Artap (1982)

Artap was one of those film projects that never progressed beyond the early stages. Yet ironically, it produced one of the most precious musical gems in Salil Chowdhury’s archive.

In 1982, legendary singer Talat Mehmood, whose career was already declining, approached Salil requesting to sing just one more song for him. Generous as ever, Salil composed "Tup Taap Tup Taap Bristi PoDchhe" — an evocative, melancholic piece that Talat delivered with his trademark grace and velvety expression.

A Hindi version was also recorded and intended for the Hindi remake of the same film. However, both projects collapsed, and the master tape containing both versions mysteriously vanished.

Many years later, a rare copy re-emerged thanks to a collector who preserved the tape, unsure of its origins but sensing its value. This rediscovery revived the song’s legacy.

Today, Talat Mehmood’s son Khalid Mehmood has made both versions of the song available on his official website — ensuring that this beautiful collaboration between Talat and Salil will never be lost again.