MOHE PANGHAT PE – DOWN THE AGES; REMEMBERING SHAKEEL AND NAUSHAD ON HOLI

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:

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  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.

 

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #268

With God….

Good morning friends,

Where there is a will there is a way,
When there is night, there is always a day.
Up always follows down,
Smile soon replaces frown,
Just trust God and let Him have His way.

In periods of darkness let Him be your guide,
Enjoy happy moments with Him on your side.
Just let Him in your heart,
Don’t ever let Him depart,
And take autumns and springs in your stride.

When God is with you, there is always a way,
All you have to do is to do your best and pray.
Suddenly there is sun,
And the rain is done,
And the dark clouds move far far away.

….there is always a way.

HAMAARE SAPNON KI HOLI

होली में उनका हुस्न,
क्या खूब निखर आया।
ऐसे लगा के आसमान को,
है इन्द्रधनुष ने सजाया।
हरे पीले नीले पे नज़र रुकती थी,
पर लाल ने तो सच ही खूब मन बहलाया।
रंगों को भी देखो उनके गाल पे जा के,
अपने को खोया पर सब कुछ था पाया।
और कई जगह तो ऐसे चिपके थे,
जैसे प्रभु की हो अदभुत माया।
गीले रंगों में तो यूं लगता था,
जैसे देवी जी का अंग अंग हो मुसकाया।
ईश्वर करे उनकी होली आनंदमय हो।
हमारे आनंद सीमा ने एक नया शिवर पार कराया।
यहां हम होली के सपने देखते रह गए,
वहां अचानक ही हमें किसी ने जगाया।
चलो सपनों में ही सही,
होली और उनके हुस्न को रंगों से भरा पाया।

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #267

Are you born to do….

Good morning friends,

If you want strongly can you fly?
Can you live in water if you try?
What’s the most difficult thing you can think of,
That you must be able to do before you die?

Has past precedence limited you too?
If no one could fly how could you?
Or do you think if you unleash your mind,
You can actually pull off a real coup?

There is no limit to human endeavour,
People have done things they thought they’d never.
Think of all the ‘impossible’ things people have done?
When there was no chance whatsoever.

Think of all the things you were born to do,
Before any constraints you ever knew.
There was no death, nothing was impossible.
Everything was within reach, everything was true.

….only what others have already done?

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #266

God gives us everything we need….

Good morning friends,

I had a dream….
God was pouring
Into our glasses
And we all forgot
To say ‘enough’.

I had a dream….
God gave us
Everything we wanted
And we still thought
Our times were rough.

I had a dream….
God was standing
Close to us
But we failed to recognise
Him as such.

I had a dream….
God was speaking
To us everyday
But, we couldn’t
Understand Him much.

I had a dream….
Most of us
Wasted the Time
That God gave us
With an aim in mind.

I had a dream….
And yet He loved us
And forgave us
And we found Him
Understanding and kind.

I had a dream….
About my dream
Competing with reality
And making it seem
It was really true.

I had a dream….
That it wasn’t too late
To start again
And make a life
That was so new.

I had a dream….
That dreams were
Never a substitute
For firm action
That was required.

I had a dream….
And chucked it
Out of the window
And lo and behold
I was inspired.

….and yet we are not satisfied.

YAADEIN TO HAIN HI…

कई जगह तो बिखरे मोती हैं,
कई जगह तो अब भी मेला है,
इस ओर तो शबनम रोती है,
उस पार मिलन की बेला है।

क्यूं थाम न सका वह उड़ता पल,
जब प्यार के ख्वाब सुहाने थे,
नहीं पता था जाएंगे वह बदल,
जीवन के जो मीत पुराने थे।

अनजान अब राहें दिखती हैं,
जिन पे खुशियों की बारातें थी,
कौडी बदले वह यादें बिकती हैं,
जो कल की हसीं सौगातें थी।

तुम तुम ना रहे मैं मैं ना रहा,
सब छूट गया, सब गया है बीत,
क्या तुमने सुना, क्या मैंने कहा,
पुराना, घिसा हुआ वह गीत।

ख़ैर खत्म हुआ, अब छोड़ो इसे,
हम चुन लेंगे बिखरे अरमान।
अनमोल सही, पर तोड़ो इसे,
कमज़ोर दीवारों का यह मकान।

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #265

Let alone advanced subjects….

Good morning friends,

If Right and Wrong were so easy to discern,
Why would the world see wars and conflicts?
The same lessons we learn and unlearn,
Many a Christ we still put on the crucifix.

Same is the case with Evil and Good,
We are more than sure of our own stand.
But, why is it that no one has understood,
How often, because of it, we get into quick-sand?

Next time when you are faced with the choice,
How about taking a little time to decide?
Delay your decision before you give it voice,
See to it that you have viewed each side.

Good and Evil, Right and Wrong,
Also depend upon time and place,
Even if, to decide, it seems to take long,
Do remember there is actually no race.

If not anything, please display the humility,
To accept that each is not writ in stone.
Everyone of us has his own view and ability,
That should be a society’s backbone.

….after thousands of years, we have still to sort out the basics.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #264

To err is human….

Good morning friends,

If you think you made a terrible mistake,
That’s filled you now with deep regret;
You can certainly avoid the heartbreak,
For God gives you time to introspect.
Don’t hold yourself in perennial spite,
A mistake can always be set right.

No one is God, nobody is perfect,
‘To err is human’ is an old refrain.
Everyone can get wiser in retrospect,
“I never err”; ah, you can’t be so vain.
It’s better to have erred when intention is right,
Than not to have done anything, being full of fright.

Treat others’ mistakes with similar stance,
Think that you could have done them too.
They too, like you, deserve a second chance,
Don’t give them the final disparaging view.
Before long, they would make amends,
And you would continue being friends.

Honest mistakes are part of life,
There is no need to make a huge fuss.
Making amends can avoid the strife,
And can even result in unexpected plus.
Great learning experiences are mistakes,
Don’t treat them as unwanted headaches.

….to forgive divine.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #263

“Those who obtain God….

Good morning friends,

As soon as human beings, on earth, are born,
And indeed even before we leave mother’s womb;
To the cycle of hunger and thirst we are sworn,
Often adding to our dissatisfaction and gloom.
And such longing is not just for basic needs,
It also includes our desires and greeds.

No matter how rich and powerful you become,
Such hunger and thirst never leaves you;
You don’t find anyone who doesn’t succumb,
These are overcome by the rare and the few.
How can one ever be happy and satisfied?
All one’s efforts are gradually nullified.

(Image courtesy: indiainfohub.com)

The Name of God* is the only true solution,
To the eternal problems of hunger and thirst;
Each one of us is in a state of destitution**,
Until we think of God in everything first.
“God for tomorrow and its needs I don’t pray,
Let me be happy and content just for today.”

I hunger and thirst only for you, my God,
You are my only and true emancipation;
Without you, I am often sad and overawed,
With you I can happily face starvation.
If Krishna could feed thousands from the same bowl***,
Surely, you can provide me enough for body and soul.

*Name of God = different for different people. In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, for example, it is mentioned as Hari.
**state of destitution = normally poverty in material things. Here, I have included spiritual things too.
***Krishna feeding from same bowl = As described in Mahabharta, in order to save the honour of Draupadi, Krishna took a single of rice from the Akshyapatra (bowl given to  the Pandavas) and that was enough to deed Duravasa and all the sages.

….don’t hunger and thirst anymore.”

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #262

Happy Birthday Mom….

Good morning friends,

For a mother her child is the most beautiful,
Do children think the same of their mother?
Are there children who are always dutiful,
And are sure their moms are like no other?
God couldn’t be everywhere,
So He sent mothers to be there.

Not just my own, all mothers are the same,
Each one gives Life just like the Creator;
She may not give her child her surname,
But, in everything else she is the greater.
God couldn’t be everywhere,
So He sent mothers to be there.

Especially today, my mother, I salute thee,
It may appear to some that you ain’t around;
Yes, of earthly life, there is never a guarantee,
But, in my vicinity, you can still be found.
God couldn’t be everywhere,
So He sent you to be here.

There is that cord that is never broken,
This is a bond that Death doesn’t do apart;
Whilst everyday, to me, you have spoken,
Today, mother, my God, speak to my heart.
God couldn’t be everywhere,
So He sent you to be, with me, here.

….You made me believe in God, that is, You.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #261

It is alright….

Good morning friends,

Just when you think life is under control,
Something happens that is totally unexpected;
Something that stirs up your heart and soul,
You feel sad, let-down and dejected.
What can you do to lift your mood?
Is it alright to feel subdued?

We must take all situations in our stride,
No one can plan for everything in advance.
In the name of control, one is not required to hide,
That which is thrown at us by destiny or chance.
Remember even happiness is a feeling,
That no one is ever accused of concealing.

So, learn to live with your feelings and emotions,
No one can control them all the time,
All of us, of becoming saints, can’t have notions,
To be ordinary and sad is not a crime.
Only, don’t let emotions run you down,
Given time everything shall turn around.

God, you made everything in the universe,
All emotions were also created by you.
I accept all that are joyous as also the adverse,
If gods could get angry and sad, I can too.
I don’t wish to have everything under my control,
Let me not dissect parts, let me accept the whole.

….if you can’t control your emotions all the while.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #260

Be good to all people….

Good morning friends,

Neither of any man be the superior,
Nor of any man be the inferior.
God made each one unique,
No one needs be more bold or meek,
Never have a motive that is ulterior.

Believe that God made all men the same,
Some live in ignominy, others achieve fame.
At birth he gives all a clean slate,
There are some who go beyond Fate,
In each case, there is no one else to blame.

Deal with others as if to you they’re related,
And to see one of your family you are elated.
They too were made by same God,
How can you be perfect and they flawed?
There is no reason whatsoever to be agitated.

Open your heart and welcome all the others,
They are your own sisters and brothers.
Try to look for their goodness,
And spare them the rudeness,
That’s used for those of unknown fathers and mothers.

…all are related to you.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #259

If you were the Creator of the Universe….

Good morning friends,

Imagine if you were the Creator,
Could you have made the world better?
Would you have achieved greater?
And emerged as a trend – setter?
When you’re younger you have this thought,
Older, you know His world is better than anything you sought.

The best thing He have us is Changing Seasons,
Indeed, everything, at all times, undergoes change.
You can just admire these whatever be the reasons,
There is, no doubt, an endless range.
Every minute, day, or season is indeed new,
Everything in God’s world dons a fresh hue.

Forget about individuals, all of us put together,
Can’t imagine – let alone make – His entire Creation,
We are all, so to say, birds of a feather,
All we can do is to chirp our admiration:
“Thank you, God, for the world you made,
We don’t want to change a single shade.”

….could you have done a better job?

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #258

Have you ever wondered why this life was given to you?

Good morning friends,

Have you ever paused to guess,
Why God gave this life to you?
It is, of course, His way to bless,
To be born as humans, the very few.
Can life be just to eat and sleep,
Or for oneself to happiness seek?
Or, as Kabir said, to be sold cheap
Even though it is rare and unique?

The entire life is, but, an alluring maze,
It keeps us from realising our true worth;
Some simply go through it in a daze,
Others seek only comforts on Earth.
Scriptures give us the simile of the sea*,
That we have to cross to reach our goal.
When from our Ego** we become free,
And over the Five thieves*** we have control.

That’s the state when we merge with God,
And escape the cycle of Life and Death.
Everything else on Earth is simply fraud,
To keep us going from one to other breath.
Hence, let’s try to find who we really are,
God already gifted us this precious Life,
With Ego and Five thieves we can’t go far,
These can only add to unwanted strife.

*boat = bohith as given in Sri Guru Granth Sahib; to cross this sea you require the bohith of God’ name.

**Ego = haume’ as given in SGGS
***Five thieves: Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankar; that is: Lust, Rage, Greed, Attachment, and Conceit as given in SGGS

….it can’t simply be a journey from Life to Death.

GOOD MORNING MESSAGE #257

If you gave away all your money you would have nothing left….

Good morning friends,

If all your money you gave away,
You would have nothing left with you;
But, what would you have to say,
If Love, in the same condition, grew?
Material things come and go,
But Love goes on forever;
Even when you share it with a foe,
It is brought to nought never.

Love is another name for God,
As His own children, He loves us all;
His caring we can’t help applaud,
All are eligible whether big or small.
Of religion, language, caste or creed,
He makes no favours or exception,
Everyone is an equal indeed,
Everyone gets the same affection.

We need to spread the message of Love,
In the world full of enmity and hatred;
It is directly blessed by God above,
And hence it is pure, kind and sacred.
Every Man is of us a variation,
No Man is not related to us;
Believe in the Oneness of His Creation,
Differences are simply superfluous.

….now try giving away Love!

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