Ab shaad hai dil
Posted on: October 6, 2013
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
This is the 10th and the final song in “The flavour of the 30s” series. It is from film YAHUDI KI LADKI-1933,sung by Utpala Sen and music is by Pankaj Mullick.
“Yahudi ki Ladki” was a New Theatres film from Calcutta. Most of the the films of New Theatres of early years had become All India famous because-
1. They had excellent music which was simple, having hummable tunes.
2. Their story base used to be very strong, as most films were based on the works of established and famous authors, dramatists and story writers. These stories were already famous in print and now people wanted to see the same in live on the screen. Famous writers like Sharat Babu, Bankim Babu, Ravindranath Tagore and many such famous authors’ works were used to make films. Strong story base also reduced the dependence on the number of film songs…..which Bombay films used in plenty to cover up for weak story bases.
3. One major reason for their All India success was also the language they used in film dialogues and the songs. In the early era, many Muslim and Urdu poets, writers and well known authors went into the Bombay Film Industry. They wrote dialogues and songs in chaste Urdu or Urdu mixed Hindi, which was a problem for Non-Hindi speaking regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat or the southern states to understand.
Films made by New Theatres and other Bengal studios,essentially used Pure Hindi words, and phrases in dialogues and film songs. In its pure form any Indian language becomes sanskritised and hence these dialogues and film songs were understandable and welcomed by both Hindi as well as Non Hindi regions all over India.
For example,Bombay films used words like Ishq, Mohabbat and Pyaar, whereas films from Eastern zone used words like Prem, Preet and pranay. Mulaaqat became Bhent and Izaazat became Anumati etc etc. Most of the Indian Languages have been evolved from Sanskrit, so these sanskritised words were acceptable, understood and liked by people in Andhra, Karnataka, Gujarat and all over the South.
Most actors from Bombay side being Hindi or Urdu educated, preferred language close to them-naturally. At the same time, actors from East India(read Bengal) had to learn to use Hindi (easier than learning Urdu, Persian or Arabic) in films and songs. (Remember the famous taunt Dilip Kumar had made about Lata, expressing doubts about her Urdu pronunciation, just because she was a Marathi Girl…..Uske labjon se Daal Bhaat ki boo aati hai ! )
This one point was smartly picked up by Prabhat Films and we find that in almost all Prabhat or Rajkamal films later on used Hindi dialogues and songs, making Shantaram films more popular and widespread than the heavily Urdu-laden films of Sohrab Mody and his ilk.
Agha Hashra Kashmiri was a very highly respected name in Urdu literature. Born at Amritsar in 1879 (died in 1935, at only 56 years of age), He had mastered Hindi, Urdu, English, Faarsi and Arabic languages. He translated most Shakespeare dramas into Urdu. He also wrote several independent plays for Paarsee Theatres,which became very popular. One of his popular plays was ” Yahoodi ki Ladki” written in 1915. Being very popular, it was translated in many languages. Barad Prasad Dasgupta had translated it in Bangla as ” Misar Kumari” in 1919. New Theatres made ‘Yahudi ki Ladki’-1933, based on this Bangla version. Agha was specially invited by New Theatres to Calcutta to write its story, dialogues and a few lyrics too. It is a costume drama and was actually written for Parsee Theatres. This powerful, emotional story was used by Bimal Roy in his Hindi film ‘Yahudi’-1958, 25 years later.
This is a story of conflict and rivalry between the Roman Priest Brutus (played by Kumar) and the Jew merchant Ezra (played by Nawab Kashmiri). Romans hated Jews. Brutus kills the son of Ezra, by feeding him to wild animals. In retaliation, cunning Ezra kidnaps the only daughter of Brutus-Decia, and brings her up as his own daughter. He changes her name to Hannah (Rattanbai). When Hannah grows up as a beautiful young girl, the Roman emperor’s (Pahadi Sanyal), son Marcus (Saigal) falls in her love. To woo her, he hides his Roman identity and pretends to be a commoner. When he wants to marry Hannah, he has to adopt Judaism, which-being a Roman- he refuses. Once his real identity and religion is exposed, Ezra throws him out.
Marcus returns home and is ready to marry his betrothed, princess Octavia (Tara), as previously planned. When Hannah and Ezra learn about this, they drag Marcus in court, accusing him of cheating Hanna. The Emperor gives a Death sentence to his own son, Marcus. This disturbs Ezra and Hannah and they withdraw their complaint to save the life of Marcus. Brutus comes to take advantage of the situation and both Ezra and Hannah are now sentenced to Death for cheating.
At the last minute, Ezra discloses to Brutus that Hannah is actually his own daughter-Decia, which he had kidnapped and brought up as his own Jew daughter.
Brutus realises the futility of religious enmity.
The court scenes and the powerful dialogues, coupled with superb acting ensured that the film was a great success. When this movie was remnade as “Yahudi” (1958), Marcus was played by Dilip Kumar (This was the second role of copying Saigal-once as Devdas and now Marcus), while Hannah was played by Meena Kumari and the role of Ezra was done by the solid dialogue master Sohrab Mody.
Bimal Roy had taken some cinematic liberties in this Hindi film. Nevertheless, it was a memorable film.
Yahudi ki Ladki-1933 was directed by Premankur Atorthy- not a name known to many . He was the director of Saigals First 3 films also-Muhabbat ke aansoo, Zinda Laash and Subah ka Taraa, all in 1932. he was also the director of Bharat ki beti, Kapal kundala, Karvaan-e-hayaat etc. here is a small note on him (Thanks to indiacinema)…..
Atorthy, Premankur (1890-1964)
Bengali and Hindi director born in Faridpur (now Bangladesh). Noted novelist and playwright, author of many books including compilations of short stories, essays (e.g. on silent film, cf. Atorthy, 1990) and plays. Best- known literary work: Mahasthavir Jatak (1922), a fictional autobiography in four volumes noted for its irreverent portrayal of Calcutta’s early 20th C. élites. Associated with literary journal Bharati; edited Nachghar, one of the first performing arts journals to take film seriously, with Hemendra Kumar Roy and film- maker Pashupati Chatterjee. Founded Betar Jagat, the journal of the AIR, Calcutta (1929). Started as scenarist and actor, using the pseudonym Krishna Haldar, at Indian Kinema Arts(Punarjanma, 1927; Chasher Meye, 1931). Remade Punarjanma in 1932. Joined B.N. Sircar’s International Filmcraft as writer and assistant to Prafulla Roy (Chasher Meye is based on Atorthy’s novel and script). Also scripted Nitin Bose’s Buker Bojha (1930). First film, Dena Paona, was New Theatres’ first talkie, made in direct competition with Madan Theatres’ Jamai Sasthi (1931). Made several Urdu films as part of New Theatres’ effort to enter the North Indian market, including the classic film of Aga Hashr Kashmiri’s play Yahudi Ki Ladki?. His film versions of literary classics, e.g. from Saratchandra Chattopadhyay (Dena Paona), Rabindranath Tagore (Chirakumar Sabha) and Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay (Kapal Kundala), established the élite literary film genre intended to distinguish New Theatres’ films from routine stage adaptations and remained important signifiers of high art in Bengali cinema. First Bengali film-maker to work in Western India, e.g. for Kolhapur Cinetone (1935) and for Imperial (1936). Credited with the supervision of H.K. Shivdasani’s Yasmin (1935), made by the Krishna? Studio.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1931: Dena Paona; 1932: Mohabbat Ke Aansoo; Subah Ka Sitara; Zinda Lash; Punarjanma; Chirakumar Sabha; 1933: Kapal Kundala; Yahudi Ki Ladki; 1935: Bharat Ki Beti; Bhikharan; Karwan-e- Hayat; 1936: Hind Mahila; Sarala; 1937: Dhanwan; 1938: Dulhan; 1940: Kalyani; 1941: Avatar; 1942: Lajwanti; 1943: Dikshul; 1950: Sudhar Prem.
Nawab Kashmiri, who did EZRA’s role was an extraordinary actor. Noted writer Saadat Hasan Manto has written about him in his book,’Stars from another sky’.
Nawab kashmiri was an honourable fixture in new Theatre films. The only son of the Mufti-e-azam, of the biggest Imambada in Lucknow, he was called ‘ Actors’ actor’. For doing the role of Ezra in Yahudi ki ladki,nawab went to Bombay and stayed with Jew people to understand their ways of behaving. he also removed all his good teeth to fit as an old Jew Merchant in the film. he was a fan of Agha hashra kashmiri and had achieved a great name by acting in his several dramas. B.N.Sarcar himself called Nawab to join New Theatres,when he was in great demand elsewhere too. He had acted in film Maaya-38, as a Pickpocket. to do this role effectively,he had stayed in their slum for 15 days to copy their mannerisms. In NT, he became friendly with another actor-Hafiz ji,who later married the Heroine Rattanbai (legend says,her hair was so long,it used to reach her ankle),befor Rattanbai shifted to Bombay in 1935 to do Bharat ki beti (Tere poojan ko bhagwan fame)
When Nawab did not get any issue from his first wife he married the daughter of prince Mehr of Audh. The first wife committed suicide leaving a hugh property and Gold for him.
Committed actors like Nawab kashmiri disappeared with his generation.
With this song, we come to the end of yet another series on this Blog. I hope the readers had liked the songs and the articles. i hope to come back with another exclusive series in future..
Let us now listen to the song sung by Utpala Sen, about whom I had written in details here.
Song-Ab shaad hai dil (Yahudi Ki Ladki)(1933) Singer-Utpala Sen, Lyrics-Agha Hashra Kashmiri, MD-Pankaj Mullick
Lyrics
Ab shaad hai dil
aabaad hai dil
ab shaad hai dil
aabaad hai dil
aansoo nahin ee ee
??? mein
??? dil e ae ae ae ae
????? dil e ae ae beqaraar tumhi ee ee
meri duniya ka ho singaar tumhi ee ee
meri gulshan bhi ho
meri gulshan bhi ho
bahaar bhi
tumhi dil mein ae ae
tumhi gulshan mein
jeene ki mujhe tadbeer milee ee ee
galey mujhse teri taqdeer milee ee ee ee ee
ab yaad ?? phir
fariyaad ho phir
pyaase dil miley
ab dard nahin hai man mein
ab shaad hai ye dil
aabaad hai dil
aansoo nahin ee ee
????
8 Responses to "Ab shaad hai dil"
October 6, 2013 at 10:15 am
Thanks for your appreciation,Seshadri ji.
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October 6, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Excellent article. Do we know which songs were written by Agha Kashmiri for Yahudi Ki ladki.
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October 6, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Thanks for your comments.
No info about the Lyrics credits.
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October 6, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Arunji it is simply a fantastic post full of rare information many thanks.With Regards. mlk
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October 6, 2013 at 9:17 pm
Sir,
I am honoured that you have liked my post. Thanks for your appreciation,which is valued high.
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October 20, 2013 at 4:51 pm
What a series Arun ji! Fabulous…. thanks in tons are in order! Take a bow….great effort & perseverance to collect such info!
Warm Regards,
Umesh
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October 20, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Umesh ji,
I am happy that you have liked my efforts.
Thanks for your appreciation,umesh ji.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
October 6, 2013 at 9:56 am
This was an excellent series. Lots of work went into it to make it very good
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