‘He’ sings and ‘She’ dances

It was in the month of December last year that I published a dance song list where a lady sings and another lady dances to it. It was a relatively rare scenario. But there are many songs in Hindi cinema where the man sings and the lady dances to it. Though it’s not uncommon, I wanted to publish my own list.
When I went through the songs, I got a variety of combinations. It’s not always the lead pair featured in the song. It could be one of the lead pairs and a supporting character or the artists in guest appearances or so.
And to make it more appealing and more challenging, I thought of a few criteria for the list.

I won’t repeat either the actor or the dancing actress. And I decided to go for solos only, so no duets this time on the list! Also I have not included songs like Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat where there’s dancing by many, not just one lady.

The list has 12 pairs of actors and actresses without a name repeating itself.
Here we go… … …

1. Laga Chunri Mein Daag – Dil Hi To Hai (1963) Manna Dey / Roshan – Sahir
It was the first song that I could think of! I think that was quite obvious! It’s one of the popular songs of Manna Dey and its picturisation is also quite well known. It’s picturised on Raj Kapoor and Padmini Priyadarshini. Raj Kapoor plays a singer who, as per need of the hour, pretends to be an old singer, and sings it at a theater on stage. The dancer Padmini Priyadarshini was an actress in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. Her other Hindi films include, Lajwanti (1958) – where she had a stage dance performance, Do Behnen (1959) – where she danced to a wonderful lawani song, and Dil Hi To Hai (1963). Her dancing is good and impressive as she was a trained dancer. And I must add that Raj Kapoor lip syncs so wonderfully that it almost feels like he’s singing himself. And what a splendid performance by Manna Dey, to the excellent and meaningful lyrics by Sahir, woven in an impressively beautiful tune by Roshan.

2. Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache – Kohinoor (1960) Rafi / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
The song is picturised on Dilip Kumar and Kumkum. The former plays Prince Devendra Pratap while Kumkum plays a dancer named Rajlakshmi. He accepts her challenge set by Kumkum and sings this heavenly song. Such a beautiful semi classical song! Rafi, being a trained singer, was at home. It’s definitely one of his bests. The same can be said about Kumkum, who was an excellent dancer and actress (and one of my most favourites), we get to watch an alluring dance performance. And to talk about Dilip Kumar, you must have noticed the finesse he plays the sitar with! It’s said that Dilip Kumar took a formal training in sitar playing for a month before the song was picturised. Hence it seems to be perfect.

3. Tere Naina Talash Karen – Talash (1969) Manna Dey / S D Burman – Majrooh
What a beautifully crafted semi classical song! Certainly one of Manna Dey’s best Hindi film songs. I have liked this song since childhood. It’s Shahu Modak, who offers a cameo in the movie and Madhumati, who plays a character called Rupali. Shahu Modak was a popular name in Hindi and Marathi films, he was known for portraying lord Krishna in a number of the movies. He was quite handsome in his heydays. Talented dancer Madhumati is a popular name too. She’s Helen’s look alike and was one of the prominent dancers of the 60s in Hindi cinema.

4. Nache Man Mora Magan – Meri Surat Teri Aankhen (1964) Rafi / S D Burman – Shailendra
The song found a place on my list of Rafi – S D Burman songs as well. Again one of masterpieces composed by Burman da. He called Pandit Samata Prasad to play tabla and the result was obviously wonderful. It’s picturised on Ashok Kumar and Asha Parekh. The former plays a singer who agrees to appear on the stage only under his term that he will remain in the dark throughout. But Asha Parekh puts on the lights in the end. A beautiful dance performance.

5. Ae Dil Pyar Ki Manzil – Aas Ka Panchhi (1960) Mukesh / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
It’s picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayantimala in a party at home. Aas Ka Panchhi is a story of Vyjayanti Mala (Neena), Rajendra Kumar (Raju) and his ambitions to join the Army. His childhood friend Ramesh (played by a lesser known actor, Shaminder. Was he the singer with the same name from the 50s who had a handful of songs to his credit?) also adds another angle to the story. Neena and Raju love each other. Raju goes for Army training. But when he gets back, things appear to have changed. Raju assumes that Ramesh and Neena are engaged. Raju sings in a party with Ramesh on the piano. But the misunderstanding makes Raju sing with a grim face. Neena, unaware of his thoughts, is dancing happily. A good song. You’ll understand the lyrics better if you know the situation in the song.
I was completely confused when it came to choosing between this one and the song from Kathputli. The latter was perhaps more popular, more meaningful than the former. But as the song list was about dancing, the dance was more in this song. Vyjayantimala doesn’t dance during the verses in the Kathputli song, while she dances fairly throughout in the one from Aas Ka Panchhi. Otherwise both the songs are wonderful and are my favourites too.

6. Chali Gori Pi Se Milan Ko – Ek Hi Raasta (1956) Hemant Kumar / Hemant Kumar – Majrooh
Beautiful song picturised on Meena Kumari. It’s always a delight to watch a happy and beautiful Meena Kumari. And here she dances as well. And I think she manages it very well despite being a non trained dancer. She’s elegant and in sync with the rhythm of the song. I couldn’t recognise the man who lip syncs to Hemant Kumar’s voice nor could I get his name. He most likely plays the character of dance teacher. The dance training is taking place at Meena Kumari’s home and her little son tries to join her in between, which she tactfully handles. The song is very popular and obviously finds a place on the list.

7. Hai Kali Kali Ke Lab Par – Lala Rookh (1958) Rafi / Khayyam – Kaifi Azmi
I want to thank Mr. Arunkumar Deshmukh for identifying the pair in the song. The song is picturised on the actor Lotan and dancer Radhika, sister of Kumkum. And their names appear in credit titles as well. The song has an unmistakable touch of Arabian music and the orchestration is superb. Radhika is beautiful and dances well too. I think she also acted in a supporting role in a few Hindi films.

8. Yeh Zulf Agar Khulke – Kajal (1965) Rafi / Ravi – Sahir
Kajal is one of the movies which fetched Meena Kumari the best actress Filmfare trophy. But from the storyline it seems she played yet another weepy, helpless lady, much in accordance with her onscreen image of tragedy queen. The song is picturised on Raj Kumar and Helen. Helen plays a courtesan and Raj Kumar plays a drunkard with gray shades. It’s quite a unique scenario when the courtesan herself is not singing, but the only man in the audience sings and she dances to it. I mainly remember the song for Rafi’s heartwarming rendition.

9. Payal Wali Dekhna – Ek Raaz (1963) Kishore Kumar / Chitragupt – Majrooh
The song is picturised on Kishore Kumar and Jamuna. I haven’t watched the movie, but I happened to read its excellent review by memsaab. I wasn’t aware it was directed by Shakti Samanta. The song is a dance performance at a music show, where he sings and she dances. I don’t know if Jamuna was a trained dancer, but she has managed it well. It’s one of the semi-classical songs sung by Kishore Kumar, which is not many I guess! All the songs of the movie were excellent, including solos and duets by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Chitragupt, despite excelling in his job, never got his due. Very unfortunate and unjust!

10. Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya – Parasmani (1963) Rafi / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Indeevar
Parasmani was the first popular film Laxmikant Pyarelal composed for. All the songs were fabulous and melodious. The duo managed to deliver excellent songs by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi, both of whom always supported the duo right from the beginning. Rafi sang this song with apt expressions and is a delight to listen to.
The song is picturised on the lead pair, Mahipal and Geetanjali. Mahipal accepts the challenge set by the princess played by Geetanjali. Though not stated explicitly it’s about defeating her while she dances. They already know each other and are in love, so the song in a way expresses his thoughts for her. He obviously wins.

11. Akhiyan Sang Akhiyan Lagi Aaj – Bada Aadmi (1961) Rafi / Chitragupt – Prem Dhawan
The song is picturised on Subbiraj Kakkar and Vijaya Choudhary. He is popularly known as just Subbiraj and I know him as a television actor as I have seen him in TV serials in the 90s quite often. The song is very popular though its video is available recently or so I think! The song is a stage performance and Vijaya Choudhary does a decent job. Subbiraj seems to be disguising himself as an old singer. Quite a frequent scenario in old Hindi films, isn’t it!

12. Chham Chham Baje Re Payaliya – Jane Anjane (1971) Manna Dey / Shankar Jaikishan – S H Bihari
The song is picturised on Shammi Kapoor and Leena Chandawarkar. I knew the song for many years, but watched it a few years back. Though sung wonderfully by Manna Dey, it’s unappealing to watch in my opinion. Shammi Kapoor was certainly past his prime and his expressions seemed a bit over the top to me. He plays a criminal who’s trying to hide from the police and he also finds Leena Chandawarkar in need of help. So he disguises himself as a singer and sings on the stage. Two birds in a single stone.
I don’t want to sound rude or overcritical, but how can a dancer change her full attire during a live performance? Also if she really spills water how do she or the other dancers dance without slipping on the floor? How does Shammi Kapoor sing a semi classical song flawlessly without formal training? And all of this in a Shakti Samanta movie? Can we really call this all cinematic liberty?

Would you add a song?

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.