When melody and words envelop some mystery. Review on Top Ten Bollywood Suspense Songs

Myself is not only a very big music lover but a very big mystery lover also. So I am presenting this review before you which contains Hindi movie songs of my choice but only those which are associated with some mystery or suspense in the movie concerned.

I have excluded a classic song - Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega, Mera Saaya Saath Hoga(Mera Saaya) because I have included it in my review of top twenty Hindi movie songs. I have also ignored Sansar Ki Har Shay Ka Itna Hi Fasaana Hai(Dhund) here because I will consider it for my review of philosophical songs.

Here comes my list of top ten mystery songs:

1. Gumnaam Hai Koi, Badnaam Hai Koi(Gumnaam - 1965): This song has to be the numero uno in the list of mystery songs because its flow, its words and its treatment on the screen alongwith the mesmerising voice of Lata all contribute to its greatness. It is picturized on all the main characters of the movie simultaneously. When watched on the screen, the visuals coupled with the mysterious words of Hasrat Jaipuri woven in the melody composed by Shankar Jaikishan create an enchanting(and spine-chilling) aura for the audience.

   
   




2. Aayega Aane Wala(Mahal - 1949): This is Lata's own favourite song from the mystery movie - Mahal starring Madhubala and Ashok Kumar. Picturized on Madhubala, this great song contains the words penned by Nakshab strung in the melody created by Khemchand Prakash.

   
   




3. Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil( Bees Saal Baad - 1962): Lata's highly melodious as well as highly mysterious song, picturized on Waheeda Rehman, penned by Shakil Badayuni and composed by Hemant Kumar.

   
   




4. Jhoom Jhoom Dhalti Raat(Kohra - 1964): It's a unique mystery song because the actress upon which it has been picturized is unknown for the audience as her face is never shown in the movie. The voice of Lata, words of Kaifi Aazmi and composition of Hemant Kumar, all add up to creation of a deep suspense on the screen.

   
   




5. Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim(Woh Kaun Thi - 1964): A great classical song of Lata Mangeshkar which is picturized on Saadhna in this mystery movie. The beautiful words have been penned by Raja Mehndi Ali Khan and the great melody has been created by Madan Mohan. Madan Ji had composed this tune in 1952 but due to absence of any situation in any movie, it remained unused for more than a decade until Raj Khosla found it suiting his suspense-thriller and the rest is history. It's definitely an immortal song which comes in the opening sequence of the movie itself and alongwith it, the viewer is enveloped tight in the suspense of this movie.

   
   




6. Akele Hain, Chale Aao, Jahaan Ho(Raaz -1967):Highly melodious and emotional song bringing with it an aura of deep mystery. Sung separately by Lata(for Babeeta) and Rafi(for Rajesh Khanna). The credit for the lyric goes to Shamim Jaipuri and composition is of Kalyanji Anandji.

   
   




7. Saathi Re, Tujh Bin Jiya Udaas Re, Ye Kaisi Anbujh Pyaas Re, Aa Ja(Poonam Ki Raat - 1965): Lata's memorable song picturized on Nandini in this mystery movie. Its lyric has been authored by Shailendra and the composition is of Salil Chowdhury.

   
   




8. Nigaahen Kyun Bhatakti Hain, Kadam Kyun Dagmagaate Hain(Bahaaron Ki Manzil - 1968): Another gem in the voice of Lata whose composition is of Laxmikant Pyarelal and the emotional as well as mysterious lyric has been penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The mystery movie starts with this song only which is sung on the screen by Farida Jalaal but it is meant for Meena Kumari.

   
   




9. Raat Aur Din Diya Jale Mere Mann Mein Phir Bhi Andhiyaara Hai(Raat Aur Din - 1967): Raat Aur Din was the comeback movie of Nargis for which she won the national award for best actress. The title track is a suspense song picturized on Nargis(playback by Lata) and Pradeep Kumar(playback by Mukesh). Hasrat Jaipuri's lyric has been strung into melodious composition by Shankar Jaikishan.

   
   

10 Har Tukda Mere Dil Ka Deta Hai Duhaai(Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi - 1966): It's a suspense song picturized on Sharmila Tagore in a boat in this suspense-thriller. This melodious and beautiful song has been penned by S.H. Bihari, composed by O.P. Nayyar and sung, quite naturally, by Asha Bhonsle.

Some additional songs pertaining to mystery prevailing in the concerned movie:

1. Main Shaayad Tumhaare Liye Ajnabee Hoon(Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi - 1966): Another gem from the mystery movie which is my personal favourite. Credits are the same and picturized on Sharmila only. In this song the expression on the face of Prithviraj Kapoor while listening to the song(being sung in the movie by Sharmila) are memorable.

   
   




2. Yehi Woh Jagah Hai, Yehi Woh Fizaayen(Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi - 1966): Another classic song of Asha from the same movie with the same credits. This song is sung by Sharmila on the screen for Biswajeet with highly meaningful words related to the plot of the movie.

   
   




3. Parde Mein Rehne Do, Parda Na Uthaao(Shikaar - 1968): It's a memorable number of Asha, sung for another Asha(Parekh) in the movie. It's a pleasure to watch also because of the beautiful dance performance of Asha Parekh on the song. Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar also appear on the screen while this song with subtle meaning goes on. It's been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

   
   




4. Jo Yahaan Tha Woh Wahaan Kyun Kar Hua(Dhund - 1973): A dance number from this murder mystery which indicates towards the intricate mystery embedded in the plot. Ravi has composed the music and the voices are of Lata and Asha. The name of the lyricist is unfortunately not known to me.

   
   




5. Gupt Gupt(Gupt - 1997): Anand Bakshi's song, composed by Viju Shah and sung by Hema Sardesai, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Chetan etc. This song is the theme song and it is played in the movie whenever any murder or murdering situation takes place.

   
   

I am also mentioning some classic songs which though not directly linked to the suspense of the concerned movie, contain a flavour of mystery:

1. Aa Ja Re Pardesi, Main To Kab Se Khadi Hoon Iss Paar(Madhumati - 1958): Lata's own favourite song which is not directly related to any mystery but carries an air of mystery with it. It's picturized on Vyjayanthimala(with Dilip Kumar in the frame). The memorable lyric is of Shailendra and the composition is of Bimal Roy's standing music director - Salil Chowdhury.

   
   




2. Jo Hamne Dastaan Apni Sunaai, Aap Kyun Roye(Woh Kaun Thi - 1964): Another gem from the team of Madan Mohan, Raja Mehndi Ali Khan and Lata which is more an emotional song and directly not related to the mystery of this suspense-thriller but adds to such aura of the movie. Picturized on Saadhna who sings it for Manoj Kumar.

   
   




3. Uljhan Suljhe Na, Rasta Sujhe Na(Dhund - 1973): It's Asha's memorable song picturized on Zeenat Aman. Ravi has composed the words of Saahir Ludhiyanvi into melodious tune. Though not directly related to the plot of this murder mystery, it prepares the ground for it.

   
   




4. Hothon Pe Aisi Baat Main Daba Ke Chali Aayi(Jewel Thief - 1967): S.D. Burman has composed this all time great song penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri which has been sung by Lata, Bhupinder and chorus. It's mainly picturized on Vyjayanthimala.

   
   




5. Pyar Tera Pyar Kheench Laaya Mujhe(100 Days - 1991):  Sung by Lata, picturized on Moon Moon Sen and Madhuri Dixit, penned by Dev Kohli and composed by Raamlaxman.