DEV SAAB - TEN BEST SONGS FROM HIS FILMS

Dev Anand, or Dev Saab as he was respectfully but affectionately called, would have been 100 on 23 September this year. Sadly, he passed away 12 years ago.

I spotted a similarity between Dev Saab and my Mansi. Both were born in 1923 and lived to be 88. Mansi was not an actor but must have had appropriate genes which she passed on to a daughter and a granddaughter both of them actors. Since Dev Saab was Mansi's age and 15 years my elder, I shall continue to call him Dev Saab.

He was one of the first three superstars of Indian cinema with Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Raj Kapoor took on Charlie Chaplin's Tramplike figure, poor, cheerful and honest despite adversity while Dilip Kumar acted his way to be known as the king of tragedy. Dev Saab was more versatile as a romantic hero equally at home mostly in comedies but also some tragedies as well as thrillers. He perfected his own unique style of delivering his dialogues in a rapid-fire mode accompanied by nods. Breezy, charming and cheerful, he always exuded hope and optimism. Critics compared him to Gregory Peck and gave him the title of 'Evergreen Hero'. 

Dev Saab was very fond of music and songs were an integral part of his films. He would take personal interest and interact with the composers and lyricists urging them to mould the songs as per his choice. He acted in over 100 films and the number of songs would run into hundreds. With his brilliant acting backed by the top singers, composers and lyricists, it is a tough task to shortlist the best songs. 

Still, choices are personal and so here is my list of ten, not in any particular order. 

"Khoya Khoya Chand" from "Kaala Pani". As Sunil Warrier in Times of India wrote, Dev Saab 'goes mountain-sashaying with legs and arms swinging with abandon as if unscrewed.' Waheeda Rehman was in the female lead role.

"Chhod Do Aanchal Zamana Kya Kahega" (Paying Guest). Filmed with Nutan playfully asking Dev Saab to leave her alone.

"Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hame Pyar Kar Le, Jhoota Hi Sahi" (Johny Mera Naam). Here Dev Saab is wooing Hema Malini in and out of numerous windows for at least a moment of love even if it is a lie! A delightfully mischievous number.

"Hai Apna Dil To Awaara" (Solva Saal). Sung for Waheeda Rehman in a train. Special feature, RD Burman' accompaniment on the mouth organ.

"Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya" (Hum Dono). Dev Saab as an Army officer ruminating how he got over ups and downs in his life.

"Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" (Guide). Dev Saab's acting and Kishore Kumar's brilliant singing make this composition of SD Burman unforgettable.

"Tere Mere Sapne" (Guide). This time it is Mohammed Rafi lending his voice to Dev Saab in an emotional number which he sings for the heroine, Waheeda Rehman.

"Phoolon Ka Taron Ka Sabka Kehna Hai" (Hare Krishna Hare Ram). A sweet song straight from the heart sung by a devoted brother (Dev Saab) to his loving sister (Zeenat Aman). This has become a standard number to be sung or played on a sister's birthday or Rakhi festival.

"Sau Saal Pehle" (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai). Dev Saab and Asha Parekh with the melodious voices of Mohd. Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar declare everlasting love for each other from 100 years ago to today to tomorrow.

"Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar" (Hum Dono). Dev Saab and Sadhana picturise this hugely emotional song by Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Lyrics penned by Sahir Ludhianvi are outstanding: can the heart ever be satisfied with the time one spends with one's loved one? Let some lines speak for themselves-

"....Abhi abhi to aayi ho, bahar banke chhayi ho,

Hawa zara mehak to le, nazar zara behak to le,

Yeh shaam dhal to le zara, yeh dil sambhal to le zara,

Main thodi deir jee to loon, nashe ke ghoont pee to loon,

Abhi to kuchh kaha nahin, abhi to kuchh suna nahin,

Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahin."

Wah Dev saab, wah! Wish you were still here to keep bringing such numbers to us.