Rota hai mera dil aahen bhartee jawaanee
Posted on: December 10, 2025
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 an absolutely obscure film – Maldar-1951.
I called it an absolutely obscure film, because except what is given in the HFGK, no other information on this film is available anywhere – neither in any books nor anywhere on the Internet. Even the film booklet is not available (either not printed for cost saving or less number printed to economise). It just came and went.
It was a Debut film for Amit Mitra – Director, Satish Bhatia – Music Director, Usha Bhatia – Playback singer, Roshan Joshi – Playback singer and Pran – Lyricist. Since we do not know the credits for other departments, we are unaware of that part.
The cast of the film was Balraj Sahni, Smriti Biswas, Chhabi Biswas, Neelima and others. The 8 songs of this film, composed by Satish Bhatia were quite nice but not good enough to compete, stand out or remain in memory compared to the other songs of the Golden Era of Film Music. 1951 had offered much more melodious songs by well known composers.
The year 1951 was a mixed affair. After the end of II WW and especially after our Independence, there was a flood of people with Black money to produce films, earn profits and convert Black money to white money. This caused several films of low quality being made. Some of them tried to make copies of Hollywood films too. Luckily, everything wasn’t that bad and few good films also were made.
AWARA by Raj Kapoor came as a cool breeze in hot times. Everything about it was good, especially the acting and music impressed people. This film was released in Russia as “BROTHIYAGA” . It was sold there for Rs. 50,000, a big amount in those days.
HUM LOG, starring Balraj Sahni and Nutan – as realistic film of the Indian middle class. India has always been a country with the biggest size of middle class in the world.
ALBELA by Bhagwan and C.Ramchandra became an evergreen popular film. This was the high point of Bhagwan’s career, which he could never surpass in his lifetime.
BAAZI from Navketan fulfilled a pact between Dev Anand and Guru Dutt, made during their early careers, while with Prabhat Film co. Both rose high with this film.
DEEDAR – an unusual film of love story, enacted by Dilip Kumar and Nargis.
AANDOLAN made by Filmistan and enacted by Kishore Kumar was an excellent Docu-Commercial film with good content and music by Hemant Kumar for his first Hindi film as a Music Director.
AFSANA – a story of good and bad twins, featuring Ashok Kumar and Veena.
BAHAR – introducing Vyjayantimala, made by AVM with excellent Dances and Songs.
NAUJAWAN – an age old story of the rich and the poor.
JAADU– a costume film by Nalini Jaywant was a hit film due to good music.
NAGEENA – a mystery and romance that had Pakistan- returned Nasir Khan and a pre-adult Nutan.
Some important events of 1951 were….
1) Launch of ‘Screen’ weekly.
2) S.K.Patil’s report on the film industry.
3) Establishment of the Film Federation of India and Central Board of Censors in Bombay. and
4) First Nepali film ‘ Harishchandra’.
Some other notable films of 1951 were Pyar ki Baaten, Aaram, Actor, Baadal, Bade bhaiya, Bedardi( Nimmi sang her only Hindi Film song in it), Buzdil, Daaman, Dholak, Kali Ghata, Khazana, Madhosh, Malhar, Naadaan, Sagai, Sanam, Shabistan (actor Shyam died on the sets) and Taraana. In addition 18 Mythological films were also made.
Out of the 8 songs of the film, 3 duets were by Usha Bhatia and Roshan Joshi, 1 duet by Hemant Kumar and Bela Mukherjee, 1 solo each by Usha Bhatia, Roshan Joshi and Hemant Kumar (with chorus).
In the early era of Hindi films, most of the Music Directors used to act and sing songs in their films, as playback system had not established till 1935. After that, MDs were not acting in films, but they continued to sing as playback singers. Many examples can be quoted like Anil Biswas (acted in 2 films), S D Burman, Ravi, Chitragupta, Naashad, C.Ramchandra, Hemant Kumar, S N Tripathi ( acted in many films), Snehal Bhatkar, Sudhir Phadke etc.
However, there were equal number of Music Directors who never sang for films or otherwise. Examples are Naushad, Shankar Jaikishen, Pyarelal (Laxmikant sang few songs in films), Kalyan ji- Anand ji, Sajjad Husain, O P Nayyar, N.Dutta, Dattaram, Jaidev etc. It is nevertheless, interesting to note that even in the 50s to 90s period, the singing composers’ number was anytime higher than the Non singing composers. ROSHAN was a name which never featured as a singer of film songs or otherwise, though his wife Ira Nagrath ( Ira Moitra earlier) was a singer who has some private albums to her credit, but no film songs.
When film Maldaar-51 was released on 30-6-1951, it was noted that few songs in the film were sung by a Roshan. The ‘quick- Guns’ immediately jumped to the conclusion that Composer Roshan has sung these songs. Many Internet sites still mention this.
The fact is this ROSHAN was a different singer. Music Director of Maldaar, Satish Bhatia had his sister Usha Bhatia, a singer, were working in All India Radio, Delhi. Satish called his sister to sing songs in Maldaar. There was one Mr. Roshan Joshi, working with Usha, who too was a singer. Both Usha and this Roshan came to Bombay and sang songs in the film Maldaar. They were also invited to sing songs in film Ratnadeep-52, but that could not happen. it was this ROSHAN who sang these songs.
All this is documented by the famous collector and an expert on singers of Yore, Shri Girdharilal Vishwakarma ji of Rajasthan. Here is what he said-
“kuchh din pahale mere paas singer Usha Bhatiya ke bete Ajay Mankotiya ka phone aaya. unhone kaha ki hum kai barason se Ushaji ke gaye film- maldar_1951 kegane dhoondh rahe hain. Maine kaha ushaji ne film maldar main 5 geet gaye thhe 2 solo aur 3 duets [with Roshan]. Ye sabhi hain mere pas main aapko
mail karata hun. Doosare din hi unka phone aaya ki maine mother ko gane sunaye to unki aankhon main aansoo aa gaye, unhone socha thha ki shaayad hi wo kabhi ye gaane sun paayegi wo bahut hi bhaawuk ho gayi thhi.
kuchh din baad jab meri phone par Ushaji se baat hui to mera pahala sawaal ye thha ki ye Roshan kaun thhe jinhone is film main gaaya tha. Tab unhone bataaya ki….roshan radio singer thhe un dino hum[Usha Bhatiya, Satish Bhatia and Roshan] all india radio Delhi main saath kaam karte thhe. Jab Satish Bhatiya ko ye film mili tab unhone ismen gaane ke liye humen Mumbai bulaa tha…unhon bataya ki ek our film ratan deep_1952 ke liye bhi hamen bulaava aaya thha aur hum mumbai gaye the lekin Roshan ki wajah se is film mein hamen gaane ka mauka nahin mila…au bhi bahut yaad unhone mere sath baanti…thanks Usha Bhatia ji… “.
( free translation in English- Few days back I received a phone call from shri Ajay Mankotiya, son of usha Bhatia. He said that for a long time they were searching for songs of Maldaar,sung by Usha ji. I told them, I have all the 5 songs of hers and sent them to her. next day he phoned me to tell that after hearing those songs, Usha ji became very sentimental. She had thought that she would never be able to hear these songs in her life. After some days,I phoned her and asked her who this Roshan was, who sang with her. Usha ji told me that In Delhi, A.I.Radio, Satish, Usha and Roshan were working together. When Satish got the film Maldaalr-51, he called us to sing in it. We were invited to sing for film Ratnadeep also, but it did not happen. She shared many other things with me…..)
Thank you Girdharilal ji for clarifying about Roshan.
As far as Satish Bhatia is concerned, Satish Bhatia (1929 – 29 April 2005) was a Music Composer, Music Conductor, Music Director, Lyricist, Chief Producer, Creator of many Ensembles and Orchestras with an unprecedented treasure of music, creativity and love that provides the intense, extreme knowledge of his musical career. Whether it is Geet, Gazal, Operas, Prasar Geet, Folk Music, Ballets, Patriotic Songs, Choral Music, Hindustani Music, Vadya Vrinda (Orchestra), Film Music, Documentaries, Sufi Music, Devotional Music, Children Songs, National Songs, Classical Music, Films – Division, Song and Drama, Serials, Tele-Films, Background Music, Regional Programmes, Features, National Programmes etc., his contribution towards music field is infused with his phenomenal creativity in an endless striving towards perfection.
Satish Bhatia was born in 1929 in Shimla & educated in Delhi. When his father expired, he was just 10 years old. It was a permanent loss and nothing could replace it. This was, obviously, the most difficult stage of his life. It left a vacuum in the family. Though his uncle took the responsibility of his family but he stepped up to fill the role of son, brother and even father.
Satish Bhatia was a brilliant science student of prestigious Hindu College in Delhi but had to sacrifice studies in order to look after the family. He, along with his younger sister Usha Bhatia who later became lead singer of film “Maldar” used to walk down daily 15 kilometers to All India Radio away from their house to record for children’s programme. He had initial training in Vocal Music classical and violin from Pandit Vinay Chandra Maudgalaya, an eminent musicologist, educationist and a teacher. He did Sangeet Visharad from Gandharva Maha Vidhyalaya. This was the time when music was for the classes and not masses. He did further training for 10 years in Classical Music from Shri Jeevan Lal Matto of Kirana Gharana. Gradually he became the solo violinist and pianist in All India Radio. He did many recordings and programmes as a musician. In addition to piano and violin, he could play many more instruments and had thorough knowledge about almost all the musical instruments. His journey to success started when he first heard about the concept of making and composing music. Possessing all the requisite skills, technical ability, motivation to grow in music, he stepped into composing music which was his ultimate goal. He started composing more & more and started enjoying his compositions. He loved to create any kind of music and push himself artistically. Gradually his music became more and more recognisable and popular.
Satish Bhatia was an expert in folk music of the North. He made many albums and live shows where he was more recognized. He composed numerous melodies expressing the voices of common man filled with musical emotional bursts of folk music. His creations transcend language, religion, genre and taste of audiences as he composed for regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab etc. He worked with folk singers like Asa Singh Mastana, Surender Kaur, Prakash Kaur, Pandit Shivram Krishna, S. Mohinder, Ram Saran Das, Asha Kaul, Rajinder Kachroo, Madanbala Sindhu etc.
Satish Bhatia’s innumerable & priceless songs and compositions are now treasures in the Music Archives of Akashvani Bhawan, Delhi.
In the world of theatre, opera, ballet, or dance drama; music plays a crucial role in ensuring the viability of these traditional forms of performing arts to be liked and understood by the audience. The name Satish Bhatia was familiar to every music lover in the 60’s & 70’s. His fame & popularity had touched great heights. His music direction in innumerable ballets and musical features are the examples of his creative talent. When put together with flawless, graceful movements & wonderful spectacle, they were a sight and a sound that moved the audience to tears, to laughter and to emotions.
In the celebration of Guru Nanak quin-centenary, 500th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the extraordinary light & sound programme ”Jag Chanan Hoa” was inaugurated by the President of India on November 23rd 1969. The new medium of light, sound and music had caught the people of Punjab by storm. It was judged as the best medium of mass entertainment giving new dimension to India’s classic and modern theatre. This was one of the remarkable musical successes. Satish Bhatia was awarded the Best Music Award for his commendable music.
After the tremendous success of Panoramic spectacle, and on the occasion of 25th year of Independence, The Govt. of India decided to showcase this mega show all over India under the title “Badhte Kadam” which was first held at Bhopal followed by other states. Satish Bhatia was one person who made it possible with atleast 80 to 90 musicians playing live. Though the special effects involved in the show were limited when compared to the one that is staged now-a-days, the majestic architecture of the Red Fort, the ambient music, the live orchestra and the performances makes it a spectacular show to watch.
Satish Bhatia died on 29 April 2005. (adapted from the article by S.Sarvaiya ji, with thanks.).
Here is today’s song – a duet by Roshan Joshi and Usha Bhatia. Enjoy….
Song- Rota hai mera dil aahen bhartee jawaanee (Maaldaar)(1951) Singers- Roshan Joshi, Usha Bhatia, Lyricist- Pran, MD- Satish Bhatia
Both
Lyrics
Rota hai mera dil
aahen bhartee jawaanee ee
ashqon mein chhupee hai
meree khaamosh kahaanee
ye gham ka fasaana hai
main kisey jaa sunaaoon
dil cheer ke apna main
ye kise aaj dikhaaoon
har saans mein pinha(??) hai
mere gham kee rawaanee
ashqon mein chhupee hai
meree khaamosh kahaanee
aa aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa aa
gar koi samjhe ??
mere dil kee daastaan
lutataaa naa kabhee yoon
meree khushiyon ka kaarwaan
par haaye zamaane ne meree
ek na maanee ee
ashqon mein chhupee hai
meree khaamosh kahaanee
wo shaakh gayee toot ke
jis per thhaa aaashiyaan
barbaad hai duniya mein
tadapte mere armaan
hai dard kaleje mein
teree ek nishaanee ee
ashqon mein chhupee hai
meree khaamosh kahaanee
rota hai mera dil
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
December 10, 2025 at 11:13 pm
Good Evening,
We all get such a lot of knowledge through Atul’s Song A Day.
I am thankful and grateful to all the contributors for sharing such a valuable information.
blessings
Uma🙏
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