‘Situational’ train songs

We have arrived at the end of our destination. I have already published four posts in the series, and today I’m posting the last part of the train songs.
So far we have listened to the train rhythm songs, songs without a train rhythm but picturised on a moving train, and a few train scenes from Hindi films. We also came across songs that are in some way related to the trains, the railway platforms etc.

And while these posts were going on, I was wondering about the last part of the series. I was trying to collect the train songs pertaining to a particular situation. I had a tentative list of situations, and while my train of thoughts was running (ha ha ha), fellow blogger and blog reader, Anita Ji, added a train song in the comments section of one of the parts. Though it wasn’t a perfect fit for that particular post, it was a train song picturised on beggars. And bingo! I got a situation that is relatively common in Hindi films. I then and there thanked her for her unintentional help.

So here I’m with the last part of the series, ‘Month of the train songs’, with a few situations that are relatively common in Hindi films and that have a connection with the train. The songs may or may not have the train rhythm, but it must be picturised on a moving train. I’ve chosen only three situations, and I’ve left a few more for the readers to add. I strongly encourage the readers to add songs to the existing situations or add a new situation to the list. Both the scenarios are welcome!

So here I begin our last train journey, let’s go. The songs are not in a particular order.

1. Beggars singing on a train –
All of us have come across beggars singing on the trains. When I had joined my post graduation, I used to travel by train for some period of time and beggars used to sing Hindi film songs. A small girl of about 9 used to sing well, but some of the others were a nuisance. Very rarely do we come across beggars as they appear in Hindi films. Singing an original song! And that too in a good way. It’s very obvious here to remember Ranu Mondal, who’s song, sung on a railway platform, got viral on the social media and she became popular, eventually to reach a recording studio, where she recorded a song for Himesh Reshammiya.

Most of the film songs, sung by beggars, are philosophical or inspirational. Some are sad, cursing the world or the overwhelming misfortune. Sometimes the song actually depicts the lead character’s feelings, while he or she is traveling on the train. As I said this theme clicked in my mind when Anita Ji added a beggar’s song on a train in one of the earlier parts. Let’s start with that song,

Thokar Naseeb Ki Khakar Bhi – Miss India (1957) Manna Dey & Chorus / S D Burman – Rajendra Krishan
A blind beggar sings with a small boy and a little girl. It’s a good song, both lyrically and musically. The tune is very apt for the situation, and Manna Dey sings it with ease and perfect expressions. The song hasn’t got a continuous train rhythm, though the train whistles make it very pleasant to listen to. The song describes being positive all the time even if we face failure or misfortune. If we pursue our goal no matter what the situation, we eventually achieve the target. The song most likely instills positivity in Nargis’s character. It’s my guess of course. But such songs are meant for this purpose.

Jeevan Ki Gadi Chalti – Do Dulhe (1955) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood / B S Kalla – Pandit Indra Chandra
I came across this song when I was researching for my posts on Lata’s association with lesser known composers and B S Kalla was one of them. The song talks more or less the similar philosophy as told in the earlier song. The train rhythm is fairly continuous, though it gets pronounced in the interlude. An old beggar with a young girl, mostly his daughter, sings the song.

Kaisi Tune Reet Rachi Bhagwan – Oonche log (1965) Manna Dey & Asha Bhosle / Chitragupt – Majrooh
Again a good philosophical song, and it mentions something that we experience frequently. “पाप करें पापी भरें पुण्यवान”. This song was also mentioned by Dr Rajesh Deshpande in his comments, when I mentioned my list of beggar’s songs on a train.

Duniya Isika Naam Hai – Duniya (1968) Mukesh & Sharda / Shankar Jaikishan – S H Bihari
Not a well known song, though a couple of songs from the movie are quite popular. I won’t call it a great song. Similar situation, similar song. I’m not a fan of Shrada’s voice!

Mere Saath Chale Na Saaya – Kitaab (1977) Sapan Chakraborty / R D Burman – Gulzar
A well written song, sung with perfect expressions and woven in a good tune. Sapan Chakraborty was Pancham da’s assistant and he also sang for him. This song was also mentioned by Ashok ji in the comments.

2. Man in a woman’s compartment on a train –
One of the relatively common situations on a train in Hindi films. The hero accidentally or purposely enters the heroine’s compartment.

Auraton Ke Dabbe Mein – Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1960) Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur & Chorus / Hansraj Behl – Prem Dhawan
An interesting fun song with Bharat Bhushan in the role of dashing hero. He accidentally (?) enters the ladies compartment, where Anita Guha and company teach him a lesson. Though to imagine Bharat Bhushan in such a role was a bit difficult for me, Anita Guha in a crisp white outfit really stole the show. The ladies finally manage to throw him out of the train.

Hum Bhi Musafir Tum Bhi Musafir – Khazana (1987) Rafi & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
It seems the hero enters with a purpose in the particular compartment, though he wanders around not only in the ladies compartment, but also in the adjacent bogies. The song is remembered just for Rafi’s excellent rendition.

Bichhoo o Bichhoo – Chamatkar (1992) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / Anu Malik – Anand Bakshi
A song full of entertainment! Exuberance of both the lead actors, a catchy tune and funny but interesting picturisation make it an audiovisual treat. It seems Urmila indeed enjoyed the shooting. SRK wasn’t a big star then, but was very natural. Don’t you agree?

3. Hero teasing heroine on a train –
Though our Hindi film hero can tease the heroine anywhere in this world, sometimes it happens in a train. He fulfills the task by directly addressing her or by tangential references. In both situations, the target is accomplished I might add. I think I have selected songs that are easy to recollect. In fact one of the songs was also mentioned by Magi ji in one of the comments on earlier parts.

Rookh Se Zara Naqab – Mere Huzoor (1968) Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Quite an enjoyable song! Very well composed and sung. The song has train whistles and a rhythm that resembles train rhythm at places. Mala Sinha gives, these expressions throughout the song. And in between she even appears sleepy. The song is tangentially addressed to her. Click here for the video song.

Hai Apna Dil To Awara – Solva Saal (1958) Hemant Kumar / S D Burman – Majrooh
Handsome Dev Anand trying to tease beautiful Waheeda Rehman. Though he doesn’t directly address her, his indirect glances at her make sure whom he is referring to. Absolutely wonderful song! I listened to this song repeatedly, but couldn’t finalize exactly whether it has a train rhythm or not. But I think it hasn’t.

I’ve covered a lot of songs in the earlier posts, romantic duets were one of most common situations. There would be a few situations which I haven’t touched. Please go ahead and add a situation and a befitting song pertaining to it. You can also add songs to the mentioned situations.
Waiting for your comments and of course songs!

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.