In an interesting coincidence when this site carried Subodh’s article on music from the mountains, Harvey was doing songs of clouds. Mountains and clouds share a very intimate relationship. Their union gives rise to rivers. With this pedigree, it is no wonder some of the most beautiful songs are based on river, though no Raga is named after her, unlike her parents who have Raga Pahadi and Megh after them (or is there a Raga Nadi, Subodh?).
River has a magical beauty, and it lends itself to a variety of imageries. Its timeless flow is like jeevan ki dhara. It is incredibly romantic – lovers can hold hands and sit quietly by the side of the river in moonlit night. Then the mystery about the other side of the river – Harivansh Rai Bachchan is unsure about it – Is paar priye madhu hai tum ho, us paar na jane kya hoga. But SD Burman is sure, and makes a plaintive appeal to the boatman to ferry him across because his saajan is us paar. If the boatman is like Sunil Dutt who not only ferries Nutan across for her college, but also teaches her folk song on the way, Sawan ka mahina, this would lead to eternal love in several births and rebirths.
Here are some of my favourite नदी songs.
1. Nadi kinare baith ke aao by Motlal and Maya Banerjee from Jagirdar (1937), lyrics Pt Indra, music Anil Biswas
One of the earliest superhits of Anil Biswas. Jagirdar and this romantic Nadi song would set him on the path to becoming one of the founders of the Hindi film music.
2. Nadi paar hai aam ki bagiya by Devika Rani from Durga (1939), lyrics Pt Narottam Vyas, music Saraswati Devi
Saraswati Devi’s hallmark was making even actors like Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar sing. With this caveat I find this half-song extremely cute with Devika Rani singing about mangrove across the river and playing joyously with her puppy.
3. Ek tu hai ek main hun ek nadi ka kinara hai by Suraiya from Kanoon (1943), lyrics DN Madhok, music Naushad
Naushad would achieve spectacular popularity a year later with Rattan, but this less known Suraiya song is extremely pleasant, its beauty enhanced by the river theme.
4. Kyon man dhhodhe prem nadi ka kinara by Surendra from Lal Haveli (1944), lyrics Munshi Shams Lukhanvi, music Mir Sahib
Among the actor-singers of Bombay in late 30s and 40s Surendra was perhaps the best. His style and voice was very reminiscent of KL Saigal, and for some time he was being built up as Bombay’s answer to Saigal, till the latter himself shifted to Bombay. One of the quintessential Surendra songs, filled with pathos.
5. Nadiya kinare Ram bagiya mein nagar paan by Bharat Vyas from Chandralekha (1948), lyrics Pt Indra, music S Rajeshwar Rao
Though the mukhadaa starts with the word ‘nadiya’, it is more of a bullock cart song. I heard it only recently and completely fell for it. And the singer Bharat Vyas! I believe he is the same person who would achieve great fame as a lyricist. What a full throated arresting voice he has. Takes you back to the era of KC Dey. Chandralekha was the biggest blockbuster of its time. And you have this fantastic folk song. Too tempting to pass up. (PS. Please see comment #32)
6. More raja ho le chal nadiya ke paar by Mohammad Rafi and Lalita Deolkar from Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), lyrics Moti B.A., music C Ramchandra
Those were the days when if you had a BA degree, you proudly flaunted it! So we need not find the lyricist name amusing. This was the time when Dilip Kumar had acquired the status of a lover boy par excellence. His romance with Kamini Kaushal had caused a good deal of turbulence in those conservative days. When the actors are in love both on and off-screen and the song is a river song, you get this magic.
7. Nadi kinare saath hamare by Mohammad Rafi, Shamshad Begum and Talat Mohammad from Babul (1950), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
Rafi for boatman, Shamshad Begum for Munawwar Sultana and Talat Mahmood for Dilip Kumar – the era of actor-singers was giving way to independent playback singers. Naushad was still trying between Mukesh, Talat Mahmood and Rafi (so also Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar) for his lead singers. Thus you have Rafi for boatman singing Nadiya mein utha hai shor chhayi hai ghata ghanghor jana door hai. But Rafi being Rafi, this creates tremendous impact. The boatmen’s chorus is chinkola chinkola chinkola rather than Haiya ho. A beautiful Naushad song picturised equally beautifully.
8. More saiyanji utarenge paar ho nadiya dheere baho by Lata Mangeshkar from Udankhatola (1955), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, musis Naushad
Naushad again. When a genius like Naushad is at his peak of creativity you get a musical masterpiece like Udankhatola. Lata Mangeshkar starts the first line in slow tempo without any music, then the regulation Haiya re haiya ho followed by the incredibly beautiful river song in folk-classical style. Haiya re haiya ho must have occurred in dozens of songs, but none could match the prominence given in this song as a countermelody throughout the song.
9. Ye ratein ye mausam nadi ka kinara by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle from Dilli Ka Thug (1958), lyrics Shailendra, music Ravi
It is amazing, Kishore Kumar who sang crazy songs like CAT cat mane billi and Hum to mohabbat karega in this film, sings such melodious romantic song – naturally, it is a river song.
10. Ye hawa ye nadi ka kinara by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle from Ghar Sansar (1958), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Ravi
The same year you have this gem by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle composed by the quiet genius Ravi, picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Kumkum. Haya re haiya is too common, so Ravi tries La ra ru la la lalla lallaa with great effect.
An eternal song
I have done 10 songs, for which with great reluctance I had to leave out many of my favourites. But there is one which is so special I have to add it as a bonus song. Though ‘river’ is not there, but there are ‘bridges of the Seine’, and ‘hold you tight’ ‘far from the eyes of the night’ – a well deserved international acclaim for over 80 years now. First composed by popular and prolific French composer Vincent Scotto in 1931, it became popular throughout England and France, and later everywhere. The English lyrics are by Dorcas Cochran. The French lyrics are by J. Rodor. (Information based on the internet). Enjoy the lyrics and the song by Dean Martin (he sings only the last two stanzas, I have not been able to locate a full rendition on the YouTube).
Under the bridges of Paris with you
My darling why I sing this song
Is easy to explain
It tells what happens all along
The bridges of the Seine
The vagabonds go there at night
To sleep all their troubles away
But when the moon is shining bright
My heart wants to sing it this way
How would you like to be
Down by the Seine with me
Oh what I’d give for a moment or two
Under the bridges of Paris with you
Darling I’d hold you tight
Far from the eyes of night
Under the bridges of Paris with you
I’d make your dreams come true
Under the bridges of Paris with you by Dean Martin
{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
AK, you made us wait for this one, but then you made up for it by choosing a great theme and – as always – uncovering some hidden gems.
I am not aware of any raga on the theme of rivers, but there is Bhatiyali – the folk tune of Bengali fishermen – which has not yet been raised to the level of a raga. This is not to be confused with Bhatiyar, which is well established raga, with nothing to do with Bhatiyali. Exponents of classical music from Bengal love performing Bhatiyali in their concerts in between regular ragas. Here is a link to a beautiful track from Pannalal Ghosh: http://www.in.com/music/track/morning-to-midnight-ragas-vol-1-class-in-songs/bhatiyali-dhun-pandit-pannalal-ghosh-533183.html. The web page can be confusing – look for the disk shape web player near the right margin. Nikhil Banerjee also loves playing Bhaityali.
Half of the fun of SoY comes from the songs that come up in the comments. What I miss in your list are songs in which the river is the center of the scene, rather than just a backdrop for romance. I have in mind songs like ‘Ganga aye kahan se’, ‘Sun mere bandhu re’ and ‘O re Manjhi, mere sajan hain us par.’ It is no coincidence that all three are by music directors and singers from Bengal. Those who know Bengali film music would probably be able to come up with a comprehensive list of river songs.
Your Dean Martin song made me nostalgic about the year I spent in Paris. Let me return the favor by giving the link to a very famous song from 1939. The song is in French, but you can see the original as well as translated lyrics here: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/sur-les-quais-du-vieux-paris-riverbanks-old-paris.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SLT0YssIT4
Nadi naare na Jayo Shyam….Payyian Padoon?
Next: Tu Ganga ki mauj….mein Jamuna ka dhaara
@Subodh Agrawal
I should have mentioned I was considering song with the word ‘nadi’, ‘nadiya’ in them. That would explain exclusion of some songs mentioned by you. Otherwise they would be at the top of any list.
Pannalal Ghosh’s flute is superb. Flute seems to be made for Bhatiyali.
The video of the song is so evocative. I do not know if it was meant for the song. The lyrics are so beautiful I am putting it here. So similar to Under the bridges of Paris with you. Parisians do seem to have something about the Seine and its bridges. Though they have a lot of other things to be romantic about.
On the riverbanks of old Paris
When you quietly lean over
whispering: “It’s Sunday,
What if we had a wander in the suburbs
Under the blue summer sky?”
A thousand plans entice us
But, sharing the same smile,
We retrace the sweet and simple steps
Of our very first dates …
On the banks of old Paris, along the Seine
Happiness smiles,
On the banks of old Paris, love wanders along
Searching for a nest.
Old bookseller, beautiful florist
How we love you, living poem!
On the banks of old Paris, bohemian love
It’s paradise …
All the old bridges know us,
Witnesses to the crazy promises,
That the echo in the current will recount
To the merry, cheeky sparrows …
And, in your arms which hold me,
Listening to the sirens,
I let my heart, overcome with happiness,
beat next to yours …
@KBS Sidhu
Nadi nare na jao Shyam paiyan padun was one of the songs I had to reluctantly leave out, as I did want to include some vintage but relatively unknown songs.
Tu Ganga ki mauj main I have used earlier in Mohammad Rafi – Lata Mangeshkar duets. In any case it would not have fitted here in my definition. Please see my comments above.
Once again a fabulous post AK!
River songs is a great theme!!
The river plays an important role in the country side. They usually marked the boundaries of villages. They were sort of outer frontiers and also thus meeting places for lovers, but also connection to the outer world, where the fast transport was possible only through boat rides.
Thus Waheeda would also like Sunil not to go to the river banks, since she is afraid that he might bring her souten in nadi nare na jaao shyam from Mujhe Jeene Do
aaja aaja aaja nadiya kinare from Rajhat is also a good one
nadi as a philosophical metaphor comes in sansar hai ek nadiya from Raftar
or also in oh re taal mile nadi ke jal from Anokhi Raat
and also in o majhi re apna kinara from Khushboo
the banks of river as address is used in
bhooj mera kya naam re from CID
and also in nadiya kinare pe hamara bagaan from Barsaat Ki Ek Raat
One of my old Lata fav is also dhire dhire chad gaya nadi me paani, which I myself forget very often. 🙂
Nadi kinare baith ke aao, Nadi paar hai aam ki bagiya, Kyon man dhhodhe prem nadi ka kinara, Nadiya kinare Ram bagiya mein nagar paan were new for me.
Thank you for this interesting post
Having mentioned Bengal’s fascination with rivers, and the beautiful way it shows in its music, it is hard to resist mentioning this song. It was used later in the movie Sidhartha based on Herman Hesse’s novel:
Lovely theme, AK, and a fit sequel to the songs of the mountains. I did wonder if there was a raaga associated with it, and came here to read another of Subodh’s informative articles on raagas. But the lovely songs you chose have more than made up. 🙂
My contributions to your list:
A lovely Kalyanji-Anandji compostion from Safar
And from Roshan comes a nadi song, a boat song, and a bullock cart song all in one. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BCG04fsVL0&feature=related
I don’t know if this will fit your criteria, but here is a lovely RD/Kishoreda number from Khushboo…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFTaTokxsdc&feature=related
@Harvey
Thanks a lot. Aa ja aa ja from Rajhath is a fascinating song. I was seriously considering to include it at the cost of one from serial 8, 9 or 10. Nadi nare na jao Shyam is always at the top of recall for nadi songs. Oh re taal mile nadi ke jal mein was also in my list. Hopefully I would use it in some other context. Boojh mera kya naam re had slipped my mind – another great song. Two songs in my list came up while browsing – Nadi paar hai aam ki bagiya and Nadiya kinare Ram bagiya mein. I found them extremely fascinating. Given a choice I lean towards older songs at the cost of more common ones. I feel this way we are learning more about our hidden wealth.
@Subodh Agrawal
I do not know whether you have noticed. The Hemant Kumar Bengali song you have mentioned, he used this tune in O beqaraar dil by Lata Mangeshkar in Kohra.
@Anu Warrier
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. All the three songs you have mentioned not only fit perfectly to this theme, they are picturised so beautifully. It is sad that I had to keep it to ten. Nadiya chale chale re dhara is such a great song, it was in my list. Harvey has also mentioned Oh re taal mile. You are right it has so many layers. Khushboo song O majhi re to my mind was the movie’s high point and enhances Jitendra’s sensitive portrayal. Just makes me think Bengal-river-boat-majhi songs could be a theme for a post. Though one can’t be sure all the beautiful Bengal river scenes were actually shot in Bengal. I believe Bandini‘s climax scene with O re majhi was shot in Bihar.
Subodh – Could not help adding this song to the list. The song from Saudaar – Door hai Kinara behti nadi ki dhara.
The post on नदी songs is compelling enough reason to take an immediate dip into the waters!
And now that I catch the first breath, my mind races to a Hemant Kumar song O Nadi Re [http://youtu.be/NpG9-nxmUOg
] – from Conrad Rooks Siddharth (1972) – a film based on Herman Hesse’s novel, where the नदी is epitomized as the solution for one’s perennial search for the eternal peace of mind. Here is its original Bengali version – http://youtu.be/IJj_fa-MVxc
– which is adopted in the film as here before.
And since Hemant Kumar has come to the surface of the memory, Ganga Aaye Kahan Se – of Kabuliwala (1961) – Salil Chaudhary [http://youtu.be/tMrmMLY6ZLE] is the obvious gem to come to mind.
If songs #7,8,9,10 certainly appear to be a very universal in choice , sings #1 to 6 would need a separate dip each – may be with the aid of deep breathing devices – to enjoy the beauty of the songs, selected by Shri AKji, as only probably he would select such songs for so so sublime a subject.
AKji addition of “Under the bridges of Paris with you by Dean Martin” should suffice to put the final stamp of “Collector’s Choice” to this post.
I am sure, the readers of this blog will have many more memorable songs to add to the riches.
Hemant Kumar’s song O nadi re has been mentioned in Subodh’s comments above with its audio clip. In my response I have mentioned Hemant Kumar used this tune for O beqaraar dil by Lata Mangeshkar in Kohra. But his original Bengali version is far better.
#1 to 6 I invite you to savour leisurely in case you had not heard them before. They would take your breath away. My own favourite is Nadiya kinare Ram bagiya me sung by Bharat Vyas (!) which I came across only recently while searching for this post.
Wonderful post! It is so true that the flow of a river can inspire, soothe, caress, elate and calm a person, depending on one’s mood, and what is better than music to suit the flow of the river to compound the effect? The first song that comes to my mind is the one from Savera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_s1zB4atw
I love the songs from Khushboo and the songs from No. 6 onward, but the first five songs are songs that I am not familiar with, so I am going to listen to them now. This is an excellent post!
Thanks a lot for your very generous praise. Nadiya ke pani O re nadiya ke pani is one of my top favourites. I had used this song earlier in my post on Forgotten Composers: Shailesh Mukherjee. Otherwise it would have surely come here. I am sure you would like the first five songs too. They are a very special part of our legacy. The only jarring thing is the discordant thumbnails in serial 3 and 4. But why should we complain, I am thankful to the persons who have uploaded it on the YouTube.
AK, I am slowly, but surely, being seduced by no. 1 to 6 on the list. I fully agree with you on the Bharat Vyas song; the Suraiya one is also a great find.
I have been exploring Bengali river songs. Here is one using Tagore’s composition ‘Ogo nodi apon bege’ in a film
A regular Bhatiyali from Abdul Alim, who has a lot of songs on Youtube
Finally, there is not a river, but a lake song, which is too good to leave out
You said that flute is meant for Bhatiyali. There is something in it, some link between flute and rivers, as these two clips from the opposite shores of Pacific Ocean show:
I was sure 1 to 6 would grip you. I was thinking why Bharat Vyas was so charming, and I had mentioned KC Dey. He is a combination of KC Dey and SD Burman minus the Begali accent.
The songs you have mentioned are excellent, especially the Hemant Kumar one. It reminded me of my old Hemant Kumar favourite Rabindrasangeet Mon moro megher sangi. It does not have nadi, but it does have clouds and breeze, music and rim jhim, swan, nirjharini, samudra. Tagore does not leave out anything.
Flute seems to be universally associated with nature. I had mentioned Bhatiyali. I should have mentioned Pahadi too.
I was also searching for Bhatiyali pieces and songs on YouTube.
Howver, the issue was beyond my comprehension, except that they were good to listen to.
From the depths of my heart, I was expecting Subodhji and AKji to come up with the type of research as they are adapt at carrying out, once they have a topic lined up for discussion.
And, they have so majestically bolstered my [and all other readers’] expecations by coming up with these research.
And, this may not be the end……
In fact I am very poor at languages. The Bengali songs I can only very vaguely make out a few words. But I love them. But there are songs which transcend language, cultures. Guantanamera, a Spanish song was a craze once; later Macarena. And now Kolaveri Di?
I think one thing are really grateful about, and I never tire of saying again and again, is the internet and the anonymous God Samaritans who have posted all these gems. Today virtually everything you are looking for is there, and much more.
I am not sure whether this is mentioned already. There is an interesting song by Shanta Apte from Wahan 1937 ‘na bhejo nadi kin are’ on YouTube.
The song is not mentioned before. Thanks for mentioning it. Here is the song:
thanks a k. enjoyed the post and the songs that the visitors have added.i am adding two more.first one is ” ol’ man river” by paul robeson and the second one by bhupen hazarika.
arvind
Long time. But one can trust you would come up with some fantastic songs. Beautiful picturisation too.
AK, I have been very removed/distracted from the blogging world for a couple of weeks (as evidenced by the gap in my own blog), so sorry I never got to this until now. Of course, I love this list – it might be my favorite so far. Probably, you have even seen me feature of few of those very same songs on my blog as well. 🙂
And you also have listed so many of my favorite singers…including Suraiya and Surendra(!)… The only one (conspicuously) missing is Noor Jehan. So, here’s one, from the Pakistani Choo Mantar:
One would expect an artist having roots in the place of rivers, Bhupen Hazarika can be certainly expected to have Nadi in his ‘natural’ repertoire . Here is one such beautiful Assamese song – Moha bahu Brahmaputra – Bhupen Hazarika
http://youtu.be/2_ByfPJngWQ
@Richard S
Welcome back. I hope we would have you more often. I am not surprised that our blogs have many songs in common, sometimes also around the same time. 🙂 Is there some telepathy in blogosphere?
I do come across Noorjehan songs, especially of Pakistan period. But given the self imposed limitation of 10, sometimes I am not able to include her. But I do look forward to you to fill in the gap. 🙂
@Ashok Vaishnavji
You have now become an integral part of SoY to add several songs to our knwledge.
anil,reference ur comments dated july 4,2012 where u talk of ‘ mon
moro megher sangi’ . now listen to this 1962 hemanta kumar composition from ‘ma beta ‘
Man mera udata jaye badal ke sang by Lata Mangeshkar from Ma Beta (1962), lyrics Prem Dhavan, music Hemant Kumar
SOY has helped pull out songs which i had heard in my childhood and then lost them as these would be rarely aired on the radio.
thanks.
Arvind, you are a genius! From where do you unearth these songs? Literal translation of Rabindrasangeet and brodly the same tune. The only thing I would like to say this is no match to Hemant Kumar original in Bengali.
I do not know Hindi well enough to be sure whether it fits, but a couple of the words appear in this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtm-YGWOMo8
Yes it does fit. Very good song and unknown so far. Thanks for introducing it.
Hello !!
Compliments for another good article. Please correct one error. The song “Yeh Hawaa Yeh Nadee Kaa Kinaaraa” from movie “Ghar Sansaar” was composed by Ravi and not by Chitragupt. Incidentally, Ghar Sansaar was Ravi’s seventh movie as an independent music composer. He was one of the most trusted and favourite team member of the great Hemant Kumar. Though Ravi became independent music director he continued to assist Hemant Kumar right till the movie “Miss Mary”.
Regards,
Mukund
Thanks for the correction.
Here I am introducing the song “Ganga Aye Kahan se”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HNsAq85ju8
Dear readers,
Song no 5 Nadiya kinare Ram bagiya me nagar paan, which was a very special song for me, has been taken off by YouTube. Very cruel of them! It is also a very rare song, so I do not know when another good samaritan would upload it. However I got another terrific song which has both bullock cart and river, composed by great favourite Chitrgupta.
Wo door jo nadiya bahti hai by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangehskar from Barkha
thanks,anil.a very sweet song full of lessons in win- win diplomacy.
A non-film song sung by Kishore Kumar in Bengali. Awesome melody and lyrics.
New Delhi, 30th July 2013.
Sir,
One relevant song which could have been included in this blog/theme is from the film “Do Béhnén” (if I am correct) and I am not able to find it here. The song is: “Jhuk Jhuk Jhola Khaé Jhuk Jhuk Jhola, Jhuk Jhuk Jhola Khaé Ré Badriya Jhuk Jhuk Jhola Khaé Saavan Kee Rut Aai Ré Mora Dheeraj Choto Jaaé Hai Hai Dheeraj Choto Jaaé”.
This is a Chorus in River where there s of course Naiyya, sung by perhaps Lata and Mahendra Kapoor.
Could you please tell us as to who are the Lyricist and Music Director of this beautiful song.
Mohan Lal.
Thanks a lot for mentioning a beautiful song. It is sung by Mahendra Kapur and Lata Mangeshkar from film Do Behne (1959), lyrics by Pradeep, music Vasant Desai. I was looking for the word ‘nadi’ in the lyrics, and not only visually, it might not have figured in my list. However here is the song:
New Delhi, 31st July 2013.
Thank you AK Ji for uploading this beautiful song for the music lovers.
Thanks once again and regards,
Mohan Lal.
A dip in the river is supposed to cleanse us of our sins. But what if the sinner is enjoying the glorious Vyjayantimala from outside and singing such a lovely song.
Chandaniya nadiya beech nahaye from ‘Anjaan’, sung and music both by Hemant Kumar
Chandaniya Nadiya Beech Nahaye I Hemant Kumar I A…: http://youtu.be/4ozhr1ZoYrc
Another beautiful composition, Pawan chale to uthe nadi me, by Rafi and Asha, film ‘Bombay Ka Babu’, music by S D Burman.
Bombai Ka Babu – Pawan Chale To Uthi Nadi Mein – …: http://youtu.be/p2yOB5CTkG0
A song by preacher Mahipal with elernal favorite Anita Guha, Nadiya na piye kabhi apna jal from ‘Kan Kan Me Bhagwan’ by Mahendra Kapoor, music by Pt. Shivram.
Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan – Nadiya Na Piye Kabhi Apna …: http://youtu.be/N5gmB9TqxNs
And finally a favorite song of my childhood, Chand chupa Aur taare doobe’ from ‘Sohni Mahiwal’ by Mahendra Kapoor, music by Naushad.
The whole song depicts the heroine Nimmi trying to cross the river to meet her beloved and the fury of a dangerous river making sure that this does not happen.
Sohni Mahiwal (1958)-Chaand Chhupa aur Taare Doob…: http://youtu.be/eOscykMfPzQ
Forgot to list the song from ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya’, Zindagi kya hai, gham ka Dariya hai, by Rafi, music by Ravi.
ZiNDAGi KYA HAi GHAM KA DARYA HAi -MOHD RAFI -fil…: http://youtu.be/dzA2H_xErPE
Sharmaji,
Thanks a lot for these additions. Pawan chale to uthe nadi mein rang a bell. It is strange how things come back tot he same point. Recall the tune of Kaali teri choti hai paranda tera laal ni from a recent movie.
AK ji,
Thanks for your kind words.
I think Gulshan Kumar had a good sense of musical commerce and could rightly or wrongly use anything that suited his purpose.
But then SDB was a class apart as can be seen from his treatment of the song.
Lovely lot of songs, some old favourites, some new albeit chronologically older, and some surprisingly not mentioned – O Re Maanjhi from Bandini, Sun Mere Bandhu Re from Sujata, and a whole basket about Ganga from various films, Ganga Aaye Kahan Se from Kabuliwala, Tu Ganga Ki Mauj from Baiju Bawra, and more. Some are folksy and some quite modern amongst them – Machalti Hui Hawa Mein Chham Chham (from Ganga Ki Lehren), Mere Man Ki Ganga from Sangam- but anyway, those that did get mentioned is such a treasure trove, thanks!
Dr Gokhale,
Welcome to SoY, and thanks a lot for appreciation
I have come late to the party and some of the songs cited above have been yanked off YT :(. Anyway, here are a couple of songs that I think deserve mention although they are from the 70s:
1. ‘Nadiya kinaare’ from Abhimaan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Rq9TPK3Po
The raga is Pilu.
2. ‘Bade achche lagte hain’ from ‘Baalika Badhu’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pN7sITXVyk
Here is a song from Goa in which the river plays a prominent part. It falls under the ‘deknni’ genre and was famously adapted by LP in Bobby.
‘Haa.nv saaiba poltodi vettaa.n’ (‘poltodi’ means ‘opposite bank’ in Konkani):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E__2Lzlxvqs
‘Na maangoon sona chaandi’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8W45SVywws
1. An exquisite rendition of ‘Nadiya kinaare mora gaaon’ by Mehdi Hassan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzgSy2Sin3A
The rendition is in a mixture of Tilak Kamod and Des.
2. ‘Jamuna kinaare mora gaaon’ rendered by Vasantrao Deshpande:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Wc-oaPhYM
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVzdtXYiNDo
I know this composition does not fit here by the criterion laid down in Comment # 3 since there is no explicit mention of ‘nadi’/’nadiya’, but I cannot help sharing it since it is so beautiful!
3. A wonderful rendition of ‘Mora sainyaan bulaave aadhi raat, nadiya bairi bhayi’, the well known Des thumri, by Hiradevi Mishra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5VkaIyHrNI
Ashwin Bhandrakar,
Thanks a lot for adding these beautiful compositions. I like Hiradevi Mishra’s singing a lot, especially her Bahirvi thumri in Gaman – Ras ke bhare tore nain. But on Nadiya bairi bhayi I immediately remembered my favourite Ustad Rashid Khan’s. This is in a different league.
Once again, can’t agree more with what you have stated.
I saw this for the first time today trying to show my son in law Australia-India connections. May be this fits the theme. http://youtu.be/ho6QH0xDgAw
‘ye hawa ye nadi ka kinara’ by Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey from Ghar Sansar 1958
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrcXBcnukwg
AK’ji,
I am not sure whether the songs I am loading fits the bill ; but the songs itself have a very beautiful lyrical quality that I could not resist myself uploading .
Kishti ka khamosh safar hai……. by Kishore and Sudha malohtra from old movie ….Girl friend….music by Hemant kumar .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrT4eSsf_HQ
Laheroan pe leher ulfat hai zawan……by Hemant and Nutan……from chhabili ……with music by Snehal bhatker .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8as7lMKPjaA
KS Bhatiaji,
Kashti = Naiya. It could fit in that category, and there is a separate post on that. The second song is somewhat apart. But both the songs are superb. Thanks for posting them.
Ak One item needs clarification. In song No. 10 of your list , in the write up you had mentioned M D as Chitragupta. The song has the stamp of Ravi. You hve mentioned below the utube picture.
At post 19 , utube link has been removed. Here is a fresh link
https://youtu.be/g51z-YE4ZAM?t=4
Post 32
here is a fresh link for song from Barkha.
https://youtu.be/FX5FoGcT3JY?t=11
Regarding chitragupta post – posted it without seeing all the writeups. It has already been mentined. May kindly ignore it.
DP Rangan,
In the song title I had correctly mentioned Ravi. Then I must have gone to sleep and mixed it up with Ghar Basa Ke Dekho in the write-up. Thanks for the correction.
Ye door jo nadiya bahti hai is such a sweet song, no harm in refreshing it again and again.
Can anyone tell me which are the songs picturised in rivers near Mumbai in old times. Rivers like Poisar, Mithi, Dahisar, Osiwara etc?
Thank You.
Vijayshankar,
A comment in the following link to ‘Tu Ganga ki Mauj Main Jamuna ka Dhaara’ from ‘Baiju Baawra’ states that the song was shot in the Dahisar river:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIexNHlSJIo
Found out from the following depressing video that the song ‘Chhuk chhuk chhaiyyaan chhaiyyan’ from ‘Shehnai’ was shot in the Poisar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryChLDI1eD4
The irony of the lyrics will not be lost on anyone who watches the video.
Ashwin,
We have done enormous damage to our rivers and water bodies, a great deal in the name of religion. But beautiful song and very creative video. Thanks for sharing it.
AK @ 32
Here is the new link for your song no. 5
https://youtu.be/7tS8cZldVeA
DP Rangan,
Thanks a lot for the link. I have put it in, but it allows to play only on YouTube.
Hi,
Just read this wonderful post on rivers and it was an immersive musical experience. One more song that was missing – kaise aaun jamuna ke teer_Devta.
Shefali,
Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. ‘Kaise jaaun Jamuna ke teer’ is a beautiful song.