Chhaayaageet #246 - "Maine yeh gaana aap ke liye nahin likha hai."
"I haven't written this song for you."
The composer, filmmaker, and the lyricist have gotten together for a music sitting. There are a total of 9 songs that have to be written, composed and recorded for this film. Work needs to move forward briskly.
The composer is in his element. He is sharp, stylish, and uncompromising. The lyricist opens his notebook filled with the song’s lyrics. The composer had already provided the meter to the lyricist. The lyricist is well known for writing beautiful words to the tune. The song is a plea of love.
The composer glances over the pages of the notebook and reads the lyrics. He reads them again. He is immersed in deep thought. Finally he shares what’s been ruminating in his mind.
“Yeh jo word hai issey badal dijiye. Koi doosra word likhiye,” he tells the lyricist. I would like you to change this word. Write some other word. The word in question is the very first word of the song.
The lyricist is confused at this ask. “Kyon?” he asks. Why?
“Mujhe yeh word achha nahin lagaa,” the composer replies casually. I don’t like the word.
For a few seconds there is silence, the kind of silence that starts feeling heavier as seconds tick by.
The lyricist thinks this through. He doesn’t understand why the composer wants the word changed. It fits perfectly in the meter and tune. He responds softly, “Maine yeh gaana aap ke liye nahin likha hai.” I haven’t written this song for you.
He continues, “Aur na hi mere liye. Maine yeh gaana audience ke liye likha hai.” And neither for myself. I have written this song for the audience.
More silence. The filmmaker realizes this might soon become a war of words between his two talented and veteran artists.
He decides to throw in his weight with the composer. “Aap woh word badal do,” the filmmaker says to the lyricist. You change that word.
The lyricist looks at the filmmaker in disbelief. This time he does not leave any room for silence. Yet, as softly as ever, he tells the filmmaker, “Aap writer badal do.” You change the writer.
The first word of the song stayed.
Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the lyrics of the song Humdum Mere Maan Bhi Jao in the film Mere Sanam (1965), music by OP Nayyar, produced by GP Sippy. Biswajeet and Asha Parekh starred in lead roles. The song is sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Mere Sanam was a hit at the box office. The songs, all of which were written by Majrooh Sahab, were immensely popular. Many of the songs such as - Pukarta Chala Hoon Main (Mohammad Rafi), Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge (Asha Bhosle), and Ye Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera (Asha Bhosle) - are remembered fondly even today.
The song, Yeh Hai Reshmi, was first written as Yeh Hai Reshmi Gesuon Ka Andhera. OP Nayyar objected to the word Gesuon. Majrooh Sahab changed it to Zulfon. However, he retained Gesuon in the second line, Jahan Tak Mehek Hai Mere Gesuon Ki Chale Aaiye.
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: OP Nayyar
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
*ing: Biswajeet, Asha Parekh
Producer: GP Sippy
Film: Mere Sanam (1965)