Javed Akhtar salutes Sahir Ludhianvi’s masterpiece in Hum DonoThere are several exceptionally good songs but the one that comes to my mind right now and I guess that should make it a ‘classic in my head’ is Abhi na jao chod ke from the 1961 film Hum Dono. The song was written by Sahir Ludhianvi, its music was composed by Jaidev and it was sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle. I first heard it when I was 17 and was studying in college in Bhopal. I fell for the song instantly and continue to hum it with the same enthusiasm even now. It is one of the finest romantic duets ever made in Indian cinema and there can be no two opinions about its brilliance. The older generation continues to love it and I am sure the younger crowd would list it among their favourites too if they sit down to hear it.The words of the song are gentle and simple yet very effective in conveying the song’s romantic theme. The poetry is not highfalutin. It is, in fact, very transparent and conversational. Sahir had done a commendable task in managing to write a deeply romantic song by using simple and light words. I would say it’s perfect. The music Jaidev composed for the song complemented its literary excellence. Its tune is extremely organic. There was no other way to compose it the way it was composed, and if someone tried to make it in some other manner, it could not have been made at all. Then, Rafi and Bhonsle rendered it in their unfailing voices while Dev Anand and Sadhana acted to it in their typical charismatic fashion. Basically, everything falls into its place for Abhi na jao chod ke. A rare feat indeed. Of course, I am inspired by the song whenever I pen lyrics for the songs I write, just as I am influenced by anything else I read or hear or see or appreciate. But inspiration has now sadly come to mean plagiarism, and thus I’d like to say that though I am inspired by Aabhi na jao chod ke, I’ve never tried to copy its words or style. Lyricists like Sahir and Shailendra have educated me with their beautiful words but I have my own ways of doing my songs.(As told to Irena Akbar)
