A tribute to Dev Anand (1923-2011)

A tribute to Dev Anand (1923-2011)

We lost Dev Anand today and I am writing brief tribute to him with a Shraddhanjali of songs. Tomorrow, I may add a few more memories. Dev was born Dharam Dev Pishori Anand on 26 September 1923 in Shakargarh Tehsil of Gurdaspur district in undivided Punjab, British India in an advocate family.
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The three giants of Indian Cinema from 1940's to 1970 are Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor among male actors. Being the first, they set the standards for acting and every one since then follows on e or the other and they will continue to be the legends of India.

"Legendary Bollywood actor-director Dev Anand has died in London of a heart attack, aged 88, family members say. Anand, who produced and acted in dozens of films, was unwell and had gone to London for a checkup. In his 65-year career, which began in 1946, Anand became one of India's iconic actor-directors. " BBC News.

Dev Anand visited Dallas in 1994-95 to give a key note speech at the Asian American Hotel Owners Association at Loews Anatole. One of the Dallas Board Members of AAHOA asked me to bring out a special issue of Asian News Magazine that I published from 1993-2000.

I spent days digging up listing his films – 105 in all with basic information about the heroine, music director, year released and the key songs. We presented a few copies for him to sign, he looked up the list, indeed he was engrossed in it and patted on my back "Shabash" and said he did not have list himself and he was going to carry that paper with him. Remember Internet did not exist then.

When you watched Dev Anand Movie, you always came out with vigor, there was always something enthusiastic about him. A lot of us thought he literally mimicked Gregory Peck and ironically the woman was in love with him; Surayya also chased Gregory Peck. I remember stories about of Gregory Peck visiting Bangalore for the Silver Jubilee celebrations of his movie McKenna's Gold in Lido Theater.

Who will forget his songs, particularly these that have a lot of relevance to me personally.

1. Mera Man tera Pyaasa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foJNOtb4OPU&list=PL96E95F0AC5655ED5&index=13&feature=plpp_video

2. Ek but banaoonga tera - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qt6cGSDu4Y&list=PL96E95F0AC5655ED5&index=8&feature=plpp_video

3. My Zindagi ka saath nibhata chalagaya - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sagi0o-d7XU&feature=relmfu

4. Hai apna dil to awaara - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8TH8LBs-w&feature=related

5. Tere mere Sapne ab ek rang hain - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9zjhg7BJXY&list=PL96E95F0AC5655ED5&index=6&feature=plpp_video

6. Din dhal jaye hai - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_002K49S10

7. Tere ghar ke saamne - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgFMp50UrMU

8. Khoya khoya chaand - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5neEc7PjHg

9. Ai dil na hota bechara - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5OXj62qJUQ

10. Kya say kay hogaya - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMMHDuaJls4&list=PL96E95F0AC5655ED5&index=5&feature=plpp_video

11. Abhi Na Jaao chod kar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAa9XqBw7ag&feature=relmfu

12. Phoolon ke rang say - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4iYbxFBZKQ

13. Tujhe Jivan ki door say bandh liya hai - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amRMVEXb-xI

14. Dekho o deewano - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB8RwuRQySg

15. Dum Maro Dum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUqEPS6Mq8I&feature=relmfu

16. Dil Pukare Aaray Aaray - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lquTatrN_9Y

I dropped everything to compile this note, I wish I had saved the list of his film or the paper where he had signed.

It's my tribute to Dev Anand, who was part of most of my life. I enjoyed his films and songs and the sense of youth he imbued was incredible. Indeed, on my wedding day, I sang the song – Ek but banaoonga tera.

I salute you Dev Saheb, may God bless you.

Om Shanti, Om Shanti!

Mike Ghouse, a life time fan.www.MikeGhouse.net

Dev Anand and Mike Ghouse, someone was holding the Special edition of Asian News for Dev Anand.

Dev Anand's biggest movies were Guide and Hare Rama Hare Krishna.