A few months back, when I published the list of songs addressed to Zindagi I realised that the songs are about talking to your own self. A similar situation is when the songs are addressed to the inner self. One talks to self by either addressing one’s mind or to heart. I chose the mind (मन). It’s better to express your feelings than to bury them deep inside and keep on cursing yourself for it.
So the song list is more or less about addressing one’s own mind to soothe it, or to express joy, as the case may be! In short such songs portray the emotions of a character in a particular situation. I found that such songs could also be background songs with no one lip-synching to it.
There would be more instances, when one talks to oneself to be calm, to have patience and in a way the song gives way to one’s sorrows and agonies. Or one teaches one’s mind to be optimistic and confident and go on with the task in hand without thinking much about the consequences.
On the other hand, the list also has songs where the character sings with joy and expresses his / her happiness.
The songs are in no particular order. There’s no timeline for the post.
Let’s now visit the list.
1. Gaa Mere Man Gaa – Lajwanti (1958) Asha Bhosle & Chorus / S D Burman – Majrooh
A stage performance by Nargis and other dancers. The song actually portrays the anguish of the character played by Nargis. She soothes down her mind, encouraging it to sing. Mind is wounded, it’s all alone with no one to share her feelings with. Still she needs to be strong, she has to pull herself together no matter what the world says!
There’s a beautiful use of chorus in the song highlighting the plight of the lady and the orchestration is also wonderful.
2. Dukhi Man Mere – Funtoosh (1956) Kishore Kumar / S D Burman – Sahir
Funtoosh, after coming out of the asylum, is enthusiastic and cheerful. However, within a short time, he experiences the cruel and cold world. A beggar sitting outside a building tells him about a sick man in there and that he’s on the death bed. Unfortunately the man dies soon. Funtoosh, having experienced loneliness amidst the cruel, busy, insensitive world, sings this song. His hopes of a positive world are perhaps all in vain!
The opening lines of the songs are not a part of the record version. That part is sung by Krishan Dhawan himself.
3. Man Re Tu Hi Bata Kya Gaoon – Humrahi (1963) Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
One of the popular songs of the movie. Jamuna marries Rajendra Kumar much against her wish. She doesn’t love him, moreover dislikes him. Though not a good selection of moments to declare her sorrow publically, she sings it in his birthday party. The song portrays the anguish of the character played by Jamuna. She helplessly asks her own mind, if she should talk about her sorrows or hide them.
4. Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare – Chitralekha (1964) Rafi / Roshan – Sahir
Song that addresses the mind in an attempt to convey a simple philosophy, to be patient and to accept reality. There is pain, both in Rafi’s voice, and in Sahir’s words. You might want your heart to resign itself, but will it? One of Rafi’s best Hindi film songs!
5. Mere Man Ke Diye – Parakh (1960) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Choudhary – Shailendra
Perhaps not as well known as the other songs of the movie. But the song immersed in pathos, with minimal orchestration captures your mind. The lady lets her soul shine for others at the expense of setting fire to her own emotions. Lata’s beautiful rendition makes you emotional and tearful.
6. Mere Man Hanste Hue Chal – Mashal (1950) Lata Mangeshkar / S D Burman – Kavi Pradeep
What a beautiful melody! Lata’s first film with S D Burman was Mashal and it was one of the two solos she sang for the movie. The song inspires us to be optimistic no matter what. We should always smile and move on the desired path, without letting anything disturb our confidence. The lyrics of the song are good, suggesting the right path without being preachy.
7. O Man Re Na Gham Kar – Naukri (1954) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Choudhary – Shailendra
Not a popular song I guess! Sheila Ramani assures her mind of a bright future. “Don’t be sad!” She prompts to mind “Your tears will be like shining stars that will be with you if you feel alone.” All these songs of optimism are so good to listen to!
8. Man Re Hari Ke Gun Gaa – Musafir (1957) Lata Mangeshkar / Salil Choudhary – Shailendra
While I was thinking about the possible genres of songs that I would find suiting the theme, devotional songs were amongst them. And surely I found a beautiful bhajan addressed to मन. It was soothing and peaceful to listen to this bhajan full of sacred thoughts.
9. O Man Re Main Aaj – Sautela Bhai (1963) Mahendra Kapoor / Anil Biswas – Shailendra
This one’s a presentation of intense emotions. A man reminiscing his past and is in agony because of his loneliness. He remembers his golden days. The tone of the song, though melancholy, doesn’t sound helpless but sounds more like a fight against oneself.
10. Ae Mere Man Main Hoon Magan – Us Paar (1974) Rafi / S D Burman – Yogesh
Just listen to this energetic song from the 70s! Composed by Burman da who himself was approaching 70, the song is so fresh. Vinod Mehra, singing to himself, dreaming of his rendezvous with Mousumi Chatterjee. A joyous song in contrast to the earlier songs on the list.
11. Saadh Re Man Sur Ko – Sur Sangam (1985) Pandit Sajan and Rajan Mishra / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Vasant Dev
A very different conversation with mind! A singer addressing his mind to be focused on सुर. It’s not easy for me to translate the song in an effective way. So it’s better that you listen to it yourself. Though the song starts as a stage performance by Girish Karnad, very soon it relocates to Jayaprada’s imaginations and her dancing on its tune.
Now, a leap of about 30 years! Directly into the noughties.
12. Mere Man Ye Bata De Tu – Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) Shafqat Amant Ali, Shankar Mahadevan & Caralisa Monteiro / Shankar Ehsan Loy – Javed Akhtar
I’m very fond of this song which has a small part of it dedicated to fusion of Indian classical sargam and the western beats. The song portrays the dilemma faced by Shah Rukh Khan who encourages his mind to accept the facts and face the reality. Beautifully rendered, wonderfully composed and well written!
I know I’ve left a few well known songs. Would you like to add your favourite?
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.