Note: This article was first published in The National Herald.

I am writing this column while on a vacation, getting distracted on a moist morning by the magnificent view that stretches ahead of me. Lush green mountains are getting smothered by light mist and dark clouds and then let go of a few minutes later for the sun to embrace them. It’s like the elements of nature are playing a perennial game of peek-a-boo with each other.

On cue, I am reminded of the many supernatural/horror romances of Hindi cinema—Gumnaam, Bees Saal Baad, Madhumati—that came to us wrapped up in a blanket of haze. And a few songs picturised against a vaporous backdrop. Like Rekha haunting a perplexed Shashi Kapoor in the song “Kali ghata chhayi, prem rut aayi” from the film Kali Ghata (1979). Most of all the Mahendra Kapoor song—“Sansar ki har shay ka itna sa fasana hai, ek dhund mein aana hai, ek dhund mein jaana hai”—from the film Dhund (1973).

The flitting nature of the weather I have been experiencing, and, in turn, the momentariness of life itself, is summed up in a line from the film—”Ek pal ki palak par hai, thehri hui ye duniya; ek pal ke jhapakne tak har khel suhana hai”—on how things exist for us, or are gone, in the blink of an eye.

A small group of us friends have been on singing mode the past few days, inspiring other tourists around us, at the various viewpoints in the mountains to also join us in chorus. The peaks and the valleys have been reminding us of some old Hindi classics—“Parbaton pe pedon par, shaam ka basera hai” from Shagoon (1964) and “Ye vadiyan ye fizayein bula rahi hain tumhein” from Aaj Aur Kal (1963). The lovely weather and beautiful sights have made us hum “Ye samaa” from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) and “Samaa hai suhana suhana” from Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970).

For some of us, who have grown up on Hindi films, there’s a song to define every age, stage, thought, situation, mood, feeling in life. Travel comes with its own soundtrack. It would be incomplete without a specially curated playlist of songs that are the invisible but abiding companions as we cruise along. They come to us the minute we hit the roads (or the rail tracks and the skies for that matter) and are exclusive, privy to just us and us alone.

For instance, every time I get on to the highway, I invariably start humming “Hum jo chalne lage, chalne lage hain ye raaste; manzil se behtar lagne lage hain ye raaste” from Jab We Met (2007). It’s stress on the significance of the journey more than the destination, of traversing miles without quite deciding where to go, is summed up eloquently in one line—”Aao meelon chalein, jaana kahan na ho pata”.

Another eternal favourite of itinerant souls like me is “Musafir hoon yaaro” from Parichay (1972). Gulzar summed it up perfectly for people who flow along spontaneously than determine the course of life— “Ek raah ruk gayi to aur jud gayi; main muda to saath saath, raah mud gayi”. He hit perfect words yet again in Namkeen (1981) in the truckman’s song—“Raah pe rehte hain”. For someone for whom the roads are home, who lives life in the moment, one turn of phrase by Gulzar gets it right— “Jo guzar jaati hai, uspe basar karte hain”.
Imtiaz Ali’s 2014 film, Highway, in keeping with its title, has two songs that make any drive come alive, even if it’s all the way from Andheri to Churchgate on a monsoon day in Mumbai. “Maahi Ve” and “Pataka Guddi” ensure that time flies even while things are at a standstill amidst the many traffic snarls.

There are innumerable road songs in Hindi cinema. The steep and snake like roads up and down the mountains have a perfect ode to them in the song “Is mod se jaate hain, kuchh sust kadam raste, kuchh tez kadam raahein” in Aandhi (1975).

“Yun hi chala chal rahi, jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya” from Swades (2004) urges us to forget our troubles for a while and look at the brighter side of life: “Bhool saare jhamele, dekh phoolon ke mele; badi rangeen hai ye duniya”. “Kyon” from Barfi! (2012) beautifully underscores the importance of wandering off and losing the way—“Bhatak le na baanwre”. “Phir se udd chala” in Rockstar (2011) harps on the constancy of journey that is life: “Kisi manzar par main ruka nahin”.

My own top favourite is “Journey Song” from Piku (2015). “Khwabon ke lifaafon mein chhupa hai raasta”—this one line offers immense hope in the worst of moments. Our dreams hold the secret of our true calling, they will guide us in finding our way in life. All we have to do is journey on.