Achhut Kanya (Hindi: अछूत कन्या) the film dealt with the social position of low caste girls and the problems they faced. It is one of the 1936 Hindi film by Bombay Talkies and was successful Bombay Talkies collaborations between Franz Osten, who was a German filmmaker, Niranjan Pal, Himanshu Rai, & leading lady, Devika Rani. Male lead is played by Ashok Kumar. Music was by Saraswati Devi.

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Khet Ki Muli - Ashok Kumar & Devika Rani
Main Ban Ki Chidiya Banke - Ashok Kumar & Devika Rani
Kise Karta Moorakh Pyar Pyar - Ashok Kumar


Peer Peer Kya Kahe Pyare - Ashok Kumar
Udi Hawa Mein Jati Hai - Devika Rani
Chooriyan Laya Anmol - Mumtaz Ali & Sunita Devi



Kit Gaye Ho Khewanhar - Saraswati Devi
Nadiya Dheere Baho, Hum Utrat Paar - Kusum Kumari

He was a Railway timekeeper and salesman of typewriter. It was K. L. Saigal who is considered as first superstar of the Hindi film industry. His name was Kundan Lal Saigal. He was born on 11th April, 1904 in a small city of Jammu state. With his religious mother Kundan used to take part in traditional singing of Bhajans and Shabad. Wandering with his father in Kashmir and Punjab`s interior parts he developed the wonderful understanding of folk music.


As Railway timekeeper was his first job and later he joined Ramington typewriter company as a salesman. During the salseman ship he used to visit the different part of the country. It helped Kundan to polish his singing talent. Selling the typewriter he reached Calcutta ( now it is known as Kolkatta ) in 1930. There he meet a music director R.C. Boral. Boral recognised his talent and hired him on contract basis. At that time singing talent was must for actor to get the role as it playback singing was not started yet.

Ek Bangala Bane Nyara (President -1937) Download  



Babul Mora Naihar (Street Singer -1938) Download


Saigal’s first three films Muhabbat ke ansoo, Subah ka sitara and Zinda lash went unnoticed. But his talent for both acting and singing was fully recognised after the success of Yahoodi ki ladki. After singing  four songs for the film Puran Bhagat  he became famous overnight in 1933. It was 1935 when DevDas released and now Kundan Lal Saigal became the star. The entire nation was feeling the magic of his voice. Everyone was humming his songs throughout the country. Finally in 1941 he shifted to Bambay (Now known as Mumbai).

So Ja Rajkumari (Tansen - 1943) Download




Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya (Shahjehan 1946) Download  



His singing talent was natural and without any kind of formal training.  It is said that after hearing him sing a short khayal in raga darbari, Faiyaz Khan told Saigal "My dear boy, there is nothing I can teach you now that will make you a greater singer". Including 1 Tamil and 7 Bangla he did 36 films. He will always be remember for his contribution of just 185 songs in which 142 was filmi and 43 was non-filmy. He sang 2 songs for his Tamil film too.


Hum Joliyon Ki Thi Toliyan (Non-Film) Download 


Jhulan Jhulao Ri (Non-Film) Download 



His dependence on alcohal was also growing with his fanfollowing. It affects his talent and work. It is said that by this time he could not able to sing without intake of liquor. He passed away in the early age of just 42 on 18th January, 1947. He was the real Tansen of our age. 
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Gauhar Jan will always remember as the Gramophone Girl as she was the very first Indian female singer who was recorded on Gramophone in 1902. It is believed that recording and public singing was prohibited for reputed females and she was the First lady who break the taboo. She became the icon to the Gramophone company and In records she was described as Gramophone Girl and the Dancing Girl of Culcutta. Her first record was the best seller. During the period of 1902 to 1910, about 500 singers were recorded by Gramophone company. A little girl Achhan Bai was one of them. Here are some of the songs recorded by Achhan Bai. It is believed that these are the only left preserved. You can here the name of Achhan Bai that was called in the beginning.


Chaiti (1908)- Achhan Bai : Download


Raga Desh (1908) - Achhan Bai: Download


Piloo Thumri (1908) - Achhan Bai : Download


There was monopoly of Gramophone Company over recording for a long time. The 78rpm gramophone records were made of high quality, purified lac and during the world war the import of Lac or Shellac was banned. At that time the price of one record was 4 Annas (then 16 paisa now 25 paisa). Some of the greedy businessmen took the advantage and purchased the gramophone records form market and private
collectors. All the records were melted to make money. Thus the precious music
records were lost forever.


Holi (1910) - Achhan Bai : Download


Raga Kafi Holi (1910) - Achhan Bai : Download




Raga Khamaj (1910) - Achhan Bai  : Download


Thumri (1910) - Achhan Bai : Download

Nitin Bose directed Dhoop Chhaoon was the first Hindi film to use playback singing. Before it actors and actresses should sang their own songs. Singing talent was mandatory for actors to get the role. With his sound recordist brother Mukul Bose, Nitin Bose introduced the idea of playback singing to Indian Cinema in 1935.

Andhe Ki Lathi - K L Saigal  Download


Baba Man Ki Ankhen Khol - K C Dey  Download


Teri Gathri Mein Laga Chor - K C Dey  Download


Mere Prem Ki Naiya - Pahari Sanyal & Uma Shashi  Download

Mehboob Khan`s  directed Anmol Ghadi was the biggest box office hit of 1946. It was a musical block buster starring by Surendra, Suraiya & Noor Jahan. The film is still remember for its legendary music by Naushad.


Aaja Meri Barbad Mohabbat ke Sahare - Noor Jahan Download

Noor Jahan was the huge star as singer- actress in per independence India before she moved to Pakistan. She was stared then rising star Dilip Kumar in the film Jagnu(1947).



Awaj De Kahan Hai -  Noor Jehan & Surendra Download


Jawan Hai Mohabbat - Noor Jeha Download


Mere Bachpan Ke Saathi - Noor Jehan Download


Socha Tha Kya, Kya Ho Gaya - Suraiya Download


Uran Khatole Pe - Shamshad Begum & Zohrabai Ambalawali Download

Here are four songs to enjoy Holi. These will let you take into old era.


Holi Aayi Re Kanhai (Mother India 1957) - Shamshad Begum  Download

Bhigoi Mori Saree Re (Shaadi 1941) - Khursheed  Download



Hori Ho Brij Raj Dulare (Non-Film) - K L Saigal Download


Holi Aayi Ri (Non-Film) - Juthika Roy Download

K L Saigal and Pankaj Mullick are two of the golden names of playback singing history of Hindi Films. Here are 4 vintage songs from Hindi films. Thanks to digital technology that make these songs available for us.


Aaj Apni Mehnaton Ka (Doctor 1941) - Pankaj Mullick


Sundar Nari Pritam Pyari (Manzil 1936) - Pankaj Mullick



Jo Beet Chuki (Pujarin 1936) - K L Saigal


Radharani De (Puran Bhagat 1933) - K L Saigal

Every one knows her. Every time we see her comic performance we laugh. We know her as TUNTUN but what was her real name……!

UMA DEVI yes! Uma Devi was her real name. She born and brought up in a village of Utter Pradesh. She lost her parents in her early age. At the age of 13 she ran away from her home to Bombay as she wanted to be a playback singer. Naushad was her favorite composer. Afsana Likh Rahi Hun (Dard-1947) is one of her biggest hit.



Afsana Likh Rahi Hun (Dard- 1947) Download


UmaDevi`s (TunTun) Funny introduction in her Voice




Aaj Machi Hai Dhum (Dard - 1947) Download


Dilwale Jal Jal Kar Hi Mar Jana (Natak 1947) Download


Chandni Raat Hai (Chandni Raat - 1949) Download


She is one of the greatest comedian of the industry. She was Hindi Cinema`s first ever comedian and roles were specially written for her. TunTun was one of very few artist of Hindi cinema who shifted their profession successfully.

K L Saigal and Pankaj Mullick are two of the golden names of playback singing history of Hindi Films. Here are 4 vintage songs from Hindi films. Thanks to digital technology that make these songs available for us.


Aaj Apni Mehnaton Ka (Doctor 1941) - Pankaj Mullick


Sundar Nari Pritam Pyari (Manzil 1936) - Pankaj Mullick


Jo Beet Chuki (Pujarin 1936) - K L Saigal


Radharani De (Puran Bhagat 1933) - K L Saigal