Iss Mod Se Jate Hain

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”- William Shakespeare

Falling in love is a bumpy ride. People in love may experience many emotional ups and downs in a relationship before coming to terms with their feelings. In the film Aandhi, the two lovers express their feelings through a song, Iss mod se jate hain, where Gulzar sahab weaves a magical story of romance. With an artistic magic of RD, Lata & Kishore the song touches the soul and stays there forever. For me, a song is not a timeless classic, unless it can stand outside the context of the film itself. This one certainly does. It comes at an inflection point in the film where the characters Aarti (played by Suchitra Sen) and JK ( played by Sanjeev Kumar) have to make a choice about their future. It is as if Gulzar is performing a ‘due-diligence’ of their relationship at the moment. Hence, Iss mod se jate hain…

Aarti, the female protagonist, is an ambitious daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur who wants to make a name in politics while JK, her male counterpart is a simpleton who is contented with his life. As is so often in real life, the ‘opposites’ attract. But it is no smooth sailing. During the course of the courtship the lovers inevitably face many challenges which test the intensity of their relationship. This is captured beautifully in the song. Aarti: Iss mod se jate hain , Kuchh sust kadam raste kuchh tej kadam rahein…

Aarti has a decision to make. If she chooses to tie the knot with JK she may have to give up on her dreams. Her life would not be the one that she wants but is likely to be filled with romance. Gulzar describes it as a bit dull and slow (kuch sust kadam raste). If she decides to pursue her ambitions she may have to give up on the love of her life. Gulzar paints this as ‘fast-paced’ life (kuch tez kadam rahein).

JK : Pathar ki haweli ko….sheeshon ke gharondon mein, Tinkon ke nasheman tak…

A similar dilemma confronts JK. He is a hopeless romantic who seeks joy from life. Through the masterful use of metaphors Gulzar, presents him with three possibilities. The first, is Pathar ki haveli – a cavernous stone house which has little place for love and emotions. The second, is Sheeshey ke gharondon mein – a shining but fragile glass house – which is an allusion to the world of politics. The third and final possibility is a Tinkon ke nasheman tak – a humble straw hut, which may be able to resist even a short gust of wind. This straw hut alludes to a ‘love nest’ where romance blooms. JK’s dilemma can be interpreted in two different ways. One way to look at it is…. She can choose a life which can be either emotionless, OR a life which is all glittery but brittle & transparent OR a life full of love & togetherness. The other way to look at it is that the dilemma actually refers to the strength of the relationship. It could be as strong and everlasting as a ‘pathar ki haveli’; or fragile as ‘sheeshe ke gharondey’; or remain short lived as a ‘Tinkon ke nasheman’.

Any human being generally faces these dilemma in their life and end up wishing for the best of both the worlds. But that generally doesn’t happen. One has to make a choice and move on.

In his book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Stephen Covey writes, "I am today because of the choices I made yesterday”.

The power of choices. It all depends on Aarti’s set of priorities. He has opened up the realm of possibilities in the future created for both of them, giving her space to make her own choice. Aarti: Aandhi ki tarha ud kar ik rah gujarti hai, Sharmati huyi koyi kadmo se utarti hai… In reshmi raho mein ik rah to woh hogi , Tum tak jo pahonchti hai… For an object caught in a storm, there cannot be any fixed destination. It may go where the storm blows. Aarti reviews her options. One is as fast as a storm, where she might get lost. She is not sure if this storm would take her to destination or even if it does, will it be for her?

Too much of uncertainty! The other option (where she chooses not to pursue her ambition) feels like ‘velvet’ under her feet, where she could meet her love. She, full of coyness, prefers to walk on this road. She seems to be almost making her mind. JK: Ik door se aati hai pas aake palat-ti hai ,Ik rah akeli si rukti hai na chalti hai JK now expresses his state of mind. For him, the world of politics is an illusion, which is going to disappear like a mirage. It does not sit well with him, so he has no future there. He is on a solo journey where his life is almost like a standstill and he is in no urgency to reach anywhere. For him, this is the only option to be with. He says it openly & the girl gets the signal. The future is as uncertain as certain is your past. But the future starts today not tomorrow. You shape your today well, tomorrow will be taken care of. That is the dilemma Aarti is facing as of now, she is in the moment from where she can design her future. Aarti has made up her mind. She declares: Ye soch ke baithhi hun, ik rah to woh hogi Tum tak jo pahonchti hai… She just wants to be with him. She makes a choice and admits.And the song ends here. Typically, in a Hindi duet lyrics are often repeated. The male and the female protagonists sing the same lines together. But this one is unique. Except for the opening lines of the song, the two characters do not repeat the lyrics. It is only at the end of the film where Gulzar, gets Aarti to say these lines (Pathar ki haveli ko….). It is a way of showing her giving in to the relationship. You can connect with this song even if you have not seen the film. And that makes this song a masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcY89TXRaps