Song Title: Aag Hai Lagi Hui Har Taraf
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Film: Swarg Narak (1978)
Lyricist: Anand Bakshi
Music Composer: Rajesh Roshan
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There’s a fire burning
There’s a fire burning, everywhere, here and there
The earth is burning, the sky is burning
There’s a fire burning
What is a heart, ha ha ha, it’s a glass toy, a sweet dream
The heart is very fragile, let it not break anywhere
Those who play with hearts don’t know this
What remains when the heart is gone, where the heart is
The earth is burning, the sky is burning, there’s a fire burning
What thing is love, it’s a medicine
This medicine sometimes becomes a cup of sorrow
Every morning of life becomes an evening
The light has gone out, all that remains is smoke
The earth is burning, the sky is burning
The thread breaks, the knot comes undone
(Marriage and weddings, a relationship for once
A promise of love for seven lifetimes)
Ha ha ha ha, in a moment, yet people became suspicious
The earth is burning, the sky is burning
There’s a fire burning, everywhere, here and there
The earth is burning, the sky is burning
There’s a fire burning, everywhere, here and there
The earth is burning, the sky is burning
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
“Aag Hai Lagi Hui” from the 1978 film Swarg Narak is a melancholic and introspective song that explores themes of love, loss, and the impermanence of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world consumed by fire, symbolizing the emotional turmoil and pain experienced by the singer. Mohammed Rafi’s powerful rendition, coupled with Anand Bakshi’s evocative lyrics and Rajesh Roshan’s impactful music, creates a truly unforgettable experience.
This song is a profound reflection on the pain of heartbreak and the disillusionment that can accompany love. The recurring imagery of fire burning universally—on earth, in the sky, and “everywhere, here and there”—symbolizes an overwhelming emotional turmoil and a sense of pervasive destruction. The heart is likened to a fragile glass toy, easily shattered, emphasizing its vulnerability to the callousness of others. The lyrics question the very nature of love, transforming from a “medicine” into a “cup of sorrow,” leading to a cynical view where “every morning of life becomes an evening.” The sarcastic laughter and the critique of relationships, particularly marriage, highlight a deep sense of betrayal and suspicion. The song ultimately conveys a profound feeling of loss, where light has vanished, leaving only smoke, and warns about the impermanence of bonds and the ease with which trust is broken.
Key Themes and Emotions:
- Heartbreak and loss: The song vividly expresses deep emotional pain, comparing the heart to a fragile glass toy that shatters easily.
- Disillusionment: The singer questions the fundamental nature of love and relationships, suggesting they often lead to profound disappointment and sorrow.
- Impermanence of life: The imagery of fire consuming everything highlights life’s fleeting nature and the inevitability of loss.
- Bitterness and cynicism: The repeated cynical laughter (“ha ha ha”) underscores a deep sense of bitterness and disillusionment towards love and human connections.
The song’s repetitive chorus powerfully emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the pain and sorrow experienced by the singer. The imagery of fire burning everything around suggests a profound sense of hopelessness and despair.
Overall, “Aag Hai Lagi Hui” is a powerful and evocative song that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the challenges of navigating life’s uncertainties. For deeper insight into the song, review the detailed analysis of the lyrics, composition, and singing.
For deeper insight into the song, review the detailed analysis of the lyrics, composition and singing.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani