Ten of my favourite Dharmendra songs

Here’s wishing our apna ‘Garam’ Dharam paji a very very Happy Birthday!!!

In the mid seventies, he was voted as one of the most handsome men in the world, a feat only repeated by Salman Khan (from Bollywood) in 1997.  He was such a treat to eyes . He had an amazing combo of  good looks and great physique!!!

1. Pal pal dil ke paas (Black Mail, 1973) : This is one of the first Hindi songs that I learnt.  Though my dad had a huge collection of Lata, Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore number-  I wasnt much into music then. Firstly, I didnt understand the language and second, I was content playing with the other kids in the neighborhood and reading Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Famous Five and Secret Seven.  ( See my luck, am working from home today and compiling this list ; this very song is playing in the background in the fm that I am tuned to).

When I was in 8th standard, my maths teacher was an Indian (from Bihar). And when we didnt feel like studying we would occasionally make him sing songs in the class. This was one of his favourties (others being Chalte Chalte, Mere Naina Saawan Bhado and Mera Jeevan Kora Kaagaz). Most of my other classmates would sing along with him, but I couldnt coz I didnt know the lyrics. One day I felt so bad, that I actually hunted for Kishore Kumar’s records (gramophone records) from my dad’s collection, played them, sat down to write down the lyrics and learnt them by-heart! Though I didnt understand what it actually meant or what the song was about, I could atleast sing along with the rest of them and I was delighted 🙂

Now that I know the language and understand what it means, it’s one of my all-time favourite songs. And oh how romantic it is!

2. Aap ke haseen rukh pe (Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi, 1966) :  Beautiful Tanuja, amazing Mala Sinha and dashing Dharamji on screen, Rafi saab’s golden voice, Anjaan’s  lyrics and OP Nayyar’s music…this one is simply superb. My heart skips a beat everytime I listen to this song. I run short of words to describe how beautiful this song is and how much I like it.

3.  Kajal wale nain mila ke (Devar, 1966) : The only fun-filled song in the otherwise serious movie. When Deven Verma, his cousin, asks him if he has ever been in love, he sings this song describing a girl (Sharmila) who he had met as a kid and liked –  unaware of where she is and how she is now. She later on gets married to Deven, and all that Dharam goes through when he gets to know who she is. Too much of sacrifice, drama and never ending stretch at the climax (where I always felt Sharmila overacted a little too much).  But Dharamji and this song are the best part of this movie. Deven looks great as well.

4. Main nigahen (Aap ki Parchhaiyan, 1964) : This song is deadly!!! Innocently very romantic. Dharam ji, I just cant take my eyes off him. And Rafi saab…. I go speechless everytime I hear this song. What a mindblowing composition!

5. Jhil mil sitaron ka (Jeevan Mrityu, 1970) : Dharmendra with Rakhee again. Apart from the great couple on screen, this song is so full of dreams and that’s what I like the most about it. Fantastic number composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and penned by Anand Bakshi.

6. Ek haseen shaam ko (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, 1966) : A romantic tale with lots of twists and turns, starring Dharmendra and Nutan.  This is a melodious track composed by Madan Mohan and rendered by Rafi.

7.  In baharon mein (Mamta, 1966) : Roshan composes haunting music for this family drama. Majrooh Sultanpuri does the lyrics. All the songs from this album are fabulous.  While the other songs like Rahe na rahe and Chhupa lo yun are serious and intense, this one is light and cute and infectiously romantic.

9 . Koi haseena jab (Sholay, 1975) : Before I get murdered by public for not including Sholay in the list, here it is! Loaded with action, romance, thrill and drama, the film is a must watch and the music needs oft repeating with fabulous scores by R D Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi.

10. Kali palak teri gori (Do Chor, 1972) : After debating whether to put this or rafta rafta, I finally decided on this. This is one of the cutest duet songs and I truly love it!

One of the most good-looking heros in Indian Cinema, who excelled in being romantic, comic and heroic (action packed) all at the same time. Love you Dharam ji, u truly rock!!! 🙂

Tags: Aap Ki Parchhiyan, Anand Bakshi, Anjaan, Baharen Phir Bhi Ayenge, Blackmail, Devar, Dharmendra, Do Chor, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, Happy Birthday Dharmendra, Jeevan Mrityu, Mala Sinha, Mamta, OP Nayyar, Rafi, Rakhee, Roshan, Sholay, Tanuja