Wishing Happy Diwali with guest article by DP Rangan
(Readers are now used to seeing DP Rangan’s name as a guest author regularly. He can write faster than I can schedule him on SoY. At any point of time I have a couple of his articles in my mail. I admire his amazing enthusiasm. I am happy to present another well-written article by him containing some rare vintage Diwali songs – impressive for someone whose first language is not Hindi. Thank you Mr Rangan for this offering of Diwali songs. – AK)
India, that is Bharat as it was known in ancient days, is populated by heterogeneous group of people following their own religion. Many religions like Buddhism, Jainism flourished at one time or the other, but disappeared over time with very few or none practicing it today. Hinduism is the predominant religion followed by the populace right from the Punjab in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. Despite difference in language and custom in the country, the basic tenets of Hinduism have remained the same and one could perceive a tenuous link among Hindus across the country. Again Hinduism is not a religion in the strict sense of the term, but a way of life amidst its followers. The basic tenets of life, i.e. creation, maintenance and destruction, are represented by the triumvirate of Gods and their consorts in the Hindu religion and there are numerous festivals in honour of them. That way all religions of the world have their own festivals. Hindus celebrate more festivals in a year compared to other religions. The major festival among them are Deepavali and Dussera. The present blog will confine itself to discussion of Deepavali, and the manner of its celebration in the country.
Deepavali is the most important and pan-India festival in India and it occurs in the month of Kartik around Amavasya in that month. It is also celebrated with equal gusto in other parts of the world where Indians have emigrated in the past. An official holiday has been declared for this festival in some of the countries as Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Guyana. Jains celebrate this day as festival of lights in remembrance of Mahavira attaining moksha. Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chhor Divas and Newars, a Buddhist sect in Nepal also in memory of Ashoka embracing Buddhism.
This festival is of ancient origin and is mentioned in our puranas. The word Deepavali is derived from Sanskrit, दीप (light) and अवलि (series, line), implying it is a festival of lights. People decorate their houses, wear new clothes, place series of lights around their house, exchange sweets and condiments with relatives and friends and the younger elements explode crackers on the street. In the northern part of India, it is celebrated in the evening. In the southern part, it is an early morning festival. Hindus, whether rich or poor, celebrate this festival according to their budget.
In South India, it is just a one-day festival, starting with early morning celebrations and is known as Naraka Chaturdashi, commemorating the triumph of Lord Krishna with his consort Satyabhama over Narakasura in a battle in which the latter succumbs. In the northern part of the country, it is a 5-day festival starting with Dhanteras, worship of Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a snippet from the film Waman Avatar (1955) which brings out its features.
Narak Chaturdashi on the second day is also called Chhoti Diwali. Laxmi Puja is performed on the third day, the main day of the festival. Padwa, celebrated on the fourth day brings to the fore love and devotion between husband and wife. Bhai Duj, falling on the concluding fifth day, relates to the deep love and affection between brother and sister, akin to Raksha Bandan.
This festival and the manner of its celebration is well known to one and all and I already feel guilty of carrying coal to Newcastle in writing about it to the extent above. Film producers in Bollywood and other places also incorporated scenes depicting this festival and the film characters indulged in a bout of singing usually by the main actor with a chorus following. A few of the songs I collected are listed below for the patrons of this blog to listen to. I have a gut feeling that many may not be happy with my presentations but that is how it runs in this kind of blog where there is wide choice of songs and individual preferences vary a lot.
1. Diwali phir aa gayi sajni by Shamshad Begum and chous from Khazanchi (1942), lyrics Wali Saheb, music Ghulam Haider
Master Ghulam Haider revolutionised HFM by his innovative ways. He was the first to amalgamate classic ragas with Punjabi folk music and bring out a new genre of film music. All of his talents and music composition technique were in full flow in the first Hindi film Khazanchi made by Pancholi films in Lahore with actors as Ramola, M. Ismail, Jagirdar. Dholak was introduced as a percussion instrument in this film for the first time. There were nine songs, each having the voice of Shamshad Begum. For the singer it was a maiden venture into films from Radio singing thanks to Ghulam Haider who had a great ability to spot talents and groom them. This song is a chorus with Shamshad Begum as the lead voice. It flows through in smooth style.
2. Ghar ghar mein Diwali by Ameerbai Karnataki from Kismat (1943), lyrics Pradeep, music Anil Biswas
A Bombay Talkies movie with Ashok Kumar and Mumtaz Shanti in the main role. The song begins with a note of pathos, the heroine lamenting that her house is in darkness while the rest of the world is celebrating Deepavali. Towards the end of the song it turns into one of joy when the singer beholds her lover Ashok Kumar in the upper balcony of the theatre. The dance sequence music that follows is well composed by Anil Biswas.
3. Aayi Diwali aayi Diwali by Zohrabai Ambalewali from Rattan (1944), lyrics D N Madhok, music Naushad
A Karan Dewan starrer, it is a well known film for the excellent music given by Naushad who shot to fame after this with his distinct brand of composition. AK has written a separate post on this film’s music alone. A nice rendering by Zohrabai.
4. Aayi Diwali deepon waali by Khursheed Bano and chorus from Maharana Pratap (1946), lyrics Swami Ramanand Saraswati, music Ram Ganguly
Khursheed is obviously a main character in the film. Ishwar Lal is another mentioned. No other details are available nor a live video.
5. Aayi Diwali deep jala ja by Sitara Kanpuri and Shamshad Begum from Pugree (1948), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ghulam Mohammad
The main actors are Wasti, Shashikala, Amar, Kamini Kaushal and Gope. There is a shade of a song from Rattan, Rum jhum barase in the tune composed for this song by the M.D.
6. Diwali ki raat piya ghar aanewale hain by Suraiya from Amar Kahani (1949), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Husanlal Bhagatram
Jairaj and Suraiya play read roles along with Ranjana and Jagdish Mehta. The song is smoothly paced and quite nice to hear. Film has 9 songs – 6 by Suraiya and 3 by Geeta Dutt.
7. Aayi hai diwali by Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum & chorus from Sheesh Mahal (1950), lyrics Nazim Panipatti, music Vasant Desai
A Sohrab Modi directed film, it has other actors besides Sohrab Modi – Naseem Bano, Nigar Sultana and Pran playing their roles. The song is fast paced and smooth flowing and pleasing to hear.
8. Jagmagati Diwali by Asha Bhosle & chorus from Stage (1951), lyrics Sarshar Sailani, music Husanlal Bhagatram
Dev Anand, Ramola, Kuldip Kaur are the main actors. Asha Bhonsle has rendered it very nicely.
9. Jahan mein aayi Diwali by Lata Mangeshkar from Taj (1956), lyrics Rajendra Krishan, music Hemant Kumar
Pradeep Kumar, Vyjayantimala, Jeevan, Helen and others act in this film. Hemant Kumar has composed excellent tune and Lata Mangeshkar has as usual excelled in her singing. There are ten more songs besides this and majority are solos by Lata Mangeshkar followed by Hemant Kumar and a lone Mohammad Rafi performance.
10. Aayi Diwali aayi by Asha Bhosle & chorus from Khazanchi (1958), lyrics Rajendra Krishan, music Madan Mohan
The main actors are Balraj Sahni, Shyama, Rajendra Kumar, Chitra and Manorama. The song bears the typical Madan Mohan stamp and Asha Bhonsle has rendered it well. Deepavali celebration has been picturized in the song and Shyama shines through. There are four more solos by Asha and a duet by Asha and Rafi.
11. Lakhon tare aasman mein ek magar dhoondhe na mila by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar from Hariyali aur Rasta (1962), lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar Jaikishan
Studded with stars as Manoj Kumar, Mala Sinha, Shashikala, this film had good songs. This duet by Shankar Jaikishan is a typical Mukesh song full of pathos. Lata Mangeshkar echoes it.
12. Diwali aayi re aay ghar ghar deep jale by Asha Bhosle & Chorus from Leader (1964), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
A Dilip Kumar Vijayantimala starrer, the storyline is about the travails of a journalist trying to track down anti-nationals and ultimately succeeding in his endeavour and also winning the love of the heroine who was initially antagonistic to him. The song is a Vijayantimala-led chorus in grandeur setting. The lyric is very brief and it is more of background music and instruments playing. It is not in the usual Naushad style.
I now conclude the post and leave it to the blog followers to carry it forward in the right direction with their learned and expert comments and songs.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Ranganji
I deeply appreciate your efforts to bring happiness and cheer to all of us on the occasion of Deepavali. You illuminated our Deepavali with this post. Enjoyed reading your nice and concise write-up and the selection of songs. Continuing with the spirit of the previous post by AKji, your have presented the first song, where the women-folk celebrate Deepavali in their family courtyard (Angana). I especially liked the songs Jahan mein aayi Diwali, Jagmagati Diwali.
Besides what you have stated, in some parts of India this festival is celebrated as commemoration of Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. This festival is celebrated in West Bengal as “Shyama Puja”, and Kali, Shiva’s consort, is worshipped during Deepavali. The goddess Kali of Kalighat in Kolkata is worshipped in Mahalakshmi form during Deepavali. Lakshmi along with Avalakshmi (her shadow energy) is also worshiped during the Deepavali night in some Bengali communities/households.
Reverting back to the songs, all the 12 songs presented by you are female solos except the duet (Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar) no.11 from Hariyali aur Raastha. I wonder whether any of the music directors had used male voice for Diwali songs. In my search I did find a couple of songs, but they do not represent the celebration mood of the festival.
Here is the first song. Do not worry. Achhe din aanewale hai. Listen to the song.
Kaise Diwali Manaye Lala by Md.Rafi, film Paigham (1959), lyrics Kavi Pradeep, music C Ramchandra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOBuvAmEmZU
The nexty one is a typical Mukesh song full of pathos.
Ek Woh Bhi Diwali by Mukesh, film Nazrana (1961), lyrics Rajinder krishan, music Ravi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YL-7mC6ceI
To boost the spirits here is a lilting female solo from the same film
Mele Hain Chiraago Ke, Rangin Diwali Hai, Mahka Hua Gulshan Hai by Lata Mangeshkar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QMFFzjdniA
But here are a few wonderful Non-film songs.
Aayi diwali ki dulhaniya by Muhammad Rafi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCJKriSzAEU
Falak Se Utrey Zameen Pe Taare – Diwali Song – Rafi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LktTkGSu-Y8
Here is another fantastic twin song, the first one sung by Md.Rafi
Tumhen to, yaad hoga kutchh kaha tha, maine holi mein, to hans ke, keh diya tha tumne, bas milna diwali mein… Ab to aaja, diwali aakhir aa hi gayi, kone kone mein jagmag jyothi Chhaa hi gayi
followed by a duet by Md.Rafi and Shamshad Begum.
Aayi Diwaali , Aayi Diwaali to kush hokar tum bhi mauj manao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrFdRj1-Ii8
I am not sure whether this is a NFS. It sounds like a film song. Arunji may throw some light.
I take this opportunity to wish you and all the members of SoY a happy Deepavali.
Happy Diwali/Deepavali to all SOY readers!
I will savour Ranganji’s post at leisure; in the meanwhile, I thought I would say my two bits:
Pt.Pannalal Ghosh created a new raga, which he called Deepavali, by blending Ragas Yaman and Lalit. Here is a short excerpt of a rendition of this raga by Pannababu – it has been put up by the I&B Ministry, which is a pleasant surprise in itself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poz8PJ3bsKA
Here is a link to a Diwali performance of Raga Deepavali by Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande. At the beginning of the rendition, she has delineated the structure of the raga by means of sargam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqQ4SeIXQ7o
AK Ji, Rangan Ji and all Dear SoY friends.
Rangan Ji has given us a wonderful opportunity for Wishing a Happy Dipawali to all, and I take this opportunity to Wish a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy Dipawali to all Dear Friends.
Unique post flavoured with the best of Dipawali songs, and have been listening to them on various FB posts since morning.
Though I personally think that the Holi and Raksha Bandhan songs in Hindi films are much better, one has the exuberance of folk, and the other has sentiments attached to it.
But nevertheless, the composers have tried to give their best in these compositions as well.
Coming to the songs,
Firstly, a composition from Udayshankar’s Kalpana 1948, composed by Vishnu Das and sung by Shirali and chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=WM98xK8DYQk
Pehan chunariya Kaali by Chitalkar and Geeta Dutt from Roshni
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=0TskUC_bwqM
Deep jalenge deep from Paisa sung by Geeta Dutt and composed by Ram Ganguly
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=_QkH46AyW_w
Deepak se Deepak Jal gaye from Anjali by Asha and composed by Jaidev
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=dd7hnTPno_4
Kaise Diwali manayeinge lala
A hilarious song featuring Johnny Walker from Paigham sung by Rafi and composed by C Ramchandra
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=stFmB57MQyA
Will continue…
Sant Purandaradasa, revered as the Pitamaha of Carnatic Music, composed scores of ‘daasara pada’ in Kannada – his mudra was ‘Purandara Vitthala’. One of the most well known Purandaradasa compositions is ‘Bhaagyada Lakshmi Baaramma’, an entreaty to the Goddess of Fortune to enter his house.
MS singing Bhaagyada Lakshmi Baaramma:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Ep-ogkcGA
A rendition by the prodigious Sooryagayathri:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhkXpC2iqg
Pt.Bhimsen Joshi was almost singularly responsible for introducing daasara padas into the Hindustani paddhati. His version of ‘Bhaagyada Lakshmi baaramma’ in Raga Bibhas is very popular in Karnataka and in Maharashtra. Audiences would invariably make a ‘farmaaish’ for it in Panditji’s concerts. To this day, it is a regular staple in the Diwali pahaat concerts in Pune featuring artistes from the Karnataka/Goa/Maharashtra belt.
Here is what I believe is the first recording of this version – from the Kannada movie ‘Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige’ starring Anant Nag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEj_TGjqrDw
A concert rendition of ‘Bhaagyada Lakshmi Baaramma’ by Panditji:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdYY6lUw9g
There is a version of the same song set in Raga Durga and recorded by a female artiste (I remember my late grand aunt telling me that the singer was Amirbai Karnataki, but I am not sure her information was correct) sometime in the 50s or 60s. It used to be the popular version of the song, at least in Karnataka, before it came to be supplanted by Bhimsenji’s version. Unfortunately I have not come across it on the Internet. Must retrieve the cassette in my parents’ home which has the song and digitize its contents….
Arvinderji,
Wrt the song on Kalpana, ‘Vishnudas’ and ‘Shirali’ are one and the same person – Vishnudas Shirali, He learnt vocal music from Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and later, the sitar from Allauddin Khan, and was the music director of Uday Shankar’s dance troupe.
Rangan ji, AK ji,
I wish to add :
Deep jaley ghar ghar mein,
ayee diwali ho ayee diwali.
Lata, Shaminder & chorus / Roshan / Ghar ghar mein diwali / 1955.
Wishing all a happy Diwali,
Anil Kane.
DP Rangan ji,
A very nice article. Diwali is the best festival of the year for me. All the songs are fairly good. I take the opportunity to wish Happy & prosperous Diwali to all the SOY family.
Thank all the patrons for their Deepavali wishes and adds mine also to all and sundry.
Venkataramanji thanks for the kind words. As usual you have made up the deficiencies in my presentation.
Ashwinji – Thank you for the comments. I am enjoying all you have presented here.
Arvinderji – Thanks for the way you have given your views and appreciation and as expected you have started your song showers.
Kelkarji – Appreciate your nice way of expressing your opinion on the post.
I will now start the job of compiling the songs.
D P Rangan ji, AK ji ;
Fantastic post on Dipavali songs and that too on Diwali !! . My diwali greetings goes to you and your family as well as to all the SoY family members .
Since most of the songs are from vintage era it will take me some time to listen to them for their indepth goodness .
Meanwhile I will open my account with three songs which I think are rare and some may be listening to them for the first time.
1.Jahan mein aayi diwali….Lata….Taj[1956]….Hemant Kumar
This too is a sad song beautifully composed in its shear simplicity , reminds me of Naushad’s song from Amar .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qeadCU6V3E
2.Deep jalenge deep diwali ayi ho….Geeta Dutt…Paisa [Paisa]..Ram Ganguli
This song again is a simple worded low pitched rendering with a hint of bengali music .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gduPfumEqJo
3. Sham gayi raat aayi….Lata….Shree 420….Shankar Jaikishan
Those who saw this movie in its initial run may recall that this song was filmed on Nargis while lighting her house with Diyas on the Diwali night
waiting for Raj kapoor . After the song Raj took permission of Nargis father to take her to Laxmi mandir but landed in a club for playing cards .
This song , for reasons unknown , was withdrawn from the film after a few weeks. No video is available on You Tube . Therefore loading only the audio .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ptNHMkZ3wc
…to be contd….
AK and Rangan ji,
Thanks for another enjoyable blog.
And before my brief comments, Happy Diwali to all on this blog.
I too am struck by the odd fact that there appears not one ‘top-bracket’ Diwali song, unlike for Holi and Rakhi, etc., despite the fact that Diwali is truly a pan-Indian festival and easily the most popular in the country. Any thoughts / comments on this?
And one factual correction, Rangan ji, if you permit me. Your earlier comment: many religions flourished but disappeared with very few or none practicing today, is far from the truth. Both Buddhism and Jainism have all along remained active, live and popular religions. For Jainism alone, it is indeed the most ancient religion of India (sic); a fact that many are not aware of is that the earliest Hindu scriptures contain references to Jainism. Jainism flourished at various times. It was its popularity in the south and in particular in Tamilnadu that provoked Adi Shankaracharya to launch his crusade to revive Hinduism again to the pinnacle. The Tirupati temple was originally a Jain temple, and the main idol there is still a Jain idol, clothed and presented as the reigning Hindu deity. The national census shows Jains only 0.40% of our population, but you too will agree that the community remains far more ubiquitous than that, and that is when much the larger majority among them do not sign as Jain and thus are not readily identified as Jains.
And we celebrate Diwali as enthusiastically as anyone else, albeit for very slightly different reasons.
I mention all this only incidentally for information, and not as complaint or criticism.
What is interesting about the Diwali songs of 40s and 50s is that they capture the social ethos of that period so well.
Diwali is a festival of pure and simple joy, but many of the earning males being away from, it was also festival where the beloved would rue his absence.
This simple social condition has been captured in different moods.
DP Ranganji has full justice to the narratives.
Wishing a Happy Diwali and (a Gujarati) New Year to all
Ranjanji,
Thanks for celebrating Deepavali with songs.
Listening to all the songs known and unknown is an herculean task.
Will take some time.
Happy Diwali, Gujarati Besto Varas ( new year) and Maharashtrian Bhav Beej to all.
One more female song.
Lata in ghar ghar ki kahani Tu kis ka dard mita
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHPxN4fN5V0
Ashwinji,
Raag Deepavali was a wonderful Deepavali gift. I heard it for the first time. The Dhrut Teen Taal composition by Pt. Pannalal Ghosh and Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande’s rendition in Adhha Teentaal followed by Ek Taal were enlivening. After listening to the 4:30 minutes Dhrut bandish, I was drawn to listen to the 54 minutes upload of the same Raag, Vilambit in Jhoomra and Dhrut in Teen Taal, by Pt. Pannalal Ghosh available on YT. It was a great listening experience. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande has explained the structure of the raga, by means of sargam, as a combination Raag Yaman and Raag Lalit. Another interesting thing that I could gather was that by shifting the Shadaj (Shadaj chalaan), in the Raag Pooriya Kalyan, to Pancham gives a nice Lalit Ang effect (Rajan Parrikar).
Let me add another classical number, Deep ki jyot jare re subh Ghari(Raag Dhanabasanti), composed and sung by Pandit Kumar Gandharva for an AIR Deepawali Concert in the 1960s. It seems this Raag is a combination of Pooria Dhanasree and Basant. I hope you can confirm and provide more information on this Raag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjGVLvpWSOs
Thank once again for the uploads.
A nice write up and quite a lot of info about perhaps the most important festival of India. A lot of songs too by Ranganji and others of which many are my favourites. I would like to add up more info about the festival. The day next to Diwali is also celebrated as Goverdhan Pooja in addition to Pratipad Padwa mentioned by Ranganji. This day is also celebrated as Vishwakarma Day by various artisans who worship their tools and it has been a phenomenon which has intensified in the recent years and it is a kind of tools down strike on this day, the impact of which might have been felt by those whose car/bike needed urgent attention. The Vikram Samvat also started on this day and it is a new year for that Samvat like the Gujarati New Year mentioned by Vaishnavji. Till some years ago businessmen started fresh ‘khata-bahi’ (account books) on Diwali, which nowadays has turned only into a ritual.
Vaishnavji mentioned a situation when the absence of some loved one on Diwali was felt. I remember my mother told me when I joined service in Delhi, that you have to be present on Diwali and Holi in the home town and I followed that diktat and missed just one Diwali in her life time. In the same context, there was another very important Diwali, which old-timers would remember. That was the Diwali of 1962 when India was engaged in a war with China. Since I am from Haryana where a lot of persons serve in armed forces, we felt the impact on that Diwali. There was almost a blackout of that Diwali in rural Haryana and the urban scene was also not different. A number of houses lost their loved ones that year.
The film Haqueeqat captured the mood of that war perfectly. There was a song in that film ‘aayi abke saal diwali moonh par apne khoon male’ which was superbly composed by Madan Mohan and given a fitting rendition by Lata. Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMIHsKSTDkk
Ranganji,
It is really surprising that compared to other festival songs like Holi there are not many Hindi films songs, both in numbers and quality, available on Deepawali/Deewali. Arvinderji, Bhatiaji, Mumbaikarji and Hansji have made some nice additions from the available songs, although there are repetitions.
Here is a fantastic Deepavali song from the Tamil film Digamabra Samiyar (1950). The tune is an inspired by the Hindi song O dilwalo dilka lagana achchha hai par kabhi kabhi from Patanga (1949). This was first posted by Gaddeswarupji in the Multiple Version Songs (5): Hindi and Tamil film songs (1) – ‘Inspired and adopted’ songs. There is also a Telugu version of this song
I think this song was rendered by Gajalakshmi and Master Subbaiyya and the music was composed by G Ramanathan and S M Subaiyya Naidu. The cute little girl was Baby Lalitha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH-__OEW1wU
Another vintage number
Phir Aayi Hai Diwali by Kusum Mantri, film Badi Baat (1944), lyrics Swami Ramanand Saraswati, music Firoz Nizami
http://www.anmolfankaar.com/specials/anmol-geet/157-phir-aayi-hai-diwali-khushi-se-naach-rahe-hain-naina-badi-baat-1944.html
Ashwinji,
Enjoyed listening to the Purandaradasa’s composition Bhaagyada Lakshmi baaramma renderd by two great musicians and the other one an exceptional musician in the making.
Posting one more Diwali Bandish rendered by Pt. PanditChannulal Mishra
http://tidido.com/a35184374262878/al55f124d5a5f3907573791212/t55f124d6a5f3907573791294
Dineshji
I used the term flourished to indicate other religions are not in that stage nowadays. I know jainism is still being practised. I have visited numerous Jain shrines throughout India including one in Mount Abu, Parasnath, Palitana, Shravana Belagola when I used to take my family on round trips. I beg to disagree with your statement that Thirupathi was a jain temple and the moolavar statue is Jain in origin. To date I have no record of Hindus converting any shrine into one of theirs. It has always been the other way round. I would request you to adduce enough evidence for your statement. If you were to make such a statement in Tamilnadu or A P, you will certainly raise a storm of protest.
Hansji
Thanks for your words. You have added lot of important material on this festival from your expert pen. I share your feelings about 1962 war. People were solid behind govt. and I had travelled a lot in that year and personally observed it.
Venkataramanji
I have read the novel and saw the movie. Hero was N.M. Nambiar as digarambara samiyaar. Was quite entertaining too. Plagiarising Hindi tunes was the order of the day. I have only one regret most of them were very badly rendered in Tamil or Telugu. I hold the opinion that orchestration was far superior in those days.
My search yields some songs on Diya and Diwali . Hope they are not repeats .
1.Jal jal jal , jal re deepak jal…..Rafi, Asha…Waman Avtar…Avinash Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l26r7yJXxX4
2.Lau lagaati geet gati…Lata…Bhabhi ki Chudiyaan….Sudhir Phadke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2HLtoPWWFY
3.aayi diwali deep jalaao…..Jhutika roy….Private
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PObp5GcZO9A
4.Tim tim tim taaroan ke deep jale….Lata, Talat…Mausi…V. Desai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtaZewcxpUo&list=PLDAB79EDFB38738B4
Huh, I could have sworn I commented before! Being the only one of four South Indian states to NOT celebrate Diwali, I suppose my comment disappeared into ether. Anyway, a belated Happy Diwali to every one.
I read the comments with great interest: I concur with Mr Rangan – the Tirupati temple was never a Jain temple. It was always a Vaishnavite temple.
Anuji
Greetings (advance) for Deepavali 2017. I am much relieved to find that you are also in agreement with me on Thirupathi temple. I am waiting for a reply from Dineshji.
Bhatiaji
You must be working hard, hunting for songs for various SoY posts. I listened to them and have included in the master list under preparation.
#17, 20, 21
Rangan ji, Insofar as I am concerned, and I believe in general too, there is no issue at all about Tirupati, whether it is or was Jain or Hindu. Let it thrive as it is, regardless of its past which may remain in doubt, suspense and mystery with no need today to resolve any of that.
On diya, SaigalSaab’s “Jaga mag jag mag diya jala” in Raaga Deepak from Tansen. I hope this is not a repeat
Seshadriji
I do not think this song has anything to do with deepavali. It was sung by Tansen to restore Akbar’s daughter.
DP Rangan ji,
One more song from Sambadh by Mahendra Kapoor-Yeh Kkushi Leke Main Kya Karoon…Jagmagate Diyon Mat Jalo, Muzse Roothi Hain Mari Diwali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikofsm_L4u4
Hello DP Rangan
“कैसे मनाएँ दीवाली हम लाला, Americonka To Nicala Diwala!
That is the week that was of the year 2016 and I was glued to the TV for a month. Thrills all the way and still lingers on. Yesterday Two News papers London Times and Guardian published full front page coloured photoes of Donaled Trump. Many who humiliated Trump all through the year now are praising him. A mirracle happened on thelate Tuesday Night. A news paper gave a heading, ” We are Donald Ducked”.
During the month Trump and Hillary and Obama did the firwork of insults at each other and that was Indian Holi in Diwali.
I am still glued to the TV.
But I had a quick look at your Diwali post. The word “Post” in England during the Xmas times means giving gifts to the lowers working class, not now. But it is still there in the name called Boxing Day after Xmas day.
You have comprihensively decribed the Indian Diwali except in Bengal which Venkatraman filled the gap by Kali becoming Laxmi on that day.
Well done! All the songs are very good. There was a Diwali song in the film “Duniya Naa Maane 1937 ” of Prabhat directed by Shantaram
and sung by baby actress Vasanti. But I do not have time to find out as I am overwhelmed by the Trump mania.
Shalan Lal
Ms.Shalan Lal ;
After Trumps win , I was expecting many Ducks in the current India England cricket match but four batsmen added 1 as prefix to double ducks !!! . What a way to celebrate [ remembring Shirle Macline of ‘what a way to go’ for Hillary ] .
Thanks for the kind words, Venkatramanji. Actually, I had meant to post the Dhan Basanti clip but I forgot to do so, and you beat me to it :). There is no additional detail that I have on the raga except to say that in this rendition Basant dominates with the Puriyadhanashri elements (for e.g. ma re ga in ‘jale’) cleverly woven in. Also, Kumarji has eschewed the shuddha madhyam of Basant until the very end of the performance. That said, I am sure you will enjoy both the following para, as well as the article from which I have extracted it (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kumar-gandharva-a-formidable-name-in-hindustani-music/1/360672.html):
“Then came raga Dhan Basanti. People analyse it as a combination of ragas Basant and Pooriya Dhanasri which is like saying that you do not exist except as a combination of your father and mother alone. “Dhan Basanti is just that,” says Peggy Weldon, graduate student of ethnomusicology at University of California and Los Angeles and a long time admirer of Kumar, “it combines nothing. It has its own discreet anatomy, it’s complete and unquestionable identity.””
I am not sure if its a diwali song at all..
Probably not in the movie.
But since for ever that i can remember, we used to all sing this song, while finally disbursing the diyas from the tray to their respective spots by the doorways and steps and windowsills and pillar posts..
I think it fits the mood of diwali fir sure..
“Jot se jot jagaate chalo
Prem ki ganga bahaate chalo..
Raah mein aayein jo deen dukhi
Sab ko gale se lagaate chalo “
Vinay,
Yes, ‘Jot se jot jagaate chalo’ does embody the spirit of Diwali.