Song Title: Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Film: Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Ravi
*************************************************
(Are you the full moon, or the sun?
Whatever you are, by God, you are unmatched. – 2)
You are the full moon.
Your tresses are like clouds, draped over your shoulders.
Your eyes are like goblets, filled with wine.
You are that wine of love, filled with intoxication.
You are the full moon.
Your face is like a lotus, smiling in a lake.
Or a ghazal, played upon the instrument of life.
Beloved of spring, you are a poet’s dream.
You are the full moon.
Flashes of smiles play on your lips like lightning.
Galaxies bow in worship on your path.
You are the very essence of the world of beauty and love.
Are you the full moon, or the sun?
Whatever you are, by God, you are unmatched.
You are the full moon.
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
The Cinematic Context of Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960)
“Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho…” is the title track from the iconic 1960 Hindi film Chaudhvin Ka Chand. This song is central to the film’s narrative, representing the protagonist’s profound admiration and enchantment with the film’s leading lady. It is presented as a direct romantic eulogy, a moment where the hero expresses his deepest awe and adoration for his beloved’s beauty. The song effectively sets the romantic tone of the film, highlighting the captivating allure that drives the central conflict and emotional journey.
Lyrical Quality and Poetic Depth
Shakeel Badayuni, celebrated for his mastery of Urdu poetry and his ability to weave intricate imagery into accessible verse, reached the zenith of his craft in “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho.” His lyrics are a cascade of similes and metaphors, each line a jewel describing the beloved’s captivating beauty. He employs celestial and natural imagery—the moon, sun, clouds, lotus, and constellations—to elevate the beloved to an almost divine status. Badayuni’s brilliance lies in his capacity to evoke profound admiration and wonder through language that is both elegant and deeply heartfelt. The consistent return to the opening lines reinforces the central theme of unparalleled beauty, making it a masterpiece of Hindi song lyrics that perfectly aligns with the film’s romantic premise.
The song is an ardent, unqualified declaration of awe and admiration for the beloved’s beauty. It begins by questioning whether the beloved is the full moon (chaudhvin ka chand) or the sun, immediately resolving that no matter what they are, they are “unmatched” and “magnificent” (“lajawaab”). Each subsequent verse delves into specific features—hair, eyes, face, lips—using vivid comparisons to nature and art. The beloved’s hair is like clouds, eyes like goblets filled with wine, face like a laughing lotus in a lake, and lips like dancing lightning. Ultimately, the beloved is depicted as the very essence of beauty and love, a poet’s dream, and the pinnacle of youth. It’s a song of pure, unconditional adoration, where every simile serves to highlight an exquisite flawlessness. This makes “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho” a quintessential romantic Bollywood song.
Ravi’s Masterful Composition: Crafting Serene Enchantment
Ravi’s musical composition for “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho” stands as a quintessential example of classic Hindi film music. His melodic genius provides a gentle, flowing current that beautifully complements the poetic verses. The song primarily draws upon elements from a foundational and highly evocative musical framework, known for expressing sentiments of love, devotion, and tranquility. Its serene and majestic quality is perfectly suited for a song of profound admiration. The rhythmic cycle, which is a slow, gentle, and contemplative beat, allows the melody and lyrics to unfold gracefully.
The arrangement is both rich and understated, featuring traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar, flute, and tabla. These are subtly blended with Western orchestral elements, adding depth without overshadowing the central melody. This careful composition creates an atmosphere of serene enchantment, allowing Mohammad Rafi’s vocal delivery to soar unhindered. The unhurried tempo accentuates the romantic and contemplative mood, giving each word and phrase ample time to register and resonate with the listener. Ravi’s brilliance shines through in his ability to craft a tune that feels simultaneously grand and intimate, perfectly encapsulating the theme of timeless beauty and solidifying its status as a classic Ravi composition.
Mohammad Rafi’s Definitive Vocal Performance
Mohammad Rafi’s rendition of “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho” is considered one of his definitive performances and a landmark in playback singing. His voice, known for its incredible purity, emotional depth, and ability to convey a wide spectrum of feelings, is perfectly suited to this romantic ode. Rafi’s singing is not just technically flawless; it is imbued with a genuine sense of wonder and adoration that makes the listener believe every word. He brings a unique blend of tenderness, reverence, and almost spiritual admiration to the lyrics, making the beloved’s beauty palpable through his vocalization. This performance solidifies its place as one of Mohammad Rafi’s greatest hits.
Let’s explore the intricate vocal expressions and emotional journey conveyed by Mohammad Rafi in each line of this iconic classic:
Opening Verse
Chaudhvin ka chand ho, ya aaftaab ho (Are you the full moon, or the sun?): The opening lines are sung with a soft, questioning wonder, an initial expression of awe at the beloved’s presence. Rafi’s voice carries a delicate lilt, suggesting both curiosity and profound admiration.
Jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki qasam, lajawaab ho (Whatever you are, by God, you are unmatched): Here, the voice shifts to a tone of absolute certainty and emphatic declaration. The phrase “Khuda ki qasam” (by God) is delivered with genuine conviction, underlining the singer’s sincere belief in the beloved’s unparalleled nature. The repeated line confirms this firm conviction.
Chaudhvin ka chand ho (You are the full moon): This line returns with a gentle, lingering affirmation, a reiteration of the initial marvel, now deepened by the declared magnificence.
1st Verse
Zulfen hain jaise kandhon pe, badal jhuke hue (Your tresses are like clouds, draped over your shoulders): The vocalization here is smooth and flowing, like the image of cascading hair. There’s a descriptive tenderness, painting the picture with sound.
Aankhen hain jaise may ke, pyaale bhare hue (Your eyes are like goblets, filled with wine): The delivery takes on a slightly dreamy quality, conveying the intoxicating effect of the beloved’s eyes. There is a hint of wonder in the voice, reflecting the depth of the “wine” in those eyes.
Masti hai jisme pyaar ki tum, wo sharaab ho (You are that wine of love, filled with intoxication): This line is sung with a mellow warmth, a sense of intoxicating pleasure. The voice holds a subtle joy, recognizing the beloved as the source of this delightful “intoxication of love.”
Chaudhvin ka chand ho (You are the full moon): Another return to the central theme, sung with consistent adoration, embedding the image of the perfect moon.
2nd Verse
Chehra hai jaise jheel mein, hansta hua kanwal (Your face is like a lotus, smiling in a lake): The voice here is gentle and serene, mirroring the tranquility of a lake and the fresh beauty of a lotus. There’s a peaceful admiration in the vocal tone.
Ya zindagi ke saaz pe, chhedi hui ghazal (Or a ghazal, played upon the instrument of life): This line flows lyrically, almost as if sung like a ghazal itself. The voice conveys a sense of musicality and poetic elegance, recognizing the beloved as a beautiful composition.
Jaan-e-bahar tum kisi, shayar ka khwaab ho (Beloved of spring, you are a poet’s dream): This address, “Jaan-e-bahar” (life of spring/beloved), is delivered with immense tenderness and endearment. The subsequent words are sung with a touch of profound appreciation, recognizing the beloved as the ultimate poetic inspiration.
Chaudhvin ka chand ho (You are the full moon): The phrase comes back, its meaning solidified with each new layer of description.
3rd Verse
Honthon pe khelti hain, tabassum ki bijliyan (Flashes of smiles play on your lips like lightning): The vocal delivery here is light and playful, mimicking the fleeting, captivating sparkle of a smile. There’s an undeniable charm conveyed in the voice.
Sajde tumhari raah mein, karti hain kaekashan (Galaxies bow in worship on your path): This line is sung with a sense of profound reverence and awe. The voice implies the vastness of the cosmos bowing down, elevating the beloved to a celestial status.
Duniya-e-husn-o-ishq ka tum, hi shabaab ho (You are the very essence of the world of beauty and love): The final descriptive line is delivered with a sense of ultimate conclusion, a grand statement. The voice is firm yet full of admiration, asserting the beloved as the very essence of beauty and love’s youth.
Chaudhvin ka chand ho, ya aaftaab ho, Jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki qasam, lajawaab ho, Chaudhvin ka chand ho (Are you the full moon, or the sun? Whatever you are, by God, you are unmatched. You are the full moon): The song concludes by reiterating its opening lines, now imbued with the entire tapestry of descriptive praise. Rafi’s voice maintains its deep reverence and conviction, leaving the listener with an overwhelming sense of the beloved’s unparalleled magnificence.
Overall Summary: The Enduring Legacy of “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho”
“Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho” is a magnificent ode to beauty, where every element of the song converges to celebrate the beloved. Shakeel Badayuni’s poetic lyrics are rich with vivid, often celestial, imagery that elevates the subject to an ethereal plane. Ravi’s musical composition provides a gentle, flowing, and elegantly arranged melody, primarily rooted in Raag Yaman and a slow Keherwa/Dadra taal, that perfectly cradles the lyrics, creating an atmosphere of serene admiration. Mohammad Rafi’s unparalleled vocal performance bridges the divine and the intimate, imbuing each word with sincere wonder, tenderness, and profound reverence. His vocal performance is a masterclass in conveying admiration and awe, making the beloved’s described beauty tangible to the listener. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its pure, unadulterated adoration, presented with a lyrical and musical grace that remains unmatched. It’s a must-listen for fans of classic Bollywood songs and Mohammad Rafi’s unparalleled artistry.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani