Haan bhor bhai ik pari gagan se utri
Posted on: July 22, 2013
- In: Artist century song in blog | Century songs for the blog | Devnagri script lyrics by Sudhir | Feelings of heart | Guest posts | Lyrics contributed by readers | Mukesh solo | Mukesh songs | Post by Sudhir | Rare song | Songs of 1950s (1951 to 1960) | Songs of 1952 | Yearwise breakup of songs
- 8 Comments
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Mukesh, a name synonymous with the sounds of the soul, a name the evokes memories of music that wouldn’t have been possible, but for him, a name that sits so simply and comfortably within the strands and threads of a thousand songs that have been blessed with the touch of this expressive and poignant voice. Songs, that may otherwise have been relegated to anonymity and obscurity, had they not been sung by this vocalist of Gods.
The renowned poet Sarastwati Kumar ‘Deepak’, has given a wonderful delineation of his name. In a poem dedicated to this wonderful singer, Saraswati Kumar ji has analyzed the word ‘Mukesh’ as the one on whose tongue, reside the divine deities. The interpretation is very unique and befitting – ‘Mukesh’ as मुकेश = मुख + ईश. The specific line from his poem is as follows:
mukh mein eesh basaakar gaane waale pyaare bhaai
मुख में ईश बसाकर गाने वाले प्यारे भाई
None can disagree with this illustration.
Singers and signing voices in the field of music, are many. So many wonderful voices have rendered such memorable songs that continue to live in the memory banks of the people and this culture. Within this, there is a class of singers that are a breed apart by themselves, a very rare category that can be counted on fingertips. It is the singers whose art itself is a mirror reflecting their personality and their character. It is the singers who have conveyed the beauty, the depth, the sensitivity and the reality of life so effectively through just their voices. Their power to render the emotion is so intense that the listeners will lose the sense of the voice itself and feel the emotions rouse personal sensitivities, and take the listener to altogether a different plane of existence. As I said, such voices can be counted on fingertips. Mukesh Sb’s voice is one of them.
Born this day, 90 years ago in Delhi, he was the sixth child amongst ten siblings. In hindsight, one can say that the voice and the music was a
divine gift. Mukesh did not undergo any formal music training, of any sustained period or quality. As a small child, he would secretly listen as a music teacher would come home to teach music to one of his sisters. The singing as a hobby simply grew from within. He would have been just 17, when in 1940 HMV recorded four songs in his voice. He was still in Delhi, had finished his matriculate education and was working as surveyor in the public works department. No further details are available as to how these two records (four songs) came to be recorded. Simply points to the quality of his singing.
1940-41 is also the period that Motilal, his cousin brother, heard him sing at family wedding function in Delhi, and then took him along to Bombay. Here we find the sole evidence of his training, as Motilal arranged for Mukesh to learn from Pandit Jagannath Prasad. The reference source does not specify how long this training lasted. But we all know that in 1941, the film ‘Nirdosh’ was released in which Mukesh played the hero opposite to Nalini Jaywant. He sang three songs in this film, singing them himself on screen.
The story of the slow progress of his career, across the next three to four years, is well known. He was contemplating returning home, and give up the dreams of tinsel town. Destiny had other plans. ‘Pehli Nazar’ and the song “Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De”, happened in 1945, and set the course of the rest of his life. It is said that when the great Saigal Sb heard this song for the first time, he remarked, “Strange, I do not recall singing this song”. Over the next thirty some years, this voice would become the beacon of sensitive and soulful singing in the world of Hindi cinema, with three Filmfare awards (1959, 1970 and 1972), and a national award (1974) to his credit. Of course, these awards and recognition are no match for the quality of his art and the lasting memories that he bequeathed to us.
We celebrate and honor this wonderful singer today, with his 600th song on this blog. With this post, we now have 600 songs by Mukesh that embellish this wonderful collection of music.
I select this wonderful nugget of sheer poetry, obscure and unheard for more than six decades. The film is ‘Mamta’ from 1952. A film unheard of, in comparison to other namesakes from 1942, 1966 and 1977. A social drama from the banner of Nishant Films, Bombay, this film is directed by Gunjaal. The list of actors includes Sumitra Devi, Ulhas, Mirza Musharraf, Rajan Haksar, Kamal Mehra, Chitrlekha, Bhagwan Das, Ramesh, Rajni, Shanta Bai, Sadiq, Qabil Amritsari, Baby Salma, Master Raja, GP Shrivastava, Sheela, Paro etc. The eight songs in this film come from the pens of four poets – Shyam Hindi, Moti BA, Shewan Rizvi and Verma Malik. These lovely verses are written by Moti BA. The music is composed by Sonik, (who is the senior partner of the Sonik-Omi duo), just starting his career in the world of films. This is probably his second or third film. In this film, he shares the honors for music direction with Hansraj Behl.
The song is so lovingly created and so lovingly rendered by Mukesh. One of the loveliest songs of Mukesh, in my opinion. And as is the experience from many times before, such a valuable gem sitting away from sight, in obscurity. The poet is writing of the dawn descending upon the earth, in the form of a beautiful fairy who appears first on the mountainsides. There is a lovely description of this fairy, about her persona, about her apparel, how she awakens the buds and flowers, and what effect she has on this world. The poet has used few words and left so much more unsaid, building upon the imagination of the listener. A two word phrase “chhalkaati gagri” – and the world to imagine the overflowing urn of beams that are slowly being poured upon this world. Ah, such an exquisite, such a breathtaking experience – the combination of the lovely verses, the peaceful and unhurried melody, and the singing voice that makes you see the day dawn, as you may listen to this beautiful song with your eyes closed.
Song-Haan bhor bhai ik pari gagan se utri (Mamta)(1952) Singer-Mukesh, Lyrics-Moti B A, MD-Manoharlal Sonik
Lyrics
haan
bhor bhai
ha…aan
bhor bhai
ek pari
ek pari gagan se utri
haan
bhor bhai
laal rang ki
saari pehne
laal rang ki
saari pehne
ang ang phoolon ke gehne
parbat upar khadi akeli
phehraati chunri
haan aan
bhor bhai
ha. . .aan
bhor bhai
aankhon mein sansaar basaaye ae
honthon mein hai pyaar chhupaaye
aankhon mein sansaar basaaye ae
honthon mein hai pyaar chhupaaye
chhab dikhlaati
latt lehraati
chhalkaati gagri ee
haan
bhor bhai
ha. . .aan
bhor bhai
kaliyon ke mann ko lalchaaye
kaliyon ke mann ko lalchaaye ae
neeche nainon mein sharmaaye
mere mann mein basi sundari
mujh se door khadi ee
haan
bhor bhai
ha. . .aan
bhor bhai
ek pari
ek pari gagan se utri ee
haan
bhor bhai
———————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————
हाँ
भोर भई
हाँ॰॰॰
भोर भई
एक परी
एक परी गगन से उतरी
हाँ
भोर भई
लाल रंग की
साड़ी पहने
लाल रंग की
साड़ी पहने
अंग अंग फूलों के गहने
परबत ऊपर खड़ी अकेली
फहराती चुनरी
हाँ
भोर भई
हाँ॰॰॰
भोर भई
आँखों में संसार बसाये
होठों में है प्यार छुपाये
आँखों में संसार बसाये
होठों में है प्यार छुपाये
छब दिखलाती
लट लहराती
छलकाती गगरी
हाँ
भोर भई
हाँ॰॰॰
भोर भई
कलियों के मन को ललचाये
कलियों के मन को ललचाये
नीचे नैनों में शरमाये
मेरे मन में बसी सुंदरी
मुझ से दूर खड़ी
हाँ
भोर भई
हाँ॰॰॰
भोर भई
एक परी
एक परी गगन से उतरी
हाँ
भोर भई
8 Responses to "Haan bhor bhai ik pari gagan se utri"
July 22, 2013 at 8:40 pm
“Mukesh, a name synonymous with the sounds of the soul, a name the evokes memories of music that wouldn’t have been possible, but for him… ”
– Sudhir ji, with that one line you have described fully and completely my feelings towards Mukeshji. You have no idea how much this post (and all your posts on him – particularly “The Voice of Mukesh”) mean to me.Thank you ever so much.
Whether it is ‘Chal Akela Chal Akela’ or ‘Jeena Yaha` Marna Yaha`’ or ‘Haa` Diwana Hoon Mai’ or ‘Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De’ or ‘Ek Din Bik Jayega’ or ‘Kehta Hai Joker’ or… (the list is endless), he brings out a sense of ‘completeness’ in his songs – nothing missing, just leaving you wanting more. He left us too soon – maybe he was wanted more up there!
Wherever he is, we wish him a happy 90th birthday.
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July 23, 2013 at 12:33 am
Mahesh ji, Stepney ji,
Thanks so much for your words of appreciation. They mean a lot to me.
Mahesh ji,
Regarding the Filmfare awards, I stand corrected. Yes, Mukesh has received 4 Filmfare awards, which are
1. 1959 – Anari – Sab Kuchh Seekha Hum Ne
2. 1970 – Pehcnaan – Sab Se Badaa Nadaan Wohi Hai
3. 1972 – Beimaan – Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki
4. 1976 – Kabhi Kabhi – Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein
Your observation that in 1959, he was the firsr recipient of the Filmfare award, is also correct. As we see the history of Filmfare awards, it makes a very interesting reading, as far as awards for playback singers are concerned.
So the awards are initiated in 1953. There is no category of a playback singer award, from 1953 to 1957, whereas they have award categories like Art Direction, Cinematography and Sound Recordist. In 1958, playback singer category is added. But it is a single award for male and female singers. In 1958, Lata wins it for the song “Aa Ja Re Pardesi”, from ‘Madhumati’. In 1959, it goes to Mukesh for ‘Anari’ song. This continues till 1966, i.e. from 1958 to 1966, there is only a single award category for playback singing. Then, better sense prevails, and in 1967 separate categories for male and female playback singing are introduced for the first time.
Stepney ji,
Thanks for following up the ‘Voice of Mukesh’ series. I am trying to cover all songs of Mukesh with this series. First target is to post his every song till 1950.
Thanks and regards
Sudhir
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July 23, 2013 at 6:13 am
Thank you Sudhir Ji.
I have pretty much covered all the songs till 1948, except 4.
A great 600th song. Soon we will have all of them 🙂
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July 23, 2013 at 11:13 am
Sudhirji,
Its a great find. You seem to have better means of discovery and detection. I have sent 150 pages of Mukesh songs yet to be logged but this song did not come my way. I daresay it may have taken lot of your time.
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July 23, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Nitin ji,
Thanks for your appreciation about my knowledge in old hindi songs in an earlier post. I consider my knowledge quite limited and negligible compared to other stalwarts and elders in this blog.
600 songs of Mukesh already posted and another 150 odd sent by you. Thats more than 75% of all songs sung by Mukesh.
Off late I have sent only 3 Mukesh numbers and was wondering why there are not being posted. Now I understand the reason. I will better stick to writing comments and sit back to enjoy the posts.
Sudhirji,
If I can have your email ID etc, I can send some rare songs, articles etc which I have collected of Mukesh. I had also sent to Atulji a film download link of “Lakhon mein ek “1947,. a song from which you were searching. Hope its of any use.
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July 23, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Sudhir ji
While reading your post about Mukesh(not only this post, all of them), I Enjoyed very very very very………..much and thanks for many RARE finds.
Regards
prakash
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July 23, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Sudhirji,
All these rare gems you are introducing to us, generation brought up by listening to songs of 70s, is really a great treat. The more we tune in to these rare finds of yours, lagta hai-
pyaas kuchh aur bhi bhadkaa di jhalak dikhla ke……
Thanks for all these Mukesh’s jewels. Looking forward for more……
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
July 22, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Sudhirji,
I was waiting for a dedicated post on Mukesh with your usual and wonderful prose which reads like poetry. Many Thanks.
A small correction. Mukesh in fact won four filmfare awards, the last one being in 1976/77 for Kabhi Kabhie.
If I am not mistaken, he was the first male recipient of the award in 1960.
He received this first award from his fan & president of Egypt Mr. A’l Nasir who was visiting the country and was the chief guest for the function.
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