In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about Bollywood.
Friends, as you are aware, music plays a significant role in Hindi films, and in the past, some films were successful solely because of their songs. Most of the Hindi film songs are based on popular tunes, but sometimes music directors compose the Hindi film songs based on the classical Ragas. Today, I am writing about 10 Hindi film songs based on Ragas, with their YouTube links
1 Raag- Khamaj
Aayo Kahan Se Ghanshyam, Raina Beetayi Kis Dham– Bhuddha Mil Gaya 1971 (Film-F), Manna Dey (Singer-S), Majrooh Sultanpuri ( Lyricist-L), RD Burman (Music Director-MD). On screen- Om Prakash with Archana
https://youtu.be/qF5mNU_fEDU?si=hG-05RUCTRHaKiB0
2 Raag-Hameer
Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re-Kohinoor 1960 (F), Mohd. Rafi (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD). On screen- Dilip Kumar with Kumkum
https://youtu.be/FtObMbpIJLQ?si=9UQLHzsImIUk4V
3 Raag-Basant Bahar
Ketaki Gulab Juhi Champak Ban Phoole– Basant Bahar 1956 (F), Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Manna Dey (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen -Bharat Bhusan
https://youtu.be/FseICrhx-W0?si=FvYg_zvRk4PT3Jgv
4 Raag-Ahir Bhairav
Poocho Na Kaise Maine Raat Beetayi– Meri Surat Teri Ankhen 1963 (F), Manna Dey (S), Shailendra (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen-Ashok Kumar
https://youtu.be/0vh8_1ruoRo?si=cRBEH12e1d4db-eE
5 Raag-Lalit
Ek Shenshah Ne Banwa Ke Haseen Taj Mahal– Leader 1964 (F). Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD). On screen- Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala
https://youtu.be/xu9CFdSZtPY?si=nuN7sybw-iHvnHBw
6 Raag- Darbari
Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Payaliya– Mere Huzoor 1968 (F), Manna Dey (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen–Raaj Kumar
https://youtu.be/xu9CFdSZtPY?si=nuN7sybw-iHvnHBw
7 Raag-Yaman
Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par, Dil Chahta Hai Who Kehne Do– Junglee 1961 (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen- Shammi Kapoor with Saira Banu.
https://youtu.be/xu9CFdSZtPY?si=nuN7sybw-iHvnHBw
8 Raag-Pilu
Mohe Panghat Pe Nandlal Ched Gayo Re- Mughal e Azam 1960 (F), Lata Mangeshakar (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD). On screen-Madhubala
https://youtu.be/vHF04O-DzSY?si=Z-NwMXgWpNA0iCr8
9 Raag-Kirwani
Ajhoon Na Aaye Balama, Sawan Beeta Jaye– Saanjh Auer Savera 1962 (F), Mohd. Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur (S), Hasrat jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen –Mehmood and Shobha Khote.
https://youtu.be/CChT3Om2xAQ?si=huWT56pP5CyH0–W
10 Raag-Bhairavi
Laaga Chunri Mein Daag Chupaoon Kaise– Dil Hi To Hai 1963 (F), Manna Dey (S), Sahir Ludhianavi (L), Roshan (MD). On screen –Raj Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/gMT5-nTq5Jo?si=awyVFrloIWIJUPWP
There are many more ragas on which Hindi film songs are based, in my future blogs I will try to cover more ragas based Hindi film songs.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
22nd August 2025