Bookmark and Share
 
(1930 - 1972)
 
Snehal Bhatkar
 

Snehal Bhatkar's real name was V. G. Bhatkar - Vasudev G Bhatkar. Snehal was his daughter's name. He had some other assignments when Kidar Sharma's offer for the film Neel Kamal (1947) came along. Raj Kapoor and Madhubala (as lead actors) made their debut with this film. There may have been a contract violation issue there. He probably decided not to take any chances and took the name as "Snehal Bhatkar" to compose the music for this film. (An year before, he, alongwith Sudhir Phadke, had composed music for Rukmani Swayamwar)

Snehal Bhatkar has a lot of beautiful songs to his credit in Marathi film and non-film music. But consistent with the story of his life, very few music lovers are aware of it. One journalist had commented that if Snehal Bhatkar had written his autobiography, ideal title would be 'No regrets'. The guy just came up with some incredible tunes whenever he got any chance, and was very content with himself even after most of the films flopped and everybody forgot about them.

Those who know about this talented composer and his compositions will always remember him for that evergreen title song (Kabhi tanahaiyon youn hamari yaad aayegi) he composed for Mubarak Beghum for the 1961 film Hamari Yaad Aayegi (Originally titled 'Jawaan Mohabbat').

He was a Kidar Sharma find and had a great association with the veteran producer-director. Geeta ji sang a handful of songs, most of them duets for Snehal Bhatkar. In his debut film, she sang a lovely trio song “Aankh joh dekhe hain dhokha khaaye hain” with Mukesh and Rajkumari and another duet “Ab kya teri marzi re Balam bedardi”with Rajkumari.

For Kidar Sharma’s Suhag Raat (1948), she sang three duets with Rajkumari and one with Shamshad Beghum. Veteran Kidar Sharma did play the roles of producer, director, story writer, script writer as well as song writer for this film. According to Kidar Sharma's memoirs Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was so struck by the Kidar Sharma song (sung by Geeta and Shamshad) that he sent for him. The lines that had entranced Panditji were: "Aankhoon mein aankhain daal toonay mujhko kya pilaya, Jiss taarey par nazar parri, wo tara larrkharraya"

For Hamari Beti (1950), produced and directed by Shobhna Samarth and starring both of her daughters (Nutan and Tanuja as child artist) along with Motilal and Shekhar, Geeta sang two memorable duets with Mukesh. “Kisne yeh kisne chhede taar” is a beauty!

Geeta’s last song for Snehal Bhatkar was for another Shobhna Samarth Production Chhabili (1960). It’s a lively duet with the beautiful and talented actress Nutan. Nutan begins the song and sings the first stanza, at the second stanza Geeta makes her entry and she sings with such a passion. A must listen for sure! Among Nutan’s song, her solo “Aye mere humsafar” is a relatively more known and easily available on CD compilations.
 
List of songs sung by Geeta Dutt
Please note that this list may not be complete
 
Year Song Film Co-Singer
1947
Bol bol baalam bedardi
Neel Kamal
Rajkumari
1947
Aaankh jo dekhe hain dhoka khaaye
Neel Kamal
Mukesh, Rajkumari
1948
Baaje mori paayal thunnak thunnak
Suhag Raat
Rajkumari
1950
Berookhi bas ho chuki
Hamari Beti
Mukesh
1960
Yaaron kisise na kehna
Chhabili
Nutan
Unknown
Kis paapi sang uljhi aankhiyaan
Suhag Raat
Rajkumari
Unknown
Kisne yeh kisne yeh kisne chhede taar
Hamari Beti
Mukesh
Unknown
Mere dil ki dhadkanon mein sakhi kaun
Suhag Raat
Shamshad Begum
Unknown
Room jhoom matwaale baadal chha
Suhag Raat
Rajkumari
 
 
Go to Main Composers Page Go to Other Composers Page
 
Home | About Geeta | Personal | Professional Career | Co-Singers | Music Directors | Database | Tributes | Links
CD/Cassettes | Did You Know | Feedback | Sitemap | Contact