Ae nargise mastaana

Ae
Ae nargise mastaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain
Samjha humein begaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain, ae nargise mastaana

Har raah par katraaye, har mod par ghabraaye
Munh pher liya hain tumne, hum jab bhi nazar aaye
Munh pher liya hain tumne, hum jab bhi nazar aaye
Ho, hum ko nahin pehchaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain, ae nargise mastaana

Ho jaate ho barhum bhi, ban jaate ho humdum bhi
Ae saaki-e-maikhaana, shola bhi ho, shabnam bhi
Ae saaki-e-maikhaana, shola bhi ho, shabnam bhi
Hai, khaali mera paimaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain, ae nargise mastaana

Har rang qayamat hain, har dhang sharaarat hain
Dil todh ke chal dena, yeh husn ki aadat hain
Dil todh ke chal dena, yeh husn ki aadat hain
Hai, aata nahin behlaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain

Ae nargise mastaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain
Samjha humein begaana, bas itni shikaayat hain
Bas itni shikaayat hain, ae nargise mastaana

Movie: Arzoo (1965)
Director: Ramanand Sagar
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music Composers: Shankar-Jaikishan

So, horseback riding, it’s not for everybody but all the heroes and heroines of our Hindi film industry seemed to be able to manage it brilliantly. This film takes me back to a hill station holiday when I attempted the same. That humiliation is best not re-lived although the very kind gentlemen peddling the ride were slower and gentler with the horse than Rajendra Kumar is here. Sadhana, of course, is far prettier and more comfortable and graceful on horseback than I ever was.

So, there are some, er, unforgettable memories that the picturisation brings up. However, this song is special because of Mohammad Rafi. I mean, that ‘sharaarat’ is loaded with mischief and that ‘paimaana’ is dripping with intoxication! Hasrat Jaipuri’s lyrics are lovely and Shankar Jaikishan’s music makes for a wonderfully hummable tune. Many good songs in this movie actually but this one is a favourite. ~ R