Sansaar ki har shai kaa itnaa hi fasaanaa hai
ek dhundh se aanaa hai ek dhundh mein jaanaa hai…
This beautiful, philosophical song sung by Mahendra Kapoor from the film Dhund (1973) is another of my favourite MK songs. I thought of this yesterday as I was writing about Chalo Ek Baar Phir se.
Dhund is a whodunnit movie based on an Agatha Christie play starring Sanjay Khan, Danny Denzongpa, Navin Nischal and Zeenat Aman and is directed by Danny Denzongpa is murdered in an isolated cottage and this is discovered by a stranger (Navin Nischal) whose car has broken down and Zeenat Aman (Danny’s wife) is standing besides the dead body claiming that she has killed her husband. So who killed Danny forms the rest of the movie.
It is again Mahendra Kapoor – Ravi – Sahir Ludhianvi combination. Not surprising as all the three were regulars in the B.R. Chopra camp. This song interestingly is not picturised on any hero or heroine. It is played during the opening credits of the movie; setting the tone for what the viewer should expect.. As the name of the movie suggests, the setting is that of a foggy mountain town during sunrise. The panoramic view that the camera takes of the mountains, trees, and the sun on this foggy morning give this song a universal flavour.
sansaar ki har shai kaa itnaa hi fasaanaa hai
ek dhundh se aanaa hai ek dhundh mein jaanaa hai
ye raah kahaan se hai ye raah kahaan tak hai
ye raaz koi raahi samjhaa hai na jaanaa hai
sansaar ki har shai kaa itnaa hi fasaanaa hai
ek dhundh se aanaa hai ek dhundh mein jaanaa hai
ek pal ki palak par hai thahri huyi ye duniyaa
ek pal ke jhapakne tak har khel suhaanaa hai
sansaar ki har shai kaa itnaa hi fasaanaa hai
ek dhundh se aanaa hai ek dhundh mein jaanaa hai
kyaa jaane koi kis pal kis mod pe kyaa beete
is raah mein ai raahi har mod bahaanaa hai
sansaar ki har shai kaa itnaa hi fasaanaa hai
ek dhundh se aanaa hai ek dhundh mein jaanaa hai
lalalalalalalala
lalalalalalala lalalalala
Hum Log Khilone Ek Aise Khiladi Ke
Jisko Abhi Sadiyon Tak Yeh Khel Rachana hai…
We know not where we are going and we know not what lies ahead of us in the future. The future is indeed very foggy. Our present and our now is temporary. Within the blink of an eye, the present can change. The going may be good but this is temporary. We are puppets in the hands of a puppeteer, who will continue his fame for centuries to come. These words definitely go way past the scope of the movie and talk about life in general for sure.
As I was reading the lyrics, I couldnt help note the parallel to that Sahir-Ravi gem from Waqt – Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu Peeche Bhi Jaane Na Tu.
I am not going to go into the song and its placement in that wonderful blockbuster Waqt. That calls for an entire post of its own; after all it is the baap of all lost and found movies in Bollywood – a formula later mastered to perfection by Manmohan Desai. Digressions aside, this song is in the same philosphical vein and in a way is a precursor to the Dhund song.
aage bhi
jaane na tu
peechhe bhi
jaane na tu
jo bhi hai
bas yahi ek pal hai
aage bhi
jaane na tu
peechhe bhi
jaane na tu
jo bhi hai
bas yahi ek pal hai
aage bhi jaane na tu
We do not know what lies ahead; we do not know what is past; but what we have is the present. The Now!
anjaane saayon kaa
raahon mein deraa hai
andekhi baahon ne
ham sabko gheraa hai
ye pal ujaalaa hai
baaqi andheraa hai
ye pal ganvaanaa na
ye pal hi teraa hai
The theme of uncertainty and fogginess is alluded to – Anjaan Saayein and Andekhi Baahein. It is only this moment that matters and the poet is advising to live in the present. This “live in the moment” philosophy is possibly Sahir’s own as it finds reflection in so many songs that he has penned.
Another gem that comes to mind almost immediately is Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya from Hum Dono (1961).
Do I need to even go into this one? Picturised on Dev Anand, sung by the inimitable (and my all time favourite) Mohd Rafi Saab with music by Jaidev, this one is a gem from Hum Dono (1961).
I just leave you with its evocative lyrics!
Mai.N zindagii ka saath nibhaataa chalaa gayaa
I faithfully followed wherever life took me
Har fikr ko dhuei.N mei.N uDaataa chalaa gayaa
I blew every worry into a mist of smoke
Barbaadiyo.N ka shok manaanaa fizuul tha
It was pointless to grieve about my destruction,
Barbaadiyo.N ka jashn manaataa chalaa gayaa
So I kept making a celebration of my destruction!
Har fikr ko dhuei.N mei.N uDaataa chalaa gayaa
I blew every worry into a mist of smoke
Jo mil gayaa usii ko muqaddar samajh liyaa
Whatever came my way I considered to be my destiny
Jo kho gayaa mei.N usko bhulaataa chalaa gayaa
Whatever was lost to me, I kept putting out of my mind.
Har fikr ko dhuei.N mei.N uDaataa chalaa gayaa
I blew every worry into a mist of smoke
Gham aur khushi mei.N farq na mehsuus ho jahaa.N
That state where happiness and sorrow are indistinguishable
Mai.N dil ko us muqaam pe laataa chalaa gayaa
That realm is where I kept pushing my heart
Har fikr ko dhuei.N mei.N uDaataa chalaa gayaa
I blew every worry into a mist of smoke
While yes, all these songs mentioned above are in theme with the respective movies they are from, it wont be too far to assume that somewhere the poet who penned them expressed the same world view?
Hope you have a nice day!
Songs, Stories, Books and more... 
Mmm. Lovely. Three of my favourite songs (I’ve actually lost count of the number of lists in which I’ve included Aage bhi jaane na tu), and by my favourite lyricist, too. Allow me to add one more song, also by Sahir. It is earlier than all of these, but has the same sentiment: life is evanescent, and there’s no knowing whether one will be around tomorrow – so enjoy it while you can. Ae meri zindagi, from Taxi Driver:
oh oh yes! Ae meri Zindagi is also by Sahir! Just heard it earlier in the day – came up in my S.D.Burman playlist. I dont even want to start on Sahir – wouldnt know where to stop! Each and every song I have loved seems to be by this man. I have to read the book on him by Akshay Manwani soon. Lets hope the book isnt a disappointment! Thanks 🙂
I hope you like the book! I did (reviewed it on my blog, too), even though it did have its flaws. Of course, considering I’m such a fan of Sahir’s, I would probably have gladly read any book about him.
Oh, have you reviewed the book? I will check your review out. But flaws or no flaws, I will read this Sahir book – Sahir is my favourite lyricist! I read your review of the Sathya Saran book on SDB and decided against reading it. Your critique about the structure and the style and little chronology in that book was what helped me make up my mind. A biography has to have dates and facts and follow some kind of structure, imo. Maybe I shall read it later but not for now!