Friends there are many of us who were born 1940s , 1950s and 1960s, and those who were born in these three decades and had the love for Hindi Filmy music will surely remember one weekly radio programme which used to broadcasted by Radio Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Some of you might must I guessed I am talking about BINACA GEETMALA (in the later years it was known as Cibaca Geetmala). This programme was hosted by Ameen Sayani and used to broadcast 16 most popular and hit songs of the week on ever Wednesday. Listeners used to wait very anxiously every week, which songs will be coming this week and who will be no. 1 song of the week. Program used to give ranking to the songs starting from no. 16 to no.1 (1 ranking indicating top song of the week). During last 2 Wednesday of every calendar year, program used to play top 32 songs of the year, and the no. 1 song would become song of the year. Film Actors, Singers, Lyricist and Music composer would become glad if their songs played in this program, and they felt they have arrived in the Bollywood..
So in today’s weekend blog, I will be writing about the top songs of every year starting from 1953 through 2000. If you are interesting in seeing the song, the video You Tube link is given with each song
1953 Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai Jo Kisi Ka Ho Gaya– Anarkali (Film-F), Lata Mangeshkar (Singer-S), Rajender Krishan (Lyricist) and C Ramchandra (Music Director-MD). On screen Bina Rai.
1954 Jayen to Jayen Kahan-Taxi Driver (F), Talat Mehmood (S), Sahir Ludhianavi (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
1955 Mera Joota Hai Japani- Shri 420 (F), Mukesh (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor.
1956 Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan– CID (F), Mohd Rafi & Geeta Dutt (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Johny Walker with Kumkum.
1957 Jara Samne To Aa O Chaliye– Janam Janam Ke Phere (F), Mohd Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Bharat Vyas (L), SN Tripathi (MD). On screen Nirupa Roy & Bharat Bhushan.
1958 Hai Apna Dil to Awara, Na Jaane Kis Pe Aayega– Solva Saal(F), Hemant Kumar (S), Sahir Ludhianavi(L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand with Waheeda Rehman.
1959 Haal Kaisa Ha Janab Ka– Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (F), Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Madhubala & Kishore Kumar.
1960 Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi- Barsaat Ki Raat (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Sahir Ludhianavi (L), Roshan (MD). On screen Bharat Bhushan with Madhubala.
1961 Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko Kisi Ki Nazar– Sasural (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Rajendra Kumar with B Saroja Devi.
1962 Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar– Junglee (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Saira Banu.
1963 Jo Wada Kiya hai Nibhana Padega- Taj Mahal (F), Lata Mngeshkar & Mohd Rafi (S), Sahir Ludhianavi (L), Roshan (MD). On screen Pradeep Kumar & Bina Rai.
1964 Mera Man Ki Ganga Aur Tere Man Ki Jamuna– Sangam (F), Mukesh (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Raj Kapoor with Vyjayantimala.
1965 Jis Dil Main Basa Tha Pyar Tera– Tu Nahi Aur Sahi (F), Mukesh (S), Asad Bhopal (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen Pradeep Kumar
1966 Baharon Phool Barsao Mera Mehboob Aaya Hai– Suraj (F), Mohad Rafi (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Rajendra Kumar with Vyjayantimala
1967 Sawan Ka Mahina Pawan Kare Shor– Milan(F), Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh, Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal(MD). On screen Suni Dutt & Nutan.
1968 Dil Vil Pyar Vyaar, Main Kya Janoo Re- Sgagird (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri(L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen Saira Banu with Jay Mukherjee
1969 Kaise Rahoon Chup Ke Maine Pi Hi– Inteqaam (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Rajender Krishan (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen Sadhana with Sanjay Khan.
1970 Bindiya Chamkegi, Choodi Khankegi– Do Raaste (F), Lata Mangeshkar (L), Anad Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen Mumtaz with Rajesh Khanna
1971 Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana– Andaaz (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Rajesh Khanna with Hema Malini.
1972 Dam Maro Dam, Mit Jaye Gham- Hare Rama Hare Krishna (F), Asha Bhosle (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen Zeenat Aman.
1973 Yaari Hai Imaan Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi– Zanjeer (F), Manna Dey (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen Pran with Amitabh Bachchan.
1974 Mera Jeevan Kora Kaagaz, Kora Hi Reh Gaya- Kora Kagaz (F), Kishore Kumar (S), MG Hashmat (L), Kalyanji Anandji. On screen Background song featuring Jaya Bhaduri.
https://youtu.be://5rt4voXJONM
1975 Mehngai Maar Gayi– Roti Kapda Aue Makaan (F), Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh Jaani Babu, Narendra Chanchal (S), Santosh Anand (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal(MD). On screen Jaani Babu, Manoj Kumar, Maushami Chatterjee, Premnath & others.
In the year 1954, 1960, 1962, 1965 and 1971 the top song were also sung by female singer, but as the male version became more popular, the link given is for male song.
Balance songs I will be covering in my next weekend blog.
I hope you must have enjoyed the bit of nostalgia.
Awaiting your feed backs/views/comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
21st November 2020
Vasanth Chandra
I hate music , any music .
Music is sound pollution
I do not hate musicians & admire the talent & skill of musicians .
Have learnt to tolerate music , in the company of music lovers .
R. N. Mungale.
I was born in 1930 & stiil was eagrly awaiting Wednesdays for Binaca Geetmala.