Aag Album

Aag 1948
Actors : Nargis, Nigar Sultana, Premnath, Raj Kapoor, Vyas B M
Director : Raj Kapoor
Music Director : Ram Ganguly
Producer : RK Films
Theme : Love
Year : 1948

Dekh Chand Ki Or
Dil Toot Gayaji
Kahe Koyal Sour Machaya Re
Na Ankhon Mein Ansoo
Raat Ko Ji
Solah Baras Ki
Zinda Hoon Si Tarah

100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks Ever

Hi all members, here's avery interesting article from Planet Bollywood you might like to read, here is the link:
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayArti...id=060306044135

I'm writing here only those parts related to Raj Kapoor Saab listing aal his music album in the top 100...


92. Anari (1959)

Winner of Filmfare Award for Best Music in 1959, Anari was a memorable soundtrack for any Raj Kapoor or Shankar-Jaikishen fans. Dil Ki Nazar Se is one prime example as it has superb singing from Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh. Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe is a memorable track as its your typical perfect Raj Kapoor song. The only song that will appeal to certain audience is Nineteen Fifty Six. Hit songs, is what you can describe the rest of Anari soundtrack. Sub Kuchh Seekha, Tera Jana, Ban Ke Panchhi and Woh Chand Khila were all Hit tracks back in 1959. Well, Shankar-Jaikishen – Raj Kapoor has never disappoint, as all their albums have amazing music, and its not surprising that Shankar-Jaikishen got an award for this album. Anari is a great album nonetheless.

88. Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishen; Lyrics: Shailendra

Raj Kapoor is one director who always has a good music score in his film, so Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai comes to no surprise. The score for this classic film is simply mesmerizing to say the least. And always, Shankar-Jaikishen always gives Raj Kapoor movies memorable songs. The album starts on a promising with Aa Ab Laut Chalen, while Begani Shaadi Mein is typical fun, love song. One of my personal favorite is Hum Bhi Hain, which has the musical composition stands out in this song. Another hit song was the title track, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, which is the music composition, is soft, but enjoyable. Mera Naam Raju is another great track, while myy personal favorite is O Basanti, which is an excellent track from Lata Mangeshkar, which will appeal to everyone. The last two songs O Maine Pyar Kiya and Kyua Hua are absolute gems in their own right. The Shankar-Jaikishen – Raj Kapoor duo are simply unstoppable in terms of great music, so Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai comes to no surprise.

85. Prem Rog (1982)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Lyrics: Santosh Anand, Pt. Narendra Sharma, Amir Qazalbash

Raj Kapoor is always one director who tends to have great music in his movies. Prem Rog is definitely no exception, since it was the highest selling album of 1982. However, the songs in Prem Rog are simply amazing, that you can hit the repeat button several times. The best example of that is undeniably the best song in Prem Rog, which is Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez. Truly, does anybody know the definite answer of ‘What is Love?’ Well, nonetheless the song is simply super-hit quality, and if I’m not mistaken, it was this song that won the best lyrics award. The next super-hit song is Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahin, as lyrics and musical compositions are truly a highlight in this song. Another super-hit song is Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara. Listen to it, and you are instantly hooked. Excellent singing from Lata Mangeshkar. If Lata Mangeshkar can have a solo song that is super-hit quality, then Suresh Wadkar should one, and he does with Main Hoon Prem Rogi. Another great song is Yeh Pyar Tha, which it’s the musical composition, and Suresh Wadkar ending verse that stands out. The only average song is Bhanvre Na Khilara Phool. There’s no deny that Lata Mangeshkar and Suresh Wadkar are in excellent form in the song. Since it’s a Raj Kapoor film, the soundtrack will always have good quality. So please, get Prem Rog and enjoy it.

48. Mera Naam Joker (1970) Music: Shankar-Jaikishen Lyrics: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Neeraj, Prem Dhavan, Shaily Shilendra

Although the film was a major flop at the box-office (I still don’t understand why because it was a great film), however the only thing that was a major success was its astonishing music from Shankar-Jaikishen. Like all RK Films, music was one of its assets, and it won the Best Music award in 1971. Mukesh had two classic songs, Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din and Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, are not only the best songs in the film, but some may consider it to be Mukesh two greatest songs ever. Manna Dey sings one of his best songs ever in Ay Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo, which earned Manna Dey an award. The other Hit tracks were Ang Lagja Balma, Daag Na Lag Jaye, Kaate Na Kate Rehna, Kehta Hai Joker Sara Zamana, Teetar Ke Do Aage Teetar, and Sadke Heer Tujhpe, Mera Naam Joker album was simply fantastic. Once again, RK Films scores with Mera Naam Joker.

40. Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) Music: Ravindra Jain Lyrics: Ravindra Jain, Amar Kazalbash, Hasrat Jaipuri

Ravindra Jain was best known for the music of Ramanand Sagar’s TV Epic Ramayana, however, with Ram Teri Ganga Maili, he came up with his biggest and most popular album till date. Although he did other RK Films and other films, he never produced great album than this one, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili became the third best-selling album in the 80s. All of the songs from Sun Sahiba Sun, Yaara O Yaara, Husn Hai Paharon Ka, Ek Dukhiyari Kahe, Ek Radha Ek Meera, Main Hi Main Hoon, and Tujhe Bhulaye, every song was very rich in its lyrics and each song had wonderful musical composition. Like Yashraj films, RK Films always have great music in their films, and Raam Teri Ganga Maili is ranked right at the top.

19) Chori Chori (1956)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

One can honestly say that Shankar-Jaikishan ruled the 50s when it came down to quality albums. Chori Chori is another feather in their cap as almost every song is first-rate. Although Chori Chori remains the last film of Raj Kapoor and Nargis together as a pair, it was its music of Chori Chori that makes Chori Chori popular. Aaja Sanam Madhur, Rasik Balma, Man Bhaanwan Ke Ghar, Jahan Main Jaati, Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Panchhi Banu Udti, Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery, Is Paar Saajan are what makes Chori Chori a superior album. Another huge achievement from the Shankar-Jaikishan duo.

17) Bobby (1973)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi, Indrajit Singh Tulsi & Vithalbhai Patel

No one would’ve expected both the music soundtrack and movie to be huge Hits. Yes, it was an RK Film, and Raj Kapoor was directing it, but it starred Rishi Kapoor who was making his full role debut in a film after Mera Naam Joker, and you also had Dimple Kapadia making her debut. So one can say that Raj Kapoor was taking a risk by casting two new stars. However, Laxmikant-Pyarelal came up with a memorable score which had tremendous appeal to the youth, which is why Bobby is the number one selling soundtrack in the 70s. Main Shayar To Nahin, Hum Tum Ek Kamre, Beshak Mandir Masjid, Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kate, Ankhiyon Ke Rehne Do, Ae Phasa became a craze at that time. With Bobby album, Narenda Chanchal and Shailendra Singh became a household name, and Bobby had some evergreen tunes, which is still popular after 35 years of its release.

15) Shree 420 (1955)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Come on, it’s an RK Film, especially if Raj Kapoor is going to direct it, you know the music will be nothing but outstanding. Shree 420 proves this theory right. Another reason why Shree 420 album is a classic is because of its simplicity at that time. Each song was a winner in its own right. Mera Jhoota Hai Japani, Ichak Dana Bichak Dana, Ramaiya Vastaviya, Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua, Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh, O Janewale, and Sham Gai Raat Hai remains as gems till this day. Although there were many memorable albums before Shree 420, however, it was this album that created a mark in the overseas, especially in Russia where some of the songs from Shree 420 are still popular in Russia. Albums like this will never die down, it will continue to live.

8) Sangam (1964)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Another winning soundtrack in the RK camp. Raj Kapoor’s Sangam was not only one of the biggest Hits ever in Indian cinema, but it was the #1 selling soundtrack in the 60s. It was winning score from the first song to the last song. Each song is unique in its own way, and the result of each song is appealing and easy to the ears. From the wonderful Bol Radha Bol, to the romantic Yeh Mera Prem Patra, to the haunting Dost Dost Na Raha, to the beautiful O Mehbooba, to the superb Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, to the amusing Main Ka Karoon, and the splendid O Mere Sanam, the beauty of Sangam album was its simplicity and the album had a soul, which lacks in today’s soundtrack. It’s sad that the recent RK Films (PremGranth and Aa Ab Laut Chalen) had average scores, because back in the old days when RK Films were releasing, you can bet your money that an RK film will have great soundtrack. Sangam is amongst the top soundtrack in the RK banner and one of the best ever in Bollywood history.

3) Awaara (1951)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailendra

What’s one thing you remember from any RK Films? It’s likely the wonderful musical score that is associated with it. Almost every RK Films has perfect score, and Awaara is an perfect example of that. To be honest, Awaara is the best musical album in the 50s decade, also it was the top selling album of the 50s. Every song from Awaara is an evergreen. I would consider Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi to be one of Lata Mangeshkar best song till date, probably in the top 10 list. An instant rewind candidate. Other gems in this album are Dum Bhar Jo Udhar, Awaara Hoon, Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke, Jab Se Balam, Ghar Aaye, Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya, Aa Jaao Tadapte Hain Aarman, Ek Do Teen, Tera Bina, and Haiyya Ho Naiyya. We need more scores like Awaara in today’s time, as Awaara remains a classic after 56 years of this release.

1) Barsaat (1949)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Ramesh Shastri & Jalal Mahilabadi To be honest, this comes to no surprise that the best soundtrack in Bollywood history is the 1949 classic Barsaat. When Barsaat album was released in 1949, it became the highest selling album at that time, plus it was the biggest seller of the 40s decade. Another reason why this album is memorable is that it was Barsaat that gave Hindi cinema greatest singer ever Lata Mangeshkar the launching pad. This is Shankar-Jaikishan first album and upto this day, everyone can still associate with Barsaat. Every song from Barsaat is a classic in its own right. Barsaat utilizes Lata Mangeshkar vocals very well as most of the songs are solo rendition for her. From the memorable Hawa Mein Udta Jaye, to the melodious Jiya Beqarar Hai, to the poignant Barsaat Mein Hum Se Mile, to the irresistible Mujhse Kisise Pyaar Ho Gaya, to the emotional Bichide Huye Pardesi, to the touching Ab Mera Kaun Sahara, and the beautiful Meri Aankhon Mein Bas Gaye. All of Lata Mangeshkar solo track is a perfect ten in my books. The other gems in Barsaat were Mohammed Rafi solo track Mein Zindagi Main Hardam, and the other two tracks were duets that had Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar providing the vocals, and they were Patli Kumar Hai and Chhod Gaye Balam. Barsaat album changed the face of Bollywood as it launched the greatest singer to ever grace Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar. It launched one of the famous musicians, Shankar-Jaikishan. Plus, Barsaat gave us some precious songs that will be remembered in the years to come. No wonder Barsaat is the greatest album of all-timegood

Hats off to you Raj Kapoor, nobody came even near your musical talent

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=493

Melody-master Raj Kapoor

Melody-master Raj Kapoor
By I.M. Soni

RAJ Kapoor was a melody-master par excellence. Lata Mangeshkar says, “One thing I have noticed through the years — that, no matter who be the music director of an RK film, in the end the music is given by Raj Kapoor himself.”

He was unlike others who engage a music director and the lyrics are set to tunes. He “composed” the tunes himself and stored them to be used later in his films as when the situation demanded.

O basanti pavan pagal... was shaped into a beautiful song in “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai.” But it was first used in a snatch as background music in “Awaara” when Prithviraj Kapoor visits his son in jail and calls him “beta” for the first time.

Sun sahiba sun...was approved by Raj Kapoor for RK’s “Ajanta” as far back as 1952. The film did not go on the floor at all.

Raj had visualised the song on Nargis, but it was finally picturised on Mandakini decades later.

When Raj Kapoor launched on his career as a film-maker, he had wanted Shanker-Jaikishan for “Aag”, but Ram Ganguly was thrust on him by Prithviraj.

“Aag” launched Mukesh as Raj Kapoor’s ghost voice with Zinda hoon.... Mukesh become Raj’s “soul mate” in the latter’s own words.

Shanker-Jaikishan who evolved a fresh style of music for RK camp were guided and inspired by Raj himself. It was Raj Kapoor who fashioned Lata’s singing technique for the duo, according to Kishore Bhiwani.

The dream sequence in “Awaara” was shot for 23 hours at one stretch. The takes were repeated till Lata’s voice became limpid, a silver stream of sweet melody.

Raj Kapoor was always present at the time of song rendering. Chithiye dard firaaq waaliye... (“Heena”) had been composed and ready for Lata. Raj Kapoor came into the recording room. He changed the tune and the orchestration of Ravindra Jain. Chithiye... thus turned into a tune composed impromptu Raj Kapoor.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal who composed music for “Bobby” said they walked out as the music for the film was given by Raj himself. They had only to arrange it.

Raj Kapoor’s heart was not really in the “Mera Naam Joker” songs sans Lata for reason which may not be stated here. The songs did not come from Raj Kapoor’s heart. The voice was missing. The vision (Nargis)had already vanished.

Lata says in the book named after her: “Very few film makers in our industry have such a grounding in music. He could play the piano, the tabla and the flute... The opening lines of the songs in his films were written by him... and even some of the tunes were composed by him, not entire songs, but the opening lines.”

The music master is gone. Now his ever-haunting legacy of songs will endure like the RK emblem — the lover with a violin in his hand

http://z6.invisionfree.com/RKForum/index.php?showtopic=572

Raj Kapoor: The Face Behind The Star

Book: Raj Kapoor
Author: Ritu Nanda
Publisher: R K Studios and Films
Page: 221

Lata Mangeshkar was the inspiration behind Raj Kapoor’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram and he wanted to cast her in the 1978 R K Banner film, reveals Raj Kapoor’s daughter Ritu Nanda in her latest book.

“I visualised the story of a man falling for a woman with an ordinary countenance but a golden voice and wanted to cast Lata Mangeshkar in the role,” the book quotes Raj Kapoor as saying.


“I visualised the story of a man falling for a woman with an an ordinary countenance but a golden voice and wanted to cast Lata Mangeshkar in the role,” Ritu Nanda quotes Raj Kapoor as saying.He believed that love and faith were contingent on purity of any relationship not on beauty. The book Raj Kapoor further says that Lata who had initially agreed to act in the film later declined the offer.

The book, which is a Hindi version of 2002 published book Raj Kapoor Speaks, released recently at a function held in the capital.

The book talks at length about Raj Kapoor’s relationships with his female co-stars particularly his bonding and later estrangement with Nargis. “Raj Kapoor’s egoistic tendencies and the futility of the future of their relationship made the ending of the relationship inevitable,” believes the author.

Raj Kapoor later recalled, accepting Mother India was probably the toughest decision for Nargis. She had to decide whether to continue a relationship with Raj Kapoor without any future or to create a new life for her by leaving R K Studio, Ritu says.

Although Raj Kapoor never defined their relationship, he once said, “We understood each other. I cannot express my feelings towards her. No, it was not love, although I liked her very much. Probably it was a great emotional bonding of two great artists.”

Nargis inspired Raj Kapoor in many ways. He met her when he was working on his first movie Aag. Describing his reaction, Raj Kapoor said that Nargis was a ‘fairy’ and later used this very scene in his movie Bobby.

It is quite clear that despite all the hardships that they faced, their respect for each other was mutual. Even the RK logo is somehow inspired by the legendary actress. Inspired by a still from his second movie Barsaat in this famous scene Raj Kapoor is holding Nargis in his one hand and a violin in the second.

This exalted image of love, beauty and music became the logo and identity of RK Studio. Perhaps the greatest irony of the showman’s life was that his best movies flopped badly on box office and pushed him into great financial troubles.
He could never get over with the failure of Mera Naam Joker and Jagte Raho,(his last movie with Nargis). These movies remained very dear to him. Raj Kapoor felt that these movies were ahead of their times and could not appeal to the public at that time.

Raj Kapoor’s love for the common public was represented in his movies. He said, “From my very first movie, I have played ordinary characters. I never tried to play the role of a blue eyed handsome young man in my movies.”

Raj Kapoor believed that the audience had to identify with whatever was happening on the screen. It was his measure of making the right movie. “Never make anything in which you have no faith… I had the offer of some great movies which had all the material to be successful but I did not make them because they failed to inspire me.”

Raj Kapoor, who has often been criticised for exploiting the nubile charms of his leading ladies had a very liberal view on presenting women, the book says.

Questioning this criticism he once said, “We are shocked to see nudity, we need to get mature. I have always respected women but don’t understand why I am accused of exploiting them. Fellini’s nude woman is considered Art but when I show a woman’s beauty on screen, then it is called exploitation.”

Commenting upon his “miraculous popularity” in Soviet Union, the showman believes that the Russians fresh from a mass revolution identified with his ordinary hopeful heros.

“My miraculous popularity in Russia has often left me wondering…Probably it had to do with the fact that Awara and Shree 420 were released there at a time when they were going through a great cultural revolution. My heroes became a symbol of their own struggles and aspirations,” the book says.

Cinema was Raj Kapoor’s life, his soul and the reason of his very existence. They signified the struggle and dreams of a nascent nation in search of a new identity.

His movies represent eternal hope. In his own words, “When I die bring my body to my studio. It is quite possible that I may wake up amid their lights shouting Action…Action”.