This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Greetings all, on the 66th anniversary of the Independence Day of our nation.
Generations have passed since the day in 1947, when the declaration of India as a free nation was made. Endemic are the told and untold stories of sacrifices, of brave uprisings, of the heroic resistance against the British, and of martyrdoms, from around the subcontinent, that brought us this much desired freedom from an alien power. In parallel, also ubiquitous are the chronicles of political manipulations, the vested interests that subverted the national interest in favor of personal gains and honors, the ultimate ignominy of the division of the country that put to misery an astounding 20 million people, and the shameful acquiescence of the national leadership to the sycophantic whims of a foreign invader who had no business to make decisions about the political structure of this nation. But of course, the painful chronicles of history tell us that all this happened.
Traitors and the concept of treachery is as old as the human civilization itself. In any group of people, it is always possible to find one or a few, who would betray the rest for a personal advantage. Rare is any occasion that betrayal is not a part and parcel of the annals of any documented history, or even folklore for that matter. It is recorded history that when Alexander invaded India, there were small kingdoms and petty kings who gave safe passage and opened the gateways of this country to the Greek armies. The tales of Jaichand (12th century) and Mir Jaafar (18th century) need not be retold. These are legends and their names are now part of the common parlance – to be referred to as Jaichand or Mir Jaafar is to be branded a traitor.
The saga of the independence of India is rampant with side notes and unstated stories of manipulations and betrayals. The attack on Mysore and
the decimation of Tipu Sultan (1799), the ambush and consequent killing of Chandrashekhar Azad (1931), are stories that reek of treachery and
subversion for petty personal gains. The very mechanics of India becoming independent of the British rule, are dubious and questionable, looking at the disastrous consequences that this nation and its people had to suffer. And yet, there has not been a single question that has been asked about it in the past six and a half decades. There is ample documentary evidence available to rewrite this history.
And the history continues to repeat itself, over and over and over again. What was political treachery then, is now transformed into economic
betrayal, as is clearly evident from the current state of affairs of this nation. Having learnt some useful lessons, the foreign invaders have
rightfully steered clear of political domination. Understanding that there is more to be gained through an economic subversion, the looting and the pillaging of this country’s wealth continues even today, of course with the connivance of a hugely corrupted legislature and administration.
I wonder whether this song would have been worded any differently, had Kavi Pradeep been alive now and had written it in, say 2012. Written in 1958, when the newly independent nation was just a decade old, one is led to marvel at its prescient words and the prophetic message. A time that it was, and we all agree, when the people and the social interactions were simpler, the environment was not so stressful, the political leadership appeared to be inclined towards national interest, the agenda of nation building appeared to be clear and honest, the propaganda machines were almost non-existent, the newspapers, the journalist, the lawmakers and jurists were more honest and incisive, the focus on education was not adulterated with computer games and cell phones, and the evenings of the common man were not spent in front of the TV or at the shutters of late night wine shops.
Would you say that it was a time when honesty and personal integrity were characteristics that were still valued? The answer would probably be ‘yes’. The generation of people who had stood up for a common national cause, was still active in the society, and the atmosphere was still charged with a certain nationalism, that was simple and naïve.
And yet, we see, a foremost poet of his time, write down verses that warn of treacherous vested interests, that are internal to this nation and society. Vested interests against whom we must guard our national interests. Vested interests who are the hidden enemies of the state, who would not blink an eye before selling the national pride and interests down the river, for personal gains and comfort. A strange revelation that starts to well up in the mind – it was fifty five years ago, and the song is telling us about traitors we must guard against. In the current times, the situation has not changed. Rather, it has worsened, and very extremely so.
Worsened, I say, because of one singular comparison that can be highlighted right away. This song, in 1958, addressed the political leadership, and warned them too, of course assuming that they are on the side of the genuine national interest. In today’s scenario, this warning is going to be completely out of context, for the political leadership of all levels and colors is clearly on the opposite side of the national interest. What do I have to say.
The film is ‘Talaaq’ (1958). On screen one can see an energetic Rajendra Kumar singing this song of patriotic fervor to a public audience. The one special person present in the audience is Kamini Kadam, who seems to recognize the singer. Her initial reaction is a distant aloofness, but by the time song comes to an end, and the rest of the audience is up on their feet and joining the chorus, it is clear that she too is very much taken in and excited, not just by the song but also by the signer. We should realize that when this song was in the process of being filmed, Rajendra Kumar was just five or six years into the industry, so far a non lead material. ‘Mother India’ (1957) was his only notable feature so far albeit not as a hero, and his first real box office successes as a hero, ‘Goonj Uthi Shehnaai’ (1959) and ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ (1959) were still a year away.
As mentioned earlier, the song is written by Kavi Pradeep, and the music is composed by C Ramchandra. The singing voice is that of Manna Dey,
accompanied by a chorus of singers.
A song that says – things do not change much after all. Or rather to put it more precisely – the more things change, the more they remain the same. The sentences of this song talk of social ills that are as much a problem today as they were then, only more so. The number of such Jaichands and Mir Jaafars has just multiplied astronomically. This call, for being cautious and prepared against internal traitors – this call rings true even today.
It is a sad commentary that the number of people to whom this call may be meaningful, has shrunk drastically over the years.
Greetings for the 66th. Awaiting 67th, across a barren and depressing horizon.
Song-Kehni hai ik baat hamen (Talaaq)(1958) Singer-Manna Dey, Lyrics-Pradeep, MD-C Ramchandra
Chorus
Lyrics
vande maatram
vande maatram
vande maatram
vande maatram
bolo bharat mata ki
jai
bigul baj rahaa azaadi kaa
gagan goonjtaa naaron se
milaa rahi hai aaj
hind ki mitti nazar sitaaron se
ek baat kehni hai lekin
aaj desh ke pyaaron se
janta se
netaa’on se
faujon ki khadi kataaron se
kehni hai ik baat hamen
is desh ke pehredaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
jhaank rahe hain apne dushman
apni hi deewaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
loot rahe hain desh ki daulat
lobhi rishwatkhor yahaan
kaat rahe janta ki jeben
watan ke dushman chor yahaan
sach ke upar jhooth ka din din
badhtaa jaata zor yahaan
jaagte rehnaa ae netaaon
khatraa chaaron ore yahaan
nahin chalega kaam doston
kewal jai jaikaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
kehni hai ik baat hamen
is desh ke pehredaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
ae bharat maata ke beton
ae bharat maata ke beton
suno samay ki boli ko
phailaati jo phoot yahaan par
door karo us toli ko
ae bharat maata ke beton
suno samay ki boli ko
phailaati jo phoot yahaan par
door karo us toli ko
kabhi na chalne dena phir se
bhed bhaav ki holi ko
jo gandhi ko cheer gayee thi
yaad karo us goli ko
saari basti jal jaati hai
mutthi bhar angaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
kehni hai ik baat hamen
is desh ke pehredaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
jaago tumko bapu ki jaageer ki raksha karni hai
jaago tumko bapu ki jaageer ki raksha karni hai
(aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa)
jaago laakhon logo ki taqdeer ki raksha karni hai
jaago laakhon logo ki taqdeer ki raksha karni hai
(aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa)
abhi abhi jo bani hai us tasveer ki raksha karni hai
abhi abhi jo bani hai us tasveer ki raksha karni hai
(aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa)
hoshiyaar
hoshiyaar
hoshiyaar tumko apne kashmir ki raksha karni hai
hoshiyaar tumko apne kashmir ki raksha karni hai
aati hai awaaz yahi
mandir masjid gurudwaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
kehni hai ik baat hamen
is desh ke pehredaaron se
sambhal ke rehnaa apne ghar mein
chhipe huye gaddaaron se
———————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————
वंदे मातरम
वंदे मातरम
वंदे मातरम
वंदे मातरम
बोलो भारत माता की
जय
बिगुल बज रहा आज़ादी का
गगन झूमता नारों से
मिला रही है आज
हिन्द की मिट्टी नज़र सितारों से
एक बात कहनी है लेकिन
आज देश के प्यारों से
जनता से
नेताओं से
फौजों की खड़ी कतारों से
कहनी है इक बात हमें
इस देश के पहरेदारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
झांक रहे हैं अपने दुशमन
अपनी ही दीवारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
लूट रहे हैं देश की दौलत
लोभी रिश्वतखोर यहाँ
काट रहे जनता की जेबें
वतन के दुश्मन चोर यहाँ
सच के ऊपर झूठ का दिन दिन
बढ़ता जाता ज़ोर यहाँ
जागते रहना ऐ नेताओ
खतरा चारों ओर यहाँ
नहीं चलेगा काम दोस्तो
केवल जय जयकारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
कहनी है इक बात हमें
इस देश के पहरेदारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
ए भारत माता के बेटो
ए भारत माता के बेटो
सुनो समय की बोली को
फैलाती जो फूट यहाँ पर
दूर करो उस टोली को
ए भारत माता के बेटो
सुनो समय की बोली को
फैलाती जो फूट यहाँ पर
दूर करो उस टोली को
कभी न चलने देना फिर से
भेदभाव की होली को
जो गांधी को चीर गई थी
याद करो उस गोली को
सारी बस्ती जल जाती है
मुट्ठी भर अंगारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
कहनी है इक बात हमें
इस देश के पहरेदारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
जागो तुमको बापू की जागीर की रक्षा करनी है
जागो तुमको बापू की जागीर की रक्षा करनी है
(आss आss आss आss आss आss)
जागो लाखों लोगों की तक़दीर की रक्षा करनी है
जागो लाखों लोगों की तक़दीर की रक्षा करनी है
(आss आss आss आss आss आss)
अभी अभी जो बनी है उस तस्वीर की रक्षा करनी है
अभी अभी जो बनी है उस तस्वीर की रक्षा करनी है
(आss आss आss आss आss आss)
होशियार
होशियार
होशियार तुमको अपने कश्मीर की रक्षा करनी है
होशियार तुमको अपने कश्मीर की रक्षा करनी है
आती है आवाज़ यही
मंदिर मस्जिद गुरुद्वारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
कहनी है इक बात हमें
इस देश के पहरेदारों से
संभल के रहना अपने घर में
छिपे हुये ग़द्दारों से
I can’t agree more that things today look decidedly bleaker than in 1958 in the integrity department. Like you point out, at least here Rajendra Kumar is warning politicians to be alert against traitors and cheats. In today’s scenario, that would be laughable.
In today’s India, one does not know whom to turn to, the corruption and subversion has seeped in to such depth at all levels. In a set of newspaper articles, Rajinder Puri, a columnist and free lance journalist has revealed how the constitution itself has been subverted and made ineffective. In this country, by the constitution and by the oath taken, the President is the supreme authority to ensure that the laws of the land are implemented and upheld. No other branch of govt or office/department is vested with that authority by the Constitution. And look what they have made the office of the President of the country, simply a rubber stamp. As you say, it is laughable, and the nation is becoming a laughing stock in the world.
I read your post also and I understand and empathize with your thoughts. In my opinion, democracy is simply not working in this country. The outlook is bleak and possibly disastrous, as we can see nothing on the horizon that promises anything better.
Sir,
I salute you for this thought provoking, intensive and introspective post.
Who else than Kavi Pradeep ji could have put this all in these meaningful verses and that too many years back, the present situations is the result of the accumulated ‘insensitivity of the people of this land’ towards their beloved country.
I personally feel that we do not owe this country, that is why it was required after 18 years of independence to have the ‘pledge’ that ‘India is my country …’. It should not have been limited to ‘text books’ only.
As rightly said by you, sadly the situation has worsened extremely and going by the current scenario, and given to our ‘COLLECTIVE INSENSITIVENESS’ towards the state of affairs, only a miracle can save us from leading towards anarchy.
Even yesterday some good politician HAPPILY emphasize the IMPACT of CASTEISM in votes, so they still eye on caste and religion to get the benefit of votes. Merit of Performance is no value, demerits of coalition (blackmailing) not considered and nobody tries to explain the people that whoever you vote, vote on his ability and not on his caste or religion.
And I sincerely hope that ‘people stood up for a common national cause, and charge the atmosphere with nationalism, patriotism and for positive change and improvement in the society.
Yesterday there was a report on a news channel about the monuments/statues/heritage of our freedom fighters that have been left in dirty/dilapidated conditions, their relatives are living in worse conditions and no government official or even political parties visits them or take care of them.
It is truly said that those ‘who forget their history are doomed to repeat it’…
Yippeeee! Sudhir Ji main aa gaya aur yeh baar time pe aa gaya :). Another movie joins the ranks of movies where all songs from the movie have been covered in this blog. Yippeeee!
This blog discusses Bollywood songs of yesteryears. Every song has a brief description, followed by a video link, and complete lyrics of the song. This is a labour of love, where “new” songs are added every day, and that has been the case for over SEVENTEEN years. This blog has more than 19700 song posts by now. This blog is active and online for over 6000 days since its beginning on 19 July 2008.
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 16, 2013 at 5:15 am
What a wonderful write-up, Sudhirji.
I can’t agree more that things today look decidedly bleaker than in 1958 in the integrity department. Like you point out, at least here Rajendra Kumar is warning politicians to be alert against traitors and cheats. In today’s scenario, that would be laughable.
LikeLike
August 16, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Certainly Raja ji,
In today’s India, one does not know whom to turn to, the corruption and subversion has seeped in to such depth at all levels. In a set of newspaper articles, Rajinder Puri, a columnist and free lance journalist has revealed how the constitution itself has been subverted and made ineffective. In this country, by the constitution and by the oath taken, the President is the supreme authority to ensure that the laws of the land are implemented and upheld. No other branch of govt or office/department is vested with that authority by the Constitution. And look what they have made the office of the President of the country, simply a rubber stamp. As you say, it is laughable, and the nation is becoming a laughing stock in the world.
I read your post also and I understand and empathize with your thoughts. In my opinion, democracy is simply not working in this country. The outlook is bleak and possibly disastrous, as we can see nothing on the horizon that promises anything better.
Rgds
Sudhir
LikeLike