Adil Najam
In my August 12 ATP post I had written about this wonderful ad from Mobilink and the even more wonderful song from Mehdi Hasan that it was based on. I had mentioned how, for me, it is my all-time favorite Pakistani milli naghma and I simply cannot hear it with getting goosebumps, and more.
In a comment sabizak mentioned that there was also a video version of this. I did not know that and began looking for it on the web. I just found it. You can view it here. At the center of the page the song should be the only one under ‘video list.’
I have been listening to and watching this song repeatedly since I found it some half hour ago. This version does not seem to have the entire song. My favorite line (hum tou mehz unwaaN thay, asl daastaN tum ho…) is missing, for example. However, the other amazing line (yeh watan amaanat hai, aur tum ameen loogo..) is very much there.
I had always loved the old PTV version – with the screen split in half, Khan sahib with his harmonium on the left half of the screen and black and white still pictures flashing on the right. But this video is an amazingly powerful one, for different reasons.
I am not ashamed to say that the first few times I replayed it my eyes swelled up. Not just because of what the song means to me, but mostly because the video has evocatively included Mehdi Hasan into the video… sitting there on a wheel chair, tears glistening in his eyes, the lines on his face not even trying to hide the rush of unrestrained emotions, memories, hopes, fears, and more.
What a wonderful tribute, with what a wonderful song, to what a wonderful artist!
P.S. For those who may not know, and as one sees in this video, Khan sahib suffered a paralytic stroke in 2005 and his health continues to be a grave concern for his many admirers.
Dear Bhai.thanks for such a beautiful video from my all time favourite Mehdi Hassan Saab.many times tears welled up in my eyes…seeing him in wheelchair.beautiful ,beautiful the song the video and the beautiful country.May God the merciful bless the country and its lovely people……thanks again
Thank you for putting this song up. Listening to it makes me realize how much I miss home and how we have not been worthy ameen’s to our country.
God help Pakistan and help it move in the right direction in these troubled times and may we all be able to help it do so and hence prove worthy.
Well , whenever I listen to this song, it makes me cry and I have realized that these paki politicians have gang raped us so many times.. They have raped my motherland….All these politicians… The ruling party in Pakistan, Opposition and politicians living in exile… all of them are bloody murderers and decoits….. I seriously pray for a revolution in Pakistan. A country , where we should have the freedom to praactice or beliefs , a country where we are free a country where we can enjoy freedom and I pray that we become one “civilized” nation.
Regards
Alam.D.
Amazing video and not to mention it took me to my fifth grade when i sang this song for the first time in school on independence day. I am still looking for the web version just saw it five minutes ago on HUM Tv…..God i miss Pakistan soooooo much ……apni mitti phir apni hai…
ya Old is Gold….!