I posted this song once before, but now I’m beginning to realize and learn how unique it is. This song is being sung on two different women and in two different languages! Being an ignorant westerner who doesn’t always pay attention to these things when there are subtitles, I didn’t even realize it at first. But now I know… I am not sure, either, that I would have recognized the second language right away (that is, the language that isn’t Urdu), but I am pretty sure some of you will.
Also worth noting is that the song is being sung in two completely different moods, fitting the situation of the two different characters. The first part, sung for Mussarat Nazir, is the euphoric love part; the second/middle part, with Noor singing for herself, is the sad part, fitting the character of the abandoned lover.
Altogether, it is a wonderful song (with a great beat too). And it could very well get onto my list of songs that I’ve played the most consecutive times.
Dances on the Footpath 
Most curious…I don’t think I have seen that before!
Wonderful song. The middle part in NJ’s voice is in Punjabi.
Richard,
Both parts are sung by Noor Jehan. The part picturized on Mussarat is in Urdu and the one picturized on Noor Jehan is in Punjabi. Patey Khan was a punjabi film released in 1955. It was a rare and unique film in many ways. It was the first time Noor Jehan gave playback to any actress (while still a singing star). The film is historical because the most famous female playback singer of that time Zubaida Khanum made a rare appearance in this film (acted as a side heroine in this film)… and it is nice to see her sing and put Noor Jehan to sleep in this film!
In the 50’s Noor Jehan was still a singing star and with few exceptions she hardly did any playback singing. Therefore, in the 50’s the most famous playback singer in Pakistan was Zubaida Khanum.
Yes, indeed, both parts are sung by Noor Jehan – as I said, same beautiful voice! I didn’t know that this was Noor Jehan’s playback singing debut – thanks for the info. (Although I keep thinking that she must have done at least one scene of playback singing for some actress back in a Bollywood…)
I like Zubaida Khanum too.
Hello Richard,
Patey Khan was her playback singing debut in Pakistan. As far as her pre-partition movies are concerned, she sang for Shahsikala in Zeenat (1945). I read somewhere that she also gave playback to Husn Bano in 1943, I forgot the name of the film, i think it was Nadan. Yeah sorry, I was in a hurry and somehow I missed the whole title “Same beautiful voice” lol!
Mister_Jinx. thanks for the info – I thought she might have done playback singing in some of those pre-partition films. I would love to find Zeenat on DVD with subs some day! (But I already went on a “wild goose chase” after being misled that I could get Village Girl with subs, so I’m not holding my breath… :)