Happy Rakshabandhan: Iconic songs in Hindi cinema depicting the sibling bond

Ah, it’s that day today, christened and singled out for all brothers and sisters - how can we not play some songs meant for the unique, all-encompassing love that only a brother has for his sister and vice-versa. The sibling bond has been depicted in Hindi cinema through several evergreen songs across timelines. While some of them touch upon the nuances of the bond, woven through a promise of love and togetherness through the vagaries of life, some draw in celebratory occasions and a few others contemplate on the meaning that life takes on when their sibling is around.

Ring in the Rakshabandhan celebrations today with these classic numbers that are all about the tender bond between siblings, that soars above anything that life might throw their way.

Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin

Swept in a visceral bubble of myriad emotions springing straight from the heart of a brother, of Hrithik Roshan’s Vijay for his sister Shiksha, when he meets her after many years, we simply heart this number! Sonu Nigam’s heart-warming rendition of the beautiful song composed by Ajay-Atul, set to the touching words of Amitabh Bhattacharya, this one is perhaps the most profound number on the list, contemplating on the bond through what his life was like before this tender, healing moment. The song from the 2012 action drama Agneepath, gathers up the sorrows and difficulties of Vijay’s life into this one moment that beckons him to life all over again.

Phoolon Ka Taron Ka 

Easily one of the most popular sibling songs from Hindi cinema, the classic song from the 1971 musical drama Hare Rama Hare Krishna, is sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. Composed by R.D. Burman, it is picturised in two versions in the film, one, starring Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman, and the other, starring their childhood selves on screen. It is a sweet and lilting rendition evoking the love of a brother for his sister, extolling her to being one in thousands, and celebrates their bond as one transcending the difficult circumstances of life.

Bhaiya Mere Rakhi Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana

Crooned by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, the lovely song features Nanda, Balraj Sahni, and Rehman. The song from 1959 drama Chhoti Bahen has grown to be the quintessential Rakhi song ever since, showing the occasion of Rakshabandhan playing out in the film as Nanda’s Meena anoints the traditional teeka on the forehead of her elder brothers, Balraj Sahni’s Rajendra and Rehman’s Shekhar. While tying the Rakhi on their arms, she breaks out into the song composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, written by Shailendra, harking to the piousness of their bond and the promises she seeks from her brother.

Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se

This Rakhi song from the 1974 Dharmendra, Saira Banu-starrer Resham Ki Dori chronicles the universal bond of a brother and sister against the convulsions of life. The song shows Kumud Chuggani’s Rajjo singing about the silken thread of the Rakhi that binds together the sacred bond of a brother and sister for her brother Ajit played by Dharmendra while she ties Rakhi on his forearm. Ajit smiles and tears up as his sister evokes their sibling bond to be one of love that makes the world go round and sings how they will always be together at heart and mind even if life drifts them apart.

Pyaara Bhaiya Mera

While the film Kya Kehna is centered on a different premise, this song is all about a burst of sibling love and affection. Preity Zinta’s Priya sings and dances away to joy, addressing her elder brother Mamik Singh’s Vicky as the groom-to-be on his wedding day. Beautifully sung by Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu, the song evokes the awe and celebratory fervour of a sister for her brother’s transition into a married man, and the promise of the lovely future knocking at his door as his life turns to a new beginning.

Nahin Dekh Sakta Hoon Tujhe Rote Huye

If there’s one thing that a brother cannot bear to see, it is the tears in the eyes of his sister — evoking this heart-wrenching pronouncement of sibling love is this heartening song from the 1974 crime thriller Majboor. Tuned by the iconic musician duo Laxmikant and Pyarelal, set to the words of Anand Bakshi, the song has Amitabh Bachchan’s Ravi singing the song for his sister Renu played by Farida Jalal. It is rendered soulfully by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar.