The ‘Fusion Songs’

A few years back, when I had just begun blogging, I had posted a list of songs having ‘Two Different Moods in a Single Song’. It was a list where a single song incorporated happy and sad moods in an alternating fashion. One character sings happily, while another character sings the same song in a melancholy mood. I found it very interesting.

After all these years, I again thought of a similar scenario, but not exactly the same. But the song that started the chain of thoughts was the same on both the occasions. In the above mentioned post, I didn’t include the song. But the song perfectly suited today’s post. The song was Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat from the movie Sharmilee. It not only incorporates two moods, but also has another interesting aspect.
It also fuses Indian classical music with the Western music. The song is based on raag Patdeep, but the prelude of the song as well as the first interlude has a completely western touch, fully in contrast to the pure Indian classical nature in the remaining parts. That contrast is not only enjoyable, but makes it extremely popular too. One waits for the mukhda to end to listen to the first interlude. At least I do!

When I let these thoughts simmer at the back of my mind, I could recollect a few more songs. And obviously I then actively followed the thought and searched for befitting songs.
I wasn’t sure about a suitable name for the post. Then I remembered the word, ‘Amalgamate’. Though I thought it to be somewhat suitable, I looked for other words.
The songs on the list are like a mixture of two styles. Yet the styles are presented separately, unlike an amalgam, which represents a homogeneous mixture. So I looked for a word that represents a heterogeneous mixture, where the things are mixed, but they can be separated and maintain their individual characteristics. I thought of Melange and Mash-up. But both were not exactly appropriate for the occasion. I went through a brainstorm and discussed a lot. Finally I settled for ‘Fusion Songs’.

So here I am with my list of Fusion songs.

1. Sajan Sang Kahe Neha Lagaye – Main Nashe Mein Hoon (1959) Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
The main song is based on Raag Tilang. An extremely melodious song that completely enchants the listeners. Mala Sinha recites it in a mehfil or so it seems. She seems completely heartbroken and desperate, which fully reflects in the song. We see Raj Kapoor enjoying a party with Nishi, where a western music is playing. So this song mixes two moods as well as two styles of music. And the western part, though restricted to the interludes, is equally enjoyable. It was the first song that sprang to my mind. And it’s a perfect representative of the theme, so it’s in the first place.

2. Main Natkhat Ek Kali – Do Behnen (1959) Lata Mangeshkar / Vasant Desai – Kavi Pradeep
The film opens with this beautiful song. It’s a story of two sisters, Vasanti and Malati, with completely different temperaments, played by Shyama in a double role. The song is used to highlight the profound difference between the two. The elder sister, Vasanti is demure, soft spoken, clad in a saree and is shown to recite a bhajan, while the bubbly Malati wearing western clothes sings and dances all around the drawing room. To make it more appealing we get to hear a song where the sisters sing in an alternating fashion, Vasanti sings the devotional part with typical Indian instrumental support, while a jazzy western music supports Malati’s song and dance. Enjoy the wonderful mash-up.

3. Jab Ishq Kahin Ho Jaata Hai – Aarzoo (1966) Asha Bhosle, Mubarak Begum & Chorus / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Aarzoo had a collection of beautiful melodies, and it’s said that this was the only song composed by Shankar. Nazima, Daisy Irani and company tease poor Sadhana for falling in love, while the latter has no clue as to what they are talking about! Asha Bhosle sings for Nazima, while Mubarak Begum for Daisy Irani. The friends who wear Punjabi suits or other Indian wear dance to the Indian tune, while the ones wearing western outfits dance to the rock music. The song fuses Qawwali and western music and it’s a very impressive fusion song.

4. Aaja Tu Raja Aaja – Raj Tilak (1958) Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra / C Ramchandra – P L Santoshi
Maybe the song is not a perfect fit, but at least in the initial half or so the song appears to have a touch of western music when Vyjayantimala dances. A face off between the two legendary dancers of Hindi cinema. A complete delight to listen to and watch.

5. Bach Gaye Hum Dono – Chacha Zindabad (1958) Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar / Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishan
This one’s a very interesting song. Lata Mangeshkar sings for Anita Guha, who announces herself a follower of Indian classical music, ‘मेरा राग यमन कल्याण’ and Kishore Kumar announces himself a follower of western music, ‘और मेरी विदेशी तान’. The song is backed by a continuous tonga rhythm, while the style changes between Indian and western. The film also has a couple of solos by Kishore Kumar which may suit the occasion as well. The screenshot is from one of the songs.

6. Jaaun Main Kahan – Miss India (1957) Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey / S D Burman – Rajendra Krishan
I am yet to watch the film, but after reading the review on dustedoff, I went through all the songs of the movie. And remembered this one for today’s list. Nargis is abandoned by her husband, played by Pradeep Kumar. While the unfortunate lady wanders around helplessly in the town at night, the husband prefers to enjoy the night with a dancer, Nishi at a club. The club part is obviously filmed on a western track, while the part lip synced by Nargis has an Indian touch throughout.

7. Jodi Hamari Jamega Kaise – Aulad (1968) Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey / Chitragupt – Majrooh
A fun song picturised on Mehmood and young Aruna Irani. Quite an enjoyable fusion. Mehmood considers himself an Englishman and insists on a complete makeover for Aruna Irani. He is influenced by and attracted to the foreign girls, whom he considers more forward than the traditional Indian girls. Aruna Irani, a typical village girl, obviously protests against it. The song very impressively merges the tunes. Genius of Chitragupt! He very effortlessly fuses the two styles. And Manna Dey, a singer typecast for Indian classical based songs, very fluently sings it.

8. Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat – Sharmilee (1971) Lata Mangeshkar / S D Burman – Neeraj 
Now let me talk about the song that started the thought. The song is picturised on Rakhi, who plays a double role. A modern girl, Kamini, wearing a western outfit, enjoys Shashi Kapoor’s company, while the simple girl, Kanchan, is heartbroken. To underline the difference, Burman da uses Raag Patdeep for Kanchan, while the first interlude with a western music is picturised on Kamini, the girl in bob cut and western attire. As I said already, the song not only incorporates two moods but also presents a fusion of east and west music.

9. Muqabla Humse Na Karo – Prince (1969) Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
The face off between Vyjayantimala and Helen was one of the main attractions of the movie. Vyjayantimala dances Indian classical dance forms while Helen dances to the western tunes. Vyjayantimala performs three Indian dance forms, Bharat Natyam, Kaththak and Kathakali, while Helen dances three western dance forms, one of those could be the belly dance. Obviously the dance performances are backed up by contrasting orchestrations. And hence the song is a perfect fit for the list. Rafi sings for Shammi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar sings for Vyjayantimala while Helen lip syncs to Asha Bhosle’s voice. An audiovisual treat I must say!

10. Baje Mori Payal Chhanan Chhanan – Dus Lakh (1966) Asha Bhosle & Usha Mangeshkar / Ravi – Prem Dhawan
It seems like a dance competition between Helen and Babita. I don’t know if Babita was a trained dancer or not, but I think she wasn’t. Helen not only performs excellently in western dance forms, but does a wonderful job in Indian classical dance forms as well. And of course, the fusion of Indian and western music is very effective. Asha Bhosle sings for Babita and Usha Mangeshkar for Helen. For me, Helen stole the show with her elegant moves.

I end my list here. I’m sure you must have thought of song(s) to add. Please add.

Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube and Dailymotion, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.

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