614. Philosophical Song of Rafi: Zindaabaad zindaabaad ay mohabbat zindaabaad...

                                  
Movie: MUGHAL-E-AZAM ( released 5th August 1960)

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Music: Naushad

Main Movie-Hall where first released in Bombay: Maratha Mandir.

"MERI EK AAKHRI ILTIJAA HAI:
DUNIYAA ME.N DIL-WAALE KA
SAATH DENAA, DAULAT WAALE
KA NAHEE.N!"
Shahzada Salim (Dilip Kumar) to Sang-taraash (Kumar).

Philsophial/Didactic and immortal Song of Rafi Sahaab, celebrating love and martyrdom: Zindaabaad Zindaabaad Ay Mohabbat Zindaabaad….Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu-Hindi Lyrics:

wafaa kee raah me.n,
CONSTANCY PAVES THE WAY FOR


aashiq kee eid hotee hai,
FOR THE LOVER’S ‘EID’,


khushee manaao,
REJOICE!


mohabbat, shaheed hotee hai….
AS LOVE BECOMES A MARTYR!


zindaabaad zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA!


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR, 


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR!


zindaabaad zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA!


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR!


daulat kee zanjeero.n se tuu
FROM THE FETTERS OF RICHES, YOU….


daulat kee zanjeero.n se tuu, rehtee hai aazaad,
FROM THE FETTERS OF RICHES YOU REMAIN FREE!


zindaabaad zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA!


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR, 


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR!


mandir me.n masjid me.n, tuu
YOU’RE IN THE TEMPLE, IN THE MOSQUE,


aur tuhee hai imaano.n me.n,
AND ‘TIS YOU IN THE FAITHS,


murlee kee taano.n tuu
YOU’RE IN THE TUNES OF THE FLUTE,


aur, tuhee hai aazaano.n me.n,
AND ‘TIS YOU IN THE CALL TO PRAYERS,


tere damm se deen dharam kee, duniyaa hai aabaad,
BY YOUR VIRTUE, THE WORLD OF RELIGIOUS PIETY THRIVES,


zindaabaad zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA!


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR,


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR!


pyaar kee aandhee ruk naa sakegee nafrat kee deewaaro.n se,
THE GALE OF LOVE WON’T BE BLOCKED BY THE WALLS OF HATRED,


Khoon-e-mohabbat ho naa sakegaa, Khanjar se talwaaro.n se,
DAGGERS AND SWORDS WON’T KILL LOVE,


mar jaate hai.n aashiq zindaa, reh jaatee hai yaad,
LOVERS DIE; MEMORY STAYS ON ALIVE,


zindaabaad zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA!


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR,


ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
VIVA L’AMOUR!


ishq baghaawat kar baiThe toh duniyaa ka ruKh mo.D de,
IF LOVE WERE TO REVOLT, IT’D CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE WORLD ,


aag lagaa de, mehlo.n me.n aur takht-e-shaahee to.D de,
SET FIRE TO THE PALACES, AND SHATTER THE ROYAL THRONES,


seenaa taane maut se khele, kuchh naa kare fariyaad,
PLAYING WITH DEATH VALIANTLY, IT MAKES NO COMPLAINT,


chorus: zindaabaad zindaabaad,
            VIVA, VIVA,


            Zindaabaad zindaabaad,
            VIVA, VIVA!


           ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
           VIVA L’AMOUR,


           ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
           VIVA L’AMOUR!


            AAA~~~AAAAA~~


taj hukumat jiskaa mazhab, phir us kaa eemaan kahaa.n,
THE ONE WHOSE CREED IS SCEPTRE AND CROWN, THEN WHITHER HIS FAITH!


taj hukumat jiskaa mazhab, phir us kaa eemaan kahaa.n,
THE ONE WHOSE CREED IS SCEPTRE AND CROWN, THEN WHITHER HIS FAITH!


jis ke dil me.n pyaar naa ho, voh patthar hai insaan kahaa.n,
THE ONE WHO’S NO LOVE IN THE HEART, HE’S A STONE – NOT HUMAN!


jis ke dil me.n pyaar naa ho, voh patthar hai~~~, insaan kahaa.n~~~~~,
THE ONE WHO’S NO LOVE IN THE HEART, HE’S A STONE – NOT HUMAN!


pyaar ke dushman hosh me.n aa, ho jaayegaa barbaad,
O ENEMY OF LOVE, COME TO THE SENSES, LEST YOU PERISH!


With chorus: zindaabaad zindaabaad,
                    VIVA, VIVA,


                   ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
                   VIVA L’AMOUR,

                   ay mohabbat zindaabaad,
                   VIVA L’AMOUR,


                   zindaabaad zindaabaad,
                   VIVA, VIVA,


                   Zindaabaad~~~~
                   VIVA!


NASIR

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion - I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more - I could be martyred for my religion - Love is my religion - I could die for that.
John Keats
lyrics

translation

137. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Zindabaad, Zindabaad, Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad..

Movie: MUGHAL-E-AZAM (1960)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

MERI EK AAKHRI ILTIJAA HAI:
DUNIYAN ME.N DILWAALE KA SAATH DENA,
DAULAT WAALE KA NAHIN.
- Advice from Shahzada Salim (Dilipkumar) to all lovers.


Rafi Saab in one of his most difficult but immortal songs:Zindabaad, Zindabaad, Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad....


Wafaa ki Raah me.n,
IN THE WAY OF CONSTANCY

Aashiq ki Eed Hoti Hai,
‘TIS LOVER'S FESTIVAL,

Khushee Manaao,
LET’S CELEBRATE,

Mohabbat, Shaeed Hoti Hai.....,
LOVE IS ABOUT TO BE MARTYRED.


Zindabaad, Zindabaad
VIVA, VIVA,

Zindabaad, Zindaabaad,
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Daulat ki Zanjeero.n Se tu
FROM THE FETTERS OF RICHES, YOU...

Dault ki Zanjeero.n Se tu
FROM THE FETTERS OF RICHES, YOU

Rehti Hai Aazaad...
REMAIN FREE.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad...
VIVA L'AMOUR, VIVA L'AMOUR.

Ay Mohabbat Zindabaad...
VIVA L'AMOUR, VIVA L'AMOUR.


Mandir me.n Masjid me.n tu, Aur tu hee eemaano.n me.n
YOU’RE PRESENT IN THE TEMPLE, MOSQUE AND IN THE FAITHS,

Murli ki taano.n me.n tu aur tu hee hai aazaano.n me.n,
IN THE TUNES OF THE FLUTE YOU'RE PRESENT , AND IN THE MUEZZIN'S CALLS,

Tere damm se deen dharam ki, duniyaa hai aabaad
‘TIS BY YOUR SPIRIT THAT THE CREEDS OF THE WORLD ARE BLESSED.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad,
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad.
VIVA L'AMOUR


Pyaar ki Aandhi ruk na sakegee nafrat ki deewaaro.n se,
THE GALE OF LOVE CAN'T BE BLOCKED BY THE WALLS OF HATRED,

Khoon-e-Mohabbat ho naa sakegaa Khanjar se talwaaro.n se,
THE BLOOD OF LOVE CAN'T BE SHED BY THE DAGGER OR THE SWORDS,

Mar jaate hai.n Aashiq zinda reh jaati hai yaad
LOVERS DIE, MEMORY ABIDES.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad,
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad..
VIVA L'AMOUR.


AAA~~~~AAA~~~


Ishq baghaawat kar baiThe toh duniya ka rukh mo.d de,
IF LOVE WERE TO REVOLT, IT WOULD TURN ROUND THE WORLD’S DIRECTION,

Aag lagaa de mehlo.n me.n aur takht-e-shaahi chho.d de,
SET THE PALACES ABLAZE, ABANDON THE ROYAL THRONES,

Seena taane maut se khele kuchh na kare fariyaad...
PROUDLY PLAYING WITH DEATH, WITHOUT ANY PROTEST.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad,
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR.


Taaj huqumat jiska mazhab,
WHOSOEVER’S RELIGION IS CROWN, DOMINION,

phir us ka eemaan kahaa.n
THEN WITHER IS HIS CONSCIENCE,


Taaj huqumat jiska mazhab,
WHOSOEVER’S RELIGION IS CROWN, DOMINION,

phir us ka eemaan kahaa.n
THEN WITHER IS HIS CONSCIENCE,

Jiske dil me.n pyaar naa ho,
WHOSOEVER HAS NO LOVE IN HIS HEART

Voh patthar hai insaan kahaa.n.......
HE IS A STONE, NOT A HUMAN BEING,

Jiske dil me.n pyaar naa ho,
WHOSOEVER HAS NO LOVE IN HIS HEART

Voh patthar hai, insaan kahaa.n.......
HE IS A STONE, NOT A HUMAN BEING,


Pyaar ke dushman hosh me.n AA ho jaayegaa barbaad
ENEMY OF LOVE, COME TO THE SENSES, YOU'LL PERISH.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad,
VIVA, VIVA,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR,

Ay mohabbat Zindabaad,
VIVA L'AMOUR.

Zindabaad, Zindabaad, Zindabaad
VIVA, VIVA, VIVA.......


NASIR.

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion - I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more - I could be martyred for my religion - Love is my religion - I could die for that.
John Keats

MARATHA MANDIR THEATRE.

MARATHA MANDIR THEATRE :
- Impressions during childhood
By Nasir.



As we all know, in the olden days most of the movie-halls (interchangeably called as “Theatres” or “Cinemas) were one-screen halls unlike the multiplexes today.

Cinemas often serve as landmarks and also define the neighbourhood. I have chosen to write on Maratha Mandir because my association with it as an audience dates back to the time when the said theatre did not even exist. The tract of land opposite the road abutting the Bombay Central Railway Station was full of weeds, grass and shrubs reaching to height of 8-9 feet. There was no S.T. Bus Depot, no theatre, nothing there that time. At the place where the theatre now exists, there used to be just an ancient wall and right at the top was a board. As a child, I used to pass through this “jungle” every night right up to the wall. In the dim light coming from nowhere I could read what that display-board said. It said that this was the site for Maratha Mandir Theatre – to be managed by Golcha Management and some such thing. As an avid cinema-goer since my childhood days, I used to wonder what kind of a theatre would come up here.

Maratha Mandir Cinema did come up. The year was 1958. It was one of the finest theatres in Bombay. The hall was very spacious, the seats very comfortable, and it had an A.C. system – a great luxury those days. The polished and glossy teak panels, huge mirrors and chandeliers added to its splendour. It also had a plush carpeting in the hall. The feet used to literally sink into the carpet. Very pleasant it was in the theatre. The best part was its ambience. There was a landscape garden right in front and around the theatre – which gave it a royal look. The first movie, as far as I remember, to be screened at Maratha Mandir was SADHNA, starring Sunil Dutt and Vyjantimala which dealt with the subject of emancipation of a nautch girl, The lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi were very ascerbic somewhat on the lines of his earlier movie PYAASA. Of course, as a child, I did not understand at all the seriousness of the subject of Sadhna then. Some hollywood movies were thereafter screened for a limited time. HERCULES UNCHAINED was one of them I saw in 1959.

The most memorable movie screened at the Maratha Mandir was MUGHAL-E-AZAM on 5th August, 1960. I remember that this was the most talked about movie of the decade. The many tales and gossips that went along with its making had people literally raring to go. The inordinate delay of Mughal-e-Azam had left the cinema-lovers very anxious for its release. Unfortunately, I've seen scores of people - the older people and fan of Dilip Kumar - eagerly waiting for the release but passing away before they could see this magnum opus of a movie. Alas for them!

I was to learn later that the premiere show was the most memorable at least for two reasons among the many, many: Dilip Kumar, who had played the romantic lead with Madhubala, did not attend it; and secondly, the film reels of the movie were brought to the theatre on an elephant in the Maharaja style. “Royal Invitations” were issued for the premiere show. The swords, lancets, spears and armours that were used in this film were on display inside the building to the immense curiorisity and delight of the movie buffs. A forty-foot cutout of “Akbar” on the outside heralded the might of the emperor. I remember seeing a huge plaster of paris work in the garden to the right of the theatre, depicting Prithviraj Kapoor (Akbar) weeping on the shoulders of Dilip Kumar (Shahzada Salim). I still remember the accompanying movie’s dialogue: “Shekhoo, Shahenshah Roya Nahin Karte.” (See the picture above).

For full seven weeks before the release there was a serpentine queue outside the theatre for the tickets. Black Marketeers became rich by selling tickets at Rs100/- each. Remember, those days even an engineer’s monthly wages were hardly that much. Sadly, during the rush for tickets, even a murder took place – the fact which is hardly stated in any write up on the theatre. For full three years Maratha Mandir exhibited the royal treat.

Additionally, I also remember some other movies that were released at the Maratha Mandir Theatre over the years: Kaaghaz Ke Phool (cinemascope) (1959); Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (1963), Dil Ek Mandir and Leader (1964); Guide (1965);Pakeeza (1972), Dharam Veer (1977), Baarood, which introduced Shoma Anand (1976), Razia Sultana (1983) (not the 1961 one which starred Jairaj and Nirupa Roy). The many other movies that were released earlier included Shagird and Saaz Aur Aawaaz. Saira Banu's Shagird ran for over a year. Pakeeza was also released there and it picked up brisk business after Meena Kumari passed way when this movie was still being shown there.

Unfortunately, the Theatre being in the low lying area, it was flooded in 1974. The plush carpets were soiled by the rain waters and therefore removed. The garden landscape gave way to broadening of roads.

Recently, many theatres have been forced to shut shop owing to the high entertainment tax and the onslought of the multiplexes. However, Maratha Mandir is still going strong, and currently is in the news for screening DIL WAALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE continually since October 1995.

The status of Maratha Mandir among the cinema halls is certainly legendary.

NASIR.