Category: Music and Cinema

Dedication

Our Dedication to a Lyricist to Whom
We Owe the Title of Our Songs Group*

(The Facebook group is ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne‘ or YKDN in short

This is My Dedication to Evani Leela in addition to Kishwar Jaipuri

Losing one’s mother is by far the biggest sadness in the life of a man or a woman. Our sister Evani Leela lost hers on the 9th January this year. We have been off YKDN since then as a mark of respect for her and we called off our weekend Fest too.

Now, it is my attempt to get Evani Leela back on her feet. With personal experience I can say that the void and the sadness never go away. However, I would want you to consider that life is a gift and we must get back to honouring that gift of God.

Why This Song?

It is never my intention to take away the initiative from those who would follow me in putting up HJSOWs by merely putting up the most popular songs. It is, however, my intention to put up songs with extraordinary lyrics.

I also have to imagine songs that Evani Leela would be fond of and it occurred to me that this would be very high in her list of favourites, if not the most favourite.

Briefly About The Song

It is from the 1955 V Shantaram film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje. Hasrat ji wrote the lyrics of all songs in the movie and this was composed by Vasant Desai. It was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Hemant Kumar.

The movie starred the dancer and choreographer Gopi Krishna and V Shantaram’s third wife Sandhya.

The film won the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film, the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and the Filmfare Best Movie Award.

How Did The Song Come About In the Movie?

First of all, off the movie, Sandhya wasn’t much of a dancer. Gopi, on the other hand, was born into a family of Kathak dancers and soon emerged as a renowned and fine dancer. For the movie, Gopi taught her good dancing that you see in this song and other songs of the movie.

In the movie, Gopi as Giridhar has to win a Tandava (the most difficult of dances) dance competition in the temple. However, Sandhya as Neela has fallen at the feet of Gopi’s guru Mangal Maharaj that she too wants to learn dancing like Gopi. Mangal guru agrees to take her as a disciple on one condition that she would help him win the competition.

She however, falls in love with not only his dancing but him too. So she is chucked out by the guru. She also keeps distance from him so as to help him concentrate on winning the competition. It is another thing that he too falls in love with her and wants her back.

Finally, it is a happy ending. She dances with him in the competition and he wins. Mangal guru agrees to marry them.

This song is therefore a turning point in their story of love.

The Magic of The Song

The Lyrics

I am basically a Lyrical man as far as songs are concerned. Lyrics are more than 50 percent of the song for me.

These are extraordinary lyrics indeed.

Hasrat ji, as was the trend during those times, was an Urdu poet and lyricist (Urdu is an indigenous language of India as you already know). Language influences your culture and other way round. Hence, in most of his songs, you would get the flair of this culture. In Sangam, for example, Raj Kapoor (a Punjabi) is portraying Flight Lieutenant Sunder Khanna (another Punjabi) but look at his mastery of Urdu when he sings to Vyjayanthimala as Radha:

ओ महबूबा
तेरे दिल के पास ही है मेरी मंज़िल-ए-मक़्सूद
वो कौन सी महफ़िल है जहाँ तू नहीं मौजूद?

Rarely, you would have come across a Khanna expressing his love in Ooty lake in Urdu!

In this song (Nain so nain nahin milao), however, the lyrics truly reflect the kind of language that the two dancers would be exchanging! Here, pay attention:

नैन सो नैन नाही मिलाओ – २
देखत सूरत आवत लाज, सैय्यां
प्यार से प्यार आके सजाओ – २
मधुर मिलन गावत आज, गुइयां*
नैन सो नैन …

आ …
खींचो कमान मारो जी बाण
रुत है जवान ओ मेरे प्राण
– रुक क्यों गये?
तुमने चोरी कर ली कमान
कैसे मारूं प्रीत का बाण, गुइयां
नैन सो नैन …

रिम झिम झिम गाये झरनों की धारदिल को लुभाये कोयल पुकार
– नहीं!
– तो फिर?
झरनों की धारों में तेरा संगीत
गाये कोयल तेरा ही गीत, गुइयाँ
नैन सो नैन …

नीले गगन पे झूमेंगे आज
बादल का प्यार देखेंगे आज
बादल नैय्या है बिजली पतवार
हम-तुम चल दें दुनिया के पार, सैय्यां …
नैन सो नैन …

It mustn’t have been easy for Hasrat ji to do it. But, then, he must have strived and came up with this winner. That’s the reason I thought Evani Leela would like it; a Telugu by birth she learnt Hindi only to appreciate songs!

The Composition

This is one song that cannot be composed in isolation. The composition must fall in line with the synchronised dance that Gopi and Sandhya would do. In particular, it has to be discussed with Gopi as the choreographer! If you look at the dance, you would know that Vasant Desai excelled.

The Dance

The dance is the essential part of story-line; they have to dance in concert as a teacher and disciple. And, most importantly, also be an instrument of their love for each other. I have my hair standing on ends to see the level of perfection.

Please Enjoy: Nain so nain nahin milao..

Please don’t take it for granted that you know about the song. See it once at least:

Almost everybody would like us to listen to Hasrat Jaipuri’s most popular songs with Shankar Jaikishan especially in Raj Kapoor movies. I am different. Through the selection of my songs I also want you to become aware of the range of the Lyricist.

I hope you liked my choice.

Please await the next song in the series.

Dedication to the Richest Lyricist of His Times

In my Songs group on Facebook: Yaad Kiya Dil Ne we pay tribute to four people associated with the making of songs: the Lyricists, the Composers, the Singers and the Actors.

However, from amongst these four, the people closest to my heart are the Lyricists, the guys who carry forward the story of the movie, give voice to the emotions of the protagonists and comment upon the situation as per the story-line. All others build up on the foundation of the structure laid by the Lyricists.

And that’s why I have a page on Facebook called Lyrical. My blog has more posts on Lyricists than on any of the other three. And this is not to say I am neglecting others. Take Composers for example; my series on Raaga Based Song of the Day is exclusively on how these really talented artistes compose songs.

Starting from the beginning of this year, I started with a series Hasrat Jaipuri Song of the Week. I soon added Shailendra Song of the Week. And now, Rajinder Krishan is the third and the last one this year. I already have a number of posts on him:

1. The Best Songs Of Rajendra Krishan, The Rishest Lyricist.
2. The Best Songs Of Rajendra Krishan, The Rishest Lyricist – Part II.
3. The Best Songs Of Rajendra Krishan, The Rishest Lyricist – Part III.
4. The Best Songs Of Rajendra Krishan, The Rishest Lyricist – Part IV.

Why This Series?

Why This Song as the First Song?

Dedication to a Lyricist Beyond Compare

On my Facebook group Yaad Kiya Dil Ne, from the First of January 2020, I started with a weekly dedication to Hasrat Jaipuri, the lyricist to whom we owe the title of the group. Interestingly, the first group that I formed was also named after a song and the title of the group was from the mukhada of a song penned by Shailendra: Dil Ki Nazar Se.

Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra were lyricists in the camp of the music duo Shankar Jaikishan who themselves were known as the “house-musicians of Raj Kapoor”. Whilst Hasrat Jaipuri emerged as the Shahenshah-e-Rumaniyat (Emperor of Romance), Shailendra emerged as the lyricist who delved deep; people are still trying to find out the full-meaning of some of his lyrics.

So, this is our dedication to a Lyricist who
Always dived deep to find pearls

Incidentally, in this blog, I already have two posts on Shailendra:

1. The Best Songs Of Shailendra, The Lyricist Beyond Compare – Part I.
2. The Best Songs Of Shailendra, The Lyricist Beyond Compare – Part II.

How Did This Series Come About?

When I was young and had just joined the Navy, we used to have this British humour magazine Punch (a weekly magazine at that time) available in our wardrooms. Some of its cartoons were memorable. One of the cartoons showed Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with three stone tablets and pronounced to the gathering, “I hereby give you fifteen (oops, one of the tablets fell down and broke)…er….ten commandments.”

Likewise, I have these friends of SJMF. What they and my sister Kishwar Jaipuri do not know about music in general and Shankar Jaikishan songs in particular, can be written on the back of what used to be the lowest denomination of postage stamps in India: the five paisa stamps!

With the new year I decided to start a series titled Hasrat Jaipuri Song of the Week. I was in the fourth such week when I put up this song erroneously ascribing it to Hasrat Jaipuri. The stridency of their protests would have put the inspired protests against CAA, NRC and NPR to shame. “Damn good post”, they sang in unison, “Except that the song belongs to Shailendra and not Hasrat. Whenever you get time, have your head checked for sanity by somebody qualified.”

I made a quick retreat and decided that I must become the modern Moses and give the gathering: ‘Shailendra Song of the Week.’ That is SSOW in addition to HJSOW.

So, here it is, ladies and gentlemen.

As they say in the aftermath of such sticky situations: ‘Der aaye darust aaye.’

Shakti Samanta Again

For the third week song of HJSOW (you are yet to get it on this blog), I gave you one from the 1958 Shakti Samanta movie Howrah Bridge. Why didn’t his favourite heroine Sharmila Tagore act in Howrah Bridge? Well, La Tagore would have been only 14 years old if she had acted in Howrah Bridge. So, Shakti Samanta waited for her (in the lyrics of a popular song: Ye kali jab talaq fool ban ke khile intezzar intezzar intezzar karo). He waited for her to make her debut in Kashmir Ki Kali whose songs put together by SH Bihari and OP Nayyar made me write a blog about those: Ever Fresh Songs Of Kashmir Ki Kali.

Incidentally, Kashmir Ki Kali and An Evening In Paris (from where this songs has been taken) were Shakti Samanta’s 14th and 16th movies respectively with just one movie Sawan Ki Ghata in between that had La Tagore acting opposite Bozo, something that she must have regretted later since Bozo murdered one of the best songs of the movie (put together by SH Bihari and OP Nayyar): Zulfon ko hata lo chehre se by terrible acting.

Shailendra with Shankar Jaikishan

I am not going to fill up this part of the description with flowery adjectives. Suffice it to say that: Doodh ke jale chhachh ko bhi phoonk phoonk kar peete hain.

Let me tell you something about the unchallenged mastery of Shailendra and SJ pertaining to this song only:

Shailendra First

Shailendra died on 14 Dec 1966, five years before Jaikishan died on 12 Sep 1971. What led to his demise was primarily the setback he received from the box-office failure of his only production: Teesri Kasam.

Next year, we would complete 50 years after his demise. And yet, even till now some of us are discovering some new meaning or the other in his songs.

We were told by the singer Sharda that when S-J asked him to write a simple children’s song he came up with one there too with deep meaning: Titli udhi uddh jo gayi phool ne kaha aaja mere paas (It came out that even in this seemingly children’s song only, he gave a relationship between Body and Soul).

What about the first song of this series? He uses the expression Raat Ke Hamsafar to portray the negative feelings that are as dark as the night and hence are co-passengers with night!

What negative feelings is he referring to? Hatred, belittling, ignoring, trifling with that Sharmila Tagore indulged in with Shammi Kapoor! And now what is happening in the movie? Suddenly, the Subah Pyar Ki is showing its glimpses! This is the first time the sprout of love has broken out between the two contenders. If you have got this right, you can follow the rest of the lyrics easily:

Eg, Sone waalon ko hanskar jagaana bhi hai,
Raat ki chaahton ko sulaana bhi hai

Superb lines. The new sprout of Love between them demands this! By this Shailendra means that Love was dormant all this while and now time has come to awaken it! Raat ki chaahton are negative feelings; these have to be put to sleep! Tell me many other lyricists who have gone this deep!

Seen in this light, one of the best lines of the song with amazing imagination used by Shailendra is: Loriyan gaa rahi hai subah pyar ki! Incredible indeed. Love is always kind and always gentle. It is singing lullabies for the negative feelings to go to sleep!

And a complete denouement takes place in the last stanza:

Kya kya vaade huye, kisne khaai kasam?
Kis nayi raah par hamne rakhe kadam? (as I said, this is the first time mutual love has broken out like a new morning)

Chhup saka pyaar kab ham chhupaaye to kya
Chhup saka pyaar kab ham chhupaaye to kya
Sab samajh paa rahi hain subah pyaar ki

And Now Shankar Jaikishan

Once again no hero-worshiping, no meaningless adjectives.

When the new Subah of Pyar is about to break out between the lovers, they are at night in the Love city of the world: Paris!

S-J have to give a composition and background music that would contrast the delights of this Love City at night with what is happening to the lovers! Take it from me that lesser music directors won’t even come close to this challenge. How do you think they scored? Here is what you can do:

Put the video on mute and watch it first and then watch it with their music! You will know what I mean!!

SJ were the first duo who went international in their music and compositions. With what they had to offer in this song, you can’t have the song anywhere else, say, in Tokyo!

Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle

Makes you feel why not Mohammad Rafi and Lata?

It can’t just be that the first two movies of Shakti Samanta with La Tagore had OP Nayyar’s compositions and hence Asha Bhosle sang for Sharmila Tagore.

Please notice that in this song when she expresses her realisation of Love for him, she also displays a somewhat shy sensuousness (as opposed to the bold sensuousness in her bikini song Aasman se aaya farishta penned by HJ; the first ever bikini song in Hindi movies with an Indian actress). Lata ji is good in many genres of singing but Asha was very well suited to accentuate this sensuousness!

Please enjoy: Raat ke hamsafar…

Raat ke hamsafar thak ke ghar ko chale
Jhumati aa rahi hai subah pyar ki
Dekh kar samne rup ki roshani
Phir luti ja rahi hai subah pyar ki

Sone walon ko hanskar jagana bhi hai 
Raat ke chaahton ko sulaana bhi hai 
Deti hai jaagne ki sada saath hi 
Deti hai jaagne ki sada saath hi 
Loriya ga rahi hai subah pyaar ki 
Raat ke hamsafar thak ke ghar ko chale
Jhumati aa rahi hai subah pyar ki
Dekh kar samne rup ki roshani
Phir luti ja rahi hai subah pyar ki

Raat ne pyar ke jaam bhar kar diye
Ankhon ankhon se jo maine tumne piye
Hosh to ab talaq ja ke laute nahin
Hosh to ab talaq ja ke laute nahin
Janey kya la rahi hai subah pyar ki
Raat ke hamsafar thak ke ghar ko chale
Jhumati aa rahi hai subah pyar ki
Dekh kar samne rup ki roshani
Phir luti ja rahi hai subah pyar ki

Kya kya vaade huye, kisne khaai kasam 
Kis nayi raah par hamne rakhe kadam 
Chhup saka pyaar kab ham chhupaayen to kya 
Chhup saka pyaar kab ham chhupaayen to kya 
Sab samajh paa rahi hai subah pyaar ki 
Raat ke hamsafar thak ke ghar ko chale
Jhumati aa rahi hai subah pyar ki
Pyar ki,  pyar ki

All in all a beautiful song with lyrics that are both enchanting and deep-meaning.

I hope you liked my choice.

Wait for the next song in the series.

This post is Part II follow-up of The Best Songs Of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan – Part I. Hence the introduction is the same.

I am fond of calling myself 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.

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was chosen by me as Lyricist #9 (not in any particular order or ranking) in Remembering Great Lyricists series. He has been a favourite and I already have a comprehensive post on him: The Magic Of The Lyrics Of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.

Here is now a more detailed post. The following posts about Raja Mehdi Ali Khan’s songs have been reconstructed from the same Facebook page Lyrical.

I started the series to bring home the point that whilst we genuinely love everything that Shakeel wrote, many other contemporary poets and lyricists were also good and popular.

So far, on Lyrical, I have taken up eight lyricists of great fame:

1. Shailendra. The opening song that I selected was Kuchh aur zamaana kehta hai.
2. Rajinder Krishan with his Mujhase mat poochh mere ishq mein.
3. Kaifi Azmi with his Jaane kyaa dhoondati rehati hain ye aankhen mujh mein.
4. Sahir Ludhianvi with Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko.
5. Majrooh Sultanpuri with Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya mein rakha kyaa hai. (Yet to be published here).
6. Jaan Nisar Akhtar with his Mujhape ilzaam-e-bewafai hai. (Yet to be published here).
7. Hasrat Jaipuri with his Aansu bhari hain ye jeevan ki raahen. (Yet to be published here).
8. Qamar Jalalabadi with his Ai meri zindagi tujhe dhoondun kahan. (Yet to be published here).

Tonight, as I said, we take up our ninth lyricst, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan‘s creation.

He is my second most favourite lyricist after Shakeel Badayuni. As you go through the posts you would realise as to why.

Having been born in 1928 in Jehlum in undivided India, when the partition of India took place, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and wife Tahira refused to go to Pakistan despite communal riots. His patriotism came to fore in 1948 itself when he wrote the famous number: Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujwaan shahid hon for the movie Shaheed starring Dilip Kumar.

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan paired with the Music Director Madan Mohan to produce some of Lata Mangeshkar’s best numbers. She has acknowledged so.

Raja appears to have done everything at a relatively young age. It is as if he knew that he is going to die young at the age of 37 only on 29 Jul 1966.

When Shakeel gave his first film song in 1947 Dard: Afsana likh rahi hoon, Shakeel was 31 years old. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was just 18 when he gave his, in his first movie Do Bhai. And what a song it was, sung by Geeta Dutt.

Indeed, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan together with Rajinder Krishan emerged as the lyricist of choice for heroines. Some of his best songs are:

1. Aap ki nazaron ne samajha pyaar ke kaabil mujhe.
2. Agar mujhase mohabbat hai mujhe sab apne gham de do.
3. Sapano mein agar mere tum aao to so jaayun.
4. Naaina barse rimjhim rimjhim.
5. Lag jaao gale ke phir ye hasin raat ho na ho.
6. Naino mein badra chhaye.

It is not as if he didn’t write for heroes. Taste some of his best there too:

1. Main nigahen tere chehre se hatayun kaise.
2. Tum bin jeevan kaise beeta poochho mere dil se.
3. Aap youn hi agar hamase milate rahe.

Everyday, on my page Lyrical, I take up three songs. We have finished with eight days and 24 songs.

Day #9, Song #25
Please enjoy: Kya kya sitam sahe hain….

After Shrimatiji, his next movie in 1952 was Izzat. Bulo C Rani composed all the eight songs in the movie; seven of these were penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and one by Butaram Sharma.

Here are the seven songs penned by him:

1. Kya kya sitam sahe hain.
2. Dhoondta hoon har jagah kahin nahin.
3. Tera jhoomta shabab jaise.
4. Is duniya se ham nahin darega.
5. Ishq mein ho jao barbaad.
6. Ishq mein ho jao barbaad (Female).
7. Nain naino se mile.

Most of the songs were sung by Sandhya Mukherjee, GM Durrani and Shamshad Begum.

Lets listen to the voice of Sandhya Mukherjee.

Please enjoy: Kya kya sitam sahe hain….

Day #9, Song #26
Zindagani ke sahare laut aa….

Saloni was his next movie in 1952; the second last movie for him for the year, a JP Davani movie starring Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jaywant.

He was back with Basant Prakash (one song penned by Aziz Kashmiri was composed by Vinod). Out of the eight songs, Raja penned three; the others were by Aziz Kashmiri, Hasrat Jaipuri, and Arjun Dev Ishq.

His three were:

1. Ek dil sharmata hai.
2. Roti hui aankhon mein tasveer kisi ki.
3. Zindagi ke sahare laut aa.

My vote goes to the last one after listening to all three (it was difficult finding them). Why? Because the song shows the development of Lata Mangeshkar into a singer par excellence.

Please enjoy: Zindagani ke sahare laut aa….

zindgani ke sahare laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa
mera har aasu pukare laut aa laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa

dhundte hai tujhko bago me bahar aayi hui
mere dil pe tere gum ki hai ghata chai hui
dekh phulo ke najare laut aa
dekh phulo ke najare laut aa
mera har aasu pukare laut aa laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa

kya khabar thi tere bin
ek pal na chal payenge hum
tum agar wapas na aaye haye mar jayenge hum
meri kismat ke sitare laut aa
meri kismat ke sitare laut aa
mera har aasu pukare laut aa laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa
zindgani ke sahare laut aa

Day #9, Song #27
Koi dard hamara kya samajhe

His last movie in 1952 was Rangeeli, a Najam Naqvi movie starring Raj Kumar, Rehana, S Nasir, Leela Mishra, and Yaqub.

He paired with – hold your breath – Chic Chocolate and they made the following songs:

1. Chanda ko sitare mile.
2. Koi dard hamara kya samjhe.
3. Hamne ye dil ke lagane ki saza payi hai.
4. Hum naino mein laye hain pyar.
5. Bayan chhodo balam ghar jaana hai.
6. Hans le gaa le jee behla le.
7. Haseeno se faqt sahab salamatdoor ki.
8. Raat bhi rangeen hai
9. Sainya agar tum ho ser.

I am going to give you two songs from the movie: one today, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and one tomorrow sung by Geeta Dutt.

Please enjoy Lata Mangeshkar singing: Koi dard hamara kya samajhe…

koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane
koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane
is dil me kya kya armaa the
wo jaan se pyara kya jane
is dil me kya kya armaa the
wo jaan se pyara kya jane
koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane

ek aash bandhi thi tut gayi, haye tut gayi
haye kismat humse ruth gayi, haye ruth gayi
kyu chamka tha kyu tut gaya
takdir ka tara kya jane
kyu chamka tha kyu tut gaya
takdir ka tara kya jane
koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane

gam ki kaali raate hogi, raate hogi
diwaro se baate hogi, baate hogi
ae darde mohabbat kya hoga
anjam hamara kya jane
ae darde mohabbat kya hoga
anjam hamara kya jane
koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane
is dil me kya kya armaa the
wo jaan se pyara kya jane
koi dard hamara kya samjhe
koi haal hamara kya jane

Day #10, Song #28
Hamne ye dil ke lagane ki saza payi hai

On the 9th day when we broke off, we had started taking up songs of the 1952 movie Rangeeli, a Najam Naqvi movie starring Raj Kumar, Rehana, S Nasir, Leela Mishra, and Yaqub.

Day #10, Song #29
Le le gori pehan le chhori gori gori kalayi mein kali kali chudhiyan

His first movie in 1953 was Paapi, a Chandulal J Shah movie starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis.

Day #10, Song #30
Mohabbat aur wafa ki kis kadar tauheen ki tune

His next movie in 1953 was Naya Rasta, a Jayant Desai movie starring Manhar Desai, Krishna Kumari, Nirupa Roy, and Bipin Gupta.

Day #11, Song #31
Dil lagane wale aap se hazaron hain

Before we start today, lets take stock:

We started with our ninth lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan on 03 Oct 19 with two songs from 1947 movie Do Bhai: Mera sundar sapna beet gaya and Yaad karoge ek din hum ko yaad karoge; both songs sung by Geeta Dutt and composed by her mentor SD Burman.

Since then, we finished 10 days and 30 songs from 28 movies with 123 songs. The last one was the 1953 movie Khoj, in the seventh year of his career.

His next movie in 1953 was Gul Sanobar, an Aspi Azad movie starring Shammi Kapoor, Shyama, Agha, Rajni, Jillo, Kailash, Habib, and Shakur.

Bulo C Rani composed five songs whilst three were composed by Khayyam. These were penned by Kaif Irfani, Nazim Panipati, and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Raja just wrote one: In aankhon mein hai pyar that was sung by Indrani Mukherjee and Moti Sagar.

Anand Bhavan was his next movie in 1953, an SM Yusuf movie starring Manhar Desai, Nigar Sultana, Tiwari, Trilok Kapoor, and Durga Khote.

Vasant Desai composed eight songs in the movie: three by Raja and five by Noor Lakhnavi. The three songs by Raja are:

1. Nanhe munhe raja ki salgirah.
2. Roz kab teri jeet hoti hai.
3. Tera dil jo kehta hai kar deewane.

Manchala was his next movie in 1953. It was a Jayant Desai movie starring Manhar Desai, Nirupa Roy, Agha, Jeevan, and Krishna Kumari.

Chitragupt composed eight of his songs:

1. Hum dil apna tadpayen kyun?
2. Buron ki jeet duniya mein Bhagwan.
3. Nadiya ri nadiya jaa ke sajan se.
4. Buron ki jeet duniya mein.
5. Nahin daan diya nahin punya kiya.
6. Panghat pe peepal.
7. Tadpa na mujhe zaalim.
8. Ye duniya paagal khana.

We shall skip all these.

His next movie in 1953, indeed his last movie that year, was Husn Ka Chor, a JBH Wadia movie starring Mahipal, Usha Kiran, and Aarti.

Bulo C Rani composed six of his songs and one was written by JBH Wadia and Pandit Chand.

These were his six songs:

1. Di lagane wale aap se hazaron hain.
2. Ho gaya tere majnu ko ishq ka bukhar.
3. O janewale kisi ka salaam lete jaa.
4. Dheere dheere dil mein sama.
5. O duniya banane wale bata.
6. Sangdil zamaane mujhe kyun rulata hai.

The first one was sung by Sandhya Mukherjee and Mohammad Rafi. It was one of those songs in lighter vein that Raja wrote once in a while.

Please enjoy: Dil lagane wale aap se hazaron hain…

dil lagane wale aap ke hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
dil lagane wale aap ke hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai

aap se bole ro ro ke laila
ro ro ke ro ro ke laila
pad gaya jigar me rang maila
ha ho gaya jal ke majnu bhi maila
ishq jata ke tir chala ke
jakhmi kar jo chhaila
tir khane wale aap se hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
gum khane wale aap se hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai

maro maro maro maro sar pe mohabbat ka danda
o maro sar pe mohabbat ka danda danda danda
o ishaq ho jayega uska thanda
thanda thanda ishaq ho jayega uska thanda
aankh milake pas bulake maro sar pe danda
mar khane wale aap se hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
o azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
o azi unme se hum bhi ek hai

husan ki chha rahi hai qyamat
husan ki chha rahi hai qyamat
lakho ki ho gayi hai hjamat
lakho ki ho gayi hai hjamat
dil ghabhraye sar chakraye
sar nahi salamt
dekho sar nahi salamt
sar mudane wale aap se hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
dil lagane wale aap se hazaro hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai
azi unme se hum bhi ek hai

Day #11, Song #32
Duniya ki halat naram naram

With that we enter the year 1954, the eighth year of his career. He wrote songs for as many as 12 movies, ie, on an average of one movie per month.

Sher Dil was his first movie in which he wrote just one song composed by Shafi M Nagri whilst others were penned by Preetam Dehlvi, and Saraswati Kumar Deepak. Raja’s song was: O Chevrolet ki poti.

Ladla was his next movie in 1954, a Surya Kumar movie starring Karan Dewan, Shyama, Raj Mehra, Agha, Krishan Kumari, Nazir, Maruti, Dev Kishan, and Dar Kashmiri.

Vinod composed ten songs in the movie that were penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Kaif Irfani, and Balkrishna Mauj.

Raja’s five songs were mostly in lighter vein as if he got typified with such songs:

1. Hai re baj gaye raat ke barah.
2. Aji darwaja to kholo.
3. Bura hua to inse hamare naina lad gaye ji.
4. Gali mein husn ko ruswa kiya.
5. Zindagi do din ki hai.

We shall skip all these.

His third movie in 1954 was Toote Huye Khilaune, a Nanubhai Bhatt movie starring Shekhar, Gulab, Ranjit Kumari, Romi, Babu Raje, Asha Mathur, and Poornima.

Chitragupt composed eight songs in the movie that were penned by Anjum Jaipuri, Gopal Singh Nepali and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.

The three songs penned by Raja were:

1. Aye roothi hui taqdeer bata.
2. Ek baar bhulati hai to yaad aate.
3. Tere pyar mein huye badnaam hum.

Once gain we shall skip these.

Guzara was his fourth movie in 1954, an SM Yusuf movie starring Karan Dewan, Jabben Jalil, Paro, and Baby Naaz.

Ghulam Mohammad composed eight songs in the movie that were penned by Fauk Jaami, Munir Lakhnavi, and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Raja wrote five of them:

1. Duniya ki halat naram naram.
2. Rula rula ke pehli aayi aur mili ye pagar.
3. Ban ban ke bigadti hai.
4. Rang rangeele pyare pyare laye.
5. Rang rangeele pyare pyare laye hum khilaune.

You would notice that the focus was still on writing frivolous songs. The first one was sung by Mohammad Rafi in that vein.

Please enjoy: Duniya ki halat naram naram….

duniya ki halat naram naram
ho duniya ki halat naram naram
halwa chhodo puri chhodo
bhajiye khalo garam garam
ho duniya ki halat naram naram

tune bhi muft ki khai hai
kya tu bhi mera bhai hai
o kya tu bhi mera bhai hai
meri hi tarah honge mistar
tere pichhle janam ke karam karam
ho munna pichhle janam ke karam karam
ho duniya ki halat naram naram
halwa chhodo puri chhodo
bhajiye khalo garam garam
duniya ki halat naram naram

hum tumko kaha se de bhiksha
jakar ke khencho riksha
ho munna jakar ke khencho riksha
mat desh pe apne bojh bano
hai yahi hamara dharam dharam
hai yahi hamara dharam dharam
hoye duniya ki halat naram naram
halwa chhodo puri chodo
bhajiya khalo garam garam
duniya ki halat naram naram

chaar aane me insan bike
do aane me imaan bike
chaar aane me insan bike
do aane me imaan bike
ek aane me bhagwan bike
aye duniya walo shame shame shame
aye duniya walo sharam sharam
o duniya ki halat naram naram
halwa chhodo puri chhodo
bhajiye khalo garam garam
duniya ki halat naram naram

Day #11, Song #33
O ri O ri koi laari

Miss Mala was his next movie in 1954, a Jayant Desai movie who was fond of Chitragupt. He composed seven songs in the movie, four of them by Raja and others by Anjum Jaipuri.

The movie starred Kishore Kumar and Vyjayanthimala and was well suited to have songs in lighter vein that Raja Mehdi Ali Khan had mastered as much as the serious songs:

1. Dil na lagana dil ka lagana bahut bura.
2. O ri O ri koi laari.
3. Dekho na dekho hamen maare guroor ke.
4. Kaise bahu ghar mein aayi wah ri.

We have a rare combination now with Kishore Kumar singing for himself and Geeta Dutt singing for Vyjayanthimala. And we have Chitragupt giving us music like C Ramchandra.

Please enjoy (I am sure you will): O ri O ri koi laari….

o ri o ri koi laari
ho ho ho ho ho
do dil jab chupke chupke nain milaye
nain milaye
do dil jab chupke chupke nain milaye
duniya wale dande leke, pichhe pichhe aaye
pichhe pichhe aaye
to fir pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup
pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup

pyaar ki dagar me, do dil aage aage jaye
aage aage jaye
pyaar ki dagar me, do dil aage aage jaye
duniya wale dande leke, pichhe pichhe aaye
pichhe pichhe aaye
to fir pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup
pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup

ye thandi hawaye kahe pyaar karo pyaar
o o o
ye thandi hawaye kahe pyaar karo pyaar
koyal si sadaye kare dil bekrar
kahe pyaar karo pyaar
o o o jaalim hain jamana
mausam hain suhana, dil hain diwana
bolo ham kaha jaye, ham kaha jaye
duniya wale dande leke, pichhe pichhe aaye
pichhe pichhe aaye
to fir pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup
pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup

ankhiyo pe teri karu ankhiya nisar
o o o o
ankhiyo pe teri karu ankhiya nisar
piya mera jiya bole dare mera pyaar
hoy dare mera pyaar
o o o nadiya kinare
jhum ke nazare, karke ishare
piya hamko bulaye hamko bulaye
duniya wale dande leke, pichhe pichhe aaye
pichhe pichhe aaye
to fir pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup
pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup

do dil jab chupke chupke nain milaye
nain milaye
do dil jab chupke chupke nain milaye
duniya wale dande leke, pichhe pichhe aaye
pichhe pichhe aaye
to fir pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup
pyaar karo gup chup
duniya se chhup chhup

Day #12, Song #34
Kamaata hoon bahut kuchh par kamayi doob jaati hai

We are covering his career of the year 1954, that is, eighth year after he joined with Do Bhai. Yesterday, I gave you a delightful song from Miss Mary starring Kishore Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.

Hindi movies are quick to typify people such as Amitabh Bachchan as Angry Young Man, And, at this phase in his career, Raja was identified with funny and comic songs.

His next movie Adhikar was no different. It was a Mohan Saigal movie starring Kishore Kumar and Usha Kiran.

Avinash Vyas composed eight songs in the movie and used lyricists Prem Dhawan, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Neelkanth Tiwari, and Saraswati Kumar Deepak. Rarely, you would find lyricists such as Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra who were attached to Shankar Jaiklishan, Shakeel with Naushad or Indeevar with Kalyanji Anandji. Most others went from one MD to the other.

Raja wrote three songs for Avinash Vyas in this movie:

1. Kamaata hoon bahut kuchh par kamayi doob jaati hai.
2. Dil mein hamare kaun samaya khud hi samajh lo.
3. Zindagi haseen hai, zindagi se pyar kar.

The first one was sung by Kishore Kumar for himself and Geeta Dutt for Usha Kiran.

Please enjoy: Kamaata hoon bahut kuchh par kamayi doob jaati hai…

kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai
kuch income tax le jata kuch biwi udati hai
kuch income tax le jata kuch biwi udati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai
achha kaho tum kuch bhi
lekin ye samjhdaro ka kahna hai
kaho tum kuch bhi lekin
ye samjhdaro ka kahna hai, kya
luta dete hai ghar ko mard aurat ghar banati hai
luta dete hai ghar ko mard aurat ghar banati hai

aa teri in saadiyo ne jamfaro ne maar dala hai
aa teri in saadiyo ne arey jamfaro ne maar dala hai
teri diwali ki khatir mera nikala diwala hai
mai kadka hu mai kadka hu mai kadka jeb se
tu shent kapdo me lagati hai
mai kadka jeb se tu shent kapdo me lagati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai

base bhi shehar me chalti hai kyu texi me jate ho
cinema dekhte ho hotlo ke bil chukate ho
kamayi aadhi bahar aur aadhi ghar me aati hai
kamayi aadhi bahar aur aadhi ghar me aati hai
luta dete hai ghar ko mard aurat ghar banati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai

ubal jata ho chahe dud chahe roti jal jalti ho
pehan kar reshmi sadi tu hai nipat nari
pehan kar reshmi sadi tum aise aise chalti ho
tum aise aise chalti ho tum aise aise
mai bate jab sunata hu tujhe aankhe dikhati hu
mai bate jab sunata hu tujhe aankhe dikhati hu
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai

uda dete hai paisa bad me phir hath malte hai
dabake muh me cigrette aap aise aise chalte hai
musibat sar pe jab aati hai biwi kam aati hai
musibat sar pe jab aati hai biwi kam aati hai
luta dete hai ghar ko mard aurat ghar banati hai
kamata hu bahut kuch par kamayi dub jati hai

Day #12, Song #35
Teri nazron ne hamko chheda hai

Barati was his next movie in 1954. A JK Nanda movie, it starred Chand Usmani, Peace Kanwal, Agha, Om Prakash, Leela Mishra, Sham Kumar, Darpan, and Johny Walker.

The Music Director was Roshan and he took C Ramchandra and Lata as singers together with S Balbir, Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra.

Roshan’s nine songs were penned by Jan Nisar Akhtar, Tanveer Naqvi, D.N. Madhok, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan; indeed, mostly by DN Madhok. Raja wrote two including the best song of the movie:

1. Teri nazaron ne hamko chheda hai.
2. Kahin door koyaliya gaye re.

Both are very good songs. My choice is the first one sung by C Ramchandra and Asha Bhosle. It is so typically Roshan!

Please enjoy: Teri nazron ne hamko chheda hai…

teree najro ne hamko chheda hai
ham shor macha denge dekho ji ham shor macha denge
tum chhip chhip hamse milte ho
ham sabko bata denge suno ji ham sabko bata denge

dekhenge rani ham toh chhedenge tumko dil ne yeh thani hai
dekhenge rani ham toh chhedenge tumko dil ne yeh thani hai
hay apni najar ko roko ji dekho yeh toh divani hai
aji angana me aji angana me
sowe sasuji ham unako jaga denge
suno ji ham sabko bata denge

yeh dillagi nahi hai dil ki lagi hai kaise batau mai
yeh dillagi nahi hai dil ki lagi hai kaise batau mai
hay jo karna hai so karo ji kabhi hath naa aau mai
hamse naa hamse naa
karo yeh shokhiya ham tumko saja denge
suno ji ham sabko bata denge

kya mai karungi tauba jan bhi doge tum toh diwaane ho
kya mai karungi tauba jan bhi doge tum toh diwaane ho
hay dil nahi bas me kya karu yeh meree ek naa mane ho
ik bat hai ik bat hai
ji o ham kaano me chupake se bata denge
dekho ji chupake se bata denge

tum chhip chhip tum chhip chhip
hamse milate ho ham sabko bata denge
dekho ji ham shor macha denge

Day #12, Song #36
Aye saba unse keh zara ke hamen beqraar kar diya

The next movie for him had a title that has been used in Hindi movies extensively: Alibaba Aur 40 Chor.

It was a Homi Wadia movie starring Mahipal, Shakila, B. M. Vyas, S. N. Tripathi, and Maruti Rao.

SN Tripathi had often acted in movies that he was MD of. In this movie he and Chitragupt composed the following songs, all penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan:

1. Gadhon par baith kar hum, dekho dekho hazur.
2. Aye saba unse keh zara ke hamen beqraar kar diya.
3. Chalo ham babool ke tale.
4. Sharma ke lajja ke main ek jhalak dikhlayun.
5. Dekho ji chand nikla peechhe khajoor ke.
6. Aankh mili hai pyar hoga.
7. Kismat phati hui hai taanke laga rahe hain.
8. Zara nazren mila lo muskra lo.

You would find that his trademark comic songs go hand in hand with his trademark romantic songs.

Please enjoy Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle singing: Aye saba unse keh zara ke hamen beqraar kar diya…

aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya
dil hamara jaan se pyara kya karu tum pe ye nikhar kar diya
dil hamara jaan se pyara kya karu tum pe ye nikhar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya

zindagi, tum nahi to zindagi nahi
chadani, tum nahi to chandani nahi
zindagi, tum nahi to zindagi nahi
chadani, tum nahi to chandani nahi
oo gunegaro ye pukaro, tum nahi bahar ko bahar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya

kah jara sanam humko tumse pyar hai
kah diya ki mai, hume tumko pyar hai
kah jara sanam dil se dil nisar hai
kah diya sanam dil se dil nisar hai
pas aa to, muskara ke tumne magar bekarar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya
tu hamara jaan se pyara kya karu tum pe yu nikhar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara ke hume bekarar kar diya
aye sabah unse kah jara

Day #13, Song #37
Mere pyar mein tujhe kya mila

At the end of the Day #12 we had taken up a songs: Aye saba unko keh zara from the 1954 movie Alibaba Aur 40 Chor.

We had finished with 172 songs from his 40 movies since 1947’s Do Bhai. Of course, I had carefully selected for you 36 songs, less than one song per movie and one in 4.8 songs. By the way, that is generally the average with great lyricists so far.

Lets proceed further.

His next movie was Chandni Chowk, a BR Chopra movie starring Shekhar and Meena Kumari.

Roshan composed 12 songs that were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shailendra and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Raja penned only one: Qutub minar pe chad kar that was sung by Sundar and Shamshad Begum.

We shall skip that. At this stage of his career, he was much in demand for frivolous songs.

His next movie in 1954 was Maan, a Safdar Aah movie starring Ajit Chitra, Jagirdar, Kamlesh Kumari, and Kumar.

Anil Biswas was the composer who composed ten songs for the movie that were penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Kaif Bhopali, Safdar Aah and Asad Bhopali.

Anil Biswas broke the trend of Raja being used for frivolous songs and he penned just one song but it was the best and soulful song of the movie.

It was sung by – any guesses? – ah, you guessed it; I am predictable about my favourites – Lata Mangeshkar who would many years later sing Raja’s Lag jaa gale ke phir ye haseen raat ho na ho.

Please enjoy: Mere pyar mein tujhe kya mila…

mere pyar me tujhe kya mila, mere devta mujhe bhul ja
mere pyar me tujhe kya mila, mere devta mujhe bhul ja
yahi aansuo ka hai faisala, mere devta mujhe bhul ja
mere pyar me tujhe kya mila

meri hasarte mujhe ro chuki
meri manjile mujhe kho chuki
meri manjile mujhe kho chuki
mai hu woh chaman tere pyar ka
mai hu woh chaman tere pyar ka
jo ujad gaya mujhe bhul ja
mere pyar me tujhe kya mila

teraa pyar mujhko na de sada
teraa pyar mujhko na de sada
mai hun sangdil mai hun bewafa
mai hun sangdil mai hun bewafa
jise maine khud hi bujha diya
jise maine khud hi bujha diya
mai hu woh deeya mujhe bhul ja
mere pyar me tujhe kya mila, mere devta mujhe bhul ja
mere pyar me tujhe kya mila

Day #13, Song #38
Zara thehro main haal-e-dil suna loon phir chale jaana

His next movie in 1954 was Dak Babu, a Lekhraj Bakshi movie starring Nadira, Kuldip Kaur, Yashodhara Katju, Radha Kishan, Talat Mahmood, and Manmohan Krishan.

Dhaniram was the composer of songs and he composed as many as eleven songs that were penned by Prem Dhawan, Chand Pandit, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and Dhaniram himself. Raja wrote two of them:

1. Kisi ke teer-e-nazar dil pe khaye.
2. Gori gayi tadpa ke.

We shall skip both these.

His last movie in 1954 was Aulad, a Mohan Sehgal movie starring Balraj Sahni, Usha Kiran and Nirupa Roy.

Sardar Malik composed two of his songs and four others penned by Prem Dhawan and Vishwamitra Adil.

Raja’s two songs were:

1. Duniya tasveer hai rote huye.
2. Badhayi ho badhayi seth ji.

We shall again skip both.

His first movie in 1955 was Shahi Chor, a Naseem Siddiqui movie starring Daljit K, Shakeela, Hiralal, Jayant, Mumtaz, W M Khan, Yashodhara Katju, and Neeru.

Dhaniram was the composer who composed six songs of Shewan Rizvi and one each by Raja and Kaifi Azmi. His song was: Dil se mila dil aur sung by Asha Bhosle.

His second movie in 1955 was Jalwa and he was asked by Vinod only to write yet another frivolous song: Ham do ladke jeb ke kadke.

For the 1955 movie Bandish he wrote just one song for Hemant Kumar sung by Rafi: Le lo ji hamare gubare pyare pyare.

His next movie in 1955 was Albeli, a DC Goel movie starring Pradeep Kumar and Geeta Bali.

Ravi composed most of his own songs and two by Raja:

1. Chhod babul ka ghar (not to be confused with Shakeel’s Babul song).
2. O balma kyun na karun main tose.

Once gain we shall skip.

His next movie in 1955 was Madhur Milan in which Bulo C Rani composed twelve songs out of which just two were penned by Raja:

1. Ek taraf joru ne nikaala hai diwala.
2. Dil pyar ki mehfil hai.

Lets skip both.

His next movie in 1955 was Shahi Mehman in which Bipin Babul composed nine songs; eight of which were penned by Anjum Jaipuri and Hasrat Jaipuri. Raja wrote one: Aye sanam mere naache kadam.

Inaam was his next movie in 1955. There were seven songs in the movie; six composed by SN Tripathi and one by Saraswati Devi. Raja wrote all the songs that were composed by SN Tripathi:

1. Tu hai ke nahin hai.
2. Ham chale tere dil ke makaan.
3. Tadbir ka ho teer aur taqdir nishana.
4. Zara thehro main haal-e-dil suna loon.
5. He sambhal ke bhai.
6. Najumi hoon main.

Three of these were sung by Suraiya.

Please enjoy Suraiya singing: Zara thehro main haal-e-dil suna loon phir chale jaana…

zara thaharo mai haal-e-dil suna lun phir chale jana
tamanna_o ko ashqo me baha lun phir chale jana
zara thaharo

are o janewale ek hi pal ke liye ruk ja
mai shamma-e-zindagi apani bujha lun phir chale jana

zara thaharo mai haal-e-dil suna lun phir chale jana
zara thaharo

qayamat ki ghadi hai aaj to ji bhar ke rone do
mai tumako haar ashqo ke pinha lun phir chale jana

zara thaharo mai haal-e-dil suna lun phir chale jana
zara thaharo

tere jate hi saaj-e-zidagani tut jayega
mai apana aakhari nagama suna lun phir chale jana

zara thaharo mai haal-e-dil suna lun phir chale jana
tamanna_o ko ashqo me baha lun phir chale jana
zara thaharo

Day #13, Song #39
Dekho jhumati barsaat chalo ghumein

His next movie in 1955 was Chiragh-e-Chin in which all six songs that were composed by SN Tripathi were penned by Raja:

1. Alvida ai zindagi ki baharo alvida.
2. Chaman mein husn ke.
3. Chhoti si ek jhalak dikha ke.
4. Darbar mein baithe kayi sahib-e-kamaal.
5. Mohabbat kar ke ai taqdeer pehchanta bhi.
6. Sher dil samjha tha jinko.

I don’t know what’s the reason but all videos and all information about the movie has been taken off the net.

Mastani was his next movie in 1955 and there were twelve songs in the movie composed by BN Bali. Seven were penned by Raja:

1. Ameeron ke Bhagwan gareebon ko sataya.
2. Basre ki hoor gori gori.
3. Dekho jhumati barsaat chalo ghumein.
4. Wafa tumhare liye beqraar rahi hai.
5. Akhiyon se akhiyan mila ke.
6. Gadi waale ho zara haule haule chalna.
7. Hato chhedo na balam.

I am going to give you a song that was sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammad Rafi and a unique composition by BN Bali. As with the last song by Suraiya that I gave you, you will be wondering as to why such songs don’t become popular!

Please enjoy: Dekho jhumati barsaat chalo ghumein….

dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath
chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
o chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath
chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi

aapki mummy ne ki thi aapse meri shadi
dil ye kahta bande teri ho gayi barbadi
kya karu mai waqt to de baithi hu sade sat ka
chhut jayega kisi se wada mulakat ka
wada mulakat ka

mere dost hai dost jagannath
bura manege manege o nar
wo ladenge mere sath mujhe time nahi
dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath
ho chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi

zimi aur pipi ko ghar me kaun sambhalega
arey zimi aur pipi ko ghar me kaun sambhalega
jab royenge unko chiku gale laga lega
gale laga lega
chiku aalu batate ki bhazi tale
bhai gusse me baithi hai mujhse jale
chiku aalu batate ki bhazi tale
chiku chiku aaya ji

tal raha hu anda anda hoga thanda
sahab marega danda ho jaunga thanda
dekho baz rahe hai khadtal
seth dega dega mujhe lat
dard hoga sari rat mujhe time nahi
dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath
ho chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi

mujhe nikkar to pehna do mujhe paudar to laga do
ek lori to ga do mata ji ek lori to ga do mata ji
chalo bhago bhgao bhago mujhe time nahi
mata chhod de chhod de din rat
hum to ho gaye ho gaye anath
chahe din ho chahe rat mujhe time nahi
hello hello anath aasram anath aasram
vande mataram

is ghar me ghar me do anath
inhe le jao le jao apne sath
yaha bahut hai anath mujhe time nahi
yaha bahut hai anath hume time nahi
suno suno ae duniya walo
do bacho ki ajab kahani
pade mushibat me hum dono
jabse mar gayi apni nani
fashion wali mao ke ghar
jo bache paida hote hai
maye to hansti hai sadak me
bache ghar me rote hai
ae bharat ke bacho dekho
apni kadar na khona
fashion wali mao ke ghar
tum kabhi na paida hona

dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath
ho chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
chhodo chhodo mera hath mujhe time nahi
dekho jhumti jhumti barsat
chalo ghume ghume kahi sath

Day #14, Song #40
Nigahen mili aur tum muskraye

With the 1955 movie on Day #13, we had crossed 50 movies with 200 songs (53 movies with 205 songs to be exact).

His next movie in 1955 was Aab-e-Hayat, a Ramanlal Desai movie starring Premnath, Shashikala, Ameeta, Pran, Mubarak, S L Puri, P Kailash, Helen, and Smriti Biswas.

Sardar Malik composed ten songs in the movie mainly penned by Hasrat Jaipuri (including the popular Main gareebon ka dil hoon). There were two by Qamar Jalalabadi and one each by Kaif Irfani and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Raja’s song was: Nigahen mili aur tum muskuraye, a song picturised on Premnath and Shashikala.

Please enjoy Asha Bhosle singing: Nigahen mili aur tum muskraye…

nigahe mili aur tum muskuraye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye
nigahe mili aur tum muskuraye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye

ji samjho na samjho nazar ke ishare
nazar kah rahi hai ke hum hai tumhare
ji samjho na samjho nazar ke ishare
nazar kah rahi hai ke hum hai tumhare
kaha ja rahe ho ji dil ko chhupaye
kaha ja rahe ho ji dil ko chhupaye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye
nigahe mili aur tum muskuraye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye

mai kaise chhupau lagan pyari pyari
agan mithi mithi chuban pyari pyari
mai kaise chhupau lagan pyari pyari
agan mithi mithi chuban pyari pyari
tadapti hu mai aarzue chhupaye
tadapti hu mai aarzue chhupaye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye
nigahe mili aur tum muskuraye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye

ye kaisi lagan hai ye kya bekali hai
ari o jawani kaha le chali hai
ye kaisi lagan hai ye kya bekali hai
ari o jawani kaha le chali hai
kisi tarha tu mere bas me to aaye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye
nigahe mili aur tum muskuraye
mohabbat hansi aur hum dagmagaye

Day #14, Song #41
Tauba tauba dar lage huzoor se

Badshah Salamat was his first movie in 1956.

It was a Zia Sarhadi movie starring Chandra Shekhar, Amar Nath, Shyama, Bhagwan, and B M Vyas.

Bulo C Rani composed nine songs in the movie, two of which were penned by Raja:

1. Jungle ghooma basti ghooma.
2. Ye hawa ye ghata kehte hain nazare.

We shall skip both.

Noor-e-Yaman was his next in 1956. Once again out of nine songs composed by Bulo C Rani, Raja wrote two:

1. Jab teri nazar ke teer chale.
2. Tera chand sa mukhada jab dekha.

Once again, we shall skip both.

Inquilab was his next movie in 1956. It was a Kidar Kapoor movie starring Rajan, Shyama, Tiwari, Kuldip Kaur, Sapru, and Helen.

Hansraj Behl composed all the songs and all were penned by Raja:

1. Tauba tauba dar lage huzoor se.
2. Tere jahan se hum chale.
3. Dilbar se pyar chhupane mein bada maza.
4. Rangeele meri nazaron ke do jaam pi le.
5. Saaz na bole taar bina.
6. Ai waade saba paigham mera.
7. Kitna achha hota.
8. Maine kooche mein zaalim.

The first six are all solo songs by Geeta Dutt!

Please enjoy: Tauba tauba dar lage huzoor se…

tauba tauba tauba
tauba tuaba tauba dar lage huzur se
ui ui ui mere allah mujhe dekho na ghur ke
tauba tuaba tauba dar lage huzur se
ui ui ui mere allah mujhe dekho na ghur ke

ankhiya churau mai nigahe na milau
jhalak dikha ke mai to chup chup jau
ankhiya churau mai nigahe na milau
jhalak dikha ke mai to chup chup jau
chup chup jau mai to chup chup jau
saukhiya sikhi hai maine jannat ki hur se saukhiya
saukhiya sikhi hai maine jannat ki hur se
ui ui ui mere allah mujhe dekho na ghur ke
tauba tuaba tauba

bijli giregi jo nazar gayi mil
tum hi kahoge fir haye mera dil
bijli giregi jo nazar gayi mil
tum hi kahoge fir haye mera dil
haye mera dil gaya haye mera dil
luki chupi aag hu mai parde me nur ke
luki chupi aag hu mai parde me nur ke
ui ui ui mere allah mujhe dekho na ghur ke
tauba tuaba tauba

van ki hu chidiya na pinjre me aau
maino ki fizao se mai dar dar jau
van ki hu chidiya na pinjre me aau
maino ki fizao se mai dar dar jau
dar dar jau mai to dar dar jau
kahe ko ishara mujhe karte ho dur se
ui ui ui mere allah mujhe dekho na ghur ke
tauba tuaba tauba

Day #14, Song #42
Lagata hai zamana boliyan

His next movie in 1956 was Indra Sabha in which Alla Rakha Qureshi composed eleven songs; ten of which were penned by Shewan Rizvi. Raja wrote one: Sanam tum deewane kiske.

His next movie in 1956 was Zindagi, a title repeated more number of times than others. Kaifi Azmi wrote seven songs in the movie and Raja wrote one. All were composed by Mohammad Shafi.

His song was: Kaali kaali ye ghata, thandi thandi ye hawa.

His next movie in 1956 was Hamara Watan. Songs of the movie were composed by Hemant Kumar; seven by SH Bihari, two by Ravi and one by Raja: Lagata hai zamana boliyan.

Now, you will ask me as to why I am giving you this song. Well, it has been sung beautifully by Lata Mangeshkar. And I bet you’ll appreciate the beauty of the lyrics.

Please enjoy: Lagata hai zamana boliyan…

Day #15, Song #43
Hello hello Hyderabadi

Yesterday, we finished a milestone in that we finished two weeks with our 9th lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and we were fortunate to have a Lata Mangeshkar song Lagaata hai zamana boliyan when we ended the day.

His next movie in 1956 was Aabroo, a Chaturbhuj Doshi movie starring Kishore Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Madan Puri, Smita Biswas, and Achla Sachdev.

He wrote one of the seven songs composed by Bulo C Rani: Chhedunga main sargam nacho ji sung by Kishore Kumar.

His next movie in 1956 was Hatimatai, a Homi Wadia movie starring Jairaj, Shakeela, B M Vyas, Neena, Sheikh, Krishan Kumari, S N Tripathi, Meenaxi Shirodkar.

SN Tripathi composed ten songs; six of them were by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan:

1. Jane wale O jane wale, khuda ki rehmaton ka tujh pe saya.
2. Jhoomati hai nazar, jhoomata hai pyar.
3. Nahin tujhako khabar teri pehli nazar.
4. Aa gayi bahar haay.
5. Dil kis pe aa gaya hai tumhara.
6. Nakhre karte darti gayi thi main bazaar.

We shall skip all.

Naqab Posh was his last movie in 1956. Because of Raja, we are introduced to yet another composer Dhumi Khan; together with Ramlal he composed eight songs. Raja wrote just one: Akal apni ka na satyanash kar.

Garma Garam was the first one out of his eight movies in 1957, the eleventh year of his career. Vinod was the composer of eleven songs most of which were penned by Pyare Lal Santoshi and two by DN Madhok. Raja helped PL Santoshi write one: Ham ko to mohabbat hai.

Parveen was his next movie in 1957. He was back with All Rakha Qureshi who composed nine songs, four of them being penned by Raja:

1. Ahmed paak jinka naam.
2. Gar naqab ulta to aankhen aapki.
3. Nashe mein hamen koi yaad aa raha hai.
4. Pakad liya aanchal marori mori baiyan.

We shall again skip these.

Bada Bhai was his next movie in 1957. There were eight songs in the movie; two were composed by Shaukat Dehlvi Nashad and six by Naushad.

Raja wrote a song that was composed by Naushad: Hello hello Hydrabadi and it is really worth listening to it. Of course Raja Mehdi Ali Khan continued being typified with lighthearted, comic and frivolous songs.

Please enjoy Asha Bhosle singing: Hello hello Hyderabadi…

hello hello hello are hello haidrabadi
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello are hello haidrabadi
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello

adaye muskuraye adaye muskuraye najar me jhume
ki dil ki gali me tum chori chori ghume
bolo jo hera fera kisne sikha di
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello are hello haidrabadi
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello

kisi se kah rah hai kisi se kah rahi hai najar mitti mitti
mai tumpe luta du bahare jindagi ki
ye kaisi pyari pyari lagan si laga di
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello are hello haidrabadi
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello

hume jo dil diya hai hume jo dil diya hai
tumhari maharbani na vapis denge tumhari ye nishani
tumhari ye nishani to humne chupaa di
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello are hello haidrabadi
culcutta tum aankh lada aur bambai hogi shadi
hello hello hello

Day #15, Song #44
Kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye

It took me more than an hour in the last post to give you a song written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan from among six movies with 14 songs.

His next movie in 1957 was Shahi Bazar. And now we are introduced to yet another composer: S Haridarshan who combined with Dhaniram to compose eight songs, two of which were penned by Raja:

1. Le ke najo ada aayi barke bala.
2. Aankhon mein haya nazron mein ada.

We shall skip both these.

Mohini was his next movie in 1957. N Datta composed nine songs and for a refreshing change, Raja penned most of them except two that were penned by Hasrat Jaipuri:

1. Kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye.
2. Chhup chhup ke dil ki dhadkano mein ga rahe hain wo.
3. Kahan chale ho ji pyar mein deewana kar ke?
4. Taqdeer ki thokar aisi.
5. Dil ke kareeb aa gaye dekha jo door se.
6. Kaha karti hai duniya mera naha chand jaisa hai.
7. Mere dil ka sahanva ilaaj.

It was a Ramesh Desai movie with Nirupa Roy in the title role.

Please enjoy Mohammad Rafi singing: Kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye…

kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye
mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye
mahlo ki rani kismat ne likhi aansuo
se teri kahani o mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye

itni badi duniya me bhi koi nahi tera
itni badi duniya me bhi koi nahi tera
ya thokar kismat ki hai ya gham ka andhera
haye ya gham ka aandhera
is duniya ne ab tujhe mitane ki hai thani
kismat ne likhi aansuo
se teri kahani o mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye

aansu tere hansti huyi kaliyo ko rula de
aansu tere hansti huyi kaliyo ko rula de
aahe teri aakash ke pardo ko hila de
pardo ko hila de nadan tha vo jisne
teri ek na mani kismat ne likhi aansuo
se teri kahani o mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye

aankhe teri benur huyi dil tera tuta
aankhe teri benur huyi dil tera tuta
bhagwan ke hote huye
sansar ne luta sansar ne luta
duniya me kisi ne bhi teri kadar na jani
kismat ne likhi aansuo
se teri kahani o mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye
kismat ne likhi aansuo
se teri kahani o mahlo ki rani
kya kya na sitam tujhpe huye

Day #15, Song #45
Tauba tauba tauba ye adayen

Paristan was his next movie in 1957. Since SN Tripathi was the composer, Raja wrote all the eight songs:

1. Bharosa kar le usi pe.
2. Kamar bandhe huye.
3. Mere dil se aati hai ye sada.
4. Aisi nazaron se na dekho.
5. Aankhon ko chaar kar ke.
6. Chandni muskura rahi hai.
7. Hanste hain chand taare.
8. Tera hi sahara hai zamaane mein.

We shall skip all these.

Pataal Pari was his second last movie of 1957. He wrote just one song for S Mohinder: Haseeno se nazar takra ke gash khana.

Captain Kishore was his last movie in 1957.

He wrote three songs for Chitragupt:

1. Kya main batayun chachaji?
2. Dekho ji dil na todo nahin to main ro doongi.
3. Aankhen mila ke dil chura ke.

We shall skip all three.

Naya Paisa was his first movie in 1958, the first of seven movies that is.

He wrote five out of eight songs that were in the movie composed by S Mohinder:

1. Tauba tauba tauba ye adayen.
2. O meri bulbul-e-Baghdad.
3. Ek do teen dil gayi chheen.
4. Main tere dil ki duniya mein.
5. Tere ghungru jo chham chham baaje.

You will like the first one sung by Mohammad Rafi.

Please enjoy: Tauba tauba tauba ye adayen…

tauba tauba tauba ye adaye
tauba tauba tauba ye nigahe
tauba tauba tauba ye adaye
tauba tauba tauba ye nigahe
ye nigahe hai kya jadu
hua hua hua haye dil mera bekabu
tauba tauba tauba ye adaye

gaya gaya jispe haye mera dham
bade bade nakhre wala hai sanam
jane jane jane kare na sharm
kare kare kare sabka dil pe sitam
tauba tauba tauba ye jafaye
tauba tauba tauba ye nigahe
ye nigahe hai kya jadu
hua hua hua haye dil mera bekabu
tauba tauba tauba ye adaye

sachi sachi sachi dear pyar karega
kisi kisi kisi kisi se na kabhi darega
mera mera mera jab dil bharega
teri teri teri teri teri judai me marega
tauba tauba tauba kaha jaye
tauba tauba tauba ye nigahe
ye nigahe hai kya jadu
hua hua hua haye dil mera bekabu
tauba tauba tauba ye adaye

mera mera mera mera liya dil hi chura
liya liya liya liya tune badla ye kya
diya diya diya mera chain uda
kiya kiya kiya kiya mere sath daga
tauba tauba tauba kaha fajaye
tauba tauba tauba ye nigahe
ye nigahe hai kya jadu
hua hua hua haye dil mera bekabu
tauba tauba tauba ye adaye

Day #16, Song #46
Sach kehta hoon bahut haseen ho tumse mohabbat

In the last 15 days we covered 259 songs penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan from 71 movies; out of these I gave you 45. Most of you have enjoyed really good compositions with excellent lyrics. It is another thing that many of these didn’t become popular.

Lets start with the 16th day.

His second movie in 1958 was Chandu. Bipin Babul was the composer of six songs for the movie; two of which were penned by Raja and four by Raj Baldev Raj.

These were his two songs:

1. Gore gore gaalon pe kaala ye til.
2. Dhol dhappa dhai dhappa.

His next movie was Miss ’58. He wrote just one song for N Dutta: Chhuttiyan do chaar ho.

His next movie was Devar Bhabhi; a Kedar Kapoor movie starring Rajendra Kumar, Mala Sinha, Leela Mishra and Balraj Sahni.

There were seven songs in the movie that were composed by Ravi:

1 “Tasveer Teri Dil Mera Behla Na Sakegi” Mohammed Rafi
2 “Kise Thi Khabar Ki Yu Had Se (Happy)” Asha Bhosle
3 “Aankh Ki Andhi” Manna Dey
4 “Chori Chhup Jaye Re” Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum
5 “Hazaro Hasrate Aisi” Asha Bhosle
6 “Kise Thi Khabar Ki Yu Had Se (Sad)” Asha Bhosle
7 “Ye Kaisi Ruth Aayi Ajab Rang Layi” Asha Bhosle

Only the first one was penned by Raja. The other six were penned by Shailendra.

The first one is not to be confused with the lovely Talat Mehmood number penned by Faiyaz Hashmi. This one is a comical number. We shall skip this.

Miss Punjab Mail was his next movie in 1958. It was a V Vakil movie starring Nishi and Daljit K. Raja wrote four songs composed by BN Bali:

1. Chanchal nain mila ke dil mera loot liya.
2. Prem nagar se aaya.
3. O babu gentleman, dekh ke tikhe tikhe nain.
4. Jadugar sawariya.

Once again we shall skip all.

Shan e Hatim was his last movie in 1958. Alla Rakha Qureshi composed eight songs in the movie; six by Raja and the rest by Zebunnisa as was the case in the last movie:

1. Kehna mera maan.
2. Bhalayi duniya ki jo.
3. Hairan hoon kis se pyar karun.
4. Duniya ki har ek cheez pukare.
5. Jinna dekhiya mere ishq di masti.
6. Meri aankhen hain paimaane.

We shall skip all these.

Maa Ke Aansoo was his first movie in 1959. Sardar Malik composed twelve songs that were all penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan; some of them together with Madan Mohan:

1. Meri jholi ko bharde.
2. He bad ke farishton se bhi insaan.
3. Chala chal musafir.
4. Chala chal musafir (Part II).
5. Khud ko zara pehchan.
6. Kisi se aankh ladi badi mushkil hai.
7. Main so jayun mustafa kehte kehte.
8. In aankhon ne unako nahin dekha.
9. Aa jaa re sanam main to naachun.
10. Apna bana le mujhe raat haseen hai.
11. Main gir chuka hoon sambhalo mujhako.
12. Zamane badalte jaa rahe hain.

Once again, we shall skip all the songs.

His next movie was Bhai Behan; with that he must have finished making songs for all Bhai movies!

He re-penned one song composed by N Dutta (the others were all by Sahir): Saare jahan se achha.

Zara Bachke was his last movie in 1959.

He wrote two songs composed by Shaukat Dehlvi Nashad:

1. Pata note karo hamara, humse aa milna dobara.
2. Ai ishq ise barbaad na kar.

Jaali Note was his first movie in 1960; the 14th year of his career.

It was a Shakti Samanta movie starring Dev Anand and Madhubala.

After a long time he was back with OP Nayyar. He wrote six songs for him whilst Anjaan wrote two:

1. Sach kehta hoon bahut haseen ho tumse mohabbat.
2. Chand zard zard hai, mere dil mein halka halka dard hai.
3. Dil hai aapka huzoor leejiye na leejiye.
4. Chhuri ban kaanta ban O my son.
5. O mister dil badi mushkil mein tune aaj daala.
6. Gustakh nazar chehre se hata hum ko na sata.

Please enjoy Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle singing on a signature horse-trot tune of OP Nayyar: Sach kehta hoon bahut haseen ho tumse mohabbat…

sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai
tumse milke koi bhi ladki, aapne aap ko kho sakti hai
sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai
tumse milke koi bhi ladki, aapne aap ko kho sakti hai
sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai

chaudvi ka chand jaise taro me hasin, tere jaise lakho me hazaro me nahi
chaudvi ka chand jaise taro me hasin, tere jaise lakho me hazaro me nahi
pyar mera piya ruth jaye na kahi, tu hai mere pas aye na yakin
pyar mera piya ruth jaye na kahi, tu hai mere pas mujhe aye na yakin

dekha jo tujhe dil kho gaya, ho ke mera dil mera ho gaya
mane na jiya ab ke piya, le ke mera dil bate na bana
sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai
tumse milke koi bhi ladki, aapne aap ko kho sakti hai
sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai
tumse milke koi bhi ladki, aapne aap ko kho sakti hai
sach kahata hu bahut hasin ho, tumse mohbbat ho sakti hai

Day #16, Song #47
Gar tum bura na maano to main tumse pyar kar loon

You must have seen that it took me hours selecting a song for you from amongst movies of 1958, 1959 and 1960.

His next movie in 1960 was Mehlon Ke Khwab; a Hyder movie starring once again Madhubala but this time with two Kumars: Ashok and Pradeep.

S Mohinder composed seven songs for the movie; three penned by Raja and four by Anand Bakshi. Here are those three:

1. Gar tum bura na maano to main.
2. Ye hai jeevan ki rail; ye hai toofan mail.
3. Is duniya mein sabse achhi chheez.

Please enjoy the first one sung by Subir Sen and Asha Bhosle for Pradeep Kumar and Madhubala: Gar tum bura na maano to main tumse pyar kar loon….

gar tum bura na mano to mai tumse pyar kar lu
mujhe tum daga na doge kaho aitbaar kar lu
gar tum bura na mano to mai tumse pyar kar lu
mujhe tum daga na doge kaho aitbaar kar lu
gar tum bura na mano

jo najar ki aarzoo hai bade shok se kaho tum
ae bahar jindagi mere samne raho tum
mai tumhare har jhalak par dilo jaan nisar kar lu
mujhe tum daga na doge kaho aitbaar kar lu
gar tum bura na mano

mera dil bhi jaan hazir jo chalaye teer aankhe
huyi mere dil ki dushman teri ye shareer aankhe
tu nazar ke teer barsa mai jigar ke paar kar lu
mujhe tum daga na doge kaho aitbaar kar lu
gar tum bura na mano

meri rooh ko tune diya tune pyar ka sahara
teri ek hasi ki khatir mujhe kya nahi ganwara
tera gam bhi ho to mai use gale ka har kar lu
mujhe tum daga na doge kaho aitbaar kar lu
gar tum bura na mano mujhe tum daga na doge
kaho aitbaar kar lu gar tum bura na mano to
mai tumse pyar kar lu mujhe tum daga na doge
kaho aitbaar kar lu

Day #16, Song #48
Assalaam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai

His next movie in 1960 was Kalpana, a Rakhan movie starring Ashok Kumar, Padmini and her sister Ragini.

OP Nayyar was the composer who gave us the unforgettable Beqasi hadd se agar guzr jaaye in Raag Desh and Khammaj. Tal Dadra. But, that was written by Jawed Akhtar’s dad: Jan Nisar Akhtar.

Raja wrote four of the songs:

1. Aana aana atariya pe aana.
2. Assalaam aalekum babu kaho kaise haal hai.
3. Hamen maaro na naino ke baan.
4. Pyaara pyaara hai sama. saiyan jaate ho kahan.

The movie provided ample opportunity for both the sisters to present their dancing skills. Tu hai mera prem devta, for example, penned by Qamar Jalalabadi had Rafi and Manna Dey singing in Raag Lalit, Tintal whilst both Padmini and Ragini danced.

Here we have Sudha Malhotra and Asha Bhosle singing for them dancing.

Please enjoy: Assalaam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai…

assalam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai
assalam aalekum
walekum salam kudiye bada changa haal hai
assalam aalekum
assalam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai
assalam aalekum
walekum salam kudiye bada changa haal hai
assalam aalekum

chhed nahi babu mujhe badi hi sarir hu
jane kon hai wo ranjha jiski mai heer hu
ishk ke muaamle me bada benajir hu
karle kubul mujhe aashiko ka peer hu
o gori tere aashiko ka bada bura haal hai
assalam aalekum
assalam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai
assalam aalekum
walekum salam kudiye bada changa haal hai
assalam aalekum

bholi bhali aankho wali gaon ki chhoriya
tod ke dilo ke tale karti hai choriya
kaale kaale balo wali gori gori goriya
hans ke pila deti hai pyar ki katoriya
dilo ko ye kyu na lute mufat ka maal hai
assalam aalekum
walekum salam kudiye bada changa haal hai
assalam aalekum
assalam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai
assalam aalekum

tu to saanu chhediya si assi tenu kutiya
isi pala pyar wala pej bhi na chhutiya
pyar de musafir assi kaisa tenu lutiya
change pal jiunde paisa tu ta maar sutiya
uff bhi na kitti assa saddi ki majal hai
assalam aalekum
assalam aalekum babu kaho kaisa haal hai
assalam aalekum
walekum salam kudiye bada changa haal hai
assalam aalekum

I have divided all the best songs of Raja Mehndi Ali Khan on my page Lyrical into four nearly equal parts.

I hope you liked my choices in Part II.

Please await Part III.

And as promised, the last song of today evening is also from the 1960 movie Kalpana starring Ashok Kumar and Padmini.

By the time you see a song in a movie, it goes through various steps:

1. Its lyrics are written by the lyricist much before the movie is shot and then released.
2. The lyrics are composed into a song by the composer who is often the music director too. Often #1 and #2 are reversed in that the composer gives a tune to lyricist to write lyrics on.
3. The arranger (associated with the MD) gives background music.
4. The director then directs the enacting of the song through the actors. In case it is a dance number, the choreographer comes in too. Cinematographer shoot the song on the camera.
5. Finally, the movie is put together by the editor in concert with the director.

In all the steps above, my favourite part of the song is its lyrics; the direct representation of emotions through words.

I am fond of calling myself 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.

So far, on Lyrical, I have taken up four lyricists of great fame:

1. Shailendra. The opening song that I selected was Kuchh aur zamaana kehta hai.
2. Rajinder Krishan with his Mujhase mat poochh mere ishq mein.
3. Kaifi Azmi with his Jaane kyaa dhoondati rehati hain ye aankhen mujh mein.
4. Sahir Ludhianvi with Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko.

Tonight we take up Majrooh Sultanpuri‘s, the third most prolific lyricist in Hindi movies after Sameer and Anand Bakshi.

Majrooh is the fifth of our lyricists who was a contemporary of Shakeel Badayuni. Out of all these six (*including Shakeel), three have been from Uttar Pradesh, which says something about that region producing some great poets and lyricists.

Majrooh Sultanpuri was born on 01 Oct 1919 as Asrar ul Hassan Khan in a Tarin Pashtun family, in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father was an officer in the police department, but, preferred to send his son for traditional madrasa (Urdu school) rather than provide him with English schooling.

He tried his hand at being a quack until he was noticed in a mushaira in Sultanpur.

He was a disciple of the great Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi. When he visited Bombay in 1945 to participate in a mushaira, the director Abdul Rashid Kardar noticed him and invited him to write for the movies. Majrooh turned it down as he looked down upon movies! He was persuaded through his mentor Jigar Moradabadi and then there was no turning back.

Many traditionalists of the Urdu literature, however, felt that Majrooh sold his soul to the Hindi films and that he could have emerged a great poet in the likeness of Ghalib and Jigar.

The takhalus Majrooh means “injured” or “wounded”.

Majrooh was awarded, in 1993, the highest award – Dadasaheb Phalke award – for his lifetime contribution towards lyrics and poetry. He was the first lyricist ever to be given that award. For the film Dosti, that made Laxmikant Pyarelal famous, he was awarded the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song: Chahunga main tujhe saanjh savere.

These posts are a compilation of my posts on my page Lyrical with additional information thrown in.

Song #1
Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya mein rakha kyaa hai

For someone who didn’t want to join Hindi movies, Majrooh emerged as a natural lyricist, very popular, very romantic without too deep poetry. I won’t like to compare him with Shakeel since Shakeel maintained the purity of Urdu lyrics and traditional Urdu poetry style.

Most of Majrooh’s songs are of Dil vil pyaar vyaar main kyaa jaanu, Baahon mein chale aao, Bangle ke peechhe, Ye raaten ye mausam nadi ka kinaara, and Dekho mausam kyaa bahaar hai. However, some of his lyrics are still comparable to Shakeel’s such as Hui shaam unaka khayaal aa gaya, Woh jo milate the kabhi, Rahe na rahe ham, Chhupa lo youn dil mein pyaar mera, Tu kahe agar jeevan bhar main geet sunaata jaayun, Mujhe dard-e-dil ka pata na tha, Hamaare baad ab mehfil mein afsaane bayaan honge, and the great song on eyes: Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya mein rakha kyaa hai.

The last one is from the 1969 movie Chirag. Hats off to Majrooh for writing this at the age of fifty! Hats off to Madan Mohan too for having composed it in Raag Jhinjhoti, the raag named after an apsara. There are two versions of this song: Mohammad Rafi singing for Sunil Dutt and Lata Mangeshkar singing for Asha Parekh.

To know all about the song and how it came about please read ‘Raaga Based Song Of The Day #96‘.

The lyrics are exquisite and each word hangs on the notes of the composition like raindrops from green leaves.

Please enjoy: Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya mein rakha kyaa hai….

terii aa.Nkho.n ke sivaa duniyaa me.n rakkhaa kyaa hai
ye uThe.n subah chale, ye jhuke.n shaam Dhale
meraa jiinaa meraa maranaa inhii.n palako.n ke tale
terii aa.Nkho.n ke sivaa …

(Rafi)
palako.n kii galiyo.n me.n chehare bahaaro.n ke ha.Nsate hue
hai.n mere Kaabo.n ke kyaa-kyaa nagar iname.n basate hue
ye uThe.n subah chale …

iname.n mere aanevaale zamaane kii tasviir hai
chaahat ke kaajal se likhii huii merii taqadiir hai
ye uThe.n subah chale …

(Lata)
Thokar jahaa.N maine khaaI inho.nne pukaaraa mujhe
ye hamasafar hai.n to kaafii hai inakaa sahaaraa mujhe
ye uThe.n subah chale …

ye ho.n kahii.n inakaa saayaa mere dil se jaataa nahii.n
inake sivaa ab to kuchh bhii nazar mujhako aataa nahii.n
ye uThe.n subah chale …

Song #17
Karo na ishare piya pyare

I had promised you that I would give you two songs of the 1951 movie Ustad Pedro starring Shaikh Mukhtar in title role (he was also the producer) and Begum Para.

Song #18
Aayi bahar hai hum beqraar hain

His next movie in 1951 was Hamari Shaan, a movie directed by Balwant Bhatt featuring Durga Khote, Yakub Khan Mehboob Khan, and Bharat Bhushan.

Chitragupt composed eight songs in the movie and only one was penned by Raja.

It is important for me to give you this since it is the first time Kishore Kumar sang Raja’s lyrics though as a duet with Shamshad Begum.

Please enjoy: Aayi bahar hai hum beqraar hain….

aayi bahar hai hum bekarar hai
kaisa musibat hai bap re
bulbul hai bolta jiya hai dolta
aise me karle milap re
aayi bahar hai hum bekarar hai
kaisa musibat hai bap re
bulbul hai bolta jiya hai dolta
aise me karle milap re

dekho ji dekho hamse na karna
angreji me prem
na karna angreji me prem
hum to nahi hai git pit git pit
karle wali mem git pit karne wali mam
bharat ki nari hu mem se pyari hu
julfe to meri nap re bap re
bulbul hai bolta jiya hai dolta
aise me karle milap re
aayi bahar hai hum bekarar hai
kaisa musibat hai bap re

lambi lambi ye julfe katake
gore galo pe lali maro
phir najuk najuk hotho se
pyare pyare tum pukaro
dil mera kho gaya mujhko to ho gaya
teri mohabbat ka tap re baap re
bulbul hai bolta jiya hai dolta
aise me karle milap re
aayi bahar hai hum bekarar hai
kaisa musibat hai bap re

kyu aisi bate karte ho sajan
jinse hum sharmawe
ho sajan jinse hum sharmawe
dil ki dhakdhak badhti hi jaye
nain jhuk jhum jaye
ho sajan nain jhuk jhum jaye
hamko satao na jiya jalao ne
hamse hoga na ye pap re baap re
bulbul hai bolta jiya hai dolta
aise me karle milap re baap re

Song #19
Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana

On the 6th day, yesterday, we covered two movies: Ustad Pedro with eight songs and Hamari Shaan with one song. Both were 1951 movies. I gave you three of them.

If, in the first six days (I give you, on my page Lyrical on Facebook, three songs everyday since the last several years), you have been overwhelmed, well on the 7th day we start with his 1951 movie Madhosh.

Elsewhere I have already told you that the movie was based on Romeo And Juliet. It was a JBH Wadia production that was also directed by him. The movie starred Manhar Desai, Meena Kumari and Usha Kiran.

There were nine songs in the movie, all composed by Madan Mohan and all penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan:

1.”Meri Yaad Me Tum Na Aansu Bahana” – Talat Mahmood
2. “Jab Aane Wale Aate Hain, Phir Aake Chale Kyo Jaate Hai” – Lata Mangeshkar
3. “Mere Dil Ki Nagariya Me Aana, Na Aa Ke Jana Balam Pardesiya” – Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Hame Ho Gaya Tumse Pyar Bedardi Balma” – Lata Mangeshkar
5. “Chhod Mujhe Na Jana, Dil Ko Na Mere Dukhana” – Lata Mangeshkar
6. “Pagdi Pahan Ke Turredar Akadta Kyo Hai” – S D Batish, Shamshad Begum
7. “Meri Aankhon Ki Neend Le Gaya” – Lata Mangeshkar
8. “Nazro Ke Char Hote Der Nahi Lagti (dil Dhak Dhak Dhak – 2)” – Lata Mangeshkar
9. “Dil Dhak Dhak Dhak” – Chandbala

I shall be giving you tonight all three songs from the same movie.

Lets start with the first one sung by Talat Mahmood. Elsewhere, I have already told you that Madan Mohan composed it in Raag Jaunpuri, Tal Kaherava. His excellence in composition was matched by Raja’s excellence in lyrics.

Please enjoy: Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana….

meri yad me tum na aasu bahana
na ji ko jalana, mujhe bhul jana
samjhna ke tha ek sapna suhana
vo guzara zamana, mujhe bhul jana
meri yad me

juda meri manzil, juda teri rahe
juda meri manzil, juda teri rahe
milegi na ab teri meri nigahe
mujhe teri duniya se hai dur jana
meri yad me

ye ro ro ke kahta hai tuta hua dil
ye ro ro ke kahta hai tuta hua dil
nahi hu mai teri mohabbat ke kabil
mera nam tak apne lab pe na lana
na ji ko jalana, mujhe bhul jana
meri yaad me tum na aasu bahana
na ji ko jalana, mujhe bhul jana
samjhna ke tha ek sapna suhana
vo guzara zamana, mujhe bhul jana
meri yad me

Song #20
Pagadi pehan ke turredar akadata kyun hai

We started taking up songs of the 1951 JBH Wadia movie Madhosh and took up just one song: Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana and realised how beautifully Raja Mehdi Ali Khan’s relationship with Madan Mohan was shaping up.

The second song has been a discovery of mine in my series ‘Incredible Nostalgia (I.N.) Songs – Part I‘ as it showed a young Meena Kumari, in a feisty mood, singing this to the visiting son of a village zamindar. It is a teasing song and Raja and Madan Mohan did such a beautiful job of it.

Please enjoy Shamshad Begum and SD Batish singing: Pagadi pehan ke turredar akadata kyun hai….

pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai
tu to nahi hai thanedar
tu to nahi hai thanedar oye akadta kyu hai
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai

sare gaaw me nahi tera jawab re
sare gaaw me nahi tera jawab re
dil me hai gussa muh me jhuta rubab se
dil me hai gussa muh me jhuta rubab se
mathe pe sokha jhurri dal mathe pe sokha jhurri dal
oye bigadta kyu hai pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai

hamse na tum jhagdna gaaw ki chhoriyo
dekho bhago yaha se kali or goriyo
phir na kahna hamra sardar phir na kahna hamra sardar
bigadta kyu hai pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai

humko na tum samjhna shehar ki chhoriya
ji shehar ki chhoriya
piche hamre tu bekar
piche hamre tu bekar piche hamre tu bekar
haye padta kyu hai
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai

tum jesi lakho mere piche firi hai
mere kadmo me aake ro ro giri hai
kehti thi hamse wo dildar
haye kehti thi hamse wo dildar
bichhadta kyu hai kehti thi hamse wo dildar
bichhadta kyu hai
tu gurur se madhosh tere gum kar denge hosh
ja ja ja bhag ja bhag ja ja ja bhag ja
tera thanda kar de josh o tujhe kar denge behosh
ja ja ja bhag ja bhag ja ja ja bhag ja
oye ja ja ja bhag ja bhag ja ja ja bhag ja
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai
pagdi pehan ke turredar akadta kyu hai

Song #21
Hamen ho gaya tumse pyar bedardi balma

I have given you two extremely nostalgic songs from the 1951 JBH Wadia movie Madhosh starring Manhar Desai, Meena Kumari and Usha Kiran.

The songs were:

1. Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana.
2. Pagadi pehan ke turredar akadata kyun hai.

And now I am ready for your observation: “You were, Ravi, supposed to build up to Raja and Madan Mohan relationship, which you did. However, you were also supposed to build up to Lata singing their songs but you have given only Talat, SD Batish and Shamshad Begum. Where does Lata figure in these?”

Valid observation, guys. Just hold your horses. Here we get back to Lata again.

What are the things that you remember about Raja Mehdi Ali Khan? One is that he introduced the word Aap in the songs; eg, in the 1962 movie Anpadh song: Aap ki nazaron ne samajha. The second was that he was pioneer in expressions: Here he used the expression Badardi balma and then many followed it, eg, in the 1965 movie Arzoo song: Bedardi balma tujhako mera man yaad karta hai.

This is a beautiful song in all respects: lyrics, composition and singing. Badardi balma was as much an object of love for women of that era as was Pardesi; eg, Ek pardesi mera dil le gaya.

Please enjoy Lata Mangeshkar singing: Hamen ho gaya tumse pyar bedardi balma….

Hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
dil le le na kar inkaar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma

badle me pyar ke thoda sa pyar de
dil beqarar hai dil ko qarar ke
hame apna kaho ek bar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma

sine laga liya tera khayal re
ab hai tere bina jina muhal re
hame kar le gale ka har, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma

hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
dil le le na kar inkaar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma
hame ho gaya tumse pyar, bedardi balma hay bedardi balma

Song #22
Ye ruki ruki adayen ye bujhe bujhe sitare

His next movie in 1951 was Daman, a movie directed by Nanabhai Bhatt and starring Ajit, Karan Dewan, Nigar Sultana, Pran and Agha.

Raja, again, paired with Datta Kargaonkar. There were ten songs in the movie and Raja penned seven and one each by Ehsan Rizvi, Rijinder Krishan and Anjum Jaipuri.

Here are the seven songs penned by Raja:

1. Ye ruki ruki adayen ye bujhe bujhe sitare.
2. Chakoree ka chanda se pyar.
3. Tiru lila tiru lila gaye lata.
4. Tu jo dil leke mere peechhe aayega.
5. Dekho jhumi barsaat.
6. Ek minute mein naina char.
7. Youn marta hoon tum pe jaise.

We have a song with a duet between Lata and Asha Bhosle.

Please enjoy: Ye ruki ruki adayen ye bujhe bujhe sitare….

ye ruki ruki hawaye ye ruki ruki hawaye
ye bhuje bhuje sitare meri rat kat rahi hai
teri yaad ke sahare

abhi chandni jawa hai abhi raat has rahi hai
raat has rahi hai zara do ghadi to thahro
zara do ghadi to thahro mere paas mere pyare
mere paas mere pyare

tujhe kaun ye bataye mujhe bhul jane wale
tujhe kaun ye bataye mujhe bhul jane wale
tujhe yaad kar rahe hai mere aansuo ke dhare

zara aur pas ho ja zara dil se dil mila le
tere dil ki dhadkano ko tere dil ki dhadkano ko
meri aarzu pukare meri aarzu pukare

ye ruki ruki hawaye ye bhuje bhuje sitare
meri rat kat rahi hai teri yaad ke sahare

Song #23
Raat abhi baki hai dil ko karaar aaya nahin

He wrote songs for six movies in 1952. Baghdad was the first one. Once again it was a movie directed by Nanabhai Bhatt and starred Master Bhagwan, Bharati Devi, Anwar Hussain and Yashodhara Katju.

Raja wrote all eight songs in the movie that were composed by Bulo C Rani:

1. Sharab e ishq aankhon ko pila de.
2. Ye pyar ki raaten ye aaj ki baaten dildar yaad rakhna.
3. Raat abhi baki hai dil ko karaar aaya nahin.
4. Ek shama hai mehfil mein parwane hazaron hain.
5. Itna gusse se garoor na karo.
6. Baharon ne chhede khushi ke taraane.
7. Khuli jo aankh to badla.
8. Kya dil kisi pe aa gaya.

Please enjoy Geeta Dutt singing: Raat abhi baki hai dil ko karaar aaya nahin….

raat abhi baki hai, raat abhi baki hai
dil ko karar aaya nahi
chhed de, haye wo nagma, tune jo gaaya nahi
raat abhi baki hai, raat abhi baki hai
dil ko karar aaya nahi
chhed de, haye wo nagma, tune jo gaaya nahi
raat abhi baki hai, raat abhi baki hai

nas nas me bas gaye wo, aansu me wo samaye
tum hi kaho ke jalim, nind ab kis ko aaye
charo taraf khushi ke, saaman jhumte hai
raat abhi baki hai, raat abhi baki hai
dil ko karar aaya nahi
chhed de, haye wo nagma, tune jo gaaya nahi
raat abhi baki hai, raat abhi baki hai

shabnami, shabnami aankho me dil hai
aur hum teri aagosh me
zindagi ek geet banke, geet banke
aa gayi aagosh me
jo mujhe kehni hai tum se, wo baat abhi baki hai
wo baat abhi baki hai
raat abhi baki hai
dil ko karar aaya nahi
chhed de, haye wo nagma, tune jo gaaya nahi
raat abhi baki hai

Song #24
Lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale

Out of six movies in 1952, his second movie was Nishan Danka, a movie directed by Jayant Desai and starring Shyama, Jeevan, Tabassum and Ranjan.

There were seven songs in the movie that were composed by Basant Prakash. Raja wrote two. The others were composed by Hasrat Jaipuri and SH Bihari.

The two songs by Raja were:

1. Ek do teen chaar paanch chhe.
2. Kare safachat chale khatakhat.

We shall skip both these (first time we are doing it).

Shrimatiji was his next movie in 1952 in which he continued being with Basant Prakash but together with Jimmy and S Mohinder. It was directed by IS Johar and starred IS Johar, Shyama, Nasir Khan and Majnu.

There were ten songs in the movie; eight penned by Raja and one each by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.

Here are his eight:

1. Lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale.
2. O babuji main na karun teri naukri.
3. Aashiqon ko husn ne ulat palat (Part I).
4. Nain mila lo pyar ka dar hai.
5. Barkha ki raaton mein dil jalta hai.
6. Kabhi hamare ghar bhi aao.
7. Do naina tumhare pyare pyare.
8. Aashiqon ko ishq ne ulat palat (Part II).

I shall be giving you two; one today and one tomorrow.

The first one is a beautiful song sung by Shamshad Begum and a composition of Basant Prakash (one of his two in the movie).

Please enjoy: Lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale….

lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale
ab chulha ab chulha jala rahe hai
chulha jala rahe hai haye haye haye
chulha jala rahe hai chulha jala rahe hai
lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale chulha jala rahe hai
paudar lagane wale tir chalane wale
ab chamcha ab chamcha chala rahe hai
ab chamcha chala rahe hai
chamcha chala rahe hai haye haye haye
chamcha chala rahe hai chamcha chala rahe hai
lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale chulha jala rahe hai

nakhun jo saware yu tesh laga laga ke
wo gish gaye nigode chatni bana bana ke
yu phesh lagane wale nakhra dikhane wale
ab kachra ab kachar utha rahe hai ab kachar utha rahe hai
kachar utha rahe hai haye haye haye
kachar utha rahe hai kachar utha rahe hai
lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale chulha jala rahe hai
ma ne tha humko pala ande khila khila ke
kismat ne mar dala dande khila khila ke
phalwa udane wale ando ke khane wale
lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale chulha jala rahe hai

ghar me tha jo bhi aalu girvi pada huaa hai
baniye ka beta bhundu usko baza raha hai
din rat gane wale piyano bazane wale haye
ab chimta ab chimta baza rahe hai ab chimta baza rahe hai
chimta baza rahe hai haye haye haye
chimta baza rahe hai chimta baza rahe hai
lipstick lagane wale dil ko jalane wale chulha jala rahe hai

I have divided all the best songs of Raja Mehndi Ali Khan on my page Lyrical into four nearly equal parts.

I hope you liked my choices in Part I.

Please await Part II.

I have so far given you four parts of this post:

In ‘The Best Songs Of Sahir Ludhianvi – Part I’, I gave you two dozen songs. Initially, I started with a favourite of mine: Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko, mardon ne use bazaar diya, from the 1958 BR Chopra movie Sadhana. I soon settled with giving you his songs chronologically from Thandi hawayen, lehrake aayen (from 1951 movie Naujawaan) to Ab woh karam karen yaa sitam main nashen main hoon (from 1955 movie Marine Drive).

In ‘The Best Songs Of Sahir Ludhianvi – Part II’, I gave you two songs more than two dozens as I wanted to finish with the songs of 1957 Guru Dutt classic Pyaasa in one part only (the last song was ‘Aaj sajan mohe ang laga lo’). This was the last and the 18th movie when Sahir Ludhianvi paired with SD Burman. Of course, the Part II we had started with ‘Ye baharon ka sama’ from the 1955 Dev Anand, Geeta Bali movie Milaap.

In ‘The Best Songs Of Sahir Ludhianvi – Part III‘, I gave you 22 songs from Youn to hamane lakh haseen dekhe hain from the 1957 movie Tumsa nahin dekha to Bachcho tum taqdeer ho kal ke Hindustan ki from the 1959 movie Didi.

In ‘The Best Songs Of Sahir Ludhianvi – Part IV’, I gave you 26 songs from Ye husn ye ada song from 1959 movie Lal Nishan to Paanv chhune do phuulon ko inaayat hogi from 1963 movie Taj Mahal.

Let me 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 Sahir Ludhianvi have been reconstructed from the same page. Sahir was given the moniker of being the People’s Poet. As we go along, you would know why.

Lets proceed further into the world of Sahir Ludhianvi’s songs.

Song #100
Ashqon mein jo paaya hai….

His first movie of 1964, after the 1963 movie Taj Mahal with Roshan was Chandi Ki Deewar with N Dutta or Datta Naik. They started off together in the 1951 Punjabi movie Baalo. However, they made very few movies together until SD Burman parted with Sahir after the 1957 classic Pyaasa. After that they were frequently together and made a total of 13 movies including the unreleased movie Picnic. In the year 1962, for example, in all four movies, Sahir paired with N Dutta.

Raaga Based Song of the Day: Aaj ki raat badi shokh badi natkhat hai….
Raag Pilu, Tal Dadra

It is rarely that I give you a subsequent song from the same raaga and tal immediately after one with just one song in between. My last song in the same raaga and tal was Kaisa jadu balam toone daara. It was penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed by OP Nayyar and appeared quite early in the 1958 Pramod Chakravorty movie 12 O’Clock starring Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman.

There are two reasons for giving this song. One, I have been quite inactive on this series and the earlier song, on 28 Jan this year has been a distant memory. The second is that although Pilu or Peelu had been the favourite raaga of OP Nayyar, I want you to do a comparison in the styles of OP Nayyar and Roshan, the latter being the composer of the present song.

Before I became inactive, we completed hundred days of Raaga Based Songs of the Day on the Diwali Day last year, that is, 7th of Nov 18. Our first post in the series was on the 27th of May 2017 was titled ‘Raaga Based Song Of The Day #1’ and the song was a Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar song from the 1970 Shakti Samanta movie Pagla Kahin Ka: Tum mujhe youn bhula na paoge.  It is in Raag Jhinjhoti, Tal Kaherava.

Our hundred and first post or the last post here was titled ‘Raaga Based Song Of The Day #101‘ and the song details I have already given you above.

I would like to start by remembering the lyrics of the lyricist: Neeraj.

The song’s lyrics contain one of the best expressions ever: Saaraa aalam hai giraftaar tere husn me.n jab
Mujhase hii kaise
Ho, mujhase hii kaise ye barsaat sahii jaayegii
Aaj to tere binaa nii.nd nahii.n aayegii …

As seen by me, the expression above is the very best of Neeraj. Please pay attention to how he builds up to the expression:

Everywhere, especially in Indian milieu, rains are closely associated with lovers. It is the best season for those in love. From Raj Kapoor and Nargis with their famous song under the umbrella: Pyar hua iqraar hua, to lovers everywhere, rain has only two effects on them:

A. They are fully drenched in love if they are together.
B. Rains are hell in case they are separated. For example, Sawan ke jhoole padhe hain tum chale aao.

In case of Tanuja and Rajeev in 1966 movie Nai Umr Ki Nai Fasal, ‘B’ is the case. Lets build up to the expression:

This is the first stanza:

अब तो तेरे ही यहाँ आने का ये मौसम है
अब तबीयत न ख़यालों से बहल पायेगी
देख वो छत पे उतर आयी है सावन की घटा
दे रही द्वार पे आवाज़ खड़ी पुरवाई
बिजली रह रह के पहाड़ं पे चमक उठती है
सूनी आँखों में कोई ख़्वाब ले ज्यों अंगड़ाई
कैसे समझाऊँ?
कैसे समझाऊँ कि इस वक़्त का मतलब क्या है
दिल की है बात
हो दिल की है बात न होंठों से कही जायेगी
आज तो तेरे बिना नींद नहीं आयेगी …

Did you get how he is showing his inability to express what he feels in the heart through his lips? Have you heard this expression anywhere else? Yes, of course, several times; the best one being Anand Bakshi’s in 1970 movie My Love:

तुझको देखा है मेरी नज़रों ने तेरी तारीफ़ हो मगर कैसे
के बने ये नज़र ज़ुबाँ कैसे के बने ये ज़ुबाँ नज़र कैसे
ना ज़ुबाँ को दिखाई देता है ना निग़ाहों से बात होती है
ज़िक्र होता है जब …

Having built up to this, Neeraj takes you to the pinnacle of feelings of separation during sawan in the next stanza containing this beautiful expression:

ये भटकते हुए जुगुनू ये दिये आवारा
भीगते पेड़ों पे बुझ-बुझ के चमक उठते हैं
तेरे आँचल में टके सलमें सितारे जैसे
मुझ से मिलने को बिना बात दमक उठते हैं
सारा आलम
सारा आलम है गिरफ़्तार तेरे हुस्न में जब
मुझसे ही कैसे
हो, मुझसे ही कैसे ये बरसात सही जायेगी
आज तो तेरे बिना नींद नहीं आयेगी …

Lovers of yore were convinced that the celestial elements were all in league with them in their love. They frequently involved Chand, Fizaayen, Sawan etc in their love. Neeraj has done the same here; except for one huge difference. According to him if the entire atmosphere (in rains) is drenched in the beauty of their love, how is he expected to face this all by himself. There are only two other songs wherein this has been done better: Mere mehboob tujhe and Tu hi re.

In the next stanza Neeraj totally merges the distinction between their love and sawan! You can’t believe it but he does it so beautifully:

रात रानी की ये भीनी सी नशीली खुशबू
आ रही है के जो छन छन के घनी डालों से
ऐसा लगता है किसी ढीठ झखोरे से लिपट
खेल आयी है तेरे उलझे हुए बालों से
और बेज़ार
और बेज़ार न कर, मेरे तड़पते दिल को
ऐसी रंगीन
हो, ऐसी रंगीन ग़ज़ल रात न फिर गायेगी
आज तो तेरे बिना नींद नहीं आयेगी …

Where else have you seen it? Several places by several lyricists; eg, Sahir in Barsaat Ki Raat and Hasrat in Chori Chori:

म: भीगी-भीगी रात में, दिल का दामन थाम ले
खोई-खोई ज़िन्दगी हरदम तेरा नाम ले
(ल: चाँद की बहकी नज़र, कह रही है प्यार कर
ज़िन्दगी है इक सफ़र, कौन जाने कल किधर ) – २
दोनो: आ जा सनम मधुर …

Where else do Neeraj’s similar expressions appear? I can think of many. Here are a few of my favourites:

The first one is from the 1971 movie Gambler:

(आके ज़रा देख तो तेरी खातिर
हम किस तरह से जिये) – २
आँसू के धागे से सीते रहे हम
जो ज़ख्म तूने दिये
चाहत की महफ़िल में ग़म तेरा लेकर
क़िस्मत से खेला जुआ
दुनिया से जीते पर तुझसे हारे
यूँ खेल अपना हुआ …

Aansu ke dhage se seete rahe ham jo zakhm toone diye! What terrific imagination!

The second one is from 1971 movie Sharmilee:

झीलों के होंठों पर, मेघों का राग है
फूलों के सीने में, ठंडी ठंडी आग है
दिल के आइने में तू, ये समा उतार दे
खिलते हैं गुल यहाँ ..

Jheelon ke honthon par meghon ka raag? Just imagine that!

The third and the last one is from the 1970 movie Prem Pujari:

पलकों के झूले से सपनों की डोरी
प्यार ने बाँधी जो तूने वो तोडी
खेल यह कैसा रे, कैसा रे साथी
दिया तो झूमें हैं रोये हैं बाकी
कहीं भी जाये रे, रोये या गाये रे
चैन न पाये रे हिया
वाह रे प्यार वाह रे वाह
रंगीला रे …

The lyrics have one mistake there: it should be Diya to jhuume hai roye hai baati. Now try to visualise this and Palkon ke jhoole se! Your heart gets drenched even imagining that!

Lets move on to the composer: Roshan.

He is of Barsaat Ki Raat and Taj Mahal fame. He was born on 14 Jul 1917 in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan). He began music lessons at a young age and later attended Marris College (now Bhatkhande Music Institute) in Lucknow under the training of Pt. S N Ratanjankar(principal of the institute). In the early 1940s, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar, programme producer/music, AIR Delhi, hired Roshan as staff artist for esraj, the instrument he used to play.

His first opportunity as a composer was in the 1949 Kidar Sharma movie Neki Aur Badi. It was a flop. However, in an year’s time, he demonstrated the stuff that he was made of: in the 1950 Kidar Sharma movie: Bawre Nain. Kidar Sharma penned as many as nine songs and these were all composed beautifully by Roshanlal Nagrath or simply Roshan. Of course, he covered himself in glory with Khyalon mein kisi ke is tarah.

He gave us some memorable songs such as Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi wo barsaat ki raat, Ab kya misaal doon main, Jo wada kiya woh nibhana padhega, Paanv chhu lene do, Jo baat tujh mein hai, Rahen na rahen hum, Rehte the kabhi jinake dil mein, Chhupa lo youn dil mein pyar mera, Guzra zamaana bachpan ka and Baharon ne mera chaman loot kar.

More than the songs, he was known for his Qawwalis and two of these are most memorable: Na to karwaan ki talaash hai, and Nigahen milane ko ji chahta hai.

Lets get to discuss the Raaga and the Tal of the song.

This blog has a number of posts on Raaga based songs in Hindi movies titled similarly; for example: ‘The Best Raaga Based Songs in Hindi Movies – Raaga Jhinjhoti – Part II‘.

In the last hundred and one days of sharing Raaga based songs of the day, I have given you songs based on Raag Jhinjhoti, Gara, Bhimpalasi, Madhuvanti, Shivaranjani, Bihag, Pahadi, Sarang, Pilu, Bhairavi, Khammaj, Charukesi, Kalyan or Yaman, Desh, Malgunji, Kirwani, Kedar, Bageshri, Megh Malhar, Bhupali, Ahir Bhairav, Malkaush, Mand, Adana, Kafi, Rageshri, Jaunpuri, Tilang, Janasammohini, Chayanat, Shuddha Kalyan, Gaur Sarang, Jogiya, Asavari, Maru Bihag, Durga, Lalit, Puria Dhanashri, Bhinna Sahdja, Sohani, Multani, Patdeep, Jaijaiwanti, Tilak Kamod, Hemant, Basant Mukhari, Gujri Todi, Kalavati, Hamir, Bhatiyar, Gawati, Shyam Kalyan, Gorakh Kalyan, Madhamat Sarang, Manj Khammaj, Darbari Kanada, Vibhas, Shankara, Bahar, Nand, Mian Ki Malhar and Jog; making it a total of 62 raagas. The raagas that have been repeated so far are Pahadi, the raaga of my home place in the Himalayas, Maru Bihag, Raag Kirwani, Jhinjhoti, Bhairavi, Gara, Basant Mukhari, Malkauns, Bhairavi, Mand, Sohani, Madhuvanti, Shivaranjani and Adana. Today, I am giving you a song in Raag Pilu for the third time.

Raag Pilu belongs to the Kafi thaat. Its Jati is Audhav – Sampoorna, which means it is pentatonic (five notes or swar) in Aaroha (ascending) and heptatonic (all seven notes or sawr) in Avroha (descending). The swar that are vrajay (missing) in Aaroha are Re (Rishab) and Dha (Dhaivat). The dominant note (Vadi) is Dhaivat that lends to this raaga a light and tranquil touch. The raaga is full of devotion and piety and you only have to listen to Mohammad Ravi singing for Rajeev addressing his song to Tanuja. The raag is well suited for the third prahar of the day; that is, early evening and that’s precisely when it is played in the movie too.

Raag Pilu was the favourite raag of Omkar Prasad Nayyar or OP Nayyar. Some of his songs (conveying the mood) of Pilu are: Jayiye aap kahan jayenge, Kabhi aar kabhi paar laaga teere nazar, Main soya akhiyan meeche, and Piya piya piya na laage mora jiya. But, I am not giving you any of these.

I am also not giving you Naushad’s jhule se pawan mein aayi bahaar (literally spring time) or SD Barman’s Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul or that beautiful Sujata number Kali ghata chhaye mora jiya tarsaaye.

The song I am giving you is from the 1966 (released on 01 January) R Chandra movie Nai Umr Ki Nai Fasal starring Rajeev and Tanuja and with the following plot:

“This is a story of a student, who in the prime of his career, gets ruffled up, become impulsive and is inclined to go against the discipline of the University. He and his enthusiastic friends are led away and misguided by an outside agency for personal motives. This is opposed by the Heroe’s own fiance – college girl in the same University, along with other supporters including his own brother. But before the realization dawns on the students, harm to the prestige of the community and harm to the family was done. Ultimately, it is realized that patriotism is not politics and the students can be patriotic and help the Mother Land in one and thousand ways without being politicians themselves, so long they are pursuing their studies. After having completed their studies, their whole life is before them. If this film is appreciated in its true perspective by the students and their parents it has served its purpose. (Extract from the statement of the Prime Minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri delivered in Allahabd and published in The Times of India dated 18 December 1965).”

The songs of this movie are:

• “Aaj Ki Raat Badi Shokh Badi Natkhat Hai” – Mohd Rafi (solo)
• “Aaj Ki Raat Badi Shokh Badi Natkhat Hai” – Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (duet)
• “Dekhati Hi Raho Aaj Darpan Na Tum” – Mukesh
• “Isko Bhi Apnaata Chal” – Mohd Rafi
• “Kaaravaan Guzar Gayaa” – Mohd Rafi
• “Meri Saiyyaan Gulbiya Ka Phool” – Suman Kalyanpur & Minoo Purushottam
• “Nai Umar Ki Naye Sitaron” – Bhupinder Singh
• “Thi Shubh Suhaag Ki Raat” – Manna Dey

Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy in Raag Pilu Tal Dadra, Mohammad Rafi sing a composition of Roshan on the lyrics of Neeraj in the 1966 R Chandra movie Nai Umr Ki Nai Fasal  starring Rajeev and Tanuja: Aaj ki raat badi shokh badi natkhat hai…..

aaj kii raat ba.Dii shokh ba.Dii naTakhaT hai
aaj to tere binaa nii.nd na aayegii

ab to tere hii yahaa.N aane kaa ye mausam hai
ab tabiiyat na Kayaalo.n se bahal paayegii
dekh vo chhat pe utar aayii hai saavan kii ghaTaa
de rahii dvaar pe aavaaz kha.Dii puravaaii
bijalii rah rah ke pahaa.D.n pe chamak uThatii hai
suunii aa.Nkho.n me.n koii Kvaab le jyo.n a.nga.Daaii
kaise samajhaa_uu.N?
kaise samajhaa_uu.N ki is vaqt kaa matalab kyaa hai
dil kii hai baat
ho dil kii hai baat na ho.nTho.n se kahii jaayegii
aaj to tere binaa nii.nd nahii.n aayegii …

ye bhaTakate hue jugunuu ye diye aavaaraa
bhiigate pe.Do.n pe bujh-bujh ke chamak uThate hai.n
tere aa.Nchal me.n Take salame.n sitaare jaise
mujh se milane ko binaa baat damak uThate hai.n
saaraa aalam
saaraa aalam hai giraftaar tere husn me.n jab
mujhase hii kaise
ho, mujhase hii kaise ye barasaat sahii jaayegii
aaj to tere binaa nii.nd nahii.n aayegii …

raat raanii kii ye bhiinii sii nashiilii khushabuu
aa rahii hai ke jo chhan chhan ke ghanii Daalo.n se
aisaa lagataa hai kisii DhiiTh jhakhore se lipaT
khel aayii hai tere ulajhe hue baalo.n se
aur bezaar
aur bezaar na kar, mere ta.Dapate dil ko
aisii ra.ngiin
ho, aisii ra.ngiin Gazal raat na phir gaayegii
aaj to tere binaa nii.nd nahii.n aayegii …

As you read through the description on top, you must have concluded that the lyrics are really superb and Neeraj needs to be congratulated for the same. Roshan completes the devotion and piety through exquisite composition in Raag Pilu, Tal Dadra and conveys the atmosphere of a rainy night not just through the lyrics but through the notes too that tug at your emotions. Indeed, the composition and notes magnify the intensity of the lyrics.

I hope you liked the song.

Please stay tuned for more songs in the series.

Everyone knows how fond I am of the combination of Shakeel Badayuni as a lyricist and Naushad Ali as a composer. This blog has more than twenty posts on them.

Whatever may be the origin of the festival of Holi, it is forever associated with Radhe and Krishna. Shakeel and Naushad have given us many a beautiful song about Krishna and the ras-leela of the eternal couple; one of the basic reasons for us to celebrate Holi.

It wasn’t a coincidence that when Mehboob Khan made his iconic movie Mother India in 1957 (the movie was so titled to counter American author Katherine Mayo’s 1927 polemical book Mother India, which vilified Indian culture), Nargis who enacted the title role was named Radha in the movie. Raaj Kumar as her husband (Radha and Krishna actually never married. Please read: ‘The Most Important Relations And Relationship(s)‘) was named Shamu, a variation of one of Krishna’s names: Shyam (dark-complexioned). Here is the Holi song that she sang on Holi (penned by Shakeel, composed by Naushad and sung by Shamshad Begum):

The team of Shakeel and Naushad were best in many ways. Shakeel made an unbroken hat-trick of Filmfare Awards and Naushad was not just the recipient of the highest award in cinematic excellence in India: the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, but also was instrumental in ushering in Raaga based songs in Hindi movies (his 1952 movie Baiju Bawra had each of the 13 songs in the movie based on a raaga).

The Sanskrit word Raaga means Colour or Hue or Dye. Hence, recalling a raaga on Holi is appropriate. As far as Indian Classical Music is concerned, music invokes into you varied colours (moods).

The Raaga or Colour that I have chosen for you today is Raag Gara and the Taal is Tintal and Dadra. The song is Mohe panghat pe Nand Lal chhed gayo re. It was sing in the 1960 movie Mughal-e-Azam produced by Shapoorji Pallonji and directed by K Asif. The song was put together by the team of Shakeel Badayuni and Naushad Ali.

In my Raaga Based Song Of The Day, I gave you Raag Gara based songs twice: the second sons on the series: Unake khayal aaye to aate chale gaye (Please see: ‘Raaga Based Song Of The Day #2‘) and the 67th song: Aise to na dekho (Please see: ‘Raaga Based Song Of The Day #67‘). The first one was in Tal Kaherava and the second in Tal Dadra.

Raag Gara belongs to the Khammaj Thaat. Its Jati is Shadhav-Sampoorna, that is six notes in Aaroha (five notes except Rishab) and has all seven notes in Avaroha. The time for singing this raag is second part of morning. Khammaj Thaat’s pictorial description is sensuous and raagas derived from it have a certain degree of flirtatious mood about it. Listen to the song that I have selected for you and you will know what I mean.

Some of the songs composed in Raag Gara are:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Mohe Panghat Pe Bol Mere Nandlala Deewana Kehke Aaj Is Paar Saajan Kabhi Khud Pe Tu Kahan Kho Gaya Unke Khayal Aaye Kasme Hum Unki Do Roz Mein Jab Jab Tumhein Jo Guzar Rahi Hai Chehere Se Apne Guzre Hain Aaj Aapki Nazaron Ne Aapki Baatein Karein Phir Woh Bhuli Si Mein To Tere Haseen Apni Khushi Se Aaya Koi Khayal Mera Mann Tera Pyasa Aise To Na Dekho Aajkal Humse Roothe Chhodo Baeeyan Hamari Aankhon Mein Teri Yaad Main Nigahein tere

Mughal-E-Azam Bahana Mulzim Chori Chori Hum Dono Singapore Lal Pathar Mere Gareeb Nawaaz Pyar Ki Raahein Jahanara Mere Huzoor Paalki Dil Diya Dard Liya Anpadh Dil Ki Raahein Begana Sangraam Kunwara Badan Tarana Gambler Teen Deviyan Aamne Samne Tarana Hamari Yaad Aayegi Aapki Parchhaeeyan

Lata Lata Rafi Lata Rafi Lata Rafi Anwar Mukesh Lata, Asha Rafi Rafi Rafi Lata Lata Rafi Rafi Lata Vani Jayram Rafi Rafi Rafi Aarti Mukesh Rafi

Teental or Tintal is the most popular Tal in North India/Hindustani Music. It is also the most symmetrical. It has 16 beats in four vibhags. The period between every two beats is the same. We already know that the first beat is called Sam (to be pronounced like the English word Sum) and the ninth beat is Khali or empty. To perform the kriya of Tintal, one has to clap on the first beat, clap on the 5th beat, then waves on the 9th beat and lastly again claps on the 13th beat; these three claps give the rhythm its name: Teental or Tintal.

The Theka for Tintal

dha	dhin	dhin	dha	|	dha	dhin	dhin	dha	|
x					2
dha	tin	tin	ta	|	ta	dhin	dhin	dha	|
o					3

This can also be shown using the following figure:

Taal signs	X				2				0				3
Maatra	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
Bols	dha	dhin	dhin	dha	dha	dhin	dhin	dha	dha	tin	tin	ta	ta	dhin	dhi

As far as Tal Dadra is concerned, Tal Dadra derives its name from Dadra style of singing prevalent in Dadra. It is a six or three beat Tal:
Clap, 2, 3, Wave, 2, 3; that is two vibhags of three matras each. The theka is:
Dhaa Dhin Naa Dhaa Tin Naa

Here is how the song was presented in the movie Mughal-e-Azam. Originally the song was a Black and White movie. The song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and enacted by Madhubala as Anarkali in the court of Emperor Akbar and in love with Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar).

Please enjoy: Mohe panghat pe Nand Lal chhed gayo re…

मोहे पनघट पे नन्दलाल छेड़ गयो रे
मोरी नाजुक कलइया मरोड़ गयो रे
मोहे पनघट पे …

कंकरी मोहे मारी, गगरिया फोड़ दारी
मोरी साड़ी अनाड़ी भिगोय गयो रे
मोहे पनघट पे …

नैनों से जादू किया, जियरा मोह लिया
मोरा घूँघटा नजरियो से तोड़ गयो रे
मोहे पनघट पे …

Shapoorji Pallonji was not just the producer of the movie Mughal-e-Azam but the company called Shapoorji Pallonji Group is acknowledged as “India’s most valuable company”. In Mumbai alone, the company is responsible to have constructed Brabourne Stadium, Bombay Central Station and a host of other important buildings, particularly in the Fort area. In the year 2004, Shapoorji Pallonji Group completed a two year project to colourise and digitise Mughal-e-Azam and the colour version of the movie was released on 12 Nov 2004. Here is then our favourite song in colour:

Mughal – e – Azam was not just the costliest movie of its times (its 1960 budget was a massive Rupees 1.5 Crores), it was the most iconic movie ever made. Hence, down the ages, many artistes have evinced interest in reenacting the movie and its songs.

In Aug 2018, the actress Madhuri Dixit who rose to great heights of popularity reenacted Madhubala’s damce on Mohe panghat pe on Dance Deewane, a reality show she was judging with Tushar Kalia and Shashank Khaitan. Madhuri was seen wearing the same orange and silver embroidered lehenga and maroon coloured choli from the still that she had shared previously. The outfit harkened back to Madhubala’s costume from the legendary Mughal – e -Azam. Here is an excerpt from her dance uploaded by a fan:

Mugahl-e-Azam and particularly its songs continue to enchant audiences around the world. In 2016, the fruits of a ten month production by Shapoorji Pallonji Group were seen in the form of a stage play (musical) that was released on 21 Oct 2016. Shapoorji Pallonji Group had Feroz Abbas Khan directing the stage-play (imagine a stage play based on a movie). Since the lead actresses had to both sing and dance simultaneously, two actresses – Neha Sargam and Priyanka Barve – played the part of Anarkali alternatively; the role that was originally done by Madhubala. A separate video of this iconic song is not available. However, you would see it as part of the promo of the play:

One of the important personalities seen in this promo is the richest man in the country: Mukesh Ambani. Please see the promo at this stage and what he said because we shall come back to it a little later.

If you think that the interest in the songs of Mughal-e-Azam is restricted to film and stage personalities only, you have another guess coming. Mohe panghat pe is sung and performed as much in the temples as it was by a courtesan in Emperor Akbar’s darbar.

In Aug 2016, when my wife and I went to attend the Janamashtami celebrations in ISKCON temple (under construction) in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, we were pleasantly surprised to see it being sung there. Here is my recording of it:

And lastly we return to Mukesh Ambani and his charming wife Nita Ambani. On 12 Mar 19 we were invited to Jio World Centre for a reception for armed forces personnel for the marriage of their elder son Aakash with Shloka. In Shapoorji Pallonji Group’s promo on their play Mughal-e-Azam (Musical), you would have noticed Mukesh Ambani expressing his happiness at the play matching Broadway standards. Well, that evening, in the Dhirubhai Ambani Square of the Centre, a spectacular enactment of Radhe Krishna ras-leela was done and it would have surely set knew standards.

It didn’t come as a surprise that one of the songs selected for the ras-leela was Mohe panghat pe. Here is how it was performed:

The Ambanis are great devotees of Krishna. One of the most beautiful Krishna temples has been constructed by them at Vadodara. Here are two picture of the temple (you would notice that it is open all round):

Well, that was Mohe panghat pe down the ages a song by Shakeel Badayuni and Naushad Ali that would remind us of Radhe Krishna ras-leela for times to come.

In near future India is thinking of sending a manned mission to the moon. I am sure one of the first songs to be performed there would be Mohe panghat pe.

One small step for Shakeel – Naushad combine; one big leap for Indians.