The Final Song ...... Lo Aa Gayee....

One of the greatest lyricists of his time, Shailendra once remarked:

Hai Sabse Madhur Woh Geet Jisse Hum
Dard Ke Dhun Pe Gaatey Hain ......

The most melodious are those songs, that the heart sings in times of pain .... what a thought, what beautiful and simple but profound words.... And indeed it is this power of the sad elegy, the haunted memorium, the sorrowful marsiya that touches us more deeply than the songs of happiness and cheer....

After all, did not another great poet-lyricist Majrooh write:

Sukh Hai Ek Chhav Dhalti, Aati Hai Jaati Hai
Dukh To Apna Saathi Hai ......

The adornment of Happiness is life a Shadow, it comes and goes on the mercy and majesty of the Sun ... But Pain .... it always remains with us like a True Friend..... The songs which I discuss today have this beautiful quality of being loaded with the various shades of sorrow .... what can be more sorrowful than a person on his death-bed remembering a lost love and waiting only for a last glimpse on the one she loved? And to add to it the tragedy that you never get to meet him as he reaches by the time you are already dead and gone..... Imagine the irony, if you already knew that you would be dead and gone by the time, he arrives....

The movie was Do Badan... in my humble estimation, one of the best albums of all-time containing three brilliant Rafi numbers, some such that you would not forget them even today, each and every one a glimpse in the pain of the lover for the beloved, an Asha number that talks of the pining of a lover for her beloved and I intend to very soon discuss the entire album in entirety some day ... For today, I intend to focus on a beautiful Lata Mangeshkar number, one of the best numbers to be shot on the death-bed.....

Lo Aa Gayee Unn ki Yaad, Woh Naheen Aaye ..... 

(It comes back... his memory ... but Alas! he doesn't)

Dil Unn Ko Dhoondhtaa Hai, Ghum Ka Singaar Kar Ke

Aankhen Bhi Thak Gayee Hai, Ab Intezaar Kar Ke

Ek Aas Rahe Gayee Hai, Woh Bhi Naa Toot Jaaye ....... 

(My heart searches for my beloved, with adornments of pure sorrow
My eyes have tired of the long watch they have kept for him till now
Just a hope bleeds within me.... Which won't last till 'morrow)

Roti Hain Aaj Hum Par, Tanhaeeyaan Humaari

Woh Bhi Naa Paaye Shaayad, Parchhaeeyaan Humaari

Badhhte Hi Jaa Rahe Hain, Maayuseeyon Ke Saaye .......

(Tears have also cried profusely on my Loneliness
To my Shadows, My Beloved may not even be a Witness
All round me I feel, the increasing shadows of Darkness ..... )

Lau Thartharaa Rahi Hai, Ab Shamma-E-Zindagi Ki

Ujdee Huyee Mohabbat Mehmaan Hain Do Ghadi Ki

Mar Kar Hi Ab Milenge ...... Jee Kar To Mil Naa Paaye

(The Candle of my life, finally in wait ends
My destroyed Love a guest of a few last seconds
Alive we could not meet ....  but on after death , hope depends)


The music is the genius of Ravi, one of the most stylish music directors of his time..... the lyrics by Rajendra Kishen if I am not mistaken.... and the voice of Lata Mangeshkar... this is my all-time favourite song.... I hope I can remember the song, when I am dying.... especially the last lines.....

Mar Kar Hi Ab Milenge.... Jee Kar To Mil Naa Paaye..... 

What a beautiful blind unconditional love .... only Gods can love with such intensity and truth! Mankind is not capable of such pure emotions....