Hindi Film music has two major components, the music composer and the lyricist and usually, it’s the music composer who gets more prominence. But in the case of ‘Pyaasa’, it’s the other way around.

Sachin Dev Burman’s music is beautifully compelling, but its Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics that is the centrepiece of Pyaasa’s soundtrack. Also, the fact that the movie is about the life of a poet, adds to the lyrical grandeur.

The LP is strewn with hummed verses, giving it an appropriate poetic shade.

Side one starts with Rafi humming a heartbreakingly beautiful verse that sums up the mood of the album (and the movie).

“Ye hanste hue phool, ye mehkahuagulshan Ye rang meinaurnoormeindoobihuwiraahen, Ye phoolonkaras pi kemachalte hue bhanware Main doonbhitohkyadoontumhen ae shokhnazaaron Le- de ke mere pas kuchaansuhainkuchhaahen.”

“These smiling flowers, this fragrant garden, These paths dipped in colour and light” Drinking nectar of the flowers, the bees sway, What can I give to you, O splendid Nature?” All I have is few tears and a few sighs. This is followed by Jinhein Naaz Hai Hind Pe Wo Kahaan Hain (Where are the ones who have pride in our nation), an old poem from Sahir’s bag about the post-independence, difficult realities of a Nation. Laid on a bare melody and sung starkly by Rafi, it’s a hard-hitting comment on the society. Next up is the classic love duet (Rafi & Geeta Dutt), Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein Iss Dil Ko Basa Dein Toh (What if I set my heart into your eyes). A waltz based on a Rabindra Sangeet (music of Rabindra Nath Tagore) melody that conveys the happy romantic phase of our poet-protagonist’s life.

Then comes the playful solicitation (by a prostitute in the movie) of Jaane Kya Tune Kahi (Don’t know what you said) sung perfectly by Geeta Dutt. One can just hear the charming clink of the prostitute’s ear-ring in her voice. The last track on Side One is a sort of ad-jingle Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye (If your head is spinning) for a masseuse friend of our poet-protagonist, whose business isn’t doing well. Here its Rafi’s singing that does justice to the solicitation.

Side two has three grand tracks. Jaane Wo Kaise Log The Jinke Pyaar Pyaar Ko Pyaar Mila (Who are those people who got love in return of love) is where our poet cries out about the futility of his love. Rendered soulfully by the great Hemant Kumar it still remains one of the finest examples of unrequited love. The next track is a Baul music (the devotional folk music of Bengal) influenced Bhajan, Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Laga Lo (Embrace me today, my darling) sung powerfully by Geeta Dutt.

The last track of the LP, Ye Mahlon Ye Takhton (These palaces, these thrones) is where the real meat lies. This is where the musician and the poet climax together. This is where SD Burman breathes a unique and immortal life into the words of Sahir Ludhianvi. With its subtle beginnings to the gentle orchestra to the angry crescendo, this song is of epic proportions. This is where our poet-protagonist rejects the world and walks away saying Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye Toh Kya Hai (So what if this world becomes mine).

The three singers Mohd Rafi, Geeta Dutt and Hemant Kumar are all excellent in their assigned roles specially Rafi. He sings the bubbly Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye and the highly brooding Yeh Mahlon Yeh Takhton with equal finesse.

Due to the creative differences and perhaps an ego-tussle on the success of ‘Pyaasa’, SD Burman and Sahir never worked together again. The duo that gave musical gems like ‘House No 44’, ‘Jaal’, ‘Devdas’ and ‘Munimjee’ to the world, ended their association after this masterpiece. Sad and splendid.

‘Pyaasa’ remains a timeless drop in the vast ocean of music and poetry.

Year: 1957

Genre: Hindi

Film Music

Label: EMI /Odeon

Rating: ****

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com .