It’s Time To Clap!

No no, it’s not the blog’s anniversary! But something interesting!

A few years back I really enjoyed my post ‘Hindi songs with whistling‘. It was one of my favourite posts. I had a second part as well to fit my 90s series.
In the beginning of this month, a fellow blogger, Anitaji on her blog, published a list, where the songs had laughter, either a small laugh to a longer laughter. This led to the wheels churning in my brain. What next?

I was thinking about it for a while. A song has the voice of a playback singer, then the sounds of various instruments. What additional sounds could there be in a song? Whistling! done already. Laughter! done, though not on my blog. And then, Eureka! Clapping sounds! This could be the next theme.

Clapping in songs makes it cheerful and it sounds carefree. We can find it in a variety of songs right from Qawwali to dance numbers. Clapping is an integral part of a Qawwali, where the sounds impart the characteristic rhythm to a Qawwali. The unmistakable rhythm makes it enjoyable and no one can escape its magical aura. So of course the post could have had ten qawwalis.

In addition to qawwali, club songs also have clapping sounds. Clapping is not always but at times associated with Mujra songs. Clapping can be randomly a part of any song, except perhaps lullabies. Of course lullabies are meant to calm the baby down.
Clapping also reminds me of Eunuchs who have a peculiar way of clapping as a part of their persona. Here, to mention Saj Rahi Gali Teri Maa from Kunwara Baap (1977) is obvious enough.

Clapping sounds can indeed act as a rhythm in a song. O P Nayyar was fond of Punjabi folk music and there a number of times clapping is incorporated in songs. The maximum number of songs with clapping that I could recollect are composed by O P Nayyar and Roshan. The latter of course was an ace Qawwali composer and hence his songs were more on my original long list.

I was wondering if in the 40s and the 50s, the original clapping was recorded or any instrument was used for it. I think the original sound must have been used. Later it’s possible that it was played on an instrument. Does a clapper or a tong (चिमटा) create a clapping effect? Less likely or so I think!

Let’s hit the list, the songs are from the pre-70s films and in no particular order.

1. Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo – Howrah Bridge (1958) Asha Bhosle / O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi
The song is full of clapping. It actually starts with clapping sounds and all the interludes, and the ending music of the song is full of it too. What a delight to watch young Helen dance elegantly on the tune! I think it’s a rock n roll dance form, though I may be wrong. Clapping adds a vibrancy and liveliness to the song. And what could be the best example!

2. Yaar Chulbula Hai – Dil Deke Dekho (1959) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Usha Khanna – Majrooh
The song has clapping right from the prelude that reappears in all the interludes and the last music piece is full of clapping. The song is full of chhed chhad and romance. The dance is energetic and has an infectious foot tapping rhythm. A few more songs of the movie also feature clapping, the prominent one being, Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale.

3. Shola Jo Bhadke Dil Mera Dhadke – Albela (1951) Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
The song needs no introduction, a very popular song. It opens and ends with clapping sounds. And what a great melody. The song is 70 years old, but seems as fresh as a song recorded yesterday. I think the clapping is closely associated with it and has become the song’s identity.

4. Sar Par Topi Laal – Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / O P Nayyar – Majrooh
Another one by Nayyar. Full of Punjabi exuberance. Lots of clapping throughout the song, in prelude, interludes, and again a musical tadka at the end. Such a wonderful and playful song.

5. Nigahen Milane Ko Jee Chahta Hai – Dil Hi To Hai (1963) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / Roshan – Sahir
While I could have selected any of the qawwalis, I chose a solo qawwali. Clapping sounds really are so much a part of it, the main rhythm of a Qawwali is the one by clapping. The song opens with beautifully played mandolin, followed by flute and harmonium. What a great prelude it creates! Later the song continues in a typical qawwali style. Nutan adds a charm by her beautiful expressions and delicate shoulder movements. Certainly my most favourite on today’s list.

6. Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi Mil Gaya – Pakeezah (1972) Lata Mangeshkar / Ghulam Mohammad – Kaifi Azmi
Though not common, I guess a few Mujra songs are backed up with clapping. And this exquisite Mujra is an excellent example. What a sublime Mujra! Absolutely fantastic! Though most of the Mujra songs are high energy, this one’s different. It has a comparatively slow pace, with beautiful Sarangi pieces and captivating ghungroo throughout. Though backed up with a percussion instrument, clapping also adds a significant rhythm to it. It doesn’t pump adrenaline, but fills your heart with mixed emotions. There’s a definite pathos in her narration. Meena Kumari is good in her expressions, and dancing is by a couple of good dancers.

7. Sheesha E Dil Itna Na Uchhalo – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Meena Kumari enjoying with her friends on a seashore. Such a pleasure to watch beautiful Meena Kumari in a carefree and playful mood. She looks so attractive even without fancy clothes and jewellery. There is reasonably fair clapping in the song. And I came to know Lata Mangeshkar sang for Meena Kumari and Shammi both, as a few lines of the verses are lip synced by the latter.

8. Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahi – Mere Mehboob (1963) Asha Bhosle & Lata Mangeshkar / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
In contrast to the other songs on the list, this song has clapping throughout the mukhda and antara, while the interludes are completely free of it. Though the clapping sounds are not picturised as such throughout the song, I always remember the song for the clapping.

9. Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen – Waqt (1965) Manna Dey / Ravi – Sahir
I’m not sure if the song is called a qawwali or not. But the rhythm by clapping sounds like one. The song of course has the main base of Punjabi music, but I think the song also has a touch of Arabian music too, perhaps due to the mandolin pieces in the interludes. All the interludes are full of clapping. Middle aged Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev look quite cute in the song.

10. Main To Bhool Chali Babul – Saraswatichandra (1968) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Kalyanji Anandji – Indeevar
And a very popular song to end today’s list. A few of the folk dance forms are known for interesting use of clapping sounds. Garba is certainly the first we can think of. And which other song could have suited so perfectly to the occasion? The clapping imparts such a beautiful rhythm to the song. The clapping is there nearly throughout the song. Nutan tries hard to pretend happiness, though all of us know better! And if Seema Dev plays her sister in law, the couple Ramesh Dev-Seema Dev plays brother and sister? How odd when they were married in 1963. Anyways, very young Jayashree T and Meena T are seen among the dancers. Enjoy the beautiful song.

I’m so happy this time I could highlight my theme with all popular songs. Otherwise most of the time my friends tease or even criticise me for adding lesser known songs. I’m planning a sequel post from the later movies, mainly from the 90s and 2000s.

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 and Dailymotion, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.