Harmonium based songs formed the core of Hindi songs but you would be surprised to know that Harmonium was once banned in All India Radio for 40 years. Rabindra Nath Tagore once wrote a letter in 1940 to AIR for not playing the Harmonium songs because this was not an Indian Classical Instrument.
It is also true that this instrument is being used for decades in Indian Classical, semi classical, and Sugam Sangeet. All the composers and singers used to play the Harmonium while composing or singing songs. The first song of Hindi film in ALAM ARA was a song based on harmonium and Tabla underlining the symbiotic link these instruments have had in Hindi film music since the 1930s.Kindly recall K L Saigal in Street Singer(1938). In this blog, I have selected those songs where Harmonium is being played on screen.
Harmonium used to be called 'Peti' or 'Peti Baja' in Mumbai. As a matter of fact the music directors in the earlier times, in popular lexicon were known as 'Bajawalas', or 'Petiwalas', i.e. those who are adept at playing the 'Peti' or the harmonium
K L Saigal was very fond of playing the Harmonium, he had a harmonium which he used to bring and play himself whenever he is recording a song. The harmonium actually belonged to the company, but Saigal started playing it from the very first song he recorded. And after that it belonged to him. "He used to sing in a particular scale and didn't like it if anyone changed the harmonium's scale. So it was kept exclusively for him. Later, even when he had become India's first superstar, he never used another harmonium when he was in Kolkata.
When he shifted to Bombay, this harmonium was left behind. He was often heard lamenting the fact that his favourite instrument was not with him.He said his songs were incomplete without this harmonium. For your information, this harmonium is still preserved in Kolkata. Lata Mangeshkar wanted to keep this Harmonium for which she wanted to pay whatever price is asked but was denied.
The first song in my list is from the 1936 film Frontier Mail. In this song, the actor and singer is seen playing the Harmonium
Song of Frontier Mail 1936
In the 1938 film 'Street Singer', K L Saigal(Bhulwa) helps Kanan Devi(Manju )escape from a burning orphanage and from the care of the tyrannical manager of the orphanage. The two street urchins go from village to village, singing and making money. Bhulwa’s big dream is to someday sing in a theatre in Calcutta. K L Saigal teaches her music.
Song of Street Singer 1938
Song of Street Singer 1938
This song is sung by Shamshad Begam, Satish Batra and Rafi.Qamar Jalalabadi is the lyricist. Music is composed by Shyam Sundar. The song is picturised as a roadside tamasha song where a female dancer is dancing while Gope (carrying a harmonium) lip-syncs in Satish Batra’s voice
Song of Baazaar” (1949)
In this song of “Baabul” (1950), Dilip Kumar is asked to sing a song,while playing on a harmonium. This song is sung by Talat Mehmood.Shakeel Badayuni is the lyricist and music is composed by Naushad.
Song of Baabul (1950)
Here is a light-hearted Harmonium song from Albela 1951, picturized on Bhagwan Dada. This movie was a box office success and a musical extravaganza. All the songs in this film were hit, in this song, Bhagwan Dada is singing and a person with him is playing the harmonium.
Song of Albela 1951
Deedar (1951) film in which Dilip Kumar played blind young man makes a living singing and searching for his childhood sweetheart. In this immortal song, Dilip Kumar is singing and playing the harmonium.
Song of Deedar 1951
This is also a very popular harmonium song from CID where Dev Anand is following Shakeela and One Girl and her man singing and playing the harmonium
Song of CID 1956
This song is sung by Rafi and Asha Bhonsle. It is picturised on Dev Anand, Madhubala. In this song, Dev Anand is singing and playing the harmonium
Song of Kala Pani 1958
In this songthe hero, Pradeep Kumar is seen playing a humble harmonium and singing. This melodious song is sung by Talat Mahmood in 1958 film “Zindagi Yaa Toofaan”
Song of “Zindagi Yaa Toofaan” 1958
Song of Post Box 999 1958
This song is a street song from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,1960, The song is picturised on Raj Kishor and Shiela Vaz who is playing the harmonium
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,1960,
Song of Barsaat Ki Raat 1960
Song of Dharamputra 1961
Song of Ek MMusafir Ek Hasina 1962
Song of MERE LAL1964
Song of Bahu Begum 1967
Song of Padosan 1968
Song of Kismat 1968
Song of Zanzeer 1973
Song of Apnapan 1977
Song of Swami 1977
Song of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1978
This song is from a small budget film Dada 1978 picturized on Vinod Mehra and the song sung by Yesudas. In the beginning, Vinod Mehra is playing the harmonium
Song of Dada 1978
Song of Manzil (1979)
This song of the 90s starts with the Harmonium being played
