Urdu Conjunctions in Hindi Film Songs

A notable feature of Urdu, borrowed from Persian grammar, is the use of conjunctions to combine two or more words to form a phrase. The most common conjunction used in Hindi film songs is “-e-“, called an izaafat, which is used to form a descriptive or possessive phrase. Example: dard-e-dil, gham-e-dil. Another commonly used conjunction is “-o-“, called an atf, which is used as an “and” to combine words with similar or opposite meanings. Example: ranj-o-gham, dil-o-jigar, subah-o-sham.

Hindi film songs with phrases using a single izaafat or atf are common. Some famous examples:

• Salaam-E-Hasrat Qubool Kar Lo
• Dard-E-Dil Dard-E-Jigar
• Dheere Dheere Machal Ae Dil-E-Beqarar
• Jaan-E-Jigar Jaaneman
• Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gham Apni Pareshani Mujhe De Do

However, phrases that use more than one conjunction (izaafat or atf or a combination) are uncommon. To understand this phenomenon, I compiled a list of Hindi film songs with titles, as documented on MySwar, that have phrases with more than one conjunction.

Some observations based on this list:

1. Urdu phrases with more than one conjunction have fallen out of favour with time. Of the 31 songs in the list, a majority – 18 – were from films released in the 1930s, 12 songs were from the period between 1941 and 1990, and just 1 from 1991 to 2026. This is perhaps an indication of a decline in Urdu’s primacy in Hindi film songs and a shift to more accessible lyrics.
2. All songs in the list use two conjunctions except the Hindi film song Masti-E-Nigah-E-Saqi-E-Maikhana Chahiye (Thunder, 1939), which uses three conjunctions.
3. In most cases, the conjunction “-e-” or izaafat was used exclusively. In five songs, however, a combination of an izaafat and an atf was used.

The list:

1. Shaadi-E-Jalwa-E-Gulfam Mubarak Hove(Indrasabha, 1932)
2. Soch Rakho Kuchh Sawal-E-Roz-E-Mahshar Ka Jawab(Bag-E-Misar (Shan-E-Islam), 1934)
3. Ya Nabi Deeje Dawa-E-Dard-E-Dil(Noor Mahal, 1934)
4. Shikwa-E-Zaur-E-Sitam Imandaron Ko Nahin(Sitamgar, 1934)
5. Shab-O-Mahobad-E-Naav Ho(Toofan Mail, 1934)
6. Kaun Sunta Hai Sada-E-Dard-E-Dil(Toofani Taruni (Naughty Girl), 1934)
7. Zaban Par Maajra-E-Dard-E-Dil Laayen(Aah-E-Mazluman, 1935)
8. Zaban Par Maajra-E-Dard-E-Dil Laayen(Aah-E-Mazluman, 1935)
9. Een Riks-E-Mah-E-Khoovan Een Sheesha-O-Paimana(Bulbul-E-Iran, 1936)
10. Ranj-O-Gham-E-Furkat Se Koi Jaan Hai Khota(Mard Ka Bachcha, 1936)
11. Haalat-E-Betaabi-E-Dil Aazmane Ke Liye(Nari Raj, 1936)
12. Wo Karenge Kya Dawa-E-Dard-E-Dil(Sultana Chandbibi, 1936)
13. Shikayat Charkh Ki Ya Shakwa-E-Daur-E-Zaman Karte(Aflatoon, 1937)
14. Lo Suno Mere Dard Bhare Naale (Kya Sunaoon Majra-E-Dard-E-Dil)(Challenge, 1937)
15. Unse Keh Do Ki Ilaaj-E-Dil-E-Shaida Na Karen(Kiski Pyari (Whose Darling), 1937)
16. Baad-E-Murdan Gar Payam-E-Wasl-E-Yaar Aaya To Kya(Punjab Lancers, 1937)
17. Mujhse Naa Poochh Haal-E-Dil-E-Andali Bezaar(Shama Parwana, 1937)
18. Masti-E-Nigah-E-Saqi-E-Maikhana Chahiye(Thunder, 1939)
19. Dard-E-Gham-E-Ulfat Se Labrez Hai Paimana(Man Chali, 1943)
20. Jo Qayil-E-Mehr-O-Wafa Hi Na Ho(Rustom Aur Sohrab, 1946)
21. Aaj Ki Raat Saaz-E-Dil-E-Purdard Na Chhed(Jugnu, 1947)
22. Khanjar-E-Naaz Ko Paibast-E-Rag-E-Jaan Kar Do(Toote Dil, 1947)
23. Ae Khaasa-E-Khaasaan-E-Rasool Waqt-E-Dua Hai(Hamara Haj, 1957)
24. Dua Hai Yahi Shahar-E-Yaar-E-Madina(Shan-E-Hatim, 1958)
25. Payam-E-Ishq-O-Mohabbat(Babar, 1960)
26. Aap Aaye Toh Khayal-E-Dil-E-Nashad Aaya(Gumrah, 1963)
27. Hum Hain Mata-E-Koocha-O-Bazar Ki Tarah(Dastak, 1970)
28. Mahav-E-Khayal-E-Yaar Hain (Ab Ranj Se Khushi Se)(Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye, 1977)
29. Yeh Baargah-E-Khwaja-E-Bandanawaz Hai(Aulea-E-Islam, 1979)
30. Ae Shareek-E-Gham-E-Dil(Teri Aarzoo, 1986)
31. Baais-E-Tark-E-Mulaqat Bataaye Koi(Lafzon Mein Pyaar, 2023)

[Not: This list is based on Hindi film song titles as recorded on MySwar. There will be many more songs with double conjunctions if the rest of their lyrics are considered.]