Embezzling Eyes – Jaaneman Jaaneman Tere Do Nayan – Chhoti Si Baat

Salil Chowdhury is one of the strong pillars of the Indian music world. A colossus. He weaved music and magic together. Be it folk tunes from Madhumati, contemporary in Parakh, westernized in Half Ticket, philosophical in Jaagte Raho, Salil da always came out triumphantly in his scores. His oeuvre consists of an ensemble of songs from 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Though he did lesser number of songs in the 70s, his songs then are the evidence of how he changed his style with the changing times.

In 70s, came a refreshing change with Basu Chatterjee’s Chhoti Si Baat (1975). An ordinary, unsure man played by Amol Palekar (Arun) and the girl next door played by Vidya Sinha (Prabha). The songs and the film were simple yet charming. Full of situations which are amusing and realistic at the same time. Jaaneman jaaneman tere do nayan is picturised on one such situation. Arun is watching a film and along pops a song picturised on Dharmendra and Hema Malini. The romantic situation in the songs sends Arun into a romantic trance where he imagines himself with Prabha.
Yesudas teamed up with Asha Bhonsle, for his debut song. What a lovely debut he made!! A brilliant song with fascinating lyrics, music and singing. The prelude of the song gives you an idea of exciting the entire song might be. The mandolin welcomes you with its cheerful strums along with the vibrating violins and the sweet piccolo flute.The music becomes as bright as the yellow flowers shown on screen. Dharmendra and Yesudas make an entry with a zing.

Ho jaaneman jaaneman
Tere do nayan chori chori leke gaye
Dekho mera mann
Jaaneman jaaneman jaaneman
In comes the bubbly Asha, making the atmosphere effervescent!!
Mere do nayan chor nahi sajan
Tumse hi khoya hoga kahin tumhara mann
Jaaneman jaaneman jaaneman

She adds so much value to the song with that Haaa and Hooo in her typical style. Hema – Dharam make an eye candy couple. Both of them make the song pleasing to watch. Thus begins the sweet bickering between the 2 of them. One accusing of stealing the heart and the other denying it. Calling the eyes thief, citing embezzlement through them.
Salil Chowdhury makes it sure that the pulsating romance is given apt backing with the rhythm of Bongos and the Congas. The interlude too sounds romantic with the brilliant saxophone piece keeping in tempo with the song.

Tod de dilon ki doori
Aisi kya hai majboori
Dil dil se milne de
Haa abhi toh hui hai yaari
Abhi se ye beqraari
Din toh zara dhalne de
Yahi sunte samajhte guzar gaye jaane
Kitne hi sawan
Both Asha and Yesudas give you this listening pleasure when they sing those long stanzas/lines in a single breath. That’s effortless singing.

Sang sang chale mere
Maare aage pichhe
Samjhun main tere iraade
Dosh tera hai ye toh, har din jab dekho
Karti ho jhoothe vaade
Tu na jaane deewane dikhaun kaise tumhe
Main yeh dil ki lagan
The song sounds even more delightful when it changes the tempo, towards the end of the stanzas. It creates a certain playfulness and gives you a flirtatious feel. Even the repeating of the stanza sounds fun.

Chhedenge kabhi na tumhe
Zara batla do humein
Kab tak hum tarsenge
Aise ghabrao nahi, kabhi toh kahin nahi kahin
Badal ye barsenge
Kya karenge baras ke, ke jab murjhayega
Yeh sara chaman
Lyrics by Yogesh are so simple that they hardly need an explanation. Just hear them out and enjoy. Take them as they are. These simple lyrics add so much to the song. They show the flirting, the playfulness, the teasing, the impatience and bring out the brilliance of romance overall. The background score is kind of monotonous in all the 3 stanzas but it is delightful still. It depicts their day to day life. Commuting through the buses, the walk to the office, their job. All these things become delightful with the flavour of romance. It adds zest to their lives.
The song also has a Bengali version, rendered by Sabita Chowdhury –

The harmony in the song is so well organised by Salil da, it sounds cute and adorable. As adorable as Dharam – Hema or Amol – Vidya on screen. Asha Bhonsle’s dominance, Yesudas’s simplicity elevates the song. This is Salil da’s way of showing simplicity and purity together!!