Devta Tum Ho Sahara

Devta Tum Hi Ho Mera Sahara- Mubarak Begum, Rafi-Film Dayera 1953- Kaif Bhopali- Music Jamal Sen

Film Dyera, released in 1953, was the first movie of Kamal Amrohi as producer.  He had already married with Meena Kumari. Earlier he had directed film Mahal, 1949. Lata's voice was one of the factors for the popularity of Mahal. However in this film , which was produced under Kamal Pictures, Kamal Amrohi had selected Mubarak Begum's voice for Meena Kumari. Mubarak Begum  had four songs in the film, but the winner song is "Devta Tum Hi Ho Mera Sahara", which also happens to be theme song and repeated throughout the film.

The story of film revolves around  the narrative dealing with the dreams and aspiration of a 16-old-girl, Sheetal (Meena Kumari), caught in the vortex of uncertainty and morality. She is desperate for engagement with her neighbour, Shravan (Nasir Khan, late brother of Dilip Kumar), who is equally drawn towards her, but she is forced into meaningless wedlock with a sick old man (Nana Palsikar), a man old enough to be her father. Her old aged husband is also suffering from Tuberculossis, and while serving him Sheetal also catches the decease. She is gloomy, sliding endlessly in the abyss of misery and helplessness. Obviously, marriage to old aged man might be making  her pessimistic. In the meanwhile, her husband begins to respond favorably to medical treatment. Sheetal however is bent on killing herself. She has no purpose left in life. Her only solace is listening to the neighborly bhajan, lying motionless on bed. She tries to draw comfort from it's soothing and calming tune.

डाल दी मैं ने जल-थल में नय्या
जागना हो तो जागो खेवय्या
जागना हो तो जागो खेवय्या

देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
मैं ने थामा है दामन तुम्हारा
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
मैं ने थामा है दामन तुम्हारा
थाम लो अपनी राधा को भगवान
रुक न जाये कहीं दिल की धड़कन
ये न कहने लगी कोई बिरहन
मूँह छुपाकर साँवरिया ने मारा
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
मैं ने थामा है दामन तुम्हारा
मेरे नैनों को तुम ऐसे पाये
दो घड़ी मुझ को निंदिया न आये
मेरी आँखों से आँखों लड़ाये
डूबता है सवेरे का तारा
देवता तुम हो मेर सहारा...
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
मैं ने थामा है दामन तुम्हारा
रैन भरी है गेहरा अँधेरा
हाथ ले लो तुम हाथों में मेरा
सो गये मंदिरों के पुजारी
गूँजती है मुरलिया तुम्हारी
आत्मा झूमती है हमारी
दिल खिंचा जा रहा है हमारा
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
देवता तुम हो मेरा सहारा
मैं ने थामा है दामन तुम्हारा
छोड़ कर मैन न भगवान को जाऊँ
रात भर यूँ ही जागूँ जगाऊँ
गीत गा गा के रोऊँ रुलाऊँ
ये वचन लूँ के मैं हूँ तुम्हारा
मैं हूँ तुम्हारा
ये वचन लूँ के मैं हूँ तुम्हारा
मैं हूँ तुम्हारा
ये वचन लूँ के मैं हूँ तुम्हारा
मैं हूँ तुम्हारा...

The lyrics actually depicts the aspirations of Shravan and Sheetal for the fulfillment of their love. She wants to get immersed in his love. Due to  turmoil in her heart, she is forced to spend the nights without sleep. In this melancholic state of mind she feels that he is the only refuge to escape from her gloom.He on the other hand, requests her hand and assures that he will always be hers only till the end.

Mubarak Begum's and Rafi's mellow, soft voices carry the profoundly divine meaning of Kaif Bhopali's lyrics. Jamal Sen's music complements beautifully to the lyrics. All in all a song that captivates you.

 

Meena Kumari in Dayera 1953

Daera 1953
Starcast: Nasir Hussain, Meena Kumari, Nana Palshikar.
Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali.
Music: Jamal Sen
Written, produced and Directed by Kamal Amrohi
A Kamal Pictures Production Film.