Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar, feted largely as Hindi cinema's 'Tragedy King', enjoyed a stardom that was buoyed by more than just that image. Among many facets that define his legendary status are the songs filmed on him.
The 1950s and 1960s were considered the golden era of Hindi film music. Mohammad Rafi, the reigning male voice of the era, was Dilip Kumar's voice of choice mostly, though the thespian lip-synced to many gems by Manna Dey and Mukesh, too.
There was no official demarcation, but the three titans who comprised the Bollywood triumvirate of the era -- Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand -- are musically often identified with Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar respectively, as the playback voices that came closest to their on-screen persona. In fact, so overwhelming was the association that Rafi's voice had with Dilip Kumar on screen that long after the legendary singer passed away, the thespian's songs were recorded by Rafi's clone, Mohammad Aziz, in films like "Karma" and "Saudagar".
In fact, Dilip Kumar, Rafi and the late legendary composer Naushad were a trio who are credited with a series of unforgettable film albums in the golden era, notably "Gunga Jumna", "Ram Aur Shyam", "Dil Diya Dard Liya", "Kohinoor", "Aadmi", "Deedar", "Leader", "Mela", "Amar", "Uran Khatola", "Aan" and "Sunghursh".
Writing about Dilip Kumar's memorable songs in Hindi films could fill up an entire book. We pick up a few that would take you down memory lane, to the time when the Bollywood thespian reigned the silver screen with his charm.
UDE JAB JAB ZULFEIN TERI
The song features in the 1957 film "Naya Daur". Composed by OP Nayyar, the peppy number is sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. The song, picturised on Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, captured a lively facet of the persona of the actor widely called Tragedy King.
YEH DESH HAI VEER JAWAANO KA
Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Balbir, the song featured in "Naya Daur", which released in 1957. Picturised on Dilip Kumar, the song continues to be one of the biggest patriotic anthems that Bollywood has ever created.
SUHANA SAFAR AUR YEH MAUSAM HASEEN
The song was from the 1958 film "Madhumati" and was picturised on Dilip Kumar. The song was written by Salil Choudhury and sung by Mukesh. The track captured the love for mountains and the weather as Dilip Kumar's character took a stroll on the hills.
TERE HUSN KI KYA TAREEF KARUN
One of the most romantic songs from the 1960s, the song was from the film "Leader", which released in 1964. The film featured Dilip Kumar opposite Vyjayanthimala. The song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi.
IMLI KA BOOTA
The popular number is from the film "Saudagar", which released in 1991. The foot-tapping track defines the on-screen friendship between Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar's characters. The song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal has Mohammad Aziz singing for Dilip Kumar.
