Since 1999

Details: Published: 06 March 2026; Last Updated: 06 March 2026

Executive Summary:

The work of updating and digitization of the legendary Hindi Film Geet Kosh is now complete. It was started in 2018. The first set of files were uploaded in 2021. The final Song Information file for volume V, 1971 to 1980 was uploaded today. All of the Hindi Film Geet Kosh from 1931 to 1985 is now available on the database.

Here is the timeline:

1969: Eighteen year old Har Mandir Singh is frustrated that he cannot find an encyclopedia of Hindi films or songs, considers compiling one.

1980: He publishes, and privately prints and sells Hindi Film Geet Kosh - Volume III.

1984-1991; He publishes the rest of the volumes, Volume V was compiled by Biswanath Chatterjee.

1993: He buys his first PC and immediately thinks of entering the massive data into a database. He starts doing it using Fox Pro.

1997: Publishes the second revised edition of Volume III by using Corel Ventura Desktop Publishing software.

1999-2017: Makes many efforts to have the massive data entered into a database, failing each time and losing lots of time and money.

2018: Decides to do it himself with help from a guy in San Diego.

2020: Database website launched with sample data.

2021: Censor Certificate Information from 1931 to 2010 made public. This was the first set of files.

2021-2026: More and more data is uploaded and made public.

Har Mandir Singh 'Hamraaz' and I are happy to report that the song information from Vol V is available today, this is the final file.

Work Still To Be Done:

We have a laundry list of things that we want to do to enhance HFGK. For example we would like to include the names of junior artists, background dancers, and picturization of songs. We have done it for 4 volumes. We have a big wish list that is available on the database website.