Revision as of 23:17, 24 August 2016

जन्माष्टमी Pron: janmaashTami

Dahi Handi

During the song Govinda Aala Re from the film Bluffmaster (1963) Shammi Kapoor climbs to the top of the human pyramid and tries to pluck currency notes with his mouth, as is the custom in some parts.

In Hindi-Urdu cinema

Dahi Handi: Bollywood films interesting plots around the festival, The Times of India, August 27, 2015 Dahi Handi: Bollywood films interesting plots around the festival

Indian festivals are given importance in our Bollywood movies. However, there are a few such festivals which hold a different place in Bollywood. Festivals like Ganesh Utsav, Dahi Handi, Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Dusshera are a few that helps to enhance the impact of a scene. Like Dusshera conveys a message of victory over evil, Diwali is festival of lights, Ganesh Utvas harps on the positivity of God, Dahi Handi too holds importance in movies. Let's take a look at a few movies which had highlighted Dahi Handi in their seqeunces.

Agneepath: Lead's grand entry

The Amitabh Bachchan starrer movie Agneepath was remade by Karan Johar in which Hrithik Roshan played the lead role of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. In the movie Hrithik Roshan's character Vijay made a grand entry displaying his chiseled physique and sharp looks during a Dahi Handi sequence. His face was revealed only after he broke the Dahi Handi. The sequence showed a gist of the character, Vijay, who is loved by all, is popular and owns power as he breaks the 'matki'. Hrithik did justice to the entry with his power house performance.

Vaastav: Celebration time

The story of Mahesh Manjrekar's cult movie Vaastav moves hearts of millions even today with its gripping and heart wrenching storyline. Dahi Handi festival was used in the movie in order to show how festivals are celebrated in chawls. It is showed how a youngster, Raghu (character played by Sanjay Dutt) along with his gang of friends collects fund to celebrate the festival. The sequence actually reminded majority of Mumbaikars about their own Dahi Handi celebrations. The sequence was shot in the way it was in order to make sure that the audience could identify themselves as one from the crowd reveling during the festival.

Shaitaan: The chase

In the movie Shaitaan, a Dahi Handi song and a sequnce is used very cleverly. In the video of the song, we can see a Inspector Arvind Mathur (Rajeev Khandelwal) chasing Inspector Malvankar (Rajkumar Rao), a suspect, in the middle of the Dahi Handi celebration and the dahi handi song is played in the backdrop. Interestingly, the song's lyrics 'Pintya gela lamb...' relates the screenplay of the song as Inspector Malvankar's pet name in the movie is Pintya. The song is exactly what the scene is and accordingly, inspector Malvankar meets with an accident and the chase ends as the song culminates. The song is sung by a Marathi folk singer Chandan Shive.

Oh My God: The reality check

Paresh Rawal starrer Oh My God has a very interesting concept. The movie where a shopkeeper takes God to court when his shop is destroyed by an earthquake is well received by the audience. In this movie, the Dahi Handi festival stands of high importance, it is the time when Kanjibhai (Character played by Paresh Rawal) challenges god and shows distrust in him and claims that Dahi Handi festival and the expenses incurred behind it are of waste and one should stop celebrating such festivals. He also explains how youngsters endanger their life in order to break the handi and get the prize money. Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhudheva did a special song , Go go go Govinda for this seqeunce.

Aankhen: The master plan

In Amitabh Bachchan starrer movie Aankhen, the idea of robbing a bank by blind people comes in his mind only after watching a few blind students of a school breaking dahi handi during this festival. After watching them he understands that blind people can be trained to do things like sighted people and that is when he employs three blind men – Vishwas (Kumar), a blind person who has the power of the sixth sense, Ilyaas (Rawal) and Arjun (Rampal) to loot a bank.

Gambling

Gujarat's gilded gambling

Golden playing cards become a Janmashtami fad in Gujarat

Manish Singh Rathore, TNN | Aug 27, 2013

The Times of India

AHMEDABAD: For many Gujaratis, Janmashtami not only offers a holiday and a time of worship but also provides an unofficial licence to gamble! Entire Gujarati families play card games like rummy and teen patti in the run up to the festival.

This year, however, the affluent have started flashing gold and silver-plated cards. Some of them are even playing the game with cards made of pure silver!

Gold or silver playing cards are a common sight in places like Las Vegas but the trend is catching up in Gujarat, say jewellers who are doing a brisk business.

"In the last few days, over 2,000 packs of gold and silver playing cards have been sold in Ahmedabad. The price ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 15,000 per pack. The demand for such playing cards is high ahead of Janmashtami," said Nayan Bhagat, who deals in wholesale of gold and silver playing cards. While most of these cards are imported from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, there are firms that manufacture it locally.

"I have supplied golden and silver card packs to a number of local jewellers. Apart from this, we are witnessing a high demand online as well," added Bhagat. Usually, such cards are used when the bets are higher than Rs 100,000.

Shanti Patel, president of Ahmedabad Jewellers Association, says that apart from Janmashtami, many people buy silver and gold cards for adding to their collection and gifting also.

Songs

From Hindi-Urdu cinema

10 Most popular Janmashtami songs The Times of India TNN | August 18, 2014

Bada Natkhat Hai Ye – Amar Prem: This song from the 1972 Hindi drama is one of the most popular Krishna Yashoda numbers ever. The song sung by Lata Mangeshkar is still called a 'classic'. RD Burman had a different tune for this song but when his father SD Burman intervened the tune was changed. RD Burman used to remember this song as his 'best music lesson' ever.

Go Go Go Govinda- OMG Oh My God- This song composed by Himesh Reshammiya is a high voltage song. The song featuring Sonakshi and Prabhudheva is a festive number. Sonakshi's dance in the song caught attention as soon as the song released. Though the song is not original it has a festive and dhamakedaar touch. This song is a total riot.

Radha On The Dance Floor- Student of the Year: Radha on the dance floor is one of the coolest radha krishna song ever. This Radha Krishna song is a new age party track that is sure to make you want to groove. The song created a rage within few days of its release. Shreya Goshal and Udit Narayan juggle well between fast tracks to desi beats. This radha song truly rocks!

Govinda Aala Re - Govinda: This superhit song is from the movie Bluffmaster which was released in 1963. Shammi Kapoor starrer this song is one of the best Janmashtami songs ever. Kalyanji Anandji gave the music of this song. This is a very energetic number that makes you want to groove along with Shammi Kapoor.

Chandi Ki Daal Pe- Hello Brother: This song marks Salman Khan's debut in the music industry. Chandi ki daal par is a fast paced song with comical lyrics. The number is upbeat and catchy. Salman's voice gives the song that extra edge. Salman Khan fans must play this song on Janmashtami.

Vo Kisna Hai - Kisna: Kisna may not have been a blockbuster, but this song definitely was a blockbuster. This song featuring Vivek Oeroi and Isha topped charts soon after its release. A perfect fusion of classical and folk, this song has a divine touch. Udit Narayan and Madhushree take the song to an alltogether different level of melody. A powerful Radha Krishna song that must be played on Janmashtami.

Radha Kaise Na Jale - Lagaan: Radha Kaise Na Jale is undoubtedly one of the best Radha Krishna songs ever. The song has a slight classical touch along with folk tunes which holds the song beautifully. Udit Narayan and Asha Bhosle create magic with their melodious voice. Gracy Singh and Aamir Khan make this song look even more beautiful on screen. This is a very soft and soothing number which much be played on Janmashtami.

Maiya Yashoda Ye Tere Kanhaiya - Hum Saath Saath Hain: Maiya Yashoda Ye Tere Kanhaiya from Hum Saath Saath Hain is a very popular song on Lord Krishna. The song has been sung by stalwarts of music industry - Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal and Alka Yagnik. On screen this song is a visual treat. Maiya Yashoda song celebrates naughtiness of Krishna and Radha's love for him. Truly a melodious song.

Yashomati Maiyya Se - Satyam Shivam Sundaram: This song from Satyam Shivam Sundaram is one of the most popular songs of Janmashtami. Little Padmini Kolhapure pays her tribute to Krishna with this adorbale act in the movie. This devotional song has been sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Laxmikant-Pyarelal's music won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award. Truly a song we must play on Janmashtami.