Something about the spirit of this city makes many people stay back. While they usually arrive here for work, many have gone on to call it home for the rest of their lives. It may be intimidating but it is also the ‘City of Dreams’. Here are some popular songs that describe people’s varied experiences in Mumbai
Mumbaikars, young and old, have flocked to Marine Drive even through the Covid-19 pandemic in the last one year after the restrictions were lifted. Photo; Mid-day file pic
Most people who visit the city of Mumbai love it for many reasons. Among them are its fast-paced life and sea views which they likely haven’t experienced before. Stepping onto the Mumbai local trains and doing the classic ‘Mumbai Darshan’, covering Marine Drive and Gateway of India among other sites, tends to have a lasting effect on people. Their awe for the city can also be attributed to the work opportunities, cut-throat competitiveness, and struggle for survival that are all a part of the experience here. This spirit has spilled into art, becoming an inspiration for films and music too.
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Every year, June 21 is celebrated as World Music Day, and what better way to celebrate it in Mumbai than by cueing up music which talks about the magic and madness of the city. These are some of the favourite songs which are sung, played at parties, and featured in Bollywood movies too —they view the city from the perspective of an outsider as well as an insider. Many of them have also informed the popular imagination and understanding of the metropolis.
Bombay Meri Jaan
Perhaps one of the most appreciated numbers about the city, ‘Bombay Meri Jaan’ featured in the 1956 Guru Dutt film ‘CID’. While its gentle music was set by O.P Nayyar, the profound, pathos-filled lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Two legendary singers, Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt, brought the song to life. It was composed one day at Famous Studios in Mahalaxmi when instrumentalist Milon Gupta, who played the harmonica, sat down with O.P Nayyar, Guru Dutt and Majrooh Sultanpuri. The song takes inspiration from the famous American folk composition, ‘Oh My Darling, Clementine’.
Bombay Meri Hai
If you attend a Catholic wedding in the city, you will see people shaking a leg to the song ‘Bombay Meri Hai’. It is usually played at the end in a section called ‘masala’, after the bridal march, waltz, and jiving dance numbers. The lively tune encourages even those who have two left feet to take to the dance floor. It was composed by city-based drummer Mina Kava, who was a part of the band ‘Music Makers’ and sung by Uma Pocha, the elder sister of Usha Uthup. Kava and his wife Naju are also popular for another song, Evening in Gay Maharashtra, according to a Scroll report.
Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya
If one talks about the city, it is hard to miss out on the song ‘Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya’ in the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer ‘Don’ from 1978. Clad in a red kurta and chewing paan, Big B is seen dancing to the tune, which explains the exact sentiment of the epithet, ‘City of Dreams’ assigned to Mumbai. From the rich to the poor, the aspirational city accommodates every kind of person looking to change their fortunes. The music was composed by Kalyanji Anandji and sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar, and remains among the favourite songs about the city even today.
Bumbai Nagariya
‘Bumbai Nagariya’ is among the modern classics about the city, released in the 2006 John Abraham-Nana Patekar-starrer ‘Taxi No 9211’.“Idhar toh footpath bhi housefull hai”, say its biting lyrics, describing life in the city through people’s hopes, dreams, and intense struggles. The music was composed by duo Vishal-Shekhar, with the lyrics by Vishal Dadlani and Dev Kohli. Legendary singer-composer Bappi Lahiri lent his voice to the track.
Mumbhai
This catchy song is from the 1998 cult film ‘Bombay Boys’, about three aspiring actors who come to the city to ‘struggle’. A comedic take on the underworld for which the city is notorious, the track is remembered and loved for featuring popular slang like ‘bakwaas’ (nonsense), ‘traas’ (trouble), ‘khalaas’ (finished), and so on. It was sung and acted expertly by Javed Jaffrey, with music by Ashutosh Phatak and Dhruv Ghanekar. The film also has other Mumbai-inspired songs ‘Bombay Blues’ and ‘Waltzing Matunga’, which is said to be based on the song, ‘Waltzing, Matilda’.
Bambai Sheher Ki Tujhko Chal Sair Kara Doon
Simply expressing a love story in the city, Kishore Kumar sings to the tune of Laxmikant-Pyarelal and the lyrics of Anand Bakshi here. It is surely a treat to listen to the song and take in the famous city landmarks seen or mentioned, which include Churchgate railway station, Flora Fountain, black-and-yellow cabs, and double-decker BEST buses. The song is from the 1972 film ‘Piya Ka Ghar’, which features Anil Dhawan and Jaya Bhaduri in the lead role.
Sahi Hai Re
Expressing the idea that even if the name of the city has changed from ‘Bombay’ to ‘Mumbai’, it still remains the same for everybody.‘Sahi Hai Re’ is from the popular 2003 film ‘Jhankaar Beats’ featuring Rahul Bose and Juhi Chawla. The lyrics were penned by Vishal Dadlani, who also composed the music together with Shekhar Ravjiani, and sung by Udit Narayan. It defines Mumbai as crowded, carefree, tough, kind, and ultimately charming.
Bombay Central Par
There may be many songs about Mumbai, but ‘Bombay Central Par’ is uniquely entertaining. It talks about falling in love while travelling in the city’s much-loved lifeline, the local trains. The song makes specific references that will be familiar to commuters, including the Bombay Central (Mumbai Central), Marine Lines, Charni Road railway stations, among others. It is from the soundtrack for the 1962 film ‘Pathan’, featuring the voices of Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle, with lyrics written by Najeem Jaipuri.
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