Upon accepting this job in India, I agreed to learn about an hour’s worth of Bollywood music to play on the harp, in addition to the “Western” pop music and classical pieces that I play. Some events want a mix of music from both traditions, but many of the weddings that I’ve been playing for want only Bollywood music.
Before I left the US, I managed to find piano transcriptions of some favorites my company suggested that I learn, and adapt them for harp. Some of these I can play on a lever harp, but many require the chromatic capabilities of my pedal harp.
My current Bollywood harp repertoire includes:
Akele hain to kya gham hai from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Chhukar mere man ko from Yaarana
Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko from Chura Liya Hai Tumne
Hai apna dil from Solva Saal
Honton se choo lo tum from Prem Geet
Humko humise chura lo from Mohabbatein
Kal ho naa ho from Kal Ho Naa Ho
Khabi Kushie Khabie Gham from K3G
Khuda jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno
Kuch kuch hotha hai from Kuch Kuch Hotha Hai
Meri Mehbooba from Pardes
O re piya from Aaja Nachle
Pani da rang from Vicky Donor
Papa Kehte Hain Bada Naam Karega from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Pehla nasha from Pehla nasha
Piyu Bole from Parineeta
Pyar Deewana Hota Hai from Pyar Deewana Hota Hai
Suraj hua madham from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…
Teri meri kahaani from Teri Meri Kahaani
Tujhe dekha toh yeh jaana sanam from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Tum se hi din hota hai from Jab We Met
When I first started working on this list, it seemed a quite daunting task! Not only was I learning music that was completely new to me, in a brand new style as well, but trying to make it work on the harp – all while making sure it would be recognizable to those who know the music best! All my hard work proves worth it when people start to sing along – even if my Hindi isn’t good enough (yet) to understand exactly what the words mean!