Tuesday 22 November 2011

Take Five: Trains

Today's Take Five is all about songs with trains. Dancing on them, singing on them and even pretending to be one.

Dil Se - Chaiyya Chaiyya
Filmed on a train to Ooty in Tamil Nadu, this is song had nothing to do with the rest of the film but was still a hit. Farah Khan's choreography, which was inspired by a Tamil film from the 70s won her an award. Suprisingly there was only one person who was injured while dancing on the train. A modern classic.

Mangal Singh - Rail Guddi

The original 80s party track that had its own dance which only a drunken uncle could have choreographed. No wedding, party or other celebration is complete without a round of Rail Guddi even if it falls apart after the first verse. There have been a few versions of this over the years, but none of them are as good as this one.

Bunty Aur Babli - Dhadak Dhadak

Rani Mukherji and Abhishek Bachan dream of new lives and dance on a few trains. Often overlooked by Kajra re, which seemed to dominate the film even though Ashwariya was only starring in a cameo role, this is a great song and dance number. I don't know how Abhishek managed to stay on than moving train.   
Bilal Khan - Lamha  

Bilal Khan doing what he does best with a guitar whilst on a train. Simple and atmospheric, the music speaks for itself against the back beat of the rails. 
Pakheezah - Chalte Chalte

A classic from the tragedy queen Meena Kumari. As she dances she remembers the stranger who admired her feet whilst she lay sleeping on the train and left them a note. Due to her ill health at the time of filming, some of the full length shots and dance scenes were performed by a body double. This remix is also worth a listen.

3 comments:

Simran said...

I love this blog post. Great mix of the old classics like Pakeezah and Rail Gaddi and the new. Great selection x

madconventie80! said...

Hi there ! I really like your blog Deee. The train songs , My favourite is the one by Euphoria Palash Sen Mai Ri... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS9_6GUlIxw love the way the girl flirts with him for just three seconds when she brushes her teeth at 5:55 ??!!! Some things are so subtly powerful . and Bunty aur Babali had the other part train number. Of course there are mnay more but loved your selection > Pakeezah just OMG classic Look forward to reading your posts

Dee Kay said...

Madconventie80, thanks for that contribution, that is a lovely song. Glad you like my blog, now go spread the word, tell your friends and get them to read it as well!