Baawra Mann – The Dream Of A Crazy Mind

We often find ourselves saying, This world doesn’t understand me or The world doesn’t get me. The train of thoughts that our mind follows is long and unending and sometimes we tend to forget what set this journey in the first place; then follows the thought of one being crazy or the world being crazy.

One really wishes that there was an ideal place wherein our thoughts, actions and words would make some sense and the people around would at least try to understand it. This, however, is a far-fetched dream; a dream that only a sane mind can dare to see but the world around is so insane that the sane mind finds itself crazy..

Baawra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna
Baawra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna

The crazy mind is on its way to see a dream
Oh this crazy, stupid mind is on its way to see a dream

Baawre Se Mann Ki Dekho Baawri Hain Baatein
Baawre Se Mann Ki Dekho Baawri Hain Baatein
Baawri Si Dhadkaane Hain Baawri Hain Saansen
Baawri Si Karwaton Se Nindiya Door Bhaage

This crazy mind, like itself, has crazy and intense thoughts
It beats passionately and breathes unevenly
I stay awake the entire night and just keep twisting and turning in bed
While my crazy mind sees this dream

This song from the film Hazaron Khwahishein Aisi(2003) is sung by the lyricist Swanand Kirkire. He has penned the lyrics too, while the music is composed by Shantanu Moitra. The song is a mockery of the world that we live in. It actually tells the real story of those who fight for the good for others, are rebellious with a real cause and yet, are called names by the society; crazy being one of them. The song is also reveals the painful thoughts of such people who, at the end, realise that their attempts to make the world a better place are simply turned to dirt and they are looked down upon by the same people they actually wanted to help.

Baawre Se Nain Chaahe Baawre Jharokhon Se
Baawre Nazaron Ko Taakna
Baawra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna

The bewitched eyes long to watch enchanting sights
Through the spellbound windows of these eyelids
While the crazy mind is on its way to dream

Swanand Kirkire’s voice has a kind of melancholic tone (which is so rare to find) to it that it suits the mood of the song perfectly. Shantanu Moitra has again shown that he is a serious composer who delves deep into the mood, sense and the song setting in the film too. There is very little music in the song, instead, there is humming of male chorus giving it the depth that is required. The chorus echoes the thoughts after the lines are sung.

Baawre Se Iss Jahan Mein Baawra Ek Saath Ho
Iss Sayani Bheed Mein Bas Haathon Mein Tera Haath Ho
Baawri Si Dhun Ho Koi Baawra Ek Raag Ho
Baawri Si Dhun Ho Koi Baawra Ek Raag Ho
Baawre Se Pair Chahen Baawre Tarano Ke
Baawre Se Bol Pe Thirakna
Baawra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna

I wish I could find a company (which is equally crazy) in this maddening world
A frenzied hand which will hold mine in this so called sensible society
And our feet could trot together on a melodious tune and tender words
While my crazy mind goes off to see this dream

In the movie, this song is played in the end where Vikram (Shiney Ahuja) is sitting with Geeta (Chitrangada Singh) near a lake of a village. These two have gone through so much (alone and together) that no words can describe their plight. Geeta sees her name written on a rock and understands that Vikram loves her and she realises that this is what is meant to be. She holds his hand assuring that she will never leave his side in this difficult world and they both dream of a better tomorrow (in spite of whatever they have experienced) for which they had once hoped for. Slowly, the end credits start rolling giving us many thoughts and questions in our mind.

Baawra Sa Ho Andhera Baawri Khamoshiyan
Baawra Sa Ho Andhera Baawri Khamoshiyan
Thartharati Lau Ho Maddham Baawri Madhoshiyan

I wish the darkness was euphoric and so was the silence
I wish the quivering lips go easy on the intoxication which is ecstatic

This song is actually a mixture of happy and sad thoughts together. It has a sad tone to it but at the same time it gives us a little hope to survive and encouragement to dare to see a dream which requires guts and strength to achieve it at the same time. This is beautifully conveyed through the musical notes that are played in the beginning and during the mukhda.

Baawra Ek Ghoonghta Chahe
Haule Haule Bin Bataye
Baawre Se Mukhde Se Sarakana
Baawra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna

The veil which is covering the face right now wants to slip away slowly
And uncover the real, crazy (yet elated) face
And my crazy mind is on its way to see this dream

Our real self always tries to come forward no matter how much we try to hide it. The farce that we create (knowingly or unknowingly) comes down one day or the other and it liberates us from the lies that we tell the world and more importantly that we tell ourselves. This is the moment when we come across our real selves and interestingly we find that we are happy, elated and euphoric that there will be no more hiding, no more lies only happiness, craziness and liberation.

Isn’t it amazing how a writer or a lyricist can put through so many layers of thoughts into one paragraph or poem that it makes us think and think hard! It compels us to ponder upon the world that we live in and our own existence, our real wants and wishes and the madness that each one has.
Here’s to those insanely sane minds who have given us food for thought time and again and who still strive to make our world a better place.
Enjoy the song.