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20 July 1972 saw the untimely demise of singer-extraordinaire #GeetaDutt at the young age of 41. But her tragically short life hasn't made the slightest dent in her lasting legacy as one of our greatest & most versatile artistes. Let us revisit 12 of her best songs!
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20 July 1972 saw the untimely demise of singer-extraordinaire #GeetaDutt at the young age of 41. But her tragically short life hasn't made the slightest dent in her lasting legacy as one of our greatest & most versatile artistes. Let us revisit 12 of her best songs!
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#GeetaDutt made her playback debut under Hanuman Prasad in 1946, but it was #SDBurman whose 'Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya' from Do Bhai (1947) made her an overnight sensation. Notice how her voice ebbs & rises to fit the melancholy & angst of the song. She was barely 17 here!
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In 1951, #GeetaDutt sang 'Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui', a breezy guitar-led number for #SDBurman in #GuruDutt's directorial debut #Baazi. Geeta's voice, flitting between mischief & flirtation, still sounds unbelievably fresh!
Even @VikramMotwane's #Lootera prominently features it!
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Even @VikramMotwane's #Lootera prominently features it!
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#GuruDutt's classic #Pyaasa (1957), saw #SDBurman deliver 3 spectacular #GeetaDutt songs – each a different genre & mood, each iconic!
In 'Jaane Kya Tune Kahi', amidst the sitar, khol & Chinese woodblocks, Geeta gracefully walks that fine line between sensual & ethereal!
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In 'Jaane Kya Tune Kahi', amidst the sitar, khol & Chinese woodblocks, Geeta gracefully walks that fine line between sensual & ethereal!
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#Pyaasa also features 'Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Laga Lo', a wistful Bengali kirtan-esque composition that serves as the film's overarching theme in its latter parts.
#GeetaDutt's voice brings to life the raw, searing ache & longing in #SDBurman's tune & #SahirLudhianvi's lyrics!
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#GeetaDutt's voice brings to life the raw, searing ache & longing in #SDBurman's tune & #SahirLudhianvi's lyrics!
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'Hum Aap Ki Aankhon Mein', maybe the lightest, most conventional-sounding number of the 3 #GeetaDutt songs in #Pyaasa, but in no way frivolous.
In this lilting, western-style duet she sounds delightfully lovesick & playful in the way she rounds off #MdRafi's showier lines!
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In this lilting, western-style duet she sounds delightfully lovesick & playful in the way she rounds off #MdRafi's showier lines!
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Much has been said about Waqt Ne Kiya's iconic visuals & the reel-real conflict that colours this heart-wrenching lament from #KaagazKePhool (1959), #GuruDutt's final directorial effort. But it's also #GeetaDutt's finest playback moment – her voice both the wound & the balm.
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It was #OPNayyar who discovered that #GeetaDutt, whose voice so aptly conveyed pathos & serenity, could also sound undeniably sexy in faster numbers!
In #AarPaar's (1954) 'Babuji Dheere Chalna', she aces the alternating rhythms & tones – seductive here, philosophical there!
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In #AarPaar's (1954) 'Babuji Dheere Chalna', she aces the alternating rhythms & tones – seductive here, philosophical there!
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In #GuruDutt's #MrAndMrs55 (1955), #OPNayyar paired #GeetaDutt with #MdRafi for the nursery-rhymish duet 'Jaane Kaha Mera Jigar Gaya Ji'. Listen to how effortlessly she plays off against Rafi in delivering the comical lines. There's such drama in her smallest inflections! 
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Yet another gem #OPNayyar created with #GeetaDutt's help is 'Jaata Kahan Hai' from #CID (1956), later reintroduced to my generation by @ItsAmitTrivedi
& @anuragkashyap72
in #BombayVelvet!
How astonishingly Geeta injects a slow-burn sensuality into this rich, lovelorn tune!
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& @anuragkashyap72
in #BombayVelvet!
How astonishingly Geeta injects a slow-burn sensuality into this rich, lovelorn tune!
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Much before #OPNayyar roped in #AshaBhonsle for such uptempo numbers, he had #GeetaDutt render the super-catchy 'Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu' in #HowrahBridge (1958).
In a very busy arrangement with brass, strings, double bass, a dholak(!), it's Geeta who easily outshines all!
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In a very busy arrangement with brass, strings, double bass, a dholak(!), it's Geeta who easily outshines all!
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Both 'Waqt Ne Kiya' & #SahibBibiAurGhulam's (1962) 'Na Jao Saiyaan Chhuda Ke Baiyaan' involuntarily blend the reel & real.
Tough to say how much of #GeetaDutt's angst from her crumbling marriage with #GuruDutt seeped into her aching, heart-wrenching vocals in this classic.
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Tough to say how much of #GeetaDutt's angst from her crumbling marriage with #GuruDutt seeped into her aching, heart-wrenching vocals in this classic.
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'Meri Jaan Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho' from #Anubhav (1971) was offered to #GeetaDutt at her lowest point. She was already severely unwell & out of work.
But in her hands, #Gulzar's lyrics & Kanu Roy's tune acquired an otherworldly wistfulness. Sadly, it proved to be her swansong.
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But in her hands, #Gulzar's lyrics & Kanu Roy's tune acquired an otherworldly wistfulness. Sadly, it proved to be her swansong.
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#GeetaDutt's life – the meteoric rise to fame, the exceptional talent, a doomed marriage & her tragic later years, leading up to death at age 41 sounds unbelievable!
She's passed on, but, in the words of Oscar Wilde, her art will forever be immortal!
Geeta Dutt (1930-1972)
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She's passed on, but, in the words of Oscar Wilde, her art will forever be immortal!
Geeta Dutt (1930-1972)
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@funda_filmy @rotikapdacinema @simplyanila @humanprojector @MusicAloud @milliblog @filmyguftgu @MusicMastani @SoundTrackIndia @PadmanabhanKp
Hope you'll like this thread on #GeetaDutt's life & work!
Hope you'll like this thread on #GeetaDutt's life & work!
