Cinema as a Critical Educational Resource focuses on gaining an understanding of India through the lens of cinema. It deals with rare gems from Indian cinema and beyond to chronicle the history and culture of India and investigates how cinema captures the nuances of Indian life, portraying the experiences, struggles and aspirations of its people. Using critical resources such as film publicity material, including booklets, lobby cards and posters, this research area offers unique insights into its cultural diversity, social fabric and historical evolution.
"Din Hai Bahar Ke" - A Celebration of Youthful Love
Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (Editor)
Document TypeIn-house Video
Date31 August 2026
Duration14 min 27 sec
FormatLong-form Video
Description
The playful, romantic duet sung by Asha Bhonsle and Mahendra Kapoor, "Din Hai Bahar Ke" from Waqt (1965), featuring Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore, was composed by Ravi with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. A pioneer in the use of ensemble casts, the film was directed by Yash Chopra and produced by B.R. Chopra.
Picturised on a boat, the song exudes a youthful energy, where two lovers engage in a conversation with each other in a public setting. The modernity of their outfits, the dance moves, reflect an urbanity in the joyful melody that is a fusion between folk music and the more modern sounds adopted by Hindi films at the time.
Part of the workshop, 'A Musical Glue for Nation-Building: Deconstructing the Film Song,' which entailed a broader exploration of four iconic songs from the cinema of B.R. Chopra, experts Shikha Jhingan, Ravikant, Antara Mondal and Neville Tuli engaged in a discussion to deconstruct facets of the song.