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

This article is written by Sudhir, 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.

Greetings all for the celebration today – the anniversary of declaration of our nation as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.

The Constituent Assembly, consisting of 389 eminent people from across all walks of life and all population segments in the country, was established on 6^th December, 1946. After a string of debates, which included public debates in different parts of the country, the Assembly agreed to adopt our constitution on 6^th November, 1949. And then on 26^th January of 1950, the nation of India, that is Bharat, was declared as being governed according to this document which is the supreme law of our land.

The Preamble to the constitution states the following,

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

The constitution become the bedrock foundation for enunciating all the defining principles of governance and jurisprudence, which in turn form the source of all the laws that apply to our country and its citizens.

In terms of an identity, a nation is characterized and represented by a set of symbols which identify and define it. Wherever we may be in this world, whatever may be the query about what India is, the answers will always be in terms of certain symbols that are constant and do not change – our flag, our national emblem, our national anthem, our currency, and more.

As a matter of fact, symbols and symbolism form a very imperative part of our lives. All around us, in our everyday environment, we encounter a multitude of symbols that relate to every aspect of our lives. They could be fashion brands, corporate houses, currency, governments, services, road traffic – well, just any class and category of ‘things’ in and around our lives. These symbols are significant artifacts that represent, convey, and inspire a plethora of meanings and emotions relating to our everyday lives and experiences. These symbols may be local or universal. Everywhere in the world, the sign of dollar is a symbol for money. Traffic lights and signs are universal symbols, recognized across national boundaries. Emoticons we use every day now in our communications, are symbols that represents emotions, things, communication snippets. I could go on describing, and there would be no end to how symbols have become such an integral and pervasive part of our lives.

In a world we live in – a fragmented world of divisions that are represented and controlled on the basis of multiple criteria. We are a world of nation states. And the world over, the national identities are represented and underscored by a set of symbols. The flags, the emblem, colors, badges, plants/birds/animals – in fact each nation has a collection of symbols to characterize and epitomize its national identity. In our native Hindi, the word for flag is ‘निशान’ (nishan), which is a synonym for ‘symbol’.

National anniversaries are also in the nature of symbols of a nation. The celebrations of these anniversaries represent a dynamic continuity of the national identity across the pages of history. There is an evolution and transformation that happens with time, but the basic elements and definitions remain a constant. That constancy is an edifice of identity and a hallmark of stability and continuity in the matters of everyday interactions in the lives of the people of the nation. The presence of these symbols in our lives, and their everyday transactions, generates in our hearts a comfortable feeling of being – being an Indian.

For example, encountering the flag – our Tricolour, evokes in the heart, overwhelming emotions of pride, honor, affinity, affection and belonging. These symbols have become so much a part of our existence, that inside ourselves very strong emotions are now linked with these symbols. These symbols are now a cornerstone of our and our country’s existence.

The matter of honor and pride, linked with symbols and the emotions that these symbols evoke, has been a matter of very personal and a very human experience all across the history. The song being presented in this post today is a very forceful and compelling testimony on the inherent relationship between symbols and matter of national honor. Here is a brief slice of history representing a true episode from the annals of the Rajput history. As the reader will go through this song, one will find many symbols – that of patriotism, personal relations and personal sacrifices – being invoked.

The episode tells a piece of history, about Haadi Rani, who is now a folk heroine in Rajasthan. Haadi Rani was the daughter of King Haada Chauhan of the Kingdom of Boondi. She was married to Rawat Ratan Singh Chundaawat of Salumber (in Udaipur). Ratan Singh was the commander of the army of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, India was ruled at that time by the sixth Mughal Emperor – Aurangzeb Alamgir.

In a turn of events, the royal Mughal forces invaded Mewar. Maharana Raj Singh sent an urgent emissary to Rawat Ratan Singh, to raise the army and join the battle against Aurangzeb’s forces. As circumstances would have it, Ratan Singh had just been married one week prior. Initially, he was hesitant to leave his newlywed bride, and go to the battlefield. However, Haadi Rani reminded him of his duty towards the king and the kingdom, and prevailed upon him to join the battle. Ratan Singh left Salumber and his bride, and proceeded to join Maharana Raj Singh with his contingent. However, his mind was still engrossed with the amorous affections for Haadi Rani.

Midway from his march towards Udaipur, he sent back a messenger to his palace, with a message for his bride – that she should send him some token symbol of love – ‘प्रेम चिन्ह’, to sustain him through the times he is away from her. On reading the message, Rani sensed the state of mind of her husband, and at first, was quite bewildered as to what she should do. She apprehended that his mind being engrossed with her, he would not be an effective soldier and commander on the battlefield. But quickly she made up her mind, and decided the commit the ultimate sacrifice. She instructed the messenger quite sternly. Then she proceeded to behead herself with a sword. The messenger, very shocked and shaken, followed her instructions, and carried her bleeding head on golden tray, covered with her bridal finery, to Ratan Singh.

Ratan Singh, waiting eagerly for the ‘प्रेम चिन्ह’, received what he never expected in his wildest dreams. Uncovering the tray, he saw the head of his newlywed bride. His grief and his repentance had no bounds, for in a flash he realized what Haadi Rani had done, and why had she done it. As the folklore goes, he picked up the head and slung it around his neck with the tresses that he had once caressed with love. With this demeanor, he launched himself into the battle. It is said that fought valiantly like a man possessed, and led his army to victory against the forces of the Mughal Emperor. Once the victory was attained and the opposition army was in retreat, Ratan Singh alighted from his horse, knelt down on the ground and proceeded to behead himself.

In the intense and turbulent martial history of Rajasthan, this episode stands amongst the most powerful and most emotional, where the honor of the kingdom, and its security is perceived as a paramount commitment, even above personal engagements and requirements. Haadi Rani made the supreme sacrifice for the sake that her commander husband would not be swayed by the thoughts of his recent matrimony, and that the sight that she eventually presented to her husband would have served as a vicious impetus for him to give his utmost in the battle against the enemy.

The symbolism of honor – the trumpets announcing the onset of warfare. The symbolism of love – the ‘प्रेम चिन्ह’ that  Ratan Singh request for. And the symbolism of sacrifice – the ultimate step taken by Haadi Rani. This song converges these symbolisms into itself. A wonderfully emotional and a soul stirring presentation of one of the most chilling episodes of Rajput history.

The song is from the 1965 film ‘Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal’. In the film, the setting of this song is as follows. A group of students, including Tanuja, Rajeev and Raj Kishore, are visiting another college in another city, for the annual festival of the latter college. As part of the program, all participant colleges are to present a stage item at the festival. This performance is presented by the protagonist group. In the film, Rajeev is the creative spirit of the team, and he completes the writing of this poem just in time for preparing the performance. On stage, the role of Haadi Rani is played by Tanuja, and that of Rawat Ratan Singh by Raj Kishore. We can see Rajeev doing the rendition of the poem on the mike placed in the wings of the stage.

The words of this poem are written by Manmohan Tiwari, the only song of this film that is not written by Neeraj. Music composition is by Roshan. The singing voice is of Manna Dey – the song has been rendered with such flourish and emotional dexterity.

A stirring reminder again today, the price of breathing in free air is defined through examples like this episode from our history. The finale of the song brings us back into convergence of the historical and the present tense – “O Bharat Maa Teri Jai Ho”.

Whatever else may be our compulsions, our personal motivations, our limitations, our interests, I am sure none of us differs about this sentiment – “O Bharat Maa Teri Jai Ho”.

[Ed Note: With this post, all songs of this film are now represented on our blog. The film ‘Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal’ is now yippeee’d.]

Song – Thi Shubh Suhaag Ki Raat Madhur  (Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal) (1965) Singer – Manna Dey, Lyrics – Manmohan Tiwari, MD – Roshan

Lyrics (Provided by Avinash Scrapwala)

thi shubh suhaag ki raat madhur
madhu chalak rahaa tha kan kan mein
sapne jagtey the nainon mein
armaan machaltey the mann mein
sardaar magan mann jhoom raha
pal pal har ang phadakta tha
honthon par pyaas mahakti thi
praanon mein pyaar dhadakta tha
tab hi ghunghat mein muskaati

tab hi ghunghat mein muskaati
pag paayal cham cham chamkaati
raani antahpur mein aayi
kuch sakuchaati kuch sharmaati

mehndi se haath rache donon
maathe par kumkum ka teeka
gora mukhda muskaa de to
poonam ka chaand lagey pheeka
dheere se badh choodavat ne

dheere se badh choodavat ne
raani ka ghunghat pat khola
nas nas mein kaundh gayi bijli
peepal patte sa tan dola

adharon se adhar miley jab tak
lajja ke toote chhand band
rann-bigul dwaar par goonj uthaa aa
rann-bigul dwaar par goonj uthaa
shehnaayi ka swar huaa mand
bhuj bandhan bhoola aalingan
aalingan bhool gaya chumban
chumban ko bhool gayi saansen
saanson ko bhool gayi dhadkan
taj kar suhaag ki sej saji

taj kar suhaag ki sej saji
bola aa na yuddh ko jaaunga
teri kajraari alkon mein
mann moti aaj guthaaunga

pehle to raani rahi maun
phir kaal jwaal si bhabhak utthi
bin baadal bin barkhaa maano
kya bijli koyi kadak utthi
ghayal naagan si bhaunh taan
ghunghat ukhaadkar yoon boli
talwaar mujhe de do apni
tum pehan raho choodi choli
pinjde mein koyi band sher

pinjde mein koyi band sher
sehsa sote se jaag utthe
yaa aandhi andhad saath liye
jaise pahaad se aag utthe

ho gaya khadaa tan kar ranaa
haathon mein bhaala utthaa liya
har har bam bam bam mahadev
har har bam bam bam mahadev
kah kar rann ko prasthaan kiya

dekha pati ka jab veer vesh
pehle to raani harshaayi
phir sehmi tthitthki akulaayi
aankhon mein badli ghir aayi
paagal si gayi jharokhe par

paagal si gayi jharokhe par
par-kite hansini thi adheer
ghodey par chadhaa dikhaa ranaa
jaise kamaan par chadhaa teer

donon ki aankhen huyi chaar
choodavat phir sudhbudh khoyi
sandesh pathaa kar raani ko
mangwaaya prem chinh koi

sewak ja pahunchaa mehlon mein
raani se maangi sainaani
raani jhijhki phir cheekh utthi
boli kah de mar gayi raani

le khadag haath
phir kahaa thahar
le sainaani
le sainaani
ambar bola
le sainaani
dharti boli
le sainaani

rakh kar chaandi ki thaali mein
sewak bhaaga le sainaani
ranaa adheer bola badhkar
laa
laa
laa
laa
laa sainaani

kapda jab magar hataaya to
rah gaya khada moorat ban kar
lahuluhaan raani ka sir
hansta tha rakha thaali par
sardaar dekh kar chitkaar uttha
haa raani
haa meri raani
adbhut hai teri qurbaani
tu sach much hi hai kshatraani

phir ed lagaayi ghode par
dharti boli jai ho jai ho
haadi raani teri jai ho
o bharat maa teri jai ho
o bharat maa teri jai ho o
teri jai ho
o bharat maa teri jai ho o

————————————————————————————-
Devnagri Script lyrics (Provided by Avinash Scrapwala)
————————————————————————————-

थी शुभ सुहाग कि रात मधुर
मधु छलक रहा था कण कण में
सपने जगते थे नैनों में
अरमान मचलते थे मन में
सरदार मगन मन झूम रहा
पल पल हर अंग फड़कता था
होंठों पर प्यास महकती थी
प्राणों में प्यार धड़कता था
तब ही घूँघट में मुस्काती

तब ही घूँघट में मुस्काती
पग पायल छम छम छमकाती
रानी अन्तःपुर में आयी
कुछ सकुचाती कुछ शरमाती

मेहँदी से हाथ रचे दोनों
माथे पर कुमकुम का टिका
गोरा मुखड़ा मुस्का दे तो
पूनम का चाँद लगे फीका
धीरे से बढ़ चूंडावत ने

धीरे से बढ़ चूंडावत ने
रानी का घूँघट पट खोला
नस नस में कौंध गयी बिजली
पीपल पत्ते सा तन डोला

अधरों से अधर मिले जब तक
लज्जा के टूटे छंद बन्द
रण बिगुल द्वार पर गूँज उठा आ

रण बिगुल द्वार पर गूँज उठा
शहनाई का स्वर हुआ मन्द
भुज बंधन भूला आलिंगन
आलिंगन भूल गया चुम्बन
चुम्बन को भूल गयी साँसें
साँसों को भूल गयी धड़कन
तज कर सुहाग कि सेज सजी

तज कर सुहाग कि सेज सजी
बोला॰॰आ न युद्ध को जाऊँगा
तेरी कजरारी अलकों में
मन मोती आज गुंथाऊंगा

पहले तो रानी रही मौन
फिर काल ज्वाल सी भभक उठी
बिन बादल बिन बरखा मानो
क्या बिजली कोई कड़क उठी
घायल नागन सी भौंह तान
घूँघट उखाड़कर यूं बोली
तलवार मुझे दे दो अपनी
तुम पहन रहो चूड़ी चोली
पिंजड़े में कोई बंद शेर

पिंजड़े में कोई बंद शेर
सहसा सोते से जाग उठे
या आंधी अंधड़ साथ लिए
जैसे पहाड़ से आग उठे

हो गया खडा तन कर राणा
हाथों में भाला उठा लिया
हर हर बम बम बम महादेव
हर हर बम बम बम महादेव
कह कर रण को प्रस्थान किया

देखा पति का जब वीर वेश
पहले तो रानी हर्षाई
फिर सहमी ठिठकी अकुलाई
आँखों में बदली घिर आई
पागल सी गयी झरोखे पर

पागल सी गयी झरोखे पर
पर-कटी हंसनी थी अधीर
घोडे पर चढ़ा दिखा राणा
जैसे कमान पर चढ़ा तीर

दोनों कि आँखें हुयी चार
चूंडावत फिर सुधबुध खोयी
सन्देश पठा कर रानी को
मंगवाया प्रेमचिन्ह कोई

सेवक जा पहुंचा महलों में
रानी से मांगी सैनाणी
रानी झिझकी फिर चीख उठी
बोली कह दे मर गयी रानी

ले खड्ग हाथ
फिर कहा ठहर
ले सैनाणी
ले सैनाणी
अम्बर बोला
ले सैनाणी
धरती बोली
ले सैनाणी

रख कर चांदी कि थाली में
सेवक भागा ले सैनाणी
राणा अधीर बोला बढ़कर
ला
ला
ला
ला
ला सैनाणी

कपडा जब मगर हटाया तो
रह गया खडा मूरत बन कर
लहुलुहान रानी का सर
हंसता था रक्खा थाली पर

सरदार देख कर चीत्कार उठा
हा रानी
हा मेरी रानी
अद्भुत है तेरी कुर्बानी
तू सचमुच ही है क्षत्राणी

फिर एड़ लगाई घोड़े पर
धरती बोली जय हो जय हो
हाड़ी रानी तेरी जय हो
ओ भारत माँ तेरी जय हो ओ
ओ भारत माँ तेरी जय हो
तेरी जय हो
ओ भारत माँ तेरी जय हो