Chali re chali re meri naao chali re
Posted on: September 26, 2009
Look what song I have stumbled upon today ! This movie is called “Jhoola” (1941). It is as old a movie as any, and surprisingly, the quality of audio and video of this song is quite good.
The year 1941 was an entirely different world than what it is today. None of the present day Bollywood bigwigs had made their marks, or for that matter made their appearances in Bollywood at that time.
One of few persons who are well known even today, and who was around at that time too, was Ashok Kumar.
Ashok Kumar was the hero and Lila Chitnis was the heroine of this movie. As was the practice those days, the actors had to sing their songs themselves. So in this song, we find Ashok Kumar singing for himself.
Lyricist was another person who is well known even today, viz Pradeep. And Pradeep has written a very nice song here.
Music director was Saraswati Devi, a Parsi lady who has the distinction of being the first prolific lady music director in Bollywood.
Considering the technologically primitive conditions that prevailed those days, this song must be regarded as a technological marvel. It is a very nice and lovely song to listen to, and watch.
Song-Chali re chali re meri naao chali re (Jhoola) (1941) Singer-Ashok Kumar, Lyrics-Pradeep, MD-Saraswati Devi
Lyrics
nanananananana
na jaane kidhar aaj meri naao chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
na jaane kidhar aaj meri naao chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
koi kahe yahaan chali koi kahe vahaan chali
koi kahe yahaan chali koi kahe vahaan chali
man ne kaha piya ke gaanv chali re
piya ke gaanv chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
man ke mit mere mil ja jaldi
duniya ke saagar mein naav meri chal di
man ke mit mere mil ja jaldi
duniya ke saagar mein naav meri chal di
bilkul akeli, akeli akeli chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
na jaane kidhar aaj meri naav chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
uunchi nichi lahron pe naav meri dole
man mein prit meri piyu piyu bole
uunchi nichi laharon pe naav meri dole
man mein prit meri piyu piyu bole
mere man mujh ko bata, meri manzil ka pata
mere man mujh ko bata, meri manzil ka pata
bol mere saajan ki kaun gali re
bol mere saajan ki kaun gali re
na jaane kidhar
na jaane kidhar aaj meri naao chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
koi kahe yahaan chali koi kahe vahaan chali
man ne kaha piya ke gaanv chali re
piya ke gaanv chali re
chali re chali re meri naav chali re
3 Responses to "Chali re chali re meri naao chali re"
September 26, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I have learned so many things on my blog, one of which is that Saraswati Devi was the THIRD female music director in Hindi cinema. The first was a woman named Bibbo, and the second Jaddan Bai (actress Nargis’ mother). This is good reading on the subject:
http://films.hindi-movies-songs.com/75-years-music-sound-in-first-1931-1934.html
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3 | Sadanand Kamath
November 12, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Atul ji,
The song discussed here is a Happy Version. There is also a Sad Version of the song.
The context of the sad version of the song is that Geeta (Leela Chitnis) is the love interest of Ramesh (Ashok Kumar), the postman, and his half-brother, Mahesh (Shah Nawaz) who is a Zamindaar. Geeta is in love with Ramesh. Geeta’s aunt (Rajkumari Shukla) is against her marriage with Ramesh while she is keen to get her married to Mahesh. Disappointed with these development, Ramesh leaves the village with his friend, Mumtaz Ali. During the journey he sings this sad version, the lyrics of which are as under:
Lyrics (Sad Version):
hamne kisi se sunee kahaani
ek safar hai ye zindgaani
hamne kisi se sunee kahaani
ek safar hai ye zindgaani
kisko pagle tu kehta hai apna
prem kee duniyaa kaa jhoothha hai sapna
kisko pagle tu kehta hai apna
prem kee duniyaa kaa jhoothha hai sapna
unkaa phoolon se rishtaa hee kyaa
unkaa phoolon se rishtaa hee kyaa
jinkee kismat kaanton ke beech palee re
chalee re chalee re meree naao chalee re
na jaane kidhar
na jaane kidhar aaj meree naao chalee re
chalee re chalee re meree naao chalee re
kal kee baaton ko bhool mere manwaa
preet hai dukhon kee mool mere manwaa
kal kee baaton ko bhool mere manwaa
preet hai dukhon kee mool mere manwaa
sapne kisee ke kabhee hote na pure
roj banaao phir bhee adhure
roj banaao phir bhee adhure
beete huye sapnon kaa bojh uthaa le
door kaheen door meree naao chali re
chali re chali re meri nav chalee re
na jaane kidhar
na jaane kidha raaj meree naao chalee re
chalee re chalee re meree naao chalee re
Video Clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE1RlL_lPp0
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
September 26, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I just loved this song. My mother used to rave about Ashok Kumar and his singing, and while I have liked seeing AK, he wasn’t singing songs by then. It was also nice to see Lila chitnis looking young and pretty, I have only seen her looking like a haggard old woman, or a mean older woman. The song also makes you enjoy the happy mood of the singer. Thanks, Atul.
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