Song: Ek Nazar Ek Ada, Keemat-e-Dil Aur Hai Kya
Singer: Mohammad Rafi | Film: Raat Ke Raahi (1959)
Lyrics: Vishwamitra Adil | Music: Bipin Dutt-Babul Bose
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“Ek Nazar Ek Ada, Keemat-e-Dil Aur Hai Kya” is a romantic and playful song from the 1959 film *Raat Ke Rahi*. The song captures the essence of love at first sight and the irresistible charm of a beloved’s glance and demeanor. It explores themes of attraction, flirtation, and the intoxicating power of love. The lyrics, written by Vishwamitra Adil, are poetic and filled with romantic fervor, while the music, composed by Bipin Dutt-Babul Bose, is melodious and evocative. Mohammad Rafi’s soulful and charismatic rendition adds depth and emotional resonance, making it a timeless classic.
The Lyrics:
The lyricist, Vishwamitra Adil was a talented lyricist known for his ability to craft poetic and emotionally charged lyrics. In this song, he uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the protagonist’s admiration and longing. His lyrics reflect a deep understanding of human emotions, particularly the joy and excitement of falling in love.
The song revolves around the theme of love and attraction. The protagonist is captivated by a single glance (*ek nazar*) and the charm (*ada*) of their beloved. The lyrics express the idea that the value of the heart (*keemat-e-dil*) is beyond measure when it comes to love. The song also reflects on the playful and flirtatious nature of love, as the protagonist teases and admires their beloved. The lyrics are filled with romantic imagery and metaphors, capturing the magic of love at first sight.
The Music:
Bipin Dutt and Babul Bose, the music directors, were known for their ability to create melodies that perfectly complemented the mood of the lyrics. In “Ek Nazar Ek Ada, Keemat-e-Dil Aur Hai Kya,” they use a soft and romantic orchestration, with gentle strings and light percussion, to create a dreamy and emotional atmosphere. The melody is both soothing and intense, reflecting the duality of love—its beauty and its power to overwhelm.
The Singer:
Mohammad Rafi, one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, delivers a mesmerizing performance in this song. His voice carries a blend of playfulness and passion, perfectly capturing the protagonist’s admiration and longing. Rafi’s ability to convey subtle emotions through his singing elevates the song to a masterpiece. Let’s analyse the vocal expressions rendered by the iconic singers in each line of the song.
Initial Verse:
Ek nazar ek ada, keemat-e-dil aur hai kya (One glance, one charm, what is the value of the heart?): Rafi’s voice is soft and reflective, conveying the protagonist’s admiration and wonder. The way he elongates “keemat-e-dil” (value of the heart) suggests a deep emotional connection.
Haha, ek nazar ek ada, keemat-e-dil aur hai kya (Haha, one glance, one charm, what is the value of the heart?): Rafi’s tone becomes more playful, reflecting the protagonist’s amusement and joy. He wonderfully stresses “haha” to add a touch of humor and charm.
O ho ek nazar (Oh, one glance): Rafi’s voice is tender and longing, reflecting the protagonist’s fascination with their beloved’s glance. His style of stressing *”ek nazar”* conveys a sense of enchantment.
1st Stanza:
Gaal surkh hai, chup zubaan hai (The cheeks are red, the tongue is silent): Rafi’s voice is soft and observant, conveying the protagonist’s admiration for their beloved’s beauty. The way he stresses “gaal surkh” (red cheeks) suggests a sense of wonder and affection.
Ho na ho koi meherbaan hai (Perhaps someone is kind): Rafi’s tone becomes more playful, reflecting the protagonist’s teasing and flirtatious nature. His emphasis on “meherbaan” (kind) adds a touch of humor and charm.
Kaun hai wo kaho jaan-e-jigar (Tell me, who is that, oh beloved of my heart?): Rafi’s voice is tender and longing, reflecting the protagonist’s curiosity and affection. His way of stressing on “jaan-e-jigar” (beloved of my heart) conveys a deep emotional connection.
2nd Verse:
Uljhi saans kyun, dil pe haath kyun (Why is the breath tangled, why is the hand on the heart?): Rafi’s voice is soft and reflective, conveying the protagonist’s observation of their beloved’s nervousness. He beautifully emphasis on “dil pe haath” (hand on the heart) suggests a sense of empathy and affection.
Dil diya to phir, aisi baat kyun (If you have given your heart, then why such hesitation?): Rafi’s tone becomes more playful, reflecting the protagonist’s teasing and flirtatious nature. His “aisi baat kyun” (why such hesitation) adds a touch of humor and charm.
Aankh ladegi to hoga asar, haay (If our eyes meet, there will be an effect, oh my): Rafi’s voice is tender and longing, reflecting the protagonist’s anticipation and desire. His emphasis on “hoga asar” (there will be an effect) conveys a sense of enchantment and excitement.
3rd Verse:
Zulf mein hai kya, arre gaalon par hai kya (What is in the tresses, what is on the cheeks?): Rafi’s voice is soft and observant, conveying the protagonist’s admiration for their beloved’s beauty. His rendition of “gaalon par” (on the cheeks) suggests a sense of wonder and affection.
So gayi hai jo, wo nazar hai kya, ha ha ha ha (What is that glance that has fallen asleep, ha ha ha ha): Rafi’s tone becomes more playful, reflecting the protagonist’s teasing and flirtatious nature. His “ha ha ha ha” adds a touch of humor and charm.
Chhed chhaad kya, kaam kar gayi (What is this teasing, it has worked): Rafi’s voice is soft and reflective, conveying the protagonist’s amusement and affection. His stressing “kaam kar gayi” (it has worked) suggests a sense of joy and satisfaction.
Honth khil gaye, lat bikhri gayi (The lips have blossomed, the tresses have scattered): Rafi’s tone becomes more tender, reflecting the protagonist’s admiration for their beloved’s beauty. His special emphasis on “lat bikhri gayi” (tresses have scattered) conveys a sense of enchantment.
Lena ji ab zara apni khabar, haay (Now take care of yourself, oh my): Rafi’s voice is soft and caring, reflecting the protagonist’s affection and concern. While rendering “apni khabar” (take care of yourself), he suggests a sense of warmth and love.
4th Verse:
Chhodo in adaon mein dam nahin (Leave these charms, there is no strength in them): Rafi’s voice is soft and reflective, conveying the protagonist’s playful challenge. His emphasis on “dam nahin” (no strength) adds a touch of humor and charm.
Tum haseen ho, hum bhi kam nahin (You are beautiful, but I am not less): Rafi’s tone becomes more confident, reflecting the protagonist’s self-assurance and charm. He conveys a sense of pride and playfulness while rendering “hum bhi kam nahin”.
Ho na yaqeen to milao nazar, haay (If you don’t believe, then meet my glance, oh my): Rafi’s voice is tender and longing, reflecting the protagonist’s desire for connection. His stress on “milao nazar” (meet my glance) conveys a sense of enchantment and excitement.
Ek nazar ek ada, keemat-e-dil aur hai kya (One glance, one charm, what is the value of the heart?): Rafi’s voice becomes more emphatic and emotional with each repetition. The refrain serves as a reminder of the protagonist’s admiration and longing, and Rafi’s delivery conveys a sense of both vulnerability and triumph.
In conclusion, “Ek Nazar Ek Ada, Keemat-e-Dil Aur Hai Kya” is a timeless ode to the power of love and the magic of a beloved’s glance. Vishwamitra Adil’s poetic lyrics, Bipin Dutt-Babul Bose’s melodious composition, and Mohammad Rafi’s soulful rendition come together to create a song that resonates deeply with listeners. Rafi’s ability to convey admiration, longing, and playfulness through his singing makes this song a masterpiece. It is a reminder of the beauty of love and the joy of falling in love at first sight.
Our valued non-Hindi readers are advised to go through the translation for better understanding of the song.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani