‘Lawani’ Songs from Hindi Films

When the Hindi talkie films started in India, the film songs were usually based on Indian classical music. It also had an influence of musical plays that were popular those days. The result was the songs were not easy to hum and if we listen to some of the songs, they sound like a chant. As the Hindi film industry progressed and advanced in Maharashtra, it was obvious that the local folk music would enter Hindi films someday.

Lawani (लावणी) is one of the most popular folk dance form from Maharashtra. Its catchy rhythm, fast pace, graceful dance, मुद्राभिनय by the dancer made it popular. It’s usually performed on stage in a program named Tamasha (तमाशा). The artistes of the group are called ‘तमासगीर’. The group includes the dancers, singers and the musicians. Usually there is a main female dancer who takes the centre stage and the extra dancers take the second row. The crew also includes male artistes called ‌‌नाच्या or सोंगाड्या. They usually play comedy roles, but also participate in the dance.

Dholaki, Harmonium, Ghungaroo and Tabla are the minimum instruments used for it, though Sarangi, Shehnai are also used frequently.

A peculiar string instrument called, तुणतुणं  is always played in a Lawani.

The dancers wear a nine yards long saree (नऊवारी साडी), and other typical Maharashtrian jewelry like nath (नथ), bugadi (बुगडी), kolhapuri saaj (कोल्हापुरी साज), kamarpatta (कंबरपट्टा), various types of ear rings (कर्णफुले) and of course, ghungaroo (also called as ‘चाळ’ in this context) etc. Traditionally and popularly the saree from Paithan, called पैठणी is a preferred choice. The saree and the jewelry is also mentioned many times in the song.

The word Lawani is most likely derived from the word, ‘लावण्य’ which means beauty. But its exact origin is unknown.
The origin of lawani can be traced back to the medieval times. The Peshawas (पेशवे), promoted it in the form of बैठकीची लावणी to a great extent. The lawani at the time used to be a combination of Indian classical music and folk music.
The lawanis throw light on the contemporary social and cultural life of Maharashtra.
The shahirs (शाहिर) used to incorporate various subjects and sometimes contemporary political affairs in it. It is said that the lawani artistes used to travel with the troupes to the battleground, where it was presented as a part of entertainment and to boost the morals of the soldiers. Soon the culture spread to the areas of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where the sardars from Maharashtra had migrated.
Lawani is also arranged as a part of local fairs and other festivals.

The Lawani songs are usually erotic and are sung with sensuous expressions. But at the same time, the songs are full of liveliness and decency. The delicate hand and eye movements with good facial expressions make it a perfectly enjoyable dance form. Unfortunately, vulgarity and double meaning lyrics of the lawani have taken over nowadays. So the original lawani has lost his charm and लोकाश्रय (public support).

The Lawani has two forms, based on the type of performance.

1 Fadachi Lawani (फडाची लावणी)
2 Baithakichi Lawani (बैठकीची लावणी)

The first form is made immensely popular by Marathi films, which in an era used to have tamasha as a central theme. The artistes perform a dance publically on a stage along with the song. Usually the songs revolve around female beauty, a lady waiting for her prince charming, or other शृंगारिक subjects. Sometimes the song takes the form of सवाल जवाब, where one of the parties puts forth a question and the other party answers it, all musically. Such songs were common in Marathi films.

The second form is without a dance. The singer recites in a private mehfil. The expressions are conveyed mainly by singing and facial gestures. So it’s mainly about singing and there the Indian classical music comes in. Mostly the compositions are based on Thumri. The singer also has to have a basic knowledge of acting.

The shahirs of the yesteryears, who witnessed the golden period of lawani include, शाहिर रामजोशी, होनाजी बाळा, परशराम, अनंत फंदी, प्रभाकर, पठ्ठे बापुराव, etc.
It was very obvious that when Marathi films started focusing on Tamasha, the talented and prolific lyricists from, ग दि माडगूळकर, पी सावळाराम, जगदीश खेबूडकर to the lyricists of the current era like सौमित्र, गुरू ठाकूर, all greatly contributed to the Lawani songs in Marathi films.

Every मराठी माणूस gets enchanted with the opening Dholaki pieces of Lawani. The fast paced, extremely rhythmic and catchy music instantly grabs our attention.

And,

I don’t know when Lawani made its first appearance in Hindi films, but right from the early 1950s to the current decade Lawani songs have appeared on the silver screen.

My today’s attempt is to present Lawani songs from Hindi films. I’ve tried to get songs from each decade, so I’ve included the songs past 2010 as well. Come on then, let’s start the journey.

1. Dekho Aaya Yeh Kaisa Zamana – Daag (1952) Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
Usha Kiran dances to a home audience. It’s not a stage performance. She describes her experiences after visiting a big city. This Lawani is an unusual one. It talks about the society and its double standards. Not being a professional performance, she has no jewelry or a fancy sari. Just a simple attire. But she does a good job.
I don’t know if it’s the first appearance of Lawani in Hindi films. But it’s the oldest song on today’s list.

2. Achhi Surat Ya Hui Musibat – Pehli Jhalak (1954) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
A delightful Lawani by Vaijayanti Mala. A stage performance that speaks about the cons of being a good looking young girl. The rhythm is quite sober, Dholaki and tabla are much softer than a typical Lawani. Chitalkar’s own style also shows itself. Vaijayanti Mala in typical Maharashtrian नऊवारी साडी and the jewelry looks absolutely lovely.

3. Meri Aur Unki Preet Purani – Chand Aur Suraj (1965) Asha Bhosle / Salil Choudhari – Shailendra
I came across the song when I was researching for Asha Bhosle songs by Salil Choudhary. Madhumati dances gracefully and talks about her beloved in Mumbai. Though not a great song, it fits perfectly.

4. Main to Chhail Chhabili Naar – Sant Dnyaneshwar (1964) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Bharat Vyas
It was one of the earlier movies, Laxmikant Pyarelal composed for. It was a religious movie, and the duo composed excellent songs. It’s worth noting that though Bharat Vyas was typecast for such kinds of movies, he penned a wonderful Lawani. Madhumati dancing very gracefully in a perfect Lawani attire. Her movements are beautiful and apt for it. It seems the Lawani found its place in the film owing to the Maharashtrian backdrop of the story.

5. Pehen Ke Main Nau Gaz Ki Sadi – Narad Leela (1972) Mubarak Begum / Narayan Dutt – Madan Bharati
Tuntun is trying to distract a sage, who’s in penance. She looks very funny in the sari. The sage gets irritated and tries to run away from her. It’s fun watching. I don’t know why the song is composed in Lawani style! After all, it’s a mythological movie.
I know it’s not a well known film, and I’m not familiar with the song either. But I came across it while I was researching for the Mubarak Begum post. Not an impressive song, I agree. But fits here.

6. Pyar Mein Tere Main Duniya Bhool Gayi – Shirdi Ke Saibaba (1977) Asha Bhosle / Pandurang Dixit – Dev Kishan
A good Lawani, sung by Asha Bhosle, performed by Marathi actress, Usha Chavan. Sachin Pilgaonkar has played quite the opposite of his regular screen image. I think being a Maharashtra based movie, that too with a rural background, the Lawani made its appearance. Otherwise, why should there be a Lawani in a religious movie?

7. Tu Aisa Kaisa Mard – Akrosh (1980) Madhuri Purandare / Ajit Verman – Vasant Dev
A lot of Marathi actors in the song. I had never thought of Reema Lagu as a Lawani dancer. But for a Maharashtrian story, a Lawani song is most welcome. The lyrics are very clearly a bit OTT. I was rather uncomfortable listening to it with family. But Lawani is known to have such kind of lyrics as most of the audience finds it pleasing to their senses. Reema Lagu dances well though she appears a bit conscious about her dance steps.

8. Laungi Mirach Main Kolhapur Ki – Ashanti (1982) Asha Bhosle & Lata Mangeshkar / R D Burman – Anand Bakshi
A completely enjoyable Lawani. It has all the elements for a perfect Lawani. A perfect orchestration and a perfect rendition. Asha adds words like, दाजिबा, पाव्हनं that gives it a perfect Marathi touch.
It’s a usual thing to find Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi in a dance performance. But Shabana Aazmi and dance, that too a Lawani. It does sound interesting. Isn’t it?

9. Main Kolhapur se Aayi Hoon – Anjaam (1994) Sadhna Sargam / Anand Milind – Sameer
Shah Rukh attends a stage performance, but imagines Madhuri as the dancer. His mind is completely occupied with her thoughts.
The song was quite popular during its release. No wonder when beautiful Madhuri Dixit dances to a Lawani, that is so well choreographed it has to get acclaimed! It’s sung perfectly by Sadhna Sargam and well arranged as far as the orchestration is concerned. Enjoy the song. I’m glad her costume and the dance steps are good and not vulgar.

10. Mala Jaau De – Ferrari Ki Sawari (2012) Urmila Dhangar / Pritam – Guru Thakur
A total dhamal Lawani known for its perfect rendition by Urmila Dhangar and crisp dance by Vidya Balan.

I want to mention a couple of Lawani songs, where the video of the song is not available, but the songs are evidently Lawani.

11. Chahe Lakh Zamana Roke – Chandan (1958) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishan
A good Lawani song, but in the absence of the video, has to be enjoyed just as an audio.

12. Saaf Karo Insaaf Karo – Aashirwad (1968) Asha Bhosle, Hemlata, Ashok Kumar, Harindranath Chatopadhyay & Chorus / Vasant Desai – Gulzar
A perfect example of सवाल जवाब Lawani. I dare say, it’s never boring even though ten minutes long. This type is extremely popular in Marathi films as well.
I remember watching the video of the song a couple of years back, though the video is not available as of today. Leela Gandhi, a popular Marathi actress, known for her dance, appears in the song.

Some of the Hindi film songs open in a perfect Lawani style, but later turn into either a routine film song or another form of song. Or the song sounds like a Lawani, but not at all picturised as one. The prime examples of such songs are,

13. Dhitang Dhitang Bole – Aawaz (1956) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Salil Choudhary – Prem Dhawan
The song opens with an excellent Dholaki piece in exact Lawani style. But the song later transforms into a koli geet. The transition is a smooth one. Though a typical Maharashtrian folk flavour accompanies it throughout, it never sounds like a Lawani thereafter.

And,

14. Kaisi Yeh Mohabbat Ki Sazaa – Jhanak Jhanak Paayal Baje (1955) Lata Mangeshkar / Vasant Desai – Hasrat Jaipuri
The film obviously has no scope for a Lawani. But the structure and instrumental arrangements of the song are very similar to a Lawani. It has an unmistakable aroma of Maharashtrian folk music. Sandhya’s dance in her own style adds pleasure too. When I heard the song for the first time, I imagined it as a Lawani, though it’s a routine dance performance in the movie.

Or some of the Hindi film songs take a course of Lawani song without a proper Lawani style opening or picturisation.

15. Chhed Na Sajna Kuchh To Samajhna – Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) Suman Kalyanpur & Chorus / Kalyanji Anandji – Akhtar Romani
It was the debut film of Dharmendra. Kumkum was his co-star. The song mixes a few Indian folk styles, Lawani being one of them. The opening lines of the song are sung in Lawani style, with a typical Dholaki rhythm. Kumkum and the other dancers also wear a नऊवारी साडी, and dance gracefully. The song maintains perfect decency. The dance steps are also good and some of those are like Lawani dance.

Would you add songs to the list?

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.