Mera Joota Hai Japani, Ye Patloon Englishstani.....

Mera Joota Hai Japani- Mukesh- Film Shree 420 (1955)- Lyrics Shailendra- Music Shankar Jaikishan

Shree 420, released in 1955 was a film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor. The number 420 references to Indian Penal Code 420, relating to cheating and deception, therefore Shree 420 is a derogatory term.. Raj Kapoor himself and Nargis were in lead roles. The film tells a tale of a tramp who migrates from rural Allahabad to mega city of Bombay with hopes and aspirations of success in his heart. Although he is uneducated and illiterate, he has golden innocent heart. Raj Kapoor's character in the film is heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin's " Little Tramp".

In Bombay he meets Vidya , a poor but nevertheless virtuous and proud girl (Nargis). However such is the magic of  glamorous Bombay City , that he is seduced by Seth Sonachand (Nemo) and Maya ( Nadira) into criminal and unscrupulous business of gambling. Being street smart, no need to tell that he excels in cheating and acquires wealth. However in the process, he looses the love of innocent and proud Vidya, who despite of her many attempts to reform him, fails. 

The remaining part of movie describes Raj's attempt to escape from the shady world of crime, when he realizes the dishonesty of Seth Sonachand.

This song comes right after the opening credits, when Raj is traveling on foot to Bombay. He is tired, his shoes are worn out. He wears Japani shoes, English pant and red Russian hat on his head. Despite all this, he is purely Indian in the deepest chamber of his heart. Braving the adversities he has embarked on the journey, but God alone knows where his journey will lead him. Still he has no option but to continue the journey in the quest of success. This journey of life is full of joyous as well unhappy moments which come and go like undulating waves. He has to be the very part of it. There is no use sitting on the bank of a streaming river of life and showing reluctance for the sake of failure.  He has to tread the path irrespective of where destiny leads him to. He is no less than a spoilt prince who is king of his own destiny. The caustic comments of surrounding , ignorant people do not affect him.. He is determined to set on his journey of life.

मेरा जूता है जापानी, ये पतलून इंगलिस्तानी

सर पे लाल टोपी रूसी, फिर भी दिल है हिंदुस्तानी

मेरा जूता...

निकल पड़े हैं खुली सड़क पर

अपना सीना ताने 

मंज़िल कहाँ कहाँ रुकना है

ऊपर वाला जाने 

बढ़ते जायें हम सैलानी, जैसे एक दरिया तूफ़ानी

सर पे लाल...

ऊपर नीचे नीचे ऊपर

लहर चले जीवन की 

नादाँ हैं जो बैठ किनारे

पूछें राह वतन की 

चलना जीवन की कहानी, रुकना मौत की निशानी

सर पे लाल...

होंगे राजे राजकुँवर हम

बिगड़े दिल शहज़ादे 

हम सिंहासन पर जा बैठे

जब जब करें इरादे 

सूरत है जानी पहचानी, दुनिया वालों को हैरानी

सर पे लाल...

Shailendra is at his philosophic best here !! In simple words he brings forth the universal truth of life, that despite relentless adversities, you have to brave the life courageously and welcome it with both hands as it is. There is no respite from this ordeal. The only way is go on .......

The patriotic feeling in the song is often referenced, including in an acceptance speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2006 by Bengali author Mahasweta Devi. No wonder the film and the song became popular not only in India but in other countries like Soviet Russia, Romania and Israel. The film made Raj Kapoor as popular in Soviet Russia as Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shree 420 (1955)

Star Cast : Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Nadira, Nemo, Lalita Pawar, Iftikhar.

Screenplay : Khwaja Ahmed Abbas/ V.P.Sathe.

Story by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas.

Editing : G.G.Mayekar.

Cinematography : Raghu Karmakar.

Lyrics: Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.

Music: Shankar Jaikishan.

Produced and Directed by Raj Kapoor.

A R.K.Films Production Film.