It has been a long time since I visited this page. There have been
reasons - the procastination being one of them, and finding a suitable
occassion being another. I realised that today could be a good day to
begin another phase where we explore the genius of Pancham.
It
was 21 years ago, this day, when he moved away from this world and yet his legacy has
lived on. In fact, his music is sounding as fresh and is as popular now,
as it was then. While writing about him today I was looking for a suitable song and came across this gem .
Words – especially those which are well thought out lasts forever. The
times may change and one fine day the same phrase re-appear again,
looking as befitting and as apt as they were years ago – or in this
particular case – centuries ago.
Around 1857, Wajid Ali Shah,
the Nawab of Awadh was forced to abdicate his throne & was exiled
from his beloved city Lucknow. It was this pain that made him pen a
couplet that has been used many a times.
Our history tells us
that one of the earliest user was Shahid Bhagat Singh when he wrote his
final farewell letter from the gallows to his brother.
Almost
50 years later, in 1982, Gulzar was making a movie based on a truck
driver’s life and his interaction with a family full of women. Perhaps
taking an inspiration from the truck art – this couplet is quite often
seen on the trucks - Gulzar used the last line of this couplet and
penned lyrics of what could be an eternal journey song, in Kishore
Kumar’s inimitable baritone for movie Namkeen.
Pancham of course
was at his prime when Namkeen was produced, and created a composition
where simplicity of instruments and the creative use of Hindustani Ragas
– Malkauns for the night drive & Megh Malhar for the rainy season –
turned it not only a classic, but also a perfect song as his legacy for
his fans.
So here it is:
So here it is:
Aise Ujade Ashiyane, Tinke Ud Gaye
Bastiyon Tak Aate Aate Raaste Mud Gaye
Hum Thahar Jayen Jahan
Usko Shahar Kahte Hain
Raah Pe Rahte Hain
Yadon Pe Basar Karte Hain
Khush Raho Ahal-e-Watan, Hum To Safar Karte Hain
Bastiyon Tak Aate Aate Raaste Mud Gaye
Hum Thahar Jayen Jahan
Usko Shahar Kahte Hain
Raah Pe Rahte Hain
Yadon Pe Basar Karte Hain
Khush Raho Ahal-e-Watan, Hum To Safar Karte Hain
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