Have a story to tell? A theme to work on? An emotion to express? A mood to paint? Easy. You can do all this and more with Hindi film songs. For musical stories or theme-based songs or lyrical expressions of moods or...whatever, this promises to be a fun-filled ride. Come, get on the bandwagon!
"Kaheko byahi bides" is one of the finest vidaai songs that we have. I was wondering if I should dare to post any more from the same genre after that. But succumbed to the temptation of posting this melody from "Anokhi Raat" (1968).
Trivia: This was Roshan's last film as a composer. This particular song was recorded after his death, based on the tune set by him.
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi, Indeevar
Music: Roshan
After the wedding, it is now time for the bride to move in with her husband. There are many sad songs in Hindi films that depict this scene. It is indeed a very touching moment. Presenting a classic, written by the 13th century poet-scholar-musician, Amir Khusrow. A Sufi mystique and disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, he wrote extensively in Farsi and Hindustani. His verses have a characteristic timelessness. They are being sung even today.
Here are two versions of "Kahe ko byahi bides". A longer one in the voice of Wajahat Hussain Khan Qawwal. And another one from the film "Umrao Jaan" (1981), sung by Jagjit Kaur. I found the verse and its translation, and I am including them in this post. These words and the actual rendition differ at some places, but it is still good to have them in order to enjoy this composition.
Singer: Jagjit Kaur
Lyrics: Amir Khusrow
Music: Khayyam
Kaahay ko biyaahi bides, ray, lakhi baabul moray,
Kaahay ko biyaahi bides........
Bhayiyon ko diye babul mehlay do-mehlay,
Hum ko diya pardes, ray, lakhi babul......
Hum to hain babul teray khoontay ki gayyan,
Jid haankay hank jaayen, ray, lakhi babul......
Hum to hain babul teray belay ki kaliyan,
Ghar ghar maangi jaayen, ray lakhi babul......
Hum to hain babul teray pinjray ki chidiyan,
Bhor bhaye ud jaayen, ray, lakhi babul......
Taaqon bhari mainay gudiyan jo chhodeen
Choota sahelin ka saath, ray lakhi babul......
Kothay talay say palakiya jo nikli,
Beeran nay khaayi pachhad, ray, lakhi babul.....
Dolee ka parda uthakar jo dekha,
Aaya piya ka des, ray, lakhi babul moray.
Kaahay ko biyaahi bides, ray, lakhi baabul moray.
Why did you part me from yourself, dear father, why?
You’ve given houses with two stories to my brothers,
And to me, a foreign land? Why dear father, why?
We (daughters) are just cows tied to your peg,
Will move on to where ever you drive us to, dear father.
We are just flower-buds of your garden,
And are asked for, in every household, dear father.
We are just birds from your cage,
Will fly off when its dawn again, dear father.
I’ve left at home, alcoves full of dolls;
And parted from my buddies too, dear father.
When my palanquin passed beneath the terrace,
My brother fainted and fell, dear father.
As I remove the curtain from the palanquin,
I see we’ve reached the beloved’s house, dear father.
Why did you part me from yourself, dear father, why?
Today's song is being posted not so much for its music, but more because of its visuals. It brings alive many wedding rituals beautifully. No wonder then, that it is from a film called "Vivah" (2006).
A lovely duet from "Chori Chori" (1956) today. The bride's friends are singing and dancing in a farewell to their dear friend, who is about to start her new life soon.
Singers: Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Weddings are grand affairs. I will be posting some wedding songs in the days to come. When it comes to a wedding in the family, we Indians tend to go overboard. Hindi films are no different. The ceremony has been portrayed in so many films, in so many different ways, that I have a lot to choose from. The songs that I have picked are representative of what goes on during an Indian wedding, and they are not in any particular order. There could be an overlap or repetition of some of the rituals. But, it sure is going to be fun. So, be a part of the celebrations and enjoy the next few posts.
Today's song is from the classic dacoit-drama "Mujhe Jeene Do" (1963). This is a beautiful song and the wedding is taking place in Waheeda Rehman's imagination.
Trivia: The film was shot in Chambal valley in the Bhind-Morena region of Madhya Pradesh under police protection. It was a huge success. It was India's official entry at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.
The few days that separate the engagement and the wedding pass in preparing for the big event. The wedding celebrations kick off with mehndi ceremony. I present a somewhat forgotten song from "Mehboob Ki Mehndi" (1971). The most obvious pick would have been "Mehndi laga ke rakhna" from "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (1995).
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemlata
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
