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Sandhya Mukherjee

It was the beginning of the '50s when Salil wrote those unforgettable songs, such as 'Shyamal Baroni ogo kanya' and 'Prantarero Gaan amaar'. In 1953 came Sandhya's 'Ujjal Ek jhank paayra'—a very unusual composition for the early '50s. I just don't understand why Salil wrote so few songs for such a talented singer as Sandhya Mukherjee. She had a superb and well-trained voice and became the most popular female playback singer in Bengali films during the famous Uttam-Suchitra era. She sang numerous popular songs for other composers but very few for Salil. One of her most memorable Salil songs, 'Shrabon ajhore jharey' in the film 'Kinu Goalaar Goli', is just spell-binding. Another beautiful song, 'Godhulir shaanto chhayaay', was never released commercially and was recorded for All India Radio, Calcutta.

ID	Song Title	Year	Cross-Ref / Variations
SM1	Ujjal Ak jhaank paayraLyric: Bimalchandra Ghosh	1953	Oth: OB34
SM2	Aay bristi Jhempey	1953	Hnd: MB4 Tam: TI3
SM3	Jaare jaa phire jaa	1966	Hnd: JJ5 Mal: SW5
SM4	Gungun mon bhromoraa	1966	Mal: NP3 Bng: RB4
SM5	Jibone jaa kichhu chhilo	1967	Hnd: RU2
SM6	Jodi naam dhore taarey daaki	1967	Hnd: DY3 Mal: CC4 Bng: SP6
SM7	Godhulir klaanto chhayaay (AIR)	1970	Hnd: OB4 Bng: SC14 / MW11
SM8	Ke jano pather maajhe (AIR)Lyrics: Suhas Chowdhury	1970	Bng: MW9
SM9	Guru guru guru megh garojey (AIR)	1970	Hnd: AN6 Bng: LM28 / SC33
SM10	Sajani go kathaa shono	1969	-
SM11	Gaa gaa re paakhi gaa	1969	Hnd: AM1
SM12	Gahano raati ghanaay	1971	Hnd: AN3
SM13	Sajani go sajani din rajoni	1971	Mal: NL2 Tam: AK2 Bng: OB36
SM14	Kichhu aar kohibo naa	1973	Hnd: SG2 Mal: TV3 Bng: LM31
SM15	O neel neel paakhi	1973	Mal: NL3 Oth: GS2 / BJ2

Musical Analysis & AIR Recordings

The songs numbered SM7, SM8, and SM9 were broadcast on All India Radio, Calcutta, as part of 'E Maasher Gaan' (Song of the Month). It is a great pity that these beautiful compositions were never released commercially.

Song SM9 ("Guru guru guru megh garojey") is particularly notable for its lyrical evolution. It was later recorded by both Sabita Chowdhury and Lata Mangeshkar with completely different sets of lyrics. Despite these variations, many still consider the Mukesh version ("Nain hamaare" from the film Annadata) to be the definitive rendition of this melody.

Song SM4 ("Gungun mon bhromoraa") provides an interesting comparison with Sabita Chowdhury’s version in the film Rai Bahadur. While the melody is identical, Sandhya’s rendition features a faster tempo and a distinct rhythmic character that gives the song a completely different feel.

Finally, Song SM15 reached audiences beyond Bengal, with "other" versions appearing in Gujarati cinema (Ghar Sansaar) and Oriya cinema (Batashi Jhara), demonstrating the multi-regional appeal of Salil’s compositions for Sandhya.