‘Bullock Cart’ songs

After I completed the train songs, and songs with ‘Tonga rhythm’, I was wondering what next! Then I started my series on boat songs. While I was researching for the songs with Tonga rhythm, I remembered a few songs which I thought to be fitting the theme, but ultimately those songs turned out to be songs picturised on a bullock cart.

Image source – Wikipedia

Bullock Cart is a means of transportation used since ancient times in many parts of the world. It’s mainly used for transportation of goods, though it’s commonly used as a public transport vehicle in villages. They are still used in some parts where modern vehicles are too expensive or where the infrastructure favours. It’s mainly a carriage with two wheels or four wheels that is pulled by bulls or oxen. Oxen are male cattle that are castrated to make them docile and more safer than bulls to work with. I always come across a group of bullock carts carrying sugarcane. In some parts of rural Maharashtra, bullock cart races are held, which are very popular among the local population as well as nearby towns.

I started thinking about the songs. But I couldn’t gather enough songs. I then stopped myself insisting on an immediate response. I was sure, in due course I will remember a few more songs. So I let the process take a slow course. Finally I had an adequate number of songs to make a post.
But the journey wasn’t a smooth one. While I could remember a few films having a rural background, not all of those films had bullock carts. Most of the films had ghoda gadi. But a few of the films with a backdrop of agricultural activities obviously had it, and in a few songs the main lead himself was the one running the cart as a part of his profession. So I could get more than one song in a single movie. But I decided to restrict myself to one song per film.
This time I allowed myself to include post-70s films and a couple of songs actually belonged to that era.

I think off hand it’s difficult to think of songs picturised on a bullock cart. I tried to stick to the song only if it has a bullock cart either throughout or at least for more than 3/4th of the song. So I dropped a popular song. I’m sharing a screenshot from the song, would you identify the song?

Would you identify the film or the song?

Have you thought of a song? Are you ready? I’ve arranged the songs in chronological order. Come on, let’s hit the list……..

1. Na Pee Ki Nagariya – Devdas (1935) Pahari Sanyal / Timir Baran – Kidar Sharma
I am starting with the oldest song I could find in this category. The song is sung by Pahadi Sanyal. The bullock cart driver carrying a badly sick Devdas (K L Saigal) to Paro’s place is played by Kapoor, as per the titles of the film. We listen to the voice of K L Saigal as he converses with the bullock cart driver. But there’s only dialogues. He doesn’t sing.

2. Jaiyo Na Bides Mera Jiya Bhar Aayega – Neel Kamal (1947) Rajkumari & Snehal Bhatkar / B Vasudev – Kidar Sharma
Kidar Sharma offered a break to Raj Kapoor and Madhubala with Neel Kamal. The film has a rural background and Raj Kapoor, when he needs to travel, chooses a bullock cart. Madhubala, attracted to him, runs behind the cart, requesting him to stop. He plans to go away from her because he doesn’t consider himself worthy of the love and the trust she showed for him. His feelings are well reflected in the song.
I was very much surprised to hear Snehal Bhatkar’s voice, which perfectly suited Raj Kapoor and sounded much like Mukesh.

3. Hai Re Ud Ud Jaye – Mirza Sahiban (1947) Noorjahan, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Shamshad Begum & Chorus / Pandit Amarnath – Qamar Jalalabadi
One of my absolute favourite songs by Noorjahan. What a beautiful melody and good tune. Though not mentioned in the titles, Pandit Amarnath’s younger brothers, Husnalal and Bhagatram assisted him for the movie and completed it after his sad demise during the making ofcthe movie. Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali have very little scope. It’s picturised on a group of bullock carts, Noorjahan and her friends occupying one of the carts. Trilok Kapoor accompanies them and Noorjahan addresses him tangentially in one of the verses.

4. O Gadiwale Gadi Dheere Haank Re – Mother India (1957) Rafi, Shamshad Begum & Chorus / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
Mother India was set in rural India and had bullock carts in the movie as well in a few other songs. But this one’s a complete song shot on a group of bullock carts. The party is traveling for Ramu’s (Rajendra Kumar) marriage. Birju (Sunil Dutt) sings it with his friends in one of the carts while Rupa (Chanchal) accompanied by her friends travels in another cart. There’s teasing and fun throughout. Enjoy this energetic number and pay attention to the rhythm of the song. It’s distinctly different from the routine Tonga rhythm. Nevertheless it perfectly suits the situation.

5. Bedard Zamana Tera Dushman Hai – Mehndi (1958) Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar / Ravi – S H Bihari
Mehndi was one of the first films based on the life of Umrao Jaan Ada. Jayashree played the role and Ravi composed a few wonderful solos for the film, which were sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The said duet was a part of my post on duets of Lata Mangeshkar and Hemant Kumar. It’s picturised on Jayashree and M Kumar, traveling on a bullock cart. Hemant Kumar lends voice to M Kumar and also to a beggar who opens the song.

6. Woh door Jo Nadiya Behti Hai – Barkha (1959) Lata Mangeshkar & Rafi / Chitragupt – Rajendra Krishan
This was one of the first few songs which I had on my list. A pair of siblings played by Nanda and Jagdeep travel on a bullock cart and sing about each other and their bonding. The cart travels through the ruins of heritage buildings. There are ruins of temples and a few intact monuments as well. Could it be Hampi? If anyone knows about the picturisation, please throw light on it.

7. Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo – Teesri Kasam (1966) Mukesh / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
I was sure to find a song fitting today’s theme in this movie. And I could get a few though I selected the one I like the most and fits my criteria. Complex philosophy of life narrated in a simple language. The film was produced by Shailendra and he penned most of the songs too. Raj Kapoor plays a bullock cart driver, who takes vows during his journey of life. Though the film was acclaimed by critics, it saw an utter commercial failure. The film has a number of meaningful and excellent songs.

8. Oh Re Taal Mile Nadi Ke Jal Mein – Anokhi Raat (1968) Mukesh & Chorus / Roshan – Indeevar
Anokhi Raat was the last film Roshan composed for. It has a few outstanding solos by various singers. This song by Mukesh is picturised on Sanjeev Kumar and Zahida. Soulful philosophical lyrics depicting the ways of life.

9. Goriya Kahan Tera Des Re – Carvan (1971) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Chorus / R D Burman – Majrooh
A large group of bullock carts, with the troupe dancing and singing in the vicinity. A good song to listen to. I couldn’t find a full video, but here’s the longest I could locate.

10. Piya Maine Kya Kiya – Us Paar (1974) Manna Dey / S D Burman – Yogesh
A film with a rural backdrop. Though the film isn’t very popular, so are the songs, I like the songs. The film maintains the 60s flavour. The song runs in the background when Maushumi Chatterjee leaves Vinod Mehra devastated. The bullock cart is driven by Jalal Agha, who doesn’t hesitate to beat Vinod Mehra by the whip.

I end my list. It took me a few months to come up with the songs. But I know, my blog readers are sharp enough to come up with a befitting song within moments. Have you thought of a song to add?

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.