Kathputli (1957)

Directors: Amiya Charaborty, Nitin Bose; Producers: Amiya
Chakraborty, Ajit Kumar Chakraborty

Artistes: Vyjayanatimala, Balraj Shani, Kamala Laxman, Jawahar Kaul,
Sheela Kashmiri, C S Dube, Jagat Pal, Agha, Poonam, Jharna, Laxman
Rao, Shyam, Robert, Master Vijay, Shyam Kumar

This is 31st released film of Shankar Jaikishan and by the time it was released they were firmly in place of number one MD in industry in term of popularity and ‘sellability’. Films were started running in name of SJ more than story and screenplay. By this time they already had given hits in immediate previous year (1956) like Seema, Shree420, Chori Chori, Halaku and Basant Bahar- all musically super-duper hits and arguably among the top 10 or 15 SJ albums- so many gems in just one year- incredible! Obviously people must be expecting same quality of music in all their new films. All the above films were commercially hit as well but interestingly in same span of one year or so, there were few films which didn’t get so popular for some or another reason despite good music, they were Kismat ka Khel, Patrani, New Delhi, Begunah (before release of Kathputali) and Baghi Sipahi (just after release of Kathputli). But if we see after Baghi Sipahi- floodgates of musical and commercial superhits were opened, true in SJ’s image of bigger star than actors: I will just mention next 15 films serially after Kathputli- Yahudi, Anari, Chhoti Behan, Kanhaiya, Love Marriage, Main Nashe mein hoon, Shararat, Ujala, College girl, Dil apna aur preet parayi, Ek phool char kante, Jis desh me ganga behti hai, Singapore, Aas ka panchhi, Boy friend.. all within 2-3 years, and list will go on. As if law of average was not affecting them in terms of quality and quantity.

Coming back to Kathputli:

Lata dominated film but its exception in terms of popularity in comparision to other Lata dominated film. This was supposed to be produced and directed by Amiya Chakrabarty, who had made classics Dag, Patita, Badshah and Seema with SJ before this, all musically fabolous; but unfortunately Amiya could not complete Kathputli as he passed away while making movie and Ajit Chakrabarty and Nitin Bose completed the film. Like other mentioned previous movies of Amiya, this is also based on social theme and woman dominated (in this case Vaijyantimala) .

Main actors of this films were Balraj Sahni, Vaijyantimala and Jawahar kaul. The film story is on very predictable line and screenplay is also not great. Jawahar Kaul and Vaijyantimala are pair but chemistry between them is next to zero- there is no ‘spark’ visible although story demands romance between them culminated in marriage. Story looses the plot within an hour and would not able to hold watcher but for music. SJ music has really saved the film alongwith dance numbers by Vaijyantimala. 6 of the 8 songs were picturised on vaijyantimala- all dance numbers and one each on Balraj Sahni (on piano- aka seema’s tu pyar ka sagar hai) and Kamla lakshman (another dance number). The songs are really not carry forwarding story of film as we can see in Shree 420, Chori chori, Dil apna aur preet parayi and so many other SJ films but looked like as if just ‘put’ there to fill some gap. I thought songs’ wordings must have some relevance to story and must be supporting story to go forward but it was not the case.

Film has 8 songs, Each and every song is tremendous with exceptional orchastrisation. By this time SJ’s music became ‘matured’ in terms of style and music arrangement and their trade-mark big orchestra and rhythem can be seen in almost all the songs of this film. This is also Shailendra dominated (he penned 6 out of 8 songs) and as we must guess Shankar dominated as well as you must expect if 6 out of 8 songs are dance numbers.

Film starts with medley of instrumental pieces of songs, treat to ears. Below is the review of songs, format is first lyrics in english followed by lyrics in hindi and then comments.

(1) Bol ri Kathputli dori, kaun sang bandhi….singer- Lata, Lyrics: Shailendra

bol ri kathaputali dori kaun sang baandhi
sach batala tu naache kis ke lie
baavali kathaputali dori piya sang baandhi
main naachun apane piyaa ke lie
bol ri kathaputali. …..

jahaan jidhar saajan le jaae, sang chalun main chhaaya si
vo hain mere jaadugar main jaadugar ki maaya si
jaan-bujh kar chhed ke mujh se poochhe ye sansaar
bol ri kathaputali. …..

piya na hote, main na hoti, jivan raag sunaata kaun
pyaar thirakta kis ki dhun par, dil ka saaz bajaata kaun
door-door jis chaman se guzare, gaati jaae bahaar
bol ri kathaputali. …..

बोल री कठपुतली डोरी कौन संग बाँधी
सच बतला तू नाचे किसके लिए
बावली कठपुतली डोरी पिया संग बाँधी
मैं नाचूँ अपने पिया के लिए
बोल री कठपुतली …

जहाँ जिधर साजन ले जाए, संग चलूँ मैं छाया सी
वो हैं मेरे जादूगर मैं जादूगर की माया सी
जान\-बूझ कर छेड़ के मुझसे पूछे ये संसार
बोल री कठपुतली …

पिया न होते, मैं न होती, जीवन राग सुनाता कौन
प्यार थिरकता किसकी धुन पर, दिल का साज़ बजाता कौन
दूर\-दूर जिस चमन से ग़ुज़रे, गाती जाए बहार
बोल री कठपुतली …

This is the title song of film starts within 5-7 minutes of starting of movie, excellent dance song picturised on Vaijyantimala. Fast song based on Rag Bhairvi with big orchestra, fast rhythem and use of counter melody. Sebastian is said to be arranger of orchestra.

(2) Manzil wahi hai pyar ki rahi badal gaye…singer- Subir Sen, Lyrics- Shailendra
manzil vahi hai pyaar ki, raahi badal gaye
sapanon ki mahafil men, ham tum naye
manzil vahi hai pyaar ki………. ………

duniya ki nazaron se dur, jaate hain ham tum jahaan
us desh ki chaandani, gaayegi ye daastaan
mausam tha vo bahaar ka, dil khil machal gaye
sapanon ki mahafil men ham tum naye
manzil vahi hai pyaar ki………. ………

chhup na sake mere raaz, naghamon men dhalane lage
roka tha dil ne magar, pahalu badalane lage
vo din hi kuchh ajib the, jo aa ke kal gaye
sapanon ki mahafil men ham tum naye
manzil vahi hai pyaar ki……..

SJ gave chance to new singer Subir Sen. He sounds very much like Hemant Kumar. It is said that he was not first choice for singing this but somehow got the chance and could record the song after tremendous difficulty and 18 retakes. I don’t know who was there in mind of SJ and how Subir sen came into contact- may be Bengali connection of producer/director worked- but it has become big break for subir sen, a song under superstars SJ and picturised on actor like Balraj Sahni. As usual, good soulful lyrics by Shailendra but not much relevance to film’s story Balraj sahni is singing on piano while Vaijyantimala looks on.

(3) Itne bade jahan me ae dil, tujko tanha chhodu kaise….Singer- Lata and chorus, Lyrics- Shailendra

itane bade jahaan men ai dil,
tujh ko,
tujh ko akelaa chhodun kaise
tujh ko,
tu naadaan, log begaane,
in sang
in sang, naata jodun kaise

mat ja re mat ja in anajaani galiyon men
bachiyo re duniya vaale chhaliyon se
tu ek jaan, shikaari laakhon
in ka
in ka nishaanaa todun kaise
in sang naata jodun kaise
itane bade jahaan men………

mat lalacha gar kaanton men phool bhi hai
poochh kisi se dil ka lagaana bhool bhi hai
dhal jaae raat bikhar jaaen sapane,
phir se,
phir se inhen main jodun kaise
in sang naata jodun kaise
itane bade jahaan men………

haay na maana, ghair ka zaalim ho hi gaya
jaata hai to ja divaane,
ab main,
ab main, tera ji jodun kaise
in sang naata jodun kaise
itane bade jahaan men………

इतने बड़े जहां में ऐ दिल तुझको अकेला छोड़ूँ कैसे
तू नादान लोग बेगाने इन संग नाता जोड़ूँ कैसे

मत जा रे मत जा इन अनजानी गलियों में
बचियो रे दुनिया वाले छलियों से
तू एक जान शिकारी लाखों इनका निशाना तोड़ूँ कैसे
इतने बड़े जहां में …

मत ललचा गर काँटों में फूल भी है
पूछ किसी से दिल का लगाना भूल भी है
ढल जाए रात बिखर जाएँ सपने फिर से इन्हें मैं जोड़ूँ कैसे
इतने बड़े जहां में …

हाय न माना ग़ैर का ज़ालिम हो ही गया
जाता है तो जा दीवाने अब मैं तेरा जी जोड़ूँ कैसे
इतने बड़े जहां में …

Dance number, Vaijyantimala is singing as stage performance in theatre. Tremendous orchastrisation complementing to Lata’s voice. Also excellent long prelude( about 1.5 minutes) and good pieces of interludes.. .between each antara, when lata sings hun..followed by one line and then piece of orchestra and chorus, it takes listner to new world.

(4) Mini mini chiki, Mini mini chiki…dunia me chand tare hai kitne hansi…singer- Lata, Mukesh , Lyrics- Shailendra
Mukesh: miini-miini chi-chi -2
duniya men chaand-suraj hain
( kitane hasin ) -2
utana hi sun mere bhaiya dil ko lubhaae rupaiya

Lata: duniyaa men chaad-suraj. …..

Mukesh: rupayon ka chashma chadhaao ye duniya dikhegi rangili

Lata: duniya men chaand-suraj. …..

Mukesh: rupayon ka chashma chadhaao ye duniya dikhegi rangili

Lata: saare nashe is ke naukar ye hai cheez aisi nashili

Mukesh: ye cham-cham isi ki, chham-chham isi ko gaae isi ko gavaiya

Lata: ye cham-cham isi ki, chham-chham isi ko gaae isi ko gavaiya

Mulesh: mini-mini chi-chi

Lata: chi-chi

Both: duniya men chaand-suraj. …..

Mukesh: sapanon ki rangin raat.n jaise ki aai divaali

Lata: kal ka bhala kya bharosa rahenge maalik ya maali

Mukesh: hans ke rulaae, rula ke hansaae yahi zindagi ka ravaiya

Lata: hans ke rulaae ,rula ke hansaae yahi zindagi ka ravaiya

Mukesh: mini-mini chi-chi
Lata: chi-chi

Both: duniya men chaand-suraj. …..

मु \: मीनी मीनी चीची \-२
दुनिया में चाँद\-सूरज हैं ( कितने हसीं ) \-२
उतना ही सुन मेरे भैया दिल को लुभाए रुपैया
ल \: दुनिया में चाँद\-सूरज …

मु \: रुपयों का चश्मा चढ़ाओ ये दुनिया दिखेगी रंगीली
ल \: दुनिया में चाँद\-सूरज …

मु \: रुपयों का चश्मा चढ़ाओ ये दुनिया दिखेगी रंगीली
ल \: सारे नशे इसके नौकर ये है चीज़ ऐसी नशीली
मु \: ये चम\-चम इसी की छम\-छम इसी को गाए इसी को गवैया
ल \: ये चम\-चम इसी की छम\-छम इसी को गाए इसी को गवैया
मु \: मीनी मीनी चीची
ल \: चीची
दो \: दुनिया में चाँद\-सूरज …

मु \: सपनों की रंगीन रातें जैसे कि आई दीवाली
ल \: कल का भला क्या भरोसा रहेंगे मालिक या माली
मु \: हँस के रुलाए रुला के हँसाए यही ज़िन्दगी का रवैया
ल \: हँस के रुलाए रुला के हँसाए यही ज़िन्दगी का रवैया
मु \: मीनी मीनी चीची
ल \: चीची
दो \: दुनिया में चाँद\-सूरज …

Again a dance number with good but unusual lyrics by Shailendra. He is not known to use words like mini mini chiki chiki- its more like Hasrat Jaipuri’s forte, I think with working with Hasrat so closely, he must have ‘inspired’ to try something like this. But except this intitial lines, song again is having simple but powerful poetry, describing might of moeny. I can say this song has some relevance to film’s story because story is based on theme of poverty and women’s social problems. Sung by Mukesh and Lata. Mukesh is the only other male voice apart from Subir sen. This is one of the many SJ movies in Mukesh appeared only in one song but made his presence felt powerfully- other examples are Yahudi, Begunah, Chhoti Behan, Rajhath, Singapore, Rangoli, Raat aur din, Jwala etc. Song has soft melodious music with silky voice of Mukesh and Lata but interludes having very fast and loud pieces of somewhat ‘western’ orchastra which is for picturisation of stage show kind of situation. For picturisation purpose its ok, but if you are listening only song, it seems obstructing melodious feel (IMO).

(5) So ja re so ja mere raj dulare so ja…Singer- Lata, Lyrics- Hasrat

so ja re so ja mere raajdulaare so ja
taare bhi so gaye dharati ke sitaare so ja
so ja re so ja……

aai sapanon ki pari tujh ko bulaane ke liye2
lai chanda ka hinndola vo sulaane ke liye2
aasmaanon se kare neend ishaare so ja
taare bhi so gaye dharati ke sitaare so ja
so ja re so ja……

god men lengi tujhe roop nagar ki raahen2
aankh khulate hi milengi tujhe maan ki baahen2
meri aankhon ke mere dil ke sahaare so ja
taare bhi so gaye dharati ke sitaare so ja
so ja re so ja……

सो जा रे सो जा मेरे राज दुलारे सो जा
तारे भी सो गये धरती के सितारे सो जा
सो जा रे सो जा…

आई सपनों की परी तुझको बुलाने के लिये
लाई चँदा का हिंडोला वो सुलाने के लिये
आसमानों से करे नींद इशारे सो जा
तारे भी सो गये धरती के सितारे सो जा
सो जा रे सो जा…

गोद में लेंगी तुझे रूप नगर की राहें
आँख खुलते ही मिलेंगी तुझे माँ की बाहें
मेरी आँखों के मेरे दिल के सहारे सो जा
तारे भी सो गये धरती के सितारे सो जा
सो जा रे…

Absolute melodious ‘Lori’ by Lata, one of the two songs written by Hasrat. It is strange that why this lori seldomly appears in any Lori albums or got even mentioned. I don’t think even many of our group members heared this lori song. I recommend them to hear this once and feel the melody as well as counter melody. This song definitely has classical base, but I am not able to identify raag.

(6) Bakad bam, bakad bam baje ghunghru, nach re mayur chhan chhanake ghunghru…. Lata and chorus, lyrics- Hasrat.
baagad bam-bam, bam baaje damaru
baaje damaru
naach re mayur jhanajhana ke ghungharu
baagad bam-bam….. .

aasamaan pe aaj dekho saat rang chhaae
apane dil men aag le ke baadal kaare aae
baadal garaje megh barase charon aur saavan laharaae
naach re mayur jhanajhana ke ghungharu
baagad bam-bam….. .

mach raha hai daal-daal panchhiyon ka shor
aa gai hai pyaar le ke ab suhaani bhor
bhanvara jhume-jhume, jhume baandh preet ki dor
naach re mayur jhanajhana ke ghungharu
baagad bam-bam….. .

बागड़ बम बम बम बाजे डमरू
नाच रे मयूर झनझना के घुँघरू
बागड़ बम बम …

आसमाँ पे आज देखो सात रंग छाए
अपने दिल में आग ले के बादल कारे आए
बादल गरजे मेघ बरसे चहुँ ओर सावन लहराए
नाच रे मयूर …

मच रहा है डार\-डार पंछियों का शोर
आ गई है प्यार ले के अब सुहानी भोर
भँवरा झूमे\-झूमे\-झूमे बाँध प्रीत की डोर
नाच रे मयूर …

I am sure people must have gone crazy in those days (1957) to see Vaijyantimala dancing in bold dress cladded with “Mayurpankh (Peacock feathers)”. Fast dance number, another one written by Hasrat and treat for dance loving people. Another stage dance with no relevance to story whatsoever but great for ears and eyes. The tune inspired LP after many years for making title song of “Nache Mayuri”. Although Nache mayuri song has no connection with ‘Mayur (peacock)’ except heroine’s name was Mayuri in movie.

(7) Haye tu hi gaya mohe bhul re…Singer- Lata, lyrics- Shailendra

haae tu hi gaya mohe bhul re
main hun tere jivan ki raagini
main hun tere jivan ki raagini
haae tu hi gaya……

tere naghame taare ban kar,
taare ban kar,
tere naghame taare ban kar taare ban kar
chamaken sab ke pyaare ban kar,
pyaare ban kar,
chamaken sab ke pyaare ban kar,
haae tu hi gya……

phir se aisa raag suna re,
raag suna re,
phir se aisa raag suna re, raag sunaa re
jhoom uthen ye gham ke maare
jhoom uthen ye gham ke maare
haae tu hi gaya……

हाए तू ही गया मोहे भूल रे
मैं हूं तेरे जीवन की रागिनी
मैं हूं तेरे जीवन की रागिनी
हाए तू ही गया…

तेरे नग़मे तारे बन कर तारे बन कर
तेरे नग़मे तारे बन कर तारे बन कर
चमकें सब के प्यारे बन कर प्यारे बन कर
चमकें सब के प्यारे बन कर
हाए तू ही ग्या…

फिर से ऐसा राग सुना रे राग सुना रे
फिर से ऐसा राग सुना रे राग सुना रे
झूम उठें ये ग़म के मारे
झूम उठें ये ग़म के मारे
हाए तू ही गया…

Dance song picturised on Kamla Lakshaman, supporting actress and for many, her dance was simply superb, even better than Vaijyantimala’s dances in film- although it is subjective argument. Another less known song, strange enough, but marvellous melody, lyrics and rendereation by Lata with equally good orchestra. May be it did not get prominance because it was picturiesed on supporting actress rather than heroine.

(8) Bol ri kathputli… sad version, singer- lata , lyrics- Shailendra
nae naam nit nae roop dhar main aai, main chali gai
lekin maine dhoom macha di jis nagari, jis gali gai
chhod ke jag, taaron men jaa pahunchi, vahaan bhi yahi pukaar
bol ri kathaputali. …..

mithi yaaden sundar sapane kho baithe ye log jinhen
man ka yah meet bana kar mere dil ne diya tumhen
kathaputali ka khel ye duniya saanvariya us paar
bol ri kathaputali. …..

नए नाम नित नए रूप धर मैं आई मैं चली गई
लेकिन मैने धूम मचा दी जिस नगरी जिस गली गई
छोड़ के जग तारों में जा पहुँची वहाँ भी यही पुकार
बोल री कठपुतली …

मीठी यादें सुन्दर सपने खो बैठे ये लोग जिन्हें
मन का यह मीत बनाकर मेरे दिल ने दिया तुम्हें
कठपुतली का खेल ये दुनिया साँवरिया उस पार
बोल री कठपुतली …

Actually this is slow and sad version of title song with different lyrics, so truly speaking, movie has only seven songs. This song comes towards the end of movie and for a change, supports story with help of beautifully written lines by Shailendra.