Zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
Posted on: November 23, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Gulzar, a name that will bring to mind poems and songs of unsullied beauty and edifying simplicity. A play on words that sound commonplace, and yet the meaning and the message they carry are so profound and endearing, that can make emotions swell in the heart. Be it the perky “Mora Gora Ang Layi Le” from film ‘Bandini’ (1963), or the poingnant “Koi Hota Jisko Apna Hum Apna Keh Letey Yaaro” from ‘Mere Apne’ (1971), or the spirited “Huzoor Is Qadar Bhi Na Itthlaa Ke Chaliye” from ‘Maasoom’ (1983), or even the belligerent “Chhod Aaye Hum Wo Galiyaan” from ‘Maachis’ (1996). The spectrum of sentiments is captured fully, across the emotions as well as across the decades, something that speaks volumes of the talent of this wonderful poet. Sometimes his creations are tricky and keen – take this song from Aandhi (1975) “Is Mod Se Jaate Hain”
is mod se jaate hain
kuchh sust kadam raste
kuchh tez kadam raahen
patthar ki haveli ko
sheeshey ke gharondon se
tinkon ke nahseman tak
is mod se jaate hain
And at other times his creations are simply a playful delight – “Saare Ke Saare Gama Ko Le Kar Gaate Chale” from Parichay (1972).
Some writers and critics have commented on his borrowing ideas and even words from elsewhere. The famous song “Dil Dhoondtaa Hai Phir Wohi Fursat Ke Raat Din” from ‘Mausam’ (1975). The mukhdaa (title lines) of this song are exactly the famous she’r by Ghalib from the ghazal of the same title. And so is this song from Ghulami (1985). The very first line of this song is an almost straight copy of the famous creation of Amir Khusro. The first two lines of the original poem by Khusro are
zihaal-e- m’skeen maqun taghaaful
duraye naina banaaye batiyaan
(This piece of poetry by Khusro is a very unique creation, in that it is a combination of Persian and Brij Bhasha. The structure of this poem is planned with deliberation – the first line is Persian, the second line is Brij Bhasha, and so on. The beauty of the creation is the mellifluous flow both in terms of the words, and in terms of coherent meaning is simply superb. This poem is sung by many singers. I would recommend readers to listen to a live performance by Ghulam Ali , and a very unique rendition as a duet, by Mukesh and Sudha Malhotra . Both these performance are just wonderful)
Ghulami is a 1985 film directed by J.P. Dutta. The film has an ensemble cast comprising Dharmendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Mazhar Khan, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Raza Murad, Smita Patil, Reena Roy, Anita Raj, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Shivpuri. Amitabh Bachchan provides the background narration. The music composition is by Laxmikant Pyarelal and lyrics are by Gulzar. The film focuses on the caste and feudal system in Rajasthan and a rebellion started by the Jats under Ranjit Singh Choudhary (Dharmendra), against the Thakur landlords. The screenplay based on a real story of a school master Ranjit Singh Choudhary.
The video clip has about a one minute lead in scene, where Javar (Mithun Chakraborty) is taking Tulsi (Anita Raj), with him, apparently this scene coming after some tragedy having occurred in Tulsi’s family, which leaves her alone and without any support.
The song and the music is a wonderful combination, and a treat for discerning ears. The singing voices are those of Lata and Shabbir Kumar. Enjoy this wonderful song.
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
ba-haal-e-hijraan bechaaraa dil hai
Behold this sad and vulnerable (heart), not with a glance of unkindness
For this unfortunate heart is fresh with wounds of separation
zihaal = see, take notice, behold
m’skeen = poor, vulnerable, weak / dependent
maqun = do not
ranjish = unpleasantness, unkindness
haal = of recent origin
hijraan = separation, absence
bechaaraa = unfortunate
dil = heart
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
The echoes of a pounding heart that are becoming audible
The sound – does it stem from your heart, or from mine
woh aa ke pehlooo mein aise baitthe
ke shaam rangeen ho gayee hai
(My beloved) drew closer and sat beside me
And the aura of this dusk is more colorful and vibrant
zaraa zaraa si khili tabiyat
zaraa si gamgeen ho gayee hai
And the temperament of my soul
Is glowing, ever so softly
And yet, is also touched by a tender distress
kabhi kabhi shaam aise dhalti hai
jaise ghunghat utar rahaa hai
Some days the dusk will fall
As if the veil of an alluring beauty,
Is being pulled down slowly
tumhaare seene se utth’taa dhuaan
hamaare dil se guzar rahaa hai
And lo, the mist that rises from your being
Is the same mist that is suffusing my heart
yeh sharm hai, ya hayaa hai, kyaa hai
nazar utthaa’te hi jhuk gayee ha
(This emotion that passes across your being)
Is it a timid shyness or a coy bashfulness
What is it?
That your glance is lowered,
As soon as it started to come up
(NOTE: I have feeling that this couplet is inspired from the (second line) of this following famous she’r
nazar utthe to duaa ban jaaye
agar jhuk jaaye hayaa ban jaaye
jo tirchhi ho to adaa ban jaaye
padey seedhi to kazaa ban jaaye
(NOTE: This she’r is used in the qawwaali ‘Hum Chhupe Rustom Hain’ from the Dev Anand film ‘Chhupa Rustom’ (1973), but I am pretty sure the original she’r is from another piece of poetry that I am not able to recall now.)
tumhaari palkon se gir ke shabnam
hamaari aankhon mein ruk gayee hai
The dew drops falling from your eyelashes
Have come to rest in my eyes
Audio
Video
Song-Zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish (Ghulaami)(1985) Singers-Lata, Shabbir Kumar, Lyrics-Gulzar, MD-Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics
o o o o
o o o
o o
o o o o
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
ba-haal-e-hijraan bechaaraa dil hai
ho o o o o
ho o o o o
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
ba-haal-e-hijraa bechaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
woh aa ke pehlooo mein aise baithhe
ae ae ae ae
woh aa ke pehlooo mein aise baithhe
ke shaam rangeen ho gayee hai
ke shaam rangeen ho gayee hai
ke shaam rangeen ho gayee hai
zaraa zaraa si khili tabeeyat
zaraa si gamgeen ho gayee hai
zaraa zaraa si khili tabeeyat
zaraa si gamgeen ho gayee hai
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
bahaal-e-hijraa bechaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
kabhi kabhi shaam aise dhalti hai
jaise ghoonghat utar rahaa hai
utar rahaa hai
kabhi kabhi shaam aise dhalti hai
jaise ghoonghat utar rahaa hai
tumhaare seene se utth’taa dhuaan
hamaare dil se guzar rahaa hai
tumhaare seene se utth’taa dhuaan
hamaare dil se guzar rahaa hai
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
ba-haal-e-hijraa bechaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
yeh sharm hai
ya hayaa hai, kyaa hai
nazar utthaa’te hi jhuk gayee hai
nazar utthaa’te hi jhuk gayee hai
tumhaari palkon se gir ke shabnam
hamaari aankhon mein ruk gayee hai
tumhaari palkon se gir ke shabnam
hamaari aankhon mein ruk gayee hai
zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish
ba-haal-e-hijraa bechaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa hamaaraa dil hai
sunaa’ee detee hai jiski dhadkan
tumhaaraa dil yaa. . .
koi shaque
hamaaraa dil hai
ho o o o o
o o o
ho o o o
o o o
ho o o o
o o o
—————————————————————————————
Lyrics of the famous poem by Amir Khusro, are also given below.
—————————————————————————————
zihaal-e-miskeen makun taghafful
duraaye naina banaaye batiyaan
zihaal-e-miskeen makun taghafful
duraaye naina banaaye batiyaan
ke taab-e-hijraan nadaaram-e-jaan
na leho kaahe lagaaye chhatiyaan
shabaan-e-hijran daraz chun zulf,
wa roz-e-waslat cho umer kotah
sakhi piya ko jo mein na dekhun,
to kaise kaatoon andheri ratiyaan
yakaa-yak az dil do chashm-e-jadu,
Basad farebam baburd taskin
Kisay pari hai jo ja sunave,
Piyare pi ko hamari batiyan,
Cho shama sozan cho zaraa hairan,
Hamesha giryan be ishq an meh
Na nind naina na ang chaina,
Na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan,
Bahaq-e-roz-e-visaal-e-dilbar,
Ke daad mara gharib Khusro
Sapet man ke varaye rakhun,
Jo jaye paun piya ke khatiyan
11 Responses to "Zihaal-e-m’skeen maqun-ba-ranjish"
November 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Movie written by famous vetern O.P.Dutta and the desert scenes beautifully photographed by ace cameraman ISHWAR BIDRI.
Sorry in fact Lataji ` voice was at first lip synced by Huma khan(who also dances for the song),later on anita raj lip syncs for the song
and
laxmi pyare(great and superb orcestrisation) always gave these type special music for J.p.dutta`s desert sagas like gulaami,yateem(88),hathyar(1989),batwara(89),khsathriya.
Late anu malik was replaced for border,refugee,loc kargil,umraojaan
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November 23, 2011 at 2:36 pm
oops ,sorry
typing mistake,
it(last line spelling) should be LATER instead of LATE
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November 23, 2011 at 3:06 pm
beautiful analysis!!.. tis is d 1st time reading ur blog 🙂
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November 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Sudhir Sir,
I cannot agree more with your brief on Gulzaar. He is one of those who belonged to older generation and yet left an impact on hindi film music of last six decades. He has adapted wonderfully with the changes in the music scene admirably, keeping his originality and rich taste intact. This is no mean achievement. He chose well with whom he associated himsellf. After the end of golden era, he is chiefly responsible for keeping a certain amount of poetry in music alive, with some help from Javed Akhtar.
Gulzaar’s fascination with persian poetry is evident even now. The song “Jai ho -aa jaa aa jaa jind-e-shamiyaane ke tale” from “slumdog millionaire” needs no introduction. There is another song in “Yuvraaj” which is “mast mast dar mastam” which is testimony of his verstality Be it ‘Chhaiyaan chhaiyaan” from “Dil se” (I want to list all songs of this film) or the item no. of ‘ Bunti Bubli’ or the inimitable “dhen te nan” from Kaminay, he has tastefully achieved commercial success.
Sufiana poetry has always been in the middle of things in hindi films. It still is. If i may, i will request Sudhir Sir and Atul ji to include the songs of ‘Dil se”,” Delhi-6″, Yuvraaj, “Guru” etc. from A R. Rehman. I have to simply mention that spectacular “Kun faya kun” from ‘Rockstar’ which is a latest rage, i am told.
And thanks you very much for the Amir Khusro poem and the links. I was not aware of this poem..
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November 25, 2011 at 9:25 am
SudhirJi,
Your generous contribution is greatly appreciated, I thank you for your in depth translation.
The modern times songs (poems) are as common as they were a century ago. Even though with or without the century old poems, we are still finding a way to express ourselves and to enjoy so many poetic writings through the medium of music. Timeless tales of love, longing, betrayal, and electric passion are woven into lyrics of the songs that we listen to.
The other song of Amir Khusrow (1253-1325) is very closely related that written by Shailendra in film Bandini “ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul”
When the old melodies and lyrics survive thru the adapted to modern forms, it makes everything very interesting.
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December 8, 2011 at 8:03 am
Awesome Khusru and Ghulam Ali…
just to save time: song starts @ 2:21
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December 8, 2011 at 8:35 am
A VERY RARE FINDINGS:::;ENJOY…
makun taghaful .by Amir Khusrau.
SIngers: Sudha Malhotra with Mukesh.
Music: Murli Manohar Swaroop.
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January 22, 2015 at 11:22 am
Sir, The audio version has one additional stanza which is the second one having philosophical lyrics as :
Ajeeb hain dil ke dard…
Ajeeb hain dil ke dard yaaron,
Na hon to mushkil hai jeena iska
Na hon to mushkil hai jeena iska
Jo hon to har dard ek heera,
Har ek gham hai nageena iska
Jo hon to har dard ek heera,
Har ek gham hai nageena iska
Unable to find full video in movie hence it is clear that there is only three stanza song in movie but audio has four stanzas.
Here is the YT (audio only) link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRTA8Jbq9mA
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
November 23, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Thank you sudhir bhai for the nice post, my favourite song,translation.
Huma khan is the main dancer in the song sequence, who came to India for the screentest of Sunny deol`s BETAAB(must be for heroine`s role) and ended up in itsy bitsy dancer`s role.
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