In my college days, I saw dozens and dozens of movies of the golden era actresses -- Meena Kumari, Vaijayantimala, Madhubala, Nutan, Sadhana, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, Nargis and many more. But when it came to emoting songs on the screen, I felt none matched Nutan, she was absolutely the best amongst the lot. Many years later, I came across an article which vindicated my views ---
What set Nutan apart from other actresses of her time was that she was a thinking actress who tried to fathom the inchoate motivations of the characters she played. . Consequently, a fleeting expression on her face conveyed much more than expansive dialogue. For instance, in Seema (1955) we can see the tempests raging and dying in her eyes as the bhajan 'Manmohana bade jhoote' sung by Lata Mangeshkar salves her stricken soul.
Lata Mangeshkar has singled out Nutan as the heroine whose expressions conveyed the impression that she was genuinely singing a song.
What a tribute to this great actress from none other than the queen of the melody herself!
So I would like to devote this thread to the songs of Nutan. The songs in which her acting was par excellence. Something that tickled you, made you laugh, and at times moved you from inside out.
So here is guideline for discussion. Please follow it.
DOs
1. Do discuss about songs picturized on Nutan, solos and duets, where she either sung them on screen or they were background solos picturized on her.
2. Do discuss about the song, the singer, the MD, the song situation, Nutan's acting in it, why you liked it.
3. Do post any article here where the main focus is on the songs in Nutan's movies.
DON'Ts
1. Don't Discuss Nutan as an actress and her acting skills. That topic is more appropriate for Bollywood forum.
2. Don't post any article on Nutan as actress and any reviews of her films, her filmography etc.
Nutan was fortunate to work for the big banners under the greatest directors of her time- Bimal Roy, Vijay Anand, Subodh Mukherjee, Hrishikesh Mukherjee-- and music for many of her movies was composed by the greats like Dada Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan and Kalyanji Anandji.
So here I begin with some of her songs in which I found her acting very best. I will just mention a few so that others will get opportunity to list their own from the rest --
Solos:
1. Chand Phir Nikala Magar Tun Na Aye (Paying Guest/Lata/SDB)
2. Kali Ghata Chhaye, Mora Jiya Tarsaye (Sujata/Asha/SDB)
3. Tera Jana Dil Ke Armanon Ka Lut Jana (Anadi/Lata/SJ)
4. Mora Gora Ang Lai Le (Bandini/Lata/SDB)
Duets:
1. Chhod Do Achal Zamana Kya Kahega (Paying Guest/Asha-Kishore/SDB)
2. Pyar Par Bas To Nahin Phi Tu Yeh Bata (Sone Ki Chidiya/Asha-Talat/OPN)
3. Yeh Raten, Ye Mausam, Nadi Ka Kinara (Dilli Ka Thug/Asha-Kishore/Ravi)
4. Dil Ki Nazar Se, Nazaronke Dil Se (Anadi/Mukesh-Lata/SJ)
And, by the way, Nutan had a great voice and she could have become a singer in her own right. Don't believe in it? Listen to the song that she sung for the film "Chhabili" -1960 (MD: Snehal Bhatkar)
Aye Mere Humsfar (reminds me of Suman Kalyanpur)
Udne Ki Aasha
