Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Usha Khanna, needs no introduction as a music composer who made her place in an industry dominated by men, and so successfully, too. She made her presence felt for well over four decades beginning with” Dil Deke Dekho” ( 1959 ) directed by Nasir Hussain and produced by Sashadhar Mukherjee featuring Asha Parekh & Shammi Kapoor .The music played an important role in film’s success with many hit songs like “Bade Hai Dil Ke Kaale Ye’, ‘Bolo Bolo Kuch To Bolo’, ‘Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama.( Asha-Rafi duets) and ‘Dil Deke Dekho’ theme song in the voice of Rafi to mention. “Apne Liye Jiye To Kya Jiye, Tu Ji Ae Dil, Zamane Ke Liye” was another hit from film “Badal” ( 1960) starring Sanjeev Kumar & L .Vijayalaxmi. The film was directed by Aspi Irani.
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Sashadhar Mukherjee repeated her in his next film ‘Hum Hindustani’ (1960) starring Sunil Dutt,Asha Parekh and his son Joy Mukherjee .It was actor Sanjeev Kumar’s debut film with hit numbers “Neeli Neeli Ghata, O Bhigi Bhigi Hava” ( Mukesh, Asha Bhosle) and “Chodo kal Ki Baatein, Kal Ki Baat Puraani” (Mukesh) , making it another musical hit. She made hat-trick with Mukherjee’s ” Aao Pyaar Karen” ,directed by R. K. Nayyar ( 1964). The film featured Joy, Saira Bano,Sanjeev Kumar and Helen. Two of the film’s songs ” Aye Jhuki Jhuki Jhuki Nigahen Teri” ( Mohd Rafi ) and “Tum Akele to Kabhi Bagh Main Jaya Na Karo” (Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar) became super hit.

Usha Khanna was now an established composer with so many hits to her credits.In 1964 she scored music for “Shabnam” produced & directed by Aspi Irani starring Mahmood & L. Vijayalaxmi (South). One of the film’s songs “Teri Nigahon Pe Mar Mar Gaye Hum” turned out to be a super hit and continues to enthrall the music-lovers and also one of my favourites. The story centres round a masked man who attempts to replace the regions’ queen with a look-alike. Aspi Irani repeated her in “Nishann” ( 1965) produced by Homi Wadia. One of the songs “Haye Tabassum Tera” by Rafi was a superhit. It starred Sanjeev, Nazima, Prem Chopra & Shammi.

Her other memorable contributions include the likes of- “Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Me Shaamil Hai” “Aap To Aise Na The” (1980) rendered separately by Rafi, Hemlata and Manhar Udhas. “Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal” Kishore -Lata and ” Zindagi
Pyar Ka Geet Hai” , a solo number in the voice of Lata & Kishore from film “Souten” ( 1983)” Dil Ke Tukde Tukde Kar ke Muskra Ke Chal Diye” sung by Yesudass ( 1979 ) and “Teri Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Kadam” film “Hawas”(1974) starring Anil Dhawan & Neetu Singh, produced and directed by her husband Sawan Kumar Tak , who also penned most songs composed be her.
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It was O.P.Nayyar who introduced her to Sashadhar Mukherjee, on salary- basis , who later allowed her to work independantly.Though she suffered hardships,she eventually carved a niche for herself by virtue of her good behaviour and perseverence.The bitter realities made her do good for others.No wonder,she later helped many young singers rise to name and fame like Anupama Deshpande, Pankaj Udhas, Hemlata, Mohammed Aziz, Roop Kumar Rathod, Shabbir Kumar, and Sonu Nigam. Usha Khanna herself also sang a few songs as a playback singer.

“Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa “(My Heart Became a Stranger) was perhaps the last movie she composed music for in 2003 directed by Saawan Kumar Tak.I met the lady composer in Bombay in 1988 and Sawan Kumar Taak many times at Chandigarh & in Bombay. I also attended the shooting of Tak’s film “Chaand Ka Tukda” at Kansal Forest near Chandigarh. The film featured Sridevi & Salman Khan.