Hey all I just got into this whole Indian music scene, and good gravy! I didn’t know I was missing out on so much!
I’m a super newb at it, and I’m figuring out that there are some music styles I like more than others- Indian music with a bit of Western influence, particularly.
Examples that I like:
Kajra Re by Alisha Chinai (who doesn’t like this song!)
Dola Re in that movie Devdas
Chori Chor in Garam Masala
You all getting what I mean? Bollywood popular hits, pretty much (I would probably be considered a very shallow person in India :D).
Well, let’s see. Here’s part of my “Lively Hindi” playlist:
Rukmani, Rukmani from film Roja
Salaam-E-Ishq movie has pretty good songs
Taal is excellent
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
Das Bahane - I think it’s from movie Das
Beede Jalade - I forget what movie it’s from but it’s the same movie as “Jabaan Pe Laage”
O Sanam O Sanam - I have a Hindi/English/Arbi pop version of it, but the original I think is all in Arbi.
Under Punjabi:
Tere Hoi Svere Darshan
Tare Gin Gin
Sada Pyar Hi Maniye
Aa Ni Kuriye
Roula Pai Gaya (older, Ravinder Grewal)
Aaja Udiye
Now, I had a post in the MMP some time ago with songs and links. When I went to youtube and typed in these names, I’d say 9 out of 10 times I was able to find the video that went with it easily. If I have time I’ll try to find my post, but I think this should be a good start. Have fun!
You’re wonderful Thank you Anaamika! gets started trying to find
Lively Hindi… I think I’m gonna like this!
But one question. How’d you compare Hindi songs to Punjabi? Because I really have no idea how they’re different. (I’m asking because I recently learned that Cantonese music sucks but I love Mandarin music. Oh, and they both count as “Chinese”)
No problem - I love doing this kind of stuff. I’m E. Indian btw. Ask me about elephants or music all day long.
As for the Hindi/Punjabi thing, you mean besides the fact that they’re two different languages? Or did you mean which one was better? I actually vastly prefer Punjabi to everything, it’s more “my” language, but I love Hindi music, too. I just have a harder time getting hold of good Punjabi. Punjabi to me is often livelier, it has a dhol often and has spirit and heart. Hindi music is more about the lyrics, beautiful, soulful lyrics but oftentimes not as lively.
Another good Punjabi song (IMO) is Captain Bhangra Da (Captain of Bhangra). And I am still looking for a CD copy of Dhol Blasters. Yes, it’s a silly name, but at least two of the songs are awesome.
Oh Kuri Kehre Pind Di (Which village is she from?) is a good one, too., Also Nishaani Yaar Di (Gift from my love). And Do Gallan (Conversation). And Jandi Jandi (As she went by.)
I’m a newb, too, but I have a few favorites in my collection from going to many Hindi weddings (mostly Gujarati and Punjabi). So take this from the perspective of a Polish-American guy, and what he finds toe tapping. Forgive me if any of these are considered lame, it’s just what I hear and sticks to my brain. Lots of ear candy here:
[Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi](Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi) - Punjabi MC. This one was pretty popular in the UK, as it’s the work of a British-Indian MC. There’s also a version with Jay-Z out there if you look.
Dil Kya Kare -Salaam-E-Ishq - This one has almost an Afro-pop feeling to it or something.
Dil Le Gayi - Jassi. This is a fun one, always gets the dancefloor going.
Completely missed that this was a zombie thread. Anyhow, I’d be interested in hearing some more recommendations for Indian pop music, so continue the dialogue…
Unless it got spelled wrong and was already mentioned, the one & only Bollywood pop song that I can say I liked is the one from the beginning of the film Ghost World, namely Jaan Pehechan Ho! It appears in a Bollywood film within the film, a really idiculous, Austin Powers-esque looking thing!
God, like ten years ago when Ghost World came out I posted here asking if anybody could translate it!
Try looking up the soundtracks from Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Some lovely songs on both.
I prefer the older bollywood songs, though, like the soundtracks to Sholay (Mehbooba is a wonderful song from that film), Muqaddar ka Sikandar (Dil to Hai dil - sung by Lata Mangeshkar is one of my all-time favorites), Don (the original, NOT the remake has Khaike Paan Banaras Wala), Amar, Akbar, Anthony, Coolie, and the list goes on.
You could start a youtube journey by simply entering Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhosle (two sisters who have recorded a ridiculously high number of soundtracks) and just start looking around.
For something else, try Charanjit Singh’s 10 ragas to a disco beat from 1982. I recommend his rendition of the raga Megh Malhar.
ETA: The soundtrack for Taal that Anaamika mentioned upthread is really, really good! Can’t believe I forgot to mention it.
This is actually Prabhu Deva, transliterated incorrectly into English from the original Tamil. It’s not offensive according to my Indian friend - in fact she says it’s “fucking hilarious”.
I just got into this whole Indian music scene, and good gravy! I didn’t know I was missing out on so much!