Banke panchhi gaaye pyar ka taraana

Banke panchhi gaaye pyar ka taraana

Banke panchhi gaaye pyar ka taraana
Mil jaaye agar aaj koi saathi mastaana
Mil jaaye agar aaj koi saathi mastaana
Toh jhoome yeh dharti aur jhoome aasmaan

Aayi haseeno ki toliyaan
Aayi haseeno ki toliyaan
Bole piya milan ki boliyaan
Manzil pe aaye koi naina milaye koi
Bhar de yeh ulfat ki jholiyaan
Banke panchhi gaaye pyar ka taraana…

Kheton pe chhayi jawaaniyaan
Kheton pe chhayi jawaaniyaan
Patton pe likhi kahaniyaan
Phoolon ki daal, jaise rangeen roomal
Koi de de hamein bhi nishaaniyaan
Banke panchhi gaaye pyar ka taraana…

Movie: Anari (1959)
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri
Music Composer: Shankar Jaikishan

It might be incorrect to say female friendships are rarely documented in Hindi films but they are definitely not celebrated in verse the way male friendships are. There is no equivalent, for instance, of the ‘Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge’. Instead, the women only seem to share confidences about their love lives or in keeping with popular stereotype, manifest malice and jealousy. Why am I ranting about this? I have been thinking about one of the most enduring friendships of my life and wanted to dedicate a song to my friend. I could find none that fit the mood though. So, I am falling back instead on this favourite that has the lovely Nutan and actual ace cyclist Shubha Khote and the ‘haseenon ki toli’ accompanying them. 

Newer films are more mature about female friendships that are not necessarily about shopping together but about having someone who gets you and who has your back when the world seems like a particularly shitty place. This song, replete with innocent promise and unbounded potential and unconditional hope that seems too fantastical now is for you, S. Although we might not be as young and are definitely far more cynical, I hope it brings a smile to your face, like you so often manage to bring to mine. ~ R