listening to Mukesh…

Note: As I was writing the post, I kept discovering Mukesh songs that I really like that I haven’t heard in a long time. So the list below isn’t really complete. But these are the songs I listen to first if I want to listen to Mukesh songs. End Note.

I’ve been listening to a lot of remixed songs (Hindi) lately. Not one of those, “I’m going to remix my own song that I made 15 minutes ago” songs. But songs that are very very old, 15+ years old.

In either case, I’ve gone back to listening to the real oldies. So when I feel I’m in the mood for Mukesh, I listen to:

Song Name – Film Name

  1. Kahi Door Jab Din – Anand [Listen] [Watch]

Favourite song ever? perhaps. has to be one of the top ones. Maybe the top one. Very possible.

part of the song I enjoy the most:

kabhi yunhin jab huyi bojhal saansen
bhar aayi baithe baithe jab yuhin aankhen
tabhi machal ke, pyaar se chal ke
chhuye koyi mujhe par nazar na aaye, nazar na aaye

“chhuye koyi mujhe par nazar na aaye”, wow. beautiful. best line in hindi movie songs. I doubt I’ll find something better.

Yes, I have this song memorized.

  1. Main Pal Do Pal – Khabhi Khabi [Listen] [Watch]

part of the song I enjoy the most:

kal koi mujhko yaad kare,
kyon koi mujhko yaad kare?
masaroof zamaana mere liye
kyon waqt apna barbaad kare?

Another song committed to memory.

  1. Suhani Chandni Raatien – Mukti [Listen] [Watch]

part of the song I enjoy the most:

kahee ayesaa na ho lag jaaye
dil mein aag paani se
badal le raasataa apanaa
ghataayen meharbaanee se
ke yaadon kee ye barsaatein
humein sonay naheen daytee

It actually took me a while to understand the poetic nature of that stanza.

yes, another memorized song.

  1. Kahi Karti Hogi – Phir Kab Milogi [Listen]

part of the song I enjoy the most:

anything that Mukesh sings in the song. I love the rhythm and the flow of this song. I only have the Mukesh bits of the song memorized.

Not that memorizing a song is an accomplishment, but these are Hindi songs after all…

Main Pal Do Pal

It’s very apt that I start with this song. It’s not my absolute favourite, but it’s the one song I can say somewhat defines what I think of myself.

main pal do pal ka shaayar huun
pal do pal meri kahaani hai
pal do pal meri hasti hai
pal do pal meri jawaani hai
main pal do pal ka shaayar huun
mujhse pahale kitne shaayar aaye aur aakar chale gaye
kuch aahen bharkar laut gaye
kuch nagme gaakar chale gaye
voh bhi ek pal ka qissa tha
main bhi ek pal ka qissa huun
kal tumse judaa ho jaa’uunga
voh aaj tumhaara hissa huun
main pal do pal ka shaayar huun

kal aur aa’enge nagmon ki
khilti kaliyaan chunnevaale
mujhse behatar kahanevaale
tumse behatar sunnevaale
kal koi mujhko yaad kare
kyon koi mujhko yaad kare
masaruuf zamaana mere liye
kyon vaqt apna barbaad kare
main pal do pal ka shaayar huun</span>

I am a poet for a moment or two
my story is for a moment or two
my existence is for a moment or two
my youth is for a moment or two
I am a poet for a moment or two
look at all the poets before me that have come and gone
some just sighed and returned
some sang and went away
their story was just for a moment in time
my story is also just for a moment in time
I am a part of you today
that will part from you tomorrow
I am a poet for a moment or two

tomorrow there will be more poets
that will pick out fresh and new poems
those that will recite better than I do
those that will listen better than you do
will anyone miss me tommorow?
why would anyone miss me?
why would this busy world
waste their time for me?
I’m a poet just for a moment or two</span>