The Unparalleled and Unforgettable -Madan Mohan

It is Madan Mohan's birthday today and I wanted to write this in dedication to his craft and genius. Such was his craft, that his music made each word of the song stand out. For those who may not know him by name would still know his songs very well - the highly popular Lag ja gale or the music of Veer Zaara is a perfect example of his musical genius.

The list of his songs is astonishing and many are highly popular. Lag ja gale, Har taraf ab yahi afsaane hain, naina barse rimjhim, tu jahaan jahaan chalega, tum jo mil gaye ho - the mesmerizing moments are endless.

I am sharing 5 of my favourites - this by no means is an easy feat considering that I love most of his songs. I have selected the ones that are not heard often. As I have found solace in them, may you enjoy their soothing company too.

Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna:

A masterpiece by Kaifi Azmi sahab, sung beautifully by Lata Mangeshkar, this song was released in the movie Hanste Zakhm in year 1973. All the songs of this movie are fabulous but this is special - this takes you to those quiet melancholic corners of your life,  reminding you of those moments of longing and love.

दिल में तुम्ही बसे हो, रहा आँचल वो भर चुका है
कहाँ इतनी ख़ुशी छुपायेंगे
बेताब दिल की तमन्ना यही है, तुम्हें चाहेंगे, तुम्हें पूजेंगे , तुम्हें अपना ख़ुदा बनाएंगे

Mai ree, main kaase kahoon peer apne jiya ki

This song penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri is from the National Award winning movie - Dastak that was released in 1970. The cast, film maker, director and Madan Mohan - all won National awards for their work in this film. No other song expresses the helplessness of a woman who despite being in proximity of the man she loves, feels disconnected from him. There are two versions of this song, one by Lata Mangeshkar and the other by Madan Mohan himself and his version has a folk song feel to it. I love both but have a special place reserved in my heart for the Madan Mohan version.

I also think that some songs are not meant to be seen - they should just be felt and this is one of those.

आँखों में चलते फिरते, रोज मिले पिया बाँवरे
बैयाँ की छैंयाँ आके मिलते नहीं कभी साँवरे
दुःख ये मिलन का लेके काह करूँ कहाँ जाऊं रे
पाकर भी नाहीं उनको मैं पाती
माई री, मैं का से कहूँ पीड़ अपने जिया की

Zara Si Aahat

Ironically, those who have seen Priya Raajvansh movies would agree with a sigh that she has some of the best songs of this era picturised on her. Songs from Hanste Zakhm, Haqeeqat, Heer Raanjha are great examples of that. Zara si Aahat is another masterpiece from the pen of Kaifi sahab and was released in the 1964 movie - Haqeeqat made on Indo China war.

The song reminds me of the freshness that love brings along. Interestingly when I had first heard it as a little girl, i was reminded of the fresh fragrance of flowers. How beautifully Lata Mangeshkar has sung this - I think this is one of her best.

शक्ल फिरती है निग़ाहों में वही प्यारी सी
मेरी नस नस में मचलने लगी चिंगारी सी,
छू गयी जिस्म मेरा, किसके दामन की हवा
कहीं ये वो तो नहीं, कहीं ये वो तो नहीं
ज़रा सी आहट होती है तो दिल सोचता है, कहीं ये वो तो नहीं

Tujhe kya sunaaoon main dilruba

Ufff, how does one write anything about this song. An absolutely gorgeous romantic song sung by Rafi sahab, I feel goosebumps everytime I listen to this. This appears in 1958 Aakhri Dao and was penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. I doubt if there is a more beautiful form of expression of one's love for his beloved :)
PS: Credit to my sister to help me on deciding to include this in my list - I was getting restless by trying to do a futile comparison between this and main nigaahein tere chehre se hataoon kaise - another classic romantic track.

तुझे क्या सुनाऊँ मैं दिलरुबा, तेरे सामने मेरा हाल है 

तेरी इक निग़ाह की बात है, मेरी ज़िन्दगी का सवाल है 

मेरी हर ख़ुशी तेरे दम से है, मेरी ज़िन्दगी तेरे दम से है

तेरे दर्द से रहे बेख़बर, मेरे दिल की कब ये मज़ाल है 

Meri duniya mein tum aaye

This song was released in the 1970 movie Heer Raanjha that was a unique film as its dialogues were all in verse written by Kaifi sahab. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, this song is of a quality that dreams are made of and what to say about the expertise of Madan Mohan who was able to compose this dialogue verse into a beautiful song.

तन्हा तन्हा, खोया खोया, दिल में दिल की बात लिए 

कब से यूँही फिरता था मैं, अरमां की बारात लिए 

मेरी दुनिया में तुम आयी, क्या क्या अपने साथ लिए 

 As Majrooh sahab wrote:

हमारे बाद महफ़िल में अब अफ़साने बयां होंगे
बहारें हम को ढूंढेंगी, न जाने हम कहाँ होंगे
इसी अंदाज़ से झूमेगा मौसम,गायेगी दुनिया
मोहब्बत फिर हंसी होगी नज़ारे फिर जवां होंगे
बहारें हम को ढूंढेंगी, न जाने हम कहाँ होंगे

To our music maestros...