Song Title: Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Tale
Singers: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle
Film: Cha Cha Cha (1964)
Lyricist: Makhdoom Mohiuddin
Music Director: Iqbal Qureshi
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English Translation of Lyrics
Hoon hoon hoon hoon, oon oon oon oon
Hoon hoon oon oon, Hoon hoon hoon oon oon oon, Hoon hoon oon oon oon, Aa aa aa
(Under the jasmine arbor – 2), (A little away from the tavern, on that turn – 2)
Two bodies burned in the fire of love, (Under the jasmine arbor – 2)
(Love is fidelity, their love is divine – 2)
(Love is their funeral pyre)
(Two bodies burned in the fire of love – 2), (Under the jasmine arbor – 2)
(Drenched in dew, bathing in moonlight – 2)
(Like two fresh souls, fresh breath, fresh flowers of the previous hour – 2)
(Breezes of the cold garden – 2), (Scent of grieving – 3)
Wrapped in black locks, halted for a moment on the warm cheek
(Two bodies burned in the fire of love – 2), (Under the jasmine arbor – 2)
Aa aa aa aa, aa aa aa aa
We saw them, day and night, in light and dark, we saw them
We saw them, day and night, in light and dark
The minarets of mosques saw them, The doors of temples saw them
The cracks of the tavern saw them, saw them, saw them
(Two bodies burned in the fire of love – 2), (Under the jasmine arbor – 2)
Aa aa aa aa, aa aa aa aa
Tell me, healer, (In your jasmine – 2), tell me, healer, (In your jasmine – 2)
There is the elixir of the chemistry of love as well,
There is the elixir of the chemistry of love as well
Some cures and treatments of love as well, (Love as well – 2)
(Two bodies burned in the fire of love – 2), (Under the jasmine arbor – 2)
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
Film’s Context
“Cha Cha Cha” (1964) is a Bollywood musical celebrating youthful exuberance, romance, and cultural vibrancy. “Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Tale” is a romantic duet that serves as an ode to the purity and intensity of love, portrayed through lush poetic imagery. The song’s placement accentuates the connection between the lead characters amidst their journey of passion and longing. Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle’s vibrant voices bring life and warmth to the poetic verses, enriching the film’s colorful narrative.
Lyrical Quality & Alignment
Iqbal Qureshi’s lyrics blend classic romanticism with evocative metaphors. The imagery of jasmine arbors, moonlit nights, and the mingling of souls vividly evokes the intoxicating nature of love’s flames. The refrain “Two bodies burned in the fire of love” underlines the inevitability and consuming power of passion. The lyrics harmonize beautifully with the film’s youthful and vibrant tone, infusing the narrative with a lyrical, almost mystical aura.
Musical Composition Analysis
Makhdoom Mohiuddin’s composition complements the lyrical intensity through a melody infused with Raag Yaman’s romantic and serene qualities. The rhythmic cycle is Rupak taal (7 beats), offering a lilting sway ideal for the duet’s interplay. The instrumentation is light and expressive, featuring flute, violins, and gentle percussion, enhancing the song’s lush and dreamlike quality. The musical arrangement carefully balances tradition and modernity, echoing the film’s contemporary romantic themes.
Initial Verse
Hoon hoon hoon hoon, oon oon oon oon (Humming melodic vocalizations): Mohammad Rafi’s opening vocalizes establish a mystical atmosphere, using controlled breath and tonal oscillations to create a soothing, inviting introduction that evokes anticipation and wonder.
Hoon hoon oon oon, Hoon hoon hoon oon oon oon (Humming intertwined vocals): Rafi and Bhosle’s combined hums blend seamlessly, suggesting unity and harmony. The layering of male and female voices hints at the intimate connection central to the song’s narrative.
Hoon hoon oon oon oon, Aa aa aa (Continuing melodic vocalizations): The interwoven vocal lines create a mesmerizing soundscape, setting the tone for the ensuing poetic imagery of love and passion.
1st Stanza
Ek chameli ke mandve tale (Under the jasmine arbor): The phrase acts as a recurring melodic anchor, anchoring listeners to the intimate, lush setting that frames the song’s love story. The harmonious duet phrasing evokes the warmth of shared experience.
Maykade se zara, door us mod par (A little away from the tavern, on that turn): These lines add a layer of narrative context and place, evoking a sense of secret rendezvous and tender moments framed in natural and social settings.
Do badan pyar ki aag mein jal gaye (Two bodies burned in the fire of love): The refrain powerfully encapsulates the consuming nature of love, intensified by the rich timbres of the duet. The repetition adds to the haunting, passionate ambiance.
2nd Stanza
Oos mein bhigte, chaandni mein, nahaate hue (Drenched in dew, bathing in moonlight): The imagery is vivid and sensuous, complemented by the smooth intertwining voices. The phrasing lets listeners feel immersed in the romantic atmosphere.
Jaise do taza rooh, taza dam phool pichle pahar (Like two fresh souls, fresh breath, fresh flowers of the previous hour): This poetic simile is enhanced by lilting melody and careful articulation from both singers, projecting freshness, innocence, and renewal.
Thandi thandi sabkaro chaman ki hawa (Breezes of the cold garden): The vocals soften to evoke the gentle ambiance of the night garden, creating an evocative sonic picture.
Sarfe matmahui (Scent of grieving): The slightly melancholic undertone is subtly introduced here, foreshadowing the bittersweet aspect in the romantic tale.
Kali kali laton se lipat, garm rukhsar par, ek pal ke liye ruk gai (Wrapped in black locks, halted for a moment on the warm cheek): Rafi’s expressive delivery paints an intimate picture with sensitivity, emphasizing physical closeness and tender affection.
Do badan pyar ki aag mein jal gaye (Two bodies burned in the fire of love): The phrase reprises, reinforcing the impassioned and inevitable nature of love shared.
3rd Stanza
Aa aa aa aa, aa aa aa aa (Continuing melodic vocalizations): Their seamless harmonic humming continues to maintain a dreamlike atmosphere, embodying emotional unity.
Humne dekha unhein, din mein aur raat mein, noor-o-zulmaat mein, humne dekha unhein (We saw them, day and night, in light and dark, we saw them): The combined vocals evoke omnipresence and timelessness, reflecting the lovers’ constant presence and enduring bond.
Masjido ke minaron ne dekha unhein (The minarets of mosques saw them): Rafi’s voice carries reverence and cultural depth, imparting a sense of sacred witness to the love story.
Mandiron ke kiwadon ne dekha unhein (The doors of temples saw them): Asha’s voice complements with gentle warmth, symbolizing inclusivity and spiritual unity across faiths.
Maykade ke dararon ne dekha unhein, dekha unhein, dekha unhein (The cracks of the tavern saw them, saw them, saw them): Rafi’s repeated phrases emphasize the pervasive acknowledgment of their love in all walks of life, weaving a subtle narrative across societal divides.
Do badan pyar ki aag mein jal gaye, Ek chameli ke mandve tale (Two bodies burned in the fire of love, Under the jasmine arbor): The intertwined voices harmonize the ultimate unity and passion that defines the lovers’ fate.
4th Stanza
Aa aa aa aa, aa aa aa aa (Melodic vocalization continuation): Harmonious humming reinstates the mystical tone, calming and enchanting listeners.
Ye bata charagar, Teri jambil mein, ye bata charagar, Teri jambil mein (Tell me, healer, in your jasmine, tell me, healer, in your jasmine): The call to the healer introduces a mystical plea for remedy in love, their voices blending inquisitively yet tenderly.
Nuskha-e-keemiya-e-muhabbat bhi hai (There is the elixir of the chemistry of love as well): Rafi’s voice carries both earnestness and a hint of mysticism, emphasizing the magical aspect of love’s potion.
Nuskha-e-keemiya-e-muhabbat bhi hai (There is the elixir of the chemistry of love as well): Asha matches this with a subtle sweetness, reinforcing the potent bond conveyed.
Kuchh ilaajo-mudawa-e-ulfat bhi hai, Ulfat bhi hai (Some cures and treatments for love as well, love as well): Rafi completes the thought with softness and a whisper of hope, leaving listeners immersed in the mystery of love’s healing power.
Do badan pyar ki aag mein jal gaye, Ek chameli ke mandve tale (Two bodies burned in the fire of love, Under the jasmine arbor): The song closes with the evocative refrain, the voices merging in a poignant celebration of passion and unity.
Summary
“Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Tale” epitomizes the romantic and poetic synergy between Iqbal Qureshi’s evocative lyrics, Makhdoom Mohiuddin’s enchanting composition, and the impassioned duet of Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. The lyrics draw on powerful naturalistic metaphors and cultural settings to depict love’s consuming fire and spiritual depth.
The musical foundation in Raag Yaman, paired with Rupak taal, creates a dreamy and rhythmic backdrop that perfectly complements the song’s narrative. Rafi and Bhosle’s vocal interplay is tender, expressive, and haunting, lending timeless appeal to this Bollywood classic celebrated for its rich emotional texture and sublime musical craft.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani