Wishing the readers a very Happy Chhath festival
My fellow bloggers Madhu and Anu are apt to say, no sooner do you put two women together in our films than they start singing. There must be something about women and singing – female solos outnumber male solos by more than three times, and female duets outnumber male duets likewise. Therefore, if there are several women together that should instantly lit a spark for singing. And that is what happens in our culture, which has sanskars and rituals from birth till the end of life, all accompanied by women’s songs.
Parallel to the religious part of the ceremonies is a universe of women’s folk customs each of which is accompanied by singing in chorus, specific to that occasion. The pandits also give due importance to their roles. I am quite fascinated by our traditional weddings when the Panditji would at different stages announce playfully to the giggling gang of the ladies swarming around the mandap, ‘Ab aap logon ka department shuru hota hai; Aap log apna kar lijiye, phir main aata hun’. That also gives him a convenient break for loo or coffee. After the women are done with their own folk customs and singing, Panditji resumes his recitation from the scriptures. This inter-mingling and co-existence of shaastra and folk (लोक और शास्त्र) is an integral part of our society in all ceremonies and festivals, the folk being almost exclusively women’s domain. Apart from sanskars and festivals, female chorus songs have also been an integral part of the daily chores, such as grinding, pounding, churning, and agricultural operations like transplanting and harvesting.
Female duets have always evoked fascination leading to interesting discussion on SoY. Hans has separately sent me a big list of female duets. I include songs by more than two singers also in the generic category of ‘duets’. These are ‘filmy’ duets – you know what I mean, and I may someday get around to doing a post on them. But fortunately, there have also been in our films a number of women’s folk custom songs which I am talking about here. As these traditions are disappearing from our society, so too are these songs gone with the wind. Going back in Time Machine let us enjoy these songs of the women, for the women, by the women.
1. Rani Kaushalya kahe more lalana nahwaaoji by Amirbaki Karnataki (?) from Bharat Milap (1942), lyrics Pt Anuj, music Shankarrao Vyas
An essential custom of our weddings is Haldi Ceremony in which the mother and other women of the family apply ubtan (turmeric paste with natural herbs) to the bridegroom, and then give him the customary bath. Here Lord Ram goes through this ceremony smilingly. In parallel, the mother of Sita and other women perform the same ceremony to her who sits with a beatific smile. In earlier days, since the weddings took place between families living in villages not too far apart, there was also a custom of sending the bride’s ubtan to the bridegroom and vice versa. Apart from the aesthetics, the scientific reason was its antiseptic properties. Please notice that there is a horde of women around, but you don’t see a man (except the bridegroom, in the first part). This song always leaves me spellbound, and is, in fact, the reason for this post. When I got down to writing this post, I could not locate it. I have to thank Mumbaikar8 for her help in searching this song.
2. Gaao badhai ri suhagan aangan ayi by Lalita Deulkar & chorus from Bhakta Dhruv (1947), music Shankar Rao Vyas
After the wedding and bidaai, the bride reaches her new home where there is a ceremonial welcome at the doorstep by the ladies of the family. The welcome ritual and the song is led by her mother-in-law.
3. Aao ri suhagan nari mangal gaao ri by Saraswati Rane, Amirbai Karnataki & chorus from Ram Rajya (1943). lyrics Ramesh Gupta, music Shankar Rao Vyas
A natural corollary of marriage and its sanctified purpose is procreation. The expected arrival of a child is a momentous event celebrated by Gode bharai (गोद भराई). It goes by different names in different parts of the country, performed at different stages of pregnancy. In some communities it is a part of the pre-wedding ceremonies. This is similar to ‘Baby shower’ in western cultures, now getting wide currency in India too, among the modern educated women in the family way. In this song, Mata Kaushalya is leading the ladies to shower an expectant Sita with gifts. It is interesting that the first three songs on the trot have been composed by Shankar Rao Vyas, a trained singer from the Gwalior gharana. He was the brother of the more celebrated Pt Narayan Rao Vyas. Saraswati Rane also was thoroughly trained in classical music. She had impeccable pedigree, being the daughter of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the doyen of Kirana gharana, and sister of Hirabai Badodkar and Sureshbabu Mane. These songs show the confluence of folk, classical and cinema.
आओ री सुहागन नारी मंगल गाओ री
जनक दुलारी की गोद भराओ री
आज राम घर सुख घड़ी आई
स्वर्ण कलश बहूरानी से भराओ री
आओ री सुहागन नारी…
मांग सिंदूर और शीश पे बिंदिया
पांच सुहागन सुहाग चढ़ाओ री
आओ री सुहागन नारी…
नैनों मैं लज्जा मुख गर्व की शांति
रूप अनूप सियारानी पे संवारो री
आओ री सुहागन नारी…
माता कौशल्या बलि बलि जाये
लाड़ली बहू मोरी हौले हौले जाओ री
आओ री सुहागन नारी…
4. Mori nanhi dulhan sharmaye re by unknown singers (Nasem Akhtar?) from Seedha Raasta (1947), lyrics Amar Verma, music SK Pal
This is converse of the first song. Here the bride is being feted by the women. It appears to be child marriage which makes me cringe, but the song brings out the flavor of folk customs at the wedding. The singer is not credited in the HFGK, but a comment on the YouTube mentions it is Naseem Akhtar
5. Dulhan ban jaao gale lag jaao by unknown singers from Zeenat (1945), music Mir Saheb and Hafeez Khan
Now another wedding song from a Muslim social in which the sahelis of Noorjehan are singing this song. Cutting across cultural differences, the spirit of wedding songs by women is the same
6. Dheere baho nadiya dheere baho hum utaren hi paar by Kusum Kumari & chorus from Achhut Kanya (1936), lyrics JS Kashyap ‘Naatwan’, music Saraswati Devi
Now you see different groups of women at the whole lot of primary food processors: chakki, okhal and soop (सूप, for winnowing), and singing this song in unison.
7. Kauni rang mungawa kauni rang motiya by Suman Kalyanpur and Sudha Malhotra from Heera Moti (1959), lyrics Prem Dhavan, music Roshan
This song is in a similar strain. While Nirupa Roy is at the grinding wheel, you see Shubha Khote tending to the cattle, mopping the floor and finally joining the former on the chakki. With such gorgeous songs, such monotonous activities become absolutely enjoyable. Balraj Sahni is enjoying the blissful song by himself on his hukka. Roshan was not only the master of qawwali, but also of folk.
8. Tore kajra lagaun mori rani by Beena Kumari and Baby Meena from Bahen (1941), lyrics Dr Safdar ‘Aah’, music Anil Biswas
Applying kaajal, too, can be with the melody of a song.
9. Amma mori ho by Rajkumari from Panghat (1943), lyrics Pt Indra, music SN Tripathi
There are many rituals meant for unmarried girls to seek blessings for a happy marriage. Here the girls are dancing and singing, wishing for a groom like Krishna Kanhaiya. You also fleetingly see elderly ladies performing some pooja at the banyan tree.
10. Pad gaye jhoole saawan rut aye re by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle from Bahu Begum (1967), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi, music Roshan
The Master Roshan again, and you get a superlative Saawan and Jhoola song.
11. Hamre aangan bagiya, bagiya mein do panchhi by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar from Teen Bahuraniyan (1968), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
This song from Gemini’s mahaan paarivaarik film tells the complete story of joint-family bliss. The three bahuranis are doing different chores, such as looking after the pet birds, plucking flower for the morning puja, washing and hanging clothes, grinding spices on sil-batta, cooking and feeding. The ideal husbands, too, part with their share of income to the family patriarch Prithviraj Kapoor, and finally the bahus touch his feet every morning.
12. Peetal ki meri gaagri by Minoo Purushottam and Parveen Sultana from Do Boond Paani (1971), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Jaidev
Trudging miles in water-starved desert to collect water in your pitcher and walking back miles again can be quite dreadful, but if it is accompanied by songs the hardship is greatly mitigated. In many societies this hard physical work was left to the women, with menfolk mostly lazying around. The film Saandh Ki Aankh (The Bull’s Eye) beautifully depicts the rebellion of elderly women in a patriarchal society when the idling men try to show their authority with guns at the slightest sign of their womenfolk stepping out of home and showing some independence.
13. Main to aarti utaarun re Santoshi Mata ki by Usha Mangeshkar & chorus from Jai Santoshi Ma (1975), lyrics Kavi Pradeep, music C Arjun
Before this film, not many had heard of Santoshi Mata. This enormously popular aarti made her an important deity in our pantheon of gods and goddesses to be worshipped every Friday.
Chhath geet
I end this post with two Chhath geets by Sharda Sinha, famous as ‘Bihar Kokila’. Chhath, literally meaning the sixth, is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, i.e. the sixth day after Diwali. It involves most rigorous rituals, spanning over four days, including fasting, holy bath, culminating in arghya to the setting and rising sun. It has become the primary identity of Bihar and Poorvanchal. Though known for religious piety, Chhath has taken the form of folk, and is primarily performed by the women. This is one pooja in which pandits have no role. The most heartening part of the festival is the deep reverence of the people for the festival. It charges the society as a whole into collective action to clean the streets that will be taken by the vratis for going to the ghat. The cleanliness in Patna and other Bihar towns during chhath is beyond imagination and it is beyond the capability of any state authority. This is also one festival in which any hooliganism or eve teasing is unimaginable despite the congregation of hundreds of thousands.
14. Kelva ke paat par by Sharda Sinha
A Sangeet Natak Akademi fellow and a Padma Bhushan awardee, Sharda Sinha has forayed into Hindi film singing too, with Kahe tose sajna (Maine Pyar Kiya), Taar bijli se patle hamaare piya (Gangs of Wasseypur) etc. Wherever Chhath is observed by the Bihari diaspora in any part of the world, Sharda Sinha’s Chhath songs reverberate in the air. Here is one of her most famous songs.
15. Pahile pehil Chhathi Maiya by Sharda Sinha
Chhath is specific to a region and its culture, but this music video is woven around an emotionally very powerful story which conveys a universal message how heart-wrenching is the loss of traditions. The video opens with a smart, young, professional couple at the breakfast table, both dressed up to go for office in some metro city, when the mother calls the son. The son is from Bihar, the daughter-in-law is a Punjabi. The initial conversation of about 1.20 minutes is in Bhojpuri, therefore, I give a translation here:
Ma: How are you, Beta?
Son: I am fine, Ma. How is Babuji?
Ma: Babuji is all right. (With sadness) Please get your tickets cancelled.
Son: Why Ma? We were planning to come to Patna after Diwali for Chhath.
Ma: I am not performing Chhath Pooja this year. Babuji has also advised me against it due to my arthritis.
Son: (Perplexed) But who then is performing it? (Chhath is performed unbroken from generation to generation. If a lady becomes too old and frail to carry it on, she passes it on to the bahu or any other lady of the house. – AK)
Ma: No one in our khandaan. Raju Chacha’s daughter-in law is not observing it either. Also, Ruchika (referring to her bahu, the young lady in the video) is a working girl. What will she think? That her mother-in-law is old-fashioned? Also, she comes from a different culture. An English medium-educated girl can hardly be expected to perform Chhath.
Son: (With a sad pause) OK Ma, we will then come in the New Year.
This conversation between two generations is without any bitterness or complaint on the part of the mother. She accepts the reality, though with sadness. The young couple too is saddened; the young lady, who could get some sense of the conversation, asks her husband, She was saying something about me? The downcast husband tells her, I have very fond memories of Chhath. Ma was saying, this year no one is performing Chhath in our family, and this is the end of the tradition. She does not want to impose her beliefs on you. The story has a happy and emotional ending which can’t but move you immensely. Outstanding acting, superb concept, great direction, and equally superb song by Sharda Sinha – I would urge the readers to must watch this 7-minute video, the backdrop may be Chhath, but the theme is universal of sadness at the loss of tradition and how the modern generation tries to negotiate the transition. (The song means, O Chhathi Maiya, I am performing the Chhath for the first time. If there is any lapse on my part, please pardon me.)
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
The video links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these, which rests with the respective owners.
{ 102 comments… read them below or add one }
What an interesting and enjoyable post, AK. I loved the songs you’ve selected. Would this one fit too? From Shaheed, Jogi hum toh lut gaye tere pyaar mein:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUK8fS1C_vM
Thank you also for that lovely piece at the end about Chhath.
Morning AKji,
I was waiting for your today’s post. Happy Chhath festival.
And such an excellent collection of vintage songs. Loved it.
As all the songs were new to me, I’m yet to listen to those all.
May I suggest one correction,
Song no 4, lyricist should be Amar Varma.
He was married to Manik dadarkar, माणिक दादरकर, who’s better known by her name after marriage, Manik Varma, a popular singer of Marathi film and non film songs.
Would this song qualify
Sajan salona maang lo ji from Dooj ka chand?
Madhu,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Living in NCR, you can’t miss the ongoing Chhath celebrations and the hullabaloo going around it. I hope the last video and my description gave you some idea of its cultural continuity for several millennia.
Jogi hum to lut gaye tere pyar mein is a beautiful song. Fits absolutely.
AK Ji,
Unique subject!…one of my personal all time female duet -Na mein dhan chahoon, na ratan chahoon by Geeta Dutt & Sudha Malhotra ; Film-Kala Bazaar is a class apart.
Though it is credited to Burman da, somewhere I had read that his assistant at that time-Jaidev had composed this ( Bhajans were his specialty) . I am more of an avid listener and do not know much about the history/behind the scene events related to the golden era. This is just from what I had read.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Hope you do go through the songs, especially since it is Chhath festival, the last song.
Thanks a lot for poting the typo and details about Amar Varma and his wife Manik Verma. I think she was also a trained classical singer and performed at concerts. In fact, her identity as a classical singer was more famous than a playback singer.
PS: Sajan salona maang lo ji is a very beautiful songs. My great favourite, fits perfectly.
Sivanandam,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. My focus was on women’s folk songs, especially associated with different customs, rituals, and daily chores. I was not looking at ‘filmy’ duets per se. About the assistant being the real creator of some song, that is a familiar story in many cases. We would not know the inside story. My philosophy is read it with चटकारा, but don’t care about it and don’t propagate it. Since the music director is officially credited, he is the creator, though the contribution of many would have gone into making a great song.
3 Godh bharai songs:
Ek naye mehman ke aane ki khabar hai…
ZINDAGI, 1964.
Solah Singaar karke godhi bharai le..
FILHAAL, 2002.
Absolutely fitting because of the movie ‘s theme.
Kangna re kangna re….
PAHELI, 2005.
Addressing Ganga…
O Ganga Maiyya mein jab tak ye paani rahe..
Arti for one’s husband’s longevity.
SUHAAG RAAT.
Jaya Jaya he Jagadambe Maata…
GANGA KI LEHREN.
Main Tulsi tere angan ki…
Addressing Tulsi Maa, as well as one’s husband’s ( legal ) wife.
MTTAK.
Songs like
Itni jaldi kya hai Gori, Sajan ke ghar jaane ki
qualify, AK ji?
Bhabhi ki ungli mein Heere ka challa…
TAPASYA.
Dholak bajao, Aao sakhi aao
…
Dulhan banti hai naseebowaliyan..
JEET, 1972.
Main sasural nahin jaaoongi/
Mere haathon mein nau nau choodiyan hain..
CHANDNI.
Mahalon ka Raja mila
Ke Rani beti raaj karegi…
HAHK.
Navrai maajhi laada chi laada chi ga..
ENGLISH VINGLISH.
( Loved Sridevi in this movie. )
All Wedding songs.
Now that we have a Marathi connection, here is a comic Godh bharai song :
Ga konitaari yenaara yenaara ga..
ASHI HI BANAVABANAVI.
Dr Shetty,
The three Gode-bharai songs are spot on. Here are the links:
Ek naye mehman ke aane ki khabar hai
https://youtu.be/bn_8ThKZ3cs
Solah singer karke gode bharai re
The words are very traditional, but the tune is very mod and loud. The spirit is lost.
Kangana re kangana re.
The film Paheli, though made in 2005, retained the spirit of Rajasthani folk of Vijaydan Detha’s story, and this song also had this quality.
https://youtu.be/yLbra-WyOHM
Itni jaldi kya hai gori saajan ke ghar jaane ki
It is a beautiful song. And fits perfectly. On the same theme, my great favourite which I could not include is Dekho dekhoji gori sasural chali – link below.
https://youtu.be/bbYtykFYAfg
Dr Shetty @8,
Your second instalment of songs is equally good. Mahlon ka raja mila ki rani beti raaj kare is a very good song. You have inadvertently misattributed it, the song is from Anokhi Raat.
Is this the Marathi song?
https://youtu.be/nwxu4S-BLck
I enjoyed it. It seems the expectant ‘mother’ was a man, and some dancers are in drag. Am I correct?
A nice study on an interesting category of songs . A great selection of songs but many of these I do not recollect having heard. I have not come across a list of such possible occassions where women sing together. HFM have songs for such situations in many movies.
I do not know if this song could fit in here.
‘ Chhod babul ka…’/ 1950 / BABUL / Shakeel Badayuni / Naushad / Shamshad Begum & chorus
https://youtu.be/6sOjtQhOICw
Mr Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Chhod babul ka ghar fits perfectly. Group of women singing bidaai geet. One can try to draw a list, but it would not be exhaustive.
You have included Pital ki mori gagari from Do boond Pani. That film also had ‘Banni Teri bindiya’ which fits the theme equally well, if not better:
https://youtu.be/m364Zc5eZDs
AK ji,
A genuine real novel theme for songs. I don’t think anyone else thought about this theme among the Bloggers. Congratulations and thanks for this theme. The song I wrote about few years about is from film Panghat-1943 and fits well here.
This is the only song sung by Rajkumari Shukla, in her career. She was, as we all know, one of the 4 different Rajkumaris in Hindi films, who caused Same Name Confusion.
Today’s song is a special song, for it shows the old traditional grinding stone wheel ( chakki peessing and peessing waali). It was very common in almost all houses till about 50 odd years ago. In those days, when man power- actually women power-was available in plenty in big joint families, these types of Home Appliances were commonly found in many homes.
Readers who are in the 50+ years of age bracket will surely remember the chakki. It had different names in different states and regions. I do not know about other names, in Marathi it was called ‘ “Jaate”. Several songs were created that showed actors working on these Chakkis. I remember, in Maharashtra many Women-Saints created special songs called ‘OVI’, to be sung while working on this appliance. These OVIs were about how to run a family or how great is God etc etc.
While for adult women working on these wheels was nothing, children were wary of participating in it. In the video also, we can see Baby Tara trying to distract the attention of her Çhachi, hoping that she will go away and work could be avoided.
Film- Panghat-1943
Singers- Rajkumari Shukla and Baby Tara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBMlnfuQpTM
-AD
Subodh @13,
Yes. Manni teri bindiya fits very well.
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and detailed comments. In our part grinding wheel was called, जांता. Sounds similar to the word in Marathi. Another common appliance was a rice-pounder, which was called ढेंकी. It was a wooden tapered long lever, the fulcrum was very close to the light end, and at the end of the long heavy arm was a hollow made in the floor in which paddy was kept. At the short end women would press it down and up, and the long arm by lever action would pound the rice. This was also very common in rural houses.
Chachiji song is very nice. Didn’t Rajkumari Shukla act and sing in some Bombay Talkies films in Calcutta?
Chakki, Oh!
Even before the famous Budiya jail going, Chakki peesing , I remember the Chakkis from BANDINI.
Surprisingly, Dharam Pa ji is the only male seen in both the songs:
O panchi pyare
Sanjh saka re..
Perfect. I don’t think we can readily recall another song involving so many daily chores…
Washing clothes, Pounding and cleaning rice, sChakki peesing, Spinning, stitching…
Everyone of the inmates in a happy mood, except a pensive Bandini.
Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko Babul..
There is Chakki. But, a sad, lone woman and, Bandini.
BANDINI brings to mind SARASWATICHANDRA.
Main toh chod chalee Babul ka des piya ka ghar pyara lagaa…
A similar situation, where the soon to be Dulhan is in a happy mood, contrasting the normal gloom,is
Ye galiyan ye chaubara..
PREM ROG.
The pre wedding celebrations? in BAZAAR
Chale aao Sainyan Rangile
Main vari re…
I know there is some celebration in
DUSHMANI.
Banno tere akhiyan soorme daani..
Again, some Suhaag related celebration in
MANG BHARO SAJNA.
Deepak mere suhaag ka jalta rahe…
Night, Temple pond, ..Diyas, Rekha and Moushumi lip syncing to Mangeshkar sisters ‘ highly listenable song ( LP ), lots of women.
A perfect fit .
AK ji @ 16
I have not understood what you meant by ” some Bombay Talkies films in Calcutta? ”
She did some films in Calcutta and also few Bangla films, but to my knowledge she is not on record to have sung any songs except this song in film Panghat-43.
It was the Rajkumari-Calcuttewali who sang some songs and of course Rajkumari Dubey too.
-AD
Dr Shetty @17,
You have excellent recall and nice way of describing. Two excellent songs from Bandini. I wish you could find out how to post song links.
@18,
The first four songs, from Saraswatichandra, Prem Rog, Bazaar and Dushmani are very well-known and all my favourites. The last song Deepak mere suhag ka jalta rahe from Maang Bharo Sajna was known to me. I would not put it par with the first four songs, but it compensates with excellent picturisation with a battalion of women celebrating Karwa Chauth (?) collectively around a pond.
Would not be surprised if most of the songs under this discussion would be bidaai songs of HFM as almost every person is associated with atleast 4-5 marriages each year.
Here is another all women Bidai song.
‘ Balam se milan…’ / 1960 / CHAUDAVIN KA CHAAND / Shakeel Badayuni / Ravi / Geeta Dutt & chorus
https://youtu.be/WWVIWUlTczI
Arunji,
Sorry about my slip. I meant some New Theatres films.
Mr Joseph,
Beautiful song, but the words do not focus on bidaai, but union with the husband.
Ak ji
You have come up again with a novel theme. Though most of the songs are from vintage era and I find it difficult to relate to them ( my shortcoming) your write up makes a compelling reading.
The very first song that I recalled is a Marathi song. It is from “Mahananda “, the film made in Hindi also. The film is based on the novel of the famous Marathi author Jayawant Dalavi ( Chakra was also based on his novel).
The song is rendered by Usha Mangeshkar , Rani Verma and Ranjana Joglekar. It is penned by another famous literature person Shanta Shelke. The word Mangesh here is for Shiva.
Mage Ubha Mangesh – Mahananda – Pt Hridayanath Mangeshkar.
I remember Shanta ji writting that she thought of the lines when she was surrounded by Mangeshkar sisters in their house. She was a close friend of Mangeshkars.
https://youtu.be/GbJLs11soGQ
There is another version of the song rendered by Asha Bhosle.
https://youtu.be/eIxtk5VoqYw
What an interesting write-up about Chhath puja, AK. I quite enjoyed it, as I did the video you posted at the end. Lovely concept.
As these traditions are disappearing from our society, so too are these songs gone with the wind.
It saddens me. Not that all traditions should be carried forward; some are rightly, consigned to dustbins of history and some others should be. But the homogenisation of our wedding rituals saddens me. Every wedding seems to be a Bollywood ‘Hindu’ wedding. Many of our traditional rituals are giving way to very-silly-in-context- and-place ceremonies, done by people who have no idea of what those traditions mean in the first place.
Panghats were the place where many life stories were written but all that culture is dead now . Thanks to piped water to every house. This was the spot every young woman visited every day either alone or in groups .
Here is a Panghat incident song from perhaps the greatest Hindi movie.
‘ Mohe panghat pe…’/ 1960 / MUGHAL-E-AZAM / Shakeel Badayuni / Naushad / Lata and chorus
https://youtu.be/h8gDs2CmHP8
Mr Muli @24,
Thanks for your appreciation. I hope some day you start enjoying vintage songs too. The idea of this post germinated from some vintage songs buzzing in my ear. As I come from Bihar, Chhath was a natural culmination.
Maage Ubha Mangesh is the kind of songs which was in my mind. Beautiful song. Heard both the versions, I liked the one by the three singers more. Perhaps Asha Bhosle rendered it outside the film. Its popularity has led to other singers also sing it, not all exactly following the same tune, but more as a semi-classical song.
The theme is relevant for all the regions of India.
Anu @25,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. That seven minute video of Chhath is a complete story. You might recall the young man in the video was also in the film MS Dhoni: An Untold Story, but in that film you may not even notice him, but in the Chhath video he is outstanding.
Some loss of traditions are inevitable with time constraint for everyone due to urbanisation, modernity, women also working in large numbers. Therefore, if the marriage rituals used to last 3-4 days, the boy and girl may after juggling their schedules tell the parents to compress everything in a day. The priests also have to adjust accordingly. Most of our folk traditions originated when we were a rural agrarian society.
That still does not justify Bollywoodisation of all our weddings. The more accurate description is Bollywood Punjabi wedding. The families still try to find some way to hold on to the traditions. That poses its own challenges, because the Daadi-Naanis who could help the younger generation with those customs and songs are also disappearing.
Mr Joseph @26,
Thanks for recalling Mohe panghat pe. It is one of the best. But it has another connection – the naughty, adolescent romantic Lord Krinshna.
AK ji has opened the Vikram Savant new year 2076 with a trump card in the form of this post.
Quite a few songs are totally new to me, so will take some time listening to absorbing.
Whilst on the subject, I would present the only Gujarati film which has won Natioanl Award, Hellro (The Outburst). One can find several articles on the film when searched on Google. I just present one of these to lay the background for the songs I wish to prsent from the film –
https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/hellaro-national-award-winning-gujarati-film-is-a-beautiful-ode-to-female-desire-and-defiance-7678081.html
The song is:
Vaagyo Re Dhol- which is the manifestation of the freedom which the women in the film feel for some time when they go to fetch water from a not-so-nearby water body. The song has English captions.
https://youtu.be/sDZA54sTqwQ
Ashokji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and for introducing us to Hellaro and the article on it. The song is too good. A similar scene happens in the last scene when the menfolk for the first time see defiance from the women. I am going to watch the movie on MX Player which has it with English sub-titles.
An all women Romantic hit song . It is openly anticipating a romantic connection with the teacher …quite unusual. But that is the main theme of the movie .The location, dance and music add to the situation.
‘ Hamare gaon koi…’/ 1962 / PROFESSOR / Hasrat Jaipuri / SJ / Lata , Asha & chorus
https://youtu.be/ZY6TlCCiJKo
Mr Joseph,
Hamre gaaon koi ayega is a very cheerful group song for an unknown pardesi. However, for this post I was looking more for women’s songs associated with some customs or rituals.
Dear AK
Extremely interesting article about the songs and women.
Only thing I think is “Kababmein Haddi” that is not written by a woman. But I hope your wife and other women you know have helped you in making this article.
Long back Indian women’s issues started coming up from the Christian and American women like Sister Nivedita ( was an Irish woman), Sarojini Naidu, Raani Laxmumbai of Jhansi etc.
But they had strong support from reformist Hindu Men from the Indian renaissance in the 19th century. Bengal was ahead of other states.
Not only the about women singing songs that dominated but there were many women were actively contributing women. Phalke’s wife could do washing up of negatives as well as look after the whole costume department.
Nargis created the whole costume department of the RK Studio right from RK’s first film.
There are many examples like these in other areas as well. Women’s angle of views are often different that those of men in life and in art.
I hope many women readers of this article will take a leaf out of this article and write their perspective of the Indian cinema.
I might work out something taking the some stimulating ideas from this article. But presently I have still the cloud of Covid-19 hanging over my head and I cannot think straight.
Once more very enjoyable and stimulating article.
Shalan La
A grownup now and in tears as she is to leave for her new world , childhood friends asking her to keep memories alive. But today things are different with video calls, Facebook etc. and also educated women . A popular song from the hit ‘ Chori Chori ‘ . This should fit in here .
‘ Mann bhaavan ke …’/ 1956 / CHORI CHORI / Shailendra / SJ / Lata , Asha
https://youtu.be/QaLwf0ooqdM
Sasural Genda Phool…
DELHI 6.
Some Bihari folk song inspired?
An eternal beauty Dadi Waheeda with many women. Abhishek is there, but essentially women oriented .
Ditto…London thumakdaa.
Engagement ceremony, right?
QUEEN
Ak ji
It would be interesting to find how many all female songs are there on the most celebrated festival in films. Here is one of them
Piya Sang khelo holi – Phagun – Lata and Chorus – SDB – Majrooh
https://youtu.be/TzFIbPkoBKo
No,
QUEEN song has male singers.
AKji,
Hindi films have songs for every event; you will find a song or two even for the rarest occasion. And most likely, SoY is the only site which can match this distinction. You have one more quill to add on to your crest-laden crown. Jai ho.
Your write up, as usual,is brief, to the point, while presenting an impressive introduction to the subject. I took my time to listen to the songs and sorry, my response time was even slower. And the selection of songs, La Jawab, covering an wide variety of songs on this distinctive theme. Since the many of the songs presented were from the vintage era, it added to my listening pleasure. You have aptly put, “going back in time machine”. ‘Dheere baho nadiya dheere baho hum utaren hi paar ‘ is my pick of the vintage lot and viewing pleasure too.
The later part was illuminated by two Roshan’s composition.
The song from ‘Teen Bahuraniya’ reminded me of its earlier Tamil version from the film ‘Bama Vijayam’ (1967). As is evident from the visuals of the song posted by you (#11), the three leading ladies Sowcar Janaki, Kanchana and Jayanthi reprised their roles in the Hindi version too.
The Tamil version was on folk tune composed by M S Vishwanathan, lyrics by Kavignar Kannadasan and rendered by P Susheela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi and L R Easwari
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBHQoCy4S0k
‘Peetal ki meri gaagri’ (Minoo Purushottam, Parveen Sultana, Kaifi Azmi & Jaidev) was another good selection.
But what I loved the most was your concluding part, the Chhat Puja; an apt inclusion.
The visuals of “Pahile pehil Chhathi Maiya” provides a fair detail of rituals followed and is an add-on to your brief introduction. Thanks for posting the video. Both the songs of Sharda Sinha made a good listening.
This reminds me of another ‘Tyohaar’, Teej, which I understand, is celebrated by married women on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Bhadrapada month, in the monsoon season.
Posting two songs from the 2007 Bhojpuri film ‘Teej’
Aavi Na Kavno Balaiya by Deepa Narayan Jha, music Santos Sharma, lyrics Sanjay Mishra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3I1wLjrHD0
Sab Mil Zool Ke Aarati Utaara Deepa Narayan Jha, music Santos Sharma, lyrics Sanjay Mishra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsyqtn9BCm0
It appears from the opening lines that the songs are in praise Lord Shankar, sung by the women folk, for the long life of their husbands and a happy married life and married girls for being blessed with a good husband.
Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan performed by women on auspicious occassions . In the movie PADMAVAT the accompanying song has both Female and Male voices . So there is a doubt if this song fits here.
‘ Ghoomar ramwa re … ‘/ 2017 / PADMAWAT / Turaz Khan, Swaroop Khan / SL Bhansali / Shreya Ghoshal, Swaroop Khan
https://youtu.be/5y8yqdcWhyg
Shalan Lal @34,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and your detailed observations. Women have been a help in a general way as I have watched these ceremonies and rituals with interest, and given my inclination I used to think about them analytically. These women’s songs associated with customs are another mark of cultural unity across regions. No one can miss the gradual loss of these traditions due to urbanisation and modernity. That creates its own amusing, poignant situations.
Women’s songs are also the arena where they feel liberated and empowered. In our traditional weddings women are in the commanding position, menfolk generally lazy around until summoned by women to perform some customs assigned for assorted relatives, or until send off on some errand to the market.
Talking about the role of song and dance in liberating suppressed women, Ashokji @30 has mentioned a Gujarati film Hellaro. I have seen its clippings, I am fascinated and now I am going to watch it in full.
Mr S Joseph @35,
Manbhavan ke sang jaaye gori fits here perfectly though it is performed as a stage dance song.
@40,
Ghoomar song fits perfectly to the theme.
Dr Shetty @36, 38,
I would ditto Sasural genda phool without hesitation. Fits perfectly to the theme.
Mr Muli @37,
You have given an interesting project to locate all women songs for Holi. Should be very rare, because Holi has become associated with boisterousness.
Venkataramanji @39,
Your very generous appreciation and your very perceptive and detailed comments more than make up for the delay. First three songs have been my long favourites, and if look at it closely, these are in Arithmetic Progression, a concept first used by our dear departed KS Bhatiaji. Dheere baho nadiya dheere baho is another fascinating song.
Thanks a lot for posting the Tamil original of Humre aangan bagiya and identifying the actors.
I am so happy that you could relate to the Chhath videos. The second one is a complete package of folk ritual, absolutely melodious song and a powerful story, all in 7 minutes.
Teej is another marker of Bihar. Purely, for married women, it is Bihar’s Karwa Chauth. It is different from Rajasthan’s Teej. Both the video links are of the same song.
Thanks again.
AK,
I dont think calling the subjects you write on ‘unique’ is a safe idea because it has become a habit with you, so I would call you yourself as unique, if you permit. I think after the praise of all women on this topic is enough, so I endorse all of them.
I listened to the chhath song and was impressed a lot. These traditions are being forgotten everywhere and Haryana is perhaps the bigger culprit. As you said in reply to Shalanji, urbanisation and modernity are taking its toll. I would add affluence too though it can be interpreted as included in the other terms mentioned by you. I will give you an example. In the early 70s when I was in college there was only one ‘kasai’ in our home town which had about 40000 people at that time. He used to kill a bakra every week. And now if you go even to the smaller roads in Haryana, you will find one or more meat shops in almost every village on the roadside. There are chow mien and momos shops in each village. People shun old home made dishes which were common in those days.
About songs, song nos 4,5, and 9 were new to me. As Josephji, rightly observed there is abundance of songs of marriage or related topics in Indian films, so I am also presented some.
1. Friends preparing the bride. Waheeda Rehman was as impressive in giving blushing smiles of the bride as in tearful role later in the film.
Gori sasural chali – Shagun – 1964 – Jagjit Kaur + – Khayyam – Sahir Ludhianvi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwljBvnRenM
2. Now bhabhis enjoying marriage preparations with the devar.
Nache ang ve – Heer Ranjha – 1970 – Shamshad, Jagjit Kaur, Noorjehan + – Madan Mohan – Kaifi Azmi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj-wmhEDqNQ
3. Khile hai sakhi aaj phulwa man ke – Grahsthi – 1963 – Lata. Asha, Usha – Ravi – Shakeel Badayuni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c577Peusbzs
4. Itni jaldi kya hai gori sajan ke ghar jane ki – Sati Savitri – 1964 – Lata, Usha, Kamal Barot – Laxmikant Pyarelal – Bharat Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBoKGnQmh7w
(Ist song in the link)
Four songs with four different MDs and lyricists. Last two songs were mentioned by Dr Shetty and you but links were not there.
Hans,
Thanks a lot for your compliments. I am happy that Chhath songs, though from a different region, have impacted readers. That is one tradition which is fortunately not shrinking.
Everyone has mentioned wedding songs. I believe every region has a large number of folk customs. At the mandap, the Panditji and the women have a symbiotic relationship, ‘Ab aaplogon ka department shuru hota hai’. In my parts नाई and his wife have a very important roles, as assistant to Panditji. I thought we would hear more of that from different regions.
Muliji mentioned female songs on Holi. Here is one
Layi hai hazaron rang holi – Phool Aur Patthar – 1966 – Asha + – Ravi – Shakeel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMQ2MTt5jgY
Film Godan has a vidaai song in the voice of Lata ‘chali aaj gori piya ki nagariya’. But, here I give song on the birth of a son in the family.
Janam liyo lalna – Godan – 1963 – Asha + – Ravi Shankar – Anjan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9GL59xX82s
Hans,
Female Holi Song: Very prompt discovery. But such songs are indeed rare.
Janam liyo lalna: Ravi Shankar must have done good research in UP’s rural belt to come up with this nice Sohar Geet. In our patriarchal society, it was sung on a son’s birth. The society is now becoming more gender sensitive. This fits nicely at #4 in the Arithmetic Progression.
AK
Commenting late has at least one benefit. Taking advantage of that.
Hans @ 46 wrote
“I dont think calling the subjects you write on ‘unique’ is a safe idea because it has become a habit with you, so I would call you yourself as unique, if you permit. I think after the praise of all women on this topic is enough, so I endorse all of them.”
I think that the men are not far behind if not ahead in the praise I endorse all women as well as men:-)
You know I am on the page as Mr.Muli on vintage songs.
Watching the video got to know more about Chhath.
Mumbai was more festive on Karwa Chauth. यह उन दिनों की बात है ;-(
Mr Vaishnav has posted the superb Garba from Hellaro.
Here is another very popular Gujarati Garba song.
Gujarati geet-mehndi te vavi (Garbo)avinash vyas(lataji)
https://youtu.be/ItNU2ajcjMI
And this masaa peesseeeing song?
Aanki Chali Baanki Chali, Namkeen
https://youtu.be/ebeaY8pE0AY
Would you consider this (controversial) one Mann Kyoon Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat Ko – Utsav | Rekha | Lata Mangeshkar | Asha Bhosle
https://youtu.be/tyOAj-4sPdw
Often young ladies , who may be separated for long periods or even for a day , wait eagerly and prepare themselves to receive their beloved. Such songs have been used in HFM . As these songs are for women only , could fit in here.
1) ‘ Sajna hai mujhe…’/ 1973 / SAUDAGAR / Ravindra Jain / Ravindra Jain / Asha
https://youtu.be/ZTEy8F0zroI
2) ‘ Piya aiso jiya…/ 1962 / SAHIB BIBI AUR GHULAM / Shakeel Badayuni / Hemant / Geeta Dutt
https://youtu.be/tUn8NNFKXQs
Ak ji , Hans ji
I am glad that finally I succeeded in saying something which was not refuted by Ak ji (refuted rightfully) There is this beautiful Holi song from the mother of all the films which fails to make the grade here as it is marred by male Chorus
Holi aaye re kanhai – Shakeel- Naushad – shamshad
https://youtu.be/gdz78BW7pKU
In marathi there is an all-female song on almost the same theme of
Kiti sangu mi sangu kunala – saticha vaan-Jagdish Khebudkar – Asha and Chorus
The song is composed by the great violinist Prabhakar Jog who passed away recently.
Hans ji has posted a song on the occassion of birth of a son in a family . This is another on the same theme though it may not qualify here as it is a solo therefore I will just mention it.
Jiyo tumharo lalana – Rakhi aur Hathakadi – Majrooh- RDB – Asha
https://youtu.be/lFjbQWCswO4
Another hit song bringing out the state of one waiting for her beloved . One dominant string instrument we hear in the prelude/interludes is the sarod I learn.
‘ Sakhi ri mera…’/ 1964 / CHITRALEKHA / Sahir Ludhyanvi / Roshan / Lata
https://youtu.be/fvxIpwsx8gY
A lovely topic, a great write-up and a superb curation of songs, especially the ones from the vintage era!
Here’s a sequence from the Marathi classic ‘Kunku'(1937) , starring Shanta Apte, showing the women of the family doing a Gauri Pooja and then having fun, dancing the ‘phugadi’, a dance performed by women in Maharashtra and Goa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWOy_kgoYQ4
A Gauri Puja scene from a later film:
‘Jaya devi mangala gauri’ by Lata & Chorus from ‘Kanyadaan'(1960), MD – Vasant Prabhu, Lyricist – P.Sawalaram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfgwYn1aoXA
AK@41
Mumbaikar 8 has already mentioned Gujarati Garba and C.Ramchandra had brought it in in the film Nastik.
Gujarati culture, Punjabi Culture and Bengali culture have great influence on making of the Hindi Films
The Gujarati women have great part in making Gandhiji’s failing morality to upright and strong.
Gandhiji always had Gujarati Women’s strong group doing their morning, noon evening and late evening Bhajani Mela even they were allowed in the prison to do their singing of Bhajanas.
Bengali Kali Puja not only did bring in singers like Geeta Roy and other Bengali singers and composers meeting for nine nights in the public and private ceremonies.
So Chaat also became popular in Bombay. This was exclusively northern Indian female affair. But they get opportunity in opening their throat. I think Chaat is nice as Marathi women’s Haladi Kunkum Ceremony that comes in the month of Chaitra. I think it was shown in the film of Shantaram called Kunku.
Sad part is until now women did come out dominating the creative part of the Hindi Cinema but they created the necessity of them in every film though subordinate to men.
This much I can think for the time being.
Shalan La
In the days when the ‘devadasi’ tradition was alive in Goa, Odisha, and the southern states, song and dance by these women were a central part of the rituals of worship in the temples in these regions. In fact, the dance forms that we know today as Bharatanatyam and Odissi were essentially forms that were performed exclusively by members of this community. The following well-known song from the Marathi film ‘Mahananda’ (1984) that supposedly depicts (using the qualified because the sequence does not seem to have been shot on location) a festival at the Mangeshi temple in Goa. The film had a Hindi version as well.
‘Maage ubha mangesha, pudhe ubha mangesha’ by Usha Mangeshkar, Rani Verma & Ranjana Pethe, from Mahananda (1984), MD – Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Lyricist – Shanta Shelke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbJLs11soGQ
Unfortunately, the song has been cut at the very end in the clip above.
Here’s the Asha Bhosle version of the same song, but it is audio-only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXZI-3SJLw
AK,
Your mention of ‘ubtan’ brought back memories of this TV ad film from the 80s:
Vicco Turmeric Ayurvedic Cream Ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRYGTqouuE
The main song is in Raag Gujri Todi and I think one of the voices is that of Preeti Sagar.
Mumbaikar8 @50,
I could derive from your roundabout way of opening remarks that you appreciate my post, therefore, thanks a lot. You might have noticed that you have played an important role in this post, you had helped in locating song #1.
Chhath is very big in Mumbai, too, now as it is in Delhi and every part of the country where Bihari diaspora is there in large numbers.
The Gujarati garba song is superb. The song from Namkeen shows various domestic activities accompanied by the song which makes the drudgery enjoyable. Sharmila Tagore and Shabana Azmi are superb.
Man kyun bahka would never have occurred to me for this post.
Mr S Joseph @51,
Both may fit here, though they are not associated with any social custom.
@53,
Sakhi ri mera man uljhe: The only thing I can say that this also belongs to a genre, but would not occur to me for this theme.
Mehfil Mein Meri @2,
Read your comment just now. Want to point out that while Manik Varma was indeed very popular as a singer of Marathi film songs and NFS, she enjoyed a reputation as a classical music exponent of great merit as well.
Mr Muli @52,
I am pleasantly surprised how songs are flowing on themes we though were not very common. The Marathi song Kiti sangu mi sangu kunala is outstanding and fits perfectly to the challenge you had posed.
Jiyo tumharo lalna eems to have a back story which makes many characters uncomfortable. But good song of childbirth.
Ashwin @54,
Thanks a lot for your generous appreciation. The Mangala Gauri song is superb. We get acquainted by various regional cultures thanks to the TV serials. Now I know that the first Mangala Gauri of a married woman in her new home is a big event. Does its Hindi version, Duniya Na Maane have a similar song?
@55,
Jai Devi Mangala Gauri is a nice song. It seems Mangala Gauri is sung in a standard tune.
@57,
Thanks to the strong Marathi presence here, Maage Ubha Mangesh has been mentioned here by Mr Muli @24.
@58,
Recall of Vicco Ad for ubtan is superb. Now there is one more song on this theme. Thanks a lot.
Shalan Lal @56,
Thanks a lot for your observations. The last video in my post shows Chhath Pooja by a lady of a different culture. Many Marathi families associate with families from Bihar in Mumbai to join in the Pooja with full reverence.
AKji, the songs reflect so much of our culture. The theme is very creative. The songs are really unique for they are not just female songs but those sung to celebrate womanhood. Two songs that I would want to add are :-
1) God Bharai from Miss Mary – aayi re ghir ghir pahli pahli badariya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bokdSYmnpgo&t=213s
and
2) Bechara Dil Kya Kare from Khusboo- filling water and child rearing – both of which of course were considered jobs exclusively for women. Thus, Master Raju is a part of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVIQhkZz0gY
Anita,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Ayi ayi re ghir ghir pahli pahli badariya is a nice Gode bharai song. But perhaps Meena Kumari is not expectant in the film, or is she?
Bechara dil ka kya kare is a nice song of water fetching.
Ak ji
In 60’s group of girls riding cycles was to be seen only in bollywood movies. So for them it was nothing less than a festival. Two such festival songs, one showing traditional Nutan and the other relatively more modern Saira
Banke Panchi gaye – Lata and Chorus- Anari- Hasrat – SJ
https://youtu.be/ZKZYniG-4wk
Main chali chali – Padosan – Lata Asha and Chorus – Rajinder Krishan – RDB
https://youtu.be/szFxM9KBNMA
Kaaga crows on Munder…Good news.
Hichki…someone is remembering you.
Your aankh phadakta hai…you will have a guest, a beloved, if you please.
Meri aankh phadakti hai
Daayin hai ya bhayin?
Bhayin.
Tera Sajan aanewala hai.
At the end, Sajan does come!
Dekh tera Sajan aaya hai.
TARAANA, 1979.
Maushi aani Mulgi…Usha Mangeshkar and Varsha Bhosle. Ram Laxman.
TARAANA saw UM as the main singer after JAI SANTHOSHI MAA.
Mr Muli @67,
WE can recognise that the traditions change with times, and in 60s the group of girls riding bicycles was their new festival. We can accept the two songs as the women’s festival songs.
Dr Shetty @68,
What about Bhor hote kaga pukare kaahe Ram? This says, ‘Kaun pardesi ayega mere dhaam’ – same traditional thoughts. Oh, left-right distinction is also important, but that becomes superfine distinction for the lyricists.
I feel very sad for Usha Mangeshkar, why should anyone suffer for her voice being identical to Lata Mangeshkar? One could see some diffidence in Suman Kalyanpur, but UM was indistinguishable.
Thank you for providing so much context about these lovely songs. Although songs for celebrations and festivals are hard to miss in Hindi movies, I have not so often noticed the “working songs.” I find them particularly touching because, although the music is different, they remind me of my own childhood. I grew up in the rural U.S., where the kids were taught to sing songs while milking, both to keep the cattle calm and to maintain a steady rhythm. We had other songs for hoeing, etc., too. I particularly like “Kauni Rang Mungawa,” which almost looks like it could take place on the farm where I grew up.
Mumbaikar8,
Welcome back. I was talking about praise by women, because the topic is all on them. Men have always been better in praising the women historically and nowadays they have started praising men too. 😉
Nice song from Namkeen.
Muli ji, @ 52
The Mother India song came first to mind but there are a lot of men there and the song is addressed to her Kanhaiyya, so I skipped it. But there is another all women Holi song from Jogan – 1950.
Daro re rang daro re
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMX72aykXE
Shelomit @71,
Welcome to Songs of Yore. I am happy that you enjoyed the post and thanks for sharing with us your memories of childhood on rural farms where you had similar cultural practices. There was a time when large swathe of America was a rural country, where we find the same attachment of farmers to their lands and their fate depending on the elements of weather.
Ak ji @ 70
You may have found UM indistinguishable from Lata because UM rendered relatively less songs hindi. In marathi she has sung vast number of songs and of different variety ranging from devotional to Lavani . Therefore for Maharashtrian music aficionado UM is clearly different from Lata.
Here is a bautiful Bhajan UM rendered with Asha
Tu sham mera – Julie – AB – Rajesh Roshan .
https://youtu.be/9sAfXMXyGjM
Mr Muli,
Nice to know that Usha Mangeshkar got more recognition in Marathi songs. I heard the song Tu Shyam mera. Nice, I had not noticed it earlier.
AKji,
A wonderful and well-thought theme highlighting various traditional customs, festivities and chores performed by womenfolk, many of which find no place in today’s world.
A nice showcase of our culture!
Here are two karva chauth songs:
Bahu Beti 1955
Ravi – Sahir – Asha
Aaj hai karva chauth sakhi ri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT7DeW8YN_8
Gunahon Ka Devta 1990
Anu Malik – Indeevar – Sadhana Sargam
Karva chauth ka vrat maine rakha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5475VjJYAvo
A pre-wedding song beginning with haldi ceremony
Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi 1991
Lata – Ravindra Jain
Chhalle pade baalon mein dimple pade gaalon mein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EuabO7euKk
Dr Deshpande @77,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Your Karwa Chauth songs makes me think Bollywood has made it quite glamorous, now it is in thing for men to observe it. It has enormous cinematic possibilities, observing ‘Karwa Chauth’ for your lover as a voice of protest, independence or rebellion, besides showing love. ‘Valentine Day’ with Indian traditions? Fasting, breaking the fast, sarees, jewellery etc.? DDLJ did it in a very interesting manner.
@78,
Nice one on Haldi ceremony. In my post, the lyrics also mention ‘nahvavo ri’.
Another karwa chauth song.
‘ Karwa chauth ka…’/ 1978 / KARWA CHAUTH / Kavi Pradeep / C Arjun / Usha Mangeshkar & chorus
https://youtu.be/whjR6xhzAI4
One more famous bidai song.
‘ Pi ke ghar…’/ 1957 / MOTHER INDIA / Shakeel Badayuni / Naushad / Shamshad & chorus
https://youtu.be/in2RaadRsqY
The girl is going to get married soon and it is perhaps the ladies of the family who are wishing her well. Someone who has seen the movie could say more about this song. From a Bimal Roy movie . The music director is not well known in HFM.
‘ Gore gore haathon… ‘/ 1953 / PARINEETA / Bharat Vyas / Arun Kumar Mukherjee / Asha & chorus
https://youtu.be/BRwLzxoThSg
Mr S Joseph @80,
The most interesting part is Helen observing Karwa Chauth.
@81,
Bidaai songs are so many, we have to think of other customs.
@82,
Arun Kumar Mukherji is a rather well-known name in film music as a singer in vintage era for Bombay Talkies films. A cousin of Ashok Kumar, he sang playback for him in many pathbreaking films. His name was generally credited as Arun Kumar without the surname. I remember that Gore gore haathon mein was picturised as the girls celebrating their dolls’ marriage. Meena Kumari starts dreaming of her own marriage.
AKji,
Posting two songs from Muslim social films
Eid celebrated in Zenana Khana
Eid Milo Eid Guiya, Singers(?), film Najma (1943), lyrics Arzoo Lakhnavi, music rafiq Ghaznavi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btx3DAVBsTg
A Mehandi/ wedding song
Aao Saheliya Banni Ko Mehandi Lagao, Singers(?), NekParvin (1946), lyrics Waheed Qureshi, music Firoz Nizami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay0zV4OJP7U
And two more from Tamil films
Thottil/ cradle ceremony
Nooraandu Kaalam Vaazhga (live for 100 years) by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, L R Eswari, Sarala, film Pesum Deivam (Talking deity-1967), lyrics Vali, music K V Mahadevan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zwui3MtCpQ
Wedding Song
Vaaraya en Thozi Vaarayo (Aao meri sakhi, Aao), by L R Easwari, M S Rajeshwari, film Pasamalar (flower of love- 1961) lyrics Kavignar Kannadasan, music M S Vishwanathan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZM2dK2E6Ww
Ak ji
You have very rightly said that there are abundant bidai songs. However all girls birthday celebrations must be an once in blue moon event even in a bollywood film.
Tum jiyo hajaro saal – Sujata- Asha and Chorus – Majrooh – SDB
Venkataramanji @84,
Najma‘s all-lady Eid song is too good. The film had also several excellent songs.
Nek Pravin: It is interesting how Mehdi songs are similar across faiths.
The two Tamil songs are very good. They depict two different customs.
Mr Muli @85,
I am sure Hans would find many examples. ‘Ayi hain bahaarein mite zulm-o-sitam‘ is the birthday function of a girl, but the song is sung by Rafi for Dilip Kumar, and boys are also there in the party.
AK @ 59
“You might have noticed that you have played an important role in this post, you had helped in locating song #1.”
I did notice but failed to recollect when it was done.
Miss those 20’s teen’s days
“The song from Namkeen shows various domestic activities accompanied by the song which makes the drudgery enjoyable. Sharmila Tagore and Shabana Azmi are superb.”
One more song woman making monotonous routine enjoyable where both Lata and Meena Kumari are superb
Gyoti kalash chhalke Bhabhi ki chudiyan
https://youtu.be/ajb-SgmNevg
“Man kyun bahka would never have occurred to me for this post.”
Why would it not ? It would not fit the bill
or is it too out of the box thinking even though it is based on an ancient literature.
Would you call this song of women by woman?
Main tulsi ter aangan ki Lata
https://youtu.be/pkLJWZ6LIcE
Hans @ 72
Thanks times 2
“Men have always been better in praising the women historically and nowadays they have started praising men too.”
Men or man?
Did you miss my comment at
Rajendra Krishna with the Albela Karigar C Ramchandra ?
AK @ 87
I beg to differ I would consider tum jiyon hazaron saal fron Sujata a rare and exclusive song.
Mr. Muli has played a Dr. Shetty @ 85
So I am doing what Hans did @ 46
Tum Jiyo Hajaaro Saal (HD) – Sujata Song
https://youtu.be/2krvkcn_tF8
Ak ji
Forgive me if I sound like an urban feminist but
as Mumbaikar 8 @ 90 has emphatically said, tum jiyo should be treated as a unique song.
This is simply for the reason that when other contemporary lead women characters could not come out of charano ki dhul syndrome and when birth of a girl child was nothing less than a curse, here we have birthday celebrations of a girl without the protective ring of males around her.
O womaniya
GANGS OF WASSEYPUR.
Funky, catchy, hat ke.
Mumbaikar ji,
I had thought of
MTTAK
and
Main teri choti behna hoon..
SOUTEN
But, dropped because I couldn’t say they are celebrating Soutenhood!!!
Stretching woman to woman, Shabboo would also fit in.
Mera naam hai Shabnam..
Neena, Meena, Anju, Manju…
Yaa Madhu?
KATI PATANG
Mumbaikar8 @88,
Song #1: You have shown your high principles, Neki kar aur dariya mein daal. As a recipient I have to keep a record of who all I owe some debt to. If I differ on some songs, but because in my mind I had the image of a group of women singing to a folk custom or domestic chore or such daily activities as hoeing, winnowing, milking, pounding and grinding. But you are a formidable person, I don’t argue with you.
@90,
Mr Muli has endorsed you @91.
Mr Muli @91,
I have understood.
Dr Shetty @92,
Taar bijali se patle hamaare piya fits more with my theme.
https://youtu.be/ThU1fl48nNw
Dr. Shetty, @ 93
Celebrating Soutenhood. Good phrase. There is a song of this type in Chandan Ka Palna – 1967. Meena Kumari is unable to bear a child and manoeuvres another wife for Dharmendra and then has a vrat and requests Ganga Maiyya to do the needful. O ganga maiyya is written by Anand Bakshi and composed by RDB. I give here link of video and also audio, because video song is incomplete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3usUu3Vu9Ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsbmpYTXK6E
AKji,
It is a stupendous work that you have dona, and an original one. This collection is amazing, and very innovative. It must have taken you months together to collect all these gems, and must have been painstaking ! You deserve three and a half cheers for your wonderful collection. A lover of music can only do this kind of work. Congratulations and thanks for doing this useful work !
N. N. Pandey
I think if Mumbaikar8 and Muliji are looking for patriarchy or feminism in Sujata, then they are wide off the mark. This film was all about untouchability and a contrast was shown in the behaviour towards two female childs. The lori (nanhi kali sone chali), the song ‘bachpan ke din’ (when Sujata is busy in household jobs) and this birthday song all show the same contrast. From patriarchy (if there is any such thing) point of view, this film shows opposite of what feminists would look for. Only girl child, no remorse for getting male child and full liberty to the girl child. If there is anything regressive, that is coming from female characters, which was also the case in normal life too.
The other point being highlighted is that there are lesser number of female birthday songs in our films. I would say it is quite opposite. Look at Andaz – 1949. There is birthday of Nargis shown where Dilip Kumar sings ‘tu kahe agar’ and then she celebrates the birthday of her daughter with ‘meri ladli ri meri ladli’. As this fits in the theme, I am posting the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98kyvAr8J0A
Can anybody claiming patriarchy based on birthday songs, point out such an important song filmed on a male child.
This is not all. ‘Juhi ki kali meri ladli’ from Dil Ek Mandir is also a birthday song. Here it is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcNwYNcdvXk
Narendraji,
Thanks for dropping in and your very generous appreciation. When I came across the first few songs, an idea germinated bout the theme a few years back, and I kept on adding whenever something interesting came up. The last Chhath video is very moving and produced professionally. That became the concluding piece. Everything fitted very neatly. There are many कद्रदाँ for anything creative and interesting on this forum.
Hansji
Thanks for your feedback.
My comments were with reference to the framework of the theme ” songs of women for the women and by the women”
I have not mentioned anything about the film which can be taken to construe that it is a feminist film.
In fact I had put a caveat at the beginning.
As regards patriarchy in hindi films the less said is better.
Mr Muli, Hans and friends,
Since there is some serious discussion going on about patriarchy, I would strongly recommend the following recent regional movies both available on OTT with English subtitles:
1. The Great Indian Kitchen (Malayalam): Available on Prime Video.
2. Hellaro (Gujarati): Available on MX Player free.
GIK shows patriarchy in all its harshness; in such films there is deliverance or breaking free, again in a stark style. Hellaro, based on a folk tale, also shows patriarchy in all its harshness and dark shades, but there are moments when the women trudge miles to fetch water in a file in the vast Kutch landscape. That is the time when they ‘go out’ and are together in their shared misery. This is picturised as a beautiful picture postcard or a painting. In this empty space a dhol player appears one day, whose dhol beats unite him with his dear daughter and wife who were burnt alive by upper cast fury.
As he plays his dhol, a city-bed educated bride gingerly starts foot-tapping to Garba dance, which was barred for women of Kutch – it was the privilege of men. Other women, too, are drawn, except two senior women, who were mortally afraid of the sin. Found out and caught, the dholi is awaiting being sacrificed before the Goddess Amba, who might be pleased to bestow rains to this parched land which has not seen rains in three years. As he plays his dhol as his last wish, the women come out from their homes with tentative Garba steps, soon to turn into frenzy as the sky opens up with heavy downpour. The confused men are transfixed. The liberation and breaking free is picturised with operatic beauty.