Arshon pe sitaara hai wo
Posted on: April 22, 2013
The articles on this song are written independently by Sadanand Kamath and Sudhir, fellow enthusiasts of Hindi movie music and regular contributors to this blog, and sent to me almost simultaneously. 🙂
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Sadanand Kamath’s writeup
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I had not heard the name of the film BEETE DIN (1947). What prompted me to know about this film was a song ‘arshon pe sitaara hai wo’ from this film which is sung by Mukesh and M A Rauf (Osmania), one of the two music directors in the film. The song’s composition is somewhat different than what one usually finds in most of Hindi film songs. There is no repetition of lines of mukhda in the antaras. The tune is more or less the same for both the mukhda and antaras.
The film BEETE DIN (1947) was produced under the banner of Aawaz Film Corporation and directed by Ezra Mir. The star cast included Motilal, Vanmala, Rekha, S Nazir, Baby Shyama, Sheela, Solanki, Bibijaan etc. There were two lyricists – Pandit Phani and H Tanvir and two music directors – Dinkar Rao and M A Rauf (Osmania). I have heard the name of Dinkar Rao only now. Is he the same Amembal Dinkar Rao, the famous music composer of AIR, Mumbai during 40s to 60s ?
Only audio clip is available of this song. Since Motilal is in the film and the song is sung by Mukesh, it is easy to guess that this song is picturised on Motilal. This song is accredited to both the lyricists and the music directors. But the uploader of the audio link has indicated the name of M A Rauf as the music director for this song. Going by Mukesh’s two solo songs from the film ‘Tohfaa’ (1947) with the style of orchestration associated with M A Rauf, my guess is that this Mukesh’s solo is composed by him. I am not able to make even a wide guess about the lyricist of the song. So we may have to give credit to both the lyricists – Pandit Phani and H Tanvir.
The tune of this song reminds me of kehke bhi na aaye tum from ‘Safar’ (1946). But I am not surprised as both these songs (may be one or two more) are based on a Punjabi folk song.
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Sudhir’s writeup
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The Voice of Mukesh #14
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Vintage Mukesh – pure and charming. Just simply vintage him. And an absolutely enchanting gem of a song to restart the series. I am truly in love with this song, and so will you, fall for it as soon as you hear it. It would be difficult to take it off the mind’s player, once it starts playing there.
Thanks to Sadanand ji, I am back with the effort to trace the journey of Mukeh during his first few years of his career. Starting with his first song, “Dil Hi Bujha Hua Ho To Fasle Bahaar Kya” from the film ‘Nirdosh’ (1941). We have covered the songs sung by Mukesh all the way through 1946, except for one. I am waiting to locate the song “Main Hoon Naagin” from the film ‘Durbaan’ (1946), a duet by Mukesh and Binapani Mukherjee.
Let us proceed ahead with the journey, to locate the rest of the missing songs of Mukesh on this blog. (As soon as I am able to locate the missing 1946 song, I will bring it up here). Coming to 1947, this song here is a delightful solo song from the film ‘Beete Din’ (1947). Some details of the film from the Geet Kosh. The film is from he banner of Awaaz Film Corporation, Bombay, and is directed by Ezra Mir. The film has 9 songs, which are shared amongst Pt. Faani and Tanvir Naqvi. The specific details of which songs are written by which lyricist is not available in Geet Kosh. In the music direction department also, the work is shared between two music directors viz. A Dinkar Rao and MA Rauf. The sharing of songs between the MDs is indicated, and this song is composed by A Dinkar Rao. The cast of actors includes Vanmala, Motilal, Sheela, S Nazir, Mrs Rekha, L Ramesh, Baby Shama, Master Lakshman, Bibi Bai, Baby Janet, Solanki etc. The film has some very good songs that I hope will appear here on this blog, in due course.
Now, only the audio of this song is available, but listening to it and looking at the list of actors, it is very highly likely that this song is performed by on screen by Motilal. The song itself adapts the ‘tappe’ form of singing from Punjab. The literal meaning of ‘tappe’ is ‘verses’, and the singing format goes from one verse to the next, generally without repeating a ‘mukhda’ or a ‘sthaai’. The melody is reminiscent of the Punjabi folk music, and as I listen to this song, I am very much reminded of the melody of the song “Kyun Ji Scent Lagaaya Hai” (film ‘Neki Aur Badi’, 1949, MD – Roshan).
A song of a free spirit, that is in love. The words exude joy and happiness, and the heart is making promises for life. Listen to this wonderful gem, and be ready to feel the emotions of first love, all over again. 🙂 🙂 Enjoy.
arshon pe sitaara hai
din raat naseebon mein deedaar tumhaara hai oo
Ah these lovely stars in the sky
Spell good fortune for me
For I have the good luck
Of seeing you, of being with you
Every day, every night
tasveer e khayaali hai
jo raat bhi aayegi, wo raat diwali hai
(Your) image stays with me
Always in my thoughts
And every evening is bright and shining
Like a celebration of Diwali
din beete jaate hain
hum husn ke saagar se mai peete jaate hain
Ah, these are the wonderful days
Passing through our lives
And I am drinking the wine of love
From the cup of beauty and loveliness
dil jaan se chaahenge
la haath milaa sajni, hum preet nibhaahenge
I will love you
With all my heart
All my life
Lay your hand in my hands
I promise to keep my love
True forever
beemaar tumhaara hoon
jeene ko to jeetaa hoon par nainon ka maara hoon
I am smitten
By your beauty
(Always thinking about you)
Ah yes, the life is good
And I breathe and live
But I have been hunted
And been captured
By the glances of your beautiful eyes
Song-Arshon pe sitaara hai wo (Beete Din)(1947) Singer-Mukesh, Lyrics-Pt Phani/ H Tanvir, MD-A Dinkar Rao
Lyrics
arshon pe sitaara hai wo
arshon pe sitaara hai
din raat naseebon mein
deedaar tumhaara hai wo
tasweer-e-khyaali hai ae
tasweer-e-khyaali hai ae
jo raat bhi aayegi
wo raat deewaali hai jo
raat bhi aayegi wo
raat diwaali hai wo
din beete jaate hain en
din beete jaate hain en
ham husn ke saagar se
mai peete jaate hain
ham husn ke saagar se
mai peete jaate hain wo
dil-jaan se chaahenge ae
dil-jaan se chaahenge ae
la haath milaa sajni
ham preet nibaahenge
la haath milaa sajni
ham preet nibaahenge wo o
beemaar tumhaara hoon oon
beemaar tumhaara hoon oon
jeene ko to jeetaa hoon
par nainon ka maara hoon
jeene ko to jeeta hoon
par nainon ka maara hoon o o
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Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
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अरशों पे सितारा है ओ
अरशों पे सितारा है जी
दिन रात नसीबों में
दीदार तुम्हारा है ओ
तस्वीर ए खयाली है
तस्वीर ए खयाली है
जो रात भी आएगी
वो रात दिवाली है
जो रात भी आएगी
वो रात दिवाली है ओ
दिन बीते जाते हैं
दिन बीते जाते हैं
हम हुस्न के सागर से
मय पीते जाते हैं
हम हुस्न के सागर से
मय पीते जाते हैं ओ
दिल जान से चाहेंगे
दिल जान से चाहेंगे
ला हाथ मिला सजनी
हम प्रीत निबाहेंगे
ला हाथ मिला सजनी
हम प्रीत निबाहेंगे ओ
बीमार तुम्हारा हूँ
बीमार तुम्हारा हूँ
जीने को तो जीता हूँ
पर नयनों का मारा हूँ
जीने को तो जीता हूँ
पर नयनों का मारा हूँ ओ
8 Responses to "Arshon pe sitaara hai wo"
April 22, 2013 at 11:30 am
Sadanand ji,
The Geet Kosh entry identified A Dinkar Rao as the music director for this song. The lyricist is not specifically identified.
On checking Mukesh Geet Kosh also, the music director is listed as A Dinkar Rao. The other thing that Mukesh Geet Kosh indicates is that it is a solo, and only Mukesh’s voice is identified for this song.
Your guess is right, this song is based on Punjabi folk melodies. Especialliy, there is a format called ‘tappe’ (literal meaning ‘verses’), in which the verses are sung one after the other, without any ‘mukhdaa’ or ‘sthaai’. And yes, we can find more songs that sound similar to this, being based on the same Punjabi folk tunes. I am reminded of the song “Kyun Ji Scent Lagaya Hai” from ‘Neki Aur Badi’ (1949), MD being Roshan, also already posted on this blog.
Arun ji,
To your point about Amembal Dinkar Rao, I searched the Geet Kosh, and I do find that his name is listed there. There are variations in the name during the same time frame (1930s and 1940s), and one specific film carries his complete name also. The list, as far as I can make out is as follows:
1. Bombshell (1935) — Dinkar Rao
2. Pardesi Sainyyaan (1935) — Dinkar Rao Amembal
3. Beete Din (1947) — A Dinkar Rao
Besides this name, there is another name in the same period – Dinkar S Bidkar. This name appears in seven films from 1934 to 1946. It is clear that this name is a different person.
However, the difficulty is that there are three other films with MD’s names containing ‘Dinkar’ that also appear in the same period. Specifically, the listing is
a. Rashq e Laila (1934) — Master Dinkar
b. Rangeela Nawaab (1935) — Dinkar
c. Talwarwaala (1946) — Dinkar
In case of these three films it may be difficult to specifically determine whether Amembal Dinkar Rao should be credited or Dinkar S Bidkar should be.
Given the above information, it is appears that Amembal Dinkar Rao has given music in Hindi films.
Rgds
Sudhir
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April 22, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Sudhir ji,
You have really taken pains to find out about these Dinkar fellows.
Anyway my information is totally based on the Biography of Amembal Dinkar Rao,written by Mohan Nadkarni in his book ” Music to thy ears- Great Masters of Hindustani Instrumental music”
Published by Somaiyya publications,Bombay-2000.
The relevent portion is thus-
” When in 1937, the government assumed control of the broadcasting media, Rao was absorbed into the new set-up and made a Programme Executive in charge of Indian music. In the process he completely merged his identity with AIR Bombay till his retirement in 1967. Rao’s services received official recognition of sorts on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Indian broadcasting in 1977. The then prime Minister, Morarji Desai, presented to him a small memento, depicting AIR’s emblem. This was all he got as a token of his appreciation for the work he had done towards building up an important broadcasting unit almost from scratch.”
Nowhere in the entire article it is mentioned that he ever indulged in the films.
His only connection with films was when the then Station Director Zulfiqar Bukhari,in 1936,introduced Dinkar Rao to actor/singer ASHRAF KHAN who later became a sufi saint and Dinkar Rao was his devotee till his death.
I think Pardesi Sainya-35 where the name Dinkar rao Amembal may be a mistake. It should have been only Dinkar Rao.
I feel Dinkar rao Amembal can not be the same person,since he was never involved in film music.
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April 22, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Sudhir jee,
Actually the quote should have started from here,in my above reply.That will clear any doubt as to what he did before 1937-
Amembal Dinaker Rao came of a cultured and well-to-do Chitrapur Saraswat family from South Kanara in Karnataka. The Amembal family has been known for its love of music and the performing arts. Dinaker Rao’s generation took to music as a joyous pursuit from early childhood. Like him, his brothers have been self-taught musicians. But it was left to Rao to take up music as full-time career.
Rao decided to forsake his academic career in favour of music while he was studying for his final B. Sc. examination at Fergusson College in Pune. While in college, he had already become popular as a singer, who would regale his audiences at college functions and private baithaks (concerts) with his songs. Endowed with an intensely musical and flexible voice, he excelled in singing devotional songs. He had modelled his style on that of the eminent vocalist, the late Master Krishna or Krishnarao Phulambrikar, and had even cut discs for HMV in those days. Side by side, Rao also acquired a thorough command over the harmonium. His urge to be a musician grew so compulsive that he left college to come to Mumbai and in 1927 joined what was then the privately-owned Indian Broadcasting Company, first as a casual performing vocalist and a harmonist, and later as a member of its staff.
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November 30, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Amembal Dinkar Rao- was my father’s brother and later on called himself D’Amel and is the same person who composed the songs for the movie Beete Din his one and only film. He has also composed the raga called Ameli todi being a singer par excellence. Being the Station director he played the straight flute and was composer of the many Indian orchestras played over AIR during the 50’s .Later on in life he became the disciple of Ashraf Khan a Sufi saint. He was a humble saintly person who never wanted to shine in the limelight.
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April 22, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Near similar posts by two very prominent contributors. Anyway, its good to have Sudhirji;s series on vintage Mukesh back. Thanks a ton.
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April 22, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Yesterday afternoon on Vividhbharathi Radio station,
yesteryear actress Shyama mentioned “Beete din” is one of her earlier movies.
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April 28, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Dear Aruni ji, Kamath ji & Sudhir ji, since I had read about D’Amel in different context, it seemed quite plausible that he was MD & I searched on net & voila as per book by Dr. Ashok Da Ranade named Hindi Film Songs: Music Beyond Boundaries, he has provided music to Hindi Films. Link: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZI1wqkWsIjYC&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=Dinkarrao+Amembal+Music+Director&source=bl&ots=_VerO_vn1f&sig=yp6EmnJjLqmByOs82WmrEiks2r4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NTx9Ue2RF8ntrAehu4H4DQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Dinkarrao%20Amembal%20Music%20Director&f=false
By the way the song reminds me of ‘Mushkil Hai Bahot Mushkil’ from Mahal!
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
April 22, 2013 at 9:57 am
Kamath ji,
This MD Dinkar Rao has nothing to do with the Great musician of Bombay AIR Amembal Dinkar Rao. Amemebal never entered the film zone,though,for your information,he was introduced to singer/actor ASHRAF kHAN-the sufi saint and was his devotee till the last..
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