The Bollywood Mujra Primer

The following is only for those who are given to spending sleepless nights pondering and wondering such important issues as what makes a mujra. Please note the basic ingredients of a Hindi film mujra will consist of one of these (any of the items may be optional):

1. A female singer — usually the heroine or Aruna Irani (if low budget then Jayshree T, Anjana Mumtaz or Leena Das)
2. The females dance in a Kathak outfit — or a Mughal darbar outfit, which also at times includes a fancy cap. Some variations exists with the sari. But jeans are a no-no
3. There has to be someone playing tabla — usually the most inspired person of the music troupe — never mind what is playing on the soundtrack, this person will beat the heck out of the daiyan and the baiyan
4. An old chaacha resting on a sarangi — with his occasional doze pushing the rod against the string to add to the music
5. There has to be an audience — usually the zaalim duniya ke thekedars (the evil rich stakeholders of society). Not a large crowd, but usually an intimate crowd
6. There has to be a Marwari seth and a Thakur with impressive moustache. An occasional daaku might wander into the kotha...sometimes with Police following
7. There has to the bai-ji (madam) of the kotha. Usually relegated to chewing paan, collecting money, conducting transactions with gestures and taking balaayens of her prime singer
8. In a more festive setup, there are additional chorals, backup musicians and larger audience
9. Additional accessories to be found include: daaru/booze of non-descript denomination, hookahs, Indian currency, chandeliers, drapes/curtains, open windows (for the aforementioned daakus), large pillars (to hide during shootout), the chamchas/pimps, the paan/flower shop under/near the kotha, etc.
10. The time setup is always after sunlight — either evening or night. Mujras are never set up with the early morning raagas.

Given these basic Hindi Film guidelines on a mujra, some songs that will not qualify as a mujra:

1. Songs with a specific folk flavor — for instance 'Laungi Mirchi' (Ashanti) is a Lavani (Marathi folk) and not a mujra. Although the concept of a mujra (presentation) exists even in a Lavani.
2. Kathak or dance performance performed under duress, pressure or survival needs are not considered as 'mujra'. The performer, although unwilling, is still working for 'paapi pet'. Thus 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (Sholay) does not qualify — although Gabbar Singh may have intended it to be such.
3. Competitive songs with chorals and clap rhythm usually do not qualify — they are stored under the 'qawwali' category. Although most of the setup of the mehfil, dress/studio design may remain similar. Thus 'Pari Ho Asmaani' (ZKDH), 'Kya Takkaluf Hai Wallah' (Jail Yatra), 'Mohabbat Na Hoti' (Daulat) will not qualify.
4. All Aruna Irani, Jayshree T, Meena T, Leena Das, Anjana Mumtaz songs cannot be categorized as mujras — although they have featured the most in this genre. The same way all Helen songs are not cabarets. Thus 'Kya Ghazab Karte Ho' (Love Story) does not qualify.
5. There is no concept of an all male mujra — Madhur Bhandarkar had not found Chandni Chowk yet. So you can easily write off any all-male songs from the mujra category.

Finally — I do hope you, gentle reader, take this post with a pinch of salt — I was trying to provide the basic framework to some friends, with my tongue firmly in cheek.

Shashi Rao came up with the above while discussing Pancham — R.D. Burman — with some friends.