After the post on Songs addressed to Life, which was one year back, I published the follow up post a few days back. And now the third and the last post in the series that talks about the various aspects of life.
Most of such songs also fall under the category of philosophical songs.
Hindi films have incorporated such type of songs right from the olden days. The song may have a situational context or can be a part of personal sorrows and agonies, though the lyrics tend to have an universal appeal. They fit the situation in the film as well as otherwise in general. As there were already two posts published, the songs fitting those themes won’t be a part of this post.
Most of these songs talk about the two faces of life, happiness and sorrow. A few are motivational, encouraging the listeners to go on despite being struck by calamities. Some have losing and winning in the journey of life as their central theme, while others tell us the philosophy of a particular character in the movie that has a universal application.
The songs, a dozen in number, are arranged in no particular order. Let’s visit the list ……….
1. Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya – Hum Dono (1961) Rafi / Jaidev – Sahir
Dev Anand sings this iconic song as he joins his duty in the army and reflects over his life. He has been a happy go lucky guy, considered irresponsible by her beloved father. He sings of blowing away all his worries as smoke, going with whatever life offers him. He now considers sorrow, joy, and pain the same. His philosophy of life helps us tide over the difficult times of our lives. We have to accept whatever we face irrespective of our sorrows to joy. Obviously it was the first song to think of.
2. Zindagi Ke Rang Kai Re – Aadmi Aur Insaan (1968) Asha Bhosle / Ravi – Sahir
The song is mainly about the contrast life offers us. A blue mood song, with the undertones of sadness. Not a particularly great song, though it portrays the contrast quite effectively. If at one end life brings people together, at the far end it separates them too. If it offers joyous moments, grief is sure to come. Life tests you continuously.
3. Do Din Ki Zindagi Mein – Poonam (1952) Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
An inspirational, optimistic song that teaches you to be happy and always smile, though life is full of worries and sorrows. If the night has been dark, the moon is sure to rise soon. Life always has two sides, if one has joy, the flip side will have sorrows. If you are losing today, tomorrow will be yours. Always be happy and optimistic.
4. Yeh Jeevan Hai Is Jeevan Ka – Piya Ka Ghar (1972) Kishore Kumar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
The song in general follows the similar vein. Life goes on offering sorrows at one time, happiness the other. A newly married couple faces difficulty as to not being able to have moments of privacy. She sleeps in the kitchen while he has to adjust in the verandah outside home. Their dreams of married life are shattered to some extent.
5. Aansoo Bhi Hain Khushiyan Bhi Hain – Sunayana (1979) Yesudas / Written and Composed by Ravindra Jain
It’s actually the credits song of the movie. Though it seems to talk about the usual happy-sad sides of life, it tells us to work hard to achieve goals and not blame destiny for our failures. Those who tend to find deficiencies in everything they see, should also appreciate positive things, let them be small. A good motivational song.
6. Zindagi Ki Yahi Reet Hai – Mr India (1987) Kishore Kumar & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Javed Akhtar
The song was very popular during the film’s initial release. It talks about failure being the first step to success and that life always offers us both joy and sorrows. We should be strong emotionally to face difficult times and never lose hope.
The song is picturised on Anil Kapoor and Satish Kaushik with all the kids, who played orphans , including choreographer Ahmed Khan and actor Aftab Shivdasani.
7. Jeevan Se Lambe Hain Bandhu – Aashirwad (1968) Manna Dey / Vasant Desai – Gulzar
Deep thoughts put in simple words! After all it’s Gulzar who penned it. The paths of life are much longer than our lives and we face sorrows and joy throughout the journey. There’s a bond between the path and the passenger, the former keeps on moving forward the latter has to follow it, never stopping at any turn getting confused which turn to take. We count life by days and nights, but counts of breaths fall short of our expectations.
8. Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar – Safar (1970) Kishore Kumar / Kalyanji Anandji – Indeevar
The journey of life is difficult to understand, one keeps on the journey without learning much about it. Rajesh Khanna plays a young painter who suffers from leukemia and knows his fate. He describes his own feelings in the song.
9. Zindagi Mein Sada Muskurate Raho – Ek Naari Do Roop (1973) Asha Bhosle / Ganesh – Naqsh Lyllpuri
Amidst the songs with a serious mood, let’s have a soothing song that boosts the mood. The song is picturised on Shatrughna Sinha and Rashmi Dhawan. It says, if we always keep on smiling, sorrows will be kept away. Try to spread positivity, no one humms sad tunes. Don’t be afraid of sorrows that you may face in future, be the star that shines. A good motivational song for a better life.
10. Jeevan Se Na Haar – Door Ka Raahi (1971) Kishore Kumar & Chorus / Kishore Kumar – A Irshad
An inspirational and motivational song. It’s picturised on Kishore Kumar and kids who are travelling. The song motivates us to go on with life without letting us get defeated by difficulties and obstacles. At times one may have to put on a smile on face hiding one’s agonies. Chorus singing and orchestration of the song are highlights of the song. Kishore Kumar has obviously done a good job as a singer and composer.
11. Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hain – Aap Ki Kasam (1974) Kishore Kumar / R D Burman – Anand Bakshi
The song mainly talks about the moments and people, whom we lose during our journey in life. Those once departed, never come back. So never hurt your dear ones, trust them, have faith, never doubt them. The cycle of day and night goes on relentlessly, it never stops for anyone. If we miss a moment, it’s missed forever.
12. Jeevan Sukh Dukh Ka Sangam Hai – Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) Tauseef Akhtar / Nadeem Shravan – Sameer
I had thought of this song for the earliest list, though later I decided to include it on this list. The song describes the two extremes of life, the two facets of life and how they impact our lives. In the movie, Rekha never accepts her step daughter, played by Preity Zinta despite knowing the fact that she hasn’t committed a mistake. Rekha ignores her, never loves her. Preity Zinta later turns adamant.
Would you like to add a song?
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.