JAANE KYA TUUNE KAHI

 Song 1: 5 Mar 2013

Lata is the prima donna and there is no denying that. But the two voices that come closest to my heart are those of Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt. I have always enjoyed listening to and singing their songs. One reason is that I am an untrained voice and couldn't even handle Lata songs. But I get by Asha and Geeta ones, who were the voices of the sirens and the nymphs. If Lata was the conventional, dignified, solid voice of a heroine, Geeta Dutt's voice was the first choice when unconventional or quirky characters were supposed to be portrayed. Here for instance Waheeda plays a street walker with a heart of gold, but oh so graceful and bewitching even in that form. The silent chemistry between Guru Dutt and her is so evident and all encompassing. Waheeda's enigmatic face, her hypnotic eyes, the subtle interplay of light and shadow, Sahir's minimalistic lyrics that say nothing yet say a lot and S D Burman's evocative music that again uses that unique instrument that sounds like the wild song of crickets on a monsoon soaked night, giving allusions to a natural, unmasked mating dance of the senses, give this song a special allure and make it a classic.

 

A translation of this rather minimalistic but brilliant song by Sahir. Talk about economy of words!

Dunno what you said
Dunno what I heard
But something transpired.

There was a sensation
There was a shiver
Many dreams awoke
Something transpired

My eyes lowered and rose
My feet tread gingerly and froze
Now I had a new gait
Something transpired

My tresses curled at the shoulders
A fragrance emanated
Many secrets were set free
Something transpired....