Kissi patthar ki murat se

Kissi patthar ki murat se mohabbat ka iraada hain
Parastish ki tamanna hain, ibadat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se mohabbat ka iraada hain
Parastish ki tamanna hain, ibadat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se

Jo dil ki dhadkane samjhe, na aankhon ki zubaan samjhe
Jo dil ki dhadkane samjhe, na aankhon ki zubaan samjhe
Nazar ki guftagu samjhe, na jazbon ka bayaan samjhe
Nazar ki guftagu samjhe, na jazbon ka bayaan samjhe
Ussi ke saamne usski shikaayat ka iraada hain
Ussi ke saamne usski shikaayat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se mohabbat ka iraada hain
Parastish ki tamanna hain, ibadat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se

Suna hain har jawaan patthar ke dil mein aag hoti hain
Suna hain har jawaan patthar ke dil mein aag hoti hain
Magar jab tak na chhedo sharm ke parde mein sothi hain
Ye socha hain ki dil ki baat uss ke rubaru keh de
Nateeja kuchh bhi nikle aaj apni aarzoo keh de
Har ek bejaan takalluf se bagaawat ka iraada hain
Har ek bejaan takalluf se bagaawat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se mohabbat ka iraada hain
Parastish ki tamanna hain, ibadat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se

Mohabbat berukhi se aur bhadkegi, woh kya jaane
Mohabbat berukhi se aur bhadkegi, woh kya jaane
Tabiyat iss adaa pe aur phadkegi, woh kya jaane
Tabiyat iss adaa pe aur phadkegi, woh kya jaane
Woh kya jaane ke apna kiss qayaamat ka iraada hain
Woh kya jaane ke apna kiss qayaamat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se mohabbat ka iraada hain
Parastish ki tamanna hain, ibadat ka iraada hain
Kissi patthar ki murat se

Movie: Hamraaz (1967)
Director: B R Chopra
Singers: Mahendra Kapoor
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music Composer: Ravi

‘Patthar ki murat’ is how the lovelorn character of Sunil Dutt describes the character essayed by Vimi here. Unfortunately, to me, that is what Vimi was on screen. A pretty statue with little to no acting ability. But I find this song and others in this film memorable for a softer Mahendra Kapoor, who is often remembered for his hearty, patriotic numbers. Some of Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics are amazing: ‘Har ek bejaan takalluf se bagaawat ka iraada hain’ while some are troubling, especially in a climate where we seem to be glorifying violent love and ignoring consent: ‘Mohabbat berukhi se aur bhadkegi, woh kya jaane, Tabiyat iss adaa pe aur phadkegi, woh kya jaane’. 

Vimi’s only memorable film is probably Hamraaz and even there she is a pretty face more than anything else. Although she did act in other films, they have pretty much faded from public memory. A beautiful young woman, she was alienated from her parents when she decided to marry the man she loved, a Calcutta-based businessman. She lost the favor of her in-laws and at their prompting, was abandoned by her husband too, when she started acting in films. But her lack of professional success eventually led to alcoholism and even, reportedly, prostitution. She died of liver failure at the age of 33, and her body is said to have been taken to the cremation grounds in a handcart. What sad lives are sometimes led behind the silver screen!  

The 22nd of this month marks the 42nd anniversary of her death. Remembering Vimi… Mahendra Kapoor’s wonderful voice does not allow me to forget her face. ~ R