Over the years, readers have suggested themes which then appeared on the blog as posts with due credit to them of course. And there were three such suggestions pending from my side to be completed. Today finally it’s time to post a list for the first suggestion.
It was about a year and a half (yes, you read it correctly) that one of the senior dermatologists, Dr A P Kulkarni suggested a theme. He sent me three songs. The songs had a common thread of course. I can summarise the theme as ‘Please Let Me Go’ and ‘Please Don’t Leave’. The songs he suggested were, Jadugar Saiyan Chhodo Mori Baiyan which falls in the former category while the other songs, Abhi Na Jao chhodkar and Aaj Ki Mulaqat Bas Itni had both the elements. The lady requesting her beloved to let her go and the latter requesting in turn not to leave him.
Over the months, though I kept on remembering the theme, I couldn’t actually get around doing it.
Last month when I was randomly scrolling on WhatsApp, I suddenly remembered about it and checked my previous conversations with him to find it. Before starting the post, I would like to thank him for suggesting the theme to me.
In general, I thought it sounded like a good theme and the majority of songs pertaining to the category are popular. And may not be large in number.
During a rendezvous, it happens that the lady has been away from home for a while and her parents are unaware of the situation. This compels her to return to her home in time to avoid untoward effects. But the gentleman wants his beloved to be with him for a little more time. Usually he is head over heels in love with her and wants to be with her. There’s usually no one to question him for being late, or he doesn’t care much if at all someone pokes his/ her nose. So he has an advantage. This would be the most common scenario on today’s list as well. There are a couple of songs on the list which are picturized on on screen married couples as well. Though initially I had thought of limiting the situations to joyous rendezvous only, other situations ultimately made an appearance in due course. More elaboration on those in individual songs. In addition the song should talk about leaving early and requesting not to leave from the expected parties. The one who’s requesting would make an attempt for or pursue the other for not leaving so soon. Or would convey why one needs to leave early and can’t stay back. So the center of conversation in the song should be their meeting or their being together.
Of course all songs like the word ‘Ruk’ don’t fit here. So songs like, ‘Thoda Ruk Jayegi To Tera Kya Jayega’ from Patanga or ‘Ruk Jana O Jana’ from Warrant don’t fall in this category as it’s not a rendezvous. It’s more of pestering and teasing than requesting to stay back. Similarly, Jane Do Na though sounds like a befitting song, actually has more of sensuous appeal than actual request. So such songs are not a part of this post either.
So without wasting time, let’s visit the list. The songs are arranged in no particular order, though the ones suggested by Dr Kulkarni appear in the beginning.
1. Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar – Hum Dono (1961) Rafi & Asha Bhosle / Jaidev – Sahir
It’s quite an obvious choice to start the list, isn’t it? One of the finest examples of the theme. Handsome Dev Anand requests the gorgeous Sadhana to stay back a bit as his mind is still not satisfied, not replete yet. She has just arrived, let the air be fragrant, let his eyes be intoxicated, let the evening be over, let him live a little while, nothing is said, nothing has he heard yet. He’s not yet satisfied. The lady however has many things to think of. The stars are shining, the lamps are lit, please let her go, if she doesn’t leave, she will be unable to go ever, the unending story of his unsatisfied mind will never be complete. The conversation goes on between the lovers to end with ‘this is love, not a complaint’. Don’t mind his words.
Though it was a bit difficult to translate it, I tried it. One of the most romantic duets of all times, the list would have been incomplete without it.
2. Aaj Ki Mulaqat Bas Itni – (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Mahendra Kapoor / Ravi – Rajendra Krishan
This song again portrays a conversation between two lovers, the lady requesting his beloved to end the rendezvous while he’s making her remember his love for her. When he asks for a meeting for a long time, she replies, he has to bear with her tantrums if he’s in real love. The conversation is obviously in a light hearted mood, and there’s no cursing or complaint.
3. Jadugar Saiyan Chhodo Mori Baiyan – Nagin (1954) Lata Mangeshkar / Hemant Kumar – Rajendra Krishan
In this song, the lady requests her beloved to let her go as it’s already midnight. The gentleman however doesn’t sing with her. He keeps on trying to stop her. Nagin was a movie depicting the rivalry between two tribes of snake charmers. The lead pair of course belongs to the opposite tribes. Mala (Vyjayanti Mala) is crazy for the ‘been’ played by Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) and never manages to stop herself whenever he plays it. They meet secretly daily and his playing the ‘been’ (pungi) enchants her. The movie had one of the top notch scores composed by Hemant Kumar and was one of the main attractions for the audience.
4. Ruk Jao Na Jee – Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) Asha Bhosle / S D Burman – Majrooh
Beautiful Madhubala trying to seduce Sajjan as a part of a trap. The faux romance is fantastically supported by this song where Madhubala sounds very desperate to stop Sajjan. The latter doesn’t reciprocate, he seems to be alert. Perhaps he’s aware of the trap. Asha Bhosle has added her special touch in the verses that makes the song more intoxicating.
5. Na Jao Saiyan Chhuda Ke Baiyan – Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (1963) Geeta Dutt / Hemant Kumar – Shakeel Badayuni
A song picturised on an on-screen married couple, but unfortunately in a melancholy mood. Meena Kumari’s Chhoti Bahu is one of her finest performances. A desperate wife longing for her husband, who’s otherwise indifferent to her and spends time with nautch girls. Finally Chhoti Bahu attempts drinking liquor so as to engage her husband. The man however, not conducive, ignores her. In an intoxicated state, Chhoti Bahu attempts to stop him. One of the best and popular songs of Geeta Dutt, Meena Kumari on screen literally lives the character.
6. Kahan Jate Ho Saiyan – Do Gunde (1955) Asha Bhosle / Ghulam Mohammad – Shakeel Badayuni
Do Gunde was an obscure film portraying a story of two friends, played by Ajit and Raj Kumar. It’s mainly remembered now for its songs. This is the second song on today’s list that’s picturised on an on-screen married couple, Kumkum and Raj Kumar. The newly wed bride pursues her husband not to leave the home. She will use her feminine armamentarium to hold him back home if circumstances demand, she adds as she sings.
The song is a delight to watch and listen to, as Kumkum’s lively presence brightens it and Asha Bhosle’s flawless rendition enhances the effects. Ghulam Mohammad’s dholak and other instrumental arrangements are easy on the ears.
7. O Aanewale Ruk Ja Koi Dum – Devdas (1955) Lata Mangeshkar / S D Burman – Sahir
Here’s the first variation of the theme. There are no lovers or married couples in the song, but a courtesan singing for her distinguished client. Devdas is in despair, his beloved Paro has married another man. His friend Chunnilal gets him to the famous Chandramukhi, who is supposed to help him get out of his disturbed temperament. She lures him by her dance and song, asking him to be there for a while and the outside worries will not touch him. She offers a number of excuses to be there with her. Disinterested Devdas, however, is neither amused nor excited. It’s just after her singing is over that he happens to confront a shehnai being played at a marriage ceremony which he can’t bear and straightly he goes to alcohol.
8. Na Dir Deem Tana Dere Na – Pardesi (1957) Lata Mangeshkar / Anil Biswas – Prem Dhawan
The film Pardesi was based on a travelogue ‘A Journey Beyond Three Seas’ by a Russian voyager, Afnasi Nikitin. It was made in collaboration with Mosfilm studios, Russia. It featured Nargis, Padmini and Balraj Sahni in main roles and the Russian version was colour. Padmini is in love with Oleg Stritzhenov and is requesting him not to leave her. She adds how dedicated she is to him.
Padmini, who plays a court dancer in the film, has performed impressively in the dance. What can I say about Lata Mangeshkar! She is absolutely amazing. Tabla, dholak and ghungaroo all amalgamate very well as instrumental support.
9. Ae Ri Jane Na Doongi – Chitralekha (1966) Lata Mangeshkar / Roshan – Sahir
And now a song where a lady announces that she will not leave her beloved. A different scenario! Chitralekha, a dancer in Patliputra, and Beejgupt, the prince, both get attracted to each other. And their love is not superficial, the feelings are true and mature. Chitralekha in the song says about her idea for the rendezvous and how she will get ready for it.
10. Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Sham – Humjoli (1970) Rafi & Asha Bhosle / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
And, to end the list yet another iconic and popular song, though not lyrically great. It’s been popular over all these years. Jitendra and Leena Chandawarkar open the song while playing badminton. She keeps on requesting him to let her go, but throughout the song they keep on conversing about each other’s habits, his of talking endlessly and her of making excuses always to go early. Here’s the link for the video song.
Would you add a song?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs vests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.