The Hindi film Qawwali series continues on the blog. We visited the qawwalis from the 40s and the 50s in Part 1 , with Part 2 covering the 60s.
The first couple of parts had a number of my favourites, and it was difficult for me to choose songs. The present part covering the 70s and the 80s was relatively easy as the number of my favourites were less and new additions if any were also good making the job easy for me. As I always confess, I’m rather weak in my knowledge from the late 70s till the mid 80s.
As per my observation, the qawwalis from the covered period were good, but of course much less enjoyable than the earlier decades. However the typical captivating rhythm of the qawwali always makes one tap his feet and also clap. The qawwali originated as a devotional song, and in the 80s, I could find a few songs that actually fit the original concept. Other songs are mainly the Hindi film versions of qawwali. Amidst the well known qawwalis, I’ve added a few songs which I heard for the first time, but took at instant liking!
Without further ado, let’s enjoy the qawwalis.
Hindi films Qawwalis from the 70s and the 80s arranged chronologically… ..
1. Zalim Meri Sharab Mein – Reshma Aur Shera (1971) Manna Dey & Chorus / Jaidev – Rajendra Krishan
I heard this beautiful qawwali for the first time last year when I was compiling my Waheeda Rehman song list. My mind took a note of it as one of Rajendra Krishan’s good songs from the 70s. The song has beautiful lyrics and it’s woven in a typically sweet qawwali rhythm. I think it’s not a very popular song, being overshadowed by the other popular songs of the movie. The qawwali portrays emotions of a man reminiscing his beloved. The song is picturised on Sudhir and I was surprised to see a cute little Sanjay Dutt besides Sudhir, playing the supporting singers of the qawwali.
2. Jeena Hai To Usi Ka – Adhikar (1971) Rafi & Chorus / R D Burman – Ramesh Pant
The song is picturised during birthday celebrations of the baby. Pran prays for the baby and blesses him with good wishes. The last stanza is particularly heartwarming. Excellently written and composed with the main attraction being Rafi’s perfect rendition. I came across this song a couple of months back, when I was compiling Rafi’s songs with R D Burman. Rafi had a couple of songs in the movie and I reserved this beautiful qawwali lip synced by Pran for a later date. The qawwali series wasn’t in a final shape then.
3. Kaise Besharm Aashiq Hain – Putlibai (1972) Yusuf Azad, Rashida Khatoon & Chorus / Jaikumar Parte – Zafar Gorakhpuri
In 2019, while I was gathering information for the series based on Lata’s association with lesser known composers, I came across the composer Jaikumar Parte. For the series I had only one song to go for, but I looked for his details and I found other Hindi films he composed for! One of those was Putlibai.
I was happy to revisit this fabulous qawwali filled with fun! Just give it a try! The war of genders at its best! The most funny is the list of materials God gathered to create a man and a woman! Even if you don’t call it a great song, it certainly gets etched as a memorable fun qawwali. Do listen to it if you haven’t! Here’s one more Hindi film qawwali by the duo from Noor e Elahi.
4. Haal Kya Hai Dilon Ka – Anokhi Ada (1973) Kishore Kumar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Majrooh
Not aware of the situation in the song, but it appears to be a birthday party. Jeetendra is addressing Rekha, while Vinod Khanna appears a bit perplexed. A good song, perhaps not very popular.
5. Raaz Ki Baat Keh Doon To – Dharma (1973) Asha Bhosle & Rafi / Sonik Omi – Verma Malik
I used to listen to this qawwali right from my childhood on Doordarshan in shows like Chitrahar and Rangoli. So it was an obvious inclusion. The song has powerful lyrics and it seems the song runs during the climax or just before it. A lot of things happen during it. It’s picturised primarily on Pran and Bindu, with Ajit and Rekha in the audience. Quite an interesting picturisation. Click here for the video song (https://youtu.be/xHX1TtiFT58)
6. Mehangai Maar Gayi – Roti Kapda Aur Makan (1974) Jani Babu Qawwal, Narendra Chanchal, Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Verma Malik
The song and the movie were hugely popular during their release and it proved to be one of the most successful films by Manoj Kumar. The film focuses on the three primary needs of humans, food, clothes and shelter. Verma Malik has penned the song quite well and I was surprised to know the first verse of the song was actually the mukhda of one of the songs written by Verma Malik for Mirza Sahiban in 1957. Though a lengthy song, quite interesting!
7. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Sharabi – Five Rifles (1974) Aziz Naazan / Aziz Naza – Naza Solapuri
The qawwali is the only reason to remember the film. Though sung by a male singer, it’s picturised on a woman crossdressed as a man. Quite a popular song! The film version is much shorter than the original version that has many verses.
The famous Qawwal, Aziz Naazan needs no introduction. He’s one of the most popular and top notch qawwal. He also sang a few Hindi film qawwalis in addition to the non-film qawwalis.
8. Hoke Mayoos Tere Dar Se – Laila Majnu (1976) Rafi, Shankar & Shambhu Qawwal, Aziz Naazan, Ambar Kumar & Chorus / Madan Mohan – Sahir
The song is a treat to the ears as we get to listen to the stalwarts of Qawwali in a single song. Rafi sings for Rishi Kapoor, while the other stalwarts sing for the supporting performers including actor Sudhir.
Shankar and Shambhu Qawwal were a popular singer duo who excelled in the field of Qawwali. The brothers were trained in Indian classical music and once spotted by Mehboob Khan, they were invited by him to Mumbai. They mainly performed qawwalis, though also sang other devotional songs as well. Their contribution to Hindi films was as playback singers as well as composers. Their popular Hindi films as a singer include, Teesri Kasam, Barsaat Ki Raat, Laila Majnu, Murad etc. They composed for Tumhara Kalloo, Mere Daata Gharib Nawaz, Kaala Suraj etc.
9. Hai Agar Dushman Zamana – Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus / R D Burman – Majrooh
One of my all time favourite qawwali. It hasn’t aged despite being more than 45 years old. The freshness in the presentation, liveliness in the singer’s voices and the chemistry between the onscreen pair, all are superb. What a beautiful orchestration! The percussion instruments and the clapping sounds rule the song.
10. Parda Hai Parda – Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) Rafi & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Third Rishi Kapoor song in a row! Wow! He had a number of qawwalis picturised on him. In the film, Amar Akbar Anthony, alone there are three qawwalis, all sung by Rafi and all picturised on Rishi Kapoor. I chose the one which I like the most. What a mind blowing rendition by Rafi! The one line lip synced by Amitabh Bachchan was sung by Amit Kumar, or so it is said! A very enjoyable qawwali. The songs from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen and Amar Akbar Anthony proved to be a comeback for Rafi who was somewhat overshadowed by the Kishore Kumar tsunami. But look at the freshness and power in his voice! Just unparalleled!
11. Tum Nahi Ya Hum Nahi – Karmayogi (1978) Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar / Kalyanji Anandji – Verma Malik
I wasn’t aware of this qawwali, but I liked it instantly. Without video, it would have sounded like a routine war of genders, but it seems it has a definite situation in the movie. Again it could be a climax song! Wonderfully sung by all, Asha Bhosle singing for Rekha, Kishore Kumar for Ajit and cherry on top Rafi singing for Raj Kumar.
12. Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara – The Burning Train (1980) Asha Bhosle, Rafi & Chorus / R D Burman – Sahir
One of the most popular qawwalis of Hindi cinema. It’s picturised on a running train and has a train rhythm in the interludes. And this is a qawwali appearing at the climax of the movie. Jeetendra, Neetu Singh, Rajendra Nath, Asha Sachdev, Mukri, Shammi etc.
Qawwalis at wedding functions are quite common in Hindi films. The last part also had a wedding qawwali song from Gharana. I could find wedding qawwali songs from the 70s and 80s, but I liked only a few! I’ll start the 80s with a qawwali set at a wedding.
13. Ladki Tumhari Kanwari Rah Jaati – Krodhi (1981) Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Zeenat Aman and Shashi Kapoor with their supporters sing the qawwali at their friend’s wedding. Shashi Kapoor represents the groom’s side, while Zeenat Aman the bride’s. Though Shashi Kapoor looks a bit older, the song is quite enjoyable. Both the parties talk about their superiority and how they obliged the opposite party, who would have remained unmarried otherwise. The allegations are of course in a lighter vein and not to be taken literally. The leading singers of both sides however get attracted to each other and a new love story starts!
14. Chehra Chhupa Liya Hai – Nikah (1982) Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor, Salma Agha & Chorus / Ravi – Hasan Kamaal
I remembered this qawwali which I had heard in my childhood. Though I am not very fond of it, it’s good. It portrays war of genders, and how ultimately both are interdependent. Salma Agha created much hype after the release of Nikah, though that didn’t last long. The song is picturised on Asrani, Salma Agha, Pankaj Parashar, with Chandrashekar and Urmila Bhatt.
15. Aaj Rang Hai – Nek Parveen (1982) Iqbal Sabri & Chorus / Iqbal Qureshi – Naseem Ajmeri
I wasn’t aware of either the film or the song. But while searching for songs I came across this Mala Sinha, Ramesh Deo starrer song. A devotional song sung by Sabri brothers. I liked the song.
Would you like to add a 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.
