Raj Kapoor was probably the greatest showman in Indian films. One of the reasons of his films creating magic before international audience was due to his capability of showing dream sequences and also picturizing excellent music.
Shankar Jaikishan, Mukesh and Manna Dey were very instrumental in the success story of Raj Kapoor. Shankar Jaikishan composed music in more than 18 films of Raj Kapoor. Most of the films ended up being blockbusters.
In Raj Kapoor’s film Awaara in 1951, all the songs of Mukesh including “awaara hoon yah gardish me hoon aasman ka tara hoon”, “dum bhar jo udhar mooh phere” became
smash hit. All the songs in Raj Kapoor’s film Shree 420 stormed Bollywood films in 1955. Manna Dey’s song “mur murke na dekh”, “pyar hua ikraar hua hai”, “dil ka haal sune dilwaala” became as big hit as Rafi and Mukesh’s “ramaiya vasta maiya” composed by Shankar Jaikishan.
In Raj Kapoor’s Anari, again the SJ, Mukesh, Manna Dey created storm. Mukesh’s song “kisiki muskurahaton pe ho nisar”, “sub kuch sikha humne” was as impressive as Manna Dey’s “1956, 1957, 1958, 1959”. Shankar Jaikishan was brilliant in Raj Kapoor’s film Chori Chori as well in 1956. All the songs of Manna Dey including “yeh raat bheegi bheegi” and “aaja sanam madhur chandni me hum” really created storms.
Shankar Jaikishan probably composed the best music of their lives in Raj Kapoor’s film Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai. While Mukesh’s song “hum us desh ke wasi hai jis desh me ganga behti hai” and “aa ab laut chale” were masterpieces, Manna Dey’s chorus song with Mahendra Kapoor titled “humbhi hai tum bhi ho” had brilliant folk presentation.
The magic of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishan and team including
Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri continued in Raj Kapoor’s film Sangam in 1964. While Mukesh’s song “dost dost na raha” and ‘o mehbooba” became big hit, Rafi’s song “ki tum naraaz na hona” ended up being the best song of the film.
Shankar Jaikishan, Raj Kapoor and Mukesh, Manna Dey again created magic in the film Teesri Kasam in 1966. The film did not do great business. But the songs became hit including Mukesh’s song “duniya banana wale”, “sajan re jhoot mat bolo” and Manna Dey’s “chalet musafir”. In the film Diwana in 1967 and Around the World also Shankar Jaikishan created beautiful western andaz. Mukesh’s song “ tumhari bhi jai hai”, “diwana mujhko log kahen”, “ay sanam jis ne tujhe chand sa surat di hai”, “chale jana zara tehero”, “joshe jawani aye jaye” rocked Bollywood.
The team last worked in Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker. Unfortunately Jaikishan died and that disturbed the great run of melodious music. The films and the songs require strong preservation.
