Page 34 - Seniorstoday September 2022 Issue
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The mujra dance form is commonly This form was basically an extension of
performed by courtesans, and is staged in cabarets. But while many cabaret songs
kothas or mansions. It blends the Kathak were woven into the script, item songs were
style of dancing with Hindustani light just put randomly to add masala to the film
classical music forms. Rather than gaudy and its soundtrack.
attire and vulgar gyrations, the dancers
rely on nimble dancing, understanding of
rhythm and a variety of subtle ‘adayein’ or
mannerisms.
Two films immediately come to mind. One
is Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah (1972), where
Meena Kumari danced to ‘Chalte Chalte
Yunhi Koi’ and ‘Inhi Logon Ne’, sung by
Lata and composed by Ghulam Mohammed,
the latter being inspired by a folk melody.
The other movie is Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Item numbers were super-hits
Jaan (1982), where Rekha appeared in Asha The term was heard first in the late 1980s
Bhosle’s ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’, ‘Yeh Kya Jagah and early 1990s, to describe songs like
Hai Doston’ and ‘Justuju Jiski Thi’, among ‘Ek Do Teen’ (Tezaab), ‘Oye Oye’ (Tridev),
other songs composed by Khayyam. The ‘Tamma Tamma’ (Thaanedar), ‘Choli Ke
music director also provided the tune to Peeche Kya Hai’ (Khalnayak) and ‘Tu Cheez
‘Jalta Hai Badan’ in Razia Sultan. Badi Hai Mast Mast’ (Mohra). Essentially,
Individually, many mujra songs have these were catchy numbers aimed at the
become successful. Who can forget Minoo masses, and often the lyrics lacked depth.
Mumtaz in the Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam They all became super-hits.
number ‘Saaqiya Aaj Mujhe’, Rekha dancing Initially, they were filmed on the main
to ‘Salaam-e-Ishq’ in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar actresses, but slowly others started doing
or Hema Malini’s performance in ‘Sharafat item songs. An excellent dancer, Malaika
Chhod Di Maine’ in Sharafat? Sanjay Leela Arora appeared in ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ (Dil
Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas had some Se), ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ (Dabangg) and
wonderful mujras performed by Madhuri ‘Anarkali Disco Chali’ (Housefull 2).
Dixit in ‘Kahe Chhede’ and ‘Maar Dala’, Of course, main stars like Katrina Kaif
sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy. Asha sang (‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ in Tees Maar Khan),
some fantastic mujra-based songs for Shyam Bipasha Basu (‘Beedi Jalaile’ in Omkara),
Benegal films Mandi (‘Zabaanen Badalti Kareena Kapoor (‘Fevicol Se’ in Dabangg
Hain’) and Sardari Begum (‘Chaahe Maar 2) and Aishwarya Rai (‘Kajra Re’ in Bunty
Dalo Raja’). Both were composed by Vanraj Aur Babli) continued to do such songs along
Bhatia, with Ashok Patki assisting on the with ‘item specialists’ like Gauhar Khan and
latter. Rakhi Sawant.
Like in cabaret songs, Asha sang the bulk All three dance song types required great
of hits in mujra tunes too. choreography and elaborate sets. Among
the choreographers, Saroj Khan and P.L.
Item numbers Raj were trendsetters, with Saroj having
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