Ajab Hindustan ghazab Hindustan
Posted on: August 17, 2013
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Careers in the film industry span a spectrum that goes from one act wonders, to artists that spend a lifetime in the films, with active careers spanning four, five or six, or even seven decades. At the low end of this spectrum is a class of artists that flattered and zoomed like a shooting star, but then disappeared. Or if not disappeared, they stayed on in the industry without making any other significant impact or having their presence felt.
On the other end of the spectrum are the artists that made a mark for themselves in the industry, with their contributions and the popularity that they gained with the audience and the industry. In this post, I am writing about two personalities, from the opposite ends of this spectrum, who participated in making this song. And incidentally, both these personalities are from Rajasthan.
Near this low end of the spectrum, there is a class of artists who were very talented, who made a significant impression with their first sorties, and held out the promise of impressions in subsequent offerings. But the destiny had other plans for them up its sleeves, and some very promising talents had to leave the industry for reasons other than lack of demand and opportunity, or lack of performance worthy of attention. Mohammed Hussain Farooqui is one such singing talent whose career was cut short, for personal reasons and choices.
Remembering Mohammed Hussian Farooqui Sb on his 98th anniversary of birth (17 august).
He was born in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan,on 17 august 1915, in a traditional Muslim family. His father, Haaji Muniruddin was a teacher and a very religious man. He received his primary education from his father, who wanted him also to become a teacher. But the interest of the young lad was in music. Singing, that started as a hobby, became a passion with him. At a very young age, he started getting invited to sing at stage programs, and started to gain popularity as a singer. His father was not in favor of his son becoming a stage artist, and continued to insist for him to progress in the teaching profession. One can speculate that the tussle and the disagreement between the father and the son must have been intense, with the young man restraining himself from pushing his career in singing, due to the fact that the first time that Mohammed Farooqui ventured out to Bombay, was in 1945-46, when he was 30 years old.
Through some common friends, he managed to get a letter of introduction for Khemchand Prakash, then one of the leading music directors in Bombay, who hailed from Sujangarh in Rajasthan. But after getting to Bombay, although he contacted Khemchand ji quite soon, it was many months before he was able to secure an audience with him. As the fortune would have it, when Mohammed Farooqui went to Khemchand Prakash ji’s house, another guest was present. This guest was none other than Saigal Sb, who was at that time, at the peak of his popularity and his career as a singer actor. The two were introduced and Saigal Sb requested Mohammed Farooqui to sing something. The young aspirant chose to sing Saigal Sb’s immortal melody “So Jaa Raajkumari, So Jaa”(‘Zindagi’, 1940). After listening to the song, Saigal Sb blessed the young man, and said to Khemchand Prakash, “There is something new and unique in this voice”. After this meeting, the doors began to open for Mohammed Farooqui.
Through Khemchand Prakash, he got onto the rolls of Ranjeet Movietone, as a singer. He got his first chance to sing under the baton of Hansraj Behl, for the film “Chheen Le Azaadi” (1947). The song – “Kamzoron Ki Nahin Hai Duniya, Duniya Himmatwaalon Ki” is his debut song. Also in 1947, he sang another solo song in the film ‘Duniya Ek Sarai’. The song, “Ek Musaafir Aaye Baba Ek Musaafir Jaaye” became popular with the listening public. In the same year, he sang a lovely duet with Hameeda Bano in the film ‘Laakhon Mein Ek’. This song “Jeevan Hai Anmol Musaafir” became a hit and this new singer started to gain attention in the industry.
He was getting into the groove with more singing assignments in the subsequent years with songs in films like ‘Pehli Pehchaan’ (1947), ‘Bichhde Balam’, ‘Jai Hanuman’, ‘Mitti Ke Khilone’, ‘Pardesi Mehmaan’ (all from 1948), ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ (1949) and ‘Alakh Niranjan’ (1950). He also played small roles in three films, ‘Chheen Le Azaadi’, ‘Neel Kamal’ and ‘Piya Ghar Aaja’ (all in 1947). And then the destiny played the other hand it had in store for him. His father took seriously ill in 1950. He returned to his home, to never return to Bombay. His father passed away, and Mohammed Farooqui stayed in his hometown, adhering to the last wishes of his departed parent, to spend his life in the service of the poor and needy. He would continue his singing as a hobby, but he never thought of coming back to the films again. He passed away peacefully on 8th February, 1990.
Coming to the second personality that we talk about today. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, yes, there was a lot of activity in the industry. Continuing on from the silent era, the industry had completed about three decades. It was young and it was robust. But still, in the early years, it was a shade lower in terms of respectability. Talent did flow to it, but still it was regarded as a distant cousin to the regular performing arts and literary activities. Very few people of literary talent came to it.
Story and screenplay writers have been with the industry since its silent days. But as soon as the films started to talk, a new talent requirement was added – the song writer. For many films, the producers would fall back on traditional verses and folk songs, or borrow from the theatre. But of course, the film song as a genre was striking roots and original song writing for the films was becoming an upcoming career. One name that stands out amongst the song writers from the earliest years of talking films is Pt. Indra Chandra (also credited as Pt. Indra). Starting his career in 1933, he is known as the first in his genre to be given the title of ‘Star Writer’, and worked with most of the leading banners of that era.
With this post, we are celebrating the 100th song of Pt. Indra to be showcased on this blog. This is a fabulous accomplishment , given that his primary writings were done in the decades of 1930s and 40s. The only comparable record on our blog is two names – DN Madhok, who started his career in 1932 and Kedar Sharma who started writing for films in 1935.
Pt. Indra Chandra Daadhich was born in Beedasar village in Churu district (Rajasthan). No other details about his date of birth and early life is readily available at this time. He was well educated, and was a budding writer and poet. The circumstances of his coming to Bombay and joining the industry are also not clear. His first assignment in the industry was with the production house Gandharv Cinetone, where he worked with director Baburao Patel. Baburao Patel was also a journalist before he turned to films, and that possibly could be a connection that may have brought Pt. Indra to Bombay. His first film as a writer and lyricist is ‘Sati Mahananda’ (1933), directed by Baburao Patel. He moved quickly across to many other banners, viz. Sagar Movietone, Hans Chitra, Prakash Pictures, Wadia Movietone and Ranjeet Movietone. It was at Ranjeet Movietone that he came into his own, and was accorded the title of Star Writer.
There is not much information available (so far) about the early life of Pt. Indra. Most references talk about the work he has done in Hindi and Rajasthani films, but almost nothing about his life. As I searched the print sources and the internet, I came across a very detailed article on him, in a blog called ‘Khwaahish e Parwaaz’ – or ‘Urge to Fly’. Here, I find a very well researched article which provides a very good analysis of the periods of his work and the type of songs he has written. The article is written by Aditya, and it can be accessed here.
The major body of his work is accomplished during the years 1933 to 1950. From his pen have come some of the most iconic and the most memorable songs. A sampler list of his best songs could include “Saawan Mann Barse, Chaatak Kyun Tarse” (‘Maharani’, 1934), “Gora Saa Mukhda Jaise Baadlon Mein Bijali Chamke” (‘Begunaah’, 1937), “Prem Hee Prem Hai Chhaayo” (‘Meri Bhool’,1937), “Jaa Ree Sakhi Saajan Se Keh De” (‘Dynamite’, 1938), “Ae Ishq Mujhe Husn Se Begaana Bana De” (‘Ek Hi Raasta’, 1939), “Mora Soona Saanjh Savera” (‘Pati Patni’, 1939), “O Jeene Waale Haste Haste Jeena” (‘Punarmilan’,1940), “Surate Izhar Dard e Dil Nahi” (‘Amrit’, 1941), “Radha Jhoola Jhule,Jhulaven Ghanshyam” (‘Raj Nartki’, 1941), “Kaun Jane Re Mori Nathani Ka Mol”(‘Aankh Michauli’, 1942), “Ulajh Gaye Naina Tumse Kanhaiya” (‘Ghareeb’,1942), “Kaya Ki Rail Nirali, Kar Jayegi Teshan Khali” (‘Station Master’,1942), “Morey Baalpan Ke Saathi Chhailaa, Bhool Jaiyo Naa”(‘Taansen’, 1943), “Aate Hain Aansu Bar-Bar, Koi Inhe Bulay Kyon” (‘Adaab Arz’, 1943), “Bhiksha De De Maiyaa Pinglaa”(‘Bharthari’, 1944), “Baade Saba Machal Rahi, Aai Nai Bahaar Hai” (‘Insaan’,1944), “Badariyaa Baras Gayi Us Paar”(‘Moorti’, 1945), “Man Mora Kaghaj Kora, Sandesh Likh Dijo”, (Dharti’,1946), “Kis Baat Pe Tule Ho, Ruthe Ho Meharbaan”(‘Gwaalan’, 1946), “Muskrate Ho Kyon, Itrate Ho Kyon” (‘Pehli Pehchaan’,1947), “O Chaand Mere, Kyon Door Khada Sharmaye” (‘Chandralekha, 1948),”Dwaar Khule Mann Mandir Ke, Chitchor Nahin Aaye” (‘Jogan’, 1950) – and so many more. It is always a difficult choice to provide a sampler list for
such prolific achievers.
His contributions are also significant as a dialogue writer. After 1950, his films have been very few and far between. In 1948, when SS Vasan planned to remake the hugely successful Tamil film ‘Chandralekha’ in Hindi, Pt. Indra was the writer that was brought on board for the lyrics and dialogues. That started an association with Gemini, that lasted well into the 1950s, for their films in Hindi.
In a career that spans a period from 1933 to 1969, Pt. Indra has written almost 900 songs in 130+ films, a number that also includes about half a dozen or so Rajasthani films. This is a significantly prolific contribution, and it is a sad comment that this stalwart writer is not remembered so well, as are some of his peers.
Coming to the song itself. The film is ‘Pardesi Mehmaan’, a Ranjeet Movietone production from 1948. The film is directed by Aspi, and the cast of actors includes Husn Banu, Kamal Kapoor, Rajrani, Ghulam Mohammad, Sheikh Hasan, Afghan Sandow, Abdul Rehman, Azeem, Bipin Gupta, Kaiser. The music is composed by Hansraj Behl.
Over the years, Pt. Indra seems to have specialized, amongst other things, in comical and satirical songs. He has to his credit, songs like “Tu Garam Masaale Kee Chatni Sajni , Main Paapad Naye Baazaar Kaa” (‘Meri Bhool’,1937), “Mere Mama Ke Ghar Mein Maami Jee Kaa Raj Re” (‘Sant Tulsidas’,1939), “Meri Chaandi Ki Chawaanni” (‘Chandan’, 1941), “Gehoon Ke Phulke Khilaa De Piya, Mohe Baajri Na Bhaaye” (‘Insaan’, 1944), “Bambai Se Chappal Lana Chhaila Bhool Jaiyo Naa” (‘Dharti’, 1946), “Lucknow Chalo Ab Raani”(‘Sansaar, 1951), and “Mohabbat Ki Motor Mein Panchar” (‘Do Dulhe’, 1955) amongst many others. This song also belongs to the same category.
I am now wondering if this should have been posted on the 15th. The timing of the song is interesting, given its theme and content. The time is just after the independence. And the song talks about the state of affairs as perceived by the poet just a year into a new existence for the nation. The words are a satire, and a stinging satire at that. The comment about the success of the cheats and the corrupt. The comment about nothing seems to have changed. The comment that our own children are underfed, while there are ‘guests’ at home that are well taken care of. The comment that money has become even more important that morals or religion. All go to say that the situation as seen by the poet post independence was nothing too great to write about.
Listen to this rare song from a now forgotten film. Relish a scarce renditions in the voice of Mohammed Farooqui. And note the message -nothing much has changed. What the poet perceived 65 years ago, seems so true even today. Seems nothing much changes as far as human beings are concerned. 🙂
Song-Ajab Hindustan ghazab Hindustan (Pardesi Mehmaan)(1948) Singer-Md Hussain Farooqui, Lyrics-Pt Indra Chandra, MD-Hansraj Bahl
Lyrics
ajab Hindustan
ghazab Hindustan
ajab Hindustan
ghazab Hindustan
takey ser bhaaji
takey ser pakwaan
takey ser bhaaji
takey ser pakwaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
ajab Hindustan
ghazab Hindustan
takey ser bhaaji
takey ser pakwaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
wohi puraani chaal hai teri
wohi puraani reet
wohi puraani chaal hai teri
wohi puraani reet
jhoothe paapi paakhandi ki
kadam kadam par jeet
jhoothe paapi paakhandi ki
kadam kadam par jeet
kya hai teri shaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
koi na poochhe bhaav heere ka
kaanch hua anmol
koi na poochhe bhaav heere ka
kaanch hua anmol
apna dhol bajaate hain sab
apna dhol bajaate hain sab
sab mein polam pol
polam pol
teri aqal pe qurbaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
lambe paanv pasaar ke sab
sotey suboh shaam
(snoring)
lambe paanv pasaar ke sab
sotey suboh shaam
kaahe kare koi kaam chaakri
sabka daata ram
daata ram
chalo sasti chhooti jaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
dharam bhool ke dhan ko dhoondhen
rahaa na desh ka maan
dharam bhool ke dhan ko dhoondhen
rahaa na desh ka maan
ghar ke bachche chakki chaaten
ghair baney mehmaan
ghair baney mehmaan
ye ghulaam ka gumaan
waah re Hindustan
arre waah re Hindustan
ajab Hindustan
ghazab Hindustan
ajab Hindustan
ghazab Hindustan
takey ser bhaaji
takey ser pakwaan
—————————————–
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
—————————————–
अजब हिंदुस्तान
ग़ज़ब हिंदुस्तान
अजब हिंदुस्तान
ग़ज़ब हिंदुस्तान
टके सेर भाजी
टके सेर पकवान
टके सेर भाजी
टके सेर पकवान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अजब हिंदुस्तान
ग़ज़ब हिंदुस्तान
टके सेर भाजी
टके सेर पकवान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
वही पुरानी चाल है तेरी
वही पुरानी रीत
वही पुरानी चाल है तेरी
वही पुरानी रीत
झूठे पापी पाखंडी की
कदम कदम पर जीत
झूठे पापी पाखंडी की
कदम कदम पर जीत
क्या है तेरी शान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
कोई न पूछे भाव हीरे का
काँच हुआ अनमोल
कोई न पूछे भाव हीरे का
काँच हुआ अनमोल
अपना ढ़ोल बजाते हैं सब
अपना ढ़ोल बजाते हैं सब
सब में पोलम पोल
पोलम पोल
तेरी अक़ल पे कुर्बान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
लंबे पाँव पसार के सब
सोते सुबहो शाम
लंबे पाँव पसार के सब
सोते सुबहो शाम
काहे करे कोई काम चाकरी
सबका दाता राम
दाता राम
चलो सस्ती छूटी जान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
धरम भूल के धन को ढूँढे
रहा ना देश का मान
धरम भूल के धन को ढूँढे
रहा ना देश का मान
घर के बच्चे चक्की चाटें
ग़ैर बने मेहमान
ग़ैर बने मेहमान
ये ग़ुलाम का गुमान
वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अरे वाह रे हिंदुस्तान
अजब हिंदुस्तान
ग़ज़ब हिंदुस्तान
अजब हिंदुस्तान
ग़ज़ब हिंदुस्तान
टके सेर भाजी
टके सेर पकवान
8 Responses to "Ajab Hindustan ghazab Hindustan"
2 | Bharat Upadhyay
August 18, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thanks Sudhir-ji for remembering these unsung artists. During my Sound recording apprentice days, I met panditji during a recording of a song of some Rajasthani Film. I remember him as a very simple and unassuming person.
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August 18, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Sudhirji
He sang ab raam raj ki aage suno kahani in Jai Hanuman
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August 18, 2013 at 3:42 pm
Never heard of either of them before. But what a fantastic voice this is of Mohammad Hussain Farooqui. And lovely, hard-hitting lyrics too by Pt Indra Chandra.
Thanks so much, Sudhirji, for posting this absolute gem. Yes, it could have been posted on 15th Aug too – relevant on any day of the year, actually. Very informative write-up too.
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August 18, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Pt Indra Chandra has 100 songs in this blog. I am sure you must have heard a few songs penned by him, even if you did not know who the lyricist was. 🙂
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August 18, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Oh, really! *very embarrassed* I then need to check more songs written by him then. Somehow the name did not ring a bell. 🙂
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August 18, 2013 at 10:01 pm
– My tributes to both Md Hussain Farooqui Saab and Pt Indra Chandra
and Hansraj Behl too for creating this song !!
– What a great voice! thanks Sudhir ji for bringing this to us.
– I am hearing his voice first time, but wish to listen more and more.
= @Sudhir ji – thanks for the information on both the personalities.
– and if this was the situation in 1948 then the govt needs to launch a
new ‘Bharat nirmaan’ again (of course with more budget provisions!)
– And i remember your comments – to celebrate the 68 th anniv ‘across
the barren and depressing horizon …’
– One thing i would like to request that at least we should not limit the posting of such songs/or other patriotic songs only for 15 th Aug or 26 th Jan.
Otherwise it would only be like the same as our society has done in building so many statues of the freedom fighters and great personalities and burried their ideals forever there, and nobody cares for them and it is very painful to see their conditions in our day to day life.
So it doesn’t matter if this do not come on 15th. It deserves to come on any day. because people needs to be reminded everyday of the precious freedom and the price we pay for it and it was at all ‘free’.
Thanks !!!
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August 18, 2013 at 10:24 pm
sorry, i need to correct the mistake ;
because people needs to be reminded everyday of the precious freedom and the price we pay for it and it was NOT at all ‘free’.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 18, 2013 at 11:57 am
A well written article on two personalities, Md Hussain Farooqui and Pt.Indra Chandra.
I am hearing Md Hussain Farooqui for the first time.
I knew Pt.Indra Chandra from the Tamil remake films and other Hindi films produced from south, the songs for which he wrote wonderful lyrics.
Thank you Sudhirji for this informative write-up.
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