Introduction
Datta Naik (12 December 1927 – 30 December 1987), also credited as N. Datta, is a Hindi film music director. Born in the then Portuguese colony of Goa, Naik, started his career as an assistant to the legendary music director Sachin Dev Burman in films like Bahar, Sazaa and Ek Nazar (1951), Jaal (1952), Jeevan Jyoti (1953) and Angarey (1954). His partnership with song writer Sahir Ludhianvi was popular and successful. He died on 30 December 1987.
Datta Naik alias N. Datta was born in 1927 in Aroba (Near Colvale), a small village in Goa. At the age of 12, he ran away from his family and came to Mumbai. There he learnt classical music and later worked as an assistant to Ghulam Haider. He was a close friend of Chandrakant Bhosle who was playing rhythm with Shankar Jaikishan's orchestra. He also used to participate in street music programs, where Sachin Dev Burman spotted his talent. The maestro employed him as his assistant and while working there, N. Datta also developed a notable career as an independent composer. His compositions showed a fine sense of melody and orchestration. His close association with lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who was also his close friend ensured that his songs were always blessed by meaningful poetic lyrics.
Noted Marathi writer and music aficionado P.L. Deshpande had once famously written that whenever he listened to Lata’s emotional Dhool Ka Phool title song ‘Too Mere Pyaar Kaa Phool Hai’ (composed by N. Datta), he got the impression that each word, each note was rendered as if a tender flower petal was gently placed in flowing water! Lata and Mahendra Kapoor’s qawwali ‘Tere Pyaar Ka Aasraa Chaahataa Hoon’ from the same soundtrack was a huge hit and has remained popular till date. In Naach Ghar, Lata’s silken rendition of N. Datta’s waltz based club song ‘Aye Dil Zubaan Naa Khol’ subtly exposed this materialist world’s duplicity in Sahir’s sarcastic socialist lingo.
N. Datta’s later years were spent fighting ill health and commercial failure. The 1980 film Chehre Pe Chehra was his last Hindi film and on December 30, 1987 he breathed his last. [1]
Filmography
- Marine Drive (1955)
- Milaap (1955) – debut film with Raj Khosla
- Chandrakanta (1956)
- Dashehra (1956)
- Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke (1957)
- Mohini (1957)
- Mr. X (1957)
- Light House (1958)
- Miss 1958 (1958)
- Saadhna (1958)
- Bhai Bahan (1959)
- Black Cat (1959)
- Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
- Jaalsaaz (1959)
- Mr. John (1959)
- Naach Ghar (1959)
- Didi (1959)
- Dr. Shaitaan (1959)
- Rickshawala (1960)
- Dharamputra (1960)
- Do Bhai (1961)
- Dilli Ka Dada (1962)
- Gyara Hazar Ladkian (1962)
- Kala Samundar (1962)
- Sachche Moti (1962)
- Aawara Abdullah (1963)
- Akela (1963)
- Holiday in Bombay (1963)
- Mere Armaan Mere Sapne (1963)
- Rustam-e-Baghdad (1963)
- Baadshah (1964)
- Chandi Ki Deewar (1964)
- Herculis (1964)
- Gopal Krishna (1965)
- Khaakan (1965)
- Bahadur Daaku (1966)
- Dilaawar (1966)
- Jawan Mard (1966)
- Albela Mastaana (1967)
- Raju (1967)
- Apna Ghar Apni Kahani (1968)
- Ek Masoom (1969)
- Patthar Ka Khwab (1969)
- Ustaad 420 (1970)
- Inspector (1970)
- Naya Raasta (1971)
- Aag Aur Daag (1970)
- Badnaam Farishtey (1972
- Return of Johnny (1974)
- Do Juaari (1974)
- Ganga (1974)
- Aag Aur Toofan (1975)
- Phanda (1975)
- Miss Toofan Mail (1980)
- Chehre Pe Chehra (1980)
Mentioned below are some of his songs.
Ponchh Kar Ashq Apni Aankhon Se - Movie (Naya Raasta) Sung By: Mohammad RafiMaine Chaand Aur Sitaron Ki Tamanna Ki Thi - Movie (Chandrakanta) Sung By: Mohammad RafiMain Tumhi Se Poochhti Hoon - Movie (Black Cat) Sung By: Lata MangeshkarSitare Raah Takte Hain Chale Aao - Movie (Black Cat) Sung By: Lata MangeshkarMere dil meri jaan - Movie (Jaal Saaz - 1959) Sung By: Kishore Kumar & Asha BhosleAshkon Ne Jo Paya Hai - Movie (Chandi Ki Deewar) Sung By: Talat MahmoodAaj Kee Rat Nahee Shikave (Dharmaputra) Sung By: Mahendra KapoorAaj Kyon Hamse Parda Hai (Sadhana) Sung By: Mohammad Rafi, S BalbirAbb Woh Karam Kare Ya Sitam (Marine Drive) Sung By: Mohammad RafiApane Kayaalo Ko Samajha Dijiye (Marine Drive) Sung By: Lata MangeshkarAurat Ne Janam Diya Mardo Ko (Sadhana) Sung By: Lata MangeshkarBhul Sakta Hai Bhala Kaun (Dharmaputra) Sung By: Mahendra KapoorChunar Moree Kori Kori Kori (Naya Raasta (1970)) Sung By: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad RafiDhadkane Lage Dil Ke Taro Kee Duniya (Dhool Ka Phool) Sung By: Asha Bhosle, Mahendra KapoorTere Pyar Ka Aasra - Movie ((Dhool Ka Phool - 1959): Sung By: Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra KapoorTu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega - Movie ((Dhool Ka Phool - 1959): Sung By: Mohammed RafiDil Kee Tamanna Thee (Gyaarah Hazaar Ladakiyaan) Sung By: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad RafiDukh Jo Diye Hain Duneeya Ne (Naach Ghar) Sung By: Mohammad Rafi, Lata MangeshkarIshwar Allaah Tere Naam (Naya Raasta (1970)) Sung By: Mohammad RafiJis Ghar Ke Logo Ko Subah Jhagadate Dekha Hai (Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke) Sung By: Mohammad Rafi, Asha BhosleKaram Kee Bhikh Maangee Hamane Tumase (Marine Drive) Sung By: Mohammad RafiMai Jab Bhee Akelee Hotee Hu (Dharmaputra) Sung By: Asha BhosleMaine Pee Sharaab, Tumne Kya Piya (Naya Raasta (1970)) Sung By: Mohammad RafiMere Dilbar Mujh Par Kafa Naa Ho (Dharmaputra) Sung By: Mohammad RafiMeree Tasvir Lekar Kya Karoge (Kaala Samundar) Sung By: Mohammad Rafi, Asha BhosleSambhal Ai Dil Tadapane Aur (Sadhana) Sung By: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad RafiTere Shaharon Se Raaja Hame Ban Hee Bhale (Naach Ghar) Sung By: Mohammad Rafi, Lata MangeshkarTodo Na Dil Bekarar Kaa (Jaalsaaz) Sung By: Kishore Kumar, Asha BhosleTum Mujhe Bhul Bhee Jao (Didi) Sung By: Mukesh, Sudha MalhotraYeh Kiska Lahu Hai Kaun Mara (Dharmaputra) Sung By: Mahendra KapoorTere Iss Pyar Ka Shukriya - Movie (Aag Aur Daag - 1971): Sung By: Mohammad RafiMere Bhaiya Ko Sandesa Pahoochana - Movie (Didi - 1959): Sung By: Lata MangeshkarJhukti Ghata Gaati Hawa - Movie (Dhool Ka Phool, 1959) Sung By: Mahendra Kapoor, Asha BhosleLaal Laal Gaal Jaan Ke Hai Laagu - Movie (Mr X, 1957) Sung By: Mohammad RafiYaadon Ka Sahara Na Hota - Movie (Patthar Ke Khwab, 1969) Sung By: Talat MahmoodSambhal Ai Dil Tadapane Aur Tadpane Se Kya Hoga - Movie (Sadhna, 1958)) Sung By: Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle