Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs

This article is written by Raja, 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 sites like lyricstrans.com and ibollywoodsongs.com etc then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.

Today (22 july 2017) is the birth anniversary of our beloved  singer, Mukesh Chand Mathur, better known to one and all as Mukesh (22 july 1923-27 august 1976).

I don’t recall if I have written a tribute to him yet on this blog – I think I might have. But even so, there are no rules here saying I cannot write another one. 🙂  And since I have several fond memories of listening to Mukesh songs in my life, I am happy to use this occasion to remember him and pay my humble tribute to him.

Many regulars here know that I am a big fan of Rafi Saab. And I am a fan of Kishore Kumar also. But that’s the thing – it doesn’t mean I do not like other singers’ songs. I am fond of them all – and I listen to them all. At heart, I am a music lover – and unless  any music is particularly cacophonic or jarring to the ears, I have no problem listening to it.

And let’s be fair – every singer has sung memorable songs, every composer has composed good music, every lyricist has written good lyrics. Yes, not every song or composition or lyrics is memorable – but none of them would have reached where they did in their careers if there was nothing of quality in their work.

At least that’s my thinking. This is also why I tend not to get into “Rafi Saab vs Kishore” or “Lata vs Asha” discussions unless they’re respectful to all concerned and and the discussion is held in the best of spirit. I dislike bashing of any artiste.

Anyway, back to Mukesh. Long before I became a huge fan of Rafi Saab, Mukesh was a big part of my music experience. Kishore was of course the ruling superstar singer of my childhood. He was everywhere.

But Mukesh, with his distinctive voice, always made me notice him. And sit up. There would be ten non-stop Kishore songs, and there’d be one Mukesh song – say, “Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye”. Or “Jaane Kahaan Gaye Wo Din”. And that ONE song would go straight to my heart – and linger in my mind for a long, long time. I remember what effect “Kisi Ki Muskuraahaton” would have on me.

That was Mukesh. Mukesh always had that special quality – maybe it was that nasal tone of his, maybe it was the ease and simplicity with which he seemed to deliver his songs.  But he always made an impact on me.

I know he’s not considered quite in the league of Rafi Saab, in terms of range. Many consider Mukesh besuraa – he himself felt that way at times. Yes, you wouldn’t expect him to go all classical like a Manna Dey or even a Rafi Saab with “Naache Mann Mora Magan”. And yes, for most of his career, inspite of several hit songs, he was not considered THE no.1 singer of the time, unlike Rafi Saab or Kishore Kumar (or even Talat Mahmood early on). He was probably No.2 all along.

And yet, he held his own throughout his career. Whatever other singers did – and practically all of them had their ups and downs – Mukesh’s career was largely steady.

Mukesh didn’t sing several thousand songs – according to our blog stats, he has sung just 932 Hindi film songs.  And yet, a very large number of these songs are memorable, hummable – and easily relate-able.  You listen to a Mukesh song for the first time – and there’s a very good chance it will appeal to you right away. Soon you might be humming it. And that’s because his songs went straight to your heart.

It is often said that Mukesh specialized in sad songs. To some extent this is true – he was slotted into this category in the industry. So often if there was a sad song to be sung, his would be the voice called for. For example, one of my favourite songs “Zubaan Pe Dard Bhari Dastaan Chali Aayi”.

But I happen to think, even this is a bit misleading. When I listen to a Mukesh “sad song”, it doesn’t make me one bit sad. It actually goes right to my heart and acts like a balm, it soothes me. I feel better after listening to the song. Might seem odd – and maybe it’s only my personal experience. Maybe it has to do with empathy with the situation of the song. Am not sure what it is.

But Mukesh has also sung many happy songs – and not just for Raj Kapoor. His “Ibtadaa-e-Ishq Mein” and “Bol Meri Taqdeer Mein Kya Hai” from Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962) come readily to mind. And , the quintessential “Ye Mausam Rangeen Samaa”  from Modern Girl (1961).

Although I remember several Mukesh songs from early on in my childhood, the first time he made a huge impact on me was when we’d gone to the town, 25 km away, to see ‘Mera Naam Joker’ (1970). It was the first film I ever saw in a cinema hall as such – my dad took the whole family because he thought it was a children’s film (joker et al :-))  My dad himself didn’t know Hindi and didn’t know any Hindi songs at all, except for one line of one song – “Awaara Hoon” 🙂  That gave me an idea that this song must have been massively popular in its time.

Anyway, while I enjoyed “Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo” immensely – and didn’t understand all the details of the story at that time – I was also much impressed by “Jaane Kahaan Gaye Wo Din” and “Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan”. I liked “Kehta Hai Joker Saara Zamaana” as well.

When we got a 2-in-1 at home for the first time, we had just 2 or 3 cassettes, which we would play non-stop. We had songs of ‘Guddi’, ‘Abhiman’, ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ and ‘Zanjeer’.  And we had a Mukesh cassette.

I treasured it – and listened to it SO many times. I remember every song on it, starting with “Mera Naam Raju” to “Chhalia Mera Naam” to “Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet” to “Sab Kuchh Seekha Hum Ne” (my favourite at the time) to “Dum Dum Diga Diga” to “Aansoo Bhari Hain” to “Chal Ri Sajni Ab Kya Soche” to “Hum Ne Tum Ko Pyaar” to “Chaandi Ki Deewar Na Todi” to “Hum Chhod Chale Hain” (another all-time favourite).

Mukesh songs would regularly figure on radio too – even his “current” songs, like “Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye”or “Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar Na Ho Baalma” or “Jo Tumko Ho Pasand” or “Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De” or “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai” would be regulars in farmaishes.

And that’s the thing – many think that Mukesh’s career was primarily for Raj Kapoor, and maybe Manoj Kumar. And most of it was anyway 1950s/60s. But, though his output might have been less in the 70s, he had several memorable songs in this decade too  – right till his death. And  for other actors. Like I said at the start, unlike other singers, Mukesh did not seem to have ups-and-downs in his career, it was largely steady.

Just to give examples of some 1970s songs (non-Raj Kapoor/Manoj Kumar)

“Duniya Se Jaane Waale” from Pushpanjali (1970).

“Tere Honthon Ke Do Phool” from Paras (1971).

“Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye” from Anand (1971).

“Ae Baadal Jhoomke Chal” from Nadaan (1971), a song I very fondly remember. 🙂

“Main To Har Mod Par” from Chetna (1970).

“Kai Sadiyon Se, Kai Janmon Se” from Milap (1972).

“Zindagi Aur Bataa Teraa Iraadaa Kyaa Hai” from Zindagi Aur Toofaan (1973)

“Kai Baar Yun Bhi Dekha Hai” from Rajnigandha (1973).

“Barkha Rani Zara Jamke Barso” from Sabak (1973).

“Main Dhoondhta Hoon Jinko” from Thokar (1974).

“Sansaar hai ek nadiya” from Raftaar (1975).

“Phool Aahista Phenko” from Prem Kahani (1975).

“Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein” from Kabhie Kabhie (1976)

“Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon” from Kabhie Kabhie (1976)

“Suhani Chandni Raatein” from Mukti (1977)

The reason I mention this decade specifically is to just stress that Mukesh held his own throughout his last few years, inspite of Kishore Kumar’s dominance in that decade. I have not mentioned songs like “Ik Din Bik Jaayega” (Raj Kapoor), “Do Jasoos Karen Mehsoos” (Raj Kapoor) and “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai” (Manoj Kumar) – they were all very popular too.

So as a young boy growing up, listening to these “current” songs not to mention the fantastic Mukesh songs of earlier decades, I became a Mukesh fan too. So much so that, after Mukesh’s death, one of my friends gifted me a book full of Mukesh songs. It was my prized possession for a long time. It had a whole lot of “new” Mukesh songs for me. I remember I would wait for a Mukesh song on radio – and then quickly rush to check the song in the book, matching the lyrics in the book with the song. I’d be thrilled if the song was in the book – obviously not all songs were.  And till I heard the song, I didn’t know the tune of course.  The song was just words to me, till then. Those were pre-internet days – and I didn’t have access to music shops either.

Some songs I remember “matching “ like this were “Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De”,  “Zinda Hoon Is Tarah”, “Mujhe Raat Din Ye Khayaal Hai”  (one of my favourite songs) and “Dil Lootne Waale Jaadugar”. It was thanks to this book that I first heard of names like Husnlal Bhagatram and Iqbal Qureshi. Very fond memories of those times. And many of them associated with Mukesh.

Now moving on to the song for today. This is from film ‘Darinda’ (1977). This film has not made its entry on the blog yet – so with this song, it makes its debut. I remember seeing this film when it was released.  But, given my memory, I had forgotten the story completely – the only thing I remembered from that time was this Mukesh song “Chaahe Aaj Mujhe”. I remember liking it even then.

So now, when I wanted to write a post on Mukesh, this song came to mind. I checked the blog – and was a bit surprised to see it missing. I don’t think the film did well – but this song did ok, from what I remember. Since I prefer to post songs of films that I have seen – so that I have some context – I decided to watch this film again.

Briefly, the story is how Sunil Dutt, separated as a poor young boy from his rich childhood friend, Parveen Babi, grows up as a yogi, supposedly to do good deeds. But he has just one goal in mind – to find Parveen, and win her over. He searches everywhere for her – becoming a  monster (Darinda) in the process, even killing women in his pursuit. And when he finally does find her, she is engaged to be married to Feroze Khan. How he then reacts, what is Parveen’s reaction, what happens to Feroze – see the film if you want to find out 🙂 There’s a bit of a hint in this song too. 🙂

As I close, I want to say “Thank you, Mukesh ji, for giving us so many wonderful songs. We will always remember you and be thankful to you.”

Song – Chaahe Aaj Mujhe Napasand Karo. . . Aakhir Mein Tumhen Mera Hi Hona Hoga (Darinda) (1977) Singer – Mukesh, Lyrics – Indeewar, MD – Kalyanji Anandji

Lyrics

chaahe aaj mujhe naapasand karo
chaahe dwaar hriday ke band karo
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga

chaahe aaj mujhe naapasand karo
chaahe dwaar hriday ke band karo
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga

bachpan ke pyaar ki mit-ti nahin nishaani
bachpan ke pyaar ki mit-ti nahin nishaani
jitna hi mitaana chaahe isey jawaani
jahaan yaad teri soyi ho
jahaan yaad teri soyi ho
dooja na aur koi ho
koi dil ka tumhaare aisa bhi konaa hoga
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga

main kya se kya ban gaya tumhaare kaaran
main kya se kya ban gaya tumhaare kaaran
auron ki tarah mera pyaar nahin sadhaaran
na samjho isey dikhaava
na samjho isey dikhaava
hai ye mere pyaar ka daawaa
mere hansne pe hansna, roney pe ronaa hoga
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga

chaahe aaj mujhe naapasand karo
chaahe dwaar hriday ke band karo
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga
aakhir mein tumhe mera hi hona hoga

———————————————————
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————
चाहे आज मुझे नापसंद करो
चाहे द्वार हृदय के बंद करो
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा

चाहे आज मुझे नापसंद करो
चाहे द्वार हृदय के बंद करो
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा

बचपन के प्यार की मिटती नहीं निशानी
बचपन के प्यार की मिटती नहीं निशानी
जितना ही मिटाना चाहे इसे जवानी
जहां याद तेरी सोई हो
जहां याद तेरी सोई हो
दूजा ना और कोई हो
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा

मैं क्या से क्या बन गया तुम्हारे कारण
मैं क्या से क्या बन गया तुम्हारे कारण
औरों की तरह मेरा प्यार नहीं साधारण
ना समझो इसे दिखावा
ना समझो इसे दिखावा
है ये मेरे प्यार का दावा
मेरे हंसने पे हँसना
रोने पे रोना होगा
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा

चाहे आज मुझे नापसंद करो
चाहे द्वार हृदय के बंद करो
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा
आखिर में तुम्हें मेरा ही होना होगा