Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Mukhda
मुखड़ा; the hook of a film song
Mukhda, literally “face”, is the opening section of a Hindi film song, with its first lines sung to the main melody. These lines return after every verse and usually give the song its title.
By SJN, Founder, BeatRootRaga · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 27 Sept 2026
What does mukhda mean?
Mukhda literally means “face”. In a Hindi film song, it is the opening section: the first lines, sung to the main melody. These lines return after every verse and usually give the song its title.
Think of the part of a film song you recognise from the first two seconds and hum for the rest of the day. That returning opening tune is its mukhda.
This is a short definition with one example. For the full explanation, read Mukhda and antara: how a film song is built.
Where can I read more about mukhda?
That BeatRootRaga learning page moves from this brief definition and example to the full explanation of how a film song is built.
It explains the relationship between the mukhda, the returning opening section, and the antara, a verse with new words and melody. In a typical Hindi film song, the opening lines return after every verse. Those lines are sung to the main melody and usually give the song its title.
Keep going
- Mukhda and antara: how a film song is built · In a typical Hindi film song, the mukhda is the returning opening section, while an antara is a verse with new words and melody. This pattern comes from Hindustani classical music; listen for the verse climbing higher, then leading back to the opening tune.