Let’s celebrate the child in each one of us with these specially selected songs by Narendra Kusnur to mark Children’s Day on Sunday, November 14.
Children’s songs have always been part of our lives, and even today, they lend a feeling of nostalgia. To mark Children’s Day, celebrated on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday on November 14, we randomly select 10 memorable classics from the 1950s and 1960s.
There are different types of songs here – children in groups, children singing for grandparents, parents singing for children, children singing for the country or simple songs where kids are just having fun. The list is chronological.
1 Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena – Deedar (1951)
Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum, it was picturised on two children on a pony. Music was by Naushad, and Shakeel Badayuni wrote, “Bachpan ke din bhula na dena, aaj hasey kal rula na dena”. There is another ‘senior’ version sung by Mohammed Rafi, and filmed on Dilip Kumar, Nargis and Ashok Kumar on a tonga.
2 Nanhe Munne Bachche Teri Mutthi Mein Kya Hai – Boot Polish (1954)
Character actor David addressed a group of children on this song composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Shailendra. Sung by Rafi, Asha Bhosle and chorus, it had the words, “Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai, mutthi mein hai taqdeer hamari, humne kismat ko bas mein kiya hai”.
3 Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhayein – Jagruti (1954)
Abhi Bhattacharya travelled with children in a train in this song composed by Hemant Kumar and written and sung by Kavi Pradeep. The opening lines were, “Aao bachchon tumhe dikhayein jhanki Hindustan ki, is mitti se tilak karo, yeh dharti hai balidan ki, Vande Mataram”. The patriotic song used many historical and geographical references.
4 Ichak Daana Beechak Dana – Shree 420 (1955)
Nargis was shown teaching school children with Raj Kapoor looking on. Composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Hasrat Jaipuri, this song was sung by Lata and Mukesh. It had fun lines like, “Ichak daana beechak daana daane upar daana ichak daana, chhaje upar ladki naache, ladka hai deewana, ichak daana”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dx_STgFLLo&list=RD-Dx_STgFLLo&start_radio=1
5 Nani Teri Morni – Masoom (1960)
This was a cute children’s song sung by Ranu Mukherjee, daughter of Hemant Kumar. Sahir Ludhianvi wrote, “Nani teri morni ko mor le gaye, baaki jo bacha tha kale chor le gaye”. Music was by Hemant Kumar. The song became a favourite of kids who wanted to address their maternal grandmother.
6 Dadi Amma Dadi Amma Maan Jao – Gharana (1961)
This one was for ‘Dadi’, the paternal grandmother. Asha and Kamal Barot sang Ravi’s composition. Shakeel Badayuni wrote, “Dadi amma dadi amma maan jao, chhodo ji yeh gussa zara haske dikhao”. Lalita Pawar played the grandmother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU6MFuHl3ZQ
7 Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon – Son Of India (1962)
This was a patriotic song for children, composed by Naushad and sung by Shanti Devi Mathur. Shakeel wrote, “Nanha munna rahi hoon, desh ka sipahi hoon, bolo mere sang Jai Hind, Jai Hind, Jai Hind”. With its motivational lyrics, the song was sung in many school functions.
8 Rail Gaadi – Ashirwad (1968)
Ashok Kumar played with children in a garden, enacting a song with train movements. He also sang the song, composed by Vasant Desai and written by Harindranath Chattopadhyay. Because of its racy singing style, people later described it as a predecessor of rap music.
9 Tujhe Suraj Kahoon Ya Chanda – Ek Phool Do Mali (1969)
Balraj Sahni was featured in this song, which had Prem Dhawan’s memorable lyrics, “Tujhe suraj kahoon ya chanda, tujhe deep kahoon ya tara, mera naam karega roshan, jag mein mera raj dulara”. Manna Dey sang the tune composed by Ravi. The film also had the children’s hit ‘O Nanhe Se Farishtey’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhFh_O5ZuF4
10 Chanda Hai Tu – Aradhana (1969)
Sharmila Tagore appeared on this song with her young child, singing Anand Bakshi’s words, “Chanda hai tu, mera suraj hai tu, o meri aankhon ka tara hai tu, jeetee hu main bas tujhe dekh kar, is toote dil ka sahara hai tu”. Lata sang the tune composed by S.D. Burman. It’s often used as a lullaby.
As mentioned before, the cut-off period was 1969. However there were many great children’s songs in the 1970s too, in films like Parichay, Andaz, Amar Prem, Apna Desh, Aa Gale Lag Ja and Mr Natwarlal, even moving into the next decade with the Masoom hit ‘Lakdi Ki Kaathi’. However, the frequency came down after that with a few exceptions.
The old gems remain special, of course. Nothing beats them when it comes to warm memories.
