“Basa Lo Apni Nigahon Mein” is a charming, flirtatious solo from the 1949 film Bazaar. While much of the film’s soundtrack leans toward high drama and heartbreak, this track provides a lighter, more rhythmic moment of romantic pursuit. It captures the protagonist’s playful plea for a little bit of space in her lover’s eyes and heart.

The music, composed by Shyam Sunder Premi, features a bounce that was characteristic of early Bollywood club and social songs, often accompanied by the graceful movements of dancers like Cuckoo (who starred in the film). The lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi are cheeky and relatable—especially the final stanza where the singer “wishes” a little fever (bukhar) upon the beloved so they might finally understand the “sickness of love” (mariz-e-ishq).

Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition here is effortless, showcasing her ability to handle lighthearted, conversational lyrics with the same precision as her more tragic melodies.

Song Credits:

• Film: Bazaar (1949)
• Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
• Music Director: Shyam Sunder Premi
• Lyricist: Qamar Jalalabadi
• Starring: Shyam, Nigar Sultana, Cuckoo

बसा लो अपनी निगाहों में (Hindi Lyrics):

बसा लो अपनी निगाहों में प्यार थोड़ा सा

दिखा दो जलवा हमें एक बार, हमें एक बार थोड़ा सा

बसा लो अपनी निगाहों में प्यार…

कहा जो मैंने के हमसे मिलेंगे कब सरकार

कहा जो मैंने के हमसे मिलेंगे कब सरकार

तो हँस के बोले, तो हँस के बोले अभी इंतज़ार

अभी इंतज़ार थोड़ा सा

दिखा दो जलवा हमें एक बार थोड़ा सा

ख़ुशी से भर दिया दामन रक़ीब का तुमने

ख़ुशी से भर दिया दामन रक़ीब का तुमने

हुज़ूर मेरे लिए, हुज़ूर मेरे लिए

हुज़ूर मेरे लिए भी क़रार थोड़ा सा

दिखा दो जलवा हमें एक बार थोड़ा सा

मरीज़-ए-इश्क़ हमें तो बना दिया तूने

मरीज़-ए-इश्क़ हमें तो बना दिया तूने

चढ़े तुझे भी, चढ़े तुझे भी किसी दिन बुख़ार

किसी दिन बुख़ार थोड़ा सा

दिखा दो जलवा हमें एक बार

हमें एक बार थोड़ा सा

बसा लो अपनी निगाहों में प्यार थोड़ा सा।

Basa lo apni nigahon mein pyar thoda sa Romanized Lyrics:

(Chorus)

Basa lo apni nigahon mein pyar thoda sa

Dikha do jalwa hume ek bar, hume ek bar thoda sa

Basa lo apni nigahon mein pyar

(Stanza 1)

Kaha jo maine ke humse milenge kab sarkar

Kaha jo maine ke humse milenge kab sarkar

To haske bole, to haske bole abhi intzar

Abhi intazaar thoda sa

Dikha do jalwa hume ek bar thoda sa

(Stanza 2)

Khushi se bhar diya daman rakib ka tumne

Khushi se bhar diya daman rakib ka tumne

Huzoor mere liye, huzoor mere liye

Huzoor mere liye bhi karar thoda sa

Dikha do jalwa hume ek bar, hume ek bar thoda sa

(Stanza 3)

Marize ishq hume to bana diya tune

Marize ishq hume to bana diya tune

Chade tujhe bhi, chade tujhe bhi kisi din bukhar

Kisi din bukhar thoda sa

(Outro)

Dikha do jalwa hume ek bar

Hume ek bar thoda sa

Basa lo apni nigahon mein pyar thoda sa.

Word Bank:

• Jalwa: Splendor, sight, or a “glimpse.”
• Rakib: The rival (usually in a romantic context).
• Karar: Peace, rest, or relief.
• Mariz-e-Ishq: One who is sick with love.