Shree 420
Song: Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua Hai
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey
Composer:Shankar Jaikishan
Raj Kapoor and Nargis steal glances as they walk under a big, black umbrella. As they saunter into the sunset, they dream of a future together. Nargis’s expressions speak at once of her hesitation and longing to fall in love. This fifties’ love song has a freshness that survives time and age.
Manzil
Song: Rim Jhim Gire Sawan
Singer:Kishore Kumar
Composer:R. D. Burman
This melody, penned by Yogesh Gaur, brings to your mind all the dear memories associated with rain. A charming Amitabh Bachchan sings as a doe-eyed Moushumi Chatterjee looks on in admiration.
Raja Paarvai
Song:Andhi Mazhai
Singer:S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja
A blind musician, played by Kamal Haasan, is in love. He is so smitten that he can feel the twilight rain and see his beloved’s face in each drop. So can we, on listening to this evergreen romantic number.
Aradhana
Song: Roop Tera Mastana
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: S.D. Burman
A storm rages outside as Rajesh Khanna and a towel-clad Sharmila Tagore circle a blazing fire inside a room. Rain is not seen in the song, yet, its presence can be felt. The expressions of the actors, the music and the rumbling thunder in the background have made this a very popular steamy rain song.
Namak Halaal
Song: Aaj Rapat Jaye
Singers: Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
Composer:Bappi Lahiri
Throwing shyness to the winds, two lovers let go of their umbrellas and jackets to cavort in the rain. With audaciously suggestive lyrics and loud hip gyrations, the song tops the chart of raunchy rain songs in Bollywood.
Mouna Raagam
Song: Oho Megam Vanthatho
Singer:S. Janaki
Composer:Ilaiyaraaja
A sleepy bus stop comes alive as a group of college girls hit the streets to get drenched in the rains. Revathy and her gang, unfazed by curious onlookers, play in the puddles and jive to a happy song. They are so immersed in their rain-soaked world that even road-side Romeos cannot dampen their spirits.
Rudali
Song: Jhuti Muti Mitwa
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer:Bhupen Hazarika
In the arid deserts of Rajasthan, Shanichari (played by Dimple Kapadia), a rudali, wakes up to the splash of rain drops on her face. She rushes out of her hut to welcome the rains. The song captures the passion, romance and joy of the first shower.
Lagaan
Song:Ghanan Ghanan
Singers:Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayanan, Alka Yagnik, Shaan and chorus
Composer:A.R. Rahman
When a whole village beckons kaale megha to shower kindness on them, the audience also prays that it rains on the silver screen. The song captures beautifully a village’s yearning for life-giving rain.
Guru
Song:Barso Re
Singer: Shreya Ghoshal
Composer:A. R. Rahman
Dark clouds gather in the sky and a village gets ready for a strong downpour. While everyone hurries back home, a dhavani-clad girl runs to the open fields to embrace the torrent. Aishwarya Rai is a picture of grace as she dances on the tip of a jutting rock with the waterfalls behind her. The “nannare nannare” refrain grows on you and before you know, you are dancing to this addictive number!
Mazhai
Song:Nee Varum Pothu
Singer:K.S. Chitra
Composer: Devi Sri Prasad
Shriya Saran dances her way into our hearts through this song. Shot in a railways station, it is choreographed to pulsating drum beats. Shriya’s energy is infectious and we are not surprised when the entire station joins her in the rain dance!
