THE MUSIC OF HARIYALI AUR RAASTA ( 1962 )

HARIYALI AUR RAASTA was produced by Shankarbhai Bhatt and directed by Vijay Bhatt. Earlier, Vijay Bhatt had directed the immensely successful BAIJU BAWRA.

- H. S. Billimoria

A fresh pair of Mala Sinha and newcomer Manoj Kumar was formed and Shankar Jaikishan signed up as music directors. Naushad was the music director of Baiju Bawra. Manoj Kumar had done flop films like Reshmi Roomal before Hariyali aur Raasta.

When released in 1962, Hariyali aur Raasta became a runaway hit. This was inspite of the fact that Hariyali aur Raasta was a black & white film in an industry rapidly moving to color. The film was a slow starter at the box office. Very soon, however, the music caught on and the rest is history. Hariyali aur Raasta was one of the top five films of 1962 as far as the box office is concerned.

The era of Shankar Jaikishan ruling the music industry had already started and Hariyali aur Raasta was one more feather in their cap. Both Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri were also at their best. Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh also did full justice to the songs.