Na Toh Carvaan Ki Talaash Hai- The Immortal Qawwali by Roshan

 

When we think of the film Qawwali, this 12-minute long Qawwali comes to our mind. This Qawwali is from the super hit film Barsat Ki Raat (1960). The other song of the film, especially the romantic title track Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi, is another immortal song composed by Roshan. 

There is a story behind this song,  that it was music director Khayyam wa signed on to compose the music for Barsaat Ki Raat (1960). But when R Chandra, the film’s producer and elder brother of its leading man Bharat Bhushan, insisted that the composer use the tune of the qawwali Na Toh But-Kade Ki Talab Mujhe, sung by the famed Pakistani duo of Mubarak Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan, Khayam refused to use the same tune, so he was replaced by Roshan, he had no qualms about using the tune.   

 This Qawwali was written by Sahir Ludhianvi and sung by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhonsle, Sudha Malhotra and even SD Batish lending his voice for a line or two. As the legend goes, the qawwali took 24 hours to record and is till date a musical milestone.

This film had another Qawwali 'Yeh Ishq Hai Ishq Ishq' sung by the same singers. This is also a  long qawwali run for 7 minutes. Apart from this 2 qawwali, there is also an immortal song"Zindagi bhar nahi bhoolegi woh barsaat ki raat" 

.The 1960s proved to be the golden age for Roshan and his music. His ability to mold folk music with Hindustani classical music became his trademark and resulted in successful movie musicals. During this time, Roshan gave hits such as  "Ab kya misaal doon" and "Kabhi to milegi, kahi to milegi" (Aarti, 1962), "Jo vada kiya vo nibhana padega", "Paao chhoon lene do", "Jo baat tujhmein hai" and "Jurm-e-ulfat pe" (Taj Mahal, 1963), "Nigahen milane ko jee chahata hai" and "Laaga chunari mein daag" (Dil Hi To Hai, 1963), "Sansaar se bhaage phirte ho" and "Man re tu kaahe" (Chitralekha, 1964), "Rehte the kabhi jinke dil mein" and "Rahen Na Rahen Hum" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and her hit duet, "Chuppa Lo Yun Dil Mein Pyar Mera" with Hemant Kumar. Devar (1966): "Aaya hai mujhe phir yaad woh zalim, guzara zamana bachpan ka"; "Baharon ne mera chaman loot kar"; "Duniya mein aisa kahan sab ka naseeb hai"and "Oh re taal mile", "Khushi khushi kar do vida" (Anokhi Raat, 1968). 

Song of Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)