Five Forgotten Holi gems

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Holi has been associated with multiple iconic songs from movies that range from Mother India in 1957 to War in 2019. In the myriad melodies, however, are some songs that never won the popular race but do remain musical gems.

Here is a choice selection of five colorful Holi numbers from our films that never got their dues.

Chhan se mohalla / Action Replayy / 2010

This Irshad Kamil-written beauty was robustly rendered by Sunidhi Chauhan and Ritu Pathak and set to a high-energy, pulsating tune by Pritam. The song did not have particularly Holi-oriented lyrics, nor was filmed that way on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Maybe that explains why it does not rank anywhere, though it was popular at the time.

Chudiyaan bazaar se / Suhana Safar / 1970

The steep melody of this song filmed on Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore was meant probably for connoisseurs of melody, especially the antaras. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle with a rare sobriety despite the teasing lyrics by Anand Bakshi, it was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Holi khelein Brij ki har baala / Begum Jaan / 2017

Anu Malik composed this in-effect poignant Holi number showing the festival celebrated in a brothel by its inmates. Sung superbly by Shreya Ghoshal and Anmol Malik and written by Kausar Munir, this uber-melodious song proved that Anu is no spent force.

Lahu munh lag gaya / Goliyon Ki RasLeela—RamLeela / 2013

Written by Siddharth-Garima, sung evocatively by Shail Hada and passionately composed by producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this now decade-old delight was an audiovisual treat besides depicting sensuality and passion with a master’s touch both in the director’s handling of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone and in the music and choreography. The song was popular then but is barely listed in Holi favorites.

Mal de gulaal mohe / Kaamchor / 1982

A rare sensuality in words, ambience and visuals suffused this Kishore Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar winner written by Indeevar with music by Rajesh Roshan. Filmed on Rakesh Roshan, Jaya Prada, Suresh Oberoi and Neeta Mehta, it was a very unusual composition by a composer known for his highly individualistic melodies, where even the rhythmic interludes were remembered!