Rail Gaadi: The First Bollywood Rap Song

The Indian Rap scene continues to evolve with artists like Divine, Badshah, and Raftaar making desi hip hop a big cultural phenomenon. Amidst all the buzz and sensations, did you know that the first Bollywood rap was sung by a Bollywood actor? This is the story of legendary actor Ashok Kumar's iconic rap Rail Gaadi.

Rail Gaadi music video. Image source - YouTube

Long before the sensory rap performances by Divine, Naezy, and Badshah took over the scene, there was a legendary actor who crooned the first rap song of Bollywood. That rapper- or the actor per se- is none other than Ashok Kumar.

Of course, this might sound a bit startling. You seldom expect a legendary actor known for his classic hits like Afsana (1951), Ek Saal (1957), and Deedar (1951), to have his name in the Rap Genre scene.

The song, or the rap which we are talking about, is called Rail Gaadi. This song was featured in the 1968 film Aashirwad, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film is a unique piece, and the storyline was way ahead of its time.

The film follows Jogi Thakur, a principled man who is deceived into signing an order to burn down the homes of the poor. He divorces his wife and leaves his daughter behind, vowing never to return. He moves to Mumbai, entertains kids in a park, and forms a bond with a girl named Neena. Tragically, Neena passes away. When Jogi returns to his hometown, he discovers a girl named Baiju has been kidnapped. To protect her, he kills the crafty chief accountant of the estate and goes to jail. In prison, he tends to a garden and writes philosophical poems. The jail physician, Dr. Biren, befriends him. Unbeknownst to Jogi, his daughter Neena marries Dr. Biren. Jogi overhears their conversations and realizes his daughter despises criminals. After being pardoned, Jogi falls ill and learns that the night before Neena's wedding, he will be released. He rushes to see her without being recognized, blesses her at a food distribution event, and then collapses on the sidewalk. When his daughter hears the news, she arrives just in time. The film portrays Jogi's journey of upholding his morals before succumbing to his daughter's love.

The movie was one of the most important works in Ashok’s career. The film was special for Ashok Kumar & Veena, his co-actress, partly because it included a rap-like song performed by Ashok Kumar- which was Rail Gaadi"& Nav Chali. Moreover, this film won Ashok his 1969 Filmfare Best Actor Award and the 1969 National Film Award for Best Actor.

Rail Gaadi is based on a poem by Harindranath Chattopadhyay, a renowned poet, and actor known for his 1972 film, Bawarchi, and poems like Surya Ast Ho Gaya and Tarun Arun Se Ranjit Dharani. Chattopadhyaya often recited the poem on All India Radio, popularly known as 'Akashavani'.

The poem describes the journey of a train and its passengers humorously and rhythmically. Ashok Kumar recited the poem with his chesty voice and short-of-breath quality, adding his own improvisations and expressions.

The song was composed by Vasant Desai - who was known for his innovative use of folk music and instruments. Desai used his musical brilliance in this song as well. He used a harmonica to create the sound of a train whistle, a tabla to create the sound of wheels, and used a chorus of children to add to the fun and lively mood of the song.

The song was an instant hit. It was nothing short of a cult classic. It became one of the first songs to introduce the tinge of rap music to Indian audiences- long before the term 'rap' was coined. If you are wondering, the word ‘rap’ and ‘rap music’ originated in New York- popularised by DJ Kool Herc who was called the founding father of hip-hop. It was also one of the first songs to use spoken words instead of singing and broke the conventional norms of film music.

The song showcased Ashok Kumar's versatility, as an actor and singer. Though he was an actor, it is quite interesting that the earliest Bollywood rap was sung, or rapped, by him. He was already a star in Indian cinema. Moreover, he was also one of the first actors to produce and direct films in the Indian film industry. Subsequently, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1988 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Even today, Rail Gaadi remains one of the most memorable songs of Bollywood. It is often played at parties, weddings, and festivals - where people enjoy dancing and singing along to it. It is also frequently referenced and parodied in films, TV shows, and web series.

Rail Gaadi is not just a song, but a cultural phenomenon that has transcended generations and genres. It is a testament to Ashok Kumar's genius and charisma, as well as Vasant Desai's creativity and vision. It is a song that celebrates life, joy, and humour, while challenging stereotypes and conventions. It is a song that proves that rap music is not an important, but an indigenous expression of India's diversity and dynamism.