Chalo jhhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
Posted on: March 23, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie songs and a regular contributor of articles to this blog
The name of Bhagat Singh evokes strong emotions in the hearts of all Indians. This great son of Punjab laid down his young life fighting for the independence of India from the rule of the British aggressors.Bhagat Singh was born on September 27, 1907 to Sardar Kishan Singh and Vidyavati in the Khatkar Kalan village in district Layallpur in of undivided Punjab (now in Pakistan). Many senior members of his family were part of the Gadar party, and the spirit to fight the British was inherited in his blood.
He started studying at the National College in Lahore, but ran away from home to escape early marriage, and became a member of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha (“Youth Society of India”). After the brutal killing of Lala Lajpat Rai in a lathi charge by the British police, he swore to take revenge on Inspector Saunders who led the police team in that action. With his fellow revolutionaries he carried out this revenge and then escaped from Lahore in a disguise. He continued his revolutionary activities, which culminated in the bombing of the constituent assembly in Delhi.
On April 8th, 1929, he and his associate, Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the assembly, in protest against two bills to be passed that day, which were anti India. This time he did not attempt to escape. He was arrested, and after a mock trial by the British, he and his two colleagues, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death by hanging. The sentence was carried out on this day (23 march ) in 1931, when he was just 24 years old.
The song in this post is so very appropriate for the life and sacrifice of this great son of India. It is from the 1963 movie, Kabli Khan. The inspiring lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri and the rousing composition is by Chitragupt. The song is wonderfully rendered by Lata, and is picturized on Helen. The soldiers in the scene join in the chorus for this song.
On-screen, one sees a completely different image of Helen, than the one we are generally familiar with. She is singing the song with a gun in her hand. The situation is a sort of military get together and Helen is performing and singing this song. Other actors one can identify in the clip are Jayant and Ajit. Jayant is a dictator whose cruel treatment of his people has made him a object of hate, and there is a revolution brewing against him. In this scene, the army is of the soldiers who are loyal to him. Ajit and Helen are revolutionaries who have infiltrated his army in disguise, and Ajit has gained the confidence of Jayant, and is planning his next move.
In the scene just before this song, Ajit and Helen have a secret meeting, and discuss the plan to overthrow Jayant; the action is to be initiated on the day. After that interlude, this song is presented. Jayant is visibly perplexed by the tone and words of the song, as Helen is making an effort to exhort the officers of Jayant’s army, reminding them of what their country means to them and what is their duty towards it.The words of the song are brilliant and inspiring, and so appropriately depict the very values and sentiments associated with the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh. Every time that I listen to this song, it makes my eyes wet, and my heart is filled with gratitude and honor for Bhagat Singh and other such sons of India who laid down their lives so that we could live and breathe in a free country.
Audio
Video
Song-Chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan (Kaabli Khan) (1963) Singer-Lata, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri, MD-Chitragupta
Lyrics
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
jahaan hum jiye
jahaan hum paley
zameen hai wo dushman ke kadmon taley
jahaan hum jiye
jahaan hum paley
zameen hai wo dushman ke kadmon taley
zameen mat kaho hai wo apna badan
apna badan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
mukhaalif kayi
aur ik aashiyaan
kain par bagooley,
kahin aandhiaan
mukhaalif kayi
aur ik aashiyaan
kain par bagooley,
kahin par aandhiaan
arrey lut na jaaye hamaara chaman
hamaara chaman
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
mila lo kadam
nazar taan lo
jo gaddaar hain unko pehchaan lo
mila lo kadam
nazar taan lo
jo gaddaar hain unko pehchaan lo
ke hain kaarwaan mein chhupe raahzan
chhupe raahzan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
chaley sar liye
hatheli pe hum
shaheedon ke zinda lahoo ki kasam
chaley sar liye
hatheli pe hum
shaheedon ke zinda lahoo ki kasam
ke marna watan pe hamaara chalan
hamaara chalan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
lahoo maangti hai zameen e watan
chalo jhoomte sar se baandhe kafan
2 Responses to "Chalo jhhoomte sar se baandhe kafan"
March 25, 2011 at 5:10 am
Wonderful song! I vaguely remember hearing this song once upon a time, long, long ago, when I was very, very young! Helen looks lovely in this dance.
Thanks for the write up about Bhagat Singh, Sudhir! I knew he died a martyr’s death at an early age, but I didn’t know the details. Thanks again.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
March 25, 2011 at 12:52 am
What a fantastic song! I’ve never heard this before. And how fitting that it should be posted here on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.
Very informative write-up too, Sudhir. Thanks a lot!
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