stop him from spreading joy all around. The present song mentions the fickleness of life – it can go from tears to laughter within a heartbeat…
Diye Jalte Hai
Film: Namak Haraam (1973)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
We see Amitabh Bachchan recording his best friend Rajesh Khanna’s antics on video and the warmth and camaraderie they display is as real as it comes. It’s a short, sweet song about what friendship actually means.
Aanewala pal janewala hai
Film: Gol Maal (1979)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
The song ostensibly is about the changing nature of time but it also showcases the first stirrings of attraction between lead players Amol Palekar and Bindiya Goswami.
Ae ri pawan
Film: Bemisal (1982)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
A girl is caught in a classic love triangle where she manages to attract the attentions of two best friends. The long shots of mountains coupled with Raakhee’s beauty made this song complete.
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