Hindi cinema has been blessed to have a variety of lyricists who teamed up with music directors to deliver the best of songs. Majrooh Sultanpuri (MS – born as Asrar ul Hassan Khan) was one of the successful and prolific lyricists who had a long career from the 1940s till 2000. He made his debut with the 1946 film Shahjehan (starring K L Saigal) with music by Naushad. A master of Urdu poetry, he wrote many memorable songs.
MS went on to work with the dominant music directors of that era including O. P. Nayyar, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, Roshan, and right up to Jatin Lalit and A.R. Rahman. He won the Filmfare award for Chahunga main tujhe (Dosti – 1964) and was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1993. He passed away on 24 May 2000, today being his death anniversary.
Today’s post is a tribute to this celebrated lyricist through a set of his songs. All these songs are based on the give and take concept. It’s as if the hero and heroine are having a lively conversation. Hope you enjoy!
1) Song: Chhod Do Aanchal
Film: Paying Guest (1957)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
This was probably the first of such songs written by MS. Dev Anand and Nutan enact this romantic song on screen. She admonishes him to behave and he responds to her. A lovely give and take follows.
Main Chalee…Main Chalee Ab Khub Chhedo Pyar Ke Afsaane,
Kuch Mausam Hai Diwaana Kuch Tum Bhi Ho Diwaane,
Zara Sunana Jane Tamanna O Zara Sunana Jane Tamanna,
Itna To Soch Ye Mausam Suhaana Kya Kahega,
O O O Chhod Do Aanchal Zamaana Kya Kahega,
Ha Ha Ha Inn Adaaon Kaa Zamaana Bhee Hai Diwaana
Diwaana Kya Kahega,
2) Song: Ankhon Mein Kya Ji
Film: Nau Do Gyarah (1957)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik feature in this question answer format of a song. She sings a line, he follows up with the next and so on. They are strangers but circumstances have led them to travel together. There is an indirect reference to romance in the lyrics. The picturization is also impressive by Vijay Anand who made his debut with this film.
Rangi hai mausam,
Tere dam ki bahaar hai,
Phir bhi hai kuchh kum,
Bas teraa itazaar hai
Dekhane me bhole ho par ho bade Chanchal,
Aanchal me kyaa ji,
Ajab si hulchul
Aankhon me kyaa ji,
Rupahalaa baadal,
Baadal me kyaa ji,
Kisi kaa aanchal,
Aanchal me kyaa ji,
Ajab si hulchul
3) Song: Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka
Film: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
This is a rocking fun song in a madcap of a movie. And with Kishore Kumar and Madhubala sharing screen, their chemistry is a delight to watch. The couple tease each other and seem to be enjoying so much. The lyrics, music, singing is all well blended.
Haal kaisa hai janaab kaa,
Kya khayaal hai aap kaa,
Tum to machal gaye ho ho ho
Yun hi fisal gaye haa haa haa
Bahaki bahaki chale hai pawan,
Jo ude hai tera aanchal,
Chhodo chhodo dekho dekho,
Gore gore kaale kaale baadal,
Kabhi kuchh kehati hai, Kabhi kuchh kehati hai
Zara nazar ko sabhalna,
Haal kaisa hai janaab kaa..
4) Song: Achchaa Ji Main Hari
Film: Kala Pani (1958)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle
Madhubala once again, this time with Dev Anand. This is a roothna manana song where the heroine is trying to pacify the hero. There is a pleading and retort in the lyrics. The impressive singing and the picturization bring the song to life.
Achchaa Ji Main Haari, Chalo Maan Jaao Naa,
Dekhi Sabaki Yaari, Meraa Dil Jalaao Naa,
Chhote Se Kasoor Pe, Aise Ho Khafaa,
Roothe To Huzoor The, Meri Kyaa Khataa,
Dekho Dil Naa Todo,Chhodo Haath Chhodo
Dekho Dil Na Todo, Are! Chhodo Haath Chhodo
Chhod Diyaa To Haath Maloge Samajhe?
Ajii Samajhe!
5) Song: Chhedo Na Meri Zulfein
Film: Ganga Ki Lehren (1964)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Chitragupt | Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
The first four songs were by the same music director S. D. Burman. This one is by Chitragupt with whom MS worked in many films. The lyrics remind you of Chhod do aanchal with its tone. It features Kishore Kumar and Kumkum engaged in a romantic give and take.
Chhedo na meri zulfein,
Sab log kya kahenge,
Sab log kya kahenge,
Hum ko deewana tum ko,
Kaali ghata kahenge,
Kaali ghata kahenge
6) Song: Likha hai Teri Ankhon Mein
Film: Teen Deviyan (1965)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
This seems to be becoming a MS – S.D. Burman combo list! In another hit song, Dev Anand and Nanda are out in the fields. She asks him a question and he responds to her lightheartedly.
Likha Hai Teri Ankhon Mein Kisjka Afsana,
Agar Ise Samajh Sako, Mujhe Bhi Samjhana
7) Song: O Haseena Zulfo Waali
Film: Teesri Manzil (1966)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle
MS and R.D. Burman had a long association primarily in films by Nasir Hussain like Teesri Manzil, Pyar Ka Mausam, Caravan etc. This is a dance number but the format is conversational. Shammi Kapoor teams up with Helen as Asha Parekh watches their performance in this evergreen number.
O Hasina Zulfo Waali Jaanejahan,
Dhundhatee Hain Kaafir Aankhen Kiska Nishaan,
Mehfil Mehfil Ae Shama Phirtee Ho Kaha,
Woh Anjaana Dhundhatee Hu, Woh Dewaana Dhundhatee Hu,
Jalaakar Jo Chhip Gaya Hai, Woh Parwaana Dhundhatee Hu
8) Song: Palkon Ke Peechhe Se
Film: Talash (1969)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
This is a song where the hero (Rajendra Kumar) and heroine (Sharmila Tagore) admit their love. There is a bit of hesitation with acceptance in the lyrics. A melodious and a colorful song set in scenic Kashmir.
Palkon ke peechhe se kya tum ne keh daala,
Phir se to farmana,
Nainon ne sapnon ki mehfil sajaayi hai,
Tum bhi zaroor aanaa
9) Song: Bhali Bhali Si Ek Surat
Film: Buddha Mil Gaya (1971)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
This song has a mischievous tone. To tease each other, the hero and the heroine describe an imaginary “dilruba” as a perfect person. I wonder how much a lyricist has to think to come up with the perfect lyrics for every situation!
Bhali bhali si ek surat,
Bhala sa ek naam,
Dhadkan hai mere dil ki,
Subah ho ya shaam,
Kaun hai woh dilruba,
Arey kaho na humse zara
10) Song: Teri Bindiya Re
Film: Abhimaan (1973)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | S. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
And the last song is of a newly married couple. It’s their marriage celebration party. A nice give and take song that brings out the emotion of love between the 2 characters. A cleverly written song when you consider its structure.
Teri bindiya re, re aay haay, teri bindiya re,
Sajan bindiya le legi teri nindiya,
Re aay haay, teri bindiya re
Cine Gaurav 