Chala chal chala chal uthha ke kadam
Posted by: Atul on: August 25, 2019
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 other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
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Today’s song is from film Insaaf-1946. This was a social film, directed by Phani Mujumdar and the music was by Hari Prasanna Das aka H P Das. The lyrics came from the veteran, successful lyricist D N Madhok. This film is a special one, because this was the Debut film for Balraj Sahni, after he decided to join films.
Balraj Sahni has a very high place in my list of Original actors, the others being Ashok Kumar, Motilal, Om Puri, Sanjeev Kumar, Amol Palekar, Anupam Kher, Satish Shah and few more. Indian film industry had very few ‘ Natural’ actors and most of them operated from the 30s to the 70s. As I am not well acquainted with the Newer generation actors, I can not speak about them,but I am sure there must be few such Natural actors. I guess Ranbir Kapoor is one actor , who I feel acts with ease.
Basically, it is wrong to compare old actors with the crop of New actors. Comparisons are always between ” Like with Like”. There is a sea of change in everything in film making. The parameters are changed because the needs are different today. It is grossly unfair to compare anything with the old ones.
Few years back, when I first wrote about Balraj Sahni, I had said that Balraj Sahni was a different type of person than all other film actors. It is surprising how he came into film line, in the first place. Basically he was a very sensitive writer and stage actor, but having once entered the film world, he continued for the sake of earning a livelihood, making lot of compromises on his journey of life. I still stand by what I had said. It is worthwhile to even repeat it.
In the days,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 this. 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 satisfactorily, 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 in a 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 Vishva 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 Damayanti’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. (In 1947, after doing Heroine’s role in film Gudiya-47, Damayanti expired. Two years later, Balraj married his first cousin Santosh Chandhok and they had 2 children.) 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. He acted in 3 films.
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 Hava” (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 earned the ‘Soviet Land Nehru Award for his book Mera Rusi Safarnama 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 Marathi film “Manoos'(Aadmi-39) of Prabhat, directed by V.Shantaram. After seeing the film,he was terribly 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 affirmatively. 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 mesmerized 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.
Balraj had done 101 films. His first film was ‘Insaaf’-46 and the last film of Balraj, to be released well after his death was “Amaanat”-77.
The film Insaaf-46 was directed by Phani Mujumdar (28-12-1911 to 16-5-1994),who was already a seasoned Director. He is the only Director who directed films in 9 languages (Hindi, Bangla, English, Malay, Chinese, Magadhi, Maithili, Aasamese and Punjabi). Starting with P C Barua in Calcutta, besides Street singer-38 and Kapalkundala-39, he had directed several hit films like Baadbaan, Doctor, Tamanna, Door Chalen, Faraar, Aarti, Kanyadan, Akashdeep, Oonche Log etc., a total of 29 films. A short Biography and Obituary on him, written by the famous Film Historian and writer of “Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema”-Ashish Rajadhyaksha was published in The Independent,Calcutta, on 22-6-1994. I have reproduced it few months back in one of my earlier posts, so I am not repeating it here.
The Music Director of this film, Hari Prasanna Das or H.P.Das was born in Chitgaon, East Bengal, in 1905. He was a Bengali. He was assistant to Pankaj Malik in films Dushman and Kapal Kundala-1939. He gave music to Bangla film ‘ Nimai Sanyasi’-40, in which he gave singing opportunity to 20 year old young Hemant Kumar. His first Hindi film as a MD was New India Films’ Blood Feud (or Josh-E-Inteqam)- 1935. His other films were Mohabbat-43, Meena-44, Kadambari-44, Mazdoor-45, Begum-45, Insaaf-46, Veerangana-47, Sati Toral-47 and Hum bhi insaan hai-48. He died on 26-9-1989.
The film Insaaf aka Justice aka Nyay (न्याय)- 1946 had 8 songs – all penned by D.N.Madhok (5-9-1902 to 9-7-1982), who was an actor (Radheshyam-32), Music Director (Radheshyam-32), Singer (Radheshyam-32), and a Director (16 films,from 1933 to 1955). As a Lyricist, he wrote 882 songs in 119 films (1932 to 1969).
2 songs from this film are already discussed here. Today’s song will be the 3rd song. It is a chorus song. Looks like a Marching song or similar one. I do not know the story line of this film. From the lyrics of all the songs ( I have all the 8 songs of this film with me), I feel it is a film about the battle between “The Haves and The Have Nots”. No wonder, a man of Socialistic leanings, Balraj Sahni made his beginning from such a film ! There is 1 solo and 1 duet of Manna Dey in this film. These are his earliest songs in Hindi films. Manna Dey was a joint MD with H P Das in 3 films – Veerangana-47, Sati Toral-47 and Hum bhi Insaan hai-48.
Now let us listen to this chorus song.
Song- Chala chal chalaa chal uthaa ke kadam (Insaaf)(1946) Singers- Chorus, Lyricist- D N Madhok, MD-Hariprasanna Das
Lyrics
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
?? chal diya hai magar
?? hain nahin
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
?? chal diya hai magar
?? hai jahaan walwale nahin
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
?? hai jahaan walwale nahin
pyaara watan
aa aa aa
pyaara watan
pyaara watan
pyaara watan
pyara watan
le na kahin dam
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
maate tujhse ??
ghutnon ke bal par chalte jo
maate tujhse ??
ghutnon ke bal par chalte jo
uthha kadam
uthha kadam
uthha kadam
aa aa aa
uthha kadam
aa aa aa
?? se nahin kam
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
maate tujhse ??
ghutnon ke bal par chalte jo
maate tujhse ??
ghutnon ke bal par chalte jo
uthha kadam
uthha kadam
uthha kadam
aa aa aa
uthha kadam
aa aa aa
uthha kadam
?? se nahin kam
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
Chala chal chalaa chal
uthaa ke kadam
bhaaga jaaye jagat
rah na jaayen ham
aa aa aa
aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 26, 2019 at 11:42 am
Thanks Arun ji for the post on Balraj Sahni and the movie Insaaf,which is full of rare information,………. Balraj Sahni ji`s natural acting always impress me, (yesterday I am watching his commercial movie Paraya dhan,He played Hema Malini`s foster father`s role, his acting is superb in that movie……., Today morning I got a glimpse of his Son Parikshit Sahni`s (as a child)in Deedar-1951)acting,) Now I got to read this post on Balraj Sahni, Thanks again for that……….
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August 26, 2019 at 11:47 am
Thank you, Prakash ji, for your comments.
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