Bowing head before your grace, O Lord !. Review on Ten Best Devotional Songs

Frankly admitting, I was more or less an atheist in my life until the selfless and innocent love of a highly religious girl turned me into a believer. Considering the religious sentiments rooted too deep in the psyche of the Indian masses, Bollywood movies have always been coming up with devotional songs of high quality. Though there is no dearth of non-cine devotional songs too in Hindi(and also the other Indian languages), this review of myself is dedicated to devotional songs from Bollywood movies.

I have not included songs like Sukh Ke Sab Saathi Dukh Mein Na Koi(Gopi - 1970), Tora Mann Darpan Kehlaaye(Kaajal - 1965), Jiska Koi Nahin Uska To Khuda Hai Yaaron(Laawaris - 1981) etc. because they have been covered in my review of philosophical songs. I have also not covered several songs from the movies based on mythological plots because all the songs of such movies are bound to be devotional only.

Bollywood movies have presented thousands of devotional songs and every devotee can prepare his / her list according to own choice which is bound to differ from person to person. Hence the list of my favourite devotional songs is a subjective one only. Here are my top ten devotional songs:

1. Shyam Rang Ranga Re, Har Pal Mera Re(Apne Paraaye - 1980): I am a devotee of Lord Krishna and this beautiful song penned by Yogesh and composed by Bappi Lahiri has been sung by K.J. Yesudas, Asha Bhonsle and chorus in such a way that can win the heart of any devotee of Lord Krishna. Picturized on Amol Palekar, Manisha, Shabaana Aazmi and others, this is a devotional song I am ready to listen to(and watch also) again and again and again. Bappi Da has composed it following the Shyama Sangeet tradition that flourished in Bengal.

   
   




2. Tora Manwa Kyun Ghabraaye Re(Saadhana - 1958): A Bhajan(devotional song) very close to my heart which has been sung touchingly by Geeta Dutt and picturized on Leela Chitnis, Vyjayantimala and Sunil Dutt. Saahir's heart-winning lyric has been composed by N. Dutta.

   
   




3. Aye Maalik Tere Bande Hum(Do Aankhen Baarah Haath - 1957): This immortal prayer which has been adopted by thousands of schools as their morning prayer, has been sung by Lata, composed by Vasant Desai and picturized on Sandhya alongwith V. Shaantaraam and others. The timeless words of the songs have come from the pen of Bharat Vyas.

   
   




4. Itni Shakti Hamen Dena Daata, Man Ka Vishwaas Kamzor Ho Na(Ankush - 1986): A great prayer song sung by Pushpa Paagdhare, Sushma Shreshth and chorus and picturized on Ashalata, Nisha Singh and others. Kuldeep Singh has composed the inspirational lyric of Abhilash.

   
   




5. Hamko Mann Ki Shakti Dena, Mann Vijay Karen(Guddi - 1971): Another heart-winning prayer telling that it's important to conquer your inner self first before you think of conquering others. Vaani Jairaam has sung this beautiful song, penned by Gulzaar and composed by Vasant Desaai. It's been picturized on Jaya Bhaaduri and others.

   
   




6. Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai, Teri Ek Boond Ke Pyaase Hum(Seema - 1955): A devotional song very close to my heart. The Almighty is indeed the ocean of love whose just one drop is sufficient for a human-being. Sung by Manna Dey, this song has been written by Shailendra, composed by Shankar Jaikishan and picturized on Balraaj Saahni.

   
   




7. Allah Tero Naam Eeshwar Tero Naam(Hum Dono - 1961): Lata's great devotional song picturized on Nanda and Saadhana. The brilliant of Saahir got composed by Jaidev.

   
   




8. Jyot Se Jyot Jagaate Chalo, Prem Ki Ganga Bahaate Chalo(Sant Gyaaneshwar - 1964): A popular devotional song penned by Bharat Vyas and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelaal. This Lata-Mukesh duet has been picturized on Surekha, Sudhir Kumar etc. in this religious movie.

   
   




9. Mere Mann Mandir Mein Tum Bhagwaan Rahe(Dard Ka Rishta - 1983): This is a touching song linked with the Ganesh Visarjan in Maharaashtra which has been sung passionately by Hariharan and chorus and picturized on Sunil Dutt. Anand Bakshi's lyric has been composed by R.D. Burman. In this song, an aggrieved father(whose daughter's life is in danger) pours his heart out before the Lord.

   
   




10. Hoke Maayus Tere Dar Se Sawaali Na Gaya(Laila Majnu - 1976): A heart-winning devotional song sung by the legendary lover - Qais(famous as Majnu) in the honour of the Lord that none has ever returned from his door with empty hands from His door. Saahir's beautiful lyric has been composed by Madan Mohan. Shankar-Shambhu, Aziz Nazan, Mohammed Rafi, Ambar Kumar etc. have sung it passionately for Rishi Kapoor in the movie.

    
    

In addition to these top ten, the following devotional songs are also very dear to me:

1. Mann Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj(Baiju Baawara  - 1952): An immortal devotional song sung by Rafi, penned by Shakeel Badayuni, composed by Naushad and picturized on Raj Mohan(playing the role of Swami Haridas in the movie). It is based on the classical Raag - Maalkauns.

   
   




2. O Duniya Ke Rakhwaale, Sunn Dard Bhare Mere Naale(Baiju Baawara  - 1952): Mohammed Rafi's immensely popular and famous song, picturized on Bhaarat Bhooshan(playing the title role of the immortal singer in the movie). Credits for lyric and composition are the same as above.

   
   




3. Dekh Tere Sansaar Ki Haalat Kya Ho Gayi Bhagwaan(Naastik  - 1954): This thoughtful devotional song, spelling out the reality of the world before the Lord has been penned by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramachandra. Chitalkar(C. Ramachandra himself) has sung it for Ajit in the movie.

   
   




4. Duniya Na Bhaaye Mohe, Ab To Bula Le Charano Mein Charano Mein(Basant Bahaar  - 1956): This pain-soaked voice of a devotee has been sung by Rafi for Bhaarat Bhooshan. Shankar Jaikishan have composed the lyric of Shailendra.

   
   




5. Bhay Bhanjana, Vandana Sunn Hamaari(Basant Bahaar - 1956): Manna Dey’s beautifully sung devotional song, picturized on Bhaarat Bhooshan. Lyricist and composers are again Shailendra and Shankar Jaikishan respectively.

   
   




6. Zara Saamne To Aa O Chhaliye, Chhup Chhup Chhalne Mein Kya Raaz Hai(Janam Janam Ke Phere  - 1957): A beautiful devotional song sung by Lata and Rafi for Nirupa Roy and Mahipaal. The beautiful lyric of Bharat Vyas has been composed by S.N. Tripathi.

   
   




7. Aana Hai To Aa, Raah Mein Kuchh Der Nahin Hai(Naya Daur - 1957): Saahir has penned this great Bhajan which has been composed by O.P. Nayyar. Rafi has given voice for Dilip Kumar on the screen for this song.

   
   




8. Madhuban Mein Raadhika Naache Re(Kohinoor  - 1960): This immensely popular song sung by Rafi for Dilip Kumar has been composed by Naushad with the lyric being of Shakeel Badayuni.

   
   




9. Na Main Dhan Chaahun, Na Ratan Chaahun(Kaala Baazaar - 1960): Geeta Dutt and Sudha Malhotra have sung this beautiful Bhajan for Waheeda Rehman and Leela Chitnis in the movie. S.D. Burman has composed Shailendra's lyric.

   
   




10. Bahut Diya Dene Waale Ne Mujhko(Soorat Aur Seerat - 1962): A devotional song expressing gratitude to the Almighty, sung by Mukesh for Dharmendra, penned by Shailendra and composed by Roshan.

    
    




11. Raadhike Tune Bansuri Churaai(Beti Bete - 1964): A devotional song sung by Rafi for Sunil Dutt. Shailendra’s lyric has been composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

    
    




12. Khabar Mori Na Leeni Re Bahut Din Beete(Sant Gyaaneshwar - 1964): This touching devotional song penned by Bharat Vyas and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelaal has been sung by Lata for Surekha in the movie.

    
    




13. Badi Der Bhai Nand Laala, Teri Raah Take Brij Baala(Khaandaan - 1965): A popular song of Rafi sung for Sunil Dutt whose tune has been made by Ravi for the lyric of Rajinder Krishan.

    
    

Continued in comments