The use of folk songs in bollywood films

The use of folk songs in bollywood films.

Folk songs which had originated from the rural areas and villages of different parts of India had been one of the indispensable source of music for more than 500 years. The leading composers of bollywood films had used the folks songs in successful films and popularized them.

Shankar Jaikishan’s composition “ramaiya vasta maiyya” in Raj Kapoor’s successful film Shree 420, was based on marathi folk song. Naushad had experimented with bhojpuri folk song in the film Ganga Jumna. Rafi’s hit song “nain lad jaihe woh manwama kasak oi bekari”, and Lata’s hit song “dhundo dhundo re sajna” was based on the folk songs of Bihar and Hindi high belt. Dilip Kumar and Vaijayantimala had given quality lips in the film.

SD Burman had a very colourful background in respect of his own basic discs which were based on folk songs of Tripura and East Bengal (modern Bangladesh), including “paddar dheu re”, “jhilmil jhilmil jhiler jole”, “bangladesher dhol”, “mono dilo na bodhu”, etc., and he used to be addressed as Sachin Karta ( the head of Hindu Undivided Family). The major folk songs used by SD Burman in bollywood films include “jane kya tune kaha” sung by Geeta Dutt in Pyasa, “dil ka bhanwar kare pukar” sung by Rafi in the film Tere Ghar Ke Samne, “o janewale ho sake to”, sung by Mukesh in the film Bandini, “mitwa” sung by Talat Mehmood, in the film Devdas. The list is very long and articles after articles can be devoted on his work.

Salil Choudhury had merged Assamese Bihu folk music with westernized folks. His notable songs include Lata’s “daiya re daiya re jangal papi bichua” in Madhumati, “zindagi kaisi hai peheli” sung by Manna Dey in the film Anand, “ai mere pyare watan” sung by Manna Dey in the film Kabuliwala, “janeman janeman” sung by Yeshu Das in the film Choti Si Baat, “tasveer teri dil me” sung by Rafi and Lata in the film Maya, “ganga aye kahan se” sung by Hemant Kumar, to mention a few. Salil Choudhury’s westernized creations stormed bollywood films to such an extent that his folk songs got unnoticed.

Shankar Jaikishan had used folk songs and blended western music in many films. His notable creations include “aa aab laut chale” sung by Mukesh and Lata in the film Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, “chalet musafir” sung by Manna Dey in the film Teesri Kasam, “dil ka haal sunewala” sung by Manna Dey in the film Shree 420, to name a few.

Roshan, Madanmohan, Laxmikant Pyarellal, Khayyam, Jaidev, etc., also used folk songs to a big extent in bollywood films. Some of the other landmark folk songs include “ohre taal mile nadi ke jal me” sung by Mukesh,

Review of the film Maharathi.

Review of the film Maharathi.

Maharathi has been directed by Shivam Nair. Paresh Rawal had spend a long time in finding acting parts in films in the film. On one day, he saved and injured man and accompanied him back. Nasirruddin Shah got impressed with the work of Paresh Rawal and appointed him as a driver.

Nasirruddin Shah had been shown as a very influential person in the film. His wife Neha Dhupia was unsatisfied with Nasir and hatched up a plan with Paresh Rawal to teach her husbands a lesson. The plan was set to acquire all the property of Nasir.

Boman Irani, the lawyer in the film and Om Puri also played their part in the drama and suspense. The tragedy of these films lies in the fact that neither there are relief scenes, nor catchy music which can accelerate the film.

As far as acting is concerned Paresh Rawal, Nasir, Om Puri, Boman Irani are well very experienced actors. No one can question their conception as they have performed in every type of role that can be played in bollywood films. Neha Dhupia also did well in the film, but the script was not long enough to use her acting capability.

The story had twists and turns but the treatment of the film by the director was slow enough. The alibis taken, the telephonic conversation in the film, the use of the caretaker and the lawyer in the plan did not create an interesting setting whereby the viewers could feel the suspense.

Although the story had novelty, the execution of the story was not proper. These days even directors like Govind Nihalini try to cast heroes like Ajay Devgan, Fardeen Khan amidst the quality character artists to address the box-office, maintain the business and also maintain the quality of the film.

Without any young hero in the film there is possibility at every point of the film of the viewers getting bored. The performance of Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Nasir, Boman Irani is the ray of hope in terms of success of the film. Lets hope for the best.