Great are the lyricists of yore, who left behind some immortal works, the fragrance of which, lingers after several decades.
Greater are the ones who were poets by heart, with supreme knowledge and mastery of the language in which they wrote, and yet were able to convey forceful ideas in colloquialism. This was the compelling requirement of Bollywood of the yesteryears, and one great man who shone through the memorable golden era was Bharat Vyas.
A poet extraordinare, he will be remembered for his chaste Hindi, and anyone who has a flair for this language, will quickly appreciate the genius of the man. This post is a humble tribute to such a towering personality, whose strong foundation in Hindi helped him build tall edifices that personify the ‘grandeur of simplicity’.
Bharat Vyas’s supreme poetic abilities in Hindi, made him a go-to man for mythologicals, a spate of which released in the 1950’s and 60’s. His association with Vijay Bhatt, Shantaram etc have left behind a great treasure for us, most of which were made immortal through some great music. Here is an article about him.
While I emphasise that it is impossible to encompass the literary genius of Bharat Vyas in a singular post, this is my humble attempt to analyse a few of his works on his birthday today.Focus is on the literary aspects, and not on whether the song itself was a hit, or there were other songs in the same movie that were hits.
1. Nirbal se Ladaai Balwaan Ki – Toofan Aur Diya
This song is extremely inspirational, and is one the best of the poet. He uses the story of a lamp taking on the might of the storm and conveys the message that physical stature is inconsequential and that one needs to fear none as long as one is ready to tread on the path of righteousness. There will be insurmountable troubles along the way, but the lord will be by you. Extremely well written in simple and beautiful Hindi. A great musical score in Malkauns by Vasant Desai.
nirbal se ladaayi balwaan ki
ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki
ik raat andhiyaari,
teen dishaayen kaari-kaari
mand-mand pawan thaa chal rahaa
andhiyaare ko mitaane,
jag mein jyot jagaane
ek chhotaa-saa diyaa thaa kahin jal rahaa
apni dhun mein magan,
uske tan mein agan
uski lau mein lagan Bhagwaan ki
ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki
kahin door thaa toofaan,
diye se thaa balwaan
saare jag ko masalne machal rahaa
jhaad ho yaa pahaad,
deun pal mein ukhaad
soch-soch ke zameen pe thaa uchhal rahaa
ek nanhaa-saa diyaa,
usne hamlaa kiyaa
ab dekho leelaa vidhi ke vidhaan ki
ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki
duniyaa ne saath chhodaa,
mamtaa ne mukh modaa
ab diye pe ye dukh padne lagaa
par himmat na haar,
man mein marnaa vichaar
atyaachaar ki hawaa se ladne lagaa
sar uthaanaa yaa jhukaanaa,
yaa bhalaayi mein mar jaanaa
ghadi aayi uske bhi imtihaan ki
ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki
phir aisi ghadi aayi
ghanghor ghataa chhaayi
ab diye kaa bhi dil lagaa kaanpne
bade zor se toofaan,
aayaa pardaa udaan
us chhote se diye kaa bal maapne
tab diyaa dukhiyaaraa,
wo bichaaraa besahaaraa
chalaa daanv pe lagaane,
baazi praan ki
yah kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki
ladte-ladte wo thakaa, phir bhi bujh na sakaa
uski jyot mein thaa bal re sachchaayi kaa
chaahe thaa wo kamzor,
par tooti nahin dor
usne beedaa thaa uthaayaa re bhalaayi kaa
huaa nahin wo niraash,
chali jab tak saans
use aas thi prabhu ke vardaan ki
ye kahaani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki..
2. Tum Gagan Ke Chandrama Ho – Sati Savitri
No words can describe this, the musical score in Yaman is brilliant (Laxmikant Pyarelal). We have heard of the Sati Savitri story, and this song depicts their relationship, the submission and mutual respect – a pure and supreme form of love. Lata’s voice in this song is full of samarpan.
This comment on Youtube says it all-
“”Tum ho kaaya, mein hoon chhaaya,tum kshama main bhool hoon:” These words to me represent the ultimate self-abnegation for a beloved . Every couplet in this Hindi poem is rich in imagery. And I am glad to see the mutuality of devotion between the two sides not mere unilateral dedication on the woman’s part.”
Tum Gagan Ke Chandramaa Ho, Main Dharaa Ki Dhuul Huun
Tum Pranay Ke Devataa Ho, Main Samarpit Phuul Huun
Tum Ho Puujaa Main Pujaari, Tum Sudhaa Main Pyaas Huun
Tum Mahaasaagar Ki Simaa, Main Kinaare Ki Lahar
Tum Mahaasangit Ke Svar, Main Adhuuri Saans Huun
Tum Ho Kaayaa Main Huun Chhaayaa, Tum Kasam Main Bhuul Huun
Tum Ushhaa Ki Laalimaa Ho, Bhor Kaa Sinduur Ho
Mere Praanon Kaa Ho Gunjan, Mere Man Kaa Mayuur Ho
Tum Ho Puujaa Main Pujaari, Tum Sudhaa Main Pyaas Huun
3. Ai Maalik Tere Bande Hum – Do Ankhen Baarah Haath
The quintessential prayer.
ai maalik tere bade ham
aise ho hamaare karam
neki par chale
aur badi se tale
taaki hasate huye nikale dam
jab zulmon kaa ho saamnaa
tab tu hi hame thaamnaa
vo buraaI kare
ham bhalaai bhare
nahi badale ki ho kaamanaa
badh uthe pyaar kaa har kadam
aur mite bair kaa ye bharam
ye adheraa ghanaa chhaa rahaa
teraa insaan ghabaraa rahaa
ho rahaa bekhabar
kuchh na aataa nazar
sukh kaa suraj chhipaa jaa rahaa
hai teri roshani me vo dam
jo amaavas ko kar de punam
neki par chale …
badaa kamzor hai aadami
abhi laakhon hai isame kami
par tu jo khadaa
hai dayaalu badaa
teri kRupaa se dharati thami
diyaa tune jo hamko janam
tu hi jhelegaa ham sabake Gam
neki par chale
4. Amiya Halaahal Madhbhare – Rani Rupmati
Rani Rupmati was a festival of Rag Sarang, with atleast 3 songs in this raga. The present selection is a very romantic song, clothed in choicest Hindi, the lyrics are so sweet, Lata and Mohd Rafi have done a commendable job with electrifying taans, making it a memorable song.
amiy halaahal madabhare shwet shyaam ratanaar
jiyat marat jhuki jhuki parat jehi chitawat ek baar
jhananan jhan jhananan jhan jhananan baaje paayaliyaa
piyaa se milan chali aaj kaminiyaa
raat andheri dar laage rasiyaa
paas kaise aaoon tore manabasiyaa
papihaa bole amrit ghole jiyaraa dole haule haule haule
saj singaar koi naar naveli
nidar dagar me chali hai akeli
ritu basant aai alabeli
daar daar bole kaari koyaliyaa
pyaar jagaa hai dekho kan kan me
raas rasaa hai man madhuban me
baje majiree jamunaa tire mai to chali re dhire dheere dheere
5. Jyot Se Jyot Jalaate Chalo – Sant Gyaneshwar
A beautiful Bhairavi, and again the poet emphasises that the downtrodden have the support of the Lord. Great ideals to pass on to mankind.
Jyot Se Jyot Jalate Chalo
Prem Ki Ganga Bahate Chalo
Raah Mein Aaye Jo Deen Dukhi
Sab Ko Gale Se Lagate Chalo
Jiska Na Koi Sangi Saathi
Ishwar Hai Rakhwala
Jo Nirdhan Hai Jo Nirbal Hai
Woh Hai Prabhu Ka Pyara
Pyar Ke Moti Lootate Chalo…
Asha Tooti, Mamta Roothi
Chhoot Gaya Hai Kinara
Band Karo Mat Dwar Daya Ka
De De Kuch To Sahara
Deep Daya Ka Jalate Chalo…
Chhaya Hai Chaaron Or Andhera
Bhatak Gayi Hai Dishayen
Maanav Ban Baitha Daanav
Kisko Vyatha Sunaayen
Dharti Ko Swarg Banate Chalo…
6. Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet – Goonj Uthi Shehnai
A lovely Marubehag, this is one of the outstanding compositions of Vasant Desai. The lyrics carry a deep sense of sincerity and affection at the same time, and Lata has done complete justice in potraying this.
tere sur aur mere geet
dono mil kar banegi preet
dhadkan mein tu hai samaayaa huaa
khayaalon mein tu hi tu chhaayaa huaa
aaa dhadkan mein tu hai samaayaa huaa
khayaalon mein tu hi tu chhaayaa huaa
duniyaa ke mele mein laakhon mile
magar tu hi tu dil ko bhaayaa huaa
main teri jogan tu meraa meet
dono mil kar banegi preet
mujhko agar bhool jaaoge tum
mujhse agar dur jaoge tum
mujhko agar bhool jaaoge tum
meri muhabbat mein taaseer hai
to khinch ke mere paas aaoge tum
dekho hamaari hogi jeet
dono mil kar banegi preet
7. Yeh Kaun Chitrakar Hai – Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti
This is the poet’s tribute to the creator of nature. Bharat Vyas at his contemplative best, the questions he asks are akin to Ghalib’s “Dil-E-Nadaan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai”, in which he queries “Sabza-O-Gul Kahaan se Aate hain, abr kya cheez hai, hawa kya hai”. Exquisite use of Hindi.
boondjobangayi
hari hari vasundhara pe neela neela ye gagan
ke jis pe baadalon kee paalkee udaa rahaa pawan
dishaayen dekho rangbharee, chamak rahee umang bharee
ye kis ne phool phool pe kiyaa singaar hai
ye kaun chitrakaar hai, ye kaun chitrakaar
tapasweeyon see hain atal ye parbaton kee choteeyaan
ye sarp see ghoomeradaar, gheradaar ghaateeyaan
dhwajaa se ye khade huye hain vriksh dewadaar ke
galiche ye gulaab ke, bagiche ye bahaar ke
ye kis kavi kee kalpanaa kaa chamatkaar hai
kudrat kee is pavitrataa ko tum nihaar lo
is ke gunon ko apne man mein tum utaar lo
chamakaalo aaj laalimaa, apne lalaat kee
kan kan se zankatee tumhe, chhabee wiraat kee
apnee to aankh ek hai, us kee hazaar hai
8. Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat – Navrang
Several songs in Navrang have great lyrics, but I have chosen this song, as it depicts the spirit of Holi so beautifully, it cannot get any better. The picturisation, the music and Sandhya’s dance are completely Indian and Shantaram’s direction makes it unforgettable.
atak atak jhatpat panghat par
chatak matak ik naar naveli
gori gori gwaalan ki chhori chali
chori chori mukh mori mori muskaaye albeli
kankari gale mein maari
kankari kanhaiya ne
pakri baanh aur ki atkheli
bhari pichkaari maari
bholi panihaari boli
are ja re hat natkhat
na chhoo re mera ghoonghat
palat ke doongi aaj tujhe gaali re
mujhe samjho na tum bholi bhaali re
aaya holi ka tyohaar
ude rang ki bauchhar
tu hai naar nakhredaar
matwaali re
aaj meethi lage hai teri gaali re
tak tak na maar pichkaari ki dhaar
komal badan seh sake na ye maar
tu hai anaadi bada hi ganwaar
kajre mein tune abeer diya daar
teri jhakjhori se baaz aayi hori se
chor teri chori niraali re
mujhe samjho na tum bholi bhaali re
are ja re hat natkhat
na chhoo re mera ghoonghat
palat ke doongi aaj tujhe gaali re
mujhe samjho na tum bholi bhaali re
dharti hai laal aaj ambar hai laal
udne de gori gaalon ka gulaal
mat laaj ka aaj ghoonghat nikaal
de dil ki dhadkan pe dhinak dhinak taal
jhaanjh baje shankh baje
sang mein mridang baje
ang mein umang khushiyaali re
aaj meethi lage hai teri gaali re
.9. Kuhu Kuhu Bole – Swarna Sundari
The poet is in full flow, the lyrics takes us through a tour of the Ritu Chakra. The music by Adi Narayana Rao equally brilliant, in what makes up an immortal composition.
Swarna Sundari
Sohini
kuhu-kuhu bole koyaliyaa
kunj-kunj mein bhanvare dole gun-gun bolen
saja singaar ritu aayi basanti
jaise naar koi ho rasvanti
daali-daali kaliyon ko titaliyaan choomein
phool-phool pankhadiyaan kholen, amrit gholen,
kuhu-kuhu bole koyaliyaa
Bahaar
kaahe ghata mein bijli chamke
ho saktaa hai megharaaj ne baadariya kaa
shyaam-shyaam mukh choom liya ho
ho saktaa hai megharaaj ne baadariya kaa
chori-chori man panchhi ude, naina jude aa …
kuhu-kuhu bole koyaliyaa
Jaunpuri
chandrika dekh chhaayi, piyaa
chandaa se milke, man hi man me muskaayi
sharad suhaavan, madhu manbhaavan
virahi janon ka sukh sarsaavan
Sohini
chhaayi poonam ki ghataa, ghoonghat hataa
Yaman
saras raat man bhaaye priyatama, kamal-kamlini mile
kiran haar damke, jal mein chaand chamke
man saanand, aanand dole re
chitrapatsangeet 
dustedoff said,
December 19, 2011 at 6:18 am
Excellent post, Karthik! It’s sad that lyricists are so generally ignored – people idolise singers and music directors, even the actors on whom a song is picturised, but they tend to overlook the tremendous work put in by the person who actually wrote the words of the song. Of the songs you’ve listed in your post, the two that especially affect me are Yeh kaun chitrakaar hai (what a brilliant way of praising God’s creation) and Yeh kahani hai diye ki aur toofaan ki. Of course, also Ae maalik tere bande hum.
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 19, 2011 at 7:06 am
Yes, thats very true,we often talk less of lyricists. Time to honour a few lesser known lyricists :-).
harveypam said,
December 19, 2011 at 10:28 am
Welcome to blogosphere, dear Karthik!
A good start with one of Hindi film industry’s best but under-rated lyricist! I have always admired his chaste Hindi. We also had some of his poems in our Hindi text books in school
Thank you for the information that go with each song, particularly about the ragas. I wouldn’t recognise a raga if one came and sat on my nose.
All teh same I love the song kuhu kuhu bole koyaliya and the Rani Roopmati song.
What does “amiy halaahal madabhare shwet shyaam ratanaar
jiyat marat jhuki jhuki parat jehi chitawat ek baar” mean?
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 19, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Thanks a lot for your post Harvey :).
Dont worry, you will soon be on your way to recognising ragas, which will be one of my focus areas in my blog, to help people identify ragas through their use in Hindi cinema. Though I dont intend to make it too heavy lest people lose interest, it will be just enough to make it interesting 🙂
The Hindi in the couplet you mentioned was too tough for me. understood in parts, but not the complete meaning. 😦
dustedoff said,
December 20, 2011 at 10:17 am
“Dont worry, you will soon be on your way to recognising ragas, which will be one of my focus areas in my blog”
Yay! Please – till now, I can only claim to be able to recognise the raags of two songs: Madhuban mein Radhika naache re (thanks to a post on AK’s blog), and Garjat barsat saawan aayo re. Please do it slowly, one raag at a time, so that the lessons sink in!
harvey said,
December 21, 2011 at 1:11 am
Gald to hear that recognising the raga will be one of the themes of your posts on this blog! 🙂
Agree with Madhu! One raga at a time!
usha said,
December 22, 2011 at 8:25 am
One of his songs was “Zara Saamne to aao Chaliye”- Janam Janam ke Phere. Apparently (S N Tripathi the MD) recounted ( in Vishesh Jaymala prog in Vividh Bharati) that around the time, Bharat Vyas wrote the song, his son went missing and the family was searching for him….
His lyrics for the above song, contain a line to that effect “pita apne baalak se bichadke sukh se kabhi na so saktha”
A very good poet, though less known.
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 22, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Welcome to my blog Usha! Thanks for that information, I didn’t know about that.
Arunkumar Deshmukh said,
December 24, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Hello,Karthik ji,
I came to know that you started your blog, thru Dusted off.
I am glad that there will be one more quality blog discussing various aspects of Hindi Film Music.
I wish you and this blog a great success and I shall visit it,to find out if there is some room for me too for my comments and contributions in discussing the songs.
I shall be too glad to provide whatever information I can, if needed.
-Arunkumar Deshmukh
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 24, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Welcome to my blog Arunkumar.Pleasure to have you here, thanks a lot for your best wishes. I would love to hear from you and look forward to your inputs! 🙂
Prakashchandra said,
December 26, 2011 at 4:04 am
Some meldous songs from PYAAR KI PYAAS(music by vasant desai)were written by BHarat vyaas, Am I right?????
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 26, 2011 at 5:08 am
Welcome to my blog Prakash! 🙂
Yes indeed, I did consider Pyar Ki Pyaas, and especially “Sabko Pyaar ki Pyaas”. Vasant Desai and Bharat Vyas were a great pair, which gave us some great melodies, including “Ram Raajya” which had some great melodies such as “Dar Laage Garje Badariya” and the less popular “Rain Bhayi So Ja Re Panchi”.
Arunkumar Deshmukh said,
December 26, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Karthik ji,
When you said “Ram rajya”,I remembered only the iconic movie RAM RAJYA-1943,in which the music was of Shankarao Vyas and the eternal pair Shobhana Samarth as Seeta and Prem Adeeb as Ram were a craze in those days.
Bharat Vyas is loveable due to his chaste Hindi poetry.
-AD
Prakashchandra said,
December 27, 2011 at 9:02 am
Those old world posters are out of the world, especially that of
“Sati Savithri”, We don`t get such treat very often.
Thank you Karthik ji,
for those colourful posters. Please give me some more of those posters.
I used to just freak out on those colourful posters , on my way from home to my school. That is the main attraction for me on my way to school. Even now 30 years after, I raise my head to watch the posters at the same places in my hometown, but the boards and posters were nowhere to be seen. Only the buildings and buildings, at some places broken pieces of blank old hoardings, But those memories still lingers.
Oh sorry, for the long post.
You made me to live again those precious days of my childhood.
regards
prakash
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 27, 2011 at 10:39 am
Glad that you liked the posters Prakash :). You must thank google and Calcuttatube.com for the posters. I picked them up from there. The easiest way is to search google images. For example, if you click on the link below, it will take you to the image search page for Navrang. You will notice several more posters there! 🙂 You can enter any movie of your choice, and hopefully should find posters.
Click Here
Anu Warrier said,
December 31, 2011 at 5:02 am
Thanks for introducing me to your blog, Karthik. Lovely list. My favourites apart from Ae maalik tere bande hum are (in no particular order) yeh kaun chitrakaar hain, Are ja re hat natkhat and Jyot se jyot. It’s interesting that you picked raga-based songs for your list. I learnt Carnatic music for more than eight years, but knew nothing about Hindustani ragas (other than the ones that defy boundaries); so, having a husband who can tell literally every song’s raga based on the notes, is very illuminating (and sometimes, I must confess, very boring. LOL). I must put you in touch with him – you seem to be a like-minded person where music is concerned. 🙂
ps: I love the blog design. It’s very soothing to the eyes. Perfect for a blog that is steeped in music.
chitrapatsangeet said,
December 31, 2011 at 5:36 am
Thanks for your kind words about the design of the blog. (It is just a wordpress template that I chose). I will be more than interested to be in touch with your husband, for your his Hindustani knowledge and of course you,since even today I listen to a few hours of Carnatic music. I used to make it to the Chennai season when I was in Bangalore, but now I dont live in India 😦
punam said,
February 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm
amazzing combination…….
un-imaginable…..
Basant said,
April 30, 2012 at 11:58 am
hey i am grandson of bharat vyas an i like ur site 🙂
chitrapatsangeet said,
April 30, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Hi Basant,
Welcome to my site. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you and I am happy that you like my site and my effort on Bharat Vyas. Please feel free to correspond with me at chitrapatsangeet@gmail.com
Mudit said,
May 1, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Shri Bharat vyasji first worked at Calcutta where he was given his first musical break by late Shri murlidharji garodia
chitrapatsangeet said,
May 1, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Welcome to my blog Mudit, and thanks for the info!
Narendra said,
December 26, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Great tribute to him.
Since childhood I am fan of his lyrics. I have made my personnal set of CD of all his songs. His narration of nature was outstanding.
He also sang a song “Kaviraja tum” in Navrang.
ramesh rai said,
December 16, 2014 at 2:20 pm
A flaring tribute to the humble personality whose pen showered nectar of heaven.
Vinod Kapoor said,
December 18, 2015 at 2:06 pm
There is confusion about his birthday – could you confirm that please
Dinesh Vyas said,
June 21, 2016 at 9:26 am
Excellent blog.
Dinesh Vyas here Panditji’s Grand son. Vinod kapoorji you are right his correct birth date is 6th January & not 18th of December.
Do correct.