Song Title: Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Film: Kajal (1965)
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music Director: Ravi Shankar Sharma
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English Translation of Lyrics
Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine
Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine
What nature has bestowed upon us is the most beautiful gift of all
Let me touch these delicate lips
Don’t lose the colorful youthful moments in shame
Don’t lose the colorful youthful moments in shame
This is the message filled with the restless beating hearts’ desires
Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine
Let me touch these delicate lips
The world has an old habit of proving the good ones bad
The world has an old habit of proving the good ones bad
Consider this liquor a blessed thing, though it is much defamed
Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine
What nature has bestowed upon us is the most beautiful gift of all
Let me touch these delicate lips
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
Film’s Context
“Kajal” (1965) is a dramatic Bollywood film featuring themes of love, sacrifice, and emotional turmoil. The song “Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko” emerges as an intimate romantic number capturing tender affection and youthful passion. Mohammad Rafi’s soulful voice articulates the delicate emotions of vulnerability and intense desire. The song’s placement highlights a rare moment of softness and connection between the characters amidst the film’s ongoing tensions.
Lyrical Quality & Alignment
Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics blend poetic beauty with emotional subtlety, portraying the fragility and intoxicating allure of love through the metaphor of “delicate lips” as wine. The verses express a plea to embrace tender moments without shame, reflecting youthful passion and a call to defy societal judgment. The lyrics perfectly complement the film’s broader narrative by balancing innocence and mature emotion, enriching the storyline’s emotional depth.
Musical Composition Analysis
Ravi Shankar Sharma’s composition utilizes a moderate tempo with a lilting melody supported by orchestral strings and soft percussion. The raag employed resonates with elements of Khamaj, creating a romantic and slightly wistful ambiance. The rhythmic cycle maintains a smooth Dadra taal (6 beats), enabling fluid and expressive vocal phrasing. This careful musical choice enhances the delicate, intoxicating mood articulated in the lyrics and vocals.
Initial Verse
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko, kuch aur nahin hain, jaam hain ye (Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine): Mohammad Rafi opens with a gentle yet compelling tonal quality, inviting intimacy and softness through his phrasing. His voice caresses the words “nazuk hotho ko” with sensitivity, while the metaphor of lips as wine is delivered with warmth, suggesting both allure and tenderness.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko, kuch aur nahin hain, jaam hain ye (Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine): The repetition in the line is emphasized through subtle vocal inflections, creating an enchanting effect of longing and desire, building anticipation while preserving grace.
Qudrat ne jo humko baksha hai, wo sabse haseen, inaam hain ye (What nature has bestowed upon us is the most beautiful gift of all): Rafi’s voice gains a reverential tone, almost celebratory of nature’s gifts. The phrase “sabse haseen inaam” is sung with slight elongation, conveying admiration and gratitude underlying the romantic context.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko (Let me touch these delicate lips): The closing phrase of this verse tapers softly, enhancing the fragile and precious nature of the moment, a sonic reflection of the lyric’s intent.
1st Stanza
Sharmake na yun hi kho dena, rangeen jawani ki ghadiyan (Don’t lose the colorful youthful moments in shame): Rafi merges gentle caution with a subtle plea, his voice flowing delicately. The “rangeen jawani ki ghadiyan” is expressed with a touch of melancholic urgency, highlighting the fleeting nature of youthful joy.
Sharmake na yun hi kho dena, rangeen jawani ki ghadiyan (Don’t lose the colorful youthful moments in shame): The repetition reinforces the theme of holding onto precious moments. Rafi’s timing draws the listener into a reflective mood about youth and innocence.
Betaab dhadakte seenon ka, armaan bhara, paigaam hai ye (This is the message filled with the restless beating hearts’ desires): Here, the texture of Rafi’s voice deepens to portray earnestness and intensity, reflecting the restless yearning encapsulated by the lyrics.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko, kuch aur nahin hain, jaam hain ye (Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine): The recurring refrain evokes longing and affection, Rafi’s voice a whisper of intimacy.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko (Let me touch these delicate lips): The stanza ends with a gentle, fading note, mirroring the delicacy emphasized throughout the song.
2nd Stanza
Achhon ko bura saabit karna, duniya ki purani aadat hai (The world has an old habit of proving the good ones bad): Rafi’s tone becomes contemplative and somber, underscoring the critical observation about societal hypocrisy with quiet intensity.
Achhon ko bura saabit karna, duniya ki purani aadat hai (The world has an old habit of proving the good ones bad): The line’s repeat highlights this persistent theme. Rafi’s measured phrasing conveys both disappointment and resignation.
Is mai ko mubarak cheez samajh, maana ki bahut, badnaam hai ye (Consider this liquor a blessed thing, though it is much defamed): Rafi subtly infuses warmth and defense, elevating the metaphor of “mai” as a symbol of taboo love. His voice conveys pride in what is often misunderstood.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko, kuch aur nahin hain, jaam hain ye (Let me touch these delicate lips, they are nothing else but wine): This familiar refrain closes the stanza with tender insistence.
Qudrat ne jo humko baksha hai, wo sabse haseen, inaam hain ye (What nature has bestowed upon us is the most beautiful gift of all): The final line of the song is a lyrical affirmation, sung by Rafi with pride and reverence, reverberating the song’s core theme.
Chhoo lene do nazuk hothon ko (Let me touch these delicate lips): The song concludes on a note of fragile, beautiful intimacy, echoing the title’s tender plea.
Summary
“Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko” is a gem of 1960s Hindi cinema where Sahir Ludhianvi’s poetic lyrics merge seamlessly with Ravi Shankar Sharma’s melodious composition, and Mohammad Rafi’s emotive vocal performance. The song’s metaphor of delicate lips as wine brilliantly captures youthful passion and sensuality cloaked in poetic subtlety.
Rafi’s nuanced delivery expresses vulnerability, yearning, and tender intimacy, fitting perfectly with the film’s romantic narrative. The musical arrangement, with its classic raag influences and gentle rhythm, amplifies the emotional sincerity of the song, making it an enduring classic treasured by lovers of timeless Hindi melodies.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani