1) Murti Ganesh ki

Film: Takkar (1980)

Music: RD Burman

Singers: Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor

The song was more like a 26 January Parade, what with dance crews from different states being depicted in the song. The song had long lost brothers Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra coming together against the smugglers. So, despite being a Ganpati song, it was also a war cry in disguise.

2) Deva ho deva

Film: Hum Se Badkar Kaun (1981)

Music: RaamLaxman

Singers: Mohammed Rafi, Bhupinder Singh, Shailender Singh, Sapan Chakraborty, Asha Bhosle

The film was a lost and found drama and also had heist elements. The film revolved around a set of jewels and the song proved to be pivotal for the film as the jewels were connected to the Ganesh idol. It featured the entire cast of the film comprising Mithun Chakraborty, Amjad Khan, Danny Denzongpa, Ranjeeta Kaur and Vijayendra Ghatge and had giant Ganpati idols adding to the drama as well.

3) Mere manmandir mein tum bhagwan rahe

Film: Dard Ka Rishta (1982)

Music: RD Burman

Singers: Hariharan

This film featured the iconic Lalbaug Ka Raja Ganpati statue, among others. The song depicted Sunil Dutt among the crowd with his small Ganpati idol. He’s morose because his daughter (played by Khusboo) is in the hospital battling for her life.

4) Ganpati apne gaon chale

Film: Agneepath (1990)

Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Singers: Sudesh Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anupama Deshpande

This high octane visarjan song featured Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty and Neelam and was shot in real locations. It was important for the film because that’s where an assassination attempt on Vijay Dinanath Chauhan’s life takes place.

5) Ganpati Bappa agale baras tu jaldi aana

Film: Aansoo Baney Angaarey (1993)

Music: Rajesh Roshan

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Madhuri Dixit cavorted in her inimitable way in this Ganpati song. It’s one rare song where the hero is absent. Jeetendra played her leading man in the film and we would have loved to see Jeetuji shaking a leg with her in the song.

6) Shree Ganeshay dheemahi

Film: Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005)

Music: Ajay-Atul

Singer: Shankar Mahadevan

A serene looking Amitabh Bachchan and a graceful Sharmila Tagore appear in this modern interpretation of traditional Ganesh aarti by composers Ajay-Atul and singer Shankar Mahadevan.

7) Mourya re

Film: Don- The Chase Begins Again (2006)

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Singer: Shankar Mahadevan

This high octane song was the entry point of the Don lookalike in the film and the energy shown by Shah Rukh Khan in the number is truly extraordinary. It’s slick, suave and yet retains an old world charm.

8) O’ my friend Ganesha

Film: My Friend Ganesha (2007)

Music: Sameer Phaterpekar

Singers: Shravan Suresh

This has to be the perfect Ganesh aarti for the kids. It has become extremely popular and has become the go to song for every school function in recent times, especially for a group dance number.

9) Deva Shri Ganesha

Film: Agneepath (2012)

Music: Ajay-Atul

Singers: Ajay Gogavale

Just like in the original, the Ganpati song plays a turning point in Vijay’s life. Here, instead of an attempt being made on his life, he turns assassin and sends a message to Kancha that he isn’t afraid of him. The fast-paced aarti makes for a perfect backdrop for his transition.

10) Sadda Dil Vi Tu (Ga Ga Ga Ganpati)

Film: ABCD (2013)

Music: Sachin Jigar

Singer: Hard Kaur

This had to be one of the most radical Ganesh Aarti ever. Edge of the seat choreography, featuring robust dancers making pyramids wearing Ganesh masks and dancing away to glory coupled with Hard Kaur’s peppy voice has made it a modern classic.

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