MUSIC #05: NEEL KAMAL 1968 (HINDI OST)

Two of my favourite Mohammad Rafi songs are from this great OST (original soundtrack) from composer Ravi Shankar Sharma (no this is not Ravi Shankar, the famous sitar player). He is often simply referred to as Ravi in the 1960s and 70s; and then as Bombay Ravi in the mid 1980s onwards. Ravi received numerous Filmfare awards (the Hindi movie industry equivalent of the Academy Awards) for his music, namely for Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Do Badan (1966), Humraaz (1967), Ankhen (1968) and Nikaah (1982). Sahir Ludhianvi is credited with the lyrics in this OST. The singers in this soundtrack are Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey. They lend their vocals to actors Raaj Kumar, Manoj Kumar and Waheeda Rehman for this movie. Waheeda Rehman won the Filmfare best actress award for her role in this picture.

The two Rafi songs that I am referring to above are “Aaja Tujko Pukare Mera Pyar” and “Babul Ki Duayen Leti Jaa”. The latter is often played at Indian weddings as it tells the story of a father giving his blessing to his daughter-bride as she leaves her birth home for that of her husband’s.

The first song however is synonymous with lost love, broken hearts and reincarnation (if you believe in rebirth). It is about a lover calling out to his sweetheart to come back to him. The first and second verses are as follows:

Song: Aaja Tujko Pukare Mera Pyar

Aaaah aaja…..
Aaaah come….
Tujko pukare mera pyar, ho…x2
My love calls to you, ho… x2
Aaja main to mitaa hoon teri chaahe mein
Come, I am destroyed/engulfed in your desire
Tujko pukare mera pyar
My love calls you

Aakhiri pal hai, aakhiri aanhen tujhe, dhundhe rahi hain
It is my last moment, my last sigh is searching for you
Dubati saansen, bujhati nigahen tujhe, dhundh rahi hain
My drowning breath, my final gaze is searching for you
Saamane aaja ek baar
Show yourself to me just once
Aaja, main to mitaa hoon, teri pyar main, tujko pukare mera pyar
Come, I am destroyed/engulfed in your desire, my love calls to you …….

Now, does it get any more teary or mushy than this????

BTW, also check out the great music in “Dono Ke Vichkar Lagta” which combines rock and roll and bhangra music. Fusion was obviously well and alive in the 60s too. As usual, Asha Bhosle is just awesome in this song. And then, there’s “Yeh Zindgi Jo Thi Ab Tak Teri Panahon Me” and “Rom Rom Meh Basne Wale Ram”. It just goes on to show the versatility of Asha Bhosle, from rock and roll, to ballads and bhajans (hindu hymns). Just awesome. Do not just take my word for it; let me know what you think of Neel Kamal.

Neel Kamal 1968: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Aaja Tujko Pukare Mera Pyar – Mohd Rafi

2. Dono Ke Vichkar Lagta – Asha Bhosle and Chorus

3. Khali Dabba Khali Botol – Manna Dey

4. Dance Music

Side Two

1. Yeh Zindgi Jo Thi Ab Tak Teri Panahon Me – Asha Bhosle

2. Babul Ki Duayen Leti Jaa – Mohd Rafi

3. Sharma Ke Yun Na Dekh – Mohd Rafi

4. Rom Rom Meh Basne Wale Ram – Asha Bhosle

The soundtrack is available HERE.

Veen’s rating: 4.5 star

PS: Apologies for the “Rom Rom Meh Basne Wale Ram” track. There is a scratch on my record and it jumps during the last part of the song. If you are a pro with music editing software, I would appreciate a cleaned up version of the song. Ta.