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Dilli Sai Aaya – Ek Thi Ladki (1949) – Who sang this mystery song?

Ek Thi Ladki (1949) musical score is still popular among musical buffs especially Lata’s evergreen song Lara lappa lara lappa lai rakhda. Ek Thi Ladki music was composed by lesser known music director Vinod and songs sung by Lata, Rafi, Geeta Dutt, G.M. Durrani and Zeenat Begum. However, there was one song in this film – Dilli sai aaya bhai tengu whose singer was shrouded in mystery. For a long time no one knew who sang this song. Some people thought it was Geeta Dutt, other people put their bets on lesser known singer Meenal Wagh. However, on closer hearing, it doesn’t sound like either Geeta Dutt or Meenal Wagh.

Honey O' Brian in Ek Thi Ladki (1949)

The music director Vinod himself said that the song was sung by “Honey”. No one knew who this “Honey” was. Some people thought it was Vinod’s niece whose nickname was “Honey”. However, with some research it has been confirmed that the “Honey” Vinod was referring to was an Anglo-Indian starlet Honey O’ Brian. Those who don’t remember or know her… she was the one in Awaara (1951) on whom Lata’s song Ek bewafa sai pyar kiya was picturized. She played bit parts in some 40′s and 50′s films including Shokhiyan (1951).

Honey O' Brian in Awaara (1951)

Honey O' Brian in Shokhiyan (1951)

Honey O’ Brian is still alive and now lives in Geneva, Switzerland. She moved there after the birth of her three daughters. Therefore, the long unsolved mystery of Dilli sai aaya bhai Tengu’s singer has been solved.

Unknown Anglo-Indian girl singing the mystery song in Bewafa (1952)

This reminded me of another mystery song from Bewafa (1952) – Aaja o mere dilruba. HMV et al. erroneously attributes this song to Geeta Dutt, but on careful hearing it doesn’t sound like Geeta Dutt and the unknown singer has foreign tinge in her voice. So, who sang this song? The unknown Anglo-Indian girl who is performing it onscreen? Some unknown singer? or perhaps Geeta Dutt who really had the ability to alter her voice… Ummer Siddique

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