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(1930 - 1972)
 
Pankaj Mullick
 

Pankaj Mullick , the versatile musical genius, was associated with the world of movies right from the silent era and is considered as one of the most talented artists of film music. He has also done pioneering work in Rabindra Sangeet and "Aadhunik Gaan" (Modern Bengali songs). Practically every singer worth his salt in the forties found pride in working with him. Pankaj Mullick is a legend and is a jewel in the crown of Hindi (and Bengali) film industry.

Some of his "firsts" from the official web site on this legendary artist :

  • He was the only other person, apart from Tagore himself, to have set tunes to Tagore's poems during Tagore's lifetime with due permission of Rabindranath Tagore himself.


  • He is considered to be the father of the genre of modern Bengali songs popularly known as Adhunik Gaan.
  • He also did pioneering work in the field of playback singing.
  • He is accredited with the introduction of prelude, interlude and inter-linking music in Indian film songs.

  • He is also accredited with the introduction of the four-part song in Indian film music.

  • He was a pioneer in introducing western instruments in the Indian Film Industry.

Pankaj Mullick is Geeta Dutt’s musical connection with the sentimental era of Hindi Film music. She has sung five solos for him for Dev Anand-Geeta Bali starrer Zalzala (1952). Each song is a masterpiece in its own and a must listen

Geeta has sung these songs from the bottom of her heart. One can remember what the famous critic Raju Bharatan had said about Geeta : “ XXXXX gale se gaati hain aur Geeta dil se gaati hain”. (Singer XXXXX sings from her throat, but Geeta sings from her heart.)

The singing of “Kaunsa tara” in the beginning of the song “Bujho bujho aye dil walon” has a deep influence of the singer-composer Pankaj da’s style, yet Geeta gracefully maintains her individuality in the song,. “Kabhi inko chaahe” is a delightful peppy number and Pankaj da’s music complements Geeta’s voice so perfectly. Listen to the way she sings “Ho…..ye” at the end of one of the stanzas.

“Mujhe woh dekhkar” is a sweet melody and Geeta conveys the sincere feelings of a girl who is thinking what will happen to her when her lover will see her. This is not a rendition of a trained artist but more like the singing of a bird who sings for herself. This is in fact the essence of singing of Geeta Dutt and it sets her apart from the rest of the female playback singers of her era.

“Jaane wale de gaye” has been sung with deep passion and pain of a broken heart. “Oh duniya walo” seems like dance based song and sets you in a different mood. The use of an unusual word “Lasani” is another feature of this song.

Once again (in a non Guru Dutt film), Geeta displays the wide range of her vocals. Another album to prove the potential of this talented singer!

 
List of songs sung by Geeta Dutt
Please note that this list may not be complete
 
Year Song Film Co-Singer
1952
Bujho bujho ae dilwaalo kaun sa taara
Zalzala
-
1952
Janewaale de gaye hain yaad ko saugaat mein
Zalzala
-
1952
Kabhi inko chaahe kabhi unko
Zalzala
-
1952
Mujhe woh dekhkar jab muskarayenge
Zalzala
-
1952
Oh duniya waalo pyaar mein thokar
Zalzala
-
 
 
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