Haldi songs, mehndi and sangeet songs for the whole wedding week

Open the haldi with "Genda Phool" from Delhi-6 (2009). It's unhurried enough for the first smear of paste, and cheeky enough that the mausis are singing along by the second verse.

The rest of the haldi songs follow, then mehndi songs for the long afternoon while the henna dries. After that comes the sangeet, for the couple and everyone dancing for them, and the bidaai right at the end.

Every list mixes old films with new ones. The chachas get their turn too.

Haldi songs for the morning

Ten in the morning, and the steel thali of haldi paste is already going round. Nobody's kurta is safe.

Good haldi songs are loud and a bit silly. Half the crowd will have yellow hands within minutes, with no way to hold a phone, let alone pick the next song.

Put the Bluetooth speaker in a zip-lock bag before the first scoop. Turmeric doesn't come off a speaker grille.

"Navrai Majhi" from English Vinglish (2012). While the two families are still being polite to each other, this gets them into one circle.
"Ainvayi Ainvayi" from Band Baaja Baaraat (2010). Too quick for an opener, but ten minutes in it's exactly right.
"Badri Ki Dulhania" from Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017). Every cousin under 25 already knows the hook step.
"Pallo Latke" from Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017). By the first chorus, chachi's dupatta is a prop.
"Sadi Gali" from Tanu Weds Manu (2011). The chorus is easy to shout along to, even with turmeric in your eyebrows.
"Nimbooda" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Hand this one to the buas. They've had the steps ready since 1999.
"Morni Banke" from Badhaai Ho (2018). Simple bhangra, so dadi can join for one round.
"Mauja Hi Mauja" from Jab We Met (2007). Strictly for the paste fight.
"Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri" from Naya Daur (1957). Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Nanaji will sing every word, louder than the speaker, and ask for it again after lunch.
"Sweetheart" from Kedarnath (2018). The groom's friends will claim this one, and they'll be right to.
"Gal Mitthi Mitthi" from Aisha (2010). Underrated, and a nice surprise for the cousins who think they've heard everything.
"Nachde Ne Saare" from Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Last song before the bride goes in for her bath.

Mehndi songs while the henna dries

Slow songs win at the mehndi. The bride can't move her hands for most of the afternoon. Meanwhile the aunties on the plastic chairs in the courtyard would rather sing along than jump about.

So the first stretch belongs to the elders and the dholki. Save the fast songs for when the mehndi artist's cone moves on to the cousins. The younger lot can have the speaker then.

Through all of it, keep the volume low enough for the artist to hear the bride. She'll want a say in where the groom's initials get hidden.

"Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Open with it. Anyone over 30 can do the steps sitting down, and most of them will, with both hands in the air.
"Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali" from Zubeidaa (2001). Composed by A.R. Rahman, and gentle enough to hum while the cone is still moving.
"Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Chooriyan Hain" from Chandni (1989). Expect every mummy in the room to sing it word for word.
"London Thumakda" from Queen (2014). Once the bride's hands are done, this gets her cousins off the floor cushions.
"Laung Da Lashkara" from Patiala House (2011). The film is set in Southall, so NRI families in the UK will smile at this one.
"Saajanji Ghar Aaye" from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Ten seconds in, the whole row of chairs starts swaying.
"Pinga" from Bajirao Mastani (2015). Two dancers with matching steps. Give it to the bride's mother and her sister.
"Lathe Di Chadar" (traditional Punjabi folk song). Better sung live in the dholki circle than played off a phone.
"Bole Chudiyan" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Fade it after the second chorus, because it runs long.
"Bumbro" from Mission Kashmir (2000). A change from all the Punjabi.
"Maahi Ve" from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). The mausis will request it anyway. Get there first.
"Sauda Khara Khara" from Good Newwz (2019). For when the groom's side drops in uninvited.
"Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). If the family is Gujarati, end on garba and let the circle form by itself.

Sangeet songs for the couple's entry and dance

If the couple walks in together, pick an entry song that starts strong. Nobody wants to stand at the door through a 40-second intro while two hundred guests stare and the photographer waves at them to smile. Ask the DJ to skip straight to the first beat.

If the groom wants a separate entry, put his first and keep it under a minute. The slow song is for her.

Save the English slow dance for the reception. Anyone who still needs one can pick from these English first dance songs for the reception.

"Kudmayi" from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). Slow, so the bride can walk the full length of the hall to the stage without rushing.
"Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). For couples who'd rather get a laugh.
"Tujhe Dekha To" from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Shah Rukh and Kajol in the mustard fields, and the parents' table will cheer from the opening bars.
"Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko" from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). Let both sets of parents dance the first minute before the couple cuts in. The parents may well get the bigger cheer.
"Pehla Nasha" from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). No steps to learn. Just walk slowly and look at each other.
"Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). Roop Kumar Rathod's voice is soft, so put it right after something loud.
"Raataan Lambiyan" from Shershaah (2021). Easy as a sway with one twirl in the middle.
"Kesariya" from Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022). Arijit Singh takes it slow. Keep it for the last dance of the night.

For the bride's or groom's friends

Somebody's cousin will forget the second step, and the hall will cheer louder for it. For three weeks, every count in the choreographer's WhatsApp voice notes has been set to one particular version of each song.

Send the DJ that exact file. A remix with a longer intro throws the whole formation off by eight counts.

The bride's side and the groom's side will turn this into a contest. Let them, and put the groom's friends on first so the bride's girls get the last cheer.

"Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai" from Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002). Obvious, yes. Open the groom's side with it anyway.
"Nagada Nagada" from Jab We Met (2007). Big dhol and easy bhangra, learnable in two rehearsals.
"Kala Chashma" from Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Bring sunglasses. That's the prop list sorted.
"Kudi Nu Nachne De" from Angrezi Medium (2020). All the bride's girls on stage at once, no partners required.
"Bhangra Ta Sajda" from Veere Di Wedding (2018). From a film about four friends and a wedding, which is exactly your situation.
"Le Gayi" from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). Give it to the friend who's been practising a solo since the roka.
"Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe" from Dil Chahta Hai (2001). Three boys in a line. Matching shades if you must.
"Tunak Tunak Tun" by Daler Mehndi (1998). Pure comedy. The elders love it as much as the college gang does, and nobody has to pretend they can dance.
"Badtameez Dil" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). The lyrics are fast. Lip-sync at your own risk.

A song for your sister's wedding, or your brother's

Of all the performances, the sibling one gets the loudest cheer and the most forgiveness for missed steps. A song for your sister's wedding should tease her a little and make her cry a little, ideally inside the same two minutes.

Keep the slow part under a minute and put it in the middle, so the set ends on a laugh.

Dancing alone is fine. If Pooja is doing her brother Arjun's sangeet by herself, half a minute of something slow is plenty. Then one fast song, with the cousins dragged up for the last chorus.

"Didi Tera Devar Deewana" from Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). Younger sisters, this is yours. The groom's brother will act embarrassed and enjoy every second.
"Joote Do Paise Lo" from Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). A warning to the groom about the joota chupai, in song form.
"Chhote Chhote Bhaiyon Ke Bade Bhaiya" from Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). For the eldest brother's wedding, with every younger sibling on stage.
"Dulhe Ka Sehra" from Dhadkan (2000). Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's voice, made for the moment your brother's sehra goes on.
"Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka" from Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971). Kishore Kumar sings to a little sister. Use 40 seconds of it with the lights down, and let the room go quiet before the fast song kicks in.
"Gallan Goodiyaan" from Dil Dhadakne Do (2015). Whole-family energy. Pull the parents on stage for the last chorus.
"Yeh Bandhan To Pyaar Ka Bandhan Hai" from Karan Arjun (1995). Two brothers, a verse each.

Bidaai songs for the doli

Nobody dances at the bidaai. Pick one bidaai song and play it low from a phone near the car. A big speaker at the gate turns a goodbye into a show.

The bride should choose it a week before, because on the day everyone is in pieces. Start it as she steps out of the house.

"Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja" from Neel Kamal (1968). Mohammed Rafi, as a father saying goodbye. The dadas will ask for it by name.
"Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahar" from Jaani Dushman (1979). Old-fashioned, and the brothers can actually lift the doli in time to it.
"Dilbaro" from Raazi (2018). Keep tissues ready for her father more than for her.
"Kabira" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). For her friends, mostly.
"Madhaniyan" (traditional Punjabi folk song). Let the women of the family sing it themselves. It needs no speaker.

The sangeet running order

Ek kaam karo, write the order on paper before anything goes to the DJ. The opener should be a song the whole hall knows, something Punjabi that gets the chachas off the plastic chairs. Family dances come next, oldest first, because dadi and nani tire early and dinner won't wait.

After them, the friends, then the siblings. The couple goes last, while everyone is still in the room.

Cut every shaadi song to 90 seconds. Nobody needs the third verse. Leave about four seconds between performances so the next group can get into place without bumping into the last one.

A backup of the final mix goes on a pen drive, and a second one on the phone of a cousin who isn't dancing (say, Sameer). Laptops freeze, and pen drives get borrowed by someone who wants to copy the photos.

Their names in the chorus

Right after the couple's dance, while the hall is still clapping, play them a song with their own names in it. HeartCraft makes these as song cards.

You tell it who the song is for and share a few memories, like the biryani order Neha and Varun still argue about. Their names are sung in the chorus, and your story goes into the lines.

The samples on the song card page include sangeet dhol, Punjabi pop, 90s Bollywood and romantic Hindi. It's ready in about 10 minutes and arrives on your WhatsApp or email as a link you can forward or play for them.

You can start a song for the wedding, or listen to the samples on the HeartCraft song card page first. If it's going through the DJ's speakers, check the song page for how it can be saved.

Quick answers before the sound check

How many songs does a sangeet need?

About 15 to 20 performances at 90 seconds each, which fills half an hour. Then give the DJ two hours for open dancing.

What should we send a DJ abroad?

Send each song with its film and year, exactly as written in these lists. A few titles belong to more than one song, and a DJ in Toronto or Leicester can't guess which one you mean.

When should the sangeet songs be final?

Lock them three to four weeks before the function. The choreographer needs time to cut the mix, and every group needs a few weekends of rehearsal on the final version.

What if the dhol wala turns up late?

Start on the playlist and don't wait for him. When he walks in, switch to a dhol-heavy haldi song so he can join in, then let him take over.

Open the haldi with "Genda Phool" from Delhi-6 (2009). It's unhurried enough for the first smear of paste, and cheeky enough that the mausis are singing along by the second verse.

Every list mixes old films with new ones. The chachas get their turn too.

Haldi songs for the morning

Ten in the morning, and the steel thali of haldi paste is already going round. Nobody's kurta is safe.

Good haldi songs are loud and a bit silly. Half the crowd will have yellow hands within minutes, with no way to hold a phone, let alone pick the next song.

Put the Bluetooth speaker in a zip-lock bag before the first scoop. Turmeric doesn't come off a speaker grille.

"Navrai Majhi" from English Vinglish (2012). While the two families are still being polite to each other, this gets them into one circle.
"Ainvayi Ainvayi" from Band Baaja Baaraat (2010). Too quick for an opener, but ten minutes in it's exactly right.
"Badri Ki Dulhania" from Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017). Every cousin under 25 already knows the hook step.
"Pallo Latke" from Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017). By the first chorus, chachi's dupatta is a prop.
"Sadi Gali" from Tanu Weds Manu (2011). The chorus is easy to shout along to, even with turmeric in your eyebrows.
"Nimbooda" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Hand this one to the buas. They've had the steps ready since 1999.
"Morni Banke" from Badhaai Ho (2018). Simple bhangra, so dadi can join for one round.
"Mauja Hi Mauja" from Jab We Met (2007). Strictly for the paste fight.
"Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri" from Naya Daur (1957). Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Nanaji will sing every word, louder than the speaker, and ask for it again after lunch.
"Sweetheart" from Kedarnath (2018). The groom's friends will claim this one, and they'll be right to.
"Gal Mitthi Mitthi" from Aisha (2010). Underrated, and a nice surprise for the cousins who think they've heard everything.
"Nachde Ne Saare" from Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Last song before the bride goes in for her bath.

Mehndi songs while the henna dries

Slow songs win at the mehndi. The bride can't move her hands for most of the afternoon. Meanwhile the aunties on the plastic chairs in the courtyard would rather sing along than jump about.

So the first stretch belongs to the elders and the dholki. Save the fast songs for when the mehndi artist's cone moves on to the cousins. The younger lot can have the speaker then.

Through all of it, keep the volume low enough for the artist to hear the bride. She'll want a say in where the groom's initials get hidden.

"Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Open with it. Anyone over 30 can do the steps sitting down, and most of them will, with both hands in the air.
"Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali" from Zubeidaa (2001). Composed by A.R. Rahman, and gentle enough to hum while the cone is still moving.
"Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Chooriyan Hain" from Chandni (1989). Expect every mummy in the room to sing it word for word.
"London Thumakda" from Queen (2014). Once the bride's hands are done, this gets her cousins off the floor cushions.
"Laung Da Lashkara" from Patiala House (2011). The film is set in Southall, so NRI families in the UK will smile at this one.
"Saajanji Ghar Aaye" from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Ten seconds in, the whole row of chairs starts swaying.
"Pinga" from Bajirao Mastani (2015). Two dancers with matching steps. Give it to the bride's mother and her sister.
"Lathe Di Chadar" (traditional Punjabi folk song). Better sung live in the dholki circle than played off a phone.
"Bole Chudiyan" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Fade it after the second chorus, because it runs long.
"Bumbro" from Mission Kashmir (2000). A change from all the Punjabi.
"Maahi Ve" from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). The mausis will request it anyway. Get there first.
"Sauda Khara Khara" from Good Newwz (2019). For when the groom's side drops in uninvited.
"Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). If the family is Gujarati, end on garba and let the circle form by itself.

Sangeet songs for the couple's entry and dance

If the groom wants a separate entry, put his first and keep it under a minute. The slow song is for her.

Save the English slow dance for the reception. Anyone who still needs one can pick from these English first dance songs for the reception.

"Kudmayi" from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). Slow, so the bride can walk the full length of the hall to the stage without rushing.
"Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). For couples who'd rather get a laugh.
"Tujhe Dekha To" from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Shah Rukh and Kajol in the mustard fields, and the parents' table will cheer from the opening bars.
"Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko" from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). Let both sets of parents dance the first minute before the couple cuts in. The parents may well get the bigger cheer.
"Pehla Nasha" from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). No steps to learn. Just walk slowly and look at each other.
"Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). Roop Kumar Rathod's voice is soft, so put it right after something loud.
"Raataan Lambiyan" from Shershaah (2021). Easy as a sway with one twirl in the middle.
"Kesariya" from Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022). Arijit Singh takes it slow. Keep it for the last dance of the night.

For the bride's or groom's friends

Send the DJ that exact file. A remix with a longer intro throws the whole formation off by eight counts.

The bride's side and the groom's side will turn this into a contest. Let them, and put the groom's friends on first so the bride's girls get the last cheer.

"Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai" from Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002). Obvious, yes. Open the groom's side with it anyway.
"Nagada Nagada" from Jab We Met (2007). Big dhol and easy bhangra, learnable in two rehearsals.
"Kala Chashma" from Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Bring sunglasses. That's the prop list sorted.
"Kudi Nu Nachne De" from Angrezi Medium (2020). All the bride's girls on stage at once, no partners required.
"Bhangra Ta Sajda" from Veere Di Wedding (2018). From a film about four friends and a wedding, which is exactly your situation.
"Le Gayi" from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). Give it to the friend who's been practising a solo since the roka.
"Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe" from Dil Chahta Hai (2001). Three boys in a line. Matching shades if you must.
"Tunak Tunak Tun" by Daler Mehndi (1998). Pure comedy. The elders love it as much as the college gang does, and nobody has to pretend they can dance.
"Badtameez Dil" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). The lyrics are fast. Lip-sync at your own risk.

A song for your sister's wedding, or your brother's

Keep the slow part under a minute and put it in the middle, so the set ends on a laugh.

Dancing alone is fine. If Pooja is doing her brother Arjun's sangeet by herself, half a minute of something slow is plenty. Then one fast song, with the cousins dragged up for the last chorus.

"Didi Tera Devar Deewana" from Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). Younger sisters, this is yours. The groom's brother will act embarrassed and enjoy every second.
"Joote Do Paise Lo" from Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). A warning to the groom about the joota chupai, in song form.
"Chhote Chhote Bhaiyon Ke Bade Bhaiya" from Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). For the eldest brother's wedding, with every younger sibling on stage.
"Dulhe Ka Sehra" from Dhadkan (2000). Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's voice, made for the moment your brother's sehra goes on.
"Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka" from Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971). Kishore Kumar sings to a little sister. Use 40 seconds of it with the lights down, and let the room go quiet before the fast song kicks in.
"Gallan Goodiyaan" from Dil Dhadakne Do (2015). Whole-family energy. Pull the parents on stage for the last chorus.
"Yeh Bandhan To Pyaar Ka Bandhan Hai" from Karan Arjun (1995). Two brothers, a verse each.

Bidaai songs for the doli

Nobody dances at the bidaai. Pick one bidaai song and play it low from a phone near the car. A big speaker at the gate turns a goodbye into a show.

The bride should choose it a week before, because on the day everyone is in pieces. Start it as she steps out of the house.

"Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja" from Neel Kamal (1968). Mohammed Rafi, as a father saying goodbye. The dadas will ask for it by name.
"Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahar" from Jaani Dushman (1979). Old-fashioned, and the brothers can actually lift the doli in time to it.
"Dilbaro" from Raazi (2018). Keep tissues ready for her father more than for her.
"Kabira" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). For her friends, mostly.
"Madhaniyan" (traditional Punjabi folk song). Let the women of the family sing it themselves. It needs no speaker.

The sangeet running order

After them, the friends, then the siblings. The couple goes last, while everyone is still in the room.

Cut every shaadi song to 90 seconds. Nobody needs the third verse. Leave about four seconds between performances so the next group can get into place without bumping into the last one.

Their names in the chorus

Right after the couple's dance, while the hall is still clapping, play them a song with their own names in it. HeartCraft makes these as song cards.

You tell it who the song is for and share a few memories, like the biryani order Neha and Varun still argue about. Their names are sung in the chorus, and your story goes into the lines.

You can start a song for the wedding, or listen to the samples on the HeartCraft song card page first. If it's going through the DJ's speakers, check the song page for how it can be saved.

Quick answers before the sound check

How many songs does a sangeet need?

About 15 to 20 performances at 90 seconds each, which fills half an hour. Then give the DJ two hours for open dancing.

What should we send a DJ abroad?

Send each song with its film and year, exactly as written in these lists. A few titles belong to more than one song, and a DJ in Toronto or Leicester can't guess which one you mean.

When should the sangeet songs be final?

Lock them three to four weeks before the function. The choreographer needs time to cut the mix, and every group needs a few weekends of rehearsal on the final version.

What if the dhol wala turns up late?

Start on the playlist and don't wait for him. When he walks in, switch to a dhol-heavy haldi song so he can join in, then let him take over.