Hindi Film Songs Featuring Tribal Dance & Music

Posted on Trivia – The Spice of Life on 22/04/2023

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“There is a tendency to lump folk music along with tribal music,” says David Courtney, in his post An Overview of the Folk Music of the Indian Subcontinent.  He argues that there is ac­tually a difference between the two.  “Where folk music is a mere rustic ref­lec­tion of the larger In­dian so­ciety, tribal music often re­pre­sents cul­tures that are very dif­fer­ent.  Some of these tribal cul­tures trace back thousands of years,” he says.

Tribal music, as I understand it, is of the tribes who live in close proximity of forests, leading a minimalist lifestyle, adhering to their own set of socio-religious codes. Their music is closer to nature. Their musical instruments too – predominantly percussion and wind instruments – are fashioned out of bamboo and other forest resources. Also, tribal music and dance appear inseparable. Music and dance are almost a part of their daily existence as well as their socio-cultural milieu.

It is difficult to distinguish tribal from folk music in Hindi films, with many using the word ‘tribal’ interchangeably with the word ‘folk’. For example, the songs of Madhumati are described by some as ‘folk’ songs. However, I feel they showcase the culture of the hill tribes. Madhumati is a tribal village girl and her father is a tribal chieftain. At some level, the film tries to depict the manner in which innocent tribals and their resources are exploited by the heartless city dwellers.

What could distinguish tribal from folk songs in Hindi films is perhaps the attire, the headgear and the jewellery, the use of chorus, the accentuated use of drums and peppering such songs with non-lexical vocables. Songs featuring tribal music in films are somewhat stereotypical. These are generally dance songs. Unless the plot of the story revolves round a tribal clan and its chieftain (kabile ka sardaar), these songs are introduced in the film when the lead couple accidentally lands in a tribal hamlet. The tribals first treat them as adversaries and later develop an affinity for them. So here is a list of the songs which I believe have a strong flavour of tribal music.

1) Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The – Shalimar(1978) – Anand Bakshi – R.D.Burman – Kishore Kumar & Chorus. This is not a dance song. Here the tribals are shown in the prelude and the interludes and the chorus is shown as being sung by them. They are shown marching together in a group, with torches in their hands, singing in unison. The sounds – hurrr hurrr – made by them intermittently enhance the beauty of the song. While the movie was a flop, this song became extremely popular. Kishore Kumar’s voice has made it immortal.

2) Ho Raat Milan Ki Dil Hai Pyaasa – Sargam (1950) – P.L.Santoshi – C.Ramchandra – Lata Mangeshkar, C.Ramchandra & Chorus. P.L.Santoshi was the writer, director and lyricist of this movie. This song appears to be the climax of the film going by the way it ends. After the boat gets caught in a storm, the lead couple is captured by a tribe (in Africa?). The chorus and some of the lyrics are sung by the tribals whereas the rest of the song is sung by the lead pair. There are some meaningless words also thrown in perhaps for comic effect. All in all, this is an action packed song with the typical tribal flavour as depicted in film music.

3) Thandi Hawaon Ne Gori Ka Ghoonghat – Prem Nagar (1974) – Anand Bakshi – S.D.Burman – Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus. When the local Raja and his love interest visit one of the tribal villages, the occasion obvious calls for some spirited song and dance with the lead pair participating whole heartedly in the fun and frolic. Thunder and rain add to the atmospherics. There are the lyrics hurray ho hurray ho with which the song begins. The attires, the musical instruments and the tribal huts are all in sync with the flavour of the song.

4) Barkha Ki Raaton Mein Dil – Shrimatiji (1952) – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan – Jimmy – Asha Bhosle & Chorus. Since Shrimatiji is an I.S.Johar production, a prerequisite to watch it would be willing suspension of disbelief. This song has a very peppy tune, though the lyrics suggest that the heroine Shyama is sad. The attire, the musical instruments, the chorus and the sets create the perfect tribal scene (here a tribal Burmese village?). It is interesting to see the bamboo dance – which is associated with the Mizos – also featuring towards the end of the song.

5) O Zindagi Ke Denewaale – Nagin (1954) – Rajinder Krishan – Hemant Kumar – Hemant Kumar & Chorus. This is one of those movies which is completely devoted to two warring tribes – Ragi and Nagi – both snake – catchers. This movie is of course known for its songs and the been music of Kalyanji Virji Shah. Here, in this song, is the hero Pradeep Kumar of the Ragi tribe, imploring the Gods to save the life of his beloved who has been bitten by a snake. The entire setting is tribal.

6) Dil Dhak Dhak – Madhosh (1951) – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan – Madan Mohan – Miss Chand, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus. This song, which is in two parts, is sung first by Miss Chand and then by Lata Mangeshkar, with the chorus playing an important role in both parts. The entire set along with the drummers, the torches, the costumes – all of them make it a perfect tribal song. Said to be loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, the movie is a tragedy.

7) Neele Neele Gagan Tale – Ram Rajya (1967) – Bharat Vyas – Vasant Desai – Manna De, Usha Timothy & Chorus. As the lyrics of the song suggest – it is jangal mein mangal. The occasion for celebration is the birth of the twins Luv and Kush. The tribals are jubilant and thus they burst out singing and dancing, sporting their traditional costumes.

8) Man Mora Nache – Do Dil (1965) – Kaifi Azmi – Hemant Kumar – Lata Mangeshkar. This song is from a Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed movie. This does come as a surprise. Nevertheless, there is the King pitted against a tribal girl who of course falls in love with her. This obviously provides room for the girl to show off her dancing and singing skills in this song – with the entire ensemble in place. The song is not very great but it is apt for the theme at hand.

9) Aa Ja Tu Aa Ja – Jhumroo (1961)- Majrooh Sultanpuri – Kishore Kumar – Kishore Kumar, Usha Mangeshkar & Chorus. This is a song that is sung right after Jhumroo i.e. Kishore Kumar becomes the chieftain of the tribe. There is music and dance with an announcement that as per tribal tradition, the girl who garlands the chieftain at the end of the song will get to marry him. Suspense is built as all the girls wear masks. The attire of the cast, the huge gong bell, the horns, the drums and the elaborate sets – all of them are in sync with tribal culture. This is one of the less popular songs of the film.

10) O Daiyya Re Daiyya Re Chad Gayo Paapi – Madhumati (1958) – Shailendra – Salil Chaudhary – Lata Mangeshkar, Manna De & Chorus. The songs of Madhumati are evergreen. This song is one of the most beautifully picturized ones of the movie, capturing the essence of tribal culture. Salil Chaudhary has composed music using all the instruments that would be played by tribals. The very concept of some one being stung by a scorpion and a vaid coming to treat the patient by chanting a mantra is in sync with the beliefs of the tribals who have their own way of treating maladies.

This brings me to the end of my list. As one can see, most of the songs above are shot stereotypically. The chorus is used in all of them. The instruments used – horns, dhols, drums, gongs – are all very reminiscent of the vibrant tribal culture. Which song would you want to add?

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