Many a times, thinking about the present Hindi Cinema and its songs incorporated to express human emotions (in their short 2 minutes versions), I strongly recall, those were the days and those were the times…………when all the three essential ingredients of a musical creation (i.e. lyrics, composition and the rendition) worked like an effective meditative pill for the audience, under the guidance of an exceptional, insightful director, contributing a lot in the soundtrack.
But here instead of talking about our Golden Era before the 80s (or for many before the 70s), I would like to strongly praise a director who made his presence felt in the arguably most criticized decade of Hindi cinema and then went on to have a long successful career for the next two decades with some exceptional films as well as songs featuring in almost all of them. The man is known as Mahesh Bhatt, who is now widely referred as 'an example to follow' for the youngsters, learning the art of filmmaking in all the key institutes.
No doubt there is a long list of 'inspired films from the west' made by the director for which he surely cannot take the entire credit. Plus there is another long list of controversies associated with his name and personal life too. Yet there is one exceptional, God-gifted art in the man and that’s the art of portraying human emotions on screen in the most intense and effective manner choosing the right performers. Besides the way he uses his amazing sense of music and lyrics in the emotional story progressions is nothing short of a 'text-book example' for the students without any doubt. In fact this remains the major secret behind his films achieving a cult status either due to their bold execution or a memorable melodious soundtrack in his two active decades.
In short, Mahesh Bhatt can make you feel the pain and bring tears in your eyes in only a few seconds and most of his films have got several meaningful scenes that not only entertain but teach you a new way of life, living its every moment.
One of the best examples of his art, among my personal favourites, is a song from his film Najaayaz released in 1995 featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Ajay Devgan in the lead roles. Would love to share the track along with its meaningful lyrics, that always infuses a new spirit as a reminder to live each and every moment of our remaining years, more attentively and joyfully.
The song talks about life and the habit of drinking….but before you go for it, I would like to request that don’t take it as a song supporting the avoidable practice. The mention of “Glasses full of wine or bottles” in the lyrics should ideally be considered as “The Glasses full of life and Bottles full of life force” making it all positive.
Now though the film was not a runaway success but it still had its moments and this particular situation in the song depicts the relationship between a rich gangster father and his illegitimate (najaayaz) wife and son in the unique Bhatt style.
The best part of the creation comes in its concluding moments when Naseer enters the house of his wife disguised as a beggar, just to meet his young son without revealing himself. While the beggars are picking up the notes given to them by Ajay Devgan, Naseer quietly goes and touches the feet of his illegitimate son and silently asks for his forgiveness within his wounded heart. The scene makes you feel the pain along with Reema Lagoo, who is witnessing it all as a helpless silent mother and wife with moist eyes.
That’s exactly where you get to feel the power and magic of cinema working like wonder in the hands of the directors like Mahesh Bhatt.
Cheering for the man and his truly gifted art with many heartfelt thanks, would like to mention a few lines from the song, which can easily be taken as a new lesson of life to be remembered forever.
“Mujhe Tukdon Mein Nahin Jeena Hai, Katra Katra To Nahin Peena Hai,
Maikadon Mein To Piya Karta Hun,
Maikadon Mein To Piya Karta Hun,
Chalti Raahon Mein Bhi Pee Lene Do
Abhi Zinda Hun To Jee Lene Do, Bhari Barsaat Mein Pee Lene Do”
My explanation to the above lines :
“I don’t want to live my life in bits and pieces,
and I don’t want to drink the nectar of life in small doses.
I have lived enough in complete security and in closed rooms,
but now let me drink life as it is, in the open roads under the sky.
I am alive at this moment and not dead yet,
so please let me drink the wine of life in this beautiful rain”
(Translation by Bobby Sing)
Lyrics by Sudarshan Faaqir, Composed by Anu Malik
Sung By Kumar Sanu & Roop Kumar Rathod
and
Directed by Mahesh Bhatt
------
HIS BLESSINGS
bobbytalkscinema.com
(22nd March 2011)
(Note: The song "Barsaat Ke Mausam Mein" is easily available at Youtube, but do check the complete version of around 5 minutes 43 seconds)
