Jo dil ki baat hoti hai
Posted on: July 9, 2012
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
The haunting image of a worn-out, white bearded face, with lines of age alluding to maybe a century of anguish, haltingly climbing down the service staircase in the deserted studio, wanting to reach the chair with ‘Director’ imprinted on its back. Or the vision of a decrepit man standing in the theatre doorway, his hands out flung across the entrance, and the sharp lighting from behind giving an impression of a phoenix rising from the ashes. These two celluloid illustrations are probably two of a handful of very gripping, compelling and spellbinding images that have left a lasting imprint on the minds of the cinema viewers and more importantly, a telling statement that redefined the very cultural fabric of the society and of film making itself.
The first instance – I refer to the last scene in ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ (1959), with strains of Rafi’s voice in the background stressing “. . .Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari. . .” . And the second reference is to the explosive and highly charged scene of a memorial function, mourning the death of a poet, near the end of the film ‘Pyaasa’ (1957), wherein the poet, very much alive, makes a near ghostly appearance at the very function, with Rafi’s voice once again, forcefully accentuating “Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kyaa Hai. . .” . Two sounds and two films that have developed a near cult status over the five decades that they have been in existence.
Ah Guru Dutt, Guru Dutt. An enigma, a mystery unsolved, and a personality that left so many ‘What if. . .?’ questions open, when he suddenly moved on from the realm of living at a surprisingly young age of 39. And left behind a vast community of cine goers that continue to ponder over the possible potential of the truncated life of this film maker – for whom the adjective ‘highly talented’ appears to be highly inadequate. He touched a nerve of reality so powerfully, and vehemently tread on the smug toes of a hypocritical society – a lone warrior, in search of reason, in search of sensibility, and in search of the truth of the human life. And more importantly, in search of an identity, not for himself, but for the unnamed face in the society, for the simple human being. The two creations referred to above, have stood the test of time, as absolutely stark and compelling statements of the human experience, and as the epitome of cinematic expression on par with the best this world has to offer, be it Ray, or Kurosawa, or Welles, or Polanski, or Antonioni. These names held together by one thread – all stalwarts acknowledged having an incisive insight into the human psyche, besides being much ahead of their times in filming mature themes for an audience and a society not yet ready to acknowledge itself.
Remembering Guru Dutt on his birth anniversary today (9 july 2012). If fate had not intervened, he would have been 87 years today, and who knows, maybe would have been sitting at the pinnacle of creative cinema. And yes, with that, there would have been an audience treated periodically to a cinematic experience without parallel.
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, the name that his parents gave him, took on the name Guru Dutt early during his teens. A fair part of his growing years were spent in Calcutta. A fair degree of influence of the Bengali culture is found in his films, his characters and in the scenarios he utilized to build his stories. Across a decade of performing career, Guru Dutt appeared in just 13 films, not counting a few small roles in the 1940s. After the success of ‘Baazi’ (1951) and ‘Jaal’ (1952) as a director, he was preparing for his next directorial venture ‘Baaz’ for 1953 release. After some effort to search for the lead actor, Guru Dutt decided to take on the role himself, making ‘Baaz’ as his first major role as the male lead in a film.
A film in the genre of pirate’s adventure, Guru Dutt assayed the role of the crown prince Ravi, who falls in love with a pirate queen, Nisha (Geeta Bali). The story weaves around royal characters, palace intrigues, cruel and scheming general (KN Singh), European princess Rosita (Kuldeep Kaur), and the royal astrologer (Johnny Walker). The following is a brief synopsis of this film’s story is adapted from an earlier comment posted by Arun ji Deshmukh, our in house encyclopedia of films and film music.
‘Baaz’ (1953) is a costume drama based on folklore of Kerala in the 16th century. During those times, the Portuguese were trying to have a foothold in India’s coastal area for doing business. However, the king Zamorin of Kalicut refuses them the permission to settle, and they move south to Malabar. Portuguese want to take revenge on Zamorin, and try to ignite enmity between him and other kings. All the while, they continue to make a stronghold in Malabar.
Nisha (Geeta Bali) lives with her father Narain Das (Jaswant). They are against the oppression of General Barbossa (KN Singh) who virtually rules Malabar. They also give shelter to Ramzan Ali (Janakidas), a patriot. The soldiers capture Nisha, Narain Das, Ramzan Ali and Nisha’s friend Kirni (Yashodhara Katju) and put them in jail. Nisha appeals to Rajmata (Sulochana-Ruby Myers) but in vain. Later these prisoners are sold to a pirate Cabral, who throws all disabled and old people in the sea. This includes Narain Das and Ramzan Ali also. This enrages Nisha and she leads a revole against Carbal, along with other slaves. Cabral is killed and Nisha takes over the ship. She captures another ship, having Ravi, the crown prince of Malabar (Guru Dutt), Rosita (Kuldeep Kaur) and Raj Jyotishi (Johnny Walker). Ravi and Nisha fall in love, and so do Kirni and Raj Jyotishi.
They return to Malabar, revolt against General Barbossa and throw him out of Kerala. Needless to say that Ravi and Nisha, become the king and queen of Malabar.
While Nisha was on the pirate ship, she is known as ‘Baaz’ – meaning ‘The Falcon’.
Interesting to note that the character played by KN Singh is called General Barbossa, a name that will be reprieved 5 decades later as Captain Barbossa in the famous pirate adventure series by Disney Films, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011). Guru Dutt plays the role of a swashbuckling prince, whose identity remains hidden for a fair part of the story. His ship is captured by the pirates, who are rebels fighting the cruel general Barbossa. The incognito prince ends up saving the life of the pirate queen Nisha, who in turn spares his life, and the inevitable romance begins. This song is performed, as the young prince is trying to attract the attention of the pirate queen, who is apparently not showing any interest or response at this stage.
The film is produced under the banner of HG Films, Bombay. The producer’s name in the credits is given as Miss Hari Darshan. There are other references that indicate that the film is produced by Geeta Bali herself. The director of course is Guru Dutt. The star cast includes Geeta Bali, Guru Dutt, Kuldeep Kaur, Sulochana (Ruby Myers), KN Singh, Ramsingh, Yashodhara Katju, Johnny Walker (his name appears as Habib Badrudeen, his original name, in the credits), Jaswant, Jankidas, Tuntun, MA Latif, Patel etc. Music for the film is composed by OP Nayyar, and the songs are penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The singing voice for this song is of Mohammed Rafi.
Enjoy this maiden effort by Guru Dutt to serenade an unwilling beauty. Presented in qawwaali style, the performance by Guru Dutt reminds one of his roles in films like ‘Aar Paar’ (1954) and ‘Mr and Mrs 55’ (1955). Then juxtapose this performance against films like ‘Pyaasa’, ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’, and then ‘Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam’, and then yet again in ‘Sautela Bhai’, ‘Bharosa’, ‘Suhaagan’ and ‘Saanjh Aur Savera’ – one can begin to appreciate the versatility and the range of the actor inside Guru Dutt.
ghataa mein bhi chhup ke bijli, jhalak dikhlaa hi jaati hai
jo dil ki baat hoti hai, nazar taka a hi jaati hai
The streaks of lightning in the clouds
Cannot be hidden
Its flashes will be evident, always
So are the secrets of the heart
They will always get expressed
Through the portal of eyes
mohabbat ki sadaa aisi sadaa hai jisko suntey hi
bikhar jaati hai lat, chehre pe laali chhaa hi jaati hai
The beckoning of love
Is such an irresistible call
Listening to this call
A blush passes over the cheeks
And the flowing tresses
They become naughty and playful
kisi ne sach kahaa hai dil ko dil se raah hoti hai
koi kitna bhi moonh pherey, nazar takraa hi jaati hai
The hearts (in love) do always find
The path to reach each other
One may pretend to look away
Yet the glances
They will bump into each other, for sure
ye thande mast jhonkey aur ye behkey huye baadal
tabiyat rang e mausam dekh kar lehraa hi jaati hai
The cool gusts of breeze
And these wayward clouds
The colorful colors of spring
(All conspire)
To make this mind swirl with joy
Song-Jo dil ki baat hoti hai (Baaz)(1953) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri, MD-O P Nayyar
Lyrics
ghataa mein bhi chhup ke bijli
jhalak dikhlaa hi jaati hai ae ae
jo dil ki baat
samjhe
jo dil ki baat hoti hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
jo dil ki baat hoti hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
mohabbat ki sadaa aisi sadaa hai ae
jisko suntey hi ee ee ee ee
haaan
mohabbat ki sadaa aisi sadaa hai ae
jisko suntey hi ee ee ee
bikhar jaati hai
haaye
bikhar jaati hai lat
chehre pe laali chhaa hi jaati hai
jo dil ki baat hoti hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
haaaan
kisi ne sach kahaa hai
dil ko dil se raah hoti hai ae ae
kisi ne sach kahaa hai
dil ko dil se raah hoti hai
koi kitna bhi
haaye
koi kitna bhi munh pherey
nazar takraa hi jaati hai
jo dil ki baat hoti hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
ye thande mast jhonkey
aur ye behkey huye baadal
aaa aaa aaa aaa
aaa aaa aaa aaa
ye thande mast jhonkey
aur ye behkey huye baadal
tabeeyat rang e mausam
ah ha ha ha ha
waah waah
tabeeyat rang e mausam dekh kar
lehraa hi jaati hai
jo dil ki baat hoti hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
nazar tak aa hi jaati hai
4 Responses to "Jo dil ki baat hoti hai"
July 9, 2012 at 1:22 pm
i was seeing this total recall prog on TIMES NOW channel yesterday, which was giving tribute to GURU Dutt. in that prog GD’s son was telling how the pewrson who was to play hero ditched in the last minute and GEETA Bali asked GD to don the prince’s garb and come on the set. anyway rhis movie was her home production
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July 9, 2012 at 8:15 pm
This is a delightful qawwali like song, I kept expecting chorus to repeat the lines. This is surely belongs to “Boat song ” category.
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December 19, 2014 at 10:02 pm
@ Sudhir Sir – Thanks for this post on Guru Dutt ji.
What can I say about him… many thoughts, emotions came to mind …
Interesting to note the ‘Barbossa’ connection.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
July 9, 2012 at 10:56 am
Thank you Sudhir ji for writing about my favourite Guru Dutt ji, I enjoyed your lines very much.
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