“Aye Duniya Ke Malik” is a poignant and powerful duet from the 1948 film Chand Sitare, featuring the early vocal synergy of Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh. At the time of this recording, both singers were in the foundational years of their careers, with Lata still being mentored by the likes of Master Ghulam Haider and Mukesh already having established himself with his soulful, melancholic style.
The song was composed by Prem Nath, with lyrics penned by the duo Aziz Kashmiri and Ishwar Chandra Kapoor. Unlike the lighthearted or romantic numbers of the era, this track is a profound “shikwa” or complaint addressed to the Creator. It reflects the post-Partition angst and the social upheaval of the late 1940s, using vivid imagery of withered hopes (murjhayi ummid) and rivers of blood (khoon ki nadiya) to question the suffering of the innocent. This performance highlights a young Lata Mangeshkar’s incredible range—even in her early “thin” voice phase, she managed to convey a depth of sorrow and social consciousness that would later become a hallmark of her legendary career.
Aye duniya ki malik lyrics | Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh | Chand sitare | 1948
Aye duniya ki malik lyrics :
ae duniya ke malik
mujhe tujhse ye gila hai
bije the maine phul mujhe kanta mila hai
armano ki maine badi chahte basaai
ulfat ki sama sauk bhare dil mein jalaai
chatki si kali khilne ko thi
murjhayi ummid
chatki si kali khilne ko thi
murjhayi ummid
mausam tha baharo ka fija jhum ke aayi
mausam tha baharo ka fija jhum ke aayi
insaan ka ghar lut liya hai
insaan ka ghar lut liya hai
kis paap ki kis jurm ki aakhir ye saja hai
kis paap ki kis jurm ki aakhir ye saja hai
ae duniya ke malik
mujhe tujhse ye gila hai
bije the maine phul mujhe kanta mila hai
jis tarf najar dalti hu chehre hai hairan
bachche hai bilakte huye aur maye pareshan
kyo khun ki nadiya hi bah jati hai harsho
kyo khun ki nadiya hi bah jati hai harsho
koi to bta de mujhe kaisa hai insaan
koi to bta de mujhe kaisa hai insaan
aa dekh jaha mein tere kohram macha hai
aa dekh jaha mein tere kohram macha hai
tera hai ye insaaf to insaan ka kya hai
tera hai ye insaaf to insaan ka kya hai