Sooraj re jalte rahna. While growing up, I remember hearing this song when it was played on Vividh Bharati at full volume at the neighboring “paan ki dukaan”. The song was very philosophical and was imploring the sun to keep burning and shining. This was sung by Hemant Kumar in the film “Harishchandra Taramati”. I am sure it was an obscure film – never heard of it – but it was my first exposure to the golden voice of Hemant Kumar and since then have spent countless hours in his company.
Hemant’s voice is very melodious. His songs are characterized by its simplicity – simple tunes, simple background music and simple yet meaningful https://lyrics. I guess since he is both a singer and a music director, it comes naturally to him.
Hemant Kumar is simplicity personified.
Compiling a list of only Ten of Hemant Kumar’s songs does justice neither to him nor to me – but here is an humble effort. Can you just partake one drop of nectar?
Here goes…
# 1. beqaraar karake hamen yuun na jaaiye
beqaraar karake hamen yuun na jaaiye
aapako hamaarii kasam laut aaiye
Please do not go as yet and make me restless.
dekhiye vo kaalii kaalii badaliyaan
zulf kii ghataa churaa na le kahiin
I always like poetic comparison of the julf to dark clouds. Note: I wonder what the lyricist would do if confronted with a blonde, brunette or a red head?
This romantic song is from “Bees Saal Baad” and one can visualize Biswajeet imploring Waheeda not to leave him.
# 2. hai apanaa dil to aavaaraa, na jaane kis pe aayegaa
hai apanaa dil to aavaaraa, na jaane kis pe aayegaa
My heart is wavering and it may be enticed by anyone.
hasiinon ne bulaayaa, gale se bhii lagaayaa
bahut samajhaayaa, yahii na samajhaa
bahut bholaa hai bechaaraa, na jaane kis pe aayegaa
This is a chedd chadd song from “Solva Saal”. I imagine Dev Anand trying to flirt with Waheeda Rehman and she gets irritated but then in her heart of hearts really likes this kind of attention – maybe?
# 3. jaane vo kaise log the jinake
jaane vo kaise log the jinake
pyaar ko pyaar milaa
hamane to jab kaliyaan maangii
kaanton kaa haar milaa
What pathos in this song and the poet just smiles at his fate and accepts it.
I have asked for flowers(rather buds) and I get thorns but who are those people who are lucky who get love in return for love.
A very sad song from “Pyaasa” with Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman.
# 4. laharon pe lahar, ulfat hai javaan
laharon pe lahar, ulfat hai javaan
raton kii sahar, chalii aao yahaan
sitaare tima timaate hain, tu aajaa aajaa
machalatii jaa rahi hai ye havaaen aajaa aajaa
A romantic song and one can almost hear the sound of waves lapping on the water – a beautiful song from “Chhabili”.
# 5. na tum hamen jaano, na ham tumhen jaanen
- na tum hamen jaano, na ham tumhen jaanen
magar lagataa hai kuchh aisaa, meraa hamadam mil gayaa
A beautiful love song from “Baat Ek Raat Ki” with Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. We are two strangers yet there seems to be secret bond between us.
ye mausam ye raat chup hai, ye honthon kii baat chup hai
khaamoshii sunaane lagii, hai daastaan
The night is quite and the lips are sealed and our story is full of silence.
nazar ban gai hai, dil kii zubaan
My feelings are expressed through my eyes.
# 6. na ye chaand hogaa, na taare rahenge
na ye chaand hogaa, na taare rahenge
magar ham hameshaa, tumhaare rahenge
The stars may not be there, the moon may not be there but I will remain yours forever. A romantic song from “Shart” declaring undying love.
# 7. ye nayan dare dare, ye jaam bhare bhare
ye nayan dare dare, ye jaam bhare bhare
zaraa piine do
kal kii kisako khabar, ik raat hoke nidar
mujhe jiine do
Let me drink from your eyes – nobody knows what will happen tomorrow - a haunting melody from the suspense film “Kohraa” with Biswajeet and Waheeda.
# 8. zaraa nazaron se kah do jii nishaanaa chhuut na jaae
Another love song from “Bees Saal Baad” with Biswajeet and Waheeda.
zaraa nazaron se kah do jii nishaanaa chhuut na jaae
zaraa nazaron se kah do jii
mazaa jab hai tumhaarii har adaa qaatil hii kahalaae
I like the way Hemant breaks into a monologue while singing.
haay, kitanii maasuum lag rahii ho tum
tumako zaalim kahe vo jhuuthaa hai
I would not know how to translate this song – the meaning will be lost. Let me try - Please tell the surroundings not to miss their aim…?
# 9. yaa dil kii suno duniyaavaalon
yaa dil kii suno duniyaavaalon
yaa mujhako abhii chup rahane do
main gam ko khushii kaise kah duun
jo kahate hain unako kahane do
How can I say that sadness is happiness? Let others do so.
ye phul chaman me kaisaa khilaa
maalii kii nazar me pyaar nahiin
How can such a flower be tended in this garden, there is no love in the eyes of the gardener – this is very figurative.
A philosophical song from “Anupama” with Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore.
# 10. raah bani khud manzil
raah bani khud manzil
peeche rah gaye mushkil
saath jo aaye tum
If you come with me, the path becomes the destination and all the difficulties are left behind.
A philosophical song from “Kohraa”
Bonus song added by public demand(Rekh, Megha and Santoz)
tum pukaar lo, tumhaaraa intazaar hai,
tum pukaar lo
Kvaab chun rahii hai raat, beqaraar hai
tumhaaraa intazaar hai, tum pukaar lo
This is a lover’s song - the lover is pining for his love and imploring her to call out his name.
honth pe liye hue dil kii baat ham
jaagate rahenge aur kitanii raat ham
My innermost words are on the tip of my tongue, how much longer can I wait in this night - please call me.
This is from the film’Khamoshi’ with Rajesh Khanna and Waheeda Rehman.
These ten songs(plus one bonus song) are just a tip of the iceberg to taste the genius of Hemant Kumar.
Thank You, Hemant Da for being my companion all these years.