Death of Bhupinder Singhji at the age of 82 years marked the end of ghazal oriented songs in bollywood films.

Death of Bhupinder Singhji marked the end of ghazal oriented songs in Bollywood films: On 18th July 2023, veteran ghazal king Bhupinder Singhji expired at the age of 82 years. With his expiry, the great era of ghazal singing in Bollywood films ended. After Rafisahab and Talatsahab, Bhupinder Singhsahab’s deep bass voice had great ghazal expression. Early in his career, Bhupinder performed on All India Radio, Delhi. He was also attached to the Delhi Doordarshan Center, Delhi. He learnt guitar and violin. In 1962, music director Madan Mohan heard him at a dinner hosted by Satish Bhatia in his honour (Satish Bhatia was Producer in AIR Delhi and Bhupinder was working under him as a guitarist), and called him to Bombay. He gave him a chance to sing the song Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga with Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey in Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat. He was given a solo by Khayyam in film Aakhri Khat. Bhupinder's voice is one of the most unique in playback singing. Thereafter Bhupinder started releasing private albums wherein his first LP had three self-composed songs and was released in 1968, a second LP of ghazals wherein he introduced the Spanish guitar, bass and drums to the ghazal style, released in 1978 and his third LP titled Woh Jo Shair Tha, for which the lyrics were written by Gulzar in 1980. Entering wedlock with Bangladeshi singer Mitali, he moved away from playback singing in the mid-1980s and since then has been singing jointly for several albums and live concerts. Together they have produced many ghazal and geet cassettes. His famous songs include "Dil Dhoondta hai", "Do diwane shahar mein", "Naam gum jayega", "Karoge yaad to", "Meethe bol bole", "Kabhi kisi ko mukammal", "Kisi nazar ko tera intezaar aaj bhi", and "Ek akela is Shehar Mein". His lovely songs matched the brilliant actors like Sanjeev Kumar sahib in film Mausam, the song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi phursat ke raat din”, Amol Palekarji in film Gharonda, composed by Jaidevji, “ek akela is shahar me”, Uttam Kumar in film Dooriyan “zindagi zindagi mere ghar ana” composed by Jaidev sahib. He was the favourite singer of the off-beat composers like Madanmohansahab, Roshansahab (who used him in film Nayi Umar ki nayi fasal), Khayyam sahib Jaidevji. Some of his famous songs include the following. • Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga", composed by Madan Mohan • "Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar" from the movie Jeene Ki Raah (1969) with Mohammed Rafi (Music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal) • "Duniya Chhute Yaar Na Chhute" from the movie Dharam Kanta (1982) with Mohammed Rafi (Music composed by Naushad) • "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai" from the movie Aitbaar (1985) with Asha Bhosle (Music composed by Bappi Lahiri) • "Awaaz Di Hai Aaj Ek Nazar Ne" from the movie Aitbaar (1985) with Asha Bhosle (Music composed by Bappi Lahiri) • "Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Aasman" from the movie Sitara (1980) with Lata Mangeshkar (Music composed by R. D. Burman) • "Gulab Jism Ka", film Anjuman (1986) (composed by Khayyam) • "Beeti Na Beetai Raina", film Parichay (1972) (composed by Rahul Dev Burman) • "Dil Dhoondta Hai", film Mausam (1975) (composed by Madan Mohan) • "Naam Gum Jayega", film Kinara (1977) (composed by Rahul Dev Burman) • "Ek Akela Is Shaher Mein", film Gharonda (composed by Jaidev) • "Daro Deewar Pe..Khush Raho Ahle-Vatan!" composed by Jaidev[5] • "Huzoor Is Kadar bhi na Itra ke Chaliye" (movie:-Maasoom), composed by Rahul Dev Burman • "Hothon Pe Aisi Baat", composed by Sachin Dev Burman • "Kaise Kahoon kuch kaina sakoon" from Tamil film Nandu 1981, composed by Ilayaraja • "Tum say jo bat hui tum say jo mulaqat hui" (composed by Uttam-Jagdesh) • "Baadalon se Kaat Kaat ke" from the movie Satya (1998) (composed by Vishal Bharadwaj) • "Karoge Yaad to Har Baat Yaad Aayegi" from the movie Bazaar (1982) composed by Khayyam • "Kabhi Kisi Ko Mukammal Jahan nahi milta" from the movie Ahista Ahista (1981) (composed by Khayyam) • "Rut Jawan Jawan" from the movie Aakhri Khat (composed by Khayyam) • "Layee Hayaat Aye Qaza Le Chali Chale" { Bhupinder Singh } Ibrahim Zauq *Mirza Ghalib • "Zindagi Zindagi Mere Ghar Aanaa", film Dooriyaan (1979) (composed by Jaidev) • "Soorajmukhi Tera Pyar Anokha Hai", film "Sooraj Mukhi" (1992), lyrics by Shardanand Tiwary and composed by Ajay Swami. His songs require restoration and publicity.

Death of Bhupinder Singhji at the age of 82 years marked the end of ghazal oriented songs in bollywood films.

Death of Bhupinder Singhji marked the end of ghazal oriented songs in Bollywood films: On 18th July 2022, veteran ghazal king Bhupinder Singhji expired at the age of 82 years. With his expiry, the great era of ghazal singing in Bollywood films ended. After Rafisahab and Talatsahab, Bhupinder Singhsahab’s deep bass voice had great ghazal expression. Early in his career, Bhupinder performed on All India Radio, Delhi. He was also attached to the Delhi Doordarshan Center, Delhi. He learnt guitar and violin. In 1962, music director Madan Mohan heard him at a dinner hosted by Satish Bhatia in his honour (Satish Bhatia was Producer in AIR Delhi and Bhupinder was working under him as a guitarist), and called him to Bombay. He gave him a chance to sing the song Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga with Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey in Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat. He was given a solo by Khayyam in film Aakhri Khat. Bhupinder's voice is one of the most unique in playback singing. Thereafter Bhupinder started releasing private albums wherein his first LP had three self-composed songs and was released in 1968, a second LP of ghazals wherein he introduced the Spanish guitar, bass and drums to the ghazal style, released in 1978 and his third LP titled Woh Jo Shair Tha, for which the lyrics were written by Gulzar in 1980. Entering wedlock with Bangladeshi singer Mitali, he moved away from playback singing in the mid-1980s and since then has been singing jointly for several albums and live concerts. Together they have produced many ghazal and geet cassettes. His famous songs include "Dil Dhoondta hai", "Do diwane shahar mein", "Naam gum jayega", "Karoge yaad to", "Meethe bol bole", "Kabhi kisi ko mukammal", "Kisi nazar ko tera intezaar aaj bhi", and "Ek akela is Shehar Mein". His lovely songs matched the brilliant actors like Sanjeev Kumar sahib in film Mausam, the song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi phursat ke raat din”, Amol Palekarji in film Gharonda, composed by Jaidevji, “ek akela is shahar me”, Uttam Kumar in film Dooriyan “zindagi zindagi mere ghar ana” composed by Jaidev sahib. He was the favourite singer of the off-beat composers like Madanmohansahab, Roshansahab (who used him in film Nayi Umar ki nayi fasal), Khayyam sahib Jaidevji. Some of his famous songs include the following. • Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga", composed by Madan Mohan • "Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar" from the movie Jeene Ki Raah (1969) with Mohammed Rafi (Music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal) • "Duniya Chhute Yaar Na Chhute" from the movie Dharam Kanta (1982) with Mohammed Rafi (Music composed by Naushad) • "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai" from the movie Aitbaar (1985) with Asha Bhosle (Music composed by Bappi Lahiri) • "Awaaz Di Hai Aaj Ek Nazar Ne" from the movie Aitbaar (1985) with Asha Bhosle (Music composed by Bappi Lahiri) • "Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Aasman" from the movie Sitara (1980) with Lata Mangeshkar (Music composed by R. D. Burman) • "Gulab Jism Ka", film Anjuman (1986) (composed by Khayyam) • "Beeti Na Beetai Raina", film Parichay (1972) (composed by Rahul Dev Burman) • "Dil Dhoondta Hai", film Mausam (1975) (composed by Madan Mohan) • "Naam Gum Jayega", film Kinara (1977) (composed by Rahul Dev Burman) • "Ek Akela Is Shaher Mein", film Gharonda (composed by Jaidev) • "Daro Deewar Pe..Khush Raho Ahle-Vatan!" composed by Jaidev[5] • "Huzoor Is Kadar bhi na Itra ke Chaliye" (movie:-Maasoom), composed by Rahul Dev Burman • "Hothon Pe Aisi Baat", composed by Sachin Dev Burman • "Kaise Kahoon kuch kaina sakoon" from Tamil film Nandu 1981, composed by Ilayaraja • "Tum say jo bat hui tum say jo mulaqat hui" (composed by Uttam-Jagdesh) • "Baadalon se Kaat Kaat ke" from the movie Satya (1998) (composed by Vishal Bharadwaj) • "Karoge Yaad to Har Baat Yaad Aayegi" from the movie Bazaar (1982) composed by Khayyam • "Kabhi Kisi Ko Mukammal Jahan nahi milta" from the movie Ahista Ahista (1981) (composed by Khayyam) • "Rut Jawan Jawan" from the movie Aakhri Khat (composed by Khayyam) • "Layee Hayaat Aye Qaza Le Chali Chale" { Bhupinder Singh } Ibrahim Zauq *Mirza Ghalib • "Zindagi Zindagi Mere Ghar Aanaa", film Dooriyaan (1979) (composed by Jaidev) • "Soorajmukhi Tera Pyar Anokha Hai", film "Sooraj Mukhi" (1992), lyrics by Shardanand Tiwary and composed by Ajay Swami. His songs require restoration and publicity.

Happy birthday to Gulzar.

Happy birthday to Gulzar.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to legendary director and lyricist Gulzar on 18th August, 2011. He had been one of the greatest living legends at this moment. Bollywood is indebted to thoughtful director who had converted filmmaking into work of art.

His film Mausam released in 1975, was based on reflections of mind. Sanjeev Kumar was attached with Sharmila Tagore living in Darjeeling when he came over there as a student. After he went abroad to pursue his post-graduate studies, Sharmila was exploited and her daughter how looked identical like her mother was compelled to join prostitution.

Sanjeev Kumar returned as a foreign-return doctor and took his daughter away from the surroundings and gave her a new life. Bhupinder Singh’s ghazal “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi” composed by Madan Mohan and written by Gulzar remains as the greatest ghazal created in the 70s. The story-telling in the film was appreciated by critics.

Gulzar created a different dimension by experimented with classic literature during the 70s and 80s. His films Aandhi released in 1975, with Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar and Kinara released in 1978, with Jeetender and Hema Malini can very well be classified as master pieces. He gave very meaningful sequences where songs were recorded. He created a separate fanclub for himself who could understand human relations at the same period when larger than life images were created in main stream cinema of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha and other angry young men in films like Sholay, Kalicharan, Burning Train, etc.

Gulzar’s films created for children like Parichay and Kitaab are still considered masterpieces. He was impressed by the thoughts of Hollywood film Sound of Music and Uttam Kumar’s Joyjoyanti to make a film related to five children who required a good teacher. Jeetender treated them with compassion and brought change in the children. In Kitaab, Uttam Kumar cared for his brother-in-law Master Raju who was a small child and had been send by her mother to get educated in urbanized background.

Gulzar experimented with so many diverse subjects that articles after articles can be devoted to his different themes, including the film Koshish, based on life of deaf and dumb, Lekin, based on folklore of Rajasthan. Koshish had a very strong social message. It showed that deaf and dumb persons could go to dead and dumb schools and learn sign language. Their life can have a new aspiration and direction. All his artists like Suchitra Sen, Jaya Bacchan, Sharmila Tagore, Uttam Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Jeetender portrayed the life of middle-class men who were found in everyday life. He even worked with subjects like terrorism in films like Machis.

His composers, Jaidev, Madan Mohan, Khayyam, RD Burman all had given their best music for the thoughtful director. These days Gulzar concentrates more on writing lyrics. In that field too he had been master of masters. In the recent past Gulzar said that he wanted to devote time to write books. For those reasons he had reduced directing films in the last 10 years. It is a huge loss for thoughtful viewers. He continued to write lyrics of songs in bollywood films in regular intervals and his popular lyrics like “aisi nazar se” in the film Bunty Aur Babli had both class and also rythm.

His admirers expect him to continue to make rich films which make the audience think, feel and reflect on the happiness and sniffles of life.

Happy birthday to Gulzar.

Happy birthday to Gulzar.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to legendary director and lyricist Gulzar on 18th August, 2010. He had been one of the greatest living legends at this moment. Bollywood is indebted to thoughtful director who had converted filmmaking into work of art.

His film Mausam was based on reflections of mind. Sanjeev Kumar was attached with Sharmila Tagore living in Darjeeling when he came over there as a student. After he went abroad to pursue his post-graduate studies, Sharmila was exploited and her daughter how looked identical like her mother was compelled to join prostitution.

Sanjeev Kumar returned as a foreign-return doctor and took his daughter away from the surroundings and gave her a new life. Bhupinder Singh’s ghazal “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi” composed by Madan Mohan and written by Gulzar remains as the greatest ghazal created in the 70s. The story-telling in the film was appreciated by critics.

Gulzar created a different dimension by experimented with classic literature during the 70s and 80s. His films Aandhi with Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar and Kinara with Jeetender and Hema Malini can very well be classified as master pieces. He gave very meaningful sequences where songs were recorded. He created a separate fanclub for himself who could understand human relations at the same period when larger than life images were created in main stream cinema of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha and other angry young men in films like Sholay, Kalicharan, Burning Train, etc.

Gulzar’s films created for children like Parichay and Kitaab are still considered masterpieces. He was impressed by the thoughts of Hollywood film Sound of Music and Uttam Kumar’s Joyjoyanti to make a film related to five children who required a good teacher. Jeetender treated them with compassion and brought change in the children. In Kitaab, Uttam Kumar cared for his brother-in-law Master Raju who was a small child and had been send by her mother to get educated in urbanized background.
Gulzar experimented with so many diverse subjects that articles after articles can be devoted to his different themes, including the film Koshish, based on life of deaf and dumb, Lekin, based on folklore of Rajasthan. Koshish had a very strong social message. It showed that deaf and dumb persons could go to dead and dumb schools and learn sign language. Their life can have a new aspiration and direction. All his artists like Suchitra Sen, Jaya Bacchan, Sharmila Tagore, Uttam Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Jeetender portrayed the life of middle-class men who were found in everyday life.

His composers, Jaidev, Madan Mohan, Khayyam, RD Burman all had given their best music for the thoughtful director. These days Gulzar concentrates more on writing lyrics. In that field too he had been master of masters. In the recent past Gulzar said that he wanted to devote time to write books. For those reasons he had reduced directing films in the last 10 years. It is a huge loss for thoughtful viewers. He continued to write lyrics of songs in bollywood films in regular intervals.

His admirers expect him to continue to make rich films which make the audience think, feel and reflect on the happiness and sniffles of life.

Happy birthday to Zarina Wahab

Happy birthday to Zarina Wahab.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Zarina Wahab on 3rd July, 2010. She was born in a muslim family in Vishakapatnam.

She learned acting in the Film and Television Institute of Pune. She started her film career in Dev Anand’s film Ishq Ishq Ishq in 1974. She attracted the attention of the viewers with her effortless performance in Basu Chatterjee’s film Chitchor.

She played the role of a village girl in the film who was impressed by the down to earth nature of Amol Palekar. She and her family thought that he was a wealthy engineer. But later they came to know that the actual engineer was Vijayendra Ghadge. The family of Zarina Wahab namely Deena Pathak and AK Hangal stopped Zarina Wahab from mixing with Amol Palekar. But she could not forget his memories, nor her neighbouring brother Master Raju. The film became silver jubilee hit. The music composed by Ravinder Jain stormed bollywood with songs like “tu jo mere sur me”, “kahin deep jale”, etc., sung by Yesu Das and Hemlata. The same plot was used in the film Mai Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, where Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Abhishek Bacchan played the lead roles.

Zarina Wahab formed a brilliant pair with Amol Palekar and their next film Gharonda was a masterpiece. She played the role of the daughter of Sriram Lagoo. Amol Palekar struggled to get decent job in Mumbai. The film was related to the extreme competition of work in Mumbai and struggle of getting a place to stay. The music of the film composed by Jaidev was excellent. Bhupinder Singh’s song “ek akela is shahar me”, “ do diwane shahar me” and Runa Laila’s song “tumhe honaho mujhko to itna yakeen hai” stormed bollywood in the mid-70s. Zarina Wahab got filmfare nomination for best actress in the film.

Zarina Wahab acted in other films like Tumhare Liye directed by Basu Chatterjee, Sawan Ko Aane Do, and many South Indian films like Gajula Kishtavya, Madanolsavam, etc. As character artist she played the role of the mother of Shahrukh Khan in the film My Name is Khan. She married actor Aditya Pancholi and has son and daughter.

The viewers expect her to continue the great work that she had started 30 years back.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2010.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2010.

The viewers of bollywood films would remember Sanjeev Kumar on his birthday on 9th July, 2010. He was one of most gifted actors that bollywood films had produced and still remains immortal in his memorable works. He was sublime in the role of a deaf and dumb character in Gulzar’s film Koshish. He received national award for his brilliant performance and also inspired Jaya Bacchan to reach the same level of excellence in the film.

In Sholay he played the epic role of Thakur of north Indian village. His personality in the film amazed the Indian viewers and many aspects he superseded Dharmender and Big in the same film where they were sublime. His personality matched the cruel instincts of Amzad Khan in the role of Gabbar Singh in the same film. Again his role in the film Aandhi opposite Suchitra Sen in 1975, showed his softer side. He could feel the emotions of his wife who was a popular political leader but was corned by many members of the opposition. He received filmfare award for best actor in 1975 for his epic performance in Aandhi.

Gulzar probably had made the best use of the versatile actor. His role in the film Mausam was full of reflections. He recollected his past experience with Sharmila Tagore when his car ascended the roads to his destination in Darjeeling. Bhupinder Singh’s song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din” written by Gulzar and composed by Madan Mohan matched him ideally. Probably Bhupinder Singh’s deep voice suited Sanjeev Kumar better than no other actor in bollywood . He gave elegant lips in the film Parichay in the song “bite na bitai rehna”.

Besides, Sanjeev Kumar kept his mark in comedy films like Seeta Aur Geeta opposite Hema Malini, also Angoor opposite Moushumi Chatterji. He was sublime also in films like Satyakam and Shikar. Critics argue that he was the most versatile actor after Dilip Kumar and Balraj Sahani and he showed his variation in films like Naya Din Nayi Raat. All the nine roles were different and Sanjeev Kumar treated each of them with separate andaz. His role in Khilouna showed the characteristics of a mad person and was worth mentioning. He gave elegant lips in Rafi’s song “khilouna jaan kar mujhko”.

Sanjeev Kumar was an indispensable figure in the entire 70s and early 80s. Whether it was Trishul or Khuddar, whether it was Qatl or Hero, whether it was Alaap or Angoor, Sanjeev Kumar played every type of character possible in bollywood films. Before Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah stepped in the arena of bollywood films, Sanjeev Kumar was probably the automatic choice of all the thoughtful directors of the country including Gulzar, Basu Bhattacharya, Basu Chatterjee, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, etc. He could modulate his voice to suit even old characters very well. In Sholay, Mausam and Aandhi he played old characters at a time when his own age was in the 40s.

The works of Sanjeev Kumar should be preserved and actors of the new generation learn from his versatile performances.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2009.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2009.

The viewers of bollywood films would remember Sanjeev Kumar on his birthday on 9th July, 2009. He was one of most gifted actors that bollywood films had produced and still remains immortal in his memorable works. He was sublime in the role of a deaf and dumb character in Gulzar’s film Koshish. He received national award for his brilliant performance and also inspired Jaya Bacchan to reach the same level of excellence in the film.

In Sholay he played the epic role of Thakur of north Indian village. His personality in the film amazed the Indian viewers and many aspects he superseded Dharmender and Big in the same film where they were sublime. His personality matched the cruel instincts of Amzad Khan in the role of Gabbar Singh in the same film. Again his role in the film Aandhi opposite Suchitra Sen in 1975, showed his softer side. He could feel the emotions of his wife who was a popular political leader but was corned by many members of the opposition. He received filmfare award for best actor in 1975 for his epic performance in Aandhi.

Gulzar probably had made the best use of the versatile actor. His role in the film Mausam was full of reflections. He recollected his past experience with Sharmila Tagore when his car ascended the roads to his destination in Darjeeling. Bhupinder Singh’s song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din” written by Gulzar and composed by Madan Mohan matched him ideally. Probably Bhupinder Singh’s deep voice suited Sanjeev Kumar better than no other actor in bollywood . He gave elegant lips in the film Parichay in the song “bite na bitai rehna”.

Besides, Sanjeev Kumar kept his mark in comedy films like Seeta Aur Geeta opposite Hema Malini, also Angoor opposite Moushumi Chatterji. He was sublime also in films like Satyakam and Shikar. Critics argue that he was the most versatile actor after Dilip Kumar and Balraj Sahani and he showed his variation in films like Naya Din Nayi Raat. All the nine roles were different and Sanjeev Kumar treated each of the them with separate andaz. His role in Khilouna showed the characteristics of a mad person and was worth mentioning. He gave elegant lips in Rafi’s song “khilouna jaan kar mujhko”.

The works of Sanjeev Kumar should be preserved and actors of the new generation learn from his versatile performances.

The nation remembers Pancham on his birthday.

The nation remembers Pancham on his birthday.

The nation remembers Pancham, better known as Rahul Dev Burman, on his birthday on 27th June, 2009. Almost 15 years passed after his death, yet his tunes had kept him alive among the young generations.

Being the son of legendary singer and composer SD Burman, he had a monumental task of proving his identity in the 60s. He came out with innovative tunes sung by Rafi in Mehmood’s film Chote Nawab. From that time onwards critics understood that RD Burman had come to create his unique identity. His biggest in the 60s came in Shammi Kapoor’s film Teesri Manzil in 1966. All the songs sung by Rafi and Asha became landmark hits including “o haseena zulfonwali”, “aaja aaja mai hoon pyar tera”, “janeman janejaa”, etc. Along with western composers like Shankar Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Salil Choudhury, who were ruling the industry, RD Burman kept his feet on strong platform.

RD Burman and Rafi combination continued in films like Abhilasha with songs like “wadiyan tera daaman”, Jeetender’s Karwan with songs like “kitna pyara wada”, “are chadti jawani”, “are ho goriyan kahan tera des re”, Shashi Kapoor’s Pyar Ka Mausam, with songs like “tum bin jayun kahan”, “ni sultana re”, Rajesh Khanna’s The Train, with songs like “gulaabi aankhe”, “tujshe bhala yeh”, etc. In the 70s, RD took the bollywood industry by storm. With death of Jaikishan, Roshan, Ghulam Mohammad, Vasant Desai, etc., the industry depended on Pancham, Laxmikant Pyarellal and Kalyanji Anandji for best music. They provided stability to the industry for the next 15 years.

RD Burman had monumental contribution in Rajesh Khanna and Big B’s films and gave a new life to Kishore Kumar. All the songs of films like Amar Prem, Kati Patang, Aap Ki Kasam, Namak Haram, Mehbooba, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Shaan, Shakti, etc. Memorable songs included “tere naina”, “kuch to log kahenge”, “ai sham mastani”, “janu meri jaan”, etc.

RD Burman contributed a lot in Uttam Kumar’s Bengali film Raj Kumari in 1970. The song “ki holo kabe holo” , created history which was remade in hindi in the film Amar Prem. Critics argue that RD Burman reserved his best music in Gulzar’s films. His songs for Lata in Suchitra Sen’s Aandhi titled “is mor se jaate hai”, Uttam Kumar’s Kitaab, “aa ii masterjiki ho gayi chutti”, Jeetender’s Kinara where Bhupinder Singh and Lata did their best in “naam gum jayega”, “meethe bol bole”, “ek hi khwab”, etc., Sanjeev Kumar’s Parichay, with Bhupinder’s “biti na bitai rehna”, etc.

He won the filmfare award for the best composer three times. The young generations associate themselves with RD’s tunes even today, in that count he was one of the versatile composers after Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad, Madanmohan, Roshan, etc.

Bhupinder Singh - the passionate singer of bollywood

Bhupinder Singh: The passionate singer of bollywood:

Ghazal singers in India and other parts of the world have very limited number of audience, as the lyrics are very meaningful and require knowledge to appreciate them and the tunes also bear slow and soft image. In Indian films ghazals were used in the 50s, 60s by the thoughtful composers of that period including Madanmohan, Jaidev, Naushad, Khayyam, Shankar Jaikihsan, Roshan, etc. and sung in most cases by Mohammad Rafi and Talat Mehmood.

Bhupinder Singh, started his career as playback singer in the film Haqeeqat, in 1964, composed by Madanmohan, where he also acted as one of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in India’s war against China. The song “hoke majboor mujhe usne bulaya hoga” was sung by Bhupinder Singh along with Rafi, Talat Mehmood and Manna Dey. Bhupinder Singh had played important instruments like different types of guitars, etc., for composers like RD Burman.

As his deep voice having intoxicating appeal suited the criteria for singing ghazals, he made major contribution in refined commercial films where tunes were not composed for commercial requirement but to impress the music lovers. If any director had done justice to the young ghazal singer it was Gulzar and Bhupinder Singh got recognition in singing important songs for his films in general.

His song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din”, in the film Mausam , 1975, is one of the most soft ghazals Madanmohan had composed in his career. Sanjeev Kumar recollected his past while his car crossed the roads towards Darjeeling and the song was played in the background. His songs in Parichay, 1972, picturised on Sanjeev Kumar, including “mitwa” and “bite na bitay raina” exhibits his strong command over classical songs.

His two songs in Gharonda, 1977, including “ek akela is shahar me” and “do diwane shahar me” picturised on Amol Palekar, had the flavour of urbanised folk song and he was successful to blend his voice with the remote style of composition of Jaidev. There was excellent use of the violin in the song “ek akela is shahar me”. The philosophical words of Gulzar like “in umrase lambi sarko ko manzil pe pahuchte dekkha nahi, is anjabeesi shahar me jana pehchana dhoonta hai” was given right expression by Bhupinder Singh and carried the essence of the phrase the sweetest songs are those which carry the saddest thoughts. Bhupinder also brought out the pensive mood of Jaidev’s creation in the songs “zindagi, zindagi, o mere ghar ana zindagi” and “zindagi me jab tumhare gham nahi the” in Uttamkumar’s Dooriyan in 1980. He also sang a notable ghazal titled “karoge yaad to” composed by Khayyam in the film Bazaar.

Bhupinder Singh also sang notable classical songs in the film Kinara, 1977, composed by RD Burman and picturised on Jeetender and Dharmender, including “naam gum jayega”, “ek hi khwab kaibaar dekha maine”, “meethe bol bole”. The other ghazal which was successful in the early 80s included “huzur is kadar bhi na itrake chaliye” picturised on Naseeruddin Shah in the film Masoom, where Suresh Watkar accompanied Bhupinder Singh. Excepting few ghazals sung by Jagjit Singh including “tumko dekha to yeh khayal aya” picturised on Farooq Sheikh and ‘tum itna jo muskura rahi ho” from the film Arth, the use of ghazals in bollywood films almost became extinct from the mid-80s.

Bhupinder Singh restricted his passion for ghazals in his private albums. Excepting Mohammad Rafi, no other classical singer could shine above a limited level, because the mass are attracted towards popular music which in major cases include non-classical compositions. That was the reason why Manna Dey having immense control over ragas, had lesser songs than he deserved in his career. Bhupinder Singh’s songs should be restored to honour the classical and ghazal andaz of the singer that had been exhibited in refined commercial films of bollywood.