When it comes to musical scores of a movie, it is the music director and singer who get much of the credit for the songs. The lyricists hardly get noticed for the success. One song which is haunting and is rich in life’s philosophy is “kabhi khud pe, kabhi halat pe rona aya” from the movie Hum Dono (1961). We get so immersed in our journey of life that we hardly get time to look at other’s problems.  When it comes to discussing our problems, we do it with magnifying glass, making our problems look bigger.  

Music director Jaidev initially worked with Navketan Banner, he got a scope of working with SD Burman also. His debut with Chetan Anand’s film Joru Ka Bhai, 1955, gave him opportunity to compose independent music but he got recognition with the film Hum Dono in 1961.

Jaidev always preferred Sahir Ludhiyanvi’s poetries to compose. In this song Kabhi khud pe kabhi halat pe…..Sahir has managed to portray the feelings residing in heart of man which are mix of pain and loneliness; no one can control the incidences taking place in life.   Mohamed Rafi has sung the song by pouring emotions in it; he was gifted with vocal range hence he excelled with his pitch of singing. In this song in the last stanza he has poured the anguish we all face in life……kaun rota hai kisi aur ke khatir aie dost…….. The song comes straight from Mohamad Rafi’s heart.

Sahir Ludhinavi’s verse, hinting at our selfishness of life, has made the song immortal. Sahir was a people’s poet and yet a poet’s poet. Every lyricist, past or present, wanted to imitate his skilled ease with which he turned out lines, which were simple and yet wove a web of delicate meanings. As a poet, he never restricted himself to just themes of love. He could turn his hand at every topic and on both sides of an argument.

The song is set in raga named Gara which is not a very popular raag….it is loved by musicians who could experiment with ragas.  Gara often is not understood by listeners. There is a good reason for this because Gara, is not the exclusive name of a well-defined melodic entity. Gara is, in fact, an independent raga, which is used in two variants and when not properly used, it creates confusions. It also is popularly used in semi-classical songs; the notes initially sound off-beat, but when used methodically are very sensitive and emotive to bring the tender emotions of listeners. There is a lot of debate about the timing of this raga. Many musicologists say it is a late morning raga, while others put it into the late evening slot.

This song is an example of what a talented musician as Jaidev could achieve when he lays hands on an outstanding poem of Sahir Ludhiyanvi “Kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe rona aya.” Mohamed Rafi has sung the song par excellence. His emphasis on individual words, his manner of taking pauses and stretching the words shows his deep appreciation of the underlying meaning of the poetry. A singer can do justice to the song only when he/she understands the poetry.

On screen Dev Anand sings the song by pouring emotions of vulnerability to core. Dev Anand on screen, Mohamed Rafi’s velvety voice, Sahir’s pensive poetry and Jaidev’s unique craft has made the song immortal!!! Listen to it word by word.