Tribute to music director Bulo C Rani 1920-93

Bulo C Rani (6 May1920 – 24 May 1993) was a prominent Indian music director. He was a popular music director in Bollywood from the forties till sixties. He scored music for 71 films from 1943-72.

Bulo C Rani was born in Hyderabad, Sindh province, British India (now in Pakistan) on 6 May 1920. His birth name was Bulo Chandiram Ramchandani. His father was also a music director. After completing B.A. he joined Ranjit Movietone in 1939.

Career

Bulo's career started in 1939 under Ranjit Movietone. His initial days in Bollywood were full of struggle and hard work. As he started to work, he met some very big personalities who were very prominent names in music then such as Ghulam Haider, D. N. Madhok etc. In the early 1940s, Bulo worked in some films as an assistant to Khemchand Prakash. He assisted Khemchand in the movies like Tansen, Chandni, Sukh Dukh (1942) and Shahenshah Babar (1944). He sang his first playback song "Ruth Na Pyaar Mein" under Khemchand in the film Mehmaan (1942). Though he was an assistant music director, he composed the song "Dukhiya Jiyara" in the film Tansen, sung by Khursheed. The song's credit went to Khemchand Prakash, the composer of that soundtrack. In 1943, he worked as an assistant to Gyan Dutt in two films- Paigham and Shankar Parvati. In the film Shankar Parvati, the song "O Jogan O Bairaagi" became a hit. Despite him composing the song, it was credited as a Gyan Dutt composition. However, he managed to sing in six films that year.

His first film as a composer was Caravan (1944). The same year, he sang in a film Pagli Duniya. In that film, he changed his name temporarily to Bhola. But later on he sang many songs under this name till the end of his career. But he continued as Bulo C Rani for music direction. In 1945, he composed songs in films like Moorti and Pehli Nazar. Moorti was a popular musical and Mukesh sang one of his first hit songs in the film, "Badariya Baras Gai Us Paar". Some of Rani's other hits in the forties include Rajputani (1946) and Anjuman (1948). His best work till date came in the early 1950s - Jogan (1950), Wafa (1951) and Bilwamangal (1954). Bilwamangal was one of his last soundtracks which contained classic songs of Suraiya and C. H. Atma. The songs of that film became popular with one number in particular, "Hum Ishq Ke Maron Ko", which was sung by Suraiya with lyrics by D. N. Madhok. As the new generation of composers like Shankar Jaikishan, Salil Chowdhury, O. P. Nayyar were becoming prominent in Indian cinema, Bulo was no longer as active by the late 1950s. However, he continued to compose for films till the mid-sixties. Some of his songs in this period were hits such as "Humein Toh Loot Liya" (Al Hilaal, 1958), "Mangne Se Jo Maut Mil Jati" (Sunehre Qadam, 1966).

Filmography
Selected list of films from about total 77 films:

Paigam (1943)
Caravan (1944)
Pagli Duniya (1944)
Moorti (1945)
Dharti (1946)
Rajputani (1946)
Salgirah (1946)
Bela (1947)
Lakhon Mein Ek (1947)
Anjuman (1948)
Gunsundari (1948)
Mitti Ke Khiloune (1948)
Nanand Bhojai (1948)
Bhool Bhulayian (1949)
Darogaji (1949)
Jogan (1950)
Magroor (1950)
Wafa (1950)
Pyar Ki Baten (1951)
Izzat (1952)
Gul Sanobar (1953)
Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani (1954)
Bilwamangal (1954)
Haseena (1955)
Shikar (1955)
Aabroo (1956
Jahazi Lutera (1957)
Jeevan Sathi (1957)
Al Hilal (1958)
Tin Tin Tin (1959)
Pedro (1960)
Anarbala (1960)
Room No 17 (1961)
Jadoo Mahal (1962)
Shree Ganesh (1962)
Magic Box (1963)
Chhupa Rustom (1965)
Jadoo (1966)
Sunhere Kadam (1966)
Bijlee (1972)


Death
Bulo C Rani's death remained largely unreported in the press. Lack of assignments in later life left him frustrated. He committed suicide on 23 May 1993 at the age of 73 years in Mumbai, after his family sold their house at Shivaji Park and moved to Versova.

Source;wikipedia
to know more

https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/may/6/5632/bulo-c-rani-the-overlooked-music-composer-mdash-birth-anniversary-special

https://apnaarchive.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/bulo-c-rani/

http://www.songsofyore.com/best-songs-of-bulo-c-rani/

A tribute to Bulo C Rani on his 25^th death anniversary (6 May 1920 – 24 May 1993)

My first reaction to Bulo C Rani when I heard Humein to loot liya mil ke husnwaalon ne was, how a lady could create such a masculine qawwali. The next marker by which I recognised Bulo C Rani was Ghunghat ke pat khol re tohe piya piya milenge and other delicate bhajans from Jogan (1950), sung so plaintively by Geeta Roy (Dutt). These were more like being composed by a lady with a sonorous name like Bulo C Rani, who could empathise with a character like Meerabai. Gradually, I became aware of the tremendous variety in singers and type of songs composed by this music director. It was much later that I came to know that he was a Sindhi gentleman by the name Bulo Chandiram Ramchandani.

If the above iconic songs were not enough, remember Mukesh’s superlative duets Ja parwane ja (with Hamida Bano) from Rajputani (1946); Arman bhara dil toot gaya (with Lata Mangeshkar) from Wafa (1950); Badariya baras gayi us paar (a triad song with Khurheed and Hamida Bano) from Moorti (1945) and Parwaanon se preet seekh li shama se seekhi jal jana by Suraiya from Bilwamangal (1954).

Bulo C Rani was born on the 6th May 1920. Not much is known about his early career or musical training. In about 1940 he came to Lahore, then a major film centre in the north, and contacted with Ghulam Haider, but his career did not move much. He happened to meet the lyricist DN Madhok who encouraged him to come to Bombay where he introduced him to Gyan Dutt and Khemchand Prakash who were with Ranjit Studios. He assisted Khemchand Prakash for films like Chaandani (1941), Dukh Sukh (1942), Qurbani (1943), Tansen (1943) and Shahenshah Baabar (1944). He assisted Gyan Dutt for the film Shankar Parvati (1944). His first break as an independent music director was Pagli Duniya. He got great fame for his music in Moorti, Rajputani, Wafa, Jogan and Bilwamanagl. His last film was Sunahare Kadam (1972). He continued working for Sindhi films.

He was also a good singer, and he sang about 30-40 songs. He gave music for over 400 songs in over 60 films.

He passed away on 24 May 1993 at the age of 73. He was suspected to have committed suicide. During his active career, he composed some of the greatest songs in their category. He straddled across the vintage and golden era. Thus, his career was coterminous with superstars like Naushad and C Ramchandra. Since not many can fit in at the top, Bulo C Rani remained in the shadow of the giants. But as his best songs show, he was as good as any. Alas, his greatness remained overshadowed by the giants. Here is my tribute to one of my great favourites with a selection of his songs on his 25th death anniversary.

1. Aankhon mein intezaar ki duniya liye huye by Zohrabai Amabalewali from Caravan (1944), lyrics Aziz Kashmiri

Bulo C Rani shows amazing virtuosity in his debut film.

2. Sooni padi hai pyar ki duniya tere bagair by Amirbai Karnataki from Caravan (1944), lyrics Butaram Sharma

Amirbai Karnataki was the other pillar of vintage female singing. She was on the soulful melodious side, whereas Zohrabai represented the full-throated singing style. From the same film, Bulo C Rani creates this quintessential Amirbai Karnataki song.

3. Kyun aankh milayi thi gar aankh churani thi by Amribai Karnataki from Pagli Duniya (1944), lyrics Swami Ramanand

While on Amirbai Karnataki, I can’t resist posting this song from another film in the same year. Now the style is changed to ghazal-singing prevalent in those days.

4. Jogan bana ke piya chhod gaye galiyon mein by Amirbai Karnataki from Chaand Chakori (1945), lyrics Pt. Indra

As I explore more of Bulo C Rani’s music, I find he was as good with Amirbai Karnataki as anyone else during the period. This is now folk-style from the film Chaand Chakori a year later.

5. Sukh de ke dukh le gaya wo jo hamara dil le gaya by Zohrabai Ambalewali from Bela (1947), lyrics DN Madhok

Bela is a cornucopia of Zohrabai Ambalewali songs. Several songs from this film are available on the net. I would strongly recommend the readers to listen to these songs. Here is just one sample. Naushad occupied the commanding heights after Ratan on the back of Zohrabai songs. Bulo C Rani probably giving as good songs remained in the shadow of the giant.

6. Ek baar phir kaho zara aankhon ka noor ho tum by Meena Kumari from Piya Ghar Aa Ja (1948), lyrics Pt. Indra

We have seen Meena Kumari’s singing talent in DP Rangan’s exhaustive post on her. Bulo C Rani harnesses her talent excellently in this song. You feel a loss that she couldn’t continue her singing or the film world didn’t give her enough opportunities in the Lata Mangeshkar era.

7. Haal-e-dil kisko sunaaun by Shamshad Begum from Anjuman (1948), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri

With his felicity with vintage female singers it would have been surprising if Bulo C Rani had not used the voice of Shamshad Begum. Here is a nice song in her characteristic clear-throated voice.

8. Wo teer kaleje par ek shokh ne mara hai by Mukesh from Anjuman (1948), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri

I have mentioned several iconic duets of Mukesh with vintage female singers composed by Bulo C Rani. Here is a solo from the same film in his quintessential style.

9. Madhur suron mein suno jhamela by Raj Khosla from Bhool Bhulaiya (1949), lyrics Butaram Sharma

This queer song is sung by Raj Khosla who earned great fame as the director of the films C.I.D. (1956), Kaala Paani (1958), Bambai Ka Babu (!960), Wo Kaun Thi (1964), and Mera Saya (1966). The song embeds the story of Laila-Majnu. Thus, it fits in with my post on ‘’Songs that tell a story’. Sadanand Kamath has written a post on this song on Atul Song A Day in which he states that Raj Khosla intended to be a singer, but a chance meeting with Dev Anand who believed that he had talent for direction, changed the course of his career. It is believed he sang only one more song in the film Aankhen (1950), composed by Madan Mohan.

10. Mere man ke gagan mein chhitki chaandni by Geeta Dutt from Darogaji (1949), lyrics Mohanlal Khanna

Geeta Dutt’s songs in Jogan (1950) became an important landmark for Bulo C Rani. In Darogaji too, Bulo C Rani has used Geeta Dutt’s voice for the leading lady Nargis. She sings about a dozen songs of widely varying emotions. Here is a happy song showing a young Nargis indicating that she has freshly found love.

11. Ik veena mein sansar by Bulo C Rani from Narad Muni (1949), lyrics Pt. Indra

It is interesting to note that Bulo C Rani also had singing ambitions. His voice is quite appealing.

12. Aankhon se aankhon huyin chaar; dil aapka nishana ho gaya by GM Durrani and Shamshad Begum from Nazaare (1949), lyrics Rajendra Krishna

Bulo C Rani composes an outstanding duet in the voices of GM Durrani and Shamshad Begum.

13. Uth to chale avadhoot by AR Oza (?) and Geeta Roy (Dutt) from Jogan (1950), lyrics Meerabai

In the comprehensive review of the songs of the year 1950 we have listened to most of the famous songs of Jogan like Ghunghat ke pat khol re, Ae ri main to prem diwani and Jogi ma ja mat ja mat ja. Here is less commonly heard song of vairagya, but very poignant.

14. Wo humse chup hain hum unse chup hain, dilon ke armaan machal rahe hain by Lata Mangeshkar from Rasiya (unreleased, 1950), lyrics DN Madhok

Songs from an unreleased film are generally a trivia footnote. But as we saw in the review of songs of Rasiya, Bulo C Rani composed several songs of incredible beauty in Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. Here is one to refresh our memory. You might recall some other songs, such Hans hans ke mere chain par Bijli giraaye ja and Phir chhedane ayi hai ye kaari badariya.

15. Arman bhara dil too gaya by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar from Wafa (1950), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri

This duet figured in the list of the best ten duets of 1950. This is a kind of song you never tire of listening.

16. Mast chaandai jhoom rahi hai by Mukesh and Geeta Roy (Dutt) from Pyar Ki Baatein (1951), lyrics ML Khanna

A superb romantic duet sung by Mukesh and Geeta Roy (Dutt) picturized on Trilok Kapoor and Nargis.

17. Parwanon se preet seekh li shama se seekhi jal jana by Suraiya from Bilwamangal (1954), lyrics DN Madhok

Quite easily I place this song among the best ever of Suraiya.

18. Mohan pyare ab aur saaz par ga re by CH Atma from Bilwamangal (1954), lyrics DN Madhok

Bilwamangal was also remarkable for a number of songs by CH Atma. He did not sing in too many songs in films. Mohan pyare is one of his best film songs.

19. Humein to loot liya mil ke husnwaalon ne by Ismail Azad & ors. from Al Hilal (1958), lyrics Shevan Rizvi

In a C grade film, Bulo C Rani creates an iconic qawwali which has made him immortal.

20. Baharein luta ke nazare dikha ke by Subir Sen and Suman Kalyanpur from Anarbala (1961), lyrics Ramesh Chandra Pandey

I do not remember to have heard this song, but it is so good it appears that it was always with me.

21. Maangane se jo maut mil jaati by Lata Mangeshkar from Sunahare Kadam (1966), lyrics Mahendra Pran

Bulo C Rani was already past his best, at least by commercial reckoning. But in the later 60s he draws the sweetest and the most melodious aspect of Lata Mangeshkar which reminds you of her songs of early 50s composed by Anil Biswas and C Ramchandra. Another example of greatness in the shadow of the giants.