The Song Divine

Murli Manohar Mohan Gridhar Hari Om

Dukh Bhanjan Mera Saath Na Chodo

Two things have fascinated me throughout my life-History and Celluloid,? ? ? ? ? ? ??

The year was 1952, Vijay Bhatt working for Prakash Pictures, decided to make a movie on Pandit Baijnath Mishra aka Baiju Bawra, based upon a story by Ramchandra Thakur. The thing was, it was going to be the first Hindi musical based upon Classical music. This was a risk the producers were taking. A core team was formed with Zia Sarhadi writing the dialogues, Naushad sahib doing the music, Shakeel writing the Lyrics and Rafi doing the playback. Such is the transformational quality of truth and wisdom that music that Exalts the Divine, turns out to be nothing short of divine brilliance.The mellifluos rendition by Rafi sahib is a pure glorifying of God, with intense passion and emotion, a masterpiece.??

Swami Haridas

A colossus in the Hindu Classical metier was Swami Haridas. A Vaishnavite who mostly limited himself to temple music and to his Gurukul. One of his most iconic disciples was none other than Mian Tansen. The regions mentioned in history, are the bad lands of Chanderi, Rewa and Gwalior. Tansen's fame spread far and wide, and then to the Rajput King Man Singh, who appointed Mian ji into his Court.? ?

Baijnath Mishra

In the movie, Baiju is shown to be a mendicant, a bard with talent but no knowledge of the classical. His is a journey to find his Guru. People suggest that Baiju should seek tutelage under Swami Haridas. The Guru though, is mortally sick. The guards at his Gurukul would not let Baiju enter. The only way is to sing his way through. Shakeel Badayuni, who primarily wrote in Urdu wrote the Bhajan, "Mann Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj". Sung in Raag Malkaus, this Dhrupad style of singing has a elongated start, a short middle and the final crescendo that ends in a blitzkreig (Alaap, Jor, Jhala).

The song starts with hope, "Mann Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj", in the antara it becomes a prayer, "Bin Guru Gyaan kahan se pauun, Deejo Daan Hari Gun Gaon, Sabhi Gunijan pe tum raaj". At this point, the convalescing Haridas starts getting strength in his legs. Curiosity, the name of the Lord and that mesmerising voice forces him to find the source of Bliss, as he struggles to stand and move towards the Temple in his Gurkul, under the strains of the Shankh Naad, the Cymbals, Khartals, the flute and dholak, the delighted crowd sings "Murli Manohar Mohan Giridhar Hari Om".?

?in a rapidly risng climactic beat, Swami ji reaches the feet of his God. Hef irst looks up lovingly at the idol, then turns to look at Baiju-a picture of serentiy, lost in the ultimate bliss. Swami ji raises his folded hands to the God in Namaskar as does the chanting crowd gathered all around. A miracle has just happened. Bharat Bhushan plays Baiju, Rai Mohan plays the sick Haridas and their enactment forces you to raise your own folded hands in praise of the Lord.?

Raga Malkauns

This is one of the first three ragas on which Hindustani classica music rests, and it's creation rests with none other Goddess Parvati. In literal terms Malkauns comes from the two words Mal and Kauns, implying the one who wears Snakes around his neck. It is said that Parvati created this Raga to calm down Shiva in his cosmic dance form of Tandava, post the death of his wife Sati-the daughter of Prajapati Daksh. This is a Shaivite Raga, which features just 5 notes. The Raga is known for the non use of Murkis or loud instruments. It is deeply divine, soothing and is predicated to be played in the late hours of the night, in peace and solemnness.

The Movie

Baiju Bawra is regarded as one of the best 100 films ever made. The movie won the Filmfare award of 1954 for Best Movie, Best Actor Bharat Bhushan, Best Actress Meena Kumari, Best Music for Naushad sahib. It ran to full houses for over 100 weeks and in today's terms earned an equivalent of USD 130 mn.?