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Bollywood: Three Songs That Exalt the Meera-ness of Being

Meerabai is one of the most famous saints of the Bhakti Movement whose complete devotion and surrender to Krishna is exalted into the realms of mythology. Other prominent mystics of this movement are Kabir, Tyagaraja, Tulsidas, Narsinh Mehta, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Soordas,  Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Vallabhacharya, Namdev, Ravidas, Srimanta Sankardeva, Tukaram Annamacharya, Ramananda and Bhadrachala Ramadas but somehow Meerabai captures the collective imagination when it comes to sublime surrender especially with her transforming from solid to vapour state and becoming one with her statue of Krishna.

Meerabai is known for being uncomplaining and constant in what seemed to be one-sided romantic love. Her complete devotion to her lover (Krishna) was such that she was completely oblivious to her surroundings (including all people in her ken containing even her husband). She broke norms by dancing in devoted ecstasy in public despite being royalty.

Bollywood has paid its own tribute to the mystic, her rapture and her love with some excellent songs. While some of these songs are disguised as bhajans in the movies, they are actually used to express emotions and the feelings of the person singing the song.

1. Ek Radha Ek Meera from Ram Teri Ganga Maili

This tops the list for its fantastic lyrics and brilliant comparison between the love of Radha and Meera for Krishna. While Radha was a lover, Meera was a devotee and the lyrics capture the different approaches and sentiments with beauty that can only be described as outstanding.

In the movie, a tribal girl (Ganga played by Mandakini) who has been abandoned by city boy Naren (Rajeev Kapoor) has finally found him after a very long search. It is his engagement when she eventually reaches a speaking distance from him. Believing herself deserted, in this song she likens herself to Meera and his betrothed  Radha (Divya Rana) to the mythological Radha to his Krishna.

2.  Sham Teri Bansi Pukare Radha Naam from Geet Gata Chal

This song speaks of Meera’s self-abnegation to ensure no aspersion is cast on her beloved with its root in her. The song appeared as a bhajan in the movie.

In Geet Gata Chal Shyam (Sachin) is a happy-go-lucky orphan spreading joy and cheer everywhere. Radha (Sarika) is the daughter of the wealthy family who offer Shyam a roof. Love develops between the two. Unbeknownst to Shyam, another girl, Meera (Khyati) also silently loves Shyam. At some point Radha sees Shyam and Meera together and is heartbroken. Meera knows Shyam’s feelings for Radha and uses this song to give Radha the message that she means nothing to Shyam.  

3. Chup Chup Meera Roye from Johnny Mera Naam

This one is about Meera’s silent long-suffering love. Her pain while expressed in some of her famous bhajans remained mostly felt by the saint in every minute of each day while her ecstasy was publicly expressed.

Johnny Mera Naam remains one of the most stylish thrillers of Bollywood. Johnny/Sohan (Dev Anand) and Rekha (Hemamalini) start off as antagonists and end up as lovers on their hunt for a fortune. At some point Johnny is supposed to be dead and Rekha is forced by the arch villain to complete the plot of stealing that they had embarked on. Burdened with the job, heartbroken by the loss of her lover and blackmailed by her father’s imprisonment by the villain (Mohan played by Pran), Radha sings this song to express her emotions while performing her duty.

3.something | Pag Ghungroo Bandhe Meera Nachi Thi from Namak Halal

So ok, this song doesn’t really deserve full membership of the Meera club but finds its place here because the first line of the song references her celebrated dancing frenzy in front of Krishna’s idol.