I was posted on Ganga We returned from our cruise to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia (Read about an anecdote in Jeddah harbour in ‘Gunners Too Are Human – Part III – Gun Salutes’). Frankly, we had gone a wee-bit overboard in our purchases. We did well in our custom-clearance. The custom guys were ‘managed’ very well. Now all that stood between us having these items on board and us having them at home was the Security at the Lion Gate, Naval Dockyard, Bombay.
Once again, the lesser beings there were ‘managed’ very well but there was this Commander-at-Arms who was renowned to be the toughest egg in the entire Navy. It was rumoured that he used to have junior officers for breakfast after – as PGW would say – jumping over their remains with hobnailed shoes. To get past Cdr A was as tough as getting past Satan.
I had a friend on Ganga who was renowned for his resourcefulness. This friend on whilst going out of the Lion Gate smartly parked his vehicle on the side and went to meet Cdr A in his office. He paid his regards; Cdr A wasn’t amused. He talked about this and that: Cdr A wasn’t amused. Finally, my friend came straight to the point. He said he was a law-abiding citizen and would like to take out a few items with Cdr A’s permission.
Established in 1735 (Pic courtesy: indiannavy.nic.in)
Cdr A (brightening; as he had already seen in this an opportunity to chew my friend): When?
My Friend (fearfully): Er…if you permit…tomorrow, Sir.
Cdr A (eyes gleaming now): What kind of items?
My friend (alarmed now but he had reached point of no return): (Rattled out list of items) Cdr A (Visibly on top of the world now since rather than his catching the fish, the fish had come to him!): Don’t worry. Bring the items tomorrow and we shall see.
My friend saluted, dejectedly went to his vehicle and drove off.
Next day, at the appointed hour, he came to the Lion Gate and the entire Lion Gate Security Staff descended on his vehicle and ransacked it. All supervised by Cdr A smiling from ear to ear. To Cdr A’s utter horror and dejection, they found nothing.
At this stage, thoroughly frustrated at having missed a chance to get a Nao Sena Medal, Cdr A bellowed: But, you told me yesterday that you’d be taking out those items today.
My friend: I did Sir; but, knowing how you normally are, I didn’t take chances and took them out yesterday itself!
I could have given highest Gallantry Reward to my friend!
Can anyone live without water?
Or live without breathing at all?
Then how is this you can’t hear
Our pining-for-you call?
Yes, you lived with us long ago
And taught us Love, Peace, and Right from Wrong
But, we need you now, O Krishna
We need your flute and song.
You may say that when you came
It was the worst time in Indian past
But, we can prove to you, our Lord God
We are close to Bharat’s last.
It is the last chance before our rot
Make us worse than any Kaurava
And the polity fragments our once great nation
Whilst they dance on the ruins like Bhairava.
All that Love that you left with us
Where can it be found now?
Not on banks of Jamuna or anywhere
We love only money, and how!
Our chariot wheels are stuck in the slime
Of dishonesty, immorality and corruption
We don’t have urge or will to fight
The Evil Forces’ sudden eruption.
Krishna, if you fail us now
We won’t know where to go
We have seen enough of the predicted Kalyug
Please put an end to our woe.
Lets hear your divine flute again
As also your battle conch
Guide us to live in Love and Justice
But, against the rot, a war to launch.
Come to us again Lord Krishna
We need you more than ever before
We want you to live amongst us again
And not just in folk-lore.
Many of my friends and fans have asked me to write and publish a novel. I am doing the first part: to write. So, chapter by chapter, this novel, without any editing from my part, shall appear here on this blog. Please let me know in the comments if you like it. I shall also be looking at your comments if you don’t like it or any part of it; so that, if considered necessary, I can make amends. Alright, fasten your seat belts and prepare for this long flight.
One
The Jet Airways Flight from Mumbai to Goa was full. All flights to Goa are generally full at the end of the year; it being the favourite destination for Christmas and New Year Eve parties.
This was the last flight before Twinkle would have her holidays. She had joined Jet Airways three years back and, as in everything else in life, she didn’t entertain any regrets. She was an agreeable young lady with a radiant smile that all people close to her found infectious. Indeed, as far as passengers were concerned, it was the firm opinion of others in cabin crew that Twinkle had a kind of sobering effect on the passengers as if they were being served by one of their own. When Twinkle was selected for the Executive Class, none of the other crew objected; it was considered the most natural progression.
At the door, as the passengers came in, a lean and tall man, Twinkle gathered in his eighties, nearly tripped over an obstruction and she instantly bent to help him. He immediately righted himself, picked up his fallen walking stick and beamed a smile at her, “I think I can manage.” Just five words before the next passengers came in; but, Twinkle was sure those words conveyed far more than just the present tripping. It instantly occurred to her that perhaps he was making a statement about his entire life: ‘I think I can managewithout any help from anyone. I am used to it’. However, the smile was not of derision or complaint, but, of acceptance, of being content with what life had dished out for him.
He was on seat 2F of the Executive Class space that had become her duty to serve. She offered to hang his jacket but he declined that. Later in the flight she realised why; he took out from one pocket his pouch of medicines. Later, when she offered him a newspaper he took out his reading glasses from another pocket and a pen to solve the crossword with. This man, she decided, didn’t depend upon people for anything. He was self-sufficient.
For the take-off, as she strapped herself to the folding chair, she could see him. He held both his hands together as if in prayer and closed his eyes. Many passengers did that and pretended that they were merely dosing off. However, he did that with great dignity as if he knew God would be instantly there when he’d close his eyes. Another glance and she found that a curious smile had formed on the edges of his lips as if in remembrance of something delightful. Perhaps, she thought a little mischievously, he was already in conversation with God. And then, it suddenly occurred to her that she was paying him far too much attention. It also surprised her to know that she couldn’t help it. There was something magnetic about this man in his eighties; she found herself being drawn to him, as if…as if…she forced herself not to drift into those thoughts and as soon as she announced about the seat belt sign having been switched off she jumped to her duties as a hostess.
There were eleven other passengers to be served but it occurred to her that she wanted to serve only him. “I don’t feel like eating anything”, he told her, “But, I have to since I shall be taking my medicine after that.” He didn’t indicate a choice and she didn’t want to be seen as fussing over; so, she decided that Continental Breakfast was what he’d prefer. He appeared to relish it but declined second helpings, even of bread. She noticed that the beverage was just black-tea. After the breakfast, she wanted to help him with his black leather bag in the overhead locker so as to take out the medicines, but, he took them out of a small plastic pouch in the right inner pocket of his coat.
After breakfast and medicines, he read the newspaper for a while and then started solving the crossword. He dozed off whilst holding the pen and the folded newspaper. She went to take the newspaper from his hands and she should have returned it to the pouch in front of his seat. But, curiosity got the better of her and she took the paper to her working space behind the curtain. She took the pen from his hand, capped it, and gently put it on the flat space between the two seats.
In her working pantry space, she found that the only word that he hadn’t solved was 16 Across and from the letters that were already inserted by him and the clue ‘Sometimes, even a small pebble thrown in a pond can cause_____, _____(7,7)’ she could guess the solution: UNDYING RIPPLES. She started guessing as to why had he left inserting the other letters; the solution was so obvious. Why? Didn’t he know? Was it too difficult? It then occurred to her that she was fascinated by the cluehe had left for her to solve! Perhaps he wanted her to! She took out her pen and inserted the missing letters that didn’t make any difference in the other solutions either across or down.
His head had tilted to the right whilst dozing and she went back to insert a pillow between the head and the back-rest next to the window. She also reclined his seat to make him comfortable. Fortunately, he had kept the seat-belt on. She put the window shutter down.
Just before the landing, she went back to upright his seat, open the window shutter and perhaps to wake him up but, she noticed, there was no movement from him whatsoever. She touched him and found him rather cold. She hurried back to make an announcement requesting if there was any doctor on the flight. A kindly gentleman from the economy class approached seat 2F, made the motions of checking his pulse, eyes etc and shook his head, “I am afraid the passenger has died in his sleep.”
Despite her training, she almost screamed. She went and reported to the Captain and the Co-pilot and they made arrangements on the ground to receive the dead body. Since he was at the window seat, he won’t be in the way of disembarking passengers.
Whilst preparing him to be taken away, she wanted to know who he was. She felt for his boarding pass in the outside left pocket of his coat. As she felt for and took out his boarding pass, a picture fell out.
Three years back I wrote ‘Mumbai Rains’ in this blog and it continues to be very popular. Now, I bring you some of the side-effects of Mumbai Rains and traffic during the rains. One of my friends had put up this:
[lineate][/lineate]Foreigner: In Mumbai, do you drive to the left or the right?[lineate][/lineate]Mumbaiite: In Mumbai, we drive on what’s left of the roads.[lineate][/lineate]
(Courtesy: www.indianexpress.com)
Mumbai is a melting pot of cultures and languages. I came to know recently that ‘highway‘ is a Punjabi word, after all. When your vehicle goes over an unseen ditch or pothole (which happens in Mumbai quite often), you nurse injuries to yourselves and your vehicle and with every jump say in Punjabi: “Hai ve”! (O, my God)
Lets look at some peculiar scenes and situations caused by the havoc on roads as a result of Mumbai Rains.
I
Swayamvar
Deshpandes are looking for a husband for their elder daughter. She has finished her engineering in computer sciences and has landed a well deserved job at TCS. After her family gave the advertisement in the Matrimonial columns of several dailies, a few eligible boys have pressed their suits. The family has short-listed three of them: Ashok, Ganesh and Sunil. All three boys are also engineers and earning good salaries and from good families. Finally, it has to be Jyoti’s choice. She asks her brother to help. It comes out that since she has to spend the rest of her life with her husband, she wants to be sure (as any girl would) of the essential nature of her man. What if he curses and swears? What if he doesn’t have patience with her? What if he is utterly selfish? Her brother has the most pragmatic plan to find this out, “I shall drive with each one of them from Colaba to Borivali by car. At the end of the journeys, I shall have the answers for you.”
Modern day ‘swayamvar’, tougher than Arjuna shooting with arrow the eye of the fish and most effective way to separate men from boys.
II
Army Headquarters
During a presentation to the Chief, his Principal Staff Officers are in attendance. The subject is the purchase of the Tatra trucks, the controversy-ridden Tatra trucks.
[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General I: Finally, the government has cleared the purchase of these ****ing trucks. It took some coaxing.[lineate][/lineate]The Chief: It always does. But, I guess your team needs to be congratulated for all the hard work put in.[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General I: Thank you, Sir[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General II: But, Sir, there is a problem. Now that General VK’s assertions have called in question the quality of these vehicles, we need to carry out a rigorous acceptance test-inspection.[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General III: We have already prepared for this, Sir. Our engineers have designed an indigenous (stressing on the word so as to invite praise) testing terrain track for the inspections. It would cost only Rupees 5 Crores as compared to the imported track worth 20 Crores.[lineate][/lineate]The Chief: I think we can avoid the wasteful expenditure. Let the vehicles be received in Mumbai and test-drive on Mumbai roads during rains. If they can survive that, they can survive any terrain and conditions.[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General I to II (aside): Now why couldn’t we think of that?[lineate][/lineate]Lieutenant General II to I (aside): That’s why he is the Chief and not us.[lineate][/lineate]
III
Times Now’s Evening Top-Story
[lineate][/lineate]Arnab Boswami: This is the third case in the month when a woman in Mumbai has filed for divorce proceedings. She had been suspecting her husband of having an affair. She has been, therefore, timing her husband during his return journey from the office. The duration has been inexplicably (to her) on the increase and that confirmed her deep rooted suspicion that he has been spending time with the other woman, on the side. On the evening before filing the divorce proceedings, her husband spent all of five hours reaching back home. I have on the panel tonight Mister All-is-well Pigvijay Singh from Congress, Mrs. All-men-are-the-same Mamta Besharma, Chairperson of Women’s Commission in India, BJP spokesperson Arun Ketley and finally representative of Aam Aadmi Gharib Das. Let me first put this question to Pigvijay Singh; What is your government doing about this?[lineate][/lineate]PVS: The track record of our government on women’s issues is excellent. You may recall when Nirbhay died in Delhi, Manmohan Singh ji personally went to receive the dead body…[lineate][/lineate]Arnab (Cutting him short, as he always does): No, all this is only a façade. On an everyday basis women are still getting raped. Let me ask Mamta ji: Do you think this is the normal state or an exception that husbands reach back late from work?[lineate][/lineate]MB: This is on the increase, the traditional image of the Indian woman of being a housewife and being at the beck-and-call of her husband hasn’t changed much. We need to make strict laws to force men to return home on time and not to spend time with other women.[lineate][/lineate]Arun Ketley (on alert after MB uttered the word “law”: I don’t think making new laws will change the situation. For every known law, there are at least a dozen loopholes.[lineate][/lineate](Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi representative had been frantically raising his hand to be able to speak but no one pays him attention. Finally, Arnab Goswami, notices him and asks him: I think Gharib Das has something to say on this; are you on the side of the husband or the lady?[lineate][/lineate]Gharib Das (helplessly): I think you have caught the bull by the tail. The issue here is not a women’s issue at all. The issue is why did it take the husband all of five hours to reach home from office. And I will tell you why: it is because of the poor state of the roads in Mumbai during the rains. Anywhere to anywhere takes this much time.[lineate][/lineate]Arnab: I think Gharib Das here is digressing from the issue at hand; let me get back to Mamta now: do you really think making new laws will help?[lineate][/lineate](Poor Gharib Das hold his head in both hands and would have pulled out his hair if there were any left.[lineate][/lineate]
IV
Scene at the Airlines Office
[lineate][/lineate]Harried Manager: For an hour’s flight, we have started calling people two hours in advance “due to traffic congestion in Mumbai” and yet people have been coming late. What should we do?[lineate][/lineate]Efficiency Expert (with solutions to all problems): I think we should start calling them three to four hours in advance. Indeed, for early morning flights, we must suggest to them to spend the night at the airport itself.[lineate][/lineate]Manager (with doubts): But, won’t it be a punishment for travellers?[lineate][/lineate]EE (Confidently): Since when has travel been anything but punishment in and out of Mumbai?[lineate][/lineate]
V
Scene at Watch Repair Shop
[lineate][/lineate]Irate Customer: This is my third visit to you to collect my repaired watch; every time you tell me you didn’t get time. What do you do with your time?[lineate][/lineate]Watch Repairer: Sir, the same thing what you do with your time; I spend most of my time commuting.[lineate][/lineate]Customer: Well, next time will be my last visit; what should I do if next time the watch is not ready?[lineate][/lineate]Watch Repairer: Sir, I suggest next time you buy a calendar. In Mumbai’s traffic, there is no point in looking at the watch for the time; one requires to keep track of the day and date one embarked on the journey.[lineate][/lineate]
VI
Somewhere in Headquarters of LeT
[lineate][/lineate]Terrorist Chief: We need to plan another attack on Mumbai to avenge the hanging of Shaheed Ajmal Kasab[lineate][/lineate]Loyal Terrorist I: Inshallah, we need to do that; they cannot hang our young, innocent lads like Ajmal bhai.[lineate][/lineate]Loyal Terrorist II: But, we need to wait until the rains are over. During the rains we just can’t even reach our targets.[lineate][/lineate]Terrorist Chief: Trust the Indians for having come up with the ultimate defence against our brave Jehaadis.”
I can go on and on. But, the fact is that we shall soon come to a situation when Mumbaiites will stop going from anywhere to anywhere for fear of ageing on the roads during the rains.
[lineate][/lineate]Over there, in that dark corner[lineate][/lineate]Is the old relic of a radio set[lineate][/lineate]It screeches and whines, if you turn it on[lineate][/lineate]No music comes out of it now[lineate][/lineate]At one time, not long ago[lineate][/lineate]I used to hear my favourite Hindi songs on it[lineate][/lineate]And then, it broke.[lineate][/lineate]But, still, I had music[lineate][/lineate]On my cell and lips[lineate][/lineate]And I miss the radio[lineate][/lineate]Only in nostalgia[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Here on the wall[lineate][/lineate]Is my favourite clock[lineate][/lineate]Whereat I used to see the time[lineate][/lineate]To see you and be with you[lineate][/lineate]At one time, not long ago[lineate][/lineate]I used to love its tick-tock[lineate][/lineate]Counting minutes for the tryst[lineate][/lineate]And then it broke[lineate][/lineate]But, still, I have time[lineate][/lineate]On my cell and mind[lineate][/lineate]Though I scarcely need to know it now[lineate][/lineate]And I miss the clock[lineate][/lineate]Only in nostalgia[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Over there, on the table[lineate][/lineate]Is the old wine-glass[lineate][/lineate]We used to drink from it together[lineate][/lineate]Sipping from the same stemmed glass[lineate][/lineate]As if it was a magic bowl[lineate][/lineate]That held us together[lineate][/lineate]In love, in warmth, in joys[lineate][/lineate]And then it broke[lineate][/lineate]But, still, I have another[lineate][/lineate]To drink and sip from[lineate][/lineate]And I miss the old glass[lineate][/lineate]Only in nostalgia[lineate][/lineate]
(Pic courtesy: thestrategyexchange.co.uk)
[lineate][/lineate]Deep inside my body[lineate][/lineate]Is my old bleeding heart[lineate][/lineate]It is dead and useless now[lineate][/lineate]It doesn’t feel anymore[lineate][/lineate]At one time, not long ago[lineate][/lineate]It was on a high[lineate][/lineate]Singing and flying[lineate][/lineate]But then, it broke[lineate][/lineate]And I don’t have another[lineate][/lineate]To beat, to feel, to live[lineate][/lineate]I miss my heart[lineate][/lineate]I wish it’d come alive again.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]I shouldn’t have ever loved even though,[lineate][/lineate]I saw you in everything beautiful and so,[lineate][/lineate]I saw you in the flowers, birds and brooks,[lineate][/lineate]In nests, crannies, niches and nooks[lineate][/lineate]I saw you in the changing shades of twilight[lineate][/lineate]And in the whispering silence of moonlit night[lineate][/lineate]I should never have loved.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]I am a man and it is more than well known,[lineate][/lineate]A man can never cry, sob or bemoan[lineate][/lineate]A woman has express right to feign heartbreak[lineate][/lineate]Even though he often suffers for hers sake[lineate][/lineate]So, you could deceive, cheat and spend your hours[lineate][/lineate]in drenching me in your abusive showers[lineate][/lineate]I should never have loved.[lineate][/lineate]
(Pic courtesy: fineartamerica.com)
[lineate][/lineate]I wish, in my next life, I will be a woman born,[lineate][/lineate]And subject men around me to equal scorn[lineate][/lineate]And tell the story of what you did and do,[lineate][/lineate]And jeer, “No man, to a woman, can be true”[lineate][/lineate]Whilst giving him a life of perpetual agony[lineate][/lineate]And rejoice in this sweet irony[lineate][/lineate]I should never have loved.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Else, I would hope to get to that elusive verge[lineate][/lineate]Where heavens and earth finally merge[lineate][/lineate]And tell my story to the angels above[lineate][/lineate]Those poor men who once were abused in love[lineate][/lineate]By heartless women who accused and abused[lineate][/lineate]The trust that were held in often misused[lineate][/lineate]I should never have loved[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]I shouldn’t ever have loved being a man[lineate][/lineate]In a world where he can’t do what a woman can[lineate][/lineate]Through tears to tell all those around[lineate][/lineate]That a man is a wolf, a bull, a hound[lineate][/lineate]For every wrong he is often blamed[lineate][/lineate]Whilst it might just be opposite of what she claimed[lineate][/lineate]I should never have loved.[lineate][/lineate]
A few years back, in order to prop us up as a bulwark against China, the US, supported by the Western media, started a relentless campaign to obliquely praise India for its “spectacular GDP growth”. This suited our politicians and bureaucrats since all this while they had to face the wrath of the people for let alone their aspirations, but, even the barest minimum necessities of life not having been met. Soon the think-tanks in India and the intelligentsia took up the anthem of ‘the growth story of India’ and Indian self-serving analysts started working out the exact dates by which we would overtake the economies of Japan, China and finally the US. The feel-good factor made many people happy and excited.
What went wrong? Firstly, we forgot that all indices, particularly the Human Development Index, put us at the bottom of the heap, tucked roughly between Belize and Uganda. We forgot that GDP growth largely reflected how well are the richest of the rich amassing wealth in India.
Secondly, together with Europe, the US economy had slowed down to near recession and in comparison, isolated (and bolstered too) as we were with our ‘self-sufficiency’ of domestic demand, we seemed to have been unaffected by the global economic slow-down. Since this economic complacency was not based on any robust fundamentals, it was soon to take a hit; which it has done now that the US economy is recovering. The dollar is already at an exchange rate of more than 62 rupees. How low is the value of the Indian currency can be made out by this curious observation that the politicians have stopped accepting Indian currency in bribes and now accept only gold. As a result of this artificially raised demand the gold-prices have experienced a sudden spurt.
Indeed, even abroad, the perception about India being touted as an economic giant gave way to India being the most corrupt country in the world. One German business daily which wrote an editorial on India said: “India is becoming a Banana Republic instead of being an economic superpower. To get the cut motion designated out, assurances are made to political allays. Special treatment is promised at the expense of the people. So, Ms Mayawati who is Chief Minister of the most densely inhabited state, is calmed when an intelligence agency probe is scrapped. The multi-million dollars fodder scam by another former chief minister wielding enormous power is put in cold storage. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chairs over this kind of unparalleled loot.”
This newspaper editorial is a bit dated and we have since had many cusecs of water having gone down our polluted and corrupt, but still sacred river of Ganga. Economically, nothing describes our state of affairs better than our perpetually pot-holed roads. Enormous moneys go into maintaining these. And yet, with the first sign of rains, life becomes hell for all commuters. A routine trip to the office that used to take only twenty minutes, then starts taking ninety or more accompanied by the mood of the computer having been marred for the whole day having to battle against the pot holes and fellow traffickers. But, curiously, those who reach the other end silently pat themselves on the back for having reached safely whilst fellow commuters are still stuck on the road. This is, hence, representative of some of our Indians complacency in the face of the disaster that stares us in the face.
The dismal economic scenario, accompanied by rampant corruption and lack of even basic infrastructure, have come about when the shadow Prime Minister, who is strong in economics, is repeatedly asked to indulge in politics, wherein he is a weakling. Isn’t it a shame that the only time he showed he had a spine was when, on behest of the US, he took a firm stand that nuclear power is what the nation needs most at this juncture and would automatically solve all our other problems?
Since the ruling Congress front has failed miserably, one would start hopefully assuming that the main opposition – BJP front – would come up with an alternate plan or strategy to buck up economy, provide basic amenities and infrastructure, and control corruption. Nay, on the other hand, BJP has come up with their oft-repeated clincher of Ram Mandir. Do you think they have gone bonkers? No, I think that they have done their mathematics well (I have shown this maths at a post ‘How Proud Should We Be Of Indian Republic At 62?’ in this blog). They know that less than one per-cent swing in the votes is all that is required to be winners and make a government. For obtaining this one per-cent swing they can either take the ‘risky‘ way of being idealists and mean well for the Indian society or obtain it ‘safely’ by polarising the Indian society. They would, therefore, invariably tilt towards such polarisation; knowing very well that Congress too is only pseudo-secularist and panders to the vote bank of the Muslims in a huge way.
(Pic courtesy: indiawires.com)
With this, the voter is stuck between the devil and the deep-sea; and, the chances of Indian conditions improving are just a pipe-dream. It saddens me to know that this hopeless state of affairs has come about at a time when we should have done the best. It is because the country’s demographic profile suits high-growth. We are a young country with average age of an Indian being only 29 years. This youth could have been employed in rebuilding a nation. Gradually, our population will start ageing like those of European countries and Japan and then favourable conditions for growth would become even more scarce.
What should we do in this scenario? We don’t have the wherewithal and nor is it necessary to jump into the dirty world of elections by fielding candidates. I think the solution lies in this adage: ‘In democracy you don’t just elect a government, you get the one that you deserve’. We can have a voice through social media including blogs, Facebook and Twitter to let the candidates know that we can’t be fooled by promises of Ram Mandir or doles under Food Security Bill. Lets raise our voices so that it becomes mandatory for the candidates to shun corruption, crime, parochialism and come up with realistic and pragmatic plans for the betterment of our people and nation.
For this it is necessary that we choose the right candidates not emotionally but objectively; not merely by his/her party affiliations but by his/her own attributes and potential.
Lets spread the word around that next elections are the last ones before people become so frustrated and alienated from their elected representatives that they are forced to choose the path of revolution.
[lineate][/lineate]A ten minute ride now takes hours,[lineate][/lineate]Thanks to Mumbai’s perpetual pot holes,[lineate][/lineate]All that happens is a few showers,[lineate][/lineate]
That make us scream: “Please Save Our Souls”.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Save Our Souls from the pools of corruption,[lineate][/lineate]That surround Mumbai’s make-over schemes,[lineate][/lineate]Everywhere it results in wasteful disruption,[lineate][/lineate]Throwing water over our hopes and dreams.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]The same contractors who do shoddy work,[lineate][/lineate]Are the preferred bidders of the big-wigs,[lineate][/lineate]The taste of money gives them a smirk,[lineate][/lineate]As they move on the roads, their junky rigs.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Cordoning off roads for some future repairs,[lineate][/lineate]Is for them most of the work done,[lineate][/lineate]People suffer and are in tears and despair,[lineate][/lineate]But these leeches have their bloody fun.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]The courts then come in and order a count,[lineate][/lineate]Of thousands of pot holes big and small,[lineate][/lineate]Controversies then begin to mount,[lineate][/lineate]That less than four feet is no hole at all![lineate][/lineate]
(Pic courtesy: meri-awaaz-suno@blogspot.in)
[lineate][/lineate]Lives are lost, people and vehicles are injured,[lineate][/lineate]But nothing moves these thick skinned thieves,[lineate][/lineate]They witness the effect of what they conjured,[lineate][/lineate]Public money passing through their corrupt sieves.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Life goes on with not a change in sight,[lineate][/lineate]Across Mumbai’s dismal road-show,[lineate][/lineate]We nurture a hope that the future is bright,[lineate][/lineate]We shall soon reach where we want to go.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Alas, our Netas and Babus know for sure,[lineate][/lineate]That people tolerance levels are high,[lineate][/lineate]Next Monsoons the same fate they can endure,[lineate][/lineate]Though this Monsoon may make them cry.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]The financial capital of our nation,[lineate][/lineate]Is reflective of the state we are in,[lineate][/lineate]High hopes but lack of determination,[lineate][/lineate]Makes us, of our future, unfairly sanguine.[lineate][/lineate]
(On the suggestion that woman should approach man bare and also help to disrobe him)
You can take each piece of clothing, And on the floor coyly drop. Does it fill men with loathing, To permit women on top?
To answer I must go back to stone age, When women used to be dragged by the hair, Later it filled them with just rage, And they screamed: “It’s not fair.”
As hunter and bread winner, the poor man, Battled and fought and loved the chase; He got used to it as anyone can, And now we call his pursuit a craze!
Women, yes, do venture into men’s world, And do everything he used to do, But don’t approach him naked as a bird, Let him at least disrobe you.
Pic courtesy: ‘Disrobed’ by Neil Young
I know, left to yourself, in the same vein, You’d soon want to become from heroine to hero, I don’t know what you will eventually gain, By making yesterday’s hunter today’s zero.
Despite all the differences that are there, It is fun to be woman and man, So on your own don’t try to be bare, Just because you know you can.
[lineate][/lineate]She held it in her hand[lineate][/lineate]Pulled out the pin with her teeth[lineate][/lineate]And hurled it where I stood[lineate][/lineate]And suddenly it exploded[lineate][/lineate]All around me.[lineate][/lineate]Everything was torn to shreds:[lineate][/lineate]Ego, pride, shame, pretence[lineate][/lineate]All lay in tatters, blown to bits[lineate][/lineate]And I lay there zapped[lineate][/lineate]Stunned but alive[lineate][/lineate]Blinded and deaf[lineate][/lineate]To anything but Love[lineate][/lineate]She saw me[lineate][/lineate]Saw my condition[lineate][/lineate]And rested her hand[lineate][/lineate]That was ready to pull[lineate][/lineate]Another pin[lineate][/lineate]From another Love Grenade[lineate][/lineate]Total triumph from her side[lineate][/lineate]Complete surrender from mine.[lineate][/lineate]
Suddenly, the age old adage has come alive for the airlines: ‘Travel light, if you must’; not the lean-and-hungry look but the lean-and-mean look. Heavy weights may be alright in politics; they may be of immense value in industry and bureaucracy. But, they are a big No No for the airlines. Reminds you of the Blue Jeans revolution of the sixties and seventies. Until then, the clothes were tailor-made for you. But, with the advent of Blue Jeans it was one-size-fits-all and you had to re-shape yourself to fit into those jeans. They came up with ‘ideal figure’ (Twiggy) and you had no choice but to be ideal.
Similarly, GoAir, for example, has given NoGoAir sign to its male stewards since they are generally heavier than their female counterparts. If it was the other way round, by this time Jantar Mantar would have been full of women activists telling the whole world through their middle fingers that the government must take charge of GoAir for showing sexual discrimination. But, men are supposed to take it lying down. Preity Zinta, the promoter of GoAir, for example, first made inroads into the till then men’s world of cricket and is now chucking out men from a traditionally female world.
However, the way the airlines are at it, sky is the limit for traveling light. Anything and everything is chargeable. Very soon we may have little children serving us in the flight in their cute infantile babble, “Uncle, hele iz yore maltini; and aunty, you will like some chicken na?” After all, they weigh the least and the airlines may be able to save a few more crores of rupees by employing them.
Another bright idea that will occur to the airlines is to come up with a dress code for travel. No suits, shoes and ties…in any case you have to remove your jacket, belt and shoes at the Security. So, why wear them at all? The airlines will tout this as a ‘customer friendly’ idea as it results in ‘hassle-free security check’. The airlines tend to gain a few crores per year and it appears that every rupee counts.
I suspect that the airlines will soon come up with another ‘customer friendly’ idea – after all, the customer is the king (Ha ha) as proclaimed by them – which is, to have you visit the gym between check-in and security check. The programme will make you lose a few kilos and the airlines can then squeeze in a few more passengers between the last row and the toilets.
Frequent flyers programme will have additional points for those less than fifty kgs and carrying less than ten kgs of check-in baggage and/or nil cabin baggage.
The very first announcement after you board will be, “Ladies and gentlemen, in order to cut down on unnecessary weighty items in the aircraft, we have done away with in-flight magazines, newspapers and instructions cards for wearing the life jackets. You have ten minutes to download these on your mobile phones by accessing www.GoAir.Wecareforguests site. You may not be able to use your mobiles during the flight as these interfere with the navigation systems.”
What about those who used to carry various kinds of foot-wear: Jogging shoes, sandals, brown shoes to go with brown clothing, black with black, and just one extra pair just in case required. Well, research is on to come up with new modular footwear that can change over from chappals to party-wear by pressing a few light-weight buttons.
Another idea that the airlines are working on is to give all passengers, male or female, close hair-cuts (appropriately called crew-cuts) prior to take-off. This too will be a customer friendly (airlines are committed to be customer-friendly all the way) idea since the airlines will offer to share half the cost of haircut with you at merely Rupees Five Hundred a hair-cut (Frequent Light-weight Flyers will be given such crew-cuts free).
And finally back to the male stewards of flights who have been told it is NoGoAir for them; they might actually have the last laugh when the air-hostesses are told – in the same fashion as instructions from Badminton Association of India last year to female players – to wear as little clothing as possible. At last the male passengers will then say, “Finally, you have come up with a real customer-friendly idea.”
Trying a ‘Fast Poem’ on cellphone, similar to ‘Fast Food’.
Here goes:
[lineate][/lineate]Purple hair,[lineate][/lineate]Green nails,[lineate][/lineate]Orange eyes,[lineate][/lineate]Indigo brows,[lineate][/lineate]Red hot cerebral cells?[lineate][/lineate]Lemon coloured blood?[lineate][/lineate]Ultra modern world.[lineate][/lineate]
Pic courtesy: listofimages.con
[lineate][/lineate]And yet,[lineate][/lineate]The look in your eyes[lineate][/lineate]Gave you away,[lineate][/lineate]As it did in the life before[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]And before[lineate][/lineate]And ages before.[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Juliet? Meera? Sohni?[lineate][/lineate]The colour of love,[lineate][/lineate]Engulfing my world[lineate][/lineate]With richness beyond words[lineate][/lineate]Beyond hues[lineate][/lineate]Beyond feelings[lineate][/lineate]Beyond thoughts[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]In every life[lineate][/lineate]I came[lineate][/lineate]I saw[lineate][/lineate]I was conquered.[lineate][/lineate]I loved[lineate][/lineate]I loved[lineate][/lineate]I love..[lineate][/lineate]Try, if you please[lineate][/lineate]A different camouflage in the next life.[lineate][/lineate]
Lets start our journey through the Final Part, the Part III.
We had completed Day – 7 of the 15 days tribute in Part II.
Day – 8
Lets begin tonight with the 1955 movie Udan Khatola starring Dilip Kumar and Nimmi. An uran khatola is a fictional flying vehicle in the traditional folktales of North India and Pakistan. The term literally means ‘flying bedstead’ or ‘flying cot’ but in folklore the term is used more expansively to cover any flying vehicle.
It was also synonym with Flight of Fancy and hence the song penned by Shakeel was so appropriate: O door ke musafir, hum ko bhi saath le le, hum reh gaye akele. There are no surprises: Naushad composed the music and Mohammad Rafi sang the song.
Enjoy: O door ke musafir hamko bhi saath le le…
chale aaj tum jahaa.N se, huii zi.ndagii paraayii
tumhe.n mil gayaa Thikaanaa, hame.n maut bhii na aayii
o duur ke musaafir ham ko bhii saath le le re
ham ko bhii saath le le
ham rah gaye akele
tuune vo de diyaa Gam, bemaut mar gaye ham
dil uTh gayaa jahaa.N se, le chal hame.n yahaa.N se
le chal hame.n yahaa.N se
kis kaam kii ye duniyaa jo zi.ndagii se khele re
ham ko bhii saath le le, ham rah gaye akele
suunii hai.n dil kii raahe.n, khaamosh hai.n nigaahe.n
naakaam hasarato.n kaa uThane ko hai janaazaa
uThane ko hai janaazaa
chaaro.n taraf lage hai.n barabaadiyo.n ke mele re
ham ko bhii saath le le, ham rah gaye akele
o duur ke musaafir ham ko bhii saath le le re
ham ko bhii saath le le
ham rah gaye akele
https://youtube.com/watch?v=pD7HziV7204%3F
Udan Khatola has this number where Shakeel expressed the dark side of Mohabbat.
The number is: Mohabbat ki raahon pe chalna sambhal ke, Yahan jo bhi aaya gaya haath mal ke…
muhabbat kii raaho.n me.n
chalanaa sambhal ke
yahaa.N jo bhii aayaa
gayaa haath mal ke
na paaii kisii ne muhabbat kii ma.nzil
qadam Dagamagaae, zaraa duur chal ke
hame.n Dhuu.NDhatii hai, bahaaro.n kii duniyaa
kahaa.N aa gae ham, chaman se nikal ke
kahii.n Duub jaae na, hasarat bharaa dil
na yuu.N tiir fe.nko, nishaanaa badal ke
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2bUviGAnI9s%3F
Lets now turn to the 1967 movie Ram Aur Shyam. This too had music by Naushad and lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni. The movie starred Dilip Kumar, Pran, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Nirupa Roy.
The theme owes its origins to Alexandre Dumas’s story The Corsican Brothers: twins separated at birth who grow up with very different temperaments and then exchange places, leading to the villain being taught a lesson. Like The Corsican Brothers, which has been adapted into several feature films, Ram Aur Shyam has inspired remakes in Hindi movies too, with Seeta Aur Geeta (featuring female twins, played by Hema Malini) in 1972; Chaalbaaz (starring Sridevi) in 1989; and Kishen Kanhaiya (starring Anil Kapoor) in 1990.
This one was a super hit song from the movie:
Enjoy: Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami le le…
THIS TOO IS A PIANO NUMBER
ye raat jaise dulhan ban gaI hai chiraago.n se
karu.ngaa ujaalaa mai.n dil ke daaGo.n se
aaj kii raat mere, dil kii salaamii le le
dil kii salaamii le le
kal terii bazm se diivaanaa chalaa jaaegaa
shammaa rahe jaaegii paravaanaa chalaa jaaegaa
terii mahafil tere jalave ho.n mubaarak tujhako
terii ulfat se nahii.n aaj bhii inakaar mujhe
teraa may-khaanaa salaamat rahe ai jaan-e-vafaa
muskuraakar tuu zaraa dekh le ik baar mujhe
phir tere pyaar kaa mastaanaa chalaa jaaegaa
maine chaahaa ki bataa duu.N mai.n haqiiqat apanii
tuune lekin na meraa raaz-e-muhabbat samajhaa
merii ulajhan mere haalaat yahaa.N tak pahu.nche
terii aa.Nkho.n ne mere pyaar ko nafarat samajhaa
ab terii raah se begaanaa chalaa jaaegaa
tuu meraa saath na de raah-e-muhabbat me.n sanam
chalate-chalate mai.n kisii raah pe mu.D jaauu.ngaa
kahakashaa.n chaa.nd sitaare tere chuume.nge qadam
tere raste kii mai.n ek dhuul huu.N u.D jaauu.ngaa
saath mere meraa afasaanaa chalaa jaaegaa
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PrjHjEFwz5g%3F
Shakeel Badayuni was to Dilip Kumar what Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra were to Raj Kapoor. This lovely number from the 1968 movie Sanghursh shows Dilip Kumar at his dancing best. And why not, when he sings:
Mere pairon mein ghunghru pehna de to phir meri chaal dekh le…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=HCYCIVXCz10%3F
Before we take on our usual ghazal ending, lets take this absolutely enchanting song from Ganga Jamuna starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala. Lata Mangeshkar sang it on Naushad’s music.
Enjoy: Dagabaaz tori batiya na maanu re…
Naa maanuu.N naa maanuu.N naa maanuu.N re
dagaabaaj torii batiyaa.N naa maanuu.N re
piyaa man me.n tore kaa hai mai.n naa jaanuu.N re
dagaabaaj torii batiyaa.N …
saa.Njh kahe tose ( chundarii ma.nga_ibe ) -2
chundarii ma.nga_ibe tose chundarii ma.nga_ibe
bhor bha_e to bisar ga_ii batiyaa.N -2
naa maanuu.N re
dagaabaaj torii batiyaa.N …
hamarii garaj pe ( mukh se naa bole ) -2
mukh se naa bole sai.nyaa mukh se naa bole
apanii garaj pe milaay le akhiyaa.N
naa maanuu.N re
dagaabaaj torii batiyaa.N …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KtlMv1j5Evw%3F
And finally the promised ghazal:
Duur hai manzil raahe.n mushkil aalam hai tanahaa_ii kaa aaj mujhe ehasaas huaa hai apani shikastaapaa_ii kaa
[shikastaah_paaii=infirmity of the feet]
dekh ke mujh ko duniyaaa vaale kahane lage hai.n diivaanaa
aaj vahaa.N hai ishq jahaa.N kuchh Khauf nahii.n rusavaa_ii kaa
chho.D de.n rasm-e-Khud_nigarii ko to.D de.n apanaa iimaa.N
Khatm kiye detaa hai zaalim ruup terii a.nga.Daa_ii kaa
Note: Peenaz Masani sinsg this as:
chho.D de rasm-e-Khud_nigarii ko chho.D de apanaa haath yahaa.N
Khaak kiye detaa hai zaalim ruup terii a.nga.Daa_ii kaa
mai.n ne ziyaa husn ko baKhshii us kaa to ko_ii zikr nahii.n
lekin ghar ghar me.n charchaa hai aaj terii raanaa_ii kaa
ahal-e-havas ab ghabaraate hai.n Duub ke behar-e-Gam me.n “Shakeel”
pahale na thaa bechaaro.n ko a.ndaazaa geharaa_ii kaa
[havas=desire; behar=sea, gulf, bay]
Enjoy Begum Akhtar sing this famous ghazal:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PHwT0PF2c2E%3F
Day – 9
There are instances in one’s life when one wants to sing Shakeel’s verses written for Ananrkali in the 1960 movie Mughal-e-Azam: Hamen kaash tumase mohabbat na hoti! The fact is that Dil is not under the control of the Dimaag and mohabbat ho hi jaati hai. Once again, Naushad is the music director and the singer is Lata Mangeshkar.
Enjoy: hame.n kaash tum se muhabbat na hotii
kahaanii hamaarii haqiikat na hotii
na dil tum ko dete na majabuur hote
na duniyaa na duniyaa ke dastuur hote
qayaamat se pahale qayaamat na hotii
hamii.n ba.Dh gaye ishq me.n had se aage
zamaane ne Thokar lagaayii to jaage
agar mar bhii jaate to hairat na hotii
tumhii.n phuu.Nk dete nasheman hamaaraa
muhabbat pe ahasaan hotaa tumhaaraa
zamaane se koi shikaayat na hotii
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8-Hu4tr8Mv8%3F
This is from the 1954 movie Amar on similar theme as the Mughal-e-Azam song. Shakeel, Naushad, Lata made this too.
.Enjoy: (na shikawaa hai koii na koii gilaa hai)-3
salaamat rahe tuu ye merii duaa hai
na shikawaa hai koii
(bahut hii kaThin hai.n mohabbat kii raahe.n)-2
zaraa bach ke chalanaa zamaanaa buraa hai
na shikawaa hai koii
(ajab terii mahafil me.n dekhaa tamaashaa
kahii.n raushanii hai kahii.n hai a.Ndheraa)-2
kahii.n hai a.Ndheraa
(muqaddar chiraaGo.n ke badale hue hai.n)-2
koii bujha rahaa hai koii jal rahaa hai
na shikawaa hai koii
(mubaarak tujhe ho tere dil kii duniyaa
merii zi.ndagii kaa koii Gam na karanaa)-2
koii Gam na karanaa
(ye sab gardishe.n hai.n nasiibo.n kii pyaare)-2
na merii Kataa hai na terii Kataa hai
na shikawaa hai koii
https://youtube.com/watch?v=U40XA559-UY%3F
This is a beautiful Talat Mehmood number sung by him on his own acting in the 1953 movie Dil-e-Nadaan. Shakeel’s lyrics were adorned by Ghulam Mohammed’s music.
Enjoy: Jo khushi se chot khaaye vo jigar kahan se laayun?
terI khAtir sitam dil pe gavaaraa kar liyaa mai.nne
kahaa kisane muhabbat se kinaaraa kar liyaa mai.nne
jo khushI se choT khaaye,
vo jigar kahaa.N se laauu.n – 2
kisii aur ko jo dekhe,
vo najar kahaa.N se laauu.n – 2
jo khushI se choT khaaye
mujhe terI aarazuu hai,
mere dil me.n tuu hii tuu hai – 2
base gair jisame.n aa kar,
mai.n vo ghar kahaa.N se laauu.n – 2
jo khushI se choT khaaye
terI berukhii pe sadake,
terI har adaa pe kurbaa.n – 2
kare aur ko jo sajade,
mai.n vo sar kahaa.N se laauu.n – 2
jo khushI se choT khaaye
vo jigar kahaa.N se laauu.n – 2
jo khushI se choT khaaye
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CDG0C9HiZJg%3F
Shakeel Badayuni, Ravi and Mohammad Rafi have put together this sad number for the 1964 movie Door Ki Awaaz.
Enjoy: Kya younhi rooth ke jaane ko mohabbat ki thi Zindagi meri mitaane ko mohabbat ki this?
banaa ke meraa muqaddar bigaa.Dane vaale
javaab de o meraa ghar ujaa.Dane vaale
kyaa yuu.N hii ruuTh ke jaane ko mohabbat kii thii -2
zindagii merii miTaane ko mohabbat kii thii
kyaa yuu.N hii …
aa.Nkh me.n aa.Nsuu lab pe kahaanii terii
mujhako ta.Dapaatii hai din-raat nishaanii terii
kyaa mujhe tuune rulaane ko mohabbat kii thii
kyaa yuu.N hii …
o mujhe bhuulane vaale tuu kahaa.N hai aajaa
kyaa hu_ii mujhase Kataa ye to zaraa batalaa jaa
yaa ye kah de ke dikhaane ko mohabbat kii thii
kyaa yuu.N hii …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q6p-ylR6v_k%3F
Day – 10
I started telling you about ‘the beauty of the Lyrics of Shakeel Badayuni’ ten days back and by this time you must know as to why I have been so fond of his songs, nazms, ghazals etc. Lets begin Day 10 with a ghazal that is so full of meaning:
Various singers have sung this beautiful ghazal such as Begum Akhtar and Ustad Raza Ali Khan. I have, however, chosen Farida Khanum singing it live. Remember her? Her famous ghazal: Aaj jaane ki zid naa karo, younhi pehlu mein baithe raho? Of course you remember; how can anyone forget?
Enjoy:
Mere Ham-Nafas, Mere Ham-Navaa, Mujhe Dost Banake Dagaa Na De Main Hun Dard-E-Ishq Se Jaanvalab, Mujhe Zindagi Ki Duaa Na De
[Jaanvalab=death, Dead]
Mere Daag-E-Dil Se Hai Raushani, Usi Raushani Se Hai Zindagi
Mujhe Dar Hai Aye Mere Chaaraagar, Ye Charaag Tu Hi Bujhaa Na De
[Chaaraagar=physician]
Mujhe Chhod De Mere Haal Par, Teraa Kyaa Bharosaa Hai Chaaraagar
Ye Teri Nawaazish-E-Mukhtasar, Meraa Dard Aur Badaa Na De
[Mukhtasar=brief]
Meraa Azm Itanaa Baland Hai Ke Paraaye Sholon Kaa Dar Nahin
Mujhe Khauf Aatish-E-Gul Se Hai, Ye Kahin Chaman Ko Jalaa Na De
[Sholon=balls Of Fire; Aatish=fire]
Wo Uthe Hain Leke Hom-O-Subu, Arey O ‘Shakeel’ Kahaan Hai Tu
Teraa Jaam Lene Ko Bazm Mein Koi Aur Haath Badaa Na De
[Hom=burnt Offering; Subu=wine Cup]
https://youtube.com/watch?v=JGpOe3Rn_Kc%3F
How I have dedicated the start of Day 10 to a deceiving friend! The first song is also so dedicated to the same person. It is from the 1952 movie Aan starring Dilip Kumar and Nimmi. Music is by Naushad and the song is a duet between Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.
Enjoy: Tujhe kho diya hamane paane ke baad…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lGq7Fh21FvE%3F
Shakeel, Naushad, Rafi again on the same theme but for the 1951 movie Deedar starring Dilip Kumar Nimmi, Nargis and Ashok Kumar. This was amongst the rare movies in which the career of Mohammad Rafi coincided with that of his idol GM Durani. The movie had some lovely numbers such as:
1. Bachpan Ke Din Bhoola Na Dena – Male Mohammad Rafi
2. Hue Hum Jinke Liye Barbad – I Mohammad Rafi
3. Hue Hum Jinke Liye Barbad – II Mohammad Rafi
4. Naseeb Dar Pe Tera Aazmane Aya Hon Mohammad Rafi
5. Meri Kahani Bhoolne Wale Mohammad Rafi
6. Dekh Liya Maine Kismat Ka Tamasha Mohammad Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar
7. Tu Kon Hai Mera Kehde Balam Lata Mangeshkar
8. Le Ja Meri Duayeein Le Ja Lata Mangeshkar
9. Duniya Ne Teri Duniyawale Lata Mangeshkar
10. Bachpan Ke Din Bhoolana Dena – Female Shamshad Begum & Lata Mangeshkar
11. Chaman Mein Rakhe Verana Shamshad Begum
12.Nazar Na Phero Humse Shamshad Begum & GM Durani
What a veritable treat! On an everyday basis I am literally finding dozens of songs by Shakeel Badayuni penned so beautifully that one marvels at his ability to write. Lets just take one: Huye ham jinake liye barbaad. Even before you see and hear, just read and digest the lyrics:
(asire panjae ahade shabab karke mujhe
kaha gaya meraa bachpan, kharab kaa key mujhe
ha ha ha ha aa…..)
huye ham jhinke liye barbad, woh hamko chahe kare naa yad
jivan bhar, jivan bhar unkee yad me, (ham gaye jayenge -2)
ek jamana tha woh pal bhar (hamse rahe naa dur -2)
ek jamana hai key huye hai (milane se majbur -2)
rahe woh dil kaa nagar aabad, basee hai jis me kisee kee yad
ham dil ko -2 unkee yad se, bahelaye jayenge gaye jayenge
me hu aisa dipak jis me (naa batee naa tel -2)
bachpan bita, banee muhobbat (char dino kaa khel -2)
woh gham se lakh rahe aajhad, sune naa dard bharee fariyad
afsana -2 unke pyar kaa ham gaye jayenge, gaye jayenge
huye ham jhin key liye barbad………
SHAKEEL BADAYUNI I SALUTE YOU!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=N7dWUwyffxE%3F
One can spend a whole night singing not just Shakeel Badayuni songs but just Deedar songs. Here is another on the same theme:
mere giit sune duniyaa ne magar
meraa dard koI na jaan sakaa
ek teraa sahaaraa thaa dil ko
par tuu bhii na mujhe pahachaan sakaa
bachapan ke vo giit puraane aaj tujhe na yaad rahe
merii kahaanii
mai.n apanaa fasaanaa kah na sakaa
mere dil kii tamannaa dil me.n rahii
lo aaj kinaare par aake
aramaano.n kii kashtii Duub ga_ii
qismat ko ma.nzuur yahii thaa lab par mere fariyaad rahe
merii kahaanii
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gkbU2zUmxmk%3F
Before we call it a day, I am going to give you yet another number from Deedar. It is a duet between Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.
Enjoy: Dekh liya maine kismet ka tamaasha dekh liya
ra : dekh liyaa maine
qisamat kaa tamaashaa dekh liyaa
ik aaG bujhii
ik aaG lagii
aa.Nkho.n ne merii kyaa dekh liyaa
la : dekh liyaa maine
saajan teraa vaadaa dekh liyaa
rasate pe huu.N mai.n
ma.nzil pe hai tuu
ye pyaar kaa naataa dekh liyaa
dekh liyaa maine
ra : aayaa mai.n kisii kii mahafil me.n
mahafil me.n
tuufaan liye laakho.n dil me.n
milakar bhii rahaa mai.n mushkil me.n
milane kaa natiijaa dekh liyaa
ik aaG bujhii
ik aaG lagii
aa.Nkho.n ne merii kyaa dekh liyaa
dekh liyaa maine
la : chhupate hii tere o chaa.Nd mere
o chaa.Nd mere
suuraj bhii na nikalaa aa.Ngan me.n
phir Gam kii a.Ndherii raat hu_ii
do din kaa ujaalaa dekh liyaa
rasate pe huu.N mai.n
ma.nzil pe hai tuu
ye pyaar kaa naataa dekh liyaa
dekh liyaa maine
dekh liyaa maine
saajan teraa vaadaa dekh liyaa
ra : dekh liyaa maine
qisamat kaa tamaashaa dekh liyaa
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1W8ZEbF_q3c%3F
I am going to do something rare tonight:
After all these lovely songs, even though I started with a ghazal, I am going to end with another ghazal of Shakeel Badayuni.
Enjoy: Begum Akhtar sing:
Khush huu.N ki meraa husn-e-talab kaam to aayaa Khaalii hii sahii merii taraf jaam to aayaa
[talab=pursuit; jaam=wineglass]
kaafii hai mere dil ki tasallii ko yahii baat
aap aa na sake aap kaa paiGaam to aayaa
apano.n ne nazar pherii to dil ne to diyaa saath
duniyaa me.n koii dost mere kaam to aayaa
wo subah kaa ehasaas ho yaa.N merii kashish ho
Duubaa hua Khurshiid sar-e-baam to aayaa
[kashish=strife; Khurshiid=sun; baam=morning]
log un se ye kahate hai.n ki kitane hai.n “Shakeel” aap
is husn ke sadaqe me.n meraa naam to aayaa
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WKD1yBTuWjs%3F
Day – 11
This is one of the most famous ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni; indeed the first that I heard during my boyhood days. To say that it has been penned beautifully is only saying the obvious. I leave it to you to refresh your memory of this ghazal:
Nazar nawaaz nazaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa wo kyaa gaye ke bahaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
na poochh mujh se tere gham mein kyaa guzarti hai ae
na poochh mujh se tere gham main kyaa gujarti hai ae
yahi kahoongaa hazaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
nazar nawaaz nazaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
kuchh iss qadar hai gham-e-zindagi se dil-e-manoos
kuchh iss qadar hai gham-e-zindagi se dil-e-manoos
fizaan gayi to bahaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
nazar nawaz nazaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
fasaana e shab-e-gham khatm hone waala hai ae
fasaana e shab-e-gham khatm hone walaa hai ae
Shakeel ab chaand sitaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
wo kyaa kahen ke bahaaron mein jee nahin lagtaa aa
This ghazal also owes a lot to the singing of Shanti Hiranand Mansukhani who was born in Lucknow in a business family in 1940. From the childhood, she was drawn towards singing. So her mother admitted her to a music college in Lucknow. However, her father had to shift to Lahore for business purposes. Being the youngest in the family, Shanti Hiranand went with her parents to Lahore in early 40s. Here, she came into contact with a blind woman who was a music teacher. She learnt the nuances of classical singing from her for about 5 years. In 1947, she gave her first singing performance on All India Radio, Lahore. After partition, the family returned to Lucknow where she began learning music from Ustad Aijaz Hussain Khan. She continued to participate in singing and musical dramas on AIR, Lucknow. It was one of AIR Lucknow’s senior staff who introduced her to Begum Akhtar. In 1957, she became the disciple of Begum Akhatar who trained her in thumri, dadra and ghazal singing. After the death of Begum Akhtar in October 1974, Shanti Hiranand propagated her style of singing by giving public concerts both in India and abroad. She was instrumental in bringing out a book ‘The Story of My Ammi Begum Akhtar’. She also acted in Conard Rooks’s ‘Siddhartha’ (1972) donning the role of Shashi Kapoor’s mother.
Enjoy the ghazal of a great poet by a great singer:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WYQRvcaU8FA%3F
And what about the idol of Shanti Heranand Mansukhani: the great Begum Akhtar herself? She was simply called Mallika-e-Ghazal (the Queen of Ghazals). I have already put up her singing of Shakeel’s most famous ghazal ‘Ai mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya’. Here is another Nazar ghazal by her (penned by Shakeel) for the 1948 movie Anokhi Ada on the music of Naushad. The movie starred Naseem Bano, Murad, Cuckoo and Surendra.
Enjoy: Nazar mil gayi jaane kis ki nazar se…
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se – 2
Dha.Dakane lagaa dil mohabbat ke Dar se-2
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se
uThii huu.N ki yuu.N aaj pahaluu me.n jaise
pahaluu me.n jaise – 2
uThii huu.N ki yuu.N aaj pahaluu me.n jaise
ko_ii chiiz Takaraa ga_ii hai jigar se – 2
jaane kis kii nazar se
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se
Dha.Dakane lagaa dil mohabbat ke Dar se
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se
ko_ii jaane vaale kii himmat to dekhe
himmat to dekhe – 2
ko_ii jaane vaale kii himmat to dekhe
mujhii ko churaa le gayaa mere ghar se – 2
jaane kis kii nazar se
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se
Dha.Dakane lagaa dil mohabbat ke Dar se
nazar mil ga_ii jaane kis kii nazar se
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nR56_u1EV6w%3F
Last of Nazar songs/ghazals tonight. This is a duet between Shanti Heranand Mansukhani’s idol Begum Akhtar and Mohammad Rafi’s idol GM Durrani. It is from the 1951 movie Deedar starring Dilp Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Nimmi and Nargis. Last night too I gave two or three songs from the same movie.
Each one of us has a desire, sometimes, to live in another era. How I wish I could live in the era of Shakeel Badayuni. Many a times when someone chooses to compare him with other lyricists and poets, I feel like telling him/her about the pristine beauty of Shakeel’s lyrics. This tribute of mine that has been going on for the last eleven days is as a result of this feeling.
Enjoy: Nazar Phero Na Hamse Ham Hain Tum Par Marne Walon Mein
Nazar Phero Na Hamse
Ham Hain Tum Par
Marne Walon Mein
Hamara Naam Bhi Likh Lo
Mohabbat Karne Walon Mein
Shamshad : Jahan Nazaren Mili
Bole Ke Ham Hain Marne Walon Mein
Banawat Hi Banawat Hai
Mohabbat Karne Walon Mein
Gm: O
Tumhari Shokiyon Ko Dil Mera
Nakam Kar Dega
Aa..N
Suna Kar Pyar Ke Nagmein
Tumhein Badnam Kar Dega
Haan
Aji Ye Dil Nahi Chhip-Chhip Ke
Aahen Bharne Walon Mein
Hamara Naam Bhi Likh Lo
Mohabbat Karne Walon Mein
Shamshad: Wahi Dil Hai Jo Is Duniya Mein
Apna Nam Kar Jaye
Mohabbat Kya Karega Wo
Jo Badnami Se Dar Jaye
Haan
Nahi Ham Aapki In Dhamkiyon Se
Darne Walon Mein
Banawat Hi Banaawat Hai
Mohabbat Karne Walon Mein
https://youtube.com/watch?v=F59isyJfYA4%3F
During the good old days, expressing love wasn’t as easy as it is these days; young boys and girls now announce it on facebook and twitter and put up photos etc.
Here is the old andaaz; though very forward looking during those days! It is from 1963 movie Mere Mehboob. Rafi sings it on Naushad’s music.
Enjoy: Tumase izhaar-e-haal kar baithe Bekhudi mein kamaal kar baithe…
aaj furakat kA khvaab TuuT gayaa
mil gaye tum hijaab TuuT gayaa
tum se izahaar-e-haal kar baiThe
bekhudii me.n kamaal kar baiThe
tum se izahaar-e-haal …
kho gaye husn kI bahaaro.n me.n
kah diyaa raaz-e-dil ishaaro.n me.n
kaam ham bemisaal kar baiThe
bekhudii me.n kamaal kar baiThe
tum se izahaar-e-haal …
kitane majabuur ho gaye dil se
soche samajhe bagair qaatil se
zindagii kA savaal kar baiThe
bekhudii me.n kamaal kar baiThe
tum se izahaar-e-haal …
ye adaae.n ye shokhiyaa.n taubaa
bas khudaa hii khudaa hai us dil kA
jo tumhaaraa khayaal kar baiThe
bekhudii me.n kamaal kar baiThe
tum se izahaar-e-haal …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fmYt9Qa_BA%3F
Day – 12
How I wish Shakeel would have lived longer and I would reach the 100th day still putting up his songs, nazms and ghazals!
Lets start with the usual ghazal and pay attention to the second couplet:
terii mahafil se uThakar ishq ke maaro.n pe kyaa guzarii muKhaalif ik jahaa.N thaa jaane bechaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
sahar ko ruKhsat-e-biimaar-e-furqat dekhane vaalo
kisii ne ye bhii dekhaa raat bhar taaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
sunaa hai zindagii viiraaniyo.n ne luuT lii milakar
na jaane zindagii ke naaz_baradaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
ha.Nsii aa_ii to hai bekaif sii lekin Khudaa jaane
mujhe masaruur paakar mere Gam_Khvaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
asiir-e-Gam to jaa.N dekar rihaa_ii paa gayaa lekin
kisii ko kyaa Khabar zindaa.N kii divaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
Rare picture shows Rafi, Lata, Shakeel and Naushad.
I have already given you a Zindagi number from the 1948 movie Mela starring Dilip Kumar and Nargis. The song is the ultimate lesson of life that life will go on even when we won’t be there…. How about a Mukesh number from the same movie? Surely, this would rank amongst the best of Mukesh’s songs even though Mukesh normally sang the lyrics of Shailendra or Hasrat Jaipuri. Music is by Naushad.
Enjoy: Gaaye jaa geet Milan ke, tu apni lagan ke, Sajan ghar jaana hai…
gaae jaa giit milan ke, tuu apane lagan ke
sajan ghar jaanaa hai
kaahe chhalake naino.n kii gagarii kaahe barase jal
tum bin suunii saajan kii nagarii paradesiyaa ghar chal
pyaase hai.n diip nayan ke, tere darshan ke
sajan ghar…
luT na jaae jiivan kaa Dheraa mujhako hai ye Gam
ham akele, ye jag luTeraa bichha.De.n na milake ham
biga.De nasiib na banake ye din jiivan ke
sajan ghar…
Dole nayanaa priitam ke dvaare milane kii ye dhun
baalam teraa tujhako pukaare yaad aanevaale sun
saathii mile.nge bachapan ke khile.nge phuul man ke
sajan ghar…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYknpzlVlxo
In the various genres of poetry, the one that Shakeel had perfected the best was the Irony. He did it so marvelously that it left you gaping. Take this one from Mughal-e-Azam. The Emperor has granted Anarkali her last wish to spend one night with Prince Salim before she is thrown into the dungeon; she having traded her own life to save his life. Read every word of this qwaali carefully, digest every sentence when you hear it and then compare it with the scene that I have described….and the irony will make you get goose pimples. Only, Shakeel could write as if he himself was present at the scene!
Enjoy: Lata singing on Naushad’s music: Jab raat hai aisi matvaali phir subah ka aalam kyaa hoga…
Jab raat hai aisi matvaali
Phir subah kaa aalam kaya hoga?
ye dil kii lagii kam kyaa hogii
ye ishq bhalaa kam kyaa hogaa
jab raat hai aisI matavaalii – 2
phir subah kA aalam kyaa hogaa – 2
naGamo se barasatii hai mastii
chhalake hai.n khushI ke paimaane – 2
aaj aisI bahaare.n aaii hai.n
kal jinake bane.nge afasaane – 2
ab ise jyaadaa aur hasii.n ye pyaar kA mausam kyaa hogaa – 2
jab raat hai aisI matavaalii
phir subah kA aalam kyaa hogaa – 2
ye aaj kA ra.ng aur ye mahafil
dil bhI hai yahaa.N diladaar bhI hai – 2
aa.Nkho.n me.n kayaamat ke jalave
siine me.n sulagataa pyaar bhI hai – 2
is ra.ng me.n koI jii le agar marane kA use Gam kyaa hogaa – 2
jab raat hai aisI matavaalii
phir subah kA aalam kyaa hogaa – 2
haalat hai ajab dIvaano.n kii
ab khair nahii.n paravaano.n kii – 2
anjaam-e-mohabbat kyaa kahiye
laya ba.Dhane lagI aramaano.n kii – 2
aise me.n jo paayal TuuT gayii phir ai mere hamadam kyaa hogaa – 2
jab raat hai aisI matavaalii – 2
phir subah kA aalam kyaa hogaa – 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vLKhdjXBkg
Finally to end tonight, let me give you a ghazal sung by Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar:
Enjoy: Aankh se aankh milata hai koi, Dil ko kheenche liye jaata hai koi
aa.Nkh se aa.Nkh milaataa hai koii
dil ko khii.nche liye jaataa hai koii
hai ye hairat ki bharii mahafil me.n
mujhako tanhaa nazar aataa hai koii
chaahiye Kud pe yaqiin-e-qaamil
hausalaa kisakaa ba.Dhaataa hai koii
sab karishmaat-e-tasavvur hai shaqiil
van.raa aataa hai na jaataa hai koi
Day – 13
What about magical simplicity? You mean “Jaadu”? Well, that is the name of the 1951 movie for which Shakeel wrote his lyrics. This one is a particularly enchanting number. Lata sings it for Nalini Jayawant singing for Suresh, on Naushad‘s music.
Enjoy: Lo pyaar ki ho gayi jeet, Balam ham tere ho gaye…
lo pyaar kii ho gayii jiit
balam ham tere ho gaye
ham tujh se lagaa kar priit
nayii duniyaa.N me.n kho gaye
naino.n ne tere saajan
man ko lubhaa ke chho.Daa
dil pe kiyaa vo jaaduu
apanaa banaa ke chho.Daa
mere dil me.n khushii kaa ra.ng
ho.nTho.n pe khushii ke giit
lo pyaar kii ho gayii jiit …
aramaan bhare do dil hai.n
duniyaa.N pe hai javaanii
terii qasam o saajan
rut hai ba.Dii suhaanii
o~
rahe.n mil ke sadaa ham tum
yuu.Nhii jaaye umariyaa biit
lo pyaar kii ho gayii jiit …
How about starting tonight with a duet, for a change? It is sung by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. The film is the 1963 movie Gehra Dagh. Ravi composed the music on Shakeel’s lyrics….
Enjoy: Tumhen paa ke hamne jahan paa liya hai,
Zameen to zameen aasman pa liya hai….
aa : tumhe.n paa ke hamane jahaa.N paa liyaa hai -2
zamii.n to zamii.n aasamaa.N paa liyaa hai
ra : tumhe.n paa ke …
aa : miTaa na sakegii jise ab Kizaa.N bhii
jalaa na sake.ngii ab bijaliyaa.N bhii
mohabbat kaa vo aashiyaa.N paa liyaa hai
tumhe.n paa ke …
ra : zamaane ke Gam pyaar me.n Dhal ga_e hai.n -2
ummiido.n ke laakho.n di_e jal ga_e hai.n -2
ke jabase tumhe.n meharabaa.N paa liyaa hai
tumhe.n paa ke …
aa : jahaa.N se mohabbat kii raahe.n milii hai.n
ra : vahii.n se merii gardishe.n tham ga_ii hai.n
do : na bichha.De.nge ham kaaravaa.N paa liyaa hai
tumhe.n paa ke …
Day – 14
Only a week left for the Death Anniversary of the great poet and lyricist who wrote from the heart…. The 1966 movie Do Badan, a Raj Khosla directed movie was another one that had the combination of Shakeel Badayuni and Ravi for its songs. The movie not only had some excellent songs but some of the saddest songs; which, as mentioned by the poet Shelley, are amongst our sweetest.
Jab Chali Thandi Hawa Asha Bhosle
Bhari Duniya Mein Akhir Dil Mohammad Rafi
Raha Gardishun Main Har Dum Mohammad Rafi
Naseeb Mein Jisko Jo Mohammad Rafi
Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad Lata Mangeshkar
Mat Jayio Naukariya Chor Ke Asha Bhosle
Raha Gardishun Mein (Reprise) Mohammad Rafi
Lo Aa Gayi unki Yaad (Reprise) Lata Mangeshkar
To understand the beauty of these songs, one has to know the story: Vikas (Manoj Kumar) comes from a poor family, and is attending college so that he can complete his studies, get a job, and look after himself and his dad. He meets with wealthy Asha (Asha Parekh) at this college, and after a few misunderstandings, both fall in love. Vikas’ dad passes away during the exams. Because Vikas leaves to attend the funeral, he is unable to complete his studies. Asha feels sorry for him and arranges to get him employed with her dad, without telling Vikas about it. Asha’s dad wants her to get married to Ashwini (Pran), and he soon announces their engagement. Ashwini finds out that Asha is in love with Vikas, and arranges an accident for Vikas. Vikas survives the accident, but loses his eyesight. After this incident, Vikas does not want to burden Asha, and strikes up a new friendship with Dr. Anjali (Simi Grewal). Meanwhile, Ashwini informs Asha that Vikas has died in the accident. Asha loses interest in life after listening to the news of Vikas’s death. Ashwini then meets Vikas and requests him to convince Asha that he does not love her any more. Vikas agrees and convinces Asha that he is having an affair with Dr. Anjali. Asha marries Ashwini but refuses to live with him in the same room.Vikas starts singing to earn money. Dr. Anjali asks him to get an eye operation, but Vikas refuses. One day Dr. Anjali visits Asha and requests her to persuade Vikas for the operation. While Asha is asking Vikas to undergo the operation, Ashwini takes her away and locks her in a room. She feels suicidal. One day Asha’s uncle goes to meet her and feels saddened by her condition. He takes her to her father’s home. Within three days, Asha becomes sick and doctors are unable to do anything for her. Meanwhile, Vikas’s eye operation is successful. Ashwini apologizes to Asha. He goes to Vikas and tells him about Asha’s condition. Vikas and Ashwini go to Asha. She dies after taking one look at Vikas. He is not able to bear that and also dies. Both of them reunite after their death.
With this background, you will be able to understand the emotions behind this song for which Shakeel was nominated for the Best Lyricist award that year:
Enjoy Mohammad Rafi singing: Naseeb mein jisake jo likha tha…
nasiib me.n jisake jo likhaa thaa
vo terii mahafil me.n kaam aayaa
kisii ke hisse me.n pyaas aaii
kisii ke hisse me.n jaam aayaa
mai.n ik fasaanaa huu.N bekasii kaa
ye haal hai merii zi.ndagii kaa
na husn hii mujhako raas aayaa
na ishq hii mere kaam aayaa
nasiib me.n …
badal ga_ii.n terii ma.nzile.n bhii
bichha.D gayaa mai.n bhii kaaravaa.n se
terii muhabbat ke raaste me.n
na jaane ye kyaa makaam aayaa
nasiib me.n …
tujhe bhulaane ki koshishe.n bhii
tamaam naakaam ho ga_ii hai.n
kisii ne zikr-e-vafaa kiyaa jab
zubaa.N pe teraa hii naam aayaa
nasiib me.n …
This too was a Shakeel – Ravi combine movie; only it came three years earlier than Do Badan. The movie was ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya’ starring Shammi Kapoor and Saroja Devi…. This is another sad sad song on almost the same thought as the one of Do Badan. Ravi’s music is fantastic and suits the personality of Shammi Kapoor.
Enjoy: Zindagi kya hai, gam ka dariya hai
Na jeena yahan bas mein, na marna yahan bas mein
Ajab duniya hai…
zindagii kyaa hai Gam kaa dariyaa hai
na jiinaa yahaa.N bas me.n na maranaa yahaa.N bas me.n
ajab duniyaa hai
zindagii kyaa hai …
haay re vo insaan ke jisako Gam kii nazar lag jaa_e
chupake-chupake aahe.n bhare aur mu.Nh se na kuchh kah paa_e
dil apanaa ha.Nsataa hai khud par ( aur kabhii rotaa hai ) -2
zindagii kyaa hai …
jhuuThii hai.n duniyaa kii bahaare.n ra.ng hai.n saare kachche
vaqt pa.De to thaam le.n daaman phuul se kaa.NTe achchhe
is gulashan me.n qadam-qadam par ek ( nayaa dhokhaa hai ) -2
zindagii kyaa hai …
jab insaan akelaa thaa to dukh bhii na the jiivan me.n
paayaa jab hamaraahii usane Duub gayaa ulajhan me.n
ye duniyaa hai begaano.n kii kaun ( yahaa.N apanaa hai ) -2
zindagii kyaa hai …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzA2H_xErPE
Yet another piano number! This one is sung by Jagjit Kaur for the 1953 movie Dil-e-Nadaan starring Shyama and Talat Mehmood. Ghulam Mohammad is the music composer. The other night I had put up another beautiful number from the same movie: Jo khushi se chot khaaye.
Tonight, enjoy: Khamosh zindagi ko ik afsaana mil gaya…
( Kaamosh zi.ndagii ko o
Kaamosh zi.ndagii ko ik afasaanaa mil gayaa
ajii afasaanaa mil gayaa
bha.Nware ko phuul shammaa ko parawaanaa mil gayaa
ajii parawaanaa mil gayaa ) -2
o
dil me.n Kumaariyaa.N sii
mastii jagaate giit ho -2
diiwaanagii me.n kaun ye diiwaanaa mil gayaa
ajii diiwaanaa mil gayaa
bha.Nware ko phuul shammaa ko parawaanaa mil gayaa
ajii parawaanaa mil gayaa
o
sabakaa hai dil ke hosh me.n
aane ke din gaye -2
aaye bahaar shiishe se paimaanaa mil gayaa
ajii paimaanaa mil gayaa
bha.Nware ko phuul shammaa ko parawaanaa mil gayaa
ajii parawaanaa mil gayaa
o
laayaa hai ko_ii mere liye
dil kii dha.Dakane -2
nazaro.n ke chaar hote hii nazaraanaa mil gayaa
ajii nazaraanaa mil gayaa
bha.Nware ko phuul shammaa ko parawaanaa mil gayaa
ajii parawaanaa mil gayaa
Kaamosh zi.ndagii ko o
Kaamosh zi.ndagii ko ik afasaanaa mil gayaa
ajii afasaanaa mil gayaa
bha.Nware ko phuul shammaa ko parawaanaa mil gayaa
ajii parawaanaa mil gayaa
What would you say about this most enchanting bhajan; whether the credit goes to Shakeel as lyricist or Sachin Dev Burman as music director? I think both are deserving of our deep appreciation. The bhajan has been sung by Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra and SD Batish. Its music and lyrics leave you spellbound. The movie is the 1964 movie Kaise Kahoon. The other night I had put up: Tum hamen pyaar karo ya na karo, ham tumhen pyaar kiye jaayenge.
Enjoy: Manmohan mein ho tumhin…..
shi : a~ tanu~~um aa~ aa~ aa aa~
su : aa~ aa~ aa~ aa~ aa~
shi : aa~ manamohan man me.n ho tumhii.n
ra, su : manamohan man me.n ho tumhii.n
more a.ng a.ng tumhii.n samaaye
jaano ya jaano na ho tumahii
manamohan man ## SDB joins in, R+S fade out ## me.n …
R: manamohan man me.n man me.n
S: ho tumhii.n ho tumhii.n ho tumhii.n
R+S=manamohan man me.n ho tumhii.n
more a.ng a.ng tumhii.n samaaye
jaano yaa jaano naa ho tumhii.n
manamohan ## SDB joins in, R+S fade out ## man me.n …
SDB: dekh dekh torii chhab saa.Nvariyaa
R+S: dekh dekh torii chhab saa.Nvariyaa
banii hai raadhaa tumharii baa.Nvariyaa
rom rom tumhare guN gaaye
maano yaa maano naa ho tumhii.n
manamohan man ## R fade out, S alone ## me.n
R: dekh dekh torii chhab saa.Nvariyaa
S: ho~o bani hai raadha tumharii baa.Nvariyaa
R+S: dekh dekh torii chhab saa.Nvariyaa
banii hai raadhaa tumharii baa.Nvariyaa
rom rom tumhare guN gaaye
maano yaa maano na ho tumhii.n
manamohan man(R fade out, S alone) me.n
R: a~ aa~
S: aa~ aa~ a~
As usual lets end tonight with a ghazal. Please forgive me for the poor quality of the audio.
Here is Talat Mahmood singing Shakeel’s ghazal: Un se ummiid-e-ruunumaa_ii hai
kyaa nigaaho.n kii maut aa_ii hai
dil ne Gam se shikast khaa_ii hai
umr-e-raftaa terii duhaa_ii hai
dil kii barbaadiyo.n pe naazaa.N huu.N
fatah paakar shikast khaa_ii hai
mere maa_abad nahii.n hai dair-o-haram
ehatiyaatan jabii.n jhukaa_ii hai
vo havaa de rahe hai.n daaman kii
haaye kis vaqt niind aa_ii hai
khul gayaa un kii aarazuu me.n ye raaz
ziist apanii nahii.n paraa_ii hai
duur ho Gunche merii nazar se
tuu ne merii ha.Nsii churaa_ii hai
gul fasurdaa chaman udaas ‘Shakeel’
yuu.N bhii aksar bahaar aa_ii hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QopXvVHibYs
Final Day
It has been exactly two weeks back that I started this tribute to Shakeel Badayuni whom I call the Best Lyricist and Ghazal writer that the Hindi film industry has ever seen; before it rejoiced in being bastardized as “Bollywood”.
On this day, 43 years back, at the age of 53, Shakeel from the town of Badayun in Uttar Pradesh succumbed to diabetes. As I said, in the beginning of my tribute, he left but he left with generations to come some of the finest songs and ghazals that we ever heard such as Ai mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya, Gam-e aashiqui se keh do raah-e aam taq na pahunche, bana bana ke tamanna mitaayi jaati hai, nazar nawaaz nazaron mein dil nahin lagata, mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam, chaudhvinh ka chand ho, beqraar karake hamen youn naa jayiye, husn vale tera jawaab nahin, ye zindagi ke mele duniya mein kam na honge, suhani raat dhal chuki, koi sagar dil ko behlata nahin…..and many many more.
Tonight, I may repeat some though I shall try not to.
I have already put up the song: Husn vale tera jawaab nahin for the 1962 movie Gharana for which Shakeel Badayuni got the Best Lyricist Award for the second time. Also, I have brought out the fact that even though Shakeel Badayuni was an Urdu poet, he wrote some of the best Hindi bhajans; the best out of them being Man tadpat Hari darshan ko aaj.
On the occasion of Ramnavami, whilst wishing my friends, I brought out that we are blessed indeed that Lord Ram was born in our midst. He set before the world the finest example of service before self. I accompanied my greetings with an Anand Bakshi bhajan: Ram ji ki nikali sawaari, Raam ji ki leela hai nayari.
Lets celebrate Ramnavami with this beautiful Ram bhajan from Shakeel Badayuni: Please enjoy: Jay Raghunandan, Jay Siyaram sung by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle on Ravi’s music.
jay raghunandan jay siyaaraam
he dukhabha.njan tumhe.n praNaam
bhraat-bhraat ko he parameshvar sneh tumhii.n sikhalaate
nar-naarii ko he parameshvar sneh tumhii.n sikhalaate
o naiyaa ke khevanahaare japuu.N mai.n tumharo naam
jay raghunandan …
tum hii dayaa ke saagar prabhu jii tum hii paalanahaare
chain tumhii.n se paa_e bekal manavaa saa.Njh-sakaare
jo bhii tumhaarii aas lagaa_e bane usii ke kaam
jay raghunandan …
The 1963 movie Grahasti was released at the height of Shakeel Badayuni’s popularity as a lyricist. The movie starred Ashok Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Rajshree, Nirupa Roy, Mehmood, Shubha Khote, Indrani Mukherjee and others. I want to draw your attention to the simplicity of this Hindi (not Urdu) song (bhajan) written by Shakeel sung by Asha Bhosle on Ravi‘s music: jiivan jyot jale
jiivan jyot jale
kou na jaane kab nikase din
aur kab raat Dhale
jiivan jyot jale …
bhor bhaye to man muskaaye
sa.Njh bhaye to niir bahaaye
ek pal maan kare sa.nsaarii
ek pal haath male
jiivan jyot jale …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UemDW8KonE8
The 1954 movie Amar had the complete quartet together of Shakeel as Lyricist, Naushad as Music Director, Mohammad Rafi as singer and Dilip Kumar as actor opposite Madhubala who was head over heels in love with Dilip Kumar and wanted to marry him.
Lets go to the temple together with Dilip Kumar and Madhubala and hear and see the beauty of Shakeel’s lyrics for this song:
##during casting##
ra: insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai -2
ko: insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai
ra: kahanaa hai jo kah de tujhe kis baat kaa Dar hai
hai khoT tere man me.n jo bhagavaan se hai duur -2
hai.n paa.Nv tere
##casting ends here##
part 2
##Dilip and Madhubaalaa go to temple##
ra: insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai
kahanaa hai jo kah de tujhe kis baat kaa Dar hai
hai khoT tere man me.n jo bhagavaan se hai duur -2
hai.n paa.Nv tere
hai.n paa.Nv tere phir bhii tuu aane se hai majabuur
aane se hai majabuur
himmat hai to aa jaa ye bhalaa_ii kii Dagar hai
insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai
dukh de ke jo dukhiyo.n se na insaaf karegaa
bhagavaan bhii usako na kabhii maaf karegaa
ye soch le -2
ye soch le har baat kii daataa ko Kabar hai
daataa ko Kabar hai
himmat hai to aa jaa ye bhalaa_ii kii Dagar hai
ko: insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai
Part 3:
##at the end##
ra: maayuus na ho haar ke taqadiir kii baazii
pyaaraa hai vo Gam jisame.n ho bhagavaan bhii raazii
dukh dard mile
dukh dard mile jisame.n wohii pyaar amar he
wohii pyaar amar he
ye soch le har baat kii daataa ko Kabar hai
ko: insaaf kaa mandir hai ye bhagavaan kaa ghar hai -2
I have already put up two songs from the 1960 Guru Dutt movie Chaudhvinh Ka Chand: the title song and Mili khaak mein mohabbat. This one is picturised on Waheeda Rehman who was Guru Dutt’s find. She acted as a vamp in her first movie C.I.D. and then as a heroine in Guru Dutt’s 1957 classic Pyasa. Three years later, in 1960, she acted in Guru Dutt’s movie Chaudhvinh Ka Chand and look how she had matured as an actor.Marvel at the beauty of the lyrics by Shakeel. Lata Mangeshkar sang it on Ravi’s music.
Enjoy: Badale badale mere sarakaar nazar aate hai.n -2
chaudahavii.n kaa chaa.Nd ho, yaa aafataab ho
jo bhii ho tum khudaa ki qasam, laajavaab ho
zulfe.n hai.n jaise kaa.Ndhe pe baadal jhuke hue
aa.Nkhe.n hai.n jaise may ke payaale bhare hue
mastii hai jisame pyaar kii tum, vo sharaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …
cheharaa hai jaise jhiil me khilataa huaa ka.nval
yaa zi.ndagii ke saaj pe chhe.Dii huii gazal
jaane bahaar tum kisii shaayar kaa Kvaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …
ho.nTho.n pe khelatii hai.n tabassum kii bijaliyaa.N
sajade tumhaarii raah me.n karatii hai.n kaikashaa.N
duniyaa-e-husn-o-ishq kaa tum hii shabaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjf9ORFDwQA
The 1965 movie Bedaagh had Nanda, Manoj Kumar, Shashikala and Mehmood in the lead roles together with Shubha Khote and Laita Pawar…. This song has Shakeel’s lyrics and talks about the inevitability of every path in hero Manoj Kumar’s life leading back to his lost love. Mohammad Rafi has sung this on Roshan‘s music.
Enjoy: Zindagi ke mor par jo koi raasta mila
Teri gali se jaa mila…
zindagii ke mo.D par jo ko_ii raastaa milaa
terii galii se jaa milaa -2
aaj khaate hai.n Thokare.n shahar me.n zindagii ke ham -2
tujhase chale the duur-duur Gam kii sharaab pii ke ham -2
terii taraf bahak ga_e -2
aisaa hame.n nashaa milaa
teraa Kyaal chho.D ke ba.Dh ga_ii.n aur ulajhane.n
tere hii naam kii sadaa detii hai dil kii dha.Dakane.n -2
ab ye hii sochate hai.n ham ruuTh ke tujhase kyaa milaa -2
tujhase ko_ii garaz nahii.n phir bhii hai terii aarazuu
dil ne tujhe bhulaa diyaa phir bhii hai dil me.n tuu hii tuu -2
tujhase bichha.D ga_e to ab -2
teraa hame.n pataa milaa -2
terii galii se jaa …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXaw5Dw69QY
We have already talked about the 1954 movie Baiju Bawra, who went to the court of Emperor Akbar to win in a contest against the great musician Tansen in order to avenge his father’s death. Baiju Bawra got Meena Kumari her first (out of four) Best Actress awards and Music Director Naushad his first and only Best Music Director award.
Shakeel penned some of his loveliest numbers for the movie and I have already put up one of them: Tu Ganga ki mauj. Here are the others:
sh: duur koii gaae dhun ye sunaae
tere bin chhaliyaa re baaje na muraliyaa re
ra: ho jii ho
ko: duur ko_ii gaa_e dhun ye sunaae
tere bin chhaliyaa re baaje na muraliyaa re
sh: man ke a.Ndar ho pyaar kii agni
ko: ho man ke a.Ndar pyaar kii agnii
sh: nainaa khoye-khoye ki are raamaa naina khoye-khoye
ko: are ramaa nainaa khoye khoye
sh: ho abhii se hai ye haal ho
abhii se hai ye haal to aage
naa jaane kyaa hoe
ko: ke are raamaa na jaane kyaa hoe
nii.nd nahii.n aae birahaa sataae
tere bin chhaliyaa re
baaje na muraliyaa re
ra: ho ji ho
ko: duur ko_ii gaa_e …
la: ho more a.Nganaa laaj kaa paharaa
ko: laaj kaa paharaa raamaa laaj kaa paharaa
la: paa.Nv pa.Dii za.njiir
ki are raamaa paa.Nv pa.Dii za.njiir ho
yaad kisii kii jab-jab aae
laage jiiyaa pe tiir
yaad kisii kii jab-jab aae
laage dil pe tiir
ko: ke are raamaa lage dil pe tiir
la: aa.Nkh bhar aae jal barasaae
tere bin chhaliyaa re baaje na muraliyaa re
ra: ho ji ho
ko: duur ko_ii gaaye …
Until Sahir Ludhianvi’s 1968 tear-jerker song for the movie Neelakamal (Babul ki duyaanyen leti jaa) came on the scene, the standard doli number for Indian weddings was from the 1950 movie Babul starring Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. Shakeel penned the lyrics, Naushad composed the music and Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mehmood and Shamshad Begum sang it together with chorus.
Enjoy: Chhod babul ka ghar…
Part I
sha : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : yaad mayake kii tan se bhulaaye chalii
ko : haa.N bhulaaye chalii
sha : priit saajan kii man me.n basaaye chalii
ko : haa.N basaaye chalii
sha : yaad kar ke ye ghar, ro_ii.n aa.Nkhe.n magar
muskuraanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : ( chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa ) -2
% Part II
ta : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : sa.ng sakhiyo.n ke bachapan bitaatii thii mai.n
ko : haa.N bitaatii thii mai.n
sha : byaah gu.Diyo.n kaa ha.Ns-ha.Ns rachaatii thii mai.n
ko : haa.N rachaatii thii mai.n
sha : sab se mu.Nh mo.D kar, kyaa bataa_uu.N kidhar
dil lagaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
% Part III
ta : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ho
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
pahan ulafat kaa gahanaa dulhan mai.n banii
Dolaa aayaa piyaa kaa sakhii mai.n chalii
ye thaa jhuuThaa nagar, isaliye chho.D kar,
mohe jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : aa
ra : aa_o saajan kha.De hai.n duwaar
lene ko aaye kahaar
Dolii me.n ho jaa sawaar
sha : ye thaa jhuuThaa nagar, isaliye chho.D kar,
mohe jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
I can go on and on and it has been only two weeks and I have only given about 100 top songs and ghazals of the greatest Lyricist in Hindi movies: Shakeel Badayuni. I have given you many songs from the movie Bees Saal Baad, eg: Beqraar karke, kahin deep jale kahin dil, sapane suhaane ladakpan ke and ai muhabbat meri duniya mein tera kaam na tha.Why am I partial towards these songs? These have Hemant Kumar’s music and some of them his singing.
Let me end my tribute to Shakeel Badayuni with this one.
Enjoy: Zara nazaron se keh do ji….
zaraa nazaro.n se kah do jii nishaanaa chuuk na jaae
zaraa nazaro.n se kah do jii
mazaa jab hai tumhaarii har adaa qaatil hii kahalaae
zaraa nazaro.n se…
qaatil tumhe pukaaruu.N ke jaan-e-vafaa kahuu.N
hairat me.n pa.D gayaa huu.N ke mai.n tum ko kyaa kahuu.N
zamaanaa hai tumhaaraa
zamaanaa hai tumhaaraa chaahe jisakii zi.ndagii le lo
agar meraa kahaa maano to aise khel na khelo
tumhaarii is sharaarat se na jaane kis kii maut aae
zaraa nazaro.n se…
haay, kitanii maasuum lag rahii ho tum
tumako zaalim kahe vo jhuuThaa hai
ye bholaapan tumhaaraa
(ye bholaapan tumhaaraa ye sharaarat aur ye shokhii
zaruurat kyaa tumhe.n talavaar kii tiiro.n kii kha.njar kii ) – (2)
nazar bhar ke jise tum dekh lo vo khud hii mar jaae
zaraa nazaro.n se…
ham pe kyo.n is qadar biga.Datii ho
chhe.Dane vaale tumako aur bhii hai.n
bahaaro.n par karo gussaa ulajhatii hai.n jo aa.Nkho.n se
havaao.n par karo gussaa jo Takaraatii hai.n zulfo.n se
kahii.n aisaa na ho koii tumhaaraa dil bhii le jaae
zaraa nazaro.n se…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqts8urMO-g
Ladies and gentlemen,
It has been veritable pleasure putting up 100 Best Ghazals and Songs of the greatest Lyricist and Poet in the Hindi movies in three parts. His poetry and songs were all about love – particularly irony in love, feelings, emotions and a host of other things. As he himself said:
[lineate][/lineate]Main Shakeel Dil Ka Hoon Tarjuman[lineate][/lineate]Keh Mohabbaton Ka Hoon Raazdaan[lineate][/lineate]Mujhe Fakhr Hai Meri Shayari[lineate][/lineate]Meri Zindagi Se Juda najin[lineate][/lineate]
My Page on Facebook called Lyrical has always given you the best of songs from the best of Lyricists; it is because the Lyrics are the origin of the song, the thought and emotion behind it. In all the songs that I have on my cell-phone, whenever I want to hear them during my walks, the first few numbers are always from Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Can anyone guess why?
It is rather simple: in any album or playlist, the songs sort out alphabetically; and since Raja Mehdi Ali Khan is credited with the word ‘Aap‘ in songs, these are usually the first few songs that I hear. By far the first always is: Aapki nazaron ne samajha pyaar ke kaabil mujhe from the 1962 movie Anpadh starring Dharmendra and Mala Sinha.
Having been born in 1928 in Jehlum in undivided India, when the partition of India took place, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and wife Tahira refused to go to Pakistan despite communal riots. His patriotism came to fore in 1948 itself when he wrote the famous number: Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujwaan shahid hon for the movie Shaheed starring Dilip Kumar.
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan paired with the Music Director Madan Mohan to produce some of Lata Mangeshkar‘s best numbers. She has acknowledged so.
Lets turn to the 1962 movie Anpadh. Here are five songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar with lyrics penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and music composed by Madan Mohan. Four out of these are amongst the best songs of Lata:
1. Aapakii nazaro.n ne samajhaa.
2. Hai isii me.n pyaar kii aabaru.
3. Jiyaa le gayo jii moraa saa.nvariyaa.
4. Ra.ng\-bira.ngii raakhii leke aa_ii bahana.
5. Vo dekho jalaa ghar kisii kaa.
Please enjoy: Aapki nazaron ne samajha pyaar ke kaabil mujhe…
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa, pyaar ke kaabil mujhe
dil kii ai dha.Dakan Thahar jaa, mil ga_ii ma.nzil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa
jii hame.n ma.nzuur hai, aapakaa ye faisalaa – 2
kah rahii hai har nazar, ba.ndaa-paravar shukariyaa
do jahaa.N kii aaj khushiyaa.N ho ga_ii.n haasil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …
aap kii ma.nzil huu.N mai.n merii ma.nzil aap hai.n – 2
kyuu.N mai.n tuufaan se Daruu.N mere saahil aap hai.n
koii tuufaano.n se kah de, mil gayaa saahil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …
pa.D ga_ii dil par merii, aap kii parchhaa_iyaa.N – 2
har taraf bajane lagii.n saika.Do.n shahanaa_iyaa.N
ha.Nsake apanii zi.ndagii me.n, kar liyaa shaamil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …
Here is one more song from the 1962 movie Anpadh. We have many initiatives for the education of the girl-child; Anpadh was amongst the first ones. Here is the story: Chaudhary Shambhunath (Balraj Sahni) considers the accumulation of wealth to be more important than education. He condones his sister’s (Mala Sinha) inattention at school and consequently she grows up anpadh (illiterate). When she finds herself married to a bibliophile her problems really begin. Unable to read the poetry her husband loves and being a rotten cook too, she becomes despised by her husband and her in-laws. Circumstances conspire to leave her homeless, widowed and pregnant. Narrowly escaping from the attentions of a panderer she falls amongst friends and, with the birth of her daughter, she starts on the long road to redemption. An entertaining plea for education in general and for the education of girls in particular.
Please enjoy: Hai isi mein pyaar ki aabru wo zafa karen main wafa karun…
hai isii me.n pyaar kii aabaruu
vo zafaa kare.n mai.n vafaa karuu.N
jo vafaa bhii kaam na aa sake
to vohii kahe.n ke mai.n kyaa karuu.N
hai isii …
(mujhe Gam bhii unakaa aziiz hai
ke unhii.n kii dii huii chiiz hai ) – (2)
ke unhii.n kii dii huii chiiz hai
yahii Gam hai ab merii zi.ndagii
ise kaise dil se judaa karuu.N
hai isii …
(jo na ban sake mai.n vo baat huu.N
jo na khatm ho mai.n vo raat huu.N ) – (2)
jo na khatm ho mai.n vo raat huu.N
ye likhaa hai mere nasiib me.n
yuu.Nhii shammaa banake jalaa karuu.N
hai isii …
(na kisii ke dil kii huu.N aarazuu
na kisii kii nazar kii huu.N justajuu ) – (2)
na kisii kii nazar kii huu.N justajuu
mai.n vo phuul huu.N jo udaas ho
na bahaar aae to kyaa karuu.N
hai isii …
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan could have been the greatest lyricist of all times; except that he preferred to be Raja (King) of his own world. The fact is that in order to win popularity, he never brought down the quality of his lyrics even though he experimented with many music directors such as the popular ones like Laxmikant Pyarelal. Songs, to me, mean emotions, thoughts, moods, hopes, aches, frustrations and triumphs….and all these are brought out by the lyricist. Others such as Music Directors, Actors and Singers only add to these or subtract from these; but, if there is no lyricist, there is no song!
I have given you two really nice numbers from the 1962 movie Anpadh. Here are the next two beautiful numbers before we take on others.
The first one is: Jiya le gayo ji mera saanvariya….
jiyaa le gayo jii moraa saa.nvariyaa
laagii man me.n lagan huii baavariyaa
pa ni ni ni re re re ma ma ma dha pa ma pa re
ni re re re ma ma ma dha dha dha saa ni dha ni pa
o papiihe, o papiihe
tuune papiihe nahii.n dekhe more sai.nyaa
dekhe to le-legaa unakii bala_iyaa.n
jaa re dIvaane, maar naa taane,
piyaa kii sun jaake baa.nsuriyaa
saamane aae to mai.n aa.Nkho.n me.n chhupaa luu.N
thaamake bai.nyaa unhe.n dilame.n biThaa luu.N
shaam savere, saath ho mere
gorii ke sa.ng jaise gaagariyaa
aaj kisii ne mujhe apanaa banaayaa
saath rahuu.ngii jaise piyaa kii mai.n chaayaa
ThaNDii havaao.n tum bhii to gaao
priit kii dekho baaje jhaa.Njhariyaa
This one takes you to the depths of depression: that’s a good lyricist for you – one moment he takes you the crest of the waves and next he makes you experience the trough.
Whilst listening to this number, give a thought to how well Lata Mangeshar used to sing in her youth. Madan Mohan’s music enhances her lugubrious mood. It is really a super song: well crafted in every facet.
Please enjoy: Woh dekho jala ghar kisi ka…
vo dekho jalaa ghar kisii kaa ye TuuTe hai.n kisake sitaare
vo qismat ha.Nsii aur aise ha.Nsii ke rone lage Gam ke maare
vo dekho jalaa …
gayaa jaise jho.nkaa havaa kaa hamaarii Kushii kaa zamaanaa
di_e hamako qismat ne aa.Nsuu jab aayaa hame.n muskaraanaa
binaa hamasafar hai suunii Dagar kidhar jaa_e.N ham besahaare
vo dekho jalaa …
hai.n raahe.n kaThin duur ma.nzil ye chhaayaa hai kaisaa a.Ndheraa
ki ab chaa.Nd-suuraj bhii milakar nahii.n kar sakegaa saveraa
ghaTaa chhaa_egii bahaar aa_egii naa aa_e.Nge vo din hamaare
vo dekho jalaa …
idhar ro rahii hai.n aa.Nkhe.n udhar aasamaa.N ro rahaa hai
mujhe kar ke barabaad zaalim pashemaan ab ho rahaa hai
ye barakhaa kabhii to ruk jaa_egii ruke.nge naa aa.Nsuu hamaare
vo dekho jalaa …
Ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that with the introduction to Raja Mahdi Ali Khan that I have given and with the first four songs from his 1962 movie Anpadh, you are convinced that his poetry and lyrics rank amongst the best of Urdu songs (erroneously called Old Hindi songs).
Let me now go back to his first movie Do Bhai of 1947 starring Ulhas, Rajan and Kamini Kaushal. Geeta Dutt has sung this song on Sachin Dev Burman‘s music.
Geeta Dutt was a most accomplished singer who didn’t get the kind of recognition she should have; her genres included naughty bar numbers, bhajans, serious and melancholic songs and of course some effervescent numbers as well.
This one is on the melancholic side. Full marks to her and full marks to Raja for having conceived it.
Enjoy one of the most famous songs of the early days of Hindi cinema: Mera sundar sapana beet gaya…
Mera sunder sapana beet gaya,
Main prem mein sab kuchh haar gayi,
Bedard zamaana jeet gaya.
o cho.D ke jaane vaale aa
dil to.D ke jaane vaale aa
aa.Nkhe.n asuvan me.n Duub gayii.n
ha.Nsane kaa zamaanaa biit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa
har raat merii divaalii thii
mai.n piyaa kii hone vaalii thii
is jiivan ko ab aag lage, aag lage
is jiivan ko ab aag lage
mujhe cho.Dake jiivan miit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa
Let me know if it is the same with you but for me Songs are like a chain of memories….one invariably leads to others. And, when it comes to Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, there is no stopping the flood.
We just talked about Do Bhai and Geeta Dutt and the next thing I know is Yaad karoge song from her. It should really be the signature number of Geeta Dutt; she sang it so well.
Enjoy: Yaad karoge, yaad karoge, ik din hamako yaad karoge…
yaad karoge …
yaad karoge, yaad karoge, ik din ham ko yaad karoge
ta.Dapoge, fariyaad karoge, ik din ham ko yaad karoge
aaye.ngii jab saawan kii raate.n
jaag uThe.ngii bhuulii baate.n
dard se dil aabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge
jise basaayaa thaa kabhii man me.n
Dhuu.NDhoge, Dhuu.NDhoge use baaG me.n ban me.n,
Dhuu.NDhoge …
dil kaa sukuu.N barabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge
dil me.n basaa ke chhoD diyaa hai
apanaa hii ghar barabaad kiyaa hai
kaise use aabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge
kho kar ham ko paa na sakoge
ho.nge jahaa.N ham aa na sakoge
aa na sakoge, paa na sakoge,
ta.Dapoge, ta.Dapoge fariyaad karoge
yaad karoge, yaad karoge …
For the 1950 movie Madhosh, starring Meena Kumari and Manhar Desai, he gave his best number ever. Imagine him writing this at the age of 22! Also, since I gave you those two deep numbers of Do Bhai numbers, you have to imagine Raja writing these at the age of 19!
This one has been sung by Talat Mahmood on the music of Madan Mohan and happens to be one of the best of Talat Mahmood too.
Please enjoy: Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana Na ji ko jalaana mujhe bhool jaana…
merii yaad me.n tum na aa.Nsuu bahaanaa
na jii ko jalaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
samajhanaa ke thaa ek sapanaa suhaanaa
vo guzaraa zamaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…
judaa merii ma.Nzil, judaa terii raahe.n -2
mile.ngii na ab terii-merii nigaahe.n
mujhe terii duniyaa se hai duur jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…
ye ro-ro ke kahtaa hai TuuTaa huaa dil -2
nahii.n huu.N mai.n terii mohabbat ke kaabil
meraa naam tak apane lab pe na laanaa
na jii ko jalaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…
I am sure all of you have heard of the Producer, Director and Screen-writer Raj Khosla or Rajveer Singh Khosla, who like the poet and lyricist Sahir, hailed from Ludhiana in Punjab. His films often had focus on women. Initially, he started being an assistant to Guru Dutt but later emerged as an independent Producer and Director of such movies as Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, C.I.D., Woha Kaun Thi and Mera Saya and later Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki.
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was his preferred lyricist. In the 1962 Raj Khosla movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote two songs (the others were by SH Behari and Shewan Rizwi). The first song has the word ‘Aap’ which Raja introduced in songs and others followed. Music is by OP Nayyar. This duet is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle since none of OP Nayyar’s songs were ever sung by Lata Mangeshkar. He didn’t allow her.
Enjoy: Aap younhi agar hamse milate rahe dekhiye ek din pyaar ho jaayega….
ra: aap yuu.N hii agar hamase milate rahe
dekhi_e ek din pyaar ho jaaegaa
aa: aisii baate.n na kar ai hasii.n jaaduugar
meraa dil terii nazaro.n me.n kho jaaegaa
ra: piichhe-piichhe mere aap aatii.n hai.n kyo.n -2
merii raaho.n me.n aa.Nkhe.n bichhaatii hai.n kyo.n
aap aatii hai.n kyo.n …
aa: kyaa kahuu.N aapase ye bhii ek raaz hai
ek din isakaa izahaar ho jaaegaa
ra: kaisii jaaduugarii kii are jaaduugar -2
tere chahare se haTatii nahii.n ye nazar
hai ye nazar …
aa: aisii nazaro.n se dekhaa agar aapane
sharm se ra.Ng gulanaar ho jaaegaa
ra: mai.n mohabbat kii raaho.n se a.njaan huu.N -2
kyaa karuu.N kyaa kyaa karuu.N pareshaan huu.N
mai.n pareshaan huu.N …
aa: aapakii ye pareshaaniyaa.N dekhakar
meraa dil bhii pareshaan ho jaaegaa
We are talking about the 1962 movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena directed by Raj Khosla. The film was produced by Sashadhar Mukherjee; who, made his son Joy Mukherjee the hero in the movie, opposite Sadhana. This lovely duet written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan can be played over and over again. It is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle singing for Joy Mukherjee and Sadhana on the music of OP Nayyar.
Please enjoy: Main pyaar ka rahi hoon…
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N
terii zulf ke saae me.n
kuchh der Thahar jaauu.N
aa: tum ek musaafir ho
kab chho.Dake chal doge
ye sochake ghabaraauu.N
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N
ra: tere bin jii lage na akele
aa: ho sake to mujhe saath le le
ra: naazanii.n tuu nahii.n jaa sakegii
chho.Dakar zindagii ke jhamele
naazanii.n
aa: jab bhii chhaae ghaTaa
yaad karanaa zaraa
saath ra.ngo.n kii umr kahaanii
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N
ra: pyaar kii bijaliyaa.N muskuraae.n
aa: dekhiye aap par gir na jaae.n
ra: dil kahe dekhataa hii rahuu.N mai.n
saamane baiThakar ye adaae.n
dil kahe
aa: na mai.n huu.N naazanii.n
na mai.n huu.N mahajabii.n
aap hii kii nazar hai diivaanii
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N
The 1967 movie ‘Dulhan Ek Raat Ki’ starred Dharmendra, Nutan and Rehman; the same trio that did ‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya’ one year earlier. But, for the latter, Sonik Omi composed the music and GL Rawal wrote the lyrics. For Dulahan Ek Raat Ki, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote the lyrics and music was by Madan Mohan.
The movie has one of the best numbers with the trio of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar.
Please enjoy: Sapano mein agar mere tum aao to so jaayun…
sapano.n me.n agar mere
tum aa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
baaho.n ki agar maalaa
pehanaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
sapano.n me.n kabhii saajan
baiTho mere paas aake
jab siine pe sar rakh duu.n
mai.n pyaar me.n sharamaate
ek giit muhabbat kaa
tum gaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
biitii huii wo yaade.n
ha.Nsatii huii aatii hai.n
leharo.n kii tarah dil me.n
aatii kabhii jaatii hai.n
yaado.n kii tarah tum bhii
aa jaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
tum aa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
The second song from the 1967 movie ‘Dulhan Ek Raat Ki’ is one of the best of Mohammad Rafi. Madan Mohan’s music is superb.
Enjoy: Ik haseen shaam ko dil mera kho gaya…
ik hasiin shaam ko dil meraa kho gayaa
pahale apanaa huaa karataa thaa
ab kisiikaa ho gayaa
muddato.n se aarazuu thii
mere dil me koii aaye
suunii suunii zindagii me.n
ek shammaa jhilamilaaye
vo jo aaye to roshan zamaanaa ho gayaa
ik hasiin …
mere dil ke kaaravaa.n ko
le chalaa hai aaj koii
shabanamii sii jisakii aa.Nkhe.n
tho.Dii jaagii tho.Dii soyii
unako dekhaa to mausam suhaanaa ho gayaa
ik hasiin …
The 1964 movie Aap Ki Parchhayiyan starred Dharmendra opposite beautiful eyed Shashikala. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote his best song ever for this movie that was sung with matching passion by the God of Songs: Mohammad Rafi. When it came to gentle songs, there was nobody to beat the music of Madan Mohan.
Please enjoy one of the best of Rafi’s song: main nigaahen tere chehre se hatayun kaise..
mai.n nigaahe.n tere chehare se haTaa_uu.N kaise
lut ga_e hosh to phir hosh me.n aa_uu.N kaise
chhaa rahii thii terii mahakii hu_ii zulfo.n kii ghaTaa
terii aa.Nkho.n ne pilaa dii to mai.n piitaa hii gayaa
taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa
vo nashaa hai ki bataa_uu.N kaise
shoK nazare.n ye sharaarat se na baaz aa_e.ngii
kabhii ruuThe.ngii kabhii mil ke palaT jaa_e.ngii
tujh se nibh jaa_egii mai.n in se nibhaa_uu.N kaise
As I mentioned to you earlier, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan paired with Madan Mohan (just like Rajinder Krishan and Madan Mohan) to make some of the best songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar during her young days when her voice was really heavenly. This one is particularly superb.
Please enjoy: Agar mujhase mohabbat hai mujhe sab apne gam de do..
Please notice the liberal use of Urdu in songs of that era.
agar mujh se muhabbat hai mujhe sab apane Gam de do
in aa.Nkho.n kaa har ik aa.Nsuu mujhe merii qasam de do
agar mujh se …
tumhaare Gam ko apanaa Gam banaa luu.N to qaraar aae
tumhaaraa dard siine me.n chhupaa luu.N to qaraar aae
vo har shay jo tumhe.n dukh de mujhe mere sanam de do
agar mujh se …
shariik-e-zi.ndagii ko kyuu.N shariik-e-Gam nahii.n karate
dukho.n ko baa.NT kar kyuu.N in dukho.n ko kam nahii.n karate
ta.Dap is dil kii tho.Dii sii mujhemere sanam de do
agar mujh se …
We are paying tribute to a great lyricist who paired with many music directors to produce some very melodious and poignant songs in Hindi movies. His combination with Music Director Madan Puri resulted in some …of the most memorable songs.
Here is one. The movie is the 1965 movie Neela Akash (Blue Sky) starring Dharmendra, Mala Sinha, Shashikala, Mehmood and Madan Puri. The music for the song is composed by Madan Mohan. It is one of the best songs enacted by Dharmendra and the lyrics are just wonderful. Mohammad Rafi sang it.
Enjoy: Aakhiri geet mohabbat ka suna loon to chalun, Main chala jayunga, do ashq baha loon to chalun.
aakhirii giit muhabbat kaa sunaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n
aaj mai.n Gair huu.n kuuchh din hu_e mai.n Gair na thaa
merii chaahat merii ulfat se tujhe bair na thaa
mai.n huu.n ab Gair yakii.n dil ko dilaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n
aaj wo din hai ke tuune mujhe Thukaraayaa hai
apanaa anjaam in aa.Nkhon ko nazar aayaa hai
dahashat-e-dil mai.n zaraa hosh me.n aa luu.N to chaluu.N
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n
terii duniyaa se mai.n ek roz chalaa jaau.ngaa
aur gaye waqt ki maani.nd nahii.n aauu.ngaa
phiir na aane kii qasam aaj mai.n khaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n
There is one more song of Neela Akash, the 1965 movie starring Dharmendra and Mala Sinha but, somehow, I am not much enamoured with it. It is, “Tere paas aake mera waqt nikal jaata hai”. The reason why I don’t like it is because whatever the situation in the movie, the song tends to use a woman as a ‘time-pass’. However, there is this duet in the movie that starts with the word ‘Aap’ that Raja Mehdi Ali Khan intoduced in Hindi songs.
The duet is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle on Madan Mohan’s music.
Please enjoy: Aapko pyaar chhupaane ki buri aadat hai…
aap ko pyaar chhupaane kii burii aadat hai
aap ko pyaar jataane kii burii aadat hai
aap ne siikhaa hai kyaa dil ke lagaane ke sivaa
aap ko aataa hai kyaa naaz dikhaane ke sivaa
aur hame.n naaz uThaane kii burii aadat hai …
kis liye aap ne sharamaa ke jhukaa lii aa.Nkhe.n
is liye aap se ghabaraa ke bachaa lii aa.Nkhe.n
aap ko tiir chalaane kii burii aadat hai …
ho chukii hai der bas ab jaaiyegaa jaaiyegaa
bandaa paravar zaraa tho.Daa saa kariib aa_iyegaa
aap ko paas na aane kii burii aadat hai …
I have given you songs from Raj Khosla’s 1962 movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena. Two years later he made a most successful suspense thriller Woh Kaun Thi starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra. Once again Madan Mohan composed the music. The movie had five songs, all of them became super hit. Here is the list:
1. Chhod kar tere pyaar kaa daaman.
2. Jo hamane daastaan apani sunaayi aap kyun roye.
3. Lag jaa gale ki phir ye haseen raat ho na ho.
4. Nainaa barasen rimajhim rimajhim.
5. Shokh nazar ki bijaliyaan dil pe mere giraaye jaa.
The song ‘Lag jaa gale se phir’ is amongst the top ten songs of Lata Mangeshkar and has been acknowledged so by herself. It has the perfect combination of enigmatic lyrics, music that tugs at you, and singing that is so captivating.
Please enjoy: Lag jaa gale se phir ye haseen raat ho na ho…
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hasii.n raat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale se …
hamako milii hai.n aaj, ye gha.Diyaa.N nasiib se
jii bhar ke dekh liijiye hamako qariib se
phir aapake nasiib me.n ye baat ho na ho
phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hasii.n raat ho na ho
paas aaiye ki ham nahii.n aae.nge baar-baar
baahe.n gale me.n Daal ke ham ro le.n zaar-zaar
aa.Nkho.n se phir ye pyaar ki barasaat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hassii.n raat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hassii.n raat ho na ho
Lets take one more song from the 1964 movie Woh Kaun Thi starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra before turning in for the night. This too has the same combination of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar. It is very poignant number and like the number before this, tugs at your heart with great force.
Please enjoy: Jo hamane dastaan apani sunaayi aap kyun roye…
jo hamane daastaa.n apanii sunaaii, aap kyo.n roe
tabaahii to hamaare dil pe aaii, aap kyo.n roe
hamaaraa dard-e-Gam hai ye, ise kyo.n aap sahate hai.n
ye kyo.n aa.Nsuu hamaare, aapakii aa.Nkho.n se bahate hai.n
Gamo.n kii aag hamane khud lagaaii, aap kyo.n roe
bahut roe magar ab aapakii khaatir na roe.nge
na apanaa chain khokar aapakaa ham chain khoe.nge
kayaamat aapake ashko.n ne Dhaaii, aap kyo.n roe
na ye aa.Nsuu ruke to dekhiye, ham bhii ro de.nge
ham apane aa.Nsuo.n me.n chaa.Nd taaro.n ko Dubo de.nge
fanaa ho jaaegii saarii khudaaii, aap kyo.n roe
Here is another soulful number from the same movie; this too a perfect blend of lyrics, music and singing.
(vo din merii nigaaho.n me.n
vo yaade.n merii aaho.n me.n) -2
ye dil ab tak bhaTakataa hai
terii ulfat kii raaho.n me.n
suunii-suunii raahe.n, sahamii-sahamii baahe.n
aa.Nkho.n me.n hai baraso.n kii pyaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n
(nazar tujh bin machalatii hai
mohabbat haat malatii hai) -2
chalaa aa mere paravaane
vafaa kii shamaa jalatii hai
o mere hamaraahii, phiratii huu.N ghabaraaii
jahaa.N bhi hai, aa jaa mere paas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n
adhuuraa huu.N mai.n afasaanaa
jo yaad aauu.N chale aanaa
meraa jo haal hai tujh bin
vo aakar dekhate jaanaa
bhiigii-bhiigii palake.n, chham-chham aa.Nsuu chhalake.n
khoii-khoii aa.Nkhe.n hai.n udaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n
(ye laakho.n Gam ye tanahaaii
mohabbat kii ye rusavaaii) -2
kaTii aisii ka_ii raate.n
na tum aae na maut aaii
ye bi.ndiyaa kaa taaraa, jaise ho a.ngaaraa
maha.ndii mere haatho.n kii udaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
piyaa tore aavan kii aas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURaAWQ1hF0
It wasn’t Lata Mangeshkar all the way in the 1964 movie Woh Kaun Thi; Asha Bhosle too sang a beautiful number and she sang it with matching verve.
Please enjoy: Shokh nazar ki bijliyan dil pe mere giraaye jaa…
shoK nazar kii bijaliyaa.N dil pe mere giraa_e jaa
meraa na kuchh Kyaal kar tuu yuu.N hii muskaraa_e jaa
shoK nazar kii …
jaag uThii hai aarazuu jaise chiraaG jal pa.De
ab to vafaa kii raah pe ham tere saath chal pa.De
chaahe ha.Nsaa_e jaa hame.n chaahe hame.n rulaa_e jaa
shoK nazar kii …
chain kahii.n kisii gha.Dii aa_e ne tere bin mujhe
kaash mai.n is jahaan se chhiin luu.N ek din tujhe
shoK nazar kii …
Raj Khosla made Ek Musafir Ek Haseena and Woh Kaun Thi with Sadhana in 1962 and 1964 respectively. So captivated was he by her (his movies had a decidedly female focus) that he made, in 1966, another movie with her: ‘Mera Saya’, with the male lead being Sunil Dutt.
Raj Khosla continued with Lyricist Raja Mehdi Al Khan and Music Director Madan Mohan for the songs. Mera Saya, therefore, had some really beautiful songs by this pair:
1. “Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalegaa Mera Saaya Saath Hoga” Lata Mangeshkar
2. “Jhumka Gira Re, Bareli Ke Bazaar Mein” Asha Bhosle
3. “Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye” Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Aap Ke Pehloo Mein Aakar Roh Diye” Mohammad Rafi
5. “Nainonwali Ne Haye Mera Dil Loota” Lata Mangeshkar
Lets start with the title song.
Please enjoy: Tu jahan jahan chalega mera saya saath hoga…
kabhii mujhako yaad karake, jo bahe.nge tere aa.Nsuu
to vahii.n pe rok le.nge, unhe.n aake mere aa.Nsuu
tuu jidhar kaa rukh karegaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …
tuu agar udaas hogaa, to udaas huu.Ngii mai.n bhii
nazar aauu.N yaa naa aauu.N, tere paas huu.Ngii mai.n bhii
tuu kahii.n bhii jaa rahegaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …
mai.n agar bichha.D bhii jaauu.N, kabhii meraa Gam na karanaa
meraa pyaar yaad karake, kabhii aa.Nkh nam na karanaa
tuu jo mu.Dake dekh legaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …
meraa Gam rahaa hai shaamil, tere dukh me.n, tere Gam me.n
mere pyaar ne diyaa hai, teraa saath har janam me.n
tuu koI janam bhii legaa, meraa saayaa saath hogaa …
By now you would have already perceived that half of the Top Ten Songs of Lata Mangeshkar have been penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. He had penned his ‘Aap ki nazaron ne smajha’ for the 1962 movie Anpadh at the age of 24. Mera Saya too had a song amongst her top ten.
These are outstanding lyrics. In the movie, it is picturised without any clouds (badara) and lightening (bijli) so as to bring home the point that the mood is not outside but within her!
prem diivaanii huu.N me.n
sapano.n kii raanii huu.N mai.n
pichhale janam se terii
prem kahaanii huu.N mai.n
aa is janam me.n bhii tuu
apanaa banaa le
naino.n me.n…
Just like in 1964 Woh Kaun Thi, in the 1966 Mera Saya too, Asha Bhosle too sang a super-hit number. In the latter, it was and it still is very popular.
Please enjoy: Jhumaka gira re Bareilley ke bazaar mein…
jhumakaa giraa re
haay
jhumakaa giraa re barelii ke bazaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa jhumakaa giraa jhumakaa giraa
haay haay haay jhumakaa giraa re …
ghar kii chhat pe mai.n kha.Dii, galii me.n dilabar jaanii -2
ha.Nsake bole niiche aa, ab niiche aa diiwaanii
yaa a.NguuThii de apanii yaa chhallaa de nishaanii
ghar kii chhat pe kha.Dii-kha.Dii mai.n huii sharam se paanii
haay huii sharam se paanii
##Male voice:## phir kyaa huaa?
daiyaa! phir jhumakaa giraa re ham dono.n ke is pyaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa re …
bagiyaa me.n balamaa ne merii laT ulajhii sulajhaaii -2
thaamake aa.Nchal bole, gorii tuu mere man bhaaii
aa.Nkh jhukaake kuchh naa bolii
kuchh naa bolii haay, haay, haay
aa.Nkh jhukaake kuchh naa bolii, dhiire se musakaaii
sai.nyaa.N ne jab chhe.Daa mujhako, ho ga_ii haathaapaayii
haay ho ga_ii haathaapaayii
##Male voice:## are, phir kyaa huaa?
phir jhumakaa giraa re, mai.n kyaa boluu.N bekaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa re …
This is a superb Mohammad Rafi number from the same movie Mera Saya with lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and music by Madan Mohan. Rafi sang for Sunil Dutt.
Please enjoy: Aapke pehlu mein aakar ro diye…
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye – 2
daastaan-e-Gam sunaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye
zindagii ne kar diyaa jab bhii udaas
aa gaye ghabaraa ke ham ma.nzil ke paas
sar jhukaayaa, sar jhukaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye
shaam jab aa.Nsuu bahaatii aa ga_ii – 2
har taraf Gam kii udaasii chhaa ga_ii
diip yaado.n ke jalaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye
Gam judaaii kaa sahaa jaataa nahii.n
aapake bin ab rahaa jaataa nahii.n
pyaar me.n kyaa-kyaa ga.Nvaakar ro diye
daastaan-e-Gam sunaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was really like the proverbial Lily of a Day in May; not known for penning volumes. However, whatever he wrote was always straight from his heart and, went straight to the hearts of his fans. I am one of them.
Part II of A Fifteen Days Tribute Leading Up To His Death Anniversary, 20 Apr 13
As I mentioned in the post ‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricists And Poets – Part I’, this tribute was done on both: a music group called ‘Dil Ki Nazar Se’ and on my page ‘Lyrical’ on Facebook. This tribute is not about his history or past, for example, being from the town Badayun in Uttar Pradesh, having been born on 3rd Aug 1916 and having completed his journey on earth on 20th April 1970. This post is about his poems, ghazals and songs that are erroneously referred to as Old Hindi Songs (probably because these were sung in Old Hindi Movies) but are actually Old Urdu Songs (Read ‘Urdu – A Language of the Heart’)
I thank everyone who have read the Part I. I was pleasantly surprised to see overwhelming response, which only goes to prove that I share my adoration of Shakeel Badayuni with many others.
Day – 3
As usual lets start with a ghazal or nazm. This is one of those that when you reach the last couplet, you are fully soaked…
Enjoy: Once again it is King of Ghazals Talat Mehmood singing a ghazal by the Emperor of Ghazals and Songs: Merii zindagii hai zaalim, tere Gam se aashkaaraa….
merii zi.ndagii hai zaalim tere Gam se aashakaaraa
teraa Gam hai dar haqiiqat mujhe zi.ndagii se pyaaraa
tuu agar buraa na maane to jahaan-e-ra.ng-o-buu me.n
mai.n sukuun-e-dil kii Kaatir ko_ii Dhuu.NDh luu.N sahaaraa
mai.n bataa_uu.N farq naaseh jo hai mujhame.n aur tujhame.n
merii zi.ndagii talaatum terii zi.ndagii kinaaraa
ko_ii ai ‘shakiil’ puuchhe ye junuu.N nahii.n to kyaa hai
ki usiike ho gaye ham jo na ho sakaa hamaaraa
Tonight I am in a mood for the melancholic songs of Dil Diya Dard Liya. On the screen, such songs of intoxication were sung best by Dev Anand; if you recall his songs in Sharabi (Kabhi na kabhi, kahin na kahin, koi na koi to aayega; Saawan ke mahine mein; and Mujhe le chalo phir aaj us gali mein), Manzil (Yaad aa gayin vo nasheeli nigaahen) and Guide (Din dhal jaaye, raat naa jaaye) and Hum Dono (Kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe rona aaya) etc. However, Dilip Kumar was no less (remember: mujhe duniya waalo sharaabi na samajho) and especially since Shakeel wrote songs for him, how would he do it? See for yourself in his songs for the 1966 movie Dil Diya Dard Liya (What a barter!). The movie was based on Emile Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, that was amongst the first of the novels that I read. I am going to give you several songs from the movie, all sung by Mohammad Rafi and all with Naushad‘s music.
The first one is Guzren hain aaj ishq mein hum us maqaam se, Nafrat si ho gayi hai mohabbat ke naam se..
Enjoy: guzare hai.n aaj ishq me.n ham us maqaam se…
guzare hai.n aaj ishq me.n ham us maqaam se
nafarat sii ho ga_ii hai muhabbat ke naam se
hamako na ye gumaan thaa, o sa.ngadil sanam
raah-e-vafaa se tere bahak jaae.nge qadam
chhalakegaa zahar bhii terii aa.Nkho.n ke jaam se
o bevafaa teraa bhii yuu.N hii TuuT jaae dil
tuu bhii ta.Dap-ta.Dap ke pukaare haay dil
teraa bhii saamanaa ho kabhii, Gam kii shaam se
ham vo nahii.n jo pyaar me.n rokar guzaar de.n
parachhaaI.n bhii ho terii to Thokar se maar de.n
vaaqif hai.n ham bhii Kuub har ek i.ntaqaam se
When you have unrequited love, liquor and wine don’t help. They only help to enhance your sadness. Shakeel has given a similar thought to this song whose lyrics reverberate in your mind long after you finish listening to the song. I am giving you the lyrics here so that you can enjoy even when the song is being loaded.
Enjoy: Koi saagar dil ko behlaata nahin…
koii saagar dil ko bahalaataa nahii.n – 2
bekhudii me.n bhii qaraar aataa nahii.n, koI saagar …
kal to sab the kaaravaa.N ke saath saath – 2
aaj koI raah dikhalaataa nahii.n
koI saagar …
zi.ndagii ke aa_ine ko to.D do – 2
isame.n ab kuchh bhii nazar aataa nahii.n
koI saagar …
Lets also hear the title song about this barter between giving someone your heart and getting heartache in return. To understand this barter, one has to know the story. In short it is: A kind-hearted, widowed landlord, Thakur, lives a wealthy lifestyle with his son, Ramesh; daughter, Roopa; and an adopted child, Shankar. Ramesh hates Shankar and often abuses him.Years pass by. Thakur dies, and all three children have grown up. Ramesh (Pran) frequents a beautiful courtesan, drinks alcohol, and continues to abuse and mercilessly beat Shankar (Dilip Kumar), who bears this in silence, as he and Roopa (Waheeda Rehman) are in love with each other. When Ramesh finds out that Roopa wants to wed Shankar, he has him severely beaten and thrown off a cliff. Ramesh then arranges Roopa’s marriage to another wealthy man, Satish (Rehman), while he continues to romance Tarabai (Rani) and even signs over his entire estate and home to her.
A few years later, Shankar returns as the wealthy Raja of Belapur. He is fully prepared to compromise with Ramesh and propose to Roopa. He finds out that nothing has changed, however. Ramesh, though rendered penniless by Tara, still hates Shankar. Satish is engaged to Roopa and a marriage date has been fixed. Shankar’s love is now replaced by vengeance and hate, and all he can think of is destroying the lives of Ramesh, Roopa, Satish and his sister, Mala (Shyama), and he devises several plans to destroy his opponents’ lives. He abuses and insults Roopa, attempting to avenge himself upon her for her apparent unfaithfulness by romancing Mala, but love conquers all in the end.
Anyway, we are not at the end of the story but at the title song.
Enjoy: Dlruba maine tere pyaar mein kya kya na kiya, Dil diya dard liya….
dilarubaa maine tere pyaar me.n kyaa-kyaa naa kiyaa
dil diyaa dard liyaa -2
kabhii phuulo.n me.n guzaarii kabhii kaa.NTo.n pe jiyaa
dil diyaa dard liyaa -2
zindagii aaj bhii hai bekhudii aaj bhii hai
pyaar kahate hai.n jise vo Kushii aaj bhii hai
maine din-raat mohabbat kaa terii jaam piyaa
dil diyaa dard liyaa -2
dilarubaa maine tere …
kyaa kahuu.N tere li_e maine aa.Nsuu bhii pi_e
kabhii Kaamosh rahaa kabhii shikave bhii ki_e
kar liyaa chaaq garebaa.n kabhii daaman ko siyaa
dil diyaa dard liyaa -2
dilarubaa maine tere …
pyaar kii aan hai tuu dil kaa aramaan hai tuu
kaun duniyaa se Dare jab nigehabaan hai tuu
apanii kashtii ko sahaare pe tere chho.D diyaa
dil diyaa dard liyaa -2
dilarubaa maine tere …
One of my friends wants me to put up songs from Bees Saal Baad and here they are. The movie is extremely close to my heart because of several reasons:Shakeel Badayuni was given the Best Lyricist award for Kahin deep jale kahin dil.
Hemant Kumar produced the movie.
Hemant Kumar composed the music.
Hemant Kumar sang some of the songs.
It was based on Sherlock Holmes’ The Hound of Baskerville and as a boy these used to be my favourite stories.
Bees Saal Baad also belonged to Lata Mangeshkar and has some of her finest songs. Lets start with this song for which Shakeel received the Best Lyricist Award for 1962.Enjoy: Kahin deep jale kahin dil…a piano number
kahii.n diip jale kahii.n dil
zaraa dekh le aa kar paravaane
terii kaun sii hai ma.nzil
kahii.n diip jale kahii.n dil
meraa giit tere dil kii pukaar hai
jahaa.N mai.n huu.N vahii.n teraa pyaar hai
meraa dil hai terii mahafil
zaraa dekh le aa kar paravaane
terii kaun sii hai ma.nzil
kahii.n diip jale kahii.n dil
naa mai.n sapanaa huu.N naa ko_ii raaz huu.N
ek dard bharii aavaaz huu.N
piyaa der na kar, aa mil
zaraa dekh le aa kar paravaane
terii kaun sii hai ma.nzil
kahii.n diip jale kahii.n dil
dushman hai.n hazaaro.n yahaa.N jaan ke
zaraa milanaa nazar pahachaan ke
ka_ii ruup me.n hai.n qaatil
zaraa dekh le aa kar paravaane
terii kaun sii hai ma.nzil
kahii.n diip jale kahii.n dil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHNb5uypKvA
Even though Shakeel Badayuni got the Best Lyricst award for Kahin deep jale kahin dil, the song or ghazal close to my heart is this and Lata Mangeshkar has sung this rather well.
Enjoy: Ai mohabbat meri duniya mein tera kaam na tha…
ai mohabbat merii duniyaa me.n teraa kaam na thaa
tuu naa aa_ii thii to Gam kaa bhii kahii.n naam na thaa
ai mohabbat merii duniyaa …
jaane kyuu.N aaj hai shikavaa mujhe duniyaa bhar se
isase pahale to kisii par ko_ii ilzaam na thaa
ai mohabbat merii duniyaa …
merii qismat ki mujhe ashq hii piine ko mile
mere hisse me.n mohabbat kaa ko_ii jaam na thaa
ai mohabbat merii duniyaa …
dene vaale mujhe kyo.n tuune mohabbat de dii
kyaa mujhe ishq se pahale ko_ii aaraam na thaa
ai mohabbat merii duniyaa …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPf9T1O8aEI
To end tonight, I leave you with a promise for more Shakeel songs and ghazals tomorrow. To depict this theme is this lovable song from the 1968 movie Aadmi starring Waheeda Rehman and Dilip Kumar and Manoj Kumar. Music is by Naushad.
Enjoy: Lata Mangeshkar singing Kal ke sapne aaj bhi aana, Pritam ko bhi saath mein laana…
It was sung by the Queen of Melody, Lata Mangeshkar, on K Mahavir’s music.
kal ke sapane aaj bhii aanaa
priitam ko bhii saath me.n laanaa
kal ke sapane …
aaj bhii din hai madhur suhaanaa baaj rahii hai man kii baa.Nsuriyaa
naino.n ke taT pe prem ke path pe lauT ke ab to aajaa saa.Nvariyaa
mai.n bhii sunaa_uu.N dil kaa taraanaa -2
kal ke sapane …
jhuumate baadal gaate jharane aaj kisii ko Dhuu.NDh rahe hai.n
mai.n to ye jaanuu.N saare nazaare sajanaa tumako Dhuu.NDh rahe hai.n
aaj mujhe bhii daras dikhaanaa -2
kal ke sapane …
merii nagariyaa aa more rasiyaa Dagar-Dagar mai.n a.Nkhiyaa.N bichhaa_uu.N
dil me.n biThaa ke nain milaa ke janam-janam kii pyaas bujhaa_uu.N
tohe sikhaa_uu.N priit nibhaanaa -2
kal ke sapane …
Day – 4
Lets start with our usual ghazal: Aankh se aankh milata hai koi…
aa.Nkh se aa.Nkh milaataa hai koii
dil ko khii.nche liye jaataa hai koii
hai ye hairat ki bharii mahafil me.n
mujhako tanhaa nazar aataa hai koii
chaahiye Kud pe yaqiin-e-qaamil
hausalaa kisakaa ba.Dhaataa hai koii
sab karishmaat-e-tasavvur hai shaqiil
van.raa aataa hai na jaataa hai koii
Shakeel Badayuni had a long association with the Music Director Naushad, Mohammad Rafi – the singer, and Dilip Kumar the actor. The 1950 movie Babul had all of them together.Those were the days when movies usually had six to eight songs. But, Babul had as many as thirteen and all of them great hits! You can gauge the success of the movie from the fact that the movie became the second highest grosser of the year with 1.25 Crore Rupees of earnings!
Here are the songs:
Bachapan yaad aaye (dha.Dake meraa dil, mujhako)
Chhod babul kaa ghar mohe pii ke nagar.
Duniyaa badal gayi.
Husn vaalon ko na dil do ye miTaa dete hain.
Huve majabuur ham … kisii ke dil me.n rahanaa thaa.
Jaadu bhare naino.n me.n Dole jiyaa, terii qasam.
Lagan more man kii balam nahii.n jaane.
Meraa jiivan saathii bichha.D gayaa.
Milate hii aa.nkhe.n dil huaa diivaanaa kisiikaa.
Na sochaa thaa ye dil lagaane ke pahale.
Nadiyaa me.n uThaa hai shor … shaam suhaanii aa_ii.
Nadi kinaare.
pa.nchhii ban me.n piyaa\-piyaa gaane lagaa.
As you can see from the list, all of them have been penned beautifully. Lets take one tonight as I want to turn in early.
The song that I have selected is the duet sung between Talat Mahmood and Shamshad Begum.
Enjoy: Milate hi aankhen dil hua deewaana kis ka, Afsaana mera ban gaya afsaana kisi ka…
This too is a piano number!
ta: milate hii aa.Nkhe.n dil huaa diivaanaa kisiikaa
sh: milate hii aa.Nkhe.n dil huaa diivaanaa kisiikaa
ta: afasaanaa meraa ban gayaa, afasaanaa kisiikaa
sh: afasaanaa meraa ban gayaa, afasaanaa kisiikaa
ta: puuchho naa mohabbat kaa asara, haay na puuchho
haay naa puuchho
sh: puuchho naa mohabbat kaa asara, haay na puuchho
haay naa puuchho
ta: dam bhara me.n koI ho gayaa, paravaanaa kisiikaa
sh: dam bhara me.n koI ho gayaa, paravaanaa kisiikaa
dono: afasaanaa meraa ban gayaa, afasaanaa kisiikaa
milate hii aa.Nkhe.n dil huaa diivaanaa kisiikaa
ta: ha.nsate hii naa aa jaaye.n kahii.n, aa.Nkho.n me.n aa.Nsuu
aa.Nkho.n me.n aa.Nsuu
sh: ha.nste hii naa aa jaaye.n kahii.n, aa.Nkho.n me.n aa.Nsuu
aa.Nkho.n me.n aa.Nsuu
ta: bharate hii chhalaka jaaye naa, paimaanaa kisiikaa
sh: bharate hii chhalaka jaaye naa, paimaanaa kisiikaa
dono: afasaanaa meraa ban gayaa, afasaanaa kisiikA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFURlgbMF0
Alright, just one more number since two is hardly anything to keep you all going. Here is a Lata Mangeshkar number from Babul in 1950. Marvel at the beauty of her voice even then, 63 years back!Enjoy: Lagan mere man ki balam nahin jaane…
It is picturised on Nargis who acted opposite Dilip Kumar.
lagan more man kii balam nahii.n jaane -2
balam nahii.n jaane sajan nahii.n jaane
lagan more man kii balam nahii.n jaane
laaj kii maarii mai.n to mu.Nh se naa boluu.N
mu.Nh se naa boluu.N
bhed kisii se kabhii dil ke na kholuu.N
dil ke na kholuu.N
Thes jiyaa pe laage -2
chhup-chhup ro luu.N -2
ta.Dap birahan kii balam nahii.n jaane
balam nahii.n jaane sajan nahii.n jaane
lagan more man kii balam nahii.n jaane
Duub na jaaye.n kahii.n aashaa ke taare
aashaa ke taare
nain churaa ke haay saiyaa.N hamaare
saiyaa.N hamaare
nehaa lagaane gaye -2
sautan dwaare -2
kadar mere dhan kii balam nahii.n jaane
balam nahii.n jaane sajan nahii.n jaane
lagan more man kii balam nahii.n jaane
Day – 5
Let me do something different today; let me not start with his ghazal but with a song. Yesterday, we talked about the 1952 movie Babul and how the film had thirteen songs and all of them hit. We shall come to that later. Lets talk about another super hit movie of my times: Aan starring Dilip Kumar, Nimmi, Nadira and Premnath. It was directed by Mehboob Khan, who later became famous for setting up Mehboob Studios in Bandra; as also for his 1957 movie Mother India.
Aan was the highest grosser of that year and all its ten songs became popular. Music Director was Naushad. Here is the list of songs:
1.”Maan Mera Ehsan” — Mohammed Rafi
2.”Dil Mein Chhupake Pyar Ka” — Mohammed Rafi
3.”Tujhe Kho Diya Hamne” — Lata Mangeshkar
4.”Aaj Mere Man Mein” — Lata Mangeshkar, Chorus
5.”Mohabbat Choome Jinke Haath” — Mohammed Rafi
6.”Gao Tarane Man Ke” — Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum
7.”Takra Gaya Tumse” — Mohammed Rafi
8.”Khelo Raang Hamare Sang” — Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar
9.”Aag Lagi Tan Man Mein” — Shamshad Begum
10.”Mein Raani Hoon Raja Ki” — Shamshad Begum
One doesn’t know where to start!
Anyway, let me start with one of my favourite Shakeel Badayuni number.
Enjoy: Dil mein chhupa ke pyaar ka toofan le chale…
dil me.n chhupaa ke pyaar kaa tuufaan le chale
ham aaj apanii maut kaa saamaan le chale
maut kaa saamaan le chale
dil me.n chhupaa ke pyaar kaa tuufaan le chale
ha ha haa a aa
miTataa hai kaun dekhiye ulafat kii raah me.n
he
ulafat kii raah me.n
miTataa hai kaun dekhiye ulafat kii raah me.n
wo le chale hai.n aan to ham jaan le chale
maut kaa saamaan le chale
dil me.n chhupaa ke pyaar kaa tuufaan le chale
ha ha haa a aa
manzil pe hogaa faisalaa qisamat ke khel kaa
aa
qisamat ke khel kaa
manzil pe hogaa faisalaa qisamat ke khel kaa
kar de jo dil kaa Kuun wo mehamaan le chale
maut kaa saamaan le chale
dil me.n chhupaa ke pyaar kaa tuufaan le chale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dua-vIwaNQ4
Lets take one more song from the 1952 movie Aan. During those days, it was common for a woman to think of her lover as Krishna whilst thinking of herself as Radha. Needless to say Shakeel excelled in such songs. This one is a very enchanting number.
Enjoy: Aaj mere man mein sakhi baansuri bajaae koi Pyaar bhare geet sakhi baar-baar gaaye koi
la: aa haa haa…
aaj mere man me.n sakhii baa.Nsurii bajaae koii
aaj mere man me.n…
aaj mere man me.n sakhii baa.Nsurii bajaae koii
pyaar bhare giit sakhii baar-baar gaa_e koii
baa.Nsurii bajaae…
baa.Nsurii bajaae, sakhii gaa_e sakhii re, koii chhailavaa ho
ko: koii alabelavaa ho, koii chhailavaa ho
la: ra.Ng merii javaanii kaa ki_e jhuumataa ghar aayaa hai saavan
ko: ra.Ng merii javaanii kaa ki_e jhuumataa ghar aayaa hai saavan
la: aa haa haa…
ho sakhii, ho re sakhii, aayaa hai saavan
ko: mere naino.n me.n hai saajan
la: in uu.Ndii ghaTaao.n me.n, havaao.n me.n sakhii, naache meraa man
ho sakhii, naache meraa man
ko: ho aa.Ngan me.n saavan man-bhaavan ho jii
la: ho, in uu.Ndii ghaTaao.n me.n, havaao.n me.n sakhii, naache meraa man
ko: lallaa laalaa laa laalaa
la: dil ke hi.nDole pe mohe jhuule na jhulaae koii
ko: pyaar bhare giit sakhii, baar-baar gaa_e koii
la: baa.Nsurii bajaae sakhii gaae sakhii re
koii chhailavaa ho
ko: koii alabelavaa ho, koii chhailavaa ho
la: kahataa hai ishaaro.n me.n koii
aa mohe ambu_aa ke tale mil
ko: bhalaa vo kaun hai ghaayal
kahataa hai ishaaro.n me.n koii
aa mohe ambu_aa ke tale mil
la: mai.n naam na luu.N
aaj lage laaj sakhii dha.Dake meraa dil ho sakhii dha.Dake meraa dil
ko: ho aa.Ngan me.n saavan man-bhaavan ho jii
la: ho, mai.n naam na luu.N
aaj lage laaj sakhii dha.Dake meraa dil ho sakhii dha.Dake meraa dil
ko: lallaa laalaa laa laalaa
la: taar pe jiivan ke madhur raaginii sunaae koii
ko: pyaar bhare giit sakhii baar-baar gaa_e koii
la: baa.Nsurii bajaae sakhii gaae sakhii re
la: koii chhailavaa ho
ko: koii alabelavaa ho, koii chhailavaa ho
Will they ever make songs like this again? This is from the 1950 movie Babul with Dilip Kumar and Nargis making it a great movie to watch. It is a Shakeel – Naushad song but look at the number of singers who put this together: Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood, Shamshad Begum and Chorus.
Enjoy: Chhod babul ka ghar, mohe pi ke nagar aaj jaana pada…
Part I
sha : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : yaad mayake kii tan se bhulaaye chalii
ko : haa.N bhulaaye chalii
sha : priit saajan kii man me.n basaaye chalii
ko : haa.N basaaye chalii
sha : yaad kar ke ye ghar, ro_ii.n aa.Nkhe.n magar
muskuraanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : ( chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa ) -2
Part II
ta : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
sha : sa.ng sakhiyo.n ke bachapan bitaatii thii mai.n
ko : haa.N bitaatii thii mai.n
sha : byaah gu.Diyo.n kaa ha.Ns-ha.Ns rachaatii thii mai.n
ko : haa.N rachaatii thii mai.n
sha : sab se mu.Nh mo.D kar, kyaa bataa_uu.N kidhar
dil lagaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
Part III
ta : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ho
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
pahan ulafat kaa gahanaa dulhan mai.n banii
Dolaa aayaa piyaa kaa sakhii mai.n chalii
ye thaa jhuuThaa nagar, isaliye chho.D kar,
mohe jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : aa
ra : aa_o saajan kha.De hai.n duwaar
lene ko aaye kahaar
Dolii me.n ho jaa sawaar
sha : ye thaa jhuuThaa nagar, isaliye chho.D kar,
mohe jaanaa pa.Daa
o
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
ko : chho.D baabul kaa ghar, mohe pii ke nagar
aaj jaanaa pa.Daa
Since I had earlier claimed that Shakeel was the best for describing husn (a la Chaudhvinh Ka Chand), here is yet another song to depict this. This is from the 1961 movie Gharana. Ravi composed the music just as he did in CKC. However, once gain Rafi sang it, this time for Rajendra Kumar singing in praise of Asha Parekh.Enjoy: Husn waale tera jawaab nahin Koi tujhasa nahin hazaron mein…
tuu hai aisii kalii jo gulashan me.n
saath apane bahaar laayii ho
tuu hai aisii kiraN jo raat Dhale
chaa.Ndanii me.n nahaa ke aayii ho
ye teraa nuur ye tere jalave
jis tarah chaa.Nd ho sitaaro.n me.n
husn vaale …
terI aa.Nkho.n me.n aisii mastii hai
jaise chhalake hue ho.n paimaane
tere ho.nTho.n pe vo khaamoshii hai
jaise bikhare hue ho.n afasaane
terii zulfo.n kii aisii ra.ngat hai
jaise kaalii ghaTaa bahaaro.n me.n
husn vaale …
terii suurat jo dekh le shaayar
apane shero.n me.n taazagii bhar le
ek musavvir jo tujh ko paa jaae
apane Kvaabo.n me.n zi.ndagii bhar le
naGamaagar Dhuu.NDh le agar tujh ko
dard bhar le vo dil ke taaro.n me.n
husn vaale teraa javaab nahii.n …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pn81ApIsfs
Tonight, lets end with a ghazal of his:
ruuh ko ta.Dapaa rahii hai un kii yaad
dard ban kar chhaa rahii hai un kii yaad
[ruuh=soul]
ishq se ghabaraa rahii hai un kii yaad
rukate rukate aa rahii hai un kii yaad
vo ha.Nse vo zer-e-lab kuchh kah uThe
Khvaab se dikhalaa rahii hai un kii yaad
[zer-e-lab=in a whisper/undertone]
mai.n to Khuddaarii kaa qaa_il huu.N magar
kyaa karuu.N phir aa rahii hai un kii yaad
[Khuddaarii=self-respect; qaa_il=in favour of/have faith in]
ab Khayaal-e-tark-e-rabt zabt hii se hai
Khud ba Khud sharmaa rahii hai un kii yaad
[Khayaal-e-tark=Thought of giving up; rabt=affinity]
[zabt=tolerance; Khud-ba-Khud=by itself (apane aap)]
Day – 6
Shakeel started taking part in mushairas at the age of twenty. It was only 8 years later that he moved to Bombay from Aligarh to write songs for movies. His friendship with music directors Naushad and Ravi is well known. Naushad gave him his break after asking him to describe his skill in just one line. This is what Shakeel wrote:
Hum dard Ka Afsana Duniya Ko Suna Denge,
Har Dil Main Mohabbat Ki Ek aag Laga Denge.
Shakeel, therefore, is all about dard and mohabbat. Here is one of his famous ghazals:
[lineate][/lineate]Kaise kah duu.N ki mulaaqaat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]roz milate hai.n magar baat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]aap lillaah na dekhaa kare.n aaiinaa kabhii[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]dil kaa aa jaanaa ba.Dii baat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]chhup ke rotaa huu.N terii yaad me.n duniyaa bhar se[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]kab merii aa.Nkh se barasaat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]haal-e-dil puuchhane vaale terii duniyaa me.n kabhii[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]din to hotaa hai magar raat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]Jab bhii milate hai.n to kahate hai.n kaise ho “Shakeel”[lineate][/lineate]is se aage to koii baat nahii.n hotii hai[lineate][/lineate]
The name of this 1964 movie is Kaise Kahoon, a question that Shakeel Badayuni never would have asked; since he knew precisely how to express himself through words.
Unrequited love…but Shakeel made the heroine say:
tum hame.n pyaar karo yaa na karo
ham tumhe.n pyaar ki_e jaa_e.Nge
chaahe qismat me.n Kushii ho ke na ho
Gam uThaakar hii ji_e jaa_e.Nge
tum hame.n pyaar …
ham nahii.n vo jo Gam-e-ishq se ghabaraa jaa_e.N
ho ke maayuus zubaa.N par ko_ii shikavaa laa_e.N
chaahe kitanaa hii ba.Dhe dard-e-jigar
apane ho.nTho.n ko si_e jaa_e.Nge
tum hame.n pyaar …
tum salaamat ho to ham chain bhii paa hii le.nge
kisii suurat se lagii dil kii bujhaa hii le.nge
pyaar kaa jaam mile yaa na mile
ham to aa.Nsuu bhii pi_e jaa_e.Nge
tum hame.n pyaar …
to.D dii aas to phir itanaa hii ehasaan karo
dil me.n rahanaa jo na chaaho to nazar hii me.n raho
Thes lagatii jo hai dil par to lage
Gam uThaakar hii ji_e jaa_e.Nge
tum hame.n pyaar …
Day – 7
Many of my friends know that I am emotional about the title song of the 1963 movie Mere Mehboob. For reasons that I can’t share, I can never share this song; it is too sacred because of the emotions expressed in the song. However, I can take you through some of the other songs that Shakeel Badayuni crafted. Other than the title songs, there were seven songs in the movie that starred Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana in the lead roles:
“Mere Mehboob Tujhe” Mohammad Rafi
“Tere Pyar Mein Dildar” Lata Mangeshkar
“E – Husn Jara Jaag” Mohammad Rafi
“Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahin” Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle
“Tumse Izhar – E -Haal Kar Baithe” Mohammad Rafi
“Janeman Ek Nazar Dekh Le” Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle
“Yaad Mein Teri” Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi
“Allah Bachaye Naujawano Se” Lata Mangeshkar
“Mere Mehboob Tujhe (Female)” – Lata Mangeshkar
What a treat! Lets start with Yaad Mein Teri jag jag ke ham raat bhar karvaten badalate hain….Mere Mehboob has music by Naushad and this song is a duet between Rafi and Lata.
Enjoy: yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham raat bhar karavaTe.n badalate hai.n
yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham
raat bhar karavaTe.n badalate hai.n
har gha.Dii dil me.n terI ulfat ke
dhiime dhiime chiraaG jalate hai.n
jabase tUne nigaah pherii hai
din hai suunaa to raat a.ndherii hai
chaa.Nd bhI ab najar nahii.n AtA
ab sitaare bhI kam nikalate hai.n
yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham …
luT gayii vo bahaar kI mahafil
chhuT gayii hamase pyaar kI ma.nzil
zi.ndagii kI udaas rAho.n me.n
terI yaado.n ke sAth chalate hai.n
yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham …
tujhako paakar hame.n bahaar milii
tujhase chhuTakar magar ye baat khulii
baaGabaan hii chaman ke phuulo.n ko
apane pairo.n se khud masalate hai.n
yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham …
kyA kahe.n tujhase kyuu.n huii duurii
ham samajhate hai.n apanii majabuurii
tujhako maaluum kyA ke tere liye
dil ke gam aa.Nsuo.n me.n Dhalate hai.n
yaad me.n terI jaag-jaag ke ham …
Shall we run a parallel between Mere Mehboob of 1963 and Mughal-e-Azam of 1960 since the profile picture of this group shows a song each from the two movies on wither side of the picture of the greatest Lyricist of all times: Shakeel Badayuni?
Mughal-E-Azam (English: The Greatest of the Mughals) is a 1960 Indian period epic film directed by K. Asif and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji. The film featured Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala and Durga Khote in pivotal roles. Dilip Kumar was Prince Salim to Akbar the Great and Madhubala was Anarkali, a court dancer. Both fell in love.Whilst I can never put up the right hand side song from Mere Mehboob sung in the Aligarh Muslim University, I can at least put up the song depicted by the picture on the left hand side. Once gain Naushad is the music director and the song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar for Madhubala (as Anarkali) and Shamshad Begum for Nigar Sulatana as Bahar.
Enjoy: Teri mehfil mein kismet aazma kar ham bhi dekhenge…
(aalaap)
s: terI mahafil me.n kismat aazamaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge
gha.Dii bhar ko tere nazadiik aakar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
l: terI mahafil me.n kismat aazamaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge
tere kadamo.n pe sar apanaa jhukaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
s: bahaare.n aaj paiGaam-e-mohabbat le ke aaii hai.n
ba.DI muddat me.n ummiido.n kii kaliyaa.n muskuraaI hai.n
ba.DI muddat me.n ajii haa.n
ba.DI muddat me.n ummiido.n kii kaliyaa.n muskuraaI hai.n
Gam-e-dil se jaraa daaman bachaakar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge
l: agar dil Gam se khaalii ho to jiine kA mazaa kyA hai
nA ho khuun-e-jigar to ashq piine kA mazaa kyA hai
nA ho khuun-e-jigar haa.n haa.n
nA ho khuun-e-jigar to ashq piine kA mazaa kyA hai
mohabbat me.n jaraa aa.Nsuu bahaakar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge
s: mohabbat karane vaalo kA hai bas itanaa hii afasaanaa
ta.Dapanaa chupake chupake aahe.n bharanaa ghuT ke mar jaanaa
ta.Dapanaa chupake chupake haa.n haa.n
ta.Dapanaa chupake chupake aahe.n bharanaa ghuT ke mar jaanaa
kisii din ye tamaashaa muskuraa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
terI mahafil me.n kismat aazamaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge
ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge
l: mohabbat hamane maanaa zindagii barabaad karatii hai
ye kyA kam hai ke mar jaane se duniyA yaad karatii hai
ye kyA kam hai ajii haa.n haa.N
ye kyA kam hai ke mar jaane se duniyA yaad karatii hai
kisii ke ishq me.n duniyA luTaakar ham bhI dekhe.nge – 2
terI mahafil me.n kismat aazamaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge
l: tere kadamo.n pe sar apanaa jhukaakar aa aa …
s: gha.Dii bhar ko tere nazadiik aakar aa aa …
dono.n: terI mahafil me.n kismat aazamaa kar ham bhI dekhe.nge
s: ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge
l: ajii haa.n ham bhI dekhe.nge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC7LyI1GVYw
Returning to Mere Mehboob; yes, it has Shakeel Badayuni’s trademark husn song…and what a song it was! Some of the most beautiful lines have been written by Shakeel for this song. Naushad has done well to give it appropriate music and once again the voice is that of Mohammad Rafi.I feel that the complete lyrics need to be reproduced here to assimilate their beauty.
Enjoy: Ai husn zara jag tujhe ishq jagaye…
ai husn zaraa jaag tujhe ishk jagaaye
badale merii takadIr jo tU hosh me.n aaye (2)
ye pyaara ke nagame ye muhabbat ke taraane
tujhako ba.De aramaan se laayaa huu.N sunaane
ummId mere dil kii kahii.n TUT na jaaye
ye husn …
saaz-e-dile khaamosh me.n ek soj jagaa de
tU bhii merii Avaaz me.n Avaaz milaa de
aayaa huu.N tere dar pe ba.Dii aas lagaaye
ye husn …
ai shammaa tU aajaa zaraa chilamanase nikalake
hasarat hai ki rahaa jaa_uu.n terii aag me.n jalake
paravaanaa vo kyaa tujhape jo miTakar naa dikhaa de
ye husn …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnFYfKahhdY
Mughal-e-Azam belonged to Lata Mangeshkar just as Mere Mehboob belonged to Mohammad Rafi. I have earlier put up Mohabbat ki jhooti kahani pe roye when Anarkali was thrown into the dungeon by the Emperor Akbar. Bekas pe karam kijiye was the second song in the cell and is the plaintive cry of Anarkali for mercy and justice. The lyrics are great.
Enjoy: Beqas pe karam kijiye sarkar-e madina….
ai mere mushkil-kushaa, fariyaad hai, fariyaad hai
aapake hote hue duniyaa merii barabaad haibekas pe karam kiijiye, sarkaar-e-madiinaa
bekas pe karam kiijiye
gardish me.n hai taqadiir bha.Nvar me.n hai safiina -2
bekas pe karam kiijiye, sarkaar-e-madiinaa
bekas pe karam kiijiyehai vaqt-e-madad aaii biga.Dii ko banaane
goshiidaa nahii.n aapase kuchh dil ke fasaane
zaKmo.n se bharaa hai kisii majabuur kaa siinaa
bekas pe karam kiijiye …chhaaii hai musiibat kii ghaTaa gesuo.n vaale, gesuo.n vaale
lillaah merii Duubatii kashtii ko bachaale
tuufaan ke aasaar hai.n, dushvaar hai jiinaa
bekas pe karam kiijiye …
gardish me.n hai taqadiir bha.Nvar me.n hai safiina
bekas pe karam kiijiye, sarkaar-e-madiinaa
bekas pe karam kiijiye
ai mere mushkil-kushaa, fariyaad hai, fariyaad hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaeiwBG_DbE
Lets end tonight with a ghazal of Shakeel Badayuni:[lineate][/lineate]Terii mahafil se uThakar ishq ke maaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]muKhaalif ik jahaa.N thaa jaane bechaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]sahar ko ruKhsat-e-biimaar-e-furqat dekhane vaalo kisii ne ye bhii dekhaa[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]raat bhar taaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]sunaa hai zindagii viiraaniyo.n ne luuT lii milakar[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]na jaane zindagii ke naaz_baradaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]ha.Nsii aa_ii to hai bekaif sii lekin Khudaa jaane[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]mujhe masaruur paakar mere Gam_Khvaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate]
[lineate][/lineate]asiir-e-Gam to jaa.N dekar rihaa_ii paa gayaa lekin[lineate][/lineate][lineate][/lineate]kisii ko kyaa Khabar zindaa.N kii divaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii[lineate][/lineate]
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed Part II of Shakeel Badayuni’s ghazals and songs. I shall get back to you with Part III soon.
