KANUPRIYA MODI
The Beautiful Secret Behind Iconic Bollywood Songs
Not very long ago , most of Bollywood songs were inspired by Classical Ragas . To tell you a secret , it ’ s still a very important influence on most songs barring the raps or the dance numbers which are inspired by Gen Z !
Let ’ s look at some of the most loved Bollywood songs that have their roots in Hindustani and Carnatic Classical Music .
RAAG BHUPALI
‘ Bhupali ’ or ‘ Mohanam ’ is a raag that presents a pentatonic scale ( uses 5 notes in ascending and descending scale ). Bhakti rasa is the core of this raga . Some of the all-time favourite Bollywood film melodies like ‘ Dekha Ek Khwab ’ - ‘ Silsila ’, ‘ Albela Sajan Ayo Ri ’ from ‘ Bajirao Mastani ’, ‘ Mohe Rang Do Laal ’ - ‘ Bajirao Mastani ’, ‘ Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye ’ - ‘ Kalyug ’, are all based on ‘ Raag Bhupali ’.
RAAG BHIMPALASI
‘ Bhimpalasi ’ is a warm and enticing raag in Hinsustani Classical Music . The most crucial note in this raag is Madhyam ( fourth ). ‘ Pani Da Rang ’ - ‘ Vicky Donor ’, ‘ Kismat Se Tum ’ - ‘ Pukaar ’, ‘ Nainon Mein Badra Chaaye ’ - ‘ Mera Saaya ’, are a some of the all-time favourite Bollywood Songs based on this raag .
RAAG GUJRI TODI
This raag works wonders in creating the Karuna ras . Some of the amazing music compositions based on this raag are : ‘ Bhor Bhaye Tori Baat ’ - ‘ Dilli 6 ’, ‘ Ek Tha Bachpan ’ - ‘ Aashirwaad ’, ‘ Ja Ja Re Ja Re ’ - ‘ Lekin ’
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RAAG AHIR BHAIRAV ‘ Ahir Bhairav ’ is a confluence of Bhairav and the now rare raga Ahiri or perhaps a mixture of Bhairav and Kafi . ‘ Teri Ummid Tera Intezaar Karte Hai ’ - ‘ Deewana ’, ‘ Ab Tere Bin Jee Lenge ’ - ‘ Aashiqui ’ and ‘ Hai Rama Ye ’ - ‘ Rangeela ’ are a few timeless favourites etched in our memories forever . RAAG MEGH MALHAR
‘ Megh Malhar ’ has the power to bring rains where it is sung . The peppy beats of this raag would welcome the rains and also make you sway along with its enchanting rhythms . Some of the classic gems based on the Megh Malhar raag are ‘ Yaara Silli Silli ’ - ‘ Rudaali ’, ‘ Dukh Bhare Din Beete Re Bhaiya ’ - ‘ Mother India ’,’ Tan Rang Lo Ji Aaj , Man Rang Lo ’ - ‘ Kohinoor ’.
RAAG YAMAN
This raag has inspired some of the most iconic songs in the history of Indian cinema . ‘ Ghar se nikalte hi ’ – ‘;, Aaye ho meri zindagi mein ’ – ‘ Raja Hindustani ’, Koi jo mila toh ’ – ‘ Breathless ’, ‘ Jhonka hawa ka aaj bhi ’ –‘ Hum dil de chuke sanam ’, ‘ Humesha tumko chaha ’ – ‘ Devdas ’,
‘ Laal ishq ’ – ‘ Ram Leela ’, ‘ Aaj Ibadat ’ – ‘ Bajirao Mastani ’, ‘ Abhi na jaayo chhod kar ’ – ‘ Hum Dono ’, Iss mod se jaate hain ’ – ‘ Aandhi ’, ‘ Inhi logo ne le leena dupatta mera ’ – ‘ Pakeezah ’ and the list goes on .
RAAG HARIKAMBHOJI Not too many Bollywood tracks are based on this raag from Carnatic Music . ‘ Mere Dholna ’ from the 2007 comedy horror film , “ Bhool Bhulaiya ” is a lovely example of Harikambhoji .
This is not it ; you can explore numerous other raag-based songs in Bollywood . It ’ s always advisable to prep up your swaras well as per the Classical Music to up your music game for any kind of song . Now that you know the secret recipe of the most successful songs , get set riyaaaz !