Hindi cinema has a long tradition of tapping into India’s rich literary history for its songs. Since it is customary to attribute the lyrics of all Hindi film songs to the all-encompassing role of “Lyricists”, music listeners do not realise at times that some of them were not written for cinema. Sometimes, song lyrics are simply marked as Traditional without attribution to their writers, even when they are known. In this post, I list instances of Hindi film songs that used poems or literary works that predated the films they appeared in by anywhere between a few years to several hundred years! I imposed a few criteria to keep the list manageable:
- One song per poet/writer
- Only songs whose lyrics were taken entirely from existing works (minor modifications are OK). This excludes songs where a phrase or a line or two were borrowed from existing works but are otherwise original.
- Only songs whose creators are known. This rule excludes traditional folk and classical works whose authorship is unknown.
- Songs written by Pakistani poets for Pakistani films and reused in Indian films are excluded.
The list in alphabetical order of the poets’ names (click the hyperlinked poet names to explore their other credits, if any):
The lyrics of Pankaj Mullick’s Hey Chandrachooda Madanaantaka Shoolapaane (Yatrik, 1952) were Sanskrit shlokas taken from Adi Shankaracharya‘s Shivanaamaavalyashtakam.
Amir Khusro’s Chhap Tilak, Aaj Rang Hai and Kaahe Ko Byahi Bides have been popular in Hindi cinema. This version of Kaahe Ko Byahi Bides (Umrao Jaan, 1981) was sung by Jagjeet Kaur and composed by her husband Khayyam.
Amrita Pritam’s well-known poem, Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu, was set to tune by Uttam Singh for the film Pinjar (2003), based on her novel of the same title.
Arzoo Lakhnavi‘s Gore Gore Chand Se Mukh Par was set to tune by Laxmikant – Pyarelal and sung by Mukesh for Anita (1967).
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Hindu Tan Man was used for a song in his biopic Main Atal Hoon (2024).
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s Shamsheer Barahna Maang Ghazab was set to tune by Vanraj Bhatia and sung by Preeti Sagar in the film Mandi (1983).
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Vande Mataram has appeared in multiple Hindi films. A lesser heard version sung by Sudha Malhotra for Andolan (1951) is interesting for a couple of reasons – a) She had a cameo appearance in id, b) She went on to marry into the family of producer Harnam Motwane. (Vikramaditya Motwane belongs to this family. His production house gets its name from this film).
Nir Ta Ta Dhang (Chandan Ka Palna, 1967) was R.D. Burman’s adaptation of an ashtapadi composed and written by Bindadin Maharaj. Born in 1830, Bindadin Maharaj is considered one of the most prominent early exponents of the Kathak dance form. He founded the Lucknow Gharana of kathak.
Bismil Azimabadi’s Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna has been used many times in Hindi films. The version linked here was sung by Mohammed Rafi for Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963).
Bulleh Shah’s Tere Ishq Nachaya (Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara, 2013) was composed and sung by Pervez Quadir.
Christopher Marlowe‘s poem The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (1599) was used in the song Come Live With Me And Be My Love (Junoon, 1979). It was sung by Jennifer Kendal (Shashi Kapoor’s wife) and Sharon Prabhakar.
Dagh Dehlvi‘s Aarzoo Yeh Hai Ke Nikle Dum Tumhare Saamne was used in Bazooband (1954). The song was composed by Mohammed Shafi and sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
Dushyant Kumar’s ghazal Yeh Zuban Humse See Nahin Jaati was used in the film Shaayad (1979).
Sneha Khanwalkar set Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain to a hypnotic tune for Manto (2018). The song was brilliantly sung by Ustad Rashid Khan and Vidya Shah.
Girija Kumar Mathur’s translation of We Shall Overcome – Hum Honge Kamyab – was used in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983).
Kesari (2019) featured the shabad Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Eha written by Guru Gobind Singh.
The film Tumhara Kalloo (1975) featured the Guru Nanak bhajan Sumiran Karle Mere Mana.
The bhajans of the 14th-15th-century poet Guru Ravidas Ji were included in his biopic Sant Ravidas Ki Amar Kahani (1983).
Harvansh Rai Bachchan recited his own poem Mele Mein Khoi Gujariya in the film Badnam Basti (1971).
Hasrat Mohani‘s Chupke Chupke Raat Din Aansoo Bahaana Yaad Hai was set to tune and sung by Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali for the Hindi film Nikaah (1982).
Jai Shankar Prasad’s Himadri Tung Shring Se was used in Godse (2014).
Jhaverchand Meghani’s Gujarati poem Mor Bani Thanghat Kare was used in Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013).
Kabir’s Heer Soi Saraahiye was set to tune by A.R. Rahman in Highway (2014).
One of the first English language songs in Hindi films was for Duniya Na Mane (1937). Sung by Shanta Apte, it was a rendition of a few verses from the poem A Psalm Of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Pakistani poet Ibn-E-Insha’s Chubhti Hai Yeh Toh Nigodi was used in the film Mandi (1983).
The lyrics of Twamasi Mama Bhushanam (Anand Mahal, 1971), sung by Yesudas and composed by Salil Chowdhury, were taken from the epic Sanskrit poem Gita Govinda written by the 12th-century poet Jayadeva.
Jigar Moradabadi‘s Ek Lafz-E-Mohabbat Ka Adna Sa Fasaana Hai was set to tune by Laxmikant – Pyarelal and sung by Asha Bhosle for Be-Reham (1980).
The lyrics of the Hindi film song Uth Meri Jaan (Tamanna, 1996) were taken from Kaifi Azmi‘s poem Aurat. The poem, written sometime in the 1940s, is considered an early call for women’s empowerment.
Mahadevi Verma‘s poem Kaise Unko Paaoon Aalee was set to tune by Jaidev and sung by Chhaya Ganguly for the Hindi film Trikon Ka Chautha Kon (1986).
The lyrics of Pankaj Mullick’s Astyuttarasthaam Dishi Devatatma (Yatrik, 1952) were taken from Mahakavi Kalidasa‘s epic Sanskrit poem Kumaarasambhavam.
Maithili Sharan Gupt’s Nar Ho Na Nirash Karo Man Ko was used for a song in Atkan Chatkan (2020).
Majaz Lakhnavi’s famous Ae Gham-E-Dil Kya Karoon gained mainstream popularity with a song from Thokar (1953) composed by Sardar Malik and sung by Talat Mahmood.
The lyrics of Chhaya Ganguly’s National Film Award winning song Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar (Gaman, 1978) were from a poem written by Makhdoom Mohiuddin.
The film Shankar Husain (1975) featured Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of Hussain Jab Ki Chale, a marsiya written by the 19th-century Urdu poet Meer Anis.
Lata Mangeshkar rendered the Meera bhajan Jo Tum Todo Piya in Silsila (1983).
Mir Taqi Mir’s Dikhai Diye Yun Ke Bekhud Kiya composed by Khayyam and sung by Lata Mangeshkar for Bazaar (1982).
Mirza Ghalib’s Dil-E-Naadaan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai is possibly his most used poem in Hindi cinema. The version composed by Ghulam Mohammed and sung by Talat Mahmood and Suraiya for his fictionalized biopic Mirza Ghalib (1954) is one of the most delectable ones.
While Saare Jahan Se Achha has been used in films often, I’ll include in the list a song based on Mohammed Iqbal’s Kabhi Ae Haqeeqat-E-Muntazar in Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1966). Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Madan Mohan.
Both the songs of Nishant (1975) took their lyrics from poems written by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the Sultan of Golconda during the 16th century and the founder of the city of Hyderabad. Piya Tujh Aashna Hoon Main was sung by Bhupinder Singh and composed by Vanraj Bhatia.
Momin Khan Momin‘s Woh Jo Hum Mein Tumhen Qarar Tha Tumhen Yaad Ho Ki Na Yaad Ho was used in Metro In Dino (2025). The song was composed by Pritam and sung by Papon. This Momin ghazal famously inspired Rajinder Krishan’s lyrics for Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon (Jahan Ara, 1964).
The ghazal Na Kisi Ki Aankh Ka Noor Hoon was used in many Hindi films and was commonly attributed to Bahadur Shah Zafar. However, Muztar Khairabadi’s son Jan Nisar Akhtar and grandson Javed Akhtar have claimed that it is his work. The current consensus is that the ghazal was written by Muztar Khairabadi. The version linked here is Mohammed Rafi’s rendition of the ghazal in Lal Qilla (1960).
15-th century Gujarati poet-saint Narsinh Mehta’s Vaishnava Jana To has been used in many Hindi films. The version listed here was performed by Ajoy Chakrabarty and Kaushiki Chakroborty for Water (2007).
S.P. Balasubramaniam performed Patnam Subramania Iyer’s kriti Raghuvamsha Sudha for the film Triyatri (1990).
Qateel Shiafi‘s Mohe Aayi Na Jag Se Laaj made famous by Pankaj Udhas’s popular rendition for a non-film album was later included in the film Ek Hi Maqsad (1986).
Sagar Desai recorded a fun interpretation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Maamo Chitte Niti Nritye for Madgaon Express (2024).
While the opening lines of Dar-O-Deewar Pe Hasrat (Andolan, 1975) were from a couplet written by Wajid Ali Shah, the remaining lyrics were taken from the poem Hum Bhi Aaram Utha Sakte The Ghar Par Rah Kar by Ram Prasad Bismil. The song was sung by Bhupinder and composed by Jaidev.
Saba Afghani‘s Zindagi Ki Raahon Mein Ranjo Gham Ke Mele Hain was set to tune by Nikhil – Vinay and sung by Sonu Nigam for Kasam Teri Kasam (1993).
The song Chand Maddham Hai Aasman Chup Hai (Railway Platform, 1955) wasn’t written for the film. Director Ramesh Saigal had read this poem by Sahir Ludhianvi earlier and liked it so much that he asked the lyricist to incorporate it into the film even though it didn’t fit its context.
Actress Shabana Azmi turned singer for the Dakhani poem Main Kitti Baar Bola Na written by the Hyderabadi satirist Sarwar Danda.
The song Sapta Suran Teen Gram is attributed to Swami Haridas, the court musician of Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior. The song was used in the film Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962).
Amit Trivedi and Shahid Mallya turned Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s Ik Kudi into a lovely song for Udta Punjab (2016).
Surdas’s Chhedi Ke Poochhat Log was set to tune by Ravindra Jain and sung by Anup Jalota for Chintamanee Surdas (1988).
Suryakant Tripathi Nirala’s Jhoom Jhoom Mridu Garaj Garaj Ghanghor was set to tune and sung by Harpreet for Bamfaad (2020).
Swami Vivekananda’s Naahi Surjo Naahi Jyoti was set to tune by Salil Chowdhury and sung by Yesudas for Swami Vivekananda (1994).
Geet Dhun Ko Tak Dhin, a Dhanashree Thillana in Hindi written by Swathi Thirunal, the ruler of the Kingdom of Travancore in British India from 1813 to 1846 who was also an accomplished musician, was used in Samasya (1975).
Tulsidas’s Raghuvar Tumko Meri Laaj was rendered by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi for Ankahee (1984.) Jaidev won a National Film Award for his music for the film and Bhimsen Joshi won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for another song in the film.
The lines of Heer Akhdi Jogiya (Jugni, 2016) were taken from the epic poem Heer written by the Sufi poet Waris Shah. The poem was a retelling of the folk tale of Heer Ranjha.
Leave a Reply