The magical word "monsoon" is derived from Arabic word 'mausim', which means season. Monsoon is a magical word when we talk of it in Indian scenario. Monsoon is related with love and romance. The word brings mystical thoughts and takes us to intoxicating smell of damp earth, crisp air, gopi, Radha.... Rains have inspired many to their creative heights in the form of art, songs, and even bollywood.

Yes, bollywood has a special relation with monsoon and rains from Awara to Lagaan, Mr. India to Roti kapda aur makan. Rains have a very special relationship with songs and are timelessly used as the theme for bollywood songs. Romantic songs with a pinch of sensuality against the backdrop of rains have brought a pulsating effect on Indian movie goers. White sari is most common in the rain songs and there is no need to mention why. Once the couple at screen feels romantic, the clear sky turns pouring, thanks to rain god who always comes to rescue of bollywood directors.

When we talk of rain songs in bollywood, first thing that comes to our mind is famous song from Awara "Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua" featuring Nargis and Raj Kapoor. The song was pasteurized in 1951 and the black and white rain sequence classic tops the list even in the present times.

Rain songs are not always sensuous in bollywood songs. Remember "Rimjhim Rimjhim" from 1942-A Love Story. Aesthetically this is one of the best picturised song penned by none other then Javed Akhtar and directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Other song, which tops the chart, is "Boondon Se Baatein" from Thakshak. Sujata Trivedi mystical voice and Mehboob's pen brought soul into the rain sequence. It was well supported by great pasteurization and the movie was from none other then great name in Indian cinema, Govind Nihalani.

Now, lets have a look at the other half part of the story. The song in question is not exactly pasteurized in rain but there is a lot of wetness in it. The movie is 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' where Mandakini performed under artificial rain, which rocked the whole nation with audience on fire. 'Mr India' gave a new definition for rain songs. Sari-clad Sridevi dancing and seductively swaying to Anil Kapoor, will be the most remembered rain song of the modern times.

When we look in the modern times, rain & wetness is still used as a popular medium where director can show what it could not otherwise. Take a look at Bipasha Basu in one of the 'Jism' sequence where she appears out of the sea, Kajol short white skirt dancing in rain for 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', Sonali Bendre waterfall song in Sarfarosh and Raveena Tandon titillating song 'tip tip barsa pani' in 'Mohra'. Most of the bollywood rain songs in recent times are aimed towards bringing bold exhibition of female, and increasingly male bodies that more then often brings easy viewer ship and draws large number of eyeballs to the screen.
Date of this item added : 2005-10-18