Today to commemorate the 4th death anniversary of Lata Mangeshkar, let’s have a post in the newly opened series, ‘From Just One Movie’.
So far only one post is published in the series and as you can guess from the name, these posts will cover one movie at a time, enlisting all the songs from the movie or selected songs as the case could be.
While I was thinking of a suitable post for today’s occasion, I thought why not a post in the new series! On the 8th anniversary of the blog, a list named Ubiquitous Singer was published. It had a singer wise list of movies where that particular singer was a part of all the songs from that movie. The Mangeshkar sisters topped the list, and I decided to go for a movie from that list.
So far, the majority of the first rung composers are covered on the blog, except a few. Salil Chowdhury was one! I chose the movie, Prem Patra (1962) where Lata Mangeshkar was a part of all the five songs.
Prem Patra (1962) was a beautiful movie directed by Bimal Roy, starring Sadhana, as Dr Kavita Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, as Dr Arun, both in their prime! And what amazing songs the movie had! The film was about a love letter and how it almost ruined the career, rather the life of a doctor. A misunderstanding can lead to disasters! The love story is not woven into a cliché story. But it’s different in a way.
The two main attractions for me were Sadhana, who looks gorgeous and beautiful, and Salil Chowdhury’s music.
Let’s start today’s journey with a beautiful solo….
Ab Aur Na Kuchh Bhi – Prem Patra (1962) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Chowdhury – Rajendra Krishan
What a beautiful melody! The song flows like a silken river, one just listens to it with eyes closed, getting fully immersed into it, noticing the nuances of Lata Mangeshkar’s singing every now and then that highlight the meaningful lyrics and conveys the perfect emotions. He’s not in front of her, still stealing her heart. For her, he’s everywhere! In the moonlight, in the night, in the waves of the sea. He’s now the ultimate desire for her, she doesn’t wish to get anything else.
The song is adorned with beautiful sitar pieces in the prelude and interludes and the typical touch of Salil da can be felt throughout. A perfect song to open the list!
Yeh Mere Andhere Ujale Na Hote – Prem Patra (1962) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood / Salil Chowdhury – Rajendra Krishan
Beautiful use of piano in prelude, while the interludes combine piano and violins beautifully. The lyrics are so much a part of the narrative, they convey the character’s feelings so well. He’s expressing his joy and gratitude to her and he hasn’t seen her. She’s actually not the one, whom he’s addressing! But her part playing is almost like a real feeling for her and she’s in love with him deeply. Hence she can’t believe her fortune. Still somewhere in her heart lies a fear, so ‘कहीं खो न बैठूं तुम्हें रोशनी में’. The singers, mainly Lata Mangeshkar, show such a mixture of fear and excitement in her rendition.
Saawan Ki Raaton Mein Aisa Bhi – Prem Patra (1962) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood / Salil Chowdhury – Gulzar
This was Gulzar’s only song for the movie. A beautiful duet picturised on Sadhana and Shashi Kapoor on a stormy monsoon night. It used that backdrop for expressing their budding love. A beautifully penned song, woven in an enchanting tune with excellent vocals by both the singers. It almost felt like a semi classical song! And Talat Mahmood’s voice suits Shashi Kapoor.
Do Aankhiyan Jhuki Jhuki Si – Prem Patra (1962) Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Salil Chowdhury – Rajendra Krishan
This is actually the first song in the movie. After their somewhat unpleasant first encounter, when he accidentally bumps into her, both of them share a duty at the hospital. He’s a house surgeon and she’s a medical student. Their initial prejudices get much diluted and though we can feel the attraction between them, they don’t convey anything to each other. However, after reaching home, they both sing this beautiful song that clearly reflects the attraction they feel for each other. Except Shashi Kapoor’s somewhat funny looking mustache, the song is a delight to listen to and watch.
Khush Ho Rahe The Pehle – Prem Patra (1962) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Chowdhury – Rajendra Krishan
Again the song portrays the emotions of the character played by Sadhana. She had been masquerading as Shashi Kapoor’s fiance. But it was only through letters. Now he’s blind and fearing rejection from his fiance. Sadhana is in a dilemma! She’s ashamed of her decision,
नादानियों पे अपनी क्या क्या था नाज़ हमको
शर्मा रहें हैं अब तो शर्मा के जिंदगी को
Sadhana expresses the situation well through her facial expressions and Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition perfectly supports it.
Share your thoughts about the film and its songs.
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.
