Naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
Posted on: June 29, 2013
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
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The Many Colors of Love #4 — Romance in Golden Years
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And so wrote the scribe. . .
These first four words make an instant identification to this fabulous song that needs absolutely no introductions. The song made immortal, not just by Sahir-Ravi-Manna Da, but more so by the performance of Balraj Sahni (as Lala Kedarnath) on screen, with a coy Achla Sachdev (as Laxmi Kedarnath) getting all bashful and pink in face, realizing what a display of romanticism has been unleashed by ‘Lalaji’. A song that eventually became the signature performance for Balraj Sahni. And over the decades, the song has steadily grown on the collective minds of the people and assumed a cult status as the banner song for golden age romance. Yes, I hear this song played often at silver and golden anniversaries of marriages.
The nature of this emotion called love, remains a universal mystery, no doubt that many million words have been written about it. The scientists and psychoanalysts chug along with their research projects, in an effort to determine where this emotion comes from, why do we love one person, and not another, why do loving relationships last a lifetime, and in turn getting labeled as true love. There are no answers. Except for the people who are in love.
The world is full of more enduring and stable relationships, in comparison to the romancing couples of youth. There is contentment and joy, in the sharing that lasts a lifetime. A chemistry that evolves, changes, adjusts over the years to somehow make every such match a perfect match. I know –one such wonderful couple in our extended family. This uncle of mine is a retired and decorated army man. I still remember seeing him from a very tiny height, as he got on to the horseback to go and wed this dainty lady, oh so many years ago. Then, when I became more familiar with the fairy tales as a child, this couple, for me, became Prince Valiant and Princess Charming, and thus they have remained, well almost forever. I am sure all will be able to identify such royal couples who just seem to get better with the vintage years. He is forever the King, and she is the Queen eternal, and every day is a celebration.
Let’s face it. No one is getting any younger, any more prettier, or any more healthier, as the years take on their relentless march. But for the people in love, it seems as if time stands still, and the age is just a passage of years. The strength of love becoming the elixir of life, creates wonders in what many would otherwise term as twilight years. ‘Young’ is not the only age to be in love. Rather age has no meaning for love. And life itself, has no other reason to be.
Cinema is smitten with the phenomena of youth. Hindi cinema has dealt with the subject of romance in the golden years, albeit occasionally. Some films come to mind. ‘Bin Phere Hum Tere’ (1979), that dealt with the mature relationship between Rajendra Kumar and Asha Parekh. ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ (1976), which brought focus on senior relationships between Amitabh and Waheeda on one hand, and Shashi and Raakhee on the other. ‘Khatta Meetha’ (1978) told the story about Ashok Kumar and Pearl Padamsee, coming to live together, along with their children. There are many family stories that revolve around aged parent couple that are ill treated by their children. There have been comedies created around this theme. And then lately, there have been some very sensitive and mature films that came along, to handle this theme very realistically, from the perspective of the couple themselves – ‘Pyaar Mein Twist’ (2005) with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple playing star crossed lovers in their golden years, ‘Cheeni Kum Hai’ (2007), an Amitabn-Tabu starrer that explores this theme dealing with the arrogance and pride of the senior partner, ‘Phir Kabhi’ (2008) in which Mithun and Dimple are lovers in youth, forced to take separate paths in life, and then coming together again when they are old and alone. And the latest – ‘Tum Milo To Sahi’ (2010) a tale of fiercely individualistic single senior citizens played by Nana Patekar and Dimple, coming to appreciate each other and each other’s company.
There do not seem to be too many film songs on this theme, for dealing with such relationships is generally a side plot in the films. Hence, locating this rare and forgotten song, is a reward in itself. This song, a very fun and lively song from 1947, comes from the film ‘Renuka’. The affairs of the heart of senior citizens, is presented from the perspective of their grand children, who are sharing this tale of youth revisiting the elderly. The grandparents, it seems, are out to put down the stories of Laila-Majnu and Romeo-Juliet, declaring that their own love stories in this age, are many shades better.
The lyrics for this song are by Qamar Jalaalabaadi, and the music is by Sardar Malik. There are two singing voices in this song, one of which is identified as Baby Shaila. The second voice, that appears to belong to a male child, is not credited. Directed by Ramesh Sehgal, the film has the star cast consisting of Mubarak, Hemawati, Afzal, Smt Vijaydas, Shashi Kapoor, Baby Vimla, Chandabai, Kesar Bai, Sati Devi, Gharpure etc.
A song that is meant for all ages. Listen to this timeless creation, and take courage, wherever on the time line of years you may be. The life is to be lived and enjoyed, at every age.
And then be prepared to ask your companion –
Jab Hum Hongey Saath Saal Ke, Aur Tum Hogi Pachpan Ki”
“Bolo Preet Nibhaaogi Naa, Tab Bhi Apne Bachpan Ki”
(‘Kal Aaj Aur Kal’, 1971)
Let the world know – love is forever, and it never ages. Enjoy.
Song-Naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari (Renuka)(1947) Singers-Baby Shaila, Unknown male child singer, Lyrics-Qamar Jalalabadi, MD-Sardar Malik
Both
Lyrics
naana se
haan
naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
ye naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
budhaape mein aayee jawaani hamaari
budhaape mein aayee jawaani hamaari
hamen hai khushi aur wo bekal thhe dono
hamen hai khushi aur wo bekal thhe dono
arrey laila majnu paagal thhe dono
arrey laila majnu paagal thhe dono
hai un se bhi achhi kahaani hamaari
ye naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
budhaape mein aayee jawaani hamaari
badey rob se keh rahaa thha ye naanaa
badey rob se keh rahaa thha ye naanaa
gayaa romeo juliet ka zamaana
gayaa romeo juliet ka zamaana
hai un se bhi achhaa hamaara fasaana
hai un se bhi achhaa hamaara fasaana
jawaanon se achhi jawaani hamaari
ye naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
budhaape mein aayee jawaani hamaari
ek din ka zikar hai
aji suno suno
ek din ka zikar hai
ki daada ji se koi poochh rahaa thha
ke daada ji ab jawaani kahaan hai
wo shokh aur rangeen kahaani kahaan hai
to daada ji hans hans ke kehte thhe sabko
to daada ji hans hans ke kehte thhe sabko
ki lailaa ko majnu ki aankhon se dekho
dekho
ki lailaa ko majnu ki aankhon se dekho
abhi to hai chhoti se raani hamaari
abhi to hai chhoti se raani hamaari
ye naana se kehti thhi naani hamaari
budhaape mein aayee jawaani hamaari
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Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
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नाना से
हाँ
नाना से कहती थी नानी हमारी
ये नाना से कहती थी नानी हमारी
बुढ़ापे में आई जवानी हमारी
बुढ़ापे में आई जवानी हमारी
हमें है खुशी और वो बेकल थे दोनों
हमें है खुशी और वो बेकल थे दोनों
अरे लैला मजनूँ पागल थे दोनों
अरे लैला मजनूँ पागल थे दोनों
है उनसे भी अच्छी कहानी हमारी
ये नाना से कहती थी नानी हमारी
बुढ़ापे में आई जवानी हमारी
बड़े रोब से कह रहा था ये नाना
बड़े रोब से कह रहा था ये नाना
गया रोमियो जूलिएट का ज़माना
गया रोमियो जूलिएट का ज़माना
है उन से भी अच्छा हमारा फसाना
है उन से भी अच्छा हमारा फसाना
जवानों से अच्छी जवानी हमारी
ये नाना से कहती थी नानी हमारी
बुढ़ापे में आई जवानी हमारी
एक दिन का ज़िक्र है
अजी सुनो सुनो
एक दिन का ज़िक्र है
कि दादा जी से कोई पूछ रहा था
के दादा जी अब जवानी कहाँ हैं
वो शोख और रंगीन कहानी कहाँ है
तो दादा जी हस हस के कहते थे सबको
तो दादा जी हस हस के कहते थे सबको
की लैला को मजनूँ की आँखों से देखो
देखो
लैला को मजनूँ की आँखों से देखो
अभी तो है छोटी सी रानी हमारी
अभी तो है छोटी सी रानी हमारी
ये नाना से कहती थी नानी हमारी
बुढ़ापे में आई जवानी हमारी
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
September 25, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Wonderful write up Sudhir Ji. Love in the golden age is in a way going back to ones childhood. Thank you!
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