Salil Chowdhari: ’’If God could sing he would have a voice like Hemant Kumar’’.
Year 1951 - A young lass chanting off Bankim Chandra’s ’’Vande Maataram’’ at a breathtaking pace to an awesome tune had the entire nation steamed up and animated who were virginal from the recently achieved independence. The young lass was none other than Lata Mangeshkar and the man who composed this hair-raising tune was Hemant Kumar.
Remembering Hemant.........
Hemant, SD Burman and Navketan
Year 1952 - SD Burman composes a path breaking soundtrack for an unconventional movie ’’Jaal’’, produced by Navketan. The soundtrack was highlighted by two numbers, ’’Yeh Raat Yeh Chaandini Phir Kahan’’ and ’’Chandini Raatein Pyar Ki Baatein’’. Chandini Raatein was a staggering duet by Lata and Hemant. The haunting tune is highlighted by some amazing lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The line ’’Lehron Ke Labon Par Hai Khoye Hue Afsaane, Gulzar Umeedon Ke Sab Ho Gaye Veerane’’ simply stands out of the entire song. The solo progresses much faster than the duet, but its the voice of Hemant that makes the song a delight to hear and the profoundness by which he carries off the number is worth accolades.
Two memorable products of the SD-Hemant-Navketan combination are the songs Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se Behtar Hai Ki Mar Jaayen from the movie House No 44 and Hai Apna Dil Toh Aawara from Solva Saal. The diverseness of Hemant’s singing style is barefaced when these two songs are placed neck-and-neck. Teri Duniya extracts the intensity from Hemant’s voice whereas Hain Apna Dil Toh Aawara displays Hemant’s impudence in carrying off a cheeky song. (for starters: the famous harmonica piece was played by Pancham himself).
Hemant Kumar in Nagin
Year 1954 - Hemant Kumar goes ahead and bags the Filmfare award for the best music director in the movie ’’Nagin’’. The soundtrack featured memorable songs such as ’’Man Dole’’, ’’Tere Dwar Khada Hai Jogi’’, ’’Jaadugar Saiyaan’’ and ’’O Zindagi Ke Dene Waale’’. His solo ’’O Zindagi Ke Dene Waale’’ is a folk based number and Hemant renders it to perfection. What captivated me was the kinda depth Hemant induces into this number. The song ’’Solah Baras Ke baali Umar Ko Salaam’’ from the movie ’’Ek Duje Ke liye’’ is loosely inspired from this number.
Hemant Kumar the Composer
As a composer, Hemant did two musical masterpieces, ’’Bees Saal Baad’’ and ’’Khamoshi’’ (both were his own productions). Bees Saal Baad featured the haunting Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil by Lata. She sings at a very high pitch and trust me, she is flawless. The movie also features two solos by Hemant, Zara Nazron Se Kehdo Jee and Beqaraar Karke Humein Yun Na Jaayiye. Beqaraar Karke Humeinis a romantic number which boasts of a catchy guitar pattern as opposed to the involved Kahin Deep Jale.
One of the most popular songs of Hemant Kumar, ’’Tum Pukar Lo’’ featured in the movie Khamoshi. All I can say about the song is, it is brilliant. A number which gives me jitters everytime I listen to it. This movie also features my all time favorite ’’Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi’’ which was sung by Kishore. Personally I think Khamoshi was leagues apart to the other Hemant albums simply because of the force and the sharpness it carries and yes.. a big chunk of credit goes to Gulzar for his amazing https://lyrics.
From the master himself:
Agami prithibi kaan petey tumi shuno, Ami jodi aar nai ashi hetha phirey Tobu... Amar gaaner swaralipi lekha raabey
Translation: The future world may listen to the tune of my melodies. Even if I do not return here... The chords of my songs will be scored....
(Courtesy: https://indianmelody.com)