The sheer fusion of the poetry – in verse and in melody, is absolutely astounding in this creation. And folks familiar with Khayaam Sb would not expect any less, and especially when the film is ‘Shankar Hussain’ (1977).

A film that has some of the best and absolutely peerless melodies that have been created by this master of velvet music. Folks are already familiar with the deeply soothing and deeply meaningful “Kahin Ek Maasoom Naazuk Si Ladki”, and “Aap Yoon Faaslon Se Guzarte Rahe” from this film. Both these songs, and the one in this post, have such wonderfully surreal feeling of someone very softy trying to reach out. And touch something ephemeral that always appears to be within reach, but then is always just a little away from the outstretched arms. There is something, someone very close, one can feel it, one can hear the soft sounds, just like the gentle breeze touching the cheeks. Someone seems to be there, but maybe not. Maybe it is just the imagined effects passing through the corridors of mind. And yet the seeking is outside, and the self moves to follow this feeling, this almost existing apparition. It is there, and then, maybe not.

The 1977 film is from the banner of The Great Ganges Film Corporation, Bombay, directed by Yusuf Naqvi. The star cast was mostly new faces in that era, and consisted of Madhu Chhanda, Kanwaljeet, Suheil, Madhumaalini, Dina Pathak, Shatrujeet, Gajaanan Jaagirdaar, Shriram Lagoo, Shahid Bijnori, Anjum, with friendly appearances by Pradeep Kumar, Roopesh Kumar and Jalaal Agha. The film has five songs, and all from the pen of different poets, i.e. Jaan Nissar Akhtar, Kaif Bhopali, Kaifi Aazmi, Kamaal Amrohi, Mir Anis. This priceless gem, this poetical expression at its best, is written by Kaif Bhopali. So many artists you hear of, and one hears very little of them. And then suddenly one comes across an unbelievable creation that goes beyond any expectations and any measures. The music, yes, is by Khayyaam Sb. And the singing voice, who else but Lata ji.

And as has been written about the other two songs, the picturization has been handled very sensitively. The colors and shadows are as soft as the music, and movements and the pace keeps in sync with the soft and slow rhythms of the song. There is an unreal floating feeling as one sees this song. At the beginning of the song, it plays in the background, as the lady (Madhu Chanda) awakens in mid sleep, as if hearing sounds of someone calling, or someone nearby. As the song progresses, the lady walks on, as if following something, seeking something, and somewhere along the way, she picks up the words and sings the latter part of the song – oh so beautifully picturized. At the end of the clip, it is drizzling, and a gentleman (Suheil), joins the lady, as she stands beneath a small portico, partly sheltered from the rain.

The intervening strings of sitar, played oh so softly and slowly, is simply magic. The words will overpower your heart, and the melody will steal it away. Not many songs can do that. Ah yes, many of Khayyaam Sb’s songs can do that. Enjoy.

(NOTE: both audio and video links are given. The song is complete in both, just so that one can enjoy the song with closed eyes, and a better audio play).

apne aap raaton mein chilmanen sarakti hain
chaunkte hain darwaaze, sidiyaan dhadakti hain

In the shadowy silences of the night
The sounds of darkness play, all by themselves
The curtains sway, by themselves
The doors creak, as if surprised
Soft footsteps play on the stairs
Like the silent beats of the heart

ek ajnabee aahat aa rahi hai kam kam si
jaise dil ke pardon par gir rahi ho shabnam si

Unknown, unfamiliar sounds
Hushed and soft
Pass by very softly
Like the echoes of dew
Falling on the leaves of heart

bin kisi ke yaad aaye dil ke taar hilte hain
bin kisi ke khankaaye choodiyaan khanakti hain

No one steps in the mind
Yet the strings of the heart
Strum and sway
No one plays with them
Yet my bangles tinkle and stir

koi pehle din jaise ghar kisi ke jaata hai
jaise khud musaafir ko raasta bulaata hai

The unreal anxieties
Play nervously
Like the first visit (to his home)
Or like an uncertain traveler
Beckoned by the paths of the unknown

paaon jaane kis jaanib be-uthaaye uth’te hain
aur chhamm chammaa chhamm chhamm paayalen chhanakti hain

The feet stepping out
All by themselves
In unfamiliar directions
And the anklets clink
All by themselves

jaane kaun baalon mein ungliyaan pirotaa hai
kheltaa hai paani se tan badan bhigotaa hai

Someone – known, unknown
Runs his fingers through my hair
And plays mischief with the raindrops
Sprinkling my being
With a spray of love

jaane kis ke haathon se gaagren chhalakti hain
jaane kis ki baaton se bijliyaan lapakti hain

I don’t know whose hands are these
That spill over the brimming pitchers
Oh whose words are these
That soar like the bolts of lightning
In the shadowy silences of the night
The sounds of darkness play, all by themselves

Video

Audio

Song-Apne aap raaton mein (Shankar Hussain)(1977) Singer-Lata, Lyrics-Kaif Bhopali, MD-Khayyam

Lyrics

apne aap raaton mein
chilmanen sarakti hain
chaunkte hain darwaaze
seedhiyaan dhadakti hain
apne aap
apne aaaap

ek ajnabee aahat
aa rahi hai kam kam si
jaise dil ke pardon par
gir rahi ho shabnam si
bin kisi ke yaad aaye
dil ke taar hilte hain
bin kisi ke khankaaye
choodiyaan khanakti hain
apne aap
apne aaaap

koi pehle din jaise
ghar kisi ke jaata hai
jaise khud musaafir ko
raasta bulaata hai
paaon jaane kis jaanib
be-uthaaye uth’te hain
aur chhamm chammaa chhamm chhamm
paayalen chhanakti hain
apne aap
apne aap raaton mein

jaane kaun baalon mein
ungliyaan phirotaa hai
kheltaa hai paani se
tan badan bhigotaa hai
jaane kis ke haathon se
gaagren chhalakti hain
jaane kis ki baahon se
bijliyaan lapakti hain
apne aap

apne aap raaton mein
chilmanen sarakti hain
chaunkte hain darwaaze
seedhiyaan dhadakti hain
apne aap
apne aaaap
—————————————-
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
—————————————–

अपने आप रातों में
चिलमनें सरकती हैं
चौंकते हैं दरवाज़े
सिड़ीयां धड़कती हैं
अपने आप
अपने आप

एक अजनबी आहात
आ रही हई कम कम सी
जैसे दिल के पर्दों पर
गिर रही हो शबनम सी
बिन किसी की याद आए
दिल के टार हिलते हैं
बिन किसी के खनकाए
चूड़ियाँ खनकती हैं
अपने आप
अपने आप

कोई पहले दिन जैसे
घर किसी के जाता है
जैसे खुद मुसाफिर को
रास्ता बुलाता है
पाँव जाने किस जानिब
बे-उठाए उठते हैं
और छम छमा छम छम
पायलें छनकती हैं
अपने आप
अपने आप रातों में

जाने कौन बालों में
उँगलियाँ पिरोता है
खेलता हई पानी से
तन बदन भिगोता है
जाने किसके हाथों से
गागरें छलकती हैं
जाने किसकी बातों से
बिजलियाँ लपकती हैं
अपने आप

अपने आप रातों में
चिलमनें सरकती हैं
चौंकते हैं दरवाज़े
सिड़ीयां धड़कती हैं
अपने आप
अपने आप

Listen/Download Shankar Hussain Link 1
 
Listen/Download Shankar Hussain Link 2
      ]]> http://atulsongaday.me/2011/05/22/achchaa-unhen-dekhaa-hai-beemaar-huyin-aankhen/ Sun, 22 May 2011 14:48:06 +0000 Atul http://atulsongaday.me/2011/05/22/achchaa-unhen-dekhaa-hai-beemaar-huyin-aankhen/ Hindi movies can sometimes educate us on the existence of rare art forms. For instance, how many of us know about the art form called “Charbait” ? I came to know about this term thanks to this song from “Shankar Hussain” (1976).

The scene before the song shows a conversation between a very young Kanwaljeet Singh and Gajanan Jageerdaar playing Madhu Chanda’s father (I thank Sophy for identifying him ) Kanwaljeet invites him to his house on the occasion of Eid, where a charbait competition is arranged which will certainly be to his liking, states Kanwaljeet Singh ? What is charbait ? Is it some sort of qawwali ? Gajanan Jageerdaar asks. No, it is a different thing altogether, Kanwaljeet Singh informs. “Is it so ? Then I will certainly be there”. Promises Gajanan Jageerdaar.

Then the picturisation shows the charbait competition commencing. In this form of singing, two groups of singers , led by Jalal Agha and Paintal respectively, are singing a song, which to most people looks just like a qawwali.

Kanwaljeet Singh’s mind is elsewhere. He is waiting for Gajanan Jageerdaar , and more importantly, his daughter, to arrive. And as far as the lyrics of the song are cocerned, they reflect the feelings of Kanwaljeet in real time as things happen. For instance, the singers sing of eyes getting sick of waiting. Then just as the Chilman (curtain ) rustles showing the arrival of the elderly gentleman and more importantly his burqa clad daughter, Kanwaljeet’s heart skips a beat, and Madhu Chanda temporarily uncovers her hijaab only to put it back on. The song goes, with perfect timing-
“wo pardaa-e-dar sarkaa
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
……
lo chaar huyi aankhen “

Kanwaljeet takes the opportunity to take the girl to the “Zenana” portion of the household where only women are allowed, and takes the Girl’s father to meet his father.

During the rest of the song, he loses no opportunity to go to the women’s section, hoping to catch a glimpse of Madhu Chanda,only to be repeatedly foiled by his sister who admonishes him- “you know very well that it is the women’s section and purdah is in force, then why do you keep coming here time and again? “

This charbait song is sung by Aziz Naazaan, Babban Khan and chorus. Kaifi Azmi is the lyricist. Music is composed by Khayyam.

Here is this song, which is quite a long song, as is the case with songs of this genre.

I personally became aware of this song only recently, and this song has grown up on me in the last few days.

I thank nahm for pointing out the correct words in a few places where I had doubts.

Song-Achchaa unhen dekhaa hai beemaar huyin aankhen (Shankar Hussain) (1976) Singers-Aziz Naazaan,Babban Khan,Lyrics-Kaifi Azmi,MD-Khayyam

Lyrics

mukhtaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
murjhaayi si rehti hain
mukhtaar huyi aankhen
murjhaayi si rehti hain
ghabraayi si rehti hain
maashookon ki mehfil mein
sharmaayi si rehti hain
sharmaayi si rehti hain
kyaa jaane huaa kyaa hai
kyaa jaane huaa kyaa hai
patthraayi si rehti hain
patthraayi si rehti hain
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen

shokhi bhi lutaa baithin
masti bhi ganwaa baithin
uthti hain na jhukti hain
kyaa rog lagaa baithin
kyaa rog lagaa baithin
ae yaar
kyaa rog lagaa baithin
ke beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen

kis tarah hatey dar se
waadaa hai sitamgar se
waadaa hai sitamgar se
kehti hai lagan dil ki
wo chal bhi chukey ghar se
wo chal bhi chukey ghar se
hai faaslaa dam bhar kaa
phir dekh samaa ghar kaa
wo hilney lagi chilman
wo hilney lagi chilman
wo pardaa-e-dar sarkaa
wo pardaa-e-dar sarkaa
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
ae yaar
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
lo aa hi gayaa koyi
lo chaar huyi aankhen
sarshaar huyi aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen

wo naqaab rukh se uthaaye kyun
wo bahaar-e-husn lutaaye kyun
sar-e-bazm jalwaa dikhaaye kyun
tumhen ankhiyon se pilaaye kyun
ke wo apne nashe mein choor hai
ke wo apne nashe mein choor hai
jo nashe mein choor rahen sadaa
use teri haal kaa kyaa pataa
rahaa yoon hi dil kaa muaamalaa
magar uski koi nahin khataa
teri aankh kaa ye kusoor hai
teri aankh kaa ye kusoor hai
aankhon pe padaa pardaa
aankhon pe padaa pardaa
ae yaar
aankhon pe padaa pardaa
aankhon pe padaa pardaa
laachaar huyi aankhen
laachaar huyi aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyi aankhen

hamne aaj ek khwaab dekhaa hai
khwaab bhi laajawaab dekhaa hai
koi taabeer is ki batlaao
raat ko aaftaab dekhaa hai
yaani zindaa sharaab dekhoge
yaani zindaa sharaab dekhoge
husn ko be-naqaab dekhoge
husn ko be-naqaab dekhoge
raat ko aaftaab dekhaa hai
subah ko maahtaab dekhoge
subah ko maahtaab dekhoge
chaandni mein uthhi ghataa jaise
chaandni mein uthhi ghataa jaise
dar-e-maykhaanaa khul gayaa jaise
ye fasaanaa sahi haseen to hai
nashe mein rach gayi adaa jaise

koyi tum saa bhi ho naa deewaanaa
tum haqeeqat ko samjhe afsaanaa
chaandni us kaa rang zulf ghataa
aur aankhen hain baab e maikhaanaa
maykhaane mein pahunchi to
maykhaane mein pahunchi to
ae yaar
maykhaane mein pahunchi to
maykhaane mein pahunchi to
maykhwaar huyin aankhen
maykhwaar huyin aankhen
gulnaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
beemaar huyin aankhen

sunte hain us dar pe jaake
sar jhukaanaa manaa hai
sar jhukaa bhi len agar
to baith jaana manaa hai
baith bhi jaayen kisi koney mein to
kyaa faaydaa
jis taraf wo hon
udhar nazren uthaanaa manaa hai
aur agar nazren uthhen
to darde dil ko kyaa karen
to darde dil ko kyaa karen
darde dil kaise mite
aansoo bahaanaa manaa hai
aur agar aansoo bahaayen bhi to
wo dekhenge kyun
aahen bharnaa
shor karnaa
gul machaanaa manaa hai
gul machaayaa bhi to matlab kis tarah samjhenge wo
kis tarah samjhenge wo
aur matlab saaf saaf unko bataanaa manaa hai
aur agar matlab bataaya bhi to wo denge jawaab

dil lagaaya tumne kyun
jab dil lagaanaa manaa hai
dil lagaaya tumne kyun
jab dil lagaanaa manaa hai
dil ka lagaa maanaa
dil ka lagaa maanaa
ae yaar
dil ka lagaa maanaa
dil ka lagaa maanaa
gaddaar huyin aankhen
gaddaar huyin aankhen
gaddaar huyin aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
laachaar huyin aankhen
laachaar huyin aankhen
maykhwaar huyi aankhen
achchhaa unhen dekhaa hai
maykhwaar huyin aankhen
maykhwaar huyin aankhen
gulnaar huyin aankhen
achchaa unhen dekhaa hai
gulnaar huyin aankhen
gulnaar huyin aankhen
sarshaar huyin aankhen
achchaa unhen dekhaa hai
sarshaar huyin aankhen
achchaa unhen dekhaa hai

This song is written by Jaan Nisaar Akhtar and music is composed by Khayyam.

Listen to this song. What a melodious song ! They no longer make songs like this.

This song is picturised on an actress called Madhu Chanda. I hope I have identified her correctly. The actor who figures in the picturisation alongwith her is a very young Kanwaljeet Singh.

Song-Aap yoon faaslon se guzarne lage (Shankar Hussain) (1976) Singer-Lata,Lyrics-Jaan Nisaar Akhtar,MD-Khayyam

Lyrics (Provided by nahm)

ho ho ho
hmm hmm hmm hmm

aap yoon faaslon se guzarte rahe
aap yoon faaslon se guzarte rahe
dil pe qadmon ki awaaz aati rahi
aahaton ke andhere chamakte rahe
raat aati rahi raat jaati rahi
aap yoon

ho
hmm hmm
gungunaati rahi meri tanhaayiyaan
door bajti rahin kitni shehnaayiyaan
door bajti rahin kitni shehnaayiyaan
zindagi zindagi ko bulaati rahi
aap yun Faaslon se guzarte rahe
dil pe qadmon ki awaaz aati rahi
aap yoon

qatra qatra pighalta raha aasman
qatra qatra pighalta raha aasman
rooh ki wadiyon mein na jaane kahan
ek nadi
ek nadi dilruba geet gaati rahi
aap yoon faaslon se guzarte rahe
dil pe qadmon ki awaaz aati rahi
aap yoon

aapki garam baanhon mein kho jaayenge
aapke narm shaanon pe so jaayenge
so jaayenge
muddatton raat neenden churaati rahi
aap yoon faaslon se guzarte rahe
dil pe qadmon ki awaaz aati rahi
aahaton ke andhere chamakte rahe
raat aati rahi raat jaati rahi
aap yoon
aap yoon
aap yoon
aap yoon
aap yoon

But “Shankar Hussain” had this song that became quite popular, and in fact, it is now regarded as among the most memorable songs of Rafi.

The wonderful lyrics were penned by Kamal Amrohi and the music was composed by Khayyam.

What about the picturisation ? I had no idea at that time. Now that I have discovered the video,I find that this song was picturised on Kanwaljeet and Madhuchanda, and apparently it was their debut movie. Kanwaljeet , after an indifferent career in Bollywood became a leading actor in TV serials. As far as Madhuchanda is concerned, I am not aware what happened to her.

Audio of the song

video of the song

Song-Kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki (Shankar Hussain) (1976) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Kamal Amrohi, MD- Khayyam

Lyrics

kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki
bahut khoobsoorat
bahut khoobsoorat magar saanwli si
bahut khoobsoorat

mujhe apne khwaabon ki baahon mein paakar
kabhi neend mein muskuraati to hogi
usi neend mein kasmasaa-kasmasaakar
sarhaane se takiye giraati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki

wahi khwaab din ki munderon pe aake
use man hi man mein lubhaate to honge
kayi saaz seene ki khaamoshiyon mein
meri yaad se jhanjhanaate to honge
wo besaakhtaa dheeme-dheeme suron mein
meri dhun mein kuchh gungunaati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki

chalo khat likhen ji mein aataa to hogaa
magar ungliyaan kanpkanpaati to hongi
kalam haath se chhoot jaataa to hogaa
umangen kalam phir uthaatin to hongi
meraa naam apni kitaabon pe likhkar
wo daanton mein ungli dabaati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki

zabaan se kabhi uff nikalti to hogi
badan dheeme dheeme sulagtaa to hogaa
kahin ke kahin paanv padte to honge
zameen par dupattaa lataktaa to hogaa
kabhi subah ko shaam kahti to hogi
kabhi raat ko din bataati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki

har ik cheez haathon se girti to hogi
tabeeyat se har kaam khalta to hoga
platen kabhi toot jaati to hogi
kabhi doodh choolhe pe jalta to hoga
garaz apni masoom nadaaniyon par
wo nazuk badan jhenp jaati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki
bahut khoobsoorat magar saanwli si
bahut khoobsoorat
mujhe apne khwaabon ki baahon mein paakar
kabhi neend mein muskuraati to hogi
usi neend mein kasmasaa-kasmasaakar
sarhaane se takiye giraati to hogi
kahin ek maasoom naazuk si ladki