I am a lyrical man; words of the songs are often the most important part of the songs for me. Indeed, on the Facebook I have a page titled ‘Lyrical’ to honour and pay tribute to various lyricists. I have several (almost a dozen) posts on my blog on my favourite lyricist and poet Shakeel Badayuni. The following posts about Shailendra have been reconstructed from the same page.
Song #1
Kuchh aur zamaana kehta hai…
When I was giving you Shakeel Badayuni’s songs during the Countdown to his Birth Centenary on 03 Aug, I started giving you, one song a day from his contemporary lyricists starting with Shailendra.
I am, as you already know, a ‘Lyrical’ man in the same sense (though lacking in equivalent excellence) as my friend Anand Desai is an Instrumental man.
In the era in which I was brought up, good lyrics simply ruled the scene. We may not remember the story-line of a movie after so many decades, but we do remember the lyrics. I can give you several examples, such as Rajinder Krishan‘s:
“Ghar se chale the ham to khushi ki talaash mein,
Gham raah mein khade the wahin saath ho liye,
Khud dil se dil ki baat kahi aur ro liye.”
If you have seen the movie Adaalat, you would know how aptly the lyrics fit with the story-line and the emotions of Nargis.
Shailendra Kesarilal was one such lyricist. He was born on 30th Aug 1921 in Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). He and Hasrat Jaipuri associated with Shankar Jaikishan to create some of the best known songs in the Hindi movies.
His son Dinesh Shankar Shailendra brought out to us during the Shankar Jaikishan Music Foundation’s Mumbai Meet that we had on the 18th June 16 that amongst all of them, Shailendra was the only one who knew English and hence all contracts for the S-J and Hasrat were perused by him for correctness before asking them to sign!
If Raj Kapoor hadn’t noticed his poetry in a mushaira in Bombay in the year 1947, Shailendra would have probably continued working in the railways! And then first Aag (1948) and then Barsaat (1949) took place. Shailendra thereafter took us on a better journey than he would have in the Indian Railways.
There are hundreds of his lyrics to appreciate. I am particularly fond of Patita’s Mitti se khelte ho baar baar kis liye and this from the 1965 movie Chhoti Chhoti Baatein that starred Nadira and Motilal.
The movie was written, produced and directed by Motilal. As some of you would know, Motilal died before the movie was released.
You would also appreciate the setting of this great song (and I urge you to see it please) in a boat.
Whilst giving you the description of Raag Sarang on Lyrical, I had mentioned the various names by which Sarang is known, the most popular being Brindavani Sarang. This is, however, composed in Gaur Sarang by Anil Biswas and the tal is Dadra.
Singing for Nadira is Meena Kapoor. She became famous for her 1957 movie Pardesi song: Rasiya re man basiya re. She was, of course married to Anil Biswas. Many people used to comment upon the likeness of her voice to Geeta Dutt with whom she was a friend.
But, this song has to be appreciated most for its exquisite lyrics by Shailendra! I get floored by them every time I listen to them.
Please enjoy: Kuchh aur zamaana kehta hai…..
kuchh aur zamaanaa kahataa hai, kuchh aur hai zidd mere dil kii
mai.n baat zamaane kii maanuu.N, yaa baat sunuu.N apane dil kii
kuchh aur zamaanaa kahataa hai …
duniyaa ne hame.n berahamii se
Thukaraa jo diyaa, achchhaa hii kiyaa
naadaan ham samajhe baiThe the
nibhatii hai yahaa.N dil se dil kii
kuchh aur zamaanaa kahataa hai …
inasaaf, muhabbat, sachchaa_ii
vo raham-o-qaram ke dikhalaave
kuchh kahate zubaa.N sharamaatii hai
puuchho na jalan mere dil kii
kuchh aur zamaanaa kahataa hai …
go bastii hai insaano.n kii
insaan magar Dhuu.NDhe na milaa
patthar ke buto.n se kyaa kiije
fariyaad bhalaa TuuTe dil kii
kuchh aur zamaanaa kahataa hai …
Song #2
Mitti se khelte ho baar baar kisliye…
Whilst my favourite Shakeel Badayuni and so many others such as Sahir Ludhainvi, Kavi Pradeep, Pt. Narendra Sharma and even Majrooh Sultanpuri, were poets and lyricists, Shailendra used all his literary genius in writing lyrics for songs. As a find of Raj Kapoor, he wrote most of his songs for Shankar Jaikishan, though in later years, he associated with other composers and music directors too.
Let me recall this one from his 1953 movie Patita starring Dev Anand and Usha Kiran. A song from this movie has a mukhada that is the title of a Facegroup group of mine: Yaad Kiya Dil Ne; though penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. Indeed, when it came to S-J’s songs, we always keep going, like a metronome, between Shailendra and Hasrat.
Patita has two other songs penned by Shailendra: Kisi ne apna bana ke mujhako muskarana sikha diya, and Hai sabase madhur woh geet jise ham dard ke sur mein gaate hain.
However, my favourite in Lyrical excellence is Mitti se khelate ho baar baar kis liye.
The second stanza is particularly powerful.
Please enjoy: Mitti se khelate ho baar baar kis liye….
MiTTii se khelate ho baar-baar kis liye
TuuTe hu_e khilauno.n se pyaar kis liye
banaake zi.ndagaaniyaa.N bigaa.Dane se kyaa milaa
merii ummiid kaa jahaa.N ujaa.Dane se kyaa milaa
aa_ii thii do dino.n kii ye bahaar kis liye
zaraa sii dhuul ko hazaar ruup naam de di_e
zaraa sii jaan sar pe saat aasamaan de di_e
barabaad zi.ndagii kaa ye si.ngaar kis li_e
zamiin Gair ho ga_ii ye aasamaa.N badal gayaa
hawaa ke ruK badal ga_e har ek phuul jal gayaa
bajate hai.n ab ye saa.Nso.n ke taar kis li_e
Song #3
O sajana barkha bahaar aayi…
Last night I finally saw the 1960 movie Parakh!
If there is a song from a movie that I like, especially if it is an old one, I avoid seeing the movie lest I should be disappointed with the movie, its setting and the picturisation of the song.
My most favourite rain song ever is O sajana barkha bahaar aayi. It haunts me during the rains and it fascinates me otherwise. When I hear the notes of it and the lyrics, my heart goes aflutter. I build up my own scene around the songs and do not like the realm of my own imagination to be broken.
Shailendra certainly has the quality that tickles my imagination.
Even though the movie is a Bimal Roy movie, I avoided having a conflict between my own imagination and that of the movie’s.
However, yesterday I saw the movie with its story (a light-hearted satire/comedy, which no one can believe Bimal Roy would have directed!) written by Salil Chowdhury.
When I listen to the song, I imagine it as the picturisation of rain and the longing of a woman in rain for her lover without any necessity of a video! However, when I saw the movie and the song, I realised that the director and the music director too have done outstandingly well and the lyrics come out alive and throbbing with their handling.
Salil da, of course, composed the song in Raag Khammaj, Tal Kaherava. He thought about it with the swishing of his Ambassador car’s wipers in the rain. It is a late evening Raaga and that’s precisely the time in the movie too.
Shailendra was able to say it in a few words that would take volumes otherwise. Lata singing for Sadhana brought out the longing even more.
Please enjoy: O sajana barkha bahar aayi…..
(o sajanaa, barakhaa bahaara aaI
rasa kii phuhaara laaI, a.Nkhiyo.n me pyaar laaI ) – 2
o sajanaa
tumako pukaare mere mana kaa papiharaa – 2
miiThii miiThii aganii me.n, jale moraa jiyaraa
o sajanaa …
(aisI rimajhima me.n o saajan, pyaase pyaase mere nayana
tere hii, khvaaba me.n, kho gae ) – 2
saa.nvalii salonii ghaTaa, jaba jaba chhaaI – 2
a.Nkhiyo.n me.n rainaa gaI, nindiyaa na aaI
o sajanaa …
Song #4
Yeh mera deewanapan hai…
Just like Shakeel, Shailendra won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award thrice:
1958: “Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai” (Yahudi)
1959: “Sab Kuch Seekha Hamne” (Anari)
1968: “Main Gaoon Tum So Jao” (Brahmchari)
These awards were instituted in 1958. This means that Shailendra had won the first two awards after their institution, before Shakeel won the next one for the 1960 film Chaudhvin Ka Chand. And then of course, Shakeel did a hat-trick.
Day before yesterday I saw a Bimal Roy movie Parakh. Yahudi was another Bimal Roy movie. Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sohrab Modi, Nazir Hussain, and Nigar Sultana starred in the movie. It was based on a play Yahudi Ki Ladki by Agha Hashar Kashmiri, a classic in Parsi-Urdu theatre, about persecution of Jews in the Roman Empire. Hindi cinema, at that time was opening out to situations around the world.
1958 was only the 6th Filmfare Awards and already Best Lyricist award was introduced. Mukesh sang this song on the composition by Shankar Jaikishan.
Please enjoy: Yeh mera deewanapan hai yaa mohabbat ka saroor….
dil se tujhako bedilii hai, mujhako hai dil kaa guruur
tuu ye maane ke na maane, log maane.nge zuruur
ye meraa diivaanaapan hai, yaa muhabbat kaa suruur
tuu na pahachaane to hai ye, terii nazaro.n kaa qusuur
ye meraa diivaanaapan hai …
dil ko terii hii tamannaa, dil ko hai tujhase hii pyaar
chaahe tuu aae na aae, ham kare.nge i.ntazaar
ye meraa diivaanaapan hai …
aise viiraane me.n ik din, ghuT ke mar jaae.nge ham
jitanaa jii chaahe pukaaro, phir nahii.n aae.nge ham
ye meraa diivaanaapan hai …
Song #5
Chhoti si ye duniya pehchaane raaste..
Lyricists during those days didn’t have independent existence. They were either attached to music directors or to film studios. Shailendra was part of Shankar Jaikishan set up.
Once, S-J promised Shailendra that they would recommend him to other music directors; but, later totally forgot about it. I have already told you that writing lyrics was the only life Shailendra had. So, he sent them a note after reasonable time had elapsed. The note said: “Chhoti si ye duniya, pehchaane raaste hain; kahin to miloge to poochhenge haal“.
Shankar-Jaikishan straightway understood that Shailendra was conveying to them about failed promise. However, the lines that Shailendra wrote were so good, loaded and with light ruefulness that they used it in a song.
The movie was the 1962 movie Rungoli that starred (exactly like the 1956 movie New Delhi that I saw last night): Kishore Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.
The film had the following songs:
1. Chhoti Si Ye Duniya, Pahachaane Raasate Hain – Kishore Kumar
2. Choti Si Ye Duniya Pehchane Raaste Hai – Lata Mangeshkar
3. Hum Tum Ye Khoyi Khoyi Rahe, Chanchal Isharon Se – Lata Mangeshkar , Mukesh
4. Ek Nazar Kisi Ne Dekha Aur Dil Hua Deewana – Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
5. Jaao-jaao Nand Ke Lala Tum Jhoote – Lata Mangeshkar
6. Rangoli Sajaao Re, Teri Paayal Mere Git – Kishore Kumar
7. Sagar Pe Aaj Maujon Ka Raaj, Bechain Hai Nazaara – Lata Mangeshkar
8. Hum Bechare Pyar Ke Maare, Aur Tum To Tum Ho – Kishore Kumar
9. Chaau Chaau Bombiyana, Ishq Hai Maraz Purana – Manna Dey
Credits for the lyrics of the songs were shared between Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.
Please enjoy: Chhoti si ye duniya pehchaane raaste hain….
chhoTii sii ye duniyaa, pahachaane raste.n hai.n
tum kabhI to miloge, kahii.n to miloge to puuchhe.nge haal
chhoTii sI …
ham to ye samajhe.nge hamane ek patthar ko puujaa
lekin tumako apane jaisA nahii.n milege duujaa, nahii.n milegaa duujaa
chhoTii sii ye duniyaa …
siikhaa nahii.n hamaare dil ne pyaar me.n dhiiraj khonaa
aag me.n jal ke bhI jo nikhaare, hai vohii sachchaa sonaa, hai vohI sachchaa sonaa
chhoTii sii ye duniyaa …
dil kI daulat mat Thukaraao, dekho pachhatAoge
aaj chale jaate ho jaise, lauT ke bhI aaoge, lauT ke bhI aaoge
chhoTii sii ye duniyaa …
Song #6
Awaara hoon…
I call Shakeel Badayuni as the Best Poet and Lyricist. Similarly, Gulzar calls Shailendra as the Best Lyricist the Hindi movies ever saw.
The most popular song (internationally) that was ever written by a Hindi films lyricist was actually written by Shailendra and at a very early stage in his career. I am talking about the title song of the 1951 Raj Kapoor movie Awaara. I need not repeat it that the song was a hit song across lands and oceans: China, Middle East, Europe and even Americas.
Recently, a WhatsApp video is going around with Turkish President singing the song at a public function. Of course, in Turkey Awaara was remade as Avare (1964) starring the Turkish actor Sadri Alışık, along with actress Ajda Pekkan.
In 2012, Time Magazine included Awaara and Anari amongst the 100 Best Movies Of All Times.
Shankar Jaikishan, of course, composed the song in their favourite Raaga: Raag Bhairavi, Tal Kaherava.
Please enjoy: Awaara hoon…..
(aavaaraa huu.N, aavaaraa huu.N
yaa gardish me.n huu.N aasamaan kaa taaraa huu.N ) – 2
aavaaraa huu.N, aavaaraa huu.N
gharabaar nahii.n, sa.nsaar nahii.n
mujhase kisIko pyaar nahii.n – 2
usapaar kisiise milane kaa iqaraar nahii.n
mujhase kisIko pyaar nahii.n – 2
sunasaan nagar anjaan Dagar kaa pyaaraa huu.N
aavaaraa huu.N, aavaaraa huu.N
aabaad nahii.n barabaad sahii
gaataa huu.N khushiike gIt magar – 2
zakhmo.n se bharaa siinaa hai meraa
ha.nsatii hai magar ye mast nazar
duniyaa .a.a.a
duniyaa me.n tere tiir kaa yaa takadiir kaa maaraa huu.N
aavaaraa huu.N, aavaaraa huu.N
yaa gardish me.n huu.N aasamaan kaa taaraa huu.N
aavaaraa huu.N, aavaaraa huu.N
Song #7
Kaise din beete kaise beetin ratiyan…
I saw the 1960 Anuradha again last year in the month of July. I had seen it once when I was a boy more than 50 years ago. And the reason for seeing the movie was badically for its memorable songs. And what songs they are:
1. “Jaane Kaise Sapno Main” – Lata Mangeshkar
2. “Sanware Sanware Kahe Mose” – Lata Mangeshkar
3. “Kaise Din Beete, Kaise Beeti Ratiyan” – Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Bahut Din Huye” – Mahendra Kapoor
5. “Hai Re Woh Din Kyon Na Aaye” – Lata Mangeshkar
Each one of them has that pull that tugs at the chords of one’s heart. The film stars Balraj Sahni and Leela Naidu in lead roles. Leela Naidu was Miss India before joining films and this was her debut movie. The movie is all about the idealist village doctor Balraj Sahni ignoring the desires and aspirations of his city bred wife Anuradha (Leela Naidu) who, before she married him, had interest in music and singing (she was a singer on the All India Radio).
This sensitive theme was handled by Hrishikesh Mukherjee very well indeed. And, to help him build up the theme were Shailendra’s lyrics in the above songs and Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar’s compositions (one of the rare movies with him as Music Director).
I am particularly fond of this one penned by Shailendra and composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar in Manj Khammaj, Tal Dadra.
Please enjoy: Kaise din beete kaise beeti ratiyan, piya jaane na….
ha~~ay~
kaise din biite kaise biitii ratiyaa
piyaa jaane na
haay
nehaa lagaa ke mai.n pachhataa_ii
saarii saarii rainaa nindiyaa na aa_ii
jaan ke dekho mere jii kii batiyaa
piyaa jaane na
haay
kaise din biite kaise biitii ratiyaa
piyaa jaane na
rut matavaalii aa ke chalii jaaye
man me.n hii mere man kii rahii jaaye
khilane ko tarase nanhii nanhii kaliyaa.N
piyaa jaane na
haay
kaise din biite kaise biitii ratiyaa
piyaa jaane na
kajaraa na sohe gajaraa na sohe
barakhaa na bhaaye badaraa na sohe
kyaa kahuu.N jo puuchhe mose morii sakhiyaa.N
piyaa jaane na
haay
kaise din biite kaise biitii ratiyaa
piya jaane na
Song #8
Ab ke baras bhej bhaiyya ko babul….
Tonight we have taken upon ourselves to give songs of Shailendra without Shankar-Jaikishan.
We just finished listening to 1960 Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie Anuradha’s number full of pathos of a woman ignoring her own desires and aspirations for her idealist husband Balraj Sahni who is devoted to his patiens in a village where there is no amusement for her at all. The song is: Kaise din beete kaise beeti ratiyan piya jaane na.
Let me take you now to the 1963 Bimal Roy movie Bandini with Nutan in the title role and Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra in leading roles.
The movie had a debut song by Sampooran Singh Kalra who took over the nom de plume of Gulzar: Mora gora ang layi le. The rest of the songs were penned by Shailendra:
1. Mora Gora Ang Laile Lata Mangeshkar
2. Jogi Jabse Tu Aaya Lata Mangeshkar
3. O Janewale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana Mukesh
4. O Panchhi Pyare Sanjh Sakare Asha Bhosle,
5. Ab Ke Baras Bhejo Asha Bhosle
6. O Mere Majhi Mere Sajan Hai S.D. Burman
7. Mat Ro Mata Lal Tere Manna Dey
All songs are masterpieces both in the excellence of their lyrics as well as the beautiful compositions by Sachin Dev Burman. I think the most poignant song is Ab ke baras. Sachin da composed it in Raag Pilu, the same raag in which OP Nayyar composed many of his songs including the 1958 movie Phagun song picturised on Madhubala: Piya, piya na laage mora jiya. The only difference is that whilst Phagun song is in Tal Kaherava, the Bandini song is in Tal Dipchandi (Moghali).
Please enjoy a masterpiece by Shailendra: Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul……
ab ke baras bhej bhaiyaa ko baabul
saavan ne liijo bulaay re
lauTe.ngii jab mere bachapan kii sakhiiyaa.N
dejo sa.ndeshaa bhiyaay re
ab ke baras bhej bhiiyako baabul …
ambuvaa tale phir se jhuule pa.De.nge
rimajhim pa.De.ngii phuhaare.n
lauTe.ngii phir tere aa.Ngan me.n baabul
saavan kii Tha.nDii bahaare.n
chhalake nayan moraa kasake re jiyaraa
bachapan kii jab yaad aae re
ab ke baras bhej bhiiyako baabul …
bairan javaanii ne chiine khilaune
aur merii gu.Diyaa churaaii
baabul kii mai.n tere naazo.n kii paalii
phir kyo.n huii mai.n paraaii
biite re jag koii chiThiyaa na paatii
na koii naihar se aaye, re
ab ke baras bhej bhiiyako baabul …
Song #9
Aaja re pardesi….
What about Shailendra‘s songs for the 1958 Bimal Roy movie: Madhumati starring Vyjayanthimala in the title role? She had Dilip Kumar, Pran and Johnny Walker, amongst others to support her.
The songs of this movie are fondly remembered even more than 50 years of their first appearance in the movie. Bimal Roy wanted SD Burman to compose the songs but Sachin da suggested to him that for what Bimal Roy had in mind, Salil Chowdhury would be better.
These are certainly amongst the best of Salil da:
1. “Aaja Re Pardesi” Lata Mangeshkar 04:26
2. “Chadh Gayo Papi Bichhua” Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey 05:23
3. “Dil Tadap Tadap Ke” Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar 03:27
4. “Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadke” Lata Mangeshkar 03:11
5. “Hai Bichhua Hai Re Hai” Lata Mangeshkar 01:55
6. “Ham Haal-e-Dil Sunaenge” Mubarak Begum 03:26
7. “Jungle Mein Mor Naacha” Mohammad Rafi 03:07
8. “Kancha Le Kanchi Lai Lajo” Asha Bhonsle, Sabita Chowdhury & Ghulam Mohammad 03:24
9. “Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam” Mukesh 03:44
10. “Tan Jale Man Jalta Rahe” Dwijen Mukherjee 03:22
11. “Toote Huye Khwabon Ne” Mohammad Rafi 03:42
12. “Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi” Lata Mangeshkar 04:05
Hats off to Shailendra to have written the lyrics of all these songs. And the only reason that he didn’t receive the Best Lyricist award for any of these was because he was getting the award for the title song of Awara, the very first Best Lyricist Award.
Aja re pardesi became the most memorable song of the movie and certainly amongst the best of Lata Mangeshkar too (as acknowledged by the Nightingale of India herself). Salil da composed it in Raag Bageshri and Tal Kaherava (the fast version of it).
Please enjoy: Aja re pardesi, main to kab se khadi is paar….
aa jaa re .a.a.a paradesii
mai.n to kab se kha.Dii is paar
ye a.Nkhiyaa.N, thak ga_ii pa.nth nihaar
aa jaa re, paradesii
(tum sa.ng janam janam ke phere
bhuul gaye kyuu.N saajan mere ) – 2
ta.Dapat huu.N mai.n saa.njh savere, o …
aa jaa re, mai.n to kab se kha.Dii is paar …
(mai.n nadiyaa phir bhii mai.n pyaasii
bhed ye gaharaa baat zaraa sii ) – 2
bin tere har raat udaasii, o …
aa jaa re, mai.n to kab se kha.Dii is paar …
mai.n diye kii aisii baatii
jal na sakii jo bujh bhii na paatii
aa mil mere jiivan saathii, o …
aa jaa re, mai.n to kab se kha.Dii is paar …
Song #10
Barsaat mein hum se mile tum sajan tum se mile hum…..
Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for my absence yesterday; I had gone to see the premiere of the movie Rustom that a brother was kind enough to invite me for.
I am sure the more I write about Shailendra, the more you must be convinced that my having chosen him immediately after Shakeel Badayuni is not merely by fluke. By the way, this happens to be his birth-month too, having been born on 30th Aug in the year 1921 in Rawalpindi in then India, now Pakistan.
Tonight I am going to give you songs that he penned for his first movie: the 1949 Barsaat that happens to be also the debut movie of Shankar Jaikishan. It was also the debut movie of Nimmi and the first movie in which credit for playback singing was given to Lata Mangeshkar.
Here are all those debut artistes together in the title song of the movie. S-J composed it in a Raaga that turned out to be their favourite – Raag Bahiravi, that is. Tal Kaherava.
Please enjoy the very first song of Shailendra, S-J, Nimmi and Lata Mangeshkar (for which she was given credit on the screen): Barsaat mein hum se mile tum sajan tum se mile hum…..
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
dhinaa dhin
tak dhinaa dhin
barasaat me.n
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
barasaat me.n hamase mile tum sajan tumase mile ham
barasaat me.n
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
barasaat me.n hamase mile tum sajan tumase mile ham
barasaat me.n
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
priit ne si.ngaar kiyaa
mai.n banii dulhan -2
sapano.n kii rimajhim me.n
naach uThaa man
meraa naach uThaa man
aaj mai.n tumhaarii hu_ii tum mere sanam
tum mere sanam
barasaat me.n
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
barasaat me.n hamase mile tum sajan tumase mile ham
barasaat me.n
ko : tak dhinaa dhin
naino.n se jhaa.nkii jo
merii mast jawaanii
duniyaa se kahatii phire
dil kii kahaanii
mere dil kii kahaanii
unakii jo huu.N mai.n
unase kaisii sharam
ye samaa.N hai jaa rahe ho
kaise manaa_uu.N -2
mai.n tumhaarii raah me.n ye
nain bichhaa_uu.N -2
tum naa jaa_o tumako merii
jaan kii qasam -2
der naa karanaa kahii.n ye
aas chhuuT jaaye
saa.Ns TuuT jaaye
tum naa aa_o dil kii lagii
mujhako hii jalaaye
Kaaq me.n milaaye
aaG kii lapaTo.n me.n pukaare ye meraa man
mil naa sake haay mil naa sake ham -2
Song #11
Patli qamar hai tirchhi nazar hai…
The 1949 movie Barsaat had the following songs:
1. “Chhod Gaye Balam” Hasrat Jaipuri Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar 4:28
2. “Jiya Beqarar Hai” Hasrat Jaipuri Lata Mangeshkar 3:10
3. “Barsaat Mein Humse Mile” Shailendra Lata Mangeshkar 5:00
4. “Hawa Mein Udta Jaye” Ramesh Shastri Lata Mangeshkar 2:30
5. “Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha” Hasrat Jaipuri Mohammed Rafi 2:51
6. “Patli Kamar Hai” Shailendra, Akhilesh Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar 5:17
7. “Bichhde Hue Pardesi” Hasrat Jaipuri Lata Mangeshkar 3:28
8. “Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gayaa” Jalal Malihabadi Lata Mangeshkar 2:46
9. “Meri Aankhon Mein Bas Gaya Koi Re” Hasrat Jaipuri Lata Mangeshkar 2:47
10. “Ab Mera Kaun Sahara” Hasrat Jaipuri Lata Mangeshkar 3:15
11. “Jiya Beqarar Hai” Instrumental 2:29
If you have had a look at the list, you would know that the only other song that Shailendra wrote in his debut movie was Patli kamar hai, tirchhi nazar hai.
It has been sung by Mukesh for a licentious Prem Nath who is at pains to drive into Raj Kapoor, his best friend, that life is to be enjoyed with various women, clubs, drinks and all that and that love or true love is for the nincompoops.
Shailendra with his mastery over lyrics was able to contrast the licentious conduct of Prem Nath with the true love of Nimmi who loved him that way whilst he merely flirted with her as he did with others.
Of course, Lata sang for Nimmi.
Please enjoy: Patli kamar hai tirchhi nazar hai….
patalii kamar hai tirachhii nazar hai
khile phuul sii terii javaanii
koii bataaye kahaa.N qasar hai
o~ aajaa mere man chaahe baalam
aajaa teraa aa.Nkho.n me.n ghar hai
mai.n cha.nchal mad_mast pavan huu.N
jhuum jhuum har kalii ko chumuu.N
bichha.D gayii mai.n ghaayal hiraNii
tumako Dhuu.NDhuu.N ban ban ghuumuu.N
merii zi.ndagii mast safar hai
patalii kamar hai …
tum bin naino.n kii barasaate.n
rok na paa_uu.N laakh manaa_uu.N
mai.n bahate dariyaa kaa paanii
khel kinaaro.n se ba.Dh jaa_uu.N
ba.Ndh na paa_uu.N
nayaa nagar nit nayii Dagar hai
patalii kamar hai …
Song #12
Din dhal jaaye haay raat na jaaye…
I am going to end tonight with a song of his for the 1965 Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman classic movie: Guide based on story by RK Narayan.
In this movie, as with Bimal Roy’s Bandini, Shailendra paired with SD Burman and created some exceedingly great songs:
1. “Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna” Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
2. “Din Dhal Jaaye” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
3. “Gaata Rahe Mera Dil” Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
4. “Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
5. “Piya Tose Naina Laage Re” Lata Mangeshkar Waheeda Rehman
6. “Saiyaan Beimaan” Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
7. “Tere Mere Sapne” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
8. “Wahan Kaun Hai Tera” Sachin Dev Burman Dev Anand
9. “He Ram Hamare Ramchandra” Manna Dey & Chorus Dev Anand
10. “Allah Megh De Paani De” Sachin Dev Burman Dev Anand
Each one of the songs is as much a classic as the movie and yet, after winning the first two Filmfare Best Lyricist awards in 1958 and 1959, it wasn’t until the 1968 movie Brahamachari (Main gaayun tum so jaao) that another Filmfare award was given to him!
In that year when Guide was released, the Best Lyricist award went to Majrooh Sultanpuri for his Chahunga main tujhe saanjh savere for Dosti. Shailendra was not nominated for any of the songs of Guide but for Sangam’s Dost dost na raha.
Award or no award, this happens to be my favourite song from Guide for its lyrics, music and picturisation.
Please enjoy: Din dhal jaaye haay raat na jaay…..
din Dhal jaaye haay, raat naa jaay
tuu to na aae terii, yaad sataaye, din Dhal jaaye
pyaar me.n jinake, sab jag chho.Daa, aur hue badanaam
unake hii haatho.n, haal huaa ye, baiThe hai.n dil ko thaam
apane kabhii the, ab hai.n paraaye
din Dhal jaaye haay …
aisii hii rim-jhim, aisii fuvAre.n, aisii hii thii barasaat
khud se judaa aur, jag se paraaye, ham dono.n the saath
phir se vo saavan, ab kyuu.N na aaye
din Dhal jaaye haay …
dil ke mere tum, paas ho kitanii, phir bhii ho kitanii duur
tum mujh se mai.n, dil se pareshaa.N, dono.n hai.n majabuur
aise me.n kisako, kaun manaaye
din Dhal jaaye haaye …
Song #13
Mera joota hai Japani…
Even though today is the 5th day and it is the 13th song of this great lyricist: Shailendra, frankly, it appears like as if we have just begun with him.
Shailendra wrote nearly a hundred songs more than Shakeel Badayuni; 859 to Shakeel’s 761. And hence, it is but natural that we take up quite a few of his songs.
In his case, I have decided not to go chronologically or by any plan or scheme but to give you the songs as they come to me. Suffice it to say that I am a ‘Lyrical’ man and good lyrics hold attraction for me.
The other day I gave you two songs from his debut film: the 1949 movie Barsaat.
He and Hasrat Jaipuri were the lyricists with music director Shankar Jaikishan to make songs for Raj Kapoor movies.
I saw the movie Shree 420 exactly a year back, in Aug 2015. In this movie, Shailendra and Hasrat didn’t divide the songs equally between themselves. Shailendra penned 5 to Hasrat’s 3:
1 “Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwaala” Manna Dey Shailendra 5:36
2 “Ichak Dana Beechak Dana” Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri 5:08
3 “Mera Juta Hai Japani” Mukesh Shailendra 4:33
4 “Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh” Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey Shailendra 6:34
5 “O Janewale” Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri 2:20
6 “Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua” Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey Shailendra 4:22
7 “Ramaiya Vastavaiya” Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh Shailendra 6:10
8 “Sham Gayi Raat Aayi” Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri 4:00
Just like the title song of Awara that became an international hit, one song of this movie became a global hit. My ship INS Himgiri made a port call at Odessa (in USSR then and now in Ukraine) in Aug 1975 and many Russians on the street would be humming this song.
The singing voice of Raj Kapoor: Mukesh, sang it. Shankar Jaikishan composed it in Raag Bhairavi (their favourite, as I have already told you several times) and in Tal Kaherava.
Please enjoy a song that is meaningful for our Independence Day 28 hours away: Mera joota hai Japani….phir bhi dil hai Hindustani…
Meraa juutaa hai jaapaanii, ye pataluun i.ngalistaanii
sar pe laal Topii ruusii, phir bhii dil hai hi.ndustaanii
meraa juutaa…
nikal pa.De hai.n khulii sa.Dak par
apanaa siinaa taane – (2)
ma.nzil kahaa.N kahaa.N rukanaa hai
uupar vaalaa jaane – (2)
ba.Dhate jaaye.n ham sailaanii, jaise ek dariyaa tuufaanii
sar pe laal…
uupar niiche niiche uupar
lahar chale jiivan kii – (2)
naadaa.N hai.n jo baiTh kinaare
puuchhe.n raah vatan kii – (2)
chalanaa jiivan kii kahaanii, rukanaa maut kii nishaanii
sar pe laal…
ho.nge raaje raajaku.Nvar ham
biga.De dil shahazaade – (2)
ham si.nhaasan par jaa baiThe
jab jab kare.n iraade – (2)
suurat hai jaanii pahachaanii, duniyaa vaalo.n ko hairaanii
sar pe laal…
Song #14
Ramaiyya Vastavaiyya…
The simplistic lyrics of the last song: Mera joota hai Japani had deep meaning; which is that as a newly independent country we might have things imported from various parts of the world but we were proud to be totally Indian at heart and proud of it.
A movie was titled on the last part of the mukhada of the song; ie, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
Another very popular song from the movie was a song about the homecoming of Raj Kapoor amidst his people (the poor people on the streets of Bombay) from whom he had departed to taste the life of the high and the mighty by being as deceitful as them; and that’s why the title: Shree 420, a man who indulges in deceit and fraud.
Hats off to Shailendra for the title of the song: Ramaiyya Vastavaiyya that he took from Telugu. The literal translation is: Ram, I knew you’d come (return).
This song has been sung in three parts: Mohammad Rafi for one of the street cronies of Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar for Nargis and in the end Mukesh for Raj Kapoor.
As with the first song Mera joota hai Japani, this too was composed by S-J in Raag Bhairavi but the Tal is Dadra/Hinch.
Please enjoy: Ramaiyya vastavaiyya….
ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa – 2
maine dil tujhako diyaa – 2
haa.N ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa
naino.n me.n thii pyaar kii roshanii
terii aa.Nkho.n me.n ye duniyaadaarii na thii
tuu aur thaa teraa dil aur thaa
tere man me.n ye miiThii kaTaarii na thii
mai.n jo dukh paauu.N to kyaa, aaj pachhataauu.N to kyaa
maine dil tujhako diyaa – 2
haa.N ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa …
us desh me.n tere parades me.n
sone chaa.ndii ke badale me.n bikate hai.n dil
is gaa.Nv me.n dard kii chhaa.nv me.n
pyaar ke naam par hii ta.Dapate hai.n dil
chaa.Nd taaro.n ke tale, raat ye gaatii chale
maine dil tujhako diyaa – 2
haa.N ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa …
aa …
yaad aatii rahii dil dukhaatii rahii
apane man ko manaanaa na aayaa hame.n
tuu na aae to kyaa bhuul jaae to kyaa
pyaar karake bhulaanaa na aayaa hame.n
vahii.n se duur se hii, tuu bhii ye kah de kabhii
maine dil tujhako diyaa – 2
haa.N ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa …
rastaa vahii aur musaafir vahii
ek taaraa na jaane kahaa.N chhup gayaa
duniyaa vahii duniyaavaale vahii
koii kyaa jaane kisakaa jahaa.N luT gayaa
merii aa.Nkho.n me.n rahe, kaun jo tujhase kahe
maine dil tujhako diyaa – 2
haa.N ramayyaa vastaavayyaa, ramayyaa vastaavayyaa …
Song #15
Pyaar hua iqraar hua..
The 1955 movie Shree 420 was produced and directed by Raj Kapoor on a story by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. Its songs are still as popular today as 61 years ago.
Here is an iconic duet from the movie sung by Mukesh for Raj Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar for Nargis.
This is the thrid song from the same movie that S-J composed in Raag Bhairavi, Tal Kaherava. Once again, enjoy the beauty of the lyrics of Shailendra.
The image of Nargis and Raj Kapoor under an umbrella in rain has withstood the vagaries of time and has prevailed as the image of a loving couple in a their first romantic moments. It has been copied in many movies and stage performances.
Please enjoy: Pyaar hua iqraar hua….
pyaar huaa iqaraar huaa hai
pyaar se phir kyo.n Darataa hai dil
(kahataa hai dil, rastaa mushkil
maaluum nahii.n hai kahaa.N ma.nzil ) – 2
pyaar huaa iqaraar huaa …
dil kahe is maa.ng ko, mai.n taaro.n se sa.nvaar duu.N
tumase nayaa sa.nsaar luu.N, tumako nayaa sa.nsaar duu.N
chaa.Nd aur suuraj, diip gagan ke
is dharatii pe utaar duu.N
aahaa haa aahaa haa, aa …
pyaar huaa iqaraar huaa …
raato.n daso.n dishaao.n se, kahe.ngii apanii kahaaniyaa.N
priit hamaare pyaar kii, doharaae.ngii javaaniyaa.N
mai.n na rahuu.Ngii, tum na rahoge
phir bhii rahe.ngii nishaaniyaa.N
aahaa haa aahaa haa, aa …
pyaar huaa iqaraar huaa …
Song #16
Jaayun kahan bata ai dil…….
We have just started with our new series: ‘Remembering Great Lyricists’ and we started with the first: Shailendra born in Rawalpindi as Shankardas Kesarilal on 30th Aug 1921. Unlike other lyricists on his era who were poets too, all the talent of Shailendra was spent on writing lyrics for songs in Hindi movies. Gulzar called him the Best Lyricist ever in Hindi films.
In the last five days we have taken up 15 of his songs.
Tonight I start with a favourite of mine, penned by him for the 1959 movie Chhoti Behan starring Balraj Sahni and Nanda. As with most of his songs, it has been composed by Shankar Jaikishan and sung by Mukesh. The song has been picturised on Rehman and the best ever on him.
Now, why is this a favourite of mine? Simply because it was composed by S-J in Raag Jhinjhoti, the same raaga in which Naushad composed the best of Shakeel: Mere mehboob tujhe. I was able to observe and then convey to you that many of the songs composed in Jhinjhoti have the element of self-pity in them; eg, Ghungroo ki tarah bajata hi raha hoon main; Koi hamdam na raha, koi sahaara na raha; Mose chhhal kiye jaaye; Tum mujhe youn bhula na paayoge. So is this song. The Tal is Kaherava.
Please enjoy: Jaayun kahan bata ai dil…….
jaa_uu.N kahaa.N bataa ai dil
duniyaa ba.Dii hai sa.ngadil
chaa.Ndanii aa_ii ghar jalaane
sujhe na ko_ii ma.nzil
jaa_uu.N kahaa.N bataa …
banake TuuTe yahaa.N aarazuu ke mahal
ye zamii.n aasamaa.N bhii gaye hai.n badal
kahatii hai zi.ndagii is jahaa.N se nikal
jaa_uu.N kahaa.N bataa …
haay is paar to aa.Nsu_o.n kii Dagar
jaane us paar kyaa vo kise hai khabar
Thoka.re.n khaa rahii har kadam par nazar
jaa_uu.N kahaa.N bataa …
Song #17
Raat ne kyaa kyaa khwab dikhaye…..
It is not as if Shailendra didn’t write for Music Directors other than for Shankar Jaikishan. We have just covered only 16 songs of his and already I have given you his song of Anuradha (Kaise din beete) with Pandit Ravi Shankar, of Madhumati (Aaja re pardesi) with Salil Chowdhury and of Guide (Din dhal jaaye haay) with SD Burman.
If the last song that I gave you was called a ‘favourite’ by me, I don’t really know what I should call this? It often tugs at the strings of my emotions and makes me repeatedly conscious of its great lyrics, sadness of notes and awesome singing.
It is from the 1957 movie Ek Gaon Ki Kahani in which Talat Mehmood sang and acted opposite Mala Sinha. It has been composed by the same composer who worked with Shailendra one year later in Madhumati: Salil Chowdhury.
Please close your eyes and listen to: Raat ne kyaa kyaa khwab dikhaye…..
raat ne kyA kyA khvAb dikhaaye
ra.ng bhare sau jaal bichhAye
A.Nkhe.n khulI to sapane TUTe
rah gaye Gam ke kaale sAye
raat ne …
o … (ham ne to chaahA bhUl bhI jAye.n
vo afasAnA kyo.n dohorAye.n ) – 2
dil rah rah ke yaad dilAye
raat ne kyA kyA …
(dil me.n dil kA dad.r chhupAye
chalo jahA.n qismat le jAye ) – 2
duniyA parAyI log parAye
raat ne kyA kyA …
Song #18
Teri yaad dil se bhulane chala hoon…..
Some of you would have observed that I put up just three songs in a day and consciously or unconsciously I try to get the matching mood in all three. Tonight, we first listened to Jaayun kahan bata ai dil and then followed it up with Raat ne kyaa kyaa khwab dikhaye.
To end tonight, I give you a matching song from the 1962 movie Haryali Aur Rasta. The movie starred two actors whose style of acting was the same: in-your-face acting: Manoj Kumar and Mala Sinha. I who have always admired subtlety and sensitivity of acting just couldn’t stand them.
However, just look at their luck; the best of the songs in this movie (and several others) have been on them:
“Teri Yaad Dil Se Bhulaane Chala Hoon” (Shailendra) Mukesh
“Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage” (Hasrat Jaipuri) Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
“Yeh Hariyali Aur Yeh Rasta” Lata Mangeshkar
“Parwano Ki Raah Mein” Asha Bhosle
“Kho Gaya Hai Mera Pyar” (Hasrat Jaipuri) Mahendra Kapoor
“Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani” (Shailendra) Lata Mangeshkar
“Dil Mera Chup Chap Jala” Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
“Bol Meri Taqdeer Mein Kya Hai- I” (Shailendra) Lata Mangeshkar
“Bol Meri Taqdeer Mein Kya Hai – II” (Shailendra) Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
Manoj and Mala apart, nothing takes away the excellence of the songs penned by Shailendra in the movie. Teri yaad dil se bhulane chala hoon was composed by Shankar Jaikishan in Raag Tilak Kamod, Tal Kaherava.
Please enjoy: Teri yaad dil se bhulane chala hoon…..
terii yaad dil se, bhulaane chalaa huu.N
ke khud apanii hastii, miTaane chalaa huu.N – 2
terii yaad …
ghaTaao.n tumhe.n saath denaa pa.Degaa – 2
mai.n phir aaj aa.Nsuu bahaane chalaa huu.N
bahaane chalaa huu.N
terii yaad …
kabhii is jagah khvaab dekhe the maine – 2
vahii KAk apanii u.Daane chalaa huu.N
u.Daane chalaa huu.N
terii yaad …
Song #19
Aaja ri aa nindiya tu aa….
Eighteeen songs of this great lyricist and it appears as if we have just started.
Having finished seeing 1953 movie Patita on my computer last night, I completed seeing 74 movies on my com in about a year and a half, Of course, Shaielndra’s three songs in the movie were great. The one that I gave you: Mitti se khelte ho baar baar kis liye must rank amongst his finest. The other two: Hai sabase madhur woh geet jise hum dard ke sur mein gaate hain; and Kisi ne apana bana ke mukhako muskarana sikha diya also tell of his mastery.
But, today, I start with another Bimal Roy movie (two of his movies Bandini and Madhumati had Shailendra’s lyrics in the songs except Mora gora rang layi le penned by Gulzar). This is the 1953 classic Do Bigha Zameen starring Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy. I saw the movie on 08/09 May this year when I was in my home-station Kandaghat.
Surprisingly, being a 1953 movie, when it was a done thing to have a dozen songs in the movie, Do Bigha Zameen had only four songs; it rode on the acting skills of Balraj Sahni and Bimal Roy’s superb direction. Just like Bimal Roy’s Parakh, it had a story written by Salil Chowdhury and all songs and background music was also composed by Salil da.
Have a look at the songs:
1. “Aaja ri aa nindiya tu aa” – Performed by Lata Mangeshkar
2. “Ajab tori duniya ho mere raaja” – Performed by Mohammed Rafi
3. “Dharti kahe pukaar ke” – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
4. “Hariyaala saawan dhol bajaata aaya” – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
We shall take up Aaja ri aa nindiya tu aa. Bimal Roy, very cleverly and poignantly brings out the contrast in this song between the poor Nirupa Roy working as a maid in the house of Meena Kumari; the latter singing a lullaby to put her child to sleep whilst Nirupa Roy’s lad (in earlier scenes) sleeps hungry. Shailendra came up with superb lyrics as follows:
aa jaa re aa ni.ndiyaa tuu aa
jhilamil sitaaro.n se utar aa.Nkho.n me.n aa sapane sajaa
soI kalI soyaa chaman pIpal tale soI havaa
sab ra.ngaa ik ra.ng me.n tuune ye kyaa jaaduu kiyaa
aa jaa …
sa.nsaar kii raanI hai tuu raa jaa hai meraa laaDalaa
duniyaa hai merii god me.n soyaa huaa sapanaa meraa,
aa jaa …
Song #20
Aha rimjhim ke yeh pyaare pyaare geet liye….
In the last song from Do Bigha Zameen, you would agree that one has to be full of immense sensitivity to write something like that. Shailendra was indeed a very sensitive lyricist.
Whereas Raj Kapoor used Shailendra for romantic songs (some of the best romantic songs of Raj Kapoor movies have been penned by him), Salil da made use of his sensitivity to come up with such numbers as the Do Bigha Zameen lullaby that I gave you or Parakh‘s: O sajana barkha bahaar aayi.
It is not as if Salil da was beyond romantic duets. Indeed, some of the romantic duets that he made with Shailendra are amongst the most enchanting in Hindi films.
Here is one of them. It is from the 1960 movie Usne Kaha Tha starring Sunil Dutt and Nanda. Talat Mahmood and Lata Mangeshkar have sung for them.
Please enjoy: Aha rimjhim ke yeh pyaare pyaare geet liye….
t: aahaa rimajhim ke ye pyaare pyaare giit lie
aaI raat suhaanii dekho priit lie
miit mere suno zaraa havaa kahe kyaa, aa …
suno to zaraa, jhii.ngar bole chiikiimiikii chiikiimiikii
rimajhim ke ye pyaare pyaare giit lie
## Then Lata repeats it##
t: (khoii sii bhiigii bhiigii raat jhuume
aa.Nkho.n me.n sapano kii baaraat jhuume ) – 2
dil kii ye duniyaa aaj baadalo.n ke saath jhuume
aahaa rimajhim ke ye …
l: (aa jaao dil me.n basaa luu.N tumhe.n
naino.n kaa kajaraa banaa luu.N tumhe.n ) – 2
jaalim zamaane kii nigaaho.n se chhupaa luu.N tumhe.n
aahaa rimajhim ke ye …
t: (haath.on me.n tere meraa haath rahe
dil se jo nikalii hai vo baat rahe ) – 2
meraa tumhaaraa saarii zindagii kaa saath rahe
aahaa rimajhim ke ye …
Song #21
Kahe jhoom jhoom raat ye suhaani….
This is as metronomical as Salil da‘s last number from Usne Kha Tha. Surprisingly, this was not composed by him but by Shankar Jaikishan (it will still remind you of Salil da!).
This is from the 1959 movie Love Marriage starring Dev Anand and Mala Sinha and would remind you of the two Salil da’s number in Dev Anand-Mala Sinha starrer (though with Majrooh’s lyrics) Maya: Jaa re jaa re udhja re panchhi and Tasveer teri dil mein jis din se utaari hai.
Shankar Jaikishan composed it in Raag Kirwani, Tal Khareva. It has been sung by Lata Mangeshkar for Mala Sinha and of course Shailendra‘s lyrics are simply bewitching.
Please enjoy: Kahe jhoom jhoom raat ye suhaani….
kahe jhuum-jhuum raat ye suhaanii
piyaa haule se chhe.Do dubaaraa
vahii kal kii rasiilii kahaanii
kahe jhuum-jhuum raat …
sun ke jise dil meraa dha.Dakaa
laaj ke sar se aa.Nchal sarakaa
raat ne aisaa jaaduu pheraa
aur hii nikalaa ra.ng sahar kaa
kahe jhuum-jhuum raat …
mastii bharii ye Kaamoshii
chup huu.N kha.Dii dekho mai.n kho_ii sii
dekh rahii huu.N mai.n ek sapanaa
kuchh jaagii sii kuchh so_ii sii
kahe jhuum-jhuum raat …
tan bhii tumhaaraa man bhii tumhaaraa
tumase hii baalam jag ujiyaaraa
rom-rom meraa aaj manaa_e
chhuuTe kabhii na saath tumhaaraa
kahe jhuum-jhuum raat …
Song #22
Dil ki nazar se…..
In 1947, Shailendra started as an apprentice in Railways in Matunga (Bombay). He had started taking part in mushairas with his poems that he used to write in spare time. These days the movie Udhta Punjab is famous and controversial. Raj Kapoor noticed him with his poem Jalta hai Punjab and that changed everything for him.
Between him and Hasrat Jaipuri, they have written almost all songs in Raj Kapoor movies, which were then composed by Shankar Jaikishan.
I have already given you a few songs from Barsaat and Awaara. Lets turn to his 1959 movie Anadi for which he received his second Filmfare award for Best Lyricist. Since this award was introduced only the previous year, Shailendra had got the award for the first two years of its inception before being undseated by Shakeel Badayuni for the next three years.
The movie had the following songs. If you have a look at them you would realise two things: One, each one of them is a super-hit even today and two, Hasrat Jaipuri penned just one of the seven songs.
The first songs: Dil ki nazar se is so dear to me that I named a Song Group on Facebook ‘Dil Ki Nazar Se‘ until circumstances forced me to quit (It is going to be similar story for my other group ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne’, the song having been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri whilst for the same movie Patita from where the song has been taken, Shailendra penned two greeat numbers: Mitti se khelte ho baar baar kis liye, and Hai sabase madhur woh geet jinhe hum dard ke sur mein gaate hain).
1 “Dil Ki Nazar Se” Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra 04:38
2 “Nineteen Fifty Six ” Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra 04:59
3 “Woh Chand Khila Woh Tare” Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra 04:13
4 “Sab Kuchh Seekha Ham Ne” Mukesh Shailendra 03:40
5 “Ban Ke Panchhi Gaaye Pyar Ka Tarana” Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri 03:35
6 “Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe” Mukesh Shailendra 04:31
7 “Tera Jana” Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra 03:41
As romantic duets go, Dil ki nazar se is one of the most enchanting compositions, if not the most enchanting, of Shankar Jaikishan. Together with its ethereal lyrics, it transports you to another world; the world of pure love. If you then come to the conclusion that there cannot be a more heart-warming romantic duet than this in Hindi movies, you are not too much off the mark.
It has been sung so beautifully by Mukesh and Lata Mangehskar; so much so that when they come to the words: ‘Hum kho gaye, chand hai ya koi jaadugar hai?‘, you are already in your own dream world.
Lyricist is the starting point of the singing emotions of the actors. So, first of all, full marks to Shailendra to have penned this.
Please enjoy: Dil ki nazar se…..
dil kii nazar se, nazaro.n kii dil se
ye baat kyaa hai, ye raaz kyaa hai
koI hame.n bataa de
dhiire se uThakar, hoTho.n pe aayaa
ye giitaa kaisaa, ye raaza kyaa hai
koI hame.n bataa de, dil kii nazar se …
(kyo.n bekhabar, yU.N khi.nchiisii chalii jaa rahI mai.n
ye kaunase bandhano.n me.n ba.ndhii jaa rahii mai.n ) – 2
kuchh kho rahaa hai, kuchh mil rahaa hai
ye baat kyA hai, ye raaz kyA hai
koI hame.n bataa de, dil kii nazar se …
(ham kho chale, chaa.Nd hai yA koI jaaduugar hai
yaa, madabharii, ye tumhaarii nazar kaa asar hai ) – 2
sab kuchh hamArA, ab hai tumhaaraa
ye baat kyA hai, ye raaz kyA hai
koI hame.n bataa de, dil kii nazar se …
(aakaasha me.n, ho rahe.n hai.n ye kaise ishaare
kyaa, dekhakar, aaj hai.n itane khush chaa.Nd-taare ) – 2
kyo.n tum paraaye, dil me.n samaaye
ye baat kyaa hai, ye raaza kyaa hai
koI hame.n bataa de, dil kii nazar se …
Song #23
Kisi ki muskrahaton pe ho nisaar….
I was going to go sequentially in giving you these songs penned by Shailendra but Sanjiv S Desai, the most ardent fan of Lyrical, intervened and hence, in his honour, I am putting up this song.
The lyrics of this song are a suggestion about how to live life. Coincidentally, today itself, my sister Surekha Saini, put up a quote: “If you develop a habit of praying to God for others, you will never need to pray for yourself”. The song amplifies this further to say that living for others is actual life.
Once again, it is Mukesh singing the lyrics of Shailendra, on S-J‘s composition.
Please enjoy: Kisi ki muskrahaton pe ho nisaar….
kisii kii muskuraahaTo.n pe ho nisaar
kisiikaa dard mil sake to le udhaar
kisiike vaaste ho tere dil me.n pyaar
jiinaa isii kaa naam hai
kisii kii …
(maanaa apanii jeb se fakiir hai.n
phir bhii yaaro.n dil ke ham amiir hai.n ) – (2)
miTe jo pyaar ke liye vo zindagii
jale bahaar ke liye vo zindagii
kisii ko ho na ho hame.n to aitabaar
jiinaa isii kaa naam hai
(rishtaa dil se dil ke aitabaar kaa
zindaa hai hamii.n se naam pyaar kaa ) – (2)
ke mar ke bhii kisii ko yaad aaye.nge
kisii ke aa.Nsuo.n me.n muskuraaye.nge
kahegaa phuul har kalii se baar baar
jiinaa isii kaa naam hai
Song #24
Sab kuchh seekha hamane, na seekhi hoshiyari….
And now for the song for which Shailendra got his second Filmfare Best Lyricist Award (the first one being for 1958 movie Yahudi’s ‘Ye mera deewanapan hai’; the first ever Filmfare award for Best Lyricist).
On Facebook, I have chosen this as my own profile song since I strongly feel that it is better not to be too clever, cunning or worldly-wise.
As expected, Shankar Jaikishan have composed it in their favourite Raag Bhairavi, Tal Kaherava.
As also expected Mukesh has sung this. Here is a picture of Shailendra with Jaikishan, Shankar and Mukesh with their awards:
Please enjoy: Sab kuchh seekha hamane, na seekhi hoshiyari….
Sab kuchh siikhaa hamane naa siikhii hoshiyaarii
Sach hai duniyaavaalo.n ki ham hai.n anaa.Dii
Duniyaa ne kitanaa samajhaayaa
Kaun hai apanaa kaun paraayaa
phir bhii dil kii choT chhupaa kar
hamane aapakaa dil bahalaayaa
khud pe mar miTane kii ye zid thii hamaarii (2)
sach hai duniyaavaalo.n ki ham hai.n anaa.Dii
Asalii nakalii chehare dekhe
Dil pe sau sau pahare dekhe
mere dukhate dil se puuchho
kyaa kyaa khvaab sunahare dekhe
TuuTaa jis taare pe nazar thii hamaarii (2)
sach hai duniyaavaalo.n ki ham hai.n anaa.Dii
Dil kaa chaman uja.Date dekhaa
Pyaara kaa ra.nga utarate dekhaa
hamane har jiine vaale ko
dhan daulat pe marate dekhaa
dil pe marane vaale mare.nge bhikhaarii (2)
sach hai duniyaavaalo.n ki ham hai.n anaa.Dii
Song #25
Tera jaana dil ke armaano ka lut jaana….
And now I come to a favourite of mine from the 1959 movie Anadi starring Raj Kapoor and Nutan. The movie had only one song out of seven penned by Hasrat. From the remaining six, Shailendra’s Sab kuchh seekha hamane fetched him his second Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist; the second year in succession after the award was instituted in 1958.
The song Tera jaana has been sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Once again, Shankar Jaikishan have composed it in their favourite Raaga Bhairavi, Tal Kaherava. It is a sad song since Nutan and Raj Kapoor have parted never to meet again. However, the beat is fast and both the interludes are different and beautiful.
Please enjoy: Tera jaana dil ke armaano ka lut jaana….
( tera jaanaa
dil ke aramaano.n kaa luT jaanaa ) -2
ko_ii dekhe -2
ban ke taqadiiro.n kaa miT jaanaa
teraa jaana
teraa Gam terii Kushii
meraa Gam merii Kushii
tujhase hii thii zindagii
ha.Ns kar hamane thaa kahaa
jiiwan bhar kaa saath hai
ye kal hii kii baat hai
aa
teraa jaanaa
dil ke aramaano.n kaa luT jaanaa
ko_ii dekhe -2
ban ke taqadiiro.n kaa miT jaanaa
teraa jaana
jab-jab chandaa aayegaa
terii yaad dilaayegaa
saarii raat jagaayegaa
mai.n ro kar rah jaa_uu.Ngii
dil jab zid par aayegaa
dil ko kaun manaayegaa
aa
teraa jaanaa
dil ke aramaano.n kaa luT jaanaa
ko_ii dekhe -2
ban ke taqadiiro.n kaa miT jaanaa
teraa jaana
I hope you liked my choice of 25 of his best songs. Please await another 25 in Part II.
WOW. It is an epic miniature . Shailendra is just superb a true genius with penetrating intellect to write down some of the remarkable lyrics . His work reflect his abilities as a song writer in particular and a writer in general.
Thank you Jaswant. Shailendra was the only lyricist who wasn’t a poet or writer in addition to being a lyricist, Lyrics were his total life.
Well laboured compilation. Yesterday, the 14th of December, 2016 was 50 years without Shailendra. With highest degree of certainty, it can be said that there will never be another who can state the sublime in so simplistic words. Complex human emotions were translated by this legend into hummable lines. It was indeed the Almighty’s gift which was so generously bestowed on him. Enjoyed seeing the list and some rare pics.
Thank you, Chandan Roy. Impressed by your impressive comments. I especially liked “Complex human emotions were translated by this legend into hummable lines” and I can visualise a number of songs where this fits like a glove; for example: Kuchh aur zamaana kehta hai and Duniya banane waale kya tere man mein samaayi.