The festival of Holi has an old tradition of folk songs. Earlier and even now at many places, the custom of singing songs in groups is followed, days in advance. Groups of men and women move from door to door singing traditional songs at the beat of drums and cymbals.
As part of celebrations this really begins many days in advance, with `Holi Milan` or Baithaks, musical soirees, where songs related to the festival, and the epic love story of Radha Krishna are sung. These are also traditionally known “Hori or Phaag” in many parts of India.
This musical convention adapted itself beautifully in Hindi movies, with some of the finest Holi songs being churned out through the ages. Some of them are so popular that celebrations are actually incomplete without them. Here are a collection of songs from Bollywood that have incited the spirit of Holi through generations.
Bollywood Beats
Holi aaye re kanhayee… Mother India
Arre ja re hat natkhat… Navrang
Mal de gulal mohe, aayi holi aayi re… Kaamchor
Phagun aayo re... Phagun
Tan rang lo ji aaj mann rang lo... Kohinoor
Holi re holi rangon ki toli… Paraya Dhan
Neela peela hara gulabi kaccha pakka rang.. Aap Biti
Koi bheega hai rang se ... Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost
Apne rang mein rang de mujko … Aakhir Kyon
Aayee re aayee re holi… Zakhmee
Aaj na chodenge bas humjoli khelenge hum holi... Kati Patang
O dekho holi aayi... Mashaal
Rang di preet ne rang di… Dhanwan
Meri Pahle hi Tang thi choli…Praan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye
Holi Ke Din... Sholay
Rang Barse... Silsila
Mohe Chedo Na... Lamhe
Ang se ang lagana sajan… Darr
Dekho Aayi Holi... Mangal Pandey
Hori Khele Raghuveera... Baghban
Compiled by Smita Mishra
