26/06/2023
THE “LAG JA GALE” – SAYANI CONNECTION
1) The iconic song, as many of us know, is from the film ‘Woh Kaun Thi’. Here is the link to the song, for those who have not heard it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFr6G5zveS8
While Ameen Sayani did not do the radio publicity for the film (as confirmed by Producer N.N. Sippy’s son, Pravesh), Ameen does remember attending the premiere, standing throughout with music director Madan Mohan, as the theatre all was overflowing.
2) The song debuted on Binaca Geet Mala on 19th Feb, 1964.
3) When Ameen Sb was compering Lataji’s shows, the song “Lag ja gale” was almost always the most enjoyed and got the most appreciation.
4) When I did my sound recording and re-production certificate course from the University of Bombay in the 80s, our final assignment was recording a song. The song that was adjudged the best recording was – “Lag ja gale”!
5) For the 2018 launch of Caravaan (which included “Geetmala Ki Chhaon Mein”), Saregama India produced a beautiful five-minute TV ad featuring the song – Lag ja gale. The link for the ad is given below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVe06h3ye9U
6) When the film ‘Kedarnath’ was close to release, Ameen Sayani was contacted to give a request programme type commentary, over a tune on the radio for the last shot of the film. The tune was – “Lag ja gale” ! Unfortunately, he was not able to do that recording.
7) The song still remains to be one of the favorites of our family.
8) Unfortunately, the composer, Madan Mohan ji, did not sing this song in his own voice. But do listen to another gem in his voice from the same film, – “Naina barse rim jhim”. Apparently this version of the song was used for the shooting of the song, as Lataji had not been able to sing it. She dubbed it later!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_8vINlR1cY
Photo courtesy – Pravesh Sippy.
Rajil Sayani
