Music forms an integral part of movies. If the background score keeps capturing human emotions of different hues in each of the scenes, songs heighten the sentiments in diverse situations faced by those on the screen. Lyricists play a crucial role by not only depicting the feelings of the characters involved, but also conveying deep philosophical truths of life at times.
Some songs elevate our spirits and motivate us to get up after each tumble and restart chasing our dreams. Others bring us happiness, even if some of these might be intrinsically sad.
Some of you may remember a song which Talat Mehmood had rendered in his velvet-like soothing voice long time back:
Hein sabse madhur woh geet jinhen hum dard ke swar mein gaate hain…
Roughly translated, this says that the songs which are the sweetest are the ones which are set to the melody of sorrow! You may agree that Shailendra was not much off the mark when he wrote this for the 1953 movie Patita. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XagIs_0zgaY
Each song is a multi-layered offering. If the lyricist pens something heartful, the composer sets it to music which tugs at our heart strings. The characters finally breathe life into it, either by lip-syncing it or by going through the motions while the song itself plays in the background.
Here is a collection of some of the songs which are close to my heart. Songs appear here in a chronological order, ranging from the year 1939 and coming forward up to 2017.
Whenever the chips are down and dark clouds cover your inner space, here is a song which can motivate you to move ahead in life with a steely resolve and a chin-up attitude.
Karun kya aas niras bhayi…
Movie: Dushman,1939
Singer: K L Saigal,
Composer: Pankaj Mullick
Lyricist : Aarzoo Lucknowi
When a lover’s heart is pining away for the beloved, this song comes in handy.
Suhaani raat dhal chuki…
Movie: Dulari (1949)
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Composer: Naushad
Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni
Here is a light-hearted and delightful experience in the art and craft of serenading, eventually prompting a reluctant heroine to overcome her hesitation and rush to meet the hero. Yet again, nature plays an important role in the proceedings.
Ye raat ye chandni phir kahaan…
Movie: Jaal (1952)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Composer: S D Burman
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
This one is a romantic song which has soulful lyrics set to lilting music. The part that I find very touching is where the heroine imagines doing her make up while the hero quietly sits opposite her! Unfortunately, a YouTube search did not throw up the original movie footage.
Aa neele gagan tale pyar hum karein…
Movie: Badshah (1954)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar
Composer: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri
V. Shantaram had a penchant for offering us movies with a distinctive touch of classical music replete with songs which used different elements of nature to enhance a contemplative communion with it. Here, we find someone of the stature of Gopi Krishna showcasing his enchanting dancing skills opposite Sandhya. This movie had used santoor for the first time, played by the inimitable Pt. Shivkumar Sharma.
Nain so nain nahi milao…
Movie: Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar
Composer: Vasant Desai
Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri
Here is a flirtatious song from an otherwise serious movie. The back-and-forth chat between the heroine and the hero is a sheer delight.
Hum aapki ankhon mein…
Movie: Pyasa (1957)
Singers: Mohammed Rafi, Geeta Dutt
Composer: S D Burman
Lyricist: Sahir Ludianvi
Amongst the many songs steeped in chivalry that Bollywood has brought to us over the years, this one takes the cake.
Pyar par bas to nahin…
Movie: Sone ki Chidiya (1958)
Singers: Talat Mehmood, Asha Bhosle
Composer: O P Nayyar
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
What really defines true living? According to this song, there are three elements: having someone whose smiles you can fall for, borrowing and shouldering someone else’s pain, and having love for someone in your heart!
Kisi ki muskarahaton pe ho nisaar…
Movie: Anari (1959)
Singer: Mukesh
Composers: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyricist: Shailendra
How do we enthuse a soulmate to share his/her suffering with you? Here is a poignant appeal from a beloved, set to unobtrusive music by Jaidev.
Jahaan mein aisa kaun hai…
Movie: Hum Dono (1961)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Composer: Jaidev
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
When a passionate wooer praises the one being wooed rather profusely, how does the latter respond? Towards the end of the song, the heroine starts wondering if the excessive praise being showered upon her could lead her to entertain feelings of unjustified pride. Here is a lesson in humility and equanimity.
Bahut shukriya badi meharbani…
Movie: Ek Musaafir Ek Haseena (1962)
Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
Composer: O P Nayyar
Lyricist: Raja Mehdi Ali Khaan
Here, Sahir Ludianvi tells us that issues which cannot be resolved in life are best concluded with a loving twist!
Chalo ek baar phir se…
Movie: Gumraah (1963)
Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
Composer: Ravi
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
Each song sung by Manna Dey is unique. Interestingly, this one is open to two interpretations. At the mundane level, the lady is wondering how she can return to her home and hearth when a part of her attire is soiled. At a spiritual level, it expresses the yearning of a soul to be reunited with God.
Laaga chunari mein daag…
Movie: Dil Hi To Hai (1963)
Singer: Manna Dey
Composers: Roshan and Omi Sonik
Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
The pathos of a failed love which does not get reciprocated by the party of the other part, so very aptly rendered by Rafi here, leaves one speechless. Simple lyrics and soothing music make it the perfect song for those facing a similar situation in life.
Mein ye soch kar…
Movie: Haqeeqat (1964)
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Composer: Madan Mohan
Lyricist: Kaifi Azmi
Here is another song which tugs at one’s heartstrings by capturing the frustration of loneliness arising out of a misunderstanding in a relationship.
Din dhal jaaye…
Movie: Guide (1965)
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Composer: S D Burman
Lyricist: Shailendra
When lovers express their gratitude for the other person’s presence in their lives, unalloyed joy swirls around in their midst. Also, a dash of the Karma theory propounded by Bhagavad Gita raises the philosophical quotient of this song rather high.
Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good…
Movie: The Sound of Music (1965)
Singers: Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer
Composer: Richard Rodgers
Lyricist: Oscar Hammerstein II
Those who hail from the tribe of the delicately nurtured and believe in female empowerment these days might scoff at this song. However, the fact remains that love based on a deep-rooted loyalty towards each other is truly a sentiment to be cherished.
Chhupaa lo yuun dil mein pyaar mera…
Movie: Mamta (1966)
Singers: Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Roshan
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Many movies have captured the ambience of matrimonial bliss, with the couple exchanging meaningful and loving glances with each other. These are surely couples who have no use for the much-touted phrase ‘I love you’. Their body language says it all. Here is a song which never fails to touch my emotional chords.
Dheere dheere machal ae dil…
Movie: Anupama (1966)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Hemant Kumar
Lyricist: Kaifi Azmi
Here is an uplifting offering which also fits rather well with the sustainability issues we just appear to be waking up to in our chaotic times when Mother Nature often sounds as if she is trying to punish homo sapiens for destroying its beauty and plundering its limited resources. Human greed has taken over prudence, thereby increasing the entropy in the natural system.
Ye kaun chitrakaar hai…
Movie: Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (1967)
Singer: Mukesh
Composer: Satish Bhatia
Lyricist: Bharat Vyas
By now, most of us are aware of the ills of social media, where people often talk without listening, dumping what they wish to say and completely ignoring what others are wanting to say. In movies, we keep running into those who talk without speaking. Their eyes, facial expressions and body language say it all. This song touched upon this aspect of our lives many decades back!
The sound of silence…
Movie: The Graduate (1967)
Singers/Composers: Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel
Lyricist: Paul Simon
When lyrics get penned in chaste Hindi by someone of the stature of Neeraj, set to music by the inimitable S D Burman, rendered by a multi-talented Kishore Kumar and the song features the evergreen Dev Anand, something unique happens. Add the picturesque locales of Switzerland, and magic follows!
Phoolon ke rang se…
Movie: Prem Pujari (1970)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: S D Burman
Lyricist: Neeraj
Here is another heart pining for the beloved; sung by Hemant Kumar in his eternally soothing voice.
Tum pukaar lo…
Movie: Khamoshi (1970)
Singer/Composer: Hemant Kumar
Lyricist: Gulzar
Over the years, Bollywood has offered us many songs centred around the heroine’s eyes. Here is just one such which strengthens one’s desire to live a full life.
Jeevan se bhari teri aankhen…
Movie: Safar (1970)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composers: Kalyanji, Anandji
Lyricist: Indeevar (Shyamalal Babu Rai)
When one is in love, one accepts the person of the other part with all his/her strengths and weaknesses.
Koi jab tumhara hriday tod de…
Movie: Purab aur Paschim (1970)
Singer: Mukesh
Composer: Kalyanji, Anandji
Lyricist: Indeevar (Shyamlal Babu Rai)
One of the enchanting melodies from the inimitable Geeta Dutt, capturing the tender emotions of love between a couple.
Meri jaan, mujhe jaan na kaho…
Movie: Anubhav (1971)
Singer: Geeta Dutt
Composer: Kanu Roy
Lyricist: Gulzar
Life often makes us suffer the harsh slings and arrow of Fate, separating us from those whom we love. However, our Guardian Angels offer us life-long relationships with perfect strangers. Mukesh makes us brood over this facet of our lives.
Kaheen door jab din dhal jaaye…
Movie: Anand (1971)
Singer: Mukesh
Composer: Salil Chowdhury
Lyricist: Yogesh
When those who hurt us are the ones we consider our own, the hurt is indeed very deep.
Chingaari koi bhadke…
Movie: Amar Prem (1972)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: R. D. Burman
Lyricist: Anand Bakshi
Death of a spouse brings about a sense of despondency which refuses to wither away even after a long time.
Beeti na bitayee raina…
Movie: Parichay (1972)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Bhupinder Singh
Composer: R. D. Burman
Lyricist: Gulzar
When relations between husband and wife turn sour, a tragedy proves to be a blessing in disguise, bringing them together, yet again.
Tere mere milan ki ye raina…
Movie: Abhimaan (1973)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Composer: S D Burman
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
What happens when there is uncertainty and confusion in our relationships in life? Here is a soulful song which speaks of our yearning to seek a clarity in our thoughts by controlling the endless desires of our heart.
Kayi baar yoon bhi dekha hai…
Music: Rajnigandha (1974)
Singer: Mukesh
Composer: Salil Chowdhury
Lyrics: Yogesh
(Continued…)
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ashokbhatia 
Brilliantly written sir, considering my favourites, we are nearly 80% match. Rgrds
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Thank you. I started with a list of 10 songs but ended up covering close to 40! Part 2 will soon follow!
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All are gems.
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Yes, Shirish ji! Thank you.
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Wonderful collection of songs with beautiful commentry.
Thanks !
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Glad you liked it. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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This is such a brilliant collection of songs! Each one is a gem. I think if I ever draw up a list like this, it will probably include several of these.
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Thank you for your kind comment. Am happy to have been able to provide some satisfaction!
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Very thoughtfully and tastefully chosen songs Ashok. I so agree with you that each song is a multilayered offering.. geet, sangeet, adakari all stand out and strike a chord with the listeners. That is why these songs are evergreen.
However a song per year does not do justice to so many other melodies composed year after year by our maestros.
But your effort is praiseworthy and worth savouring.
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Thanks, Sunil. Coming as it does from a poetry/shayari aficionado like you, it matters a lot. Let us keep in touch on such delectable subjects of our mutual liking.
Somehow, lyricists have always been relegated to the background in the industry, though now I am happy to see geniuses like Sahir, Majrooh, Gulzar and Shailendra etc getting remembered by so many. I think true artistes live in the hearts of their doting fans forever!
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