By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘लाइयाँ ते तोड़ निभावीं छड्ड के ना जावीं
माही शाहूकारा वे कुड़ी आं गरीबां दी
तेरे हथ डोर चन्ना मेरे नसीबां दी
लाइयाँ ते तोड़ निभावीं छड्ड के ना जावीं’
Hansraj Bahl, the noted music director, started his career as a composer with “Pujari” featuring Shanta Apte, Masood and Baby Mumtaz. The highlight of the film was a bhajan ‘Bhagwan Mere Gyaan ke Deepak Ko Jala’ rendered by Baby Mumtaz who later became the legendary Madhubala . It would be a news to most Punjabi cine- goers and music lovers that Geeta Dutt, too, sang many songs under the baton Hansraj Behl .
In “Chunariya” ( 1948) he made Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle & Zohrabai Ambalewali sing under his score. His energy & passion for music was indeed unparalleled. Shamshad Begum, Hameeda, Asha & Madhubla Zaneri have been his ace singers. Lata Mangeshkar rendered under his composition, a Punjabi song ‘Naale Lambi Wey Naale Kali Hai, Ve Channa Raat Judaiyan Wali in film “Lachhi”. She also rendered another hit from “Pind Di Kudi”.
Hansraj Behl surprised everyone with his super hit “Bhangra”, produced by Mulk Raj Bhakhri starring Nishi & Sunder with many foot tapping songs, sung by Shamshad-Rafi duo, the likes of ‘Batti Baal Ke Banere Utte Rakhni Haan’, ‘Ambiaan De Butiaan te Lag Gaya Boor Nee’ , ‘Been Na Wajaieen Mundeya Meri Gut Sapni Ban Jayegi’, ‘Rab Na Kare’ & ‘Chitte Dand Hasno Nahion Rehnde Ke Loki Bhede Shaq Karde’. I watched this film at Defense cinema Delhi in 1960 then aged 10. ‘Pind Di Kurhi’ (1963) featuring Ravinder Kapoor, Nishi & Tun Tun is remembered for ‘Laiyan Te Tod Nibhavin Chadd Ke Na’ & “Katain Karoon Teri Roon” (Shamshad Begum). The former song picturized on Nishi & Ravinder Kapoor rendered by Lata & Mahendra Kapoor.
Nishi the actress lived in the back of my house with her sister in 1950s at West Patel Nagar, New Delhi . She later eloped with her friend for pastures new and later married director Raj Kumar Kohli. “Do Lachhian” ( 1960) was another hit Punjabi movie with few hit songs including ‘Teri Kanak De Raakhi Mundeya’ rendered by Shamshad Begum & Rafi . “Satluz De Kandey” ( 1964) featuring, Balraj Sahni, Nishi, Suresh, Gopal Sehgal and Mumtaz Begum was another popular film composed by him. The film won National Award for Best Film. Aasa Singh Mastana, Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Surinder Kaur & Prakash Kaur rendered their voices in the film.
