The Film that First Celebrated Chhath Puja on the Big Screen

Over six decades ago, in 1961, a groundbreaking Magahi language film titled 'Bhaiya' made its mark on Indian cinema. What set this film apart was its historic inclusion of a Chhath Puja song, making it the first-ever Indian movie to celebrate this important regional festival on the big screen.

The film's highlight was the soul-stirring song 'Soopwe Nariyarwe Bajhli Moori Maiya', performed by a stellar lineup of legendary singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, and Mohammad Rafi. The song's serene melody and devotional lyrics have since become a timeless prayer, echoing across the ghats of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the Chhath Puja festivities.

'Bhaiya' arrived at a time when regional stories were rarely represented in mainstream Indian cinema. By showcasing the Chhath Puja rituals and rural life, the film opened the door for filmmakers to explore traditions that had often been overlooked. It proved that audiences were ready for stories rooted in local culture, as long as they were told with honesty and heart.

In the decades that followed, more films like 'Nadiya Ke Paar' and 'Laagi Nahi Chhute Rama' followed a similar path, celebrating village life, family bonds, and devotion through song and story. 'Bhaiya' had successfully bridged the gap between regional traditions and mainstream media, paving the way for a more inclusive and authentic storytelling in Indian cinema.