Year: 1966
Movie: Mamta
Raga: Yaman
Singer: Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music Director: Roshan
Lyrics: here
Slow songs with minimal music are especially difficult to sing. Imperfections in voice quality and notes stand out.
A touching song on the theme of devotion to one's beloved, seeking acceptance. I love this song for its opening couplet which exudes so much tenderness!
The male and female characters (sung by Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar respectively) take turns to address each other as their beloved. Like Sufi or Bhakti poetry, the word beloved also connotes the Almighty. So the entire song may be seen as a prayer sung by them together.
The song reminds me of four other songs:
- Apne Suron Mein Mere Suron Ko Basa Lo (1973, Dil Ki Rahein) — lovers implore each other for acceptance.
- In Tum Gagan Ke Chandrama Ho (1964, Sati Savitri) — lovers take turns in admiring each other through a series of beautiful metaphors.
- Mora Gora Ang Lei Le (1963, Bandini) — the opening couplet seeks merger with Shyam, which means both night and Krishna.
- In Tu Jo Mere SurMein (1976, Chitchor) — both partners seek the presence of the other person in their lives.
Roman Script
Chhupa Lo Yu Dil Mein Pyar Mera
Ke Jaise Mandir Mein Lau Diye Ki
Hindi
छुपा लो यूँ दिल में प्यार मेरा
के जैसे मंदिर में लौ दिये की
Translation
Hide my love in your heart
Just like the flame of a tiny lamp in a temple
Interpretation
The metaphor of tiny lamp in a temple reminds me of the Sugar in Milk story. When Parsees came from Iran to India, they sought refuge in Gujrat. The local king (Jadi Rana) pointed to a glass of milk full to the brim, saying that his kingdom was already full, so he could not accept refugees. In response, a Parsee priest added a pinch of sugar to the milk, saying that the Parsees will commingle with the local population only to make the kingdom sweeter than before!
Roman Script
Tum Apne Charano Mein Rakh Lo Mujhko
Tumhare Charano Ka Phool Hu Main
Main Sar Jhukaye Khadi Hu Preetam
Ke Jaise Mandir Mein Lau Diye Ki
Hindi
तुम अपने चरणों में रख लो मुझको
तुम्हारे चरणों का फूल हूँ मैं
मैं सर झुकाए खड़ी हूँ प्रीतम
के जैसे मंदिर में लौ दिये की
Translation
Please allow me to settle in your feet
I am a flower at your feet
I stand before you with my head bowed
Like the flame of a tiny lamp in a temple
Interpretation
The idea of settling in the feet of one's beloved comes up time and again in Sufi and Bhakti poetry. See the interpretation of the first couplet of Nit Khair Manga for an exposition.
Roman Script
Ye Sach Hai Jeena Tha Paap Tum Bin
Ye Paap Maine Kiya Hai Ab Tak
Magar Hai Man Mein Chhavi Tumhari
Ke Jaise Mandir Mein Lau Diya Ki
Hindi
ये सच है जीना था पाप तुम बिन
ये पाप मैने किया है अब तक
मगर है मन में छवि तुम्हारी
के जैसे मंदिर में लौ दिये की
Translation
It is true that living was a sin without you
I have committed this sin so far
But I have your image in my heart
Just like the flame of a tiny lamp in a temple
Interpretation
Roman Script
Phir Aag Birhaa Ki Mat Lagana
Ke Jalke Main Raakh Ho Chuki Hoo
(male)
Ye Raakh Mathe Pe Maine Rakh Li
Ke Jaise Mandir Mein Lau Diye Ki
Hindi
फिर आग बिरहा की मत लगाना
के जलके मैं राख हो चुकी हूँ
(male)
ये राख माथे पे मैने रख ली
के जैसे मंदिर में लौ दिये की
Translation
Do not light the fire of separation
I have turned into ashes in that fire
(male)
I have smeared my forehead with these ashes
Just like the flame of a tiny lamp in a temple
Interpretation
The practice of smearing ashes on one's forehead is to remind ourselves of ephemerality of human life. At some point of time, we shall die and our bodies shall be reduced to ashes (among the Hindus, dead bodies are burnt in fire). Some Christians also apply ashes on their forehead. See Ash Wednesday.
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