Bollywood is probably India's greatest export. Over the decades, Hindi films have found enthusiastic fans in far corners of the world. From Russia to South Africa, Bolivia to Malaysia, the emotion-laden stories have struck a chord with viewers ‒ literally. Hindi film songs have become so popular, professional musicians from diverse countries have incorporated them into their repertoires.
Here's a sampling.
1. Pascal Heni, France
Main Shaayar toh Nahi, Bobby, 1973
French singer Pascal Heni was educated in a conservatory in Europe, but is more famous for his covers of Bollywood music. He even calls himself Pascal of Bollywood. He first visited India in 2001 and has come back several times since. If you like this tune, listen to him and Shreya Ghoshal sing an exquisite bilingual version of La vie en rose here.
2. Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army, Russia
Mera Joota Hai Japaani, Shree 420, 1955
In the 1960s, Russians apparently loved this Mukesh song so much that mothers would sing it to their children to make them sleep. It is clearly famous enough for the country's military band to include it in their regular repertoire. This band is famous for performing popular tunes, such as Adele's Skyfall and Daft Punk's Get Lucky. This performance took place in 2010 in New Delhi.
3. Natalie di Luccio, Canada
Pehla Nasha, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, 1992
Di Luccio is a multilingual singer who gained her fame through YouTube covers. After several requests to sing Bollywood songs, she finally released a version of Tu jaane na from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani online. Her Hindi covers became so famous, she sang with AR Rahman and was invited to participate in Coke Studio. This cover is from just before these offers came her way.
4. Luo Ping, Taiwan
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, 2008
Half-Taiwanese, half-Indian, Luo Ping participated in Taiwan's talent-hunting reality show Super Idol. His score at the end of this rendition was 41.8 – enough for him to compete in another round.
5. Angelique Kidjo, Benin
Dil Mein Chupake Pyar ka Toofan le Chale, Aan, 1952
Bollywood tunes are popular across Africa, so of course they formed a part of the childhood of Grammy-winning Beninoise musician Angelique Kidjo. This song is from her 2010 album Õÿö. The album was nominated for a best contemporary world music album at the Grammys.
Listen to these tracks as a single playlist on our YouTube channel.
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Here's a sampling.
1. Pascal Heni, France
Main Shaayar toh Nahi, Bobby, 1973
French singer Pascal Heni was educated in a conservatory in Europe, but is more famous for his covers of Bollywood music. He even calls himself Pascal of Bollywood. He first visited India in 2001 and has come back several times since. If you like this tune, listen to him and Shreya Ghoshal sing an exquisite bilingual version of La vie en rose here.
2. Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army, Russia
Mera Joota Hai Japaani, Shree 420, 1955
In the 1960s, Russians apparently loved this Mukesh song so much that mothers would sing it to their children to make them sleep. It is clearly famous enough for the country's military band to include it in their regular repertoire. This band is famous for performing popular tunes, such as Adele's Skyfall and Daft Punk's Get Lucky. This performance took place in 2010 in New Delhi.
3. Natalie di Luccio, Canada
Pehla Nasha, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, 1992
Di Luccio is a multilingual singer who gained her fame through YouTube covers. After several requests to sing Bollywood songs, she finally released a version of Tu jaane na from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani online. Her Hindi covers became so famous, she sang with AR Rahman and was invited to participate in Coke Studio. This cover is from just before these offers came her way.
4. Luo Ping, Taiwan
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, 2008
Half-Taiwanese, half-Indian, Luo Ping participated in Taiwan's talent-hunting reality show Super Idol. His score at the end of this rendition was 41.8 – enough for him to compete in another round.
5. Angelique Kidjo, Benin
Dil Mein Chupake Pyar ka Toofan le Chale, Aan, 1952
Bollywood tunes are popular across Africa, so of course they formed a part of the childhood of Grammy-winning Beninoise musician Angelique Kidjo. This song is from her 2010 album Õÿö. The album was nominated for a best contemporary world music album at the Grammys.
Listen to these tracks as a single playlist on our YouTube channel.
