Monday, 13 September 2021

 Sansar Hai Ek Nadiya Dukh Sukh Do Kinare Hain - Raftaar (1975)

मेरे प्रिय गीत (6)

I am writing a piece on a favourite song after a long gap. I was playing the collection of Mukesh on my Saregama Caravan. Those who have the instrument would know that you do not have any control over the order and choice of songs. They are randomly lined up by a software. Suddenly this song “संसार है एक नदिया दुःख सुख दो किनारे हैं’ from the film Raftaar (1975) came up and I was impulsively compelled to write this.

Although I was listening to this song after a long gap, I got reminded that this has been one of my most favorite songs of Mukesh. I realised how fond I had been of this song ever since it was released in 1975, when I was a teenager. My admiration for the song grew manifold as I started to understand the meaning of the lyrics from the viewpoint of a student of literature.

It is a purely personal choice because, to me, this song should be right up there among the top 5 or 10 songs of Mukesh and among the songs of the year 1975. However, if I try to match my personal preference with the popular choice, there would be a mismatch. Those days Binaca Geetmala, the most popular ranking program on radio, was the standard parameter. This song was not among the top 32 songs of the year and, if I recall correctly, not even a Sartaj Geet

The reasons are not difficult to understand. Firstly, the factors driving the mass appeal are not always the ingredients of the song in aesthetic terms. Secondly, those days, barring exceptions, the success of a song/album was directly linked to the success of the film. This film did not have a great run on the box office and the song failed to shoot up on the charts. Let us look at the basic information about the film. The movie was directed by Dinesh-Ramanesh (I do not think many would have heard the names), starring   Vinod Mehra, Moushumi ChatterjeeDanny Denzongpa and Madan Puri. Vinod Mehra was not a big draw at the box office, and never graduated to the big league as a solo lead. The film was a mediocre melodrama and got branded as a B Grade film, having average run in theatres. 

The music was composed by Sonik-Omi and the lyricist was Abhilash. As regards Sonik-Omi, in spite of composing some great songs in films like Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Mahua and Dharma they were mostly stuck in B-Grade films. To their credit they have one of the best qawwalis ever - Raaz ki baat kah doon to (Dharma). As regards Abhilash, the lyricist, apart from this song, he has to his credit Itni Shakti Hame Dena Data (Ankush), one of the best ever bhajans in films. But, the fact remains, Sonik-Omi were no RD Burman or Laxmi-Pyare and Abhilash was no Anand Bakshi, and their names could not push the sales of albums. As I say this, I do not want to show any disrespect to them. But commercial success is documented and tangible. 

Now, let me discuss my reasons for loving the song. Basically I go for a song for three key ingredients – the quality of poetry, the quality of composition and, of course, the quality of rendition. The quality of picturisation would be an icing on the cake but these three are the main deciders.

I will discuss these elements in the reverse order, singers first. This song has been sung by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle, with chorus in support. I do not think my readers can recall many great duets of Asha-Mukesh. There may not be more than a couple of dozen songs sung together by them. I can list some popular ones: Phir na keeje meri gustaakh nigaahi ka gilaNain tumhaare mazedaar o janaabe aali Teetar ke do aage teetar Wo subsh kabhi to aayegi Hum dono milke kaaghaz pe dil ke. The two had their unique styles. Mukesh was master of melancholy, and his reputation rests predominantly on that. Asha Bhosle has, in an illustrious career of several decades, sung songs of every genre with remarkable ease but her best came in peppy songs. In this song, melancholic-philosophical in tone, Mukesh is at his best in a familiar terrain and Ashaji has complemented him absolutely superbly. So, the effect is magical.

 

As regards the tune, Sonik-Omi have composed this song in Raag Shivranjani in Kaherva taal, which is ideal for its soothing pace. This is a pretty good example of Shivranjani, mostly sticking to the standard notes with only minor deviations. The most remarkable feature of the composition is brilliant use of violin in solo pieces, in the opening instrumentation as well as between the stanzas, giving it a space independent of the multi-piece orchestra which accompanies the chorus. Those who have seen the movie would know that Madan Puri is a musician in the film and he is seen with a violin on the screen in the song. The song is a bit long with four stanzas but the composers have managed to retain absolute control throughout the song, which was quite remarkable during those days without computers aiding the recording. 

 

Now let me discuss the most important of the three reasons, my biggest reason for loving this song, the lyrics. Hindi film industry presents such a wide spectrum of lyrics. At one end of the spectrum are songs penned by poets and lyricists like Sahir, Shakeel, Kavi Pradeep, Shailendra, Neeraj and many more, which can qualify for genuine poetry of high order. At the other end you would find a lot of meaningless garbage without substance. This song is, in my view, genuine and sublime poetry with philosophical flavour. Let us discuss and analyse the lyrics.

 संसार है इक नदिया, दुःख-सुख दो किनारे हैं
ना जाने कहाँ जाएँ, हम बहते धारे हैं

These lines make a statement about man being driven by the vagaries of destiny and reminds me of the following Rubai of Omar Khayyam:

Into this Universe, and Why not knowing,
Nor Whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
     And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
I know not Whither, willy-nilly blowing.


चलते हुए जीवन की, रफ़्तार में इक लय है

इक राग में एक सुर में, सँसार की हर शय है 
इक तार पे गर्दिश में, ये चाँद सितारे हैं

This stanza conveys that behind the apparent randomness there is a harmonious design, a pattern about everything in the universe. Once, while reading a poem titled The Rhythm Of Life by George Krokos, a contemporary Australian poet, I felt how similar was the poem to this stanza:

The rhythm of life is like an endless melody
and goes on regardless of where we might be.
Throughout the day and all during the night
it never stops tho’ it’s not obvious to sight.

धरती पे अम्बर की, आँखों से बरसती है

इक रोज़ यही बूँदें, फिर बादल बनती हैं

इस बनने बिगड़ने के, दस्तूर में सारे हैं

This stanza takes the philosophy of life to the next level, talking about the cyclic nature of creation, evaporation and recreation, about the indestructibility of the “elements”. The natural process of rain is symbolic of the essential processes of life. Having been a student of literature I often think about similar pieces. And this stanza reminds me of Walt Whitman’s poem The Voice of the Rain:


 I am the Poém of Earth, said the voice of the rain,

Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea,

Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely formed, altogether changed, and yet the same,

I descend to lave the drouths, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,

And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent, unborn,

And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin, and make pure

and beautify it: 

How much more can be compressed in one song? In the next two stanzas we witness a switch – from the cosmic whole to the individual components, from the universe to the central component of the universe, the individual human being.


कोई भी किसी के लिए, अपना पराया है

रिश्तों के उजाले में, हर आदमी साया है

कुदरत की भी देखो तो, ये खेल निराले हैं

The philosophical content of these lines is not as lofty as the first two stanzas. However, those who have watched the film would realise that these lines represent a transition establishing a new phase of relationship between the characters played by Madan Puri and Moushumi Chatterjee, both trapped in the agonies of the past.


है कौन वो दुनिया में, ना पाप किया जिसने

बिन उलझे काँटों से, हैं फूल चुने किसने

बेदाग नहीं कोई, यहाँ पापी सारे हैं

These lines make a very strong statement that the journey of life presents both – thorny pains and rosy delights. The lines inspire for continuing the journey of life with equanimity towards pains and pleasures as they unfold. Let there be no guilt for the errors and life must keep moving on.


Lastly, though the movie was a mediocre, run of the mill, melodrama, this song's picturisation is absolutely fantastic and both the actors are extremely impressive on the screen.


So, that is all about the song and its appeal. I doubt if the song has ever captured so much attention of my readers. Here is the YouTube link of the song. Please listen to it again, with a fresh outlook:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvZop3HFgwc


(For the trivia lovers here is some additional information. Mukesh has another brilliant song in Shivranjani to his credit - Kai Sadiyon Se Kai Janmon Se from film Milaap, another one set in Kaherva taal. If you hear the two songs one after another, the two sound so similar.)



Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for illustration of the points. This blog claims no copyright over these, which rests with the respective owners.


60 comments:

  1. Good may not be sufficient,
    Great effort and excellent post

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  2. All the Information about this song
    "Sansaar Hai Ik Nadiya" beautifully presented and crafted with beautiful words intelligently. Really Sir, made my Day. Will read it again and again also to understand all pespectives completely. Definitely going to sing this song for you. God bless. Looking forward to more like this.
    Regards
    Anil Arora

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    1. Fall short of words to praise the beautifully explained and expressed write up. It is extremely interesting and is replete with revelations. You have raised the level of the song by eulogizing it.

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  3. Happy to see you back....beautifully presented....keep writing.
    All the best.

    Regards
    Swati K

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  4. This master piece of yours reveal how deep your knowledge and passion for music and literature is and also reveals that not only are you an avid reader and music lover but have a great fondness for cinema.
    The expression is simply lucid. Loved every bit of it . Looking forward to many more .

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    1. Thank you, brother, for your kind words.

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    2. Great analysis of a great song. Youngsters must listen to the song and read the description to know what a tue song means!

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  5. Amazed vto know about your deep knowledge of music, philosophy.Song worthwhile to impact.great analysis.movie seen by mee in college days.keep writing.Sorry for weak english expression.

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  6. Your way of writing is so gripping.Your comprehensive approach to assess a musical creation-the quality of poetry,composition & rendition is just so witty.I am integral part of your fan club :-) Keep sharing such thoughtful perspectives...incredible

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    1. Thank you. You have not left your name.

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    2. Why guess now? I know only one Manisha Shukla. Blessings.

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  7. Sir, you are master of your craft. So deep into the subject. Simply amazing. Will wait for your next column...

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  8. Thank you sir for this musical as well as phylosophical treat , with the contemporary poets work. Shivranjani raag has always been the best suited for life and it's irony. Eager to know more.Thanks.

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    1. Thank you, Kulkarni Sahab. Will be more active now. In the meantime I am sending the link of an old blog which you may like.

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    2. http://kashikeya.blogspot.com/2019/10/tu-chanda-main-chandni-as-love-blossoms_7.html?m=1

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  9. These lines make a very strong statement that the journey of life presents both – thorny pains and rosy delights. The lines inspire for continuing the journey of life with equanimity towards pains and pleasures as they unfold. Let there be no guilt for the errors and life must keep moving on.


    This wonderful lines keeps our life on track.............and zindagi ko aap ke nazariye se dekhne ka ek mouka Mila.......wonderful sir.

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    1. Thank you. I am honoured. Your appreciation is my reward.

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  10. Respected Mausaji,
    Pranam,
    First of all,I was really confused if I should express my views over this amazingly written blog or not as I'm a little kid and so have no right to counter express or comment anything over a fathers writeup.I read the entire blog and the way you have explained this song is exceptional.
    Since my school days, I've had a little inclination over music or rather say the entire Indian culture, including traditional songs,art-forms,dance-forms etc.Im a great lover of Sufi and Indian classical songs though not a hardcore lover.On a genuine note, I have never seen such an intelligent personality like you.I am always inspired and amazed to see your diverse knowledge mausaji.For a normal individual,it is very hard to memorise so much of facts about music,art and literature.Though not sure,but having little knowledge about astrology people with a strong Venus in their horoscopes are only the ones blessed with so much of intelligence.Sometimes I really ponder that how can you still retain the names of so many Hindi,urdu,English and also the writers of other languages.Not only writers or poets but also singers, lyricists etc.The blog in its latter part reminded me of the way we wrote "sandarbh" and "prasang" for some given lines but this was actually way beyond a normal "prasang". Only some extremely intelligent personalities like you can describe and I'm sure there are only few who will understand the true meaning of your entire write-ups as they are portrayed so deeply.
    Concluding my views, I would like to say that I have never seen Such a versatile personality like you and you are an inspiration to many of us you know you closely.
    Blessed to have a Mausaji like you.
    Pranam

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    1. Oh. You have over praised me. Thank you for your compliments. I am no less proud of you. Blessings and best wishes.

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  11. क्या खूब विवेचना की है आपने । मुझे तो ये गीत पसंद है लेकिन आपकी इतनी सटीक और सार्थक विवेचना पढ़ने के बाद जो इसे पसंद नहीं करते हैं वो भी इसे पसंद करने लगेंगे ।

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  12. Never listened to this song with a great deal of attention, partly because Mukesh isn't one of my favorite singers.

    Not only in the song great, the various layers and aspects have been brought out so well in the blog. Even the parallels to other poetry.

    As I've said before, this blog requires a wider audience and platform!

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    1. Thank you Devina ji. I don't know how to reach a wider audience except that I share the link with all my friends.

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  13. Sir,
    Very informative. Rarely I have come across such a wonderful review of any subject even from the professionals of the field. Being a music lover I can say that the poetry is the soul of any song. Meaningless song may get commercial success but cannot match th timelessness of these. I already loved the song but after this review will be able relish every word of it much more. Compliments for the blog once again.

    Regards

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  14. Thank you, Lalit. I am encouraged to be more regular in posting new blogs.

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  15. सतीश, इस पोस्ट के लिए आपको बहुत बहुत बधाई! आपने इस गाने की खूबसूरत विवेचना की है। कविता और संगीत तथा इससे जुड़े हुए सभी पहलुओं की।

    मेरी नज़र में यह गीत भारतीय दर्शन के एक लोकप्रिय पहलू को उजागर करता है - जीवन में सुख दुःख को एक समान स्वीकार करते हुए स्थितप्रज्ञ होना और निष्काम कर्म करते जाना।

    इसी सोंच को बढ़ाते हुए एक बहुत ही खूबसूरत गीत मुझे याद आता है जिसे कवि प्रदीप ने लिखा है और जिसका संगीत चितलकर रामचंद्र ने दिया है। लता मंगेशकर के गाये हुए इस गीत के शुरूआती बोल हैं :

    "अमृत और ज़हर दोनों हैं, सागर में इक साथ,
    मंथन का अधिकार है सबको, फल प्रभु तेरे हाथ।

    तेरे फूलों से भी प्यार, तेरे काँटों से भी प्यार,
    जो भी देना चाहे, दे दे सरकार,
    दुनियां के तारणहार, दुनियां के तारणहार।"

    इस गाने को सुनियेगा, बहुत ही खूबसूरत है।

    - पवन वर्मा

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  16. उत्साह वर्धन के लिए धन्यवाद भाई साहब। कवि प्रदीप का भजन मेरे व्यक्तिगत संग्रह का हिस्सा है। बहुत दिनों से सुना नहीं है। फिर से सुनूंगा।

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  17. What an insight to the song .....just amazing 💐🎶🎼🎶👌👏👏👏👍🎶🎼🎶💐

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  18. Sir, just mesmerizing string of beautiful words.

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    1. Thank you a lot. If possible please leave your name.

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  19. Amazing sir. I never knew about such a great artist in you along with a great humane. Really beautiful.

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    1. Thank you. I am not able to identify as you have not left your name.

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  20. सतीश जी, मैं इस गीत पर आपके मनोभावों को जानकर जितना हर्षित हूं उससे बढ़कर आपके गहन अध्ययन, रुचि और स्मृति विलास से आह्लादित हूं। खूब मन से आपने लिखा है, ब्लॉग के पाठक भी इसे मन लगाकर पढ़ रहे हैं। बधाई।

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  21. धन्यवाद दुबेजी। सेवानिवृत्ति के बाद अपने शौक पूरा करने का पर्याप्त समय है।

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  22. Superb Sir listened to this song with a great deal of attention,because Mukesh ji is one of my favorite singers.

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  23. Most propelling and enlightening one Sir. Rich in thoughts and knowledge. Always like to follow you...

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  24. Sir,your hold on Hindi,English and Urdu is commendable. Cherishing these words from you for a very long time. Every word is very heart touching and inspiring. The direction in which your imagination takes a human mind is very inspirational.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. I am only trying humbly to give the only thing that I have, back to the people from whom I have received.

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  25. Satishji, it was a pleasure and a verbose treat reading your post. It transported me to the era where the quality of lyrics made songs magical, mesmerizing and memorable. You have written a brilliant piece, analysing every aspects of this memorable song, which did not find its deserving place in the pantheon of the finest musical presentations of the Hindi cinema. Your sheer passion, depth of knowledge and true love for music and Hindi film songs is evident in the way you have expressed your thoughts, which gives reader a wonderful experience. You tremendous literary skills and power of expression has made this written essay of thoughts truly outstanding. I am looking forward to more such presentations in the future. With best wishes, Shripad Nadkarni.

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    1. Thank you Bhai. I am honoured and enthused by your kind words.

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  26. सतीश जी, आप का ब्लॉग पढ़ कर मन अति प्रसन्न हुआ। आप का संगीत के प्रति लगाव सराहनीय है। मुझे शोर फ़िल्म का संतोष आनंद का मुकेश द्वारा गाया हुआ वह मधुर गीत याद आ गया ‘इक प्यार का नग़मा है मौजों की रवानी है, ज़िंदगी और कुछ भी नहीं, तेरी मेरी कहानी है। कृपया इस की विवेचना भी कीजिए। शुभ कामनाएँ।

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    1. Thank you for your kind encouragement, Sir. I am blessed to have encouragement from you. I will study and observe the song suggested by you and will try to analyse it.

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  27. Great. So much to write about a song. Beautifully written. Enjoyed thoroughly. Keep writing regularly. All the best.

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  28. Thank you for inviting me to your Blog space. I like your posts for their clarity, presentation, command over language and above all the selection of the subjects. They make reading a memorable experience. Your journey in the blog space has been from the chrysalis to the butterfly.
    Great feat of achievement.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Sir. Will keep looking for your blessings.

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  29. Sir, This indeed took me to that era , explaining those sights so wonderfully thread by thread ...Hope to see much more 🙏

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  30. Sir,I am really overwhelmed by the way you have analyzed poems, songs so deep and vivid. Epecting a lot more.
    Regards,
    Sk A Mabud

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  31. Good Evening Sir, it's a fantastic realisation and valuable write up for our complex society. Oneness in God by all the Community to be the Agenda for peaceful life and prosperity. To lead a life with dignity and equality, everyone should be Respectful to each other irrespective of caste, religion and creed. You have nicely expressed your views in a different way to understand our values. Thank you sir.����

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  32. This song has always moved me whenever I listen to it since its release. I have been loving music and cinema of 1970s and this one is a gem from that time. The critical analysis presented by you on this blog has raised my level of appreciation for this song. You depth of understanding on all aspects connected with music is extraordinary.

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  33. I am honoured. Your appreciation is my reward.

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