By Dr Surjeet Singh Khaira
Dehradun, 24 Jul: In the evening of 22 July, I had the privilege of being part of a delightful musical evening at the invitation of Dr Manoj Punjani, Research Associate at DLRC, and an eminent film critic.
The programme, organised by Sukriti Arya, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the iconic Hindi film, Guide, that was released in 1966. The occasion was dedicated to reliving the timeless songs of the film and paying tribute to its evergreen stars, Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. The informal gathering brought together ardent admirers of Guide from diverse professional backgrounds. The event was held at Kri Gallery of Art, Sirmour Marg, Kaulagarh Road.
Dr Manoj Punjani, the evening’s principal speaker and anchor, captivated the audience with several fascinating and little-known anecdotes about the making of Guide. Having spent a significant part of his early career in Bombay (now Mumbai), he possesses an extensive knowledge of the Hindi film industry and has been closely associated with many lyricists, music directors, screenplay writers, and film editors.
Dr Punjani described Guide as one of the three greatest films in world cinema, alongside Gone with the Wind and Doctor Zhivago. While the latter two were adaptations of universally acclaimed classic novels, he observed that RK Narayan’s The Guide was comparatively less celebrated because its principal characters were morally complex. He explained how director Vijay Anand’s brilliant screenplay added remarkable depth and sensitivity to the characters of Raju and Rosie, transforming the novel into a cinematic masterpiece.
He further highlighted that the film was elevated by the extraordinary musical partnership of SD Burman and lyricist Shailendra, whose unforgettable compositions were brought to life through Vijay Anand’s imaginative picturisation. Despite the inclement weather, the auditorium was filled to capacity—a testimony to the enduring appeal of Guide. Dr Punjani urged everyone who had not yet watched the film to experience this classic at the earliest opportunity.
The songs of Guide continue to enchant listeners even after six decades. Classics such as Wahan Kaun Hai Tera, Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain, Din Dhal Jaye, Mo Se Chhal Kiye Jaye, Kaanton Se Kheench Ke Yeh Aanchal, and Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya remain as melodious and evocative as ever. These evergreen numbers were beautifully rendered with karaoke accompaniment by music enthusiasts Archana Roy, Dev, Dr SS Khaira, Jeetendra Nawani, Rajesh Kumar (Retd. Jailer), and Col Bhaskar (Retd). Their spirited performances filled the hall with nostalgia and made the evening truly vibrant and memorable.
The programme concluded on a literary note with Kavita Bist and Dr Kshama presenting their evocative poems on the monsoon. Their thoughtful recitations received warm appreciation from the audience, providing a fitting finale to an evening that celebrated cinema, music, and poetry in equal measure.
