‘Afsana’, ‘Dastan’, ‘Kahani’ and ‘Fasana’  in songs

Old Bollywood was our nursery for Urdu. Where else could you get Tamaam gawaahon ke bayanat and memberaan-e-jury ki sifaarish ke maddenazar? There were always fasadat, khayalat in our films. In between there were some exceptions like Khayalon mein kisi ke is tarah aaya nahin karte. But soon it was back to Ye meri khwahish ye khayalat kise pesh karun.

Those days I got hooked to Urdu language. There was a local announcer who was known as Patna’s Ameen Sayani. With the difference that whereas Ameen Sayani started with Behno aur bhaaiyo, our local Ameen Sayani’s trademark was Khawateen-o-hazraat, Main Diwali ke muqaddas mauke par aap sabka khair maqdam karta hun. Sometimes, he became more flowery: Aaj ki mehfil ke sadr Janab.., Hazreen-e-mehfil, tamam khawateen-o-hazraat..

Then I started listening to news from AIR Urdu Service. Since I knew which country’s PM was visiting India, it was easy to understand the meaning of Donon mulkon ke wazeer-e-aazam ne mukhtalif muddon par tabaadala-khayal kiya. Then, listening to the Parliament news, we learnt that, mukhalfat karnewaali jammatein always did mazammat of intezamia. I hit a roadblock in learning Urdu/Arabic script. My Urdu remained limited to our old Bollywood. ‘Old’, because now our films have got rid of their fetish for ‘simplified language’ by switching to easy-to-understand words like geetkar rather than naghmanigar. Those were the days of Afsananigar in our films and it was easy to extrapolate the word to mean the person who had written the Afsana of the film.

Since SOY deals with legacy songs, very often we discuss songs like Afsana likh rahi hun dil-e-beqaraar ka. Or Aye bhi wo, gaye bhi wo, ek to fasana ban gaya. Sagai (1951) film had a song Dil ki kahani kahna to chaahe, haye ri kismet kah na sake, composed by C Ramchandra. I knew a friend’s wife was a creative writer. What was she doing now, my friend told me she was writing afsane. Ater checking some sources I could make out that in Urdu literature, it was a genre like our kahani (as distinct from another genre, larger in size, novel). Urdu adab has simply retained the word novel to mean the same thing.

But I was still not satisfied about it. I asked different people who I thought could know. It appears there has to be some element of a folk romantic legend in afsana. In that sense it is similar to Dastan or Kissa whereas kahani (or short story) has a touch of modernity about it. Afsana is a word of Persian origin which has a very ancient culture going back to several millennia, whereas Hindi kahani originated in the early 20th century. In Europe it would have originated much earlier. A word’s synonym in another language may not mean the same thing, there may be difference in nuances. Afsana sounds sweet to me, and I would not use a bland substitute.

Dastangoi originated in the 17th century. Later, it became extinct. The literal meaning is narrating a legend; it is a performing art on stage. It has been revived recently by some enthusiasts based in Lucknow.  On YouTube, if you search Dastangoi, you would find many videos. I have seen it performed generally by a pair of men. My impression is, it is to catch breath, and it just creates greater impact when one Dastango tapers off, and the other takes off instantly. I should alert you, some videos are classic legends, on the lines of Vijaydan Detha’s folk tales; but some are about everyday characters we see around us. Thus, my search to understand the difference between afsana, dastan, kahani remains inconclusive.

Fasana has no such ambiguity. It retains a consistent meaning; in my mind it creates an image of scandal or unwelcome publicity of a romantic affair.

Let us enjoy some songs which use these words and try to understand their nuances from the context.

1. Afsana likh rahin dil-e-beqarar ka by Uma Devi from Dard (1947), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad

Uma Devi had vowed that she would sing her first song only under the baton of Naushad. Naushad was blessed with some magic touch those days. Uma Devi’s vow was fulfilled and Naushad created an immortal song. The film had at least two more afsana songs: Hum dard ka afsana duniya ko suna denge; and Ye afsana nahin zalim mere dil ki haqeeqat hai. For Uma Devi this song must have remained a haseen afsana, because, after a couple of years of singing career, due to some hormonal problem she started gaining weight, and in our cruel Bollywood stereotype, she became the comedienne Tun Tun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfR5p0nefio&list=RDjfR5p0nefio&start_radio=1

2. Kahan tak jafa husnwalon ki sahte by Mukesh from Tohfa (1947), lyrics Saqib Lakhanvi, music Abdul Rauf

In the same year you get a beautiful dastan song. This is among the best songs of early Mukesh. My long-time favourite, there is a line in this song that says, Zamana bade shauq se sun raha tha, hameen so gaye dastan kahte kahte. This is beautiful poetry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jg7pvRElfY&list=RD3jg7pvRElfY&start_radio=1

3. Aao bachcho aaj tumein ek kahani sunaun..Ek raaje ka beta lekar udanewala ghoda by KL Saigal from President (1937), lyrics Pt. Sudarshan, music KL Saigal

This song forces me to rethink the nuanced difference explained to me by experts. In this song the Saigal-character in the film narrates a ‘kahani’ to a group of children. This kahani has a king’s son, a princess from a fairyland, a flying horse which flies off on a kick and goes across the world – in short it has all the elements of an afsana, or dastan. A beautiful song though. Depending on the context, kahani or afsana have identical meaning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIoHKGcPJaI&list=RDKIoHKGcPJaI&start_radio=1

4. Aye bhi wo gaye bhi wo, khatm fasana ho gaya by Parul Ghosh from Namaste (1943), lyrics DN Madhok, music Naushad

Talking of Naushad’s magic, this fasana song is a good example. Parul Ghosh’s best song which comes to top of my recall is not a composition by her brother Anil Biswas, but this Naushad composition. What a romantic backdrop! – He came and he went away, and that was the end of fasana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LNwI7Slgq0&list=RD2LNwI7Slgq0&start_radio=1

Let us have another set of songs with these quadruplet words.

5. Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban janye hum dono by Mahendra Kapoor from Gumrah (1963), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi, music Ravi

Sahir wrote a mother of all nazms. Its last stanza is Wo afsana jise anjam tak lana na ho mumkin, use ek khoobsurat mod dekar chhodna achchha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSC3SXmM0O4&list=RDnSC3SXmM0O4&start_radio=1

6. Pyar ki dastan tum suno to kahein by Lata Mangeshkar from Farar (1965), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Hemant Kumar

I think as the Urdu poetry matured, you would find more dastan songs in the 60s. Dastan lends itself to different poetic expressions; thus, it is more capable of expressing very complex emotions. Most of the dastan songs were absolutely gorgeous, and you can reel off many from your memory – Wo bhooli dastan phir yaad aa gayi; Ajeeb dastan hai ye, kanhan shuru kahan khatam; Jo humne dastan apni sunayi aap kyun roye. Each better than the other. Among a long list of outstanding dastan songs, I am very fond of Pyar ki dastan tum suno to kahein. This beautiful song figured in an obscure film with unknown actors (I believe Farar was produced by Hemant Kumar). This is picturised on a lady I do not recognize. Please notice the element of narration in dastan. But it is meant for one special person, she does not care if the entire world is listening to her dastan or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTbSH-MVUfo&list=RDpTbSH-MVUfo&start_radio=1

7. Dil ki kahani kahna to chaahe haye ri kismat kah na sake by Lata Mangeshkar from Sagai (1951), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music C Ramchandra

C Ramchandra was not the first music director to use recital prelude in songs, but in many songs, it helped set the mood of the song. My early Lata Mangeshkar favourite, this helps us think about the difference between afsana-dastan-kahani. This song starts with the recital prelude: ज़रा सी देर थी बाक़ी
बहार आने में, लगा दी आग मुक़द्दर ने आशियाने में.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvdtSTIwpsg&list=RDjvdtSTIwpsg&start_radio=1

8. Ae mohabbat unse milne ka bahana ban gaya/ tumne dekha, humne dekha ek fasana ban gaya by Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar from Baazar (1949), lyrics Qamar Jalaabadi music Shyam Sundar

Among the quadruplet, I find fasana maintains a consistent meaning. I started with Aaye bhi wo, gaye bhi wo, and that was the end of the fasana. In this Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duet too, you saw me, and I saw you, and that was enough to cause a fasana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhDhIeGkJus&list=RDYhDhIeGkJus&start_radio=1

With a little effort one can go on and on, but let me end with this set of songs on these four words.

9. Parwanon se preet seekh le, shama se seekhe jal jana, phir duniya ko yaad rahega tera mera afsana by Suraiya from Bilwamangal (1954), lyrics DN Madhok, music Bulo C Rani

Suraiya was blessed with sweetest of voices. Her personal unrequited love was the stuff of an afsana, which the world discusses till today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Gvksd8Wpw&list=RDA5Gvksd8Wpw&start_radio=1

10. Bas ek chup si lagi hai, nahin udas nahin by Hemant Kumar from Sannata (1966), lyrics Gulzar, music Hemant Kumar

In the previous set you heard at #6 a Hemant Kumar composition in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar – Pyar ki dastan tum suno to kahein – from a small banner film Farar. Hemant Kumar was blessed with a divine voice. You might be wondering how a dastan song would sound in the voice of Hemant Kumar. There is indeed one, my long-time favourite. And it is my special favourite precisely because of dastan in the voice of Hemant Kumar, but you have to have patience till his last para (at 2.30) when he sings:

Wo dastan jo humne kahi bhi, humne likhi
Aaj wo khud se suni hai, nahin udas nahin.

In the process of creation, writing comes first, then the narration. But since narration is an important part of dastan, Hemant Kumar gives precedence to kahna. Many readers would be taken aback to see Soumitra Chatterjee on the screen, but the uploader clarifies that the visuals are from another film. I don’t think Soumitra acted in any worthwhile Hindi film. This is a twin song, the other version is by Lata Mangeshkar. This song is a strong proof of my theory of Twin songs – the male version is a front-runner, the female version is a laggard, and generally off the radar. This is a combined link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omcMCiaDBw&list=RD5omcMCiaDBw&start_radio=1

11. Meri kahani bhoolnewale tera jahan aabad rahe by Rafi from Deedar (1951), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad

The Golden Era of music had many gems on kahani – Nirbal se ladai bhagwan ki, ye kahani hai diye ki aur toofan ki; Suno chhoti si gudiya ki lambi kahani; Apni kahani bhool ja, kuchh to nishani bhool ja, mausam beeta jaye; Dil ki kahani rang layi hai. I choose Meri kahani bhoolnewale as it comes at an important moment in the story. Dilip Kumar was very convincing as a blind person with his open eyes. He must have observed such blind persons very intently. Nargis, his childhood friend, has forgotten everything about those days, whereas from the description he is able to make out that she is the same person. He blesses her, May her world flourish! This film is also an important landmark in the history of Hindi film music. This film marks the beginning of Naushad settling for Rafi as his main male playback singer; it also marks the first time Talat Mahmood started realising the threat to his status as the premier ghazal singer from this semi-literate rustic boy from Punjab.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOMHgfrHq90&list=RDgOMHgfrHq90&start_radio=1

12. Jana tha humse door bahane bana liye by Lata Mangeshkar from Adalat (1958), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Madan Mohan

In our films, a courtesan could love a patron, but the respect of wedding, and love was beyond her hope. In this poignant song, in the second stanza she sings:

Rukhsat ke waqt tumne jo ansoo humein diye
Un ansounon se humne fasane bana liye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5E0lWNeNjk&list=RDC5E0lWNeNjk&start_radio=1

13. Unhein kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe to dekhe kalam ki rawani mein ansoon by Rafi from Naya Kanoon (1965), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Madan Mohan

I have mentioned the word kissa, too, as a synonym for dastan or kahani. I have not tried to look for a kissa song in each set. But this recital kissa song makes up for all. Hasrat Jaipuri was not Madan Mohan’s regular lyricist. But this nazm is worth quoting in full.

Unhein kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe
to dekhe kalam ki rawaani mein ansoo
ye anmol taare wo ulfat ke moti
unhein hum ne bheje nishani mein ansoo

Unhein hum kahani sunane na paye
unhein daag dil ke dikhane na paye
ye ansoo hamare bade kaam aye
zubaa’n ban gaye be-zubani mein ansoo

Na samjho ke ansoo hain gham ki kahani
ye ansoo hain ulfat ki pehli nishaani
muqaddar ke katib ka itna karam hai
ke likkhe hain meri kahani mein ansoo
unhen kissa-e-gham jo…

Zamane mein taqdeer sab ki juda hai
tujhe kuchh mila hai mujhe kuch mila hai
udhar hain teri zindagani mein khushiyan
idhar hain meri zindagani mein ansoo
unhen kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe
to dekhe kalam ki rawaani mein ansoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTIPAB0Wv64

Acknowledgement and Dislaimer
The YT links of songs have been given only for the listening pleasure of music lovers. This blog has no commercial interest and claims no copyright over these songs, either directly or indirectly, which vests with the respective owners.

In transliteration of Hindi words into Roman script you may find some inconsistencies. That is because, I do not like too many double vowels.

77 comments…read them below or add one

  1. Wonderful list, AK (and one of my favourite dastangos, by the way, is a woman – Fauzia Dastango, who is excellent).

    Chalte-chalte yoon hi koi mil gaya thha has Ik fasaana ban gayi hai meri baat talte-talte:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcEEQ-i7Lcs

    Two other songs with the same theme, though neither of them is a favourite of mine:

    Sun lo sunaata hoon tumko kahaani:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0246lLF_wQ

    And Gham ka fasaana ban gaya achha:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr-Zrd7Lyy4

  2. Akji,
    As an outsider to the language, I found it a useful Urdu crash-course session. Given that participation is restricted to four words (‘Afsana’, ‘Dastan’, ‘Kahani’, ‘Fasana’), there is definitely scope for my limited involvement. Kudos once again for an interesting subject.

    A song from Om Shanti Om (2007), which has all the four words.
    “Daastaan-E-Om Shanti Om”, singer Shaan, lyrics Javed Akhtar, music Vishal-Sekhar
    Probably telling the whole story of the film; of an obscure 1970s actor, who dies in a suspicious on-set fire and is reincarnated 30 years later, determined to punish the person who ignited the blaze.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4J7PDmoxE

    Sun’ne walon
    suno aisa bhi hota hai
    Dil deta hai jo
    woh jaan bhi khota hai.

    Pyaar aisa jo karta hai,
    Kya mar ke bhi marta hai,
    Aao tum bhi aaj sun lo
    DASTAAN hai yeh, Ke ik tha,
    naujawan, jo dil hi dil mein,
    Ek, haseena ka, tha deewana…

    Woh haseena bhi, ke jiski, khoobsoorti
    Ka, duniya bhar mein tha, mash’hoor,
    AFSANA.
    Donon ki, yeh KAHAANI, hai jisko, sabhi
    Kehte hain Om Shanti Om

    And towards the end comes FASAANA,
    Usne ik din, maut hi paayi
    Ik sitam ka FASAANA
    hai, jisko sabhi..
    Kehte hain Om Shanti Om

  3. AKji

    Good to see the fertile mind is still able to come up with interesting and unusual topics 🙂

    Let me sneak in a few suggestions before the torrent of songs start coming from the likes of Shettyji and Venkataramanji 🙂

    Before I post the songs, there is a question : Raaz-E-Adakari yeh hai ki, how in heaven’s name did Bharat Bhushan, with his deadpan expression and acting, get to lip sync some of the absolute classic songs by Mohd Rafi? Your song at # 13. ‘Unhein kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe’ being one case in point 🙂

    Here are the songs.

    1. Kahaani

    Mohobatt Ki Jhoothi Kahaani Pe Roye – Lata – Mughal – E -Azam

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzmsd-rD5K8&list=RDGzmsd-rD5K8&start_radio=1

    Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee – Lata

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdJGCrOeaoQ&list=RDSdJGCrOeaoQ&start_radio=1

    2. Fasaana

    Taqdeer Ka Fasaana – Rafi – Sehra

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVmC_jnDPYc&list=RDKVmC_jnDPYc&start_radio=1

    Chheda Jo Dil Ka Fasaana – Rafi – Naqli Nawab

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-nmuGcS7go&list=RD_-nmuGcS7go&start_radio=1

    3. Afsaana

    Aaja Tujhe Afsaana Judai Ka – Noor Jahan – Mirza Sahiban

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URpf1gdRIc0&list=RDURpf1gdRIc0&start_radio=1

    Aapki Baatein Kare Apna Afsaana – Lata – Dil Ki Raahein

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqLmz2vgAw&list=RDEeqLmz2vgAw&start_radio=1

    Log To Baat Ka Afsaana – Rafi, Manna Dey – Shaadi

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biFVDzgv5YM&list=RDbiFVDzgv5YM&start_radio=1

    4. Daastan

    Ajab Hai Daastan Teri – Rafi singing for KK – Shararat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2svsXJxTVVQ&list=RD2svsXJxTVVQ&start_radio=1

    Muhobatt Ki Daastan Aaj Suno – Lata – Mayur Punkh

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Xk0ZVtWYc&list=RDU-Xk0ZVtWYc&start_radio=1

  4. Akji,
    Listened to the songs. That is a nice set of songs you’ve posted! Rafi’s ‘Unhein Kissa-e-Gham’ (#13) really stands out, especially when he sings, “Jo likhne ko baithe to dekhe kalam ki rawani mein ansoon”. Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban janye hum dono was expected. You posted one song from the vintage era (#3), which is a good inclusion. Let me add two more.

    Kitaab E Dard Me Likha Mere Gam Ka Fasana Hai, by Akbar Khan Durrani, Sultana (1934), lyrics Munshi Aziz, music Mushtaq Hussain
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYpHL9YVMwQ

    Bhuli Hui Yad Aai Kahani Haye Mohabbat Haye Jawani by Ahmed Dilawar, Toofani Tarzaan (1937), lyrics Pt.Gyan, music Master Mohammad
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzOBAWqcjTE

  11. Madhu @1,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I would look up Fauzia’s Dastangoi. Ik fasan ban gayi hai meri baat talte talte is a perfect ‘fasana’ song and confirms my explanation. Your last two songs remind me of a proverb, Kabul mein sabhi ghode nahin hote, kuchh gadhe bhi hote hain.

  12. Venkataraman ji @2,
    My Urdu too was very sketchy. I am not satisfied. This article is not based on my ‘knowledge’, but ‘observation’. The song from Om Shanti Om is very interesting. It uses all the four words, were the music director/lyricist conscious that they were using four different words?

    @4,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Both the Vintage ERa songs I liked a lot.

  13. Mahesh Joshi @3,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I would not be able to answer your puzzle about Bharat Bhushan. He had appeared in many superhit movies. No less surprising to me is Rajendra Kumar. Both featured in several landmark films, and many milestone songs. Let us accept their success. The only difference was that Bharat Bhushan was a riches to rags story for personal excesses, Rajendra Kumar was a smart investor.

    Amon the songs you have added, Aap ki baatein aap ka afsana was new to me. Log to baat ka afsana bana dete hain is also new to me, but very likeable, for use of ‘afsana’ in ‘fasana’. You are confusing me thoroughly. All other songs are immortal.

  14. Mr S Joseph @5,
    Thanks a lot for your appeciation. When you talk of ‘dastan’, the song Ajeeb dastan hai ye is bound to come at the top of recall. I have also mentioned this song in my write-up (Song #6).

  15. Dr Rajesh Deshpnde @6,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I remembered Pyar ka fasana bana le dil deewana came to my mind, but I had already included enough older song

    @7,
    That’s a nice one. Hamaru kahani, umhara fasana’: What does Sahir Ludhiyanavi mean?

    @8,
    This Rafi song must have been canned early.

    @9,
    Yes, excellent song.

    @10,
    Nice one. I have mentioned in my write-up.

  16. AKji

    Here are some more Afsanas starting with a masterpiece from Shankar Jaikishan followed by a new gem from Rafi.

    1. Na Chhedo Kal Ke Afsane – Lata Mangeshkar – Raat Aur Din

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nRxfSAi0XA&list=RD8nRxfSAi0XA&start_radio=1

    2. Bhoole Afsane Phir Se Yaad Aaye – Mohd Rafi – Samay Bada Balwan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMKQMSxzBLo&list=RDpMKQMSxzBLo&start_radio=1

    3. Khamosh Zindagi Ko Ek Afsana Mil Gaya – Jagjit Kaur – Dil-E-Nadan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_be28GFflCQ&list=RD_be28GFflCQ&start_radio=1

    4. Yeh Dard Bhara Afsana – Kishore Kumar – Shreeman Funtoosh

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXKBnIo5ouI&list=RDeXKBnIo5ouI&start_radio=1

    5. Yeh Afsana Nahin Zalim – Shamshad Begum – Dard

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1BsU5AhFM&list=RDdv1BsU5AhFM&start_radio=1

    6. Nazar Ne Keh Diya Afsana – C.H. Atma – Bhai Saheb

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL6MW0663UI&list=RDXL6MW0663UI&start_radio=1

    7. Bhoola Huva Fasana – Mohd Rafi – Sau Saal Baad

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQy68OZKJPU&list=RDlQy68OZKJPU&start_radio=1

    8. Mere Tumhara Afsana Hai Kitna Purana – Lata – Sardar

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03LzMPtnWLc&list=RD03LzMPtnWLc&start_radio=1

  18. Mahesh Joshi,
    From your list I was very familiar with my great favourites at numbers 3, 5, 6. I was unfamiliar with others to different degrees. The most popular song of Raat Aur Din was the title song, which was a twin song in the voices of Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar. Such songs validated my theory of Twin songs: The Male version was generally a front-runner, the Female version was a laggard, almost to the point of oblivion. Your number 7 happens to be a ‘fasana’ song, I liked it immensely.

  19. Akji,
    I stumbled upon this song. I believe the word Sarguzasht has a meaning similar to ‘narrative’ or ‘biography’. A soothing composition, soulfully sung by Dilraj Kaur.
    Daagh Dehlvi’s ‘Sarguzasht Apni Fasana Hai’ sung and composed by Dilraj Kaur. Orchestration Uttam Singh
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiPo42vLV3s

  20. And
    Yehh Jaadu Hai Jinn Ka! a television series, that was aired in 2019-20 on Star Plus.
    The theme song has four versions. Posting the duet version.
    “Kahani Hamari Fasana Hamara” by Bhaven Dhanak and Pamela Jain, lyrics Divy Nidhi Sharma, music Sanjeev Sreevastav
    This is a nice song that has an old-time feel, and it includes three of the quartet.
    Kahani hamari fasana hamara
    Ghamon ne sunaya dobara dobara
    Meri daastan mein
    Hai bheege se mausam
    Hui meri palke kabhi phir se num
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILchFQpJY1Y

  21. Subodh @17,
    Your search was for jeevan/jivan but your songs is about a sathi: I don’t know if you have enough reason to exult. However, both songs are extremely good.

  22. Venkataraman ji @19,
    My Urdu-Hindi Kosh says ‘sarguzasht’ is something which is a past matter. Nice one, But I am intrigued by feminine gender for ‘fasana’; so far we had found it used as a masculine gender word. Your next song also mentions it as masculine gender.

    @20,
    Kahani hamari hamara fasana: Nice song.

  23. AKji

    With regards to Raat Aur Din @18, you are right about the popularity of the title song by Mukesh. Even though the film flopped at the box office, the music by Shankar Jaikishan is absolutely top notch, full of classic songs by Lata Mangeshkar. I have no doubt you’ve heard them all, but a retrospective revisit will rekindle the flame of our good fortune to have lived through the golden era of the scrumptious film music. 🙂

    Amrapali suffered the same fate at the box office, even though it’s a lavish film full of rich sets, exquisite dance sequences, and top-quality songs by Lata Mangeshkar created by the brilliant team of Shankar Jaikishan.

    Sorry I digress, here are some songs with Dastan.

    1. Meri Dastan Mujhe Hi Mera Dard – Lata Mangeshkar – Aao Pyar Karen

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foo3CnOX7Sg&list=RDFoo3CnOX7Sg&start_radio=1

    2. Zuban Pe Dard Bhari Dastan – Mukesh – Maryada

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfPEA3V3YOI&list=RDQfPEA3V3YOI&start_radio=1

    3. Mohabatt Ki Bus Itni Dastan Hai – Lata & Rafi – Baradari

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LF9nDceH3w&list=RD-LF9nDceH3w&start_radio=1

    4. Soon Chand Meri Yeh Dastan – Mukesh – Naag Jyoti

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WX2OBeczak&list=RD1WX2OBeczak&start_radio=1

    5. Khatam Kar De Dastan – Geeta Dutt – Saahil

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZHlyWU3-0Q&list=RDuZHlyWU3-0Q&start_radio=1

  24. All songs indicated in the list are extremely good and the one which stands out is the song Pyar ki dastaan by Lata Mangeshkar from the 1965 film Faraar, as I could see. Perhaps , one song from either the old or new Dastaan (1951, 1972 ) could have made this all the more exquisite.

  25. Chali Kahani” from Tamasha is a magnum opus written by Irshad Kamil that illustrates the universal, interconnected nature of storytelling. Through the scene of a faqeer blending tales like Rama, Romeo, and Ranjha, the song conveys that while characters and contexts change, the core soul of every story remains the same. Ultimately, it emphasizes that the essence of a story matters more than its specific subjects or origins.

    The faqeer says, “Kahani, kahani hoti hai, aur wahi kahani har jagah chalti hai, har waqt… Ayodhya me, Yunan me… Laila-Majnu, Romeo-Juliet, Sikandar ki chadhai, Lanka ki ladai… Is waqt, aas paas, aur tumhari zindagi me.. wahi kahani… ek hi. Socho mat ki kahan aur kab aur kiski.. bas maza lo kahani ka dil khol kar.”

    Just as different languages can tell the same tale, a faqeer reveals that the core narratives and figures of major religions—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—are unified, representing a single, shared truth despite different cultural expressions.

    “Yamuna hai ya Jamuna? Joseph hai ya Yusuf? Jesus hai ya Isa? Moses hai ya Musa? Batao. Brahma hai ya Abraham? Ya Ibrahim?”

    The song unifies diverse human narratives—blending history, myth, and folklore into a single organic whole. It emphasizes that despite coming from different times and places, these stories often share striking parallels. For example, the births of Krishna and Moses both involve infants being saved from a ruler’s decree by crossing a river, suggesting a universal thread that connects global legends and historical figures.

    Tirkit taal se lo chali kahani
    Panghat kaal se lo chali kahani
    Sarpat daudti hai faqt zubani
    Chutput ashiqui mein dhali kahani
    Angin saal se hai wahi purani
    Tere mere ishq ki ye nayi kahani
    Aati kahaan se hai ye jaati kahaan kya pata……
    Ye Chenab ka dariya hai
    Ye ishq se bharya
    Wo lehro pe balkhati
    Mahiwal se milne jati
    Wo naam ki Sohni bhi thi
    Mahiwal ki honi bhi thi
    Lekin bhay Kans ka tha usko – to phir
    Vasudev ne kaanha ko – lekar
    Jamuna se paar lagaya
    Dariya se to Firaun ki behna ne phir Moosa uthaya
    Chali kahani, chali kahani…. Chali kahani, chali kahani….
    Birha ka dukh kaahe ho baanke
    Dikhe mohe tu hi jiya mein jo jhaankiye
    Pal pal ginti hoon aathon hi pahar
    Kitne baras hue mohe hankiye
    Naina niharo more bhor se jhare
    Preet mori piya baton se na aankiye
    Main hi mar jau ya mare dooriyan
    Dooriyo ki chaadaron pe yadein tankiye
    Wo utha virodhi parcham
    Mughal-e-azam ko tha ye gam
    Shehzada mohabbat karke
    Izzat ka karega kachram
    Troja ki thi Helen
    Tha itni raksha mein Ravan
    Antatah bheeshan yuddham krandan
    Mera to ranjhan mahi ranjhan ranjhan….

    Singers Haricharan, Haripriya & Sukhwinder Singh, lyrics Irshad Kamil, music
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BNQFMg2E4

    Having completed this kahani, I believe it is the appropriate time to move on from my role in this post.

    Please do enjoy the song

  26. When a Hindi film song is written and the music is being set then the key players are the lyricist, music director, director, and the singer. Such words of close meanings are fitted to suit the rhythm, rhyme, tune breath of singer etc. So the word used has to meet so many requirements at one time and particularly the public appeal . Here is a Madan Mohan song from Ashiana , 1952. There are many Urdu words used here but perhaps ‘Kahani’ fits best in this song . Again … I am no expert .

    https://youtu.be/zseTkRU4pxA?si=pKshGh6927ZCj1iS

  27. Mahesh Joshi @23,
    Thanks a lot for your comments and songs again. I couldn’t agree with you more on Amrapali’s music. Your song number 5 does not excite me. Other songs highlight the feature of narration in dastan. Then at least in three songs, there is an element of sadness as the protagonist narrates his or her dastan (songs #1, 2 and 4). Beautiful.

  29. KB @24,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Pyar ki dastan tum suno to kahein has long been my favourite. As far as the 1951 film is concerned, perhaps you mean the film Afsana (1951), composed by Hunslal-Bhagatram. That film had one everlasting song Khushiyon ke din manaye ja..Abhi to main jawan hun, abhi to main jawa hun (this is not by Malika pukhraj, but Lata Mangeshkar; Wo paas bhi rahkar paas nahin, wo door bhi rahkar door nahin; Mohabbat ki bas itni dastan hai; Wo aaye bahaarein laaye, baji shahnaai; Kismat bigdi, duniya badli – these were the hey-days of Husnlal-Bhagatram, until they were displaced by their successors Shankar-Jaikishan.

    Interestingly, its remake (or adaptation, if you will starring Dilip Kumar) was named Dastan. It did not have so many great songs. The only song I remember from the film is Rafi’s Na tu zameen ke liye aasman ke liye I don’t crib, because the Golden Era of melody of the 50s and 60s was over.

  30. Venkataraman ji @25,
    Very interesting narration by Piyush Mishra. Thanks a lot for this song by Irshad Kamil. It reminds me of Sahir Ludhiyanavi’s iconic qawwali Na to karwan ki talash hai, na to hamsafar ki talash hai…Ye hai ishq ishq. In the second part, Sahir talks about universality of love across Laila-Majnu, Radha-Krishna, Meera, Islam, Christianity. Similar thoughts.

  31. S Joseph @26,
    You have a point. Tum chaand ke sath chale aao is a beautiful song. You are right kahani fits here perfectly. It does not seem like a compromise. It would have been a compromise, if in the flow of words, you felt ‘afsana’ was more appropriate. That is not the case here.

  35. AKji

    To complete the set here are some songs with Kahani. The older songs have been inspired by your own dedicated ventures into the music of the 40s 🙂

    1. Suno Sita Ki Kahani – Mohd Rafi – Biraj Bahu

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rr_ijPzHzE&list=RD1Rr_ijPzHzE&start_radio=1

    2. Aao Aao Kahani Suno – Geeta Dutt & P.G. Krishnaveni – Mr Sampat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yI-1MeJ7sU&list=RD6yI-1MeJ7sU&start_radio=1

    3. Tu Sun Le Kahani – Kanan Devi – Ban Phool

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH4vK4JzauU&list=RDMH4vK4JzauU&start_radio=1

    4. Chhoti Si Kahani Zindagi Ki – Meena Kapoor – Aaj Ki Raat

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmMzwMYZbF4&list=RDtmMzwMYZbF4&start_radio=1

    5. Meri Kahani Sun Ja – Shamshad Begum – Nao

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roapg6J0iXI&list=RDroapg6J0iXI&start_radio=1

  38. Dr Rajesh Deshpande @33,
    Ye kaisi ajab dastan ho gayi hai is my great favourite. The second line is classic ‘dastan’, Sunaate sunaate bayan ho gayi hai. I believe it is the last song Suraiya sung for films.

    @34,
    Nice song.

  39. Mahesh Joshi @35,
    Song 1: Good, but less heard.
    Song 2: Excellent song, an eminent singer from South and an unknown music director
    Song 3: Kanan Devi always sounds very sweet. I was aware of her other songs from the film, such as Malan bata de; Koi humein bata de, but this ‘kahani’ song is very good.
    Song 4: I see the picture of Suraiya, Husnlal-Bhagatram’s music is writ large.
    Song 5: Shamshad always sings well.

  40. Ashok ji @36, 37,
    You have been able to unearth some very good Affsana/ fasana songs. Thanks a lot.

  41. Ak ji
    My region ( Marathwada) was ruled by Nizam before 1950. For higher education people from my region had to invariably move to Hyderabad. Therefore urdu words were very commonly used in day to day life by many. My father was an advocate and in my school days I often heard the words like halafnama ( affidavit), mukhtarnama ( Power of attorney) , Peshkar ( pleader) and many more.
    You have mentioned AIR urdu service. I remember it carried hindi film music program daily in the afternoon from 3.30 to 4.45 and after that there was urdu news.
    The singers were called gulukar or gulukara and composers were mausikars.
    The article is a nice throwback to those days.
    Here are my picks
    Afsana
    Dardbhara
    Ye dardbhara afsana – Shriman funtoosh – LP- AB – Kishor Kumar
    https://youtu.be/eXKBnIo5ouI?si=HfzsXSC8GOF2kK2B
    I think it is one of the best songs of Kishor composed by LP
    Afsana khamosh
    Khamosh sa afsana – Libas- RDB- Gulzar – Lata
    https://youtu.be/hB8giAIiAs0?si=4NwqwFiZsIMl6Bs5
    Dastaan
    You have mentioned that as urdu poetry matured we find liberal use of Dastaan in 60s songs. Here is dastaan from early fifty
    Sun ja Dil ki dastaan – Jaal – Sahir – SDB – Hemant Kumar
    https://youtu.be/-6I1JahC6VE?si=zRq231R0EgHleY8E
    And from early 70s Sahir again
    Na tu zami ke liye – Dastaan – LP- Rafi
    https://youtu.be/IykYjPLEQhM?si=zb3uiNoHp8iFtlJC
    I think BR Chopra rehashed Afsana here.
    Kahani
    Lambi kahani
    Suno chotisi gudiya ki – Seema – Shailendra – SJ – Lata
    https://youtu.be/ob0B_vlEG24?si=eWkciZdh6KYYB43T
    And Choti kahani
    Chotisi kahani se – Ijazaat – Gulzar -RDB
    https://youtu.be/ob0B_vlEG24?si=eWkciZdh6KYYB43T
    Fasana
    Agar saaz cheda – Jawani Diwani – Majrooh – RDB – Kishor Kumar and Asha
    https://youtu.be/h1SU9OHvcUo?si=6zU9Txc8e9rxAJcs
    And my list would be incomplete without the gazal king
    Bhooli bisari chand ummide – Raji Tirmijee – Mehdi Hassan
    https://youtu.be/XTC3GcS7vrc?si=-efPgccZtcACvO2H

  42. Mr Muli @41,
    I am impressed; I had to scrounge for Urdu, it was part of your everyday life.

    I found some courtroom language in Bollywood films quite odd, it was very different from the language used by the lawyers in mufassil courts. Afsananigar was a mouthful. But nice to interact with a Master.

    All songs are very nice. Inadvertently, you have repeated the link of Seema in Ijaazat, too.

  43. AKji @ 39

    You are right about Suraiya’s picture on the YouTube clip for the 4th song — ‘Chhoti Si Kahani Zindagi Ki – Meena Kapoor – Aaj Ki Raat’.

    Suriya was indeed the star of ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ and sang all the female songs herself, except the one that I’ve posted (@35), and another one ‘Kya Jaane Ameeri Ji’, which were both sung by Meena Kapoor. Music was indeed by Husanlal Bhagatram.

  47. AKji

    With you currently juggling several threads at the same time, I wonder whether it would be an appropriate time to give you some time to breathe 🙂 You must be working all hours responding to the incoming posts. Not an easy task.

    Keeping that in mind here is my last peshkush of some Fasana songs 🙂

    1. Gham Ka Fasana Kisko Sunaye – Shamshad Begum – Mela – slow

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMZpHC4z4TE&list=RDTMZpHC4z4TE&start_radio=1

    2. This might look like clutching at straws but the song does narrate the story. Plus the first stanza does contain the line ‘Mein Ek Fasana Hoon Bekasi Ka’. If nothing else it’s a good excuse to listen to a great song 🙂 – Naseeb Mein Jiske Jo Likha Ta – Mohd Rafi – Do Badan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZYIy0-09Wk&list=RDtZYIy0-09Wk&start_radio=1

    3. Suno Ek Naya Fasana – Robin Majmudar & Kanan Devi – Arabian Nights

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIQnRxYFzKo&list=RDvIQnRxYFzKo&start_radio=1

    4. Pyar Ka Fasana Banale – Mukesh & Lata – Teesra Kaun

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l024Cyk8984&list=RDl024Cyk8984&start_radio=1

  48. Refer#39…the music director of song no.2 as posted in #35 from Mr Sampat-1952 is by eminent Veena vidwan Emani Shankara Shastri. He was a very much accomplished Classical Veena vidwan, even admired by famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Had a very brief foray into film music. Mr Sampat was also the debut of the velvety voiced P B Sreenivas’ debut film.

  49. Do not know if the link to this song has been uploaded here. Not many may recollect this but I guess this was a popular song. Technically this is of before the golden era. This song of Ghulam Haider – Qamar Jalalabadi-Surinder Kaur from SHAHEED (1948) ,which conveys the pain of a broken heart, uses both words – ‘FASANA’ as well as ‘KAHANI’. Someone could add more.

    https://youtu.be/XieOw7mg1zQ?si=7XoIOmbcdlQYiPTm

  50. Mahesh Joshi @47,
    Thanks a lot for your concern. I manage to juggle a lot of things at the same time. I think I am still better than many retired people for whom time hangs heavy, how do you spend your time? If I have time to breathe I can tell you.

    Among the songs you have added, I am embarrassed to admit, I found #3 the weakest, though Kanan Devi has been my great favourite.

  52. Mr S Joseph @49,
    Badnam na ho jaye mohabbat ka fasana by Surinder Kaur must have been very popular in the era. A doyen of Punjabi folk songs, she sang very few songs in Hindi films. This one must have been most popular Hindi film song. My great favourite, it has featured prominently in the review of the Best songs of 1948.

  58. AKji

    I am not sure how it has happened that from the list of all ‘Afsana’ songs, we’ve all missed mentioning, perhaps the most famous and melodic Afsana song. (I have been through all the posts above and haven’t seen it mentioned – but will stand corrected if it has been :-). )

    The song is – Milte Hi Aankhein Dil Hua Diwana Kisika – Talat Mehmood and Shamshad Begum – Babul

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Mz6gUFvcg&list=RD89Mz6gUFvcg&start_radio=1

  62. Dr Deshpande @54,
    Very sensitive song. As a wife Sabana Azmi is not able to forgive her husband’s indiscretion, but the child’s innocence melts her.

    @55,
    I don’t seem to remember these songs.

    @56,
    Nice similarity to a gondola song in Venice. But if you take the gondola ride once, you start wondering why people are crazy about this cesspool.

    @57,
    This seems to be a favourite violin song for many.

  63. Mahesh Joshi @58,
    In my list of songs for this post, I had shortlisted this song, but I ended with 3 sets of the quartet. One can’t clutter the site.

  64. Mr Muli @59,
    Hamaare baad ab mehfil mein afsane bayan honge is a truly ionic song by Madan Mohan. Sounds like Shyam Sunder’s composition in Lahore (1949: Baharein phir phir bhi dhoondhegin magar hum tum juda hhonge

    @60,
    Only Manmohan Desai could pull through such iconic’ situations.

  65. 1. Zindgi Ka Ajab Fasana Hai – Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar, Anil Biswas

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NpE1tlZD6E

    2. Ye Raat Ye Chandni Fir Kahan, Sun Ja Dil Ki Dastan – Hemant Kumar, S. D. Burman

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GfUK9Urb6I

    3. Hum Dard Ke Maron Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai – Talat Mahmood, Shankar Jaikishan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ONij-s-HnA&list=RD6ONij-s-HnA&start_radio=1

    4. Jaag Dard e Ishq Jaag
    ‘Kisko Sunaaun Dastan, Kisako Dikhaaun Dil Ke Daag’ – Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar, C. Ramchandra

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of1nTgGyqJg&list=RDOf1nTgGyqJg&start_radio=1

    5. Kehta Hai Joker Sara Jamana, Aadhi Hakikat Aadha Fasana – Mukesh, Shankar Jaikishan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-itTwxlAeBk&list=RD-itTwxlAeBk&start_radio=1

    6. Jata kaha hai Diwane, Sab Kuchh Yaha hai Sanam, Baki Ke Sare Fasane – Geeta Dutt, O. P. Nayyer

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufDcdRBrOZE

  67. AK ji,

    This analysis of terms is so interesting. Like you say, it is difficult to box them except for the word fasana. I would suggest that you glance through the syllabi of the BA Urdu courses offered by various universities. A mere look at the syllabus and the way it is structured could give you an idea about the meanings of some words. I had done this for my post on Makhdoom’s nazm (https://rb.gy/igdhpo).

    From what I understand, Afsana is fictional in character and so there is a reference to Ghair Afsaanvi Nasr or non-fictional prose in the syllabus.

    Here are two songs from my side which I believe have not yet been mentioned. The first is a couplet preceding the mukhda of a song from Aas Ka Pancchi –

    ज़मीन कागज़ की बन जाए समंदर रोशनाई का |
    बयान फिर भी न होगा हमसे ये किस्सा जुदाई का ||

    The other song is from Musafirkhana (1955), which brings out the meaning of fasana – which in this case is making a mountain of a molehill.
    zara si baat ka huzoor ne fasana kar diya

    Anita

  68. AK ji,
    I seem to have understood the term Ghair Afsaanvi Nasr incorrectly. It perhaps means prose other than short stories.

    Anita

  70. Anita @67,
    I went through your interesting post on Makhdom Mohiuddin. It is as usual very interesting. I still hold that we remember Makhdoom primarily for Iqbal Qureshi’s music, otherwise he would have remained confined to Urdu Adab. I don’t think I am going to look for BA (Urdu) syllabus, I might be tempted to enrol myself (they must be offering online courses). But my plate is full these days. I admire your zeal for learning.

    The recital couplet prelude of the song from Aas Ka Panchhi is very interesting. I was wondering how there is similarity of ideas across cultures. It is very close to Kabir’s couplet eulogising the Guru:

    सात समंद की मसि करूँ लेखनि सब बनराय
    धरती सब कागद करूँ गुरु गुण लिख्यो ना जाय, कबीरा..

    Your meaning of fasana is more spot on: To make a mountain out of a mole-hill.

    @68,
    Our simple गद्य? Interesting.

  72. What an interesting post, AK. 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed your dissection of Afsaana, fasaana, dastaan, qissa and kahaani. Let me address a few of your comments/queries: The lady on whom Pyaar ki dastaan tum suno to kahen is picturised is a lady called Shabnam.

    Uma Devi was also re-named ‘Tun Tun’ by Naushad. It’s he who encouraged her to become a comedienne.

    Re: Om Shanti Om – the lyricist for Dastaan-e-Om-Shanti-Om is Javed Akhtar. I’m sure he knows Urdu. 🙂

    Learning the Urdu script – want to learn to read and write Urdu in three months? 🙂 I’m serious; email me?

    My additions:
    Itni si kahaani hai itna mera afsaana from Aaiye (1949)
    Suno sunaayen aaj tumhen ek chhoti si kahaani from Agra Road (1957)
    Aap ki baatein karein ya apna afsaana kahein from Dil ki Raahen (1973)
    Aa jao tumhen dil ka afsaana sunana hai from Heer(1956)
    Di ka fasaana koi na jaane from Ooman qaid
    Beemar-e-mohabbat ka itna sa fasaana hai from Teesri Gali (1958)

  73. Anu,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Thanks a lot for your addition of beautiful songs. And also about Shabnam. I didn’t know the role of Naushad in the making of Tun Tun. But it was very unfair of him. He should have encouraged her and helped her in continuing as a singer.

    As for learning Urdu/Arabic script, I tried several times but gave up. I have heard Javed Akhtar lamenting that his bestseller “Tarkash” has sold out several editions in Devanagari script, but one edition in Urdu is still languishing. Now I have accepted that there must be something in the script which I find insurmountable. I do not have the same zeal now. But thanks a lot for your offer for help.

  74. AK ji,

    Thanks for a wonderful topic. Especially the reference to Sahir’s iconic line “Woh afsana, jise anjaam tak lana na ho mumkin, use ek khubsurat mod de kar chhod na accha!:.

    I just discovered your blog and I am commenting a little late, so apologies if some of the songs I am listing have already been mentioned by others. Since a well made movie is itself an afsaana, it is not surprising that lyricists find some variant of this word in almost every song. Here are some of my favorites –

    1. “apni kahaani chhod ja, kuch to nishaani chhod ja, kaun kahe is or, tu phir aaye na aaye” – Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke, Music Salil Chowdhary, lyrics Shailendra.
    2. “mili khaak mein mohabbat” – Chudhvin Ka Chand, Music Ravi, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni.
    3. “taqdeer ka fasana, ja kar kise sunayein” – Sehra, Music Ramlal, Lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri

    Regards,
    Uday

  75. Uday,
    Welcome to Songs Of Yore, and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

    Your song #1 I have mentioned in the recital part, other two songs are not mentioned. All three are very nice songs. I think you mean song #1 from the film Do Bigha Zameen. Incidentally, I browsed through your very interesting blog. I often wonder how much excellent work different people are doing on the blogosphere. One cannot visit every excellent site one desires. My compliments to you.

  76. AK ji,

    Thanks for your encouragement about my blog. I am finding some excellent material on SoY that I will be citing in some of my future posts. If you get a chance please subscribe. That way you will be notified when I post anything new.

    Regards,
    Uday

  77. Uday,
    Anytime. Go ahead. I have subscribed. But surely you don’t need a validation – least from me. All the best.

Leave a comment