People across India celebrate the monsoon, not just on their mobile apps, but with every possible avenue of daily life. And the sound of rains, thunder and lightning is something very few can resist. The recurring rainy seasons also induce a sharp sense of nostalgia— childhood sports, puddles, chai and pakoras, the smell of native land and of course the timeless Bollywood rain songs.
The relationship between music and monsoons is truly timeless. In the fifth century, the dark monsoon clouds inspired Kālidāsa to compose the epic Meghadūta. The Indian classical musical mode Malhar Raaga is also closely associated with torrential monsoon rains. Even today, monsoon rains induce a strong sense of creativity and passion for artists and music-lovers alike.
Can Music be described? For, Music is not only a hobby or a pastime, it is more than that. It is about emotions which people live with. A certain kind of music will strike a chord of melancholy whilst other will bring nostalgia. Some will bring butterflies in the stomach while some else will break our imaginary shackles. This is what Music is; an emotion which is in tune with all the other emotions at once. Music is a unique universe in itself, and yet, there exists an annual event in India that evokes similar emotions: the monsoon.
So, keeping your love for Music and Monsoons, here is a list of Monsoon related songs you can tune to :-
1. “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” from Mohra
Who doesn’t remember the iconic “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” from Mohra?! While the beats perfectly match the downpour, Raveena and her yellow sari gives the song an iconic status.
2. “Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein” from Ajanabee
This number from the 70s is an evergreen track for monsoons. You got to tune in to this one,no matter what you are doing and where you are.
3. “Koi Ladki Hai” from Dil To Pagal Hai
Chal dhoom dhoom chak, doesn’t it already make you groove?
4. “Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua” from Shree 420
Nothing spells classic romantic better than Raj Kapoor and Nargis sharing an umbrella on a rainy evening, crooning to “Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua”.
5.“Ghanan Ghanan” from Lagaan
Sure it was a song meant as an appeal to the Rain Gods for a downpour, but you can still tune in while stuck in the rains.
6. “Barso Re” from Guru
This one was a sheer magic by A. R. Rahman and Gulzar.
7. “Woh Lamhe” from Zeher
All the 90s kids in the house, make some noise for this must-hear Atif Aslam number featuring Emraan Hashmi and Shamita Shetty.
8. “Rimjhim Rimjhim” from 1942, A Love Story
Whilst 1994 gave us the sensuous “Tip Tip Barsa Paani”, we also got a romantic “Rimjhim Rimjhim” with Manisha Koirala and Anil Kapoor grooving in the rains to the magic of RD Burman and Javed Akhtar.
9. “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si” from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
When you will listen to this song, a picture of a woman’s car breaking down in rains and a man coming to help her will start playing in your head, for we have seen and listened to this song so much and as a matter of fact, we still can’t get over it.
10. “Bhaage Re Mann” from Chameli
The sound of the rains, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and the soulful voice of Sunidhi Chauhan, what else do you need?!
11. “Baarish” from Half Girlfriend
A slightly more recent entry in the list of classic Bollywood rain songs, ‘Baarish’ from Half Girlfriend perfectly captures the mood of the season.
12. “Cham Cham” from Baaghi
Another recent number, Shraddha Kapoor going “Cham Cham Cham” bang in the middle of the road with the rains falling is probably what we’d all do…if we didn’t have to reach work on time.
13. “Rim Jhim Gire Sawan” from Manzil
Amitabh Bachchan and Moushumi Chatterjee humming the notes of R.D Burman… this is the perfect monsoon treat for when you wish to point your camera at the rains and make an Insta story!
14. “Kaate Nahi Katte Yeh Din Yeh Raat” from Mr. India
You cannot make a list of monsoon songs and not include this iconic number with Anil Kapoor and Sridevi grooving to the backdrop of the rains.
15. “Dilbara Dilbara” from Dhoom
Shot in the middle of a downpour, we bet you still remember the lyrics to this dance number from Dhoom with Uday Chopra trying to impress a giggly Esha Deol.
