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Guru Dutt.
Credit: DH Pool Images.
New Delhi: From love ballads, peppy numbers to deeply philosophical tracks, Guru Dutt was not just known for his mastery in storytelling but also for the way he visualised songs in his movies.
On his 100th birth anniversary, here's a look at 10 evergreen tracks from his films:
Jaane Woh Kaise Log The: The song from Pyaasa (1957) is considered one of the most iconic Guru Dutt songs. Rendered by Hemant Kumar, the song has a hauntingly beautiful tune set by SD Burman to Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics. Guru Dutt longs for lost love and betrayal in this song.
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye: The powerful climax song of Pyaasa was sung by Mohammed Rafi and is about the rejection of a corrupt, materialistic world by Dutt's poet character Vijay. The setting, lyrics, and Rafi’s intense vocals make it one of Indian cinema’s most scathing social commentaries.
Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam: Geeta Dutt’s soulful voice, S D Burman’s music, and Kaifi Azmi’s lyrics come together in a haunting scene from Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), which was Guru Dutt's last directorial. Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman play the lead characters, a once-close filmmaker and his muse, now emotionally distant.
Na Jao Saiyaan: This beautiful song from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) is sung by Geeta Dutt and picturised on Meena Kumari, who played the unforgettable Chhoti Bahu in the movie. The scene shows Chhoti Bahu begging her husband not to leave her alone. The lyrics are by Shakeel Badayuni.
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par: This song, again from Pyaasa, criticises the political and social order of a newly independent India riddled with poverty, corruption and other vices. Penned by Sahir Ludhianvi, it shines a light on exploitation, hypocrisy, and the hollow pride of a post-independence nation. Its relevance has only deepened with time.
Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho: The songs in Guru Dutt's movies capture a range of emotions and this soft romantic ballad in Rafi voice is an ode to beauty. The 1962's film of the same name features Waheeda Rehman and Dutt and Rehman in a love triangle. The film was directed by M Sadiq and was one of the biggest hits in Guru Dutt's career and came right after the debacle of Kaagaz Ke Phool.
Sar Jo Tera Chakraye: The fun number, crooned by Rafi with music by S D Burman, is from Pyaasa. It was picturised on the irrepressible Johnny Walker. A lighter, more playful tune from a serious film, this number became an anthem for the common man’s everyday stress.
Babuji Dheere Chalna: The hit song from the film Aar Paar (1954) was sung by Geeta Dutt. Her singing adds naughtiness to the sequence. It is actually a clever reworking of "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás", written in 1947 by Osvaldo Farrés, a Cuban songwriter settled in New Jersey. With Geeta Dutt’s alluring voice and Majrooh Sultanpuri’s pitch-perfect wordplay, the song is a favourite of many.
Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui: The 1951 movie Baazi features the track in which Geeta Bali is singing to Dev Anand. It is sung by Geeta Dutt, composed by SD Burman, and written by Sahir Ludhianvi. All three played an important role in shaping Guru Dutt’s creative journey. Baazi was an early Navketan noir film and Guru Dutt's debut as a director.
Yeh Raat Ye Chandni Phir Kahan: Picturised on Dev Anand and Geeta Bali, this romantic song is in the voice of Hemant Kumar and from Guru Dutt's 1952 film Jaal, a suspense thriller. The movie depicts the longing of two lovers. It is penned by Sahir Ludhianvi.