Songs to Listen to Before Going to India

In Bollywood cinema, the music is just as important as the movie itself. Here are five classic songs to listen to before visiting India.

“Awara Hoon” from Awara (1951)

Translating to “I am a tramp,” this is an homage to Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp character. The film and its title song were hugely popular in Asia, the Middle East and the Soviet Union, and even personal favorites of Mao Zedong.

“Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Dil Se.. (1998)

Based on a Sufi folk song, “Chaiyya Chaiyya” was composed by A.R. Rahman and written by Gulzar, India’s most famous musical duo. It is accompanied by a popular music video, depicting Shah Rukh Khan dancing on top of a moving train through the mountains of Tamil Nadu.

“Dum Maro Dum” by Hare Raama Hare Krishna (1971)

Sung by Asha Bhosle, one of India’s most famous playback singers, “Dum Maro Dum” is about a Westernized hippie girl in the background of the rising Hare Krishna movement in America.

“Kal Ho Naa Ho” by Kal Ho Naa Ho (2011)

Despite being released just a few years ago, Sonu Nigam’s performance on Kal Ho Naa Ho’s title track is already being called one of the greatest Bollywood songs of all time.

“Baharon Phool Barsao” by Suraj (1966)

Released at the height of Bollywood’s Golden Age, Suraj’s soundtrack is considered a classic. Mohammed Rafi, the legendary Bollywood singer who claims to have recorded more than 25,000 songs, sings “Baharon Phool Barsao.”