In Mahesh Bhatt’s movie - Daddy (1991), there is a dialogue which has always appealed to me -’Zindagi Yaadon Ke Siva Aur Hai Hi Kya ?’. Yes, memories are not everything but a lot in human life. We relive the good and bad things several times after they are over. And similarly we miss the beloved ones when they are not with us.
Bollywood has numerous songs dedicated to missing or remembering someone or reminding someone of something happened in the past or the life memories in general. I have selected a handful out of them for this review on the basis of my subjective choice. I have not included in it certain songs which have already been included in my other reviews based on Bollywood songs. I have also not included the songs which I am planning to include in my review on nature related songs.
I am posting this emotional (for me) review on my 42nd birthday remembering some good old times.
1. Hui Aankh Nam Aur Ye Dil Muskaraaya To Saathi Koi Bhoola Yaad Aaya (Saathi -1991): My numero uno memory song which is able to make the listener’s eyes wet. It’s been sung by Anuradha Paudwal and chorus in the music direction of Bhushan Dua and picturized on Varsha Usgaonkar (singing for Mohsin Khan) and others. The sentimental lyric is of Nawaab Aarzoo.
Karoge Yaad To Har Baat Yaad Aayegi (Baazaar - 1982): Bhupinder’s heart-piercing song composed by Khayaam whose lyric of high literary quality has been penned by Mirza Shauq. This immortal song has been picturized on Nasiruddin Shah and Smita Patil.
Jhoomti Chali Hawa Yaad Aa Gaya Koi (Sangeet Samrat Taansen - 1962): Mukesh’s classic remembrance song picturized on Bharat Bhooshan (singing for Anita Guha). S.N. Tripathi has composed the lyric of Shailendra.
4. Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad, Woh Nahi Aaaye(Do Badan - 1966): Lata’s great memory song picturized on Asha Parekh(missing Manoj Kumar through it), penned by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Ravi.
- Bedardi Baalma Tujhko Mera Mann Yaad Karta Hai(Aarzoo - 1965): Lata’s great remembrance song picturized on Saadhana(remembering Rajendra Kumar). This song is very close to my heart and I feel a throbbing in my heart whenever I listen to it. Shankar-Jaikishan has composed the melodious tune for the highly admirable lyric penned by Hasrat Jaipuri.
6. Yaad Mein Teri Jaag Jaag Ke Hum Raat Bhar Karvaten Badalte Hain (Mere Mehboob - 1963): A classic duet of Rafi and Lata picturized on Rajendra Kumar and Saadhna. Naushad composed the emotionally appealing lyric of Shakeel Badayuni.
Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahaan Ho Tum Patita - 1953): An immortal Hemant Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar duet penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. Dev Anand and Usha Kiran performed on the screen on this song.
Phir Wohi Shaam, Wohi Gham, Wohi Tanhaai Hai (Jahaanaara - 1964): Talat Mahmood’s immortal memory song picturized on Bharat Bhooshan(missing Mala Sinha). This great song has been written by Rajinder Krishan and composed by Madan Mohan.
Tumhen Yaad Karte Karte Jaayegi Rainn Saari (Aamrapaali - 1966): Lata’s classic remembrance song picturized on Vyjayanthimala (remembering Sunil Dutt), authored by Shailendra and composed by Shankar Jaikishan.
Bachpan Ki Mohabbat Ko Dil Se Na Juda Karna (Baiju Baawra - 1952): A touching song of Lata underscoring the tender memories of childhood love. Meena Kumari has performed on it. Naushad has composed the lyric of Shakeel Badayuni.
Aaya Hai Mujhe Phir Yaad Woh Zaalim Guzra Zamaana Bachpan Ka (Devar - 1966): A very sentimental song filled with the childhood memories of the sweetheart. It’s been sung by Mukesh for Dharmendra(remembering the time spent with Sharmila Tagore in childhood). Roshan has composed the lyric of Anand Bakshi.
Abki Baras Bhej Bhaiya Ko Baabul, Saawan Mein Leejo Bulaay Re (Bandini – 1963): A highly emotional song related to the memories of a married(Indian) girl who is willing to meet his parents and requests her father to send her brother to take her to the parental house in the coming rainy season. Nutan has performed brilliantly on Asha’s voice(actually she is a prisoner in the movie while singing this song). This great song has been authored by Shailendra and composed by Sachin Da(S.D. Burman).
Chanda Re, Mere Bhaiya Se Kehna Behna Yaad Kare (Chambal Ki Kasam – 1979): A very good song sung by a sister missing her brother and sending message to him through the moon. Lata has sung it for Farida Jalaal. Khayyam has composed the lyric of Saahir Ludhiyanvi.
Saat Samunder Paar Se, Gudiyon Ke Baazaar Se (Taqdeer - 1967): A very touching song penned by Anand Bakshi and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. It has been sung by Lata and others for the child artists in the movie.
Aa Laut Ke Aa Ja Mere Meet Tujhe Mere Geet Bulaate Hain (Rani Roopmati – 1957): A memorable song sung by Lata and Mukesh separately for Nirupa Roy and Bharat Bhooshan respectively in the movie. S.N. Tripathi has composed the lyric of Bharat Vyas.
Bhooli Hui Yaadon, Mujhe Itna Na Sataao (Sanjog – 1961): Mukesh’s classic sad song whose singer requests his memories not to trouble him more. It’s been penned by Rajinder Krishan, composed by Madan Mohan and picturized on Pradeep Kumar.
Woh Bhooli Daastaan Lo Phir Yaad Aa Gayi (Sanjog – 1961): Lata’s gem from the same movie, picturized on Anita Guha. Lyricist and composer are also the same.
Phir Wo Bhooli Si Yaad Aayi Hai (Begaana - 1963): A touching memory song of Rafi, picturized on Sailesh Kumar, penned by Shailendra and composed by Sapan Jagmohan.
Woh Jab Yaad Aaye, Bahut Yaad Aaye (Parasmani - 1963): A tear-jerking remembrance duet of Lata and Rafi, picturized on Geetanjali and Mahipal. Laxmikant Pyarelal prepared the highly admirable composition in their debut movie as the music directors whereas the highly emotional lyric got authored by Farooq Qaisar.
Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh (3 Idiots - 2009): A modern memory song which is very close to my heart. Rancho (Aamir Khan)’s friends (R. Maadhavan and Sharman Joshi) remember him emotionally while moving in search of him years later. This song is played with the titles of the movie and it has a gradual impact on the listener. Shantanu Moitra has composed the beautiful lyric of Swanand Kirkire and Shaan has sung it.
In addition to the above, the following remembrance songs are also very dear to me:
Kho Gaya Hai Mera Pyar (Hariyali Aur Raasta - 1962): A song which has gone deep into my heart and makes me shed tears every time listen to it. It’s a rare gem of Mahendra Kapoor who has sung it for Manoj Kumar (who remembers his lost love, Mala Sinha). Shankar Jaikishan have composed the lyric of Hasrat Jaipuri.
Hai Tere Saath Meri Wafa, Main Nahi To Kya (Hindustan Ki Kasam - 1973): A sweetheart Priya Rajvansh) of the soldier (Raaj Kumar) on war-front remembers him and reminds him through this song of Lata that her love is always with him even if she is not there physically. Kaifi Aazmi’s great lyric has been composed melodiously by Madan Mohan.
Woh Dil Kahaan Se Laaoon Teri Yaad Jo Bhula De (Bharosa - 1963): Lata’s great memory song filled with emotions, picturized on Asha Parekh (missing Guru Dutt) which has been penned by Rajinder Krishan and composed by Ravi. It’s in classical Raag - Pahaadi.
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