Aadha Teetar Aadha Bater
Posted on: July 15, 2026
- In: Devnagri script lyrics by Sudhir | Fun lyrics song | fun timepass song | Guest posts | Kishore Kumar songs | Lyrics by Sudhir | Lyrics contributed by readers | Post by Arunkumar Deshmukh | Shamshad Begam songs | Shamshad Begam-Kishore Kumar duet | Songs of 1950s (1951 to 1960) | Songs of 1953 | Yearwise breakup of songs
- Leave a Comment
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 : | 6571 | Post No. : | 20459 |
Today’s song is from a social film ‘Lehren’ (1953).
The cast of the film included Shyama, Kishore Kumar, Shakuntala, Bipin Gupta, Om Prakash, Sunder, Leela Mishra, Iftekhar, Pachhi, Johnny Walker and many others. Lyricist was Rajendra Krishn and Music was by C Ramchandra. Rajendra Krishna and CR worked together in 52 films, till they separated in 1958.
‘Lehren’ was produced by C Ramchandra under the banner of New Sai Productions. This was a Production house established by C Ramchandra and actor Omprakash. They were very good friends. Under this banner they produced 3 films – ‘Jhanjhar’ (1953), ‘Lehren’ (1953) and ‘Duniya Gol Hai’ (1955). All 3 films were eminently average and flopped with a bang. C Ramchandra says about ‘Jhanjhar’, in his Marathi autobiography “Majhya Jeevanachi Sargam” = “. . .the failure of ‘Jhanjhar’ reminded me of the failure of my very first film ‘Naganand’ (1935). It was withdrawn from the theatre after its first show, when only 7 people had come to see the film ! At least ‘Jhanjhar’ ran for a few more days !! ”
When the film Jhanjhar-1953 was about to be released, C Ramchandra and Lata Mangeshkar went to Amritsar to attend the release function of the film. In this visit, Lata Mangeshkar spoke to singer Noorjehan in Lahore, Pakistan, from her hotel room telephone and they decided to meet each other. Accordingly Lata and Noorjehan met on the ‘No Man’s Land’ between the Indo-Pak border. They embraced each other and spent a lot of time together.
Another noteworthy event happened when the film ‘Jhanjhar’ was in the making. At that time C Ramchandra, under a loose contract with Filmistan, was also giving music to Filmistan’s ‘Anarkali’. The directors in Filmistan knew that he was also making his own film and they suspected that he may be neglecting music of ‘Anarkali’ at the cost of ‘Jhanjhar’. He was sent a legal notice accusing him of this. However, ‘Jhanjhar’ released first (or was allowed to release by Filmistan, because Filmistan had cleared ‘Anarkali’ from Censors in Jan-53 itself, 2 months before ‘Jhanjhar’ was Censored), flopped and then ‘Anarkali’ was released. ‘Anarkali’ music became a superhit and ‘Jhanjhar’ was nowhere. The legal case was happily dropped and C Ramchandra was also awarded a gift from Filmistan for its music !
Though C Ramchandra was the music director for all 3 films, he surprisingly did not sing even one song in any of these films. The music of ‘Jhanjhar’ and ‘Lehren’ was good, but ‘Duniya Gol Hai’ flopped because the music, story and the direction by Om Prakash were all below average. I remember, in those days, the trailer of ‘Duniya Gol Hai’ was more popular than the film itself. In the trailer of ‘Duniya Gol Hai’, Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Ashok Kumar appear separately on the screen and each one claims that he has directed the film. Lastly, at the end, Om Prakash appears on the screen and announces “Ye sab paagal hain. Film to maine direct ki hai. Zaroor dekhna“. In this film, as many as 13 actors made ‘guest appearance’, obviously for the love of Om Prakash.
The story of ‘Lehren’
The story of ‘Lehren’ revolves around 3 characters, one hero and two heroines. Kishore loves Shakuntala and treats Shyama sympathetically because she had lost her parents. She stays with her uncle Om Prakash. Shyama however takes Kishore’s sympathy as his love for her. Even his uncle and Kishore’s best friend Sunder think that way. This happens because Kishore feels too shy to express his love for Shakuntala. This situation becomes very embarrassing for Kishore, especially as he is pushed to marry Shyama. This part of the story is till interval.
After Interval, Kishore tries very hard to get out of this tricky situation and succeeds by first telling the truth to Sunder and then to uncle Om Prakash. They make a plan so that Shyama overhears Kishore’s love dialogues to Shakuntala. But this has an opposite effect. Shyama thinks that Kishore has played a double game with both the girls.
At the end, all misunderstandings are cleared, for which Shakuntala has to pretend to commit suicide and sacrifice to allow Shyama and Kishore to get married. Shyama steps back and Kishore and Shakuntala are married.
The film was directed by HS Rawail. HS Rawail (21-8-1921 to 17-9-2004) was a script writer, cinematographer, producer and director. He directed 22 famous films like ‘Shukriyaan’, ‘Zid’, ‘Patanga’ (1949), ‘Sagaai’, ‘Saqi’, ‘Shagufa’, ‘Mastana’, ‘Shararat’ (1959), ‘Mere Mehboob’ etc.
Born in Lyallpur in 1921, Harnam Singh Rawail came to Bombay as a teenager with the dream of making movies and no money in his pocket. Rawail soon moved to Kolkata where he wrote several scripts before moving onto directing films.
Rawail marked his directorial debut in Bombay with ‘Dorangia Daku’ in 1940. The movie unfortunately didn’t click at the box-office. Rawail’s films ‘Shukriya’ (1944) and ‘Zid’ (1945) had failed to create any impact on the audience. ‘Jhoothi Kasmein’ (1948) and ‘Do Baatein’ (1949) were failures too. It was only in 1949, when he tasted success with ‘Patanga’. The movie was quite popular during its time. Rawail started getting recognized in the industry.
In 1951, Rawail had two flops with ‘Sagai’ and ‘Jawani Ki Aag’, both failing to create an impact on the audience. Madhubala starrer ‘Saqi’ (1952), ‘Shagufa’ (1953), ‘Lehren’ (1953), ‘Mastana’ (1954), ‘Teerandaz’ (1955) and ‘Pocket Maar’ (1956) had also failed to gather success. Rawail came back after three years with ‘Shararat’ (1959), starring Raaj Kumar, Kishore Kumar and Meena Kumari, besides others. It had some nice comedy sequences, but still couldn’t gain much attention from the public. In 1961, Rawail had two releases. ‘Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja’, starring the evergreen Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, was a big flop. ‘Kanch Ki Gudiya’, starring Manoj Kumar as the main lead, had also failed to gather a big box-office collection.
‘Mere Mehboob’ (1963), starring Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana, was a big musical blockbuster. That was the turning point in Rawail’s career. It is known to be one of the best romantic films ever made in Bollywood. ‘Sunghursh’ (1968), starring Dilip Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar besides others, was a good film, but was a below average earner at the box-office. Rawail then produced and directed ‘Mehboob Ki Mehndi’ (1971), featuring Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandravarkar. The film depicted the Muslim culture well, but was a resounding flop. It did have some great music though. ‘Laila Majnu’ (1976) was written and directed by Rawail. The film, starring Rishi Kapoor and Ranjeeta Kaur in lead roles, became a huge blockbuster. The Muslim social ‘Deedar E Yaar’ (1982), produced by the film’s hero Jeetendra and directed by Rawail, was a remake of sorts of ‘Mere Mehboob’. The film was scripted by HS Rawail’s son, Rahul Rawail, was one of the biggest box office disasters in the history of Indian cinema, wiping out senior Rawail’s career as a film-maker. Rahul Rawail paid his father’s best work a compliment when he titled one of his films ‘Jeevan Ek Sangharsh” in 1990.
One of the actors in the film was Sunder. He was my favorite actor. For a long time, I was searching for information on comedian Sunder. I got hold of a 2 page detailed article on Sunder, but it was in Punjabi which I could not read or use. I found a small paragraph on Sunder in Sanjit Narvekar ji’s book ‘Eena Meena Deeka’. Lastly, I requested Harish Raghuwanshi ji for help. Despite his failing health, he promptly sent me articles in Hindi, English and Gujarati, on Sunder. He was such a helpful person.
To most readers Sunder was a comedian, but not many know that Sunder Singh was a hero in his early films and sang many songs in his own films.
Sunder Singh aka Sunder was born in Sialkot, Punjab on 10th August 1916. His father was working in Madon Theatres, Calcutta. Sunder also started working there. Initially, for a long period,he did female roles. Once his work was seen by HS Rawail (director in later life). He was quite impressed. Later Rawail started working with RN Vaidya as his assistant in direction. Meanwhile Sunder started working in talkie films. His first film, where he was credited, was ‘Na Hone Wali Baat’ (1938). Before that, Rawail and Vaidya were preparing to make the film ‘Banke Sipahi’ (1937).Rawail recommended Sunder and Vaidya gave him an uncredited small role in that film.
Sunder and Rawail became good friends and started staying in one flat in Calcutta. After a few films here, they both went to Lahore and Sunder got the hero’s role in the film ‘;Shukriya’ (1944). There were four heroines in the film – Ramola, Rooplekha, Manorama and Raksha. Sunder’s role in this film was that of a young man from a village and Ramola was from a city. Sunder’s one song from this film – “Nainon Ke Teer Chala Gayi Ek Shehar Ki Laundiya” became very popular all over India, However the song was banned in Punjab due to its lyrics. After this they both came back to Calcutta.
His next film was ‘Albeli’ (1945), in which too there were four heroines – Ramola, Rooplekha, Manorama and Usha. In the 40’s , Sunder acted in many films like ‘Arabian Nights’, ‘Baap’, ‘Shabri’, ‘Chandrashekhar’, ‘Ek Aurat’, ‘Grihalaxmi’, ‘Lottery’, ‘Samapti’, ‘Jhoothi Qasmen’, ‘Savyasachi’, ‘Do Baaten’, ‘Shadi Ke Baad’, ‘Bawra’, ‘Khiladi’, ‘Nai Bhabhi’ etc. In Calcutta, Sunder got married to a girl from his community. Rawail left for Bombay. After a few months, Sunder also returned to Bombay.
Rawail was very happy to get him back and gave him roles in almost all of his films. Not only Rawail, but also J Om Prakash, Mohan Kumar, Lekhraj Bhakri, Manoj Kumar etc. gave him roles in all their films and he became a busy actor. He was at one time, in great demand. He was quite popular due to his nature. In the decade of 50’s he did 88 films, which increased in the 60s and 70s. In the 80s however films came haltingly.
From singing hero, he became a junior artiste (extra), in presence of the new crop of actors. The role of comedians was on decline, as heroes like Amitabh and others did comedy scenes themselves. His health started troubling him. His last film was probably ‘Bahurani’ (1989). He became ill for a long time and finally died on 5-3-1992. Sunder acted in 436 films. He was a good singer and sang his own songs in early cinemas. In all, Sunder sang 40 songs in 25 films.
Today’s song is sung by Kishore Kumar, Shamshad Begum and chorus. As per one set of statistics, Kishore Kumar has sung a total number of 2909 songs and the break up is like this-
Hindi film songs
—————————
Solos-1135
Duets-1320
Mixed-195
———————————
Total Hindi film songs- 2650
Number of Films-1094
———————————
Hindi NFS- 13
Other Language Film songs-177
Other language NFS- 69
————————
Grand Total– 2909
Enjoy today’s song, in the typical Kishore style….
Song – Aadha Teetar Aadha Bater (Lehren) (1953) Singer – Kishore Kumar, Shamshad Begum, Chorus, Lyricist – Rajendra Krishn, MD – C Ramchandra
Lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
oo oo oo
sun jumman teli ke bete
ramu baaman ki chhori
ho ramu baaman ki chhori
sabke liye main shehar se laaya
cheezen thodi thodi
cheezen thodi thodi
dekh zara ye top
pehan ke ban ja gope
re beta pehan ke ban ja gope
kaali chamdi gori kar de
ye lux ka soap
re beta ye lux ka soap
kaali chamdi gori kar de
ye lux ka soap
re beta ye lux ka soap
o raju naai ki saali
surat teri kaali kaali
tere liye main dekh ye laaya
gaalon ki surkhi
<strange sounds>
tere liye main dekh ye laaya
hothon ki laali
ab shaadi mein hogi na der
ab shaadi mein hogi na der
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
kahaan kahaan se ghoom ke aaye
bambai poona jhansi
aur bataao kya kya laaye
<coughing sound>
shehar ki kaali khaansi
aur ye angrezi phaansi
kauwwa chale hans ki chaal
kaho ji galegi kaise daal
kauwwa chale hans ki chaal
kaho ji galegi kaise daal
dekho ji dekho ye andher
dekho ji dekho ye andher
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waah
aadha teetar
aadha bater
waah re mere sher
waah mere sher
waah mere sher
waah waaaah
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
ओ ओ ओ
सुन जुम्मन तेली के बेटे
रामू बामन की छोरी
हो रामू बामन की छोरी
सबके लिए मैं शहर से लाया
चीजें थोड़ी थोड़ी
चीजें थोड़ी थोड़ी
देख जरा ये टोप
पहन के बन जा गोप
काली चमड़ी गोटी कर दे
ये लक्स का सोप
रे बेटा ये लक्स का सोप
काली चमड़ी गोटी कर दे
ये लक्स का सोप
ओ राजू नाई की साली
सूरत तेरी काली काली
तेरे लिए मैं देख ये लाया
गालों की सुर्खी
<विचित्र बोल>
तेरे लिए मैं देख ये लाया
होंठों की लाली
शादी में होगी ना देर
शादी में होगी ना देर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
कहाँ कहाँ से भूम के आए
बंबई पूना झांसी
और बताओ क्या क्या लाए
<खांसी की आवाज़>
शहर की काली खांसी
और ये अंग्रेज़ी फांसी
कौवा चले हंस की चाल
कहो जी कैसे गलेगी दाल
कौवा चले हंस की चाल
कहो जी कैसे गलेगी दाल
देखो जी देखो ये अंधेर
देखो जी देखो ये अंधेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
आधा तीतर
आधा बटेर
वाह रे मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह मेरे शेर
वाह वाह
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
Leave a comment