Raahi or Mussafir (wayfarer or journeyer) is a beautiful word in Hindi and Urdu and is used in songs not just in its ordinary meaning but also in a deeper meaning, that is, a wayfarer in quest of something. Have a look at this quote from my page on Facebook: Make Your Own Quotes:
Often the word Raahi or Mussafir is used as Pyaar Ka Raahi or to describe oneself as a tramp such as in Main rangeela pyaar ka raahi door meri manzil; and Mussafir hoon yaaron na ghar naa thikana.
Lets begin our journey into the best Raahi or Mussafir songs.
As soon as we think of Raahi, we are reminded of Kishore Kumar: Singer, Lyricist, Music Director, Producer, Director, and Story and Screenplay Writer. He was so versatile and so full of energy. Most commonly, he was the comedian and light-hearted romantic. However, his own two movies as a producer and director: the 1964 movie Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein and 1971 movie Door Ka Raahi bring out his inner quest as a Raahi.
Song #1
Door Ka Raahi is a 1971 film not just produced and directed by Kishore Kumar, but it has his music, story and screenplay besides his singing. The film is essentially a one man show but also stars the young boy Amit, Kishore da’s son, who appeared with him in his 1964 movie Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein too, Abhi Bhattacharya, Tanuja, Padma Khanna and his eldest brother Ashok Kumar in supporting roles. The film depicts Kishore Kumar’s quest for a world free of poverty, violence, and inequalities. Kishore Kumar does manage to convey the image of an ideal humanity. He is Prashant in the film who is journeying all the while to bring relief to the humanity that he comes in touch with. As per the promise given by him to his swami, he can’t even think of resting until he has accomplished what he set out to do; somewhat similar to Robert Frost’s: And miles to go before I sleep.
This song from the movie tells about his quest as Raahi or Panthi. It has been penned by A Irshad, the only movie in which Irshad was the lyricist. During one of his journeys Ashok Kumar as Joseph wants Kishore Kumar as Prashant to stay on and marry his widowed daughter-in-law Tanuja as Monica. That’s the time, through this song, Kishore Kumar explains to him what kind of wayfarer is he and why.
Please enjoy: Panthi hoon main us path ka, ant nahin jisaka….in Raag Bhimpalasi or Bhimpalashri….
Pa.nthii huu.N mai.n us path kaa
a.nt nahii.n jisakaa
aas merii hai jisakii dishaa
aadhaar mere man kaa
Sa.ngii saathii mere
a.ndhiyaare ujiyaare
mujhako raah dikhaaye.n
palachhin ke phulajhaare
pathik mere path ke sab taare
aur niilaa aakaash
pa.nthii …
Is path par dekhe kitane
sukh dukh ke mele
phuul chune kabhii khushiyo.n ke
kabhii kaaTo.n se khele
jaane kab tak chalanaa hai
mujhe is jiivan ke saath
pa.nthii …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gdP3_1lU91s%3F
Raj Kapoor thought of himself as Joker, Chhalia, Raju etc; Dev Anand said his naam was Johnny. What would Kishore Kumar have liked to be remembered for? He was, as I said, a versatile: Actor, Producer, Director, Lyricist, Music Director, Screenplay and Story Writer and Singer. And yet he thought of himself as Raahi, on the journey to seek Love, Humaneness, Goodness. In his 1964 movie Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, he sought a utopian world for his mute child (Aa chal ke tujhe main le ke chalun ik aise gagan ke tale, jahan gam bhi na ho, aansu bhi na ho, bus pyaar hi pyaar pale). The movie had, arguably, the best Raahi song ever written “Raahi to mat ruk jaana“. Kishore da’s music and Hemant Kumar’s singing makes the journey of us travelers (Raahi) to be similar to a brook’s (Alfred Tennyson’s famous poem: no jokes, close your eyes and listen to the music and it is representative of a brook!). The great Lyricist Shailendra penned these inspirational lyrics.
The movie is about an ex-Army officer Shankar (played by Kishore Kumar) seeking a decent life and cure for his son Ramu (played by his real son Amit Kumar) against all odds.
Please enjoy: Raahi tu mat ruk jaana…..
Raahii tuu mat ruk jaanaa, tuufA.n se mat ghabaraanaa
kabhii to milegii terii ma.nzil
kahii.n duur gagan kii chhAo.n me.n
Maanaa ki gaharii hai dhaaraa
par hai kahii.n to kinaaraa
tuu bhii milaa aashaa ke sur me.n
man kaa ye ekataaraa
kabhii to milegii terii ma.nzil
kahii.n duur gagan kii chhAo.n me.n
Sabakaa hai uuparavaalaa
sabako usii ne sambhaalaa
jab bhii ghire Gam kaa a.ndheraa
usane kiyaa ujiyaalaa
kabhii to milegii terii ma.nzil
kahii.n duur gagan kii chhAo.n me.n
Raahii tuu mat ruk jaanaa, tuufA.n se mat ghabaraanaa
kabhii to milegii terii ma.nzil
kahii.n duur gagan kii chhAo.n me.n
kahii.n duur kahii.n duur kahii.n duur kahii.n duur
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eoJkiN0Nex8%3F
Song #3
Mehboob Khan made a movie on the theme of woman who has to face all odds fighting the ills of the society; the 1940 movie Aurat. He repeated the theme in his 1957 movie Mother India starring Nargis in the title role and helped by Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt, and Raaj Kumar. The movie had as many as 12 songs penned by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad. Some of these songs are still regarded as some of the best in Hindi movies.
Charged by the success of this movie and especially by its songs, Mehboob Khan made Son of India, five years later. As compared to Mother India, this sequel starred lesser known actors: Kamaljit, Simi Grewal, Jayant and Kumkum. However, he retained the lyricist – composer combination of Shakeel and Naushad and they didn’t fail to give him some really memorable songs.
This song represents the resolve of a young India as it sets on its journey towards having a great nation, a peaceful nation, and an industrial nation with industrious people. This resolve is brought out by the singer Shanti Mathur singing for the young boy Sajid Khan, the son of Mehboob Khan. So, this is the third movie in a row, in this article, wherein the Director’s son plays a significant role in the story.
Please enjoy: Nanha munna raahi hoon, desh ka sipahi hoon…..
Nanhaa munnaa raahii huu.N, desh kaa sipaahii huu.N
bolo mere sa.ng, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd …
Raste pe chaluu.ngaa na Dar-Dar ke
chaahe mujhe jiinaa pa.De mar-mar ke
ma.nzil se pahale naa luu.ngaa kahii.n dam
aage hii aage ba.Dhaau.ngaa kadam
daahine baae.n daahine baae.n, tham! nanhaa …
Dhuup me.n pasiinaa bahaau.ngaa jahaa.N
hare-bhare khet laharaae.nge vahaa.N
dharatii pe faake na paae.nge janam
aage hii aage …
Nayaa hai zamaanaa merii na_ii hai Dagar
desh ko banaau.ngaa mashiino.n kaa nagar
bhaarat kisii se na rahegaa kam
aage hii aage …
Ba.Daa ho ke desh kaa sitaaraa banuu.ngaa
duniyaa kii aa.Nkho.n kaa taaraa banuu.ngaa
rakhuu.Ngaa uu.nchaa tira.ngaa haradam
aage hii aage …
Shaa.nti ki nagarii hai meraa ye vatan
sabako sikhaauu.ngaa pyaar kaa chalan
duniyaa me.n girane na duu.ngaa kahii.n bam
aage hii aage …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rszFSH6z4Us%3F
Song #4
I am going to recall the musical excellence of a great musical duo Laxmikant Pyarelal. Laxmikant left us on 25 May 1988 at the age of 60, but, Pyarelal, aged 74 is still going strong (God give him long life).
The 1964 movie Dosti won them their first Filmfare Award and really made them popular with such memorable songs as:
1. “Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanj Savere”
2. “Meri Dosti Mera Pyar”
3. “Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta”
4. “Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam”
5. “Gudiya Kab Tak Na Hasogi”
6. “Jaanewalo Zara”
The movie was directed by Satyen Bose and produced by Tarachand Barjatya (Rajshri Productions). The film had two young boys Sudhir Kumar and Sushil Kumar in lead roles. The film focuses on the friendship between two boys, one blind and the other a cripple; one, Ramu (Sudhir Kumar) is good at playing harmonica and Mohan (Sushil Kumar) is a good good singer. Crippled as they are by circumstances and accidents, they team up to face the world and become educated and good citizens.
This song, penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, is the song of their resolve, against all odds, to look at the brighter and positive side of things. Indeed, coming from a cripple duo, this Raahi song is motivational for all of us. It was sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Please enjoy: Raahi manwa dukh ki chinta kyun sataati hai, dukh to apna saathi hai…
Dukh ho yaa sukh
jab sadaa sa.ng rahe na koii
phir dukh ko apanaa_iye
ki jaae to dukh na hoye
(Raahii manavaa dukh kii chi.ntaa kyo.n sataatii hai % Main song
dukh to apanaa saathii hai ) – (2)
sukh hai ek chhaa.Nv Dhalatii aatii hai jaatii hai
dukh to apanaa saathii hai
raahii manavaa dukh kii chi.ntaa kyo.n sataatii hai
dukh to apanaa saathii hai
Duur hai ma.nzil duur sahii
pyaar hamaaraa kyaa kam hai
pag me.n kaa.NTe laakh sahii
par ye sahaaraa kyaa kam hai
hamaraah tere koii apanaa to hai (2)
o…, sukh hai ek chhaa.Nv …
Dukh ho koii tab jab jalate hai.n
path ke diip nigaaho.n me.n
itanii ba.Dii is duniyaa kii
lambii akelii raaho.n me.n
hamaraah tere koii apanaa to hai (2)
o…, sukh hai ek chhaa.Nv …
## (fading voice) ##
dukh to apanaa saathii hai (2)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=J7UK80PQkoo%3F
Song #5
Talking about lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, this song stands out as the best in the series of songs on Pyaar ke Raahi (wayfarers of love); so much so that the opening words of this song were made into the title of a latter day movie starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla.
In the 1957 movie Nau Do Gyaarah starring Dev Anand and his real life wife Kalpana Kartik, it is picturised on Dev Anand in a Dodge Station Wagon, singing the song so as to bring out his philosophy in life; which is to befriend all passers-by as one undertakes the journey of one’s life. Please do not miss out on the appropriate number of the truck DLH 9211!
As you undertake the journey with him you not only see the beautiful countryside with lovely village women, but also see Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Being a Dev Anand movie, the music is by Sachin Dev Burman and the singer is Mohammad Rafi. The whistling in the song adds to the melody.
Please enjoy: Ham hain raahi pyar ke ham se kuchh naa boliye….
Ham hai.n rAhI pyAr ke, hamase kuchh na boliye – 3
jo bhI pyAr se milA, ham usI ke ho liye – 2
ham usI ke ho liye
jo bhI pyAr se milA, ham usI ke ho liye
Dard bhI hame.n qubUl, chaina bhI hame.n qubUl – 2
hamane.n har tarah ke phUl, haar me.n piro liye, – 2
jo bhI pyAr se milA …
DhUp thI nasIba me.n, to dhUp me.n liyA hai dam – 2
chA.NdanI milI to ham, chA.NdanI me.n so liye – 2
jo bhI pyAr se milA …
Dil pe AsarA kiye, ham to bas yU.NhI.n jiye – 2
ek kadam pe ha.Ns liye, ek kadam pe ro liye – 2
jo bhI pyAr se milA …
RAh me.n pa.De.n hai.n ham, kabase aap kI qasam – 2
dekhiye to kam se kam, boliye naa boliye – 2
jo bhI pyAr se milA …
Ham hai.n rAhI pyAr ke, hamase kuchh na boliye
jo bhI pyAr se milA, ham usI ke ho liye
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IHIGwUjtfrA%3Ff
Song #6
Lets now turn to another inspirational song on the Raahi or Mussafir theme. This is from the 1974 movie Imtihaan (The Exam or Test). The Test here is not just for the rowdy students of a college in which Vinod Khanna is a professor who has decided to reform them through carefully crafted policy of love and understanding; but, the Test is also for him whether he would succeed or not. The 1967 British movie To Sir With Love inspired this movie. It later inspired television series Jeet starring Ankur Nayyar as Vikram Mall, Aparna Tilak as Janaki Sehgal and Mrinal Kulakarni as Amrita.
Vikram Mall in the television series is Pramod Sharma of Imtihaan, played by Vinod Khanna, who leaves a successful life abroad to retun to India to teach in a college where he graduated from, because he feels that he can make a difference.
This motivational song spurs Vinod Khanna when the going is tough and he has given up hope. The notes of guitar as in the Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani song: Ye jeevan hai, is jeevan ka yehi hai, yehi hai rang roop, are superb. Majrooh Sultanpuri‘s lyrics have been composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and the singer is Kishore Kumar.
Please enjoy: Ruk jaana nahin tu kahin haar ke…..
Ruk jaanaa nahii.n tuu kahii.n haar ke
kaa.NTo.n pe chalake mile.nge saaye bahaar ke
o raahii, o raahii…
Suuraj dekh ruk gayaa hai tere aage jhuk gayaa hai
jab kabhii aise koii mastaanaa
nikale hai apanii dhun me.n diivaanaa
shaam suhaanii ban jaate hai.n din i.ntazaar ke
o raahii, o raahii…
Saathii na kaaravaa.n hai ye teraa imtihaa.n hai
yuu.N hii chalaa chal dil ke sahaare
karatii hai ma.nzil tujhako ishaare
dekh kahii.n koii rok nahii.n le tujhako pukaar ke
o raahii, o raahii…
Nain aa.Nsuu jo liye hai.n ye raaho.n ke diye hai.n
logo.n ko unakaa sab kuchh deke
tuu to chalaa thaa sapane hii leke
koii nahii.n to tere apane hai.n sapane ye pyaar ke
o raahii, o raahii…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=heZC52CKtLQ%3F
Song #7
Lets take a break from motivational songs and turn to some love and romance numbers.
The first one of these is a tribute to a great lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, my second most favourite lyricist after Shakeel Badayuni. And why are these lyrics so good? One has to transport oneself to that era: the year 1962, when a pardesi, raahi or mussafir evoked both fascination as well as anxiety; fascination because of being from a strange world, and trepidation whether he would remain true or would be gone with the night. Please remember that when women used to get married and move to the husband’s family, it was considered that she was moving to pardes (distant land) and hence the parting was that much more painful. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan brings out the promise and fascination of the raahi (in this case Joy Mukherjee) and the anxiety on the part of the beloved (in this case Sadhana) very well indeed.
The name of this 1962 movie is: Ek Mussafir Ek Haseena.
OP Nayyar was very fond of Raag Pilu. However, for this song, he chose Raag Kirwani with shades of Pilu. The duet was very beautifully sung by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Raag Kirwani is very well suited for instrumental music and you can hear the musical notes very clearly.
Please enjoy: Main pyar ka raahi 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
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lelsjDNcqf0%3F
Song #8
It was under SD Burman’s baton that Kishore Kumar (the ultimate Raahi as I have mentioned above, found his moorings as a singer. A proof of that is that in the 1955 movie Munimji starring Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant there were twelve songs and only one sung by Kishore da; and yet, it is that solo that is remembered the best. Its female version, the sad version, sung by Lata Mangeshkar is considered only second best as compared to Kishore da’s excellence in that number.
Sahir Ludhianvi and SD Burman paired in many movies together including the 1957 Guru Dutt classic Pyaasa that had their best songs. However, even this song is par excellence both in lyrics and music.
aur de jaate hai.n yaade.n, tanahaaii me.n ta.Dapaane ko
jiivan ke safar…ye ruup kii daulata vaale, kab sunate hai.n dil ke naale
taqadiir na bas me.n Daale, inake kisii diivaane ko
jiivan ke safar…jo inakii nazar se khele, dukh paae musiibat jhele
phirate hai.n ye sab alabele, dil leke mukar jaane ko
jiivan ke safar…dil leke dagaa dete hai.n, ik rog lagaa dete hai.n
ha.Ns ha.Ns ke jalaa dete hai.n, ye husn ke paravaane ko
jiivan ke safar…ab saath na guzare.nge ham, lekin ye fizaa raato.n kii
doharaayaa karegii haradam, is pyaar ke afasaane ko
jiivan ke safar…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9kjx2ngbRc
Song #9
The next one is a great Mussafir song, possibly the greatest ever written and sung. It has been sung by Sachin Dev Burman on his own music. SD Burman used to say that his middle name Dev stood for his favourite hero Dev Anand. And indeed, this too is in Dev Anand’s classic 1958 movie Guide based on a story by RK Narayan.
Full marks to the lyricist Shailendra for the lyrics that are to be seen at two different planes: one, at the plane of the tour-guide Raju (played by Dev Anand) who needs direction or guidance in his own life wherein he gave in to love with a married and neglected woman Rosie (Waheeda Rehman) but she ignores his importance when she, guided by him, becomes a famous dancer (viz, Tune to sabako raah dikhaayi tu apni manzil kyun bhoola‘You showed everyone the way but you forgot your own destination). The second plane is that of Man’s journey through his life on earth and his ultimate destination.
All in all, it is a song that deserves to be in my list of the best Raahi or Mussafir songs. I have included the translation too.
Please enjoy: Wahan kaun hai tera mussafir jaayega kahaan….
wahaan kaun hai teraa,
musaafir, jaayegaa kahaan
dam lele ghadi bhar,
ye chhaiyyaan payega kahaan
wahaan kaun hai teraa
There is no one your own, o traveller
take a breather here,
where will you get this cool shade
there is no one your own..
beet gaye din,
pyaar ke palchhin
sapna bani wo raaten
bhool gaye wo,
tu bhi bhulaa de
pyaar ki wo mulaaqaaten
pyaar ki wo mulaaqaaten
sab door andhera,
musafir, jaayega kahaan
those days are gone
those moments of love
those nights are dreams now
they have forgotten it,
and you too should forget
those love filled meetings,
those love filled meetings..
It’s all dark for long distances..
so where will you go, o traveller
koi bhi teri, raah na dekhe
nain bichhaaye na koi
dard se tere, koi na tadpaa
aankh kisi ki naa royi
kahe kisko tu mera,
musafir jaayega kahaan
No one is there awaiting you
No one is looking forward for your arrival
nobody felt your pain,
no one shed a tear for you
whom can you call your own
so where will you go, o traveller
tune to sabko, raah bataayi
tu apni manzil kyun bhoolaa
suljha ke raaja, auron ki uljhan
kyun kachche dhaagon mein jhoolaa
kyun naache sapera
musaafir jayega kahaan
You guided others
how come you lost your own destination
having solved the problems of others
how come you got entangled in weak threads
why is the snakecharmer swaying on his own tune
where will you go, o traveller
musaafir.. tu jaayegaa kahaan
kehte hain gyaani,
duniyaa hai faani
paani pe likhi likhaayi
hai sabki dekhi,
hai sabki jaani
haath kisike na aayi
kuchh tera naa mera,
musafir jaayega kahaan
dam lele ghadi bhar,
ye chhaiyyaan,
payega kahaan
wahaan kaun hai tera
O traveller.. where will you go..
Learned people say,
this world is a mirage
everything is written on water
it is seen by all, it is experienced by all
(but) nobody could get/control it
nothing is yours, nothing is mine
so where will you go, o traveller
better take a breather here, you may not get this cool shade again
There is no one your own, o traveller
there is no one yours..
Song #10
We return to the topic of Kishore Kumar being the quintessential Raahi or Mussafir in his iwn movies. However, here is a Mussafir song sung by him in a Gulzar movie, the 1972 film Parichay. The movie’s story was written by Gulzar, based on a Bengali novel Rangeen Uttarain by Raj Kumar Maitra.
The film is about chasm between a discplinarian grandfather, Rai Saheb (played by Pran) and his grandchildren headed by Rama (Jaya Bahaduri) and how this chasm is bridged by Ravi (Jeetendra) who is sent as a tutor for the five grandchildren.
Jeetendra and Jaya Bahaduri came up with their finest performances in the movie. The song is picturised on Jeetendra in a tonga headed for taking up his employment as a tutor at Rai Saheb’s.
Please enjoy: Mussafir hoon yaaro, na ghar hai na thikaana….
musaafir huu.N yaaro
naa ghar hai naa Thikaanaa
mujhe chalate jaanaa hai, bas, chalate jaanaa
musaafir…
ek raah ruk ga_ii, to aur ju.D gaI
mai.n mu.Daa to saath-saath, raah mu.D gaI
havaa ke paro.n pe, meraa aashiyaanaa
musaafir…
din ne haath thaam ke, idhar biThaa liyaa
raat ne ishaare se, udhar bulaa liyaa
subah se shaam se meraa, dostaanaa
musaafir…
https://youtu.be/_nCi5kwD1Y8
Song # 11
If you walk alone, you are raahi and the safar is difficult and tedious. However, if you have a hamraahi (a co-walker or companion journeyer), then?
Naturally, if you are in love with your hamraahi, you are bound to say: Jin raahon pe huss ke chalo tum phool wahan khil jaate hain.
That’s the effect of love on something as simple and routine as journeying in this world.
I have taken this romantic duet from the 1963 movie Hamrahi that starred Rajendra Kumar and Jamuna.
The composers are Shankar Jaikishen and the lyricist is Hasrat Jaipuri. Mohammad Rafi and Mubarak Begum have sung this beautiful duet for Rajendra Kumar and Jamuna respectively.
Please enjoy: Mujhako apne gale lagalo, ai mere humraahi…..
Mujh ko apane gale lagaa lo, ai mere hamaraahii
tujhako kyaa batalaaU.n mai.n
ke tumase kitanaa pyaar hai
jab tum mujhase duur rahate ho
jiyaa meraa ghabaraataa hai
nii.nd aa.Nkho.n se u.D jaatii hai
chaa.Nd agan barasaataa hai
dono.n pahaluu jal jaate hai.n
aag me.n aag lagaataa hai
jaise ta.Dape bin jal machhalii
pyaar mujhe ta.Dapaataa hai, pyaar mujhe ta.Dapaataa hai
is uljhan se mujh ko bachaalo, ai mere hamarAhI
tujhako kyaa batalaaU.n mai.n …
jin raaho.n par ha.Nsake chalo tum
phUl vahaa.N khil jaate hai.n
dam lene ko jahaa.N ruko tum
madhushaale ban jaate hai.n
tumako chhUkar pavan jhakore
khuushabuu lekar jaate hai.n
lekin ham to dekhe.n sUrat
dil thaame rah jaate hai.n, dil thaame rah jaate hai.n
dil se dil ke taar milaa lo, ai mere hamarAhI
tujhako kyaa batalaaU.n mai.n …
https://youtu.be/D7vA3gKYIvA
Song #12
Why does the manzil appear far when you are a Pyaar Ka Raahi?
Shailendra and Shankar Jaikishan combination (or for that reason Hasrat Jaipuri and SJ combine) went beyond Raj Kapoor movies and gave equally enchanting songs.
This time it is for the 1959 movie Chhoti Bahen.
It is not difficult to recognise the fort from where the tonga is emerging in the beginning of the song. Let me see if you can guess the fort and the scenery of the song.
The song is a duet between Subir Sen and Lata ji. It is said that OP Nayyar gave some of his best songs to character artistes; eg, Ai dil hai mushkil jeena yahan and Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji. However, see this most enchanting song by S-J picturised on relatively minor actors Mehmood and Shaobha Khote.
Please enjoy: Main rangeela pyaar ka raahi door meri manzil….
su: mai.n ra.ngiilaa pyaar kaa raahii
duur merii ma.nzil
shokh nazar kaa tiir tuu ne maaraa
dil hu_aa ghaayal
la: tere li_e hii sambhaal ke rakhaa thaa
pyaar bharaa ye dil
tere ishaaro.n pe chalataa rahegaa
o mere qaatil
su: aa haa haa aa haa haa aa haa haa
la: aa haa haa aa haa haa aa haa haa
su: (terii raah par jo mai.n ruk gayaa
mujhe rahii na apanii khabar) -2
la: (mere saath chal mere hamasafar
ab terii merii ik Dagar) -2
ab terii merii ek Dagar
su: mai.n ra.ngiilaa …
su: (jo aaj hai vo kabhii na thaa
ye chaman pe ujalaa nikhaar ) -2
la: (ye ra.ng hai mere pyaar kaa
jo khilaa hai banake bahaar ) -2
jo khilaa hai banake bahaar
su: mai.n ra.ngiilaa …
su: mujhe luuT liyaa tere pyaar ne
ye gilaa mai.n kis se karuu.N
la: tujhe jiit liyaa, dil haar ke
ab havaa me.n u.Datii phiruu.N
su: mai.n ra.ngiilaa …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Nnp95ic13GA%3F
Song #13
Raj Kapoor assumed many a name/sobriquet in the movies such as Raju, Chhalia, Joker, Awaara and Anaadi. Yes, Raj Kapoor thought of himself as Kanhaiyya too at least in the 1959 movie in which he starred opposite Nutan, as he did in Anaadi.
The movie is yet another movie that represented the excellence of the quartet of Raj Kapoor as the actor, Mukesh as his singing voice, Shailendra as the lyricist and Shankar Jaikishan as the house musicians of RK Studio.
The movie has some of the best Mukesh numbers: Mujhe tumase kuchh bhi naa chaahiye, Nee baliye rut hai bahaar ki (duet with Lata ji) and Yaad aayi aadhi raat ko.
However, none of them became as popular as the Raahi song of the movie.
Please enjoy: Ruk jaa o jaanewaali ruk jaa main hoon raahi teri manzil kaa….
ruk jaa o jaane vaalii ruk jaa
mai.n to raahii terii ma.nzil kaa
nazaro.n me.n terii mai.n buraa sahii
aadamii buraa nahii.n mai.n dil kaa – (2)
dekhaa hii nahii.n tujhako
suurat bhii na pahachaanii
tuu aake chalii chham se
yuu.N Duubake din paanii – (2)
ruk jaa …
mud.hdat se mere dil ke
sapano.n kii tuu raanii hai
ab tak na mile lekin
pahachaan puraanii hai – (2)
ruk jaa …
aa pyaar kii raaho.n me.n
baaho.n kaa sahaaraa le
duniyaa jise gaatii hai
us giit ko doharaa le – (2)
ruk jaa …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=adZYDGWbPvw%3F
Song #14
And finally the last song of my top choices in Raahi or Mussafir songs.
In the Hindi movies there are many songs sung in a jeep, eg, Mere sapano ki raani kab aayegi tu, Kaun hai jo sapano main aaya, Pukaarta chala hoon main, and Chala jaata hoon kisi ki dhun mein. This one picturised on Rajendra Kumar should be high in the list. This is from the 1969 movie Anjaana. The song has been put together by Anand Bakshi as lyricist, Laxmikant Pyarelal as music-director and Mohammad Rafi as singer.
Please enjoy: Main raahi anjaan raahon ka, o yaaro mera naam mastaana…
mai.n raahii a.njaan raaho.n kaa
o yaaro.n meraa naam anajaanaa
mai.n pa.nchhii anjaan baaGo.n kaa
o yaaro.n meraa naam …
mere saare giit anjaane jaane kyaa ye log diivaane
jaane bas ye kaliyaa.N ye phuulo.n kii galiyaa.N
mai.n raagii anjaan giiito.n kaa
o yaaro.n meraa naam …
raste me.n bahaar mil jaa_e shaayad ko_ii yaar mil jaa_e
nikalaa huu.N akelaa Dhuu.NDhuu.N ko_ii melaa
mai.n saathii anjaan sapano.n kaa
pukaaro meraa naam …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=mKQWsLwDNW4%3F
There, that was my list of the best of Raahi and Mussafir songs. There are dozens of such songs in which these keywords occur either in the mukhada or the antara. However, I have given my list of the top fourteen. If you have a song in mind that you think should have been in the list, please mention in your comments. Who knows, I might just add it or replace one of the songs with it?
Excellent list! I would like to add “O door ke musafir, hum ko bhi saath le le re” from Udan Khatola. Sung by Mohammed Rafi, it is a beautiful composition.
Sir, hats/caps/topis off for this wonderful compilation which is a collectors’ item. Indeed a labour of love !
Thank you RS Yadav. It takes a long time to put up such posts; but, it is a joy when it is appreciated.
Thanks Prithpal. I am off to Goa for four days. On my return, I may include your song.