Bhagwaan bhagat tere tujhko bulaa rahe hain
Posted by: Atul on: September 19, 2023
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 the film Mahapooja aka Shri Satyanarayan Katha-1954.
Marriage fixed, New House Entry, New Job, Promotion, Shravan Maas, any Happy event in life and we always celebrate by doing a ‘Satyanarayan Pooja’. It is one of the most popular and common pooja that is performed in all over India, except 2-3 states. Satyanarayan is NOT an Avatar of Lord Shri Vishnu. It is just another form of Vishnu.
Lord Shrikrishna has clarified what is an Avatar in the IV chapter, in the Bhagwatgeeta, stanzas 7 and 8 like this….
“Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya
Glanirva Bhavathi Bharatha,
Abhyuthanam Adharmaysya
Tadatmanam Srijami Aham’.Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7)
Praritranaya Sadhunam
Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam
Dharamasansthapnaya
Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge.”Bhagavat Gita (Chapter IV-8). Its translation would be thus….
“Whenever there is decay
of righteousness O! Bharatha
And a rise of unrighteousness
then I manifest Myself!”“For the protection of the good,
For the destruction of the wicked and
for the establishment of righteousness,
I am born in every age.”
In the film Prabhu ki Maya-1955, Hemant kumar has sung a Bhajan in which this is expressed poetically in Hindi thus…
Jab jab hota nash Dharm ka,
aur paap badh jaata hai,
tab lete Avatar Prabhu
yeh Vishva shanti paata hai.
In case of Satyanarayan, its Pooja procedure is explained in Skand Puran, Reva kand, by Sut Puranik to Shaunak Muni and other Rishis in Nimishkaranya, when they set out to do a 1000 year Yadnya for the benefit of Humanity.
Film Pahapooja-1954 was directed by Shanti Kumar. The film had 3 MDs – Avinash Vyas (4 songs), Shankar rao Vyas (3 songs) and Manna Dey (2 songs). For these 9 songs as many as 7 singers were used – Rafi, Amirbai, Talat mahmood, Geeta Dutt, Manna Dey, Pinakin Shah and Tara. The cast of the film consisted of Ratnamala, Amirbai,Shashi kapoor (sr.), Anant Marathe, Sabita Chatterjee, Ahavale and many others, includin 2 Guest artistes- Prem Adib and Murad.
The entire film was based on the most popular Satyanarayan Katha. The story is…
This story consists of a childless merchant and his adventures. There was a wise king named Ulkamuk. He had a pious and beautiful wife. He would go to the temple daily and would give charity to the Brahmins. One day near the banks of river Madhushala, where they were performing Lord Sri Satyanarayana’s vratham, a wealthy merchant was passing by. He anchored his boat, went to the king and asked him, “Oh King, please let me know the details about the vratham you are performing with such devotion”. The king replied that he was performing Lord Satyanarayana Swami’s vratham. He said that one who performs this vratham will gain worldly pleasures and attain salvation. The merchant with much eagerness asked him the details stating that, “Oh King, I would like to know the details as I am childless and would like to perform this vratham”. The king gladly gave the entire details about the vratham and its vidhanam.
After acquiring the entire details of the vratham, the merchant and his wife decided to perform the fast if they get a child. Sometime later his wife Lilavati became pregnant and she delivered a girl who they named Kalavati. The merchant’s wife Lilavati reminded him about his promise to keep the fast and perform the vratham. The merchant postponed it saying that he would do so when the daughter grows and is ready to be married. The merchant told his wife that during the time of Kalawati’s wedding it would be easy to do the fast because at the moment he was busy in his business. So saying he left for his business trip to various villages.
Kalawati grew up to be a beautiful girl. When the merchant saw his daughter was of marriageable age; he called the match-maker and requested him to search for an ideal match for his daughter. Hearing the merchant’s request, the match-maker reached Kanchan Nagar. From there, he brought the proposal of a young handsome boy. Agreeing to the proposal and after speaking to the boy’s parents, Kalavati’s marriage was performed with much fanfare and religious ceremonies & rituals. All this while and even at this time of his daughter’s wedding the merchant forgot about the promise to perform the Satyanarayana vratham. So the Lord decided to remind the merchant about his promise.
The merchant, after a few days, left for his business trip with his son-in-law by boat. They anchored their boat in a beautiful village, named Ratanpur ruled by King Chandraketu. One day, the thieves robbed the wealth of the king. After robbing they went and stayed at the same place where the merchant was staying. Seeing the guards following them, they left the entire loot near the merchant and then hid themselves. When the guards reached the merchant’s place, they saw all the king’s wealth beside the merchant and his son-in-law. Thinking them to be robbers, they arrested them and brought them before the king stating that they were responsible for the theft. The king, without giving any chance of explaining their case ordered both be confined to behind bars. Even their wealth was confiscated by the king.
While at the merchant’s house, the thieves robbed their entire wealth. This left his wife and daughter to beg for their daily bread. One day while begging for food, Kalawati reached a Brahmin’s house. At that time the Brahmin and his family were performing Lord Satyanarayana’s puja. After listening to the prayer and taking the prasadam, she left for home. By the time she reached home it was already dark.
Leelawati was worried. She asked her daughter Kalawati why it took her so much time to come home. Kalawati replied, “Oh Mother, today I was at a Brahmin’s house where they were performing Lord Satyanarayana’s vratham.” On hearing this, Leelawati recollected the long pending promise by her husband and narrated it to her daughter. She soon began the preparations for the Lord Satyanarayana vratham. She did the fast & prayed and asked the Lord for forgiveness. She prayed that her husband and her son-in-law return home safely.Lord Satyanarayana was pleased with the prayer and the fast. One day, he told King Chandraketu in his dream, “Oh King, You must release the merchant and his son-in-law as they are not the robbers. Return their wealth and set them free. If you do not do so, your kingdom will be destroyed.” In the morning, the king called the people in his court and told them about the dream.
The people agreed that the merchant and his son-in-law should be released by the king. The king asked the guards to bring the prisoners, returned all their belongings and set them free. The king told them that due to their wrongdoings, they had to undergo this suffering, but now there was nothing to fear & they could go back home. They bowed down to the king & left for home.
The merchant prayed first and then gave some wealth to the Brahmins before starting his journey home. When they went a little further, Lord Satyanarayana wanted to test them. He disguised as an old man and went up to the merchant. The Lord asked, “What is in your boat, give me little from there.” The merchant, in arrogance and pride, replied, “Oh Old man, we have nothing in our boat except hay and leaves.” On hearing such harsh words from the merchant, the Lord said, “Your words shall be true”. So saying, he went from there and sat on the bank of the river.
When the Lord went away, the boat started to rise higher in the water. The merchant was surprised at this. He went to check inside the boat. To his shock he saw that his boat which was filled with his wealth now contains only leaves and hay. Seeing this he fainted. When he came to his senses, he said “How could this happen?” His son-in-law meanwhile told him, “Do not cry over this. All has happened because you spoke harshly to the old man and lied to him. Still, nothing is lost. You could go back to him and ask him for his forgiveness. He may set everything right.”
The merchant, after hearing the words of his son-in-law, went in search of the old man. He bowed down before him and with respect said, “Oh Lord, please forgive me for the words I have spoken.” So saying, he bowed down with tears of sorrow in his eyes. When the Lord saw the merchant in his state of sorrow and crying for forgiveness, he said, “Oh foolish person, due to your deeds, you have seen all this sorrow & suffering.”
On hearing the merchant’s words filled with bhakti, the Lord was happy & he turned the boat full of wealth. When the merchant mounted his boat and saw it full with wealth again, he thanked the Lord & said, “With Lord Satyanarayana’s grace, my wish is fulfilled. When I reach home, I will do his prayer & fast”, so saying he left for his home.
When the merchant saw that his home-town Ratanpur is nearing, he sent a messenger in advance, to his house to inform his wife & daughter of his arrival. The messenger, on reaching the merchant’s house, bowed down to the merchant’s wife & gave them the most awaited news that the merchant & his son-in-law have reached Ratanpur.
Leelawati had just finished doing her Satyanarayana Puja meanwhile. She told her daughter to finish doing the prayer and then come & receive her husband & her father. Kalawati finished doing her puja quickly & without taking the prasadam left to meet her husband. The Lord got angry at her for this, and so he drowned her husband with the boat. When Kalawati did not see her husband; she was shocked and she fainted on the floor.
On seeing his daughter and the sudden disappearance of the boat, the merchant was shocked. He prayed to Lord Satyanarayana, asked him for his forgiveness and prayed to the Lord to take them out of this difficulty. The Lord said to the merchant, “Oh merchant, your daughter, in a hurry to meet her husband has left my prasadam. When she goes back and takes the prasad with due respect, only then will she see her husband.” On hearing this, Kalawati ran home, ate the prasad, offered respects to Lord Satyanarayana and came back to meet her husband. When the merchant saw this, he was very happy.
The merchant then performed Lord Satyanarayana’s vratha with his family every month from then onwards. They all gained the pleasures of life and after their death they got the ultimate gift of ‘Moksha’ (Salvation – Liberation from the cycle of life and death).
The main role in this film was done by Anant Marathe. Anant Marathe aka Anant kumar was the brother of actor and famous singer Ram Marathe. I was searching for his information for quite some time. My search ended when I found an article written by his son about his father.
Anant Marathe was born on 24-11- 1936. In a career that spanned over 50 years, he was a witness to many changes and upheavals in the Hindi film industry. Born in Pune, in a family that was doing well for itself, he had three brothers and two sisters. Losing his father at the tender age of four, he was forced to give up education and begin work, to fend for his family. In the process the family left Pune and came to Mumbai, the city that fed every soul.
The world of films, those days, was not an industry. It was just like a 9 to 5 job in an office. Anant Marathe, with his innocent looks, expressive eyes and inborn confidence, was chosen by Master Vinayak, to play a role as a child artiste in a hindi film, Chhayaa. In this film he played the role of a son, who for his own selfish means is used by his father, ( played by Late Shri Chandra Mohan).
The real breakthrough came when he was called for an audition at Prabhat Studios, the most distinguished film company of those days. This 1943-44 film was ‘ Ramshastri’, in which he was to play the part of Chhota (young) Ramshastri. Ramshastri Prabhune was the Supreme Judge of the Peshwa dynasty and known for his supreme judgement. Once he was selected for the role, his grooming as an actor really began. In the storyline, Chhota Ramshastri was depicted as a boy who hates to study and loves to play all day long. He would swim, roam about with his pet dog and enjoy life. For this role Anant marathe was made to learn swimming even though he was scared of water! He could not get along with the puppy dog, even though it was supposed to be his pet. And to top it all, after shooting, the swimming and the sequences with the dog were edited from the film! The song, ‘Don ghadicha daav, yala jeevan aise naav” sung by him was very popular at that time. He received an award for his performance as Ramshastri from Bengal Film Journalists Association as the best supporting actor of the year. This film was screened in a number of National and International film festivals.
Film industry in South India was very active in the early 50’s. Anant Marathe acted in a number of films produced by the South Indian film studios, namely AVM, Gemini studios etc. Shri Chettiar of AVM was planning a socio-mythological film on the life of a famous saint. The lead role was played by Shahu Modak. The film in general was devotional and to bring in an interesting element, a comic character was created, in the form of the saint’s shishya ( pupil ). This role was offered to Anant Marathe and he displayed histrionics that astonished everybody on the sets.
The Director who groomed the great showman Raj Kapoor was Kidar Sharma and Anant Marathe had the privilege to work in one of his films, this time as a villain! The film was Hamaari Yaad Aayegi. This film also launched Tanuja, who would be known as a talented actress in the coming years. Anant Marathe played the role of a character called Pyarelaal, a very deceiving name for a villain! He is a suave character, moving about in the company of elite people but behind the cute face there is a monster of sorts, a wolf in sheep’s clothes. Anant Marathe, with his charming smile was very stunning, not only in his looks but in every move. Kidar Sharma was known to reward any actor who performed a great scene with a 4 anna coin, known as chavanni in those days. A chavanni earned for a great shot was like an achievement. And Anant Marathe earned many, which he cherished till the end.
His journey as an actor continued with great flourish. Since he could speak Marathi and Hindi fluently, he received offers from both Marathi and Hindi films. He was truly a bi-lingual actor.
Manoj Kumar was inspired by the life of Bhagat Singh, the great sikh patriot from Punjab and was planning a film on his life. Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra were to play the roles of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev respectively but casting for Raajguru, the third freedom fighter was still to be done, as Manoj Kumar wasn’t happy with the short-listed few, to play the role. Manoj Kumar heard about Anant Marathe, who had acted in many hindi and marathi films. Anant Marathe was asked to come over and meet Mnoj Kumar. One look at him and he had found his Raajguru! The experience of working in a truly patriotic film, that too with a thespian like Pran who played a cameo in Shaheed, was a very inspiring experience for him. Incidentally Pran did not charge a single rupee for this role! Shaheed brought a wave of patriotism in the audience, they cheered and loved their heroes. The real mother of Bhagat Singh was felicitated at the premiere of this film at Delhi. She was moved by the performances of every actor in the film. What’s more, a special screening was arranged for the then Prime Minister of India, Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, who praised the film and awarded certificates of honour to all the actors.
Anant Marathe acted in over 250 Hindi and Marathi films, out of which 71 films are Hindi. he also sang 5 songs in 5 Hindi films.When he made his foray in Hindi films, he was not very fluent in Hindi so he took lessons from a tutor who taught him the nuances of Hindi, thus improving the pronunciations so he could speak the language flawlessly. He also learnt English to give his persona the required sparkle, so important for a lead hero. He had to give up formal schooling due to circumstances that prevailed and may be he made up for it in this manner.
Some of the films he acted in are, Bhakta Bilwamangal (Durga Khote), Bhakta Gopalbhaiya (Amir Kanataki), Geeta (Chandra Mohan, Durga Khote), Gokul ( Kamla Kotnis, Sapru), Jivacha Sakha (Durga Khote, Sulochana), Malti Madhav (Durga khote, Baby Shakuntala), Nanda Kumar ((Durga Khote), Sant Janabai (Hirabai Badodekar), Seeta Swayamvar (Durga khote, Baby Shakuntala), Jawaee Majha Bhala, Choravar Mor, Bhintila Kaan Astaat, Shri Krishna Darshan ( (Durga khote, Usha Kiran), Sampoona Ramayan, Bharat Milaap and many more.
In “Barkhaa”, he played the role of a doctor opposite Nanda. The song, “ Ek raat mein do-do chaand khile…” became an instant hit. “Bada bhai”, a film starring late Ajit, had him playing Ajit’s younger brother with Amita as the female lead. In “Sanskaar” also he played the lead role opposite Amita. He acted in some Gujrati films also.
In the early stages acting was like a job for him but soon it became a passion. All these years, while he worked in front of the camera as an actor, he learnt the finer details of film making, by observing, making mental notes. He had a flair for writing. In fact, he was a habitual diary writer. He wrote poems for small children and later they were published in the form of a book. He had a good voice and was planning to be a singer but destiny had something else in store for him, a career in acting.
He wielded the megaphone in 1974, for a Marathi film named “Sonarana Tochala Kaan”, starring comedian and an intense actor Nilu Phule in lead role with Usha Chavan as the female lead. It was inspired by a Hollywood caper with famous comedian, Bob Hope in lead. The film was a huge success all over Maharashtra. Soon he was set to direct a film in Hindi. After a detailed script was worked out by him, the producer backed out. Losing hope but not the spirit, he turned a new leaf and began work on his next project, once again in Marathi. The name of the film was “ Bijlee”, meaning lightning.
Rangat-Sangat Pratishthan, founded by the wife of late Shri Shahu Modak conferred the Manus puraskaar, an award on him for life-time achievement. The name for this award, for obvious reason is Manus (meaning human), a film by this name had Shahu Modak in a memorable role as a Havildaar.
Anant Marathe lived a contented life. Having worked in films from the age of 8 took its toll on him and he passed away on 1-12- 2002.(Thanks to http://www.writewrong.wordpress.com, muVyz, HFGK, and my notes).
Let us now enjoy the song by Manna Dey under his own Baton….
Song- Bhagwan bhagat tere tujhko bula rahe hain (Mahapooja)(1954) Singer- Manna Dey, Lyricist- Ramesh Gupta, MD-Manna Dey
Lyrics
bhagwaaa aa aaa aan
o o o
bhagwaan bhagat tere
bhagwaan bhagat tere
tujhko bula rahe hain aen
bhagwaan bhagat tere
tujhko bula rahe hain
barson se tu kasauti
karta raha hai jinki
ab tujhko chhod Mohan
jaayen wo sharan kiski
dukhiyaare bhookhe pyaase
aansoo baha rahe hain
bhagwaan bhagat tere
soona pada hai madhuban n
soona pada hai madhuban
gauyen pukaarti hain
gokul ki kunj galiyaan
tujhko nihaartin hain
wo gop baal gwaale
gun tere gaa rahe hain
bhagwaan bhagat tere
ek baar phir se aaja aa
aaja aa
aaja aa aa aa aa aa aa
ek baar phir se aaja
murli madhur baja ja aa
jeevan ke taar Mohan
ek baar jhanjhana jaa aa
sun’ne ko gyaan geeta
hum tilmila rahe hain
bhagwaan bhagat tere
tujhko bula rahe hain aen
bhagwan bhagat tere
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
September 19, 2023 at 6:10 pm
Thanks Arun ji
for the rare information about Ananth Marathe/Anant Kumar, and thanks for the story of Sri Satyanarayan Katha
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September 19, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Thank you,Prakash ji.
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