'Jaane wo kaise log the' from Guru Dutt's 1957 classic "Pyaasa" was inspired by the second line of national anthem, according to a book on celebrated music composer S. D. Burman.
"Pyaasa" is considered a benchmark in Hindi cinema be its story of a rejected but talented poet or its music, which represents some of the finest works on both lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi and Burman.
"'Jaane woh kaise', composed in raga Bilawal is an epic of a tragic song, without being a regular tear-jerker. Its seminal status in the firmament of Hindi film music is not only because of its depth and poignancy, but also for its hummability," write author-duo Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal in 'S. D. Burman: The Prince-Musician'.
Burman had arranged the song with delicate piano notes that later became synonymous with Guru Dutt's films.
"In a conversation with lyricist Pulak Bandyopadhyay, Burman had mentioned that the second line of the national anthem -- Punjab Sindh(u) Gujarat Maratha Dravid Utkal Banga -- had inspired the line, 'Humne to jab khushiyaan maangi'.
"The reference to the national anthem is so subtle that unless someone points it out, it is next to impossible to spot a similarity."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content