Mere Chanda Main Teri Chandani
Posted on: July 13, 2026
- In: "chaand" song | Devnagri script lyrics by Sudhir | expression of love | Feelings of heart | Guest posts | Happy song | Jagjit Kaur songs | joie de vivre | Lyrics by Sudhir | Lyrics contributed by readers | Post by Arunkumar Deshmukh | Rare song | Songs of 1950s (1951 to 1960) | Songs of 1953 | 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. 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.
| Blog Day : | 6569 | Post No. : | 20457 |
Today’s song is from a social film- ‘Khoj’ (1953).
Film ‘Khoj’ was made by Dogra Films, Bombay for the producer CR Dogra, owner of this banner. The film was directed by Balwant Bhatt, elder brother of director Nanabhai Bhatt. Music was by Nisar Bazmi, who migrated to Pakistan nn the early 1960’s. The cast of the film was Shammi, Mahipal, Rajan Kapoor, Omkar Devaskar, Helen, Rajani and many others.
In the year 1953, 2 films that impressed the audience were by Bimal Roy. One was ‘Parineeta’. It was a classic film based on the famous novel by Sharat Chandra Chatterjee. ‘Do Bigha Zameen’, based on a short story by Salil Chaudhari was a hit film nationally and internationally. Bimal Roy, greatly influenced by the ‘Nehru Socialism’ and the” Italian New Wave Films”, made this film showing the pathetic story of a poor land owner of Bihar, coming to a big city like Calcutta and becoming a Rickshaw Puller, with an unrealistic hope of making enough money to get back his mortgaged piece of land. This touching story won several awards, but one American film critic wrote “It is very strange that a filmmaker from a newly independent nation of India has such a negative picture of his own country ! How will it motivate people to be successful in life ?”
On the positive side, there was the musical ‘Anarkali’, the biggest hit of 1953. When the film ‘Mughal e Azam’, a film on the same story, was released in 1960, film ‘Anarkali’ was also re-released and it did a very good business. Raj Kapoor’s ‘Aah’ was good but the audience did not like Raj Kapoor’s ‘Dilip Kumar style’ acting as well as Pran doing the role of a good gentleman doctor, instead of his usual villain style acting. However, the songs became popular.
Other notable films were ‘Boot Polish’, ‘Patita’, ‘Shikast’, ‘Aas’, ‘Jeewan Jyoti’, ‘Raahi’, ‘Footpath’, ‘Jhamela’, AVM’s ‘Ladki’ etc. Film ‘Mayurpankh’ introduced Asha Mathur and some foreign artists. Nehru’s favorite slogan ‘Vividhata Mein Ekta‘ (Unity in Diversity), was used as a theme in the film ‘Teen Batti Char Rasta’, by V Shantaram. He also presented the socialist theme of ‘rich-poor’ struggle in the film ‘Surang’. First Geva color film ‘Shahenshah’ was brought by GP Sippy.
Guru Dutt and OP Nayyar came together for the first time in the film ‘Baaz’. The National Film Awards started and the first award went to Marathi film ‘Shyamchi Aai’, made by PK Atre starring Vanmala. Filmfare awards also started. Prabhat film company closed down. Music Director Ghulam Haider died in Pakistan.
‘Khoj’ was based on a story of look-alikes. Long time back, I don’t exactly remember when I had read in an English book on psychology that as a rule, 7 people in this world are mirror images of each other – which means they look exactly like each other ! I could hardly believe it. The book further said that this does not include twins, because they naturally look alike mostly. This made their earlier statement more intriguing.
Few years passed and one day, one of my friends told me that he had seen a doctor in Nashik, who looked exactly like me ! I was stunned. He had brought that doctor’s name and address etc, should I desire to meet him. Sure, I was keen on it. So, one fine day I telephoned that doctor in Nashik and spoke to him expressing my desire to meet him. I also explained the purpose of my meeting him. He agreed. I went to Nashik along with my wife. By coincidence, that doctor’s first name was also Arun ! I went at the appointed date and time, to his residence, since he didn’t want me to meet him in his clinic.
Both of us were shocked to see each other. There was such a striking resemblance. His and my wife were also amazed to note the similarity. After spending some time with them, we returned to Bombay. Within a few months I came to know that my look-alike from Nashik had migrated to the USA for good ! I, somehow, had a strange feeling of relief. Not that it made any difference actually.
Why I remembered all this now is because today’s film ‘Khoj’ had a storyline based on look-alikes. Imagine, remember and count yourself how many films, in any language or all languages together you must have seen till today, having stories of ‘humshakal’ ? Look Alikes are a very favourite subject of our filmmakers. But then even in Hollywood there were so many films made on this theme. Leave aside films, there are novels and dramas based on this theme. Starting with Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’, based on the original Latin story. One novel I remember offhand is ‘Prisoner of Zenda’ written in 1894 by Anthony Hope. There was a black and white film in 1937 on this novel. Before that there were 2 silent films, in 1913 and 1922. I have seen this film made in 1952, in which Stewert Granger and Deborrah Kerr had acted. James Mason was the villain minister in this film. Then there was another film in 1979 and a modern version in 1984.
In India, one can keep counting endlessly the number of films made on look-alikes in almost every language, sometime or the other. There were many such films from the Southern languages. One famous old film was ‘Nishan’ (1949), starring Ranjan in a double role. Original Tamil film was remade in many languages, including Hindi. Hindi too had so many such films, including my favourite ‘Angoor’ (1982) featuring Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma having double roles. There were many famous films like ‘Ram Aur Shyam’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Don’ etc.
The story of film ‘Khoj’
It was a miracle of nature that two young men – Suraj and Ranbir, not having any blood relation, were look-alikes. Suraj was a rich and noble man, whereas Ranbir was a well known, ‘wanted’ dacoit. After knowing this similarity, Ranbir plans to take advantage of this.
Suraj loves a simple girl Kusum and is engaged to her. Ranbir sends his moll Mohini to lure Suraj. As expected Suraj falls prey to her and marries her. The very next day, Suraj is arrested by police on suspicion that he is Ranbir. Now all his wealth is in the hands of Ranbir. Next day, Suraj escapes from jail and goes to Kusum, who tries to save him and hide him. However the goons of Ranbir trace him and take him to their hideout. Ranbir decides to kill him now.
Meanwhile Mohini repents and tells everything to the police before she is killed by Ranbir. However the police reach his hideout, kill Ranbir in the encounter, find and save Suraj. Now Suraj and Kusum get united and all is well.
Bombay- the ‘Mayanagari‘, sometimes showed its Maya. It picked up unsuspecting souls and bestowed upon them the fame and a name as Leading actors, singers, directors, lyricists or whatever in films. Thus, a scholarly young man, Ranjan, standing in a bus queue in Madras is picked up and made a hero of more than 40 films. It also made Motilal, an onlooker of film shooting from the crowds of a studio, the famous and rich hero of more than 50 films. Ordinary motor mechanic becomes a well known film director in various languages and is called ‘Sarvottam Badami’. Gulzar, a poor motor mechanic working in a garage becomes a poet-lyricist and producer director of national fame. The same Maya made a casual singer in Hindu Colony, Dadar in Bombay a famous playback singer of repute, when her singing was heard by chance, by a music director Hanuman Prasad. She was known later as Geeta Dutt. There are many such examples.
There are many such numbers of ‘Accidental Stars’, but the same Maya also scuttled the golden chances of capable aspiring small timers to become big stars. At Least two glaring examples are known. One is very well known to many, but the other is hardly known to anyone. First case is, Mehboob Khan. He was almost selected as Hero of India’s first talkie film ‘Alam Ara’ (1931). Even suitable costumes were prepared for him, but then Maya played the trick and his name was pushed back, in favour of the more famous Master Vithal, to cover up the possible risk of the failure of the first talkie, which was an experiment. Nevertheless Mehboob Khan became a significantly notable producer, director and studio owner of India, is another matter.
The other case of how Maya scuttled the chances of fame, name and career of a small-time actor who was on the verge of becoming a big star, is not known to most people. Now, take a look at the cast of today’s film as mentioned in this post. Do you know the name Omkar Devaskar ? Well, this is his story….
Omkar Devaskar was born in 1911 in Madhya Pradesh (then known as Central Provinces). After his schooling, he ran away to Bombay to seek employment and got a job as an assistant in the Imperial Film company. His job was to do any work given to him. The salary was Rs. 20 pm. When he saw the film shootings, he had an urge to act in films. One day, he asked Ardeshir seth about it and he started getting uncredited small roles in silent films.
The Imperial company decided to make a talkie for the First time in India, mainly because of Dadasaheb Torne (Ramchandra Gopal Torne). It was he who prompted Irani to be the first in India to produce a talkie film. Torne was his manager for both Jyoti Studio and Imperial Film Company. Torne was also an agent for cinema equipment imported from England and Germany. Torne imported sound recording equipment and the company sent a German Engineer to explain and teach the technique to Indian technicians.
They first wanted to test the sound recording machine by recording and filming a song. Who would sing ? No one was ready to become the sacrificial goat. Irani saw Omkar and asked him to sing before the machine. A terrified Omkar lamely protested, but he had no choice. Ultimately he did his make up and the recording and filming started. Omkar sang a thumri, ‘Pyare Rasia Bihari’. Everybody present, including Irani, were stunned with the sweet voice and the ease of his singing style. It came off extremely well. About 500 feet of film was shot flawlessly. Irani was so impressed that he toyed with the idea of giving Omkar the first song in the film ‘Alam Ara’. Maya swiftly went into action. Unfortunately the recording was not saved, otherwise it would have been the first film song to be filmed and Omkar Devaskar the first ever singer actor to do so. But Alas ! This is called the stroke of misfortune ! Destiny had slated this honour for Wazir Mohammed Khan.
Missing this chance, anyway, Omkar became an actor and singer. His first talkie film was Imperial’s ‘Sati Anusuya’ (1933). He sang 3 songs in the film ‘Noor E Imaan’ (1933), besides acting in it. Omkar acted in about 30 films in all. His last film was, perhaps, ‘Khoj’ (1953). He sang 14 songs in 6 films. His last song came in the film ‘Jagriti’ (1949). Omkar was a regular actor in many Marathi films too.
Today’s song is sung by Jagjit Kaur. This was her first solo song in Hindi films. Enjoy….
Song – Mere Chanda Main Teri Chandani (Khoj)(1953) Singer – Jagjit Kaur, Lyricist – Hasrat Jaipuri, MD – Nissar Bazmi
Lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
mere chanda main teri chandani
mera dil bhi tu meri jaan bhi
teri ulfat hai meri zindagi
taa dere naa
taa daare naa
dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
taa dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
chanda main teri chandani
mera dil bhi tu meri jaan bhi
teri ulfat hai meri zindagi
taa dere naa
taa daare naa
dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
taa dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
ho oo oo
bol uthi azaad mohabbat
chham chham khushiyaan aain
lo chham chham khushiyaan aain
lo chham chham khushiyaan aain
o o o
goonj uthe ab taar dilon ke
jhilmil pariaan aain
lo jhilmil pariaan aain
lo jhilmil pariaan aain
ho ooo ooo ooo ooo
kehti hain kuchh ghataayen
vaadon ko ab nibhaayen
mil ke rahe hum tum
meri aankhon tu hai roshni
meri saanson ki tu hai baansuri
meri duniya hai tu pyaar ki
taa dere naa
taa daare naa
dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
taa dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
ye khushi ka saaz sureela
naach naach kar gaaun
main naach naach kar gaaun
ye khushi ka saaz sureela
naach naach kar gaaun
main naach naach kar gaaun
dil ki dhadkan taal bani hai
jhoom jhoom lehraaun
main jhoom jhoom lehraaun
ho ooo ooo ooo ooo
masti bhare nazaare
armaan karen ishaare
barse khushi rum jhum
hai jawaan ye rut bhi bahaar ki
khili kaliyaan hain mere pyaar ki
meri duniya main teri ho chuki
taa dere naa
taa daare naa
dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
taa dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
chanda main teri chandani
mera dil bhi tu meri jaan bhi
teri ulfat hai meri zindagi
taa dere naa
taa daare naa
dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
taa dhum chika dhum chika dhumka
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
मेरे चन्दा मैं तेरी चाँदनी
मेरा दिल भी तू मेरी जान भी
तेरी उलफ़त है मेरी ज़िंदगी
ता देरे ना
ता दारे ना
धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ता धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
चन्दा मैं तेरी चाँदनी
मेरा दिल भी तू मेरी जान भी
तेरी उलफ़त है मेरी ज़िंदगी
ता देरे ना
ता दारे ना
धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ता धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
हो ओ ओ
बोल उठी आज़ाद मुहब्बत
छम छम खुशियां आईं
लो छम छम खुशियां आईं
लो छम छम खुशियां आईं
हो ओ ओ
गूंज उठे अब तार दिलों के
झिलमिल पारियाँ आईं
लो झिलमिल पारियाँ आईं
लो झिलमिल पारियाँ आईं
हो ओsss ओsss ओsss
कहती हैं कुछ घटायें
वादों को अब निभाएं
मिल के रहें हम तुम
मेरी आँखों की तू है रौशनी
मेरी साँसों की तू है बाँसुरी
मेरी दुनिया है तू प्यार की
ता देरे ना
ता दारे ना
धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ता धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ये खुशी का साज़ सुरीला
नाच नाच कर गाउँ
मैं नाच नाच कर गाउँ
ये खुशी का साज़ सुरीला
नाच नाच कर गाउँ
मैं नाच नाच कर गाउँ
दिल की धड़कन ताल बनी है
झूम झूम लहराऊँ
मैं झूम झूम लहराऊँ
हो ओsss ओsss ओsss
मस्ती भरे नज़ारे
अरमाँ करें इशारे
बरसे खुशी रूम झुम
है जवां ये रुत भी बहार की
खिली कलियाँ हैं मेरे प्यार की
मेरी दुनिया मैं तेरी हो चुकी
ता देरे ना
ता दारे ना
धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ता धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
चन्दा मैं तेरी चाँदनी
मेरा दिल भी तू मेरी जान भी
तेरी उलफ़त है मेरी ज़िंदगी
ता देरे ना
ता दारे ना
धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
ता धुम चिका धुम चिका धुमका
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
July 14, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Arun Ji
Thanks for the post. I liked this ‘ never heard before’ song. Sad, Jagjit Kaur gave up her career, for marrying Khayyam.
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July 14, 2026 at 6:06 pm
yes,sad indeed.
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