Teri Manzil Door Musafir
Posted on: June 4, 2022
- In: Chitragupt Songs As A Singer | Devnagri script lyrics by Sudhir | Guest posts | Lyrics by Sudhir | Lyrics contributed by readers | MD-Singer Song | philosophical song | Post by Arunkumar Deshmukh | Songs of 1940s (1941 to 1950) | Songs of 1948 | Songs of Encouragement | Yearwise breakup of songs
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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.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 the film ‘Mala The Mighty’ (1948).
When I had first heard the name of this film, I wondered how ‘Mala’- a girl can be mighty ? I could never imagine that Mala could be a male’s name too. It was only after I grew up and toured the Eastern India (read W.B.) for official work, I came across this strange phenomenon – where, what is considered as an exclusive feminine name in the rest of India, could be a male’s name too ! Names like Mrinal, Vimal, Kamal, Jyoti, Mridul, Daya, Champavati, Devki, Dwaraka, Hiran etc. India truely is unique !
Film ‘Mala The Mighty’ was described as a costume drama, but clearly it was a C grade jungle film. The film’s other name was also ‘Sher-e-Jungle’. The film was produced by Basant Pictures of Homi Wadia. Homi was the younger brother of JBH Wadia and they were joint owners of Wadia Movietone, which was famous for making action/stunt films in the 30’s and the 40’s. The arrival of Fearless Nadia into Wadia Movietone strengthened its fortunes, The younger brother Homi Wadia fell in love with Nadia. he wanted to marry her, but his mother was against it. Therefore, only after his mother’s death, Homi married the then 51 year old Nadia and she became NADIA WADIA !
In 1942 there was a dispute between the brothers. The elder JBH Wadiawanted to make social and other genre films, while Homi wanted to continue with action/stunt films. He felt the financial risks were much less in action films and as such they already had a very good team of actors. In the end Homi Wadia formed his own Basant Pictures. The whole team led by Nadia joined Homi’s production house. Wadia Movietone had the non-human participants for stunt films, like the horse -Punjab Ka Beta, a Dog – Tiger and a Motor car – Rolls Royce Ki Beti. Homi Wadia made a new team with the Horse – Rajpoot, Dog – Moti, Motor Car – Austin Ki Bachhi and in addition they had a motorcycle – Runnio.
Home Wadia had the winning lead pair of Nadia and John Cawas for stunt films. By 1948, Nadia had reached the midpoint of her career. From 1933, in 15 years’ time she had done 28 action/stunt films. She slowed down and in the next 11 years she did 15 films only. Homi was always on the lookout for an actress who would take over from Nadia. First he got actress Radha Rani who did only 7 films for him and left. Then he found actress Leela- about whom no information is available. There was a time when several Leelas were acting in Hindi films – like Leela Chitnis, Leela Desai, Leela Chandragiri, Leela Gupte, Leela Pawar, Leela Sawant, Singer Leela Mehta and later on Leela Naidu. Out of these Leela Pawar, Leela Sawant and Leela Gupte were acting in stunt films of mainly Master Bhagwan. But Wadia’s Leela was not known. Anyway, she did only a few films, got married and left films.
Cast of the film was John Cawas, Leela, Dalpat, Azim, Shri Bhagwan, Shyamsunder, Waman Talpade and a few others. The film was also directed by John Cawas. A physical culturist, John Cawas was born in 1910 in Jubbulpore, Madhya Pradesh state. Athletic, handsome, and with an impressive physique (he won the 1930 All-India Bodybuilding Championship), John was a natural choice for the action flicks that had become so popular in the 1930s.
Hailing from a Parsi family he appeared as an extra in Wadia Movietone’s ‘Noor-e-Yaman’ (1935) which led to supporting roles in that company’s films ‘Desh Deepak’ (1935), ‘Hunterwali’ (1935) and ‘Miss Frontier Mail’ (1936), all featuring stunt queen Fearless Nadia, who he would continue to work with in countless other films.
He quickly graduated to lead roles in pictures like ‘Toofani Tarzan’ (1937), ‘Diamond Queen’ (1940), ‘Stunt King’ (1944), ‘Black and White’ (1944), ‘Atom Bomb’ (1947), ‘Maya Mahal’ (1949), ‘Jungle Ka Jaadu’ (1955), ‘Magic in Baghdad’ (1956), ‘Diler Daku’ (1957), and ‘Circus Queen’ (1959). He acted in 40 films, out of which he worked in 26 films with Fearless Nadia. He also directed 3 films – ‘Mala The Mighty’ (1948), ‘Baghdad Ka Jaadu’ (1956) and ‘Zimbo Ka Beta’ (1966).
Not content with just acting, he also kept busy as an assistant director, director, and writer on numerous films, the bulk of which were produced by JBH and Homi Wadia. Wadias gave him a flat in their office building to live – free for life. John Cawas never married, and after retiring from films, he continued on as caretaker of the Wadia film offices until his death on October 4, 1993.
Another cast member was Azeem – who later on became well known as a Fight Composer in Hindi films. Azim Bhai (real name: Saiyad Azim Jafri) was one of the leading action directors in Hindi films. After a stint in the army he headed off to Bombay in 1934 and found work as stunt man at Eastern Art Film Company where he was put under contract and he worked on most of the company’s films like ‘Sher Ka Panja’ (1934) ‘Bal Hatya’ (1935), ‘Dharam Ki Devi’ (1935), and ‘Prem Raatri’ (1936).
When Eastern Art Film went out of business, Azim moved over to Saroj Company then found work at Paramount Film Company, Imperial Film, and Wadia Movietone where he worked both as a stunt man and as an actor. Afterwards, he joined Master Bhagwan’s team and acted in many action/stunt films.
By the end of the 1940s, he became a Fight Master independently. Azim became well known for his swordsmanship and he often worked alongside fellow stunt coordinator Master Douglas and two were tasked with training Dilip Kumar and Prem Nath in that sport for the film ‘Aan’ (1953). Azim has also trained many action directors and stunt persons including Ghani, Ravi Khan, Dawood (aka Hercules), Veeru Ustad, and Mansoor.
Azim Bhai coordinated the stunts on a number of fantasy films including ‘King Kong’ (1963), ‘Jadugar Daku’ (1962), ‘Parasmani’ (1963), ‘Sunehri Nagin’ (1964), ‘Hercules’ (1964), and ‘Aaya Toofan’ (1964), the spy films ‘Spy In Rome’ (1968) and ‘Kismat’ (1969), as well as the horror flicks ‘Bees Saal Pehle’ (1972) and ‘Ab Kya Hoga’ (1977).
He died on 23-10-1984.
There was another Fight Composer with a similar name – S Azimbhai (Sheikh Azim), who was much junior and he operated from 1954 to 1999. He is not to be confused with the senior one.
The third interesting name in the cast is of Dalpat – a sure name in action films. Dalpat (Joshi) was a stunt artiste. A tall, sophisticated and suave person mostly appeared in negative roles . Dalpat was a part of Wadia’s unit since its inception and played the role of villain in the stunt movies ,which used to have Fearless Nadia and John Cawas or occasionally some other hero, apt in performing stunts.
Owing to the unprecedented popularity of Miss Nadia, other filmmakers also cast her along with John Cawas and Dalpat in their similar type of stunt movies for which she was known. After her era was over, Basant Pictures concentrated their energy in making mythological and Arabian Night movies, in which Dalpat always had a role. Later in the 50s, the studio system came to an end and actors and technicians who learned their art from their benevolent master Homi Wadia, looked for assignments from other producers.
One may call it destiny or lack of initiative on the part of Dalpat. He was offered only costume/stunt/religious movies by outside producers. Dalpat, who did a stint as production controller for a few movies, was reverentially called Dalpat Kaka owing to his age, seniority and status by film folks. Age did not affect his appearance and he looked as suave as he was many decades earlier. He started his career by acting first in ‘Hoor e Baghdad’ (1934). He worked in 120 films. His last film was ‘Toofaani Takkar’ (1978).
I had seen the film ‘Mala The Mighty’, in its second or maybe the third run in the early 50s. The film was a rehash of the frequently used, but tested formula of Tarzan – slightly modified. Such stories never stopped entertaining people. In any case who wanted the story? They all wanted the stunts, animals, fights and dances.
The story of the film is,
Mohanlal (Azim) is a rich businessman. Once while on a trip in a ship, on a bad stormy night, the ship is wrecked. He survives but his wife dies, and his 2 daughters are missing. After 15 years he decides to search for his daughters in the jungles of Kaliyana, bordering the sea, hoping that they might have been washed ashore.
With him is Chimanlal (Shri Bhagwan) who was to marry one of the daughters, and a friend Professor Tatto (Shyamsunder). On the border of the jungle they employ Ali Bux (Kareem), a guide and his friend Trivedi, who is actually a gold digger looking for the golden treasure of tribal queen Sheen. On their way they are attacked by tribals but there comes Mala The Mighty (John Cawas) who saves them with his army of elephants. Mala is the legendary king of the jungle who fights lions, tgers and kills crocodiles etc. He takes the party to his tree top house and they find Leela (Leela) a 17 year old beauty living as his companion.
Trivedi is captured by the tribals. He strikes a deal with Sheen, the queen (Leela – in double role), to capture Mala, whom Sheen loves, in exchange for the gold treasure. Mala gets captured and is brought to the tribal chief Rajan (Waman Talpade) who wants to kill him. Meanwhile Leela comes there with the party to rescue Mala. Mohan Lal recognises both girls as his long lost daughters. Rajan tries to kill Mala, but Sheen saves him and gets killed. The animal friends of Mala arrive and the tribals run away. Leela hugs her father but refuses to go with him, choosing to remain with Mala The Mighty.
Today’s song is sung by the film’s young and upcoming composer Chitragupta Shrivastav, M.A. Lyricist was Shyam Hindi.
The End !
Song – Teri Manzil Door Musafir (Mala The Mighty) (1948) Singer – Chitragupt, Lyricist – Shyam Hindi, MD – Chitragupt
Chorus
Lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa
oo oo oo
teri manzil door musafir
teri manzil door musafir
chalte jaana
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
teri manzil door musafir
chalte jaana
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
subah hai chalna shaam hai chalna
subah hai chalna shaam hai chalna
zindagi ka naam hai chalna
zindagi ka naam hai chalna
duniya ki har cheez hai chalti
har ek shay ka kaam hai chalna
aa jaati hai manzil chaahe
aa jaati hai manzil chaahe
kitni bhi ho door
kitni bhi ho door musafir
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
lobhi jeevan aisa panchhi
lobhi jeevan aisa panchhi
paap ki bole bhasha
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
paap ki bole bhasha
is ke dono pankh anokhe
asha aur niraasha
asha aur niraasha
lobh ka ant hai jaan gawaana
lobh ka ant hai jaan gawaana
lobh se bhago door
lobh se bhago door musafir
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
teri manzil door musafir
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
(aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa)
chalte jaana
chalte jaana
————————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
————————————————————
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
ओ ओ ओ
तेरी मंज़िल दूर मुसाफिर
तेरी मंज़िल दूर मुसाफिर
चलते जाना
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
तेरी मंज़िल दूर मुसाफिर
चलते जाना
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
सुबह है चलना शाम है चलना
सुबह है चलना शाम है चलना
ज़िंदगी का नाम है चलना
ज़िंदगी का नाम है चलना
दुनिया की हर चीज़ है चलती
हर इक शै का काम है चलना
आ जाती है मंज़िल चाहे
आ जाती है मंज़िल चाहे
कितनी भी हो दूर
कितनी भी हो दूर मुसाफिर
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
लोभी जीवन ऐसा पंछी
लोभी जीवन ऐसा पंछी
पाप की बोले भाषा
(आ आ आ आ)
(आ आ आ आ)
पाप की बोले भाषा
इसके दोनों पंख अनोखे
आशा और निराशा
आशा और निराशा
लोभ का अन्त है जान गवाना
लोभ का अन्त है जान गवाना
लोभ से भागो दूर
लोभ से भागो दूर मुसाफिर
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
तेरी मंज़िल दूर मुसाफिर
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
चलते जाना
(आ आ आ आ)
चलते जाना
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
June 4, 2022 at 2:01 pm
Thanks for this post Sir ji. Enjoyed the song too.
Thanks for taking us through the ‘Journey of Wadia Films’ and information about J.B.H. Wadia and Homi Wadi. Also thanks for the information about John Kawas, Azeem Bhai, Dalpat and others.
When I saw the tag ‘Chitragupt songs as a singer’ I was eager to listen to the song first, but when I started reading the post I finished it first and listened to the song later.
Thanks and regards,
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 4, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Avinash ji,
Thanks for liking the post and reading it at one go.
Thanks for your appreciation.
-AD
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