I wonder how many of us think of the lyricist when we listen to Hindi film songs! We do appreciate the tune, the orchestration, the singer’s rendition and expressions. But the emotions a lyricist pens down, the poetic way of arranging the rhyming words, the simile or a metaphor that he uses to convey the apt feeling are actually equally important.
I have always been keen on publishing posts on the lyricists as they are often an overlooked aspect of a Hindi film song. Still it’s been 3 years since a post on lyricist was published on the blog.
Image source – Internet
9th March marks the birth anniversary of lyricist, Qamar Jalalabadi, who in spite of penning a number of popular and meaningful songs across all the genres, never received a Filmfare award for best lyrics. He was at home with romantic songs aa well as soulful, melancholic songs. He wrote comic songs equally well. He was prolific, but never got his due. He was said to be a quiet person, keeping his profession as his priority, giving equal attention to his family as well. He would prefer spending time with his family than attending a filmy party with a drink in his hand.
Qamar Jalalabadi was born as Omprakash Bhandari in a Punjabi family in Jalalabad (now in Afghanistan) on 9th March 1917. It was his flair for poetry that he began writing in Urdu at a tender age when he was a school boy. It was a shayar called Amar (a few sources mention Amarchand), who recognised the talent the lad had! He not only encouraged him but also bestowed upon him a pseudonym, ‘Qamar’ which means the Moon in Urdu. Omprakash added Jalalabadi to it as was a tradition those days to add the native place to your name. Thus he came to be known as ‘Qamar Jalalabadi’ which was now most suitable as an Urdu shayar.
He however first joined journalism in Lahore where he got acquainted with a few people from film industry among whom were Dalsukh Pancholi and Ghulam Haider. Impressed by his poetry, they offer him songs for their forthcoming venture, Zameendar. It was released in 1942 and the song, ‘Duniya Mein Gharibon Ko Aaram Nahin Milta’ by Shamshad Begum became the talk of the town.
He was soon called by Prabhat Pictures to Pune where he joined the company and composed for 4 films under the benner. And it was the beginning of a long and successful association. For the movie Chand (1944) Husnalal Bhagatram and Qamar Jalalabadi first came together. And later the alliance continued for over a decade.
When I went through his career, I decided to divide the post in two parts, the first one covering his popular, successful and long associations. The second part will cover the other composers.
Today let’s visit his popular associations, namely with Husnalal Bhagatram, O P Nayyar and Kalyanji Anandji. I’ve somehow managed to shortlist 20 songs for today’s list. I hope it does portray Qamar Jalalabadi’s versatility.
Let’s start the journey…….
- Husnalal Bhagatram –
As we have seen earlier, Qamar Jalalabadi had a long association with Husnalal Bhagatram. I could find a total of 18 films where he penned songs for Husnalal Bhagatram over more than a decade. After experiencing spectacular success for a decade or so, Husnalal Bhagatram faced a steep downfall. By the late 50s, they were almost out of the mainstream Hindi films.
Their films with Qamar Jalalabadi films were,
Chand (1944) – all songs
Nargis (1946) – all songs
Mirza Sahiban (1947) – 5 songs
Pyar Ki Jeet (1948) – 5 songs, the other 3 were by Rajendra Krishan
Badi behen (1949) – 4 songs each by Qamar Jalalabadi and Rajendra Krishan
Balam (1949) – all songs
Hamari Manzil 1949 – 3 songs
Gauna (1950) – all songs
Meena Bazaar (1950) – all but one, which was by D N Madhok
Chhoti bhabhi (1950) – all songs
Sanam (1951) – all songs
Aansoo (1953) – all songs
Farmaish 1953 – all but two , which were by Khawar Zaman
Adl e Jahangir (1956) – all songs
Aan baan (1956) – all songs
Krishna Sudama (1957) – 6 songs
Apsara (1961) – a few songs
Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963) – all songs
1. Do Dilon Ko Yeh Duniya – Chand (1944) Manju / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
Though this song was picturised on master Balakram who played a supporting role, the song was very popular. The song portrays the agony of lovers. The cruel world separates the lovers who lose hope, their budding love doesn’t get a chance to bloom. The poet uses bulbul and a flower to emote the connection between lovers.
Manju was the elder sister of master Balakram. She was a singing actress in the early 40s. Most of her films were with Prabhat films. Her last film was Rattan (1944). After marrying Karan Dewan, she retired from films.
The film Mirza Sahiban (1947) had Pandit Amarnath as the composer, whose death led to the film being handed over to his younger brothers Husnalal and Bhagatram. The film is jointly credited to three of them. Here’s my favourite from the film,
2. Kya Yehi Tera Pyar Tha – Mirza Sahiban (1947) Noorjahan / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
A song with pathos. Though I was about to settle for the romantic Haath Seene Pe Jo Rakh De by Noorjahan and Durrani, I found myself choosing this one.
3. Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Hue – Pyar Ki Jeet (1948) Rafi / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
This song was one of his favourites. It became so popular that it’s said to boost Rafi’s career. It also started Rafi’s long and successful association with Husnalal Bhagatram. Rafi succeeds in portraying the emotions aptly and of course the lyrics are good.
4. Woh Paas Rahen Ya Door Rahen – Badi Behen (1949) Suraiya / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
Such simple lyrics but feel so cute. Qamar Jalalabadi was good at expressing any emotion. This film was divided equally between the lyricists, Qamar Jalalabadi and Rajendra Krishan. Qamar Jalalabadi also penned the soulful, Bigadi Bananewale and the vivacious Chup Chup Khade Ho for this movie.
Qamar Jalalabadi produced a couple of Hindi films, Chhoti Bhabhi and Aansoo, both in 1950. Let’s listen to a couple of songs from these movies.
5. Na Jana Mere Babu O Daftar – Chhoti Bhabhi (1950) Lata Mangeshkar / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
While I am very fond of the Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi duet, Maine Kahan Babuji,
I came across this lesser popular song from the movie and chose it for the informal way of writing the song. It almost feels like a day to day talk. The song incorporates words like file, daftar and at the end Nargis even asks Karan Dewan if he liked the song or not! Fun watching! Nargis is full of energy and exuberance in the song.
6. Sun Mere Saajna Ho – Aansoo (1953) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
A couple of songs from the movie are still very popular. What lyrics he wrote for this one! Listen to it with your eyes closed.
7. Aap Ne Chheen Liya Dil – Farmaish (1953) Rafi & Meena Mangeshkar / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
While there’s the soulful, Mohabbat Ki Hum Chot Khaye Hue Hain, a Talat solo, I was so attracted to the charming simplicity of the lyrics and the rendition of the singers that I finally added this beautiful romantic duet to the list. Of course it’s a popular song, but not frequently talked about. Meena Mangeshkar didn’t sing many songs, but I like her shy confession of love in the song.
8. Ae Meri Zindagi Tujhe Dhoondhoo Kahan – Adl e Jahangir (1956) Talat Mahmood / Composed by Husnalal Bhagatram
This Meena Kumari, Pradeep Kumar starrer movie is remembered today just for its songs.
This tandem solo, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mahmood is among my favourites.
We don’t find such metaphors very commonly in Hindi film songs.
‘ये सितारे नहीं, ग़म के ऑंसू हैं ये
रो रहा है मेरे हाल पर आसमां’
- O P Nayyar –
In the late 50s, when Qamar Jalalabadi’s association with Husnalal Bhagatram was still continuing, he found a major alliance with O P Nayyar. Now even if his films with Husnalal Bhagatram were not gaining popularity, with Nayyar he scored major hits. The association started with Mai Baap (1957) and continued for three films in 1958. And though Qamar wasn’t the sole lyricist for all the movies, the majority of his songs became popular. The association was however short lasting, ending in the 1960s. After a long gap of three decades, Qamar Jalalabadi again wrote for him in the 90s.
The major films of their association were
Mai Baap (1957)
Howrah Bridge (1958)
Phagun (1958)
Raagini (1958)
Do Ustad (1959)
Basant (1960)
Kalpana (1960)
Mangani (1992)
Nishchaiy (1992)
Zid (1994)
In addition, he wrote just one song each for films, Farishta (1958), Mitti Mein Sona (1960), and Hong Kong (1962).
9. Aaiye Meherban – Howrah Bridge (1958) Asha Bhosle / Composed by O P Nayyar
This is a perfect example of a sublime song. Not only lyrically, but the tune and Asha Bhosle’s rendition are top notch too.
देखा मचलके जिधर, बिजली गिरादी उधर
किसका जला आशियां, बिजली को ये क्या ख़बर
How apt these words are!
10. Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Gaya – Phagun (1958) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Composed by O P Nayyar
It was one of those rare occurrences where Qamar Jalalabadi wrote all the songs for a Nayyar movie. While I was not able to arrive at a single choice, I decided to go for the most popular song from the movie.
11. Mujhko Baar Baar Yaad Na Aa – Raagini (1958) Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar / Composed by O P Nayyar
Qamar Jalalabadi wrote the beautiful ‘Chhota Sa Balma’, and both the Asha Bhosle – Kishore Kumar duets for this movie. While ‘Main Bangali Chhokra’ portrays a romantic comedy song, the soulful song with a drunk Kishore Kumar conveys agony and distress.
12. To Bolo Kya Karoge – Do Ustad (1959) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Shamshad Begum / Composed by O P Nayyar
In addition to Phagun, Qamar Jalalabadi had an opportunity to write all the songs of Do Ustad featuring Madhubala and Raj Kapoor. In addition to a couple of well known Asha Bhosle and Rafi duets, this trio with Shamshad Begum to add her special Tadka, is a delight. The lyrics are good of course. If you haven’t given it a try, please listen to it. The song is picturised on RK, Madhubala and Bimla Kumari. I couldn’t recognise the actor who plays harmonium in the song.
13. Mere Lehenge Mein Ghoongru Laga De – Basant (1960) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Composed by O P Nayyar
The film is remembered mainly as the one with more than 10 duets by Asha Bhosle and Rafi. Rare to see a dancing Nutan. Choosing a song was a bit difficult. ‘Chori Chori Ek lshara’ is my favourite, but the mukhda of this song reminded me of Mere Pairon Mein Ghungroo Bandha De from Sangharsh.
14. Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta – Kalpana (1960) Rafi & Manna Dey / Composed by O P Nayyar
One of the best known and popular male singer duets of Hindi cinema. The song portrays dance competition between real life sisters, Padmini and Ragini.
- Kalyanji Anandji –
It was very interesting to note that, in 1960 when Qamar Jalalabadi’s association with O P Nayyar had almost come to an end, a new association was about to begin. It was for the film Chhalia (1960) that Qamar Jalalabadi’s songs for Kalyanji Anandji became popular. After the success of the songs, he wrote for them till the 70s, though he was almost never the sole lyricist for the movies.
It’s interesting to note that most of the songs in this section are sung by Mukesh. It was perhaps due to the preference of playback singers by the composer duo.
15. Mere Toote Huye Dil Se – Chhalia (1960) Mukesh / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
I like both the solos, Mere Toote Huye Dil se and Teri Raahon Mein Khade Hain, written by Qamar Jalalabadi for this movie. In addition he penned the romantic duet, Meri Jaan Kuchh Bhi Kijiye. Mukesh succeeds in conveying the distress of the character played by Raj Kapoor and the lyrics play a significant part in it.
मांगी मोहब्बत पायी जुदाई
दुनिया मुझको रास ना आयी
पहले क़दम पर ठोकर खायी
सदा आज़ाद रहते थे, हमें मालूम ही क्या था
मोहब्बत क्या बला है
16. Nazar Ka Jhuk Jana – Passport (1961) Geeta Dutt / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
After Chhalia, Qamar Jalalabadi penned songs for Passport (1961). He penned the three songs sung by Geeta Dutt. A couple of these are club songs. This song is picturised on an actress called Sarita and it’s easy on the ears. The tune is catchy and Geeta Dutt of course excels in such songs. The lyrics do support the song well. Neither the film nor the song are very popular.
17. Main To Ek Khwaab Hoon – Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965) Mukesh / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
It was Qamar Jalalabadi’s only song for the movie and it’s one of the memorable songs by Mukesh. The song has a different concept. We usually come across songs convincing one to fall in love, but this says, Don’t love me. Full marks to Qamar Jalalabadi for writting the meaningful lyrics.
18. Aankhiyon Ka Noor Hai Tu – Johar Mehmood in Goa (1965) Mukesh & Suman Kalyanpur / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
Qamar Jalalabadi wrote all but a couple of songs for this movie. A beautiful duet picturised on Sonia Sahni and an invisible man. I haven’t watched the movie, but it seems the hero is invisible, but the heroine recognises his voice. After this movie, Qamar Jalalabadi again penned songs for Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (1971), again for Kalyanji Anandji.
19. Deewanon Se Yeh Mat Puchho – Upkar (1967) Mukesh / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
Yet another gem by Qamar Jalalabadi. It’s again the only song by him for the movie and picturised on Manoj Kumar again. The agony portrayed in the song is unparalleled.
20. Guni Jano Re Bhakt Jano – Aansoo Aur Muskan (1970) Kishore Kumar & Chorus / Composed by Kalyanji Anandji
What a great fun! The song maintains the aura of a Bhajan while the lyrics are full of comedy. The last part of the song is a real delight. It actually enlists all the major actors of Hindi cinema right from Ashok Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar to Sunil Dutt and Rajesh Khanna. Of course he mentions himself as well. Glad to end the list with such a song.
Here I end today’s part. We’ll meet soon for the second and final part of the series. It will focus on Qamar Jalalabadi’s other associations.
Would you add songs to the list?
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 rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
