Usha Khanna gave some amazing compositions to K. J. Yesudas
Usha Khanna is definitely the first established female music director of Bollywood. Though she couldn’t reach the peak heights of her contemporaries like SJ, Laxmikanth-Pyarerlal, Kalyanji Anandji or S. D. Burman, she created a niche of her own through the unique contribution of her own set of songs. Though it’s a remarkable fact that she is a true legend, she is away from limelight and media too didn’t give much importance to her news or work for the couple of decades or so. She silently struggled in Bollywood to get good opportunities, and in 2019 she is honoured with Lata Mangeshkar award.
Despite giving some memorable songs to movies since 1960, an era when it was not at all possible for a woman to compose tunes for songs and stood against all odds to give some evergreen songs, she always failed to emerge at top. But definitely she made an identity of herself, which every Indian woman can feel proud of – in this men’s world.
Dil Dekho Dekho and Hum Hindustani – her first two works
It’s an unbelievable fact that top compositions of Dil Dekho Dekho and Hum Hindustani were indeed given by a female composer. Dil Dekho Dekho gave a major break to Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh in the year 1960, who later established as big stars of the decade. (The popular title track was indeed copied/inspired from “Sugar Time” (1958) of McGuire Sisters) It’s really a sad fact that in most occasions such talented artists don’t get the same credit which the front-end actors receive through the combined work that gives birth to a good and successful film. In fact, Dil Dekho Dekho and Hum Hindustani are the first two releases of Asha Parekh.
Despite giving two hits in a row, she failed to get opportunities – an era known to be the golden era of Hindi music which was completely dominated by Shankar-Jaikishen, S. D. Burman, Salil Chowdhary, Madan Mohan, O. P. Nayyar and a few more. She was influenced by Arabic compositions, and used them in her tunes. Read Top 50 O. P. Nayyar Tunes.
She composed a few non-Hindi film songs
She composed songs for a few Malayalam movies also, though she is known as a composer of Bollywood films. Nee Madhu Pakaru and Unaroo Vegam Nee of Malayalam film – Moodalmanju, inspired from Bollywood suspense thriller Aamne Samne are evergreen hits. Not many know that she also composed and sang songs for the most popular fantasy series of Doordarshan in the 1990s – Chandrakanta including its title track. She indeed has a lovely voice. She also had a strained relationship with her filmmaker husband, Saawan Kumar Tak, with whom she has been associated with for the movies – Souten, Saajan Bina Suhagan and last work – Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa. They parted later. The movies got noticed for their song compositions.
A brief note on her association with K. J. Yesudas
Perhaps it was for the Malayalam film, Moodalmanju where Usha Khanna worked with K. J. Yesudas for the first time. The solo number – Nee Madhu Pakaru was a huge chartbuster, and the suspense thriller starring Prem Nazir and Sheela was also a commercial hit. (I think it’s the remake of Shashi Kapoor starrer Aamne Samne. Story plot is more or less the same). Ravindra Jain and Usha Khanna are those composers from Bollywood industry who gave some amazing compositions to K. J. Yesudas. Also read: Top classic Bollywood hits of Yesudas.
If Ravindra Jain gave Yesudas the big break through Chitchor, Usha Khanna gave him two of her finest compositions – Dil Ke Tukde of 1979 film Dada and Madhuban Khushbu Deta Hai of 1978 film Saajan Bina Suhagan. Definitely both these songs will be counted among the best 10 Hindi songs of Yesudas.
Madhuban Khushbu Deta Hai – One of the top songs of this jodi
Not only that she gave opportunities to several less-known singers of 1970s and 1980s, of whom Hemlatha, Anupama Deshpande, Roop Kumar Rathod, Pankaj Udhas, Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz and of course, Sonu Nigam during his early days.
Before I wind up
I would like to list a few of my favourite songs of this great composer:
Dil Ke Tukda – The song which gave Yesudas his single Filmfare award
1. Dil Dekhe Dekho – Title Track , Hum Aur Tum, Bade Hain Dil Ke and Yaar Chulbhula Hai
2. Hum Hindustani – Title Track
3. Aap To Aise Na The – Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Me Shaamil Hai
4. Souten – Shayad Mere Shaadi Ka Khayal, Zindagi Pyar Ka Geet Hai
5. Dada – Dil Ke Tukde
6. Saajan Bina Suhagan – Madhuban Khushbu Deta Hai
7. Bin Phere Hum Tere – Dost Banke Aayi Ho
8. Aao Pyar Karen – Tum Akele To Kabhi Baagh Mein Jaaya Na Karo
9. Sweekar Kiya Meine – Ajnabi Kaun Ho Tum, Chand Ke Paas Jo Sithara
Usha Khanna Trivia – She rendered her voice for the popular duet, “Phir Aane Lagi Yaad” of 1963 Shashi Kapoor – Ragini starrer movie, Yeh Dil Kisko Doon. Music was composed by Iqbal Qureshi.
Read a few posts about Usha Khanna. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.
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