Raat Chup Chap Dabein Paaon

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Raat Chup Chap Dabein Paao Chali Jaati Hai

 This song featured in HMV's (now Saregama) 1987 album Dil Padosi Hai created by Gulzar, RD Burman and Asha Bhosle.

Not many of us know that the origins of this song go back to the 1960’s when Hemant Kumar set tune to Gulzar’s words. The song then appeared as “Kash Ek Baar Kabhi Neend Se Uthkar Tum Bhi”. Check the below link-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P2_KcppG_8 

 The form of the song sung by Hemant Kumar is different. It starts with the last two lines of the song (as we know it) and combines it with the first two lines (of the song we know 😊) to form am Mukhda of four lines. Gulzar did this earlier with Dil Dhoondta Hai from Mausam where he changed the structure of Mirza Ghalib’s ghazal like below

The song that we know (sung by Asha Bhosle) has Mukhda of two lines. The last two lines of this song are the climax where it suddenly dawns upon us, that the protagonist is singing the song to her beloved who is no more. Either he has passed away or has separated from the protagonist. The song then has the same effect as the lines, “ती आई होती म्हणूनी … घन व्याकूळ मी ही रडलो” from the song “ती गेली तेव्हा रिमझिम”.

Dil Padosi Hai was a non film album. Usually when we listen a song, there are visuals on film to support the words and mood of the song. This being a non film album, it was completely upon RD and Asha’s voice to bring out that mood and help the listener form images based on the words, tune and tone.

It’s a song of separation and loneliness. It starts with all the sounds of a late evening meandering its way into the night. The use of instruments, the hollow sounds of bamboo flute, hoots of an owl from faraway, crickets helps build a imagery of the approaching night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQH0odS0y90

 

रात चुपचाप दबे पाँव चली जाती है

रात खामोश है रोती नहीं, हँसती भी नहीं

काँच का नीला सा गुम्बद है, उड़ा जाता है 

ख़ाली ख़ाली कोई बजरा सा बहा जाता है 

एक सैलाब है साहिल पे बिछा जाता है 

चाँद की किरणों में वो रोज़ सा रेशम भी नहीं 

चाँद की चिकनी डली है कि घुली जाती है 

और सन्नाटों की एक धूल उडी जाती है 

काश एक बार कभी नींद से उठकर तुम भी 

हिज्र की रातों में ये देखो तो क्या होता है

Without you…

Quietly the night passes away

Devoid of feelings neither happy nor sad

The first stanza is probably about her eyes that are like a glass dome (गुम्बद), that sparkles like a decorated boat (बजरा) only to drift away aimlessly, when a flood washes the beach. The flood is a metaphor for her tears.

The last lines - काश एक बार– start like a new stanza, but stop abruptly after … कभी नींद से उठकर तुम भी . where she calls upon him to wake up and see what happens on a night of separation (हिज्र की रात).

The answer lies in the opening lines – Nothing happens, the night just passes away quielt without a sound…