Ganga Aaye Kahan Se
26 May 2013

Year: 1961
Movie: Kabuliwala
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Lyricist: Prem Dhawan
Music Director: Salil Choudhary
Lyrics: here

A beautiful song by Prem Dhawan from the movie Kabuliwala (1961). Its theme is oneness. Each couplet of this song is special. Simple and meaningful lyrics, just like Kabir poetry.

Some believe that the song was penned by Gulzar. However, Gulzar's biography states that his first song was 'Mora Gora Ang Lei Le' in the movie Bandini (1963). And the movie Kabuliwala is from 1961.

Roman Script

Ganga Aaye Kahaan Se, Ganga Jaaye Kahaan Re
Lehraaye Paani Mein Jaise Dhoop Chhanv Re

Hindi

गंगा आये कहाँ से, गंगा जाये कहाँ रे
लहराये पानी में जैसे धूप-छाँव रे

Translation

Where does (river) Ganges come from? Where does (river) Ganges go?
Like sunshine and shade ride the waves of water.

Interpretation

The opening lines remind me of impermanence. Everything is changing. The river continues to flow. However, at no two instants is the river the same. The river is always in flux.

The second line fortifies the idea of impermanence. The imagery of धूप-छाँव (sunshine and shade) riding the crests and troughs of waves reminds me of ups and downs of life. Everything is changing.

Roman Script

Raat Kaari Din Ujiyaara Mil Gaye Dono Saaye
Saanjh Ne Dekho Rang Roop Ke Kaise Bhed Mitaaye

Hindi

रात कारी दिन उजियारा मिल गये दोनों साये
साँझ ने देखो रंग रुप के कैसे भेद मिटाये

Translation

Dark night and bright day: both projections meet.
Look how dusk erases differences of form and color.

Interpretation

Dusk is special. Dusk are moments when a bright day meets a dark night, when the past meets the future, when differences dissolve into oneness.

Roman Script

Kaanch Koi Maati Koi Rang Birange Pyaale
Pyaas Lage To Ek Baraabar Jis Mein Paani Daale

Hindi

काँच कोई माटी कोई रंग-बिरंगे प्याले
प्यास लगे तो एक बराबर जिस में पानी डाले

Translation

Multi colored cups, some made of glass, some made of clay.
When thirsy, they are the same: vessels for holding water.

Interpretation

Both a glitzy glass cup and a simple clay cup are containers. They are vessels for holding water.

Roman Script

Naam Koi Boli Koi, Laakhon Roop Aur Chehre
Khol Ke Dekho Pyar Ki Aankhein, Sab Tere Sab Mere

Hindi

नाम कोई बोली कोई लाखों रूप और चेहरे
खोल के देखो प्यार की आँखें सब तेरे सब मेरे

Translation

Many names, myriad languages. Millions of forms and faces.
(If you) see with love in your eyes, (then) everybody is yours, everybody is mine.

Interpretation

Millions of forms thread our world. Millions of faces we see. With love in our heart, we see all as one.

© Copyright 2008—2023, Gurmeet Manku.