By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
फिर से ऐसा, राग
सुना रे ,राग सुना रे
झूम उठे ये ग़म के मारे
झूम उठे ये ग़म के मारे
हाय तू ही गया मोहे भूल रे
The Bengali film directors, admittedly, ruled the roost in movies released in 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Raj Kapoor, B. R. Chopra, Mehboob Khan, A. R. Kardar, F. C Mehra, A. K. Nadiadwala to name only some. We can quote example of some prominent names like Satyen Bose, Bimal Roy, Nitin Bose, Mrinal Sen, Satyajit Ray & Hrishikesh Mukherjee in this context.
It would be injustice if we did not mention Amiya Chakravarty,the veteran director who introduced Dilip Kumar in “Jawar Bhatta”. The film’s leading lady was Ruma Guha who married ace-singer Kishore Kumar in 1951.
Chakravarty cast Dilip Kumar opposite Nimmi In “Daag “(1952) which turned out to be a super-hit movie with songs like “Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chall’ & ‘Hum Dard Ke Maron Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai’. Dilip Kumar won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. It was followed by Dev Anand, Usha Kiran starrer “Patita”( 1953), another box-office succes with hits like- ‘Yaad ‘Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum’, ‘Andhe Jahan Ke Andhe Raste, Jaayein To Jaayen Kahan’ , ‘Kisi Ne Apana Bana Ke Mujhko’ and’ Mitti Se Khelte Ho Baar Baar Kis Liye’ in the voice of Lata and Talat Mahmood.
In 1955 he ventured into making a socio-classical film “Seema” featuring Balraj Sahni and Nutan with music score by Shankar Jaikishan duo. Its spiritual, melodious and heart touching songs like-‘Too Pyaar Ka Saagar Hai, Teri Ik Boond Ke Pyaase Hum’, and ‘Baat Baat Me Rutho Na’ in the voice of Manna Day and Lata did wonders on the box-office. Naturally, therefore, the film won Filmfare Awards in two categories- Best Actress Nutan and Best Story by Amiya Chakravarty. Vyjanthimala, Balraj Sahni starrer “Kathputli” was another musical bonanza with Subir Sen’s ‘Manzil Wohi Hai Pyaar Ki’, , ‘Bol Ri Kathputli’ sung by Lata & last but not least ‘Haye Tu Hi Gaya Mohe Bhool Re Mein Hoon Tere Jeevan Ki Ragini’ perhaps one of the best classical dance performances ( Kamla Laxman) by any actress in Hindi films.
His last “Dekha Kabira Roya’ was another gem of a film. Its songs “Kaun Aaya More Man Ke Dware” by Manna Day and s “Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye” and ‘Tu Pyaar Kare Ya Thukraye Hum To Hai Tere’ ( Lata) and ‘Humse Aaya Na Gaya'( Talat) further added to his popularity as a director par excellence.
