Kheloge kaun sa khel
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.
The Hindi film songs, in the patriotic theme, have an ongoing tradition of children songs also. Just the mention of this will bring to mind such wonderful and inspiring gems in the category of “Mummy Mein To Seekhungaa Goli Chalaana”, (‘Johar in Kashmir’, 1966), “Nannha Munna Raahi Hoon” , (‘Son Of India’, 1962), “Aao Bacho Tumhen Dikhaayen Jhaanki Hindustan Ki” , (‘Jaagriti’, 1954), “Bachcho Tum Taqdeer Ho Kal Ke Hindustan Ki” , (‘Didi’, 1959), “Badhtaa Chal, Tu Badhtaa Chal”, (‘Boot Polish’, 1953), “Aane Waale Kal Ki Tum Taqdeer Ho”, (‘Chhote Babu’, 1957) – and so many other wonderful rousing creations for the kids.
A time was there in the 1930s and 40s, when the inspirational songs for children were also built around the theme of the struggle of independence. I am able to locate this song in my collection from the 1949 film ‘Taara’. This superb creation is coming from the pen of Aziz Kashmiri and the baton of Vinod. I have some more songs of this film, and in their own right, they are splendid works of music. 1949 being the year it was, the music of films such as this one was relegated to the sidelines.
The film ‘Taara’ is produced under the banner of New Bombay Theatres, and is directed by RD Parinjaa. The main star cast of the film includes Shyama, Jawahar Kaul, Kuldeep, Majnoon, Nayantaara, Chaand Barq etc. I have not been able to locate more information about this film, and I request our knowledgeable readers to please add more information about this film, and this song.
The music is fast paced and somewhat different. Vinod is trying to put together the musical notes in an uncharacteristic way, albeit with very desirable outcome. The lead singing voice is Geeta Roy (later Geeta Dutt). Geeta’s voice is accompanied by the voice of Premlata, and chorus singers. Readers will remember the name Premlata from some other very popular songs – “Chup Chup Khadey Ho Zaroor Koi Baat Hai”, (‘Badi Bahen’, 1949), “Jag Mein Preet Ka Naam Buraa Hai”, (‘Taara’, 1949), “Anokha Jaadugar Bhagwaan” , (‘Shole’, 1953) etc.
This is a song of encouragement, where in a lady is exhorting a group of children to be prepared for a struggle for the freedom of India. The lyrics contain lines that talk about throwing away the toys and picking up the swords, for making their mothers proud. A very touching song, telling of a time when the even the childhood and children were swept up to be a part of the wave of passion that was blowing across the nation. Although the film is dated 1949, just by hearing this song, one can make out that the film is about the pre independence period, from the times just in the 40s maybe.
Greetings yet once again on this 65th anniversary of independence. Be well, do well. 🙂
kheloge kaun sa khel, mere laal, ho mere laal
desh ke sipaahi ka, hoo. . . desh ke sipaahi ka
O my dear children
Say what game shall we play
(We shall play)
The soldiers of our land
Oh yes, the game of
Soldiers of our land
hum aage badhte jaayenge, hum dukh se ladte jaayenge
phenk denge khel khilone, le lenge talwaari dhaar
(In this game of soldiers)
We shall keep marching ahead
And we shall fight
The sorrows and troubles
We shall throw out all our toys
And will gladly hold the swords (in our hands)
jo bhi aage aayegaa, apni munh ki khaayegaa
dushman hamaara kaal banegaa, hum banenge dushman ke kaal
Whoever dares to confront us
Will face ignominy and defeat
The (defeat of the) enemy will be our purpose, our destiny
And we shall be the scourge of the enemy
kheloge kaun sa khel, mere laal, ho mere laal
zulm ki tabaahi ka, hoo. . . hind ki azaadi ka
O my dear children
Say what game shall we play
(We shall play)
The game to of ending cruelty and oppression
Oh yes,
The game of freedom for India
azaadi ko rakhnaa hai, desh ki seva karnaa hai
hum sapoot hain, hum hi karenge
maa’on ki goden nihaal. . .
We have to attain freedom
And preserve it
Our aim is to serve our nation
We are the true sons (of our motherland)
Yes, we will do the service to our nation
And we shall make our mothers proud
And bring honor to our upbringing
Song-Kheloge kaun sa khel (Taara)(1949) Singer-Geeta Dutt, Premlata + Chorus, Lyrics-Aziz Kashmiri, MD-Vinod
Lyrics
kheloge kaun sa khel
mere laal, ho mere laal
kheloge kaun sa khel
mere laal, ho mere laal
desh ke sipaahi ka
ho o o
desh ke sipaahi ka
desh ke sipaahi ka
ho o o
desh ke sipaahi ka
hum aage badhte jaayenge
hum dukh se ladte jaayenge
hum aage badhte jaayenge
hum dukh se ladte jaayenge
phenk denge khel khilone
phenk denge khel khilone
le lenge talwaari dhaar
le lenge talwaari dhaar
kheloge kaun sa khel
mere laal, ho mere laal
desh ke sipaahi ka
ho o
desh ke sipaahi ka
jo bhi aage aayegaa
apni munh ki khaayegaa
jo bhi aage aayegaa
apni munh ki khaayegaa
dushman hamaara kaal banegaa
dushman hamaara kaal banegaa
hum banenge dushman ke kaal
hum banenge dushman ke kaal
kheloge kaun sa khel
mere laal, ho mere laal
zulm ki tabaahi ka
ho o
hind ki azaadi ka
zulm ki tabaahi ka
ho o
hind ki azaadi ka
azaadi ko rakhnaa hai
azaadi ko rakhnaa hai
desh ki seva karnaa hai
desh ki seva karnaa hai
hum sapoot hain
hum hi karenge
hum sapoot hain
hum hi karenge
maa’on ki goden nihaal
maa’on ki goden nihaal
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 16, 2012 at 2:48 am
We say Jai hind…And here in daily used we say I’m going Hindustan or Bharat…yet…whole world knows us as India.
We have changed so many cities, roads name yet not name of India.
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August 16, 2012 at 7:41 am
Give it some time, couple more national elections, and it wont be called Hindustan anymore 😉
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