Think Bhupinder Singh and you’re instantly transported to a world of soulful classics like Dil Dhoondta Hai from Mausam, Ek Akela Is Shehar Mein from Gharonda, Naam Gum Jayega from Kinara, Beeti Na Beetayi Raina from Parichay,and Karoge Yaad Toh from Bazaar. But what if we told you there’s a treasure trove of Bhupinder melodies that haven’t yet found their way into the mainstream? Songs that are just as stirring, just as timeless but quietly tucked away. Here are seven hidden gems you need to discover.
1. Dil Ne Tadap Tadap Ke (Faasla)
Written by the great Kaifi Azmi, this is a Jaidev-composed love ballad that even Shabana Azmi, on whom it is filmed, has forgotten. Bhupinder’s sun-kissed voice caresses the melody with tender care. He sang a handful of memorable songs for Jaidev the more popular one being Do Diwane Sheher Mein from Gharonda. Look deeper.
2. Darr-o-Deewar Pe Hasrat-e-Nazar Karte Hain (Andolan)
An offbeat flop featuring Rakesh Pandey and Neetu Singh (in her only neo-realistic film) features this stunning poetry by revolutionary poet Ramprasad Bismil. We know him for Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, but Darr-o-Deewar Pe Hasrat-e-Nazar is just as edifying and inspiring. Set to appropriately free-flowing music by the redoubtable Jaidev, Bhupinder sings:
“Hum bhi aaram utha sakte the ghar par rehkar,
Humko bhi paala tha maa-baap ne dukh sahkar…
Naujawano, yehi mauka hai utho khul khelo,
Khidmat-e-qaum mein jo aaye balaa sab jhelo,
Desh azaad ho, kya gham hai, jawani de do…”
This is not just a song. It’s an uprising.
4. Zindagi Phoolon Ki Nahin (Grihapravesh)
Filmmaker Basu Bhattacharya had an impeccable ear for music, but not always the best instincts for using it in his films. This timeless Bhupinder-rendered melody, written by Gulzar and composed by Kanu Roy, was tucked into the credit titles of this Sanjeev Kumar–Sharmila Tagore marital drama. A waste of a beautiful track that deserved the spotlight.
5. Jaane Yeh Mujhko Kya Ho Raha Hai (Ek Baar Phir)
Sehmi sehmi aahen hai, dehshat si mann mein, jaane yeh mujhko kya ho raha hai…
Composer Raghunath Seth’s unsung masterpiece from Vinod Pande’s beautiful film about crossing emotional boundaries in a marriage. With minimal music and only a guitar for company, Bhupinder builds an aura of intimate, aching romance. One of Hindi cinema’s best-written, best-composed, and best-rendered love songs. Ever.
6. Piya Bin Jiya Nahin Lage (Daasi)
Ravindra Jain and Bhupinder didn’t work together often Jain preferred Yesudas. But when they did, like in Raj Khosla’s Daasi, the result was magic. Bhupinder sang two sublime solos for Jain here: Thodi Sharaab Pee Loon and Piya Bin Jiya Nahin Lage. The latter is a heart-wrenching gem. Every pain-lashed word is a stab wound; every expression of hurt, a whiplash. Bhupinder at his most vulnerable and masterful.
7. Kaise Kahun, Kuch Keh Na Saku (Nandu)
A Hindi song composed by the great Ilaiyaraaja is rare. A Hindi song by Ilaiyaraaja in a Tamil film? Almost unheard of. In this obscure 1981 Tamil film, Bhupinder breathed life into this haunting melody. One of the rarest and most unique songs in his discography and a hidden treasure for lovers of timeless music.
