LIFE LESSONS WITH MANNA DEY

Whenever a voice was needed to show sincerity, pathos, emotions and intensity, Prabodh Chandra Dey, who we all know as Manna Dey, was the one most music directors would turn to. Having to leave a career as wrestler because of weak eyesight, Manna Dey became the wrestling world’s loss and the musical world’s tremendous gain. A career that began in pre-independence India and spanned the years to the start of the 21^st century, Manna Dey is a precious jewel of Hindi film music.

Although Manna Dey is mostly referred to for his brilliant classical songs, here is a look at his songs which teach us about life. Here we go with Life lessons with Manna Dey.

1.    Nirbal se ladaai balwan ki                Toofan aur diya    1956

Fighting for survival against all odds can be exhausting, particularly if one has to do it without hope. This song relates an arduous struggle of a young boy against the most harrowing circumstances, and yet manages to be one of the most redeeming examples of hope. It uses the metaphor of an earthen clay lamp struggling to stay alight in the face of a relentless storm. I remember writing down these lines as a child and thinking that these could well fit into a treasured book of poetry. Sung by Manna Dey and chorus, and composed by Vasant Desai, this song defines everything that is special about Bharat Vyas, an exceptionally talented poet. To read more about Kavi Bharat Vyas on this blog, click HERE . 

Kahin door thaa toofan

Diye se thaa balavaan

Saare jag ko masalane machal rahaa

Jhaad ho yaa pahaad, de vo pal me ukhaad

Soch-soch ke zameen pe thaa uchhal rahaa

Ek nanhaa-saa diyaa, usane hamalaa kiyaa …

Ab dekho leelaa vidhi ke vidhaan ki

Ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofan ki

2.    Kasme wade pyar wafa                     Upkaar          1967

A cynical look at life which expresses a lot of hard-hitting life truths. Composed by Kalyanji Anandji and written by Indeevar, Manna Dey infuses the deepest of emotions into this song, a song which is believed to have reduced Lata Mangeshkar to tears the first time she heard it.

Sukh mein tere saath chalenge
Dukh mein sab mukh modenge
Duniyaa wale tere bankar
Tera hi dil todenge
Dete hain bhagwaan ko dhokha
Insaan ko kyaa chhodenge

3.    Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo               Mera Naam Joker 1970

Some of the most painful life truths are woven into this song from Mera Naam Joker by Kavi Neeraj. Manna Dey’s voice gives this song the sincerity it needs to drive the truth home even stronger. The occasional alt voice for Raj Kapoor, Manna Dey songs in RK films are usually the strong light of learning and life lessons. Dil ka haal sune dilwala from Shree 420 is another song that comes to mind. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo is seemingly sung for a circus artiste who bumps into Raj Kapoor at the start of the song. The song uses that metaphor all through to tell us to tread carefully in life as it is a precarious place which can be cruel and unsympathetic to people who are struggling. There is a pause after the first two lines when the same circus artiste shoots out of a cannon onto the trapeze net and the line ‘Tu jahan aaya hai’ continues the song. This song is one of Manna Dey’s most wonderful renditions.

Girne se darta hai kyon
Marne se darta hai kyon
Thokar tu jab na khayega
Paas kisi gham ko na jab tak bulayega
Zindagi hai cheez kya nahin jaan paayegaa
Rotaa huaa aaya hai
Rotaa chalaa jaaegaa
Aye bhai ….

4.    Phir kahin koi phool khila     Anubhav       1971

Sometimes we come across songs that do not have a clear-cut single meaning, they are open to interpretation. Phir kahin koi phool khila is among those songs which have many layers. Every time I hear it, depending on where I am in life, it offers me answers. The picturisation of this song is my favourite among all Sanjeev Kumar songs as this goes closest to what one would imagine him to be like in real life. In fact, the entire film shows Sanjeev Kumar as someone we would know in real life. The song shows slice of life shots on a day where Sanjeev has stayed home from work because of a mild fever. The day-to-day routine in a household when the husband is home and the wife’s housework has a certain happy spark of his unexpected company at home. Tanuja chopping vegetables in the room, Sanjeev removing specs and falling asleep, a certain closeness and indulgence of an unexpected break from routine… all of these are beautifully shown on screen by Basu Bhattacharya. Composed by Kanu Roy and written by Kapil Kumar, Manna Dey renders this song in a very calming and introspective manner.  

Mann kaa samundar pyasa hua
Kyun kisi se mange duva
Leharon kaa laga jo mela
Toofaan naa kaho usko
Phir kahi koi phool khila
Chaahat naa kaho usko
Phir kahi….

5.    Dekhiye to kya ajeeb haal hai                     Kal Aaj Aur Kal        1971

To my great surprise, I have seen that this song is relatively unknown to many Manna Dey fans. That’s grave injustice. This song is an ignored masterpiece and deserves to be right in front whenever any discussion on Manna Dey songs comes up. Filmed in the background on Raj Kapoor, this is one of the only two songs on Raj Kapoor in the film, the other song being Tik tik tik tik which is sung by Mukesh.

Dekhiye to kya ajeeb haal hai
sochiye to kya ajeeb baat hai
ek paav chal raha alag alag dusra kisi ke sath sath hai

Neeraj uses interesting analogies to describe Raj Kapoor’s state of mind as he is torn between his father and his son, as he tries to keep peace between them. Such an unusual pace for the tune. Perfectly reflects the turmoil in RK's mind as he is exhausted balancing the demands of his father and his son. Sometimes, life brings up situations where we realise that trying to agree with everyone just to keep peace does not bring the desired results and we end up being the target of their anger instead.

ek hawa chali ke khil utha chaman
ek hawa chali ke sab ujad gaya
ek kadam uthake raah mil gayi
ek kadam uthake path bichad gaya…

Shankar Jaikishan wielded the musical baton for the last time for RK banner in this film. A swan song for what turned out to be the end of a long partnership, with the sad demise of Jaikishan.

6.    Zindagi kaisi hai paheli                      Anand           1971

The starting notes of the song as Rajesh Khanna releases the balloons and watches them as they rise in the air creates an iconic moment in cinema. Written by Yogesh and composed by Salil Choudhary, the magic of Manna Dey’s voice further transcends this song to sheer magic. The balloons sway upwards into near oblivion and the camera shifts to Rajesh Khanna whose eyes express wonder, curiosity, sadness and awe at the thought of his impending end and what lies beyond. We do not know why a person leaves this world abruptly nor do we know where he goes after that. Deep questions treated with a classic light sensitive touch by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Jinhone sajaaye yahaan mele
sukh-dukh sang-sang jhele
wahi chunkar khaamoshi
yoon chale jaaye akele kahaan…

7.    Tum besahara ho to               Anurodh        1977

This song has two versions, labelled happy and sad in the album but I find both of them equally inspiring. Ashok Kumar sings this to school children as an anthem. The sad version begins with Vinod Mehra thinking of ending his life and halting as he hears the beginning refrain of this song. He turns out to be the poet of these lyrics and his own creation pulls him back from the brink of giving up on life.

Jeevan toh ek jaisa hotaa hai

Koi hasta koi rotaa hai

Sabr se jeena aasan hotaa hai

Fikr se jeena mushkil hotaa hai.

Simple truth of life stated in a very clear manner.

Having limited myself to listing only seven songs, I have not managed to include my favourite Raat gayee phir din aata hai from Boot Polish (You can read about it on my blog post Musical Journey with Boot Polish )

Hope you enjoyed reading about life lessons with Manna Dey. Do comment with any additions that you can think of to this list!

Magical songs of Shammi Kapoor with Shankar Jaikishan

Some associations are blessed by God, and they create magic when they come together. Shammi Kapoor and Shankar Jaikishan were one of these combinations that were blessed by a power greater than all of us, and they went on to bless our lives with incredible music that continues to enrich our lives today. This team gave us about 60 songs out of which almost 50 were super hits. Here’s a look at their magic. As they say, let’s start at the very beginning…

 

1.    Suraj zara aa paas aa      Ujaala              1959

Ujaala was the first film where Shankar Jaikishan scored the music for Shammi Kapoor. The voices used in this film for Shammi Kapoor are Manna dey and Mukesh. Later on, of course, Mohammed Rafi became the norm for him. Their second film Singapore, in fact, had Mohammed Rafi as the playback for Shammi Kapoor and that combination went on to create history.

Here, Shailendra writes about the fire of hunger, the words are all the more profound as they are sung for hungry children.

 Aaloo tamaatar ka saag,

imli ki chutnee baney,

roti karaari sikey,

ghee usspey asli lagey... 

These words bring up the image of a delectable meal in our eyes and yet this image tugs at the heart strings as we think of the plight the children are facing. Only Kaviraj could have wrought this magic.

2.    Ehsaan tera hogaa mujh par            Junglee         1961

The first major hit of Shammi Kapoor- SJ combo which catapulted the actor into the big league. In Shammi kapoor’s words, they ‘struck gold’ with this film. LINK  Hasrat Jaipuri penned this romantic solo which was used as a tandem song with Lata Mangeshkar singing the female solo in her melodious best. Rafi’s rendition of this song personifies yearning and earnestness in love. 

Chaahe banaa do chaahe mitaa do

Marr bhi gaye to denge duvaayen

Udd udd ke kahegi khaak sanam

Yeh dard-e-mohabbat sehne do…

Mujhe tumse mohabbat ho gayi hai

Mujhe palko ki chaanv mein rehne do

Ehsaan tera hoga mujh par …

 

3.    Khuli palak mein jhootha gussa      Professor      1962

 

A delightful romantic solo in classic Shammi Kapoor mode. Shailendra here wields his romantic pen and gives us magic.

Jis din se dekhaa tumko,

tum lagey mujhe apne se,

Aur aakey rahey aankhon mein,

ek mann chaahey sapney se,

Samajh na aaye, kya jeeta main,

aur gaya kya haar,

Jeena bhi mushkil,

marnaa bhi mushkil...

Ever since I knew that this song is apparently shot in Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai, I plan to go there again to just imagine the team shooting there with this song being played in the background. If only places could speak, they would have so much to tell us of the magic moments witnessed!

 

 

4.    Meri muhobbat jawan rahegi          Jaanwar       1965

 

If there were one solo that had to be selected as quintessential Shammi Kapoor song, it would be this. With beautiful Kashmir in the background, the scene of the hero wooing the heroine with grand declarations, and Rafi providing the vocals, this song ticks all the boxes in the most heart-warming manner. Shankar Jaikishan and Hasrat Jaipuri create cinema magic.

 

Na Tumsa Koyi Zamaane Bhar Mein
Ho Ho
Na Tumsa Koyi Zamaane Bhar Mein
Tumhi Ko Chaha, Meri Nazar Ne
Tumhi Ko Chaha, Meri Nazar Ne
Tumhe Chuna Hai, Tumhe Chunegi
Sada Rahi Hai, Sada Rahegi
Meri Mohabbat Jawaan Rahegi
Sada Rahi Hai, Sada Rahegi

 

5.    Main gaaon tum so jaao        Brahmachari           1968

Shammi Kapoor plays the title role of Brahamachari who has a heart of gold and looks after orphans, trying to bring cheer and laughter in their lives. He won the Filmfare award for best actor for this film. This lullaby emphasises his earnest and sincere wish to see a better world for his wards. The encouraging words by Kaviraj laden with positivity share an interesting contrast with the subdued and sober Rafi’s voice to the gentle tune of Shankar Jaikishan. It’s like Brahmachari is feeling the pathos and despair for the children while keeping up a joyful front for them. Hope treads a thin line beside sadness in this song and that, perhaps, is the beauty of it. Kaviraj, SJ and Rafi pull off this feat with such elan!

Maana aaj ki raat hai lambi,

maana din tha bhaari,

Par jag badlaa, badlegi,

ek din taqdeer hamari,

Uss din ke khwab sajaao...

Main gaaoon tum so jaao...

 

6.    Tum mujhe yun bhula na paaoge    Pagla Kahin ka         1970

Pagla Kahin ka came at the fag end of Shammi Kapoor’s career. The film dealt with loss and the trauma that the human mind suffers in order to overcome a huge setback in life. I would rate this as one of Shammi Kapoor’s and Asha Parekh’s finest performances in a convoluted plot. The film has a lot of finer moments in the scenes between Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. Hasrat Jaipuri pens the most famous song of this film. Again a tandem where Lata Mangeshkar has also sung this song, albeit with a different anatara.

Mujhko dekhe binaa qaraar na thaa
ek aisaa bhi daur guzraa hai
Jhooth maano to pooch lo dil se
Main kahoongaa to rooth jaaoge
Haan tum mujhe yoon bhulaa naa paaoge

 

7.     Dil use do jo jaan de de        Andaz           1971

 

This could really be termed as the swan song of Shammi Kapoor’s career as a hero or leading man. The music was scored by Shankar Jaikishan and penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. The songs of this film gave the mega star a fitting finale, so to speak. Although there was a late release film Chhote Sarkar in 1974 with Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana in the lead roles, Andaz was by far the right closing act as a hero for the star who gave us so much through his films and music. Rafi and Asha Bhosale gave this party song a peppy feel.

Dil use do jo jaan de de

Jaan use do jo dil de de…

The song, as many Shammi Kapoor songs, is rife with philosophy. Although the lines seem carefree about falling in love, they actually hint that one should think carefully before giving away our affection.  

The antaras go on to welcome new beginnings.

Ye pyaar ke nazaare hain
dekh lo jidhar,
Ab naachti hai duniyaa
khushi ka hai asar…

Lo khatam huaa hai
ye aaj ka safar,
Ab hogi suhaani
Wo kal ki Sahar…..

Shammi Kapoor moved on from this phase to do memorable character roles. However, he will always be the magical hero for us with his romantic films. His lilting songs will always bring a slight breeze to flutter the curtains in our room as we are dreamily carted off to the pristine valleys of Kashmir and his cine magic land.

Do write in the comments with your feedback and tell us your favourite Shammi Kapoor songs!

 

Musical journey with Boot Polish

 Boot Polish 1954

Music Directors: Shankar Jaikishan

 

The film Boot Polish is the heart-rending story of two orphan siblings Bhola (Ratan Kumar) and Belu (Naaz) who are forced to beg by their wicked aunt. A bootlegger John (David) teaches them dignity of labour and shows them how to work for a living with self-respect instead of begging. The songs of this film enhance the emotions that the viewer feels at every stage of Bhola’s and Belu’s childhood. Produced by Raj Kapoor, this film carries the shining unmistakable philosophical tone ingrained in all RK films.

1. Nanhe munhe bacchhe teri mutthi mein kya hai

A song that follows a pattern of questions and answers as John Chacha tries to know how motivated the children are and gets heartening answers from them which make him hopeful about their generation.

Written by Shailendra in 1954, this song presents hope, ethics and perseverance as the beacon showing the way ahead for India at that time. The song is full of optimism and the beauty of Kaviraj’s words is such that we hear this song at any juncture of life and wish that these ethics were upheld by one and all.

John Chacha asks:

"Bheekh mein jo moti miley, logey ya na logey,

Zindagi ke aansuon ka, bolo kya karogey ?

The children reply :

Bheekh mein jo moti miley, toh bhi hum na lengey,

Zindagi ke aansuon ki, maala pehnengey,

mushkilon se ladtey, bhidtey, jeeney mein mazaa hai...

 

2. Raat gayi phir din aata hai      

Written by Saraswati Kumar 'Deepak' , this is an inspiring song steeped in philosophy, sung by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosale.

Kabhi andhera kabhi ujaala

Phool khila phir murjhaata hai

Khela bachpan hansi jawaani
Magar budhaapa tadpaata hai…
Sukh dukh ka pahiya chalta hai
Wohi naseeba kehlaata hai
Raat gayi phir din aata hai
Issi tarah aate jaate hi
Ye saara jeewan jaata hai…

On a side note, these lines remind me of Shailendra’s lines from Teesri Kasam :

Ladakhpan khel mein khoya

Jawani neend bhar soya

Budhapa dekh kar roya

Yahi kissa purana hai…

 

3. John Chacha tum kitne ache

This song is generally considered as part of ‘Raat gayee phir din aata hai’ but is actually a separate song in its own right with a different theme which flows like liquid gold out of the earlier song. The complete desolate mood of the slum children who feel better after their John Chacha croons the soothing words of ‘Raat gayee phir din aata hai’  creates a change of mood when they start singing ‘John Chacha tum kitne ache, tumhe pyaar karte sab bachhe’. In true essence of this film, this peppy song still delivers punchy hard hitting life questions:

Chacha kya hoti taqdeer,

Kyun hai ek bhikaari, chacha,

Kyon hai ek Ameer…

The unfairness of life in distributing blessings in unequal portions.

4. Badhta chal

This song flows from John Chacha tum kitne ache, effectively making a trilogy of Raat gayee, John chacha tum kitne ache and Baddhta chal. This song culminates with the lines:

‘Yeh raat gayee, who subah nayee’

These lines essentially bring the trio of songs to a full circle as they re-emphasise the opening lines of the first song of the trio ‘Raat gayee phir din aata hai’, persuading the children that there is light after darkness. Always.

 

5. Theher zara o jaanewaale

Penned by Shailendra and sung by Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey, the lines question the disparity between the lower and upper classes in life. Asked in simple language that would be used by children to get some answers, the innocence in the words makes it much more effective.

Panditji mantar padhate hain

Woh Gangaji nahalate hain
Hum pet ka mantar padhte hai

Joote kaa muh chamakate hai…
Pandit ko paanch chavanni hai

Apni toh ek ikanni hai
Phir bhed bhav yeh kaisa hai

Jab sab ko pyara paisa hai
Oonch neech kuchh samajh naa paye

Hum matwale palishwale

On a sidenote, this song appeared in 1951 in background chorus form in Raj Kapoor’s Awara. It was filmed on a young Shashi Kapoor. It was sung by chorus singers and later used in its full form in Boot Polish. Here’s the clip for that chorus version!

 

6. Tumhare hain tumse daya maangte hain

It is a rare soul whose eyes don’t turn moist on hearing this song. Children in tattered clothes, walking the streets of the city, asking for compassion and help from the ones who have it all. Shailendra ensures an ethereal haplessness in the lyrics which makes us feel raw with emotion. Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosale give this song a vulnerable sensitivity which gives the listener goosebumps. The term goosebumps, for me, was always a textbook term till I heard this song. After hearing this song, I finally knew exactly what goosebump feelings are.

Kissi ki na ho, jaisi kismat hai apni,

Dukhi dil sabhi ka bhalaa maangtey hain...

and

Kisi shaam ko, ek pal bhar jaley jo,

Hum aasha ka aisa diya maangtey hain...

 

7. Chali kaunse des

Chali kaunse des is counted as one of the most sensitive songs describing the emotions of a brother and sister. Although the words show a brother singing a bidaai song of farewell at his sister’s wedding, the film uses it in a very different context. Bhola is looking for his lost sister and this song comes on screen at a time when he is feeling extreme despair and losing hope of finding her. He happens to come across a blind street singer (Kaviraj Shailendra himself in a rare appearance) who is singing this at the roadside.  Shailendra excels with the lyrics, sung with ethos by Talat Mahmood and Asha Bhosale.

Cannot help mentioning the extra stanza here which unfortunately is not available in any video version of the song. This extra stanza reveals an extra layer in the song where we realise that the poet is talking about something much deeper than bidaai.

" Do din jag mein, dhoom machaaye,

Jaakey koyi, waapas na aaye,

Khoj, khoj thakk jaaye,

Do naina, chaand suraj ke......"

 

Keeping to my theme of seven, I have not managed to include two equally beautiful songs Taron ko dil ki baat and  Lapak jhapak.

Watching Boot Polish is a life affirming cinema experience. The struggle of the children for their survival and respect from society is very moving. Hope you enjoyed the musical journey through this classic film. Do write in with your favourite song of Boot Polish with reasons in the comments below!

Seven Pearls of Wisdom with Raj Kapoor songs

 

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

 

6. Pate ki baat kahega (Diwana) 1967

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

Pate ki baat are the pearls of wisdom about the philosophy of life that the Diwana states to people in this song. Another gem from the team of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishan, Shailendra and Mukesh. A very uplifting song that makes one realise the true value of things around us.

Char ke aath tu kar le,

Aath se saath tu kar le

Rahega phir bhi ye khali,

Pet ko lakh tu bhar le

Seekh le mann ko manana,

Sabar se kaam chalana,

Meri surat pe na jaana,

Meri surat pe na jaana

Pate ki baat kahega,

Kahega jab bhi deewana….

Pate ki baat

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

…

Seven Songs of Sapne

 

‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ This was said by Eleanor Roosevelt and our HFM has happily given life to this quote with its myriad songs on Sapne/ dreams. Be the dreams in any form, they fill our lives and provide some balance in good days and bad.

1. Mere sapne mein aana re

Film: Rajhat 1956

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

Madhubala lights up the screen with the honeysweet rendition by Lata Mangeshkar. As she asks her beloved to appear in her dream, she imagines everything she probably wouldn’t dare to suggest when she actually met him. The shy hesitant personality which takes on a different bravado for her dreams sets an interesting contrast in this song.

Mere sapne mein aana re, sajnaa,

Mere sapne mein aana re,

Woh baat zaraa mere kaanon mein,

phir se keh jaana re...

 

 

2. Sapne mein sajan se do baatein

Film: Gateway of India 1957

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Lyrics: Rajinder Kishan

Music: Madan Mohan

Somehow one of the first songs to come to mind for Sapne is this song. That is surprising as I have never seen this song on video as it isn’t available. However, that has never stopped me from visualising Madhubala in this sweet melody composed by Madan Mohan. Lata Mangeshkar has sung this song with such emotions that our mind can bridge the gap for the visual and its almost as if we have seen the video with Madhubala’s dulcet smile. This is true for most old hindi film songs that have missing videos, our mind’s eye directs the visuals.

Ik raat milan ki aayee thi,
aur uske baad judaayi thi,
gham aur khushi ki do raaten
ik yaad rahi ik bhool gaye…
Sapne mein sajan se do baaten…

 

 

3. Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai    1965

Film: Guide

Singer: Mohammed Rafi

Music director: S D Burman

Lyrics: Shailendra

A shattered Rosy slowly comes to life as Raju hands her the hope of shared dreams and a life together in this song. Each line is steeped in sincerity as the trio of Kaviraj Shailendra, S D Burman and Mohammed Rafi serve us magic on a platter. The pathos of the saxophone set against the early light of Udaipur with Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman is the ultimate magic that cinema has ever offered.

Lakh manaa le duniya,
Saath na yeh chhootega,
Aake mere haathon mein
Haath na yeh chhootega…
O mere jeevan saathi
Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain..

 

 4. Sapnon ka Saudagar    1968

Film: Sapnon ka Saudagar

Singer: Mukesh

Lyrics: Shailendra

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Life throws many curve balls and it can sometimes be difficult to keep our spirits up. At times like these, what helps is hope. No matter how difficult the circumstances, keeping hope and optimism alive helps one chart the troubled waters. With the words ‘Tumse kismet khel chuki, Tum kismet se khelo’, Shailendra has nailed the power of hope in his inimitable manner.

Ik chhaliya aas ke peechhe,
Daude to yahaan tak aaye,
Har shaam ko dhalta suraj
Jaate jaate keh jaaye…

Woh tay kar legaa manzil

Jo ik sapna apnaaye…’

 

 

 

 

5. Sapna mera toot gaya   1973

Film: Khel Khel Mein

Singer: Asha Bhosale and R D Burman

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

 

When one has shared one’s dreams with someone and that person is gone, those dreams feel hollow, shattered. This song is filmed on Aruna Irani where she reminisces about Rakesh Roshan. However, this song, for me, will always be about Asha Bhosale and Pancham. That tug at the heartstrings will always be there when I hear this song as I think of both of them. The song switches between memories in the antaras and back to reality with the mukhda. The slight pause before the mukhda as one is jerked back to the present works to emphasise the despair of broken dreams. The utter emptiness that takes their place.

 

6. Ek din sapne mein dekha sapna

Film: Golmaal      1979

Singer: Kishore Kumar and Sapan Chakraborty

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Gulzar

A dream within a dream! As only Gulzar can visualise! This is a song on farfetched dreams. Something that has practically zero chance of materialsing and yet gives immense joy to the mind. My sapne mein sapna was always a wish to meet Dev Anand. Never happened but then that’s why it qualified to be my sapne mein sapna! Life gets colours of joy with such dreams. The song has Ramprasad (Amol Palekar in one of his finest roles) imagining himself in Amitabh Bachchan’s shoes and signing autographs while Big B looks on in dismay. Rekha begging him to stay back and Lata’s singing  being accompanied on the tabla are further sapnas, each of which bring a smile to our lips.

The sweetest line of this song is

‘Ik din sapne mein dekhi sapni,

Woh jo hai na Lata apni..’

7. Dekho maine dekha hai yeh ek sapna   

Film: Love Story   1981

Singers: Amit Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

Music: R D Burman

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

When dreams are ambitions as well as visions of life with one’s beloved, then this song fits the bill! The debut film of Kumar Gaurav who went on to be the heart throb of young girls at that time. This film also established Amit Kumar as the singing voice of Kumar Gaurav, a lot like Shailendra Singh’s voice getting associated with Rishi Kapoor at the beginning of his career. The song hints at the lead character Bunty’s inclination towards taking up the field of architecture, something that he had disagreed with his father for in the beginning of the film as he wanted to be a pilot. The lyrics follow each part of the house design blending in nicely with aspirations for different facets of his life.

 

I was limited by the number seven and could not list more of my favourite songs on sapne. Do write in with your favourite sapne songs in the comments!