(Part I) Songs with ‘Train Rhythm’

First of all, let me thank all the readers for responding positively and energetically to the theme. It encouraged me a lot. As it was a commonplace theme, I was a little hesitant, but still I decided to go for it. As I have already pointed out, the songs which are picturised on a running train would feature on the lists of the forthcoming parts.

But there’s still a catch. When I started collecting the songs I could find a lot of songs and wanted to sort them out in an easily appreciable way. When I had a closer look, I found a way to sort it out. While a number of songs were picturised on a running train, some songs were supported by a train rhythm, while some were not. So I thought that’s the way to divide the songs into two broad categories.

And as the number of songs in each category was still huge, I decided to further subdivide. Today’s post will focus on the black and white Hindi film songs that are picturised on a running train and also have a train rhythm to assist.

I’m sure you must have thought of your own list and would have added a few to fit today’s list. I tried to select the songs that have the train rhythm throughout or at least for a majority of the length of the song. In this way, I dropped a few songs. Some had the train rhythm only in the beginning (for example, Aurton Ke Dabbe Mein Mard Aa Gaya from Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh), while in some of the songs, the actor / actress singing the song leaves the train (for example, Pyar Baantate Chalo from Hum Sab Ustad Hai or Mujhe Apna Yaar Banalo from Boyfriend). Also I tried selecting songs with obviously audible train rhythm in most of the songs. So you may not find a few of otherwise obvious songs on the list.

Without further ado, let’s visit the list. The songs are in no particular order,

1. Aayi Bahar Aaj Aayi Bahar – Doctor (1941) Pankaj Mullick & Chorus / Pankaj Mullick – Arzoo Lucknowi
It’s a pleasant song to listen to. And I was surprised to see it actually picturised on a real location. Many of the songs even in the late 50s appear to have been shot at a studio, and later superimposed on a suitable background. The hero is standing on the foot-board of the train compartment. Though it’s not a good idea to travel like that, it’s okay for a film song. The rhythm is quite clearly audible throughout the song. While the film had the first Hindi film song with a tonga rhythm, it perhaps also had the first Hindi film song with a train rhythm. At least it seems so. Experts please throw light on the issue.

2. Dhak Dhak Karti Chali – Dilruba (1950) Geeta Dutt / Gyan Dutt – Rajendra Krishan
The song opens with a foot tapping rhythm of tabla. Later as well, the song is adorned with beautiful tabla pieces. It adds an exciting rhythm to the song. If you listen carefully, the train rhythm can be heard throughout the song. Though it’s not a well known or popular song, it perfectly fits the theme. It’s quite a good song too.

3. Jaan Bachi To Lakho Paaye – Sanjog (1943) Shyam Kumar / Naushad – Prof. Waqif
I wasn’t aware of the song, I found it during the research for the post. The train rhythm is so nicely incorporated in the song, it just amalgamates. It is sung by Shyam Kumar, and picturised on Wasti and Charlie. It talks about a timely escape from a disastrous situation. I haven’t seen the movie, but it seems so from the lyrics.

4. Chal Meri Gaddiye Tu – Ek Do Teen (1953) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Meenal Wagh / Vinod – Aziz Kashmiri
Vinod was an underrated composer. How nicely he composed the song incorporating the train rhythm throughout. The singer, Meenal Wagh has only a couple of separate lines. The song is full of fun. Meena Shorey appears to operate the train, with the help of her friends, Kaushalya and Majnu. When the train runs short of coal, they literally cut and use the wooden door panels and walls of a cabinet. The film sounds like fun. I should watch it someday!

5. Rahi Matwale – Waris (1954) Talat Mahmood & Suraiya / Anil Biswas – Qamar Jalalabadi
An iconic song needs no introduction. One of the best known songs of the movie, and I guess the most popular too. What an excellent train rhythm throughout, it never weans. And such a good idea to use the train’s whistles in the interludes. It was one of the first songs to remember when I thought of compiling the list. It’s so melodiously sweet.

6. Yeh Hai Jeevan Ki Rail – Mehlon Ke Khwab (1960) Kishore Kumar / S Mohinder – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
A typical Kishore Kumar song. Lots of fun and full of energy. Madhubala and Chanchal support him superbly. And as for today’s theme, the song continuously plays the train rhythm.

7. Dil Tham Chale Hum Aaj – Love In Simla (1960) Rafi / Iqbal Qureshi – Rajendra Krishan
Joy Mukherjee joyously enjoying himself on the train ride, remembering his girlfriend. A very good train song, maintaining the train rhythm throughout. Of course during the interludes, when the focus is on the party, it vanishes. I must say, even if the song was not picturised on a real train, the illusion of a running train is done quite effectively. The structure of the compartment and the arrangement of seats is different from what we see today.

8. Na Bhanwra Na Koi Gul – Aarti (1962) Rafi & Asha Bhosle / Roshan – Majrooh
A beautiful song, picturised primarily on Rajendra Nath and Vijaya Choudhary. Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar and other cast members are also there in the compartment. It seems Rajendra Nath is a bachelor living alone, while Vijaya belongs to a joint family and is connected well with everyone. It is adorably adorned with the train whistles and train rhythm. It was one of the few songs I could immediately recollect while compiling the list.

9. Apni To Har Aah – Kala Bazar (1960) Rafi / S D Burman – Shailendra
It’s one of the well known train songs. And it’s also the only song on the list that has a slow train rhythm. Mainly the train whistles appear prominently and I think perhaps only a guitar is used for the subtle train rhythm, which is best heard with earphones. Dev Anand is actually referring to Waheeda Rehman, while the latter is confused whom is he addressing to? Dev Anand is impressed with Waheeda, who dislikes black marketing of tickets. She tears off the movie tickets. Infatuated, he follows her on the train to Ooty even though he is aware of her boyfriend. On the train he finds out an interesting way of flirting with Waheeda. He sings a song that may be taken as a prayer to god, though he clearly means to direct it to Waheeda.

10. Chali Jaye Re Jeevan Ki Gadi – Royal Mail (1963) Suman Kalyanpur & Badri Pawar / Avinash Vyas – Indeevar
And to end the list, I’ve a song that is not at all well known. In fact, even the film name wouldn’t ring a bell for the majority of us. The couple in the song dreams of their beautiful life together, they are ready for hardship, but they are optimistic about their bright future. It’s a bit strange how the lyrics of the song go! If the first line of the verse is philosophical, the next line sounds romantic. Even the mukhda has such combination lines. It feels as if the lines don’t actually convey anything.

Would you 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.