THE BEST RAAGA BASED SONGS IN HINDI MOVIES – RAAG JAIJAIVANTI

As you are already aware, these blogs are being recreated from the posts on my Facebook page Lyrical wherein I started with this theme of giving you the best raaga based songs in Hindi movies on the 8th of Aug 2015. Presently, I am on my 24th Raaga: Raag Kafi. I have already given you blogs on Raaga Bhairavi (Part I, II and III), Yaman or Kalyan (Part I, II and III), Jhinjhoti (Part I, II), Darbari Kanada (Part I, II, and III), Bhimpalasi (Part I and II) Raag Khammaj, Raag Todi, and Raag Pilu Part I, which make only seven and a half of the twenty-four Raagas. This means that I have to make a determined effort to catch up. I had therefore decided to start giving you Raagas even as I put up on Lyrical, in addition to the back-log.

With this, lets start with our Ninth Raaga here (the 23rd Raaga on Lyrical): Raag Jaijaivanti.

The cover picture on Lyrical is from the 1955 movie Seema with Lata Mangeshkar singing for Nutan a great composition by Shankar Jaikishan, the best music duo in Hindi films who were very adept with Raaga based songs; Raag Bhairavi being their favourite. This song has special value for me now having attended Shankar Jaikishan Music Foundation Mumbai meet on Sunday, 19th June whereat Dinesh Shailendra Singh, son of lyricist Shailendra was present amongst other luminaries.

Raag Jaijaivanti

I belong to all the religions in the world. But, I am a Sikh by birth. Here is a Raag composed by the ninth guru of the Sikhs: Guru Teg Bahadur.

Raag Jaijaivanti is also spelled as Raag Jaijaiwanti. I have often given you the ten fundamental thaats of the Indian classical music. Raag Jaijaivanti belongs to the Khamaj Thaat.

Those of you, like me, who are familiar with the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, would know that Raag Jaijaivanti is considered a blending of two raagas that happen to come in the middle of SGGS of 1430 pages. However, the raag is not mentioned in the Raagmala at the end of SGGS on pages 1429-30. This raaga is also not mentioned in the list of raagas in any ancient scriptures about Indian classical music.

The time of the raaga is evening time. frpm 6 to 9 pm. Normally the season is summer season.

“A soul in whose life dawn has come finds its path. Duality has ended and soul has merged with God and garland of victory will be put around the neck of that soul. Four shabads recited by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Raag Jaijawanti have come at the end. Soul has been freed from ‘Love for Body’ for ever. By giving new appearance, new shape and new musical form, Guru Sahib has caused a big new expansion and made it a tool to achieve peace for the soul.”

Raag Jaijaivanti1

Song #1
Manmohna bade jhoote….

As far as Hindi movies are concerned, the first song that comes to mind in this Raaga, as I have already said above whilst describing the cover picture, is from the 1955 movie Seema starring Balraj Sahni and Nutan.

The movie, directed by Amiya Chakravarty had a very intense plot. Here is the story from Wikipidea:

“After her parents pass away, teenager Gauri (Nutan) goes to live with her paternal uncle, Kashinath (Shivraj), and his wife. She is ill-treated there, made to do all the housework, and verbally abused by her aunt. She is made to work as a servant for meager wages in another household, and her earnings are taken away by her aunt. One day, Kashinath is summoned to the Police Station where he is told that since Gauri has been convicted of stealing a necklace from her employer, she is placed under his care for 12 months. Kashinath undertakes to look after her, but she manages to escape, and beats up Bankelal (CS Dubey), who had originally accused her of stealing the necklace. The Police are summoned again, and this time Gauri is placed with Shree Satyanand Anathalaya, an orphanage run by a compassionate Manager, Ashok (Balraj Sahni). Gauri revolts against all the rules imposed upon her and she is placed in solitary, where she ends up breaking all the windows and furniture. Then one day she escapes, beats up Bankelal severely, and returns. She is once again placed in solitary. Then Ashok and his associate Murlidhar (Surender) find out that Bankelal had framed Gauri, and they inform the Police, who make Bankelal confess. In this way, Gauri gets a pardon, and is asked to leave the orphanage, but she refuses to do so and stays on after promising that she will always obey Ashok. When Ashok has a heart attack, she proposes to stay and look after him, but Ashok wants her to leave and get married to Murlidhar. The question remains, will Gauri disobey Ashok or keep her promise and get married to Murlidhar?”

The song portrays, as I said above, the excellence of the best music duo in Hindi films Shankar Jaikishen in Raaga based songs. Lyrics are, predictably, by Shailendra. The tal is Ektal.

Jaikishan (of Shankar Jaikishan music duo) with Shailendra (Pic courtesy: flickrhivemind.net)
Jaikishan (of Shankar Jaikishan music duo) with Shailendra (Pic courtesy: flickrhivemind.net)

The singer is Lata Mangeshkar.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Man mohna bade jhoothe…

manamohanaa ba.De jhuuThe
haar ke haar nahii.n maane
manamohanaa …

bane the khilaa.Dii piyaa
nikale anaa.Dii piyaa
mose beimaanii kare
mujhase hii ruuThe
manamohanaa …

tumharii ye baa.Nsii kaanhaa
banii galaa phaa.Nsii
taan sunaake meraa
tan man luuTe
manamohanaa …

Song #2
Yeh dil ki lagi kam kya hogi…

The second song of the Raaga composed by the ninth guru of the Sikhs: Guru Teg Bahadur.

Anyone at all knowing me knows that when a new Raag is started, as soon as possible, I return to Shakeel Badayuni and Naushad.

I had put up this song in Raag Gara too but some feel that it belongs to Raag Jaijaivanti.

Do you remember this part of the story of Mughal-e-Azam? Madhubala as Anarkali buys the life of her love Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) from Emperor Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) by offering her own in exchange. She is granted one last wish; which is that she could spend a night with Prince Salim but must drug his drink so that he won’t resist when she is taken to the dungeon.

Life is just one night of love... (Pic courtesy: www.amazon.com)
Life is just one night of love… (Pic courtesy: www.amazon.com)

Shakeel Badayuni, the king of Irony, wrote the lyrics that are as ironical as they sound joyous. Naushad has composed them and Lata Mangeshkar sang it.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Ye dil ki lagi kam kyaa hogi…

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

Song #3
Bairan ho gayi raina…

‘Bairan ho gayi raina’ is the title of our third and last song for tonight. It is from the 1957 movie Dekh Kabira Roya. Although the movie was a lighthearted comedy, it had some excellent songs thanks to the lyrics by Rajinder Krishan and compositions by Madan Mohan. Today, as I write this, it happens to be the Birth Anniversary of this great composer and music director.

This was sung by Manna De who excelled in classical and semi classical songs in Hindi movies.

Manna Dey (Pic courtesy: www.indianexpress.com)
Manna Dey (Pic courtesy: www.indianexpress.com)

Please enjoy: Bairan ho gayi raina….

bairan ho ho gayi raina
bairan ho ho gayi raina
bairan ho ho gayi raina
raina raina bairan ho ho gayi raina
bairan ho ho gayi raina, bairan ho

aawan kah gaye aur na aaye
piya bin kari rain daraye
baat sakat are nain
bairan ho ho gayi raina, bairan ho

bairan ho aa aa ho gayi raina
bairan ho ho gayi, bairan ho
bairan ho aa aa bairan ho
ho gayi raina aa aa aa
bairan ho ho gayi, bairan ho
bairan ho, bairan ho

Song #4
Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain…

We started with our 23rd Raag yesterday, a raag composed by Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs.

When two people fall in love, even their dreams become of the same hue. That’s the underlying theme of this song from the 1965 Dev Anand classic movie Guide directed by his brother Vijay Anand and which is listed at #4 in the Best Hindi Movies of all times.

The movie was based on a story by RK Narayan with the same title. A great deal of the success of the movie owes to its songs penned by Shailendra and composed by Sachin Dev Burman who directed music in most of Dev Anand movies.

SD Burman (Pic courtesy: movies.ndtv.com)
SD Burman (Pic courtesy: movies.ndtv.com)

Have a look at the songs of this movie:

“Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna” Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Din Dhal Jaaye” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Gaata Rahe Mera Dil” Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Piya Tose Naina Laage Re” Lata Mangeshkar Waheeda Rehman
“Saiyaan Beimaan” Lata Mangeshkar Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Tere Mere Sapne” Mohammed Rafi Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
“Wahan Kaun Hai Tera” Sachin Dev Burman Dev Anand
“He Ram Hamare Ramchandra” Manna Dey & Chorus Dev Anand
“Allah Megh De Paani De” Sachin Dev Burman Dev Anand

I have selected for you this one by Mohammad Rafi singing for Dev Anand and telling Nalini (Waheeda Rehman) that now that they are in love (to hell with the taboo about a married woman (she had a wretched marriage with the archaeologist Kishore Sahu who was more interested in ruins than in her) re marrying), they better see the world through the same eyes.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Tere mere sapane ab ek rang hain…

tere mere sapane ab ek ra.ng hai.n
ho jahaa.N bhii le jaae.n raahe.n, ham sa.ng hai.n

tere mere dil kaa, tay thaa ik din milanaa
jaise bahaar aane par, tay hai phuul kaa khilanaa
o mere jiivan saathii…

tere dukh ab mere, mere sukh ab tere
tere ye do nainaa, chaa.nd aur suuraj mere
o mere jiivan saathii…

laakh manaa le duniyaa, saath na ye chhuuTegaa
aa ke mere haatho.n me.n, haath na ye chhuuTegaa
o mere jiivan saathii…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNkpApxkqhk

Song #5
Meri aankhon se koi neend liye jaata hai…

Next, I turn to this really beautiful Neend song from the 1964 AVM Production Pooja Ke Phool directed by Bhim Singh. The movie starred Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha, Dharmendra, Pran, Nimmi and Leela Chitnis.

It had the genius of the pair of Rajinder Krishan as lyricist and Madan Mohan as music director who composed its songs. Some of Lata Mangeshkar‘s top songs were created by the duo. This is one of them.

"Brother and sister" jodi of Madan Mohan with Lata Mangeshkar (Pic courtesy: www.thequint.com)(
“Brother and sister” jodi of Madan Mohan with Lata Mangeshkar (Pic courtesy: www.thequint.com)(

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Meri aankhon se koi neend liye jaata hai….

Meri aankhon se koi neend liye jaata hai
Door se pyar ka paighaam diye jaata hai

Raatbhar jaagenge hum tumse chhup chhupke sanam
Aankh jhapke na kabhi chand taaron ki qasam
Dil mera aaj iqrar kiye jaata hai
Door se pyar ka paighaam diye jaata hai
Meri aankhon se koi neend liye jaata hai

Baat jo unse chali woh idhar aake ruki
Naam jab unka liya ek khushboo si udi
Ek tasavvur hai jo madhosh kiye jaata hai
Door se pyar ka paighaam diye jaata hai
Meri aankhon se koi neend liye jaata hai

Song #6
Muhabbat ki raahon mein chalna sambal ke….

The best of old Hindi songs, as I have mentioned any number of times, are with the quartet of Shakeel Badayuni as lyricist, Naushad as composer, Mohammad Rafi as singer and Dilip Kumar as actor. This happened in many movies. One of these was the 1955 movie Udan Khatola in which Nimmi acted opposite Dilip Kumar.

(Pic courtesy: munshimaniac.wordpress.com)
(Pic courtesy: munshimaniac.wordpress.com)

This song has Shakeel’s irony at its best; he brings out the uselessness of Love!

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Mohabbat ki raahon mein chalna sambhal 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

Song #7
Zindagi aaj mere naam pe sharmaati hai…

Third day of Raag Jaijaivanti based songs.

Lets begin, once again, with my favourite lyricist Shakeel Badayuni. This is from the 1962 movie Son of India, a movie that Mehboob Khan made after the 1957 iconic movie Mother India, which lost at the Academy Awards by just one vote. Mehboob Khan took up, in Son of India, relatively minor actors Kamaljit, Simi Grewal, Jayant and Kumkum.

(Producer-Director Mehboob Khan who made such movies as Mother India, Son Of India, Andaz, Anmol Ghadi, Aan, Amar, and Roti. (Pic courtesy: www.indianetzone.com)
(Producer-Director Mehboob Khan who made such movies as Mother India, Son Of India, Andaz, Anmol Ghadi, Aan, Amar, and Roti. (Pic courtesy: www.indianetzone.com)

He however, retained the team of Shakeel Badayuni as lyricist and Naushad Ali as Music Director and composer and they didn’t fail him in the excellence of the songs. This one was sung by Mohammad Rafi.

The movie had the following songs including the ever popular patriotic song: Nanha munha raahi hoon:

1. “Aaj Chhedo Mohabbat Ki” Lata Mangeshkar 3:57
2. “Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar” Shanti Mathur 3:58
3. “Chal Diye Peeke Gham” Lata Mangeshkar 3:05
4. “Dil Todne Wale” Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi 4:28
5. “Diya Na Bujhe Ri Aaj” Lata Mangeshkar, Chorus 3:14
6. “Insan Tha Pehle Bandar” Shanti Mathur 2:47
7. “Mujhe Huzoor Tum Se” Geeta Dutt 2:18
8. “Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon” Shanti Mathur, Chorus 4:13
9. “Zindagi Aaj Mere Naam” Mohammed Rafi 3:48

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Zindagi aaj mere naam se sharmaati hai….

zindagii aaj mere naam se sharamaatii hai
apane haalaat pe mujhe khud hii ha.Nsii aatii hai
zindagii aaj mere …

ek Gam chain se jiine nahii.n detaa mujhako -2
ek ulajhan hai jo aksar mujhe ta.Dapaatii hai
zindagii aaj mere …

is tarah chho.D ke nikalaa huu.N mai.n apanii ma.nzil
jaise hasarat ko_ii siine se nikal jaatii hai
zindagii aaj mere …

raah chalate hu_e kuchh soch ke ruk jaataa huu.N -2
har qadam par ko_ii bhuulii hu_ii yaad aatii hai
zindagii aaj mere …

Song #8
Pyaare darshan dijo aaye…

The 1979 movie Meera starred Hema Malini in the title role of the Rajasthani princess Meerabai who was born in a royal family but she renounced everything in her deep devotion and love for Lord Krishna.

The 16th century Rajasthani princess Meerabai who renounced everything in her devotion for Lord Krishana (Pic courtesy: www.youtube.com)
The 16th century Rajasthani princess Meerabai who renounced everything in her devotion for Lord Krishana (Pic courtesy: www.youtube.com)

The movie itself was extraordinary in that it had Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro as the music director. The songs/bhajans were sung by Vani Jairam, one of the finest exponents of Indian classical music. Of course, the bhajans were all written by Meerabai herself.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Pyaare darshan dijo aaye…

pyare darshan dijo aaye
tum bin jiyo na jaaye, darshan dijo jaye
pyare darshan dijo aaye

jal bina kamal chanda bina rajani
aise tum dekhe bin sajani
jal bina kamal chanda bina rajani
aise tum dekhe bin sajani
aakul byakul firu re din
biraah kalejo khaayo
darshan dijo aaye
pyare darshan dijo aaye

bivas na bhukh nind nahi raina
mukh su kahat na awe baina
kaha kahu kuchh kahat na aawe
milkar tadap bujhaye
kyu tarso antaryami
aaye milo kripa kar swami
kyu tarsao antaryami
aaye milo kripa kar swami
meera dasi janam janam ki
meera dasi janam janam ki
padi tumhare paaye
darshan dijo aaye
tum bin jiyo na jaaye, darshan dijo jaye
pyare darshan dijo aaye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7efN9y44U2o

Song #9
Maare gaye gulfam….

For the last song of the evening, I am going to take a song from Teesri Kasam for the sole reason that yesterday I was honoured to meet Shailendra’s son Dinesh Shailendra at Shankar Jailkishan Music Federation Meet at Mumbai. The movie was produced by the lyricist Shailendra and starred Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman.

The movie wasn’t a commercial success even though it won the National Award for Best Feature Film. However, many years later, it was critically acclaimed as a very fine movie.

The lyrics that Shailendra wrote for the songs of the movie are amongst his greatest, eg:

1. Sajan re jhoot mat bolo khuda ke paas jaana hai.
2. Duniya banane waale kya tere mann mein samaayi.
3. Chalat musaffir moh liyo re pinjare waali muniyaa.
4. Sajanva bairi ho gaye hamaar.
5. Paan khaayo sainyaa hamaro.

Shankar Jaikishan outperformed themselves in the compositions of the songs. So strong were the bonds between Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, S-J and Raj Kapoor that Shailendra asked Hasrat Jaipuri to pen two songs for the movie.

And which songs? The movie’s story was based on a short story Maare gaye gulfaam by Phanishwarnath Renu. So, in asking Hasrat Jaipuri to pen this song, Shailendra virtually gave him the title song in his own production that was directed by Basu Bhattacharya.

(Pic courtesy: www.indianetzone.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.indianetzone.com)

It was sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

One little thing more about the song. Yesterday, Yunus Khan, in an interactive audio based session referred to three of the songs of S-J as what he called as: “Happy-Sad Songs”; meaning that even though these were sad songs, these had lively music. Songs such as Anaadi’s Tera jaana fitted into this definition.

This one is another one that fits in with the description. It is fast paced and Waheeda could dance on it. However, it is a song that carried a sad emotion.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Maare gaye gulfaam….

( maare gaye gulafaam
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam ) -2
ulfat bhii raas naa aa_ii
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam

ik sabzaparii dekhii
aur dil ko ga.Nvaa baiThe
( mastaanaa-nigaaho.n par
phir hosh luTaa baiThe ) -2
phir hosh luTaa baiThe
kaahe ko mai.n muskuraa_ii

ajii haa.N maare ga_e gulafaam
maare gaye gulafaam
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam

abaruu kii kaTaarii se
naino.n kii dodhaarii se
( wo ho ke rahe zaKmii
ik baad-e-bahaaarii se ) -2
ik baad-e-bahaaarii se
ye zulf kyo.n laharaa_ii

ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam
maare gaye gulafaam
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam

is pyaar kii mahafil me.n
wo aaye muqaabil me.n
( wo tiir chale dil par
halachal sii hu_ii dil me.n ) -2
halachal sii hu_ii dil me.n
chaahat kii sazaa paa_ii

ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam
maare gaye gulafaam
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam
ulfat bhii raas naa aa_ii
ajii haa.N maare gaye gulafaam

Song #10
Chandi ka badan, sone ki nazar….

Tonight lets start with Sahir Ludhianvi for a change. As is often the case with Sahir Ludhianvi, this has been composed by Roshan. The singers are several: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Meena Kapoor and Manna De.

Mahendra Kapoor, Yash Chopra, N Dutta and Sahir Ludhianvi (Pic courtesy: www.livemint.com)
Mahendra Kapoor, Yash Chopra, N Dutta and Sahir Ludhianvi (Pic courtesy: www.livemint.com)

The name of this 1963 movie is Taj Mahal that starred Pradeep Kumar as Shah Jehan and Beena Roy as Mumtaz. Everyone knows their historic love story that ended in Shah Jehan erecting the Taj Mahal in her memory; one of the seven wonders of the world.

One of the most wonderful things about the movie was its songs. These are some of the best by the team of Sahir Ludhainvi with Roshan:

1. “Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai” Mohammed Rafi
2. “Jo Wada Kiya Wo” Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
3. “Jurm-E-Ulfat Pe” Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Qhuda-E-Burtur” Lata Mangeshkar
5. “Na Na Na Re Na Na, Haath Na Lagana” Suman Kalyanpur, Minoo Purshottam
6. “Paaon Chhoo Lene Do” Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
7. “Chandi Ka Badan” Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Meena Kapoor
8. “Husn Se Duniya Hansi” Asha Bhosle

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Chandi ka badan sone ki nazar…

Male:
chaa.Ndii kaa badan sone kii nazar
us par ye nazaakat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
kis kis pe tumhaare jalvo.n ne
to.Dii hai qayaamat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
chaa.Ndii kaa badan sone kii nazar

Female:
gustaaKh zubaa.N gustaaKh nazar
ye ra.ng-e-tabiyat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
aise bhii kahii.n is duniyaa me.n
hotii hai muhabbat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
GustaaKh zubaa.N gustaaKh nazar

Male:
aa.Nchal kii dhanak ke saaye me.n
ye phuul gulaabii cheharo.n ke
ye phuul gulaabii haaye gulaabii cheharo.n ke
is vaqt hamaarii nazaro.n me.n
kyaa chiiz hai jannat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
is vaqt hamaarii nazaro.n me.n

tumase nazare.n jo milii.n
diin-o-duniyaa se gaye
ik tamannaa ke sivaa
har tamannaa se gaye
mast aa.Nkho.n se jo pii
jaam-o-miinaa se gaye
zulf laharaa_ii jahaa.N
ham bhii laharaa se gaye
huure.n milatii hai.n kise
is kii paravaah se gaye
is kii paravaah se, paravaah se, paravaah se gaye

is vaqt hamaarii nazaro.n me.n
kyaa chiiz hai jannat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye
chaa.Ndii kaa badan sone kii nazar

Female:
yuu.N garm nigaahe.n mat Daalo
ye jism pighal bhii pighal bhii sakate hai.n
ye jism pighal bhii sakate hai.n
u.De na kahii.n ruup kii shabanam *
garm nigaahe.n Daalo kam-kam *
aadaab-e-nazaaraa bhuule ho – 2
tum logo.n kii vahashat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye

tum hame.n jiit sako
is kaa imkaan nahii.n
Khud ko badanaam kare.n
ham vo naadaa.N nahii.n
ko_ii marataa hai mare
ham pe ehasaan nahii.n
un se kyuu.N baat kare.n
jin se pahachaan nahii.n
tum ko aramaa.N hai to hai
ham ko aramaan nahii.n
ham ko aramaan ke aramaan ke aramaan nahii.n
aadaab-e-nazaaraa bhuule ho
tum logo.n kii vahashat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye

gustaaKh zubaa.N gustaaKh nazar

Male:
jin logo.n ko tum Thukaraa ke chalo *
vo log bhii qismat vaale hai.n *
tum jis kii tamannaa kar baiTho *
un logo.n kii qismat kyaa kahiye *
ejii kyaa kahiye

ye javaanii ye adaa **
kyo.n na maGaruur ho tum **
farsh par utarii hu_ii **
arsh kii huur ho tum **
shoKh jalvo.n kii qasam **
sholaa-e-tuur ho tum **
ko_ii dekhe to kahe **
nashe me.n chuur ho tum **

tum jis kii tamannaa kar baiTho *
un logo.n kii qismat kyaa kahiye *
ejii kyaa kahiye

chaa.Ndii kaa badan sone kii nazar

Female:
din raat duhaa_ii dete hai.n
ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa
jahaa.N dekhii na_ii suurat machal baiThe
yahii, yahii, yahii le.nge
ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa diivaano.n kaa

Male:
jin kii Khaatir Gam sahe.n aur ro-ro jaa.N gavaaye.N
haay rii qismat u.nhii.n ke muu.Nh se diivaane kahalaaye.N

Female:
in aashiqo.n ke haath hai
ai zi.ndagii bavaal
in kaa kare.n Khayaal ke
apanaa kare.n Khayaal
har lab arz-e-shauq to
har aa.Nkh hai savaal
ye Gam se beqaraar hai
vo dard se niDhaal

arey ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa
ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa

Male:
merii nii.nd ga_ii meraa chain gayaa
vo jo pahale thii taab-o-tabaan ga_ii
yahii ra.ng rahaa yahii Dha.ng rahaa
to ye jaan lo jaan kii jaan ga_ii

ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa – 2

Female:
kisii ko Khud-Khushii kaa, shauq ho to, kyaa kare ko_ii

Male:
davaa-e-hijr de, biimaar ko, achchhaa kare ko_ii

Female:
ko_ii bevajah sar pho.De to kyo.n paravaah kare ko_ii

Male:
kisii majabuur-e-Gam kaa haal kyo.n aisaa kare ko_ii

Female:
mazaa to hai ke jab tum,
tum ta.Dapaa karo,
dekhaa kare ko_ii

Male:
mare.n ham aur tum par,
ke tum par Khuun kaa
daavaa kare ko_ii

haa.N, daavaa kare ko_ii

ye haal hai in diivaano.n kaa, diivaano.n kaa

Female:
jiite bhii nahii.n marate bhii nahii.n
bechaaro.n kii haalat kyaa kahiye
ejii kyaa kahiye

chaa.Ndii kaa badan sone kii nazar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj_8ooRtt1s

Song #11
Badle badle mere sarkaar nazar aate hain….

And, after Sahir Ludhianvi, who was good no doubt, lets return to the best: Shakeel Badayuni. This is from Guru Dutt’s 1960 movie Chaudhvinh Ka Chand, which starred the ‘Living Legend” Waheeda Rehman in the title role. This song, a sad song after love went sour between them, was composed by Ravi and sung by Lata Mangeshkar for Waheeda Rehman.

Mohammad Rafi recording a song with the music director Ravi (Pic courtesy: www.hamaraphotos.com)
Mohammad Rafi recording a song with the music director Ravi (Pic courtesy: www.hamaraphotos.com)

Marvel at the mastery of each word crafted by the master craftsman: Shakeel (Handsome).

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Badle badle mere sarkar nazar aate hain….

badale badale mere sarakaar nazar aate hai.n -2
ghar kii barabaadii ke aasaar nazar aate hai.n
badale badale mere sarakaar nazar aate hai.n
badale badale

Duube rahate the mere pyaar me.n jo shaam-o-sahar -2
mere chehare se na haTatii thii kabhii jinakii nazar
merii suurat se vo bezaar nazar aate hai.n -2
ghar kii barabaadii ke …

vo jo badale to zamaane kii hawaa bhii badalii -2
dil kii Kushiyaa.N bhii ga_ii.n ghar kii fazaa bhii badalii
suune suune dar-o-diiwaar nazar aate hai.N -2
ghar kii barabaadii ke …

mere maalik ne muhabbat kaa chalan chho.D diyaa -2
kar ke barabaad mere dil kaa chaman chho.D diyaa
phuul bhii ab to mujhe Kaar nazar aate hai.n -2
ghar kii barabaadii ke …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjf9ORFDwQA

Song #12
Dhal chuki shaam-e-gham muskara le sanam…

I will tell you one major concern that I have whenever I put up Shakeel Badayuni; which is that how does one get out of the mood or the atmosphere that his lyrics create?

At the time when Chaudhvinh Ka Vhand was made, another 1960 movie was made and it was called Kohinoor. The movie was primarily made to get Dilip Kumar out of the depression that constantly playing sad and tragic roles had caused him.

(Pic courtesy: songsmp3.info)
(Pic courtesy: songsmp3.info)

If he was the tragedy king, Meena Kumari was an equivalent tragedy queen and she too needed a lighthearted role to get out of the sadness.

This song by Shakeel, therefore, gave hope rather than putting them in further gham and misery that his songs normally caused.

Naushad composed it and the God of Songs: Mohammad Rafi sang it.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Dhal chuki shaam-e-gham muskara le sanam…

Dhal chukii shaam-e-Gam muskaraa le sanam
ik na_ii subah duniyaa me.n aane ko hai
pyaar sajane lagaa saaj bajane lagaa
zindagii dil ke taaro.n pe gaane ko hai
Dhal chukii shaam-e-Gam …

aaj paayal bhii hai naGmaa-e-dil bhii hai
ra.ng-e-ulfat bahaaro.n me.n shaamil bhii hai
aa ga_ii hai milan kii suhaanii gha.Dii
vaqt kii taal pe ( naachatii hai Kushii ) -2
ghu.Ngharu_o.n kii sadaa ra.ng laane ko hai
Dhal chukii shaam-e-Gam …

jhuumate aa rahe hai.n zamaane na_e
hasarate.n gaa rahii hai.n taraane na_e
aaj dil kii tamannaa nikal jaa_egii
giit hogaa vahii ( lay badal jaa_egii ) -2
ik nayaa raag qismat sunaane ko hai
Dhal chukii shaam-e-Gam …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bzh9FyAoPE

Song #13
Sooni sooni saans ke sitaar par….

The other day – 19th June, Sunday to be exact – during the Shankar Jaikishan Music Foundation Meet in Mumbai, it was talked about how most of S-J’s songs were penned by Shailendra or Hasrat Jaipuri and how, only in later years that lyricists like Neeraj stepped in.

This is a song of the 1971 movie Laal Patthar in which Hema Malini had her only negative role in the movies. She, as Saudamani, acted as a jealous mistress of Zamindar Kumar Bahadur Gyan Shankar Rai played by Raaj Kumar. Raaj Kumar married Sumita played by Rakhee; although he was in love with Sadamani (whom he called Madhuri), he never married her and kept in his palace as a mistress. Later he found out that Sumita was earlier in love with Shekhar (Vinod Mehra) and hence the plot to get rid of him.

A scene from the 1971 movie Laal Patthar, which had the only negative role of Hema Malini (Pic courtesy: www.rediff.com)
A scene from the 1971 movie Laal Patthar, which had the only negative role of Hema Malini (Pic courtesy: www.rediff.com)

The movie had excellent songs composed by S-J, which included an outstanding one Unake khayaal aaye to aate chale gaye, which we have already covered in Raag Gara.

This one has been sung by Asha Bhosle.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Sooni sooni saans ki sitaar par….

suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par
bhiige bhiige aa.Nsuo.n kii taar par
ek giit sun rahii hai zi.ndagii
ek giit gaa rahii hai zi.ndagii
suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par …

pyaar jise kahate hai.n
khel hai khilonaa hai
aaj ise paanaa hai kal ise khonaa hai
suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par
bhiige bhiige aa.Nsuo.n kii taar par
ek sur milaa rahii hai zi.ndagii
ek sur vbhulaa rahii hai zi.ndagii
suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par …

koii kalii gaatii hai
koii kalii rotii hai
koii aa.Nsuu paanii hai
koii aa.Nsuu motii hai
suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par
bhiige bhiige aa.Nsuo.n kii taar par
kisii ko ha.Nsaa rahii hai zi.ndagii
kisii ko rulaa rahii hai zi.ndagii
suunii suunii saa.Ns kii sitaar par …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OzEIS4Rix8

Song #14
Dil shaam se dooba jaata hai….

Now that you had a song from 1971 movie Laal Patthar that brought out the singing excellence of Asha Bhosle, here is another of approximately a decade and a half before that.

It is from the 1958 movie Sanskaar starring Anant Kumar with Ameeta. Sarshar Sailani penned the lyrics. Other than this movie, he wrote lyrics for the songs of the 1949 movie Rakhi including Babul ka ghar chhod ke gori ho gayi aaj prayyi re, and 1952 movie Bewafa.

Anil Biswas composed the song.

Anil Biswas with Lata Mangeshkar (Pic courtesy: chandrakantha.com)
Anil Biswas with Lata Mangeshkar (Pic courtesy: chandrakantha.com)

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Dil shaam se dooba jaata hai….

dil shaam se Duubaa jaataa hai -2
raat aa_egii to kyaa hogaa -2
jab naagan banakar tanahaa_ii -2
Das jaa_egii to kyaa hogaa -2
dil shaam se Duubaa …

jab pyaas mere aramaano.n kii
har saa.Ns pe ba.Dhatii jaa_egii -2
ye kashtii jab tuufaano.n se -2
Takaraa_egii to kyaa hogaa -2
dil shaam se Duubaa …

raah takate agar thak jaa_e nazar
detii hai tasallii aas magar -2
jab aas tasalii de-de kar -2
thak jaa_egii to kyaa hogaa -2
dil shaam se Duubaa …

Song #15

And to end with Raag Jaijaivanti based songs tonight, this song is not from a Hindi movie but a Pakistani movie. Noorjehan sang for herself in the 1959 movie Koel or Koyal that starred her opposite Aslam Parvez.

Noorjehan with Aslam Parvaiz (Pic courtesy: cineplot.com)
Noorjehan with Aslam Parvaiz (Pic courtesy: cineplot.com)

Tanvir Naqvi who gave us that remarkably beautiful number in the 1956 movie Shirin Farhad (sung by Lata Mangeshkar): Guzara hua zamaana, aata nahin dobara, also penned this song.

Khurshid Anwar composed it.

Please enjoy in Raag Jaijaivanti: Dil ka diya jalaaya…..

dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa,
mai.n ne dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa
tujh ko kahii.n na paayaa,
tujh ko kahii.n na paayaa

kahii.n naa bahalaa dil bechaaraa,
kahii.n milaa naa mujh ko sahaaraa
aas ke taare Duube saare,
ghor a.ndheraa chhaayaa
tujh ko kahii.n na paayaa
dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa, mai.n ne dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa

biit gayaa hai ek zamaanaa,
kahii.n milaa na teraa Thikaanaa
tak tak haare nain bechaare,
kuchh bhii nazar na aayaa
tujh ko kahii.n na paayaa

tujh ko kahii.n na paayaa …
dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa,
dil kaa diyaa jalaayaa

mai.n ne dil kaa diyaa bujhaayaa

There that is my list of fourteen Best Songs in Hindi movies and one in Pakistani movie composed in our 23rd Raaga on Lyrical: Raag Jaijaivanti. I hope you liked the selection.

Please await my post regarding the next Raaga based songs in Hindi movies.

JAL VAYU DEFENCE ENCLAVE KHARGHAR – HOW CAN IT BECOME THE BEST COLONY?

Jal Vayu (Navy, Air Force) colonies, through AFNHB (Air Force Navy Housing Board with head-office in New Delhi) are meant to provide affordable housing to officers and other ranks of IAF and Navy). Here is from the Home page of AFNHB site:

“AFNHB generally constructs two categories of dwelling units, one for the officers category and the other for airmen / sailors category of Air Force and Navy. The funding for the dwelling units is through Self Financed Schemes with an approximate of 10% of the expected price of the flat being deposited at the time of registration and balance in easy installments.

The Air Force Naval Housing Board (AFNHB) as a Service Welfare Body is committed to serve the housing needs of the Naval and Air Force community purely on ‘No Profit No Loss’ basis. This Board was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, with an objective to promote housing schemes in cities all over the country as per the demand of the Naval and Air Force personnel.

AFNHB can proudly claim to have a clientele of over 18,000 allottees and by the turn of the millennium, it had completed handing over of almost 14,000 dwelling units and farm units.”

JVDE Phase I, Kharghar was advertised by AFNHB as an Officers’ Colony though over a period of time it has mixed clientele of officers, other ranks and even civilians.

Whilst the colony (due to the focus on Societies Act, these days it is convenient to call a colony as a ‘society’) residents enjoy the facilities and privileges as planned by AFNHB, being a defence housing society, it has a responsibility of becoming an ideal society or a role model that people all around should look up to.

Regrettably, due to raging environment of animosity between the members for over five years now (ranging from strong under-currents to open fist-fighting hostilities), the ordinary members like me have suffered. I joined the scheme in 1994-5 itself and my serial number in the scheme was KHA0004 (the fourth member to have joined the scheme!) On retirement from the Indian Navy on 28th Feb 2010, I looked forward to a peaceful, officer-like atmosphere. Sadly, within no time it was made home to me that the atmosphere was more like a melee. In the Annual General-body Meets of the Society (that used to last for days and even nights), all the proceedings used to be video recorded so that in case of serious injuries due to free-for-all there would be some legal record for the police and other authorities. Everyone used to hurl something called bye-laws at one another. Everyone used to look at everyone suspiciously. People had formed various camps and the only agenda that members followed was to somehow sort out the other party/camp.

Spy Vs Spy

During one such melee, I got up to speak and requested everyone to behave like officers (the word, that to me, is always synonymous with gentlemen). The mike that I held was rudely snatched from my hands and the person snatching the mike spoke with ferocity, “That’s exactly what is wrong with this Society; officers think that they are the only ones staying here. We ain’t officers; we are sailors and we have every right to be here.”

That put an end to my active participation in any discussion or debate in the AGMs. I find it rather lowly to win an argument with lung power and noise. But, then we have quite a few experts in the Society who revel in noise (Please also read: ‘Noise Is The Newest Form Of Devotion’) and blasting the day-lights out of other members for them is routine).

I silently (I have always done it in this manner) pray to God to let good sense return to the JVDE, Kharghar Society.

However, for the time being, there is a major camp that is forever drilling into all of us, a la political parties style debates in the media: Yes, we did some mistakes and we were bad. But, we weren’t as bad as the new management committee that you have elected.

Then there is a camp of the new MC that is seeking to set right every wrong that was earlier done and lead the Society into better days.

And then there is a small camp (you can call it a camp but we ain’t formally organised as the other two) of people like me who wish that we would actually live in harmony and work towards making JVDE, Kharghar the best colony ever.

Lets look at some of the issues that have divided us and made us choose, sometimes unwittingly, one or the other camp. Most often people start taking sides without understanding the issues. I may not be right in the kind of legalese that has come to prevail in our colony now. However, I do know that I am factually right and have, as always, no axe to grind.

  • Encroachments. These were made into such a huge issue. At one time it was made to look like that the very existence of JVDE was dependent upon removing the so called encroachments. Anyone listening to the term and the ensuing heated discussions and fist-fights would have thought that somehow members of JVDE had become so unlawful that they thought of nothing but encroaching upon what was called as common areas. Basically, if my memory serves me right, the issue first came up in an SGM of 2012 when an agency called MM Consultants were asked by the then MC to carry out a survey to establish the extent and nature of encroachments. Two internal committees were constituted too; one of them to see if any structural concerns were there. Meanwhile, it appeared to most people that people were targeted (this approach of putting the other party in its place became a way of life). Whilst it was said that CIDCO had pointedly objected to such encroachments, it later came out that we ourselves went to CIDCO repeatedly with the list of encroachments until they’d take notice. This aa-bail-mujhe-maar (Come-bull-hit-me) approach finally divided the entire community. Curiously, it came out that two opposite flats being combined together was done by AFNHB themselves in their show-case flats and AFNHB itself sought from CIDCO regularisation of the same. However, some 18 members who emulated AFNHB were made to feel like worms and repeatedly and publicly humiliated. With this issue, with each of the two major camps relentlessly approaching CIDCO and AFNHB, it was amply demonstrated that we had no vision towards a harmonious, ideal, and happy society, but that, we considered ego and prestige issues above the welfare of everyone. This non-issue also kept us away from discussing issues that we should have been discussing to make ours as the best colony.
  • Fire-Safety. Having divided the community squarely on the above issue of Encroachments, the next thing was to scare the hell out of all of us by combining the issue of encroachments with that of Fire-Safety. I have been a keen listener during the heated discussions (having been shut-up by absolutely rude conduct by some of the other members). It was repeatedly told, in the anti-people approach that was perfected,  that the Maharashtra Fire Safety Rules were flouted by members indiscriminately by encroachments and that our Fire Insurance of Rupees 17 Lakhs was wasted because of the self-serving approach of these members. Flower-pots, shoe racks, foot-mats were all targeted. It finally came out that what stood in the way of Fire Insurance wasn’t so much as these items but the deficiencies that were to be made up in the Fire-equipment. Somehow, in the prevailing spy versus spy atmosphere that prevailed, the significant issues were put under the carpet. Take for example the fact that MSEB had taken a complete transformer sub-station and we were not bothered to get it back, which would have ensured that every two buildings had a transformer instead of at that time four buildings per transformer. However, we were fighting amongst ourselves in our holier-than-thou attitude.
  • Water Shortages. In relentless attempt to divide the society and hence prove that the earlier camp of the MC was a better proposition, this issue came in handy. The timing of this was perfect; most acute water shortages were noticed when the transition took place last year. Passions were so strong that no one wanted to go into the reasons for it but spew his/her venom with impunity. In the midst of constant din and vitriol, the problem was sorted out by resorting to firstly, overall cleaning and upkeep of the pump-house; secondly, upgrading the water treatment plant; and lastly, replacement of about 75 metres of pipeline from CIDCO pipe to our pump-house.
  • Conveyance Deed. Everyone is concerned about the fact that the Conveyance Deed of the Land and the Buildings hasn’t yet taken place between the AFNHB and the JVDE Society. This is a little complex issue than meets the eye. During the period 1996-99, there is an unregistered agreement between AFNHB and CIDCO (for a 60 years lease deed) and it should always have been AFNHB’s intention to pass it on to us when the society would be registered. However, it seems that between Dec 2010 and Jul 2011, some change of thought-process has taken place. Also, the CIDCO project accounts were finalised only in 2012. AFNHB has been, in the meantime, earning money on resale of flats and it is estimated that it has made some Rupees 14 Lakhs so far (for each resale of flat, the JVDE and AFNHB get Rupees 20000 each and CIDCO gets Rupees 10000). Meanwhile, two other issues have made the matter a little more complicated: One, that AFNHB has written to CIDCO to regularise the alterations to flats (some of which was being touted heatedly as Encroachment issue) that it did at that time. And two, residents of Gulab building took HCC, AFNHB, and Architect Kukreja to Consumer Court and won an award of Rupees 8.59 Lakhs to compensate them for poor construction. This money cannot be paid out of Society funds as it is discriminatory against those who haven’t gone to the court (all the other buildings) though they too face issues of similar poor construction. Now that AFNHB has been caught on the wrong foot on a number of these issues, there is quite a bit of softening of their earlier stand. We must, therefore, get the best deal in favour of the society from both AFNHB and CIDCO.

It can thus be seen that the issues that engage our attention most of the times, at present, are really not the issues that we should dissipate extensive time and energy on unless it is a viable argument that an eye for an eye and one-upmanship are the correct approach for the Society.

Leadership #15

Here are some of the issues that should really be worthy of our consideration in order that JVDE should become an ideal society:

  1. Water re-cycling.
  2. Rainwater harvesting.
  3. Waste management leading to composting and zero waste.
  4. Long term structural issues of buildings.
  5. Roofs over terraces of all buildings in the manner of Tulip and Daffodil.

Flogging dead horses is a hobby fit for those who want to win popularity contests and let ego rule over everything. On the other hand, time has come for all of us to abandon camps and one-upmanship and truly become participants in the management of our society and lead it to become the best colony anywhere.

IMG03545-20120126-1030

IMG03538-20120126-0927

Our colony is really very beautiful with its central lawn and landscaping, thanks to all those earlier and now who have managed the affairs of our colony. Lets all pull together and focus on positives rather than being constantly surrounded by negatives all the while and pull in different directions.

IMG00231-20100617-0646

Jai Hind.

YAAD KIYA DIL NE GROUP MEET AT WHISPERING WINDS, KANDAGHAT

Four years ago, when I wrote an essay about my home-station Kandaghat, titled ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is – Kandaghat In Shimla Hills‘ little did I know that it would be the venue for a meet of our Facebook Group ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne‘, on the 24th April 16; and that, I would be writing another photo and video essay about this meet.

There are many Song and Music groups on the Facebook; but, ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne‘ is different. Most other groups simply have members putting up urls of songs from YouTube and other sources and then members congratulate the choice of the one who has posted by such comments as “Wow”, “I love this too”, “Really nice” and so on.

Yaad Kiya Dil Ne‘ is different and unique. It is a successor to my group ‘Dil Ki Nazar Se‘, which I had to abandon when some of the members insisted on just putting up urls from YouTube with very little or no contribution of their own. Here is the description o ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne‘:

“A group for serious music lovers who not just relish putting up and listening to songs but also identify these with Lyricists, Music Directors, Singers and Actors who brought the songs to us. The group pays tributes to these four classes of people on their birth and death anniversaries. The group is also interested in sharing knowledge about all aspects of songs including Raagas. The group also has thematic Music Fests at least once in a month. If you are a casual copy-paste music lover who can copy-paste ten songs (urls) from You Tube in ten minutes, this group is NOT recommended for you.

The name of the group has been derived from the title of a duet between Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar from the 1953 movie Patita starring Dev Anand and Usha Kiran.”

From its inception in Nov 2013, the group has come a long way off. Many of the members research everything about the song that they are going to put up, write descriptions that can compete with the best blogs, and everyone is on a learning curve of knowing more about songs and music.

Now who says Facebook is for dumbos only?

Here is my description of the leading lights of YKDN, written during one of the monthly Fests’ Results:

RESULTS OF CHAL SONGS FEST
12 – 13 SEP 15

Sincere thanks to you, dear Vipan,Vipan Kohli
It is finally YOU who has won,
You proved it, my dear friend,
A fest, without Ravi, can actually be done.

 

RaviYour total conduct in this entire fest,
Was by far most praiseworthy and best,
You chose me the winner, I am humbled,
I would ANY TIME choose one of the rest:

 

I’d choose Raj Dutta, Raj and Sumedhamy dear brother,
There isn’t, like him, another;
I’d choose Sumedha Nair, whose posts,
Can bring to life long-dead ghosts.

 

I’d choose EvEvani and Surekhaani Leela, whose junoon
Is the best under any sun or moon.
I’d happily choose Surekha, the greatest,
Who makes worthwhile, every fest.

 

I won’t err in choosing Surinder Grewal,Surinder and Sumona
In passionate music lovers, he stands tall;
Or else, I’d choose Sumona, his pretty wife,
She brings to fest, loads of life.

 

I would readily Nitin and Majorput my money on Nitin,
It is just a matter of time before he’d win.
Then there is Maj Vishwas, whose selections,
Takes him to unimaginable directions.

 

And what about our new find, Sanjay Menon?Sanjay and Hemalata
The Hindi avatar of John Lennon.
Or Hemalata Ayyagari, the debutante,
There is nothing that she can’t.

Manik and ManjuManik, my behna, isn’t down the line,
Her presence in the fest is simply benign.
I would choose Manju, whose golden oldies,
Are amongst the best melodies.

 

What about our youngster Hauptmann?Varun and Amitabh
I am, of his choices, already a fan.
One cannot ignore Amitabh Nigam,
You missed him as winner, how come?

 

Anindya and VipanAnd then what about Anindya Chatterjee?
He is at least ten times better than me.
And lastly, you yourself Vipan,
Is by far the best under the sun.

 

So, whilst as a “winner”, I must rejoice,Cartoon
At the same time, let me forcefully raise my voice,
You are good, Vipan, really good,
But, I have to strongly contest your choice.

 

GalaxyI am not saying this for effect,
Sorry, for being so brash and direct,
I am not worthy of being a winner,
When you have the galaxy from where to select.

 

My sincere thanks to you, once more,Winner
Your sagacity and hard-work, I adore,
YOU are the WINNER of the Fest, pal,
Ravi, your poor choice, you can simply ignore.

Since that time, we have had hardly any contribution from Varun Hauptmann and Amitabh Nigam and only scanty contribution from Manju Saigal. However, another bright star emerged in the YKDN sky: Jaswant Singh Lagwal. Here is a fresh tribute for him:

Jaswant LagwalLong after we are gone, they’d recall,
Our newest star: Jaswant Singh Lagwal,
He came like a whiff of hilly fresh breeze,
And is already in YKDN’s Fame’s Hall.

 

Also, my course-mate and gentlest person on earth, Milind Madhav Hastak was missing from the Chal Songs Fest in Sep 15 and hence I failed to put up a tribute for him. So here it is:

Milind‘s favourites are Mukesh and Raj Kapoor,Milind
Wherever he is, he is never, from the group too door,
He is a teetotaler and never drinks alcohol,
But, is often intoxicated with puraane geeton ka saroor.

Why Whispering Winds as the venue of the Meet?

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Here it is in the words of Vipan Kohli:

“Now 24 Apr 2016 was a red letter day in the history of YKDN. Not because a few of us met and had a get together. Not because we had a great time. Not because we met for the first time. But because of all this and more over, it was the first get together hosed by Ravinder, Lyn and Mummyji. It was for the first time the get together was organised at Whispering Winds Kandaghat. I consider Whispering Winds Kandaghat as a monument. A monument built by Dr Mani Singh. Mani (gem) he really was. A horticulturist with a heart of a soldier. He built a house in the company of most picturesque surroundings with trees on both sides. Overlooking the horticulture research centre @ Kandaghat Dr Mani Singh ensured that he could oversee what he had nurtured with so much love and labour. He and his

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family aptly named it Whispering Winds. Why was it named Whispering Winds? Ravi has brought out in his blog (Home is where the heart is)- because of being in the Ghats with perpetual winds in the area, which tended to tell tales of far lands. Ravi spent most of his boyhood in Whispering Winds.Due to all these reasons I consider Whispering Winds a monument of YKDN. So attending a Milan (Meet, get together etc are too common for what it was. It was truly a Milan) at the monument of YKDN was what made 24 Apr 2016 a red letter day.”

Surekha Saini had this to say:

“Ladies and Gentlemen …. I feel blessed to pay SHRADHANJALI to Dr S Mani Singh ji father of Ravinder PS Ravi. .. who united us together through his love for music. I wrote BARSI. . instead I always write death anniversary… bcz after visiting His house Whispering Winds at Kandaghat I found Him present between us as I saw the photo of Dr S Mani Singh ji in drawing room. Such a Noorani or Tejassvi personality as if he was talking to us telling us about his Empire.

When Ravi veer ji was showing me n my children his beautiful house, Mani Singh uncle was there with us ..felt Him saying, ” Look Surekha..I m a self made King and I established this wonderful Empire with my own hardwork. I m proud of my Son Ravi who has kept my DHAROHER as I wanted to maintain it.”…Whispering Winds is a beautiful place with heavenly surroundings and Ravi veer ji has maintained it’s divinity and originality. …imagine a person who loves his first car so much that he is still keep it with him..hw much he can love people related to him…this is bcz of the SANSKARAS give to him by his parents. ..S Mani Singh and Herkrishan Kaur…regards to both of them.”

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Whispering Winds, Kandaghat, in short is a place whereat the winds speak to you, sing to you and remind you of all those “bhoole bisre geet or bhooli dastaan” as Raj Dutta put it as. Have a look at the surroundings that became the theme of next month’s Music Fest:

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The idea of the Meet to be at Whispering Winds, Kandaghat, was conceived by Vipan Kohli as follows:

Vipan Kohli‎ to  Yaad Kiya Dil Ne
March 28, 2016

Dear Friends on YKDN,

It is proposed to have a YKDN get together at Kandaghat on 24 April 2016 from 1200 noon. We shall try to wind up by 3.00 pm so that those who wish to return to Palma to catch the Palma mail can depart well in time. All those who are keen to attend please intimate the following :-

(a) Whether attending Y/N

(b) Whether spouse accompanying Y/N

(c) Travel details

(d) Whether accommodation required Y/N

(e) Food preference V/NV

Please intimate the above details asap so that necessary arrangements can be made.

Thanks

41 Comments (10 Surekha Saini, Evani Leela and 8 others) later, we had the Meet planned.

After it happened, here is my immediate chronicle about it, on 24th April itself:

Ravinder PS Ravi‎ to Yaad Kiya Dil Ne
April 24, 2016

Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kandaghat Meet
Sunday, 24th June 16

Ladies and Gents,

Today history was made. We had our second get-together at Whispering Winds Kandaghat. The idea was conceived by our dear friend and able co-administrator Vipan Kohli who went to all kinds of tribulations to reach here from Delhi.

Vipan waiting at the Delhi Jn. Railway Station on the night of 23/24 April 16 when Howrah Kalka Mail, the train that he was scheduled to travel by was reported to be more than four hours late.
Vipan waiting at the Delhi Jn. Railway Station on the night of 23/24 April 16 when Howrah Kalka Mail, the train that he was scheduled to travel by was reported to be more than four hours late.

He was accompanied in the morning by another dear friend and one of the gentlest persons that I know: Surinder Grewal from Ludhiana and two of his friends: Dr Sukhinder Gill from Chandigarh and Dr Avatar Padda from Chandigarh.

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No sooner had we finished breakfast that Jaswant Singh Lagwal, his wife Kavita and son Neeraj arrived from Hamirpur. Jaswant came like Santa Claus: a shawl for Herkrishan Kaur, my mom, Kulu caps for the complete gathering and an idol of Goddess Saraswati.

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The last to arrive was my sister Surekha Saini, her son Aakash, daughter in law Aarti, and grandson Angad and granddaughter Seerat. Surekha brought a pair of exquisite lamp stands and home (Aarti) made cookies.

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We cut the Yaad Kiya Dil Ne cake before lunch and got our friends Manik Lakhkar Chava, Evani Leela, Raj Dutta, Maj Vishwas Mandloi and Nitin Shringarpure on conference call when Kavita being youngest lady blew the candles and cut the cake. The highlight of this moment was all of us singing Yaad Kiya Dil Ne in unison. Vishwas piped in on Harmonica and Leela with her exquisite Nightingale voice.

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Here is the video of the song that we all sang together:

Here are some more pictures of the get together.

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Thank you, everyone, for making it happen and making my mom Herkrishan Kaur, Marilyn Ravi and I walk on clouds.

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Raj Dutta, my brother, put up two excellent videos of the get-together. Here are these:

Vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi….. Sanjog
(na jaane inse kyo mil kar, nazr sharma gyi…1st stnza, 5th Line)
Dear YKDNians, Whispering Winds have whispered that History has been made on 24th Apr 2016, with successful MILAN of some lucky YKDN members….….History shall repeat again may be in near future…But until then vo daastan unn sab ko yaad aati rahegi….as this was the first ever Milan of YKDN in Ravi’s Kandaghat abode….It was memorable no doubt for the people who attended, but even those who could not and watched from the side-lines, our virtual presence was always with them– Ravinder PS Ravi, Marilyn Ravi, Herkrishan Kaur Mummyji, Vipan Kohli, Surinder Grewal, Surekha Saini, Jaswant Singh Lagwal and their family members.

Today, I am tempted to repeat a song that was put up by my brother Surinder Grewal in the MIL fest, listed at Sl – 616 of the TOTE, ‘Vo Bhooli Daastan…’ The emotive song by Rajinder Krishan was sung by Lata on the beautiful composition of Madan Mohan in the movie ‘Sanjog’…. But I have attempted to make the Maha/ Maa Milan of Kandaghat immortal… …. The first three-fourth of the clip is dedicated to the MILAN and the remaining to the members who watched so intently from the side-lines, feeling the abundant warmth of all revelers…Abha Suri Anand, Anindya Chatterjee, Namrata Tripathi, Cmde Vijay Tewari, Baljit Ahluwalia, Milind Madhav Hastak, RS Yadav Sirs, Nitin Shringarpure, Manik Lakhkar Chava,Evani Leela, Sumedha Nair, Anila Bhatia Ma’ms, Vinod Mohindra,Madan Lal Sehmbi Sirs,Geetanjali Dhulekar and Maj Vishwas Mandloi….

Lets watch this distinct MSOD, which you are likely to like !! Amen.

LYRICS
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi
nazar ke saamane ghata si chha gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi
nazar ke saamane ghata si chha gayi

kaha se phir chale aaye, vo kuchh bhatake hue saaye
vo kuchh bhule huye nagame, jo mere pyaar ne gaaye
vo kuchh bikhari hui yaade, vo kuchh tute hue nagame
paraaye ho gaye to kyaa, kabhi ye bhi to the apane
na jaane inse kyo mil kar, nazar sharma gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi

ummido ke hansi mele, tamannaao ke vo rele
nigaaho ne nigaaho se, ajab kuchh khel se khele
hava me zulf laharaayi, nazar pe bekhudi chhaai
khule the dil ke darvaaze, muhabbat bhi chali aai
tamannaao ki duniya par javaani chha gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi

bade ragin zamaane the, taraane hi taraane the
magar ab puchhta hai dil, vo din the ya fasaane the
faqat ik yaad hai baaki, bas ik fariyaad hai baaki
vo khushiya lut gayi lekin, dil-e-barbaad hai baaki
kaha thi zindagi meri, kaha par aa gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi
nazar ke saamane ghata si chha gayi
nazar ke saamane ghata si chha gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi
vo bhuli daastaa lo phir yaad aa gayi

And the second is about the venue: Whispering Winds, Kandaghat:

This meet was summed by Surinder Grewal in this manner:

“The Kandaghat Milan was great thing that happened in our lives…We knew each other so well but were meeting one another for the first time..In the people there we found a sweet mother who made us bring a tear in our eyes remembering our own mother…we found brothers, sisters, friends in the small gathering…and above all Ravi is so energetic I could not believe; you feel him everywhere in the party”.

Here is a neat summing up by someone who wasn’t there in the meet but keenly watches the proceedings of YKDN; I am talking about Baljit Ahluwalia, our respected senior:

“I have been watching with awe and admiration the recent happenings which culminated with the gathering of the core group of YKDN at Ravinder PS Ravi’s place in Kandaghat. The warmth and hospitality was so palpable that I could feel it from such a distance. Many of you met each other for the first time – but that was not a problem at all. It seemed that long lost friends were meeting after decades. The posting of status updates and participation in the various contests had broken the barriers long ago and it seemed that you knew each other intimately. The small video clippings and the exchange of gifts made it a Punjabish affair.

This only goes to show that bonding and camaraderie extends beyond uniformed people; it is an integral part of a well woven group which relies on each other for trivial issues. In fact, at certain times, a few comments by a few about the others can only be accepted if there is a tremendous amount of understanding.

A word about the Leader of the group – Ravinder PS Ravi in the last few years has ignited the passion and love for music and has been instrumental in raising a few FB groups. The manner in which he encourages others – young and old and the respect that he showers is only to be seen to be believed. I have not met him – but it seems that we have known each other for years. Some day the twain shall meet – and there will be outpourings galore.

I have been a distant observer of the various contributions because I am a keen follower of music over the years. I have often made my two pence contribution and have struck a strange bond with Raj Dutta, Vipan Kohli, Surekha Saini, Manik Lakhkar Chava and Evani Leela and other integral members of these groups. They are truly genuine friends and bask in each others’ glory.

On this memorable occasion, I can only wish each one of you many glorious years in the future. May your bonds become stronger and may you all contribute to the inimitable Bollywood music. GOD BLESS.”

There will be many more sunsets and sunrises across Whispering Winds, Kandaghat. Ladies and gents, please do remember that we shall await the next Meet of YKDN there; for, you can have these meets anywhere, but, your heart will tell you:

याद किया दिल ने कहाँ हो तुम
झूमती बहार है कहाँ हो तुम
प्यार से पुकार लो जहाँ हो तुम – २

(ओ, खो गये हो आज किस खयाल में
ओ, दिल फ़ंसा है बेबसी के जाल में ) – २
मतलबी जहाँ मेहरबां हो तुम
याद किया दिल ने कहाँ हो तुम
प्यार से पुकार लो जहाँ हो तुम – २

(ओ, रात ढल चुकी है सुबह हो गयी
ओ, मै तुम्हारी याद लेके खो गयी ) – २
अब तो मेरी दास्ताँ हो तुम
याद किया दिल ने कहाँ हो तुम
प्यार से पुकार लो जहाँ हो तुम – २

(ओ, तुम तो मेरे ज़िंदगी के बाग़ हो
ओ, तुम तो मेरी राह के चिराग़ हो ) – २
मेरे लिये आसमाँ हो तुम
याद किया दिल ने कहाँ हो तुम
प्यार से पुकार लो जहाँ हो तुम – २

077

LIFE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE OF WEIRDOS

This article is written in jest only. When we were in the Navy, many of us were at the receiving end of a number of these weirdos’ intended or unintended jest. It is, therefore, alright to recall some of their eccentricities in sheer nostalgia. When you get a rotten tooth pulled out, you sometimes miss the slow ache the tooth used to cause and your tongue goes to the void every-time and feels its absence.

A Weirdo is a person whose dress or behaviour seems strange or eccentric. When I was in the Navy, I came across many such persons; I am sure every profession or group has at least one such person.

It is, sometimes, awkward and embarrassing to deal with weirdos. Many a times, it is downright frustrating. However, in all cases, life is interesting because of weirdos; there is always something to talk about, something to bemoan, something to be amused about.

Why am I reminded of him today? Well, recently (on the 31st May to be exact), we have a new Chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Sunil Lanba is not a weirdo. I am reminded of the weirdo who nearly made it to the CNS. His weirdness became even more acute when he came to know that he was nearly there (by that unique navigation expression called: time and space) and yet so far (by his predecessor CNS having been kicked out by the last BJP government and thus upsetting the apple-cart or the succession plan for him).

When you become very very senior in the armed forces, succession-plan becomes your favourite plan and you would do anything to have this plan, at least, go your way (like General VK Singh did; please also read: Army Chief’s Age – The Other Issues; Hats Off To General VK Singh; and Indian Army Before And After Operation Vijay). In the last sentence, if you would have noticed, I used the expression ‘at least‘; thereby implying that all your other plans are likely to be thrown out of the porthole the moment you swallow the anchor. This is actually true since most armed forces persons are good at reinventing the wheel (Please read Reinventing The Wheel, Armed Forces Style).

This gentleman, rich in the puss that oozed out of his super-ego, in the OK Corral Model, placed himself in the center of the one-up position (quadrant) with everyone, called by Eric Berne and several other transactional analysis people as: I am OK, You are not OK position. When he talked to any of his men and women, they were made to feel smaller than worms.

He had a reason for every one of his eccentricities. A la Kejriwal style (many years before Kejriwal became a phenomenon), this gentleman had his entire command divided into just two kinds of people: those who were facing Boards of Inquiry and Courts Martial for such serious crimes as having taken a few kgs of extra chicken for themselves or for their ships; and those who conducted these BoIs and CMs (whilst awaiting their own turn for sitting on the other side). He gave the reason for each one of these: ‘If I can’t trust him with chicken, how can I trust him in war?’

Another of his fads was to investigate (more torturous than the Spanish Inquisition) from which of the Ship’s Funds were Greeting Cards paid for; which he termed as “utterly wasteful expenditure”. Most of us had learnt the hard way never to send him any greetings whatsoever. However, youngsters sometimes didn’t know about such embargoes. One of my young commanding officers once sent him a New Year Greeting card. I was immediately summoned to his office to participate in the Inquisition. It went like this:

Rich-in-puss: “What’s this?” (he asked pointing derisively towards the offending card on the table)
Me (Poor in everything including puss): “Looks like a greeting card, Sir”. (I silently prayed that it should be none of my men/women. God, didn’t listen to me that day.)
Rich-in-puss: “It is a New Year greeting card sent to me by your CO_____”.
Me (with resolve): “Give me sometime, Sir. I shall investigate and find out”.

He dismissed me with the sway of his hand, which I was quick to translate as: you can’t be trusted to find out even the most basic things; but, nevertheless, go and do your bit whilst I conduct my independent investigation into this very serious misdemeanour.

Just one hour later I was back. It was obvious from the expression on his face that his independent investigators had also given him similar report. I mentioned to him with unconcealed glee that CO____ had actually purchased the greeting cards with his own money.

My glee was short-lived when I heard him thus, “It is still utter wasteful expenditure. We are living in a country that doesn’t have resources to feed millions of poor or to give them shelter. And here we have CO____ indulging in such ostentatious splurging of money as to send greeting cards. Put a stop to this immediately.”

After returning to office, it was now my turn to summon CO____. I told him: “When the greeting mood ever overwhelms you, as it does with so many human beings who are humane, you should send these to people in all corners of the world but never – please say after me N-E-V-E-R, never – to the C-in-C or any of his friends or kith and kin, near or distant. I also have to discuss the forthcoming sailing and exercise programme with you. But, first let this important lesson sink in with you and we could discuss those relatively less important issues after the sailing tomorrow.”

The Rich-in-puss had indefatigable energy though. Let us say you are CO of a Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) and your SDB is deployed for patrol in the Palk Bay. Lets say you, during this patrol, start feeling really important as a CO with nothing between you and the skies, nothing around and below you but the sea. Suddenly you hear a whirring sound. Lo and behold a Chetak helicopter hovers over you. Who do you see winching down from the helo? You guessed it; the C-in-C himself to remind you of your smallness. As you go to bed that night, one thought that calls for your attention, like the whirring of the helicopter is: there is no escape from God and C-in-C; He is everywhere.

One such incident took place with me too. One day I had an ex colleague of mine who had flown into the port with his Islander aircraft. I was going to sail with my flotilla. I arranged with D to have an Islander sortie with us to exercise  avanguard  procedure with us (to provide attack information to my missile boats; they with their low freeboards being unable to get target information at long ranges on their own radars). We exercised with D for many runs. At the end of the day, since my ETA (Expected Time of Arrival) at the port was drawing close, I altered the course of the Flotilla to head home. D still had some more time with us. Hence, I instructed D on the net, to provide us with target information in the direction of the port. He insisted on targets in the opposite direction. I thought he was not understanding my intention and hence, over the net, I used my call-sign as Senior Officer to direct him to go the other way. To my frustration, he used a strange call-sign to tell me that he was going ahead with the earlier targets. We went through the call-sign book and found it was C-in-C’s. D told me later that he was on the runway, about to take off for us, when he saw C-in-C’s car approaching. C-in-C got into the other seat and breezily told him, “Lets go”!

Islander aircraft of the Indian Navy
Islander aircraft of the Indian Navy

I was reminded of a lady complaining to the lift operator, after pressing the button for the lift several times, “Where have you been?” And the lift-operator replying, “Ma’am, where can you go in a lift?” Similarly, we in the Fleet and the Flotilla, were never too far from the Rich-in-puss.

In the definition of a weirdo in the beginning, I had said that Weirdo is a person whose dress or behaviour seems strange or eccentric. You would have noticed that I concentrated only on the behaviour. Here is about the dress.

The dress that was his favourite was Dress #8 or white shorts and shirt and white stockings for officers and blue stockings for sailors. Before he made this dress compulsory for all ships and submarines, the daily orders would read ‘Dress for the Day’ as ‘No.8s/8As’, the latter being with white trousers. Hence. there was a choice given. Rich-in-puss felt that giving choice was akin to losing total control, a la Asrani, the angrezon-ke-zamaane ka jailer in the 1975 movie Sholay. Hence, personnel had no choice but to be wearing it day after day. He himself wore it except whilst sleeping and bathing. Once he called on the Governor of Tamilnadu, Justice M Fathima Beevi, dressed in his shorts, shirt and stockings. She was totally scandalized, she not being used to the nautical manner of dressing. Her tenure lasted for four and half years. She declined to meet any other navy officer during this period lest she should be exposed to further mortification.

Weirdos generally have other outstanding attributes. People like me, for example, grudgingly admitted that he had elephantine memory, remarkable intelligence, professionalism and all other qualities that make great leaders. However, it is a fact that we do remember weirdos more for their idiosyncrasies than for those other attributes. In this particular case, except for the fact that he totally destroyed you in case you ever differed with him, he didn’t mean any other harm to you.

During his farewell, he gave the Command an empty bottle of champagne, glass-cased. He said this was the same bottle that he had with his officers when it was rumoured that he wasn’t making it to a Rear Admiral from a Captain!

Indeed, life is interesting because of weirdos.

 

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