Sadly, this prolific and versatile musician was branded as a mythologist. True, most of his soundtracks were legendary. But songs sung by him in non-mythology are still played today, although listeners may not recognize them as his compositions. Although Tripathi composed music for more than twenty films in the 1940s, his first major hit was Rani Roopmati Mein Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet in 1947. Sung in two different versions by Lataji and Mukesh, this melancholic melody is an all-time hit.
During the same year, Tripathi took the charts by storm with another song Zara Samne To Aao Chaliye in the film Janam Janam Ke Phere. In 1957 two songs raised the composer’s market value. He composed songs for about 80 films. Sadly, his songs were popular, but he is not recognized as their composer.
SN Tripathi’s evergreen popular songs include Mohammad Rafi’s Lagta Nahi Hai Dil Mera (Red Fort), Mukesh’s Jhoomti Chali Hawa (Music Emperor Tansen), Lataji’s Kaise Dharoon Main Dheer (Music Emperor Tansen), Lataji’s Sham Bhaye Ghanshyam Na Aaye (Poet Kalidas). Lataji-Talat Mehmood’s past days of love (Kunwari), Lataji’s Lord you give light (Jai Chittor).
Sadly, Tripathi’s versatility was confined to mythological and costume dramas at a time when other composers like Shankar-Jaikishan, OP Nayyar and Naushad ruled.
SN Tripathi’s Sadabahar O Pawan Veg Se Udne Wale Ghode from the movie Jai Chittor sung by Lataji was once sung by PM Narendra Modiji as one of his favorite songs.
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