Bombay film songs acquire a trajectory that leaves the film and its actors behind. Over time we find it difficult to recollect the name of a film, or even the actor on whom a song was filmed. But we remember the melody. Think of the wonderful song ‘Tum jo mil gaye ho, toh yu lagta hain, ke jahan mil gaya’ in Hanste Zakhm (1973) . In the scene, a mediocre actor Navin Nischal lip-syncs the song for an equally mediocre Priya Rajvansh. Both are utterly forgettable.

Nevertheless, we recollect in great detail the wonderful lyrics by Kaifi Azmi for the film produced and directed by Chetan Anand. We have vivid memories of Mohammed Rafi’s voice. And we remember with perfect clarity the flawless musical composition of Madan Mohan (1924-1975), whose birth centenary falls on June 25 of this year.

Experts on the Bombay film and its music tell us that Madan Mohan did not get his due in the industry. May be, maybe not. Popularity is not a substitute for talent. Who can, after all, forget the music he composed for the number, ‘Har taraf ab yehi afsane hai. Hum teri ankkhon ke diwane hai’ in the film Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973).

The lyrics of the song were written by Kaifi Azmi and picturised on Raaj Kumar, who walking in the mist poetically recollects Priya Rajvansh’s, well, eyes. If there is Priya Rajvansh in a film, it must have been made by Chetan Anand. Never mind........

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