Ab der na kar saajan phoolon se jo milna hai
Posted on: October 21, 2012
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
The Voice of Mukesh #2
——————————–
Listening to the first song of Mukesh, ‘Dil Hi Bujhaa Huaa Ho To Fasl e Bahaar Kyaa’ from the film ‘Nirdosh’ (1941), one is suitably impressed by this maiden effort from a singer, whom we now know as a stalwart of the Hindi film music. But back then in 1941, this debut happened singularly unacknowledged, failing to impress the public, the music directors and film producers. With Saigal Saab’s voice reigning supreme at that time, most people wrote off this voice as another Saigal imitator, trying to make it good with a voice sounding like the great icon. And what with the icon still in full bloom and alive, this song by Mukesh failed to evoke any great level of interest. And so started the career of Mukesh, unimpressive and indifferent.
But then, the connection was still there. Mukesh was Motilal’s cousin, and the star of Motilal was riding high. Motilal himself was a singing hero in those years. Despite the damp response to the debut film, Mukesh still managed to bag a two year contract with Ranjeet Studios. In those years, the studio system was in monopoly, and Ranjeet Studios had the single largest contingent of artists, technicians, music directors, directors etc. It was written once that the time was such that Ranjeet Studio had more stars than the sky.
Into this huge milky way, Mukesh stepped in for two years, 1942 and 1943. He was reportedly assigned to a few films under production, but at the end of the two year period, finally only one of his films from Ranjeet Movietone was released, ‘Dukh Sukh’ in 1942. The remaining few were shelved and remained incomplete. Besides this, in 1943 Mukesh also appeared in the film ‘Aadaab Arz’, released under the banner of Amar Pictures, Bombay.
Let me talk about ‘Aadaab Arz’ first. This may be a unique film in Mukesh’s career. In this film, Mukesh appeared as an actor, but did not get an opportunity to sing a single song. A very strange occasion for an artist, who would be making an indelible mark as a singer very soon. He was not the hero in this film. The lead pair was Nalini Jaywant and Karan Dewan. The film is directed by Virendra Desai and the music for this film is composed by Gyan Dutt. The twelve songs in this film are penned by three poets, viz. Pt. Indra, Kailash ji ‘Matwaala’ and Rammurti. The singing voices in these songs are those of Nalini Jaywant, Karan Dewan, Amirbai, Leela Saawant and Bulo C Rani. And alas, no Mukesh song in this film.
Coming back to the 1942 release, ‘Dukh Sukh’. In this film, Mukesh was paired as the hero opposite to Sitara. The film is directed by Ram Daryaani. The film has 12 songs, written by Wali Saheb. The music is composed by Khemchand Prakash. The acting credits include Sitara, Vasanti, Rama Shukul, Mukesh, Pratima Devi, Khatoon, A Shah, HM Sheikh etc.
The Geet Kosh carries information about 10 songs of this film. Supposedly so, maybe because only five 78 rpm records for this film have been traced so far. Hence the information is available only for 10 songs, and the remaining two are listed without any attribution as to the singer. Of the ten songs on which the information is available, two are duets sung by Sitara and Mukesh. Sitara has one more duet (with Rama Shukul) and one solo in the remaining songs. No solo song is listed for Mukesh; but who knows, the two songs for which the information is not yet available, may carry a surprise. We await the discovery of more information on these two songs.
Of the two Sitara-Mukesh duets, one is available, and is the song in this post – “Ab Der Na Kar Saajan, Phoolon Se Jo Milna Hai”. The second duet is “Mori Atatiyaa Pe Aa Ja, Ho Pardesi Panchhi. . .”. About the second duet – I have not been able to locate a recording of this song so far. I am hopeful I shall be able to, since the corresponding 78 rpm record is identified and listed.
Sitara, the famous kathak dancer, was active as a leading lady in Hindi films in 1940s. She gained significant recognition for her roles in films like Roti (1942) and Najma (1943). Owner of a husky and an inviting voice, a definitive signature song by her is the famous “Sajnaa Saanjh Bhayi, Aan Milo” from the film ‘Roti’.
In this song, she pairs with the newcomer Mukesh, singing for his second film only. The voice of Mukesh still sounds raw, uncertain, and as yet bereft of any definitive style. This is a simple song. Sitara sings the first part of the song, then Mukesh takes over and sings a few lines, and then the voice of Sitara returns to sing the second antaraa. This is a lover’s song, with the lady calling out to her lover, to come to her in this season of rains that is here, and new flowers are blooming. And the gentleman’s response is that, yes, he is here for her, and is ready to burn his wings in the fire of love. Enjoy this rare duet and a rare recording. As I searched for this song online, I came across one posting of this song on YouTube, but the recording was of very low quality and the majority of the words were not audible. I have now done a re-post of this song from my own collection, which is a slightly better recording.
I continue my exploration to locate the second Mukesh-Sitara duet from this film, “Mori Atatiyaa Pe Aa Ja, Ho Pardesi Panchhi. . .”. I would appreciate any help in this regards, from our regular contributing group, and other readers.
ab der na kar saajan, phoolon se jo milnaa hai
kaanton se na darr saajan, phoolon se jo milnaa hai
Tarry no more, O my love
If you want to meet the new flowers
Be afraid no more of the thorns
If you want to meet the new flowers
do par hain jalaa lenaa, aayaa hoon mere deepak
tu dil ki bujhaa lenaa, aayaa hoon mere deepak
I am here, O my love
The light of my life
Burn, burn away my wings
(In your blistering embrace)
Do with me as you please
Whet your heart’s desire, as you please
I am here, O my love
rut aayee suhaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par, saawan ki kahaani hai
The enchanting season of rains is here
And every flower tells from its lips
The stories of this delightful season
Song-Ab der na kar saajan (Dukh Sukh)(1942) Singers-Sitara, Mukesh, Lyrics-Wali Sahab, MD-Khemchand Prakash
Sitara + Mukesh
Lyrics
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
kaanton se na darr saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
kaanton se na darr saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
do par hain jalaa lenaa
aayaa hoon mere deepak
do par hain jalaa lenaa
aayaa hoon mere deepak
tu dil ki bujhaa lenaa
aayaa hoon mere deepak
tu dil ki bujhaa lenaa
aayaa hoon mere deepak
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
rut aayee suhaani hai
rut aayee suhaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
rut aayee suhaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
saawan ki kahaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
saawan ki kahaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
saawan ki kahaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
saawan ki kahaani hai
har phool ke hotthon par
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
kaanton se na darr saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
ab der na kar saajan
phoolon se jo milnaa hai
3 Responses to "Ab der na kar saajan phoolon se jo milna hai"
October 21, 2012 at 9:47 pm
The efforts to trace and track Mukesh’s Journey through the years 1941 to 1945 is indeed quite appreciable. To millions like me, any new information about this great singer is always welcome.Mukesh had impressive records with Music Directors like Gyan Dutt, Kemchand Prakash,Bulo C Rani etc. I doubt any numbers for Shyam Sundar and Sajjad Hussian.Can somebody please through some light on this.?
LikeLike
October 21, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Mahesh ji
Mukesh sang just one song for Shyam Sunder, in the film ‘Bhai Behen’ (1950). It is a duet “Kisi Ko Kya Khabar. . .” with Premlata.
As per the information available so far, Mukesh has not sung for Sajjaad Hussain.
Rgds
Sudhir
LikeLike
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
October 21, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I heard this lovely song for the first time. Yes, this song does not give an indication of any definitive style of Mukesh’s singing to be followed in his subsequent renderings.
By the way, the tune of the mukhda of the song https://atulsongaday.me/2010/12/03/mushqil-hai-bahut-mushqil/ from ‘MAHAL (1949) seems to have some resemblance to the tune of this song.
LikeLike