(Part 8) Boat Songs

The 7th part based on ‘Boat Songs’ was published in April this year and I had said that I was to take a break from the series, and return with the last post.
So far I have covered 70 songs and if we add the songs in the comments, it crosses 100. The first part was published in August 2021 and I want to thank all the readers for sustaining and bearing with me for such a long time. It’s one of my weaknesses that I usually fail to shortlist songs on a particular theme. So I tend to always go for several parts where the songs can be segregated in subcategories for an easier presentation.

During the ‘boat journey’, blog readers, Partha ji and Richard, had suggestions. Richard suggested putting together another boat song list, for people singing about a boat or boat ride who aren’t actually on the boat at the time.
Parthaji suggested collecting songs where the word Naiya is used metaphorically. For example, songs with the words Jeevan Naiya to denote the life journey.
I liked the idea and I promised to come up with the list. But I was unable to do it so far. Broadly speaking the songs on the list would fulfill both the suggestions. In the majority of the songs, the word Naiya or Naav, finds its use to denote the life journey. And none of the songs (well! Perhaps except one) are picturised on a boat. Very soon I’m planning a new series on yet another vehicle. But before I do that I want to finish the incomplete one.

It’s been a tradition to use the metaphor of a boat and its journey across two sides of a river or sea, for the journey of a person in its entire life. The proverb ‘नैया पार लगाना’ means to be successful or achieve one’s goals. And many times a character from a movie requests God to help him/her for success or to sustain through difficult or challenging circumstances. And I must say, the majority of the songs on the list fall in this category.
Life facing various miseries is compared with a boat that is sailing across a wide ocean, and experiencing problems due to tidal waves and disturbances due to bad weather. And hence the words ‘पार लगाना’ that denote reaching successfully at the desired destination.

It’s not a popular song, but would you tell me the song in the above screencap?

But I must add that, I could also find a few joyous and happy songs as well. And it’s not always about the journey of life, in some of the songs, it’s the journey of a heart or the soul in a romantic relationship. I think I’ve succeeded in building up enough curiosity about the list.

So here I am with ten songs, where the word Naiya is used metaphorically or people talk about a boat journey, but are not sailing on a boat. None of the songs is picturised on a boat (perhaps except one). The songs are not in any particular order.
Let’s begin the journey,

1. Dole Hriday Ki Naiya – Vidyapati (1937) Kanan Devi / R C Boral – Kidar Sharma
A wonderful and captivating song by Kanan Devi. She’s talking about her mind, which is disturbed and she is already anxious. It seems her beloved is not with her. Though not metaphorically used, the word naiya means the mind in this song. I’m so glad to get such a good quality video. The short song, not even a full two minutes, manages to mesmerise . If we look at the year of its release , it’s possible that the song was recorded live during the shooting.

2. Bigadi Banane Wale Bigadi Bana De – Badi Behen (1949) Suraiya / Husnalal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi
This song was mentioned by Richard as an example of his suggested theme. Suraiya talks about the difficulties in her life and seeks God’s help to clear her way. Her voice and expressions very aptly convey the agony of the character she plays. The male actor with her is perhaps Ulhas, I’m not sure!
The song is still very popular and is certainly my favourite.

3. Dole Dole Mere Jeevan Ki Naiya – Piya Milan Ki Aas (1961) Lata Mangeshkar & Mahendra Kapoor / S N Tripathi – Bharat Vyas
This song was added by Partha Chanda ji when he suggested the theme to me in his comments on one of the earlier parts of the series. S N Tripathi was an underrated composer. His tunes used to be extremely sweet and melodious and how can this soulful song be an exception! Dipped in agony and melody, the song is presented as a bhajan by Amita. She is passing through a rough patch with lots of troubles in her life. She seeks help from God.

4. Dagmag Dagmag Dole Naiya – Jogan (1950) Geeta Dutt / Bulo C Rani – Kidar Sharma
Geeta Dutt got instant recognition yet again with the wonderful Meera bhajans, she sang for the film, Jogan under the baton of Bulo C Rani. She sang 10+ solos for the movie and the majority of the songs were popular. Yet another song using the metaphor of boat for life.

5. Na Jane Kidhar Aaj Meri Naav Chali – Jhoola (1941) Ashok Kumar / Saraswati Devi – Kavi Pradeep
One of the most popular songs of Ashok Kumar. The word, Naav is used for his life journey, though he doesn’t call it Jeevan Naiya explicitly. If we’re expecting mainly bhajans addressed to God for today’s theme, for a refreshing change, a light hearted song. Though the song does talk about a romantic connection, I’ve no idea about the situation in the song.

6. Meri Naav Padi Majhdhar – Bhakta Dhruv (1947) Lalita Deulkar / Shankar Rao Vyas – Pandit Indra
Just listen to this bhajan by Lalita Deulkar. I know it’s not that popular. It appears that the on-screen actress plays Suniti, the Queen of King Uttanpaad. She was Dhruv’s mother and devotee of Lord Vishnu. She dedicates her life at the feet of Lord Vishnu and has full faith in him. The expressions of complete devotion and dedication are very aptly sung by Lalita Deulkar.

7. Jeevan Ki Naav Na Dole – Shakuntala (1943) Jayashree / Vasant Desai – Dewan Sharar
It’s one of my favourites by Vasant Desai. What a beautiful orchestration. Jayashree sings it well, though her face appears much too blank to me. She plays Shakuntala and the only aim in her life is her son, Bharat.

8. Naiya Ka Meri Tu Hi Khewaiya – Zamana (1957) Rafi & Chorus / Salil Chowdhury – Indeevar
This is the only song on today’s list without a video. So I’m not sure if it’s picturised on a boat or not. But I certainly have the benefit of doubt, I take the liberty to post it. An excellent bhajan sung by Rafi. The song actually fuses traditional Indian bhajan and the choir singing along with the church bells. The result is easy on the ear bhajan. I couldn’t get much information about the storyline.

9. Maajhi Meri Naiya Ko – Char Paise (1955) Lata Mangeshkar / B D Burman – Sartaj Rahmani
Do you remember the series on Lata’s association with lesser known composers? In one of the parts, I mentioned the composer, Barendra Dev Burman. He composed for just a couple of Hindi films. The song is from one of the films. Beautiful looking Shyama sings with dreamy eyes. She is addressing the song to a photo, which must be of her beloved’s. She has full faith in him and is asking him to take her with him. Again a Naiya song that isn’t a sad one, but romantic.

After all these songs from the Golden era of HFM, I take a leap into the 2000s. This one’s my favourite. And I’m sure many readers would be liking it too.

10. Prem Ki Naiya Hai Ram Ke Bharose – Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) Neeraj Shridhar & Suzanne D’Mello / Pritam Chakraborty – Irshad Kamil
A fun song to end the list! Ranbir Kapoor steals the show with his funny and apt facial expressions, but I must say, Katrina Kaif looks drop dead gorgeous. The full movie was fun to watch and I remember watching it a couple of times in the theatre. So after adding bhajans, sad songs, romantic songs, I’m ending the list with a comedy song.

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.