Whistling is pervasive in Hindi songs. Sometimes it comes as a part of ‘Chhed-Chhad’ and at times depicts the romantic mood of the stars. It’s always a pleasure to hear the whistling sound as a part of an interlude or prelude. Whistling sets the mood of songs like “Subhanallah” in “Fanaa” and runs as a parallel theme throughout the film, conveying much more than an amalgam of lyrics and musical instruments.
The credit goes to artists like Nagesh Surve, who has been Hindi filmdom’s chief whistler for more than 30 years. So melodious is his whistling that it is often mistaken for the flute. When the late Pt Bismillah Khan heard him whistling snatches of raga Yaman Kalyan, he assumed that Surve was playing it on the flute. From Laxmikant Pyarelal — to Pritam, who used his whistling prowess in “Dhoom II”, music composers agree that “he is not just the best but the only whistler in the film industry who has a tremendous sense of mike balancing”. From Julie to Tezaab, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Satya, Lage Raho Munnabhai, not to forget the bird calls in Paheli and Krrish, Surve has whistled his way unfailingly through the tinsel world. His career as the ace whistler in almost 1500 Bollywood flicks spans three decades.
I have tried to compile a list of Hindi film songs, where whistling forms a significant part of the song or at times, the identity of the song or the Film.
1. SAWAN KE NAZAARE HAIN – KHAZANCHI (1941)
It is quite an enjoyable song with whistling in interludes and Shamshad Begum being the main singer. The song also was the first of its kind showing a group on bicycles singing a joyful melody.
2. BEDARD KO BULAO SEETI BAJA BAJA KE – CARAVAN 1944
The song is sung by ARUN KUMAR (Govinda’s father) from the gypsy film starring Kesari, Arun Kumar & Kamala Chatterjee. Whistle is prominent in this song.
3. AANA MERI JAAN SUNDAY KE SUNDAY – SHEHNAI 1947
This Chaplin-inspired comedy song is composed and sung by C. Ramachandra. The whistle sounded modern & contemporary during that era.
4. NAKHREWAALI – NEW DELHI (1956)
Kishore Kumar gently teases Vyjyanthimaala in this romantic song with an occasional whistling as interlude.
5. HUM HAIN RAAHI PYAR KE/AANKHON MEI KYA JEE – NAU DO GYARAH (1957)
The stylish Dev Anand is driving a truck in the song “Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke” with the popular whistle tune featuring in between. Another song from the film “Aankhon Mein Kya Jee” has plenty of whistling notes.
6. HUM PANCHHI MASTAANE – DEKH KABIRA ROYA (1958)
We have Anita Guha & Shubha Khote whistling along Marine Drive and singing a song about Dreams and Hope.
7. CHALE BAJAATE SEETI – ZAMANA (1957)
A lesser known song, picturized on Amita & Kamaljeet, features a happily travelling hero-heroine on bicycles. The sound of ringing bicycle bells adds more sweetness to the melody.
8. YEH KYA KAR DAALA TUNE – HOWRAH BRIDGE (1958)
Catchy song by O.P. Nayyar, pictured on Madhubala & Ashok Kumar, the song is partly pictured in a GHODA GADDI and on a sailing boat near Howrah bridge. There is plenty of whistling in this one.
9. YEH HAWA YEH NADI KA KINARA – GHAR SANSAAR (1958)
Sung by Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey and filmed on Kumkum & Rajendra Kumar, the song has melodious whistling portions.
10. HAIN UNKI WOH NIGAAHEIN – AAKHRI DAO (1958)
This song is picturized on Nutan who is enjoying a car-ride with Shammi whistling in between.
11. JEENA ISI KA NAAM HAI – ANARI (1959)
Very popular and meaningful song with a philosophical touch, it helps to build the image of the character, played by Raj Kapoor in the movie. The whistling part has a certain similarity with the interlude of ‘Mujh Ko Baar Baar Yaad Na Aa’ from Ragini (1958).
12. CHORI CHORI EK ISHAARA HO GAYA HAI – BASANT (1960)
Nutan & Shammi Kapoor feature in a typical O.P. Nayyar composition with delightful whistling in the duet.
13. AANCHAL KO UDNE DO – PICNIC (1966)
This song was composed by S. Mohinder who gave a musical hit “Shirin Farhad” in 1956. Azra feautured in the song with other girls who are singing cheerfully on bicycles.
14. ZARA HAULE HAULE CHALO MORE SAAJNA – SAAWAN KI GHATA (1966)
The whistle comes in the end of this iconic song filmed on Sharmila Tagore & Manoj Kumar and sung by Asha Bhosle.
15. TUM PUKAR LO – KHAMOSHI (1969)
Filmed on Dharmendra & Waheeda Rehman, this haunting song depicts the loneliness and withdrawal of Waheeda Rehman from the scene. Whistling in this song from Khamoshi has a touch of melancholy.
16. YEH SHAAM MASTAANI – KATI PATANG (1970)
Among the greatest Whistling song is ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’ from Kati Patang. Rajesh Khanna serenades Asha Parekh, whistling the tune before he breaks into the song.
17. DIL KYA KARE – JULIE (1975)
Nagesh Surve whistled in Julie for the first time. The songs of this movie were blockbusters.
18. ZINDAGI MIL KE BITAENGE – SATTE PE SATTA (1982)
R.D. Burman included whistling portion in the song.
19. RAAT BAAKI – NAMAK HALAAL (1982)
The whistle is introduced at the beginning of the song which is sung by Asha Bhosle featuring Parveen Babi.
20. SO GAYA YE JAHAAN – TEZAAB (1988)
The soothing song has a whistling portion which happens to be one of the best whistle-interlude in a Hindi Song. Anyone who is fond of whistling keeps this tune at the top of the list.
21. SAUDAGAR SAUDA KAR – SAUDAGAR (1991)
The song perhaps has the longest duration of whistling on the list. The melody is a very popular one for whistle-lovers.
22. AE MERE HUMSAFAR – BAAZIGAR (1992)
The prelude starts with a whistle and the song starts later. SRK has the most number of songs in this list.
23. EK BAAT MAAN LO TUM – KHEL (1992)
This tune is not a very popular one but still worthy of a mention.
24. CHHOD AAYE HUM WO GALIYAAN – MAACHIS (1996)
The boys in the song fondly remember their homes, their past life which was perfectly normal. Suresh Wadkar, Hariharan, K K & Vinod Sahgal rendered their voice for this beautiful piece of melody.
25. CHORI CHORI JAB NAZREIN MILI – KAREEB (1998)
Whistle in the background of the song became hugely popular in 90s.
26. MAIN KOI AISSA GEET GAOON – YES BOSS (1997)
Whistling appears briefly at the beginning of the song featuring SRK & Juhi Chawla.
27. YEH LADKA HAI DEEWANA – KUCHH KUCHH HOTA HAI (1998)
The whistle at the beginning of the song has in-fact been an identity of the film.
28. HUMKO SIRF TUMSE PYAR HAI – BARSAAT (1995)
The song begins and ends with the melodious tune as a whistle.
29. SAPNE MEI MILTI HAI – SATYA (1998)
The whistling, present throughout the song, has been the highlight of the film and it’s Tapori songs.
30. ARRE RE ARRE YE KYA HUA – DIL TO PAGAL HAI (1997)
My favourite from the list, the whistle melody is the opening of the immensely popular song.
31. CHAAND SIFARISH – FANNA (2006)
This mesmerising composition reverberates in the mind and soul of every music lover. The whistle in the beginning of the song is very soothing and is immensely popular.
32. DHOOM AGAIN – DHOOM 2
The whistling portion was tuned with the Theme-Music of the Dhoom Franchise. Over the years, it has become synonymous with Hrithik Roshan.
33. ALA BARFI – BARFI (2012)
The title song has a portion of whistle tune which blends with the melody.
34. WHISTLE BAJA – HEROPANTI (2014)
Tiger Shroff’s debut film featured the whistle as a tribute to the theme of HERO (1984).
35. TU HAI KE NAHIN – ROY (2015)
The whistle from the song which features Ranbir Kapoor riding a Motorcycle was an instant hit.
Sounds like a wow!
What an unbelievable collection! Brought back fond memories of the era I grew up in. Each song is special!
Thank you.