Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele…
Written by: H.A.K. Walijah
Mohd Rafi
Rafi saab had sung plenty of meaningful and philosophical songs, “ yeh zindagi ke mele” is one of the gems out of those multitude of songs. A song from “Mela” (1948) lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni and music by: Naushad. The beauty of this song is simply superb. The vocals of Rafi Sahab projected in this immortal song is simply adroit and artful. The exuberance and freshness of his voice is immaculate.
Three giant stalwarts (Naushad, Shakeel and Rafi) of Hindi Film Music were joined hands together to create this masterpiece. Well this song belongs to the early period of Rafi Saab’s career as playback singer. The voice looks so fresh and vibrant, the high and low musical scales are beautifully maintained and balanced, the rendition was marvelous & amazing. Even the musical instruments used in this song were kept to minimum. Almost all of the songs rendered by Rafi Saab had been tremendous meaningful lyrics and profound gravity to human facets. A talented bunch of poets were alive and written most beautiful lyrics what we termed that period – Golden Era of HFM, that era had been definitely belonged to Rafi Saab.
The philosophy of life had beautifully drawn and projected in this song which applies to each and every human being in this world, each word of the lyrics is dipped in naked truth. Even this song sometimes make us to cry, leave everything and run into the forest to lead a life of an ascetic, fearing of unreal and mythical nature of the world. The hard hitting reality presented in this song, though the lyrics are so simple yet meaningful, very absorbed or deep in thought. The reality is to forget this world which is so ethereal, mundane and transitory. We all like passers-by on the road leading to somewhere or nowhere which no one knows. The mystery of life and death are musically drawn in this little gem. The figurative word used here for the world is Mela (carnival) which will come and goes every year, the multitude of human beings may come and go as well in the same manner.
Now let us analyze this song in layman’s language:
This world is attractive to us with its snares, amusements and carnivals that make us oblivious of its transitory nature. Despite the fun and frolic that we seek in the world, we have to bid adieu to the world. Yes, no one will accompany us.
yeh zindagee… ke mele….
duniya me.n kam naa ho.nge,
afsos hamm naa ho.nge,
If you look towards the world, its outward appearance is same as a carnival, full of life and commotion and it will be there as long as this world remains. The word “Mela” personified to the world itself which is more or less like a rest-stop for a traveler who does not know what is his destination. The essence of life has been clearly drawn to carnival even after so much multitude of human ocean and different colors and amusements that none will be permanent as all must go on without stop in other words the show must go on. It simply signifies that human existence is temporary and a brief halt on this earth which is called life, no one is permanent not even the creation of the Creator.
If one looks into the simple line that will give us in-depth meaning of life and its significance. The final line summed up: “alas! we won’t be there present”. What we stay on this Earth is not more than a transitory stay for a few moments, that could be of hundred years or less than that period. The beauty of the lyrics lies in its simplicity, the profound thought will pinch our soul to stop a while and ponder over the colorful world which is nothing but an illusion.
duniyaa hai mauje dariyaa,
qatre kee zindagee kyaa,
paanee me.n mil ke paanee,
anjaam yeh ke faanee / 2,
damm bhar ko saa.ns le le,
We have to make it on our own. Naturally, others will take our place just as we have taken the place of those who have already gone forth. Life will come full circle and so will the world that will repeat the story for times to come. Carnivals will be held once again but we won’t be there.
If anyone noticed in the film the song had split into two occasions , the first two stanzas was lip-synced by an unknown youth playing harmonium in the movie where Dilip Kumar, Nargis and other woman roaming in the carnival. The frolic moments were captured artistically in black & white which more or less resembled every Indian village ambience . You can verily noticed Rafi Saab sang for almost all heroes as well as for unknown persons (like fakirs, street singers, street vendor, beggars, old men etc.) It is the greatness of Rafi Saab that he had not mind to sing only for heroes but sang many songs for unknown personalities (the good old example is film Dosti songs where the actors in that film were not familiar faces for silver screen). Likewise this song also lip-synced by an an unknown actor (youth) for the first two stanzas and the last stanza had lip-synced by an old man. It is a very simple carnival where a three carriage swing had shown. This is general remembrance for all of us where all must have even remembered in one’s own childhood who have had gone through such fun and joyful experience by sitting in the spinning swing with ten paisa or twenty paisa. It is reminiscent of nostalgic moments, aura of Indian villages.
As a matter of fact the meaning of the above stanza is simple yet deep like ocean. This world is like a wave of ocean and what is the significance of a drop in the ocean, the water mingles in the water and final result to be finished, this is the game created for human beings, wait for a moment and take some rest then you are going to finish and disappear like vapor in the air from this world. When Rafi Saab comes to second time at the word faanee, he simply and masterfully prolonged the word heeeeeeeen is wonderstruck and awe-inspiring.
hongi yahi bahaaren,
ulfat ki yaadagaaren
bigadegi aur banegi,
duniya yahi rahegi / 2,
honge yahi jhamele,
Lovers will swear by their love all over again and make monuments to celebrate youth, love and spring. At the same time, problems that were before will also persist side by side. The spring times and love monuments are all always stay here in this world, the world will get good times as well as worst times, whatsoever the world still remain here, the problems and its solutions will persist hand in glove.
When the song enters in final stanza, we notice :
ik din pa.degaa jaanaa,
kyaa waqt kyaa zamaanaa
koee naa saath degaa,
sab kuchh yahee.n rahegaa,
jaye.nge hamm akele,
If one understands the simple meaning of life no one will love this world and its carnal pleasures lies therein. Yet it is a fun to be loved. One day every living thing must perish, no matter how long it will take time (span of life). We all came alone to the world and will go alone leaving everything behind, nobody accompany us to the other world (if exists), we will all go alone.
Even after passing more than sixty two years, this song sounds fresh and awe-inspiring. This is simply because the great vocals of Rafi Saab made this song immortal and lovable among masses.
Finally, as long as HFM exists, the name of Mohd. Rafi will linger in the memory and haunt the music lovers over and over again. He still lives among us though physically he is not present, but his immortal golden voice still echoing and captivating the hearts & minds of music lovers. It is already acknowledged by many music maestros that Mohd. Rafi is one of the greatest, and most revered playback singer ever graced to the hindi filmdom especially Hindi Film Music.
“Now that I’ve realized that I’m going down
From all this pain you’ve put me through
Every time I close my eyes I lock it down oh
I can’t go on not loving you “
right kind of poetry and this songs show that there will be nothing except our NAMAYAMAAL
There is no alternative at present available and perhaps will never born. Because he (Almighty Allah give him eternal peace in Jannat) sung the sings in all Islamic romantic, Adbia , Tarbia, Almia etc.
We shall ever pray for his Bakhshes.
What a wonderful article on wonderful song of Rafi Saab. This is the life philosophy summarized in few simple verses, the greatness of Shakeel Badayuni sahab and immortal tune of Naushad Saab is beyond praise. This and other songs of Naushad Saab will be remembered for years to come. Very nice and simple analysis on a great song. Bahut khoob!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Walijah Sir,
Well crafted and masterfully written write up. I want to convey my hearty greetings for such article.
It is true that Rafi Saab, Naushad Shaab and Shakeel Saab are one of the successful trio who have given plenty of super hit songs. If I remember roughly, some I can recap –
Aan, Amar, Mother India, Mughal-e-azam, Raam aur Shyam, Dil Diya Dard liya, Palki, leader, ganga jamuna and many more.
Thanks & Salams
A. Almas
The abovementioned Trio has produced many great songs, but personalli I don’t like “Yeh zindagi mele”. This is not this trio’s one of the best. I think another Trio or quadro,rather. Md. Rafi/Shankar-Jaikishan and Hasrat Jaipuri has many more hit songs.
Gautam Banerjee.
Mohammed Rafis songs reflect peace love and harmony for all mankinds.
His god given voice wil keep our heart and mind forever.In western wolrd
we seen singers specialized in differnt categories.In their life time how many
songs actually they did.Some are jazz.blues,r/b,rock,country,etc.Rafi was
specialised in many categories.HIs style and delivery was very unique.
Award and recognations was given to him was never enough.Rafis legacy and
dedications and contributions to the music world is unprecidented.If today
he was given highest award of india,pakistan and bangladesh combined
still it is not enough.All things are long long due.We like to see more books,
institution name after him.Like he says one of his songs mujhe kitne pyar hai
tumshe aapni dil se pucho.It is true his love for every one.
Abed mansur
1020 newby st
glendale california 91201
usa
The best programme on Rafisaab was recently organised by mumbai bsed troupe Musicolor at Bhaidas hall in Mumbai. An unplugged event with 35 musicians. Singer Srikhant Narayan and Sarita Rajesh sang immortal songs of the legend. The packed audience went ecstatic. Way to go guys. We look forward to many more such events.
Kumar Chatterjee
Teree Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Qadam Aaj Ke Baad .
Yeh Duniya Yeh Mahfil
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=JOHAR+IN+KASHMIR&aq=f
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IT WILL BE A EVENING OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS/LIVE SONGS WITH RICH ANECDOTES..
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never make monuments….even in small scale
roti kapda aur makaan ke baad mohd rafi ke geet har modh par saath deta hai….
god’s wonderful creation – mohd rafi saaheb….
the rafi foundatioin
binus2000@hotmail.com
RAMADHAN KAREEM : best wishes this ramadhan month to rafi saab lovers… may this fraternal relations – “stay 366 days “.
the rafi foundation :
cell : 9833 250 701
Achal rangaswamy Ji, I am overwhelmed by your comment. you are one of the revered rafians. many many thanks again for your graceful comments.
Dr. J. Ketwaru Ji, thanks a lot.
Vinod Mehru Ji – Main bahut khush hoon aap ke khoobsurat comments se. thanks again.
Regards,
H.A.K. Walijah
walijah saab
this was narration at its best. what a song and what an analysis!!!
bahut khoob, janaab
i was thinking of rafi saab the 31st of august that he would be singing the same song
but instead of his saying afsos hum na honge..it is all his fans who say this.
but when i look at this highly competitive and materialistic world, rafi saab perhaps would be looking at it from up there and saying yeh duniya yeh mehfil mere kaam ki nahin
very beautifully written article sir.
regards
achal rangaswamy
Dear Respected Rafians,
Dr. Khaja Sahab, Nafisa Ji, Sachin Ji, Kabeer Ji, Siva Ji, Binu Ji, Shaik Sahab, and Diwan Ji, I am grateful to all of you for your admiration and kind comments.
I wish you all the best.
Thanks & Regards
H.A.K. Walijah
Who is Rafi ? Who is Naushad ? Who is Shakeel ? Who is Dilip Kumar
such questions will never arise in the comming thousands of ages when all the todays’ names will be vanished, because the music of these greats have echoed in the world and the stones, water, air, plants will murmur these names.
yeh jindagi ke meley,gone are the writers,song composers and to large extent the listeners,few of listeners like us will always miss that era when literature used to be highly appreciated and accepted,I have been searching Bhala Karne wale bhalai kiye jaa sung by rafi sahib,this song was composed by Ravi for Ghar sansar 1958.I wish if this song is posted on this site
One of my favourite song..Just listen how Md.Rafi has sung this song… i dont think, anyone else can ever come even close to him…
Song: MERI AWAZ SUNO
Movie: NAUNIHAL
Meri aawaaz suno, pyaar ke raaz suno
maine ek phool jo seene pe sajaa rakhaa tha
uske parade main tumhein dil se lagaa rakhha tha
tha judaa sabase mere ishq ka andaaz suno
Meri aawaaz suno..
Zindagi bhar mujhe nafarat si rahi ashkon se
mere khwaabon ko tum ashkon mein dubote kyon ho
jo meri tarah jiyaa karate hain kab marate hain
thak gayaa hoon mujhe so lene do rote kyon ho
so ke bhi jaagate hi rahate hain jaanbaaz suno
Meri aawaaz suno..
Meri duniya mein na poorab hai na pashchim koi
saare insaan simat aaye khulee baahon mein
kal bhatakataa tha main jin rahon main tanhaa tanhaa
kaafile kitane mile aaj unheen rahon main
aur sab nikale mere humadard mere humaraz suno
Meri aawaaz suno..
Find More lyrics at http://www.sweetslyrics.com
Naunihaal aate hain arathi ko kinaare kar lo
main jahaan tha inhein jaanaa hai vahaan se aage
aasamaan inakaa zameen inaee zamaanaa inakaa
hain kai inake jahaan mere jahaan se aage
inhein kaliyaan nA kaho hain ye chumanasaaz suno
Meri aawaaz suno..
Kyon sanvaree hai ye chandan ki chitaa mere liye
main koi jism nahin hoon ke jalaaoge mujhe
raakh ke saath bikhar jaaoongaa main duniya mein
tum jahaan khaaoge thokar vaheen paaoge mujhe
har kadam par hai nae mod ka aagaaz suno
Meri aawaaz sunopyaar ke raaz suno
maine ek phool jo seene pe sajaa rakhaa tha
uske parde main tumhein dil se lagaa rakhha tha
tha judaa sabase mere ishq ka andaaz suno
Meri aawaaz suno..
AS LONG AS POETRY and art remains, SUCH SONGS LIKE ZINDAGI KE MELE WILL “FLOURISH”. lovely write-up walijah saab.
there is a similar song on life. Jaayega jab yahan se kuch bhi na saath hoga from motimahal sung by mohd rafi and madhubala. music is by hansraj bahl. a favourite song of mohd rafi according to his friend mr vijay nafde.
“aashiq mar jaate hai, zinda reh jaati hai yaad.
zindabad, zindabad, ay mohabbat zindabad.
mughul e azam completed 50 years this week.
long live music legends…
Walijah sahab
Great write-up on a great, immortal song. You had made us appreciate the song better.Never mind comments from people who just want to write something “different” so that their comments are noticed(refer post #4)
This film had one more masterpiece of Mukesh-Gaayeja geet milan ke …
What simple orchestration by Naushad!! Keep writing-we eagerly look forward for more such gems from you also.
By the way, yesterday I was listening to Akela hoon mein humsafar dhoondta hoon, mohabbat ke mein rehguzar dhoondta hoon by Rafi sahab from film “Jaal”.
What a great rendition-in his inimitable style…..
Walijah Saab,
aap ne woh song ke upar analysis kiyaa hai jo mere bhi janam ke pahle ka hai. rafi saheb, naushad sahib aur shakil saheb ki tikdi ka yeh gaana ek anjaan beggars yaa phir jo mele mein ek stand haath mein lekar kucg samaan bechte hai us per picturisation tha.
mein rafi saheb ko jyada unke intekaal ke baad hi suna hai, yeh gaana aur deedar film ka meri kahani bhoolane wale, aur kalyan ji anand ji ka mukadar ka sikander wala sad song jo vinod khanna par tha, yeh tabhi malum hue.
wishing u all the best for your forthcoming write ups.
with love ,
vinod mehru
09768245368
It is the way on wich Rafi saab sings this song,wich so much feelings(different kind of emotions).In that time it was for the Great Naushad a problem to find a singer for this kind of song.with much variations in music note and tune (low and high).This is one of the great songs of this young man.With this songs and many other style of songs he introduces himself as a “Farista” With regards,Dr.J .Ketwaru
Who will forget the immortal melodies created by the combo of (Rafi, Naushad and Shakeel) Yeh Zindagi ke mele, one of the classic song rendered by Mohd. Rafi Saab and is based on Raag Bhairavi.
What a glowing tribute to Naushad Saheb by Pandit Jasraj (classical vocalist) which appeared in the National Daily “ The Hindu “ on 26 May 2006 exactly after fourteen days of Naushad Saheb death.
I was 14 and in Lahore when my brother Pandit Maniramji took me to see “Rattan”, not once but five times! (Sings) Akhiyan milake jiya bharmake chale nahin jaana…
Naushad saheb used classical raags to create different moods. Or else he went in for beautiful folk tunes. Remember his Multani, Malkauns, Bhairav, Lalit, Bhairavi, Kedara, Hamir?
Trained as they were in classical shaili, Lataji and Mohammed Rafi could do justice to his melodies, whether Ganga ki mauj, Mohe bhool gaye sawariya (Baiju Bawra) or Madhuban mein radhika (“Kohinoor”). Who else but Naushad could have the guts to ask the greatest classical musicians of his time to sing for him? Remember the wonderful duet of Amir Khan and D.V. Paluskar in raag Desi — Aaj gawat man mero from “Mughal-e-Azam”? The Purya Dhanashri by Amir Khan — Tori jai jai kartaar (“Baiju Bawra”)? How he managed to persuade Bade Ghulam saheb to render raag Sohni (Prem jogan ban ke) in “Mughal-e-Azam”. He approached such artistes with humility and veneration, requesting them in elegant Urdu to “honour him by their singing”.
After 36 years of listening to his wonderful songs, I finally met Naushadji when I faced a heart problem. He wrote to me, “Why is God so unkind as to make such a fine singer suffer? You will recover and sing better than before.”
“Who else but Pandit Jasraj?” he said and had me release his biography. On that occasion I said that I could compare him only to my father-in-law Dr.V. Shantaram, who had restored the popularity of Kathak through “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje”. Similarly, classical music had distanced itself from the masses. Naushad revived a nationwide interest in it. Uski wajah se ham aaj hain (We are where we are today because of that). Even today if someone sings Malkauns, listeners remember Man tarpat hari darshan (Baiju Bawra), a Kedar makes you recall Bekaspe karam (“Mughal-e-Azam”).
Naushad was true to the raag. No alien notes, only sahi chalan (correct phrasing). Take Mohe panghat pe (“Mughal-e-Azam”). What a Gaara! A classical musician can sing it. (Laughs) The problem is that at once people will see Madhubala! Mori naazuk kalayya marod gayore… What lovely words! See how the music flows with them! He orchestrated 100 instruments flawlessly when recording technology was hardly advanced. He had marvellous lyricists, but then he was himself such a poet that he could monitor quality.
Once I attended his lecture where someone asked him why he didn’t use western music. He said, “My country is not so poor that I have to go begging and foraging elsewhere.” Mind you, the man knew western music very well. But he remained true to his personal taste, and innate sensibility. This gave him consistency, and made him unforgettable.
Listen to this Multani he composed for Amir Khan in “Shabab” (Sings) Daya karo he giridhara gopala… Some of the films for which he scored may have failed, but not the music he made for them.
Walijah Saab,
Very nice write up, simply superb.
The foursome combo (Rafi Saab, Naushad Saab, Shakeel Saab, and Dilip Kumar Saab) gave us string of jubilees starting from Mela (1948) till Sunghursh (1968) in between you will find the following list of Jubilee movies which are itself an honour to those great personalities. Within a span of 20 years 15 jubilee movies delivered from these maestros, which are –
Mela, Andaz, Babul, Deedar, Aan, Amar, Uran Khatola, Kohinoor, Mughle-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Leader, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Raam aur Shyam, Aadmi and Sunghursh.
Hope to expect from you such nice write up in future as well.
Very best regards
Kabeer Aman
I don’t think it was agreat song. These trio had many other great songs which were much better than this song. In fact I think Mela was Naushad’s one of the worst, barring Samsad Begum>s song, which was very good.
Gautam.
No words can describe the feelings, integrity of this beautiful song. Trio (Rafi sahab, Naushad and Skakeel sahab) has only create this wonderful song.
basti basti parbat parbat gaata jaye bajnara,
lekar dil ka ek taar,
kadam kadampar honi baithi apna jaal bichaye,
is jeevan ke baad mien jaane kaun yahan reh jaye,
bast basti……..
pal do pal ka saath hamara pal do pal ki yaari,
aaj ruke kal karni hai chalne ki tayyari,
basti basti……
dhan daulat ke peeche kyon hai, yeh duniya deewani,
yahan ki daulat yahan rahegi, saath nahin yeh jaani,
basti bast……..
such songs are part of our conscience, without trying to remember they are in the memory.
yeh zindagi ke meley also is an iconic sufiana song, which is immortal.
A very deep and philosophical analysis. leave alone translating and describing the meanings, selecting a song to do so from the sea of compostions sung by rafi composed and written by these legendary poets and music directors itself is a tough job.
ASA, Janab Walijah Saheb,
Bahut Khoob, Great analysis of a great song of trio, Rafi Sahab, Naushad Sahab and Shakeel Sahab. Aapko bahut bahut Mubarak for this beautiful narration.
With regards to all Rafi lovers.
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin