Have a story to tell? A theme to work on? An emotion to express? A mood to paint? Easy. You can do all this and more with Hindi film songs. For musical stories or theme-based songs or lyrical expressions of moods or...whatever, this promises to be a fun-filled ride. Come, get on the bandwagon!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Dheemi Dheemi Bheeni Bheeni

"1947: Earth" (1998) is a sensitive film based on Bapsi Sidhwa's novel "Cracking India" (also published as "Ice Candy Man"). Centred around the partition of India, the story takes place in Lahore. A beautiful composition from this film today. The video from the film does not include the full song. So, posting the full song without the video too.

Singer: Hariharan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A. R. Rahman

Monday, December 30, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Chhukar Mere Man Ko

A popular solo from "Yaarana" (1981) today. This sweet composition is "inspired" by a well-known song from Rabindra Sangeet, Tomar holo shuru amar holo shara. Listen to it too!

Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Anjaan
Music: Rajesh Roshan

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayaal Aaya

This post is dedicated to Farooq Shaikh who is no more. This beautiful ghazal from "Saath Saath" (1982) features him with the lovely Deepti Naval. Together, they made one of the best on-screen couples. Also, watch them in Yeh tera ghar yeh mera ghar from the same film, posted earlier in this space in "Her Story".

Singers: Chitra Singh, Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Kuldip Singh

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh

An elaborate dance sequence from "Shree 420" (1955) today. Nadira is the dancer, Raj kapoor comes into action in the second half, while Nargis appears briefly in the beginning. I had posted another song Ichak dana bichak dana from this film earlier in this space, in "Her Story".

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Friday, December 27, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Suniye Suniye

Watch Kishore Kumar exhibit his versatility in this fun song from "Ladka Ladki" (1966). It starred Kishore Kumar with Mumtaz. I had posted another interesting number by Kishore Kumar, Jab jab tujhko chhua a few days ago.

Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Madan Mohan

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Ae Babu Le Lo Na Nariyal

Tender coconut has a very unique taste and the water is indeed refreshing. It is one of the best drinks that comes from nature in pure, unadulterated form. Having it is enjoyable, but selling it on the streets of Mumbai? Can it be fun too? And where do you see charming young ladies dressed in half-saris offering tender coconuts to all and sundry?  Only in Hindi films! Mumtaz makes it all look like a cakewalk in this solo from "Apna Desh" (1972).

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: R. D. Burman

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Chandan Sa Badan

Chandan...sandalwood! What a lovely fragrance to celebrate the sense of smell with! Two versions of a popular song from "Saraswatichandra" (1968). Based on Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi's Gujarati novel with the same name, this was perhaps the last Hindi film to be made in black and white. It starred Nutan with Manish, a little-known actor.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Kalyanji Anandji

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Humse Toh Achchhi Teri Paayal Gori

Hindi films have featured many songs showing that the lead actor is jealous of an adornment or an article of clothing that his lady love uses because of its proximity to her. Presenting one such duet today from "Ganwaar" (1970). This was Vyjayanthimala's last film as an actress.  Mujhse bhala yeh kaajal tera from "The Train" is a popular song belonging to the same category. This film got released in the same year as Ganwaar did--1970.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Naushad

Monday, December 23, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Tujhe Dekha Toh Ye Jaana Sanam

"Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (1995) is a big film and needs no introduction. A lovely duet from this film today. This is the second song from DDLJ to appear in this space. Mehndi Lagaa Ke Rakhnaa was featured in the "Adornments" series earlier.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Jatin Lalit

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Suno Chhoti Si Gudiya Ki Lambi Kahani

Presenting two versions of a solo from "Seema" (1955). This was a social drama that told the story of a young orphan girl and her quest for love. It featured Nutan and Balraj Sahni in lead roles. It is one of those productions from the black and white era that always came with good story and great music. Notable songs from the film are Tu pyaar ka sagar hai, Man mohana bade jhoothe and Baat baat mein rootho na.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Khatti Meethi Strawberry Si

Today, it is the turn of strawberry in this series. Angoor appeared few days ago in Yeh Jeena Hai Angoor Ka Dana. Presenting a sweet song from "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi" (2012). It is a delightful comedy in which Farah Khan and Boman Irani play an affable 40-something Parsi couple.

Singer: Shreya Ghoshal
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya
Music: Jeet Ganguly

Friday, December 20, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Phoolon Mein Khushboo Hai

Presenting the title song from "Hum Saath Saath Hain" (1999). This film told the story of a joint family and had a huge star cast. Produced by Rajshri, it was received well by family audiences.

Singers: Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu and Hariharan
Lyrics: Kiran R
Music: Raamlaxman

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Ooh La La Ooh La La

"The Dirty Picture" (2011) was based on the life of Silk Smitha, a leading lady from South India known for her bold scenes in films. It is ironic that this film ended up exploiting the same tricks, namely titillation and exposure, that it had set out to comment on. Vidya Balan received heaps of praise for her uninhibited portrayal of the protagonist. In fact, she carried the whole film on her shoulders. A raunchy duet from this film today. Complete with gaudy costumes and garish sets, it is reminiscent of the eighties, the period in which this story is set.

I had written a post on this film two years ago. It is here. This film's music had failed to impress me, but I must admit that this is the most likeable song from the lot.



Singers: Shreya Ghoshal, Bappi Lahiri
Lyrics: Rajat Arora
Music: Vishal Shekhar


As an aside, was this duet "inspired" by this one from "Mawaali" (1983)?

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha

Today's song features a dance sequence performed by Kumkum in "Ujala" (1959). Normally, such songs went to Asha Bhosle, but the playback for this one was given by Lata Mangeshkar. This is a characteristic Shankar Jaikishan composition. Another popular number from this film is Jhoomta mausam mast mahina.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Suniyo Ji Araj Mhariyo

Shot in the desert landscape of Rajasthan, "Lekin" (1991) was an off-beat film produced by Lata Mangeshkar and directed by Gulzar. Its music, composed by Lata's talented brother Hridaynath, is hauntingly beautiful. The film and its music won several awards. Presenting a divine song from the same today.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: Hridaynath Mangeshkar

Monday, December 16, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Paan Khaye Sainya Hamaro

"Teesri Kasam" (1966) was based on a short story Maare Gaye Gulfam by noted Hindi writer Phanishwarnath Renu. Portraying life in rural India, the film was shot in Araria, Bihar. One of the early directorial ventures of Basu Bhattacharya, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 1967. A beautiful dance number from this film today. With Waheeda Rehman on the screen and Asha Bhosle behind it, it is a classic.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Shailendra
Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Aao Mil Jayen

A romantic duet from "Premgeet" (1981) today. It starred Raj Babbar and Anita Raj as the lead actors. It was one of the few films for which noted ghazal singer Jagjit Singh composed music.

Singers: Chitra Singh, Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Indeevar
Music: Jagjit Singh

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Jab Jab Tujhko Chhua

"Jab jab tujhko chhua "goes a song from "Jaal Saaz (1959). If some stories are to be believed, the censors found these words objectionable and did not approve of this song. So, the song was rewritten and set in the same tune. It is a playful party song. The original was sung by Kishore Kumar and Geeta Dutt, while in the later version, Geeta Dutt has been replaced by Asha Bhosle. Could not find a clip of the second version.

Singers: Geeta Dutt, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Datta Naik


Friday, December 13, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha

Great lyrics, superb music (R. D. Burman's last work) and lovely visuals shot in scenic hilly locales. That is what today's song is all about. This solo from "1942: A Love Story " (1994) is one of Javed Akhtar's best. It brought him the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist. Kumar Sanu bagged it for Best Male Playback Singer.

According to trivia, this song was written keeping Madhuri Dixit in mind, as she was supposed to play the female lead. But for some reason, it went to Manisha Koirala. In an earlier series "Her Story", I have posted "Pyaar hua chupke se " featuring her.

Singer: Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: R. D. Burman

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Sakhi Ri Sun

"Miss Mary" (1957) was an entertaining comedy/drama starring Meena Kumari and Kishore Kumar. This film is one of those that were made before Meena Kumari turned into a sob queen. She looks lovely and Kishore Kumar is in great form with his antics. With songs such as "O raat ke musafir chanda zara bata de", "Gaana na aaya bajaana na aaya", "Ye mard bade dil sard", it is a wholesome package. Presenting a melodious duet from this film today. It is always a pleasure to listen to the two legendary sisters together.

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Hemant Kumar


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Daal Roti Khaao

The duet that I am presenting today had vanished from my memory. I found it when I was looking for songs related to food. It is one of those songs that were pleasant, but not extra-ordinary. A hummable number with a good message, this is from "Jwar Bhata" (1973). This was a family drama featuring separation and reunion of a grandfather with his grandson.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare

"Rajnigandha" (1974) was as delicate a film as the flowers it is named after are. Based on a story "Yehi Sach Hai " by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari, it talked of the dilemma of a woman caught between her two loves. A Basu Chatterjee film, it was sweet, simple and honest.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Yogesh
Music: Salil Chowdhury

Monday, December 9, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Jara Sa Usko Chhua To

"Shor" (1972) was a Manoj Kumar baby. He not only produced, directed, wrote and edited it, but played the lead role in it also. A peppy solo from this film today which was overshadowed by the more popular "Ek pyaar kaa nagmaa hai" and "Paani re paani ". Saw this video after decades. It reinforced the fact that Jaya Bachchan (she was Jaya Bhaduri then) was not very comfortable when it came to dancing.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Santosh Anand
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Dekho Ji Bahaar Aayi

"Azaad" (1955) was a great musical. It has been featured earlier on this blog in the "Rain Songs" series with Jaa Ri Jaa Ri O Kaari Badariya. Presenting another lovely solo from the same film today. Lata Mangeshkar's voice is as fresh as a daisy in this melody that takes us back to an era when songs oozed sweetness and innocence.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Music: C. Ramchandra


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Sun Sun Sun Didi

A playful song that a younger sister sings for her elder sister. This fun solo is from "Khubsoorat" (1980). This was an entertaining film from the stable of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, underlining family values and the role and responsibilities of elders in a joint family. It won the Filmfare Award for the Best Film in 1981. Also, Rekha won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role of a young woman who brings a breath of fresh air in a family that has been suffocating under the authoritarian rule of its matriarch.

Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: R. D. Burman


Friday, December 6, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Yeh Jeena Hai Angoor Ka Dana

Today, it is the title song from "Khatta Meeta" (1978). This was a sweet, little film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It was fairly successful and was appreciated by family audiences. It portrayed the lives of middle-class Parsi families and was loosely based on "Yours, Mine and Ours". A light-hearted song with a deeper meaning!

Singers: Kishore Kumar, Usha Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: Rajesh Roshan

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Meri Saanson Ko

While looking for songs featuring the five senses, I realized that the reference to sight, hearing and touch is more direct in most of the songs, while the reference to smell could be subtle. Songs mentioning food and drink could be included in the taste category, and these are generally light-hearted and sometimes funny. Hopefully, we will get a set of songs depicting a variety of moods in this series.

Today's presentation is a melodious duet from "Badaltey Rishtey" (1978). Starring Jeetendra, Rishi Kapoor and Reena Roy, this was a musical that did fairly well. Enjoy this classic Laxmikant Pyarelal composition. When you look at Reena Roy on the screen, you can't miss noticing the resemblance between her and Sonakshi Sinha.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor
Lyrics: Anjaan
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Paaon Chhoo Lene Do

"Taj Mahal" (1963) was a hit musical. Based on the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, it is known for its music even today. Here is a superb duet from this film. Lovely lyrics, memorable music!

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: Roshan

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Tumhen Dekhti Hoon

Presenting a song from a Basu Chatterjee film, "Tumhare Liye" (1978) today. This was one of his lesser-known films. Based on the theme of reincarnation, it featured Sanjeev Kumar and Vidya Sinha in the lead roles. This high-pitched solo was the more popular number from the film.

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri
Music: Jaidev

Monday, December 2, 2013

Garden Of Five Senses: Suno Sajna

There is a lovely place in Delhi called the Garden Of Five Senses. You can read all about it here. I am not writing about the park, merely borrowing its beautiful name to be used as a title for my next series of songs.

We have been gifted with five wonderful senses--taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing-- that help us appreciate various things which enrich our life. Let us celebrate our five senses with some delightful melodies from Hindi films. Each of these songs will feature words related to at least one of the senses in its lyrics.

Opening the series with a soft romantic solo from Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966). Embellished with beautiful pieces from flute and tabla, this song is a treat. Enjoy it!

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal