14th December 2024 was Raj Kapoor’s 100th birthday. Widely regarded as the first showman of Hindi cinema, he carved a place for himself as a successful actor and director. Controversies apart, his all time hit movies and evergreen songs have made him an endured figure in cinematic history. Today’s post is dedicated to this showman. In all the songs, he talks about himself. Some are an introduction to his character while some show his state of mind or how he was treated by others.

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1) Song: Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hoon
Film: Barsaat (1949)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

This was the second movie directed by Raj Kapoor which established his banner R.K. Films. It marked the successful entry of Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar-Jaikishan in the RK camp. In this song, he is expressing his state of despair as the lyrics tell us. Also this is one of the few songs sung by Mohammed Rafi for Raj Kapoor considering Mukesh was his “regular” playback voice.

Umeed ke diye bujhe dil me hai andhera,
Jeevan kaa to saathi na bana koi bhi mera,
Phir kiske liye aaj main jeeta hi raha hoon,
Main zindagi mein hardam rota hi raha hoon

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2) Song: Awara Hoon
Film: Awara (1951)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

What can be said about this song? It is so iconic! It established the Charlie Chaplin inspired tramp character firmly in the minds of the audience. The general image of a simple, vulnerable yet charming man continued throughout his career.

Ghar-baar nahin, sansar nahin, mujhse kisi ko pyar nahin,
Us paar kisi se milne ka iqrar nahin, mujhse kisi ko pyar nahin
Sunsan nagar anjaan dagar ka pyara hoon,
Awara hoon, awara hoon

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3) Song: Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara
Film: Anhonee (1952)
Credits: Satyendra | Roshan | Talat Mahmood

Raj Kapoor on the piano, singing for Nargis (who had a double role). A rare song by Talat Mahmood for Raj Kapoor with Roshan as the music director. A simple tune which suits the character and the mood. (Trivia – The lyrics are by Satyendra Athaiya who later married Bhanu Athaiya.)

Khud maine husna ke hathon mein,
Shokhi kaa chhalakataa jaam diyaa,
Gaalon ko gulaabon kaa rutabaa,
Kaliyo ko labo kaa naam diyaa, naam diyaa
Aankho ko diyaa saagar gehraa,
Tu aake mujhe pehchaan zaraa,
Main dil hoon ik aramaan bharaa…

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4) Song: Main Paagal, Mera Manwa Paagal
Film: Ashiana (1952)
Credits: Rajinder Krishan | Madan Mohan | Talat Mahmood

Another beautiful song by Talat Mahmood, set to tune by Madan Mohan in raag Kedar. Raj Kapoor in a sad mood talking about separation.

Kahe ye duniya mai diwana,din mein dekhun sapne,
Diwani duniya kya jaane, Ye sapne hai apane,
Ghayal mann ki hasi udaaye, ye duniya ki reet re,
Main paagal mera manwa paagal, paagal meri preet re

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5) Song: Mera Joota Hai Japani
Film: Shree 420 (1955)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

Similar to Awara hoon, this is another iconic song. The clever lyrics ending with the line “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” was catchy and instantly caught the imagination of the listener. Raj Kapoor portraying the unemployed common man character who adapts as the movie plot progresses.

Nikal Pade Hai Khulli Sadak Par Apna Seena Taane,
Manzil Kahan, Kahan Rukna Hai, Uparwala Jaane,
Badhte Jaayen Hum Sailani, Jaise Ek Dariya Toofani,
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani,
Mera Joota…

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6) Song: Sab Kuch Seekha Humne
Film: Anari (1959)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

Raj Kapoor plays an innocent and gullible character who doesn’t know how to play smart and earn money. He comes to know the truth about his love interest (Nutan). She was deceiving him by acting as a poor maid in need of money whereas she is actually a rich heiress. When reality bites, the hero sings this song confirming he is an anari, someone who was not smart and got easily fooled.

Asli nakli chehre dekhe, dil pe sau sau pehre dekhe,
Mere dukhte dil se puchho, kya kya khwab sunehre dekhe,
Toota jis tare pe nazar thi hamari,
Sach hai duniya walon ke hum hai anari

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7) Song: Chhalia Mera Naam
Film: Chhalia (1960)
Credits: Qamar Jalalabadi | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh

Raj Kapoor giving his introduction as a chhalia (cheat / trickster). The picturization is similar to Awara Hoon where he roams in the street describing himself and robs a rich passerby.

Main hoon galiyon ka shahazaada, jo chaahun woh le loon,
Shahazaade talavaar se khelen, main kainchi se khelun,
Mehanat mera kaam, dena us ka kaam,
Hindu muslim sikh isaai sab ko mera salaam
Chhalia mera naam…

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8) Song: Mera Naam Raju
Film: Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

His home production. The song is shot along the Ganga river. Raj Kapoor is once gain playing the simple man character who joins a gang of daakus (bandits). This time he is introducing himself as an orphan and a singer.

Kaam naye nit geet banana,
Geet bana ke jahan ko sunana,
Koi na mile to akele mein gaana,
Kaviraj kahe na yeh taj rahe, na yeh raaj rahe, na yeh raaj gharana
Meet aur preet ka geet rahe, kabhi loot saka na koi yeh khazana
Mera naam Raju gharana anaam

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9) Song: Main Aashiq Hoon Baharon Kaa
Film: Aashiq (1962)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

A relatively unknown movie of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the song picturization is not so great. Raj Kapoor is wandering around looking bored and singing the song. He describes himself as a traveller and basically a lover of nature and beauty.

Sadiyon se jag mein ata raha main,
Naye rag jeevan me lata raha main,
Har ek des me nit naye bhes me,
Mai aashiq hun baharo ka, fizaon ka nazaron ka

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10) Song: Diwana Mujhko Log Kahein
Film: Diwana (1967)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

This was one of Raj Kapoor’s last movies as a leading man. And in this phase it was jarring to see him play the innocent character (again!) and act with younger heroines like Saira Banu, Rajshri and Hema Malini. He describes himself as a “seedha saadha” person misunderstood by the people around.

Main insaan seedha saadha hoon,
Imaan ka main shehzaada hoon,
Hai kaun bura malik jane,
Main pyar ka parwana,
Diwana mujhko log kahen…