The Impact of Hindi Cinema’s Children’s Songs on Young Minds

An online International Children's Literature Symposium was organized under the joint collaboration of the International Vama Hindi Sahitya Academy and the Salila Institution. The symposium was chaired by Dr. Sanjeev, publisher of India Net Books, with the esteemed presence of Tajendra Sharma, editor of the *Purvai* web magazine from London, as the chief guest. Dr. Vimla Bhandari, president of the Salila Institution, served as the convener and host of the event. Expert speakers included Hema Bisht from Australia, Rajnikant Shukla from Ghaziabad, and Dr. Lata Agarwal "Tulja" from Bhopal, all of whom shared their insights on the theme of children's songs in Hindi cinema and their influence on young minds.

Dr. Lata "Tulja" began by discussing the historical background of cinematic lullabies, referencing around 35 iconic lullabies from Hindi films. She elaborated on the profound impact these lullabies have on children, highlighting that even though infants might not understand the meaning of words at such an early age, the rhythm and melody of lullabies have a calming effect on their nervous system, helping them drift into sleep. She emphasized that lullabies also strengthen the emotional bond between the child and the caregiver, fostering a sense of security and love in the child's developing mind.

Hema Bisht, joining from Melbourne, presented her research on songs from animated films and how these positively influence children's psychology. She illustrated this by sharing personal experiences, noting how songs from animated shows like *Chhota Bheem* and *Mowgli* inspire children with positive values. She recounted how her daughter, while enjoying her favorite snack, would often sing along to "Main Hoon Chhota Bheem," showing how the power of songs can shape a child's self-image and confidence.

Rajnikant Shukla brought a different perspective by discussing the works of legendary lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi. He recited several songs written by Sahir, focusing on his contributions to children's songs in Hindi cinema. Shukla pointed out how each of Sahir’s songs contains a deeper message, often imbued with moral values and patriotism, making them more than just songs—they were lessons that children could carry with them. He noted that these songs are not only entertaining but also educative, helping instill important life lessons in young listeners.

In his presidential address, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar praised the uniqueness of the symposium and underscored the need for more discussions on children's literature within the context of cinema. He shared examples of famous children's songs from Hindi films that have left an indelible mark on the audience and revealed his plans to publish a compilation of these cinematic children's songs. He firmly believed that no strict divide should exist between literature and songs, as both contribute significantly to the intellectual and emotional development of children.

Chief Guest Tajendra Sharma, in his remarks, highlighted the value of children’s songs in films and lauded the efforts of the symposium in bringing this topic to light. Dr. Vimla Bhandari, who meticulously conducted the symposium, added a special touch by singing some of the most beloved children's songs during the event.

The symposium was structured in three phases: introductions, presentations, and an engaging panel discussion. During the discussion, several scholars shared their insights on the subject. Co-editor of *Bachon ka Desh* children’s magazine, Prakash Tated, argued that cinema should not be seen as separate from children’s literature, as film songs also play a significant role in shaping children's understanding and imagination. Nina Solanki commented on the practical value of such symposiums for children’s development, while Sandhya Goyal emphasized that while many excellent children's songs are being written today, they are not finding their way into films. She suggested that there should be a concerted effort to bridge this gap.

Sharad Alok, joining from Norway, expressed his enthusiasm and even proposed creating a telefilm based on children’s songs during his next visit to India. One of the key takeaways from the symposium was that literature and film songs should not be seen as opposing entities but rather as complementary tools for children's education and entertainment. An intriguing question raised during the discussion was whether songs should be considered part of literature, a debate that sparked much thought and excitement among the participants.

In conclusion, the symposium proved to be not only informative but also deeply enriching. It fostered a lively exchange of ideas on the impact of children’s songs in cinema and highlighted the need for continued exploration of this often-overlooked intersection of film and literature.