Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar
This song review is written by Ms. Utthara Kumari B
Mohd Rafi Sahab with Dev Anand
What a romantic song! Sigh! One of the greatest romantic duets to have ever been written, ever been composed, ever been sung and ever been enacted.. A dashing Dev Anand imploring a fragile beauty Sadhana not to leave him as his heart is not yet filled with joy. The song Abhi na jao chodkar has several layers. On the surface it seems like a soft romantic song. But look beyond, you will find it is like a precursor to the twists and turns that unfold in the story. No wonder the hero is apprehensive that if the heroine leaves him, then their paths may not meet again. As it happens, the two part, face many tribulations and meet in the end.
This is an evergreen number on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s heart. You don’t get tired listening to it. You feel you can’t get enough of it. And invariably this comes as the last song in every programme.
I was in school then. One cool breezy evening this soft song wafted from a neighbour’s house. I listened to it mesmerised. Since then there has never been a day when I hadn’t hummed this song. And Vividh Bharati obliged by playing this song frequently. When the song got over, I used to wish there was a replay button and I could press hard on it. Because I couldn’t get enough of the song…Ke dil abhi bhara nahi. The soft tune, the soft romantic lyrics, the soft singing by the incomparable Rafi and Asha and the enchanting couple on screen have you asking for more and more.
Nearly 20 years after its release, I saw the movie Hum Dono. As the curtains were up, I waited impatiently for my most favourite romantic duet to light up the screen. I was not disappointed. The movie in fact begins with this lovely song Abhi na jao chodkar. I didn’t need Dev’s or Rafi’s pleading. I watched the song unblinkingly. I couldn’t get enough of it.. ke dil abhi bhara nahi. I was all set to watch the movie and the song again and again.
The song is sung by a much-in-love Mahesh Anand (Dev Anand) to the love-of-his-life Mita (Sadhana). Mahesh is supposed to meet Mita’s wealthy father (Jagirdar) the next day to ask for Mita’s hand in marriage. But he is nervous.
And that is why he sings
Zindagi ki raah mein jawan dilonki chah mein
Kayi maqaam aayenge jo humko aazmayenge
In the path of life, we may have to face many tests
And with reason. Mahesh is unemployed and lives in a small dwelling with his mother (Leela Chitnis). When she learns he is going to meet Mita’s father, she reminds him of the rich-poor divide. As cinema luck would have it, though Mita’s father reluctantly agrees for the alliance, a miffed Anand joins Army. There he meets his look-alike Major Verma.
When the Major goes missing in action during World War II, and believed dead during the battle, Mahesh is asked to convey this news to his family. Upon arrival, he is mistaken for Major Verma. He meets Verma’s mother and his ailing wife Ruma (Nanda) . Unable to break the news of Verma’s death and shatter their fragile world, he continues the charade. This creates complications in Mahesh’s life as his love, Mita, thinks that he no longer loves her. After several cinematic twists, the movie ends on a happy note with the two couples beaming Abhi na jao…
From Dev Anand himself to Shankar Mahadevan to my humble self everyone considers it the all-time best romantic number.
This duet glides over you like smooth silk. The song is simple but has meaningful lyrics, is hummable but difficult to sing. Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle make it all seem so easy though it is a song which goes high and low. The on-screen jodi the debonair Dev and the beautiful Sadhana make a delightful pair adding the sparkle.
Jaidev, the unsung music director, has gifted us unforgettable songs in this film Main zindagi ka saath, Kabhi khud pe, Jahan mein aisa kaun hai (a take-off on Abhi na jao), Allah tero naam. Sahir Ludhianvi, the romantic rebel who couldn’t marry the love of his life, has given us a song which is the last word in love and romanticism.
Sahir was basically a romantic poet. Since he failed in love many times, his poetry hints about separation. Abhi na jao too is cast in this mould. His poetry was an amazing canvas of romantic shades.
His style was simple, straight, and direct. To him goes the credit of writing simple words which are effective in conveying the romantic theme. The poetry is conversational.
Jaidev complements Sahir’s lyrical romanticism with unobtrusive yet enchanting score. There is no other way to compose it besides the way it was composed. It is unfortunate that despite his expertise in classical and folk music, Jaidev had only Hum Dono and Mujhe Jeene Do as commercial successes.
Rafi and Asha entrance listeners with their vocal magic.
Mohd Rafi Sahab with Dev Anand
Rafi, the singing God, is matchless. His whispering tones and high-pitched range are a class apart. His adaas and andaz are unique he captures every mood and every nuance of songs. In this song too, he breathes romance, love, fear of separation, a little philosophy, a little cajoling… He had this unique talent of varying his voice to suit the persona of the star he was singing for. In Abhi na jao, he paints a picture of Dev Anand through his singing. While listening to this song, you can visualise Dev Anand’s drawl, his style and his mannerisms. This was the mastery of Rafi.
Would any girl want to go away?
Listen to the way Rafi says `abhi abhi toh‘. Can anyone infuse more romance than him in that one line? Telling in that unique way that his whole world revolves round her.
Hawa zara mehak to le nazar zara behak to le
Ye sham dhal toh le zara ye dil sambhal toh le zara
Main thodi der jee toh lun nashe ke ghunt pee toh lun
Listening to Rafi sing as if drunk the line `nashe ke ghunt’, you will definitely get a high.
Abhi to kuchh kaha nahin abhi to kuchh suna nahin
Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahin
Would any heroine want to go when Rafi cajoles in that beautiful manner?
Bas ab na mujhko tokna
na badhke rah rokna
Agar main ruk gayi abhi to ja na paungi kabhi
Yahi kahoge tum sada ke dil abhi nahin bhara
Jo khatm ho kisi jagah ye aisa silsila nahin
Listen to the way she sings the above lines – expressing the wish to stay as well as leave – in that mesmerising way.
Adhuri aas
Adhuri aas chhodke adhuri pyaas chhodke
Jo roz yunhi jaogi to kis tarah nibhaogi
Ke zindagi ki raah men jawaan dilon ki chah men
Kayii maqam aayenge jo ham ko azamaayenge
Bura na mano baat ka ye pyaar hai gila nahin
Haan yahi kahoge tum sada ke dil abhi bhara nahin
Haan dil abhi bhara nahin
Nahin nahin nahin nahin
Yes, it is truly an unquenched yearning and unquenched thirst…. for this song
I would love to tell Rafi saab… abhi na jao chodkar ke dil abhi bhara nahi…
TRIVIA
* Abhi na jao is based on raag Yaman Kalyan
* Allah Tero Naam. When Dev Anand’s Navketan banner decided to give Hum Dono to S.D. Burman’s assistant Jaidev, it was on condition that Lata sang for the film. Lata immediately set aside her differences with Jaidev to sing one of the tallest devotional numbers ever. And this was the first song recorded for the film. Classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj remembers waking up from sleep with tears streaming down his cheeks after hearing this bhajan.
Asha Bhonsle says her favourite Lata song is Allah tero naam.
* Recently, in a tribute to the evergreen Dev Anand and his film production Navketan which completed 60 years, , the Information and Broadcasting Ministry screened Hum Dono in colour. This is the third film to go colourful after Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur.
utthara ji in case you call me you will get to hear another treat…this time my all time favourite number. it is from the same film as abhi na jaao chhodkar….Rafi saab grinning away as he sings main zindagi ka saath nibhaata chala gaya….!!!!!
nageshji i guess you have some competition for hello tunes from me now !!!! healthy competition of course !!! 🙂
dear uthhraji,
Aise to na dekho is one of the best and fav.,other one of the teen deviya is also bemisaal – remember ?- kahin be khayal ho ke,
Aye bahar ban ke loobate chale gaye- raaj hath,tu kaha ye bata-frm tere gar ke saamne
tum is tarah se meri zindagi me shamil ho-aap aise to nathe are my fav.and memorable.
Utthara,
You have reviewed one of the most beautiful romantic songs in a way that is most beautiful. Rafisaab and Asha were a potent combination and this song definitely is up there. As far as your review is concerned, I felt that Utthara has reinvented herself after a lengthy hiatus. After reading this all that I could tell myself was ‘Ke dil abhi bhara nahin’. Sometime back, dev saab himself mentioned on T.V that “If this song is not romantic than, i would like to know what romance is”. This coming from the debonair actor is testimony to the fact that this is one of the most beautiful romantic numbers ever composed. One needs to be brave to review this song and you have done it in the most beautiful manner. Bravo!!
dear madam,
yesterday i was viewing the intraction of dev saheb on occassion on his birthday he did mentioned about hum dono and discussed the music of d film. i feel he was admiring the work done by great team of sahir saheb, jaidev ji . no doubt hum dono was super duper musically hit i am eagerly looking forward to enjoy colour version of the film shortly. Aur sab se badi baat hai ki i am not in a possition to put my comment on grat achievements. god bless all.
Adaab Rafi ! Uttaraji,
All these days we were waiting for ur review of one of the best romantic duets in the history of bollywood songs and it was worth the wait..
You took us to the golden classic era of music and films in the b/w with the handsome Dev anand and the petite n cute Sadhana…
What can we say about our farishta Rafi sahab who literally was in top form along with Ashaji giving even the youngsters a chance to delve into the magic of evergreen retro melodies…
Now wonder today’s leading artistes like Javed akthar, Shankar Mahdevan, Hariharan, Sonu Nigham, Udit Narayan, alkha Yagnik, shreya Goshal, sunidhi Chavan and the legends of south like SPB sir, Janaki amma, Jaychandran sir . Yesudasji all rate this romanctic song as their all time favourite..
My kudos to the unsung Music composer very talented Jaidevji for bringing the melodious best song and Sahir for the initable lyrics…
Uttara behn,
Yes we want more from you and i join all of them by saying ” Yeh dil abhi nahi bara ”
Narayan
Uttara behan, thanks for your lovely piece on Abhi na jao…You have described this song in a beautiful manner. I have felt that whenever I have `attempted’ to sing this song, I have become `breathless’ as this song is like a flowing river that doesn’t end anywhere. I could never get enough of it.
As you say, there will be no singer like Rafi ever. God doesn’t make people like him anymore….
Hi Utthara,
Fantastic job!!! As usual, you took one song, analysed it completely, showed your love for it, made us all enjoy it all over again!!! Of course, your deep knowledge needs no acknowledgement – it is superlative, and all that remains is to say thank you.
How you can combine trivia, razor-sharp analysis and supreme emotion into one write-up I have no idea, but you do it, each time and every time.
Hats off, behen!!!!!
it is indeed a pleasure to listen to this song.. it is a song sung in a very casual manner but so beautifully that when one wants to sing along with Rafi saheb… one fails miserably…. I can sing many songs of Rafi saheb but when it comes to this song, it is so difficult.. The way Rafi saheb sang “Nashe ke ghoont pi to loon” is such that it is so difficult to modulate your voice as a drunken man just for one line and then in the next line it is back to normal… Only the Great Rafi Saheb could have done it…
Jay, I should say wow! The one-liner Jay writing 10 lines? That is indeed high praise. Knowing how much you like this song and Asha Bhonsle, I was curious to know your reaction. I am glad you appreciate my efforts.
Devrajji, thank you for your encouraging comments and support.
Krishnanji, a pleasant surprise. Thank you for your appreciation.
Cheers
Utthara .
Bhagchandaniji, your mini review of the song is great. All of us like this song. Evertime we hear it, we hear something new. Thank you for your appreciation.
Prakashji, nice to seey ou on this forum. Am glad that you liked the review. Tumhe dekhthi hun toh lagta hai aise is heavenly. Wish jaidev got more recongition.
Nedumangadadanji, thnaks for the info.
Priyaji, thank you.
Utthara
Hi Utthara,
What a superb article, only you can write such interestingly. i thoroughly enjoyed reading it. keep it up.
Wah Utthara wah!!
Kya baat hai…you literally took me into the scene,and got me so….romantic;-)Aapke write up ke nashe ki ghunt mein, main to tully ho gayee;-))
Jokes apart, when an author of an article evokes true emotions, the outcome is priceless! And you have done that Utthara..
Kudos to you and keep the great work on..and hey missed you in my last two shows..where were you??not tuned in??
Lots of love and best wishes
Snigs
The gift of God to mohd Rafi was all who replaced mohd Rafi with other singers they back to Mohd Rafi and dev ji was one of them.
On Tv programms when they said to Dev ji that you used KK mostly and dev ji asnwer was no I also used mohd Rafi,If am not wrong Dev ji want that mohd Rafi should get Bharat Ranta award(not sure)
Rajesh Khanna and manoj Kumar they had there best romantic songs sang by the greatest mohd Rafi.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LATA JI
Mohd Rafi fan
Happy birth to you Lata Ji
Dr Vasudha sahiba, thanks for checking my heartbeats. This song makes my heart go dhak dhak. Yeh gaana, uff yumma. Yes, like you said, I have poured out my feelings. We are so busy with our lives. let’s have some romance in life! Thodasa rumani hojaye!
With Rafi saab singing in that heart-stopping manner(doctorji, where is your stethoscope?), I can only think of this song and go mad with joy.
Cheers
Utthara
My Dear Uttara,
As it is you very well know, am your fan… kya likhthi ho yaar.. direct dil se :)) great write up my dear friend.. pz keep them coming..
love
asha
Dear Nagesh, next time I call you, don’t respond. i want to listen to Abhi na jao which is your hello tune! I can see that you have praised me twice. So, here I thank you twice __ thank you, thank you!
Shukriya for your bemisaal comments. Am treasuring all your compliments. You think my review will be the best birthday present for Dev saab? Even such a thought makes me go red with pleasure. Thank you for putting such a wonderful thought in my head.
Cheers
Utthara
hi utthara,
a very well written review, like you said, it is the the last song on any show, as no one can have enough of Rafi songs, and it is very difficult to accept that all good things come to an end.Here the hero is not willing to say “alvidha” all I can say is you dont stop reviewing , keep them coming.
Heblikarji, I am floored by your high praise. Coming from you, a renowned filmmaker, I will treasure your comments. because you are the master of the craft while I am a layperson who enjoys cinema and songs.
Thank you very much
Utthara
Achalji, thank you. The way Rafi saab sings bura na mano baat ka is truly bemisaal. I agree with you. Thank you for your support.
Guru Murthyji, I know many have this song as caller tune. Truly an evergreen song. Thank you, sir.”
Rashidji, I am 200% Rafi fan. For me, he is first and last. No one in between. Especially the songs he has sung in the fifities and sixties. Wah! He is matchless. Bahut shukriya. I am glad you liked my article.
Husseinji, thank you very much. I am delighted that you liked mya rticle. I plan to write on two of my fave osngs __ Aise toh na dekho and Hum bekhudi mein tumko. I agree these two are also Dev songs.
Mani sir, so much praise? Hearing from you afrer a long time. Thank you.
Siva sir, that is indeed high compliments. Like you said, the rythm is one smooth continuous flow without any breaks. Jaidev gave us many gems. Chaya Ganguly got the best singer award for Gaman for the song Aap ki yaad ati rahi raat bhar. Thank you, sir.
Utthara
Dear all, you all overwhelm me with your very high praise. I am touched. Abhi na jao is my all-time fave song. I wrote what I felt about this heavenly number. I wish I could have said more. But words failed me. I was so overcome with emotion.
Thank you all very much.
Utthara
suresh heblikar – a renowned film maker – saying in so many words – utthara’s review of this lovely duet – speaks volumes of her personalised expression full of soulful feelings.
there are n number reviews written in mohd rafi dot com – this review by utthara kumar b, found mention from this great kannada films honoured personality – goes to prove – the class of the entire review.
someone among rafi fans remarked – that its not that we are lucky to know and befriend uttharajee – its that uttharajee too is lucky she knows us as a rafi fan.
KUDOS CHELLS – I AM ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED – KEEP IT UP – IT MAKES US ALL VERY PROUD.
annaiyya.
rameshkurpad@gmail.com
uttharaji,
A wonderful narration and write up of ever green song.
congratulation.
richierichresort@yahoo.co.in
Refer posting 18 by M.V.Krishnan That beautiful and haunting bhajan by Lata & chorus “Govindam, govindam,govindam bajre…” is from the film “Thumare liye”(Basu chatterji), As I have said in my last posting, Jaidev is on the number one position for Bajans.
Posting 17 , “Humdono” is directed by Chetan Anand, and not Vijay Anand. V.A was assistant director and script writer
nice work done by utthraji keep it up hats off hats off
realfyf a nice sonfg F& ifts was ofne of my sirs fav song
i realy miss my sir by this song
ref post 17 the film humdono was directed by
amarjeet( to go by the credit titles) and not vijay
anand amarjeet later directed dev saheb in
teen devian gambler also. sundeep pahwa
Its NICE TO SEE uttaraji aceding to our request of reviewing this immortal song of jaidev, sahir, asha-rafi team. kudos to vijay anand too, a hard boiled mohd rafi fan who has immortalised songs from the background just like our raj kappor saaheb and nasir hussein saaheb.
everybody falls in love, love is universal. lovers in love will never like to part and sahir ludhianvi has knitted the lovers psyche so meticulously………
such words, music will never come back . they do not make such things anymore.
very shortly we will be posting this song from our concert held at vileparle’s dinanath mangeshkar hall.
uttaraji, abhi dil bhara nahin……
binus
wonderful write up utthara ji
the part where Rafi Saab sings…bura na maana baat ka…yeh pyaar hai gila nahin…is the great singer at his very best…complaining yet ensuring the lady doesnt get upset…!!! this was the first dev anand duet that i remember seeing on the screen…in fact i think the movie itself begins with this song….utterly romantic song..and so fresh even today.
great write up ma’am
regards
achal rangaswamy
It looks like there is a surrogate writer and a musician and a singer too, in Utthara.How else one could find such a moving peice of prose in a review such as the one on “abhi na jao” by her? It’s not mere talent that has made the review so engrossing, it’s her deeply sensitive mind that has made this poetic writing soulful and poignant. She writes how she yearned to see the movie time and again and wait for that immortal duet to appear on the cellolide and immerse into it’s mesmerising lyrics and images that have haunted generations over the decades.More importantly her genuine attempt at reviewing a film song of this genre makes us think and wonder as to how the lyricists and the composers of the yester years have treated film music and songs as great peices of art. I deeply appreciate Utthara’s review in this background and expect her to bring out many such gems from the treasure trove of the Hindi old classics.
Uttaraji,
Nice commentary. Congratulations. You must be knowing that this is my hello tune and I have seen people ringing me up and chiding me whenever I lifted my mobile saying that I disturbed them when they were listening to this wonderful song. Definitely, one of the best romantic duet in the history of Indian film music.
Utharaji, you have really done justice to the whole song, the lyrics, the voice of Mohamed Rafi and Asha. The flow of your writting really showed how much you love this song and ofcorse we all do but you have really made a GEET MALA with the wonderful explanation. I am absolutely over the moon that we have real Rafi fans like you.
rashid Diwan
Very nice article, Utthara ji… Can we expect more articles from you? This duet is one of their best by the master along with Ashaji. Super song, specially in Rafi Saheb’s voice.
Dear Uttharaji,
This is a tremendous stuff though coming from you it is no surprise to me. I have read this article twice and enjoyed it to my hearts content. Jaidev was a classic composer whose bhajan Govindam Govindam from Mujhe jeene do, I am yearning to possess but not succeeded so far. Abhi na jao is an all time great romantic song and ranks right up on the top. But your article is one from the top drawer. A brilliant piece of work!
m v krishnan
Dear Uttharaji,
What else one can say about this song,with on and off screen scenario.
A highly informative review.
Vijay anand proved his caliber to get best out of all artist,mainly from Jaidev.
Prabhu toro naam another bhajan of hum dono is also one of the best of lata.
and all time another song of raffiji main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya.
Jaidev had proved his caliber in sanjiv-vidya sinha starre-Tumhare liye- (Tumhe dekhati hoon to lagata hai aise – lata solo)
and remaining score of film laila majnu after demise of great madan mohan.
over all the less we talk about all time hits like abhi na jaao chodke is better, coz many of us and our age groups emotions are hide and linked with this song,to parde me rahnedo parda na uthao.
congrates for beautiful artical.
Dear Uthara,
You have proved aptly that the PEN IS INDEED MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD.
Wah-Kya kavita likhee hai.
Abhi Na Jao Chodkar – Utharaji , Mehfil Jaari Rahe aur hum sabko aur jabardast kavitayen alias gaanon ki tipniyan (synopsis) detee rahen. (please ignore/excuse grammatical errors if any while translation).
Hats off to you Utharaji.
With lots of melodicious regards,
ksmani.
Dear Utthara,
This is champagne stuff from a wordsmith. Bemisaaal write-up on
Unarguably best duet in Hindi cinema.
Abhi Na jao is my hello tune since a while. Many have told me
That they never mind when I can’t pick the calls. And many have
Called just to hear the song for mood enhancement. This is pure
Magic. I mean both the song and the review.
Though I knew the background, your write up had a gripping effect
Of a suspense thriller. This is victory to the writer.
After reading your previous review, I couldn’t take the image of
Silhouette of gurudutt at the threshold of a theatre and now thanks
To this, I can’t forget Dev sab grabbing a departing sadhana’s hand.
Hats off !!!
Nagesh Sidhanti
Dear Utthara,
You were due for a big review and if you ask me nothing could have
been bigger than this. Fantastic and bemisaal writeup. Hats off !!!
Abhi Na Jao is my hello tune for sometime now and when I can’t pick
my calls I have heard callers saying ‘ hey no problems, heard a
lilting melody’. Some even say ‘ Nagesh, I wish you had not picked
your call’.
Coming back to the review, your mastery over narration is flawless
and has a gripping effect of a suspense thriller even though I knew
the background. This is victory to the writer.
This is the greatest duet in Hindi cinema and an equally befitting
review. Last time you had done ‘yeh mehlon’ and I still can’t forget
the silhoutte of Guru Dutt coming out of your write up and now it
would be Dev sab holding departing sadhana’s hand.
Dev Sab is celebrating his birthday today and I wish him continued
evergreen life. Hope he reads this review and I am sure it would then
turn out to be his best birthday present.
Nagesh Sidhanti
Uttara
Your emotions are nothing but succulent thoughts in the very best of expression.In your review dear you have put forth your feelings in such a way ki Hey–I can palpate your feelings!!I need not use my stethescope for, the dhak dhak of your heart is very much audible.So much of intensity you have poured in reviewing this song , lo behold!the outcome is a masterpiece.
Your love for the song is all encompassing!
Proud of you!Keep such articles coming and kindle the flame of romance in every Rafi fan from time to time!!
Dr.Vasudha
dearest chells,
voila – there you are – the queen of simple expression – yet so powerful – wanting people – gasping and scrolling down to see that the article never ends cause – yah dil maangey more.
just as you in your own simple prose expalin to us how none could have written the song better, none could have sung the song better and none could have enacted the song better – i would say none could have reviewed this song better than – UTTHARA KUMARI B.
the song is as an evergreen special – never to die – never to be forgotten – all would hum it all day – every day – and after reading your review – people will really understand the simplicity and greatness of the song and the people behind it.
you are spot on ( chells ) when you say – only rafi could sing those lines endearingly and the heroine could never leave – the drunken drawl – when he sings ” nashe key ghunt pe toh lun ” – it wouldnt strike any other singer – typical of rafi and his commitment and deft handling of the song.
so much has been written about this song in such a simple way that – one is compelled to say – who is this writter ( we know you ) – please, please, please, please and please keep writing – KE DIL ABHI BHARAA NAHI. !!!
ramesh narain kurpad
rameshkurpad@gmail.com
Wow! wow!! wow!!! What a song !!! What a review !!!!! Uttharaji u have outwritten yourself. and what a subject you have chosen. ‘Abhi na jao chodkar’ with my idol dev, gorgious sadhana, Velvetty Rafi and enchanting asha was one of my most favorite songs. The way you used your words decorating the song and made a beautiful package of it was fabulous. I have seen and heard the song so many times before, but listening to the song while reading your review made it so much more enjoyable. When I reached the end i certainly felt that my ‘dhil abhi baraa nahin’. Thanks so much. looking forward to more from you.
regards
Jay
Jaidev was very versatile and one among the top. its unfortunate, his success ratio is very poor.He is considered at par with Kemchandprakash for classical songs, as good as Naushad for folk (Rajasthani folk was his speciality), Equal to MadanMohan and Roshan for gazals, (He penned shayari), on top slot for Bajans. In addition to “alla tero nam,”,” Prabhu ..”(Hum dono), his bhajan in rag Jaunpuri from the film “Parinay”; “Jaise sooraj ki garmi…”(Sharma Bandhu) and Pt.Bhimsen Joshi’s award winning bajan “Giridhar tumko..”(Ankahi) and many more are unforgettable. He was compared with C.Ramchandra for orchestration. Mukesh considered his songs in the film”Ek tha chandar ek thi Sudha”(un released; Amitab and Jaya) as his best ever in life. Lata consideres her gazals from “”Prem Parbhat” (Ye neer kaham se.. and Mera chota sa..) at par with gazals sung for Madan Mohan. Asha Bosle has selected four gazals of Jaidev in her top 25 songs. Rafi sab was all praise for his gazal from the film “Khunnus:(un released). He introduced Runa Laila, Laxmi Shankar, Parveen Sultana.Hariharan, Peenaz Mazani,Suresh wadkar, composed collection of poetry Madhushala by Dr.Harivamsharai Bhachan, and also worked on the gazals by Hariharan and Pheenaz masani in their early parts of carrer. He was very close with Madan Mohan and shared good friendship so it is not a surprise when even after so many years his song “Abhi na jao”'” entertains everybody alike.
Utthara ji-just like words fail when we try to decribe Rafi sahab’s songs, I also do not have enough adjectives to describe your article. Excellent…..
One more aspect on this song–have you noticed the rythm pattern in this song–the tabla starts with the rythm and absolutely till the end of the song it continues on the same pattern without a single break at any point of time. Just contrast this with just the opposite in “Tu chanda, main chandini” by same Jaidev, where the rhythm has so many pauses and patterns. My knowledge about theoretical music is zero, but I can appreciate the beautiful & contrasting patterns in these two gems composed by Jaidev. He worked for a total of 50-52 films and got 3 national awards-Hum dono, Reshma aur Shera & Gaman, if my memory serves me right…
Uttara,
You have been brilliant in portraying this song. I deliberately use the word ‘portraying’ because it is almost giving a visual delight besides being engrossing to read.
None will dispute that this the best ever duet in its class. It has yearning, it has closeness, with a lurking fear of distance, it celebrates togetherness, it has that masti and that nasha also. Both Rafi saahab and ashaji have enjoyed singing this song, maintaining the tempo, the mood and the fervour of the song. Rafi saahab, off course, leads it, in a way only he can by breaking free in the last stanza adhoori aas…..wherefrom he transforms the song to an out of the world experience. He had an uncanny sense of filling in for words by his elongated taans. You won’t find the lyrics being broken and at the same time would in fact enjoy the pleasant departure.
Superb, Uttara. Your song selection, the description of finer nuances and the build-up to the climax…..even the trivia became part of this song’s overall listening experience !!!
Abhi na jaao chhod kar….,
Padmanabhan NR
Dear Utthara Kumari ji,
Beautiful narration on a beautiful song. Indeed a great romantic number and you provided a wonderful insight of this song. Many congratulations for this awesome article.
Thanks and best regards.
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
Uttharaji,
Spellbound…I am bowled out. What a commentary!!!
The way you described the song is just matchless and complete in all respects. Your line to line explaination is unique.Uttharaji, my request is to keep on coming such wonderful, beautiful , matchless classic reviews from your storehouse…THIS WOULD ENBALE US TO DISCUSS MORE AND MORE ABOUT RAFI SAHAB, AND THE GOLDEN ERA OF MUSIC..I CAN ONLY REQUEST YOU THAT ABHI NA JAAO CHHODKAR..KE REVIEWS TO ABHI SHURU HUYE HAIN…
Regards;
shrirang nawathe
very nice article,,,,Ms. Utthara Kumari B,,,thanx for contributing…great job indeed,,,,,,
Yes,,,,waiting impatiently for this movie to re-release,and watch again this masterpiece Rafi Ji song playbacked on devanand….(I went to watch another movie only for the reason that at in last, the movie had the Rafiji song,”aye dil mushkil hai jina yahan) ..
I blv Dev Anand glomourus romantic image is immensly associated with Rafi Sahab playing major part that dev anand ji never acknowledged and returned Rafiji`s contribution to his success by ignoring Md Rafi completely in 70s(exception a few song)……..and as consequence,,70s this romantic image blurred and almost lost as he left rafiji then,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I had a chance to watch colour version of Hum dono,,,,there was minor film festival of Dev aanand ji -and Navketan`s film in delhi in first week of september,,where Dev sahab was also present,,I noticed him giving many interviews,,I also had chance to talk with him,,,he told me personaly his most fav song is,,Rafi sahab`s,”Har gham ko dhuyen me”””,,,and “Din dhal jaye”….but I noticed in other interviews he only talked about his upcoming movie in which he would act himself :-),,,,,and about his (comical)70s or 80s era ,,,,but the moment he goes emotional he get back to abhi na jao chhod kad and dil ka bhawar…..
Yes, if you count 10 best songs of Hindi films, “Abhi na jao..” will top the list. Not only listners from 60s, even new generation adore the song. Shankar Mahadevan to Sonu Nigam Javd Akhtar to Farhan Akthar everybody likes it.
Jaidev got his first break with Chetan Anand (Joru Ka Bhai) and was employed with Navketan and assisted S.D.B, When Dev signed Chetan to direct “Hum dono” Chetan brought Jaidev as Music director. When” Alla tero nam ” was composed jaidev wanted Lata to sing, as there was cold war going on between lata and SDB, and Lata thought it was Jai who created problem between them (which was not true) Lata refuesed to sing for Hum dono, Jai then tried M.S. Subbalaxmi, who agreed but as she was in London at the time asked for time. But Dev wanted Lata to sing, and even offered to replace Jai dev. Then entered Chetan Anand and Jai’s best friend Madan Mohan who prevailed upon Lata to sing the historical song for Hum dono. Other song “Prabhu tero nam.. is also beautiful.
comming back to “Abhi na jao…” it has so many Aces. written by A lyricsist Sahir Ludhianvi, A music Director Jai Dev, A singers Rafi and Asha and most opt Raga for a romantic song Yaman, and beautiful flute played by Pt.Hariprasad Chaurasia, and haunting santoor by Pt.Shivkumar Sharma. Not only Hum Donao, “Muje jeene do”, but Jaidev’s “Gaman” and ” Garonda” were also box office sucess. He is the only Music director who got four time Sur singar samsad award for best classical song and three time National award for best Music director (A.R. Rahman is the only other M.D) Hum dono is getting ready in colour with DTS in Octo-Nov.09 release.
Hello Uttara: What a pleasant surprise!As usual you have got into the skin of this great romantic number and given us another poetic essay to remember.The combination of Jaidev/Sahir/Rafi/Asha creating this evergreen song is heady enough,but your analysis and description has hurt the heart as well.A very enchanting piece indeed,only matched by the brilliant song.Dil zaroor bhara nahin,Uttara.
Best wishes.
M V Devraj
Wonderful… absolutely brilliant write-up…. I salute you Ma’am Utthara for writing about this ‘out of the world’ song.
I have always felt about this song exactly the same and have even attempted to write about it a couple of times, but was always short of words, words that could suitably bring the nuances of this unmatched song. But you have described each and every aspect of the song superbly.
As the song starts.. ‘Abhi naa jaao chhod kar…’ you are at once elevated to another world… a heavenly world of romanticism. …. Listen to the small small cute sentences (of lyrics) of antaraas,
Abhi abhi to aayee ho
Bahaar ban ke chhayee ho,
Hawaa zaraa mehak to le
Nazar zaraa behak to le,
(Listen how Rafi saab says words ‘hawaa zaraa…’, as if the cool air is oozing out around you, and then word ‘mehak’….. as if a soothing fragrance is enveloping the surroundings, and how craftily Rafi saab brings that feeling of nasha in word ‘behak’)
Ye shaam dhal to le zaraa
Ye dil sambhal to le zaraa
(Each and every word tranquils your mind… your heart… it transforms you to serenity.)
Mein thodi der jee to loon,
Nashe ke ghoont pee to loon
(again Rafi ssab brilliantly brings that nashaa in the lines).
….. and so on …… Asha’s portion of the song is equally brilliant. Her voice has all the essential ingredients required for this song…. feelings of a girl deeply in love… (but still wants to go back home..as it is already late)… a touch of romance, of sharaarat, bit of apprehension, inner happiness (of being in love)… she has brought out extremely well.
The song was rated as one of the top 5 romantic songs of all times by Javed Akhtar. Millions of people feel the same way.
Again Hats off to you, Utthara