The Voice of God

"Bekraar Karkey Humey Yun Na Jaaiye Aapko Humari Kasam Laut Aaiye..."

When a voice as mesmerizing as this says to you, I guess, absolutely nobody will go. Personally, if this song comes on TV/Radio, I don't budge. As music director Salil Chowdhari famously remarked about him - 'If God were to sing, he would have sung in the voice of Hemant Kumar.

Remember the haunting - "Tum Pukar Lo, Tumhara Intezaar Hai.." from Khamoshi or "Na Tum Humey Jaano, Na Hum Tumhe Jaane.." from Baat Ek Raat Ki? It really sounds like the voice of God.

Often it seems that there is a lot of pain in his voice, but it adds so much value to the songs. A good example is "Jane Woh Kaise Log The Jinkey Pyar Ko Pyar Mila.." from Pyasa. It was a very beautifully sung song that speaks volume about the desperate love life of the protagonist of the movie.

At the same time he fishes out lovely romantic numbers like the naughty "Hai Apna Dil To Awara Na Jane Kis Per Aayega.." from Solwan Saal, or haunting "Yeh Raat Yeh Chandini Fir Kahan.." from Jaal with elan.

But my personal favourite is "Nishana Chook Na Jai Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji.." from, again, Bees Saal Baad. Music is by Hemant Kumar himself. The lyrics are perfect by Shakeel Badayuni. One can't write better than this. But the killer punch is given by the singer.

In between this song, there are a few lines which the singer doesn't sing, but actually speaks. There you hear the real Hemant Kumar. It is, gosh, so captivating. These types of voices rule the world. And the way he renders those sentences is also very different.

My father had old sony audio cassette(remember those green ones ?) of a live performance by him. Use to hear it again and again when I was a kid. This song kind of grew on me since those days. From my college days, I remember at least one person who is a bigger fan of Hemant Kumar is Ishan. I remember giving him a Hemant Kumar audio cassette for his birthday, which ironically was lost by me. He has never forgiven me for that.

Here are the lyrics of this lovely song. Enjoy.

Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji Nishaana Chook Na Jaye
Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji
Maza Jab Hai Tumhari Har Ada Qaatil Hi Kehlaye
Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji

Qaatil Tumhe Pukarun Ke Jaan-E-Vafa Kahun
Hairat Mein Pad Gaya Hoon Ke Maein Tum Ko Kya Kahun
Zamaana Hai Tumhaara
Zamaana Hai Tumhaara Chaahe Jiski Zindagi Le Lo
Agar Mera Kaha Maano To Aise Khel Na Khelo
Tumhaari Is Sharaarat Se Na Jaane Kis Ki Maut Aaye
Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji

Haye, Kitni Maasoom Lag Rahi Ho Tum
Tumko Zaalim Kahe Vo Jhootha Hai
Ye Bholaapan Tumhaara
Ye Bholaapan Tumhaara Ye Sharaarat Aur Ye Shokhi
Zarurat Kya Tumhen Talwaar Ki Teeron Ki Khanjar Ki
Nazar Bhar Ke Jise Tum Dekh Lo Vo Khud Hi Mar Jaye
Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji

Hum Pe Kyun Is Qadar Bigadti Ho
Chhedhne Vaale Tumko Aur Bhi Hain
Bahaaron Par Karo Gussa Ulajhti Hain Jo Aankhon Se
Havaaon Par Karo Gussa Jo Takraati Hain Zulfon Se
Kahin Aisa Na Ho Koi Tumhaara Dil Bhi Le Jaye
Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji