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Published: 25 October 2017

Last Updated: 25 October 2017

Did the Anarkali story as told in many dramas and films actually take place? Well. all of the above are based on a play by Imtiyaz Ali Taj, written in 1922. Here is what he says in the preface to his book:

Roughly translated, he says, in part, "I wrote Anarkali in 1922. ... As far as I was able research, from the historical point of view this story is baseless." The full preface is worth reading and describes his efforts to learn more about the story. He had heard the outlines of the story in his childhood and embellished into a drama.

Now you know!

 Listen to Daghabaz (1970)

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Published: 24 October 2017

Last Updated: 24 October 2017

If you have listened to very early recordings from 1905 or so by Gauhar Jan and others, you couldn't have missed how they say, My name is Gauhar Jan etc. Looks like it was done in filmi songs (and perhaps in the theater songs) too. Here is the earliest example I could find

  Listen to faulaadee-mukkaa_01_duniyaa-kee-karanee-bharanee-hai.mp3

THe singer clears says the name of the production company, the film name and the name of the character.

Now you know!

Listen to Tamanna (1969) 

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Published: 23 October 2017

Last Updated: 23 October 2017

Western instruments have been used for a long time, e.g. Harmonium, from the time of the dramas. When did they first use them in the talkies? I have read many articles making vague, general remarks. Recently, I found a concrete example in writing. Here is S D Burman reviewing the music of Chandidas (1931, Bangla) in 1931. An excerpt:

Of course, most people already know the great work of Karthik in chronicling the use of Western tunes by Indian film musicians:

Karthik on plagiarism

Now you know!

Listen to Meri Bhabhi (1969)