Song Title: Aaj Kal Mein Dhal Gaya
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Film: Beti Bete (1964)
Lyricist: Shailendra
Music Composers: Shankar-Jaikishan
*********************************************************************
The day has melted into the past, it’s all over
You too go to sleep, the colorful evening has gone to sleep
The day has melted into the past
Every garden has fallen asleep, every bud has gone to sleep
All cities have fallen asleep, every lane has gone to sleep
Sleep is saying, come, hold my arm
You too go to sleep, the colorful evening has gone to sleep
The day has melted into the past
The heart feels extinguished, there’s a burden on every breath
Yet I am living, only on the hope of tomorrow
The moonlight is saying your name
You too go to sleep, the colorful evening has gone to sleep
The day has melted into the past
Who will come here, whose path shall I wait for?
Whose footsteps I heard, whose were they
I have no one of our own, only Ram is mine
You too go to sleep, the colorful evening has gone to sleep
The day has melted into the past
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
“Aaj Kal Mein Dhal Gaya” from the 1964 film Beti Bete is a melancholic Hindi song that beautifully captures the essence of loneliness and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a quiet evening, where the speaker is reflecting on life, love, and loss. Composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and penned by Shailendra, this song is brought to life by Mohammed Rafi’s evocative voice.
This song is a poignant meditation on loneliness and the inevitable flow of time. The lyrics evoke a pervasive sense of solitude as the day gives way to night, symbolizing the end of a phase or even life itself. The speaker observes the world falling asleep, which deepens their feeling of isolation and highlights the impermanence of existence. Despite a heavy heart and the burden of living, there’s a fragile thread of hope for tomorrow. The song moves into deeper introspection, questioning who will arrive and whose footsteps were heard, emphasizing a sense of waiting and longing. Ultimately, the speaker finds solace in a spiritual connection with “Ram,” signifying a surrender to fate and finding peace in divine presence amidst profound solitude.
Key Themes and Emotions:
- Loneliness and isolation: The speaker experiences a deep sense of solitude, reflecting on the absence of a loved one.
- The passage of time: The song emphasizes life’s impermanence and the fleeting nature of moments as time slips away.
- Hope and despair: A prevailing sense of despair and resignation is present, yet subtly balanced by a lingering hope for the future.
- Spiritual connection: The reference to Ram provides solace and suggests finding peace through faith in the face of loneliness.
The imagery of gardens falling asleep and the moonlit night creates a serene yet melancholic atmosphere. The repetition of the phrase “Aaj Kal Mein Dhal Gaya” underscores the feeling of time slipping away. The song’s overall tone is one of quiet resignation, as the speaker accepts the inevitability of change and loss.
Overall, “Aaj Kal Mein Dhal Gaya” is a poignant and evocative song that explores the universal human experiences of loneliness, loss, and the passage of time. It invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and to appreciate the beauty of the present moment. 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