We are presenting some lovely female-female duets of Geeta ji with her co-singers, one per singer. Hope you will appreciate our post.
- GEETA DUTT – ZOHRABAI AMBALEVALI
One was a top-bracket singer in the 40s…other was just making a ground for herself. Together, they created one absolutely delightful duet. Had Zohrabai managed to extend her career in the 50s..we certainly would have had a beautiful showcase of tremendous singing of this interesting pair of singers. But that was not to be! Nevertheless, we have 5 wonderful songs that feature these two singers in the span of 4 years from 1948 to 1952 of which 3 are trios and 1 a quadruplet with only one genuine duet.
This duet that I am talking about is from the film Dil Ki Basti (1949) which was composed by Ghulam Mohammaed and written by Khumar Barabankvi. The song was ‘Hasrat Bhari Nazar Ko..O Pardesia O Rasiya..’
A very simple tune…but put to life by Zohrabai and Geetaji…Geeta sounds extremely different in this one. The rawness in her voice is so unlike her voice in the later years that this makes this song a very melodious listen. Zohrabai, on the other hand, in her typical heavy voice holds her own…also I guess she gets a larger portion to sing in the song and she has completely justifies it. Even the chorus sounds nice
This one is indeed a rare pick…and the playfulness in the voices of both Geetaji and Zohrabai are addictive.
Ghulam Mohammed comes up with a very fresh tune using both the singers beautifully. Love the flute after the words ‘Ghar Ka Bhedi Lanka Dhaye..’ in the last stanza.
- GEETA DUTT – SUDHA MALHOTRA
Two absolutely different yet versatile voices, one had a sweet edge whereas the other had a rounding feel..so whenever they came together behind the mike, something different was on cards. Together they sang some 7 songs in a span of 15 years of which 5 were pure duets and 2 were trios…starting with Vinod’s Ootpatang (1955) upto Shankar-Jaikishan’s Jwala (1970).
Among all these songs, probably the most well-known of all is ‘Na Main Dhan Chahoon Na Ratan Chahoon..’ from Kala Bazar (1960) which is undoubtedly and by far their best song together! But I would like to mention one more song of this duo which unfortunately isnt very well known!
This one is from the film ‘Fashionable Wife (1957)’, ‘Sadak Pyar Ki Kadak Badi Hai Har Kooch-e-Bazaar Mein..’ What a song! Geetaji and Sudhaji have set themselves absolutely free in this full-on entertaining song! (Totally opposite to the feel ‘Na Main Dhan Chahoon..’ gives..shows the versatility of both these singers) Each holds her distinctive style..Geetaji in her sultry, highly emotive voice maneuvers through the song effortlessly..the way she infuses that western feel in her voice especially when she ends the cross-line in the mukhda and the antra is a pleasure to hear. Sudhaji, on the other hand. was a revelation! I personally, was pleasantly surprised to hear her this ‘avataar’! She was in a frolicking mood..the way she picks up the lines from where Geetaji end, her outrageous pronunciation of the words giving them a comic feel, the ‘Arerere’, ‘Oho’, ‘Aiee’ and the way she infuses life in them is top-class!!
Bharat Vyas has come up with some fantastically funny lyrics…and yes, not to forget Suresh Talwar’s outstanding composition…the use of the Saxophone, Accordion, Mandolin, Flutes to go along with the fantastic interludes is sheer fun! 3 minutes of ‘KADAAAK’ singing and music!
- GEETA DUTT – SUMAN KALYANPUR
One combination which could have had done wonders had they sung more frequently together certainly was this duo of Geeta and Suman.
Together only for 6 songs of which 2 were triplets…these 4 duets were versatility personified. If one was a Indian-Western fusion in ‘Sabko Bhagwan Dekh Raha..’, one was a pleasant treat in ‘Phulwa Band Mehke..’. But one duet that really appeals my senses was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and written by Prem Dhawan for the 1962 released film Gangu.
This song ‘Ye Mehki Mehki Raatein, Ye Chand Sitare….’ was a brilliant amalgamation of the singing abilities of both Geetaji and Sumantai…it is a fusion of Mujra and a Lori.
Geetaji starts the Mujra part and sings with such elan, that you keep lauding the versatility of the this voice. Exquisite singing of the adlib. Superb use of the Harmonium and Mandolin to add to the ‘leheja’ of the song. The way she picks up the antra is outstanding. Majoritively she has only a backing Sarangi for company but she towers all with her strong sur..
Sumantai enters with such amazing sweetness in the song, which is a lori piece, that the entire mood gets a different lift. Her depiction of the motherly love in her voice is so real that it gets you engrossed.
This song is a indeed a treat to the listeners. It really is tough to catch your individual singing moods when you are singing a duet and when the portions that you are singing are absolutely contrast to each other. Superb!
- GEETA DUTT – MEENA KAPOOR
Among the 7 songs (3 duets, 3 trios and 1 non-filmy) these two wonderful ladies sang together, I personally have heard only one..which happens to be their first song together.
The film was Aadhi Raat (1950), where Rajendra Krishna wrote and Hansraj Behl composed the words ‘Maine Balam Se Poocha Miloge Kahan..’
A very interesting song, as Meenaji gets to sing probably the entire song with Geetaji chipping in only with ‘He Lala La O Re Lala..’ along with the chorus. But even then this song is worth hearing twice. But for me it is primarily for the arrangement and the orchestration of the song. The prelude itself is more than 2 minutes long even when the total duration of the song being about 3 minutes. Very differently composed by Hans Raj Behl with the beautiful use of the piccolo sounding Flute. A very different song..novel..worth listening!
- GEETA DUTT – SHAMSHAD BEGUM
Two absolutely sensational voices!! Geetaji and Shamshadji, whenever came together created magic. One was the queen of the soulful renditions and the other was a master of enticing and entertaining numbers. Geeta-Shamshad sang quite a few songs in the late 40s. Probably Shamshad was one of the accompaniments in which can be Geeta’s first ever song from Bairam Khan (1946).
This camaraderie which started then lasted until 1957 where they sang there last duet for Hemant Kumar’s Yahudi Ki Ladki.
Tough to choose one song, actually I had a close take in between ‘Door Nagariya Tori..’ from Sapna (1952) and ‘Jiya Ka Diya Piya Tim Tim Kare..’ from Sunehre Din (1949)..but then there was one song which was hard to neglect and that is my pick.
Snehal Bhatkar’s ‘Mere Dil Ki Dhadkanon Mein..’ from Suhaag Raat (1948).
I had to select this song primarily because of two reasons..one was the very different and innovative way of making the lead singers sing and second was the exceptional composition and arrangement.
This was really a ‘duet’ with both Geeta and Shamshad singing the entire song literally ‘together’. There were no separate lines for either of them and so it increased the difficulty level of the singing because both had to be in perfect sink with each other and so were they. Not for once, can you say that they shied away from each other and tried to overhaul the other. Perfect example of true musical geniuses and they did not let go with the feel or the emotional content even for once. Snehal Bhatkar was extremely innovaive in his arrangement, the tempo changes and the change in the ‘taal’ as well was tremendous. All in all a song not to miss.
- GEETA DUTT – ASHA BHOSLE
This was horribly tough! And I am sure going to curse myself for choosing just one (if I could). Two of the most expressive voices together and you just do not have to think of anything else but pure bliss!!! I have very rarely seen two female voices complimenting each other as much as Asha and Geeta. Both had the ability to squeeze in the best possible emotions in any given song…extremely versatile..graceful..sultry…serene..talented..outstanding!
Honestly, whenever I sit down to think about this pair..the first song (I guess pretty obviously) that comes to my mind is ‘Janu Janu Re..’ from Insaan Jaag Utha (1959)…so this time I made a genuine attempt to select a song completely neglecting this song.
It gets really tough to select one of your favorites when you have dishes full of mouth-watering delicacies. Plenty of songs literally hovered around me when I started thinking of the songs from these two maestros..but my mind was constantly coming back to one song and that is what I have selected today.
The outrageously outstanding duet from Nau Do Gyarah (1957) composed by one man who used them the best, S.D.Burman and penned by a lovely poet Majrooh Sultanpuri…’Kya Ho Phir Jo Din Rangeela Ho..’
What all should I say about this song! I doubt if anyone in this world could refrain themselves from tapping their feet at this stupendous song! Asha and Geeta in full force, at their best…fun..frolic..sheer entertainment!
Geeta was groovy, oomphy in this one…the way she says ‘Neela’ is oh my god! She sounds so sultry, so mellifluous..Mark the way she sings ‘Kya Ho Phir Jo Duniya Soti Ho..’ what a husky voice!!! Tremendous!
Asha, she is a gem!! She was in total command in this one…her fabulous breath-control, her expressions were absolutely bang on! The little giggle, the throw of the voice, the modulations, the way she starts with ‘Aaha’ is like the icing on the cake. The masti in her voice is contagious!!
SDB also was in stunning form in this one, his use of the Mandolin, Clarinet, Trumpet, Accordion in the effusively built prelude was brilliant! The change in the mood in the song when the song shifts from Geeta to Asha was so ably shown with the instruments as well to go alongwith the voices..hats off to this team of Asha-Geeta-SDB! Groooooooooovy…..
- GEETA DUTT – LATA MANGESHKAR
I was trying to run away from this, but finally I have to put my hands down and acknowledge two of the BEST singers ever to have graced this Hindi Film Music Industry..Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt!
I just cannot annotate any of them in simple plain words…selection of one songs is a Herculean task..probably even impossible!
And if I am not wrong, the Bhav Gayaki Queen, Geetaji had the longest association with the Nightingale of India, Latadi in terms of years..a camaderie of 23 superb years from 1947 to 1970!!
And in all these years, they kept us entralled with their mesmerizing singing…so many dulcet duets that its highly unfair to nick-pick one! The best undoubtedly is ‘Aakhiyaan Bhool Gayi Hain Sona..’ and I am sure even the consensus would be the same! It was an exhibition of flawless singing..without any second thoughts it takes the first place in my selection. But, I am not considering that. A few more songs I am a die-hard fan off are ‘Bechain Dil Khoyi Si Nazar..(Yahudi-1958)’, ‘Pyar Bhari In Aankhiyon Mein..(Parbat-1952)’, ‘Sabz Gumbad Ke Makeen..(Son Of Sindabad-1958)’ and ‘Tum Bansi Ho Main Taan..(Radha Krishna-1954)’
But my choice is this resonating song composed by Iqbal Qureshi from Panchayat (1958) penned by Shakeel Nomani..’Ta Thaiyya Karte Aana..’
This song is a ‘Hit’ right from the word go! The way it starts with Latadi starting exactly on the ‘thaap’ of the Tabla sets the mood. Lata sounds honey-dipped-sugar-coated in this..Geeta sounds swirly and swishy! For me, these two voices are like made for each other, They match each other note to note, are a complete treat to the ears when put together. And this song is a testimony to this!
Latadi is exemplary when she sings the antra, the lilt in her voice in the cross-line of the antra is extremely laudable. Love the way she leaves the line with ‘Ta Thaiyya’ and pronounces the word ‘Sadqe’ in the last stanza.
Geetaji in her nasal-ish tone sounds so delectable that you all over fall in love with this voice.
So much so say, but anything that I say about these two giants wont suffice to the level of their greatness.
Iqbal Qureshi comes up with a stunner of a song..what an sensational use of the Flute and the Tabla! Not to forget the Clavioline..Fantabulous!
Its a sin to miss this song…
Acknowledgements:
(Apoorv is the force behind one of the best websites (www.rarelatasongs.com) created on the most popular singer of India, Lata ji. He is a dear friend and an avid music lover with wide knowledge and interests in music. We are thankful to Apoorv for coming up with this excellent article for us on this special occasion.)
(courtesy: www. geetadutt.com)
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