A Musical Treat on Eid

Indrani Medhi

The enthusiasm around the celebrations of Eid is still on - pleasing and fulfilling. The festival of 'Eid-ul-Fitr' or 'Eid-al-Fitr' marked the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting during the entire month of Ramzan. The holy month of Ramadan or Ramzan, is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed as a fasting period by Muslims, who abstain themselves from food and water from sunrise to sunset. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the very first day of the month of Shawwal. Traditionally, it is the day (beginning at sunset) of the first sighting of the crescent moon shortly after sunset. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then Eid is observed on the following day.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The prolonged fasting helps one to be generous, self-disciplined, self-controlled and self-restrained. Muslims continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay 'Zakat-al-Fitr' to the poor and needy before offering their Eid prayers. 'Zakat' is the charitable practice of almsgiving (at a certain percentage) in Arabic. 'Eid' stands for 'feast and festivity' while the alms and endowment given during the month of Ramzan is called 'fitra'. Hence, the celebrations marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan are special. Muslims all over the world make great preparations to celebrate this festival of love, brotherhood and unity. It was during the month of Ramzan that the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.

People begin their lavish Eid celebrations from the very 'Chand Raat' by breaking the month-long fast followed by merry making, exchanging gifts, enjoying mouth-watering delicacies and dancing to celebratory songs. As India celebrated Eid of late, here's an exhaustive playlist of Bollywood songs that would make our festivities grander and momentous.

n Eid Ka Din Tere Bin - Sohni Mahiwal (1958)

This LataMangeshkar - Mohammed Rafi duet picturized on Bharat Bhushan and Nimmi, is one of the rare Eid songs which stands out for its theme of separation and sorrow. Composed by Naushad, the song depicts the lovers who await their union and an intense longing that takes centre-stage over a usual celebratory tone associated with Eid songs.

n Mujhe Mil Gaya Bahana - Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)

Shama (Shama) is desperately in love with poet Amaan (Bharat Bhushan) who has already fallen for the hypnotic Shabnam (Madhubala). Amaan and Shabnam elope and Shama loses all hopes of ever ending up with Amaan until circumstances euphorically reunite them in the most filmy way imaginable. It's the happiest Eid of her life and Shama's party wins the make-or-break qawwali contest with Amaan's help but she eventually loses him to Shabnam in a heart-breaking end. The music of the movie plays an integral part of the story-line, which involves a poet and a singer as well as poetry competitions that were once rife. It became music director Roshan's first big success.

n Eid Ke Din Gale Mil Le - Teesri Aankh (1982)

The song is from 1982 film Teesri Aankh, sung by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, AnuradhaPaudwal and Krishna Mukherjee. It is about the grand celebrations of Eid featuring superstar actors Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman and Neetu Singh. Twenty years ago, Ashok (Dharmendra) lost his brother Sagar (Shatrughan Sinha) who was later adopted and raised by a good-hearted Muslim (Kader Khan). Unbeknownst to each other about their real identity, Sagar broke into a 'qawwali' about love and brotherhood with some extra doses of warm hugging on Eid. It is an entertaining 'jugalbandi' that would make an Eid party quite jovial and exciting.

n Mujhe Allah Ki Kasam - Sanam Bewafa (1991)

The list of Eid songs remains incomplete without the inclusion of this Bollywood classic composition by Mahesh-Kishore from the 1991 blockbuster SanamBewafa, which is famous for starring Salman Khan's black stallion 'Sultan'. The captivating music and enthralling voices of LataMangeshkar and VipinSachdeva made this song a hit during its times. Picturized on Salman Khan and Chandni, this song is an energetic dance number, apt for Eid celebrations.

n Chand Nazar Aagaya - Hero Hindustani (1998)

This melodious composition of the musical king of the 90s - Anu Malik, "Chand nazar aa gaya, allah hi allahchaagaya..." seems befitting for the Chand Raat and Eid celebrations. The song is from the film Hero Hindustani, starring Arshad Warsi and Namrata Shirodkar that was released in the year 1998. The song is zippy and zesty and sung by Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Iqbal and Afzal.

n Mubarak Eid Mubarak - Tumko Na Bhool Payenge (2002)

Another cheerful song is 'Mubarak Eid Mubarak' from the 2002 film Tumko Na BhoolPayenge. This song is tailor-made keeping the Eid festivities in mind. Sung by Sonu Nigam, Arvinder Singh and Sneha Pant, 'Mubarak Eid Mubarak' is an electrifying dance number witnessing Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen wishing everyone Eid Mubarak. The vibrant music is composed by Sajid-Wajid, who has always been on point during their collaboration with superstar actor Khan.

n Yun Shabnami - Saawariya (2007)

Breathtakingly picturized and choreographed, this song takes us to a fantasy-land of Bhansali's blue-eyed imagination. Sanjay LeelaBhansali makes Eid, the central point of the film Saawariya, a 2007 dud that marked the debut of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Sakina (Sonam) awaits the return of Imaan (Salman Khan) who promised her to come back on Eid. While Raj (Ranbir) who has fallen in love with Sakina decides to propose her on Eid. What follows is an exquisitely shot Eid song that places Bhansali firmly in the tradition of the great song-makers of Bollywood.

n Arziyaan - Delhi-6 (2009)

Over eight minutes of length, the 'Arziyan' song from Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's 2009 film Delhi-6 is a musical ode to the significance of Eid. It's a qawwali composed by AR Rahman and sung by Javed Ali and Kailash Kher, and their 'jugalbandi' has taken the song's essence a notch higher. The song is soulfully contemporary in its outlook and tune but rarely straying from the tradition. The soothing lyrics, "Maulamaula mere maula, daraare daraare maathe pe maula..." are captivating. The song captures the old, wistful Mughal ruins of ChandniChowk and the Eid celebrations at the iconic Jama Masjid - an incredible sight to behold - filling our hearts with love and pride.

n Noor-e-Khuda - My Name is Khan (2010)

This powerful song in the soothing voice of Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghosal is about awakening one's spiritual side. It is in line with the teachings of the holy month of Ramadan. 'Noor-e-Khuda,' from the film 'My Name is Khan' is picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, taking different paths to seek peace and justice. 'Noor' which means light and 'Khuda' is the Almighty and this song is about lightening our soul in front of the supreme power. A composition of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, 'Noor-e-Khuda' is heavily influenced by Sufi music and fills the solitude of our heart and soul instantly, evoking strong emotions of love and compassion towards our fellow beings.

n Aaj Ki Party - Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

This high-on-energy song from Salman Khan's 2015 blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is a must song to be played in every Eid party. The peppy track composed by Pritam, featuring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor was exclusively added to the film, keeping the happy occasion of Eid-al-Fitr during its time of release. Right from the energetic voice of Mika Singh to the foot-thumping music and vocals, 'Aaj Ki Party' would leave anyone dancing to its tunes during Eid celebrations.

Bollywood is an indispensable part of every Indian and it certainly knows how to celebrate festivals with extravagant songs and lavish sets. It has undoubtedly given us several memorable songs of celebrations, not only for Eid but for every Indian festival. Bollywood music and dance spreads joy and love and celebrates happiness during all festivals, making every occasion euphoric and exuberant.