The lesser known
In the 1969 black and white movie Khamoshi, Waheeda Rehman’s acting over-shadowing Rajesh Khanna’s acting was not the only example of one beautiful thing appearing more prominent. Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi is a very beautiful song which many have heard but very few people have heard Tum Pukar Lo.
Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Gulzar created magic with Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi. It is one of the first old songs that I would listen to on loop on my iPod shuffle (1GB). However, Tum Pukar Lo is such a beautiful song and many people have not heard this song. In a mehfil, this song can truly change the mood. If I have to pick a personal favourite between Woh Shaam & Tum Pukar Lo, I wouldn’t be able to pick one. On Youtube, Woh Shaam has 8.7 Million views and Tum Pukar Lo has just 1.1 Million views.
Tum Pukar Lo was penned by Gulzar and sung by Hemant Kumar himself! The song has a nice sunset feel to it. The soft music, the soothing voice of Hemant Kumar and the deep meaning of the lyrics can send you into another world of thoughts. The song does have a nostalgic feel to it but in no way is it melancholic. In the video, Waheeda Rehman is seen carrying the book Meghdoot. Now, to keep it short, Meghdoot is a Kalidas composition in which a separated-due-to-a-curse husband asks a passing by cloud to carry his message of love to his wife, whom he dearly misses.
A lot of songs begin with the humming note.. Hmm (O mere dil k chain, Sama hai suhana suhana, Tum Pukar Lo, etc). Tum Pukar Lo reflects the wait in each and every line. The way Hemant Kumar sings the lines Tum Pukar Lo, the requesting tone is easily felt. When the song reaches the lines Jaagte rahenge aur kitni raat hum, you can almost feel the complaining tone that the lover wants to convey to his beloved. Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi became the more popular song (by leaps and bounds) but I am lucky to have come across Tum Pukar Lo, and I wonder how many such lesser known songs are yet to be discovered in this lifetime.
