Two Golden Classics - Teesri Kasam and Mare Gaye Gulfam

Have you ever heard a story or watched any movie in which the name of the hero and heroine are the same? Recently on Audible, I heard the story 'Mare Gaye Gulfam' by Phanishwarnath Renu. He was one of the most influential writers of modern Hindi literature. The Bollywood movie 'Teesri Kasam' was based on this love story. 

In this story, both the central characters are namesakes. 'Hira' is the name, 'Hiraman' for the male protagonist and 'Hira Bai' for the female protagonist. In the movie, the role of Hiraman was played by Raj Kapoor, the biggest showman of the period whereas the dancer Hira Bai's role was played by Waheeda Rehman, a Bharatnatyam dancer. This story is set in post-Independent India. Hiraman took two vows after he faced difficult situations in life that he would never carry black marketeer or bamboo in his bullock cart. Soon after his marriage, his wife died and after that he was a single man. One day, he got the chance to carry Hira Bai as a passenger in his bullock cart. He took care of her and sang songs to pass the journey time. He fell in love with her while travelling. Later, he met her and tried to convince her to leave her profession and to live with him. She refused. His heart was broken and he took his third vow that he would never carry any female dancer in his cart.

It is a musical movie. The evergreen songs of the movie are 'Chalat Musafir', 'Duniya Bananewale', 'Maare Gaye Gulfaam', 'Paan Khaaye Saiyaan Hamaaro', 'Sajanwa Bairi Ho Gaye Hamaar' and 'Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo'.

So, what would you like to do - listen or read the story by author Phanishwarnath Renu or watch the movie produced by lyricist Shaliendra?