Related Research Articles
Kundan Lal Saigal, often abbreviated as K. L. Saigal, was an Indian singer and actor who worked in Hindi cinema, which was centred in Calcutta (Kolkata) during Saigal's time, but is currently based in Bombay (Mumbai). Saigal's unique voice quality which was a mixture of baritone and soft tenor was the benchmark for most of the singers who followed him. In fact it remains the gold standard even today shining through very early and practically primitive recording technology. He did not sing songs on which other actors would lip-sync for the camera. It was only towards the very last stages of his career, during 1945 to 1947, that he sang to make studio recordings, and these were for himself as the actor on the screen. Thus, while other singers in Hindi Cinema are playback singers, he was not a playback singer.
Kanan Devi was an Indian actress and singer. She was among the early singing stars of Indian cinema, and is credited popularly as the first star of Bengali cinema. Her singing style, usually in rapid tempo, was used instrumentally in some of the biggest hits of New Theatres, Kolkata.
Meri Bahen is a 1944 Hindi language film. It was the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 1944. Produced by New Theatres, Ltd. Calcutta, and directed by Hemchander Chunder. It starred K. L. Saigal, Sumitra Devi, Akhtar Jehan, Chandrabati Devi, Nawab, and Tulsi Chakraborty. The music direction was by Pankaj Mullick with lyrics by Pandit Bhushan.
Street Singer is a 1938 Indian film directed by Phani Majumdar. It was produced by New Theatres of Calcutta and was Phani Majumdar's first Hindi film as a director. The film was made in Bengali as Sathi in the same year. It stars K. L. Saigal, Kanan Devi, Jagdish Sethi and Bikram Kapoor. The music was composed by R. C. Boral with lyrics written by Arzu (Arzoo) Lucknavi. Two street urchins dream of singing and making it big in the glamorous world of theatre in Calcutta. They grow up with the girl being employed while the boy is not. The story follows them through first their enchantment and then the disillusionment with the theatre. Finally both choose to return to their roots in the village.
Dharti Mata is a 1938 Hindi social film directed by Nitin Bose. The film was also made and in Bengali as Desher Mati in the same year by New Theatres. It starred K.L. Saigal, Uma Shashi, Jagdish Sethi, Kamlesh Kumari, and K. C. Dey. The music was by Pankaj Mullick and lyricist and dialogue writer was Pandit Sudarshan. The story, screenplay and cinematography was by Nitin Bose. The story is about two friends Ashok and Ajay, one interested in agriculture and the other in technology. Ashok goes to the village to help the farmers while Ajay goes to UK for higher studies in engineering. The film highlights the need of technology and new concepts for effective farming.
Vidyapati is a 1937 Bengali biopic film directed by Debaki Bose for New Theatres. It starred Pahari Sanyal as Vidyapati. His costars in the film were Kanan Devi, Prithviraj Kapoor, Chhaya Devi, Leela Desai, K. C. Dey and Kidar Sharma. The music was by R. C. Boral and lyrics by Kidar Sharma. Debaki Bose and Qazi Nazrul Islam wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues. The story is about the Maithili poet and Vaishnava saint Vidyapati. The songs of the film became popular and the lyrics though encapsulating Vidyapati's poetry were considered bold for its time. This however ensured the film garnered crowds at the theatres making it a big success of 1937.
Chandidas is a 1934 Hindi social drama film directed by Nitin Bose. The film was produced by New Theatres Calcutta and was their first big success. It was remake of the 1932 Bengali film of the same name directed by Debaki Bose. This 1934 Hindi version starred K. L. Saigal, Uma Sashi, Pahari Sanyal, Nawab and H. Siddiqui. The music direction was by R. C. Boral with the lyrics written by Agha Hashar Kashmiri. The credit roll of the film states that the film is "Based on the life problems of the poet Chandidas –A problem India has not been able to solve", which involved the caste schism in India. The story revolves around the 15th century poet-saint Chandidas who acts out against the deep-rooted bigotry against caste, untouchoubility and the hypocrisy of society, and a washer woman with whom he falls in love.
Zinda Lash is a 1932 Indian costume drama directed by Premankur Atorthy. The film was produced by New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. The cast of the film included K. L. Saigal, Rattan Bai, Pahari Sanyal, Mahajabin, Nawab, Kumar and Radharani. The music direction was by R. C. Boral. B. N. Sircar started New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta in 1930 and produced his first film in Bengali, Dena Paona in 1931. In 1932 he produced films in Hindi where he introduced K. L. Saigal to Indian Cinema. The first was Mohabbat Ke Ansu and the second was Zinda Lash both directed by Premankur Atorthy. K. L. Saigal changed his name for his first three films and was billed as Saigal Kashmiri to prevent his family from finding out his profession. This film like his earlier Mohabbat Ke Ansu was not successful at the box office.
Mohabbat Ke Ansu is a 1932 Indian Urdu-language social romantic film. It was directed by Premankur Atorthy for New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. The music for the film was directed by R. C. Boral. The film starred K. L. Saigal in his debut role with Akthari Muradabadi, Mahajabeen, Ansari and Sadiq. According to reports the film was not successful however Nevile claims that the "debut was successful beyond expectations" as it led to Saigal acting in several New Theatres films.
Yahudi Ki Ladki is a 1933 Urdu/Hindi costume drama film directed by Premankur Atorthy. Produced by New Theatres Ltd.Calcutta, the cast included K. L. Saigal, Rattan Bai, Pahari Sanyal, Gul Hamid, Nawab and Kumar. The film was adapted from Agha Hashar Kashmiri’s play of the same name Yahudi Ki Ladki which had been written in Bengali as Misar Kumari. He also wrote the screenplay and lyrics. The film saw Pankaj Mullick's debut as a Hindi music director. The dialogues were by Wajahat Mirza. The story revolves around the rivalry and revenge between the Jewish merchant Prince Ezra and the Roman priest Brutus.
Puran Bhagat is a 1933 Hindi devotional biopic film from New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. The film was Debaki Bose's debut direction in Hindi. The film starred K. L. Saigal, Uma Shashi, Kumar, Molina Devi, K. C. Dey and Tarabai. The film was based on a popular Punjabi devotional story of Puran Bhagat, which was a change for New Theatres from their regular films based on traditional Bengali stories, saints and novels. It was a "great success all over India".
Karwan-E-Hayat is a 1935 Urdu/Hindi costume action-adventure film. The film is directed by Premankur Atorthy, with assistance by Hemchandra, for New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta; and it was produced by Lahore branch of New Theatres. The cast included K. L. Saigal, Rattan Bai, Pahari Sanyal, Rajkumari, Shyama Zutshi, Gul Hamid, Rajkumari, Molina, Shyama Zutshi, Siddiqi, Kapoor and Rana. The cinematographer was Krishna Gopal, with music composed by Mihir Kiran Bhattacharya and his brother Timir Baran Bhattacharya, with lyrics by Hakim Ahmad Shuja Pasha. The film, a costume drama, involved the Prince Pervez on the run from an arranged marriage to a princess, only to fall in love with her when they meet in unusual circumstances.
Dulari Bibi is a 1933 Hindi/Urdu comedy film. It was directed by Debaki Bose and produced by New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. A short 3 reel film it centred on the story of Our Wives. The film starred K. L. Saigal, Molina Devi, Mir Jan and the music was composed by R. C. Boral. It was listening to K. L. Saigal in this film that Pahari Sanyal realised the uniqueness of Saigal's voice as heard through the microphone. He found it more effective, "sweeter", as compared to him singing live.
Rajrani Meera is a 1933 Hindi devotional film. It was directed by Debaki Bose for New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta. The cinematographer was Nitin Bose with music composed by R. C. Boral. The film was a bilingual, made in Bengali as Meerabai and directed by Hiren Bose and Basanta Chatterjee. The film starred Durga Khote, Prithviraj Kapoor, K. L. Saigal, Pahari Sanyal, Molina Devi and Indubala. K. L. Saigal had a small part that of a devotee in the film with Prithviraj Kapoor playing the male protagonist role. The film made Prithviraj Kapoor who played the role of the King of Mewar, Mirabai's husband, a big star and is cited as one of his career's best films.
Karodpati is a Hindi 1936 comedy film directed by Hemchander Chunder. The film was produced by New Theatres Ltd. Calcutta, and the music was composed by R. C. Boral with the assistance of Pankaj Mullick. The lyrics were written by Kidar Sharma who also acted in the film. The film starred K. L. Saigal, Sardar Akhtar, Molina Devi, Pahari Sanyal, Nawab, Trilok Kapoor, Rajkumari, and Kidar Sharma. The film showcased K. L. Saigal performing a farcical-comedy role which was a different format from his normal tragedy based stories. The story revolves around a cinema-crazy young man who wins a lottery, leading to a series of comedic situations when his friends join him.
Pujarin is a 1936 Hindi social film. It was directed by Prafulla Roy for International Film Craft. The film was based on a story by writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay from his story "Dena Paona". The film was the remake of the Bengali film Dena Paona directed by Premankur Atorthy. The music direction was by Timir Baran with lyrics by Pandit Bhushan and Kidar Sharma.The film starred K. L. Saigal, Chandrabati Devi, K. C. Dey, Pahari Sanyal and Rajkumari. The story is about a reckless immoral youth who marries for money then deserts his wife due to circumstances, only to return as an aristocrat and reform through the love of his wife.
Sathi is a 1938 Indian Bengali film directed by Phani Majumdar and produced by New Theatres. It was the Bengali version of Street Singer and the film was the debut of Phani Majumdar as a director. The film's cast includes K. L. Saigal, Kanan Devi, Boken Chatto, Amar Mullick, Sailen Chowdhury, and Shyam Laha. The story involves two young street children growing up together, singing in the streets and hoping to make it big in the show world. The film was one of Saigal's "most famous films" and a "classic" as far the music and songs of the films were concerned. The music was composed by R. C. Boral with lyrics by Ajoy Bhattacharya.
Mohabbat Ki Kasauti also called Rooplekha in Bengali was a 1934 Indian "semi-historical" bilingual film in Hindi and Bengali, directed by P. C. Barua for New Theatres. Though Barua is consistently mentioned as the director, according to author J. K. Bajaj, Debaki Bose directed Rooplekha in 1934. It had music by R. C. Boral and the cast included Rattanbai, K. L. Saigal, Pahari Sanyal, Noor Mohammed Charlie and Vishwanath. Jamuna started her career with a small role in the Hindi version.
References
- ↑ "Top Earners 1941". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ↑ Ashok Raj (1 November 2009). Hero Vol.1. Hay House, Inc. pp. 179–. ISBN 978-93-81398-02-9 . Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen; Professor of Critical Studies Paul Willemen (10 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. pp. 290–. ISBN 978-1-135-94318-9 . Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 Nevile, Pran (2011). K . L. Saigal The Definitive Biography. India: Penguin Books. p. 22. ISBN 9780143414063.
- ↑ "Bengal Film Journalists Association". Bengal Film Journalists Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ "Kanan Devi-Lagan". Dr. Jyoti Prakash Guha. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Ashok Damodar Ranade (1 January 2006). Hindi Film Song: Music Beyond Boundaries. Bibliophile South Asia. pp. 169–. ISBN 978-81-85002-64-4 . Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Nevile, p. 97
- ↑ "Lagan 1941". Muvyz, Inc. Retrieved 23 September 2014.