Song: Aa Gaya Hai Waqt Maut Ka
Singer: Mohammad Rafi | Film: Alladin Ka Beta (1955)
Lyricist: Tanveer Naqvi | Music Composer: S. Mohinder
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The song Aa Gaya Hai Waqt Maut Ka … from the 1955 film, Alladin Ka Beta, is a haunting ballad that explores themes of mortality and the impermanence of life. The song, with its melancholic melody and poignant lyrics, is a testament to Rafi’s ability to evoke deep emotions through his voice.
Lyrics and Lyricist: A Confrontation with Mortality
Tanveer Naqvi, the lyricist, has crafted a powerful and evocative piece that explores the universal theme of death. The repeated phrase “Aa gaya hai waqt maut ka” (The time of death has come) sets a somber tone and immediately draws the listener into the protagonist’s contemplation of mortality. The lyrics are filled with imagery of finality and the fragility of life.
Composition and Music Director: A Melodic Lament
The music, composed by S. Mohinder, perfectly complements the somber lyrics. The slow tempo, minor key, and haunting melody create a sense of melancholy and introspection. The use of traditional Indian instruments, such as the harmonium, adds to the song’s emotional depth. The composition effectively captures the protagonist’s despair and resignation.
Let’s review the line-by-line analysis of the singing.
Initial Verse
Aa gaya hai waqt maut ka (The time of death has come): Rafi’s voice is filled with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The tone is somber, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Band hai har ek rasta (Every path is closed): A sense of hopelessness permeates Rafi’s voice as he conveys the feeling of being trapped.
Gulu gulu hoga tera kya (What will happen to you now?): The singer’s voice takes on a mournful tone, expressing concern for the future.
Haaye haaye meri maa (Oh my mother!): Rafi’s voice breaks, conveying a deep sense of longing and helplessness. The repeated phrase emphasizes the protagonist’s emotional turmoil.
1st Verse
Main abhi hua hi tha jawan (I had just become a young man): The irony of death arriving in the prime of youth is emphasized in Rafi’s voice, filled with a sense of injustice.
Aa gayi hai maut na rahaa (Death has come, and I am no more): The suddenness of death is highlighted, and Rafi’s voice conveys a sense of shock and disbelief.
Fas gayi kahan nanhi si ye jaan (Where has this little life gotten trapped?): The image of a trapped soul is conveyed through Rafi’s voice, filled with a sense of helplessness.
Toot kyun na pada aasman (Why hasn’t the sky fallen down?): The intensity of the protagonist’s grief is evident in Rafi’s voice, as he expresses a desire for the world to end.
Haaye haaye meri maa (Oh my mother!): Rafi’s voice breaks, conveying a deep sense of longing and helplessness. The repeated phrase emphasizes the protagonist’s emotional turmoil.
Aa gaya hai waqt maut ka (The time of death has come): Rafi’s voice is filled with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The tone is somber, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Band hai har ek rasta (Every path is closed): A sense of hopelessness permeates Rafi’s voice as he conveys the feeling of being trapped.
Arre, Gulu gulu hoga tera kya, kya hoga (What will happen to you now, what will happen?): The singer’s voice takes on a mournful tone, expressing concern for the future.
2nd Verse
Koi leke jaaye ye bayaan (Let someone take this message): Rafi’s voice conveys a sense of longing for someone to witness his suffering and share his story.
Todta hai dam tera gulam (Your servant is taking his last breath): The protagonist’s submission to fate is expressed through Rafi’s voice, which is filled with a sense of resignation.
Leke tera naam aakhiri salaam (Taking your name as a final farewell): The finality of death is emphasized, as Rafi’s voice conveys a sense of acceptance.
Khatam ho rahi hai dastaan (The story is ending): The end of the protagonist’s story is marked by a sense of melancholy and despair.
3rd Verse
Sochta hoon ye jahan kahin (I think this world is perhaps): Rafi’s voice becomes contemplative as the protagonist questions the nature of reality.
Ik haseen khwab to nahin (Just a beautiful dream): A sense of doubt and uncertainty is conveyed as the protagonist wonders if life is merely an illusion.
Meri naaznin de mujhe yakeen (My beloved, give me assurance): Rafi’s voice softens as he seeks reassurance from his beloved.
Arre meri naaznin de mujhe yakeen (Oh my beloved, give me assurance): The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the protagonist’s plea for understanding and comfort.
Ye zameen hai ya ki aasman (Is this the earth or the sky?): A sense of confusion and disorientation is conveyed as the protagonist questions the reality of the world around him.
Arre Tauba tauba meri jaan (Oh God, oh my life!): The protagonist’s emotional turmoil is expressed through this exclamation.
Arre waah waah waah (Oh wow, wow, wow!): A sense of awe and wonder is conveyed as the protagonist contemplates the mysteries of life and death.
Through his masterful performance, the Indian Playback Singer, Mohammad Rafi has brought the lyrics to life, making the song an unforgettable masterpiece. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from despair and longing to hope and acceptance, is truly remarkable.
The Synergy of Lyrics, Music, and Vocals
The combined efforts of Tanveer Naqvi, S. Mohinder, and Mohammad Rafi have created a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of language and culture. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke universal emotions of mortality and the human condition.
The Lyrics provide a poetic exploration of the themes of death and loss. The Music, on the other hand, creates a haunting atmosphere that complements the lyrics and enhances the emotional impact of the song. And, as usual, Mohd. Rafi’s vocals bring the lyrics to life with his soulful and expressive performance.
Aa Gaya Hai Waqt Maut Ka … is a powerful and haunting ballad that, like all Rafi songs, explores the universal themes of mortality and the human condition. Rafi’s interpretation of the song, combined with the evocative lyrics and the melancholic composition, has made it a timeless classic. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural boundaries and connect with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Our valued non-Hindi readers are advised to go through the translation for better understanding of the song.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani