Cultured, comely and well-read, singer Geeta Dutt could as easily be the leading lady of a film as she was a top playback singer. But she sincerely believed that she had found her niche in the realm of ghost-singing. And who will deny that there is a unique quality to her singing? Give her a blatant westernised tune this moment and a complex classical composition the next, and she will do equal justice to both with an ease of expression which a singer can only be born with. She is especially good for songs accompanying boisterous jamborees. With that tantalising lilt and the fascinating curves she puts into her singing, she is the ideal choice if it is seductive allure you want in a song. Remember the gay abandon of those early songs, hits all of them, which I composed for her? “Zara Samne Aa” in ‘Baaz’ and “Aei Lo Main Haari Piya” in ‘Aar Paar’? Since then, she has sung many other hits for me, including the two bestselling duets in ‘CID’. A linguist, sober and serious by nature, of a thoughtful disposition, very considerate of others, and punctilious to a fault, Geeta Dutt is an asset to any music director. Two not very popular songs from the movie ‘Aasmaan’ were “Dekho Jaadu Bhare More Nain Itraye” and “Pompom Baja Bole Dholak Dhindin”. Prem Dhawan was the lyricist for this Asha Parekh, Shyama and Anwar Hussain starrer. The first hit movie was ‘Aar Paar’ starring Guru Dutt, Shyama and Shakila. Lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. An overnight hit song by Geeta was “Babuji dheere chalna pyar main zara sambhalna”. Equally lilting was “Aei Lo Main Haari Piya Hui Teri Jeet Re”. A sensual song by Geeta was “Hu Abhi Main Jawan Ae Dil”. The fourth popular song was “Ja Ja Ja Ja Bewafa Tu Na Kisi Ka Pyar Re”. In 1958 Geeta rendered the songs ‘Aji Suno Nahi Tum Nei Humain Pehchaana’ and ‘Kaisa Jaadu Balam Tu Nei Daala’ for the film ’12 O’ Clock’ starring Guru Dutt, Waheed Rehman, Helen and Shashi Kala. Songs were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Other songs from this film were ‘Arre Kaya Hun Main Na Baahar Hun’ and ‘Dil Hei Diwana Jawan Hei Zamana’. In the film ‘Baaz’ (1953) Geeta Dutt was teamed with Majrooh Sultanpuri, Geeta Baali and Guru Dutt. The better noted song was ‘Aei Dil Waley Aag Lagai Kyun Daman’. The others were ‘Zara Samne Aa Zara Aankh Mila’, ‘Manjhi Albele Chalo Rei Hole’, ‘Tare Chandni Afsane Samaan Bahar Hei Suhani’ and ‘Jaag Panchi Savera Hua’. Film ‘Choo Mantar’ came in 1956 starring Shyama, Anita Goha, Karen Diwan and Johnny Walker. Lyrics were penned by Kaifi Aazmi. Songs were ‘Gori Gori Raat Hei Taaron Ki Baraat’, ‘Jab Badal Lehraya Jiya Jhoom Kei Gaei’ and ‘Raat Nasheeli Rang Rangeeli Mast Hawa’. Dev Ananad’s film ‘CID’ was a big film for Geeta Dutt. Support cast was Shakeela, Waheeda Rehman, Kum Kum, Johny Walker and K. N. Singh. I am a special fan of Geeta’s song ‘Jaata Kahan Hei Diwane’. Guru Dutt produced this film but chose Dev Anand to act as hero instead. Raj Khosla directed it. Waheeda Rehman was introduced in this movie. Lyrics for this particular song were composed by Majrooh Sultanpuri but Jaan Nisar Akhtar also composed lyrics for other songs in this movie. In the Madhubala, Helen, Ashok Kumar and KN Singh starrer film ‘Howra Bridge’, Geeta sang a fast beat song “Mera naam Chinchin Chu” picturised on Helen. This song became very popular. Its lyrics were penned by Qamar Jalalabadi. Then came one song each in the films ‘Duniya Rang Rangeeli’ and Farishta. The songs were of teasing romantic nature as can be deciphered from their lyrics as well. The film ‘Miss Coca Cola’ (1955) starring Geeta Bali, Shammi Kapoor, Kamal Kapoor & Johnny Walker had Geeta Dutt’s song ‘Ban Dharkan Kajrare Naina Dole Re’. Lyrics were penned Majrooh Sultanpuri. Other songs from this film were ‘Sach Sach Bol Nahi Batiyaan Bana’ and ‘Teri Kafir Nigaah Kar Gai Dil Ko Tabah’.Film ‘Mr. Lambu’ (1956) starring Suraiya, Minoo Mumtaz, Helen, Bhagwan & Sheikh Mukhtar had lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar and the song was ‘Aaj Jo Hum Tum Mil Gaye Pyaar Mein’. In 1955 Geeta Dutt rendered the song ‘Dil Dei Daala Nazrana Saniyyan Ab Ho Ga’ for the film ‘Musafir Khana’ starring Shyama, Jayant, Karan Diwan, Om Parkash and Johny Walker. Lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. A song ‘Hum Ko Chor Kei Kahan Jaao Gei Saniyyan’ was recorded for the film ‘Shirimati 420’ (1956) starring Shyama and Johny Walker. Continued