Holi songs are now a vibrant and essential part of Hindi cinema, symbolising celebration, romance, and drama on the big screen. But the tradition of featuring Holi sequences in Bollywood dates back to the pre-Independence era. The first-ever Holi song in Hindi cinema appeared in 1940, setting a trend that would shape film storytelling for decades to come.
The first Holi song in Bollywood history was featured in the 1940 film Aurat. Directed by the legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan, the film marked the beginning of Holi-themed songs in Indian cinema.
The song titled Aaj Holi Khelenge Sajan Ke Sang was the first instance of the festival being musically celebrated on the silver screen. At a time when films were produced in black and white, incorporating the spirit of such a colourful festival was both innovative and symbolic.
Mehboob Khan’s creative decision laid the foundation for what would eventually become a recurring cinematic tradition.
Interestingly, Aurat did not feature just one Holi song — it included two festival-based tracks, making it the first Hindi film to dedicate multiple songs to Holi.
This song was sung and composed by Anil Biswas, one of the pioneering music directors of early Hindi cinema. The lyrics were written by Safdar Aah. The composition beautifully captured the festive and romantic spirit associated with Holi celebrations.
The second Holi-themed song in the film was penned by Vinay Bihari. Like the first track, it resonated strongly with audiences and became popular during its time.
Both songs were widely appreciated, despite being presented in a black-and-white format. Mehboob Khan’s vision ensured that the energy and cultural significance of Holi translated effectively onto the screen, even without colour cinematography.
Mehboob Khan is best remembered for his later epic films, but his role in introducing Holi sequences into Hindi cinema remains a significant milestone. By integrating festival celebrations into film narratives, he created a storytelling device that filmmakers continue to use.
Holi scenes in Bollywood often serve multiple purposes:
Expressing romance between lead characters
Showcasing community bonding
Creating dramatic confrontations
Advancing plot twists
This narrative flexibility explains why Holi songs became increasingly popular after Aurat.
Released in 1940, seven years before India gained independence, Aurat holds an important place in cinematic history. The film starred Sardar Akhtar, Surendra, Yakub, Kanhaiyalal, and Arun Kumar Ahuja in pivotal roles.
The film’s music was composed by Anil Biswas, while the dialogues were written by Wajahat Mirza. Despite being produced in the early era of Indian cinema, Aurat achieved significant acclaim and is often remembered for its strong narrative and socially relevant themes.
Its cultural contribution extends beyond storytelling — it shaped how Indian festivals would be portrayed in films for generations.
Following the success of Holi songs in Aurat, filmmakers began incorporating festive sequences into mainstream cinema. Over the decades, Holi songs became larger, more colourful, and more musically diverse.
Some of the most iconic Holi songs in Bollywood history include:
Rang Barse
Holi Ke Din
Holi Khele Raghuveera
Balam Pichkari
Do Me a Favor, Let's Play Holi
Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat
These songs not only celebrate the festival but also often become chart-toppers and cultural staples during Holi festivities across India.
Holi is a festival rich in symbolism — love, unity, forgiveness, and the triumph of good over evil. These themes align naturally with cinematic storytelling. Over time, Holi sequences evolved into elaborate dance numbers featuring vibrant colours, grand choreography, and high emotional intensity.
The transition from black-and-white films to colour cinema further amplified the visual appeal of Holi scenes, turning them into some of the most visually striking moments in Indian films.
Conclusion
The journey of Holi songs in Bollywood began with Aurat in 1940 under the direction of Mehboob Khan. What started as a creative experiment in a black-and-white film gradually transformed into a colourful cinematic tradition.
Today, Holi songs are inseparable from Bollywood, adding celebration, emotion, and spectacle to countless films. The colourful trend that began in the pre-Independence era continues to thrive, proving the timeless connection between Indian festivals and cinema.