The Makhan Chor, Murli Bajaiya, Shyam, Nand Lal and what not! Bollywood has been depending on Krishna and the various aspects of his life to convey major emotions while striking a connection between the audience and the movie itself.
Moreover, the songs have walked a journey of their own. From soulful to upbeat and party like, over the years, Krishna has gotten a makeover through Bollywood songs.
This Janmashtami, let us take you through a journey where Bollywood songs have heavily depended on Him to fill the gap, take the movie forward and also entertain the audience.
Mohe Panghat Pe Nandlal
It all started with the 1960’s Mughal-e-Azam when Bollywood songs started featuring Krishna Kanhiya. It soon became a trend and lyrics were used to convey emotions, as a metaphor and simile.
Madhubala sings and complains about Krishna in the soulful voice of Lata Mangeskar. This was a time when songs described Lord Krishna’s characteristics through lyrics. Lyrics like ‘naino se jadoo kiya, jiyara moh liya’ was used as a simile to not just praise the Lord himself, but also establish an attraction between the protagonists. In the song, Salim can be seen getting attracted to Madhubala’s character Anarkali.
Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re
The song from the 1960 movie Kohinoor is a treat to all who have a soft corner for classical music. It is an epic classical song based on ‘Krishna-Radha’arguments, and very different from the one picturized in Mughal-e-Azam. The tempo increases as the song proceeds, just like any argument that reaches a high after first taking off. While the song itself is very powerful and musically equipped, the picturization or the video makes it an even better experience and ups the level of the Krishna-Radha banter. One is sure to get lost in the beauty and detailing of the song. Moreover, one can also experience the tales of Tansen who had the ability to force rain through his singing. The music by Naushad is intense.
Krishna O Kale Krishna
The song from 1964 Main Bhi Ladki Hun sees heartbroken Meena Kumari comparing her dark complexion with that of Krishna. Bollywood was now using Krishna to showcase numerous emotions, while also focusing and taking advantage of the belief people had in Him. The song is beautiful in itself and is able to deeply connect with the audience.
Bada Natkhat Hai Re
In the 1972 flick Amar Prem, Sharmila Tagore is looking for her naughty son. The song is about the relationship between a mother and a son and uses the mythological story to draw similarities between them both. The song shows the helplessness of a mother who is tired of her troublesome son while also expressing the unbreakable bond of love between the two, just like Yasoda’s relationship with Krishna.
Meera
As the name suggests, this 1974 power pack movie is about Meera. Played by Hema Malini, Meera is the story of a devotee who was so much in love with Krishna, that led her to be outcasted by her in-laws. Set in 1580, the movie is full of songs revolving around Lord Krishna. Songs like ‘Aeri Main Toh Prem Deewani’, ‘Jaago Bansiwale’, ‘Karuna Suno Shyam More’ and many others from the movie continue to rule our hearts. The movie has given bansibajiya devotees songs that they can never forget to listen to.
Yashomati Maiya Se Bole Nandlala
Bollywood songs soon started drawing similarities and used popular faces to connect emotionally and express the feelings of the protagonists. The fact that young Roopa (Zeenat Aman) singing ‘radha kyun gori, mein kyun kala’ in the movie Satyam Shivan Sundaram is also aesthetically very important for the movie.
Bhore Bhayi Panghat pe
And then came a song that featured Krishna and expressed the romantic side of him. Songs were now using Krishna as a metaphor and simile to establish love, fondness and romance between the lead pair. This song from 1978 Satyam Shivam Sundaram also broke the orthodox way songs featured lord Krishna. Sexualization was used as an asset in the song.
Shyam Teri Bansi Pukare Radha Naam
Then there was a song that highlighted the complexity of a love triangle, taking help from the love life of Shree Krishna. Also, the song uses the name Shyam (one of the names of Lord Krishna) instead of Krishna or Kanha, to draw a connect with the male protagonist. Moreover, the song takes the movie forward. The song is an emotional ride and focuses on the love aspect of Shree Krishna’s life which wasn’t covered much in Bollywood up till now.
In the 1990s, with songs like Maiya Yasodha from 1999’s Hum Sath Sath Hai, the trend to feature love songs and Krishna popularized further. Then trend hasn’t stopped yet with songs like Mohe rang Do Laal
Radha Kaise Na Jale
In early 2000, there were several movies that featured Shree Krishna to establish a connection between the audience and the movie. ‘Radha Kaise Na Jale’ is a love tale between the leads in the 2001 flick Lagaan. The movie also features another soulful song, ‘O Palanhaare’ which sees people putting their faith in Lord Krishna on the test.
Soon after, there were songs that were a hit among the audiences even if the movie was not, like Woh Krishna Hai.
Kaahe Ched Mohe
The very popular song from Devdas (2002) is not just soothing to the ears but carries the nuances of music in it. The song is different from almost all featured in Bollywood movies. Used to showcase the beginning of a relationship, the song touches every heart and remains an evergreen tribute to Lord Krishna.
Mann Mohana
After a long time, Bollywood came up with a song that was used as a Bhajan and was too powerful to soothe the soul. The bhajan that Aishwarya sings the very next day after her marriage proves to be a starting point of Akbar’s attraction to Hindusim. The song is a musical tribute in itself apart from being mesmerising and musically rich.
GO, Go, Govinda,
With this song began the trend to use Shree Krishna reference as a filler in the movie. The song is upbeat, features Janmashtami and the tradition of breaking the Dahi Handi. Actors are seen rejoicing in the song, dancing in western clothes and celebrating Krishna. A major shift in trend.
Kannah Soja Zara
This song from 2017 Bahubali 2 is another upbeat and party-like song even though it celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, much like other upbeat South Indian movie songs. The song featuring Anushka and Prabhas is also traditionally significant as people from the south of India have deep faith in Lord Krishna.
Some other popular songs to binge on the occasion of Janmashtami are ‘Chandi Ki Daal Pe’, ‘Tu Hi Tu’, ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’ and ‘Radha On The Dance Floor’.
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