#Best Romantic Songs of Mohammed Rafi | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ayaansblog01 · 2 months

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Rediscover Timeless Melodies: Hindi Song MP3 Downloads from Saregama

Hindi song mp3 download

In the digital age, accessing music has become more convenient than ever. For lovers of classic Hindi songs, Saregama offers an extensive library of timeless melodies in MP3 format. With a rich heritage of Indian music, Saregama is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to download high-quality Hindi songs.

Explore the Golden Era Saregama, formerly known as HMV, has been a cornerstone of India's music industry for decades. Their collection spans the golden era of Bollywood, featuring legendary artists like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mohammed Rafi. Whether you're a fan of romantic ballads or upbeat dance numbers, Saregama has something for every music enthusiast.

User-Friendly Access The platform's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through its vast selection. You can search for songs by artist, album, or even specific movie soundtracks. Once you find your desired track, the Hindi song mp3 download format is a seamless process. This ensures that your favorite songs are readily available for offline listening.

High-Quality Audio One of the standout features of Saregama is the audio quality of its downloads. The platform prioritizes delivering songs in pristine condition, allowing listeners to experience the music as it was originally intended. This commitment to quality makes Saregama a preferred choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Affordable and Legal Saregama provides an affordable way to build a collection of classic Hindi songs. By offering legal downloads, the platform supports artists and the music industry, ensuring that they receive their rightful dues. Various payment options are available, making it convenient for users to purchase songs or entire albums.

Exclusive Collections In addition to individual tracks, Saregama offers exclusive collections and curated playlists that highlight the best of Bollywood. These collections often include rare and lesser-known gems, giving listeners a chance to discover new favorites alongside beloved classics.

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Conclusion Saregama stands out as a premier destination for downloading Hindi songs in MP3 format. With its vast collection, commitment to quality, and ease of use, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking to relive the magic of classic Bollywood music. Whether you’re building a personal collection or exploring the golden hits for the first time, Saregama offers an unparalleled musical journey.

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jawaradio · 9 months

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Listen to Hits of Mohammed Rafi

Listen: https://www.jawaradio.com/radio/retro-hindi-radio/hits-of-mohammad-rafi

#MohammedRafiSongs #Hindifilms #HitsofBollywood #HitsofMohammedRafi #onlineRadioStation #Bollywoodsingingsensation

Hindi films have delighted audiences and listeners with their music from as far back as the 1930's all the way to the 2010's and are truly a global treasure. Hits of Bollywood in a small effort to pay tribute to all these artists and their creations which have enriched the lives of millions of people over many decades has dedicated this Hits of Mohammed Rafi online Radio Station. The station plays all the songs of Mohammed Rafi's hits whole day long. He was notable for his versatility and range of voice; his songs varied from fast peppy numbers to patriotic songs, sad numbers to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to classical songs. He recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and sang songs in many Indian languages as well as foreign languages, though primarily in Urdu and Punjabi, over which he had a strong command. He recorded as many as 7,405 songs in many languages. It’s just valid that Bollywood singing sensation Sonu Nigam is also a big fan of the best songs of Mohammed Rafi.

#MohammedRafihits #MohammedRafiSongs #Hindifilms #HitsofBollywood #HitsofMohammedRafi #onlineRadioStation #Bollywoodsingingsensation

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livesanskrit · 9 months

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Send from Sansgreet Android App. Sanskrit greetings app from team @livesanskrit .

It's the first Android app for sending @sanskrit greetings. Download app from https://livesanskrit.com/sansgreet

Mohammed Rafi.

Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian film playback singer. He is considered as one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and range of voice; his songs varied from fast peppy numbers to patriotic songs, sad numbers to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to classical songs. He was known for his ability to mould his voice to the persona and style of the actor lip-syncing the song on screen in the movie. He received four Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was honored with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India. In 2001, Rafi was honoured with the "Best Singer of the Millennium" title by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine. In 2013, Rafi was voted for the Greatest Voice in Hindi Cinema in the CNN-IBN's poll.

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all-datmatterz · 2 years

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Best Bollywood Old Songs list 1970 | Evergreen Old Songs You Must Listen

love and the lyrics of old Indian songs turn the music into a beautiful melody. our bollywood industry is famous for its dance sequences and songs. India has many legendary singers like kishore kumar, lata mangeshkar, ar rahman etc. India has a tremendous history in music.

Are you one of those people who like to listen to old songs?

The love and lyrics of the old songs turn the music into a beautiful melody. Our Bollywood industry is known for its dance sequences and songs. India has many legendary singers like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, AR Rahman, etc. India has a remarkable history in music.

In this article, we will discuss the best enduring Bollywood songs of all time. We have tried to create a list of 21 Oldest Hindi Bollywood Songs. I assure you that you will fall in love with these timeless Bollywood songs.

List of old Hindi Superhit songs of all time that you must listen to

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dill Mein (1976)

This song is one of the most romantic old songs in Bollywood. This song features two big superstars, Amitabh Bachchan and Rakha Ji. This song won 3 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Singer, Best Lyricist and Best Music.

If you love someone, you should sing this song.

Lag Jaa Gale (1964)

These old classic Hindi songs were written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and sung by the great Lata Mangeshkar. This song has almost 172 million views on YouTube. Lata Mangeshkar said that this song is always etched in her heart.

Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass

Pal Pal Dil Ke is a super hit song which is passed down from legend Kishore Kumar. This song is from the 1973 film Blackmail.

The moral of this song is that a man never leaves the woman he loves, no matter how far he is from her. This is one of the best old bollywood songs.

Yeh Dosti (1975)

It is an old Indian friendship song sung by legend Kishore Kumar. It's a perfect song for best friends. This song is from Bollywood superhero movie Sholey.

"Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todengay, Todengay Magar Tera Sath Na Chordenge" This line is awesome if you hear it with your best friends.

In Aankho Ki Masti Ke (1981).

This song is sung by the amazing Asha Bosley and directed by the beautiful actress Rekha Ji. This song is from the 1981 movie Umrao Jaan.

Asha Bhosle won the National Film Award for this song. This is one of the best lazy romantic songs.

Ek Do Tin Char (1988)

This enduring old Indian song is breaking records thanks to the performance of beautiful actress Madhuri Dixit. This song is sung by Alka Yagni and Amit Kumar.

This song is from the movie Tezaab and has recently been recreated in the movie Baghi 2.

Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein

Another old superhit Bollywood song. This song is from the movie Padosan, which means neighbor. Well, this is another famous song sung by legend Kishore Kumar. This old romantic Hindi song features Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu.

Lyrics of this song are penned by Rajendra Krishan.

Gulabi Ankhein (1970)

This wonderful old Hindi song is a pure love song sung by the legend Muhammad Rafi. This song is a completely different way of feeling. It is still the most popular song among young people.

This song is from thriller Train.

Badan Pe Sitare Lapate Hue (1969)

Another great performance by the legend Mohammad Rafi from Prince. This is a great Bollywood song from the 60s.

Inteha Hogyi Intezaar Ki (1984)

This song was sung by the wonderful singer Asha Bosley and star Kishore Kumar with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Prada. Kishore Kumar won the 7th Filmfare Award for this song.

This song is from Bollywood movie Sharabi.

Khaike Pan Banaras wala (1973)

The best song of the seventies. This song is popular not only in India but all over the world. Once again this song is sung by the legend Kishore Kumar from the movie Don. The same was recreated in 2006.

Mere Sapno Ki Rani Kab Aogi Tum (1969)

Kishore Kumar sang the classic Bollywood superstar song Aradhana from the Bollywood superhero movie starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna.

Sar Jo Tera Chakarai (1951)

This song brings Mohamed Rafi national fame. Sar Jo Tera Chakkaray has the attention of millions. Even today people want to hear this song.

Mere Hathoon Mein (1989)

This song is sung by Legend Lata Mangeshkar and penned by Anand Bakshi. This song is from the movie Chandni and Sridevi G.

Pyaar Kia Toh Darna Kya (1960)

This song is from one of the most powerful movies in Indian history, Mughal-E-Azam. This song is sung by the great Lata Mangeshkar. This song represents the love between a prince and his love Anarkali.

This song was shot at Sheesh Mahal, Lahore Fort.

Rang Barse (1981)

Bollywood's most famous old song was played during Holi festival. This song was sung by Amitabh Bachchan and penned by father Hrivansh Rai Bachchan. This song is from the movie series. This is one of the best Hindi folk songs.

Jumma Chumma Dee Dee (1991)

This song was sung by Sudesh Bhonsle and Kavitha Krishnamurthy. This song is from the movie Hum starring Amitabh Bachchan and Kimi Katkar. This song has over 21 million views on YouTube.

It's still the most popular song of 2021.

Mera Joota Hai Japani (1955)

This song was sung by Mukesh and rendered by Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor. This super song is from the movie Shree 420. This song has reached the whole country because of its national song lyrics.

This song was released at the time when India got its independence.

Pyaar Hua Ikraar hua

It is a song from the movie Shree 420 sung by Lata Mangeskar and Manna Dey. This timeless old bollywood song expresses the love between Raj Kapoor and Nargis.

Yeh Reshmi Zulfien (1961)

This is a song from Bollywood romantic movie Do Raste. This song represents the love between Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. This song is sung by Mohamed Rafi.

List of the best old Hindi songs from the 1950s

Joota Hai Japan – Shree 420 Movie

Bhooli Surat Dil Ke Koothay – Albela Movie

Sab Kuch Seekha Humne - Anari movie

Jalte Hai Jiske Liye – Sujata Movie

Yeh Raat Yeh Chaandni – Jaal Movie

Duniya Mein Hum Ayye Hai – Mother India movie

Maan Dolle Mera Taan Dolle – Nagin movie

#bollywoodoldsong #bestoldsong #oldsongslist #bestoldsongs

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applicationdemo · 2 years

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My heart will go on songs download

The thumping bass drum and handclaps of Oh My God hark back to the era of Rolling in the Deep, when she was caught up in the post-Amy Winehouse frenzy of jazz-inspired chart singers. Sonically, at least, it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s a welcome injection of Adele the likable celebrity-who’s-just-like-us, before she batters us with woe again. “All right, then, I’m ready,” she says at the close of the song. Sweeping strings, mournful organ and Adele’s signature vocal range comfortably move through the paces. “I’ll be taking flowers to the cemetery of my heart,” she begins on Strangers by Nature, played with all the warm timbre of an old gramophone. What is on Adele Adkins’s mind at 33? The same heartbreak that fuelled her breakthrough, with 21, and shot her to global stardom, with 25, persists on 30, a record of melodrama, ballads and a hint of 1960s soul.

Or you might be waiting for the delivery of some other artist’s LP, cursing pop music and everything it stands for because Adele decided to press 500,000 copies of her latest album during a vinyl shortage. What is your relationship with Adele? Maybe you’re one of the 277-odd million people who have streamed Easy on Me on Spotify, awaiting a return to permissible (even encouraged) long-form heartbreak.

#My heart will go on songs download

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lasclsilicon · 2 years

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R kelly steppin songs on chocolate factory album

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youthsunsky · 2 years

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Usher u got it bad original video

#Usher u got it bad original video

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bollywoodproduct · 3 years

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Laakhon Hain Nigaah Me

Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari Hai – Song contents: Lyrics in EnglishHindi LyricsYouTube VideoMore Lyrics in English | Laakhon Hain Nigaah Me | Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon-1963 | Joy Mukherjee | Mohammed Rafi HayeLaakhon Hain Nigaah MeZindagi Ki Raah MeSanam Haseen JawaanHoton Me Gulaab HaiAankhon Me Sharaab HaiLekin Wo Baat Kahaan Ho Laakhon Hain Nigaah MeZindagi Ki Raah MeSanam Haseen JawaanHoton Me…

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#A to Z Bollywood Songs #A to Z Hindi Retro Romantic Songs #A to Z Hindi Songs #a to Z Romantic Songs #A to Z Song Lyrics #A to Z Songs #All Time Best Songs of Joy Mukherjee #All Time Best Songs Written by Majrooh Sultanpuri #Antakshari Songs from L #Best Hindi Songs of 1963 #Best of Majrooh Sultanpuri and Mohammed Rafi #Best of O P Nayyar and Mohammed Rafi #Best Romantic Songs Joy Mukherjee #Best Romantic Songs of 1963 #Best Romantic Songs of 60s #Best Romantic Songs of Mohammed Rafi #Best Solo Songs of Mohammed Rafi #Best Songs of 1963 #Best Songs of Majrooh Sultanpuri #Best Songs of O P Nayyar #Best Songs of O P Nayyar and Majrooh Sultanpuri #Bollywood Songs 1963 #Bollywood Songs of 1963 #Hindi Song Lyrics Starting from L #Hindi Songs of 1963 #Joy Mukherjee Songs #Lyrics Starting from L #Majrooh Sultanpuri and Mohammed Rafi #Mohammed Rafi Songs #Retro Romantic Songs

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postoastblog · 3 years

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21 Bollywood Old Songs That Will Remain Evergreen Till Eternity

Our Bollywood film industry is known for its amazing songs and dance moves. Indian cinema has a long history of music in films. The legendary singers like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, etc have sung some of the evergreen old songs whose lyrics are so beautiful they’ll instantly make you love the song. Maybe that’s the reason your grandfather or dad keeps playing the old classic songs and gets lost in their melody.

Here we have a list of some best old Bollywood songs that tend to stay close to you forever.

Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana: This song was sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar for the movie Andaz in 1971. The song also received the Filmfare for the Best Lyricist. It was written by Hasrat Jaipuri.

Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na Jaye Na: This iconic old song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, written by Gulzar for the 1978 film Ghar featuring and stars Rekha and Vinod Mehra. The music direction of Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na was done by R.D. Burman.

Hamen Tumse Pyar Kitna: This song was sung by Kishore Kumar for the 1981 film Kudrat. Written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and the Music Director of Kudrat was R.D. Burman. The song was also nominated for the Filmfare.

Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar: This iconic song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle for the 1961 film Hum Dono starring Dev Anand and Sadhna. Jaidev was the Music Director and the lyricist was Sahir Ludhianvi.

Roop Tera Mastana: The song was sung by legend Kishore Kumar and he won the Filmfare for the Best Male Playback Singer for this song. The song was sung for the 1969 film Aradhana that featured Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. The lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi and the music was composed by S.D. Burman.

Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua: This amazing song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey. This song was featured in the movie Shree 420 starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis.

Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se: The song was sung by Kishore Da and was featured in the 1974 film Ajanabee starring Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman. The on-screen chemistry of the actors together made this song magical. R.D. Burman was The Music Director of this song.

Kuch Toh Log Kahenge Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kahana: This superhit classic old Hindi song was sung by Kishore Kumar from the blockbuster Hindi movie of Amar Prem (1972) starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. The music was composed by R.D.Burman and lyrics were penned by Anand Bakshi.

Mere Sapno ki Rani Kab Ayegi Tu: This iconic Hindi classic romantic song was sung by Kishore Kumar and was featured in the 1969 film Aradhana that featuring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. The lyricist of the song is Anand Bakshi.

Lag Ja Gale: Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, this evergreen song features in Who Kaun Thi?. Written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, the iconic song was released in the year 1964. It stars Manoj Kumar alongside Sadhna. Madan Mohan Kohli is the music director.

Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe: Sung by Mohammed Rafi, this old Bollywood song was one of the most heartwarming songs of the movie Kanyadan. The film featured legends like Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. The lyrics were written by Neeraj.

Kya Hua Tera Wada: The song was composed by R. D. Burman. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Sushma Shrestha, the song won both Filmfare best male playback singer and National film award.

Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna: This beautiful Hindi song was sung by the legend Kishore Kumar and was composed by R. D. Burman. The song was featured in the 1981 Indian Hindi drama film, Kudrat. The movie starred Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. The song is heard twice in the movie, the first time by Parveen Sultana and the second time by Kishore Kumar.

Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein: It is an old Hindi song from the movie Kabhi Kabhie released in the year 1976 featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee. The lyricist of this amazing song is Sahir Ludhianvi. The original song is in literary Urdu and was in fact a poem from his collection Talkhiyan.

Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge: This is one of the most epic Bollywood songs on friendship. The song was sung by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey for the popular movie Sholay featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. R. D. Burman composed the music, and the lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi.

Mera Joota Hai Japani: This song is one of the most popular old songs from Raj Kapoor’s film Shree 420 that was released in 1955. The song was sung by Mukesh and Shailendra was the lyricist.

Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi: This song is from Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore starrer movie Aa Gale Lag Jaa. Kishore Kumar sang the song and the music was given by R. D. Burman. The lyrics are penned by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Ek Radha Ek Meera: Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, this song featured in the 1985 romantic drama movie Ram Teri Ganga Maili that starred stars Mandakini and Rajiv Kapoor. Ravindra Jain was the music director of the film and he received a Filmfare Award for this movie.

Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam: Sung by legends like Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, this song featured in the film Dilli Ka Thug. The music was by Ravi and the lyrics were penned by Shailendra.

Tum Ko Dekha Toh Ye Khayal: This evergreen ghazal was sung by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh for the 1982 film Saath Saath featuring Farooque Shaikh and Deepti Naval in the lead roles.

Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi: The song has a female and a male version that was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Anup Ghoshal respectively for the 1983 film, Masoom. The song was composed by R. D. Burman and the lyrics of the song were written by Gulzar. He also won a Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for this song.

#oldsongs #hindi video song #bollywood

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dweemeister · 4 years

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Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959, India)

Almost a quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, globalization has pierced the remotest corners of the planet. The examples academics and politicians cite demonstrating this globalization are almost always economic, but the most profound examples are cultural. Once known only in South Asia, Indian cinema has burst onto a global stage. Its stars and its most popular directors seem larger than life. Reading on some of modern Bollywood’s (Hindi-language cinema) personalities, I find few of their biographies compelling beyond their unquestionable status as South Asian and international celebrities – I won’t name names here because that is for another time. That is partly a result of not watching enough Bollywood films. It is also because I am making unconscious comparisons between those modern actors to actor-director Guru Dutt. Dutt was a tragic romantic – off- and on-screen – to the point where those personas can become indistinguishable.

As an actor, Dutt can be as charming a romantic male lead as anyone, as well as lend a film the dramatic gravitas it needs. As a director, he refined his sweeping visuals and theatrical flairs over time. That artistic development culminated with Pyaasa (1957) and his final directorial effort, Kaagaz Ke Phool (“Paper Flowers” in English). The latter film is the subject of this piece. Both films elevate themselves to a cinematic altitude few movies anywhere, anytime ever accomplish. They are, for lack of a better word, operatic* – in aesthetic, emotion, storytelling, tone. In Kaagaz Ke Phool, Dutt once again lays bare his artistic soul in what will be his final directed work.

An old man enters a film studio’s empty soundstage, climbs onto the rafters, and gazes wistfully at the darkened workspace below. We learn that this is Suresh Sinha (Dutt), a film director whose illustrious past exists only in old film stock. The film is told in flashback, transporting to a time when his marriage to Bina (Veena) is endangered – the parents-in-law disdain his film work as disreputable to their social class – and he is embarking upon an ambitious production of Devdas (a Bengali romance novel that is among the most adapted pieces of Indian literature to film, the stage, and television). He is having difficulty finding someone to play Paro, the female lead. Due to this conflict, Bima has also forbidden their teenage daughter, Pammi (Kumari Naaz), from seeing Suresh. Pammi is sent to a boarding school far from Delhi (where Bima and her parents reside) and further from Mumbai (where Suresh works), without any sufficient explanations of the spousal strife.

One rainy evening, Suresh generously provides his coat to a woman, Shanti (an excellent Waheeda Rehman). The next day, Shanti arrives at the film studio looking to return the coat. Not knowing anything about film production, she accidentally steps in front of the camera while it is rolling – angering the crew who are tiring of yet another production mishap. Later, while viewing the day’s rushes, Suresh casts Shanti as Paro after witnessing her accidental, but remarkable, screen presence. She achieves cinematic stardom; Suresh and Shanti become intimate. When the tabloid gossip eventually reaches Mumbai and Pammi’s boarding school, it leads to the ruin of all.

What did you expect from an operatic film – a happy ending?

Also starring in the film are Johnny Walker (as Suresh’s brother-in-law, “Rocky”) and Minoo Mumtaz (as a veterinarian). Walker and Mumtaz’s roles are vestigial to Kaagaz Ke Phool. Their romantic subplot is rife with the potential for suggestive humor (she is a horse doctor), but the screenplay never justifies their inclusion in the film.

Shot on CinemaScope lens licensed by 20th Century Fox to Dutt’s production company, Kaagaz Ke Phool is Dutt’s only film shot in letterboxed widescreen. From the onset of his directorial career and his close collaboration with cinematographer V.K. Murthy, Dutt exemplifies an awesome command of tonal transition and control. Murthy’s dollying cameras intensify emotion upon approach: anguish, contempt, sober realization. These techniques render these emotions painfully personal, eliminating the necessity of a few lines of dialogue or supplemental motion from the actor. The effect can be uncomfortable to those who have not fully suspended their disbelief in the plot or the songs that are sung at the time. But to the viewers that have accepted that Dutt’s films exist in a reality where songs about infatuation, love, loss, and regret are sung spontaneously (and where revelations are heard in stillness), this is part of the appeal. Dutt and Murthy’s lighting also assists in directing the narrative and setting mood: a lashing rainstorm signaling a chance meeting that seals the protagonists’ fates, the uncharacteristically film noir atmosphere of the soundstage paints moviemaking as unglamorous, and a beam of light during a love melody evokes unspoken attraction. That final example represents the pinnacle of Dutt and Murthy’s teamwork (more on this later).

As brilliant as his films (including this) may be, Dutt suffered during mightily during Kaagaz Ke Phool’s production. In writings about Dutt, one invariably encounters individuals who believe Dutt’s life confirms that suffering leads to great art. Though I think it best to retire that aphorism so as not to romanticize pain, I believe that the reverse is true with Guru Dutt – his later directing career contributed to his personal tribulations. In some ways, that suffering informed his approach to what I consider an informal semiautobiographical trilogy of his films: Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), Pyaasa, and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Dutt directed and starred in each of these films. In each film he plays an artist (a cartoonist, poet, and film director, respectively); with each successive film his character begins with a greater reputation, only to fall further than the last. The three Dutt protagonists encounter hardship that do not discriminate by caste, professional success, or wealth.

For Dutt’s Suresh, he is unable to consummate his love for Shanti because the specters of his failed marriage haunt him still. He never speaks to his de facto ex, but marital disappointment lingers. Why does he bother visiting his stuffy in-laws when he knows they will never change their opinions about him? Abrar Alvi’s (the other films in the aforementioned informal Dutt-directed trilogy, 1962’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam) screenplay is silent on the matter. Also factoring into Suresh’s hesitation is his daughter, Pammi. Pammi is young, looks up to both her parents, and cannot fathom a parent being torn from her life. Her reaction to learning about Shanti implies that neither of her parents have ever truly talked to her about their separation. Pammi does not appear to blame herself, but it seems that her parents – intent on protecting their child, perhaps speaking to her not as a soon-to-be young adult – are loath to maturely talk about the other. In a sense, Pammi has never mourned her parents’ marriage as we see her deny the tabloid reports about Suresh’s affair and express anger towards her father when she learns the truth.

When Suresh’s film after Devdas flops, his film career is in tatters. But Shanti’s popularity is ascendant, creating a dynamic reminiscent of A Star is Born. In a faint reference to Devdas, Kaagaz Ke Phool’s final act contains anxieties about falling into lower classes. If Kaagaz Ke Phool is contemporaneous to its release date, one could also interpret this as concerns about falling within India’s caste system (reformist India in the late 1950s was dipping its toes into criminalizing caste discrimination, which remains prevalent). Suresh’s fall is stratospheric and, in his caste-conscious, masculine pride, he rejects Shanti’s overtures to help him rebuild his life and film career. This tragedy deepens because Shanti’s offer is in response to the contractual exploitation she is enduring. We do not see what becomes of Shanti after her last encounter with Suresh, but his final scenes remind me, again, of opera: the male lead summoning the strength to sing (non-diegetically in Suresh’s case) his parting, epitaphic thoughts moments before the curtain lowers.

Suresh’s and Shanti’s respective suffering was preventable. Whether love may have assuaged his self-pity and alcoholism and her professional disputes is debatable, but one suspects it only could have helped.

Composer S.D. Burman (Pyaasa, 1965’s Guide) and lyricist Kaifi Azmi (1970’s Herr Raanjha, 1974’s Garm Hava) compose seven songs for Kaagaz Ke Phool – all of which elevate the dramatics, but none are as poetic as numbers in previous Dutt films. Comments on two of the most effective songs follow; I did not find myself nearly as moved by the others.

“Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari” (roughly, “I Have Seen How Deeply Friendship Lies”) appears just after the opening credits, as an older Suresh ascends the soundstage’s stairs to look down on his former domain. The song starts with and is later backed by organ (this is an educated guess, as many classic Indian films could benefit with extensive audio restorations as trying to figure out their orchestrations can be difficult) and is sung non-diegetically by Mohammed Rafi (dubbing for Dutt). A beautiful dissolve during this number smooths the transition into the flashback that will frame the entire film. That technique, combined with “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari”, prepares the audience for what could be a somber recollection. However, this is only the first half of a bifurcated song. The melodic and thematic ideas of “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari” are completed in the film’s final minutes, “Bichhde Sabhi Baari Baari” (“They All Fall Apart, One by One”; considered by some as a separate song). Together, the musical and narrative arc of this song/these songs form the film’s soul. For such an important musical number, it may have been ideal to incorporate it more into the film’s score, but now I am being picky.

Just over the one-hour mark, “Waqt Ne Kiya Haseen Sitam” (“Time Has Inflicted Such Sweet Cruelty On Us”; non-diegetically sung by Shanti, dubbed by Geeta Dutt, Guru’s wife) heralds the film’s second act – Suresh and Shanti’s simultaneous realization of their unspoken love, and how they are changed irrevocably for having met each other. Murthy’s floating cameras and that piercing beam of light are revelatory. A double exposure during this sequence shows the two characters walking toward each other as their inhibitions stay in place, a breathtaking mise en scène (the arrangement of a set and placement of actors to empower a narrative/visual idea) foreshadowing the rest of the film.

Dutt’s perfectionist approach to Kaagaz Ke Phool fueled a public perception that the film was an indulgent vanity exercise with a tragic ending no one could stomach viewing. Paralleling Suresh and Shanti’s romantic interest in each other in this film, the Indian tabloids were printing stories claiming that Dutt was intimate with co-star Waheeda Rehman and cheating on Geeta Dutt. These factors – perhaps some more than others (I’m not versed on what Bollywood celebrity culture was like in the 1950s, and Pyaasa’s tragic ending didn’t stop audiences from flocking to that film) – led to Kaagaz Ke Phool’s bombing at the box office. Blowing an unfixable financial hole into his production company, Guru Dutt, a man who, “couldn’t digest failure,” never directed another film. Like the character he portrays here, Dutt became an alcoholic and succumbed to depression in the wake of this film’s release. Having dedicated himself entirely to his films, he interpreted any professional failure as a personal failure.

Kaagaz Ke Phool haunts from its opening seconds. Beyond his home country, Dutt would not live to see his final directorial effort become a landmark Bollywood film and his international reputation growing still as cinematic globalization marches forth. Dutt’s most visually refined films, including Kaagaz Ke Phool, are films of subtraction. The cinematography and music make less movement and dialogue preferable. Kaagaz Ke Phool is a film defined about actions that are not taken and scenes that are never shown. The result is not narrative emptiness, but a receptacle of Dutt’s empathy and regrets. Exploring these once-discarded, partially biographic ideas is not for faint hearts.

My rating: 9/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found in the “Ratings system” page on my blog (as of July 1, 2020, tumblr is not permitting certain posts with links to appear on tag pages, so I cannot provide the URL).

For more of my reviews tagged “My Movie Odyssey”, check out the tag of the same name on my blog.

* I use this adjective not to reference operatic music, but as an intangible feeling that courses over me when watching a film. Examples of what I would consider to be operatic cinema include: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, Taiwan); Greed (1924); The Red Shoes (1948); and The Wind (1928). Some level of melodrama and emotional unpackaging is necessary, but the film need not be large in scope or have musical elements for me to consider it “operatic”.

#Kaagaz Ke Phool #Guru Dutt #Waheeda Rehman #Kumari Naaz #Bollywood #Mehmood #Johnny Walker #Mahesh Kaul #Veena Sapru #Abrar Alvi #V.K. Murthy #S.D. Burman #Mohammad Rafi #Geeta Dutt #Asha Bhosle #My Movie Odyssey

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