Category: Poems and Lyrics

My Page on Facebook called Lyrical has always given you the best of songs from the best of Lyricists; it is because the Lyrics are the origin of the song, the thought and emotion behind it. In all the songs that I have on my cell-phone, whenever I want to hear them during my walks, the first few numbers are always from Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. Can anyone guess why?

It is rather simple: in any album or playlist, the songs sort out alphabetically; and since Raja Mehdi Ali Khan is credited with the word ‘Aap‘ in songs, these are usually the first few songs that I hear. By far the first always is: Aapki nazaron ne samajha pyaar ke kaabil mujhe from the 1962 movie Anpadh starring Dharmendra and Mala Sinha.

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.

Lets turn to the 1962 movie Anpadh. Here are five songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar with lyrics penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and music composed by Madan Mohan. Four out of these are amongst the best songs of Lata:

1. Aapakii nazaro.n ne samajhaa.
2. Hai isii me.n pyaar kii aabaru.
3. Jiyaa le gayo jii moraa saa.nvariyaa.
4. Ra.ng\-bira.ngii raakhii leke aa_ii bahana.
5. Vo dekho jalaa ghar kisii kaa.

Please enjoy: Aapki nazaron ne samajha pyaar ke kaabil mujhe…

aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa, pyaar ke kaabil mujhe
dil kii ai dha.Dakan Thahar jaa, mil ga_ii ma.nzil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa

jii hame.n ma.nzuur hai, aapakaa ye faisalaa – 2
kah rahii hai har nazar, ba.ndaa-paravar shukariyaa
do jahaa.N kii aaj khushiyaa.N ho ga_ii.n haasil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …

aap kii ma.nzil huu.N mai.n merii ma.nzil aap hai.n – 2
kyuu.N mai.n tuufaan se Daruu.N mere saahil aap hai.n
koii tuufaano.n se kah de, mil gayaa saahil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …

pa.D ga_ii dil par merii, aap kii parchhaa_iyaa.N – 2
har taraf bajane lagii.n saika.Do.n shahanaa_iyaa.N
ha.Nsake apanii zi.ndagii me.n, kar liyaa shaamil mujhe
aap kii nazaro.n ne samajhaa …

Here is one more song from the 1962 movie Anpadh. We have many initiatives for the education of the girl-child; Anpadh was amongst the first ones. Here is the story: Chaudhary Shambhunath (Balraj Sahni) considers the accumulation of wealth to be more important than education. He condones his sister’s (Mala Sinha) inattention at school and consequently she grows up anpadh (illiterate). When she finds herself married to a bibliophile her problems really begin. Unable to read the poetry her husband loves and being a rotten cook too, she becomes despised by her husband and her in-laws. Circumstances conspire to leave her homeless, widowed and pregnant. Narrowly escaping from the attentions of a panderer she falls amongst friends and, with the birth of her daughter, she starts on the long road to redemption. An entertaining plea for education in general and for the education of girls in particular.

Please enjoy: Hai isi mein pyaar ki aabru wo zafa karen main wafa karun…

hai isii me.n pyaar kii aabaruu
vo zafaa kare.n mai.n vafaa karuu.N
jo vafaa bhii kaam na aa sake
to vohii kahe.n ke mai.n kyaa karuu.N
hai isii …

(mujhe Gam bhii unakaa aziiz hai
ke unhii.n kii dii huii chiiz hai ) – (2)
ke unhii.n kii dii huii chiiz hai
yahii Gam hai ab merii zi.ndagii
ise kaise dil se judaa karuu.N
hai isii …

(jo na ban sake mai.n vo baat huu.N
jo na khatm ho mai.n vo raat huu.N ) – (2)
jo na khatm ho mai.n vo raat huu.N
ye likhaa hai mere nasiib me.n
yuu.Nhii shammaa banake jalaa karuu.N
hai isii …

(na kisii ke dil kii huu.N aarazuu
na kisii kii nazar kii huu.N justajuu ) – (2)
na kisii kii nazar kii huu.N justajuu
mai.n vo phuul huu.N jo udaas ho
na bahaar aae to kyaa karuu.N
hai isii …

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan could have been the greatest lyricist of all times; except that he preferred to be Raja (King) of his own world. The fact is that in order to win popularity, he never brought down the quality of his lyrics even though he experimented with many music directors such as the popular ones like Laxmikant Pyarelal. Songs, to me, mean emotions, thoughts, moods, hopes, aches, frustrations and triumphs….and all these are brought out by the lyricist. Others such as Music Directors, Actors and Singers only add to these or subtract from these; but, if there is no lyricist, there is no song!

I have given you two really nice numbers from the 1962 movie Anpadh. Here are the next two beautiful numbers before we take on others.

The first one is: Jiya le gayo ji mera saanvariya….

jiyaa le gayo jii moraa saa.nvariyaa
laagii man me.n lagan huii baavariyaa

pa ni ni ni re re re ma ma ma dha pa ma pa re
ni re re re ma ma ma dha dha dha saa ni dha ni pa

o papiihe, o papiihe
tuune papiihe nahii.n dekhe more sai.nyaa
dekhe to le-legaa unakii bala_iyaa.n
jaa re dIvaane, maar naa taane,
piyaa kii sun jaake baa.nsuriyaa

saamane aae to mai.n aa.Nkho.n me.n chhupaa luu.N
thaamake bai.nyaa unhe.n dilame.n biThaa luu.N
shaam savere, saath ho mere
gorii ke sa.ng jaise gaagariyaa

aaj kisii ne mujhe apanaa banaayaa
saath rahuu.ngii jaise piyaa kii mai.n chaayaa
ThaNDii havaao.n tum bhii to gaao
priit kii dekho baaje jhaa.Njhariyaa

This one takes you to the depths of depression: that’s a good lyricist for you – one moment he takes you the crest of the waves and next he makes you experience the trough.

Whilst listening to this number, give a thought to how well Lata Mangeshar used to sing in her youth. Madan Mohan’s music enhances her lugubrious mood. It is really a super song: well crafted in every facet.

Please enjoy: Woh dekho jala ghar kisi ka…

vo dekho jalaa ghar kisii kaa ye TuuTe hai.n kisake sitaare
vo qismat ha.Nsii aur aise ha.Nsii ke rone lage Gam ke maare
vo dekho jalaa …

gayaa jaise jho.nkaa havaa kaa hamaarii Kushii kaa zamaanaa
di_e hamako qismat ne aa.Nsuu jab aayaa hame.n muskaraanaa
binaa hamasafar hai suunii Dagar kidhar jaa_e.N ham besahaare
vo dekho jalaa …

hai.n raahe.n kaThin duur ma.nzil ye chhaayaa hai kaisaa a.Ndheraa
ki ab chaa.Nd-suuraj bhii milakar nahii.n kar sakegaa saveraa
ghaTaa chhaa_egii bahaar aa_egii naa aa_e.Nge vo din hamaare
vo dekho jalaa …

idhar ro rahii hai.n aa.Nkhe.n udhar aasamaa.N ro rahaa hai
mujhe kar ke barabaad zaalim pashemaan ab ho rahaa hai
ye barakhaa kabhii to ruk jaa_egii ruke.nge naa aa.Nsuu hamaare
vo dekho jalaa …

Ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that with the introduction to Raja Mahdi Ali Khan that I have given and with the first four songs from his 1962 movie Anpadh, you are convinced that his poetry and lyrics rank amongst the best of Urdu songs (erroneously called Old Hindi songs).

Let me now go back to his first movie Do Bhai of 1947 starring Ulhas, Rajan and Kamini Kaushal. Geeta Dutt has sung this song on Sachin Dev Burman‘s music.

Geeta Dutt was a most accomplished singer who didn’t get the kind of recognition she should have; her genres included naughty bar numbers, bhajans, serious and melancholic songs and of course some effervescent numbers as well.

This one is on the melancholic side. Full marks to her and full marks to Raja for having conceived it.

Enjoy one of the most famous songs of the early days of Hindi cinema: Mera sundar sapana beet gaya…

Mera sunder sapana beet gaya,
Main prem mein sab kuchh haar gayi,
Bedard zamaana jeet gaya.

meraa sundar sapana biit gayaa
mai.n prem me.n sab kuchh haar gayii
bedad.r zamaanaa jiit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa

kyo.n kaalii badariyaa chaayii hai
kyo.n kalii kalii mus_kaayii hai
merii prem kahaanii khatm hu_ii
meraa jiivan kaa sa.ngiit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa

o cho.D ke jaane vaale aa
dil to.D ke jaane vaale aa
aa.Nkhe.n asuvan me.n Duub gayii.n
ha.Nsane kaa zamaanaa biit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa

har raat merii divaalii thii
mai.n piyaa kii hone vaalii thii
is jiivan ko ab aag lage, aag lage
is jiivan ko ab aag lage
mujhe cho.Dake jiivan miit gayaa
meraa sundar sapanaa biit gayaa

Let me know if it is the same with you but for me Songs are like a chain of memories….one invariably leads to others. And, when it comes to Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, there is no stopping the flood.

We just talked about Do Bhai and Geeta Dutt and the next thing I know is Yaad karoge song from her. It should really be the signature number of Geeta Dutt; she sang it so well.

Enjoy: Yaad karoge, yaad karoge, ik din hamako yaad karoge…

yaad karoge …
yaad karoge, yaad karoge, ik din ham ko yaad karoge
ta.Dapoge, fariyaad karoge, ik din ham ko yaad karoge

aaye.ngii jab saawan kii raate.n
jaag uThe.ngii bhuulii baate.n
dard se dil aabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge

jise basaayaa thaa kabhii man me.n
Dhuu.NDhoge, Dhuu.NDhoge use baaG me.n ban me.n,
Dhuu.NDhoge …
dil kaa sukuu.N barabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge

dil me.n basaa ke chhoD diyaa hai
apanaa hii ghar barabaad kiyaa hai
kaise use aabaad karoge,
ik din ham ko yaad karoge

kho kar ham ko paa na sakoge
ho.nge jahaa.N ham aa na sakoge
aa na sakoge, paa na sakoge,
ta.Dapoge, ta.Dapoge fariyaad karoge

yaad karoge, yaad karoge …

For the 1950 movie Madhosh, starring Meena Kumari and Manhar Desai, he gave his best number ever. Imagine him writing this at the age of 22! Also, since I gave you those two deep numbers of Do Bhai numbers, you have to imagine Raja writing these at the age of 19!

This one has been sung by Talat Mahmood on the music of Madan Mohan and happens to be one of the best of Talat Mahmood too.

Please enjoy: Meri yaad mein tum na aansu bahana
Na ji ko jalaana mujhe bhool jaana…

merii yaad me.n tum na aa.Nsuu bahaanaa
na jii ko jalaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
samajhanaa ke thaa ek sapanaa suhaanaa
vo guzaraa zamaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…

judaa merii ma.Nzil, judaa terii raahe.n -2
mile.ngii na ab terii-merii nigaahe.n
mujhe terii duniyaa se hai duur jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…

ye ro-ro ke kahtaa hai TuuTaa huaa dil -2
nahii.n huu.N mai.n terii mohabbat ke kaabil
meraa naam tak apane lab pe na laanaa
na jii ko jalaanaa, mujhe bhuul jaanaa
merii yaad me.n…

I am sure all of you have heard of the Producer, Director and Screen-writer Raj Khosla or Rajveer Singh Khosla, who like the poet and lyricist Sahir, hailed from Ludhiana in Punjab. His films often had focus on women. Initially, he started being an assistant to Guru Dutt but later emerged as an independent Producer and Director of such movies as Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, C.I.D., Woha Kaun Thi and Mera Saya and later Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki.

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was his preferred lyricist. In the 1962 Raj Khosla movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote two songs (the others were by SH Behari and Shewan Rizwi). The first song has the word ‘Aap’ which Raja introduced in songs and others followed. Music is by OP Nayyar. This duet is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle since none of OP Nayyar’s songs were ever sung by Lata Mangeshkar. He didn’t allow her.

Enjoy: Aap younhi agar hamse milate rahe dekhiye ek din pyaar ho jaayega….

ra: aap yuu.N hii agar hamase milate rahe
dekhi_e ek din pyaar ho jaaegaa
aa: aisii baate.n na kar ai hasii.n jaaduugar
meraa dil terii nazaro.n me.n kho jaaegaa

ra: piichhe-piichhe mere aap aatii.n hai.n kyo.n -2
merii raaho.n me.n aa.Nkhe.n bichhaatii hai.n kyo.n
aap aatii hai.n kyo.n …
aa: kyaa kahuu.N aapase ye bhii ek raaz hai
ek din isakaa izahaar ho jaaegaa

ra: kaisii jaaduugarii kii are jaaduugar -2
tere chahare se haTatii nahii.n ye nazar
hai ye nazar …
aa: aisii nazaro.n se dekhaa agar aapane
sharm se ra.Ng gulanaar ho jaaegaa

ra: mai.n mohabbat kii raaho.n se a.njaan huu.N -2
kyaa karuu.N kyaa kyaa karuu.N pareshaan huu.N
mai.n pareshaan huu.N …
aa: aapakii ye pareshaaniyaa.N dekhakar
meraa dil bhii pareshaan ho jaaegaa

We are talking about the 1962 movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena directed by Raj Khosla. The film was produced by Sashadhar Mukherjee; who, made his son Joy Mukherjee the hero in the movie, opposite Sadhana. This lovely duet written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan can be played over and over again. It is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle singing for Joy Mukherjee and Sadhana on the music of OP Nayyar.

Please enjoy: Main pyaar ka rahi hoon…

ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N
terii zulf ke saae me.n
kuchh der Thahar jaauu.N
aa: tum ek musaafir ho
kab chho.Dake chal doge
ye sochake ghabaraauu.N
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N

ra: tere bin jii lage na akele
aa: ho sake to mujhe saath le le
ra: naazanii.n tuu nahii.n jaa sakegii
chho.Dakar zindagii ke jhamele
naazanii.n
aa: jab bhii chhaae ghaTaa
yaad karanaa zaraa
saath ra.ngo.n kii umr kahaanii
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N

ra: pyaar kii bijaliyaa.N muskuraae.n
aa: dekhiye aap par gir na jaae.n
ra: dil kahe dekhataa hii rahuu.N mai.n
saamane baiThakar ye adaae.n
dil kahe
aa: na mai.n huu.N naazanii.n
na mai.n huu.N mahajabii.n
aap hii kii nazar hai diivaanii
ra: mai.n pyaar kaa raahii huu.N

The 1967 movie ‘Dulhan Ek Raat Ki’ starred Dharmendra, Nutan and Rehman; the same trio that did ‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya’ one year earlier. But, for the latter, Sonik Omi composed the music and GL Rawal wrote the lyrics. For Dulahan Ek Raat Ki, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote the lyrics and music was by Madan Mohan.

The movie has one of the best numbers with the trio of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar.

Please enjoy: Sapano mein agar mere tum aao to so jaayun…

sapano.n me.n agar mere
tum aa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
baaho.n ki agar maalaa
pehanaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere

sapano.n me.n kabhii saajan
baiTho mere paas aake
jab siine pe sar rakh duu.n
mai.n pyaar me.n sharamaate
ek giit muhabbat kaa
tum gaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere

biitii huii wo yaade.n
ha.Nsatii huii aatii hai.n
leharo.n kii tarah dil me.n
aatii kabhii jaatii hai.n
yaado.n kii tarah tum bhii
aa jaa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere
tum aa_o to so jaauu.N -2
sapano.n me.n agar mere

The second song from the 1967 movie ‘Dulhan Ek Raat Ki’ is one of the best of Mohammad Rafi. Madan Mohan’s music is superb.

Enjoy: Ik haseen shaam ko dil mera kho gaya…

ik hasiin shaam ko dil meraa kho gayaa
pahale apanaa huaa karataa thaa
ab kisiikaa ho gayaa

muddato.n se aarazuu thii
mere dil me koii aaye
suunii suunii zindagii me.n
ek shammaa jhilamilaaye
vo jo aaye to roshan zamaanaa ho gayaa
ik hasiin …

mere dil ke kaaravaa.n ko
le chalaa hai aaj koii
shabanamii sii jisakii aa.Nkhe.n
tho.Dii jaagii tho.Dii soyii
unako dekhaa to mausam suhaanaa ho gayaa
ik hasiin …

The 1964 movie Aap Ki Parchhayiyan starred Dharmendra opposite beautiful eyed Shashikala. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote his best song ever for this movie that was sung with matching passion by the God of Songs: Mohammad Rafi. When it came to gentle songs, there was nobody to beat the music of Madan Mohan.

Please enjoy one of the best of Rafi’s song:
main nigaahen tere chehre se hatayun kaise..

mai.n nigaahe.n tere chehare se haTaa_uu.N kaise
lut ga_e hosh to phir hosh me.n aa_uu.N kaise

chhaa rahii thii terii mahakii hu_ii zulfo.n kii ghaTaa
terii aa.Nkho.n ne pilaa dii to mai.n piitaa hii gayaa
taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa taubaa
vo nashaa hai ki bataa_uu.N kaise

merii aa.nkho.n me.n gile-shikave hai.n aur pyaar bhii hai
aarazu_e.n bhii hai.n aur hasarat-e-diidaar bhii
itane tuufaan mai.n aa.Nkho.n me.n chhupaa_uu.N kaise

shoK nazare.n ye sharaarat se na baaz aa_e.ngii
kabhii ruuThe.ngii kabhii mil ke palaT jaa_e.ngii
tujh se nibh jaa_egii mai.n in se nibhaa_uu.N kaise

As I mentioned to you earlier, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan paired with Madan Mohan (just like Rajinder Krishan and Madan Mohan) to make some of the best songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar during her young days when her voice was really heavenly. This one is particularly superb.

Please enjoy: Agar mujhase mohabbat hai mujhe sab apne gam de do..

Please notice the liberal use of Urdu in songs of that era.

agar mujh se muhabbat hai mujhe sab apane Gam de do
in aa.Nkho.n kaa har ik aa.Nsuu mujhe merii qasam de do
agar mujh se …

tumhaare Gam ko apanaa Gam banaa luu.N to qaraar aae
tumhaaraa dard siine me.n chhupaa luu.N to qaraar aae
vo har shay jo tumhe.n dukh de mujhe mere sanam de do
agar mujh se …

shariik-e-zi.ndagii ko kyuu.N shariik-e-Gam nahii.n karate
dukho.n ko baa.NT kar kyuu.N in dukho.n ko kam nahii.n karate
ta.Dap is dil kii tho.Dii sii mujhemere sanam de do
agar mujh se …

We are paying tribute to a great lyricist who paired with many music directors to produce some very melodious and poignant songs in Hindi movies. His combination with Music Director Madan Puri resulted in some …of the most memorable songs.

Here is one. The movie is the 1965 movie Neela Akash (Blue Sky) starring Dharmendra, Mala Sinha, Shashikala, Mehmood and Madan Puri. The music for the song is composed by Madan Mohan. It is one of the best songs enacted by Dharmendra and the lyrics are just wonderful. Mohammad Rafi sang it.

Enjoy: Aakhiri geet mohabbat ka suna loon to chalun,
Main chala jayunga, do ashq baha loon to chalun.

aakhirii giit muhabbat kaa sunaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n

aaj mai.n Gair huu.n kuuchh din hu_e mai.n Gair na thaa
merii chaahat merii ulfat se tujhe bair na thaa
mai.n huu.n ab Gair yakii.n dil ko dilaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n

aaj wo din hai ke tuune mujhe Thukaraayaa hai
apanaa anjaam in aa.Nkhon ko nazar aayaa hai
dahashat-e-dil mai.n zaraa hosh me.n aa luu.N to chaluu.N
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n

terii duniyaa se mai.n ek roz chalaa jaau.ngaa
aur gaye waqt ki maani.nd nahii.n aauu.ngaa
phiir na aane kii qasam aaj mai.n khaa luu.n to chaluu.n
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa
mai.n chalaa jaauu.ngaa do ashq bahaa luu.n to chaluu.n

There is one more song of Neela Akash, the 1965 movie starring Dharmendra and Mala Sinha but, somehow, I am not much enamoured with it. It is, “Tere paas aake mera waqt nikal jaata hai”. The reason why I don’t like it is because whatever the situation in the movie, the song tends to use a woman as a ‘time-pass’. However, there is this duet in the movie that starts with the word ‘Aap’ that Raja Mehdi Ali Khan intoduced in Hindi songs.

The duet is between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle on Madan Mohan’s music.

Please enjoy: Aapko pyaar chhupaane ki buri aadat hai…

aap ko pyaar chhupaane kii burii aadat hai
aap ko pyaar jataane kii burii aadat hai

aap ne siikhaa hai kyaa dil ke lagaane ke sivaa
aap ko aataa hai kyaa naaz dikhaane ke sivaa
aur hame.n naaz uThaane kii burii aadat hai …

kis liye aap ne sharamaa ke jhukaa lii aa.Nkhe.n
is liye aap se ghabaraa ke bachaa lii aa.Nkhe.n
aap ko tiir chalaane kii burii aadat hai …

ho chukii hai der bas ab jaaiyegaa jaaiyegaa
bandaa paravar zaraa tho.Daa saa kariib aa_iyegaa
aap ko paas na aane kii burii aadat hai …

I have given you songs from Raj Khosla’s 1962 movie Ek Musafir Ek Haseena. Two years later he made a most successful suspense thriller Woh Kaun Thi starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra. Once again Madan Mohan composed the music. The movie had five songs, all of them became super hit. Here is the list:

1. Chhod kar tere pyaar kaa daaman.
2. Jo hamane daastaan apani sunaayi aap kyun roye.
3. Lag jaa gale ki phir ye haseen raat ho na ho.
4. Nainaa barasen rimajhim rimajhim.
5. Shokh nazar ki bijaliyaan dil pe mere giraaye jaa.

The song ‘Lag jaa gale se phir’ is amongst the top ten songs of Lata Mangeshkar and has been acknowledged so by herself. It has the perfect combination of enigmatic lyrics, music that tugs at you, and singing that is so captivating.

Please enjoy: Lag jaa gale se phir ye haseen raat ho na ho…

lag jaa gale ki phir ye hasii.n raat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale se …

hamako milii hai.n aaj, ye gha.Diyaa.N nasiib se
jii bhar ke dekh liijiye hamako qariib se
phir aapake nasiib me.n ye baat ho na ho
phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hasii.n raat ho na ho

paas aaiye ki ham nahii.n aae.nge baar-baar
baahe.n gale me.n Daal ke ham ro le.n zaar-zaar
aa.Nkho.n se phir ye pyaar ki barasaat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho

lag jaa gale ki phir ye hassii.n raat ho na ho
shaayad phir is janam me.n mulaaqaat ho na ho
lag jaa gale ki phir ye hassii.n raat ho na ho

Lets take one more song from the 1964 movie Woh Kaun Thi starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra before turning in for the night. This too has the same combination of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar. It is very poignant number and like the number before this, tugs at your heart with great force.

Please enjoy: Jo hamane dastaan apani sunaayi aap kyun roye…

jo hamane daastaa.n apanii sunaaii, aap kyo.n roe
tabaahii to hamaare dil pe aaii, aap kyo.n roe

hamaaraa dard-e-Gam hai ye, ise kyo.n aap sahate hai.n
ye kyo.n aa.Nsuu hamaare, aapakii aa.Nkho.n se bahate hai.n
Gamo.n kii aag hamane khud lagaaii, aap kyo.n roe

bahut roe magar ab aapakii khaatir na roe.nge
na apanaa chain khokar aapakaa ham chain khoe.nge
kayaamat aapake ashko.n ne Dhaaii, aap kyo.n roe

na ye aa.Nsuu ruke to dekhiye, ham bhii ro de.nge
ham apane aa.Nsuo.n me.n chaa.Nd taaro.n ko Dubo de.nge
fanaa ho jaaegii saarii khudaaii, aap kyo.n roe

Here is another soulful number from the same movie; this too a perfect blend of lyrics, music and singing.

Please enjoy: Naina barse rimjhim rimjhim…

nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
piyaa tore aavan kii aas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n

(vo din merii nigaaho.n me.n
vo yaade.n merii aaho.n me.n) -2
ye dil ab tak bhaTakataa hai
terii ulfat kii raaho.n me.n
suunii-suunii raahe.n, sahamii-sahamii baahe.n
aa.Nkho.n me.n hai baraso.n kii pyaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n

(nazar tujh bin machalatii hai
mohabbat haat malatii hai) -2
chalaa aa mere paravaane
vafaa kii shamaa jalatii hai
o mere hamaraahii, phiratii huu.N ghabaraaii
jahaa.N bhi hai, aa jaa mere paas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n

adhuuraa huu.N mai.n afasaanaa
jo yaad aauu.N chale aanaa
meraa jo haal hai tujh bin
vo aakar dekhate jaanaa
bhiigii-bhiigii palake.n, chham-chham aa.Nsuu chhalake.n
khoii-khoii aa.Nkhe.n hai.n udaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n

(ye laakho.n Gam ye tanahaaii
mohabbat kii ye rusavaaii) -2
kaTii aisii ka_ii raate.n
na tum aae na maut aaii
ye bi.ndiyaa kaa taaraa, jaise ho a.ngaaraa
maha.ndii mere haatho.n kii udaas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
piyaa tore aavan kii aas
nainaa barase.n, rimajhim rimajhim
nainaa barase.n, barase.n, barase.n

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURaAWQ1hF0

It wasn’t Lata Mangeshkar all the way in the 1964 movie Woh Kaun Thi; Asha Bhosle too sang a beautiful number and she sang it with matching verve.

Please enjoy: Shokh nazar ki bijliyan dil pe mere giraaye jaa…

shoK nazar kii bijaliyaa.N dil pe mere giraa_e jaa
meraa na kuchh Kyaal kar tuu yuu.N hii muskaraa_e jaa
shoK nazar kii …

jaag uThii hai aarazuu jaise chiraaG jal pa.De
ab to vafaa kii raah pe ham tere saath chal pa.De
chaahe ha.Nsaa_e jaa hame.n chaahe hame.n rulaa_e jaa
shoK nazar kii …

chain kahii.n kisii gha.Dii aa_e ne tere bin mujhe
kaash mai.n is jahaan se chhiin luu.N ek din tujhe
shoK nazar kii …

Raj Khosla made Ek Musafir Ek Haseena and Woh Kaun Thi with Sadhana in 1962 and 1964 respectively. So captivated was he by her (his movies had a decidedly female focus) that he made, in 1966, another movie with her: ‘Mera Saya’, with the male lead being Sunil Dutt.

Raj Khosla continued with Lyricist Raja Mehdi Al Khan and Music Director Madan Mohan for the songs. Mera Saya, therefore, had some really beautiful songs by this pair:

1. “Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalegaa Mera Saaya Saath Hoga”   Lata Mangeshkar
2. “Jhumka Gira Re, Bareli Ke Bazaar Mein”   Asha Bhosle
3. “Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye”   Lata Mangeshkar
4. “Aap Ke Pehloo Mein Aakar Roh Diye”   Mohammad Rafi
5. “Nainonwali Ne Haye Mera Dil Loota”   Lata Mangeshkar

Lets start with the title song.

Please enjoy: Tu jahan jahan chalega mera saya saath hoga…

tuu jahaa.N jahaa.N chalegaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa
meraa saayaa, meraa saayaa

kabhii mujhako yaad karake, jo bahe.nge tere aa.Nsuu
to vahii.n pe rok le.nge, unhe.n aake mere aa.Nsuu
tuu jidhar kaa rukh karegaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …

tuu agar udaas hogaa, to udaas huu.Ngii mai.n bhii
nazar aauu.N yaa naa aauu.N, tere paas huu.Ngii mai.n bhii
tuu kahii.n bhii jaa rahegaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …

mai.n agar bichha.D bhii jaauu.N, kabhii meraa Gam na karanaa
meraa pyaar yaad karake, kabhii aa.Nkh nam na karanaa
tuu jo mu.Dake dekh legaa, meraa saayaa, saath hogaa …

meraa Gam rahaa hai shaamil, tere dukh me.n, tere Gam me.n
mere pyaar ne diyaa hai, teraa saath har janam me.n
tuu koI janam bhii legaa, meraa saayaa saath hogaa …

By now you would have already perceived that half of the Top Ten Songs of Lata Mangeshkar have been penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. He had penned his ‘Aap ki nazaron ne smajha’ for the 1962 movie Anpadh at the age of 24. Mera Saya too had a song amongst her top ten.

These are outstanding lyrics. In the movie, it is picturised without any clouds (badara) and lightening (bijli) so as to bring home the point that the mood is not outside but within her!

Please enjoy: Naino mein badara chhaye
Bijli si chamke haay,
Aise mein balam mohe garava lagaaye…

naino.n me.n badaraa chhaae, bijalii sii chamake haae
aise me.n balam mohe, garavaa lagaa le
naino.n me.n…

madiraa me.n Duubii a.Nkhiyaa.N
cha.nchal hai.n dono.n sakhiyaa.N
Dhalatii rahe.ngii tohe
palako.n kii pyaarii pakhiyaa.N
sharamaa ke de.ngii tohe
madiraa ke pyaale
naino.n me.n…

prem diivaanii huu.N me.n
sapano.n kii raanii huu.N mai.n
pichhale janam se terii
prem kahaanii huu.N mai.n
aa is janam me.n bhii tuu
apanaa banaa le
naino.n me.n…

Just like in 1964 Woh Kaun Thi, in the 1966 Mera Saya too, Asha Bhosle too sang a super-hit number. In the latter, it was and it still is very popular.

Please enjoy: Jhumaka gira re Bareilley ke bazaar mein…

jhumakaa giraa re
haay
jhumakaa giraa re barelii ke bazaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa jhumakaa giraa jhumakaa giraa
haay haay haay jhumakaa giraa re …

sai.nyaa.N aaye nain jhukaaye ghar me.n chorii chorii -2
bole jhumakaa mai.n pahanaa duu.N, aajaa baa.Nkii chhorii
mai.n bolii naa naa naa baabaa, naa kar joraa-jorii
laakh manaayaa, sai.nyaa.N ne kalaiyaa naahii.n chho.Dii
haay kalaiyaa naahii.n chho.Dii
##Male voice:## phir kyaa huaa?
phir? phir jhumakaa giraa re ham dono.n kii takaraar me.n
jhumakaa giraa re …

ghar kii chhat pe mai.n kha.Dii, galii me.n dilabar jaanii -2
ha.Nsake bole niiche aa, ab niiche aa diiwaanii
yaa a.NguuThii de apanii yaa chhallaa de nishaanii
ghar kii chhat pe kha.Dii-kha.Dii mai.n huii sharam se paanii
haay huii sharam se paanii
##Male voice:## phir kyaa huaa?
daiyaa! phir jhumakaa giraa re ham dono.n ke is pyaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa re …

bagiyaa me.n balamaa ne merii laT ulajhii sulajhaaii -2
thaamake aa.Nchal bole, gorii tuu mere man bhaaii
aa.Nkh jhukaake kuchh naa bolii
kuchh naa bolii haay, haay, haay
aa.Nkh jhukaake kuchh naa bolii, dhiire se musakaaii
sai.nyaa.N ne jab chhe.Daa mujhako, ho ga_ii haathaapaayii
haay ho ga_ii haathaapaayii
##Male voice:## are, phir kyaa huaa?
phir jhumakaa giraa re, mai.n kyaa boluu.N bekaar me.n
jhumakaa giraa re …

This is a superb Mohammad Rafi number from the same movie Mera Saya with lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and music by Madan Mohan. Rafi sang for Sunil Dutt.

Please enjoy: Aapke pehlu mein aakar ro diye…

aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye – 2
daastaan-e-Gam sunaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye

zindagii ne kar diyaa jab bhii udaas
aa gaye ghabaraa ke ham ma.nzil ke paas
sar jhukaayaa, sar jhukaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye

shaam jab aa.Nsuu bahaatii aa ga_ii – 2
har taraf Gam kii udaasii chhaa ga_ii
diip yaado.n ke jalaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye

Gam judaaii kaa sahaa jaataa nahii.n
aapake bin ab rahaa jaataa nahii.n
pyaar me.n kyaa-kyaa ga.Nvaakar ro diye
daastaan-e-Gam sunaakar ro diye
aapake pahaluu me.n aakar ro diye

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was really like the proverbial Lily of a Day in May; not known for penning volumes. However, whatever he wrote was always straight from his heart and, went straight to the hearts of his fans. I am one of them.

A Fifteen Days Tribute Leading Up To His Death Anniversary, 20 Apr 13

This tribute was done on both: a music group called ‘Dil Ki Nazar Se’ and on my page ‘Lyrical’ on Facebook. Why would I want to do that? Read on. In order to cut this to readable size, I shall be doing so in several parts. This tribute is not about his history or past, for example, being from the town Badayun in Uttar Pradesh, having been born on 3rd Aug 1916 and having completed his journey on earth on 20th April 1970. This post is about his poems, ghazals and songs that are erroneously referred to as Old Hindi Songs (probably because these were sung in Old Hindi Movies) but are actually Old Urdu Songs (Read ‘Urdu – A Language of the Heart’)

Day – 1

Shakeel Badayuni died 43 years ago….on the 20th of April was his death anniversary….but, the lyrics didn’t die…they would never. When you hear Begum Akhtar sing ‘Ai mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya’, you know it is Shakeel; when you hear Mohammad Rafi sing ‘Mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam’  (Arguably, the greatest song of Hindi movies), you know it is Shakeel, when you hear Dilip Kumar sing ‘Dil diya dard liya’, you don’t have a second guess to know it is Shakeel. What was so special about Shakeel that a nobody named Sunbyanyname is deewana (crazy) for his lyrics?

The answer is in his own words that came straight from his heart. Taste this:

       “Main Shakeel Dil Ka Hoon Tarjuman
       Keh Mohabbaton Ka Hoon Raazdaan
       Mujhe Fakhr Hai Meri Shayari
       Meri Zindagi Se Juda Nahin”

That’s really outstanding poetry; in one stroke it equates his poetry with his life.

Lets start the journey into Shakeel’s world by his 1960 Guru Dutt movie Chaudhvinh Ka Chand starring Waheeda Rehman opposite Guru Dutt.

This is by far the best song ever written describing the beauty of a woman. For this Shakeel got his first Filmfare Best Lyricist Award.

Please enjoy: Chaudhvinh ka chand ho ya aftaab ho
Jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam lajwaab ho…

zulfe.n hai.n jaise kaa.Ndhe pe baadal jhuke hue
aa.Nkhe.n hai.n jaise may ke payaale bhare hue
mastii hai jisame pyaar kii tum, vo sharaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …

cheharaa hai jaise jhiil me khilataa huaa ka.nval
yaa zi.ndagii ke saaj pe chhe.Dii huii gazal
jaane bahaar tum kisii shaayar kaa Kvaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …

ho.nTho.n pe khelatii hai.n tabassum kii bijaliyaa.N
sajade tumhaarii raah me.n karatii hai.n kaikashaa.N
duniyaa-e-husn-o-ishq kaa tum hii shabaab ho
chaudahavii.n kaa …

Didn’t it look like that each word was crafted and polished like a diamond? That’s what Shakeel did effortlessly. Lets hear Begum Akhtar sing ai mohabbat. I repeat the complete lyrics here so that you would see them, hear them and feel them…

Ai mohabbat tere a.njaam pe ronaa aayaa
jaane kyuu.N aaj tere naam pe ronaa aayaa

yuu.N to har shaam umiido.n me.n guzar jaatii thii
aaj kuchh baat hai jo shaam pe ronaa aayaa

kabhii taqadiir kaa maatam kabhii duniyaa kaa gilaa
ma.nzil-e-ishq me.n har gaam pe ronaa aayaa

jab hu_aa zikr zamaane me.n mohabbat kaa ‘shakiil’
mujhako apane dil-e-naakaam pe ronaa aayaa

What’s so special about 1963 movie Bin Badal Barsaat starring Biswajeet and Asha Parekh? It is the best combination – for me – of Lyricist, Music Director and Singer. You guessed it; Shakeel with Hemant Kumar.

Please enjoy: Jab jag uthe armaan to kaise neend aaye
Ho ghar mein haseen mehmaan to kaise neend aaye?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dtXj_AbLKPM

Here is a great ghazal from Shakeel:

Bana bana ke tamanna mita-ee jati hai
Terah terah se wafa aazma-ee jati hai

Jub unko meri mohabbat ka aitbar nahi
To jhuka jhuka ke nazar kyon mila-e jati hai

Humaare dil ka pata vo hume nahi dete
Humaree cheez humee say chupa-e jati hai

Shakeel door munzil se na-umeed na ho
Ab aa he jati hai munzil ab aa he jati hai

Here is another famous one:

Ye aish-o-tarab ke matavale bekar ke baten karte hain
payal ke gamon ka ilm nahi jhankar ke baten karte hain

nahak hai havas ke bandon ko nazzara-e-fitarat ka dawa
aankhon mein nahi hai betabi didar ke baten karte hain

kahate hain unhin ko dushman-e-dil naam unhin ka naseh bhi
wo log jo reh kar sahil par majhadhar ke baten karte hain

pahunche hain jo apni manzil par un ko to nahi kuch naz-e-safar
chalne ka jinhen maqadur nahi raftar ke baten karte hain

This is a famous ghazal of Shakeel for the 1954 movie Amar starring Dilip Kumar and his heart throb Madhubala. However, the ghazal is picturised on Nimmi who acted as a village girl in the movie, whom Dilip had got pregnant in one of his wayward moods. In ironical satire, if you can ever find anything better, do let me know.

Taste this:

Tumhi ne gham ki daulat di hai bada ehsaan farmaya,
Zamaane bhar ke aage haath failaane kaahan jaate?
Na milata gham to barbaadi ke afsaane kahan jaate?
Agar duniya chaman hoti to veeraane kahan jaate?

Lata has sung this on Naushad‘s music…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BKLe-L6Dtg

Talking about Shakeel, Naushad combine, who can ever forget this great number from the 1949 movie Dulari? It is amongst the best of Mohammad Rafi too.

Please enjoy: Suhaani raat dhal chuki naa jaane tum kab aayoge…

Shakeel was not just our best in melancholic numbers but also was versatile enough to take into his stride light hearted numbers. He wrote some of his best lyrics for the 1961 movie Ganga Jamuna starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala that became a super hit. Naushad, once gain was the music director.

Please enjoy: the super hit: Dhundo dhundo re saajana, more kaan ka baala….(this is during the era when women, in the movies, were routinely losing their jewellery, eg, jhumaka gira re bareilley ke bazaar mein)

Baiju Bawra was a 1952 movie starring Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari. It had some of Shakeel’s best lyrics such as Tu Ganga ki mauj mein Jamuna ka dhara ragega Milan, mohe bhool gaye saanwariya, O duniya ke rakhwaale, Door koi gaaye dhun ye sunaaye, and Bachpan ki mohabbat ko dil se na bhula dena.

But, in order to showcase the versatility of Shakeel, here is the best Bhajan ever in Hindi movies: Man tadpat Hari darshsan ko aaj. Lots of credit also goes to Naushad and Rafi to have adorned it with the best possible music and voice.

Please enjoy: Man tadpat Hari darshan ko aaj…

What else can you expect from a Lyricist who has made the best ever song in Hindi movies: Mere Mehboob, best song on husn of a woman, best melancholic and ironic ghazals, best raat number, best bhajan, and best light-hearted romantic numbers?

Of course you want to know if he could write the best children’s song too?

Well, as a matter of fact, Shakeel could do that!

This is from the 1962 movie Son of India and even though it is old there is hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of it. Once again, music is by Naushad. Singing is by Shanti Mathur.

Please enjoy: Nanha munna raahi hoon,
Desh ka sipaahi hoon,
Bolo mere sang, Jai Hind…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rszFSH6z4Us

Look at the Award List of 1962 Guru Dutt Movie Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam:

1962: President’s Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi
1963: Berlin Film Festival: Golden Bear (Best Motion Picture): nominated
1962: Indian submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Filmfare Award for Best Movie – Guru Dutt
Filmfare Award for Best Director – Abrar Alvi
Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – V. K. Murthy
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Meena Kumari
Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor – Guru Dutt
Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Rehman
Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Waheeda Rehman
Filmfare Nomination for Best Story -Bimal Mitra
Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards – Film of The Year.

Notice something? There is not even nomination for Best Lyricist Shakeel Badayuni and Best Music by Hemant Kumar. And yet, the movie is remembered best for its songs! See the following:

1. Bhanwara bada nadaan haay.
2. Koi door se awaaz de chale aayo.
3. Saakia aaj mujhe neend nahin aayegi.
4. Meri baat rahi mere dil mein.
5. Na jaayo sainyan chhuda ke bainyan.
6. Piya aiso jiya mein samayi gayo re.
7. Meri jaan o meri jaan achha nahin itana sitam.

What do you say now? It must be lopsided Filmfare Awards. No guys and gals….Shakeel continuously got the Best Lyricist Award for 1961, 1962 and 1963 but for other songs. At the same time when Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam got its various awards, Shakeel got the Best Lyricst Award for Husn waale tera jawaab nahin from Gharana.

Anyway, please enjoy the beauty of the lyrics of Na jaayo sainyan chhuda ke bainyan…

Shakeel was most lyrical when it came to describing husn. For both his songs Chaudhvinh ka Chand ho, and Husn Waale tera jawab nahin, he got the best lyricist awards. And yet there are many other husn songs written by him that are equally good.

Please enjoy this: Husn se chand bhi sharmaya hai…

Ravi’s music, Rafi’s singing.

I gave you a song from Son of India; what about Mother India? It had some of his best numbers:

1. Duniya mein ham aaye hain to jeena hi padega.
2. Dukh bhare din beete re bhaiya.
3. Gaadi waale gaadi dheere hank re.
4. Ghunghat nahin kholungi sainyaan tere aage.
5. Matwaala jiya dole piya.
6. Na main bhagwaan hoon, na main shaitaan hoon.
7. Nagari nagari dwaare dwaare dhundo re saanwariya.
8. Pi ke ghar aaj pyaari dulhaniya chali.

By this time you must be already thinking that Sunbyanyname is not crazy for nothing when he talks about Shakeel….he was head and shoulders above the others.

Lets look at the exquisiteness of just one of the songs of Mother India:

Na mai.n bhagavaan huu.N na mai.n shaitaan huu.N
duniyaa jo chaahe samajhe mai.n to inasaan huu.N

mujh me.n bhalaaii bhii mujh me.n buraaii bhii
laakho.n hai.n mail dil me.n tho.Dii safaaii bhii

tho.Daa saa nek huu.N tho.Daa beiimaan huu.N
duniyaa jo chaahe samajhe mai.n to inasaan huu.N

na koii raaj hai na sar par taaj hai
phir bhii hamaare dam se dharatii kii laaj hai

tan kaa Gariib huu.N man kaa dhanavaan huu.N
duniyaa jo chaahe samajhe mai.n to inasaan huu.N

jiivan kaa giit hai sur me.n na taal me.n
ulajhii hai saarii duniyaa roTii ke jaal me.n

kaisaa a.Ndher hai mai.n bhii hairaan huu.N
duniyaa jo chaahe samajhe mai.n to inasaan huu.N

Please enjoy: Na main bhagwaan hoon, na main shaitan hoon….

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-MD4bGAbEug

And yet, fairly early in his career Shakeel was humble enough to pen:

Ye zindagi ke mele duniya mein kam na honge
Afsos ham na honge…

This is another movie Mela with Naushad’s music and Rafi’s singing. Some of the best lyrics ever written are in this song:

(ye zi.ndagii ke mele – 2), duniyaa me.n kam na ho.nge
afasos ham na ho.nge

ik din pa.Degaa jaanaa, kyaa vaqt, kyaa zamaanaa
koii na saath degaa, sab kuchh yahii.n rahegaa
jaae.nge ham akele, ye zi.ndagii …

duniyaa hai mauj-e-dariyaa, qatare kii zi.ndagii kyaa
paanii me.n mil ke paanii, a.njaam ye ke paanii
dam bhar ko saa.ns le le, ye zi.ndagii …

ho.ngii yahii bahaare.n, ulfat kii yaadagaare.n
biga.Degii aur chalegii, duniyaa yahii rahegii
ho.nge yahii jhamele, ye zi.ndagii …

Okay, guys and gals, I have barely re-introduced the beauty of the lyrics of Shakeel Badayuni to you. Please add to this and feel elated just as the poet Kabir had written:

Kabira sangat sadhu ki,
Jyun gandhii ki baas,
Je kuchh gandhii de nahin,
Phir bhi baas subaas….

The fragrance of the songs of Shakeel Badayuni would always be there.

Here is one of his ghazals from the 1952 movie Deewana. It has some of his best lyrics describing the husn of a woman. Naushad’s music and Rafi’s singing made it immortal…

tasaviir banaataa huu.N terii Kuun-e-jigar se
Kuun-e-jigar se
dekhaa hai tujhe mai.n ne muhabbat kii nazar se
are, muhabbat kii nazar se

jitane bhii mile ra.ng vo sabhii bhar diye tujh me.n
haay, bhar diye tujh me.n
ik ra.ng-e-vafaa aur hai, laa_uu.N vo kidhar se
are laa_uu.N vo kidhar se
tasaviir banaataa huu.N terii …

saavan terii zulfo.n se ghaTaa maa.Ng ke laayaa
haay, maa.Ng ke laayaa
bijalii ne churaa_ii hai ta.Dap terii nazar se
are, ta.Dap terii nazar se
tasaviir banaataa huu.N terii …

mai.n dil me.n biThaa kar tujhe ruKsat na karuu.Ngaa
haay, ruKsat na karuu.Ngaa
mushkil hai teraa lauT ke jaanaa mere ghar se
are jaanaa mere ghar se
tasaviir banaataa huu.N terii …

In every art form, there is a creator and then there are others who adorn and add to his work by their own skill. For example, Mere Mehboob shall always be thought of Mohammad Rafi’s best or Gam-e aashiqui se keh do as Talat Magmood’s best. But, who is the creator? Who is the guy who conceives the thought? That’s the lyricist. He imagines, he dreams, he steps into the shoes of the actor and lives his life and love. I have heard many and I maintain Shakeel did that outstandingly. Read them and hear them and then see where his imagination takes you. Read the lyrics of the songs of Dil Diya Dard Liya and you can have a good initiation into the marvellous world of Shakeel. Yes, music is to be enjoyed but lyrics are the starting point. As Shakeel himself wrote: “Aur phir raah mein bikhare the hazaron nagme; main vo nagme teri aawaaz ko de aaya thai. Aa mujhe phir unhi geeton ka sahara de de. Mera khoya hua rangeen nazaara de de”. Welcome to the world of words, poems, lyrics. From now onwards you will notice the words of the song that carry the jazbaat (emotion).

Day 2

One of the most famous ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni was:

Gam-e-aashiqii se kah do raah-e-aam tak na pahu.Nche
mujhe Khauf hai ye tohamat mere naam tak na pahu.Nche

mai.n nazar se pee rahaa thaa to ye dil ne bad-duaa dii
teraa haath zindagii bhar kabhii jaam tak na pahu.Nche

naii subah par nazar hai magar aah ye bhii Dar hai
ye sahar bhii raftaa raftaa kahii.n shaam tak na pahu.Nche

vo navaa-e-muzamahil kyaa na ho jis me.n dil kii dha.Dakan
vo sadaa-e-ahale-dil kyaa jo avaam tak na pahu.Nche

u.nhe.n apane dil kii Khabare.n mere dil se mil rahii hai.n
mai.n jo unase ruuTh jaauu.N to payaam tak na pahu.Nche

ye adaa-e-beniaazii tujhe bevafaa mubaarak
magar aisii beruKhii kyaa ke salaam tak na pahu.Nche

jo naqaab-e-ruKh uThaa dii to ye qaid bhii lagaa dii
uThe har nigaah lekin koii baam tak na pahu.Nche

vahii ik Khamosh naGmaa hai “Shakeel” jaan-e-hastii
jo zubaa.N tak na aaye jo qalaam tak na pahu.Nche

Great meets Great. Who else to sing this ghazal than the King of Ghazals: Talat Mahmood?

My father was very fond of get-togethers, parties and fests. In my boyhood days, I attended quite a few of these and sing-song sessions invariably were part of these. This was a famous Shakeel Badayuni song (though I didn’t know at that time that it was Shakeel who wrote it) that was often heard at those parties.

It is from the 1954 movie Shabab starring Nutan and Bharat Bhushan. The movie had a Hemant Kumar number that too became my favourite in later years: Chandan ka palna resham ki dori. Anyway, this was sung by Mohammad Rafi on Naushad’s music.

Please Enjoy:

Aaye na baalam vaadaa kar ke
aaye na baalam vaadaa kar ke
thak gaye nainaa dhiiraj dhar ke
aaye na baalam …

chhup gayaa chandaa luT gayii jyoti
taare ban gaye jhuuThe motii
pa.D gaye phiike ra.ng najar ke
aaye na baalam …

aao ki tum bin aa.Nkho.n me.n dam hai
raat hai lambii jiivan kam hai
dekh luu.N tum ko mai.n jii bhar ke
aaye na baalam …

Please forgive me but I can’t resist putting up a Hemant da number at this stage that was penned by Shakeel Badayuni for the same movie Shabab starring Nutan and Bharat Bhushan. We have already established that Hemant da – as singer and music director – has more Chand numbers to his credit than any other. This too has Naushad‘s music.

Please enjoy: Chandan ka palna resham ki dori….and see if you can close your eyes and be transported to another world!

Yesterday, I wrote about the versatility of Shakeel Badayuni: ghazals, songs of melancholy, romantic numbers, bhajans in shudh Hindi, children’s songs and now let me add to his repertoire by giving you a song that Mohammad Rafi sang for the comedian Johnny Walker in the 1964 movie Door Ki Awaz. Music is by my namesake.

Please enjoy the light-hearted naughty number:

Ik mussafir ko duniya mein kya chaahiye,
Sirf thodi si dil mein jagah chahiye…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=W6ZW2vcdF7Y

How are you enjoying the journey into Shakeel Badayuni’s world? He was named Shakeel when he was born on 3rd of Aug 1916 and like poets and lyricists of that era, since he was born in the village Badayun of Uttar Pradesh, he became known as Shakeel Badayuni just as Majrooh got the name Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sahir as Sahir Ludhianvi and Hasrat as Hasrat Jaipuri and many others.

Talking about Shakeel Badayuni – Ravi combination, the best was for the 1960 movie Chaudhvinh Ka Chand that starred Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. We have already heard and seen the Best Husn song in the world, the title song of this movie.

Curiously, the movie also had a really despondent song sung so well by Mohammad Rafi that it leaves people gaping.

Please enjoy: Mili khaak mein mohabbat jala dil ka aashiana,
Jo thi aaj taq haqeeqat wohi ban gayi fasaana…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qy3BnqbJifM

What about Shakeel Badayuni on the subject or theme of ‘Muhabbat’? Let me bring out different strokes. In the 1955 movie Udan Khatola starring Dilip Kumar and Nimmi, he gives an advice to everyone to tread carefully on the paths of Muhabbat. Music is by Naushad.

Please enjoy: Muhabbat ki raahon mein chalna sambhal ke,
Yahan jo bhi aaya gaya haath mal ke…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3uiOL6y-kjo

The second song on the theme of Muhabbat penned by Shakeel is from the 1960’s epic film Mughal-e-Azam (The Greatest of the Mughals). Salim (Dilip Kumar) is Akbar’s (Prithviraj Kapoor’s) son and he falls in love with the court dancer Anarkali (Madhubala). This earns the ire of Akbar who has her thrown into the dungeon for the ‘crime’ of loving a prince. This song, like all songs of Mughal-e-Azam became super hit and you are left marvelling at how beautifully Shakeel has brought out the irony, the pain, the despondency.

Please enjoy: Muhabbat ki jhooti kahani pe roye…

Lets end tonight moving away from the melancholy, despondency and sadness and move into the sunnier side of Love also depicted by Shakeel. In this genre too he has many numbers. One of the best was sung by Mahendra Kapoor in the 1965 movie Zindagi Aur Maut. It has C Ramachandra’s music and I won’t be surprised if you too start believing that Shakeel wrote as if direct from the heart.

Please enjoy: Dil lagakar ham ye samajhe zindagi kya cheez hai,
Ishq kehte hain kise aur aashiqui kya cheez hai…

I hope you liked the Part I of the peep into the lyrical world of Shakeel Badayuni. Prepare yourself for Part II that I shall put up shortly.