Ye Hai Bombay Meri Jaan

Mumbai, one of the mega cities, situated on western coast of India, is a city of hope and dreams. All types of people from all walks of life, from all parts of the World, have enriched the city's heritage. This is a city of hope and dreams, and yet a city of paradox as well. Here there are cloud kissing skyscrapers, amidst vast sprawl of slums. Here there is elite Malabar Hill, yet it also has Asia's biggest slum. There are swanky, sophisticated flyovers , yet its traffic is in perpetual dead locked jams. The city is witness to numerous stories of rags to riches, yet there is no dearth of people whose fortunes were ruined in a day . The city has posh restaurants and hotels, yet nearly one fourth of its population lives on street food. It's police force is ranked second to Scotland yard, yet the city is home to some of the most dangerous gangwars. It is the city of hope and yet it is the city of despair also.Waves after waves of migrating people from all over India, crash on this city, bringing it on the brink of collapse. However, the  maximum city survives and thrives on the hope and hope alone . The city of Mumbai (aka bambai to UP , Bombay to British , mhamai to konkanis) has a special place in every Indians heart. The home to Bollywood, it sells dreams and is beacon of hope. It is a melting pot of all kinds of people,  who embrace it. No wonder, right from the formative years, it finds its presence in many Bollywood movies. One can easily see the transformation of the city from a calm and quiet one, in old days to the Present chaotic, burgeoning and anarchic city.

In the Ten songs, that I have selected, we will find a rare glimpses of Bombay that was... Those were the days (sigh)..…..

So, let's go..

1. Le Chala Jidhar Ye Dil Nikal- Rafi-Film Miss Bombay 1957-Prem Dhawan-Music Hansraj Behl.

No Robert, no Mona Darling as a sidekick here. Ajeet here is a carefree vagabond truck driver.In the film Naya Daur 1957, Ajit danced with Dilip Kumar singing "Ye Desh Hai Veer Jawanonka".In this film also, he danced with heroine Nalini Jaywant singing," Din Ho Ya Raat, Ham Tere Sath".However being heavyweight, dancing with an accomplished dancer like Nalini Jaywant ,he looks so tired ,. After this film Ajit is not seen dancing in any film. However, the winner song of this film is "Zindgi Bhar Gham Judai Ka,Muze Tadpa Gaya" by Rafi.

2.Bach Ke Balam Chal Ke Rasta Hai Mushkil- Rafi and Geeta Dutt-Film Johny Walker 1957-Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri- Music O.P.Nayyar.

As far as my knowledge leads, Johny Walker was the only Bollywood actor, on whose name a film was produced. Such was the popularity of the comedy actor in fifties, that a film was considered incomplete without his character and song. Here Johny Walker, is seen with Shyama. Both wander in the city of Bombay, describing the virtues of Bombay, Culcutta and Delhi. The song gives rare glimpses of Tajmahal Hotel and uncrowded solitary Marine Drive.
Another important thing about the film is, first time Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri and O.P.Nayyar worked together.

3.Zamanene Mare Jawa Kaise Kaise- Rafi- Film Baharonke Sapne 1967- Majrooh Sultanpuri- Music R.D.Burman.

The Film "Baharonke Sapne" 1967, was a film with leftist leaning. The period is late 70s. Post independence, the dreams and aspirations in the hearts of young generation were high. However with passage of time, they began to evaporate. Unemployment and rationing was on the rise. Youths started feeling deceived and they were frustrated. The film reflects this fact in the song.
Following the unemployment of his father, Ramaiya (Rajesh Khanna), who is B.A. graduate, comes to Bombay in search of a job, but could not find one. He roams around  the city of Bombay, from office to office in vain.The song is played on background, when Rajesh wanders in Fort area, sits desolately at Flora Fountain statue, quenches his hunger by eating  at Worli and Haji Ali, sits at chowpati in despondence and at the end of the song (and day) , can't help sobbing under depression. This shows the anguish and despair of youth that time.That part of song is very touching, when Rajesh eats peanuts and throws the wrapper, then he pauses to lift remaining peanut also.Bombay here proves to be villain for him.

4. Yeh sach Hai- Rafi-Film Kal Hamara Hai 1959-Lyricist Shailendra-Music Chitragupta.

Same story and the same anguish !. Bharat Bhushan here however, is not unemployed like Rajesh Khanna is earlier song. He is cab driver, but still not happy about his plight. He feels lonely in this cruel city. This city is align to him. His ties are elsewhere.The only reason why he is in the city is money earning for his family.

Badi aasan thi raahe naa manjil koi mushkil
Badi aasan thi raahe naa manjil koi mushkil
Magar aasaan raaho par hume chalna nahi aaya
Hume chalna nahi aaya
Ye sach hai ae jaha waalo hume jina nahi aaya
Ye sach hai ae jaha waalo.....

5. Ye Bombay Shahar Ka Bada Naam Hai- Film Kya Ye Bombay Hai-Lyricist Noor Devasi- Music Bipin Dutta

This cute song from almost unknown film was composed by equally unknown Bipin Dutta.  Not much is known about him either.Lyricist is Noor Dewasi. The film was made in about 1959 by Nanubhai Vakil. Maruti & Nishi were hero-heroines. The film, the lyricist and music director all relatively less known, however the song has good rhythm and lyrics. The picturization is also beautiful offering insight of prevalent quiet Bombay.

6. Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan- Rafi and Geeta Dutt-Film CID 1956-Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri-Music O.P.Nayyar.

Most iconic song from the most iconic movie CID, directed by Raj Khosla. This also happens to be first hindi film of Waheeda Rahaman, although she is seen only in one song as club dancer. However this song, picturized on Johny Walker and Actress Kumkum steals the heart. He is a skilled pick picketer here.Roaming around the city, he steals others 's money, but describes the vibes of Bombay in philosophical way. He says here in Bombay there are trams,high rise buildings ,cars, the crowds, but no sign of humanity. All kinds of evil business are conducted here, and this is no place for unemployed, innocent people. Better be aware while living here, as this is Bombay City. An apt description of the city, which is applicable even now. Rafi's voice matches so beautifully with Johny walker, that it is difficult to imagine it is Rafi's voice.

7. Ye Haseen Bambai, Apne ko To jam Gayee- Mukesh/Mahendra Kapoor- Film Holiday in Bombay 1963- Lyricist Anjan- Music N.Dutta.

Young, handsome Shashi Kapoor and his comedian friend seem to enjoy the ambiance of Bombay. They ride on Victoria, Bicycles and scooter and roam around the city places like Marine Drive and Chowpaty. Notice how, calm and quiet was the city at that time. They can even commute in the city, by bicycles which seem to be a thing well nigh impossible at present.

8. Seene Mein Jalan Ankhmein Toofansa Qui Hai- Suresh Wadkar-Film Gaman 1978-Lyricist Shahryar-Music Jaidev.

And now a complete changeover of the city .The city is colorful here, but these colors offer no happiness and hope for the people residing there. The city by the passage of time, has changed from a yesteryear tranquil city to chaotic, anarchic city, bursting at seams with burgeoning crowd , hustle bustle and madness, which highlights the alienation and broken dreams of the migrant community. This crowd has no face and it is so alien to this cab driver, Ghulam Hassan ( Farouque Shaikh), who has come from a village in UP. He works as Taxi driver in Bombay, and plans to bring his family later on. However, the meager income prevents him to fulfill his plans. He feels desolate, lonely and depressed. This city has robbed his identity to such an extent that he is afraid to face the mirror. The face in mirror is so full of sorrow and despair that even the mirror gets annoyed. After the murder of his close friend and the friend's wife for the sake of property, Ghulam Hassan  decides to leave the cruel city, but final shots show him continue driving cab in Bombay. Tragic is'nt it ? The misery, the anguish and the hopelessness seen on his face in final shots is heart wrenching.....

सीने में जलन, आँखों में तूफ़ान सा क्यों है
इस शहर में हर शख्स परेशान सा क्यों है
दिल है तो, धड़कने का बहाना कोई ढूंढें
पत्थर की तरह बेहिस-ओ-बेजान सा क्यों है
तनहाई की ये कौन सी, मंजिल है रफीकों
ता-हद-ये-नज़र एक बयाबान सा क्यों है....

9. Ek Akela is Shaharmein-Bhupender-Film Gharonda 1977-Lyricist Gulzar-Music Jaidev.

The only thing this city has in scarcity, is the accommodation. The young couple, Sudip ( Amol Palekar) and Chhaya ( Zarrena Wahab) is working in same office, but living differently in rented shared flats.They plan to get married, identify a flat for their future abode and deposit their hard earned money with the builder. However, the builder is fraud. He absconds with the money. The devastated two are unable to raise the funds again for accommodation.

Mr Modi ( Shriram Lagoo), who is owner of firm, where Chhaya works, starts taking interst in Chhaya, and eventually proposes her. Sudip sees this as an opportunity. He suggests Chhaya to get married with Modi, who is also an ailing heart patient. Sudip hopes that after Modi's demise , Chhaya will inherit his property and that will solve their problem of accommodation. Reluctant Chhaya get married with Modi. Sudip hopes for his death, but strange are the ways of destiny. It has something unexpected in store for them, which leaves Sudip in desolate and loneliness at the end of movie.The song depicts the shots of city's high rise buildings owned by stinking rich people and on this background ,the anguish of broken home assumes an aura of utter despair.

10. Sawan Barse, Tarse Dil- Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam-Film Dahek 1999-Majrooh Sultanpuri-Music Aadesh Srivastav.

Enough of these sorry stories. Let's end the article on happy and joyful note.Take a leap into the year 1999. Bombay is Mumbai now. The city remains the same,but generation changed. Samir ( Akshay Khanna) and Neelima ( Sonali Bendre), the young lovebirds are madly in love with each other.To meet each other, they are ready to brave the torrential downpour of Mumbai Rains. They had to make their way through crowd and umbrellas, by arranging different unconventional vehicles. Eventually, they succeed in meeting each other. The joy and delight on their face, after meeting, tells thousand things about their love. I love the Mumbai shown in this song. The city drenched in the rains looks so beautiful and lovely.The people are so co-operative and helping with friendly attitude.It shows another face of the city which never seizes to appeal you.