Shamshad had the opportunity  to sing for many songs starring Shammi Kapoor. Many of them are extremely memorable songs.

Here, however, we're talking of the song for which Shamshad ji sang for Shammi Kapoor himself. The movie was Bluffmaster in 1963. The      duet is picturised in Shammi Kapoor in drag singing a lovely Mujra-Qawalli, Chali Chali Aisi Hawa Chali.The song is a fun watch. The song begins with  Shammi and Shamshad proclaiming, "Chali Chali Chali Aisi Hawa Yeh Chali Ki Bhanware Pe Marne Lagi Hai Kali".  Usha Mangeshkar singing for Saira Banu joins in, "Chali Chali Kaliyon Ki Kismat Ki Lagti Hai Bhanwaron Ki Soorat Bhali". And thus begins a lovely mixture of a Mujra and Qawwali. Enjoy the video here.

 

 

The song is a must watch for fans of Shamshad and those looking for a lovely Shammi-Saira Jugalbandi.

 

Mohana was a very popular for her songs like Cuckoo in the late 1940s and early 50s. Sadly, her name is almost forgotten by the vagaries of time. One can't even get her picture on the net leave alone the songs.

 

Shamshad ji sang quite a few songs for her. We explore a few here. Not many videos/audios are available. Request for any material if available with music lovers.

The songs which  Shamshad sung for Mohana are very free spirited and make one fall in love with them immediately.

 

Shamshad ji probably first sang for Mohana for the movie Patanga. The first song was Pyaar Ke Jahaan Ki Niraali Sarkaar Hai. It is a duet with Lata Mangeshkar picturised on Nigar Sultana and Mohana. The song is an interesting commentary on love.

 

 

The second song, Pehle to Ho Gayi Namaste Namaste was quite popular in those days. Shamshad is joined by Mohantara, Chitalkar and Rafi. In the picturisation Nigar Sultana the heroine is seen along with Yakub and Gope.

 

 

Shamshad probably sang a song for her in Rimjhim the same year too but the songs and infact the movie are quite rare and difficult to get.

The movie had a song where Mohana sang with Shamshad and Kishore too. The song Mere Ghar Ke Aage Hain Do Do Galiyaan is in two parts.

Here is the first one in which Mohana sings:-

and here is the second part sung by Kishore and Shamshad.

 

 

The next song known is a classic song where one  sees Shamshad ji in a lovely competition song with Kishore Kumar. It is a must hear song for fans of Shamshad. The song shows the range of her voice as well as the "masti" which she could bring to a song. Its a "khanakta" song all the way.I am of course, talking about the song, Jo Tum Karo Woh Main Kar Sakti Hoon Badh Ke. The song can definitely be considered as Shamshad and Mohana fighting for women's lib in a sweet way.

Here's the audio for all to enjoy.

 

 

Then Nagina had Shamshad singing again for her in a lovely fun duet with Rafi. Some might consider the song a bit risque for those times. Mohana is calling her lover, Oye Oye Oye Dear Mummy Dear Koi Nahi Ghar Pe Lagta Hai Mujhko Darr Oye Dear. The song is another great example of Shamshad ji's range. Not only are the "harkatein" amazing, her vocal range and khanak are also on full display. She also shows her control on her breath shifting from singing, Teri Kaali Kaali Soorat Se Mujhko Hai Nafrat to saying Chal Ab Hat the next minute. A must hear song for her fans. Rafi sings for Gope in the song and provides good support to Shamshad. Its also important to note that this is one of three songs Shankar Jaikishen used Shamshad ji's voice for.

 

 

The next Mohana song sung by Shamshad ji is another "mazedaar" duet with Kishore for the movie Ashiyana which had music by Madan Mohan. Kishore probably sang for actor Randhir while Shamshad ji sang for Mohana. The song is of course, "Do Se Ho Gaye Ek Hum ... Oh Madam Oh Mister". Both singers tease each other so well throughout the song. It seems to be a fun number picturised on the wedding night of a "marriage of convenience" seen in quite a few movies. The song covers full gamut of emotions telling about the supposed love and the impending divorce with a hint of the going on emotions. The video is unfortunately missing but the audio lets us know almost visually about what must be happening. The way Kishore sings, "Oh madam" and the "chulbula andaaz" with which Shamshad replies, "Oh Mister" is so lovely, so wonderful. Its to be heard to feel the fun.

Here's the audio for all to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the 1st of June, 1929, a baby girl was born to singer-courtesan Jaddan Bai whom she named Fatima Rashid. The talkies were yet to arrive in India while this girl was  growing. This happened just two years later with Alam Ara. Her mother started dabbling in hindi films in various capacities. Jaddan Bai was one of the pioneer lady composer, singer and producer. When her daughter was just six, she acted in the film Talash-e-Haq as Baby Nargis. This was the year 1935, when playback singing was introduced for the first time (in the film Dhoop Chhaon). Nargis thus became her stage name and thus, her film journey began.  

Few years later, Mehboob Khan, an upcoming producer-director, just fresh from the success of his first film Najma (An Ashok Kumar, Veena, Sitara starrer),  was searching for a new face for his next movie, Taqdeer. He decided on choosing the barely 14, Nargis, to be the heroine with Motilal as the hero. This was one of the first of the "lost at the Kumbh Mela" stories. A boy and girl get their parents swapped at the Kumbh Mela. They grow up and meet only to fall in love with each other. Class differences don't allow them to meet till predictably their true identities are revealed! Mehboob Khan, the perfectionist chose Rafiq Ghaznavi (who had also composed Najma) as the composer. A new voice from Lahore was wowing fans all over India and they decided to bring that  voice to Bombay. That voice was Shamshad Begum. It was thus that the partnership of Nargis and Shamshad started. Almost all the songs featured Shamshad and were a big rage. The solos picturised on Nargis were a big hit as were the duets sung with hero Motilal himself.
One of the solos is, "Mera Maika Ho Ya Sasuraal Mujhe Dono Taraf Ka Khayaal" is extremely beautiful with Shamshad ji brilliantly bringing out the emotions of a woman who takes care of her husband's and parents home  equally. The beauty of the song is to be heard and cherished.



In a second solo, "Babu Darogaji Kaun Qasoor Pe Dhar Liye Saiyaan More", Shamshad continues with the same form, bringing out the protagonist's pining for the lover  when he is away.



A third solo, Mere Man ki Duniya Basa di was also a big hit. Here again Shamshad shows her class. The picturisation is on Nargis in the theatre where she is the dancer. Till the video is available, enjoy the audio.

In a sad mood, when Nargis sings, "Tumse Duniya Mujhe Chhudaati Hai Aakhri Aas toot Jaati hai", one clearly sees what the combination is capable of.

The duets are no different. Sample, this duet, "Aap aap Kyun Kyun Aayenge Meri Aankhon Mein Ab Tak Wohi Khaab Hai". What lovely lyrics and what justice is done by Shamshad ji. Motilal also provides good support in a Sehgal inspired tone.

Then there is the duet,  "Oh Jaane waale aa ja tadpaane waale aa ja" with Motilal.

What a lovely pleading to the lover to return and how lovingly is the sentiment returned by Motilal. Wow is the word for the song.

Then there is the lovely, "Chham Chham Chham Ghanghor Ghataayen Chhayen." When Shamshad ji sings, Chham Chham that unmistakable Khanak fills your heart with such great joy. Shamshad in those days could do no wrong.

 

This movie is definitely a big bang arrival to Bombay for the duo, Nargis and Shamshad. Wish the film video would be made available for all to appreciate even more. Shamshad's range is amply on display here and a joy forever.

After this lovely musical treat, the duo returned again two years later for another magnum Opus, Humayun(1945) again for Mehboob Khan. This time the composer was none other than Ghulam Haider himself. Here Shamshad was her voice again on screen (the records had Rajkumari singing the songs). With such a team at work, naturally one's expectations from the songs increases and one isn't disappointed. We get treated to lots of lovely Shamshad songs yet again. Each song is a gem to be enjoyed and not talked about. So, here are the songs to be enjoyed by one and all.

 

The most  popular one was probably, "Naina Bhar Aaye Neer"

Then we have the lovely "Main To Odhoon Gulabi Chunariya Aaj Re"

Then there is that lovely song saying that "Husn Kehta Ja Raha Hai Baadshahi Kuchh Nahi"

Then we have that lovely song talking about what misery can  do to two hearts in love, "Dono Hi Ko Bigdi Qismat Ne Deewana Bana Kar Chhod Diya"

Then there is that lovely solo which should really be talked about more often, "Chaand Chamka Andhere Mein Aaj Hai". When Shamshad sings Chaand Chamka, that sparkle of the moon does penetrate into your heart bringing it much needed peace.

Then we also have Shamshad praying  to god for her prayers to be answered with "Meri Duaon Ka Ya Rab Asar Dikha Dena".

As often happens in love, one talks to the moon asking various queries, where Shamshad ji sings "Ae Chaand Tu Bata De"

And then ofcourse, is another nice love ditty by Shamshad, "Rasm-e-Ulfat Kisi Surat Se Nibhaye Na Bane"

]

And finally a song sung by Khan Mastana with Shamshad ji leading the chorus, "Jo Desh Hamara Kal Tak Nahi Tha"