#29 Dulari: Top 100 Bollywood Albums

Music: Naushad Ali

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Label: Saregama HMV

Director: Abdul Rashid Kardar

Two of my last three entries have had their lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni – for Hemant Kumar and for Ravi, respectively. The composer that he tends to be most associated with though, is Naushad Ali. The partnership that began with the 1947 film Dard continued until two years before Badayuni's untimely death in 1970. And one of the greatest albums they produced during that period was Dulari. While the songs had a dominant folk bent, Naushad's adeptness at incorporating western elements came to the fore often – songs like Mohabbat Hamari, Taqdeer Jagaa Kar and Mil Mil Ke Gaayenge for instance opened with short but brilliant western-flavoured preludes before the folksiness kicked in. Interestingly the mandolin featured in multiple song videos (in most cases played by the hero), making the instrument a prominent feature in the arrangements as well.

Best Song of Dulari: Though Mohammed Rafi's playback career started in 1944, it was only towards the end of the decade that his journey towards greatness truly began. That start was owed largely to his association with Naushad; most of his early day hits came from the man. And if one were to make a list of the best Naushad-Rafi songs, Suhaani Raat Dhal Chuki is bound to occupy one of the top spots. The heart-warming melody gains as much from Rafi's amazing expressions as it does from the pain and longing in Badayuni's lines. Naushad keeps the arrangement mellow, and very Western – flute, guitar and trumpet employed liberally – accentuating the song's allure. Another interesting touch from the composer was using the sitar as an undertone to Rafi's voice throughout the song.

1. Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki (Singer: Mohammed Rafi)
2. Ae Dil Tujhe Kasam Hai (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
3. Mohabbat Hamari (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
4. Chandni Aayi Ban Ke Pyar (Singer: Shamshad Begum)
5. Taqdeer Jaga Kar Aayi Hoon (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
6. Raat Rangeeli Mast Nazare (Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi)
7. Do Din Ki Bahaar Pyare (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
8. Mil Mil Ke Gaayenge (Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi)
9. Ankhon Mein Aaja (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
10. Na Bol Pee Pee More Angana (Singer: Shamshad Begum)
11. Na Woh Humse Juda Honge (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
12. Kaun Sune Fariyad Hamari (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

Listen to the entire album of Dulari here:

(With contributions by Praveen VR, co-founder of musicaloud.com)

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