April 15 marks the great lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri’s birth centenary. Here we select 10 songs that represent his genius.
Interestingly, all songs have been composed by Shankar-Jaikishen. The popular music directors often divided their lyrics between Shailendra and Jaipuri, and the results were amazing. The order is chronological.
1 Jiya Beqaraar Hai – Barsaat (1949)
Jaipuri’s first recorded song was from Shankar-Jaikishen’s debut film. It was a huge hit for Lata Mangeshkar and filmed on Nimmi. The opening lines were, “Jiya beqaraar hai, chaayee bahaar hai, aaja more baalma, tera intezar hai”. The lyricist wrote six songs in the film, including ‘Chhod Gaye Baalam’.
2 Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar – Junglee (1961)
This had two versions sung separately by Mohammed Rafi and Lata, with Shankar-Jaikishen providing a memorable tune in Yaman Kalyan. The film starred Shammi Kapoor and Saira Banu. Jaipuri wrote, “Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar, dil chahta hai woh kehne do, mujhe tumse mohabbat ho gayee hai, mujhe palkon ki chaaon mein rehne do”.
3 Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko – Sasural (1961)
A gem by Rafi, the was another example of the superb collaboration between the music director duo and Jaipuri. Rajendra Kumar was paired opposite Saroja Devi. The words were, “Teri pyaari pyaari surat ko kisiki nazar na lage chashm-e-buddoor, mukhde ko chhupa lo aanchal mein, kahin meri nazar na lage chashm-e-buddoor”.
4 Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se – Asli Naqli (1962)
Rafi and Lata got together once again on this song filmed on Dev Anand and Sadhana. The lyrics were, “Tujhe jeevan ki dor se baandh liya hai, baandh liya hai, teri zulm-o-sitam, sar aankhon par; Maine badle mein pyaar ko pyaar diya hai, pyaar diya hai, teri khushiyan aur gham, sar aankhon par”.
5 Yeh Mera Prem Patra Padhkar – Sangam (1964)
Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala appeared in this unforgettable song sung by Rafi. The number was shot in a garden filled with trees and flowers. Shankar-Jaikishen used a simple tune, and Jaipuri wrote, “Yeh mera prem patra padhkar, ke tum naaraaz na hona, ke tum meri zindagi ho, ke tum meri bandagi ho”.
6 Aji Rooth Kar – Arzoo (1965)
Jaipuri got a Filmfare nomination for this song sung by Lata and filmed on Sadhna and Rajendra Kumar. The lyrics were, “Aji rooth kar ab kahaan jaaiyega, jahaan jaaiyega, hamein paaiyega”. It was based on raag Desh. The lyricist also wrote ‘Ae Nargise Mastana’, ‘Bedardi Balma’ and ‘Ae Phoolon Ki Rani’ in the film.
7 Baharon Phool Barsao – Suraj (1966)
One of the biggest hits written by Jaipuri, Shankar-Jaikishen composed this in raag Shivaranjini. It was sung exquisitely by Rafi. It is played at many weddings. Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala appeared on screen. The bansuri was dominant, and the words were, “Baharon phool barsao mera mehboob aaya hai, hawaon ragini gaao, mera mehboob aaya hai”. Jaipuri received the Filmfare Award.
8 Duniya Banane Wale – Teesri Kasam (1966)
Jaipuri contributed three songs to Teesri Kasam, produced by Shailendra who wrote the other songs. ‘Duniya Banane Wale’ was sung by Mukesh and picturised on Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman. Jaipuri wrote, “Duniya banane wale, kya tere man mein samaayee, kaahe ko duniya banaayee, tune kaahe ko duniya banaayee.” The song was composed by Shankar-Jaikishen in Bhairavi.
9 Jaane Kahaan Gaye Woh Din – Mera Naam Joker (1970)
One of Mukesh’s inmortal numbers, it was filmed on Raj Kapoor in a circus. Shankar-Jaikishen used raag Shivaranjini. The opening lines, which have become a symbol for nostalgia, were, “Jaane kahan gaye woh din, kehte the teri raah mein, nazaron ko hum bichaayenge; Chaahe kahin bhi tum raho, chaahenge tumko umr bhar, tumko na bhool paayenge”.
10 Zindagi Ek Safar – Andaz (1971)
The image of Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini riding around Mumbai on a motorcycle is still fresh, over 50 years after the song’s release. Kishore Kumar did his trademark yodelling, and the lines were, “Zindagi ek safar hai suhana, yahaan kal kya ho kisne jaana”. Another version was sung by Rafi. Jaipuri got his second Filmfare award for this song.
Needless to say, there were many more instances of the SJ-Hasrat magic, in films like Awara, Shree 420, Anadi, Prince and Pyar Hi Pyar. Those songs are hummed even today.
Sri Narendra Kusnur’s choice of 10 great songs of Hasrat Jaipuri is par excellence. For one, I did not know Hasrat Jaipuri was the lyricist for most of these extraordinary heart-touching songs. I thought Shailendra was the lyricist. And the author has lifted the unseen veil of time from these masterpieces of the 20th century.
Shukriya. Dhanyavad. Salaam.