#51 Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi: Top 100 Bollywood Albums

Music: S D Burman

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Label: Saregama HMV

Director: Satyen Bose

The multi-talented Kishore Kumar turned producer with this 1958 movie that starred him (with his two brothers) and had him sing most of the songs. In his future productions he would take up the composer role as well, but in this film he went for SD Burman. And for the comedy flick, Dada Burman delivered one of his wackiest ever soundtracks where even the romantic songs had an element of playfulness about them. A big contributor to all the madness was of course, Kishore Kumar with his antics, both behind the mic and on the screen. And he found the perfect partner in each department in Asha Bhonsle and Madhubala.

Best Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi: Though the soundtrack had some amazing songs from Kishore and Asha, the song that to me best encapsulates the craziness is Kishore-Manna Dey's Babu Samjho Ishaare. Pictured on the three brothers, the song had a brilliantly wacky arrangement incorporating automobile sounds (possibly horns) among other things. While Kishore was in his elements, Dey proved that he too could handle the genre with ease, even when presenting a classically nuanced singing. And Dey's skill at combining classical nuances and comedy would be put to even better use ten years later in another song with Kishore.

On a related note: Paanch Rupaiyya Baaraah Aana had Kishore briefly sing a bit that goes Dheere Se Jaana Bagiyan Mein. This segment came from a non-film song composed and sung by SD Burman in 1940; Kishore even tried to mimic the veteran's singing style here. SD Burman later made another film song out of the same tune for the 1973 movie Chhupa Rustam, also sung by Kishore Kumar.

1. Babu Samjho Ishare (Singers: Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey)
2. Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si (Singer: Kishore Kumar)
3. Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka (Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar)
4. Hum The Woh Thi (Singers: Kishore Kumar, Anup Kumar)
5. Hum Tumhare Hain (Singers: Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra)
6. In Haathon Se Sab Ki Gaadi (Singer: Kishore Kumar)
7. Main Sitaron Ka Tarana (Singer: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar)
8. Rukh Jao Na Jee (Singer: Asha Bhosle)

Listen to the entire album of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi here:

(With contributions by Praveen VR, co-founder of musicaloud.com; trivia sourced from atulsongaday)

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