These Famous Hindi Songs You Love Have A Strong Bengali Connection!

Many popular and evergreen Hindi songs we hum have a Bengali connection. Be it Na Jao Saiyaan Chura ki Baniyaan, Kahni dor jab din dhal jaye, Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai or the soothing sarod notes of Piku's theme song all have a deep Bengali connection. Several songs by RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and Salil Chowdhary's were first composed as Bengali songs. Even today a lot of singers go back to Rabindra Sangeet or Bengali folk music to find their inspiration.

A lot of Bollywood's songs are deeply influenced by Rabindra Sangeet, that is songs that were written and composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Many of India's top music composers came from West Bengal. The catchy Bollywood number Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re by Bappi Lahiri is an adaptation of a Bengali song 'Je Jon Premer Bhab Jaane Na, Tar Shonge Nai Lena Dena'. 

Bengali music is rich and soulful and it has acted as a beautiful source of inspiration for many Bollywood musicians over the years. So, here is a look at popular Hindi songs which have a Bengali connection.

Hindi Songs Based On Bengali Melodies

1. Piyu Bole

The beautiful melody of the Hindi song, Piyu Bole from Parineeta (2005) borrows a part of its music from Tagore's  ‘Phuley phuley dholey dholey’. Rabindranath Tagore who wrote more than 2,230 songs and set them to tune as well.

2. Choo Kar Mere Mann Ko

Another song that is an adaptation of one of Rabindra Sangeet. The song  in Bengali goes like Tomaar Holo Shuru. Choo Kar Mere Mann Ko from the movie Yaarana (1981) was sung by a humble follower of Rabindranath Tagore, Kishore Kumar.

3. Monta Re 

The heart-warming song, a blend of both Hindi and Bengali lyrics was produced for the film Lootera in 2017- “maati ko ye chandan sa maathe pe sajaye re” (the heart, intoxicated with love, has forgotten the difference between mud and sandalwood paste). It upholds the influence of Baul sangeet, traditional indigenous folk music to Bengali culture. Amit Trivedi used elements of this kind of music to produce a beautifully serene track for Bollywood to cherish.

4. Tere Mere Milan Ki Hai Ye Raina 

This song from the movie Abhimaan (1973), which is based on Rabindranath Tagore's composition of Jodi Taare Nai Chini Go Se Ki. This song was originally composed in 1923 by Tagore. It literally translates to 'If I fail to identify, will he recognize me ever - In this new day of summer, I wonder, I wonder.'

5. Bachpan ke din bhula na dena

Bachpan ke din bhula na dena  from Deedar (1951), sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum has shades of the Bengali composition Mone robe kina robe amare, a poem originally written by Rabindranath Tagore. The song also follows tunes used in Rabindra Sangeet. The lyrics translate to 'I do not know if you will care to remember this poet. I come to your door and sing with no intend.' 

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6. Nain deewane, ek nahi maane

From the film Afsar (1950) sung by RD Burman draws its artistry from Tagore's ‘Shedin dujone dulechhinu bone'. It stands as one of the most loved romantic songs in the Bengali film industry. The verse is composed beautifully 'We (two) had had a swing in the forest on the other day, (And) it was a swing (jhulona, jhula) adorned with garlands. Wish we do not lose that tiny remembrance which looms about every now and then. The air was filled with, you know, the meaningless words of my mind'. 

7. Koi jaise mere dil ka dar khatkaye

Asha Bhosle's beautiful song from the film Yugpurush (1998) grows out of Rabindra Sangeet's composition of  ‘Tumi kemon kore gaan koro a guni' (O' how do you sing, the divine learned/I listen, I imbibe and I am amazed). The song starred the legendary  Nana Patekar and Manisha Koirala.

8. Man mera udta jaye badal ke sang

This classic song in Bollywood, was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, from the film Maa Beta (1962). Hemant Kumar, the music composer of the song, derives inspiration from one of the happiest tunes by Rabindranath Tagore's composition of Monomor megher sangi. It means 'My Mind has become the companion of the Clouds of the Sky, and is flying towards the Horizons in all Directions'. 

A still from the film Piku.

9. Journey Song 

The melodious and warm song in Piku (2015) sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Anupam Roy doesn't necessarily come from a Bengali source, but the bengali lyrics in the song speak volumes- O.. aakash, o.. palash rashi rashi/Ektu sobuje chokh muchiye de/Ghor chhara manusher mone; which translates to Oh Sky, Oh flowering strees, wipe the eyes a little green, think of people without houses. 

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There are several other songs like this. If you have a favourite please add to the list.

This list is indicative and not exhaustive.