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

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.

Today’s song is from film ‘Shahenshah Babar’ (1944).

Hindi film makers seem to have an attraction for Mughal Empire. Films were made on life events of right from Babar to Bahadurshah Zafar- the first to the last Mughal kings. I do not know what the film makers found so magnetic in their lives. Not only Mughal kings, but also the Mongol king Changez khan, Nadir Shah and generals like Behram Khan also became the subject matters of films. May be the producers found lot of scope to show big palaces, big armies, wars, dances and songs, beautiful women etc. in such films which attracted the audience.

More than any other Mughal king, it is Babar, who has been in public discussion in India , since about 20-30 years, for well known reasons for which we are not concerned here. Babar was born as Zaheeruddin Mohammed, on 14-2-1483 in Fergana valley in what is known today as Uzbekistan. He was a direct descendant of Taimurlane. At the age of 12 years he ascended his father’s thrown and faced rebellion. Next few years were spent on fighting to save his kingdom. Having lost, and won and again lost the valley of Fergana and Samarkand three times, Babar decided to go to India.

He marched with his army towards India, which was ruled by Ibrahim Khan Lodhi that time. Babar’s army was tired and tried rebellion till they reached India. In the battle of Panipat, he defeated Lodhi and became the Emperor of India. Later he fought with several Rajput kings and won also. Babar married several times and had several children too. His 3 sons were main and Humayun was his dearest son. Babar established the Mughal Empire in 1526 at Delhi. It was Humayun, who succeeded Babar when he died on 26-12-1530.

‘Shahenshah Babar’ is a depiction of his life from childhood to death, but most part of the film is about the love affair and sickness of Humayun. After his death Babar was first buried in Agra, but later his remains were buried again in Kabul. Babar is considered a national hero in Uzbekistan and Kergystan. In India Babar is not known for such good things.

This film was made by Ranjit Movietone, calling it a historical film. It was directed by Wazahat Mirza Changezi (20-4-1908 to 4-8-1990). He directed 5 films, namely, ‘Swaminath’ (1942), ‘Jawaani’ (1942), ‘Shahenshah Babar’ (1944), ‘Prabhu Ka Ghar’ (1945) and ‘Nishaana’ (1950). He wrote lyrics in films like ‘Watan’ (1938), ‘Hum Tum Aur Woh’ (1938), ‘Bahen’ (1941), ‘Roti’ (1942) and ‘Jawaani’ (1942). Later he became famous as a screenplay and dialogue writer. Some of his famous films are ‘Zeenat’ (1945), ‘Shaheed’ (1948), ‘Shikast’ (1953), ‘Mother India’ (1957), ‘Yahudi’ (1958). ‘Mughal e Azam’ (1960), ‘Ganga Jamuna’ (1961), ‘Leader’ (1964), ‘Palki’ (1967) etc.

The music director was Khemchand Prakash and lyricists were Pt. Indra, Munshi Aziz and Munshi Shums. Out of the 9 songs, today’s song is 5th song to be discussed here. The cast of the film was Khurshid, Sheikh Mukhtar, Sushil Kumar, Yakub, Majid, Anwari, Agha and others.

Religious, mythological or historical stories have some characters who are with extra ordinary strength or even Rakshasas. Such characters maintained the equilibrium of entertainment in those films and made them more interesting with their actions. In the Hindi film industry, some actors fitted this requirement. Some of them were BM Vyas, Ramayan Tiwari, Sheikh Mukhtar, Dara Singh, Dev kumar etc. Sheikh Mukhtar fitted into these roles perfectly, for example as ‘Nadir Shah’ in film ‘Nadir Shah’ (1968), as Changez Khan in film ‘Changez Khan’ (1957), or as Sher Afghan in film ‘Noor Jehan’ (1967). In social films, roles of police officers and in action/stunt films as dacoit, drunkard, gambler etc. In some of the films directors used to make him do unimaginable and unbelievable acts like in film ‘Roti’ (1942), he brings down an aircraft with his spear throw ! As a police officer, he would hold 5-6 criminals by their scruff in his extra large hands or run barefoot after a speeding jeep and stop it !

His real name was Mukhtar Ahmed Siddiqi. He was from old Delhi. His father was a senior police officer. He was Bollywood`s first ‘hunk’ – one who would have put today`s WWF hulks to shame. Exceptionally tall and frighteningly hefty, he was endowed with an immense physique. His face was a roadmap of crisscrossing muscles. A sharp jaw line added to the dimensions of his rock-hard face. Hardly `star` material compared to the Hrithiks and Salmans of today. Yet, this rugged man was once a hero.

Those were the days when a limp-wristed hero, who could not even unlock the mysteries of the lush curls of his beloved, was universally adored in cinema halls. In such times, Sheikh Mukhtar adorned the garb of a hero. This feat was achieved by movie monarch Mehboob Khan. In ‘Ek Hi Raasta’ (aka ‘The Only Way’), a film directed by Mehboob Sb for Sagar Movietone way back in 1939, Sheikh Mukhtar was one of the three heroes. The other two were Arun Ahuja (matinee idol Govinda`s father) and a certain Harish (who later directed films such as ‘Burma Road’, he was Tara Harish). Though billed as male lead, Sheikh Mukhtar never fitted into the `romantic` mold. And why should he? He portrayed an uncouth lover, almost a pre-Neanderthal man, in Mehboob Khan`s ‘Roti’ with sensuous Sitara Devi as his beloved. In that film, Sheikh would bring down an aircraft with the mere strike of his spear. When thirsty, he would empty an entire bucket down his throat in one go. Soppy dialogues oozing with maudlin emotions such as love and romance, did not come forth from the super-hunk.

In Wadia`s ‘Krishnabhakt Bodana’ (1944), Sheikh Mukhtar was the Lord`s devotee. In ‘Bahen’ (1941), he portrayed the role of Nalini Jaywant’s brother. His imposing personality fitted well into period films which dabbled in history. He played the role of Shahenshah Babar; went on to become Chengez Khan and then donned the mantle of Sher Afghan in ‘Noor Jehan’, a film which he produced. He was often teamed with Begum Para, the bewitching beauty of that era. The pair hit it off exceedingly well on the screen. For countless cinema aficionados, the Sheikh Mukhtar-Begum Para pair was a classic case of the beauty and the beast. With pint-sized Mukri, Sheikh Mukhtar had a successful celluloid partnership. Sheikh Mukhtar produced a string of Hindi films, such as ‘Dada’, ‘Dara’, ‘Ustad Pedro’, ‘Toote Taare’, ‘Mr. Lambu’, ‘Annadaata’, ‘Mangu’ (with another beauty, Nigar Sultan), ‘Do Ustaad’, and ‘Noor Jehan’, among others.

He wove into his films a variety of songs, from “Bahaaron Ke Dole Mein Aayi Hai Jawaani”, a romantic number from ‘Annadaata’, to naughty ditties, such as “Dil Ka Ye Injan Seetiyaan Maare” from ‘Ustaad Pedro’, and “Namaste, Doctor Baaro, Hum Ko Bhi Ek Injection Maaro”. Sheikh Mukhtar`s pair of shoes, of twelve number size, (in ‘Do Ustaad’), summed up his big time existence. His role in this film was widely appreciated. Sheikh Mukhtar showcased his acting talents in the concluding scene of ‘Do Ustaad’ when he holds his long-lost brother and son to his bosom.

Sheikh Mukhtar invested all his hard-earned money on ‘Noor Jehan’, his dream project. However, the period film bombed miserably at the box office. And with the film collapsed this mighty man. Debts began to pile up. Income Tax arrears kept multiplying in geometrical progression. Unable to resolve this crisis, Sheikh Mukhtar, who was adored in Bollywood for his integrity and for his firmness to keep vices of every variety at bay, fled to Pakistan with the alacrity of a small-time house burglar. He took with him the prints of his films. But, sadly, the Pakistan film industry offered him no succor. He kept running from pillar to post, visiting government offices with a plea that he be allowed to release his films.

He was not at all welcomed by Pak film industry. As it is Indian films were already banned there. When all efforts failed, he met General Zia ul Haq. He was a great fan of Sohrab Modi. When he learnt that Sohrab Modi was acting in this film, he allowed the film’s release. However, the Pak film industry went to Supreme court against this order. The case dragged on and finally on 11th may 1980 he won the case. While hee was returning to Lahore with his son Sheikh Moinuddin, Mukhtar got a severe heart attack in the flight. He was immediately taken home and doctor was called. Strangely no doctor came to help him. Finally by the time he was taken to hospital, he died on the way.

‘Noor Jehan’, which was released in Pakistan after Sheikh Mukhtar died, on 23rd may 1980, kept the box office registers ringing with cash. In his 40 years’ career he acted in 70 films and under the banner of his own Omar Khayyam Films, he produced 8 films. (Some information from articles by Shirish Kanekar and Jawed Hamid is used here with thanks).

Singer actress Khurshid played the heroine Hameeda’s role and sang good songs too. Here is an edited interview of Khursheed, taken in 1992,by Pakistani journalist, Navid Rasheed (Thanks to Cineplot)..

Khursheed Bano was born as Irshad Begum in Lahore, on 14th April 1914. As a child she resided in the Bhatti Gate area next to Allama Iqbal’s house. The two families were pretty close. Khursheed was a child then. There was no ambition of joining the showbiz bandwagon then and it was by chance that led her to this arena.

Khursheed was very still young when she became an actress in the early 30’s. The era of the silent movies had already ended with the release of ‘Alam Ara’ in 1931 and the Indian film industry was going through a revolution. What set her apart from other heroines were her attractive face and certain flamboyance owing to which she made her presence felt. And then she was very good actress who could be melodramatic and happy-go-lucky with equal ease.

Each star then was required to playback for themselves and Khursheed was lucky to have a good voice. Hence started the brilliant era of some timeless classical and exemplary numbers like “Panchhi Baawraa Chaand Se Preet Lagaaye”.

The graceful and decent actress was luckier to secure some of the best films including ‘Sitaara’, ‘Shaadi’, ‘Musafir’, ‘Pardesi’, ‘Bhagat Surdas’, ‘Dekha Jayega’, ‘Shehanshah Babar’ and ‘Tansen’. ‘Pardesi’ had a very famous soundtrack comprising of memorable numbers by the late actress. In ‘Tansen’ she played the protagonist Tani with Kundan Lal Saigal as Tansen. Together they made indelible performances and the role took her to great heights. She even transcended Saigal with her strong performances and pretty looks and her fans started calling her Tani after that. Her leading men in those days apart from Saigal were Motilal, Ishwar Lal, Nazeer and Sadiq Ali. She made a successful pair with Motilal the most. Her female contemporaries included actresses of caliber like Kanan Bala, Devika Rani, Leela Chitnis, Suraiya, Swaranlata and Noor Jehan. The last three were her juniors.

Khursheed said that there was no such thing as rivalry in those days and actresses worked in close coordination. Abusing, backbiting or gossiping was not amongst their traits. Even the male stars with whom she worked treated her with great respect and there were no scandals.

Though she was an accomplished singer, acting remained her forte and first love. “Singing was a requirement to be a heroine in those days”, she said, “and even heroines with not too good voices were forced to sing if they were to act. But the composers were so good that they managed to get the best out of them then. Each song was recorded after several rehearsals. But I was an actress first and singing was just to complement that.”

Khursheed was not too happy with the way films shaped up in the years to come. So much so that she never wanted to see films anymore. In the interview she expressed her displeasure, “In spite of the resources and much higher budget, there is not a single film maker in the entire sub continent who could make a film even half as good as the films made in my era. Ours were simple films but treated well and had strong content. Plus the hard work and honesty of each unit member reflected in the entire film. This thing is missing now. A film is not only about technique, rather the issue, sensitivity and sincere dedication too.

Following partition in 1947, Khursheed opted to move to Pakistan. She worked in two Pakistani films too – ‘Mandi’ and ‘Fankaar’. But then she decided to quit and tied the knot with a Karachi – based businessman Yousaf Bhai Mian. They had one daughter who lived in the US when the interview was conducted. She then concentrated on her marriage alone and emerged equally successful on the home front as much as she was in films. She was happy that she quit films before their standards declined .

Khursheed died on 18-4-2001 at Lahore.

Khursheed Bano sang about 170 songs in about 40 films in India. Her life and career would have been like any other actor/singer, but for the controversy of her initiation into films as ‘SHEHLA’ ( HFGK writes this name as SHAILA ) at Calcutta between 1931 and 1935. It was finally and conclusively proved by Shri Kamlakar Pasupuleti ji, that Khurshid and Shehla were different and two separate individuals.

The story of film Shahenshah Babar,

The film starts with the march of Babar’s army to India in 1526, with flashbacks of his childhood and activities as an young man. Defeating Ibrahim Khan Lodhi in the battle of Panipat, Babar becomes Emperor of India.

One of his knights Sardar Sheikh has a daughter Hameeda. She and Babar’s son Humayun fall in love and meet often. When Babar comes to know this, he takes a promise from Humayun that he will forget Hameeda. Humayun promises and leaves Hameeda. Heart broken Hameeda is taken by her father to their native place .

Humayun falls ill and is on death bed. To save his life Babar prays to God that he saves Humayun and instead give death to Babar. In addition, he himself goes and brings back Hameeda to Humayun. In few months Humayun gets well, but Babar dies.

I distinctly remember, when I was studying in 5th or 6th standard, we had a lesson “The Power of Prayer” and in this lesson Babar and Humayun’s story was told, how Babar sacrifices his life for son’s life by praying to God. The film too has the same theme. It seems this story is there in ‘Humayun-Nama’ written by Gulbadan Begum, half sister of Humayun. I have not seen this film.

Today’s song is a duet of Zohrabai and Munshi Aziz. The song is written by Pt. Indra.

(Some information has been used, with thanks, from book ‘Forgotten movies on Muslim Culture 1933-1947’, by Shri Kamlakar Pasupuleti ji.)

Audio

Song – Hamen Bhool Mat Jaiyo Raja Ji  (Shahenshah Babar) (1944) Singer – Zohrabai, Munshi Aziz, Lyrics – Pt Indra, Music – Khemchand Prakash

Lyrics

hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

ho raja ji
souten ke lambe lambe kes
o raja ji
souten ke lambe lambe kes
ulajh mat jaee
ulajh mat jaiyo raja ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

o rani ji
jaana padey hai bides
o rani ji
jaana padey hai bides
sandesa deti rahiyo
ho sandesa deti rahiyo rani ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

purab mat jaiyo ho morey raja
purab mat jaiyo ho morey raja
maalan ke teekhe teekhe nain
ho raja ji
maalan ke teekhe teekhe nain
paagal na ban jaiyo
ho paagal na ban jaiyo raja ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

dil to rahega paas tumhaare
dil to rahega paas tumhaare
naadan hai kismet kahiyo
o rani ji
naadan hai kismet kahiyo
sandesa deti rahiyo
ho sandesa deti rahiyo rani ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

dacchin mat jaiyo o morey raja
dacchin mat jaiyo o morey raja
panihaari ki matwaali chaal
ho raja ji
panihaari ki matwaali chaal
machal mat jaiyo
haaye machal mat jaiyo raja ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

pyaasa rahoon par panghat na jaavun
pyaasa rahoon par panghat na jaavun
tum hi pyaas bujhaiyo o rani ji
tum hi pyaas bujhaiyo
sandesa deti rahiyo
ho sandesa deti rahiyo rani ji
hamen bhool mat jaiyo raja ji

———————————————————-
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
———————————————————-

हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

हो राजा जी
सौतन के लंबे लंबे केस
ओ
राजा जी
सौतन के लंबे लंबे केस
उलझ मत जइ
उलझ मत जइयो राजा जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

ओ रानी जी
जाना पड़े है बिदेस
ओ रानी जी
जाना पड़े है बिदेस
सँदेसा देती रहियो
हो सँदेसा देती रहियो रानी जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

पूरब मत जइयो हो मोरे राजा
पूरब मत जइयो हो मोरे राजा
मालन के तीखे तीखे नैन
हो राजा जी
मालन के तीखे तीखे नैन
पागल ना बन जइयो
हो पागल ना बन जइयो राजा जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

दिल तो रहेगा पास तुम्हारे
दिल तो रहेगा पास तुम्हारे
नादाँ है किस्मत कहियों
ओ रानी जी
नादाँ है किस्मत कहियों
सँदेसा देती रहियो
हो सँदेसा देती रहियो रानी जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

दछिन मत जइयो ओ मोरे राजा
दछिन मत जइयो ओ मोरे राजा
पनिहारी की मतवाली चाल
हो राजा जी
पनिहारी की मतवाली चाल
मचल मत जइयो
हाए मचल मत जइयो राजा जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी

प्यासा रहूँ पर पनघट ना जावूँ
प्यासा रहूँ पर पनघट ना जावूँ
तुम ही प्यास बुझइयो ओ रानी जी
तुम ही प्यास बुझइयो
सँदेसा देती रहियो
हो सँदेसा देती रहियो रानी जी
हमें भूल मत जइयो राजा जी