Song Title: Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasman
Singer(s): Mohammed Rafi
Film: Kala Bazar (1960)
Lyricist: Shailendra
Music Director: Sachin Dev Burman
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English Translation of Lyrics
Ho ho ho, the moon is lost, the sky is open
The whole night will pass in my eyes, how will you also sleep, oh oh
The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes
How will you also sleep, oh oh, the moon is lost
A joyous breeze, when it blew (2), this bud of my heart blossomed
There’s an agitation in the lanes of my mind, so call them, oh ho ho
The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes
How will you also sleep, oh oh, the moon is lost
Stars moved, sights moved (2), all of them moved along with me
Indications came from all four directions, become someone’s, oh ho ho oh oh
The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes
How will you also sleep, oh oh, the moon is lost, oh oh oh oh
Such a night, a wet night (2), hands in hand, if they were together
We would tell them these feelings of the heart, don’t trouble us now, ho ho ho oh
The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes
How will you also sleep, oh oh, the moon is lost
We are consumed for whom, we are consumed for whom
Without saying anything, they remained silent
Someone please tell them this, don’t test us like this, oh ho ho oh
The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes
How will you also sleep, oh oh, the moon is lost
The moon is lost, the moon is lost,
The moon is lost, the moon is lost
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
Film’s Context and Song’s Placement
“Khoya Khoya Chand” is a timeless masterpiece from the 1960 film Kala Bazar, starring the evergreen Dev Anand and the graceful Waheeda Rehman. The movie centers on Raghu (Dev Anand), who initially resorts to black market dealings but eventually finds redemption through love and honesty. This song is picturized on Dev Anand as he gazes at the night sky, consumed by thoughts of the woman he loves, Alka (Waheeda Rehman). It beautifully captures the essence of burgeoning love, a yearning for connection, and the romantic solitude of a lover lost in contemplation. The song marks a turning point where Raghu’s focus shifts from material pursuits to the emotional depth of his feelings, highlighting the transformative power of love in his life.
Lyrical Quality and Thematic Alignment
Shailendra’s lyrics for “Khoya Khoya Chand” are pure poetry, painting vivid imagery of a moonlit night intertwined with the lover’s restless heart. The opening lines, “Khoya-khoya chand, khula aasmaan, aankhon mein saari raat jaayegi” (The moon is lost, the sky is open, the whole night will pass in my eyes), immediately set a melancholic yet romantic mood. The moon, often a symbol of the beloved, is “lost” not in absence, but in the lover’s deep introspection. The lyrics perfectly align with the film’s theme of a man grappling with his emotions, subtly transitioning from a cynical outlook to embracing genuine affection. Shailendra masterfully uses nature as a metaphor for the inner turmoil and longing, creating a deeply resonant and universally relatable portrayal of love’s early stages. The simplicity and profound depth of his words are a hallmark of his lyrical genius.
Musical Composition: A Melodic Gem
Sachin Dev Burman’s iconic composition for “Khoya Khoya Chand” stands as a testament to his genius in crafting melodies that resonate deeply and linger in the mind. The song’s captivating essence is largely attributed to its melodic framework, characterized by a poignant five-note scale. This particular scale is renowned for its evocative beauty, perfectly conveying emotions of longing, introspection, and a touch of melancholy.
The melody’s graceful progression mirrors the inherent nature of this five-note structure, delivering a sweet yet sorrowful listening experience. Supporting this contemplative mood is a gentle, flowing rhythm, which allows Mohammed Rafi’s masterful vocals to truly shine, bringing every nuance of the lyrics to life.
The song’s understated yet powerful orchestration further enhances its appeal. A prominent acoustic guitar, delicate strings, and subtle percussion weave together an intimate and ethereal soundscape. This minimalist arrangement effectively draws the listener into the emotional world of the song’s protagonist, making “Khoya Khoya Chand” a timeless classic.
Vocal Nuances and Expressive Delivery
Mohammed Rafi’s rendition of “Khoya Khoya Chand” is a testament to his unparalleled ability to convey complex emotions with exquisite subtlety and depth. He infuses the song with a profound sense of yearning, introspection, and gentle melancholy.
Initial Verse
Ho ho ho, Khoya-khoya chand, khula aasmaan (Ho ho ho, the moon is lost, the sky is open): Mohammed Rafi begins with a soft, almost hushed ‘ho ho ho,’ setting a dreamy, contemplative atmosphere. His voice then flows with a gentle wistfulness, perfectly capturing the image of a moon lost in thought and an expansive, open sky.
Aankhon mein saari raat jaayegi, tumko bhi kaise neend aayegi, O O (The whole night will pass in my eyes, how will you also sleep, oh oh): He delivers these lines with a tender, questioning tone, a gentle empathy for the beloved, implying a shared sleeplessness born of love and longing.
1st Stanza
Masti bhari, hawa jo chali, khil-khil gai, ye dil ki kali (A joyous breeze, when it blew, this bud of my heart blossomed): Mohammed Rafi’s voice gains a subtle buoyancy here, expressing the blossoming of hope and joy within the heart, mirroring the imagery of the blooming bud.
Man ki gali mein hai khalbalee, ki unko to bulao, O ho ho (There’s an agitation in the lanes of my mind, so call them, oh ho ho): The subtle urgency in his voice conveys the ‘khalbalee’ (agitation), a restless desire to summon the beloved, ending with an eager, hopeful ‘O ho ho’.
2nd Stanza
Tare chale, nazare chale, sang-sang mere wo sare chale (Stars moved, sights moved, all of them moved along with me): He sings these lines with a sense of wonder and cosmic connection, as if the entire universe is in sync with his emotional journey.
Chaaron taraf ishaare chale, kisi ke to ho jao, O ho ho O O (Indications came from all four directions, become someone’s, oh ho ho oh oh): There’s a subtle plea in his voice, a tender urging for the beloved to embrace love and commitment, ending with a warm, inviting ‘O ho ho’.
3rd Stanza
Aisi hi raat, bheegi si raat, haathon mein haath, hote wo saath (Such a night, a wet night, hands in hand, if they were together): Mohammed Rafi paints a vivid picture of a desired scenario, his voice full of a gentle longing for closeness and shared intimacy, emphasizing the romantic atmosphere.
Keh lete unse dil ki ye baat, ab to na satao, ho ho ho O (We would tell them these feelings of the heart, don’t trouble us now, ho ho ho oh): The tone shifts to a soft, almost pleading note, expressing the desire for open communication and an end to the playful torment of unexpressed feelings.
4th Stanza
Hum mit chale, jinke liye, bin kuch kahe, wo chup-chup rahe (We are consumed for whom, without saying anything, they remained silent): A poignant sadness enters his voice here, conveying the pain of unrequited or unacknowledged devotion, the silent suffering of a lover.
Koi zara ye unse kahe, na aise aazmao, O ho ho O (Someone please tell them this, don’t test us like this, oh ho ho oh): The final plea carries a touch of exasperation mixed with enduring love, hoping for an end to the “testing” and a mutual acceptance of feelings.
Overall Summary
“Khoya Khoya Chand” is a luminous example of the golden era of Hindi film music, a masterful collaboration between lyricist Shailendra, music director Sachin Dev Burman, and vocalist Mohammed Rafi. Shailendra’s evocative poetry paints a picture of serene yearning under a starlit sky, perfectly complemented by S.D. Burman’s soulful melody, subtly rooted in Raag Shivranjani. It is, however, Mohammed Rafi’s voice that truly brings the song to life, conveying the protagonist’s introspective longing, gentle hope, and quiet anguish with unparalleled tenderness and depth. This iconic song, immortalized by Dev Anand’s contemplative portrayal, remains a beloved classic, resonating with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet beauty of early love and sleepless nights filled with romantic dreams.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani