Rāmjī Kī Nikalī Savārī

by Gauri Verma

Film: Sargam 1979

Director: K. Vishwanath

Actors: Rishi Kapoor, Jaya Prada

Singer: Muhammad Rafi

Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Lyrics: Anand Bakhshi

Song Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjbCoGY0qJM

Introduction

The song Rāmjī Kī Nikalī Savārī is from the 1979 Hindi film Sargam, directed by K. Vishwanath. The movie, starring Rishi Kapoor and Jaya Prada, is a musical drama that revolves around themes of love, perseverance, and the power of music. This song appears as a devotional and celebratory moment in the film, reinforcing the cultural and religious significance of Lord Ram.

The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi, one of the most celebrated playback singers in Indian cinema. Rafi's ability to bring emotional depth and devotional fervor to his songs makes this rendition particularly powerful. The lyrics were penned by Anand Bakshi, a prolific lyricist known for his ability to capture intricate emotions through simple yet impactful words. The music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, a legendary duo known for their versatility and contribution to Indian film music. Their composition for this song blends traditional devotional elements with a cinematic grandeur, making it both spiritually uplifting and visually compelling.

In the film, this song is performed during a grand procession, where the protagonist (played by Rishi Kapoor) participates in a religious festivity. The scene captures the spirit of devotion and collective celebration, with vibrant visuals of people joyously engaging in the festivities. The protagonist, deeply immersed in the moment, finds a temporary escape from his struggles through the communal faith and music, emphasizing the transformative power of devotion. This placement in the film serves to elevate the emotional intensity of the story, blending personal redemption with a larger spiritual narrative.

Lyrics, Transliteration, and Translation

(Gratefully acknowledging www.hindigeetmala.net)

Wordlist

मुकुट mukuṭ [S.], m. 1. crown; diadem; tiara. 2. crest.

उजाला ujālā [*ujjvālaka-], m. & adj. 1. m. light; daylight; daybreak, day; light of moon or stars. 2. brightness, splendour; glory. 3. adj. light, moonlit, clear (night). 4. bright, radiant

धनुष dhanuṣ [S.] m. 1. a bow. 2. a rainbow. 3. the sign Sagittarius (of the zodiac).

पुष्प puṣp [S.], m. 1. a flower. 2. transf. menstruation. 3. an eye complaint; specks on the eye. पुष्प-माला, f. garland of flowers

स्वामी svāmī - स्वामी svāmī [S.], m. 1. owner, proprietor. 2. master, lord; king. 3. title of the supreme being (esp. as Viṣṇu or Śiva). 4. head of a religious order. 5. title given to a renowned sage or devotee.

अंतर्- antar- [S.]. pref. 1. interior, inner; internal. 2. intermediate. 3. within, among; inter अंतर्यामी, adj. & m. controlling the mood or heart (the supreme being); knowing the inner thoughts or feelings; the supreme being.

शीश- śīś- [ad. śīrṣa-: w. H. sīs]. head

गुण guṇ [S.], m. var. /gũṛ/. 1. a quality, a property. 2. ling. (in Sanskrit grammar) a partic. vowel grade. 3. philos. each of the three constitutents of nature (viz. sattva 'goodness', rajas 'passion' and tamas 'darkness'). 4. a symbol for the number three. 5. a good quality, a virtue; a skill, aptitude; a talent. 6. (with numerals.) a multiplicative suffix: -fold, times. — ~ गाना, to sing the praises (of, के)

अवतारी avă-tārī [S.], adj. 1. descending, descended; incarnate. 2. possessing divine or supernatural qualities.

सवारी savārī [P. savārī], f. 1. riding; horsemanship. 2. a vehicle, conveyance. 3. cavalcade, train (of animals or vehicles). 4. a passenger. 5. fare (for a journey).

2लीला līlā [S.], f. 1. play, sport. *2. the acts of a deity as performed at pleasure (esp. those of the avatārs Rām and Kr̥ṣṇa); the ways of God in the world. 3. a wonder, an exploit. 4. a dramatic representation, esp. of the acts of a deity.

पालन pālan [S.], m. 1. protecting. 2. fostering, rearing; keeping (as stock); cherishing. 3. keeping, observing (as a promise, a command). 4. protection. 5. support, maintenance. पालनहारी nourisher, the one who take care, metaphorically: God (https://www.rekhtadictionary.com/meaning-of-paalan-haaraa)

रथ rath [S.], m. 1. chariot. 2. vehicle (as of the gods; see रथ-यात्रा).

रखवाला rakhvālā , m. = रखवाल rakhvāl [rakṣapāla-], m. 1. protector, guardian. 2. herdsman. 3. watchman, guard.

भोला bholā [*bhola-: Pk. bhola-], adj. 1. simple; innocent. 2. silly.

व्याकुल vyākula  vy-ākul [S.], adj. 1. confused, bewildered. 2. agitated, distressed; troubled. 3. anxious, longing (for or to, के लिए).

1नर nar [nara-], m. 1. a man, a male. 2. man, mankind. नर-नारी, m. pl. men and women.

वन van [S.], m. 1. forest, jungle; scrub-land; thicket. वन-वास, m. residence in, or banishment to, a forest region (also transf.)

वचन vacan [S.], m. 1. speech. 2. word. 3. declaration, affirmation. 4. promise. 5. gram. number. निभाना, to keep (one's) word.

धोखा dhōkhā  धोखा dhokhā [*dhrokṣa-], m. 1. deceit. 2. false impression; sthg. seen indistinctly; mirage. 3. mistake, blunder. 4. disappointment. 5. uncertainty, doubt; alarm.

पुकारना pukārnā [*pukkār-: Pk. pukkārei, &c.], v.i. & v.t. 1. v.i. to call out; to shout. 2. to call (to, को); to summon. 3. to make petition, or complaint; to call for. 4. v.t. to invoke (a name). 5. to call, to name as.

Song Analysis

The lyrics of “Rāmjī Kī Nikalī Savārī” incorporate a mix of Sanskritized Hindi and poetic expressions that elevate its devotional tone. Words like mukuṭ (crown), dhanuṣ (bow), and puṣp mālā (garland of flowers) evoke a divine imagery associated with Lord Ram and his royal and godly attributes. The song frequently references theological terms like "antaryāmī" (omniscient one), "swāmī" (lord), and "avatārī" (incarnation), reinforcing Ram's divine nature and his role as a savior figure. Additionally, the song has certain archaic and dialectic features, such as "tohe khabar kyā" instead of "tujhe khabar kyā", which contributes to its traditional and folk-like devotional quality. The phrase "mātā pitā kā vacan nibhāyā" highlights Ram’s commitment to fulfilling both his parents’ word, not just Dasharatha’s but also Kaikeyi’s, reinforcing his devotion to duty and righteousness.

The lyricist also uses figures of speech (alaṅkāras), especially  shabda-alaṅkāra (figures of speech of sound), such asanuprāsa or alliteration. A clear example of anuprāsa is found in "rath o rakhvāle", where the repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of words enhances the song’s lyrical cadence. He also uses artha-alaṅkāra (figures of speech of meaning), such as

metaphor. The "mukut" (crown) is a metaphor for divine rulership, symbolizing Lord Ram’s sovereignty and duty as a protector. This is part of a mini shikha-nakha or top-to-toe description starting with Ram’s mukuṭ (crown), dhanuṣ (bow), and his chariot procession which resonates with the grand depictions of Ram’s divinity.

The rasa or aesthetic emotion evoked in the song predominantly that of  Bhakti (devotional sentiment), meant to inspire reverence and surrender in the listener. Through its grand and celebratory tone, the song generates feelings of admiration, and spiritual connection. The cinematic representation, with Rishi Kapoor as the central figure in a festive religious procession, enhances the visual storytelling, making it a powerful experience for the audience.

Additionally, there is an underlying vīra rasa or heroic sentiment present in references to Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and his unwavering commitment to righteousness. The lines " dhokhe se har lī rāvaṇ ne sītā, rāvaṇ ko mārā laṅkā ko jītā" with their parallel construction highlight his heroic triumph, reinforcing themes of good prevailing over evil.

The Holi theme in the song further amplifies the utsāha bhāva or the sentiment of enthusiasm and energy, adding an element of joy and celebration. The vibrant imagery and spirited musical composition create a sense of communal festivity, aligning with Holi’s association with exuberance and divine play (līla). This combination of Bhakti and utsāha makes the song an emotionally engaging and dynamic representation of devotion and heroism.

The song stresses Lord Ram's divine journey, his role as Maryādā Purushottama or the ideal man. It encapsulates key events from the Ramayana, such as Ram’s exile, his devotion to his parents, Sita’s abduction, and the ultimate victory over Ravana. As an incarnation of Vishnu, his unwavering commitment to righteousness (dharma) is stressed, as he will come back whenever needed.

“Rāmjī Kī Nikalī Savārī” is more than just a devotional song; it is a poetic and musical representation of Lord Ram’s divinity and valor. The careful selection of words, use of figures of speech, and the evocation of Bhakti and vīra rasa contributes to making it an impactful and timeless composition. Its placement in Sargam serves to elevate its cultural and religious significance, allowing audiences to engage with the song on both an emotional and spiritual level.

Sources/Further Reading:

Databases:

Sargam: https://indiancine.ma/UGS/info (last accessed on April 17, 2025)s