Heroine introduces herself!

Last month I published a song list, ‘Hero introduces himself’. There were comments mentioning similar songs picturised on the heroine. I took it as a suggestion and started working along the lines.
There have been songs in Hindi films where the heroine speaks about herself or she is introduced on the screen with the song. In the latter context as well, some of the songs describe the character she is playing. But more commonly she would sing about her feelings of tender youth and longing for a mate. So most of the songs would not actually speak about the character, she is playing. A few songs like Kanton Se Khinch Ke from Guide, O Beqarar Dil from Kohra, Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha from Anupama or Naina Barse Rimjhim from Woh Kaun Thi, do speak about the inner self of the woman or the deeper feelings of the character. But the songs appear too late in the movie to call them ‘the introductory songs’. By that time we already know the depth of the character. This is of course my perspective of looking at it.

I must say that most of the songs on today’s list talk about the tender feelings of a young girl as she enters youth. Most of the songs are picturised on the heroine at her first appearance on the screen. That’s why I’ve included those songs on the list. But I did find a few songs that could actually be called the introductory songs.

The post emerged from the comments by Mr Rangan and Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh. Both of them had suggested a song each, and I’m including both the songs on my list. I take this opportunity to thank them.

So here’s the song list, ten songs, that introduce the heroine on the screen. It’s a common practice in Hindi films for heroes or heroines to enter the film singing merrily. As usual all the songs are from pre-70s Hindi films and in no particular order.

1. Aaja Re Pardesi Main To Kab Se – Madhumati (1958) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Chowdhury – Shailendra
The song was mentioned by Mr Rangan in his comments. Though it is a perfectly normal song it does have a touch of haunting. Though the character singing it is not a ghost or a spirit, the lyrics also add a different dimension when she sings,
“तुमसंग जनम जनम के फेरे
भूल गये क्यूँ साजन मेरे
तडपत हूॅं मैं सांझ सवेरे”
Vaijayanti Mala sings it amidst beautiful nature. Anand (Dilip Kumar) watches Madhu (Vaijayanti Mala playing a village belle) as she appears and disappears in the fog and mist. He at once gets intrigued and attracted to her, though from a distance he doesn’t see her face clearly. The song however creates a perfect atmosphere for a story based on supernatural and reincarnation. And no need to mention, a perfectly rendered song by Lata Mangeshkar and an immortal melody by Salil Chowdhury. Surely one of their best together.

2. Main Natkhat Ek Kali – Do Behne (1959) Lata Mangeshkar / Vasant Desai – Majrooh
I take it as a perfect example of an introductory song. The film opens with the song and highlights the characters of the twin sisters played by Shyama. There’s a huge difference between the two of them. One is bubbly and lively, wearing western clothes, while the other is a bit demure but simple and gentle, wearing traditional Indian wear. The difference is shown very efficiently by the changing tempo of the song, so also by its style. The western style vs traditional Indian classical style. The song was introduced to this song by Dustedoff during the early months of my blog, when she added the song to one of the lists. I thank her for that.

3. Main Hoon Bharat Ki Naar – Ladki (1953) Lata Mangeshkar / R Sudarsanam & Dhani Ram – Rajendra Krishan
In contrast to the other songs on the list, Vaijayanti Mala not only fearlessly rides a horse but also warns of her physical abilities and adds that no one should mistake her as a frail woman. She calls herself a lightning.
“मैं हूॅं झांसी की शमशीर
मैं हूॅं अर्जुन का तीर
मैं सीता का वरदान
दे सकती हूॅं बलिदान
मैं भीम की हूॅं झंकार
लडने मरने को तैयार
मुझे समझो ना कमजोर”
That’s very interesting! And her attire and accessories also support her image of a strong girl. She announces herself a true warrior of the nation. The song was mentioned by Mr Arunkumar Deshmukh in his comments.
The jukebox mentions the composers separately for each song. A few songs were composed actually by C Ramchandra, though the credits don’t mention him.

4. Koi Nahi Hai Phir Bhi Hai – Patthar Ke Sanam (1966) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Majrooh
A similar song picturised on another village girl, this time, the beautiful Waheeda Rehman, disclosing the tender feelings of her heart. There’s no one there, but her heart longs for an unknown! Picturised on the backdrop of beautiful picturesque nature, the song is pleasing to the eyes as well. Please follow the link to watch the video.

5. Mat Ja Mat Ja Mere Bachpan – Chhoti Si Mulaqaat (1967) Asha Bhosle / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
The film starts with the childhood of the leading pair. The story takes melodramatic turns and finally Yogita Bali, who plays Vaijayanti Mala as a child, turns young. As a young girl, she experiences many unexplained feelings. She wonders about them. She wants her childhood to stay for a while, whereas the latter bids farewell to her.
A very catchy tune and enjoyable rhythm. Asha has rendered it so perfectly that you keep on humming it for the whole day. In opposition to the other similar songs, which are picturised on outdoor locations, this one takes place in the girl’s own spacious room. No hills, tall trees or lakes. I was expecting a cute teddy bear, but it never came.

6. Ja Ja Ja Mere Bachpan – Junglee (1961) Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
While Vaijayanti Mala wants her childhood to be around with her, Saira Banu is ready to say bye-bye to it. She wants it to hide away and she’s preparing herself for the upcoming storm of emotions. Saira Banu in her debut film manages to impress the audience, though she is not my favourite.
All these songs have such a lovely landscape, a cute lamb or a rabbit and a lively presence of a beautiful girl.

7. Ruk Ja Ae Hawa – Shagird (1967) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Majrooh
Such introductory songs were much common with Laxmikant Pyarelal’s earlier films. These songs have excellent orchestration and catchy rhythm by percussion instruments. The song is a perfect example of it. Also for a change, even if it’s an introductory song, it doesn’t talk about her feelings of youth. Instead she talks to mother nature as her friend. That’s quite a refreshing change.

8. Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke – Bees Saal Baad (1963) Lata Mangeshkar / Hemant Kumar – Shakeel Badayuni
A very cute song, with graceful Waheeda Rehman playfully roaming around on beautiful mountains. She childishly breaks pots, women carrying on their heads, disarrays clothes kept near the river by the women swimming in the river. She is excited about her new feelings, though a bit of nervousness is also apparent.

9. Oonche Himalay Ke Neeche – Himalay Ki Goad Mein (1965) Lata Mangeshkar / Kalyanji Anandji – Anand Bakshi
A song that introduces the beautiful village girl, Mala Sinha. Her character of an innocent village girl gets enhanced by the song and it also speaks about the feelings of a young girl who dreams of her prince charming. A particular difference from other songs is that one of her friends, played by Jeevankala, not only dances but also sings with her. And another playback singer is not called in. I always wonder why most of the Hindi film young girls talk only about their dreams about a lover. None of them ever dreams of her bright career or a similar thing.

10. Bijli Main To Hoon Bijli – Chanda Aur Bijli (1969) Asha Bhosle / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
And to end the list, I’ve Padmini dancing and singing on the streets of Mumbai. She plays a street dancer who manages to mesmerize the audience so that other members of her troup do their job of pickpocketing. Not a particularly good song, but fits the theme. The film had an offbeat theme, and Padmini’s character plays a central role in the movie. In that sense, she is the heroine of the film, otherwise the film has no conventional lead pair or a budding love story.

Would you like to add a song?

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.