Kalyanji Anandji: Dil Ne Pukara (1967)

'Dil Ne Pukara' is a comparatively charming Kalyanji Anandji effort, made a few years before their most famous scores. It features a variety of styles and moods, including a number of pleasing (if not entirely outstanding) songs.

Opener 'Dekha Hai Sabhi Ne Chand Ko' is a bright and poppy Mohd. Rafi track, quite typical for its time. Moody 'Waqt Karta Jo Wafa' may be the score's best known song, at least based on YouTube accessibility. In fact there's not a lot to be found about either film or soundtrack online; the only other song clip I located was 'Khai Thi Kasam', a dramatic sounding yet still very pretty Lata Mangeshkar ballad. As luck would have it that's my favourite track off the album, along with the jumpy Manny Dey & Asha Bhosle duet (a cabaret number maybe?) 'Kis Kadar Zalim'.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Dekha Hai Sabhi Ne Chand Ko
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Khai Thi Kasam
3. Manna Dey & Asha Bhosle: Kis Kadar Zalim
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Ooi Amma
5. Mukesh: Waqt Karta Jo Wafa
6. Manna Dey: Yon Na Tanke Chalo

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Rahul Dev Burman: Bond 303 (1984)

RD Burman acquisitions are few and far between these days; a combination of already owning a lot of his best scores and the scarcity (and exorbitant asking prices) of those I don't. 'Bond 303' had been on my want list since almost day one, so I was pleased to finally acquire a copy without having to rob a bank first.

It's an enjoyable album, especially considering the vintage – mid-80s was a bit past Burman's prime. 'Main Hoon Lilly' seems to be most people's favourite and I'm not one to disagree; funky in a laid-back sort of way; titillating rhythm, loads of fun instrumental breaks and a stellar melody. And the triumvirate of RD, Asha Bhosle, and Helen on screen always did tend to work.

I'm also fond of 'Dil Agar Jawan Ho To' with it's cool jazzy vibe interspersed with disco bits. 'Main Tera Diwana' and 'Ab Jo Hoga So Hone Do' are nice too, both poppily upbeat. And the inclusion of instrumentals are usually a plus on Burman soundtracks; three of them here, all simply entitled 'Music'. The first is a compelling piece of electro-funk, the second a miniature suite of sorts; loud, dramatically orchestrated (reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann) yet ingeniously initiated by drum and bass-styled electronica. The last is a mysterious but groovy sounding snippet (a mere 30 seconds) comprised of just drums, bass guitar and a piano. I find them all excellent.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Raaste Men Kal Ek Ladki Mili
2. Kishore Kumar, Rahul Dev Burman & Annette: Dil Agar Jawan Ho To
3. Amit Kumar, Suresh Wadkar & Kalyani: Main Tera Diwana
4. Music
5. Asha Bhosle: Main Hoon Lilly
6. Music
7. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Ab Jo Hoga So Hone Do
8. Music

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Babla: Meetha Zehar (1984)

A friendly Twitter follower first alerted me to 'Meetha Zehar', or so I thought. Turns out it might already have been lurking in the periphery of my subconscious; I discovered the title in a text document I'd once compiled of soundtracks I felt I needed to investigate. And this is quite a worthwhile offering from Kalyanji Anandji's younger brother Babla Shah, perhaps better known for his Chutney collaborations with wife Kanchan as well as a couple of non-filmi disco albums, so I was glad of the reminder.

And Kanchan features prominently. Her catchy dance floor filler 'Pee Pee Pee Pyare Dil Laga Ke Pee' is one of the score's highlights. Fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber and/or musicals may recognize its main riff from 'Jesus Christ Superstar's 'Heaven on Their Minds'; Babla uses it well. (Off topic: Anyone up for another great version should check out the fantastic 'Talagh' by legendary Persian singer Googoosh.)

Kishore Kumar makes an appearance on 'Kabhi Hoti Nahin Hai'; I find its combination of charming melody, stylish orchestration and subtle rhythm very appealing. But best of all is the moody lounge-funk piece 'Aye Mere Dil Tu Rona Nahin', on which a slow-burning groove and Kanchan's voice conjures up images of hot and sultry summer nights (well, for me at least). Unfortunately the haunting instrumental preceding the song in the film clip isn't included. A real pity, as it's one of my favourite pieces of music of late. I'm ripping it off the video and throwing it in anyway.

Track listing:
1. Kanchan: Pee Pee Pee Pyare Dil Laga Ke Pee
2. Nitin Mukesh & Kanchan: Maine Kahin Dekha Hai
3. Kishore Kumar: Kabhi Hoti Nahin Hai
4. Kanchan: Boond Boond Kar Ke Samundar Bana Hai
5. Kanchan: Aye Mere Dil Tu Rona Nahin


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Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 12

If you're new to this site, you may not know that the MFT3F sampler series represents the coolest collection of magical Bollywood sounds you're likely to find anywhere. Here's volume 12.

Do click the links to the source albums; there's generally plenty more worthwhile songs on them.

Track listing:
1. Title and Theme: Bombay Talkie (from Bombay Talkie)
2. Chale Ladkhada Ke (from Parwana)
3. Tute Na Dil Ka Vaada (Happy) (from Baadal)
4. Gaal Gulabi Kiske (from Love In Simla)
5. Mere Katil Utha Botal (from The Gold Medal)
6. Do Ghoont (from Jheel Ke Us Paar)
7. Mainne Kaha Tha Mat Jao Tum (from Cricketer)
8. Tere Bin Jeena Kya (from Red Rose)
9. Tum Hamse Mile (from from Mere Humsafar)
10. Aankhon Men Tun (Happy) (from from Tere Pyar Mein)
11. Chal Diye Tum Kahan (from from Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara)
12. Jeenewale Jhoom Ke (from Vaasana)
13. Ae Dost Mere (from Sachaai)
14. Hangama Ho Gaya (from Anhonee)
15. Phoolon Se Hai Meri Dosti (from Heeron Ka Chor)
16. Main Hoon Tujh Pe Sun Fida (from Telephone)

Listen on Mixcloud.

Cover star: Bindu (from 'The Gold Medal')


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Bappi Lahiri: Baadal (1984)

This is the first of three soundtracks released in 1984 I have lined up. It's not a year that excites me from the off when it comes to Bollywood sounds; when I started this project I avoided most things post-1980, but obviously there were exceptions to be made.

That said, this one is hardly a classic. Bappi Lahiri soundtracks can go either way; had I heard 'Baadal' before warming to his work, said warming might have taken a bit longer. There are tracks here that I find horribly tasteless; 'Go-Go Go-Go Gori' in particular is the sort of godawful song best suited for drunken holidaymakers in tacky Spanish tourist resorts. 'Hari Hari Bhangiya' contains elements of the same but on the plus side it has a decent samba beat sustaining it.

'Mere Jaisi Mehbooba' is the soundtrack's main (at least current) claim to fame, a typical Bappi-remake of a famous western hit, this time Herbie Hancock's electro anthem 'Rockit'. It's not bad at all, and I do have a fondness for Sharon Prabhakar's voice. It's my top pick from the album, along with the trippy 'Tute Na Dil Ka Vaada', performed by S.P. Balasubramanium and S. Janaki (the spelling in the track list is as given on the record) whom I previously know from one of my favourite Ilaiyaraaja efforts.

Track listing:
1. Sharon Prabhakar & Bappi Lahiri: Mere Jaisi Mehbooba
2. Bappi Lahiri & Chorus: Go-Go Go-Go Gori
3. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Hari Hari Bhangiya
4. Balasubramanium & Janki: Tute Na Dil Ka Vaada (Happy)
5. Bappi Lahiri & Shankar Shamboo(late): Laila Meri Maila
6. Balasubramanium & Chorus: Tute Na Dil Ka Vaada (Sad)


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Shankar Jaikishan: Sachaai (1969)

More Shankar Jaikishan, and more good songs to savour. Unsurprisingly it's the cabaret numbers that initially stand out on 'Sachaai': 'Ae Dist Mere' is archetypal Mohd. Rafi sung rock 'n' roll (duetting with Manna Dey on this occasion), catchy as ever and containing some very trippy sitar breaks. And 'Kabse Dhari Hai', while pretty great in its own right, becomes downright stunning when matched with its visuals; Helen trapped in a whisky decanter on a technicolor set reminiscent of something Busby Berkely might have dreamed up.

Elsewhere, opener 'Mere Gunah Maaf Kar' is a dramatic (and pained) sounding waltz with a memorable melody, and conversely, closer 'Sau Baraski Zindagi Se' is a sweet, groovy, fireworks-filled pop tune.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Mere Gunah Maaf Kar
2. Asha Bhosle: Beet Chali Haae Ram
3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Kabse Dhari Hai
4. Mohd. Rafi & Manna Dey: Ae Dost Mere
5. Asha Bhosle: O! More Saiyan
6. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Sau Baraski Zindagi Se


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Shankar Jaikishan: The Gold Medal (1975)

I'm having some trouble dating 'The Gold Medal'. According to Wikipedia, it premiered on 3 March 1969. Its IMDb entry however states 1984 as the year of release, while the Censor Board certificate displayed at the beginning of the film suggests 1979. The only thing that seems clear is that Shankar Jaikishan's soundtrack came out in 1975. So based on that, in addition to input received from MFT3F followers on Facebook, I'm inclined to believe that Wikipedia is mistaken, and that the film was produced around the mid-70s but not officially released until the 80s. If anyone knows otherwise, or a precise reason for the confusion, please let me know.

The music then, and a couple of noteworthy songs: 'Main Tumko Dekhti Hu' has a lovely melody, wrapped up in traditional percussion and soaring strings. Delightful 'Dheere Dheere Mere Dil Ke Paas' and cool cabaret number 'Mere Katil Utha Botal' bring the great S-J scores of the late sixties to mind (as well as renewed doubts as to when this was actually recorded). The rousing 'Aazadi Aayi Bhi To Kya' is kind of catchy too. Jaikishan passed away in 1971 so Shankar alone may have been responsible for this soundtrack; the two composers were generally at their best when working together, but some of the these later efforts are still worth checking out.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Main Tumko Dekhti Hu
2. Mahendra Kapoor: Zamana Hare Note Ka
3. Sharda: Dheere Dheere Mere Dil Ke Paas
4. Asha Bhosle: Mere Katil Utha Botal
5. Mohd. Rafi: Aazadi Aayi Bhi To Kya
6. Inderjeet Singh Tulsi: Mere Malik Meri Baksh Dena Khata


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Sonik Omi: Heeron Ka Chor (1981)

There's generally a lot of interesting (if not always entirely original) stuff happening in Sonik Omi's music. 'Heeron Ka Chor' is one of only a few of the duo's 1980s efforts I've come across, and while the songs aren't necessarily very memorable this too has a lot going for it. Like some excellent dancefloor-friendly grooves, spread out through the album.

A trio of tracks stand out. 'Ye Jawani Hai Meri Jaan' effectively melds Latin and Arabic influences and is infectious as hell. String sections are obviously common in Bollywood film songs, yet I can't recall many featuring an actual fiddle solo. 'Kuchh Aise Ashiq Saamne' has a compelling, vaguely psychedelic and sort of sleazy vibe (Helen sporting a whip contributes to that); the arrangment is riddled with neat details. And 'Phoolon Se Hai Meri Dosti' has a cool, double bass and percussion driven jazz thing present, augmented by 70s/80s synth touches.

Additionally, the opening disco number 'Mera Dil Dhak Dhak Dhak' is a beat heavy stomper (you'll need to get past its rather cringeworthy English introduction), and 'Title Music' is almost (but not quite) up there with the best Kalyanji Anandji action movie themes. So all in all, despite there not really being any melodies to hum, a pretty ace soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Amit Kumar & Chandrani Mukherjee: Mera Dil Dhak Dhak Dhak
2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Ye Jawani Hai Meri Jaan
3. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Kuchh Aise Ashiq Saamne
4. Aziz Nazan, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Chilman Se Nikalkar Saamne Aa
5. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Phoolon Se Hai Meri Dosti
6. Title Music


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Shankar Jaikishan: Bombay Talkie (1970)

I suppose technically 'Bombay Talkie' [review] [2] isn't a Bollywood film. A US production, made by the subsequently world-renowned duo of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, it nevertheless features several Indian star actors, deals with Bombay's film industry, and most importantly, is memorably scored by Shankar Jaikishan. Additionally, the soundtrack album was only released in India. So it definitely belongs on MFT3F.

Many of the tracks are variations on the film’s lovely title music, done in an assortment of styles. 'Now I Shall Call You Ma' (sitar based) and 'Picnic In The Cave' (flute and harpsichord) are particularly pleasing, as well as loungy vocal version 'Good Times, Bad Times', sung by the deliciously smoky-voiced Usha Iyer (aka Usha Uthup). She also performs the two versions of 'Hari Om Tat Sat', charming in a nostalgic sort of way. A bit of an earworm to be honest. With its eye-catching on-screen set, 'Typewriter Tip, Tip, Tip' is the most famous song; an archetypal Shankar Jaikishan cabaret number.

Music from the film was later used to good effect by Wes Anderson for his 2007 film 'The Darjeeling Limited'.

Track listing:
1. Title and Theme: Bombay Talkie
2. Mohd. Rafi: Tum Mere Pyar Ki Duniyamen
3. Incidental Music
4. Devotion
5. Rajput Suite
6. Now I Shall Call You "Ma"
7. More Incidental Music
8. Usha Iyer: Hari Om Tat Sat (Disc version)
9. Usha Iyer: Hari Om Tat Sat (with Orchestra)
10. Picnic In The Cave
11. Birthday Party I
12. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Typewriter Tip, Tip, Tip
13. Meeting
14. Birthday Party II
15. Usha Iyer: Good Times, Bad Times


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Rahul Dev Burman: Madhosh (1973) / Red Rose (1980)

Apologies for long intervals between posts of late. I haven't very many soundtracks left to feature, and so as not to run out too quickly I'll be portioning them out a bit. At least until I'm able to acquire more. Right now though, a couple of RD Burman scores that I believe only came out on 7".

'Madhosh' [review] is the best of them; that’s hardly surprising given the vintage. Its main draw is the wonderfully energetic (and still very popular) cabaret number 'Gulabi Chehra' (which has made an appearance here earlier) but there are other highlights; 'Qasam Khao Tum Ek Bar' and 'Mere Chhota Sa Dil' are particularly great. I'm not sure why this particular score wasn't afforded a full LP; these songs in their full length and with an added instrumental or two (the title music is stellar) would have been a classic soundtrack.



1980's 'Red Rose' [review] has a much more restrained sound. Only two tracks, which at least means they're not truncated (to fit the 7" format), but they're hardly among RD's best. That said, 'Tere Bin Jeena Kya' is a song I'm likely to give a few extra spins. And again, I feel someone missed a trick by not releasing the film's rather cool title music.

Track listing, 'Madhosh':
1. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Qasam Khao Tum Ek Bar
2. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Mera Chhota Sa Dil
3. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Gulabi Chehra
4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Jaan Mare Balmu Hamar
5. Asha Bhosle: Nathni More Dole Re

Track listing, 'Red Rose'
1. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Kisi Ki Sadayen
2. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Tere Bin Jeena Kya


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Kalyanji Anandji: Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970) / Kahani Kismat Ki (1973)

More Kalyanji Anandji; a pair of EPs this time. 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?' [review] [2] has a typically early 1970s poppy vibe; highlight 'Pyar Se Dil Bhar De' is a catchy Asha & Rafi duet with a very hummable melody, and 'Ho Gaye Tere Ho Gaye', 'Dil To Dil Hai' and cabaret number 'Yeh Ankhen Jhuki Jhuki So' all sound upbeat and cheerful. Judging by these songs I’d have imagined the film to be a light romantic type of thing; instead it’s a mystery with all manner of wickedness going on. It really isn’t possible to judge a Bollywood film by its songs is it?

Instrumentals on the other hand tends to be more indicative. 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?'s title music is a funky and stylish cross between Lalo Schifrin and Henry Mancini. Sadly it's not on this (or any as far as I know) record, however an alternately sourced MP3 is included with the download. Elsewhere in the film, 'Escape' by Madras (Chennai) garage band The Mustangs is heard.



By the time 'Kahani Kismat Ki' [review] was released in 1973, Kalyanji Anandji had perfected their trademark funk sound. It’s utilized to better effect on other soundtracks, but you’ll notice it on 'Rafta Rafta'. Kind of cool, although I personally prefer 'Too Yaar Mera' with its guitar and synth licks and Latin groove (and cheekily sexy video), and the atmospheric title track. Drunk song 'Duniya Mujhse Kahti Hai' and playful 'Kab Tak Na Dogi Dil' are nice too, so despite not containing any real classics, this is definitely a worthwhile EP.

Track listing, 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?':
1. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Pyar Se Dil Bhar De
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Ho Gaye Tere Ho Gaye
3. Mohd. Rafi: Dil To Dil Hai
4. Asha Bhosle & Usha Khanna: Yeh Ankhen Jhuki Jhuki So

Track listing, 'Kahani Kismat Ki'
1. Kishore Kumar: Rafta Rafta
2. Mukesh & Chorus: Kahani Kismat Ki
3. Asha Bhosle: Too Yaar Mera
4. Kishore Kumar: Duniya Mujhse Kahti Hai
5. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Kab Tak Na Dogi Dil


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Kalyanji Anandji: Zanjeer / Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)

My initial introduction to this 1973 Kalyanji Anandji two-fer was the rather sexy cabaret number 'Dil Jalon Ka' (from 'Zanjeer' [review]) which I stumbled over on YouTube. I can't quite recall why but I had a feeling there might more good stuff on the record, and I was right. 'Banake Kyon Bigade Re' became another immediate favourite, a lovely Lata Mangeshkar song with an enchanting melody and captivating rhythm, tastefully arranged and orchestrated.

The 'Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara' side is pleasing too. As with the last post, there's not a lot of the composers' trademark funk to be heard (perhaps a little on 'Dance Music' which additionally brings Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass to mind), yet plenty to get those so inclined onto a dance floor. 'Choro Khule Na' and 'Chal Diye Tum Kahan' are both wonderfully infectious, and 'Pahli Pahli Baar' combines pop sensibilities with traditional instrumentation in a most compelling way. A couple of plaintive solos makes 'Dil Todne Walon Ki' another worthwhile track.

Track listing, 'Zanjeer':
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Diwane Hain Diwanon Ko
2. Manna Dey: Yari Hai Iman Mera
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Banake Kyon Bigade Re
4. Asha Bhosle: Chakku Chhuriyan Tej Karalo
5. Asha Bhosle: Dil Jalon Ka

Track listing, 'Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara':
6. Asha Bhosle: Choro Khule Na
7. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Chal Diye Tum Kahan
8. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Pahli Pahli Baar
9. Dance Music
10. Kishore Kumar: Dil Todne Walon Ki


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Kalyanji Anandji: Mere Humsafar (1970)

While neither among Kalyanji Anandji's best scores nor belonging to my favourite K-A period (that would come a few years down the line), 'Mere Humsafar', a soundtrack a lot less reliant on western influences than their more famous ones, has its moments. One highlight is the de facto title track 'Kisi Rah Men Kisi Mod Par'; a lovely duet with eloquently swirling strings and a subtle tabla rhythm ('Title Music' is essentially the instrumental version). My other preferred pick is 'Tum Hamse Mile', the most (conventionally) poppy song on the album; gently grooving, with nice piano touches.

Elsewhere (between loads of dialogue), 'Maudam Hai Baharon Ki' is good on compulsive drumming if not very memorable on melody, and 'Mera Pardesi Na Aaya' is another expressive Lata Mangeshkar song.

Track listing:
1. Mahendra Kapoor, Balbir & Chorus: Maudam Hai Baharon Ki
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Kisi Rah Men Kisi Mod Par
3. Title Music
4. Asha Bhosle: Mar Gai Mit Gai
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Pardesi Na Aaya
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Tum Hamse Mile


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Rahul Dev Burman: Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973)

'Jheel Ke Us Paar' [review] is a prime-period RD Burman score that, while certainly worthwhile, doesn't quite match up to his finest works. There are likeable songs on it but I'm not convinced any of them will stick with me for very long. If pressed for favourites I might choose Lata Mangeshkar's 'Chal Chalen Ai Dil', 'Kah Rahe Hain' and 'Do Ghoont'; all really good (I like Asha Bhosle's 'Hae Bichhuwa' too) so it does feel kind of strange that I'm not raving about this soundtrack more than I am. But then there's the knowledge that Burman made 'Anamika' and 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat' at around the same time, and well, those are some benchmarks.

But hey, you know what? Comparisons are daft so I'm just going to go ahead and enjoy it anyway. Feel free to join me.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Babul Tere
2. Asha Bhosle: Hae Bichhuwa
3. Kishore Kumar: Yeh Nazare
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Do Ghoont
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Kah Rahe Hain
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Chal Chalen Ai Dil


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Bappi Lahiri: Tere Pyar Mein (1977)

Early Bappi Lahiri soundtracks; I tend to like those. Predating the famous disco-era ones we all know and love (or hate), they were often excellent, and 1977's 'Tere Pyar Mein' (the film apparently released much later) is certainly worthwhile. It's uncharacteristically subtle (except for the irritating 'Ui Amma Ui Amma'); in a way it brings Rajesh Roshan's 'Julie' from a few years prior to mind.

'Aankhon Men Tun' comes with a sublime intro and a melody that reminds me of the Ennio Morricone instrumental 'Ninna Nanna In Blu', which happens to be one of my favourite ever soundtrack moments. Did Bappi draw inspiration from it? I wouldn't put it past him. In any case, this sumptuous lounge tune is among his finest songs. I like the happy version best. 'Aa Aa Meri Jaan' is a sweet pop confection, sung by Priti (aka Preeti) Sagar who did quite a bit of that sort of thing. The gentle 'Bhool Gaye Ham' proves that Bappi could effectively tackle traditional Indian composition, and 'Aankhon Men Hain Aansoo' (another great intro) is a lovely slow waltz. Sadly there aren't many clips to be found on YouTube.

Track listing:
1. Bappi Lahiri & Sulakshana Pandit: Aankhon Men Tun (Happy)
2. Shailendra Singh & Priti Sagar: Aa Aa Meri Jaan
3. Bhupinder & Bansuri Lahiri: Bhool Gaye Ham
4. Mahendra Kapoor & Mahesh Kumar: Ui Amma Ui Amma
5. Bappi Lahiri: Aankhon Men Tun (Sad)
6. Chandrani Mukherjee: Aankhon Men Hain Aansoo


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