Hindi Film Music Inspired By Rabindra Sangeet

This post lists the Hindi films songs or background themes that were based on or inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s music or poetry.

• Tagore had the unique distinction of having his songs chosen as the national anthem of two countries – India’s Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s Amar Sonar Bangla. Amar Sonar Bangla was used in Shyam Benegal’s last film, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023).
• S.D. Burman’s Aise To Naa Dekho (Teen Devian, 1965) was a clever adaptation of Tagore’s Aami Tomay Jato.
• Portions of S.D. Burman’s Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat (Sharmilee, 1971) were inspired by Aanmona Aanmona.
• The tune and lyrics of Vidya Ki Parasmani (Chaarfutiya Chhokare, 2014) were adapted from Aguner Parashmani. The song was originally supposed to be sung by actress Soha Ali Khan. Rabindranath Tagore was the great-granduncle of Soha’s mother Sharmila Tagore.
• The tune and lyrics of Sukh De Ke Mukh Moda Tune (Anuranan, 2008) were based on Aha Tomar Sange.
• The mukhda of S.D. Burman’s Le Ke Jiya Piya Kahan Jaoge (Madh Bhare Nain, 1955) was inspired by Amar Praner Majhe.
• Versions of Tagore’s Anandaloke were recorded for Kashmakash (2011), the Hindi-dubbed version of the Bengali film Noukadubi (2011), and Kahaani 2 – Durga Rani Singh (2016). For the film Shastry Virudh Shastry (2023), a Vedic chant was set to the same tune.
• R.D. Burman’s Chhoti Si Ek Kali Khili Thi (Jurmaana, 1978) was based on Tagore’s Basante Phool Ganthlo.
• The tune of the mukhda of S.D. Burman’s Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se (House No. 44, 1955) was based on Tagore’s Dakhin Hawa Jaago Jaago.
• Swami Vivekananda’s biopic The Light – Swami Vivekananda (2013) featured a rendition of Tagore’s Dui Hridayer Nadi.
• The Raag Kafi tappa Ho Miyan Ve Jaanewale inspired Tagore’s Ey Parobashe Rabe Ke which in turn inspired S.D. Burman’s Meri Umar Se Lambi Ho Gayi (Society, 1955).
• Tagore’s Ekla Chalo Re inspired the lyrics of the mukhda of Ravindra Jain’s Sun Ke Teri Pukar (Fakira, 1976). A.R. Rahman’s Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) and Kahaani (2012) featured interpretations of the Tagore song.
• S.D. Burman’s Jalte Hain Jiske Liye (Sujata, 1959) was inspired by Ekoda Tumi Priye.
• The mukhda of S.D. Burman’s Jaan-E-Jigar Haye Haye (Nau Do Gyarah, 1957) was based on Ektuku Chhonwa Laage.
• R.D. Burman used tunes inspired by Tagore’s Eso Shyamolo Sundoro twice – in Aisa Kyon Hota Hai (Ameer Aadmi Ghareeb Aadmi, 1985) and Pyar Hua Chupke Se (1942 – A Love Story, 1994).
• S.D. Burman’s Jaayen Toh Jaayen Kahan (Taxi Driver, 1954) was inspired by Hey Khaniker Atithi.
• Hemant Kumar’s Ae Baadalo Rimjhim Ke Rang Liye (Chand, 1959) was based on Tagore’s Hey Madhabi Dwidha Keno.
• Salil Chowdhury’s Mere Man Bhoola Bhoola Kaahe Dole (Biraj Bahu, 1954) was based on Tagore’s Hridoyer Ekul Okul.
• Tagore’s Jana Gana Mana was used in Hamrahi (1945) before it was adopted as India’s national athem. The tune of the line “Humne to jab kaliyan maangi” in S.D. Burman’s Jane Woh Kaise (Pyaasa, 1957) may have been inspired by the line “Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha” in Jana Gana Mana. The tune and lyrics of C. Ramchandra’s Sab Milkar Hind Pukare (Samadhi, 1951) were adapted from Jana Gana Mana. The film Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) had an instrumental version and Krazzy 4 (2008) had a vocal version of Jana Gana Mana.
• The tune of Salil Chowdhury’s Sawan Ki Raaton Mein (Prem Patra, 1962) was taken from Tagore’s Jete Jete Ekla Pathe.
• The tunes of S.D. Burman’s Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina (Abhimaan, 1973) and Bappi Lahiri’s Chanda Dekhe Chanda (Jhoothi, 1985) were adaptations of Tagore’s Jodi Taare Naai Cheeni Go.
• Pankaj Mullick’s Pavan Chale Zor (Zalzala, 1952) was based on Tagore’s Kharabayu Boy Bege.
• S.D. Burman’s Pyar Ne Kitne Sapne Dekhe (Funtoosh, 1956) was inspired by Ki Je Bhaabish Tui. The song was filmed but did not make the final cut.
• S.D. Burman’s title music for Sujata (1959) was possibly inspired by Kothao Amar Hariye Jaoar Nei Mana or Ore Jhar Neme Aay or by a little bit of both. His son R.D. Burman later used this tune for Aap Ke Kamre Mein (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973).
• R.C. Boral used Tagore’s Madhu Gandhe Bhara in Hamrahi (1945). Anil Biswas used its tune later for the song Mere Chanchal Naina (Angulimaal, 1960).
• A version of Tagore’s Madhuro Basanta Eseche was recorded for the film Salt Bridge (2018).
• Anil Biswas adapted the tune of Tagore’s song Mamo Chitte Niti Nritye for the Hindi film song Mere Man Ki Dhadkan Mein Koi Naache (Hamdard, 1953). Sagar Desai recorded a version of this Tagore song for the film Madgaon Express (2024).
• Hemant Kumar used the tune of Tagore’s Mon Mor Megher Sangi for the Hindi film song Man Mera Udta Jaye (Maa Beta, 1962).
• Naushad’s composition for Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena (Deedar, 1951) may have been inspired by Tagore’s Mone Rabe Ki Na Rabe Amare.
• Rabindranath Tagore’s music and lyrics for Mor Bhabonare were adapted for the song Beh Behke Se Hawaen Sambhaalo (Anuranan, 2008). A version of the Tagore song was recorded for the film Dobaara (2018).
• The tune of Raahi Matwale (Waris, 1943), composed by Anil Biswas, was based on Tagore’s O Re Grihobasi.
• The tune of S.D. Burman’s Man Mor Hua Matwala (Afsar, 1950) was inspired by Tagore’s Ogo Nadi Apan Bege.
• Rajesh Roshan’s Bandhan Khula Panchhi Udaa (Yugpurush, 1998) was based on Tagore’s Pagla Hawar Badol Dine.
• Bappi Lahiri’s Raja Mere Tere Liye (Aap Ki Khatir, 1977) was partly inspired by Phule Phule Dhole Dhole. Shantanu Moitra incorporated the same tune in the song Soona Man Ka Aangan (Parineeta, 2005). The film’s dialogue acknowledged the origins of the tune.
• Laxmikant – Pyarelal’s Dost (1974) featured Dharmendra’s character playing the tune of Tagore’s Purano Sei Diner Katha on the harmonica.
• S.D. Burman’s Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya (Do Bhai, 1947) and Bappi Lahiri’s Main Tere Liye (Main Tere Liye, 1987) were based on Rodanbhara E Basanta Sakhi.
• S.D. Burman adapted Se Din Dujone twice – for Naina Deewane Ik Nahin Maane (Afsar, 1950) and Doob Gaye Aakash Ke Taare (Angaray, 1954).
• Singer Subir Sen appeared on screen for the film Anubhav (1971) and performed Se Din Dujone.
• Dibakar Banerjee used Rabindranath Tagore’s song Tobu Mone Rekho for the scene in Bombay Talkies (2013) in which Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character tells his daughter about his day.
• Tagore’s Tomar Holo Shuru Amar Holo Sara was adapted by S.D. Burman for Hum Aap Ki Aankhon Mein (Pyaasa, 1957) and by Rajesh Roshan for Chhoo Kar Mere Man Ko (Yaarana, 1981).
• Hemant Kumar’s Do Do Pankh Laga Ke (Rahgir, 1969) was based on Tagore’s Tomar Khola Hawa.
• S.D. Burman’s Yeh Tanhai Haye Re Haye (Tere Ghar Ke Samne, 1963) was inspired by Tora Je Ja Bolish.
• Rajesh Roshan’s Koi Jaise Mere Dil Ka (Yugpurush, 1998) was based on Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Karo Hey Guni.
• Ending this thread with yet another S.D. Burman song – Jaoon Main Kahan (Miss India, 1957) based on Tumi Ki Keboli Chhabi. Befitting given that no other music director used Rabindra Sangeet in Hindi film songs as extensively as him.

Related read: Hindi films inspired by Tagore’s writing.

These lists were compiled using official credits to Rabindranath Tagore on MySwar, text search for ‘Rabindranath Tagore’ on MySwar, and inputs from Archisman Mozumder and @GuzzlerBear.