Written by
Shri Jitendra Motavar
I am sharing this SJ masterpiece from the musical romantic comedy “April Fool” (1964), “Aa gale lag ja…”. The song is written by Shailendra, magically sung by Rafi sahab and picturized on the leads Biswajit, Saira Banu and some international artists.
Apart from being a timeless SJ-Rafi classic, this song enjoys one more unique credit of having the longest prelude composed for any hindi film song. It comes in the film at a situation where Biswajit and Saira Banu (disguised as Rita) witness a wonderful synchronised swimming dance in the hotel’s swimming pool, presented by some German artists. The scene demanded a splendid piece of music before the actual song, to accompany this “underwater ballet” and what SJ created is simply mind-blowing.
The prelude is a 5.15 min long elaborated piece of extraordinary music for orchestra with variety of instruments and chorus. It starts with an energetic title song rhythm and some lovely chorus themes, followed by a magnificent violin sections on the song’s waltz rhythm. They brilliantly deployed an array of various instruments like, guitars, saxophone, accordion, mouth organ, full range of strings and different percussions to create a musical picture, with plenty of pretty themes and rhythm variations.
After this long musical treat, the actual song kicks off on a rhythmic guitar strokes, following a majestic theme on high violins. The whole composition including its mukhda and stanzas, is supreme beyond words and flows like a dancing river on a modified waltz rhythm. Just like its breathtaking prelude, SJ pored in their best creativity in this 3.47 minute song. Apart from the two adorable interludes, all the short fillers and countermelody phrases make the song an exemplary piece. Rafi sahab’s angelic rendition is unmatchable and evergreen..
