January offers us the perfect season for some pakodas, warm tea and songs that talk of the weather
Around this time, as we enter the New Year, it’s cold in some parts of India and pleasant in others. Either way, it’s the perfect weather for some pakodas, warm tea and songs that talk of the weather.
Here, we choose 10 songs that simply make you feel good. The list is chronological.
1 Thandi Hawayein – Naujawan (1951)
This was a classic composed by S.D. Burman, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and filmed on Nalini Jaywant. Sahir Ludhianvi wrote, “Thandi hawayein, lehra ke aaye, rut hai jawaan, tumko yahaan kaise bulayein”. The story goes that S.D. Burman heard a pianist at a Mumbai hotel play a tune from Arabian Nights and he improvised on that.
2 Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata – Mr And Mrs 55 (1955)
Picturised on the gorgeous Madhubala, the song was wonderfully choreographed. The great Geeta Dutt sang the tune composed by O.P. Nayyar with Majrooh Sultanpuri writing, “Thandi hawa, kaali ghata, aa hi gayee jhoom ke, pyaar liye doley hasee, naache jiya ghoom ke”.
3 Masti Bhara Hai Sama – Parvarish (1958)
Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey combined on this peppy romantic number composed by rhythm master Dattaram, who was assistant to Shankar-Jaikishen. The song was picturised on Mala Sinha and Raj Kapoor. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Masti bhara hai sama, hum tum hain donon yahaan, ankhon mein aaja, dil mein samaa ja, jhoome zameen aasmaan”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbXiAJT4Bzs
4 Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen – Madhumati (1959)
The great Dilip Kumar is seen walking in open spaces enjoying the weather. Set to tune by Salil Chowdhury, it was sung by Mukesh, with Shailendra writing, “Suhana safar aur yeh mausam haseen, hamein dar hai hum kho na jaaye kahin”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AvTTbQMpcI
5 Thandi Hawa Yeh Chandni Suhani – Jhumroo (1961)
Composed and sung by, and filmed on Kishore Kumar, the song was a major hit. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the lines, “Thandi hawa yeh chandni suhani, ae mere dil suna koi kahani”. The number began with Madhubala playing the piano before leading to an outdoor sequence. Kishore’s light yodelling is a highlight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P73YWHL6qiE
6 Yeh Sama – Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
A melodious gem sung by Lata Mangeshkar, it was picturised on Nanda and Shashi Kapoor. Kalyanji-Anandji gave the music, and Anand Bakshi wrote the unforgettable words “Yeh sama, sama hai yeh pyaar ka, kisike intezaar ka, dil na chura le kahin mera, mausam bahar ka”.
7 Mausam Hai Aashiqana – Pakeezah (1972)
Another wonderful song sung by Lata Mangeshkar, it was set in raag Yaman and picturised on Meena Kumari. Music was by Ghulam Mohammed. Kamal Amrohi, who directed the film, also wrote the lyrics, “Mausam hai aashiqana, ae dil kahin se unko, aese mein dhoond laana”.
https://youtu.be/PbNakvvryoE
8 Mausam Mausam, Lovely Mausam – Thodisi Bewafai (1980)
A very different but situational song from music director Khayyam, it was sung by Anwar and Sulakshana Pandit. Gulzar also deviated from his usual lyrical style, though he also used trademark words like ‘madham madham’. Popular actress Padmini Kolhapure and lesser-known Siddharth Ray appeared on screen.
9 Albela Mausam Kehta Hai Swagatam – Tohfa (1984)
Jeetendra and Jayaprada starred in many films in the 1980s, and this was one of the successful ones. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, the tune was composed by Bappi Lahiri and written by Indeevar. Besides being a good weather song, it was also treated as a family song to be sung with children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycZMsD486Z8
10 Yeh Mausam Ka Jadoo – Hum Aapke Hain. Koun (1994)
Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit appeared in this feel-good, romantic song composed by Raam Laxman and sung by Lata Mangeshkar and S.P. Balasubramaniam. Ravindra Rawal wrote the lyrics and the main lines were “Yeh mausam ka jadoo hai mitwa, na ab dil pe kaaboo hai mitwa, naina jisme kho gaye, deewane se ho gaye, nazara woh harsoo hai mitwa”.
