Remember the time when the typical big fat Indian shaadi was all about perfect, rhythmic beats of Kawa Kawa, the thumping of the big woofers playing Daler Mehandi’s Tunak Tunak Tun, and the ladies from the bride’s side and the gentlemen from the groom’s side fighting it out on Tera rang balle balle? Yes, we are talking about the ’90s.
So even before Honey Singh set foot in the field with his Dope shope and Desi Kalakaar, the shaadi crowd had some crazy tunes to sway to, and if you ask any ’90s kids, we’re pretty sure they miss those simpler times.
As we look back at the good old times, let’s live every song and every beat that hit the nerve and made us lift up our hands in unison and shout out a loud hadippa.
1. Ishq Tera Tadpave – Sukhbir
Known as the ‘Prince of Bhangra‘, Sukhbir’s Ishq Tadpaave was enough to bring out the badass in everyone. There was absolutely no way you could stop your feet from dancing.
2. Jine Mera Dil Luteya – Jazzy B
Jaswinder Singh Bains, better known as Jazzy B, was one of the most played artist on our mp3 players. With a swag unseen in those days, this song had everyone showing off their cool, swagger moves.
3. Kawa Kawa – Sukhwinder Singh
Kawa Kawa was one of the most kickass songs of those times. There was no other Punjabi song that matched it in terms of originality. And when we talk about Sukhwinder’s brilliance, we fall short of words because this man sure knew how to keep his crowd grooving.
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4. Sapne Mein Milti Hai – Satya
The song that was cue that it’s time to get grooving on the dance floor!
5. Tera Rang Balle Balle – Soldier
You have to agree, Preity Zinta’s Tera Rang Balle Balle was the obvious favourite when it came to a dance-off between the bride’s side and the groom’s side.
6. No.1 Punjabi – Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
This track was insanely popular as it was the quintessential Punjabi gaana to dance to. You could see all the Punjabi uncles and aunties come to the dance floor with much gusto.
7. Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi– Panjabi MC
The song that made all the mundas on the dance floor kick their legs and feet in delight. Can’t forget those beats now, can we?
8. Kangna Tera Ni – Dr Zeus
Did you know that this song was voted the best song on BBC Asian Network in 2003? If you still have this song in some remote corner of your phone, then you’re still holding on to the ecstatic feeling you got when it played at the shaadi you did not want to go to.
9. Nachange Sari Raat – Stereo Nation
This one song by Stereo Nation was the coolest ever. With the chant of dum maaro dum maaro yaaron, he sure had the talent to make people sway.
10. Tunak Tunak Tun – Daler Mehendi
Daler Mehendi might not be around these days, but you can not deny his glory back in the day. He is one artist who was one of the pioneers of independent music. And whenever this song played, people were ready with their hands in place to copy the iconic step.
11. To Brazil – Vengaboys
La la la la la la la…Brazil! One song we all knew the lyrics too well. Well, almost. But man, this song had the power to lift up your hands in the air and jump up and down till it your feet hurt.
12. Ho Jayegi Balle Balle – Daler Mehndi
The happy song, the mad song, call it whatever! Daler Mehndi’s style of Balle Balle-ing was, and still is unbeatable.
13. Gud Naal Ishq Mitha – Bally Sagoo & Malkit Singh
Malaika Arora’s early dance number, Gud Naal Ishq Mitha gave us all the right kick! And with Jas Arora displaying his charm and excellent dancing skills, this song always made us dance.
14. Tere Naal Nachna – Sukhbir
The Prince of Bhangra had many a songs to make us dance to, and this was definitely one of the special ones that set our foots tapping.
15. Rangilo Maro Dholna – Pyar Ke Geet
Now this song brought out the Indian-ness in everyone. As soon it played, the entire family would throng to the dance floor to show off their ghaati moves.
16. Kaala Sha Kaala – Anamika
Be it the sangeet, the engagement party or the wedding, this song was a must. After all, with the feels of the whole Punjabi shaadi, how can anyone not play this song?
17. Dhol Jageero Da – Panjabi MC ft. Master Saleem
If you’ve been to a wedding and this was not played, then you haven’t been to a real Punjabi wedding! Because missing out on this song is like committing a crime against the desi-ness in your blood!
18. Let The Music Play – Shamur
Shamur’s great combination of Punjabi and Sardinian voices had all of us fall in love with this new style of music. And although we never knew the lyrics, that didn’t stop us from going gaga when this song was played.
19. Dil Le Gayi Kudi – Jasbir Jassi
This one song continues to be everyone’s favourite. There was something about Jassi that switched our crazy mode on, and made us dance and sing along.
20. Thoda Daru Vich Pyar Mila De – Stereo Nation
Remember the step in this song? We do too! How about a quick dance session on this one?
21. Saddi Rail Gadi Aayi – Anshuman Pandey
Cue this song, and it doesn’t matter if you know the person standing next to you or not, you inevitably made a rail gaddi by holding on to other people. Man, this song was, and is magic.
22. Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol gave us this beautiful film and the film gave us this evergreen sangeet-slash-shaadi song.
23. Botallan Sharab Diyan – Bally Sagoo
Some more Punjabi madness that had us kicking our legs in the air and lifting our hands in the perfect Punjabi pose.
24. Daaru Peeke Daaru Peeke – Lehmber Hussainpuri
Remember Lehmber? This song had all the drunk uncles come to the dance floor and show their post-daaru session moves!
25. Sajanaji Vari Vari – Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd
This was the perfect song to which the bride could shake a leg or two while also saying that she loves her groom like anything. Well, the others pretty much just danced like KK did in this song!
26. Balle Balle Ji Soniya De Rang Dekh Lo – Bride And Prejudice
Another great song for some bride and groom friends and family wars. This song was all about men trying to impress the ladies. We’re pretty sure someone tried to woo you too on the DJ dance floor set in the corner of that Big Fat Indian Wedding!
27. Sohna Sohna – Major Saab
Amitabh Bachchan’s charm and the pretty awesome vocals of the song set the perfect background score on the DJ dance floor.
28. Chunnari Chunnari – Biwi No.1
I’m pretty sure you guys danced to this song and copied all the steps before you belted them out on the dance floor of your mother’s sister’s daughter’s wedding, right? This was definitely Bollywood at its best.
29. Maahi Ve – Kal Ho Naa Ho
That’s the way, Maahi Ve. This song had all the young, the old, the aunties and the uncles put on their dancing shoes and go crazy. With the perfect lyrics to dance to, this song was the ultimate dance performance song.
30. Sauda Khara Khara – Sukhbir
Only Sukhbir could start a dance revolution on the dance floor, so it’s obvious that only Sukhbir can end one too. To all the times we lost our minds and actually danced like no one was watching!
On the next wedding you attend, ask the DJ to tune into some of these songs. Let’s bring back these beats!
Author’s note: This is obviously not an exhaustive list. It’s hard to pick some when there are so many! Did we miss out on your favourite track? Tell us in the comments below.
Feature Image Source: India Masthead Image Source: desijunctiondjs