Khelo khilaadi khel aisa
Posted on: October 6, 2015
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in sites like lyricstrans.com and ibollywoodsongs.com etc then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
The song under discussion today is from film Naya Kadam-58. It is sung by Geeta Dutt, under the baton of Narayan Datt.
Hundreds of actors came and went away. Some were famous for Stunt scenes,like Fearless Nadia,John Cavas Master Bhagwan, Baburao Pehelwan, Master Vithal etc. Some were famous for their masculine Handsomeness, Like B.Nandrekar, Chandra Mohan, Prithviraj Kapoor, Dev Anand etc. Some were famous for their Dialogue delivery,like Sohrab Modi, Gajanan Jagirdar,Raaj Kumar etc. Few actors were known as Lucky actors ,like Karan Dewan, Bharat Bhushan, Pradeep Kumar etc, but when the question of natural acting came only few names are remembered, like Motilal, Ashok Kumar, Omprakash and BALRAJ SAHNI.
In the early days of movies, when not many educated people came into films, Balraj-a double MA in English and Hindi joined the films. In the conventional way he was not a handsome person, but his superior acting prowess compensated for that. In an industry which is a ‘show business’, he was never counted amongst the Top grade stars, though critics and learned viewers always found him excellent. You can never imagine a Raj Kapoor or a Dev Anand in a film like Seema or Kabuliwala, nor can a Dilip kumar fit into ‘Do Bigha Zameen’. For such roles Balraj was matchless. After the film Do Bigha Zameen, he and Nirupa Roy became India’s most loved, poor and uneducated, good natured and simple couple for many subsequent films.
Due to this, Balraj never got any romantic or Glamorous roles. However, to earn his daily bread, he compromised and worked in several B grade movies, like Black Cat-59, opposite a Non actress Minu Mumtaz !
Yudhishthir Sahni aka Balraj Sahni was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India (now Pakistan) on 1st May, 1913 to Punjabi family. After completing his graduation in Bachelor of Arts (Hindi), and post graduation in Masters of Arts (English Literature), both from Punjab University; he got married to Dayamanti. It was in late 1930s that both husband and wife moved to Bengal to join Rabindra Nath Tagore’s Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan as English and Hindi teacher. It was about the same time that in 1936 Balraj wrote his first compilation of Hindi fiction called “Shahzaadon ka Drink”. It was also in Bengal that Balraj and Daytamanti’s son, Parikshit was born. In 1938, Sahni went to work with Mahatma Gandhi for a year and the very next year went to England to join the British Broadcasting Network’s Hindi service as a radio announcer. In 1943, he returned to India.
It was in 1944 that Sahni moved to Bombay and joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), a group with which he also started his acting career, albeit through plays. In the same year, he bagged a role in the film “Insaf”, which marked the beginning of his acting career in Hindi film industry. “Dharti ke Lal” and “Door Chalein” were his next of releases in the same year. It was, however, the film “Do Bigha Zameen” that established his strengths as an actor. The movie was directed by Bimal Roy and came out in 1953; it also won the international prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is now considered a classic.
In the years that followed, he played many leading roles in commercial films opposite actresses like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Vyjayanthimala, and Nutan in films “Lajwanti” (1958), “Ghar Sansar” (1958), “Satta Bazar” (1959), “Kathputli” (1957), and “Sone Ki Chidiya” (1958) respectively. These films further established his position as a versatile actor. In the 1961, film “Kabuliwala”, written by Tagore, went on to become another of his classic. To prepare for the role, Balraj lived with kabuliwalas in a Bombay suburb. His character roles with strong performances in films like “Haqeeqat” (1964), “Waqt” (1965), “Do Raaste” (1969), “Ek Phool Do Mali” (1969), and “Mere Humsafar” (1970) further left an indelible mark in the film fraternity and fans alike. The legendary song “Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen” from the film “Waqt”, picturized on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev is still etched deep in peoples’ memories and is loved by the current generation as well.
Along with successfully proving his acting prowess, he also displayed exceptional directing skills through the film Lal Batti (1957), where passengers are forced to spend a night together at the railway platform at the time of India’s independence. Balraj co-directed this movie along with Krishan Chopra. His performance in the film “Garm Hawa” (1973) is considered to be the best, till date. Sadly, this was his last film before his death.
Sahni’s writing career begun with “Shahzaadon Ka Drink” that came out in 1936. This was his first compilation of Hindi fiction. He went on to become an esteemed writer in the Punjabi literature. He wrote “Mera Pakistani Safar” shortly after his visit to Pakistan in 1960. After a tour to Soviet Union in 1969, he wrote “Mera Rusi Safarnama”. This book also earned him the Soviet Land Nehru Award. He also wrote his autobiography called “Meri Filmy Aatmakatha”. Sahni even penned the screenplay for the 1951 released film “Baazi”; starring Dev Anand and directed by Guru Dutt. Apart from this, he wrote a number of poems, short stories, and contributed to the Punjabi magazine Preetlari.
Going through depression for some time after his young daughter Shabnam’s untimely death, Balraj Sahni passed away on 13th April, 1973 at the age of 59 following a cardiac arrest. He is survived by his son Parikshit, who is also an actor in the Hindi film industry.
Balraj Sahni received Padma Shri Award in 1969. Balraj Sahni starrer movie ‘Do Bigha Zameen’ won the international prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. Balraj Sahni joined the BBC-London’s Hindi service as a radio announcer from 1939-43. ‘Punjabi Kala Kender’, founded in 1973 at Mumbai by Balraj Sahni, gives away the annual Balraj Sahni Award’. ‘All India Artists’ Association’ also gives away the annual ‘Balraj Sahni Award’.
The other day,I was reading the Autobiography of Balraj Sahni. His style of narration is very good. He does not miss even the smallest details. The part of his life when he entered the Hindi films is extremely readable.
When he was with BBC, London,once he was deputed to attend a seminar in Poona, India. He came down with his wife Damayanti and they stayed with a friend-Appasaheb Pant, the scion and Yuvraj of Aundh-a princely state in British India, in Maharashtra.( He later became the High Commissioner to Britain, post Independence). One evening they all went to see a film “Manoos'(Aadmi-39) of Prabhat, directed by V.Shantaram. After seeing the film, he was extremely impressed with Shantaram’s direction and was all praise for him.
When Balraj left BBC and returned to India,he was again in Poona. This time he went to see Shantaram, with prior appointment. When he reached the Gate, a person was waiting for him. he was taken to the reception room. That man left. In the room there was one more person with a Black cap-which was very common for Maharashtrians those days. Balraj thought he too was another visitor like him After few minutes, that man asked in excellent English if he was Balraj Sahni. Balraj was astonished and nodded appreciatively. That man got up and said, ‘I am Shantaram. Nice to see you’. Later Shantaram took him around the studio etc.
Balraj returned to Bombay absolutely mesmerised with Shantaram. While in Bombay they were loitering, when they suddenly met Chetan Anand- his old friend. They were very happy to see each others. Chetan took them to his 4 bedroom spacious flat in Pali Hill,Bandra.They stayed with him for few days. Balraj had decided to work in films and was negotiating for his role in film Insaf, while Chetan was busy in his Neecha Nagar-46. One evening they went to see film ‘Shakuntala’, made by Shantaram. After seeing the film Balraj was very much upset and started criticising Shantaram that his standard has gone down, compared to Aadmi-39.
Chetan Anand smiled and said, “Shantaram has made a film for Box office.” Balraj did not understand. Chetan Anand explained, “One can not go on making art films alone. To run the studio, you need money. Shantaram being a good businessman, he makes such films which earn him money. With this money he can make more meaningful films. For example after Shakuntala, Shantaram made Parbat pe apna Dera-44 and then his memorable film Dr. Kotnis ki amar kahani-46. This is how the maths of cinema works”.
There are many such incidents described in his Autobiography which is highly readable,not only for his story but also for glimpse into the film scenario of the 40s and 50s. I can not go on,due to constraints of the length of this article. may be, some other time I will tell you more from his book.
Film Naya Kadam was a social film stressing need to teach the children the right things, from childhood. Excessive pampering not only spoils the child but also makes the parents repent when it is too late. In this film,Balraj was paired with Lalita Pawar. The film was directed by S P Kalla, who also wrote a few songs in the film. The music was given by the pair of Pt. Shivram and Narayan Datt. The cast of the film was Balraj, Lalita Pawar, Nazir Husaian, Sulochana, Sunder, Daisy Irani, Bhagwan, Roopmala,Tilak Raj etc.
The story summary of the film from my notes is-
This is the story of a mother and her son. The story of a mother who in blind wave of affection, completely blighted the life of her son and wrecked the peace and happiness of her home. . Kishen ( Balraj Sahni) an ordinary clerk but an upright the god fearing man, was in constant disagreement with his wife Radha ( Lalita Pawar)over the way in which she was bringing up their children Raju and Leela.
He always asserted that the home was the first school of the children and the education that the children received there would shape their destiny. But Radha thought otherwise. She had some very definite views on the subject herself. She believed in indulging and pampering her children. Kishen warned her of the consequences, but Radha paid no heed to his words and when she found her wishes being thwarted,she started persecuting her aged in laws Shambhu( Nazir Hussain) and Parvati (Sulochana) .
This state of affairs made kishen very unhappy. desperately he sought ways and means of augmenting his meagre income and thereby restoring the former peace and felicity to his home and health. And one night in a fit of desperation he left his home in search of more lucrative job, which he found at Bahrain for a contracted period of ten years. .
The influx of money brought Radha into her elements. Her blind love for her son Raju alienated everybody else from her favour. Raju had become the centre of her world. His wishes were laws. Little did she realise then the cause she had so fiercely to her breast would one day, in a blind impulse sweep aside every thing; near and dear to her That one day life would hand her such a heavy bill of fare which her meagre resources would be hard put to meet. That the house of cards which she was building would come down one day, bringing ruin and destruction around her.
Protected by his mothers indulgences Raju became a confirmed, liar, cheat and a thief, and over the period of ten years that his father sweated blood at Bahrain, his education was completed. Raju had become the very epitome of vice. Too late Radha realised the enormity of her acts, but by then the water had passed over her head. Raju had crossed the Rubicon.
After ten years of blood sweating and back breaking labour, Kishen returned home with his dreams of a happy home and grown up children who would relieve his ageing shoulders of the burden they had long carried. But that was not to be, what he saw around him were the ruins of his hopes and dreams. But being a man he gathered the trouble in an attempt to rebuild the edifice that his hands had one day fashioned. .
He threw Raju out of his house. When he was arrested by Police,he refused to stand a bail for Raju. Raju as well as his mother now realised what has happened due to pampering. Raju was sentenced to 3 months in jail. Kishen went to prison to meet his son. Raju wept and promised to mend his ways. Kishen told him to start a new life and that he will help him in his efforts. Raju learnt technical skills in the jail and after he came out he started his own small business.
After few years, Raju improved his business. Now his parents were also happy. The Naya kadam that Kishen took for Raju proved to be the right one.
Today’s song is sung by Geeta Dutt, Surely,this was one of her better songs,by any standards. It has a lovely hummable tune. In the late 50s, it was quite a popular song,played often on Radio. old timers will recall this song. There were 7 songs in the film. Film Naya Kadam makes a Debut on this Blog with this song. Enjoy…..
Song-Khelo khilaadi khel (Naya Kadam)(1958) Singer-Geeta Dutt, Lyrics-S P Kalla, MD-Narayan Datt
Lyrics
Khelo khilaadi khel
Khelo khilaadi khel
Khelo khilaadi khel aisa
Na khela koi jaisa
Na darr duniya aa aa se
Khelo khilaadi khel aisa
Jo kuchh bhi karna hai woh aaj kar le
o o o
Jo kuchh bhi karna hai woh aaj kar le
Tu kisi se yahaanpyaar kar le
Yahaan pyaar kar le
yahaan pyaar kar le
Yahaan pyaar kar le
yahaan pyaar kar le
Himmat se hasnke dagar se guzar le
Himmat se hanske dagar se guzar le
Zindagi yeh juaa hai juaa samajh le
Zindagi yeh juaa hai juaa samajh le
Daanv lagaana zara
Daanv lagaana zara bach ke
ho Soch samjh ke na darr duniyaaa aa se
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Na khela koi jaisa
Na darr duniya aa aa se
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Jeena ya marna to kismat ki baaten
o o o
Jeena ya marna to kismat ki baaten
Dil jo kehte hain pyaar bhari raaten
Pyaar bhari raaten ho pyaar bhari raate
Pyaar bhari baate ho pyaar bhari baate
mausam jawaan phir tu kyun hai akela
mausam jawaan phir tu kyun hai akela
Zindagi ka lut jaayega pal mein mela
Zindagi ka lut jaayega pal mein mela
Dekh kaha jo nahin
DDekh kaha jo nahin maanae to hoga pachhtaana
Na darr duniya aa aa se
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Na khela koi jaisa
Na darr duniya aa aa se
Khelo khiladi khel aisa
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
October 6, 2015 at 9:49 pm
During a premiere of his film at Liberty, Mumbai he was standing alone away from the crowd(bit of a loner). A friend asked him why is he standing out. He replied, ‘Because I am outstanding’ !!!
He was very sauve and stylist and handsome and pucca Englishman after the stint at BBC. Most accomplished actor.
LikeLike