Friday, January 21, 2011

Raah Bani Khud Manzil

Another Bollywood Gem: Raah Bani Khud Manzil.
Every once in a while a song will get stuck in my head and I can't stop listening to it in an infinite loop (literally!). Often for days!
But you guys would probably be bored to death if I posted every one of them :)  Well...
I have heard this song several times before on Vividh Bharati, but could never catch its precise words.  For some reason, this doesn't play very often.  Today when I heard it again, I resolved I won't rest until I get this song!  Lo-and-Behold! Jackpot! Less than one minute of work, after I caught on to a few key words I found it on Youtube (thanks Larry And Sergey ~~hugs-n-kisses~~ for building the infrastructure so that I could Google it out!)!
Before posting it, I had already listened to it a few tens-of-times in loop :)


As beautiful as the words are, "Raah Bani Khud Manzil, Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum", the voice and music (both by Hemant Kumar) make this a gem of a song.  I still can't pinpoint what is it that I love so much in this song, apart from the beautiful words that is. I suspect it is the Raga that has struck a cord within me, unfortunately can't be sure for I'm a total music-illiterate :(
It is lame to translate and even more lame trying to convey the meaning of the song  in English, but zat is not stopping me, izit! (Gusteau from Ratatouille):
The essence of lyrics is : the path itself has become my goal my destiny, making all the difficulties irrelevant and non-issues, just because you chose to come with me!
Lame, I know! But in the right language (Hindi) it is concoction of some powerful lyrics and beautiful tune you would want to drink again and again and again (and one more time!).

Song-Raah Bani Khud Manzil
Movie   : Kohraa
Year    : 1964
Singer  : Hemant Kumar
Lyrics  : Kaifi Azmi
Music Director: Hemant Kumar (until I dug details about this song, I didn't know Hemant Kumar has produced work in the capacity of a Music Director).
Lyrics:
Raah Banee Khud Manzil
Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil
Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum

Dekho Fool Ban Ke Saaree Dharatee Khil Padee - (2)
Guzare Aarajoo Ke Raaston Se Jis Ghadee, Jism Churaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil
Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil

Zaranaa Kah Rahaa Hain, Mere Dil Kee Daastaan - (2)
Meree Pyaas Lekar Chhaa Rahee Hain Mastiyaan, Jeen Mein Nahaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil
Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil

Panchhee Ud Gaye Sab Gaa Ke Nagmaa Pyaar Kaa - (2)
Lekin Dil Ne Ayesaa Jaal Fenkaa Pyaar Kaa, Udane Naa Paaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil
Peechhe Rah Gayee Mushkil, Saath Jo Aaye Tum
Raah Banee Khud Manzil