Rekha and Vinod Mehra in Ghar ('78)@abhijitbhaduri.com

In 1978, Rekha and Vinod Mehra shared the screen in Ghar (trans: Home). The story won the Film fare award for the best story. Written by Dinesh Thakur, this film explored the trauma of a rape victim portrayed brilliantly by Rekha. This film marked the transition of Rekha from being a B grade bimbette to an actress. She got nominated for the award for Best Actress along with Zeenat Aman for Satyam Shivam Sundaram (talk about raj Kapur’s clout!). A really maudlin performance by Nutan got her the best sctress award.

Rekha did her first film in 1966 with the Teulgu film Rangula Ratnam. Her debut in Bollywood was in 1970 with the film Sawan Bhadon opposite Navin Nishchol. You have to see that film to appreciate how it is possible to re-invent oneself as an actress. Eight years later in Ghar, Rekha the actress was born. The film has some amazing songs. The combination of lyricist Gulzar and composer RD Burman produced many gems. But I will always rate this as a film where the chemistry was unbelievable. My favorite song from Ghar has to be the classic Aapki AankhoN MeiN Kuchh Mehke Huey Se Raaz HaiN आपकी आँखों में कुछ महके हुए से ख्वाब हैं (trans: Your eyes are lined with the aroma of mysteries.). The voice of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. What is also interesting about this song is that it is based on Raga Kedar which is normally so typical of devotional music (remember the Kedar based classic Hamko Man Ki Shakti Dena हमको मन की शक्ति देना from Jaya Bhaduri’s debut Hindi film Guddi). There is of course another great example of using Raga Kedar to create a romantic mood in the film  Ek Musafir Ek Hasina. The song was Aap Yunhi Agar Hamse Milte Rahe.

The second song I have always loved is Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na तेरे बिना जिया जाये ना (trans: It is so hard to live without you). Watch Rekha who plays the pining housewife, arrange her husband’s photos like a deck of cards that gets blown away with a gust of wind.

Phir Wohi Raat Hai, Raat Hai Khwabon Ki फिर वही रात है रात है ख्वाबों की (trans: It is the night that dreams are made of, once again… ). Set to the Latino beat that was so dear to RD Burman.

Aajkal Paaon Zameen Par आजकल पाँव ज़मीन पर नहीं पड़ते मेरे (trans: Have you noticed lately that I don’t walk on the floor anymore) talks about the heady feeling of being in love. See the video here.

This look of Rekha reminds me of the other film Khoobsoorat (check out this clip) made in 1981 that had her singing in films for the first time – the song is Kaida Tod Ke Socho Ek Din.

Rekha clearly will not be remembered as a great singer but as one who was never afraid to experiment. Ghar is what the Gulzar-RD Burman-Kishore magic is all about.  I have always wondered whether this is a film one should watch because it shows the transition of Rekha as an actress or just listen to the music. I think I’ll vote for the music.


Comments

10 responses to “GHAR – Four Fab Songs”

  1. Dear Abhiji ji Good morning.I m impressed by your way to write for the songs of film Ghar.and i think you also likes Actress Rekha like me. I m also a devotee of her talent n glamour. I also created a website on her http://www.rekhathediva.comhope u enjoy it n give me a precious feedback.ThanksAmit Sharma

  2. Lovely !… Ghar, no doubt is a masterpiece ! But to suddenly see its mention.. made me glad … I have always been a fan of the songs from ghar…. they are beautifuly written. Tere bina jiya jaye na… might be just expressing what every person in love would exactly want to hum .. to the love of their life.Sometimes these meaningful lyrics make us realise and express ourselves like never before.N .. glad to see you are such a romantic !Way to go !

  3. Rahul Bali Avatar

    Great!Yet to find someone who doesn’t love these songs of ‘Ghar’.Aapki Ankhon Mein Kuchh is my favourite too …. .Real jadoo of Gulzaar-RD-Kishore (am a fan ).All songs of Ghar are beautifully written,composed and sung.Thanks for providing the background of the movie…Other Kedar based songs (though not in romantic category) which I like are Bole to basuri kahin …., Uthaye ja unke sitam , Pal do pal ka saath hamara…. and another devotional song- Darashan do ghanashyam.

  4. Fabulous.. I have heard this song many a times and loved all of them..Wish we had more songs like these.There were some more magical songs from that era. Songs like jeeva- roz roz aankho tale and more…

  5. I have always believed the Gulzar – RD Burman chemistry was among the best for the lyricist- music composer duo…In my view, films such as Parichay, Khushboo, Kinara…perhaps have an edge over Ghar in the compositions as well as songs.

  6. Tikeshyam badhai Avatar
    Tikeshyam badhai

    I love your comment on GHAR. songs of ghar are gulzar heart-touching lyrics. kishore, lata r.d. all are the media to show the feeling of gulzar. today when all new listener see the new songs, no one want to feel the lyrisist performence.

  7. Jagannath Kulkarni Avatar
    Jagannath Kulkarni

    Nice.Can You please also allow to download?

  8. Sukanya Avatar
    Sukanya

    My fav too!!

  9. Hi Abhijit!My first time on your blog. Loved reading this one. Can you add my email id to your mailing list? (ckguruprasad@gmail.com).Do you do ‘addas’ on music, films and books? I would love to participate.Guru

  10. Hetal Pathak Avatar
    Hetal Pathak

    Aapki Aakho me Kuchh….. Is not based on raga kedar…. But it’s a based on raga yaman kalyan….. नी़रेग रेग परे सा।

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