Posted on Trivia- The Spice of Life on 11/09/2022
Screen grab Courtesy : YouTube
As long as we live, we have desires. Our entire life is devoted to chasing one wish after another, one desire after another. Gautama Buddha in fact said that desire is the root cause of all misery. Be that as it may, we ordinary mortals do not and can not stop wishing, desiring and expecting. While some of our wishes come true, others do not. Life, thus, is a saga of desires – some fulfilled, others unfulfilled.
When one talks of desires and wishes who can forget the Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s immortal poem – पुष्प की अभिलाषा (Pushp ki Abhilasha). – which speaks the desire of the flower to be strewn on the path where the soldiers go marching by:-
चाह नहीं मैं सुरबाला के
गहनों में गूँथा जाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, प्रेमी-माला में
बिंध प्यारी को ललचाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, सम्राटों के शव
पर हे हरि, डाला जाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, देवों के सिर पर
चढ़ूँ भाग्य पर इठलाऊँ।
मुझे तोड़ लेना वनमाली!
उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक,
मातृभूमि पर शीश चढ़ाने
जिस पथ जावें वीर अनेक
Just like dreams, there can be no cap on what one may desire for. But then as they say – man proposes, God disposes. The fate of a desire is not decided by man but a force which is beyond man and much superior to him. There are also times when one expects or desires that one will get accolades but the exact opposite happens. You end up getting brickbats – almost akin to a hungry man expecting bread, but offered stones.
It is also said that you should be careful what you wish for, lest it come true! I am sure all of us have experienced this feeling of not enjoying what you wished after it has come true.
As you would have guessed by now, this is a post on songs that talk of wishes, desires and expectations. The words used in film songs typically are – चाह, तमन्ना, आरज़ू, माँग. Many of the songs of course are melancholic and thus speak of unfulfilled desires. There are some which also speak of fulfilment. My playlist below has songs that capture both shades. The songs in my playlist do not merely mention the desire that a person harbours but the fate of the same also features in the song. In many a song, it is luck (किस्मत) that is given credit for fulfilment of desires or otherwise. I must also clarify here that there is no scope for dreams (सपने) being fulfilled in this post. Further, the reference to desires and expectations can be anywhere in the song and not necessarily in the mukhda. The songs largely belong to the golden era and are not arranged in any particular order.
1) Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke (Pyaasa, 1957) Lyricist : Sahir Ludhianvi; Music Director : S.D.Burman ; Playback Singer : Hemant Kumar. This masterpiece from the movie Pyaasa is so very poignant and melancholic. The song is all about wishing for something and getting just the opposite. This song can also be termed as the best ode to unrequited love. Hemant Kumar’s voice continues to haunt you long after the song is over. Sahir’s lyrics leave you speechless. He sums up the ways of the selfish, materialistic world so consummately. Guru Dutt’s body language and his expressive face convey so much. S.D.Burman has kept the music subdued and it is the voice of Hemant Kumar that is dominant.
Jaane wo kaise log the jinke pyaar ko pyaar milaa hamne to jab kaliyaan maangi kaanton kaa haar milaa khushiyon ki manzil dhoondhi to gham ki gard mili chaahat ke naghme chaahe to aahen sard mili
2) Maine Chaand Aur Sitaron Ki Tamanna (Chandrakanta, 1956) Lyricist : Sahir Ludhianvi; Music Director : N.Datta ; Playback Singer : Md.Rafi. Set to Raag Bhimpalasi, this is an excellent song rendered by the one and only Rafi. It comes straight from the heart and almost moves you to tears. The whole song is about wishing for something and getting just the opposite. There is a litany of complaints clearly enlisting all that has gone awry. He had wished for the moon and the stars but only got the dark night. Unfortunately, only the audio of the song is available. I am sure it was picturized on Bharat Bhushan, the hero of the movie.
Maine chaand aur sitaaron ki tamannaa ki thi mujhko raaton ki siyaahi ke siwaa kuchh na milaa ....zakhm paayen hain bahaaron ki tamannaa ki thi maine chaand aur sitaaron ki tamannaa ki thi meri nazron ne nazaaron ki tamannaa ki thi maine chaand aur sitaaron ki tamannaa ki thi mujhko raaton ki siyaahi ke siwaa kuchh na milaa aaj badli nazar aati hain nigaahen unki jinse is dil ne sahaaron ki tamannaa ki thi maine chaand aur sitaaron ki tamannaa ki thi pyaar maangaa to sisakte huye armaan mile chain chaahaa to umadte huye toofaan mile doobte dil ne kinaaron ki tamannaa ki thi
3) Teri Zulfon Se Judai To Nahin Maangi Thi (Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hain, 1961) Lyricist : Hasrat Jaipuri ; Music Directors : Shankar Jaikishan ; Playback Singer : Md.Rafi. This is a party song sung by Dev Anand after Asha Parekh provokes him with a sher. There is a misunderstanding between the two because of which Asha not only turns cold to him but also begins to get friendly with Pran. Dev Anand, the hurt and jealous lover that he is begins to pour his heart out claiming that he sought union but got separation, imprisonment but got liberation.
Teri zulfon se judaai to nahin maangi thhi qaid maangi thhi rihaai to nahin maangi thhi
4) Toote Hue Khwabon Ne (Madhumati, 1958) Lyricist : Shailendra ; Music Director : Salil Chowdhury ; Playback Singer : Md.Rafi. Rafi sang two songs in this film – this one which is rather sad and the other one is the light hearted jungal mein mor naacha featuring Johnny Walker. This song speaks of how everything has gone topsy-turvy. What was wished for has not come true. A distraught Dilip Kumar frantically searches for Vyjyantimala.
Ham dhoondhte hain unko, jo milke nahin milte roothe hain na jaane kyun, mehmaan wo mere dil ke kyaa apni tamannaa thi, kyaa saamne aayaa hai dil ne jise paayaa thaa, aankhon ne ganwaayaa hai toote huye khwaabon ne hamko ye sikhaayaa hai dil ne jise paayaa thaa, aankhon ne ganwaayaa hai
5) Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya (Guide, 1965) Lyricist : Shailendra ; Music Director : S.D.Burman ; Playback Singer : Md.Rafi. This is yet another melancholic melody of Rafi figuring in this post. It speaks of dashed expectations. Chaaha kya, kya mila – these words of the song in particular are very symbolically picturised. The hero wanted companionship and love and instead got handcuffs. The hero is Dev Anand who is pensive and despondent.
Kya se kya ho gayaa bewafaa aaaa tere pyaar mein chaaha kya kya milaa bewafaa...aaaa tere pyaar mein
6) Mere Toote Hue Dil Se (Chhalia 1960) Lyricist : Qamar Jalalabadi ; Music Directors : Kalyanji Anandji ; Playback Singer : Mukesh. This Raj Kapoor song had the usual ensemble – Shankar Jaikishan/Shailendra/Hasrat Jaipuri – missing. It was a new team of Kalyanji Anandji and Qamar Jalalabadi. This song is as soulful and melancholic as any other Mukesh song which speaks of heartbreak and unfulfilled desires. Fate of course is named the culprit in the entire scheme of things.
Kismat teri reet niraali, o chhaliye ko chhalne waali phool khilaa to tooti daali ... maangi muhabbat paayi judaai duniyaa mujhko raas na aayi
Now that I have covered songs of dashed expectations, it is time to look at the brighter side of life where desires are actually fulfilled. So here are the next 4 songs which speak of contentment at having got what was desired.
7) Jiske Milne Ki Tamanna Thi (Majdhaar, 1947) Lyricist : Shams Lucknavi ; Music Director: Ghulam Hyder ; Singer : Khursheed. This was a song that I stumbled upon while researching for this post. The tune of the song reminds me of a song from Subah Ka taara – gaya andhera hua ujaara. This song speaks of how the heroine’s wishes have come true. But it is luck that is given the credit for this.
Jiske milne ki tamanna thhi wo pyaara mil gaya aaj kismet se hamen jo thha hamaara mil gaya
8) Tum Jo Mile Aarzoo Ko Dil (Lal Kunwar, 1952) Lyricist : Sahir Ludhianvi ; Music Director: S.D.Burman ; Singer : Suraiyya. Starring Suraiyya and Nasir Khan, this song was sung by Suraiyya. There is hardly any information about this movie or song. The song speaks of wishes coming true. The word used is aarzoo.
Tum jo miley arzoo ko dil ki raah mil gayi tum jo miley ek aas mil gayi re ik panaah mil gayi
9) Maang Ke Saath Tumhaara (Naya Daur, 1957) Lyricist : Sahir Ludhianvi ; Music Director : O.P.Nayyar; Playback Singers : Asha Bhosle & Md. Rafi. This bubbly romantic duet exudes ebullience for desires have been fulfilled. It is sung just after the lead pair pray in a temple and seek each other’s acceptance of love. The song picturised on a tonga (which in fact is central to the theme of the film) is all about joy that draws from satisfaction.
Dil kahe dildaar milaa ham kahen hamen pyaar milaa pyaar mila hamen yaar milaa ek nayaa sansaar milaa aas mili armaan milaa jeene ka saaman mila mil gayaa ek sahaara maang ke saath tumhaara main ne maang liyaa sansaar
10) Mere Dil Ne Jo Maanga Mil Gaya (Rakhwala, 1971) Lyricist : Indeevar / Hasrat Jaipuri/Rajinder Krishan (??) ; Music Directors : Kalyanji Anandji ; Playback Singer : Lata Mangeshkar. The movie had three lyricists; thus, it is not clear as to who penned this lovely song. This Dharmendra starrer, whose video is not available online to the best of my knowledge, did well at the box office. I love the song for the energy that Leena Chandavarkar pours into it with her spirited, wild dancing. In fact managing the steps that she does in a saree is commendable. She even pushes poor Dharmendra to the ground, albeit playfully. This is the ultimate song of a joyous soul whose wishes have come true.
Mere dil ne jo maanga mil gayaa maine jo kuchh bhi chaaha mil gaya ho gayi pyaar ki har tamanna tamanna jawaan
This brings me to the end of my playlist of songs that speak of wishes, desires and expectations and the fate they meet. Like I said earlier, these songs are not about dreams but only desires. Some songs speak of fulfilment and others of dashed expectations. Ghalib’s couplet is perhaps the best way of ending this post:
हज़ारों ख़्वाहिशें ऐसी कि हर ख़्वाहिश पे दम निकले बहुत निकले मिरे अरमान लेकिन फिर भी कम निकले (Thousands of desires, each worth dying for… many of them I have realized…yet I yearn for more…) Courtesy :https://poetandpoem.com
Disclaimer
anitamultitasker.wordpress.com claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, daily motion and other platforms only to make the post audio visual. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
Trivia 
Good theme and great song list.
Would these songs fit?
Yehi Hai Tamanna Tere Dar ke samne by Rafi
Mujhko Tum Jo mile sara Jahan mil Gaya by Geeta Dutt and Hemant Kumar
And
May be,
Socha tha kya, kya ho Gaya by Suraiya to denote shattered dreams
Anup
🙂
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Anupji! I feel only the third song (the one sung by Suraiyya) would qualify. It is not just the desire but the fate of the same should also be mentioned in the song.
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Anita,
Desire is universal. If you are detached from any desires, you reach a state of ‘nirvan’. Desire is not always romantic for the opposite sex. What about “Chahunga main tujhe sanjh savere, phir bhi kabhi ab naam ko tere/ Awaaz main na dunga”? That is also a desire.
There is a very nice song by Reba Muhuri in the Bangali film ‘Jai Baba Felunath’.
‘ Mohe laagi lagan guru charanan ki’ by Reba Muhuri from ‘Jai Baba Felunath’
There can be a separate post for desire for non-material things.
AK
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Thanks a lot for highlighting a completely different dimension of desire. i had actually not thought on those lines. Now that you mention, I must try and make another list on desires which are for friendship/divine love etc. Thanks for the two songs that you have added! I have actually watched Jai Baba Felunath but I had forgotten the song.
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