Ab jo miley hain to baahon ko baahon mein
Posted on: March 23, 2012
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
“Caarvaan” (1971) is one of the first films that I remember having seen on the big screen. And I was then too young to understand the sentiments of sensuality. In later years, when I would revisit this film, on TV and in reruns, I would be more mature to appreciate the emotions and passions ensconced in this song. This film was the probably the first film in which Aruna Irani attracted attention as an accomplished character actor with a wholesome meaty role as a gypsy girl, so much in love with a truck driver.
Aruna Irani’s started her film career as a child artist in the hit film, ‘Gunga Jamuna’ (1961), playing the child role for Azra’s character. Through the mid 60s, she did some more child roles e.g. ‘Jahanara’ (1964). Then in the latter half of the 60s, she transitioned to senior side roles, ‘Farz’ (1967), ‘Aan Milo Sajna’ (1970), ‘Sanjog’ (1971) etc. Her pairing with Mehmood as a comedy team, became part of the formula in many films, ‘Aulaad’ (1968), ‘Humjoli’ (1970), ‘Naya Zamana’ (1971) etc. And then in 1971, came this film, ‘Caarvaan’, that established her as a serious artist. More notable films followed especially ‘Garam Masala’ (1972), ‘Bombay to Goa’ (1972) as heroine opposite to Amitabh Bachhan, ‘Bobby’ (1973), ‘Do Phool’ (1973), ‘Khel Khel Mein’ (1975), ‘Fakira’ (1976) and many more. I just listed a brief sampling, whereas her films with sizeable roles are numerous. She has two Filmfare awards as supporting actress to her credit.
‘Caarvaan’ is a film by Nasir Hussain, produced under the banner of TV Films, Bombay. The main star cast includes Asha Parekh, Jeetendra, Aruna Irani, Ravindra Kapoor, Madan Puri, Manorama, Muraad, Mehmood Junior, Jagdeep, Helen, Shefali, Shivraj, Dulari, Anwar Ali, Chandbala, Sanjana, Waajid Khan etc., and many more. The RD Burman storm was in the making in late 60s and early 70s, and this film was one of the earliest harbingers of the things to come. The music of this film has been a hit, and all the eight songs in this film went on to become very popular with the listening public. Four of these songs are already showcased on this blog. Here is the fifth offering from this film. A song that is overflowing with desires and emotions, and has been rendered as only Asha Bhosle can do it. The voice of Asha ji is used for both the leading female persona in this scene. The first part of the song is performed by Aruna Irani, and the second part of the song is presented by Asha Parekh. And there is a notable difference in the tonal quality of both sound and emotions in the two parts – one almost expects another name to be listed as an accompanying singer for this song. But no, both parts are sung by the same singer. In the first part, the desires and emotions are brimming with sensuousness, and has been performed to the hilt by Aruna Irani – her moves and steps crystallizing the emotions contained in the singing voice. And the contrast is so notable in the second part, as now the emotions are an emphaitc plea for understanding, and a longing that is suppressed and seeking a way out. This part of the song is performed by Asha Parekh, sitting still at one place – and yet, it is equally impressive and equally powerful.
In the storyline, Asha Parekh plays a rich heiress, who is hounded by greedy relatives, wanting her out of the way, to grab her estate. She escapes, and joins a band of traveling gypsies, that performs in village fairs. She conceals her identity, and dons the disguise of a gypsy girl. Of course, she does not intend to stay long with them, but then the matters of heart dictate otherwise. She falls in love with Jeetendra, who is a part time companion of this traveling group. He is a truck driver, and he ferries supplies for them. Aruna Irani, one of ladies in the gypsy camp, also showers her favors on him, but he spurns her advances. Aruna Irani is betrothed to Jagdeep, another gypsy boy in the group. And she is burnt to cinders with jealousy on seeing the developing bond between her golden boy Jeetendra and Asha Parekh, a mysterious addition to the group. As the relationship develops, the exchange between the lovers comes to a point, where commitment is demanded, and Asha Parekh falters, for she is not yet in a position safe enough to expose her true identity. Jeetendra is offended, taking this as rejection. And he gets drunk, something he has never done. And Aruna Irani, sensing an opportunity, dives in to make an attempt to catch a drunk and off-guard Jeetendra on the rebound. The rest of the episode is this song itself. The entire group is amazed and scandalized at this unfolding of events, and their disdain is writ large on their faces as they watch this exchange played out in front of them. Ravindra Kapoor and Mehmood Junior, the two partners of Jeetendra in the trucking business, a bearded Madan Puri, the chief of the gypsies, Jagdeep, the fiancé of Aruna Irani, and the rest of the clan, watch helplessly as relationships seem to be going in all the wrong directions.
The words by Majrooh are remarkable. The words sung by Asha Parekh compares her love to the relationship between air and fire – twain shall never meet, and yet the fire cannot exist without the air
bujh na sakey tere binaa
tere binaa jal na sakey
What a lovely song, in all aspects – the words are deep and full of meaningful emotions, the melody touches the heart, the rendering voice expresses the sensuality and longing so wonderfully, and the situation envisioned by the director, and played out by the key players, is just superb. A song that may be really, really close to being a 10. Enjoy this lovely creation.
ab jo miley hain to baahon ko baahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain hotthon ko hotthon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
At long last, we are close together
Let our arms stay entwined
Let them stay that way
Let the lips meet and say
(the words of love)
That may be true,
Or maybe untrue
Just let the lips meet and say. . .
yoon hi nashaa chadtaa rahe, ke tera pyaar badtaa rahe
ye jhoomtaa saaya tera, tan per mere padtaa rahe
tu aa gayaa jo hosh mein, kya hogaa phir ye bhool jaa
May this stupor keep rising
May your love for me intensify
Let the swaying shadows of your being
Encompass my body
(Don’t talk of being sober)
Forget
Forget that you would like
To gain back the senses
Forget, don’t think of what will happen then
tu hai hawaa sholaa hoon mein, mil ke bhi jo mil na sakey
bujh na sakey tere binaa, tere binaa jal na sakey
majboor hoon teri kasam, jhootthi nahin meri wafaa
You are the breeze and I am the smoldering ember
The two are always with each other
And yet can’t be together
The embers, they cannot burn without the breeze
And can’t be extinguished either, without it
I am helpless (with my constraints)
But oh, believe me, believe me
My love for you is true, ever
ab jo miley hain to mujhko nigaahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain nainon ko nainon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
For now that we are together
Do always keep me in your sight
Let the eyes meet and say
(the words of love)
That may be true,
Or maybe untrue
Just let the eyes meet and say. . .
PS-This song incidentally is the 500th song of Majrooh Sultanpuri in the blog.
Audio
Video
Song-Ab jo miley hain to baahon ko baahon mein (Caravan)(1971) Singer-Asha Bhonsle, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri, MD-R D Burman
Lyrics
haaa
hey hey hey hey hey
tarara raaaaaa
turu
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re
ab jo miley hain to
baahon ko baahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
hssssss
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain
hotthon ko hotthon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
na na
ab jo miley hain to
baahon ko baahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
hssssss
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain
hotthon ko hotthon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
na na
ab jo miley hain to
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re saajnaa
yoon hi nashaa chadtaa rahe
ke tera pyaar badtaa rahe
ye jhoomtaa . . . aa
saaya tera . . . aa
tan per mere . . . hey
padtaa rahe
tu aa gayaa jo hosh mein
kya hogaa phir
ye bhool jaa
kya hogaa phir
ye bhool jaa
ha
ab jo miley hain to
baahon ko baahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain
hotthon ko hotthon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
na na
ab jo miley hain to
haaye re
haaye re
haaye re saajnaa
oooo
tu hai hawaa sholaa hoon mein
tu hai hawaa sholaa hoon mein
mil ke bhi jo mil na sakey
bujh na sakey
tere binaa
tere binaa
jal na sakey
majboor hoon
teri kasam
jhoothhi nahin meri wafaa
jhoothhi nahin meri wafaa . . . aa
ab jo miley hain to
mujhko nigaahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa
sach hai ke jhhotthe hain
nainon ko nainon se
kehne de ae saajnaa
na na
ab jo miley hain to
mujhko nigaahon mein
rehne de ae saajnaa . . .
3 Responses to "Ab jo miley hain to baahon ko baahon mein"
March 24, 2012 at 10:38 am
Thanks Sudhirji for the translation,lyrics and write up
Now I have avoided writing thanks to you on every song of yours, because THANKS word tho aapke liye chhotaa pad rahaa hai.
In this case I have to write THANKS.
I love the picturisation and I love this song more than other songs like piyaa tu ab tho aajaa and dilbhar dil se pyaare.
I love the sound asha ji makes in between the lines (like”SSSS”).
She conveyed both aruna and asha`s love expressions very clearly through her beautiful singing(the subtle way of expressing love and the jealous feeling-Oh I love Rahul dev burman and asha combo-I miss you R.D.Burman ji, kahaan gaye aap?? ). I always thought one more stanza should have been there for this beautiful song.
Love you for this song and for all the things, (like always)
prakash
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March 31, 2012 at 2:23 am
Raja ji, Prakash ji
Thanks for your messages of appreciation. Assuredly, it is such love from all friends on this blog that encourages me to continue writing. And Prakash ji – so emotionally effusive with his words, as always.
Thanks again to both, and all dear friends on the blog.
Rgds
Sudhir
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
March 23, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Oh, I love this song! Aruna Irani is just superb in this film. I’ve seen this film many times – and never tire of seeing it. 🙂 Total timepass, with the lovely songs to keep you entertained all through.
Nice lyrics by Majrooh saab too. Happy to see that he’s clocked 500 songs here, I’ve always liked his lyrics.
Thanks for the wonderful write-up, Sudhirji – and as usual, excellent translation. I don’t always need the translation (sometimes with some Urdu words, I do!) but I still read that part – if only to marvel at how beautifully you are able to convey the message of the text.
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