by B. R. GOWANI
Qateel Shifai (1919 – 2001), whose real name was Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan, lost his father at a young age. He went into business, but encountered failure. He moved to Rawalpindi and began working for a transport company. In 1946, he worked as an assistant editor at a literary magazine, finally, in 1947, he joined the film industry.
In January 1947, Qateel got an offer to pen the songs for Dewan Sardari Lal’s film Teri Yaad. The film was released on August 7, 1948 and was the first Pakistani film. Pakistan gained independence form the British when India became divided on August 14 and 15, 1947, respectively.
He wrote over 2,500 songs for Indian and Pakistani films. He also wrote non-filmy poems and his autobiography was titled: Ghungroo Toot Gaye.
Ghunghroo toot gaye are also the words of one of his most famous songs. It was originally sung by Mala Begum for Pakistani film Naz. It became very popular and has been vocalized by many singers in both India and Pakistan.
The song in the following video starts at 1:15minutes. Music is by Nisar Bazmi. The actress is Shabnam and the male actor is Mohammad Ali.
mujhe Ayee na jag se lAj
meiN itni zor se nAchi Aj
ke ghunghroo toot gaye
feeling no shame from the world
I danced my heart out today
that my anklet-bracelet shattered
Another one of his famous songs:
ulfat ki naee manzil ko chalA, tu bANheN DAl ke bA.NhoN meiN
dil toDane vAle dekh ke chal, ham bhii to paDe haiN rAhoN meiN
arm in arm, you have started towards a new love-destination
you breaker of heart, guard your step, I too am lying on your way
Film: Qatil. Playback singer: Iqbal Bano. Music: Master Inayat Hussain. Picturized on Sabiha Khanum.
One of his very good songs, which is also my favorite is dil ke virAne meiN from 1965 Pakistani film Naila. Playback singer is Mala Begum and music is by Master Inayat Hussain. It was picturized on Shamim Ara, one of my favorite actresses.
Original lyrics
dil ke virAne meiN ik shammA hai ab tak roshan
dil ke virAne meiN ik shammA hai ab tak roshan
koi parvAnA magar ab na idhar AyegA
zindagi beet gayee pyAr meiN jalte jalte
koi ummid bar Ayee na koi bAt banee
jagmagAyA na sitArA koi armAno kA
hamne dil ko bhee jalAyA toh siyAh rAt banee
diljaloN par koi mahshar sa guZar jAyegA
koi parvAnA magar ab na idhar AyegA
dil ki dhaDkan meiN sunee ham ne wafAon ki sadA
Akhar-e-kAr wohi ban gaye pathar ke sanam
na sajhi hAathon pe mehandi na bajhi shehnAyi
ab to kartA huvA apni hee wafA kA mAtam
pyAr maqtal ki taraf khAk-basar jAyegA
koi parvAnA magar ab na idhar Ayega
kitne gAte hue armAnoN kee barsAt ke bAd
As kee jheel me laharAye the kuchh nilkaNval
kyA khabar thee ke woh mahfil bhi ujad jAyegee
jis meiN gAyee thi kabhi hamne mohabbat ki gazal
apnA har naghmA alAoN me bikhar jAyega
koi parvAnA magar ab na idhar AyegA
kitni be-his o huA farq nahee ahl-e-wafA
jAne kyA soch ke tauheen-e-wafA kee tune
koyi jhonkA bhee jise chhu na sakA tere bagair
apne hAthoN se wahee shammA bujha dee tune
kya khabar thi terA ahsAs bhee mar jAyegA
ban ke parvAnA kabhi tu na idhar AyegA
Translation
in my heart’s desolation, a candle is still shining
in my heart’s desolation, a candle is still shining
alas, no moth is now going to come here
life passed by while burning in the fire of love
no hope was realized, nor did anything work out
not a single star of yearning radiate any sparkle
even when I ignited my heart; I got a dark night
as if the jilted ones had faced the day of judgement
but, now no sweetheart is going to come over here
in the heartbeats, I heard the sound of loyalty
but, eventually, became a stone-hearted idol
neither hands had henna nor any wedding music played
now my heart is lamenting its own fidelity
my affection is on the gallows to be crushed into dust
but, now no sweetheart is going to come over here
after many rainy seasons of melodious longings
a few blue lotus had fluttered in the lake of desire
who knew that the party will become deserted
where once we had sung the ghazal of love
our every song will disperse in agonizing wailing
but, now no sweetheart is going to come over here
such callousness doesn’t affect faithful people
what was your thinking when you insulted my loyalty
except you, not even the breeze had touched me
but with your hands, you extinguished the candle of love
how would I have known your feelings would perish
as my sweetheart, you’re never going to come back here
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com