Continuing with my weekend post on the lyricist of Hindi Film songs of Golden Era of Music. This time I am writing about a lyricist, who may not have written many film songs as his contemporaries of that era, but whatever he penned was memorable and it was sheer poetry. Like Kaifi Azmi, he also had a very fruitful association with composer Madan Mohan, and their combination was musically deadly. He is known as RAJA MEHNDI ALI KHAN. Although he started his career in late 40s, but he became name to reckon with during late 50s and early 60s.
I am listing some of my favourite Hindi filmy songs penned by Raja Mehndi Ali Khan. Please note that listing is in random order.
1 Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha Pyar Ke Kaabil Mujhe- Anpadh (Film F), Lata Mangeshkar (Singer- S), Madan Mohan (Music Director MD). On screen Mala Sinha.
2 Preet Lagake Maine Yeh Fal Paya- Ankhen (F), Mukesh (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Shekhar.
3 Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya- Do Bhai (F), Geeta Dutt (S), SD Burman (MD). On screen Kamini Kaushal.
4 Poocho Na Hamen, Hum Unke Liye Kay Kya Nazrane- Mitti Mein Sona (F), Asha Bhosle (S), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Mala Sinha.
5 Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na Ansoo Bahana- Madhosh (F), Talat Mehmood (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Talat mehmood.
6 Jo Hamne Daastan Apni Sunayi Aap Kyun Roye- Woh Kaun Thi (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sadhana with Manoj Kumar.
7 Zulfon Ki Ghata Lekar, Saawan Ki Pari Aayi- Reshmi Rumal (F), Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey (S), Babul (MD). On screen Manoj Kumar & Shakila.
8 Cheda Jo Dil Ka Fasana, Hansa Dekh Sara Zamana- Naqli Nawab (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Babul (MD) . On screen Manoj Kumar.
9 Ek Haseen Sham Ko, Dil Mera Kho Gaya- Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Dharmendra.
10 Main Pyar Ka Raahi Hoon, Teri Zulf Ke Saaye Mein- Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (F), Moha rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Joy Mukherjee & Sadhana.
11 Hai Isi Mein Pyar Ki Aabru, Wof Zafa Karen Main Wafa Karoon- Anpadh (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Mala Sinha.
12 Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rehen, Ek Din Pyar Ho Jayega – Ek Musafie Ek Haseena (F), Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Joy Mukherjee & Sadhana.
13 Main Nighahen Tere Chehre Se Uthaon Kaise-Aap Ki Parchayian (F). Mohd Rafi (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen dharmendra with Supriya Choudhary.
14 Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar Mein- Mera Saaya (F), Asha Bhosle (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sadhana.
15 Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir Ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho- Woh Kaun Thi (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan. On screen Sadhana with Manoj Kumar.
16 Watan Ki Raah Mein Watan Ke Naujawan Dhaheed Hon- Shaheed (F), Khan Mastana & Mohd Rafi (S), Ghulam Hyder (MD). On screen- Background song.
17 Nainon Wali Ne Hai Mera Dil Loota- Mera Saaya (F) Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sadhana & Sunil Dutt.
18 Aap Ke Pehlu Mein Aa Kar Ro Diye- Mera Saaya (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt.
19 Naina Barse Rim Jhim Rin Jhim- Woh Kaun Thi (F), Lata Maneshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sadhana.
20 Jab Chaye Kabhi Saawan ki Ghata- Reshmi Rumal (F), Talat Mehmood (S), Babul (MD). On screen Manoj Kumar.
21 Mori Atariya Pe Kaga Bole, Koi Aa Raha Hai- Ankhen (F), Meena Kapoor (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Nalini Jaywant.
22 Main Dekhoon Jis Aur Sakhi, Samne Mere Sanwariya- Anita (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Sadhana.
23 Tere Paas aake Mera Waqt Gujar Jata Hai- Neela Akash (F), Moha Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen Dharmendra & Mala Sinha.
24 Gore Gore Chand Se Mukh Par Kali Kali Ankhen Hain- Anita (F), Mukesh (S), Madan Mohan(MD). On screen Manoj Kumar with Sadhana.
25 Ari O Shokh Kaliyan Muskura Dena- Jab Yaad kisiki Aati Hai (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Madan Mohan (MD), On screen Dharmendra.
He was at his peak of his career when in 1966 he expired at very young age of around 38 years. Although he formed a very successful partnership with Madan Mohan, he also worked with SD Burman, OP Nayyar, Babul, C Ramchandra and Iqbal Quereshi. But he will be mainly remembered for his work with Madan Mohan. After his death, it was Kaifi Azmi who formed a good & successful association with Madan Mohan. As he worked in very less number of films, but in whatever films he wrote the lyrics, all the songs of the film generally became very popular and some of them were chart busters.
I hope you will like my listed songs of Raja Mehndi Ali Khan, if you have some other songs as your favourite, please let me know.
Awaiting your comments/views/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th Oct 2019.
R. N. Mungale.
Good list.