Jo Tum Todo Piya...

Jo Tum Todo Piya- Lata Mangeshkar- Film Jhanak Jhank Payal Baaje 1955- Lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri-Music Vasant Desai

Producer Director V.Shantaram was immensely proud of the legacy of Indian Classical Dances which have been enriched by the dances like Katthak, Manipuri and Bharatnatyam. In 1955, he created a dance and song extravaganza with Guru-Shishya tradition of classical dance as a main theme. The elad pair was Gopi Krishna, a noted classical dancer and Sandhya. The music was imparted by Vasant Desai. 

In short the plot revolves around a dancer Neela (Sandhya), who impressed by the skills of Giridhar (Gopi Krishna), asks for the pupil of Dance Guriji Mangal Maharaj (Keshavrao Date),who agrees, under the condition that she must devote her total attention to the dance and partner Giridhar in performing Tandav Nritya in up coming dance competition. Under Giridhar's guidance she begins to learn the art and beauty of classical dance. During their practices , she looses her heart to Giridhar. 

In the absence of Mangal, ( who goes outstation to buy costumes for competition),they begin to flirt in idle walks in Gardens and boat rides, all the time neglecting dancing. Upon his return, when Mangal Maharaj comes to know that their dancing has suffered because of love, he is enraged. He resolves to leave Giridhar. 

Dismayed that she is instrumental in the downfall of Giridhar's career, Neela pretends to betray Giridhar, and tries to drown herself in the river. A kind Sadhu (Nana Palshikar) saves her. She decides to follow the example of minstrel Meera, devoting her life to Krishna. However the flame of love towards Giridhar is still alive in her heart. It is then, she sings this Meera bhajan, ostensibly invoking Lord Krishna ,but actually in her melancholic lonely state of mind calling Giridhar, which is also another name of Lord Krishna.

After lot of twists/turns in the story, and grand extravagant Tandav Nritya competition at the fag end of film, Mangal Maharaj, convinced of the true love between Giridhar and Neela, agrees to their marriage.

कृष्णा ....

जो तुम तोड़ो पिया मैं नाहीं तोड़ूँ रे
तोसे प्रीत तोड़ कान्हा कौन संग जोड़ूँ रे
 तुम भये तरुवर मैं भई पतिया
तुम भये सरोवर मैं भई मछिया
तुम भये गिरवर मैं भई चारा
तुम भये चंदा मैं भई चकोरी
जो तुम तोड़ो पिया ...
 तुम भये मोती प्रभुजी हम भये धागा
तुम भये सोना हम भये सुहागा
दासी मीरा के प्रभुजी ब्रिज के वासी
सुनो हे गोपाल
तुम मेरे ठाकुर मैं तोरी दासी
जो तुम तोड़ो पिया ...

 ( She is lonely and desolate. She says even if you objurgate our love, I can't. Where shall I go without your love ? Life without your love is utterly meaningless. There is no one else besides you to whom I could love. If you are tree , I am your leaf. If you are a lake I am a fish in the lake, if you are Moon ,I am your Chakori. The very existence of my life is dependent on you. If you are pearl, I am a thread, completely intertwined with you. If you are Gold I am Suhag. O Giridhar...You are my master and I am your slave. without you I am nothing and without your love the life is listless.}

Beautiful lyrics depicting the helpless and despondent state of mind of Neela, calling for her beloved to give respite from this unbearable ordeal. The lyrics , the music by Vasant Desai and the ardent rendering by Lata in her divine voice elevates the song to a new level.

Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje 1955

Star Cast : Sandhya, Gopi Krishna, Keshavrao Date, Madan Puri, Bhagwan, Nana palshikar,
Mumtaz Begum, Manorama.
Story by Dewan Sharar.
Cinematography : G.Balakrishna.
Edited by Chintamani Borkar.
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri.
Music Vasant Desai.
Produced and Directed by V.Shantaram.
Rajkamal Film Studio Film.