Song Title: Kya Hua Tera Wada
Singer(s): Mohammed Rafi, Sushma Shrestha
Film: Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman
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English Translation of Lyrics
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
The day my heart forgets you,
That will be the last day of my life.
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
The day my heart forgets you,
That will be the last day of my life.
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
I remember, you had said, “I will never be upset with you.”
Our hands met like hearts, how could they ever separate?
Every evening spent in your arms,
unfaithful one, don’t you remember this either?
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
The day my heart forgets you,
That will be the last day of my life.
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
Oh, you who call me a deceiver, tell me, who is the deceiver?
The one who endured sorrow for the sake of love,
Or the one who sold love?
Is the intoxication of wealth such, that you remember nothing?
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
The day my heart forgets you,
That will be the last day of my life.
What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
The Film’s Romantic Narrative and Song Placement
The song “Kya Hua Tera Wada” is a poignant highlight from Nasir Hussain’s 1977 musical blockbuster, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. This film, known for its youthful energy, intricate plot, and memorable music, features Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran in lead roles. The song appears at a critical juncture, expressing the heartache and betrayal felt by the male protagonist, played by Rishi Kapoor, when his beloved seems to have forgotten their vows and moved on, ostensibly for wealth. It perfectly encapsulates the emotional turmoil of a broken promise within a dramatic love triangle, where misunderstandings and the allure of materialism threaten true affection.
Lyrical Depth and Emotional Resonance
Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics for “Kya Hua Tera Wada” are a testament to his mastery of expressing profound emotions through simple, yet impactful, words. The lines are steeped in a sense of abandonment and questioning, directly addressing the pain of a forgotten love and broken promises. The lyrical quality is exceptional, deeply aligning with the film’s narrative of love, betrayal, and steadfast devotion. Sultanpuri’s genius lies in his ability to craft verses that are both deeply personal to the protagonist’s plight and universally relatable to anyone who has experienced the sting of a false vow. The progression from questioning the lost promise to recalling specific shared moments and finally challenging the accuser’s own integrity showcases a rich emotional arc within the song.
R.D. Burman’s Masterful Composition
Rahul Dev Burman, affectionately known as R.D. Burman, crafted a musical arrangement for “Kya Hua Tera Wada” that deeply resonates with the song’s emotional heart. The composition skillfully employs a specific melodic framework, ideal for conveying feelings of longing, pathos, and devotion.
While not a rigid classical piece, the essence of this framework, characterized by its distinctive use of flattened notes, provides the song with profound emotional depth. The rhythmic structure, a six-beat cycle, offers a gentle, swaying, and contemplative pace. This allows the emotional weight of the lyrics and Mohammed Rafi’s nuanced vocals to unfold beautifully, without any sense of urgency.
The interplay of this melodic and rhythmic foundation creates a stable yet evocative backdrop, significantly enhancing the song’s somber yet heartfelt appeal.
Vocal Nuances and Expressions (Line-by-Line)
Initial Verse
Kya hua, tera wada, wo qasam, wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): Mohammed Rafi opens the song with a plaintive, almost bewildered tone. His voice carries the weight of a deeply hurt soul, expressing disbelief and a yearning for answers. The slight tremor in his delivery adds to the vulnerability.
Bhoolega dil, jis din tumhein, wo din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga (The day my heart forgets you, that will be the last day of my life): Rafi delivers this line with a profound sense of certainty and despair. His voice takes on a grave quality, emphasizing the absolute nature of his unwavering love and the dire consequence of forgetting. The finality in Rafi’s voice here is striking. He extends the notes slightly, allowing the listener to fully absorb the depth of his devotion and the tragic implications of his statement. The conviction is palpable.
Kya hua, tera wada, wo qasam, wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): The repetition of the opening lines reiterates the central theme of betrayal and the protagonist’s persistent questioning. Rafi’s vocalization remains consistent in its sorrowful inquiry.
1st Stanza
Yaad hai mujhko, tune kaha tha, tumse nahin ruthenge kabhi (I remember, you had said, “I will never be upset with you”): Here, Rafi’s voice softens, becoming reminiscent and slightly tender as he recalls the sweet promises. There’s a subtle hint of wistfulness, contrasting with the earlier pain.
Dil ki tarah se, haath mile hain, kaise bhala chhutenge kabhi (Our hands met like hearts, how could they ever separate?): The warmth in his voice as he speaks of the deep connection is evident. He conveys the profound belief in their unbreakable bond, making the subsequent betrayal even more impactful.
Teri baahon mein beeti har shaam, bewafa ye bhi kya yaad nahin (Every evening spent in your arms, unfaithful one, don’t you remember this either?): A sharp turn in tone here. Rafi’s voice gains an edge of accusation and bitterness, directly confronting the beloved with their forgetfulness. The word “bewafa” is delivered with a cutting, yet still deeply pained, resonance.
Kya hua tera wada, wo qasam wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): The return to the central refrain again, infused with the added weight of recalled memories and a direct accusation.
Bhoolega dil, jis din tumhein, wo din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga (The day my heart forgets you, that will be the last day of my life): The solemn declaration is repeated, underscoring the unwavering nature of his love despite the pain, and the finality remains, a testament to his eternal devotion.
Kya hua, tera wada, wo qasam, wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): The refrain concludes the verse, emphasizing the protagonist’s enduring question.
2nd Stanza
O kehne wale, mujhko farebi, kaun farebi hai ye bata (Oh, you who call me a deceiver, tell me, who is the deceiver?): Rafi’s voice takes on a dignified yet challenging tone. There’s a sense of righteous indignation as he refutes the accusation, turning the question back on the accuser.
Wo jisne gham liya, pyar ki khatir, ya jisne pyar ko bech diya (The one who endured sorrow for the sake of love, or the one who sold love?): This line is delivered with a powerful rhetorical flourish. Rafi’s voice gains strength and conviction, highlighting the stark moral contrast between the two actions. The emphasis is on the word “bech diya” (sold love).
Nasha daulat ka aisa bhi kya, ki tujhe kuch bhi yaad nahin (Is the intoxication of wealth such, that you remember nothing?): His voice here is laced with a mix of sadness and a touch of disdain for the materialism that seems to have overshadowed their love. It’s a poignant lament about the corrupting influence of wealth.
Kya hua, tera wada, wo qasam, wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): The repeated refrain, now carrying the weight of a moral argument and a final plea for remembrance.
Bhoolega dil, jis din tumhein, wo din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga (The day my heart forgets you, that will be the last day of my life): The unwavering resolve in his voice remains steadfast, and the ultimate declaration of eternal love is delivered with profound conviction.
Kya hua, tera wada, wo qasam, wo iraada (What happened to your promise, that oath, that intention?): The song concludes with the persistent, haunting question, leaving a lasting impression of unfulfilled promises and enduring love.
Overall Summary
“Kya Hua Tera Wada” stands as a timeless classic, a perfect synergy of Majrooh Sultanpuri’s poignant lyrics, R.D. Burman’s soulful composition drawing from Raag Bhairavi and Dadra taal, and Mohammed Rafi’s unparalleled vocal artistry. The song eloquently captures the anguish of a broken promise and the steadfastness of true love within the dramatic context of Hum Kisise Kum Naheen.
Rafi’s nuanced delivery, transitioning seamlessly from bewildered pain to tender recollection, and finally to righteous indignation, makes this song an unforgettable exploration of emotional depth and commitment. It remains a testament to the golden era of Hindi cinema music, resonating with listeners across generations.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani