Top Five Holi Songs We Never Forget

By Priyaankaa Mathur

Celebrations are perhaps a part of the Indian lifestyle and Bollywood is no exception in celebrating the Indian cultural ethos in full fervour. With the Festival of colours ‘Holi’,

just around the corner Filmi files brings you the top 5 Holi songs that we can’t do without listening to during Holi festivities this year.

The tradition of playing colours on Holi draws its roots from Vrindavan which is attributed to the romance of Radha and Krishna. As per a legend Krishna was jealous of Radha’s complexion,he being very dark, and so in a mischievous mood he coloured Radha’s face.From there began the tradition of applying colour on one’s beloved which has been religiously followed since ages.

The festival of Holi brings joy of romance between a couple on one hand to the feeling of longing for one’s beloved when the lovers fail to meet.All these emotions have been beautifully captured in some of the most popular Hindi film songs. Here’s a glimpse…

Piya Tose Naina Lage Re (Guide)

Although this song from Guide is not an out and out Holi song, who can forget the depiction of Holi in this song, while the veteran actress Vahida Rehmanji danced elegantly on the lines ‘Ayi Hori Ayi, Sab Rang Layi, Bin there Hori Bhi Na bhaai’…Portraying a nayika in love, who complaints to her beloved how she missed him during the festivities, as without him even Holi seemed colourless to her. Written by Shailendra, composed by S D Burman the song has been an all-time favourite Holi song, rendered by Lataji in her silken voice.

Rang Barse (Silsila)

Considered the most romantic Holi song ever ‘Rang Barse’ from the film Silsila,brought to light the reel life chemistry between Amitabh Bacchan and Rekha, after their much-hyped real-life love rumours. Amitabh Bachchan sang the song in his perfectly drunken voice, written by his father Harivansh Rai Bachhan, while the classical musician’s Shiv Kumar Sharma and Hari Prasad Chaurasia, who were then known as the Duo Shiv-Hari gave the music. The song became a mega-hit of its time and rules chartbusters till today.

Aaj Na Chhodenge…Khelenge Hum Holi(Kati Patang)

This song from the film Kati Patang touches a sensitive chord, while it merges sorrow with glee. Composed by R.D.Burman and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, the song was a blockbuster of its time. Showcasing Rajesh Khanna in his peak days, who’s shown as a happy go lucky, joyous guy soaked in colour, in sharp contrast with Asha Parekh a deserted young widow in white saree. The song blends pathos with its Shehnai pieces intervened with Lataji’s deep voice combined with Kishore Kumar’s joyous touch, while they both celebrate Holi, the festival which brings hope to life!

Balam Pichkari – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Another blockbuster Holi song which you can’t miss this Holi is this Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor-starrer which depicts total Jamaal of Holi, while they drench each other in colour and dance in ecstatic fervour. Composed by Pritam Chakraborty, rendered in full swing and powerful energy by Shalmali Kholgade and Vishal Dadlani ,this song is a foot thumping dance number. The song is an adaptation of a folk tune turned into a party song,with an addictive arrangement, that doesn’t allow you to stop grooving.

‘Holi Aayi Re’ Padmavat

This list cannot be complete without this traditional Holi from the film Padmaavat, sung by Richa Sharma in her deep honey-dipped voice in Raga Miyan Malhar amalgamated with an interlude of traditional Rajasthani folk of Manganiyars and Langa’s of Rajasthan. composed by Sanjay Leela Bansali,the larger than life grand Holi song showcases the royal romance between Queen Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) and King Raja Rawal Singh (Shahid Kapoor). At first, the Queen in her playful mood throws colour on the king and then touches his feet, while the king reciprocates, as a mark of respect and equality to his beloved Queen, giving a very strong message. The song is indeed a must-listen for all those who are connoisseurs of rich folk and classical music of this country, which certainly needs a deep understanding and a rich taste, which can be eventually developed in the new generation too.