Film: Mere Sanam (1965)
Music: OP Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
This magnificently hummable number is from the so-called ‘golden era’ of Hindi film music. The magician here is the temperamental but immensely gifted tunesmith – OP Nayyar – with his signature style, beats and a raag kirwani-based composition. Mohammed Rafi’s smooth vocals meander in a way that he slips into your heart via his seemingly effortless and masti-filled rendition. With a sweet tune and soft instrumentation like this, you feel like a cool breeze – comprising sprinkles of water – just kissed your face on a hot afternoon!
Majrooh Sultanpuri’s words have an old world charm and a delicate touch (read nazaaqat) to them. OP Nayyar was not classically trained but had a knack of creating unforgettable melodies with beat-styles that were absolutely unique to him. Here he uses a combination of the guitar, the mandolin and the santoor to great effect. Close to the end, at 3:10, the accompanying claps make it end even more beautifully than it started! I also love the 2 other popular numbers from this movie – Jaaiye Aap Kahaan Jaayenge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AajHv7NIp9g) and Ye Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIwJt7XG3zM)
Harmony 