Pardesi musafir kise lyrics | Lata Mangeshkar | Balam | 1949

“Pardesi Musafir Kise” is a rare and significant duet from the 1949 film Balam, featuring a vocal collaboration between two of the era’s most iconic voices: the legendary Lata Mangeshkar and the reigning superstar-singer Suraiya. During this period, Suraiya was one of the few artists who sang her own songs on screen, while a young Lata was rapidly becoming the most sought-after playback voice in the industry. This track serves as a beautiful bridge between the established “actor-singer” tradition and the burgeoning “playback” era.

The music was composed by the famous duo Husnlal-Bhagatram, who are credited with bringing a distinct Punjabi folk influence to Hindi film music. They were early mentors to Lata, helping her refine the rhythmic precision that would become her hallmark. The lyrics, written by Qamar Jalalabadi, are framed as a conversational exchange—a series of delicate questions and answers between the two female leads regarding a “foreign traveler” (Pardesi musafir).

Set against the backdrop of a romantic action plot, this song is a masterclass in the 1940s style of “taan” and “harkat” (melodic ornaments). It highlights a pivotal moment in Lata Mangeshkar’s career where, having recently improved her Urdu diction under the guidance of specialists, she was beginning to outshine even the most established stars with her crystal-clear tone and perfect pitch.

Pardesi musafir kise lyrics | Lata Mangeshkar | Balam | 1949

Pardesi musafir kise lyrics :

Oo paradesi musaafir
Oo paradesi musaafir
Kise karataa hai ishaare
Kise karataa hai ishaare
Itna to bataa de
Itna to bataa de
Teraa dil kis ko pukaare
Kis ko pukaare
Oo paradesi musaafir

Lutaa hai mujhe tune hi
Mehamaan bana ke
Mujhe mehamaan bana ke
Lutaa hai mujhe tune hi
Mehamaan bana ke
Mujhe mehamaan bana ke
Oo puchhanewaale
Oo puchhanewaale
Meraa dil tujhako pukaare
Tujhako pukaare
Oo paradesi musaafir
Oo paradesi musaafir

Aa gaaen fizaao me
Mohabbat ke taraane
Mohabbat ke taraane
Aa gaaen fizaao me
Mohabbat ke taraane
Mohabbat ke taraane
Aa kar na chale jaaen
Saawan ke nazaare
Saawan ke nazaare
Oo paradesi musaafir
Oo paradesi musaafir

Darataa hoon mohabbat meri
Ho jaae na badanaam
Ho jaae na badanaam
Darataa hoon mohabbat meri
Ho jaae na badanaam
Ho jaae na badanaam
Oo dekhe naa zamana
Oo dekhe naa zamana
Kahi aankho ke ishaare
Aankho ke ishaare

Oa paradesi musaafir
Kise karataa hai ishaare
Itna to bataa de
Teraa dil kis ko pukaare
Kis ko pukaare
Oa paradesi musaafir.