Most compilations of Shankar-Jaikishan’s hits contain uptempo numbers with peppy beats, sweeping arrangements and good doses of strings and accordion. Here, we choose the melancholic gems.
To mark Jaikishan’s 51st death anniversary on September 12, we have selected 10 sad songs composed by the duo. Lyrics are shared between Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The order is chronological.
1 Hum Dard Ke Maaron Ka – Daag (1951)
The film Daag, one of Shankar-Jaikishan’s early hits, had Talat Mahmood’s classic ‘Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal’. The singer also sang this sad song, with Hasrat Jaipuri writing, “Hum dard ke maaron ka, itna hi fasaana hai; peene ko sharaab-e-gham, dil gham ka nishaana hai”. The song was filmed on Dilip Kumar.
2 Hain Sabse Madhur Woh Geet – Patita (1953)
Another Talat gem, this was filmed on Dev Anand and Usha Kiran. Shailendra wrote, “Hain sabse madhur woh geet jinhe, hum dard ke sur mein gaate hain; Jab hadh se guzar jaati hai khushi, aansoon bhi chalakte aate hain”. The film also had Talat’s ‘Andhe Jahaan Ke’ and the Hemant Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar song ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne”.
3 Sur Na Saje – Basant Bahar (1955)
Shankar-Jaikishan showed their mastery at classical compositions with the Basant Bahar soundtrack. ‘Sur Na Saje’ was sung brilliantly by Manna Dey in raag Pilu. Shailendra wrote, “Sur na saje, kya gaaoon main, sur ke bina, jeevan soona”. The singer also sang the amazing ‘Bhay Bhanjana Vandana Sun’, besides joining Pt Bhimsen Joshi on ‘Ketaki Gulab’.
4 Yeh Mera Deewanapan – Yahudi (1958)
Filmed on Dilip Kumar, this song has been featured in many Mukesh compilations. Shailendra wrote, “Yeh mera deewanapan hai, ya mohabbat ka suroor, tu na pehchaane toh hai yeh, teri nazron ka kasoor”. Shailendra won the Filmfare award for best lyricist.
5 Tera Jaana – Anari (1959)
Lata excelled on this beauty filmed on Nutan, with Raj Kapoor making a brief appearance. Shailendra wrote, “Tera jaana, dil ke armaanon ka lut jaana, koi dekhe, banke taqdeeron ka mit jaana”. Shankar-Jaikishan made creative use of piano, flute and strings.
6 Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960)
The combination of Shankar-Jaikishan, Shailendra and Lata worked wonders again. This Bhairavi song was filmed on Meena Kumari, with Raaj Kumar making a short appearance. The lines were, “Dil apna aur preet parayi, kis ne hai yeh reet banaayi, aandhi mein ek deep jalaaya, aur paani mein aag lagaayi”. The film also had Lata’s evergreen ‘Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh’.
7 Yaad Na Jaaye – Dil Ek Mandir (1963)
Mohammed Rafi sang this raag Kirwani composition marvellously. Shankar-Jaikishan got out the nostalgia and pathos in Shailendra’s words, that began, “Yaad na jaaye, beete dinon ke, ja ke na aaye jo din, dil kyon bulaaye, unhe dil kyon bulaaye”. The song was filmed on Rajendra Kumar.
8 Dost Dost Na Raha – Sangam (1964)
A song that captured a love triangle, it featured Raj Kapoor, Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar. Shankar-Jaikishan began with a lovely piano after which Mukesh sang, “Dost dost na raha, pyaar pyaar na raha, zindagi hamein tera, aitbaar na raha, aitbaar na raha”. Once again, Shailendra was the writer.
9 Jaane Kahaan Gaye Woh Din – Mera Naam Joker (1960)
This number has been used in many sad song compilations and Best Of Mukesh sets. The singer was in total control from the slow start to the build-up. Shankar-Jaikishan’s arrangements and the choruses went in tune with the lavish choreography. Hasrat wrote the lines, one of which was, “Kal khel mein ham ho na ho gardish mein taare rahenge sada”.
10 Tum Mujhe Yoon – Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
Hasrat Jaipuri wrote this song, considered to be one of his most iconic. The words were, “Tum mujhe yoon bhula na paaoge, jab kabhi bhi sunoge geet mere, sang sang tum bhi gungunaoge”. Rafi’s singing was exceptional in the male version, and Lata sang the female version. Shammi Kapoor, Helen and Asha Parekh were featured.
The last song was released a year before Jaikishan passed away. Symbolically, the mukhda seemed to be suited for him.
