**Sadabahar Geet Thread#1** ||Invitees only|| - Page 22

Dilip Kumar: The actor, the institution.

Anyone who enjoys the nuances of fine acting and can discern good from bad, will agree that he was the finest we had. Though he had stopped acting way back in 1998, his body of work is impressive to say the least.

For me, personally, his best era was the late 40s through to the early 60s. I know he did a lot of character roles for which he is lauded (and perhaps the present generation identifies more with those), but for me, his lead roles were the ones that stood out.

I'm going to post my top 10 Dilip Kumar solo and duet songs in no particular order.

I'll start first with the solo numbers.

1. Ae dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal, Film: Aarzoo (1950), Music: Anil Biswas, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Singer: Talat Mahmood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7LtH-YJ8Os

This film is supposedly based on 'Wuthering Heights', a story DK was said to have been obsessed over, especially the character of Heathcliff that he portrayed again in 'Dil Diya Dard liya' over a decade later. This film stars Kamini Kaushal as his love interest, who he also fell in love with in real life -and both love stories were doomed, sadly.

Talat's voice and the lyrics convey the anguish of DK's character very well indeed. Beautiful song!

2. Shaam-e-gham ki Kasam, Film: Footpath (1953), Music: Khayyam, Lyrics: Ali Sardar Jafri, Singer: Talat Mahmood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYrzOxANjj4

Such a lovely song of waiting! Among Khayyam's early works. Simply sublime.

3. Tu kahe agar, Film: Andaaz (1949), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Singer: Mukesh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emuDkBWbibI

Andaaz is a veritable music fest. With songs like Jhoom jhoom ke nacho aaj, uthaye ja unke sitam, hum aaj kahin dil kho baithe, it's hard to pick one favorite. Tu kahe agar stands out for me simply because it depicts the level of obsession (bordering on insane devotion) that DK's character feels for Nargis' character. This song is one of several in the film that feature DK, piano and Cuckoo dancing. Extremely well sung by Mukesh, and of course, acted by DK. The movie itself has not aged well, and is now considered regressive and misogynistic, especially Raj Kapoor's character. Directed by Mehboob Khan who later directed Mother India, hailed by many as a testament to feminism.

Tagging everyone so they can post their favorite DK songs too.

4. Madhuban mein Radhika naache re Film: Kohinoor (1960), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singers: Mohd, Rafi and Ustad Amir Khan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krDhXUtL7Zg

What to say about this song? Brilliant composition in Raag Hamir Kalyan by the maestro Naushad and brilliantly rendered by Rafi. Look at DK's emoting here. He's so exuberant. Kumkum's dancing adds to the appeal, she's such a consummate dancer. DK actually learned to play the sitar (amateur level) because he wanted his finger movements to look authentic! Wow!

5. Suhana Safar aur ye mausam haseen, Film: Madhumati (1958), Music: Salil Chowdhary, Lyrics: Shailendra, Singer: Mukesh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSU74fpWsfQ

This song, for me, is the quintessential nature song. Whenever I find myself among hills, valleys, mountains, lakes, forests, flowers I find myself invariably humming this song. Shailendra's lyrics beautifully encompass the wonders of Mother Nature.

Ye gori nadiyon ka chalna ucchalkar

ke jaise alhad chale pi se milkar

This film was one of Bimal Roy's finest and won all the major Filmfare awards that year, except the acting awards!

6. Nain lad jayee hai, Film: Ganga Jamuna (1961), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singer: Mohd. Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVp4ziT5ufI&list=TLGGV3CyXXnkMPkwNzA3MjAyMQ

This movie is still considered DK's best, and he produced it, so it was really close to him. He does the 'Avadhi" accent brilliantly (so does Vyjayantimala and it must have been so much more challenging for her being a South Indian). I love this song for its sheer energy, and the joy. Also, DK's dancing skills are to be seen to be believed.

7. Ye hawa ye raat ye chandni, Film: Sangdil (1952), Music: Sajjad Hussein, Lyrics: Rajinder Kishen, SInger: Talat Mahmood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN4cTuf42EY&list=TLGGzE4uhwvYx7kwNzA3MjAyMQ

This is actually a very complex tune by Sajjad who was an extremely temperamental and exacting MD. Watch DK's emoting here. He plays that sardonic expression to the hilt, and poor Shammi is actually flattered. The lyrics play up the sarcasm of a disillusioned lover very well -

Mujhe kyon na ho teri aarzoo

teri justajoo mein bahar hai

8. Dil mein chupake pyaar ka toofan le chale, Film: Aan (1952), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singer: Mohd. Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niPyRC9oTTQ&list=TLGGZOoGzbWtDiwwNzA3MjAyMQ

This song sums up DK at his swashbuckling best! He is so flamboyantly handsome here! I wonder what Nadira has to be miffed about! 😆 I also love 'Maan mera ehsaan' from this movie, but this song wins it for me!

9. Ek main hoon ek meri bekasi ki shaam hai, Film: Tarana (1951), Music: Anil Biswas, Lyrics: Prem Dhawan, Singer: Talat Mahmood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwjKYglgc_I

Every song in this movie is a treasure, and I will be including some of them in my duets list. This movie is supposed to have kickstarted the DK-Madhu real-life famed (but doomed) romance.

10. Meri kahani bhoolnewale, Film: Deedar (1951), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singer: Mohd. Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP_zdf5QERM&t=1s

I was debating whether to include this since I find the lyrics horribly self-pitying in a movie that's nothing short of a misery fest. But God, the way Rafi sings this! Heart-rending!

Honorable mentions:

O door ke musafir: Uran Khatola (I would definitely have this song if there had been room for one more)

Husnwalon ko na dil do: Babul

Gaaye ja geet mila ke: Mela

Toote huye khwabon ne: Madhumati

Mere pairon mein ghungroo bandha de: Sangharsh

Ye desh hai veer jawanon ka: Naya Daur

Maan mera ehsaan: Aan

Ye mera deewanapan hai: Yahudi

Na toofan se khelo: Uran khatola

Ae mere dil kahin aur chal: Daag

Sapnon ki suhani duniya ko: Shikast

Mitwa laagi re kaisi ye anbujh aag: Devdas

Takra gaya tumse: Aan

Mohabbat ki raahon mein chalna sambhalke: Uran Khatola

Jhoom jhoom ke nacho aaj: Andaaz

Hum aaj kahi dil kho baithe: Andaaz

I should have made a top 20 list! 😆

I'm sure there are many more I'm missing out, but I'll leave it to you guys to post!

Now on to the duets:

1. Nain mile nain huye baawre Film: Tarana (1951), Music: Anil Biswas, Lyrics: Prem Dhawan, Singers: Talat and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJqo2w_O8So&t=4s

2. Seene mein sulagte hain armaan. Film: Tarana (1951), Music: Anil Biswas, Lyrics: Prem Dhawan, Singers: Talat and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt40YLa1fSI&list=TLGG7MssGvVcsJEwNzA3MjAyMQ

This song is simply sublime. Perfection!

3. Dil mein sama gaye sajan. Film: Sangdil (1952), Music: Sajjad Hussein, Lyrics: Rajinder Kishen, Singers: Talat and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnYVDwSBcys&t=2s

4. Uden jab jab zulfein teri. Film: Naya Daur (1957), Music: O.P. Nayyar, Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi, Singers: Rafi and Asha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr6SAJ5CfYc

This is such a joyful song! Wins hands down though a couple of honorable mentions are warranted. Maang ke saath tumhara and Saathi haath badhana from the same movie.

5. Dil tadap tadap ke. Film: Madhumati (1958), Music: Salil Chowdhary, Lyrics: Shailendra, Singers: Mukesh and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwtrcAzSIzo&t=1s

6. Do sitaron ka zameen par hai milan. Film: Kohinoor (1960), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singers: Rafi and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j2WP677t4E

Such a beautifully romantic song! DK looks every inch the prince and Meena Kumari is so beautiful! Their chemistry is awesome! Truly it's do sitaron ka zameen par milan!

Honorable mention: Koi pyar ki dekhe jaadugari

Thank you, Priya, for sharing a few memorable songs of Dilip Kumar. 👏

Here are 2 great songs ---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc3jvBCD5g0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtEDnH77nUg

7. Jab jab phool khile. Film: Shikast (1953), Music: Shankar Jaikishen, Lyrics: Shailendra, Singers: Talat and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLwCKyXZ6BI

8. Dekh liya maine. Film: Deedar (1951), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singers: Rafi and Lata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpULRtbWlk

9. Kitna haseen hai mausam. Film: Azaad (1955), Music: C. Ramchandra, Lyrics: Rajinder Kishen, Singers: Lata and Chitalkar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laLtvoXoPuY

Apparently, DK was so depressed owing to his method acting immersing himself into his tragic characters that he went to London to seek treatment and was told to do some light-hearted movies. This was one of them. It's copied from the MGR hit, Malaikallan and it's a delightful caper. Meena Kumari looks so pretty!

10. Duniya Badal gayi/ Milte hee aankhein. Film: Babul (1950), Music: Naushad, Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Singers: Shamshad Begum and Talat Mahmood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYwuHKyvP88&list=TLGGKJqdZ1EhBO4wNzA3MjAyMQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTo6SNM-Idg

I can't choose between these two so posting both.

Madhu, thanks for posting 'Saawan aaye ya na aaye'. That was on my list but I took it off since you posted. Really, there's such a treasure trove of DK songs to choose from!

What are your favorite DK duets?

Devdas songs I love most Priya.

See the pathos here---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=218py1kN1AU