Song Title: Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada (Part II)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Film: Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963)
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music Director: Sachin Dev Burman
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Ooo, listen to the heart’s call.
Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love,
Listen to the heart’s call.
Whatever happened until today, was done by false quarrels, whatever happened until today.
Whatever happened until today, was done by false quarrels.
If there had been love, nothing would have been, homes would not have been ruined.
Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call.
Whoever did not love, lived a useless life in this world, whoever did not love.
Whoever did not love, lived a useless life in this world.
His life is like a life with deserted, colonies.
Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call.
In the heart where love is young, consider God to be there, in the heart where love is young.
In the heart where love is young, consider God to be there.
Believe this and understand this, the language of the heartbeats.
Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call.
When love is greater than the enemy, then there is joy in living, when love is greater than the enemy.
When love is greater than the enemy, then there is joy in living.
You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting,
You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting,
You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting,
You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting
In-Depth Song Analysis
The Cinematic Context of Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)
“Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada” is a key song from the 1963 romantic comedy Tere Ghar Ke Samne, starring Dev Anand and Nutan. The film revolves around a budding romance between two people who, unbeknownst to them, are rivals due to a long-standing family dispute over building adjacent houses. This song serves as a profound and soulful plea from the protagonist to his beloved, urging her to cast aside worldly conflicts and embrace the universal truth of love. It appears at a point where the protagonist is trying to bridge the gap created by family rivalries, using the power of love as his primary argument.
Lyrical Quality and Philosophical Depth by Majrooh Sultanpuri
Majrooh Sultanpuri, a maestro of Urdu poetry, demonstrates his lyrical genius in “Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada.” He transcends a simple romantic plea, infusing the lyrics with a philosophical depth that makes the song timeless. The central theme is the supremacy of love over all other conflicts and material concerns. The opening lines establish the heart as the true guide, urging the listener to heed its call. Majrooh critiques the futility of “false quarrels” and contrasts them with the constructive, healing power of love, stating that without love, homes and lives become desolate. He elevates love to a spiritual plane, equating a heart filled with love to a place where God resides. The lyrics conclude with a powerful message that love is not only a personal emotion but a force strong enough to overcome enmities and transform the mundane world into a place of heavenly union.
Musical Composition by S.D. Burman: Raag, Taal, and Melodic Genius
S.D. Burman’s composition for “Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada” is a masterful blend of soulful melody and light, rhythmic arrangement. The song’s melody is a gentle, flowing stream that perfectly complements the philosophical depth of the lyrics. The song is based on Raag Bhairavi, a devotional raag known for its poignant and serene quality, which is ideal for conveying deep emotion and a sense of surrender. The use of this raag imbues the song with a spiritual feel, echoing the lyrical sentiment that love is divine. The taal (rhythmic cycle) is a slow to medium tempo Dadra (six-beat cycle) or a variation of Keherwa (eight-beat cycle). This rhythmic choice provides a steady, gentle pulse that allows the melody to unfold gracefully without rushing the listener, inviting them to contemplate the profound message.
The instrumentation is subtle yet effective, featuring the prominent use of the accordion, which adds a melancholic and romantic feel, along with a gentle percussion section. Burman’s arrangement supports Mohammad Rafi’s vocal performance, allowing his emotional delivery to take center stage, creating a perfect synergy between music, lyrics, and voice.
Mohammad Rafi’s Iconic Vocal Performance
Mohammad Rafi’s rendition of “Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada” is a testament to his versatility and his ability to convey profound emotion. His voice, known for its incredible purity and expressive range, is perfectly suited to this song’s spiritual and romantic theme. Rafi’s singing is not just a performance; it is a heartfelt appeal, filled with a blend of conviction, tenderness, and philosophical wisdom. He delivers the lyrics with a sense of genuine humility and earnestness, making the protagonist’s plea to his beloved believable and deeply moving. This performance solidifies “Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada” as one of Mohammad Rafi’s classic songs, showcasing his mastery over conveying complex emotions with subtle vocal nuances.
Let’s explore the intricate vocal expressions and emotional journey conveyed by Mohammad Rafi in each line:
Initial Verse
Ooo, sun le tu dil ki sada (Ooo, listen to the heart’s call): The song opens with a soft, gentle “Ooo,” setting a contemplative and intimate tone. The line that follows is a tender, almost hushed plea, urging the beloved to listen to the inner voice of love.
Sun le tu dil ki sada, pyaar se pyaar saja (Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love): This central refrain is sung with a blend of earnestness and a hopeful conviction. Rafi’s voice carries a warm, loving quality, emphasizing the idea of building a world filled with affection.
Sun le tu dil ki sada (Listen to the heart’s call): The repetition reinforces the primary message, a gentle but persistent call to a higher truth.
1st stanza
Aaj tak jo bhi hua, jhoothe jhagdon ne kiya, aaj tak jo bhi hua (Whatever happened until today, was done by false quarrels, whatever happened until today): The voice here is reflective, carrying a slight sense of sadness and regret over past conflicts. The repetition underscores the futility of these disputes.
Aaj tak jo bhi hua, jhoothe jhagdon ne kiya (Whatever happened until today, was done by false quarrels): The line is delivered with a poignant simplicity, highlighting the destructive nature of meaningless conflicts.
Pyaar hota toh kuch na hota na ujadte, aashiyaan (If there had been love, nothing would have been, homes would not have been ruined): Rafi sings this with a profound sense of loss and a deep longing for what could have been. The voice is tinged with a philosophical sadness about the wasted potential.
Sun le tu dil ki sada, pyaar se pyaar saja, sun le tu dil ki sada (Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call): The chorus returns, now with a greater sense of urgency and conviction, as the wisdom of the previous lines gives it more weight.
2nd Stanza
Pyaar jisne na kiya, khaak duniya mein jiya, pyaar jisne na kiya (Whoever did not love, lived a useless life in this world, whoever did not love): The voice here is almost mournful, conveying a sense of pity for those who have not experienced love’s transformative power.
Pyaar jisne na kiya, khaak duniya mein jiya (Whoever did not love, lived a useless life in this world): The line is delivered with a philosophical certainty, portraying a loveless existence as empty and meaningless.
Uska jeevan koi jeevan jaise veeran, bastiyan (His life is like a life with deserted, colonies): Rafi sings this with a vivid, evocative sadness, painting a picture of a desolate, lonely existence.
Sun le tu dil ki sada, pyaar se pyaar saja, sun le tu dil ki sada (Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call): The refrain returns with a renewed sense of purpose, serving as a solution to the loneliness described in the verse.
3rd Stanza
Pyaar jis dil mein jawaan, samjho Bhagwan wahan, pyaar jis dil mein jawaan (In the heart where love is young, consider God to be there, in the heart where love is young): This is sung with a reverent and gentle quality. Rafi’s voice here is filled with a spiritual glow, equating human love with divine presence.
Pyaar jis dil mein jawaan, samjho Bhagwan wahan (In the heart where love is young, consider God to be there): The line is delivered with a calm, unshakable belief, expressing a deep, spiritual truth.
Maan le tu aur samajh le dhadkanon ki, ye zubaan (Believe this and understand this, the language of the heartbeats): The voice becomes an earnest teacher, guiding the listener to understand the simple yet profound language of love that transcends words.
Sun le tu dil ki sada, pyaar se pyaar saja, sun le tu dil ki sada (Listen to the heart’s call, decorate love with love, listen to the heart’s call): The chorus is sung with a powerful, emotional conviction, combining all the previous sentiments of regret, longing, and spiritual belief.
4th Stanza
Pyaar dushman se bada, tab hai jeene ka maza, pyaar dushman se bada (When love is greater than the enemy, then there is joy in living, when love is greater than the enemy): The voice shifts to a defiant, yet hopeful tone, presenting love as a force of strength that can overcome any animosity.
Pyaar dushman se bada, tab hai jeene ka maza (When love is greater than the enemy, then there is joy in living): Rafi delivers this with an exultant, joyful quality, celebrating the power of love to bring true happiness.
Ye zameen bhi tu bana de milan ka, aasmaan (You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting): This line is sung with a fervent, almost pleading hope. The voice is filled with the desire for a world transformed by love.
Ye zameen bhi tu bana de milan ka, aasmaan (You turn this earth, into a sky of meeting): The final line is repeated multiple times, each time with a slightly different emotional nuance—from a hopeful plea to a powerful, confident assertion—ending the song with a vision of a world made beautiful by love.
Overall Summary: A Timeless Plea for Love
“Sun Le Tu Dil Ki Sada” is more than a romantic song; it’s a lyrical and musical sermon on the power of love. Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics rise above a simple romantic plea, offering a profound philosophical message that love is the ultimate force for peace and happiness, a sentiment beautifully captured by the Raag Bhairavi-based melody. S.D. Burman’s composition, with its gentle rhythm and evocative accordion, provides the perfect canvas for the song’s emotional depth. Mohammad Rafi’s vocal performance is a masterclass in conveying a range of emotions—from wistful regret to spiritual conviction and hopeful defiance. His heartfelt delivery makes the song an unforgettable plea to choose love over conflict. It remains a timeless classic, cherished for its beautiful melody and its profound message that resonates with the human heart.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani