Two time National Award-winning lyricist Swanand Kirkire is one of the most prominent figures in the Hindi music industry. Screenplay writer, assistant director and singer, Kirkire has donned many hats. He has a flair for describing the most complex of thoughts with simple, straightforward use of words. Let’s take a look at some of his best creations.
1. Yeh Fitoor Mera (Fitoor)
Fitoor is a perfect case study in weaving unforgettable lyrics with minimal words. In fact, there are only two verses here. But these two verses convey the two crucial instruments of success. Pure passion and luck.
The lyrics reiterate Noor‘s gratitude towards the almighty (thanks to a mysterious benefactor) at the same time reassuring that obsession almost bordering on madness is the key to his triumph. In the film, a young orphan Noor goes on to become a renowned artist. Whether this sense of achievement is directed towards Firdaus or to the life he has made for himself is left to one’s imagination. It holds the same intrigue as Firdaus’ intentions in the film.
Charles Dickens captured Pip’s rags-to-riches story in several hundred pages. Swanand Kirkire managed to encompass Noor’s perception of success in bare minimum poetry. Take a bow, sire.
Best lines:
dheeme dheeme jal rahi thi khwaishein
dil mein dabi, ghut rahi farmaaishein
banke dhuaan wo
tujh tak jaa pahunchi, parvardigara..
deewangi ki hadd maine nochi o parvardigara
2. Navrai Majhi (English Vinglish)
The blend of two diametrically opposite cultures, Marathi and Punjabi bring out the most fun wedding song of all time. The lyrics pack the typical Marathi flavor while keeping the artistic sensibilities intact. To people unaware, it might seem like an old Marathi folk song. Stuff every grandmother loves to sing at weddings.
A song in adoration of the bride couldn’t have been better written. Words like ithlaati balkhati, bharmati, sakuchati lend a playful elegance which is the hallmark of an Indian bride. The lyrics cherish the Indian culture and traditions.
Best lines:
Baurai chali sharmaati ghabraati wo
Piya ke ghar ithlaati balkhaati wo
Surmai naina chhalkaati-chhalkati wo
Piya ke ghar bharmaati sakuchaati wo
3. O Ri Chirayya (Satyamev Jayate)
Most songs in reverence to women have a tone of accusation. Swanand Kirkire makes a complete U-turn and takes responsibility for women’s plight in the world. In the first verse, Swanand paints the ignorance and the horror of debilitating women to the verge of devastation.
Humne socha nahi
Tu jo ud jayegi
Ye zameen tere bin sooni reh jayegi
Kiske dum pe sajega mera angna
In the second, he opens up a hopeful picture of making amends to the atrocities on women to make a better place for them.
Tere pankho mein saare sitare jadoon
Teri chunar dhanak satrangi bunoon
Tere kajal mein main kaali raina bharoon
Teri mehandi mein main kachchi dhoop maloon
Tere naino sajaa doon naya sapna
The lyrics celebrate women and Swanand through his words, gives them an unrestricted power to dream.
4. Behti Hawa (3 Idiots)
Raju Hirani perfectly sums this as Aamir Khan’s funeral song. A man who put excellence before success all his life in both the film as Rancho and real life as an actor, deserves this song. Going against every grain of conventional wisdom, Rancho never cares for failures or future. He follows his heart and the lyrics weave a unique persona for the character.
The thought of creating your own path amidst the herd is conveyed remarkably.
Best lines:
Sulagti dhoop mein chhaaon ke jaisa
Raegistaan mein gaaon ke jaisa
Mann ke ghaav pe marham
Jaisa tha woh
Hum sahme se rehte koovein mein
Woh nadiya mein gotae lagata
Ulti dhara cheer ke tairta tha woh
5. Des Mera (Peepli Live)
Looking at India’s diversity, an outsider might think it’s a miracle that we are together. This thought put forth by Indian Ocean is expanded upon by Swanand Kirkire’s contributions. Original lyrics were by Sanjeev Sharma, but rework for the film was done by Kirkire.
The lyrics describe the major conflict of the film. A farmer’s fake suicide attempt is blown out of proportion by the media and democracy.
Raai Pahad hai kankar shankar
A mustard seed becomes mountain here and a stone can be god (Lord Shiva)
Baat hai chhoti bada Batangad
Small issues are made big (for no reason)
Arre India sir yeh cheez durandar
Sir, this India is a great thing
Rang rangeela parja tantar
This democracy is very colorful
Swanand Kirkire sticks to the hopelessness of Natha’s journey in Peepli Live as the words turn dark and devoid of any color in the final stanza:
Sookhe naina rookhi akhiyan
dry eyes, dry eyes
Dhundla dhundla sapna
foggy dream
Aansu bhi namkeen hai pyaare
the tears are also salty
Jo tapke so chakhna
taste it when it falls
Indian Ocean’s rooted music and powerful lyrics from Kirkire make the listener empathize with the most ignored aspect of our country: the villages.
6. Chand Ki Talaash (Khoya Khoya Chand)
This is one hell of an underrated song. The lyrics celebrate a Guru Dutt style addiction to pain. Beautiful but self-destructive. The movie is reminiscent of the 1950s decade and the lyrics find inspiration from songs like Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai, Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam and the obvious Khoya Koya Chand.
Guru Dutt’s dilemma of chasing fame and yet being thoroughly heartbroken at obtaining it is what drives the song. The heart understands that there will always be more sorrow with every achievement. This sorrow brings out great art which opens up even greater pain. Swanand Kirkire’s genius lies in the realization and acceptance that the only way to relieve pain is to create more of it.
Guru Dutt was an enigma. He had attempted suicide three times, failed in love/marriage and given up directing after the failure of Kaagaz Ke Phool. His life was the classic battle of self-inflicted pain for the sake of art. The lyrics remind us of this conflict and the man who was the living embodiment of it.
Best lines:
Jab Kabhi Yeh Dil Laga Dard Hi Hamein Mila
Dil Ki Har Lagi Ka Sunlo Dard Hi Hai Ik Sila
Jab Kabhi Yeh Dil Laga Dard Hi Hamein Mila
Dil Ki Har Lagi Ka Sunlo Dard Hi Hai Ik Sila
Kyun Naye Naye Se Dard Ki Firaaq Mein Talaash Mein Udaas Hai Dil
By Shridhar Kulkarni & Rima Fernandes
Itti si hansi Itti si khushi itta sa tukda chand ka , khwabon ke tinkon se chal banayeinn aashiyan.
Bin pucchhe mera naam aur pata rasmon ko rakh ke pare chaar kadam bas chaar kadam chal do na saath mere.
Saari ummrr hum mar marke ji liye ik pal toh abb hamein jine do , jine do