Aao Bachho Tumhe Dikhaye Zanki Hindustan Ki

Aao Bachhon Tumhe Dikhaye- Kavi Pradeep- Film Jagriti 1954- Lyricist Kavi Pradeep- Music Hemant Kumar

In an era when the student-teacher relationship was said to be at the crossroads and India had experienced a mere seven years of Independence, “Jagriti” stood out as a movie that was far ahead of its times. Made in 1954, it makes poignant viewing, especially for those who value meaningful cinema.

The film has a simple story. Ajay (Raj Kumar Gupta) is a brat who is packed off to a boarding school. Bhattacharya, who plays the role of a visionary school teacher (Shekhar), is known to adopt some unorthodox methods to make education interesting. He focuses on making the students understand the rich history and heritage of the country. His work is aimed at producing worthy citizens.

The rebellious Ajay refuses to mend his ways at the school and invites the displeasure of Shekhar. He encounters Shakti, played immaculately by Rattan Kumar, and the two become friends. Shakti unsuccessfully works to help Ajay reform himself. It is only Shakti’s death in an accident that changes Ajay’s life.

Abhi Bhattacharya gives the performance of his life as a school teacher who aims to make the students enjoy education. The director excels in his portrayal of friendship and the teacher-pupil relationship. Little wonder he directed “Dosti” ten years later. Significantly, “Jagriti” and “Dosti” received the Filmfare award for best movie.

Rattan Kumar, who won millions of hearts as Bhola in Raj Kapoor’s all-time hit “Boot Polish”, emerges a fine actor, particularly when tackling emotional scenes; so does Raj Kumar Gupta. But it is Bhattacharya who dominates the movie as a man with revolutionary teaching methods. His performance fittingly won him the Filmfare best supporting actor award.

Music by Hemant Kumar remains the strong point of the movie and Pradeep, an acknowledged poet, leaves his mark with some great work. The classic “Aao Bachhon Tumhen Dikhaayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki”, sung by Pradeep, is one of the finest patriotic songs from Indian cinema. It has been shot at different locations as Shekhar takes his boys on a historical trip around the country. Asha Bhonsle is at her best when rendering a soul-stirring “Chalo Chalen Maa” and a highly inspiring “De Di Hamein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhaal”. Then there is Mohammad Rafi singing the memorable “Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke”. Pradeep and Hemant produced unmatched melody to add to the status of “Jagriti” as a film that can never be dated. It indeed set a benchmark in quality cinema.

The budget was low and technical support average but the movie remained high in its fans’ esteem when it came to decent entertainment. It carried a social message on the importance of education for the students and the teaching fraternity. The awards that it reaped were most deserving.

आओ बच्चों तुम्हें दिखाएं झाँकी हिंदुस्तान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम ...

उत्तर में रखवाली करता पर्वतराज विराट है
दक्शिण में चरणों को धोता सागर का सम्राट है
जमुना जी के तट को देखो गंगा का ये घाट है
बाट-बाट पे हाट-हाट में यहाँ निराला ठाठ है
देखो ये तस्वीरें अपने गौरव की अभिमान की,
इस मिट्टी से ...
ये है अपना राजपूताना नाज़ इसे तलवारों पे
इसने सारा जीवन काटा बरछी तीर कटारों पे
ये प्रताप का वतन पला है आज़ादी के नारों पे
कूद पड़ी थी यहाँ हज़ारों पदमिनियाँ अंगारों पे
बोल रही है कण कण से कुरबानी राजस्थान की
देखो मुल्क मराठों का ये यहाँ शिवाजी डोला था
मुग़लों की ताकत को जिसने तलवारों पे तोला था
हर पावत पे आग लगी थी हर पत्थर एक शोला था
बोली हर-हर महादेव की बच्चा-बच्चा बोला था
यहाँ शिवाजी ने रखी थी लाज हमारी शान की
इस मिट्टी से ...
जलियाँ वाला बाग ये देखो यहाँ चली थी गोलियाँ
ये मत पूछो किसने खेली यहाँ खून की होलियाँ
एक तरफ़ बंदूकें दन दन एक तरफ़ थी टोलियाँ
मरनेवाले बोल रहे थे इनक़लाब की बोलियाँ
यहाँ लगा दी बहनों ने भी बाजी अपनी जान की
इस मिट्टी से ...
ये देखो बंगाल यहाँ का हर चप्पा हरियाला है
यहाँ का बच्चा-बच्चा अपने देश पे मरनेवाला है
ढाला है इसको बिजली ने भूचालों ने पाला है
मुट्ठी में तूफ़ान बंधा है और प्राण में ज्वाला है
जन्मभूमि है यही हमारे वीर सुभाष महान की
इस मिट्टी से ...

Jagriti 1954
Star Cast: Abhi Bhattacharya, Ratan Kumar, Pranoti Ghosh, Rajkumar Gupta, Bipin Gupta, Mumtaz Begum
Written by Satyen Bose.
Cinematography: N.V.Srinivas
Lyrics Kavi Pradeep
Music Hemant Kumar
Produced by Shashadhar Mukherjee
Directed by Satyen Bose.
A Filmistan Production.