In the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) unexpectedly bursts into the lives of boys at a boarding school with wild joy and some craziness. As he sings "Bum Bum Bole" he brings fun and happiness to the room full of students.
But how does happiness really happen?
Finding Happiness
As part of the annual International Day of Happiness, the United Nations put together the following list of The Ten Keys to Happier Living based on an extensive review of the latest findings from the science of wellbeing. These are all areas which research shows tend to make a big difference to our happiness and are within our control.
| 1. Giving |
1. Relating |
| 3. Exercising |
4. Appreciating |
| 5. Trying out |
6. Direction |
| 7. Resilience |
8. Emotion |
| 9. Acceptance |
10. Meaning |
10 Songs Highlighting 10 Keys to Happiness
The following Bollywood songs never fail to bring a smile to our faces and joy to our spirit as they highlight each of the keys to happiness.
1. "Meethi Boliyan"
Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput), Omi (Amit Sadh) and Govind (Rajkummar Rao) work hard to start their own sports shop and sports academy to train and promote talented budding cricketers. They give of their time, their sweat, and their money, and succeed in establishing a center for cricket among the local youth. After giving so much for the benefit of others, they take some time to celebrate their friendship.
Key to Happiness: #1 - Giving. Do things for others
Film: Kai Po Che! (2013)
Music by: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics by: Swanand Kirkire
Sung by: Amit Trivedi, Mili Nair
2. "That's All I Really Wanna Do"
After a chance encounter, Krish (Shahid Kapoor) and Radha (Priyanka Chopra) become good friends. They text everyday, getting to know each other, and soon fall in love.
Key to Happiness: #2 - Relating. Connect with people
Film: Teri Meri Kahaani (2012)
Music by: Sajid-Wajid
Lyrics by: Prasoon Joshi
Sung by: Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal
3. "Maston Ka Jhund"
After joining the Indian Army, Milkha Singh (Farhan Akhtar) finds life has turned into a series repetitive drills - exercise, bathing, washing clothes - to get the troops into shape. Despite difficult daily workouts, he and his fellow soldiers are always in the mood to have some fun.
Key to Happiness: #3 - Exercising. Take care of your body
Film: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Music by: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics by: Prasoon Joshi
Sung by: Divya Kumar
4. "Khwabon Ke Parindey"
After spending time with Laila (Katrina Kaif), Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) sees the world with new eyes.
Key to Happiness: #4 - Appreciating. Notice the world around you.
Film: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Music by: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics by: Javed Akhtar
Sung by: Alyssa Mendonsa, Mohit Chauhan
5. "Ik Junoon" (Paint It Red)
While traveling through Spain, three friends are invited to participate in the annual La Tomatina Festival. Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) and Kabir (Abhay Deol) learn how much fun it is to play with friends in 16 tons of tomatoes.
Key to Happiness: #5 - Trying out. Keep learning new things
Film: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Music by: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics by: Javed Akhtar
Sung by: Clinton Cerejo, Vishal Dadlani and Alyssa Mendonsa
6. "Salaam India"
After Mary Kom (Priyanka Chopra) gives up championship boxing to have children and look after her family, her husband Onler (Darshan Kumaar) encourages her to revive her boxing training. She asks her old coach to train her. He refuses at first but when he sees her passion and courage he agrees and starts training her with grueling activities so she can once again become a champion.
Key to Happiness: #6 - Direction. Have goals to look forward to
Film: Mary Kom (2014)
Music by: Shashi-Shivam (Pathak)
Lyrics by: Sandeep Singh
Sung by: Vishal Dadlani, Salim Merchant
7. "I Feel Good"
Kiara (Priyanka Chopra) and Akash (Ranbir Kapoor) meet as each is contemplating jumping off New York's George Washington Bridge following major upheavals in their lives that they can't emotionally face. They become friends and confidantes and decide to go to Las Vegas where their personal turmoils and troubles seem to disappear for a time.
Key to Happiness: #7. Resilience. Find ways to bounce back
Film: Anjaana Anjaani (2010)
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar
Sung by: Vishal Dadlani, Shilpa Rao
8. "O Humdum Suniyo Re"
While driving through the typical rush hour traffic and being pulled over by police officers dealing with a road accident, Aditya (Vivek Oberoi) remains upbeat as he listens to a pleasant tune that puts a smile on his face and makes the drive more enjoyable.
Key to Happiness: #8 - Emotion. Take a positive approach
Film: Saathiya (2006)
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics by: Gulzar
Sung by: Kunal Ganjawala, A. R. Rahman, KK, Shaan, Pravin Mani
9. "Patakha Guddi"
After being kidnapped by Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda), Veera Tripathi (Alia Bhatt) finds peace in her bondage. As her fear of abduction is taken over by a sense of freedom, she is able to experience her true self.
Key to Happiness: #9 - Acceptance. Be comfortable with who you are.
Film: Highway (2014)
Music by: Irshad Kamil
Sung by: Sultana Nooran, Jyoti Nooran
10. "Rubaroo"
After ace pilot Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod (R. Madhavan) is killed when his MiG-21 crashes, his friends and family seeks answers from the government. When they realize a corrupt defense minister exchanged cheap and illegal MiG-21 aircraft spare parts for a personal favour, DJ (Aamir Khan), Karan (Siddharth), Laxman (Atul Kulkarni), Aslam (Kunal Kapoor) and Sukhi (Sharman Joshi) take matters into their own hands to achieve justice, emulating early freedom fighters of the early 1900s. Their act wakes up the youth of the nation.
Key to Happiness: #10 - Meaning. Be part of something bigger
Film: Rang De Basanti (2006)
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics by: Prasoon Joshi
Sung by: A. R. Rahman, Naresh Iyer
The following playlist features official videos of each of these songs.
People around the world are encouraged to participate in the International Day of Happiness by sharing their happiest song on the HappySoundsLike website and also by using the Twitter hashtag #HappySoundsLike.
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