My Favourite ‘EYE’ Songs

Black, large eyes have been equated with female beauty. Eyes and its charms form a major part of hindi songs. There always have been songs that tell a tale about beautiful eyes of woman, and how influential they can be! There are hundreds of songs depicting ‘Her’ eyes and their effects on ‘Him’. Another interesting phenomenon is ‘the meeting of hero-heroines eyes’’ and the songs related to it! I’m going to post songs on this theme soon.
Eyes have also been a favourite topic in Urdu poetry and Ghazals, where different moods, from romantic to blue, have been described by poets.
Madhubala, Nutan had very lively, eloquent eyes that used to say a lot without uttering a word !

Sadhna also had really beautiful eyes, alas, she fell prey to thyroid disease that ruined their charm forever.

Today I am presenting a list of songs that describe a certain quality of the eyes, it can be romantic, naughty, sad, quiet, magical, frightened or just beautiful!
The song in full or in some length should describe that quality of the eyes.

The songs having mere mention of eyes (let it be naina, aankhen, nayan, akhiyan, nigahein etc.) are not included. And as usual, all the songs are from hindi films from pre 1970s era.
The songs are in no particular order.
So let your ‘eager eyes’ follow……………………………..

1. Yeh Nayan Dare Dare- Kohra (1963) Hemant Kumar / Hemant Kumar- Shakil Badayuni
A soft, romantic song. He mentions her eyes to be ‘Jaam Se Bhare’ and she herself the most beautiful, and her love even more beautiful of all. One of my favourite Hemant Kumar songs. His deep sombre voice and Wahida Rehman make the song sensuous. But Biswajit looks really funny with that mustache!

2. Dekho Jadu Bhare More Nain- Aasman (1952) Geeta Dutt / O P Nayyar- Prem Dhawan
O P Nayyar’s first film as a music director. Geeta Dutt was his main singer for the film. A classical based song, rather rare for Geeta Dutt (Another in her voice being ‘Baat Chalat Nayi Chunari’ from Ladki – 1953) As compared to her song from Ladki, this song is sung beautifully.

3. Matwali Aankhon Wale- Chhote Nawab (1961) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / R D Burman- Shailendra
A catchy dance number from R D’s first musical venture. Helen undoubtedly steals the show, though sung wonderfully, and well written. A notable fact is that, the songs became popular, but R D Burman never worked again with Shailendra. But his association with Burman da continued as usual. The tune is very addictive and you keep on humming it for the whole day. The word Matwala literally means Drunk, but in general the word is used in a transferred sense in hindi songs, for someone who is a free spirit, someone who doesn’t care a lot for things and does what he/she wishes to. 

4. Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen- Safar (1970) Kishore Kumar / Kalyanji Anandji- Indeevar
I personally like Kishore Kumar in pre-Aradhana era than post. This happens to be a borderline song, one of the popular Rajesh Khanna-KK Combo songs. I also like the sketches of Sharmila Togore’s Eyes in this song. (Does anyone know the actual artist?). Her eyes being really lovely and lively, the lyrics suit perfectly. He asks himself,’ how would anyone either paint or write about her beautiful eyes, colours or words are not enough!’ (Oh, my English vocabulary, please excuse!)

5. Nain Tumhare Mazedar O Janabe Ali- Jungli (1961) Asha Bhosle & Mukesh / Shankar Jaikishan- Hasrat Jaipuri
A funny & romantic song picturised on Shashikala & Anup Kumar.
Her Strict brother is against this meeting. They meet each other secretly. A usual romantic song, with an unusual word ‘Mazedar’ in its lyrics. The rest of the song deals with usual story of a couple in love, facing various difficulties.

6. Koi Tikhi Tikhi Aankhon Ke Isharon Se- Gambler (1960) Lata Mangeshkar / Chitragupt-Prem Dhawan
A typical Chitragupt song by orchestration and tune. Of course Lata creates wonders even with the simple tune. Chitragupt has used similar tunes before, still every time the tune appears fresh and catchy. You just can’t get enough of his Lata solos. This song depicts the effects of his ‘spicy hot’ eyes on her mind. She has lost peace of mind in a dreamy romantic way, although she has gained everything she wanted from her life.

7. Dukhiyare Naina Dhoonde Piya Ko- Nirmohi (1952) Lata Mangeshkar / Madanmhoan-Indeevar
A song full of sorrow. Poignant lyrics by Indeevar. The eyes are waiting for her love, very impressive metaphor about the eyes being lamps along the path of her love. But he is still missing and now her life itself appears to have been caught in fire.

8. Haye Re Tere Chanchal Nainwa- Oonche Log (1965) Lata Mangeshkar / Chitragupt- Majrooh
For a change, a song sung for ‘His’ eyes. Second Lata solo with Chitragupt on the list. Very attractive and romantic description of the eyes being very expressive, he says nothing but his eyes do the job just fine. Nothing more to say about the song. Just listen and enjoy! I was a bit disappointed after watching the video, as this wasn’t my imagination. A song being played on radio! (oh! a new theme) Though he imagines her face somewhere in between the song and sings along with her.

9. Teri Chamkati Aankhon Ke Aage- Chhote Babu (1957) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat / Madanmohan- Rajendra Krishan
This film was produced by actor Shekhar, under the banner ‘Movie Stars’ The song is a soft, romantic song about being in love and the companionship that the couple share! They are not bothered about the world or any obstacle, as their togetherness in enough to overcome it all.

10. Bahot Khubsurat Hai Aankhen Tumhari- Sushila (1963) Rafi & Mubaraq Begum / C Arjun-Jaan Nisar Akhtar
A romantic duet in Sawal-Jawab fashion. Mubaraq Begum’s crisp stern still soft voice is the main attraction of the song. The lyrics are romantic and the singers make it a masterpiece.

And now a Bonus Song

§§ Kajarari Matwari Madbhari Do Aankhiyan- Nau Bahar (1952) Rajkumari / Roshan- Shailendra §§

A completely mesmerizing song by Rajkumari. She was Roshan’s favourite and he gave her nice and melodious songs even after introduction of Lata Mangeshkar. The lyrics, the dance, rendition by Rajkumari, all are just superb! A mujra song that describes the eyes romantically, various metaphors are adorably used by lyricist. Enjoy the song!

 

Which of your favourite ‘Eye’ song would you add?

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.