The effect and influence of Rabindranath Tagore on any field of art can rarely be overstated in India. From Bengal to other regions of the c...
The effect and influence of Rabindranath Tagore on any field of art can rarely be overstated in India. From Bengal to other regions of the country his works have inspired movies, plays, and songs, from time immemorial. At times direct adaptations and at times respectful influences, Tagore never ceases to inspire influence, or stimulate works of art.
Bollywood too, quite naturally then has not been left untouched by Tagore. music especially has been greatly influenced by his songs and some hit Hindi songs bear the stamp of Gurudev’s creations.
Here are a handful of songs in Bollywood that are greatly popular and have been composed, directly or partly inspired by Rabindranath Tagore.
Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya- Do Bhai (1949): Geeta Dutt’s song that propelled her into fame and recognition was composed by SD Burman, who too, enjoyed one of his earliest successes with this gem. The mukhda of this song was inspired by Tagore’s Rodono Bhara Basanta.
Nain Deewane Ek Nahi Maane - Afsar (1950): This golden hit by Suraiya for Chetan Anand’s classic film was composed by SD Burman who was obviously inspired by Tagore’s Shedin Dujone.
Pawan Chale Zor - Zalzala (1952): Composed by Pankaj Mallick who himself was a pioneering exponent of Rabindra Sangeet, this song inspired by Khoro Baayu Boye was sung by another legend KL Saigal.
Jaaye Toh Jaayein Kahan - Taxi Driver (1954): SD’s homage to Tagore continued with this classic Talat song which had its roots in the Bard’s Hey Khoniker Otithi.
Jalte Hai Jiske Liye - Sujata (1959): SD Burman yet again. This time Talat Mehmood’s silken gem had its origin in the Tagore song Ekoda Tumi Priye
Man Mera Udta Jaaye - Maa Beta (1962): The nightingale Lata Mangeshkar sang under the baton of Hemant Kumar for this song which was based on Tagore’s Monomor Megher Shangi
Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina - Abhiman (1973): The old monk yet again inspired by Tagore for this immortal Lata-Kishore duet, the original being Jodi Taare Naai Chini
Nanha Sa Panchhi - Toote Khilone (1979): The young Bappi Lahiri was slowly but surely making his mark in Bollywood in the 70s. This song from Toote Khilone based on Tagore’s Bhenge More Gharer Chaabi was one of his earliest “inspired” tunes
Chhookar Mere Man Ko - Yaarana (1981): Composer Roshan’s wife and Rajesh Roshan’s mother was a Bengali which probably explains the influence of Rabindra Sangeet on Rajesh’s music. This Kishore Kumar solo was inspired heavily by Tomar Holo Shuru
Roshan Roshan Raatein Apni - Hum Rahe Na Hum (1984): This Kishore-Asha gem from a relatively lesser-known film was beautifully recreated by Bappi Lahiri from Tagore’s Purano Shei Diner Katha
Chanda Dekhe Chanda - Jhoothi (1986): Bappi Lahiri yet again, as he beautifully adapts Tagore’s Jodi Taare Naai Chini Go for this lilting Kishore-Asha duet.
Bandhan Khula Panchhi Uda - Yugpurush (1997): This song by Preeti Uttam Singh was composed by Rajesh Roshan who obviously had Tagore’s Pagla Hawa in mind at the time.
- By Pratik Majumdar
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