Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Songs in the films of Asha Parekh

Songs in the films of Asha Parekh.

Asha Parekh had maintained her popularity over 15 years ranging from late 50s to early 70s. If her outstanding dance performances were the key to her success then the melodious songs that were picturised on her had also contributed for the popularity of the films. The songs “nazni bara rangeen hai wada tera” sung by Asha and Rafi, “zulf ke chaon me chehre ka ujala lekar” sung by Asha and Rafi, composed by OP Nayyar in the film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon and picturised on Asha Parekh and Joy Mukherjee were also super hits. Similarly the songs “jaiye aap”, sung by Asha Bhosle, “roka kaibaar” sung by Asha and Rafi, composed by OP Nayyar in the film Mere Sanam and picturised on Asha Parekh and Biswajeet became everlasting in mid-60s.

From that time viewers went to watch Asha Parekh’s films with the predetermination of hearing good songs. Shankar Jaikishan mesmerized his audience with outstanding composition of songs in the film Love in Tokyo. Lata’s songs “sayonara, sayonara”, “o mere shahekhuba”, “hume tum mil gaye humdum” picturised on Asha Parekh and Joy Mukherjee created a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers along with Rafi’s hit songs “aja re a zara a”, “Japan, love in Tokyo”, “o mere shahekhuba”, etc. Asha Parekh’s dream run continued with the songs “tum mujhe yun bhula na poyege” sung by Lata and Rafi and picturised separately on Asha Parekh and Shammi Kapoor in the film Pagla Kahin Ka. Shankar Jaikishan’s composition for Asha Parekh and Dev Anand in the film Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, including songs like “sau saal pehle”, “yeh aankhen”, sung by Lata and Rafi became super hit along with the hit songs of Rafi like “teri zulfon ki”, “jiya ho”, etc.

Even the songs in the film Chirag composed by Madan Mohan enchanted the audience. The notable songs included “chirag dil ka jalao”, “teri aankhon ke siva duniya me rakha kya hai” sung separately by Lata and Rafi and picturised on Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh separately. LP’s composition for Asha Parekh in the film Aan Milo Sajna, became super hit including songs like “aan milo sajna” sung by Rafi and Lata and picturised on Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna, “accha to hum chalte hai” sung by Lata and Kishore.

With passage of time Asha Parekh had acted with new actors in the early 70s and music again played a notable role in the success of her films. In the film Karwa, the song “kitna pyara wada”, composed by RD Burman became super hit along with other songs sung by Rafi and picturised on Jeetender like “are ho goriyan kahan tera desh re”. LP’s composition for Asha Parekh and Dharmender in the film Aya Sawan Jhumke, including the song “aya sawan jhumke” sung by Rafi and Lata became big hits.

If all the films of Asha Parekh are analysed write from Dil Deke Dekho in 1959, where music was composed by Usha Khanna, to Ziddi where music was composed by SD Burman and Zakhmee in the mid-70s, where music was composed by Bappi Lahiri, the change of directors, producers, music composers, had not affected Asha Parekh’s fortunes of giving lips in successful songs.

The songs and the films are special and require restoration.

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