Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant in MunimJi (1955)

Inspired/Copied version :- Jeevan kai safar mein rahi – Film – Anokhi – Year – 1956 – Music Director(s) – Hassan Latif and Timir Baran – Country – Pakistan

Original or Inspired from :- Jeevan kai safar mein rahi – Film – MunimJi – Year – 1955 –  Music Director(s) – S.D. Burman – Country – India

Details - Pakistani version of Jeevan kai safar mein rahi was sung by Zubaida Khanum for film Anokhi which was released in 1956. The Indian version of the same song was a tandem version sung by Lata (slow and sad) and Kishore Kumar (fast and happy) for Munim Ji (1955). Going by the year of release, the song was lifted by Pakistan – both tune and lyrics. However, it can’t be ascertained who composed the Pakistani version of this song. Anokhi’s music was composed by two music directors Hassan Latif and Timir Baran. Timir Baran came from India especially to compose the music of this film and the film lead was also played by Indian actress – Sheila Ramani.

However, keep in mind that both versions were inspired by very popular Mexican Hat Dance from Mexico – by Ummer Siddique

Listen

Jeevan kai safar mein rahi – by Zubaida Khanum

and MunimJi and Mexican Hat Dance versions below :-

Zubaida Khanum’s Profile | Zubaida Khanum’s Song List

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Zubaida Khanum

Zubaida Khanum epitomized the robustness of the rhythm- based music of Lahore, the city that gave us singing stalwarts like Noor Jehan, Suraiya, Shamshad Begum, Zeenat Begum, S.D. Batish, and of course the inimitable Zubaida Khanum herself, whose soft and heavenly vocals sent her fans into ecstasy.

Zubaida’s parents had migrated from Amritsar and settled down in Lahore, but Zubaida Khanum did not belong to any musical ‘gharana’ and singing was not part of her family norms. It was purely her passion and talent plus financial need, which made her enter films and then turned her big in the film industry.Before Noor Jehan changed the concept of playback singing in the 60s, Zubaida Khanum ruled the Urdu/Punjabi playback singing from her Lahorian loftiness for a large part of the 50′s. Zubaida’s thrillingly adventurous vocals which sang of love and life without regrets, filled a vacuum in Pakistani playback singing when Nazir and Swaranlata signed Zubaida Khanum for ‘Shehri Babu’ in 1953. Rashid Attre was the composer. Gallan sun kai mahi dai naal meriyan, Raatan merian bana ke Rabba immediately brought Zubaida’s voice to the forefront of playback singers in Lahore. During early years, Zubaida also appeared as guest artist and brief roles in handful of films including ‘Patey Khan’ and Morni’. This was more for fun, which did not last long. However, what went on was Zuabida’s sweet voice filmed mostly on Musarrat Nazir and Sabiha, the two leading ladies from the fifties.

1956 was eventful year in Zubaida’s career as she sang for many hit films including Sarfarosh, Hameeda, Miss 56 and Baaghi. Baaghi – an action-packed drama (starring Sudhir-Mussarat) directed by Ashfaq Malik, was the first film assignment for music director Rehman Verma in Pakistan and breakthrough vehicle for Zubaida Khanum. Baaghi was studded with Zubaida’s gems like Kaise kahoun mein Alvida and Balam tum haar gaye jeeta mera pyar ho~. Khanum’s cascading chords coiled around these captivating Verma’s creations like vintage wine.

In 1959, Khurshid Anwar gave Pakistan the magnificence Koel - family drama directed by the renowned Masud Pervaiz, was the last super hit film of legendary singing star Noor Jehan. In a film dominated by Noor Jehan’s immortal songs, Zubaida held her own with the two seductive songs picturized on Neelo – Masti mein jhoom jhoom re & Ho~ dil jala na dil waley. A connoisseur delight these songs triggers the memory of golden songs by a voice that defined feminine allure in the 50′s.

And what allure! Who can forget Meena Shorey’s first memorable appearance on the Pakistani Film screen as bandit queen in Sarfarosh (1956). The actress’ ethereal beauty and sensuality were completely contoured in Zubaida Khanum’s evergreen Mera nishana dekhey zamana. Yet another famous song from Sarfarosh, Teri ulfat mein sanam dil nai buhut dard sahey was rendered by Zubaida as one of the most nostalgic moving and introspective compositions that has ever touched a playback singer’s lips. Zubaida never held back her emotions in any songs. Even if it was a comic duet like Meri jaan mein qurban in Sarfarosh, what we get to hear is Zubaida Khanum – unexpunged, Zubaida Khanum – undiluted, Zubaida Khanum – unplugged.

In Rashid Attre’s Saath Lakh (1957), three solos including Aayey mausam rangeelay suhanai and Ghoonghat utha loun yah ghoonghat chupa loun belonged to Zubaida Khanum and they well turned out to be the pride of the film. Ishq-e-Laila, yet another blockbuster of 1957, saw the Khanum airing her vocals in as many as six everlasting creations including evergreen Laila, Laila, Laila.

The duets of Zubaida Khanum are of special significance. They epitomize the singer’s command over the language and heart. In Daud Chand’s Mirza Sahiban (1956), Zubaida sang with Salim Raza the heart stopping Rangeen mulaqatoun kai mazey. While with Ahmed Rushdi she sang the serene Chalak rahi hain mastiyan for Raaz (1959). And with Munawwar Sultana she effortlessly rendered the chirpy and playful duet Le lo chorian for Masoom (1957).

Although she could sing all type of songs with equal ease, it was her frothy and sensuous songs where she had no equal. Whenever the film required club or dance number, Zubaida was numero uno choice for any music director be it Khurshid Anwar, Rashid Attre or Feroze Nizami. Who can forget her seductive club and dance numbers like Bach ai nazar torie patli qamar, Din kou sataye raatien jagaye , Aaj dil kou mila dildaar and Wai wai wai wai, jawani meri nai! Zubaida Khanum’s numerous hit punjabi songs including Seyoni mera dil dharkey from Sheikh Chilli (1958), Bundai chandi dai sonai di nath from Chan Mahi (1956), and Resham da lacha lak wey from Yakke Wali (1957) epitomized youthful verve and folksy flourish that had listeners hearts waltzing and their toes tapping in undulating rhythm.

One of Zubaida Khanum’s last film songs was that smash hit Kiya hua dil pe sitam from Raat kai Rahi (1960) composed by A. Hameed. At the height of her career Zubaida married famous camera man Riyaz Bokhari and bid adieu to a distinguished playback singing career. But posterity will always remember her for those frolic filled tunes, which brought us to the rhythms of Punjab in a voice brimming over with a distinctive joie de vivre – Ummer Siddique

Zubaida Khanum’s Profile | Zubaida Khanum’s Song List

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Zubaida Khanum