Ramsu issued me a challenge to post the soundtrack of my life’s events using only music from Shammi’s black and white movies. I have done my level best, but plizz to remember that 90 percent of my life (so far) had passed by before I discovered any Hindi movies, let alone dear Shammi. So I did cheat a little bit.
And if the lyrics don’t seem to fit the occasion, well, what do I know? I don’t speak Hindi. I have included links to YouTube videos where there is one! Update: I’ve added audio files where there’s no video available. Enjoy!
Opening credits: “Baharon Ki Kahani” (sung by Asha from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kiya, 1963; Ravi). Picturized on the lovely Helen, whom I want to BE in my next life.
Waking up: “Chunni Munni Tunia” (sung by Asha & chorus from Mem Sahib, 1956; Madan Mohan). Young pretty Meena Kumari at her happy, chirpy best.
Average day: “Jawaaniyaan Ye Mast Mast” (sung by Rafi from Tumsa Nahin Dekha, 1957; OP Nayyar). Just a happy, happy, happy song.
First date: “Chham Chham Lo Suno” (sung by Lata & Manna Dey from Ujala, 1959; Shankar Jaikishan). Long time since I had a first date but I like this song and Mala Sinha enthralls Shammi with her dancing.
Falling in love: “Salaam Aapki Meethi Nazar Ko Salaam” (sung by Rafi from Boy Friend, 1961; Shankar Jaikishan). Shammi at his most heart-meltingly romantic gazing longingly at a beautiful sleeping Madhubala.
Love Scene: “Mujhe Kitne Pyaar Hai” (sung by Rafi and Lata from Dil Tera Deewana, 1962; Shankar Jaikishan). A beautiful duet picturized on Shammi and Mala Sinha.
Fight Scene: I don’t fight, I just get even!
Breaking up: “Gham-e-Hasti” (sung by Rafi from Vallah Kya Baat Hai, 1962; Roshan). Shammi seems so sad in this one.
Getting back together: “Aigo Aigo Aigo Yeh Kya Ho Gaya” (sung by Rafi & Aarti Mukherjee from Boy Friend, 1961; Shankar Jaikishan). Cute flirtatious song with Shammi and Madhubala, who keeps just out of his reach.
Life’s ok: “Dil Deke Dekho” (sung by Rafi from Dil Deke Dekho, 1957; Usha Khanna). I don’t think I need to explain this one!
Mental Breakdown: Shammi just didn’t have mental breakdowns (although I have) so there’s nothing much to choose from for this one. If I weren’t restricted to Shammi I’d choose “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd from their great album “The Wall.”
Driving: “Chali Chali Kaisi Hawa” (sung by Shamshad Begum & Usha Mangeshkar from Bluff Master, 1963; Kalyanji Anandji). I chose this song because I could drive for hours listening to qawwalis and this is one of my favorites.
Learning a lesson: “Zulph Ke Phande Mein” (sung by Rafi from Mujrim, 1957; OP Nayyar). Picturized on the hilarious Johnny Walker in jail.
Deep thought: “Sar-e-Mehfil Jo Jala Parwana” (sung by Rafi & Suraiya from Shama Parwana, 1956; Husnlal Bhagatram). A poetry competition between Shammi and Suraiya sparks their ill-fated romance.
Flashback: I don’t have enough history with Shammi for a flashback. I’ll choose “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire instead.
Partying: “Baar Baar Dekho” (sung by Rafi from China Town, 1962). So much fun!!!!
Happy Dance: “Mehfil Mein Jo Aaye” (sung by Asha from Vallah Kya Baat Hai, 1962; Roshan). The quintessential 50’s-style dance tune. Love it!
Regretting: “Zindagi Kya Hai” (sung by Rafi from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, 1963; Ravi). Very intense song.
Death Scene: “Alvida Alvida O Jaan” (sung by Suraiya from Shama Parwana, 1956; Husnlal Bhagatram). *Sob* this song makes me cry whenever I hear it. So mournful!
Closing Credits: “Ab Kahaan Jaaye Hum” (sung by Manna Dey from Ujala, 1959; Shankar Jaikishan). This sounds like a funeral processional to me. If I picked something outside of Shammi songs though, it would have to be Mozart’s Requiem, the most majestic funereal music ever.
MemsaabStory 