Song Title: Agar Main Poochhun Jawab Doge
Singers: Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Shikari (1963)
Lyricist: Farooq Qaiser
Music Director: G.S. Kohli
****************************************************************
English Translation of Lyrics
If I ask, will you answer why my heart is yearning?
O, in your heart, there is some love
Even in my heart, there’s a little bit
If I ask, will you answer?
O ho o o
If you don’t mind, with my own hands
I will arrange this scattered hair of yours
O ho o o
Under the shadow of your beautiful eyelashes
I will now spend this entire life
The matters of the heart, let no one hear, my beloved, the world is very harsh
If I ask, will you answer?
If I try to avoid your gaze and leave, don’t hold my hem
O o o
O, if someone asks what happened, never mention my name
If we keep this pain close to our hearts, it’s a pain given by you
If I ask, will you answer?
O o o
O o o
These cool, stirring waves
Should not burn our hearts
O ho o o
O, storms have arisen
In the heart and eyes, whom should we protect? Whom should we save?
You should neither have peace nor awareness,
What has happened?
What has happened?
If I ask, will you answer why my heart is yearning?
Oh, in your heart, there is some love
Even in my heart, there’s a little bit
If I ask, will you answer?
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
Film’s Context
“Shikari” (1963) is a romantic thriller blending suspense with emotional depth. The song “Agar Main Poochhun Jawab Doge” appears at an emotionally intense moment between the lead characters, exploring themes of yearning, secrecy, and delicate romantic vulnerabilities. Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar’s duet portrays the fragile dialogue of emerging love and unspoken feelings, heightening the narrative stakes with their expressive interplay.
Lyrical Quality & Alignment
Farooq Qaiser’s lyrics are poetically subtle yet emotionally rich. The repeated questioning format captures the uncertainty and hesitance in nascent love, while phrases like “matters of the heart, let no one hear” evoke secrecy and vulnerability. The lyrics align well with the film’s atmosphere of tension blending romance and suspense, perfectly echoing the characters’ inner turmoil and hesitant confession.
Musical Composition Analysis
G.S. Kohli’s composition uses light melodic phrasing rooted in Raag Yaman, known for its romantic and serene qualities. The rhythmic cycle is Dadra taal (6 beats), which provides a smooth and flowing pace suitable for intimate vocal exchanges. The orchestration features gentle strings and flute, supporting the vocals without overpowering, creating a mood of tender suspense and poignant longing that perfectly suits the narrative scene.
Initial Verse
Agar main poochun jawab doge, dil kyon mera tadp raha hai (If I ask, will you answer why my heart is yearning): Mohammad Rafi opens with a soft, yearning tone full of tentative emotion. His phrasing is slow and deliberate, inviting introspection and expressing deep vulnerability that draws the listener into the emotional heart of the song.
Ho, tere hi dil mein, hai pyaar kuch kuch (Oh, in your heart, there is some love): Lata Mangeshkar responds with gentle warmth and sweet reassurance, her voice tender yet slightly playful, indicating mutual but unspoken feelings. The immediacy of her delivery conveys intimacy.
1st Stanza
Bura na maano to main apne haathon, ye bikhri zulfein sanwaar doon main (If you don’t mind, with my own hands, I will arrange this scattered hair): Rafi’s tone becomes more intimate and tender, carrying the promise of care and closeness. His voice softens, creating a warm, soothing effect that deepens the romantic mood.
Ye dil ki baatein, koi na sun le, sanam zamana bada bura hai (The matters of the heart, let no one hear, my beloved, the world is very harsh): Lata’s voice turns cautious yet affectionate, suggesting the need to protect their intimacy from the harshness outside. Her delivery is emotive, balancing fear and desire.
2nd Stanza
Nazar bachake agar main jaun, to mera daaman na thaam lena (If I try to avoid your gaze and leave, don’t hold my hem): Lata’s voice is hesitant and shy, expressing vulnerability while testing boundaries. The softness reflects the fragility of their situation, emphasizing emotional restraint.
Lagake dil se rakhenge hum to, ye dard tera, diya hua hai (If we keep this pain close to our hearts, it’s a pain given by you): Rafi’s voice expresses acceptance and devotion mingled with pain. His phrasing captures the idea of embracing suffering for love’s sake, imbuing the song with poignancy.
3rd Stanza
Ye thandi thandi, machalti lahrein, hamare dil ko jala na daalen (These cool, stirring waves should not burn our hearts): Rafi’s voice conveys hope and caution, suavely painting the emotional tempest threatening their love. The imagery is enhanced by tender vocal phrasing.
Na chain tumko na hosh hamko (You should neither have peace nor awareness): Lata’s voice matches the sentiment with intensity, expressing the turmoil and confusion in love. The phrasing is sharp yet melodic, capturing emotional confliction.
Ye kya hua hai? (What has happened?): Rafi’s questioning tone is soft but urgent, reflecting confusion and longing.
Ye kya hua hai? (What has happened?): Lata’s echo adds depth to the uncertainty haunting their hearts.
Agar main poochun jawab doge, dil kyon mera tadp raha hai (If I ask, will you answer why my heart is yearning): Rafi’s closing line is tender and vulnerable again, returning to the central theme of yearning and emotional inquiry.
Summary
“Agar Main Poochhun Jawab Doge” exemplifies the delicate musical and lyrical interplay between Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, backed by Farooq Qaiser’s sensitive lyrics and G.S. Kohli’s soothing composition. The song’s Raag Yaman-based melody and Dadra taal rhythm create a romantic, contemplative atmosphere, perfectly suited to its themes of hesitant love and secret longing.
Both singers deliver nuanced expressions of vulnerability, hope, and silent questioning, making this duet a timeless classic celebrated for its emotional depth and musical elegance in Hindi cinema.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani