In my humble opinion, musicals were never better than the movies put out by the Hindi-language movie industry in India, known as Bollywood, in the ’50s,’60s, and ’70s. Back then, the songs would often be prerecorded by top vocalists known as playback singers, and the actors would lip-synch while dancing on screen. So someone like Asha Bhosle, who has more than 1,000 credits to her name (I know, what have I done lately?!), would provide a song for the acting/dancing superstar Helen to perform, like in the movie Caravan. The result is a melodramatic musical number worth trying to replicate in your bedroom.
Illustration by Minna
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PLAYLIST MY WHOLE LIFE
Log in to replymentally adding that jaan pehechaan ho one from ghost world to this
Log in to replyyeah, i love this one
Log in to replyJaan Pehechaan Ho is a great track that was originally released in the 1965 movie Gumnaam (I put another song from that movie on my playlist). Gumnaam is this very fun murder mystery based on an Agatha Christie story, and the whole thing happens to be streaming free and legal on Youtube. It’s worth watching
http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=-2lIJUEDJwA&feature=mv_sr
Log in to replyThis playlist sorta aggravets my India wanderlust.
That, and I wish my playlists had the beautiful hand made collages/lists that go with yours.
anaruizwriting.blogspot.com
Log in to replyThis makes me think of Ghost World
Log in to replyI was so excited to see this playlist go up!! Hooray for bollywood <3
Log in to replyYesssss! Having grown up watching these movies, I couldn’t ask for more! You guys should watch the accompanied videos to these songs, no one can bust a move like Helen (Yeh Mera Dil / Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja/Mehbooba)
Log in to replyhttp://www.pforpearl.blogspot.com
YES YES YES. When I was compiling this playlist, I watched so many videos, many of them starring Helen. HOW IS SHE A REAL PERSON????
Log in to replyBack in the day, she was extremely popular & scandalous for her so called raunchy dance moves but she’s legendary! I practically worship her, SHE’S SO PERFECT. UGHH.
Log in to replyOh, those eyes.
Log in to replyAre to DIE for… :O
And her hair……
Wowsers.
Okay, but one of these days, you’re going to do a Bollywood-now one, right? Suraj Hua Madham, y/y/please? :)
Log in to replySURAJ HUA MADHAM, CHAAND JAALNE LAGAAAAAAA
Ah, I remember watching K3G and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai all the time and obsessing over Kajol and Shahrukh Khan when I was younger.
Including like, last week.
Log in to replyheck yes!! i’ll totally volunteer to make a bollywood now playlist. also classical indian music is sososo great and was p influential on some western musicians. like jeff buckley was obsessed with nusrat fatel ali khan (who is amazing and wonderful). not very playlist-friendly though, bc a lot of the compositions are a bit long.
Log in to replyThese songs are perfect! And, yeah, definitely agree; you guys gotta watch the videos as well.
Seriously, the next time your friends are over, try memorizing the dance steps to one of these numbers; it’s a lot of fun!
http://www.anooshadraws.blogspot.com
Log in to replyextraordinary topic, but its ingenuity doesn’t make this bad. i love indian films because of hot atmosphere of exoticism…. the music is great!
Log in to replyWoah. Anyone else recognise the first song’s intro from that old Black Eyed Peas song ‘Don’t Phunk With My Heart’? It’s nice to hear where BEP got the sample from. Awesome playlist. :D
http://sewoverdressed.blogspot.com.au/
Log in to replyOMG I HAVE NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW EXCITED THIS PLAYLIST MAKES ME SO I WILL SETTLE FOR CAPS LOCK OMG
Log in to replyYEaaaaaaaaaa mera dil! pyra ka devava!!! :) my mum says i look like shamila tagore! :)
Log in to replyLove, love this playlist! Bollywood is literally my happy place.
Log in to replyxx Sohini
TV, Turmeric, Tea
Definitely look up some more recent movies from India, like Ekk main aur ek tu is brilliant for cheesy, happy , bedroom sing a long songs!!
Log in to replyhas anyone here ever seen “fraaandship?” it’s this AWESOME modern bollywood musical and it’s on netflix instant! so many great singing/ dancing scenes :)
Log in to replyYeah I noticed that too!!This is soooooo cooool! I love! When my dad and I are driving in the car we usually put the radio on the Indian station as it’s usually the only one that actually has music playing at all plus music that’s decent. :)
Log in to replyyou guys should have more drake& the weeknd& wale & phlo fiinister on here on here they make awesome music :)
Log in to replyI love the song Mehbooba! I used to listen to it on the radio all the time as a child.
Kishore Kumar is just Genius!
this-asylum.blogspot.in
Log in to replyGreat mix! Bollywood needs to be more of a regular presence at most parties.
http://aclosetofonesown.tumblr.com/
Log in to replyRookie you are wonderful *^*
Log in to replyKishore Kumar is an absolute legend!
Log in to replyThis is so cool! I haven’t had much cultural exposure to India (besides food and the occasional trip to an Indian neighbourhood of Toronto). Don’t know if anyone noticed but the beginning of Yeh Mera Dil was sampled in the Black Eyed Peas’ “Don’t Phunk With My Heart.” Great Work, Anna! :)
http://chemical-butter.tumblr.com/
Log in to replyOMG!! These all are my all time favorite hindi songs… : )
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