A splash of abeer and gulal, litres of water - coloured or plain, a slew of your favourite mithais and savouries and a bit of bhang if you are the adventurous sort. Tick all these boxes and one is set for an elaborate celebration on Holi which will still be incomplete without one essential component – Hindi songs to groove on.
As it is no Indian festival is complete without songs. Bollywood too has gone overboard to have a song for every mood, occasion, and celebration. So, how could it miss the festival of colours which gives it a ready-made opportunity for the hero and heroine to romance, flirt, and express their feelings with gay abandon? Generally, Holi songs are high-energy, racy-pacy, upbeat and happy numbers.
While there cannot be a top 5 or 10 list as it is a case of to-each-his-own, here is an attempt to give you a lowdown to pick your own favourites and have it as a playlist.
Rang Barse (Silsila)
The casting of ‘Silsila’ is what makes this love triangle stand out in the crowd. Rumours swirling around Amitabh-Rekha as a couple have never quite died down. When this movie was made, they were at their peak. Hence, when we see Amitabh who is married to Jaya Bachchan in reel and real-life openly flirting with Rekha on screen in the song, everything becomes so believable immediately. The chemistry is impeccable and unmatchable. The love seems too real than an enacted one.
‘Rang Barse, Bheegi Chunarwali Rang Barse…’, penned by none other than Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan, comes at a very crucial juncture in the movie. Both Jaya and Sanjeev Kumar, the onscreen spouses of Amitabh and Rekha have long been suspecting their intimacy. The song was sung by Amitabh himself lending a personal touch to its rendition. The way Amitabh openly woos Rekha just confirms their worst fears and the stage is set for a heavy-duty emotional climax.
Holi songs will come and go, but none can match the mood and masti of ‘Rang Barse…’
Holi Ke Din (Sholay)
It is generally believed that, ‘Holi Ke Din Dil Khil Jaate Hain…’ was the most expensive Holi song shot till that point in time. Just note the expanse of this song. It’s not shot in some obscure farmhouse or a lane. But the entire village forms the backdrop immediately catapulting the scale of the song and living up to the true spirit of the festival that it has to be celebrated with all. Gabbar says one of his famous dialogues, “Holi Kab Hai?” and next you have another couple known for their chemistry, Dharmendra-Hema Malini drenched in colours. R. D. Burman had composed the song written by Anand Bakshi. The song also features Jaya Bachchan briefly sporting a white saree and a sad face. Indeed, a song full of colours.
Aaj Na Chhodenge (Kati Patang)
Widows in Hindi movies wear white sarees as a rule. This white colour has been contrasted well in the Holi song in ‘Kati Patang’. Asha Parekh is pretending to be a widow and wants to stick to all societal norms. Hence, she is a mute spectator to Holi celebrations wherein Rajesh Khanna is trying to woo her by singing, “Aaj na chhodenge bas humjoli, Khelenge hum holi…”…The song has a sad interlude in which Asha Parekh is lamenting her fate. Towards the end of the song, in a gesture laden with symbolism, Rajesh pulls Asha into the singing and dancing crowd and the widowed heroine, sporting a spotless white saree, is smeared with colours. The colours mark the return of life in her life.
Arre Jaa Re Hat Natkhat (Navrang)
It would have only been a surprise had the movie named after colours would not had a song on Holi. Jokes apart, the song from ‘Navrang’ is a tribute to the dancing prowess of one of the best dancers Bollywood has ever seen, Sandhya. Directed by her husband, legendary V. Shantaram, the movie was released in 1959. The song begins with what you today call a rap. It’s a ched-chad song filmed against a backdrop of a huge idol of Lord Ganesha. The song is a visual treat as we see Sandhya dancing both as a man and a woman at the same time with the help of a mask. She even makes an elephant dance later. Towards the end of the over seven minutes long song, almost two minutes are dedicated to Sadhya’s dance. Don't miss the pichkaris strapped to her body.
Apne Hi Rang Mein (Akhir Kyon?)
A wonderful movie headlined by iconic Smita Patil has one of the best Holi songs - ‘Apne hi rang mein rang de mujko...yaad rahegi holi re...’. Just like ‘Silsila’, here too a love triangle is happening. Rakesh Roshan is married to Smita Patil. Her sister Tina Munim is currently staying with them as Smita Patil is on the family way. This gives the opportunity to both Rakesh Roshan and Tina Munim to have an affair. Against this backdrop comes this song, where both Smita and Tina are singing the same lines, but its meaning differs depending upon who is singing it. While the scale of the song is not magnanimous, the undercurrent created through the lyrics is palpable.
Other memorable numbers
Holi Aayee Re Kanhaai… from ‘Mother India’
Holi Khele Raghuveera Awadh Mein… from Baghban
Ang Se Ang Lagaana Sakhiri…. From ‘Darr’
Holi Aayee, Holi Aayee, Dekho Holi Aayee Re… from ‘Mashaal’
Phaagun Aayo Re… from ‘Phagun’
Do me a favour, Let’s play Holi… from Waqt
Balam Pichakari Jo Tune Maari… from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani
