Thinkers’ songs

(Note: I understand some SOY regulars are not getting email notification of new posts. You are all requested to register your email in the box at the bottom of the post. You would get a mail for confirmation from “follow.it“. This is not a spam. You would have to simply confirm, and you would start getting the notifications of new posts. However, there are technical difficulties in fixing the feature for getting notifications of new comments. – AK)

Rohit Shetty proudly says, “For watching my movies you have to leave your brains behind at home”. Farah Khan says something similar when she talks about making “my kind of movies.” But are these movies really brainless? They require a very high degree of intelligence to make and for the audience to appreciate. In Om Shanti Om, the superstar Om (Shahrukh Khan) remembers from his past life the secret of Arjun Rampal, and wants to avenge the killing of Shantipriya (Depika Padukone), his love-interest in his previous life. Since there is no proof, he wants Arjun Rampal, a big producer in Hollywood now, to resume the shooting of OSO, so that he could be made to confess by recreating the crime with the help of Shantipriya lookalike (Deepika Padukone again). He is extremely reluctant and offers a Hollywood project to the superstar. In this game of chicken, Shahrukh Khan casually drops in, Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn! Other references in the film are over the top and unmissable, but this one from Gone With The Wind is very intelligently inserted.

In the out and out crazy movie Padosan, the dunce Bhola asks Guru what to sing if Saira Bano reciprocates. Guru (Kishore Kumar) is on the top, Arrey baangdu, pyar mein gana apne aap aa jata hai. Kahna, Anuradha, Anuradha…, when he is interrupted by one of his five jewels, Guru, Anuradha nahin, Bindu, Bindu. The Guru immediately corrects himself, Arrey bhoola, kahna, “Meri pyari Bindu/ Meri bholi re Bindu/ Mujhe apna bana le/ Meri prem ki naiya beech bhanwar mein gud gud gote khaaye”. Do you think the whole thing was simply a farce? Kishore Kumar pronounced ‘Anuradha, Anuradha’ in such a familiar stylised tone that I was sure it must be some clever reference which was Kishore Kumar’s trade mark. N Venkataraman assisted by Mrs Venkataraman solved it. The Guru copied KC Dey’s tone of calling the character of Kanan Devi (Anuradha) in the film Vidyapati (1937), and if you want to admire the super-intelligence in this farce, the name of Guru Kishore Kumar’s character in the film was Vidyapati.

Similarly, Amitabh Bachchan’s I walk English, I talk English because English is a very funny language-act requires a very high degree of intelligence to pull it off. His films did not require a parallel comedy track of Rajendra Nath-Tuntun type which were quite irritating.

What distinguishes Home Sapiens from other species in the animal kingdom is that at some stage of evolution we got cognitive ability and intelligence. Thus it was that we found ways to trap tigers in a cage, hunt them whereas in physical strength they could rip us apart, though in all the stories of Aesop’s Fables or Hitopadesh/Panchtantra, the animals are shown to have intelligence. These stories are allegorical intended to teach some morals, and a common thread that with intelligent thinking you can come out of sticky situations. Think of ‘The Monkey And The Crocodile’; ‘The Fox And The Lion’; ‘The Thirsty Crow And The Pitcher With Water At The Bottom’. The children love these stories.

Since thinking is so integral to mankind there are many songs that talk about thinking. Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ (thumbnail picture) is immersed in some deep meditative thinking. Our film songs do not need to delve into philosophy or poetry, they are about problems at hand relating to love, heartbreak etc.

1. Socha tha pyar hum na karenge soorat pe yaar hum na marenge, phir bhi kisi pe dil aa gaya by Mukesh from Bluff Master (1963), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Kalyanji-Anandji

The carefree Shammi Kapoor lives his life bluffing his way through, but that does not keep him from falling in love. Rafi was Shammi Kapoor’s voice, but Mukesh is brilliant in this happy song.

2. Main ye sochkar uske dar se utha tha by Rafi from Haqeeqat (1964), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Madan Mohan

From a carefree song by Mukesh, let us move to extreme sadness in this recitation-style song by Rafi. Only he could carry this song where orchestra support is minimal. Wonderful poetry by Kaifi Azmi, and great music by Madan Mohan. And lucky Sudhir to have this great song picturised on him. We know him mostly as Jaichand, the sidey of the sophisticated outlaw Davar Saheb (Iftekhar) in the film Deewar (1975).

मैं ये सोचकर उसके दर से उठा था
कि वो रोक लेगी मना लेगी मुझको
हवाओं में लहराता आता था दामन
कि दामन पकड़कर बिठा लेगी मुझको
कदम ऐसे अंदाज़ से उठ रहे थे
कि आवाज़ देकर बुला लेगी मुझको
मगर उसने रोका न उसने मनाया
न दामन ही पकड़ा न मुझको बिठाया
न आवाज़ ही दी न वापस बुलाया
मैं आहिस्ता आहिस्ता बढता ही आया
यहाँ तक कि उससे जुदा हो गया मैं
जुदा हो गया मैं जुदा हो गया मैं..

3. Sochataa hun ki wo kitne maasoom the kya se kya ho gaye dekhate dekhate by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Here is a qawwali of regret, complaint, vengeful cursing of the beloved and resigned acceptance. This qawwali is preceded by a long recital showing a range of emotions. There is bitterness at the hopeless situation:
Jaanewaale hamari mehfil se chaand taaron ko saath leta ja
Hum khijan se nibaah kar lenge in bahaaron ko saath leta ja

There is a description of her heartlessness and vengeful cursing:
Dillagi bhi tere dil ko dillagi na lage,
Khuda kare tera mere bagair ji na lage

Extreme self-pity:
Mutmain hai aise wo jaise hua kuchh bhi nahin
Usko khokar to mere paas raha kuchh bhi nahin

Sarcasm:
Main to chup hun is vaaste ki tamasha na bane
Tu smajhata hai mujhe tujhse gila kuchh bhi nahin

Resigned acceptance:
Jab chaahun to main mil nahin sakta lekin
Jab chaahun to yaad kar sakta hun
xxxxx
Gulon se rang sitaaron se roshni lekar
Jamal-e-yaar ka naksha utaar leta hun

4. Na socha na samjha na seekha na jana, mujhe khud-ba-khud aa gaya dil lagana by Begum Akhtar, lyrics Shamim Jaipuri, music Traditional

There is a natural pathos in the voice of Begum Akhtar. Falling in love is not planned, it just happens. When you are in love, you don’t proclaim it from the housetop, you maintain a dignified silence:

Zabaan pe lagi hain wafaaon ki muhrein
Khamoshi meri kah rahi hai fasana

There is also a film song in the voice of Asha Bhosle in Shatranj (1969) which uses the first two lines, but between the two obviously Begum Akhtar’s ghazal is immortal.

5. Ek baat kahun mere piya sun le agar tu/ Jab dil mein nahin paap to phir soch na kar tu by Asha Bhosle from Amar (1954), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad

But I did remember a very nice song by Asha Bhosle in which ‘soch’ is really used in the sense of deep reflection. Nimmi addresses Dilip Kumar, If there was no evil intention in your mind, you need not torment yourself. But it was easier said than done. Dilip Kumar is not able to overcome his guilt.

Ek baat kahun mere piya sun le agar tu
Jab dil mein nahin paap to soch na kar tu

6. Dekha na haye re socha na haye re by Kishore Kumar from Bombay To Goa (1972), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music RD Burman

In this road comedy film a crime thriller was also embedded. So the lady, who has witnessed a murder, is on the run in the bus, the criminals are in hot pursuit, and her bodyguard-turned-lover in the bus is trying to save her. Here is a fun song on the same theme of ‘neither I saw nor I gave a thought’.

7. Sochenge tumhein pyar karein ki nahin by Kumar Sanu from Deewana (1992), lyrics Sameer, music Nadeem-Shravan

We have seen thus far that love happens without giving it a thought. But here is pre-love reflection whether I should love you are not. In Hollywood, pre-nuptial agreements are quite common among celebrities and the wealthy. It hedges the partners from unexpected shocks when the marriage breaks – each knows what he or she would get out of the broken marriage. Pre-love agreement adds one layer of prior screening, before they decide to take the next step. A very close example of pre-love agreement in Hollywood classics is An Affair To Remember (1957) starring Cary Grant-Deborah Kerr. Seeing the messy break-ups despite pre-nuptials, they should seriously make pre-love agreements before nuptials as standard operating procedure. Our kundali-matching is a kind of pre-nuptial screening.

8. O mehbooba tere dil ke paas hi hai meri manzil-e-maqsood by Mukesh from Sangam (1964), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikshan

What if one partner is totally insensitive to what the other thinks? The self-obsessed lover Raj Kapoor asks a meaningless question of Vyjayanthimala, Kis baat pe naaraz ho, kis baat ka hai gham, because without waiting for her answer he declares, Kis soch mein doobi ho tum, ho jayega sangam. And he also carries out his threat, Sab dekhte rah jayenge le jaaunga ek din. I still blame the dumb lover Rajendra Kumar for Raj Kapoor forcibly pulling away Vyjayanthimala to his boat before Rajendra Kumar’s wide-open eyes.

9. Tum kamsin ho naadan ho, nazuk ho, bholi ho, sochata hun main tumhein pyar na karun by Rafi from Ayi Milan Ki Bela (1964), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar Jaikishan

But I admire Rajendra Kumar in this song. Though very obviously in love, his head is in the right place to understand that in Indian jurisprudence some judges are very strict about age of consent. Just imagine the whole cricketing career of Sri Lankan player Danushka Gunathilaka is in shambles as he cools his heels in a Sydney jail on rape charges, while his team has gone back home. Here the age of consent was not the issue, but he didn’t bother that in New South Wales law, consent means ‘affirmative consent’, and that ‘No’ means no at any stage of the proceedings. I have no sympathy for him, not for what he did, but for his complete brainlessness.

10. Sochna kya jo bhi ho dekha jayega by Shabbir Kumar, Kumar Sanu and Asha Bhosle from Ghayal (1990), lyrics Indivar, music Bappi Lahiri

Let me end this post with a very happy, carefree song of youngsters. A group of friends on a drive are enjoying themselves, Why brood, whatever will be will be.

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
The YT links of songs have been embedded only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog claims no copyright over the songs, which belongs to the respective owners.

108 comments…read them below or add one

  1. Great theme, AK, and some nice songs – I am especially glad to see Tum kamsin ho; while I don’t like Rajendra Kumar, he had some fantastic songs picturised on him, and this is one of my favourites!

    Another song about thinking which I like – though I would say it’s actually more about feeling – is Chal ri sajni ab kya soche:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4COlOullXhE

    And Yeh kya hua kaise hua… chhodo, yeh na socho:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy2OcQCyEmo

    Actually, so many songs on the theme…

  2. Akhiyon ke Jharokhe
    se
    Maine dekha jo sanwre..
    …
    ..
    Zara baite jo sochne..

    AKHIYON KE JHAROKHE SE.

    Kya dekhte ho?
    Soorat tumhari..
    …
    Socho zara Jan e Jigar..

    Kya soch raha re.
    ..
    Jaana jaa Jaana
    Le jaa mera pyar tera kaam aayega

    MELA, 1971.
    Younger brother Sanjay Khan.

    QURBANI.

    There is a precursor of Sunny Deol Hand Pump snatching .. Elder brother Feroz Khan plucks a tree off the ground!!!

    Kabhi Kabhi Aditi..
    …
    Aur kaise koi soch the
    Everything ‘s going to be okay?

    JAANE TU YA JAANE NA

    Tenu itna main pyar karan
    ..
    ..
    Ke tu kabhi soch na sake..

    AIRLIFT.
    Nice song.

  3. BOBBY

    Main shayar toh nahin
    ..

    Sochta hoon agar main..

    Hum tum ek kamre mein
    ..
    Socho kabhi aisa ho toh..

    MAJBOOR.

    Kabhi Sochta hoon
    Ke main kuch kahoon..

    To say or not to say?!?

    CHALA MURARI HERO BANNE.

    Na jaane din kaise jeevan mein aaye hain
    ..

    Kya kya socha tha
    Kua thi ummeede..

    The Asrani starrer had good music by RDB.

    KHOOBSOORAT.

    Khayda tod ke
    Socho ek din..

    RDB again. Here Sapan Chakraborty gives saat to Asha Bhonsle.

    MISSION KASHMIR

    Socho ke jheelon ke shahar ho..

  4. These 2 ladies with Naushad were distraught and disturbed:

    Socha tha kya
    Kya ho gaya!

    ANMOL GHADI

    Na socha tha ye
    Dil lagane se pehle..

    BABUL.

    But, not this gentleman with KA.

    Chand si Mehbooba ho ..
    Aisa maine socha tha.

    There is this one with RDB who wanted to give motiyan, CHANDI SONA to his jaan, but ,Alas! could give her only a majboor dil.

    Socha tha maine ae Jaan meri
    Motiyon se bhar doon mang teri.

  5. AK ji completely offbeat theme and it leads to the question how can you ” think”of such a unique theme.
    Here are 3 songs of three different moods
    1 Jane kya sochkar nahi Gujara – Kinara – Guljar – RDB – Kishor
    Kishor Kumar at his pensive best. However the song was totally overshadowed by Nam gum jayega
    https://youtu.be/9fHmmLshJdE

    2 Humne ye sochkar pyar kiya – Pritam – Rajendra Krishn – SJ – Manna Dey
    Mehmood and Aruna were bot more enjoyable than Rajendra nath and Tuntun
    https://youtu.be/_zGoGIFcqMw

    3 And the best of the lot is this gem which unfortunately appeared in an obscure film
    Sochke ye gagan jhoome -Jeevan Jyoti – SDB- Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar
    https://youtu.be/p3A4ODkMGpo

  6. Aaj socha toh aansoo bhar aaye..

    Hanste Zakhm.

    Woh sham kuch ajeeb thi..

    ..
    Main sochta tha mera naam..

    KHAMOSHI.

    Gazab ka hai din socho zara..

    QSQT.

  9. Madhu @1,
    Thanks a lot.

    Both Chal ri sajni ab kya soche and Ye kya hua kaise hua fit the theme perfectly. The first is an atmospheric song in which both Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen are shown immersed in deep thought. In the latter song, Rajesh Khanna was at the peak.

  10. Dr Shetty @2,
    What a memory! I remember the first song, I would have to check up other songs.

    @3,
    Interesting to now realise Bobby had so many thinkers’ songs. The other song I remember is Saare kayda tod do from Khoobsoorat. Other songs I have to check up.

    @4,
    Nice distinction between happy and sad thinkers’ songs.

    @6,
    Perfect songs of thinking.

  11. Mr Muli @5,
    Thanks a lot.
    #1: Your observation is on the spot.

    #2,
    Yes, Mehmood was far better than Rajendra Nath. He was absolutely fabulous in Padosan.

    @3,
    From time to time someone has mentioned songs from Jeevan Jyoti. An outstanding song you have added.

  12. A beautiful theme – well written, which am sure would set everyone thinking about this faculty of humans. The songs are great .

    Exceptionally beautiful ? Then we think of the creator . But here the creator may also be wondering.

    ‘Khuda bhi aasman…’ / 1970 / DHARTI / Rajinder Krishna / SJ /Rafii

    https://youtu.be/2Q-McgeA-H8

  13. Neeruahaf @7,
    Sochta hun kya, ye kya kiya maine: What a great song by Mukesh. In spite of great music by Snehal Bhatkar, the debutant hero sank without trace.

    @8,
    Socha tha, kya ho gaya: Your thoughts didn’t go to Suraiya’s in Anmol Ghadi?

  15. AKji
    Socha nahi tha is theme mein sochkar Ghana ban saktha hai. How is Madrasi Hindi.
    As usual I am stumped by the rabbits you pull out of chestnut. The only song I recollected has already hit the deck.

  16. Mr Rangan,
    Madrasi Hindi? Stalin would do to you what Stalin did to dissenters! Your Hindi would shame a pundit. Thanks a lot.

  20. AK Ji
    A refreshing good theme ( to be honest I couldnt relate much with those various Balmas!! ) on ” Soch” . Must generate many songs in the comments section. Few that comes to my immediate ” soch”:
    1) Tera jalwa jisne dekha woh tera ho gaya
    Mein ho gayee kisiki , koi mera hogaya
    Kya dekha tha tujhme , dil tera ho gaya
    Yeh sochte hi sochte savera ho gaya

    A gem from the team of SJ-Hasrat-Lata : Ujala -1959.

    2) Though I am not an expert in Urdu- would the word Zehen loosely equate Soch?
    Maine shayad tumhe pehle bhi kahin dekha hai
    The first stanza goes like this-
    dekhaakar tumako kisee raat kee yaad ati hai
    ek khaamosh mulaakaat kee yaad ati hai
    ZEHEN mein husn kee thandak ka asar jagata hai
    anchchh detee huee barasaat kee yaad aatee hai
    Golden trio of Roshan-Sahir-Rafi : Barsaat ki raat

    3)One more song will not be liked by many but I am mentioning this as there are songs even from 90’s in this thread and so this one is better than those!!!
    Aapke raye mere baare mein
    Kya hai kya hai , kahiye
    Aji sochke batayenge hum, milte milte rahiye
    SJ without J, Indeevar, Mohd Rafi & Sharada : Elaan-1971

  21. Continuing…
    4) Mein pyaar ka rahee hoon
    Tere zulf ke saaye mein
    Kuch der tehr jaaon
    Tum ek musafir ho, kab chod ke chal doge
    Yeh SOCHKE ghabraaoon
    OPN-Raja Mehdi Ali Khan-Rafi & Asha: Ek Musafir Ek Haseena 1962

  22. ‘ Jis dil mein…’ / 1965 / SAHELI / Indeevar / Kalyanji Anandji / Mukesh / Lata

    The link gives this twin song .

    In the Male voice you hear…

    ‘…’ sochenge tumhein dekha hi nahin…’ @ 1′ 37″

    In the female voice you hear…

    ‘… yeh sochke hum sharminda hain…’ @ 5′ 27″

    https://youtu.be/YU7LuDbHQgw

  23. What a ‘thoughtful’ theme, AK. 🙂
    Here is someone who is very thoughtful:
    Main khadi khadi soch rahi from Chhote Babu (1957)
    MD: Madan Mohan Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

    Lata continues to be very thoughtful:

    Soch rahi thi kahoon na kahoon from Ek Phool Char Kaante
    MD: SJ

    Lata again, in Hanste Zakhm (one of my favourite songs)
    Aaj socha to aansoo bhar aaye
    MD: Madan Mohan

    And for a change, Geeta Dutt warning others to think before falling in love:
    Soch samajhkar dil ko lagaana from Jaal

    And a sweet song from the late 80s:
    Gazab ka ye din socho zara from QSQT.

    I hope I have left you with enough songs to ‘think’ about. 🙂

  24. Mr. S Joseph @19,
    Interesting song. The outcome or reason of Shammi Kapoor’s thinking how the things could be so good – cold water will catch fire and stone will melt.

    @22,
    Very nice song. If we include songs in which ‘soch’ is embedded inside, there will be unlimited number songs.

  25. Mr Sivanandam @20,
    Tera jalwa jisne dekha: What a beautiful song.

    Zehen: The word should mean ‘mind’, ‘brain’. ‘Soch’ one can take, if the sense clear.

    Kya hai kahiye: You are right. The song would not enthuse many. I have been posting newer songs in some posts, if these fit in context. The songs are always well-known.

    @21,
    Main pyar ka rahi hun: Another beautiful song.

  26. Anu @23,
    Thanks a lot for your ‘thoughtful’ appreciation. All the songs you have added are quite thoughtful. Aaj socha to aansoo bhar aye I like a lot.

  29. Raj Kapoor, wearing a Thinker ‘s cap again after SANGAM and BOBBY.

    PREM ROG.

    1.Main hoon prem rogi..
    .
    .
    Soch raha hoon jag kya hoga

    2. Meri kismet mein tu nahin shayad..
    ..
    Sochta hoon ki mere ankhon ne
    Kyon sajaye the pyar ke sapne.

  30. MASOOM.

    Huzoor iss kadar bhi toh..
    ..

    Koi manchala agar pakad lega anchal
    Zara sochiye aap kya keejiyega..

    RAMPUR KA LAXMAN.

    Gum ho kisike pyar mein..
    ….
    Socha hai ek din main unse MI
    Keh daloon unse sab haal dil ke…

    SANAM TERI KASAM.

    Dekhta hoon koi ladki haseen
    Sochta hoon kahin woh hi toh nahin..

    All RDB. 1 and 3 .. FF awards for Best Music.

    .

  31. DO AUR DO PANCH.

    Arre tune mujhe jaana nahin
    …

    Jo soche jo chahen
    Woh karke dikhaye..

    NASEEB.

    John Jani Janardan..
    …

    Har picture dekh ke socha
    Main bhi actor ban jaaoon..

  32. AKji,
    What a novel theme, quite thought-provoking!
    Sab sochne mein lag gaye ke “soch” par kaun kaun se gaane hain!

    Bit late here, as many obvious and known songs are there in the post as well as in the comments section, with my colleague Dr. Shetty in full form. Still, there are many more..

    To begin with…
    Shakti 1982
    RDB – AB – Lata, KK

    Jane kaise kab kahan ikraar ho gaya
    hum sochte hi reh gaye aur pyar ho gaya

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyCPwtZI4OI

  36. Dr Shetty @29,
    Prem Rog was a thinking movie. Raj Kapoor had to put on a Thinker’s cap. I am happy made it.

    @30,
    Huzoor is qadar bhi: The picturisation was superb. The movie was, of course, outstanding.

    @31,
    I admire your memory. The songs do not ring a bell.

  37. One not much remembered song from the old film Shatranj (1969) Na Socha Na Samjha by Asha Bhosle tuned by Shankar Jaikishan could possiby make it here…

  38. Dr Deshpande @32,
    Thanks a lot. Once in a while there is no harm in putting on a thinking cap.

    Jaane kaise kab kahan iqraar ho gaya: Peppy song in otherwise a grim song. Pyar kiya nahin jata hai, bas ho jata hai – hackneyed, but standard template of Bollywood.

    @33,
    Kah dun tumhein ya chup rahun: Not a bad song, but I have some views about it fitting in Deewar.

    @34,
    Men from Mars, women from Venus?

    @35,
    Nice songs.

  39. OPN -ASHA swan song that was too good for the film and hence was appropriate that it was not included in the film
    Chain se humko – Pran Jaye per vachan na jaye – SH Bihari
    Soch ke ye dam ghootata hai
    Phir kaise gujar hoga
    https://youtu.be/WZze8RerQ2k

    And from the stables of Gazal king
    Main khayal hoon kisi aur ka mujhe sochata koi aur hai – Salim Kausar
    https://youtu.be/WZze8RerQ2k

  44. Dr Deshpande @42,
    Chal FI sajni ab kya soche: fits perfectly as both Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen are immersed in deep thoughts.

    @43,
    Less heard, but nice song.

  45. A.K ji @13

    It was actually Dr. Shetty @4 mentioning Socha tha kya, kya hogaya… from Anmol Ghadi that led me to You Tube to listen once again to the song. When I typed it, the song by Ojha saab also popped up. Let alone having heard the song, I hadn’t even heard of a singer by that name. It was a wonderful discovery. Haunted by the song and the voice.

    As far as Hamari Yaad Aayegi is concerned, I thought the hero was kind of unlucky though , of course, it’s ages since I saw the melodrama.

  46. Sorry if anyone thinks I am misusing this blog for writing my thoughts not related to the above topic:

    On Geeta Jayanti:

    As per my understanding :

    Bhagwat Geeta teaches us :
    To live happily bodily as well as mentally.
    To analyze circumstances and adjust so that no injustice is done.
    To understand a very short span of life when generations come and go continuously.
    To live amicably in a community with a spirit of give generously and take frugally.
    To perform all activities wholeheartedly and with full attention.
    To be bold and get rid of all elements doing injustice and harm to the society.
    To prefer a bit hard life against easy one in all activities for longer lasting benefits.
    To remain quiet and peaceful within and without.
    To believe in the AlMighty as your inseparable life partner on a permanent basis and the same for all living and non living beings.

  47. Very interesting prologue AKji. Very thoughtful post.
    The first song that I could think was,
    Sochta hoon ye kya kiya maine, already mentioned by Neeru ji.
    And,
    I love Main Ye soch kar unke dar se. Sublime!
    There was a movie called ‘Soch’ in 2000s. An obscure sort it was!
    Never watched it. But a song from the movie was and is my favourite. Of course that doesn’t fit the theme. I just wanted to mention the film.

    Can’t think of a song to add at present.

    Anup
    🙂

  48. A thoughtful song by K L Saigal
    “Kisne Yeh Sab Khel Rachaya ……. “
    1938 Dharati Mata
    MD- Pankaj Mullick

  49. A thoughtful song by K L Saigal

    “Kisne Yeh Sab Khel Rachaya ……. “
    1938 Dharati Mata
    MD- Pankaj Mullick

  52. This male singer I am hearing for the first time. We can hear Lata in her initial voice.

    Such a pessimist will never be happy. She sees only darkness and he will never see happiness if he stays with her.

    ‘Baar baar tum…’/ 1949 / GIRLS SCHOOL / Kavi Pradeep / Lata, Shankar Dasgupta

    https://youtu.be/NmP0AiC76j4

  53. Manoj @46,
    Yes, you are right, this comment does not fit here, no matter how profound it is or how much we all hold Gita in reverence. Out of place here. I hope you understand.

    @48, 49
    Kisne ye sab khel rachaya: KL Saigal didn’t sing a song which was not thoughtful.

  54. Anup @47,
    Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Have not heard of a movie titled ‘Soch‘, other wise I would have seen it.

  55. AKji, this post on thinkers is all about whether to let the mind rule or the heart. When the heart rules the decision making process which it often does, reasoning takes a back seat and emotions come to the fore. I am reminded of a blog post I wrote on the ‘mindful songs’ . Here’s the link.
    https://anitamultitasker.wordpress.com/2022/07/17/the-mindful-songs/
    I would also add want to add one of S.H.Bihari’s famous songs from Pyaar Jhukta Nahin (1985) Tumhe Apna Saathi Banaane Se Pehle, Meri Jaan Mujhko Bahut Sochna Hai
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuIep0bBmgM
    Apparently, this was written by him in 1953 when he got married. It was addressed to his future wife. This was used in 1985 in this film. Here’s the link to the interview where she speaks about this song.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlty_AFFK-s&t=440s

  56. Mr S Joseph @50,
    Very good song, though Babita does not look the thinking type.

    @51,
    Jeevan ke dorahe par: Nice song.

    @52,
    I am sure you would have heard Shankar Dasgupta songs. He has sung a number of nice songs for Raj Kapoor. In Bar bar hum: the audio quality is poor and his tonal quality does not come out. But here is a song you would like from Jaan Pehchan, composed by Khemchand Prakash. This must be his last film.

    Hum kyon batayein tumse by Shankar Dasgupta
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzudBJMm49g

  57. Happy to be back after a long absence caused by a period of intense preoccupation with work + non-receipt of notifications from SoY…

    AK – Such a brilliant post! Sach kahoon to it proves that the creativity of your soch knows no bounds…

    Here is a song I like a lot. Soch figures in the 1st line of the 2nd antara:

    ‘Dil vil pyaar vyaar’ by Lata, from ‘Shagird’ (1967). MD – Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Lyrics- Majrooh Sultanpuri

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHADwPlnPgo

  58. Anita @55,
    Tumhein apna saathi banane se pehle: The lyrics absolutely fit the theme of this post. I have mentioned some songs pre-love/pre-nuptial thinking. In the film world nothing succeeds like success. SH Bihari’s association with OP Nayyar had a great run.

  59. Ashwin @57
    Welcome back. Hope registering your mail id again in the box at the bottom should help. You will have to confirm the mail from follow.it

    Dil vil pya vaar: Saira Banu does not wish to waste much time in thinking seeing how handsome Joy Mukherjee was. That was about the last time someone could say that about him. Saira Banu’s approach seemed to be shortsighted, looking at the mess many relationships end in.

    And thanks a lot for your appreciation.

  61. Anup,
    Thanks for sharing the film and the song Tohe leke sanwariya nikal chalbe. The folk song appeared familiar, but its film version as an Item Dance Number was not.

  62. Here’s Abdul Karim Khansaheb’s rendition of the thumri ‘Soch samajh naadaan’. It is a well-known fact that he sojourned to the South and interacted closely with Carnatic musicians including the great Veena Dhanam, and even recorded some kritis. The Carnatic influence is very evident in this recording. You could definitely say that the Khansaheb’s soch was much ahead of his times.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrR2hYfX6o

  63. One of the bandishes in Kedar that is taught to students in music schools is ‘Soch samajh man meet piyarwa’ by ‘the Chatur Pandit’ Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande himself. Here is a rendition of the bandish by one Gayatri Murthy of the SRJ Music Academy, Hyderabad.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbXWymmjtW8

  64. Ashwin,
    Thanks a lot for the two classical bandishes. I admire your instant recall. “Chatur Bhatkhande”: If it is not some clever reference, why not ‘The Thinker Bhatkhande’?

    Several Carnatic ragas have become a part of Hindustani classical repertoire. But is it more pronounced in Kirana? I find both Mevundi Jayteerth and Kaivalya Kumar Gurav demostrating their felicity with Carnatic too.

  67. Dr Deshpande @63,
    Aage Ki Soch: I am tempted to watch a Dada Kodke film. One heard a lot about him. I think he favoured Marathi cinema more with his talents.

    @64,
    Pal pal dil ke paas: Nice song.

  70. Mr S Joseph @68, 69,
    Both the songs were unheard for me. Point to think why 80% of the film songs are eminently forgettable.

  74. Dr Dehspande @71, 72, 73,
    I heard the songs. Happy to find that they were about ‘soch’. But I have to express my admiration on your ability to recall post-80s songs.

  75. @ 70 ,… I am trying to list the factors which could make a song popular/ memorable .

    Here is another forgotten song ?

    ‘ Socho ji socho …’/ 1961 / ZAMANA BADAL GAYA /Azeez Kaifi / Iqbal Qureshi / Rafi , Asha

    https://youtu.be/gcEtJ7EXkXo

  77. Ye na socho isme apne haar hai ke jeet hai..

    Yes, we all know this wonderful Kishore Kumar song.

    Ye jeevan hai
    Is Jeevan ka..

    PIYA KA GHAR.

    Lata sang it for her Shraddhanjali album.

  78. He Man Dharmendra, yesterday’s Birthday Boy was a thinker, too. Yes, SATYAKAM, KHAMOSHI, DOST, AADMI AUR INSAAN etc.

    But, here, he will think about the world and other profound things after he is done with the more important work on/in hand, in leisure.

    Abhi toh haath mein jaam hai
    Toba kitna kaam hai!
    Kabhi mile fursat, dekha jayega
    Duniya ke bare mein phir
    Socha jayega.

  79. Joseph ji has posted some unfamiliar songs continuing in the same vein here are few more
    1 kya soch raha matwale – Mr India- Jaan Nissar Akhtar – G S kohli- Rafi
    https://youtu.be/T5Ys_BZ1ndo
    Compared to its later namesake this Mr India was relatively unknown. Rafi’s singing style leads one to believe that the song must have been filmed on Jw but it is ISJ on screen
    2 soch rahi thi – Ek pool char kaante- Shailendra-SJ- Lata
    https://youtu.be/hz7R0CAuBYY
    3 Main khadi khadi soch rahi thi – Chotay Babu – PL Santoshi- MM – Lata
    https://youtu.be/RSMaK1pGbYk

  80. Mr S Joseph @75,
    I doubt if there is a formula to identify factors that could make a song popular or memorable. This song is forgettable.

    @76,
    But Boloji bolo kuchh sochoji socho is quite popular and memorable, though I understand Nishan, too, was a B-grade fantasy film.

  81. Mr Muli @79,
    These films, especially #2 and #3, had some nice songs, but the songs you have posted are unfamiliar to me. But nice to see many ‘thinking’ songs pouring from the readers.

  85. Dr Shetty @77,
    What a beautiful thinking song, Ye jeevan hai.

    @78,
    Every thinking person’s first priority is the nectar of life.

  86. Dr Deshpande @82,
    Sunaina‘s song is beautiful as the film was. Thanks for refreshing our memory.

    @83,
    Nice song. Who would have thought that Rajesh Khanna in two years would burst upon the screen as a Phenomenon.

    @84,
    Sulakshana Pandit sounds quite melodious.

  93. Mr Joseph @89,
    I don’t find any thinking in the song. I remember watching the movie. Do not remember anything about the movie, but I do remember a feeling of regret why I decided to watch the movie.

  94. Dr Deshpande @90,
    There was a film called Shubh Kaamna? I am impressed. The characters seem to be thinking types.

    @91,
    Khat likhna hai sochti hun: Nice song, but politically incorrect. She writes to Mom, but sees pictures of her lover all around.

    Socha tumhein khat likhun par darti hun: Nice one. Indeed letter-writing requires a lot of thinking.

  96. Second song here from HAQEEQAT ?

    Many HFM songs , even without the word SOCH , may have a lot to do with ‘thinking’ . Some songs even when using the word ‘ SOCH’ may appear to have nothing to do with ‘thinking’.

    Here the lyrics read ‘…dil sochta hai…’ , though we know that heart is never thinking .

    ‘ Zara si aahat…’/ 1964 / HAQEEQAT / Kaifi Azmi / MM / Lata

    https://youtu.be/9r1bvWFbmwk

  97. Mr S Joseph,
    Zara si aahat hoti hai: Beautiful song. And thinking too. Our film songs were never bothered about medical science which part of the body does the thinking.

  102. Dr Deshpande @98,
    I entirely agree “Jo soch ke karega wo pyar ka karega“. My favourite actor Raj Kapoor had already propounded a theory, “Har dil jo pyar karega wo gana gayega“.

    @99,
    Kabhi kabhi main sochun ye swarg kaisa hoga: Nice song. She has to answer herself. Long ago there was a man to answer such queries: ‘Na jaane chaand kaisa hoga; tum sa haseen to nahin‘, Mukesh-Kamal Barot, film Rocket Girl, lyrics Prem Dhawan,
    music Chitragupt.

    @100,
    Kuchh soch ke pyar kiya hai: Have you seen the film. It does not look like father-daughter.

    @100,
    Bas ek soch se ban jaye poori kahani: Nice song from a nice film.

  103. AKji,
    What I meant @100 was that Om Prakash and Lakshmi had played father and daughter in the film Julie and here they were singing a romantic duet.

    I had seen the film Charandas years ago. In the film, both of them pretend to be in love to teach their respective spouses a lesson.

  104. There is the lovely song “O Ballo, Soch Ke Mela Jaana” from “Khandan,” although it has precious little actual thinking in it–despite that lyric, the characters are obviously past the “contemplative stage” of going to the fair. Not only does the whole picturization take place at a fair, but the gentlemen’s chorus opens by singing “Kahan chali?” to which the ladies respond “Mele, mele, mele.”

    I don’t believe I had heard “Sochna Kya Jo Bhi Ho Dekha Jayega” before. It was quite a surprise to listen to, because it seems to share its tune with the “Llorando se fue,” which was a standard selection for the “conjuntos norteños” (North Mexican-style dance bands) when I was growing up! I could not readily find a norteño version online, but here is one by a Peruvian conjunto:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQCJ8uAqIr4

    According to some furtive Googling, there is a Portuguese (Brazilian) version of the song that became popular internationally in the late ’80s, although it didn’t sound familiar to me when I listened to it.

  105. Shelomit,
    O Ballo soch ke mele jana is a very nice song. I see your point in what is there to think when they are already in the fair. I remember in a movie, the comedian Asit Sen asks for permission to come inside, and then exclaims मैं तो अंदर आ गया!

    “Llornado se fue” is a a very nice tune. The tune of Sochna kya jo bhi ho dekha jaayega is so similar that it must be referring to their blasé attitude, who cares, no one is going to catch us where we got the inspiration from.

  106. We used to dance our little hearts out to “Llorando se fue”! The lyrics basically go “One day, weeping, the one who had offered me love left. One day, weeping, she will remember the love she didn’t know how to nurture. Today, remembering, there is no bitterness in my chest.” A moderate perspective from which certain filmi heroes/heroines would definitely benefit ( ;

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