The Perfect Duets of S.D.Burman

(Posted on Trivia – The Spice of Life on 09/12/2023)

Just like it takes two to a tango, it takes two to make a duet too! While we speak of ‘screen time’ for gauging how significant a role an actor has in a movie, the comparable for playback singers would be ‘airtime’ in a song. The dictionary meaning of duet is – a composition for two performers. It is only fair that both performers get an equal share in the performance.

This is however not always the case. There has been a lot of discussion in many a blog about the categorization of duets and how while some are symmetrical, others are not. AK ji of Songs of Yore fame in a post written on April 1^st, 2015 (the date is incidental!!)in fact tried to develop a duet balance index!!

As opposed to solos, in duets the two voices blend well and thus embellish a song. Sometimes they present two different points of view. While in many duets the airtime may be equal for both singers but an entire antara maybe devoted to just one of the singers with the other not singing at all or just singing towards the end of the antara (e.g. Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar from Hum Dono).

While pondering about duets in Hindi films of the golden era, I wondered if there were perfect duets. Perfect duets according to me are the utopian ones. These have two voices – both male or both female, without any chorus and both the voices are given an equal share, so much so that alternate lines are sung by the two singers in quick succession with the male and the female singers singing different lyrics. This pattern is followed throughout the song i.e. both in the mukhda and the antara. The lines of both singers are usually short; the repartees too are pithy but effective.

Since the post is essentially about S.D.Burman’s perfect duets, it would not be out of place to stop here for a while and dwell on his genious as a music director. S.D.Burman’s vast knowledge of different genres of music – folk, classical, Bengali Rabindra Sangeet to name a few – along with his ability to visualise a song instead of merely limiting himself to perfecting the way it sounded was what made him illustrious.

There is an anecdote about how S.D.Burman was upset with Dev Anand for the manner in which he directed a song from Prem Pujari. S.D.Burman took a lot of interest in the way his songs were filmed. He knew exactly what he wanted in a song and that is perhaps why he was the pioneer of the practise of composing the tune first and asking the lyricist to write to fit the metre. Prior to this, the lyrics were penned first and then the tune was composed.

These details are important to appreciate the perfect duets that he created. Without knowing how the song would be picturised and what the role of the singers on screen would be, it would not have been possible to compose the perfect duets that he did. The perfect duets he created are almost like dialogues set to music. Like I said earlier, these duets do complete justice to the male and the female voices; there could not have been a more equitable distribution. The rotation of voices is perfect.

I must admit here that this post was not intended to be one exclusively dedicated to S.D.Burman’s duets. However, as I started making my list, I realised that the music director of all the perfect duets was S.D.Burman. In fact this edition is so exclusive that it would be difficult to find the perfect ten if one did not list more than one duet from the same movie. I scanned the lyrics of all the duets he composed and even heard the probable songs before I could arrive at this set of songs. Most of the songs are extremely popular and are played every other day on Vividh Bharati.

I must also add here that one must appreciate the lyricists of these duets – Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Shailendra; they came up with such innovative lyrics which were apt for the song. Sahir and S.d.Burman fell out after Pyaasa and never worked together thereafter. But this duo was the one which had mastery over crafting such duets which were playful, teasing and perfect.

1) Accha Ji Main Haari – (Kala Pani, 1958) – Majrooh Sultanpuri – S.D.Burman – Asha Bhosle & Md. Rafi. Featuring Madhubala and Dev Anand – an adorable on-screen pair – this song has so many voice variations. The best part about the song is the equitable rotation of voices. If you analyse the airtime the two singers get, you will notice that is perfectly equal. If you notice, in the third antara, there is no repetition of lines, which one finds in the preceding two antaras. Rafi and Asha both change their voices according to the mood that the lyrics denote. What also adds to the charm of the song is the gentle laughter in the antara.  The song, of course, as expected ends on a reconciliatory note.

(lyrics in this format courtesy – https://www.lyricsindia.net/songs/2943)

aashaa:  achchhaa jii mai.n haarii,  chalo maan jaao naa
rafii:  dekhii sabakii yaarii,  meraa dil jalaao naa

aashaa:  (chhoTe se qusuur pe,  aise ho khafaa  
rafii:  ruuThe to huzuur the,  merii kyaa khataa   )  - 2
aashaa:  dekho dil naa to.Do
rafii:  chho.Do haath chho.Do
aashaa:  dekho dil na to.Do
rafii:  are! chho.Do haath chho.Do
aashaa:  chho.D diyaa to haath maloge samjhe?
rafii:  ajii samjhe!

aashaa: (jiivan ke ye raaste,  lambe hai.n sanam 
rafii:  kaaTe.nge ye zi.ndagii, Thokar khaake ham    )  - 2
aashaa:  oy! zaalim saath dele
rafii:  achchhe ham akele
aashaa:  zaalim saath dele
rafii:  are achchhe ham akele
aashaa:  chaar kadam bhii chal na sakoge samjhe?
rafii:  haa.N samjhe!

aashaa: jaao rah sakoge naa tum bhii chain se   
rafii:  tum to khair luuTanaa jiineke maze          
aashaa:  kyaa karanaa hai jiike
rafii:  ho rahanaa kisii ke
aashaa:  kyaa karanaa hai jiike
rafii:  are, ho rahanaa kisii ke
aashaa:  ham naa rahe to yaad karoge,  samjhe?
rafii:  samjhe!

2) Haal Kaisa Hain Janaab Ka – Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) – Majrooh Sultanpuri – S.D.Burman – Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar. This is yet another playful, romantic duet of Madhubala’s. The chemistry between the two is palpable. Madhubala’s expressions match the lyrics and the mood of the song perfectly. The voices are so meticulously rotated by S.D.Burman that one gets to hear them both in equal measure. Also, in the last antara, the lines are reversed in that the line कभी कुछ कहती है, कभी कुछ कहती है, ज़रा नज़र को संभालना is sung by Asha instead of Kishore. The third anatara is begun by Asha instead of Kishore unlike the first two antaras. She trills the ज़रा very well. Both sing together towards the end followed by Asha singing the mukhda and Kishore yodelling at the fag end of the song.

(lyrics in this format courtesy https://www.hindiraag.com/haal-kaisa-hai-janab-ka-lyrics/)

आशा : हाल कैसा है जनाब का?

किशोर : क्या खयाल है आप का?

आशा : तुम तो मचल गये, हो हो हो

किशोर : यूँही फ़िसल गये, हा हा हा



किशोर : बहकी, बहकी, चले है पवन जो उड़े है तेरा आँचल

आशा : छोड़ो, छोड़ो, देखो देखो गोरे गोरे काले काले बादल

किशोर : कभी कुछ कहती है, कभी कुछ कहती है, ज़रा नज़र को संभालना

आशा : हाल कैसा है जनाब का?

किशोर : हाय! क्या खयाल है आप का?

आशा : होय! तुम तो मचल गये, हो हो हो

किशोर : hmm hmm,यूँही फ़िसल गये, हा हा हा



किशोर : पगली!

आशा : आ!

किशोर : पगली, कभी तूने सोचा रस्ते में गये मिल क्यों?

आशा : पगले!

किशोर : हं?

आशा : पगले!

किशोर : ए?!

आशा : तेरी बातों बातों में धड़कता है दिल क्यों ?

किशोर : कभी कुछ कहती है, कभी कुछ कहती है, ज़रा नज़र को संभालना

आशा : आ आ, हाल कैसा है जनाब का?

किशोर : हाय! क्या खयाल है आप का?

आशा : तुम तो मचल गये, हो हो हो

किशोर : यूँही फ़िसल गये, हा हा हा



आशा : कहो जी, कहो जी, रोज़ तेरे संग यूँही

दिल बहलायें क्या?

किशोर : आहा! सुनो जी, सुनो जी, समझ सको तो खुद समझो

बताएं क्या ?

आशा : कभी कुछ कहती है, कभी कुछ कहती है

ज़रा नज़र को सम्भालना....

3) Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein – Pyaasa (1957) – Sahir Ludhianvi – S.D.Burman – Md. Rafi & Geeta Dutt. Pyaasa was an iconic movie which also marked the end of the association of two greats – Sahir and S.D.Burman. There is no doubt that both the lyrics and the music of the movie were equally good. Which were created first in this movie is not very clear. But this duet was introduced on the request of the distributors who felt that the movie and its songs were rather morose. It is thus shot as a dream sequence. Once again the rotation of voices and the teasing playful lyrics almost in the style of a tête-à-tête is delightful. I have dwelt upon the situation of this song in another blog post which interested readers may look up. (there is a printing mistake in line 4 below in the booklet below though it is the official booklet)

From the song booklet of the film – https://pbs.twimg.com/media/; courtesy NFAI/NFDC

4) Saanjh Dhali Dil Ki Lagi – Kala Bazar (1960) – Shailendra – S.D.Burman – Manna De & Asha Bhosle. This is yet another lovely duet that is about wooing the lady and the lady saying bluntly in so many words that she has already lost her heart to someone else. This movie in fact has a very practical approach to love. There is no shedding of tears when the female protagonist decides to move on. Manna De sings for Dev Anand and Asha for Waheeda. The song is almost like a dialogue and the power of persuasion of the hero is on display. Notice how the lines of the hero and the heroine alternate with precision.

Lyrics in this format courtesy https://lyricsverse.in/kala-bazar-1960/saanjh-dhali-dil-ki-lagi

म: ( साँझ ढली दिल की लगी थक चली पुकार के

    आ जा, आ जा, आ भी जा

आ: क्‌या दूँ पहले से मैं बैठी हूँ दिल हार के

    जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा ) -2



म: ज़िद पे आ गया है दिल के आज यूँ न लौटना

आ: मेरी सुनो लौट जाओ छोड़ दो ये बचपना

म: चार दिन की ज़िंदगी में दिन हैं दो बहार के


आ जा, आ जा, आ भी जा

आ: ए हे हे हे

    क्‌या दूँ पहले से मैं बैठी हूँ दिल हार के

    जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा


म: आ आ

आ: जा जा



आ: कैसे कहूँ कैसी उलझनों में मेरी जान है

म: ओ हो हो

    हाँ को ना समझ गये ये प्यार की ज़ुबान है

आ: काटने हैं दिन हमें किसी के इंतज़ार के



आ: जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा

म: ओ हो हो हो

   साँझ ढली दिल की लगी थक चली पुकार के

   आ जा, आ जा, आ भी जा

आ: ए ए ए ए

    क्‌या दूँ पहले से मैं बैठी हूँ दिल हार के

    जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा



म: सुन तो ले के मेरे दिल का तुझसे क्‌या सवाल है

आ: कुछ न कर सकूँगी मैं इसी का तो मलाल है

म: दिल न तोड़ चाहे बोल दो ही बोल प्यार के



म: आ जा आ जा, आ भी जा

आ: क्‌या दूँ पहले से मैं बैठी हूँ दिल हार के

    जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा

म: साँझ ढली दिल की लगी थक चली पुकार के

आ जा, आ जा, आ भी जा

आ: जा जा, जा जा, जा तू जा

म: आ जा आ जा

आ: जा तू जा

5) Rimjhim Ke Taraane Leke – Kala Bazar (1960) – Shailendra – S.D.Burman – Md. Rafi & Geeta Dutt. As opposed to Manna De and Asha Bhosle in the duet above, S.D.Burman has opted for Rafi and Geeta Dutt in this one. This is a song of reminiscence and is shot almost like a background song. The two are reliving their memories but there is no lip movement at all. There are only flashback scenes. The song is almost like a medley of memories. This is one of the best monsoon melodies one can think of shot on Mumbai’s historic Marine Drive. Again, the way S.D.Burman has used the voices of the playback singers and alternated them with meticulous regularity is worth noting.

Lyrics in this format courtesy :https://www.lyricsindia.net/songs/2148

(गीता: रिम-झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात

रफ़ी:	याद आये किसी से वो पहली मुलाक़ात ) - २

	

(गीता: भीगे तन मन पड़े रस की फुहार

रफ़ी:	प्यार का सन्देसा लायी बरखा बहार ) - २

गीता:	मैं ना बोलूँ, मैं ना बोलूँ आँखें करें अँखियों से बात

रफ़ी:	रिम झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात

	

(रफ़ी:	सुनके मतवाले काले बादलों का शोर

गीता:	रूम झूम घूम घूम नाचे मन का मोर ) - २

रफ़ी:	सपनों का साथी चल रहा मेरे साथ

गीता:	रिम-झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात

रफ़ी:	याद आये किसी से वो पहली मुलाक़ात

दोनों:	रिम-झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात



(गीता: जब मिलते हो तुम तो छूटें दिल के तार

रफ़ी:	मिलने को तुम से मैं क्यों था बेक़रार ) - २

गीता:	रह जाती है, रह जाती है क्यों होठों तक आके दिल की बात

रफ़ी: रिम-झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात

गीता: याद आये किसी से वो पहली मुलाक़ात

दोनों: रिम-झिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात!

6) Aankhon Mein Kya Ji – Nau Do Gyarah (1957) – Majrooh Sultanpuri – S.D.Burman – Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar. This duet is perhaps the best example of the perfect duet. Notice the length of each line that the singers get to sing. They do not have more than 5 words in a line. And yet the way the voices are rotated by the music director add a lot of spunk to the song. The singers of course must be appreciated for doing complete justice to the song. Majrooh has said so much in such short lines. This song is indeed a masterpiece.

Lyrics in Hindi Courtesy :https://www.lyricsindia.net/songs/2977

A आँखों में क्या जी

K रुपहला बादल

A बादल में क्या जी

K किसी का आँचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A आँखों में क्या जी

K रुपहला बादल

A बादल में क्या जी

K किसी का आँचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A रंगी है मौसम

K तेरे दम की बहार है

A फिर भी है कुछ कम

K बस तेरा इंतज़ार है

A रंगी है मौसम

K तेरे दम की बहार है

A फिर भी है कुछ कम

K बस तेरा इंतज़ार है

A देखने में भले हो पर हो बड़े चचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A आँखों में क्या जी

K रुपहला बादल

A बादल में क्या जी

K किसी का आँचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A झुकती है पलकें

K झुकने दो और झूम के

A उड़ती है ज़ुल्फ़ें

K उड़ने दो होठ चूम के

A झुकती है पलकें

K झुकने दो और झूम के

A उड़ती है ज़ुल्फ़ें

K उड़ने दो होठ चूम के

A देखने में भले हो पर हो बड़े चचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A झूमे लहराए

K नैना मिल जाए नैन से

A साथी बन जाए

K रस्ता कट जाए चैन से

A झूमे लहराए

K नैना मिल जाए नैन से

A साथी बन जाए

K रस्ता कट जाए चैन से


K देखने में भोली हो, पर हो बड़ी चचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल



A आँखों में क्या जी

K रुपहला बादल

A बादल में क्या जी

K किसी का आँचल

K आँचल में क्या जी

A अजब सी हलचल

7) Aaja Pancchi Akela Hain – Nau Do Gyarah (1957) – Majrooh Sultanpuri – S.D.Burman – Asha Bhosle & Md. Rafi. In yet another perfect duet from the same movie, S.D.Burman uses Rafi instead of Kishore. The lines of each singer are again kept short and sweet. Asha only counters Rafi each time he complains. The picturization of the song is adorable with both Kalpana and Dev sharing a room. Kalpana asks him to spend the night in the bathroom and that is when he starts ranting.

Lyrics in this format courtesy : https://www.lyricsindia.net/songs/2231

(र: ओ आजा पंछी अकेला है 

आ: ओ सो जा निन्दिया की बेला है ) - २

र: ओ आजा पंछी अकेला है 



(र: उड़ गई नींद यहां मेरे नैन से 

आ: बस करो यूंही पड़े रहो चैन से ) - २

र: लागे रे डर मोहे लागे रे 

आ: ओ ये क्या डरने की बेला है 

र: ओ आजा पंछी अकेला है ...



(र: ओहो कितनी घुटी सी है ये फ़िज़ा 

आ: आहा कितनी सुहानी है ये हवा ) - २

र: मर गये हम निकला दम मर गये हम 

आ: मौसम कितना अलबेला है 

र: ओ आजा पंछी अकेला है ...



(र: बिन तेरे कैसी अंधेरी ये रात है 

आ: दिल मेरा धड़कन मेरी तेरे साथ है ) - २

र: तन्हा है फिर भी दिल तन्हा है 

आ: लागा सपनों का मेला है 

र: ओ आजा पंछी अकेला है ...

8) Dekho Maane Nahin Roothi Haseena – Taxi Driver (1954) – Sahir Ludhianvi – S.D.Burman – Jagmohan Bakshi & Asha Bhosle. This is yet another duet of S.D.Burman which is a gem in terms of airtime allocation. This duet is lesser heard. Here again the hero and heroine are in a melodious conversation about a discordant couple and are drawing their own conclusions about what has gone wrong between them. There is a certain churlishness in the song which makes it a pleasure to hear. The hero is willing to hear the man but the heroine has already decided that the entire fault is the man’s.

Lyrics in this format courtesy: https://lyricsverse.in/taxi-driver-1954/

ज: ओ देखो माने नहीं

( देखो माने नहीं रूठी हसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

आ: आये साजन के मुँह पे पसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है ) -2



ज: दिर दिर दिर

आ: डर डर ड ड



ज: पूछो किस कारन हुई ये लड़ाई

आ: इसका बालम होगा हरजाई

ज: ओ हो ज़रा रुक जायें सुन ले सफ़ाई

आ: कहती है गुरी मैं बाज आई

माने नहीं

ज: ओ देखो माने नहीं रूठी हसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

आ: हो ओ ओ

आये साजन के मुँह पे पसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है



ज: काहे कोई उतरा है दिल से किसी के

आ: आया होगा रात को पी के

ज: क्‌या कहा पी के

आ: हाँ

आया होगा रात को पी के

ज: ऐसे कैसे बीतेंगे दिन ज़िन्दगी के

आ: आहें भर कर आँसू पी के

माने नहीं

ज: ओ देखो माने नहीं रूठी हसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

आ: आये साजन के मुँह पे पसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है



ज: देखो बेचारा सजन रोता है

आ: अब पछताये क्‌या होता है

ज: मिलें दिल-दिल से तो प्यार खोता है

आ: दिल मिलना मुशक़िल होता है

माने नहीं

ज: ओ देखो माने नहीं रूठी हसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

आ: आये साजन के मुँह पे पसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

ज: देखो माने नहीं रूठी हसीना

न जाने क्‌या बात है

9) Reham Kabhi To Farmao – Society (1955) – Sahir Ludhianvi – S.D.Burman – Md.Rafi & Geeta Dutt. This song whose video is not available is apparently picturized on Kumkum and Johnny Walker. It is in fact typical Johnny Walker song with funny lyrics which make you chuckle. The pattern of alternating the male and female voices continues through out the song. The lady spurns all the attempts of the man to express his love.

Lyrics in this format courtesy : https://atulsongaday.me/2013/10/04/reham-kabhi-to-farmaao/

(Reham kabhi to farmaao
maao maao meri laila
oonche suron mein mat gaao
gaao gaao bhai chhaila) x 2

phir se lagaao yahi taan tum
phir se yeh pyaari dhun gaao
arey saaf karo zara kaan tum
mat yoonhi shor machaao

saamne aao meri jaan tum
chhup ke na teer chalaao
dil se bhulaao meraa dhyan tum
aur kisi ka sar khaao

Reham kabhi to farmaao
maao maao meri laila
oonche suron mein mat gaao
gaao gaao bhai chhaila

maala banaa ke tere naam ki
arey japta hoon shaam savere
shakl to dekho gulfaam ki
bante hain aashique mere
karni hai baaten badi kaam ki
aao kabhi bhakton ke dere
arey sheeshi mangaa lo zara balm ki
tab sunoon dukhde tere

Reham kabhi to farmaao
maao maao meri laila
oonche suron mein mat gaao
gaao gaao bhai chhaila

teer-e-adaa se hamen maar ke
madam ab mukhdaa na modo
shut up shut up
kisi deewar ki
jaa ke sar apna phodo

tukde hamaare dil-e-zaar ke
kam se kam aadhe hi jodo
maarungi main sandal utaar ke
jaoo bhaago bak bak chhodo

Reham kabhi to farmaao
maao maao meri laila
oonche suron mein mat gaao
gaao gaao bhai chhaila

10) Kali Ke Roop Mein Chali Ho Dhoop Mein – Nau Do Gyarah (1954) – Sahir Ludhianvi – S.D.Burman – Md.Rafi & Asha Bhosle. This is the third duet from the movie that finds place in this post. Sahir and S.D.Burman do yet another fine balancing act with top class lyrics and music. The conversation between the two through the song is extremely enjoyable. It is also worth noting that towards the end the line suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan is sung by Rafi and not Asha Bhosle. This is typically how S.D.Burman has ended many a duet of his.

Lyrics Courtesy : https://atulsongaday.me/2009/05/20/kali-ke-roop-mein-chali-ho-dhoop-mein/

Kali ke roop mein chali ho dhoop mein kahaan?
suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan
kali ke roop mein chali ho dhoop mein kahaan?
suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan

kaahe ko ho jaldi, ki ham to hain chal di
apne dil ke sahaare
ab na rukenge to dukhne lagenge
paanv naazuk tumhaare

kaahe ko ho jaldi, ki ham to hain chal di
apne dil ke sahaare
ab na rukenge to dukhne lagenge
paanv naazuk tumhaare

chodo deewanapan aji janaab man kahaan
suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan
kali ke roop mein chali ho dhoop mein kahaan?

chal na sakenge sambhal na sakenge
ham tumhaari balaa se
milaa na sahaaraa to aaogi dubaaraa
khinch ke meri sadaa pe
chal na sakenge sambhal na sakenge
ham tumhaari balaa se
milaa na sahaaraa to aaogi dobaaraa
khinch ke meri sadaa pe

raahon me hoke gum jaogi chupke tum kahaan
suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan
kali ke roop mein chali ho dhoop mein kahaan?
maanogi na tum bhi to ye lo chale ham bhi
ab hamen na bulaanaa
jaate ho to jaao, adaayen na dikhaao
dil na hogaa nishaanaa

maanogi na tum bhi to ye lo chale ham bhi
ab hamen na bulaanaa
jaate ho to jaao, adaayen na dikhaao
dil na hogaa nishaanaa
hawaa pe baith ke, chale ho ainth ke, kahaan?
suno ji meharbaan, hoge na tum jahaan, wahaan

While I end this post, I must mention that this was a post that helped me appreciate the efforts that various websites like atulsongaday, lyricsnet and lyricsverse are investing to provide not just the lyrics but also highlight the lines of the singers. This is a very tedious job and requires one to hear the song very carefully to parse the portions of the respective singers.

Which are the other perfect duets you can think of?

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/ Daily Motion and other platforms only to make the post audio-visual. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.