Sur Sangam Puraskar
1952


Welcome to the Sur Sangam Puraskar ceremony of 1951.

Note : These are fantasy musical awards in a past which, of course, is never going to return. That doesnt stop us from imagining such a past - a past which exists in our mind and heart.

The chronology of films is based on the momentous "Film Geet Kosh" of Hamraaz. No praise can be too high for this man.

Introduction
 In my view, 1952 stands out as the absolute zenith of Hindi film music. The quality of the musicals released this year bear few comparisons. Almost every composer had something to show for his efforts be it the top-,ost cader composers like Naushad or the not-so-successful composers like Manohar. The year is filled with te nistr fantastic music - which means that our task in deciding the winners is going to be as tough as it gets.

Look at the ones who couldnt make it to my final list of nominations - gosh !!!


The Also-Rans

Ali Akbar Khan's "Andhiyaan" Lata's "Hai kahin par shadmani" is one of the most cherished masterpieces of film music. And added, we have the lovely Heman-Asha duet "Woh chand nahi hai".
C.Ramchandra's "Saaqi" Not heard any of the songs but one Lata solo - "Gham ki wadi me" and that oh-gosh of a Lata-Talat duet "Kise maloom tha ek din" - one of the unique compositions of this legendary composer.
S.D.Burman's "Jaal" Hemantda's first major hit as a singer is the highlight of this otherwise ordinary musical. "Yeh raat yeh chandni" is a classic - as is the duet version of the song with Lata and Hemant.
Hansraj Behl's "Apni Izzat" Have heard only two songs from the film - and both are absolutely DIVINE classics. The evergreen Talat-Madhubala Zaveri duets are songs to be cherished forever - "Pyar ki rut do rangi sajan" and "Dil mera tera deewana".
A.R.Qureshi's "Bewafa" An attempt at another "Andaz" was a major disappointment. The music was ok though -with Talat leading the way with such songs as "Dil matwala", "Tumko fursat ho" and "Tu aaye na aaye teri khushi".
Naushad's "Deewana" One of those very rare Naushad musicals which failed to make an impression at the time. This film had at least two very fine songs - Lata's "Teer khate jayenge" and Rafi's "Tasveer banata hun teri".
Husnlal Bhagatram's "Kafila" Must be noted for the first few non-yoogling songs of Kishore Kumar. The song "Woh meri taraf yun" is magic - and the duet "Lahron se pooch lo" is also sweet.
Madan Mohan's "Khoobsoorat" Again a mention deserved for a few brilliant Suraiya and Talat songs - the latter in particular. "Mohobbat me kashish hogi" and "Meri raaton ke andhere" are both charming numbers.
Roshan's "Sanskar" Two magnificent songs here - Talat's "Mohobbat ke jhoote saharon ne loota" - as breezy a number as they come, very much in the "Main dil hoon ek arman bhara" class. and that lovely Lata solo "Do nainon ne jaal bichaya". Classics !!
Roshan's "Shisham" Well, not Roshan's best. But a couple of Mukesh numbers deserve to be mentioned here. First a most pleasing duet with Lata - "Sapnon me aana" and the other, a superb solo "Ek jhooti si tasalli woh mujhe deke chale". The other Mukesh solo "Satayega kise tu" is also fine - though not anywhere near the other solo.
C.Ramchandra's "Shin shina ki Boobla Boo" To round off this section, is this most inncouosly titled films. And the music of the film on the whole is also not worth mentioning. What MUST and MUST IN ANY CASE be mentioned is that Lata solo "Tum kya jano tumhari yaad me". The sort of song which makes Anna saheb the legendary composer that he is. Lata herself considers this to be a sort of definitive of her output with C.Ramchandra. This is certainly a MASTERPIECE in the true sense of the word.


What gorgeous melodies lie away as also-rans !! Now on to those who were almost there at the finale - just missed out. The Almosts !!

The Almosts
Naushad's "Aan" Mehboob Khan's magnum-opus came at a time when Naushad was soaring through musical zeniths hitherto unexplored. Some really fine songs here - "Dil me chupake pyar ka", the brilliant "Aaj mere man me sakhi", "Takra gaya tumse" (a take-off on the "Dillagi" number "Tere kooche me"), "Maan mera ehsaan", "Tujhe kho diya" - all fine numbers. But such is the wealth of musicals this year that it got pipped at the post.
Madan Mohan's "Ashiana" One of the up-and-coming composers of the day. "Ashiana" boasted of a whole set of magnificent Lata and Talat beauties and Talat's aura then was such as to force Raj Kapoor to consent to a non-Mukesh playback. Talat's "Main paagal mera manva paagal" stands out as one of Madan's greatest compositions. Other numbers include Lata's "Tum chand ke saath chale aao", "Mere piya se koi" and "Mukh mod na lena" and the Lata-Talat tandem "Mera qarar leja".
O.P.Nayyar's "Aasmaan" Nayyar saab made his entry into film music with this film - and the songs are miles away from the Nayyarish tunes which he popularized later. The film is studded with a cascade of C.H.Atma BEAUTIES which are breathtaking in their delivery - though acceptedly there is not a great variety in the tunes. But all the three solos "Is bewafa jahan me wafa doondthe rahe", "Raat suhani hanste tare" and "Kuch samajh nahi aaye" are extremely beautiful on the ears.
Shankar Jaikishan's "Daag" One of the super hits of the year - and a very good movie it is too. The super singers of the time - Talat and Lata - dominated the soundtrack again. Lata's "Preet yeh kaisi bol ri duniya" and "Kahe ko der lagayi re" are matched by Talat's "Ae mere dil kahin", "Hum dard ke maron ka" and "Koi nahi mera". Yes, "Ae mere dil kahin" is a tandem with Lata too - but well, having heard Talat...
Anil Biswas' "Do Raha" There is nothing short of GOOD that you would get from Anilda - and mostly brilliant. This soundtrack falls somewhere between the two. Talat is simply outstanding in songs like "Mohobbat turk ki main ne" and "Tera khayal dil se". And Lata - undescribably brilliant in "Kya tujhko khabar hai" and "Loota hai zamane ne". WHAT a set of songs !! But these are the only songs I have heard from the film. Gence, lack of data..
Roshan's "Raagrang" Another MAGICAL soundtrack from this fantastic composer. And Roshan of those years, though less popular, was quite spectacular in the variety of compositions. IMO, he was miles ahead of the new band of composers like Madan, SJ etc. Look at the cascade of songs - Talat's "Aur hai dil ki lagi" and some of the finest Lata melodies "Aeri aali piya bin", THE GORGEOUS "Yehi bahar hai" (with its wonderful la-la humming start) and oooooooooooo.. THAT Takat-Lata duet "Mat ched zindagi ke". A Roshan classic forever !!
Roshan's "Anhonee" Yet another brilliant soundtrack from Roshan. Dominated by two mesmerizing solos- Talat's "Main dil hoon ek arman bhara" and Lata's "Is dil ki yeh haalat kya kahiye". Added, two ever pleasing Lata-Talat duets - "Sama ke dil me hamare" and "Mere dil ki dhadkan kya bole".
C.Ramchandra's "Hungama" Lack of songs force this soundtrack to get only a very special mention here. Two oustanding songs are all that I have heard from this soundtrack. Both Lata solos. "Tere dar se khushi maangi" and "Ae dard-e-mohobbat aa tujhko" are both amazing numbers. Classics. Only Anna saab could have composed anything as melodious as these wondrous numbers.




That brings us to the end of those amazing musicals which missed getting on to the final list - again, a big salute to all these gifted composers who have provided with such precious moments in life. We are now into the final set of five movies for the Sur Samrat award for Best composer, three each from the male and female singers category for the K.L.Saigal award for best singers.
Lay the red carpet for these legends...

The Final Nominees
Sur Samrat Puraskar (Best Music Director)


Hemant Kumar (Anandmath)

Hemantda to me is far superior as a composer than as a singer. "Anandmath" was one his first movies as a composer in Bombay - and he came up with such stunning melodies as to immediately set him apart as yet another huge talent from Bengal. This soundtrack boasts of the most unique treatment of "Bande Mataram" which is traditionally sung in a soft, slow fashion. Hemantda tuned it to a fiery, passionately revolutionary number - and it was his voice which conveyed the emotions best. Lata, for once, had to come second best. But the best songs from here are the Geeta numbers - four in total. 2 solos and 2 duets. "Nainon me saawan" and "Aa re bhanwre aa" form the two captivating solos - both so delightfully rendered by Geeta. And the two duets - "Jai jagdish hare" with Hemantda and "Kaise rokoge aise toofan ko" with Talat. Both wonderful numbers. Applause! applause !!!

          



Naushad (Baiju Bawra)

Much has been written about this musical - and it deserves EVERY accolade it gets. Naushad provides ample proof here as to why he is such a revered composer by one and all. This film maks a sort of turning point in Naushad's career when he ceased to be a populist composer and began composing as an Art, as a creative expression. He may lack the genius of an Anilda or a C.Ramchandra, but he makes up for it with the careful construction and quality of his music. He is something of a Sunil Gavaskar, careful, correct and always dependable(though predictable). Just for the records, the amazing songs from the film - Rafi's solos "Tu ganga ki mauj main", "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj", "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Insaan bano"; his pleasing duet with Lata "Jhoole me pawan ke aayi bahar"; the Lata solos "Mohe bhool haye sanwariya" and "Bachpan ki mohobbat ko"; her duet with Shamshadji "Door koi gaye"; the Pandit Purvolskar piece "Tori jai jai" and his great duet with Ustad Amer Khan "Aaj gawat man mero jhoom ke". Need I mention more ? Take a bow to this Master !!

          



Roshan (Naubahar)

As I have already said, Roshan was perhaps the finest composer of the "new-generation" composers who came in during the early 1950s. This soundtrack qualifies as one of Roshan's great achievements and won him enormous critical acclaim, though little monetary ones. Barring a wonderful Talat solo, its Lata all the way in this soundtrack. Talat's "Kisi soorat lagi dil ki" is magnificent - and appears to have been made for him alone. Lata's beauties include "Dekho ji mora jiya churaye liyo jaay", "Woh paas nahi majboor hai dil", "Aeri main to prem deewani" amongst others. A host of such brilliant melodies. Mere words can hardly do full justice to this great composers' genius. Hats off to him !!

          



C.Ramchandra (Parchaian)


These were the greatest years of C.Ramchandra's career - in terms of sheer quality of music, he was right up there with the Greatests Ever like Anilda. And this soundtrack is considered by many to be his best. My personal favourite follows later - but this is CERTAINLY a magnificent soundtrack studded with precious Lata and Talat melodies. Talat's solitary solo "Mohobbat hi na jo samjhe" more or less matches the Lata solos for popularity. But not for quality I think - for, one "Katate hain dukh me din" is worth oooo...so much more. This Lata classic is one of CR - Lata's very best !! Brilliant. There were such delightful Talat-Lata duets as well - "Kisi ne mujhko mere ghar me aake", "Apni kaho kuch meri suno" and that so-soft "Dil dil se keh raha hai". What delights. Then the other Lata solos - "Chanda ki" and "Doob jaye jo kismet ka tara" - what beauties. Another brilliant soundtrack from this brilliant composer..

          



Sajjad Husain (Sangdil)

Sajjad saab is here again. And with yet another MAGNIFICENT soundtrack. The music is the solitary reason why this eminently forgettable film (despite having Dilip Kumar and Madhubala in the lead) is still remembered. And particularly for that magnificent Talat ghazal-numa-geet "Yeh hawa yeh raat yeh chandni". Lata's "Woh to chale gaye ae dil" is equally magnificent (I recall that OPN, during one of the TV shows where he was a judge, asked one of the competitors to render this song. The poor long looked around helplessly ,blankly - the "whats that ?" look written all over her face !!!). Then the lovely Talat-Lata duet "Dil me sama gaye sajan", the classic Talat solo "Kahan ho kahan mere jeevan sahare", the delightful Geeta-Asha duet "Dharti see door gore badalon ke paar" and to round off, that most unusual and BRILLIANT treatment of a bhajan "Darshan pyasi aayi dasi" rendered amazingly by Geeta. (Unfortunately, I saw the song on TV - Madhubala looked completely out of place in the song. Innocuous.) A masterly song that is immediately captivating ...

          


Those are the nominees then for the Sur Samrat Puraskar. Cruel to select one from them...but..

Ladies and gentlemen, the Sur Samrat for the year 1952 is....

NAUSHAD

(for the film "Baiju Bawra")


Heartiest congratulations Naushad saab !!!
Now, onto the K.L.Saigal Awards for the singers - first male and then female.

Kunan Lal Saigal puraskar (MALE)


Mohd Rafi ("Tu ganga ki mauj main")
One of the milestone songs of Rafi's career. WHAT a song. Rafi's voice has such a softness in it then which it gradually lost as the decade went on - and he started experimenting more. But this is a SIMPLY OUTSTANDING rendition. Full marks...
          



Talat Mahmood ("Yeh hawa yeh raat yeh chandni")

Talat was at his peak then - and this song is one his great achievements really. Not an easy song at all, but Talat makes it seem so easy. A fabulous number, so beautifully sculpted by Sajjad saab. Hard to believe that this great composer forced SEVENTEEN retakes of the song before finally ok-ing it.
          



Hemant Kumar("Yeh raat yeh chandni")

This soulful voice ARRIVED in Bombay with this huge hit. Such a romantic number, with a dream y touch to it could have been rendered by such a voice only (though I would not mind hearing it in Talat's voice too !!) - a superb rendition..
          


Those are the three gentleman in line for the Kundan Lal Saigal for male singers, folks, for the year 1952.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Kundan Lal Saigal Puraskar winner in the Male category for the year 1952 is....

MOHD RAFI

(for "Tu ganga ki mauj main")




Congrats to Rafi saab - second year running !!!
Onto the final section now - the K.L.Saigal Awards for female singers.

Kunan Lal Saigal puraskar (FEMALE)


Geeta Roy ("Darshan pyasi aayi dasi")
I might be seeming repetitive - so let me just say that this is pne of Geeta's greatest renditions. PERFECT !!
          



Lata Mangeshkar("Katate hain dukh me din")

WHAT a composition from C.Ramchandra !! And Lata is as classy as she can get. An utterly flawless rendition that deserves all the accolades it has received..

Only two singers this time. The third would again be one of these two - so lets leave it at that. We are after all awarding a singer and not a song !!

Ladies and gentlemen, the Kundan Lal Saigal Puraskar winner in the Female category for the year 1951 is....

GEETA DUTT

(for "Darshan pyasi aayi dasi")



Thats it folks for 1952. Join us in 1953
Cheerio ...