In the last post, we visited Qamar Jalalabadi’s popular associations, namely with Husnalal Bhagatram, O P Nayyar and Kalyanji Anandji.
Image taken from Internet
Barring the important exceptions of Naushad and Shankar Jaikishan, Qamar Jalalabadi wrote for the majority of the composers in Hindi films. Though he didn’t have a long association with them, his songs, nonetheless, were popular. Today’s list has 15 songs that cover his other associations.
We will start the journey with his first Hindi film, Zamindar (1942) which was produced by Dalsukh Pancholi in Lahore. He wrote a few songs for the movie and became popular. The most remembered song from the movie is a solo by Shamshad Begum, which was my obvious choice for the list.
1. Duniya Mein Gharibon Ko – Zamindar (1942) Shamshad Begum / Composed by Ghulam Haider
Qamar Jalalabadi was well acquainted with Urdu, Arabic words which he used in his first film. The song describes the unfortunate misery of poverty and their helplessness, doom and despair. Qamar Jalalabadi got instant recognition with the song. The words were woven in a powerful tune with Shamshad Begum at her best.
Very soon, he was called to Pune by Prabhat films, where he penned songs for four of their films, starting with the film, Chand (1944). It was his first film with Husnalal Bhagatram and in the last part, we discussed his long and successful association with the duo.
In addition, he also wrote for other upcoming composers including S D Burman and Sardar Malik. Let’s listen to a couple of songs highlighting his association with them.
2. Pehle Na Samjha Pyar Tha – Eight Days (1946) Amirbai Karnataki / Composed by S D Burman
S D Burman, before he developed an association with Sahir had many lyricists penning songs for him and being a popular song writer, Qamar Jalalabadi was also one of them. He wrote for him in just a couple of movies. The most popular song from Eight Days, Ummeed Bhara Panchhi was however written by G S Nepali, who also wrote a few more for the movie. A couple of songs from the movie are credited jointly to Qamar Jalalabadi and G S Nepali.
3. Sunati Nahin Duniya Kabhi Fariyaad Kisi Ki – Renuka (1947) Sardar Malik / Composed by Sardar Malik
Sardar Malik couldn’t make it to the first rung composers, though he composed good songs. In the beginning of his career, Qamar Jalalabadi wrote for him. Very interestingly he sang the song himself.
4. Badnaam Na Ho Jaye – Shaheed (1948) Surinder Kaur / Composed by Ghulam Haider
After Zamindar, Qamar Jalalabadi had an opportunity to write for Ghulam Haider in Shaheed (1948). He wasn’t the sole lyricist, but he wrote a couple of beautiful songs, both picturised on Kamini Kaushal. At one end, he wrote the playful but shy confession of love, a beautiful piano song, Bachpan Ki Yaad Dheere Dheere, while the other one was a soulful song of despair. In both he was excellent.
5. Ae Dil Unko Yaad Na Karna – Bazar (1949) Lata Mangeshkar / Composed by Shyamsunder
He wrote all the songs for this movie and it was one of the breakthrough films for Lata Mangeshkar.
All the songs are lyrically good, making it difficult to choose one song for the list. I equally adore ‘Saajan Ki Galiyan Chhod Chale’, ‘Ae Mohabbat Unse Milane Ka Bahana’, ‘Basa Lo Apni Nigaahon Mein Pyar’ and ‘Apni Nazar Se Door Woh’. And who would forget the powerful qawwali, Zara Sun Lo Hum Apne Pyar Ka Afsana. All the songs from this movie were excellent.
6. Yeh Duniya Roop Ki Chor – Shabnam (1949) Shamshad Begum / Composed by S D Burman
It was the only film where Qamar Jalalabadi wrote all the songs for S D Burman. Here again there were a few wonderful songs. This multilingual song stands out distinctly for Shamshad Begum’s excellent rendition and interesting lyrics incorporating Bangla, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Punjabi languages. In addition to this song, ‘Qismat Mein Bichhadna Tha’, ‘Tu Mehlon Mein Rehne Wali’ and ‘Mera Dil Tadpakar Kahan Chala’ are also my favourites.
7. Hum Pyar Karna Sakta Ke Nahin Sakta – Shabistan (1951) Chitalkar & Lata Mangeshkar / Composed by C Ramchandra
C Ramchandra and Madan Mohan composed songs separately for the movie. It could be their only film with Qamar Jalalabadi. Such a cute romantic comic song! Just listen to the light hearted, playful lyrics and typical Chitalkar touch to the song.
8. Aaj Pehli Parikh Hai – Pehli Tarikh (1954) Kishore Kumar / Composed by Sudhir Phadke
The song needs no introduction. It’s one of the most popular Hindi film songs, but I doubt if anyone remembers Qamar Jalalabadi for the wonderful lyrics. What fun! He has mentioned so many of the actors and actresses of the era in the song, including himself. It perfectly captures the feelings of
Qamar Jalalabadi wrote for a couple of movies composed by Anil Biswas. While, Suraiya and Talat Mahmood starrer Waris (1954) had absolutely wonderful bouquet of popular songs, the other movie Jalti Nishani (1957)
9. Rahi Matwale – Waris (1954) Talat Mahmood & Suriya / Composed by Anil Biswas
A beautifully composed melody with a train rhythm, sung so tenderly by Talat Mahmood. Suraiya joins very late to complete the song by singing just a couple of lines. Listen to the beautiful descriptions of the moon hiding behind clouds and the night. Qamar Jalalabadi also wrote the song, ‘Kabhi Hai Gham Kabhi Khushiyan’ portraying the two facets of life, happiness and sorrow, and the soulful lullaby, ‘Taaron Ki Nagri Se Chanda Ne’ for this movie.
10. Rooth Ke Tum To – Jalti Nishani (1957) Lata Mangeshkar / Composed by Anil Biswas
While Qamar Jalalabadi wrote all the songs for this movie, I have added the most popular. A lady in emotional distress finds everything meaningless when her beloved leaves her. Very beautifully written verses!
Hansraj Behl was one of the composers who never made it to the first rung composers despite his talent of composing beautiful melodies. Today let’s listen to songs from a couple of movies where Qamar Jalalabadi was lyricist.
11. Mohabbat Zinda Rehti Hai – Changez Khan (1957) Rafi / Composed by Hansraj Behl
Premnath, fastened to a tree by ropes, sings the song to his beloved to bring her back to life. And the power of his love surely brings her back and she gushes towards him. The song is remembered for its lyrics and Rafi’s excellent rendition.
12. Bhool Ja Sapne Suhane Bhool Ja – Rajdhani (1962) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood / Composed by Hansraj Behl
One of Behl’s popular scores. The song creates a mesmerizing aura with its dramatic orchestration and singer’s renditions. And Behl’s simple but meaningful lyrics form a backbone for the melody.
13. Yeh Kaisi Ajab Dastan Ho Gayi Hai – Rustam Sohraab (1963) Suriya / Composed by Sajjad
Suraiya’s swan song in Hindi films was also written by Qamar Jalalabadi, though he was not the sole lyricist for the movie. He also wrote the qawwali, Phir Tumhari Yaad Aayi Ae Sanam for this movie.
14. Phir Aane Laga Yaad Wohi – Yeh Dil Kisko Doon (1963) Rafi & Usha Khanna / Composed by Iqbal Qureshi
Iqbal Qureshi made his debut with Love in Simla in 1960. Though he scored a few memorable melodies for the movie, he didn’t quite rise to fame. His songs for the film, Yeh Dil Kisko Doon were popular too. The limelight of this song was Rafi’s rendition, though the orchestration did add a flavour to the song. The lyrics are otherwise simple, but convey the feel aptly.
15. Yeh Rangeen Mehfil Gulabi Gulabi – Shikari (1963) Asha Bhosle / Composed by G S Kohli
G S Kohli again wasn’t a first rung composer, though he had a few very popular songs to his credit mainly from the 60s. Shikari (1963) was a stunt movie featuring Ajit and Ragini in the lead, while Helen played a supporting role. This wonderful melody is a delight to watch and to listen to. In addition, the contribution of the lyrics have to be mentioned.
Qamar Jalalabadi worked in different capacities in Hindi cinema. Besides writing songs for Hindi films, he wrote story, screenplay and dialogues for Hindi films. He also produced a couple of Hindi films, Chhoti Bhabhi and Aansoo, which we have covered in the last part.
He wrote around 640+ songs for 140+ Hindi films.
After the 60s, there was a sharp decline in his assignments and slowly his songs became less in number and quality.
He made a comeback in Hindi films in the 90s, with O P Nayyar, who too made a comeback. Qamar Jalalabadi wrote songs for 3 films. The songs though good couldn’t survive the test of time as the films were not very successful.
Would you like to add your favourites to the list?
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.
