Remembering Nanda : The Shy and Demure Girl Next Door....
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| Nanda (8 January 1939 – 25 March 2014) |
They say, " Simplicity is the essence of Beauty". Actress Nanda was a perfect example of this. Current generation may not remember her, but hum some memorable songs, and they will easily recognize her." She was an idiom of beauty. She was as innocent as a lamb and her smile was as pretty, as a rose drenched in morning dew. She was an actress, who was such a simple person, with no tantrums of a celebrity. During her acting career, in around 70 films, she played different roles encompassing wide spectrum of shades, from sensuous ( Ye samaa, Samma hai Suhana Suhana) to pious ( Prabhu Tero Naam) to sisterly (Chali Chali Re Patang), to romantic ( Likha Hai Teri Aakhomein) and so on. She excelled equally in playing roles with modern sensibilities as well as a coy Indian beauty.
In real and reel life as well , her image was that of a cheerful, yet shy girl, with golden innocent heart, nestling within her. Unlike her contemporary actresses, she was simple, coy girl next door. She would go pink at the slightest suggestion of flirtation. In short, she had everything a man aspires for her, to be his sister or Bhabhi. Having said that, I think, it completes her personality portrait. In her death, she had left a legacy to be cherished.
I have tried to list best Ten Nanda songs, from her Black and white films. I am aware that , this will leave some of her memorable songs like Ye Samaa Samma Hai Suhana, Ek pyar Ka Nagma Hai , for which I genuinely express my regret. So ...Let's go....
1. Likha Hai Teri Aakhomein- Lata and Kishor Kumar- Film Teen Deviyan 1965- Lyricist majrooh Sultanpuri- Music S.D.Burman
Ohohoho... Two love birds in dreamland of youth !!. Youth has it's own inherent charm and gaiety. The cheerful and playful Nanda looks so cute opposite the ever charming and debonair Dev Anand. Their courting in the field of maze ( with obvious approval of the farmer) is so infectious and full of mischief, that your mind gets filled with refreshing delight. Their every look to each other, their every action and reaction is well complementing to each other and superbly blending. Nanda here, is epitome of grace and beauty.The lyrics is full of joy and S.D.Burman's tune has made the song so racy and rhythmic, that when it ends, you refuse to come back from this youth dreaminess. In all fronts , acting, lyrics and music , this is song a that leaves a mark in your mind. Whenever I am down and depressed, I come to this song invariably and gets automatically refreshed.....A masterpiece.
2. Muze Gale se Lagao- Asha Bhosale and Rafi -Aaj Aur Kal 1963-Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi- Music Ravi
From earlier song's cheerful mood to gloomy mood. The change is complete. Nanda here plays a princess affected by the high handedness of her father, which affects her lower limb and she is crippled . She undergoes a pall of gloom and depression. Dr.Sanjay ( Sunil Dutt) a handsome young unorthodox doctor treats her physically and mentally. He gives her a lease of life pulls her out of distress. Obviously they fall in love. Here she wants him to hug, however the hug she requests does not have any sexual shade, but rather a comforting one, which will remove her " Udaasi" and pull her out of poignant mood. Sahir's lyrics carries the profound distress of a handicapped mind and Ravi's tune gives full justice to the lyrics. Nanda as usual, carries the role of gloomy princess, with her sensitive act.
3. Maut Kitani Nhi Sangdil- Asha Bhosale- Film Aaj Aur Kal 1963- Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi- Music Ravi
4. Machalti Aarzoo Khadi Bahomein-Lata Mangeshkar- Film Usne Kaha Tha 1960- Lyricist Shailendra- Music Salil Choudhary
As I said earlier, simplicity and freshness plays an important role in the beauty. Nanda looks here so simple without any loud make up,yet she looks so chirpy, cheerful and is pleasure to watch. The tranquil river water, the stone steps descending to the river water, the gentle gusts of winds creating ripples over wheat fields, soft sunny morning, the greenery and a rope swing. What more you want? This is perfect ambiance for welcoming the first love with both hands. Here Nanda's heart is beating fast , filled with undulating waves of joy, and swinging with delight with the prospect of her "Sajan's" arrival.The song is racy and having fast rhythm, symbolizing the fast beating of heart. Lata, Shailendra and Salilda ...everyone excells.
Meraa aanchal pakad ke kah rahaa hai meraa dil
Zamaane ki nigaahon se yahaan chhup-chhup ke mil
Yahin tanhaayi mein dil ki kali jaayegi khil
o ho ho
Machalti aarzoo khadi baanhen pasaare
O mere saajnaa re dhadaktaa dil pukaare
Aaa jaa...
5.Ga Rahi Hai Zindagi- Asha Bhosale and Mahendra Kapoor-Film Aanchal 1960- Lyricist Pradeep- Music by C.Ramchandra
Aanchal was a Social hindi movie, directed by Vasant Joglekar, starring Ashok Kumar, Nirupa Roy along with others. Among Aanchal songs, Saanwariya re apni meera ko bhool na jaana, Tu harek musibat ka samna kar re, Yeji O O kuch to bolo, itni kyun humse naaraz ho, are most popular. Here Nanda looks so adorable , humble , unique and superb. Her style of spontaneous deliverance in a very natural way, by deep immersing herself in the character of role assigned, coupled with loveliest and sweetest of her own personality traits make her unique. No wonder she won Filmfare Best supporting actress in 1961 for this performance.Here she is seen romancing with actor Sudeshkumar. Notice the bindi, the aanchal draped over head, and serene facial expressions on her face. Truely, the virtuous Indian woman !!
Gaa rahi hai zindagi har taraf bahaar mein kis liye
Chaar chaand lag gaye hain tere mere pyaar mein is liye
Gaa rahi hai zindagi har taraf bahaar mein kis liye
Chaar chaand lag gaye hain tere mere pyaar mein is liye
Aa gayaa aanchal kisi kaa aaj mere haath mein
Aa gayaa aanchal kisi kaa aaj mere haath mein
Hai chakori aaj apne chandrmaa ke saath mein
Hai chakori aaj apne chandrmaa ke saath mein
Chal padi do kishtiyaan aaj ek dhaar mein kis liye
Chaar chaand lag gaye hain tere mere pyaar mein is liye
Gaa rahi hai zindagi har taraf bahaar mein kis liye
Chaar chaand lag gaye hain tere mere pyaar mein is liye
6. Aaha Rimzim Ke Ye Pyare Pyare Geet-Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mahamood-Film Usne Kaha Tha 1961- Lyricist Shailendra- Music Salil Choudhary.
Rain drenched serene night.!! Trees are calm and content after the rain. The rope swing is inviting and the full moon hangs in the sky. This is the perfect backdrop for a romantic pair to express their tender feeling towards each other. Nandu (Sunil Dutt) is in love with Kamli (Nanda). When Nandu's mother approaches Kamli's parents for marriage, she is humiliated as Nandu is unemployed. Disgusted, Nandu joins army to prove his worth. There he comes to know that his officer is Kamli's husband. War is called for. Before going to war, Kamli takes a promise from Nandu, to protect her husband. During the war, Nandu dies, while saving Kamli's husband. When the officer asks why Nandu risked his life for saving him, the dying Nandu says "Usne Kaha Tha". That's why the name of the movie. So, Usne kaha Tha was a story of a dedicated unsuccessful love. Both Nanda and Sunil Dutt looks so refreshingly pleasant in this song.Like I mentioned earlier, she looks like a dew drenched pretty rose. Salilda's music is scintillating. An all time Evergreen Song.!!
7. Prabhu Tero Naam- Lata Mangeshkar- Film Hum Dono 1961- Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi- Music Jaidev
Hum Dono released in 1961 was produced by Dev Anand under Navketan Banner. Although as per credit titles Amarjeet is director, the film was directed by Vijay Anand. Lata had sung two beautiful bhajans ' Prabhu Tero Naam, Jo dhaye Sukh Paye' and 'Allah Tero Naam', penned by Sahir Ludhyanvi and composed by Jaidev. Around this period Lata had serious differences with S. D. Burman Camp, and stopped singing for them. Jaidev being assistant for S. D. Burman, Lata was reluctant to sing these songs. Jaidev was sure that only Lata can give full justice to the songs. However, when she was informed that if she refuses to sing, poor Jaidev will be ousted from the film as composer, Lata agreed to sing. Call it her big heart or business acumen, the songs were recorded in Lata's voice. And how she has sung this song!! She fully justified the faith reposed on her by Jaidev. 'Prabhu Tero Naam' is based on Rag Dhani. The Song start in low key notes and gradually rises in antaras. Lata's divine voice creates a kind of magic that fills your mind with serene and soothing feelings. Sahir's lyrics, packed with meaningful words drenched in 'Bhaktiras', that transforms the song into a universal prayer. Nanda with her Bindi, Aanchal looks so pious, and her caring mother in Law, Lalita Pawar looks on, sharing her feelings. Lata's pristine voice, Sahir's lyrics and Jaidev's music, all these contribute to make this song immortal.
8. Allah Tero Naam - Lata Mangeshkar - Film Hum Dono 1961 - Lyricist Sahir Ludhyanvi - Music Jaidev
This is the second bhajan sung by Lata, which is equally appealing. Here also, the song starts with low key note, but assisted by chorus, gradually rises to other octaves. Chorus and Lata's divine voice intermingles and blends with each other to create a heavenly magical effect. Acting, lyrics, music.. In all departments the song exells, and that's why, leaves an indelible stamp itched in listener's mind.
9. Jhookti Ghata Gati Hava - Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor - Film Dhool Ka Phool - Music N.Dutta.
Rainy season, wet roads, hazy fog, caressing the zephyrs forming on the water of a picturesque lake ... What a backdrop for short outing with your beloved one. Nanda here is very happy, in company with Rajendra Kumar. For her, Heavy Monsoon clouds and rainy air have assumed totally different form, they arouse the dormant dreams of love within them. Nanda looks so lime fresh and graceful here.
नन्हा सा दिल मेरा मचल-मचल जाए
महके हुए दहके हुए मस्त नज़ारे
निखरे हुए बिखरे हुए रंग के धारे
आज पवन हो के मगन हमको बुलाए, झुकती …
10. Chali Chali Re Patang Meri - Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar - Film Bhabhi 1957- Lyricist Rajendra Krishna - Music Chitragupta
Bhabhi, released in 1957,was a typical family melodrama film from South. It is about a joint family, comprising of eldest brother (Balraj Sahani), who is also the caretaker, his three brothers, and their wives. Nanda here, plays the role of a young sister, widowed in her childhood. She even doesn't remember her marriage. She is chirpy, full of gaiety with stars in her eyes. She is free with her brothers. However, her sister in law,(Shyama) does not approve her carefree, cheerful nature and indulging into the pleasures of intermingling with brothers, kite flying etc. She constantly nags her and compels her to leave the house and go back to her husband's brother. With her departure, the family begins to disintegrate. In this song, Nanda looks cheery as butterfly, her dancing equally graceful as that of kites flying in the skies. She looks refreshingly wonderful, mischievous and sisterly here.
These are my favorite Ten Nanda Songs in black and white films. A tribute to her acting prowess and adorable persona.
Photo Credits:
Times of India photo Archives
The Hindu Photo Archives.
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