Page 38 - Seniors Today - August 21 Issue

Once Upon a Time | Music

The Music of

Freedom

The king of melancholy songs, KL Saigal, was the biggest
name in Hindi film music before Independence, and passed
away at the beginning of 1947

The dawn of India’s independence also saw the beginning of the Golden
Era of Hindi film music, writes Narendra Kusnur

When it comes to India’s Independence, the the legendary Rai Chand Boral, Saigal’s
word ‘shehnai’ has a special significance. first hit was Yahudi Ki Ladki later that
On August 15, 1947, shehnai maestro Ustad year. Music credits were shared by Boral,
Bismillah Khan performed at New Delhi’s Timir Baran and Pankaj Mullick, who
Red Fort. On the same day, PL Santoshi’s composed Mirza Ghalib’s ‘Nuktacheen Hai
film Shehnai was released. It had music by Gham-e-Dil’.
C Ramchandra, and featured the hit song From 1932 to 1947, Saigal had numerous
‘Aana Meri Jaan Sunday Ke Sunday’, sung hits like Devdas, President, Street
in one version by Ramchandra, Meena Singer, Dushman, Tansen, My Sister and
Kapoor and Shamshad Begum. Shahjehan, among others. His ‘Jab Hi Dil
The film came six months after the Toot Gaya’, composed by Naushad and
death – on January 18, 1947 – of the written by Majrooh Sultanpuri in the 1945
legendary actor-singer Kundan Lal film Shahjehan, is considered to be among
Saigal, undoubtedly the biggest name in the ultimate sad songs. Saigal’s last film
Hindi film music before Independence. Parwana was released posthumously in
Though he made his debut in the 1932 film 1947, and was composed by Khurshid
Mohabbat Ke Ansu, which had music by Anwar with lyrics by DN Madhok and J

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