On this first weekend of the last month of 2018, and I am back on Bollywood. Today I am writing about a highly talented and respected Music Director, unfortunately he never got the recognition in the Bollywood which he richly deserves, and he is
Madan Mohan
He was born on25th Jun 1924, his full name was Madan Mohan Kohli, but he never used his surname in Bollywood. He is considered as one of the most melodious skilled composer of 50s, 60s and 70s. He is remembered for the immortal filmi ghazals he composed for hindi films.
After serving in the army as 2nd Lt. For 2 years, he left the army and came to Bombay to pursue his musical interests. From 1946 to 1948 he was working with All India Radio as composer. Between 1948-49 he assisted music Directors SD Burman, C Ramchandra and Shyam Sundar.
He got his first break as Music Director in 1950 for film Aankhen, which was major success. Subsequently, a fair amount of work came to Mohan. Among his earlier films was a trilogy of movies with his childhood friend Raj Kapoor- Aashiana (1952), Dhoon(1952) andPapi (1953). Unfortunately for Madan Mohan, the films he chose to compose for did not create much impact, and it was only with Bhai Bhai (1956), which starred the legendary Kumar brothers, Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar, that he got some success. But from then on, things got rough Railway Platform (1955),Gateway Of India (1957), while were with excellent music, weren’t huge hits. And to make matters worse, all of the top stars had already chosen a particular composer to work with like Dilip Kumar with Naushad, Raj Kapoor with Shankar Jaikishan and Dev Anand with SD Burman, and later RD Burman, this left no room for new composer like Madan Mohan, to work in the film starring big stars.
It was in late 50s & 60s that he started tasting success. His music compositions for Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) and Adalat (1958) showed that he is here to stay. Then Anpadh (1962), Sanjog (1961), he really came into limelight. With Adalat and later Anpadh he became to be known as Ghazal King. He acquired further commercial success when music of Raj Khosla’s Woh Kaun Thi (1964) and Mera Saya (1966) became super hit. In the mean time in 1963 he started working with Chetan Anand for India’s first war film Haqeeqat (1964). The music of this film also became a huge success and the song “ Kar Chale hum Fida Jaan O Tan Saathiyo” is still considered as one of the best patriotic song. After this he scored the music for all Chetan Anand’s film till his death.
He had mastery in bringing out best in his singers, be it Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi or even Talat Mehmood, but it was with Lata & Rafi he gave most of his memorable songs. It has been said that the biggest compliment to Madan Mohan was paid by Music Director Naushad, when he said “ Madan take all my songs, but give me 2 of your songs, the ghazals of Anpadh ‘Aap Ki Nazaron Ne Samjha Pyar Ke Qabil Mujhe’ and ‘Hai Isi Mein Pyar Ki Aabroo, Woh Jafa Karen Main Wafa Karoon”.
In the late 60s & 70s when western music in Hindi films was taking over Hindi films scene, Madan Mohan stuck to his Indian music came out with wonderful score in Dastak (1970), Bawarchi (1972), Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1966), Anita(1967), Hanste Zakhm (1973), Heer Ranjjha (1971).
He himself was a good singer, but hardly sang for the films. Once it so happened that Lataji was not available for song recording, and song was needed for film’s shooting. So he recorded the song in his voice, and the shooting was completed. When Lataji heard the song sang by him, she requested to keep the song as it is, but as the song was already picturised on Sadhana, the film’s heroine, Lataji agreed to dub the song in her voice, and the song was “Naina Barse Rimzhim Rimzhim” from film Woh Kaun Thi.
In 1975, at the age of 51, Mohan died from cirrhosis of the liver. Ironically, two films released soon afterwards – Mausam (1976) and _Laila Majnu (1976)_ – became resounding musical successes. However, three decades later, two films paid their tribute to Madan Mohan. One was Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo(2004), a war film which, interestingly, took its title from one of his songs from Haqeeqat (1964). The film, however, didn’t do well at the box-office. The other film, a romance called Veer Zaara (2004), paid a more fitting tribute for a composer – the director, Yash Chopra, took some of his unused tunes, and Madan Mohan’s son Sanjeev Kohli recreated the songs based on the old tunes.
Some of the memorable songs composed by Madan Mohan
- Ae Dil Mujhe Batade Tu Kis Pe Aagaya Hai (Bhabhi)- Geeta Dutt
- Bast Basti Parbat Parbat Gata Jaye Banjara (Railway Platform)-Mohd Rafi
- Kaun Aaaya Mere Man Ke Dware, Payal Ki Jhankar (Dekh Kabira Roya)-Manna Dey
- Unko Yeh Shikayat Hai Ki Hum Kuch Nahin Kehte (Adalat)- Lata Mangeshkar
- Woh Bhooli Daastan Lo Phir Yadd Aa Gayi (Sanjog)-Lata Mangeshkar
- Aap Ki Nazaron Ne Samjha,Pyar Ke Qabil Mujhe(Anpadh)- Lata Mangeshkar
- Jo Hume Daastan Apni Sunayi, Aap Kyoon Roye (Woh Kaun Thi)-Lata Mangeshkar
- Zaroorat hai Zaroorat Hai Ek Shrimati Ki ( Manmauji)-Kishore kumar
- Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan O Tan Saathiyo ( Haqeeqat)- Mohd Rafi
- Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bhulaya Hoga (Haqeeqat)- Mohd Rafi, Talat Mehmood, Manna Dey & Bhupendra
- Phir Wohi Shyam Phir Wohi Tanhai Hai ( Jahan Ara)-Talat Mehmood
- Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar Mein (Mera Saaya)-Asha Bhosle
- Aapke Pehu Mein Aakar Ro Diye (Mera Saaya)_-Mohd Rafi
- Teri Ankhon Ke Siva Duniya Mein Rakha Kya Hai(Chiraag)-Mohd Rafi
- Maayi Re Main Kaase Kahoon Preet Apne Piyaki (Dastak)- Lata Mangeshkar
- Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil Mere Kaam Ki Nahin (Heer Ranjha)-Mohd Rafi
- Tum Bin Jeevan Kaisa Jeevan (Bawarchi)-Manna Dey
- Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho, To Yeh lagta Hai(Hanste Zakhm)-Mohd Rafi
- Dil Dhoondhta Hai Fursat ke Raat Din (Mausam)- Bhupendra & Lata Mangeshkar
- Tere Dar Pe Aaayo Hoon (Laila Majnu)-Mohd Rafi
Unfortunately he never got any popular award. Once he was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Music for his film Woh Kaun Thi in 1964, along with Shankar Jaikishan for Sangam and Laxmikant Pyarelal for Dosti. For film Dosti Laxmikant Pyarelal won that year. He won National Award for Best Music for Dastak, and that is the only award he won in his life time. He along with other Music Director Roshan, never got their due from Bollywood although both were exceptionally talented.
Awaiting for your views/comments/feed back on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, Indi
7th Dec 2018
R. N. Mungale.
Madan Mohan was a great Music Composer but didn’t get due recognition.