Revisiting Golden Era Songs : Unearthing the meaning and significance of the song "Main Pal Do Pal ka Shayar hoon"

Yesterday while listening to Hindi retros, an idea came in my mind to start this blog series. This series of blogs will attempt to capture the meaning, significance and relevance of Hindi songs especially of 50's-80's era in present modern times. The reason why I have chosen this era of songs lies in my interest and liking for these songs that carried so much meaning (meaningful lyrics was the first trademark of this era songs, somewhat missing in present era). Also I am interested to propagate and convey my present and future generations about these evergreen songs. 

As they might not have been as lucky as us to get exposure to these brilliant, melodious and marvellous songs, this series can try to nudge them listen to the brilliant works of the maestros like K L Saigal, Hemanta Mukherjee/Kumar, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Md Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle etc. This might re-discover the evergreen yet lost gems and songs on one hand and on the other would make us realize the foresightedness and relevance of these songs even in present era. In case if this series gets decent review and feedback, I shall look forward to add other language songs through support of my friends. 

To start this series, I have chosen the song "Main Pal Do Pal ka Shayar hoon" from the movie "Kabhi Kabhi" (1976). The video and song should be listened before proceeding further in the blog to appreciate the content of the blog and come up with those insights in comment box that I may have missed. 

Reasons for picking this song include - it being my all time favourite song; sung by my favourite singer Mukesh Jee and most importantly because it denotes the harsh reality "ephemeral/mortal nature of human life" in all the below three verses of it. The lyrics of this song and English translation can be found on Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon Lyrics   

1st verse -

"Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon

pal do pal meri kahani hai pal do pal meri hasti hai pal do pal meri jawani hai main pal do pal ka shayar hoon"

This denotes the non-static or dynamic manner of human existence. We age with time and no matter how much effort one puts in, adulthood (jawani) is followed with elderly phase of everyone's life. We stay in a place or job for sometime before we shift to somewhere else (Pal Do Pal). One's image (Hasti), stature and position is for sometime (moment - Pal) and can get over anytime. Hence, the crux of this verse is to make people internalise the concept of being happy, staying positive and doing good in whatever and however one can in the status quo (present moment). 

2nd verse -

Mujhse pahele kitne shayar aaye aur aakar chaley gaye kuch anhein barkar laut gaye kuch nagme gaa kar chaley gaye woh bhi ek pal ka kissa thhey main bhi ek pal ka kissa hoon kal tumse jhuda ho jaunga jo aaj tumhara hissa hoon main pal do pal ka shayar hoon

This verse has covered the same mortal nature of human lives in a manner that touches the lives of all beings. We encounter so many people on a daily basis. They arrive on this worldly stage (as Shakespeare will call), act/perform their role and leave for others to do the same. Few become successful, famous and renowned for their works in their domain whereas many couldn't exhibit their talent due to different reasons (Kuch anhein.......nagme gaa kar chaley gaye). When one does good things in a job or society, many would appreciate and try to give immortal status to such individuals. But the truth is that there might have been many famous; more successful and intellectual persons even in the past and they too get forgotten with time. Same would be the case with the present "so-called genius and immortal persons". It's important to understand that one's existence ceases with death and hence should not expect ever-lasting life or prestige.

3rd verse -

Kal aur ayenge nagmon ki khilti kaliyan chunnewale mujhese behetar kahenewale tumse behetar sunnewale kal koi mujhko yaad karhey kyon koi mujhko yaad karhey masroof zamana mere liye kyon waqt apna barbadh kare 

main pal do pal ka shayar hoon

The last verse tries to re-establish the fact that more smart, intelligent and wise people will inhabit the earth in future (Flynn effect in psychology - As per Flynn, with increasing technology; modernisation and better nutrition & education, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of humans increases by 10-20 points per generation). Further, it questions the correctness of expectation from society of remembering us and our works. Due to the fast changing nature of world and shrinking personal space, why should people waste their time in remembering people from the past. Instead they should cherish the works of present and nurture the coming future in making a much better world order. If one can internalise this wisdom of being without expectations/attachments , more than half of the pain and disappointment in world would vanish (Buddhist philosophy). 

For example - Parents expect discipline and respect along with support when they age from their children. If the latter are not up to the mark (even a meagre 10% deviation) in delivering these expectations, parents feel unhappy, disappointed and even start questioning their parenting. This leads to a bad relationship between the two stakeholders.

   

Hence, if one tries to capture the essence of this melodious and lyrical song in one sentence, it shall be "The dynamic life always keeps on ticking and hence we should not cling on to the minute immaterial aspects and expectations from people around". This causes nothing other than anger, pain, frustration, disappointment etc. Instead of expecting, we need to accept the beauty of human existence i.e. mortality, diversity (of views, opinions, preferences etc.) and the limited time we humans have to find the purpose of our life and lead a happy, satisfying and positive life. 

Further, whatever we are today is a product of our efforts, privilege (family status, caste) and genes we inherit. Hence, the role of several stakeholders of society can't be discounted in success of any individual. Thus, it is our moral responsibility of giving back to society whatever and however we can (without expectations of being remembered after one's existence, awards etc.). This is also the concept of Sustainable Development and CSR that need to be internalised among all humans and companies respectively for ensuring habitable conditions on this planet for humans, flora and fauna. 

To conclude, the singer through this song highlights the truth that we all become uncomfortable with "Mortal Human Life". We are bound to be vanished as we die and so do our works, especially they were self-centred and enriching. Few personalities like Gandhiji, Martin Luther, Haider Ali & Tatia Tope, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Akbar, Shivaji, singers like above etc. are still remembered and taught for their works because they were foresighted and more outward in nature (for societal purposes). But even then they might be forgotten with time or cursed for something wrong (which might have been right in that moment). Accepting the harsh truth of ephemeral and short-lived nature of our existence and our name & work can only ensure well-being and mindfulness (staying completely in present moment to live it fully with happiness and grace) in the world order.