Chhaayaageet #146 - "We need to create a situation to include this song in the film."
The filmmaker and composer are discussing the song situations of the film. It's a rushed conversation as the filmmaker has to leave on a trip out of station.
"Please work with our lyricist and get this song written before I come back. I have already told him about the situation and he already knows your tune", the filmmaker instructs the composer. The lyricist is a renowned poet and name in the film firmament.
The composer has other plans, however. He would like to get this song written from a new young lyricist. It will get done sooner, plus it will be cheaper since the film is on a shoestring budget.
"No, no. That young lyricist will not be able to write this. Just get it written from our lyricist before I get back", the filmmaker has no time for new explorations. The film has a very short schedule, only 28 days from start of filming to the end, and filming is to begin imminently.
The composer nods his head, but perhaps not fully committed to this plan. When the filmmaker is out of town, the composer decides to summon the young lyricist. If the filmmaker asks for an explanation, an excuse can be given. Surely, the renowned lyricist must be very busy with a full plate of work. So there was no option but to get it written from the new young man.
"Tu likh ye gaana", the composer tells the young lyricist. They have worked together before and get each other. He gives the young lyricist the tune.
When the filmmaker comes back in town, a sitting is arranged with the composer and the main lyricist. Discussion turns to this song situation and tune. The composer has the lyrics from the young lyricist. The main lyricist has also written his words for this song. Now they have two sets of lyrics. What to do?
The filmmaker makes an executive decision to go with his first choice and selects the words written by his main lyricist. But he does have a word of encouragement for the new young man. A song is needed to play in the background when the title credits roll in the beginning of the film. Why don't the young man write something for the opening credits?
The young man is pleased to have an assignment. Establishing himself in the industry has been a struggle. Each filmmaker and hero have their own teams they like to work with. Raj Kapoor-Shailendra-Shankar Jaikishan-Mukesh. Rajesh Khanna-Anand Bakshi-RD Burman-Kishore Kumar. It's not easy to break into the industry as a young writer.
In addition, his style of writing is very simple. He is not given to flowery verbiage nor does he write with an Urdu flavor. It is simple Hindi, simple words, yet with the depth of meaning, songs that speak the truth of life.
He submits his lyrics for this background song. The words are well appreciated. The composer gets it recorded from a reputed singer.
In 28 days, all the work on the film is wrapped up. The only thing remaining is to film a few shots showing the lead hero walking the streets of Juhu. These shots will play in the opening of the film along with the background track, while the title and credits roll.
When the lead hero hears the song, he is struck by the beauty of the words. So much said with the simplest of words. Marvelous!
"We are doing grave injustice with this song", he tells the filmmaker. "This song will get lost if it is just a background track", he adds. There is some truth to that. The audience only remembers songs that are part of the film, and filmed on the actors and actresses. Opening songs are just an accessory and seemingly unconnected with the film.
"We need to create a situation to include this song in the film", the lead hero is adamant. He wants to have this song filmed on him so that this beautiful song gets its due appreciation and love from the audience.
The filmmaker relents. A situation is created just before the intermission so that the film doesn't feel discontinuous with the song added in. It is difficult to coordinate dates of the other supporting actors, so they decide to shoot the scene and song in different parts, filming a couple of the supporting actors separately.
Yogesh Gaud wrote the lyrics of the song Zindagi kaisi hai paheli for Anand (1971), written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, music by Salil Chowdhury. The song is sung by the legendary Manna Dey, and filmed on Rajesh Khanna.
Anand is a landmark film and ranks very highly in the pantheon of Hindi cinema for its storytelling, dialogues and acting. Hrishida was inspired to write the story of Anand after an episode of Raj Kapoor's illness. The two were very close friends, and Hrishida wondered what would happen to him if something were to happen to Raj Saab.
Salil Chowdhury had recorded a few songs for another film. The songs were written by Yogesh, and sung by Mukesh. However, that film never got made. Salilda recommended to Hrishida that they acquire the rights to at least a couple of songs from the other filmmaker as they fit with the situations in Anand very well. After some negotiations, one song was acquired. It was Kahin door jab din dhal jayen. Hrishida was not sure how Mukesh's voice would suit Rajesh Khanna, who always had Kishore Kumar provide playback. Salilda assured him that Mukesh's voice suited the pathos of the film and the public would not mind it.
The song Naa jiya lage na written by Gulzar was the one that Salilda got Yogesh to also write the lyrics for. However, Hrishida chose Gulzar's work. Yogesh's lyrics were Naa rona akhiyaan. Hrishida was already impressed by Yogesh's lyrics for Kahin door jab din dhal jayen. So he asked Yogesh to write another song which would be played during the opening credits, which ended up becoming filmed as Zindagi kaisi hai paheli. It was Rajesh Khanna's foresight to ensure this song got its due and did not get lost as an opening credits song.
Anand won a number of Filmfare Awards - Best Film (Hrishikesh Mukherjee, NC Sippy); Best Story, Best Editing for Hrishikesh Mukherjee; Best Actor (Rajesh Khanna); Best Supporting Actor (Amitabh Bachchan); Best Dialogue (Gulzar).
It is a pity that Yogesh did not receive even a nomination for the beautiful lyrics he wrote for this film. Yogesh's career got a boost from Anand. He went on to write some beautiful songs in films such as Rajnigandha, Mili, Chhoti Si Baat, Baaton Baaton Mein, Manzil and others. However, unfortunately, he was never once nominated for a Filmfare for Best Lyrics.
Here is Manna Dey singing the song live in his silken velvety voice for a performance on Doordarshan. There is an extra verse in the song that is not in the film.
Lyrics: Yogesh
Music: Salil Chowdhury
Singer: Manna Dey
*ing: Rajesh Khanna
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Film: Anand (1971)