Songs of Music Teachers – The Guru Shishya Parampara

Posted on 27/08/2023 on Trivia – the Spice of Life

With Teachers’ Day round the corner, I felt a post dedicated to on-screen music teachers would be apt. In the golden era, there were quite a few films dedicated to music maestros and the subject of music per se. This ensured that melodious tunes set to various classical raags were composed to suit the subject of the movie. Today, there are no such movies made. It is very rarely that one comes across a classical music based song finding a place in present day film music.

The primacy in Indian Classical music be it in Hindustani or Carnatic music is of course of the guru or the teacher who imparts knowledge of music which is learnt by hearing what the guru sings or plays. The Guru-Shishya parampara is thus a keynote of the classical tradition. Gurus such as Swami Haridas were revered by their pupils. They were placed on a higher pedestal than god. The sheer love for music rather than any monetary compensation perhaps was what made this bond special. A musician of the classical tradition will never forget to acknowledge the guru while performing. The entire pursuit of learning music is elevated to another level when music becomes the path to attain the divine.

Even today, there are many children as well as adults who try to pursue learning classical music and dance despite their various other engagements. Of course, technology has brought in a sea change in the way music and dance are learnt and taught. Also, teaching music and dance has become a more organized affair with branding and franchisees. Many senior singers and dancers have started their academies where they teach. It is not just offline lessons but online lessons too that are in vogue. A case in sight is my own children who still learn Carnatic music. However, while before Covid-19, the teacher used to come home to teach, now these classes are held online for the sake of mutual convenience. The idea is to keep the learning and the tradition alive in which ever way possible.

Here I present ten songs where the guru and the shishya sing. In some cases there is more than one disciple but never a group. There are also occasions where the lover doubles up as the music teacher to gain access to her beloved. There are various scenarios that are thrown up which would become evident as you browse through the list.

1) Sakhi Ri Sun Bole Papiha – Miss Mary (1957) – Rajinder Krishan – Hemant Kumar – Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle. Set to Raag Khamaaj, this beautiful song features Meena Kumari as the music teacher and Meenakshi(?) as her student. Lata sings for Meena Kumari and Asha for Meenakshi. In the movie, Meena Kumari is in need of money but she is extremely sincere and committed. Soon after the song ends she learns that her pupil’s father is shifting; thus, this was their last class. While she is rather dejected at having lost a source of income, she praises her student and asks her father to continue with her music lessons. This is the song that introduces Meena Kumari in the film.

2) Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitai – Meri Surat Teri Aankhen (1963) – Shailendra – S.D.Burman – S.D.Batish, Manna De and an unknown female voice singing for Ashok Kumar as a child. There are two versions of the same song – both set to Raag Ahir Bhairav – one where the guru teaches the pupil and the other where the accomplished pupil sings alone as the guru is on his deathbed. This version of the song that I have included, where the guru (played by Kanhaiyalal) is teaching the child who grows up to become Ashok Kumar during the course of the song, is the lesser heard one. S.D.Batish sings for Kanhaiyalal. An unknown female voice (Asha Bhosle or Suman Kalyanpur ?) sings for the child artist and Manna De takes over once the child grows up. This version of the song is pure bliss as Batish sings effortlessly and Manna De matches his vocal prowess in equal measure. The guru gives his disciple all that he has and is proud of him.

3) Ajahu Na aaye Balma – Saanjh Aur Sawera (1964) – Hasrat Jaipuri – Shankar Jaikishan – Md. Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. Set to Raag Madhuvanti, this is a masterpiece. It is because of the situation in the movie that it is used for that makes it a light-hearted song. This song could be rated as one of the best duets of Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. This when only heard and not seen seems to be a song meant for a serious situation. However, it is actually Mehmood in the guise of the music teacher lip syncing it on screen; his lady love Shubha Khote recognizes him after a little effort by Mehmood. It is then that she also begins to sing full throated. It is therefore a song in jest. Posing as a music teacher would be one of the convenient ways of gaining access to the beloved’s house.

4) Man Ki Been Matwaari Baaje – Shabab (1954) – Shakeel Badayuni – Naushad – Md.Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. This tragic love story has the hero – Bharat Bhushan – playing the guru teaching music to the heroine Nutan, who is a princess. In order to ensure that the two have a professional relationship, she is told that he is an ugly leper and he, that she is blind and ill-tempered. Thus, a curtain is placed between them as he begins to teach her so that they can not see each other. Based on Raag Bahar, this is a beautiful composition that is picturised very well to signify that with the very first lesson of music, the curtains are drawn and both fall in love with each other at first sight!!

5) Kahan Se Aaye Badra – Chasme buddoor (1981) – Indu Jain – Raj Kamal – Yesudas & Haimanti Shukla. This absolutely mesmerising song based on Raag Megh is a pleasure to listen to. The heroine Dipti Naval learns music at Sargam Sangeet Vidyalay and the guru is Vinod Nagpal. There are times when she is ebullient and the song taught by the guru matches her mood perfectly (Kaali ghodi dwaar khadi). Similarly, there is a time when all is not well in her personal life as there are misunderstandings between her and her lover Farooque Sheikh. It is at that juncture that the guru teaches this song; three classes are devoted to the song – one for each antara. Her emotions are almost echoed by the lyrics of the song and she is so distraught that towards the end of the song, all she can do is sob. The guru comes across as the perfect mind reader but is professional at the same time and does not interfere in her personal life. The tabla player appears more perturbed at her emotional state.

6) Baat Chalat Nayi Chunar Rang Daari – Rani Roopmati (1959) – Bharat Vyas – S.N.Tripathi – Krishnarao Chaonkar & Md.Rafi. This film was based on the legendary love story of Rani Roopmati and Baaz Bahadur, both of whom were wedded to music. The film begins with this song. The guru (actor unknown) and Bharat Bhushan (Baaz Bahadur) are practising together. This composition is set to Raag Bhairavi; Pt Chonkar sings for the guru and Md.Rafi for Bharat Bhushan. Both of them are impeccable. After the song ends the guru compliments Baaz Bahadur and says that he is a perfect match for Tansen (whom the Mughals are very proud of). Baaz Bahadur is a Pathan and there is enmity between the Pathans and the Mughals.

[Interestingly, the same composition was sung in 1953 by Geeta Dutt in the movie Ladki.]

7) Sudh Bisar Gayi Aaj – Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962) – Shailendra – S.N.Tripathi – Manna De & Md.Rafi. This melodious gem is from a film dedicated to one of the musical geniuses of all times – Tansen. In this song set to Raag Hemant, Tansen’s guru Swami Haridas tries to get Tansen, who has gone astray, back to the path of divine music – which stems from a pure heart. Tansen is depressed because his beloved who is also his muse has left him. As the guru sings, Tansen also joins him. Manna De sings for the onscreen Swami Haridas (played by Kumar?)and Rafi for Tansen. S.N.Tripathi donned various hats for this movie – he played the role of Emperor Akbar, composed its immortal music and directed it as well. Swami Haridas is the sheet anchor and the pole star who shows his disciple the right path.

8) Nayi Ri Lagan Aur Meethi Batiyan – Alaap (1977) – Taditional Lyrics – Jaidev – Madhurani, Kumari Fayyaz & Yesudas. This Raag Malika is sung beautifully by three singers who lend their voices to the teacher (Chhaya Devi) and the two disciples (Rekha and Amitabh Bachhan). The disciples learn from the teacher in the true guru shishya parampara. Alaap is a movie dedicated to the love that one can harbour for music which also becomes a bridge between different generations and helps build new relationships. Listening to this Raag Malika transports one to a different realm. One can see the seasons changing and festivals being celebrated as the riyaaz continues. Chhaya Devi who plays the guru is deeply attached to her pupils and stands by them through thick and thin. She shares all her joys and sorrows with her disciples.

9) Albela Sajan Aayo Re – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) – Traditional lyrics – Ismail Darbar – Ustad Sultan Khan, Shankar Mahadevan & Kavita Krishnamurty. Picturized very tastefully in the environs of Bhuj and Jaisalmer, this song set to Raag Ahir Bhairav is delightful to watch and hear. Again, there are two students – Sameer who has come from abroad and the guru Vikram Gokhale’s daughter Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) who also learns with Sameer. The song focuses on the rich cultural heritage of Jaisalmer and Bhuj along with the melody and depth of the Hindustani Classical tradition. The story moves ahead as the song is taught and learnt and soon the entire extended family learns about the romance blossoming between Nandini and Sameer. This is a traditional composition popularised by Ustad Sultan Khan who belonged to the Indore Gharana. The guru here is a strict disciplinarian and one who is a staunch follower of orthodox traditions. He opposes the marriage of his daughter with his disciple.

10) Gaana Mere Bas Ki Baat Nahin – Astitva (2000) – Shrirang Godbole (?) – Rahul Ranade (?) – Shankar Mahadevan & Sadhana Sargam. Set to Raag Yaman, this is a wonderful song which has fusion music but returns to where it started in the end. Mohnish Behl is the persuasive music teacher who does not yield; instead he persuades his unwilling pupil to sing at all costs. He gives her all the liberty to experiment with the notes and lyrics. This is of course the modern age guru. The movie too is worth watching as it exposes the hypocrisy of society and questions many stereotypes.

With this I end my post on onscreen music gurus. I am sure there would be many such songs where the guru shishya parampara is showcased. If you know of any, please do add them if you happen to read this post.

Disclaimer

anitamultitasker.wordpress.com, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube/ other platforms only to make the post audio-visual. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.