Raj Kapoor films have always had a strong core of
philosophy. From the story to the dialogues to the lyrics, every aspect of his films tells us something about life, each film is an eye opener in some way.
Here’s looking at some of his ‘pate ki baat’ from seven songs selected from his
films.
1. Mud mud ke na dekh (Shree 420) 1955
Singer: Manna Dey and Asha Bhosale
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
A village simpleton in the grasp of a conniving city. To
his dismay, he realises that honesty is a burden that is holding him back. The metaphor
of Vidya (Nargis) and Maya (Nadira) is played with finesse as we watch Raj’s struggle
to choose a path. Mud mud ke na dekh gives voice to any temptation that we have faced in life. The urge to move on and achieve success is a powerful one and
the lyrics play on every emotion that answers to that pull.
Duniyaa ke saath jo badaltaa jaaye
Jo iske dhaanche me hi dhaltaa jaaye
Duniyaa usiki hai jo chaltaa jaaye
Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke
Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke
2. Dil ka
haal sune dilwala (Shree 420) 1955
Singer: Manna Dey
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
A quintessential Raj Kapoor song where he plays the
common man, has a dafli in his hands and is singing life truths penned by his
Kaviraj Shailendra. These are cinema magic moments, and they live on.
Sun lo magar yeh kisise na kehna,
Tinke ka leke sahara na behna
Bin mausam malhar na gaana
Aadhi raat ko matt chillana
Warna pakad lega policewala…..
3. Kisi ki muskaharoton pe (Anari) 1959
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
If we are asked to think of a song that teaches us the
best way to live life in a positive way, this song will probably be the first
to come to mind for many of us. The straightforward and clear tone of the
lyrics drives the point home clearly. This is the only song selected in this
list which is not from a film made by Raj Kapoor but no list of philosophy of
life by Raj Kapoor could be complete without this song. Mukesh lends a
sincerity to this SJ tune and Raj Kapoor brings it alive on screen as only he
can. A magical combination and a joy for us to hear and see for all time.
Mitte jo
pyaar ke liye woh zindagi,
Jale bahaar ke liye woh zindagi
Kisi ko ho na ho hamein to aitbaar
Jeena isi ka naam hai…
4. Pyaar kar le nahin toh phaansi chadh jaayega (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai) 1960
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Very hard hitting lyrics as Raju tells dacoit Raka
(Pran) to choose nonviolence and peace, by surrendering to police and choosing to give up a violent way
of life.
jeet har
saikdo teer se talwar se
jeet har saikdo teer se talwar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
vichar kar le, vichar kar le nahi to piche pachtayega….
5. Sajan re jhooth matt bolo
1966
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Every song of this film is deeply embedded with life
lessons. It was difficult to select just one song from this film. Be it Duniya banana waale or
be it Sajanwa bairi ho gaye hamaar, all songs from this film are a textbook lesson on life.
Ladakpan khel mein khoya,
Jawaani neend bhar soyaa,
Budhaapa dekh kar royaa
Wahi kissaa puraanaa hai…..
Sajan re jhooth mat bolo
7. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Mera Naam Joker) 1970
Singer: Manna Dey
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Neeraj
This song is an eye opener for people who make the
mistake of looking at life with rose tinted glasses and then wish they hadn’t
done that. Raju, the joker, in Mera Naam Joker has seen life in its true colours,
and he tells us that traversing the paths of life can be tricky at the best of
times, and treacherous at the most. And yet, he tells us that such is life and
we should live it with the courage needed to make a go of it.
A song deeply laden with philosophy, it tells us
something new every time we hear it.
Girne se
darta hai kyon,
Marne se
darta hai kyon,
Thokar tu
jab tak na khayega.
Paas kisi gham ko na jab tak bulayega,
Zindagi hai cheez kya nahin jaan paayegaa,
Rotaa
huaa aaya hai, rotaa chalaa jaaegaa .
Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo
…
