Here comes a genius who would have lived longer if the appreciation came when he was alive. Never got a Filmfare or National award in his life. Big banners like Kapoor/ Dev /Dilip stayed away from him. His songs kept getting picturized on likes of Priya Rajwansh. His biggest hit ‘Laila Majnu’ came after his death. But much better music was ignored.
Though erroneously called king of ghazals, this guy was king of melody. Why just ghazals, he did everything well.
Here is my choice.
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Tu jahan jahan chalega (mera sayaa)
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Woh Bhooli dastaan (Sanjog)
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Baiyaan na dharoo (Dastak)
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Sapanon mein sajan se do baate (Gateway of India)
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Ye nayi nayi preet hain (Pocketmaar)
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Ruke Ruke se kadam (mausam)
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Simti si sharmayee si (Parwana)
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Naina barse rim jhim rim jhim ( Woh kaun thi)
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Jiyaa le gayo ji mora saanvaria )Anpadh)
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Mai ree main kase kahoon (Dastak)
This still leaves out ‘Dil dhoondhata hain/ Mere ishq mein laakho zatake (mausam), Hain isi mein pyar ki abaru (anpadh), all songs of Haqueeqat, ‘Tuu pyar kare ya thukaraye’ (Dekh Kabira roya, all songs here in fact), jaana tha humse door/yun hasaraton ke daag’ (Adalat), Phir voh hi shaam (Jahan aara) and many many others
Which of his movies are notable? I would say every one.
[This message has been edited by ZZ (edited December 13, 1999).]