Aayega, Aayega, Aayega… Aayega Aanewala …. This timeless song from Kamal Amrohi‘s all-time classic film Mahal (1949) took the nation by storm. It played a lion’s share in making Lata Mangeshkar popular. Composed by music director Khemchand Prakash the song became a national chartbuster and key reason for the huge success of the film Mahal. People saw the film repeatedly to watch the song!!
Readers’ would be surprised to know that though the song brought Lata Mangeshkar into lime-light the gramophone company of India didn’t give credit to Lata Mangeshkar on the LP Records!! You may wonder –Why? Well, Lata Mangeshkar was not a celebrity and was just a struggling singer. Secondly, she was also not paid for the song. She sang the song as she was getting a golden opportunity to work with eminent film director Kamal Amrohi and popular music director Khemchand Prakash, who was Naushad’s guru. Thus, the Gramophone Company of India credited her as ‘Kamini’, the film’s heroine, on records.
Lata Mangeshkar’s Entry In Bollywood
Lata Mangeshkar entered Bollywood in the id-40s, a time dominated by robust-voiced singers such as Noor Jehan, Suraiya, and Shamshad Begum. Their voices suited the popular rural-based films and heroines. Lata’s distinctly ‘thin’ voice, however, led to her initial rejection.
Music directors such as Gulam Hyder, Shyamsunder, Husnlal Bhagatram, Anil Biswas, and Naushad supported Lata Mangeshkar. However, producers made her copy Noor Jehan, who had left India. This gave Lata’s voice a Noor Jehan tinge, hindering her unique identity despite her getting songs.
But kudos to music director Khemchand Prakash, who liberated Lata Mangeshkar‘s from the distinctive style of Noor Jahan. For Aayega Aanewala…. song Khemchand Prkash worked hard on Lata Mangeshkar and made her sing the song in her very own unique style!! The gamble paid off and the song was able to establish Lata Mangeshkar‘s uniqueness. Further the same year Raj Kapoor’s film Barsaat (1949) was released and he gave Lata Mangeshkar a big break. Fortunately all the song – Hawa Mein Udta Jaye……Jiya Beqarar Hai………. Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum…….. Chhod Gaye Balam……… Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gayaa…………were super hit and Lata Mangeshkar became a Star Singer!!
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