Hindi Film Qawwalis – 4

When I thought of the ‘Qawwali songs’ post in December, it wasn’t planned to be a series. But as I went through the songs, I found it appropriate to divide it into several parts so that I can include the majority of my favourites.
So far I have published qawwalis from the 40s to the 80s in three parts. Today’s part, the last in the series, will focus on qawwalis from the 90s and onwards.

In the previous parts, the majority of the songs stuck to the basic structure of the qawwali. In the 90s and beyond era, I noticed that a few of the songs took a sort of inspiration from the qawwali, and incorporated certain new elements in it perhaps to suit the changing trends in Hindi cinema. Here I would like to mention a couple of songs from the 90s. ‘Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai Allah Allah’ from Aur Pyar Ho Gaya and ‘Teri Jawani Badi Mast Mast Hai’ from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya.

Still many songs had the typical presentation and clapping rhythm of qawwali. I’ve tried to incorporate the songs that I thought maintained the typical aura and aroma of traditional qawwali.

So here I’m with qawwalis from Hindi films from the 90s and beyond.

1. Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin – Henna (1991) Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar, Sabri Brothers & Chorus / Written and Composed by Ravindra Jain
This was the first song that I remembered when I thought about the last part of the series. The song by was very popular during the release of the movie and I still like it though it’s been more than 30 years. It’s actually a wedding song presented in a qawwali style, where all are awaiting the groom. There is a feeling of impending doom throughout the song, which unfortunately comes true, when Rishi Kapoor meets with an accident. The song is lip synched by Javed Khan Amrohi, Shashi Kiran and Roma Manek. The latter is still remembered as ‘Madri’ from B R Chopra’s Mahabharat. The to be bride, Ashwini Bhave loses patience in the end and joins the song in a grim mood.
The song somehow sounds like a sad counterpart of the song Main Der Karta Nahin. You can compare the opening music of the songs. And Rishi Kapoor’s verse is entirely in sync with the song, Main Der Karta Nahin. Here’s the link for the video.

2. Deewane Tere Naam Ke – Saudagar (1991) Sukhwinder Singh & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
A beautiful qawwali lip synched by Anupam Kher. Though there are clapping sounds throughout the song, no one is seen clapping on screen. And the film version has only one stanza in contrast to a longer audio version.
There was an interesting trend in that era when the movies once released and became popular, a song would be added later for repeat audiences. This was one of such songs. I distinctly remember buying the audio cassette for the second time for this song, much against my parent’s wish. Off hand I remember a couple of films that had such ‘added later’ songs.

Next couple of songs feature the popular Sabri brothers. They are among popular Qawwals and I think qawwali runs in the family.

3. Nahin Hona Tha – Pardes (1997) Sabri Brothers, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Hema Sardesai / Nadeem Shravan – Anand Bakshi
I think this is not exactly a typical qawwali, though the presentation does sound like one! There are no clapping sounds at all, but still!

4. Ek Mulaqat Zaroori Hai Sanam – Sirf Tum (1999) Sabri Brothers, Jaspinder Narula & Chorus / Nadeem Shravan – Sameer
‘Sirf Tum’ was one of the top grossers of the year and the majority of the songs were popular too. I haven’t watched the movie, so I am not aware of the situation in the song and I’m not sure if it was entirely picturised or not. It seems only a part of it was included in the movie. A typical qawwali with all the elements of it. Sabri brothers’ powerful voice is full of expressions and if you are a qawwali fan, you would certainly enjoy listening to this a bit longish length qawwali.

5. Piya Haji Ali – Fiza (2000) Kadar Ghulam Mustafa, Murtuza Ghulam Mustafa, A R Rahman & Shrinivas / A R Rahman – Miya Shaukat Ali
One of the best songs by A R Rahman. It’s a peaceful experience listening to the qawwali. And qawwali was originally meant to be a devotional Sufi song sung in the premises of holy places like dargah. So this is a perfect fit.

6. Dulhe Ka Sehra Suhana – Dhadkan (2000) Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Chorus / Nadeem Shravan – Sameer
Dhadkan was also one of the top grossers of the year and all the songs of the movie were hugely popular, including this wonderful qawwali by the qawwali maestro himself. The song runs throughout the wedding ceremony, right from the rituals to the bidai. On screen it’s sung by Kader Khan.

7. Tumse Milake Dil Ka Hai Jo Haal – Main hoon Na (2004) Sonu Nigam & Chorus / Anu Malik – Javed Akhtar
What should I say about this one! I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since the song! It’s still fresh and maintains huge popularity. It’s picturised on Zyed Khan and Amrita Rao in the first half, while Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen enter in the later half. Both the heroes lip sync to Sonu Nigam. Though there’s a touch of new generation music, the song still maintains the uniqueness of Qawwali.

8. Ishq Ki Dastan Sari Mehfil Sune – Taj Mahal (2005) Kavita Krishnamurthy, Preeti Uttam & Chorus / Naushad – Naqsh Lyallpuri
I don’t know how many of the readers remember this historical film. The Zulfikar Syed, Kabir Bedi, Manisha Koirala, Sonya Jehan starrer movie was directed by Akbar Khan. It was the last movie the veteran composer Naushad composed for. This song became a bit popular during its release and I remembered it perfectly for the list. Don’t expect the magic of Naushad’s compositions from the 50s and the 60s, but not bad either! Sorry for an average quality video, but apparently it’s the only one available!

9. Maula Mere maula – Anwar (2007) Roop Kumar Rathore & Chorus / Mithoon – Sayeed Quadri
What a beautiful composition! Even though the film and the lead pair (Siddharth Koirala and Nauheed Cyrusi) are forgotten, the song will always be remembered. Except for the initial small period, the song runs in the background. The song may not be a typical qawwali, but it does sound like one to me!

10. Arziyan – Delhi 6 (2009) Javed Ali, Kailash Kher & Chorus / A R Rahman – Prasoon Joshi
Another soothing qawwali in its original form.

11. Rangrez – Tanu weds Manu (2011) Krisna / Krisna – Raj Shekhar
The song runs in the background for a major extent. What a beautiful qawwali! In addition, performances by R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut take it to a next level. Their facial expressions are so apt.

12. Bhar De Jholi Meri – Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) Adnan Sami / Pritam – Kauser Munir
A wonderful qawwali. Adnan Sami started around 2000 in India and soon established himself as a singer, playback singer and composer in Hindi films. His appearance in Bajrangi Bhaijaan added a devotional angle to the climax of the film that follows next. The song is my personal favourite too.This song was there on one of my earlier lists as well. It was also mentioned by AKji from the blog, SoY in his comments on one of the earlier parts.

Please add your favourite qawwali within the timeline.

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 vests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.