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| Sahir Ludhyanvi |
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| Sunil Dutt |
Music is such an integral part of my life. I wouldn't be amplifying if I say, music (read old Hindi songs) is one thing that keeps me going and gives me that stimulus whenever I feel low, the best part being that there is a song for every mood in our Hindi Film industry. You name it and you get it.
I had always intended to write a post on the lyricists of our music world however this is such a vast subject that it never happened. A few days back, when I was listening to my favourite show on the radio, I came to know that it was the birth anniversary of Sunil Dutt: 06.06 and most of his songs on air were penned by Sahir, it instinctively gave me an idea to bring forth the two giants of our Hindi films. Sahir who was a wordsmith, whose words still create magic on screen, his thoughts in refined Urdu and equally polished Hindi had brought a revolution during the 60's because of his thought provoking poetries and needless to say his shayris and songs hold true in the contemporary times as well. Sunil Dutt: well words are not required to lay out an introduction, the name speaks volumes! The versatile and the extremely watchable Balraj Dutt aka Sunil Dutt who started as an announcer in Radio Ceylon, debuted opposite Nalini Jaiwant in Railway Platform, gave a memorable performance in solo actor film Yaadein which was also nominated for Oscars.
This post is a tribute to the two stalwarts of our Hindi Cinema...Sahir and Sunil. While choosing just a handful from the ocean of Sahir and Sunil Dutt songs is a task, these five numbers remain my perennial favourite in no particular order.
1. Chalo ek baar phir se: Gumrah (Mahendra Kapoor)
This is a quintessential Sahir song and the song took its shape when Sahir was to see his lady love Sudha Malhotra married to someone else in a party. The moment they met in the party, Sahir popped up with a line...Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jaye hum dono and the rest as they say is history.
Filmed on Sunil Dutt, the song wonderfully encompasses the anger and helplessness of a man in love with a woman who is no longer his. The song starts with a very happy ambience: a piano, the smiling guest who sings to entertain the host, but soon we are to see the shade of pain overshadowing the smile as a restless Mala Sinha seeks support of Ashok Kumar, which dissolves quietly as the hero gathers his composure again. My most favourite line from the song...Vo afsaana jise anjam tak lana ho mushkil, use ek khubsoorat mod par chhodna achcha. How true is that when the tale cannot be culminated, it's better to find a beautiful way out and just let it be.
2. Kisi pathar ki murat se: Hamraaz (Mahendra Kapoor)
Another Piano song where we see a totally opposite Sunil Dutt and that is why I call him versatile. From a helpless lover he emerges as a strong, secure lover all set to woo his lady come what may.
ye socha hai ke dil ki baat uske rubru keh dein
natija jo bhi nikle aaj apni aarzoo keh dein
har ek bejaan taqaluff se bagawat ka irada hai
Impeccable lines by Sahir and brought alive by Sunil. What more one can ask for!
Watch this song and tell me if he doesn't look a dapper in that black suit....who wouldn't fall for him!
3. Tum mujhe bhool bhi jao: Didi (Sudha Malhotra and Mukesh)
A philosophical song in its own right and only Sahir could have come with such poignant lines.
The song that deals with the unrequited love, the throes of being in love knowing it will never be fulfilled!
Tum mujhe bhool bhi jao toh ye haq hai tumko
meri baat aur hai maine toh mohabbat ki hai
mere dil ki mere jazbaat ki keemat kya hai
Maine kyuon pyar kiya tumne kyuon pyar kiya
in uljhe sawalaat ki keemat kya hai
and the man sings:
Zindagi sirf mohabbat nahin kuch aur bhi hai
zulf o rukhsaar he nahin kuch aur bhi hai
bhookh aur pyaas ki maari is duniyan mein
ishq he ek haqeqat nahi kuch aur bhi hai
Such is the poetry by Sahir which proved his name right...Truly a magician he was with words.
Picturised on Sunil Dutt and Shobha Khote, the number is an excellent example of the infusion of the joys of love and the pangs of separation with some generous dose of practicality. The woman loves the man, the man loves the woman but has his nose dipped deep into the shakles of mankind and hence are doomed never to be together. Hai! Feel sad for the lady.
4. Meri mehboob kahin aur mila kar mujhse: Ghazal: (Mohammad Rafi)
Now, this is one song that prompted me to see the movie and when I had seen it...I was swept away by Sahir's poetry, Sunit Dutt's charm and Meena Kumari's beauty! Urdu language and Muslim traditions come alive on screen and acting by the two legends is just superlative. This is a movie which is known not for its story but for its poetry and songs.
This particular song is a harsh thrash on another song that is sung in praise of Taj! Hats off to Sahir sahab who could pen down such words in that era and took to the criticism that followed after the release of the movie Ghazal.
Anginit logon ne duniya mein mohabbat ki hai
kaun kehta hai ki saadik na they jazbe unke
lekin unke liye tashheer ka samaan nahi
kyuonki voh log bhi apni he tarah muflis they
And the other stanza that says:
ek shanshah ne daulat ka sahara lekar hum gareebon ki mohabbat ka udaya hai mazaaq!
5. Hum jab simat ke aapki bahon mein bahon mein aa gaye: Waqt (Asha Bhonsle, Mahendra Kapoor)
I had myself juggling between this song and the one from Hamraaz; tum agar saath dene ka wada karo, but then the song from Waqt found its place here as I did not want to repeat the movie.
This is with the beautiful Sadhna, a dreamy number that is so soothing to the senses. A unique song written by a unique poet and performed by our unique Dutt sahab! Enjoy!
Million thanks to the actor and the poet. The actor who gave us the classics and the poet whose pen was mightier than the sword.
