Man Dole Mera Tan Dole...

Man Dole Mera Tan Dole-Lata Mangeshkar- Film Nagin 1954-Lyricist Rajendra Krishna- Music Hemant Kumar

Nowadays, we din't find snake charmers on the roads, but the charm of film Nagin, released in 1954, and the tune of Been in the film is still mesmerising the listeners.  The songs of the film were written by eminent lyricist Rajendra Krishna, and music was imparted by Hemantda. The lead pair was Pradeep Kumar and Vyjayantimala. There is nothing special about the story of the film. If you like Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, and yet strongly wish it to have more singing, then you will definitely like Nagin.

The story is all about the two youths from two tribal warring tribes. Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) and Mala (Vyjayantimala). Sanatan is the son of Ragi Tribal chief, whereas Mala is the daughter of Nagi tribal chief. Their locale is not defined in the movie, but we come to know they hail from hilly territories of India, Their activities to earn the money is to extract the poison from the snakes and sell it. Both tribes have dispute regarding some kind of economic rights over extracted poison. Mala vows to avenge Ragi tribe by killing Sanatan. However when she is trespassing the enemy territory for this task, she hears the mesmerising and captivating tune of been (Flute to tame and charm the snakes into submission). The player is Sanatan. They fall in love. The rest of the movie takes the viewer with progress of their love through lots of beautifully composed and rendered songs.  At the end of movie , their love has to face the wrath of both tribes and also the evil man Prabeer (Jeevan), who wants to marry Mala. In the climax, they reunite after lot of twists and turns of event with a marathon of five songs coming in succession to each other. This closing section is shot in colour for some inexplicable reasons, because it is the black and white part which actually is enthralling.

Nothing brilliant about the plot, but the film does not bore the viewers, thanks to heavenly music of Hemantda. In fact , Hemantda and Vyjayantimala  are the greatest recall values of the film.

The film had 13 soundtracks ,including been track played by Kalyanji Virji Shah over clay violin. The normal been played by snake charmers could not be recorded because it sounded like a screech . This was not acceptable to composer Hemank Kumar. When he came to know regarding a imported clay violin and it's player Kalyanji Virji Shah, he called for him. Kalyanji Virji Shah, successfully created the magic of been to the utter satisfaction of Hemant Kumar. Rest is the history.This been track created was enthralling , captivating and it continues to mesmerise the listeners even after sixty years.

Apart from this been track, the film's music was dominated by Lata's sweet voice. Out of 13 soundtracks she sung in nine soundtracks. Her songs , either solo or duets were as follows

1. Man Dole Mera Tan Dole (Solo)
2. Sun Rasiya Man Basiya (Solo)
3. Sun Ri sakhi (with Chorus)
4. Mera Dil Ye Pookare Aa Jaa (Solo)
5. Jadugar Saiyya chhodo more Baiyya (Solo)
6. Chhod De patang Meri Chhod De (with Hemant Kumar)
7. Mera Badlimein Chhup Gaya Chand Re (Solo)
8. Teri Yaadmein Jalkar Dekh Liya (Solo)
9. Oonchi Oonchi Duniya Ki Deewarein Saiyya Tod Ke

All songs of the film were raging hit. Vyjayantimala barely 18, at the time ,looks ravishingly beautiful and scintillating through her graceful dancing performances as a belle of the hills. This song comes in the film when Mala (Vyjantimala), while passing through the enemy territory, comes across Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) playing the been, Suddenly the whole area is full of cobras. She is subjugated by the captivating tune ,begins to sing and dance. What does it matter if snakes are deaf ? The music was fascinating to listeners.......

(मन डोले मेरा तन डोले
मेरे दिल का गया करार रे
ये कौन बजाये बांसुरिया ) - 2

मधुर मधुर सपनों में देखी मैने राह नवेली
छोड़ चली मैं लाज का पहरा जाने कहाँ अकेली
चली रे मैं जाने कहाँ अकेली
रस घोले धुन यूँ बोले
जैसे ठंडी पड़े फुहार रे
ये कौन बजाये बांसुरिया

मन डोले मेरा तन डोले ...

कदम कदम पर रंग सुनहरा ये किसने बिखराया
नागन का मन बस करने ये कौन सपेरा आया
न जाने कौन सपेरा आया
पग डोले दिल यूँ बोले
तेरा होके रहा शिकार रे
ये कौन बजाये बांसुरिया

मन डोले मेरा तन डोले
मेरे दिल का गया करार रे
ये कौन बजाये बांसुरिया

Lata's sweet rendering in honey dipped voice, Rajendra Krishna's simple lyrics laced with gaiety and Hemanda's heavenly tune , creates a magical musical gem, which is  revered generations after generation .

Nagin 1954

Starcast: Vyjayantimala, Pradeep Kumar, Jeevan, Mubarak, I.S.Johar, Ruby Myers
Sory by Bijon Bhattacharya.
Cinematography Falli Mistry.
Lyrics Rajendra Krishna
Music Hemant Kumar
Produced by Mahendra Shah.
Directed by Nandilal Jaswantlal.