September 2020

While the world is on a proverbial pause with the raging pandemic and people are in isolation with lockdown and practising social distancing, individuals are finding new and innovative means of bonding with each other, particularly musically. What better way to maintain our sanity, hope and effectively empathise with each other, than to listen to motivational songs (with powerful and empowering lyrics) that help in forming powerful social connections? Whether it is during the pandemic or when your team is not performing too well, music can always come to the rescue! Here is a list of 20 motivational Bollywood songs that inspire team work : 1. “Kuch Kariye” “..Kuch kariye,kuch kariye, Nas nas meri khaule,kuch kariye, Bas bas bada bole..!” This song from the movie Chak de India, starring Shah Rukh Khan as the Coach of an unruly and disorderly gang of girls from the Indian hockey team roughly translates to “Do something, Every vein of mine is boiling ,enough of all this big talk, now do something!” A song with empowering lyrics and engaging beats, that instigates the girls to ‘get on track and start training,’ has the power to motivate, like nothing else! 2. “Roobaroo” From the movie ‘Rang de Basanti’, this song composed by AR Rahman and sung by Naresh Iyer, topped the charts for many weeks in 2006 and even won the Filmfare award for best lyrics! There is probably no other movie that matches with the daring courage and youthful energy as this one! And this song radiates the passion and relentless passion of youthful exuberance! 3. “Kar Har Maidan Fateh!“ This one is from the movie (Sanju) and sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Based on the life-story of Sanjay Dutt, the lyrics inspire one to break free of all shackles and win every battle courageously. The lyrics will spur you and your team to proceed to fight your battles even if luck does not favour you! 4. “Ruk Jaana Nahin” This iconic song is from the movie ‘Imtihaan’ (1974) and is sung by none other than, Kishore Kumar! The lyrics inspire resilience in the hearts of every listener! The world is a tough place, indeed, but you have to keep your head and spirits high to live in it. The song beautifully mentions how victory can only be achieved by enduring pain. A great song, it sure to bring back some nostalgic memories while inspiring your team to act! 5. “Ziddi dil!” The song is from the self-titled movie about ‘Mary Kom’ and her struggle to train for her national boxing championship in a predominantly male dominated world. The song traces her journey and talks about how inspite of facing opposition from everyone, this “ziddi” (obstinate) girl undergoes gruelling training sessions in professional boxing to emerge a winner, in a traditionally male dominated sport. 6. “Saathi Haath Badhana“ An iconic song, this one inspires team-work and positivity. The lyrics roughly translate into “any weight is to be lifted together as one person alone will get tired” followed by “oceans and mountains make way for us when we are united!” Listening to this number with your team members will surely ignite passion and unite your team in a way, no other song can! 7. “Duniya Mein Rehna Hai Toh” A song that glorifies hard work, this one has been immortalised by the evergreen voice of Kishore Da! From the movie ”Haathi Mere Saathi.” It paints the outside world as a tough place and encourages one to be fully prepared, for anything and everything. Enumerating the efforts of hard work, it articulates that nothing comes for free in this world and you must work hard to earn your bread. 8. “Besabriyaan” This song urges one to get up and get going! From the self-titled movie on MS Dhoni, it follows his initial days of struggle. This song talks about how one can always find time for their passion! 9. “Aas Paas Hai Khuda” “..Dhundhla jaayein jo manzilein,Ik pal ko tu nazar jhuka Jhuk jaaye sar jahan wahin, Milta hai rab ka raasta.. Teri kismat tu badal de, Rakh himmat bas chal de Tere saathi mere kadmon ke hain nishaan Tu na jaane aas pass hai khuda..” A very melodious tune from the movie ‘Anjana Anjani,’ sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, this song urges you to trust in God while putting in the work, to reach your goals. Slightly spiritual in nature, this song assures humankind of God’s presence and to accept all difficulties as God’s will and get past them. The song talks about accepting life’s hardships graciously and overcoming them with confidence. A very pleasant and inspiring song to listen to - it is the perfect song to play when closing the day or an event, with your team. 10. “Aashayein” A chartbuster song from the movie ‘Iqbal,’ it stokes the inner fire of an individual while urging them to dream big and to ‘let the desires in your heart bloom!’ It is a song that can inspire your team to rise against all odds and bring out a sense of purpose, while filling them with positivity and hope. 11. “Chale Chalo” The iconic team anthem from the movie ‘Lagaan,’ it is a powerful song with very uplifting beats! This song can charge up your team with its brilliant tempo, empowering lyrics and get the adrenaline flowing. It can help the team look forward to taking new challenges with a zeal to emerge victorious and thus, urge them to face all problems, head on! 12. “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna” An Urdu patriotic poem written by Bismil Azimabadi is as an ode to young freedom fighters of the Indian Independence movement. This electric song from the movie ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh’ with Ajay Devgan in the lead role, is a song made for the younger generation, oozing team spirit and the magnetic appeal of a powerful leader and is sure to leave everyone with goosebumps! 13. “Zinda“ This life-giving anthem from ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ is bound to get the adrenaline pumping and bring forth the passion In everyone’s heart! An inspirational song that can motivate your team and provide that extra boost of emotion needed to finish your project successfully. The energised beats can engage your team’s imagination and show them what they are capable of becoming or doing. 14. “Brothers (Anthem)” The self-titled power anthem, starring Akshay Kumar and Siddharth Malhotra has so much energy in it that it could bring a dead person back to life! The raw energy and ferocity with which the duo train to become champions could inspire teams to put in the exertion, creativity, and sacrifice needed to exceed their own wildest expectations. 15. “Phir Se Ud Chala” A coming-of-age song from the movie ‘Rockstar,‘ this one talks about the unyielding dreams of an artist. It is about a young man, struggling to find himself, spiritually and artistically. The song will resonate better with the youngsters in the team, with its mix of rock beat and soulful music! 16. “Lakshya (title track)” The self-titled anthem from “Lakshya” is all about finding a vision or a goal and working towards it. The song inspires teams to find a common goal, put in all their resources into it, and work with complete dedication towards achieving that goal. 17. “Baadal Pe Paon Hain” Another heart-pumping song from ‘Chak De! India’ – is a lively and peppy number, sure to bring down stress levels of your team. This song is about the feeling of having arrived, of having achieved something in life. 18. “Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe” Another motivational gem of a song from the movie ‘Lakshya,‘ it is a song which inspires your team to change the way they feel and think about themselves. This song inspires positive emotions like excitement, pride, a sense of belonging, and the thrill of achievement. 19. “Jagga Jiteya” This song from ‘Uri,’ with its Punjabi undertones and fervid patriotism, is bound to give anyone goosebumps! The song, picturised while the Indian army was preparing for its surgical strike at Uri, will inspire your team to act as one unbreakable unit towards the collective goal. 20. “Soorma (Anthem)” This self-titled anthem song from ‘Soorma’ is about Sandeep, a hockey player, who is wounded by a stray gunshot that leaves him paralysed. The inspiring part of the film is about how he overcomes his handicap and returns to the game, to finally win an Arjuna award. And this song captures the struggle and the passion needed to overcome every struggle in life, beautifully!