Legendary Singer Of India Geeta Dutt Biography
Geeta Dutt born on November 23, 1930, was one of the 10 children born to a wealthy Zamindar family in the village Idilpur presently Shariatpur District, Bangladesh. Was a prominent Indian playback singer and a famous Hindi and Bengali classical artist. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. She also sang many modern Bengali songs, both in the film and non-film genres.
K. Hanuman Prasad took Geeta under his patronage, trained and groomed her in singing, and later launched her into singing for movies. In 1946, she got the first break with an opportunity to sing in the mythological film Bhakta Prahlad for which Prasad was the music director. She was given two lines to sing for two songs. She was sixteen at that time.
She Married Actor-Director Guru Dutt in 1953.
And had 3 children Tarun Dutt, Geeta Dutt, and Arun Dutt.
Story of Guru and Geeta Dutt:
The famous playback singer Geeta Roy was recording the song ‘Tadbeer Se Bigdi Huyi Taqdeer,‘ in the presence of the director of the movie, Guru Dutt, and the Music Director, SD Burman among others. Though her singing left every listener beseeching for more, Guru, in particular, was flabbergasted by how the singer, almost intuitively, Occidentalized a ghazal into a jazzy seductive song!
Amongst those enamored by her singing was Guru Dutt’s mother. Soon, Geeta Roy became a regular visitor of the Dutt. Though a huge star-singer with an awesome fan following, Geeta molded herself as part of Guru Dutt’s household as though she was born in it.
Even today everyone beguilingly recalls sweet temperament, her lack of artificiality, affection, and her complete candor. She would simply take down the harmonium from their shelf and sing Bengali songs.
It was only a matter of time before Guru Dutt fell head over heels in love with his regular visitor. They were married on May 26, 1953. Thus were born some of the most achingly romantic songs of the 50’s- those nuggets of love and its various facets which materialized because there was love in the air.
Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt formed a perfect team. He knew exactly how to use her voice and he used it in ways so that her inane generosity of spirit spilled over on the soundtrack in stunning romantic declarations.
Geeta dutt famous songs: ‘Hoon Abhi main jawan’, ‘Jaa Jaa Jaa bewafa’, ‘Babu Ji Dheere chalna’ and ‘Yeh lo main haari piya’ in Aar Paar (1954) were like a prolonged outburst of harmonious sensations. Even today Geeta Dutt explodes on the streamlined soundtrack with a velvety velocity.
Singing Career:
After getting married to Guru Durr on May 26, 1953. Thus were born some of the most achingly romantic songs of the 50’s- those nuggets of love and its various facets which materialized because there was love in the air.
Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt formed a perfect team. He knew exactly how to use her voice and he used it in ways, so that her inane generosity of spirit spilled over on the soundtrack in stunning romantic declarations.
- Hoon Abhi Main Jawan
- Jaa jaa jaa bewafa
- Babu ji dheere chalna
Aar Paar (1954) were like prolonged outburst of harmonious sensations. Even today Geeta Dutt explodes on the streamlined soundtrack with a velvety velocity.
The mood of saucy romance the pervades the films Aar Paar (1954) or Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955) owe as much to Geeta Dutt’s vibrant vocals which seize the soundtrack in ceaseless spells of splendor and sublimity, as their popularity to the legendary status that Guru Dutt’s cinema enjoyed, giving her songs far more air-space than other, possibly more deserving prospects which got eclipsed by them.
R.D. Burman heard Geeta ji’s voice and immediately decided to have her sing in Do Bhai.
Geeta ji had this unconventional way of singing. The time was when most singing styles had origins of ghazals. Geeta ji who had this innate talent, with no formal training in the singing of the type of songs that were in vogue at that time, introduced her own brand of the appealingly fresh and free-flowing style of singing.
Her singing was based on instincts and spontaneity, guts and feelings, and love and pensiveness that resulted in breathing life and emotion into each song she sang.
Geeta Dutt’s singing life was largely influenced by her personal life. During the romance and early years of her marriage she sang some of her best songs for pictures involved with Guru Dutt in one capacity or another.
Some of the most beautiful romantic songs Geeta ji sang were during these days and they were spilled and richly splashed with her youthfully exuberant voice.
Gujarati Songs:
After her debut in Hindi film music in the year 1946, Geeta started gaining popularity in a short period of time. The very next year she became the most sensational voice with the success of songs from Do Bhai (1947). This led the composers from the Gujrati film industry to approach her for singing in Gujarati films.
Avinash Vyas was one of the most prolific and talented composers of Gujrati film music. He was already working with Geeta Dutt for his Hindi films and thus Geeta became a natural choice for singing in his Gujrati film songs right from the year 1948.
A detailed discussion on her work in Gujarati films. Almost simultaneously, she was pulled in for Karyavar, with music by Ajit Merchant.
Vyas’ Nanand Bhojai and Vaarasdar
Even though for living 30 years in Bombay (Mumbai) Geeta Ji might not have a perfect accent, maybe that is the reason she did not receive much chance to sing Marathi songs in her career.
When she got all of those chances to sing the songs with great ease of rendition and a rare depth of feeling – both hallmarks of her singing in any case.
Some of the Marathi Songs –
- Mukhya Manache Bol
- Jaa Saang laxmanaa Saang
- Ambabai cha Jogwa
Bengali Songs
- Shachimata Go Char Juge Hai
- Ekhan-O Dustar Lajja
- Katha Achhe Tumi Aj Asbe
Singing in the tune of big Music Directors
S.D Burman
- “Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya” (Do Bhai – 1947)
- “Woh Sapne Waali Raat” (Pyaar – 1950)
- “Tadbir Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer” (Baazi – 1951)
- “Aan Milo Aan Milo” (Devdas – 1955)
- O.P Nayyar
- Zara Saamne Aa (Baaz – 1953)
- Babuji Dhire Chalna (Aar Paar – 1954)
- Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata (Mr. & Mrs. ’55 – 1955)
Hemant Kumars
Na Jaao Saiyaan Chod Ke Saiyaan
Government Recognition
Looking for her contribution to the Indian Cinema Indian Government had introduced Postal Stamps in her name in 2013 and 2016.
Collaboration:
S.D Burman – Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya (Do Bhai), Woh Sapne Waali Raat (Pyaar), Tadbir Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer (Baazi) ,Aan Milo Aan Milo (Devdas) , Jane kya tune kahi (Pyaasa) ,Hum Aap Ke Aankhon Main (Pyaasa)
Hawa Dhire Aana (Sujata).
O.P Nayyar – Zara Saamne Aa (Baaz), Babuji Dhire Chalna (Aar Paar), Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata (Mr. & Mrs), Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji (Mr. & Mrs) , Jab Badal Lehraya (Chhoomantar), Mere Zindagi Ke Humsafar (Shrimati 420), Jaata Kahan Hai” (CID – 1956).
Hemant Kumar – Na Jao Saiyaan Chhuda Ke Baiyaan (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam), Kaise Roko Ge Aise Toofan Ko (Anandmath), Madbhari Hain Pyar Ki Palken (Fashion), Na Yeh Chand Ho Ga (Shart), Piya Aiso Jiya Mein Samaye Gayo (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam) , Chale Aao Chale Aao (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam)
Madan Mohan – Aye Dil Mujhe Bata De (Bhai Bhai)
