If you have not studied Hindi in school or forgotten your grammar, the word hetu-hetu-mad-bhoot would leave you quite flummoxed. SOY readers are from different linguistic backgrounds, and I don’t intend to write a primer on Hindi grammar. The only reason I am writing on this unusual topic is that this word came in for use in a very interesting context recently at a lunch hosted by a friend. We were all from the same background, some of us are doing interesting things in our second innings.
Our friend ‘A’ now has a successful legal practice. ‘B’ is a man of firm convictions: “Putin was only seeking assurance that NATO would not further expand eastwards up to Russia’s borders. He had to enter Ukraine for the sake of Russia’s own security. It is a godsend for India, now he would support us in achieving Akhand Bharat, just as he is pursuing Akhand Russia.” On this matter, I have an equally firm conviction: “Putin is pure evil, bad for the whole world, including India. The idea of Akhand Bharat is complete nonsense. What if Xi Jinping is inspired by Putin to pursue Akhand China, which includes parts of India? Whom would Putin support?” We decided to present our case to this legal whiz-kid A. After we presented a brief statement of our case, ‘A’ gravely announced: I would hear your detailed arguments later, but first let me ask you – and turning towards me – framed his question thus, “If our dream of Akhand Bharat were achievable, and Russia supported us in achieving it, would you agree with ‘B’?” We all had a hearty laugh, that’s like a bright lawyer. ‘A’ smiled with a wink, “हेतुहेतुमद्भूत. We often resort to this in our legal practice.”
Now is the time for definition. In English grammar, each of the tenses – past, present and future – has identical four types: simple, perfect, continuous, and perfect continuous. In Hindi grammar, each tense has different numbers and sets of types. Past tense has the most – हेतुहेतुमद्भूत is one of the six types of past tense. What makes HHMB extremely interesting is its universal application in the real world, and it is fundamental to human behaviour.
We are the world masters of cricket. If only BCCI had not created doubts about captaincy in a clumsy manner; if Virat Kohli in that crucial match in the 18th over had set an attacking field; had he taken an extra batsman in place of a bowler; had he…, we would not have exited ICC T20 Championship in such ignominy. Had BJP announced their CM face in West Bengal and had Modi done or not done xyz….; had RJD not given so many seats to the deadwood Congress… Had X also excused himself from that dinner as so many of us did, he would not have caught Covid and faced such a horrible time in the hospital. Had Djokovic simply taken the vaccines, who knows, the outcome of the Australian Open might have been different. If Medvedev had come more often to the net, or not tried drop shots from the baseline…
All these HHMBs are our way of dealing with an unexpected, often disagreeable outcome. It is our coping mechanism, to make sense of the world. To give us comfort that things would have turned right, had the person chosen the more plausible this rather than that disastrous course of action. A common phrase to describe these HHMBs is ‘insight in hindsight’ which all of us in our drawing rooms, people in the street and TV commentators possess.
At times events go well beyond the HHMB stage. After Djoko was thrown out of Australia, a BBC interview with him went like this:
Are you an anti-vaxxer? “No”
Then what is your vaccine status, are you vaccinated? “No.”
Are you planning to take vaccines? “No.”
Do you know that with this attitude you would have to forego French Open? Are you willing to pay this price? “Yes.”
Then you may also not be able to play Wimbledon. Are you willing to pay that price too? “Yes.”
So you are willing to forego the chance of becoming statistically the best tennis player in history? “Yes.”
HHMB is not relevant here. You are left tearing your hair at his stubborn beliefs, couched in a strange mumbo jumbo – “autonomy over my body, very particular about what goes inside it, Serbia’s troubled past when I grew up in penury, which made me independent”, and so on.
When some situations are beyond HHMB, we describe them as fait accompli. Putin has presented the world a fait accompli – like it or lump it. Ayodhya presented a fait accompli on 6th December 1992 making irrelevant the HHMB: Had PV Narsimha Rao done something more than just twiddling his thumbs before the TV set…. It is impossible to reverse some fait accomplis to status quo ante.
In some situations of ugly fait accompli, making HHMB irrelevant, the arrogant psychopath’s hubris brings some redemption, as in the case of Hitler. Western leaders realise it is impossible to intervene directly, their statements smack of a wishful hope that Putin’s hubris would lead to his downfall.
Not all the HHMBs are missed opportunities. Something comes up forcing you to cancel your booking in that ill-fated train. If you had been on that train as per the plan…. This HHMB is too horrifying to speculate. We do not dwell much on this, we call it ‘providence’. Most of us have had such close shaves in our lives.
Another unique feature of HHMB is that the human brain is conditioned to accept the divine will or destiny – sports persons would go through physical injuries, even occasional poor form or unforced errors; the captain would call the toss wrong 50% of the time; you couldn’t have done anything about the virus. HHMB starts after whatever will be, will be, when the choice and human action comes into play.
There are good many HHMB film songs for sure. It is a type of past tense, but the readers may be flexible and may include any song of “If….., then….” type.
1. Koi hota jisko apna hum apna kah lete yaaro by Kishore Kumar from Mere Apne (1971), lyrics Gulzar, music Salil Chowdhury
Even a streetfighter wishes he had someone whom he could call his own, who could share his pains and dreams.
2. Meri zindagi mein aate to kuchh aur baat hoti by Mohammad Rafi from Kanyadan (1968), lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
This familiar scene became a type in Bollywood of 60s – some misunderstanding, but there are still embers of love in the hearts of both. It is often the man singing a song of HHMB: If you had come in my life, things would have been very different. Generally, the villain meets his right deserts in the end with the hero and the heroine living happily ever after.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_50BzEErSS4
3. Tum jo hamaare meet na hote, geet ye mere geet na hote by Mukesh from Aashiq (1962), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar-Jaikishan
Love is in the air. Raj Kapoor expresses his deep emotional feelings for Padmini: If she had not been his companion, his songs would have been bereft of melody.
4. Ye dil na hota bechara, kadam na hote awara/ Jo khooboorat koi apna humsafar hota by Kishore Kumar from Jewel Thief (1967), lyric Majrooh Sultanpuri, music SD Burman
Sometimes the absence of a beautiful companion makes a person wayward, a vagabond. Dev Anand has internalised his free-bird status, but the HHMB still remains in his heart: If I had a beautiful companion, my heart would not have been so sad, nor my steps would have gone astray.
5. Dil ki tamanna thi masti mein, manzil se bhi door nikalte/ Apna bhi koi saathi hota hum bhi bahakte chalte chalte by Rafi & Asha Bhosle/Rafi from Gyarah Hazaar Ladakiyan (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music N Datta
This is a beautifully written and composed HHMB song. There are two versions of the song, but the tempo of the song creates a happy mood in the duet, and sad in solo.
6. Agar teri jalwa numai na hoti, khuda ki kasam ye khudai na hoti by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Beti Bete (1964), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan
Everything is so beautiful, but “if the world had not seen your charms, this entire cosmos would have been worthless.” This is an excellent song, but I can’t get over my uneasy feeling about “teri jalwa”. Hasrat Jaipuri-SJ combination had earlier created “Tera jalwa jisne dekha wo tera ho gaya”. Both can’t be correct.
7. Haseenon ke jalwe pareshan rahte, agar hum na hote agar hum na hote by Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle and Suman Kalyanpur from Babar (1960), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi, music Roshan
Just after ‘teri jalwa’, we come across ‘ke jalwe’ – food for thought for our lyrics experts, which gender is ‘jalwa’?. The Master of Qawwali, Roshan and the lyricist Sahir Ludhiyanavi’s combination has created several magical qawwalis. This ‘muqabala’ between the genders follows the stereotype of each trying to put down the other. The charm of the beautiful damsels would have gone waste, had men not been there to admire them. The women retort, ‘You would have remained oblivious of love, had we not been there.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sW7SGgnSkw
8. Aise mein agar tum aa jate, kuchh tum kahte kuchh hum kahte by Suraiya from Balam (1949), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
Suraiya was blessed with a sweet voice which more than made up for her lack of formal training in music. ‘If in this state you had come, you would have opened your heart a little, and I would have opened a little’ – this imagery paints a beautiful picture. Readers may recall the last post in which Anita Rupavataram quoted Mahadevi Verma’s poem on a similar feeling. Each line oozes HHMB, which adds beauty to her poetry:
जो तुम आ जाते एक बार
कितनी करुणा कितने सन्देश
पथ में बिछ जाते बन पराग
गाता प्राणों का तार तार
अनुराग भरा उन्माद राग
आँसू लेते वे पद पखार
जो तुम आ जाते एक बार
हंस उठते पल में आर्द्र नयन
धुल जाता होठों से विषाद
छा जाता जीवन में वसन्त
लुट जाता चिर संचित विराग
आंखें देतीं सर्वस्व वार
जो तुम आ जाते एक बार
9. Jo main jaanati bisarat hain sainya by Lata Mangeshkar from Shabaab (1955), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
Naushad and Lata Mangeshkar both were at the commanding heights of film music in the mid-1950s. This beautiful HHMB song is one of the best representatives of their talent. The song starts with equally poignant opening recital by Lata Mangeshkar:
मन साजन ने हर लीना और तन दुनिया ने छीना
भला कहो अब कैसे बाजे बिना तार के बीना
जो मैं जानती बिसरत हैं सैंया…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjZsjSLuR2k
10. Sun mere bandhu re sun mere mitwa by SD Burman from Sujata (1959), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music SD Burman
You might be surprised to find this song here. But look at the antaras:
होता तू पीपल, मैं होती अमरलता तेरी
तेरे गले माला बनकर पड़ी मुसुकाती रे
जिया कहे तू सागर मैं, होती तेरी नदिया
लहर बहर करती अपने पिया से मिल जाती रे
If you had been a banyan tree, I would have been your eternal creeper
I would have beamed at my luck to be the neckless around your neck
My heart wishes you were my ocean, and I, your river
Dancing and roaring I would have merged with my lover.
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.
{ 146 comments… read them below or add one }
What a delightful post, AK. Thank you for this – entertaining, and interesting. Would the start of this song fit? Jo main aisa jaanti ke preet kiye dukh hoye (Mohe bhool gaye saanwariya)?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb7zyjg4yAs
Ak ji
You have turned a routine situation in to an extraordinary post. One Marvel’s at the effortless manner in which you come up with an unusual theme and perfect songs to match the theme. If only we had that ability……..
We have uncountable situations in our life where we use ” if only …….”
In Marathi HHMB is jar tari that is jar ( if) tar ( then) . As you say it is universal , so universal that even mathematics acknowledges HHMB as a statement.
Here are 2 contrasting HHMB’ s
The first one is a common lament that had time been on my side and the second one again is another common lament that I did not understand on time
1 waqt karata Jo wafa – Dil ne pukara – Mukesh – Indeevar – KA
https://youtu.be/FKUJ56BR0DU
2 Agar bewafa tujhko – Raat ke Andhere me – Rafi – Prem Dhawan
https://youtu.be/HieQUh9C2y8
Madhu,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. It is always a pleasure to hear nice words from the masters. Jo main aisa jaanti preet kiye dukh hoye fits perfectly.
Mr Muli,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Mathematics of course. Now it strikes me, Excel also has ‘If…..then’ function. In grammar this was the most interesting word. But for a post on SOY a trigger was needed. In any conversation today Putin would obviously dominate. Our lawyer friend’s use of the term led to all the connections and songs coming to memory.
I was expecting that the grammar of most regional languages would have HHMB; some more Sanskritised, such as Bengali might have the same word too. It is interesting that Marathi has found a simpler term. But I would not change हेतुहेतुमद्भूत, it is so sonorous and impressive.
I play the card game bridge at competitive level. It is full of HHMB as it is a game of choice between various options. But my partner uses it as gamesmanship. During bidding you are allowed to ask the bidder’s partner the meaning of the bid. That person is obliged to answer its meaning as per their agreed convention. But you can’t ask the HHMB, “Had your partner bid 3 diamonds instead of 3 hearts, what would be its meaning.” Followed by a supplementary HHMB. The opponents can call the Director who would most likely penalise you.
Very apt songs. I was finding it difficult to get ten songs. But the readers are very prompt to add.
AKji:
Hats off. What an off-beat theme. By the way, is this same as ‘counterfactual’? Expect another deluge. And, if you had relaxed the grammatical requirement a little, then the deluge would have been ten times bigger!
Here is ‘Aisa saman na hota’ (Lata in ‘Zameen Aasman’, 1984; MD: RDB):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDFyP6gliFQ&t=97s&ab_channel=SonyMusicIndiaVEVO
Canasya,
Thanks. HHMB may be a small subset of ‘counterfactual’. It refers to an outcome, and an alternative choice of action would have led to a different, perhaps a more agreeable outcome. I have hinted that the readers may be flexible in tense; with your ideas they can also be more flexible about the content. ‘Aisa saman na hota’ is a good example of such flexibility.
A well written and interesting theme that is common in every day life . All the great songs selected are familiar . It is easy to put the blame on someone/something in the past and 99 % people have this habit . Why to blame the people when major political leaders/parties are also setting such an example. ‘ If only…’
I give the link to a song from perhaps one of the greatest Hindi movies where also we have this lament…’if only… ‘ in the voice of Lata . Most of the songs in this movie is in Lata”s voice . The shehnai prelude of almost 25 seconds is also noteworthy.
‘ Hamein kaash tum…’ / 1960 / MUGHAL E AZAM / Shakeel Badayuni/ Naushad / Lata
https://youtu.be/T5mp0QX8OwQ
Mr S Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Humein kaash tumse mohabbat na hoti is a beautiful song fitting the theme.
AKji,
Quite a refreshing post on an unusual theme, backed with some nice and known songs.
I like the way you have woven relatable and recent events and stories in the post.
Here’s a song to begin with….
Aap Aaye Bahar Aayee 1971
LP – AB – Rafi, Lata
Mujhe teri muhabbat ka sahara mil gaya hota
agar toofan nahin aata..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv1idZity_c
Agar Tum Na Hote 1983
RDB – Gulshan Bawra – KK, Lata
Humein aur jeene ki chahat na hoti agar tum na hote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foaU-2n6WUs
Here are some songs that are not in the past tense.
There is more of hope or expectation – if you do this then that will happen.
Wondering if they fit…
Andaz 1949
Naushad – Majrooh – Mukesh
Tu kahe agar jeevan bhar main geet sunata jaaoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwfQqDtBDXU
Yakeen 1969
SJ – Hasrat – Lata / KK
Gar tum bhula na doge sapne ye sachi hi honge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXyVKSkSZ8
Aap Ki Parchhaiyan 1964
MM – RMAK – Lata
Agar mujhse mohabbat hai
mujhe sab apne gham de do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfDf-IrA5oQ
Dr Deshpande @9,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Mujhe teri mohabbat ka sahara mil gaya hota, agar toofan nahi aata. Nice HHMB song. ‘Toofan’ refers to some turmoil that has affected their love. A little different from the examples I have given where human action, free will came into picture. Canasya has already enlarged its meaning, so it fits.
@10,
Humein aur jeene ki chaahat na hoti agar tum na hote is a perfect HHMB song.
@11,
The tense is a little off, but we have decided to include all these songs under the theme. Two of them, Tu kahe agar jeevan bhar main geet sunata jaaun and Agar mujhse mohabbat hai was also in mind.
And this one…?
Kala Paani 1958
SDB – Majrooh – Asha
Nazar laagi raja tore bangle par….
…jo main hoti raja ban ki koyaliya….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MchCuL78D0c
Dr Deshpande,
Jo main hoti raja ban ki koeliya: Perfect. I am impressed by the readers’ instant recall.
Ak ji
The very first song in your list is perhaps the best song of Salil Chowdhury and Kishore Kumar combination. Here is a HHMB which expresses the opposite view
Agar hote sabhi apne
to begane kaha jate
Na milta gam to barbadi – Amar – Lata – Shakeel – Naushad
Mr Muli,
Nice recall. Since it was a ghazal which had to follow the rules of radeef and qafiya, there are more:
Agar duniya chaman hoti to veerane kahan jaate
Na jalti shamma mehfil mein to parwaane kahan jaate.
So HHMB at times reflects sarcasm, cynicism, extreme despondency?
Wonderful post AK. As I read through it a line kept coming to my mind: ‘Yun hota to kya hota.’ I thought it may be an old forgotten song, but googling it led me to the title of a forgettable 2006 film. It may have a couple of songs fitting this theme but I am not motivated enough to check.
French has a tense called ‘conditionnel’ which is normally of the type: ‘If I had known that, I wouldn’t have gone there.’ I guess it is close to our theme. It is also used in polite language. Rather than say, “I want…” the preferred forma are “I would like…” or even “I would have liked…”
You have already included my favourite song on this theme from Shabab. Can’t think of any other. Will get back if I do.
I recall a few telephone conversations I had with officials in Bihar while working in GOI. After establishing the credentials of the caller the called person would says ‘Kaha jaaye.’ This had a regal air to it, like Akbar commanding ‘Pesh kiya jaaye.’ On the other hand it sounds more polite than ‘Boliye.’ I wonder how this form is classified in Hindi grammar. My formal knowledge of grammar of Hindi or English is not great. I can pick grammatically correct sentences quite well in both languages, but can’t justify my choice by naming a rule.
And there is the hesitant, “Khana kha lete,” from a diffident wife to a sulking husband after a fight. What would that be?
Do not know if this very popular song fits in here .
‘ Chalo ik baar…’/ 1963 / GUMRAH / Sahir Ludhyanvi / Ravi / Mahendra Kapoor
https://youtu.be/wzbO1mjFPOM
I think ‘Jalwa’ is male in gender. In song #6, the word ‘Teri’ is intended to connect with ‘Numai’, which is feminine. The ‘Jalwa’ there also connects with ‘Numai’. not with ‘Teri’. The lyricists therefore appear to be consistent.
Ak, I am posting a message here after a long gap. It is prompted by your present post, to convey to you how impressed I am after reading it with your erudition, elucidation, and knowledge of Hindi and English literature both, especially considering your educational and vocational background. Kudos to you.
AK ji,
I was baffled by the title. The very Vinod Khanna whom I had mentioned in the last post was there, but some unfamiliar words! An offbeat theme.
Ye kahan aa gaye hum …
Starting with AB’s famous
Main aur Meri Tanhai..
Tum hoti, toh kaisa hota
Tum ye kehti, Tum woh kehti
Tum iss baat pe hairan hoti
Tum uss baat pe kitni hansti
Tum hoti toh aisa hota
Tum hoti toh waisa hota…
AAHUTI, 1978 , has a nice Kishore, Lata song.
Kash aisa hota..
..
Teri Gali mein hota mera chubara…
Starts with…
Deewar jo itni oonchi na hoti
Chat pe akeli tum jo raat ko soti
Kankar maarke tujhko main jagaata.
KHKN.
Ae kash ke hum hosh mein ab aane na paaye
Bas nagme tere pyar ke gaate hi jaaye..
Ye arman hai
Shor nahin ho
Khamoshi ke mele ho
Iss duniya mein koi nahin ho
Hum dono hi akele ho…
Chehra hai ya Chand khila..
SAGAR.
Just wondering..
How does the lead stars ‘ earlier outing fit in?
Hum Tum ek kamre mein band ho
Aur chabi kho jaaye..
BOBBY.
Pyara ek bangla ho
Bangle mein gaadi ho…
AAP KI KHATIR
Twin song of Mukesh and Lata.
Jis dil mein basa thha pyar tera , us dil ko kabhi ka tod diya…
‘ Jis dil mein…’/ 1965 / SAHELI / Indeevar / Kalyanji Anandji / Lata
1) https://youtu.be/ZbQtZBEXh8w
(Mukesh)
2) https://youtu.be/B3zBfOIQFfk (Lata)
Paise Ki Gudiya 1974
LP – Verma Malik – Rafi
Koi phool na khilta ye kali bhi na hoti
zindagi bhi na hoti agar tu na hoti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llkfev0cqOg
Subodh ji @ 18:
Your observations regarding the syrup-laden formal Hindi in Bihar are right on dot. AKji is, of course, the authority. But if I may try to venture into his domain, I would suggest that ‘Kaha jaaye’ would roughly translate in English to ‘(whatever you would like to say) let it be said.’ Thus, it is a self-effacing passive voice.
‘Khana kha lete’, of course, seems closer to HHMB as in ‘if you had your meal, then it would have been so much better.’ This leads me to the Lata-Talat duet from Yasmin (MD: CR)-‘Tum apni yaad bhi dil se bhula jaate to achchha tha’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIrFxL0Xu38&ab_channel=MelodyisAlwaysQueen-RAJA
Chhupa Rustam 1973
SDB – Vijay Aand – KK, Asha
Jo main hota ek toota tara teri raaton ka to kya hota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peXgn0hSWTs
Lata in her sixties singing for 18+ Divya Bharti in Geet (1992).
MD – Bappi Lahiri L – Indeevar
The opening line is similar to song #3 in the post but here the heroine, who is a singer, is referring to her fans as Meet.
Aap jo mere meet na hote honthon pe mere geet na hote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KmPnqQaSfA
AKji,
I love the way you have linked grammar with daily life. Your post made me look up some elementary Hindi grammar!! I did not remember anything beyond the word हेतुहेतुमद्भूत. After reading the post, I felt that one of the dimensions could also be wishful thinking and a strong desire to set the clock back.
Here are three songs. I hope they fit.
1) Apni ulfat pe na zamaane ka pehra hota/Sasural/Hasrat Jaipuri/Shankar Jaikishan/Mukesh & Lata
This song is full of wishful thinking and the end result of all of it is to kitna achha hota. But what the acchha would be is not elaborated specifically.
apni ulfat pe zamaane ka na pehra hota
to kitna achha hota
pyaar ki raat ka koi na savera hota
to kitna achha hota
meri raahon mein na uljhan ka andhera hota
to kitna achha hota
pyaar ki raat ka koi na savera hota
to kitna achha hota
apni manzil ko jo kaanton ne na ghera hota
to kitna achha hota
apni duniya mein bhi sukh chain ka phera hota
to kitna achha hota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmXtjAPPaxo
2) Gulmohar Gar Tumhara Naam Hota/Gulzar/R.D.Burman/Devata
Gulmohar gar tumhara naam hota
mausam -e -gul ko hasana bhi hamaara kaam hota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj3uIJWS_kI
I am not sure the kaam would be very onerous.
3) Jab Chali Thandi Hawa /Do Badan/Ravi/Shakeel
In the antara there is a line
…kya mazaa aata sanam aaj bhule se kahi
tum bhi aa jate yahi tum bhi aajaate yahi….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Tc3FHgB9Q
How truly Suraiya’ song, fits on her?
“Yeh na thi hamari kismat, ki visaal-e-yaar hota,…”
“Na kabhi janaza uthta, na kahin mazaar hota,”
https://youtu.be/pzi5ifhNSz0
Subodh @17,
Thanks a lot. “Conditionnei” matches it. Hindi grammar has borrowed from Sanskrit this term, and now it has a nice ring to it. Americans have evolved a nice shortcut for expressing their disagreement with you. For, “If I were you, I wouldn’t do it”, they would simply use, “I wouldn’t do it”.
@18,
You have given a very polite explanation to ‘Kaha jaaye’. This can be quite convoluted. A Bihar official on protocol duty to a visiting guest can confuse him out of his wits, “Gaya jaya jayega?” Would you like to go to Gaya? And on your return, another may ask you in all politeness, “Gaya gaya gaya tha? Kaisa laga?” They consider the active voice, आप गया गए थे?, somewhat impolite. Canasya @25 has given the best explanation.
South has its own style of politeness, ‘Saar would like to see the museum today’. You look around who is going to the museum, when you realise he is referring to you. I only hope in Punjab and Haryana it is not the other extreme, ‘Tu museum jana chaahe to Ye tere ko dikha dega.’
Looking back… aaj purani raaho se… Na Woh Dil Na Sanam, Na Woh Din Dharam, Abb Door Hoon Sare Gunaaho Se…
https://youtu.be/s93w42jWe68
Mr S Joseph @19,
‘Chalo ek baar phir se’ is a little stretch. Its last stanza has some element of HHMB, ‘Wo afasana jise anjam tak lana na ho mumkin’.
@23,
Jis dil mein basa that pyar tera: Not very obvious but has some elements of HHMB.
DK Bengaluru @20,
Welcome to SOY. Are you sure? Verb has to follow the gender of the subject. If they had written ‘tera jalwa’, the verb could have been ‘numaya na hota’ without any problems. But the lyricist had the second line in mind, and he had the compulsion to rhyme with it.
Dr Shetty @22,
I have to say hats off to you at your power of recall. Perfect songs.
Dinesh @21,
Welcome back after your long gap. And thanks a lot for your very generous words. This is no reason for your occasional abstentions, unless you are so depressed by the actions of Putin, that the diplomat in you feels constrained to comment.
Dr Deshpande @24, 26,
Thanks for posting these songs. Perfect fit.
@27,
Special thanks for your discovery of the counterpart of Tum jo hamare meet na hote.
Anita @28,
Thanks a lot. I am happy that you felt like checking up your grammar book. All the songs you have posted fit absolutely.
Dee Thakore @29,
Ye na thi hamari kismet ke visaal-e-yaar hota, of course fits perfectly.
@31,
But Aaj purani raahon se is a bit of stretch.
Not sure if the following song fits:
Tum agar muzko na chaho…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIrvq5-Cp40
AK@30: Punjab is not as rough as you make it out to be. In official circles seniors are always referred as ‘Janaab’ in third person: ‘Janaab kab tashreef la rahe hain?’ Unfortunately even direct recruits have started picking up this habit.
I presume Haryana officials are equally deferential to their superiors. Outside official circles it is a different story. Our friend Naresh Gulati is very fond of this story: A Nawab Sahib from Lucknow was travelling in a train passing through Haryana. He saw a Chaudhary saheb sprawled on a berth. Whatever space was left was occupied by his luggage. Nawab saheb politely requested him to make some space for himself and his begum, “Janaab, main aapko thodi taqleef de sakta hoon?”
Chaudhary saheb glowered at Nawab Sahib and dared him, “De ke dekh!”
Offbeat theme and good songs in the post & many more in the comments.
I could instantly recall : Na miltha gam toh barbadi ke afsaane..Film Amar, Lata/ Naushad/ Shakeel.
The antara has lines like:
Agar duniya chaman hoti , toh veerane Kahan jaate
Agar hote sabhi apne,toh begaane Kahan jate
Na jalti shamma mehfil mein, toh parwane Kahan jaate……
Ak ji
Usually the HHMB is a rhetorical idea which may not fructify (there are exceptions though)
And there are different shades also
This one reflects extreme despair
Maangane se jo maut – Sunhere Kadam – Lata- Mahendra Pran – Bulo C Rani
https://youtu.be/FvEznBWRA_0
This is an anguish of a broken heart
Agar dil hamara sheeshe ke badle
– Ek kunwari Ek kunwaara- Kishor – Prakash Mehra – KA
https://youtu.be/AlamPr49JK8
And this one is complete contrast
Hai shukar ke tu hai ladka – Himmat – Rafi- AB – LP
https://youtu.be/RPg-ksxT6CY
Manoj @39,
Since we are now flexible about tense, as long as it is ‘conditional’ and then the consequential clause, we accept this song. This perfectly reflects Russia-Ukraine. ‘I know you don’t like me, but if you ever cavort around with US and NATO, I would go crazy andI don’t know what I will I do.’
Mr Sivanandam Palamadai @41,
Thanks. More than the songs, what they write is important. Such themes cause people to think creatively.
‘Na milta gham’: This song has been discussed in comments #15, 16.
Mr Muli @42,
In my write-up I had touched upon limited types of HHMB, where another choice would have led to an agreeable outcome. But now I see there are many other types of HHMB where such analysis is not possible.
‘Hai shukra ki tu hai ladka’ is an HHMB song at two levels with sexual overtones. The audience knows that she is a girl in drag. The cross-dressing may be for bonafide reasons: – hiding from goons in her pursuit, survival in this harsh word. Jitendra has natural attraction, but banishes this unholy thought by saying on the surface that it is such a relief that you are a boy. The subtext is, which titillates the audience, that for some odd reason I feel attraction for you as if you are a girl, but it would be very indecorous to say so.
This subtext plays out in many situations when the girl dresses as a boy. Raj Kapoor tells Padmini in Mera Naam Joker, ‘Arrey Minoo Master, tere haath to ekdam laundiya jaise hain. Hish’.
Was an interesting read AKji.
I’m joining late. I hope I’m not repeating songs.
Jo main janti unke liye
https://youtu.be/dVekFZV67_k
Agar main kahoon from Lakahya
An interesting HHMB song, I must say. Sounds a teasing song, a bit of leg pulling too. But indeed romantic.
https://youtu.be/30tnmyzgRSI
Main agar kahoon from OSO
https://youtu.be/o-Gmhk90JOE
Anup
🙂
Anubhav 1971
Kanu Roy – Gulzar – Geeta
Mera dil jo mera hota palkon pe pakad leti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAF9Bi5neq4
Dhat Tere Ki 1983
Kuldip Singh – Saeed Qadri – Vinod Sehgal
Koi to hota jise haal-e-dil sunaate hum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0IToAtLXg
Hope this one fits…
Ratnadeep 1979
RDB – Gulzar – Asha
Aisa ho to kaisa hoga
aap ho paas to din dhale paas ho aap to din chadhe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opiN2K3mPHE
Batwara 1989
LP – Hasan Kamal – Anuradha, Kavita
Jo main aisa janti preet kiye dukh hoy
nagar dhindhora pitati
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7TrQOjXcpc
Anup @46,
Welcome. All the three songs you have posted are spot on.
Dr Deshpande @47,
Mera dil jo mera hota: is such a sweet song of longing. Beautiful HHMB song.
@48,
Koi to hota jise haal-e-dil sunaate hum is a nice song. The singer and music director were not known much.
@49,
Aisa hota to kaisa hota is a very nice song.
@50,
It is interesting how such traditional lines are repeat in several songs in different tune. ‘Jo main aisa jaanti was there in Baiju Bawra (1952) too, the recital leats into the main song, Mohe bhool gaye saanwariya.
DIL EK MANDIR.
Yaad na jaaye beete dinon ka
.
Din jo pakheru hota
Pinjre mein main rakh leta..
DOOR KI AWAZ
Hum bhi agar bachhe hote
Naam hamara hota…
RANGOLI
Choti si ye duniya
Pehchane raste hain
Tum kabhi toh miloge
Kahin toh miloge
Toh poochenge haal..
FANAA
Chand shifarish jo karta hamara
Deta hai tumko bataa…
GRIHA PRAVESH
Aap agar Aap na hote
Toh bhala kya hote?
Log kehte hain ke
Patthar ke maseeha hote
AKji:
Here is Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s ‘Koi gaata, main so jaata’ (Yesudas in Aalap; MD: Jaidev):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-m2sTyHAPk&ab_channel=TheVishishta000
Ak ji
pradeep ji @ 53
Reminds me another song referring to pankh
Pankh hote to ud aati re- Sehara – Lata – Hasarat – Ramlal
https://youtu.be/s3Kt97M0ANQ
Dr Shetty,
‘Din jo pakheru hota’: This must be a primordial desire. The birds were the inspiration for aeroplanes.
‘Hum bhi agar bachche hote’: This is also an eternal desire, to go back to innocent, carefree days. This song was in my shortlist.
‘Chhoti si ye duniya’ is one of my top favourites of Kishore Kumar.
@54,
Had not heard this song before. Will look up.
Canasya @55,
‘Koi gata main so jata’: Nice imagery. Lullabies are not only for kids. Does it connect to ‘Hum bhi agar bachche hote’?
Mr Muli @56,
As I saw Dr Shetty’s comment, I too thought of Pankh hoti to ud jaati main.
AKji:
Would this be an example of ‘Hetu-hetu-mad-bhavishyat’ (still HHMB) song?
‘Kya ho fir jo din rangeela ho, …, Phir to bada maja hoga, …’ (Asha, Geeta in Nau Do Gyarah; MD: SDB)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9W9oUTXMwQ&t=1s&ab_channel=OldHindiSongs%28HD%29
Canasya,
Why not? If something is going to happen in future on the condition of something else happening, it should be callled हेतुहेतुमद्भविष्यत् (HHMB). It seems HHMB in future should occur with no less frequency.
From the 90s…
Mohra 1994
Viju Shah – AB – Kumar Sanu
Ae kaash kahin aisa hota ke do dil hote seene mein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTaLrTZ5CPk
Tadipaar 1993
Nadeem Shravan – Sameer – Vinod Rathod
Agar mere paas paisa hota
socho zara kaisa hota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AwkJJGgpJw
Meherban 1993
Dilip Sen Sameer Sen – Mahendra Dehlvi – Anuradha, Sonu Nigam
Agar aasman tak mere haath jate
to kadmo mein tere sitare bichhate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKBU-xACrSI
Duniya Nachegi 1967
LP – Asha, Manna Dey (singing for KK)
Ke jo main hota hawa ka jhonka
tere gaalon ko tere baalon ko chhukar guzar jata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABTC6I2pXTg
Dr Deshpande @62, 63, 64,
Except the song from Mohra, others are unfamiliar to me. It is nice to know that someone has deep interest across the latest to old songs.
AK,
I think there is hardly any need to appreciate this post except referring to breaking of the self-imposed ‘vanvaas’ of our friend Dinesh Jain.
But still I would say मैं किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ हो गया। I am using the word किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ with a purpose. Before I proceed, I would like to tell the meaning of this word for those friends who may not understand the word. So the word tells of a state, when we lose use of all faculties for a moment or two, as a result of some unexpected happening. All of us in Hindi world were taught HHMB, but we could not discuss the funny possibilities in class in those days. Later when we went to college and were together in evening for cricket practice, somebody mentioned HHMB and everyone started making comments as per one’s imagination. Then somebody mentioned किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ which was a funny word and had lot of possibilities like HHMB. For several days these two words provided us a lot of laughing material in evenings as well as vacant periods or in the canteen. I think you have also a lot of experience of such ‘chandal chaukdi’ meetings, which facilitates such innovative ideas.
Regarding song 6, ‘jalwanumai’ is one word and is feminine noun in urdu. You can confirm it with ‘Rekhta online dictionary’. So it has been rightly used by Hasrat Jaipuri. ‘Jalwa’ is masculine noun so when used as such will be ‘tera jalwa’. It is interesting that though ‘jalwa’ is masculine, most of the words which it makes in combination with other words are ‘feminine’. The golden era lyricists were masters of their trade and Hasrat Jaipuri was no exception.
You say you were finding it difficult to get 10 songs, but the list posted has a lot of variety, which shows they have been selected from a prepared list. All good songs except that ‘waqt karta jo wafa’ posted by Muliji belonged to this list. It is strange coincidence that the two songs posted by Muliji were the first two songs that came to my mind.
HHMB is a good thing but, if all the conditions are rejected, what happens then. ‘Hum aapki ankhon men’ is such a case, where he proposes and she rejects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBTcsTd2kF0
But in ‘nadi nare na jao shyam paiyan padun’ she is herself relaxing her own conditions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txitmlpbr1M
Since the future tense has also been allowed, here is ‘aap yun hi agar humse milte rahe’. Here he is warning her of the consequences, but she does not care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnYDNOsv-RM
In ‘jise tu kabool kar le’ she knows he will not accept her because ‘tujhe aur ki tamanna mujhe teri arzoo hai’, so she has resigned herself to the fate. ‘Wo na aayenge palat kar’ from the same film, conveys the same feelings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5J4zk9YqGE
Hans,
KKV is another impressive word, but does not have such universal application, nor so many songs. Your creative mind must have started making the connections. Medvedev suddenly became so KKV at the staying power of Nadal that he started faltering from a winning position. Viswanthan Anand was surely KKV seeing the speed at which Magnus Carlsen worked out positions. Ukraine and the whole world is KKV trying to figure out what exactly Putin wants. PV Narsimha Rao must have become KKV at the fast developing situation at Ayodhya on 6 December 1992. Thus, one can write a Theorem: किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ is one of the states when हेतुहेतुमद्भूत becomes irrelevant. Can you now think of songs on KKV?
AK ji,
You are अद्भुत yourself…doing समुद्र मंथन and finding out pearls of posts, which no one can even think of !
Hats off to you !
This is the only Blog I know, where songs categorised in uncommon subjects are made available. The readers’ participation here is also a wonder. You seem to be a magnet !
I appreciate your efforts to make the discussion of songs and allied matters interesting by participation.
I wish you all the best.
Thanks.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for your very kind words. Coming from your heart, I feel gratified. When I started writing the blog I didn’t know I had it in me. Off and on some interesting ideas come to mind from different sources and experiences. You are right, the readers’ participation is a great encouragement. Thanks a lot again.
This song may fit in here and it is international Women’s day today .
‘ Agar sansar mein…’/ 1963 / GRAHASTI / Shakeel Badayuni / Ravi / Rafi
https://youtu.be/XayZwE-6xJM
A song of the days when Talat was at his peak . Rarely heard . May fit in here.
‘ Mohabbat na hoti… ‘/ 1954 / SHOBNA / Kaif Irfani / Robin Bannerjee / Talat
https://youtu.be/nQ-0c3jokGw
AKji:
Would you call this a ‘Hetu-hetu-mad-vartmaan’ (HHMV) song?
‘Main tujhko agar ek phool kahoon, tere rutbe ki tauhin hai ye’ (Talat in ‘Salam-e-Mohabbat’; MD: Bipin Babul):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiIzgR3CtUU&ab_channel=MelodyisAlwaysQueen-RAJA
Mr S Joseph @70, 71,
Both the songs fit perfectly.
Canasya @72,
I agree with you. Each tense should have this type. That would also rationalise Hindi grammar. So HHMB covers past and future tense, for present tense the acronym would be HHMV as you said.
Do not know why but most of the songs covered / posted here can be called sad /painful. Here is one from team Prem Dhawan , Chitragupt ,Rafi . This is another post where we are concerned with the lyrics.
‘ Agar dil kisi…’/ 1961 / BADA AADMI / Prem Dhawan / Chitragupt/ Rafi
https://youtu.be/MHEg3J8sSpw
HHMB and kothis
Ye Julf agar khulke – Kajal – sahir – Ravi- Rafi
Duniya ki nigaho me bhala kya Hai bura kya
Ye bojh agar dil se Utar Jaye to accha
https://youtu.be/xxDC0XXL1o0
Agar dilbar ki Ruswai – Khilona – AB – LP – Lata
https://youtu.be/ciTVzcGKLXo
Shatranj 1969
SJ – Hasrat – Rafi, Asha
Tumhe main agar apna saathi bana loon
bata do mera saath doge kahan tak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDJQ78Ak_Ls
Magroor 1979
LP – AB – KK, Suman
Hum mohabbat mein jaane kya kar jaate
tum ne rok liya varna hum mar jaate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NVxz-50RbM
Prem Patra 1962
Salil C – Rajinder Krishan – Lata, Talat
Ye mere andhere ujale na hote
agar tum na aate meri zindagi mein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgn_Rpd4ZCI
Mr Joseph @75,
If you go through my write-up you would notice that generally we resort to HHMB, when the outcome is disagreeable. This would reflect in the ratio of songs too.
Mr Muli @76,
Nice observation. Thus, this is an entirely different way of categorising HHMB songs.
Dr Deshpande @77,
Nice song.
@78, 79,
Nice songs. ‘Ye mere andhere ujaale na hote, agar tum na aate meri zindagi mein.’ This is a very apt song for the International Women Day.
AK ,
HHMB … What a theme !!!
लाजवाब पेश़कश …
अगर आप अध्यापक होते तो छात्रोंको अध्ययन में बडा आनंद मिलता ..
अगर आपने यह पोस्ट ना की होती तो इतना सुंदर आविष्कार हमें पढनें ना मिलता ।
खैर , कमाल हैं आपकी .. कईंं बार हम रोजाना ज़िंदगीमें इस HHMB का प्रयोग करते हैं .. लेकिन उसे एक थीम बनाकर , गानोंमें सजाकर पेश करना काबिल ए तारीफ हैं
मेरे साथी पाठकोंनें जो गानें जोडें हैं वे भी बढिया ।
मेरी तरफसे इसमें थोडा मराठी जायका मिलाता हूँ
फिल्म कन्यादान का उषाकिरण पर फिल्माया लता का करुण मगर बेहद मधुर गाना जोड रहा हूँ .. साथमें अंग्रेजीमें अनुवाद भी हैं ..
” तू असता तर … ”
https://youtu.be/AOp5AqDYjg8
AK , thnx for this excellent post .
With best wishes ,
Pramod Godbole .
Ak ji
Three different ” probing ” songs with the culprit not inclined to divulge his identity
1 Baat niklegi to phir dur tak jayegi- Kafil Azar – Jagjit
In the last line he says
Mere bare me koi baat na karna unase
2 ye duniawale puchhege – Mahal- AB-KA – Kishor and Asha
Ye baat tum unase na Kahana
Sawariya se lage naina
3 Agar main pucchoo jawab doge- Shikari – Farooq Kaiser- G S Kohli – Rafi and Lata
Koi jo pucche ye kya Hua Hai
To tum kabhi mer na naam lena
Pramodji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Your comment has aroused an HHMB in me, अगर ये न होता, काश मैं अध्यापक होता.
The Marathi song is very nice.
Mr Muli,
Is is strange, that the culprit should initiate the HHMB. Normally, this person goes out of his way to shut out any HHMB on the weak link.
Josephji (75) posted ‘agar dil kisi se lagaya na hota’ from Bada Aadmi, which is my great favourite. This song was in my list, along with the Lata solo from Gauna-1950, ‘agar dil kisi par lutaya na hota’ which is one of the gems HB were churning out for her in those days. Lyrics of Qamar Jalalabadi were changed a bit by Prem Dhawan and the tune by Chitragupta was also similar except in the antara of the Bada Aadmi song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqsBfXENXmY
Muliji (76) posted ‘ye zulf agar khul ke’ from Kaajal. This film has many potential HHMB songs.
‘Agar mujhe na mili tum’ is clearly HHMB. ‘Aapke paas jo aayega pighal jayega’ also seems to me to be HHMB. So here are the links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dfkAfePM_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7PqKnXlonc
Now, Muliji at 84 has conjured up a group of songs which all require the other to hide the secret which the other one knows. But here in ‘tujhe dil ki baat bata doon’ from Main Sunder Hoon, she is not ready to share ‘dil ki baat’ due to fear that the other would disclose it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M38CsIAXMI
But, here in ‘raaz ki baat kah doon to’ (Dharma) one is threatening to disclose the ‘raaz’ and the other one is threatening of the consequences of disclosing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYAMJV4CQ3U
AKji,
I was reminded of Gulzar’ lines from the song Hazaar Raahein Mudke Dekhi from the film Thodi Si Bewafai:-
kahin kisi roz yun bhi hota
hamaari haalat tumhaari hoti
jo raatein humne guzaari marke
woh raatein tumne guzaari hoti
There is so much bitterness between the wife and husband that both of them feel that their sufferings are immeasurable and incomparable. Thus, they want the other to experience the same trauma. It is almost like retributive justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1O9anHPo_Y
Hans ji @87
If Leena is reluctant to share her dil ki baat, Kaka puts a covenant here
Mere dil me Aaj kya hai- Daag -AB -LP
Kishor
https://youtu.be/IsKN8iylATk
Another sad song that may fit in here.
…tumse karte na agar pyar to achcha hota
dil ko lagta na ye aazar to achcha hota…
‘ Tumse karte na…’/ 1955 / SAKHI LUTERA / Faruk Kaiser / Iqbal Qureshi / Asha
https://youtu.be/u1gSbMYtADo
Not sure if this covers under HHMB songs . Again a sad song .
‘ Mujhe bhul jaana…’/ 1967 / TAQDEER / Anand Bakshi / LP / Rafi
https://youtu.be/n_ssePCN88w
AKji:
Another ‘Hetu-hetu-mad-vartmaan’ (HHMV) song-‘Priye praneshwari, hridayeshwari, yadi aap hamein Aadesh karen to prem ka hum shri ganesh karen’ (KK in ‘Hum tum aur woh’; MD: KA):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnVFnq5y0qk&ab_channel=UltraBollywood
This could be an HHMB song . Singing for herself ?
‘ Agar tum na…’/ 1947 / BEETE DIN / Pt Phani , H Tanvir / MA Rauf Osmania , Dinkar Rao / Amirbai Karnataki
https://youtu.be/-1qb4nvJqxI
Not sure if this is an HHMB song .
‘ Mere zindagi mein…’/ 1968 / KANYADAAN / Hasrat Jaipuri / SJ / Rafi
https://youtu.be/LuiTm_RL7Ac
Dear readers,
When I wrote this post, I had only two types of HHMB in mind. One was of missed opportunities, the other was of lucky escapes. But your comments have expanded it significantly:
1. Blackmail
2. Reciprocal blackmail
3. Warning/caution
4. Intimidation
5. Gunpoint coercion: Russia to Ukraine, Sign here, else.
6. MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction, Russia to US. Don’t forget, I have the nukes.
AKji:
In a sea of pessimism, here is Gurudev’s ‘Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla chalo re’. Because of the ongoing conflict in a Russian breakaway republic, I have chosen the version by Khakramon of the HAVAS guruhi musical group from Uzbekistan sung in Tashkent at Bangladesh’s Embassy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyBSEJqu2rU
A great N Datta, Talat song . Should be covered under HHMB .
‘ Yaadon ka sahara…’ / 1969 / PATHHAR KE KHWAB / Pal Premi / N Datta / Talat
https://youtu.be/487iUfkAaBs
Another Qawwali which is perhaps an HHMB .
‘ Agar mohabbat naa…’/ 1962 / MEHENDI LAGE MERE HAATH / Anand Bakshi / Kalyanji Anandji / Rafi & others
https://youtu.be/2CrJRxGtUO8j
An HHMB from the pre 50s .
‘ Aise mein agar…’/ 1949 / BALAM / Qamar Jalalabadi / Husnlal BhagatRam / Suraiya
https://youtu.be/yhy1MLBJOEY
Ak ji
Pradeep ji has earlier posted
Pyara ek Bangala ho
Here is much older yet evergreen and more inclusive Bangla
Ek Bangala bane nyara – president – KL Saigal
Jisme rate Kunba Sara
https://youtu.be/1QwnFzxnMj0
AK: Had I had just an iota of your wit, even I could have come up with a similar sparkler of a post but….
One more Talat song…
Raftar 1955
Shivram – Nakshab – Talat
Sahara koi mil jata to hum kab ke sambhal jaate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XXTYAczRo8
AKji:
Congratulations. By now a century has become par for a post on SoY.
Another Talat song from Ratnadeep-‘Agar dil ke taaron pe main chhed sakta nayi zindagi ka naya tarana, na manzil ki chahat mere dil mein hoti …;’ MD: Robin Chatterjee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jmH7AZ6tKs&list=RD4jmH7AZ6tKs&start_radio=1&ab_channel=MelodyisAlwaysQueen-RAJA
Canasya @96,
In spite of the barriers of language, I have seen many videos of foreigners singing Indian song perfectly. You can make out their difficulties at some words. This ‘Ekla chalo re’ is great.
@103,
Thanks. Beautiful song, heard for the first time.
Mr S Joseph @97, 98,
Nice songs.
@99,
Aise mein agar tum aa jaate is exceedingly sweet. It figures at #8 in the main post.
Mr Muli @100,
With some stretch we can accept these songs as HHMB. I was planning to include ‘Ek bangala bane nyara’, but I realised ‘If….then’ was missing. I think this songs comes when Saigal has got a raise, and in that background he is imagining his dream house.
Ashwin @101,
Only you could have couched your comment in an HHMB. You are the undisputed Master, therefore, I don’t accept your modesty. Had I not known that you are such a decent guy, I would have accused you of stealing my line.
Dr Deshpande @102,
Sahara koi mil jata fits perfectly as HHMB.
A popular Shailendra-Salil Choudhary-Kishore Kumar song of the 50s . Might get covered under the present discussion.
‘ Chhota sa ghar…’ / 1954 / NAUKRI / Shailendra / Salil / Kishore, Usha Mangeshkar
https://youtu.be/ok_-DlWVKQY
I think this if…. then song has not been posted above
Tum agar saath dene ka wada Karo- Humraaz – Sahir – Ravi- Mahendra Kapoor
I distinctly remember hearing this song first time on Ceylon radio in the program drashya aur geet which was aired at 7.30 PM if my memory serves me right.
https://youtu.be/xFeCXuGqEvc
If I understand correctly, हेतु हेतुम अद्भूत is wishful thinking which one indulges into when he wanders off to imaginative world of it that had happened then I would have done so.
The nearest character that I recollect from my childhood stories is that of Sheikh Chilli, who always used to wonder ‘if the leaves of the tree become rotis and water of the pond become ghee, then I would have tummy full meal by dipping each of the leaf in handful of ghee’.
However, I do not know how that name Sheikh Chilli was associated with wishful thinking because there is one Sheikh Chilli who was a Sufi saint, Abdul-Karim Abd-ur-Razak, a.k.a. Sheikh Chilli
Incidentally, there are tow eponymous films on Sheikh Chilli, one made in 1942 and the other in 1956. The latter film had music by Vinod and has some good songs, but none that can match the theme of the post
Well let me come back to the present post, which makes so insightful reading s it fully entertains.
I recollect two songs:
Aisa To Hot NahiN, Ais Ho Jaaye Agar, Tumhi Mila Jaao – Sannaata (1962_ Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Gulzar – Music – Hemant Kumar
https://youtu.be/RoMYsSSrD54
And the second one a clear case of If.. Then
Ham Bhi Agar Bachche Hote…. Khane Ko Milate Laddu – Door Ki Awaz (1962) – Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Manan Dey – Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni – Music – Ravi
https://youtu.be/EIpAUx73rME
How did I miss this delightful post, AK! Such an unusual theme. 🙂
Would Jo main jaanti unke liye mere dil mein kitna pyaar hai (Aah) fit your theme?
This is more of a conditional song: Agar tum kaho from Yes Boss – he will sing if she asks him to, he will …. if she asks him to, and so on.
Perhaps this fits: Sapnon mein agar mere tum aa jao to main so jaaun from Dil Hi To Hai
And what about Hai agar dushman, dushman, zamana gham nahin from Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin?
And this? Kitna achha hota maalik agar main ladki hota from Inquilaab
And one of my favourite RDB numbers: Agar saaz chheda taraane banenge from Jawani Diwani?
AKji:
The late entries by Ashok ji and Anu ji have infused new life in this post. Sheikh Chilli’s ‘tree of rotis’ reminds one of KK in Musafir- ‘Munna bada pyara’ (kyun na rotion ka ped hum lagayen), although even that is not an HHMB song.
Here is Hemant Kumar’s ‘Jodi jante chao tumi ye byatha amar kototuku, tobe bondi kora kono pakhir kachhe jene nio’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F7fkPZlBYA
Mr Joseph @109,
As far as I know HHMB was a type of past tense, and “If…..then” would have led to a different outcome. But for this post we are flexible about tense, and are also including songs of wishful thinking. Chhota sa ghar hoga is per se an excellent song.
Mr Muli @110,
Tum agar saath dene ka vada karo is one of my great favourites of Mahendra Kapoor. This talks about future, but I am accepting under the broad category of HHMB.
Ashokji @111,
I would have to explore a little more for the root analysis of the word हेतुहेतुमद्भूत and its literal meaning. My understanding is that it referred to a past event, which might have had a different outcome. “If….then”. But in the discussion for this post we are quite flexible – wishful thinking fits in. Both the songs are very good.
Anu @112,
Welcome your delayed entry. ‘Jo main jaanti unke liye’ fits perfectly to the theme. Other songs fit in in the enlarged meaning coming out of discussions here. Thanks for your response and additional songs.
Canasya @113,
What about ‘मुंगेरीलाल के हसीन सपने’?
Why she has abandoned goodness ( sharafat ) is only because of the wicked ways of the world where the good suffer . Someone to blame.
I am sure this song has motivated many to abandon goodness .
This may be an HHMB song.
‘ Sharifon ka zamaane… ‘/ 1970 / SHARAFAT / Anand Bakshi / LP / Lata
https://youtu.be/R3kxKqoESpM
AKji:
Mungerilal, of course. If dreaming is all that is allowed, then why not dream of ‘rosogollas’ rather than of ‘chanaa’? Here is ‘Aye kaash chalte milke’ (Asha & Manna Dey in Manzil; MD: SDB):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG5Tqe7zTAY&ab_channel=UltraBollywood
AK ji ,
Has anyone added the जहाँआरा song ? Does it fit ?
Talat singing
” ऐ काश जो मिलकर रोते ,
कुछ दर्द तो हलके होते ,
बेकार न जाते आँसू ,
कुछ दाग जिगर के धोते ….
…. …. …. …. …. ….
तेरी आँख के आँसू पी जाऊँ
ऐसी मेरी तकदीर कहाँ ”
– Pramod Godbole .
AK,
Once again you have knocked the ball out of the stadium.
I ditto all that Arunji has said @68.
Do you think Sheikh Chilli or Mungeri lal can beat Gulzar?
https://youtu.be/AYfgmEEua_o
kayda tod ke dekho ek din Khoobsoorat.
Mr Muli @ 76 mentioned this sher,
Duniya ki nigaho me bhala kya Hai bura kya
Ye bojh agar dil se Utar Jaye to accha
from Ye Julf agar khulke – Kajal – sahir – Ravi- Rafi.
This song has another version that was Bhatiaji’s favorite.
Kabiraa Nirbhay Raam Jape, Mahafil Men Teri Yun Hi Rahe.
A sher in here may reflect “the sea of pessimism” Canasya is talking about.
जिस सुबह की तक़दीर में लिख्खी हो जुदाई (तबाही?)
उस सुबह से पहले कोई मर जाये तो अच्छा
Starts here
https://youtu.be/ZIKK6FJWaTM?t=167
Mr Joseph @119,
It requires a little stretch. The clearest indicator is a conditional clause, followed by the main clause as a consequence of the first clause.
Canasya @120,
Good one. A perfect example is given by Mumbaikar8 @122. If you are applying for a revolver license, ask for a cannon.
Pramodji @121,
I don’t think this song has been posted earlier. To my mind it fits, because “Ae kaash jo mil kar rote” is the conditional clause which is followed by the consequential clause.
Mumbaikar8 @122,
I was waiting for your response, because you are an expert on words. ‘Kabira nirbhay Ram jape’ is a wonderful long distance duet quite different from the usual LDDS. The song is two separate singles combined in a very creative manner.
I wanted to ask your view on the query I have raised in song #6, Agar teri jalwa numaai na hoti’.
Thanks a lot for your generous praise.
Victoria No. 203 (1972)
KA – Indeevar – KK
Tu na mili to hum jogi ban jayenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca47lBhON7w
One of the many songs that Lata sang for Ram Laxman with strange lyrics…
Pyar Ka Tarana 1993
Lyrics – MG Hashmat
Kitna achha hota jo main piano hoti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Mar_duchI
Very Nice article. Nice compilation of old movie songs. However, there are many which can be added in the list. Our students at https://www.swarkalasangam.com also like old hindi movie songs and have appreciated your article a lot.
Thanks
Monish Mehta,
Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for your nice words.
Though it may not be HHMB
this surely is mungerilal .
And Mumbaikar ji ‘s Gulzar song has beaten this as Khubsoorat came after Golmaal. Thus it is the case of Gabbar se tumhe ekhi aadmi bacha sakta hai
Sapne me dekha sapana- Golmaal- RDB
https://youtu.be/tSNjNeXHHiQ
Dr Deshpande @127,
What a delightful song ‘Tu na mili to hum jogi ban jayenge’. One knows he has no intention of becoming a jogi.
@128,
Kitna achchha hota jo main piano hoti: Interesting imagery. Heard for the first time.
Mr Muli @131,
Not only a simple Mungeri Lal, but goes completely overboard with छोटी सी सपनी when he starts imagining Lata Mangeshkar singing with him.
This song might fit in here .
‘ Chalenge tir jab…’ / 1960 / KOHINOOR / Shakeel Badayuni / Naushad / Rafi , Lata
https://youtu.be/C4MIMmN_0zw
Another Qawwali which I guess should fit in here .
‘ Raaz ki baat….’/ 1973 / DHARMA / Verma Malik / Sonik Omi / Rafi , Lata
https://youtu.be/UHpIkRhwzgk
A popular song . Could fit in here .
‘ Socha thha pyar…’/ 1963 / BLUFFMASTER / Rajinder Krishan / Kalyanji Anandji / Mukesh
https://youtu.be/ZSUuI-bywCs
AK,
“I wanted to ask your view on the query I have raised in song #6, Agar teri jalwa numaai na hoti’.”
Hans @ 66 has given a clear view of “Agar teri jalwa numai na hoti.”
Jalwa (masucline ) Jalwa-numaii (feminine)
Rekhta Dictionary English meaning of jalva-numaa.ii
Noun, Feminine manifestation, appearance, expression, glory, proud.
Simlalr words
Taj ( masculine) Taj-poshi (feminine )
Muh (masculine) (Muh-dikhai ) (feminine)
Mr S Joseph @134, 135,
These songs could be HHMB.
@136,
There is no conditional clause. I find it difficult to accept it as HHMB.
Mumbaikar8 @137,
Now. I have to bow to two Masters. The problem is that the words ‘jalwa’ and ‘numaai’ are not pronounced conjointly. There is a distinct gap between the two words. Perhaps the demand of the meter, but causes me enough doubts in spite of the knowledge.
Is this a warning or desperate plea
Ek bar chal diye gar tujhe pukarke
Lautkar na aayenge kafile Bahar
Ye raat ye chandani phir kaha- Jaal – Sahir- SDB- Hemant Kumar
https://youtu.be/4GfUK9Urb6I
Repeat posting of any song could happen unknowingly.
Perhaps this song should fit in here.
The lyricists we must not forget .
‘ Apni ulfat pe…’/ 1961 / SASURAL / Hasrat Jaipuri / SJ / Mukesh , Lata
https://youtu.be/uFbWRiJJwqc
Mr Muli,
‘Warning or desperate plea’: I am fascinated by what our GOP is going through. In any democracy, the leader would have quit. Here too, the Family offers to quit, but couched in HHMB: “If you think we are responsible, we – the three of us – are willing to step aside”. This “If” is so loaded that it gets an expected chorus, “No, no, we never meant that. How can we….without you?” Now the Grand Old Lady has no option but to continue to lead.
Bekaraar 1983
LP – AB – Asha, KK
Tum chale aaye chalo khair huyi
tum na aate to gazab ho jaata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbNlGz8Mc6U
Dr Deshpande,
Nice HHMB song of scary outcome if the girl had not come into his life.
What a delightful and unusual theme! Perhaps it is easier to express a difficult feeling in the conditional than to make it into an outright wish (or a reprimand towards whichever forces keep that possibility conditional).
Although I cannot claim to understand the grammar at work here, I do at least have some practice hearing “agar” and then listening for “toh.” The first song that came to mind was “Kya Hua Maine Agar Ishq Kya Izhaar Kiya” from “Yeh Dil Kisko Doon.” If I understand correctly, it’s not so much an “if/then” song as it is a “what if?/then” song in which the question goes deliberately unanswered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyqE-33vtq0
Shelomit,
You are absolutely right. It is ‘What if?/then’ song, and it refers to the past tense when a disagreeable event has taken place, and ‘what if’ would have led to a desirable outcome.