“Meri Laadli Ri” is a charming and whimsical song from the 1949 masterpiece Andaz. Unlike the intense emotional dramas found elsewhere in the film, this track—featuring Lata Mangeshkar and a playful Chorus—is a lighthearted “nursery-style” melody. It reflects the innocence of the protagonist’s inner world before the complexities of the film’s famous love triangle take hold.
Composed by the maestro Naushad Ali, the song is notable for its rhythmic gibberish (“Daa deer dara”) and imaginative lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. It paints a picture of stars, the “old woman in the moon,” and dancing dolls, showcasing Lata’s ability to adapt her voice to a youthful, almost childlike innocence that was quite rare in the high-drama scores of that era.
Meri ladli re lyrics | Chorus, Lata Mangeshkar | Andaz | 1949
Meri ladli re lyrics :
Daa deer dara deer
Dara daa deer dara
Daa deer dara deer
Dara daa deer dara
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani
Nil gagan par baadal
Dole dole har ik tara
Daa deer dara deer
Dara daa deer dara
Chaand ke andar
Budhiyaa dole
Daa deer dara daa deer dara
Daa deer dara daa deer daa
Chaand ke andar
Budhiyaa dole
Thumuk thumuk deer dara
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani
Kamla gaaye bimla gaaye
Gaaye kunabaa sara
Daa deer dara deer
Dara daa deer dara
Ghunghat kaad ke
Gudiya naache
Daa deer dara daa deer dara
Daa deer dara daa deer daa
Ghunghat kaad ke
Gudiya naache
Jhoome re guddaa pyara
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani
Batalar naache bairaa
Naache naache moti aayaa
Daa deer dara deer
Dara daa deer dara
Kaale saahab kaa
Topaa naache
Daa deer dara daa deer
Dara daa deer dara daa deer daa
Kaale saahab kaa
Topaa naache
Gori mem kaa saya
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani
Meri laadali ri meri
Laadali ri bani hai
Taaro ki tu raani
Taaro ki tu raani.