THE POWER OF ETERNAL LOVE

The following is a review of this all-time classic song by Rafi Sahab from the film Chengis Khan. Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi and the music is by Hansraj Behl. This review is a must-read and is presented by Nagalakshmi Ravishankar of ADABRAFI group.

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The pangs of seperation becoming unbearable by the minute (should i say nano second), the lady takes to bed, down with not just love fever but extreme exhausion caused by uncontrolled emotional outbursts. The poor guy is so wretched and desperate, he decides to venture into her fortress, braving the heavily guarded gates only to be hauled up and tied to a tree. The lady is almost comatose, not responding to the treatment of the "Hakim", the rain pouring down relentlessly on the hapless hero. He decides to revive his love, get her back from the cruel clutches of "Yamraaj", through his ETERNAL LOVE. YES! The love is eternal. Once you fall in true love, you will never fall out of it. If you did, then you were surely not in love. Love can cure, it can revive, it can heal.
Jee haan! "MOHABBAT ZINDA REHTI HAI, MOHABBAT MAR NAHI SAKTI". Whenever i hear this song, i marvel at the versatality and range in Rafi saab's voice. He touches very high octave notes with ease, that only he was capable of and switches to mid and low octaves effortlessly.
The raag DARBAAR has added to its beauty. This particular raag has the ability to move hearts, even Yamraaj's. You can recall the song from Baiju Bawara " yeh duniya ke rakhwale" which gave Rafi saab so much fame, is based on raag darbaar.
The song "MOHABBAT ZINDA REHTI HAI", from the movie"CHENGIS KHAN", is picturised on Premnath and Beena Roy, Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi and the music is scored by Hansraj Behl.

KHOL AANKHEN APNE KHWAAB_E_NAAZ SE
JAAG MERE PYAARKI AAWAAZ SE
ZINDAGI BETAAB HAI TERELIYE
AA GALE LAG JAA USI ANDAAZ SE

The song starts with a slow tone in mid octave, rising to a higher octave almost immediately in the second line, absolute effortless singing by the maestro. The hero pleading his beloved to open her eyes from her dream, to wake up, through his call of love, because his life is worthless without her, she should embrace him once again like before.

MOBBAT ZINDA REHTI HAI, MOHABAT MAR NAHI SAKTI
AZI INSAAN KYA YEH TOH, KHUDA SE DAR NAHI SAKTI

Absotely true! There should not be fear in true love. Insaan kya, mohabbat khuda se bhi nahi darti. I always used to say, "pyar kiya toh darna kya", if you love some one, you should take the world head on.

YEH KEHDO MAUT SE JAAKAR KE EK DEEWANA KEHTA HAI
MERI ROOH_E_MOHABBAT MUJHSE PEHLE MAR NAHI SAKTI

I just adored these lines. Meri Rooh_e_ Mohabbat mujhse pehle mar nahi sakti. Love cannot die till death parts us. The lady is still in bed, eyes shut, the lamps swaying due to heavy winds, the hero still tied down and singing his heart out.

He calls out to her

CHALI AA O MERI JAAN_E_TAMANNA DILKI MEHFILME
TU MUJHSE DOOR HO ULFAT GAWAARA KAR NAHI SAKTI

There is something very special about the way Rafi saab says "ulfat", there is a small bell sound which foliows the word making it sound so nice. pay attention to this word.
The rain pouring heavily, the hero pouring his heart out heavily, the song touching high crescendo, insaan ka kya ramraaj ka dil ko bhi phigalna padega, aur mehbooba ko 'aanahi padega, sar ishq ke kadmomnpe zukhanahi padega'.

CHALI AA AA, CHALI AA, CHALI AAAAAAAAAAA
The lady opens her eyes to the surprise of the hakims and runs towards her love to get entwined in his arms. The effect of the song and Rafi saab's rendition must have been so strong that Beena Roy walked into Premnath's arms in real life too to be his wife.
Well! i will leave with this verse from Ghalib,

Hue hai paanv hee pehle nabard_e_ishq mein zakhmee
na bhaga jayee hai mujhse, na tehra jayee hai mujhse.

I hope you enjoy this song as much as i do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1J7TdCt6EU

Musical regards
Nagalakshmi