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ENTERTAINMENT EYE NOVEMBER 17, 2023 | The Indian Eye 31

Aye ab ke saal Diwali:

Bollywood’s love for Festival

of Lights goes back to early days

From the 1940s to early 2000s, Bollywood films have shown and popularised various

iconic songs on the Festival of Lights

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
he festival of lights, Diwali, is
here. Some iconic Bollywood
Tscenes have become synony-
mous with the festival.
There are also many songs on
the theme of Diwali, going back all
the way to a song from the 1942 re-
leased film, Khazanchi directed by
Dilkush Pancholi. The song, Diwali
phir aa gayi sajani was sung by Sham-
shad Begum and a few others. It was
picturised on Ramola, M. Ismail, Ga-
janan Jagirdar, and Manorama. Shot
in the angan circling the Tulsi plant,
the song captures the simplistic cele-
brations of those times.
Later in the 1943 released film
called Kismet, actress Mumtaz Shan-
ti performed to the mellifluous voice
of Amirbai Karnataki’s, Ghar ghar Karan Johar’s hit film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham opens with a Diwali puja with its titular song sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
mein Diwali hai, mera ghar main
andhera. This love song composed Nowadays, this song is often used as an aarti, in joint families (File photo)
by Anil Biswas starts on a sad note
but gradually as the rendition pro- mein aayi Diwali bade chirag jale lease, had the song Lakhon taare aas- batein, Diwali signified a union
0
gresses, the transition from sadness sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Here Vai- ma mein magar, sung by evergreen which is beautifully captured in the
to happiness is elevating. This was a jayantimala sings this sad song with Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. It popular song, Pairon Mein Bandhan
very popular song in its time and is a brilliantly choreographed ‘Deep’ was picturised on Manoj Kumar and Hai. The song celebrates the spirit
considered a gem today. dance and Deepawali celebrations Mala Sinha. The song focuses on the of love and harmony on Diwali. The
Shamshad Begum and Geeta form the backdrop. Paisa, the only pining of two lovers juxtaposed with dhol beats make the song peppier
Dutt, together sang Aai hai Diwali, film directed by Prithviraj Kapoor, the festival of lights. and all the more exciting.
aai hai Diwali sakhi aai re for the film had a song, Deep jalenge deep Diwa- In the 1964 film, Haqeeqat, Karan Johar’s hit film Kabhi
Sheesh Mahal, which was released in li aayi ho sung by Geeta Dutt, while Aye ab ke saal Diwali, sung by Lata Khushi Kabhi Gham opens with a
1950. The splendid choreography on the film failed miserably at the box Mangeshkar and picturised on Priya Diwali puja with its titular song sung
the sets that represented the Sheesh office, the song was a big hit. Rajvansh, the song opens on a som- by Lata Mangeshkar. Nowadays, this
Mahal is remarkable. Director Sohr- In the late 1950s, Johnny Walk- bre note. It portrays the plight of sol- song is often used as an aarti, in joint
ab Modi captured the gay spirit of er’s popularity was such that he diers away from their families during families.
this festival with the magnificent sets would often get a song for himself the festive season while safeguarding With its appealing tune and
and the dance sequence. usually sung by Mohammad Rafi. their nation. The song is not only westernised rhythm, Yeh din jahan
There are two songs in the 1955 In the 1959 film Paigham, he sings, slow-paced but also has lots of pathos mein har kahi bharde roshni usi ke
released film, Sabse Bada Rupai- Kaise Diwali manaye hum lala, apna that effectively captures the emo- pyar ki from the 2005 released Home
ya, which speak about Diwali. One to barra mahine diwala. Sung to tions of soldiers and their families. Delivery, instantly connects you with
is Aaye Diwali ki dulhaniya sung by evoke humour, this song highlights Similarly, the 1972 film, Anurag, joyous children.
Mohammed Rafi and the other is the plight of the poor during the fes- showed how an entire neighbour- Few Diwali songs have been pic-
Is raat Diwali kaisi. One is a serious tival of lights. The song gives certain hood comes together to celebrate turised or become popular in recent
note the latter is a sort of comedy levity to the film which was otherwise Diwali to fulfil the last wish of a child years. But the golden oldies and new
picturised on Shashikala and Agha. quite serious. who suffers from cancer. hits keep the flame of Diwali burning
In the 1956 Taj, there is Jahan Hariyali Aur Rasta, the 1962 re- In Aditya Chopra’s Mohab- in our hearts.

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