Kaun bujhaawe
Posted on: July 14, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
There are many success stories in the film world, where in un-tested and un-trained folks from common occupations and professions, came into films and made it big. Without a doubt, the earliest such story which has turned out to be the most phenomenal success ever, is Saigal Saab. Moving from Jalandhar to Calcutta, and from being the sales manager in a typewriter company, KL Saigal broke into the Bengali cinema world in 1932, and in a short career that lasted barely 15 years, he has left behind a legacy that has charmed generation after generation of music lovers. A legend and a phenomena in his own living years, with a treasure of just 185 known recordings, an unrivalled treasure that cannot be compared to any other artist since the time the sound has been electrically recorded.
It is somehow very hard to imagine that a completely untrained voice can weave the magic that Saigal saab succeeded with, in his short stay in this world. Not trained by his parents, no musical legacy in the family, no training under any Ustaad or Guru; just a raw untutored amateur landing up at the doorstep of RC Boral, with just a deep and soulful voice. And yet, this untrained voice would settle down to sing a ghazal, a thumri, a light song, a romantic melody with such effortless ease that it is hard to believe his antecedents. The music directors who worked with him comment upon the frugal preparations required to record a song. Saigal saab had the unmatched capability to produce the right mood on demand.
This thumri is a non film offering that is so purely classical in nature; and yet the effortless rendering by this divine voice that was never taught the sur and raag, so essential to even attempt a classical piece. The names of the lyricist and the composer are not available. The song is about a lady whose lover/husband is away to distant lands, and she misses his presence. She is telling her sakhi (friend) the agony and distress that she is going through, in this time of separation. There is a fire in the heart and in the being that cannot be quenched by anything, except the presence and touch of the lover.
As thumris go, this is a short about 3 minutes piece that is seems to end almost as soon as it begins. And yet, the amount of emotion and passion that is packed into it, is exceptional. The voice and the inflections will generate an empathy in the listener, almost bringing out the personal emotions.
Another great rendering by this golden voice; just to settle down in a quiet space and listen with your eyes closed; you may feel the fire burning in your own heart.
Song-Kaun bujhaawe ( Saigal NFS) Singer-K L Saigal
Lyrics
aaa
haa
kaun bujhaawe
kaun bujhaawe ho ram
kaun bujhaawe
kaun bujhaawe,
rama
hey rama ho
kaun bujhaawe
tapat morey mann ki ho raam
tapat morey mann ki raam
tapat morey mann ki raam
aaaa
raaaamaa ho
kaun bujhaawe
hey laagi
laagi
laagi aag lagan ki
haaye raam
laagi
arre laagi
laagi aag lagan ki
haaye raam
raamaa ho raam
kaun bujhaawe
kaun bujhaawe tapat morey mann ki raam
tapat morey mann ki raamaa
kaun bujhaawe
preetam gayo bides sakhi
kaho kaa se kahoon
mann ki batiyaan
birhaa agan
phoonkyo mann moraa
ab kaun karey sheetal chhatiyaan
raamaa kaun bujhaawe
arre bujhaawe
tapat morey mann ki
raamaa ho
raama ho
kaun bujhaawe
bujhaawe ho raamaa
kaun bujhaawe
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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