Kahin qaraar na ho aur khushi na miley
Posted on: February 21, 2012
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Welcome all to the 5500th song on this blog. It seems like just a few days ago, that we had celebrated the 5000th milestone. And now, just a little more than three months later, we are already at the 5500 mark today. The journey of this musical bandwagon continues along merrily, and every day there is a treat of music that Atul ji is providing to all aficionados of old Hindi film music. But more than just good music and joy of listening, through this blog Atul ji is doing a yeoman’s service to the film industry, to the countless fans, and to this art form itself.
Due to lack of care or means or resources, a fairly large part of this music is either lost or maybe hidden at places, with people, that it is not easy to access. With the coming of the internet, there are a number of sources that have appeared online around the world, that are providing access to this music, particularly the YouTube. Within all this plethora of music that is once again available due to the effort of many people around the world, this blog stands out as a unique and wholesome experience for the fans of old Hindi film music. The amount of detail, the amount of care and attention to validate correct information, the work on lyrics and translations – decidedly this is a labor of love, that is working towards the preservation of heritage, a part of the melodic history of this sub-continent, that is significantly influenced by the culture of this land, and has in turn also influenced and moulded the culture in some ways. The effort and the contribution of Atul ji, and all the other contributors and readers, cannot be measured by any yardstick, except for the satisfaction and happiness at being able to protect and safeguard this art form from further deterioration and loss. Kudos and congratulations to all.
This post is also celebrating the 100th song of the much talented music composer, N Dutta. Born as Datta Naik, he generally used the name N Dutta, as a music composer. (NOTE: The word ‘Dutta’ or ‘Datta’ appears in the name of many music composers, and hence it is important to clear any confusions. There is another music director by the name Narayan Datta, and their career years overlap somewhat. Many people, as also many web sites, have compounded this confusion that N Dutta and Narayan Datta are the same person, whereas they are not. Besides these two, other music directors contain the word ‘Datta’ in their names are Dattaram, K Datta, B Dutta or Bipin Dutta, D Dutta, and J Datta. Bipin Dutta is of the duo team of Bipin-Baabul. He used the name Bipin Dutta when he composed music independently. D Dutta’s full name is Dutta Dawjekar. J Datta is the same as Gyan Dutt. In some film credits, his name is given as J Dutt or J Datta, since the Hindi word Gyan is sometimes also written as Jnan.)
N Dutta was born in Goa. As with most of the so called ‘lesser’ artists, there is very little information available about his earlier years, and his education and training background. He came to Bombay to make a career as a music director. In his initial years, he worked with SD Burman as an assistant, from 1951 to 1954. His name appears on the credits of such notable films by Sachin Da as Bahaar (1951), Buzdil (1951), Ek Nazar (1951), Naujawaan (1951), Sazaa (1951), Jaal (1952), Laal Kunwar (1952), Armaan (1953), Jeevan Jyoti (1953), Shahenshan (1953), Angaarey (1954), Chaalis Baba Ek Chor (1954), Radha Krishna (1954).
In 1955, Raj Khosla, the erstwhile assistant director to Guru Dutt, got his first indepdendent assignment as a director for the film ‘Milaap’. And with this film, N Dutta also debuted as an independent music director. When contracted for composing music, he insisted on having Sahir Ludhianvi as the lyricist. N Dutta was very impressed and also a good friend of Sahir, for their earlier work together on films like Jaal (1952), Sazaa (1951), Naujawaan (1951), Laal Kunwar (1952), Armaan (1953), Jeevan Jyoti (1953) etc. The film itself did not make a great impression on box office, but it did bring attention to N Dutta’s work with hit songs like “’Ye Baharon Ka Sama..” (Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar) and ”Jaate Ho To Jaao Par Jaoge Kahan..” (Geeta Dutt). Another film, ‘Marine Drive’, produced and directed by GP Sippy, was also released that year, and once again, the music caught the attention of film writers and public with melodies such as “Apne Khayaalon Ki Samjhaa Dijiye” (Lata Mangeshkar), “Ab Wo Karam Kareyn Ki Sitam, Mein Nashe Mein Hoon” (Mohammed Rafi), and “Bataa Ae Aasmaan Waale Tere Bande Kidhar Jaayen” (Mohammed Rafi). And within the debut year itself, N Dutta was successful in being recognized as one of the eminent music directors in the industry.
Through the years 1956 and 1957, he continued to create wonderful music for films like ‘Chandrakanta (1956), ‘Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke’ (1957), and of course ‘Mr. X’ (1957) which has probably the fastest song that Mohammed Rafi has rendered – “Laal Laal Gaal”. Then in 1958, a significant break happened for him. Sometimes in 1957, a falling out of sorts had happened between Sahir Ludhianvi and SD Burman, and SD Burman declined to work with Sahir. Fresh from his success of ‘Naya Daur’ (1957) which had music by OP Nayyar and lyrics by Sahir, BR Chopra now planed his next film “Saadhna”. He approached SD Burman for the music composition for his new film. It is rumored that Sahir demanded a fee more than what SD Burman should be paid. This upset Sachin Da, and he refused to join this production. BR Chopra, decided to stick with Sahir as the lyricist. N Dutta stepped into the music director slot. Possibly because of having worked with Sachin Da as an assistant for four years, and also possibly on a strong recommendation from Sahir. ‘Saadhna’ got released in 1958. The success of the film and of the music put N Dutta at heights where he had not been before. Check out the songs for this film on the page ‘List of Songs – Moviewise’ (using the links on top of this page). This film has songs like “Aurat Ne Janam Diyaa Mardon Ko”, “Sambhal Ae Dil”, the famous qawwaali “Aaj Kyun Hum Se Parda Hai”, and the popular bhajan song “Tora Manwaa Kyun Ghabraaye Re”, etc.
As a result of this success, he was flooded with contracts as a music director, and 1959 was his busiest year with seven releases to his credit. Beyond that he continued to average 2 to 4 films every year, till the year 1975. After that, there is a gap of few years and we hear from him again in 1980. His collaboration with Sahir continued till the very end – his last release ‘Chehre Pe Chehra’ in 1980.
The hallmark of N Dutta’s music is melody and the use of minimum orchestration. Listening to the songs composed by him, one is taken in by the power and the latitude provided to the singer, with just the necessary intervention by the instrumental music. This song is a great example of his technique. In this ghazal, note that as Rafi Saab is singing, there is only tabla accompaniment for rhythm, and the other string instruments and flute can be heard only when the singing voice is silent. This wonderful ghazal is from the 1964 film Chaandi Ki Deewaar. Produced under the banner of GR Pictures, Bombay, the film is directed by Dilip Kumar Bose. Lyricist is Sahir Ludhianvi. The cast of actors is impressive – Nutan, Bharat Bhushan, Indrani Mukherjee, Honey Irani, Sudhir, Naaz, Pratima Devi, Asit Sen, Mishra etc.
And once again, congratulations to all on the 5500th milestone. Enjoy this lovely sentimental ghazal – Sahir, Rafi, and a soft composition from N Dutta. Exquisite !
kahin qaraar na ho aur kahin khushi na miley
hamaare baad kisi ko ye zindagi na miley
There is no solace, no happiness anywhere for me
(in this life)
When I am gone
Pray, no one else
Gets a life, such as mine
siyaah-naseeb koi un se badh ke kya hoga
jo apna ghar bhi jalaa de to roshni na miley
Who would be more ill-fated, more unfortunate
Than he who burns his own home
And yet there is no light
(NOTE: siyaah = literally means black color; siyaah-naseeb = most unfortunate, one whose destiny is all blacked out)
ye bebasi bhi kisi ba’ddua se kam to nahin
ke khul ke jee na sakey aur maut bhi na miley
No curse would be worse
Than this helplessness
That one is not free to live
And even death is denied
yehi sulook hai gar aadmi se duniya ka
to kuchh ajab nahin duniya mein aadmi na miley
If this is how
The world treats a person
It may not be a surprise
That there be no person in this world
(after some time)
Song-Kahin qaraar na ho aur khushi na miley (Chaandi Ki Deewaar)(1964) singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Sahir Ludhianvi, MD-N Datta
Lyrics
kahin qaraar na ho
aur kahin khushi na miley
hamaare baad kisi ko
ye zindagi na miley
kahin qaraar na ho
siyaah-naseeb koi
un se badhh ke kya hoga
siyaah-naseeb koi
un se badhh ke kya hoga
jo apna ghar bhi jalaa de
to roshni na miley
hamaare baad kisi ko
ye zindagi na miley
kahin qaraar na ho
yehi sulook hai gar
aadmi se duniya ka
yehi sulook hai gar
aadmi se duniya ka
to kuchh ajab nahin
duniya mein aadmi na miley
hamaare baad kisi ko
ye zindagi na miley
kahin qaraar na ho
ye bebasi bhi kisi
ba’ddua se kam to nahin
ye bebasi bhi kisi
ba’ddua se kam to nahin
ke khul ke jee na sakey
aur maut bhi na miley
hamaare baad kisi ko
ye zindagi na miley
kahin qaraar na ho
7 Responses to "Kahin qaraar na ho aur khushi na miley"
February 21, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Atul ji,
Congratulations on reaching the 5500th landmark.
Also the 100th song by N.Dutta.
-AD
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February 21, 2012 at 9:05 pm
WAH ONE OF MY FAV
I LOVE THIS SONG
JO APNA GHAR BHI JALADE TO ROSHNI N MILE……
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February 21, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Atulji,
Congratulations on achieving this milestone! Hats off to you for all the hard work you are doing. So much love, devotion and dedication!
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February 21, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Lovely write-up, Sudhirji. Always interesting to read your write-ups, with details about the personalities involved, the movie and the song. And of course the translations.
Congrats to this blog for getting N Dutta’s 100th. I will always remember the songs of Sadhna very fondly. It is one of my favourite films and the songs are just outstanding. The BR Chopra-Sahir-N Dutta partnership also gave us Dharamputra, which has good songs too, including that qawwali “mere dilbar mujh par khafa na ho” (a qawwali I sing all the time!).
And finally congrats to Atul for the 5500th. The rate at which Atul is getting his hundreds, I wonder why Sachin is finding it so difficult now? 😉
What a fantastic achievement, Atul. I’m really happy that more and more people are now joining this blog and contributing in different ways. It shows the love and passion people have for old Hindi songs and their desire to preserve it for posterity. And like Sudhirji has said, you are doing yeoman’s service with this blog. Looking forward to it going on and on. Still plenty of songs out there! 🙂
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February 24, 2012 at 3:16 am
Thanks Raja ji,
And yes, plenty more songs to still research and post; plenty as in thousands still more. 🙂
Rgds
Sudhir
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February 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Very rarely heard song. Absolute gem! Excellent write up and translation. Congrats on reaching another milestone.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
February 21, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Atulji aur sabhi mere mithr
aapko aur ek shathak ki
Shubh Kaamnaayein
pyaar ke saath
prakash
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