Chun chun ke phool le lo
Posted on: August 15, 2022
- In: Devnagri script lyrics by Sudhir | Guest posts | Inspirational song | Lyrics contributed by readers | NFS | patriotic NFS | Patriotic song | Post by Sadanand Kamath | Protest song | Shubha Mudgal NFS | Shubha Mudgal Solo Song | Shubha Mudgal Songs | Songs of 2000s (2001 to 2010) | Songs of 2008 | Yearwise breakup of songs
- 12 Comments
This article is written by Sadanand Kamath, 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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Greetings to all the readers of the Blog on the occasion of आजादी का अमृत महोत्सव on the 75th Year of Independence of India today, August 15, 2022. Independence Day is the reminder to all of us about the sacrifices a large number of Indians made during the freedom struggle to achieve independence on August 15, 1947. Thanks to the history books, the present generation is aware of the sacrifices for the independence struggle, made by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad and many more. But lets us not forget to remember hundreds of other freedom fighters whose sacrifices, by and large, remained in anonymity. One such name which I came to know recently was that of Vidyadhari Bai, a tawaif (courtesan) who, apart from composing and singing patriotic songs in her musical performances, she also provided financial and logistic support to freedom fighters.
A few months back, I had purchased Amritlal Nagar’s Hindi book ‘Ye Kothewalian’ (1958) which gives an account of the life of some courtesans of the early 20th Century. In this book, there is a chapter on Vidyadhari Bai of Jesuri in Chandauli block of the then Banaras district. There is also an addenda chapter which gives an account of Mahatma Gandhi’s meeting with some courtesans of Banaras sometime in 1921 during which he advised Vidyadhari Bai to sing nationalist songs while giving her musical performances in big cities and in princely states. Accordingly, she wrote and rendered some patriotic songs in all her concerts. The courtesans of Banaras formed a Tawaif Sabha to support the independence struggle. Husna Bai, one of the prominent courtesans of Banaras chaired the meeting of the Sabha during which she acknowledged that it was at the initiative of Vidyadhari Bai that Tawaif Sabha was formed.
Saba Dewan’s recent book ‘Tawaifnama’ (2019), more or less, confirms that Vidyadhari Bai organised a series of smaller meetings at her home to enthuse other courtesans to the cause of the non-cooperation movement. She was joined in these efforts by another courtesan, Sultana who too had been closely tracking the unfolding political scenario. Both of them prevailed upon Husna Bai to call a meeting of the entire community to work out the details of the agenda. Tawaifs, who actively participated in the mutiny of 1857, would once again have to come forward and contribute their bit to the nationalist cause. This was not just their duty as daughters of India but also the need of the hour if they did not wish to be consigned to the dustbin of history. They also felt that times were changing and tawaifs too would have to keep pace with fast-changing social and political scenarios in India.
Vidyadhari Bai was a contemporary of Gauhar Jaan. She was born in Jesuri village in present Chandauli district. Her grandfather, Purushottam Rai was a musician. There is confusion as to which year she was born – 1874 or 1881? She got musical training from Pandit Ram Sumeru Mishra, a Sarangi player and later from Ustad Naseer Khan of Darbhanga. She started singing in her early teens with Jayadev’s poems. With this, she became so famous that she started getting invitations from royal courts all over India for her concerts. She became the court singer in the court of Raja of Banaras. She excelled in khayaal, taraana, thumri, dadra, tappa, ghazal and bhajans. It is said that her singing voice was so mesmerizing that even the passer-by would be tempted to attend her concerts. She was so popular that in her concerts, to witness her performances, a large number of people were perforce standing in the back due to shortage of space for sitting. Besides Hindi and Urdu, she was a proficient singer in Marathi, Gujarati, Bangla and Punjabi languages.
Vidyadhari Bai was a fashion icon for the ladies of the royal and landlords’ families. However, after Mahatma Gandhi’s call to shun foreign goods, she stopped wearing jewelries and imported cloth. In all her concerts, she would render at least one patriotic song. Probably, she was the first courtesan to perform mujra by singing patriotic songs.
In her native village, Jesuri, Vidyadhari Bai had constructed a one-story bungalow with some out-houses which became the perfect hideout for freedom fighters to avoid arrest from the British police. During this period, she used to provide financial assistance to them besides regularly donating some part of her income for the cause of India’s freedom movements.
In the early 1940s, probably when the old age had caught up with Vidyadhari Bai and with the decline of the tawaif system, she returned to Jesuri and stayed in her house with her brother’s family. Since she used to donate a large part of her earnings for the cause of freedom movements and also help financially the freedom fighters’ families, she did not have much savings during the latter part of her life. During this period, she started teaching musical lessons to students free of charge.
Vidyadhari Bai had a premonition that her end was near. So, she shifted to Mukti Bhavan in Banaras on May 9, 1971. On the very next day, May 10, 1971, she breathed her last in her 90s, unsung and in anonymity. As per her own submission, she did not get any recognition or honor from the Government.
As mentioned earlier, Amritlal Nagar’s ‘Ye Kothewalian’ (1958) included a letter from Vidyadhari Bai about her meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in Banaras. She wrote in the letter that on his suggestion, some courtesans had decided to start their musical performances with renditions of nationalist songs. Lyrics of one such song written and sung by her, “Chun Chun Ke Phool Le Lo” was included in the letter. She said in the letter that she rendered this song in all her performances despite the presence of policemen from the police stations of the areas of her performances for keeping a close watch on the visitors. The song lives on today – it was included in Hindustani classical singer Shubha Mudgal’s album, ‘Swadheenta Samar Geet’ (2008), a collection of songs from the freedom movement.
On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, I am presenting the same song rendered by Shubha Mudgal. The music was composed by her husband, Aneesh Pradhan. While composing the song, he has used mainly harmonium and tabla probably to give a feel of the period during which Vidyadhari Bai had rendered this song. In 2011, the couple collaborated with theater director Sunil Shanbhag on a musical drama ‘Stories in a Song’, one episode of which recreated Mahatma Gandhi’s meeting with the courtesans of Tawaif Sabha.
This song takes us back to more than a century to recreate a part of the history of India’s freedom movements.
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Acknowledgements: In addition to the books I mentioned in my article, I am also thankful to ‘Sureele Dinon Ki Daastan’ and Dr. Manish Kumar Mishra for their videos on Vidyadhari Bai which gave some useful additional information on her.
Audio Clip:
Song-Chun chun ke phool le lo (Shubha Mudgal NFS)(2008) Singer-Shubha Mudgal, Lyrics-Vidyadhari Bai, MD-Aneesh Pradhan
Lyrics
aaa aaa aaa aaa aaaa aa
aaa aaa aaa aaa aaaa aa
aaa aaa aaa aaa aaaa aa
aa aa aa aa aaaa
chun chun ke phool le lo o o….o
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye ae
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye ae
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
aa aa aa aaaaa aa aaaa
ye wo chaman nahi hai….ai ae ae
ye wo chaman nahin hai
lene se ho ujaad
ye wo chaman nahin hai
lene se ho ujaad
ulfat kaa jismen kuchh bhi
ehsaan rah na jaaye
ulfat kaa jismen kuchh bhi
ehsaan rah na jaaye
bhar do jawaan bandon
jailon mein chaahe bhar do
bhar do jawaan bandon
jailon mein chaahe bhar do
maata pe koi hota qurbaan rah na jaaye…..ae
aa aa aa aaaaaaa aaa
aa aa aa aaaaaaa aa
maata pe koi hota qurbaan rah na jaaye
chhal-o-fareb se tum Bharat kaa maal looto
chhal-o-fareb se tum Bharat kaa maal looto
iske liye yaa koi saamaan rah na jaaye
iske liye yaa koi saamaan rah na jaaye
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo….o
Bharat na rah sakega hargij ghulaamkhaana….aaaaaaa aa
Bharat na rah sakega hargij ghulaamkhaana
aazaad hoga hoga
aaya hai wo zamaana
aazaad hoga hoga
aaya hai wo zamaana..aa
khoon khaulne laga hai….ai ae
khoon khaulne laga hai ab Hindustaniyon kaa
khoon khaulne laga hai ab Hindustaniyon kaa
kar denge zaalimon ke band bas jurm dhaana
kar denge zaalimon ke band bas jurm dhaana..aa
qaumi tirange jhande pe jaan nisaar unki
qaumi tirange jhande pe jaan nisaar unki
Hindu Masih Muslim gaate hain ye taraana
Hindu Masih Muslim gaate hain ye taraana
aa aa aaaaa
parwaah ab kise hai…ai ae
parwaah ab kise hai
iss jail-o-daman ki
parwaah ab kise hai
iss jail-o-daman ki
ik khel ho raha hai
phaansi pe jhool jaana
ek khel ho raha hai
phaansi pe jhool jaana
Bharat watan hamaara
Bharat ke ham hain bachche
Bharat watan hamaara
Bharat ke ham hain bachche
maata ke waaste hai manzoor sar kataana
maata ke waaste hai manzoor sar kataana
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye ae
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo….ooo
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo
armaan rah na jaaye
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye ae
ye Hind kaa bageecha
gulzaar rah na jaaye
chun chun ke phool le lo………o
————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir Kapur)
————————————————
आ आ आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ आ
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो॰॰ओ
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
आ आ आ आsss आ आsss
ये वो चमन नहीं है॰॰ऐ
ये वो चमन नहीं है
लेने से हो उजाड़
ये वो चमन नहीं है
लेने से हो उजाड़
उल्फ़त का जिस में कुछ भी
एहसान रह ना जाये
उल्फ़त का जिस में कुछ भी
एहसान रह ना जाये
भर दो जवान बंदों
जेलों में चाहे भर दो
भर दो जवान बंदों
जेलों में चाहे भर दो
माता पे कोई होता क़ुरबान रह ना जाये॰॰ए
आ आ आ आsssss आ
आ आ आ आsssss आ
माता पे कोई होता क़ुरबान रह ना जाये
छल औ फरेब से तुम भारत का माल लूटो
छल औ फरेब से तुम भारत का माल लूटो
इसके लिए या कोई सामान रह ना जाये
इसके लिए या कोई सामान रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो॰॰ओ
भारत ना रह सकेगा हरगिज़ ग़ुलामखाना आ आ
भारत ना रह सकेगा हरगिज़ ग़ुलामखाना
आज़ाद होगा होगा
आया है वो ज़माना
आज़ाद होगा होगा
आया है वो ज़माना॰॰आ
खूँ खौलने लगा है॰॰ऐ
खूँ खौलने लगा है अब हिंदुस्तानीओं का
खूँ खौलने लगा है अब हिंदुस्तानीओं का
कर देंगे ज़ालिमों के बंद बस जुर्म ढाणा
कर देंगे ज़ालिमों के बंद बस जुर्म ढाणा॰॰आ
कौमी तिरंगे झंडे पे जां निसार उनकी
कौमी तिरंगे झंडे पे जां निसार उनकी
हिन्दू मसीह मुस्लिम गाते हैं ये तराना
हिन्दू मसीह मुस्लिम गाते हैं ये तराना
आ आ आssss
परवाह अब किसे है॰॰ऐ
परवाह अब किसे है
इस जेल ओ दमन की
परवाह अब किसे है
इस जेल ओ दमन की
इक खेल हो रहा है
फांसी पे झूल जाना
इक खेल हो रहा है
फांसी पे झूल जाना
भारत वतन हमारा
भारत के हम हैं बच्चे
भारत वतन हमारा
भारत के हम हैं बच्चे
माता के वास्ते है मंजूर सर कटाना
माता के वास्ते है मंजूर सर कटाना
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो॰॰ओ
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो
अरमान रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
ये हिन्द का बगीचा
गुलज़ार रह ना जाये
चुन चुन के फूल ले लो॰॰ओ
12 Responses to "Chun chun ke phool le lo"
August 15, 2022 at 7:17 am
Dear Sadanand ji
Thanks so much for showcasing this unknown and obscure part of our freedom struggle. It was an act of extreme courage that the courtesans would include songs of patriotism in their regular program.
All praise for these strong ladies, who experienced the emotion of nationalism and had the courage to express it.
A great learning.
Sincere regards
Sudhir
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August 15, 2022 at 8:54 am
This is one chapter about India’s freedom struggle that will be available to only those who read the books which are not written by outsiders.
Thank you sadanandji for giving us knowledge about this.
Happy Independence Dqy Atuldom.
Stepping into the 76th year as free Indians we thank all the known and unknown freedom fighters of our country. They are the ones who didn’t ask what did the country do for us.
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August 15, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for an informative post on an unknown personality.
-AD
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August 15, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Happy 76th Independence day to All …!!!
Thank you Sir ji for bringing this song and this unknown part (for people like me) of the history on this blog.
What we can do is just Salute all those who contributed for the freedom struggle of India.
I liked this song and the inspirational lyrics very very much.
Once again our respects and salute to Vidyadhari Bai.
Thanks to all those who make this composition possible.
Thanks a lot Sir ji.
Regards,
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August 17, 2022 at 11:00 am
Sadanand Ji,
Immensely loved your post. What a treasure trove ! Great song ,Great lyrics. I can go on and on and on…. 🙂
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
August 15, 2022 at 6:45 am
Dear Sadanand ji,
What a Happy beginning to the 75th I-Day! So good to have you back and with such an informative Post about a forgotten Chapter in our Freedom Struggle.
Looking forward to your valued Posts.
With warm regards
PARTHA CHANDA
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August 16, 2022 at 8:45 am
Thanks Partha Chanda ji.
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