The ‘Intezar’ Songs

Just the other day, I was waiting at a theater for my wife to join me. I was feeling a bit irritated, ‘Why can’t these women get ready on time, eh?’ was my first reaction. But we still had 15 minutes for the movie to start. Later I became frustrated, still 10 minutes for the movie. No sign of her. A few more minutes passed, and I started getting nervous and tense. ‘Why isn’t she here yet?, usually she is on time. Is the two wheeler playing up? Or is it something else?’ I was really getting worried, when a familiar voice called me, that of my wife’s! Thank God! The titles of the movie had just began as we entered the hall, me beginning to get angry now. It’s so awkward to pass in front of the audience watching the movie. They stare at you as if, you have done something unpardonable! (By the way, I do the same, when I happened to be on the other side)

Intezar, Intezar, Intezar

The ‘Waiting’ incidence put the idea of this post into my head. To make a list of ‘Songs of Waiting’. But I wasn’t going to include songs that depict waiting. I wanted to make the list of songs with the word ‘Intezar’ in the opening lines. I started looking for songs. I gathered quite a good number of songs, and I started short listing those songs. The ones having different situations was my target and I was busy doing that for a few days.
Finally here I’m with the song list. Some of the songs may share a similar situation, but that’s my fault. I may have been a little biased about a particular song. The situations in a song having the word ‘Intezar’ are quite obvious, the common one being, She is waiting for him or vise versa. The couple is in love and is desperate to meet each other. You may also find it in songs of separation, where the couple is beyond each other’s reach and yearn for the partner. My list even has a seductive song. I think I must have aroused curiosity about the songs on the list!

So Here we go, Ten songs with the word ‘Intezar’ in the opening lines. The songs are in No particular order.

1. Hum Intezar Karenge – Bahu Begum (1964) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Roshan – Sahir
Zeenat Begum (Meena Kumari) is waiting for Yusuf (Pradeep Kumar). Her closest friend, is accompanying her and making gestures to tease her. She is sure about his arrival, but is ready to wait for him till the end of the world! And if he’s really making an appearance after a disaster, she is ready to face it. At least he would come. Of course, that a poetic way to describe things. Finally he comes singing the last verse.
A romantic song, wonderfully sung! Ashanti Bhosle’s expressions are mind blowing. It shows shades of desperation and confidence, so very easily.

2. Tum Pukar Lo – Khamoshi (1969) Hemant Kumar / Hemant Kumar – Gulzar
Here we come to a serious stuff! A song that portrays intense emotions! I’ve not been able to decipher it completely. The lyrics suit Dharmendra’s state of mind, but so do Waheeda Rehman’s. Her eloquent face says it all. She finally realizes that she never was the love of his life.She would never be his partner! The song disturbs me sometimes. Hemant Kumar composing and singing it, very extraordinarily brilliant, leaves me dumbfounded. The song certainly has a haunting quality. It penetrates deep into your thoughts, almost impossible to overcome its impact.
And I found at the end that, the video has only one verse, the second one is missing!

3. Intezar Aur Abhi – Char Dil Char Raahen (1959) Lata Mangeshkar / Anil Biswas – Sahir
Yet another melancholic song! She gets tormented by waiting for him. He never arrives! And she keeps on waiting and waiting. But of course, it’s not the actual situation in the song.
She has been requested to sing for a man, experiencing sleepless nights.

4. Aaja Ke Intezar Mein – Halaku (1956) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
A genuine song of separation, the lady stood him up, and the agitated man opens his heart to sing a song full of agony. A song that is popular till date, the public may or may not remember the movie or the on screen performers.

5. Aaiye Aapka Tha Humein Intezar – Mahal (1969) Asha Bhosle / Kalyanji Anandji – Anand Bakshi
I’m a huge fan and admirer of Farida Jalal. I have always thought of Farida Jalal as a simple, cute girl next door! And her sweet smile and chubby cheeks never portray her as a seducing sensuous hottie. But we see her in a glamorous role, trying to seduce Dev Anand. And the fog, the playful attractive gestures of the lady, and Asha’s excellent performance make it an audiovisual delight.

6. Yeh Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka – Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) Lata Mangeshkar / Kalyanji Anandji – Anand Bakshi
Again a song with a sensuous touch! Nanda dreaming about her mate. The young lady awaits someone on a pleasant evening. She is absorbed in deep thoughts about the romance in the air, so much so that she does not realize that someone has arrived and watching her.

7. Karke Jiska Intezar Mera Dil – Humrahi (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
The song is not about literal waiting for some person. The couple had some misunderstandings and differences, that are now resolved. They have been waiting for the reunion. She has realized her mistakes and confesses about them, he always wanted reconciliation. Both of them are happy that, now the good days are back.

8. Kahin Karati Hogi Woh Mera Intezar – Phir Kab Milogi (1974) / R D Burman – Majrooh
A romantic duet, talking about the couple’s rendezvous. Though Mukesh sings it well, I like Lata’s expressions more!
I must admit that I got to know about the song when the remix was released (which I wasn’t aware being a remixed). Later when I heard the original, I fell in love with it. There is something about it, the tune attracts me a lot! And later, I came to know about the original song ‘The lonely bull’ by Herb Alpert. Still I like the Hindi song a lot.

9. Koi Nahi Hai Phir Bhi Hai Mujhko – Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Majrooh
The song appears as an introductory song of Waheeda Rehman, very early in the movie. She is a simple village girl waiting for someone special. Such kind of songs highlighting the innocence of the heroine or her playful attitude towards life, were common in those days. Many films of the 60s used to have such a song.

10. Chali Bhi Aa Ki Tera Intezar – Shatranj (1956) Chitalkar / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
And, to end the list, a beautiful Ghazal like composition! The song is actually being played on a record, no one is lip syncing to it. It talks about how futile his life is without her. A nice composition, Chitalkar singing in Talat’s style.

Which song would you add?

Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are from YouTube and have been used here only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners.