Saraswatichandra   Producer: Sarvodaya Pictures Director: Govind Saraiya Starring: Nutan, Manish Music: Kalyanji-Anandji Lyrics: Indeevar Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Mubarak Begam Audio On: RPG Saregama    Number of Songs: 8 Reviewed by: Randy Lall  - Rating: 9.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

Director Govind Saraiya’s Saraswatichandra won the National Award for best music in 1968 and it completely deserved it. Kalyanji-Anandji came up with a musical gem with tunes that are immensely popular to date. Kalyanji-Anandji were already successful when Saraswatichandra released but the film propelled them further to great heights. For any Bollywood fan, Saraswatichandra has several tunes that will strike a musical memory chord immediately.

The first of the gems is the never forgettable Chanchal Sa Badan. Mukesh is simply excellent in this song that has to be ranked as one of the most beautiful male solo sung in the history of Bollywood. Kalyanji-Anandji created a soft melody with lyrical bliss making it one that can tug at heart strings immediately. The song is clearly an evergreen classic. Later, nightingale Lata Mangeshkar renders the same tune.

To follow, an excellent romantic duet presents itself with Lata Mangeshkar with Mukesh. Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai is as good and as memorable as the first song in the soundtrack and is one of Bollywood’s best duets ever. Beautifully sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh the lyrics by Indeevar are superb.

Mahendra Kapoor makes a great impact in this album with Sau Saal Pahle a track that rings familiar to this day. Kapoor is less striking as Mukesh in the former tracks but the song is good nonetheless. Wada Humse Kiya will appeal to certain people only as the track is not as excellent as the others, however the music composition and singing by Mubarak Begam is on par making it good but not great.

The next track, Main To Bhool Chali is above average track. Although the music arrangements are normal, Lata Mangeshkar vocals make this song great.

The soundtrack closes with the two most popular tunes of this golden album. Humne Apna Sab Kuchh, has Mukesh providing excellent vocals to a tune that is simply precious. The song is excellent to say the least. The last song is a Lata Mangeshkar solo entitled Chhod De Saari. Lata is at her utmost best in this melodious song. Listen to this song, and you’ll know what I mean.

Of the many Bollywood classics that fans have to treasure, Saraswatichandra should never be brushed to the side. It is a great album that has become underrated throughout the years in Bollywood due to the lack of a male hero (though that didn’t stop the film from being a super hit). Nevertheless, Saraswatichandra is a must listen to for its romantic duets, solos and is one of the soundtracks that truly earned its National Award for Best Music in 1968.