My favourite zulf songs

Meena Kumari zulf A common popular theme on the blog land is to put up a variety of favourite lists, such as ‘My ten favourite ??? songs’. This could be on a person (Mukesh, Naushad, Dev Anand etc) or a theme (birthday, holi, wedding etc.) or an object (train, rain, tonga etc.) Some creative bloggers have come up with very unusual lists, such as songs based on birds (koel, mor, papiha etc) and flowers  (kamal, chameli, gulab etc). I was certain people would have done songs based on zulf (hair, or more accurately a woman’s tresses), which occurs so prominently in our songs. I have not come across any so far, which is quite surprising. So let me try to fill up this gap.

Whenever I think of zulf I am reminded of a silly verse popular in our college days:

Peechhe se unki zulfon mein pyar nazar aya
Saamne se dekha to sardar nazar aya

If I were to do a list of my favourite silly verses, this would be at the top. But if you think about it, this verse establishes two fundamental propositions – (i) that zulf refers to a woman’s tresses and rarely a man’s hair, and (ii) the association is sensuous/erotic. Therefore, the emotion or Rasa conveyed in film songs is generally Shringar (Love). This does not fully convey the tremendous potential of zulf to convey other emotions. In fact if you quickly survey our literary and cultural traditions you can find all the Navras (plus two later additions)  associated with hair:

अद्भुत (Wonder):

Lord Shiva arresting the fury of river Ganga hurtling down with mighty roar, and containing her in his hair to save the earth from destruction.

भक्ति (Devotion):

Offering hair to Tirupati Balaji.

भयानक (Horror)

The terror in the eyes of the widowed Padmini Kolhapuri when she is being taken to have her hair forcibly sheared off.

हास्य (Humour)

The Ritikaal poet Keshavdas (1555-1617) ruing his graying hair that moon-faced and doe-eyed beauties pass him by calling him Baba, and wishes such misfortune should not befall even his worst enemy.

केशव केसन अस करी जस अरिहूं न कराहिं
चन्द्रबदनि मृगलोचनी बाबा कहि कहि जाहिं

करुण (Pathos)

(Wikipedia describes it wrongly as करुणा, which is obviously because of the way we write some Sanskrit/Hindi words in Roman script with an extra ‘a’ in the end and pronounce it with long vowel, such as रागा for राग, रामा for राम.   The weirdest I have heard recently was a classical dancer on Doordarshan talk show pronouncing अभिनय as अभिनाया).

Meena Kumari having her tresses done up elaborately while singing Piya aiso jiya mein samaye gayo re, with pathos writ large in Geeta Dutt’s voice conveying accurately the futile yearning of Meena Kumari for her husband Rahman who has strayed away too far to come back.

रौद्र (Anger)

Kaikeyi with her dishevelled hair in Kopbhavan. It is interesting that only a Rani had this facility of Kopbhavan to convey clearly that she was furious, and not the Raja. This can be viewed in two entirely different ways – as a more enlightened environment which gave the women this facility denied to men, or a gender stereotyping of women that they have fickle moods and needed this kind of outlet. In this sense it could also be seen as a coping mechanism, and Kopbhavan can be described as Cope-bhavan.

शांत (Peace)

Hindu ritual of males getting their head shaved off at the funeral of a family member.

शृंगार (Love)

Several and obvious.

वीर (Heroic)

Chanakya vowing not to tie his choti till he had annihilated Nand dynasty.

बीभत्स (Disgust)

Draupadi drenching her tresses in Dushashan’s blood to avenge her insult.

वात्सल्य (Parental love)

The child Krishna whining before his mother when would his hair grow – मैया कबहूं बढ़ेगी चोटी (Surdas).

( You can see here an interesting article on Mohammad Rafi’s songs based on Navrasas)

Film songs have not harnessed all the above emotions, but if you include film scenes as well, I should think you would find all the above eleven Rasas around zulf. Nevertheless most of the zulf songs are of outstanding quality. As can be expected, Mohammad Rafi has the largest and best zulf songs to his credit.

Here is a list of my favourite ten zulf songs.

1.   Zulfon ko hata lo chehre se by Rafi from Sawan Ki Ghata (1966), lyrics SH Bihai, music OP Nayyar

My clear top favourite. It has Rafi’s fullest vocal twists and conveys the exact mood of teasing. OP Nayyar’s music is superb.

2.  Na jhatko zulf se pani by Rafi from Shehnai (1964), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Ravi

Another unparalleled song from Rafi. But entirely different style and mood. This time it is a soulful ghazal. And what sublime poetry by Rajendra Krishna and equally outstanding music by Ravi. Rajshree got drenched in rains and as she shakes off water drops from her tresses, Biswajeet pleads with her not to do so as it stirs his heart. Very elegantly erotic. One might easily have put this as number one zulf song.

3.  Meri jaan na zulfein kholo by Mukesh from Awara Badal (1964), lyrics Jaan Nisar Akhtar, music Usha Khanna

Mukesh also had some excellent zulf songs. This is from a B-grade film picturised on Ajit. I have come across so many of my absolute favourite songs on Ajit (and other B-grade actors like Chandrashekhar) that I find A or B-grade distinction pointless when it comes to music. Usha Khanna herself, though not reckoned in the top league, gave some outstanding music. Now I am getting confused, I might equally easily have put it at number one.

4.  O haseena zulfonwali by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Teesri Manzil (1966), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music RD Burman

An iconic Rafi-Shammi Kapoor song and early career landmark for RD Burman. You also see full play of zulfs of a number of extra dancers.

5.  Zulfon ki ghata lekar sawan ki pari ayee by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle from Reshmi Roomal (1961), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Bipin Babul

Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle sing this beautiful romantic duet for Manoj Kumar and Shakila.

6.  Teri zulfon se judai to nahi maangi thi by Rafi from Jab pyar kisis se hota hai (1961), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar Jaikishan

Here is Dev Anand pleading for Asha Parekh’s love, in a somewhat poignant style. Rafi in early 60s was at his peak of singing prowess, and SJ-Rafi combination was the dominant winning formula for many stars.

7.  Zulfon ki sunaehri chhaon tale by Talat Mahmood from Zindagi Ya Toofan (1958), lyrics Nakhshab, music Nashad

There has to be surely a Talat zulf song. And this less heard song has all the Talat magic of sweet silky voice and beautiful rendering. Pradeep Kumar singing this song to Nutan on a harmonium might appear emotionless, but at times you have to enjoy a Pradeep Kumar song by closing your eyes and not looking at him.

8.  Meri raahon mein aanewale…Zulfon se bandhkar rakh lungi tujhe by Sudha Malhotra from Shekhchilli (1956), lyrics Pandit Indra, music Vinod

I erroneously thought zulf songs would only be in the voices of male singers. Here the lady declares her intention to keep the man tied to her with her zulf and not let him go. If you have grown your hair long, you might as well put it to some use.

9.  Zulfein uljhi hain mere kangna se by Lata Mangeshkar from Burma Road (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Chitragupta

Here is a unique zulf song in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar picturised on Kumkum pleading with her man to unravel her tresses which have got entangled in her kangnaa. I was quite taken aback to find that Lata Mangeshkar is singing this song in an overtly Asha Bhosle style.

10.  Lat uljhi suljha ja re balam by Noorjehan from Sawal, music Rashid Atre

But the ultimate song on tangled tresses is this traditional composition sung by Noorjehan in the Pakistani film Sawal for the heroine Sabiha Khanum. In case you are wondering where is zulf in this, firstly lat is zulf, and secondly, the next line of the song is Chand se mukhde par nagin zulfein. In a beautiful detail, you just see Sabiha’s hand gestures of dance on the screen when the song goes main na lagaun haath re. The second video is of Noorjehan singing it live for Pakistan TV, and you can see that age has not withered her sense of emotion and feel of the song. In the traditional composition the reason for seeking balam to untangle the tresses was mehdi lagi mere haath re, but in Noorjehan’s version no reason is given, it is a brazen assertion main na lagaun hath re, therefore balam has to do the chore.

Noorjehan sings live Lat uljhi suljha ja re balam

11.  Zulf ko teri ghataon ka payam aya hai by Mehdi Hassan in film Salgirah

After I have included Noorjehan, this blog would have been incomplete if I did not include Mehdi Hassan.  He has also sung several zulf songs, this one is particularly appealing.

Disclaimer and acknowledgement: The songs links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of music lovers. The blog claims no copyright over these songs. The copyright rests with respective owners, suh as Saregama India Limited and others.

144 comments…read them below or add one

  1. Lovely list – and some of my favourite songs are there (including Na jhatko zulf se paani, O haseena zulfonwaali, Teri zulfon se judaai, etc). And I got to know some other songs that I’d never heard before.

    Another zulf song that I like very, very much: Yeh zulf agar khulke, from Kaajal:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDsd8n19kNQ

    And how can I not suggest this one too? A very young Mumtaz and Biswajit, in Mere Sanam. Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSBu9YyehcE

  2. @dustedoff
    I was sure you would have done a zulf list. One of the reasons I did was I did not find one on your site. Yes, the two songs you have mentioned are very good. There are so many other terrific songs I had to leave out. They are so good I would be using them in some other themes. Thanks for visiting, as usual you are first off the block.

  4. Ek kali muskaayee:
    rafi:Joy mukherjee,Meera joglekar
    Music:Madan mohan
    Lyrics:Rajinder krishan
    Zulf bikharaathi chali aayee ho, ai jee socho tho zara, badli ka kya hoga

    Do raaste:rafi:rajesh khanna, mumtaz:
    “Ye reshmi zulfein ye sharbati aankhein, inhe dekhakar jee rahe hain sabhi:
    music:Laxmikant pyarelal

  5. Piya ka ghar
    Music:laxmi pyarelal
    singers:lata, rafi-Jaya bhadhuri, Anil dhawan
    “Ye zulf kaisi hai, zanjeer jaisi hai, woh kaisi hogi jiski tasveer aisi hai”

  6. @dustedoff:
    So we have a zulf song on a Rasa other than Shringar. It would be an interesting exercise to find songs which can be credited to different Rasas.

    Zulf ke phande phans gayi jaan by Rafi from Mujrim

    @PRAKASHCHANDRA:
    All the songs you have mentioned are very good. Ye reshmi zulfein ye sharbati aankhen is my special favourite. These are from late 60s or early 70s. Somehow my mind stops well before this period.

  7. Hello Ak,
    Thanks for this wonderful collection of Zulf songs. Believe me, I am more than grateful for reminding me of all these great songs barring none. Now, please allow me to add one more, which I am sure is melodious enough to share space with other worthies.
    Teri zulfen pareshan teri nazaren pasheman – from Preet Naa Jaane Reet, Lyrics by Anand Bakshi, Music – Kalyanji-Anandji, picturised on dashing Shammi Kapoor and statuesque B. Saroja Devi.
    Thanks again. With great regards – KRV

  8. Hello AK,
    Bitten by melody bug…I am here again. Remembered a great duet from Punar Milan, In Pyar Ki Raho Mein Tera Hi Sahaara Hain. [Rafi-Aasha] Music by C.Arjun. Searched a bit and lo and behold…realized – Paas Baitho Tabiyat Behl Jayei by Rafi. While listening to it on YouTube came across interesting genisis of Paas Baitho by Indeever. This what What Dr. Satyavir Yadava has to relate. ” What a combo of C.Arjun and Indivar was. I still remember the interview of C.Arjun by Ameen Sayani on radio in Binaca Geetmala ,about the story behind writing of this song by Indivar.While both of them returning home in a BEST bus from studio,a pretty young girl boaded the bus also and she came and stood beside them.Indivar looked at her repetedly and asked Arjun to leave a seat for her to let her sit beside him…the song was created.”
    Punar Milan has another classic duet by Aasha & Mubarak Begum – Zindagi Hum Tabah Kar Baithe.
    Hope, you remember these classic gems by Indeever & C.Arjun duo.
    Thanks and regards – KRV

  9. @KR Vaishampayan
    Paas baitho tabiyat bahal jayegi ranks in my top Rafi favorites. Thanks for this wonderful story, which I may use when I come to C Arjun in my Forgotten Composers.. series.

  11. Hello AK,
    Thanks a zillion for your quick response. I am pleasantly surprised and wonder aloud – how wonderfully I concur with your opinions ! Looks like two-of-a-kind. Thanks again for your proposed article on C Arjun in Forgotten Composers, Unforgettable Melodies. And as promised, I shall keep contributing as much as I can to your blog. Regards – KRV

  12. A very interesting list indeed. It feels good to refresh one’s memory for several of these songs. Talking of romantic connotations of Zulf; I have often wondered if Urdu (with maybe Persian and Arabic) is unique in associating romance with liver (Jigar). It is a bit hard to see the romantic connection of this part of the human anatomy.

    An idea for a crazy list – ‘First rate songs from third rate films!’ With due apologies to those who might have liked the film, this thought came to me as I suffered through ‘Bawre Nain’ on TV years back while waiting for ‘Khayalon mein kisi ke’.

  13. @Subodh Agrawal:
    I thought jigar meant heart, at least the poetic use of it. I agree with you, in the sense of liver the imagery is somewhat odd. But come to think of it, even the heart is an organ which is primarily a pump, and there should be nothing romantic about it. It is only that we have been conditioned to associate dil with emotions etc.

    ‘First rate songs from third rate films’ – I hope you are not saying Bawre Nain is a third rate film. That way I have some very unconventional views on several films which have acquired iconic status, such as even Raj Kapur-Dilip Kumar- Nargis starrer Andaaz (1949). Let us use this phrase for obscure films with no production value, no known stars, which made no impact and sunk without trace. It is amazing how such films have absolutely amazing music. Hopefully many of these will get covered in my planned series Forgotten Composers, Unfrgettable Melodies’

  14. Hi there…first time here and am enjoying reliving the old songs a lot. Thanks so much. One Zulf song that comes to my mind is from Naya Daur – Ude jab jab zulfein teri, picturised on Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthi Mala..

    Nice blog, AK.

  15. @Aparna
    Welcome to this site. You are right. Ude jab jab zulfein teri could very well have been in the top ten list. I guess I was subconsciously trying to include other singers also – otherwise it could have been entirely Rafi list.

  16. “Chhedona meri zulfein ” of lata and kishore from the picture “ganga ki Laharen ” is also worth recalling. Music is by Chitrgupta

  17. SAK
    Absolutely. This is also my great favourite. In fact, this could have been included to have Kishore Kumar too.

  18. Ohhhh .. ..Thanks K R Vaishampayan bhai sahab for giving my reference here in relation to the song “Paas baitho tabiyat bahal jaayegi”. I commented it on someone’s You tube link of this gem.
    I always used to listen to Aameen Sayaani’s prog. ‘Binaca Geetmala’ where he often used to interview the legends of music industry & later broadcast them in the prog. This interview I heard on radio ceylon way way back but it was so interesting fact thaty I can nrver forget it …
    This review of songs on Zulf is so beautiful & unique …

  19. Teri Zulfon Se Pyar Kaun Kare – Talat Mahmood – Joru Ka Bhai (1955) – Jaidev – Sahir
    Yeh Zulf Agar – Mohammed Rafi – Kaajal (1965) – Ravi – Sahir
    Tumhari Zulf Ke Saye Mein – Mohammed Rafi – Naunihal (1967) – Madan Mohan – Kaifi Azmi
    Yeh Reshmi Zulfein – Mohammed Rafi – Do Raaste (1969) – Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
    Zulf Ke Phande (Film Version) – Mohammed Rafi – Mujrim (1958) – O. P. Nayyar – Majrooh Sultanpuri
    Zulfon Ka Rangeen Saya – Mukesh – Anjam (1968) – Ganesh – Qamar Jalalabadi
    Bikhra Ke Zulfein – Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar – Nazarana (1961) – Ravi – Rajinder Krishan
    Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri – Asha Bhosle & Mohammed Rafi – Naya Daur (1957) – O. P. Nayyar – Sahir
    Jab Kisi Ke Rukh Pe Zulfen – Talat Mahmood – Anmol Ratan (1950) – Vinod – Dina Nath Madhok
    Yeh Zulfen Awaara – Asha Bhosle – Hong Kong (1962) – O. P. Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi

  20. @rd
    Thanks for your beautiful list. Some of them are my top favourites and I have kept them for other themes. You would soon see them on this blog. Keep on visiting.

    It may be a good idea to compile all the best zulf songs.

  21. Fabulous list! I was still listening to the songs you had listed under “Forgotten Composers, Unforgettable Melodies”, when I saw the link to this post. Even I’ve not come across any other blog with a “Zulf” theme, so was very intrigued.
    Some of the songs here are among my personal favourites and some of them are totally new to me. Thanks for introducing me to them.
    One more “Zulfen” favourite of mine is : Chehre pe giri zulfen kehdo toh hata doon main from Suraj.

    The association with navras was really interesting.

  23. @Archana
    I am sorry I am late in acknowledging you, but thanks a lot for your compliments.

    @Subodh Agrawal
    This lovely song was also unknown to me. Thanks for introducing it to me and the readers of this blog.

    Sajaya na karo phool balon pe from Gunahon Ke Raaste, music Jagdish Khanna

  25. @KBS Sidhu
    I too heard it for the first time. It has characteristic Mukesh charm in early 1960s. Joy Mukherjee topless is another novelty.

  29. @RD
    “Tumhari Zulf Ke Saye Mein – Mohammed Rafi – Naunihal (1967) – Madan Mohan – Kaifi Azmi”

    This is my favourite zulf song along with Na Jhatko Zulf Se Paani. Incidently TZKSM was also Madan Mohan’s favourite song from his compositions…

  30. A Punjabi zulf song. The first time I have heard Talat sing in Punjabi. Very sweet and soulful. The mood is introspective, with a strong touch of regret – ‘Ki khataya e dil la ke’ – what have I gained by falling in love. My brother posted it on his facebook page.

    By the way ‘zulf’ is not mentioned on the sidebar under ‘themes’ on your homepage, same about ‘cricket’.

  31. Very sweet song. In parts sounds like Mukesh-Suman Kalyanpur duet Ankhiyon ka noor hai tu ankhiyon se door hai tu from Johar Mehmood in Goa.

    Thanks for pointing about sidebar, since included.

  32. I received the notification of this post yesterday and thought that this must be a new one. Thus my comment on your Rafi-Roshan post: zulfein kahan gayi?

  33. Heard this for the first time – ‘Ek nazar mein dil le jaye’ from the 1957 movie Baarish. Not really a zulf song, but the prelude does start with the word zulf:

  37. While having a go at all the theme song posts, I was just rummaging through the write ups and happened to listen to song of ‘Baarish’, referred by Subhodh Ji.
    ‘Ek nazar me dil le jaaye’ has an uncanny resemblance to
    ‘Phool sa chehra, chand si rangat’ from Nargis/Pradeep Kumar’s ‘Raat aur Din’
    Shankar Jaikishan have repeated their own music.
    Songs of ‘Zulf ‘ have a very romantic expression, and the heroes of yore, be it Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and not to be forgotten Rajesh Khanna, all of them took great care of this aspect. This reference will be incomplete if I fail to mention Saadhna, the ‘Zulf ‘ Queen of the Hindi Cinema. We would never come to know, how many generations lost their natural Zulfs, trying to copy these superstars.
    Coming back to the Zulf song domain, I would recall two songs.
    Kya teri zulfein hain by Asha/Kishore, film ‘Hum Sab Ustaad Hain’, music by LP and
    Tu mere saamne hai, teri zulfein hain khuli by Rafi, film Suhagan, music by Madam Mohan.
    Going through all the previous comments, it seems that Madam Mohan had a special talent or leaning for Rafi/Zulf songs.
    Yet another beautiful song, though it has referred Zulf only as opener, is as under.
    Zulf lehrayi teri……Koi mujhe se pooche, ke tum mere kya ho, film Ye Raaste Hain Pyar Ke and the creator duo are Saahir and Ravi.

  38. Sharmaji,
    You have a very sharp ear and recollection. Indeed Ek nazar mein dil mil jaye bears uncanny resemblance to Phool sa chehra chand si rangat. However, the first song (Baarish; 1957) is composed by C Ramchandra. I think everyone got inspired by everyone else whenever something appealing happened.

    All the three songs you have added are excellent. Thanks a lot.

  39. Once again AK Ji,
    Thanks for correcting me. My passion for this blog sometimes overcomes the instinct to check the facts, hence these errors.
    Thanks once again.

  40. Lovely songs about Zulf. Two songs which come to my mind are i)Mey pyar ka rahi hoom tere zulf ke chaaye mein kuch der tahar jaoon from Ek musafir ek hazina(o.p.nayyar) ii)tu mere samne hai teri zulfem hai khuli,mey bhala hosh mein kaise rahoom? from suhagan(tuned by madanmohan?)

  41. Unny Damodaran,
    Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. Both the songs you have mentioned are outstanding. Yes, Suhagan is tuned by Madan Mohan.

  44. Arvinder sharma ‘ji and friends ; two additional songs from my side: 1 Kya teri zulfen hain …..from Hum sab ustad hain . 2 Is reshmi pajeb ki jhankar ke sadke …..is zulf ke qurbaan…from Laila majnu.

  45. KS Bhatia Ji,
    The first song, ‘kya Teri zulfein hain’ has been my favorite as well.
    The second song,’is reshmi pajeb’, at one time, was a very popular song on the radio, but overplayed beyond its merit. (my personal opinion).
    And thanks for remembering and mentioning me.

  46. The list is lovely..
    But the milap of zulf and the bhaav behind it.. Is something else all together..
    🙂

  48. Two gems from the Golden Era that are not exactly ‘zulf’ songs but in which ‘zulf’ figures – ‘Tasveer tere dil mein’ and ‘Chaudvin ka chaand ho’. I particularly like the similes that Shakeel Badayuni has used in the 2nd song.

  52. AK’ji;

    The Zulf songs appear to have been exhausted. Why not have some appendix to the main theme songs like one based on ‘ curly baal ‘ , laat [ or luut ] , uljhe baal etc . I think one can try on this extension .

  54. How could you forget Yeh Zulf Agar Khul Ke Bikhar Jaye to Achha? That is an irresistibly evocative zulf number. I love SoY.

    Cheers
    Shabir

  55. Shabir Hussain,
    Welcome to SoY. There are many ‘zulf’ songs. I had to select some. Rest the readers add.

  57. Shabir Hussain @54 ;

    Yeh zulf agar khul ke bikhar jaaye…..is indeed an iconic song that always comes first in every passionate listeners mind . Here is a song which i am listening after a long long time . A great one from a great composer ….Chitragupt.

    Salle Allah Zulf Kaali Kaali…..Rafi….Kabuli Khan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBN3xIIAqlM

  58. AK ji @31
    I would like to mention that the female singer in ‘Johar-Mehmood in Goa’ song (Akhiyon ka noor…) was Suman Kalyanpur and not Lata Mangeshkar.

  62. AK ji ,Arvinder sharma ji , Ms.Mumbaikar ji;

    A great post to visit again .

    A man will never remember ladies handbag but remember perfume she carries . Perfumes are really key to past memories . One can have a life to live longer remembering past thru pleasant smells.

    Zulf shhan pe mooree , ek khooshboo si uddi
    ud gaya raaj kayi ,
    baat kucchh ban hi gayi……

    I was thinking how we missed gem of a composition and beautiful song from Pyaasa….

    Jaane Kya Tune Kya
    Performers: Waheeda Rehman, Guru Dutt
    Singer: Geeta Dutt
    Music: S.D. Burman
    Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
    Pyaasa, 1957

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNk8BMxnGYI

  63. KS Bhatiaji,
    Thanks a lot for adding this. In my post I had included only those songs in which the ‘zulf’ occurred prominently in the mukhada. The readers have obviously no sucu constraint.

  64. Ak ji ;

    If permitted there are some more songs where zulf and its related terms appears in second or third stanzas . Such songs are difficult to get ignored as they are pleasant to listen as a mind recall .

  65. ksbhatiaji
    “A great post to visit again.”
    Can’t agree more. thanks for visiting
    Incidentally Waheeda Rehamn’s last romantic song was by Sahir too, where again he writes about mahakti zulf.
    Trishul aap ki mahki hui zulf ko kahte hai ghata
    https://youtu.be/LwVURofTzFw

  66. Ms. mumbaikar8 @65;

    What a song !…..Melody lingers but song is not ending ! Its not only the tune …. its the lyrics that are touching hearts. Sahir Khayyam combo rarely failed . their songs are really treasure to store in ones mind . thanks for posting the song

    Yes , the show must go on . Here are some oldies where zulf also appears as gesu in some songs…

    Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata – Mr. and Mrs. 55 Asha , Suman , Geeta …OPN

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unxd92NgGmo

    Ae Se To Na Dekho ..Movie: Teen Deviyan
    Music Director: S.D.Burman
    Singers: Mohammed Rafi

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

    Bekarar Karke Hamein Yun Na Jaaiye Song Detail
    Song : Bekarar Karke Hamein Yun Na Jaaiye
    Album : Bees Saal Baad (1962)
    Singer : Hemant Kumar
    Musician : Hemant Kumar
    Lyricist : Shakeel Badayuni

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kW81YypbpM

    to be contd……

  70. AK ji , Ms. Mumbaikar8;

    No body ever have measured how much memory one can hold in his or her mind. As long as caravan is moving it is just an incident that they move back to the same road or trail they once visited or gone thru.

    Recall of your old articles still inspire us to dig for more stations that we missed 5 or 6 years back .

    Here are some more….but before that I am apologist for some songs which were repeated …..

    Meri Jaan Na Zulfen Kholo….Mukesh …Awara Badal…UK

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

    Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Ha….Kishore…Daag….LP

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsKN8iylATk

    Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai | Saagar (1985) …Kishore…Saagar..RDB

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mzdkxnU4mU

    ….to be contd….

  72. KS Bhatiaji,
    That is the advantage of a blog. For a newcomer whichever post he visits is new for him, the date of posting has no relevance for him. Only I as the author and the old-timers have a sense of chronology.

    If Mumbaikar8 doesn’t get violent, the Geeta Dutt version is neither here or nor there. Noorjehan’s has long been my favourite. Jagmohan’s Mujhe na sapnon se bahlaao is my great favourite. My compliments for recalling the lines: Ganga se tum aao nahakar, kesh sukhaao baanh failakar.

    Mukesh’s Meri jaan na zulfein kholo is in the main post. But my favourite. It is welcome anytime.

  73. AK ji;

    Straight hairs are simple and straight forward . well curly hairs are romantic and sometime mischievous too !! Curly hairs plus sweet smile is a perfect combination of beauty . Who could be better example than Madhubala .!

    Song : Dekhta chala gaya main zindagi ki raah mein..
    Movie :Gateway of India,1957,
    Singers: Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar,
    Lyricist: Rajinder Krishan,
    Music Director: Madan Mohan,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85F-C6EUMc

    to be contd….

  74. AK ji;

    Some more songs to add on…..kya karen ki dil manta nahin [smily]….

    zulfon ko aap yoon na sanwaara karo

    —Chandan Ka Palna
    Singer—Asha Bhonsle ,Mohammed Rafi
    Lyrics—-Anand Bakshi
    M/D——-Rahul Dev Burman

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6R4FxwtSqk

    Aaye the hazoor bade tan ke….Rafi…(MAIN BHI LADKI HOON….Chitragupt

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBxOdMa787A

    Gesuon Ki Haseen Chhaon Men….Asha….Haveli…Sapan Jagmohan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCHmvrP4wJg

  76. KS Bhatiaji @73,
    Curly hair – I was surprised that this hero song was picturised on Johnny Walker. Even he has curly hair. Another unusual thing – the piano is being played by an unknown third person.

    @74,
    I would not ask you the reason for the sudden revival of your zulf-fascination. You are giving us many unheard gems.

    @75,
    Yes, ‘zulf’ comes in beautifully in the stanza.

  78. AK ji;

    I have no idea how long one can set their eyes on curly hairs …and missed the arms of wrist watch . If the face is supplemented by a black beauty spot …its a bonus for second”s arm to beat the beats of hearts.

    main soya akhiyan meeche.. Phagun1958_Mohd.Rafi_ Asha Bhosle_Qamar Jalalabadi_ O P Nayyar.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JsDbiY7qqk&t=295s

    Agar Main Poochhoon Jawaab Doge – Shikari., RAFI, Lata..G S Kohli

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSyRts04yOE

  82. Ms. Mumbaikar8 @ 81;

    Not an historian myself but what I could gather is…. in ancient times it was a trend to keep relics of sheikhs , religious gurus , godly people , kings etc that were kept as their memories of their good deeds. Relics of Mohammad is kept in Topkapi Palace museum of Istanbul . One can see one tooth, some hairs and footwear nicely kept in fine decorated boxes for visitors to look at. Perhaps the first song refer to relics of Islamic prophet Mohammad . But this needs confirmation.

    I think the second song refers to the name of prophet and have no connection with Gesu [hair] . Gesu Daraz belonged to the Chishti order of Sufism and later Gesu Daraz settled down in Gulbarg in south . The scenes in the song perhaps carries the drone visual of the place .

  83. AK ji , Ms. Mumbaikar8 ;

    It depends upon the wind …love is still in the hair [ air?].

    During my childhood I had great curly hair that my brothers used to call me Nimmi [ of Barsaat] . I have fotos of mine when I was just two years old and that I have framed for my children and grand children to look as to how this fashion is still trickling …..tending to infinity….

    This subject AK ji is still making me dig into past . I have strange way to look at songs in totality. If the word is not in the mukhda my mind goes to complete song where the word gets shifted to second or third stanzas. Some songs which were favorite of mine during my younger days are knocking my forehead to get open the flood gates.

    …Here are more to sway my feet to….

    Chheda Mera Dil Ne Tarana….Rafi…. Asli Naqli (1962)
    Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan
    Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS9BlwEG6FU

    Lakhon Hain Nigahon Mein – Mohammed Rafi – PHIR WOHI DIL LAYA HOON….OPN

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCp_Qm4PA3o

    Pehle Mile The Sapano Mein…Rafi, Zindagi…SJ

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbJ-K2wucUY

    Song : chand aahe bharega,phool dil tham lenge..
    Film : Phool Bane Angaare,1963,
    Singer: Mukesh,
    Lyricist : Anand Bakshi,
    Music Director: Kalyanji, Anandji,

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

    ….to be contd…

  84. AK ji,

    If we invert the premise on its head (pun totally unintended) to a yearning for zulf, we have this SJ – Hasrat – Manna Dey – David – RK all time great in Malhar from Boot Polish – Lapak Jhapak tu aa re badarwa.

    https://youtu.be/yDr9g_x2nYk

  85. Swapnil,
    Welcome to SOY. This is a great observation as a yearning for zulf song. Or the best zulf that wasn’t. Good one. Thanks a lot. On SOY there has been a good deal on this song in the context of using classical ragas for comic effect. This song must have been a precursor for Manna Dey’s slotting into that niche. As for the raga I am not knowledgeable, but to me it sounds more Darbari. Experts may give their views.

  88. Amarendra,
    Welcome to SOY. Tumhari zulf ke saaye mein shaam kar lunga is a perfect zulf song. Thanks a lot.

    PS: I looked at it more carefully. You have added an entirely new song, though broadly carrying the same meaning. Teri zulfon ke saaye mein jeena hai ji is an excellent zulf song.

  89. Swapnil and Amarendra, ji[s];

    Thanks for posting the rare songs . Tumhari zulf ke saaye mein shaam kar lunga …is new to me , heard for the first time and enjoyed the melody.

  90. Swapnil,
    I had not given a thought to the line Kaun jeeta hai teri zulf ke sar hone tak. But now I am curious to understand its meaning. Can you or any reader please throw some light on this?

  91. AK ji,

    Literal meaning of ‘teri zulf ke sar hone tak’, as far as I know, is ’till your tresses are untangled’. It’s a metaphor for ‘ till your life is /mundane affairs are sorted’ because (presumably) then only will you care for things such as love and come to me.

  92. AK ji ;

    Some time zulfein also reflects …..uljhe baal….or…janjeer . one of the song states as…yeh zulf kaisi hai janjeer jaisi hai . There is one song may be relevant to the post….

    Zanjeer Ne Karwat Li (Shayad Ki Bahar Aai) Asha Bhonsle Film Bahadur (1953) S Mohinder / Kunwar Mahendra Singh Bedi

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppy1qIUmr0w

  95. Ashwin Bhandarkar ji ;

    Thanks for bringing in OPN to the fore . His songs over dholak and harmonium still carries beats in my heart. His songsof mid 50s and 60s were amazing . The audience used to accompany claps matching his rhythm . a few examples…..

    Main Pyaar Ka Rahi Hoon, Teri Zulf Ke Saaye Mein. Film : Ek Musafir Ek Haseena …Rafi , Asha….OPN

    Do Ustad:Hum pa dil aaya to kya karo gay….Rafi and Asha & Rafi and Shamshad ;yes!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZR7yFb55I

  97. Ksbhatiaji @ 82
    The first song indeed refers to Prophet Mohammad.
    I could get that in the second song the Sufi saint is named Gesu but as Gesu is very uncommon name , I thought, it had something to do with Sufism.
    Talking about Gesu lets have a couple of Gesu song.
    That evergreen song from Shajahan Jab usne gesu bikharye
    https://youtu.be/QnfXmTy7EvU
    And raat ne gesu bikraye ajit Merchant’s popular tune from Sapere.
    https://youtu.be/ncCZV2Bx–4

  98. AK @ 90 Swapnil @ 91
    Teri zulf ke sar hote tak
    To my understanding
    It means who will live till you loose your glory.
    I do not know exactly in what context it was written but probably it was his angst against British Empire.

  99. Swapnil 91, Mumbaikar8 @98,
    Kaun jeeta hai teri zulf ke sar hone tak: It was clear to me it was a romantic couplet. No political meanings. I browsed some sites. I tend to agree it means: The sigh of a lover takes a long time to have effect. Who will live long enough to conquer your tresses (hold them in one’s hand).

  100. Ashwin @94,
    Also the surprising thing is Vani Jairam, who debuted with Bol re papihara and sang Meera bhajana for Ravi Shankar, had to sing a cabaret song. We can’t blame the Mighty Empress for all the wrongs.

  102. AK @ 98
    As you and Swapnil are on the same page I have to concede.
    I still think that is not romantic because according to me the “aah” here is not .the lover’s aah .
    “ Aah” has the same connotation as in Devdas’s song by Sahir
    “meri bebasi hai zaahir meri aahe-be-asar se”
    I hope I have explained properly.

    AK @ 94
    I cannot understand what is surprising and wrong in Vani Jairam singing cabaret.

  104. Mumbaikar8 @102,
    Let me respond to your second part first. Vani Jairam was a proper classical singer. Her spectacular debut in Hindi film music was with two classical ragas-based songs, composed by Vasant Desai. I see her cabaret song as stooping to survive in the heartless industry. After her exit from HFM, I think classical music was her bread and butter.

    Now the first part. Your reluctant concession forces me to say something further. “Meri bebasi hai zaahir, meri aahein beasar hain”. Doesn’t it mean, “My helplessness is evident, my sighs have no effect (on Devdas)”? Now, what is the difficulty in accepting ‘sighs’ in “Aah ko chaahiye ek umr aasar hone tak” in the same sense. If you are with me till now, it is a romantic love.

    I am willing to concede if your point is that every burning love is spiritual. Again borrowed gyan from the Internet: “Haqiqi ishq ki ishq-e-majazi pahli manzil hai”. I take it to mean that temporal love is the first step to spiritual love. In Sufi mysticism the love for the Supreme being is expressed as the love of a lover to her man. The poet says: “Laali dekhan main gayi main bhi ho gayi laal.”

    But I don’t want anyone to concede. I have to thank you for making me explore.

  105. Ms. Mumbaikar 8;

    Artificial hairs are great deceivers …..un necessary used to hide a woman’s beauty. Natural hair always flows like golden crowns . Nutan used to look so good in straight hairs that suited every role she played …be it serious , comedy or romantic. Meena Kumari was blessed with coil type zulf . This style too remained with her till last. Curls were great on Madhubala . Bina rai was beautiful ever with her curly hairs . Her role and acting was superb in Aurat .No one comes near Nimmi and Nadira for their exceptional kinky hairs. Sadhna cut was famous in her very first film and so was Mumtaz for her pony tail .

    The list is endless and stops at David cut . A character born with Golden Comb !!

    Curl …… a never ending tangle …..that was more made famous with the beautiful romantic background song filmed on Dilip and Madhubala … Prem Jogan Ban Ke. …Mughal E Azam .

    C Ramchandra gave a beautiful composition in old movie Yasmin . Every song was a hit and here too Vyjayantimala wore beautiful curls…not on her fore head but on cheeks . One of the melody that still lingers in my mind with word Zulf ….a great interludes and orchestra specially Mandolin [ played by Laxmikant ??] .

    Yasmin – Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar…Talat…Jan Nisar Akhtar…CR

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6IULjQHS6A

  106. A@ 104
    First thing first I do not agree that singing cabaret was stooping for survival by Vani Jairam, she had opted for playback singing and versatility was a big advantage in playback singing, It is a different story that in spite of spectacular debut and versatile singing she could not make it big in HFM but moving to South achieved all that she had pined for.
    Now to main mudda. In Devdas it is “meri bebasi hai zaahir meri aahe-be-asar se” and not “Meri bebasi hai zaahir, meri aahein beasar hain” and that is the different in “aah”
    T does not mean “My helplessness is evident, my sighs have no effect (on Devdas)”?
    It means “ My helplessness is the evidence of my ineffective pleas” aah here is “ plea” to the almighty.
    Devdas is addressed as “TU” “jJise tu qubool karle”
    Her plea “aah” to the almighty is in second line “ kabhi maut bhi jo maangi to na paayi USKE darse”
    In conclusion what I say is “aah” in Ghalib sher is a plea and not a sigh of lover.

  107. AKji,

    I was tempted to visit this post after seeing the recent comments and really glad that I read it.
    I guess, one can visit older posts and comment on them any time.

    A very interesting post, nicely written with an excellent list of songs.
    More enjoyable are the recent comments from all the SoY experts and especially Bhatiaji whose observations are a treat to read.

    Will be posting some songs that I could recall. I think these are not covered yet.

    Banarasi Thug 1962
    Iqbal Qureshi – Aziz Qaisi – Mukesh, Usha
    Khuli khuli zulfon ko bandh bhi lo

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

    Naya Raasta 1970
    N Datta – Sahir – Asha
    Zulfon ke mehekte saaye hai

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dhZ51NpgsU

    Afsana 1966
    Chitragupta – Majrooh – Asha
    Kitni hai albeli zulfen teri saheli

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FW2X-6Oi1U

  108. Dr. Rajesh Deshpande @107;

    Thanks for your kind words .

    Yourself….I guess, one can visit older posts and comment on them any time…….

    Yes! I fully endorse your views . After all Revised and Enlarge editions always follows great work. I must thank AK ji and Mumbaikar ji for very intelligent observations and comments .

    Kitni hai albeli zulfen teri saheli….from Afsana….reminds me of one more song by chitragupt …will post when traceable on YT.

  109. Dr Deshpande @107,
    Blog posts have no expiry date. This one was revived by K S Bhatiaji who has responded to you. SOY readers are highly literate and they lift the discussion to a high level.

  110. Mumbaikar8 ji @106,

    Agree wholeheartedly about your observations on Vani Jairam and cabaret.

    Apropos the Devdas songs, doesn’t it mean ‘the ineffectiveness of my please is the evidence of my helplessness’ rather than the other way round? The pleas (aah) are to God, as is the case with the Ghalib sher. However, both are meant (IMO) as lovers’ pleas to God to have / his way in majizi (temporal) ishq.

  112. AK ji @104;

    Your poetic reference ….“Laali dekhan main gayi main bhi ho gayi laal.”….reminds me to a similarity of Heer Ranjha reference . The famous quote is…..” Ranjha ranjha kaheke mein khud hi ranjha ho gayi , Heer na kaho mujhko logo mein to ranjan ho gayi”.

    I think when a man sighs it could be sad or happy situation . One way to guess could be the sigh coming from ones mouth or nostrils ? Aha is another short word that could be opposite to Sigh , but Aha always convey positive and happy mood……like the famous asha kishore duet …kya teri zulfein hain…

    I am still engrossed in Zulf / Gesu songs ….untangling to get me out of janjeer I think sharp combs are required to unleash more songs ; but here are few more .

    But before listing i do enjoy full song irrespective at which place or stanza it strikes . Words always fit well when they strike the right notes of the composition and right place for meaningful lyrics . Sometimes the word gets uttered at the end of the song highlighting the climax.

    Hai Kali Kali Ke Lab Par | Mohammed Rafi | Lala Rookh…Khayaam

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S05yJrkYJjc

    TALAT-Film-ANMOL RATAN-{1950}-Jab Kisi Ke Rukh Pe Zulfen(DN Madhok)

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

    udhar tum haseen ho idhar dil jawan hai..Mr & Mrs 55_Rafi_Geeta Dutt _Majrooh _OP Nayyar.

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

    Old Punjabi film song …Kode Shah—Zulfain ne khal gaain—-Raj kumari ,Talat Mahmood

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgGChqSqiK8&t=131s

    to be contd….

  113. KS Bhatiaji,
    Nice one: “Heer na mujhko kaho logo, main to Ranjha ho gayi.” Assuming one to be unified with one’s lover is a popular poetic reference. I made this reference in the discussion that any burning love could be seen as the love for the Supreme Being.

    You have added some superb songs as usual, the first two are everyone’s great favourites.

  114. Wanted to share my thoughts on Vani Jairam and zulf lehraayo to..

    As mentioned by mumbaikar8 @106, I, too, don’t agree that Vani Jairam sang this song to survive in the Hindi film industry.
    After all, this was not the only song that she sang in Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) under OPN.
    In late 70s, OPN was already out of the reckoning and KKBK was OPN’s first film after his fallout with Asha Bhosle.
    He was looking for an alternative female voice and went for Vani.
    She, in turn, must have readily accepted the opportunity to sing for him.
    She was the main singer for the film and featured in all the 8 songs.
    Even Rafi had only a duet.
    Vani sang solos, a duet and even trios for the film. One of the songs was picturized on children – hum yateemon ke jaisa bhi.
    So, actually, it was a perfect showcase for her to show her versatility.
    Unfortunately, the film and the music didn’t do well, though the songs played for some time during the film release.

    And regarding Zulf lehraayi to, I never thought it as a cabaret.
    Maybe I am wrong, but I always believed that cabaret is a dance performance that takes place in a club or restaurant.
    This song takes place in the open space and part of it is around the swimming pool. Its more of a heroine tempting the hero song.
    In fact, there is another song – tumko deewana meri jaan – which is more like a cabaret where Bindu is dancing in a hotel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8N7ivA7FZc

  115. I believe these songs have not been posted yet…

    Mere Sanam 1965
    Rafi – OPN – Majrooh
    Pukarta chals hoon main gali gali bahaar ki
    bas ek chhaon zulf ki

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

    Kashmir Ki Kali 1964
    Rafi – OPN – SH Bihari
    Yeh chand sa roshan chehra zulfon ka rang sunehra

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN2lULkrf4U

    Bharosa 1963
    Rafi – Ravi – Rajinder Krishan
    Ye jhuke jhuke naina ye latt balkhaati….
    …..ye uljhe uljhe baal dilon ki uljhan ho gaye….
    …..teri zulf ka saathi banta agar main gajra hota

    This has latt, zulf and baal all covered in one song.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUn4y9aEzBw

  118. Dr. Rajesh Deshpande ji @116 ;

    Nice recall of songs that missed their first flight . Bharosa song beats all with varying reference to hairs that wins men’s heart .

    My computer mouse too has been upgraded to become a Drone . I wonder how this tiny drone works with a click to get the information of the world at your desk screen with no strings attached. I am sure 90 % of the people are not knowing that 90 % of such information is coming thru undersea laid cables . Nothing to hide when sky is full of Drones !! . AK and other writers are step ahead as they use Radars for wide angle views in their manuscript.

    Here are some more captured songs …

    Silsila -Super Hit Poetry …….Ye Raat Hai, Ya Tumhari Zulfe Khuli Hui Hai….Amitabh , Lata….

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

    Ye Chehra Ye Zulfein Tauba Tauba…Ek Tha Chander Ek Thi Sudha (Unreleased)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7KMNx0fxvA

    This song was used as it is in another film casting Sanjay Khan and Rekha .

    Yeh Chehra Yeh Zulfein | Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi | Duniya Ka Mela

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GymickFbTk

    Ye Kisne Geet Chheda | Mukesh, Suman Kalyanpur | Meri Surat Teri Aankhen 1963

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k06yLiFwCM

    to be contd…..

  119. In continuation…..

    Main Agar Kahoon | Om Shanti Om….Sonu Nigam,Shreya Ghosal…

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

    Movie: Mann (1999)
    Song: Kaali Naagin Ke Jaisi
    Singer: Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy
    Music: Sanjeev Darshan
    Lyrics: Sameer

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5Z-GTu07I

    Yeh Naina Yeh Kajal Yeh Zulfein Yeh Aanchal ( The Great Kishore Kumar ) *Dil Se Mile Dil *

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsz1BRZHUCY

    Waada Tera Waada (Movie: Dushman)…kishore…LP

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5ze3nbxwNw

    Wait for more to listen …..to be contd ….

  120. KS Bhatiaji,
    I am always impressed by your recall.You have added some great songs – my special favourites are:
    Ye kisne geet chheda
    Wada tera wada

  121. AK ji @120;

    For me I will rate song from Silsila as one of the best combo of poetry and song….and of course great composition and melody at its best.

    Compass now points to fantasy films . Here is one from that era……

    Dekho sham dhali jaye faale zulfon ke saaye…..RAFI SAAB & SUMAN KALYANPUR MOVIE (ROCKET GIRL–1962)……

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6qtd8v4o90

    ……to be contd…..

  123. Bhatiaji@119

    Thanks for posting Yeh Naina Yeh Kaajal (Dil Se Mile Dil), one of my favorites of the KK-Bappi Lahiri duo.
    Nephew of Dev Anand, Vishal Anand (Bhisham Kohli) also had the iconic Chalte Chalte by the same duo picturized on him besides this song.
    KK-Bappi da have given many melodious solos together in the late 70s and early 80s.

    Your comments have been motivating me to recall more zulf songs…

    Abdullah 1980
    Rafi – RDB – AB
    Maine poochha chand se ke dekha hai kahin…
    ….zulf hai ye raat ki kahani

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlBg1pU4t24

    Do Aur Do Paanch 1980
    Asha – Rajesh Roshan – Anjaan
    Ye zulfon ki bikhri ghata kya kehti hai

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egRf1RPvW3E

  125. Dr Deshpande,
    I am impressed by the re-run of Zulf songs. Among your additions I could instantly recall only Maine poochha chaand se ki dekha hai kahin. Thanks a lot for your additions. I am curious how you recall an unfamiliar song in which a particular word is stuck deep inside.

  126. A very well written post covering so many songs on this popular theme of Golden era Hindi film songs . This post is among the early ones on SOY. The songs selection covers some very popular and evergreen compositions. ‘ Zulf ‘ is undoubtedly a very popular theme as even in its 10th year of posting here , there is so much coming up from the noble participants on SOY .

    I do not know if this song is covered here .

    ‘ Kaanton mein phansa…’/ 1965 / DO DIL / Kaifi Azmi / Hemant / Rafi

    https://youtu.be/yahQpXREFR8

  127. Mr Joseph,
    I didn’t realise this post is having such a grand revival in its tenth year. This is thanks to the passionate readers. You have posted a nice song. I don’t think it has been posted earlier. Do Dil had some extremely beautiful songs, and interestingly Hemant Kumar gave all the male songs to Rafi, and didn’t sing any himself, though he had sung many songs for Biswajit.

  128. AKji@125,

    Thanks for your comment.

    I guess, I do have a good recall of songs from mid 60s onwards. I keep my own notes.
    Always interested to learn about lesser-known films and songs.
    I keep listening to songs from my collection of audio/video cds (and earlier cassettes) and these days, online.
    And now, of course, whenever I recollect a film or song on a theme/topic, I confirm on YT and refer to HFGK.

    Here’s one from Beti 1969
    Rafi – Sonik Omi – Shakeel
    Haseen zulfon ka rang de do

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x5mp1zOyZM

  129. This post has surpassed the number of comments in its first run. In addition to my being busy, the fact that I am not receiving notifications for fresh comments kept me from commenting on such a fine discussion. I came to know of this rerun from comments on the sidebar.

    There were two contentious issues in the discussions. I think the matter on Vani Jairam has been very beautifully decided ( if I may be allowed to say so ) by Dr Deshpande in his comment at 114. He has covered every aspect on the matter and I am sure after his comment even AK would agree his initial comment on her was not correct.

    There has been a three way discussion between Swapnil, Mumbaikar8 and AK on ‘aah ko chahiye’ with Bhatiaji chipping in with his special take. I want to present my view. But, first of all let me say that Ghalib ghazals are a special thing with complex meanings ingrained into them. So nobody can claim to have the correct explanation or that the other’s is not. ‘Ghalib ka hai andaz-e-bayan aur’ was the fittest thing he said, though to some it looks like a boast. In my view, the basic meaning of ‘aah’ is the silent hurt one feels out of some pain inflicted by some one. The hindi muhavara ‘aah lagana’ which is also used as ‘haay lagna’ is derived out of this meaning. The use of ‘aah’ as sigh of a lover is an adaptation. Ghalib has used ‘aah’ here as the basic meaning. Similarly, ‘umra’ is not used as a life – as some interpreters in some books on Ghalib have tried to explain – but as an unspecified period. ‘Zulf ka sar hona’ has the basic meaning as conguering the zulf. This can be interpreted in many ways, but certainly not zulf ka khulna or bikharna, as some interpreters did. In my view, when we interpret a ‘sher’ of Ghalib we should look at the whole ghazal. This ghazal also includes the ‘sher’ ‘humne mana ke tagaful na karoge lekin’. In view of this, Mumbaikar8’s interpretation that it points to ‘loss of glory’ may be correct, but it cannot be related to anything about the Britishers. I would not go into further detail, because all friends here are capable of reaching the correct interpretation.

  130. Hans
    “I am not receiving notifications for fresh comments kept me from commenting on such a fine discussion.”

    This complication is from the source.
    The option of “opting for comments” is missing.

    Agree Dr. Rajesh has explained in detail.

    The hindi muhavara ‘aah lagana’ which is also used as ‘haay lagna’ is derived out of this meaning.

    You have hit the nail I could not. Thanks.
    I owe a response to Swapnil but am mentally lazy for the complex subject.
    Shall soon respond

  132. The noble participants have been adding many gems on this theme for so many years now .

    Not all the songs posted here show the year of release so it is not easy to work out how many ‘ Zulf ‘ songs were composed each year .

    The oldest ‘ Zulf ‘ song here is from the year 1950 . Towards the second half of the 50s the number of ‘ Zulf ‘ songs in HFM started increasing.

    (1) Could we say that all themes had a beginning in HFM after which many follow ?

    (2) Which lyricist should be credited for introducing the word ‘ Zulf ‘ in HFM ?

    The oldest ‘ Zulf ‘ song posted here is…

    ‘Jab kisi ke…’/ 1950 / ANMOL RATAN / DN Madhok / Talat

    https://youtu.be/tz0u1ayYNCs

  133. S Joseph ji @ 132 ;

    You are very correct about flooding of Zulf songs after 50s . But there are quite a number of Zulf/ Gesu songs that were there in vintage and early golden period prior to 50s. A song that immediately comes to my mind is one from K L Sehgal starrer Shahjahan movie of 1946 . A song sung by Shamshad ….this song has already been posted and i am repeating it again…

    Jab Usne Gesu Bikhraye – Shahjehan….Shamshad…Naushad…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnfXmTy7EvU

  134. Namaskar AK ji.

    I saw this site for the first time today and wondering how much I have missed over the years. Thanks.
    Sending 3 more Zulf songs, hope are not repeats..

    Daal bhi de zulfon ki chhaanv zalima from Ramu dada 1961, Chitragupt

    Zulfonwale ko kya pataa ghoonghat mein jal gayi gori…Garam Coat, 1955, pt. Amarnath

    Zulfen uljhi hai meri kangana se ….Burma Road, 1962, Chitragupt

  135. Shree,
    Welcome to SOY once again. I hope you have time to catch up the old posts. Clicking on the Index link at the top is the best way to browse through the blog.

  139. KS Bhatiaji @138,
    Dil ko bachana Raja is an excellent Raja song, of course. This one is a challenge with caution, if the Raja is not up to it, he can try to escape. Nice discovery.

  140. @Hans @129, 130,
    Notifications of comments are not going to the readers and the comment box does not have that feature now. It is a technical issue with the source, having to do with the updated blog host no longer supporting the old third party Plugin which enabled this feature. There should be some solution, but that has some hazards, and slows down the site. Therefore, I have consciously decided to live with that. This does cause inconvenience to the regular readers who for some reason are not able to keep up with it regularly, as a lot of comments on old posts may come during this period that might get drowned.

    Vani Jairam: After Dr Deshpande’s nice closure I would let it rest.

    Ghalib: We can agree on one thing with certainty, there was no political message in it, direct or implied. It is a romantic couplet, experts may differ on its nuances. It is enough that we reach somewhere near it.

  141. Mr Joseph @132,
    KS Bhatiaji has already answered you. But in general, the oldest song mentioned in a post does not imply the start date of that theme. It would not be prudent to embark on the search of when precisely which word was used in the films, for the reason that many songs of the vintage era are lost.

  142. Just spotted one Rafi song which may not be a complete ‘zulf’ song as this word occurs in this song only after 1′ 44″ .

    This song appears to have been deleted from the movie ‘Pakeezah ‘.

    ‘ Yeh kid ki…’/ 1972/ PAKEEZAH / Majrooh Sultanpuri / Ghulam Mohammad / Rafi

    https://youtu.be/mO0reuPMAFQ

  143. Hello
    I happened to do an activity in my group on song having Zulf in mukhada .. and googled…. Was amazed to see so many songs on it … So many songs are there on Zulf…. Bollywood has been intensely in love with *Zulf*
    Intresting reads….
    Stay musical…

  144. Pooja,
    Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy to know that this blog was helpful in your activity.

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