Posts Tagged ‘Avinash Vyas’

Aaj nahin toh kal, bikharenge yeh baadal…

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Hope

A song that has a power to heal.

Hope is one of the most powerful medicine to cure the mind. Bramha Kumaris is a Spiritual organization committed to self transformation through meditation and positive thinking. They use this song for meditation to sooth the souls.
At a personal level, I have myself listened to this song during difficult times.

Song-Aaj nahin to kal bikhrenge ye baadal
Film : Naagmani (1957)
Singer-Geeta Dutt,
Lyrics-Kavi Pradeep,
MD-Avinash Vyas

Here is rough transliteration of this inspirational song with the lyrics:

Aaj nahin to kal,
bikhrenge ye baadal
O raat ke bhoole huye musaafir,
subah huyi ghar chal
ab ghar chal re

In the very near future, the (dark) clouds (of uncertainty, unhappiness, miseries) will fade away. It is a bright morning, so the traveller lost in the (darkness of) night, let us go home (get back with life).

jod le phir se tooti mamta,
baandh le prem ki dori
zindgaani se door bhaagna
hai mann ki kamzori
ye sab dukh ke pal,
ek din jaayenge tal
O raat ke bhoole huye musaafir,
subah huyi ghar chal
ab ghar chal re

Let us reconnect with the broken relations, establish the bonds. Running away from life (and its problems) is nothing but the weakness of the mind. All these moments of unhappiness will go away very soon. It is a bright morning, so the traveller lost in the (darkness of) night, let us go home (get back with life).

dhadhhak raha sansaar hamaara,
dooba bhaagya sitaara
kise pata hai, iske bheetar
kya hai Prabhu ka ishaara
chinta chhod sakal,
har mushqil hogi sehal
O raat ke bhoole huye musaafir,
subah huyi ghar chal
ab ghar chal re

The whole life will always be burning with problems and issues. We feel that the good luck is shying away from us. We do not know what God is planning to do behind the scenes. Let us stop worrying about the things in life, every problem will get its solution (in the due course of time). It is a bright morning, so the traveller lost in the (darkness of) night, let us go home (get back with life).

jeewan ek sangraam hai Jogi,
sankat se kya darna
bhav-saagar mein bhanwar bichhi hain,
hans hans paar utarna
ab to zara sambhal,
tera jaayega bhaagya badal
O raat ke bhoole huye musaafir,
subah huyi ghar chal
ab ghar chal re

The life is an ongoing fight (with bad elements) , so we should not get worried by the difficulties in the life. This life is like an ocean with difficulties everywhere around you. We need to have a smile on our face and cross this ocean (to attain moksha). At least now, get hold of yourself (and show courage). Your destiny is (soon) going to change for better.It is a bright morning, so the traveller lost in the (darkness of) night, let us go home (get back with life).

aaj nahin to kal,
bikhrenge ye baadal
O raat ke bhoole huye musaafir,
subah huyi ghar chal
ab ghar chal re

In the very near future, the (dark) clouds (of uncertainty, unhappiness, miseries) will fade away. It is a bright morning, so the traveller lost in the (darkness of) night, let us go home (get back with life).

We feel that the central theme of the song is the lines :

bhav-saagar mein bhanwar bichhi hain,
hans hans paar utarna
Meaning the world is full of problems/challenges at every step of life. We need to do good karma and keep going with a smile on the face. What a lovely way to express the essence of life!

This is what Atul’s website says about this song:

Kavi Pradeep ji is known for wearing his heart on his sleeves and writing songs that he strongly believed in. And he had the ability to influence people with his hard hitting and straight from the heart lyrics. He has written songs iconic patriotic songs at a time when India was still ruled by the British, and he has written songs that give vent to the feelings of anguish among the public in the aftermath of partition related violence. He has written songs about the feelings of despondency and people feel when things are not going their way. And he has also written inspirational songs that tell people to look at the future with optimism, irrespective of what has happened in the past.

Here is an inspirational song where the poet exhorts people to pick up the loose threads of their lives together and make a new beginning. The clouds of misery are bound to clear up and the dark night is bound to give way for a new dawn, he tells us.
This inspirational poetry has indeed been used by a few spiritual organisations (viz Brahmkumaris) as a motivational song.
This is an inspirational song extraordinaire from “Naagmani” (1957).

Source courtesy:

http://atulsongaday.me/2011/08/09/aaj-nahin-to-kal-bikhrenge-ye-baadal/

Melody Kicks From Forgotten Flicks : Vol.11

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

Bhimsen

Geeta ji was the favorite singer of maestro composer Avinash Vyas ji. She sang more than a hundred songs for him for Hindi and Gujrati films, the most for all the composers she sang for. Here is another album for the mythological film Bhimsen (1950). She sang three solos and a duet for this film. Each and every song is a gem to be cherished.

1) Aaj bhavar mein nayya kanhaiya : Lyrics – Saraswati Kumar Deepak

2) Aaj mori bagiyaan mein bole bulbul : Lyrics – B. P. Bhargav

3) Raakho laaj hamaari : Lyrics – Saraswati Kumar Deepak

4) Sabse bada vidhaata (with Badrinath Vyas) : Lyrics – Saraswati Kumar Deepak

The spirit of Mumbai from 1949

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Mangal Phera

There have been several songs capturing the mood of arguably the greatest city of India, Mumbai. Here is one refreshing, simple yet light hearted song on the city of Mumbai.

The song practically touches & connects every Gujrati person of yesteryear i.e roughly from the time frame between 1940 to 1965. Those were the days when some one from a family will come to Mumbai from native and struggle to settle in. It is the song “Aame Mumbai na rehwaasi” from the film Mangal Phera (1949). This film had several other hit songs including the divine bhajan “Raakhna ramkadaa ne” and the evergreen Garba song “Taaliyon naa taale”.

Though this song is a trio featuring the voices of young Geeta Roy, A R Oza and Chunnilal Pardesi (singing the Marathi stanza), it is essentially a Geeta song all the way.

The pic above shows a poster of this super hit Gujrati film Mangal Phera (1949) starring Nirupa Roy and Manhar Desai.

Here is the film version of the song:


The 78 rpm record version is here

We have also provided the lyrics of the song in English script and its translation for appreciation and enjoyment of all the music lovers who may not be familiar with the language.

Lyrics in Gujrati script:

અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી
ચર્નિરોડ પર ચંપા નિવાસમાં, રૂમ નંબર નેવાસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

પેટલાદમાં પિયર મારું, સાસરું સુરત શહેર
વર ને વહુ અમે મુંબઈ રહેતા, કરતાં લીલા લહેર
મોકલ્યા સાસુ-સસરા કાશી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

સાડી પહેરી શોપિંગ કીધું, પાઈનેપલનું પીણું પીધું
બીલના રૂપિયા બાકી રાખ્યા ઉધાર પેટે પંચ્યાસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

હું ગાડાનો બેલ !
શાકભાજી, દાતણ લઈ આવું, લાવું તલનું તેલ
હું પરણ્યો પણ સંન્યાસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

પગાર રૂપિયા પંચોત્તેરમાં સાડી શેં પોષાય
મોદી ભૈયો ધોબી ઘાટી પૈસા લેવા ધક્કા ખાય
મને થઈ ગઈ થઈ ગઈ ખાંસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

રામા,
રામા, આજે રવિવાર છે, નાટક જોવા જાશું
રાંધી નાખજે પૂરી બટાટા મોડા આવી ખાશું
કાલના ભજિયા તળજે વાસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

આમચા રામાચા યુનિયનને અસા ઠરાવ કેલા
ઐતવારચી સૂટી પાઈજે, નહિ કામ કરાયચી વેળા
આજ માઝી મરૂન ગેલી માઉસી !
લો બોલો
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

વ્હાલે વિપદ આ શું કાઢી, રામા તું ન જાતો નાસી
નહિ તો મારે વાસણ ઘસતાં, રહેવું પડશે ઉપવાસી
અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી, ઓ અમે મુંબઈના રહેવાસી

Here is a picture of the great maestro composer-lyricist Avinash Vyas ji.

Avinash Vyas

Lyrics in English script:

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Petlaad Ma Piyer Maru
Sasru Surat Seher
Var Ne Vahu Ame Mumbai Rehta,
Karta Lila Leher, Mokalya Sasu Sasra Kashi,

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Sari Pehri Shopping Kidhu,
Pineapple Nu Pinu Pidhu,
Bill Na Rupiya Udhaar Rakya,
Baaki Pethe Panchyaasii

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Hun Gaada No Bail,
Shak Bhaji Daatan Layee Aavu,
Lavu Tal Nu Tel ,
Paranyo Toye Hu Sanyaasi,

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Pagaar Rupiya Panchoter Ma
Saadi Se Poshay,
Modi Bhaiyo Ghobi Ghati
Paisa Leva Dghaaka Khay,
Mane Thay Gayee Thaye Gayee Khansi,

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Rama,
Rama Aaje Ravivaar Chhe
Natak Jova Jashu,
Raandhi Nakhje Puri Batata
Moda Aavi Khashu,
Kalna Bhajiya Talje Vashi,

Aamchya Ramachya Union Nee
Assa Tharav Kela, Aikaa
Aitvaar Chi Sutti Pahije
Nahi Tar Kaamachi Vela,
Aaj Maji Marun Geli Mausi, Lo Bolo,

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

Vahle Vipad Aa Shu Kadhi,
Rama Tu Na Jato Naasi,
Nahi To Maare Vasan Dhota
Rehvu Padse Upaasi,

Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi, Aame Mumbai Na Rehwasi,
Charni Road Par Champa Niwas Ma Room No Newasi

English translation:

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

My Mother”s Town Is Petlaad And My In-Law’s Place Is In Surat
We Both Husband And Wife Are Stayin In Mumbai And Enjoying Life
We Have Sent Our In-Laws To Kaashi

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

I Wore The Sari And We Did Shopping
We Drank Pineaple Drink, We Kept Bill Pending For Rs.85/-

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

I Am An Ox Of Our Bullock Cart, One Who Buys Vegetables
And Neem Sticks, Also Brings Teel Oil, I Am Married But Stayin As Sanyaasi

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

My Salary Is Just Rs 75 And I Can’t Afford Sari,
Grossarywala Milkman, Laundrywala,
Servant Comes Daily For Their Salad
And Now I Have Caught Cough And Cold

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

O Rama,
Rama Today Is Sunday We’ll Be Out For Watching A Drama,
Please Cook Puri & Potato Curry
We’ll Come Late And Have It
Also Don’t Forget To Refry Yeserdays Bhajia

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

Our Servants Association Has Passed A Resolution
We Want A Holiday On Every Sunday
Otherwise At The Time Of Working
I Will Loose My Aunt (And Then I Will Go Away On Vacation )

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

Oh Lord Why This All Happens To Me, I Appeal To The Servant
Please Don’t Run Away Dear
And If You Do Do So, Then I Will Have To Remain On Fast (Hungry)

We Are Residents Of Mumbai,
We Are Staying In Charni Road In Champa Nivas Room No 89

Acknowledgements:

Original Gujrati lyrics source courtesy:

http://tahuko.com/?p=11747

We are thankful to our dear friend Shri Bhartendu Desai ji for helping us with the lyrics and translation of this wonderful sweet song.

* This article was originally posted on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

The magic of maestro Avinash Vyas and the two Roys..

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Trio

Avinash Vyas is one of the most famous composers in Gujarat. Nirupa Roy, born as Kokila Kishorechandra Balsara is a famous actress. Geeta Dutt (nee Roy) is a legendary playback singer famous for her “Bhaav Gayaki”. These three great artists came together for some wonderful collaborations in Hindi and Gujrati film music.

On our website, we already have a detailed discussion about the songs of Geeta Dutt composed by maestro Avinash Vyas here. We have also briefly talked about “Gujarat’s unlikely love affair with Geeta’s voice” on our website here. The fact that she has sung more songs in Gujrati (close to a hundred) than her mother tongue Bengali (close to 75 odd) is itself a great indication of her affection for the fondly Gujrat.

Avinash Vyas had the unique combination of being a poet and composer. His music and poetry ranged from a variety of geet, bhajan, ghazals, raas, garba, gujarati folk songs. He touched hearts of millions with the simplicity of his words and tunes that were a reflection of the present social-cultural and religious milieu. He also wrote ballet’s and plays (music and dance form). Some of the most popular ones were Dadi Maa Ni Dikari and Putaliwaalo (for Children).

As per an article by Shri Harish Raghuvanshi published in Dainik Bhaksar in 2008 (Gujarati), Avinash Vyas learnt Hindustani classical music from Ustad Allauddin Khan in 1940 after moving to Mumbai. After this training, he worked with HMV and Young India Recording Company as a player. It was during this time that his friendship blossomed with Ustad Allah Rakha (also known as A R Qureshi). National Gramophone Company released his first song in 1940. There after his compositions started getting aired on All India Radio. He was made the President of the Music Department at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan by Shri K.M.Munshi.

Avinash Vyas

One will be actually surprised to know that Avinash Vyas’s music career actually began with Hindi films, the first film being Mahasati Anasuya (1943) which starred Durgha Khote, Shobhana Samarth and Shahu Modak. In this film, music was composed jointly by Ustad Allah Rakha. However, initially, Avinash Vyas did experience his share of trouble and struggle as his music did not get as successful or popular. In 1948, he composed the music for Ratibhai Panatar’s Gunasundari. This film was the stepping stone of his popularity and fame.

It is right from his first Gujrati film, the musical association began with the new and fresh voice of young Geeta Roy. Incidentally, Nirupa Roy was the leading actress of this film and Geeta Roy sang several songs for this film. A fact which can not be overlooked at this point in time is that Geeta did not know any language other than her mother tongue Bengali at this juncture. She used to write the songs in Bengali script in her diary. In spite of this limitation, she was singing songs in Hindi, Urdu, Khadi boli, Braj and Gujrati effortlessly. This special talent and genius of Geeta Roy is often overlooked by the music lover community.

Coming back to the maestro Avinash Vyas. He composed approximately 1200 odd Gujarati songs for close to 190 films. Most of these songs were also penned by him. Additionally, he composed 500 odd compositions for 60 odd Hindi films. His first popular Gujarati film Gunasundari had Nirupa Roy in the leading role. Interestingly, among all of the Hindi Films that he composed music for, Nirupa Roy acted in 15 or so of these films. Those who know Nirupa Roy as the famous mother in the film “Deewar” would probably not know some facts about her. That Geeta Roy sang several dozens of songs for Nirupa Roy in the forties and early fifties would probably come as a surprise to many.

Nirupa Roy

Here is a list of films for which Geeta would have sung for Nirupa Roy (since videos of many movies are not available, it is not certain if a song sung by Geeta for these films was indeed filmed on Nirupa Roy or not)

Gunsundari (1948) – Gujrati and Hindi versions
Nanand Bhojai (1948) – Gujrati and Hindi versions
Mangalphera (1949) – Gujrati and Hindi versions
Hip Hip Hurray (1948)
Garibi (1949)
Hamari Manzil (1949)
Gadano Bel (1950) – Gujrati Film
Har Har Mahadev (1950)
Man Ka Meet (1950)
Veer Bhimsen (1950)
Dashavtaar (1951)
Jai Mahakali (1951)
Kashmir (1951)
Lav Kush (1951)
Maya Machhindra (1951)
Shri Ganesh Janma (1951)
Shri Vishnu Bhagwan (1951)
Rajrani Damayanti (1952)
Shiv Shakti (1952)
Raj Ratan (1953)
Shuk Rambha (1953)
Shiv Kanya (1954)
Raj Darbaar (1955)
Shri Ganesh Vivah (1955)
Bajrang Bali (1956)
Sati Naag Kanya (1956)
Do Roti (1957)
Janam Janam Ke Phere: Alias Sati Anapurna (1957)
Krishna Sudama (1957)
Laxmi Pooja (1957)
Naag Mani (1957)
Ram Hanuman Yuddha (1957)
Chaalbaaz (1958)
Baazigar (1959)
Dr. Z (1959)
Kangan (1959)
Kavi Kalidas (1959)

Apart from Gujarati films, Nirupa acted in many Hindi films, initially as a leading lady and then moved on to take on a variety of roles. One such role was that of the Hindu Goddesses. Tagged as the “Queen of mythological films”, it is said that people actually would line up to take her blessings. Young Geeta Roy sang many songs filmed on Nirupa Roy and this young singer had almost achieved a status of “Audio Goddess”. The film Har Har Mahadev (1950) starring Nirupa Roy and Trilok Kapoor with music by Avinash Vyas and as many as seven songs by Geeta Roy must be the most successful film by this team.

This is a divine bhajan sung by Geeta Roy and Badrinath Vyas for this film. Was the male singer related to the composer?

Here is another lovely song where Goddess Parvati is searching for Lord Shankar.

A classical case of a sweet and soft romantic number in a mythological film. The song “Rum jhum rum jhum chali jaaon main” is a sublime experience in its sweet composition, simplicity in words and effortless singing. In fact these qualities more or less summarize the careers of the composer and the singer here!

The icing on the cake is of course the famous song “Gun gun gun gun gunjan karta bhanwra, tum kaun sandesaa laaye”. The effect of humming of a bee is so well crafted by Geeta in her tender and sweet voice that is truly captivates the heart of the listener.

Coming back to the Gujrati films, the songs of Mangal Phera (1949) can be considered the “Creme de la creme” from this team of composer, singer and actress. Here are two songs that Geetaji sang for Avinash Vyas for the film Mangal Phera. Raakh na ramakda (khilone maati ka, toys of ashes…) sung along with A R Oza. It is said that V Shantaram’s eyes were filled with tears on hearing the song! The second song – a garba – Taliyon na taale. Two totally contrasting songs, and yet so wonderfully rendered. One an immortal “bhajan” Rakh na ramakda is a song that speaks of life and death, human existence, and of human frailty. The other is a fun filled song.

Mangal Phera

Here is the video of the first song followed by its English transliteration:

English transliteration:

Toys of ashes….
the creator sent mortals to play on earth
Made from mud, they were named human beings

New games played everyday
Abusing one another, quarreling over worldly possessions
and over ‘yours’ and ‘mine’
The human body coloured with Maya (attachments)

The worldly life has just begun….even before life flourishes,
it is snuffed away by the storm

The circle of life and death never ends,
The games remain incomplete
Matters of body and soul end the way they start

The other song Taliyona Tale has a magical quality to it. A song that is sung during festivities and gaieties, inimitable Geeta Dutt does justice so beautifully in emoting the playfulness, fun and frolic, transporting the listener to another realm where one can actually experience the gently flowing winds and the full moon night, with the ladies dancing away to the tunes of music.

English transliteration:

On this full moon night,
fair ladies are dancing to the tune and rhythm of their clapping hands,
their sky blue lehariya odhni flowing…this full moon night

The moon beautiful and bright,
My beloved draws me towards him
It seems as if this night is disclosing the secrets of my heart….this full moon night

Come closer O fair lady
The moon oscillates your heart strings
The heart gently swaying in beautiful full moon night…

Dance away, beautiful ladies
It seems as if Lord Krishna himself is dancing
On the banks of the river Yamuna this full moon night….

References:

1. Dhunon Ki Yatra (By Pankaj Raag)
2. Shri Harish Raghuvanshi’s article in Dainik Bhaskar

Credits:

We are thankful to our friend Bhavita for putting together this special article for us.
Also special thanks to our friend Chetan who has been helping us from the inception of this site.