While International music stars, especially English-language songs, have found a following across India, some Indian songs have also become substantial international hits.
While the number of such songs has increased with the advent of the internet and social media, where things can potentially go ‘viral,’ there have been many instances of Indian music mesmerizing people in other countries even before the digital era.
Let’s have a look at 11 Indian songs that conquered the barriers of region, language, borders, and nationalities to become international hits
1. Awaara Hoon
This song from the 1951 movie Awaara was one of the first Indian songs to resonate with audiences worldwide. The film itself was a massive hit in the Soviet Union, attracting almost 64 million viewers during its initial run – the highest for any movie in the Soviet Union at the time. The movie was also a gigantic hit in China with its initial release and re-releases drawing a viewership of over 100 million. The movie also became very popular in Turkey, remade as Avare (1964) with Turkish actors. Raj Kapoor himself became a superstar in the Soviet Union. When Raj Kapoor had attended the Tashkent Film festival in the Soviet Union, people spoke of his visit as if he were more critical than any head of state or international celebrity.
The song Awaara Hoon, written by lyricist Shailendra and sung by Mukesh, became a massive rage in the Soviet Union and China. Both the movie and the song ‘Awaara Hoon’ were among Mao Zedong’s personal favorites, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. The song “Awara Hoon” was played at the official Russian banquets. Prominent figures like former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and powerful Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov also used to hum this song.
Several localized versions of this song were made in Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, and the Soviet Union. Many were recreated in Turkey, China, Romania, and the Middle East after the song gained immense popularity.
2. I am a Disco Dancer
Another Indian movie that became a huge hit, especially in the Soviet Union and China, was the Mithun Chakraborty-starring’ Disco Dancer,’ which was the biggest hit of the year at the Soviet box office. Disco Dancer remains the highest-grossing foreign movie in the Soviet Union. The film also became a huge commercial hit in China. It is said that when the USSR leader, then Mikhail Gorbachev, visited India in the late 80s, and Rajiv Gandhi introduced Amitabh Bachchan as the ‘biggest superstar in India,’ to which Gorbachev replied that his daughter only knew about Mithun Chakraborty.
The movie’s soundtrack also became very popular, especially in the Soviet Union and China. The song ‘I am a Disco Dancer’ especially became popular in the dance halls of the Soviet Union throughout the 80s. Also inspired the American rock band Devo, who released their song “Disco Dancer” in 1988.
3. mmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja
Another song from the movie Disco Dancer, which has probably become the most popular Indian song internationally, is Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja. The song earned composer Bappi Lahiri a Gold award in China. Many people in the Soviet Union grew up listening to and dancing to this song, along with the title track “I Am a Disco Dancer.” It is still prevalent in Russia and other countries like Mongolia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. Videos online show Russians and other post-Soviet states performing this song, especially on Russia’s Got Talent.
Some Indian visitors in Russia, even today, would recall they get replies like, “India often meet them…Jimmy” when they mention they are from India.
This song has also inspired several covers and renditions, most notably by British-Sri Lankan alternative rapper M.I.A., Russian techno group Ruki Vverh, Russian artists DJ Slon and Angel-A, and a cover version by Tibetan artist Kelsang Metok.
The music from this song was used in the final fight scene in the 2008 American Comedy You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, starring Adam Sandler.
4. M r Joota Hai Japaani
Another Raj Kapoor movie that drew audiences from all across the globe was Shree 420, which also became the highest-grossing foreign film at the Soviet Union box office in 1956. It also became a massive hit in Romania and Israel. These songs, Mera Joota Hai Japani and Ichak Dana, also became popular amongst international audiences.
Mera Joota Hai Japani became immensely popular, especially in the Soviet Union, because of Raj Kapoor’s popularity; the mention of a Russian excited the audience even more.
Recently, this song played at the beginning of the movie Deadpool (2016). The Indian astronaut in the movie Gravity (2013) also sang this song while taking a break from his duties in space.
5. Ich k D na Bichak Dana
Recently, Indian diplomats were surprised when the song ‘Ichak Dana Bichak Dana‘ was played at lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Neta and his delegation. Mos Most of the people in this delegation were quite familiar with this song.
Ichak Dana was another popular song from Shree 420 in the Soviet Union and Israel. After its popularity in Israel, local singer Naim Rajuan re-recorded it. Many tourists visiting Jerusalem have heard several local shopkeepers humming this song.
Sometime back, the Ministry of External Affairs had tweeted a video of a local Uzbek woman singing this song on the street with Late Sushma Swaraj.
6. Jai Ho
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Composed by AR Rahman for the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle, Jai Ho was referred to as “the toast of the town in almost every part of the world” at the time. Written by Gulzar and featuring Sukhwinder Singh as the principal vocalist, this song received praise from music experts worldwide.
AR Rahman and Sukhwinder Singh performed “Jai Ho” live during the 81st Academy Awards on February 22, 20099, where it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also received a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. Aer can girl group and dance ensemble recorded an English interpretation of this song: Jai Ho! (Yo You My Destiny).
7. Jim kKkiKkimal
Recently, Entammede Jimikki Kammal, or simply Jimikki Kammal, from the Malayalam film Velipadinte Pusth, went viral on social media with several covers and dance videos. American TV presenter, comedian, writer, and producer Jimmy Kimmel, whose name is similar to the singer’s, also tweeted that he loved the song.
8. Mun ian To Bach Ke
Initially released in 1997 with vocals and lyrics by Punjabi artist Labh Janjua, and then re-released as a single in 2002 with Jay-Z, Mundian To Bach Ke” is one of the best-selling singles oftimetime of all time. It has sold or at least 10 million copies worldwide.
The song sold over 100,000 copies in Germany within the first two days and debuted at #2 on the German Charts. It topped the singles charts in Italy and Germany. It was the first Bhangra song to reach the UK Top 10 and #10 in Canada, and it also reached #33 on the US Billboard charts.
This song has been featured in sitcoms, movies, reality shows, and musical tours ever since then. It was seen in the 2003 film Bulletproof Monk and the 2006 sports comedy Stick It. The shows that have featured this song include ER, Entourage, Outsourced, and the Scottish sitcom Scot Squad.
9. Oru an ruvan
A song from the 1995 Tamil Drama Muthu, the movie and its soundtrack became quite popular in Japan. Muttu is still the highest-grossing Indian film in Japan. The soundtrack was selected as the most popular foreign soundtrack in Japan, and the song “Oruvan Oruvan” became a massive hit. (Zo u) Ayonara, Zetsubou-Sen, a Japanese manga series, also features a parody of the dance in the song Oruvan Oruvan.
10. Tunak Tunak Tun
The era of Indi pop and Bhangra in the late 90s is incomplete without the mention of this Daler Mehendi hit. A hit in India, this song soon gained a cult following in the South Asian diaspora in the UK and the USA. In HHin, the song gained popularity for its lyrics that sounded like nonsensical words.
With the advent of the internet, this song became a meme in the early 2000s on websites and forums, even before YouTube and social media. Even though this song has inspired memes and parodies worldwide and refuses to die, it also reached #28 on Belgium’s official top 50 charts in October 2016.
Blizzard Entertainment, a famous video game company, incorporated “Tunak Tunak Tun” as a character animation in their game World of Warcraft in 2007. It was also included as an easter egg in the Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead.
11. Why This Kolaveri Di
This song is best remembered by netizens as one of the first massively viral videos in India, an instant hit on social media within a few weeks of its 2011 launch. It soon spread to other parts of the world with parodies, covers, dances, and mixes. International media outlets such as the BBC and Time Magazine reported on the popularity of this song. YouTube recognized this song with a recently popular Gold Medal and a trending Silver Medal for the number of views it generated in a short period.
This song was played extensively in Japan’s nightclubs and discos, and a video of Japanese women dancing to it went viral back then. This song was played on the US radio station KZYX FM. A few Turkish singers and composers also created covers for this song. A Turkish Coca-Cola ad also used the track’s tune.
Which is your favorite song amongst these gems of Indian music?
