350th post on the blog
Today, on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the blog, I extend my gratitude to my readers, commenters and well-wishers, whose unconditional support has been a strong pillar to building this blog. Let it be my family, my fellow bloggers, my friends and last but not the least, readers and followers of the blog, everyone has been very kind and encouraging to my efforts. I thank them all.
When I look back at the journey of the blog, I feel it’s like a dream. It was just a few years back that inspired by my fellow bloggers, I decided to open my own platform to share my passion for Hindi films and more particularly the Hindi film songs of the golden era. And here I am with the 350th post, coinciding with the 9th anniversary of the blog.
While I usually prefer a theme based post for the occasion, there was a composer who hadn’t been highlighted on the blog. And his death anniversary being 15th July, I was so far unable to pay a tribute to the now forgotten genius of a composer. In his career spanning just more than a decade, his contribution has been immense. I’m talking about none other than the genius composer, Shyam Sunder Gabba, known popularly by the mononym, Shyam Sunder.
Shyam Sunder Gabba was born in Multan (now in Pakistan). He was an ace Violin player and was associated with Jhande Khan’s orchestra in the early years of his career. He started composing for Punjabi films in the late 30s. He composed for 4 Punjabi films. He was the one to offer a song to a very young Rafi break in a Punjabi film called Gul Baloch (1944). It was a duet with Zeenat Begum, Sohniye Ni Heeriye Ni Teri Yaad Ne Bahut Sataaya. The original audio of this song is unfortunately not available.
His success story in Hindi films started with the film, Nai Kahani (1943). It was the beginning of an era. The film had G M Durrani as the main male playback singer, with 6 songs to his credit including the unforgettable melody, with which I intend to open today’s list.
1. Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare – Nai Kahani (1943) G M Durrani & Balakram / Lyrics by Wali Saheb
I’m so glad to open the song with this gem. An absolutely delightful and amazing song. The aalaps in one of the interludes are sung by Balakram. At such a fast pace and at his age is a marvel! It’s one of the breakthrough songs for Shyam Sunder. The song is sung on screen by B Nandrekar.
It was followed by the film, Bhai (1944). It is said that Shyam Sunder was fascinated by songs composed by Ghulam Haider. And in this movie, he composed 3 songs, while the remaining were composed by Ghulam Haider. The songs were sung by Naseem Akhtar and Zeenat Begum. For today’s list I’ve chosen a solo by the former.
2. Kuchh Yaad Dilati Hain – Bhai (1944) Naseem Akhtar / Lyrics by Shatir Ghaznavi
What a beautiful voice Naseem Akhtar had! It didn’t have a typical nasal tone of the 40s. Perfect diction and pronunciation. In this song as well, the arrangement of instruments is so good.
It was in the year 1945 that Shyam Sunder composed songs for Noorjahan. She was a popular singer and actress and he had an opportunity to offer her songs in a couple of films.
The film Bhaijaan (1945) had 4 solos by Noorjahan which were film versions. The record versions were sung by Naseem Akhtar.
The other film, Gaon Ki Gori aka Village Girl (1945) holds a significant place in Hindi cinema. The film had wonderful solos by Noorjahan which are considered one of her career best Hindi film songs. The songs were so popular that when Noorjahan was asked to sing in a musical show in 1982 in India, she chose one of the songs from Village Girl.
I of course have a couple of favourites by Noorjahan from this movie. Let’s have a look at those songs,
3. Baithi Hoon Teri Yaad Ka – Village Girl (1945) Noorjahan / Lyrics by Wali Saheb
A wonderful ghazal sung soulfully by Noorjahan. I won’t be able to analyse it technically, but her vocal expressions do perfectly convey the agony of the character she played. An excellent amalgamation of good lyrics, apt tune and wonderful rendition.
4. Kis Tarah Bhoolega Dil – Village Girl (1945) Noorjahan / Lyrics by Wali Saheb
I couldn’t get a video of the song. A popular ghazal by Noorjahan. The song has a deeper pathos and despair. It’s one of my all time favorites.
In addition, the film, Village Girl (1945) also had a solo by G M Durrani and duet by G M Durrani and Rafi and also a couple of solos by Amirbai Karnataki. He supported Rafi, a then newcomer, and they were to have a successful association later, as was their destiny.
The next year saw him composing for Dev Kanya (1946) and Urvashi (1946). For the latter, he collaborated with Ramchandra Paul and Paingankar. I’ve chosen a song from the former,
5. Piya Milan Ko Janewali – Dev Kanya (1946) Amirbai Karnataki / Lyrics by Rammurthy Chaturvedi
Only a few songs from this movie are available. Though Amirbai Karnataki wasn’t the main singer for the movie, this delightful song captured my attention. The tune is not a usual one, if we consider the era of the mid 40s. The musical arrangement and orchestration is good too.
Out of the two films in 1947, Ek Roz and Arsi (with Lachhiram), I’ve one song from the former.
6. Masti Ka Samaa – Ek Roz (1947) Munawwar Sultana / Lyrics by Sarshar Sailani
A little slow paced soothing melody. Though it expresses joy and satisfaction, the song doesn’t have a fast tempo. There is thehrav and sukoon in the rendition. It feels like she is thinking in her own mind and expressing it. Munawwar Sultana has sung a few songs for Hindi films and she is not the actress with the same name. Shyam Sunder had a command on orchestration. He arranges the instruments in such a way that the final effect is good.
The late 40s were especially very successful for Shyam Sunder. Both the years 1948 and 1949 brought him success.
The film, Actress (1948) is mainly remembered for a couple of solos by Rafi, which I’ve covered in a yearly review series of Rafi’s Hindi film songs. But I couldn’t keep the songs out of today’s list. I’ve chosen a couple of songs from this movie.
7. Ae Dil Meri Aahon Mein – Actress (1948) Rafi / Lyrics by Nakshab Jarchavi
Prem Adeeb performs the song on stage with his eyes bandaged. His wish is to see Rehana in front of his eyes when he opens them after the operation. The song has a mixture of sadness & excitement and Rafi has given full justice to it. This song is a ghazal styled composition, with good tune and orchestration.
8. Aankhon Aankhon Mein Woh Dil Se – Actress (1948) Shamshad Begum & Geeta Dutt / Lyrics by Nakshab Jarchavi
The song combines happy and sad moods without significant change in the tempo and orchestration. It’s picturised on Meena Shorey and Rehana, who lip-sync to the voices of Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum respectively. The theme combining two different moods together is not a common scenario. And it would be among the first of its kind.
The year 1949 brought the Lata Mangeshkar tsunami and the world of female playback singing went upside down.
Shyam Sunder’s most talked about films, Bazaar and Lahore were released in the same year. It was the first time that Lata Mangeshkar became the main female playback singer for his films. The songs not only portrayed Shyam Sunder’s talent and versatility as a composer, it also strengthened Lata Mangeshkar’s position as a playback singer.
The Nigar Sultana and Shyam starrer movie, Bazaar (1949) had more than 10 songs, most of them great! While at one end it had a powerful Qawwali, it also had a playful romantic song and songs of separation. There was a smashing dance number, Chhalla De Ja Nishani and an elegant western tune, Pee Aaye Aakar Chal Bhi Diye, in addition to the song in drag, Ram Kasam Main Ghunghat Ke Pat. It was a complete package. I think this film is a good choice for my ‘From Just One Movie’ series.
9. Saajan Ki Galiyan Chhod Chale – Bazaar (1949) Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
One of Lata Mangeshkar’s iconic classics from the year 1949. The song portrays the anguish of a lady going away from her beloved. The song is still very popular and holds a special place in the hearts of HFM lovers. It was one of the songs that I looked for around 15 years back when I started collecting songs of the golden era of HFM.
10. Apni Nazar Se Door Woh – Bazaar (1949) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi
A song of separation, Nigar Sultana at her home, while Shyam travels in a train. The song excels in every department, lyrics, tune and singer’s rendition.
The Nargis and Karan Dewan starrer Lahore (1949) also portrayed the greatness of the composer with sublime melodies.
11. Duniya Hamare Pyaar Ki – Lahore (1949) Lata Mangeshkar & Karan Dewan / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
An absolute favourite of mine. There’s so much innocence and simplicity in the lyrics. The sweetness of the tune is unparalleled. In addition to the meaningful lyrics, that emphasize on lovers being always together and leaving behind their eternal love stories. The song has something magical that touches our soul. Though Karan Dewan wasn’t a trained singer, he has managed the duet well. The tune is especially good and lingers in our memories.
12. Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi – Lahore (1949) Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
This is a Hindi film classic! Sung wonderfully with apt emotions. The song is still extremely popular and is considered as an iconic song by Lata Mangeshkar. I like the other two solos, Toote Hue Armaanon Ki and Us Dil Ki Qismat Kya Kahiye
I won’t be able to decide which is best among these three solos. I love all three equally. In fact the latter two score a little more for me.
The same year also saw him composing for Suraiya for the first time. The film was Char Din.
13. Ek Bewafa Ki Yaad Ne – Char Din (1949) Suraiya / Lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni
Suraiya’s voice was very expressive and Shyam Sunder made her sing songs in a blue mood that suited her voice well. Perhaps that’s why she sang five solos, all in a sad mood for the movie.
Her voice modulation is good in this song that also has a good tune.
Suraiya’s next with the composer was released the next year with as many as 5 solos to her credit. While my favourite song from the movie is Sazaa Mili Hai Kisise Yeh Dil Lagane Ki, I chose a song depicting a playful confession of love.
14. Koi Dil Mein Samaayaa Chupke Chupke – Kamal Ke Phool (1950) / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
Suraiya got an opportunity to sing for Shyam Sunder in just a couple of films. As I already had a song in blue mood by Suraiya on the list, I chose a playful song. The violin pieces in the interludes sound very different than thier routine use in Hindi film songs. There are short pieces at a high pace that stand out. Suraiya’s singing is good with apt expressions.
While Rafi and to some extent Talat Mahmood were Shyam Sunder’s favourite male playback singers, Mukesh had the opportunity to sing only one song under his baton. The film was Bhai Behen (1950).
15. Kisi Ko Kya Khabar – Bhai Behen (1950) Mukesh & Premlata / Lyrics by Ishwar Chandra Kapoor
Shamshad Begum was the main female singer for this movie to sang 6 songs. Premlata sang one solo and one duet with Mukesh. It’s possible that the song was picturised on the supporting characters. A playful romantic song sung well by both the singers.
It is said that during the recordings of Lahore (1949), he used abusive language under the influence of alcohol and Lata Mangeshkar refused to sing for him in later films. It could be true as the later films, Bhai Behen (1950) and Nirdosh (1950) had only one solo each by Lata Mangeshkar. The new decade of 50s as well opened with Lata Mangeshkar singing just a couple of duets for him in the film, Dholak (1951). For the film Shyam Sunder chose Sulochana Kadam as the main female playback singer, who proved her ability with a couple of solos and a couple of duets for the movie. It proved to be her best known Hindi film.
16. Chori Chori Aag Si Dil Mein – Dholak (1951) Sulochana Kadam / Lyrics by Shyamlal
This is now considered as a vintage classic. The song offered Sulochana Kadam a real identity in Hindi films. Her pronunciation and diction is good and expressions are spot on. She effortlessly conveys the anguish of the character played by Meena Shorey. Needless to say the song has a good tune and melody.
17. Mausam Aaya Hai Rangeen – Dholak (1951) Sulochana Kadam, Satish Batra & Chorus / Lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri
What a delightful orchestration! Just listen to the amazing dholak piece in the opening! The tune and the orchestration flow so smoothly. The tune of the mukhda is good too, mainly the ‘Haule Haule Aa’ part sounds good. And it was almost 75 years back! It still sounds so fresh and energetic. Satish Batra and Sulochana Kadam sing the mukhda in different notes synchronously, which adds a depth to the composition. One can only imagine the atmosphere in the theatre during streaming of the film! I would have clapped and whistled at the wonder orchestration.
In the same year, Sulochana Kadam also sang for him in the film, Kaale Baadal. I couldn’t help adding a solo from the movie.
18. Dil Hi Dil Mein Royenge Hum – Kaale Baadal (1951) Sulochana Kadam / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
A simple and straightforward composition it seems. The orchestration is also simple. The main focus remains the lyrics and singer’s expressions. Sulochana Kadam had a few solos in the movie and she sang them well. The song highlights the fact that Shyam Sunder didn’t rely on any one specific singer, but he could extract the best out of the singer for his compositions. I think that’s why Sulochana Kadam sounds at her best and at ease with his compositions.
He started composing songs for the film Alif Laila (1953) and requested Lata Mangeshkar to sing for him. Knowing his potential as a composer, Lata Mangeshkar sang two solos and two duets with Rafi for the movie. Unfortunately he succumbed to death during the making of the film and the incomplete project was finished by his then assistant Madan Mohan. However he didn’t take credit for it.
He died on 15th July 1952, secondary to complications of alcoholism. The film, Alif Laila was released posthumously in 1953. It was the only film Sahir wrote for Shyam Sunder. Let’s listen to and watch a couple of songs from the movie.
19. Mere Naghmon Mein Un Mastana – Alif Lalila (1953) Talat Mahmood / Lyrics by Sahir
The song represents Talat Mahmood’s brief association with Shyam Sunder. He sang a couple of solos for the movie.
What a great romantic song! He has sung the song very well, with apt expressions and cheerfulness. The song adapts a typical format of recitation of a ghazal and has good orchestration.
I imagined it as a romantic mehfil song, the hero admiring his beloved from the corners of his eye. And she would either be angry or very shy and unable to even look at him. But alas! I couldn’t even identify the actor, not that I mind!
20. Bahaar Aayi Khili Kaliyan – Alif Lalila (1953) Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Sahir
The song slowly grows on you. The tune, the slow rhythm, and the orchestration are superb! It of course maintains the touch of Arabian music. They together create a perfect aura of melancholy and despair. For me it’s one of the best of Lata Mangeshkar with Shyam Sunder. The feelings of desperation, being alone and longing for the beloved are well expressed by her. Only if they could have continued the collaboration! But that wasn’t the destiny!
Before I sign off
- In his short career he composed for 20 Hindi films with 180+ songs to his credit
- He maintained the distinct Punjabi flavour in most of his compositions
- His orchestration and tunes used to be different from his contemporary composers
- The only problem was his habit of consuming alcohol and talking rubbish and at times abusive under its influence
- That resulted in Lata Mangeshkar refusing to sing for him, even after creating masterpieces in Lahore and Bazaar, both in 1949
- He opted for Shamshad Begum and later Sulochana Kadam. The latter mainly got popular with her songs from Dholak (1951)
- After his initial association with G M Durrani, he mainly opted for Rafi and Talat Mahmood, sparingly opting for other singers.
I thank Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh for sharing the information on Shyam Sunder.
This site also helped me build this post.
Would you add your favourite song composed by Shyam Sunder?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
