Ham watan ke watan hamaara
Posted on: August 15, 2012
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Greetings all friends and visitors to this blog, on the 65th anniversary of independence of our nation. Happy Independence Day.
In the years before 1947, the film censorship was of course in the hands of the foreign British rulers. The seeds of the sentiments and passions for being free of an oppressive foreign rule had been well laid during the 1857 uprising. It was the first major cry for a free nation, and over a period of almost a century after that, this sentiment was kept alive by many an activists, writers, poets and social leaders.
In 1913, when the films became an important and a very effective medium for communication and influence across the society, it was but natural that patriotic themes started to appear in films. We do not know the entire history of all the films that were made by the industry, for we only have a documented record of films that were reviewed by the censor board and granted permission for public performance. There may have been few, if not many, films that were overtly patriotic and were refused permission by the British rulers. The film makers then, wisely, resorted to covert devices to integrate the patriotic themes into their films. Many a films fell back upon historical and mythological themes, exhibiting topics related to oppression by unkind and heartless rulers and the struggle for justice by the oppressed, drawing masked comparisons with the contemporary social circumstances. Others films would weave in similar ideas into seemingly innocuous social and dramatic subjects. This trend continued till the time of this day in 1947, when the nation gained back their independence.
In 1931, the films acquired sound, and the film song became a powerful instrument in the hands of film makers, for projecting an idea. In numerous cases, when the words, the compositions and the rendition clicked well, the songs would become a rage with the public at large. Such songs became a powerful influencing factor, for communicating ideas and for forging public opinion and emotions.
The censors continued to be very watchful, and yet the film makers were still able to get past the censors with subjects, themes and songs with definite patriotic coloring. The case of the film ‘Kismet’ (1943), the song “Door Hato Ae Duniya Waalo Hindustaan Hamaara Hai” , and its writer, Kavi Pradeep, is well known. The song became a rage with the public, the timing was just beyond the 1942 Quit India movement, Kavi Pradeep was imperiled with arrest and went underground. The best fallout was that the British person in charge of the censor board, lost his job.
In the films from 1931 to 1947, one can find many, many songs on themes of patriotism, of struggle against oppression, of the happiness of gaining freedom etc. This song here is from the film ‘Jai Bhaarat’ (1936). From what little I could find out about this film, it is a historical costume drama. Expectedly the period relates to a fairly recent history, as the song refers to Kashi – Kaaba and Hindu – Muslim unity. A couple of photos that I am able to unearth for this film depict an automobile. So this film could be about a kingdom in India in a very recent past. The audio clip also has lead in dialogue, in which apparently an army officer is speaking about his regiment, and the occasion appears to be a “final send off” – “aakhiri salaam” to the ‘Senapati’, commander of the army.
The film is produced under the banner of Wadia Movietone, and is directed by Homi Wadia. The lyrics for this film have been written by Pandit Gyaan and Azeem Qawwaal Aagreywaale. This song is penned by Pandit Gyaan. The music composition is by Master Mohammed, who also plays the role of the ‘Senapati’ in the film. It is a chorus song – however, the film information indicates that the lead singer is Sardar Mansoor. In the cast of actors, a peculiar name is listed as the first name in the list. The name is ‘Punjab-Ka-Beta’ (Son of Punjab), followed by the words Trainer Aag Mohammed, within parenthesis. The way this name is presented, it could be a horse, or a dog; which one, it is not specified. Other cast of actors includes Sardaar Mansoor, Gulshan, Husn Baanu, Ustaad Abdul Haq, Sayaani ‘Aatish’, Master Mohammed, Jaal Khambatta, Master Raju, Meenu the Mystic, Bismillah, Jiji Bhai, Abdul Rehman, ‘Prem Raagi’ Azim Qawwaal Aaagrey Waale etc.
An innocuous sounding song, performed at a farewell ceremony of a senior official, carries within itself some very powerful emotions of patriotic fervor, community brotherhood and unity, and a soldier’s proclamation of being a fearless warrior in the fight for truth. (The audio recording is not the best, and I spent a very long time getting the lyrics correct. In fact I requested for and got some help from Harmandir ji also, to finalize the correct lyrics). With the lyrics in front, as one listens to this song, it really is a commanding creation. Listen to this wonderful song from more than seven decades ago, and then think of, and revere the selfless warriors who laid down their lives for the sake of the motherland, singing songs just like this one.
Amen.
jaanen nissar karnaa, azaadi-e-watan par
dekho khizaan na aaye phoole phale chaman par
(Soldiers, be prepared to)
Lay down your lives
For the freedom of this land
Let not the autumn (of misfortune and slavery)
Descend upon this garden of blooming flowers
(NOTE:
khizaan = autumn)
hans hans ke waar lenaa teer-o-tabar ke tan par
ek ek katraa khoon ho gul ki tarah badan par
Bear the assaults of arrows and axes
With a smile on your lips
And wear like flowers (on your body)
The wounds and dripping blood
(NOTE:
teer = arrow
tabar = axe
katraa = drop
gul = flower)
hum par karey jo hamlaa mil kar jahaan saara
jhukne na paaye phir bhi bhaarat nishaan hamaara
No matter if the entire world
Conspires together and attacks us
Let not the flag of Bhaarat
Ever be lowered
(NOTE:
nishaan = flag)
hum watan ke, watan hamaara bhaarat mata jai jai jai
tan mann tujh par arpan saara bhaarat mata jai jai jai
We belong to this land
This land is our mother
All glory and praise be
To Bhaarat, our motherland
My heart, and all my strength
Is in sacrifice to you, o mother
All glory and praise be
To Bhaarat, our motherland
ek kaan ke do hain heere hindu muslim ka naata
kaaba kaashi donon aalaa bhaarat sab ki hai maata
Hindus and Muslims
Are but two diamonds
From the same mines
Coupled together at the roots
Kaaba and Kaashi both are wonderful
And Bhaarat is the mother to us all
(NOTES:
kaan = a variant of Hindi word ‘khaan’ meaning ‘a mine’ (e.g. coal mine etc.)
Kaaba= the place of Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca
Kaashi = also known as ‘Benaras’, one of holiest of cities in India, on the banks of river Ganga)
baandhe kamar khadey, hargiz na hum daren
sheron se jaa laden, satt par hum ha ha ha
Ready for strife
Ready for war we are
Fearless, courageous
We will gladly dare to fight the lions
For the sake of truth
(NOTES:
baandhe kamar = literally means wearing a tight belt at the waist; figuratively implies being prepared for a fight, no loose clothes, ready for combat
satt = a variant of ‘satya’ meaning, the truth)
saj kar bakhtar, ban ke bahadur jaayen rann mein hum hum hum
dushman se ladtey, bijli ban chamken, shamsheeren damken
Ready with body armor
We are the courageous warriors
Ready to enter the battlefield
We will fight the enemy
Strike like bright lightning
With our dazzling swords
(NOTES:
bakhtar = armor, protective covering
rann = battlefield
bijli = lightning
shamsheer = sword)
khoon bharaa hai rag rag mein
bheem arjun aur akbar ka
In our veins
Flows the blood
Of the warriors of yore
Bheem, Arjun and Akbar
(NOTES: Bheem and Arjun are two of the greatest warriors from the famous war of Mahabhaarat; they are two of the five Paandavas, younger brothers to Yudhishthir; Akbar refers to the great Mughal emperor)
dil mein hamaare hain armaan, do do haath dikhaayen haan
mil jul ke hindu mussalmaan, aabaad karen hum hindostaan. .
Desires fills our hearts
To display our fighting spirit and prowess
Together, we, Hindus and Muslims
Will build this new nation, our Hindustan
(NOTES:
do do haath – literally means hand to hand combat; two hands for each fighter
aabaad – to build, to populate, to inhabit)
Song-Ham watan ke watan hamaara (Jai Bharat)(1936) Singer-Sardar Mansoor, Lyrics-Pandit Gyan, MD-Master Mohammad
Lyrics
(Brief speech by an army officer)
jaanen nissar karnaa, azaadi-e-watan par
dekho khizaan na aaye phoole phale chaman par
hans hans ke waar lenaa teer-o-tabar ke tan par
ek ek katraa khoon ho gul ki tarah badan par
hum par karey jo hamlaa mil kar jahaan saara
jhukne na paaye phir bhi bhaarat nishaan hamaara
(mere bhaayio, apne pyaare senapati ji ko aakhri salaam kar ke rukhsat karo)
hum watan ke
watan hamaara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
hum watan ke
watan hamaara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
tan mann tujh par arpan saara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
tan mann tujh par arpan saara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
ek kaan ke do hain heere
hindu muslim ka naata
kaaba kaashi donon aalaa
bhaarat sab ki hai maata
baandhe kamar khadey
hargiz na hum daren
sheron se jaa laden
satt par hum ha ha ha
baandhe kamar khadey
hargiz na hum daren
sheron se jaa laden
satt par hum ha ha ha
hum watan ke
watan hamaara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
tan mann tujh par arpan saara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
saj kar bakhtar
ban ke bahadur
jaayen rann mein hum hum hum
saj kar bakhtar
ban ke bahadur
jaayen rann mein hum hum hum
dushman se ladtey
bijli ban chamken
shamsheeren damken
dushman se ladtey
bijli ban chamken
shamsheeren damken
dushman se ladtey
bijli ban chamken
shamsheeren damken
khoon bharaa hai rag rag mein
khoon bharaa hai rag rag mein
bheem arjun aur akbar ka
bheem arjun aur akbar ka
hum watan ke
watan hamaara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
tan mann tujh par arpan saara
bhaarat mata jai jai jai
dil mein hamaare hain armaan
do do haath dikhaayen haan
mil jul ke hindu mussalmaan
aabaad karen hum hindostaan
8 Responses to "Ham watan ke watan hamaara"
August 19, 2012 at 12:54 am
Dear Shri Arunkumar Deshmukh,
With your love of old films, did you ever see any of films in which Indurani acted, such as BullDog, Mr. X, Bul Bule Bagdad Alauddin Laila or Tajmahal? To our knowledge there are no film copies available for our memories of our mother. Thanks, Salim Shah.
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August 19, 2012 at 9:06 am
Salim Sahab ji,
Adaab.
Looks like you are the son of Indurani.In that case,I would like to contact you on E MaIl separately to get her full details.Hope you will oblige me by writing to me on deshmukh.arunkumar@gmail.com.
As per my information,Indurani acted in about 15 Hindi films.i have not seen any of the films you have mentioned,but I have seen ONE film of Indurani,” SUNEHARA BAL-1938 “, the details of which are there in my notebook.In this film she had acted opposite Firoz Dastoor.The story of this film was based on a story written by Shri.
B.H.Dastoor,Firoz Dastoor’s father.
I will give further info about this film when /if you contact me on my E Mail.
-AD
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August 30, 2012 at 12:41 am
Atul ji, Arun ji,
Apropos our offline conversation regarding the singer of this song. I could finally get to see the original 78 rpm record for this song. The name on that song is printed as ‘Master Mohammed Qawwaal’.
So the query is still not clear. The original booklet for this film has the name Sardar Mansoor printed for this song.
Now two things are certain. Firstly, Master Mohammed is the music director of this film, and he has acted in this film and that he also has sang songs.
Secondly, Sardar Mansoor has acted in this film, and also has sang songs.
I discussed this matter once again with Harmandir ji in detail. His thinking now is that this situation sounds very much like a version song. In the film, on screen, on sound track, this song is sung by Sardar Mansoor And for the 78 rpm record purpose, the music director Master Mohammed has sung it himself.
Since I have posted the version of the song from the 78 rpm record, then the singer of this version should be Master Mohammed.
Rgds
Sudhir
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 15, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Sudhir ji,
Thank you very much for posting a suitable song from an era of my liking.
JAI BHARAT -1936 was a Wadia Movietone film,produced by JBHWadia and Directed by Homi Wadia-who also wrote the story and s/play.The dialogues were of Munshi Sar Farash.The music was by Master Mohammed,who also acted in the film.The songs(only 6,very less compared to the period of film) were written by Pt.Gyan Chandra,who was mostly writing for Wadia films.from 1936 to 40 he wrote about 30 songs in 15 films.
First 2 explanations.
1.PUNJAB KA BETA is the name of the Horse which played an important role in the film.
2.The above song is sung by MASTER MOHD. and NOT Sardar Mansoor,though it is mentioned so,according to the HFGK.There was another song-‘jagat me prem ki bansi baje’ sung by sardar mansoor.
JAI BHARAT-1936 was a period costume film having the usual story of a king,evil PM,loyal General etc.
The wicked PM Ajit Singh wants to kill the Boy Prince,but the Loyal General Ashraf Khan saves him and hands over to him to young Capt.Ranjit,who rides on Punjab ka Beta and takes the prince away to be trained by an ustad in the jungle.The Princes refuses to marry the PM.While in Jungle,Changoo and Mangoo come there in a Motor Car,drawn by 2 Donkeys,as there is no petrol.They join the prince.
Punjab ka beta saves the prince and Ranjit many times from enemy attack.
Here Ajit Singh forces the king to sentence death penalty to Gen Ashraf khan.The entire army rebels and they singh the above song.
That time Ranjit,the Prince and their followers attack the PM.Ranjit singh meets the princess and loves her.
The Pm is killed,prince installed as a King and Ranjit and Princess marry each other.
The leading actors of this film were Husn bano and Jal Khambata.
-AD
375
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August 16, 2012 at 6:18 am
Thanks for the information. If Master Mohammad sang this song, then he may have lip synced it on screen too. That makes it one of the first occasions of a song being sung, composed and picturised on the same person.
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August 16, 2012 at 9:14 am
Atul ji,
Master Mohd. did the role of the general(Senapati) Ashraf Khan-who is sentenced to death and the speach and song is by another loyal officer Captain Ranjit(Jal Khambata).Master Mohd.seems to have given the playback to Jal Khambata.The other 2 songs in the film,by Sardar Mansoor-‘Kya karun Taarif us ki’ and ‘jagat me prem ki bansi baaje’ were also lip synched by Jaal Khambata while wooing the Princes.
As we all know,during those days Studio system was prevalent and studios used to keep Artists on monthly salary basis.In such cases the artists used to/had to do whatever job had to be done required by the Director or the producer.Thus Actors were singing,helping in cinematography,writing lyrics and assisting the Directors also.Some of the famous Directors,like for example Guru Dutt,had done Choreography initially.Big Studios like Ranjit of sardar Chandulal boasted of employing over 700 people on their payroll,which included,writers,lyricists,singers,directors,actors etc,besides the technical staff.
So,it is no wonder that Master mohd,gave Music,acted a role in the film and did Playback for the Hero.
When I saw this film somewhere in the early 50s,the print was already bad,with scratches etc,but only for the sake of seeing a 30s film,I sat thru it.
-AD
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August 16, 2012 at 9:29 am
We are extremely thankful that you saw this movie in early 1950s and even noted down the details. Thanks to you, now we know details about this movie which are simply not available elsewhere.
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August 16, 2012 at 9:38 am
Atul ji,
In fact I must thank you to have given me an opportunity to record all these details for posterity,so that these remain for the use of students of Hindi Film History.Atleast 50% of the films from my 375 synopses recorded here must not be available anywhere now.
-AD
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