By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
बन के पंछी गाए प्यार का तराना
मिल जाए अगर आज कोई साथी मस्ताना
तो झूमे ये धरती और झूमे आसमान
Hrishikesh Mukherjee is considered as one of the leading and most talented directors of Hindi cinema, who shot into limelight with film “Anari” (1959), featuring Raj Kapoor and Nutan in the lead . A musical hit as it proved, its songs-Tera Jana, Dil Ke Armano Ka Lut Jana, ‘Sub Kuch Seekha Humne’ and ‘Ban Ke Panchi Gaye Pyaar Ka Tarana’, continue to enthrall the audience despite a time lapse of 60 years. Under his able stewardship many actors, and actresses too, tasted the sweetness of stardom.
His directorial excellence could well be seen in films like Asli -Naqli, Anuradha, Satyakaam, Anand, Guddi, Abhimaan, Namak Haraam to name only some. Amitabh Bachchan showed his histrionics in ” Milli” and “Anand”. “Bemisai” starring Rakhee, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Mehra , Aruna Irani & Sheetal was another mentionable film of the director. ‘Musafir’ starring Dilip Kumar , Kishore Kumar, David & Suchitra Sen was his debut film . ‘Munna Bada Pyara’ rendered by Kishore was one of the popular songs from the film under reference.
Awarded Dada Saheb Phalke and Filmfare Awards for his contribution to Hindi cinema. Hrishi da was also associated with many other sinews of film making like editing, screenplay , story and production in Do Bigha Zameen, Madhumati, Ganga Jamuna , Devdas and Alaap. Died 27 August 2006 in Mumbai.
