#46 Chitralekha: Top 100 Bollywood Albums

Music: Roshan

Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi

Label: Saregama HMV

Director: Kidar Sharma

The 1964 film by the multi-faceted Kidar Sharma was a remake of his own directorial debut from 1941, by the same name. While the original had music by A S Gyani and Jhande Khan, here he chose the man whom he had launched in his 1949 movie Neki Aur Badi – Roshan. Writing for the composer was the lyricist with whom he had the most prolific partnership, Sahir Ludhianvi. And together they produced a piece of work that far outshone the original soundtrack.

Best Song of Chitralekha: Mann Re Tu Kaahe Na Dheer Dhare is my favourite from Chitralekha. Ludhianvi paraphrased a Tulsidas couplet – reportedly on the director's request – to create this song. Roshan set it to a pensive raag yaman kalyan based melody and a delectable mélange of sarod, violins and flute. Mohammad Rafi of course, took care of the delivery bit with his characteristic finesse. 

1. Kaahe Tarsaaye Jiyara (Singers: Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar)
2. Sakhi Ri Mera Mann (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
3. Ae Ri Jaane Na Doongi (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
4. Maara Gaya Brahmachari (Singer: Manna Dey)
5. Sansaar Se Bhaage Phirte Ho (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
6. Chaa Gaye Baadal (Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi)
7. Man Re Tu Kaahe Na Dheer Dhare (Singer: Mohammed Rafi)

Listen to the entire album of Chitralekha here:

(With contributions by Praveen VR, co-founder of musicaloud.com)

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