Raag, Ras aur Rang

We are all aware of the classification of literary genres. One might argue how genres constraint art by drawing clear-cut borders. Well, we are here to do something in between. We have picked some Bollywood gems and categorized them into slightly different and obscure genres that often overlap. Through this practice, we are not constraining art but giving it the freedom to cross these borders.

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I. Spiritualism

Spiritualism is the contemplation of the self. Who are we and who are you? Why are we here? All of these questions come under spiritualism. The concept of spiritualism calls for the duality in an individual. Once done with your daily chores and job, you return to find solace within your home. Within this dark canvas of solitude, one can discover the true joy of spiritualism. To celebrate this mysterious feeling, we have mentioned some gems below.

a). Ek Radha Ek Meera

Ek Raadha Ek meera (Ram Teri Ganga maili) (1985)

Singer- Lata Mangeshkar

Composed by- Ravindra Jain

Holding immense power within its words, it makes us feel ponder ever so deeply about trivial things in life. This ballad on Radha and Meera leaves behind a powerful impact. Their love for Krishna and their longing to catch a glimpse of Him remained the same but one couldn't accept her victory and the other refused to accept defeat.

b). Kun Faya Kun:

Kun Faya Kun (Rockstar) (2011)

Singer- A.R Rahman, Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan

Music director- A.R Rahman

Lyricist- Irshad Kamil

“Be, and it is.”

This Arabic chant sums up this song perfectly, capturing your mind while letting you contemplate on the existence of God. It possesses the power to make even an atheist if only for a second, believe in a supreme being. With pain resonating through its marvellous vocals, the soothing cadence just adds on to the beauty of this song.

c). Maula mere Maula

Maula Mere Maula (Anwar) (2007)

Singer- Roop Kumar Rathod

Composed by- Mithoon Sharma

Lyricist- Sayeed Quadri

Music Director- Mithoon Sharma

Love is the intertwining of two spirits and this song is penned to celebrate this union. On completing each avartam, the singer goes on to thank the Lord for blessing him with his wonderful, divine beauty of a lover. He praises her from her eyes to her hair; even her shadow is praised.

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II. Optimism

“Is the glass half full or half empty?”

That is a question at least one person in our life has asked us. There exists no beauty in seeing a half-empty glass and still see the ocean lying in it? So, the idea of optimism in Bollywood, sadly, is near to being delusional. A realist walks on the thin, ice sheet of life careful about each step while an optimist mindlessly skates through it, not wondering if the ice is too thin. A realist would stay, love and lose whereas an optimist would stay, love, lose and stay. Well, some might call our idea of optimism, masochistic. We are going to leave it to you to decide if the next few songs are a realist’s nightmare or an optimist’s daydream.

a). Aaoge Jab Tum O Sajna

Aao Ge jab tum (Jab we met) (2007)

Singer- Ustaad Rashid Khan

Music Director- Pritam, Sandesh Shandilya

Lyricist- Irshad Kamil

A tenacious heart lives for it believes in the strength of love. It is a serenade so melancholic; it is almost impossible for one to not take pity on the protagonist. Before you listen to this song, we’d like to leave you with a question: Does the protagonist yearn for sympathy or does he wish for apathy so he can offer her serenity?

b). Kal Ho Na Ho

Kal ho na ho (Kal ho Na ho). (2003)

Singer- Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Richa Sharma

Composed by- Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Lyricist- Javed Akhtar

“Carpe Diem”

This melody is like the guiding light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel - the hope that keeps you going in the darkest of times. This song urges people to live in the moment, the present, for yesterday is over and tomorrow is yet to come. This song brilliantly conveys its wish to impart hope in times of adversity.

c). O Sanam

O sanam (album- Sunoh) (1996)

Singer- Lucky Ali

Lyricist- Syed Aslam Noor, Arif Dehlvi

Music director- Lucky Ali

In a world where the meaning of true love and patience is getting disillusioned by the day, this song reinforces its idea of true love on the listener. The lyrics speak of a lover trying to convince his beloved to preserve their affection for him. But the lover has long moved on from him and the lyrics are almost mocking his affections. The melody and the lyrics can be called an oxymoron. It speaks of the protagonist’s joyful delusion of remaining as lovers for eternity.

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III. Erotic Passion

India is home to numerous cultures and traditions. Countless civilisations have flourished and declined on this very land we call our home. One of the more historically significant events took place in Khajuraho, under the name of Kamasutra. This erotic passion was once celebrated in India but now, it is frowned upon. In the words of D.H. Lawrence, “In every living thing, there is a desire to love.” Humanity possesses a violent nature and finds beauty in inanimate objects. The songs listed below have done a wonderful job of conveying this passion.

a). Labon Ko

Labon ko (Bhool Bhulaiyaa) (2007)

Singer- K.K

Lyricist- Sayeed Quadri

Music director- Pritam

How passionate of a thought is it to free yourselves from the shackles of society and indulge in primitive pleasures of the body. This song conveys the pure joy and passion by choosing to indulge in this sentiment. That tug-of-war sentiment that constantly alternates between innocent timidity and mischievous winks; a loss that is ultimately a win.

b). Zara Zara

Zara Zara (Rehna hai tere dil mein) (2001)

Singer- Bombay Jayashri

Lyricist- Sameer

Music director- Aadesh Shrivastava, Harris Jayaraj

Being the first song to portray female sexual desire, this song marked a ground-breaking shift in the Indian Music industry. This song is almost as soft as that Pashmina scarf your parents never bought you. Its cadence runs deep and feels as delicate as pattering rain on your skin. It wakens your hidden desire to fully convey your love to your partner.

c). Jiya Jale

Jiya jale (Dil Se) (1998)

Singer- Lata Mangeshkar, M.G. Sreekumar

Lyricist- Gulzar

Music director- AR Rahman

The setting of this song might fool you for a second but that remains until you realise its true nature. The protagonist’s heart and soul burn as she waits for her lover's arrival. As she is waiting, she imagines his heated gaze piercing her heart while tossing and turning, eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Content writers: Bilal Khan; Needhi Singh; Shamatmika Rathore.

Editor: Adithi M. Kashyap

Graphic design and Video Editing: Alwin Joe Varghese; Khushi Sharma