Since 1999
Articles
Articles on Hindi Films
- Details
Recently HQ Chowdhury posted a very detailed and researched article on the above topic. However, I was very surprised to see that the name of John Foulds, the main force behind the ban, was missing. He actually wrote the article in the Indian Listener magazine in 1938 that criticized the harmonium severely and relentlessly pursued its ban, which, in the end, the director Lionel Fielden implemented.
First the infamous article, then the ban story details from the book on the history of broadcasting in India by Luthra.
Now You Know!
- Details
Ever since I saw Pyasa (1957) in the late 60s, I have wanted to know the name of the actress on whom the song 'Aj Sajan Mohe Ang Laga Lo' was picturized.
When I received my copy of the Hindi Film Geet Kosh Vol 3 in 1980, I checked the cast. I knew all the females except Maya Das and Ashita. But which one?
Then the internet came and I learned from my RMIMer friends how Maya Das looked like. So I wrote down Ashita (?) next to the song in my copy of the Geet Kosh.
Then I discovered many blogs. Among them is the blog of the world famous Indian writer Madhulika Liddle!
Many film personalities and their relatives wrote very interesting comments on her blog.
Madhulika Liddle Blog
In one of them, Shilpi Bose, daughter of Tarun Bose, wrote thus; it is worth quoting in full:
"I do not know why but you Madhu evoke the child in me but at the same time make me feel old. If you are wondering, Now What? Well when I saw the post I was gleefully rubbing my hands, you know like a child eager to please her teacher with the correct answer, but then I am as usual late here, I was deep into my latest post on my father, digging up some old and probably rare photos taken by my father while location shooting. So most of the answers have been given by your readers.
You make me feel old when you say, but that song is not that popular and I think, ‘Hey wait a minute it was on the radio a through out the day everyday’ and then I just give myself a shake and admonish myself and say,’Wait a minute she belongs to a different generation.’ So I guess I cannot blame you. I also cannot blame you for not recognizing Jeevankala, a very well-known dancer of our childhood days.
Since nobody has been able to identify the actress lip-synching to Aaj Sajan Mohe, well here is a short introduction to her. I do not know her full name but I used to here her friends who also happened to be my mum’s friends refer to her as Ashita. She was married to Daljeet who acted in Dekh Kabira Roya, he was one of the the three male leads along with Anoop Kumar and Jawahar Kaul, Master Satyajit of Auraag and Hare Ram Hare Krishna fame is their son, one of her daughter’s Satyjit’s sister is married to Puneet Issar.
Going through the comments I noticed a mention of Tarla. Tarla is Tarla Mehta. She is Dina Pathak’s sister and Ratna and Supriya Pathak’s aunt.
Incidentally Surekha Pandit is actor Badri Prasad’s daughter, He was I think also a choreographer earlier, he acted as Zaheeda’s grandfather in Anokhi Raat.
Ok after this long sermon or is it a thesis I do not have the energy to put my choice of songs, I have to go back to my post.
Yes before I forget a wonderful post and a wonderful effort- Shilpi"
It is Ashita, QED.
Now You Know!
- Details
A friend of mine posted a poster of Milan (1958) and wondered if the female was Nalini Jaywant. Another one said Nishee and wondered if any songs were picturized on her.
In old days, one would have to find the film, watch all the songs and see who is singing. These days there is the Hindi Film Database Online to help.
Here are the steps to use it.
1. Go to the Songs section (Hindi or English), let us go to
गाने (1,160 फीचर फिल्मों के 9,289 गानों की जानकारी, ब्राउज़ या खोज करें, 1951-1960)
see Picture 1
2. Look for Advanced Search and click on the drop down list of Where and scroll down to परदे पर, leave the Condition at Contains, in the Value type निशी
see Picture 2
3. Click on Apply to get
see Picture 3
You get all the songs where she is on screen. Note that all the other information you see in Hindi Film Geet Kosh, eg Record numbers are also included. For duets, the names mentioned are in the same order as the singers.
4. But we want Milan (1958). A look at the top reveals that there are 25 songs picturized on her, showing 5 or 10 on the first page. Scrolling down (or next page/s) reveals
see Picture 4
that shows the 2 songs picturized on her. We also see that in the first song Nalini Jaywant and Rajendra Singh are present and second one has Ajit.
Now You Know!
Page 388 of 757
