The Hindu calendar months of Saawan and Bhadon coincide with the July-August period. Many songs have been written with the word ‘saawan’, used to describe the rainy season too, or as a metaphor for rain.
Here, we choose 10 such songs which have all used ‘saawan’ in the opening lines. Interestingly, most of them haven’t been shot in the rain.
We’ve omitted some songs used recently in other lists. These are ‘Ab Ke Na Saawan Barse’ (Kinara), ‘Saawan Ke Jhoole Padey’ (Jurmana) and ‘Rimjhim Gire Saawan’ (Manzil). This list is chronological.
1 Deewana Hua Badal – Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
Though there was no rain in this song filmed on Shammi Kapoor and debutante Sharmila Tagore, S.H. Bihari’s lyrics were, “Deewana hua baadal, saawan ki ghata chaayee, yeh dekh ke dil jhooma, lee pyaar ne angdai”. The song was composed by O.P. Nayyar and sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle.
2 Ajahun Na Aaye – Sanjh Aur Savera (1964)
Mehmood and Shubha Khote appeared in this song sung by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. Shankar-Jaikishen composed the music with shades of raag Madhuvanti, and Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Ajahun na aaye baalma, saawan beeta jaaye, haaye re”. This was the final film appearance of Guru Dutt.
3 Saawan Aaye Ya Na Aaye – Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966)
Dilip Kumar and Waheeda Rahman were filmed in this song sung by Rafi and Asha. Music was by Naushad, with Shakeel Badayuni writing, “Saawan aaye ya na aaye, jab jhoome saawan hai”. The film also had Rafi’s brilliant ‘Koi Saagar Dil Ko Behlata Nahin”.
4 Saawan Ka Mahina – Milan (1967)
First shot indoors with Sunil Dutt and Nutan, and then on a boat, this was sung by Mukesh and Lata. Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed the music, and Anand Bakshi used colloquial language using the lines, “Saawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor, jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banma naache mor”.
5 Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969)
The combination of Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bakshi created magic again on this song sung by Rafi and Lata. The opening lines were, “Badraa ho badraa, chhaae ji jhule pad gaye haay, ki mele lag gaye, mach gayee dhoom re, ki aaya sawan jhoom ke”. It was picturised on Dharmendra and Asha Parekh in a group.
6 Kuchh Kehta Hai Yeh Saawan – Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)
Dharmendra and Asha Parekh appeared in this song filmed in a rustic setting. Sung by Rafi and Lata, it was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Bakshi wrote, “Kuchh kehta hai yeh saawan, kya kehta hai, shaam savere dil mein mere tu rehta hai, o-o-o tu rehta hai”.
7 Abke Sajan Saawan Mein – Chupke Chupke (1975)
Lata sang this song composed by S.D. Burman. Bakshi wrote, “Ab ke sajan saawan mein, aag lagegi badan mein, ghata barsegi, magar tarsegi nazar, mil na sakenge do man, ek hi aangan mein”. The song was picturised on Sharmila, Dharmendra and Om Prakash.
8 Main Pyaasa Tum Saawan – Faraar (1975)
Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila teamed up on this song composed by Kalyanji-Anandji. Kishore and Lata were the singers. Lyricist Rajendra Krishan wrote, “Main pyaasa tum saawan, main dil tum meri dhadkan, hona, hoon toh, ho hona, hoon toh”.
9 Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon – Mehbooba (1976)
The song was in two versions by Lata and Kishore, though the latter was arguably more popular. Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini appeared on screen. R.D. Burman composed the tune in raag Shivaranjini, with Bakshi writing, “Mere naina saawan bhadon, phir bhi mera man pyaasa, phir bhi mera man pyaasa”.
10 Sawan Ko Aane Do – Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979)
The song was a big hit despite the absence of big names. Jaspal Singh and Kalyani Mitra sang the tune filmed on Arun Govil and Zarina Wahab. Raj Kamal composed the music, and Gauhar Kanpuri wrote the simple intro, “Tumhe geeton mein daaloonga, sawan ko aane do”.
This list ends in 1979. There were of course many ‘saawan’ songs later, including the all-season number ‘Patjhad Saawan Basant Bahar’ from Sindoor, and a popular one from Dil To Pagal Hai that went, “Ghode jaisi chaal, haathi jaisi dum, o saawan raja, kahaan se aaye tum, chak dum dum, chak dum dum”. Enjoy the rains.
