Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi

Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi, woh subah kabhi toh aayegi
Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi
Inn kaali sadiyon ke sar se jab raat ka aanchal dhalkega
Jab dukh ke baadal pighlenge, jab sukh ka saagar chhalkega
Jab ambar jhoom ke naachega, jab dharti nagme gaayegi
Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi, woh subah kabhi toh aayegi

Jis subah ki khaatir jug jug se, hum sab mar mar kar jeete hain
Jis subah ke amrit ki dhun mein hum zehar ke pyaale peete hain
Inn bhookhi pyaasi roohon par ek din toh karam faramaayegi
Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi, woh subah kabhi toh aayegi

Maana ke abhi tere mere armaanon ki keemat kuchh bhi nahin
Mitti ka bhi hain kuchh mol magar, insaanon ki keemat kuchh bhi nahin
Insaanon ki izaat jab jhoothhe sikkon mein na toli jaayegi
Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi, woh subah kabhi toh aayegi
Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi

Movie: Phir Subah Hogi (1958)
Director: Ramesh Saigal
Singers: Mukesh, Asha Bhosle
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music Composer: Khayyam

There is so much of Sahir Ludhianvi’s music already on this site, so there’s no ambiguity about how we feel about him. What an amazingly prolific writer and what range. I find it difficult to believe that the songs of Pyaasa and Kabhie Kabhie were written by the same man. But they are, and such beautiful songs they are too. Ludhianvi reportedly insisted on music being composed for his lyrics and did not write to suit musical scores. His career in Bollywood spanned nearly 30 years from 1949 to 1980 and Hindi cinema is richer for it.

This seems like a sad song to commemorate Ludhianvi’s death anniversary (25 October). However, it is a hope Ludhianvi cherished for the people of this country, who unfortunately continue to be valued less than the money that fills our politicians' coffers. Hopefully, this beautifully voiced wish will be realized soon for all the people in our country and in our world who continue to have not just their dreams but their lives crushed by the greed and malice of a few.

Khayyam and Ludhianvi collaborated on many films and this one is no different. The music is apt and Mukesh and Asha Bhosle’s voices are moving. If you, like me, enjoy reading about films, this article on the movie this song is from might be of interest. ~ R