Children’s Day is celebrated across India to increase awareness of the rights, care and education of children. It is celebrated on 14 November every year as a tribute to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly known as ‘Chacha Nehru’ among children.
In different countries the day is different.
I was planning this post as well for quite a long time. But I don’t actually make a schedule in writing that makes me forget important days quite often. This time as well, I started writing another post which I was planning to schedule on the 13th of this month and the date fortunately reminded me of this theme.
Children’s songs had been a part of Hindi film songs for a long time. They used to be plenty in the golden era, and slowly became less common by the 90s to almost disappear by now.
When I started looking for the songs, I could divide them in three distinct categories (Yes! you guessed it right, it means three posts in the series).
The first one is songs sung by children on screen, that is they lip sync to it. The adults, if they share the screen, do not sing at all.
The second one is songs sung by an adult character along with the child, it can be a duet or otherwise. The children might take part as chorus in a few songs and the song then could be a solo as well.
The third one is where the children adopt a passive role and these are the songs sung to or addressed to a child / children. But the child doesn’t sing at all in the song.
I’ll obviously present these in three separate posts.
Today’s part focuses on the first category. The child or children should lip sync to the song entirely with no adult character singing together.
So here we go. This time I’ve somehow managed to keep it short. The original long list had around 15+ songs. Now it has 12 songs.
We will come across happy songs, sad songs, songs on streets, songs in schools and songs while playing etc. We will witness a few other scenarios as well. More about them in relevant songs. A common factor in most of the songs is their innocence, the simplicity with which they act. It’s wonderful!
Let’s visit the list now. …
1. Udan Khatole Pe Ud Jaaun – Anmol Ghadi (1946) Zohrabai Ambalewali & Shamshad Begum / Naushad – Tanveer Naqvi
The song is picturised on Noor (Actress Shakil’s sister and Johnny Walker’s wife) and N Kabir, who play childhood roles of Noorjahan and Surendra respectively. They are good friends and spend most of the time together playing. They can be said to be in love actually, as portrayed in a few Hindi films. But she’s a daughter of a government officer, belonging to an affluent class, while he’s poor. The fact, well portrayed by the girl riding a beautiful tonga, while the boy runs after rolling a hoop, managing to keep the pace with that of the tonga.
Shamshad Begum sings for Noor and Zohrabai Ambalewali for N Kabir. Though the song is overshadowed by the Noorjahan and Suriya solos from the movie, it’s one of my favourites.
2. Bachpan Ke Din Bhoola Na Dena – Deedar (1951) Shamshad Begum & Lata Mangeshkar / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
The song is much in the same lines as the first one. The childhood lovers are played by Parikshit Sahni and a cute looking Baby Tabassum, who would grow up to be Dilip Kumar and Nargis respectively. Here again, Nargis is the daughter of a rich man, while Dilip Kumar is the son of his employee, underlining the difference between their financial states. His mother doesn’t approve of their friendship and advises him against it. Both of them ride a horse and sing this beautiful song. Lata Mangeshkar sings for Tabassum while Shamshad Begum’s thick voice suits Parikshit Sahni. The film is full of wonderful melodies and this song is again one of my favourites.
3. Bade Bhaiya Laye Hain – Ek Hi Raasta (1956) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / Hemant Kumar – Majrooh
From childhood lovers, let’s get on with a children’s party. Baby Naaz announces the arrival of her elder brother with a girl from London and asks if they too can have fair brides for themselves please! It is fun to watch and listen to. Her friends describe themselves as incomplete without a wife and they are suffering without her.
4. Nani Teri Morni Ko – Masoom (1960) Ranu Mukherjee / Hemant Kumar – Sahir
A cute song picturised on even more cute Honey Irani. The singer, Ranu Mukherjee is Hemant Kumar’s daughter and she was quite small when she sang it, as apparent from her pronunciation. And it makes the lyrics sound more cute and appealing. It was Hemant Kumar’s only song for the movie and the other songs were composed by Robin Banerjee.
I was lost in the cuteness of Honey Irani all these years, who appears to recite the song to her mother and others. But a few months back, on dustedoff, I came across the real situation in the song, which was not at all cute!
5. Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon – Son of India (1963) Shanti Mathur / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
Time for a patriotic song. The song is picturised on Sajid Khan, adopted son of renowned director, Mehboob Khan. Sajid Khan however couldn’t have a long and successful career in Hindi films. The singer, Shanti Mathur, must be in her 80s now. Let’s hope she’s in good health.
The song is still quite popular and used to air frequently on Doordarshan. So I feel nostalgic. I still get goosebumps after listening to it.
6. Dadi Amma Dadi Amma Maan Jao – Gharana (1961) Asha Bhosle & Kamal Barot / Ravi – Rajendra Krishan
Lalita Pawar plays a dominating mother in the movie, as usual and she’s angry. Her grandchildren, played by Moppet Raju and Randeep, however seem more resolute and they sing this cute song to coax her. They tease her, make faces at her and how long could she have resisted! Finally she gives in.
7. Ek Paise Ka Hai Sawaal – Ganga Ki Lehren (1964) Usha Mangeshkar & Chorus / Chitragupt – Majrooh
Not everyone is blessed with a happy, safe and healthy childhood. Here’s an unfortunate child played by Master Shahid, who is with other children on the banks of the Ganges. It’s a beggar’s song with heart touching lyrics. Savitri is seen in the end sympathizing with the kid and offering him money.
8. Tumhi Ho Mata Pita Tumhi Ho – Main Chup Rahungi (1964) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Chitragupt – Rajendra Krishan
Yet another situation. A small boy, an orphan played by Babloo, sings this Bhajan. It’s based on “त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव
त्वमेव बंधुश्च सखा त्वमेव”
The main lead was played by Meena Kumari and Sunil Dutt. I was emotional watching the innocent boy. The film featured a few wonderful melodies, composed by Chitragupt. While all of us love the romantic duets by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, this soulful bhajan by Lata Mangeshkar is also excellent.
9. Maa Mujhe Apne Aanchal Mein – Chhota Bhai (1966) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
The song belongs to the earlier years of Laxmikant Pyarelal, when they haven’t yet achieved fame and popularity. The film has Rehman, Nutan as her wife and Master Mahesh (Mahesh Kothare) as his younger brother. The film revolves around the relationship between Nutan and Master Mahesh. Though she is not his real mother, she is more than a mother to him. The song has simple yet touching lyrics. Mahesh, wandering about on the streets, and outskirts of the town, searching and finding her, sings the song.
10. Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka – Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) Lata Mangeshkar / R D Burman – Anand Bakshi
The film is perhaps remembered more for the song, Dum Mero Dum. But in addition to it, the film had the tandem song by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. The female version is lip-synched by Master Satyajit, who plays the childhood role of Dev Anand. Baby Guddi, playing the childhood role of Zeenat Aman, is his sister, whom the song is addressed to. It’s certainly one of my favourites from the movie and was sure to find a place on today’s list. One can’t help feeling sorry for the poor kid, played by Guddi.
11. Masterji Ki Aa Gayi Chithhi – Kitaab (1977) Padmini Kolhapure, Shivangi Kolhapure & Chorus / R D Burman – Gulzar
Oh! What fun! We have a song in school itself! It seems the kids have an off period and there’s no one around. The children let their hair down. The main kid in the song is Master Raju, who wears goggles, and all let their imagination fly wild. The theme is a letter received by the teacher and its contents. Padmini Kolhapure has sung a few more songs in Hindi films. Shivangi, her sister is married to Shakti Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor is their daughter.
12. Lakdi Ki Kathi – Masoom (1983) Vanita Mishra, Gurpreet Kaur and Gauri Bapat / R D Burman – Gulzar
The song was very popular during my childhood days and I still like it. In contrast to most of the songs on today’s list, the singers of this one are kids. It is picturised on Urmila Matondkar, Jugal Hansraj and Aradhana. Urmila went on to become a top heroine as an adult, but Jugal Hansraj wasn’t very successful as a main lead in Hindi films.
I’m sure there are more songs fitting the theme. I’ve not touched the ones from the 90s and beyond. Which song would you add keeping in mind the theme?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
