REMEMBERING OUR CONSTITUTION

On 26^th Nov 1949 the constitution was  completed , which the constituent assembly took about 3 years to complete.

This document; a sacred document  the Nation gave it to itself as a guiding light to carve its destiny.

It is the longest constitution and incorporates provisions borrowed  from various other constitutions- USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, France and even Germany.

When we were students we were critical of the fact that such a large constitution with provisions incorporated from others was not the best way to do things. But now with age and time I feel that it was perhaps a good thing and there is no shame in learning from the experience of others.

It was huge because of the vastness of our Nation. The hugeness of our country in terms of size, population , communities, complexities and historical peculiarities. Time has proved that our founding fathers did a wonderful job and in my opinion it has withstood the test of time.

However certain features of it are being questioned which adds to the debate and its dynamism.

As we remember the day a few things come to my mind and therefore I intend to express the same.

The first is that we all should  remember the Preamble in the same manner as we remember our daily prayer. All citizens, Politicians, Bureaucrats, specially the following lines :

“ …..To secure to all its citizens JUSTICE,social,economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought ,expression,belief,faith and worship

EQALITY of status and opportunity………”

Further for all legislatures and Police and Bureaucrats the ‘Fundamental rights’ from article 14 to 32 should be insisted and their interpretation should be explained. It should be inculcated in the Law agencies that they are to protect the fundamental rights of citizens and not to restrict the same. Our Legislatures should be tutored in the initial months and formal classes should be held to tell them of their duties and finer aspects of the ‘Fundamental rights’ and ‘The directive principles of state policy’ should be explained to them.

Finally our citizens should know of the ‘Fundamental duties'   of the citizens and specially the following among 11:

“ (a) Abide by the constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem

(b)  Cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our freedom struggle.

( c)  Value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. 

(d) Develop the scientific temper ,humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform…”

Our Constitution has  more than 400 articles  but the key aspects are in the following:

(a)  The Preamble ( our daily prayer).

(b) The ‘Fundamental Rights’ and ‘The directive principles of state policy’.( legislatures and executive)

(c)  The Fundamental duties.( for all citizens)

THREE HINDI FILM REMAKES FOR RANBIR KAPOOR

Bharat Bhushan

RanbirKapoor

We all see things differently and that is what is 'perception'. And yet we expect our friends and fellowmen  to follow our views  exactly. I learnt this after a long time. Once i was as insistent of my views as any ardent supprter of some cause or campaign. I broach my subject with the above statement as what i may state now would alarm and  surprise many! In my view Bharat Bhushan the late star and actor of many a hindi hits was a good actor. He was never the top rung but a middle rung actor who gave us some very popular and successful films such as - 'Baiju Bawra', ;Basant Bahar', 'Mirza Ghalib'. 'Barsat ki raat', ' Phagun','Gateway of India' etc. He underplayed his role and what was Amol Palekar later he was then. He also had good sense of the medium for i understand that he wrote screenplay for some of his films. This background was perhaps necessary to make my other( main) observation

I like Ranbir Kapoor as an actor , and find him promising. But somehow;as in case of Shahrukh Khan his film selection has not been successful. He may have taken risk or tried to cultivate a different image but the net result was not  fruitful. Be it, 'Besharam', or 'Rocket Singh', or ' Bombay Velvet'. But he is a very good actor . My opinion of him is biased as i have great admiration for Prithvi Raj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor and therefore Ranbir has a great lineage to protect and preserve. And even though there is no similarity of acting or facial resemblane with Bharat Bhushan three of his films if remade would suit Ranbir. The films are:

(a) Mirza Ghalib. This was  a film based on the life of the famous Urdu Poet of 19th Century Delhi. The cast included Bharat Bhushan in title role  and it also had the great Surayya . The songs are sung by Talat Mehmood and Surayya and are mostly original Ghalib Gazals but rendered musically so well that they are popular to date. In addition to the songs the film is made well and was a big hit during its time and liked by Nehru. It captures the culture of Delhi of that time very well. Bharat Bhushan  fits in the title role as if it was made for him. Though Prithvi Raj Kapoor made Akbar immortal it could also be said of Bharat Bhushan And Surayya   made Ghalib immortal . The film was produced under the banner of Minerva movietone and directed by the legendary Sohrab Modi.The music by Ghulam Mohamad as said above is popular still. Bharat fitted the role with his soft, lean and lanky demeanour . The beard and robe and the tall cap made him authentic Ghalib. I feel if Ranbir does the role it will add to his stature and with his quality to underplay he may win many admirers. He will have to work on the correct Urdu rendition which i am confident he will and be successful. The music will be a challenge as we dont have a Khayyam or Jaidev who knew the pulse of that culture, but i am sure this challenge could be worked out.

Mirza Ghalib

( b) Baiju Bawra. This is another great superhit film of the Golden era when Music was central to Indian cinema. The cast included Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari  and the music was by Naushad and songs were written by Shakeel Badayuni. The film was directed by Vijay Bhatt. It was based on the life of Baiju Bawra who was great classical singer and who defeats Tansen in Music competition . He had resolved to avenge the death of his father who was killed by Tansen. The music of the film was a super hit and so was the love story and songs  .If Ranbir does this role it will make him a formidable actor and his personality suits the role of Baiju the singer and lover.

Baiju Bawra

( c )  Barsaat Ki Raat. This was yet again a superhit of sixties  starring Bharat Bhushan and Madhubala with remarkable music by Roshan and lyrics by Sahir Ludhiyanvi. This was an era when music was superior to cinema. The title song along with the famous Kawalli -'Na tau karwan ki talash hai na to humsafar ki talash hai..' remains the hallmark of the film. As in above cases the  role of a poet was played by Bharat Bhushan and his pleasing personality and soft image lent him credibility. If the film is remade today it may require some script update but shall still appeal. Ranbir wearing Sherwani and loose Pyjamas would be most suitable and charming. The film was scripted by Bharat Bhushan and directed by P L Santoshi( father of Raj Santoshi )










The questiuon remains that who would be the heroine? And without much discussion i suggest that Alia Bhatt would fit the bill. This lady is talented! To the manner born she is. Sometimes she reminds me of Meena Kumari , sometimes of Madhubala and sometimes of Geeta Bali. And yet she is her own person. I recommend her for roles opposite Ranbir  in all three films.

without  much exaggeration i believe that if these films are remade they  will not only make Ranbir remembered for a long time but would also make the couple memorable. The films shall also provide great entertainment to Cinema lovers. Notwithstanding the doubt which  inherantly is attached to remakes this endeavour shall be different and historical.

SALUTE TO SAAWAN

                          

Sawan season is knocking on the door and here I pay my tribute to this great season of love , longing, reconciliation and rejuvenation. The Hindi film industry has so generously portrayed the season in its films and songs since ages that it is one of the finest reflection of this season. Right from ‘Devdas’ of forties- “balam ayo baso mera man mein……Saawan aye tum na aye” to ‘Barsat’- “barsat mein humse mile tum sjan tumse mile hum..barsat mein”, to ‘barsat ki raat’-“ garjat barsat saawan ayore..laye humre bichre balamva..sakhi kya karu hai…”to ‘Parakh’-“O sajna barkha bahar aaye ras ki phuhar layi aakhiyon mein pyar layi…”to ‘Manzil’-“ rimzhim gire saawan machal jaye man—bhigei aaj is mausam mein lagi kaise ye  agan” to  ‘chupke-chupke’-“ab ki sajan saawan mein aag lage gi badan mein ghata barse gi magar mil na saken  ge do man ek hi angan mein”.

The list is endless and I discover new songs on regularity. Some which I have never listened before cast such spell even at first hearing that one is tempted to listen again and again. One such song is of Raja Mehndi Ali Khan , from the film-‘Reshmi –Rumal’ of 1961 starring Manoj Kumar and Shakila. Manoj Kumar is so relaxed in this song ; unlike his later serious and sombre looks he is refreshing and so lovely is Shakila in her vivacious best, the song goes like this:

“Zulfon ki ghata lekar saawan ki pari aayi

Barse gi tere dil mein hans hans ke jo lehrayi

Zulfon ki ghate lekar….”

The song is sung by Manna Dey and Asha Bhonsle  and the music is by Babul. There is one more Saawan song in this film sung by Talat Mehmood which is very popular-“ jab chaye kabhi saawan ki ghata ro ro ke na kar na yaad muzhe..”

The  noteworthy thing about this song is   introduction of some unique phrases and addresses , never heard hitherto such as -  ‘Saawan ki Pari’ and  ‘ Zulfon ki Ghata lekar ‘ .

BHAYA BHANJANA VANDANA SUN HAMARI……..

               

Some words, some phrases have such power  that they are able to motivate us  when  ever we listen to those words; specially in songs and poetic expressions . Songs consist of combination of words and phrases in a rhythmic fashion which create  images . This song sung by Manna Dey, written by Shailendra was composed by Shankar Jaikishan for the film ,’Basant Bahar’,

The film has many beautiful classical songs such as ‘ketaki, gulab, juhi, champak ban ghume’, sung by the  famous classical singer Pandit Bhim Sen Joshi and Manna Dey,( it is a duet/competition), but for me the Bhajan in discussion stands out.

Before talking of the power of song , the various artists who made it possible be introduced. Manna Dey,the singer. When he arrived in Mumbai he assisted Sachin Dev Burman and owing to his rich classical voice and knowledge of music was in demand for all difficult songs which required wide range/scale/pitch. This song is indeed difficult but he makes it easy.

Shailendra  remains  supreme in composing variety of songs, not only for Shankar Jaikishen  but for other  music composers such as S D Burman and  SalilChaudhary. He also wrote some famous bhajans such as ;’ na mein dhan mangu na rattan mangu( Kala Bazar), Duniya na bhaye mujhe( Basant Bahar), Jago mohan pyare( Jagte raho) and Shivji bihane chane palki sajayke bibhuti lagayke ( Munimji) and others

Bharat Bhushan  who is hero of the film ‘Basant Bahar’ to which the song belongs ,remains an underrated actor , successful in his time as an actor who always underplayed and was never overdramatic. In my opinion he was always cast well in the roles he played be it , ‘Baiju Bawra’, ‘Barsaat ki raaat’, ‘Mirza Galib’or ‘Basant Bahar’. Matching with his personality he played low key roles of a singer, poet, lover very well.

This song ( Bhajan) belongs to all three-Shailendra( lyricist), Manna Dey( singer)and Bharat Bhushan ( Actor). But the primary role is of Shailendra for creating this landmark Bhajan .

The most remarkable  quality about this song is that the manner in which it addresses God is different from other Bhajans which may be melodious but are appeasing, praising, appealing  the Almighty. Here he is addressed as ‘Bhaya Bhanjan’( the one who  demolishes/shatters /perishes -Fear )  .

Unlike normal devotees here the singer is merely asking for a glimpse of ‘Bhaye Bhanjan’. And in my opinion that is what we need in life – Free from Fear. Fear of failure, fear of the powerful, our insecurities-social, economic etc. Instead of asking for richness and wealth if ask for only freedom from fear we shall be able to achieve on our own. What is distinct in this plea is that the devotee is asking for very little , a small support from ‘Bhaye Bhanjan’.

The lovely images , the offerings  to God are also new and unique. The Bhajan  goes like this:

Bhaya bhanjana vandana sun hamari

Daras tere mange ye tera pujari

( O the one who removes all fears, listen to  my prayer

This devotee seeks your Appearance )

As stated earlier he is invoking the God by calling him as Fear-Demolisher ! This is a new form of address not totally absent in other invocations but yet  something fresh which draws attention of the reader as well as that of the Almighty!

The first stanza is also interesting in terms of imagery :  Stanza  1    

Geeton  ke  phoolon  ki  mala  banakar                                            

Laya  hoon  dil aarti mein  sajakar

Ye sanson  ki  sargam  karoon   tujhko  arpan

Tujhe  aur  kya  doon  mein  thehra   bhikar

Daras  tere  mange ye  tera  pujari…

 (  with  garland of flowers consisting of songs

I have come  to offer my heart decorated in prayer - plate to worship you

I breathe the full scale as song as offering !

What else can I give; I am a mere popper !

Daras tere mange….. )

Here the devotee is offering his songs as garland of flowers. His musical notes as offering. He is a singer and says has nothing else to offer as he is a poor person. Singing to God is also ,therefore an offering

Aaja    madhur  swapan  si  muskarati                  stanza2

Mun  ke  bujhe  deep  hanse  kar  jagati

Jape  dil  ki  dharkan   tera  naam hardam

Utar  jyot  kirnon  ki  lekar  sawari

Daras  tere  mange ……

(   appear as sweet dream smiling

And lighten my dark life

My heart chants your name always

Descend   on the shaft of light as carrier

I seek your appearance )

There is third stanza too but here I  discuss only  the two stanzas which are sufficient and representative of the ideology. In the second stanza he continues with his plea to appear in his dreams and smile at him  as this would bring light in his dark life . He says that he is ever chanting his name and finally invokes God to descend  on the shaft of light/rays  as carrier( Hindu Gods have their carriers- Shiv-Nandi the Bull, Vishnu- Garud the eagle, Ganesh-Mouse etc, Durga-Lion)

The purpose of this was to bring forth that Words have tremendous power to motivate us and indeed poets when they combine certain words /phrases they invoke such everlasting images that remain in your mind. This particular song sung by Manna Dey and written by Shailendra for the film ‘Basant Bahar’ is one such song. The Nucleus of this Bhajan – “Bhaye-Bhanjana’. Invoking Supreme as one who perishes Fear. Offering garland of songs( geeton ki phoolon ki mala banakar) and asking God to descend on a Shaft of light( Utar Jyot kirnon ki lekar sawari). These images are strong and immensely rejuvenating.  

DO BOOND PAANI

                                         DO BOOND PAANI

In 1971 Khwaja Ahmad Abbas made ‘Do Boond Pani’. Title seems to be inspired from ‘Do bigha zameen’ the outstanding film of Bimal Roy of early fifties. But the inspiration seems the same- social responsibility. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was a legendary, committed film maker and a known Marxist. He made many films on social issues of the downtrodden and though they did not make money but were critically acclaimed , they did win National film awards such as –‘Dharti ke Lal’, ‘Shahar aur Sapna’, ‘Do boond pani’, ‘Saat Hindustani’( Goa liberation). He was primarily a writer/journalist who wrote life long the last page of the English weekly ’Blitz’ edited by the charismatic ; Rusi Karanjia. He was also a script writer and wrote some famous scripts for Raj Kapoor- ‘Awaara’,’Shri 420’, ‘Bobby’ and,’Mera Naam Joker’. He also directed Raj Kapoor and Nargis in the  film ‘Anhonee’ in which Nargis  gave a good performance in a double role. One of the founding members of IPTA in the forties ( Indian Peoples Theatre association) to which were attached many great artists such as Balraj Sahni, Damyanti Sahni, Shambhu Mitra and many young talented people who had dreams about India and devoted much of their time and energy in social causes.

 The film is about a village in Rajasthan where the water was scarce. People bathed on special occasions. The hero of the film Ganga ( Jalal Agha )  is newly  married to Gauri (Simi) but owing to water scarcity people start leaving the village. But he stays back; as he does not want to abandon  his ancestral  home . He is emotionally attached to his land. However there comes a scheme to build a Dam and canal to bring water to Rajasthan.  Ganga leaves his village to enrol in the Dam construction. His family is alone ; wife pregnant and sister raped by a decoit. He too dies to save a disaster. Finally water arrives promising greenery; his wife bears a son.

The film won the Nargis Dutt award for national integration. It has nice music by Jaidev and some of the songs such as ,’pital ki mori gagri dilli se mol mangayi’’and  ‘ja re pawaniya piya ke des ja..’ were popular.

Though the film did not intend to propagate at that time but what emerges now owing to the present times is that Ganga  loved his village. To all of us it appeared as arid piece of land from where the people  should move to fertile place. But Ganga never thought to leave his village . Perhaps because the bones of his ancestors were buried there.  Perhaps he knew of no other place. This was his Nation/country/world. And therefore people have their own world their  own cocoon  from where they draw strength. Their world may not match with our ideas of Nation, but we must respect that. Further this emotion has been there in individuals and societies  since the time the societies have formed. They do not need any prescription. It is different from others but it is in harmony with the other societies. We must learn to  acknowledge their emotions

PREM DHAWAN'S NATIONALISM - MY NATIONALISM

    PREM DHAWAN’S   NATIONALISM-  MY   NATIONALISM

Prem Dhawan the famous lyricist of hindi cinema  wrote this song  for Bimal Roy production movie  -‘Kabuliwala’ :

Aye  mere  Pyare  watan                    1

Aye  mere  bichre  chaman

Tujhpe    dil  kurban.

Tuhi  meri  Aarzoo

Tuhi  meri  Aabroo

Tuhi   meri  jaan  .

Tere    daaman  se jo  aaye  un  hawaon  ko  salaam           2

Chuum    loon mein   us zubaan ko  jis    pea aye  tera  naam

Subse  pyari  subah  teri  , subse  rangi  teri shaam

Tujhpe  dil kurbaan…

Maan   ka  dil  banke  kabhi  sine  se lag  jata  hai  tu         3          

Aur   kabhi  nanhi  si beti ban ke  yaad  aata hai  tu

Jitna  yaad   aata hai mujhko  utna  tadpa  ta hai tu

Tujhpe  dil  kurbaan.

Chod  kar  teri  zammeen  ko  dur   aa   pahunche  hai  hum   4    

Phir  bhi  hai  yehi  tamanna   tere  zarroon  ki  kasam

Hum  jahan  paida  huein  hainn  uus  jagah  pe  nikle  dum

Tujhpe  pe  dil kurbaan.

 Aye  mere pyare watan…..

The  film is based on the famous story of Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore by the same name. It explores life of a Pathan ( played  commendably  by  Balraj Sahni  ) who leaves Afganistan ( Kabul)  for work  in  Kolkata. He misses his young daughter very much. During the course of his money lending business as he roams the streets he comes close to a young girl who reminds him of his daughter . He develops an emotional bond with her and she too is fond of him. There is drama and anxious moments as he is jailed as a result of physical scuffle with one of the lenders. On his  return from jail he is able to meet the young girl as she is about to be married. This song is sung by one of his mates in the lodge where the Pathans  reside.

The song roughly translates in English as below:

O’  my beloved country          1

O’ my estranged Flower garden

I sacrifice my heart for you..

You  are  my  hope

You  are  my  honour

You  are  my Life.

I  salute  the  wind  which  flows  from  You              2

I shall kiss  that person  who  mentions  your  very  name

Sweetest are  your  mornings

Most  colourful  are your  evenings

O’  my  beloved  country 

I  sacrifice my heart for you.

It  is  you that  I  embrace   when  I  remember my mother    3        

And  sometimes  you are remembered   as  my  little  daughter

The  more  I  remember you  the more  I suffer

And  my  heart  longs  for  you..

Leaving  you  behind  we  have  come  to  distant  land        4          

Then  too  there  this  desire,  I swear  by  you

That  I  shall  breathe  my  last   on  the   land  of  my  birth

O’  my beloved  country  my heart  longs  for  you…

The  song is in four  stanzas. It reflects  deep yearning of the protagonist  for his Mother land/ country/place of birth . In the film it is the Kabuliwala from Kabul - A Pathan.  Here he compares his country to a flower garden   and misses her very much- Nature, fragrance, beauty. He is ever ready to sacrifice his heart for her. His  land, his country is his hope and his honour. He is so proud of it.

He remembers the cool winds of his land. Looks at the direction from where it emanates. He is keen to kiss that person who utters the name of his land. He longs for it so much.

He recollects the mornings and evenings. The natural beauty of his country. His country is synonymous  to his mother and  daughter. As he loves his mother so he loves his country. Finally  he desires to return to her wherever he was and die on the land of his birth.

Therefore  the  love  of  Nation  is manifested in varying ways- love for one’s Mother or daughter. The natural beauty. The famous poet Iqbal also highlights the natural beauty  of India- Gulistan, Himalyas, the rivers in his famous song ‘Sare jahan se achha…’

Nationalism is not limited to a few prescribed slogans or sermons. It flows from the heart of an individual and is manifested sometimes in simple and sometimes in complex manner.

NIRALA’S NATIONALISM – MY NATIONALISM

          

   Surya Kant Tripathi-‘Nirala’, lived up-to his name-Nirala; (different/Strange), revolutionary in  thought and action. Text and texture of his works. Lyrical  was his compositions in verse and prose as well. Heart he was from top to toe. Readers are struck both by his life and works , much in Allahabad but formulated in west Bengal and well versed was he in Hindi ,Sanskrit, Bengali and Persian-good friend of Firaq was he.

 There was inherent music in his Poetry. Unpredictable  and uncompromising he was in his lifetime, which was filled with struggle , disappointments, personal loss of his young wife and daughter, and uncertain economic condition. But the fire of his imagination never reduces. He remains current. What I personally like about him is that he was steeped in Indian literature and mythology, had deep knowledge of Sanskrit and Bengali and yet he was modern. His modernity is vivid in his poetry. Among his many poems ‘Vinavadini’ , remains popular as ‘Saraswati vandana’ in many school functions in North India. Though it is sung as a routine Saraswati Vandana it is a fiery ‘National Song’ where Devi Saraswati –Godessof Art and literature and music and knowledge is being invoked for the good of the new Nation emerging from the shackles of slavery. Here I intend to bring forth his composition-‘Vinavadini’ invoking Godess Saraswati ,the Godess of learning and Art, Music. Nirala is seeking the blessings of Saraswati(Vinavadini) for Bharat- The new Nation emerging from British slavery

The poem goes like:

                  VINAVADINI 

VAR DE  VINAVADINI VAR DE  1

PRIYA  SWATANTRA RAV  AMRIT MATRA

NAV  BHARAT MEIN BHAR DE 2

KAAT ANDH UR KE BANDHAN STAR

BAHA  JANANI JYOTIRMAYA  NIRJHAR

KALUSHBHEDHTAM  HAR  PRAKASH  BHAR

JAGMAG JAG KAR DE-3

NAV GATI NAV LAYE TAAL CHAND NAV

NAVAL KANTH NAV JALAD MAND RAV

NAV NABH KE NAV VIHAG VRIND KO

NAV SUR PAR NAV SUR DE  4

In this poem Nirala has chosen Godess Saraswati  to bless the young Nation. He has not invoked Durga for Power, has not invoked Laxmi for economic prosperity and wealth. But sought blessings of Sarawati for long term ideology, spirituality, character building ,aesthetics, poetry, qualities which as humanity we perennially lack. He begins in the first stanza by addressing Saraswati and seeking direct boon – var de veena vadini varde- O  holder of veena bless me ;give us boon.  Fill the  new born Nation Bharat with an independent voice/sound/music/,with immortal sound/words/phrases/compositions. Give new voice to this new nation. Bring out the Nation from darkness of bondage and fill with burst of light .Destroy darkness , evil of the past and illuminate us with knowledge. In the final stanza the poet is at his poetic best when he says.  Give us new Rhythm , new melody, new meter, new voice, new sound  burning slowly  with aspiration . New sky, new birds, new forest  chirping with new sound of new music.

    It is an allegorical composition seeking divine boon for the Nation new. The new Nation needs new voice free of bondage , free of restrictions. A break from the past , which is not easy therefore the invocation. Moreover the new Nation needs new Ideology ,both formal in terms of its constitution and informal arising out from the free society. It has to move forward from the era of exploitation, feudalism, rigidity and carve a place for itself in the new world. It has to be a refined Nation –aesthetically , free from all restrictions. Providing congenial environment for the growth of Art, Music and culture. Making  intrinsic good citizens who shall thereafter make the Great Nation.

Lofty ideals indeed. Unique- ‘Andeze bayan’.

Have we lived up-to it?

SAHIR'S NATIONALISM - MY NATIONALISM

  

SAHIR’S   NATIONALISM – MY    NATIONALISM

My Nationalism is the Nationalism of Sahir ( Ludhianvi )  so nicely written  in the song he wrote  in 1963 for Sunil Dutt’s  film , ‘Mujhe Jeene do’. The film opens with the song in background:

AB    KOI  GULSHAN  NA UJRE AB WATAN AZAAD HAI

ROOH  GANGA  KI  HIMALAYA  KA  BADAN  AZAAD  HAI

KHEETIYAN   SONA   UGAYEEN   VADIYAN    MOTI     LUTAYEEN

AAJ    GAUTAM      KI  JAMEEN  TULSI   KA   VAN    AZAAD  HAI

MANDIRON  MEIN  SHANKH BAJE    MASJIDON     MEIN  HO AZAAN 

SHEIKH   KA   DHARAM  AUR    DIN-  E   -BARHMAN    AZAAD   HAI

LOOT    KAISI  BHI   HO     AB IS DESH    MEIN  REHNE  NA PAYE

AAJ  SABKE  VASTE   DHARTI   KA   DHAN  AZAAAD    HAI

Simply translated it means :

NOW   NO   GARDEN (  IMPLYING - HOME/FAMILY) SHALL BE DESTROYED AS  THE  NATION  IS FREE

THE SOUL  OF  GANGES ( GANGA )  AND  THE   BODY   OF  HIMALAYA   IS  FREE

  THERE   IS   PROSPERITY     IN THE  FIELDS    AND  VALLEYS

THE LAND  OF  GAUTAM  ( BUDDHA ) AND THE FORESTS  OF  TULSI ( TULSIDAS) ARE  FREE

THERE IS SOUND OF  BLOWING OF CONCH  SHELL FROM  TEMPLES  AND  THAT  OF  AZAAN   FROM  MOSQUES

THE  RELIGION  OF  MUSLIMS( SHEIKH )   AND  HINDUS( BRAHMAN)   IS   FREE

LOOT   IN  WHATEVER   FORM   SHALL   NOT   EXIST  NOW

TODAY   THE  WEALTH   OF  NATION  IS  FOR  ALL

Sahir’s Nationalism  provides  ‘Security’  to all  Homes- Gulshan, implying that all families consisting of parents, children, old, toddlers- as various flowers exist in garden ( Gulshan ) shall be safe in this Free Nation.The ‘Soul’ of the Nation represented by the Pure Ganges river is free; the’ Body’ of the Nation Represented by the ‘Mighty’ Himalyas is free.Purity of soul and body as unconquerable as Himalyas is the Poet’s vision.

As the Nation is free there is prosperity in rural areas( dharti sona ugayen ) in shape of fertile fields. There is also beauty in the valleys  represented by flowers and fruits in abundance( vadiyan  moti  lutayen)symbolized by the word –Moti. The land of  Philosophy,  peace and Poetry represented by Gautam Buddha and Tulsidas are free

There is religious tolerance between Hindus and Muslims manifested by the sounds of conch shell blowing from temples and the azaan from mosques.

Now that the land is free there shall be no exploitation- loot of any kind; physical , mental. Today the Wealth of Nation is Free for its people- Equal Opportunity to all.

Now Sahir and all of us know that India was far from his description at that time and even now. But this was the aspiration of the Poet and also the aspiration of the people. This was his ‘Ideology’ ‘vichardhara’.

But ‘Song of our Nation’ should inspire us  and this song inspires me.