“Zabak” (1961) was a mythological Arabian Night’s kind of movie produced by Homi Wadia. Mahipal and Shyama played lead roles in this movie.

This movie, though not a hit with the mainstream audience, had some very nice songs in it. A few of these songs are remembered even today.

Here is one such song. “Teri duniya se door hoke mazboor” is one such song. This song in fact is one of those songs that people love to hum without being aware of the details of this song. Well, one can now hum this song better informed. This song, sung by Rafi and Lata, is written by Prem Dhawan and its music is composed by Chitragupta. The song is picturised on Mahipal and Shyama.

There is one detail from this movie that escapes me, though. What exactly does “Zabak” mean ? Can someone tell me the meaning of this word ?

Song-Teri duniya se door chale hoke mazboor (Zabak) (1961) Singers-Rafi, Lata, Lyrics-Prem Dhawan, MD-Chitragupta

Lyrics

teri duniyaa se door, chale hoke majboor, hamen yaad rakhnaa
teri duniyaa se door, chale hoke majboor, hamen yaad rakhnaa
jaao kahin bhi sanam, tumhen itni qasam, hamen yaad rakhnaa
jaao kahin bhi sanam, tumhen itni qasam, hamen yaad rakhnaa
ho teri duniyaa se door

aayengi bahaaren to tere hi fasaane sunaayengi hamen
aayengi bahaaren to tere hi fasaane sunaayengi hamen
hogi tanhaayi to aake teri yaaden rulaayengi hamen
rulaayengi hamen, tadpaayengi hamen
kabhi dekhi thi bahaar, kabhi ham se thaa pyaar
zaraa yaad rakhanaa,
jaao kahin bhi sanam, tumhen itni qasam, hamen yaad rakhnaa
ho teri duniyaa se door

lejaa jaanewaale duaayen mere dil ki kisi se kyaa gilaa
lejaa jaanewaale duaayen mere dil ki kisi se kyaa gilaa
teri hi khataa hai naa meri hi khataa hai jo honaa thaa huaa
jo honaa thaa huaa, hai kisi se kyaa gilaa
dekho roye meraa pyaar, kahe dil ki pukaar hamen yaad rakhnaa,
teri duniyaa se door, chale hoke majboor, hamen yaad rakhnaa
jaao kahin bhi sanam, tumhen itni qasam, hamen yaad rakhnaa
ho teri duniyaa se door

When there are many great songs in a movie, and there are several movies like that, it is easy to lose track of songs that one has posted and that are not yet posted. I have posted several songs from CID (1956) and I thought I had posted this song too. But I just realised that I had not posted this song.

Here is this song from CID. “Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya” is a “proper” song in the sense that this song is actually picturised on the hero and heroine of this song, unlike most other songs of this movie.

This song is sung by Rafi and Geeta Dutt with gusto. It takes us back to those days when Geeta Dutt used to be the lead female singer of O P Nayyar, and what superb songs she sang under O P Nayyar’s music direction. And Rafi was O P Nayyar’s lead male singer right from the beginning. O P Nayyar in fact would use Rafi’s voice for all songs, irrespective of the actor on which the song was required to be picturised on. In this movie for instance, Rafi’s voice was used for at least three different actors, including Dev Anand and Johny Walker).

Majrooh Sultanpuri had wrote all but one songs of this movie. This is the one song which he had not written. This song was written by Jaan Nissar Akhtar . And the lyrics of the song are really cute to listen to.

Song-Aankhon ki aankhon mein ishaara ho gayaa (CID) (1956) Singers-Rafi, Geeta Dutt, Lyrics-Jaan Nissar Akhtar, MD-O P Nayyar

Lyrics

Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein

gaate ho geet kyun
dil pe kyun haath hai
khoye ho kis liye
aisi kyaa baat hai
ye haal kab se tumhaara ho gayaa
haan
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein

chalte ho jhoom ke
badli hai chaal bhi
naino me rang hain
bikhre hain baal bhi
kis dilruba ka nazaara ho gayaa
haan
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein

apna wo zor hai
apna wo shor hai
hamko hai sab pata
dil mein jo chor hai
ye chor kaise gawaara ho gayaa
haan
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein

kaisa ye pyaar hai
kaisa ya naaz hai
ham bhi to kuch sunen
hamse kyaa raaz hai
achcha to ye dil hamaara ho gayaa
haan
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gayaa
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gayaa
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gayaa
baithe baithe jeene ka sahaara ho gayaa
aankhon hi aankhon mein

I love to post old songs from the past. While doing so, I have stumbled upon many forgotten songs. Not just forgotten songs, I find that many well known songs too are yet to be posted here, such is the quantity of quality songs from the past.

I have posted three songs from “Mrs and Mrs 55″ (1955) , but that does not mean that I have posted all the classic songs from this movie. Not at all. Take this song for example. This song “Thandi hawaa kaali ghata aa hi gayi jhoom ke” was not yet posted.

this lovely song is sung by Geeta Dutt and it is picturised on Madhubala. Majrooh Sultanpuri is the lyricist and O P Nayyar composed the music.

This song is a swimming pool song. No, it is not Madhubala who is seen in a swimming constume. No such luck. she only sings the song, while others, including the hero, Guru Dutt, are seen diving in the swimming pool. Considering that this is winter season, the very though of swimming in an opne swimming pool will send shivers down the spine of people.

The song itself is a “hot” song, as youngsters are apt to say. In my lingo, it means that tthis song is an alltime classic. and ofcourse this song is very much a timeless classic.

song-Thandi hawa kaali ghataa (Mr and Mrs 55) (1955)Singer-Geeta Dutt, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri, MD-O P Nayyar

Lyrics

Thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke
thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke

baithi thi chupchaap yoon hi
dil ki kali chun ke main
baithi thi chupchaap yoon hi
dil ki kali chun ke main
dil ne ye kyaa baat kahi
rah na saki sun ke main
main jo chali
main jo chali
dil ne kahaa
aur zaraa jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke
thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke

aaj to main apni chhavi
dekh ke sharma gayi
aaj to main apni chhavi
dekh ke sharma gayi
jaane ye kyaa soch rahi thi
ki hansi aa gayi
lot gayi
lot gayi
zulf meri honth mera choom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke
thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke

dil ka har ek taar hilaa
chhidne lage raagini
dil ka har ek taar hila
chhidne lage raagini
kajra bhare nain liye
banke chaloon kaamini
kah do koi
kah do koi
aaj ghata barse zaraa jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke
thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke
thandi hawaa kaali ghataa
aa hi gayi jhoom ke
pyaar liye dole hansi
naache jiyaa ghoom ke

In 1950s and 1960s, there were some songs where kids would ask a lady to tell them a story and the lady would sing a sad song. In the song, she would tell the kids about her own sad story. I had posted such songs here from “Gumrah” and “Lajwanti” , where Mala Sinha and Nargis sing such songs.

But they were not the first to sing such songs. As far as I know, the first actress to sing a song like this was Nutan in “Seema” (1955). Here is this song. It is sung by Lata. Hasrat Jaipuri is the lyricist and Shankar Jaikishan composed the music.

Song-Suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani (Seema) (1955) Singer-Lata, Lyrics-Hasrat Jaipuri, MD-Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics

suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
jaise taaron ki baat sune raat suhaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki kahaani

ho jiski kismat mein gham ke bichaune the
aansoo hi khilaune the
dard hi sakhiyaan thi
dukh bhari ankhiyaan thi
ghar bhi na tha koi
aur dar bhi na tha koi
ghar bhi na tha koi
aur dar bhi na tha koi
ho
aur dar bhi na tha koi
bhare aanchal mein gham chhupaye
aankhon mein paani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki kahaani

dil mein ye armaan the
ek chhota sa bangla ho
chaand si dharti par
sone ka jangla ho
dil mein ye armaan the
ek chhota sa bangla ho
chand si dharti par
sone ka jangla ho
khel hon jeewan ke yahaan
mel hon jeewan ke
khel hon jeewan ke yahaan
mel hon jeewan ke
ho
aur mel hon jeewan ke
gaya bachpan to
aankh bhar aayi jawaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki kahaani

chaand ka dola ho
aur bijli ka baaja ho
dole mein rani ho
aur ghode pe raja ho
chaand ka dola ho
aur bijli ka baja ho
dole mein rani ho
aur ghode pe raja ho
pyaar ke raste hon
aur phool baraste hon
pyaar ke raste hon
aur phool baraste hon
ho aur phool baraste hon
banaa chaahti thi
ek din wo taaron ki raani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki kahaani

ho toote bandhan
sapnon ke moti bhi
lut gayi jyoti bhi
rah gaye andhere
ujde huye sawere
baat ye poori thi
aur phir bhi adhoori thi
baat ye poori thi
aur phir bhi adhoori thi
ho ye phir bhi adhoori thi
hoga anjaam kya
ye khabar khud bhi na jaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki lambi kahaani
jaise taaron ki baat sune raat suhaani
suno chhoti si gudiyaa ki kahaani

“Saaz aur Aawaaz” (1966) is a movie that is forgotten by now alongwith its music. This movie had Joy Mukherji and Saira Bano in lead roles.

Here is a song from this movie. This is a “dream” song in the sense that Saira Bano watches this song in her dream. The song is of course a love song as well.

The son is sung by Rafi and Asha Bhonsle. Khumar Barabankwi is the lyricist and Naushad composed the music.

Song-Tum ishq ki mehfil ho (Saaz Aur Aawaaz) (1966) Singers-Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Lyrics-Khumar Barabankwi, MD-Naushad

Lyrics

tum ishq ki mehfil ho
tum husn kaa jalwaa ho
yaa saaz-e-mohabbat par
chhedaa huaa naghmaa ho
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
shaayar ho musavvir ho
maaloom nahin kyaa ho
lagtaa hai mujhe aisaa
tum meri tamannaa ho
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
ek baar phir kaho zaraa

zulfen hain ghataa jaisi
chehraa hai kamal jaisaa
marmar kaa badan pyaaraa
marmar kaa badan pyaaraa
hai taajmahal jaisaa
jaise tumhen Kudrat ne
haathon se banaayaa ho
haathon se banaayaa ho
tum ishq ki mehfil ho
tum husn kaa jalwaa ho
yaa saaz-e-mohabbat par
chhedaa huaa naghmaa ho
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
aaa aaa

tum kyaa mile
ulfat ki tasweer nazar aayi
mujhko mere khwaabon ki taabeer nazar aayi
bhartaa nahin dil jaise
tum aisaa nazaaraa ho
tum aisaa nazaaraa ho
shaayar ho musavvir ho
maaloom nahin kyaa ho
lagtaa hai mujhe aisaa
tum meri tamannaa ho
ek baar phir kaho zaraa
ek baar phir kaho zaraa

In Bollywood movies, when boy first sees a girl, he would sing a teasing song addressed to her. She would take exception, naturally, but later on, she would fall in love with him and then they would sing a duet, running round trees.

The teasing song is mostly sung when both of them are walking on the road. The girl is walking ahead, and the boy, in roadside Romeo style, would follow her and sing his teasing song.

Here is a very upmarket teasing song. Here both boy and the girl are driving on their own cars, and that too expensive imported convertibles. Now one would expect a “stylish” hero (Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand etc) and a “stylish” heroine (Madhubala, Shakila etc) to figure in a song like this. But just take a close look. The duo are as unstylish as they come. The hero is Ashok Kumar, and the heroine is Nirupa Roy !

The movie is “Daakaa” (1959), which is as obscure a movie as any movie could ever be. The song is sung by Hemant Kumar. There were two lyricists in this movie, viz Majrooh Sultanpuri and Prem Dhawan. One of them has written this cute song. Chitragupta is the music director.

This song is a rare song, and I must say it is a song of great historical importance as it shows Ashok Kumar, and more importantly Nirupa Roy, in roles that few people today could imagine them performing.

Even otherwise, this is a gem of a song.

song-Aasmaan aasmaan tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan(Daakaa)(1959) Singer-Hemant Kumar, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri/Prem Dhawan, MD-Chitragupta

Lyrics

aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan

tere aanchal mein jitne hain taare
hain mere hi wo armaan saare
tere aanchal mein jitne hain taare
hain mere hi wo armaan saare
ek chhote se dil mein hamaare
jagmagaataa hai saaraa jahaan
aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan

ye nazaare ye ghadiyaan suhaani
kab akele kate zindagaani
ye nazaare ye ghadiyaan suhaani
kab akele kate zindagaani
le gayi dil udaakar hawaayen
kar gaya mast pyaara samaa
aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan

aarzoo kab se hai dil ko mere
koi aa jaaye zulfe bikhere
aarzoo kab se hai dil ko mere
koi aa jaaye zulfe bikhere
haath mein thaam kar haath uska
haal apna main kar loon bayaan
aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan aasmaan
tu kyaa jaane mere dil ki daastaan
aasmaan

Kapoor khaandaan males were known to romance their would be wives on screen before tying up the knot in real life. Shammi Kapoor has done it, and Rishi Kapoor has done it. In case of Randhir Kapoor’s would be wife, Babita, I found her romancing Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor onscreen instead (Chhee Chhee !).

Here finally Randhir Kapoor lives up to the family tradition. This movie “Jeet” (1972) has Randhir Kapoor and Babita together- perhaps for the first (and definitely for the last) time.
PS-This was the second such movie where they were together. The first such movie being “Kal, aaj aur kal”. My thanks to Bollywooddeewaana for this information.

Here is a romantic tonga song from this movie where Randhir Kapoor is the tonga walaa and he would play hard to get when Babita wants to ride with him.

This song is sung by Rafi and Lata. It was quite a popular song in its days. Anand Bakshi is the lyricist and Laxmikant Pyarelal composed the music.

Despite such lovely song (this movie was full of nice songs), this movie flopped at the box office. Randhir Kapoor in fact had the dubious distinction of being one Kapoor khaandaan actor who had a reverse midas touch. Whichever movie he acted in turned to dust. Earlier generation heroes like Rajendra Kumaretc had succesful careers riding piggyback on the music of their movies, but Randhir Kapoor could not even manage this feat. And that is a pity !

Song-Chal Premnagar jaayegaa batlaao taangewaale (Jeet) (1972) Singers-Lata, Rafi, Lyrics-Anand Bakshi, MD-Laxmikant Pyarelal

Lyrics

o ho ho ho ho
o taangewaale
oye ki gal hai kudiye he
chal prem nagar jaayega
batlaao taangewaale
prem nagar jaayega, kyun prem nagar jaayega
batlaao taangewaale
mera taanga nahin hai khaali
o jhaanjharwaali matwaali dilwaali bholi bhaali
mera taanga nahi hai khaali, kisi aur se bol bithaale
chal prem nagar jaayega batlaao taangewaale
mera taanga nahi hai khaali, kisi aur se bol bithaale

thoda tera bhaari wajan saamaan bhi jyaada hai
raste pe main baithi rahoon kya tera ye iraada hai
arri thoda tera bhaari wajan saamaan bhi jyaada hai
raste pe main baithi rahoon kya tera ye iraada hai
thak jaayungi chalte chalte
thak jaayungi chalte chalte
pad jaayenge paanv mein chhaale
o chal prem nagar jaayega batlaa re taangewaale

ho ho ho ho
jaaungi main tere hi saath warna mujhe jaana nahi
mujhko teri meethi meethi baaton mein ab aana nahi
arre jaaungi main tere hi saath warna mujhe jaana nahi
mujhko teri meethi meethi baaton mein ab aana nahi
main to hoon ek sawaari
main to hoon ek sawaari
loge (?) paise thahra le
mera taanga nahi hai khaali, kisi aur se bol bithaale

karta hai tu inkaar kyun
sach sach bata kyaa baat hai
ik to safar lamba dooje honewaali barsaat hai
karta hai tu inkaar kyun
sach sach bata kyaa baat hai
ik toh safar lamba dooje honewaali barsaat hai
phir saath akeli ladki
phir saath akeli ladki
dil kaise koyi sambhaale
chal prem nagar jaayega batlaao taangewaale
mera taanga nahi hai khaali, kisi aur se bol bithaale

This movie “Saaz aur Aawaaz” (1966) failed to click at the box office, and it meant that the songs of this movie did not get as much exposure as they would have got had the movie succeeded.

I personally do not recall having heard the songs of this movie. I became aware abou the songs of this movie thanks to the farmaishes of Lalitha.

Here is a song from this movie which I heard for the first time only today. It is a nice song to listen to. It is sung by Rafi and picturised on Joy Mukherji. Naushad is the music director. Khumar Barabankwi is the lyricist. I was not aware that Khumar Barabankwi (known for “Tasweer banaataa hoon tasweer nahin banti” written in 1950s) was still around in 1960s.

It is a lovely song, and I have now found that this movie in fact has quite a few lovely song that I need to post here.

song-Dil ki mehfil saji hai chale aayiye (Saaz aur Aawaaz) (1966) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Khumar Barabankwi,MD-Naushaad

Lyrics

dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye
aapki bas kami hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye

husn waalon kaa koyi bharosaa nahin
kyaa pataa aap aate bhi hain yaa nahin
husn waalon kaa koyi bharosaa nahin
kyaa pataa aap aate bhi hain yaa nahin
aankh dar pe lagi hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye
aapki bas kami hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye

dil dukhaane lagi dillagi aapki
maar daalegi ye berukhi aapki
dil dukhaane lagi dillagi aapki
maar daalegi ye berukhi aapki
jaan par ban gayi hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye
aapki bas kami hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye

kyaa suhaanaa samaa kyaa haseen raat hai
waadaa kar ke na aanaa buri baat hai
kyaa suhaanaa samaa kyaa haseen raat hai
waadaa kar ke na aanaa buri baat hai
ab to hadd ho chuki hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye
aapki bas kami hai chale aayiye
dil ki mahfil saji hai chale aayiye

There are songs with similar opening lines in “Ziddi” (1948) and in “Private Secretary” (1962). Both these songs are sung by Lata and both are superb songs.

I was not familar with the “Chandaa jaa” song of “Manmauji” (1962). I became aware of this song only because of farmaish of this song by Lalitha. When I searched for this song and listened to it, I was awestruck.

This song too is sung by Lata. She has sung it beautifully. Rajinder Krishan’s lyrics are superb, as always. In fact, in my opinion, he was perhaps the most versatile lyricist of that era, who could write superb songs on any genre.

What what does one say about Madan Mohan ! In this same movie, he came up with the music of “Zaroorat hai zaroorat hai” and “main to tum sang nain milaake”. And then this song !

What creative geniuses we had those days.

And I have not yet talked about the picturisation. The song is picturised beautifully on Sadhana and Kishore Kumar. sadhana is singing about her love in private, certain that she is alone. But Kishore Kumar is also there, eavesdropping on her.

It is a very nice and beautifully picturised song. They do not make songs like this now a days.

Song-Chandaa jaa Chanda jaa re jaa (Manmauji) (1962) Singer-Lata, Lyrics-Rajinder Krishan, MD-Madan Mohan

Lyrics

laa laa laa laa laa laa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
kaahe aayaa hai akelaa tujhe maanuu.N alabelaa
mere piyaa ko bhii sa.ng le aa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re

aa tujhko pahchaan bataa doon wo lagtaa hai kaisaa
nadiyaa mein mukh dekh le apnaa wo bhi hogaa waisaa
vo jo aaye to bindiyaa sajaa doon
kaali-kaali ye lat bikhraa doon
meraa itnaa sandesaa de aa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
kaahe aayaa hai akelaa tujhe maanoon albelaa
mere piyaa ko bhi sang le aa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re

dekh use kahnaa meri nindiyaa ho gayi sautan meri
mere sang-sang bairan hogi baat takat hai teri
chandaa denaa tu meri gawaahi
ham donon hain pyaar ke raahi
bas itnaa to saath nibhaa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
kaahe aayaa hai akelaa tujhe maanoonN albelaa
mere piyaa ko bhi sang le aa
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa re
chandaa jaa chandaa jaa re jaa

It is often said that one needs to use heavy duty Urdu words to come up with romantic ( as well as other kinds of) songs, and people agree. But the facts are, most of the lyricists in the formative years of Bollywood movie songs were more familiar with Urdu and they created such songs using words they were more comfortable with. Listeners who were not familiar with Urdu were often clueless about many words in these songs. Many listeners, such as yours truly, did not know what words like “ulfat”, fitrat” etc meant. People would guess about the meanings of these words in the context of the topic. Sometimes their guess would turn out to be correct, and sometimes not.

When it came to studying Hindi language, which is an important language in most Indian schools, school goers studying Hindi as a subject studied words that were much different from the words that one came across in Bollywood movie songs. In the schools, you would not learn words like “Husn”, “Harkat”, “Yaar” etc. One would instead be taught words like “Sundarta”,”Gati”,”Mitr” etc.

Even today, when it comes to formal occasions, where Hindi is to be spoken or written, such as functions, examinations etc, the language used there is different from the language of Bollywood movies.

Bollywood has created many myths around its movies, like Bandits raiding villages on the horseback, village belles assembling in village panghat, etc. Similarly, it is a myth that people in India speak the language spoken in Bollywood movies and that a boy sings a song promising the moon to a girl when he wants to express his love to her. Real facts are, if a boy seriously wants to impress a girl, then many of the words used in movies, viz “Husn”, “Shabaab”,”Haseena” etc are strict no no. Such words cannot be used in family gatherings and indeed they are not used in the Hindi TV serials that have proliferated these days.

I have come round to the view that Hindi words would have been quite appropriate for expressing romantic thoughts. Hindi (and its ancestor Sanskrit) is rich in words expressing romance. In fact, many Sanskrit stories of the past, viz Kalidas’ “Meghdoot”, “Abhigyaan Shakuntalam” , and Bilhan’s “Rajtarangini” etc are examples of superb stories written in words that are extremely sensuous and impressive.

In Bollywood too, we have had some examples of songs written in Hindi (different from the usual fare). For instance, I have posted the well known “Jyoti Kalash chhalke” (Bhabhi Ki Choodiyaan) in this blog. I have posted a few other songs as well.

Here is a song that I came across only recently. After listeneing to this song once, I was simply floored. What an amazing song ! This song is written in pure Hindi, and I found that I understand every word of it ! It is written by Bharat Vyas, who was one of the few lyricists in Bollywood who were Hindi experts ( others being Pradeep and Pt Narendra Sharma).

C Ramchandra has composed this amazing song. And just listen to Lata’s voice. Divine voice with impeccable rendition!

This song is an amazing song in all respects. Just because this song is not better known does not detract from its quality. This is one of the highest quality songs that Bollywood has ever produced. It is amazing stuff. I consider myself privileged that I managed to stumble upon this superb song.

The song is from “Stree” (1961). It is picturised on Sandhya and others. V. Shantaram was the hero of this movie.

Song-O nirdayi preetam (Stree) (1961) Singer-Lata,Lyrics-Bharat Vyas,MD- C Ramchandra

Lyrics

ye kyaa
tum sab dekh rahi ho

achchaa
ye le

hmm hmm
hmm hmm
hmm hmm hmm

preetam, nirdayi
kyaa likhoon
arre dono hi likh daal
Nirdayi, preetam
o nirdayi preetam
o nirdayi preetam
pranay jagaa ke
hriday churaa ke
chup huye kyun tum
o nirdayi preetam

ye chandaa sheetal kahlaataa
phir kyun mere ang jalaataa
ye chandaa sheetal kahlaataa
phir kyun mere ang jalaataa
phool saa komal, baan madan ka
phool saa komal, baan madan ka
shool banke tan mein chubh jaataa,
tumhre shur ke birhaa taap mein
aag bani poonam
o nirdayi preetam
o nirdayi preetam

aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
tum madhuban ke bhramar sayaane
tum madhuban ke bhramar sayaane
ban ki kali teraa hriday na jaane
gunjan mein kyaa, man mein kyaa thaa
preet yaa chhal thaa, kyaa pahchaane
gunjan mein kyaa, man mein kyaa thaa
preet yaa chhal thaa, kyaa pahchaane
chit ke chor, kathor hriday ke
kyun mile the ham
o nirdayi preetam
o nirdayi preetam
pranay jagaa ke,
hriday churaa ke,
chup huye kyun tum,
o nirdayi preetam
o nirdayi preetam

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