Introduction

Hi friends,

I have started this site in order to share some data I have compiled on Hindi film songs and the ragas on which they are composed. 

I have been compiling this data over some years purely out of personal interest and without any intention to publish anywhere. But lately I find that the interest in Hindi film songs, particularly old film songs, is on the rise thanks to media and internet. So, I decided to make my compilation available to all who are interested in this subject.

I am giving few explanatory notes on the subject so that the reader can better appreciate the data.

  1. The ragas belong to Hindustani Classical Music. A Raga is identified based on its structure (i.e. Sa Re Ga Ma) and melodic flow (called Chalan). Both are equally important. There are  ragas that have the same structure but a different melodic flow, in which case they are considered distinct from each other. The identification of the raga of a film song becomes all the more complicated because the composer enjoys the freedom of experimenting with structural deviations in a raga. No doubt the end result is often a sweet and memorable melody. So, while identifying the raga of a song I have based my judgement on the dominant structure and the melody of the song. Where the reader differs in his opinion, I shall welcome discussion.
  2. I came across some publications containing similar information, which I have selectively used in my compilation. While I claim no originality on the data, I believe my presentation is more comprehensive. In the publications I referred to, I had noticed what were in my view some errors in identification of the raga of a song. To avoid such confusion I have added information on the Note of the musical scale with which the song starts. The selection of the songs is my subjective choice and I admit there are many more melodies that can be included.

  3. The musical notes are referred to by symbols as given below
The natural scale (shuddha swara of Mid octave)    S   R   G   M   P   D   N
The flat (komal) notes of the scale                               r    g         d     n   
The sharp (teevra) notes  of the scale                                     m  
                      
The note is suffixed with U if it belongs to upper octave (tar saptak)
The note is suffixed with L  if it belongs to lower octave (mandra saptak)
Students of classical music will, I hope, find this useful.


Such a voluminous and laborious compilation cannot be claimed to be free from errors. I shall gratefully acknowledge if readers point out the same.


The content is tabulated by song, in alphabetical order.  Due to technical limitations of this publishing platform I was forced to split up the content into several pages. 

8 comments:

  1. Great Efforts, in addition detailing given in introduction is also very good, we can learn more by such efforts about (1) NO AGE LIMIT FOR CREATIVE WORK, (2) ONE CAN NOT GET RETIRED IF HE/SHE KEEP ON THINKING OF OWN INTEREST, WHICH IN TURN USEFUL TO MANY PEOPLE. (3) ACCEPTANCE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AT ANY AGE,

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  2. great work ,no doubt about it, i can not imagine how much time u must have dedicated.

    i think your interest in raga and indian music makes more sense, you have gave us all great collection and handy reference.

    Ashok Vora
    Brooklyn ,New York

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    1. Thanks, Ashok. I hope use of this work evokes greater interest in Indian Classical music so that more and more persons derive benefit from our great heritage.

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  4. Wow! An amazing resource for students of classical music in Hindi cinema. Hats off to the amount of work and time you spent on compiling this list. We appreciate your perseverance and desire to pass on the simplified source.

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  5. A very nice database for lovers of music. Thank you Rameshmama.

    Chirag Gokani

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