Chalo dildar chalo

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

 

Aao kho jaaye sitaaron mein kahin

Aao kho jaaye sitaaron mein kahin

Chhod de aaj yeh duniya yeh zameen

duniya yeh zameen

 

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

 

Hum nashe mein hain sambhalo humein tum

Hum nashe mein hain sambhalo humein tum

Neend aati hain jagah lo humein tum

jagah lo humein tum

 

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

 

Zindagi khatam bhi ho jaaye agar

Zindagi khatam bhi ho jaaye agar

Na kabhi khatam ho ulfat ka safar

ulfat ka safar

 

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

Chalo dildar chalo, chaand ke paar chalo

Hum hain taiyaar chalo

 

Movie: Pakeezah (1972)

Director: Kamal Amrohi

Singers: Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

Lyricist: Kaif Bhopali

Music Composers: Ghulam Mohammed, Naushad Ali

Unfortunately, this one is out of turn because there is no immediate associated day to commemorate, but who said we were perfect :)

Kaif Bhopali (20 Feb 1917 – 24 Jul 1991) was probably better known in the mushaira circles for his shayari than he was in Bollywood. However, he has penned songs for Hindi films and that’s how he comes to be featured in our 2020 homage to Bollywood lyricists. There is scant information on Kaif Bhopali and most notable of his film credits are Pakeezah and Razia Sultan, both Kamal Amrohi films. Apparently, Bhopali’s daughter, Parveen Kaif, is also a poet.

Two of Pakeezah’s songs are credited to Kaif Bhopali. ‘Teer-e-nazar’, which is sadder and which I have heard only once or twice. This one, however, is sweet and short and quite hummable. Reportedly, both songs had to have body doubles for Meena Kumari who was seriously ill by this time. In fact, ‘Chalo dildar chalo’ does not show the heroine’s face at any point during the song. The fact that Meena Kumari was dying slowly from cirrhosis of the liver taints the enjoyment of this song, but it’s a simple and beautiful melody showcasing the hope of a world beyond this one, made sweeter by love. Somewhere, beyond the moon, in a land made rich by fantasy, hopefully, a Meena Kumari lives on without pain. In memory of Meena Kumari, Kamal Amrohi and of course, lyricist Kaif Bhopali. ~ R