Zindagi or Jeevan Songs Series
I started this series on my Facebook group Yaad Kiya Dil Ne on 18 Oct 20. Since then, many other members have put up these songs. Here, I shall be giving you one of my own, per day.
I hope you liked my choice for Song #55 – Kaise koi jeeye zehar hai zindagi in Zindagi or Jeevan Songs series. Let’s start with Song #56.
Song #56
Chalte chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna
Theme-word: In last stanza: Aur sooni si lage tumhen jeevan ki ye dagar
Bhisham Kohli
He was a nephew of Dev Anand and had the screen name of Vishal Anand (Dev Anand’s sister was his mother). He produced the 1976 movie Chalte Chalte and decided to act as the hero of the movie opposite Simi Garewal. This was one of the 11 movies that he either produced, directed or acted in.
He appeared to be competing with Bozo for the Award of Worst Acting and realised that Bozo was miles ahead of him. Bozo also had the best of the songs picturised on him. Vishal had only this and Pyar mein kabhi kabhi aisa ho jaata hai.
Goes to prove that if someone in your family knows how to act, that doesn’t automatically make you a good actor. Kumar Gaurav too realised that his father Rajendra Kumar being Jubilee Hero didn’t have those attributes transferred to him like property inheritance.
Chalte Chalte – 1976 Movie
Kohli produced the movie and he had Sunder Das direct it. He as Vishal Anand tried to act in the movie with Simi Garewal.
The songs of the movie were penned by Amit Khanna. He gave us delightful songs in Baaton Baaton Mein too including: Uthe sab ke kadam Taara ram pam and Suniye, kahiye, kehate sunaate baaton baaton mein pyar ho gaya.
Have a look at the lyrics of this popular song composed by Bappi Lahiri:
चलते चलते, मेरे ये गीत याद रखना
कभी अलविदा ना कहना
कभी अलविदा ना कहना
रोते हँसते, बस यूँही तुम
गुनगुनाते रहना
कभी अलविदा …
प्यार करते करते, हम तुम कहीं खो जाएंगे
इन्ही बहारों के, आँचल में थक के सो जाएंगे
सपनों को फिर भी, तुम यूँही सजाते रहना
कभी अलविदा …
बीच राह में दिलवर, बिछड़ जाएं कहीं हम अगर
और सूनी सी लगे तुम्हें, जीवन की ये डगर
हम लौट आएंगे, तुम यूँही बुलाते रहना
कभी अलविदा …
(slow)
चलते चलते …
रोते हँसते …
अलविदा तो अंत है
और अंत किसने देखा
ये जुदाई ही
मिलन है जो हम ने देखा
यादों में आकर
तुम यूँही गाते रहना
कभी अलविदा …
Of course, Kishore Kumar sang it superbly.
My Own Poetry
ALVIDA!
वक़्त की आंधी में क्या क्या हुआ बर्बाद,
सुहाने प्यार की फ़क़त रह गयी है याद I
उनकी मायूसी को मैं खुशग्वार करता गया,
रफ्ता रफ्ता मेरी ही ज़िन्दगी बन गयी नाशाद I
मेरी वफाओं ने आखिर मान ली हार अपनी,
उनकी जफ़ाएं रहीं बुलंद और ज़िंदाबाद I
मैंने सोचा था उनकी खुदी आजज़ी में बदल जायेगी,
मेरे होते न सही, कम अज़ कम मेरे जाने के बाद I
अलविदा मेरे हसीन हमसफ़र ओ हमनवाज़,
जहाँ भी रहो, रहो खुशदिल और मवाद I
रुख़सत के वक़्त यह दुआ उनके साथ रहे, रवि,
हर ग़म, हर उदासी, हर बेकसी से वह रहें आज़ाद I
This Song
Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy: Chalte chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna (haha, as if you would…just forget it)…
I hope you enjoyed my choice for Song #56 in the series.
Please await Song #57 – .
He is 98 years old today and no doubt the entire country awaits to celebrate his hundredth birthday.

She was born on this date in the year 1932. Her full name was Florence Ezekiel Nadira. As the name suggests, she was a Jew (of a Baghdadi Jewish family).
However, the Beautiful Duet that I have taken for you is from the 1955 movie Shree 420, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor. Main lead of the movie were Raj Kapoor and Nargis; Raj Kapoor coming into the city of Bombay from a village but soon learning that being a con man (420) was earning him good life.

Sahir Ludhianvi, her favourite poet and lyricist is about 37 Kms from the place where I was born (Village Urapur). His poetry and lyrics have, as was the case with most poets and lyricists of that era, a lot of Urdu in them. Now, I studied Urdu in my school. But, then, have someone like behna to appreciate such poetry is delightfully amazing. I have been always inclined towards Love (and not Socialism or even Communism). Hence, by my own inclination, I am more for Shakeel’s poetry than of Sahir. However, I would still place Sahir as an outstanding poet and lyricist. Ye mehlon ye takhton, ye taajon ki duniya, for example, would stay as top-notch poetry for me, if I were to move away from pure Love and into social inequities.
This 1958 movie was directed by Shaheed Latif and starred Talat Mahmood himself in the lead role. Nutan acted opposite him. The title is taken from the destiny of Nutan; as impoverished woman she was neglected by her family. As soon as she became wealthy, they treated her as Sone Ki Chidhiya.
This was the name of the movie produced by Dev Anand’s Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla.
Post 1957 movie Pyaasa when SD Burman developed a rift with Sahir Ludhainvi (after working together for 19 movies), Majrooh moved in with SD Burman to fill the gap. In this movie and this song, therefore, Majrooh’s lyrics were composed by SD Burman, the MD of choice for Dev Anand movies; so much so that Sachin Dev Burman used to insist that his own name had his favourite hero’s name as the middle name.
This pair has given us a number of Beautiful Duets. Their best was also picturised on Dev Anand with Raj Khosla’s favourite actress Sadhana: Abhi na jao chhod kar.
She was 19 years old when Dulari was released. It was an important movie in her career as it was an Abdul Rashid Kardar movie that starred Madhubala in the title role and also Geeta Bali and Suresh. You see her at the end of the heavenly song: Suhani raat dhal chuki.
Goes without saying that the songs of the movie were penned by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad.
Today is the death anniversary of Shakeel Badayuni, the greatest poet and lyricist. I have penned more than 20 blogs on him. He continues being my favourite. One of the reasons is that the emotions of his songs, ghazals, and nazams come closest to my own.

It was composed by Ravi in my favourite Raag Pahadi. Mohammad Rafi sang it. The song was picturised on Vijay Kumar and Waheeda Rehman in the hill station of Nainital for the 1963 movie Kaun Apna Kaun Praya.
the 1952 Vijay Bhatt movie Baiju Bawra for which the composer and music director Naushad received the only Filmfare Award in his career. Later, he was honoured by the Government of India by bestowing on him Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest in India in cinematic excellence.
I would call this as an iconic song from the 1961 Nitin Bose (Dilip Kumar production) movie Gunga Jumna starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.
song put together by Shakeel, Naushad and Rafi for the 1968 movie Aadmi starring Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, and Manoj Kumar.
It was filmed for the 1961 SS Vasan (Gemini Productions) super-hit movie Gharana starring Rajendra Kumar and Asha Parekh.
It is from the 1963 movie Mulzim starring Pradeep Kumar and Shakila.
I am not saying it; the lyrics of the song say it! It is a literal translation of Shelley’s famous quote: “Our sweetest songs are those that tell of the saddest thought.”
There is no doubt in my mind that they were the wizards of good music and good compositions. The 1953 movie Patita, an Amiya Chakrabarty movie starred Dev Anand and Usha Kiran in the lead roles. There was nothing unique about Dev Anand’s do-gooder role. He had perfected it in Maya too, in 1961 and many others. Hindi films industry has a way of categorising you for certain roles; as indeed it did in making Amitabh Bachchan an ‘Angry Young Man’.
As I mentioned in the Zindagi or Jeevan song of today: O paalanhare, nirgun aur nyaare, Udit Narayan was born on this day in 1955. One of his early high-points was to be able to sing with Mohammad Rafi in the 1980 movie Unees Bees. He later sang even with Kishore Kumar.
Instead of giving my own poetry at this stage, I want to give you his song about pehla pyaar, 36 years ago, in the 1956 Raj Khosla movie C.I.D., the debut movie of Waheeda Rehman, though this song is picturised on Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik:
Truly, the only Zindagi that you experience is when you are in Love. Look at the difference between us Indians and the English as Ian Fleming wrote in a Jemes Bond novel, “You only live twice; once when you are born and once when you look death in the face.” Whereas, we Indians consider Zindagi as the one spent in love.
It is from the 1965 movie Zindagi Aur Maut directed by Nisar Ahmad Ansari and starring Pradeep Kumar and Faryal.
I had promised you a lot more songs from Omkar Prasad Nayyar and here I am again. You will see that the more you see the range of his songs and quality of his compositions, the more you’ll be convinced that he ranks among the greatest composers and music directors that the Hindi films have seen. His being the Music Director of a movie, invariably assured its success. Take this 1968 movie Humsaya from where I have taken this song and you’ll know what I mean:
OP Nayyar’s favourite, SH Bihari, was one of the lyricist of the above songs. Hasrat Jaipuri too. However, this song was penned by Shevan Rizvi.
Gradually, people in this group are realising that Mohammad Rafi was the God of Songs. He sang at levels that were unimaginable by others. In every song, including this, his singing was the fastest way to transport the emotions of the song in you.
Shamsul Huda Bihari, born in Arrah, Bihar, must rank amongst the most underrated lyricists in the Hindi films industry. And yet, it is pleasantly surprising to see the range and popularity of his songs.
As far as OP Nayyar is concerned, he made all hit songs that include Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani, and Mujhe Dekhkar Aapka Muskurana (Ek Mussafir Ek Haseena, 1962); Diwana Huwa Badal, Hai Duniya Usi Ki, Isharon Isharon Mein Dil Lene Waale, Meri Jaan Balle, Phir Thes Lagi Dil Pe, Subhan Allah, Tarif Karun Kya Uski, Kisi Na Kisise Kabhi Na Kabhi, and Balamaa Khulii Havaa Mein (Kashmir Ki Kali, 1964); “Yehi Woh Jagah Hai, Phir Miloge Kabhi, Is Baat Ka Wada Karlo, Aap Se Maine Meri Jaan Mohabbat Ki Hai, Main Shayad Tumhare Liye Ajnabi Hoon, and Mera Pyar Woh Hai Ke (Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, 1966); Zara Haulle Haulle Challo Mere Sajna, Zulfon Ko Hata Le Chehre Se, Aaj Koi Pyar Se, Meri Jaan Tum Pe Sadhke, Jo Dil Ki Tadap Na Jane, and Khuda Huzoor Ko Meri Bhi Zindagi De De (Sawan Ki Ghata, 1966); Raaton Ko Chori Chori, Na Jaane Kyon, Mehfil Mein, Tumhari Mulaqat Se, Yeh Purnoor Chehra, Nazar Nazar Se Milaao, Tum Sab Se Haseen Ho and Kyar Cheez Ho Zaalim (Mohabbat Zindagi Hai, 1966); Chain Se Hamko Kabhi Aapne Jeene Na Diya, and Ek Tu Hai Piya Jis Pe Dil Aa Gaya (Praan Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, 1974); Badan Gora Haseen Jalwe Tumko Deewaana Meri Jaan,Ghar Apna Bangaal Aur Bambai Mein Hai Sasuraal, Gham Yateemon Ke Jaisa Bhi Sansaar Main Koi Bachcha, Kisko Gale Lagaaye Dil Kiska Todiye, Pyaar Bhara Kajara Aankhiyon Mein Daal Ke, Saaqi Ki Nigaahon Seae Jee Hoga Kya Aage and Zulf Lehraayi To Saawan Ka Mahina Aa Gaya (Khoon Ka Badla Khoon, 1978).

