Suno meri sarkaar zamaana ulta hai
Posted on: August 13, 2013
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
This is a song from film Chhoti Bhabhi-1950, sung by Mohd. Rafi.
Exceptional artistes like Mohd. Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar are such personalities that lot of articles continue coming on them and every time we find something new in it. The research for their stories, anecdotes and memories is endless.
Normally, Film Industry is one place where even a moderate success goes to the head of people, but for these two singers, their extra ordinary success stories are replete with their simplicities and humility.
Mohd. Rafi was a simple person, with simpler needs and he remained like that throughout his life. His nature was such that he would not hurt anyone and was always ready to help those in need. Many Composers who could not afford Rafi’s fees,remember fondly,how Rafi sang for them without taking any money.
Once he was passing through Bandra. He saw many persons doing their Namaz in a Bandra masjid open compound, kneeling, sitting and standing on bare floor. Neat day Rafi quietly sent 300 “Chataai ” (Mats), anonymously.
Naushad, speaking about Mohd. Rafi once said, ” When Rafi’s daughter’s marriage was fixed, he came to give me the invitation card. I first congratulated him and then started reading the card. Nikah timing, Bidaai timing etc were mentioned in it, all in a 5 star Hotel. I felt something odd. I asked him, ” Rafisaab, Bidaai bhi Hotel se ? ”
” people said marriage should be done with Pomp and Prestige” Rafi said innocently. (Dhoom dham se karenge)
I told him, ” do the Reception in the Hotel, but why Bidaai of your Daughter from a Hotel ? Daughters have a relationship not only with Parents but also with the home where she has spent her childhood. So many memories are attached to the home. Bidaai should be from the home and NOT from a Hotel. ”
Rafi started weeping. He embraced me and said, ” Bilkul sahi farmaaya aapne. No one told me this. Bidaai will be from our house only. ”
Rafi was very God fearing. He would not do anything to hurt people. He helped so many people, without publicity. He went to HAJ 3 times and helped many people to go for HAJ.
Rafi was very hard working. He never considered himself perfect. Every morning he would do his Riyaaz. I am very particular about practice and rehearsals, before recording. Rafi was one step ahead of me. Even if I have okayed a song, he would ask for one more rehearsal. Rafi would wait at the Mike, after recording, till I toldl him to go, even if the Musicians are asked to Pack Up ! He never forgot that I was NAUSHAD ,but always forgot that he too was MOHD. RAFI, in my presence. He would stand up when I entered a room.
Once I was at some one’s recording room. Rafi was singing inside. The song was being recorded, but I felt he was not putting his life into it. After he came out, I asked him,” Kya baat hai Rafi saab, aap bahut pareshan lagte hain ? ”
Suddenly he said,” I want to leave all this and go away. ”
I was shocked. I asked him,” Kya Hua ?”
He ruefully said, “what songs do I sing these days ? No Astai,no Antara,only noise and shouting. I am not satisfied,Naushadsaab. No one composes in Malkauns,Darbari or any Raagas. I dont know what is happening. I want to go away from this ‘Bhari hui mehfil’. I will go stay with my sons in London.”
I told him,” Rafisaab, Yes, you can go but only when people would say, doosra Saigal Nahin hua, doosra Rafi nahin hoga-that is the time to go”
Within 2 months after this Rafisaab left this world for his Heavenly abode.
Really, DOOSRA RAFI NAHI HOGA
Here is a song from his early career. A fun parody song from film ” Chhoti Bhabhi-1950″. This song is shot on comedian Yaqub with I S Johar also visible. The music is by Husnlal-Bhagatram. A popular Rafi-Lata duet from this film,’ maine kaha babuji,itna bataaoge’ is already posted on this Blog.
Now enjoy this song….
Song-Suno meri sarkaar zamaana ulta hai (Chhoti Bhaabhi)(1950) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Qamar Jalalabadi, MD-Husnlal Bhagatram
Lyrics
ulta
ulta
ulta
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
ulta hai
suno meri sarkar
zamaana ulta hai
ek shaadi ho rahi thhi
haaaaan
ek shaadi ho rahi thhi
saari duniya thhi jawaan
dulha dulhan jab miley to
band ne gaaya wahaan
kya gaaya
do dilon ko ye duniya aa
milne hi nahin deti
do dilon ko ye duniya aa
milne hi nahin deti
isi liye to buzurgon ne kahaa hai ke
ulta
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
haaan
doosri shaadi ki suniye
arre bhai kya suniye
aji doosri shaadi ki suniye
jaane waali thhi baaraat
hoke rukhsat jab dulhan
jaane lagi dulha ke saath
to baaje waalon ne gaaya
kya gaaya
ho likhne waale ne
ho likhne waale ne likh di meri
taqdeer mein barbaadi
likhne waale ne
ho likhne waale ne
arre bhai
isi liye to buzurgon ne kaha hai
ke ulta
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
haaaaaaaaan
ek boodhe ka janaaza
raah par thha jaa raha
hum wahaan pahunche to dekha
band thha ye ga raha
kya ga raha
chal chal re naujawaan
chal chal re naujawaan
pam pam pam pa pam pam
chal chal re naujawaan
naujawaan naujawaan
isi liye to buzurgon ne kaha hai
ke ulta
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta hai
ulta hai
suno meri sarkaar
zamaana ulta
3 Responses to "Suno meri sarkaar zamaana ulta hai"
August 13, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Arunji,
What a coincidence! In the afternoon I was watching one of the recorded program on my DVR. It’s called Face to Face, aired on TV Asia, a local Indian channel. The host, Vikas Nangia was talking to Yasmin Khalid Rafi, Rafi Saheb’s daughter-in-law about the book she wrote, Mohd. Rafi My Abba. She also talked about his personality in-house.
Thank you for this post with the new anecdotes.
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August 13, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Your post made me cry too, Arunji.
Rafisaab was such a simple, warm-hearted person! Thanks for sharing even more anecdotes about him. He was truly one of a kind. Not just with his voice but also as a person.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 13, 2013 at 10:16 am
Arunji
Your post made me cry. Most of his anecdotes are heart wrenching. The last time when he came back from Haj our filmdom made sure he did not go again> KK had taken over.
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