I have given you 44 songs of Kaifi Azmi so far. in two equal parts. In the first part of ‘The Best Songs Of Kaifi Azmi, A Great Lyricist And Poet’, after a brief introduction and giving you, as I usually do, three of my favourite songs of his; viz, Jaane kya dhoondati rehti hain ye aankhen mujh mein from 1961 movie Shola Aur Shabnam, his first ghazal that he wrote at the age of eleven: Itna to zindagi mein kisi ki khalal padhe, and the 1973 movie Hanste Zakhm song: Aaj socha to aansu bhar aaye, I settled down to giving you his songs chronologically. I, thereafter covered his best songs from his first in 1951 movie Buzdil (Rote rote guzr gayi raat re) to Main yeh soch kar uske dar se utha tha from the 1964 Chetan Anand movie Haqeeqat.
In ‘The Best Songs Of Kaifi Azmi, A Great Lyricist And Poet – Part II’, I started with a song from the 1964 movie Haqeeqat (Zara si ahat hoti hai to dil sochata hai kahin ye woh to nahin) and ending with a song called Heer from the 1970 Chetan Anand movie Heer Ranjha (Doli chadate hi Heer ne bain kiye).
At this stage I reiterate that 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 Kaifi Azmi have been reconstructed from the same page. Kaifi Azmi was the master lyricist who could give vent to the most powerful thoughts and strongest emotions by using the simplest of the words.
Lets examine the last part of Best Songs of Kaifi Azmi:
Song #45
Yeh duniya, yeh mehfil mere kaam ki nahin….
Waris Shah penned his Heer in the year 1766. Even till today is the most tearful bidai song in the world.
In the rendition of Heer, in the 1970 movie Heer Ranjha if you saw Ranjha (Raaj Kumar) running after the doli of Heer (Priya Rajvansh) and wondered what it was all about, here is that part of the story:
“In Waris Shah’s version of the epic, it is said that Ranjha left his home because his brothers’ wives refused to give him food. Eventually he arrives in Heer’s village and falls in love with her. Heer’s father offers Ranjha a job herding his cattle. Heer becomes mesmerised by the way Ranjha plays his flute and eventually falls in love with him. They meet each other secretly for many years until they are caught by Heer’s jealous uncle, Kaido, and her parents Chuchak and Malki. Heer is forced by her family and the local priest or ‘Maulvi’ to marry another man named Saida Khera.
Ranjha is heartbroken. He wanders the countryside alone, until eventually he meets a Jogi (ascetic). After meeting Gorakhnath, the founder of the “Kanphata” (pierced ear) sect of jogis at Tilla Jogian (the ‘Hill of Ascetics’, located 50 miles north of the historic town of Bhera, Sargodha District, Punjab), Ranjha becomes a jogi himself, piercing his ears and renouncing the material world. Reciting the name of the Lord (Rabb) he wanders all over Punjab, eventually finding the village where Heer now lives.
The two return to Heer’s village, where Heer’s parents agree to their marriage. However, on the wedding day, Kaido poisons her food so that the wedding will not take place. Hearing this news, Ranjha rushes to aid Heer, but is too late, as she has already eaten the poison and has died. Brokenhearted once again, Ranjha eats the remaining poisoned Laddu (sweet) which Heer has eaten and dies by her side.”
So, that brings us to the last song that I had planned to give you, the song about his wandering the countryside heartbroken.
Kaifi Azmi penned some heart-rending but meaningful lyrics here and Madan Mohan composed them well. The best is the rendition by the god of songs: Mohammad Rafi.
Please enjoy: Yeh duniya, yeh mehfil mere kaam ki nahin….
ye duniyaa ye mahafil
mere kaam kii nahii.n – (2)
kisako sunaauu.N haal-e-dil beqaraar kaa
bujhataa huaa charaaG huu.N apane mazaar kaa
ai kaash bhuul jaauu.N magar bhuulataa nahii.n
kis dhuum se uThaa thaa janaazaa bahaar kaa
ye duniyaa…
apanaa pataa mile na khabar yaar kii mile
dushman ko bhii naa aisii sazaa pyaar kii mile
unako khudaa mile hai khudaa kii jinhe talaash
mujhako bas ik jhalak mere diladaar kii mile
ye duniyaa…
saharaa me.n aake bhii mujhako Thikaanaa na milaa
Gam ko bhuulaane kaa koii bahaanaa na milaa
dil tarase jis me.n pyaar ko kyaa samajhuu.N us sa.nsaar ko
ik jiitii baazii haarake mai.n Dhuu.NDhuu.N bichha.De yaar ko
ye duniyaa…
duur nigaaho.n se aa.Nsuu bahaataa hai koii
kaise na jaauu.N mai.n mujhako bulaataa hai koii
yaa TuuTe dil ko jo.D do yaa saare ba.ndhan to.D do
ai parbat rastaa de mujhe ai kaa.NTo.n daaman chho.D do
ye duniyaa…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuFIMnqb6H4
Song #46
Simti si sharmayi si……
In 1971 he penned lyrics for the songs of two movies: Parwana and Chhoti Bahu. Lets take Parwana first.
This Jyoti Swaroop movie had Amitabh in his first negative role: that of a murderer. Other lead cast was that of Shatrughan Sinha, Yogita Bali, Navin Nischol and Om Prakash.
In this movie, once agin, Kaifi was paired with Madan Mohan and they created the following songs:
1. “Chale Ladhkhada Ke” Asha Bhosle
2. “Jis Din Se Meinay Tumhe Dekha Hai” Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle
3. “Piya Ki Gali” Asha Bhosle and Parveen Sultana
4. “Simti Si Sharmai Si” Kishore Kumar
5. “O Jameela Chammak Challo” Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle
6. “Yun Na Sharma” Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar
Please enjoy Kishore Kumar sing: Simti si sharmayi si……
simaTii sii sharamaaii sii, kis duniyaa se tum aaii ho
kaise jahaa.N me.n samaayegaa, itanaa husn jo laaii ho
simaTii sii…
hiiraa nazar chaa.Ndii badan resham ha.Nsii mukha.Daa chaman
ka.ngaal hai.n saare hasii.n bas ek tumhii.n rakhatii ho dhan
luTane kaa Dar hai ghabaraa_ii ho – (2)
jab tak tumhe dekhaa nahii.n, ye dil kabhii dhaDakaa nahii.n
aaye gaye kitane sanam mai.nne magar puujaa nahii.n
tum dil kii pahalii a.nga.Daaii ho – (2)
simaTii sii…
aa.Nkhe.n milii.n vaadaa huaa, kuchh kah diyaa, kuchh sun liyaa
Thahare kahaa.N betaab dil, kaise mile apanaa pataa
zulfo.n kii badalii jab chhaaii ho – (2)
simaTii sii…
Song #47
He re Kanhaiyya, kis ko kahega tu maiyya….
The second movie of 1971 for Kaifi Azmi is Chhoti Bahu. It is a KB Tilak movie starring Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Nitupa Roy and IS Johar. It is a remake of 1956 Telugu film Muddu Bidda also produced and directed by KB Tilak.
In this movie, Kalyanji Anandji were the music directors and they produced the following songs penned by Kaifi Azmi:
1 “Are Ghar Ko Mat Godam Bana” Hemlata
2 “Dulhaniya Bata De Ri” Asha Bhosle, Usha Khanna
3 “He Re Kanhaiya” Kishore Kumar
4 “Munne Raja” Lata Mangeshkar
5 “O Maa Meri Maa” Lata Mangeshkar
6 “Ye Raat Hai Pyasi Pyasi” Mohammed Rafi
Please enjoy Kishore Kumar sing: He re Kanhaiyya, kis ko kahega tu maiyya….
he re kanhaiyaa kisako kahegaa tuu maiyaa
ek ne tujhako janm diyaa re ek ne tujhako paalaa
kanhaiyaa kisako kahegaa …
maanii maanataa_e.N aur devii-dev puuje piir sahii devakii ne
duudh me.n nahalaane kaa god me.n khilaane kaa
sukh paayaa yashodaa jii ne
ek ne tujhako janm diyaa ek ne jiivan sa.mbhaalaa
kanhaiyaa kisako kahegaa …
marane ke Dar se bhej diyaa dhar se devakii ne re gokul me.n
binaa di_e janm yashodaa banii maataa tujhako chhupaayaa aa.Nchal me.n
janm diyaa ho chaahe paalaa ho kisii ne bhed ye mamataa na jaane
ko_ii bhii ho jisane diyaa ho pyaar maa.N kaa man to maa.N usii ko maane
ek ne tujhako dii hai.n ye aa.Nkhe.n ek ne diyaa ujaalaa
kanhaiyaa kisako kahegaa …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruQZUCaJqF4
Song #48
Jala do jala do duniya yahi hai to duniya ko jala do….
Continuing with the Telugu directors, his next was the 1972 movie Rizaaj directed by T Prakash Rao.
This movie’s music was by Shankar Jaikishan and many lyricists penned the songs: Neeraj, Hasrat Jaipuri, SH Bihari, Anjaan, Kaifi Azmi and Indeevar.
Kaifi Azmi penned Jala Do Jala Do Duniya Yahi Duniya Hai To Duniya Ko Jala Do, which was sung by Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey.
Please enjoy: Jala do jala do duniya yahi hai to duniya ko jala do….
jalado jala do jalado jala do jalado dunia yahi dunia hai to
dunia jala do aag laga do jalado jala do
jalado dunia yahi dunia hai to
dunia jala do aag laga do jalado jala do
har sapna jale arman jale insan jale bhagwan jale
har sapna jale arman jale insan jale bhagwan jale
har dil ko har ek sine ko samsan bana do jalado jala do
jalado dunia yahi dunia hai to
dunia jala do aag laga do jalado jala do
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
ae kash tujhe aata sansar basana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
ae kash tujhe aata sansar basana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi kyu pi gaya ghabara ke
zahar nafrat ka thoda sa mila leta
amrit bhi mohabbat ka taskin bhi mil jati
jine ka bahana bhi aasan hai jalna bhi
aasan jalana bhi ae kash tujhe aata
sansar basana bhi aasan hai jalna bhi
ek roj yahi sehara tha chaman
thi kitni khushi the kitne magan ek roj yahi sehara tha chaman
thi kitni khushi the kitne magan kyu ruth gaye mujhse vo din
koi to bata de jalado jala do jalado dunia yahi dunia hai to
dunia jala do aag laga do jalado jala do
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
ae kash tujhe aata sansar basana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
ae kash tujhe aata sansar basana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi ye ashak kabhi dil me tufan uthayenge
jo ruth gaye tujhse vo lot bhi aayenge
hai khel mukadar ka bicchado ko milana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
ae kash tujhe aata sansar basana bhi
aasan hai jalna bhi aasan jalana bhi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1xofddliA
Song #49
Bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
The next movie for which he penned songs was the 1972 Hrishikesh Mukherjee comic movie Bawarchi with a social message that starred Rajesh Khanna in the title role at the height of his popularity. The movie also starred Jaya Bachchan at the height of her popularity.
Once again, Kaifi Azmi paired with Madan Mohan to create the following songs:
1. “Bhor Aai Gaya Andhiyara” Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Nirmala Devi, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, Lakshmi Shankar 9:29
2. “Kahe Kanha Karat Barjori” Lakshmi Shankar 3:53
3. “Mast Pawan Dole Re” Lata Mangeshkar 4:52
4. “More Naina Bahayen Neer” Lata Mangeshkar 5:03
5. “Pahle Chori Phir Seenazori” Kumari Faiyaz 4:09
6. “Tum Bin Jeevan” Manna Dey 5:33
Lets listen to the very first song which Madan Mohan composed in Raag Ahilya Bilawal and Taal Tintal, Punjabi Theka (Sitarkhani), and Kaherava. Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Nirmala Devi, Harindranath Chattopadhyay and Lakshmi Shankar have sung this: Bhor aayi gaya andhiyara…..
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara, sare jag me hua ujiyara
nache jhume ye man matwala, matwala
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
gaya andhiyara, gaya andhiyara
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara, sare jag me hua ujiyara
nache jhume ye man matwala, matwala
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
bhor aayi gaya andhi, bhor aayi gaya andhi
bhor aayi gaya andhi, bhor aayi gaya andhi
bhor aayi gaya aandhiyara
bhor aayi gaya aandhiyara
dharti bhi jhumi bagiya bhi jhume
dharti bhi jhumi bagiya bhi jhume
bhawara machal ke kaliyo ko chume
bhawara machal ke kaliyo ko chume
nanhi kiran muskaye, lagi gila gagan
bhor aayi gaya aandhiyara
bhor aayi gaya aandhiyara
din ye sandesha leker purab se aata hai
din ye sandesha leker purab se aata hai
mahnet jo bante vahi phal milke khata hai
mahnet jo bante vahi phal milke khata hai
maje udhao mil ke, khushi manao mil ke
o maje udhao mil ke, khushi manao mil ke
nayi bahare aayi dekho phool khilao mil ke
ek duje ki sochoge to mojh karoge
haste gaate din bitega mast rahoge
deta hai jitna koi utna hi pata hai
deta hai jitna koi utna hi pata hai
din ye sandesha leker purb se aata hai
mahnet jo bante vahi phal milke khata hai
dekho kahta hai tumse savera
ye savera, ye savera, ye savera
dekho kahta tumse savera
chhodo chhodo bhi tum ye tera mera, tera mera
dekho kahta hai tumse savera
phuti gagri liye fir rahe hai
mil ke jo nahi peete the jo paani
jo bhi karna hai aaj ker lo
are yaad rakho jogi ki ye baani
ke palatti nahi hai samay ki ye dhara
bhor aayi gaya andhiyara
gaya andhiyara, gaya andhiyara
gaya andhiyara, gaya andhi
good moring, good moring o papa
good moring, good moring o daddy
good moring , good moring to everybody
good moring good moring good moring
beta, yes papa, barkurdar, yes dady
apni basha me bolo, ha ha i am sorry
namaste namaste pitaji, namaste
jai hind jai hind o pitaji, jai hind
namaste namaste hai sabko
namaste, namaste, namaste, namaste
the morning rays are coming
the happy days are coming, kya
the morning rays are coming
the happy days are coming, haye haye bhula
subah ki kirane aayi hai, bahut achhe
khushiya hi khushiya laayi hai
subah ki kirane aayi hai
khushiya hi khushiya laayi hai
namaste namaste pitaji, namaste
jai hind jai hind o pitaji, jai hind
namaste namaste hai sabko
namaste, namaste, namaste, namaste
aayi paniya baran ki bela
aayi paniya baran ki bela
laga jamuna ke tat per mela
laga jamuna ke tat per mela
aayi paniya baran ki bela
mil ke bhar lo aye bhar lo aao gaghri
mil ke bhar lo aye bhar lo aao gaghri
bole chan chan kyu ghunguru akela akela
aayi paniya baran ki bela
aayi paniya baran, aayi paniya baran
aayi paniya baran ki bela
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ4GO5ifnIE
Song #50
Chalte chalte younhi koi mil gaya tha….
I am sure the dhun of the last song from the 1972 movie Bawarchi, a remarkable song put together by so many singers, Kaifi Azmi as lyricist and Madan Mohan as composer must be still echoing in your ears.
However, at this juncture, I shift to the only song in 1972 Kamal Amrohi movie Pakeezah that was penned by Kaifi sahib. The lyrics of this song has the essence of the entire movie in it together with the train whistle in the end to remind of that brief tryst in the movie whence Raaj Kumar saw the feet of a sleeping Meena Kumari. Ghulam Mohammad, the composer died whilst the movie was in the making and hence it was left to Naushad to complete some of the numbers such as Mora saajam sauten ghar jaye, and Kaun gali gayo Shyam. However, Chalte chalte was a creation of Ghulam Mohammad and his best one at that.
Lata‘s rendition is very good. There has been some criticism about Meena Kumari not being very skilled with dancing as compared to some of her contemporary actresses. However, her elegance and histrionics, that she supplemented her dancing with, always won the show.
Please enjoy: Chalte chalte younhi koi mil gaya tha….
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
vahii.n tham ke rah gaii hai
vahii.n thamake rah gaii hai merii raat Dhalate-Dhalate
merii raat Dhalate-Dhalate
jo kahii gaii na mujhase
jo kahii gaii na mujhase vo zamaanaa kah rahaa hai
vo zamaanaa kah rahaa hai
ke fasaanaa
ke fasaanaa ban gaii hai
ke fasaanaa ban gaii hai merii baat Talate-Talate
merii baat Talate-Talate
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
sar-e-raah chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
chalate-chalate
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa
yuu.Nhii koii mil gayaa thaa
shab-e-i.ntazaar aaKir
shab-e-i.ntazaar aaKir kabhii hogii muKtasar bhii
kabhii hogii muKtasar bhii
ye chiraaG
ye chiraaG bujh rahe hai.n
ye chiraaG bujh rahe hai.n mere saath jalate-jalate
mere saath jalate-jalate
ye chiraaG bujh rahe hai.n
ye chiraaG bujh rahe hai.n -4
ye chiraaG bujh rahe hai.n mere saath jalate-jalate
mere saath jalate-jalate
##train whistle##
muKtasar = shorten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubQ9hrKO6XI
Song #51
Har taraf ab yahi afsaane hain….
And his last movie tonight for which he penned the songs was the 1973 movie Hindustan Ki Kasam, a Chetan Anand movie, and hence with Priya Rajvansh as the heroine opposite Raaj Kumar as an IAF officer.
Needless to say he was back with Madan Mohan in this movie and between the two of them they made some remarkably beautiful songs for the movie:
1. Har Taraf Ab Yehi Afsane Hai, Ham Teri Aankho Ke Diwane Hai – Manna Dey
2. Hai Tere Saath Meri Wafa – Lata Mangeshkar
3. Hindustaan Ki Qasam, Hindstaan Ki Qasam – Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi
4. Duniya Banane Wale Yahi Hai Meri Iltaja Ki Ho Na Kabhi Apne Juda – Lata Mangeshkar
And, the best part is that you don’t even have to guess as to which one I am giving you. The song brings out the lyrical excellence of Kaifi Azmi – the attribute of saying powerful things with simplest words, and the beauty of the composition by Madan Mohan. Of course, its rendition by Manna Dey is so good that you feel like singing along.
Please enjoy: Har taraf ab yahi afsaane hain….
har taraf ab yahii afasaane hai.n
ham terii aa.Nkho.n ke diivaane.n hai.n
har taraf…
itanii sachchaaii hai in aa.Nkho.n me.n
khoTe sikke bhii khare ho jaaye.n
tuu kabhii pyaar se dekhe jo udhar
suukhe ja.ngal bhii hare ho jaaye.n
baag ban jaae, baag ban jaae jo viiraane.n hai.n
ham terii aa.Nkho.n ke diivaane hai.n
har taraf…
ek halkaa saa ishaaraa inakaa
kabhii dil aur kabhii jaa.N luuTegaa
kis tarah pyaas bujhegii usakii
kis tarah usakaa nashaa TuuTegaa
jisakii qismat me.n, jisakii qismat me.n ye paimaane.n hai.n
ham terii aa.Nkho.n ke diivaane.n hai.n
har taraf…
niichii nazaro.n me.n hai.n kitanaa jaaduu
ho gae pal me.n ka_ii khvaab javaa.N
kabhii uThane kabhii jhukane kii adaa
le chalii jaane kidhar jaane kahaa.N
raaste pyaar ke, raaste pyaar ke a.njaane hai.n
ham terii aa.Nkho.n ke diivaane.n hai.n – (2)
har taraf…
Song #52
Betaab dil ki tamanna yahi hai….
The last movie song that we took was from the 1973 movie: Hindustan Ki Kasam, a Chetan Anand movie about the role of IAF in 1971 Indo Pak war.
The 1973 also saw another Chetan Anand movie for which Kaifi Azmi penned the lyrics of the songs: Hanste Zakhm. Once again, the composer of these songs was Madan Mohan and one of these is amongst the best of his lyrics, as seen by me.
As expected, being a Chetan Anand movie, the heroine was Priya Rajvansh. Navin Nischol acted opposite her.
1. “Yeh Maana Meri Jaan, Mohabbat Saza Hai” Mohammed Rafi
2. “Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna Yehi Hai” Lata Mangeshkar
3. “Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho, To Yeh Lagta Hai, Ke Jahaan Mil Gaya” Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Aaj Socha Toh Aansu Bhar Aaye” Lata Mangeshkar
5. “Gali Gali Mein Kiya Re Badnaam” Asha Bhonsle
We shall be taking up three of these.
The first one is Betaab dil ki tamanna yahi hai and the singer is Lata Mangeshkar. This is a song of love, of promise, of hopefulness. The lyrics of this are to be compared with the last song that I shall put up later.
Please enjoy: Betaab dil ki tamanna yahi hai….
betaab dil kii tamannaa yahii hai
tumhe.n chaahe.nge tumhe.n puuje.nge
tumhe.n apanaa Kudaa banaa_e.Nge, betaab …
suune suune Kvaabo.n me.n jab tak tum na aaye the
Kushiyaa.N thii.n sab auro.n kii, Gam bhii saare paraaye the
apane se bhii chupaa_ii thii dha.Dakan apane siine kii
ham ko jiinaa pa.Dataa thaa, Kwaahish kab thii jiine kii
ab jo aake tum ne hame.n jiinaa sikhaa liyaa hai
chalo duniyaa na_ii basaa_e.Nge, betaab …
bhiigii bhiigii palako.n par sapane itane sajaae hai.n
dil me.n jitanaa a.Ndheraa thaa, utane ujaale aae hai.n
tum bhii ham ko jagaanaa naa, baaho.n me.n jo so jaae.N
jaise Kushbuu phuulo.n me.n tum me.n yuu.N hii kho jaae.N
pal bhar kisii janam me.n kabhii chhuuTe naa saath apanaa
tumhe.n aise gale lagaa_e.Nge, betaab …
vaade bhii hai.n, qasame.n bhii, biitaa vaqt ishaaro.n kaa
kaise kaise aramaa.N hai.n, melaa jaise bahaaro.n kaa
saaraa gulashan de Daalaa, kaliyaa.N aur khilaao naa
ha.Nsate ha.Nsate ro de.n ham, itanaa bhii to ha.Nsaao naa
dil me.n tumhii.n base ho, rahaa aa.Nchal vo bhar chukaa hai
kahaa.N itanii Kushii chhupaa_e.Nge, betaab …
Song #53
Tum jo mil gaye ho….
In the last song from the 1973 Chetan Anand movie Hanste Zakhm, she sings: Ha.Nsate ha.Nsate ro de.n ham, itanaa bhii to ha.Nsaao naa. Just keep that in mind when we come to the last song and don’t forget that the name of the movie is about wounds that laugh!
The second song comes about when Somesh (Navin Nischol) is driving Chanda (Priya Rajvansh) to her clients, she having become a prostitute when instead of her friend Rekha (Suman Sikand), Rekha’s mother’s pimp kidnaps Chanda who was a police officer Mahendru’s (Balraj Sahni‘s) daughter. Navin Nischol is a taxi driver in rebellion against his rich father who wanted him to marry a policeman’s daughter Rekha (the same Rekha who was born out of relations between Balraj Sahni and a prostitute).
Priya Rajvansh and Navin Nischol fall in love. But, as soon as Chanda comes to know that Rekha and she are sisters, she wants Navin Nischol to marry Rekha since fate had already played its cards by making her a forced prostitute instead of Rekha.
The lyrics of this song are so meaningful in the light of the story that I have given.
Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar have sung this for Navin Nischol and Priya Rajvansh.
Please enjoy: Tum jo mil gaye ho….
tum jo mil gae ho to ye lagataa hai ke jahaa.N mil gayaa
ek bhuule hue raahii ko kaaravaa.N mil gayaa
baiTho na duur hamase, dekho khafaa na ho
qismat se mil gae ho, milake judaa na ho
merii kyaa Kataa hai, hotaa hai ye bhii
kii zamii.n se aasamaa.n mil gayaa, tum …
tum kyaa jaano tum kyaa ho, ek suriilaa naGmaa ho
bhiigii raato.n me.n mastii, tapate dil me.n saayaa ho
ab jo aa gae ho jaane na duu.ngaa
kii mujhe ik hasiin meharabaa.N mil gayaa, tum …
tum bhii the khoe khoe, mai.n bhii bujhaa-bujhaa
thaa ajanabii zamaanaa apanaa koii na thaa
dil ko jo mil gayaa hai teraa sahaaraa
ik na_ii zi.ndagii kaa nishaa.n mil gayaa, tum …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv71SzU0LaA
Song #54
Aaj socha to aansu bhar aaye….
And that brings us to the last song from the
1973 Chetan Anand movie Hanste Zakhm. The story-line has already been told by me in the previous song. She is left with no choice but to be a forced prostitute pandering to the moral degradation of people like KN Singh whose expressions are really a great contrast to the song of hopelessness that she sings.
This is Kaifi at his best: simplest words to describe the deepest and saddest emotions. You have to pause at every one of them to savour the full meaning. For example: Dil ki naazuk ragen toot ti hain, yaad itana bhi koi na aaye….Now imagine somene missing someone like that!
Please enjoy Lata Mangeshkar sing: Aaj socha to aansu bhar aaye….
aaj sochaa to aa.Nsuu bhar aae
mud.hdate.n ho ga_I.n muskuraae
har kadam par udhar mu.D ke dekhaa -2
unakii mahafil se ham uTh to aae
aaj sochaa …
dil kii naazuk rage.n TuuTatii hai.n -2
yaad itanaa bhii koI na aae
aaj sochaa …
rah ga_ii zi.ndagii dard banake -2
dard dil me.n chhupaae chhupaae
Song #55We just finished listening to the songs of 1973 Chetan Anand movie Hanste Zakham yesterday and without exception, all of us concluded that Kaifi Azmi’s pairing with Madan Mohan created some exceptionally memorable songs.
In 1973 another movie having his songs was Alam Ara with Nazima in the title role. He shared the credit of writing songs with Hasrat Jaipuri. Songs were composed by Iqbal Qureshi. Kaifi penned the following songs (7 out of 12), leaving the other 5 for Hasrat Jaipuri:
1. Parvardigar parvardigar.
2. Rehmat ka tamasha tu zamane ko dikha de.
3. Bhatke huye rahi ki madad kar mere Allah.
4. Khwaja ji mere khwaja ji (suno fariyaad meri).
5. Madina.
6. Ya habibi marhaba kaisi raunak kaisi farebi.
7. Hazrate gesu daraaz.
As you can make out, all were devotional songs.
Please enjoy Khwaja ji mere khwaja ji sung by Shambhu Qawwal and Shankar Qawwal:
khwaja ji mere khwaja ki
ya khwaja ji khwaja ji
suno fariyad tum meri moinu deen ajmeri
suno fariyad tum meri moinu deen ajmeri
suno fariyad tum meri
labo pe nam tera or dil me aarzu teri
khwaja ji
labo pe nam tera or dil me aarzu teri
or dil me aarzu teri
suno fariyad tum meri moinu deen ajmeri
suno fariyad tum meri moinu deen ajmeri
suno fariyad tum meri
suna hai maine is dahlij par
kismat badalti hai
khwaja ji
suna hai maine is dahlij par
kismat badalti hai
jala de tu jise aandhi me bhi
wo shama jalti hai
jala de tu jise aandhi me bhi
wo shama jalti hai
aandhi me bhi wo shama jalti hai
jalgegi shama kab meri moinu deen ajmeri
jalgegi shama kab meri moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
jalgegi shama kab meri
kidhar se uthakr ye dil mujhko yaha laya
kidhar se uthakr ye dil mujhko yaha laya
thikana fir kaha mera
jo mujhko tune thukraya
jo mujhko tune thukraya
nigahe lutf kyu teri moinu deen ajmeri
nigahe lutf kyu teri moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
moinu deen ajmeri
khwaja ji mere khwaja ji
nigahe lutf kyu teri moinu deen ajmeri
nigahe lutf kyu teri moinu deen ajmeri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4moG_Sxse4
Song #56
Dil ne tadap tadap ke tadapana sikha diya….
In 1974, two of the movies with his songs were released.
One was Asliyat starring Sanjay Khan and Nanda. He once again paired with Madan Mohan and they created two songs:
1. Armaan se khelte hain, toofan se khelte hain sung by Asha Bhosle.
2. Jhoome baali dhan ki, jeet hui hai kisaan ke sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Krishna Kalle.
Both the songs were in the forgettable category.
The other movie released in 1974 was Faasla starring his daughter Shabana Azmi and Raman Khanna.
Jaidev composed the songs of the movie:
1. Dil ne tadap tadap ke tadapana sikha diya sung by Bhupinder.
2. Nigaahen churaao na daaman chhudaao sung by Bhupinder and Minoo Purshotam.
3. Zindagi cigarette ka dhuan hai sung by Bhupinder.
With the first one, Kaifi Azmi was back with his usual mastery over lyrics.
Please enjoy: Dil ne tadap tadap ke tadapana sikha diya….
dil ne ta.Dap ta.Dap ke ta.Dapanaa sikhaa diyaa
iinaam ab mile ki sazaa sar jhukaa diyaa
diivaanaa karake chho.D de jo ik zamaane ko
mujh ko usii nigaah ne insaa.N banaa diyaa
bas itanaa jaanataa huu.N mujhe tumase pyaar hai
aur pyaar me.n na jiit kisii kii na haar hai
isake sivaa jo yaad thaa sab kuchh bhulaa diyaa
Song #57
Maula Salim Chishti, Aaka Salim Chishti….
And now, as you would have probably guessed it, I would tell you the reason for hiding the 1973 MS Sathyu movie Garm Hawa from you so far.
The movie had story penned by Kaifi Azmi and Shama Zaidi, based on an unpublished short story by noted Urdu writer Ismat Chughtai. The movie starred Balraj Sahni, Farooq Shaikh, Dinanath Zutshi, Badar Begum, Geeta Siddharth, Shaukat Kaifi (Kaifi Azmi’s wife) and A. K. Hangal.
Why did I hide it from you? The reason is that I regard this as one of the greatest movies of its time in excellence of script and dialogues (both of which were penned by Kaifi Azmi) as well as remarkably good acting by Balraj Sahni, Farooq Shaikh and Geeta Siddharth who acted the role of Amina Mirza, the daughter of Salim Mirza played outstandingly by Balraj Sahni. The movie is a poignant take on the Muslims in India migrating to Pakistan after partition and especially after the assassination of Mahatama Gandhi.
When the movie was released, I was still a cadet on INS Delhi and I remember seeing it in Regal cinema in Colaba and how I sat stunned with the impact of the parallel cinema that was emerging at that time. The other movie that affected me with equal impact was also released in 1973: Shyam Benegal’s Ankur starring Kaifi Azmi’s daughter and one of the most sensitive actresses in Hindi cinema: Shabana Azmi.
Returning to this song from the movie, penned by Kaifi and sung by Aziz Ahmad Khan Warsi on his own music, I regard the scene building to the song as one of the greatest in Hindi films and it is as follows:
Amina Mirza (Geeta Siddarth) is engaged to be married to Kazim (Jamal Hashmi). Amina was witness to how one by one her near relatives had moved to Pakistan. So, when Kazim’s family (Salim Mirza’s brother Halim) too moved to Pakistan, naturally she was full of anxiety. However, Kazim assured her that he would return to marry her. And he did, but, against the wishes of his father Halim. He was arrested and sent back to Pakistan as he had moved into Agra (where the story unfolded) without valid visa papers. One day, when Kazim’s mother returns from Pakistan and takes Amina’s help to buy trousseau for Kazim’s would be wife, Amina is excited that she would be the wife. It turns out that they are marrying Kazim to a politician’s daughter in Pakistan!
Meanwhile, Salim Mirza (Balraj Sahni) had continued to stay in India against all odds and advice. Also Shamshad (Jalal Agha) had shown interest in Amina but she had resisted.
One day, Shamshad takes Amina to Fatehpur Sikri and takes her to a spot where Salim (the same Salim who had an affair with a courtesan (Anarkali) in the court of his father Akbar and who was later to become Jehangir (Conqueror of the world) had given two pigeons to Mehr-un-Nisaa (better known by her subsequent title of Noor Jahan) to hold whilst he went inside the palace having been called by his father. Everyone has heard this story about Salim having returned to find that Noor Jehan had only one pigeon. On enquiry, she said “Udh gaya” (It had flown away). Salim with a little edge in his voice asked, “Kaise udh gaya?” (How did it fly away?). At this Noor Jehan released the other one too and said, “Aise udh gaya” (This is how).
Now Shamshad is telling the story to Amina and comes to the point of Salim asking, “Kaise udh gaya?” At this juncture, Amina holds Shamshad’s hand and says, “Doosre ko nahin udhne doongi” (I won’t let the other fly away).
This brilliant dialogue was by Kaifi Azmi and he proved that just as he did with lyrics of songs, even in dialogues he used simple language to convey deep moving thoughts and emotions.
At this juncture the film has this qawwali that I am giving you now.
Before I do that, let me bring out that the title: Garm Hawa “alludes to the scorching winds of communalism, political bigotry and intolerance, that blew away humanity and conscience from across North-India in the years after the partition of India in 1947, and especially after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi to the which the film opens. In its prologue, poet Kaifi Azmi narrates a couplet summing up the theme, “Geeta ki koi sunta na Koran ki sunta, hairan sa eemaan vahan bhi tha yahan bhi” (Nobody listens to Gita or Quran, shocked conscience was here as well as there.)”
Let me also bring out that “the film was shot in location in the city of Agra, with scenes of Fatehpur Sikri as well. Due to repeated local protests owing to its controversial theme, a fake second unit with unloaded cameras were sent to various locations to divert attention from film’s actual locations.”
Even with all this, the film won the National Film Award in 1974: Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. It also won Filmfare Awards: 1975: Filmfare Best Dialogue Award- Kaifi Azmi; 1975: Filmfare Best Screenplay Award- Kaifi Azmi, Shama Zaidi; and 1975: Filmfare Best Story Award- Ismet Chugtai.
Please enjoy Aziz Ahmed Khan Warsi sing on his own music and lyrics of Kaifi Azmi: Maula Salim Chishti, Aaka Salim Chishti….(the video has the dialogue that I mentioned):
suukhii rut me.n chhaaii badariyaa, chamakii bijuriyaa saath
Duubo tum bhii sa.ng mere, yaa thaamo meraa haath
maulaa saliim chishtii, aaqaa saliim chishtii -2
aabaad kar do dil kii duniyaa saliim chishtii -2
jitanii balaaye.n aaii, sab ko gale lagaayaa -2
khuu.N ho gayaa kalejaa, shikavaa na lab pe aayaa -2
har dard ham ne apanaa, apane se bhii chhupaayaa
har dard ham ne apanaa, haa
har dard ham ne apanaa, apane se bhii chhupaayaa -2
tum se nahii.n hai koii pardaa saliim chishtii
maulaa saliim chishtii …
jaaegaa kaun aake, pyaasaa tumhaare dar se -2
kuchh jaam se piie.nge, kuchh maharbaa.n nazar se -2
kuchh jaam se piie.nge, haa
kuchh jaam se piie.nge, kuchh maharbaa.n nazar se -2
ek pyaalii bhar ke de saaqii mai-e-gulafaam kii
ek apane naam pii, aur ek allaah naam pii
meT de puurii merii hasarat dil-e-naakaam kii
dede dede dard me.n koii suurat aaraam kii
ghuu.NT hii pilaa magar josh-e-tamannaa Daal kar
ek qataraa de magar qatare me.n dariyaa Daal kar
kuchh jaam se piie.nge, kuchh maharbaa.n nazar se …
ye sa.ng-e-dar tumhaaraa, to.De.nge apane sar se -2
ye sa.ng-e-dar tumhaaraa, haa
ye sa.ng-e-dar tumhaaraa, to.De.nge apane sar se -2
ye dil agar tumhaaraa TuuTaa saliim chishtii -2
maulaa saliim chishtii …
is sa.ng-e-dar ke sadaqe, is rahaguzar ke sadaqe
bhaTake hue musaafir, ma.nzil pe pahu.nche aaKir
uja.De hue chaman me.n, ye ra.Ng-e-pairahan me.n
sau ra.Ng muskuraae, sau phuul lailahaae
aaii na_ii bahaare.n, pahalane lagii phuaare.n
Ghuu.NghaT kii laaj rakhanaa, is sar pe taaj rakhanaa
is sar pe taaj rakhanaa
aaqaa saliim chishtii, maulaa saliim chishtii …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1yNA3SlhnQ
Song #58
Maana ho tum behadd haseen….
Surprisingly, the next movie for which he penned just one song was the 1977 Yusuf Naqvi movie Shankar Hussain with the credits shared with Jaan Nisar Akhtar and Kamal Amrohi. In between, after winning the Filmfare Award for the 1973 MS Sathyu movie Garam Hawa, he penned dialogues for the 1976 Shyam Benegal movie Manthan.
The song Kaifi Azmi penned was Achha unhe dekha hai bimaar hui aankhen whereas the popular Kahin ek masoom naazuk si ladaki was penned by Kamal Amrohi. Another number Aap youn faaslon se guzarte rahe was written by Jaan Nisar Akhtar.
Of course, the composer of these songs was Khaiyyam, the gentlest of them all.
In the next movie: the 1977 movie Ooperwala Jaane, he penned two songs: Tumhen wo bheegi hui raat yaad hai ke nahin and Nasha jo pyaar mein hai uska koi jawab nahin. Asad Bhopali penned one: Jo bujhe na kabhi. Composer was Laxmikant Pyarelal.
In 1977, MS Sathyu who had directed 1973 movie Garam Hawa directed another one called Kanneshwar Rama, a devotional movie starring Amol Palekar, Anant Nag and his daughter Shabana Azmi. There were two songs in the movie: Jo kuchh maine churaya hai sung by Balappa Hukkeri on BV Karanth’s music and Narvir Kanneshwar Rama sung by Bashir Ahmad on BV Karanth’s music.
His next movie for which he penned songs was the 1977 Kanak Mishra movie Dil Aur Patthar starring Sanjeev Kumar, Jairaj and Meena Sharma. He penned six songs and Kaif Irfani penned one. None of them became popular.
Once again in 1977 he penned just one song for the Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini starrer Dhoop Chhaon with composition by Shankar Jaikishan: Mushkil hai bahut, jis roop mein bhi aao tum par nissar.
That brings us to the 1978 movie Toote Khilone in which one of the seven songs penned by him became very popular. This was after a gap of five years!
The song was a Yesudas number: Maana ke ho tum behadd haseen. Composer was Bappi Lahiri. I must hasten to add that the gist of the song was a total departure from the Urdu poets of yore for whom the woman was always haseen (beautiful) in comparison to them. My upbringing being with those poets and lyricists, I don’t think very high of this self-promoting song.
Please enjoy: Maana ho tum behadd haseen….
maanaa ho tum, behad hasi
aise bure, ham bhi nahi
dekho kabhi to, pyaar se
darate ho kyun, iqaraar se
khulataa nahi, kuchh dilarubaa
tum hamase khush ho, yaa ho khafaa
tirachhi nazar, tikhi adaa
lagate ho kyun, bezaar se
dekho kabhi to, pyaar se
tum do kadam, do saath agar
aasaan ho jaaye safar
chhodo bhi ye, duniyaa kaa dar
todo na dil yun, inakaar se
dekho kabhi to, pyaar se
Song #59
Bheega bheega mausam….
I had seen this happening with Rajinder Krishan. After winning the Derby he hardly wrote any great songs. In case of Kaifi too, the last memorable song of his was for the 1973 MS Sathyu movie Garam Hawa: Maula Salim Chishti. However, it wasn’t fame that did him in. As I brought out earlier too, a brain hemorrhage on 8th February 1973 paralysed him and rendered his left hand and left leg incapacitated for life. Instead of giving up in despair he decided to leave the comforts of Bombay and settle in Mijwan the tiny village in Azamgarh Eastern UP in which he was born. Mijwan was an obscure village untouched by development and didn’t even have a pin code. Today it is known all over the world because of Kaifi’s untiring efforts to uplift the village.
The 1978 movie Subhash Chandra had six songs and the credits for penning the songs were shared with Saraswati Kumar and Deepak and none of them became popular.
With continuous failure of his songs, finally in 1979, once again, he paired with Madan Mohan in Inspector Eagle (yes indeed, there was a movie by that name starring Sanjeev Kumar, Bindu and AK Hangal). It had another three songs sung by Asha Bhosle: Aao pal bhar ko tum roshani mein, Tum kyun aate nahin bechain tan hai pyaasa badan hai, Chalo aao jaam uthayen hai Bottoms Up. All three, as you can see, are forgettable songs coming from two erstwhile greats.
For the 1980 movie Angaar he wrote two songs composed by Sonik Omi: Jalti saansen Thandi aahen sung by Asha Bhosle and Yogita Bali and Is jahan mein mera na koi dooja sung by Asha Bhosle. Two other songs were penned by Verma Malik.
The next movie for which he penned songs was the 1982 movie Suraag starring Sanjeev Kumar, Shabana Azmi, Tina Munim, Hema Malini and a guest appearance by Rajesh Khanna.
He penned six songs for the movie, all composed by Bappi Lahiri:
1 “Pyar Pyar Pyar Pyar” Kishore Kumar 04:11
2 “Bheega Bheega Mausam” Lata Mangeshkar 07:26
3 “Dhoondte Dhoondte” Bappi Lahiri 05:12
4 “Kya Hua Are Kya Hua” Kishore Kumar 05:40
5 “Mera Dil Liye Ja” Asha Bhosle & Chorus 04:20
6 “Woh Nazar Leke” Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle 08:06
Lets listen to Bheega bheega mausam sung by Lata Mangeshkar, a song by Kaifi Azmi nine years after I gave the last song and nine years after he suffered haemorrhage and moved away from Mubai and to his film Mijwan in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.
Please enjoy: Bheega bheega mausam….
bhiga bhiga mausam bhini bhini khushbu
jaga jaga jadu kaise rahe dil pe kabu
bhiga bhiga mausam bhini bhini khushbu
jaga jaga jadu kaise rahe dil pe kabu
aaja re o sajna aaja re o sajna
o bhiga bhiga mausam
tere bina jiwan suna suni meri dunia
khud hi tujhe khoya maine kisse karu sikwa
tute mere sapne sare dil bujha dil bujha
o bhiga bhiga mausam bhini bhini khusbu
jaga jaga jadu kaise rahe dil pe kabu
aaja re o sajna aaja re o sajna
bhiga bhiga mausam
tanda vira dunia viran phul bina gulshan
jyoti bina aankhe andhi
tere bina tan man mera
gul se juda khusbu tu mujhse juda mujhse juda
o bhiga bhiga mausam bhini bhini khusbu
jaga jaga jadu kaise rahe dil pe kabu
aaja re o sajna aaja re o sajna
bhiga bhiga mausam
dhokha naya khaya maine
thokar nayi khayi
parde pade aise gum ke sari khushi gawai
gum ki ghata itna barse kya pata kya pata
o bhiga bhiga mausam bhini bhini khusbu
jaga jaga jadu kaise rahe dil pe kabu
aaja re o sajna aaja re o sajna
bhiga bhiga mausam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB3Bclq0SGU
Song #60
With all this, if you conclude that the old magic of Kaifi Azmi was finished in 1973, you are as far from the truth as you can get. In his very next movie: the 1983 Mahesh Bhatt movie that starred Shabana Azmi, he wrote some of his best songs.
Lets first start with his daughter Shabana Azmi whom I have called the most sensitive of new Indian actresses barring perhaps Smita Patil who died prematurely due to a complication during childbirth. In this 1983 movie titled Arth (Meaning) coincidentally Smita Patil acted along with Shabana Azmi. But, it was Shabana, his daughter who won both the National Award and Filmfare Award for the movie. Indeed, Shabana went on to receive the National Film Award consecutively for three years from 1983 to 1985 for her roles in movies, Arth, Khandhar and Paar!
The movie had songs and ghazals composed by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh and Kuldeep Singh and here they are:
1. “Jhuki jhuki si nazar” Kaifi Azmi Jagjit Singh
2. “Koi yeh kaise bataye” Kaifi Azmi Jagjit Singh
3. “Tere khushboo mein base” Rajinder Nath “Rehbar” Jagjit Singh
4. “Too nahin to zindagi mein” Iftikhar Imam Siddiqi Chitra Singh
5. “Tum itna jo muskura rahe” Kaifi Azmi Jagjit Singh
You are right, I am going to give you two out of the three penned by Kaifi Azmi.
Lets first enjoy: Jhuki jhuki si nazar….a song composed by Kuldeep Singh…
jhukii jhukii sii nazar beqaraar hai ki nahii.n
dabaa dabaa saa sahii dil me.n pyaar hai ki nahii.n …
tuu apane dil kii javaa.N dha.Dakano.n ko gin ke bataa …
merii tarah teraa dil beqaraar hai ki nahii.n …
dabaa dabaa saa sahii dil me.n pyaar hai ki nahii.n
jhukii jhukii sI nazar
vo pal ke jis me.n mohabbat javaan hotii hai
us ek pal kaa tujhe i.ntazaar hai ki nahii.n …
dabaa dabaa saa sahii dil me.n pyaar hai ki nahii.n
jhukii jhukii sI nazar
terii ummiid pe Thukaraa rahaa huu.N duniyaa ko …
tujhe bhii apane pe ye aitabaar hai ki nahii.n …
dabaa dabaa saa sahii dil me.n pyaar hai ki nahii.n
jhukii jhukii sii nazar
Song #61
Tum itna jo muskara rahe ho…
For ten years, after 1973 movie Garam Hawa, and after Kaifi Azmi suffered brain hamorrhage, it appeared that there wasn’t any great song that he wrote until we came to the 1983 movie Arth starring his own daughter Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Smita Patil, Raj Kiran and Rohini Hathangadi.
The songs of the movie were sung by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh on Jagjit’s own music. I gave you, day before yesterday, Jhuki jhuki si nazar beqraar hai ki nahin. At that time I promised that I shall give you another one. Here it is then.
Please enjoy Jagjit Singh singing: Tum itna jo muskara rahe ho…
tum itanaa jo muskuraa rahe ho
kyaa Gam hai jisako chhupaa rahe ho
tum itanaa…
aa.Nkho.n me.n namii ha.Nsii labo.n par
kyaa haal hai kyaa dikhaa rahe ho
kyaa Gam hai…
ban jaaye.nge zahar piite piite – (2)
ye ashq jo piite jaa rahe ho
kyaa Gam hai…
rekhaao.n kaa khel hai muqaddar – (2)
rekhaao.n se maat khaa rahe ho
kyaa Gam hai…
Song #62
Jalta hai badan….
The 1983 movie Razia Sultan became famous for its popular number: Aye dil-e-nadan penned by Jaan Nisar Akhtar and composed by Khaiyyam. Indeed, there were three songs penned by Jaan Nisar Akhtar, two by Nida Fazli and one by Kaif Bhopali.
There was a number penned by Kaifi Azmi too: Jalta hai badan.
It was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and is woth listening to.
Please enjoy: Jalta hai badan….
jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
ho hay jalta hai badan
pyaas bhadki hai
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
ishq se kah do ki le aaye kahi se saavan
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
jaane kab raat dhale, subah tak kaun jale
daur par daur chale, aao lag jaao gale
aao lag jaao gale kam ho sine ki jalan
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan, o aah jalta hai badan
dekh jal jaayege ham, is tabassum ki kasam
ab nikal jaayega dam, tere baaho me sanam
dil pe rakh haath ki tham jaaye dil ki dhadkan
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan
ishq se kah do ke le aaye kahi se saavan
pyaas bhadki hai sare shaam se jalta hai badan
jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
o haay jalta hai badan, jalta hai badan
Song #63
Chandini khil rahi ho fir bhi jalta hai badan…
In 1984, the Anand brothers made a movie whose title was part of the title of Kaifi Azmi’s famous song in Guru Dutt’e Kaagaz Ke Phool: Hum Rahe Na Hum. It was produced by Vijay Anand and directed by Ketan and Chetan Anand. It starred Vijay Anand, Shabana Azmi, Rehana Sultan, Kanwaljeet and Ashok Kumar.
Bappi Lahiri composed six songs penned by Kaifi Azmi and even sang one: Jaayun kahan ai guru, aisa basaaya tune jahan re guru. The others were equally forgettable songs. In one of these, Kaifi Azmi re-used his jalta ho badan theme from the movie Razia Sultan. Indeed, there are quite a few songs in which he repeated his famous lines; eg, jeet ji lenge baazi. This was sung by – hold your breath – Sharon Prabhakar!
Please enjoy: Chandini khil rahi ho fir bhi jalta hai badan…
chandani khil rahi ho fir bhi jalta ho badan
dil dubne lag jaye to humko yad kar lena
o woo o o mere pyare
chandani khil rahi ho fir bhi jalta ho badan
dil dubne lag jaye to humko yad kar lena
o woo o o mere pyare
o woo o o mere pyare
jhutha janam ka rishta
gum kya agar wo tuta
baho me meri tu aaja teri yahi hai dunia
aaja pyare lab ki lali ras ke dhare
sab hai ye tumhare
chane lagi jab udasiya tum ho jab bahut akele
dil dubne lag jaye to humko yad kar lena
o woo o o mere pyare o woo o o mere pyare
dil hai diwana tera lab pe fasana tera
pyasi jawani dekhe sapna suhana tera
arman pagal man me halchal
sarke pal pal sar se ye aachal
bahki hui si hawa chale
dhadke badan me jo shole
dil dubne lag jaye to humko yad kar lena
o woo o o mere pyare
o woo o o mere pyare
dil dubne lag jaye to humko yad kar lena
o woo o o mere pyare
o woo o o mere pyare
Song #64
Aane wala pal ek sapana hai….
In 1990, he penned some lyrics for Saeed Akhtar Mirza’s Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro starring – hold your breath – Ashutosh Gowarikar, Ajit Vachani and Pawan Malhotra. It was as good as a documentary than a feature film. And this, after a gap of six years from the songs of his 1984 movie Hum Rahe Na Hum.
Three years more went by and for Mahesh Bhatt’s Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi, movie’s name having been derived from the title of a song by Shakeel Badayuni (Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman starrer Dil Apna Aur Preet Praayi), Kaifi Azmi penned just one song, the majority of the songs having been written by Qateel Shifai and one by Zameer Kazmi.
The song was composed by Anu Malik and sung by Kumar Sanu.
Here is the song. Please enjoy: Aane wala pal ek sapana hai….
aane vaalaa kal bas ek sapna hai
aane vaalaa kal bas ek sapna hai
guzaraa huaa kal bas ek apnaa hai
guzaraa huaa kal bas ek apnaa hai
ham guzare kal me rehte hai
yaado ke sab jugnu jangal me rehte hai
yaado ke sab jugnu jangal me rehte hai
mere tan man ke aramaa
apane tan man se puchho
inki gun gun kaa matlab
dil ki dhadkan se puchho
duniyaa saari zami le le
daulat le le khazaane le le
lut sake na jisko zamaanaa
hamko ek pal aisaa de de
pyaar ke rangi mausam sab
jis pal me rehte hai
qaqt ke sachche nagme
jis pal me rehte hai
aane vaalaa kal bas ek sapna hai
guzaraa huaa kal bas ek apnaa hai
ham guzare kal me rehte hai
yaado ke sab jugnu jangal me rehte hai
yaado ke sab jugnu jangal me rehte hai
Song #65
Uth meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe….
Another four years went by and for the 1997 Mahesh Bhattmovie Tamanna that starred his daughter Pooja Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt, he penned one more song. Once again, a number of lyricists penned the songs of the movie Tamanna including Nida Fazli. All were composed by Anu Malik and sung by the new breed of singers: Kumar Sanu, Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik.
The song penned by Kaifi Azmi was sung by Sonu Nigam.
Please enjoy: Uth meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe….
jindagi to hai amal sabr ke kabu me nahi
nabj ka garm lahu thande se ansu me nahi
udne khulne me hai khushbu gam e kesu me nahi
jaannat ek aur hai jo mard ke pehlu me nahi
uski ajad rabish par hi machalna hai tujhe
uski ajad rabish par hi machalna hai tujhe
jis me jalta hu ussi aag me jalna hai tujhe
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalana hai tujhe
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
uth meri jaan uth meri jaan uth meri jaan
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
tere anchal me hai kirane bhi andhera hi nahi
tujhse rate bhi mahekati hai savera hi nahi
dil me arman bhi hai gham ka basera hi nahi
gham ke ghanghor andhere se nikalna hai tujhe
gham ke ghanghor andhere se nikalna hai tujhe
jisme jalta hu usi ag me jalna hai tujhe
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
uth meri jaan uth meri jaan uth meri jaan
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
kadr ab tak teri tarikh ne jaani hi nahi
roshani bhi teri ankho me hai pani hi nahi
har tune kabhi takdir se mani hi nahi
too hakikat bhi hai dilchasp kahani hi nahi
har ada teri kayamat hai javani hi nahi
apni tarikh ka unwan badalana hai tujhe
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
uth meri jaan uth meri jaan uth meri jaan
uth meri jaan mere sath hi chalna hai tujhe
Song #66
Usko paane se pehle
In 1995, for the Saeed Akhtar Mirza’s movie Naseem starring Mayuri Kango in the title role, Kaifi Azmi acted as her grandfather; a role fondly remembered by not just his fans but by his critics too.
On 10th May 2002, in Mumbai, at the age of 83 years, Kaifi Azmi breathed his last. Before that, of course, he had penned songs for KP Sasi’s Ek Alag Mausam, whose story was penned by the best living playwright in India: Mahesh Dattani (he being the first English language playwright to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award. He himself has penned and directed plays and movies based on his plays: Mango Souffle, Morning Raga, Dance Like a Man and Ek Alag Mausam).
The movie starred Nandita Das, Anupam Kher, Rajit Kapoor and Renuka Shahane and was released after Kaifi Azmi breathed his last. Here are the songs that he penned and which were composed by Ravi:
1. “Har Taraf” – Anuradha Paudwal
2. “Tara Rum Pum” – Anupam Kher, Usha Krishnadas
3. “Uski Baari Jo Thi” – Hariharan
4. “Usko Paane Se Pehle (Female)” – Anuradha Paudwal
5. “Usko Paane Se Pehle (Male)” – Hariharan
Please enjoy the last song by Kaifi Azmi in this tribute: Usko paane se pehle….a song picturised on Rajit Kapoor
usko paane se pehle hi
maine use kho diya
usko paane se pehle hi
maine use kho diya
aye mere dil tu dhadka hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
usko paane se pehle hi
maine use kho diya
aye mere dil tu dhadka hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
kya khabar thi ke hongi
ye aankhen meri nam kabhi
kya khabar thi ke hongi
ye aankhen meri nam kabhi
kya khabar thi ke hongi
ye aankhen meri nam kabhi
aye mere dil tu tadpa hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
usko paane se pehle hi
maine use kho diya
aye mere dil tu dhadka hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
jage sapne kuch aise the
jinka nahi tha guman
jage sapne kuch aise the
jinka nahi tha guman
jage sapne kuch aise the
jinka nahi tha guman
aye mere dil tu tarsa hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
usko paane se pehle hi
maine use kho diya
aye mere dil tu dhadka hi kyu
dekh ye kya hua ye kya hua
koi manzil nahin
koi chaahat nahin
aur tu bhi nahin
koi manzil nahin
koi chaahat nahin
aur tu bhi nahin
hum safar bhi nahin
hum nawa bhi nahin
koi humdam nahin
jism mein jaan nahin
bas tadap hai teri
aur jalan hai meri
phir ye tanhaiyaan
aur khamoshiya
kya hua kaha aa gayi hu
agar mere jeevan ki shyam
kya hua kaha aa gayi hu
agar mere jeevan ki shyam
jo tu saath ho tham sakti hu ab bhi
hatheli mein jaan hatheli mein jaan
hatheli mein jaan hatheli mein jaan.
In three equal parts of 22 songs each, I have given you the Best Songs of Kaifi Azmi, the third Great Lyricist (not in any particular order) in my Great Lyricists series.
Lets remember him by all his great lyrics and particularly these for the 1966 Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie Anupama:
Yaa dil kii suno duniya vaalo,
Yaa mujhako abhii chup rehane do,
Main gam ko khushii kaise kah duun?
Jo kehate hain unako kehane do.
