Saun da mahina…
Lyrics: Chaman Lal Chaman
Singer: Jagjit Singh
Fourth song of the not so new series that started on 21 Jun 18.
The three songs that I have given you so far are: Ik meri akh kashni (‘My Favourite Punjabi Songs – Song #1 – Ik Meri Akh Kashni‘) sung by the Nightingale of Punjab: Surinder Kaur; Mainu tera shabaab lai baitha (‘My Favourite Punjabi Songs – Song #2 – Mainu Tera Shabaab Lai Baitha‘); and Jatt kudian to darda maara (‘My Favourite Punjabi Songs – Song #3 – Jatt Kudian To Darda Maara‘).
This one was sung by Jagjit Singh on his own composition on the lyrics of Chaman Lal Chaman.
First regarding the lyricist of this song. Chaman Lal Chaman is a London -based Punjabi poet, lyricist and broadcaster. The song Saun da Mahina came about in 1979 and made both Chaman Lal Chaman and the singer Jagjit Singh very popular.
If you have been following the singing careers of Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra Singh you would know that he wrote many songs for them including the most popular Tumako dekha to yeh khayal aaya.
You would also remember him for having written the Bhangra song Balle Balle for Gurinder Chadha’s 2004 movie Bride and Prejudice that was composed by Anu Malik and sung by Sonu Nigam and Gayatri Iyer.
As far as the singer and composer Jagjit Singh (born Jagmohan Singh Dhiman on 08 Feb 1941) is concerned, when he died on 10th Oct 2011, at the age of 70 years, he left behind a legacy as India’s best known Ghazal Singer who had a style of his own. He earned the sobriquet of ‘Ghazal King’. In 1998 he was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award for popularising the writings of Mirza Ghalib. Five years later, the Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour: Padma Bhushan.
Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra have touched the hearts of millions of Indians. In 1990 when their only son Vivek (18 years old) died in a road accident, the whole country wept with them. Monica, Chitra’s daughter from her first wedding committed suicide in 2009, adding to their already overflowing cup of sorrows.
Amomgst my favourite ghazals of the Ghazal King are: Woh kaagaz ki kashti woh barish ka pani, Honthon se chhu lo tum, Chitthi na koi sandesh, Jhuki jhuki si nazar, Tum itna jo muskara rahe ho, Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, and his Mirza Ghalib ghazals.
Amongst my favourite Punjabi songs of Jagjit and Chitra Singh are: Dhai din na jawani naal, Eh mera geet kise ne naa gaana (Shiv Batalvi’s), Tappe, Boliyan, Maye ni main ik shikra yaar (Shiv Batalavi’s), and Chhadeyan di joon buri.
Saun da Mahina is his best known Punjabi song. Chaman Lal Chaman, in the lyrics of the song, takes you to rustic Punjab and all the little family and romantic activities that take place during the monsoons. The song hits you both with its simplicity and nostalgic appeal.
It is most relevant these days since it is the Saun da Mahina now too.
Please enjoy: Saun da mahina yaaro….
Saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ik ik bund koi motti te nagina ae
bhiji bhiji silli silli paun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Dharti de mukhde nu dhon da mahina ae
te tip tip kotheyan de chonn da mahina ae
dharti de mukhde nu dhon da mahina ae
te tip-tip tip-tip tip-tip
tip tip kotheyan de chonn da mahina ae
te dila vich, dila vich kujh kujh hon da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
kule kule phul muskan da mahina ae
te kise utte dil aa jann da mahina ae
kise kise utte dil aa jaan da mahina ae
te russe hoye yaara nu manaun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Bharke ranjhe nal nakko nakki ranjheya nu
bada hi hairaan kare mahina eh te ganjeya nu
bada hi hairaan kare mahina eh te ganjeya nu
baar-baar launa pawe kothe utton manjeya nu
dhilli kade kassi hoyi
dhilli kade kassi hoyi doan da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ik ik boond koi moti te nagina ae
bhiji bhiji silli silli paun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
I hope you liked the song.
Please await the next song in the series.
Thanks for the historical perspective, particularly relating to our all-time favourites Jagjeet Singh and Chitra. We had the Great privilegde of knowing them in Bombay and had been invited to his ghazal sessions on many occasions. They were a great ghazal duo.
You are welcome, Sir. Regards