(Part – 1 ) The Bicycle Saga

Last year in June I dedicated the entire month to the songs picturised on a train. I divided it into several parts as per my criteria and presented five parts. The series was well received. After that I published songs with Tonga rhythm and songs picturised on a Bullock cart. These posts were also welcomed by the readers. Next in the series was songs picturised on a boat. As usual the series was divided in parts and I presented 8 parts. It was appreciated well.

When I was thinking about the next vehicle of transportation, I thought of bicycle songs.
June 3rd is celebrated as World Bicycle Day and Dusted off presented her bicycle songs post on the day. It boosted up and stirred my idea of the series. But of course it took me some months to actually do it, as the boat songs series was still incomplete.

To cut the long story short, here I am to present the first part of the bicycle saga. Did you say ‘Oh No!not again!’.
But still let me…….

Today’s part focuses on the Hindi film songs with

Group of bicycles

Bicycles have been a part of Hindi cinema since eternity. Especially if the main lead is a college going teen (though he or she may look much older) such songs were mandatory. There are songs with one of the protagonists riding a bicycle or both of them or a group of friends going for a picnic or some such.

Today let’s watch and listen to ten bicycle songs featuring a group of bicycles. In all the songs, the cyclists sing the song, which was the main criteria for selection. And as it’s a group of bicycles, all the songs on the list are chorus supported. But of course that’s my observation and not a criteria for selection.

Let’s begin… … …

1. Sawan Ke Nazare Hain – Khazanchi (1941) Shamshad Begum, Ghulam Haider & Chorus / Ghulam Haider – Wali Saheb
The first song takes us back to the 40s, when bicycles were the main vehicle for personal use.
There are two groups of cyclists traveling separately, though they are singing the same song. Both the groups collide with each other at the end. Some of the scenes are shot using superimposed images. Ramola and S D Narang were the protagonists of the film and we can see a young Madan Puri in a supporting role.
It is considered a pathbreaking song. It was one of the songs that had a light hearted mood and girls were shown riding the bicycle in a carefree mood. The boys whistling added further to the joyous mood. The song was even criticized for being culturally spoiled. It however proved to be a popular song and Hindi film music was free from a heavy classical influence. The songs were now hummable even for the general public.

2. Ban Ke Yeh Panchhi Gaaye – Anari (1959) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
And, this one from the 50s surely finds a place on the list. Nutan (can’t help adding, she looks absolutely beautiful) and company riding bicycles on a picnic. Raj Kapoor, also on a bicycle, accidentally collides with the girl’s team. Shobha Khote who plays a supporting role in the film was a national cycling champion in reality. She also enjoys the ride with Nutan and company.
The song is extremely melodious and uses the chorus very effectively. The tickling bicycle bells add a realistic touch to it.

3. Main Chali Main Chali – Padosan (1968) Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / R D Burman – Rajendra Krishan
After the 40s and 50s, let’s enjoy an absolutely fabulous song from the late 60s. Saira Banu and company roam around on bicycles, and it is an absolute delight to watch beautiful scenery, luscious green trees, and bright red flowers in the backdrop of clear blue sky.
One of my favourite duets by the Mangeshkar sisters. A notable point is that at least 4 to 5 actresses lip sync to Asha Bhosle’s voice. And Asha Bhosle’s energetic rendition is one of the major highlights for me. I am not a Saira Banu fan, so the singers and the song’s overall picturisation are important attractions for me.

4. Aanchal Ko Udne Do – Picnic (1966) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / S Mohinder – Majrooh
The song opens with an energetic prelude and whistling follows immediately, which assures a melodious song. And we indeed witness a good bicycle song. Picturised on Azra and company, the song has cycling throughout.
S Mohinder didn’t compose for big banners, but his songs nevertheless enchant us. And this one’s not an exception. Please follow the link to watch the video on YouTube.

5. O Soniye Jab Jeet Hui – 10 O’clock (1958) Rafi, Geeta Dutt & Chorus / Ram Ganguly – Shyam
The Geeta Bali, Suresh starrer 10 O’clock wasn’t a popular movie and the song is not popular either. Last year, while I was researching Geeta Dutt and Rafi duets posts, I came to know about this song. The bicycles are part of mukhda and at the end. The song portrays a war of genders. The song is without Rafi’s part in the mukhda.

6. Jab Din Haseen Aur Dil Jawan – Adalat (1958) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Chorus / Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishan
Very rarely did Madan Mohan compose such an outright western tune. The song has a jazzy rhythm and is surely enjoyable. The cyclists travel for a while to reach the picnic destination. They ride the boat, dance, sing and enjoy themselves. Though cycling is not throughout, it’s quite an entertaining song.

7. Suno Re Bhaiya Hum Laye Hain – Paigham (1959) Rafi & Chorus / C Ramchandra – Kavi Pradeep
Johnny Walker leads the team of workers in a cycle rally protesting against Motilal. Quite an enjoyable song with cycling throughout the song.

8. Unse Rippi Tippi Ho Gayi – Agra Road (1957) Rafi, Geeta Dutt & Chorus / Roshan – Prem Dhawan
The song has good orchestration and tune. The singers have done their job excellently. Rafi’s yodeling is the highlight of the song. The picturisation is however utterly disappointing, almost irritating. The lead pair, Shakeela and Vijay Anand travel in a car while the friends accompany on bicycles. It appears as if Vijay Anand was forced to act in the song, he hardly cares for his expressions. I added it to the list as a slight variation of the main theme.

9. Yeh Zindagi Ka Mausam – Ghunghat (1960) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Chorus / Ravi – Shakeel Badayuni
One of my favourites from Ghunghat. The song is opened by Asha Parekh and Pradeep Kumar riding a separate bicycle, but a crowd of friends soon joins in. At least ¾ th of the song is picturised on bicycles. Quite good to listen to and watch.

10. Cycle Pe Haseeno Ki Toli – Amaanat (1977) Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey & Chorus / Ravi – Sahir
And, to end the list, I’m presenting a song from the 70s. Picturized on, Manoj Kumar, Sadhana, Mehmood and Aruna Irani, the song has cycles in the picturization as well as in the lyrics. If not great, the song is entertaining. We can recognize a young Dheeraj Kumar among the crowd of boys surrounding Manoj Kumar. The video song has only two verses, but the audio version is a bit longer.
Though popularly taken as a trio, the song has a fourth voice, that of an unknown female singer, who remains uncredited. Perhaps she was a singer from the chorus.

Please add your favourite song picturised on a group of bicycles.

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.