This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Karwaane e Hayaat is a 1935 production from New Theatres, Calcutta. It is a costume adventure drama directed by Premankur Athorty. Drawn up in the early years of the industry, this film is a trendsetter and a precursor to many other films that will follow over the years, using the same theme with some variations.
The title, Kaarwaan e Hayaat literally means a convoy or a panorama of the world. (Kaarwaan = convoy, procession, Hayaat = this creation, this world). A Hindi phrase with a similar meaning would be ‘Duniya Ka Mela’.
The theme and the story is based in a fictitious kingdom of Kascand. The kingdom is ruled by the Queen Mother, role played by Shyama Zutshi. KL Saigal plays the role of prince Pervez, the wild and rebellious prince and heir to the throne. With help from Wazir, the prime minister of the state (role played by Gul Hamid), the Queen Mother arranges for a match for her son with princess of the neighboring state of Vijaypore, a role played by Rajkumari. Not desiring this match, Pervez protests against this arrangement and runs away from home. He disguises himself as a common gypsy man and joins a band of gypsies under the assumed name of Naju. At the gypsy camp, a gypsy girl, Zarina (role played by Ratanbai) falls in love with Pervez. Also, at the camp, Pervez befriends Raahat, a gypsy youth (role played by Pahadi Sanyal). Raahat in turn also has a fancy for Zarina.
But fortune has a different design in store. The villain of the story, the Emir of Tikkim (role played by M Nawab) desires to marry the princess of Vijaypore. He conspires with the gypsy chief to kidnap the princess. Now the princess, forcibly disguised as a dancing girl, also lands up in the same gypsy camp. Unbeknownst of each other’s true identities, Naju / Pervez and the princess grow close and start to fancy each other.
For the folks of later generations, fed on many a films of love triangles and royal intrigues, there are familiar twists and turns in the story, and all ends well with Pervez returning to his kingdom, now properly tethered to the princess of Vijaypore, a relationship he initially protested against and ran away from. But for a movie from the 1930s, the plot intricacies were totally a fresh experience for the public at that time.
The film has two music directors, Mihir Kumar Bhattacharya and Timir Baran. It is not as a music director duo, but as two composers sharing the music score for the movie. The film has a total of 10 songs. Of these, three are composed by Timir Baran, and the rest by Mihir Kumar. This song is composed by Timir Baran.
As fate would have it, this is another great movie where in the name of the lyricist is not available from any source, so far. One can surmise that in the early years of talking films, it was the singers and music directors who could claim any recognition. Apparently, the lyricists were not considered important enough to merit an individual mention in the credits of the movie. The story / screenplay is written by Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, and the dialogues are written by Hakim Ahmed Shuja ‘Pasha’. It is possible that the lyrics for the movie could have come from the pen of these authors, but that is not a confirmed information.
The singing voices in this song are those of Saigal Saab, Pahari Sanyal and Uma Shashi. On screen, this song is picturized on KL Saigal (Pervez), Pahari Sanyal (Raahat) and Miss Molina (Sonia). Through the lyrics of the song, the three characters are searching for a meaning of love, and telling of their individual impressions and experiences of love. As one follows the lyrics, one finds a complex combination of the sequencing of expressions across the three characters. It is a good indicator about which character desires what or feels what.
Tune in and listen to this melody that was created almost 75 years ago, and use the singer indicator in the lyrics below to decipher which character is saying what. Enjoy.
Important Update – 10 Oct, 2017
After having traced the film earlier this year, I am now updating this post with the video clip of this song. In the film, this song immediately follows the song “Nindiya Mori Bairan. . .“, without a break. In that song, although KL Saigal is present in the scene, and is singing and dancing with the gypsies, the song does not contain his voice. However, in this song that immediately follows, one can clearly see and hear Saigal Sb singing.
We had earlier posted the audio only of this song. As per the data available, with reference to the compilation – ‘Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya’, published by Hamraaz ji, the 78 rpm record of this song only carries the names of KL Saigal and Pahadi Sanyal. As per the assessment by Hamraaz ji and others, the accompanying female voice is that of Uma Shashi. However, in the video clip the female lines are picturized on Molina Devi, playing the role of Sonia, one of the gypsy girls at the camp. Given than in all probability, the sound recording in this film would have been recorded live while shooting the scenes, then the female voice in this video clip has to be Molina Devi’s own voice.
Enjoy this visual of the song, that was recorded more than 80 years ago. I will continue to post the remaining songs, with little time gaps. 🙂
Video
Audio
Song – Koi Preet Ki Reet Bataa Do Hamen (Kaarwaan e Hayaat) (1935) Singers – K L Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Uma Shashi, Molina Devi, MD – Timir Baran
Lyrics (as per video clip)
Singers – KL Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Molina Devi Pahadi Sanyal + Molina Devi Chorus
koi preet ki reet bataa do hamen
koi preet ki reet bataa do hamen
koi mann ka meet milaa do hamen
koi aisa geet sunaa do hamen
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
banvaasi meet kahaan jaanen
banvaasi meet kahaan jaanen
hum aisa geet kahaan jaanen
hum aisa geet kahaan jaanen
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
ye sab shehron ke dhande hain
ye hirs o hawas ke fande hain hum to sailaani bande hain hum preet ki reet kahaan jaanen hum preet ki reet kahaan jaanen
dil jungle hi mein behaltaa hai
yahaan husn pe ishq machaltaa hai dil jungle hi mein behaltaa hai yahaan husn pe ishq machaltaa hai yahaan prem ka saagar chaltaa hai
yahaan prem ka saagar chaltaa hai
hamen preet ki reet bataa de koi hamen aisa geet sunaa de koi hamen preet ki reet bataa de koi hamen aisa geet sunaa de koi
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
pardesi preet kahaan jaane
pardesi preet kahaan jaane
hum aisa geet kahaan jaane
hum aisa geet kahaan jaane
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
ye sab shehron ke dhande hain
ye hirs o hawas ke fande hain hum to sailaani bande hain
[Ed Note: The video clip abruptly ends here, although based on the tempo of singing, it is apparent that the song would have continued.]
———————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————
कोई प्रीत की रीत बता दो हमें
कोई प्रीत की रीत बता दो हमें
कोई मन का मीत मिला दो हमें
कोई ऐसा गीत सुना दो हमें
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली
बनवासी मीत कहाँ जानें बनवासी मीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली
ये सब शहरों के धंधे हैं ये हिर्सो हवस के फंदे हैं हम तो सैलानी बंदे हैं हम प्रीत की रीत कहाँ जानें हम प्रीत की रीत कहाँ जानें
दिल जंगल ही में बहलता है
यहाँ हुस्न पे इश्क़ मचलता है दिल जंगल ही में बहलता है यहाँ हुस्न पे इश्क़ मचलता है यहाँ प्रेम का सागर चलता है यहाँ प्रेम का सागर चलता है
हमें प्रीत की रीत बता दे कोई हमें ऐसा गीत सुना दे कोई
हमें प्रीत की रीत बता दे कोई हमें ऐसा गीत सुना दे कोई
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली
परदेसी प्रीत कहाँ जानें परदेसी प्रीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली
ये सब शहरों के धंधे हैं ये हिर्सो हवस के फंदे हैं हम तो सैलानी बंदे हैं Lyrics (as per audio clip)
Singers – K L Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Uma Shashi Saigal + Uma Shashi Pahadi Sanyal + Uma Shashi
koi preet ki reet bataa do hamen
koi mann ka meet milaa do hamen
koi aisa geet sunaa do hamen
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
banvaasi meet kahaan jaane
pardesi preet kahaan jaane
hum aisa geet kahaan jaane
hum aisa geet kahaan jaane
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
ye sab shehron ke dhande hain
ye hirs o hawas ke fande hain hum to sailaani bande hain
hum preet ki reet kahaan jaane
hum preet ki reet kahaan jaane
dil jungle hi mein behaltaa hai
yahaan husn pe ishq machaltaa hai
dil jungle hi mein behaltaa hai
yahaan husn pe ishq machaltaa hai yahaan prem ka saagar chaltaa hai
yahaan prem ka saagar chaltaa hai
hamen preet ki reet bataa de koi hamen aisa geet sunaa de koi hamen preet ki reet bataa de koi hamen aisa geet sunaa de koi
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
khil jaaye dil se dil ki kali
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
yahaan dil ki kali to kabhi na khili
———————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————
कोई प्रीत की रीत बता दो हमें
कोई मन का मीत मिला दो हमें
कोई ऐसा गीत सुना दो हमें
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली
बनवासी मीत कहाँ जानें परदेसी प्रीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें हम ऐसा गीत कहाँ जानें
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली
ये सब शहरों के धंधे हैं ये हिर्सो हवस के फंदे हैं हम तो सैलानी बंदे हैं हम प्रीत की रीत कहाँ जानें हम प्रीत की रीत कहाँ जानें
दिल जंगल ही में बहलता है
यहाँ हुस्न पे इश्क़ मचलता है
दिल जंगल ही में बहलता है
यहाँ हुस्न पे इश्क़ मचलता है यहाँ प्रेम का सागर चलता है यहाँ प्रेम का सागर चलता है
हमें प्रीत की रीत बता दे कोई हमें ऐसा गीत सुना दे कोई
हमें प्रीत की रीत बता दे कोई हमें ऐसा गीत सुना दे कोई
खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली खिल जाये दिल से दिल की कली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली यहाँ दिल की कली तो कभी ना खिली
Sudhir ji,
As usual,very good article.
This time what I liked was the Colour scheme for different singers.It is such an original idea ! Why cant we adopt this method hereafter for other duets too ?
Atul ji can consider this suggestion.
Sudhir ji, I would like to suggest, you also go thru the postings dated 25th May 2011,for another song of this film already discussed( there are your comments too).-Hairat-e-naazaaraa aakhir ban gayi…….
I have given more information about HakeemAhmed Shuja Pasha,the lyricist of this film and the Music Director,M.K.Bhattacharya,along with a synopsis of the film.
I just remembered that the Real name of Pahadi Sanyal was NAGENDRA NATH.
Thanks for pointing your comments from the earlier song of this movie (posted 25th May, 2011); and apologies that I did not remember it when I was preparing this write up.
Actually, as I searched other sources, I was unable to find any specific information as to the lyricist for this movie. I referred to Geet Kosh, and to two other compilations of Saigal Saab’s songs, which I have found to be pretty accurate and authentic. (One of them is an online source http://www.kundanlalsaigal.com/, and another is the book that was mentioned by Shri DK, a few days ago in one of the comments on this blog). All three do not have this information. It is mentioned that Hakeem Ahmed Shujam Pasha was the dialogue writer for this film, but the name is not listed as lyricist.
However, I do trust that your information is well researched and that you refer to many more sources.
Thanks Sudhirbhai for updating the post and uploading the video clip of this gold piece. It’s truly a treat for us. Appreciate true passion of sharing your knowledge with all of us.
Sudhirji,
This is great work. A treasure for vintage music lovers. Congratulations and thanks a lot. Unfortunately, kundanlalsaigal.com seems to have been taken off. A loss.
AK
This blog discusses Bollywood songs of yesteryears. Every song has a brief description, followed by a video link, and complete lyrics of the song.
This is a labour of love, where “new” songs are added every day, and that has been the case for over FIFTEEN years. This blog has over 18300 song posts by now.
This blog is active and online for over 5000 days since its beginning on 19 july 2008.
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
July 28, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Sudhir ji,
As usual,very good article.
This time what I liked was the Colour scheme for different singers.It is such an original idea ! Why cant we adopt this method hereafter for other duets too ?
Atul ji can consider this suggestion.
Sudhir ji, I would like to suggest, you also go thru the postings dated 25th May 2011,for another song of this film already discussed( there are your comments too).-Hairat-e-naazaaraa aakhir ban gayi…….
I have given more information about HakeemAhmed Shuja Pasha,the lyricist of this film and the Music Director,M.K.Bhattacharya,along with a synopsis of the film.
I just remembered that the Real name of Pahadi Sanyal was NAGENDRA NATH.
-AD
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July 28, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I have been thinking of this idea (different colour for different singers) for quite some time. I finally got down to doing this only now.
I will try and incorporate it in the earlier duets etc too.
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