Song Title: Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe
Singer(s): Mohammed Rafi
Film: Kanyadaan (1968)
Lyricist: Neeraj
Music Director: Shankar-Jaikishan
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English Translation of Lyrics
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles
When morning came, they became flowers
When night arrived, they became stars, the letters I wrote to you
A melody, echoed somewhere, my heart said, it is you who has come
A bud blossomed somewhere, I understood, you have just shyly smiled
A fragrance scattered somewhere, I felt your locks swayed
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles
When morning came, they became flowers
When night arrived, they became stars, the letters I wrote to you
The atmosphere is colorful, the charm is colorful, this swaying, this shyness
This stretching, this loneliness, this tantalizing departure
Whom does this crazy, youthful magic not enchant?
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles
When morning came, they became flowers
When night arrived, they became stars, the letters I wrote to you
Where you are, there I am, you are the heartbeat of my heart
I am the traveler, you are the destination, I am thirsty, you are the monsoon
My world is these gazes, my heaven is this embrace
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles
When morning came, they became flowers
When night arrived, they became stars, the letters I wrote to you
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
In-Depth Song Analysis
Film’s Context and Song’s Placement
“Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe” is an evergreen romantic ballad from the 1968 film Kanyadaan, starring Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. The film explores themes of family, love, and societal expectations around marriage. This particular song is picturized on Shashi Kapoor, who is expressing his profound love and longing for his beloved, even in her absence. It beautifully captures the essence of a lover whose world revolves around his beloved, finding her presence and beauty in every aspect of nature and daily life. The song serves as a lyrical testament to his deep emotional connection, showcasing the transformative power of love that colors his entire existence.
Lyrical Quality and Thematic Alignment
Neeraj’s lyrics for “Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe” are a poetic masterpiece, renowned for their vivid imagery and profound romantic sentiment. The central metaphor, where letters written in memory of the beloved transform into “thousands of colorful spectacles,” then “flowers” at dawn and “stars” at night, is breathtakingly beautiful and encapsulates the all-encompassing nature of love. The lyrics seamlessly blend observations of nature with the lover’s inner feelings, finding the beloved’s presence in a distant melody, a blossoming bud, or a wafting fragrance. This reflects a state of complete devotion where the beloved permeates every thought and experience. The language is rich with romanticism, perfectly aligning with the film’s tender love story and the passionate yet innocent portrayal of the protagonist. Neeraj’s ability to craft such imaginative and deeply emotional verses is truly exceptional.
Musical Composition: A Romantic Symphony
The iconic song “Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe” features a musical composition by the legendary duo Shankar-Jaikishan that perfectly embodies their melodic brilliance. They crafted a tune that is both expansive and deeply personal, beautifully enhancing the song’s romantic essence.
The melody, while not confined to a single classical structure, subtly incorporates elements often found in light classical music. This approach contributes to its contemplative and romantic atmosphere. The rhythmic framework is gentle and flowing, providing a sturdy foundation that allows the melody to unfold with grace and ease.
Characteristic of Shankar-Jaikishan’s style, the orchestration is opulent and full-bodied. It prominently features instruments like violins and flutes, along with a gentle rhythm section. This creates a soundscape that is simultaneously grand and tender, providing the perfect backdrop for Mohammed Rafi’s emotive vocals. The intricate arrangements add depth and layers of feeling, making the music as unforgettable as the lyrics themselves.
Vocal Nuances and Expressive Delivery
Mohammed Rafi’s rendition of “Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe” is a tour de force in romantic vocal expression. He imbues every line with a profound sense of yearning, adoration, and poetic wonder, making the song an enduring classic.
Initial Verse
Likhe jo khat tujhe, wo teri yaad mein, hazaaron rang ke, nazare ban gaye (The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became thousands of colorful spectacles): Mohammed Rafi’s voice begins with a tender, nostalgic quality, almost as if he’s recalling beautiful memories. His delivery is gentle yet deeply expressive, conveying the magical transformation described by the lyrics.
Savera jab hua, to phool ban gaye (When morning came, they became flowers): He sings this with a soft, blossoming warmth, embodying the fresh beauty of dawn and the delicate tenderness of flowers.
Jo raat aayi to, sitare ban gaye (When night arrived, they became stars): His voice here takes on a hushed, wondrous tone, reflecting the glittering beauty of stars and the cosmic scale of his affection.
1st Stanza
Koi naghma, kahin goonja, kaha dil ne, ye tu aayi (A melody, echoed somewhere, my heart said, it is you who has come): Mohammed Rafi delivers these lines with an ethereal lightness, as if hearing a distant, cherished sound, imbued with a sense of the beloved’s pervasive presence.
Kahin chatki, kali koi, main ye samjha, tu sharmaayi (A bud blossomed somewhere, I understood, you have just shyly smiled): His voice carries a playful tenderness, capturing the delicate beauty of a blooming bud and the charming shyness of the beloved.
Koi khushboo kahin bikhri, laga ye zulf lehraayi (A fragrance scattered somewhere, I felt your locks swayed): He sings this with a sensory richness, as if inhaling the fragrance, conveying the beloved’s alluring presence in every subtle hint.
2nd Stanza
Fiza rangeen, ada rangeen, ye ithlana, ye sharmaana (The atmosphere is colorful, the charm is colorful, this swaying, this shyness): Mohammed Rafi’s voice here is imbued with an appreciative, almost mesmerized quality, expressing admiration for the beloved’s every charming gesture.
Ye angdai, ye tanhai, ye tarsaakar, chale jaana (This stretching, this loneliness, this tantalizing departure): He conveys a bittersweet mix of longing and the pain of separation, with a subtle emphasis on the “tarsaakar” (tantalizing) aspect.
Bana deta nahin kisko, jawan jadoo ye deewana (Whom does this crazy, youthful magic not enchant?): His delivery is rhetorical yet deeply felt, expressing the universal and irresistible power of this enchanting love.
3rd Stanza
Jahan tu hai, wahan main hoon, mere dil ki, tu dhadkan hai (Where you are, there I am, you are the heartbeat of my heart): Mohammed Rafi sings this with profound sincerity and a deep sense of connection, emphasizing the beloved’s essential role in his very existence.
Musafir main, tu manzil hai, main pyasa hoon, tu saawan hai (I am the traveler, you are the destination, I am thirsty, you are the monsoon): He uses evocative metaphors, delivered with conviction, portraying the beloved as his sole purpose and ultimate fulfillment.
Meri duniya ye nazren hain, meri jannat ye daaman hai (My world is these gazes, my heaven is this embrace): The final lines are a heartfelt declaration of complete devotion and happiness, his voice radiating pure bliss and contentment found in the beloved’s presence.
Overall Summary
“Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe” is a quintessential romantic gem from the golden age of Hindi cinema, a timeless creation born from the poetic genius of Neeraj, the melodic mastery of Shankar-Jaikishan, and the unparalleled vocal artistry of Mohammed Rafi. Neeraj’s lyrics are a vivid tapestry of imagination and emotion, transforming simple letters into symbols of enduring love and omnipresent beauty. Shankar-Jaikishan’s rich and flowing composition provides the perfect musical canvas, complementing the lyrical depth with a soulful melody.
However, it is Mohammed Rafi’s tender, longing, and utterly sincere rendition that truly breathes life into every word, making the listener feel the protagonist’s profound adoration. Perfectly picturized on the charming Shashi Kapoor, this song remains an iconic declaration of love, beloved for its exquisite poetry, enchanting music, and Mohammed Rafi’s unforgettable vocal magic.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani