Bhabhi (1938): Jhuki aayi re badariya saawan ki

Renuka Devi sings for herself in Bombay Talkies' Bhabhi (1938), with music by Saraswati Devi, and lyrics by either Meerabai (traditional) or J. S. Casshyap (the film's lyricist). Also in frame: P. Jairaj on the piano, V. H. Desai (sofa), and Rama Shukul (in the end). Director: Franz Osten

Accompanying article at http://cinemacorridor.blogspot.com/2010/09/remembering-jairaj-and-renuka-devi...

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Bhabhi
• 1938
• Bombay
• Talkies
• Saraswati
• Devi
• Renuka
• Begum
• Khurshid
• Mirza
• P.Jairaj
• J.S.Casshyap
• Raag
• Malhar
• Franz
• Osten
• Rama
• Shukul
• V.H.Desai

[musiman0124]

Lata and Mannadey sang classical songs with artificial polishing not usually seen in Hindustani classical music which is improvisation based and singer produces raw spontaneous music (like in this song) rather than superficial artificially polished music.

[Alaknanda2007]

@musiman0124 : You have a point there about the naturalness of the raag-based era. I started off with the late 40s-early 50s music but then over the years I also have felt that the 30s and 40s are the richest two decades. Thanks for the info about Gaud Malhar.

[baddyfan1]

This was sung and recorded 74 years ago by my grandmother Renuka Devi, who was not a professional singer or actor but a mother of three at the time who simply had "raw" talent and gave her 200 % effort in everything she did. She died 23 yrs ago and left an amazing legacy of hard work and dedication for us. Thank you Alaknanda2007 for posting this clip. Very nostalgic!

[75husted]

there is nothing spontaneous about this recording. it is well rehearsed nursery rhyme style. perhaps to accommodate the limits of the singer. saraswati devi was a parsi music director from bombay. notice the gentleman on the armchair beating his hands wildly offbeat. is he meant to be intentionally comic?

[isurukd]

please upload the song phoola sajana mora mana bhanvara... song sung by Renuka Devi in the same film Bhabhi (1938)

[Tusharbhatia20]

Pankaj Mullick & R C BORAL CREATED MAGIC WITH K L Saigal & Kanan devi.

[musiman0124]

@Alaknanda2007 In 30s & 40s,there were other outstanding and very very melodious music directors like Pankaj Mullick, Gyan Dutt, Kamaldas Gupta, Timir Baran, SK Paul, Mitra, Sarawati Devi, etc., whose calibre-level of music directors were not to be found in later years.

[musiman0124]

@Alaknanda2007 In the golden era of Indian film-music i.e. 30s and 40s, all-time best filmi Music Directors till date, were there-RC Boral in Kolkata who also went to Bombay in 40s and Khemchand Prakash in Bollywood (after after working as assistant of Timir Baran in film-Devdas and with RC Boral in Calcutta in film-Street Singer in which he sang a comedy song & briefly acted as a dancer),who taught classical music to Naushad and in that sense was Guru of Naushad (as acknowledged by Naushad)

[musiman0124]

@Alaknanda2007 I agree.There was no dearth of good Raag based Music Directors and singers in the golden era of Indian film-music i.e. 30s and 40s unlike in later years.There were all time great filmi singers KL Saigal & Kanan Devi, Amirbai Karnataki and other good singers like Pankaj Mullick, KC Day, Uma Shashi, Nurjehan, Khursheed, etc.Background music of the songs was loud and very melodious accompanying the singers creating musical Raag-based most enjoyable environment not to be found later.