Geeta Bali and Shammi in Rangeen Raatein (1956)

Music director Roshan used Shamshad Begum’s voice sparingly. He composed 10 songs for her (6 solos and 4 duets) and Mein Ek Shola was one of the last songs (actually second last) Shamshad sang for Roshan. This is perhaps the only song where Geeta Bali lent her voice and the only film where she acted as a man. This is also one of the last songs sung by Uma Devi/Tun Tun (who started as a playback singer and later became comedienne).

Shamshad Begum singing for Shammi, Geeta Bali and Uma Devi singing for themselves in Rangeen Raatein (1956), music by Roshan.

This is the only SOLO song sung by Shamshad Begum for Shanker-Jaikishan. Shanker Jaikishan used Shamshad’s voice only 3 times during their long careers. The reason for using her voice sparingly in their compositions is provided by Shamshad and her daughter Usha below…

“Shamshad Begum remembers the time she came in contact with Raj Kapoor. “He was unknown then. In fact, he introduced himself as Prithviraj Kapoor’s son. Raj was making a film and he wanted me to sing for it. I was very busy then. But out of respect for Prithviraj Kapoor, I agreed. I used to come home in the afternoon to rest. I told Raj to come to my house with his harmonium and tabla players — Shankar of Shankar Jaikishen fame and Ram Ganguly, the music director. I squeezed in the practice session during my rest time and went to the studio only for the recording.”

The film was the hugely successful and not to mention, the music was a super hit. In keeping with Shamshad Begum’s fate, Raj Kapoor also never looked back. “But gracious that he was, once after many years when he met us at my mother’s concert, he publicly said that it was she who made his life. He also said, ‘But I couldn’t do anything for her.’ He later privately admitted that it was not him who didn’t want her to sing but Jaikishen who was anti Shamshad Begum,” says Usha.”

This song is picturized on Cuckoo who was the numero uno dancer at that time (late 40s to mid 50s). Like the Helen-Asha combination later on, in many of these songs, Cuckoo’s screen `voice’ was Shamshad Begum. Together, they were responsible for some unforgettable hits including Mere ghoonghar wale baal (Pardes), Dar na mohabbat karle (Andaz), Piya piya piya piya hum aur tum (Naujawan) etc

Trivia: The record version of this song had an extra line “Sambhal kai khidki khol balamwa dekhey mera baap re” which was later censored out of the film version by Censor Board.

This beautiful song was composed by Chitragupta who was still a struggling music director at that time and this film – particularly this song helped him establish his place in the Hindi Film Industry. According to Shamshad Begum, many music directors used her as a stepping stone to reach either Asha Bhosle or Lata Mangeshkar and Chitragupta was no exception.

Coming to the song, this is one of the best Rafi-Shamshad duets. Harp and clarinet plays a vital role in setting right pace and mood for this song. Very lively and enjoyable number, that will make place in your heart instantly.

It was picturized on B-Grade Actor Ranjan and Naseem Bano (Saira Bano’s mother) – who was a fading actress in the ’50s with the arrival of new heroines including Madhubala, Nargis, Geeta Bali etc.  – Mister Jinx