C. Ramchandra: Albela (1951)

I like C. Ramchandra. His name isn't one that gets dropped very often in my (admittedly largely 70s-centric) circles but having scored more than 100 movies he can hardly be described as an unknown. The previous soundtracks by him posted here have both been very good (one even included in the 100 Bollywood Soundtracks book) and the same can be said for 1951's 'Albela'.

It's all cheerful and sweet and sort of innocent sounding, full of tuneful songs, mostly performed by Lata Mangeshkar and Chitalkar, the latter being the composer in his playback singer guise. I could name any number of highlights; the dainty 'Dil Dhadke Nazar Sharmae', the carnivalesque 'Diwana Parwana', the children's song 'Dhire Se Aaja Ri Akhiyan Men' (Lata's version of which has actually been featured before), the addictive 'Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote'... your best bet though is to simply play the soundtrack from the beginning, close your eyes, relax, and let its wonderful old-world music envelop you.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar, Chitalkar & Chorus: Shola Jo Bhadke
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Dhadke Nazar Sharmae
3. Lata Mangeshkar, Chitalkar & Chorus: Diwana Parwana
4. Chitalkar: Qismat Ki Hawa Kabhi Naram
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar: Teri Yaad Ne Mara
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar: Dhire Se Aaja Ri Akhiyan Men
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Dhire Se Aaja Ri Akhiyan Men
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Balma Bada Nadan
9. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Diwana Aagaya
10. Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar: Sham Dhale Khidki Tale
11. Chitalkar & Chorus: Haseenon Se Mohabbat Ka
12. Lata Mangeshkar, Chitalkar & Chorus: Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote

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C. Ramchandra: Patanga (1949/1977)

On hearing C. Ramchandra's 'Patanga' [review] for the first time, my initial thought was "wow, what a fantastic album!" A dozen or so listens later that impression has only been strengthened. Those who have followed the blog for a while will know I have a soft spot for these early soundtracks; this is one of the best I've posted.

Get ready to be transported to another world, a different time. The dainty waltz-timed 'Dil Se Bhula Do Tum', the stunning old-world exotica of 'O Dilwale Dil Ka Laguna' and 'Thukrake Mujhe Jane Wale', the superb jazz-tinged 'Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon', the beautiful ballad 'Kabhi Khamosh Ho Jana' and the life-affirming gem that is the Caribbean-flavoured 'Namaste Namaste'… there’s not a dull tune among them, and not one that won't induce a heartening feeling of nostalgia. Absolutely brillant.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Se Bhula Do Tum
2. Shamshad Begum & Chitalkar: O Dilwale Dil Ka Lagana
3. Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi: Boloji Dil Loge To Kya Kya Doge
4. Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum & Chorus: Pyar Ke Jajhan Ki Nirali Sarkar
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Thukrake Mujhe Jane Wale
6. Shamshad Begum & Chitalkar: Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon
7. Shamshad Begum: O Gore Gore
8. Shamshad Begum & Chorus: Namaste Namaste
9. Shamshad Begum: Balam Tujhe Mera Salam
10. Lata Mangeshkar: Kabhi Khamosh Ho Jana

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C. Ramchandra: Azad (1955/1978)

Another one, the last 50s soundtrack for the moment, here's 'Azad', scored by one Nahar Chitalkar (C.) Ramchandra. Several good tracks to be found; I'm really fond of the ones sung by 2 x Mangeshkar sisters, especially the joyous 'Aplam Chaplam'. And for those who think Western influences was something they first introduced to Hindi film music in the 60s (I used to), listen to the pretty 'Jari Jari O Kari Badariya', with an intro sounding as if it belonged in a South American cantina. A soundtrack definitely worth checking out.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Bole Na Bole
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Jari Jari O Kari Badariya
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Usha Mangeshkar: Aplam Chaplam
4. Raghunath Jadhav & Party: Marna Bhi Mohabbat Men (Qawwali)
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Dekho Ji Bahar Aai
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar: Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Kitni Jawan Hai Raat
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Usha Mangeshkar: O Balliye Balliye
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Kabhi Khamosh

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