By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
अखियाँ मिलाके जिया भरमा के
चले नहीं जाना, हो चले नहीं जाना
Karan Dewan, rendered his voice in a popular song “Jab Tum Hi Chale Pardes” in 1944 blockbuster “Rattan” produced by A. R. Kardar & directed by M. Sadiq starring Swarn Lata, Karan Dewan and Amir Bano. It was the highest-grossing film of 1944.The film was produced with a budget of 75000 of which 25000 was paid as fee to Naushad. The film received more than 300 thousand as music royalty with song “Ankhiyan Mila Ke Jiya Bharma Ke Chale Nahi Jana” rendered by Zohrabai Ambalewali was pick of the lot. Dewan, Johrabai Ambalewali and Rafi did the singing.
His other important films were Zeenat (1945), Lahore (with Nargis-1949), Pardes & Dahej (1950), Bahar (1951) and Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953). My father & Karan Dewan both were born at Gujranwala and were known to each other. My father was a writer. He, too, was interested in writing & was three-years younger to my father. Karan Dewan was popular as a Jubilee Star like Rajendra Kumar. Interestingly, Dewan made his film debut with a Punjabi film “Puran Bhagat”(1939) directed by R. L. Shorey starring Karan Dewan, Anwari & H. S. Rawail.
Towards the fag end of his life he appeared in supporting roles in films like Apna Ghar (1960), Gumrah (1963) Shaheed (1965), Daadi Ma (1966), Aamne Samne (1967) Jeene Ki Raah, Aadmi Aur Insaan,(1969) Nadaan (1971), Shehzada (1972), Himalay Se Ooncha, Kaala Sona (1975) & College Girl (1978) before his death in 1979.
