He was born in Delhi in 1923 and, upon leaving school after the 10th Standard, worked briefly for the Delhi Department of Public Works. Mukesh experimented with voice recordings during his employment in Delhi and gradually developed his singing abilities.
He is best known for the songs he sang as a playback singer for Raj Kapoor, a legendary actor/director of Bollywood in 1950s and 1960s. He died of a heart attack on August 27, 1976 in Detroit, Michigan, USA where he had gone for a concert.
Zindagi Khwab Hai
Mukesh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chalti Ko Gaadi Kahe, Dekh Kabira Roya
Zindagi Khvaab Hai, Khvaab Mein Jhooth Kya
Aur Bhalaa Sach Hai Kya
Sab Sach Hai
Zindagi Khvab Hai
Phir Kabhi Fursat Se Sochenge Bura Tha Ya Bhala
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
Ek Katra Maiy Ka Jab, Patthar Ke Honthon Par Padha
Uske Seene Mein Bhi Dil Dhadka Ye Usne Bhi Kahaa
Kya
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
Ek Pyaali Bhar Ke Maine, Gham Ke Maare Dil Ko Di
Zahar Ne Maara Zahar Ko, Murade Mein Phir Jaan Aa Gai
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
The lyrics of Mukesh's "Zindagi Khwab Hai" describe the deceptive nature of life, comparing it to a dream where what is perceived as true is in fact false. The first couplet mentions how something that is seemingly normal or mundane - a cow's milk turning sour for example - can suddenly turn into something strange or unexplainable, much like how life can take unexpected turns at any moment. The second couplet speaks of a moment where even someone as wise as Kabir was moved to tears at the sight of a cart moving on its own, highlighting the confusion and unpredictability of life.
The chorus of the song is a reflection on the nature of dreams as well as reality. It questions whether what is perceived as true in a dream is in fact the opposite in reality, and pondering on whether anything is really true at all. Ultimately, the only conclusion that is reached is that life is indeed like a dream, with all of its ups and downs, and should be treated as such.
Line by Line Meaning
Rangi Ko Naarangi Kahe, Bane Dudh Ko Khoyaa
People call colorful things as not colorful and transform pure milk into impurity
Chalti Ko Gaadi Kahe, Dekh Kabira Roya
When Kabir saw people calling a bullock cart a car, he cried
Zindagi Khvaab Hai, Khvaab Mein Jhooth Kya
Life is a dream, where lies exist in dreams
Aur Bhalaa Sach Hai Kya
And what really is the truth
Sab Sach Hai
Everything is true
Zindagi Khvab Hai
Life is a dream
Dil Ne Hamse Jo Kaha, Hamne Vaisa Hi Kiya
Whatever the heart said, we did just that
Phir Kabhi Fursat Se Sochenge Bura Tha Ya Bhala
Later when we have time, we will think whether it was good or bad
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
Life is a dream
Ek Katra Maiy Ka Jab, Patthar Ke Honthon Par Padha
When a drop of alcohol fell on a stone, it made the stone drunk
Uske Seene Mein Bhi Dil Dhadka Ye Usne Bhi Kahaa Kya
The stone said to its heart, 'Did you also feel its beat?'
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
Life is a dream
Ek Pyaali Bhar Ke Maine, Gham Ke Maare Dil Ko Di
I gave my sorrowful heart only a cupful of sadness
Zahar Ne Maara Zahar Ko, Murade Mein Phir Jaan Aa Gai
The poison killed the poison, and my intentions became clear
Zindagi Khvaab Hai
Life is a dream
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alkeshkhambhayata2454
रंगी को नारंगी कहे, बने दूध को खोया,
चलती को गाड़ी कहे, देख कबीरा रोया..
ज़िंदगी ख़्वाब है, ख़्वाब में झूठ क्या,
और भला सच है क्या
सब सच है
ज़िन्दगी ख्वाब है..
दिल ने हमसे जो कहा, हमने वैसा ही किया
फ़िर कभी फ़ुरसत से सोचेंगे बुरा था या भला
ज़िन्दगी ख़्वाब है..
एक कतरा मय का जब, पत्थर से होंठों पर पड़ा
उसके सीने में भी दिल धड़का ये उसने भी कहा
एक प्याली भर के मैंने, ग़म के मारे दिल को दी
ज़हर ने मारा ज़हर को, मुरदे में फिर जान आ गई
ज़िन्दगी ख़्वाब है...
@utkarshkulkarni8777
जो आत्मज्ञान सिखाने में बड़े-बड़े ऋषि-मुनि, संत-महंत भी कम पड़ गए, उसे मुकेशजी ने एक ही गाने में समझा दिया 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@KK-yv7xt
It’s Shailendra Baba words , mystery of life explained through writing 1000 songs. Jai Guru Shailendra Shankar.
@vbhampannavar2235
only Shailendra , a magician of words could have written such a song in simplest words ._
@namrata9218
@@KK-yv7xt कौन सा खाक का आत्मग्यान और मिस्ट्री ऑफ लाइफ.. दारू किसी चीझ का सोल्यूशन नहीं हैं .. ये तो सिर्फ शराबीयोके बहाने है पीने के .
जिंदगी ख्वाब सच में लगने लगे तो दुख का कारण ही नहीं है , फिर भी जब तक जीवित हो तब तक कर्तव्य करना आवश्यक है .. अगर आगे पीछे कोई ना हो तो जी भर के पीओ लेकीन अगर माँ बाप की जिम्मेदारी हो या शादी करके बच्चे पैदा किये है तो पी कर जिंदगी को ख्वाब कहना जिम्मेदारी तालने का बहाना है । इसका हिसाब कभी ना कभी चुकाना पडे गा , ऐसी जिंदगी / पुनर्जन्म मिलेगा जहाँ पीने का ऑप्शन नहीं होगा और झक मारते हुए बदन टूटने तक काम करके जिम्मेदारीया निभानीही पडेंगी । उससे अच्छा ये है की इसी जन्म में इनवॉलव्ह ना होते हूए , कर्तव्य समझ कर अपनी जिम्मेदारीया निभाओ , पुरी कोशिश करो ... मान अपमान , अपेक्षा , कामनाए सब छोड दो फिर किसीं चीझ का दुख होने का सवाल नहीं उठता , ये गीता बताती है , यही ऋषी मुनियो ने बताया है ..
शैलेंद्र इज टेलिंग मेस्ड अप फिलॉसॉफी ऑफ अ drunkard .. इतनी दारू पी नहीं होती तो शायद 43 साल की उमर में उपर जाने की नौबत नहीं आती वो भी पीछे 5 बच्चे छोड के ...
@shraddhaagnihotri8912
महानुभाव आपका कथन अक्षरशः सत्य है.... बड़े ही सरल और स्पष्ट शब्दों में आत्मज्ञान दिया गया है.. अंतर्मन प्रकाशित हुआ 🙏☺️
@iftikharsayed2407
Shailendra ka Qalam !
Shailendra ka kheyaal !!
Shailendra ka kamaal !!!
Yes, Mukesh under Shankar and Jaikishan garnished the song.
@onlynishank
One of the rare songs where Mukesh is singing, Raj Kapoor is on-screen but the lip syncing is not being done by Raj Kapoor, but by Motilal. Quite a rare instance! By the way really a soulful song!
@sabarnomoitra3140
Jhoom Jhoom Ke Naacho Aaj & Toote Na Dil Toote Na from Andaz are also the same examples.
@suryajamwal3520
1000 years form now ,Thank God its preserved for young ones to have the taste of real music
@ren.2374
Love love loVE this song !! I can't believe ive never realised that old Hindi songs had this much soul in them ! I'm 16 but finally hearing masterpieces like this 💝