HIMANSHU GURU, OP
Diwali songs on the silver screen have had an eternal lyrical appeal that enchants generations of listeners…
The song ‘Aayi Diwali’ sung by Zohrabai Ambalewali in film ‘Rattan’ (1944) is perhaps the oldest song on Diwali in Hindi films. Another popular Diwali song is ‘Jagmati Diwali Ki Raat Aa Gayi’ renderd by Asha Bhonsle for the film ‘Stage’ (1951). It’s a rare early song. ‘Aayi Hai Diwali’ sung by Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum in the film ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (1950) is another early Diwali song.
In the song the whole household is bustling with activity and women all over join the chorus for the celebrations. Besides, the ‘Mele Hain Chiragon Ke Rangeen Ki Diwali Hai’ sung by the great Lata Mangeshkar in the film ‘Nazrana’ (1961) is a happy version, counterpoint to the Raj Kapoor tragedy from the earlier version. Again the ‘Deep Jalenge Deep Diwali Aayi Ho’ by Geeta Dutt in the film ‘Paisa’ (1957) houses joyous melody and that gentle lulling voice.
Another popular Diwali song is the ‘Deep Diwale Ke’ by Kishore Kumar in the film ‘Jugnu’ (1973). The song is picturised on Dharmendra with a bunch of happy school kids. Besides, there are many other popular Hindi film songs based on Diwali such as ‘Kaise Diwali Manaye Lala’ (Mohammed Rafi, ‘Paigham’, 1959), ‘Aayi Ab Ke Saal Diwali’ (Lata Mangeshkar, Haqeeqat 1965), ‘Is Raat Diwali Kaise (Mohammed Rafi, Shamshad Begum, and Asha Bhonsle, ‘Sabse Bada Rupaiya’, 1955), ‘Laakhon Taare Aasman Mein’ (Mukesh and Lata, Hariyali Aur Raasta 1962), ‘Ek Woh Bhi Diwali Thi’ (Mukesh, Nazrana 1961), ‘Mele hain chiragon ke’ (Nazrana, 1959), ‘Aaye Hai Abke Saal Diwali’ (Haqueeqat, 1964) and ‘Lakhon Tare Aasman Mein Magar’ (Hariyali Aur Rasta, 1962).
In the new generation Hindi films also we find a bunch of Diwali songs in films like Mohabbatten Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001) Joh Jeeta Woh Sikander (1992) Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992) Vaastav (1999) Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham (2003) Taare Zameen Par (2007) Aisha (2010).
Diwali in Oriya melody
When it comes to Oriya films we witness only a few hit songs based on Diwali. This reporter even asked some renowned music directors of today’s Oriya cinema whether they have been asked to compose any Diwali song, but they answered ‘no’. We also called some renowned Oriya film singers to register their opinions, but they refused to tell anything since they have not sung any Diwali song. However, one of the most remarkable among Oriya Diwali songs is the ‘Dibali Dibali Dibali’ song from the Oriya film ‘Panchu Pandav’ (1989). In this song five renowned actresses of Oriya films including Mahasweta Ray and Puspa Panda are seen taping their feet to the Diwali number. Directed by Sisir Mohan Pati, the set was made by art director Budha Moharana.
Another hit Oriya song on Diwali is ‘Aaji Deepavali Bije Mahakali’ from the Prashanta Nanda directorial film ‘Hisab Nikash’ (1982). The track can be regarded as the best Oriya song on Deepavali. Anuradha Paudwal lent voice to the song composed by legendary singer and music director Prafulla Kar. Importantly, famous Kathak dancer Gopi Krishna choreographed and danced in this song with Mahasweta Ray. It is heard from reliable sources that shooting of the track took place at the Chandivali studio in Mumbai.
Coming to the new age Oriya films, the ‘Mita re Mita’ song of the Anubhav starrer blockbuster ‘I Love You’ (2005) is also picturised on the backdrop of Diwali and Kali Puja. The protagonist is seen playing guitar and then dances with boys and girls in front of a Kali medha; in the song we can also witness firecrackers are being lighted.
Asked about his composed Diwali songs music director Agniraj Kishor said: “I have composed a Diwali song ‘Akhi tumara ete Sundar’, for my upcoming film the Debashis Pati starrer ‘Tandav’. Penned by Prabin Kumar the song has been sung by Humane Sagar and Nandita Bhanja. However, we see only few songs Diwali songs because a composer needs to make a song keeping in view the plot of the film. So, if there is no mention of a particular festival you cannot compose on it. And reality is that only a few directors opt for seasonal songs in their films. A music director wishes all his tracks of a certain film to become popular. But for seasonal songs there are some limitations. Like if we are making a Diwali song, release of the film should be around the same festival. Otherwise, the song at other times seems irrelevant and hence fails to capture audience’s attention. If only the film releases during the same festival then there is big probability that the song would be a hit. So, normally if a director asks me to compose songs for his film, I don’t go for seasonal song. Well, if he specially wants a festival song, I compose. Once the song gets popularity, people recall it the next year during the same festival. That is the reason, we see less number of Diwali songs in Oriya films.
“In the Hindi film industry the big budgets allow for taking risks with a festival song. Of course, the good thing is that if a seasonal song is a hit, it exists for ever in the heart of the audience and the composer and the other people attached to the creation of the song that goes on to become a legend.”