Ye Zindgi Usiki Hai

Ye Zindagi Usiki Hai- Lata Mangeshkar- Film Anarkali 1953- Lyrics Rajendra Krishna- Music C.Ramchandra.
A nomadic common Kaneej girl at the lowest strata of society,  Shahzada of Mughal Sultanat, their budding love, rebellion against the mighty Emperor Akbar, the resultant battle, and at the end, the victory of love over authority and shackles of society,  albeit sacrifice of  a  life..... all these events, on the vast canvas of medieval India under Mughal occupation , do provide ideal ingredients for a block buster action packed Bollywood movie.  Seven years before the magnum opus of Director K.Asif's  Mughal-E-Azam,  Anarkali , released in 1953, under the baton of Filmistan was such a movie.  It was the biggest hit of 1953.

The Anarkali-Salim legend is unsupported by historic evidence, but the story of  sqashed youthful love in conflict with norms of society and authority, provides rich dramatic material with immense popular appeal. It is no surprise therefore that this popular legend has been filmed many times on the silver screen. However, Anarkali was not the first movie based on the royal romance between Salim and Anarkali. Way back in 1928, Ardeshir Irani, who produced first talking movie Alam Ara in 1931, had made Anarkali , with Ruby Myers (Sulochana) in Anarkali's role. It was a silent film and was raging hit.

The film Anarkali is based on the legendary romance between Prince Salim (Pradeep Kumar) and Anarkali (Bina Rai). One of the greatest historical love stories ever told and brought to the big screen in a classic style by Filmistan. With nine super hit songs including the all time great Yeh Zindagi Uski Hai. The songs of the films were written by eminent lyricists like Rajendra Krishna, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra and  Jan Nissar Akhtar. The music was by C.Ramchandra. Basant Prakash  was initially assigned for providing music to the film,  but he died having recorded just one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as composer and insisted  that all songs be sung by Lata Mangeshkar, but on listening the song, he allowed it to remain in the film. It was the famous song  "Aa Jaane Wafaa"............

The story of Anarkali relates to Shehzada Salim's love with common nomad girl Nadira. Their love gradually blossoms, but not kindly looked upon Emperor Akbar, (Salim's Father), because of the difference of status between two. Salim subsequently revolts against the Mughal Emperor, the rebellion is crushed and Anarkali consigned to quiet burial. The love story may have been unsuccessful ,but it remained itched into the every Indian's mind. It depicts how even against adversities the true love ends up being victorious by virtue of sacrifice.

The melodious mood of the movie Anarkali, is set after viewers are taken to Anarkali's grave in Agra. Immediately after this, the royal love story unfolds in flashback, with Anarkali (Bina Rai), singing this song. Emperior Akbar hears the sweet voice. The mesmerized Emperor comes there. Her beloved Salim however is terrified and escapes. Akbar challenges Nadira to bring back her beloved. She indeed brings him back by her singing. However he remains in hiding, not showing his face. Emperor is delighted by her power of singing, and commands  her to ask for anything. She humbly asks for a bud of pomegranate in Emperors hand. The impressed Emperor, gives her a title of Anarkali....

ये ज़िंदगी उसी की है, जो किसी का हो गया
प्यार ही में खो गया, ये ज़िंदगी ...
ये बहार, ये समा, कह रहा है प्यार कर
किसी की आरज़ू में अपने दिल को बेक़रार कर
ज़िंदगी है बेवफ़ा...
ज़िंदगी है बेवफ़ा, लूट प्यार का मज़ा
ये ज़िंदगी ...
धड़क रहा है दिल तो क्या, दिल की धड़कनें ना सुन
फिर कहां ये फ़ुर्सतें, फिर कहाँ ये रात-दिन
आ रही है ये सदा...
आ रही है ये सदा, मस्तियों में झूम जा
ये ज़िंदगी ...

The song comes in the film twice. At the beginning, showing Salim and Anarkali's blossoming love and at the end when Anarkali is being buried alive. Accordingly the lyrics also change. While the above lyrics sets the happy ambiance, it creates a pal of gloom and despair in the other song .

Here is the second version of song...

दो दिल यहाँ न मिल सके, मिलेंगे उस जहान में
खिलेंगे हसरतों के फूल, मौत के आस्मान में
ये ज़िंदगी चली गई जो प्यार में तो क्या हुआ
ये ज़िंदगी ...
सुना रही है दास्तां, शमा मेरे मज़ार की
फ़िज़ा में भी खिली रही, ये कली अनार की
इसे मज़ार मत कहो, ये महल है प्यार का
ये ज़िंदगी ...
ऐ ज़िंदगी की शाम आ, तुझे गले लगाऊं मैं
तुझी में डूब जाऊं मैं
जहाँ को भूल जाऊं मैं
बस एक नज़र मेरे सनम, अल्विदा, अल्विदा
अल्विदा ... अल्विदा ...
अल्विदा ... अल्विदा ...

When C. Ramchandra was composing tune for this song one evening, another great composer of that time, composer Roshan dropped by to invite CR for some house hold function at Roshan's house. When subject of this song and difficulties in composition came in their discussion, Roshan suggested totally new approach and scribbled notation of this song in hurry, which we listen as above. Roshan's greatness was such that he did not claim credit of the composition. CR's greatness is such that he did not hide this fact and openly gave credit of such legendary song to Roshan. Great people of yesteryears !! The song comes at No. 1  in the list of Lata Mangeshkar's list of top ten favourite songs.

Anarkali 1953
Starcast: Pradeep Kumar, Bina Rai, Manmohan Krishna, Mubarak, Kuldip Kaur, Ruby Myers
Lyricists: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Jan Nissar Akhtar and Rajendra Krishna.
Music: Basant Prakash/ C.Ramchandra.
Screen Play: Naseer Hussain.
Produced by  Filmistan
Directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal