String Instruments Playing songs in Bollywood Films

Few months back I posted a blog on  the songs in which Piano being played by the hero or heroine in the song.In this blog I have selected those songs where Hero or Heroine playing String Instrument like Guitar, Sitar or Mandolin.There was a song in Uran Khatola (1955) "Hamare Dil Se Na Jana"here Nimmi is playing a string instrument HARP which was new to Indian public.Before that  Acoustic Guitar was introduced in 1952 hit film Baazi in the famous song" Tadbeer se bidgi hui taqdeer bana le ".I would also like to mention another Indian String Instrument of Rajasthan the Ravanhattha,This was first seen in a hindi film Do Aankhen Baarah Haath, 1957 in the song Saiyyaan jhoothon ka bada sartaaj niklaa.. Here are few songs on unusual and exotic string instruments.
Guitar- The curious thing about guitar in the Hindi movies is that the guitar is a fashion statement; the hero or the heroine swings it any which way – across the shoulder, left and right like a man gone berserk with his carbine, or even to rotate it around on the floor.One Music Director who really mastered the acoustic guitar in his songs was Sachin Dev Burman. As soon as you think of the acoustic guitar on the Indian scene, you think of Goa and that’s where Guru Dutt’s 1952 movie Jaal 

Song from Jaal 1952

Song from Baazi 1952

After the success of 1952 movie Jaal’s guitar based song Ye raat ye chandini phir kahan, Sahir Ludhianvi, SD Burman and Hemant Kumar did it again, in another Dev Anand movie, the 1955 film Munimji in which Dev Anand acted with Nalini Jaywant and Pran.

Song from Munimji 1955

Dev Anand in 50s had popularized Guitar in films He appeared in many songs playing Guitar,in this song from Manzil 1960 he sings along with Guitar

Song from Manzil 1960

The next song on guitar was a peppy classic black and white bollywood song "Baar Baar Dekho" from the superhit bollywood blockbuster China Town. Starring Shammi Kapoor , Shakila , Helen . Film directed and produced by Shakti Samanta. Music composed by Ravi.

Song from China Town 1962

The Guitar also has a strong role in sad songs. Shanker-Jaikishen’s Ajeeb dastan hai yeh (Dil apna aur preet parai) appears lively but also has a hidden sadness. 

Song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai 1960

This is a rare song from the film Aakhri Khat 1966 in which Rajesh Khanna made his debut and also singer Bhupendra also made his debut as a singer Interestringly this song is picturised on him he is playing guitar

Song from Aakhri Khat 1966

Song from Kismat 1968

Guitar became popular among common people after the release of Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971 the song Dum Maro Dum became the craze

Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971

Another film that popularized Guitar songs was Yaadon Ki Baarat. One song that was extremely popular among teens  was the song where the boy invites a girl to come to the stage. A dream situation for desi teens those days.

Song from Yaadon Ki Baarat 1973

Song from Yaadon Ki Baarat 1973

Song from Zameer 1975

Song from Khel Khel Mein 1975

By the late 70s the Guitar changed to Electric Guitar,in 1977 film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin in the Song Kya Hua Tera Vaada electric guitar being played by the hero Tariq

Song from Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin 1977

This beautiful Guitar  song is picturised on Rakesh Roshan in PRIYATMA 1978. He and friends have thrown a party for Jeetendra and Neetu Singh, who have recently got married.

Song from PRIYATAMA 1978

Song from Karz 1980

Song from Qyamat Se Qyamat Tak 1988

 Mandolin -The mandolin originated in Italy, and is a typically hollow-bodied instrument made of wood, with either a round, a flat, or a carved top. For a string instrument that hails from lands far removed from India, the mandolin makes surprisingly frequent appearances in Hindi cinema. First time it was seen in Hindi song Suhani Raat Dhal huki from Dulari 1949 then  in Tera dil kahaan hai (Chandni Chowk, 1954) 

Song from Dulari 1949

Song from Chandni Chowk, 1954

Waheeda Rehman plays mandolin  in the song Kaheen pe nigaahein kaheen pe nishaana;in CID 1956

Song from CID 1956

Song from Pyar Ka Mausam 1969

Sitar-A purely Indian instrument  used mainly in Hindustani music and Indian classical music. The sitar became popularly known in the wider world through the works of Ravi Shankar, beginning in the late 1950s and early 1960s..Used often in Hindi films to denote the gentle falling of rain (a famous Ravi Shankar composition in Satyajit Ray’s Pathar Panchali captures this brilliantly), sitar music is a classic Bollywood backbone.Some popular songs in 50s and 60s show the hero or heroine playing this instrument

Song from Baiju Bawra 1952

In the 1960 film Kohinoor Dilip Kumar is shown playing Sitar the most popular song Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re

Song from Kohinoor 1960

Song from Meri Soorat Teri Aankhein 1963

Song from Dil Ek Mandir 1963

Song from Hamrahi 1963

Tanpura: A 4-string instrument to accompany a Hindustani classical vocalist that does not play a melody, but rather provides a harmonic drone throughout the piece.

Song from Basant Bahar 1956

Ektara-As the name suggest it is one string instrument  held in one hand and with the string plucked with the index finger.The Baul singers of Bengal use this instrument.The popular song from Devdas 1955 Aan milo aan milo Shyaam saanwre, this instrument is being played.Another famous song Ek Tara Bole Tun Tun where this instrument shown from Yaadgaar 

Song from Devdas 1955

Song from Johny Mera Naam 1970

Veena.In Dekh Kabira Roya, Ameeta plays a girl  who is devoted to her music.she plays veena in this lovely song Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye.A masterpiece composed by Madan Mohan and sang by the great sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle 

Song from Dekh Kabira Roya, 1957

Sarangi: A bowed short-neck stringed instrument famed in Hindustani classical music for its close imitation of the human voice.this instrument can be seen in ths song Aansu Bhari Hain Yeh Jeevan Ki Rahe from Parvarish 1958

Song from Parvarish 1958

Song from Umrao Jaan 1981

Ravanahatha-the Rajasthani Folk instrument was first shown in the song  Saiyyaan jhoothon ka bada sartaaj niklaa (Do Aankhen Baarah Haath, 1957):

Song from Do Aankhen Baarah Haath, 1957

Banjo: A plucked 4-5 string instrument with origins in Africa that traveled to America around the 18th century with African-American traditional music and became a staple of country and folk genres.In hindi film Azad 1955 in the song Kitna Haseen hai Mausam this instrument is seen.

Song from Azaad 1955

Recently released movie an Electric Benzo is shown in this song being played by Ritesh Deshmukh in the film Benzo

Song from Benzo 2017

VIOLIN -

A highly popular bowed 4-string instrument with roots in 16th century Italy that has had global impact, including in orchestral performances of Hindi film music.It was first shown in hindi film Barsat 1949 in the song "Muje Kisi se Pyar Ho Gaya Hai"sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Raj Kapoor is seen here playing violin.

Song from Barsaat 1949

Another famous song is from 1972 film Shor,Manoj Kumar is playing violin in this song

Song from Shor (1972)

Song from Mohabbatein 2000

Song from Sur 2002

The role of the Director in Song Composition

Songs are integral part of a Bollywood film.Generally a song is ready before a film being shot.It is the Director who has seen the film in his imagination.The Music director and Lyricist fully depend on the Director to tell them about the film and the situation of the song.what kind of music and lyrics he wants for the situation.This process has a lot of discussion with the Director,Composer and lyricist to prepare a song.This planning is called in film term"sitting".There may be many sittings between the director and composer,some Producers also take part in these sittings.
These sittings may continue for as long a year.It depends on the Director.Director Yash Chopra took one year to finalize the songs of Dil To Pagal Hai.For Mohabattein (2000) Aditya Chopra took 6 to 8 months for the songs composed by Jatin Lalit.In an interview somewhere the Producer Director Prakash Jha said for him it usually take 5 to 6 sittings for a song.
For the composer to create a song he and his Lyricist need Complete information from the Director about the situation and the character.The amount of details vary from Composer to composer.The great Music composer S D Burman used to get minor to minor details from the director of the film,once he understood the situation and prepared the song he will not allow the director for any change.It is said that his knowledge of the cinema was such that he used to advise the Producer and Director about the filming of the song.
As per Jatin Lalit the present day Directors Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar give immense detail for their song situation.After viewing the situation as per their director they start working on the song.There are many Directors who do not give sufficient information even they do not imagine about the song,director just relies on the composer and choreographers.As per Shravan of Nadeem Sharvan composer duo,being music composer,they have some visuals in their mind,so according the situation they create the music,.the director and producer shoot the song with slight modification.This is evident from Producer Director Anil Sharma,the Gadar  film fame said that he tells the story to his Music Composer tells about the situation,what he wants in the song.give him the example of certain songs,similar to that song you make for me.
I think the film music depends on the Director's attitude towards the music.There were many great  Directors who along with his Music composers gave us great music,many immortal songs.Many music directors admit that they were able to give better  work working with the particular director.Take the case of RK Banner,Navketan or Guru Dutt,they gave us many immortal songs.As far as picurisation of a song no one can beat Dev Anand or Raj Kapoor.Both of them had a knack of good music.
On the one hand the director inspires the music composer for great music,on the other hand many composers did not like interference by their Director.The great composers Naushad and S D Burman didn't want any interference once they heard the story and understood the situation.There used to be a rapport  with the Director or a banner with the composer resulted to hit music one after another.Most of the big Directors or banners had a fixed team of Music Directors and Singer.
In  the end I would  say that everything depends on the Director.That's the how good directors have extracted a good music even out of the less talented music composers.
Here is my list of Best Picturised Songs of Golden Era

Song from Shree 420 (1955)

Song from Pyaasa 1957

Song from Navrang 1959

Song from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai 1960

Song from Mughal e Azam 1960

Song from Asli Naqli.1962

Song from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam 1962

Song from Tere Ghar Ke Saamne 1963

Song from Sangam 1964

Song from Guide1965

Song from Upkar 1967

Song from Araadhana 1969

Song from Tere Mere Sapne 1971

Song from Pakeezah 1972

The Trio of Mukesh,Shankar-Jaikishan and Raj Kapoor

On the 41st Death Anniversary of Mukesh I look back at the Magical Combination of this legendary singer with SJ and Raj Kapoor. Mukesh debuted as (actor-)singer in 1941 with Nirdosh,his association with Raj Kapoor took place in 1949 when he sang for RK in Aag,the song was “Zinda Huwe, Is Tarah Ke Hamen” composed by Ram Ganguli. Raj Kapoor realized that now he found his soul in the voice of Mukesh. In the very next film Barsaat 1950,Shankar Jaikishan made their debut as music director,from this film the trio of Mukesh,SJ and Raj Kapoor formed.After that they gave many immortal songs to Bollywood
.
 Barsaat’s music was dominated by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh getting two duets with her. But their next venture, Awara (1951), had the title track which became a global sensation making Raj Kapoor-Nargis one of the most recognizable faces abroad, and India’s cultural ambassador. 
In the same year, in a non-RK film Baadal, too, SJ created an outstanding solo, Main raahi bhatakane wala hun, and an equally good duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Ae dil na mujhse chhupa. RK-SJ’s next film Aah (1953) didn’t fire up the box-office, but what great songs Mukesh sang! The two solos, Raat andheri door kinara, Chhoti si ye zindagani, and the two duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Jaane na jigar pahchaane nazar, Aa ja re ab mera dil pukara are among the most loved songs for Mukesh fans.
With Mukesh becoming identified as Raj Kapoor’s voice, in almost all the films of Raj Kapoor whether under RK banner or outside, if SJ were the music director Mukesh was almost invariably the voice for him. And every film had great songs remembered till today:Here are some of the immortal songs of this Trio.

Song from Barsaat 1949

Song from Awaara 1951

Song from Aah 1953

Song from Shree 420 (1955)

Song from  Main Nashe Mein Hoon 1959

Song from  Kanhaiya 1959

Song from Anari 1959

Song from Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai 1960

Song from Aashiq 1962

Song from Sangam 1964

Song from Teesri Kasam 1966

Song from Diwana 1967

15 Seduction Songs of Golden Era of Bollywood

It is said that music brings heart together ,Bollywood is one place where you can get major inspiration in almost everything.Seducing the Hero by the heroine or a vamp is always been there in hindi films start from 1940s till now.There are many songs for such situation.Here are 20 such Bollywood Songs  

Hamen ho gaya tumse pyaar bedardi baalmaa

 Usha Kiran is seen here singing a seductive song for Manhar. This song was sung by Lata. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote the lyrics,music composer is Madan Mohan.for the film Madhosh 1951

Song from Madhosh 1951

Taare chaandni afsaane

This song is a seduction song which is sung by Geeta Dutt.Majrooh Sultanpuri is the lyricist. Music is composed by O P Nayyarfor the film Baaz 1953

Song from Baaz 1953

Kisi ke thukraakar armaan

This song sung by Lata which is picturised on Nadira and Dev Anand. In this song, Nadira seeks to seduce Dev Anand from Pocketmar 1956

                                                           Song from Pocketmar 1956

Kahin pe nigaahen kahin pe nishaana

The song is from “C I D” and picturised on Waheeda Rehman. Shamshad Begum is the singer who sings this seductive song in 1950s style. Music is given by O P Nayyar

Song from C I D 1956

Aiye Meharbaan

This song from Howrah Bridge 1958 is a great hit,sung by Asha Bhosle picturised on Madhubala

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Qareeb aao na tadpaao

This song is sung by Geeta Dutt. It is picturised on Helen who is seen lip syncing this song in a bid to seduce Dev Anand.The film was Love marriage 1959,Shailendra is the lyricist. Music is composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

                                             Song from  Love marriage 1959

Yeh Hai Reshmi Julfon Ka andhera

This song is from Mere Sanam 1965,picturised on Mumtaz seducing Viswajeet,sung by Asha Bhosle

Song from Mere Sanam 1965

Aa baahon mein aa jaa

This song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised as a seduction song.Gulshan Bawra is the lyricist. Music is composed by Usha Khanna for the film “Laal Bangla” (1966)

Song from “Laal Bangla” (1966)

Raat Akeli Hai ,Bujh Gaye Diye

This song was picturised on Tanuja who is seducing Dev anand for Jewel Thief 1967,sung by Asha Bhosle 

Song from Jewel Thief 1967

Ae dushman e jaan chal diya kahaan

This song is performed on screen by Mumtaz. Manoj Kumar is the recipient of Mumtaz’s attentions.sung by Asha Bhosle for Patthar Ke Sanam” (1967) 

Song from Patthar Ke Sanam” (1967) 

Sajna o sajna

This seduction song from “Do Kaliyan”1968 sung by Asha Bhonsle, Lyrics-Sahir Ludhianvi, MD-Ravi

Song from Do Kaliyaan 1968

Aayiye aapka thhaa hamen intezaar

 This song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised as a suduction song on Farida Jalal and Dev Anand for Mahal 1969, Lyrics-Anand Bakshi, MD-Kalyanji Anandji

Song from Mahal 1969,

Husn Ke Lakhon Rang

This song is picturised on Padma Khanna for Johny Mera Naam 1970 sung by Asha Bhosle music was given by Kalyan ji Anand ji

Song from Johny Mera Naam 1970

Aao na gale lagaa lo naa

The song is sung by Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised on Helen trying to seduce a visually impaired Rajesh Khanna. The film is Mere Jiwan Sathi 1972.Asha Bhonsle is at her seductive best in this song

Song from Mere Jiwan Sathi 1972

Suniye zara dekhiye na

In this song Sadhna is seducing Feroz Khan in the film Geeta Mera Naam 1974, Singer is Lata, Lyrics-Rajinder Krishan, MD-Laxmikant Pyarelal

Song from Geeta Mera Naam 1974

Celebrating Ganpati Festival in Bollywood Songs

Ganesh Chaturthi is the Birthday of Lord Ganesha.Its an eleven days Celebration,it is one of the few festivals where many households install idol of Lord Ganesh at home, in addition to bigger idols installed in public places. After the end of the festival, all these Ganesh idols are immersed in  sea or in rivers, or ponds. On this auspicious day, devotees chant various religious mantras and songs related to Lord Ganesha Any sort of celebration is not complete without Bollywood tadka. Here we present you Hindi songs to celebrate this Ganesh Festival 

He Ganpati Bappa Morya From Pujarin 1969

This is one of the oldest Bollywood song of Ganpati from Pujarin released in 1969,Starring Vijay Dutt and Rehana Sultan, the song is sung like a bhajan with actors playing cymbals and other hand-held musical instruments while worshipping a huge Ganesh idol in the foreground.

Song from Pujarin 1969

Deva ho deva Ganpati deva tumse badhkar kaun

This song in fact has become a regular prayer to be sung on this occasion.This iconic song from “Hamse Badhkar Kaun” (1981) is sung by Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Shailendra Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Sapan Chakravarty and chorus. Ravindra Rawal is the lyricist. Music is composed by Ram Laxman. 

Song from Hamse Badhkar Kaun” (1981)

Mere man mandir mein tum bhagwaan rahe

This song is sung by Hariharan and chorus. The song is written by Anand Bakshi. Music is composed by R D Burman.

Song from Dard Ka Rishta 1982

Ganpati Bappaa Morya, Pudhachya Varshi Lavkar Ya

 This song is from the 1981 film ‘Saahas’. The lyrics are written by Anjaan and the music composition is by Bhappi Lahiri. The singing voices are of Bhappi Lahiri, Anwar and a chorus of singers. On screen, the song is performed by Bhagwan Dada, Mithun Chakravarty, Jagdeep, and Rati Agnihotri.

Song from Saahas 1981

Ganapati Apne Gaon Chale 

Song from Agneepath 1990

Sindoor Lal Chadayo

Song from Vastav 1999

Maurya Re

Song from  Don 2006

MERA HI JALWA  

Ganpati celebration in Bollywood Style

Song from Wanted 2009

Devashree Ganesha

Song from  Agneepath 2012

Sadda Dil Vi Tu (Ga Ga Ga Ganpati)

A modern Ganpati puja in Punjabi and  peppy beats with the desi feel of a Ganesh Chaturth.Hard Kaur ,the singer infused her rocking rapping essence to the Ganpati Aarti making it modern, without losing any of its devotional quality.

Song from  ABCD 2013

Song from  Bajirao Mastani  2015