Song: Aa Gaye Yaaron Jeene Ke Din
Singer: Mohammad Rafi | Film: Phir Wahi Raat (1980)
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman
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“Aa Gaye Yaaron Jeene Ke Din” is a vibrant and celebratory song from the 1980 film “Phir Wohi Raat”. The song captures the essence of living life to the fullest, celebrating love, joy, and the arrival of good times. It is a call to dance, feast, and revel in the moment, symbolizing the triumph of happiness over hardship. The lyrics, penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, are poetic and filled with optimism, while the music, composed by Rahul Dev Burman (R.D. Burman), is lively and rhythmic. Mohammad Rafi’s energetic and soulful rendition adds depth and emotional resonance, making it a timeless classic.
Essence of the Lyrics
Majrooh Sultanpuri was one of the most celebrated lyricists in Hindi cinema, known for his ability to craft poetic and emotionally charged lyrics. In this song, he uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the joy and celebration of life. His lyrics reflect a deep understanding of human emotions, particularly the desire to break free from struggles and embrace happiness.
The song revolves around the theme of celebrating life and embracing joy. The lyrics describe the arrival of good times (jeene ke din) and encourage everyone to dance, eat, drink, and enjoy the moment. The reference to “Alladin ka chirag” (the magical lamp of Aladdin) symbolizes the magical transformation of life into a celebration. The song also reflects a sense of confidence and triumph, as the protagonist declares that the world will bow before them. The lyrics are filled with optimism, energy, and a sense of liberation.
Musical Composition:
R.D. Burman, the legendary music director, was known for his ability to create melodies that perfectly complemented the mood of the lyrics. In “Aa Gaye Yaaron Jeene Ke Din,” he uses a lively and rhythmic orchestration, with a mix of traditional and contemporary instruments, to create a festive and energetic atmosphere. The melody is both uplifting and intense, reflecting the duality of life—its struggles and its joys.
Rhythm and Tempo: The song is set to a fast-paced rhythm, with a strong emphasis on percussion instruments like the “dholak” and “tabla”. The tempo reflects the celebratory mood of the song.
Melody: The melody is catchy and upbeat, with a mix of traditional Indian and Western influences. The use of brass instruments and strings adds a festive touch.
Harmony: The harmony is rich and layered, with a blend of vocal and instrumental elements. The chorus (Aa gaye yaaron jeene ke din) is particularly harmonious, creating a sense of unity and celebration.
Arrangement: The arrangement is dynamic, with a mix of instrumental solos and vocal sections. The use of backing vocals and rhythmic claps adds to the festive atmosphere.
Let’s explore in brief the line-by-line the emotions expressed in the vocals.
Initial Stanza:
Aa gaye yaaron jeene ke din, khelne khane peene ke din (The days of living, playing, eating, and drinking have arrived, friends.): Rafi’s voice is lively and enthusiastic, conveying the excitement of the arrival of good times. The way he elongates “jeene ke din” (days of living) suggests a sense of liberation and joy.
Nacho pyaro ke mauje maro, chirag de gaye Alladin (Dance, my beloved, and enjoy the moment, for Alladin has given the magical lamp): Rafi’s tone is playful and celebratory, reflecting the joy and magic of the moment. The way he stresses “Alladin” adds a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Humna, haaye re humna, haaye re humna, haaye haaye re humna (We have danced and reveled, oh my!): Rafi’s voice is exuberant and carefree, conveying the joy of dancing and celebrating. The repetition of “haaye re” adds a sense of rhythm and fun.
1st Stanza:
Ab dekhna mere laal, kismat ke ghode ki chaal (Now watch, my dear, the stride of the horse of fortune.): Rafi’s tone is confident and triumphant, reflecting the protagonist’s belief in their good fortune. The way he stresses “kismat ke ghode ki chaal” (stride of the horse of fortune) conveys a sense of pride and optimism.
Haath milao lagaenge daav, ab ek ek par teen teen (Join hands, and we will place three bets on each one.): Rafi’s voice is bold and assertive, reflecting the protagonist’s confidence and determination. The way he sings “ek ek par teen teen” adds a sense of excitement and risk-taking.
Humna, haaye re humna, haaye re humna, haaye haaye re humna (We have danced and reveled, oh my!): Rafi’s voice is exuberant and carefree, conveying the joy of dancing and celebrating. The repetition of *”haaye re”* adds a sense of rhythm and fun.
Aa gaye yaaron jeene ke din, khelne khane peene ke din (The days of living, playing, eating, and drinking have arrived, friends.): Rafi’s voice is lively and enthusiastic, conveying the excitement of the arrival of good times. The way he elongates “jeene ke din” (days of living) suggests a sense of liberation and joy.
Nacho pyaro ke mauje maro, chirag de gaye Alladin (Dance, my beloved, and enjoy the moment, for Alladin has given the magical lamp): Rafi’s tone is playful and celebratory, reflecting the joy and magic of the moment. The way he stresses *”chirag de gaye Aladdin”* adds a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Humna, haaye re humna, haaye re humna, haaye haaye re humna (We have danced and reveled, oh my!): Rafi’s voice is exuberant and carefree, conveying the joy of dancing and celebrating. The repetition of *”haaye re”* adds a sense of rhythm and fun.
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2nd Stanza:
Duniya banegi gulam, jhuk jhuk karegi salaam (The world will become a slave, bowing and saluting.): Rafi’s tone is powerful and commanding, reflecting the protagonist’s belief in their triumph. The way he stresses “jhuk jhuk karegi salaam” (bowing and saluting) conveys a sense of dominance and victory.
Aage peeche hamare, honge zamane bhar ke haseen (In front and behind us, there will be beauties from all over the world.): Rafi’s voice is playful and flirtatious, reflecting the protagonist’s charm and confidence. The way he sings “zamane bhar ke haseen” (beauties from all over the world) adds a touch of humor and pride.
Humna, haaye re humna, haaye re humna, haaye haaye re humna (We have danced and reveled, oh my!): Rafi’s voice is exuberant and carefree, conveying the joy of dancing and celebrating. The repetition of “haaye re” adds a sense of rhythm and fun.
Aa gaye yaaron jeene ke din, khelne khane peene ke din (The days of living, playing, eating, and drinking have arrived, friends.): Rafi’s voice is lively and enthusiastic, conveying the excitement of the arrival of good times. The way he elongates “jeene ke din” (days of living) suggests a sense of liberation and joy.
Nacho pyaro ke mauje maro, chirag de gaye Alladin (Dance, my beloved, and enjoy the moment, for Alladin has given the magical lamp): Rafi’s tone is playful and celebratory, reflecting the joy and magic of the moment. The way he stresses “Allahdin” adds a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Humna, haaye re humna, haaye re humna, haaye haaye re humna (We have danced and reveled, oh my!): Rafi’s voice is exuberant and carefree, conveying the joy of dancing and celebrating. The repetition of “haaye re” adds a sense of rhythm and fun.
In summary, “Aa Gaye Yaaron Jeene Ke Din” is a timeless ode to the joy of living and the triumph of happiness over hardship. Majrooh Sultanpuri’s poetic lyrics, R.D. Burman’s lively composition, and Mohammad Rafi’s energetic rendition come together to create a song that resonates deeply with listeners. Rafi’s ability to convey optimism, confidence, and celebration through his singing makes this song a masterpiece. It is a reminder to embrace life, celebrate the moment, and revel in the magic of good times.
Our valued non-Hindi readers are advised to go through the translation for better understanding of the song.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani